fearnot
Living With Pain
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Post by fearnot on Jun 16, 2020 11:55:03 GMT -5
I am thinking maybe a lot of people are stressed, fearful, confused, worried, etc because 2020 has turned out to be a very bizarre year so far.
We've gone from a deadly virus ( to start the year off) to protests of the police killing a black man that has led to riots and now to taking over parts of cities.
So I am thinking, we might look at these things from a Biblical point of view, as to what is going on. How to explain it should anyone ask what we think and how should we react etc. Also, it is very hard to even know for sure on a secular level what is 'real', what are lies, what are conspiracies and so on. And so there is a lot of insecurity ( waiting for the next shoe to drop so to speak, as we fear even more chaos and violence).
So where can a person turn to find truth and peace in the midst of a world going mad?
To start God's Word ( the Bible) is true So in a world of deception and lies abounding that is the place to go in troubling times.
[smear:#44ae48]".....Let God be true though every one were a liar,...." Romans 3:4[/smear:#208489:0]
And as far as lies go who is THE ultimate liar? [smear:#67071d] 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44[/smear:#020656:0]
Who are the 'you' this verse address....all who are not saved for sure but that is not to say, even those converted, who can still sin ( and lie for example)
[smear:#8619e6]17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17[/smear:#e64019:0]
Actually, I think, that verse gives us a clue to how we Christians can begin to view incorrectly the craziness that is going on today.... anger, fear, depression etc etc. is just waiting on our doorstep, if we don't get a grip from God's word.
Jesus said, in the book of John:
[smear:#286e39]17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17[/smear:#6d3e93:0]
Someone might say: Well the Bible is this old ancient book, how can it have any relevance to today...they did not have any of the tech advances we have today. True but people have NOT changed or advanced Did they have hatred back them or wars or injustices etc. etc. etc. yes
But more importantly it is God's word God knows the beginning from the end and He had a lot to say about our times as well, so it's wisdom is timeless, for all people for all times, and therefore is compelling and up to date and current.
[smear:#af3b06]12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12[/smear:#5c1aa1:0]
and this
[smear:#64e619]16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17[/smear:#e6192e:0]
Just my opinion, but a lot of what is going on today does not seem to be 'good work' ...and some of the many things scripture tells us, is about, love, salvation, forgiveness, how to live our lives etc. But also, what is going on today.
Let's not get confused about 'good works' tho
[smear:#3a9034]"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast" Ephesians 2:8,9[/smear:#307382:0]
So here is a verse written long ago, but is applicable for today: [smear:#7619e6] Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.[/smear:#e6191f:0] Isaiah 1:2
and this
[smear:#e61925]5 ....Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; Isaiah 1:5-7[/smear:#4319e6:1]
Have we changed that much? Have we evolved to peaceful people or does anger and rage rule at the drop of a hat?
Well more tomorrow Done for today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 17, 2020 11:49:56 GMT -5
This is no longer about the book of revelation, but our world is rapidly speeding towards it. All the things that are going on now, have happened in the past. But the difference is, now they are all happening essentially at the same time and not in just one or two countries but is world wide.
This verse is the new normal for most of the world ( in the past there was more truth, now it is getting harder and harder to find)
[smear:#e619c7]Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20[/smear:#20860d:0]
and this also is mostly the new normal of today worldwide:
[smear:#e6193c]For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness. Isaiah 59:3[/smear:#f4e80a:1]
Of course, this is human sinful nature but now the thin veneer of polite society and the true nature of mankind is becoming glaringly evident It has done so in so many gruesome wars in the past one group against another, one country against another and we had 2 'world wars' in which many countries were involved.
But the world today, is seeing many many more Biblical prophetic signs happening all at the same time in greater amounts Wars insects damage hatred earthquakes weather going crazy virus etc.
This virus ( tho there have been worse one) seems to be the first, to make the whole world come to a halt. People all over the world needed to stay at home to keep it from spreading but.... When one man was killed unjustly
Then the stay at home order, no longer applied to those who wanted to protest and then turn into a rioting mob which turned into totally hatred of the police and authority then defunding the police and taking over cities so that lawlessness is the rule and is praised.
So now some Criminals become heroes, and many heroes are slandered, defamed, vilified, debased, and have targets on their backs to be killed.
Where are we? Where we have always been, but with the thin cover removed These verses show us the truth:
[smear:#e64819]10 "as it is written:None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18[/smear:#08f873:0]
How hard is the world seeking for God?
Is rioting a 'good' thing? Protesting and wanting 'good' change is fine but are the people rioting, giving money to the families unjustly treated whose loved ones died? Have they given the same 'compassion' to the black policeman killed ( and offered to help their families also) Are they putting their money, time,effort, help etc. to those families as well as their mouth and anger
And speaking of their mouths Are they full of cursing? I was listening to some youths yesterday at a vacation rental across the street Singing loudly a 'song'? And the only words they sang over and over Was: I don't give a ( F word)!!
Are their mouths full of 'bitterness'
But this is not just about them this is about human nature being shown more and more for what it is really like and it is world wide.
Do some actually believe that what they are doing is somehow 'righteous' no doubt but it is by human standards, not God's.
[smear:#19e61c]17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. Ephesians 4:17,18 [/smear:#19e0e6:0]
The sad truth is humans are murderous...have not all our endless wars proven that! Eighty-five million people killed by Hitler's reign alone
And one thing that is sadly ironic we are hearing: Black lives matter and they do!! But.... which babies are more aborted than any others? Black babies ( babies with more melanin) So why are not people protesting in front of abortion clinics?
Without God, people will have no restraint, and since our country and many others are doing all they can to stamp out Christianity we can expect this veil of a peaceful society to be less and less, and see more and more havoc, riots, chaos, killing, hatred etc etc. What is clear is we don't need a 'special' person like Hitler to be able to cause such misery, we are all capable, ordinary folks can become killers in a heartbeat. We can be hateful, prejudice, brutal, cruel, and what is worse people can enjoy being that way....there is a sense of power, control, which can give people an addictive rush a high like no other. In God's words:
.[smear:#1991e6].....who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:12[/smear:#e319e6:0]
Some other words for unrighteousness: Wickedness, abominations, evil, heinousness, monstrousness, viciousness, etc etc.
but the sad point of this verse is there is 'pleasure' in sinfulness.
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Jun 18, 2020 10:50:54 GMT -5
Reading what you've written so far made me think of what Paul warned Timothy about. I know this has always been true, but today it's glaringly obvious. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1–7) I could underline every single one really. And least I forget when I look at other people and see these things, I should also remember that this described me before I was saved. I'm not any better then the worst of the people alive today. The difference between me and them is just that I'm now saved and God has changed me and made me righteous. So while on the one hand I feel physically ill at times thinking of all that they're doing in our time, like with the many genders etc, I also feel brokenhearted because I know my Lord loves them and died for them too, and very much wants to save them. But it's like they're all running as fast as they can off the side of a cliff and right into Hell. May God have mercy on them!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 18, 2020 12:14:49 GMT -5
I totally agree. you could have underlined all the words!!
And exactly! That was me to a tee ( and sometimes I fall into those sins even now.....but less and less thanks to Jesus)
When I was a teen in college, I went to Washington D. C, to protest the Vietnam war. I really had NO idea what the Vietnam war was about...
I just had some vague nebulous idea that 'war' was bad and so I was very very 'righteous' protesting against some war some where. I was a 'peacenik'....or so I 'thought'.
What I was was uninformed, proud ( for no reason), spouting slogans: I had no idea where they came from, what they really meant, what the real outcome of them would be etc.
I so agree with what you said ( because thankfully God did have mercy on me and I am forever grateful)
you said: "I also feel brokenhearted because I know my Lord loves them and died for them too, and very much wants to save them. But it's like they're all running as fast as they can off the side of a cliff and right into Hell. May God have mercy on them! "
I know some of them today can still be saved.
But it really does seem, that tho the 60's were also a terrible time.... this is waaaay worse.
The 60's tho uninformed, foolish, but still greatly destructive...had in my mind a general feeling of foolish innocence... not good however, it hurt terribly, those soldiers that died for our stupidity to say dumb things etc
What I mean is today, there seems to be a LOT LOT LOT more hatred, anger, wanting to destroy, even kill, etc.
It just seems like the anger and hatred have been given ..... like a fire..... given a LOT more fuel.....
not unlike birth pangs as we roll to the end times.....
coming closer together, and being more and more severe.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 18, 2020 12:55:49 GMT -5
I am firmly convicted that besides the sin in every human heart, there is also a demonic/Satanic component behind all of the chaos.
How do people go from thinking they are protesting what they see as injustice, to spewing a similar hate to a different group of people?
Well, first, their thinking has to change, by misinformation. And without God this is rather easily done.
God says all humans are made in His image ( being made in His image, does not mean we are gods ....but that is another issue....
what I am pointing out now, is that ALL men and woman are considered valuable in God's eye):
[smear:#2c5c22]So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27[/smear:#266b7d:0]
and this also
[smear:#81399c]12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. Romans 10:12[/smear:#b04336:0]
and this
[smear:#900710]28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28[/smear:#6819e6:0]
However, when you eliminate what God says, and denounce it, diminish it, remove it, then you can just replace one group of people for another
a 100 years ago, some ( not all) people decided that those with MORE melanin were of a lesser value
today, that idea is to replace (that horrible cruel evil thought) and place it on a different group of people
so that now those with LESS melanin are all to be considered: vicious,cruel, evil etc.
people have lost and shut down their conscience ( which alone should tell them, this is a false idea).
and by doing so, they shut down the pain that idea causes, and also any compassion, love, caring, or the human heart
and now feel righteous, in 'hating' the police, and 'whites' and even 'blacks' they deem as 'uncle Tom's etc.
Of course, this has gone on since the beginning of mankind, it is nothing new it is what allows: prejudice, abuse, slavery, persecution, wars etc.
How do you change ones opinion tho?
With lies ..... otherwise known as, propaganda
And Satan is the master liar. Do we actually think he cares which group is targeted?
No,in fact, his plan is that all shall hate each other.... the more of us that go to Hell, in our pride, hatred and foolish self righteousness, the better, as far as the devil is concerned and so he is ramping up the hatred big time.
One might wonder why USA? I am thinking it is because, it was for so long a stronghold of the Christian faith that is not to say, Christian faith is not in other parts of the world
no more than to think slavery was only in the US...
We know that slavery is everywhere in the world, and always has been because people choose not to believe what God has said.
So it is not a surprising development, when society has said, let's get rid of the Bible. And so more and more and more we are living in a world like this:
[smear:#5ce619]Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20[/smear:#5419e6:0]
And people today have been feed the lie they are 'good' people, and not to feel guilty, why ,they can do want ever they feel like
and consider themselves heroic... in fact, they are heading to godhood and everyone should bow to them ( oh and some are insisting on that now.... we have seen this throughout history..... where certain people think they are God and others should bow to them, we are starting to see this being demanded now in our country).
Parents in our country have for quite sometime decided that they want to be their children's friends, not a mean, terrible 'authority' figure. ( yes, some parents have been that ( mean),
but the reverse is showing us, that raising a bunch of spoiled brats is not good either)
God has said instead: [smear:#154a16] "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6[/smear:#5f2436:0]
Instead the feminist movement has done so much damage that men/fathers are basically trashed, and children have lose any sense of respect or authority in the family and we are now reaping what the woman's liberation has sown ( and no I do not think woman are less than men, their brains are equally brilliant, and so on.... but again, that is a whole other topic)
But be sure, these seeds that have been planted, are only going to grow into bigger and 'badder' weeds.... because it has shattered the divinely created institution ( the family.... with men being honored as much as woman...not trashed) for the formation of restraining sin in sinners... with love, discipline, knowledge of God's Word the Bible, etc.
So instead we are having absolute anarchy, violence, destruction, and mayhem on the streets.
To go right along with the devil's plan and human sin one must make sure this verse is vilified:
[smear:#e64819]Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad....... Romans 13:1-3[/smear:#19e649:0]
Clearly, no one is perfect, no one is without sin.... be they a father or a policeman but do away with them, and you will release terror and evil on a society.
Actually, those who are opposing the police are in reality, opposing God's word.
There are only 2 kinds of people named in scripture as ministers: pastors and policemen
So weird huh? And yet, police have millions and millions of interactions with people and most are NOT violent, or where they take a life but in fact, police have saved many lives.
speaking of the police etc. God says:
[smear:#024a17]"for he is God's servant for your good". Romans 13:4[/smear:#4e087e:0]
So yeah....let's defund the police or get rid of them entirely and have the "Lord of the Flies" for our society
I actually read that book, years ago....pretty scary.
And so we have Antifa wearing mask and hoods armed with pipes, bats, and assault rifles setting fire to whole city blocks and/or looting first, then setting fires...
in the name of 'freedom' 'justice' etc.
But I would say it is not 'freedom rather it is it is anarchy and it's true author is sin and is also demonic
However, this is not to just point out Antifa, without God, the 'right, left, middle all people
can let their anger run rampant and 'hate' each other which is exactly what satan wants
Some may point to George Soros, or the Illuminati and so on as behind the chaos and perhaps some of that might be ( or not be) true on a human level but the real moving force is human sin and also Satan ( he is itching to become the ruler of the world).
Done for today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 19, 2020 10:55:35 GMT -5
I've been thinking a lot about the new 'country' which the protesters, then rioters, looters, etc. and what the peoples of this new country have devolved, so quickly, into.
