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“Looking unto Jesus” or Horoscopes?

QUESTION ASKED:

“So I have a question for you. Do you think the wise men were sinning and should be damned for following the wandering star in the sky that led them to Jesus and the barn in the first place? (Matthew) Or that God was wrong for placing stars in the sky to be used for signs and for seasons, days, years? (Genesis) If it’s so wrong for us to learn from the stars, why did he make and name all of them? (Psalms)

Sorry, but don’t go off the bible. It contradicts itself.”

REPLY:

Observing and appreciating the LORD’s creation is one thing, looking to those mere elements for wisdom and direction in life, instead of He who made them, is sin. The wise men being directed by the stars to the correct location in no way means our lives on earth are to be relegated to or following the movement of the stars in the heavens. When God used His stars to guide the wisemen, that was for His special purpose. Do we ever see anything else like that in the Bible? Holy Scripture tells us that there must be “two or three witnesses” to establish something (Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1).

A star is an inanimate object. It’s a dumb rock. No breath, no eyes, no ears, etc..

God told us to seek His holy face, not His planets.

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:” Amos 5:4

If you like to show me where the Bible contradicts itself, share freely. Your not being able to decipher and collate things in the Bible with the whole of Scripture in no way means the Bible itself is contradictory. “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). You will be one of many who’ve made that false assertion with no proof due to your own unbelief and misunderstanding. First off, you must be born again to know the LORD, the Author of the Bible and until you do, you cannot possibly understand His Word.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:16

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

——————————————

Anything one puts before Christ/His Word is idolatry.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:3-5

Jesus told us exactly who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.”

Those “of God” look to God via His Word for their direction, not His creation, the stars.

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Anyone who is known of God lives by God’s Word and therefore will have nothing to do with this cheap substitute. Those who seek wisdom or direction outside of Christ and the Word, are full blown lost souls.

They have denied Christ His right place in their lives of which only He is worthy.

They are of the world, the devil.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4

The scope of your life is not determined by the stars but rather by the One who made and put those stars where they are. There is no hope in horror scopes.

The SCOPE of your future is HORROR if you are seeking direction, affirmation, or guidance in anyone or anything except Christ.

Horoscopes are for those who do not know the LORD.

“Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2

The Bible foretold of this hour of great apostasy as the return of our LORD draws nigh. Specifically speaking of those who claim to be Christ’s, the Word tells us that many of these professors would deny the power of their Creator to guide them, fill them, and be their all sufficiency. This is the damnable sin of unbelief (Revelation 21:8).

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5

If this message, namely God’s Word, convinces you that you are not following Christ according to His Word, then God is calling you to come to full repentance, laying down your life before it’s too late …..

Some claiming to be Christians falsely profess to be of Christ. This is clear by many things in their lives, including that they get up in the morning and read the newspaper, read their horoscope, read magazines done by vile heathen, read corrupt fad books, romances, etc., and have no time for Jesus’ Word.

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16

They want Jesus only insomuch as they vainly believe He is going to save them from Hell but they do not want a real relationship with Him.

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:19-29 

Anyone claiming to be saved and going to God’s holy Heaven who is “lukewarm” or does not have Christ as their personal “FIRST love,” is deceived and will be kindling for the fires of eternal damnation (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16).

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6 

Are you on this list?

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 

All true disciples of Christ look to Him and no other. They have “no other gods before” Him.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 

The heart affections of every true, ready-to-meet-Jesus disciple is set upon the LORD and Savior. He is their supreme “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5).

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

Idolatry and spiritual adultery is forbidden by our God and Maker. To commit the sin of spiritual adultery means to alienate the affection of our hearts to someone else beside the LORD Himself.

“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2

Monitoring the “signs of heaven” is the occupation of the “heathen” not Christ’s saints.

Romans 1 says “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:19-32 KJB).

To take the focus off of the LORD Almighty, Jesus Christ, is to commit the soul-damning sin of idolatry (v25). Also, to “have pleasure in them” who do such is also equally sinful (v32). To bid god speed or participate in sin is to be guilty of that same sin in the eyes of the one true, holy God and Judge (2 John 10-11).

