Is Society Rebelling Against God?

 

Is American a Christian nation?  Sometimes I wonder.  God gave humanity His Moral Laws to live by, but as a nation we live blinded to the truth.  Deep down we know what is right and what is wrong, but we live for sensuality and materialism.  We live for self.  God has given us a warning.  He will not tolerate sin forever.  The end is coming. 

Our moral values and standards by which we live are changing.  We are ignoring God’s moral laws and what our founding fathers intended for America.  We as a nation are rejecting God by our actions.  This is happening little by little so it’s not noticed.  Then all of a sudden we’ve gone too far.

Examples:

God, the Bible, and prayer have been removed from our schools.

We are taught to be tolerant of many things that are truly wrong.  The Bible teaches that we are exchanging the truth for lies and lies for truth.  “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised.” – Rom. 1:25.

New York City Council voted that public urination is not a criminal act.

Teachers in charlotte, NC were instructed to refrain from referring to their elementary school students as boys and girls, but instead they are to call them students.

The Bible clearly states the homosexuality is immoral and unhealthy.  Bruce Jenner will always be a man even if he wears a dress and makeup.  Romans 1 is being played out right before our eyes.  The gay agenda is on the rise.  It’s the fad thing to do.  50 years ago this behavior was a crime.  Now there are even same-sex marriages.  God tells us in the Bible that marriage is between a man and a woman.  Marriage is first mentioned in Genesis 2:24.  Jesus upheld marriage as being between a man and a woman in Mark 10:6-9.  Other passages on marriage are Eph. 5:22-23 and 1 Peter 3:1-7.

Mothers are aborting their unborn babies.  Since 1973 America has murdered 59 million babies.

Our freedoms are constantly under attack.  Prayer is prohibited in our schools and colleges.  Even chaplains cannot pray in the name of Jesus or quote Scripture.  After the 2012 election the government admitted it targeted and harassed Christian groups.  Our own President Obama refused to call Muslim terrorists even though they killed more Americans on 9/11 than at Pearl Harbor. 

Men can now use the public facilities of women and little girls.  This is clearly a misguided and dangerous policy.  This is just asking for trouble.

This change in morality is all over the world.  The Supreme Court of Italy has ruled that public masturbation is legal except in front of minor.

From the beginning Israel has been God’s chosen nation.  Now that the end is getting closer the world hates Israel more and more as each day goes by.  Bible prophesies tell us that in the end all the world will come together in opposition to Israel.  “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.  Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.  On that day when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all nations.  All who try to move it will injure themselves.” – Zech. 12:2-3  Israel is a very small nation.  It’s about as big as New Jersey.  It is 300 miles long and 75 miles wide.  Why are so many people against Israel?  It’s because people are against God.  “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.” – Ps. 2:2.  They are against the truth.  If we don’t stand with Israel, God won’t stand with us.  “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” – Gen. 12:3

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Are we a Christian nation?  Many Americans claim to be Christian, but few actually behave like Christians.  America was founded as a Christian nation, but we have turned our back on our heritage.  To be a Bible-believing Christian today is to be a rebel.  Being a rebel Christian is to rebel against the lack of moral values.  It’s rebelling against the tolerance of sin.  It means to love God above all else and to love and serve others instead of ourselves.

President Obama said while running for office, “Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation…”  Maybe he is right.  America no longer looks to biblical principles as its anchor.  We are drifting further and further away from God and the principles found in the God’s Holy Word, the Bible.

Thomas Jefferson saw the danger that would arise when a nation turns its back on Him.  “God who gave us life gave us liberty.  Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?  Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.

We have accumulated wealth and power more than any nation in history.  However, we have forgotten the source of those blessings.  We have become conceited and arrogant and think we don’t need God.

The prophet Isaiah gave us a warning, “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 fro bitter.  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight…. Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down….” – Isaiah 5:20-25

America’s greatest sin is we have forgotten God.  We have failed to obey Him.  We have failed to listen to His Word.  We have failed to bring up our children God’s way.

What can we do about it? 

1.       We can pray.  There are about 650 different prayers mentioned in the Bible.  The word prayer or pray is mention many, many times.  In the King James Version alone, pray is mentioned 245 times.  The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, which means we are to never stop.  Jesus Himself prayed many times and taught the importance of prayer.

2.      We can preach the truth from our church pulpits.  Too many churches have watered down the gospel.  Many pastors preach a feel-good message. They want to be liked by what they say. 

3.      We as Christians can be examples for others as to how to live.  We can show love and concern for others.  We can be kind, considerate, compassionate, and patient.  We can live by the Fruit of the Spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Gal. 5:22.

