UNDERSTANDING THE RUIN CAUSED BY PORNOGRAPHY

Pornography viewing is addictive and progressive. Participation in pornography use in one of any of its forms -- magazines, videos, movies -- may start out innocently but the end is ruin. It could branch out into phone sex, sex with prostitutes, a sexual perversion, window peeping, etc. It dominates a person's thoughts once they are hooked, and becoming hooked is quick and insidious. Use of pornography takes a regular guy and turns him into the shell of a man, empty of his once wonderful, normal, happy self. That's not to say women can't be hooked on pornography also.

What begins as viewing magazine pages of naked women could eventually lead to acting out with real women. The viewing continues in your mind's eye until it is constant and obsessive. The victim can't wait for his next fix. He may want to control himself but can't seem to do it. In the meantime, he has to lie in certain situations lest he be found out. He has to hide his double life from loved ones. His behavior becomes suspicious to some.

In the beginning, the addict worries about his relationship with God, rightfully so. But in time, he is no longer concerned with what God thinks. He just needs another high. That is the pattern of other addictions also.

Job 31:

“I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look lustfully at a young woman.
2 For what is our lot from God above,
our heritage from the Almighty on high?
3 Is it not ruin for the wicked,
disaster for those who do wrong?
4 Does he not see my ways
and count my every step?
5 “If I have walked with falsehood
or my foot has hurried after deceit—
6 let God weigh me in honest scales
and he will know that I am blameless—
7 if my steps have turned from the path,
if my heart has been led by my eyes,
or if my hands have been defiled,
8 then may others eat what I have sown,
and may my crops be uprooted.
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10 then may my wife grind another man’s grain,
and may other men sleep with her.
11 For that would have been wicked,
a sin to be judged.
12 It is a fire that burns to Destruction;
it would have uprooted my harvest.

Psalm 101:3-4
I will not look with approval
on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

Ps. 101:4 (a repeat)
The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

Prov. 2:12-14
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

Prov. 3:32
For the LORD detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.

Proverbs 28:6
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Proverbs 28:18
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

Romans 6:11-14

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. 

II Cor. 10:1-5
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

I Thess. 4:3-5
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God…

I Thess. 4:7-8
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:7

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

A BIBLICAL GUIDE TO COURT PROCEEDINGS

A BIBLICAL GUIDE TO COURT PROCEEDINGS

"Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." II Cor. 13:1b

You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. Exodus 23:2

Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame? Proverbs 25:8

Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the

courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. Acts 19:38

But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? James 2:6

He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. Prov. 12:17

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies. Prov. 14:5

Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, for would you deceive with your lips? Prov. 24:28

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. Prov. 25:18

He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness… Matt. 19:18

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Matthew 5:25

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice(B) against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:24

I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 1 Corinthians 6:5

…have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. Exodus 18:22

In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to the other. Exodus 22:9

“‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” Leviticus 19:15

And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. Deuteronomy 1:16

A WORLD-KNOWN HOSTAGE SITUATION TOUCHED NASHVILLE, IL

A WORLD KNOWN HOSTAGE SITUATION TOUCHED NASHVILLE, IL

For about 25 years I was part of the Washington County Right-to-Life group in Nashville, IL. When abortion was legalized, I heard it on the car radio and thought to myself, “There will be a civil war over this. The American people won’t stand for it.” But there was only silence.

Now that it was the law, few preachers contested it. It was shocking. So, we in the Right to Life Organization made it our goal to educate people as to why killing unborn babies was wrong. It was mind-boggling that people didn’t hold all human life sacred. Our group was made up of some of the most dedicated women from various county churches and a priest.

An older gentleman, Mr. Zimmermann, sat in on one of our meetings. He was from our area and wanted to be a member of the group. A couple of weeks later we started hearing about a plane being hijacked. The persons in the plane were held hostage on the tarmac in Beirut. One of the crew members was Christian Zimmermann. As it turned out, he was the son of the man who had joined our group. He was also a minister.

He was beaten, along with a couple of men who were beaten to death. Long story short, they were held hostage for 17 days and eventually resolved the situation but not without casualties. A few weeks later, if that long, the Mr. Zimmermann that was part of our group, died. His funeral was held in the Lutheran Church in Nashville, IL. I assume that cockpit crew member, Christian Zimmermann, an engineer, I think, was there but I didn’t get to attend because of my job. It was worldwide news for a long while. And yet it touched our little town in a heartbreaking way. The father likely died from stressing over the plight of his son and we lost a much-needed member of our organization.