Worshiping the creature or creation more than the Creator is a sin. It’s the sin of apostate hearts  or people who have departed from the LORD.

God determines personality, not mere elements He created, or the time in His great universe in which HE chose to bring us into HIS world. Read Romans 1. Looking to the time and place and alignment of mere parts of creation to determine our own character and personality etc. is idolatry …. it looks to the creation instead of the Creator. Our personalities are to be “conformed to the image of his Son,” the very reason for which we have been predestined (Romans 8:29). We are to be servants as Jesus showed us (Matthew 20:24-28; John 13; Philippians 2, etc.).

His blessed Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Do we see Jesus or His holy apostles looking to the stars or zodiac etc.?  Nor do they instruct us to do so. We are to look to “the MORE sure word of prophecy” which the LORD tells us is more authoritative than even His audible voice speaking from Heaven (2 Peter 1:12-21).

That was certainly primarily for them, not us. We now have the divine Person of the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We are His temples and led of Him and “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). I just don’t see following or looking to any part of creation as ordained for us who are now indwelled by the Holy Ghost and have the written Word.

The earliest believers didn’t look to mere elements of creation but rather to their Creator who had come and bled to save them, ascended back to His Father, and then sent the divine Person of the Holy Ghost to live inside of each of His saints. They “continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine” which is the written Word of God (Acts 2:42).

There are so many counterfeit, like flavors at an ice cream shop. Satan has his poison packaged in every flavor and it’s all pure, unadulterated spiritual adultery and rebellion. Horoscopes, tarot cards, New Age, paganism, Buddhism, Bahai, spiritualism, post modernism, etc..

 Former new ager, Ivanca Olanu writes:

“THERE IS SO MUCH DANGER IN THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT MY ADVICE TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IS TO STAY OUT OF IT! STAY OUT OF IT, I EXPLORED IN IT AND GOT MYSELF IN A LOT OF TROUBLE! Stay out of it, there’s nothing there except delusive abstract concepts that will get you NOWHERE. Come to JESUS CHRIST WHO IS ALIVE and WELL and He will show you what life really is all about!”

 Satan’s counterfeits include:  Horoscopes, tarot cards, New Age, paganism, Buddhism, Bahai, spiritualism, post modernism, all false religion, etc..

 Horrible scopes are pure idolatry. When a person is not putting God first they will search everywhere else for “direction” and the witchcraft of divining the future. This is forbidden by God and will bring curses into a person’s life that only Jesus Christ can break if they repent and place their whole trust in Him (Deuteronomy 1; Isaiah 47).

 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

The Bible says that if we lack wisdom we are to ask of God, not seek out answers ANYwhere else. If we do, we are alienating the affections of our heart in worship to false gods, and the devil (evil spirits) will then come into our lives (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).

 “They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” Deuteronomy 32:17

 Seeking answers, information about your future, etc., from any other source but your Maker, is unadulterated rebellion and idolatry. This is spiritual adultery – where one alienates the affections of his heart to another god, one other than the one true God. The Bible says this is whoredom, including occultic, pagan venues such as tarot cards, Ouija boards, horoscopes or divining of any type.

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23

 

 “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22

THOSE who look to their horoscope deny Christ the right to reign in their lives. Looking to a horoscope instead of our Maker is witchcraft – seeking to divine the future without our Creator.  That’s pure rebellion. THE LORD WHO MADE US wants us to read His Word daily and when we do, we will cease looking elsewhere for answers (like horoscopes, psychology, or mere men).  God has commanded us to trust Him in all things by faith to lead us and not to try to figure out the future (Matthew 6:33-34). “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). The very first commandment is “Thou shalt have NO other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Looking elsewhere is idolatry and spiritual adultery. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14).

 Repenting means turning from your own way and any other way and to the LORD your God and Judge, placing your full faith in the Son of God for the remission of your sins.

 One sister writes:

“HOROSCOPES, ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY, SCIENTOLOGY, TAROT CARDS, PALM READING, CRYSTAL BALL, ANY PROPHETIC UTTERANCE WITHOUT SUPPORTING THE WORD OF GOD IS WITCHCRAFT! Keep that in mind!”

