Monday, April 30, 2012
Give the gospel and your life also
Have you ever wondered if a preacher should get paid to teach? Or how to develop a deep sincere relationship with others? This weeks message from I Thessalonians 2 will help answer those questions. Listen here.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
How to attract a Godly man, even God Himself
How about a low-cut top? A fancy hairdo? Form fitting jeans? Well manicured nails? Or perfectly applied makeup? How about the newest fashioned swimming suit? Or a quick-witted tongue? Maybe an independent personality? Will these be an attraction to God, or the men that choose to follow Him? If so, a majority of our Christian ladies are on the right path. If not, a sure deception has crept in and overtaken many women, young and old alike. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." Today, I would like to focus my attention on showing young ladies how they can aptly attract a young, Godly man; how a newly married woman can draw the heart of her husband; and how an older lady can secure the praise of her man while also being an example to the younger generation.
We must recognize and accept the fact that satan has deceived many into believing that beauty is something that it truly is not. Many ladies have been taught from a young age that their beauty lies in their externals, directly contradicting and opposing the Word of God. (One small tidbit: According to a 2007 study, the cosmetic industry generated roughly $107 billion worldwide. That is astounding!)
I Peter 3:3-4 says, "Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." It is not that fixing your hair, wearing jewelry or nice clothing is sinful, but a lady must understand that these things do not draw the attention of God, nor a Godly man. As a Godly lady, the attention should be placed upon the incorruptible, imperishable inward beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Such a presentation is very precious to God. So, why are many ladies having face lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction, nose reductions, and chest enhancements? Why do so many spend hours a week focused on their dress, their makeup, their hair and their style, while spend only minutes contemplating and considering their inward beauty? How can one extol Godliness when worldliness has the center stage? Satan had deceived us to believe that our beauty is external, that attracting the opposite sex is done by appealing to his flesh. Don't be mistaken, those things will attract most of the male population, but not the Christ-seeking, God-honoring ones that you desire.
Be sure to understand that I am in no way condenming the external beauty of a woman (my wife excels them all), but to express that such external beauty does not originate from an external source. My attraction for my wife comes not from her hair or clothing, but from her desire to obey God's Word in every facet.
May you attract God and that Godly man by seeking His face and allowing Him to create in you a gentle and quiet spirit.
We must recognize and accept the fact that satan has deceived many into believing that beauty is something that it truly is not. Many ladies have been taught from a young age that their beauty lies in their externals, directly contradicting and opposing the Word of God. (One small tidbit: According to a 2007 study, the cosmetic industry generated roughly $107 billion worldwide. That is astounding!)
I Peter 3:3-4 says, "Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." It is not that fixing your hair, wearing jewelry or nice clothing is sinful, but a lady must understand that these things do not draw the attention of God, nor a Godly man. As a Godly lady, the attention should be placed upon the incorruptible, imperishable inward beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Such a presentation is very precious to God. So, why are many ladies having face lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction, nose reductions, and chest enhancements? Why do so many spend hours a week focused on their dress, their makeup, their hair and their style, while spend only minutes contemplating and considering their inward beauty? How can one extol Godliness when worldliness has the center stage? Satan had deceived us to believe that our beauty is external, that attracting the opposite sex is done by appealing to his flesh. Don't be mistaken, those things will attract most of the male population, but not the Christ-seeking, God-honoring ones that you desire.
Be sure to understand that I am in no way condenming the external beauty of a woman (my wife excels them all), but to express that such external beauty does not originate from an external source. My attraction for my wife comes not from her hair or clothing, but from her desire to obey God's Word in every facet.
May you attract God and that Godly man by seeking His face and allowing Him to create in you a gentle and quiet spirit.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Divination, mediums and psychics
I Timothy 4:1--Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons
You don't have to look far to find someone attempting to tell you how your day will turn out, if your love life will work or how your dead relative feels about you. Newspapers, radios and television sets continually display someones prediction for you. The problem: many believers are giving heed to it!! It amazes me how many Christians will express their faith in God in one breath and in the next one tell me how accurate their horoscope was for the day. Since this deception seems to be gaining ground, I thought it necessary to remind believers what God's Word says on such matters, hoping to deter the weak from departing from the faith.
