Tag: Sin

  1. an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.
    “a sin in the eyes of God”
    synonyms: immoral act, wrong, wrongdoing, act of evil/wickedness, transgression, crime, offence, misdeed, misdemeanour, error, lapse, fall from grace; More
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What Does the Bible Say About Honesty?

What the Bible Says About Trust and Honesty

Honesty is a character trait every child of God should develop. It is in man’s old, corrupted nature to be deceitful. It is true that you can actually surprise yourself. Jeremiah 17:9 says that one can be deceived by his very own heart. It can be difficult to maintain full awareness of one’s own intentions and motives. However, a person quickened by the Holy Spirit now has the ability to stay aware, for “the Spirit searches all things”. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can make accurate assessments and we can work towards honesty and sincerity.

The Bible share a few things about honesty:

We are to work and do business with honesty.

“Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin.” (Leviticus 19:36)

“You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 25:15)

In former times, people traded using weights and scales. An unfair yet prevalent business practice was to rig weighing scales so that goods were heavier than they actually were. God did not want His people to participate in that kind of business culture. God desires His people to be honest workers and businessmen. Goods should be presented and priced according to their actual conditions and capacities. Workers should put in honest work hours. Products should arrive as agreed upon.

Let me tell you about Mike. He is a real person. For some years, this God chaser owned and managed a second-hand car sales shop. Prospective buyers came in and were surprised every time. He gave full details of the things that were wrong with the cars they were checking out. He informed people about what was lacking in the cars they took interest in.   And you know what? He actually sold all his cars that way. Every unit he ever had, he sold. God does bless honest people.

We are to speak with honesty.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully  to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25)

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”

We will not debate about the rightness of white lies and half-truths which people utter for the “greater good” (like when Corrie Ten Boom lied in order to rescue many Jews from the Holocaust in World War 2).

Let’s talk about plain and simple honesty. When we speak with honesty:

  1. We do not mislead someone into believing something that is not true.
  2. We do not prevent someone from accessing helpful or rightful information.
  3. We do not hide or cover up what is wrong.

God wants His people to be honest. Our speech should not be motivated by a desire to pretend or misrepresent something. We should be genuine and sincere. Our speech should not deprive others of justice. When we’ve wronged someone, we must be ready to admit it and make things right.

Honesty may require us to rebuke others of wrongdoing.

Open rebuke is better than secret love. (Proverbs 27:5)

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” (Luke 17:3)

“Rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith.” (Titus 1:13)

No good has ever come from suppressing our hurts. You don’t find the resolution you need. No good has ever come from ignoring wrong deeds. The other person does not get better when you stay quiet.   Many times, to confront and rebuke is more fruitful. However, we must remember that the right reason for this is love. So, when we speak truth, we are to speak out of love, in love. (Ephesians 4:15) When we correct, we must correct in a spirit of gentleness. When we speak truth to someone, our desire should never be to prove ourselves right or to flaunt our self-righteousness, but always, to restore the erring person to rightness. (Galatians 6:1)

James E Faust said, “Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving.” May God’s people be known for honesty today.

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You Matter: God Knows You

You Matter: God Knows You

“It feels like God has forgotten about me,” cried the woman mourning her third miscarriage.

“Why won’t God answer my prayer for a job?” begged the man who got laid off six months ago, with a wife and four kids at home.

Can you relate to any of these hurting people?

Maybe you aren’t suffering from a natural disaster, miscarriage, or job loss. Maybe for you, it’s racial discrimination, sickness, loneliness, fear, church hurt, fill-in-the-blank. No matter what it is, we are guaranteed to face hardship in this life.  

This isn’t news. We all know that because of sin, life is going to be hard until Jesus returns to Earth. We know that trials will come sooner or later.  

But then, when they do come, something changes. The idea of hardship becomes a reality, and everything gets much, much harder. Knowing hardships happen is a lot different when you are actually walking through them. From the outside, we know that God is in control and has a plan for us. But in the midst of hardship, we tend to lose sight of this truth. We forget that God is in control, and will ultimately deliver us from every trial, whether in this age or the age to come. Instead, we can begin believing that God has forgotten us.

One of my favorite verses in the Old Testament is in Exodus 2. The people of Israel were enslaved by Egypt, and they were crying out to God for deliverance. Egypt was working them to the bone and treating them like dirt. All hope seemed lost as they cried out to God to save them from their bondage.  

