Absolutes vs Relativism
Col 2:6-8 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Relativism is a philosophical position that says all points of view are equally valid and that all truth is relative to the individual. It's a philosophy that uses words and thoughts to steer us away from Yahweh. It is evil by design and it's very subtle.
And now, it has found its way into the minds of many Christians and is literally destroying every ounce of Truth and conviction in it's path. Leaving behind in it's wake a path of deceived, powerless, cold and indifferent people who call themselves Christians.
Isa 5:20 Doom to you who call evil good and good evil, Who put darkness in place of light and light in place of darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Absolute Truth - Inflexible Reality
"Absolute truth" is defined as inflexible reality: fixed, invariable, unalterable facts. For example, it is a fixed, invariable, unalterable fact that there are absolutely no square circles and there are absolutely no round squares.
Absolute Truth vs. Relativism
There are some religious orientations (atheistic humanists, for example) who argue against the existence of absolute truth. John Dewey (1859-1952), co-author and signer of the Humanist Manifesto 1 (1933), declared, "There is no God and there is no soul. Hence, there are no needs for the props of traditional religion. With dogma and creed excluded, then immutable truth is also dead and buried. There is no room for fixed, natural law or moral absolutes." Humanists believe one should do, as one feels is right.
Absolute Truth - A Logical Necessity
You can't logically argue against the existence of absolute truth. To argue against something is to establish that a truth exists. You cannot argue against absolute truth unless an absolute truth is the basis of your argument. Here are a few of the classic arguments made by those who seek to argue against the existence of absolute truth…
"There are no absolutes." First of all, the relativist is declaring there are absolutely no absolutes. That is an absolute statement. The statement is logically contradictory. If the statement is true, then there is, in fact, an absolute - there are absolutely no absolutes.
"Truth is relative." Again, this is an absolute statement implying truth is absolutely relative. Besides positing an absolute, suppose the statement was true and "truth is relative." Everything including that statement would be relative. If a statement is relative, it is not always true. If "truth is relative" is not always true, sometimes truth is not relative. This means there are absolutes, which means that statement is false. When you follow the logic, relativist arguments will always contradict themselves.
"Who knows what the truth is, right?" In the same sentence this person says that no one knows what the truth is, then he turns around and asks those who are listening to affirm the truth of his statement.
"No one knows what the truth is." They obviously believe their statement is true.
There are philosophers who actually spend countless hours toiling over thick volumes written on the "meaninglessness" of everything. We can assume they think the text is meaningful! Then there are those philosophy teachers who teach their students, "No one's opinion is superior to anyone else's. There is no hierarchy of truth or values. Anyone's viewpoint is just as valid as anyone else's viewpoint. We all have our own truth." Then they turn around and grade the papers!
Absolute Truth - Morality
Morality is a facet of absolute truth. Relativists say, "It's wrong for you to impose your morals on me." By declaring something is wrong, they are contradicting their self by imposing his morals upon you.
They also say, "There is no right, there is no wrong!" So, you must ask, is that statement right or wrong?
If you catch a relativist in the act of doing something they know is absolutely wrong, and you try to point it out to them, they will get mad and say, "Truth is relative! There's no right and there's no wrong! We should be able to do whatever we want!"
If that is a true statement and there is no right and there is no wrong, and everyone should be able to do whatever they want, then why did they get mad? What basis do they have for their anger? You can't be appalled by an injustice, or anything else for that matter, unless an absolute has somehow been violated.
Relativists will also argue, "Everybody can believe whatever they want!" It makes us wonder, why are they arguing? It's funny that they are the ones who want to argue about relativism.
If you try to tell a relativist the difference between right and wrong, they will say, "None of that is true! We make our own reality!" If that's true, and we all create our own reality, then our statement of moral accountability is merely a figment of the relativists imagination. If a relativist has a problem with a statement of absolute morality, the relativist should take the issue up with himself.
Absolute Truth - The Conclusion
We all know there is absolute truth. It seems the more we argue against it, the more we prove its existence. Reality is absolute whether you feel like being cogent or not. Philosophically, relativism is contradictory. Practically, relativism is anarchy. The world is filled with absolute truth.
