Nameless

          There are a lot of famous and well-known names in the Bible. Each fulfilling a purpose of God and bringing his truth of salvation to the world for all to receive. There are also nameless people in the Bible who played an important biblical role and fulfilled very important purposes/lessons. We see the man on the cross that repented, Pharaoh’s daughter who adopts Moses, Jesus forgives the adulteress, Jesus heals the blind, demon possessed and lame, etc. The one I am going to focus on is the servant of Abraham in Genesis 24. It is also the longest chapter in Genesis.  

            Genesis 24, starts off with the mention of Abraham being very old and asking his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household to complete a very important task. “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives and find a wife there for my son Isaac.” Of course when given this task the servant was afraid that he may not find the right wife and that she may not travel back with him such a great distance. He asks Abraham if I can’t find a wife, do you want me then to take Isaac to live among your relatives in the land you came from? Abraham says no, and that God will send an angel ahead of you and that you will find a wife there. Abraham was completely against letting Isaac go back home as he had continued faith in God’s promise that he will give this land he lived in currently to his descendants. The servant agrees to the oath and heads on his way back to his master’s homeland.  

            The servant packs expensive gifts from his master and settled in the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor settled. He made the camels kneel beside a well outside the town and the woman were coming out to draw water as it was evening time. The servant then prays to God, “O Lord, God of my master, Abraham. Please give me success today and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. See, I am standing here beside this spring and the young woman of the town are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink and I will water your camels, too!’-let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.” No matter how difficult the task, the servant shows his faithfulness by praying to God who is his provider. He has that connection and relationship with the one true God.  

            Rebekah comes out with her water jug before he even finishes the prayer, is a virgin and was very beautiful. She went down to the well and filled up her jug. Running over to her, the servant said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.” “Yes, my lord,” she answered, “have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulders and gave him a drink. After that she also said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink.” Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and his wife, Milcah. The servant gave her a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrist. God gave him success on his mission and he bowed low and worshipped the Lord. The servant went and stayed at Laban’s house who was Rebekah’s brother. So the servant before he eats, wants to tell Laban and Bethuel his purpose for coming here to his master’s homeland. He tells them about the oath, if the family refuses for the bride to come back with him and about his prayer just prior to arriving to the homeland of his master and seeing Rebekah.  

            In Verse 50-52, Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The Lord has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say. Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.” When Abraham’s servant heard their answer, he bowed down to the ground and worshipped the Lord. They gave their blessings and Rebekah and her childhood nurse went along with her, to meet her groom. Isaac was meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming. Rebekah asks the servant, “who is this man walking through the fields to meet us?” He replies, “It is my master,” and she covered her face with a veil. The servant then told Isaac everything that he had done and fulfilled the oath to his father. Rebekah became his wife and Isaac loved her deeply and was a comfort to him after the death of his mother, Sarah. The last we hear about the servant is when he tells Isaac all that he had done.  

            Abraham was very old and probably weak physically during this time. This servant was in charge of Abraham’s entire household, which means Abraham trusted this man with everything that he had. He was not only obedient but we can see his faith many times in this chapter when he bowed down and prayed to God. He did not pray to Abraham or his wealth, but he knew the real God that he worshiped could answer his prayers. The servant’s purpose was to find a bride for Isaac and not from the ungodly people in the Canaanite area. God knew it was important that the servant went back and found a woman who was full of faith to continue the promised covenant he had made with Abraham, which was to multiply his descendants. This was not a small task because we know many people in the Bible who married ungodly partners, which brought sin and destruction into their lives. The servant helps continue the lineage of God’s people from Isaac to his son Jacob (Israel) and to the 12 tribes of Israel. This servant was not mentioned anywhere or given a name yet his purpose was of utmost significance and importance.  

            There are parallels to this story from the Trinity standpoint and who the bride will be in the end times. Abraham represents God in this story, Isaac represents Jesus and the servant is represented by the Holy Spirit. Jesus returns to heaven to prepare his kingdom and as it says in John 16:7-8, But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of sin and of God’s righteousness and of the coming judgement. The Holy Spirit is the servant in this story and God gave the servant a purpose to fulfill. He must go and find a wife for Isaac. There is no name given to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is of truth, guides all to the truth and speaks not on his own but from God and will tell you what he has heard. Just like the servant who speaks for Abraham. Verse 15, All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ There will never be division between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and they are the one voice of truth. The Holy Spirit brings spiritual gifts to each one of us that glorifies God and to help each other (just as the servant brought gifts to Rebekah). I Corinthians 12:8-11, To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice, to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives on person the power to perform miracles and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.  

            The bride is the Church (Believers) and we need the Holy Spirit to guide us to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is not someone that comes once in a while but we need him every moment of our life. The servant travelled with Rebekah until she was given to Isaac her groom. That is the last we hear of the servant in the passage. The same way the Holy Spirit is here to comfort us, give us gifts and guide us into the loving hands of Christ, our groom. The Church must be pure just like the groom and spotless. Ephesians 5:25-27, For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for here to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to represent her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. This is what is expected of us as the Church to be Christ’s bride.  

