Violence and the Kingdom of God, a Gospel of Peace and Taking the Land

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We know that Jesus had to die, but why all of the apostles tortured and killed, except John, many of the early disciples and many first and second century Christians?

In our day, in the west, we don't face these kinds of things and many of our beliefs may be based in a world where we are protected in a western country with an army. Others, today and in the past, deal with those who kill. Most of us know of many cases where God delivered men in the bible and we are inspired to have this in our lives, but what did Jesus teach about protecting us, suffering for Him or about fighting and war? Some view it as our duty to retaliate or be on the offensive in the name of protection for our country and our lives.

What is, our purpose in the Kingdom of God? To prosper, to suffer?

 I am surprised myself what the scripture says, after I recently studied the subject. I knew some talk of suffering was in the New Testament, but after a complete study, there is overwhelming evidence for a doctrine of suffering, a type of pacifism-peace-love as well as God's blessing and protection that should make up our view of God's world under the New Covenant. I have to admit in the recent past, I've had trouble facing a few scriptures like these, and thought these were for the apostles or for missionaries, but I also didn't realize how many scriptures and commands there were! This changes everything. Reading the Bible as a book or reading favorite scriptures is very different than studying one subject fully, seeing how many times something is mentioned and arguing it.  When we read the Bible as we read a book, we don't always catch persistent themes. So I'm presenting what I've found and please prayerfully read these scriptures on suffering, fighting, war, peace and blessing, for there are so many it is obvious what our Lord intended for us.

This, is shockingly, the Kingdom of God.

Remember Jesus sent the disciples and the church out on the great commission into all the world during Roman terror. He said all the world will hate us, but do not fear “I have overcome the world” The Romans like Titus, Nero and Caligula. 

Matt 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves, so be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.

John 16:33 In this world you shall have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.

2 Thes 1:4 so that we ourselves boast in you in the churches of God about your patient endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring, 5 a proof of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which also you are suffering, 6 since it is righteous in the sight of God to pay back those who are afflicting you with affliction, 7 and to you who are being afflicted, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, 8 with burning flame giving punishment to those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, 9 who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength,

John 15:18 If the world hates you remember they hated me first.
John 15:20  No servant is above his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you as well.

1 Pet 4 :1 Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Phil 1: 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,e striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him…

1 Cor 4:9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena.

Acts 14:19 But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and when they* had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him* outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after* the disciples surrounded him, he got up and* went into the city. And on the next day he departed with Barnabas for Derbe.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

21 And after they* had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them* to continue in the faith and saying,* “Through many troubles it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Matt 16:24 "take up your cross"

Eph 6:15 and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

1 Cor 7:15 God has called us to live in peace.

Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

because they will be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you

when they insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

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21 “You have heard that it was said to the ⌊people of old⌋, ‘Do not commit murder,’ and ‘whoever commits murder will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’ will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’ will be subject to fiery hell.
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The Sermon on the Mount: Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist the evil person, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And the one who wants to go to court with you and take your tunic, ⌊let him have⌋ your outer garment also. 41 And whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

The Sermon on the Mount: Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not the tax collectors also do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing that is remarkable? Do not the Gentiles also do the same? 48 Therefore you be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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The Sermon on the Mount: The Narrow Gate

13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it, 14 because narrow is the gate and constricted is the road that leads to life, and there are few who find it!

Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2 Tim 2:4 - Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules

Rev 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Matt 26:54 “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so

John 18:11“Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me

Luke 22:49  And when* those around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and* said, “⌊Stop! No more of this!⌋” And he touched his* ear and* healed him.

1 Tim 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money

Rom 3:15  Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 destruction and distress are in their paths,

17 and they have not known the way of peace.

18 The fear of God is not before their eyes.”

Matt 16:24- (Luke9:23- & Mark 8:34 -) From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up HIS cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done

Eph 6:10 be angry and sin not.

James 1:19,20 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Eph 4:31 Let ALL bitternes and wrath, and anger, and clamour and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tender hearted forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake has forgiven you.

Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Col 3:8  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Acts 5:40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name

Acts 9:16 things he must suffer for my names sake

1 Tim 1:9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike(hit) their fathers and mothers, for murderers

1 Pet 3:8 -  And finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, showing mutual affection, compassionate, humble, 9 not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the other hand blessing others, because for this reason you were called, so that you could inherit a blessing. 10 For

“The one who wants to love life

and see good days

must keep his* tongue from evil

and his lips must not speak deceit.

