Page 70, Autumn, by Susan Branch
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
When the Church disappoints...
Elizabeth Prata has a really good article about the gift of distinguishing spirits. An important point she makes is this:
“You shouldn't accumulate knowledge just for the sake of knowledge. Once you know something is true or false, you have a responsibility to do something about it. You have a responsibility to praise the Savior if you find a true teaching, but if you find a false teaching you have to say something about it, as well.”
I tell my fellows at church that I am a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide gas is poisonous and odorless. It kills, but people only detect its presence when they start to feel sleepy and even then it may be too late.
False doctrine is like that, odorless, undetectable except for some symptoms that appear in people who are under its influence. If you detect a false teaching, or an evil spirit at work or a carnality creeping in, or whatever it may be as MacArthur outlined, DO something.
What I do is speak to my pastor or the teacher of the class. I make a report. I tell the men, right away. I let them know what I found, how I found it, where I found it, and the methods I used to find it. This is so they can check for themselves. I also offer the scriptural foundation that in my opinion shows the teaching or carnal thing is false so they can compare it to the Word. If they deem it false, my prayer next becomes that they do something about it and therefore it will not be tolerated.
Please Read the entire article.
HT The Watchman's Bagpipes & The End Time
“You shouldn't accumulate knowledge just for the sake of knowledge. Once you know something is true or false, you have a responsibility to do something about it. You have a responsibility to praise the Savior if you find a true teaching, but if you find a false teaching you have to say something about it, as well.”
I tell my fellows at church that I am a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide gas is poisonous and odorless. It kills, but people only detect its presence when they start to feel sleepy and even then it may be too late.
False doctrine is like that, odorless, undetectable except for some symptoms that appear in people who are under its influence. If you detect a false teaching, or an evil spirit at work or a carnality creeping in, or whatever it may be as MacArthur outlined, DO something.
What I do is speak to my pastor or the teacher of the class. I make a report. I tell the men, right away. I let them know what I found, how I found it, where I found it, and the methods I used to find it. This is so they can check for themselves. I also offer the scriptural foundation that in my opinion shows the teaching or carnal thing is false so they can compare it to the Word. If they deem it false, my prayer next becomes that they do something about it and therefore it will not be tolerated.
Please Read the entire article.
HT The Watchman's Bagpipes & The End Time
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
God's Glory Declared!
Psalm 19
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
In keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Forgiveness 101
Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for
My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Lamentations 3:22
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness,
for we have rebelled against Him.
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Psalm 130:3-4
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
Colossians 1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,
and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 66:18
If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creature;
the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.
I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for
My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Lamentations 3:22
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness,
for we have rebelled against Him.
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Psalm 130:3-4
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
Colossians 1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,
and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 66:18
If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creature;
the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.
"You can't go back" --HUH?!
Years ago we knew a group of Christians who were arrogant, prideful, controlling, manipulative, and legalistic. "The group" had many legalisms, rules, and control devices, one of which was pressed upon us and others at the time--- I suppose, they chose to use it as their "ultimate" control method.
Their exact quote was:
"You can't go back."
Go back where!? and what does this really mean?
In this "group" this comment meant that any member of "the group" now definitely knew that -- in "the group's" rules of perfect behavior -- a person must never stop doing, wearing, acting as "the group" did, or you would lose your perfect godliness which they themselves had perfected.
Scary.
Can you imagine if you were in this group and trying to fit in? Obedience was the only option or you would be out and cruelly, visibly shunned.
As time has marched on, we have heard of "sightings" of these people who have definitely changed their looks just a little bit, although sadly, not their wrong behavior --- but that little "bit" is enough to break their own hard fast rule of "never going back," thus affecting their own holiness!
Soooo...
in their own godliness rules --is it true that they can't go back?
I am confused.
I thought they knew the "godly way" and that they had said, "You can't go back." But they went back!
So if we had followed them completely --as many have-- so that we also would be "godly", so that we would never "go back" to our prior ungodliness, and now we discover that they went back, and so their way to godliness must not be as perfect as we --or they-- thought, where does this all lead us??
