“…And what hast thou that thou didst receive it.”

It may be a pet peeve, but it really is shameful and it really is a serious matter. Celebrated persons should know it but they will not acknowledge it; That’s the problem as I know it. The problem is they will not give God the Glory for what they do.

The celebrities have talents or gifts from God, their Maker, therefore they should acknowledge Him; Some do but most don’t or won’t. When a celebrity does acknowledge God, the rest should take note and do the same, but they doth not do it and will not do it. They think all they have:  the gift of a voice to sing, the gift of memory to learn their lines, the gift of being a celebrated person.

The celebrated persons thank others that are in their same field: the directors, the producers, their assistants, the sycophantic fanatics are so frantic…frantic just to see their celebrity or to touch them, Idolatry; Idolatry it is called or maybe even hero-worship. They thank MAN for their awards, trophies and they thank them for their glory and their celebrity. But not a word of thanks to God for their gifts and talents. It is a disgusting show of self-praise and self-worship!!!

But what about YOU????……………..huh…….what about you, Reader?  The celebrated persons do not really matter in the BIG PICTURE…they are like everyone else that are in Adam. They are depraved toward God like everyone else.  But what about us?  Do we or do you credit God for what you have? Life is given by God and everything else that is wrapped up in that life is from God.  Air is from God. Bodily strength is given us from God, our joy, our faith, our happiness, our Christ-ian life was all received from God, do YOU acknowledge that? Do you acknowledge God in all things you do? “Without  [M]e, you could do nothing” (that really matters or will stand) is what Christ said. Do you acknowledge God for holding all things together?

Abraham was thankful for the guidance God granted unto him, Moses must have been thankful for the gifts he received to lead God’s people. Samson was thankful and knew to acknowledge God for his might. David, I know, was thankful for all things, even afflictions, Daniel was thankful and acknowledged that God is his wisdom. Paul was thankful for the ministry God gaveth unto him, i know one (1) out of ten (10) lepers were thankful for his healing, that allowed him to again be with others persons. I know the woman taken in the act of adultery was thankful to Christ’s intercession and grace.

I know persons with gifted memories, I know persons that are gifted athletically, I know persons with tremendous intelligence, I know persons with quick wits, I know persons who are special in differing and various things, I know person who can sing well, I know persons who can administrate well, I know persons who are great leader of others, intrinsically, and instinctively, I know persons that pray….I mean really pray, I know persons who help other persons, I know persons that encourage other persons, I know people that are really, really smart, I know persons who are loving to others, I know all sorts and kinds of persons gifted with abilities that are really important to others, I know persons that can read other persons like a book and I know persons that really love God and love God’s Son and the Holy Spirit. Even the love these persons have for God has been given to them, Some of these gifted persons are reading this article and I wonder…wonder, do these persons acknowledge God and thank Him for these gifts that they have received from on High.

Do you, huh? huh?

It is the wise man that acknowledges God for his abilities and talents…to not acknowledge God for all that He has providentially given is robbing God of Glory. Do not rob God of His Glory, just don’t do that and all will be well with your soul.

Godspeed.

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”  (Proverbs 16)

A very important aspect to the presenting of our person is composure. Presenting of our person is probably not something that comes to mind very often but it should. We are representatives of the Kingdom of God and It’s King so Majestic. If others know that one (1) is a Christ-ian they expect a lot from that person and they should. Christ is the Light of the world and He tells us to let our light shine so others may see it and acknowledge God’s Glory. Do you understand that last statement? Others should acknowledge the Glory of God by our good works or letting our light so shine. What an honour, we can cause others to acknowledge the Glory of God by our good works or in Christ’s Words, Letting our light shine.

Not only is it an honour, it is a responsibility,  “…Let everyone that nameth the [N]ame of Christ depart depart from iniquity.” The world holds the Christ-ian to a high standard, they expect more from a Christ-ian. God holds us to a high standard as well, we are predestinated to become Christ-like,  “…go and sin no more,” is what Christ said to one (1) He saved from being stoned to death.  Peter quoting God from the Old Testament said, “be ye holy for I am holy.”  The Christ-ian is to be Christ-like or like Christ or in others words, we are to be “a Jesus” in our walk and our talk.

I think of the way we present ourselves to others as Christ-ian composure.  Reader, we are to have a certain composure among others. Remember Christ, during His illegal trials, said not a word. Christ having been beaten, Christ having a crown of thorns put upon His blessed Head, Christ being mocked, stood with all regality and composure answered the clown kind, Herod not a word.