Exodus 2:23-25 says, “During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.  God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.“

God sees you. He knows what you’re going through.  

In the midst of the hardest trial, this verse brings a breath of hope.  

Romans 8:27-37 says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

In all these things – natural disasters, miscarriages, job losses,  racial discrimination, sickness, loneliness, fear, church hurt, fill-in-the-blanks – we are more than conquerors through Jesus.  


Because of Jesus, we can be confident in the truth that nothing will separate us from His love. If you are in the midst of hardship, linger over the words of Romans 8. Read them every morning, believing that God is in control, and is interceding for you.

God sees you. God knows you. Cling to Him.

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Can Rock Star Alice Cooper Really Be A Christian?

Can Rock Star Alice Cooper Really Be A Christian?

Thinking back to the rock celebrity from the 1970s, Alice Cooper, and your mind will probably conjure up images of a creepy long-haired guy with runny black eye makeup who plays with snakes. In an age when hard rock was associated with all things evil, Alice Cooper seemed to epitomise that genre. His style was macabre theatre and he played it up with all his might.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Raised as a pastor’s kid (and the grandson of an evangelist) Alice Cooper grew up in Detroit and Phoenix as Vincent Damon Furnier. He even served in the church as a pre-teen. But as a teen, Furnier wandered off from the church to begin his rock career, eventually adopting the band name “Alice Cooper” as his own. In many respects, he became a completely different person.

Inspired by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, and The Who, Cooper’s band jumped quickly into fame in the 1960s and 1970s with showmanship as well as musical talent.   Drugs and alcohol came naturally along with the mix, while violent stage antics began to draw more and more attention. Glam-rock costumes, fake blood, torture of baby dolls, and even mock human executions became trademarks, leaving audiences wondering what could be next.

The effect was controversial in public, to say the least, while Cooper’s life was on a downward spiral in private. Hospitalising himself for alcohol addiction in the late 70s, he wasn’t able to kick his habit of illicit substance abuse. Barely able to remember recording some of his albums in the 80s, Cooper was so addicted that his wife filed for divorce (they then reconciled). He began acting in B-grade horror films as well as appearing as a dark personality in many other formats.

Since then, things have drastically changed again.

The faith of his childhood never went away and Cooper eventually hit rock bottom. He looked around himself and saw his drinking buddies, including Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, realised they were dying before they were 30, and didn’t want the same for himself.

When he bottomed out, Cooper knew where to turn. He credits his full recovery to God.

Appearing as King Herod in NBC’s live version of Jesus Christ Superstar for Easter 2018, Alice Cooper’s dark experience likely allows him to identify with Herod’s dark side more than the average person.

Now 70 years old, Cooper declares that he and his wife are both Christians who read the bible and pray every day. Alice’s wife, Sheryl, also grew up as the child of a clergyman. The couple has remained faithful to each other throughout their 42-year marriage and are thankful that their three kids have never had any problems with alcohol or drugs.

Alice Cooper doesn’t consider himself to be particularly “religious” but he does go to church every Sunday. He also heads up a faith-based organisation in Phoenix, called Solid Rock, which ministers to teens in partnership with a local church.

Cooper says that Christianity is all about “dependence on Christ” and a “one-on-one relationship”. And he is adamant that there’s nothing in the bible that says he can’t be a Rock Star.

Check out these lyrics from Cleansed By Fire from the 1994 album “The Last Temptation”:

What about truth

What about life

What about glory

What about Christ

What about peace

What about love

What about faith in God above”¦.

You’re lost

And I’m found

And I’m Heaven Bound

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God Gave Me Power and Authority

God Gave Me Power and Authority

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog on, “How to battle fear.”   I used the scripture, “For God has not given us a Spirit of Fear”¦” 2 Timothy 1:7. In that writing, I said, “Fear is the opposite of faith.”  

With every problem or crisis that we acquire, there are two choices; fear or faith, and we must choose one each time we face a crisis. We make the choice, fear or faith, almost immediately and most of the time we aren’t even aware that we are making a choice.

God also gives us amazing supernatural power because he wants us to be able to overcome anything that is thrown our way.    In 2 Timothy 1:7 you can find that we have already been equipped with tools to help us succeed in life, we just have to know what the tools are and how they apply to us.  

The first tool God gives us is power. God has given us the power to make a choice.  Knowing that we have a choice and we don’t have to choose fear is powerful. Even if we choose fear first, knowing that we can change our mind and choose to put all of our faith in God, is powerful.    

