Earlier this morning the Lord Jesus had me write on Matthew 11:7-10,16-19, but he had me skip over verses 11-15 because this is another whole subject. And so I am going to write about this one now. And I am including verse 10 here to give it context. For the passage is primarily about John the Baptist and his calling of God to be “a voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

For John the Baptist was called of God even before his birth to be this messenger of God. For Isaiah prophesied about him many years before this, which is what John quoted about himself, as is recorded for us in John 1:23. It was prophesied of John that he was to be a messenger sent by God who would prepare the way for Jesus Christ and for the people to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Matthew 11:10-15 ESV


Some people interpret this passage of scripture that this is speaking about those coming against the kingdom of God, yet in context, it does not lend itself to that interpretation. In context, this is speaking of John as a messenger of God, preparing the way for Christ, and of the prophets who came before him, who were also God’s messengers.

These men, in the power of God, advanced the kingdom of God forcefully, i.e. persuasively, powerfully, insistently, and urgently, and with much determination, faithfulness, and purpose of heart and mind. And this is what we should be doing, too, as Christ’s Body, his representatives, and as his messengers in this world. We should not be blending in with the culture and speaking what is popular. But we should speak the truth to the people, even if they don’t want to hear it, and even if they fight against it.

Yet, that is not to say that the kingdom of God does not suffer violence. It most certainly does. And it is because the messengers of the Lord are taking the true message of the gospel of our salvation to the people of the world that they are being persecuted. And the gospel of our salvation is suffering much in the way of people diluting its message and manipulating it to say something else, and in the way of people attacking it as works-based salvation, or as intolerance, hate and/or bigotry. Therefore, those who are speaking the truth of the gospel are being persecuted.

And, the gospel and its messengers are being attacked, and they are suffering violence and persecution because the kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing; because the true message of the gospel is going forth via the Lord’s messengers, his servants, who are powerfully and insistently spreading the truth, and who are with great determination and faithfulness exposing the lies for what they are, so that people will reject the lies and so that they hold to the truth, and so that they live the truth and not the lies.

So, what is the truth that John taught? He said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). And to repent, although it means to have a change of mind, is more than just that. It is a change of mind about God and his gospel message with a result of change of heart and mind and actions. For the Scriptures depict repentance in terms of us turning from our sins to now walk in obedience to our Lord and in holy living.

[Matt 4:17; Matt 7:21-23; Matt 11:20-21; Matt 12:41; Matt 21:28-31; Mk 1:14-15; Lu 5:32; Lu 9:23-26; Lu 13:1-5; Lu 15:2-7; Lu 24:45-47; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 8:31-32,51; Jn 10:27-30; Jn 14:15-24; Jn 15:1-11]

And what was John’s message to be? What was his assignment from God? He was to make straight the way of the Lord and he was to cry out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord.” And “straight” is what is upright, honest, aboveboard, trustworthy, decent, morally pure, faithful, honorable, and righteous. So this was his message to the people that this is the way of the Lord, this righteous, honest, and morally pure path, and this is the way in which we are to walk (conduct our lives), too.

And if this is the message that we give out to the people, we are going to be largely rejected, persecuted, ignored, falsely accused, and treated as though we are the enemy, while the masses embrace the lies and the liars who are telling them that God does not require repentance nor obedience nor the good works he prepared in advance that we should walk in them (see Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14).

But if we tell people the lies, to make them feel good, then we are guilty of cursing them to hell. Yet if we tell them the truth, that God does indeed require repentance, obedience, and the good works he prepared for us to walk in, then we are teaching that “straight way” that John the Baptist was called of God to do, and which we are also called of God to do. And all those who follow that straight way now have the hope of eternal life with God.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Words by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907
Music by George C. Stebbins, 1907

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Login to view embedded media Caution: This link may contain ads

In recent times, disasters such as earthquakes, floods, swarms of locusts, fires, epidemics, and famines have continued to spread, and the scope of this spread has grown wider and wider. Of particular note is the novel coronavirus, a pestilence that has now made its way into every country on earth with many people dying as a result. When we see such disasters occurring so frequently, we become consumed with fear and feel at a loss, and all we can do is constantly call on the Lord for protection. Could the reason God allows disasters to happen simply be because He wishes for us to call on Him and ask Him for His protection? Just what is God’s intention? How can we obtain God’s protection when disasters strike?