The clownish and pathological king wanted Christ, the King of Heaven, the King of Angels, the King of kings and the Lord of lords to entertain him in his disgusting slovenly depravity…Christ would not. Christ would not abide this little person, Christ answered this puny human puppet king not a word. He said so much by not saying anything. Reader, you and I could be like that, “a fool is thought wise by his silence,” saith the wise king of Proverbs.

Composure is so important in the make-up of the Christ-ian. The Christ-ian is royalty, the Christ-ian is brother to the King of kings, that means we are princes and princesses. There is a responsibility with that royalty, there is a certain way the Christ-ian must…I say must, must present his or her person before the world. It is said, “Life is a stage” and that is correct.

Life is a stage production and God is the Executive Producer, Director, Writer, and Actor as are we. God has provided us all a role to play in this production and play it we will. The Christ-ian life, whether you like it or not, is a red carpet and the watchers and interviewers are there and they are watching and asking questions even if you do not hear the questions.

Those that know you to be a Christ-ian ask questions in their mind, “What will s/he do?”  and  “Why does s/he do that?”  and  “Why did s/he do that?”  The world of watchers are asking, who? what? when? where? and how? Persons watch the Christ-ian.  The saints in Scripture knew this, Moses would negotiate with God, (You can negotiate with God, He like it, but stay away from vows and promises) please do this or that because the other nations are watching.  David said, “Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.”  And again, Christ said let our light so shine, in other words, let your Christ-ianity be seen and known.

James says, we should be slow in our speaking and our emotions, but quick in our hearing or observing. The Christ-ian is to be quiet and observe, the Christ-ian is to be composed. Christ said, “In patience ye shall possess your soul.”  The Christ-ian is to be moderate and in control of his temperament. Again…Think of Christ during His illegal trials, “…when [H]e was reviled, [H]e reviled not again.”

When Christ stood before Herod it was really Herod being judged and condemned before the real King of the Jews. Herod was acting the clown before his King but knew it not. Christ with all His majesty and regality stood, after have been beaten, and was judging Herod, “he that believeth not is condemned already.”

Isaiah said, “He that believeth shall not make haste.”  The wise king of Proverbs said, “…he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.”  Frantic, stressed, worried, and fretting are words that do not describe the Christ-ian that is composed and walking by faith and in faith. The Christ-ian has a peace that passeth all understanding. The Christ-ian is composed.

The Christ-ian is to be composed…..until s/he should not be composed. The difference of the Christ-ian is to be noted, the Christ-ian should be composed until s/he is not to be composed and that non-compos-ed-ness should be, will be so noted by the watchers that will, in some way, glorify God. God will be Glorified in one (1) way or another.

Christ, when He attacked the money changers in the temple, let His composure go, but He was not out of control, He was in control and we know that because He did not throw the cages of the doves, the doves were the lowest of cost for those that are there to offer sacrifices.

In summary, the Christ-ian should be composed (Christ-ian, compose yourself), but there may be a time when the Christ-ian should not be composed, and the Non-compos-ed-ness will mean something and will remain in the minds of the watchers. The world should see a difference in the Christ-ian, and that difference should be above their understanding and comprehension. We were re-made, or born again, to be different.  There are traits that are peculiar to the Christ-like and those traits should be on display. We are to be Christ-like….to and for others. “…put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 13).

Godspeed.

“We are fools for Christ’s sake…”

The same word can have different meanings, for example the word cleave; the word cleave can mean cut off or stick to. The newly married must cleave from their parents and cleave to one (1) another…see?  The word fool has the same chameleon-like trait. Fool can mean evil, boaster, self confident, an empty person, thickheaded, thoughtless, unwise, headless, witless, or …………REBEL.

When Paul calls himself a fool for Christ he is not calling himself evil or thickheaded, unwise, or witless. Paul calls himself a fool or in the Hebrew, a Rebel. “We are [rebels] for Christ’s sake…”  So are you a fool for Christ or not? Are you foolish in respect to this world?

Christ, my Lord was a Rebel, an outlaw, if you will. Christ rebelled against the world system of His day on the earth. Do you rebel against this world’s system or are you a mechanism, a cog, a gear in this world? Christ  was is not and was not of this world. Christ stood out, Christ rebelled against the religious, the political, and the frauds of His days on this earth. Christ was a name caller. Christ used words like serpents, sepulchers full of bones, and whited sepulchers. Christ called the king a fox. Christ was a name caller. Christ rebelled against the world system. Christ rebelled against the world system because He was not of or from this world.