For me personally, God gave me the power to rise above a lifetime of suffering and torture. What should have made me a classic statistic, didn’t because God gave me the power to overcome.

I grew up in a negative and suppressive home as a child that set me up to fail.  I withdrew and felt  defeated.  I suffer from a number of illnesses. I had abusive parents, I went through the foster care system, but did not end up in a good foster home.

I then spent the last three years of my teen working two jobs to help support my mother and my three siblings and  as a result could not attend high school.

I got married at age 18 as I was looking for stability in my life.  My heart was broken, my body was weak, I carried a lot of emotional pain, but hid my pain from others. I felt like I was dying inside. I felt hopeless.  

When I was first diagnosed with Lupus it devastated my family’s financial stability because my income was a large part of our budget, however, God made a way.  God gave me the power to come out of a lifetime of built up hate, resentment, bitterness, and fear.  

Over the last four years, God has provided everything we needed.

I didn’t say it was easy, but all that we need is provided. God made a way for us to buy a house right after losing my job. He made a way when there seemed to be no way. He never ceases to amaze me.      

God gave me the power to trust Him even when I didn’t trust myself. He loved me before I loved him.  There is power in asking, power in believing and power in trusting.

God gave me the power to allow myself to take chances.  

I have power to cast down thoughts of the past, fears of the future and imaginations that do not line up with God.

There is power in knowing that I have control over my own thoughts.

I have power in knowing that when I call on Jesus nothing is impossible. From climbing mountains, losing weight, beating anxiety, facing illnesses.  I gain strength and solitude just knowing that he can and will work all things out for my good.  

I have Power in being able to share my life’s testimony.

I used to be ashamed of my life, it’s nothing to brag about for sure. God has taken my mess of a life and made a way for me to share my story with others in confidence.   Now, I am not ashamed of my life because I overcame, Satan didn’t win, God has received the victory.  

God is the only one that gives me peace. He gives the power to stand tall with confidence. I am not ashamed of who I am because I am the daughter of the Creator. God is the only one that gives me hope, even in the middle of what Satan hopes is going to bring me down. I stand tall in name of Jesus and rebuke Satan. I am not afraid because God has given me the power to overcome. In the name of Jesus Christ AMEN

 

 

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Can A Christian Be Angry and Not Sin?

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). And one of his Scriptural commands is, “Be angry, and do not sin."

To get angry is normal. Like love, it is a human emotion. Like love, it is an emotion that God also feels. Scriptures share instances where God Himself got angry. Yes, God who cannot sin got angry. That means anger is not inherently wrong. That means that God’s anger is always rightly caused and rightly managed. God became angry with Solomon because his heart turned away from God. God got angry with Moses in the wilderness because he took the glory away from God.

A Christian can get angry for the right reasons.

It is normal to get angry when an offense is committed when boundaries are overstepped, and when principles are violated. It’s right to be angry when there’s disobedience or a breaking of trust. These are all valid reasons.

Scriptures tell us that getting angry easily and at the slightest of reasons is wrong. Ecclesiastes 7:9 tells us not to be eager in our heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.  Patience must be afforded when needed. Rebellion or repetitive abuse towards you rightly causes anger but first-time offenses may be unintentional and need only your loving rebuke and redirection.

You should also be careful not to get angry when your expectations aren’t met. There are reasonable expectations and there are unreasonable ones. Just because somebody doesn’t measure up to your standards doesn’t mean they are deserving of your anger.

Our Father is angry when we sin and do wrong because no good thing ever comes from a life of sin. But God never gets angry about our weakness or shortcomings. He never chides us or belittles us for our failings. No. He encourages us and empowers us towards betterment.

Right Anger is Anger Managed Rightly

Throughout Scriptures, we see a God who deals with sin yet loves the sinning. We see consequences but we also see mercy. We see broken fellowship but we also see restoration.

The Bible coaches us on how to rightly manage anger:

  1. Do not prolong your anger.

Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” We should never let our anger turn into something else. If we are able to deal with the issue then confront it. If there is no way to directly settle the problem, then we prayerfully wait and seek God’s help for an opportunity to right the wrong that has been committed against us.

  1. let anger control you.

Proverbs 29:11 says, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end”. No matter how valid your reason for anger is you must not allow it to dominate you and steer you into an uncontrollable outburst. Even if the hurt is too much, remember that a Spirit yielded life will exercise control.