A relativist says that everyone should be able to believe and do whatever they want. Of course, this sounds good to them, until they come home to find their house has been robbed, or someone tries to hurt him, or someone cuts in front of him in line.
No relativist will come home to find his house robbed and say, "Oh, how wonderful that the burglar was able to fulfill his view of reality by robbing my house. Who am I to impose my view of right and wrong on this wonderful burglar?" I guarantee you, that relativist will feel violated just like anyone else.
There is some validity to some aspects of relativism. What one society considers right the other may consider wrong. Some are acceptable, some are not. These have to do with Cultural Relativism. They are customs that are culturally based.
Now, if society “A” says its ok to beat your wife for not cooking you dinner, and society “B” says its wrong, then whose right? So, somewhere there has to be a point of reference from which Truth comes from.
If Society lives by and establishes it's own laws based on what every person believes to be right or wrong, we would self destruct in a matter of months if not weeks.
So, our challenge is to reacquaint ourselves with Yahweh's Holy Word and not let the spirit of relativism poison our minds. God's Word is Truth, PERIOD. It is His Word that brings life and peace.
Psa 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psa 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Spontaneous Expansion of The Kingdom of Yahweh
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
In this parable, the man who sows the seed goes to sleep at night, wakes up in the day, and does not know how the work grows. I feel qualified for that role - clueless and sleeping on the job.
Too many of us experts think we know all about how the work of our ministry is “supposed” to grow. But, what winds up happening is that the mysterious and miraculous element of the Kingdom is replaced with strategic plans, demographic studies, and colored flow charts and plans of attack.
We sacrifice pure, organic power for hard work and little results. Professing to be wise, we have become fools.
Yahweh blessed Isaaac, and prospered him, and made all that he had to thrive under his hands. 1. His corn multiplied strangely, Gen 26:12 - Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
In Gerar, where Isaac was, Sixty-fold was a good harvest but One Hundred-fold was rare.
And on top of that, Isaac didn't even own the land that he was sowing on.
He had no land of his own, but took land of the Philistines, and sowed it; and (be it observed for the encouragement of poor tenants, that occupy other people's lands, and are honest and industrious) God blessed him with a great increase. He reaped a hundred fold;
And notice the emphasis on the time: it was that same year when there was a famine in the land; while others hardly reaped at all, he reaped plentifully. Isa_65:13, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry,
Psa_37:19, In the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 2. His cattle also increased,
Gen_26:14. And then, He had great store of servants, whom he employed and maintained.
(READ: Have everyone turn in their bibles:)
2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
If you are not a giver, then I want to implore you to begin to give. Not just once or twice – but make it your lifestyle.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Message:
Luke 6:38 Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
It's not just in finances, but it's in your talents and abilities. It's in your time and your giving yourself to the ministry – What can I do? If you come to Church here and receive of this ministry and you give nothing back, you are a Dead Sea. If you have an inlet you must have an outlet. It's not normal or natural or scriptural if you take but don't give.
The economy is tanking and will get worse – Our only survival is to give and keep giving. Seed time and harvest – as long as the earth stands – that's the system of the Kingdom of God.
KJV
Pro 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Message:
Pro 11:24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Pro 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
In this parable, the man who sows the seed goes to sleep at night, wakes up in the day, and does not know how the work grows. I feel qualified for that role - clueless and sleeping on the job.
Too many of us experts think we know all about how the work of our ministry is “supposed” to grow. But, what winds up happening is that the mysterious and miraculous element of the Kingdom is replaced with strategic plans, demographic studies, and colored flow charts and plans of attack.
We sacrifice pure, organic power for hard work and little results. Professing to be wise, we have become fools.
Yahweh blessed Isaaac, and prospered him, and made all that he had to thrive under his hands. 1. His corn multiplied strangely, Gen 26:12 - Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
In Gerar, where Isaac was, Sixty-fold was a good harvest but One Hundred-fold was rare.
And on top of that, Isaac didn't even own the land that he was sowing on.
