Joy, Pride, and Abandoning God…

If you could put your finger on the one thing that drives a man to abandon God and seek joy and pleasure in his life, it would be this: he doesn’t want to be told what to do. It’s that simple. It’s that basic. Man’s pride is the root of his sinfulness. It’s his selfishness that leads him away from God, or Godly wisdom. Take the abortion debate (there really is no debate) for instance. The bottom line isn’t whether a fetus is a human being, of course it is, it has two parents. The real underlying issue is that people don’t want to be told what they can and can’t do. Addressing this issue would stir the soul more than arguing at what stage of development does a fetus become human. Man’s pride is the issue that needs addressing. It’s not until he realizes that he’s not in control, that real progress can be made. Genuine joy comes from acknowledging God is superior to man, and subjecting himself to His sovereignty.

18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. Proverbs 29:18

The World Hates Righteous Behavior….

Don’t ever waste your energy trying to figure out why the world hates Christians. For a person who has no love is dead. The world hates righteous behavior because it exposes wicked behavior. The world wants to stop this unwanted exposure.

11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. 1 John 3:11-15

His Love Overcomes….

When I read Hosea chapter 4 I can’t help but see the parallels between idolatrous Israel and modern day America. There is no knowledge of God in our land. People’s word means nothing. Violence is everywhere. Blame is passed off to someone else. People refuse to know God. Idolatry is rampant. People long for peace but never find it. They seek answers from idols, or psychics, or mediums. They love shame more than honor. Do you think this comparison is accurate? What can be done? A start would be accepting the consequences, and being sorry for what each individual is responsible for. The answer lies in the heart of every single man. Repent, and know God. His love can overcome a multitude of sins.

1 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel!The Lord has brought charges against you, saying:“There is no faithfulness, no kindness,no knowledge of God in your land.2 You make vows and break them;you kill and steal and commit adultery.There is violence everywhere–one murder after another. 3That is why your land is in mourning,and everyone is wasting away.Even the wild animals, the birds of the sky,and the fish of the sea are disappearing. 4 “Don’t point your finger at someone elseand try to pass the blame!My complaint, you priests,is with you.5 So you will stumble in broad daylight,and your false prophets will fall with you in the night.And I will destroy Israel, your mother.6 My people are being destroyedbecause they don’t know Me.Since you priests refuse to know Me,I refuse to recognize you as My priests.Since you have forgotten the laws of your God,I will forget to bless your children.7 The more priests there are,the more they sin against Me.They have exchanged the glory of Godfor the shame of idols. 8 “When the people bring their sin offerings, the priests get fed.So the priests are glad when the people sin!9 ‘And what the priests do, the people also do.’So now I will punish both priests and peoplefor their wicked deeds.10 They will eat and still be hungry.They will play the prostitute and gain nothing from it,for they have deserted the Lord11 to worship other gods. “Wine has robbed My peopleof their understanding.12 They ask a piece of wood for advice!They think a stick can tell them the future!Longing after idolshas made them foolish.They have played the prostitute,serving other gods and deserting their God. Hosea 4:1-12

When the rulers of Israel finish their drinking,off they go to find some prostitutes. They love shame more than honor. Hosea 4:18a

Feelings Are Often Overrated…..

Feelings are legitimate, but often subjectively overrated. Yes, feelings help guide us, but often they tend to turn the focus off what’s important and onto ourselves. What we need to do in those times is put them aside and go with what we know to be true, God’s Word. It is our everyday spiritual thermostat and compass for life.

20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything.21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please Him. 1 John 3:20-22

What “Habitual Sin” Reveals….

This may rub some people the wrong way but it’s written right here in 1 John chapter 3. Continual or habitual sin is proof that a person has not been saved. Those that practice sin, by thinking it’s not a sin, or by purposely continuing it when they know it’s wrong, do not know or understand Who Jesus is. You can’t be saved without a Savior, and if you do not know Who Jesus is (Lord of your life), you are not “Heaven bound”. Think about the “modern church”, they accept all kinds of sinful behaviors. Yes, the church is a group of sinners, welcoming in other sinners, but it does not or should not condone sinful behavior. It’s a place of refuge for the repentant sinner, not the habitual, “justify my evil behavior”, unrepentant sinner. Understand that Jesus came to save the world (those that believe) from sin. How can He save a person who does think he needs rescue (to be saved)? God will not drag a person kicking and screaming into Heaven against his will. In order for a man to be saved he must recognize his need of a Savior. Sin does this. But when sin deceives him into thinking it isn’t, how can he realize his state of need? He can’t. When we know Who Jesus is, He gives us the ability to see sin for what it is, rebellion against God. When we see it in its proper perspective, we are to agree with God on His view of sin. Then we act accordingly: repent, and ask for forgiveness. This cannot happen if we don’t acknowledge our sin. You must know Jesus to deal with your sin; for He is the only remedy. A man cannot have spiritual life and continue to go on living in habitual sin.

4 Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in Him. 6 Anyone who continues to live in Him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know Him or understand who He is. 7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:4-10

Reason For The Extra Flab….

If parents actually did a better job of disciplining their children, I don’t think America would be where it is today. People think they can do and say whatever they want. They can be rude and disrespectful to whomever they choose. This lack of discipline creates a troubled heart. A little pain (discipline) early in life, never ruined a child. I remember a story of a man I met in the gym a long time ago. He told me when he was 5 years old, he lived on one of the Caribbean islands. He was poor. When a new, wealthier classmate came to his school with new, matchbox cars, he stole one. His father knew he lied about where and how he obtained it. So the next day, at school, in front of his entire kindergarten class, he had to apologize for stealing the car. Then, his father pulled his pants down and spanked Him in front of the class. You say, “how cruel, or that’s child abuse”. The man then said, “I never stole again”. What society deems anti-PC, or cruel or abusive, the Bible calls discipline. There’s a reason why our behinds has extra flab on them, it’s called the seat of discipline. As long as it’s done in love, you will never worry about second-guessing the outcome. Discipline produces wisdom. And that will always make the heart glad.

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. Proverbs 29:17

Distance From The Proud…..

Here’s a truth throughout scripture that is consistently stated about what characteristics God favors in human beings. Humility is a character trait that God will always reward by drawing closer to those who display it. When arrogance and pride creep in, God deals differently with that. He distances Himself from those who are full of themselves, usually allowing circumstances to run their course. Remember, humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. It’s focusing on helping others, loving them through the channel that God provides. Humility allows room for God to fill you up with His Spirit, which always is better than too much of “ME”. Humility is the channel in which God moves most commonly in human beings. You can’t expect God to move in you unless you make room for Him. The only moving He will do with you when you’re prideful, is moving you out of His way.

6 Though the Lord is great, He cares for the humble, but He keeps His distance from the proud. Psalms 138:6