Christ said to His disciples, “…I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”  The world hates you. Did you know that? The world hates you. Christ said so. The world hates you, the god of this world hates you, he is like a lion, he seeks to see who he may devour. Having said that, are you like some Christ-ians and are friends with this world that hates you and wants to devour you? Then you are a fool, the thickheaded kind and unwise, and in all practicality, your are then evil and at enmity to God!!!

Paul said if a person is friendly with the world that person is at enmity with God or in other words is acting as an enemy of God…if it walks like an enemy and yaps like an enemy…. Reader, we are called to be separate from this world, we are called to be a people separated from this world and separated to be God’s people. We use that word, “separated” but we could use words like sanctified or set apart or even the word different or peculiar, specific, particular, designated, singular, or dedicated to. Or we can simply be blunt or direct (I like that way) DON’T BE LIKE THE WORLD!!! THE WORLD HATES YOU AND THE WORLD HATES GOD!!! DO NOT BE IN THE WORLD, DO NOT BE OF THE WORLD!!!

Christ said specifically that He chose you out of the world or in other words, Christ chose to take… you… out… of… the… world and to bring you into His world, the world of the godly. He warned others not to look back, for if you look back, you are not worthy of Him, saith Christ, remember Lot’s wife… are you a little salty?  Are you worthy of Him? Are you in the world? Do you like the world? are you a friend to the world? If you like the world as it is, then you like how (s)atan runs things….Is (s)atan your god? WOW!!! Will that leave a mark?

I’ve asked before, What makes you different from others who are not in Christ? If you blend in, you are in all practicality…..a practical atheist.  Do others know you are a Christ-ian? Do you care if persons you know are Christ-ian or could become a Christ-ian? Do you invite your friends to church? Friends invite friends to church, at least a Christ-ian would, should, could invite a friend to church. I bet you have no problem inviting others to your home for dinner, or to go out to the movies, or to go shopping, but to invite someone to church doth not cross your mind…is this you?

Persons tell others of movies they have seen and restaurants they have eaten at. Persons tell friends of things they have purchased and persons tell their friends about vacations, etc. FRIENDS TELL OTHERS OF CHRIST!!!  Do you tell your friends of Christ?  This is rebellion against this world.  Others may not want to hear about Christ, but it may be they do, but we are to rebel and tell them anyway.  We are to rebel and be different. We are to rebel and do good works, there unto were we created or re-created. We are to rebel and speak what is true and good and ugly.

The world tells us not to speak of our faith…The religious “leaders” told the apostles not to speak of Christ but they said they must speak of what they have seen and heard and asked, in a rebellious way, should we obey you instead of God….huh? huh? religious person….huh? huh? should we not do what God says….religious person?  Wouldn’t a religious person want us to do what God says? Huh? Huh? Rebellion is Righteous and really, really fun and exciting.

Our rebellious faith should be fun and exciting. Our purpose is to glorify God and ENJOY HIM.  When I was a kid, I played Batman with my neighbour Pam and  I played Star Trek during recess when I was in elementary school, I was Spock.  Today as a “grown up”  I play prophet and priest.  I play Jonah and Isaiah and Jeremiah….I preach and I write and I say “bless you” and “woe unto you,”  I say “thus saith the Lord,” I use words like thee and thy…I rebel with my speech. I rebel against boring, normal, and silly adulthood…. adulthood can be boring. I play prophet and tell persons what they might not want to hear and it is fun and it makes Christ Glad and happy.

C.S. Lewis, quoting Paul said, as an adult one should put away childish things.  Lewis says he wanted to be an adult when he was a child. Therefore, he liked to put adulthood away.  I like that. “Suffer the little children to come to me”, said the Master…I am a kid. I know some persons do not like Lewis but they are silly and in the wrong, they never having read Lewis, judge him anyway, because of what others say. Solomon said it is the fool (not the rebel kind but the thickheaded and unwise kind) that answers a matter before one hears it. I have had online warfare with silly persons who attack Lewis and Billy Graham. These persons know not what they speak of. These parrots simply squawk what others have said.  Online warfare is rebellious and fun and exciting.

Christ would pick fights when He was on the earth.  “You have heard it said….but I say unto you…”  those are fighting words. Christ would talk about the hypocritical Pharisees as He stood and spoke against them in their presence. Again, He called them names.

So? are you a fool for Christ? Will you  or  do you or will you not rebel against this world and it’s god(s)? Will you be a foolish fool in and of the world? I think I will be like a rebellious child. I will (DV) rebel as a child against the world and Christ will allow me to come unto Him.

