scoffers

The Chronicles of Narnia is an amazing CS Lewis children’s series which is a delightful analogy of GOD and Christian life.  In it a lion called Aslan is a picture of the Lion of Judah, our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Now in the 6th book, 8^th chapter a sorcerer, his innocent nephew and girl pal, a cabby with his horse and a witch find themselves in a black nothingness.  But they hear soft music, and began seeing things pop up.  It isn’t long before they saw a connection between the notes and what then would appear.  Far away on the horizon light began to appear…and then they saw the singer… it was a lion.  On every note he sang something appeared… a blade of grass, a little flower and on and on.  The children and the Cabby watched in wonder but the uncle said, “a lion cannot sing!”  From that moment on the sorcerer could no longer hear music but rather he heard a lion’s roar that grew louder and more intense.  Frightened, he turned and ran.

The Uncle heard the music and saw the lion but when he refused to believe what he clearly heard and saw something awful happened.  He was blinded and deafened to the truth for he had hardened his heart against the truth. You see he had turned his back on the light of the truth and was facing darkness. That is exactly what happens when: instead of pondering and examining and testing a new concept, we scoff Acts 13:41 or despise an idea new to us I Thessalonians 5: 20-21; suppressing or pushing away truth we don’t want to hear Romans 1:18-21 and thereby refusing to love (accept)  the truth, 2:Thessalonians 2:10.

When we oppose the truth in this way, are hearts are hardened and we are unable to understand.  We remain deaf and blind to the truth unless and until, GOD opens the eyes of our understanding to the truth once more 2 Timothy 2:25.  Then we get another chance to believe or refuse the truth 2 Timothy 2:26. Praying that GOD give light on an issue to those who have pushed away the truth is one of the things GOD asks us to pray for concerning others.

Therefore let it be known to you, that through JESUS, whom GOD raised from the dead, forgiveness of sins is announced to you.  And through HIM everyone who believes in HIM is freed from all things from which you could not be freed through the law of Moses.  Be careful therefore that the thing spoken of by the Prophet may not come on you.  “Behold, you scoffers and marvel and perish.  For I (GOD) am accomplishing a work in your days- a work which you will never believe…”  Acts 13:35-41

And why will they never believe?  Because they scoffed at /mocked the truth and refused to consider or believe. 

What happens if someone does not believe?  JESUS said, “ I tell you the truth,  if you do not believe I am HE, you will die in your sins. John 8:24    Then what?  The wages of sin is death but the free gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Romans 6:23 

GOD doesn't want any to perish HE has gone to great lengths to prove HIS love and goodness and provide a way of escape but HE gave us the choice.  The choice to believe and trust HIM or the devil.  The choice is yours. 

Hugs

Sharon

keep calm and carry on

"Keep Calm & Carry On."  This message 1st appeared in Great Britain as World War II began in 1939. The Ministry of Information was formed by the British Government as a department responsible for publicity and propaganda during the Second World War.  In late 1939 after the outbreak of the war, the MOI was appointed to design a number of morale boosting posters that would be displayed across the British Isles during the turbulent times that lay ahead offset panic & discouragement of the war.  The 3^rd slogan chosen was “ Keep calm and carry on”.

The slogan sounds British to me, for Brits are characterized as having an unemotional attitude, that “ stiff upper lip” sort of thing.

GOD called the Jews to come out of exile and go back to Jerusalem and build HIS temple. Therefore, they could claim: “We are the servants of the God of heaven & earth.” -Ezra 5:11  At first they had fantastic support for the LORD moved King Cyrus to command the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple and also supplied the funds for it.  But once in the ruins and building begun interference after interference came and their opponents did many things to frustrate their purpose.  Though it took a long time, reinforcement eventually came when a plan of their enemies backfired and King Darius issued a decree that allowed them to finish the work and even supplied to them what was needed. See Ezra 1 through 6

When GOD calls you and me to do something, you and I can also claim: “We are the servants of the God of heaven & earth”. But when (not if) all of a sudden we run into obstacles, roadblocks, and delays, let’s remember that the enemy only fights against what he is afraid of. Talk to JESUS about what’s happening and then as the British would say, “Keep calm and carry on.”   GOD's Holy SPIRIT will give power to our witness and to our work.

