BE STILL

Be still and know that i am God. Psalm 46:10

In all the hell that's being unleashed upon earth by the evil that man is doing to each other, there is a sense of hopelessness attempting to destroy the minds and lives of people everywhere.  There is no surprise at the times we are living in today, death on every side.  Wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes and pestilences, new types of viruses entering into the chain of other deadly diseases.  Mutations of illnesses long ago cured.  Chemical and mass production of food that no longer meets the recommended needs of the body.  Weaker to resist sickness and trusting completely in the scientists.  What a world it has and is becoming.

A world without God
There is a effort in a general sense, as if it were to eradicate the consciousness of The creator in the minds of mankind on planet earth.  The book of 2 Timothy 3 talks about the times we seem to be living in right now, and yet it is as if we have not even touched the iceberg yet.  We are at the entering in of the new age, the age of ungodliness and unprecedented wickedness.  As the days of Noah before the flood Jesus said, so shall it be when the son of man returns.  Luke 17 In this chapter Jesus brings to our attention Lot's wife.  Remember Lot's wife he said.  Sounds like Jesus Christ is warning us of the consequences of disobedience.  Warning us of the danger of worldliness. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.  What do have your heart fixed on, is it on Christ/God, is it on the things of this world, is it tied up in this present dying and decaying age? Are you minding earthly pleasures at the expense of your soul?  That part that God has made to live forever in his presence.  It is amazing that human beings crave to live forever, to stay young and beautiful.  There is all kinds of ointments and creams we use to try and extend the appearance of youthfulness.  But the simple truth is that because of sin mankind started to die from the moment.  The moment Sin entered into the world, and out of God's eternal presence mankind was doomed on a downward spiral.

Created to Live and not Die

We crave to live, because we were created to live and not die. In Genesis the provision for eternal life was present.  The tree of life was in the garden, I believe that if Adam and Eve had passed the test of resisting Satan, and stayed in obedience to God; mankind would be right now living in total peace.  I believe that satan would have been cast into the lake of fire there and then, and that would have been the last ever of his influences on mankind.  I believe the world that man is now trying to attain was partly the embedded dream and some of the purposes of God for human race.  

Beware of Pride

The only problem now is that our man made efforts are all tainted with sin and is corrupt in it's execution.  Why? because the goals of man only brings glory to himself and not to God.  There is  pride and arrogance, selfishness and greed.  Even in small quantities wont be accepted by God, even if our intentions are honorable.  Why? because man was born in sin and shapened in iniquity. Anything we offer without the washing of the blood of of Christ is tainted and filthy.  But works done in Christ and under his blood cleansing is acceptable to God.  Why? because it no longer to our glory we do what we do but to his glory.  The righteousness we have is his righteousness  and to him be all the glory and the praise. This kind  of worship infuriates the devil because he wants the glory for himself, so the person who is prideful wont want to give God the glory.  So it is written God resists the proud but he gives grace to the humble.  Death starts when we are separated from God, when we live without him, his word, his salvation through his son Jesus Christ, when we live away from his presence and out of relationship with him.  When we fail to obey him in making that first step to be born again.  The process of death to life comes by way of new birth.  A new birth, spiritual rejuvenation.  Coming back to life, being raised from the dead in the spirit.  The removal of sin, the death sentence disease of the human race. So whats the cure? 

Be Still
Be still and know that i am God says the Lord God, your one and only true love, the lover of your soul, the real you that you cant see in the a mirror.  That real you that you try to get others to understand and love you for.  God knows you but you don't know him.  He wants you to know him but you cant get to know him if your too busy,  with the weight of the world on your shoulders as it were.  All the pains and stresses, worries and heartaches, rejections and hunger and thirst, not for food most times but hungry to live, to love and be loved, to know your purpose, to be willing to take the journey fearlessly.  For your hand to be held with the look of trust and complete love in the eyes of the one who beholds you.  To rest in that love and never look back because there is no other.  Yes there is such an one.  John 3:16
Know that he is God, he can do what no one else can do, he is greater than all, he is able to turn your life around, he can and will do it in you and for you.  New life now and eternal life after this.  He has already prepared a place for you.  You will live forever in his glorious light and love, you have an inheritance in Christ, there is more with you than there is against you friend.  There is more to life than here and now.  Life in Christ promises more than we can fully comprehend and grasp.
Be still and know that he is God.

