Blog

Showing 6 to 10 of 17 blog articles.
The Two Wolves

<p>&#160; The Two Wolves "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life." (Deu. 30:19) &#160; Whenever someone repents and accepts Jesus as Lord of their life, the Holy Spirit comes to live within them and, from that point on, a spiritual battle exists between their sinful nature and the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5:17 describes this battle: "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." Our sinful nature is a powerful force which will continue to rule our lives unless we submit to the Spirit just as Gal. 5:16 tells us, "live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." The following parable describes the battle within us: &#160; An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life... "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. &#160; One wolf is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego. &#160; The other wolf is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. &#160; This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." &#160; The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" &#160; The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed." (Author Unknown) &#160; This parable truly describes the spiritual battle every Christian faces. Which wolf are you feeding? Rom. 8:13 also tells us that there are two ways we can live: "if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." 1) You can feed the evil wolf and live according to your sinful nature and die or 2) You can feed the good wolf and through the Spirit put to death the misdeeds of the body and live. &#160; You need to choose wisely as only "those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Rom. 8:14). Choose life and through the power of the Holy Spirit put to death the misdeeds of the body so that you may inherit eternal life. &#160; This article can be downloaded as a PDF or an MP3 from - http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html &#160; Mick Alexander Email: leeandmick@gmail.com Website: www.ChristianIssues.biz &#160; &#160;</p>

655   54 years ago
God's Love

<p>&#160;</p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><b>God&#39;s Love</b></font></font></font></p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">"God is love."</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none"> (1 John 4:16)</span></span></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">As we look at the evil in this sin-sick world it is easy to see why non-believers say that God cannot be a God of love. It&#39;s hard to find words to describe how low mankind has sunk and, despite all the empty talk, things are only going to get worse until Jesus returns. God is allowing the world to continue on its sinful free-fall into greater filth, violence and apostasy. However, there is a limit as </font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">"He has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed </span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none">[that is, Jesus]</span></span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">"</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration: none"> (Acts 17:31). But why is Jesus so slow in returning? Speaking about Jesus&#39; return, </span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration: none">2 Pet. 3:9 gives the answer where it says, </span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">"</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">"</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none"> It is because of His great love for mankind that God is patiently waiting for sinners to repent and then He will return to judge the world with justice and great wrath</span></span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">.</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none"> If He was not patient and loving then He would have returned to destroy all sinners long ago. So, lets look at the love of God.</span></span></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><b>The cross</b></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration: none">God&#39;s love is not a dizzy-headed, fuzzy feeling that fades away after a honeymoon period. His love is an unchanging, solid and selfless commitment. For over three years Jesus walked towards the cross knowing the awful agony that He would soon endure. </span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">On the night before He was crucified, He was in such anguish that, while praying, </font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i>"his sweat was like drops of blood"</i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"> (Luke 22:44). This occurs with extreme trauma but despite the trauma Isa 50:7 tells that </font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i>"He set His face like flint"</i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"> in His determination to suffer on the cross to save you and I from hell. Now, THAT is love!</font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">On the way to the cross, after being whipped and beaten, Jesus was more concerned about the women weeping for Him than for Himself (Luke 23:27-31).</font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">On the cross, in awful agony, He selflessly continued to think of others. </font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">In mortal agony -</font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">He forgave a thief being crucified beside Him (Luke 23:39-43);</font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">He asked God to forgive His executioners (Luke 23:33-34) and</font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">He asked a disciple to care for His mother (John 19:26-27).</font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Through all of this, God watched Jesus&#39; agony and Isa. 53:10 tells us that it pleased God to allow His Son to suffer for us. We sinned against God and Jesus paid the penalty of death for us. Now, THAT is love far beyond measure and understanding. </font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">In John 15:13, Jesus said,</span></span></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i>"Greater love has no one that this,</i></font></font></font></p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i>that he lay down his life for his friends."</i></font></font></font></p>

