Why does it seem to be human nature to resist warnings?

In this case we have God giving King Nebuchadnezzar a clear warning.  Why doesn't he heed it?

Daniel 4:19-27(NKJV)

        Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.”              Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!

        “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 

whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home—

it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

        “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’; 

this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 

They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.

        “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. 

Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

Doesn't get much clearer than that does it?  Realize that your prosperity comes from God and stop sinning. 

Does King Nebuchadnezzar listen?  Nope.  He has to go through all of the crap God warned him about just to end up right where God said Nebuchadnezzar would end up to begin with.   

Wouldn't it have been easier to simply listen and do it right the first time?

Here is the way I look at it.  If God is kind enough to give you a warning ahead of time I think it is pretty dumb to ignore it. 

Let me give you an example.  I like to work on cars and other stuff out in my garage.  I'm quite often drilling, cutting, and welding metal.  Whenever I am getting ready to do something and God whispers in my ear, "hey you better put on your safety glasses, or gloves, or whatever"; I immediately take the warning to heart, stop what I am doing and do what God suggested.

It's just another example of how God will guide your life and take care of you if you will let Him! 

Season of Renewal

Isn't it wonderful how God made life a circle or cycle if you prefer?  What I mean by that is that there are seasons which give us the opportunity to start over each year.  A season of renewal if you will.

As we close out 2015 and plan for 2016 please keep one thing in mind.  God can do amazing things through each and every one of us…….if we will simply let Him!

What does it mean to "overcome"?

What do you think it means here when Scripture talks about overcoming?

Revelation 21:6-7(NKJV)

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 

Here is how the dictionary defines overcome.

overcome

1. to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat:

to overcome the enemy.

2. to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.); surmount:

to overcome one's weaknesses.

3. to overpower or overwhelm in body or mind, as does liquor, a drug, exertion, or emotion:

I was overcome with grief.

4. Archaic. to overspread or overrun.

verb (used without object), overcame, overcome, overcoming.

5. to gain the victory; win; conquer:

a plan to overcome by any means possible.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/overcome>

I think maybe definition number 1 comes closest to what I think this verse means. 

Maybe I am reading more into this than what is really there but I think when you take the Bible as a whole, the most reasonable interpretation is that in this case "overcome" means to accept Jesus.

How is that overcoming?  I think that for many people when they are called to accept Jesus experience a certain amount of trepidation or fear.  They have to overcome that inertia or fear and make a deliberate effort to accept Jesus.  I think that is the overcoming that this verse is talking about. 

The Duality of the Trinity

That sure is a mouthful isn't it? Kind of intellectual sounding.  :)

It's really just something that I noticed for the first time and I'll point it out in a minute. 

But first a thought on these passages.  Notice that it says that Satan is going to be locked up for a thousand years but then will be released so that he can come back and deceive the world some more and prepare for the final battle.  Take a look.

Revelation 20:1-3(NKJV)

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 

He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 

and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

Revelation 20:7- 8(NKJV)

Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 

and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 

The thought that occurs to me is how gullible people will be after 1000 years of no Satan and no deceit in the world.  Wow!  Good thing God will be fighting on their side!

OK, back to the duality of the trinity. 

Revelation 20:9-10(NKJV)

They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The first Trinity of course is the God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.  I had never noticed that the other side was a trinity as well.  I had just always thought of it as God vs. Satan; you know, sort of one on one. 

But the trinity on the other side is the devil, the beast, and the false prophet.

Doesn't really matter.  Whether it is one on one or three on three, we already know we are on the winning side.

Pretty cool!

Not sure what to make of this.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this.

Revelation 19:19-21(NKJV)

And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 

Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 

And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

I think most of us believe that the Lake of Fire is Hell.  The part I find interesting or confusing is that Scripture specifies that the Beast and the False Prophet will both be sent to Hell while alive.  It then goes on to say that all of the rest who served them will be killed and the birds of the air will feed on their flesh.

Does that mean that they don't go to hell or does it mean that they go to hell after they die like all those who aren't saved?  I guess I wonder at the significance of the Beast and the False Prophet going to hell without dying first.   

