Is It Truth?

Have you noticed that there are alot of Christian cliches? Things we live by, and share with others? Have you pondered them? I have been noticing some of them are not grounded in scripture. For instance, the one I have heard the most and refuted most often is: "Jesus hung out with prostitutes". Have you ever heard that?


Where is that in scripture? Most often when I ask people that they say, "The woman at the well."  So I quickly recall the story. God sent Jesus there (we know Jesus had a meeting every morning to find out the Father's will) to talk with a woman who was ready to receive salvation. He went to the well, a place that she went to get the basic necessity of life~water. He met her there, and she received Him. After her conversion, then Jesus hung out with her~a lot. A redeemed prostitute.


He never went to the red light district.


The other passage that gets brought up is when the Pharisees accused Jesus of hanging out with sinners when he ate at Matthew's house after Matthew got saved. But again here, Jesus is sharing a meal at the house of a redeemed sinner who wants his friends to hear about salvation. He's not just "hangin' there with some buddies".


If Jesus really "hung out with prostitutes" he would be compromising His own words:

 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (New International Version)

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

and this comes to mind:

...snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (from the book of Jude, verse 23)

Lord, as you send us out like sheep among wolves, help us to stay true to the Truth when we are living life in You! Help us remember that we will give an account for our spoken words, help them to be pure and true. Amen!

Bearing His Disgrace

And so Jesus suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:12-14

Do you ever feel lonely? Have you endured insults for your convictions? Have you suffered for your obedience? Then there is good news! You are in the company of Jesus.

Jesus endured the rejection of religious leaders; He even endured their scorn, and attempts to trap him. He also was ridiculed by His own family... Have you noticed though that even when He was misunderstood and rejected, He continued to "set His face like a flint" and determined to do the will of His Father?

He told us we, as His followers, would be hated. He told us we would have a cross to carry. We can choose to pick it up daily,  or we can choose to ignore His word, and fit in; or go with the flow. Will you set your face like a flint to be obedient to Him? Will you go outside the camp, and bear the disgrace He bore?

Not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit! I pray blessings for you as you walk in obedience out of your love for Jesus.

A Holy Holiday

It seems a common theme this year is reducing Christmas. Keeping the focus on Christ and putting aside the peripheral. Sort of a purification of the celebration. I linked to Elisa's call to celebrate the holiday more intentionally focusing on Jesus. Check it out! Do you have plans to do things a little differently this year?

*TEMPLE DEFILED* are you participating?

I understand that the few who read and follow my blog are lovers of the Lord Jesus and you abide in the shelter of His love. Perhaps this post is not to you, but for you... to know how to address this issue in your church. I feel very strongly about the importance of this post. I have just completed reading through Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel. I am now into Daniel (doing the one year Bible). It is clear through those books that God desires absolute purity in His Body. You and I make up part of that Body. What we do affects every part. What I do affects you, and what you do affects me.

Having studied Revelation, in Jesus' address to the 7 Churches, there was only one that received no call to repentance. The Church of Smyrna...the persecuted church. It would do us good to read through His words on a regular basis. To study that part of the book. Jesus wants a spotless Bride when He returns. This is the reason for this post. Please read it prayerfully. Remember that His word is the standard. We should measure everything by His Word. Throw anything out that does not line up with His Word. I understand that I have been given grace to see in this time what some do not see. I must be faithful to obey His voice. I pray the same for you. In the love of Jesus, and by His Holy Spirit, I write...(I have taken the liberty to emphasize certain words or phrases in the scripture texts)

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people."
"Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."
"I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor 6:15-18

Just as there were many who were appalled at him-his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness- Isaiah 52:14

Look into the face of our Savior, see the cost of our sin upon His shoulders, His face, His Body...Is the wrath of God real? Does He hate sin? YES!!! Does He have a passion to redeem sinners? YES!!! That is what you find when you look into His face...perfect mercy covering His perfect justice.

This post is a wake-up call to the Bride of Christ!! To His Redeemed Ones!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? DO YOU REALIZE THAT THE MORAL STATE OF OUR NATION IS ON OUR SHOULDERS?????

If MY people, who are called by MY Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek MY FACE and TURN from THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive THEIR sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

OH Body of Christ, the LION is roaring in my heart and He compelled me to get up and write His heart for you to read. I believe not only is HIS HOLY SPIRIT GRIEVED, but He is ANGRY! Yes, our beloved SPOTLESS LAMB is also a roaring LION!!! His fierce love for us compells Him...

We must strain to pursue Him. It costs us to continue walking the straight and narrow. He says "seek MY FACE"!!!!!! Whose face have you been seeking Christian?

No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on it's stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light, But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you. Luke 11:33-36

Where are your eyes? What are you gazing on? Is it "forbidden" by God and yet you love it? You promote it? Heaven help us...when you choose to pollute your own temple, don't you realize you pollute the WHOLE BODY. You sin against the Body of Christ. His Bride that is purified through His blood. The Bride that Jesus pleads with to spend her time getting ready for the return of the Bridegroom?

LOOK:

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Cor 7:1

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning...Luke 12:35

What have you been looking at with your eyes? What have you been taking into the temple? What evil have you been promoting by your approval of it and by your alignment with it?

