What time is it?

So much is happening all around the world, yet we know what time period we are in, for GOD the FATHER tells us in Hebrews 1:1 that previously HE spoke to people through prophets but now in these last days HE speaks to us through HIS SON (JESUS CHRIST our LORD).

Now the (HOLY) SPIRIT speaks expressly that in the latter time (this time we are now in) will be a time of seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).

Have you ever pondered the truth JESUS proclaimed when HE rebuked Peter declaring man’s thinking comes from Satan (Matthew 16:23)? Ephesians 2:2 also states the world’s way of thinking, its wisdom is from the prince of the power of the air working within them. The world’s thinking comes from and is what the devil thinks!

JESUS emphatically declared, “Why do you not understand MY words? Even because you cannot hear MY word.  You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do” (John 43-44)

2 Corinthians 4:³ But, if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  ⁴ In whom the god of this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of CHRIST, who is the image of GOD, should shine unto them.

We become blind when we turn away from what GOD says to what Satan says. Satan’s deception of Eve, which caused her blindness, was simply telling her what he himself thought. “I will be like the Most HIGH” (Isaiah 14:14).  The devil told her, “you shall be like GOD” (Genesis 3:5).  You see HE gives men his very own thoughts, but he does not reveal his aim for he is a deceiver and a liar.

In the New Testament the Greek word, daimonia, refers to the gods of the world. It’s not surprising that this Greek word for gods in the New Testament is actually the same word translated as “demons.” There is a very important revelation here and one to be taken very seriously.

The gods of the world are embodiments and representatives of demonic beings. That doesn’t just go for ancient religions; the modern world has its gods, too. Doors are opened to the demonic in the form of materialism, alcoholism, sensuality, lust, pornography, love of money, greed, position (jealousy) and control (anger and manipulation). When you indulge in these things, you are actually worshipping and serving demons (1 Corinthians 10:21, Revelation 9:20)

That is a horrible thing! You should have nothing to do with it. Any idol is a god, and any god except for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY of the Bible is a demon. The very thought that you are serving the demonic should be enough to make you get any unclean, unholy thing or thought out of your life once and for all! There is only One True and Living God who is the source of everything good (James 1:17). Every other source is just demonic.

The natural mind, the worldly mind, is under the influence of Satan and thinks GOD’s words are foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-23). It cannot understand GOD’s words without the HOLY SPIRIT’s conviction explaining sin, what is right, and the coming judgment to them (John 16:8).  

Only GOD knows what HE is thinking.  No one, not even believers in JESUS can understand GOD’s thoughts without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining them to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-14).  If you question that statement, check out Acts 1:2.

The 1^st time I really saw what Acts 1:2 said, it blew me away.  JESUS, GOD the SON, was giving the apostles, one HE had personally chosen, commandments. But only as the HOLY SPIRIT explained JESUS meaning to them, did they know what JESUS meant.  Wow!

Satan is included in that no one can understand the words of GOD (even though he knows and misquotes the bible) without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining GOD’s word to him. For the devil is a created being and not GOD (1 Corinthians 2:11,14).

Although Satan is very intelligent and has thousands of years of experience, and knows man well, the devil cannot understand GOD’s plans or GOD’s Word. That is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “Which none of the princes (demons) of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory.”

I encourage you, every morning go to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and ask GOD  in JESUS name to keep you from all deception.  For we are commanded to: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Hugs

Sharon

How come?

Sometimes I have explained something to a person and the hearer gets a blank look on her face as if she has no clue what I am talking about.  Must be something like I would have looked before I got my hearing aids (LOL).

The other day one was on my porch discussing the Bible and spoke how he had gone to church for years and none of it made any sense to him.  False teachers came by, and he understood what they said.

How come?

The bible explains why. The world understands the world’s thoughts, but no one can understand GOD’s thoughts without GOD explaining it to us. 