So, here we are, millions of aborted babies later -- more than all wars combined -- and little has changed. The men who killed several of the hostages didn't hold life sacred. As a nation and as individuals, do we? Does the size and location of these human beings not count? Though there are more preachers on board, we need all of them on board and more people praying and doing their part in educating people about this travesty of justice. I'm sure both Mr. Zimmermans would appreciate that as part of their legacy. Good can come from bad sometimes.

HOW IMPORTANT IS BELIEF?

HOW IMPORTANT IS BELIEF?

Matthew 18:6 - “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Matthew 21:32 - For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Mark 1:15 - “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 9:24 - Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

John 1:12 - Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:18 - Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 6:29 - Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

John 6:35 - Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

John 6:47 - Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.

John 7:38 - Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

John 7:39 - By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

SEXUAL PERVERSION

 SEXUAL PERVERSION

Job 31:
“I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look lustfully at a young woman.
2 For what is our lot from God above,
our heritage from the Almighty on high?
3 Is it not ruin for the wicked,
disaster for those who do wrong?
4 Does he not see my ways
and count my every step?
5 “If I have walked with falsehood
or my foot has hurried after deceit—
6 let God weigh me in honest scales
and he will know that I am blameless—
7 if my steps have turned from the path,
if my heart has been led by my eyes,
or if my hands have been defiled,
8 then may others eat what I have sown,
and may my crops be uprooted.
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10 then may my wife grind another man’s grain,
and may other men sleep with her.
11 For that would have been wicked,
a sin to be judged.
12 It is a fire that burns to Destruction;
it would have uprooted my harvest.

Psalm 101:3-4
I will not look with approval
on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do;
I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

II Cor. 10:1-5
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

I Thess. 4:3-5
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God…

I Thess. 4:7-8
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Prov. 2:12-14
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

Ps. 101:4
The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

Prov. 3:32
For the LORD detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.

Prov. 28:18
The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

FEAR GOD OR NOT?

Fear God or Not?

Exodus 20:18
When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance

Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Leviticus 19:14
“‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 25:17
Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 25:36
Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you.

Leviticus 25:43
Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.

Leviticus 26:36
“‘As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them.

Deuteronomy 5:29
Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Deuteronomy 6:2
so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.

Deuteronomy 6:13
Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

Deuteronomy 6:24
The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.

Deuteronomy 9:19
I feared the anger and wrath of the Lord, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the Lord listened to me.

Deuteronomy 10:12
Fear the LordAnd now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy 10:20
Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.

Joshua 4:24
He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

Joshua 5:1
Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

Joshua 24:14
“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness.

1 Samuel 12:14
If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good!

1 Samuel 12:24
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 

2 Samuel 23:3
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God...

2 Chronicles 19:7
Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

 

2 Chronicles 19:9
He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. 

 2 Chronicles 20:29
The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.

2 Chronicles 26:5
He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

Ezra 3:3
Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

Ezra 10:3
Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.

Nehemiah 5:9
So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?

Nehemiah 7:2
I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭8‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” ‭‭

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

WARNING FOR THE CURRENT DAY!

"The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. 44 They will lend to you, but you will not lend to them. They will be the head, but you will be the tail. 45 All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the LORD your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you. 46 They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, 48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. Deut. 28" Does this apply to our nation too? We're on the edge of all of this coming true.

IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

Psalm 9:9
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 10:1
Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Psalm 41:1
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”‭‭

THE PERFECT CHURCH

 

THE PERFFECT CHURCH

The perfect church is full of sinners. It's true. Romans 3:23 (KJV) says, “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sinners gather together to worship Christ knowing they can be holy only through Him. And only the holy enter heaven.

Yes, the people in the church were and are spiritually sick. Mark 2:17 (KJV) says, "When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Repentance and baptism lead to a cleansing of the soul. 

That’s not to say the devil can’t make his way into the church. 1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: (John 10:10, KJV).” "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8, KJV).” "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Jesus came to make us holy. Before He came we were all unholy, for all have sinned. Genesis 4:7 - If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

When Paul was writing to the church in Corinth it was because there were problems in the church and Paul was telling them to work out those problems until all are of one mind, to live in peace and to be perfect. “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you (II Cor. 13:11, KJV).” To be of one mind means everyone is in agreement. There is no dissension or threat of division. The Bible is not a smorgasbord from which we can pick and choose what part of the Word we want to devour and what part we want to pass on by. We must obey God's Word -- all of it.

