"If MY people...."

2 Chronicles 7:14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁴ If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chron%207:14&version=AMP

I see this scripture quoted quite a bit. I'm curious, though, at how many people actually pay attention to it. I used the Amplified Bible because it goes MUCH more into detail regarding the various words used in the scripture. This scripture deals directly with those of us who call ourselves Christians. I'm curious:  just how many Christians are willing to admit their sins? Oh, you don't have any? For starters....gossip, gluttony, strife, idolatry, adultery, murder, witchcraft.

Gossip: sharing "prayer requests" all in the name of sharing to get prayer for someone else. Gluttony: yeah, not just about food. It's about craving more of anything than that which is required. Strife: causing division, being quarrelsome. This often goes hand in hand with gossiping. Idolatry: excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion. How many are putting their denomination above serving God? How many are putting their preacher above God by thinking their preacher is above reproach? Adultery: not only is it actually having sex with someone who's not a spouse, it's also lusting after someone who's not your spouse. Murder: not simply killing someone.  Jesus said that if someone has hate in their heart, that person has committed murder. Witchcraft: rebellion is compared to witchcraft. (1Samuel 15:23), astrology, fortune telling, mediums (talking to the dead).

I'll be the first to admit that I'm guilty of pretty much every one of these...and a few more. I mainly listed those above because most Christians believe that they aren't really sinning since they don't "go out drinking", they "don't smoke or do drugs", they don't "actively sleep around on their spouse", or they don't "participate in the act of witchcraft".  Christians forget that there are other sins for which they are quite guilty. How about this: James 4:17 says, "So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin."  How many of us "know to do right" but don't do it? Sin, in the the New Testament, doesn't JUST refer to physical acts. There are many sins that are "sins of the heart".  By that, I mean the intention behind our actions (look at Jesus' reference to adultery and murder for instance).

Christians, NONE of us is above reproach, not even preachers. If someone comes to you, in a loving manner, and speaks to you of behavior that isn't "quite right", don't get offended and tell him/her "the bible says to not judge".  On the contrary.  The Word says, in 1 Corinthians 5:12, "What [business] of mine is it and what right have I to judge outsiders? Is it not those inside [the church] upon whom you are to pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]?" It is 100% Biblical to say something regarding the behavior of those "in the church". No, I'm not saying I'm perfect. By no means am I perfect.  Sometimes I feel I fall so short of God's glory that I wonder if a rocket to heaven would even be able to get me there.  It's then that I remember that God shows me mercy and grace every day. Be mindful of your thoughts, your feelings, your actions. I know I have a lot to repent of.  Don't you?

Is there a war on our sons?

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/358589/what-about-our-boys-interview

According to the link, there is. From the article, "Today’s classrooms tend to be feelings-centered, risk-averse, competition-free, and sedentary. As early as pre-school and kindergarten, boys can be punished for behaving like boys. The characteristic play of young males is “rough-and-tumble” play. There is no known society where little boys fail to evince this behavior (girls do it too, but far less). In many schools, rough –and-tumble play is no longer tolerated. Well-meaning but intolerant adults are insisting “tug of war” be changed to “tug of peace”; games such as tag are being replaced with “circle of friends” — in which no one is ever out. Boys as young as five or six can be suspended for playing cops and robbers. Our schools have become hostile environments for most boys."   My son was reprimanded for shaping his hand into a gun and saying "pow pow".  Our society has gotten so politically correct that our sons risk punishment just for acting like boys. Mind you, I'm not talking about the train wreck of behavior that is seen in some boys.  I'm talking about the rough housing, cops/robbers type of behavior that is being punished in our schools. Our sons are being sissified by society today.  This has been happening for quite some time. When boys get into fights at school, whatever happened to letting them fight it out?  From what I've been told, many friendships were developed between boys after a fight.  No, I'm not saying let them beat the crap out of each other to the point of a hospital visit.  I'm saying, let them be boys. Boys have an "built in" NEED for aggression, for being predators, for hunting prey.  They have a built in need to explore.  They have a built in need to be rough sometimes. This is healthy, within age appropriate boundaries. Do we let our sons beat up on everyone? Heaven no. Do we allow them to defend themselves?  Oh yes.  Our son has been told, by his dad and me, that should he be hit, kicked, or attacked in any way physically, that he should first tell a teacher.  If it happens again, he has every right to defend himself in the appropriate way.  Example:  our son had a little boy in kindergarten who kept hitting or kicking him.  Our son hit the boy and kicked him back. It finally took our son punching the kid in the nose for the kid to back off and leave him alone.  I will NOT allow my son to be bullied because of political correctness.