1 Corinthians 2:⁹ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD has prepared for them that love HIM. ¹⁰ But GOD has revealed them unto us by HIS SPIRIT: for GOD the SPIRIT searches all things, yes, the deep things of GOD. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of GOD knows no man, but the SPIRIT of GOD (reveals them to him). ¹² Now we have received (when we believed in JESUS -Ephesians 1:13), not the spirit of the world (which is under the power of Satan Ephesians 2:2, I John 5:19), but the (HOLY) SPIRIT which is of GOD; that we might know the things that are freely given to us by GOD.

In The Bondage of the Will, Martin Luther explains flippant attitudes toward the Bible: “Nobody who has not the SPIRIT of GOD sees a jot of what is in the Scriptures. All men have their hearts darkened, so that, even when they can discuss and quote all that is in Scripture, they do not understand or really know any of it.”

The same is true if one has grieved GOD the HOLY SPIRIT by not using what he has been taught so is not ready to learn more.  We must go to GOD with 1 John 1:9. It is not that the HOLY SPIRIT leaves a believer for believers are sealed until the day of Redemption (Ephesians 4:30), but we have turned our back to HIM by disobedience and are not listening.

Therefore, if you are having trouble or someone you are speaking with is having trouble understanding the Word of GOD, ask GOD for the HOLY SPIRIT to explain it to you or who you are talking to (1 John 5:16, Luke 11:13).

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: How

much more shall your heavenly FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask him?

Are you asking?

Hugs

Sharon

In the dark

Are you in the dark?

Ever gone somewhere not to arrive back home until late and find the house dark? We came home several years ago from a trip to California to see my mom and that happened to us. So, I went to turn on the light and nothing. I tried every light in the house and nothing! No, the power was not off, we had been ripped off and they had even taken the light bulbs. Can you believe that they even took the light bulbs! Praise the LORD! my husband keeps a flashlight in the car, so he traipsed back out and got it.

The flashlight showed that the house was a shamble, what a mess! Stuff was thrown everywhere, things were broken, and no light bulbs were to be found. Over the next few days, time and time again as we went to get something we needed, we would discover that it too had been taken.

As I began Genesis, I saw the same thing. 

We go from Genesis 1:1-in the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth, to Genesis 1:2 the earth was without form (without structure, waste, and barren) and void (empty) and darkness was on the face of the deep (a Hebrew = all waters). I personally agree with those who feel there is a big gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. The reason I believe that, is GOD is light (1 John 1:5) and not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33) while Bible symbolism often refers to darkness as representing evil (1 John 1:5-7).  The gap allows for the fall of Satan, and Satan comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). We are not told what happened, but clues throughout the Bible seem to point to the confusion and darkness coming from Satan’s rebellion against GOD, as seen in Isaiah 14:12-17. We are told that at the end of time, on the New Earth there will be no darkness at all for Satan will NOT be there, but GOD is there, and GOD is light. (Revelation 22:5).

There is a law of 1st mention in Bible interpretation that declares that the 1st time a word is mentioned is its primary use throughout the Bible. In the 1st 3 verses of the 1st chapter of the 1st book we see light shown as good and actually as a correction over the darkness that is associated with emptiness and confusion. That symbolism is clearly portrayed throughout the entire Bible. In other words, GOD is giving us clues to help us understand HIS Word.

John 1:1-5 Takes us back before creation to establish 1) JESUS (the WORD made flesh John1:14) as having no beginning), 2) the truth that light came before darkness, and 3) to establish the supremacy of light over darkness (John 1:5), 4) and that darkness cannot understand or overcome the light. 

The Greek word alambano in John 1:5, means to seize/ take hold of and refers both to an ability to conquer, as well as the ability to understand. Therefore, we see GOD saying that the darkness (the evil one and his demons) no matter how evil cannot take hold of, stamp out or even understand the light. 