He had no land of his own, but took land of the Philistines, and sowed it; and (be it observed for the encouragement of poor tenants, that occupy other people's lands, and are honest and industrious) God blessed him with a great increase. He reaped a hundred fold;
And notice the emphasis on the time: it was that same year when there was a famine in the land; while others hardly reaped at all, he reaped plentifully. Isa_65:13, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry,
Psa_37:19, In the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 2. His cattle also increased,
Gen_26:14. And then, He had great store of servants, whom he employed and maintained.
(READ: Have everyone turn in their bibles:)
2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
If you are not a giver, then I want to implore you to begin to give. Not just once or twice – but make it your lifestyle.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Message:
Luke 6:38 Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
It's not just in finances, but it's in your talents and abilities. It's in your time and your giving yourself to the ministry – What can I do? If you come to Church here and receive of this ministry and you give nothing back, you are a Dead Sea. If you have an inlet you must have an outlet. It's not normal or natural or scriptural if you take but don't give.
The economy is tanking and will get worse – Our only survival is to give and keep giving. Seed time and harvest – as long as the earth stands – that's the system of the Kingdom of God.
KJV
Pro 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Message:
Pro 11:24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Pro 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Dealing with Discouragement
How To Deal With Discouragement
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
MSG - Gal 5:7 You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? 8 This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. 9 And please don't toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. 10 Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment.
TEXT
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Let's go back to the beginning of Hebrews and see what it was that led Paul to this particular comment and warning of making sure that we do not have an Evil heart of unbelief that would lead us in turning our back of Yahweh.
Paul begins Ch 1 speaking of the Superiority of the Christian Faith to the Mosaic system. The great danger of the Christians in Palestine was that of relapsing into the Jewish system.
For the Christians at Corinth, it was the danger of relapsing back into the sins of Idolatry and Fornication. Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
And for the Galatians, it was the danger of returning to their trust in their family linage to save them. Satan is always attempting to draw us from the Cross back to what God has delivered us from through the same lies.
So, from Paul's train of reasoning, he says in Ch 2 v1, “Therefore” - Because of that, all that I have just said, Jesus is the ONLY way of Salvation. “ Therefore, we ought to give a more earnest HEED to those things we have heard. lest at any time we should let them slip. 2. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Then he goes from “Therefore” to “Wherefore”. In Ch 3 v 1, he says, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”
As I said earlier, there are different types of things that will try to move us from the Cross. But tonight I want to talk about one of those ways. And that is by the way of Discouragement.
DISCOURAGE
1. To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits; to deject; to deprive of confidence. Try to prevent. (http://www.dictometer.com/discourage)
Jos 1:1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
When the Lord says to us, “Be strong and of a good courage”, that must mean there is something out there that is fixing to seemingly overtake me. When Jesus says over and over, “Fear Not”, that means there is something that will come at me that's going to make my knees weak.
Jn 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
We have the same seed in us that the Apostle Paul had in him. If taken care of properly, it will cause us to overcome.
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus has dealt tho every man “the” measure of Faith. So, we must take heed how we build there upon.
So, how do we deal with any other attack? With the Word of God. We have to encourage ourself in the Lord. The Seed of God is in us with the Divine ability to overcome.
We have to speak to ourself in songs and hymns and spiritual songs. Making melody in our hearts to the Lord. WE must make up our minds that we will never give up or give in. Be faithful till the end. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life.
Paul said, “Endure hardships as a good soldier.” “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we faint not.”
How to Respond to Discouragement
Act 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
2Ti 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
How do we respond to Discouragement?
With COURAGE!!!
For every punch satin throws at us, we need to counter with the direct oppsite.
To Dis-courage is to rob us of our Courage.
To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits; to deject; to deprive of confidence.
So, what is Courage?
Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.
Courage that grows from constitution, often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty, acts in a uniform manner.
So, be En-couraged
To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit.
Fear not, only be thou courageous and strong.
Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
MSG - Gal 5:7 You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? 8 This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. 9 And please don't toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. 10 Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment.
TEXT
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Let's go back to the beginning of Hebrews and see what it was that led Paul to this particular comment and warning of making sure that we do not have an Evil heart of unbelief that would lead us in turning our back of Yahweh.
Paul begins Ch 1 speaking of the Superiority of the Christian Faith to the Mosaic system. The great danger of the Christians in Palestine was that of relapsing into the Jewish system.