11 And he must turn away from evil and do good;

he must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

1 Thes 5:13 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another AND to everyone(not just interpersonal relationships)

2 thes 1:5-8 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God

1 Thes 2:14 - For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

Hebrews 10:30 - For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will repay, says the Lord.

Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, nonjudgmental, without hypocrisy, 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.

1 Pet 2:23 He(Jesus) did not retaliate ..He made no threats.

Biblical pacifism is not the same as regular pacifism… there are times when disciples rebuked people, but never violence.

I'm not preaching that we should look for suffering but to put on the kingdom of God first and not love our lives more than God.

There maybe sometimes we don't get our deliverance from God because we are called to suffer in some way, be a testimony to the wicked or deliverance is hindered in spiritual battle. We don't always know why but we are just called to be "faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life". Rev 2:10

With this huge amount of scriptures on the subject, it's easy to see that we may not have known the scripture well enough and why God tells many on the Day of the Lord "I never knew you". That may sound harsh but honestly do we look like the person above in those scriptures or are we a person with no love for their enemies, caught up in our culture of spreading righteousness by hurting evil doers and dishonoring the name of Christ "THE PRINCE OF PEACE".


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Once someone challenged me to find any scriptures in the New Testament that promoted violence or protecting ourselves. Honestly you are hard pressed to do so. The main one that most people point to is

Luke 22:35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out without a money bag and a traveler’s bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?”* And they said, “Nothing.” 36 And he said to them, “But now the one who has a money bag must take it,* and likewise a traveler’s bag. And the one who does not have a sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this that is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was counted with the criminals.’ For indeed, what is written* about me ⌊is being fulfilled⌋.” 38 So they said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords!” And he said to them, “It is adequate.”

So two swords were enough for probably more than 12 disciples and followers. This was also a direct opposite quote from him first telling them to "take no purse, bag, sandals " Luke 10:4            Jesus then almost immediately rebuked Peter for using the sword in the garden later.

Also this was in order to possibly fulfill   that he would lose none of them.  John 17:11,12   Luke 22:53 "this is the hour when darkness reigns". So this was so the apostles would survive to carry on the kingdom into the world. While Jesus was on the cross and darkness was reigning, possibly and God was turning his face from the sin that hung on the tree. This was when Christ, who could himself escape evil to fulfill his purpose, was not there to protect his main sheep, while they were grieving for his betrayal and death.

This is not a very strong scripture for a man of peace to promote fighting, war or retaliation.

Here's some more that some say promote our being violent.

Luke 12:51 I did not come to bring peace but a sword( 98% of people already see this as a obvious metaphor.) This is saying how men will hate us and not that we should fight them. This is also talking about the truths from the bible we teach that are an offense to men, "the sword of the Spirit" that will cause division between the sheep and goats in our world. In light of the many scriptures above and this obvious English in this scripture most people already see this as turmoil, not violence.

John 2:18 and Matt 2:17 These are the events that Jesus made a whip and cleansed the temple. Jesus never is said to have whipped anyone but "drove them out". These also may be two separate events that Jesus did twice(just a side note)

 Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. (God seems to use unsaved men to execute wrath and armys of the world to judge other nations) though we are not involved as we are in a higher calling as ambassadors or Christ. We are "pilgrims and strangers in this world" and from another country, in heaven, "who's builder and maker is God." We are told to follow the gospel and that a good soldier doesn't entangle himself with the affairs of this world.

The beatitudes change the old law. It was said "eye for and eye" (law of Moses) but "no longer"
"turn the other cheek" and so on in the passage, God changes the law that was given because of the hardness of their hearts.

I've heard many arguments over the years, that murder is different than killing, that the beatitudes are for interpersonal relationships only but it's ok to defend yourselves.  Many may be familiar with the "just war" idea. Where war is bad unless it's against a tyrant like Hitler, but even these ideas are made up usually by someone who reasons "should I let my wife and kids be murdered? no I must fight(kill)" but they are hard pressed to find anything remotely like this in scripture.

We are taught to obey governments, police, politicians, even when they are bad ones and pray for rulers, but only in light of our calling as New Testament saints. We are to be better than they are. If they promote killing babies or men, we shall not follow but "suffer as a good soldier" of Christ and give place for God's vengeance. We are never to aid in punishing evil doers.
"Our battle is not against flesh and blood" Jesus also said "if my kingdom was of this world, my men would fight", but our battle is "against rulers of darkness in high places". We have weapons they know not of that pull down strongholds, bring down kingdoms of this world because we reign with Christ. And when things go bad, we love men and God first and not our lives "unto death". The Christian soldier is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds, in prayer. On your knees you are powerful.