How Will Christ Rule?

Reading Ezekiel and Revelation at the same time sure has been interesting.  This passage caught my eye and once again goes against the popular Kumbaya Jesus view in my opinion. 

Revelation 12:5(NKJV)

She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 

Did you catch that?  He will rule with an iron rod.  Interesting!

War Broke Out In Heaven?

This just seems odd.  War….in Heaven?  Heaven is supposed to be peaceful and safe.  For those who think Christians should be pacifists I would point out that God didn't tell Michael and his angels not to fight back did he?  :) 

Revelation 12:7-9(NKJV)

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 

but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

All of this requires judgment does it not?

As many of you know, one of my pet peeves is using Scripture out of context and I think one of the most misused Scriptures is "Thou shall not judge.".  Many people take that one Scripture and use it to say that Christians should never make judgments.  That is just flat out Scripturally wrong. 

I ran across these verses from Ezekiel the other day and found it interesting that not only does Scripture say there are times we should make judgments but Scripture also tells us how to make those judgments. 

Ezekiel 44:23-24(NKJV)

“And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 

In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.

So first God tells us that we will have to discern between the unclean and the clean.  That discernment requires judgement does it not?

And then it goes on to say that we will indeed be called on to make some judgements but here is the key in my opinion.  It tells us what to base those judgments on.  In other words God gives us the standard we are to use when making judgments. 

Interesting isn't it? 

Does Love Thy Neighbor Mean We Have To Accept Destructive Behavior From Others?

Some people can be very manipulative and destructive.  My mother was like that.  It got to the point that I didn't have any communication with her the last 10 years of her life. 

I had to do that for my own well being.  When you cut some one out of your life like that you sometimes here criticisms like "it is wrong to do that because Jesus said we have to love everybody."  He does say that but I don't think that means that you have to accept abuse to do so. 

I ran across these verses today that sort of illustrates my point.  Compare the way God treats two groups of people based on their own actions.  I believe that God still loved both groups of people but that didn't mean that the first group got a pass for their previous bad actions.

Ezekiel 44:10-19(NKJV)

“And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity. 

Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, as gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them. 

Because they ministered to them before their idols and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them,” says the Lord GOD, “that they shall bear their iniquity. 

And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed. 

Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it.

“But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood,” says the Lord GOD. 

“They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge. 

And it shall be, whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen garments; no wool shall come upon them while they minister within the gates of the inner court or within the house. 

They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat. 

When they go out to the outer court, to the outer court to the people, they shall take off their garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and put on other garments; and in their holy garments they shall not sanctify the people.

What I see here is in the first case, the things that the first group of Levites did so grieved God that while he forgave them and still loved them, God had no interest in having a close relationship with them.  Not because God was petty but because they had so betrayed God and God's people.  God still allowed them to serve but not in the role God had originally intended.  He kind of cut them out so to speak.

Now compare that to the second group who were loyal to God even through the bad times.  They were rewarded with a closer relationship with God.  God invited them to come closer and spend more time with Him. 
 

For anyone who may be in this type of situation and feel guilty about it, maybe these verses will help.

Beware of the slant!

I watched a show last night on the History Channel about the Dark ages.  Here is what really stood out to me from that show.

The anti Christian slant.  Now I try not to be too sensitive about this stuff and I know it really shouldn't surprise  me because we are warned in Scripture that we will be smeared along with Christ….but still when I see stuff like this I can't help but point it out.

In the story of the Dark Ages which starts with the fall of Rome around 450 AD and spans about 1000 years, the History Channel talked about the importance of the spread of Christianity during that time period. 

So far so good.  Here is what got me.

In every single case they framed the contributions that the different people made as totally political.  Never once did they attribute their motives to simply being totally devoted to God. 

To me that was revealing. 

Something I never realized about the mark of the beast.

Wow, timing is every thing.  I just realized something about the mark of the beast that I never realized before.  Check this out. 

Revelation 13:16-18(NKJV)

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 

and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

One of the things you hear people worry about is the mark of the beast as an indicator of the end times.  They worry about things that are happening right now that might be the mark of the beast.  Things like ID implants etc.

