Thursday 31 January 2013
Just Watched A Video
Just watched a video where an atheist simulated a religious conversion using psychology and hypnosis. It just confirms in my mind what God's counsels have warned us against in the matter of false revivals and conversions where people are exited and caught up in the moment and think they have had an amazing experience but are left fanatics or faithless. My prayers are with the girl who had the experience, it will be hard for her to find true faith now.
Not Self-Confidence but Confidence Regardless
Based on Psalm 27
Jehovah is my light (my source of truth, my way to observe the world around me), my salvation (the one who rescues me from the slavery of sin) and the source of my strength (my ability to function) with the all-powerful Jehovah doing these things for me there is nobody I should be afraid of.
I am confident because my desire is for a perfect relationship with Jehovah, and since he desires the same there is nothing that can stand in our way.
When my faith is tried I have assurance that I have sought Jehovah's face when he called to me, and I have experienced his reliability. I believe that he is more faithful even than my parents.
When I see people doing terrible things, my right response is to plead with Jehovah that he might teach me how I should behave, this is my only defence from those who have power to kill the body. In time of real danger I become weak, and only my confidence that I will live with Jehovah in the land of the living (not some realm of the dead) enables me to continue thinking about and doing what Jehovah wants me to do, which is of utmost importance.
God in his power has the means to maximise the overall positive experience of my life and in his goodness he has the wish to. The only thing stopping him is my lack of confidence in these facts. When I prioritise God and his commandments, I think about the future he has for me and I experience his faithfulness. This makes me more confident in God and allows me to grow.
There may be one thing you know you need to surrender to Jesus. Jesus can give you the power to give it up, just commit to trust Jesus this one time, and when he shows you his power over sin in your life you will have confidence too.
Jehovah is my light (my source of truth, my way to observe the world around me), my salvation (the one who rescues me from the slavery of sin) and the source of my strength (my ability to function) with the all-powerful Jehovah doing these things for me there is nobody I should be afraid of.
I am confident because my desire is for a perfect relationship with Jehovah, and since he desires the same there is nothing that can stand in our way.
When my faith is tried I have assurance that I have sought Jehovah's face when he called to me, and I have experienced his reliability. I believe that he is more faithful even than my parents.
When I see people doing terrible things, my right response is to plead with Jehovah that he might teach me how I should behave, this is my only defence from those who have power to kill the body. In time of real danger I become weak, and only my confidence that I will live with Jehovah in the land of the living (not some realm of the dead) enables me to continue thinking about and doing what Jehovah wants me to do, which is of utmost importance.
God in his power has the means to maximise the overall positive experience of my life and in his goodness he has the wish to. The only thing stopping him is my lack of confidence in these facts. When I prioritise God and his commandments, I think about the future he has for me and I experience his faithfulness. This makes me more confident in God and allows me to grow.
There may be one thing you know you need to surrender to Jesus. Jesus can give you the power to give it up, just commit to trust Jesus this one time, and when he shows you his power over sin in your life you will have confidence too.
Wednesday 30 January 2013
The Joy of the Judgment
Based on Psalm 26
David explains that his confidence is his faith in Jehovah.
David calls on Jehovah to test his will, his deepest thoughts. He will pass this test because he will focus his attention on Jehovah's loving kindness and his actions are based on Jehovah's truth (testimonies).
David recalls that he has avoided the society of shallow people or phoney people, avoided any dubious gathering and avoided associating with those who are scheming against God and his people.
It is time to be cleansed with washing by water and come to the altar (cross) of Jehovah.
Then we may start to tell the world the amazing things Jehovah has done for us.
David loved the church of Jehovah and asked God not to let him be separated from the church and be gathered with the wicked (to be destroyed).
David determined to live a life of integrity, not just imputed but imparted. But he knew he needed Jehovah to redeem him from his fallen state and to be merciful on his continual failings.
We have a strong, stable foundation; and in church we can tell the good things Jehovah has done.
The ongoing judgment in heaven right now is a good thing because it is an opportunity to overcome sin as Jesus reveals it to us.
It is right to determine to do what is right and trust Jesus to teach me integrity and forgive me.
I should be re-converted daily and then tell the world what Jesus has done for me.
