Criticism

Concerning criticism: there is constructive criticism and there is destructive criticism.  

I'm writing this to encourage those who have been criticized and may be questioning their self due to the saying that there may be some truth in what was said. 

While at times there may be some truth in what someone said which we should use to change and grow, that is not necessarily true in all situations.  

The devil is a master at gaslighting.  

He will stir up a critical spirit full of anger and bitterness to spew onto another false accusations and assumptions in the effort to inject its poison into the heart of its victim.  

Have you ever felt icky after a nasty confrontation? That is the poison of their words trying to take root in your heart and mind. 

Plead the Blood of Jesus against it. Saturate your mind and heart with the Word of God and prayer.  Refocus your thinking every time the anger and hurt over those words comes back to mind.

At times, you will be falsely accused. Jesus was. If you know you are not guilty of what the accuser said, don't allow yourself to keep mulling over it.  Pray for that person who said those hurtful words.  They don't realize what spirit they are of.

The popular saying has come to be: "Don't judge someone just because they sin differently then you do"

But the Word of God says:

Exercise your senses

 Hebrews 5:13-14 KJV

13 For every one that useth milk

is unskilful in the word of righteousness: 

for he is a babe.

14 But STRONG MEAT belongeth 

to them that are of full age, 

even those who by reason of use 

have their SENSES EXERCISED 

TO DISCERN both good and evil.

Have you been exercising? We need to exercise our senses through prayer and fasting so we will mature spiritually and be able to handle the STRONG MEAT of the Word and not just seek out the soothing MILK.  We need to know and be able to discern between good and evil more than ever before.

Love Others

 John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 BY THIS shall all men know that ye are my disciples, IF ye have love one to another.

1 John 4:20

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Love God

Love others

No exceptions

Mercy AND Truth

Let not mercy and Truth forsake thee: 

Bind them about thy neck; 

Write them upon the table of thine heart. 

So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:3-4

Mercy AND Truth

Some focus more-so on Mercy but do not want to hear Truth. They label it as being judgmental.  

Some focus on Truth according to Scripture but do not have enough Mercy.

There must be a balance of both. 

You can speak the Truth in love, but Truth must still be spoken.  

Meanwhile, we cannot forsake Mercy,  for that is the seat where God dwells.  He has been merciful to us. We need to extend Mercy to others. 

We need both Mercy AND Truth.

Don't despise either one. 

For by these two things shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Whose image?

Too many are making God in their own image,  rather than letting God make them in HIS image. 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Gen 1:27

Are we made in the image of God or are we making God according to man's image? Are we allowing ourselves to be molded and formed according to God's standard? Or are we trying to mold and shape God according to the pattern and standard of how we think and feel things should be?

It doesn't matter how we think or feel about a matter. God's Word supercedes all. 

Heavenly success

Earthly success has never impressed me.

Heavenly success does.

I would rather meet an unknown here on Earth that is well known in heaven then to meet a well-known on Earth that is unknown in heaven.

Those who know how to pray and touch Heaven's Throne are far more valuable than any popular and talented person who may make millions here on Earth while leading souls astray. 

Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise

 ...thou shalt call thy walls Salvation,  and thy gates Praise.

Isaiah 60:18

Salvation is like a fortified wall around about you.

Praise will be a guard for you.

You want to be protected from the attacks of the enemy?

First, follow the Bible's instructions on how to be saved (John 3, Acts 2:38)

Then, let your lips focus on praise and worship to the King of Kings. Guard your words.  Worship is the way that battle is won.

ABIDE IN ME and MY WORDS IN YOU

 ABIDE IN ME and MY WORDS IN YOU 

I woke one Saturday morning (July 23, 2022) a couple weeks ago to the Lord speaking those words to me. I knew there must be more to that phrase than just what appears on the surface.

Proverbs 25:2 – It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

While none of us here may be literal kings (or queens), the Bible does tell us in Rev 1:6,10 that Jesus has made us Kings and priests unto God. And the Bible also instructs us to SEARCH the Scriptures. (John 5:39)

Solomon said he applied his heart to know and to SEARCH and to seek out wisdom. (Ecc 7:25)

Have you ever asked the Lord, “what does that mean?” when you read a Scripture?  

If you ask and then listen, He’ll begin to reveal and open your understanding to deeper things. 

Jesus spoke many things in parables yet there was a deeper meaning behind His words.  He revealed it to those who stayed close to Him and asked (meaning, His disciples). But sometimes we have to do a little digging, a little more studying, a little more searching the Scriptures to understand the meaning more fully.

