Do not be Discouraged When Those Closest to you Mock Your Teachings

Dear friends, do not be discouraged when those closest to you mock your teachings. Jesus warned us that a prophet (as well as anyone sharing the True teachings of the Bible) would be rejected by those in his/her own town.

And he said, "Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country." Luke 4:224

Pray for those who lash out at you, and let hard feelings go. God knows their hearts better than you do and understands the spiritual battles they face. God also knows your heart and intentions and will honor you for your boldness and faithfulness to Him alone.

For true prophets, that God gives dreams and visions to, remember that most of the prophets of the Bible were also laughed at. Be encouraged and keep sharing your faith!

"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." Luke 6:22-23

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Goodness, Written by my Husband

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Goodness, 

Written by my Husband, Mel

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Galatians 5:22-23

(Ephesians 5:9-11) For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

The fruit of goodness is to pursue righteousness with all your heart. To be good, is to be righteous, and this does not mean perfection. Righteousness is living right in accordance with scripture. If you are truly born again, you will live a Godly lifestyle set apart from the sinful world. God’s Word teaches us to die to sin and live for Christ. Whoever is born of God does not sin (1 John 3:9). 

(Romans 6: 1-2) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

 Living a lifestyle of habitual sins (bondages) will lead to damnation. Christ said that any tree, which does not bear good fruit, would be cut down and cast into the fire (Matthew 3:10). 1 John 3 states that we must purify ourselves just as He is pure, and he who commits sin, also commits lawlessness. John continues that whoever sins has neither seen Him, nor known Him. These powerful scriptures are contrary to the distorted grace message that is preached in most churches today. Many churches encourage sin by teaching that there is grace for un-repented sins. Many teach that God does not care about your sins, only your actions. There are dozens of scriptures that teach us that without holiness no man shall see the Father. The apostasy (falling away from the truth), is the failure to teach believers to get sin out of their lives, as well as to love one another. Grace is given to those who repent and turn away from their sins.  

(1John 3:3-11) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of  God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

(Titus 2: 11-12) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Gentleness

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Galatians 5:22-23

As I was gathering the scriptures for this series that Mel and I are writing, I noticed a trend.  Pursing gentleness (and any other fruit) is equated with pursing the good works that are so important to our Lord.  And, no, we are not saved by our works (Salvation is a free gift), but, yes, our works do matter! Gentleness is not merely a personality trait, it is an active decision to treat each other with tenderness (Please read all the scriptures I listed at the end).

In a world full of strife and antagonistic people, it is not always easy to be gentle, especially when the other person is being the opposite.  Do not make the mistake of assuming being gentle is being weak.  Most of my life I have been told I need to grow a backbone and learn to stand up for myself.  Although I enjoy being in the right as much as most people, I am very shy and I hate confrontation.  It used to bother me that I was not more bold, but the more I read my Bible and study the fruits of the Spirit, the less I have the need to prove the other person wrong. 

I have worked many jobs with a lot of strong personalities and, let’s just say, “bossy” tendencies.  I often came home feeling frustrated and even ganged up on, especially when I had done nothing wrong.  I struggled with wanting to fight back and with wanting to walk away from the job.  Then one morning I started to pray, “Dear Jesus, I want to pursue the fruits of Your Spirit and not let my co-workers’ need to always be right make me so upset.  Please give me the wisdom and strength I need to glorify Your name.”  Since that day, after about my fifth or sixth week on the job, I was finally able just to smile and say, “Thanks for the advice,” or, “I’ll try it that way next time,” and not feel offended.  It was that prayer, and the direct answer to it, that inspired the theme for this blog series I asked my husband to write with me.

As I said above, being gentle is not just a personality trait one is born with, it is something most of us have to make a deliberate effort to convey.  Rather than shouting back at a smart alec when you feel it is your right to put  him in his place, walk away.  The old saying, “If you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything,” is actually good advice.  Who cares if the bully thinks you are being weak by not fighting back?  What truly matters is what God thinks.  And our Savior very much wants us to pursue gentleness with others.