** Excerpts from The Lamplighter, January-February 2017

I hope this has opened your eyes and makes you fall on your knees in prayer for our nation as well as for yourselves.  We all have a part in rejecting God in some way.

Thanks for stopping by my site.  Have a blessed day.  See you next time.

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What is the purpose of life?

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is?  We are created to give God glory.  “... everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” – Isaiah 43:7.  He made us to glorify Him.  Glory refers to worth, beauty and value.  To give glory is to give Him honor, service, and devotion.  We glorify Him by worshiping Him, serving Him, and forming a relationship with Him.  We are to honor His Words.  Satan doesn’t like that and likes it when we doubt what our purpose is. 

God originally created man to glorify Him, to enjoy fellowship with Him, and to have dominion over the earth.  With man’s fall into sin our fellowship with Him was broken.  Now we have to work and struggle to live in this world.  Our fellowship with God can be restored through faith in Jesus.  We can rediscover our purpose.

Our purpose is to glorify God by fearing and obeying Him.  Then we can enjoy Him and experience true abundant life that He wants for us.  The Bible is a book about God and His glory.  He wants us to be His worshipers. (John 4:22-24).

King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Meaningless!  Meaningless!... Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless”.  Solomon had it all.  He had wealth, wisdom, women, palaces, and the best of everything.  Why did he think life was meaningless?  It is because God created us for something far beyond material things.  There is much more for us.  “He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecc. 3:11.

God created us in His image meaning we are like God.  He gave man work to do.  He gave man dominion over the earth.  He intended for these things to add to our fulfillment in life.  The real meaning of life is found in restoring our relationship with God.  That is found through His Son, Jesus who gave His life on the cross for our sins.  We can then give Him the glory for what He has done and glory in all things, which is His purpose for us.

We have a choice.  We can go through the motions in this life while gaining lots of material things.  We can strive for that big promotion and that big bank account.  We can be popular and have men look up to us for all our successes.  We can live empty lives or we can choose Him and let Him guide us and give our lives purpose.  We can pursue Him, live for Him, obey Him, and glorify Him.  He loves us and desires the best for us.

How can we give God glory? 

We can praise Him in all things.

We can worship Him. 

We can recognize that glory belongs to Him alone and not men. 

We can help others recognized and repent of their sins. 

We can let our light shine by being Jesus’ example. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.” – Matt. 5:16.  We can be thankful and show our gratitude that He saved us from our sin. 

We can offer our bodies as living sacrifices.  “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship.” – Rom. 12:1-2. 

We can stay faithful and stand firm in His truths recognizing false teachings.

We can tell others fulfilling the great commission.  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matt. 28:19-20.

We can live in unity and fellowship with all other Christians.

We can confess our sin.

We can bear fruit.

We can give God credit where credit is due.

We can be content with what we have.  After all He promises to supply all our needs.

How to you give God glory?

Do your goals in life please God?

Are you content or are you always wanting more stuff?

Do you live in unity with others?

How are you spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ?

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Cor. 10:31.

I hope this helps you understand why you are here and what your purpose is.  Thanks for stopping by my site.  Have a blessed day.  See you next time.

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What is Christianese?

It is the casual language used by Christians.  You can think of it as “Christian slang.”  It’s a language that Christians use that unbelievers and some believers really do not understand.  It is a language of words, terms and phrases used in Christianity.  Some of these words are not even in the Bible.  Some of these words are rapture, ask Jesus into your heart, agape, born-again, if it is God’s will, spiritual gift, and fellowship – well you get the idea.  Here is a short list of this language and what each means.

Agape – This is a Greek word for brotherly love.  It is the love of God or Christ for mankind.  It is the unselfish love Christians have for other persons.

Adoption – When someone surrenders their life to Jesus they are brought into the family of God through the work of Jesus on the cross. (Rom 8-9; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5)

Ask Jesus into your heart – This phrase is not in the Bible.  It refers to the most important decision a person can ever make – to believe in Jesus as Lord.  It means to give your heart to Him, making Him your Lord and Savior and obeying His commands.  Salvation is by grace through faith, not of works.  Just asking doesn’t save you. You must believe that Jesus paid for your sins on the cross, was buried and rose again.  It is believing in and surrendering to Jesus.  It is asking Him to transform you, to push yourself out and fill yourself up with Him.   

Atonement – Sin separates us from God.  When Jesus died on the cross, He bore the punishment for our sins.  His blood was shed as a sacrificial offering which enabled the reconciliation between God and man. (1 Peter 2:24; Heb. 9:12)

Baby Christian – This is a person who has recently converted to Christianity and is new to Biblical teachings.