They essentially declared war, and took over or 'stole' land because... presumably they had such very firm ideas and ideals like:
against police brutality against racism being against walls that defined boarders of countries and against arm guards that only allowed certain people into their country....
However, this 'new' country first called Chad and now called Chop ( in reference to the French revolution and having your head chop if you disagreed...
They were against guns and so on
And what do we see?
They have 'walls' believe is strong boarders with armed guards only letting in certain people
And they 'deport' those they do not want
Like a street preacher they beat and chocked till he was unconscious, and then they dragged him and threw him out of their 'country'. I have actually seen a video of them beating and chocking him and then dragging him unconscious.
Apparently things have deteriorated to even worse things going on ( for example there are way way way more rapes in 2 weeks, than even the worst counties in the world leading in rapes) and the Black Lives Matter group are discussing, rounding up all the 'white' folk, for a 'work force' to work in gardens and the like with 'armed guards over them" they want to enslave people based on their skin color.
Does this sound a bit like: racial hatred and revenge and retaliation? But none of this should be surprising for people without God.
Just as an aside: For now at least, the Portland police in Oregon, dismantled another copycat 'autonomous zone"
patriottruthnews.com/commentary/anarchists-create-new-autonomous-zone-in-portland-police-destroy-it-within-hours-of-its-formation/
I would not be surprised if we will see more of this in the future tho.
Oh well, Now I have also seem police removing more barricades aka 'walls' in:
Nashville, Tenn, Asheville, North Carolina Chicago , Ill.
So yeah!
But I want to look at the street preacher I do not fault him, but rather, so many churches which now have become basically 'entertainment ' for the 'unchurched', the lost, unbelievers.
Not that this brave street preacher fits this verse I will post,
but because soooo many churches in our country have failed and added to the chaos by default
The verse that comes to mind is this:
[smear:#33e619]13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." Matthew 5:13[/smear:#8519e6:0]
sadly many churches have no salt and thus have lost their ability to preserve and/or save ( and many are now false churches anyway) They don't preach about holiness, virtue, righteousness, sin etc. in Fact, they are denying parts of scripture, or saying its not for our times etc.
So as false teachers and false churches they no longer are a light to this rapidly darkening world This no longer is true of many churches:
[smear:#e63819]14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14 [/smear:#0aaf5a:0]
Will order be restored...maybe but we know that ultimately we are heading rapidly into the end times
As Jesus said:
[smear:#1979e6]6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8[/smear:#df19e6:0]
It is easy to feel fearful with all that is going on but in so many places God tells us not to fear ( but trust Him, no matter what.... the battle is the Lord’s) Just a few verses:
[smear:#34985d]12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 10:12[/smear:#e68919:0]
and this:
[smear:#19e61c]fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10[/smear:#e61986:0]
also
[smear:#e619bb]28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28[/smear:#19e660:0]
and why shall we not fear....because Jesus has said ( tho things may get worse, and we might even die....unless raptured we will all die sooner or later):
[smear:#a621f9]"......for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 [/smear:#e6196e:0]
Done for today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 20, 2020 11:30:53 GMT -5
It is hard to talk about what is going on in the world today On the one hand, I am trying to limit even looking at the news Not to be 'hiding' ,or sticking my head in the sand like an ostrich
But because the anger and rhetoric just keeps ramping up higher and higher It is hard therefore not to get also angry, depressed, feeling hopeless etc.
On the other hand, in order to talk about what the Bible says about what is going on in the world today Some knowledge of what is happening might be necessary.... ( Like we needed to know there is a killer virus roaming about and what are the best safety measures etc.) and there is soooo much on soooo many fronts
But in thinking of the protests that originally started and then evolved into riots etc. God does say we are to stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves:
[smear:#a5139e]8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy Proverbs 31:8,9[/smear:#089a89:0]
But I think part of what we should look to scripture ( God's mind) is who exactly do we defend and how do we do it?
Here is an interesting verse:
[smear:#af19e6]20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. Matthew 11:20[/smear:#59b60b:0]
I can't help but think, how very blessed we were to live in the USA and yet, we are not unlike these cities that Jesus rebuked because why? They did not repent of what? Of their many sins. And so be assured judgement will come....and is already starting
And yet, Jesus also said this ( to those who repent, and acknowledge their need for a Savior)
[smear:#e6192b]28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28[/smear:#1938e6:0]
And our Lord also said this ( are we seeing much of it today?)
[smear:#40f859]35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself Matthew 22:35-39[/smear:#b20df2:0]
However riots are not a true demonstration of loving your neighbor but rather are hate-filled agendas, and many ( like I was in the 60's) don't even know what 'exactly' they are rioting about many of whom are not even sure of the issues at stake...they may have some 'vague' idea but like in scripture this is often true:
[smear:#e619ae]32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Acts 19:32[/smear:#1940e6:0]
And while riots almost always have some instigators with an agenda, that use inflammatory speech, using vengeance as a motivator exaggerated details etc but in fact, are using and manipulating the people ( sometimes called useful idiots as said by the Communists Lenin) making them believe they are being 'righteous' demanding 'change', while at the same time, stealing, destroying, engaging in lawlessness, hurting another group they deem 'evil' etc.
The Christian needs to also keep in mind this verse
[smear:#c7b70d]20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20[/smear:#e61927:0]
but most rioters are not thinking about God, and so:
I think if we look even deeper...we will discover two things the sin of the human heart and also the demonic world
A word about anger and destruction, some might point out that Jesus, Himself, turned over the money changers tables in the temple....
Firstly, Jesus was and is God.....Holy righteousness, is different than sinful human's anger Second, the money changers had turned God house into something evil
[smear:#7e19e6]13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:13[/smear:#19e61f:0]
Thirdly Jesus was cleaning out His own house.... He did NOT go to anywhere else and do the same.... He was cleaning.... not looting, stealing, etc.
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anna
Trials
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Post by anna on Jun 20, 2020 21:08:19 GMT -5
It is in people to want to survive and they see that this current capitalism system is not going to work well for them, so they want socialism. So we watch to see what changes happen.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
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Post by fearnot on Jun 21, 2020 9:44:58 GMT -5
Hi Anna I am not sure I understand exactly what you are saying?
I was thinking originally the protests had to do with police brutality and the killing of a black man Which then, turned into rioting, burning stores ( many owned by Blacks, Hispanics, Orientals, Indians ( both American and the country of), Middle Eastern, Jewish people and of course what they were aiming for Caucasians
I don't know that capitalism was not working, because if socialism and Communism were indeed so much better, than why have so many people tried to come to the USA?
Oh and let's not forget tearing down statues
and creating 'new counties' within the USA....by the way, Chad/Chop had its first two murders in just two weeks. Plus I watched a video of the 'war lord' handing out AK 47 rifles, to kids who 'looked'to be about 15 ( but who knows, they could have been younger....or...older) but these young teens did not seem to know how to use the guns or even basic safety.....like keep them pointed at the ground and not at people.
But there are reports of a LOT of rapes, fights, drugs, stealing from each other, and now murder.....so if we are watching how much better a new system will be, it does not look promising in my opinion....not so far, and I think its going to get a lot worse, because without God....it does not really matter what economic system is in place.
But then, maybe that was not really what you were saying?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 21, 2020 10:04:46 GMT -5
I am of the opinion that what a lot of the young ( and not so young) rioters we are seeing are doing , is enacting vengeance on those who they deem have a systemic evil of racism and brutality,
and yet, in fighting against the 'evil' they are convicted they know, belongs to one 'race' of people, they do the very things they say they are against.
But it seems they know little of what God says in His Word such as:
[smear:#75e619]18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18[/smear:#19cee6:0]
or
[smear:#1958e6]19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19[/smear:#aa19e6:0]
To deem a whole group of people intolerable and call for the elimination of them, has been the human go to solution since Cain and Able. To assume that a certain group, is all the same, is also a sad and erroneous belief. But one that the demons cheer.
Instead here are a few things God has said:
[smear:#e40cf8]11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him......
15 ...... You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great,.... 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people.....
17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:11,12,13,15,16,17,18[/smear:#48f606:0]
Do people really think that there is no brutality if a person has more or less Melanin in their skin? Do they think slavery only happened to one 'race'....are they not aware that evil, has gone on from the beginning
So do they see slavery in our country? Actually, I think there is more right now in the sex trade ( woman, children both little boys and girls)
People have always thought to 'fix' injustice with their fists, or guns etc. They see the idea of 'loving' your neighbor as yourself as unattainable But anger gets results
I wonder, how many protesters gave money and time, and help to George Floyd's family? Have any of them prayed not only for George Floyd's family but yes, even for the policeman?
[smear:#f77a0a]Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8[/smear:#2b19e6:0]
What is missing in the human heart...by all humans? No love for God, and no true love for others.
Is there injustice in the world, absolutely, but it is everywhere no one group is more unjust than any other and why is that ?
[smear:#27e619]10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. Romans 3:10,11[/smear:#d319e6:0]
So in the world of 'enlightened' people who 'know' God does not exist I am sure we will see more and more of what we are watching.
So what if out of compassion we join BLM and Antifa will it really help? And will it really be loving our neighbor and even more so honoring God?
But what does BLM really really do and stand for? What do BLM people believe? are they helping the poor, building hospitals, are they building up or tearing down mostly etc. or.....? Are they those that love God with all their hearts?
Done for today, going to church so short today
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anna
Trials
Posts: 1,863
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Post by anna on Jun 21, 2020 20:21:37 GMT -5
I was somewhat wrong, instead of saying capitalism was not working well for them I should of said they are taught by the school education system since grade school through college that teachs socialism and that capitalism is not good, but they don't point out how bad socialism is in Venezuela and Cuba and the former USSR., China, NK, but somehow they are led to believe their form of socialism will work.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 22, 2020 10:46:36 GMT -5
What happened? It looks like you haven't posted since Thursday although I think the second post was meant for Friday's, but still that means you skipped the weekend, which is really strange. Is everything ok? I totally agree. you could have underlined all the words!!
And exactly! That was me to a tee ( and sometimes I fall into those sins even now.....but less and less thanks to Jesus)
When I was a teen in college, I went to Washington D. C, to protest the Vietnam war. I really had NO idea what the Vietnam war was about...
I just had some vague nebulous idea that 'war' was bad and so I was very very 'righteous' protesting against some war some where. I was a 'peacenik'....or so I 'thought'.
What I was was uninformed, proud ( for no reason), spouting slogans: I had no idea where they came from, what they really meant, what the real outcome of them would be etc.
I so agree with what you said ( because thankfully God did have mercy on me and I am forever grateful)
you said: "I also feel brokenhearted because I know my Lord loves them and died for them too, and very much wants to save them. But it's like they're all running as fast as they can off the side of a cliff and right into Hell. May God have mercy on them! "
I know some of them today can still be saved.
But it really does seem, that tho the 60's were also a terrible time.... this is waaaay worse.
The 60's tho uninformed, foolish, but still greatly destructive...had in my mind a general feeling of foolish innocence... not good however, it hurt terribly, those soldiers that died for our stupidity to say dumb things etc
What I mean is today, there seems to be a LOT LOT LOT more hatred, anger, wanting to destroy, even kill, etc.
It just seems like the anger and hatred have been given ..... like a fire..... given a LOT more fuel.....
not unlike birth pangs as we roll to the end times.....
coming closer together, and being more and more severe.
Exactly, the anger has gotten much worse. People are once again talking about a civil war in the US; and then I hear people say they think that would be great! What???? Don't they realize what war really is? Anyone that's studied the civil war we had would realize that it means fighting in our streets, between neighbors and family. It means loved ones getting shot and dying, and other loved ones doing the killing. It means children getting shot and pets; it means homes getting taken over by the other side, or even by whichever side your on. And a civil war about things that are going on now means quite literally that no one would win. We'd all be the losers in a civil war now. I know for a fact that weapon stores are selling out of guns and ammunition and that many people are wearing a gun whenever they go out of their house. In fact I know many people, including my husband, who keep their guns on them all the time ever since this virus thing happened. They says it's to protect their families from the crazy people out there, if the need arises. All I can do is pray that the need will never arise and that he will remain calm no matter what. That and hope Jesus comes very soon!
I am firmly convicted that besides the sin in every human heart, there is also a demonic/Satanic component behind all of the chaos.
How do people go from thinking they are protesting what they see as injustice, to spewing a similar hate to a different group of people?
Well, first, their thinking has to change, by misinformation. And without God this is rather easily done.
God says all humans are made in His image ( being made in His image, does not mean we are gods ....but that is another issue....
what I am pointing out now, is that ALL men and woman are considered valuable in God's eye):
[smear:#2c5c22]So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27[/smear:#266b7d:0]
and this also
[smear:#81399c]12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. Romans 10:12[/smear:#b04336:0]
and this
[smear:#900710]28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28[/smear:#6819e6:0]
However, when you eliminate what God says, and denounce it, diminish it, remove it, then you can just replace one group of people for another
a 100 years ago, some ( not all) people decided that those with MORE melanin were of a lesser value
today, that idea is to replace (that horrible cruel evil thought) and place it on a different group of people
so that now those with LESS melanin are all to be considered: vicious,cruel, evil etc.
people have lost and shut down their conscience ( which alone should tell them, this is a false idea).
and by doing so, they shut down the pain that idea causes, and also any compassion, love, caring, or the human heart
and now feel righteous, in 'hating' the police, and 'whites' and even 'blacks' they deem as 'uncle Tom's etc.