God himself is not always a pacifist.  It is God who causes the nations to rise and fall and even uses them to war and bring relief to the saints 2 thes 1:5-8 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God

Consider these scriptures as well where God judges men.

acts 5:8 Ananias and Saphirah (here God uses men, occasionally, to judge others)

acts 13 Elymus the sorcerer blinded by Paul through the Holy Spirit

heb 1:12 “Sit at my right hand

 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”

(Enemies are being persecuted by God)

heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet

Revelation 6:10 - And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?


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Deliverance

The Bible's teaching is clear.

Bible Christians die for their faith and those who’s identity is as a citizen of this world,  kill for their faith and call it protection. 

Most believers already know that God blesses His children.  In fact some churches camp at these doctrines, so I focus on all these hard scriptures on suffering to add them to our knowledge. We need to learn both sides of the promises of God. Those that are for our pleasure and those that are for the kingdom. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."

In the grand scheme of things, your enemies salvation, and your love for your enemy should be our priority, not being concerned in the outcome and danger. I do not mean you need to become a reckless person, always endangering yourself and let me say a powerful thing in the midst of these hard sayings.... God is pleased to also deliver you from persecution, trials and suffering. You who have taken up your cross and are worthy to be His disciple. Matt 10:38 Yes our God loves to deliver you because He loves you.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers them out of them all.

God most certainly wants to deliver us as well in the midst of our troubles.

Luke 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

Acts 18:10 don't be afraid to speak for I am with you, no man shall hurt you for I have much people in this city.

Acts 12:6 peter delivered from prison

Acts 18:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

Most believers already  know God delivers and blesses us, but this is an interesting study to form a full opinion or doctrine on both suffering and deliverance.

"if you have all faith you can remove mountains"

Paul and Silas were delivered in prison

"God had mercy on me so I would not be overly sorrowed."

"Pray for our deliverance?  or from evil men? of this world"

"take no thought of what you will say they will drag you into the courts and before priests."

"Paul escaped through a basket in a window.."

It's not that God wants us to have no money and give all away when he says focus on another mans wealth and not your own or better to give than receive …  or just to suffer for fun. He wants you to live by faith continually.

He also said 2 Cor 8:13 For this is not that for others there may be relief, and for you to be burdened, but for there to be equality. 

Matt 25 the ten virgins said no if I give you of my oil I will not have enough..   

Luke 12:39 If the owner of the house knew what time the thief was coming, he would have locked his doors. You are allowed to protect yourself by being wise.

 The same in Heb 11  some did not accept deliverance from persecution to receive a better (reward) in resurrection.. or maybe just to have their resurrection now.  God doesn't automatically want you to die for the nearest persecutor.. there were many times the disciples fled persecution… Paul was let down in a basket and escaped..he wanted to….Matt 10:23 if they persecute you in one town, flee

Follow the Kingdom. Follow the King. What comes will come.

Know there may be a times that we do suffer and we need to be ready and also a time God calls us to suffer or be persecuted. It's not that God only cares for one mans salvation above your life, because wisdom could keep you alive to witness to thousands which is much more valuable than one death, but one death also, as in the book of acts brought blessing and the Spirit of Christ to the church showing men that our King and Kingdom is worth dying for and worth more than this dirty world, and many souls were added. One death fortifies others walks with the Lord, lighting a fire among the kindling,  and  shows God's great power in martyrdom. "though a grain of wheat falls to the ground it abides alone, but if it falls it bears much fruit" " no in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us". When you are good to them it heaps coals of fire upon them.

In the end, the big key here is to listen to God… know that He calls us to suffer, not to fight mankind and to bring His peace and power to the world. It is with a holy fear that I bring this to you and humbleness knowing that I need these things to be accomplished in me.

Preach the Gospel! Suffer as one called by God, worthy of His Kingdom! Be wise as serpents, Harmless as Doves!

Remember my beloved family of God, 12 men full of the Spirit changed the world forever. More than voting, more than war, more than hiding you are called to the gospel of peace, to teach the nations.

I'll see you on the cross friend.

Peace Greg

  

GIGO Garbage in, Garbage Out The will vs Human Nature

GIGO

Garbage In Garbage Out

‘The will   vs  Human Nature’

Lately, I’ve been hearing more people, in the media, talking about how we should just let out minds or emotions do what they want. Don’t suppress natural emotions. If you lust, go ahead, if you are angry, be angry, if you hate, go ahead, if you love, love,  if you are attracted, let it out. Why suppress something nataaural as ‘religion’ attempts to do with certain things, because in the end it will just come out anyways.