We currently live in a world that is focused about fame, popularity, importance and titles. Society only caring about status and how to remain relevant day to day. We see it in the church also, many wanting to become a big time church pastor, live the celebrity life and use their fame for earthly gains/pleasures. You can pack all the large venues, have a billion followers but if the Holy Spirit is not guiding that event, it is all in vain. Our name only needs to be associated with Christ rather than putting importance on the vain things of the world. What many forget is that we are here to serve, I Peter 4:10, God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. He was the King of Kings, the Son of God, sinless yet he loved us enough to sacrifice his life for our sins and died on that cross. Our greatest purpose is to serve God’s will, whether anyone in this world knows our name or not. Whether behind the scenes, volunteering, donating, speaking to a friend about Jesus, or praying for a friend, every part of the Christian life only glorifies God’s name and not our own. Our God knows each of us before we were even born and we will be together in eternity. So do not focus your life to be a name in a sinful society rather than being a name known by God. Sometimes to be nameless in this world is a blessing as long as our name is in the most important book, The Book of Life! 

Love

        2 Timothy 3:2-5, For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. The will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! We can see the three types of love that will be overtaking the world at the end times. There will be a “Self Love”, “Love of Money/Possessions” and “Love of Pleasure,” spirits engulfing this world. These types of love are corrupting our world and the devil is using it to break our relationship with Christ.  

          We can see a new type of religion already brewing in many churches, this “Self Love” culture. It has all become about “I” and about my “Truth.” They become unloving and unforgiving towards those who do not agree with their truths. This selfishness is the same type of love that engulfed Satan to revolt against God. Isaiah 14:13-14, For you said to yourself, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High. This self-love caused Satan to be thrown out of paradise forever, took 1/3 of other angels with him and their end will be in the lake of fire at the day of judgement. The devil wanted to be like God, but even greater than God himself. This self-love, Satan used to convince Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. He attempts to convince Eve that she can be like God. Genesis 3:5, “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil. This is what the world is like today, wanting to be their own God. Following their own commandments about life and sin without consequences. They believe they are higher than God’s judgement and rules. Self-love is defiant to God and his commandments. So many churches do not preach about repentance and sin, rather they accept sin to fit this world. Their judgement will come from God. We can’t be lovers of ourselves, or only think about “I”, because God’s purpose for us is to serve. Galatians 5:13, For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature (Previous Post Nature). Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.  

          The next type of love we see is the love of money or covetousness, which is lovers of wealth and possession. Now more than ever, society is trying to find a quick way to make money rather than hard work through education. America in 2018 was ranked 27^thin healthcare and education and I am sure even lower when the next ranking comes out. The self-proclaimed title of “influencer,” is not a real job! To be an influencer, money and fame is your idol and not God. They spend every second of their day trying to make sure they get enough views and likes to keep their money flow going. Their world is not real and as it says in Mark 8:36-37, And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul. Is anything worth more than your soul? The devil wants you to be distracted so he can steal your soul away from God. The soul is priceless and there is nothing in this world that can compete with it. That is the devil’s main goal, to steal as many souls from God before the final judgement. When we worry more about our possessions than our relationship with God, we are going down a dangerous path. I Timothy 6:10, For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierces themselves with many sorrows. Colossians 3:5, So put to death sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. If we treasure possessions and money more than a relationship with God, we are choosing the world over God. The end will be the loss of our priceless souls.  

          Jesus Christ before starting his ministry was offered all the kingdoms of the world by Satan. Matthew 4:8-10, Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “If you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan, “Jesus told him. For the Scriptures say, You must worship the Lord your god and serve only him.” Everything was offered to Jesus, yet he turned it down because he knows this is just a temporary life. Matthew 6:21, Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. If our desires are of this world, we will never be satisfied. Envy, jealousy and pride will only grow inside. Have we not learned and seen the most richest/famous people in this world, still do not achieve true happiness. They hide their depression, mental illness and sometimes leads to suicide. No one has ever mentioned that those famous people had a true relationship with God. True happiness will never come from anything this world can offer you and will only be short lived. God is offering a paradise for eternity and don’t lose it because you desire possessions and wealth more than a loving relationship with your Heavenly Father.  

          Lovers of pleasure or their own desires, which is our natural sinful nature. I John 2:15-17, Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. If you focus only on the pleasures and desires of this world, you will never be satisfied. You will never be satisfied if you only crave your desires. It will be a bottomless pit of regret and condemnation. James 1:4, Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 2 Timothy 2:22, Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Sexual impurity, adultery is on the rise, fornication is promoted rather than marriage and people are living together and having children before getting married. The world has become about enjoying pleasure now and dealing with the consequences later. Our natural desires and our heart will always pull us towards sin. It is only because of the Holy Spirit are we able to lift up the curtain the devil has over our eyes and to understand the truth. Galatians 5:16-26, So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Popular society is trying to influence the world into accepting sin and the belief that if you ask God for forgiveness every time, you can continue sinning. They do not teach what true repentance means. Their actions continually go against the word of God and they seek their own pleasure to be satisfied. The sad part is that true joy and happiness comes only from God and nothing can satisfy like our relationship with Christ. Our desires should be to obey, read, learn, pray, fast and build our relationship with God. Matthew 6:33, See the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need. We must not become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.  

So what is true love? True Love is measured by OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS! You can’t say you love God and not obey his commandments. Jesus is speaking to his disciples, John 14:15, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” The most important commandment is mentioned in Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” As believers there are really only two types of people in this world to us, those who believe in Christ and those who do not. Do not let those who don’t believe in Christ twist love to make sin acceptable and cause you to stray. God’s commandments can never be changed or altered to fit sin. We can’t know God’s commandments if we do not know his words. It so important to read, study and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the truth. He was sent for that very purpose to be our Comforter and Guide till Christ’s return. We as servants of Christ are expected as it says in 2 Timothy 2:24-26, A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. Love for God is crucial above all wants and desires of this world.  

I John 4:7-21, Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us and his love brought to full expression in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them and they live in God. We know how much God loves us and we have put our trust in his love. God is love and who live in love live in God and God lives in them. As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgement, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is fear of punishment and this shows that we have not fully experiences his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. If some says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.  

