NOTEBOOK

"Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right."
Charles Spurgeon
(1834-1892)

"Among the gifts of the Spirit scarcely one is of greater practical usefulness than the gift of discernment. This gift should be highly valued and frankly sought as being almost indispensable in these critical times. This gift will enable us to distinguish the chaff from the wheat and to divide the manifestations of the flesh from the operations of the Spirit."
A.W.Tozer
(1897-1963)

"If the church marries herself to the spirit of the times, she will find herself a widow in the next generation."
Charles Stanley

"If I see aright, the cross of popular evangelicalism is not the cross of the New Testament. It is, rather, a new bright ornament upon the bosom of a self-assured and carnal Christianity. The old cross slew men, the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it."
A.W.Tozer
(1897-1963)

"If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel, insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness."
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
(1834-1892)

"Here is the great evangelical disaster - the failure of the evangelical world to stand for truth as truth. There is only one word for this - namely ACCOMMODATION. The evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age. First, there has been accommodation on Scripture, so that many who call themselves evangelicals hold a weakened view of the Bible and no longer affirm the truth of all the Bible teaches....This accommodation has been costly, first in destroying the power of the Scriptures to confront the spirit of our age; second, in allowing the further slide of our culture."
  Francis Shaeffer
(1912-1984)

"Satan knows that he can undermine the structure of the church by slyly removing just one fundamental doctrine at a time. He frequently loosens a large foundation gradually, chiseling it away bit by bit. That is why tolerance for the sake of peace may be dangerous. One step by giving in will lead to a next step, and will not God visit us with blindness if we deliberately darken the truth He has graciously entrusted to us. How shall we justify ourselves if we permit even a little of the truth to be laid aside? Is that ours to do? When peace is injurious to the truth, peace must give way. Peace with God is of greater value than peace with men."
Abraham Kuyper
(1837-1920)

"God's Word will never pass away, but looking back to the Old Testament and since the time of Christ, with tears we must say that because of lack of fortitude and faithfulness on the part of God's people, God's Word has many times been allowed to be bent, to conform to the surrounding, passing, changing culture of that moment rather than to stand as the inerrant Word of God judging the form of the world spirit and the surrounding culture of that moment. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, may our children and grandchildren not say that such can be said about us."
Francis Shaeffer
(1912-1984)

"This is exactly where a liberal attitude to the Bible leads us: there is no final authority, no reliable words of Christ, no test by which we shall be judged, and nothing to obey."
Brian H. Edward

"The greatest persecutor
of evangelical Christianity
is probably liberal Christianity."
John MacArthur

"Religion today is not transforming people; rather it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society's own level, and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender."
A. W. Tozer
(1897-1963)

"A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw God's truth attacked and yet would remain silent."
John Calvin
(1509-1564)

"Too many who quote the Bible know little of it."
The Author

"Pride and rebellion argue, humbleness and obedience accept."
The Author

"Where wrong is deemed as right and right is deemed as wrong, we see men singing the same old song."
The Author

"A country schoolteacher, applying for a job, was asked, 'Do you teach that the earth is round or flat?'
'Which way do you want it taught?' was the reply, 'I can teach it either way.' Something like that is
the attitude in many a pulpit today."
Vance Havner
(1901-1986)

"Many who claim to be the Lord's sheep feel more at home with the devil’s goats”
Vance Havner
(1901-1986) 

"Thatch your roof in dry weather. Do not wait until the storm breaks."
Vance Havner
(1901-1986)

"Righteous wrath is no less noble than love, since both co-exist in God."
John MacArthur 

"Salt seasons, purifies, preserves. But somebody ought to remind us that salt also irritates. Real living Christianity rubs this world the wrong way."
Vance Havner
(1901-1986)

“To devalue yourself is to insult your Maker.”
The Author

"The Bible was meant to be read, not minded."
The Author


Vance Havner, an American revivalist, once lamented that many churchgoers sit and yawn over the truths for which their forefathers shed blood; thus “the living faith of the dead has become the dead faith of the living.”