...Confusion, disillusionment, emotionally injured, spiritually damaged, perhaps even distrustful of God or blaming God...
And so it is when we follow arrogant, prideful, controlling, manipulative, and legalistic sinners. We can not trust that they are actually following God's word rightly. We must be like the Bereans and search the scriptures daily for ourselves so we can be wise and discern the false teachers, and bad leaders. Acts 17:11
There is good news:
We can go back!
if you are turning around from your sin.
This is all because of our God; the God of the Bible is a forgiving God. We can mess up and sin big time, and He will forgive us.
For example, we can make up our own holiness rules of dress and speech and behavior, and when we realize how foolish we have been and repent ---
we can know He will forgive us.
We can go back!
Do not ever think that God will never forgive you for the mess you have made in your life or in other's lives. God is always waiting, encouraging, desiring for each of us to run to Him in repentance.
Praise God! For I can run to Him any and every time. He is my precious forgiveness.
He can be yours also.
Their exact quote was:
"You can't go back."
Go back where!? and what does this really mean?
In this "group" this comment meant that any member of "the group" now definitely knew that -- in "the group's" rules of perfect behavior -- a person must never stop doing, wearing, acting as "the group" did, or you would lose your perfect godliness which they themselves had perfected.
Scary.
Can you imagine if you were in this group and trying to fit in? Obedience was the only option or you would be out and cruelly, visibly shunned.
As time has marched on, we have heard of "sightings" of these people who have definitely changed their looks just a little bit, although sadly, not their wrong behavior --- but that little "bit" is enough to break their own hard fast rule of "never going back," thus affecting their own holiness!
Soooo...
in their own godliness rules --is it true that they can't go back?
I am confused.
I thought they knew the "godly way" and that they had said, "You can't go back." But they went back!
So if we had followed them completely --as many have-- so that we also would be "godly", so that we would never "go back" to our prior ungodliness, and now we discover that they went back, and so their way to godliness must not be as perfect as we --or they-- thought, where does this all lead us??
...Confusion, disillusionment, emotionally injured, spiritually damaged, perhaps even distrustful of God or blaming God...
And so it is when we follow arrogant, prideful, controlling, manipulative, and legalistic sinners. We can not trust that they are actually following God's word rightly. We must be like the Bereans and search the scriptures daily for ourselves so we can be wise and discern the false teachers, and bad leaders. Acts 17:11
There is good news:
We can go back!
if you are turning around from your sin.
This is all because of our God; the God of the Bible is a forgiving God. We can mess up and sin big time, and He will forgive us.
For example, we can make up our own holiness rules of dress and speech and behavior, and when we realize how foolish we have been and repent ---
we can know He will forgive us.
We can go back!
Do not ever think that God will never forgive you for the mess you have made in your life or in other's lives. God is always waiting, encouraging, desiring for each of us to run to Him in repentance.
Praise God! For I can run to Him any and every time. He is my precious forgiveness.
He can be yours also.
Precious Forgiveness
Psalm 130:3-4
If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
O Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness;
therefore You are revered.
therefore You are revered.
Praising God! for His forgiveness is
precious and sweet---
a balm to a wounded soul,
a life preserver on a sinking ship.
I've been saved!
*
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Being Wise
Our words have much power.
As godly women do we want our words to be for God or satan?
Should Christians Say----? has a wonderful post on words, our culture, and why we, as Christians, should be aware of our speech.
Ephesians 5:1-20
...Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is...
HT Watchman's Bagpipes :oD
As godly women do we want our words to be for God or satan?
Should Christians Say----? has a wonderful post on words, our culture, and why we, as Christians, should be aware of our speech.
Ephesians 5:1-20
...Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is...