MARRIAGE OF THE SAME

TRUSTING GOD WITH THE MARRIAGE THING. 

We are no more mightier than our willingness to fully trust and obey the Father, 

Son and holy Spirit...Jlvp

There are a few men spoken of in the bible that tells us a lot about their character. These men all had one thing in common, they all had a relationship with God. Meaning they were close enough to God as to hear his voice. They were given instructions and told what to say on most occasions. In Fact they were men called by God and given a mandate or a purpose to fulfill.
Might i just say that everyone who fulfilled their mandates and went on to be examples to follow, all had one thing in common too.

They obeyed God fully.
There is nothing worst than giving instructions to some who knows more about what your trying to impart to them, without them even hearing what your gonna say in the first place. That's just one example. How about the person that no matter what you say or how you say it, they just don't believe you at all. How long can you go on trying to convince them that you are trust worthy. They seem to not have any confidence in your plan or way forward. Despite the fact that you both have proven all the obvious failings. With proof of past disasters that both of you have experienced. They still don't get it.

So what do you think is going to happen next? there is going to come a time perhaps sooner than later when you will have to part ways. Trust is important in every relationship. Especially when your in relationship with God.

Jeroboam
You are living on his his word and trusting in his person. All that God is rides on the fact that God is the only one who really knows you and i. He knew you before you were born. So what is the problem with trust? The problem is innate. And i believe that's why God puts up with our tantrums from time to time. We know he is able, we know he is faithful, we know he wont let us down, but for us it has to be a progressive time of learning to trust the Lord. And God is patient to walk us through the years of learning to know him.

Learning to know God well enough that we know that under no circumstances is he going to change his mind on Sin. And if we knew him well enough, even if only to know this, then we can claim to have some understanding of who God is and what he stands for.
Few days ago i witnessed what is shaping up to be a turning point in this nation and no doubt other nations are looking at this one in many ways as an example. Internally the views of some may render a totally opposite view, but that's to be said anywhere one goes. The turning point i speak of is none other than that of the same sex marriage bill.

Let me save digital ink and cut to the chase here. When a nation who has been given a directive from God to be a light and to be salt, turns from that directive and starts copying the other nations around them. That nation falls under judgment. When that nation claims in God we trust but then starts to exert it's own way of dealing with matters, that nation falls into a path that only leads to judgement. Judgement can come in various ways. Economic collapse social unrest, war.

1 Kings 3
Solomon was one of those mighty men of God who was given untold wealth, because his heart was in the right place in the beginning. He started out in the right place and like his father David, knew he needed God in all his dealings with the children of Israel. A nation whom he realized that there was no way he could govern them on his own. To humble himself before God and wait on God for wisdom would be his way of life as a leader. So God blessed him abundantly, far above any other kings has ever been blessed. Solomon had riches untold and peace of mind in the kingdom to boot. No point having millions and stress to go with it too. God had warned him though. We all like to quote this line and sometimes in a joking way....'With great power comes great responsibility.' Well Solomon had only to stay faithful to God. Of course, to the one who put him in power to begin with. That was not too much for God to ask. When your in a relationship, your asking the silent question too. You know that the future of your relationship and it's longevity depends on fidelity.

So what was Solomon warned about concerning which would bring about his downfall? It was the M word. Marriage is the uniting of two opposites that have come into unity thus making one, opposite in nature/body one in spirit.