The focus of these people is on the premise that if we act more ‘natural’ that it would be better for people, that religion seeks, falsely, to suppress normal life.

It’s obvious that those who say these things are more ‘against’ religion than they are for ‘nature’ for most people, when they think about it, know their own human nature well enough to know that you can’t let things in your life ‘run wild’. Let’s look at how ‘nature’ really is. So many people have been addicted to things, from eating, to smoking to drugs and many other things and know what it takes to stop. We all have tendencies to over eat, some people try cigarettes in their life, and some get hooked, some don’t try at all. It’s natural to over do it.

Most men have seen those guys that are so over driven about sex that you wonder if they will rape someone someday. It’s as if they have an obsessively outward nature about it. Other guys desires  are kept more private and respectful. All men have desires but there are different levels, for some reason, hormones and human will?

The point is, should we all just let out minds run wild with stuff? Because we have desires, let nature do what it wants? I say no. I point to the wisdom of Hannibal Lector. Ha ha “We covet what we see every day” in other words, the bad desires are focused on what we have in front of us and as well what we let in. Garbage In Garbage Out. The Bible says you reap what you sow, and “as a man thinks, so is he.” All of life is this way. Other people say GIGO garbage in, garbage out… Please look at these examples if you don’t think so.

Any parent knows that if we don’t govern our children, and just let them watch killing, cursing, fart and burp when they want and do what they want, they become uncontrollable brats and make us miserable. No parent would argue about this, ever. Most kids would wind up in serious trouble without a parent to govern them. Shoot, most kids by the age of 3, would burn the house down, wander into the street or fall down the stairs and die without parents.

Anybody knows that if you think about cake and chocolate all day long, that you will have no will power. Is will power wrong? Should you just eat until you are over-full? What about that stomach of yours that grows with what you stuff into it??? Yes it stretches, and then you want and need more. The same goes with cigarettes, drinking, sex and other desires. If you don’t govern what you put it, you will become obsessive or addictive and sooner or later, not able to live a normal life, without problems, if you let it ‘run wild.’ People say that ‘religion’ and so called ‘good’ people in the world  ‘suppress’ “natural emotions” but they fail miserably to realize one thing … our APPETITES.

Appetites are not desires or needs.

Appetites change and stretch like your stomach, ‘naturally.’ You would not crave pizza if you had never tried it before, but you would be hungry. Also, People that learn to kill, whether a gang member, or a soldier or police have to cross a mental line and then become more comfortable with taking a life. They don't like in initially. Sex is different because it is a basic need for most people, as well as eating, but there are always things that we can obsess over that can cause our ‘appetites’ to expand. Obsessive Appetites are harmful.

So what those people say about, letting it go, and letting our appetites run wild are in essence saying that morals are wrong and animalistic tendencies are better. Don’t let your mind, with reasoning, tell you what is right and wrong, but let your body do what it wants. They say hunger is no different than appetite. They say being gay or lusting after another mans wife is not different than needing sex. All of these are just natural desires and curiosities that vary with everyone. Why not let them out?
Because it is wrong. You are not animals, you are men. You have something the animals don't which is the ability to philosophically understand that you exist and that what you do matters to others. This keeps you from killing and eating other people like an animal might. You can exercise limitation because of your intellect and not just because you are full. 

But if there are limits in the world, limits to how fast you can drive, limits because you can hurt others, limits because of dangerous things, limits of gravity, limits of how long you can breathe under water, limits of what you should say to others, limits to what you eat, drink, consume.. etc… then there are limits in your human nature and appetites as well. You cannot limit that your body likes sex, but you can make choices to limit how much.. Hormonally the average persons blood grows more tame with age, when at 18 years of age you could hardly contain it. But as men no one can argue that arousal, at any age, is made worse with looking at pictures or someone attractive. So you can limit your arousal by NOT LOOKING, you, have the choice… not limiting your need for anything, but understanding that you can keep your APPETITE to a manageable, normal, average place, by using your brain and limiting your actions. This is what religion and most good people are teaching, and not, as some claim that we are restraining normal, natural feelings. God created us with our needs, and the ability to become angry for example, but also gave us a brain to ‘naturally’ work with our needs and govern them. You can’t just say do what you feel like doing, it’s natural and then get on the highway and go 55??? The next time someone says this, hit em on the head and say, I felt like doing that. But there might be consequences so be careful, use some reason, I mean well, don’t think about it too much, just do what comes naturally!!! Even if it means you think or use reason.. ha ha ok never mind..