The Flood

                 When Hurricane Ida hit and caused so much destruction around the country, I was telling my son about all the homes, property and streets that got flooded. He answered me by saying, but God promised He wouldn’t flood the world again. Of course he is referring to Noah and God’s promise to never destroy the earth again with a flood. I did tell my son that is true, but God did not promise He wouldn’t bring other waves of destruction to the earth before His return. Luke 21:6, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Verse 10-11, “Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and there will be famines and plagues in many lands and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.” Revelation clearly defines that this world will be destroyed to bring the re-birth of the new heaven and earth. God’s Kingdom will be the everlasting one that no one can ever conquer or destroy.  

              No matter when the season of God’s return the Bible does mention that the end times will be very similar to the way it was during Noah’s time. Matthew 24:37-39, When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered the boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. We have seen over the past year the doctrines of Christ being distorted to fit the lives of sinners and an increase acceptance of sin. No one expected Ida to cause this much damage to places that have never been known for flooding. People had to leave their cars on the road because the water was so high. Property and many people’s earthly treasures were destroyed. Many living in New Orleans lost everything they possessed in an instant. So many have died so suddenly that I am afraid they did not repent and give their life to Christ before their death. Countless lives lost in Afghanistan and many were Christians. Nothing is guaranteed in this life. 

               The people that lived during those times, I think they would even agree that the world looks even worse than the times of Noah/Sodom and Gomorrah. Luke 17:28-32, And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business-eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building-until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be business as usual right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! This is exactly the world today. No care in the world, living their best life now and not thinking about their eternity. Seeing value in your life only by the followers and likes on your Social Media account. So many believe this is the only life they have and because of that, their souls are headed towards the fiery pit. James 4:14, How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. Time on this earth is short, just look what is happening around us in places like Afghanistan, earthquakes in Mexico, Covid-19 killed millions without warning. This death is only the first death, but the second death is the punishment for those who did not obey God’s commands in this life. Revelation 21:8, But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murders, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshippers and all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Revelation 20:14-15, Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.  

   Revelation 12:12, Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time. Satan is going to flood our lives with as much sin/temptation as possible because he knows his time is limited. He is coming for the believers, our churches, family structure and to distort God’s commandments. Society as a whole is probably worse now than they were during the time of Noah. 2 Timothy 3:2-5, For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. The will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! The world openly criticizes God’s word and His truth. Twist His truth to fit their sin and do not repent. They openly deny His existence and live their life according to their own sinful nature (Previous Post – Nature). 2 Peter 3:3-10, Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of His command and He brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then He used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgement, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Those that mock God will answer at the judgment. He wants all to be saved but the world continues to harden their hearts to His Grace (Previous Post- Grace) and Mercy.  

               This earth will go through so many calamities during the end times. We can see in Revelation 6, the 1^st 4 seals are broken by the Lamb (Jesus) who is only worthy to do it. They ride horses and are given authority over-one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease in wild animals. When the 6^th seal is broken, there was a great earthquake. The sun became dark as black cloth and the moon became as red as blood. Then the stars of the sky was rolled up like a scroll and all the mountains and islands were moved from their places. Then everyone-the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful and every slave and free person-all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountain. God’s wrath is just beginning to come on this world. Revelation 16, mentions Armageddon where all the demonic spirits will gather, all the rulers and their armies to battle God’s army. Verse 17-21, Then the 7^th angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple, saying, “It is finished!” Then the thunder crashed and rolled and lightning flashed! A great earthquake struck-the worst since people were placed on earth. The great city of Babylon split into three sections and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins and He made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine and His fierce wrath. And every island disappeared and all the mountains were leveled. There was a terrible hailstorm and hailstones weighing as much as seventy-five pounds fell from the sky onto the people below. They cursed God because of the terrible plague of hailstorm. The end result will be, Revelation 21:1-4, Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.  

   I believe we have declined morally and spiritually as a whole, like in the times of Noah. Sin is more prevalent and accepted now in our society. Due to technology being so easily accessible, this allows sin to occur much easier in our lives. Social media glamorizes sin through celebrities and wanting young minds to fit in with society. They rather fit in with sinful society than be an outcast for Christ. We are being flooded with sin at all angles and can be lost because we do not know Christ or His Truth! Those who believe can see the wickedness rising in our world. When you are spiritually weak the devil can easily influence your mind. Whatever the flood may be in your life, remember we have a Redeemer and a Deliverer. God has a way of using storms to bring us to places in our lives that we would not have gone on our own. Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. God wants to show you that this world can’t hide from his wrath and no matter how strong your infrastructure is, it will fail.  2 Peter 3:11-13, Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, He will set the heavens on fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. Christ is the answer to any Flood causing damage in our lives whether spiritually, physically or mentally. No army, fortified castle, safe room, underground bunker can protect us if God judges us to be a sinner and we will face his coming wrath. With everything that is going on this world, only one thing is sure…. that Christ is returning! 

 

Nature

           The definition of human nature is the general psychological characteristics, feelings and behavioral traits of humankind, regarded as shared by all humans. What does the Bible tells us about our human nature? Our human nature is to sin and this causes harm to our relationship with God. Our self-nature is destructive, just look at the world around us and we can see the proof. We are controlled by our sinful nature and we alone can never defeat our nature to sin. Romans 8:3, The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Romans 7:5, When we are controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. Jeremiah 17:9, The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Romans 8:8, Those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Our sinful nature always wants to do evil. How can we fight against our sinful nature?  

