We Can Say, “No” To Ungodliness!

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:11-15 NIV

When people make excuses for living in opposition to God’s Word, it is because they have either not been taught how to live The Word of God or they simply choose not to do so.

If  parents live an ungodly life before their children and all the children ever see is ungodliness around them, there is a great likelihood that the child will think that ungodliness is normal. We tend to think what we’ve have seen is all there is and unfortunately, for some children, ungodliness is all they will ever see. And for these we pray–that some day soon–they will see others live Godly lives and want to change their ways.

What do children see that is not of God? They see parents engrossed in all types of negative behaviors–watching porn on television, leaving bedroom doors open so the kids see all they should not see. They see parents getting high on drugs and selling drugs, and dealing in illegal activities–openly. They see parents start fights and brawls over trivial matters and they see parents set fires to home simply because they were evicted. They see parents cuss at anyone who dares to cross them or disagree with them. They hear parents when they lie and know when they are lying. And all of the ungodliness they see–becomes a part of their lives when they become adults and the cycle begins again.

If we understand the behavioral cycles that have led to the demise of respect and peace in our communications, we will see the need to teach better behaviors. There is but one simple rule to govern what we do–LOVE–and if we love–self and others–we can say, “No” to all ungodliness. If we teach children to respect others by showing them how we respect others, we can eliminate a lot of the violence in our society. Much of it is caused by a lack of respect–for self and others–especially when people think they have a right to infringe upon the rights of others–without consequences.

We are told in The Word that whatever we sow (plant), that is all we can expect to see. If we plant the seeds of ungodly behavior in our children, then all we can expect is ungodly behavior. If we plant Godliness (nurturing it our own behavior as a living testimony), then we’ll see Godliness in our children.

We have to remember that children are not stupid nor blind. They see much more than we think they see and they imitate what they see. So before we get upset with our children and others around, we need to reflect upon our own behavior. Are we saying, “No” to ungodliness or have we deceived ourselves into thinking there is nothing wrong with us?

Getting into The Word on a daily basis and seeking God’s Wisdom, puts us on the right path to living Godly lives before Him and others–alleviating any need to be ashamed of what we do–in the eye of the public or in our private lives. Please God–not man–and say no, to all ungodliness!

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Are You Convinced?

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 NIV)

With all of the negative, depressive, and oppressive media reports we see and hear on a daily basis, it’s difficult to understand how we could be convinced of anything good. Every day–rumors of unrest and violence all over the world–Afghanistan, Pakistan, all over the land from the middle to the far corners of the world–we seldom hear good news.

How we function as children of The Most High should not be predicated upon “world news” but by The Word of God–the Good News–that no matter what happens here on earth, nothing–absolutely nothing shall separate us from the love of God.

And one of the things we need to stop doing is bashing where we live–in America. Instead of complaining about the negative events–we should be praying for God to fill all with His wisdom and love–so we can live in peace. When we rise up against authority–whether we like the authority or not–we put ourselves in a position to not receive God’s blessings because of our disobedience.  That’s right–it is disobedient to rise up against authority (unless the authority is totally ungodly).

I see constant denigrating remarks about the President by people who claim to be Christians. Their remarks cause me to wonder if indeed they are followers of Jesus Christ. That is not to say they should agree with everything the President does, but it does mean we should not stoop to name-calling and cartoon caricatures that are demeaning. When other countries see our lack of respect for elected leadership, they sit back and laugh at all of us–waiting for disaster that is bound to happen.

So, since it is obvious the President is not hearing or listening to God–let’s pray for him.

Since no one in Congress is doing their job--we need to pray that people will elect those who will.

Since those sitting on the Supreme Court have lost sight of their purpose as it pertains to upholding laws–not changing them, we need to pray for them–that they’ll repent and hear God.

Since there are people who think they have a right to take lives–indiscriminately, we need to pray for them.

Since there are people who think they are superior to others–we need to pray for them.

Since there are people who live in total submission to those who have enticed them with evil, we need to pray for them.

Since there are people with idiotic notions about family, education, and raising children–we need to pray for them.

Since there are people on this planet who think everything should be given to them–we need to pray for them.

There are so many things we need to pray about and people who need prayer–direct instruction from God–and if we were praying, we wouldn’t have time to denigrate others–in any way.

Nevertheless, we know these things are happening and no matter what–whether people stop hating or not, stop killing or not, stop being foolish or not, nothing–absolutely nothing shall separate those who truly love God from His presence or His love.

I am convinced–especially since I know the end of the story–in the end we who Believe God, win–and while we wait for the victory of ascending to heaven, we can live this life, knowing we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

Are you convinced? If not, get into The Word and know–not just believe, but know He is our risen Savior and we can do all things well through Him.

Living Wisely!

“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV).

How do we live wisely–understanding what the Lord’s will is?

The first thing we must do is to seek God’s wisdom in all things and we can find His will in His Word–His Word is His Will for us and how we live.

After admonishing the church at Ephesus to live as children of the light–doing all things that can be openly examined and scrutinized without shame or fear, Paul continues with instructions based upon the Word and their circumstances. He reminds them that once upon a time–they walked in darkness–not knowing truth and doing all sorts of things that were too shameful to even discuss. Now, he tells them–find out what pleases The Lord and live accordingly.

Those words–“and find out what pleases The Lord” (Ephesians 5:10) speak volumes to us today. If we’re going to live wisely, doing what pleases The Lord, we must know what it is that pleases Him. The only way we can discover that is to read His Word and get understanding.