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1. Pop Psychology Myths

By Kerby Anderson

Go into any bookstore and you will see shelves of self-help books, many of which promote a form of "pop psychology." Although these are bestsellers, they are filled with half-truths and myths. In this essay we are going to look at some of these pop psychology myths as exposed by Dr. Chris Thurman in his book Self-Help or Self-Destruction. If you would like more information or documentation for the issues we cover in these pages, I would recommend you obtain a copy of his book.
Myth 1: Human beings are basically good.
The first myth I would like to look at is the belief that people are basically good. Melody Beattie, author of the best-seller Codependent No More, says that we "suffer from that vague but penetrating affliction, low self-worth." She suggests we stop torturing ourselves and try to raise our view of ourselves. How do we do that? She says: "Right now, we can give ourselves a big emotional and mental hug. We are okay. It's wonderful to be who we are. Our thoughts are okay. Our feelings are appropriate. We're right where we're supposed to be today, this moment. There is nothing wrong with us. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with us."
In other words, Beattie is saying that we are basically good. There is nothing wrong with us. At least there is nothing fundamentally wrong with us. There isn't any flaw that needs to be corrected.
Peter McWilliams, in his best-seller Life 101, actually addresses this issue head on. This is what he says in the brief section entitled, Are human beings fundamentally good or fundamentally evil?
"My answer: good. My proof? I could quote philosophers, psychologists, and poets, but then those who believe humans are fundamentally evil can quote just as many philosophers, psychologists, and poets. My proof, such as it is, is a simple one. It returns to the source of human life: an infant. When you look into the eyes of an infant, what do you see? I've looked into a few, and I have yet to see fundamental evil radiating from a baby's eyes. There seems to be purity, joy, brightness, splendor, sparkle, marvel, happiness--you know: good."
Before we see what the Bible says about the human condition, let me make one comment about Peter McWilliams's proof. While an infant may seem innocent to our eyes, any parent would admit that a baby is an example of the ultimate in selfishness. A baby comes into the world totally centered on his own needs and oblivious to any others.
When we look to the Bible, we get a picture radically different from that espoused by pop psychologists. Adam and Eve committed the first sin, and the human race has been born morally corrupt ever since. According to the Bible, even a seemingly innocent infant is born with a sin nature. David says in Psalm 51:5 "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." The newborn baby already has a sin nature and begins to demonstrate that sin nature early in life. Romans 3:23 tells us that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are not good as the pop psychologists teach, and we are not gods as the new age theologians teach. We are sinful and cut off from God.
Myth 2: We need more self-esteem and self-worth.
The next myth to examine is the one that claims what we really need is more self-esteem and self-worth. In the book entitled Self-Esteem, Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning state, "Self- esteem is essential for psychological survival." They believe that we need to quit judging ourselves and learn to accept ourselves as we are.
They provide a series of affirmations we need to tell ourselves in order to enhance our self-esteem. First, "I am worthwhile because I breathe and feel and am aware." Well, shouldn't that also apply to animals? And do I lose my self-esteem if I stop breathing? In a sense, this affirmation is a take off on Rene Descartes's statement, "I think, therefore I am." They seem to be saying "I am, therefore I am worthwhile."
Second they say, "I am basically all right as I am." But is that true? Is it true for Charles Manson? Don't some of us, in fact all of us, need some changing? A third affirmation is "It's all right to meet my needs as I see fit." Really? What if I meet my needs in a way that harms you? Couldn't I justify all sorts of evil in order to meet my needs?
Well, you can see the problem with pop psychology's discussion of self-esteem. Rarely is it defined, and when it is defined, it can easily lead to evil and all kinds of sin.
It should probably be as no surprise that the Bible doesn't teach anything about self-esteem. In fact, it doesn't even define the word. What about the term self-worth? Is it synonymous with self-esteem. No, there is an important distinction between the terms self-esteem and self-worth.
William James, often considered the father of American psychology, defined self-esteem as "the sum of your successes and pretensions." In other words, your self-esteem is a reflection of how you are actually performing compared to how you think you should be performing. So your self-esteem could actually fluctuate from day to day.
Self-worth, however, is different. Our worth as human beings has to do with the fact that we are created in God's image. Our worth never fluctuates because it is anchored in the fact that the Creator made us. We are spiritual as well as physical beings who have a conscience, emotions, and a will. Psalm 8 says: "You have made him [mankind] a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands, you have put all things under his feet."
So the good news is that we bear God's image, but the bad news is that all of these characteristics have been tainted by sin. Our worth should not be tied up in what we do, but in who God made us to be and what He has done for us.
Myth 3: You can't love others until you love yourself.
Now I would like to look at the myth that you can't love others until you love yourself. Remember the Whitney Houston song "The Greatest Love of All?" It says, "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all."
Peter McWilliams, author of Life 101, promotes this idea in his book Love 101 which carries the subtitle "To Love Oneself Is the Beginning of a Lifelong Romance." He asks, "Who else is more qualified to love you than you? Who else knows what you want, precisely when you want it, and is always around to supply it?" He believes that the answer to those questions is you.
He continues by saying, "If, on the other hand, you have been gradually coming to the seemingly forbidden conclusion that before we can truly love another, or allow another to properly love us, we must first learn to love ourselves--then this book is for you." Notice that he not only is saying that you cannot love others until you love yourself, but that you can't love you until you learn to love yourself.
Melody Beattie, author of CoDependent No More, believes the same thing. One of the chapters in her book is entitled, "Have a Love Affair With Yourself." Jackie Schwartz, in her book Letting Go of Stress, even suggests that you write a love letter and "tell yourself all the attributes you cherish about yourself, the things that really please, comfort, and excite you."
Does the Bible teach self-love? No, it does not. If anything, the Bible warns us against such a love affair with self. Consider Paul's admonition to Timothy: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
The Bible discourages love of self and actually begins with the assumption we already love ourselves too much and must learn to show sacrificial love (agape love) to others. It also teaches that love is an act of the will. We can choose to love someone whether the feelings are there or not.
We read in 1 John 4, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." The biblical pattern is this: God loves us, and we receive God's love and are able to love others.
Myth 4: You shouldn't judge anyone.
Let's discuss the myth that you shouldn't judge anyone. No doubt you have heard people say, "You're just being judgmental" or "Who are you to judge me?" You may have even said something like this.
Many pop psychologists certainly believe that you shouldn't judge anyone. In their book entitled Self-Esteem, Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning argue that moral judgments about people are unacceptable. They write: "Hard as it sounds, you must give up moral opinions about the actions of others. Cultivate instead the attitude that they have made the best choice available, given their awareness and needs at the time. Be clear that while their behavior may not feel or be good for you, it is not bad."
So moral judgments are not allowed. You cannot judge another person's actions, even if you feel that it is wrong. McKay and Fanning go on to say why: "What does it mean that people choose the highest good? It means that you are doing the best you can at any given time. It means that people always act according to their prevailing awareness, needs, and values. Even the terrorist planting bombs to hurt the innocent is making a decision based on his or her highest good. It means you cannot blame people for what they do. Nor can you blame yourself. No matter how distorted or mistaken a person's awareness is, he or she is innocent and blameless."
As with many of these pop psychology myths, there is a kernel of truth. True we should be very careful to avoid a judgmental spirit or quickly criticize an individual's actions when we do not possess all the facts. But the Bible does allow and even encourages us to make judgments and be discerning. In fact, the Bible should be our ultimate standard of right and wrong. If the Bible says murder is wrong, it is wrong. God's objective standards as revealed in the Scriptures are our standard of behaviour.
How do we apply these standards? Very humbly. We are warned in the gospels "Judge not, that you be not judged." Jesus was warning us of a self-righteous attitude that could develop from pride and a hypocritical spirit. Jesus also admonished us to "take the plank out of [our] own eye" so that we would be able to "remove the speck from [our] brother's eye" (Matt. 7:1-5).
Finally, we should acknowledge that Jesus judged people's actions all the time, yet He never sinned. He offered moral opinions wherever He went. He said, "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me" (John 5:30). Judging is not wrong, but we should be careful to do it humbly and from a biblical perspective.
Myth 5: All guilt is bad.
Finally, I would like to look at the myth that all guilt is bad. In his best-seller, Your Erroneous Zones, Wayne Dyer tackles what he believes are two useless emotions: guilt and worry. Now it is true that worry is probably a useless emotion, but it is another story with guilt. Let's begin by understanding why he calls guilt "the most useless of all erroneous zone behaviors."
Wayne Dyer believes that guilt originates from two sources: childhood memories and current misbehaviour. He says, "Thus you can look at all of your guilt either as reactions to leftover imposed standards in which you are still trying to please an absent authority figure, or as the result of trying to live up to self- imposed standards which you really don't buy, but for some reason pay lip service to. In either case, it is stupid, and more important, useless behavior."
He goes on to say that "guilt is not natural behavior" and that our "guilt zones" must be "exterminated, spray-cleaned and sterilized forever." So how do you exterminate your "guilt zones"? He proposed that you "do something you know is bound to result in feelings of guilt" and then fight those feelings off.
Dyer believes that guilt is "a convenient tool for manipulation" and a "futile waste of time." And while that is often true, he paints with too large of a brush. Some guilt can be helpful and productive. Some kinds of guilt can be a significant agent of change.
The Bible makes a distinction between two kinds of guilt: true guilt and false guilt. Notice in 2 Corinthians 7:10 that the Apostle Paul says, "Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."
Worldly sorrow (often called false guilt) causes us to focus on ourselves, while godly sorrow (true guilt) leads us to focus on the person or persons we have offended. Worldly sorrow (or false guilt) causes us to focus on what we have done in the past, whereas godly sorrow (or true guilt) causes us to focus on what we can do in the present to correct what we've done. Corrective actions that come out of worldly sorrow are motivated by the desire to stop feeling bad. Actions that come out of godly sorrow are motivated by the desire to help the offended person or to please God or to promote personal growth. Finally, the results of worldly and godly sorrow differ. Worldly sorrow results in temporary change. Godly sorrow results in true change and growth.
Pop psychology books are half right. False guilt (or worldly sorrow) is not a productive emotion, but true guilt (or godly sorrow) is an emotion God can use to bring about positive change in our lives as we recognize our guilt, ask for forgiveness, and begin to change.