If you fear condemnation you ought to start loving Jesus' church, start associating with Jesus' people and not Satan's people. When Jesus comes you will be associated with the group who have always associated with.
Jesus has helped me to be patient this week, I am determined by his grace to grow further so now I will consecrate myself to Jehovah once again.
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Why Does God Save Anyone?
Based on Psalm 25
Surrender to God is the basis of asking him for salvation or deliverance.
Salvation is about God teaching me to follow his ways and forgiving my sins.
It is because God is good that he teaches those who acknowledge their unworthiness, not because he must.
God will always teach truth to and be merciful to people who keep his covenant (based on the ten commandments) and keep his testimonies (the inspired writings of all the prophets). [This is a promise that can be claimed]
God's own reputation is the only basis for asking forgiveness for deep sins of attitude. But God will transform iniquity to meekness. The meek shall inherit the Earth.
God reveals the mystery of the gospel to those who are afraid of him.
Example: I fear God when I am focussing my attention on him, trusting that he will do a better job of keeping me from traps than I would were I focussing on avoiding traps instead. Traps are temptations.
Turn to God in the worst times too, but ask him to purify you and preserve your integrity so that you will be able to stand.
Why not memorise the promise in this Psalm to that you can claim it any time you feel unable to be saved?
Surrender to God is the basis of asking him for salvation or deliverance.
Salvation is about God teaching me to follow his ways and forgiving my sins.
It is because God is good that he teaches those who acknowledge their unworthiness, not because he must.
God will always teach truth to and be merciful to people who keep his covenant (based on the ten commandments) and keep his testimonies (the inspired writings of all the prophets). [This is a promise that can be claimed]
God's own reputation is the only basis for asking forgiveness for deep sins of attitude. But God will transform iniquity to meekness. The meek shall inherit the Earth.
God reveals the mystery of the gospel to those who are afraid of him.
Example: I fear God when I am focussing my attention on him, trusting that he will do a better job of keeping me from traps than I would were I focussing on avoiding traps instead. Traps are temptations.
Turn to God in the worst times too, but ask him to purify you and preserve your integrity so that you will be able to stand.
Why not memorise the promise in this Psalm to that you can claim it any time you feel unable to be saved?
Monday 28 January 2013
Jacob's Trouble
Based on Genesis 32
Before Jacob came to his time of trouble he had an amazing experience where he met angels of God.
Jacob discovered that Esau was coming, perhaps to kill him, and he took precautions. Then he prayed, he reminded God that he was in this situation because of obeying God's command, he acknowledged that he did not deserve the blessings he had previously received, he begged God to save him from Esau that he feared would kill him and his family, finally he claimed God's promise.
Jacob took some more precautions and then found himself alone. When he was alone in the dark he was attacked by a man and wrestled with him all night. When he was beginning to prevail the man revealed his supernatural power. Jacob refused to let go of the man until he blessed him. Jacob had to confess his identity and was given a new identity but not told the name of the stranger, then he was blessed and the man was gone.
Jacob realised the man was God and the new day dawned.
The final generation who seek Jacob's face will have a similar experience.
We will fear for ourselves and our families because our brothers will be trying to kill us.
We will remind God that we have been accused for keeping his commandments, we will confess that he has been merciful in the past, we will beg God to be merciful now on the basis of his promises.
But we will not find comfort as before, instead God will come and wrestle with us like an enemy until we prevail and he can give us our new identity.
Then the symbolic day will dawn, Jesus will return.
There is much that needs to happen before this will be fulfilled but we have been warned that it will come quickly, we will be surprised.
Now is the time to start learning God's promises and how to claim them, and also how to prevail with God in prayer.
Before Jacob came to his time of trouble he had an amazing experience where he met angels of God.
Jacob discovered that Esau was coming, perhaps to kill him, and he took precautions. Then he prayed, he reminded God that he was in this situation because of obeying God's command, he acknowledged that he did not deserve the blessings he had previously received, he begged God to save him from Esau that he feared would kill him and his family, finally he claimed God's promise.