Here is what I just realized.  The mark of the beast isn't even implemented until the second half of the Tribulation.  After the beast has suffered what should have been a fatal wound and then rises. 

The Tribulation happens after the Rapture.  If I understand the timing correctly this means that if you are currently a Christian, meaning you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will be taken up in the Rapture and will never have to worry about the mark of the beast.

I could be wrong about this but from what I am reading I think my interpretation is correct. 

Salvation and What???

One of my struggles has always been finding a balance between following God's will for my life and following my hearts desires. 

What I mean by that is this.  My daily prayer is pretty much "please guide me in all I do God so that I am focused on the things you want me to do.  I'm willing to do the work, just need your guidance.".  But as a result of that heartfelt desire perhaps I don't really express and ask for my heartfelt desires from God.  For some reason it feels like I am trying to take control away from God and run my own life which Scripture warns against.  Does that make sense? 

I read this Scripture today and in praying over it I sense that God is sending me a message.  Take a look at the Scripture.

Revelation 12:10-12(NKJV)

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 

Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Salvation and strength.  Hmm.  Why did that phrase speak to me and why during prayer did God link it to my thoughts above? 

Here is what I am getting from the Holy Spirit on the issue. 
 

Scripture tells us clearly that God wants to give us the desires of our heart, provided that it is in line with God's will.   I think the message God is trying to send me goes something like this.  "Dude I get that you want to do My will.  And I get that you want guidance and you are willing to do the work.  But it would be nice if you would get off your behind and actually do so.  It would be helpful if you would do as I told you to do and let me know what the desires of your heart are.  That would make my job easier!".

God didn't actually say behind.  He was more blunt than that!  :) 

Now couple that with salvation and strength and I think it indicates that I need to be more proactive in setting long term goals (desires of my heart) and developing plans to achieve them.  I have the strength and power through Christ to tackle that on my own.  That lightens God's load because then He just has to guide me instead of developing the plan and everything! 

I so love living in God's favor!!!

Wow!!!...But what does it mean?

Have you ever read something in the Bible that just made you exclaim right out loud "Wow!!!"?  That happened to me this morning.  It is one of those things that I think is so cool about studying God's word. 
 

That is God's ability to communicate directly with us.  Let me tell you what happened. 

My OT reading today was Ezekiel 40.   In that chapter are all of the measurements of the wall around the temple as well as the size of the rooms as well as the measurements of the doors even.  I remember reading this in the past and just like today skimming over it. 

And just like in the past I'm thinking to myself kind of jokingly "Man when I get to Heaven I got to ask God what the deal is with all of the measurements?".  I wasn't trying to be disrespectful or anything, I just don't get the relevance of the minute detail. 

Now remember one of my things is looking for confirmation of Scripture between OT and NT.  So imagine my surprise when I turn to my NT reading today which is Revelation 11 and read this. 

Revelation 11:1-3(NKJV)

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 

But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 

And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Wow!!!!!! 

I actually said that out loud.  It was like God reached out and smacked me up side the head and said "Dude, don't mock what you don't understand!"   :)

And I sensed it not so much in anger as in playfulness, just letting me know that He has His reasons and it'll become apparent to me when I need to understand it.  He then went on to give me some new understanding of Revelation that I had not had before. 

I've read Ezekiel 40 probably a dozen times or more over my life time but it had never been followed up by Revelation 11.  Isn't it amazing how this time it ended up being that combination?!

Pretty cool!

Now as far as the minute detail of the measurements I still have no clue.  But I do trust completely that God will give me the understanding when I need to know! 

Talk about heavy reading!

Right now I am in Ezekiel 39 and Revelation 10.  Man talk about some heavy reading.  But again I am seeing the OT and the NT in agreement.  The similarities are interesting.

Both books are about God delivering His people.  And even with all of that dark prophesy and the violence what I find so comforting about the whole things is this message.

Throughout the ages God has always delivered His people…...and He always will!