Of course, this has gone on since the beginning of mankind, it is nothing new it is what allows: prejudice, abuse, slavery, persecution, wars etc.
How do you change ones opinion tho?
With lies ..... otherwise known as, propaganda
And Satan is the master liar. Do we actually think he cares which group is targeted?
No,in fact, his plan is that all shall hate each other.... the more of us that go to Hell, in our pride, hatred and foolish self righteousness, the better, as far as the devil is concerned and so he is ramping up the hatred big time.
One might wonder why USA? I am thinking it is because, it was for so long a stronghold of the Christian faith that is not to say, Christian faith is not in other parts of the world
no more than to think slavery was only in the US...
We know that slavery is everywhere in the world, and always has been because people choose not to believe what God has said.
So it is not a surprising development, when society has said, let's get rid of the Bible. And so more and more and more we are living in a world like this:
[smear:#5ce619]Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20[/smear:#5419e6:0]
And people today have been feed the lie they are 'good' people, and not to feel guilty, why ,they can do want ever they feel like
and consider themselves heroic... in fact, they are heading to godhood and everyone should bow to them ( oh and some are insisting on that now.... we have seen this throughout history..... where certain people think they are God and others should bow to them, we are starting to see this being demanded now in our country).
Parents in our country have for quite sometime decided that they want to be their children's friends, not a mean, terrible 'authority' figure. ( yes, some parents have been that ( mean),
but the reverse is showing us, that raising a bunch of spoiled brats is not good either)
God has said instead: [smear:#154a16] "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6[/smear:#5f2436:0]
Instead the feminist movement has done so much damage that men/fathers are basically trashed, and children have lose any sense of respect or authority in the family and we are now reaping what the woman's liberation has sown ( and no I do not think woman are less than men, their brains are equally brilliant, and so on.... but again, that is a whole other topic)
But be sure, these seeds that have been planted, are only going to grow into bigger and 'badder' weeds.... because it has shattered the divinely created institution ( the family.... with men being honored as much as woman...not trashed) for the formation of restraining sin in sinners... with love, discipline, knowledge of God's Word the Bible, etc.
So instead we are having absolute anarchy, violence, destruction, and mayhem on the streets.
To go right along with the devil's plan and human sin one must make sure this verse is vilified:
[smear:#e64819]Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad....... Romans 13:1-3[/smear:#19e649:0]
Clearly, no one is perfect, no one is without sin.... be they a father or a policeman but do away with them, and you will release terror and evil on a society.
Actually, those who are opposing the police are in reality, opposing God's word.
There are only 2 kinds of people named in scripture as ministers: pastors and policemen
So weird huh? And yet, police have millions and millions of interactions with people and most are NOT violent, or where they take a life but in fact, police have saved many lives.
speaking of the police etc. God says:
[smear:#024a17]"for he is God's servant for your good". Romans 13:4[/smear:#4e087e:0]
So yeah....let's defund the police or get rid of them entirely and have the "Lord of the Flies" for our society
I actually read that book, years ago....pretty scary.
And so we have Antifa wearing mask and hoods armed with pipes, bats, and assault rifles setting fire to whole city blocks and/or looting first, then setting fires...
in the name of 'freedom' 'justice' etc.
But I would say it is not 'freedom rather it is it is anarchy and it's true author is sin and is also demonic
However, this is not to just point out Antifa, without God, the 'right, left, middle all people
can let their anger run rampant and 'hate' each other which is exactly what satan wants
Some may point to George Soros, or the Illuminati and so on as behind the chaos and perhaps some of that might be ( or not be) true on a human level but the real moving force is human sin and also Satan ( he is itching to become the ruler of the world).
Done for today
Very good! I'm curious though, about what you said about some people wanting others to bow to them.... I hadn't heard anything about that. Can you explain that a bit more?
Yes, Satan has done a lot of damage to the family, which is ordained by God to be 1 woman and 1 man and their children. Actually, he's doing a great deal of damage to every single thing that God has ordained to help man: the family, the government, the police, and the Church. I think I may be missing something but can't think of it at the moment. God-ordained roles of headship and submission in the church, society, and at home. Basically though, Satan has attacked and is continuing to attack every area that the Lord gave us to help us keep sin at bay.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 22, 2020 10:49:14 GMT -5
Aha! Anna: I see what you are saying and I agree!!
Sadly, that is what schools are teaching and we are reaping the results.
Of course, the first thing that was done, was to take any mention of God, the Bible, Jesus etc out of the classroom.
Yet, all manner of other religions can be discussed as cultural diversity etc.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 22, 2020 11:04:09 GMT -5
No, I did not miss any postings ( except that one time I told you about a week or so ago?)
Are they not showing up? They are on my computer? What dates? You commented on June 18 but right after it,
I see where I posted for June 19, 20, and 21 Are you not seeing those?
Oh yes, I have seen videos of random BLM men,asking people to bow down and repent of their racist and white privilege.
In addition tho,there have been people throughout history, thinking they were 'god' and people needed to bow to them, or die...which kind of reminds me of Haman and Mordecai in scripture.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 22, 2020 11:27:33 GMT -5
Perhaps Christians are tempted to join with Antifa, or BLM to protest injustice but when we see how quickly it becomes destructive, and realizing the putting God first is not their goal ( in most, if not all, God, loving your neighbor, etc., is not a part of it at all). So thinking about how should Christians respond in a world going crazy, in so many ways Should we join Chop, BLM, Antifa etc.?
There is this verse to consider:
[smear:#f72bf8]14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14[/smear:#2b0d84:0]
shall we join in a protest ( that has not yet ,turned in a a rebellious riot), we read this from God's word:
[smear:#60c745]5.....the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him 9.....I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. Ecclesiastes 8:5,6,9[/smear:#e68519:0]
There is a way to beseech the authorities for change, if indeed change is needed there is a time in which to do so, even when one's heart is heavy and we see people hurting people.
We also have to consider this:
[smear:#ed4a81]1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:1-4[/smear:#19e0e6:0]
Thinking about the very top of authority right now. Many people dislike/hate President Trump, but he is the President. I lived 8 years under President Obama, I did not like his 'policies' ( it had zero to do with how much or how little melanin he had)... but I did not 'hate the man, nor did I wish for his death. For whatever reason, God has allowed President Obama and President Trump to be the authority. And for the most part, one can avoid feeling terror of police by good conduct however, that is not a given nor is it a given I will be alive the very next minute ( I could have a heart attack, or a bomb could go off, or I could be hit by a car out of control, or a tidal wave, or 100 other things) What is important is am I trusting in Jesus to have paid for my sins?
and this:
[smear:#45aa5d]13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-17[/smear:#be19e6:0]
Are some people wanting to be 'FREE" in order to cover up their sin? Are some jealous of others power and as soon as they get some, they act the very same way...or worse?
Already, I doubt many non-believers will find the above verses comforting but what about Christians?
And what if we are unjustly treated ( and even killed.....?)
It is now a fact, that Christians, as a 'religious' group, are THE MOST persecuted, and killed group in the world today
We have to ponder and apply these verses ( with God's help )
[smear:#872391]19...one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:19-24[/smear:#19e633:0]
Who was THE most unjustly treated and killed? Jesus...He had NEVER done any wrong, He never sinned.... unlike every other human who has ever lived in the past, or is living now.
Done for today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 23, 2020 11:05:08 GMT -5
In thinking about the World today and all the rioting going on ( all over the world actually, I have watched videos of rioting in France, Germany, the Middle East etc etc etc). And how should Christians respond or react.
As an aside concerning Should we support defunding police at this time....take just Chicago over the past weekend: 102 people shot, 14 of which have died so far including children. Oh...these people were not shot by the police.
Christians are often deemed 'judgmental ' and mean because they declare the truth about sin and judgment and sometimes we get labeled mean because we do not heed the 2nd part of speaking what is true, with LOVE.
[smear:#e619a6]Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Ephesians 4:15[/smear:#3e9791:0]
Although it is often because the one we are speaking to....no matter how loving we are simply refuses to hear and takes great offense because they 'love' their sins.
[smear:#e6193f]10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10[/smear:#191ce6:3]
and this
[smear:#51f83d]1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 2 Timothy 3:1-4[/smear:#db19e6:0]
Wondering what are some of the ways God says to love your neighbor and how it applies to rioting, looting etc?
[smear:#5fca69]13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. Leviticus 19:13[/smear:#e66019:0]
Note: God does not give an exception clause....like it's ok if your neighbor has light or dark skin.... it just says, do not rob your neighbor.
Verse 11 says the same thing more or less ( but I think can apply to stealing from your neighbor's store, rather than his home)
[smear:#983e82]11 “You shall not steal.... Leviticus 19:11[/smear:#6819e6:0]
But it seems people who do not believe in the God of the Bible,make all sorts of exceptions: They believe they can steal and rob from someone, they decide is privileged, and oppressor, has too much goods, etc. etc. and see themselves as worthy of stealing, looting, cause harm and sorrow to others they label evil in some way.
This verse, in the minds of those who riot and loot, does not apply in their minds they are those who either do not know the Bible or do not care to know what God says but as Christians we have to consider this verse and we know how hard it can be in times of ever escalating anger
[smear:#aa0262]8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8[/smear:#56e00a:0]
This kind of love for all people is essentially missing in all people, it is only God who can put it there.
it is easy to think that someone else has the sum totally of evil and injustice.... over here we see the German people ( think Hitler) but then what about Mao ( think Chinese) what about the war lords of Africa or the ...... fill in the blank
and on and on it goes
There is more than enough to go around and it does.
But tho we should as Christians truly love people can we join with those that are atheists rebellious hate filled anger filled radical disruptive anti-authority or are out to destroy morality hate Jesus etc etc etc.
The Bible says no ( we can love them, pray for them,give them the gospel if possible) However this verse is pretty clear
[smear:#e68619]14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14[/smear:#7ee619:0]
We cannot expect the lost to understand this and it is almost beyond believers, and yet....
[smear:#51cd70]21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 peter 2:21[/smear:#e63719:0]
I have got to be honest, as a cowardly sort by nature, this verse, just about does me in... and yet, I know there have been and are even now true martyrs that have been tortured and killed for their faith without any justice, and yet, they follow our Lord because they love Him so much.
Because there is purpose for the Christian to suffer , and not to utter threats back, lie, swear, insult, fight, etc.
1[smear:#19e686]0 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you 1 peter 5:10 [/smear:#8a1582:0]
In a strange way, perhaps we have not yet suffered enough....in order to learn Jesus grace is sufficient [smear:#701e44]
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9[/smear:#108f79:0]
so do the protesters have some real grievances.....certainly
but at the same time, they have gone from that into full on hatred, and lies
It is simply not true all police are brutal thugs or all whites are hate filled racists or even have endless white privilege
But as Christians we do have an innate understanding of where they are coming from
[smear:#7e19e6]3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. Titus 3:3[/smear:#19e660:0]
We might get involved in changing the laws, but frankly, that will be a dead end...in the end because, sinners don't and cannot keep the laws
[smear:#193be6]The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9[/smear:#e66c19:0]
and
[smear:#e6e519]6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8[/smear:#9e19e6:0]
We cannot try to play God Even if we removed all whites from power, put in BLM folks we are just changing one set of sinners for another but the world will not become a better place no not even for black lives
They may be convicted like many poor people for example who think, well if I had money like the rich my life would be a whole lot better and easier
What the poor do not realize, is many of the rich, have a far emptier, loveless, depression filled, dog eat dog etc etc life. You can say, oh poor rich baby..... until you get there and end up thinking....is this all there is? It can be truly worse ( no compassion, cut throat stress filled, not an ounce of love ) but lots of cold 'things'. It can be a bit like drugs...at first, it seems fun....until you realize, it is killing you in the worst way.
Or to spend your life as a hostile, angry agitator full of vengeance, and bitterness, trample on others, demean them as they have or you think they have done so to you, and so on sadly in this life there is no promise of justice and so those thoughts, feelings, actions are not what God has called the Christian to
But God is always aware and will act
[smear:#4ba766]9 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19[/smear:#cd19e6:0]
We can instead love as many in front of us on a given day, we can be Jesus to people, we can pray, offer help, etc.
We are not called to be social justice warriors, we are called to give a dark and sinful world the gospel. we need to be light , hope, and be peaceful in a world going crazy. We are to be ambassadors for Christ.
[smear:#9942a8]Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20[/smear:#f50dae:0]
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Jun 23, 2020 13:07:48 GMT -5
OK, this is really weird. None of these posts of yours were showing up for me until today, and neither were Marlene's posts! I apologize Marlene, I certainly didn't mean to ignore you, I just didn't see your posts! By the way Barbara, check out my post in chat as I posted there about this thread too lol
It is hard to talk about what is going on in the world today On the one hand, I am trying to limit even looking at the news Not to be 'hiding' ,or sticking my head in the sand like an ostrich
But because the anger and rhetoric just keeps ramping up higher and higher It is hard therefore not to get also angry, depressed, feeling hopeless etc.
On the other hand, in order to talk about what the Bible says about what is going on in the world today Some knowledge of what is happening might be necessary.... ( Like we needed to know there is a killer virus roaming about and what are the best safety measures etc.) and there is soooo much on soooo many fronts
But in thinking of the protests that originally started and then evolved into riots etc. God does say we are to stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves:
[smear:#a5139e]8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy Proverbs 31:8,9[/smear:#089a89:0]
But I think part of what we should look to scripture ( God's mind) is who exactly do we defend and how do we do it?