For the Christians at Corinth, it was the danger of relapsing back into the sins of Idolatry and Fornication. Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
And for the Galatians, it was the danger of returning to their trust in their family linage to save them. Satan is always attempting to draw us from the Cross back to what God has delivered us from through the same lies.
So, from Paul's train of reasoning, he says in Ch 2 v1, “Therefore” - Because of that, all that I have just said, Jesus is the ONLY way of Salvation. “ Therefore, we ought to give a more earnest HEED to those things we have heard. lest at any time we should let them slip. 2. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Then he goes from “Therefore” to “Wherefore”. In Ch 3 v 1, he says, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”
As I said earlier, there are different types of things that will try to move us from the Cross. But tonight I want to talk about one of those ways. And that is by the way of Discouragement.
DISCOURAGE
1. To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits; to deject; to deprive of confidence. Try to prevent. (http://www.dictometer.com/discourage)
Jos 1:1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
When the Lord says to us, “Be strong and of a good courage”, that must mean there is something out there that is fixing to seemingly overtake me. When Jesus says over and over, “Fear Not”, that means there is something that will come at me that's going to make my knees weak.
Jn 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
We have the same seed in us that the Apostle Paul had in him. If taken care of properly, it will cause us to overcome.
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus has dealt tho every man “the” measure of Faith. So, we must take heed how we build there upon.
So, how do we deal with any other attack? With the Word of God. We have to encourage ourself in the Lord. The Seed of God is in us with the Divine ability to overcome.
We have to speak to ourself in songs and hymns and spiritual songs. Making melody in our hearts to the Lord. WE must make up our minds that we will never give up or give in. Be faithful till the end. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life.
Paul said, “Endure hardships as a good soldier.” “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we faint not.”
How to Respond to Discouragement
Act 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
2Ti 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
How do we respond to Discouragement?
With COURAGE!!!
For every punch satin throws at us, we need to counter with the direct oppsite.
To Dis-courage is to rob us of our Courage.
To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress the spirits; to deject; to deprive of confidence.
So, what is Courage?
Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.
Courage that grows from constitution, often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty, acts in a uniform manner.
So, be En-couraged
To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit.
Fear not, only be thou courageous and strong.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Museums and Reenactors
Whatever happened to the New Testament Church? When we read the Book of Acts, we see an emerging organism alive and powerful, called the Church. The mighty things done at the hands of the Apostles and the Church were amazing and mind boggling.
Peter's shadow would heal the sick and deliver people from demonic oppression. Souls saved by the thousands, miracles abounded. What happened? Is Yahweh the same? I believe He is the same and still desires to show His power and Glory again.
I think we have gotten too busy, too prideful, too educated and too self-reliant. I think we have traded in the old tools that He has given us for more modern, more desirable and more shiney tools.
We have become a Museum of days gone by and have become reenactors of what Yahweh used to do. Every week we reenact what our fore-fathers used to live. We go through the same motions, wear the same clothes and try to appear the same but something is missing. HEART! HOLINESS! CONVICTION!
2Ki 11:10 And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
Ahaziah had been the king of Judah. Ahaziah had a son who was just a baby. His name was Joash. Ahaziah died. His mother, Athaliah, decided she was going to destroy all the potential heirs of the throne, and she became the queen of Judah. But, they hid one of Ahaziah's boys, little Joash, in the temple for almost seven years.
During these seven years, the mother of the deceased king assumed the throne and became the queen of Judah. Bear in mind her grandson, Joash, is hidden in the temple, awaiting the ripening of his years so that he can become the king.
The day came when they felt that they should kill Athaliah, the wicked grandmother of the little boy, and the mother of the deceased king. The time is come to take the throne from her and give it to the right heir, Joash, who now is a young boy - no longer an infant.
They take the bodyguards and put them around the boy, and they say, "Watch hill when he goes out. Watch him when he comes in. Protect the boy." However, they have no weapons. How can they defeat the wicked queen, and bow can they destroy the wicked grandmother, without weapons?
Then somebody remembers a beautiful truth: King David had put his weapons in the temple. David would take the weapons of war that he had used to fight the battles against evil and for God, and would deposit those in the temple.