Unnatural marriages
Well this was to be quite some deep look into the workings of the word which yielded some truths i found to be closer to home in this present day than i first realized. There were a type of mixed marriages going on that at the time before the God's wrath with the flood, that was unnatural. It should not have been happening but it was. The end result was after a period of time when every imagination of mankind was only evil continually, and after 120 years of Noah's preaching and building the ark, there could be no repentance from the people. His lifestyle of following God's principles was met with utter disdain. Judgement came and as a result the earth was cleansed. You see, sin is of such that it never stops. It keeps on going and asking for more till you are dead. What the governments fail to to see and know is that this situation if allowed to continue will bring the nation down as a whole. Sexuality is the main menu on the list for spiritual perversion. It's part and parcel in occult worship and idolatry. It's apart of apostasy and the one thing that brings about the heart corruption of the heart when used and not honored. Hebrews 13:4

1 Kings 11:1
But Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh. It goes on to list the nations from whom these strange women came from. Not that they were strange in gender or some weird type of female, but strange in their differing lifestyles of spiritual worship. They all had idols whom they worshiped. God had warned Solomon not to marry into these women because of their idolatry practices.

It was not just King Solomon God was concerned about but he was concerned about the nation whom he had given King Solomon to lead. His example would directly influence the nation on a whole. God said, 'Ye shall not go in unto them, neither shall they come in unto you:for surely they will turn your away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

Idolatry-Like Adultery
The fundamental fact is that there is only one God to whom we must worship. To say anything else besides that would be to teach a lie and a deception. To say that God is pleased with same sex marriage would be to lie and to teach a deception, and to say it's ok to practice idolatry. If i love anything more than i love God, that thing whatever it is has become an idol to me. And if i done put it away, i bring God wrath upon me. Perhaps like a husband to his wife when he finds out she has been or is being unfaithful, and likewise. I am not condoning a husband who take rage against his wife, I am just sating the obvious outrage that is felt by mere man. How much more God's heart. So what of the same sex marriage proposal? I don't think words can describe the enormity of such apostasy in our midst today.

Marriage
Keep your heart pure before God my friends. God say to keep the marriage bed pure and undefiled. You may not be perfected yet but God is working on you and with you. Your marriage may not be the one it started out to be, but that doesn't mean it's not going to be what God wants it to be. Keep God in the middle and the top of your marriage and everywhere possible you can let God be involved and your marriage will have no other choice but to be successful. Keep yourselves free of idols, let your heart always seek after God's heart, individually and as a couple.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible. Genesis 6

FIRE IN THE CLUB

FIRE IN THE CLUB 


Are we asking the obvious question...Why?

THE WARNINGS THAT SPEAKS TO THIS WORLD 
Seems we as God's children are all suffering from a form shortness of memory.  Is it not written in
1 Peter 4:12-19 concerning the things that pertain to Godliness and living in light of trials and sufferings, that the child of God will face sufferings? And if judgement begins in the house of God, and the righteous scarcely be saved, then where will the sinner and the ungodly appear? Have we all gone soft are have we all gone silly? is there a blanket of denial that covers our eyes as we think and act like the world? That now our expectations mirror that of this world too?

 BETHEL
When i was a young christian we use to say at certain times in our relationship with God, that we need get back to Bethel. It was during those times we realized that we were slipping into a type of worldliness or losing closeness with God.  It was a time were renewed our commitments to God and strengthened our dedication to walk with God.  It was a time when we got back to the fundamental place our relationship with God and each other.  Like in the case of Jacob and Esau, a restoration of brotherly love.  It speaks of the place of reconciliation.  Forgiveness and returning to sweet fellowship.
(Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the sons/children of God.) 

1 John 2:15-29
The spirit of worldliness is rampant and we must get back to Bethel, and get out of the way of Balaam. Just before Christ left he commissioned us to go into all the world and preach the good news, you know the rest. But he also said that we must take up our cross and follow him.  That all that will live Godly in Christ will suffer persecution. That we must die to self.  Romans 6:20-23 The wages of sin is death, there is no in between. So in the fear of the Lord i must do like the apostle Paul. We must press towards the mark. Know who you are and whose you are, and do his will. Mark 16:15-18 I encourage every child of God today to shake off the spirit of this worldly mentality.  That blinds us and binds us to conformity.  That causes us to think, act and desire to be so comforted that we lose our identity in Christ. that we humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways and seek his face. Then.