Laiken Jordahl of the Center for Biological Diversity stated, “It’s disheartening to see President Biden stoop to this level by disregarding our nation’s most fundamental environmental laws in order to construct ineffective border walls that kill wildlife.” This is a terrible regression for the borderlands.
According to the center, this is the first time the Biden administration has used the authority to waive the wall.
According to the organization, the proposed construction by the Biden administration would traverse the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge protects endangered species such as the ocelot and the jaguarundi.
The construction of the wall was Donald Trump’s signature campaign pledge in 2016.
Conservatives in the House are saying the first order of business for a new Speaker should be to impeach Mayorkas for his border policies. Additionally, Joe is losing badly in the polls over the border issue. The administration, backed by the major media, must put on some kind of pretense in order to con the people.

If you believe anything these people say, you are a willing dupe.
Login to view embedded media

Hello brothers and sisters.

My question is not on what the unpardonable sin is, at all.

My question is, who first coined the term(s), or who first used the term(s), “unforgivable sin” and “unpardonable sin”? These terms are nowhere in the Bible. I know the scriptures they represent, but who first used these terms?

Halloween is upon us again and time for kids to dress up to get their sugar fix. Do you take part in this holiday as Christians? Also for non believers what do you think of the day?

As a Christian yes I do take my kids trick or treating. According to the Bible it depends where your heart is like eating food that was sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8. In the Old Testament it was the act that was sinful but in the NT we can see that adultery is not just the act but the mere thought of lusting after someone or murder is just merely hating your brother instead of the act.

Christians who celebrate Halloween are not doing so to celebrate witchcraft or even idolatry just dress up to get free candy. Doesn’t all your kids play around the house pretending to be some fictional character? It’s the same thing and the day in itself is no different from any other day (Romans 14:5). Christians dress kids up in Among Us, Angels, Pumpkin, bees, the incredibles, princesses and many other costumes that have nothing to do with witches or evil. It’s what you make it and what’s in your heart as that’s what God looks at.

But for those who believe it’s evil then I respect it and it’s not for everyone. We can see the same in the first scripture I gave that not everyone will accept you can eat meat that was sacrificed to idol gods on the alter but others give it no power, just like some Christians give the day itself no power and just have fun.

So here’s the question are ghosts real from a biblical perspective and if you’re not religious what is your views on the subject?

My perspective from a biblical standpoint are they’re real. Remember Jesus said he wasn’t a ghost when the disciples touched him instead of ever saying there was no such thing. In 1 Samuel 28 we see Saul say bring up the ghost of Samuel (verse 11) and when Samuel arises he says “Why are you bothering me by bringing me up like this?” (This is a rare occurrence and isn’t the norm).

The Bible never said there wasn’t such a thing as ghost. Personally I believe “ghosts” are just an echo of their former self. Demons on the other hand are the ones communicating and even causing physical harm to the living. There is exception about communicating such as when someone is close to death in nursing homes it is said by many that a passed relative or loved one (who is dead) was there to comfort them as they passed away.

Luke 24:39 “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Sometimes two people can hear the same thing and get totally different meanings about what is being said because they attach different meanings to the words used. When we eat corn on the cob you are sure to hear, “Please, pass the butter.” Now that sentence, “Pass the butter” is clear in its meaning with the setting of having corn on the cob at dinner time.



But, in one of the first Women’s Bible studies I ever attended we were studying in Philippians in the King James Bible. As I read “the peace of GOD which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). I thought it meant that GOD’s peace would give me understanding and thus keep me from error.



I thought, GOD’s peace passes all understanding meant it handed understanding to me, like when you say, “pass the butter.” Was I ever shocked when I learned the Greek word translated pass here did not mean hand to me but meant it would throw mindset beyond having to understand, for it surpasses all understanding.

.



The meaning of that word in that setting changes everything and explains so much. Instead of GOD’s peace giving me understanding, GOD’s peace guarded my heart and mind to keep me from doubts and fears when I didn’t understand as it throws me beyond having to understand. It calms me and helps me cope when things just don’t make sense.



Many times, I don’t understand, even though I pray, and I search for answers. At those times I have learned to do as GOD instructs us. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM (talk to HIM about them) and HE will direct your path (not necessarily your mind). Be not wise (having to know) in your own eyes, fear the LORD and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:5-7NKJ).