“And [H]e said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

What may we learn through Moses’ engagement, experience, Life changing moment, this meeting with God? We learn that God initiates first (1st) contact. We learn God is Supernatural as the bush was not consumed by the Consuming Fire that God is. We learn that God is Sovereign over nature. Mother Nature non-sense be damned.

What is holy ground. What makes the ground holy? Why are shoes an offense to the holy ground?

Any where God manifests Himself is Holy for God is Holy. Remember the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. Moses’ shoes were of the world. In Scripture walking is a word for life and life style. Therefore, God is telling Moses to step out of the world and enter the world of God which is a world of holiness. God does not want anything worldly existing between Himself and Moses.

Moses learned obedience and was humbled by the removal of his shoes.

Should we remove our shoes when we are on holy ground?  What constitutes Holy Ground today?

We need not remove our shoes today because we who worship God, worship Him in spirit and our spirit doth not wear shoes. As to holy ground…wherever a saint puts his or her foot, that is holy ground. The Christ-ian is a holy saint so wherever the holy saint goes or stands is holy ground.

Holiness is the antithesis or opposite of worldliness. There is God in Heaven and there is a god of this world.  One (1) cannot be Holy and be of this world. There exists no such animal…a worldly and Holy Christ-ian, nope, it doth not exist.

Be ye holy for God is holy.

Godspeed.

“And the LORD God said, it is not good that a man should be alone; I will maker him an help meet for him.”

Reader, A Christ-ian marriage doth not promise a happy or good marriage. The ceremony, itself says so. “In sickness and in health, for better and for worse.” Lot’s wife has an end that none would wish for. Job’s wife said, “Curse God and die.” John Wesley’s wife was a stumbling block. By simply adding the word, Christ-ian before the word marriage, this does not promise anything.

I know of non-Christ-ian marriages that are healthier and happier than some Christ-ian marriages.

What makes for a good and healthy and lasting marriage?
*Christ, the Other Man: The blessing and the pleasure of Christ must be Present. Christ must be Present in the home. Imagine a triangle. At  the top is Christ. At the bottom are the husband and wife. The husband is at one (1) corner or angle at the bottom and the wife is at the other corner or angle at the bottom. Here is the dynamic: As husband and wife grow closer and closer and closer to Christ the twain grow closer together. As the spouses walk with Christ in close bonds, they are bonded together as well.  It is Edenic prior to the fall.
*A commitment to Love no matter what comes or how things change: Marriage is a commitment, a commitment to each other, a life long commitment. Marriage is a binding together of two (2) making one (1)….”The twain shall become one.” Marriage gives or should give an inside glimpse to the Unity within the Trinity.
Love is loyalty, Love is thinking of the other before thinking of self. And again, thinking of Christ before all. Marriage is an exclusivity. The married couple share with each other what they share with none other. There are no secrets, yet not everything needs be shared. Wisdom should guide in what is shared and what is kept quiet. Sometimes to share is to hurt and to keep something to self is to protect the feelings of the other.  Put each other first and Christ above all will make for a happy, healthy, and life-long marriage that will bring much Glory to God.
*Determination: The word divorce never enters the mind…it is an impossible thing.  There is no such animal as divorce.

*An understanding that being “in love” is not the same animal as Love, itself: Being “in love” and love are two (2) different thing.  “in love” is a chemical reaction. It is a releasing of the chemical oxytocin. Oxytocin is found in chocolate, peas, and the human brain. When a teen sees another teen and is attracted to that teen, the brain releases oxytocin into the system. This chemical effects the affections. This is the excitement a person feels when thinking of another, this is the longing for the other, this is why persons can talk on the phone forever. It is a chemical..it is a high. When a person says, “I am in love with X.” The person is speaking rightly, though they understand it not. The person thinks this is what love is and if they are adults, they may marry, BUT….the chemical will expire and then you are left with reality. This is the cause of so many divorces…reality set in. This is why there should be a time of engagement and marriage should not happen upon impulse.

*The husband thinks of the wife (1st) and the wife thinks of the husband first (1st) and   they both give Christ Preeminence over each other and over self.  We have spoken on this but it bears reminding because this is the bedrock of  a marriage.

*The forsaking of all others: If this is a problem before the marriage, it will be a problem after the marriage…..i promise and i do not make promises.