  1. Do not let anger drive you to unwholesome talk.

In our anger, we must keep in mind the purpose of our rebuke; to point out wrong and to warn the offender not to repeat the same mistake again. Ephesians 4:29 tells us not to allow foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk to come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful. The world lashes out in anger. The world curses belittle and shames. But we are not the world. We are the church. While some may even say it feels better to speak out like that, in the end, what profit does corrupt talk really bring? Does it better how people look at you? Does it solve your problem? Does it help the offender?

  1. Do not let anger make you bitter and vengeful.

Ephesians 4:27 warns us that prolonged anger gives the enemy a foothold. It gives him an opening for manipulating us into thinking and doing the wrong things. Anger is often prolonged when it remains unexpressed and undealt with. It is actually healthier to express and explain your anger early on. When matters are dealt with, resentment and bitterness will not creep in.

Some offenders may refuse to change. When someone hurts us repeatedly, anger may build up. So if we are able, we should remove ourselves from any situation that will allow the offender to do us wrong again. We should not allow wrong to continue.

Some offenses may be overwhelmingly hurtful and tragic and thus have no remedy. While a desire to hurt back may arise, settle your heart and mind onto praying for and seeking justice. Romans 12:19 reminds us not to take revenge but to allow God to work out justice for us. Wait on God to move and allow Him to heal you as you wait on Him.

  1. Do not let anger make you unforgiving.

In Matthew 18:21,22 Jesus tells us to forgive without taking count. Colossians 3:13 tells us to exercise a forgiving spirit just as we have been recipients of God’s forgiveness. Forgiving is not always easy, it is a supernatural act. It is something we allow the Holy Spirit to prepare and empower us for. We may not immediately be ready to forgive, but if we are willing; the readiness will always come.

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Is God There? Is He Here?

Is God There? Is He Here?

For the Child of God, sensing or perceiving God may not be instinctive nor constant. Surely, there are days (and there will be days!) when you don’t feel close to the Father. At times, it may seem that He is so far away. Where is He? Why don’t I feel Him? Is God there? Is He here?

God is Omnipresent

If it’s your first time to come across this word, it simply means that God is present everywhere and at all times. There can be no place in the whole universe right now where God is NOT. He is simply here, there, and everywhere; all at the same time. In Jeremiah 23:24, God Himself says that there can’t be a place where man can hide for: “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”, declares the LORD. Job 34:21 says that “God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees ALL his steps.” (NASB)

Psalm 139 is a song David composed during one of his mediations. This passage explains much about the omnipresence of God. In verses 7-10, he sings,

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.” (NIV)

To the believer who longs for intimacy with God, this passage brings great comfort and assurance. We know that God is here, with us, guiding us, sustaining us. To the wayward Christian however, that may be a different story. What might come are feelings of guilt, then resentment, then bitterness, then resistance, and then finally- denial; all these may step in.

Sin Separates

Sin will always bring separation. Isaiah 59:2 says,

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (NIV)

When man fell, sin separated him from God. Adam and Eve could no longer have free access and view of God because of the sinful nature they both possessed. Years later, by faith and acceptance in Christ’s finished work on the cross, the repentant sinner was gifted with salvation and reconciliation. Yet, as a child of God, saved by grace through faith, walking in the light and power of God’s transforming Word through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, man can still be separated from God. There can be spiritual estrangement for the man who harbors sin in his life. This is why a child of God must be careful to maintain a heart of surrender, cleansing himself of willful sins that hinder him from experiencing a vibrant relationship with the Father.

Ignorance is a Problem

The only way to feel close to someone is to know the person. You can never nourish intimacy without regularly staying in discovery of and communication with each other. The other person must be in your life and you must be in His. Acts 17:27-28 says,

“This was so that they would seek God if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him, we actually have our being]. AMP

II Peter 3: 18 shares that we grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. One great blessing we have at this time and age is that we have ready access to the Holy Bible at all times. With advancements in technology, the prospects for growth in the reading and study of God’s Word are even more promising. The Christian will mature if he wants to. He will know God and be intimate with Him and His dealings if the Christian wants to.

Trials May Breed Doubt

Job was a man who loved God. He wouldn’t have been perfect but He sought God and longed to learn of Him through life experiences. He lived righteously and was careful to surrender to God any uncleanness he may have in his life and even in the life of his children. He experienced God’s presence. He knew from experience that God was always there. However, in a great time of difficulty and tragedy, His spiritual steadiness was shaken. He no longer felt God. He doubted God’s love and presence. Job 23 shares those moments of doubt and confusion.