For these many years, these weapons of King David had been in the temple. Suddenly, somebody gets the idea, "Why don't we get those weapons and use them? We are about to have a revolution. We are about to have an insurrection."
The queen came in, and the people had the weapons of David, the old warrior, the great king, the greatest king that ever sat on Israel's throne.
King David's weapons were on the walls, so somebody grabbed the weapons. The queen came in. She saw the weapons. She saw the bodyguards. To her surprise, she saw the young boy Joash. She cries, "Treason! Treason! Treason!" It is to no avail, for they took her, and the wicked queen was killed. Joash assumed the throne that was rightly his.
We must take down the weapons that are hanging on the walls and use them once again. Forget about the new fandangled way these new age preachers are pushing. Let's get back to prayer, fasting and spiritual warfare.
It's the only thing that will work. Let's not be a Museum any longer. Let's quit talking about how Yahweh used to move. Let's stop reliving the good ole days and let's begin living the good - now days.
Peter's shadow would heal the sick and deliver people from demonic oppression. Souls saved by the thousands, miracles abounded. What happened? Is Yahweh the same? I believe He is the same and still desires to show His power and Glory again.
I think we have gotten too busy, too prideful, too educated and too self-reliant. I think we have traded in the old tools that He has given us for more modern, more desirable and more shiney tools.
We have become a Museum of days gone by and have become reenactors of what Yahweh used to do. Every week we reenact what our fore-fathers used to live. We go through the same motions, wear the same clothes and try to appear the same but something is missing. HEART! HOLINESS! CONVICTION!
2Ki 11:10 And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
Ahaziah had been the king of Judah. Ahaziah had a son who was just a baby. His name was Joash. Ahaziah died. His mother, Athaliah, decided she was going to destroy all the potential heirs of the throne, and she became the queen of Judah. But, they hid one of Ahaziah's boys, little Joash, in the temple for almost seven years.
During these seven years, the mother of the deceased king assumed the throne and became the queen of Judah. Bear in mind her grandson, Joash, is hidden in the temple, awaiting the ripening of his years so that he can become the king.
The day came when they felt that they should kill Athaliah, the wicked grandmother of the little boy, and the mother of the deceased king. The time is come to take the throne from her and give it to the right heir, Joash, who now is a young boy - no longer an infant.
They take the bodyguards and put them around the boy, and they say, "Watch hill when he goes out. Watch him when he comes in. Protect the boy." However, they have no weapons. How can they defeat the wicked queen, and bow can they destroy the wicked grandmother, without weapons?
Then somebody remembers a beautiful truth: King David had put his weapons in the temple. David would take the weapons of war that he had used to fight the battles against evil and for God, and would deposit those in the temple.
For these many years, these weapons of King David had been in the temple. Suddenly, somebody gets the idea, "Why don't we get those weapons and use them? We are about to have a revolution. We are about to have an insurrection."
The queen came in, and the people had the weapons of David, the old warrior, the great king, the greatest king that ever sat on Israel's throne.
King David's weapons were on the walls, so somebody grabbed the weapons. The queen came in. She saw the weapons. She saw the bodyguards. To her surprise, she saw the young boy Joash. She cries, "Treason! Treason! Treason!" It is to no avail, for they took her, and the wicked queen was killed. Joash assumed the throne that was rightly his.
We must take down the weapons that are hanging on the walls and use them once again. Forget about the new fandangled way these new age preachers are pushing. Let's get back to prayer, fasting and spiritual warfare.
It's the only thing that will work. Let's not be a Museum any longer. Let's quit talking about how Yahweh used to move. Let's stop reliving the good ole days and let's begin living the good - now days.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Presenting Yourself
Mat 15:7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And [72] honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " [73]
If there is one thing that we have forgotten, it is that Yahweh is a Holy God. And because we have forgotten that we forget how important it is to approach Yahweh with singleness of heart and mind. We have gotten too familiar with Yahweh that we treat Him with disdain. We treat Him like He were any other person. There is no honor and respect for that which is Holy and Just.
