ISDAMan
06-17-00, 12:50 AM
I’d like to start this FNS off differently. I’m going to give you some verses from throughout the Bible and I’d like you to look them up and write them down. Once you have done that, go ahead and read this week’s FNS. Keep those verses close in your mind and see if you can see where each one applies in what we are studying together. See if you can see how they apply in your life directly. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I like to use examples from life in general and my life especially. Why? I want to show just how relevant the Bible/God is to us today and in today’s hustle and bustle. That’s just how Jesus shared the truth. He showed it in terms that the people He was talking to could relate with. I would encourage you that when you share the Gospel, be it with Christians or not, try to present it in a relevant fashion without going into the theatrics or even remotely skimming the surface of something less than the truth.
James 1:2-3, Psalm 100:3, Proverbs 1:8, Psalm 34:10, Job 5:17, Proverbs 28:18, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 11:18, Psalm 121:7-8, 1 John 1:5-6, Galatians 6:10
As a small overview of what we’ve covered and will cover, I want to pass on that we are getting to see the life of a man that tried to live it apart from God and for God all at the same time (straddling the fence). We’re also getting to see how he finally picked a side. This book is meant for life application. It’s not just some really good story. In fact, in my estimation, for however much that matters, this book spells it out better than Proverbs. The “it” I speak of is the nature of a man’s life in relation to God. I’d like to share something with you that God shared with me just the other day. As we all know, God uses saints and sinners to get His message across. We are also supposed to be in the world but not of the world. Thus, even in interaction with things and situations involving or stemming from people apart from God, we will even see the truth of God. He teaches us in all situations in our lives. The same thing happened to the writer of this book. Even the stupid things he did, God used to teach him. Now, I did something just the other day. I don’t thing it was stupid. Perhaps, you might. I do believe God used a situation wherein I was involved in something that came from people apart from God to teach me something. I went to see the movie Gladiator. Now, if you have never had any part in any combative actions in your life, you might want to avoid this movie. Though there is a powerful story and marvelous acting, this movie leans toward the military in mind. I caution you before you see it. It depicts true to life results of combat. Surprise surprise, for all of you that know that I’m a former Marine, God didn’t speak to my heart about the combative nature of the movie. You know what did happen though? He took a phrase from the movie and it was almost as if I could hear the Holy Spirit say, “Did you hear that?!?!?!” I’ll tell you what was said in the movie and how it applies to what we’ve been going through here. The Black gladiator says to the Spaniard (the star of the movie), “You have a strong name. He must first destroy your name before he can destroy you.” What a powerful statement of truth that is. We pray in the name (authority) of Jesus because His authority is Good. We are also told to be Holy just like He is. Attach yourself like a barnacle to Christ! Satan only has a limited few ways to attack! You can help limit his ways to attack you by being like Christ. In OT times, there was the leading up to Christ. That’s what the writer of this book lived under. It’s called the law. In NT times, we get to see the Christ, the completion of the law, that has come. This OT writer spent a huge chunk of his life not attached to the law like a barnacle. He was, more or less, leaning up against it. He was there. He just wasn’t fully committed. He, himself, gave place to Satan to distract and disrupt his life. Satan cannot cause us to fall and falter. He can only call us away. It’s up to us to listen to those calls. If you are attached to Christ like a barnacle, if your thoughts are continually on the ways and things of God, if you are a faithful servant, your name will be STRONG like Christ’s name is STRONG!!! Satan, and those that serve Satan, even though they might be those that say they serve God but serve the will of Satan in secret and plot against you, will first have to destroy the Good and STRONG name you have in Christ before they can destroy you! Fear No Evil!!! They must first break your bond. That is a common attack of Satan. No matter the circumstance, turn to God for re-enforcement. All the distractions are meant to break your bond with Christ. All the self-fulfilling pleasures are meant to break your bond with Christ. All the troubles, doubts, fears, and worries Satan would turn your attention to are meant to break your bond with Christ. All of the heartache, loneliness, dreams of days gone by, and pipe dreams of the future that keep you from serving God as you should are meant to break your bond with Christ! It’s a divide and conquer technique. We can have no Good name of our own. Yet, though Christ, we can. Stand STRONG knowing that all that you do is in the Good name, the authority, of Jesus Christ! Stand STRONG and together with your Brothers and Sisters in Christ knowing that you are one in the same and like a legion of Roman soldiers with shields interlocked and the voice of your commander driving you on to HOLD your ground! What can move God’s army? This very day, I am aware that there are those that plot against me by direction of the minions of Satan. Yet, my faith is still in Jesus and I have no fear. God is the Alpha and the Omega. I have said it before. He gives us only the middle to move around in. He is no less in control. It is not good to mistake the interactions and options He gives us in the middle for Power. We have none. Neither do those that do the work of Satan. This book makes it clear. We all are cast into the same situation. We will all pass away. Life in the here and now is the same for us weather we serve God or Satan. Sure there do come the blessings of God that sweeten life for the believer. Never the less, it begins the same and ends the same for us all. Life in general is a reflection of God’s relationship with man. Man has all kinds of movement in the middle and no control over the beginning, the end, or what comes after. Don’t give, to the workers of iniquity, the power that they are not due, the power that is due only to our God. Our reward, our greatest reward, comes after the here and now. For the workers of iniquity, the here and now is all the reward they will ever see. That’s what they strive for. It’s all they know. Let them rejoice in what they take from you. It is by the knowledge that God is the Alpha and the Omega that we can see (remember, God gives proof) how it is that God will take what is meant to harm us and make it good to us. He has Power from the Beginning to the End and Beyond! Stick to Christ like a barnacle. God has told us what He will do. Stand ready to see the outcome (the proof) of His Glorious Word. Let Him be the beginning and the end of all matters in your life and you’ll be rewarded in the continuation of the afterlife. Do not try to corral God out of certain areas of your life. That is foolishness. The writer of this book would tell you that it is vexation. It does not bring the peace OF God. It also robs you of your peace WITH God. Brothers and Sisters, stay close to God and one another. Make no leagues (be not unequally yoked) with the workers of iniquity by way of action or contrition. Stick to Christ like a barnacle! That means that you’re going to have to let go of some other things and perhaps even some other relationships. It’s your choice. Who do you love?