Even though we know CHRIST JESUS, sometimes life can get really hard. In fact. JESUS warned us that it would be like that, but in the next breath says “Cheer up! for I have overcome the world (John 16:33). We need to remember the whole world lies in the arms (under the influence- Ephesians 2:2) of the evil one (1 John 5:19), he has limed power and he cannot understand what GOD is doing (John 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:8) for only to those GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explains GOD the FATHER’s thoughts to can know (1 Corinthians 2:9-12). 

I hope you are encouraged by these clues from the Bible. We fight not against flesh and blood but the demonic and their influence on people Ephesians 6:12. And regardless of what the enemy throws at us, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the light that shines in the darkness, is bigger, stronger, and better. JESUS stands right at your side to get you through whatever comes your way.

JESUS said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, the LORD is my Helper, and I will not fear (Hebrews 13:5-6) for the darkness cannot overcome the light.

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2),

Hugs      

Sharon

Go together

A line in the 1955 Frank Sinatra song ‘Love and marriage’ was Love and marriage, Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage, another line stated: this I tell you brother, you can’t have one without the other.

Psalm 37:5 shows two other things that must go together for a good result.

(1) Commit your way unto the LORD, (2) trust also in HIM and (then)HE will bring it to pass Psalm 37:5

Psalm 37 continues to say, “And HE shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Psalm 37:6

Committing or rolling a problem, a goal, a situation to GOD without trusting that the LORD knows what HE is doing, and HE will oversee it to the best end, nullifies and cancels out your commitment. 

As in James 1:5-7, the only way you are going to get GOD to bring something to pass is to trust HIM and let HIM do it HIS way. We need to trust HIS wisdom in what to do, trust HIS knowledge of when to do it, and to trust HIS ability and faithfulness to do what HE says HE will do.

When you are willing to depend on GOD and roll the ball to GOD in trust HE promises not just to work what needs to be done but also HE promises that HE will bring forth your righteousness (by giving you the light to see how to do right) and your judgment will be clear (for there are no shadows at noon) Psalm 37:6.

What is holding us back? I think for me it happens when I feel it is all up to me so don’t claim what GOD is promises.  Therefore, I have memorized Psalm 37:5-6 to remind me to claim GOD’s promise.

Hugs

Sharon

A mind of your own

Have you heard it said, “He has a mind of his own?”  Do you think that is a positive statement or a negative one?

Now we know that GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON (previously known as the WORD John 1:1-3, 14), and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT are equal and share the same glorious nature though we see them each in their different roles.  All things flow from GOD the FATHER, who made all things in Heaven and earth through the Word (GOD the SON) by the moving power of the GOD the HOLY SPIRIT.  Yet they are ONE GOD and share in the same nature- things like their goodness, eternity, wisdom, power, infinity, gentleness and patience just to mention a few. 

But In class yesterday an interesting topic came up concerning the individual personhood of each of the Trinity. I’ll just share a peek into that topic and then you can do your homework.

GOD the FATHER, who searches the hearts, knows the mind of GOD the HOLY SPIRIT (Romans 8:28).

GOD the HOLY SPIRIT searches the things (mind) of GOD the FATHER (1 Corinthians 2:10) and understands GOD the FATHER’s will (Romans 8:27).

GOD the SON, JESUS, had a will (mind) of HIS own but submitted HIS will (thoughts of HIS mind) to GOD the FATHER’s will (thoughts of the FATHER’s mind) (Luke 22:42).

So we see each person of the Trinity has a mind of HIS own and they graciously honor and submit one to another.

When GOD created man, HE did so in HIS likeness, literally “in Our likeness”(Genesis 1:26).  The pronoun in that verse points to the oft seen triune nature of our ONE GOD. GOD made man as a person.  To be a person one must have a mind (the Bible often refers to this as the heart). The thoughts of one’s mind (what is in his heart) determine his choices.

You may say, of course, so what are you getting at?

For those who are living according (yielding to the desires of) to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh which gratify their wants, but those who are living according to the SPIRIT (follow HIS instructions and nudges), set their minds on the things of the SPIRIT (HIS will and purpose seen in HIS teaching and nudges). Romans 8:5.