Hugs

Sharon

Push away

When you were little was there ever a food you could not stand and if someone put it before you- you wanted to push it away?  Today I want to share with you concerning pushing away.

Believers in JESUS have eternal forgiveness of sin, yet during time on earth believers still sin.   Therefore they will have in time, on the earth consequences for those actions.  On the other hand, if we believers judge ourselves and confess any wrong we detect we will be cleansed.  I John 1:9 & I Corinthians 11:31 we will in this way avoid GOD’s in time, on earth discipline (which is only for believers and has to do with consequences and growth.) Hebrews 12:5-8, Since the eternal punishment for sin was paid for on the cross, and gained access to through believing in JESUS the SON of GOD, believers will not be condemned with the world. I Corinthians 11:31,32 

Note: sin gives the devil/demons legal authority to harass us.  When JESUS carried our sins & died for them on the cross HE disarmed the demons. Colossians 2:14-15 But when we choose to sin, we invite the demons back & they get footholds in our lives.

Recently, we talked about this: how the devil gets a foothold in believers lives through sin. Ephesians 4:26,27   I would like to take it a bit further and there is an exciting verse in I John 5 that I want to discuss with you but before I can go there,  a few things need to be reviewed.  GOD says we learn, line upon line, precept upon precept…  So 1^st a few lines.

JESUS CHRIST didn’t teach his disciples on HIS own. It is more than JESUS did not speak HIS own words. John 14:10. In Acts 1 we learn that JESUS, while still on earth, taught HIS disciples through the Holy SPIRIT. I Corinthians 2:10-14, John14:26  That means the Holy SPIRIT took what JESUS said and translated it, explaining its meaning. Paul followed JESUS’ example and depended on the Holy SPIRIT when he spoke or acted. I Corinthians 2:4,5   It is what is happening when someone speaks or we read the Bible and a verse or even just a phrase jumps out at us and we clearly understand something we never quite could grasp before.

We only understand the things of GOD as the Holy SPIRIT teaches us.  HIS witness both through illumination in our minds or miracles is clearly understood by us humans, because HE makes it plain to each of us.  That is why we need to heed the inner nudging. But being we have free choice, we can push away truth (refusing to accept it… just as Eve did in the garden) Romans 1:18-22.

There is one truth above all others that must be believed.  Since one of the Holy SPIRIT’s main roles on earth is to show men JESUS, to convict unbelieving men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.  I believe that to refuse to believe JESUS was sent from heaven to reconcile man to GOD is blaspheming the Holy SPIRIT.

The pushing away truth or suppressing it is also referred to as- not receiving the love of the truth ( This sin eventually if continued in, such pushing away of truth, results in GOD handing over a person to his own deceptions Romans 1:24,26,28,32, to the point that GOD HIMSELF gives them strong delusion that they will believe the lie because they refused to love the truth and thus be saved. 2Thessalonians 2:10-12 This is the one and only eternal or unforgivable sin called blaspheme of the Holy SPIRIT Mark 3:28,29 (because they say HIS witness is a lie and not truth.)

JESUS taught on the eternal unforgivable sin when the religious leaders said HE operated by the power of demons. Mark 3:22-29  We might not say, the uneasiness concerning an issue that we feel are demonic,  but how often have you or I pushed away a small voice of correction- saying “that is not so”?

I clearly remember reading a verse about a mule and feeling a nudging… I understood it to be talking about stubbornness, but I said, I am not stubborn.  But my husband is, so GOD must want me to pray for his stubbornness.  I pushed away the truth. But GOD is merciful and eventually I did see and accept the truth about my own stubbornness.