Jacob took some more precautions and then found himself alone. When he was alone in the dark he was attacked by a man and wrestled with him all night. When he was beginning to prevail the man revealed his supernatural power. Jacob refused to let go of the man until he blessed him. Jacob had to confess his identity and was given a new identity but not told the name of the stranger, then he was blessed and the man was gone.
Jacob realised the man was God and the new day dawned.
The final generation who seek Jacob's face will have a similar experience.
We will fear for ourselves and our families because our brothers will be trying to kill us.
We will remind God that we have been accused for keeping his commandments, we will confess that he has been merciful in the past, we will beg God to be merciful now on the basis of his promises.
But we will not find comfort as before, instead God will come and wrestle with us like an enemy until we prevail and he can give us our new identity.
Then the symbolic day will dawn, Jesus will return.
There is much that needs to happen before this will be fulfilled but we have been warned that it will come quickly, we will be surprised.
Now is the time to start learning God's promises and how to claim them, and also how to prevail with God in prayer.
Sunday 27 January 2013
Victory March
Based on Psalm 24
Everything on planet Earth belongs to Jehovah, because he built it over the water.
(Jehovah has the right to kill and to make alive, after the resurrection those that are to live will stand in his holy place.)
Who will go up to the city of Jehovah and stand in his holy place?
People with clean hands (free from sin - Job 22:30 [Eliphaz]) and a pure heart (genuine love -1 Pet 1:22).
People that have not centred their lives on temporal things (Ecc 1:14) or made vows they did not intend to be true (Lev 6).
These people will enjoy good things from Jehovah and be given the power to obey the law by the God who gives him the power to obey the law.
This (final) generation will be the one that searches to know Jehovah (his character) and searches to know the identity of Jacob (his fear - Isa 29:22). This is a point for careful consideration.
Then when this is fulfilled the righteous will ascend to the city of God and hear the angels sing the glory of Jehovah returning from his great victory.
Jehovah is the king of glory. Consider that.
Focus attention on getting rid of sin and learning genuine love, do not focus on the things of Earth and do not make promises to God that you do not intend to keep.
How is this done?
Study the word to know Jesus, study the word to know the experience of Jacob.
Everything on planet Earth belongs to Jehovah, because he built it over the water.
(Jehovah has the right to kill and to make alive, after the resurrection those that are to live will stand in his holy place.)
Who will go up to the city of Jehovah and stand in his holy place?
People with clean hands (free from sin - Job 22:30 [Eliphaz]) and a pure heart (genuine love -1 Pet 1:22).
People that have not centred their lives on temporal things (Ecc 1:14) or made vows they did not intend to be true (Lev 6).
These people will enjoy good things from Jehovah and be given the power to obey the law by the God who gives him the power to obey the law.
This (final) generation will be the one that searches to know Jehovah (his character) and searches to know the identity of Jacob (his fear - Isa 29:22). This is a point for careful consideration.
Then when this is fulfilled the righteous will ascend to the city of God and hear the angels sing the glory of Jehovah returning from his great victory.
Jehovah is the king of glory. Consider that.
Focus attention on getting rid of sin and learning genuine love, do not focus on the things of Earth and do not make promises to God that you do not intend to keep.
How is this done?
Study the word to know Jesus, study the word to know the experience of Jacob.
Saturday 26 January 2013
His Sheep Am I
Based on Psalm 23
The man who has the kind of trust in Jehovah that he needs has this experience:
He expects that Jehovah will look after his needs.
He experiences that obedience to Jehovah (his law) is giving him contentment and peace.
He is being converted by the power of Jehovah every day and Jehovah shows him how to keep his law for the sake of Jehovah's reputation.
He expects that when he suffers greatly or dies he will not be afraid of any long-term problems because Jehovah is on his side and wields great power to correct him and protect him. He fears Jehovah more than death and loves him more than life.
He experiences that Jehovah is providing for his needs regardless of those who hate him, and Jehovah encourages him with luxuries too.
He is confident that Jehovah will invest in him and forgive his disobedience every day he lives, including the endless days he expects to spend in Jehovah's household.
Expect God to do things for you, but expect him to require effort from you too.
You should be confident that God will provide your needs and give you courage to face the day of death. You should also be confident that God will tell you what to do morally and that in obeying him you can actually make him look good to people that do not love him.