Backslidden – This doesn’t mean they are not saved, necessarily.  It refers to those Christians who have reverted back to sinful habits.

Bride of Christ – This refers to the church, which is the redeemed body of believers.  It represents the spiritual intimate relationship we will have with God when we have been fully sanctified. (Rev.  21)

Believe – This is to be persuaded of the truth, to expect and hope with confidence, and to trust – to believe that Jesus is God, that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins, which you deserve eternal separation from God. (John 1:1-4, 14; 1 cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 6:23)

Bible belt – This is the area of the southern and Midwestern US and western Canada where Protestant fundamentalism is widely practiced.

Blasphemy – This is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God.

To be Blessed – This mean to be truly satisfied.  This does not mean to be simply happy.  We can never be happy living self-centered lives.  Matt. 5:1-12 tells us what it means to be blessed.

Born-again – This literally means to be “born from above”.  It means to have a spiritual transformation.  To be born again is when you have a change of heart and a change in how you live.  You are dead to your sins and made alive by repenting and believing and trusting Jesus as Lord.  You are spiritually renewed and are a child of God by right of new birth. (John 3:3-7, 2 Cor. 5:17, Titus 3:5)

Church / Body of Christ – This is not the church building, but the believing people made up of all Christians who have ever lived all over the world.

Children of God - God is our creator and we are all His children.  When the Bible talks about God’s children, it means people who have a relationship with God because of their believing in Him and trusting in Him for salvation.  God takes care of us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  He loves and takes care of us just as an earthly father loves and takes care of his children. 

Communion or Lord’s Supper – This is a memorial, celebration, and reminder of Jesus’ death and resurrection.   It’s the taking of wine or juice and bread which symbolizes Jesus blood and body that was sacrificed on the cross.  We rejoice that Jesus conquered death and has set free all who were enslaved by a fear of death.  We remember His triumph over sin and death.  It’s a celebration, not a funeral.  It’s a reminder of Jesus’ return. (Matt. 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-23;

Die to self – This refers to surrendering and dying the selfish ways of the fleshly nature in order to honor God by living by the Spirit. (Luke 9:23; 1 Peter 2:24; Rom. 8:13)

Disciple – When used as a noun it means to be a student and follower of Jesus.  As a verb it means to train another in the Christian faith. (Luke 14:27; John 8:31-32; Matt. 28:18-20)

Election – This is in reference to God choosing in His sovereignty those people that will be saved. (Rom. 8:31-39, 9:1-29)  He chose us all to be saved, but it’s our choice whether to accept Him or not.

Faith – This is made up of 3 things – knowledge, belief, and trust in Jesus.  It is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb. 11:1)  It is believing Jesus is what He is said to be, and He will do what He promised, and then to expect this of Him.

Flesh – This is in reference to our physical and sinful human nature that is apart from divine influence. (1 John 2:15-17; Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 8:1-17)

Fellowship – The basic meaning is a real and practical sharing in eternal life with the Father and the Son.  The full meaning of fellowship only exists, because God the Father through Jesus Christ, the Son and the Spirit has established a relationship with man.  Those who believe the gospel are united in the Spirit and share in this relationship and communion. (1 John 1:3-6)

Fruit of the Spirit – This is not Spiritual gifts.  The fruit of the Spirit are aspects of Christ’s character, which every Christian is to seek, promote, and develop.  They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22)

Gospel – This means “good News”, which is that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins and we can be reconciled with God through Christ’ work on the cross. (Matt., Mark, Luke, John, Rom. 1-8)  This is Jesus’ story.  It is His birth, death and resurrection.

Grace – This is described as unmerited favor of God toward man.  (Eph 2:8)  This concept occurs in the Old Testament as “favor in the eyes of the Lord”, “find favor”, “be pleased with”, etc. (Gen 6:8 and Exodus 33).  There are many references to grace in the New Testament. (John 1:16, Luke 2:40, 52, Eph. 1:6)

Hedge of protection – This is considered to be a fence or barrier which God places around us to protect us from evil.

In Jesus’ Name – This refers to making requests in the name of Jesus.  It is used at the end of prayers.  Jesus told us to ask Him anything in His Name and He will do it. (John 14:13-14)

Justification – This refers to being made righteous in the eyes of God through the work of Jesus on the cross (Rom. 3:28; Rom. 5; Gal. 2:16)

Prayer warrior – This is Christian who is committed to praying often.  This is a believer who prays in Jesus’ name and is called to be an intercessor for people.