God and Jesus Always In Agreement

As I have written before, this is one of my bedrock beliefs.  God and Jesus are always in agreement.  So I look for things in both the OT and the NT that support each other.  Well how about these two descriptions of the final days when the Prince of Peace, Jesus, comes back to rule the earth.

Ezekiel 38:18-23(NKJV)

“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. 

For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, 

so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ 

I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. 

And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 

Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’

Compare that to this. 

Matthew 10:34-40(NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’  

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 

And this.

Revelation 19:9-18(NKJV)

Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 

And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 

that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”

As I've said many times, those who believe in Kumbaya Jesus may be in for a heck of a surprise.

If you see these things it is a bad sign!!!

I had a client ask me recently if I believed in a pre tribulation rapture or a post tribulation rapture.  That is a question that divides a lot of people in the Christian community. 

Why is it important?  Read these Scriptures and then I'll tell you why it is important.

Revelation 8:7-11(NKJV)

The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 

And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 

The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

The Scriptures above describe some of what will happen during the tribulation.  If a third of the grass and trees are burned up that affects our food supply.  If a third of the creatures in the sea die that also affects our food supply.  And if a third of our water becomes undrinkable that creates problems as well.

Here is why it matters.  If the rapture occurs before the tribulation then all of us who have accepted Jesus will be swept up to Heaven before any of this happens.  On the other hand if the rapture happens after the tribulation then all of us believers will have to live through the trials of the tribulation.

I happen to believe in a pre trib rapture.  Here is an interesting article that looks at both sides of it.

http://focusonjerusalem.com/pre-triborpost-tribrapture.html

So if you see the things above happening it will mean one of two things.  Either you aren't saved or I was wrong and the rapture is post trib.  Would you like to take the guess work out of it?

Then simply ask Jesus to come in to your life and lead you.  When you accept Jesus you get a guarantee of salvation.  So that takes the whole "not being saved" issue out of the equation.  Now all you have to worry about is whether it is pre trib or post trib.  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

And quite frankly as long as I am there with Jesus when the time comes I don't really care if it is pre or post!

Wow talk about hard to understand! :)

As many of you know I read one chapter from the Old Testament and one chapter from the New Testament each day (or at least try to).   Right now I find myself in a situation where it seems like I am reading another language or something.  You see I am in Ezekiel in the OT and Revelation in the NT.  Two of the hardest books to understand in my opinion.

This is where I really have to depend on the Holy Spirit to guide me and help bring understanding.  Unfortunately I think maybe He was on coffee break today because I got nothing.  :)
 

Should that distress me or make me wonder if God has abandoned me?  Not at all.  Occasionally that happens.  No big deal.  I'll just continue to trust God and get back in his word again tomorrow!

Why do bad things happen to good people?

That is a question that has been asked for ages.  I believe Dr. Schuler even wrote a book with that title or something similar. 

Well here is one answer to that question.

1 Peter 1:6-9(NKJV)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 

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, 

whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 

receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Seems simple enough.  And please note as I have mentioned before, the manner in which we handle the hard times is of great importance to God.  I believe it is part of the test.  As Romans 5:3 tells us we need to glory in our tribulations.  I think the significance in doing so is that it is an outward manifestation of our inner faith. 

What does it mean to be worthy?

Did you ever think about that?  Before we are saved we are deemed unworthy.  But once we accept Jesus we are counted worthy.  What does that mean?

Revelation 3:4(NKJV)

You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 

worthy

1. having adequate or great merit, character, or value:

a worthy successor.

2. of commendable excellence or merit; deserving:

a book worthy of praise; a person worthy to lead.

To me the word that stand out is deserving.  In our house when our kids were young we talked a lot about "earning the right" which I think is kind of the same thing. 

In the example above it seems to me that Jesus is saying these guys over here have earned the right to hang out with me for a bit.  We know that all who accept Jesus get in to Heaven but that we all get different rewards in Heaven based on the service (work) that we did for God here on earth.  One of the ways I could see that playing out is this.

Some people who are saved did the bare minimum so the will get a glimpse of Jesus now and then from afar when they are in Heaven.  Other folks who did a lot more may be invited to hang out with Jesus occasionally.  And some will even get to join his inner circle. 