*Breaking the ties that bind one (1) to the Parents: Parents cooperating in this. This is a tough one (1). Especially in close families and most Christ-ian families are close. This is a precept of God and a precept for marriage. The newly married couple MUST leave father and mother and cleave to their spouse. The parents must allow this to happen. The parent that does not allow this is hindering the couples growth. That is not to say the parent cannot help…of course not, but the parent must do so upon request of the newly married. The man is no longer a little boy and the woman is no longer a little girl. This most like is learned through trial and error. Thick skin must be worn during the early days of the marriage.

*Agreement upon child discipline and the roles of the spouses. Each will be better at somethings than the other. Let the one (1) who is good at administration or money, run the accounts and if this is the wife, then it is the wife. The discipline of children should be executed by both.  “Wait until Dad gets home,” will put Mom in a weak light and Dad in a scary light. Both parents should be able to discipline in a very controlled manner.  No jerking, no shaking, no slapping. If the parents agree upon spanking as God’s Word designates, there is a right way to do this. Conversation before and conversation after. A hug before and a hug after. Discuss how many pats will be given. Never ever discipline when angry, never, ever, ever. Chastening a child is not a means to relieve yourself of stress.  That is abuse. Chastening is done out of love and is done in a controlled environment period.

*Sex and Intimacy: Never with-hold as a form of punishment. Invite The Spirit into the room. A relationship must not be built upon this alone. God gave this as a gift for married couples and this is the means whereby procreation is wrought. A child is brought forth from the overwhelming love of two (2) Christ-ian persons. A child is the result of a deep and abiding love. A child is one (1) more means whereby the husband and wife communicate to each other their abiding commitment one (1) to another. The child should be privately  dedicated unto the Godhead as soon as one (1) is aware of the pregnancy. Much thanks and praise should be sent God-ward.
God bless the Christ-ian marriage as it demonstrates Christ’s love for His Church.

Godspeed.

“And the disciples were called Christians…”

Before we look at the marks of the Christ-ian, let us look at how one (1) does not become a Christ-ian:
*Good works.
*A prayer.
*By being a child of a Christ-ian.
*Attending church or by attending church your whole life.
*Thinking highly of Jesus Christ.
*Preaching/Teaching the Bible.
*Reading the Bible “religiously.”
*Caring about Christ-ian things.

None of the above actions can ever save an individual or make one (1) a Christ-ian, NONE, N-O-N-E. Not one (1) of those things, not even if they are all combined!!!

How then does a sinner become a Christ-ian?
*Believing in Christ as Lord and Saviour.
*By Trusting Him.
*By Loving Him.

There is, there are no other ways at all. Not only is this the only way to be a Christ-ian, this is the only way to Heaven period. Islam is a way to Hell, Buddhism is a way to Hell, Hinduism is a way to Hell, Cults are a way to Hell. There be many, many ways to Hell.The first (1st) list at the top are all ways to Hell. All roads lead to Hell, Save Christ Who is the Way to Heaven…the Only Way…Truth and Life. The way that seems right unto man is a way to Hell. The Broadway leads to Hell, Pride leads to Hell. Catholicism, if followed is a way to Hell.

My Reader, there is Only One Way that leads a Way from Hell….there is Only One Way that leads a Way from Sin, sins, self, and (s)atan. There is Absolutely Only One True Way that Leads to Life Eternal and that Way, that Truth is The Lord Jesus Christ. It was Christ Who bore the Sin and sins of all that will believe. It was He Who hanged upon the criminal’s cursed cross. It was He and He Alone that hanged upon YOUR cross.  It was He and He Alone that was buried, taking sin with Him.  It was He and He Alone that rose again, leaving sin behind….your sin, if you will but believe. If you believe not, you shall bear your own sin in Hell for all eternity…what a shame, when He beckons you to believe.

What are the marks of the Christ-ian believer? If you be a Christ-ian these marks will follow you all the days of your life. But first (1st) an analogy:  When I was young, a teenager, I worked in fast food.  After a shift, I would bring home the smell of the restaurant. My hair would be oily, there would be oil in my ears as well.  Sometimes I would bring food home and I would come home, tired. If I decided to play sick and do something else, the above would not be present when I arrived home and my Mom would know.

What is true of the above analogy is true of Christ-ianity, though they be different marks. What marks out a Christ-ian or what marks does a Christ-ian bear?
*Obedience to Christ: a desire to obey or to submit to Christ’s Lordship. Obedience is not forced or grievous. To submit is pleasurable.

*An abiding love for Christ: There is no salvation where there is no abiding and deepening love for Christ, absurd is the thought that one (1) can love not Christ and yet be born again.