<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><b>God&#39;s love since the cross</b></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">God&#39;s love did not end with the cross. He continues to lovingly draw the unsaved to Himself and sends the Holy Spirit to live within all who repent of their sins and put their trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit lovingly and patiently disciplines and guides believers to be conformed to God&#39;s will.</font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"> I</font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">t is because of His love that He disciplines us, even severely if necessary. </font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Heb. 12:5-6</font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"> tell us, </font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i>"My son, do n</i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">ot make light of the Lord&#39;s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord </span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><u>disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son</u></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration: none">." </span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="text-decoration: none">To discipline us, God manipulates our emotions and circumstances in order to get us to repent of our wicked ways so that we walk with Him in peace and inherit eternal life.</span></span></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">The Prodigal Son is a perfect example of God&#39;s patient love and discipline. This young man arrogantly asked for his inheritance while his father was alive and then went off to waste the money in wild living. When his money was gone, he ended up feeding pigs that were eating better than he was. These conditions caused him come to his senses and repent so he went back home hoping to work for his father as a slave. To his surprise, his father saw him in the distance and ran to welcome him home as his son, not as a slave. This parable is given to tell us how our heavenly Father controls our circumstances and emotions to bring us to repentance whenever we go off the path of holiness. God is extremely patient and loving toward us. </font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">Psa. 100:5 says,</span></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-left: 0.64cm; text-indent: -0.64cm; margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; </span></i></font></font></font></p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-left: 0.64cm; text-indent: -0.64cm; margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">his faithfulness continues through all generations.</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font></font></p>

<p align="LEFT" style="margin-left: 0.64cm; text-indent: -0.64cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><b>Finally</b></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.</span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">" </span></i></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">(</span></span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">1 John 3:16</span></span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">). We</span></span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"> should not have the slightest doubt about the love God has for each one of us because His love and faithfulness are ever present in our lives. Nor should we doubt the love He has for the unsaved as He continues to patiently draw them to Himself in the hope that they will repent. If anyone says that God is not loving and asks why He does not put an end to evil then we can safely tell the</font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">m that He plans to do that soon enough but in the meantime He is waiting for them to come to repentance. As sure as night follows day, the present time of Love and Grace will end and God&#39;s fierce wrath will be poured out on the earth. Amen.</span></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">This article can </span></font></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">be downloaded as a PDF or an MP3 from -</span></font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html</font></font></p>

<h3 align="LEFT" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal" class="western">&#160;</h3>

<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">It can be read online at</font></font></p>

<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><a href="http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/2012/12/29/gods-love-2/" target="_blank"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/2012/12/29/gods-love-2/</font></font></a></p>

<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<h3 align="LEFT" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal" class="western"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Christian Issues&#39; blog can be subscribed to at -</font></font></h3>

<h3 align="LEFT" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal" class="western"><a href="http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/feed/" target="_blank"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/feed/</font></font></a></h3>

<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Mick Alexander</font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Email: leeandmick@gmail.com</font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-left: 0.64cm; text-indent: -0.64cm; margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Website: <a href="http://www.ChristianIssues.biz" target="_blank">www.ChristianIssues.biz</a></font></font></font></p>

755   54 years ago
Faith And Faithfulness

 

Faith And Faithfulness

"The righteous will live by faith." Hab. 2:4

 

The following article was written by Jacob Prasch of Moriel Ministries. I have added the bits in square brackets.

 

In Hebrew, the word for "faith" is "emunah" from which we get the word "amen"; in Hebrew the word for "faithfulness" is "emunah". It is the same word, like from the book of Lamentations: "Great is thy faithfulness" (Lam. 3:23). The Hebrew language makes no distinction between "faith" and "faithfulness" and neither, technically, does the Greek - "pistis". There may be a difference in the case endings, but the word for "faith" and the word for "faithfulness" is the same. In other words, if somebody's faith is genuine, they are going to be faithful. "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).