 

ABIDE means “to stay, to dwell, to remain stable”….unmovable, unshakeable.  Oxford dictionary added this definition: “to accept or act in accordance with a rule, decision, or recommendation.”

 

Hannah had longed for and prayed desperately for a child and promised God that if He would give her a baby, she would dedicate that child back to the service of the Lord. 

When he was old enough, Hannah brought her long awaited, earnestly prayed for first born son, Samuel, to Eli at the Tabernacle so he could appear before the Lord and ABIDE there forever. (1 Sam 1:22)

As a mother, that had to be the hardest thing but she knew the best thing for him would be to dwell in the house of the Lord doing the work of the Lord.

Samuel dwelt and remained in the presence of the Lord all the days of his life.
His mom made the choice for him before he was born.  But he then made the choice to remain in the service of the Lord - steady, unmovable, unshakeable, keeping his mind and focus on God and listening for what God had to say. Because he chose to ABIDE in God’s presence, God used him mightily as a Prophet in Israel.

 

David asked and then answered his own question in Psalm 15…

1 – Lord, who shall ABIDE in Thy Tabernacle? Who shall Dwell in Thy holy hill?

The answer came….

2 – He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the Truth in His heart.

3 – He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.

4 – in whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD.  He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

5 – he that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth THESE THINGS shall never be moved.

 

BECAUSE their hearts are fixed on God and doing what is right in His eyes.

David made this vow to God….

Psalm 61:4 – I will ABIDE in Thy Tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert (covering) of Thy wings.

David went on to talk about those who FEAR the Name of the Lord.  In other words, they don’t treat or take the Name of the Lord lightly.  They reverence His holy Name. David said the ones that do….

Psalm 61:7 – He shall ABIDE before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

 

David must have learned a lot about ABIDING in God because he again penned in
Psalm 91:1 – He that DWELLETH in the secret place of the Most High shall ABIDE under the shadow of the Almighty.

There is a secret place in God that is only found through close communion and much time spent with the King of Kings.  It’s not hard to find.  It just takes spending more time in prayer, Bible reading, and fasting.

It is a place that is so precious and sweet when you find it.  Once you find it, you will long to be in God’s presence more.  You’ll long to read your Bible.  Because in those times, you will feel God’s presence hovering and speaking to you. Sometimes, He’ll even wake you in the night hours to talk to Him, and He’ll draw you to and show you things in His Word.

When you find and remain in the Secret Place of the Most High, God is going to cover and protect you.

 

Jesus also talked about the need to ABIDE….

Throughout John chapter 15, Jesus mentions the instruction to ‘abide’ several times.

John 15:4 – ABIDE in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it ABIDE in the vine; no more can ye, except ye ABIDE in Me.

I have a grape vine that has branches extending out in all directions.  However, if I was to cut one of those branches off, it would not be long before it withers and dies.

The main vine is where the branches get their nutrients from. That branch can not bear fruit unless it stays connected to the vine.

Grape vines require adequate exposure to sunlight in order to produce fruit.  The more sun they get, the more abundant the harvest.

 

Jesus went on to explain in John 15:5 – I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that ABIDETH in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth MUCH FRUIT: for without Me ye can do nothing.

* The more you stay connected to the vine (which is Jesus), and the more you let God saturate you with His presence, the more spiritual fruit you will produce.

 

Jesus issued a dire warning in John 15:6 – IF a man ABIDE NOT in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

* We won’t make it if we don’t stay connected to Jesus!

* There is no way you can stay alive spiritually for long if you’re not praying daily; not reading God’s letters of instruction to you (the Bible) every day; not attending Church faithfully and hearing what God is trying to say to you through the preacher. 

* Too many are trying to live a life disconnected from the Vine (Jesus Christ).  They may be alive physically, but they are dead spiritually. We will spend eternity somewhere.  The choice is ours. Living for Jesus will be worth it all in the end.  Those who choose not to live a dedicated life for Jesus will quickly realize the first moment in the flames of hell how much the things of this world were NOT WORTH IT.  Choose to ABIDE in the vine and live for Jesus while you can.

 

Jesus continued in John 15:7 – IF ye ABIDE in Me, and My words ABIDE in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

* Notice: there was a requirement followed by a Promise.

Jesus was trying to open their understanding in John 15:7 teaching:

IF ye ABIDE in Him = you remain stable, won’t be shaken in your faith, one who is in Church, then out, living for God, then they're not, they live this way, then the opposite.  They’re unsteady and waver in what they believe.

