Christians are pious, judgemental hypocrites

This post is only referencing II Timothy 3:15-16. When I read the Bible for my daily personal message I ask God to show me what I need to see and give me the understanding to interpret His message for me. I opened my Bible and my eyes landed on the page at verse 15.

¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

I did go back and read the rest of the chapter but those 2 verses are what my heart pondered on. 

Too many times when Christians stand up and say what you or the world is doing is sin. We get words like pious, judgmental, and hypocritical thrown back at us. We are told we should not say this to people because if we are true Christians we would love them, invite them in, and not tell them everything they are doing wrong. 

What most people refuse to accept is that we are saying these things out of love and we want them to come to our churches and fellowship with us. You can tell someone they are wrong out of a loving concerning heart but they have to be willing to accept the lesson. These scriptures tell us that we should know the Scripture as God's Word and we should use it as a tool to guide others to Him. As verse says, the Word is not only for instruction and a guideline for our lives, but it should also be CORRECTLY applied as reproof and correction. 

I think that correct application is where so many people with the best intentions get tripped up. We also have to accept that we are not perfect and we have to accept when God uses the Word to correct us. I know most of my readings like this I find a message that I can share with others, but that does not happen until I absorb what God is saying to me personally.  We have to be able to to accept responsibility for our own sin and shortcomings. Yes I said sin. Every person that has ever lived, with the exception of Christ our Savior, has and will sin. It is called making mistakes and being human. If we are not afraid of admitting our mistakes to God and using our lives as an example others will be more receptive to what we have to say and it will not appear as hypocritical. As Christians, we must continue to learn the scripture and use it correctly as a tool of reproof.   We cannot let words such as pious or judgmental deter us from using the Word in the ways God intended. We are not the judge and jury and should never act that way, but we are the instructors and educators to others. 

How many times was Christ questioned, challenged, and treated as judgmental? If they would do that to the Son of God why should we expect any less for spreading the message. He died for us and for the message. There are missionaries all over the world who are face death or imprisonment for the message they deliver, so I do not think some harsh words that we face here should deter us in the least. 

When I blog I set here and type, none of my words are preplanned so I am reading this for the first time as I write. I see this message applying to me and telling me I need to become more proactive for God. We all need to become more proactive, He was proactive for us. 

Just remember condemn the sin, love the sinner.

Thought for the day July 1, 2013

 We are not promised a new day so we should give each day over to God and let him manage our day.
Luke 22:42 -- "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

Kudos to Roy Costner IV

I want to say thank you and God bless you to Roy Costner IV. He is an 18 year old Valedictorian from Liberty High School.

He had the courage to add the Lord's Prayer to the end of his Valedictorian speech at his graduation. His principal had approved the speech and said he was not allowed to have any religious expression in it. He added the prayer without their prior knowledge.

The school has not and does not appear to have any intention to do anything about it. In fact, the way I read it they are non-vocally in support of it. The only ones who really seem upset by it is Freedom From Religion Foundation who says it was rude and inconsiderate of non-Christians. Personally, I think banning God is rude and inconsiderate to Christians. But I am not here to get into that.

I want to give a shout out to Roy. If he continues with this level of conviction God will use him for great things. If we, as Christians, could all stand for God like this I think His presence would be much stronger in this country.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/06/hear-what-valedictorian-said-for-cheers/?hpt=hp_t3

The link to the article and the video.

Faith - A Personal Reflection

I want to preface by apologizing for the span between posts. It has been awhile and I feel like I have struggled in my life at times because of that. My 6 year old spilled coffee on my laptop so a pc to blog with has been limited to work and that has proved a challenge, but God has given me the opportunity today.

On the way to work one morning something happened that caused traffic to back up and several people were turning around and cutting through a state park that is close to the location. There were no detour signs or even a police officer that was diverting traffic, but everyone one car turned going through a state park that was there and everyone else, including myself followed. Personally, I was taking it on blind faith that the lead car was going the same general direction as me and knew where they were going, I wonder how many others felt the same.

My point with is that all of us have either done something like this or know someone who has. How easily we can follow others in many situations, but yet we have trouble in doing this with God.

People are not perfect will never be perfect. We all make mistakes on a daily basis and yet we still have faith in our leaders, of all forms, in our friends and family, and even in strangers under the right conditions to help and guide us through what ever we are facing in life.

Why then is it so difficult to put this same faith in God? God created everything around us, every person that has, does, and will exists, and He knows every problem we will EVER face and how to resolve them. He desires to bless and reward those who follow and allow Him to guide our lives. Putting our faith in God is truly a win - win situation for us.

What is Faith?  Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Which means we must accept that our hearts desires will be given and even though the means may not be present. We must believe that God will provide according to His will and plan.


We just have some things we must do and some things we must not do.

Must do:
1. Believe- We must know that God is the author and finisher of all. He can deliver anything to us and will bless us according to His plan. We must accept that it is on His schedule and by His will, not ours.

2. Know- We must know within our hearts that God not only desires to meet our needs that He will do this and we must not falter in this belief.

