Devil

WHO IS TO BLAME?

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WHO IS TO BLAME?

Are you blaming God for your troubles and circumstances? Why?  Most of them have come from you not listening to what God has to say in life’s book of instructions called the BIBLE. Accept the responsibility for the choices you make because you do not follow His way or consult Him.  Don’t expect Him to help you when you ignore Him.

One way the devil gets into your thinking is through the words you speak. Matthew 12:36, 37; I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

On the reverse side is the benefit of having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then you have the Holy Spirit as your teacher. MARK 16:17 NKJ 17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons. For believers to cast out demons, it means they must have authority over the devil and his forces. However, unused authority conveys no benefit.

COLOSSIANS 1:13 NKJ 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness (Satan) and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. The only true powers the devil holds over a believer now is the power of deception, unbelief, and lack of knowledge of what God’s Word says. Look at how Satan deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden.

One of the ways the devil operates against you is through ignorance. God’s Word gives you the information that will set you free from both fear and ignorance.

God loves you and wants you to come into the salvation that He offers through His Son, Jesus Christ. The choice is yours to make. God has given each person the free will  to make their choices. What he hopes you will choose is His salvation in Jesus Christ and then receive the Holy Spirit who then will guide you into the truth. So many people think they know more than God and make their own choices that cause problems because the devil can enter their thinking and actions.

Take the step of inviting Jesus Christ into your life and experience His love. God loves you and so do I.

KNOWLEDGE

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KNOWLEDGE?

We all have some knowledge. Some of us may have knowledge in many areas and some may have more knowledge and some may have less. Regardless of what knowledge you may have and what area it is in, do you have knowledge in what is most important?

I know that there are going to be some that will disagree with what I am about to say. If that applies to anyone, that is OK. I am not responsible for your decisions in this life, you are.  Before your gift of life, our Creator gave us a Book of Life and instructions on how we should live that life. That book is called the Holy Bible. My purpose is not to convert you to some denomination, but to encourage you to study God’s Word to show thyself approved.

Jesus spoke the following as recorded in John 8: 31-32 NKJV; Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The word knowledge in the Bible denotes an understanding, a recognition, or an acknowledgement. To know something is to perceive it or to be aware of it. Many times in the Scripture, knowledge carries the idea of a deeper appreciation of something. The Bible is is very clear that the knowledge of God is the most valuable knowledge a human being can possess. We must understand that the Bible is very clear that simply being aware of God’s existence is not sufficient. Satan believes and knows that God exist. We must have a knowledge of God that encompasses a deep appreciation for and a personal relationship with Him.

My lesson of knowledge starts with Hosea Chapter 4 with emphases on verse 6; My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me.

Maybe you have forgotten the law of God. I suggest reading the entire chapter. Why, because the lack of knowledge is so dangerous? When you lack knowledge regarding the things of God, you have actively ignored it which is a sin.

Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts (propositional knowledge), skills (procedural knowledge), or objects acquaintance knowledge). … The term “knowledge” can refer to a theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

Knowledge is the collective information and facts acquired through education or experience. Knowledge is awareness. … If knowledge is power, wisdom is your choice to use or apply that power. Understanding is the ability to understand one’s knowledge and choices.

Wisdom is the quality of having good judgment based on knowledge. It is popularly known as the ability to discern. If knowledge is power, wisdom is your choice to use or apply that power. Understanding is the ability to understand one’s knowledge and choices. It is the realization of your decision.

Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.

Webster’s dictionary defines knowledge as “the fact or condition of being aware of something.” It also defines wisdom as “ability to discern inner qualities and relationships.” In Scripture we are told that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Knowledge is the collective information and facts acquired through education or experience. Knowledge is awareness. … If knowledge is power, wisdom is your choice to use or apply that power. Understanding is the ability to understand one’s knowledge and choices.

As we mature as Christians, we are not to be controlled exclusively by our physical senses. Being controlled by the physical senses is what the Bible refers to as being “carnally minded.”

Are you one that likes to play it safe as many people do? God gives us the ability to make choices. We can walk with Him in His realm today or we can continue as we want. I pray that no one waits until there is no return. God will not force anyone to accept His invitation. 

 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

The most important questions we need to ask ourselves, do we have more faith in our own ability or in God’s ability to handle our problems? Do we focus on the problem instead of trusting God for a solution? I can tell you from my own experiences that problems will consume our attention and it will defeat you. 

If the devil can get you to focus on yourself and your problems instead of focusing on Jesus Christ, the devil is involved and controlling your life regardless of how big or little it is. You make the choice. 

1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. There is no need for anyone ever again to be destroyed for “lack of knowledge.”

Although Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago, God did not leave us with out a book of instructions, it is called the Holy Bible. It outlines the path of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to know the truth. Again, it is our choice to read and study this Book or just let be an occasional reading and gathering dust.

A few weeks past we celebrated Christmas where God illustrated His love for us in the fullest degree by sending His Son down to earth. In a few more weeks we will celebrate Easter where Jesus died for our sins, shed His blood to cover our sins on the Cross of Calvary, was buried, and rose from the dead, and now sits at the right of God the Father waiting to return and gather up His Bride and set up His Kingdom. The Book of Knowledge also called the Holy Bible offers us an invitation to come to faith in Jesus Christ and become joint heirs of all that Jesus has.