If a person reads their horrible-scope and eagerly opens and read their fortune cookies and doesn’t read God’s Word daily, where is he/she spiritually? “He that is of God heareth God’s words” (John 8:47).

Those who truly know and love the LORD Jesus Christ look to Him for their full sufficiency in righteousness, wisdom, grace, love, and truth!

Support | STORE | PodcastsBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ

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Abiding

The Curse of a Divided Heart and Blessing of a Whole Heart! [podcast]


Israel’s heart was divided. The solution.

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images … 12  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:2, 12 

King Asa: Tragic end of an otherwise obedient, fruitful, God-glorifying life….

Are you blessed or cursed?

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

King Asa trusted the physicians and not the LORD and he paid dearly.

“And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.” 2 Chronicles 16:12

Feet speak of foundation. Without feet, physically we cannot stand. Without a sound foundation of truth, of God’s Word in our lives, we shall not stand. Read Matthew 7:19-29.

One writes notes the following about the meaning of feet in God’s Word:

“Why Are Feet Important in the Bible? Just as men and women stand upon their feet as the foundation of upright posture, Bible verses also use feet as a euphemism to represent a strong foundation in various circumstances. Feet are not referenced as we see them today, but they are used as symbols to represent greater metaphorical concepts, such as guidance or direction.

The feet represented something that was common to all people but used differently. For example, one of the most noted scripture texts involving feet is Psalm 119:105, ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ This emphasizes how the feet are used to travel and traverse. Yet, without the word, the traveler is left walking in the dark without a known path.

Essentially, the feet are referenced as a critical part of life as walking was commonplace. We naturally travel where our feet lead us and the Bible verses use feet to represent a means of traveling through life itself. If we walk down a dark path, we are likely to stumble. If we walk down a holy path, we are sure to please God. All of this is facilitated symbolically by the feet.”

The foundation truth we learn in God’s Word and obedience to it determines the direction of our lives.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

Becoming Rooted and Grounded in Christ

Like Asa, many today trust the counsel of mere men, such as doctors and not God. This doesn’t mean going to a doctor is a sin and yet, the true disciple will primarily trust and obey and be led of the LORD, not men.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Read Hebrews 3-4 prayerfully for the eternal danger of having “an evil heart of unbelief” AFTER being saved. Repentance required.

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” Psalms 12:2 

Got depression? Are you seeking the LORD in true repentance whereby He will grant you great joy? (Psalms 51; 2 Timothy 1:7) Or, are you seeking out and trusting the mere human, the finite pundits of this fleeting world?

“But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” Job 13:4

Those who trust human physicians and not the Great Physician, are cursed, not blessed. Their faith in mere men reveals their utter rebellion.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10 

2 Chronicles 15:17 – Upon becoming king in Judah, Asa, having inherited an idolatrous, lukewarm people, system… he began to command that…

  • The people do that which is right in God’s eyes (2 Chronicles 14:2)
  • That all idolatrous altars we torn down (2 Chronicles 14:3)
  • That God’s people seek His face (2 Chronicles 14:4)
  • That idol altars in the cities of Judah be removed – “and the kingdom was quiet before him” (2 Chronicles 14:5)  ….. Proverbs 1:33
  • Fenced cities be built …. so the land could be at rest, at peace, and not fear the enemy (2 Chronicles 14:6)
  • The people be involved in building fenced, walled, protected cities – “Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.” (2 Chronicles 14:7)  ……  1 Chron 16:11
  • Great military be built (2 Chronicles 14:8)

“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and IFFFF ye seek him, he will be found of you; but IF ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

“But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.” 2 Chronicles 15:17

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Hebrews 11:20-22 

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalms 9:17 

“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” Psalms 50:22 

“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 

God blesses those who trust Him and curses, removes His blessings from those who once trusted Him and yet now have forgotten Him. When we willingly offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the LORD our God, He avenges us of all our enemies (Judges 5:2) …. “But IF thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.” (Exodus 23:22) 

“WHEN” does God avenge us of our enemies? “WHEN” does God judge our enemies?

“Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, WHEN the people willingly offered themselves.” Judges 5:2

When we offer our lives a living sacrifice unto the LORD – that is, we simply surrender this life to Him – the subduing of our enemies begins.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Asa reigned as king in Judah for 39 years (2 Chronicles 14-16).