Though he may be influenced, each person has a mind of his own which is also called the will.

Calling on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13) when we have understood and accepted that JESUS died for sin and all we need do is go to HIM for forgiveness and eternal life, brings us salvation and makes us children of GOD (John 1:12, 3:16, 36).  We also are placed into JESUS kingdom (that means HE is our king/ our ruler).  To help us know how to act as GOD’s child in JESUS’s kingdom we were given the HOLY SPIRIT to teach and lead us (John 14:26, 16:13-15).

Bear in mind that although we may hear and understand and even feel drawn to do what the LORD says, we have minds of our own and have the ability to refuse to comply.  Wrong actions are never because GOD the HOLY SPIRIT wasn’t directing us, but because we chose not to do what we knew we should do. 

GOD’s ways are not our ways, nor are HIS thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9) so don’t expect that which the HOLY SPIRIT impresses on our hearts to do (Philippians 2:13) will always make sense to us.  Nonetheless, in any given situation only GOD knows what is really needed and what will work the best.

If we allow the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD to lead us, nudging us ahead we are walking in the SPIRIT and doing GOD’s will.

Once we are saved, GOD the FATHER is now our heavenly FATHER. When we choose to do wrong HE disciplines us (Hebrews 12:4-8) because HE loves us.  No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).

Hugs

Sharon

Follow the Instructions

When it comes to HIS children (those who believe JESUS- John 1:12), does GOD really say HE will not hear us (be willing to listen to our prayers, with the intent of answering them) if we refuse to listen to HIM and either turn from a sin HE has convicted us of, or do something HE asks of us?

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the LORD would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18) This verse speaks of holding on to a sin that GOD has told us to let go of, by conviction that it is wrong.

“We know that GOD does not listen to sinners. HE listens to the godly man who does HIS will” (John 9:31).  That means man turns from 1) focusing and holding on to his sin, or 2) refusing to do what he knows he should.

“Show respect to your wives… that your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).

When GOD has shown us something in us that is not right or has asked us to do something for another and we refuse, we are refusing to do HIS will. We have turned away from HIM. This doesn’t mean that we have to be perfect, just obedient.

Since it is the HOLY SPIRIT who explains GOD’s messages and HIS word to us, obedience to conviction from GOD’s Word and nudges to act, is what is called, walking in the SPIRIT. 

Now GOD doesn’t show us everything we do wrong or ask us to take care of all the problems of the world.  But, one by one HE reveals areas where HE wants us to act.  When HE shows an area and we refuse to listen to HIM, that means we have turned our back on HIM. 

When we do that, Almighty GOD, though HE is a loving Heavenly FATHER, generally will not answer any other questions for us, until we turn back around to face HIM, by following HIS instructions in the area HE pinpointed.

There is no reason to tell us more, when we refuse the instructions, HE has already given.

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!” are the words that begin Isaiah 1:13-20. In other words, the LORD says coming to church and singing the songs are hateful to GOD, if your heart is not honoring HIM, by following HIS instructions. 

When you love someone, you desire to make them happy. Sin hurts us and others, so it grieves GOD. When we set out to do our own will, we grieve GOD for HE knows the outcome. 

Why would HE listen to our requests when we won’t follow HIS counsel?  Shocking as it seems, even our prayers, our gathering together in church and songs then become a burden to HIM. But, when we seek HIM with all our heart, even if there is something wrong, HE will hear. HE wants to help us, to show us the way to go, or give us the help we need and to forgive us.

The Lord is far from the wicked, but HE hears the prayers of those who (want to) do right (Proverbs 15:29).

If anyone turns a deaf ear to (refusing to hear the instructions of) the law (what is right), even his prayers are detestable (Proverbs 28:9).

So, if you want help, or directions on the way to go, turn back and do the one thing you know you should do.  When you do that, you are turning back to your GOD, and HE will honor you by showing you the next step.