And He also said we need to let His words ABIDE in us = God’s Words need to remain in us.

The Bible talks about those who are a forgetful hearer (James 1:25)

It’s so easy to “hear” the preached Word or read something in the Bible, but then not remember what we heard or read not long afterwards.   

We need to strive to keep God’s Word in our hearts and minds.

Not to be a forgetful hearer so you will not waiver or be easily swayed by every wind of doctrine.                    . 

Remember the second part of the definition of ABIDE was: to accept and act in accordance with God’s rules, decisions, or instructions.

This flesh can get in the way and think that certain rules, decisions, or instruction are unfair or ridiculous.   It’s easy to want to rebel against them.

          
This afternoon, as I was driving home, I was asking God for more understanding concerning what He had spoke. He answered in a way I wasn't expecting.  I was absentmindedly driving, following a vehicle in front of me, not paying attention to my speed or my surroundings.

Suddenly, I noticed there was a patrol car directly behind me and I was doing over the speed limit.  I was not ABIDING by the laws of the land.  I slowed down and prayed he would have mercy. He followed me as I turned, and I continued fervently praying.  Thankfully, he turned again and quit following. 

My thoughts and feelings about the laws and rules do not matter. They are there for a reason, and if I break them, there will be consequences unless mercy is shown. Mercy is extended quicker when you are humble and repentant.

Just as we need to abide by the laws of the land, we also need to abide by the laws of God’s Word….whether we like them or not.

So, Jesus said IF we ABIDE in Him and let His Words ABIDE in us…

THEN ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

 

John 15:8 – Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear MUCH FRUIT; so shall ye be My Disciples.

* God is glorified when we produce spiritual fruit and others see it.  People will be able to know and see that we are His disciples. 

* Jesus said all men shall KNOW we are His disciples if we have love on toward another. (John 13:35)  Love is a fruit of the Spirit. God receives glory when we produce MUCH fruit.

We find another requirement followed by a promise in the next verse….

John 15:10 – IF ye keep My commandments, ye shall ABIDE in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and ABIDE in His love.

* We need to follow, keep, accept and act in accordance with whatever rules, decisions, or instructions are written in the Bible.

* IF we do this, we will remain in God’s love.

Jesus wants us to abide in Him and His Words abide in us.

He said the reason He spoke these things to us is so that His joy might remain in us and that our joy would be FULL.  (John 15:11) 

When we abide in Christ and His Words abide in us, we will have joy and our joy will be full.

 

 

 

Can God call you His friend?

James 2:23 - Abraham....was called the Friend of God.

How many want to be called a friend of God? 🙋‍♀️

We know God is our friend.
But what are we doing to be God's friend?

Are we calling Him often to talk to Him through prayer?

Are we reading the letters He's written to us? (The Bible)

Are we spending adequate time with Him daily or do other things absorb our attention and time?
Are we giving Him our attention?

Some friendships feel one sided where one does all the talking and the other does all the listening.
God wants to talk to us. He has things to say, too.
Are we listening, really listening, to what He has to say?

Abraham walked and talked with God everyday,  often. 
And He listened to what God was saying as well. 

Friendships are developed when quality time is spent together often.

If you want to be a friend of God, do what friends do.  Call Him and talk to Him more often and read His letters (the Bible) daily.  

Many want to be called a friend of God.

Can God call you His friend?

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN

Luk 14:23 - And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and COMPEL THEM TO COME IN, THAT MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED. 

As I was praying the other day about soul winning and reaching the lost, this Scripture came to my mind. 

Jesus was giving a parable about a Great Supper.  He told how many were invited, but when the supper was ready they all made excuses as to why they couldn't come.... too busy, have other obligations to attend to, something else is taking priority, spending time with family was more important, and so on.  The same excuses many give nowadays as to why they can't come to Church.  

The first invitation was joyous and peaceful "Come and dine!" But so many refused, not realizing what they were giving up for earthly temporal things.

Next, Jesus said to go invite those who are poor, and maimed, and the halt, and the blind.  Because those who have needs and are not rich in the things of this world are more likely to receive Him gladly. 

They did this yet there was still room. So Jesus said the lord instructed to go the highways and hedges and to COMPEL them to come in, that His House may be FILLED. 