In this broken world, there will be hardships, pains, failures, and all sorts of struggles. Jesus Himself prepared us for this truth when He said that we would face tribulation in this world. Humans as we are with our limited minds, we may begin to doubt God’s care and even His companionship. Yet, Christ assures us that there is no need to fear those times because He has overcome the world. From Philippians chapter 4 and verse 13 we know that, in Him and in His power, we will have the strength to face all things. He is always here.

So, yes, God is there, and even better, God is here. When you reach a point in your life like Job, remember these:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28,37-39 NIV

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What ‘Love Your Enemies’ Means in an Era of ISIS

What ‘Love Your Enemies’ Means in an Era of ISIS

We live in a time of political polarization and while parts of the world have experienced random violence against civilians for years, it seems agenda-driven mass violence—terrorism—has touched the U.S. and UK in this generation more than ever in our history. Some even say we’ve entered

“The age of terrorism.”

Well, whether this is an age of terrorism or not, we certainly are a generation terrorized.

But love your enemies? Come on.  How on earth can you love someone that keeps sinning against you? Easier said than done right. With this current atmosphere of terror, Jesus’ command to love our enemies is baffling and  something we all struggle with at times.  

That is why you must rely on the Holy Spirit because  that coworker, family member, bad friend, or boss probably has never seen a true Christian and you’re probably the only one who can share the gospel message with them. We must remain calm and forgive.

Here’s a look at 28 quotes (largely attributed to the holy-bible) that will inspire the way you live your faith.

  1. “Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” ’- Steve Maraboli
  2. “Loving and forgiving your enemies doesn’t take away or downplay the importance of actively resisting evil, corruption, and oppression.” ’- Unknown
  3. “We must still seek justice, defend truth, march in solidarity for those who are mistreated, protest against the wickedness and even oppose government authorities and actions if they contradict the teachings of Jesus ’- it’s just that everything we do must be rooted in love.” – Unknown
  4. “When you are loving your enemies it helps you conform to the image of Christ.” – Unknown
  5. “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  ’- Luke 6:28
  6. “It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.” – Unknown
  7. “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” ’- Matthew 7:12
  8. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” ’- 1 John 4:7
  9. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly Do not be wise in your own estimation.” –  Romans 12:14-21
  10. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.” –  Proverbs 25:21-22
  11. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most-High; for He, Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.” ’- Luke 6:35
  12. “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” ’- G.K. Chesterton
  13. “Let all that you do be done in love.” ’- 1 Corinthians 16:14
  14. “As Jesus was being ruthlessly murdered, He gathered up the very last of His physical strength to utter the words “Father, forgive them ”¦” ’- Luke 23:34
  15. “Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” ’- Romans 12:9-11
  16.  “Love transforms not just our enemies, but it transforms us—making us more Christ-like.” –  Proverbs 20:22
  17. “It is only once you see the baffled expression on the face of your enemy when you give his cruel words a warm smile that you’ll understand, truly understand, what love is all about.” ’- Vironika Tugaleva
  18. “Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.” ’- Proverbs 20:22
  19. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” ’- Matthew 24:13
  20. “It’s also vitally important to recognize that our war isn’t just carnal, but rather spiritual, and in spiritual warfare, love is the ultimate weapon against Satan.” ’- Unknown
  21. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” ’- Acts: 7:60
  22. “Touch your enemies’ heart with love. It will bloom flowers of gratitude and joy.” ’- Debasish Mridha
  23. “It’s not about going around trying to stir up trouble. As long as you’re honest and you articulate what you believe to be true, somebody somewhere will become your enemy whether you like it or not.”
    ’- Criss Jami
  24. “When you see a person acting violently, ask yourself whether he knows how powerful he is. If he knew his power, would he feel the need to assert it?” ’- Vironika Tugaleva
  25. “Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.” ’- Mahatma Gandhi
  26. “May God help us to forgive and love generously ’- even in the face of death.” ’- Unknown
  27. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ’- Martin Luther King, Jr.”
  28. “The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.” ’- Abraham Lincoln  

Love someone. Share wisdom. Get passionate about something. Promote others. Bring an idea to life. Create, make, do. Rinse, repeat. And watch the world change.