“The peace that CHRIST gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that GOD has called you together in the one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15 GNT)



Hugs,

Sharon

As the three-week synod on synodality begins, the pope’s response to a set of dubia issued by five cardinals has caused many Catholics to raise an eyebrow. The threat that Pope Francis refuses to validate and stand firm on the Church’s official teaching regarding homosexual marriages has many wandering if this weak papacy will endorse the blessing of sin?

Five cardinals submitted questions to the pope in July seeking clarification of the pope’s stance on homosexual marriages, among four other areas of concern. The dubia received a response by Pope Francis in which the pope gave a typical Jesuit ambiguous response. The answer from Francis refused to prohibit the blessing of homosexual marriages and, in contrast, alluded to the permissive blessing of such sinful marriages.

The pope’s reply contradicted itself by initially reiterating that a marriage is between a man and a woman. In the same reply, however, he said that priests and bishops should use “pastoral charity”that consists of not being judges of those in a homosexual marriage. He stated priests were not to deny or exclude those seeking a homosexual marriage. Francis has a papacy which promulgates a Christian life of “go along to get along.” It ignores the need for repentance, refuses to call sin a sin, and pulls Christians farther away from discipleship of Jesus. Perhaps the pope should bless adultery, pornography, and sex trafficking next. After all, priests are not to “judge or exclude”. Right?

“You are not a God who delights in evil; no wicked person finds refuge with you; the arrogant cannot stand before you. You hate all who do evil, you destroy all who speak falsely. Murderers and deceivers, the Lord abhors.” (Psalm 5:5-7)


Continued below

President Biden selected an old legal colleague of his son Hunter Biden to helm the US Office of Special Counsel, whose primary purpose is protecting whistleblowers — like the ones who have alleged political interference in the five-year-old probe of the presidential scion.

Hunter Biden tapped that firm to assist Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings in 2014 and had dinner with Dellinger and others in March that same year, emails from his abandoned laptop show.

Did i miss hear? He can't be both, right?

Hello all,

I was searching for something in Google and this forum popped up. It has been a while since I posted and thought I would drop in and say hello. I don't know if any of you remember me or not. Not much has changed with me except I think I have calmed my overenthusiastic tendencies to argue a bit. Lol, anyway, hello and maybe I will look around a bit and see what is going on.

Did you all get that presidential alert?
I got it over my phone and tv almost at the same time. A first and very scary. Impending doom?

I’m worried that I’m getting myself a bit worn out with my overactive mind, constant researching of God, reading the Bible and nothing else matters.

It’s causing a touch of anxiety that if I don’t do everything concerned with God daily then God will be disappointed in me. I’m not just talking about simple reading, I’m talking about God being in my mind literally all day. Should I take it as a blessing or can I take little breaks, then come back to Him later in the day or night to read my Bible?

Im a man of extremes, it has to be all or nothing, but I understand this is a lifetime commitment, so is it better to be a Tortoise rather than a Hare?

I believe God's Spirit revealed something to me just now, about where people go after they die. There are verses that say we go to Abraham's bosom or some other waiting place (like Sheol) as we await resurrection, but I believe that was the old order of things, before Christ resurrected.

Jesus was the FIRST person to resurrect after experiencing death. That is why the devil thought he had Jesus beat. Resurrection from the dead had NEVER been seen before by all the hosts of heaven. This is why Christ's resurrection is such an incredible victory! Jesus defied reality! All the hosts of heaven held their breath and Jesus, as the first fruits of the resurrection has nullified death for those who believe!

All the devil can do is huff and puff and kill, steal and destroy, but it doesn't matter! Because death is no more! He thought that having the power of death would win him the contest with God, but he failed!

Thus I believe Paul when he says "to be absent the body is to be present with the Lord" When we die is the judgement, immediately. What do you think?

1 Timothy 1:1-7 ESV


This is a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy who was a fellow laborer in the work of the Lord. Not everything in this letter is going to specifically apply to our lives because this was a specific letter to just one person, with particular instructions, in some cases, for him alone. But, with all Scripture, there are lessons that we can learn from this to apply to our lives, especially when the biblical principles may be applied more broadly.