Our society is teaching little boys that they are to be more sensitive.  Crap, how much more sensitive do they need to be?  Does society want them at the point that they have hormonal issues..beyond adolescence? Sheesh.  Does society want our sons to break down and cry over every little thing?  Society has taught men to be more "in touch with their feminine side" then wants to pitch a fit because men are too girlie.  Well, which say does society want it?  Oh yeah, I remember.......gay pride.  THAT is what society is trying to turn our sons into. No, I'm not bashing gays.....crap...get off that high horse of false pride over that one. I'm point blank telling you all that I'll be damned if my son will be turned into some unicorn riding princess because he's too much of a boy. Women want a man to be a MAN.  Women do NOT want some chick parading around with a penis!

My son is a boy!!!!  He will act like a boy!!!  He will be taught, by his daddy, to be a MAN.  It's time for parents of sons to rise up and protect our children! Little girls are protected the whole way around.  Our sons are not. Our sons are told to "toughen up" when harassed yet NOT allowed to properly protect themselves. Parents, teach your sons to protect themselves.  Guard your sons from society's version of  "manhood".

A "new move" of God? Really?

I read an article today that claims there is a "new move of God" coming.  I'm curious.  Did God ever move the original move of God someplace secret? It seems that way considering all these folks that keep looking for a move of God.

Too many Christians, today, are busy seeking that "feel good", those "holy ghost goose bumps", that "I'm here but not here" type feeling from every move that comes their way. I've heard of people driving hundreds of miles to experience these "moves of God". What makes them any different than staying at your home church and experiencing God? That's right.  They have "signs" showing what God's doing.  Doesn't YOUR church have signs?  If not, what's the problem?  The Word of God says that signs will follow them that believe.  Does your church have this belief in God?  Why do people in churches pray for God to show up? Aren't you supposed to be taking him in WITH you?  I mean, when someone becomes a Christian, God lives inside him/her via the Holy Spirit. If you have to pray for God to show up, did you leave him at home to watch the game..and then end up praying He's got time before the game to make His presence known?

How foolish are you to think that God does something new.  Is there a new way of healing? Is there a new way for provision?  Is there some new way of salvation that the Holy Spirit forgot to tell the writers of the Bible? I'm curious.  What exactly makes something a "new move"?  Does God contradict  HIS Word where it says "I am God. I change not"?

Christians have made God to be some new age godlike person that "enters us" upon reaching a "worship state of mind".  You know, that state of euphoria that is experienced in most charismatic churches....and "new moves". I've heard people laugh.  I've seen people, on videos, barking like dogs. These things, my friend, are NOT from God. God gives us laughter in exchange for mourning. God will NEVER make someone bark like a dog. God will NOT make someone roll all over the floor. I'm even beginning to question the "slain in the spirit" aspect of most "moves of God".  Most of those who fell on their backs were struck dead. Most who were really in the presence of Almighty God fell to their faces. I've "hid" my face numerous times.  Not because I was afraid of God.  But because it was so overwhelming and awe inspiring. There have been times that I've fallen to my knees due to this presence. Now, which is truly being "slain in the spirit"?  The position of death or the position of being humbled in the presence of God? Thing is, they can both be.  HOWEVER, if it's the feeling of being so overwhelmed by God that you seek, try just getting into HIS word. Stop chasing a mere man. Stop chasing everything that gets classified as a "move of God".

How about this:  just stop chasing God.  God's NOT running away from you.  In fact, the exact opposite.  God is always with you.  It is WE who run from God.  If you don't "feel" God, it doesn't mean He's not there. It means that YOU aren't doing what YOU'RE supposed to be doing.  How do we get closer to God?  It's sure not by chasing a man or a move.  It's by getting into God's Word.

The road to learning about my own arrogance as a Christian

While you all know that I don't condone a homosexual/bi/transgendered lifestyle, I think this passage will put some things into perspective. While we are so apt to call out the sin of another, we forget to look at our own...much less admit it. Until the church body can admit its own sins, maybe we should take a step back from condemning another due to his/her sins. NO, I'm not saying to advocate for their lifestyle. What I'm saying is........clean your own house first.

