Friday, November 22, 2024
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #8
Homosexuality vs. God’s Word
Homosexuality
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.”
Leviticus 18:22
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
I Corinthians 6:9-11
“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.”
Romans 1:26-27
It is plainly stated in scripture that Homosexuality is sin before God and those who practice such will not inherit the Kingdom of heaven. It must be repented of and faith must be put in Christ to become a new creation just as any other sin.
Sex is to be between man and women only as God designed the two bodies for that purpose!
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
Hebrews 13:4
“Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”
I Corinthians 7:2
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24
Let us keep the Word of God and practice sex the way God clearly intended it to be…between a man and a woman…a husband and a wife.
Tom
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #7
Pride vs. God’s Word
Ultimately, pride is extreme love and focus on oneself.
Pride
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12
“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”
Proverbs 16:5
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””
James 4:6
It is clear here and many more verses could be shared that God will punish those who do not surrender their pride to Him!
So what does God desire from us? The opposite of pride is humble.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
James 4:10
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””
Luke 14:11
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
Philippians 2:3
As followers of Jesus we are to be humble servants. Putting others before ourselves to honor the Lord as He put us before himself even to death upon the cross for our sin!
Are you full of pride or humility?
Tom
Monday, November 18, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #6
Adultery vs. God’s Word
Let us start with a biblical definition of adultery: In the Bible, adultery is defined as sexual activity between a married person and someone other than their spouse. It is considered a sin against God and the affected spouse, and a violation of the marital covenant.
Adultery
““You shall not commit adultery.”
Exodus 20:14
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
Hebrews 13:4
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
I Corinthians 6:9-10
As you can see God will judge the adulterous, but the good news is you can repent and receive Christ forgiveness!
Go desires this for marriage:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
I Corinthians 10:13
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.””
Matthew 19:6
God created sex for man and women in marriage. They become one in marriage and through sexual intercourse designed by God who created man and women to fit together perfectly. God demands we be faithful to our spouses! Let us glorify God and be obedient!
Tom
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #5
Gluttony vs. God’s Word
Gluttony
“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”
Philippians 3:18-19
“Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”
Luke 12:22-23
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
I Corinthians 3:16-17
It is obvious that over eating in not pleading to God and can lead to our destruction as we make our bellies our god instead of the One true God!
So what are we to do?
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
Romans 13:14 NKJV
We are to put on Jesus, knowing our body is home of the Holy Spirit, and glorify God by eating to meet our needs not to fulfill a fleshly lust!
Tom
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #4
Hate vs. God’s Word
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
I John 4:20-21
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
I John 3:15
“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.”
1 John 2:9
It is clear from God’s Word we are not to hate others whom we can see! God says we can’t love Him if we hate someone and even equates it with murder and we do not have eternal life if we hate someone!
So what are we to do!
““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:44
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15
According to the Bible we are to love those we hate (enemies). Not only that but we are to forgive them for whatever reason we hate them. Notice if we do not forgive then God will not forgive us of our sins which means an eternity in hell!
Tom
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #3
Covetousness vs. God’s Word
In the Bible, covetousness is a strong desire for worldly possessions or wealth that is usually used in a negative context. It can also be described as an excessive desire or ambition to have more and more.
May we all allow the Holy Spirt examine us to show us if we are guilty of this sin!
Covetousness
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”
Colossians 3:5-7
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.””
Luke 12:15
“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Ephesians 5:5
As you can see desiring material things obsessively is sin. Clothes, toys, money, etc. can lead to hell if you are not under control by the Holy Spirit!
So how does God want us to be???
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
Hebrews 13:5
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
I Timothy 6:6-9
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13
We are to be content in Christ our Lord and Savior no matter the situation we are in…Good or bad! For He is truly all we need!
Tom
Monday, November 11, 2024
Sin vs God’s Word #2
Drunkenness vs. Sober
Drunkeness
“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Proverbs 20:1
“envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:21
“nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
I Corinthians 6:10
While the Bible does say to drink wine for the sake of helping the stomach or medical purpose it clearly condemns drinking for the sake of getting a buzz or drunkenness thus it is safe to say the same we could also put the use of recreational drugs along side it. Also do not miss unconfessed sin of drunkenness and being covered by the blood of Jesus in faith will result in hell.
Sober
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
I Peter 5:8
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”
Ephesians 5:18
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:5
According to the word we are to be sober….in our right minds not affected by influence of drugs and alcohol. The devil will use you in drunkenness not God. As a follower of Jesus we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit following His leading. As the Holy Spirit leads we do the work of God…spreading the gospel and loving others!
Be sober brothers and sisters and get to work! It is pleasing to God!
Tom
Sin vs God’s Word
Starting a new series today. Many try to justify sin but God’s word is absolute truth and there is no arguing with it. So let’s start out with Lie vs. Truth.
Lie-
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
Proverbs 12:22
“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,”
Proverbs 6:16-17
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.””
Revelation 21:8
I think that sums up lying pretty well…God hates it, it is an abomination to Him, and those who do not confess it up as sin to God and receive forgiveness in Jesus will burn in hell forever.
Now for Truth!
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
John 17:17
“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.”
Ephesians 4:25
Jesus is Truth! When we are a follower of Him then we are sanctified by Him and walk in His ways. Do we must always speak truth no matter the cost as Jesus did! Being truthful is our way of life!
Tom
Friday, November 8, 2024
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Nothing compares!
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.”
Proverbs 3:13-15
Get wisdom and understand it. Where is this wisdom…the Bible. Make time for reading and studying it and let nothing take that time you set aside. For this wisdom in the most valuable thing in the world for it draws you closer to God when you follow the wisdom! Nothing compares to the wisdom of God!
Tom
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Broke wall!
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,”
Ephesians 2:14
Oh what a beautiful verse! Jesus is our peace!!! He broke down the wall of separation between us and God. Smashing that wall of sin by his death on the cross and rising three days later from the grave! Praise Him, Praise Him!!!
Tom
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Spirit and Truth
Jesus commanded, “Worship [God] in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). In other words, bring your experience of worship into conformity with what is true about God, and let your spirit be authentically awakened and moved by that truth.
I read this yesterday and it give us a good definition of what it means to worship in Spirit and Truth! May we be obedient to the command of Jesus!!!Monday, November 4, 2024
To be great!
Do you want to be great in the eyes of God? He tells us how:
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”
Matthew 20:26
It is very simple…be a servant to others.
Chew on that today and then act in obedience to the Word of God and serve others!
Tom
Friday, November 1, 2024
Pleased in God!
Read this yesterday and wanted to share:
Half a century ago C. S. Lewis responded to this surprise by looking at the inescapable evidence in the Gospels. He wrote: If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.