Compel means: (1) force or oblige (someone) to do something. (2) bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure. (3) literally meaning to force

That is completely opposite of how most think and operate when it comes to soul winning.  I know we can't literally force someone to live for Jesus. But we need to COMPEL them as much as is possible using Godly wisdom because time is running out. We don't want our family,  our friends, or anyone to be lost for eternity.  

If you have someone who keeps seeming to badger and hound you about coming to Church,  you need to thank God for them.  They care about your soul and where you spend eternity enough to risk making you upset with them. But they're doing it because they love you. 

Don't stop compelling others to make the choice to live for Jesus.  

The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. (Mt 9:37) 

Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest will teach you how to be a laborer in His field.  Don't look and pray for someone else to do it.  We all need to be reaching for the lost while we can. 

So what if they think you're being a little extra. What is that in comparison to eternity.  

COMPEL THEM TO COME IN!

The Broad vs The Narrow Way

 Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: 

for wide is the gate, 

and broad is the way, 

that leadeth to destruction, 

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way, 

which leadeth unto life, 

and few there be that find it.

Many today have this backwards.  They think it's a broad path and everyone is on the road to Heaven while only a few will be lost. 

But contrary to popular belief, the Scripture says "NARROW" is the way that leads to life and only a FEW find it. 

This is not a judgmental or condemning post but these Scriptures should really make us stop, think, and examine our hearts to make sure we are ready for Jesus Christ's return.  

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  Prov 14:12

We've got to make sure of our salvation.  

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, 

and be baptized every one of you 

in the name of Jesus Christ 

for the remission of sins, 

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

What if you only ate when....

 What if....

The only time you ever ate was when you came to Church? And then, it really wasn't that much food...just a small meal or more comparable to a snack. 

How often would that be? 

Once a week?

Maybe a couple times a week?

Only once in a while? 

Or just on certain holidays?

How long would your physical body survive? 

Not long. Not long at all.

The physical body needs certain nutrients and often to survive and thrive.

So does the spiritual body.

And yet....

So many are starving their spiritual side.

The only time they read the Bible and pray is when they come to Church. 

How often is that for you?

Don't let your spiritual man die! 💔

Feed it daily. Not just occasionally.  

Don't neglect and discard daily Bible reading and prayer as unimportant. 

It is your DAILY Bread that will give you strength and guidance to grow in God. 

If you ate only as often as you prayed and read your Bible,  how long would you survive?

"Food" for thought

Are You Doing the Things Which Jesus Said?

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? - Luk 6:46 

Are you doing the things which Jesus said?

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16...

He that believeth AND is baptized 

shall be saved; 

He continued in verse 17....

And THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW

them that believe.... 

they SHALL speak with new tongues; 

Have you been baptized since you believed? 

Have you spoke with new tongues since you believed?

Jesus taught in John 3 that we MUST be BORN AGAIN of water (Baptism) and of Spirit (receiving the Holy Ghost) or we canNOT enter the Kingdom of God. 

That Promise is for you and your children and as many as the Lord our God shall call.  (Acts 2:38-39)

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? - Luk 6:46 

Are you doing the things which Jesus said?

Hide God’s Word in Your Heart

Thy Word
have I hid in my heart
that I might not sin
against Thee.
Psalm 119:11

To hide God's Word in our heart:

We have to read it every day. 

Not just skim it, but really read it. 

Reading not just the parts we like and make us feel good.

But reading every word, every jot, every verse from front to back then reading it through again.  

With an open heart and open mind to hear what God is truly saying to His people.  

And memorize Scripture. 

We memorize so many things...people can remember books and songs and touch downs and scores and so much more of things that are temporal and one day will no longer matter. 

But God's Word and what it says will....forever!

So read God's Word...everyday....and hide what God is saying in your heart...

Not just the promises but also the instructions and warnings 

SO THAT we will not sin against Him. 

Job's Captivity Turned WHEN....

Job 42:10 - And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, WHEN he prayed for his friends...

Because it turned his focus off from self and his own problems and onto others and their needs.

This is opposite of what the world pushes: "you need more ME time"  "take time for yourSELF" "love yourSELF more" and so on. 

But the Bible shows us the oppposite: that God turned Job's situation around WHEN he focused and prayed for others. 

We all have things we've went through. Many have stories they could tell and books they could write about their trials and what they've endured in life. But, as I was thinking yesterday,  we will always find someone who has had it worse. Many of those  you would never know about it if you didn't already know.  

If you're going through situations and troubles, turn your focus away from the problem and toward praying for others. See what God will do. 