Now, we are not all in the same position as Timothy. We are not all in positions of authority over other people to where we can charge anyone to do or to not do anything. Nonetheless, we can all teach or share these biblical principles with others. For I can say to you, although I have no authority over you, that you must not teach any different doctrine other than the one that Jesus taught and that his NT apostles taught, in context.

So, what did Jesus teach? He taught that if anyone would come after him that he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and to self), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to our old lives of living in sin and for self, we will lose them for eternity. But if for the sake of Jesus we deny self, die daily to sin, and follow him in obedience, then we have the hope of eternal life with God (see Luke 9:23-26; cf. Romans 6:1-23).

And what were his instructions to the apostle Paul when he was still Saul? Jesus sent him to open (spiritually) blinded eyes, and to turn them from darkness (sin, wickedness, rebellion against God) to light (Jesus, truth, the gospel, righteousness), and from the power (and control) of Satan (over their lives) to God (to follow him with their lives in obedience to his commands), that they might receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (see Acts 26:18; Romans 6:1-23).

For, we who believe in Jesus Christ with God-given and God-persuaded faith are those who have been crucified and buried with Christ in death to sin, and who have been raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin, but now as slaves to God and to his righteousness. Thus, we are not to let sin continue to reign in our mortal bodies, to make us obey its passions. For if sin is what we obey, it will lead to death. But if obedience is what we obey, it will lead to righteousness, and its end is eternal life (see Romans 6:1-23; cf. Ephesians 4:17-24; Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 5:16-21).

And then we read in Titus 2:11-14 that the grace of God, which is bringing us salvation, trains us to renounce (say “No” to) ungodliness and fleshly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s return. For Jesus Christ gave himself up for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (cf. Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:17-24).

And what else did Jesus teach? He said that not everyone who says to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one DOING the will of God the Father who is in heaven. For many will stand before him on that day professing him as Lord, and claiming all that they did in his name, but he is going to say to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of lawlessness,” for they refused to obey the Lord’s commands (see Matthew 7:21-23; cf. 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10).

But what is the gospel message that is permeating the American church today? It is that we can “believe” (not usually biblically defined) in Jesus Christ, have all our sins forgiven (past, present, and future), be on our way to heaven (guaranteed), and be confident that nothing can take that away from us, but while we continue in deliberate and habitual sin against our Lord. But the Scriptures teach that if sin is what we practice, and if righteousness and obedience to God are not our practice, that we will not inherit eternal life with God.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 15:1-11; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Co 6:9-10; 2 Co 5:10; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-11; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 10:23-31; 1 Co 10:1-22; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; 1 Pet 1:17-21; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

So, if you are being convinced that your sins no longer matter to God once you “believe” in Jesus, and that your sins will not be charged against you, so you continue in deliberate and habitual sin against God, then please read through these passages of Scripture referenced above, for that is not the gospel that Jesus and his NT apostles taught. That is a “different gospel” from what they taught, and it is a false gospel, and if that is the gospel you follow, it will end for you just the way that these Scriptures describe. So…

Seek the Lord

An Original Work / July 20, 2012
Based off Isaiah 55

“Come to Me all you who thirst; come to waters.
Listen to Me, and eat what’s good today,
And your soul will delight in richest of fare.
Give ear to Me, and you will live.
I have made an eternal covenant with you.
Wash in the blood of the Lamb.”

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him.
Let the wicked forsake his way, in truth.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will receive mercy.
Freely, God pardons him.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord, our God.

“My word that goes out of My mouth is truthful.
It will not return to Me unfulfilled.
My word will accomplish all that I desire,
And achieve the goal I intend.
You will go in joy and be led forth in peace.
The mountains will burst into song… before you,
And all of the trees clap their hands.”

Login to view embedded media

Why are so many against reformed theology?

Stephen Lawson, RC Sproul and MacArthur answer the question. They all answer from their own perspective.



Login to view embedded media

Why are so many against reformed theology?


Stephen Lawson, RC Sproul and MacArthur answer the question. They all answer from their own perspective.



Login to view embedded media

Please pray for my wife and daughter, who are travelling at the moment. Please pray that God would heal their health/sleep issues. Please pray for Peter, who made a commitment to Christ.