Here is an interesting verse:
[smear:#af19e6]20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. Matthew 11:20[/smear:#59b60b:0]
I can't help but think, how very blessed we were to live in the USA and yet, we are not unlike these cities that Jesus rebuked because why? They did not repent of what? Of their many sins. And so be assured judgement will come....and is already starting
And yet, Jesus also said this ( to those who repent, and acknowledge their need for a Savior)
[smear:#e6192b]28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28[/smear:#1938e6:0]
And our Lord also said this ( are we seeing much of it today?)
[smear:#40f859]35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself Matthew 22:35-39[/smear:#b20df2:0]
However riots are not a true demonstration of loving your neighbor but rather are hate-filled agendas, and many ( like I was in the 60's) don't even know what 'exactly' they are rioting about many of whom are not even sure of the issues at stake...they may have some 'vague' idea but like in scripture this is often true:
[smear:#e619ae]32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Acts 19:32[/smear:#1940e6:0]
And while riots almost always have some instigators with an agenda, that use inflammatory speech, using vengeance as a motivator exaggerated details etc but in fact, are using and manipulating the people ( sometimes called useful idiots as said by the Communists Lenin) making them believe they are being 'righteous' demanding 'change', while at the same time, stealing, destroying, engaging in lawlessness, hurting another group they deem 'evil' etc.
The Christian needs to also keep in mind this verse
[smear:#c7b70d]20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20[/smear:#e61927:0]
but most rioters are not thinking about God, and so:
I think if we look even deeper...we will discover two things the sin of the human heart and also the demonic world
A word about anger and destruction, some might point out that Jesus, Himself, turned over the money changers tables in the temple....
Firstly, Jesus was and is God.....Holy righteousness, is different than sinful human's anger Second, the money changers had turned God house into something evil
[smear:#7e19e6]13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:13[/smear:#19e61f:0]
Thirdly Jesus was cleaning out His own house.... He did NOT go to anywhere else and do the same.... He was cleaning.... not looting, stealing, etc.
Yes, there are some things we need to know, so obviously we have to hear or read "some" news. What we don't have to do is listen to the same topics over and over again. For example, once we knew about the virus and what our president and governor wanted us to do, and where they said to look for further information, then we didn't have to listen to any more on the subject. There's absolutely no reason for the media to be reporting daily on how many people have the virus in our state, in our country and in the world and how many have died, and etc. All that does is make people fearful. So unless it sounds like the news is planning to tell us something important about the virus that would affect us personally, we don't have to listen to anything else about it. Something that would affect us would be the governor saying we don't need to wear masks or we can go eat out, or to church etc. We can't help but see what our friends and their friends are saying about things if we go to facebook at all. We're forced to see those things, but we don't have to click on them to read anymore. If the title says, "hundreds protest without masks" we don't have to read it to know the consequences of their actions - more will get the virus. We will even know why their protesting without reading more simply by what's posted on facebook. At least I sure do and I don't go on facebook that often or stay on it for that long when I do go on to see how folks are doing.
Very well said! I'd like to add that although Jesus to in fact clear the money changers and the animal and bird sellers out of the temple, He did not hit or yell at any individual person. He simply raised His voice and made sure all the animals and birds escaped their cages. He knew that the men selling them knew exactly what they were doing that was sinful - that they were charging way too much and using also animals that weren't acceptable to the Lord. These people were not there to worship God, they were there to make money. It was a job and that's all. Yet still Jesus did not harm them. What amazing restraint! But there will come a day when those people will be placed in the Lake of fire for eternity if they didn't repent, and that will harm them forever.
I am of the opinion that what a lot of the young ( and not so young) rioters we are seeing are doing , is enacting vengeance on those who they deem have a systemic evil of racism and brutality,
and yet, in fighting against the 'evil' they are convicted they know, belongs to one 'race' of people, they do the very things they say they are against.
But it seems they know little of what God says in His Word such as:
[smear:#75e619]18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18[/smear:#19cee6:0]
or
[smear:#1958e6]19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19[/smear:#aa19e6:0]
To deem a whole group of people intolerable and call for the elimination of them, has been the human go to solution since Cain and Able. To assume that a certain group, is all the same, is also a sad and erroneous belief. But one that the demons cheer.
Instead here are a few things God has said:
[smear:#e40cf8]11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him......
15 ...... You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great,.... 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people.....
17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:11,12,13,15,16,17,18[/smear:#48f606:0]
Do people really think that there is no brutality if a person has more or less Melanin in their skin? Do they think slavery only happened to one 'race'....are they not aware that evil, has gone on from the beginning
So do they see slavery in our country? Actually, I think there is more right now in the sex trade ( woman, children both little boys and girls)
People have always thought to 'fix' injustice with their fists, or guns etc. They see the idea of 'loving' your neighbor as yourself as unattainable But anger gets results
I wonder, how many protesters gave money and time, and help to George Floyd's family? Have any of them prayed not only for George Floyd's family but yes, even for the policeman?
[smear:#f77a0a]Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8[/smear:#2b19e6:0]
What is missing in the human heart...by all humans? No love for God, and no true love for others.
Is there injustice in the world, absolutely, but it is everywhere no one group is more unjust than any other and why is that ?
[smear:#27e619]10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. Romans 3:10,11[/smear:#d319e6:0]
So in the world of 'enlightened' people who 'know' God does not exist I am sure we will see more and more of what we are watching.
So what if out of compassion we join BLM and Antifa will it really help? And will it really be loving our neighbor and even more so honoring God?
But what does BLM really really do and stand for? What do BLM people believe? are they helping the poor, building hospitals, are they building up or tearing down mostly etc. or.....? Are they those that love God with all their hearts?
Done for today, going to church so short today
BLM hates God and hates the Bible! So no, we should never join an organization like that! There's no reason to join any organization in order to help people. We can help them by prayer, or sending money, or teaching ourselves and our children and grandchildren not to harm others just because they're different.
God doesn't tell us what to join and what not to, but He does give us enough guidelines that we can determine that for ourselves. For example we are to always honor and obey the government. God does not say to obey the government if they're right and good; He just says to obey them. We are to never harm another human being so if any organization wants to harm someone, that means we shouldn't join it. We are to do all things in moderation, which again eliminates many organizations.
God does tell us to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves,but the blacks are speaking for themselves so we don't need to speak for them. He does tell us to take care of widows and orphans who need help. He doesn't mean just pray for them. He means concrete help, like with giving them food, helping them pay their bills, or getting them a lawyer if they need one etc. We again don't have to join an organization to do those things.
I was somewhat wrong, instead of saying capitalism was not working well for them I should of said they are brainwashed by the leftist school, education system since grade school through college that teach socialism and that capitalism is bad and evil but they don't point out how bad socialism is in Venezuela and Cuba and the former USSR., China, NK, but somehow they are led to believe their form of socialism will work.
Basically it is God turning them over to a strong delusion, and the rest of the world. Quite true!
Aha! Anna: I see what you are saying and I agree!!
Sadly, that is what schools are teaching and we are reaping the results.
Of course, the first thing that was done, was to take any mention of God, the Bible, Jesus etc out of the classroom.
Yet, all manner of other religions can be discussed as cultural diversity etc. So true... but at this point, even if they again allowed prayer in school, it wouldn't change anything. Children that don't know or believe in God, aren't interested in praying to Him. The fault really lies with the parents, not with the schools or government. It was and is the parents that haven't taught their children about God, and haven't taken them to church every Sunday, and haven't read the bible daily and applied it to their own life and then read it to their children daily and helped them understand how to apply it to their life. It was also the parents that didn't make sure the government knew that prayer in school was important to them, and it was the parents that voted in the people who threw prayer out of the schools etc. Too often we blame the government and the schools, when in fact, it's always been the parents who were and are to blame. It's also the parents who no matter how often they were warned, kept their children in public school instead of taking the time and trouble to home school them and by doing so, making sure that their child learned the Truth and not a bunch of lies.No, I did not miss any postings ( except that one time I told you about a week or so ago?)
Are they not showing up? They are on my computer? What dates? You commented on June 18 but right after it,
I see where I posted for June 19, 20, and 21 Are you not seeing those?
Oh yes, I have seen videos of random BLM men,asking people to bow down and repent of their racist and white privilege.
In addition tho,there have been people throughout history, thinking they were 'god' and people needed to bow to them, or die...which kind of reminds me of Haman and Mordecai in scripture. OK, I know that there are people even today that say they are Jesus and have people bow down to them and pray to them etc. I wasn't sure if that's who you were talking about though. As far as the posts go, I answered that at the top of my post...
Perhaps Christians are tempted to join with Antifa, or BLM to protest injustice but when we see how quickly it becomes destructive, and realizing the putting God first is not their goal ( in most, if not all, God, loving your neighbor, etc., is not a part of it at all). So thinking about how should Christians respond in a world going crazy, in so many ways Should we join Chop, BLM, Antifa etc.?
There is this verse to consider:
[smear:#f72bf8]14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14[/smear:#2b0d84:0]
shall we join in a protest ( that has not yet ,turned in a a rebellious riot), we read this from God's word:
[smear:#60c745]5.....the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him 9.....I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. Ecclesiastes 8:5,6,9[/smear:#e68519:0]
There is a way to beseech the authorities for change, if indeed change is needed there is a time in which to do so, even when one's heart is heavy and we see people hurting people.
We also have to consider this:
[smear:#ed4a81]1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:1-4[/smear:#19e0e6:0]
Thinking about the very top of authority right now. Many people dislike/hate President Trump, but he is the President. I lived 8 years under President Obama, I did not like his 'policies' ( it had zero to do with how much or how little melanin he had)... but I did not 'hate the man, nor did I wish for his death. For whatever reason, God has allowed President Obama and President Trump to be the authority. And for the most part, one can avoid feeling terror of police by good conduct however, that is not a given nor is it a given I will be alive the very next minute ( I could have a heart attack, or a bomb could go off, or I could be hit by a car out of control, or a tidal wave, or 100 other things) What is important is am I trusting in Jesus to have paid for my sins?
and this:
[smear:#45aa5d]13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-17[/smear:#be19e6:0]
Are some people wanting to be 'FREE" in order to cover up their sin? Are some jealous of others power and as soon as they get some, they act the very same way...or worse?
Already, I doubt many non-believers will find the above verses comforting but what about Christians?
And what if we are unjustly treated ( and even killed.....?)
It is now a fact, that Christians, as a 'religious' group, are THE MOST persecuted, and killed group in the world today
We have to ponder and apply these verses ( with God's help )
[smear:#872391]19...one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:19-24[/smear:#19e633:0]
Who was THE most unjustly treated and killed? Jesus...He had NEVER done any wrong, He never sinned.... unlike every other human who has ever lived in the past, or is living now.
Done for today
The only kind of "Christian" I can see joining with BLM is one that's totally ignorant about what the Bible says about anything, and hopefully totally ignorant about what BLM actually stands for. In other words they would be either someone who isn't really saved but thinks they are and calls themselves Christian, or someone that was just recently saved and hasn't yet learned what God says and also isn't aware of how violent or against God BLM is.
It doesn't surprise me at all that true Christians are becoming persecuted in the US today as well as in other countries. It doesn't surprise me because for the many years that we were not persecuted, instead of growing, we backslid, and became more and more worldly. We got more and more involved with the world and with false teachers and false prophets. Love - the kind of love that's real, not the wishy washy kind that we have today, has gone out the window and rarely seen today. Today there's very few real "Christians", which I know has always been true. The problem is that in the past, nonbelievers had to fake being Christians and really had to work at it. Now days they don't bother at all. Anything goes. And they give true Christians a very bad name. In fact, most unbelievers have no idea that most of the people who go to church every Sunday have never been saved; and even many pastors aren't saved! It's only in the countries where we are severely and harshly persecuted that the Church has grown during all these years we've had it easy. The harsher we are treated, the more we grow in our faith individually and as the body of Christ. And the more we grow to be like Jesus, the more unbelievers will want what we have, while others will just hurt us even more.
That's why so many will be saved during the Tribulation when the persecution of Christians and Jews will be worse then it was for the Jew's during WW2. It's sad to think that the believers during the Tribulation will save more people during those 7 years then we have in 2000! Yes, the last, will most certainly be first in that way too! For while they may be the last to be saved, they will have done more for Jesus and His Kingdom than just about anyone else. Very few will be in the same category they will be in. Their glory will outshine us by a long shot too as God will greatly reward them. But it starts with us now as we get ready for the Tribulation to begin after Jesus calls us to meet Him in the air at the rapture. I m pretty sure that it's going to get worse and worse the closer we get to the rapture too.
LOL This goes perfectly with what was said in the chat thread in reply to your post too!
.....the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. For there is a time and a way for everything, Ecclesiastes 8:5,6
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 24, 2020 9:30:01 GMT -5
We need to know as Christians what is God's view of many of the things we are seeing more and more of today:
[smear:#9719e6]29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless Romans 1:29-31[/smear:#e67119:0]
and what is God's view on those things ( and even more sins ....they are not all listed above)
[smear:#0781dd]18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18[/smear:#3ffa06:0]
Does God have a right to be angry at people? I think the answer is pretty clear, that yes, He does...and here is why:
[smear:#19e655]19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools.... Romans 1:19-22[/smear:#e619cd:0]
One of the ways people claim to be so superior in intellect, is to allege that 'science' has proven there is no God, that humans are a cosmic accident, and we evolved from some primordial soup and from non life, life began and thru millions or billions of years and chance This is to me uttermost foolishness.... but ... is useful for sinners to do away with God and not be accountable for any better.
