Are You An Ahab?

                                            

https://youtu.be/87A2nXF1Og4

 

                                                Are You An Ahab?

There is plenty of teaching in the Church about Jezebel but not much about Ahab. Ahab was a wicked man, but he let others do his dirty work, he also let the wickedness of Jezebel rule over Israel for his own pleasure. (Study 1 Kings 16:29 - 22:40)

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“In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri became king over Israel; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of The LORD, more than all who were before him. And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.” 1 Kings 16:29-31

The problem with Ahab was not just his wickedness and lawlessness before GOD but that he allowed Jezebel to actually run the country by her witchcraft. This is what is happening in the Church today. There are many leaders who do not believe what The Bible says and teach contrary to what The Bible says.

There are denominations that not only allow the people of their churches to practice sin in their lives but they promote it in the leadership of the churches. They actually stand against GOD and His Bible in their doctrine and practice of religion.

There have been false religions since Cain who claim to worship GOD and there have been false religions based on false gods. The problem today is that most of The Church is asleep or too weak to proclaim the truth of the Gospel. They do not want to cause controversy or hurt the feelings of sinners. SHAME ON THEM!

Paul the apostle wrote, “For I  am not ashamed of The Gospel of CHRIST, for it is the Power of GOD to Salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jews first and also for the Greek. For in it the Righteousness of GOD is revealed from Faith to faith; as it is written. ‘The Just shall Live by Faith.’” Romans 1:16-17 He wrote this to the Church in Rome, the center of persecution of Chrstians and the place where he would be beheaded for His faith and obedience to GOD’s Call for his life.

Today in the Modern Western Church there is no real persecution, but there will be or GOD is not just. Here we might be faced with being deplatformed from social media or ridiculed in a public place or even put in jail for our social disobedience against government restrictions on our right to practice our faith. In a lot of countries Christians are actually persecuted: beaten, robbed, imprisoned, raped and murdered for their faith and obedience to GOD’s Call for their life. In several African nations, in India (Manipur, right now) in Pakistan, Iran, etc. Soon persecution will be worse here because we the people of GOD, His Church, the Body of CHRIST allow sin in our fellowships and do not denounce false churches who proclaim they are serving GOD and CHRIST!

Look at the history of the world and especially Israel, as the rulers were so the countries became. Today in America we have the most corrupt and anti-christ government since king George ruled the Colonies.

As we the Christians allow sin in our midst so the nation continues to plunge into a wicked government controlled anti-christ society.

If each of us as individuals, families, groups, fellowships, ministries, churches and denominations do not take 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 seriously then we will suffer the persecution that other nations are now suffering. GOD will purge the Church of its’ sin and many who are innocent will suffer through the process with the guilty.

Free Will

 Free Will!

Free will is a blessing and a curse!

Humans have “free will” given by GOD and most believe it is a right. “Free will” is not a right! No one truly has “free will”! Society, local government, national government, international government and GOD’s Government all restrict our “free will”. The norms of society and the regulations of life restrict our free will and even deny it.

The closest a person can come to living by the desires of their free will is to live by themself with almost no interaction with other people, and those who try that in the wilderness find animals exerting their free will over them. Even nature exerts its will over humans.

“You are Worthy, our LORD and GOD, to receive Glory and Honor and Power; for You Created all things, and by Your Will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11

There is no place in GOD’s creation that people can live fulfilling their free will!

Christians who think that GOD has enhanced their free will do not understand the scriptures. From the beginning GOD has exerted His Will over everything! “In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth…Then GOD said…” “Then The LORD GOD took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And The LORD Commanded the man saying, ‘Of every tree in the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it dying you shall die.’” “So The LORD GOD said to the serpent…” “to the woman He said…” Then to Adam He said…” This is just the first three chapters of GOD’s Word, maybe just one or two earth years.

JESUS CHRIST, The Son of GOD, The Son of Man, Emmanuel did not live according to His own Will in the earth. “He (JESUS) indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times for you who through Him believe in GOD, Who Raised Him from the dead and Gave Him Glory, so that your Faith and Hope are in GOD.” 1 Peter 1:20-21 (Study Revelation 13:8)

“For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My Own Will, but The Will of Him Who sent Me.” John 6:38 (Study John 6:38-40)

“...saying, ‘Father, if it is Your Will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My Will but Yours be done.’” Luke 22:42 (Study Luke 22:39-46)

GOD actually has a better plan for our life than us living according to our own will! It’s called The Will of GOD, which He puts into our life when we are in our mother’s womb (Study Psalm 139:13-18; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Galatians 1:13-17). But, since we are born sinners, thanks to Adam’s sin, we are not equipped to know GOD’s Will, much less do it. But, GOD had a plan even before He created us (1 Peter 1:20-21), it’s called Salvation (Study John 3:15-21), this is how JESUS described it, “...Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself  and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and The Gospel’s will save it.” (Study Matthew 10:16-42; Mark 8:34-38; John 8:31-36; John 11:17-27).

So if you want to live by your free will, good luck! If you want to live by GOD’s Wills, “Seek you first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble!” Matthew 6:33-34. He did not say it would be easy, He said it would be worth it (Study John 14:1-6)! So much so that He taught us to pray, “...Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done in the earth as it is in Heaven…” (Matthew 6:10).

Discipleship!

 Discipleship!

What does disciple mean? According to The American Heritage College Dictionary it is, “dis•ci•ple n. 1a. One who assists in spreading the teachings of another. b. An active adherent, as of a movement. 2. often Disciple One of the original followers of JESUS. 3. Disciple A member of the Disciples of CHRIST. [ME < OE discipul and < OFr. disciple, both < Lat. discipulus, pupil < discere, to learn.] - dis•ci’ple•ship’ n.”

So what did JESUS mean when He said, “…If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free.” John 8:31b-32 NKJV? It’s important to note that 31 and 32 are one continuous thought.

This is a key teaching throughout the Bible: The LORD to the Israelites in the wilderness, The LORD to Joshua, David in the Psalms, Solomon in the Proverbs, the Prophets, JESUS Himself and the Apostles all taught the necessity of knowing GOD’s Word and living according to it. Such famously quoted verses as, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth…” “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet.” “All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD…”

JESUS said He came only to do the Will of His Father and taught us to pray for the Father’s will to be done in the earth as it is in Heaven and that it is us who are to do the Father’s Will! John 6:38-40; Matthew 6:9-10.

So what is my struggle, why do so many Christians struggle with simply obeying the Bible? GOD has made it clear that from the giving of the Law (Torah) until today He has given us His Word on how to live and serve Him. JESUS made it clear in His teaching, “Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness…” “Lay down your life and take up your cross and follow Me.” Obedience is key and the only clear structure for obedience is the Bible. We are taught to love everybody but recognize sin and not to participate in it. To proclaim the good news of Salvation without beating people up with it. To offer the hope that we have to those who have no hope. To bring light into dark places. To overcome by the Blood of The Lamb, the word of our testimony and by not loving our life, even when we face death.

In exchange we get eternal life in GOD’s Kingdom!

So why is it so hard to give up this life that we are born into that only leads to eternal damnation for being born again into a life that leads to eternal salvation?

Discipleship is the result of our making a decision to keep JESUS’ Commands, John 8:31-32. It means giving up everything about our life and living the Life GOD has created us for. “Then JESUS answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you,  The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees The Father do; for whatever He does The Son also does in like manner.’” John 5:19 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39

Discipleship is not just what we practice as a lifestyle, it is a lifestyle that we teach  believers so that they grow in Faith and Trust in JESUS.

Better To Have Integrity!

 Better To Have Integrity!

“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” Proverbs 19:1 NKJV

“Better to be poor, walking with integrity, than be a fool whose lips are corrupt.” Proverbs 19:1 TLV

As you read that first line you naturally assume the next line of the proverb is about the rich. But, the proverb is not about being poor, it is about living a life of integrity. Integrity is more important than whether a person is rich or poor, though the Bible seems to teach that the rich have a hard time with integrity.