People in China are housed in flats, which are in housing complexes, our complex Shangchengfengjing south area is one of over forty in our area, YAO HUA MEN. We have 18 blocks and over 600 flats in our complex.
Please pray every single housing complex, would have a bible study and prayer meeting, led by people in that complex.

This a very good video from Asia Harvest

Login to view embedded media

COUNTRY FOCUS

NEPAL

Here is a list of the People groups in Nepal, we have chosen 4 (CLICK ON THIS LINK TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON PEOPLE GROUPS BELOW)

Nepal people groups, languages and religions | Joshua Project


UN-REACHED PEOPLES



HINDU YADAV

Prayer Points
Pray for the salvation of the Yadav people.
Pray for short- and long-term workers / teams to come and pioneer new ministries among the Yadav.
For new focused evangelism and church planting ministries.
For literacy and community development work.
For Christian social workers eradicating alcoholism.
Christian workers to meet their spiritual and physical needs.
For the practice of child labour to end among the Yadav people.
For education to be made available to girls as well to the boys.




GHARTI

Please pray for Gharti Christians to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, as well as in numbers. Please pray the Gharti people in Nepal and India will be given a growing desire to know the creator God, the one who transcends his creation yet offers to be a friend of those who will come to him through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ.



SARKI

Pray for the Lord to bless the Sarki people economically and spiritually as a testimony of his love and power.
There are some Christians among the Sarki community. Pray they become more than cultural Christians, instead becoming zealous disciples of Christ who disciple others in his ways.
Pray the Sarki community will be dissatisfied with their spiritual lives, and they will hunger to know the creator God and his Son who came to give them life to the full.



SHERPA

Ask the Lord to send forth laborers into Nepal to minister to the needs of the Sherpa.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favour to missions' agencies currently working among the Sherpa.
Pray that Christian materials will be translated into the Sherpa language.
Pray that God will give Sherpa believers boldness to share the love of Christ with their own people.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a strong and growing Sherpa church for the glory of His name!

Even arachnophobes may have to tip their hat to this beast, who seems to bend all the rules of his race by sporting electric blue hair gel.

The story of its discovery is a fascinating one, but the exercise of plumbing the depths of a Thailand mangrove forest wasn’t merely scientific in nature, but humanitarian as well.

With the excitement in national news which the discovery of the tarantula drummed up, the team behind it, led by scientist Narin Chomphuphuang and joined by popular Thai YouTube explorer JoCho Sippawat, decided to auction off the rights to give the iridescent spider its scientific name in order to raise money and awareness for JoCho Sippawat’s people.

Continued below.

Is it true?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 GNB

Login to view embedded media

John Frame says that prayer is not only commanded but us communing with God, and prayer also changes things in his triangle diagram in his systematics. So I was wondering if our prayers that are spontaneous "tainted" by sin? Are we harming ourselves by praying if we are too sinful similar to partaking of the Lord's supper if unworthy? It's a confusing topic to me as there are differences between the Reformed and Lutheran view of prayer as a means of grace. The Lutherans seem to be a lot more cautious as to the purpose of prayer and it's role in our sanctification. As an analogy, the Reformed would just talk to Jesus whereas the Lutherans would guard their language before speaking so as to not use the wrong form: Frame cites 1 Thess 5:17 while the Lutheran dogmaticians tend to cite the sorcerers who used Jesus name as a magic formula for selfish goals. So praying too much in the wrong way can lead to destruction and works-based self-justification maybe.... so then should we be more hesitant to pray or talk to Jesus or not? Were the disciples hesitant?

I am in need of prayer for healing, I have a cold that is causing me to have a fever and chills. I am also in need of prayer to remove this fear anxiety that I have. Thanks and God Bless.

Proverbs 27 (select verses)


To boast is to brag, or it is to make a claim to, to declare, to pride yourself on what you have planned, or on what you believe you are going to accomplish, or on how you expect tomorrow to be in your favor and/or for your enjoyment and pleasure. But not one of us knows if we have tomorrow, or if we do, what tomorrow will bring. It may bring disaster instead of enjoyment. And it may bring upheaval and not peace and calm.


We live in a society today and in a Christian culture here in America where “open rebuke” is being frowned upon, but the “kisses of the enemy” are what are being preferred and largely accepted and adopted. For the word “love” is being twisted to teach and to do the opposite of the kind of love we Christians should possess and do for others. For this love comes from God, who is love, and this love is based in moral preference, and it prefers what God prefers, which is what is holy, honest, morally pure, and faithful.

