2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. NLT
Building A Strong Family of Faith
These are some great insights a picked up while listening to a message from Brian Zahnd. Very good insights!
Faith Family Steps
1) Be in church, believe in the church, love the church. You children project your attitude toward church on God. Teach them to tithe. JF Powers- This is a big old ship, she creeks she rocks, she gets you where you are going.
2) I believe in free will, excepts when it comes to my kids. My kids are going to be saved and they are going to serve God. Luke 18 (first 18 verses are the secret).
3) Recognize the risks of us versus them separatism. Beware of a fear-based strategy. World is bad, church is good. NO! You must teach your children how to live in our culture. Ie. Music- some Christian music is lame. The line separating good and evil runs through the heart of every man. Teach your children how to discern things.
4) Make your marriage work. This is one thing that will bless your family. Take your time choosing your mate. A good marriage is something you build. You have to find A right one. Not THE right one. Divorce will have a detrimental impact on your children.
5) Never become estranged from anyone in your family. People not going to a wedding because they don’t like the spouse they have chosen. Keep your family as your family. Always keep the door open to reconciliation.
6) Use your faith for family vacations. Always reasons why we should not vacation. Family best memories are from Christmas and vacations.
Guidelines for Young Readers
For young guys and gals who love to read, that is wonderful. You will really excel the more you read. We all need to remember that the Bible says to protect our hearts diligently (Proverbs 4:20-22). Therefore I drafted a little list of a few guidelines you can be thinking about when you are selecting a book or even beginning to read a book.
If you find any of the below elements in the book, then you probably don’t want to read it. These elements are-
1) Foul Language
2) Sexual overtones
3) A Storyline with darkness such as witchcraft, magic and other evil themes
4) Abusive, tense or suffering situations
If you see any of this put the book down, return it to the library, do whatever you can to distance yourself from that book as it will hurt you more than help you.
Make Sure It Is In The Word
Recently, someone described to me the idea of purgatory. I did some research in the Word of God and couldn’t find anything close to it… anywhere. The closest I could find was the story of Lazarus and the rich man.
Interestingly enough, this is the only parable that Jesus the Messiah tells that actually names someone by name. In this case, Lazarus. With that in mind, many theologians believe this is a true story (Luke 16:18-20). However, this place ‘Abrahams Bosom’, which was the closest thing we can think of to this place of purgatory was emptied when Jesus rose from the dead.
Eph 4:8-10
8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9(Now this, “He ascended” ?what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) NKJV
You must realize that when Jesus died, we entered the beginning of a new era. The veil in the temple (historians say it was 1 foot thick) was torn from top to bottom. The need for a priest to be our advocate with God was eliminated.
When Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day and ascended on high, we became the temple. The Bible says we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean we can throw away ministers (I’d be out of a job), it just means that we can commune directly with God the Father through Jesus the Messiah. Hallelujah!
I did some searching on the net and found some interesting information which I have put in my online notebook here. What is the deal with purgatory? My take is that it is some religious left-over from the Dark Ages. There is no basis for this belief.
Is It God’s Will?
An email I received recently said regarding the recent US presidential election:
I read this one this morning, very applicable(Charles Swindoll):God’s redemptive providence is always at work, even through the most
diabolical schemes . . .So, take heart, my friend. God is in full control. Nothing is
happening on earth that brings surprise to heaven. Nothing is outside
the scope of His divine radar screen as He guides us safely home.
Things that seem altogether confusing, without reason, unfair, even
wrong, do indeed fit into the Father’s providential plan.1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
God is in full control? Really?
Hope you don’t mind me being a bit direct here. God is awesome, omnipotent, all-knowing. Of course He knows the future. But I was duped for many years thinking that whatever happens is God’s will. Well, the closer I have gotten to God and His Word the more clear it has become.
If it is all in God’s hands then the world is a big mess. Innocent people are incarcerated, people are starving for lack of food and jobs, children are abused, natural disasters abound, wars maim and kill thousands each year. Is God in control? Well, when unbelievers here Christians say that, they think God is a child abuser. Not!