HT Watchman's Bagpipes :oD
Monday, October 15, 2012
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
Most of our TV watching is from selected decades old television shows---can't stand the modern venue. Just read a good post concerning television from the past:
TV Dads....in watching the Cosby Show last night, there was a scene of great tenderness. Cliff comes down the stairs in the middle of the night, searching for his wife who is absent from the bed. He finds her at the desk, working. He gently asks her if anything is the matter, and she says she couldn't sleep and decided to work. He asks if he has been snoring again and she admits he was. "Why didn't you turn me over?" he asks, and she laughs and said she had turned him every which way but his snoring didn't abate, so she came downstairs. Cliff asks her to come back to bed and she says she wants to work a while longer. He looks lovingly at her for a moment and then gently picks her up and dances with her up the stairs. Her low laughter echoes in the room as the light is turned off.
This scene remained with me because it is tender. Where is the tender, selfless care by tv fathers and dads these days? Husbandly and fatherly tenderness is absent from tv today. I am not speaking of a tenderness that is effeminate, but of a strong, loving, tenderness. Most of the time today we see that if a husband (or lover) awoke in bed alone he'd smile and grab all the covers, never mind actually get up to see if his bride was all right.
I like her analysis:
The bible says a husband/father is to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife. (Genesis 2:24). That leaves Ray Barone out.
Husbands are to have authority over their wives. (1 Corinthians 11:3). That leaves Dan Conner out.
Husbands are to respect their wives. (1 Peter 3:7). That leaves Archie Bunker out. In one Everybody Loves Raymond episode, Ray calls his wife Debra a "smelly tramp."
Husbands are to consult with their wives. (Genesis 31:4-7). That leaves Ray Barone out.
Husbands are to love them. (Ephesians 5:25-33). That leaves Dan Conner out.
Fathers are to love their children. (Psalm 103:13). That leaves Family Guy out.
Fathers are to discipline their children. (Hebrews 12:7). That leaves Ray Barone & Homer Simpson out.
HT to the End Time Bog, Elizabeth Prata.
TV Dads....in watching the Cosby Show last night, there was a scene of great tenderness. Cliff comes down the stairs in the middle of the night, searching for his wife who is absent from the bed. He finds her at the desk, working. He gently asks her if anything is the matter, and she says she couldn't sleep and decided to work. He asks if he has been snoring again and she admits he was. "Why didn't you turn me over?" he asks, and she laughs and said she had turned him every which way but his snoring didn't abate, so she came downstairs. Cliff asks her to come back to bed and she says she wants to work a while longer. He looks lovingly at her for a moment and then gently picks her up and dances with her up the stairs. Her low laughter echoes in the room as the light is turned off.
This scene remained with me because it is tender. Where is the tender, selfless care by tv fathers and dads these days? Husbandly and fatherly tenderness is absent from tv today. I am not speaking of a tenderness that is effeminate, but of a strong, loving, tenderness. Most of the time today we see that if a husband (or lover) awoke in bed alone he'd smile and grab all the covers, never mind actually get up to see if his bride was all right.
I like her analysis:
The bible says a husband/father is to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife. (Genesis 2:24). That leaves Ray Barone out.
Husbands are to have authority over their wives. (1 Corinthians 11:3). That leaves Dan Conner out.
Husbands are to respect their wives. (1 Peter 3:7). That leaves Archie Bunker out. In one Everybody Loves Raymond episode, Ray calls his wife Debra a "smelly tramp."
Husbands are to consult with their wives. (Genesis 31:4-7). That leaves Ray Barone out.
Husbands are to love them. (Ephesians 5:25-33). That leaves Dan Conner out.
Fathers are to love their children. (Psalm 103:13). That leaves Family Guy out.
Fathers are to discipline their children. (Hebrews 12:7). That leaves Ray Barone & Homer Simpson out.
HT to the End Time Bog, Elizabeth Prata.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Humble trust in the Lord gives peace
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
Psalm 16:6
And the LORD said, “My presence shall go with you,
and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
Thankfulness... in knowing the LORD is with me no matter if I am home or far away.
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
Psalm 16:6
And the LORD said, “My presence shall go with you,
and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
Thankfulness... in knowing the LORD is with me no matter if I am home or far away.
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