Definitions. Divination(psychic) is the method or practice of attempting to foretell the future or discover the unknown. Mediums are those that are believed to transmit messages between living people and the spirits of the dead.
God's Word. Philistines had them(I Sam. 6:2), Pharaoh used them(Ex. 7:11), as did Saul(I Sam. 28:8) and the people of Israel(II Kings 17:17); but God's view never changed towards them. Leviticus 19:31 says give no regard to them; 20:6 says if you do regard them, then He will set His face against you and Deuteronomy 18:10 tells us that such practices are "not to be found among you." With such clear teaching, why are so many still lead astray? I believe it is ignorance of God's Word which can only be overcome by those that have ears to hear. May you be such a person.
Is it real? Acts 16:16-19 tell a story of a certain slave girls encounter with Paul and Silas. This girl was possessed with a spirit of divination and was able to tell fortunes, making her master much profit. After following and annoying Paul and Silas for many days by her antics, Paul cast the spirit out of her, thus ridding her of her powers. May we all understand that there are only two powers in this world, one from Heaven(Godly) and one from hell(demonic), both very real. May we not forget the story found in Acts 19:13-20, where certain Jews thought they could overpower(exercise) a demon(as Paul had done) and were met with a extreme resistance. Such resistance that one, demon-possessed man, was able to beat and strip naked 8 men. Satan's powers are neither fake nor to be handled lightly.
Is it harmful? Acts 13:6-8 tell of a sorcery named Elymas. As Paul was attempting to share the gospel with the proconsul, Elymas was opposing Paul, "seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." Understand that when satan's powers are at work, they are not being used to draw you closer to Christ, but rather, farther from Him. It does not matter if the deed seems harmless, its purpose is deadly. Acts 8 tells us about another sorcerer named Simon. People "heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time." They were so deceived that they actually attributed his power as coming from God. Could you be so deceived? Many are, because our generation, like those before us, look for signs and wonders. We seek to believe that which we see and are amazed by that which we do not understand.
May Christ open our eyes to see the deception and lean wholly upon His Word as we test the spirits to see "whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." I John 4:1
You don't have to look far to find someone attempting to tell you how your day will turn out, if your love life will work or how your dead relative feels about you. Newspapers, radios and television sets continually display someones prediction for you. The problem: many believers are giving heed to it!! It amazes me how many Christians will express their faith in God in one breath and in the next one tell me how accurate their horoscope was for the day. Since this deception seems to be gaining ground, I thought it necessary to remind believers what God's Word says on such matters, hoping to deter the weak from departing from the faith.
Definitions. Divination(psychic) is the method or practice of attempting to foretell the future or discover the unknown. Mediums are those that are believed to transmit messages between living people and the spirits of the dead.
God's Word. Philistines had them(I Sam. 6:2), Pharaoh used them(Ex. 7:11), as did Saul(I Sam. 28:8) and the people of Israel(II Kings 17:17); but God's view never changed towards them. Leviticus 19:31 says give no regard to them; 20:6 says if you do regard them, then He will set His face against you and Deuteronomy 18:10 tells us that such practices are "not to be found among you." With such clear teaching, why are so many still lead astray? I believe it is ignorance of God's Word which can only be overcome by those that have ears to hear. May you be such a person.
Is it real? Acts 16:16-19 tell a story of a certain slave girls encounter with Paul and Silas. This girl was possessed with a spirit of divination and was able to tell fortunes, making her master much profit. After following and annoying Paul and Silas for many days by her antics, Paul cast the spirit out of her, thus ridding her of her powers. May we all understand that there are only two powers in this world, one from Heaven(Godly) and one from hell(demonic), both very real. May we not forget the story found in Acts 19:13-20, where certain Jews thought they could overpower(exercise) a demon(as Paul had done) and were met with a extreme resistance. Such resistance that one, demon-possessed man, was able to beat and strip naked 8 men. Satan's powers are neither fake nor to be handled lightly.
Is it harmful? Acts 13:6-8 tell of a sorcery named Elymas. As Paul was attempting to share the gospel with the proconsul, Elymas was opposing Paul, "seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." Understand that when satan's powers are at work, they are not being used to draw you closer to Christ, but rather, farther from Him. It does not matter if the deed seems harmless, its purpose is deadly. Acts 8 tells us about another sorcerer named Simon. People "heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time." They were so deceived that they actually attributed his power as coming from God. Could you be so deceived? Many are, because our generation, like those before us, look for signs and wonders. We seek to believe that which we see and are amazed by that which we do not understand.