*Unceasing prayer or a life of prayer or a prayer life: What breathe is to life, prayer is to the spirit of the Christ-ian. You cannot be a believer if you pray not. The married couple cannot be a happy couple lest they communicate.  How doth the student learn if the student and the teacher do not communicate? How is a dog trained lest the trainer communicates and the dog likewise? The Scripture tells us, life is in the blood.  As that is true, Spiritual like is in the prayer. Prayer is the means of communication between God and His servant. We pray for our needs and our desires, but we also prayer to worship, and to praise and to give thanks. Prayer should be more praise and worship than petition and request. Thinking upon God is prayer. Sometimes prayer can be wordless but this form takes much times to develop.

*Good works: We are created or re-created unto good works. Just as the Christ-ian longs to obey God, he also longs to perform good works in the Name of Christ. The Christ-ian perseveres by good works just as he perseveres by calling upon the Name of the Lord. Faith and good works cannot be separated and more than justification and sanctification or Lord and Saviour or worship and service.
*Trust in His Word and an abiding in His Word. The Christ-ian trusts the Word, Reads the Word, and Studies the Word. The Word sustains the Believer in the Christ-ian life. Prayer and Bible study go together. As they say, the book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Book. Grace and peace is multiplied unto the believer as his knowledge and love for Christ deepens….this is a spiritual law, Reader.
*A love for the brethren: an instantaneous attraction or bonding to newly met believers. “Deep calleth unto deep,”  or Like calls unto like. The Christ-ian loves and is loyal to the brethren. Iron sharpeneth iron. When a Christ-ian learns of another Christ-ian in close quarters, there is a bond, there is a connection, there is a brotherhood born or recognized.
*A longing for, a loving of, and a looking forward to the Return of Christ: Christ’s return is an event all Christ-ians….all Christ-ians who’s faith is healthy awaits Christ. If you are a believer and you hope Christ waits a little while longer, you may be a Christ-ian, but your faith is not healthy, and your priorities are out of order and you are out of order. If you hope Christ tarries, you are in the world and quite possible of the world. To be friends with this world is to be at odds with God and to be on good terms with (s)atan, the god of this world. The healthy believer not only looks for Christ’s return but longs for it and love to think upon it.

*A defending of the Truth. One (1) will defend what one (1) loves and considers to be of great worth.

*Offended when one (1) speaks ill of Christ. This is natural for the Christ-ian. When that Worthy Name is misused, we want to misuse the speaker, but we do not.  Personally, and God has given me boldness in this area, I confront the blasphemer. I am especially direct when they give Him a “middle name” that begins with the letter after E. Do not feel bad if you do not also confront the blasphemer as I said, God has given me a special boldness and I prayed for this boldness for fifteen (15) years before it was granted. It is not safe confronting the wicked. However, if God leads you, who am I to stop you.

The above are marks that follow the Christ-ian.  Has He marked you?  Do you bare the Marks of Christ?  In the coming days, we may bear the physical marks of Christ upon our bodies…what an honour…exciting times.

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”

The term Narcissism comes from Greek mythology. Narcissus loved himself. This person saw his image in a pond and fell in love with himself. It is called mythology, but Narcissus is alive and doing quite well. It would have been ironic if the story ended this way:  Narcissus looked and beheld his reflection in the pond. Having immediately fallen in love with himself, he jolted forward to kiss the image, and he drowned and is now dead.

Narcissism is a “personality disorder,” it often accompanies sociopathology.  Hence the term, sociopathic with narcissistic features.

The marks or traits or characteristics of this disorder is:
Arrogant
Self-centered-ness
Manipulative
Demanding
intolerant of others
Special-ness
Needs attention
They think they can only be understood by other special persons, like themselves.

This trait is present in the world and the church. The traits are spiritually/genetically passed down from the devil. This trait is pride to the infinite power, “I am special and there is no one like me.” This is called a psychological disorder in the world. In Christ, Our World, it is called marks of the fall. All the tendencies are germane to their father, the devil. We find this trait (not disorder) in Scripture.

Pharaoh, King Saul, and as quoted above, Diotrephes all fall under this trait from the fall. This trait is seen in some actors, some politicians…even in some local churches. This can be irritating to others, but beyond annoyance, this mark from the fall can be very dangerous. This person can and will treat you well as long as you are useful, you will be drawn to him, but when your use is finished, you are no more than a tissue tossed into the wind.

How do we interact with the Narcissus?  One must first (1st) identify the marks. After recognizing this mark, one will make a decision, break off the relationship or stay and fix him. The former is better and much safer, the former is dangerous and can ruin lives, not only of the one, but family and friends are subject to his destructiveness.