And what does God eventually do, and what do we see?
[smear:#f50abe]24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts... 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind.... Romans 1:24,28[/smear:#068597:0]
Of course, people wanting a Godless world is not new:
[smear:#d8f808]5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5[/smear:#790598:0]
And God even caused a world wide flood because wickedness was so great. Evil and wickedness is actually the normal state of our fallen world.
All humans are sinners, but the outright horrific evil , has to some degree been less at times, and then, becomes super evil....
but we know from scripture, there is coming a time of tribulation, that will make even the worst times pale in comparison....
That will begin after the rapture, but we are now in the times leading up to those days, we are in the end times. I think even many non-believers have an uneasy feeling that perhaps, sooner than later, things are going to get worst then ever in the history of man.
What is going on now, can be summed up in this verse:
[smear:#42b568]12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12[/smear:#03738d:0]
The temptation at first is to be panicked, discouraged, depressed, disgusted, angry, outraged etc.
But instead, we need to be about our Father's business we need to find ways to continue to spread the gospel, to be in God's word more and more, to pray, to love the unlovable, to count our blessings etc.
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Jun 24, 2020 9:45:10 GMT -5
In thinking about the World today and all the rioting going on ( all over the world actually, I have watched videos of rioting in France, Germany, the Middle East etc etc etc). And how should Christians respond or react.
As an aside concerning Should we support defunding police at this time....take just Chicago over the past weekend: 102 people shot, 14 of which have died so far including children. Oh...these people were not shot by the police.
Christians are often deemed 'judgmental ' and mean because they declare the truth about sin and judgment and sometimes we get labeled mean because we do not heed the 2nd part of speaking what is true, with LOVE.
[smear:#e619a6]Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Ephesians 4:15[/smear:#3e9791:0]
Although it is often because the one we are speaking to....no matter how loving we are simply refuses to hear and takes great offense because they 'love' their sins.
[smear:#e6193f]10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10[/smear:#191ce6:3]
and this
[smear:#51f83d]1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 2 Timothy 3:1-4[/smear:#db19e6:0]
Wondering what are some of the ways God says to love your neighbor and how it applies to rioting, looting etc?
[smear:#5fca69]13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. Leviticus 19:13[/smear:#e66019:0]
Note: God does not give an exception clause....like it's ok if your neighbor has light or dark skin.... it just says, do not rob your neighbor.
Verse 11 says the same thing more or less ( but I think can apply to stealing from your neighbor's store, rather than his home)
[smear:#983e82]11 “You shall not steal.... Leviticus 19:11[/smear:#6819e6:0]
But it seems people who do not believe in the God of the Bible,make all sorts of exceptions: They believe they can steal and rob from someone, they decide is privileged, and oppressor, has too much goods, etc. etc. and see themselves as worthy of stealing, looting, cause harm and sorrow to others they label evil in some way.
This verse, in the minds of those who riot and loot, does not apply in their minds they are those who either do not know the Bible or do not care to know what God says but as Christians we have to consider this verse and we know how hard it can be in times of ever escalating anger
[smear:#aa0262]8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8[/smear:#56e00a:0]
This kind of love for all people is essentially missing in all people, it is only God who can put it there.
it is easy to think that someone else has the sum totally of evil and injustice.... over here we see the German people ( think Hitler) but then what about Mao ( think Chinese) what about the war lords of Africa or the ...... fill in the blank
and on and on it goes
There is more than enough to go around and it does.
But tho we should as Christians truly love people can we join with those that are atheists rebellious hate filled anger filled radical disruptive anti-authority or are out to destroy morality hate Jesus etc etc etc.
The Bible says no ( we can love them, for them,give them the gospel if possible) However this verse is pretty clear
[smear:#e68619]14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14[/smear:#7ee619:0]
We cannot expect the lost to understand this and it is almost beyond believers, and yet....
[smear:#51cd70]21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 peter 2:21[/smear:#e63719:0]
I have got to be honest, as a cowardly sort by nature, this verse, just about does me in... and yet, I know there have been and are even now true martyrs that have been tortured and killed for their faith without any justice, and yet, they follow our Lord because they love Him so much.
Because there is purpose for the Christian to suffer , and not to utter threats back, lie, swear, insult, fight, etc.
1[smear:#19e686]0 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you 1 peter 5:10 [/smear:#8a1582:0]
In a strange way, perhaps we have not yet suffered enough....in order to learn Jesus grace is sufficient [smear:#701e44]
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9[/smear:#108f79:0]
so do the protesters have some real grievances.....certainly
but at the same time, they have gone from that into full on hatred, and lies
It is simply not true all police are brutal thugs or all whites are hate filled racists or even have endless white privilege
But as Christians we do have an innate understanding of where they are coming from
[smear:#7e19e6]3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. Titus 3:3[/smear:#19e660:0]
We might get involved in changing the laws, but frankly, that will be a dead end...in the end because, sinners don't and cannot keep the laws
[smear:#193be6]The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9[/smear:#e66c19:0]
and
[smear:#e6e519]6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8[/smear:#9e19e6:0]
We cannot try to play God Even if we removed all whites from power, put in BLM folks we are just changing one set of sinners for another but the world will not become a better place no not even for black lives
They may be convicted like many poor people for example who think, well if I had money like the rich my life would be a whole lot better and easier
What the poor do not realize, is many of the rich, have a far emptier, loveless, depression filled, dog eat dog etc etc life. You can say, oh poor rich baby..... until you get there and end up thinking....is this all there is? It can be truly worse ( no compassion, cut throat stress filled, not an ounce of love ) but lots of cold 'things'. It can be a bit like drugs...at first, it seems fun....until you realize, it is killing you in the worst way.
Or to spend your life as a hostile, angry agitator full of vengeance, and bitterness, trample on others, demean them as they have or you think they have done so to you, and so on sadly in this life there is no promise of justice and so those thoughts, feelings, actions are not what God has called the Christian to
But God is always aware and will act
[smear:#4ba766]9 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19[/smear:#cd19e6:0]
We can instead love as many in front of us on a given day, we can be Jesus to people, we can , offer help, etc.
We are not called to be social justice warriors, we are called to give a dark and sinful world the gospel. we need to be light , hope, and be peaceful in a world going crazy. We are to be ambassadors for Christ.
[smear:#9942a8]Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20[/smear:#f50dae:0]
Done for today
Did you see what I wrote in the chat thread about this one? Also I'd like to talk about what you asked in the chat thread here and see what the Bible says about it, unless you've heard enough already.
Great job!!!!!
OK, I need to ask why you felt it was necessary to watch all those videos? Did watching those videos build up your faith in God or your love for Him in any way? Did watching them obey God's command to guard your mind and heart? Or did they somehow make your day better or perhaps help you sleep better?
Why does 1 Peter 2:21 do you in? It doesn't mean that we will all become martyrs, just that we will all suffer. Even unbelievers suffer. Everyone suffers because we live in a broken world. You and I suffer with chronic pain and a number of diseases. We suffer from people who are unbelievers taunting us, making fun of us, or not allowing any relationship with us because we believe in Jesus and God's Word. I've been asked to do things at work that weren't right and had to refuse because they were against God's Will and His Word. My employer didn't appreciate that and I paid by no longer being promoted.
I really liked what you said here: "Even if we removed all whites from power, put in BLM folks we are just changing one set of sinners for another." That's so true.
Why do all these unsaved people think this way? It's like they're all insane or something because they sure aren't seeing reality..... Then when you throw in people who are pretending to be Christians and are saying the same things as the unsaved, it gets even more confusing for people. How can we know what to believe?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 24, 2020 10:59:12 GMT -5
It was not that I watched a lot of separate videos...it was one video and that showed a minute or two of snippets of what is going on in other countries (riots, looting, pulling down statues etc).
I was somewhat surprised that what is going on in my country, is basically happening in so many other countries.... all at the same time ( and some seem to be influenced by what is going on in the USA).
That did not actually depress me so much as, surprised me because it was sort of like the virus.... pretty much all over the world.
Oh before I forget,as per usual....today's post is above your last post.
However, I did watch just 'one' video last night, that in many many ways I wish I had not.
Probably, not exactly what what you might think, was what I found so depressing.
Someone, took a 20 minute walk thru CHAD/CHOP the night before.
The first thing I noticed was absolutely every inch of that 6 block area was filled with graffiti
I can imagine some might want to excuse it as a form of 'art' and creativity but I thought it was ugly ( just as the sentiments expressed)
not to mention it was not the 'artists' property they ruined
Then, it was like the largest, homeless like, tent city
Which made me wonder, who goes to a protest, packing their brand new tents and spray paint by the billions of gallons?
But that was not the downer
It was the young people there.....
it was late at night and thousand of them were just wandering about with the most vacant looks on their faces
This did not seem to be the 'summer of love festival', the Seattle mayor claimed it to be
It was a vast population of the lost... and truly like the 'living' dead They seemed so empty
There was no more places to destroy, loot, steal, or do graffiti on and so it was like they no longer felt.... They had no purpose
and of course, they were not working just aimlessly wandering about
I only watched because I wondered what is really going on there, what does it really look like It looks like a third world country....maybe worse
Even the thousands of porta potties, the mayor must have delivered to them, had no more space to write there hate filled slogans.
It was really sad and pointed out what you said about the fault began with their parents
And now I think there have been 3 shootings many rapes, violence and fights etc
and even another thing that was odd.... young men and woman walking but none even holding hands..... not that I especially wanted to see that....
but the lack of even any human anything like a gentle touch.... it seemed like hearts grown totally cold.
Yup...I think that was enough of that....no need to see more
Only even if they clear this up.... I think it won't be the last of these 'experiments' popping up
But it really was like watching zombies or puppets, the dead walking in an ugly ugly place.
And it kept me up all night So I started praying for them and on to my family friends Christians everywhere those being tortured and killed in other counties etc.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 24, 2020 11:08:30 GMT -5
Oh about the being done in by suffering... I just get tired sometimes...and start to feel sorry for myself especially since I am having a bit of a flare up.
I am not sure, but I think when the weather gets nicer, I push myself a bit more....thinking I should and maybe going or doing a bit too much too soon.
and weariness sets in and thinking about it from the point of view that without it, I might not learn to lean on Jesus ( but would rather lean on myself) Still...I would rather not be in endless pain even so and yet.... It's like 6 of one, and half a dozen of the other.... or rather it sometimes feels that way.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 25, 2020 9:42:38 GMT -5
We need to know as Christians what is God's view of many of the things we are seeing more and more of today:
[smear:#9719e6]29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless Romans 1:29-31[/smear:#e67119:0]
and what is God's view on those things ( and even more sins ....they are not all listed above)
[smear:#0781dd]18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18[/smear:#3ffa06:0]
Does God have a right to be angry at people? I think the answer is pretty clear, that yes, He does...and here is why:
[smear:#19e655]19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools.... Romans 1:19-22[/smear:#e619cd:0]
One of the ways people claim to be so superior in intellect, is to allege that 'science' has proven there is no God, that humans are a cosmic accident, and we evolved from some primordial soup and from non life, life began and thru millions or billions of years and chance This is to me uttermost foolishness.... but ... is useful for sinners to do away with God and not be accountable for any better.
And what does God eventually do, and what do we see?
[smear:#f50abe]24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts... 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind.... Romans 1:24,28[/smear:#068597:0]
Of course, people wanting a Godless world is not new:
[smear:#d8f808]5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5[/smear:#790598:0]
And God even caused a world wide flood because wickedness was so great. Evil and wickedness is actually the normal state of our fallen world.
All humans are sinners, but the outright horrific evil , has to some degree been less at times, and then, becomes super evil....
but we know from scripture, there is coming a time of tribulation, that will make even the worst times pale in comparison....
That will begin after the rapture, but we are now in the times leading up to those days, we are in the end times. I think even many non-believers have an uneasy feeling that perhaps, sooner than later, things are going to get worst then ever in the history of man.
What is going on now, can be summed up in this verse:
[smear:#42b568]12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12[/smear:#03738d:0]
The temptation at first is to be panicked, discouraged, depressed, disgusted, angry, outraged etc.
But instead, we need to be about our Father's business we need to find ways to continue to spread the gospel, to be in God's word more and more, to , to love the unlovable, to count our blessings etc.
Done for today
Yeah, that bit about us evolving accidentally from primordial soup just takes way too much faith for me to believe! And not only that, but it takes believing in something that doesn't even make sense. It's like saying that if I take a good wrist watch and smash it into tiny pieces with a hammer, and then put all the little pieces into a paper bag, and then shook that bag over and over and over for a very long time (I'd have to have some automatic contraption to shake it for me) that after a long time, eventually I'd be able to pull a wrist watch out of that bag! Actually, pulling a wrist watch out of that bag is more reasonable then us evolving from primordial soup, because at least the paper bag has all the right components in it for the wrist watch. I think I heard this idea from Mark Lowry in one of his talks.
Very well said! You're doing great!
It was not that I watched a lot of separate videos...it was one video and that showed a minute or two of snippets of what is going on in other countries (riots, looting, pulling down statues etc).