In his final days, after obeying God and bringing much needed reform to the people of God, Asa forgot the LORD, and had grown cold in his faith and was therefore cursed with a divided heart.

All those who trust mere men, just because they have a white coat on and are called “doctor”, are going to die as did king Asa who trusted in earthly physicians, instead of the Great Physician! Repent now sinner.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

Are you a pessimistic pansy or an optimistic overcomer? Are you like the 10 spies or the 2 who entered the promised land while the 10 sad sack whiners were shut out? “The righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1) Jesus asks “WHERE is your faith?” (Luke 8:25) Repenting for real and putting all your trust in the LORD is essential – and no one will be in the promise land of Heaven without sound, solid faith in God. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Hebrews 11:6). “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:5) 

Read Revelation 2-3.

Remember the woman Jesus, the Great Divine Physician made whole of her issue who had previously spent all she had on human physicians?

“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him (accessed by faith in Him), turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith (in God not men) hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Mark 5:25-34 

You claim to be trusting God but you take a mood drug? I don’t think so. MOOD DRUGS ARE FOR THE WICKED UNBELIEVERS. PERIOD. REPENT.

When a person resorts to using a drug to uplift their mood, they are loving and believing the world more than God, forfeiting the blessing of God for a cheap substitute, and manifesting their contempt for the LORD, their unbelief. A born again, presently abiding disciple of Jesus has all the fruit of the Holy Spirit which include, “Love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23) God gives His people “power… love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) God’s Word has the answer to “ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness” and that specifically includes a “sound mind.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) Holy Scripture specifically uses the terms “sound mind” and “sound heart” which come only from learning and adhering to “sound doctrine.”

We live in a fallen world and were born in sin. Via the things that have happened to us and that we ourselves have perpetrated on others, fragmentation of our hearts has occurred. Only One can make us whole.

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:17-19

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3

Counting it all Joy

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8

Through the trials we face in this life, we must learn to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”, trust God not men, ask for and rely on His wisdom and not waver, but rather finished our course trusting and walking with Christ to the end of our lives.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12

The Whole Heart

“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

The result of seeking the LORD with a whole heart is that He gives us “rest round about.”

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

9 Times in the book of Psalms the words “Whole Heart” appear. Here’s the first 3 of that collection:

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my WHOLE HEART; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” Psalms 9:1

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my WHOLE HEART, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” Psalms 111:1

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the WHOLE HEART.” Psalms 119:2

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I have sinned against You by not wholly trusting You nor sought You with my whole heart. Here and now I confess this for the evil sin of unbelief and rebellion that it is and ask You to please forgive me now in the name of Jesus. Please wash me afresh from all my sins with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Also please make my heart whole and increase and fill me with Your faith Father, and cause me to trust You will all of my heart, no matter what. I love You my dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fresh Start with God

MESSAGE RECEIVED:
 
“Hi Todd. I just want to make sure that when I’m talking about salvation but I am being biblically correct. I don’t believe in once saved always saved. While I believe God is always willing to forgive and restore the backslider. I do believe that a person can choose to turn away from God and go back to living a life of sin they’re for forfeiting their eternal life. Any correction would be greatly appreciated. In Christ. Andrea”
 
REPLY:
 
Yes amen sister Andrea
Nice to hear from you
Very important doctrinal topic here
All it takes to go to hell after being saved is to be “lukewarm” right? Yes. Revelation 3:15-16
These 2 categories are loaded: Check it out. LOTS of Scripture to shape pure doctrine in your heart and life and ministering.
In Jesus, todd
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Abiding

“NEVER take a Vacation from God” [podcast]


God’s Word teaches us to be diligent in knowing and following Christ – even when the word diligent is not used.

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Make the deliberate decision to “set…

“Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.”  1 Chronicles 22:19

“Don’t you EVER take a vacation from God!” said my first pastor.

This beloved  brother knew exactly what happens when the disciple relaxes in his seeking of the LORD. Think foolish virgins. The result can be deadly, irrevocably.

He was dead on in this warning. Give the flesh an inch and it will take a mile, right?