Some might say, “wait a minute, doesn’t the Bible say… don’t handle, do not taste, do not touch, is NOT the way to handle our desires? Yes, for customs only, but it also says you will reap what you sow, “go forth and sin no more” and “through the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the flesh.” Not perfectness for salvation, or else we would all, never make it but because of the consequences and because God says faith without works is dead. God is after our hearts and our will. And yes we still have to strive for the mark. What Paul was teaching with the ‘do not use’ and ‘touch’ scripture was that we cannot, in our own strength change everything in our nature when it comes to the ‘sin nature’ under the law. Because, like an obsessive appetite it can take over and live through us. ( Rom 7:17)

            But lets look at Col 2 where it talks about this in context.

Col2

20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Now if you continue to read, which many people don’t.

Col3 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your  life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

So just after supposedly saying that “don’t taste, touch, handle” or abstinence is NOT the way to handle your nature he says in verse 5 not to sin??  This bad understanding happens because we are cherry picking scriptures from here and there… Lets read all of Col 2 to see what Paul is saying.

Here is the verses just before Col 2:20

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.(so here people were disqualifying others because of customs)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

So it is obvious not that he is dealing with the Jewish rules about “days” “eating and drinking” in verse 16. customs, not about sin? God is not saying don’t worry about trying not to sin, you can’t do it. That is a terrible understanding and not in context. God then does turn around and say in Col 3:5 to “put to death things in your earthly nature: sexual immorality” etc… and he talks about the “sins”.

He was speaking to men who are trying to live under Jewish law…not 20^th century 10 commandments that Christians teach.

Again he says in Romans
Rom 7  (about being under the law) 

And Rom 8:13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

There are many men, without extra help from God, though He created our will, who become great men, climbing Mt. Everest, overcoming their own nature to love or to conquer or become great things. We have a God given will and strength, naturally. Our works(and will) are made or formed(John3:21) in God. The Bible doesn’t teach that we do nothing without the Holy Spirit, in POWER moving us there, only… If so then we would not be walking by faith. So I’m not saying that we can do all things in our own strength, but that we have a natural will and strength from God for choices and action, but that to overcome the greater sin nature, we need extra help from the Holy Spirit.

            So if we HAVE to govern our kids, and we HAVE to govern our own lives and thought -life, then it is a part of ‘nature’ to do so. Our complex brain is a part of ‘nature’, not just our body’s appetites.  Even wild beasts make up their own minds to attack or not, based upon ‘reason’… will I get hurt, will I survive? It’s fight or flight, built into all living creatures, based on needs and appetites, we, as humans, are just at a higher mental level. The question is, are we as smart as the animals are? Make the choice now!

For the people had a mind to work!

Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

Back in Nehemiah’s day they had it in their mind to build. They saw the condition of their beloved city and were saddened. God had given him the favor and it was God’s will to rebuild Jerusalem, the city of His Joy. The people had grown tired of living under rulers of other Gods and a strange people and wanted to build their own city again and restore God’s glory in their lives and in the temple.

 Are we not the same? 

We've walked with God and been close to Him but at times feel far from Him and actually may get far from Him. We, then as Israel did, begin to live under rulers and in the middle of warfare and attack as our jealous God can put pressure on us to return to His Word. Look out! Here come the Amalekites! I speak metaphorically. God, just as an earthly father would, might put us through correcting and punishment to teach us something, yet be with us and protect us at the same time from harm. Heb 12:6 "because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastens every one he accepts as a son."  God may keep us from great destruction but yet let us go through trials, correction and not have the power that we once knew in Him.... If you feel far from Him it is possible that you are!

If you feel far from Him it is possible that you are!

Look at what the scripture says, about our nearness and separation from God, basically that there are levels of closeness to Him.

“Draw close to God and He will draw close to you” Means that God can be far and can be close… distance. Yes God is near us all , but He gave the “Spirit without measure”(John 3:34) to some. “Precept on precept, line upon line.” “Build up you most holy faith”… sometimes faith comes by building … faith always works but sometimes “this kind cometh not our but by prayer and fasting” Mark 9:29 There are levels of power with God, levels of closeness…there are many places in scripture that teach this. “Christ could do no miracles in Jerusalem for their lack of faith” … faith being limited by belief.