We try to speak to Him with no different attitude than we do anybody else. This modern way of worship is flagrant pride at it's best. We have been led to believe that we can just strut up in His Presence chewing our gum, high - fiving the Most High.
Just because we live in the New Testament and are in the period of Grace does not mean that we can do this. He is the same God that parted the Red Sea, that brought the Judgment upon Pharoah and Sodom and Gomarah. He's the same God that sits on His Throne in the sides of the North.
We must learn or re-learn how to present ourselves before His Presence. We must be free from sin. Paul told the Cornithians when partaking of the Lord's Supper, to "examine yourself".
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
He said that many are sick and die prematurely because they are partaking of something without understanding how important it is to properly present or prepare themself for His Presence.
The High Priest, before going into the Holy of Holies, had to go through several ceremonial cleansings. Now, I'm not saying we have to do what they did, because the Blood of Jesus opens up the way to His Presence for us. BUT, we must not come to Him in our pride and arrogance. We are not to walk up to Him with the "What's up Pops?" attitude.
NO, NO, NO!!! We should approach Him with a Holy fear and reverence. With the utmost respect, giving Him our undivided, un-hypocritical attention. When we present ourselves to Him, we must make sure we have come the right way. The reverant way, the humble way. The way of clean hands and a pure heart.
So, remember, the next time you enter His Presence, remember who He is. Come with confidence, but come with humility. Come with NO sin. Come with a heart as white as the driven snow. Come, bow down and worship Him.
If there is one thing that we have forgotten, it is that Yahweh is a Holy God. And because we have forgotten that we forget how important it is to approach Yahweh with singleness of heart and mind. We have gotten too familiar with Yahweh that we treat Him with disdain. We treat Him like He were any other person. There is no honor and respect for that which is Holy and Just.
We try to speak to Him with no different attitude than we do anybody else. This modern way of worship is flagrant pride at it's best. We have been led to believe that we can just strut up in His Presence chewing our gum, high - fiving the Most High.
Just because we live in the New Testament and are in the period of Grace does not mean that we can do this. He is the same God that parted the Red Sea, that brought the Judgment upon Pharoah and Sodom and Gomarah. He's the same God that sits on His Throne in the sides of the North.
We must learn or re-learn how to present ourselves before His Presence. We must be free from sin. Paul told the Cornithians when partaking of the Lord's Supper, to "examine yourself".
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
He said that many are sick and die prematurely because they are partaking of something without understanding how important it is to properly present or prepare themself for His Presence.
The High Priest, before going into the Holy of Holies, had to go through several ceremonial cleansings. Now, I'm not saying we have to do what they did, because the Blood of Jesus opens up the way to His Presence for us. BUT, we must not come to Him in our pride and arrogance. We are not to walk up to Him with the "What's up Pops?" attitude.
NO, NO, NO!!! We should approach Him with a Holy fear and reverence. With the utmost respect, giving Him our undivided, un-hypocritical attention. When we present ourselves to Him, we must make sure we have come the right way. The reverant way, the humble way. The way of clean hands and a pure heart.
So, remember, the next time you enter His Presence, remember who He is. Come with confidence, but come with humility. Come with NO sin. Come with a heart as white as the driven snow. Come, bow down and worship Him.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Missing Jewel in the Modern Church
I'm sure that if I were to ask each of you, "What is the number one thing missing from the Church today?" that each of you would have a different idea. And I am sure that each idea of yours would be correct to some degree.
There is one particular scripture that I find amazing, considering all the scriptures that Yahweh has given us to use and follow. Things that are all very, very important - important to our survival. And, that scripture is found in John's Gospel, chapter 4. You all know the story.
It is in this story that we find something about our Heavenly Father that is actually recorded in the Holy writ, that reveals a search by Yahweh for something, or should we say, some-one. And, it is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
As important as the Five Fold Ministers are, as important as singers are, as important as any ministry, ministries, musicians, secretaries, deacons and elders are to the work of the ministry, not ONE time in the Bible do we find where Yahweh is looking for these types of giftings or people.
However, here, spelled out in red and white, YeShuah gives us a glimpse into the heart and will of Yahweh, our Father. He is looking for worshipers, PERIOD!!!