THE WARNING THAT SPEAKS TO THE CHRISTIAN ( Follower of Jesus Christ)
Romans 2
After reading and an article and being prompted to write this blog, i noticed i had made a mistake in one of the scriptures i had included.  Romans 2:20-23. So went to see what my mistaken scripture reference said.  Seeing i could not recall the reference nor could i correct it.  But lo and behold it could only be God guiding my fingers as i frantically typed.  I wont try and reinterpret the passage because it speaks for itself.  Only to say to myself as if looking in a mirror...Be careful how you judge, for with what measure you meat, it shall be measured back to you. Matthew 7:1-5

LOOSING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Religion (The freedom to choose. Truth or Dare?) 

Choose you today who you will serve  

After the death of Moses God had already chosen the next leader to take the children of Israel into the promised land.  God informed Moses about his plans and he told him the reason why he, Moses was not going to be the one to lead them any further. It came to a pivotal point in the life of Moses and he made a few mistakes that God deemed enough.  God was protecting his people and his servant, who was his friend too.  Moses was considered to be a friend of God. But even humble respectable people and close friends can fall out of line.  Sometimes our zeal can get the better of us and our bright ideas can be a disaster in the making. Sometime we as friends or our friends can miss the meaning and purpose by which they seek our good.  Or they or us can fail along the way, to see us in the progressive journey our individual lives are on.  Someone or something has to pull back from the brink.  God always sends a man or woman to either tell us or help us out. So now I am cautious when I seek to give advice, because I am aware that God has a much higher purpose for my friend than I can see. Or may understand at the moment.

The good news is, is that God will never change his will or word.  he wont change his character to suit the world.  It is the world that has to change and by God's help.  With man it is impossible but with God all things are possible. We can count on the Lord Jesus Christ to be faithful.  So in knowing this unchanging God, we then seek to stay humble before him.

Religion in the spiritual sense has a way in telling us that any and everything is allowed, as long as no body gets hurt.  But that is a lie and a great deception.  True religion is actually the practice of charity and maintaining a holy life style before God.  James 1:23-27
In regards to the system of the world and the direction governments are going in, it is clear that bible prophesy is being fulfilled as we speak.  The current religious 'Freedom' we see today that is being eroded, is merely a foretelling of things to come.  Christians may seem surprised but it is no surprise at all.  We all knew from the day we got saved what kind of world we would be living in, still somehow we are not prepared for the kind of situations we will find ourselves in.  It all just seems to be happening a lot sooner than we think, and we know it will get mind blowingly worst.  Alas the day is far spent and the time is drawing nigh.  So let us cast off the works of darkness and lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us. Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12  (The Encouragement) 
It will mean that in the future any Christian preaching the gospel in the streets will be arrested. How bad do you think it will get, have we all lost our minds, have we all been bewitched? Did not our Lord said that these will be the signs of the times to come? why are Christians trying to build a utopia on earth? have we forgotten the examples of the past kings who made alliances with ungodly kings only to face God's judgement?  Did he not say to come out from among them? If we love the world, we have become an enemy of God. Do we think that we will win the world after we have joined the world? Do we not realize that every relationship will be tested to reveal what it really is? There will be friends that we will have to part from, as our stand in Christ will be in direct conflict with the nations on a whole.

Salt & Light  
No man can serve 2 masters....it is impossible. Matthew 6:24 God wont allow it. not now not ever. What will be like when the nations implement The Mark of the beast? We are counted as sheep for the slaughter.....We are children of God, and that is who we are.  The world does not know us because it does not know him. But when he comes, it will be revealed who we are, for we shall see him as he is.  Beloved now are the sons of God. and does not yet appear what we shall be.  Everyone who has this hope in him, purifies himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3.  Meaning, be ready, get ready. We are not here to stay.  So let us quit trying to fit in.  We aere not called and chosen to fir into the world's system.  We were called to be Light and salt.  Matthew 5:13-16. The voice of many crying out in the Modern world, prepare thy self to meet thy God.  It can be a banquet or a banishment. May we now consider the times and judge ourselves lest we be judged along with the world.
1 Corinthians 11:27-31 Self examination.