So, if you speak the truth in love to other professers of faith in Jesus Christ, and if you refute the lies that are being spread in the name of Christ, and in the name of his gospel, then you are regarded as legalistic, unloving, negative, judgmental, and intolerant, and as someone who is to be avoided and ignored and/or rebuked. For so many people are preferring the lies, for the lies make them feel good when they are living in sinful rebellion against the Lord, for the lies tell them that God will not judge them.


Because so many people calling themselves Christians today are redefining the character of God/Christ, and of his gospel, and of his church, many people who profess faith in Jesus Christ are feeling at liberty to keep on in their deliberate, habitual, and premeditated sins against God, and against those closest to them, who they are supposed to be loving. And so we have a very large number of “Christian” men in the church who are living in sexual addiction and in adultery against their wives, and many wives, too, who are doing the same in living in adultery against their husbands.

And this adultery doesn’t have to engage physical contact with another person at all, for addiction to pornography (sexually explicit material) ranks at the top of sins which are permeating the American church, and which are destroying marriages and families. And Jesus said that to look at another with lust is to commit adultery in one’s heart. And along with this often goes self-gratification, which is also adultery, for it is not keeping the marriage bed pure, and it is not becoming one flesh with one’s spouse.

And so we need people who will speak the truth in love on these issues, and who will address these difficult subjects that most people don’t want to even acknowledge, although they know they exist. We need to be those who are calling sin what it is and who are not pacifying and coddling these sex addicts in their sin by either ignoring their blatant sin or by providing support groups for them whereby they can commiserate with others who are also living in addiction to sexual sin and in adultery against their spouses.


Where does all this sexual immorality and adultery and lying and deception come from? They come from what is stored up in the human hearts of those whose hearts are given over to the flesh and are not surrendered to God. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander. These are what defile a person. Thus, the evil person out of his evil treasure in his heart produces evil. But the good person out of the good treasure in his heart produces good.

[Lu 6:45; Matt 15:17-20]

So, what is stored up in one’s heart is going to be what comes out of one’s mouth, and it is going to be what comes out in one’s attitudes and behaviors. So this can’t be conquered in the flesh, and it can’t be conquered just via behavioral modification. For what is stored up in our hearts is going to be what comes out eventually. And also one’s behavioral practices and words and attitudes reflect what is stored up in one’s heart. So, addicts will try to cover up their sins, but they can’t hide what is really in their hearts.

And the sad reality in all of this is what is described for us here in these last few verses. Sin never satisfies. Those who are full of lust are never satisfied. They will always go back for more. And even if they are judged, even in a court of law, for what they have done, they may not learn faithfulness. They may not learn moral purity and honesty and faithfulness and obedience to God. But they may keep on in their folly, and it may be the death of them. It may be that their refusal to change will one day come back to bite them.

For the Scriptures teach, even if we are not judged in this world, that God has a day in mind when he is going to judge all of us on the basis of our works. So for those who have committed themselves to surrender of their lives to Jesus Christ, and so they are walking in obedience to the Lord, in practice, and so they are saying “No” to sin and “Yes” to God daily, they have the hope of eternal life with God. But those who make sin their practice and do not obey the Lord, they will not inherit eternal life with God.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 15:1-11; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Co 6:9-10; 2 Co 5:10; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-11; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 10:23-31; 1 Co 10:1-22; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; 1 Pet 1:17-21; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

Seek the Lord

An Original Work / July 20, 2012
Based off Isaiah 55

“Come to Me all you who thirst; come to waters.
Listen to Me, and eat what’s good today,
And your soul will delight in richest of fare.
Give ear to Me, and you will live.
I have made an eternal covenant with you.
Wash in the blood of the Lamb.”

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him.
Let the wicked forsake his way, in truth.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will receive mercy.
Freely, God pardons him.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord, our God.

“My word that goes out of My mouth is truthful.
It will not return to Me unfulfilled.
My word will accomplish all that I desire,
And achieve the goal I intend.
You will go in joy and be led forth in peace.
The mountains will burst into song… before you,
And all of the trees clap their hands.”

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media