There is one truth above all others that must be believed.  Pushing away that truth leads to condemnation,2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 and 2:10-12

****Now finally, I John 5:16  If anyone sees his brother (another believer) committing a sin, not unto death, he shall ask and GOD will give him (Zoan) deliverance/ life/ spiritual insight  to the one sinning not unto death. (the sin of rejecting the Holy SPIRIT’s witness John 16:7-11 of the truth that JESUS was sent by GOD the FATHER to die for the sins of mankind- John 8:24) There is a sin unto death, I do not say you can ask concerning it.  This is saying that we can pray for the sins of others and GOD will give them spiritual insight, but each person must choose to either accept or reject JESUS on their own.  We can’t do it for them.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the slave of the LORD must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, in meekness (acknowledging- there goes I except for the grace of GOD therefore with gentleness) instructing those opposing (the truth and thus themselves),  If perhaps GOD may give them repentance for a full knowledge of the truth  And they may return (come) to their senses, (and choose) to escape out of the snare of the devil having been held captive (he who sins is a slave to sin  John 8:34)  by the devil to do his will.

When I see someone sinning the 1^st thing I am to do is examine myself lest I fall….for Romans 2:1 says that the very sins I see in others are, in me (like my stubbornness) perhaps I have already dealt with a similar temptation so it is in me in dormant or held remission in by the grace of GOD.  The 2^nd thing is to pray to GOD for the ones sinning, standing the gap and confessing his sin so that GOD will give them light/ spiritual insight in that area and HE promises that HE will do that very thing.

Warning, we can confess and receive for others spiritual insight but the moment they choose to sin, the demons gain authority to deceive them again.  Sometimes that means we have to keep praying over and over and over.  It isn’t GOD hasn’t answered but that HE must do it time and time again until that one, (like me in my stubbornness) grabs hold of the truth.

Remember JESUS promised:  If we are willing to do HIS will we shall know if what is said comes from GOD or is of another.  John 7:17  And GOD cannot lie!

Hugs

Sharon

Access

At one time I worked on a secure Air Force base, as a contractor working for the MDA.  In order to have access to base, I had to have a special badge.  But before I could get that, there had to be security checks made on me.  Once I had the badge, I could go through secure portals to the secure area freely by just swiping my badge.  But without the badge, I could not enter in.

For unto us a child is born (Mary’s 1^st child, JESUS, formed from her DNA was fully human) unto us a SON is given (GOD gave us HIS eternal SON who is fully GOD, who made the all things and was a willing and joyful participant)… Isaiah 9:6a  This is a great mystery I cannot fully comprehend but lets talk about why it happened.

In Matthew 1:21 Joseph (who is to be HIS step-father) was instructed: you shall call HIS name JESUS for HE will save HIS people from their sins.

Sin is what separates us from GOD, Isaiah 59:2, therefore, sin is a big issue.  When JESUS CHRIST died  on the cross all the sins of the world (past, present and future) were laid on HIM and HE suffered the punishment for each and every one of them.  But only those who receive JESUS gain access to that forgiveness. Just  as my receiving a certain badge gave me access to base.

Jesus said clearly: if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will die in your sins. John 8:24  Jesus later says: I tell you the truth, who ever hears MY word and believes HIM who sent ME, has eternal life, and will not be condemned: he has crossed over from death to life. John5:24

Do you have access to the cleansing forgiveness of JESUS?

Hugs

Sharon

climbing wall

Climbing walls are not to be confused with the old idiom climbing the wall which means to be very agitated, anxious, bored, or excited.LOL

Climbing walls are currently quite popular for the thrill of climbing straight up but with the safety of halters and lead ropes for beginning climbers.  A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with holds for hands and feet, usually used for indoor rock climbing, Such a wall you will see on the right as you enter the Pueblo YMCA. The 1^st rock wall I ever saw, was a small scale, outside portable one Camp Elim had rented as an optional part of its exercise program for its campers where highly trained staff supervised campers for their fun and safety.