Notice what Paul doesn’t say–live to please self or others. There’s a reason he doesn’t say that. If we learn to live to please God, in all things–He will give us favor with others and therefore–they will be pleased. However, we cannot attempt to please man (our fleshly desires) and think that God will be pleased with us–especially if what we do is in opposition to His Word.

The Word never tells us to be politically correct in order not to offend others with truth. The Word tells us to be bold and very courageous in promoting the Gospel. If people are offended by Truth, it is because Truth exposes their lifestyle that opposes God. In other words–Truth pulls the cover off those things that people think they do in secret or in dark places where they cannot be seen.

Being politically correct–sugar-coating truth or exchanging truth for a lie–has become the blueprint the enemy uses to cause many to fall away from living according to The Word. This is foolishness, not wisdom. And because of the foolishness, we see changes in just about everything, made to accommodate the ungodly. Changes in school curriculum that expose young children to lifestyles that are in opposition to God. Changes in how those in authority seek to please people in ungodliness more than they do about upholding righteousness. Changes in how churches abdicate their responsibilities and duties to God in order to win favor with the masses who are on a path going directly to hell. All these changes–allowing evil to reign–unchecked–is the reason we see so much violence and killing. The prince of the air–is amassing an army that is willing to defy God no matter what the consequences are and foolish people are being led by the nose–into the lake of fire. 

That is not living wisely. If what we do in private cannot stand the test of microscopic examination, we shouldn’t do it for surely, we will be exposed by the light of Truth and all things done is darkness, will eventually be exposed by the light.

Now is not the time to back away from God’s Will; now is the time to endeavor to seek His Will on a daily basis and live as wise people, not foolish ones.

Beginning To Understand!

Trying to find something worthwhile on television these days is an exercise in futility, unless a person likes watching people being killed, autopsied, betrayals, conspiracies, no integrity, and celebrations of sin.  I’m beginning to understand why many older citizens prefer not to watch television at all. These shows are really debilitating to the spirit.

Reality shows that have no basis whatever in “reality.”

Sex, adultery, backstabbing, mothers sleeping with daughter’s husbands and boyfriends. Fathers sleeping with anyone they can get their hands on.

New murders, old murders, incest, rape, ridicule of real life situations by writers intent on keeping wounds bleeding.

Women exposed for their inability to know who their baby’s father is.

Young people thinking it’s okay to sleep with as many people as possible and teenage parenting celebrated on television.

Celebrities and their offspring get national attention for being vulgar and undisciplined with their use of drugs and alcohol, and many sit glued to a television set, just waiting for the next episode of the stupid and inane, watching their parents applaud their lewdness.

Is there one program on television that is truly geared for viewing by families with morals and values that are based on a wholesome relationship with God (not televangelism)? Now, if the one program is found, is it on local networks or cable? Does a person have to watch the same show over and over again or is there any variety available?

I’m beginning to understand that our society has become so amoral that we need to re-define morals and values.  In the midst of all this “ungodliness” portrayed on television, is there any wonder that many people don’t understand that not having a relationship with God is the reason we’re at this crossroad?  On the television, for all to see, we celebrate the worthlessness (as they see it) of life by repeatedly showing kids how to steal, kill, and destroy.  We teach them to not value their bodies or the bodies of others. Where is the outrage? Do the writers of these shows care? Do they have children of their own?  Do the actors allow their children to watch the smutty shows in which they perform?

I’m beginning to understand and pray others do as well.  It’s time to make a change, but will we do it or just complain?

Lord, help us to not invite the spirit of evil into our minds by what we watch on television, in the movies, and listen to on radios. Help us to maintain our focus on You and in doing good for all people.

Where Are the Real Christians?

Will the real followers of Christ—please stand up and speak out against ungodliness?

Church folks—those of you who just go to church because you think it impresses God or man—sit down and be quiet!  Pick up a bible and study to show yourself approved unto God (not man), a workman who knows how to rightly divide The Word!  From the looks of things in our society, I would have to say we have more church folks—pretending to have a relationship with God-than we do real followers of Christ—many of whom have become “secret agents” for the Lord because they don’t want to be persecuted by the masses of those who commit ungodliness and try to convince others that God doesn’t mind.

The secret agents live in isolation as it pertains to their faith in God.  God and they are the only ones who know about them.  The rest of the world is kept in the dark about who they really are because they refuse to speak up or speak out in support of what God says.  These agents feel that it is more important to not discuss anything that may create confusion or division.  This is why they say, “I was always told not to discuss politics or religion.”

Once again, they will not speak out about the corrupted political arena or the flaws of those who profess to be Christians who really are not.  Real Christians try to live the life that indicates they are followers of Christ.  They do not try to reinvent the Word to pacify their fluctuating beliefs.  They do not try to say God said one thing over another when He didn’t.  Real Christians understand that whatever God said is sin in The Word is still sin in the world.  Jesus did not come to change anything God said, but to bring us back into right relationship with the Father so we would have access to heaven as our eternal destination.

None who attempt to manipulate The Word or what God says will enter into the Kingdom for they do not know the Father and have no right to the inheritance as a joint-heir when they cannot be, as Christ is—totally subject to doing the will of the Father. Man-pleasers have no place in the inheritance for the Word says, we should please God for we cannot please man.  If we are honest with ourselves, we would have to acknowledge that truth since man changes the rules of living as they go along, in order to get along with everyone, and will at any time decide to change the rules as needed.  Is God happy with that?  I doubt it.  He said, “I am the Lord your God and I change not!”  So where does that leave us?  It should lead us to wanting to know how to please Him rather than man since man has no heaven or hell for anyone, but themselves. However, we do choose, by our actions, our appointed destination—heaven or hell.  Where will you spend eternity?