THE MODERN WORLD

The Modern World (New age same deception)  

It would seem there is a definite increase in the rise of the modern lifestyle.  Perhaps this is what it was like in Noah's day. There was a time that Jesus told his disciples to shake off the dust from their sandals as a testimony against those cities and towns who refused them and their message.  He said that it will be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgement than for those people who 'Like in our modern world' reject the truth of God's perfect way for mankind. Evermore is the urgency to come out from among them and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing.  Or shall I say that we walk worthy of our calling.  To remember we are the called.  To live in like manner.  To be true to whose we are and who we are. To remember that just like the disciples, we too are warned of all these things.  Tempted on every side.  Still I have to confess that I am being kept by God, beyond every failure and attack. God is keeping his children, all of them.  All the father has given to Jesus, will be kept, and none of them will be lost.

Jesus came to do the will of his father.  Why? For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3:16.  The key thing is that God is Love.  Jesus was the only one who could make atonement for mankind.  He was the only spotless lamb of God.  His sacrifice would have been the ultimate, and the only perfect one. In whom there was no sin at all.  By this he could say that he is the only way to God the father.  The only way by which you and i can have redemption.  There is only one way you can speak the truth, and that is to live the truth.

The values that shaped the future for the family of the human race is under attack from an old ancient enemy.
It is true, we are not alone in the universe and God has not left us without a way.  Nor has he abandoned us to our doom.  Doom hovered over the human race since Adam and Eve's disobedience to God by listening to the Devil. Yet God prepared a way to save man.  A way that's contingent on our acceptance and repentance.  God never forces you.  He invites you lovingly.  He shows you how much he loves you and hold his hand out to us, daily.

The problem with the modern world is that it clearly deceived   Deceived by a very old enemy.  A dark angel, an entity that hides in lies and parades in deception.  He flaunts the pleasure of sin as if it were some kind of alternative  He knows that this Modern world just wants to escape. People just want to sleep, they just want to have fun, no rules we say.  Yet everything is govern by a rule of some sorts.  Denial is rampant in the mindset of the Modern world.  The Modern world is saying more and more that it doesn't need God, or a God.  Technology and science has all the answers for this modern world's mindset.  Away we go, running from the source of life, building higher, moving further, staying in denial. Still there is no escape off this rock, and only one way to peace, love, joy and fulfilment.  Romans 6:23

The Good Shepherd
Jesus said i have come that you might have life, and that might have it more abundantly.  I believe the only reason he said might, is because it's your choice to have what he has for you.  John 10:10

FILM VIOLENCE AND THE VIOLENT WORLD

Film Violence
Tarantino clashes with interviewer Krishnan Guru-Murthy

A series of questions about Film violence as director Tarantino kicks off with channel 4 news host. 

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Anything you behold with your eyes has the potential to effect you on an internal level. Spiritually, Emotionally and psychologically. External pressures causes us to draw from a pool of stored or learnt images, sounds, concepts, words and so on. All linked to audio visual stimuli. Anyone can be mentally unstable given the right or shall say the wrong pressures. Now which pool of stored data will a person draw from? how will that person dissimulate the appropriate information in order to apply the right response, to the pressure? or in order to lesson the pressure or threat to survival? For some it may be split seconds when dealing with fear, for some it maybe days of pent up anger. And for some, they have already decided what their going to do. I don't think we could blame violence in movies for the decisions people make in reality. But the lines have blurred into each other and it's more so now like looking into a mirror. The world of movie violence and violence in the world.

