| 10. “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”(Exodus 20:16-17 ESV) On Sunday our pastor talked about the ten commandments. I have not read them for a very long time. He asked the congregation that, and I thought "I haven't read them long time." I only listed the 10th above, not because the others are not important, but this really seem to be plaguing our nation. The first commandment is the most important; Love GOD first, and no other. We make it harder than it is to follow them. We do that not God. I do that all the time. 1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:2-3 ESV) We had communion last Sunday and our pastor said something to me that he felt led to say. "I am not to feel guilt for the gifts God has blessed me with." Guilt over our blessings is Satan. I have a major problem with guilt - always have had it. When I was younger I felt guilt for acting like a fool when I knew better. I wanted it my way without thinking of the consequence of my heart later. Now I have guilt for having a very, blessed life. My husband told me you take on other's suffering too much. I hurt for people. The last couple of weeks have been super crazy. We sold the old house, and we moved to the new. On the day our pastor said that to me I really needed to hear that. I was supposed to be in Romania, and I had been reading the updates of the trip. The guilt of our new home, and the things we have was hurting my heart. I wanted to be able to give it all to them. My husband said I am glad you didn't go, not because they faced extreme heat, but because it would have broken your heart for a very, very long time. God didn't want to me go right now, and this may be one of the reasons. Below is the story of the rich young ruler. Christ calls him out on the fact that money and possessions are his God. Christ tells him you don't have it in your heart to give up everything you own if my Father commands you. In the eyes of God if you have two coats, two blankets, and extra money in the bank you are very rich. Are you willing to take the coat out, put it in your car, and give it away? Are you willing to take the blanket to someone that needs it? Are you willing to take the extra money from your account and give it to someone that needs it? For me to accept that from someone else is a huge deal for me. I would not have be able to do that a year and half ago. I would have been furious and thought "he doesn't know me and how much I love God." Individuals that love Christ see things in others that love Christ that they need to fix. The hard part is whether or not you can accept it. Rebukes, criticism, or what ever you would like to call it God commands his children to do for another that loves him. He wants us to help each other in our walks so we don't stumble. We do not think of criticism for our lives as a form of love. We think of it as offensive and hurtful. Sometimes it is, and sometimes maybe what the other person is true. The sad part is if we call it like we see it we resent that person and hold grudge because we think we are better than them. We have to have enough guts to say the truth of scripture and enough guts to receive it. No one wants to be held accountable for their offenses any more. No one wants to admit that they may be doing something that is wrong when it comes to the Father that we profess to love. The last commandment is very important. For those that believe that the political system should create laws for morality and for the good of the nation are lying to themselves. You are breaking this commandment everyday regarding what society thinks God would want you to do. We all have something that we need to let go of whether it is our need for what another has, or the guilt we feel for what we have been blessed with. A friend of ours once said "remember it is God's money, not ours, but his. | |
| "He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:18-24 ESV) |
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Ten Commandments
Friday, July 6, 2012
Conscience
"I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?." 1 Corthians 10:29-30
I have come to the conclusion that most Americans really don't know, or understand the history of this country. They have no idea what influenced and shaped the hearts of the founding fathers. I can honestly say people are ignorant. If there is anything you do before this coming election study the history of this country and what shaped these men and women. They lived their lives according to scripture, and then they wrote our founding documents based on it.
Two of the topics that drive me crazy are slavery and women's rights. People have no understanding that these laws actually came from scripture. I do not support the abuse and tyranny over another human being. It is disgusting, and still happens today. Nothing has changed. What is ironic is most Christians do not understand that you are a slave to Christ. God bought you with his son's blood, he owns you, and you are to fear and love him above all others.
One of my favorite shows is Everybody Loves Raymond. It is the perfect satire of the American family. Marie is the controlling factor for the entire family. She creates hell for those around her, and her favorite line is "everything I do is from love." She uses guilt, manipulation, fear and love to control others. It reminds me of our government, and a lot of citizens of this country. We are made to feel guilty if we say no. They say we don't really love our neighbor if we don't conform to this. Pretty sad, and it shows the ignorance of our knowledge in the Christ we profess.
I read an article about the "dumbing" down of the modern church in the United States. It implies that many Christians are ignorant of scripture, and I agree. We have created churches that unless the members are comfortable, entertained, pleased on all levels regarding their lives they become angry or offending when their fantasy world bursts. I don't quite understand how Christians think they are going to escape this ideology when they stand before the gates. My question is do you even know the gospels and the suffering of his disciples? Do you even understand the great amount of physical and emotional pain these individuals went through because of their love for him? They understood that this life was just a minute compared to eternity with him.
Our inability to discern, and question others about their motives has created our fall. We don't understand that we are allowed to say no. When I started writing this blog I obviously had to study more of scripture. It has forced me to question, discern and seek wisdom. I want to understand it so I can become his fully. I have learned how to say no. I have learned how to say "sorry, that is not from God and I'm not doing it. I slip and then I repent.