©2010 Probe Ministries, www.probe.org

2. Thinking Positively Verses Positive Thinking

What you need to know regarding ‘thinking positively’ and ‘positive thinking.’

1) Thinking Positively

- Basis Godly.
- Focus outward/upward.
- Reality based constructive thinking, mature self-talk/reasoning

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13, ESV).
“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing; for whatever He does, that the Son does likewise’ ” (John 5:19, RSV).
“For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it” (Rom 7:18, RSV).
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor 1:25; RSV).
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phil 2:13, NIV).
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength” (Isa 40:29, RSV).

2) Positive Thinking

- Basis humanism.
- Focus inward/self.
- Focus human power, not God’s power.
- The basic premise is that the human mind has mysterious inherent powers that are capable of creating ones own reality, psychic power.

"I have the power within me."
"I have unlimited power."
"I can do anything I believe I can do."
"There is no challenge I cannot conquer."

“Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen” (Rom 1:25, RSV).

I must not think negatively?

The Scriptures do not teach positive thinking or negative thinking. What the Scriptures do teach, first and foremost, is truthful thinking. The emphasis in God’s Word is not on positive or negative thinking but on developing the mind of Christ.
The phrase 'positive thinking' was originally borrowed from the founder of Unity - a spiritualistic organisation.

3. Promises

By Rod Bailey, a sabbatarian

God's word is full of His promises to you, and they can be trusted! Can they be trusted? Completely? Unequivocally? Without question? Are these promises so sure that you are able or even willing to stake your life on them?
What do we do with such broad sweeping promises such as Mark 11:24? --  "What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Does Christ really mean what He says?
I recently had an experience with one of God's promises that really challenged me. While attending a ministry retreat in the Czech Republic last year, I lost my wallet. Credit cards, licenses, cash...It was a small thing, but extremely inconvenient.
I prayed about it, and appealed to the retreat delegates to pray for the return of the wallet, and to keep their eyes  "peeled." Many came up to me over the next couple of day's fully confident it would be returned, and shared
experiences in their own lives where God had honoured their prayers and returned lost items. We were all sure that God would answer our prayers and return my wallet.
In each break between meetings I retraced my steps wherever I had walked during the day or so before I discovered my wallet was missing. This was a challenge, for my tracks crisscrossed the creeks and gentle slopes of the
surrounding Czech forest.
After a few days I was impressed to claim a specific promise. I chose Matthew 7:7 -- "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." With my Bible in my hand, I said, "Lord, I am asking, I
am seeking. I present your promise here where you say that if I ask, you will give, and if I seek, I will find. You say that you stand behind every promise you make with your personal and faultless guarantee, and I believe you. I look
forward to the fulfilment of your promise, that your will may be done, and that you may be glorified. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief."
And many times each day I kept asking, and I kept seeking, and I kept claiming this same promise. Day after day went by, and I started to notice an interesting phenomena. At the beginning people would come to me with expectant faces and ask if I had found my wallet, and when I said "No", they would respond with expressions like, "That's OK, I am sure you will find it soon. Have you searched through your suitcase again?" Others would say, "Sometimes God allows these things to try our faith for a while before He answers..." Others said, "Maybe it's not God's will that you find it..." And I knew that they could be right, yet I kept claiming.
But as the days wore on, and the retreat was coming to a close, less and less asked me whether the wallet had been found, and those that did, when I answered again in the negative, said things in a wistful, disappointed voice like, "Oh, that's too bad." Or, "He doesn't always answer our prayers in the way we would like..."
There were but a few, a very small remnant it seemed, who retained a rock-like assurance that it would be found before we left, and only one that I can recall who had complete confidence that the Lord would answer our prayers and fulfil His promise to me, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find..."
The retreat was to finish on Sabbath evening, and I would leave for Norway at 7am the next morning. Sabbath  afternoon I decided to spend the time alone with God, praying, claiming His promise, and once again walking my now
familiar forest paths. Late in the afternoon I decided to retrace our steps of the previous Sabbath, where we had all walked to a nearby lake. Much of this distance was on a busy road, and the side of this road dropped sharply down
a bank to a ditch filled with spring rain runoff. As I walked and prayed, my eyes continually scanned up and down the steep grassy bank and the edge of the ditch. I found many surprising items, but no brown leather wallet.
I walked all the way to the lake and then turned for home. The sun was dropping low in the sky, and the temptation was to quit looking and just walk quickly back to camp, admitting that God had other plans regarding my wallet, and that although His promise was, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find...," He had another purpose in this instance.
But I was impressed to continue to scan the bank as I walked home. And about 1 km from the campsite, half way down that unmown grassy bank, my eyes were drawn to my wallet, the corner peeking out from under some thick grass...
Why do we hesitate to claim God's plainly spoken promises? Why do we dare to doubt? Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, (and to claim His promises), when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to
unlock heaven's storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?
Friends, what are we going to do with God's promises? Or maybe we should ask ourselves, what are we going to do with our hesitance to boldly claim them? What are we going to do about our lack of faith in them? Have we
become so sophisticated with our faith, that we have practically lost it?
"When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" This is the question for you and I to solemnly consider. What are we going to do with God's promises?
"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

4. Regarding Suffering

When God first created this world, and its inhabitants, everything was perfect. There was no pain or suffering.
But sadly, pain and suffering, eventually came about because of Satan. Satan was originally the head of all the angels. He was next to Christ in power and authority. At some point he became jealous of God, desiring to be like Him in position, power and glory. Finally his jealousy turned into rebellion, so God had to remove him from heaven along with the angels who foolishly sided with him (Isa 14:12-14; Ezek 28:14-16; Rev 12:7-9,12).
Satan in his anger then tried to gain control of this fresh new world [our planet] that God had created. He succeeded by fooling Adam and Eve into sinning also (Gen chapter 3). Their sin then brought death and misery upon all of this earth’s inhabitants (Rom 5:12) . 
If God had immediately destroyed Satan when he rebelled, heavenly beings would have served Him through fear. God couldn’t afford to handle Satan’s rebellion in a manner that would leave doubts in the minds of others. God is love. His nature is merciful, kind, long suffering, forgiving, good, truthful, and just. He has given everyone the time needed to judge the true nature of Satan’s rebellion and its extent. God is permitting Satan’s ultimate plan to run its course. Thus when the time is right God will be able to destroy Satan, sin and suffering with the approval of the universe [other worlds He has created (Heb 1:2; Rev 12:12)]. Since Christ has not yet returned, the time has not come for Satan’s
destruction (Rev chapter 20). But when He does come, then God will be vindicated [proven right and just] once and for all before the universe. Satan has made accusations against God right from the beginning of his rebellion in heaven,
accusations that can only be answered God’s way and in His time. Unfortunately we are caught in the middle of this great controversy [battle] between good [Christ] and evil [Satan] (Eph 6:12) that is being played out.  
Now that we have seen how suffering originally came about, lets look at specific causes of suffering —
A) Some suffering comes about through foolish choices or behaviour (Gal 6:7). In other words, we often bring trouble upon ourselves. We therefore only have ourselves to blame. This kind of suffering can occur through ignoring God’s counsel. An unhealthy lifestyle, for example, can lead to physical illness.
B) Sometimes we suffer because of evil others do (Hab 1:13). God has given everyone, good or bad, freedom of choice. If God were to stop someone hurting us, it would violate their self will [freedom of choice], the same will we have, which stops us from being robots. God has never promised to alter circumstances or release us from trouble.
C) Some suffering is the result of accident or natural disasters (John 9:2,3). After all, this world is temporarily under Satan’s rule. We therefore have to expect unfairness and tragedy. While God clearly has the power to intervene, in a sense He can’t. Sin must be allowed to demonstrate what it’s really like, and where it leads, or we simply won’t take it seriously enough. If God put a special hedge around the Christian and let it be known that he would never be sick, involved in accidents, suffer loss from earthquake, or fire, would never be poor and hungry or homeless, then of course everyone would be a Christian for what they could get, and not for love to God.
D) Some suffering is caused by others irresponsibility and carelessness. Friendly fire?
E) Some suffering occurs through faithfulness to Christ (2 Tim 3:12; John 15:20; Acts 14:22). Jesus Himself suffered because of evil people. His followers have no reason to expect life to be any easier for them. We are not told to invite or provoke persecution, or to enjoy it, but we are told to expect it. All who truly follow Jesus must expect to be misunderstood and subjected to suffering of every kind.
F) Some suffering is needed (Deut 8:5; 2 Cor 7:10; Heb 12:7,8,10; Ps 119:67,71, KJV, Psalms only). Just as a parent punishes his child to keep him on the right track, so God sometimes permits hardship and sorrow to come to us in order to turn us from an evil or harmful course. Sometimes this is the only way God can achieve what’s needed. Sometimes this is the only way God can get our attention.
Though none of us like suffering it can achieve positive things —
A) It can help us to be more understanding and sympathetic to others (Matt 18:33, KJV; 2 Cor 1:4, KJV; Job 6:14, KJV; 1 Cor 12:26).
B) It can help us to trust more in God, and realize our dependence upon Him (2 Cor 12:9,10).
C) It can humble us, help remove wrongful pride.
D) It tests our faith and its genuineness (2 Tim 2:12,13). Unless our muscles encounter resistance, they will never become strong. Thus our spiritual muscles also need building up.
E) It can improve our characters (2 Cor 4:17, KJV). Without challenges to meet and obstacles to overcome we will never grow spiritually.
F) It can help us to get our priorities right, help us to realize what really is more important.
God’s Word tells us that He always attempts to bring good out of our suffering (Rom 8:28).

5. Truth — God's Word

We often hear Christians talking about truth – God’s truth, or truths. That little ‘s’ that is often found on the end of truth is not insignificant. You see, there may be one gospel in the sense of God’s gift of grace – in other words, salvation – but there are many biblical truths. How do we know what these truths are? Well, such can only be discovered via the diligent study of God’s Word, aided via the Holy Spirit (that guides one to truth, John 16:13; 1 John 5:6), and a receptive heart and mind.

Dare it be that we spend more time or intensity perusing consumer magazines than we do the Scriptures. Aren’t eternal realities worth greater effort than that which we put into choosing a house, a job, or an appliance?

Now, I’m not going to discuss the subject regarding the ordaining of women as elders or pastors (for example) but if we haven’t studied such a subject deeply how can we know whether it actually is okay to ordain women as elders or pastors? We could end up following humanistic reasoning rather than God’s will.

As Christians we not only have a duty to uphold God’s truths (1 Peter 1:22) but also a responsibility to make sure we get them right. Such we should never take casually (Titus 2:1; 2 Tim 2:15; 1:13; Prov 12:17; Rom 1:18; 2 Peter 3:16). We’re even told that the Church is the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15).

How can we instruct others regarding God’s truths if we don’t have them correct ourselves (Heb 5:11-14; Eph 4:14; 2 Peter 3:16; 2 Tim 3:7)?  In fact, we’re admonished to search the Scriptures diligently in order to see that we’re not misled (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 5:21; Eph 4:14), and in order to not mislead others. Imagine preaching a false message!

In Galatians 1:9 we see a rebuke being levelled at any whose teachings are at variance with God’s Word. Clearly we’re not to trifle with God’s Word (Prov 19:5). In fact, getting God’s Word right is a prerequisite for leadership (Titus 1:9). After all, a leader’s sphere of influence is far greater. Sometimes leaders are too afraid to take a stand and yield to the whims of their parishioners. Instead of leading they’re effectively led, bringing about not only their own eternal loss but perhaps that of their parishioners as well. Leaders are to preach what God wants heard, not what some prefer to hear (2 Tim 2:15; 1:13; Titus 1:9; 2:1).

We shouldn’t refrain from warning folk about God’s impending judgment (for example) just because some parents have wrongly used such to scare their children into His kingdom? And if God’s Word says not to ordain women as elders or pastors, shouldn’t we still be preaching such even if many women have been downtrodden by domineering men (Gal 1:10; 2 Tim 4:2)? If we don’t continue to preach such we’ll simply be pleasing people rather than God --  something that the Scriptures strongly condemn (Gal 1:10).

Do we bend over backwards to avoid doctrinal discussions with those who hold a differing view? Are we too nervous, concerned about our own discomfort, backlash (Mark 8:38)? The biblical challenge is not to avoid truth that is controversial but to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). We’re called to be bold for Christ. In fact, we have a moral imperative to expose and condemn false teaching and practice (Rom 16:17,18; Matt 24:24; 1 John 4:1; 1 Tim 4:1; Isa 62:6, KJV; Ezek 3:17-19). God’s Word says blessed are the peacemakers, not the peacekeepers.

Surely we wouldn’t dream of leading our loved ones astray -- our children. Well, God feels the same way about His children and that’s why us getting His Word correct is so important to Him. God is a God of truth remember (Deut 32:4; John 14:6; Isa 65:16; Ps 31:5).

As the representatives of God’s oracles, as once were the Jews, we will lose our credibility in our doctrinal witness if we get things wrong, and throw doubt on God’s Word. When we do not have the correct understanding of Scripture we can put ourselves and others at risk. Imagine getting to heaven and discovering that we had been distorting God’s truths, teaching falsehood instead, and to add insult to injury, accusing those who were right of being wrong. Wow!

I guess you’ve heard the argument, “Let’s forget our doctrinal differences in the interests of Christian love”? Well, that’s not how God sees it, believe me. Though the Scriptures command us to love they also command us to abide by the truth. Yes, the Scriptures constantly bind love and truth together (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 2:5; 3 John 3:4; John 17:7). Truth is tremendously important to God. Exchanging truth for the sake of some sort of unity is certainly not biblical. Nor is the, “God says, but I think,” mentality (Prov 3:5, KJV; 2 Tim 4:3,4). A passion for truth should activate every Christian (2 Thess 2:10). After all, we’re the representatives of the God of truth, and it’s His truth that sets us free (John 8:32).