Hugs

Sharon

Beginning my day

How does your day begin?

Today as my day began, I talked with GOD.  Praying for my children and their concerns (large and small), for Vacation Bible School, for Camp Elim’s varsity camp, for friends and sick ones and for the persecuted around the world, in each case, one word came to me directing me in how to pray.  “LORD give them a word, speak to them LORD.”

JESUS said that “man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD” (Matthew 4:4).

The direction, the comfort and strength and peace that comes from a simple word from GOD is immeasurable. When received and acted on as truth, that word brings peace that throws us beyond having to understand and guards our hearts and our minds (Philippians 4:6-7).

GOD’s word is my sword when tempted or attacked, my light when all I see is darkness, my hiding place and comfort.  GOD’s word supports me when I am about to fall.  Day in and day out GOD’s word brings me joy and peace and as I believe it I overflow with home by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT who lives within me (Romans 15:13).

I love GOD’s word.  Do you?

Hugs

Sharon

A letter

I love getting personal emails but even more I love getting a hard copy personal letter from a friend in the mail. But did you realize that you, if you belong to JESUS, are a letter from GOD being written and sent out to specific people?

When someone receives GOD’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life by believing in JESUS finished work on the cross and trusting JESUS CHRIST as LORD to lead him (Romans 6:23), he is given the HOLY SPIRIT as a down payment of everything GOD has promised him (Ephesians 1:13-14). The one who receives JESUS CHRIST becomes GOD’s child and enters into the New Covenant initiated by the blood of JESUS CHRIST on the cross when HE died carrying the sins of all time (1 Corinthians 11:25).

Side note: ONLY those who receive and trust JESUS CHRIST by calling on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13) are saved from the punishment of their sins for only those in JESUS CHRIST have their sins removed and are washed clean.

The New Covenant was promised in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:31, 33) and after fulfilling all the Old Covenant JESUS established the New Covenant through HIS blood on the cross.

The New Covenant is described in Hebrews 10:^16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD, I will put MY laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; ¹⁷ And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

 “you are manifestly declared to be the epistle (letter) of CHRIST ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the SPIRIT of the living GOD; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3).

The SPIRIT of the Living GOD within a believer takes the words of GOD spoken by Paul (or anyone, or the words of GOD when read in the Bible) and causes them to come alive in the believer and understood. In this way the HOLY SPIRIT writes GOD’s words on our hearts (so they are what we want to do) and in our minds (so we are directed by them) and we start living them out. When that happens others can see CHRIST in us, so we become living letters/ epistles (2 Corinthians 3:3).

 For it is GOD (the HOLY SPIRIT) Who works (places) in you the desire and the ability to do what GOD wants done. (Philippians 2:13 paraphrased).

“… minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament, which veil is done away in CHRIST. But even unto this day… the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when it (the heart) shall turn to the LORD, the veil shall be taken away. (2 Corinthians 3:14-16). But we (as the HOLY SPIRIT makes GOD’s truth clear to us are) beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory (divine nature) of the LORD (like HIS gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, love), are (being) changed into the same image (what we see of HIM) from glory to glory…  by the SPIRIT of the LORD (2 Corinthians 3:14-18).

Because of our old sin nature there is a veil/covering blocking our understanding of the Scriptures. When our hearts turn to JESUS CHRIST (via the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT) the veil is taken away. Thus, being freed from the bondage of the lies of Satan (Ephesians 2:2) the HOLY SPIRIT begins revealing to the believer truths of GOD the FATHER and JESUS, explaining them so we can understand and see their beauty (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). In this way we are changed into the likeness of JESUS by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. And become letters from CHRIST not written by ink but by the SPIRIT, not on tablets of stone but on our hearts.

The Old Covenant showed GOD’s eternal standards and no matter how hard one worked at it no one could live up to them. But under the New Covenant, GOD the HOLY SPIRIT writes those standards in our hearts and minds which changes our thoughts, our very nature and little by little we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) gradually being conformed to the image of GOD’s dear SON our LORD JESUS CHRIST (Romans 8:29).