 

A saving faith is not a mere, intellectual faith; Satan has an intellectual faith; Satan knows it is true. If it is a saving faith, there will be faithfulness. The problem is that instead of following the Hebrew or Greek, our translations generally follow the Latin Vulgate of Jerome. "Faith" and "faithfulness" are different in Latin. Hence, in English, we get the wrong perspective. If it is a saving faith, we will be faithful.

 

Hab. 2:4 says,

"The righteous will live by faith." [It could be translated,]

"The righteous will live by faithfulness."

 

Eph. 2:8 says,

"We are saved by Grace through faith." [It could be translated,]

"We are saved by Grace through faithfulness."

(Commencing, of course, with the faithfulness of Jesus).

 

Heb. 11:6 says,

"Without faith it is impossible to please God." [It could be translated,]

"Without faithfulness it is impossible to please God."

 

We make a distinction between "faith" and "faithfulness" because of translational complications we should not be making.

end of Jacob's article.

 

From what Jacob has shown us, we see that faith and faithfulness go hand in hand. Real faith is shown by faithfulness so if someone claims to have faith but is not faithful then they have a dead, worthless faith because James 2:26 tells us that "faith without deeds is dead." A tree is known by its fruit and "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matt. 7:17-19).

 

This article can be downloaded as a PDF or an MP3 from -

http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html

 

It can be read online at

http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/2012/12/08/faith-and-faithfulness/

 

Mick Alexander

leeandmick@gmail.com

www.ChristianIssues.biz

743   54 years ago
You Don't Have To Take It Any More

<p>&#160;</p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="3"><b>You Don&#39;t Have To Take It Any More</b></font></p>