3. Accept - We must accept that God is going to bless our life by thanking Him before we receive the blessing.


Must not do:
1. Hold God to our time line- God will pour out His blessings to us according to His will and timeline. Holding God to "our" agenda will not work.

2. Doubt - Sometimes things may take awhile, if we begin to doubt God they will never develop.


Matthew 17:20

And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 1 Corinthians 2:5

So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.

James 1:3

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

1 Peter 1:7

That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

A Catholic, A born-again Christian, An al Qaeda, and a Klansman walk into a building.

When you hear the four following groups I want you to think about what they have in common:
A. Catholics
B. Evangelical Protestants
C. al Qaeda
D. The Ku Klux Klan

They are all classified as religious extremists groups by the U.S. Department of Defense. While I am not Catholic, I can confidently say they are not extremists. As a born again Christian I do qualify as a evangelical and can say without certainty there is a huge difference between myself and my beliefs and the hate filled rhetoric that comes from the other groups on the list such as the al Qaeda, the KKK, and the Christian Identity.



Adding these two groups to the list, even by accident, associated most true and loyal followers of God's word with groups who sole purpose is to take the word of God, or their god and distort into justifying violence and hatred. It also creates more negative sterotypes in the a society that is currently coming down on Christianity over social changes.

Christians who stand up for the Biblical view on topics like homosexuality/bisexuality are currently be labeled as a group who hates the people who choose that lifestyle, when, in fact, although we do not condone the act and acknowledge it is a sin, we do not condemn those who choose it.

We are getting close to the end folks. Our nation that once stood firmly for God and His ways is now trying to drive Him out, both intentionally and unintentionally. Although there are many evangelists and missionaries spreading the word worldwide, it seems we as a world are getting away from God.  This is all things that mark the end of times.

(Matthew 24:9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
(Matthew 24:10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
(Matthew 24:11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax [become] cold.
(Matthew 24:13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.


Why all this doom and gloom of the end of world? No one knows when why worry about it? Because while we may be right with God how many friends or family members do we have that we cannot say for sure what will happen to them at death? I believe Christ is going to take those who love Him away before the world reaches it lowest point, do you want your friends or family left?

We, as Christians, need to become extremists. Our weapons should never be violence, intimidation, or fear we need to use the strongest weapons of all faith, hope, and love. We should never be ashamed or nervous about expressing our belief in our God. We should tell others of the promise of eternal life. No matter how much the world tries to turn away, we should always do everything within our power to turn it back to God, one soul at a time.

God be with you!!

Link to the article:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/5/dod-presentation-classifies-catholics-evangelicals/?page=2

Great Statement

How Much Time Do We Really Have Left?

People have been talking about the end of time and the rapture for years. But we must prepare and make ourselves ready. Kim Jong-Un and North Korea are rapidly ramping their nuclear program up. Now they have a medium range missile pointed in the direction of Guam, but it could reach Japan easily. Between the fast growth of his nuclear program and his repeated threats toward the U.S. to use them I feel like we are rapidly approaching a nuclear strike of some kind. 

Here is an image from CNN that shows what parts of the world have nuclear weapons at their disposal. 

Red = Nuclear  Orange = Suspected to have nuclear weapons Yellow =Suspected to be working on nuclear weapons

In response to his threats and development we are placing more troops in the area, putting on a passive show of force in South Korea by increasing fighter traffic, and moving missile batteries to Guam. 

Thinking about this brings 2 Peter 3 to my mind. 

 1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,

2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

He describes the last days as "mockers will come with their mocking, full of their own lusts". The mockers, non-Godly, are gaining more weight in our society. We have taken God out of courthouses, schools and many other aspects of our lives, we are giving the sacred act of marriage to homosexuals, we are creating life through cloning, etc. People are seeing man attempt to become equal to God as a way to show He does not exist. Countries around the world are trying to take God out of the perspective and going against His instruction. Noah's flood, Sodom, and Gomorrah should serve as an example that God will be true to His word and destroy those who continually mock and blatantly disobey Him. The next destruction of the world will come through fire, and since we are so quick to try and assume His role, God may let us create and rain the fire down upon each other. Verse 10 says "...the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed by intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." Jason Soo provided the temperatures of a nuclear explosion in his 1995 article "Atomic Education" in Enscquire:

"Within 17 meters, the explosion temperature was 300,000 degrees Celsius. Within 50 meters it was
9,000-11,000 degrees, and at ground level beneath hypocenter the temperature exceeded 6,000 degrees."

For those who think Fahrenheit, here is a conversion of the temperatures mentioned above:
300,000 Celsius = 5,400,032 Fahrenheit
9,000 - 11,000 Celsius = 16,232 - 19,832 Fahrenheit
6,000 Celsius = 10,832 Fahrenheit

Not saying North Korea is going to end the world, but I have always been confident in the thought that if one nuclear missile is launched, due to the number that are now available to the world, more will follow. We need to focus on getting ourselves and our loved ones close to God. We never know when He will come back for His people.