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If God is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

17 Aspects of Discipleship Beyond Just Reading the Bible

I recently noticed some Christian songs that were encouraging listeners with the refrain “God is not against you,” and “God is for you.” I know that some famous preachers also seem to make this their regular mantra when they appear before their congregations.

Whenever I hear such encouragement, however,  I wonder how someone can make such a blanket statement to all people who might be listening.

I think of stories like the Exodus where God was clearly  for  the Israelites as God led them out of bondage, whereas God was  against  their Egyptian captors (Psalm 81:5).

Sometimes people  have a fairy tale image of God. We can be prone to think of God as there for our well being, as existing to grant our wishes (at least sometimes), and as one who is always nice to us, whose prime goal is to make us comfortable in life, and who would never think of disciplining us.

The fact is, though, that God does discipline. And our sin does affect our relationship with God in this life. It is even possible that  God can be  against  you.

  • “God  opposes  the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6).
  • “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is  against  those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).
  • “Now the hand of the Lord is  against  you” (Acts 13:11).

Even though God can be against people,  there is still a sense that God is  for  everyone, if by this we mean that “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). We can even say that God wants what is best for us.

At the same time though,  sometimes God gives us “tough love”  to help us straighten up. For example, Paul warned the Corinthians that if we celebrate the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner we might be “judged . . . by the Lord” and “disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32).

I cannot tell everyone that God is  not against  them. I don’t know about you, but knowing this gives me strong impetus to repent of my sin and ensure that I stay in a good relationship with God.

The good news is, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Praise the Lord!

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Can I Be A ‘Part-Time Christian’ and Keep My Sinful Lifestyle?

Are you a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ or are you a Part-Time Christian?  Does your faith in Jesus go beyond a weekend service? Do you live a double life?

“The Decline Christianity Has Become Precipitous in Recent Years”

For the first time in recorded history, those declaring themselves to have no religious affiliation have outnumbered Christians in Britain.  Some 44 per cent of us regard ourselves as Christian, 8  per cent follow another religion and 48 per cent follow none. The decline of Christianity is perhaps the biggest single change in Britain over the past century. For some time, it has been a stretch to describe Britain as a Christian country. We can more accurately be categorised now as a secular nation with fading Christian institutions.  More than ever before, we have an obligation to act in a Christ-like manner. Not just in church, but everywhere.

“Don’t Be A Part-Time Christian Who Demands A Full-Time God”

As Christian we can’t put our faith on a part-time schedule; as being Christian is a full-time occupation.  If we don’t open our hearts to the Holy Spirit to purify and enlighten us, then our faith in God will be superficial.

“Sorry Christians, We Can’t Blame the Media Any More”

Do you know why Christians have a bad reputation today? It’s not because of CNN. It’s because of our own Facebook pages, Twitter feeds and YouTube videos! Every day, we confirm people’s worst suspicions about us. The gatekeepers are gone. With social media there’s no one filtering the information and there’s no one left to blame but ourselves.

“Jesus Has No Part-Time Disciples”

Jesus is the living word and truth that “came among us so that we could know it.  Jesus’ said it all. Deny self, take up the cross and follow him. Moreover, only in losing one’s life — the primary meaning of apollymi is to destroy — one may save it. And Jesus means it. Judgment, he says, involves “repaying” people according to what they have done. At this moment we are hearing Matthew’s voice: Salvation comes not to those who call Jesus “Lord,” but to those who do what he says.  It’s a matter of life and death.

“If I’m Wrong about God Then I Have Wasted My Life, But If Your Wrong about God Then You’ve Wasted Your Eternity”

So we face the chasm between Jesus’ call to discipleship and our own lives as part-time volunteers for the Gospel. Few Christians abandon everything for the Christ sake. Most of us simply fit our Christianity into the open slots on our calendars. But Jesus links the life of discipleship with his own path.

“Some Readers Hardly Need to Hear This News. Moment by Moment, Many of Us Are Constantly Mindful That We Fall Far Short of Jesus’ Standard”

Sadly exhaustion, burnout, tiredness, even breakdown are conditions that are all too common these days, not least among those involved in some kind of Christian ministry, whether full-time, part-time or voluntary.

Sometimes in striving to do our utmost for God, we can easily forget that there were many times when Jesus himself was willing to rest, to do nothing except wait for the Spirit’s prompting, so that he demonstrated the vital principle of ‘working from a place of rest’.