God can forgive your disobedience now and you do not need to become disobedient again. There will never be a time when you will not need forgiveness because you have already disobeyed God, but that does not mean there will never be a time when you will be obedient. The disobedient burn in hell, if you don't want to do that then ask God to help you be obedient.
Why don't you ask Jesus right now to be your strong shepherd and ask to become his obedient sheep?
The man who has the kind of trust in Jehovah that he needs has this experience:
He expects that Jehovah will look after his needs.
He experiences that obedience to Jehovah (his law) is giving him contentment and peace.
He is being converted by the power of Jehovah every day and Jehovah shows him how to keep his law for the sake of Jehovah's reputation.
He expects that when he suffers greatly or dies he will not be afraid of any long-term problems because Jehovah is on his side and wields great power to correct him and protect him. He fears Jehovah more than death and loves him more than life.
He experiences that Jehovah is providing for his needs regardless of those who hate him, and Jehovah encourages him with luxuries too.
He is confident that Jehovah will invest in him and forgive his disobedience every day he lives, including the endless days he expects to spend in Jehovah's household.
Expect God to do things for you, but expect him to require effort from you too.
You should be confident that God will provide your needs and give you courage to face the day of death. You should also be confident that God will tell you what to do morally and that in obeying him you can actually make him look good to people that do not love him.
God can forgive your disobedience now and you do not need to become disobedient again. There will never be a time when you will not need forgiveness because you have already disobeyed God, but that does not mean there will never be a time when you will be obedient. The disobedient burn in hell, if you don't want to do that then ask God to help you be obedient.
Why don't you ask Jesus right now to be your strong shepherd and ask to become his obedient sheep?
Saturday 5 January 2013
The Cry of the Poor; Another Angle
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Psalm 9:17-18
Having read these verses in the context of the whole Psalm notice the following.
In the final judgment there are wicked people that will be turned into Sheol; they will be turned into the pit of darkness, nothingness.
The same fate will be shared by the nations that forget God. There are some nations that have a history of faith in God and all who have faith in God will be saved. But nations eventually forget God, it just happens. You may live in a "Christian" nation, but in reality it may be forgetting God already.
Why does God allow nations to forget Him? Verse 18 suggests an answer:
It is in order that those who live in nations that do not have the gospel might hear it. There are some who are needy for truth, there are some who are hoping for truth but their hope may perish forever with them. There is a cry of the poor in spirit. There are people who are crying out for the bread of life.
Many are so starved that they have no appetite, are you willing to feed them morsels that will create a desire for more? Have another look at the gospels and see that the truth was proclaimed gradually, not forcing people to accept the whole truth at once. Certainly not expecting people to adopt Western culture to become Christian.
There is a large section of the world that has not heard the gospel, it will be no easy matter to reach those people but it must be done. Let's think about what we can do to get this last work done and prepare the world for Jesus to come into His kingdom. Do not perish with your nation, be willing to die for the poor in spirit and find life.
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Psalm 9:17-18
Having read these verses in the context of the whole Psalm notice the following.
In the final judgment there are wicked people that will be turned into Sheol; they will be turned into the pit of darkness, nothingness.
The same fate will be shared by the nations that forget God. There are some nations that have a history of faith in God and all who have faith in God will be saved. But nations eventually forget God, it just happens. You may live in a "Christian" nation, but in reality it may be forgetting God already.
Why does God allow nations to forget Him? Verse 18 suggests an answer:
It is in order that those who live in nations that do not have the gospel might hear it. There are some who are needy for truth, there are some who are hoping for truth but their hope may perish forever with them. There is a cry of the poor in spirit. There are people who are crying out for the bread of life.
Many are so starved that they have no appetite, are you willing to feed them morsels that will create a desire for more? Have another look at the gospels and see that the truth was proclaimed gradually, not forcing people to accept the whole truth at once. Certainly not expecting people to adopt Western culture to become Christian.
There is a large section of the world that has not heard the gospel, it will be no easy matter to reach those people but it must be done. Let's think about what we can do to get this last work done and prepare the world for Jesus to come into His kingdom. Do not perish with your nation, be willing to die for the poor in spirit and find life.
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