Being gentle also means being compassionate.  A while ago, Mel and I were at a yard sale where a woman stubbed her bare toe (she was in sandals) on a hard wooden crate.  Mel quickly asked, “Ma’am, are you okay?” but the woman’s own husband coldly turned his face away from her and walked away.  Mel and I both observed the hurt look on the face of the wife, as her husband did not bother to acknowledge her bloody toe.  How much it would have meant to her had he shown her gentleness even if he had used few words but assisted her to a chair and even kissed her cheek!  Mel and I discussed on the drive home how badly we felt for the wife.  Wives and husbands, please show each other gentleness and compassion from everything to a stubbed toe to depression and grief!  We do not have to relate to what the other is feeling or even react to pain in the same way to be able to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). 

Jesus Christ was by far the most incredible example of gentleness anyone could ever have exhibited.  It is why so many scriptures refer to Him as a lamb.  No, He was not weak, as being gentle does not make one cowardly.  Yes, He corrected the Pharisees of their legalistic ways and scolded his disciples when they were too stubborn to understand His words.  However, He spoke the Truth in love.  He wept and prayed for all those he walked among just as He still intercedes for mankind today.  When led to His own horrendous crucifixion, He did not fight back, but allowed His false accusers to torture Him so He could die for our sins.  That is not only gentleness personified, it is sacrifice and love exemplified.  Doesn’t that only make you want to be gentle as Christ was (and still is) gentle?      

                                                                                                          

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. II Timothy 2:19-26

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:1-2

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:1-3

Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.  I Peter 3:3-5

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

I began writing this blog about a month ago (in 2018) and then became too busy to finish it.  The week I had planned to work on it again was the same week my beloved seven-year-old Manx cat, Xander had to be euthanized.  Therefore, I was unable to write about joy last week.  Ironic, isn’t it?  But it made me realize even more so how much joy is a choice in our lives.  You may think that joy is not an active decision, but that one can only have joy when everything in life is going perfectly.  Realistically, how often can we say there is nothing in our lives that causes stress?  I am mostly a happy person, with a wonderful husband and a God who loves me, but there are often things cause frustration and, as with the recent loss, sadness.

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Nehemiah 8:10

I would also reverse that and say that the strength of the Lord is my Joy!  It is how I can keep a smile on my face.  Yes, I can feel sorrow at the loss of my cat, but I can still feel happiness and peace when I lean on the love of the Lord.

I have been relying on the Truths of Isaiah 61:3, “To console those who mourn… To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."  Notice here, that our joy glorifies that Lord!

When you read some of the below verses you will also see that simply having faith and persevering in the knowledge of God’s goodness will produce joy.

Like most people, I have had my share of heartache and hard times.  There was a time in 2014 when I was so shattered that I could not pray.  Let me rephrase that, I would not pray.  I was so angry and confused with God that there was no way I could consider praising to lift my heaviness.  So, I know some of you are thinking that I am being too simplistic and unrealistic in expecting you to praise or sing when you are feeling wounded.  It got to the point where my soul thirsted for the Lord and I could not stay silent.  I missed my Heavenly Father, I knew He did not cause the harmful situation, and He wanted to comfort His child.  I started small with simply saying, “Thank you,” at the end of each day for all I still had, especially my husband.  My prayers slowly grew longer until I was back to being my usually chatty self with the Lord.  I was eventually even able to sing praises again without feeling like I was going through the motions.  It took at least six months for me to go through the process, but when I chose to pursue joy and release my anger and bitterness, I began to heal.