There were “Seven sons of Sceba, a Jewish priest who tried to cast out a devil” “in the name of Christ in whom Paul preaches” they proclaimed at the possessed man.. “Paul I know and Christ I know but who are you!” he exclaimed and beat them, sending them out of the house bleeding….… you see it’s obvious now and you get my point. If you want more power, to be closer to Him, seek Him more, for “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”. I’ve known many people with problems of all kinds who seek God continually and they in turn continually land on their feet during trials and become closer to God and get answers to prayer.

Recently I had been receiving constant harassment from the enemy. Obvious, continual things, where he was trying to just annoy me and “wear out the saints”. I began to wonder… why annoy me, why badger me? Why do little things to make life difficult, isn’t there something better for him to do? Blessings come and then two bad things, as the devil tries to stop our joy. Is it any wonder God commands us to love His kingdom first, for our very joy in Him is our strength. If we focus on our loss always we may miss the appointed road of God's victory!  I talked to a friend once who told me he thinks of it like the Clubber Lang/Rocky fight where he kept on egging on his opponent when he hit him “ come on” “hit me again” over and over… showing he had strength.  The enemy will not stop when you are down, for him it is war at any cost.. Does not the scripture even say "we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;"

The war is on whether you like it or not. 

Whether you fight or don’t. Years ago I was talking with a guy who was a Satanist. He said he tried Christianity once and he never got fought so much in his life, constant problems happened until he lost heart and gave up. When he quit much of the trials he had subsided. The enemy left him alone. I’ve heard this story countless times from anybody who tries to follow God. When God puts it in our hearts to build. Like Nehemiah we may be building with one hand on our sword and one hand building(Neh 4:17) because the enemy is after us to stop our building. If we quit, he wins, if we get tired and decide it’s not so important and get caught up in the cares of life, he wins. But God has put it in our minds to build. This is why in Neh 4:6 they got so much done and God’s wisdom was on them. They ignored the tricks of their foes and finished the wall and the temple. When they performed the sacrifice God gave them great joy and they had a protected city and resumed to live as God intended. A day In Gods courts was worth being close to their love. The king of Kings.

There is a cross before the upper room..

 Don’t give up! The King of Kings lives in you. If you are lacking what you once had or need more of God there is a closer walk with God. Ok... ready?  One hand on your sword and the other build the wall. There is an end to your toil. There is a glory coming…The sword is the Word of God, the mystery of Jesus himself and the Word of God that pierces the darkness. The city wall is you! You are the temple of God, in which God abides, is jealous over and gave his life for! "Therefore, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily besets us."

I'm not talking about a work your way to heaven thing here. It's just that God may be putting His father finger on some things in your life. I'm talking about a  city wall in disrepair. When the devil met Jesus at the temptation "he found no place in Him". We must "resist the devil and he will flee from us". Friend... I think I see him coming back for more. Rebuild and Cleanse the temple and see God's glory.

Rebuild and Cleanse the Temple and see God's glory!

1 Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
2 Cor 3:10 Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.
2 Thes 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Adonai

  CLICK here for my music on Reverbnation!

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
And the enemy surrounds me on every side
I know You are my shield

Thy Rod and thy staff, they comfort me
And I sing Your name, because I know You love me

Adonai
You prepare me a table
In the presence of my enemies
Adonai
You have good things for me
According to Your riches in glory


And You lead me to still waters
lead me to green pastures
Thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me
Lead me in the presence of my enemy

you can listen here

The purpose of the church – drawing close to Christ

Recently I spoke to someone about what our purpose as a church was. I gave my best biblical answer as to what we were doing and how we were putting Christ first, then all things after that, like winning the lost and edifying the church. You know seek ye first the kingdom! Finding out what the king is doing! But something’s been stirring in my spirit lately that I understand but wanted to dig in the word for more before I speak. Sometimes we seek what we think is the kingdom. We find causes and purposes. I knew that the church is to win the lost and to edify each other and everyone to fall into their own place doing what they are called to do. But there’s something missing. The power of God. Christ In the gospels and the early church had power. The kingdom of God is not in word but in Power. 1Cor 4:20 It was the miracles and signs that drew people among other things. Do you think that some new form of religion would have taken off like that without a living Word? Some new doctrines and psychology? No… God moved with healings and miracles and teachings that had power in them, making the thoughts of men known and healing them. Gods shows his power because He loves us. It’s the demonstration of His love to draw us to Him and to the church.