King James Version
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handful withquietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
New Living Translation
5 Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve.
6 They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile.
If you’ve never read through Proverbs, I tell you, you need to! The lazy person is thoroughly covered in this book. It’s a sad shame that we, as a nation, have built whole industries catering to lazy people. We’ve got the gambling industry, loosely restricted welfare (though it is getting better), psychic phone lines, prostitution, credit cards, and on and on the list goes on. How is it that God’s rules regarding laziness people don’t apply anymore? People don’t look for the reward of hard work anymore (like God has ordained). Now, they want to hit the lottery. No need to trust God for my daily sustenance. All I have to do is hit the number and it’s blue skies forever baby. It’s the quick fix or nothing at all today. Why work when the government will pay, feed, and house whole generations of families? Now, a large part of Americans feel they owe their lives to the government and not to God. After all, it’s the government that clothed, fed, housed, and paid them. Who needs to turn to the church and God’s people for help when the government’s giving out free money and vittles? Just itching to know what the future holds? Are you too busy to find out what God has to say about it? Would you rather not have to put forth any effort or take risk to get answers in life? That’s Great! Psychic phone lines are just what you need. Who cares if they only speak in vague lies that could fit anyone eight to eighty, bind, crippled, or crazy? You call and you’ll get just what you want to hear and you don’t even have to work for it. Isn’t that GREAT?!?!?! Got a few personal hang-ups? Just looking for a little spice? Afraid to take that chance to see if a woman will get to know the real you? Don’t bother. Just pay for your five to ten minutes of what seems to be affection. Sure, it won’t last but you can always by more once the emptiness sets in. Oh, and here’s one of my favorites, as some of you might know. Let'’ all bow down to the lord Visa! Aaaa, what does God know about finances? I’ve got a credit card. Who wants those hard nose limits that protect you from ultimate failure? I’m having too much fun fight now! I don’t actually have to work to earn the money so I can have something. If I can’t afford it or if I fall on some hard luck, I’ll just open more cards and get some loans. Heck!!! There’s always bankruptcy! Come on everybody! Let’s go spend some money we don’t have and know we never will!
Satan has us fill our lives full of clutter. Busy busy busy and never getting anything done is what we are. He’s been so subtle as to make us, as a nation, think piece by piece and inch by inch that all of these things are o.k. There are even those among us Christians that have lost discernment and are so confused that they even find these things to be good and in the realm of Christianity and even service to God. Don’t try to look innocent and surprised now!!!!!! There are churches that gamble. Within the body of Christ, we even pass a blind eye to adultery. We tolerate benchwarmers that scarcely do anything in or out of the church for God. Laziness has become a way of life for us. We are now a weak and dependant nation! We look to the UN and the international community for support and guidance instead of the God that set firm ground beneath our feet and made our borders strong. We are a nation believing a lie that it is better to starve ourselves of the Word of God and fatten ourselves on all things self-serving and requiring no work. For example, the stock market has existed for decades. Yet, it is only in these times that day traders flourish. In today’s thinking, why work for money when you can gamble for it and get the quick fix? Satan, when you buy into his lie, delivers a product that starts out sweet and suddenly becomes a cavernous and bitter pit of refuse. Right now, the sweet is just beginning to crack through. I’m going to hate to see that day when we fall and hit bottom. I fear that we do not have the strength, in representation for Christ, in this country, to turn its course to God. Are you willing to take up the fight? Together, not as individuals, and standing on the Promises of God, we can!
King James Version
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
New Living Translation
7 I observed yet another example of meaninglessness in our world.
8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing.