I have read possibly thousands (maybe hundreds, but a lot) of books in my life, and it is difficult to choose a favorite, yet I can say that next to the Bible, the book that touched me the most has been Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.  If you have never read it, I highly encourage you to do so.  My husband and I read it together and we both were very moved by the story.  Much Afraid’s journey reminded me so much of myself in allowing bitterness and resentment to bully me to the point where I was hindered by going to the High Places with the Good Shepherd.  Had I been a character in that book I would have been called Walks by Sight (or Much Too Logical).  I have learned (am still learning) to become Acceptance with Joy as I can see that Sorrow and Suffering have been my companions for a specific purpose.  I may never fully understand why.  However, I can accept the hard times by remembering God only wants the best for His children, and He does not cause bad things to happen (See Jeremiah 29:11).  He can use the hurts of our past to make us become better people if we allow Him to.  That is, when we chose joy.

Here are some more scriptures on joy:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:10-17

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-10

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:7-9

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? (Written Version)

 

I want to make it very clear that I do not post about this subject every October to be antagonistic or purposefully controversial.  Nor am I judgmental or self-righteous.  All of my postings on all subjects are written based on what I feel the Holy Spirit is prompting me to address. Trust me, I know I am not a perfect Christian; I have my own issues that need mending, but I allow the gentle chastising of God to continually mold and change me.  I take a stand against the things Jesus hates and Satan loves because I know from experience the bondages that come attached to evil items.  Because I opened up my heart to God and got rid of celebrating Halloween and occultic movies/books, God set me free. Therefore, I want the same joy for all of you. Please prayerfully consider all I share.

Although there are many videos on YouTube you can find created by ex-witches/ex-warlocks exposing the very real Truths about Halloween, please use caution when watching them. Some can bring demons into your home (even when that is not the intent) so pray for spiritual discernment and that the blood of Jesus Christ will protect anyone watching.  There are also a lot of videos from other Christians (some are real believers, while others seem less sincere) speaking about Halloween but since so few will tell you the Truth, I have made my own video on the subject that includes even more scriptures than listed below. I will also explain the history of Halloween.  You can view that video on my  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL-47G3PB7k

Halloween is a Satanic holiday, and it is not innocent. No matter how you choose to celebrate, it is all about witchcraft.  God has given me a burden for speaking out against all things associated with the occult, be it movies, books, or Halloween. I am not trying to make anyone angry, but I also will not back down just to be accepted by the world.  These are not my theories, but the holy words of God.  

Let me ask you this: Do you take as passionate a stand for the things of God as you do when you defend Halloween? Do you cast away friends and family when they take the Lord's name in vain or openly mock God and Christians in other ways? Or do you only reject those who Biblically prove to you that God hates witchcraft? Do your loyalties lie with Jesus, who willingly died for your sins and wants you to live with Him in Paradise?  (For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16) Or are you loyal to Satan, the one who wants you to fail so he can torture you in hell? (Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8) 

I can give you quite a few scripture verses telling you that witchcraft is wrong.  Can you give me just one where God says it is okay? 

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain SORCERER... whose name was Barjesus... But Elymas the SORCERER (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, "O full of all subtilty and all mischief, THOU CHILD OF THE DEVIL, THOU ENEMY OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, wilt thou not cease to PERVERT THE RIGHT WAYS OF THE LORD? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Acts 13:6-12

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel [DEMONICALLY] POSSESSED with a SPIRIT OF DIVINATION met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16:16 & 18

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, WITCHCRAFT, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and SORCERERS, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used WITCHCRAFT, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. II Chronicles 33:6

There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices WITCHCRAFT, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a SORCERER. Deuteronomy 18:10

And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used DIVINATION AND ENCHANTMENTS, and sold themselves to do EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, to provoke him to anger. 2 Kings 17:17

Is Halloween pure or lovely? No, it is dark and wicked! God does not want us dwelling on such things or participating in them. But to focus on Godly activities that bring glory to God.
 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Is Halloween unclean? Definitely!  Touch not the things promoted by Satanists, and God will bless you! God does not want us associating with the dark things of this world. We are called to be His temple and walk in His Light!

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 & 7:1