Have you ever slipped backward? If so, you know it started with just not reading God’s Word one day. That one day turned into two, three…. Right?

Never must this happen. The war is won in the now. You must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

God requires that we “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

It’s only those who remain built up in Christ like the wise virgins of Jesus’ parable, who “keep” themselves “in the love of God” who are not going to fall away.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 20-25

Jesus warns:

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

How did this kind of wisdom get lost from us beloved of God?

The disciple must get out ahead of the flesh. He must be one step ahead – knowing by testimony of the Word and by personal experience that there is “NO good thing” in us other than Jesus (Romans 7:18). This is exactly why Paul also said things like:

“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Exhorting the sheep of Christ, one pastor said:

“Have fun this summer.  Enjoy the outdoors. Travel to see friends and family. Explore the world.  Just don’t take a vacation from God.  He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to keep refilling your sack with his awesome gifts so that you can keep sharing them with others in your life!”

“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.” Proverbs 13:19

Various Quotes on the Importance of Diligence

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”Calvin Coolidge

“But I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence…”―Charles Dickens

“Prefer diligence before idleness, unless you esteem rust above brightness.”―Plato

“Diligence is the mother of good fortune.”Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

“Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”―Chuck Close

“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search.”―Nikola Tesla

“Laziness looks at excuses as something to treasure while diligence always focuses on excuses as an inconvenience to be overcome.”Dr. Lucas D.  Shallua

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”―Thomas Alva Edison

“That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.”William Shakespeare

“Active valour may often be the present of nature; but such patient diligence can be the fruit only of habit and discipline.”―Edward Gibbon

“Diligence overcomes difficulties; sloth makes them.”―Benjamin Franklin

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” Proverbs 26:13

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Proverbs 14:23

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore – Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind – As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before you. Be watchful – As servants that wait for their Lord. And hope to the end – Maintain a full expectation of all the grace – The blessings flowing from the free favour of God. Which shall be brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ – And which are now brought to you by the revelation of Christ in you.“―John Wesley

“Slothfulness (laziness, lack of diligence) casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15

Power Words Power our Lives!

Remember those power words your parents instilled in your growing up? Remember things like “readers are leaders”? How about “The early bird gets the worm”?

What are some of the good words your beloved parents instilled in you as a child that live on in your mind and heart daily?

My beloved father taught us five to “always be consistent.” Oh and these weren’t just words. Oh no. My brother and I are only 13 months apart and so when we started playing football at about 6 years old, my parents set us down and looked us in the eyes and said “If you start this football season, you WILL finish. We require it of you, so count the cost.”

Nothing replaces consistency. Say it out loud with me right now beloved of God – CONSISTENCY.

While we’re on this topic, I hope you won’t mind me saying that it is befuddling to see how people start doing something that works and then quit – from a work out program to a lifestyle change in eating and most devastatingly, serving God then quitting.

Wait a minute, you were doing _______ and it was working, was blessing you, and then you quit?

Hebrews 10:32-39

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hebrews 6:9-12

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

62 times the words “diligent,” “diligence,” and “diligently” appear in Holy Scripture.

Each time we read these words, they pertain specifically to serving God “diligently” with “diligence.”

“Diligent”

“He becometh poor (spiritually) that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (spiritually).” Proverbs 10:4


“Diligence”

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23


“Diligently”

appears 37 times in God’s Word

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Looking DILIGENTLY lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

“Keep your dukes up!”

Growing up boxing, from home training to being on a golden gloves team in high school, the command of the coaches was always and repeatedly “Keep your dukes up!”

Those who drop their dukes, their hands from covering their face, get hit, get knocked out.

Another sign on the wall of that boxing facility was: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” unknown

We are going to go through what Jesus foretold:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22 

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus I come to You now. Please forgive my sins of self-idolatry, slothfulness, and spiritual adultery.


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How Do You Get Around the Idea That All Israel Shall be Saved? Steve Gregg [video]

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” Romans 9:6

“The remnant shall be saved, not the race.” Steve Gregg

If one reads Romans Chapters 9-11, he will see that all the way through, it was only a remnant that would truly believe.” unknown

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