I'm not saying to not pray for your need and situation.  But when you've already prayed and prayed and prayed about it, try turning your prayers more-so to the needs of others and place your personal need in God's hands....then leave it there and trust Him. God blessed Job with double when he focused on praying for others. 

Job 42:10...also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Baptism Is Necessary

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death?

4 THEREFORE WE ARE BURIED WITH HIM BY BAPTISM into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

☝ This is why baptism is important and necessary.  👇

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Baptism is a crucifixion of the old sinful ways. When you're baptized, all your past sins are now 'buried' in that watery 'grave' of baptism.  Not to be resurrected again.  Don't take back on that Old sinful nature after you've buried it by baptism. 

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16 "he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved."

Jesus also taught in John 3 that unless were BORN AGAIN of water (Baptism in Jesus' name - baptized into Christ) and of Spirit ( receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost) we CAN NOT ENTER the Kingdom of God. (Verse 5) Read that again: we CAN NOT ENTER the Kingdom of God UNLESS we're BORN AGAIN. Jesus proceeded to say don't be amazed that He's telling us we MUST be Born Again. (Verse 7)

Jesus answered and said, "if a man love Me, he will keep My Words." (John 14:23)

Will you keep His words to be born again of water and of Spirit? 

Jesus wants you to be saved.  He's shown us the way. Don't delay.

The Inside is Bitter

This year, we had a good harvest of cucumbers  (and they're still coming in). I had already pickled some and put a few in the fridge wrapped in paper towels and sealed in a ziplock bag to preserve freshness until I could figure out what to do with them.  

Today, I decided to pull them out of the fridge and put them in the dehydrator to make healthy cucumber chips. 

They all looked good as I unwrapped them,  so I began to slice the first one up. I grabbed a piece and popped it in my mouth as I sliced them. Suddenly,  I had the most awful bitter taste in my mouth. Ugh! I quickly spit it out (sorry to be so gross) and grabbed a drink to try to wash away the awful taste. That cucumber looked good on the outside but had become bitter and rotten on the inside. So, I removed all its pieces and threw them in the trash.  

I began slicing the second one.  It also looked fine on the outside,  but once again my mouth was filled with the most bitter, horrid taste as I tasted a slice from it.  I spewed it out of my mouth as well. The inside was bitter! (again,  I apologize for the horrible word picture but I want to convey how awful it truly was.) That cucumber and its pieces also went into the trash.  

I was hesitant to try the third and fourth cucumbers but they tasted fine. So, I sliced and seasoned them, then placed them in the dehydrator to bake. 

While what the outside looks like IS important to God (I can show you many Scriptural passages supporting what I say, beginning in Genesis), the inside is equally as important.  

We can look so good and have everything appear perfect on the outside, but yet be so bitter on the inside.  

The inside matters too! (Matthew 23)

It is important to examine our heart to make sure there is no bitterness taking root and spreading in our heart and mind. Make sure there is no hate, envy, anger, or strife wrestling within us. Cast out and repent of all rebellion and pride which are contrary to God and His nature.

Jesus is coming soon. We don't want anything to cause us to be lost for eternity.  We don't want anything in our heart that is displeasing to God that would cause Him to spew us out of His mouth. 

Eternity is too long and hell is too hot to be lost forever.  

Make sure your heart is clean and pure in God's eyes. (not ours, because: the heart is deceitful above all else and desperately wicked. Who could know it? Jer 17:9) We may not see it, but God does so let HIM search the hearts and minds.  

Make sure the inside is as clean and pure as the outside.  

It's better to have a clean heart and meet Jesus as Savior rather than as Judge.

Make sure, make very sure you're ready.

Don't Become Reprobate

And even as they DID NOT like to RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, God gave them over to a REPROBATE MIND, to do those things which are not convenient; - Rom 1:28

They profess that they know God; but IN WORKS THEY DENY HIM, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. - Titus 1:16

Don't become reprobate! (rejected, unapproved by God) 💔

Keep God in your thoughts. ☝

So many think about everything else but barely or rarely think about the Lord. 💔

Let your actions and all that you do bring Glory to Jesus Christ. ☝

Don't become reprobate 💔

Get your mind stayed on Jesus and keep your focus on Him. ☝🙌

Be Who God Created You To Be

In a world telling you that you can be anything you want to be, you are still and always will be the gender God created you to be. Your bone structure reveals it. Your blood and DNA reveal it. That can not be changed.  So, be what and who GOD created you to be.