The conclusion I have drawn from the wikipedia definition for vampire: "A demonically resurrected corpse." (hence the term used for vampire: undead) So, a demon inhabits a corpse.



Let's reason together for a moment. In the movie that is sadly and prevalently watched by Christians, the main character is alluring. Look at his face with it's seductive make-up, "death" is written on it...NOT LIFE! Look at the headlines on publications about the movie...count how many times it says the word "forbidden". Then look here at what is resulting from the infatuation with this movie (from a local college newspaper), and weep with Jesus.

I leave you with these Words of God:
Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Phillipians 4:8 Please use this passage as a measuring tool for what you watch...

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

There is therefore now now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1


As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. while I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (words of Jesus in John 9:4,5 and later He said to his followers:) You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)



Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20


Watch and pray!!! Please repent!!! May Jesus give us the grace to be holy as He is holy!!!
Heavenly Father, please help us to walk as Jesus did. Help us to be aware of your presence when we watch movies. Help us to honor You and your Bride, our Christian brothers and sisters, in all that we do. Help us understand your heart, and to honor one another, to pray with Jesus the words He prayed in John 17, that we will be one. Help us to continue to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow you Jesus. Help us to be pure as you have called us to, and to tremble at your word, in Jesus' Name. Amen

For more insight and a great visual representation, please visit Edie at Rich Gifts.

Brave By Nichole Nordeman

It has been pretty easy to be a Christian in America...but times are changing. Jesus is worthy of our devotion and adoration! I love this song!

Seasons

Only two months ago, the landscape was awash with color, the blooms were abundant, the foliage full...today, few leaves are left on the trees, plants have turned crispy and brown, and as a result have been uprooted. The earth is being "put to rest" for the next season...soon the ground will be white, and there will be no evidence of the previous brilliance of the summer landscape...But winter white has it's own beauty, just different.

Winter lasts a loooong time in Wisconsin, we have to set our minds to be content for the long haul...much like "winter" seasons in life.

Kayla and Andrew were married around the time of this photo...Sept 4th. I look at the photos from that day, and rejoice in the joy, in the beauty of the day...it was the perfect day. It was in the 70's and sunny.

They have, however, entered quickly into a "winter" season. Andrew lost his job 2 weeks before the wedding. He still does not have employment. On top of the loss of job, his car died. Then he was taking Kayla to work with her little sunbird convertable, which we had given her for graduation, and doing a temporary job when he rear-ended a lady on the way home...and totalled the car.

Fortunately Dale (my husb) had previously helped her purchase a $300.00 pickup for a "back-up" which is what she used to get to work for several weeks. It was a gas-hog though and was costing too much in fuel. So we traded her a car Dale was driving for her pick-up and broken car.
We needed to know she was in something that would be reliable, and get good gas mileage.

Andrew is now carless, jobless, and considering going into the air force reserves...awaiting a response from a recruiter. Their future is uncertain...It is a winter season. Things seem cold and dry...but we trust in the Lord for all their needs to be met. We trust that God is up to good as he promises. We believe it is good to go through winter...spring feels like such a joy afterward. We keep reminding each other that "this too shall pass". Please pray with us for Andrew to secure employment. Whatever God may have planned. We will rejoice together soon!

Worship God and Idols???

They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. 2 Kings 17:40,41a

Have you ever wondered how? why? When we read they served the Lord but did not remove the high places...how could they be worshiping God and those other things? As I pondered this, It occured to me that our "high places" are worldly or religious practices.

Have you noticed some things that "blend" Christianity with Eastern mystical practices? Like "Christian Yoga" (yoga is a hindu practice). Or how about a local Lutheran church that advertises their "labyrinth" (a maze-like path where as you walk and chant a word over and over as you move toward the center you are sudposed to be able to connect with God more). Or how about "contemplative prayer". A "system" of meeting God by repeating a phrase over and over in order to "center" on Him. (another eastern mystical practice).Other "high places" might be as simple as making success in business an idol (something you rely on) Or having a large home, or being popular. Having great vacations to boast about. A great body, a wonderful wardrobe, etc. Or what about movies that have garbage in them? Or books, music...

Why do we do the things we do? I must search my heart with Jesus.

In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. 2 Kings 18:1-4

What a refreshment God gave in sending Hezekiah as their leader. Quite amazing how much influence one leader has. I love how his mother's name is listed. I imaging she had much influence on Hezekiah's life. Perhaps that is one reason she is mentioned!Look what he did: Removed the high places. Smashed the sacred stones. Cut down the Ashera poles. Broke to pieces the bronze snake. In conclusion, he destroyed everything that hindered pure worship of the Lord.

The same is true for us. We need to destroy ties to things that take our affection off of the Lord. We need to sever our ties to things that pollute our lives. We need to weed out areas where we compromise.

By prayer, by "sword fighting" with the Word of God, by submitting, by obedience.

How refreshing to have leaders who walk in purity and holiness. I want to be a leader who walks in purity and holiness.

Lord, make me pure and holy as a leader of my family, and anyone else you give me influence over. Help me be self-controlled and alert. To be on guard against the enemy and his wicked schemes. Keep me close. Cleanse my heart. Purify my mind. Show me any areas that are displeasing to you and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen