It’s Animal Behavior….

When people try to use the Bible stating, “there’s no where in the Bible that God condemns inappropriate sexual acts”, don’t believe them. There’s plenty of evidence that sexual immorality is condemned by God. Today’s scripture is one example. On a side note, have you ever examined people’s rebellious attitudes that make these claims? They want to twist God’s word in a rational attempt to justify they behavior; all the while despising authority. Twisted sexual behavior goes hand in hand with an attitude that despises authority. Is the picture any clearer? Sexual perversion is a rebellious act against God Himself. It’s animal behavior that tries to pretend it’s human.

Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 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. 11 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.12 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. 13 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. 14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. 15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. 16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.” 2 Peter 2:8-22

Truth Only Comes From One Source….

I guess this proverb does a good job at explaining modern day politics. When a new president takes office, we see first hand the quality of character his cabinet possesses. If we examine each of the last few presidents, his cabinet members clearly show who the president pays attention to. Politics can be nasty. If we pay close attention, and use discernment, regardless of how good or bad our president is portrayed, it will prove one thing, salvation will never arrive on Air Force One. Even though fallibility runs through us all, a godly man listens to truth. And truth only comes from One Source, God alone. Until a man decides Who/who his first source of reason is, he will always be vulnerable to the deception that surrounds him. We must insulate ourselves with God’s word. It protects us in more ways than we realize.

12 If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked. Proverbs 29:12

Does Your Life Reflect Godly Behavior?

We are not perfect. But we can live with integrity. It won’t guarantee that our life will always be smooth, but it will prove highly that our reputation will stand on its own. The only way people will be able to slander a person who is faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy, is to make up things or apply ridiculous laws that contradict God’s ways. That’s exactly what happened to Daniel. Does your life reflect godly behavior? If so, do you worry about your reputation? God always honors those that honor Him. Sometimes that means rising above mediocrity, taking the “high road”, and being willing to suffer for doing what is right. Integrity has no holiday. Righteous living points others to God without saying a word.

4 Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. 5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.” Daniel 6:4-5

Forgetting We Are Forgiven…

One of the biggest consequences of stagnation, not growing in our faith, is forgetting we are forgiven. If we are not continually moving forward, growing closer to our Savior, that only leaves two possibilities: regression or stagnation. Neither is desirable for the believer.

3 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:3-11

Boldness Comes In Securely Serving God….

Boldness comes in securely serving God alone. It isn’t arrogant, or outspoken. It meets you were you are and helps you set a resolve that doesn’t allow anything to take the place of God. It’s an attitude that trusts God first. Even if things don’t turn out the way we’d like, it doesn’t change our outlook or actions. Where can we find this kind of faith? Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. The only Recipient worthy of it. This is one of the greatest stories in the Bible. One worth reading over and over. It never gets old. In order to be effective when it comes to being bold, our faith has to be placed in Something that is greater than us. The Object of our faith has two requirements. It must be outside of ourselves. And secondly, It must be immovable. Jesus fulfills these requirements. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew this, and it served them well. Boldness comes when opposition threatens the truth. When we are connected to the Giver and Sustainer of life, we don’t have to defend ourselves. God honors those that honor Him.

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” 19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent His angel to rescue His servants who trusted in Him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:16-30

It Helps Us Help Others….

Suffering is part of being a true Christian. If we accept this truth, it changes our attitude toward everything. It brings us closer to Jesus. And it helps us help others because we have more compassion and understanding since we stand on the other side of similar ordeals. Once we “get this” and are willing, we become one step closer to reaching our goal of becoming more like Jesus.

12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet each other with Christian love.Peace be with all of you who are in Christ. 1 Peter 5:12-14

Why Some People Hate….

Have you ever wondered why some people hate people who do the right thing? It’s because they have no interest in God. They hate Him, and thus hate His followers. It comes from Satan himself. If people can’t ever possess righteousness, the very thing required to enter Heaven, then they do what Satan does, hate everyone that has it. If he (Satan) can’t ever enter paradise, Heaven, then he will stop at nothing to keep others from entering just to spite God. The righteousness we possess isn’t due to our own doing, it’s been substituted from Jesus’ life. It’s because of Him that we are seen as blameless, so we can’t take the credit. It’s available to all. Unfortunately, all don’t want it because it opposes pride. So the next time you witness people hating on others (maybe even you), remember it’s not because they (you) did anything to offend them them, it’s because they will never be able to possess righteousness because their pride won’t allow them to humble themselves. Hatred comes directly from Satan. He opposes God, so he’ll oppose you as well. All (people) that follow Satan (knowing or unknowingly) will hate you just because you follow God. We just have to accept this, like it or not, and not take it personally. We have the Truth, and it sets us free, something unbelievers can never possess.

The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them. Proverbs 29:10