            When we love this world more than God, our sinful nature will drive our decisions. All the sins of the world, lusts, addiction, greed, adultery, sodomy, gluttony, anger, pride, lack of self-control, focusing on status, etc., will be in control of our lives. I John 2:15-17, Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only cravings for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. How do we please God? By obeying His commandments. The first step is accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Romans 10:9, If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised from the dead, you will be saved. The next step is John 3:5-7, Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ Accepting Jesus and Baptism will cause a rebirth. 2 Corinthians 5:17, anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. Our sinful nature can be washed away with acceptance and baptism, allowing the Spirit to drive our nature.  

            There is a battle between our spirit and the flesh, which is our human nature. We must live by the Spirit’s power and guidance. Galatians 5:16-25, So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces the kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Only way we can defeat our human nature is by living in the Spirit of God. It will only direct you towards Godly desires and can help warn us against the devil’s evil intentions.  

            We must continually read, pray, fast, learn and desire God to have the Spirit within us. You must let God into your heart so His Spirit can lead you. We are a slave to the Spirit, rather than being a slave to sin. Romans 6:16-18, Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin and you have become slaves to righteous living. We who believe know that sin leads to death and hell. We can’t live a righteous life without the Spirit in us. This world is being attacked by Satan and his forces, against every righteous doctrine of Christ currently. He is deceiving, twisting and lying to the world under the disguise of being like Christ. The world doesn’t even recognize it because they are still a slave to sin. 2 Corinthians 4:4-5, Satan who is the god of this world, has blinded minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’s sake. We are servants to the world to glorify Christ to change their sinful nature before it is too late.  

The Holy Spirit is the key to this war between the flesh and spirit. When baptized we are also born of the Spirit. It is the comforter and power that can help us overcome the bondage of sin. I Corinthians 2:9-16, No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. When you imitate Christ (previous post) and have the Holy Spirit inside you, guiding you, sin is defeated. Our sinful nature will always lose to the Holy Spirit. Reading the Bible for yourself will give an opening for the Spirit to show you God’s Truths. Without knowing God’s Word the world can easily deceive you. The Spirit will never lead you astray and will never contradict the Word of God because it is from God.  

There are consequences of our sinful nature and be watchful who you listen too, follow or teach false doctrine yourself. In 2 Peter 2, Peter speaks about false teachers and they can lead you to a sinful nature rather than to God. God does not show any partiality and He even did not spare the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness where they are being held until the day of judgement. Verse 10-15, He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling. But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings. These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand and like animals, they will be destroyed. Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. They commit adultery with their eyes and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people to sin and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. Verse 18-19, They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. God will punish those who lead His children astray and it is because they don’t have the Spirit guiding them. When you know what the Bible says and allow the Spirit inside your heart, it will never lead you to false doctrine or false teachers. It will show you the truth and if someone is speaking God’s truth.  

When we become a new person our old life is gone and sin’s power is broken. We become controlled by the Spirit and it seeks out God’s purpose in your life. Romans 6:6-9, We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. We can defeat sin in our lives because we are more concerned with things of the Spirit and God. Romans 8:5-14, Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children (Children of God previous post) of God. If we live according to our sinful nature we will surely die but with the power of the Spirit our nature can be changed and sin defeated.   

If you want spiritual peace in your life and eternal life, seek what the Spirit seeks, which is God! Ephesians 4:21-24, Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy. Colossians 3:9-11, Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature and be renewed as your learn to know your Creator and be like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters and he lives in all of us. You have a choice whether to be a slave to your sinful nature or allow the Spirit to drive your life. Desire and crave for the Spirit of God because it will lead you to eternal life. Colossians 3:5, So put to death sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. We don’t want to be around when God’s wrath comes upon those who have publicly denied His Truths. The Spirit of God is waiting for you and it will transform your sinful nature into God’s nature!  

 

Grace

            The definition of Grace, is God’s favor/gift towards the unworthy, or God’s benevolence on the undeserving. It is a virtue of God and He gives it to us freely and we are undeserving of it. We have done nothing and can’t do anything to obtain grace in any shape or form. It is a gift from God to all mankind. If we could obtain grace by individual acts, then grace would cease to exist. Romans 11:6, Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace. Grace, love and mercy are all closely connected when it pertains to the attributes of God. Ephesians 2:4-10, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. 

Grace was given to mankind in the beginning of the Bible and grace is given to all who accept Christ till the very end of Revelation. God created Adam in his own image from dust and from the ground He breathed the breath of life into his nostrils (Genesis 2:7). God created Eden and in the middle of the garden planted the tree of life as well as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God gives Adam one commandment, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die (Genesis 2:16-17).” God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone and caused a deep sleep and took a rib from him and created woman, which Adam later named Eve. If we look closely we see that Eve added to God’s commandment when she was being deceived by the devil. Genesis 3:3, “But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’” The devil of course deceives Eve into eating from the tree and she gives it to Adam. It may have been God’s plan to have Adam and Eve eat from the tree of life and live forever. But because of disobedience I believe they had a spiritual death and the connection with God was destroyed. Genesis 3:22-24, The Lord God said, “Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat and live forever.” So the Lord God sent him away from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. God had every reason and right to punish Adam and Eve with death at that very moment of disobedience. But yet His grace, that all are undeserving of, gave us another way to redemption and the ability to one day eat from the tree of life and live forever in heaven. Revelation 22:19, And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, which are written in this book.  