I was somewhat surprised that what is going on in my country, is basically happening in so many other countries.... all at the same time ( and some seem to be influenced by what is going on in the USA).
That did not actually depress me so much as, surprised me because it was sort of like the virus.... pretty much all over the world.
Oh before I forget,as per usual....today's post is above your last post.
However, I did watch just 'one' video last night, that in many many ways I wish I had not.
Probably, not exactly what what you might think, was what I found so depressing.
Someone, took a 20 minute walk thru CHAD/CHOP the night before.
The first thing I noticed was absolutely every inch of that 6 block area was filled with graffiti
I can imagine some might want to excuse it as a form of 'art' and creativity but I thought it was ugly ( just as the sentiments expressed)
not to mention it was not the 'artists' property they ruined
Then, it was like the largest, homeless like, tent city
Which made me wonder, who goes to a protest, packing their brand new tents and spray paint by the billions of gallons?
But that was not the downer
It was the young people there.....
it was late at night and thousand of them were just wandering about with the most vacant looks on their faces
This did not seem to be the 'summer of love festival', the Seattle mayor claimed it to be
It was a vast population of the lost... and truly like the 'living' dead They seemed so empty
There was no more places to destroy, loot, steal, or do graffiti on and so it was like they no longer felt.... They had no purpose
and of course, they were not working just aimlessly wandering about
I only watched because I wondered what is really going on there, what does it really look like It looks like a third world country....maybe worse
Even the thousands of porta potties, the mayor must have delivered to them, had no more space to write there hate filled slogans.
It was really sad and pointed out what you said about the fault began with their parents
And now I think there have been 3 shootings many rapes, violence and fights etc
and even another thing that was odd.... young men and woman walking but none even holding hands..... not that I especially wanted to see that....
but the lack of even any human anything like a gentle touch.... it seemed like hearts grown totally cold.
Yup...I think that was enough of that....no need to see more
Only even if they clear this up.... I think it won't be the last of these 'experiments' popping up
But it really was like watching zombies or puppets, the dead walking in an ugly ugly place.
And it kept me up all night So I started praying for them and on to my family friends Christians everywhere those being tortured and killed in other counties etc. If the riots and protests etc were only happening in our country, they wouldn't be significant as far as the end times go. It's because they're happening world wide that they are important as signs indicating the end of this age is near. Honestly, most of what we're seeing in the US now, has been happening in other countries for awhile now.
I'm glad you weren't watching all kinds of videos about this! It's bad medicine!
When describing the video you watched you said: but the lack of even any human anything like a gentle touch....it seemed like hearts grown totally cold. Is that what you thought at some point as you were watching it? I ask that because whenever you thought it, it was the Holy Spirit showing you what you were seeing through His eyes. You were viewing things scripturally, which is what happens after awhile when you're in God's Word daily. Eventually, you'll see and hear everything through the lens of scripture. When we do that I think we're actually using the mind of Christ, and it's amazing!
Yes, your description of them as the dead walking, is very accurate!
And praying for them and then going on to pray for others was exactly the right way to deal with it! That's wonderful!!!
Now, going further, is this also a sign that the end of the age is near? If so, how is it a sign and what does it point to?
Oh about the being done in by suffering... I just get tired sometimes...and start to feel sorry for myself especially since I am having a bit of a flare up.
I am not sure, but I think when the weather gets nicer, I push myself a bit more....thinking I should and maybe going or doing a bit too much too soon.
and weariness sets in and thinking about it from the point of view that without it, I might not learn to lean on Jesus ( but would rather lean on myself) Still...I would rather not be in endless pain even so and yet.... It's like 6 of one, and half a dozen of the other.... or rather it sometimes feels that way.
That I can certainly understand, as I do at times as well. In fact, I did just yesterday. I had to cry out to the Lord for help and tell Him I just couldn't take anymore pain and ask Him to take some of it away. Bless His heart, He did! He's so very, very good to us! I thought the RA was as bad as it could get a long time ago. Especially since my rheum doctor said that on a scale of 1 to 10, that in comparison to my husbands RA, mine was at 9 and his was at 2. He wasn't showing me what the difference in pain was between us, but rather where we were in how far the RA had progressed. So when the RA pain got even more severe in my hips, knees, hands and feet, a few days ago, and at the same time I've been in a flare up of back pain, I just couldn't deal with it, as even the morphine wasn't helping.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 25, 2020 13:01:06 GMT -5
The feeling of hearts grown cold was seen almost at the beginning....There were lots of people out and about....but I did not see any 'summer of love' that the mayor talked about. perhaps people were to stoned or high.....but even then, you usually feel or see some humanness, compassion but it seemed dark and cold ( well it was night, but there was an oppressiveness, lack of love or purpose. That was the scary part. Yes the walking dead.
I will look at the questions you posed as part of today's post.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 25, 2020 13:15:14 GMT -5
Because we are seeing this lawlessness world wide in so many countries at the same time, this is pointing also to the end times, I believe.
In the past, there would be.... let's say, an uprising against a king or some in authority but relative peace in other countries. Then years would go by, and perhaps they would switch places, so to speak; there would then be more or less peace in the country that had strife, and uprising, and the one that had 'peace' would no longer have it because of tumult.
Now we are seeing 'lawlessness' in multiple countries all at the same time ( all over the world) And what do war, uprisings, and lawlessness also show forth....? hardened hearts, love and compassion, grown cold
In fact, our Lord and Savior Jesus said this speaking of signs of the end times:
[smear:#4ce619]12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12[/smear:#e619dd:0]
and when I look at this list I don't see true love or compassion, but rather a recipe for hearts grown cold
[smear:#19a6e6]1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 2 Timothy 3:1-4[/smear:#9519e6:0]
And for sure, people have always shown these sins... but now in these times and days the escalation, intensification, and world wide expansion of them, is what I see.
All people are sinners, and always have been Some have been able to act on their sinful nature to the fullest, and torture and kill millions.
what I am beginning to see now, is that people's sins can increase ( and are in fact doing so) and increase...
so that, now, many many many people, world wide, can cause pain and suffering with a cold heart.
In an ever increasing godless world, the cold hearts, and dark will also continue to increase
And people love darkness because of their sins....they think the darkness hides their sins
[smear:#22a345]For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:20[/smear:#e61951:0]
We are seeing a lot of hatred increasing at a tremendous rate and few are trying to slow the flames instead, they are being fanned, and people feel righteous, in their hatred
[smear:#b22488]Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. John 3:20[/smear:#3996a1:0]
We are surely seeing this verse also coming to pass
[smear:#19e655]3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3,4[/smear:#40e4f0:0]
But for Christians who want light , instead of darkness ... God's Word is what we need more and more
1[smear:#493fab]05 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. psalms 119:105,130[/smear:#19e648:0]
Daily time in His word will bring light and love into our lives.
Moreover, for me ,I need to continue in prayer ( for sure in these times, but always)
[smear:#18487f]23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, ..... 1 Samuel 12:23[/smear:#f90b12:1]
When we read the next verse the ancient paths are not some pagan ways, but reading the Bible, praying etc. in today's world.... that has become 'ancient"
[smear:#216b54] Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16[/smear:#ac22a3:1]
What is one of the first things Satan does to increase cold hearts?
When Jesus told this parable, I am quite sure the 'enemy' was not ( birds) but rather, our Lord is talking in a parable , and this is what Satan has been doing right along anything and everything to keep people from the Bible
[smear:#19e65d]“3 A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. " Matthew 13:3,4[/smear:#2719e6:0]
The 'seeds' being sown, were God's words
In fact, Jesus explains it in verse 18 of the same chapter:
[smear:#6b1e78]18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path Matthew 13:18.19[/smear:#19e650:0]
The 'evil' one is the devil, and when Satan takes God's word away, the love that has been sown in the heart is ripped out also.
We are seeing this big time these days, but sadly, this is only a taste of the future
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Jun 26, 2020 10:50:16 GMT -5
The feeling of hearts grown cold was seen almost at the beginning....There were lots of people out and about....but I did not see any 'summer of love' that the mayor talked about. perhaps people were to stoned or high.....but even then, you usually feel or see some humanness, compassion but it seemed dark and cold ( well it was night, but there was an oppressiveness, lack of love or purpose. That was the scary part. Yes the walking dead.
I will look at the questions you posed as part of today's post. That's awesome!
Because we are seeing this lawlessness world wide in so many countries at the same time, this is pointing also to the end times, I believe.
In the past, there would be.... let's say, an uprising against a king or some in authority but relative peace in other countries. Then years would go by, and perhaps they would switch places, so to speak; there would then be more or less peace in the country that had strife, and uprising, and the one that had 'peace' would no longer have it because of tumult.
Now we are seeing 'lawlessness' in multiple countries all at the same time ( all over the world) And what do war, uprisings, and lawlessness also show forth....? hardened hearts, love and compassion, grown cold
In fact, our Lord and Savior Jesus said this speaking of signs of the end times:
[smear:#4ce619]12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12[/smear:#e619dd:0]
and when I look at this list I don't see true love or compassion, but rather a recipe for hearts grown cold
[smear:#19a6e6]1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 2 Timothy 3:1-4[/smear:#9519e6:0]
And for sure, people have always shown these sins... but now in these times and days the escalation, intensification, and world wide expansion of them, is what I see.
All people are sinners, and always have been Some have been able to act on their sinful nature to the fullest, and torture and kill millions.
what I am beginning to see now, is that people's sins can increase ( and are in fact doing so) and increase...
so that, now, many many many people, world wide, can cause pain and suffering with a cold heart.
In an ever increasing godless world, the cold hearts, and dark will also continue to increase
And people love darkness because of their sins....they think the darkness hides their sins
[smear:#22a345]For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:20[/smear:#e61951:0]
We are seeing a lot of hatred increasing at a tremendous rate and few are trying to slow the flames instead, they are being fanned, and people feel righteous, in their hatred
[smear:#b22488]Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. John 3:20[/smear:#3996a1:0]
We are surely seeing this verse also coming to pass
[smear:#19e655]3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3,4[/smear:#40e4f0:0]
But for Christians who want light , instead of darkness ... God's Word is what we need more and more
1[smear:#493fab]05 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. psalms 119:105,130[/smear:#19e648:0]
Daily time in His word will bring light and love into our lives.
Moreover, for me ,I need to continue in prayer ( for sure in these times, but always)
[smear:#18487f]23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to for you, ..... 1 Samuel 12:23[/smear:#f90b12:1]
When we read the next verse the ancient paths are not some pagan ways, but reading the Bible, praying etc. in today's world.... that has become 'ancient"
[smear:#216b54] Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16[/smear:#ac22a3:1]
What is one of the first things Satan does to increase cold hearts?
When Jesus told this parable, I am quite sure the 'enemy' was not ( birds) but rather, our Lord is talking in a parable , and this is what Satan has been doing right along anything and everything to keep people from the Bible
[smear:#19e65d]“3 A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. " Matthew 13:3,4[/smear:#2719e6:0]
The 'seeds' being sown, were God's words
In fact, Jesus explains it in verse 18 of the same chapter:
[smear:#6b1e78]18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path Matthew 13:18.19[/smear:#19e650:0]
The 'evil' one is the devil, and when Satan takes God's word away, the love that has been sown in the heart is ripped out also.
We are seeing this big time these days, but sadly, this is only a taste of the future
Done for today
Very good! It's so true that people are feeling righteous in their anger. Look at the people who are supposedly Christians who are frequently angry, and saying things like they hope there will be a civil war so we can get rid of the transgenders or homosexuals or both; or so we can get rid of the black lives matter group, or any other group they don't like. They feel righteous about it and apparently don't realize that it's the exact opposite of what Jesus calls us to be like. He calls us to love everyone, and to share the good news of salvation with all who are willing to listen. (not with those who will only scoff or scorn what we're saying, or will just argue with us.) He wants us to remember that we were once just like them, so we're no better then they are at all.
Yes, we're living during the "great falling away" which has to happen because God said it would, before the Tribulation. I want to share three different translations of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 so we can be sure of what it's saying:
KJV Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
NIV Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
AMP Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition),
Still other translations call it a rebellion against God or a revolt against Him. We can be sure that's exactly what we're seeing today. In fact, it's been going on for some time already. At this point, I'm beginning to think there's more false teaching around then scriptural teaching. More false teachers then Godly teachers. The false teaching has been so completely accepted by people that it's no longer just in religion, but instead is seen in every area of life, from the media, to schools, to the medical community, etc. There's no part of our lives that aren't touched in some way by false teaching and rebellion against God. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking through a mine field, just waiting for one of the bombs to go off. Our only hope is in the Lord and His Word.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 26, 2020 11:03:14 GMT -5
As Christians we know racism is a sin, it is irrational to have hatred in our heart and have ethnic battles.
There are 2 choices we can hate each other ( and by doing so are hating God) or love God, and love each other.
This is a verse that pretty much sums it up
[smear:#e619aa] 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 [/smear:#0d933b:0]
And this is what we want with all our heart
[smear:#19e62c]27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27[/smear:#e65019:0]
This 'neighbor' is not just your next door neighbor, who most likely looks like you, but a neighbor could be anyone in the world.
Instead of destroying things, we can listen to each other with compassion.