Our entire mission as Christians should be that we become his slaves, because we fear and love him that much. Members of churches need to remember the church is not meant to fulfill your every need, you are meant to hear the gospel and then share it with others. That is it. If you constantly are questioning why the church isn't fulfilling your need then you need to question why God isn't? What are you missing in your relationship with him? You are trying to find your worth and goodness from men and women not God.
I know Christians will find this hard to believe, but usually when God lays something on your heart it may not be about the other person it may because you just don't recognize what you are doing that is a sin. When my husband and I disagree about something my initial thought now is what I am not doing for him that I don't see? If my kids are acting out even more than usual what is it that they are not getting from us?
The one great peace in all this is knowing that those that support the oppression of others with taxes will be judged by God. Knowing that your inability to see that you have caused financial ruin for so many Americans that are already struggling financially will be judged by him. Knowing that congress did not go after the insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and cut off the lobbyists because of their own greed will be judged by him. Knowing they didn't reform the programs that are already in place (medicare and medicaid) to help the poor in our country will be judged by God. Our own guilt for not helping others with the money we make has now caused the financial ruin of good people. If you don't know why we had the American Revolution with Britain you should probably study your history. You have allowed the United States government to do the very thing the British Monarchy was doing to the colonies.
I am sorry that the Vietnam War happened to my parents generation. It destroyed so many of them. What is ironic is the very government that they hated they now control, and they have destroyed their children and grand children's freedoms unless we vote them out. I have great peace that God will hold them accountable to what they have done. I have no idea what it is going to take for people to wake up. I don't know if God will oppress us and create great suffering for us to understand. I don't know, but I hope we have the strength and courage just like our founding fathers.
"While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable." George Washington.
I have come to the conclusion that most Americans really don't know, or understand the history of this country. They have no idea what influenced and shaped the hearts of the founding fathers. I can honestly say people are ignorant. If there is anything you do before this coming election study the history of this country and what shaped these men and women. They lived their lives according to scripture, and then they wrote our founding documents based on it.
Two of the topics that drive me crazy are slavery and women's rights. People have no understanding that these laws actually came from scripture. I do not support the abuse and tyranny over another human being. It is disgusting, and still happens today. Nothing has changed. What is ironic is most Christians do not understand that you are a slave to Christ. God bought you with his son's blood, he owns you, and you are to fear and love him above all others.
One of my favorite shows is Everybody Loves Raymond. It is the perfect satire of the American family. Marie is the controlling factor for the entire family. She creates hell for those around her, and her favorite line is "everything I do is from love." She uses guilt, manipulation, fear and love to control others. It reminds me of our government, and a lot of citizens of this country. We are made to feel guilty if we say no. They say we don't really love our neighbor if we don't conform to this. Pretty sad, and it shows the ignorance of our knowledge in the Christ we profess.
I read an article about the "dumbing" down of the modern church in the United States. It implies that many Christians are ignorant of scripture, and I agree. We have created churches that unless the members are comfortable, entertained, pleased on all levels regarding their lives they become angry or offending when their fantasy world bursts. I don't quite understand how Christians think they are going to escape this ideology when they stand before the gates. My question is do you even know the gospels and the suffering of his disciples? Do you even understand the great amount of physical and emotional pain these individuals went through because of their love for him? They understood that this life was just a minute compared to eternity with him.
Our inability to discern, and question others about their motives has created our fall. We don't understand that we are allowed to say no. When I started writing this blog I obviously had to study more of scripture. It has forced me to question, discern and seek wisdom. I want to understand it so I can become his fully. I have learned how to say no. I have learned how to say "sorry, that is not from God and I'm not doing it. I slip and then I repent.
Our entire mission as Christians should be that we become his slaves, because we fear and love him that much. Members of churches need to remember the church is not meant to fulfill your every need, you are meant to hear the gospel and then share it with others. That is it. If you constantly are questioning why the church isn't fulfilling your need then you need to question why God isn't? What are you missing in your relationship with him? You are trying to find your worth and goodness from men and women not God.
I know Christians will find this hard to believe, but usually when God lays something on your heart it may not be about the other person it may because you just don't recognize what you are doing that is a sin. When my husband and I disagree about something my initial thought now is what I am not doing for him that I don't see? If my kids are acting out even more than usual what is it that they are not getting from us?
The one great peace in all this is knowing that those that support the oppression of others with taxes will be judged by God. Knowing that your inability to see that you have caused financial ruin for so many Americans that are already struggling financially will be judged by him. Knowing that congress did not go after the insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and cut off the lobbyists because of their own greed will be judged by him. Knowing they didn't reform the programs that are already in place (medicare and medicaid) to help the poor in our country will be judged by God. Our own guilt for not helping others with the money we make has now caused the financial ruin of good people. If you don't know why we had the American Revolution with Britain you should probably study your history. You have allowed the United States government to do the very thing the British Monarchy was doing to the colonies.