Do I have a Scriptural basis for this thought?  Sure do.  In Revelation it talks about the 24 Elders seated around the throne of God.  Notice that not everyone gets to be in that inner circle seated around the throne of God.  Only the ones whom God has deemed worthy are seated there. 

Pointing out sin isn't very loving….

When Christians point out immoral behavior we are often told that we shouldn't judge and to point out their immorality isn't very loving.   I have often pointed out that it actually is very loving.  How else will people know to change.

I would like to offer these verses to back up my belief.

Ezekiel 33:7-9(NKJV)

“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. 

When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 

Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

Seems to me God is saying we have a responsibility to speak the truth.  If we don't speak up then their blood is on our hands.  If we do speak up and they continue in their ways, then their blood is on their own hands and we have fulfilled our obligation.  We are good to go.   

"I know your works"

Hmm.  I wonder if there is any significance to this?  There are some who believe that all you have to do is accept Jesus and that is enough.  As I have written before, accepting Jesus is enough to get you saved but that is it.  Your reward in Heaven will be based on your works. 

Here are a few verses to support that view.  This is Jesus talking.

Revelation 2:2(NKJV)

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 

Revelation 2:9(NKJV)

“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

Revelation 2:13(NKJV)

“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 

Revelation 2:19(NKJV)

“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 

Revelation 3:1(NKJV)

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 

Revelation 3:8(NKJV)

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 

Revelation 3:15(NKJV)

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 

 I have a simple question.  If works is as unimportant as some believe, why is Jesus so focused on it?  Hmm?

Do Christians have an obligation to take in Syrian refugees?

The short answer is no I don't believe we do.  But let's dig into this a bit deeper.  As always I want to take a look at Scripture.  I happen to be in Revelation and found something that I think is relevant. 

Just so we are all on the same page let me summarize.  There is a war in Syria.  Many refugees, mostly Muslim but some Christian as well. 

The enemy, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has made it very clear that in their view this is a religious war.   They have stated their intention to hide among the refugees in an attempt to infiltrate this country and kill our citizens. 

Not only have they threatened to do  so here, but they have actually done it elsewhere.  In Paris around 150 people were killed this past week by terrorists, some of whom came in to the country as refugees.  In addition there have been other ISIS terrorists caught in other cities hiding among the refugees.  So this is more than just an idle threat.

Quite understandably there are many people that say hey, why bring that nonsense and chaos over here?  We don't want to expose our families, our children and our grand children to that risk.

There are some out there who say that isn't very Christian of us not to let them in.  Christ said that we should love every body and not letting them in isn't very loving.  I would counter with this. 

We are told to love God will all of our mind, heart, and soul.   We are then told to love our neighbor as ourselves.  I would suggest that it isn't very loving to our neighbors to expose them to the risk.

But what about all of the "innocent" refugees who aren't the bad guys. 

The fact that they are letting the terrorists hide among then negates their innocence in my opinion.  The Bible tells us that we are to confront evil, and not to do so makes us just as guilty.  The fact that they aren't turning in the bad guys hiding among them tells me either they don't see them as evil or they are failing in their responsibility to confront evil. 

Either way that forfeits the innocent claim.  And that isn't just my opinion, it is what God said in the Bible.  Just think of Sodom and Gomora where the innocent perished with the guilty because the innocent didn’t do enough to stop the evil.
 

But going further I think the problem is this.  Many people, including many Christians, think Jesus is all love and no hate.  Accepting of everything and punishing nothing.  That there should be absolutely no limit to our charity.  Nothing could be further from the truth.   

I have written in the past of specific Scriptures that say not to provide charity in this or that case. 

In a similar fashion there are many who would say that Jesus doesn't hate anything.  I will show you Scripture in a minute where Jesus Himself names something that He hates.

 Lets take a look.

Revelation 2:12-16(NKJV)

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 

“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 

But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 

Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 

Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

One of the things that the Bible makes very clear is that God views any one who worships another god as His enemy.  They have made that choice and declared themselves enemies of God. 

I believe that Jesus is making the same point above.  Jesus says he hates  other religions and He will actively take up the Sword (of His mouth) against those who follow other gods…….unless.