We are doing a home church and with all the talk of “doing biblical church” everywhere, you can still wind up with a church that is dry or one that gets outa control! Just think if your church, with one speaker, disappoints you sometimes, then put 15 people in a room and you can have a big dry discussion that goes off on rabbit trails,sometimes, and all the same troubles could be multiplied. When the Spirit moves it can be beautiful though, but that’s another sermon. I notice though how easy it is to have discussions, and God is in some of them. I see Him edifying us. But the awkwardness of being in a home church leads to to many discussions. In my heart I know there needs to be more going on than discussions. The body of Christ needs to operate in the Spirit and their gifts. Teaching, prophesy, healing..etc.. Many times we try to do things biblically, but wind up still, with little move of God. Whether you are at a home church or traditional church, we need Gods presense power. We need to wait on Him till heaven hits earth. Every celebrated revival did this. It starts with prayer and seeking. Whatever it takes and then God begins to move.

So God had begun to lay on my heart this sermon on “focusing on drawing close to Christ.” This must be the church’s first goal. To many are trying to do works like they see in famous stories, but with no power. Or just trying to do church works. All kinds of churches feel like they have to keep some kinda “action” going on in church. Then sometimes they are in the flesh trying to act out the works of the Spirit. They stick to teaching and mens programs because they don't have to move in the Spirit to be a good speaker and have programs. Not that God doesn't use programs and teaching. God sometimes moves here and there, but we need the river!!! And not a map of the river. We need to get into the ocean and stop playing along the shore, telling people that we are swimming. We need to stop trying to climb every mountain, Cause “my Jesus in the tulips” is helping me, and pray til we get power to move a few mountains! I’m not saying not to do any works. I’m not saying to forsake works until you find power. But to many have not sought God. TO many are teaching DO this and DO that and the biblical example has always been to let God do through us, what we could never do. IF we are not found IN HIM we are sure to be shallow and low on life giving power to DO!

When God’s power comes, edifying the church becomes better. Not just feeding on the Word which is great, but the Word Himself(Jesus) speaks to us and through us and guides us supernaturally. We go to places in God in seconds that would normally take years.

When God comes, winning the lost goes from 3 converts a year to hundreds a week. If you have a church full of Christians that came from another church, that came from another church, that came from another…etc NOW you will have real converts. It would be a nice problem to have, and a wonder.

When God is near, teaching will not fall on deaf ears. Sinners will be pricked to the hearts, sin in the church as well, words of knowledge, prophesies and answers to peoples needs will come, people will come and come and come to Christ because we are lifting Him up, lifting up His example in His WORD. Nothing else is right. Draw near to Him and He, will draw near to you!

We aren’t going to convince people to Christ so easily at this slow pace, that the church is at. The reason the bible, as a whole, is FULL of miracles is because that is what God wants us be…FULL of miracles and the glory of God on us. Look at the bible….from cover to cover…miracles and signs, as well as doctrine and life. How can you say that Gods power is not for today, how can you stay as a ship in dry dock with no water! God has been a jealous God in your life and let many of your plans fail because you have not spent the time on your knees, not searched for Him with all your heart. You may have let your gifts go dry. Stir them up again! 'stir up the gift of God that is in you" Covet the best gifts.1 Cor 12:31 Covet to prophesy 1 Cor 14:39
Pray until God comes. Pray without ceasing. 1Thes 5:17 Build your most holy faith by praying in the Spirit. The effective FERVENT prayer of a righteous man avails much. And So .... the Purpose of the Church is to, FIRST, be found ministering to God, THEN ministering to man. Christ will draw people and use us to do great works. Then the longing will be satisfied, that we have, to see God's glory in the church again.
All this is summed up in this scripture. Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Greg

In Him

In Him
Are we in Him?
What does this mean?
We do works, and sometimes God joins in. Some do works and it seems that God is with them constantly. We are encouraged to pray and press in more. “draw closer to God and He will draw closer to you”! James 4:8
It is better to be found In Him. Think about this!! God wants more from us than only works in our own strength. It’s almost like He lets us do things in our own strength to be able to see the difference, when He shows up. This encourages us to pray, and “pray without ceasing”. 1 Thess 5:17 Look at the priests garments not showing “any aspect of the flesh”Exodus 28:42,43, in the old testament, and of the holy anointing oil “upon mans flesh it shall not be poured”Exodus 30:32. So many scriptures separating our works in the flesh and our works in the Spirit. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.” Zech 4:6

God thinks more of our being “in Him” that he does of doing things “for Him”

Being In Him means we are in the Spirit…there is Love. There is power, direction and all good things.
Look now at Jesus 30 years of waiting, growing strong in the Spirit(Luke 1:80 ) for just 3 years of ministry.
Paul 14 years in the back side of the dessert (Gal 1:18 & 2:1) before he went to minister
The old testament priests that couldn’t minister until they were 30. And preparing for years.