Predestination – God determines certain things ahead of time.  He knows who will believe and who will not.  We all have a choice – to believe or not to believe.  God wants us all to accept Jesus as Lord.  He knows who these people are and the choices they will make, because God is all knowing. (Eph. 1:5, 11)

Propitiation – This refers to Jesus taking our place and bearing the punishment for our sins on the cross. (Rom. 3:25; 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10)

Rapture – The word rapture does not occur in the Bible.  The term means “caught up”.  Before Jesus comes back to earth to judge the world and set up His Kingdom, He is going to rapture the church, the true believers.  He will take them out of this ungodly world and transform their bodies into glorious bodies in a twinkling of an eye. (2 Tim. 4:1, 16-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-56; 1 Thess. 5:1-22, Matt. 25:13)

Redeemed – When Jesus died on the cross, He paid for our sins and removed the obligation of payment to God.  He released us from the bondage of sin.  He rescued us by giving His life for us.  He saved us from God’s wrath.  God placed the wrath due us upon Jesus so that if we repent and trust in Jesus, God will look at us as being righteous just like Jesus is righteous.

Repentance – This refers to being conscious of guilt as a result of turning from that sin and turning to God. (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9)

Sanctification – This is the process God uses to make us holy.  It’s the growing and purifying setting us free from sin.  It takes a lifetime.  We will never be completely perfect until that day of Jesus’ return.

Saved – This refers to the deliverance from the consequences and power of sin through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (Eph. 2:8-9; Mark 16:16; John 10:9) 

Spiritual Gift – This is a gift given to believers to be used by God.  It is a special divine empowerment bestowed on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given ministry according to God’s design and purpose. (Eph. 4:11-13, 16)  Gifts are given to believers to grow and mature in their faith, the needs of the church will be met, and God will be glorified.

Trinity – This refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  This term is not found in scripture, but is demonstrated in Matt. 3:15-17, Gen. 1:26-27. 

Washed by the blood – This means to have your sins forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  When He died on the cross, He acted as the Lamb of God to be killed like the Passover Lamb in the Old Testament.  By the shedding of His blood we obtain eternal redemption.  It means to have a cleansed heart.

There are many others words and phrases not mentioned here.  I hope this has cleared up some of these words and terms for you.  Thanks for stopping by my site.  Have a blessed day.  See you next time for another interesting topic.

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How do I know I am saved?

1 John 5:13

How do I know if I am saved?  How do I know I am going to heaven?  Am I good enough?  Why do I keep sinning, if I am saved?  Do you ever ask yourself questions like these?  I think we all do on occasion.  Satan puts those doubts in our heads.  He wants us to feel we are not as good as the next person.  Satan is a deceiver!  If you truly believe, God wants us to know we have eternal life. 

We say we believe and confess that Jesus is Lord.  We pray and ask God His forgiveness and we are then saved.  BUT, are you actually saved?  Did you actually change your life?  How you live is evidence of truly being saved.  Ask yourself the following questions.

Have you confessed your sins to God?  “That 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.” – Rom. 10:9. 

Do you believe in Jesus?  “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ….” – 1 John 3:23.  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” – Acts 16:31.

Do you love and obey God?  “This is love for God: to obey his commands.” – 1 John 5:3.  If you truly have faith in Jesus you will pursue obeying Him.

Do you do what Jesus wants you to do or what you want to do? “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Matt. 16:24

Do you worship God?  “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24.

Do you tell others about Him?  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matt.  28:19.

Are you content with what you have or do you lust for what the world offers?  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Tim. 6:6.

Do you dislike someone so much that it is really hate?  “Anyone who claims to be in light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.” – 1 John 2:9.

Are you willing to give up a particular sin?  When you accidentally fall into that sin, does it disgust you and you get out of it quickly and ask God for forgiveness?  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.

As you grow in your faith can you see your life being affected by what God wants instead of what you want?  Our salvation depends on the person and work of Jesus Christ.  So do you believe that Jesus is who He says He is?  Do you believe He died on the cross for your sins? 

Scripture can make us wise about our salvation.  “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Tim. 3:14-17

The book of 1 John is full of the word “know”.  This entire book is written for the purpose of knowing you are saved.  John wants us to keep our faith in Christ and stand strong and to never doubt.  1 John 5:13 – “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

So don’t go by your feelings.  Don’t question whether you are saved or not.  Just read God’s Word and be assured.  Trust God and who Jesus is.  Believe and you are saved!

We will begin the study of the Gospel of John and 1 John the coming weeks.  You won’t want to miss it.  Hope to see you here.

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