            Jesus Christ was sent to lift the curse, be our redeemer, bring us salvation and free us from the sin committed by Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3:15, God already prophesized that Jesus Christ would strike the head of the serpent (Satan). Because of God’s grace, He already had a plan for our salvation, which was the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for all of mankind’s sin. John 1:14-18, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (See previous post about Truth). (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”) Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side – he has revealed him. God created all things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2) and the grace and truth that are the virtues of God came to us in the form of flesh and blood, in Jesus Christ. It is because of God’s grace and the sacrifice of His own Son, that we who are unworthy, now have access to God! Nothing we achieve or do in this life can ever equal that free gift of grace given to us by our Heavenly Father. Romans 5:8, But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  

            All of us are recipients of God’s grace and we are also to be an instrument of God’s grace to others.             I Peter 4:10-11, Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Jesus commissioned the disciples and all those who believe to spread his good news to all four corners of the earth. We are to live and act like Christ (Read Imitate Me post), so others may see Christ in us and be saved. Grace is full of love and festers no hate. We are to pray for our enemies and bring the lost to Christ.  

            Leprosy was seen as a curse by man as a punishment from God for doing something so evil/sin in the time of Jesus. Lepers had to live separately/quarantined, could not come six feet from an un-infected person and had to wear torn clothing, cover his mouth and lower face and cry out, “Unclean, Unclean when near other people (Leviticus 13:45-46). Imagine the mental, physical and emotional toll that a person with leprosy went through. The world despised you and believed you committed such a horrible sin against God that this was your punishment. You were guilty without a doubt. Your skin had open sores, oozing and loss of sensation in your nerves. Your family could not be with you, couldn’t hug, shake or be around your loved ones. Religious leaders developed strict rules to keep them separated. You could never go to the temple to offer atonement for your sins, so you were not only cut off from humans but also cut off from God. You are abandoned, nameless, faceless, no hope and probably depressed at this point. We now know that Leprosy is caused by an infectious disease (Mycobacterium leprae) and can be treated with medications. In Luke 5:12-16 (Mat 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45), While he was in one of the towns, a man was there who had leprosy all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown and begged him: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the leprosy left him. Then he ordered him to tell no one: “But go and show yourself to the priest and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them.” The leper had so much faith in Christ, that he just knelt down and asked Jesus if you are willing, you can make me clean. Jesus full of grace touched the man who the world would not touch, ignored and healed him completely. Christ’s grace is above all human law and there is no situation in our lives that he can’t save us from. Jesus tells the healed leper to go to the priest to make the required offering which was part of the law so that the man can be restored back into society and no longer be seen as a cursed outcast. We are all cursed in some way or another, whether physically or mentally, but only when we have faith can the grace that is freely given by God restore us.  

            The power of grace has given all access to God and sin will not rule over us any longer. Romans 5:1-2, Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand and we rejoice in the hope and the glory of God. If we do not accept grace, we can see the adversary the devil working in those who are lost. Jude 1:4, For some people, who were designated for this judgement long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Those who deny Christ rather live for the flesh and not the spirit. There will always be a battle between the flesh and spirit. Romans 6:12-14, Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey it desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons of righteousness. For sin will not rule over your, because you are not under the law but under grace. Grace has given us the access to our Heavenly Father and due to God’s grace, it has defeated sin. Our desire is to sin no more after we believe and accept God’s grace. To never go back to the same life and that sin in your life. If you deny grace, you are denying Christ and living a life for the flesh and not the spirit.  

            Grace has given us eternal life and to be a part of God’s Kingdom forever. Romans 5:12-21, Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who do not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgement, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

            Grace is a virtue of God and a gift that has freely been given by God to his people who have faith in Him. Grace has given us access to God, because Christ died for us. Grace has defeated sin, and where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more (Romans 5:20). Those who believe that their sin can’t be forgiven, underestimate the power of God’s grace. Asking God for forgiveness and with true repentance in one’s heart, grace is more powerful and forgiving towards sin. There must be a true change, faith, prayer and grace will help build that relationship with God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away and see, the new has come! Pray without ceasing and take all your burdens to Christ. There is a reason why the Bible ends with Revelation 22:21, The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen. Without the grace of God, none of this would be possible! Accept and know that God’s grace is waiting for you, to change your life and give you access to Him!  

Truth

    It seems now more than ever, those who speak the truth are hated. Believers are trying to share the truth with a world who would rather believe their own truth. Our own opinions seem to matter more than what is true. The dictionary’s definition of truth is a fact or belief that is accepted as true, is verified or is an indisputable fact. John 4:24, God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth. Jesus replies to Pilate when he questions him about being a king. John 18:37, “I was born for this and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Now more than ever we must preach the truth of Christ to the world. If not for our sakes, but our children’s and those still lost. The devil is distorting God’s truth and confusing not only the lost but even those who call themselves believers. What God has created in perfection, the devil imitates and deceives those not walking in the truth.  

    The first step to listening to God’s word and knowing the truth is by confessing and accepting him. Roman 10:9-10, If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. I John 4:14-15, And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God-God remains in him and he in God. If we do not believe Jesus Christ came on this earth as the Son of God, sacrificed his life for our sins and did not rise from the dead on the 3^rdday, then we are not true believers. Muslims believe in Jesus but not as the Messiah but as a prophet. A prophet that went to heaven, who never really died nor was raised from the dead. In their religion he will return to help their Messiah as his prophet or what we know as the Antichrist. This is the devil twisting and deceiving the multitude. The truth is for those who believe in the word of God. We can never force the truth on anyone, but must imitate Christ in our own lives and continually pray for those in darkness and blinded by lies. John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. No other mediator. This also is another deception by the devil. Many pray to Saints when no one in the Bible prayed to anyone else but God and Jesus. Saints are men who lived for Christ and to spread his name, not their own fame. They have no power other than what the Holy Spirit gave them during their time on earth to fight the devil. As well as many who pray to Jesus’ mother Mary. Yes, she was a virgin and was used by God to carry his son. Again a human woman blessed by God and nothing more. There is no passage or text in the Bible where Mary ever asked for prayers or Jesus telling his disciples to pray to his mother. Christ himself says he is the only way to the Father and these other variations are lies and not of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:5-6, For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