<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">Sin shall not be your master.</span></i></font><font size="3"><i>"</i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal"> (Rom. 6:14)</span></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font size="3">I don&#39;t think that there can be greater heartache than knowing Jesus and yet still be a slave to sin. It&#39;s common knowledge that there are many churchgoers secretly addicted to pornography, alcohol, drugs and other sins. They don&#39;t want to be that way but don&#39;t know how to overcome their slavery to unrighteousness and their hearts ache because of the darkness that is hidden within them. They feel great shame but put on happy faces. Only they, and God, know the awful shame that is deep within their souls. They want to change</font><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"> but remain as they are because n</span></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal">o one has ever told them that they don&#39;t have to take it any more, that is, they don&#39;t have to take sin any more.</span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> Jesus came to set the captives free so that no one has to remain a slave to sin. In</span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"> </font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">John 8:34, Jesus said, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin,"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal"> BUT He continued on to say, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">(John 8:36). So, if you are battling with the likes of pornography, alcohol or drugs, then you too can be freed and enter into the wonderful peace of God which comes when inner darkness is replaced with light. How is this done?</span></span></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><b>Firstly, Let&#39;s Look At Our Sinful Nature</b></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">There is no question that we will be influenced by our sinful nature until we see Jesus but this does not mean that we have to give in to it. Many people say that we are only human and can&#39;t be free from slavery to sin despite the fact that Jesus says we can be. I once heard the following: "We have a body which gets hungry so we eat, a body which gets thirsty so we drink and a sinful nature so we will always sin." This is a terrible lie which leaves many souls burdened with the guilt of their sin. Jesus clearly says that He can free us. In </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">Rom. 7:24-25, Paul openly admitted to the wickedness of his flesh when he said, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"What a wretched man I am!"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> BUT he went on to say, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"Who will </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">rescue me</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Plainly, Paul tells us that through Jesus he was changed and rescued from his fleshy body of death. In Rom. 6:14, he said, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"sin shall not be your master"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> and this is made possible through the Holy Spirit.</span></span></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><b>The Holy Spirit Empowers Us To Overcome Sin</b></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">God knows very well how weak we are so when we repent and accept Jesus He sends the Holy Spirit to live within us to guide us and to empower us to overcome our lusts. Through the Spirit we can be freed from our sinful nature as Gal. 5:16 so clearly states: </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">live by the Spirit</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">, and you </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">will not</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> gratify the desires of the sinful nature.</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> This is not a fairy tale, it&#39;s God&#39;s Word and millions of Christians, past and present, can testify to being rescued from the worst of sins. The Bible says that God has no favourites so if you have not been rescued from your body of death then you can be sure that God is waiting to deliver you also. God has given us the ability and responsibility to live a holy life. </span></span></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><b>Ability And Responsibility</b></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><span style="font-weight: normal">Firstly, regarding our ability,</span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> the reason God sends the Holy Spirit to live within us is to transform our lives so that we are able live a life which pleases Him. Speaking about the Spirit, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">2 Pet. 1:3-4 says, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">His divine power </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">[the Holy Spirit] </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">has given us everything we need for life and godliness </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">[so that]</span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal"> you may participate in the divine nature and </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><u><span style="font-weight: normal">escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.</span></u></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> From these verses we can see that the divine power of the Spirit gives us the ability to escape the corruption of sin and live a godly life (see Ezek. 36:25-27 also).</span></span></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">Next, regarding our responsibility, we are commanded to </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">live by the Spirit.</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> We do this by repenting with all our heart, soul, mind and strength whenever the Spirit convicts us of sin. If, for example, pornography is a problem to you then the next time you desire it, fight it with all your might and call upon God to strengthen you to resist. You can be sure that God loves you as much as He loves any other person and will strengthen you to overcome when you are truly repentant. If your repentance is half-hearted then God will not deliver you because He sees that you love your sin more than His righteousness. You have to come to the point where you hate your sin as much as He does. When you reach that point, and call out to Him in repentance, He will rescue you and change your heart attitude toward that sin so that you can resist it when tempted </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">in the future. When temptation comes again, and it will, you have to stand firm and not give in to it in the least otherwise you will be hooked again and have to start over. James 4:7 says, </span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"</span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal"> God does not lie so believe this with all your heart, resist sin with all your strength, and you will be freed.</span></span></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Pornography, alcohol and drugs are not the only addictive sins. In a sense, all sins are addictive. Many churchgoers are addicted to gossip, hate, jealousy, etc. and these sins need to be repented of in the same way as pornography, alcohol and drugs. Gal. 5:19:21 lists many other sins which will exclude people from the kingdom of God.</font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><b>Finally</b></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">You don&#39;t have to take it any more. Jesus offers you freedom from the burden of sin. Don&#39;t believe the lie that has many thinking, </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">"That&#39;s just me. I&#39;m only human." If you are caught up in sin then I urge you to a</span></span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal">ccept Jesus&#39; loving invitation: </span></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><i><span style="font-weight: normal">"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" </span></i></font></font><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><span style="font-style: normal"><span style="font-weight: normal">(Matt. 11:28-30). </span></span></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at</font></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><a href="http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html" target="_blank"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html</font></font></a></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm">&#160;</p>

<p>&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Mick Alexander</font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Email: leeandmick@gmail.com</font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm"><font face="Times-Roman, Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Website: <a href="http://www.ChristianIssues.biz" target="_blank">www.ChristianIssues.biz</a></font></font></p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal">&#160;</p>

