God desires none to be destroyed, it hurts his heart.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

God does not take pleasure in the destruction of anyone. People wonder why God does not just destroy the wicked. There are a couple of reasons. One is because he desires none to be destroyed so he is patient with them giving them a chance to repent. God always warns those who are doing bad and causing misery and suffering before he destroys them. Those God will destroy are deliberately ignoring his warnings. So the choice is theirs. Even those who worship God will ignore his warnings until it is too late and the destruction is upon them. The fact that destruction has not come on the wicked yet indicates there are still sheep to be found.

Abraham questioned Gods judgment, even though God can read their hearts and we cannot. He knows whether people will change or not. He was patient with Abraham and even gave Abraham time to learn that his judgment was righteous. God said if there was even ten righteous persons found he would not destroy Sodom.

God loves us so much he gave has only begotten son as a ransom to provide the way for us to achieve forgiveness and life. Does this seem like the actions of a cruel God? If we want to conquer the world we must learn to love as God does. There are many who won’t even acknowledge God and what he did for man. Many believe just because someone is nice it is ok for them to not believe in God. God gave his only begotten son as a ransom for all people. If they do not want to accept that ransom sacrifice by acknowledging what God has done for us then they have made their choice when the day of judgment is here. God has given them more then enough time to acknowledge the great things he has done for man and what Jesus has done. If they cannot find it in their heart to bring glory to God who has been so merciful then why should they be covered by the ransom. Why should God even acknowledge them if they do not acknowledge him and the things he has done? By associating with them we are telling God we believe it is ok for people to no accept what he and his son has done for man. We are given free will to choose what path we want to take. Those who do not love God and reject him have made their choice. God does not want them to be destroyed but it is the lack of people listening to God and it is because man leans on their own understanding that has brought the world to the condition it is in now. So those who choose not to let God guide them are by their actions saying Satan was right that we do not need God to guide us, and teach us. The state the world is in we can see that is not true we need God.

There are some who claim that the suffering people experience is God punishing them. That is ridiculous. The cause is mans sinful nature, some of our suffering is from others sins, some is from our own sins. Also man does not have the foresight and wisdom God has. We have thoroughly proven we can not make it without God. The farther man gets from God the worse things are getting. We are seeing the climax of the rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Those who are refusing to let God guide them and to obey God are contributing the the bad state the world is in right now. If God did not destroy those who put their faith in man instead of God the new paradise earth would not be possible. God does not want to destroy the wicked he has to in order for the original purpose for the earth to be fulfilled.

Some get caught up in acquiring material things which comes with a lot of stress in maintaining and keeping them. Families have been broke apart because the desire for money out weighed their desire to know God and they put money first in their life. If they do not value God they will not value family the way they should. Many have left greed overtake them resulting in others having to live in poverty.

God’s thoughts are higher then ours. We are imperfect humans. Those of us who except this fact will be looked down on by those who’s hearts have been hardened. Gods thoughts are higher then ours. Jesus perfectly reflected his heavenly father. God seated him on the throne in heaven. We can be certain , his judgment will be righteous and he will set matters straight very soon. The bible teaches we are to view others as superior to us and we are to put the interest of others before out own. Jesus set the example when he washed the disciples feet. This was a job usually done by servants. Jesus knew after he died and was resurrected he would be seated on the heavenly throne as a king at the time he did this. This tell you something about God also, because Jesus stated he did what he had seen his father do. The greed and poverty caused to others because of the greed would not occur of others had the same attitude as Jesus.

It is loving on God’s part to destroy those who have hardened their hearts. How could we have peace and happiness if the wicked are allowed to continue? It is their wickedness that is ruining the earth. If a person had a disease would you leave the disease in the body until it overtook and destroyed the whole body? Well if God does not destroy the wicked they would eventually ruin the whole earth. Would a loving God leave that occur? If you was a parent and had a child would you leave abusers continue to harm the child because you did not want the abuser harmed? If the wicked are left on the earth then there would be no way to restore the earth to a paradise because they would continue to ruin it.

To have true peace in these perilous times we need to listen to Jehovah. Let his word guide and protect us. In doing so it will keep us from losing site of our future hope. We need to take in God’s word and heed his warning to protect our hearts. As we learn and share the bible truths if we do not see the person changing and growing spiritually we may want to be cautious their heart may be hardened. There are those who appear to have a form of godliness or appear to have a form of godly devotion just as the pharisees did. We need to be very careful because they were compared to angels of light. Satan has been called an angel of light because he can easily deceive people leading them off into destruction.

It is not easy to worship God with your whole heart and whole soul if you have been taught things all your life that do not agree with what the bible teaches. We have to completely change our thinking often times. Some things are deeply entrenched and have become habit and take time to overcome. If you read a scripture and it may hurt you conscience causing confusion, you should ask yourself why? Is it possible my mind is in conflict because what I have been taught does not agree with what the bible is saying. By making certain of all you have been taught it prevents the angels of light from deceiving you. Do you reject any teaching that does not agree with what you have been taught. If so have you ask why the teaching may have caused you mental conflict or caused you to get upset? Many rejected Jesus because he was telling them what they needed to hear and not what they wanted to hear. Are you asking to have your itchy ears scratched. The closer we get to the new system the more important it is to make sure our worship is pure in God’s eyes and not mans. If we are not willing to make certain of what we have been taught and challenge what we have been taught how can we worship with our whole heart and whole soul? Jesus and the apostles wanted people to question things and wanted them to verify what they have heard by looking deeper into God’s word. They did not want people to just accept the things they were being told. We are to trust God with our whole hearts if something we have learned and believed all our life seems to conflict with the bible we should believe God’s word over what we have been taught, in doing so we are trusting God over man or the angels of light. We have to keep in mind those angels of light would deceive many , especially in the last days. In Isaiah we learn God rejected Israel because he said their hearts were far removed from him. They feared him based on commands of men they had been taught and not based on God’s word. A sign you have been deceived is when the worship is more based on tradition and the elementary things of the world ? The bible tells us to keep our minds focused on the things above. Many of the traditions and doctrine taught now days draws attention not to things like the heavenly kingdom and God’s glory but they focus on the physical things of the world which is passing away.

If all these things will be gone soon should we not focus on storing up treasures in heaven and focus on the things we cannot see like the heavenly kingdom and what it will do for the earth? All the things of this world including the traditions and doctrine that have been taught by man will be gone soon and so will those who refused to let them go. God requires exclusive devotion and the glory belongs to him. Why should we practice traditions that give glory to idols, images or mythical characters? Those very things have gotten Israel in trouble with God. If we are practicing traditions of man that God would not approve of like those in Jeremiah chapter 10 did, then we are in opposition to God because we are not worshiping him with our whole heart and whole soul. God called us to him to glorify him and not the things of the world or people of the world. His people are known by his name. Would we want people to think our God is more a material God then a spiritual one. All we do should bring God glory and draw their attention to his mercy, his power, and his love so we do not smear his good name. We are told we cannot drink of the cup of the devil and the cup of God at the same time. Our worship of God must be pure, all we do should bring God glory, not images or mythical characters.

Each life that has to be destroyed hurts God’s heart. Wouldn’t it be better if we brought joy to God through our actions and helped others learn to worship him in truth so they will not be destroyed. Jesus used the parable of one lost sheep to indicate that there is a lot of joy in heaven over just one sinner repenting. Can you imagine the joy they feel if we can teach and guide others to repent and to worship God with their whole heart and whole soul.

(1 Corinthians 10:20-24 20 No; but I say that what the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. 21 You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah” and the table of demons. 22 Or ‘are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy’? We are not stronger than he is, are we? 23 All things are lawful, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. 24 Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.)

(Isaiah 43:6, 7  6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth,  7 Everyone who is called by my name And whom I created for my own glory, Whom I have formed and made.’). ,

(Acts 15:16, 17) 16 ‘After these things I will return and raise up again the tent of David that is fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the men who remain may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, , 18 known from of old.’

(Ezekiel 33:11) 11Tell them, ‘“As surely as I am alive,” declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that someone wicked changes his way and keeps living. Turn back, turn back from your bad ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?”.