In all of the self-reliance and greed of today, there is still nothing but pure emptiness within. Our schools feel that we don’t need God. Look at the consequences. The average citizen has a God of their own making. Our children are devoid of even the notion of an almighty, all knowing, and Loving God. After all, they don’t even have fathers they can dream of in that light. We think that we are the beginning and end of our own lives and we are better off for it. Yet, divorce has never been higher. We slaughter our unborn children. Sexual perversion has increased almost every STD today. Child pregnancy is booming. Suicide is unparalleled. Free speech is good for everyone except those that speak the truth. Bankruptcy is a great business to be in. Our courts are full of nonsense litigation and rulings. Violence is a way of life for our youth. Our elderly die alone and poor. Yet, we are in control. We know what is best. In reality we are the outcome of a nation divested of God. I could go on in all of these things. It’s not new to you. Still, in each of our individual lives, we seem to think it is a new thing somehow. We have been so indoctrinated by the lies of Satan in such a subtle fashion that I am ashamed to say that we elect evil and down right ungodly officials, in this country, by the willing votes of professing Christians. We fall in for the lie of what is promised. Yet, like gambling, like pre-marital and extramarital sex, like the offer Satan made to Jesus, though the promise of virtue was made, the product promised was never available for delivery. Don’t buy into the idea that you can do something good in your own way and of your own power. There are no refunds in this deal. For all that you think you will gain by blazing your own path, you’ll come up short and then some. Every lie you buy into will only leave you more destitute. You’ll miss out on the blessings of God because you think you can get somewhere in ways other than God says to get there. I know that it’s hard to follow God. Jesus said that His burden on you isn’t heavy at all. He never said that the road He’ll have you carry it on is going to be easy. Don’t waste your time being a loner. Join together in God’s plan. There, you’ll find fulfillment.
In a bit more about fulfillment, we have all just seen a perfect example of how the search of false fulfillment ruins lives. In serving God, you come under God’s blessing and bless others without even knowing how at times. In serving Satan, it is the same. Only it goes from a blessing to a curse. In central Park, New York, women were attacked and belittled by men that learned to take their joy in the oppression of God’s gift in women. I have no doubt in my mind that those men all got their start in seeing women in such a horrible light, so as to treat them with such utter disrespect, in pornography and in the very unfettered sex deluged environment of our society! Not only that. There’s also the fact that men and women have forsaken their rightful God given roles to seek their own pleasures. God created sex and it is a wonderful and most pleasurable thing used as He designed it to be used. Our culture claims that the illegitimate use doesn’t hurt anyone. Our culture claims that it only promotes good. Our culture says that the sooner and the more the better. Then, when the true nature of this demon lie begins to show itself, our latest and greatest politicians and social leaders, all blinded by the feminist dream, place the blame on maleness. Well, not to sound like I agree with them, however, the major fault is in the failure of men!!! Oh, and the feminist helped to bring this about too. After all, the freedom for porn and prostitution is one of the great things they have fought for. It was one of their sexual rights. Because, as men, we have served ourselves, in seeking money, fame, wealth, and pleasure, and have abandoned the direction that we find in His Word and have not sought to serve our wives and families as servant leaders, we have given our authority over to devils to rule in our stead. Now, our children as young men have no reins. There is no control. There are no limits for them. They feed on the filth of pornography, gluttony, and the love of money. Now, even what our children work for is evil from sunup to sundown. When an occasion for an opportunity to abuse women arrives, it’s seen as normal to a crowd of hundreds. After all, women do it to themselves at spring break and other public celebrations all over this country. Some how, it surprises the rest of us that this could go on. This is sick!!!! I could see no one that went to help them in the footage of the attacks. Innocent women were uncovered and battered, mocked, fondled, robbed of their safety and dignity, and caused to walk naked through the streets and find their own safety. Even those that finally offered a scant bit of assistance in an article of clothing here and there did so with reluctance. In fact, I would say that most of those men that offered their shirts were only doing so just to have the women reach out and enable a better look at their breasts. The defection from God starts small. It starts by compromising on small matters. Well, I’ll only work this one Sunday. It’s just a little white lie. What can it hurt? They’re only pictures. It’s not like I’m cheating with her. The boss’ll never even know it’s gone. I’m just going to sleep in this one Sunday. I’ll do it later. It’s my turn to get what I want. How come this person always gets XYZ? All of these things have lead to what we have just seen. We now operate by a system of situational ethics. God has spelled out His system here! It is absolute! We are studying it now!!! Christian, STOP BEING SILENT!!!! It is by a lack of our holding to and teaching these principles, that we study now, that we have given place to Satan to cause our women such shame and burden. Where were the men of Honor to stand up for them? Right now, I gather that all of the men reading this are saying, “I would have fought for them. I would have done something.” Yeah, well, where were you the day before?!?!? What were you doing to share God’s truth one year ago from this day?!?!?!?! If you cared about and loved those women as your neighbors, you would have already been out in the world fighting the war as one of God’s army!!!!! I find it a sad shame that not even in the police force, did God have enough men, who honor Him, to stand up and fight and even die for the protection of those women! Don’t tell me about how you have been doing your job as a Christian. I don’t want to hear it! If we, as men, had been doing our jobs, the stage would never even have been set for Satan to have his way against those innocent women! Satan had all of his evil men in place. Where were God’s representatives?!?!?!?!? We’ve been too busy serving ourselves and not serving our wives and families as God has commanded us! A man’s place, a man’s heart, is in his HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His body only works at his job! That breadwinner excuse is DEAD! A man that let’s his home die in pursuit of the world’s standards is worse than an infidel and is a curse to his neighbors.