    There are many traditions or rituals that are not part of the Word of God. We can’t be forgiven of our sins just because we sit in a box with a priest and they tell you that your sins are forgiven. Especially when many may return back to that same sin. There is no true repentance in their heart. Matthew 9:1-6 (Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26), So he got into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Just then some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “He is blaspheming!” Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking of evil things in your hearts? For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”-then he told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher and go home.” God can only forgive us for our sins against him (Mark 2:7). Romans 3:23, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No man or mediator can forgive us of our sin. Yes, God does want us to forgive others in the human aspect so that we may be forgiven by God for our own sins. Jesus was asked how many times should a person should forgive? Matthew 18:21-22, Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?” “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven.” (Continue to read on about the Master and Servant in verses 23-35). So yes we can forgive our brothers and sisters who sin against us but only God himself can forgive us of our sins. 

    Without the truth we are slaves to sin. Sin keeps us in a prison of darkness but the truth will set us free. John 8:31-36, Then Jesus said to the Jews (speaking to them in the temple) who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” Many people who do not know the truth, don’t even realize they are truly prisoners of the devil. Darkness blinds their eyes and hearts from the truth. To have fellowship with God we must walk in the light and truth. I John 1:5-10, God is light and there is absolutely no darkness in him. If we say, “We have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar and his word is not in us.  

    When we walk in our own truth we are rebellious like the devil towards God. As we continue reading in John 8:37-47, (Jesus speaking) “I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill me because my word has no place among you. I speak what I have seen in the presence of the Father; so then, you do what you have heard from your father.” “Our father is Abraham,” they replied. “If you were Abraham’s children,” Jesus told them, “you would do what Abraham did. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You’re doing what your father does.” “We weren’t born of sexual immorality,” they said. “We have one Father-God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on my own, but he sent me. Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. You are of your father the devil and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.” There has been no other person in history like Jesus and the world can’t deny his truth or existence. They have tried every earthly way to disprove Jesus and yet can’t accept the fact that his truth is undeniable. The Pharisees tried to find sin or fault in Jesus yet could not, and still ended up crucifying a sinless man on the cross. If our nature is not for the truth then we stand in lies and our nature is like the devil.  I Timothy 2:-4, This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. We will be lost without the truth.  

    Many preachers speak about prosperity and earthly treasures, rather than speaking about sin, asking for forgiveness and repenting. There are mega churches that have become more like businesses and are selling Christ like a cheap bobble head to our children. Every day a Christian’s life is a battle against sin and the devil. Ephesians 6:10-19, Finally be strengthened by the Lord and his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against the flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of the darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For his reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Even with all that armor on, there is a reason it says we must PRAY in the Spirit. Prayer is such a powerful weapon against evil. Praying in the Spirit is important, because it is God’s Holy Spirit that will guide you to the truth. I John 4:1-6, Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every Spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard coming; even now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children and you have conquered them, because the one who is in your is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world and the world listens to them. We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from good does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.  

    When we confess who Christ is and have faith, we will have the Holy Spirit guide us to the truth and those who are preaching the truth. The Holy Spirit is sent by God and can’t be preaching anything different from God’s own truth. John 15:26, “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father – the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father – he will testify about me.” John 14:15-17, “If you love me, you will keep my commands. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.” John 14:26, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” Acts 5:32, “We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” We must continually pray for the spirit of Truth. Ephesians 1:17, I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. After Christ had risen he commissioned the disciples. John 20:21-22, Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Most of the disciples were regular day laboring workers, but with the Holy Spirit guiding them, they could speak the truth and have given every person on this earth a chance to have a relationship with Christ our Heavenly Father.  

    Satan’s target is our mind and his weapons are lies. Without God’s Word which is the truth and his Spirit guiding us, we will lose. Numbers 23:19, God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill? Focus on God and not yourselves or society. Sin is sin and there is no exception in God’s eyes. If there was ever a time to pray, it is now. Search for the truth and you will be free from the bondage of sin, see his lies and escape the devil’s prison. Walk in truth, willing to do it God’s way and we will be victorious. The truth is in the Word of God and the Spirit will reveal his truth. Jesus never once downplayed the truth to appease his listeners. There is a war against God’s truths now more than ever.  

 

John 17:17, Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  

Every Word and Commandment of God is being replaced by the devil in society and so many souls are lost. He is targeting the core of God’s commandments and perverting it and deceiving the world. He is using media and public opinion to make sin acceptable. He is attacking our children at an early age in school and using social media to influence their behavior. He wants us to focus on ourselves rather than God. The world is rebelling against God and if we do not teach our children the truth as soon as possible they will be misled by the world. We can’t let school or society teach our children lies and they won’t know it is lies unless they know the truth. Our children’s minds can be easily steered in the wrong direction but with God’s words in our heart, daily prayer as a family, the Holy Spirit guiding us and continually reading/teaching ourselves and our children the truth we can defeat the enemy. 

Bonds

 

          Anyone who is thinking about marriage or is married, knows it is not a simple decision. It is an important decision that will forever create a bond with your husband or wife. Mark 10:6-8, But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. God instituted marriage as a blessing and was given to make our lives happier, fuller, spirit stronger and a helper (Genesis 2:18). God knew our physical desires and lack of self-control as mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, “I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, since it is better to marry than to burn with desire.” Not everyone is built for a life of celibacy and God knows a spouse will be a blessing.  