1 Corinthians 6:6-11
Names of God Bible (NOG)
Settling Disagreements between Christians

6 When one of you has a complaint against another, how dare you go to court to settle the matter in front of wicked people. Why don’t you settle it in front of God’s holy people? 2 Don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world? So if you’re going to judge the world, aren’t you capable of judging insignificant cases? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels, not to mention things in this life? 4 When you have cases dealing with this life, why do you allow people whom the church has a low opinion of to be your judges? 5 You should be ashamed of yourselves! Don’t you have at least one wise person who is able to settle disagreements between believers? 6 Instead, one believer goes to court against another believer, and this happens in front of unbelievers.

7 You are already totally defeated because you have lawsuits against each other. Why don’t you accept the fact that you have been wronged? Why don’t you accept that you have been cheated? 8 Instead, you do wrong and cheat, and you do this to other believers.

9 Don’t you know that wicked people won’t inherit the kingdom of God? Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, 10 or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11 That’s what some of you were! But you have been washed and made holy, and you have received God’s approval in the name of the Lord Yeshua Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

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 1 Corinthians 5
Names of God Bible (NOG)
How to Treat Christians Who Live Like Non-Christians

Your own members are aware that there is sexual sin going on among them. This kind of sin is not even heard of among unbelievers—a man is actually married to his father’s wife. 2 You’re being arrogant when you should have been more upset about this. If you had been upset, the man who did this would have been removed from among you. 3 Although I’m not physically present with you, I am with you in spirit. I have already judged the man who did this as though I were present with you. 4 When you have gathered together, I am with you in spirit. Then, in the name of our Lord Yeshua, and with his power, 5 hand such a person over to Satan to destroy his corrupt nature so that his spiritual nature may be saved on the day of the Lord.

6 It’s not good for you to brag. Don’t you know that a little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough? 7 Remove the old yeast of sin so that you may be a new batch of dough, since you don’t actually have the yeast of sin.

Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 So we must not celebrate our festival with the old yeast of sin or with the yeast of vice and wickedness. Instead, we must celebrate it with the bread of purity and truth that has no yeast.

9 In my letter to you I told you not to associate with people who continue to commit sexual sins. 10 I didn’t tell you that you could not have any contact with unbelievers who commit sexual sins, are greedy, are dishonest, or worship false gods. If that were the case, you would have to leave this world. 11 Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don’t eat with such people.

12 After all, do I have any business judging those who are outside the Christian faith? Isn’t it your business to judge those who are inside? 13 God will judge those who are outside. Remove that wicked man from among you.

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A friend of mine on Facebook made this comment on the discussion we were having: "The problem for Christians is that non believers put us up on a impossible pedestal that no human can reach. Only Jesus did. We are not perfect and should never ever say we are. We must strive to do Gods will and share his gospel while confessing that we too are sinners who are saved because Jesus died for us and through him we ask forgiveness and grow in our salvation. "
To which I replied: "I think that would be OUR faults. WE, as Christians, make ourselves out to be much more holy than we really are. That, in turn, makes it seem as if others put us on a pedestal. You're right, we're not perfect; however, too many in the body use that as an excuse to continue in their sin."

While I won't often share between the two of us in a blog, it was in commenting to her that I, myself, realized just how arrogant I'd gotten as a Christian.  We, as Christians, have gotten our panties in a bunch so much at the sins of those "outside the church walls", that we've forgotten to look at our own reflections....the reflection that God's Word shows back to us.  If we were to be honest, we'd hate what we see. We claim we love God, but do we really? We claim we serve God. Do we really? I know that love and service to God doesn't NOT equate to us being perfect...as in..NO sin whatsoever.  What does it mean, though?  It means that we love God enough to do HIS will (which is HIS Word). It means that, even when we fail, we get up, dust ourselves off, acknowledge it, and go forward into all truth. It doesn't mean we use our failings as a crutch to continue sinning. Yes, we are only human.  However, we have the Holy Spirit inside us...guiding us into all truth...and God's Word is truth. Rightfully divide the Word of God. Discern what you are told by other so-called Christians. There are many "sheep in wolves clothing" who are eager to feed off the ignorance of Christians.