5793   54 years ago
The Fat Shepherds Are Fleecing The Sheep - Ezekiel 34

<p>&#160; The Fat Shepherds Are Fleecing The Sheep - Ezekiel 34 &#160; What has happened to our society? Why is the world becoming more and more immoral and lawless? Why has the church lost its godly influence? There was a time when the church was well respected and had a strong moral grip on society but that is no longer the case. Why? The fact is, when the world looks at &#39;Christianity&#39; today, they see paedophiles, homosexuals, filthy-rich leaders and televangelists teaching false doctrine, self appointed prophets prophesying lies, crazy antics in churches and so called Christians joining with cults and pagan religions etc. There really is no need for us to scratch our heads and wonder why there has been such a strong moral decline in society – it is simply because the church has gone astray and lost its stabilising influence. The unsaved are not stupid; they see through much of the nonsense and, quite rightly, consider themselves as good as any &#39;Christian&#39; and perhaps even more righteous. How can a Christian talk to them about their sinfulness when they see the &#39;church&#39; doing the same things? Why should they bother seeking our guidance? A friend said that the Devil has done such a great job destroying the church that he is now holidaying somewhere in the Caribbean, and it doesn&#39;t look as though he will ever need to return to work. He can relax and enjoy his holiday because the shepherds he has placed in the church are doing a great job for him. &#160; Looking after the flock Ezek. 34 tells how the shepherds of Israel fed richly off the people but didn&#39;t take care of them, just as many of the church leaders do today. Ezek. 34:2-4 says, “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” Israel&#39;s shepherds were feasting off the flock while neglecting to care for them physically or spiritually; the spiritually weak were not being helped in their faith; those needing physical help were ignored; those who had strayed from the faith were not brought back or even searched for – the flock was neglected and abused in every way while the shepherds ate off the fat of the land. This is exactly what is happening in many churches today. Leaders are not tending their flocks but rather they are fleecing them and living in luxury while there are believers in great need worldwide. It can&#39;t be justified. &#160; Ezek. 34:5 gives the result of neglecting the flock: “They were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.” When believers are not being cared for, they can lose their faith and hope and wander off to become food for the many false religions and cults. It is common for people to get sucked into churches who promise all sorts of things but when these promises fail they leave in disappointment and bitterness, rejecting Christianity in the belief that it is full of lies. This leaves them wide open to other wolves who will seduced them into their hell-bound ways. &#160; False doctrine 2 Tim. 4:3 tells us that “the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” Surely that time is now. Many leaders and televangelists have replaced solid doctrine with shallow &#39;all about me&#39; nonsense - “Make me rich! Give me power!” Their teachings are shamelessly self-centred yet well received by many itching ears because it is all about what they can get from God, rather than death to self. Death to self is complete self-denial but many prefer the lies as Jer. 5:31 tells us: “The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end [at the judgment]?” &#160; Most Christians believe that Jesus&#39; return cannot be too far off. If we really believe this then we must also take careful note of His warnings of end time deception (Matt. 24). If you and I want to be able to discern this deception then we must have a good understanding of scripture. If we don&#39;t know the real thing then how can we discern a fake? Do you study your Bible and take it to church or do you just believe the voice from the pulpit? That voice could be one of the Devil&#39;s co-workers masquerading as a servant of righteousness (see 2 Cor. 11:13-15). We only get one chance at salvation so we must be careful and study the Bible to see if we are in the truth and truly born again. Jesus commands us not to be deceived - can you biblically defend what you have been led to believe? Do you get upset when someone questions your beliefs? If so, then it is a sign that you are not secure in your doctrine, you may be in error. We all need to study opposing doctrine and have peace about what we believe. If we are misled then we can&#39;t blame someone else. We must check things out for ourselves. Remember, there is no second chance, no Purgatory. &#160; Finishing off The greatest reason for the world&#39;s ever worsening condition is that the church has lost its godly influence over society. Christianity was once a standard for morality and common decency but ungodly behaviour by so called Christians has blackened the name of Jesus. Sadly, the unsaved see the wickedness and nonsense in the &#39;church&#39; and think it is Christianity. A good way to explain things to the unsaved, and witness at the same time, is to show them Matt. 24 where Jesus predicted it would happen before He returns to destroy the wicked. &#160; We really can&#39;t do anything about the falling away of the church because it is part of end time prophecy. However, we can be good Bereans and search the scriptures to be sure of what we believe. My question to you is, “Are you in the faith or into heresy?” Search the scriptures and be separate from the wicked. &#160; &#160; This article can be downloaded under the heading Blog Articles at http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html &#160; &#160; Mick Alexander Email: leeandmick@gmail.com Website: www.ChristianIssues.biz &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;</p>

954   54 years ago