“Knowing and Doing What God Wants Is Simply Not Possible with Mere Human Effort — It Takes Divine Intervention and a Transformative Action of the Holy Spirit”

Take some time out to reflect on how you are living and working. Watch Jesus and see how he does it. Listen to what the Spirit may be saying to you deep within, at the centre of your being; and maybe, just maybe, God will give you some insights that will change your life and sustain your ministry over the long haul.’

If every Christian truly had faith in who they are in Christ, we would move mountains together.  The longer I live on this earth, the more I long for the new one.

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Christian Expelled from University Over Anti-Gay Remarks Loses Appeal

Felix Ngole, a 39 year old devout Christian was thrown off a university course after branding homosexuality a sin on Facebook.

Felix Ngole, a 39 year old devout Christian was thrown off a university course after branding homosexuality a sin on Facebook.

Felix Ngole, from Barnsley in south Yorkshire, claimed that he was merely expressing a traditional Christian sentiment. Ngole was on a two-year Social Work Masters Degree course at  Sheffield  University in February 2016 after writing what the university deemed “derogatory” comments about gay and bisexual people on facebook.

Ngole, wrote during a debate on Facebook that;

“the Bible and God identify homosexuality as a sin”, and added  that “same-sex marriage is a sin whether we like it or not. It is God’s words and man’s sentiments would not change His words.”

He claimed that he was lawfully expressing a traditional Christian belief and claimed that university unlawfully prevented him from completing his postgraduate degree. But after reviewing rival claims at a trial in London this month, the deputy high court judge, Rowena Collins Rice, ruled against him.

Ngole said his rights to freedom of speech and thought, enshrined in the European convention on human rights, has been violated. His case was backed by the Christian Legal Centre, part of the campaign group for Christian Concern.

The university lawyers argued that Ngole showed “no insight” and said the decision to remove him from the social work course was fair and proportionate.”

They said the university had to consider his;

“fitness to practise as a professional social worker because  Social workers have considerable power over the lives of vulnerable service users and trust is a precious professional commodity.”

The judge was told Ngole had written comments during a debate about  Kim Davis, a state official in the US state of Kentucky, who point blank refused to register same-sex marriages. Ngole said he had argued that Davis’s position was based on the “Biblical view of same-sex marriage as a sin” and said that he was making a “worthwhile contribution” to an important public debate in which he was entitled to freely express his religious views. Ngole said   “I stand with Kim Davis”, a reference to the  Kentucky county clerk  who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples.

Ngole plans to appeal the decision, adding:

“I am very disappointed by this ruling, which supports the university’s decision to bar me from my chosen career because of my Biblical views on sexual ethics.

The universities solicitor Collins Rice said:

“Public religious speech has to be looked at in a regulated context from the perspective of a public readership.

The judge added: “Universities also have a wide range of interests in and responsibilities for their students – academic, social and pastoral. Where, as Sheffield does, they aspire to be welcoming environments for students from a diverse range of backgrounds, they must expect to be inclusive and supportive of that diversity.”

Officials at the Christian Legal Centre Said the Decision Was Wrong and Would Have A “Chilling” Effect.

Andrea Williams, the chief executive, said:

“That whiles Mr Ngole is entitled to hold his Biblical views on sexual ethics, he is not entitled to express them. This ruling will have a chilling effect on Christian students up and down the country who will now understand that their personal social media posts may be investigated for political correctness.”

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Will God Forgive Me?

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.

As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor’s son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor’s son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be.

He began to speak and his statement was this:

“My fiancee’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?”

The whole church began to weep as they realised that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is the very foundation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.

If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

End of case.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee, he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:23

God does not simply overlook our sin and say, “You’re forgiven.” God sees our sin but is ready to forgive us because Jesus fully took our sin on Himself and paid for our sin by his death on the cross.

 

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Sin – Exceedingly Sinful

Sin - exceedingly sinful

In great mercy, according to His divine character, God bore long with Lucifer. The spirit of discontent and disaffection had never before been known in heaven. It was a new element, strange, mysterious, unaccountable.

The Infinite Value of the Sacrifice Required for Our Redemption Reveals the Fact That Sin Is a Tremendous Evil

Lucifer himself had not at first been acquainted with the real nature of his feelings; for a time he had feared to express the workings and imaginings of his mind; yet he did not dismiss them. He did not see whither he was drifting. But such efforts as infinite love and wisdom only could devise, were made to convince him of his error. His disaffection was proved to be without cause, and he was made to see what would be the result of persisting in revolt. Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong. He saw that “the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works” (Psalm 145:17); that the divine statutes are just, and that he ought to acknowledge them as such before all heaven.  He nearly reached the decision to return; but pride forbade him.  He persistently defended his own course, and fully committed himself to the great controversy against God.

Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.

 

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Sin of Presumption

A cat was so faithful that the woman could leave her baby with it and go out to attend other matters.  She always returned to find the child soundly asleep with the cat faithfully watching over him.

One day something tragic happened. The woman as usual, left the baby in the “hands” of this faithful cat and went out shopping.  When she returned, she discovered rather a nasty scene and a total mess.  The baby’s cot was dismantled; his nappies and clothes torn to shreds with blood stains all over the bedroom where she left the child and the cat. Shocked, the woman wailed as she began looking for the baby.

All of a sudden, she saw the faithful cat emerging from under the bed. It was covered with blood and licking its mouth like it had just finished a delicious meal.

The woman went crazy and assumed that the cat had devoured her baby. Without much thought she beat the cat to death. But as she continued searching for the “remains” of her child, she beheld another scene. Close to the bed was the baby, who although lying bare on the floor, was safe and under the bed the body of a snake torn to pieces in what must have been a fierce battle between the snake and the cat, which was now dead.

Then reality dawned on the woman who now began to understand what took place in her absence. The cat fought to protect the baby from the ravenous snake.  It was too late for  her now to make  amends because in  her impatience and  anger, she had killed the faithful cat.

A Little Patience Can  drastically Reduce Major  life Long Mistakes.

How often have we  misjudged people and  torn them to shreds  with harsh words and  deeds before we have  had time to evaluate  the situation?  It is called  SIN OF PRESUMPTION.  Presuming things our  way without taking the  trouble to find out exactly  what the situation really is.

A little patience can  drastically reduce major  life long mistakes.

Who are you misjudging right now? Don’t think, what you think others are thinking. Take time to get to the whole truth. Please be patient with people, lest you live to regret your actions against them.

Be quick to hear, but slow to respond and become angry (James 1:19-27).

Share if you’re touched and use this article as a LESSON.

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The Perils of Living in a Technologically Advanced Age

The Perils of Living in a Technologically Advanced Age

Technological advancements have provided Christianity a greater platform to propagate the Gospel of Christ and to further the cause of God’s Kingdom on earth. There is a downside to this, however. Perils may surround the unwary Christian and sweep him away from right living.

Idleness

In a 2016 survey, adult Americans spent an average of 5 hours on the television. A survey on Australian kids revealed an average of 12 hours of online watching and 10.5 hours of television watching. The figures give insight to a likely trend ongoing worldwide. Those with access to television and Internet programming are pouring a big chunk of their time into this form of entertainment.

1 Corinthians 6:12 teaches us an important principle through Paul: “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.” Christians, young and old, must find a right balance between relaxation and productiveness.

Materialism

There are lots to see and discover online and thru print media. New innovations, new products, new services, new places to visit, new experiences to try; information to all these are within reach. The curious and the adventurous will want to try them all. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Caution must be exercised so that one doesn’t become addicted to buying things and accumulating stuff. Addicted hoarders and spendthrifts started out with a few finds.

Caution must also be exercised so that one doesn’t fall prey to the practice of “Keeping up with the Joneses.” Social Media does a great job in updating us of the latest trends and news. We see what new thing our friend or celebrity idol has recently acquired and we start to desire the same thing for ourselves. What others acquire and achieve may become our standard for success and happiness if we are not careful. Jesus warns us in Luke 12:15 to “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Pride

It’s fun to share one’s experiences online.   That bargain you were able to get, that fun trip you had, that awesome view that you were able to see; these are good things you can share with others. In most instances, what people share on social media inspires others or gives information which other people may need one day.

Caution must be exercised that this doesn’t become a habit with an underlying motive to brag or be prideful about something. In Galatians 6:4 we are reminded in this way: “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” So, when you post something online, ask yourself what you really hope to achieve and be careful not to share anything under false pretense or to gain unnecessary attention to yourself. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that whatever we do, the honor should be towards God. Self-exaltation is never right.

Let technological advancements be fruitful for you. Access and enjoy these innovations with moderation and whatever you do, maintain the right motives and mindset.

References:

(https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/business/media/nielsen-survey-media-viewing.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-15/children-now-spend-more-time-online-than-watching-tv/8272708)

 

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