So, how do we as sinners become perfect? When the people heard Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, they were cut to the heart and wondered what they could do to be saved. Acts 2:38 was his response: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:46-47 KJV) The people added to the church needed to be saved and the only way to be saved is through Jesus. Other verses indicate that part of being saved is believing, confessing and obeying God's Word.

The truth is, there is no perfect church if one is sought with no hypocrites or sinners. The church is not a building or a religion but a body of believers in Christ -- broken people seeking comfort and refuge, and sinners made holy by the blood of Jesus. The perfect church includes you.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Hebrews 2:10
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

1 Corinthians 1:10

(A Church Divided Over Leaders)

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Hebrews 10:14

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 11:40
...since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:23

...to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

See also my blog "Once Saved, Always Saved?"  

LETTERS WRITTEN ON HUMAN HEARTS

 

LETTERS WRITTEN ON HUMAN HEARTS

II Corinthians 3: 

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 

2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 

4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 

5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 

6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

STRONG DRINK, WEAK WILL

STRONG DRINK, WEAK WILL

Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about drinking beer and/or wine? I've done the research for you:

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Proverbs 21:17

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

Proverbs 23:29-35

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

Who has strife? Who has complaints?

Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

30 Those who linger over wine,

who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,

when it sparkles in the cup,

when it goes down smoothly!

32 In the end it bites like a snake

and poisons like a viper.

33 Your eyes will see strange sights,

and your mind will imagine confusing things.

34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,

lying on top of the rigging.

35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!

They beat me, but I don’t feel it!

Isaiah 5:22

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine

and champions at mixing drinks...

Isaiah 28:1-3 NIV

Woe to the Leaders of Ephraim and Judah. Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley— to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine! 2 See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour, he will throw it forcefully to the ground. 3 That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, will be trampled underfoot...

Isaiah 28:7-8 NIV

And these also stagger from wine

and reel from beer:

Priest and prophets stagger from beer

and are befuddled with wine;

they reel from beer,

they stagger when seeing visions,

they stumble when rendering decisions.

All the tables are covered with vomit

and there is not a spot without filth.

Isaiah 56:11-12

Israel’s watchmen are blind,

they all lack knowledge;

they are all mute dogs,

they cannot bark;

they lie around and dream,

they love to sleep.

11 They are dogs with mighty appetites;

they never have enough.

They are shepherds who lack understanding;

they all turn to their own way,

they seek their own gain.

12 “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine!

Let us drink our fill of beer!

And tomorrow will be like today,

or even far better.”

Habakkak 2:15-16

“Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors,

pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk,

so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!

16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory.

Now it is your turn! Drink and let your nakedness be exposed!

The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you,

and disgrace will cover your glory.

Hosea 4:10-11

“They will eat but not have enough;

they will engage in prostitution but not flourish,

because they have deserted the Lord

to give themselves to prostitution;

old wine and new wine

take away their understanding."

Matthew 18:6 NIV

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."*

Romans 14:21 KJV

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.*

1 Timothy 3:3

...not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Titus 1:7

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

*Be careful who you lead to drink alcoholic beverages because even though you may be able to handle the liquor, someone else may be hooked by it and eventually become an alcoholic. Then their life will change dramatically and they may lose their wife and children. Or they may kill someone in an accident or lose their own life. They will certainly make poor choices if they are under the influence. In those ways the child may stumble because of "a simple drink." No one wants to lose their child to "a simple drink," whether it be that the child has become a drunkard or if the child accidentally kills or maims someone, or both.

I remember reading a quote one time that said, "What parents do in moderation, their child may do in excess." This is certainly true of alcoholic beverages.

My interest in this subject doesn't come from self-righteousness, even though I've never touched a drink in my life. My interest comes from living life, observing, hearing stories and becoming part of several loved one's consequences. Mom's side of the family were devout Christians. They were loved, treated well, and boundaries were set for them until they reached adulthood. Dad's side of the family practically lived in taverns. He was not raised well and he hated his family's lifestyle, even though he was part of it. He lost an older sister to alcoholism which caused her to commit suicide. Her small children came to live with our family. Dad's twin spent time in jail because of DUI's. She lived an immoral life besides. Dad raised us to stay completely way from beer or any other alcoholic beverage. He saw the destruction that comes from the drink used for artificial fun. My former brother-in-law nearly lost an arm to a drunk driver who sideswiped his car. My grandson succumbed to drinking and drugs to the point of addiction and became so miserable that he took his life. It's just a drink, but a drink that can ruin not only one person's life but all others connected to that person are grieved. Where's the fun in that? I don't get it.