Proverbs 16:19 (New International Version) Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
We men search for the makings of our own pride and call it being the breadwinner. Providing for your family is wonderful. It’s the thing to do. Somehow, more and more of us have rejected the joy of seeking to build a Godly family. Sadly, that even includes those that hold the position of husband and father. We neglect. Our son’s go astray in wrath that we caused. Our daughters seek love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Our wives, in turn, suffer the heartache and injustice of broken children, shattered dreams, leaderless homes, and a union with a void in it where a man is supposed to Stand! We caused that! We win the bread and poison the honored guests of the feast. In a society where men take their rightful stand for God, women can walk in the park without fear, children obey their parents, and neighbors are not left to fend for themselves. In every last choice we make as men, we need to realize that the families we have and hope to have and even the families of our neighbors hang in the balance. Just a tiny amount of greed and self-reliance goes a long long long long way.
King James Version
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
New Living Translation
9 Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor.
10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.
11 And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone?
12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
We know that might doesn’t mean right. Numbers don’t spell truth but truth in numbers is mighty right! Again, join with fellow believers to the benefit of God’s kingdom. Or, is it that you are more concerned about your own things? Have you realized that God does have the power to meet your needs and wants too? Perhaps, it might be good to look for some of those miracles of God in those tiny areas of your life too. Look for God’s proof and He’ll show it to you in ways that will surprise you. He is a God that brings comfort from other people. Trust me when I say that this goes against my grain! I am a born loner. If I had my way, I’d do everything alone. If you knew my family, if you knew the people that work with me, if you knew my church family, they’d all tell you that I’m a loner. It’s just how I operate. I really have to struggle and work hard at reaching out to others to be more friendly. I love others. I’m just most comfortable alone or in very small groups. I know what you’re going through if you are like me. God, however, says that it’s not right to be alone. He made Eve for Adam. She was more than just a physical link. She was a spiritual bond/partner. By the companionship of the other, neither was alone and was able to produce more than what either could produce alone. Children don’t come from loners. They come from a union. Two must work together. Then, that child adds to the union. Raised up properly, you have an unbeatable team. What can fail that is founded in God?!?!?!?! It is true in every aspect of life that we as Christians should join together to do the work of God. Though I loved Truestory, a member of exosci that has gone on to be with the Lord, for those that did not know her, this is something she had not learned. It is a subtle lie of Satan that causes Christians to think that they should not join together with God’s children in church environments because of the imperfection of some members or for any reason for that matter. God’s Word says to join together. There is no Yeah But!
So, we know that God likes teamwork. Well, let’s explore this team aspect. Being a team player requires two things. First, you are required to think of the other person’s good and needs first. Second, and I’ll explain because I know this one might be hard to grasp, you need to do for yourself first. Say What?!?!?! How can that be? We know what Jesus said about noticing the speck in your friend’s eye but not noticing the beam in your own. I’ll translate it into an example some of you might have heard me give before. You’re standing outside and you see a little girl get hit by a car in the far lane of traffic. Well, like anyone would, you rush to help her. This might come as a shock, but it’s the fool that just runs out into traffic to help her. The prudent, the wise person, will look to make sure hat there’s not a big 18 wheeler semi that’s going to run them down while trying to help the girl hit by a car. No matter your intentions, with your guts splattered all over the highway, you can’t help that girl. You need to be in order and know that you are in order prior to being of help to anyone. Does that mean perfect? No. Does that mean that you can have no needs or shortfalls of your own? Not at all! We’re called to follow Christ and Christ said that He didn’t come to help those that needed no help. He came to help the weak and the helpless. He came to be the captain of the team so that we would have correct union to God and one another. Simply yield your life to Him, and He’ll work on fixing the other stuff. He’ll use you where He wants you and move you up as you grow accordingly. If you’ll do that, in time, you’ll be saving little ones in danger on a regular basis. He’ll make you the team player that your lone wolf nature would rather resist. There is no reason to be alone.
King James Version
13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
New Living Translation
13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than to be an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
14 Such a youth could come from prison and succeed. He might even become king, though he was born in poverty.
15 Everyone is eager to help such a youth, even to help him take the throne.
16 He might become the leader of millions and be very popular. But then the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.
Lastly, let’s discuss responsibility and reproof. God does not throw us away when we go wrong. He lovingly corrects us. I don’t care how bad your wrong was. God will not reject you for it. Don’t you continue to reject God because you think you are now worthless or of too little use. Let God do what He does. He can use you if you are willing and gain wisdom from your reproof. The world that seemed against you will open up for you as you trust God to keep His Word. Do the consequences of your choices vanish? Nope. I wouldn’t look for that if I were you. God will cause you to pay. He’ll also cause you to prosper by having paid the price for your actions. Stand STRONG by your active faith in Christ. That is your responsibility. Still, remember, whatever God gives you of this world, in this life, is only a vapor. Don’t hold to it too tightly. When He’s ready for you to move on, He might just blow it away.