Every Church that advertises their services, whether in the local newspaper, television ad, Church sign or, in their bulletin, they all say the same thing. WORSHIP Service, at so and so time, yet, by the very definition of the word, they would all be sued in a court of Law for false advertising if they were ever tried.
Most everything that is done in most services are "Acts of Worship" they must never never be mistaken for real Bible Worship. We get people saved and throw them in a class on how to do this and how to do that. Where are the classes that teach us the vital number one responsibility of mankind - WORSHIP!!!????
The Father is looking for people who will Worship Him in spirit and in truth. Become a Worshiper today. Keep doing the other, only seek to be a worshiper first. Worship involves prayer but, it exceeds prayer. Actually Worship is the highest form of prayer. The kind of prayer and communication with the Father that talks to Him, fellowships Him, NOT asking Him for things.
What is missing in our Churches? The Jewel of Worship!!! Lets restore the Missing Jewel of Worship and become what our Father is searching for - WORSHIPERS!!!
There is one particular scripture that I find amazing, considering all the scriptures that Yahweh has given us to use and follow. Things that are all very, very important - important to our survival. And, that scripture is found in John's Gospel, chapter 4. You all know the story.
It is in this story that we find something about our Heavenly Father that is actually recorded in the Holy writ, that reveals a search by Yahweh for something, or should we say, some-one. And, it is the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
As important as the Five Fold Ministers are, as important as singers are, as important as any ministry, ministries, musicians, secretaries, deacons and elders are to the work of the ministry, not ONE time in the Bible do we find where Yahweh is looking for these types of giftings or people.
However, here, spelled out in red and white, YeShuah gives us a glimpse into the heart and will of Yahweh, our Father. He is looking for worshipers, PERIOD!!!
Every Church that advertises their services, whether in the local newspaper, television ad, Church sign or, in their bulletin, they all say the same thing. WORSHIP Service, at so and so time, yet, by the very definition of the word, they would all be sued in a court of Law for false advertising if they were ever tried.
Most everything that is done in most services are "Acts of Worship" they must never never be mistaken for real Bible Worship. We get people saved and throw them in a class on how to do this and how to do that. Where are the classes that teach us the vital number one responsibility of mankind - WORSHIP!!!????
The Father is looking for people who will Worship Him in spirit and in truth. Become a Worshiper today. Keep doing the other, only seek to be a worshiper first. Worship involves prayer but, it exceeds prayer. Actually Worship is the highest form of prayer. The kind of prayer and communication with the Father that talks to Him, fellowships Him, NOT asking Him for things.
What is missing in our Churches? The Jewel of Worship!!! Lets restore the Missing Jewel of Worship and become what our Father is searching for - WORSHIPERS!!!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Lateral Drift
Lateral Drift
Pro 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:1-27 – Solomon is saying here, “ Come, my pupils, and hear how a father instructed his children. Such as I received from my father I give to you, and they are the teachings of a wise and affectionate parent to his only son. (King David)
He was showing that the teaching he received, and which he was about to give them, was the most excellent of its kind. Teaching by precept is good; teaching by example is better; but teaching both by precept and example is best of all.
The problem with so many people now days, is that they have never had the instruction of a loving father. So, when you try to speak to someone like that, like a father would a son, they get mad, and think you are trying to control them.
That is the whole problem with society today. Because there have been too many absent fathers, there has been no correction, and without correction you have rebellion, and with rebellion comes lawlessness and disobedience and that gives birth to a Vagabond.
Vagabond
1. Wandering; moving from place to place without any settled habitation; as a vagabond exile.
2. Wandering; floating about without any certain direction; driven to and fro.
VAG'ABOND, n. [supra.] A vagrant; one who wanders from town to town or place to place, having no certain dwelling, or not abiding in it.
That is another sermon for another day
Let's look at our Text again: Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
By virtue of this scripture alone, it shows me that there are things out there that will try to get my eyes off the prize. There is something lurking just steps away that can cause me much distress. It tells me that every step I take, I must take with utmost care.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
We must be careful to not be too sure of ourselves. Thinking we have it down and all together.
We are the captain of our vessel. 1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess (guide, control) his vessel in sanctification and honour;
We must guide our steps as careful as a captain pilots his ship across the waters. If we aren't careful, we can run aground or even worse, make ship wreck.