(2 Peter 3:8-10) 8However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. 9 Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. 10But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed.

(Matthew 24:36-42) 36“Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 41Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 42Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

(2 Peter 3:5-7) 5For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. 7But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.

(Genesis 18:29-33) 29But yet again he spoke to him and said: “Suppose 40 are found there.” He answered: “I will not do it for the sake of the 40.” 30But he continued: “Jehovah, please, do not become hot with anger, but let me go on speaking: Suppose only 30 are found there.” He answered: “I will not do it if I find 30 there.” 31But he continued: “Please, here I have presumed to speak to Jehovah: Suppose only 20 are found there.” He answered: “I will not destroy it for the sake of the 20.” 32Finally he said: “Jehovah, please, do not become hot with anger, but let me speak just once more: Suppose only ten are found there.” He answered: “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.” 33When Jehovah finished speaking to Abraham, he went his way and Abraham returned to his place.

(Deuteronomy 11:26-28) 26“See, I am putting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27the blessing if you obey the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you today, 28and the curse if you do not obey the commandments of Jehovah your God.

(1 John 4:4-10) 4You originate with God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in union with you is greater than the one who is in union with the world. 5They originate with the world; that is why they speak what originates with the world and the world listens to them. 6We originate with God. Whoever comes to know God listens to us; whoever does not originate with God does not listen to us. By this we distinguish the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error. 7Beloved ones, let us continue loving one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love. 9By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him. 10The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved ones, if this is how God loved us, then we are also under obligation to love one another. 12No one has seen God at any time. If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. 13By this we know that we are remaining in union with him and he in union with us, because he has given his spirit to us. 14In addition, we ourselves have seen and are bearing witness that the Father has sent his Son as Savior of the world. 15Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God. 16And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us.

(James 1:12-15) 12Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving Him. 13When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. 14But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.

(Ecclesiastes 8:9) 9All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm.

(1 John 2:15-17) 15Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(Revelation 11:18) 18But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.

(Proverbs 2:21, 22) 21For only the upright will reside in the earth, And the blameless will remain in it. 22As for the wicked, they will be cut off from the earth, And the treacherous will be torn away from it.

Some may think it cruel of God that even children have suffered judicial decisions of Jehovah but we must keep in mind God can read everyones hearts. He knows if they will change and that includes children. These children were interfering with God’s prophet. They knew right from wrong, God is righteous and his decisions are righteous.

(2 Kings 2:23-25) 23He went up from there to Beth′el. As he was going along the way, some young boys came out from the city and began to jeer at him, and they kept saying to him: “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24Finally he turned around and looked at them and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. Then two she-bears came out of the forest and tore 42 of the children to pieces.

(Matthew 13:15) For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them.

(1 Corinthians 1:25-28) 25Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men. 26For you see his calling of you, brothers, that there are not many wise in a fleshly way, not many powerful, not many of noble birth, 27but God chose the foolish things of the world to put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world to put the strong things to shame; 28and God chose the insignificant things of the world and the things looked down on, the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.

(Isaiah 48:17, 18) 17This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. 18If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea..

The bible can helps expose our short comings and those of others. How we and others respond will expose our and their heart condition. By paying attention we will know the things we will need to do to draw closer to Jehovah. It can protect us by revealing the hidden things in someones heart. If they refuse the correction from Jehovah and react negatively that exposes their true condition of their heart. If we see this we want to be careful because associating with such a person could cause our hearts to become hardened.

(Hebrews 4:12, 13) 12For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is not a creation that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we must give an account..

(Proverbs 21:2) 2All of a man’s ways seem right to him, But Jehovah examines the hearts.

(Deuteronomy 29:19, 20) 19“But if someone hears the words of this oath and boasts in his heart, saying, ‘I will have peace, though I insist on walking in the ways of my own heart,’ to the ruin of everything in his path, 20Jehovah will not be willing to forgive him. Instead, Jehovah’s great anger will blaze against that man, and the entire curse written in this book will certainly come upon him, and Jehovah will indeed wipe out his name from under the heavens.

(1 Corinthians 10:6-13) 6Now these things became examples for us, in order for us not to desire injurious things, as they desired them. 7Neither become idolaters, as some of them did; just as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time.” 8Neither let us practice sexual immorality, as some of them committed sexual immorality, only to fall, 23,000 of them in one day. 9Neither let us put Jehovah to the test, as some of them put him to the test, only to perish by the serpents. 10Neither be murmurers, as some of them murmured, only to perish by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come. 12So let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall. 13No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it

(Ephesians 4:21-24) … 22You were taught to put away the old personality that conforms to your former course of conduct and that is being corrupted according to its deceptive desires. 23And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, 24and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty..

(Romans 12:1, 2) 12 Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. 2And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God..

(Revelation 21:1-8) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. 2I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” 5And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6And he said to me: “They have come to pass! I am the Al′pha and the O·me′ga, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the spring of the water of life free. 7Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death..

(Isaiah 25:8) 8He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it.

(Ezekiel 34:25-28) 25“‘“And I will make a covenant of peace with them, and I will rid the land of vicious wild beasts, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forests. 26I will make them and the area around my hill a blessing, and I will cause the rain to fall at the proper time. Blessings will pour down like the rains. 27The trees of the field will yield their fruit, and the soil will give its produce, and they will dwell securely on the land. And they will have to know that I am Jehovah when I break their yoke bars and rescue them from those who enslaved them. 28They will no longer become something for the nations to prey upon, and the wild beasts of the earth will not devour them, and they will dwell in security, with no one to make them afraid..

(1 Corinthians 5:10-13) . . .. 11 But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. 12 For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside, 13 while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.”

(Ephesians 5:4, 5) . . .. 5 For you know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no sexually immoral person or unclean person or greedy person, which means being an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of the Christ and of God.

(Isaiah 40:10, 11) 10 Look! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will come with power, And his arm will rule for him. Look! His reward is with him, And the wage he pays is before him. 11 Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather together the lambs, And in his bosom he will carry them. He will gently lead those nursing their young.

(1 Peter 2:25) 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

(Proverbs 3:5-7)  5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding.  6 In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.  7 Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.

(Isaiah 29:13) 13 Jehovah says: “This people approach me with their mouth And they honor me with their lips, But their heart is far removed from me; And their fear of me is based on commands of men that they have been taught.

(Colossians 3:1-4) 3 If, however, you were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life has been hidden with the Christ in union with God. 4 When the Christ, our life, is made manifest, then you also will be made manifest with him in glory.

(Matthew 22:37-40) 37 He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.”

(Exodus 32:3-6) . . .. 4 Then he took the gold from them, and he formed it with an engraving tool and made it into a statue of a calf. They began to say: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. Then Aaron called out: “There is a festival to Jehovah tomorrow.” 6 So they got up early on the next day and began offering up burnt offerings and presenting communion sacrifices. After that the people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time.

(Hebrews 10:26-31) 26 For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, 27 but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a burning indignation that is going to consume those in opposition. 28 Anyone who has disregarded the Law of Moses dies without compassion on the testimony of two or three. 29 How much greater punishment do you think a person will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God and who has regarded as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt? 30 For we know the One who said: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again: “Jehovah will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(Luke 15:1-7) 15 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners kept gathering around him to hear him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes kept muttering: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then he told them this illustration, saying: 4 “What man among you with 100 sheep, on losing one of them, will not leave the 99 behind in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he gets home, he calls his friends and his neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

Walk as the wise do.

Written by Lee Stevenson , sorry I am a lousy editor.

When the bible talks about walking as wise and the stupid ones. It is referring to those who put their trust in the world and do not write God’s word on their hearts and let their own thoughts guide them. Things are rapidly winding down little things that we used to have time to correct can now cause us many problems. For example if we have associations who do not know God and refuse to know him it tells you something about them. If we have someone who frequently puts themselves in a position they could fall short of what God requires it could be very costly. Very soon many will betray each other and even have those who put their trust and faith in God arrested or killed. No matter how kind they may seem if they are not accepting God’s word and refuse to talk about it , it reveals not only that they put their faith in the world or themselves but they may have things in their hearts that we do not see but God can read their hearts and if he has not yet called them to him then we should be very carefully about associating with them or even when we have to work with them. For example say we have to use someones services. They may try to become our friend, even if they do talk about the scriptures which how they respond to all God’s word. Remember God’s words is sharper then any two edged sword able to discern the deeper things in their hearts. If they avoid certain scriptures then depending on the context of the scripture and how they react it could tell us a lot. They may have guilt, they may be contemplating on disobeying God. But if they have come from the world and are just learning they may be having trouble forgiving themselves. In any cause pay attention to those things and it can help us discern whether we should associate or not. At the present time associating with ones like that who seem very kind may seem beneficial in some way maybe financially, maybe they have a certain worldly wisdom we would like to learn or maybe we just like something about them. We should be very cautious. Remember Satan and his messengers can appear as angels of light. Gods word exposes who truly loves God and who is faithful and who is not. If they constantly skirt the line on little things it could draw a person away from God. This is usually from over confidence that a person would do such a thing. The bible has warned us about being spiritually overconfident.

If we are dating we need to pay attention to the things the person does in regard to God and his word. We all have imperfections we have to overcome so we should not be focused on someones imperfections but their spiritual growth. Does the person we may be interested in get over confident and frequently put themselves in a position where they may give in to their weakness? Do they become over confident and think they can do those things because they will not sin. The bible warns pride comes before a fall. We should look at some examples of over confidence in the bible and how it caused some to fall . Not only that but often times when they fell short of God others were also harmed. Surely we would not want to fall short of God and have it result in others being harmed or drawn away from God. If a person does not show spiritual growth or struggles to come to an accurate understanding of God’s word we are warned to be careful of such ones. The bible even told us what things to watch for in such people. The bible warned us they would appear to have a sense of Godly devotion in the last days so we have to be very careful. (2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.) . I will now discuss instances were some have gotten over confident and it caused them to error. When someone does error and they are corrected we need to pay attention to how they respond to the correction. If they get offended or angry and do not take corrective action then we should be cautious associating with them they could drag us down also. Haughty attitude is mentioned in the above scripture. Often times we brush haughtiness off as being minor but I can tell you from personal experience the haughty and spiritually overconfident ones have been the ones who betrayed and hurt me the most in my life. So we need to pay attention. If we point out an error someone may be making we need to pay attention to how they respond and take the proper actions based on how they respond. We have to keep in mind we are told to be no part of the world but we cannot remove ourselves entirely from the world because of certain needs like food and work, also we have the work of making disciples and telling others about the heavenly kingdom and the hope it gives.

Something to take note of. Often times in the bible when someone is not as close as they seem to be they will look for things in the world to make them happy . For example when Saul lost favor in God’s eyes it says a bad spirit overtook him. He turned to music to calm him. Those who love God and truly have faith in him will turn to God when they are troubled. So we need to pay attention to who or what people turn to when they are troubled.

We have the first example of someone ignoring what God required in Genesis when Eve listened to the serpent. She had been taught what God required and she knew what the end result would be if she disobeyed God. She should have stopped listening to Satan because she quoted what she had been taught and would have known he was being deceptive. Instead she kept listening and he convinced her and eventually Adam that they did not need God to guide and rule over them and that they would not die. This resulted in a separation between God and man and we no longer had as close of a relationship with Jehovah God. Man still does not want to accept that we need God to guide and rule over us. Man has tried every form of government and things have only gotten worse. Man has thoroughly proven those lies wrong. Man cannot rule ourselves we do not have the foresight or wisdom that God has. We cannot end death because God is the source of life. Because he loves us he provided Jesus as a ransom sacrifice, Jesus also defeated death which provided a way for many to be forgiven and for death to be done away with.

Moses and Aaron were guiding Israel through the wilderness. God had told moses and Aaron to strike the rocks with his staff and he would provide water for the people and the animals. Aaron and moses did do as God told them to do but instead of glorifying God and praising God’s name he chastised the people and then struck the rock. God still provided the water for Israel but they had to be disciplined to set an example to others. It resulted in God forbidding Moses and Aaron to enter into the promised land. Surely we would not want to view something little as not being important and have it cause us to have to be disciplined and we lose the future hope of the promises God has given us in his word. In all things we do and receive we should glorify and thank God first.

An error Dinah made not only cost her , her reputation but it also cost some peoples lives. Dinah used to go out and spend time with women of the land. They clearly had a negative influence on her. This caused her to associate with Sheckem a chief ten in Canaan. They eventually had sexual relations. This was something Israel was not supposed to do. They were not to marry or have children with people of the land. Dinah’s brothers got angry because they felt it disgraced Israel. This led to them killing many people and doing other things they should not have done. This brought the anger of many nations towards them so Jacob had to move his family.

What seems like a little thing can rapidly escalate into a very big thing and not only cause problems in our own lives and could even result in death. It could result in harm to others and us losing protection from Jehovah at a time that we need it most. This system is rapidly winding down. We need to be more cautious now then we ever where. It is the little things that can help Satan get his foot in the door and get us to lose our protection from God and possibly our lives. We can avoid things like this by not even paying attention to something that may draw us away from God or get us to put our confidence in ourselves. It is when we are most confident about our spiritual strengths we are most vulnerable. By being aware of our short comings we can avoid situations that may get us to fall short and lose favor with God and even worse lose his protection. Job stated he made a covenant with his eyes. When it comes to sexual immorality Jesus cautioned if a man even looks at a woman to have passion in their heart has already committed adultery. Jesus referred to our eyes as the lamp of the body. (Matthew 6:22, 23) ²² “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright. ²³ But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is!) We are in the last days, anxieties are gong to continue to get worse, some may experience loneliness because of the hatred and anger that is rampant. Some may fall on hard times financially. These things could draw us away from Gods word . We may start leaning less on God’s word and on letting it guide us. There are many traps out there and it could not only draw us away from God it could even cost us our lives. If we do escape it could cause us a lot of pain in our lives. We are living in a time when it is difficult to maintain health because of all the toxic medicine, pharmaceutical products, processed foods, GMOs, and the farm chemicals they put on them. There are many toxins in the environment. Stress is already severe now days. If we walk of the path and are led astray we will only bring more stress on ourselves and this will negatively effect our health even more. By protecting our spiritual health we are also protecting our physical health.

The new system is almost here. Better times are very very near we just need to hang on a little longer. Very soon there will be no more illness, violence , sadness or death. Many will walk through the great tribulation into the new system and get to see these things have been done away with. Not only that but if we are one of the ones who walk through the great tribulation we will get to see the loved ones that we lost in death who will be resurrected. Imagine what it will be like living in a world where no one gets sick, no one dies, no one commits acts of violence against another and we no longer have to worry about our belonging being taken from us. So now more then ever we need to walk not only as the wise do but we need to avoid walking with the spiritually stupid one so they do not get us to veer our eyes from the path Jesus showed us to take. By knowing God’s love and the love of Jesus and knowing we can trust them no matter what it gives us hope in the future promises given to us in the bible.

(Ephesians 5:15-20) ¹⁵ So keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, ¹⁶ making the best use of your time, because the days are wicked. ¹⁷ On this account stop being unreasonable, but keep perceiving what the will of Jehovah is. ¹⁸ Also, do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but keep getting filled with spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, praises to God, and spiritual songs, singing and accompanying yourselves with music in your hearts to Jehovah, ²⁰ always giving thanks to our God and Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 John 4:1-3) 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you know that the inspired statement is from God: Every inspired statement that acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God. ³ But every inspired statement that does not acknowledge Jesus does not originate with God. Furthermore, this is the antichrist’s inspired statement that you have heard was coming, and now it is already in the world.

(2 Corinthians 11:12-15) ¹² But what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to eliminate the pretext of those who are wanting a basis for being found equal to us in the things about which they boast. ¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works.

(Hebrews 4:11-13) ¹¹ Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall into the same pattern of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And there is not a creation that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we must give an account.

(James 1:22-25) ²² However, become doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is. ²⁵ But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.

(Proverbs 9:13-18) ¹³ A stupid woman is loud. She is ignorant and knows absolutely nothing. ¹⁴ She sits at the entrance of her house On a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ Calling out to those passing by, To those walking straight ahead on their way: ¹⁶ “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.” She says to those lacking good sense: ¹⁷ “Stolen waters are sweet, And food eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that those powerless in death are there, That her guests are in the depths of the Grave.

(Psalm 10:4-6)  ⁴ In his haughtiness, the wicked man makes no investigation; All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”  ⁵ His ways keep prospering, But your judgments are beyond his understanding; He scoffs at all his adversaries.  ⁶ He says in his heart: “I will never be shaken; For generation after generation I will never see calamity.”

(Numbers 20:10) Then Moses and Aaron called the congregation together before the crag, and he said to them: “Hear, now, you rebels! Must we bring out water for you from this crag?”

(Numbers 20:12) Jehovah later said to Moses and Aaron: “Because you did not show faith in me and sanctify me before the eyes of the people of Israel, you will not bring this congregation into the land that I will give them.”

(Proverbs 12:1) 12 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, But the one who hates reproof is unreasoning.

(1 Samuel 16:14-17) ¹⁴ Now the spirit of Jehovah had departed from Saul, and a bad spirit from Jehovah terrorized him. ¹⁵ The servants of Saul said to him: “You see that a bad spirit from God is terrorizing you. ¹⁶ Let our lord, please, command your servants before you to look for a man who is skilled at playing the harp. Whenever a bad spirit from God comes upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.” ¹⁷ So Saul said to his servants: “Find me, please, a man who plays well, and bring him to me.”

(Matthew 4:1-7) 4 Then Jesus was led by the spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. ² After he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he felt hungry. ³ And the Tempter approached and said to him: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered: “It is written: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s mouth.’” ⁵ Then the Devil took him along into the holy city, and he stationed him on the battlement of the temple ⁶ and said to him: “If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will give his angels a command concerning you,’ and, ‘They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’” ⁷ Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’”

(Genesis 34:1-4) 34 Now Diʹnah, Jacob’s daughter by Leʹah, used to go out to spend time with the young women of the land. ² When Sheʹchem, the son of Haʹmor the Hiʹvite, a chieftain of the land, saw her, he took her and lay down with her and violated her. ³ And he became very attached to Diʹnah, the daughter of Jacob, and he fell in love with the young woman and spoke persuasively to her. ⁴ Finally Sheʹchem said to Haʹmor his father: “Get me this young woman to be my wife.”

(Genesis 34:5-7) ⁵ When Jacob heard that he had defiled Diʹnah his daughter, his sons were with his herd in the field. So Jacob kept silent until they returned. ⁶ Later Haʹmor, Sheʹchem’s father, went out to speak with Jacob. ⁷ But the sons of Jacob heard about it and returned from the field right away. They were offended and very angry because he had disgraced Israel by lying down with Jacob’s daughter, something that should not be done.

(Genesis 34:25-29) ²⁵ However, on the third day, when they were still in pain, two sons of Jacob, Simʹe·on and Leʹvi, Diʹnah’s brothers, each took his sword and went into the unsuspecting city and killed every male. ²⁶ They killed Haʹmor and his son Sheʹchem with the sword and then took Diʹnah from Sheʹchem’s house and left. ²⁷ Jacob’s other sons came upon the slain men and plundered the city because they had defiled their sister. ²⁸ They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field. ²⁹ They also took all their possessions, captured all their little children and their wives, and plundered everything in the houses.

(Genesis 34:30-35:1) ³⁰ At this Jacob said to Simʹe·on and to Leʹvi: “You have brought great trouble on me in making me a stench to the inhabitants of the land, to the Caʹnaan·ites and the Perʹiz·zites. I am few in number, and they will certainly gather together to attack me and I will be annihilated, I and my house.” ³¹ But they said: “Should anyone treat our sister like a prostitute?” 35 After that God said to Jacob: “Rise, go up to Bethʹel and dwell there, and make an altar there to the true God, who appeared to you when you were running away from Eʹsau your brother.”

(Matthew 5:27, 28) ²⁷ “You heard that it was said: ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

(Mark 7:21-23) ²¹ For from inside, out of the heart of men, come injurious reasonings: sexual immorality, thefts, murders, ²² acts of adultery, greed, acts of wickedness, deceit, brazen conduct, an envious eye, blasphemy, haughtiness, and unreasonableness. ²³ All these wicked things come from within and defile a man.”

(Matthew 6:22, 23) ²² “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright. ²³ But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is!

(Proverbs 4:25) ²⁵ Your eyes should look straight ahead, Yes, fix your gaze straight ahead of you.

(Proverbs 3:5-8)  ⁵ Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding.  ⁶ In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.  ⁷ Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.  ⁸ It will be a healing to your body And refreshment for your bones.

God no longer accepts ignorance of his word as an excuse.

I had someone tell me once I do not study the bible because if I don’t know it God will not hold me accountable. This isn’t true. There are many times in the bible God chose to hold those who willfully chose to be ignorant of his laws and would pick and choose what they wanted to believe accountable. Israel had been punished for that very thing. By picking and choosing what they wanted to believe they corrupted his word and smeared God’s good name. We should not assume someone is choosing to have an inaccurate knowledge of God or they choose to be ignorant. We also have to consider are we skipping scriptures because they may cause us discomfort? If they do we should ask ourselves why this is occurring and research the scriptures much more deeply. We need to be careful we are not holding on to a belief that is not a bible teaching. God’s own people got angry at his prophets and even killed some of them because they warned Israel they were not worshiping in truth. So we should be careful if someone delivers a message we may not like and we should carefully weight why they delivered the message and meditate on it. Because God has sent messengers out world wide who were very willing to teach people his word if they do not take in knowledge of him and Jesus for the most part it is most likely willful but there are still sheep out there desiring to know God and Jesus better. So not all are choosing to be willfully ignorant. If there were no sheep left to be found this system of things would have ended by now. So we still have work to do in finding those sheep and helping them to learn about the one true God. God not longer accepts ignorance as an excuse because Jesus clarified everything.

When Jesus was being temped, all he had to do was one act of worship to Satan, but Satan could not trick or deceive Jesus into doing an act of worship because Jesus had written God’s word on his heart and it guided all he did. So we need to seek our answers in God’s word and we should not lean on our own understanding.

God tolerated some of Israels disobedience caused by their ignorance in the past but Jesus clarified many matters when he was on earth in human form so God no longer tolerates ignorance especially willful ignorance. We cannot pick or choose what we want to believe.

Very soon all this will be gone and all we will have is our faith and our relationship with God to get us through the times that are coming. If we do not worship him with our whole heart and our whole soul then how will we make it through what is coming. There will not be wealth , and material possessions will not be able to provide the many things those who are faithful will need. Much of that will be gone. The bible even states they will throw the gold and silver in the streets indicating how worthless it will become.

Because many will be deceived they can be easily blinded and many who believe they are worshiping God in the way he would require will be blinded about the times we are in and even scoff at the mention of it. The one act of worship is all it takes for them to be blinded and be led off into destruction. We have to keep in mind that Satan and his people can appear as angels of light so some may have learned from the m and accept those teaching and because they do not research deeper they could be teaching teachings of man or teaching of demons and not realize it. We have to keep in mind this is a spiritual war and we are all involved and some will win by receiving Gods favor and some will be destroyed. So our lives depend on worshiping God in truth.

Some may have been taught things all their lives, maybe by family or at a very early age by someone they trusted. These things become deeply entrenched. So we should not judge if someone holds a belief that isn’t a bible teaching. We have to keep in mind Satan knows God’s word also and quoted it to Jesus when he tried to temp him. Those who hold onto beliefs that are not what the bible teaches may have had years of the scriptures being used in a misleading way so these beliefs may be deeply set in. If we see someone believes something that the bible does not teach we should hear them out. This gives us a better understanding of what they are feeling and what they are thinking so we can respond more effectively. When we notice someone has something deeply entrenched , they often times know their scriptures well but do not have a clear understanding. It isn’t necessary to flood a person with scriptures to show them what the true meaning is or what God wants us to believe. Jesus talked to them got to see what their understanding of the bible was. Then he used questions based on what he learned from talking to them to get them think deeper and more clearly. One of Satan’s biggest weapons was using the religious figures in Jesus day to get people to question what Jesus taught. We can be certain anything we teach someone Satan will send a messenger to undo what they have been taught. God knows their hearts and if they love God then Satan’s weapons will not work they will slowly take in and learn God’s word in truth. We are not fighting a battle with the person this is a spiritual battle and God’s world should not be used to beat someone but to get them to think and reason.

I will give an example of one belief that is deeply entrenched and knowledge a person may have but they have not meditated on those scriptures more deeply because of deeply entrenched beliefs. For example many believe Jesus is God. Jesus himself never equated himself to God and the bible even said we have to confess Jesus is God’s son. How can we state Jesus is God when that contradicts what the bible tells us to believe? Jesus even stated he did nothing on his own authority but he did the things God had instructed him to do. Also we are told after Jesus does the work God has given him to do when he seated him on the heavenly throne, Jesus will hand the kingdom back to God. If we get to know the person and understand what scriptures they have knowledge of we may be able to ask a question that would get them to think on those scriptures and it may help remove the things that are much more deeply entrenched. If we flood them with many scriptures we would seemingly be attacking them and they may have fond memories of the one who taught them those things. So we could be attacking a big part of their life. There are those who will still refuse to accept God’s word in truth. We know this because those ones killed Jesus because the things he said hurt their hearts. Once we share God’s world with someone it is between them and God. We need to learn from Jesus and try our best to imitate him in how we respond to others when we share his world with them. God knows his sheep and the bible tells us it is God who calls them sheep to Jesus.

For those who may be just learning God’s word, as you read it meditate on it considering God’s qualities and Jesus qualities and think would this be in agreement with the rest of God’s word. Is this something God would require, what does God require. How can I better imitate God and Jesus. How can I please God? How do I respond to a scripture that may not be stating what I have been taught? When I realize I have a belief that is not in agreement with God’s word or what God requires am I working to overcome that?

Things are winding down very quickly now. We need to draw close to God and to his only begotten son Jesus now more then ever.

(Acts 17:29-31) ²⁹ “Therefore, since we are the children of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and design of humans. ³⁰ True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance; but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. ³¹ Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.. . .

(Matthew 4:8-11) ⁸ Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” ¹¹ Then the Devil left him, and look! angels came and began to minister to him.

(Job 21:14, 15) ¹⁴ But they say to the true God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. ¹⁵ Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by being acquainted with him?’

(Zechariah 7:11, 12) ¹¹ But they kept refusing to pay attention, and they stubbornly turned their backs, and they stopped up their ears so as not to hear. ¹² They made their heart like a diamond and would not obey the law and the words that Jehovah of armies sent by his spirit through the former prophets. So there came great indignation from Jehovah of armies.”

(Matthew 13:14-17) . . .. ¹⁵ For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them.’ ¹⁶ “However, happy are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things you are observing but did not see them, and to hear the things you are hearing but did not hear them.

(Romans 1:28-32) ²⁸ Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting. ²⁹ And they were filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, being whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, schemers of what is harmful, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, and merciless. ³² Although these know full well the righteous decree of God—that those practicing such things are deserving of death—they not only keep on doing them but also approve of those practicing them.

(1 Timothy 6:2-8) . . .Keep on teaching these things and giving these exhortations. ³ If any man teaches another doctrine and does not agree with the wholesome instruction, which is from our Lord Jesus Christ, nor with the teaching that is in harmony with godly devotion, ⁴ he is puffed up with pride and does not understand anything. He is obsessed with arguments and debates about words. These things give rise to envy, strife, slander, wicked suspicions, ⁵ constant disputes about minor matters by men who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, thinking that godly devotion is a means of gain. ⁶ To be sure, there is great gain in godly devotion along with contentment. ⁷ For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. ⁸ So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.

(2 Peter 3:2-7) . . .. ³ First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires ⁴ and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.” ⁵ For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.

(2 Corinthians 11:12-15) ¹² But what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to eliminate the pretext of those who are wanting a basis for being found equal to us in the things about which they boast. ¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works.

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. ³ They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over it.

(2 Corinthians 4:2-4) . . .. ³ If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.

(Matthew 15:6-9) . . .. ⁷ You hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about you when he said: ⁸ ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. ⁹ It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’. . .

(2 Corinthians 10:3-6) ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. ⁵ For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ; ⁶ and we are prepared to inflict punishment for every disobedience, as soon as your own obedience is complete.

(Luke 10:25-28) ²⁵ Now look! a man versed in the Law stood up to test him and said: “Teacher, what do I need to do to inherit everlasting life?” ²⁶ He said to him: “What is written in the Law? How do you read?” ²⁷ In answer he said: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole strength and with your whole mind’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” ²⁸ He said to him: “You answered correctly; keep doing this and you will get life.”

What does the bible say about tattoos?

Written by Lee Stevenson , sorry I am a lousy editor.

What does the bible say about tattoos, every decision we make effects our relationship with God and Jesus.

A tattoo is a mark or design in the skin made but cutting the skin to produce scars or by inserting coloring matter under the skin.

God forbid Israel from making such marks on their bodies. We are to set ourselves apart from others. We are to honor God and no one else. Often times tatoos where used to show you belonged to a person, another God or they sometimes were used to honor the dead. We are not to be molded by this system or comform to it.

In some areas of the world it may be a tradition to get tattoo at certain times. We are warned by Jesus not to get involved in traditions not approved by God.

We are to imitate Jesus, God’s only begotten son. Do you think Jesus would have gotten a tatoo? The apostles refused to conform to the world and it’s customs and traditions.

Some may get tatoos to be showy which is something else we are not supposed to do. We are told that behavior does not originate with God. The bible tells us to be moderate in the way we dress. The bible tells us to do all things for Gods glory.

Maybe some may get a picture of something in God’s creations that they enjoy. We have to becareful paying more honor to creation then we do God’s. Israel many times went down that path and had to be corrected by Jehovah because they started honoring the creation instead of the creator.

We are not to have idols. If we put the name of someone on our bodies are we not doing and act of idolatry. We could be committing spiritual prostitution if we are not careful. Giving honor or worship to anyone other then God would be idolatry.

Tattoos are life altering and more for show then anything. Do you think God would want us to be showy? Tattoos are usually for life because the procedures for removing them are expensive and can be painful. It would be best to seek God’s wisdom before making any decision that could effect the rest of your life especially things pertaining to the body. We need to be very careful about the decisions we make. The bible warns us not to be molded by this system of things but to continually renew our minds with the bible truths so we can better discern what the will of God is. The bible tells us to separate ourselves from the world. We know the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one so many fads and other things people do could be influenced by Satan.

As for me and my personal choice. I usually was not one to give in to peer pressure or fads , so before I knew God as well as I do now I had decided I would not get any tattoos. Part of this was because many I knew who had tattoos regretted it. Also once you get tired of looking at the same piece of art if it is hanging on your wall you could remove it and replace it. I had realized I most likely would have gotten tired of any tattoos I may have gotten and they would not have been so easy to remove and replace.

Most tattoos I have seen of plants trees or anything else could not match the beauty of seeing the real thing. Also flowers and plants in nature are constantly changing and because of that it never gets old looking at them. I just could not see how a tattoo could bring me the joy seeing the real thing would have. I always felt that tattoos were a fad and those who got involved in fads were being controlled or manipulated so I never felt comfortable with any fad.

I did not friend many people who had tattoos because I believed the were easily swayed or manipulated. The friends I had who did have tattoos were good friends but did try to get my to get tattoos. I did not want them so I did not cave in to their pressure.

(Leviticus 19:28) ²⁸ “‘You must not make cuts in your flesh for a dead person, and you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah.

(Deuteronomy 14:1, 2) 14 “You are sons of Jehovah your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads bald for a dead person. ² For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God, and Jehovah has chosen you to become his people, his special property, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. . .

(Leviticus 20:26) You must be holy to me, because I, Jehovah, am holy, and I am setting you apart from the peoples to become mine.

(Psalm 100:3) ³ Know that Jehovah is God. He is the one who made us, and we belong to him. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

(Romans 12:1, 2) 12 Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. ² And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Mark 7:1-8) 7 Now the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him. ² And they saw some of his disciples eat their meal with defiled hands, that is, unwashed ones. ³ (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands up to the elbow, clinging to the tradition of the men of former times, ⁴ and when they come from the market, they do not eat unless they wash themselves. There are many other traditions that they have received and cling to, such as baptisms of cups, pitchers, and copper vessels.) ⁵ So these Pharisees and scribes asked him: “Why do your disciples not observe the tradition of the men of former times, but they eat their meal with defiled hands?” ⁶ He said to them: “Isaiah aptly prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. ⁷ It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’ ⁸ You let go of the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men.. . .

(Isaiah 29:13) ¹³ Jehovah says: “This people approach me with their mouth And they honor me with their lips, But their heart is far removed from me; And their fear of me is based on commands of men that they have been taught.

(Titus 2:1, 2) 2 You, however, keep on speaking what is consistent with wholesome teaching. ² Let the older men be moderate in habits, serious, sound in mind, healthy in faith, in love, in endurance.

(Mark 7:9-12) ⁹ Further, he said to them: “You skillfully disregard the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. ¹⁰ For example, Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Let the one who speaks abusively of his father or mother be put to death.’ ¹¹ But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother: “Whatever I have that could benefit you is corban (that is, a gift dedicated to God),”’ ¹² you no longer let him do a single thing for his father or his mother.

(2 Thessalonians 3:6-8) ⁶ Now we are giving you instructions, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother who is walking disorderly and not according to the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you should imitate us, because we did not behave in a disorderly way among you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food free. On the contrary, by labor and toil we were working night and day so as not to impose an expensive burden on any one of you.

(1 John 2:15-17) ¹⁵ Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; ¹⁶ because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. ¹⁷ Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(1 Timothy 2:8-10) ⁸ So I desire that in every place the men carry on prayer, lifting up loyal hands, without anger and debates. ⁹ Likewise, the women should adorn themselves in appropriate dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive clothing, ¹⁰ but in the way that is proper for women professing devotion to God, namely, through good works.

(1 Corinthians 10:31-33) ³¹ Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. ³² Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, ³³ just as I am trying to please all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, so that they may be saved.

(Romans 1:19-23) . . .. ²⁰ For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings and their senseless hearts became darkened. ²² Although claiming they were wise, they became foolish ²³ and turned the glory of the incorruptible God into something like the image of corruptible man and birds and four-footed creatures and reptiles.

(Acts 14:14, 15) ¹⁴ However, when the apostles Barʹna·bas and Paul heard of it, they ripped their garments and leaped out into the crowd and cried out: ¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are humans having the same infirmities as you have. And we are declaring the good news to you, for you to turn from these vain things to the living God,. . .

(Isaiah 42:8)  ⁸ I am Jehovah. That is my name; I give my glory to no one else, Nor my praise to graven images.

(Exodus 34:13-16) . . .. ¹⁴ You must not bow down to another god, for Jehovah is known for requiring exclusive devotion. Yes, he is a God who requires exclusive devotion. ¹⁵ Be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, because when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, someone will invite you and you will eat from his sacrifice. ¹⁶ Then you will surely take some of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to prostitute themselves to their gods.

(Proverbs 4:5, 6) ⁵ Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding. Do not forget, and do not turn aside from what I say.  ⁶ Do not forsake it, and it will protect you. Love it, and it will safeguard you.

(Romans 12:1, 2) . . .. ² And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Proverbs 15:14) ¹⁴ The understanding heart seeks knowledge, But the mouth of the stupid feeds on foolishness.

(2 Corinthians 6:16-18) ¹⁶ And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” ¹⁸ “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty. . .

(1 John 5:18, 19) . . .. ¹⁹ We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one. . .

The results of putting our faith in man.

Written by Lee Stevenson

All God made was good. Satan led Adam and Eve to believe they did not need God and that they could be just like him. We have had a very long time to prove that lie to be false. We have tried every form of government and man is only making things worse. They had no reason to mistrust God because he put them in the Garden of Eden and told them to make the whole earth like the garden and to fill it with man. The word used for the garden is similar in meaning to the word used for amusement park in our times.

We can see man is still making bad decisions and believe they can do better then God. Man has put their faith in themselves and other humans. Putting our faith in man has proven to be a very bad decision. Adam and Eve started this by putting their faith in themselves and now we are seeing the end results of man putting their faith in man.

We have the example of GMO foods they genetically altered foods and it has been found to have a serious negative impact on the environment those who eat them including the animals. GMOs have cause the increased use of farm chemicals and they have brought many species of pollinators to extinction and many others are near extinction.

Then we have vaccines. Man decides the immune system God created was not good enough so they decided to introduce vaccines. This has caused many diseases to become more virulent and because of the damage they do to the body most are not on medications to reduce the symptoms from the damage vaccines have caused while being lied to told the things they are suffering from are genetic. Chronic illness especially autoimmunity and cancer are rampant now and people seem clueless what is happening to them and their families.

Some are waking up and realizing what is happening but it is too late because most governments are now forcing these things on people. It has gotten so bad that they almost got a bill passed in the U.S. that would have pretty much made organic foods illegal to buy and grow.

The governments are easily corrupted , those who do have good intentions are easily deceived. The corruption is so bad no one human could solve it they are far out numbered. As time goes on man is becoming more and more sinful and corrupted and we are seeing the end results. Even if one human did make a difference they would die and all they did would most likely be undone and forgotten.

God does not die, has unlimited power, there is no one wiser and he is going to fix this mess very soon and do away with those who are ignoring the fact that this system is at it’s end. Those ruining the earth will soon be destroyed.

(Genesis 1:31) ³¹ After that God saw everything he had made, and look! it was very good. . .

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) . . .attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. ³ They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over it.

(Genesis 3:1-6) 3 Now the serpent was the most cautious of all the wild animals of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it said to the woman: “Did God really say that you must not eat from every tree of the garden?” ² At this the woman said to the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. ³ But God has said about the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden: ‘You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it; otherwise you will die.’” ⁴ At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. ⁵ For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” ⁶ Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it.

(Genesis 2:15-22) ¹⁵ Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eʹden to cultivate it and to take care of it. ¹⁶ Jehovah God also gave this command to the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. ¹⁷ But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.” ¹⁸ Then Jehovah God said: “It is not good for the man to continue to be alone. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him.” ¹⁹ Now Jehovah God had been forming from the ground every wild animal of the field and every flying creature of the heavens, and he began bringing them to the man to see what he would call each one; and whatever the man would call each living creature, that became its name. ²⁰ So the man named all the domestic animals and the flying creatures of the heavens and every wild animal of the field, but for man there was no helper as a complement of him. ²¹ So Jehovah God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and then closed up the flesh over its place. ²² And Jehovah God built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman, and he brought her to the man. . .

(Revelation 11:18) ¹⁸ But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.. . .

When does God consider a baby a living human life?

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

God is over everyone and everything. There is no authority above God’s. We know we are to obey the laws of our nation but we are to obey God’s above mans. Man permits abortion but we should consider how God would feel concerning the matter and what his thoughts are on the value of a baby and at what point the child is considered a living human.

It is very clear God considers a child to be a living human from the time it is conceived.

Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

Psalm 139: 13 For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in ithe depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Jeremian 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

The bible teaches us we are born imperfect and will sin. Adam and Eve brought sin on us when they rebelled in the garden of Eden. If the child was not a human until it was born then it could not have imperfections as mentioned in Psalm 51.

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.

Since the child is considered a life from the time of conception we are not to harm the child. The command not to kill would apply to a baby from the time of conception also.

Amos 1:15

“This is what the LORD says: “The people of Ammon have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! When they attacked Gilead to extend their borders, they ripped open pregnant women with their swords.”

Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

Matthew 19:18 Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’

Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that a4e swift in running to mischief,

We are to appreciate children they are a gift form God.

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward”

Rape has occurred in the bible and it used to be punishable by death. But the victim was not to be punished for she did not commit the sin. You can read about an occurrence of rape mentioned in Samuel 13. The incidence mentioned in Samuel was a case of rape and incest. Genesis 19 also mentions children being born out of incest. They did not harm the children.

Deuteronomy 22:25-27 if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.  But you shall do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no offense punishable by death. For this case is like that of a man attacking and murdering his neighbor,  because he met her in the open country, and though the betrothed young woman cried for help there was no one to rescue her.

Those willfully committing incest were to be disfellowshipped. We are not to associate with them until they repent and do not commit the sin again.

1Coringthians 1:5 5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 27:22 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

We have to keep in mind the child that may be conceived is innocent and in part is a victim also because the father will most likely not be a part of the child’s life. If a person does not want to keep a child then adopting the child out would be a better option rather then ending the child’s life. The child does not carry and should not carry the guilt of the father.

Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.”

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.

Ezekial 18:20 “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son… the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” –God

Those who have caused the death of a child can be forgiven if they repent. Jesus was a ransom sacrifice for repentant sinners.

Collosians 1:9  And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:  bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks4 to the Father, who has qualified you5 to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

How can someone put God to the test?

Written By Lee Stevenson

 

This was inspired by something someone said to me. They were eating foods that are known to cause chronic illness. They said that they could eat what they wanted because God would protect them. Jesus would not willfully put himself in harms way to test God and we should follow his example. By willfully putting ourselves in harms way then we are testing God which is something we are told not to do.

Why would Jesus not test God? What harm would it do? Why our trials and tribulation should not cause us to put Jehovah to the test.

As you read the scriptures you will see two examples of how Israel tested God. They tried tempting him and they also lacked faith and constantly ask for proof that he could do as he promised. It also includes whether we believe God’s word is true or not. Jesus had no doubt about the truth of God’s word and quoted it to show Satan the Devil that he did not doubt what Jehovah could do and did not doubt Jehovah’s word.

(Matthew 4:5-7) 5 Then the Devil took him along into the holy city, and he stationed him on the battlement of the temple 6 and said to him: “If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will give his angels a command concerning you,’ and, ‘They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’”

Testing God is a sin, it is saying we do not believe him and that we do not have faith that he can or will save us and fulfill his promises.

(Psalm 78:16-22) 16 He brought streams out of a crag And caused waters to flow down like rivers. 17 But they continued to sin against him By rebelling against the Most High in the desert; 18 They challenged God in their heart By demanding food that they craved. 19 So they spoke against God, Saying: “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?” 20 Look! He struck a rock So that waters flowed and streams flooded out. “Can he also give us bread, Or can he provide meat for his people?” 21 When Jehovah heard them, he became furious; A fire blazed against Jacob, And his anger flared up against Israel 22 Because they did not put faith in God; They did not trust in his ability to save them. . .

Many in Israel seen Jehovah’s miracles first hand and still lacked faith. It was their sins and vanity that caused their lack of faith. This often times resulted in Jehovah having to destroy them because they were spreading their sinful nature and causing others to lose faith.

(Numbers 14:20-24) 20 Then Jehovah said: “I forgive them according to your word. 21 But on the other hand, as surely as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of Jehovah. 22 However, not one of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness and yet have kept testing me these ten times and have not listened to my voice 23 will ever see the land about which I swore to their fathers. No, not one of those treating me without respect will see it. 24 But because my servant Caʹleb had a different spirit and kept following after me wholeheartedly, I will certainly bring him into the land where he went, and his offspring will take possession of it.

(Psalm 106:14-18) 14 They gave way to their selfish desires in the wilderness; They tested God in the desert. 15 He gave them what they requested, But then struck them with disease that made them waste away. 16 In the camp they grew jealous of Moses And of Aaron, the holy one of Jehovah. 17 The earth then opened up and swallowed Daʹthan And covered those assembled with A·biʹram. 18 A fire blazed among their group; A flame consumed the wicked.

These things happened as an example to teach us not to listen to murmurers who are causing division or causing us to lose faith. Those who listened would continually put Jehovah to the test. We need to be like A’haz he refused to put Jehovah to the test.

(1 Corinthians 10:8-11) . . .. 9 Neither let us put Jehovah to the test, as some of them put him to the test, only to perish by the serpents. 10 Neither be murmurers, as some of them murmured, only to perish by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come.

A’haz’s faith was very strong , he refused to put Jehovah to the test even though there were very fearful things happening. We are going to experience very fearful things very soon but we must stay strong and just as A’haz refused to put Jehovah to the test he held tight to his trust in Jehovah’s ability to save those remaining loyal and obedient to Jehovah.

(Isaiah 7:3-12) 3 Jehovah then said to Isaiah: “Go out, please, to meet Aʹhaz, you and your son Sheʹar-jaʹshub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool by the highway of the laundryman’s field. 4 You must say to him, ‘Take care to stay calm. Do not be afraid, and do not lose heart because of these two stumps of smoldering logs, because of the hot anger of Reʹzin and Syria and the son of Rem·a·liʹah. 5 For Syria with Eʹphra·im and the son of Rem·a·liʹah have plotted harm against you, saying: 6 “Let us go up against Judah and tear it apart and conquer it for ourselves, and let us appoint the son of Tabʹe·el as its king.”  7 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “It will not succeed, Nor will it take place.  8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, And the head of Damascus is Reʹzin. Within just 65 years Eʹphra·im will be completely shattered and cease to be a people.  9 The head of Eʹphra·im is Sa·marʹi·a, And the head of Sa·marʹi·a is the son of Rem·a·liʹah. Unless you have firm faith, You will not be firmly established.”’” 10 Jehovah continued speaking to Aʹhaz: 11 “Ask for a sign from Jehovah your God; it may be as deep as the Grave or as high as the sky.” 12 But Aʹhaz said: “I will not ask, nor will I put Jehovah to the test.”

Through our tribulation God is teaching us , building our endurance and helping us to endure things most could not dream of enduring and surviving. Those who tested Jehovah in the past left their imperfections guide their actions. We have Jehovah’s word to guide us and now more then ever it is very important to write it on our hearts because very soon it will be taken from us and all we will have left of his word is what we have written on our hearts. We know it is his word that is going to carry us through all this.

(1 Peter 5:6-11) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, 7 while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. 9 But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. 10 But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. 11 To him be the might forever. Amen.

(James 1:12-15) 12 Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving Him. 13 When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. 14 But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.

We are not promised it will be easy but because we know God can and will save his loyal ones we have a peace that will help us endure many types of trials and tribulation.

(Philippians 4:4-7) 4 Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say, Rejoice! 5 Let your reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.

Jesus stated the student is no better then the teacher. The world and the wicked one hated him and it will hate those who faithfully follow Jehovah and submit to the authority given his only begotten son Jesus. So one who worships faithfully in truth will be treated no better then our teacher and king Jesus Christ. It does not mean you fell out of favor if you are suffering or if you are being attacked though many who false reason believe that to be so.

(1 Peter 4:12-14) 12 Beloved ones, do not be surprised about the fiery trials that you are experiencing, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 On the contrary, go on rejoicing over the extent to which you are sharers in the sufferings of the Christ, so that you may rejoice and be overjoyed also during the revelation of his glory. 14 If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, yes, the spirit of God, is resting upon you.

(2 Timothy 3:11-13) . . .I endured these persecutions, and the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted. 13 But wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled. . .

When we suffer trials it exposes our weaknesses so we can work on them and become spiritually stronger and wiser.

(Deuteronomy 8:1-5) . . .. 2 Remember the long road that Jehovah your God made you walk these 40 years in the wilderness, to humble you and to put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 So he humbled you and let you go hungry and fed you with the manna, which neither you had known nor your fathers had known, in order to make you know that man does not live by bread alone but man lives by every expression from Jehovah’s mouth. 4 The clothing you wore did not wear out, nor did your feet become swollen these 40 years. 5 You well know in your heart that just as a man corrects his son, Jehovah your God was correcting you.

(James 1:2-8) 2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, 3 knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. 4 But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. 5 So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 7 In fact, that man should not expect to receive anything from Jehovah; 8 he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.

For those who like videos here is a wonderful video on examples of when others have put Jehovah to the test.

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/videos/respect-jehovahs-authority/#?insight%5Bsearch_id%5D=bcef40fa-582c-4593-a3c6-d9eb88af008a&insight%5Bsearch_result_index%5D=10

Have you drawn close to God for nothing?

It may seem like God has forgotten those of us who are trying our best to be obedient. It seems those who do not care, who will not help the down trodden and who do many bad things live in peace and comfort. We have to keep in mind God is listening and taking note. We may even question why we have done our best to cleanse ourselves and obey God.

(Psalm 73:3-13)  ³ For I became envious of the boasters, [When] I would see the very peace of wicked people.  ⁴ For they have no deathly pangs; And their paunch is fat.  ⁵ They are not even in the trouble of mortal man, And they are not plagued the same as other men.  ⁶ Therefore haughtiness has served as a necklace to them; Violence envelops them as a garment.  ⁷ Their eye has bulged from fatness; They have exceeded the imaginations of the heart.  ⁸ They scoff and speak about what is bad; About defrauding they speak in an elevated style.  ⁹ They have put their mouth in the very heavens, And their tongue itself walks about in the earth. ¹⁰ Therefore he brings his people back hither, And the waters of what is full are drained out for them. ¹¹ And they have said: “How has God come to know? And does there exist knowledge in the Most High?” ¹² Look! These are the wicked, who are at ease indefinitely. They have increased [their] means of maintenance. ¹³ Surely it is in vain that I have cleansed my heart And that I wash my hands in innocence itself.

Many have felt this way. God does take note of who is obedient and who is not. This system is temporary but the new system is forever. Those written in the book of remembrance will be rewarded by God and it will be an eternal reward.

(Malachi 3:14-16) ¹⁴ “YOU have said, ‘It is of no value to serve God. And what profit is there in that we have kept the obligation to him, and that we have walked dejectedly on account of Jehovah of armies? ¹⁵ And at present we are pronouncing presumptuous people happy. Also, the doers of wickedness have been built up. Also, they have tested God out and keep getting away.’” ¹⁶ At that time those in fear of Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance began to be written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and for those thinking upon his name. . .

Those who have washed their outer garments and acknowledged the one true God will not be blotted out of his book.

(Revelation 3:4, 5) . . .. ⁵ He that conquers will thus be arrayed in white outer garments; and I will by no means blot out his name from the book of life, but I will make acknowledgment of his name before my Father and before his angels. . .

(Philippians 4:2, 3) . . .. ³ Yes, I request you too, genuine yokefellow, keep assisting these [women] who have striven side by side with me in the good news along with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

During the resurrection those who have done bad and thought it went unnoticed will receive their reward which is the lake of fire and those who were obedient will be rewarded with eternal life.

(John 5:28, 29) ²⁸ Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. . .

(Revelation 20:11-15) . . .. ¹² And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Ha′des gave up those dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds. ¹⁴ And death and Ha′des were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire.

We know we are in the last days. The time is very near for scoffers who follow their own sinful desires to be done away with. We need to stay strong we only have a little longer it is a sign salvation is near.

(2 Peter 3:2-7) . . .. ³ For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires ⁴ and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.” ⁵ For, according to their wish, this fact escapes their notice, that there were heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and by those [means] the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men. . .

 

We are to lift our heads because it means deliverance is near.

(Luke 21:25-28) ²⁵ “Also, there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and [its] agitation, ²⁶ while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift YOUR heads up, because YOUR deliverance is getting near.”

Blog Navigation Page.

I am putting this page on here to help people navigate. It is a little difficult to organize things on here so I figured this would make it much easier. I am going to put the links to all my articles from health to spiritual. If you need to translate anything to your language or another language this is information on how to do that. https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/about/translate-to-your-language/

Also if you want to display scriptures that are on web pages this article will discuss that.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/10/28/how-to-display-scriptures-that-are-on-web-pages/

        These Links Are For Health And Illness

I wrote this because this is the advise that others gave me when I first found out I had Lyme. It is very scary and they helped me deal with all the issues that are involved with Lyme.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/lyme-disease-is-scarey/

This article is how to help strengthen your immune system.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/diet-to-help-support-the-immune-system/

A lot of people who are suffering from infections have heart problems, this article is about foods that can help with that.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/diet-to-help-with-pots-av-block-and-detox-issues/

A lot of people when ill will have joint and never problems, this is information that may help with that.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/nutrients-needed-for-joint-nerve-bone-and-ligament-repair/

I wrote this from asking many Lyme sufferers what their symptoms were in the order they occurred. Some of these symptoms could be from coinfections that Lyme sufferers usually have.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/most-common-symptoms-from-lyme-or-tick-born-disease/

I posted this link to another blog because this is something that is missed in a lot of Lyme Sufferers and they did a wonderful job of writing it.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/mycoplasma-the-hidden-co-infection-of-lyme/

These are herbs I used that has really been helping me in my fight with Lyme.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/herbals-i-used-in-the-fight-with-lyme/

I did this post because I noticed that there are people taking herbs that can be dangerous. I will update it once in a while.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/dangerous-or-useless-herbs/

Spiritual Articles.

This article discusses how to use your bible.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/07/19/how-to-use-your-bible/

I did this article because of the evolution teaching and how much scientific theories get taught as fact when they are only theories.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/was-man-created-or-did-we-evolve/

This articles discussed jealous and envy, and how they can affect us.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/12/20/jealousy-or-envy/

This article discusses why Jesus is the Amen.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/jesus-is-the-amen/

I always wondered why Jesus was called the only begotten son. This study answers that question.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/11/21/why-is-jesus-the-only-begotten-son/

Most people think that the earth was God’s first creation. This article discusses how that is not true.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/what-was-gods-first-creation-hint-it-wasnt-the-earth/

This article discusses sin and how to identify it.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/what-is-sin-and-some-steps-to-repenting/

This article is the continuation of what sin is and how to identify it.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/11/02/what-is-sin-this-is-the-continuation-of-a-previous-study/

This article discusses why we should study the bible.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/reasons-for-studying-the-bible/

If you are worshipping in truth then you will be persecuted , this article discusses how to identify when you are being persecuted for righteous reasons.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/persecution-why-and-who/

You may not view posting on Facebook as a spiritual issue but it can be. This article discusses that.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/how-viral-posting-on-facebook-and-blogs-can-be/

This article discusses how to identify false religion.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/07/27/apostasy-false-worship/

This article discusses how our speech can affect our standing with God.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/language-or-speech-that-offends-god/

This article discusses how you  could be worshipping Satan with out even knowing it.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/you-could-be-worshipping-satan-and-not-know-it/

This article discusses what the number 666 means.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/god-marks-his-people-satans-marked-also-666/

This article discusses what the heavenly kingdom is and exactly what it will do.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/what-is-the-heavenly-kingdom/

This article discusses why we should not fight wars and why God approved of it in the past.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/why-does-god-say-not-to-fight-wars-when-he-used-to-have-israel-fight-wars/

This article discusses what God’s name is and why we should use it.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/why-use-gods-name-jehovah/

This article discusses how we can be happy even though we are living in perilous times.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/06/08/happiness-how-can-i-be-happy/

Most religions make God seem cruel or mean. It even seems like God doesn’t care about us. Why would such a loving God permit so much suffering. This article discusses that issue.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/is-god-cruel-or-mean/

This article discusses Love so we can learn to properly identify it so we can more easily find it.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/04/23/what-is-love-how-well-is-your-knowledge-of-love/

This article discusses which bible is the most accurate.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/what-is-the-best-new-testament-colwells-rule-of-bible-translation/

This article shows that those who fear man , or fear what others think will be destroyed.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/do-you-know-those-who-fear-what-others-think-about-studying-and-sharing-the-truth-will-be-destroyed/

This article discusses how Satan is mortal just like us.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/satan-and-the-demons-are-mortal-they-will-die/

There are a lot of false teaching about death and this article discusses those false teachings.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/the-true-condition-of-the-dead/

This article discusses that there will eventually be world peace.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/no-more-warthere-will-be-peace/

The pharisees received a baptism by fire to see what it is read this article.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/03/27/baptism-by-fire/

This article ask the question how many times can someone die. Most people get the answer wrong.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/how-many-times-can-someone-die/

This article discusses does God really work in mysterious ways?

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/does-god-work-in-mysterious-ways/