Unless what?  Unless they repent.  Do you see the Syrian Muslim refugees repenting and accepting Christ?  Neither do I. 

Seems to me that trying to convince us that the Bible says we should let people who have stated their intentions to kill us in to our country out of some misguided sense of compassion is just the type of trick Satan would use. 

Let me be clear that I am not against providing help to some of the refugees who are truly in need.  I just think we should take the time to determine who those people are.  I don't think not letting them in immediately in any way makes us less Christian. 

Why does God exercise judgment?

We take for granted that God exercises judgment.  We read about it in both the Old and the New Testament.  But have you ever wondered why God exercises judgment?  In other words, to what purpose?  What is the point of the judgment?

I ran across this Scripture today and the light went on.  Here is a place in Scripture where God Himself gives at least one reason that He exercises judgment.  Take a look.

Ezekiel 30:19(NKJV)

    Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt,      Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

So one of the reasons is to prove who is boss so to speak.  He uses judgment to punish, correct, and generally bring people and nations back in to line.  That brings up some interesting questions in my mind.

One of the questions is this: does providing too much charity interfere with God's judgment on an individual? 

Now let me be clear, I am not talking about letting people starve to death.  I believe we should do what we can to make sure that people have food and shelter.  But is it really compassionate to provide a middle class lifestyle to those who haven't earned it?  Middle class lifestyle?  Yep, by providing things like cell phones, air conditioning, cars, cable tV,etc.  Things that are luxuries that people have to earn.   

By doing so are we actually interfering with God's judgment?

What am I talking about?   There is plenty of Scripture in both the OT and NT that talks about what you need to do to be successful in life and if you don't do those things you will not prosper. 

Such as seek wisdom, understanding, and knowledge and your ways will prosper as we are told to do in Proverbs.  What is the implication here?  That if you don't do these things your ways won't prosper. 

So if we have people who are not doing these things so their ways are not prospering and we step in and provide a middle class lifestyle for them anyway, are we not directly contradicting God's plan of how things should work?  Are we not in our "human wisdom and compassion" attempting to negate God's judgment?

Something to think about isn't it?   

Contradictory? In Isolation-Yes, In Total-No

One of the things we hear about are all of the contradictory things in the Bible.  And taken in isolation the criticism could appear to be justified.

But as I have written many times, the Bible is a book of balance and has to be taken in it's entirety and in context.  Here is an example.  Compare these two Scriptures.

2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Vs.

1 Peter 1:17-18(NKJV)

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 

Now doesn't that seem a bit contradictory?  We have Timothy saying God gave you a spirit of power, stop living in fear.  We have Peter saying you should live your entire life here in fear. 

This is where context comes in.  They were talking about two different things in my opinion.  Timothy was saying stop being a spectator, take charge of your life.  Peter was saying "fear God" as in obey and strive to do all you can to serve Him while here on earth.

Both make sense in my opinion when taken in context. 

Even As Your Soul Prospers-What Does That Mean?

This is one of my very favorite passages in the Bible. 

3 John 1:2-4(NKJV)

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

What do you think in means for your soul to prosper? 

prosper

1. to be successful or fortunate, especially in financial respects; thrive; flourish.

verb (used with object)

2. Archaic. to make successful or fortunate.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prosper?s=t>

Here is my take on it.  First off I would note the word used.  Prosper.  When's the last time you heard a socialist talk about prosperity?  Just one more indication of why I don't believe Christianity is socialist.

But more importantly look at definition #1.  To thrive and flourish.  What does it take for our souls to thrive and flourish.

I'll tell you what doesn't do it.  Going to church on Sundays and never picking up a Bible between visits.

It takes real effort and hard work for your soul to prosper.  It takes diligence and perseverance.  It takes communication with God through prayer. 

I feel sad for all the people out there who have accepted Christ and then sit there and wait for their lives to get magically better.  Read the verse again.

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  "
 

Think about that.  If all you do is accept Jesus but never make any attempt to build that relationship how can you expect to prosper in other areas of your life when your soul isn't prospering?  Hmm?