God is good and He has entrusted the earth to those who love and trust Him. That is why we have to make a difference which we are here. The Word says,
2 Chron 7:14
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
NKJV
There is a big IF there. If we humble ourselves before God, IF we pray and enlist His help in prayer, IF we seek His face. We’ve got to do our part. So what is the deal with the earth?
God owns it. No doubt about it.
Ps 24:1-2
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
NKJV
But what is the current status? Why is it such a mess?
Ps 115:16
The heaven, even the heavens , are the Lord’s;
But the earth He has given to the children of men.
NKJV
Basically, God has given charge to His people. That started in the Garden of Eden. satan tried to steal it but according to Ephesians 3, Jesus the Messiah took back our authority for us. Well, what does that mean? Simply, it is a bit like leasing something. You could call it the earth-lease.
If a car leasing company leases you a car for 5 years and you are paying your bills, they cannot send someone over to borrow the car for the weekend or something. They have to leave the car in your control for those 5 years. When the 5 years are completed they come back and claim the car. It is the same with God. He owns the earth, but he has given us authority over it for a time. That is why we have got to be praying. Some people are crashing their spiritual cars and then going back to the leasing company asking why they were ‘allowed’ to crash their cars.
Ungodly leaders who advocate the destruction of the family are not God’s plan for a nation founded on freedom for His people. They are result of our action or inaction.
I was duped, but no more. I hope this makes sense. I don’t want to see others confused like I was (many times by well-meaning religious folks).
Don’t be duped!
Long Lives and Heavenly Peace- The Favor of God
Is the favor of God operating in your life? If not, then you should check why. God has an awesome plan for you. He wants you to live a long and peaceful life.
Prov 3:1,2
My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you. NKJV
The key is, we need to stay in His Word. As we stay in meditate, pray, and study His Word our spirits become more in tune with God and His ways. We will know exactly what direction he has for our lives. Whether we are to start a business, or work for another. Whether to marry some particular person or keep them as a good friend, God knows exactly what is right for us.
According to Proverbs 3:1,2, if we keep His Word, he will give us longer more productive days, a longer life, and lots of heavenly peace. Peace that people cannot understand. When the world is caving in around people losing their jobs, having marital trouble, not knowing what to do for their children we know exactly what to do. We know His Word, and we know His peace. Live long and live strong. What a testimony of God’s goodness in our lives. Hallelujah!
Spiritual Bodybuilding
1Tim 4:6-8
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Recently I started weight training in the morning after a ten year lapse. After a long break the first work out is a bit painful, using parts of your bodies that you haven’t used in a long time is something your body doesn’t let you forget soon; your chest, forearms, back of your arms, stomach, and legs. With each work-out you feel the strength come to each muscle group that you exercise. Accompanying those strength gains is the confidence knowing that you will not easily be injured and you can easily do those things that need to be done.
Around the house you can pick up the garden, clean out the garage, reach up and pick up something without hurting your back. I was recently inspired by my sister’s father-in-love (as we calls in-laws) in Oregon who was bucked off his horse and kicked and sustained only minor injuries.
The inspiration is that he is getting close to eighty years old! His doctor commented that “if you were not so strong, you would have sustained some major injuries”.
1 Timothy tells us that physical exercise is good and I believe it. But the Word emphasizes the need for spiritual exercise more than physical. Why? We are spirits with souls and we live in bodies (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
It may sound strange but we will someday leave the bodies we now live in. They’ll go back to dust so all the weight-training, swimming, and jogging won’t mean much when we get into God’s presence. That is only for this world, but spiritual strength is something we can take directly with us. How do we begin our spiritual strengthening? By setting aside time every day to study, meditate, and pray the Word of God. Just as in the physical, if we stray from the spiritual discipline to spend time fellowshipping our Father and getting to know Him; in a short time we will lose our spiritual strength. I’ve noticed this in my own life. As I am in the Word and flowing with the Father my spiritual strength cannot be stopped.
# My prayers for the sick are powerful and healing is quick (and a person with a spark of faith.ignites in strong healing power)
# I quickly put demonic powers in their places.
# I can clearly hear God’s voice on the various decisions I have to make throughout the week.
# God can do the same for you! If you aren’t already, start your spiritual body-building today. Mark a daily time appointment in your calendar and write GOD in bold in the space and keep those appointments.
Posted on 19 December, 2006