I am sorry that the Vietnam War happened to my parents generation. It destroyed so many of them. What is ironic is the very government that they hated they now control, and they have destroyed their children and grand children's freedoms unless we vote them out. I have great peace that God will hold them accountable to what they have done. I have no idea what it is going to take for people to wake up. I don't know if God will oppress us and create great suffering for us to understand. I don't know, but I hope we have the strength and courage just like our founding fathers.
"While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable." George Washington.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
God or Satan?
"There's no neutral ground. You can't stand in the middle and say, "Well, I haven't made up my mind." I've got news for you, if you're not with Christ, you're against Him. If you're not a part of Christ's Kingdom, you're a part of the devil's darkness." John MacArthur
Nancy Pelosi has been caught on tape saying the "penalties" in the health care bill were for the "free loaders." She was not talking about illegal immigrants in this country she was talking about Americans that were irresponsible when they didn't buy medical coverage for themselves and their families. That is it. The reason why so many Americans are upset about this is because they pay for their medical insurance, and now they will have to more in taxes for the ones that wouldn't buy it.
Satan has so many of us in his grip. Obama and the ones that work for him know you are a fool, and free loaders. Your neighbors that are good people now have to pay for those that didn't want to be responsible, and protect their families. Thank your neighbor for what they are doing for you through their taxes.You are forcing people to give more than they can. That is not from God. This is about what you didn't want to pay for, because you didn't think it was fair. I would call that being selfish and greedy.
We are not a Christian nation any longer. That would too hard for many.We haven't been that for a long time. I am not happy about this decision, but I have accepted it. I have peace about it. I have peace that God will make our struggles that much harder before we finally realize what we have done. We value money over God. We value our material possessions over God. We believe so many of our passions are from God. We believe so many lies. It is just so sad.
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him. Mark 12:17
What it has come down is that people are desperate for money. I wonder how far in debt they really are. I wonder if they thought that if they could get this for free this would solve some of their financial problems. I wonder how much credit card debt they have, loans they can't pay, or are sinking in mortgages they couldn't afford. They have blamed the banks for their financial irresponsibility. Now they have blamed good Americans for their financial troubles. I get it. I understand, but how is that my fault or another man that did do the right thing?
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Men and women are not selfish because they don't want to pay for your life. God tests you everyday on what you are willing do on your own for another. If you aren't willing to recognize your own mistakes financially how is that someone else's fault? That is not from God, and Satan is playing you for a fool. He is telling you that this is not fair, and he used health care do it. My favorite is that he had people say republicans wanted children to die. The democrats support abortion. You do know you are killing children right? I thought you didn't want children to die. I wonder how you will explain that to God?
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. aHe was a murderer from the beginning, and bdoes not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. cWhen he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1200/Satan
Nancy Pelosi has been caught on tape saying the "penalties" in the health care bill were for the "free loaders." She was not talking about illegal immigrants in this country she was talking about Americans that were irresponsible when they didn't buy medical coverage for themselves and their families. That is it. The reason why so many Americans are upset about this is because they pay for their medical insurance, and now they will have to more in taxes for the ones that wouldn't buy it.
Satan has so many of us in his grip. Obama and the ones that work for him know you are a fool, and free loaders. Your neighbors that are good people now have to pay for those that didn't want to be responsible, and protect their families. Thank your neighbor for what they are doing for you through their taxes.You are forcing people to give more than they can. That is not from God. This is about what you didn't want to pay for, because you didn't think it was fair. I would call that being selfish and greedy.
We are not a Christian nation any longer. That would too hard for many.We haven't been that for a long time. I am not happy about this decision, but I have accepted it. I have peace about it. I have peace that God will make our struggles that much harder before we finally realize what we have done. We value money over God. We value our material possessions over God. We believe so many of our passions are from God. We believe so many lies. It is just so sad.
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him. Mark 12:17
What it has come down is that people are desperate for money. I wonder how far in debt they really are. I wonder if they thought that if they could get this for free this would solve some of their financial problems. I wonder how much credit card debt they have, loans they can't pay, or are sinking in mortgages they couldn't afford. They have blamed the banks for their financial irresponsibility. Now they have blamed good Americans for their financial troubles. I get it. I understand, but how is that my fault or another man that did do the right thing?
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Men and women are not selfish because they don't want to pay for your life. God tests you everyday on what you are willing do on your own for another. If you aren't willing to recognize your own mistakes financially how is that someone else's fault? That is not from God, and Satan is playing you for a fool. He is telling you that this is not fair, and he used health care do it. My favorite is that he had people say republicans wanted children to die. The democrats support abortion. You do know you are killing children right? I thought you didn't want children to die. I wonder how you will explain that to God?
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. aHe was a murderer from the beginning, and bdoes not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. cWhen he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1200/Satan
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