When you comprehend the knowledge that is in the Holy Bible and gain an understanding, you will have gained wisdom. It is then that you will come to know that God is not the cause of your problems, it is what you have let the devil take control of your life. Then you will understand the love that God has for you by giving His Son as a sacrifice for your sins. God has given you an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a life with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. THE CHOICE IS YOURS. God loves you and so do I.

THE DEVIL IS GAINING GROUND

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THE DEVIL IS GAINING GROUND

I am writing this article as a witness of my Christian belief that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He inspired men to write what God instructed for the welfare of His creation. Since God created man with a free will to choose their destiny, we have the privilege to choose the pathway of life as we desire.

In the past year, I have witnessed political rancor and bitterness of feelings towards the President of the United States of America as I have never seen in my 60 years as a voter. I have had the privilege of voting for eleven presidents beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower.

I support the First Amendment of the Constitution. Although the First Amendment to the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech,” Americans don’t have the luxury of always saying whatever they want. Your right to free speech is limited by where you are, what you say, and how you say it. Now, it appears that we must be extra careful because of political correctness.

My point is to be a Christian witness over political ideology. According to the Bible, we are given instructions by God so that we can live a peaceful life here on earth. Where the problems come into play are because the instructions in the Bible are ignored.

Romans 13, it says “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

1st Peter 2:13, 14 and 17. “13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good…17 Honor everyone. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor” Peter goes on to talk about also honoring your boss as well as being willing to suffer for doing good. Those are not easy things to put into practice.

Ecclesiastes 10: 20. Don’t bad-mouth your leaders, not even under your breath, and don’t abuse your betters, even in the privacy of your home. Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around. Little birds drop the crumbs of your gossip far and wide.

There are stern warnings from God concerning our speech. Matthew 12:37 says; “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Following is a list of words that the Bible considers sin. Do you connect any of the words with our present political arena? How about with our news media? How about people?

“Gossip” – “Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.”

“Rumor” – “Unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth; hearsay.”

“Slander” – “The utterance of defamatory statements injurious to the reputation or well-being of a person. … A malicious statement or report.”

“Backbite” – “To speak spitefully or slanderously about (a person).”

“Talebearer” – “A person who spreads malicious stories or gossip.”

“Rail” – “To condemn or attack in bitter, harsh, or abusive language…”

“Revile” – “To denounce with abusive language.”

Have you ever been a victim of false statements? I have and it is not a situation that I would wish on anyone. Fortunately, Jesus was with me and I was exonerated of the false statements. Some people accuse others of doing wrong when they do not know it to be true.

I believe that the deterioration of our great country is due to Satan’s influence of deceit. It all began when God was taken out of daily lives. Today, it continues to be an ongoing trend with a greater influence. Is the devil gaining ground in his war against Christianity and the foundations that America was built on?  Satan has got us spending so much time on judging others that we have lost our prospective of life.

According to Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That is why God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. According to Acts 4:12, neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2 Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

So, is there a solution to the way our country is going? Yes, if we would follow God’s instructions in His Holy Word, the Bible..

2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Mark 12: 30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

I look forward to the day that America and the world will experience a revival and many will come to Jesus Christ and His salvation. Hopefully many will do so soon. I pray that you will consider the Lords invitation as He loves you and so do I.

THE WORDS YOU SPEAK, THAT’S WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE.

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THE WORDS YOU SPEAK, THAT’S WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE.

Before I begin my topic, I want to wish all a Happy New Year. For those that have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, may the Lord bless you with the desires of your heart? For those that haven’t, may you consider the invitation of Jesus to enter into His eternal gift of salvation? It is a free gift with many promises. The most important is eternal life with Him in His kingdom.

I have written a blog sometime back similar to this. With some, they are able to control their tongue, others speak like the words come from a cesspool. The Bible tells us that we will account for what we speak according to Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the Day of Judgment. Also in Proverbs 6:2 (NKJ) it says; you are snared by the words of your own mouth, you are taken by the words of your mouth.

Words are powerful, they can get you into trouble, and you can curse others of which the devil can then place on a person. You can speak ungodly things and consider them innocent. I ask you, does God? Whether you are a Christian or not you will be held accountable for every idle word regardless if it slipped out of your mouth or not. When you have true faith in Christ it produces obedience. If a Christian is guilty of such behavior, they need to confess and repent and receive God’s forgiveness.

When you speak aloud, the Devil can take your words and put them into action. Most people don’t realize that Satan is the one who increases the problem. When you confess to being a Christian, you cannot praise the Lord one day and speak against God or someone the next. Christians should not willfully practice sin. I know that there are going to be some that will say it is no big deal. I believe that if it wasn’t a big deal, then God would not have made a point of telling us that we need to tame our tongue according to the Book of James.

Jesus said that you will have what you say. It will depend on you faith or your doubt or whether you have His salvation or not. Those that have not received Jesus’ invitation for salvation cannot expect to receive His blessings. On the other hand, you can believe on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and enjoy His blessings according to Mark 11:23 (NKJV) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Oh, what a promise. Is there any reason to do otherwise? There is a lot we don’t understand but we must realize that we are responsible for our own destiny. You must know that God loves you more than you love yourself. He already proved this by sacrificing His Son for our sins and Jesus shedding His blood to cover them.

We are entering a new year and you can add a new resolution that you would consider receiving Jesus Christ’s invitation of salvation. If you do, God and the Heavenly Kingdom will rejoice. I love you and pray you don’t delay in making the most important decision of your life.