[smear:#e619cb]5 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15[/smear:#38ac65:0]
And this:
[smear:#a276ef]19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19[/smear:#19e61a:0]
and some ways we can also be loving: [smear:#19e655]
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12,13[/smear:#e844dd:0]
I am pretty sure most or at least some people will not like what I am thinking but I think even the policeman that killed George Floyd needs our prayers, also.
I am not convinced he set out that day, thinking, I hate George because he is black, so today I will murder him.
I would think, if that had been the case, he would have done it under the cover of a dark night, when nobody would see and he would not go to prison.
Nor am I convinced, he is not broken hearted that his rage and anger of the moment, caused the death of George Floyd.
It is possible of course, that is the case, but there is no way to truly know that man's heart. He is probably one of the most hated men right now and yet Every day, someone kills someone else in the heat of the moment
Some live their lives in sorrow for the rest of their lives, that they actually killed another human.
Some do not.
Jesus said this:
[smear:#45f17e]43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43,44[/smear:#e619a7:0]
And this is what Jesus will say in the future:
[smear:#e61937]40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40[/smear:#4719e6:2]
it is absolutely human nature to be angry when someone kills another person it breaks our hearts and we are furious
yet....
[smear:#8b19e6]Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12[/smear:#e67d19:0]
If we act on our anger, and push it to hate we may find ourselves being the cold hearted killer.
this verse mentions fear [smear:#f6d203] 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18[/smear:#a219e6:0]
There is feat that respects and honors God our Creator and another fear, that is fierce and defiant.
A fierce fear, decides to get the 'enemy' before they enemy get him or her.
But what is one of the contributing factors to being fearful in our country today I think one ( besides lack of God in our culture) is also, men have abdicated their roles as fathers, providers, and protectors, and head of the household, and most of all godly men.
I will perhaps look at more of that tomorrow
Done for today.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 27, 2020 13:49:50 GMT -5
Perhaps you have heard the saying that history repeats it self? And it does appear to be true! One might wonder why or how can that be, when if we were to believe in evolution, mankind 'ought' to be evolving higher and higher ( if we can go from a molecule to a complex human, and our brain also 'evolved' then surely, our morals are also..... but we do not ever see that ( unless God steps in).
The Bible tells us to avoid every kind of evil.... even the 'appearance' of evil as the King James version stated In other words, you may not be exactly or actually doing evil, but you are so close to the fire, that to a non believer it seems like you are
the ESV version says:
[smear:#5ce619]22 Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22[/smear:#e619c4:0]
Well what has happened to men in our society and those throughout history?
We have to remember we are all sinners, so that our default position is to hate God and hate other people.
Secondly, we have to remember there is also a spiritual battle going on and we have some very very powerful enemies that we cannot see, but that does not mean they are not there, or are not fatally dangerous.And Satan and his demons, want to keep us hating God and hating each other.
Satan often throughout history used another weapon ( besides encouraging us to hate God and each other)
and that, is to attack one of the stabilizing foundations of society, by encouraging confusion of the sexes, the roles of each, and the family as a result.
It started in the Garden of Eden.
If you recall....Satan just talked with Eve. I notice at least 2 things:
Eve did not ask for Adam's thoughts, opinions, or protection nor did she ask God's.
But secondly. Adam did not step up to the plate and offer any of those things.
We do not see Adam doing this:
[smear:#19e66e]25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:25[/smear:#e63d19:0]
Nor this: [smear:#e6198e] 2 Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies 1 Kings 2:2,3[/smear:#251263:0]
And as we see now ( and throughout history when men abdicate their role) weak men produce the decline and death of their society.
At the same time ungodly, immoral men terrorize it and abuse woman and children.
And they leave a legacy of corruption, wickedness, and abounding evil...for multiple generation to come.
God had a reason he did not intervene ..... This was their ( Adam and Eve's) one and only test of love, and faith in Him.
People often think the Bible encourages a patriarchal ( bad, abusive, heavy handed, cruel, over powering, etc.) society
But not what these verses say to 'men'
[smear:#f55208]13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13,14[/smear:#28e619:0]
That is what happens when people pull something out of context they might read verse 13....but neglect verse 14
That is the result of not reading your Bible daily not really knowing what it says not studying it
And... They leave God out of it ( strong men, had how they should love, live, and act)
[smear:#b23e9e]6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8[/smear:#48b742:0]
this too
[smear:#191fe6]12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good.... 2 Samuel 10:12[/smear:#e61976:0]
One thing we note in these passages in godly men face danger without whining and complaining and playing the victim, they bear even total loss to reduce evil running rampant....but they keep their eye on Jesus.
But where do we see the first idea of 'victim hood' come into play? Right back in the Garden of Eden. Satan suggests it to Eve. What the devil suggests to Eve....you are not getting what you deserve ( you are being victimized by God!!)
[smear:#f50b63]“....Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1[/smear:#eff008:0]
Not only that but the devil tells the woman God is lying ( that would be false news in our day) and... not only is he lying he wants to keep you down!!! Again, the devil says you are a victim of a powerful overlord:
[smear:#133e70]4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4,5[/smear:#e64819:0]
Do you not think this does not apply to today's world? people still are hearing the devil and believing him The question each person must ask is who is telling the truth many many to this very day, believe what Satan has said.
Well, the devil was right to one degree people can know the good that God has given them in their conscience their hearts and totally in His Word the Bible but not from the devil
What they can know from being sinners and from the devil is knowing EVIL that was the one true thing our enemy told us and it should have shaken Eve to the core
She should have immediately prayed to God and gotten Adam but she did neither She was unfortunately a true feminist, woman's liberationist,
Am I suggesting she was not very bright...she needed a man's superior brain Not at all... But neither man nor woman have even anything near the total knowledge of an all knowing God.
And bright men and woman, get 2nd opinions, and strong advocates, before making such a far reaching, critical, vital, exceptional, ponderous, eternal, . decision!! Done for today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 28, 2020 8:50:35 GMT -5
We probably won't know in this life, exactly why Adam abdicated his role why he did not stay strong, or why did he compromise and not remain faithful to God, but we have witnessed the results throughout history.
God tells Joshua to 'Be strong':
[smear:#5119e6]6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go Joshua 1:6-8[/smear:#e6199b:0]
And the absolute key in how to do this?
[smear:#06e258]8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8[/smear:#d319e6:0]
A man ( and woman too) must have God constantly in and on their mind. and they are to teach their children to also do the same.
[smear:#348ba3]7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7[/smear:#76e619:0]
A man needs to model godly behavior to his children, He ought not look for the easy way, and compromise in any to get out of difficulties rather live a life on principles, and uphold the truth, not giving into fear or pressure... and know, his devotion to God will be tested like in the Garden of Eden.
Men can have all manner of 'Assyrian hordes' but realize there is more to the battle than what we see:
[smear:#04c560]7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.
8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7,8[/smear:#b206a3:0]
What we are observing is a culture that was to some extent focused on God, which has steadily and progressively turned away from God and turned on God. They have worked endlessly to eliminate God from all walks of life, and make He and His word, the enemy.
The culture by their own love of sin and encouragement of Satan and the demons, been lured and seduced by them, into loving those things God has deemed destructive to men.
And sadly,many Christian men ( and of course woman also, but I am especially looking at men, secular and Christian)
have been also so influenced by the culture that this verse has become true for so many of them:
[smear:#4fbb5f]13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." Matthew 5:13[/smear:#561872:0]
And being trampled on is what we see happening..... although, it is unlikely we will get a short revival, but I won't discount it it is most unlikely
Nevertheless, we are not to give into despair and fear.... starting with Christian men ( I don't hold out much hope for secular men, buteven some of those will yet be saved...).
[smear:#e61927]Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalms 27:14[/smear:#4306e9:2]
Done for today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 7,588
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Post by fearnot on Jun 29, 2020 9:12:03 GMT -5
God said this, ( verse below) even a long time ago, but today, it is still here, we have NOT evolved, and if anything it is worse now then ever.
[smear:#5da70a]1..........There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; 2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Hosea 4:1,2[/smear:#be19e6:0]
Today almost all people consider swearing, just 'normal' talk. Sometimes it seems to me, that 50% of many people's language and way of communicating, is by swearing.
And lying just comes natural also.
People also have loosened the bonds of self-control...so that daily anger and swearing, can quickly turn into a brawl, and perceived 'disrespect', which leads to rage, and murder.
Men more and more are seeking the 'easy' way....looting and stealing, seeing that it is easier than going to work each day.
And adultery is off the charts.
There are fewer and fewer men (and woman) who can say this:
[smear:#1ca77f] 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8[/smear:#891628:0]
When the world needs more wisdom than ever before... instead.....
most people, if honest, would have to say this:
[smear:#5119e6]I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Proverbs 30:3[/smear:#40e619:0]
We need to know the Bible, and live by it
But instead of this this verse:
[smear:#4483a3]The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; Psalms 19:7[/smear:#913f74:0]
People have become more and more foolish, sinful, and evil.
We need to have God's word constantly in our minds:
[smear:#80a433] 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8[/smear:#e619e5:0]
But in preference, the world and our country, has done everything to eliminate any trace of the Bible from existence.
This is not new, burning and banning Bibles has happened in the past but more people today, do not even care....
Rather, they are more concerned that their wild side remains unhindered.
And unfortunately, many professing 'Christians' are also looking to be 'free' 'wild' 'unhindered' They have been infected by the world not alert to it's dangers:
[smear:#8619e6]Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2[/smear:#439a11:0]
It is only by the renewing of our minds by God's Word (the Bible), that we may discern the will of God, and know what is good, and acceptable
Because
1[smear:#d1369d]2 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12[/smear:#199fe6:0]
People might gloss over the word living.... meaning the word of God is ALIVE.... because it is God!!!
[smear:#a22174]In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1[/smear:#19e654:0]
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Post by Cindy on Jun 29, 2020 12:50:05 GMT -5
As Christians we know racism is a sin, it is irrational to have hatred in our heart and have ethnic battles.
There are 2 choices we can hate each other ( and by doing so are hating God) or love God, and love each other.
This is a verse that pretty much sums it up
[smear:#e619aa] 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 [/smear:#0d933b:0]
And this is what we want with all our heart
[smear:#19e62c]27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27[/smear:#e65019:0]
This 'neighbor' is not just your next door neighbor, who most likely looks like you, but a neighbor could be anyone in the world.
Instead of destroying things, we can listen to each other with compassion.
[smear:#e619cb]5 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15[/smear:#38ac65:0]
And this:
[smear:#a276ef]19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19[/smear:#19e61a:0]
and some ways we can also be loving: [smear:#19e655]
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12,13[/smear:#e844dd:0]
I am pretty sure most or at least some people will not like what I am thinking but I think even the policeman that killed George Floyd needs our prayers, also.
I am not convinced he set out that day, thinking, I hate George because he is black, so today I will murder him.
I would think, if that had been the case, he would have done it under the cover of a dark night, when nobody would see and he would not go to prison.
Nor am I convinced, he is not broken hearted that his rage and anger of the moment, caused the death of George Floyd.
It is possible of course, that is the case, but there is no way to truly know that man's heart. He is probably one of the most hated men right now and yet Every day, someone kills someone else in the heat of the moment
Some live their lives in sorrow for the rest of their lives, that they actually killed another human.
Some do not.
Jesus said this:
[smear:#45f17e]43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43,44[/smear:#e619a7:0]
And this is what Jesus will say in the future:
[smear:#e61937]40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40[/smear:#4719e6:2]
it is absolutely human nature to be angry when someone kills another person it breaks our hearts and we are furious
yet....
[smear:#8b19e6]Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12[/smear:#e67d19:0]
If we act on our anger, and push it to hate we may find ourselves being the cold hearted killer.
this verse mentions fear [smear:#f6d203] 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18[/smear:#a219e6:0]
There is feat that respects and honors God our Creator and another fear, that is fierce and defiant.
A fierce fear, decides to get the 'enemy' before they enemy get him or her.
But what is one of the contributing factors to being fearful in our country today I think one ( besides lack of God in our culture) is also, men have abdicated their roles as fathers, providers, and protectors, and head of the household, and most of all godly men.
I will perhaps look at more of that tomorrow
Done for today.
Well done! I would like to point out one thing though. What you said about the policeman that killed George Floyd and what you think about it, makes it sound like the only reason you're not angry at him and the only reason you don't hate him for what he's done like almost all of the unsaved (and many pretend Christians) is because you think it wasn't premeditated. But God tells us that it doesn't matter whether the person meant to kill another person or not - we are to love them regardless. It's perfectly OK to be angry that another person's life was taken, but it is not OK for us to nurse that anger and keep it alive into another day. We are not to let the sun go down on our anger. Why? Because God wants us to keep our emotions under control. We are to rule our emotions, and not let them rule over us. God also says this about anger: “for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (James 1:20) Man's anger would be angry at the person who killed someone else and would want to see him punished. But God doesn't want us to feel that way, He wants us to be like Jesus even in our anger.
I didn't realize how late it is. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow morning so can't come then. Sorry.
Perhaps you have heard the saying that history repeats it self? And it does appear to be true! One might wonder why or how can that be, when if we were to believe in evolution, mankind 'ought' to be evolving higher and higher ( if we can go from a molecule to a complex human, and our brain also 'evolved' then surely, our morals are also..... but we do not ever see that ( unless God steps in).
The Bible tells us to avoid every kind of evil.... even the 'appearance' of evil as the King James version stated In other words, you may not be exactly or actually doing evil, but you are so close to the fire, that to a non believer it seems like you are
the ESV version says:
[smear:#5ce619]22 Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22[/smear:#e619c4:0]
Well what has happened to men in our society and those throughout history?