“What is desired in a man is loving kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.” Proverbs 19:22 NKJV

“What is desired in a man is loyalty, and a poor person is better than a liar.” Proverbs 19:22 TLV

Here again is the comparison of a poor man and integrity, a person of integrity is a kind and loyal person, whether they are rich or poor, but it seems that the poor have a better chance of living a life of integrity.

“Then JESUS said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter The Kingdom of Heaven. And, again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 19:23-24 (study Matthew 19:16-30).

https://youtu.be/Yj1K-v_Ee64

Hannah's Prayer

 Hannah’s Prayer

1 Samuel 2:1-10

“And Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart rejoices in The LORD; my horn is exalted in The LORD. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your Salvation.

No one is holy like The LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our GOD.

Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for The LORD is The GOD of Knowledge; and by Him actions are weighted.

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength.

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, and the hungry have ceased to hunger.

Even the barren has borne seven, and she who has many children has become feeble.

The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.

The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heep, to set them among princes and makes them inherit the Throne of Glory.

For the pillars of the earth are The LORD’s, and He has set the world upon them.

He will guard the feet of His saints,

but the wicked shall be silent in darkness. For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of The LORD shall be broken in pieces; from Heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.’”

This was Hannah’s prayer when she gave her first born son Samuel, the son of her prayers to The LORD as a gift.

Verses 1-2 are praise and worship to GOD.

“Our Father Who is in Heaven, Holy is Your Name.”

Verses 3-8a are how GOD deals with the people of the earth.

“Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done in the earth as it is in Heaven.”

Verse 8b is the Power and Glory of GOD.

“For Yours is The Kingdom and The Power and The Glory forever.”

Verse 9a is the Grace of GOD to those who serve Him.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Verse 9b-10a is the judgment of GOD against those who oppose His Will.

“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Verse 10b is about His support for those who serve Him.

“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Recognise GOD and worship Him, give Him the Honor that He deserves.

Pray for His Will and do what He shows you.

Recognise and receive His daily provision.

Repent - ask for forgiveness and give forgiveness.

Recognise He is our healer and deliverer, He has a plan and purpose for our life.

Worship Him for His Glory and Power as creator and redeemer.

Matthew 6:9-13, 14-15, 33-34

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

Matthew 10:28-31

1 Thessalonians 5:23

 1 Thessalonians 5:23

“I pray GOD your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

Oswald Chambers: “Are we prepared for what sanctification will cost? It will cost an intense narrowing of all interests on earth, and an immense broadening of all our interests in GOD.”

Matthew 6:33-34 “Seek you first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness. Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about its own problems, the problems of today are enough.”

When we focus on GOD the issues of life get worked out to our benefit by GOD. It might not always seem that way, but GOD is working in us as we are seeking His Will and Purpose.

You're Going To Hell For That!

 You’re Going To Hell For That!

Have you ever said or been told, “You’re going to hell for that!”?

Is that true, do people go to hell for specific actions?

If so, what are they? What does The Bible say about going to hell?

JESUS said people will go to hell, which in The Bible is called by a couple of different names. Gehenna (Matthew 18:9), everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), abyss (Romans 10:7), Hades (Revelation 20:13-14), a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:23-28),  everlast fire (Matthew 18:8). KJV or NKJV

Who has the power to cast into hell? Only GOD, Luke 12:4-7 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more they can do. But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear Him Who after He has killed, has Power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before GOD. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.“

So why do people get sent to hell? Proverbs 27:20 “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

Matthew 18:7-9 “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you, it is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”

Revelation 20:11-13 “Then I saw a Great White Throne and Him Who sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great. Standing before GOD, and books were opened, and another Book was opened, which is The Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them, and they were judged each one according to his works.”

Is there something worse than hell? Yes, The lake of fire! Revelation 19:20, “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.”  

Who was the lake of fire created for? The devil! “Then He will say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41

So why are humans cast into the lake of fire? Revelation 20:14-15 “Then death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in The Book of Life.was cast into the lake of fire.”