Yes, the neglect and disregard of Scripture is one of the greatest insults that we can give to its divine author.
God is very particular about people getting His Word right. Through His Word He clearly —

A) Condemns all who deliberately misinterpret or cover up His Word (Rom 1:18; Gal 1:8,9).
B) Warns Christians not to get His Word wrong through carelessness, lack of study or through being biased (2 Peter 3:16; Hosea 4:6; Heb 5:11-14) .
C) Warns about being unwilling to receive things He’s trying to say through His Word (2 Thess 2:12, KJV), or through someone else for that matter.
D) Warns about being led astray by wrong doctrine (Eph 4:14; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Thess 2:9-11) and those who teach it (Matt 24:23,24; 5:19; 7:22,23; Isa 5:20, this text only KJV; Col 2:8; 2 Cor 11:14,15; Rev 16:13,14; 1 John 4:1; Jer 23:1).

Satan, right from the beginning (John 8:44; Eph 6:10-12), has tried to misrepresent Christ and His Word, and is still actively doing that today. He achieves this in different ways. For example —

A) Through people who wrongly mix humanistic thinking [man’s word] with Scripture, confusing God’s messages (Col 2:8; Matt 15:3,9; Prov 14:12; 30:5,6; 1 Tim 6:20; Mark 7:9).
B) Through people who pick holes [faults] in the Bible thus creating doubt about God’s Word (1 Cor 2:10,13; 1 Thess 2:13; Prov 30:5,6; Isa 40:8; 2 Tim 4:3,4).
C) Through people who are careless with God’s Word, or who don’t study it properly, thus only getting half the story right (2 Tim 3:7; 2 Peter 3:16; Heb 5:11-14).
D) Through people who will accept what someone else says rather than checking it out thoroughly to see if it is right (Acts 17:11; Eph 4:14; Heb 5:11-14).
E) Through people who wrongly think that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know God’s Word that well, or correctly, just so long as you believe in Him and accept Him. However, God has made it very clear in His Word, that knowing His Word well, and correctly, is of the utmost importance (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 5:21; 1 John 4:1; Isa 8:20, this text only KJV). This is why God will not and can not accept people putting doctrine aside for the sake of some sort of unity among different believers (Gal 1:10).

Remember:

A) God’s Word gives us information that can save us from eternal death. 
B) God’s Word gives us information that can help us to be happier, healthier and wiser.
C) God’s Word gives us information that helps us to come to know Him better.
D) God’s Word gives us information that helps us to know what He requires of us.
E) God’s Word gives us information that provides us with hope for the future.
F) God’s Word gives us information that provides us with the answers to life itself.
G) God’s Word gives us information that we can use to help others come to know Him, and His will, so that they too can be saved and live happier, healthier and wiser.

Food for thought:

Has Satan been denigrating the holiness of God’s Word, the Bible, by encouraging folk to treat it like a common book. Surely the physical Bible itself should always be treated and presented in a way that never detracts from its dignity, the importance of its contents, the solemnity of its message, or in a way that trivializes it and lessens respect for it. Is not this occurring by dressing it up in jazzy secular book fashion, bright, gourde colours, putting out paper back editions, filling it with cartoon pictures, cheap illustrations, and common modern banter, all in a misguided and erroneous attempt to make it cool or so called relevant [another form of compromise?] to the younger generation, as if God’s word is not relevant enough as it is. Isn’t such behaviour showing a lack of faith in the Holy Spirit?

Do we always place our Bibles on top of other books, showing how we esteem it, and thus God, or is it often found covered, or even tatty through misuse, like something someone doesn’t really value?

6. God, War, And Violence

Am unaware of who the author or authors are of this article of which I've added a little bit to.

Some refrain from becoming Christians because they cannot accept the idea of an Old Testament God who orders killing and extermination. However, the Old Testament is often misread and misunderstood. In assessing the Old Testament God, we should look again at the picture the Old Testament provides. The first violent act recorded in the Bible is Cain’s murder of his brother (Gen 4:1-8). However, before his destructive act, God spoke with Cain, trying to bring him to his senses (Gen 4:6,7). Without success. The Creator disapproved of Cain’s action and made clear to him that he would have to bear its consequences (Gen 4:10-12). God took a risk in modelling us in His image and giving us freedom to act and decide (Gen 1:26,27). But, of course, we must face the consequences of our actions (Gen 3:17-24). The Bible records only a few occasions where God decided to interfere with humanity’s violent behaviour. One occasion was during the time of Noah, when violence was so great on the earth that it threatened the existence of life.
God intervened and wiped out an entire generation with the flood. The situation was bad. Whereas God had created everything “good,” (Gen 1:31) people were doing exactly the opposite of what they had been designed to do (Gen 6:5,6). The Bible writer records that instead of continuing the process of creation in a positive way, people were thinking and doing evil constantly. The earth was full of violence (Gen 6:13). And this threatened the existence of the human race, the animals, and all of nature. Life is precious to the Creator. There was only one option for Him—to act as a surgeon in cutting away. Thus, God saved humanity and the animal world.
On another occasion God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19). Once again, human evil had reached its peak (Gen 18:28; 19:6,7,9,13). And the evil of these cities threatened the people surrounding them. But God did not act in a blind, choleric way. The recorded dialogue between God and Abraham, who lived near the cities, reveals that God had thoroughly and responsibly investigated the case (Gen 18:16-33). And He saved all He could from destruction. As with the people in Noah’s time, the residents of these cities would have destroyed themselves in time. But at least God was able to intervene first and save the destruction of others.
To a great degree, people’s fate lies in their own hands. This is demonstrated in the case of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. If any people deserved to be wiped out in the ancient Near East, it was the Assyrians (Jonah 1:2). It was the most violent nation of the time. It had strongly established its reputation by committing atrocities on its numerous defeated enemies. However, God cancelled His verdict of extermination on the city because it genuinely reversed its conduct.
Nineveh stopped its violence. And the Ruler of the universe responded. Nineveh was not annihilated (Jonah 3:7-10). This incident demonstrates God’s character. The Old Testament God only carried out a definite sentence when there was no sign of reversal, and when the existence of others and their environment was at stake.
But what about God ordering the Israelite wars? How can all that killing be justified? In trying to answer these questions, each situation needs to be looked at to avoid generalization and exaggeration. From the time God liberated Israel from slavery in Egypt, He wanted it to become a model nation (Ex 19:5,6). Obviously, if He was going to give the Hebrews independence, He would also have to give them a home and country. In the setting of the ancient Near East, where warfare was the order of the day, it was impossible for God to require Israel to be pacifist. The struggle for survival was conducted with a spade in one hand and a weapon in the other. God assigned to Israel an area populated by the Amorites. The Bible records that these people had a contempt for human life—as reflected in their human sacrifices (Deut 9:4; 12:29-31; Gen 15:16). It would have been impossible for Israel to co-exist with them. Israel learned that the inevitable result of wickedness is death. And Israel had to learn to perform like a student surgeon, by cutting out evil where it had proved irreversible.
Because King Saul didn't fully follow through on the instructions God had given regarding completely crushing a particular enemy once and for all, the remainder of them contined to be a constant thorn in Israel's side, which led to more loss of life.
It was not easy to educate Israel as a model people. It was composted of slaves, adventurers, Egyptians and other nationalities (Ex 12:38; Num 11:4). This complex group of people operated at low levels of ethics, hygiene and human relationships. God’s plan to make them a model nation, a “holy” people,” a “royal priesthood,” was ambitious. God gave Israel commandments and prescriptions—not to enslave them again, but to lift them to a higher level of human existence. They included laws to regulate warfare. And against the background of the ancient Near East, they stand out as humane and idealistic. For example, when going to war, those who had marriage plans, or who had just bought a house or a field and had not yet enjoyed the benefits of it, were allowed to remain home. Further, all who feared to face the enemy were also allowed to remain home (Deut 20:1-9). Who today would dare to run an army on those terms? Yet the God of Israel did. And it shows how deeply He appreciates human life. Only those who were committed and had already benefited from the joy and value of life were invited to risk their lives.
But even more startling, these Mosaic warfare laws required a liberal and humane attitude toward the enemy (Deut 20:10-15). For example, when marching to war, the Israelites had to offer peace to the enemy, with the guarantee of no bloodshed. If the offer was refused, only males were to be killed in battle. Women and children, who represented the future of their people, had to be kept alive. At all cost, life had to be safeguarded. Soldiers were even forbidden to cut the enemy’s fruit trees (Deut 20:19,20). Later generations had to be able to eat and live.
Israelite men also had to show respect to female captives. Raping or any violent treatment was forbidden. If an Israelite was attracted by a conquered woman, he had to allow her a month to mourn before marrying her. She then had to be treated as his wife with full Israelite rights (Deut 21:10-14).
A God who orders such war ethics in a period when hardly any existed cannot be called a God of violence. Of course, not all Israelites applied the rules strictly. Even King David was at times cruel (2 Sam 8:2,4). But the Old Testament pronounces its verdict on him. God refused to let him build the temple—the thing he most desired to do—because he had shed too much blood (1 Chron 22:7,8).
Finally, there is an extra dimension in the Old Testament history that should not be overlooked. On several occasions, military conflicts were solved by a conscious choice of non-violence. For example, the Israelite prophet Elijah confronted the Arameans who were attacking Israel. The Bible records that he was given power to temporarily blind them. He then brought them to Samaria, the capital, and handed them over to the Israelite king. The king asked Elijah if he should annihilate them. But Elijah prohibited him from doing them any harm, and instead ordered the king to offer them a meal. This action would have done Gandhi or Martin Luther King proud. And it must have impressed the Arameans. They did not raid Israel again (2 Kings 6:15-23). In such instances, when conflict was solved non-violently, God was showing to His people that He does not like bloodshed.
The prophet Isaiah expresses God’s ideal well. He pictures the world to come where nations will express their desire to be with God and to be taught by Him (Isa 2:4-6). In his vision, Isaiah sees these people beating their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Thus, God considers life to be sacred and valuable. In Old Testament times He allowed violence only when there was no other solution, and when the life of others was at risk. God hoped to lift Israel to a higher, more humane level of morality, and to thereby influence the other nations.