We have to remember we are all sinners, so that our default position is to hate God and hate other people.
Secondly, we have to remember there is also a spiritual battle going on and we have some very very powerful enemies that we cannot see, but that does not mean they are not there, or are not fatally dangerous.And Satan and his demons, want to keep us hating God and hating each other.
Satan often throughout history used another weapon ( besides encouraging us to hate God and each other)
and that, is to attack one of the stabilizing foundations of society, by encouraging confusion of the sexes, the roles of each, and the family as a result.
It started in the Garden of Eden.
If you recall....Satan just talked with Eve. I notice at least 2 things:
Eve did not ask for Adam's thoughts, opinions, or protection nor did she ask God's.
But secondly. Adam did not step up to the plate and offer any of those things.
We do not see Adam doing this:
[smear:#19e66e]25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:25[/smear:#e63d19:0]
Nor this: [smear:#e6198e] 2 Be strong, and show yourself a man, 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies 1 Kings 2:2,3[/smear:#251263:0]
And as we see now ( and throughout history when men abdicate their role) weak men produce the decline and death of their society.
At the same time ungodly, immoral men terrorize it and abuse woman and children.
And they leave a legacy of corruption, wickedness, and abounding evil...for multiple generation to come.
God had a reason he did not intervene ..... This was their ( Adam and Eve's) one and only test of love, and faith in Him.
People often think the Bible encourages a patriarchal ( bad, abusive, heavy handed, cruel, over powering, etc.) society
But not what these verses say to 'men'
[smear:#f55208]13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13,14[/smear:#28e619:0]
That is what happens when people pull something out of context they might read verse 13....but neglect verse 14
That is the result of not reading your Bible daily not really knowing what it says not studying it
And... They leave God out of it ( strong men, had how they should love, live, and act)
[smear:#b23e9e]6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8[/smear:#48b742:0]
this too
[smear:#191fe6]12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good.... 2 Samuel 10:12[/smear:#e61976:0]
One thing we note in these passages in godly men face danger without whining and complaining and playing the victim, they bear even total loss to reduce evil running rampant....but they keep their eye on Jesus.
But where do we see the first idea of 'victim hood' come into play? Right back in the Garden of Eden. Satan suggests it to Eve. What the devil suggests to Eve....you are not getting what you deserve ( you are being victimized by God!!)
[smear:#f50b63]“....Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1[/smear:#eff008:0]
Not only that but the devil tells the woman God is lying ( that would be false news in our day) and... not only is he lying he wants to keep you down!!! Again, the devil says you are a victim of a powerful overlord:
[smear:#133e70]4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4,5[/smear:#e64819:0]
Do you not think this does not apply to today's world? people still are hearing the devil and believing him The question each person must ask is who is telling the truth many many to this very day, believe what Satan has said.
Well, the devil was right to one degree people can know the good that God has given them in their conscience their hearts and totally in His Word the Bible but not from the devil
What they can know from being sinners and from the devil is knowing EVIL that was the one true thing our enemy told us and it should have shaken Eve to the core
She should have immediately prayed to God and gotten Adam but she did neither She was unfortunately a true feminist, woman's liberationist,
Am I suggesting she was not very bright...she needed a man's superior brain Not at all... But neither man nor woman have even anything near the total knowledge of an all knowing God.
And bright men and woman, get 2nd opinions, and strong advocates, before making such a far reaching, critical, vital, exceptional, ponderous, eternal, . decision!! Done for today
Well said!
We probably won't know in this life, exactly why Adam abdicated his role why he did not stay strong, or why did he compromise and not remain faithful to God, but we have witnessed the results throughout history.
God tells Joshua to 'Be strong':
[smear:#5119e6]6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go Joshua 1:6-8[/smear:#e6199b:0]
And the absolute key in how to do this?
[smear:#06e258]8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8[/smear:#d319e6:0]
A man ( and woman too) must have God constantly in and on their mind. and they are to teach their children to also do the same.
[smear:#348ba3]7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7[/smear:#76e619:0]
A man needs to model godly behavior to his children, He ought not look for the easy way, and compromise in any to get out of difficulties rather live a life on principles, and uphold the truth, not giving into fear or pressure... and know, his devotion to God will be tested like in the Garden of Eden.
Men can have all manner of 'Assyrian hordes' but realize there is more to the battle than what we see:
[smear:#04c560]7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.
8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7,8[/smear:#b206a3:0]
What we are observing is a culture that was to some extent focused on God, which has steadily and progressively turned away from God and turned on God. They have worked endlessly to eliminate God from all walks of life, and make He and His word, the enemy.
The culture by their own love of sin and encouragement of Satan and the demons, been lured and seduced by them, into loving those things God has deemed destructive to men.
And sadly,many Christian men ( and of course woman also, but I am especially looking at men, secular and Christian)
have been also so influenced by the culture that this verse has become true for so many of them:
[smear:#4fbb5f]13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." Matthew 5:13[/smear:#561872:0]
And being trampled on is what we see happening..... although, it is unlikely we will get a short revival, but I won't discount it it is most unlikely
Nevertheless, we are not to give into despair and fear.... starting with Christian men ( I don't hold out much hope for secular men, buteven some of those will yet be saved...).
[smear:#e61927]Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalms 27:14[/smear:#4306e9:2]
Done for today
You're doing great!
God said this, ( verse below) even a long time ago, but today, it is still here, we have NOT evolved, and if anything it is worse now then ever.
[smear:#5da70a]1..........There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; 2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Hosea 4:1,2[/smear:#be19e6:0]
Today almost all people consider swearing, just 'normal' talk. Sometimes it seems to me, that 50% of many people's language and way of communicating, is by swearing.
And lying just comes natural also.
People also have loosened the bonds of self-control...so that daily anger and swearing, can quickly turn into a brawl, and perceived 'disrespect', which leads to rage, and murder.
Men more and more are seeking the 'easy' way....looting and stealing, seeing that it is easier than going to work each day.
And adultery is off the charts.
There are fewer and fewer men (and woman) who can say this:
[smear:#1ca77f] 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8[/smear:#891628:0]
When the world needs more wisdom than ever before... instead.....
most people, if honest, would have to say this:
[smear:#5119e6]I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Proverbs 30:3[/smear:#40e619:0]
We need to know the Bible, and live by it
But instead of this this verse:
[smear:#4483a3]The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; Psalms 19:7[/smear:#913f74:0]
People have become more and more foolish, sinful, and evil.
We need to have God's word constantly in our minds:
[smear:#80a433] 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8[/smear:#e619e5:0]
But in preference, the world and our country, has done everything to eliminate any trace of the Bible from existence.
This is not new, burning and banning Bibles has happened in the past but more people today, do not even care....
Rather, they are more concerned that their wild side remains unhindered.
And unfortunately, many professing 'Christians' are also looking to be 'free' 'wild' 'unhindered' They have been infected by the world not alert to it's dangers:
[smear:#8619e6]Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2[/smear:#439a11:0]
It is only by the renewing of our minds by God's Word (the Bible), that we may discern the will of God, and know what is good, and acceptable
Because
1[smear:#d1369d]2 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12[/smear:#199fe6:0]
People might gloss over the word living.... meaning the word of God is ALIVE.... because it is God!!!
[smear:#a22174]In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1[/smear:#19e654:0]
Very good! I've copied your post from the chat thread over to this thread so we could talk about it here. I hate that I can't be here tomorrow but I'll be here the next day, God willing!
I know some Christians have a gift of being able to bring up things of God is a super natural not preachy way (which is more my style).
Easy light touch has never been my gift
So I am wondering, if any of you have some ideas of how to do that, to unbelieving family members,
( who actually don't want any 'sermons' or even any off the cuff references to 'GOD'
But yet, I know some Christians can do a sweet, lovely, kind, joy-filled, 'workaround' that is honest, uplifting, natural, normal, not 'offensive' to an atheist
If any of you can think of some ways now or even a week or months later, I would love to hear them.
I keep thinking time is short.... and if there are any ways to plant 'seeds' in my unbelieving loved ones, in a way, that won't trigger them.... I would love to do so..... but this is not a gift I have.
The only thing I can think of is, maybe at the end of an e-mail, where I put my name I might also put a Bible verse
If they are openly against hearing anything about God, then you shouldn't even bother to say anything to them, because that's throwing your pearls before swine and Jesus told us not to do that. We have to stop thinking that their salvation is up to us, because it's not. It's up to the Lord and He will reach them when the time is right and not one second before hand. Plus, He may use someone besides us. Especially with family, it's often someone outside the family that finally gets the person to see the light.
I'm with Lulu too. I have never allowed anyone, family, friend or acquaintance, to say anything derogatory about God or His Word in my home or in my presence. The first time they did so, if it was in my home, I told them off and told them Jesus was my Lord, He was alive and if they were going to say things like that they could leave. They thought I was kidding until I threw them out of the house. (years later they saw me and thanked me saying they'd been saved since then!) If it wasn't at my house, I simply told them how I felt about it because Jesus is my Lord, and asked them not to talk that way in front of me. Everyone has honored that, but if a time ever comes where someone doesn't honor it, I'll simply get up immediately and leave, and won't go around that person again until they apologize.
Now, if you're talking about your grandchildren, I can help you with that. (or about people who are honestly seeking the Truth) In fact, what we're doing in this current study should help you do exactly what you want. My plans for this one was to help you start seeing how God's Word fits in with every day things and how we can talk about those things. I wanted to help you get to the point to where everything you see and here reminds you of something from the Bible or something about God.
I also agree with Marlene. We have to listen for the Lord's guidance about when to speak to someone and not just go after them on our own. He will guide us and tell us when the time is right to speak to someone and when it's not the right time. He may tell us to do it immediately or have us wait days, weeks, months or even years. Or He may tell us not to speak to them about it at all.
Using your idea of planting seeds, consider that if you plant some seeds and then over water them, they will never grow; they'll just be washed away with the excess water. That's why we need God's help and guidance of when to speak to people. On the other hand, we can never do to much praying for them! (and I keep your loved ones in my prayers as well and have for many years now).
Okay Cindy that cool BTW I saw Perry mason on HBO mini series I dont know about it I think they pick the wrong actor Mattew Rhy play Perry Mason they made him into WW1 veteran who now turn PI this probably way before he became lawyer I know in original Seriel he was part time PI and Lawyer so I think they try do the 1930s movie version it fell flat BTW they cast African American actor as Paul Drake who was LAPD Officer fighting racism in LAPD LAPD was not friendly to African Americans in City of LA Okay They doing take on Aimee Sempleron so called kidnapping on this version I dont think watch this if I going watch Perry Mason I stick with Raymond Burr So I watch on East coast feed of HBO I watch Lucy Wolsey Royal myth they feature Queen Elizabeth 1 Thank you Kelly, you're such a blessing! Barbara, we have the same problem, Matt not so much, but our Netty, talk about triggered! We tried for years to soften the way we talked about our faith, then she started making fun of us and our imagery friend! Well being me, all softened speech stopped! I said what I believed and if it triggered her, I asked her to leave! I will no longer or ever again soften the way I talk about our Lord! we were so sick of the drama and being told what we could talk about when over her house, or when they came over ours, or we went out to dinner with them, that WE LEFT! We for her daily, and I do believe she will call her dad soon and ask for biblical explanations about the world today! She knows the truth, but found it easier to deny Him then live for Him! Wicked sad 😢 so I really have no advice for you and an approach to your dilemma! Just wanted to share ours! And I realize not many are like me! I just refuse to baby grownups! Oh Lulu, I'm so sorry it's been that bad! I had no idea! I've been praying for Netty for a long time and still do, but for some reason I was under the impression that Matt knew the Lord.... I don't remember why I thought that, only that I have for years now. But now that I know differently, I'll add him to my prayers for salvation. (I've always prayed for Jazzie and her mother as well).Barbra, our teacher Michael once talked to us about that. He said a person must have the right timing to reach a person, it has to be at a time they need to hear it and not at a time a person wants to say something. I found that to be true with a friend of mine, I had something on my mind that I wanted to say but it was not the right time,so I waited months and then I saw that it was the right time to say what I wanted to say, then it turned out to be a blessing. You will know when the right time comes. Amen! It's always good to seek the Lord's guidance!
WOWWW I was outside bring in my trash can I hear LAPD Ghetto bird flying over the house down the street somebody was barricade on other side of the street I live and told person inside surrender or else it finallly over they brought in nice LAPD K 9 unit puppy dog to take bite of the crime So how was your morning??? LOL! I had something like that happen to me many years ago when my kids were very little...Jennifer was only 3! (she's 38 now lol). But we saw a helicopter and heard all these dogs barking, and then saw a bunch of policemen with dogs on leashes coming through the woods toward the apartments I lived in. One of them told me they were looking for a suspect who was armed and dangerous and asked me to go inside and keep any children inside too; which of course I did; but I watched outside my window They finally caught the guy after a couple of hours. I lived in Salt Lake City then. No more cities for me, now I just have to watc out for run away cows or hungry bears! I got a question to any NASCAR fans on the forum question what this deal about Noose in Bubba Wallace garage at NASCAR Event I only got tail end of the story on ESPN this morning I'll have to ask Bruce. I think he was watching that when I went to bed. Hopefully I'll remember to ask him .... Cindy
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