Saul whines and asks why no one cares for him, Diotrephes will not allow someone superior to himself into, his church.    The Pharaoh will see his kingdom fall before he gives in to the Creator. This type of person will seek not the kingdom of God, but will seek a kingdom unto himself. This person will want to make others into his own image.

This person is the antithesis to what a Christ-ian is to be. Christ’s elect look to be a blessing and not to demand a blessing. The Christ-ian is not about attention unto themselves but attention and acknowledgment to Christ.

Note, if you spell his name backward it spells,  Sussisran…Running for success.
“He that believeth shall not make haste.”

Be ye vigilant, therefore and be steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

‘For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that compare themselves: but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”  (2 Corinthians 10)

The above is just one (1) of the channels whereby the Christ-ian may walk in liberty. To compare one’s self with another is not wise says the Apostle…in other words it is foolish. To compare one’s self with others of the same equality is foolish. If everyone is number one (1), no one is number one. This is what the world does.

Nevertheless, God’s ways are not our ways. God sets a much Higher Standard that one (1) must meet. We will discuss that in this article (DV). The world is all about comparing and being better than the other. When I was in landscaping, I would point out to my client something their neighbor down the street had done in their landscape. I then asked if they should not do something even nicer.  A fish on a hook. Comparison, the need to be better. that works in some areas of life. Capitalism is built upon being better and doing better than others. This system works, other’s do not. It is Darwinism in the business world. Augustine said, business is the playground for adults or little kids in big adult bodies.

I’ve worked for different men in different companies at different time. But there is one (1) thing shared among all owners of businesses…the temper tantrum. Every man I’ve worked for had their temper tantrums. Remember what Augustine said, Business is the play ground for little boys in men’s bodies. I do not mean to sound condescending but that is what persons are….all persons in some way are little children in adult bodies…everyone. We talk about growing up but we don’t grow up. We grow larger, we age, but we are still the little kid in the big adult body.

That speaks to capitalism. Capitalism is comparing and choosing…it is Darwin’s natural selection theory in the business world. It is dog eat dog and if it were not, there would be too many dogs and then what?

Comparing is, in some areas useful and needful. As I said above, the business world is about comparing and choosing and that is the best system around…cold, immoral….whatever it is…..it is what it is. This is life in the world….and a wicked and evil world it is and it will only  get worse. In that darkness will we find the Light of the World returning in great and terrible glory. I am not complaining, God forbid.

We call this site, The Children of Issachar for a reason. We see, we discern, we divine, we sense, our Spidey sense tingles. We know what is happening and we know what to do in that which is happening. That is why we are the children of Issachar, Reader….we see and we know. God is omniscient, meaning knowing all things, and He, The Great and Wonderfully Glorious Sovereign lives in our instincts, our mind, our spirit, our soul….He inhabits His world for we, as the elect, are a world unto God.

The elect are distinguishable from others, the elect are separate from others, AND YES!!! the elect are higher and better than others…For Christ lived, died, and rose to create that end. Christ died for the elect…that is the strongest statement there is and that means something. As that means something, we must see to what it means.  What doth it mean?

It means we do not compare ourselves with the pagan, the lost, the reprobate, the heathen, the wicked, the children of (s)atan…………….. the world.

Naysayer, this is not arrogance or pride, but pride’s opposite. We, the elect, are humbled and almost embarrassed by God’s overwhelming love, grace, and goodness toward us. We do not compare ourselves with the world, for we are worlds a-part. The Comparison that is to be made is Christ Jesus, Lord  and Saviour of His elect people or His certain persons, His Peculiar people, His Specific people, His intrinsic people, for we are in Christ; the Ark, the Anchor of our soul, the Captain of our destiny, the King of our homeland and Salvation, the Authour and Finisher of our faith…our Faith from and of Christ. That is the comparison.

The only One we are to be compared with is Christ. The Standard, the Measure of all that is Righteous and Holy. In our persons, we miss that mark. But it is because of God’s Grace and Mercy that He sees all things differently. He sees us as we are,as He would have us;  In Christ, From Eternity through Eternity and we will see Him as He is and we will be made like unto Him.

“What a Saviour…” There is none that compare to Him, save His elect people and that comparison is all of grace and of Christ’s imputed Righteousness.

God is GOoD Always and In All ways, God is GOoD, always. I pray and hope He is pleased with this article, To Him be all Glory, Amen.

“…My name is Legion:  for we are many.”