Matthew 18:6-9
Jesus said, if your eye offends you pluck it out, and he said this in relation to sin. If what your looking at causes you to sin then pluck your eye out. better to go to heaven with one eye than to go to hell with two eyes. It's an extreme statement driving home the point that anything that effects you to point of causing you to sin, then that thing whatever it is should be removed or you from it. There will always be something in this life that has the potential to cause you to sin but you have a choice in the matter, but it wont be an easy process. Making that right choice will cost you something. But in the long run it will be worth it.

Study list
Matthew 18
Matthew 5:21-26

BALAAM, SON OF PEOR

Greatest threat to the modern day Church of Jesus Christ  
Recently I have been drawn to the topic of  Balaam. Interesting character, and I have found a reoccurring theme.

BALAAM SON OF PEOR
In the book of revelation the name Balaam is mentioned even as his doctrine, which will be apart of the end time deception that's already gripped the world, even as I speak.  It is written in the bible that that time will not come until there be a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.  Falling away or the apostasy.  A turning away from the fundamental truth of the word of God. Turning to fables and new age ideas and ideologies.

Dreams, scientific findings, political correctness, the list goes on.  Problem is, when you turn away from the truth, you end up believing a lie and it is worst when you have known the truth to then be believing a lie.  It's harder to return back to the truth again.  Near impossible to do but God says He that comes to me I will no wise cast out. They that call upon the name of the lord shall be saved. So if you have turned away from the truth of God's word or turned your back on God.  Today is the day of salvation, repent and turn your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, he will abundantly pardon.  There is no greater Love than the saviour's love for you. This is your day for reconciliation.
Revelation 2

BALAAM'S DOCTRINE
The doctrine of Balaam is described as one who loved the wages of unrighteousness. It would seem that he could not control his appetite for gain and the gift of God on his life that was meant for service to God, he used it to make a profit.  And it lead him into all kinds of idolatry and carnal practices.  In 2 Peter 2:4-15 talks about in great detail about the heart of those who have left the right way and have gone in the way of Balaam son of Peor.  In verse 15 of 2 Peter 2 it is said that Balaam loved the wages of righteousness. His heart was not right with God though he knew God he failed to fear God as he should.  There was a point when he came close to death as the angel of the lord was about to slay him, if it had not been for the donkey that began to speak with man's voice.  No doubt God opened the donkey's mouth to give him final warning.  How many times have we've been warned and yet we continue in our madness pursuit of sin? 2 Peter 2

2 TIMOTHY 3
Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.  The story continues in the book of Numbers and goes on to say that Balaam taught Balak, king of the Moabites how to entrap the children of Israel. To lead them into idolatry.  How did he do this? by encouraging the children of Israel to socialise with the Moabite women, in whoredom and harlotry and idolatry.  The story is always the same, but the worst part of it is that sexual morality is always a part of idol worship. Somewhere somehow it's in there, and it's one of the hardest sins to overcome.  The children of Israel was mingling with the very nation that sought to destroy them.  Baal Peor or Balaam son of Peor could not curse the children for money so he did the next worst thing.  I can only imagine he got a fat cheque for his services. Numbers 22-25

BE STEADFAST 
It is this same spirit and doctrine in our present time that's corrupting the present day Church of Jesus Christ.  The love of money is indeed the root of all evil.  But why in this present day and age there is a revival of this spirit of Balaam?  2 Timothy 3 tell us that in the last days perilous times shall come. Men/women, will be lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unthankful, unholy, unloving, without self control, brutal. despisers of good, traitors, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of Godliness but denying its power.  It continues, and as it does, the encouragement comes as the urgency to hold fast to the word of God is vital for survival.  That the scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. That too is a theme that continues to remind us that the time is nearer than when we first believed, that the night is far spent and the day is at hand.  It is time for the child of God to wake up out of sleep and behold our redemption is nigh.  It is even at the door.
2 Timothy 3 Romans 13

BALAAM SON OF PEOR  ( Who are the Nicolaitans? )

Study list
Numbers 22-25
Revelation 2
2 Timothy 3
2 Peter 2