May Christ open our eyes to see the deception and lean wholly upon His Word as we test the spirits to see "whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." I John 4:1
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Family study
Fathers, are you leading your family in Bible study? Do you feel like you do not know how to do it? Check out our Family Altar Study Time sheet here and allow it to help you lead your family through God's Word.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Happiness is...
In a world full of depression, anxiety and worry, wouldn't you like to be happy? Wouldn't you like to have the kind of happiness that does not fade away? It's different from the kind of happiness that the world has to offer, which appears sustainable but has no substance. I would like to show you four examples from God's Word that will demonstrate how you can be continually content and constantly cheerful.
Job 5: 17 says, "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty." It may seem strange, but happiness can be found in being corrected by the Lord. How is that? As Hebrews 12:5-11 explains to us, God "loves those He chastens"(v.6), and that His correction is not for our bad, but "for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness."(v.10) The correcting may not seem pleasant at the time, but we can find happiness knowing that our Father is doing it, because He loves us and wants what is best for us. May you find happiness and not sorrow when the Lord corrects you.
Psalm 127:3-5 says, "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate." This idea flies directly in the face of what society teaches about happiness. Society teaches that you will find happiness when you focus on yourself and do things you want, when in reality God's Word teaches just the opposite. Happiness is found in having many children, because in doing so you will learn to sacrifice your needs and wants for the needs and wants of others. I could never fully express the extreme happiness my wife and children bring to my life. As God's Word says, "the fruit of the womb is a reward." Do not accept the lie of the world that children are a burden and hindrance to your happiness and embrace the truth of God's Word.
Proverbs 14:21 says,"He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he." One trait that God requires from every believer to have love mercy.(Micah 6:8) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.(Matthew 5:7) Extreme happiness comes when you are able to show mercy towards others. May we never forget our sin when looking at the sin of others. Be merciful and happiness will follow.
Psalm 144:15b says, "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord." When the Lord Jesus is the head of your life, directing your steps, happiness will be found. As we walk with the Lord, He gives us a peace which surpasses all understanding(Phil. 4:7), He blesses us with His indescribable gift(II Cor. 9:15), and He promises to supply our every need(Phil. 4:19). What a wonderful Savior we have.
May you seek Him with your whole heart, there finding the happiness that will sustain your soul.
Job 5: 17 says, "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty." It may seem strange, but happiness can be found in being corrected by the Lord. How is that? As Hebrews 12:5-11 explains to us, God "loves those He chastens"(v.6), and that His correction is not for our bad, but "for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness."(v.10) The correcting may not seem pleasant at the time, but we can find happiness knowing that our Father is doing it, because He loves us and wants what is best for us. May you find happiness and not sorrow when the Lord corrects you.
Psalm 127:3-5 says, "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate." This idea flies directly in the face of what society teaches about happiness. Society teaches that you will find happiness when you focus on yourself and do things you want, when in reality God's Word teaches just the opposite. Happiness is found in having many children, because in doing so you will learn to sacrifice your needs and wants for the needs and wants of others. I could never fully express the extreme happiness my wife and children bring to my life. As God's Word says, "the fruit of the womb is a reward." Do not accept the lie of the world that children are a burden and hindrance to your happiness and embrace the truth of God's Word.
Proverbs 14:21 says,"He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he." One trait that God requires from every believer to have love mercy.(Micah 6:8) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.(Matthew 5:7) Extreme happiness comes when you are able to show mercy towards others. May we never forget our sin when looking at the sin of others. Be merciful and happiness will follow.
Psalm 144:15b says, "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord." When the Lord Jesus is the head of your life, directing your steps, happiness will be found. As we walk with the Lord, He gives us a peace which surpasses all understanding(Phil. 4:7), He blesses us with His indescribable gift(II Cor. 9:15), and He promises to supply our every need(Phil. 4:19). What a wonderful Savior we have.
May you seek Him with your whole heart, there finding the happiness that will sustain your soul.
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