The world likes to use words and phrases that are peculiar or specific to Christ-ianity or the spiritual world. For example, persons of and in the world speak of difficulties, habits, addictions, problems, illnesses, shortcomings and other negative traits as demons, “X has many demons to deal with,”  or  “X has overcome many demons from his past.”  These troubles are not demons, they are human short-comings, maladies, infirmities, and other traits as mentioned in the last sentence. The world knows nothing about demons except what Hollywood has taught them.

Persons in general are taught about demons from movies and TV shows. Some may have heard about demons in Sunday School when they were kids but that was decades ago. Most persons do not have any insight to the unseen world or realm…powers, principalities, and the darkness in high places. They are not aware of the spiritual world that is all about us. Yet they use the term demon to speak of negative traits and personal difficulties in a persons life.

Demons are a reality, they are not traits or disorders or habits or addictions, though the things just mentioned do share characteristics of real demons. Addiction is a type of a possession. A person addicted to anything is possessed by that thing. Yes, these troubles do share a likeness to real demons, likewise does cancer share traits with sin. Sin spreads, sin corrupts, sin takes it’s time, sin causes loss, a person’s sin effect other persons close to them…these are all traits of cancer. What cancer is to a person’s body is  what sin is to a person’s spirit. God uses these things as object lessons for the world to see.  Addiction = Metaphorical Demon,  Cancer = Sin and sins. God makes things simple and very apparent for example….

The sun rises each morning. It is not coincidence that the sun rises each morning and the Son of God rose from the dead.  This is not accidental, this isn’t coincidence. The Heavens declare His Glory.  God is a Consuming Fire.  God, was a Burning Column during the nights of the Exodus. God took the form of a Burning, Fiery Bush when He initiated contact with Moses.  Yes! Each day the Sun rises should remind us that the Son of God Rose from the dead. The heavens do not only declare God’s Glory, The heavens scream His Glory. The Blazing, blinding, burning, blistering  Sun Screams out each morning, God’s Son Rose…God’s Son Rose…God’s Son Rose…God’s Son Rose.

I would like to mention here: When Saul/Paul saw the Resurrected Lord Jesus, the Glory of Christ was brighter than the desert’s sun.  The sun submits to the Son’s Glory. The Glory of God empowers the sun. The intrinsic Glory of God is beyond our understanding. This is why no man can see God and live. God’s Glory is too overwhelming and powerful, God must be invisible, else the whole universe would shrivel and dry up in the company, in the Presence, in the audience of the Transcendental and August Person of the Godhead….. of God’s Glory.

And this God takes residence within the elect and believing saint of God. Such knowledge is to wonderful for me, as David says.

Godspeed.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

A person, no matter how good at math they may be cannot divide zero (0) into any number. There is no such animal as a half (1/2) zero.  Also cannot a man be both a husband and a father? I am a husband to one (1) terrific wife and a father to three (3) dear daughters. I cannot be divided though.  If my wife is in one (1) room and my daughters are in another room and they all call me at the same time, I cannot be divided. Or in a discussion with all of them, I am at the same time husband and father…right? right!

So why is there such a controversy on the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer.?  I have heard such nonsense as Christ is my Saviour and He became my Lord later….WHAT!!!??? That is the epitome of nonsense and the fruit of easy believing and blasphemous spewing….err….I mean preaching or may I call it reaching? Reaching for something that isn’t there.

Plain as day does the Gospel of Luke  s-p-e-l-l  i-t o-u-t,  a Saviour is born, Christ The Lord. He was Lord at His birth.  We will say it bluntly… If Christ is not your Lord, at your new birth, after you pray that prayer, you are not saved. The whole point of salvation, is doing the first thing right. Submitting to the LORD your God. Salvation is not “accepting “Jesus” into to your heart,”  Salvation is God Accepting YOU into a Covenant. Salvation is not “Trying Jesus out” … One (1) can try buddism on, or hinduism on, but one (1) does not “just” try “Jesus on.”

There is never a “Jesus and ” concept. It is Jesus Christ, the Lord, first (1) and Only, then is Christ the Saviour of those who Submit to Him, believe in Him, and love Him… Salvation is the LORD of Creation, the Godhead coming to a sinner, in particular…a specific person ….a certain person at a specific time and this Holy Godhead calls the sinner to submit…YES I SAID SUBMIT, to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is God’s Son and Man’s Only Saviour. In Scripture writing, Lord comes before Saviour. Just like worship and service. Worship comes before service; likewise, Justification before progressive sanctification.

I will trust this makes sense to the common sensible.

Godspeed and Merry Christ-mas.