The more time we are in HIS word growing in our knowledge of GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS the more other people see it and we are letters of GOD to them telling them of HIS love and so much more.

Blows me away just to think about it.

Hugs,

Sharon

Fear not

What do you think of when you hear the word submit?

In our culture submitting, or putting ourselves under another, is not seen in a positive light.  But I saw something about submitting that is new to me.

Sometimes stating a truth in different words makes it easier to understand.  As I listened to one speak of 2 types of fear, the word submit jumped into my mind.  With crystal clarity I saw that fear was submitting to what we focus on. Whatever we submit to, we allow to control us.

When we are stressed/ fear, we are focusing on a situation and depending on ourselves to find a way out.  By allowing the situation to control our thoughts, we are submitting to our fears.

The only way to get out of that bondage is to turn our thoughts to the problem solver-the LORD and submit to HIM and HIS ways by trusting GOD with the situation.

When we trust GOD in a situation, we are submitting to HIM.  When we submit to GOD, it shows that we fear HIM, and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).  Therefore, GOD is more able to lead us.

When we fear the LORD and submit to HIS ways we can claim HIS promises.  One of those promises says, GOD is working all things together for an end result of good for those who love HIM and are the called according to HIS purposes. (Romans 8:28).

1 Corinthians 1:2 says, “… to them that are sanctified in CHRIST JESUS, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD, both their’s and our’s:

So you see that all who call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD are the called, so qualify for that promise in Romans 8:28.

And “whosoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Just knowing that when I fear something, I am submitting to it makes it easier for me to take my eyes off that problem and refocus by turning to GOD by taking that thought to JESUS (2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 4:16).

I’d not seen fear as submitting before… hmmm, there is so much to learn.

Hugs

Sharon

What would you do?

What would you do if you saw a little child running into a busy street?

C.S.Lewis said, “When everyone is running toward a cliff (and certain death), anyone who runs the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.”

The world thinks we who hold to the truth of GOD’s eternal standards are crazy.  If that isn’t enough the world is saying we, who lovingly try to stop those about to go over the cliff, are full of hate.

As I was reading in Hosea two verses jumped out at me.

1-“All their wickedness is in Gilgal, I (GOD) hate their wickedness” (Hosea 9:15).

What happened in Gilgal?

In 1 Samuel 15 King Saul was told to destroy the enemy of GOD.  Saul did partially what GOD told him to do, but actually he did what he thought best. Saul did it his own way. Look what GOD said about what King Saul did.

“Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken (listen and obey)…For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, HE has rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

Do you ever think, like when something bad happens, that you know better than ALMIGHTY GOD Maker of heaven and earth?

2-“They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah…”. 

I wondered what happened in Gibeah.  I turned to the crossed reference and remembered the gory story in Judges  19. A man and his 2^nd wife (concubine) stopped in Gibeah on their way home.  An old man, aware of what could occur, insisted they stay at his house and while there all the men of the city (young and old) gathered around the house and demanded that the old man send the traveler out so they could have sex with him.  When the men were about to crash the door down the traveler threw his own wife out and they raped her all night.  In the morning the traveler found her dead as he opened the door to leave.

Not just our nation but the whole world seems to have gone sex and gender crazy.  That is exactly what Romans 1:18 and following says will happen when people turn away from GOD and HIS ways. 

Though the world may think we Christians crazy because we still hold to the eternal unchanging truth of GOD’s standards found in the Holy Bible, we must love enough to warn.  We cannot affirm those heading to disaster.   For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

“But the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST” (Romans 6:23).  “For GOD (who must punish sin because it destroys) so loved the world that HE sent HIS only begotten SON (JESUS CHRIST) that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“If you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS, and believe that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness (see Romans 3:10-12, 20-22), and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever calls on the name of the LORD (JESUS) shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

Praying

Hugs

Sharon