Are you trusting God yet?
ISDAMan
James 1:2-3, Psalm 100:3, Proverbs 1:8, Psalm 34:10, Job 5:17, Proverbs 28:18, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 11:18, Psalm 121:7-8, 1 John 1:5-6, Galatians 6:10
As a small overview of what we’ve covered and will cover, I want to pass on that we are getting to see the life of a man that tried to live it apart from God and for God all at the same time (straddling the fence). We’re also getting to see how he finally picked a side. This book is meant for life application. It’s not just some really good story. In fact, in my estimation, for however much that matters, this book spells it out better than Proverbs. The “it” I speak of is the nature of a man’s life in relation to God. I’d like to share something with you that God shared with me just the other day. As we all know, God uses saints and sinners to get His message across. We are also supposed to be in the world but not of the world. Thus, even in interaction with things and situations involving or stemming from people apart from God, we will even see the truth of God. He teaches us in all situations in our lives. The same thing happened to the writer of this book. Even the stupid things he did, God used to teach him. Now, I did something just the other day. I don’t thing it was stupid. Perhaps, you might. I do believe God used a situation wherein I was involved in something that came from people apart from God to teach me something. I went to see the movie Gladiator. Now, if you have never had any part in any combative actions in your life, you might want to avoid this movie. Though there is a powerful story and marvelous acting, this movie leans toward the military in mind. I caution you before you see it. It depicts true to life results of combat. Surprise surprise, for all of you that know that I’m a former Marine, God didn’t speak to my heart about the combative nature of the movie. You know what did happen though? He took a phrase from the movie and it was almost as if I could hear the Holy Spirit say, “Did you hear that?!?!?!” I’ll tell you what was said in the movie and how it applies to what we’ve been going through here. The Black gladiator says to the Spaniard (the star of the movie), “You have a strong name. He must first destroy your name before he can destroy you.” What a powerful statement of truth that is. We pray in the name (authority) of Jesus because His authority is Good. We are also told to be Holy just like He is. Attach yourself like a barnacle to Christ! Satan only has a limited few ways to attack! You can help limit his ways to attack you by being like Christ. In OT times, there was the leading up to Christ. That’s what the writer of this book lived under. It’s called the law. In NT times, we get to see the Christ, the completion of the law, that has come. This OT writer spent a huge chunk of his life not attached to the law like a barnacle. He was, more or less, leaning up against it. He was there. He just wasn’t fully committed. He, himself, gave place to Satan to distract and disrupt his life. Satan cannot cause us to fall and falter. He can only call us away. It’s up to us to listen to those calls. If you are attached to Christ like a barnacle, if your thoughts are continually on the ways and things of God, if you are a faithful servant, your name will be STRONG like Christ’s name is STRONG!!! Satan, and those that serve Satan, even though they might be those that say they serve God but serve the will of Satan in secret and plot against you, will first have to destroy the Good and STRONG name you have in Christ before they can destroy you! Fear No Evil!!! They must first break your bond. That is a common attack of Satan. No matter the circumstance, turn to God for re-enforcement. All the distractions are meant to break your bond with Christ. All the self-fulfilling pleasures are meant to break your bond with Christ. All the troubles, doubts, fears, and worries Satan would turn your attention to are meant to break your bond with Christ. All of the heartache, loneliness, dreams of days gone by, and pipe dreams of the future that keep you from serving God as you should are meant to break your bond with Christ! It’s a divide and conquer technique. We can have no Good name of our own. Yet, though Christ, we can. Stand STRONG knowing that all that you do is in the Good name, the authority, of Jesus Christ! Stand STRONG and together with your Brothers and Sisters in Christ knowing that you are one in the same and like a legion of Roman soldiers with shields interlocked and the voice of your commander driving you on to HOLD your ground! What can move God’s army? This very day, I am aware that there are those that plot against me by direction of the minions of Satan. Yet, my faith is still in Jesus and I have no fear. God is the Alpha and the Omega. I have said it before. He gives us only the middle to move around in. He is no less in control. It is not good to mistake the interactions and options He gives us in the middle for Power. We have none. Neither do those that do the work of Satan. This book makes it clear. We all are cast into the same situation. We will all pass away. Life in the here and now is the same for us weather we serve God or Satan. Sure there do come the blessings of God that sweeten life for the believer. Never the less, it begins the same and ends the same for us all. Life in general is a reflection of God’s relationship with man. Man has all kinds of movement in the middle and no control over the beginning, the end, or what comes after. Don’t give, to the workers of iniquity, the power that they are not due, the power that is due only to our God. Our reward, our greatest reward, comes after the here and now. For the workers of iniquity, the here and now is all the reward they will ever see. That’s what they strive for. It’s all they know. Let them rejoice in what they take from you. It is by the knowledge that God is the Alpha and the Omega that we can see (remember, God gives proof) how it is that God will take what is meant to harm us and make it good to us. He has Power from the Beginning to the End and Beyond! Stick to Christ like a barnacle. God has told us what He will do. Stand ready to see the outcome (the proof) of His Glorious Word. Let Him be the beginning and the end of all matters in your life and you’ll be rewarded in the continuation of the afterlife. Do not try to corral God out of certain areas of your life. That is foolishness. The writer of this book would tell you that it is vexation. It does not bring the peace OF God. It also robs you of your peace WITH God. Brothers and Sisters, stay close to God and one another. Make no leagues (be not unequally yoked) with the workers of iniquity by way of action or contrition. Stick to Christ like a barnacle! That means that you’re going to have to let go of some other things and perhaps even some other relationships. It’s your choice. Who do you love?