11. Jewellery

A) If adornment is acceptable to God, why did He ask the Israelites at Mount Horeb to remove their ornaments as proof of their sincere repentance for worshiping the golden calf (Ex 33:4-6)?
B) If adornment is acceptable to God, why did Jacob at Shechem begin a process of reform and preparation by summoning his family to remove their ornaments before they met with God at Bethal (Gen 35:1-4)?
C) If adornment is acceptable to God, why did Isaiah reprove wealthy Jewish women for their pride shown by adorning their bodies from head to foot with jewellery and expensive clothes (Isa 3:16-26)?
D) If adornment is acceptable to God, why does Ezekiel use two women decked out in ornaments, and with painted eyes, to represent the apostasy [the turning away from truth] of Israel and Judah (Ezek chap 23)?
E) If adornment is acceptable to God, why does Jeremiah use a seductive woman decked out in ornaments, and with painted eyes, to represent the politically abandoned Israel [invaded, taken captivity], who is trying without success to attract her [Israel’s] former pagan allies [foreign powers] (Jer 4:30; Note Hosea 2:13)?
F) If adornment is acceptable to God, why does God’s Word talk about Jezebel, decked out in ornaments, and with painted eyes, who made a determined effort to seduce the Israelites into idolatry (2 Kings 9:30)?
G) If adornment is acceptable to God, why is a prostitute, arrayed in jewellery, used to represent the End-time worldwide apostate [false] religious power (Rev 17:4)?
H) If adornment is acceptable to God, why is the bride of Christ, representative of the Church, dressed modestly in pure fine linen without any ornaments (Rev 19:7,8)?
I) If adornment is acceptable to God, why are the angels shown as dressed in pure fine linen, and without any ornaments (Rev 15:6)?
J) If adornment is acceptable to God, why did the apostle Paul tell women to dress themselves modestly and not to deck themselves out in ornaments [regarding public worship] (1 Tim 2:9,11)?
K) If adornment is acceptable to God, why did the apostle Peter tell women not to deck themselves out in ornaments [regarding the home, and in general] (1 Peter 3:1-4)?

In Heaven where there's holiness, righteousness and humbleness, all that glitters isn't a problem, but where fallen, sinful humanity is, all that glitters is and has been a problem. Oh, pride, vanity and covetousness. So much for self forgetfulness.
We are a "peculiar" people (1 Peter 2:9), a people that God wants to come out of the world and not copy or embrace its pagan ways. We're to be different.
Yes, God may use precious stones for His purposes, and that's His prerogative, but such isn't to be taken as okay for us.

Sources available

12. A Question For You

Have you seen these particular texts before, noticed the connections between them, and obvious importance?

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa 8:20, NJKV).

“ ‘But this I [Paul] confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets’ ” (Acts 24:14, NKJV).

“And the dragon was enraged with the woman [the Christian Church], and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 12:17, NKJV).

“And I [John] fell at his feet to worship him [an angel]. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ ” (Rev 19:10, NKJV).

13. About Prophets

Source available.