1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
We have to navigate our way to our Motherland - HEAVEN!!!!!
When you look out across the open water, you would think that if you had a boat, you could just go anywhere you wanted across the water.
But, if you were to do that you would be making a big big mistake. There are sand bars, coral reefs and wreckage just beneath the surface, that you could never see with the naked eye.
There are channels in the water ways that you must follow if you're going to make it. You must have a map, a navigation system and a knowledge to know how to use them.
But, if we don't navigate correctly, we look out across the water and say, “Ah, it's ok. I don't see any danger.” Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Lateral Drift is a term used in Land Navigation. Lateral Drift happens when you are walking in what you think is a straight line when, in fact, you are drifting off course.
If you are right foot dominate you will drift off to the right. If you are left foot dominate, you will drift off to the left. That is why they tell you to check your compass and map as often as you can.
We can deceive ourselves. I remember the time I got lost deer hunting. It turned night on me. I thought I was heaed in one direction, when I was really going in another direction.
Our sense of direction can get off and we can get turned around. The very same thing can happen to us spiritually as well.
Jam 1:22 Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! 23 Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, 24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
That is why we must be in the Word daily, applying it to our life. Not just the ones that make us feel good, but also the ones that don't make us feel good.
Jam 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Pro 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:1-27 – Solomon is saying here, “ Come, my pupils, and hear how a father instructed his children. Such as I received from my father I give to you, and they are the teachings of a wise and affectionate parent to his only son. (King David)
He was showing that the teaching he received, and which he was about to give them, was the most excellent of its kind. Teaching by precept is good; teaching by example is better; but teaching both by precept and example is best of all.
The problem with so many people now days, is that they have never had the instruction of a loving father. So, when you try to speak to someone like that, like a father would a son, they get mad, and think you are trying to control them.
That is the whole problem with society today. Because there have been too many absent fathers, there has been no correction, and without correction you have rebellion, and with rebellion comes lawlessness and disobedience and that gives birth to a Vagabond.
Vagabond
1. Wandering; moving from place to place without any settled habitation; as a vagabond exile.
2. Wandering; floating about without any certain direction; driven to and fro.
VAG'ABOND, n. [supra.] A vagrant; one who wanders from town to town or place to place, having no certain dwelling, or not abiding in it.
That is another sermon for another day
Let's look at our Text again: Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
By virtue of this scripture alone, it shows me that there are things out there that will try to get my eyes off the prize. There is something lurking just steps away that can cause me much distress. It tells me that every step I take, I must take with utmost care.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
We must be careful to not be too sure of ourselves. Thinking we have it down and all together.
We are the captain of our vessel. 1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess (guide, control) his vessel in sanctification and honour;
We must guide our steps as careful as a captain pilots his ship across the waters. If we aren't careful, we can run aground or even worse, make ship wreck.
1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
We have to navigate our way to our Motherland - HEAVEN!!!!!
When you look out across the open water, you would think that if you had a boat, you could just go anywhere you wanted across the water.
But, if you were to do that you would be making a big big mistake. There are sand bars, coral reefs and wreckage just beneath the surface, that you could never see with the naked eye.
There are channels in the water ways that you must follow if you're going to make it. You must have a map, a navigation system and a knowledge to know how to use them.
But, if we don't navigate correctly, we look out across the water and say, “Ah, it's ok. I don't see any danger.” Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Lateral Drift is a term used in Land Navigation. Lateral Drift happens when you are walking in what you think is a straight line when, in fact, you are drifting off course.
If you are right foot dominate you will drift off to the right. If you are left foot dominate, you will drift off to the left. That is why they tell you to check your compass and map as often as you can.
We can deceive ourselves. I remember the time I got lost deer hunting. It turned night on me. I thought I was heaed in one direction, when I was really going in another direction.
Our sense of direction can get off and we can get turned around. The very same thing can happen to us spiritually as well.
Jam 1:22 Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! 23 Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, 24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
That is why we must be in the Word daily, applying it to our life. Not just the ones that make us feel good, but also the ones that don't make us feel good.
Jam 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
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