King James Version
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handful withquietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
New Living Translation
5 Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve.
6 They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile.
If you’ve never read through Proverbs, I tell you, you need to! The lazy person is thoroughly covered in this book. It’s a sad shame that we, as a nation, have built whole industries catering to lazy people. We’ve got the gambling industry, loosely restricted welfare (though it is getting better), psychic phone lines, prostitution, credit cards, and on and on the list goes on. How is it that God’s rules regarding laziness people don’t apply anymore? People don’t look for the reward of hard work anymore (like God has ordained). Now, they want to hit the lottery. No need to trust God for my daily sustenance. All I have to do is hit the number and it’s blue skies forever baby. It’s the quick fix or nothing at all today. Why work when the government will pay, feed, and house whole generations of families? Now, a large part of Americans feel they owe their lives to the government and not to God. After all, it’s the government that clothed, fed, housed, and paid them. Who needs to turn to the church and God’s people for help when the government’s giving out free money and vittles? Just itching to know what the future holds? Are you too busy to find out what God has to say about it? Would you rather not have to put forth any effort or take risk to get answers in life? That’s Great! Psychic phone lines are just what you need. Who cares if they only speak in vague lies that could fit anyone eight to eighty, bind, crippled, or crazy? You call and you’ll get just what you want to hear and you don’t even have to work for it. Isn’t that GREAT?!?!?! Got a few personal hang-ups? Just looking for a little spice? Afraid to take that chance to see if a woman will get to know the real you? Don’t bother. Just pay for your five to ten minutes of what seems to be affection. Sure, it won’t last but you can always by more once the emptiness sets in. Oh, and here’s one of my favorites, as some of you might know. Let'’ all bow down to the lord Visa! Aaaa, what does God know about finances? I’ve got a credit card. Who wants those hard nose limits that protect you from ultimate failure? I’m having too much fun fight now! I don’t actually have to work to earn the money so I can have something. If I can’t afford it or if I fall on some hard luck, I’ll just open more cards and get some loans. Heck!!! There’s always bankruptcy! Come on everybody! Let’s go spend some money we don’t have and know we never will!
Satan has us fill our lives full of clutter. Busy busy busy and never getting anything done is what we are. He’s been so subtle as to make us, as a nation, think piece by piece and inch by inch that all of these things are o.k. There are even those among us Christians that have lost discernment and are so confused that they even find these things to be good and in the realm of Christianity and even service to God. Don’t try to look innocent and surprised now!!!!!! There are churches that gamble. Within the body of Christ, we even pass a blind eye to adultery. We tolerate benchwarmers that scarcely do anything in or out of the church for God. Laziness has become a way of life for us. We are now a weak and dependant nation! We look to the UN and the international community for support and guidance instead of the God that set firm ground beneath our feet and made our borders strong. We are a nation believing a lie that it is better to starve ourselves of the Word of God and fatten ourselves on all things self-serving and requiring no work. For example, the stock market has existed for decades. Yet, it is only in these times that day traders flourish. In today’s thinking, why work for money when you can gamble for it and get the quick fix? Satan, when you buy into his lie, delivers a product that starts out sweet and suddenly becomes a cavernous and bitter pit of refuse. Right now, the sweet is just beginning to crack through. I’m going to hate to see that day when we fall and hit bottom. I fear that we do not have the strength, in representation for Christ, in this country, to turn its course to God. Are you willing to take up the fight? Together, not as individuals, and standing on the Promises of God, we can!
King James Version
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
New Living Translation
7 I observed yet another example of meaninglessness in our world.
8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing.