1) Prophecy comes to us from God through His prophets, a true prophet prophesizes in the name of the Lord, not in his own name (2 Peter 1:21; Rev 1:1,2), and true prophets will exalt God and Christ rather than themselves (Jer 1:4-9; 2 Cor 10:5).
2) A true prophet will speak in harmony with the Bible (Isa 8:20; Deut 13:1-3).
3) God’s law and prophets tend to be found together (Lam 2:9; Ezek 7:26; Jer 26:4-6; Prov 29:18).
4) A true prophet acts in accordance with the will and approval of God (Deut 18:9-12).
5) A true prophet will reprove of sin, point out the sins and transgressions of the people of God, and warn the people of God’s coming judgment (Ezekiel 3:17-19; Isa 58:1; 24:20,21; Rev 14:6-7).
6) A true prophet will emphasize the necessity of Jesus in the heart (1 John 4:1-3).
7) A true prophet will live a godly life, will produce good fruit, and will be recognized by the results of his/her work (Matt 7:15-20).
8) A true prophet’s words will be in harmony with the words of the prophets that have preceded him (Isa 8:20).
9) A true prophet recognizes the incarnation of Jesus Christ (1 John 4:1-3).
10) A true prophet edifies [spiritually uplifts] the church, counsels and advises it in religious matters (1 Cor 14:3-4).
11) The predictions of a true prophet will come to pass, a true prophet does not lie (Deut 18:21,22). However, it must be borne in mind that prophecies can be conditional, and that prophets may not at first always grasp correctly what God is revealing.
12) The messages of a true prophet bring comfort and encouragement to the people of God (2 Peter 1:19; 1 Cor 14:3).
The counsel of a true prophet protects from unbiblical errors and enables the people of God to obey His Written Word (Eph 4:11-16).
13) We are commanded not to despise prophets, but to test them, we must test them by the Word of God (1 Thess 5:20,21; Isa 8:20).
14) The prophets are the eyes of the church (1 Sam 9:9; Luke 11:34; Prov 29:18).
15) A true prophet will have visions and dreams (Num 12:6). While in vision, a prophet has no breath, and his natural strength is gone until the angel strengthens him (Dan 10:17-18). While in vision, a prophet can nevertheless speak (Dan 10:15,16). While in vision, a prophet keeps his eyes open (Num 24:16). While in vision a prophet is unconscious of his surroundings (2 Cor 12:2,4).
16) Christ warned against false prophets (Matt 7:15). Satan can use counterfeits to divert attention from the genuine.
17) Both men and women can be called as prophets of God (Jude 14; Ex 3:9,10; 1 Kings 17:1-3; Luke 1:13-17; Rev 1:10; Ex 15:20; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; Luke 2:36; Acts 21:9). Women as well as men participated in the prophetic ministry of the apostolic church. The exact nature of the prophetic ministry is not clearly defined in the New Testament. Its primary [main] function appears to have been to serve the Christian community through edification, encouragement, counselling and consolation (1 Cor 14:3,4; Acts 15:21). Prophets functioned not as appointed leaders of the congregation, but as private believers with a God-given message of exhortation for the congregation. The office of prophet was not restricted to anyone but was open in a sense to everyone (1 Cor 14:31). While women shared in the prophetic ministry of encouraging, guiding and exhorting the Christian communities, there are no indications that they were ever appointed to serve as the representative leaders [elders/pastors].
18) The abiding gift of prophecy provides counsel and guidance before a crisis (Gen 6:9-17; Ex 3:4-12; 4:10-16; Deut 4:10-12; 1 Kings 17:1; 18:20-41; 2 Kings 2:11-13; Mark 1:2-5; Luke 7:28).
19) The gift of prophecy is a blessing from God to mankind, and it will remain in the church until the end of time (Eph 4:7-16).
21) The weakest of the weak may be called to this work (1 Cor 1:27-29; 2 Cor 12:9).
 

14. Muses

You should not judge — some people say — and then do, quite harshly,
You should show love — some people say — then don’t, quite commonly,
You shouldn’t compromise — some folk say — then do, quite badly,
And some create divisions while hollering unity.

Confused? Me too!

Although He’s a God of love, our God calls a spade a spade,
And within His Holy Word, His clear wishes are conveyed.
Therefore, I’m somewhat baffled by various things I see
At variance with His will within Christianity.


Are you a breach repairer and a watchman on the wall,
Or are you aiding error that could be your own downfall?
Thus will you heed God’s warning to uphold and guard His truth,
Or will your foolish actions just reveal prophesied proof?


I’d never say, “Hi God,” as that’s no way to greet a King,
For such a common greeting with a flippancy would ring.
Not the Father nor the Son would I casually address,
For such familiarity Heaven could hardly bless.


No matter how great a man is, he’s simply a man, that’s all,
So you don’t treat him like some god, mentally at his feet fall.
Nor literally, as if worthy, for no man is, not one,
Be they a president, pope, or king, so don’t glorify none.


When churches merge, form a council — an ecumenical power block — oh, Christian, please beware,
For we’re not looking at unity, but compromise and confusion, which always wrongly steer.
Such laughs at the reformers who fought against such foolishness, aware of where such soon leads to,
Which in time we’ll surely witness given that a scene is being set, whereby, things will go askew.
Yes,
Dangers oft lie in ideas that seem good, but which the discerning see are not so, and say so,
Knowing very well that from such, given time and chance, baleful results will invariably show.


Bigotry is another word that can often be used in place of “me,”
A tiny word that can describe someone who cannot handle liberty.
And by that I mean, those beliefs of others that are not the same as theirs,
Hence their negative response that an immature close-mindedness declares.


The Christian walk entails a cross, a cross that we all must bear — a personal cross — for all must die to self, and,
Thus in Christ’s suffering share, which all do who the way of salvation dare, for opposition comes to those who stand.
That is, those who don’t give in to man’s demands, (as opposed to God’s), and who never compromise or the world embrace,
And who therefore remain faithful to their dear Lord and Saviour, who out of love, and on Golgotha, took their place.


How could I pretend to be God the Father or His Son,
For surely that is something neither clearly would want done.
Not one of Christ’s disciples would have done such in their day,
So, why do Christian actors think that now it’s quite okay.

Yes, “Love your enemies,” we’re told, and I assume that such means those who would seek to cause us much injury,
Even take our life, that is — like they sought to take Christ’s life, and did; or simply cause much pain and misery.
And yet, so-called irreconcilable differences have Christian partners hardly talking anymore,
If at all, and even worse goes on, both before and after either spouse has left slamming their marital door.


They stride into the sanctuary,
Their feet perilously perched on finger thin heels, too much flesh above the knee,
Too much flesh exposed below the neck-cum-a certain sexuality.
Yes, their skirts tight and certain to rise on sitting, the eyes of men responding,
And then everyone is seen to stand and “Holy, Holy, Holy” sing.

15. My Own Quotes

Where God’s Word is not the final authority, someone obviously thinks that their word is.

When what we desire clashes with what God wants, we have a problem of our own choosing.

If you want a spiritual high, don’t dwell on what’s below.

Many are very knowledgeable when it comes to God’s Word, but grossly ignorant about what it’s actually saying.

When we’ve dressed down for church, we’ve clearly forgotten to look up.

One cherished little sin can have as detrimental an effect as that little stone that felled the giant Philistine.

Truth is no more popular today than it was in Christ’s day.

Instead of saying a prayer, be an answer to a prayer.

A watered down gospel may stretch further, but it won’t be as filling, nutritious, satisfying, or lasting.

Little faith, little God.

A one size fits all new age spirituality, or generic religion, may appeal universally, but it will never appeal to the God who proclaims specific truths that are not to be added to, subtracted from, nor exchanged for peace or unity.

When preachers mix the Gospel with comedy, guess Who’s not laughing?

I’ve yet to see a faith healer who can replace a missing limb, restore sight to the certified blind, heal a paraplegic, or cure the likes of Down’s syndrome.

When faith healers achieve superstar status, live extravagant lifestyles, and sport the trinkets of their success, you can rest assured that they’re not of heavenly origin; not in harmony with Scripture; that their healings are unable to withstand serious scrutiny; and that their bank deposits are the result of a well orchestrated campaign.

Given that Scripture clearly states that God is the head of the Church, upon whose authority would any man claim that he is?

I find it intriguing how many discard the Old Testament, yet conveniently point to it in order to prove the validity of a certain action they take.

Grace is a non-exchangeable gift.

It's one thing for God to forgive, quite another for Him to excuse.

God’s Word — believe it, trust it, uphold it, defend it, read it, dwell on it, live it, preach it, share it, apply it, and test all and everything by it.

Christians should be carriers of infectious joy.