Genesis 2:21-24, So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said: This one, at last is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. That bond that God created in marriage can never be broken. The same way Jesus Christ is the groom and we the Church are his bride. Marriage is a life-long commitment and should be enjoyed. Ecclesiastes 9:9, Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life, which has been given to you under the sun, all your fleeting days. For that is your portion in life and in your struggle under the sun.  

Genesis 1:27-28, So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. God blessed them and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, birds of the sky and every creature that crawls on the earth. God knew Satan would pervert his commandments and his image to the world in rebellion. There is a reason why the Bible mentions male and female. We are created in God’s image, every last one of us. We are either male or female when we are born. Do you see how with science/medicine and public opinion/social media, Satan has perverted the image of God in us? Surgeries can be done for men to turn into woman and vice versa. Transgender is a person who identifies themselves as the opposite of their birth sex. The idea of male and female as the only two sexes has completely been destroyed by the world. Same sex marriage is now legal. God does not care about the laws of this land but when it comes to his commandments there is no exception.  

God’s commandments and his word will never change or conform for the approval of the world. Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Homosexuality is a sin, a pagan tradition and unholy. Leviticus 18:22, You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable. Leviticus 20:13, If a man sleeps with a man as with a woman, they have both committed a detestable act. I Corinthians 6:9-10, Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people or swindlers will inherits God’s kingdom. I Timothy 1:8-11, But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately. We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murders, for the sexually immoral and homosexuals, for slave traders, liars, perjuries and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me. The punishment is the same for all those who practice this sin and it is an act of rebellion towards God. We know the punishment is the lake of fire. Jude 1:7-8, Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. In the same way these people – relying on their dreams – defile their flesh, reject authority and slander glorious ones. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) now has a show where Drag Queens (men who dress like woman) are reading books to your children. If you don’t think Satan isn’t trying to corrupt your children’s mind at an early age, you may be blinded by him yourself. All who sin will fall short and spend eternity in hell.  

Fornication is sexual intercourse between people not married to each other and has become popular in American culture. Children growing in this country are not realizing the importance of their purity. I Corinthians 6:15-20, Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? So should I take a part of Christ’s body and make it part of a prostitute. Absolutely not! Don’t you know that anyone joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For Scripture says, The two will become one flesh. But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were brought at a price. So glorify God with your body. The world around our children do not value the things of God and the truth is not important to them. We are in a battle everyday as parents, single adults and youth, against everything we see and hear around us. Sex scenes in movies, pornography, television/music videos promoting sex before marriage and homosexuality. The images we see on commercials and social media glorify sex and the world does not see it as a sin. We must remember not to give into the desires of the flesh. We are the image of God and our bodies are his temple. We are in a constant battle, Spirit vs the Flesh. Galatians 5:19-21, Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing and anything similar. When we become saved we become a new creature and we must put the sins of the flesh aside. Colossians 3:5, Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire and greed which is idolatry. Romans 6:12-14, Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons of righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.  

Pre-marital sex causes a bond to form between couples. Science has shown that a bond forms mentally, emotionally and physically. The more times you have sexual relations with a person the stronger the bond becomes. Chemicals in our brains are released to form these bonds. In women it is oxytocin that relieves stress, creates calm and closeness which leads to increased trust. In men it is vasopressin which is released with intimate contact and works similar to oxytocin. There is also a release of endorphins during sex and this feeling can become addictive and most likely the reason un-married and adulterers/fornicators want to keep experiencing the rush over and over again. These hormones cause memories to form in the brain and these experiences are very difficult to forget. This was not God’s purpose but to be used in the sanctity of marriage. When these hormones are released with a couple who has not had any others, it can cause a strong bond and help navigate the hardships of life. I am totally guessing here but imagine if someone had multiple partners and these bonds kept forming and breaking. The bonds are so easily broken that when they finally get married, the first sign of trouble they go cheat or get divorced. The bond is weak and Satan has corrupted their mind. Satan wants us to form bonds with as many people as possible because this takes away our focus from God. Look at all the dating apps and how it promotes polyamory. Satan wants to weaken our focus on the relationship of marriage and your spouse. If you are remembering moments outside of your marriage from the past this can cause stress and the bond can be easily broken by desires outside of marriage. God has a purpose in everything he wants for us in our life. It is man and Satan that distorts his word and act upon their own fleshly desires. Knowing the truth can help save many before they become lost to the flesh.  

Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse. Matthew 5:27-28, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Lust is a very strong sexual desire. In America and probably the entire world, sex sells. It is a marketing tool, from commercials, clothing lines, social media, celebrities, actors, sports icons, etc. that they will use to grab your attention. We see and hear it in music videos/radio, see it in commercials and television/movies. There is no filter on the internet or the world unless we have God in us. Access is unlimited and so many children and adults can get lost in a fantasy world. The world promotes adultery as if it is the new normal. Just watch a drama show on television and it seems everyone is in some type of sexual sin. Everyone loves gossip and look at how many famous people are married multiple times and caught in a scandal. There was a big scandal many years ago that married people could use a website to have sexual encounters outside of marriage. Adultery is not just limited to famous people but impacts regular families. When you flirt with that co-worker, or text secrets to someone else, when you go out with your friends and attempt to meet other people with lust, look at pornography, these are acts of adultery. Leviticus 18:20, You are not to have sexual intercourse with your neighbor’s wife, defiling yourself with her. The perception of adultery does not have the same significant negativity it did many years ago on this world. Even past Presidents who claim to be God fearing are caught in adultery. The world seems to accept it as a regular part of life. If your heart is filled with lust rather than the Word of God, then the devil will surely lead you into adultery. We must guard our hearts and realize even in marriage the devil will continue to attack us.  