God thinks more of our being “in Him” that he does of doing things “for Him”

You may spend an eternity of works and never change men’s hearts…but I TELL YOU one day in the Spirit and you can melt a mans heart and see him cry out to God, because God is with you. Don’t waste another day, seek Him while he can be found, pray without ceasing, consecrate yourselves to God and die to your fleshly works. On the third day( I speak figuratively) you will rise again in newness of life, and have works in the Spirit. Fruit that remains. Our works are wrought(shaped, planned, built, formed) in God John 3:21 It's ok to do works in the flesh or when we are not necessarily lead by God to do so, we are human and living on this earth, God will still enter into our works and give us grace....but this is an encouragement to pray more, obey the scripture when it says to pray without ceasing. learn to obey His voice. Read the stories of the old testament and even in the new almost every time that God did anything, it was accompanied by obedience of some thing by man, big or small.

All these things, that I’m speaking about, are the reason that we say that God doesn’t always move, or that God doesn’t always use me or everyone much. We can no longer base our views of "how God moves" on our experience, but we must try our experiences by the Word of God. The Plum line of all things.
Sometimes God may show up unexpectedly and bring the kingdom in our midst. Look at the disciples, how quick they were attained by Jesus and used. He always tried to get them to pray more, they took some time to realize what they had. Look at many in the new testament who were blessed by God showing up unexpectedly. But those closest to God were men who prayed continually, with fastings and battles. Those at the center of Gods move who were closest to Him. Tarried often in the “inner courts of the temple” in the “holy of hollies”.
God is waiting for us……

Ears to Hear!

We who have ears, do we hear? Can we hear the voice of God? With the subject of prayer, many have argued that our ability to hear is not as important as Gods ability to speak. Many things are true on each side of this argument and many peoples hearts are in different places. We can come up with many scenarios, and like a scientist, pour situations and God into a test tube to study! But the Word of God holds the view of our seeking Him, leaning in the direction of us seeking. He's a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Pray without ceasing. The stories of the man begging bread from his neighbor, and the woman with the unjust judge. God also reaveals himself to some, like Paul, who weren't seeking Him. And God shows up like summer snow in mens lives. To be able to hear is an awsome thing. We can hear Gods voice..it guides us into victory, delivering and warning us from trouble and breaking chains that we, on our own, couldn't see in ourselves and in others. To hear, we must hear with our ears of faith to do any miracle or receive anything from God. Faith comes by HEARING and hearing by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. So being an active reader of the Word, searching for life, hungering to be filled will assure that the Word will wash you, washing away unbelief and the mind of the flesh that still believes that what we see is the real world and not the shadow lands. Once our minds are out of he way we can see clearly the world of heaven all around us, in us, and will be mindfull of spiritual things, and a place with God that can bring answer to prayer, and a real power with God. We feel so at home on earth, but there's more in heaven than our minds can imagine! Run to Jesus.


So, we are to LISTEN! Listening is the main point that scripture points to! Have you ever known someone that is so caught up in something and doesn't listen to reason, or is so caffeinated that they can't find peace. God says "Be still and know that I am God." he was found in the still small Voice and not in the tempest in 1Kings. Gods voice comes in quietness many times, as we learn, listen, and are sensitive to the Spirit. We are the servants and he is the Master! We are to have a quiet trusting spirit about us.


In a group setting, there are many voices that God may use. God may speak through a quiet child or meek adult and then may speak in power, shouting as the walls of jericho fall in our lives. Power may come through the quiet and poower may come through the shouting! Fall in love with God and search Him high and low! Many are loud that don't hear the voice of God, and many are quiet and know no victory in their lives. To be found in the balance is of great worth. So sensitivity to others is good if we are loud! The quiet should learn to be open to the shouts of Jericho and also worship with their whole being in a different way as well...both may be worshipping with their whole being and yet be different. In all this ...Love will save the day....as God SPEAKS!!


Finding the presence of God is the treasure we seek. To have ears to hear, eyes to see heavenly things that make the things of this earth pale in comparison and only as a shadow of the real. We go there to live, to breathe the air of faith, there , to be washed, filled and to bring back to man things that no eye has seen, nor ear heard of.


So practise in your prayer time, insessant praise and prayer, and also quiet yourself before the Lord and Listen for His voice! All who seek Him, will find Him.

Luke 8:2&8
Heb 11:6
1Thes 5:17
Luke 11:8
Psalm 46:10
1Kings 19:12
2Tim 2:15
Matt 7:7