In all of the self-reliance and greed of today, there is still nothing but pure emptiness within. Our schools feel that we don’t need God. Look at the consequences. The average citizen has a God of their own making. Our children are devoid of even the notion of an almighty, all knowing, and Loving God. After all, they don’t even have fathers they can dream of in that light. We think that we are the beginning and end of our own lives and we are better off for it. Yet, divorce has never been higher. We slaughter our unborn children. Sexual perversion has increased almost every STD today. Child pregnancy is booming. Suicide is unparalleled. Free speech is good for everyone except those that speak the truth. Bankruptcy is a great business to be in. Our courts are full of nonsense litigation and rulings. Violence is a way of life for our youth. Our elderly die alone and poor. Yet, we are in control. We know what is best. In reality we are the outcome of a nation divested of God. I could go on in all of these things. It’s not new to you. Still, in each of our individual lives, we seem to think it is a new thing somehow. We have been so indoctrinated by the lies of Satan in such a subtle fashion that I am ashamed to say that we elect evil and down right ungodly officials, in this country, by the willing votes of professing Christians. We fall in for the lie of what is promised. Yet, like gambling, like pre-marital and extramarital sex, like the offer Satan made to Jesus, though the promise of virtue was made, the product promised was never available for delivery. Don’t buy into the idea that you can do something good in your own way and of your own power. There are no refunds in this deal. For all that you think you will gain by blazing your own path, you’ll come up short and then some. Every lie you buy into will only leave you more destitute. You’ll miss out on the blessings of God because you think you can get somewhere in ways other than God says to get there. I know that it’s hard to follow God. Jesus said that His burden on you isn’t heavy at all. He never said that the road He’ll have you carry it on is going to be easy. Don’t waste your time being a loner. Join together in God’s plan. There, you’ll find fulfillment.
In a bit more about fulfillment, we have all just seen a perfect example of how the search of false fulfillment ruins lives. In serving God, you come under God’s blessing and bless others without even knowing how at times. In serving Satan, it is the same. Only it goes from a blessing to a curse. In central Park, New York, women were attacked and belittled by men that learned to take their joy in the oppression of God’s gift in women. I have no doubt in my mind that those men all got their start in seeing women in such a horrible light, so as to treat them with such utter disrespect, in pornography and in the very unfettered sex deluged environment of our society! Not only that. There’s also the fact that men and women have forsaken their rightful God given roles to seek their own pleasures. God created sex and it is a wonderful and most pleasurable thing used as He designed it to be used. Our culture claims that the illegitimate use doesn’t hurt anyone. Our culture claims that it only promotes good. Our culture says that the sooner and the more the better. Then, when the true nature of this demon lie begins to show itself, our latest and greatest politicians and social leaders, all blinded by the feminist dream, place the blame on maleness. Well, not to sound like I agree with them, however, the major fault is in the failure of men!!! Oh, and the feminist helped to bring this about too. After all, the freedom for porn and prostitution is one of the great things they have fought for. It was one of their sexual rights. Because, as men, we have served ourselves, in seeking money, fame, wealth, and pleasure, and have abandoned the direction that we find in His Word and have not sought to serve our wives and families as servant leaders, we have given our authority over to devils to rule in our stead. Now, our children as young men have no reins. There is no control. There are no limits for them. They feed on the filth of pornography, gluttony, and the love of money. Now, even what our children work for is evil from sunup to sundown. When an occasion for an opportunity to abuse women arrives, it’s seen as normal to a crowd of hundreds. After all, women do it to themselves at spring break and other public celebrations all over this country. Some how, it surprises the rest of us that this could go on. This is sick!!!! I could see no one that went to help them in the footage of the attacks. Innocent women were uncovered and battered, mocked, fondled, robbed of their safety and dignity, and caused to walk naked through the streets and find their own safety. Even those that finally offered a scant bit of assistance in an article of clothing here and there did so with reluctance. In fact, I would say that most of those men that offered their shirts were only doing so just to have the women reach out and enable a better look at their breasts. The defection from God starts small. It starts by compromising on small matters. Well, I’ll only work this one Sunday. It’s just a little white lie. What can it hurt? They’re only pictures. It’s not like I’m cheating with her. The boss’ll never even know it’s gone. I’m just going to sleep in this one Sunday. I’ll do it later. It’s my turn to get what I want. How come this person always gets XYZ? All of these things have lead to what we have just seen. We now operate by a system of situational ethics. God has spelled out His system here! It is absolute! We are studying it now!!! Christian, STOP BEING SILENT!!!! It is by a lack of our holding to and teaching these principles, that we study now, that we have given place to Satan to cause our women such shame and burden. Where were the men of Honor to stand up for them? Right now, I gather that all of the men reading this are saying, “I would have fought for them. I would have done something.” Yeah, well, where were you the day before?!?!? What were you doing to share God’s truth one year ago from this day?!?!?!?! If you cared about and loved those women as your neighbors, you would have already been out in the world fighting the war as one of God’s army!!!!! I find it a sad shame that not even in the police force, did God have enough men, who honor Him, to stand up and fight and even die for the protection of those women! Don’t tell me about how you have been doing your job as a Christian. I don’t want to hear it! If we, as men, had been doing our jobs, the stage would never even have been set for Satan to have his way against those innocent women! Satan had all of his evil men in place. Where were God’s representatives?!?!?!?!? We’ve been too busy serving ourselves and not serving our wives and families as God has commanded us! A man’s place, a man’s heart, is in his HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His body only works at his job! That breadwinner excuse is DEAD! A man that let’s his home die in pursuit of the world’s standards is worse than an infidel and is a curse to his neighbors.