God's Ten Commandments are commandments, not suggestions.

Self esteem is built on man, (just sinking sand), while self worth is built on God, (the solid Rock).

Too many confuse grace with licence, when it was licence that created our need of grace.

It's interesting to note that the Sabbath commandment is the forth one, and that the commandment not to steal is the eighth one. Thus, could there be some connection, and could that be one reason why God begins the forth commandment with, "Remember...?"

God’s truths are both clear and simple; only men muddy and complicate them.

Christians need to remember that throughout God’s Word the issue has always raged around loyalty to God or man, (Satan), true worship as opposed to false worship, truth as opposed to heresy, obedience as opposed to rebellion, willing adherence as opposed to legalistic adherence, true Christianity as opposed to a form of Christianity, and that the great controversy is all about Satan attempting to get the glory and honour that belongs to God.

Given that Satan is in the business of cunningly presenting counterfeits that closely resemble the truth, each Christian needs to be very in tune with their God, His Word, will and ways.

"I'll pray for you" too often means instead of.

The saddest thing that I've seen in Christianity is bigotry, and this, just because someone walks a different path, and views things differently.

"Thou shalt not kill" — but I'll just keep this gun in case I need to. Did I just miss something?

Grace shows God’s love for us. Obedience shows our love for Him. Thus, mercy on His behalf, and gratefulness on our behalf — our genuine gratefulness being displayed by our fruits, which are but the workings and empowerings of the Holy Spirit in union with our receptive, willing, and conscious daily application of God’s will, having come to a knowledge of such, and so desiring to become like Him in character, word and deed.

If grace secured salvation without obedience from there on, then sinners could keep on sinning so long as they “believed,” which would be sanctioned hypocrisy — and what point our Lord’s example?

Christ died for sinners, not the rebellious.

Grace is not an immunity pin that frees us from the consequences of continuing in sin.

If grace freed Christians from the consequences of disobedience, obedience would no doubt become a forgotten word, Christians only so in name, and God’s Law nothing but a relic from the past that unfairly penalized pre-Calvary and showed its author to be unjust.

To pursue some Christian good while not being good to some Christian, is hardly Christianity, and more a charade.

It’s biblical to disagree with another Christian, and to challenge and refute their beliefs, but it’s never biblical to mock either them or their beliefs.

Evidence of un-Christ-like prejudice and unbiblical behaviour within Christianity is soon discovered by those who become a member of a minority denomination.

Halloween teaches young children that the macabre and ghoulish are fun, thus paving the way for an interest in the occult where everything from blood sacrifices to sexual initiations come orgies are an integral part of its evil, demonic doings.

The alienation, mistreatment, or persecution of any Christian or Christians, regardless of their denomination, is a crime that God views as being of no mean order, and thus those who indulge in such coming under His judgment of condemnation. Matthew 25:31-46 applies in principle to any neglect or mistreatment, and clearly includes every single person on Earth given that Christ died for all, and that all are His creation.

God’s gift of grace is for the fallen, not the perfect, (not that anyone is perfect) — grace being something that’s extended to the guilty and undeserving who can’t work, buy, bargain, or argue themselves out of their situation.

When Christians turn to the State as their collective saviour, they show their lack of faith in their personal Saviour.

Best we pray like we mean it.

There’s no such thing as Christian rock, unless we’re talking about the Christian’s Rock, who, unlike carnal, earthly beings, would never be seen to rock.

Sin always has its price tag, and is never a bargain.

Grace isn’t a door mat to wipe our sin on.

If we truly love our children, we, as part of the love we have for them, will set boundaries, instruct, advise, warn and discipline them. So tell me, why are most churches only interested in dishing our warm fuzzies and generic sermons — such being somewhat akin to a diet that only consists of sweets, cakes and puddings.

What we do to others, we always do to God’s children.

If we don't like it straight, we're at odds with God and His Word.

It’s not enough for anyone to simply accept Christ as their Saviour and nothing more, (in order to be saved), as all who do accept Christ as their Saviour need to clearly know His will for the Christian via prior teaching. For should such folk later discover that His will doesn't suit, and thus they not falling into line with it, their initial acceptance of Christ as their Saviour will amount to a sham, and as a consequence make a mockery of their profession of faith — they mere hypocrites who desire Heaven but not God’s righteousness, and who thereby void His grace.

If ever there was a generation of followers less prepared for the return of Christ, it’s this one, given their worldliness, compromise and biblical ignorance.

If grace is mercy, then there’s nothing we can do to earn it, for such would cancel it out.

God’s love never runs out of puff.

Eternity with Christ will never be long enough.

That Satan’s still alive is evidence that he misread our Creator.

God’s grace is a temporary shelter made permanent by loyalty.

Our victories are but the Spirit’s triumphs.

A lack of faith in God is often the reason why we pursue what or whom we shouldn’t and end up without or regretful; and this, after having insulted the One who can do the impossible but whose timeframe oft requires patience.

God's grace is a gift that longs for evidence of gratefulness which is shown by obedience.

It’s funny how God’s clarity isn’t clear to many Christians.

Worldliness will cost you your Christian integrity.

If Noah came back to life, I'm sure that he would be called on again.

Satan had his motives and Christ bears the evidence.

Truth is like a jigsaw puzzle. Either you get it all together or you don’t. And if you don’t....

Where people have a problem with the words of God it’s usually because of the words of men.

If you’re not on Satan’s hit list, you’re hardly an asset to God.

Compromise is somewhat like a promise one never kept.

The only thing one misses out on by living a righteous life, is the destructive, degrading and imprisoning.

The further one moves from God, the less one recognises it, and therefore, what one wears, watches, reads, listens to, or does, becomes less and less in line with Christian principles and standards, and thus further from the path of righteousness.

Too many Christians have taken the Christ out of Christianity.

The love of many Christians only goes so far, and this is why they only partly know Christ.

The more men reject God's truth giving light, the more they plunge into Satan's realm of darkness.

To try and do without God is to try and do without nothing.

If your religion can't handle criticism, it's a dangerous one.

As far as "salt" goes, we're either selfishly preserving ourselves or seasoning the lives of others.

If the hearts not pure, God's the only cure.

16. Three Things On My "To Do" List If I Were The Devil

At some stage in the future I would suddenly appear on Earth impersonating Christ with my supernatural powers. Having convinced folk via my heavenly appearance and godly words, I would endorse some humanity entrapping power that would aid me in getting control of all.

Before hand, I would seek to reverse the Protestant Reformation-cum-dilute or dismantle the various denominations, and this, in order to get all under one political-religious umbrella whereby I could enforce my heresy on all, get everyone effectively worshipping me, carrying out my will.

In order to prepare folk for my supernatural manifestations, (which that worldwide power would also appear to manifest), I would saturate the world with anything occultic and mystical, hence the likes of ghosts, apparitions, mediums, wizards, witchcraft, magic, fantasy, science fiction, vampires, trolls, hobbits, and so on, and New Age gobbledegook. The latter, (along with heresy), would have folk turning away from truth, sense, righteousness, and even God himself, they thus more easily falling for the lies that I would spin.

“...for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived” (Rev 18:23, NKJV).

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thess 2:9,10, NIV).