A foothold, like the holds on a climbing wall, is a secure position from which it is difficult to be dislodged.

We are told that when we sin, even just holding on to anger overnight, we give a foothold to the devil.  Ephesians 4:26,27

When that happens he can easily deceive us and get us to do his work.(note this was written to Christians.) 

You may protest that what I just said is too extreme but consider this: an angry retort can deeply wound another.  And why does the devil come?  John 10:10 says he only comes to kill, steal and destroy (do damage).  So you see he pushes us to say something unkind in order to harm another.  2 Timothy 2:25,26 tell us the devil catches us in snares (like lying) for the purpose of getting us to do his will.

Ever think that little white lie was giving the devil (who by the way is called the father of lies John 8:44) a foothold to deceive and control you as a tool to do his work?

But the good news is- GOD says that if we confess our sins, they are forgiven and we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

That means the sin is gone and all the unrighteousness that has given the devil footholds have been cleansed.  Therefore, his power to deceive and control us is lessened considerably.  WOW!  That is exciting!  Just ponder that for a moment.

Hugs

Sharon

Sticking fingers in his ears

Have you ever seen a child stick his fingers in his ears because he didn’t want to hear what was being said? 

     

Listen to this word:  “…they would not listen to this message they turned stubbornly away and put their fingers in their ears to keep them from hearing.” Zechariah 7:11    hmmmm  Do you ever not want to hear what is being said?  Even when it comes from the Bible?

The Bible from beginning to end tells the story of mankind who didn’t want to hear anything that wasn’t their own idea.

“ There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now yours sins have been washed away and you have been set apart for GOD.  You have been made right with GOD because of what the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the HOLY SPIRIT of our GOD has done for you. I Corinthians 6:11 NLT 

The USA has bought into the Madison Avenue philosophy.   John Piper in “Future Grace” says this concept is best described by Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster: See cookie, want cookie, eat cookie.  This thinking that getting and having will bring fulfillment, especially when the economy is bad, bad, bad and money is scarce leads to depression.  This is particularly true during the holidays when gifts, friends and family seem everything, therefore it is a time when there are many, many suicides.

This morning, after crying out to GOD for the depressed, the homeless & druggies, I wrote my heart’s cry:

LORD, give us the words

to tell of YOUR goodness.

LORD, help us to know

what we should do.

They’re hurting and thirsty

from many bad choices

Needing love and forgiveness

that comes only from YOU

Show us the way, LORD.

Time’s getting shorter.

Open their hearts, LORD.

Help us lead them to YOU

What do people see in us?  Is there any reason they should listen to us, or will they just stick their fingers in their ears?

You may say , I am allowed to do anything.  But I reply, ‘Not everything is good for you and even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not be a slave to anything. I Corinthians 6:12 NLT  “JESUS replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’ John 8:34

Hmmmm

Hugs

Sharon

What is it all about?

With my schedule, I need to get this out now or it may fall by the wayside:

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!.  Christmas is all about GOD wanting a relationship with you and me.  My family treasures our relationships with family & friends & we love getting together.  Relationships are big with GOD too!  JESUS came to earth to reconcile man’s broken relationship with GOD. Ephesians 2:16   We are about to celebrate CHRISTMAS when JESUS was born.  Matthew 1:21 says “and she shall bring forth a son and you shall call HIS name JESUS for HE will save HIS people from their sins.”  Sin is what separates us from GOD.  Isaiah 59:2  That is why JESUS came- to pay for your sin & mine on the cross.

“For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have eternal life”  John 3:16  “But to as many as receive HIM (JESUS) to them gave HE the power to become the sons of GOD, even to those who believe on HIS (JESUS) name.” John 1:12   See Christmas is really all about GOD wanting a relationship with you and me.

hugs

Sharon