Proverbs 16:19 (New International Version) Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
We men search for the makings of our own pride and call it being the breadwinner. Providing for your family is wonderful. It’s the thing to do. Somehow, more and more of us have rejected the joy of seeking to build a Godly family. Sadly, that even includes those that hold the position of husband and father. We neglect. Our son’s go astray in wrath that we caused. Our daughters seek love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Our wives, in turn, suffer the heartache and injustice of broken children, shattered dreams, leaderless homes, and a union with a void in it where a man is supposed to Stand! We caused that! We win the bread and poison the honored guests of the feast. In a society where men take their rightful stand for God, women can walk in the park without fear, children obey their parents, and neighbors are not left to fend for themselves. In every last choice we make as men, we need to realize that the families we have and hope to have and even the families of our neighbors hang in the balance. Just a tiny amount of greed and self-reliance goes a long long long long way.
King James Version
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
New Living Translation
9 Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor.
10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.
11 And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone?
12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
We know that might doesn’t mean right. Numbers don’t spell truth but truth in numbers is mighty right! Again, join with fellow believers to the benefit of God’s kingdom. Or, is it that you are more concerned about your own things? Have you realized that God does have the power to meet your needs and wants too? Perhaps, it might be good to look for some of those miracles of God in those tiny areas of your life too. Look for God’s proof and He’ll show it to you in ways that will surprise you. He is a God that brings comfort from other people. Trust me when I say that this goes against my grain! I am a born loner. If I had my way, I’d do everything alone. If you knew my family, if you knew the people that work with me, if you knew my church family, they’d all tell you that I’m a loner. It’s just how I operate. I really have to struggle and work hard at reaching out to others to be more friendly. I love others. I’m just most comfortable alone or in very small groups. I know what you’re going through if you are like me. God, however, says that it’s not right to be alone. He made Eve for Adam. She was more than just a physical link. She was a spiritual bond/partner. By the companionship of the other, neither was alone and was able to produce more than what either could produce alone. Children don’t come from loners. They come from a union. Two must work together. Then, that child adds to the union. Raised up properly, you have an unbeatable team. What can fail that is founded in God?!?!?!?! It is true in every aspect of life that we as Christians should join together to do the work of God. Though I loved Truestory, a member of exosci that has gone on to be with the Lord, for those that did not know her, this is something she had not learned. It is a subtle lie of Satan that causes Christians to think that they should not join together with God’s children in church environments because of the imperfection of some members or for any reason for that matter. God’s Word says to join together. There is no Yeah But!
So, we know that God likes teamwork. Well, let’s explore this team aspect. Being a team player requires two things. First, you are required to think of the other person’s good and needs first. Second, and I’ll explain because I know this one might be hard to grasp, you need to do for yourself first. Say What?!?!?! How can that be? We know what Jesus said about noticing the speck in your friend’s eye but not noticing the beam in your own. I’ll translate it into an example some of you might have heard me give before. You’re standing outside and you see a little girl get hit by a car in the far lane of traffic. Well, like anyone would, you rush to help her. This might come as a shock, but it’s the fool that just runs out into traffic to help her. The prudent, the wise person, will look to make sure hat there’s not a big 18 wheeler semi that’s going to run them down while trying to help the girl hit by a car. No matter your intentions, with your guts splattered all over the highway, you can’t help that girl. You need to be in order and know that you are in order prior to being of help to anyone. Does that mean perfect? No. Does that mean that you can have no needs or shortfalls of your own? Not at all! We’re called to follow Christ and Christ said that He didn’t come to help those that needed no help. He came to help the weak and the helpless. He came to be the captain of the team so that we would have correct union to God and one another. Simply yield your life to Him, and He’ll work on fixing the other stuff. He’ll use you where He wants you and move you up as you grow accordingly. If you’ll do that, in time, you’ll be saving little ones in danger on a regular basis. He’ll make you the team player that your lone wolf nature would rather resist. There is no reason to be alone.
King James Version
13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
New Living Translation
13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than to be an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
14 Such a youth could come from prison and succeed. He might even become king, though he was born in poverty.
15 Everyone is eager to help such a youth, even to help him take the throne.
16 He might become the leader of millions and be very popular. But then the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.
Lastly, let’s discuss responsibility and reproof. God does not throw us away when we go wrong. He lovingly corrects us. I don’t care how bad your wrong was. God will not reject you for it. Don’t you continue to reject God because you think you are now worthless or of too little use. Let God do what He does. He can use you if you are willing and gain wisdom from your reproof. The world that seemed against you will open up for you as you trust God to keep His Word. Do the consequences of your choices vanish? Nope. I wouldn’t look for that if I were you. God will cause you to pay. He’ll also cause you to prosper by having paid the price for your actions. Stand STRONG by your active faith in Christ. That is your responsibility. Still, remember, whatever God gives you of this world, in this life, is only a vapor. Don’t hold to it too tightly. When He’s ready for you to move on, He might just blow it away.
Are you trusting God yet?
ISDAMan