Proverbs 5:1-14 (Avoid Seduction because in the end it will ruin you), My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen closely to my understanding so that you may maintain discretion and your lips safeguard knowledge. Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps head straight for Sheol. She doesn’t consider the path of life; she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable. So now, sons, listen to me and don’t turn away from the words from my mouth. Keep your way far from her. Don’t go near the door of her house. Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others and your years to someone cruel; strangers will drain your resources and your hard-earned pay will end up in a foreigner’s house. At the end of your life, you will lament when your physical body has been consumed and you will say, “How I hated discipline and how my heart despised correction. I didn’t obey my teachers or listen closely to my instructors. I am on the verge of complete ruin before the entire community.” This is coming from Solomon who was the wisest man alive and had multiple wives. Does this not sum up all the burdens we see, in people of the world go through when they give into the flesh and are consumed by sin? Just look at all the reality tv stars who try and fake happiness and please don’t believe the lies you see on social media of the perfect life. Sooner or later the truth comes out about their lives and you see how drained they are of life and happiness. Proverbs 5:20-23, Why, my son, would you lose yourself with a forbidden woman or embrace a wayward woman? For a man’s way are before the Lord’s eyes and he considers all his paths. A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him; he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin. He will die because there is no discipline and be lost because of his great stupidity.  

There is no one reading this that probably does not know someone who is divorced or getting divorced. If the bond of marriage is not sanctified by Christ and if you do not love and make him your number one priority, marriage will be very tough. Not even money can save you, as the richest man in the world Bill Gates has announced he is getting divorced. Luke 16:18, Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery and everyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery (Matt 19:9, Mark 10:11, Luke 16:18). The only reason someone can get a divorce, is in the case of sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32) or if the spouse dies (Romans 7:2-3). Not to say that even in the case of sexual immorality, if a person truly repents they can reconcile their marriage and can continue to build their relationship together in Christ (I Corinthians 7:10-11). Marriage is going to have ups and downs, just like in life. Pastors, self-help books and marriage counsellors all have their benefit. But if you are only using those as your resources and not reading, growing, praying, meditating from the Word of God then you may fail. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, Comforter, Helper will teach us all these things and will remind us of what Jesus has spoken (John 14:26). We need the Holy Spirit in our lives daily to combat our flesh and Satan. Matthew 19:6, So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate. It is not something we can take lightly or something we can just move on from especially if children are involved. Satan is attacking the family structure and marriage itself. More homes now than ever are being raised by single parents after divorce, children being born out of wedlock is rising and divorce has become acceptable. The world’s view will always conflict with God’s commandments. Things may be socially accepted and popularized but we must know what the truth says and that begins with reading/mediating on his Word daily.  

Marriage is a special commitment, life-long and a bond that can never be broken. It has been created as a blessing and should be used together to grow our faith. God knew when he created Adam that he should not be alone. Genesis 2:18, Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him. You go from two and become one flesh and the journey is much easier when you are not alone. When one falls the other is there to pick them up. The bond only gets stronger as time grows and as your family grows. We are to walk in love and imitate Christ, and we can even in our marriage. Ephesians 5:1-3, Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. Proverbs 18:22, A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 31:10, Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. Proverbs 19:14, A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent (caring) wife is from the Lord. God wants us to enjoy marriage and we need to put down the phone, remove all the distractions and take the time to focus on God and our own relationship. Proverbs 5:18-19, Let your fountain be blessed and take pleasure in the wife of your youth. A loving deer, a graceful doe, let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever. Don’t corrupt the blessing and the joy of marriage with sin.  

Marriage is similar to the Marriage that will happen between Christ and the Church. Ephesians 5:22-33, Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself and the wife is to respect her husband. Rev 19:7-9, Let us be glad, rejoice and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!” Marriage and the holiness/purity has more meaning to it than just what it signifies on earth. We are to remain pure in marriage, we are made in his image and we are the body of Christ.  

The world will decide not to obey God and his commands and we know the result. Romans 1:22-32, Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions. Their woman exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. The men in the same way also left natural relations with women and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error. And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right. They are filled with unrighteousness, evil, greed and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanders, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving and unmerciful. Although they know God’s just sentence – they those who practice such things deserve to die – they now only do them, but even applaud others who practice them. This sums up all the sin we now see as acceptable and many attempting to re-write God’s commands. Rebellion is in their heart and they do now acknowledge or fear God.  

Even now, the world has deemed the month of June as “Pride Month” for the LGBT community. Isn’t it ironic that it was Lucifer’s pride that caused him to sin and be cast out of Heaven. Don’t let our flesh, lust and pride disobey God to please this world. James 4:6-7, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Marriage is sacred, blessing and a bond between a man and woman. Pre-marital sex/Fornication, homosexuality, adultery are all clearly defined as sin by God. As well as divorce except in two instances. It is very true as it says in I Corinthians 2:14-16, But the person without the spirit does not receive what comes from God’s spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. I think the phrase “Happy Wife, Happy Life” has really caused a rift or shifted the true focus in our marriages. What the phrase should be is, “Happy Christ, Happy Life.” When a man and woman are married they become one flesh. When that one flesh has put Christ as their most important priority, the problems of the world really don’t matter. The bond we have together with our spouse is to build an even stronger bond together with Christ!