How to protect our minds.

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

Protecting our minds is important now more then ever. There are many toxins, medical practices that can damage our minds. Our food is heavily contaminated with toxins which can damage our brains, by being aware of that we can help to protect our minds. But we also need to focus spiritually so we can protect our minds. The bible teaches us how to make better decisions. Knowing what God would want us to do will protect our minds. I am going to discuss how our minds can be effected and how we can protect it from , things that could make us fall short of God. Since these are the last days protecting our minds can be much more difficult but the bible gives guidance on how we can protect our minds.

When it comes to how we live our life there is a saying “actions speak louder then words”. There are many scriptures to back the fact that is true. It is not what we say, or what we believe about our actions and whether they are ok it is what Gop things that is important. . Many things God would not approve of are accepted as being normal and ok by society so we cannot gauge whether our actions are good or not by society. This is why the bible tells us “it does not belong to man to direct our steps”. We are imperfect, easily corrupted and deceived. The bible even warns not to follow our hearts because it is deceptive and desperate. Meaning we can deceive ourselves and convince ourselves our actions are ok. We need to think about what our actions are telling God. We are supposed to imitate Jesus. So we need to ask ourselves would Jesus do this? If not then we should not do it.

I knew someone who could lie so well they fooled a lie detector test twice. I even seen them lie about doing something when the person they were lying to seen them do it. They were so convincing they convinced the person they imagined they seen them do it. When I ask them how they can lies so well they said easy, if I tell enough people the lie I start believing it. A hint to the fact someone like this is lying is they will either evade certain questions or answer vaguely , or they will remember things in extreme details such as exact times and dates. People rarely remember the times and dates of when things happened. The bible tells us to let no deception be found in us. If we start deceiving others it can easily lead to our deceiving ourselves. This could lead to our sinning and not being aware of it. This is why we should let God’s word guide what we do and say. We should ask what are my actions showing me about myself? This is why the bible says we should be doers of God’s word and not just hearers. By letting his word guide us and by telling others about his word we protect our hearts and it could prevent us from being destroyed in God’s great day of judgment. If we can easily tell a lie to others then we can easily deceive ourselves. Another thing that protects us is doing all the things we do whole-souled for Jehovah and not for men. If we become a people pleaser it could draw us away from God. We need to keep in mind what would God want me to do. The bible tells us to let our light shine before men. This means we need to be careful of the things we do and say. The bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So if the things we say are not honoring God or showing our trust and love for him then we should , work on improving our faith by telling others about God’s word and letting it guide all we do. In doing so we will bring glory to God and prevent us from deceiving ourselves. We need to imitate Jesus. He gave people hope by teaching them about God. The bible tells us, no deception was found in him.

These are very confusing times. Many toxin in the environment can effect the hormone and neurotransmitters in our brains. If we know what God would want us to do in times that our brain chemistry may be off, knowing God’s word and letting it guide all we do will become a habit so even if we have altered brain chemistry that could cause us to fall short of God , because speaking of his word and letting it guide all we do has become a habit it would prevent us from sinning against God and others. Not only that but it also protects our thinking, because we are living in the last days. It can be more and more difficult to tell what is right and what is wrong in God’s eyes. Not only that but the stress we are experiencing can effect our brain chemistry. By putting our trust in God instead of the world or ourselves it protects us. By knowing what God would want us to do it will protect us in such times preventing us from sinning. Look at and watch people you know who lie a lot. They cannot think clearly, they get easily confused, they get angry if you refute an untruth they are telling themselves or others. These are works of the flesh and they can cause us to lose our thinking abilities.

The bible tells us that taking in the wisdom of God makes the inexperienced one wiser. The bible tells us to keep seeking the wisdom of God’s word as if it was silver or hidden treasure and it will give us wisdom and discernment . When we have better discernment it protects us from making errors that could effect our lives or others negatively and most of all it protects our relationship with God. By having better discernment it can also prevent us from bringing shame on ourselves. When we do things that we should not do and it brings shame on ourselves it can also cause others to distance themselves from you , so that they are not being a part of the shame. So by knowing what God would want us to do we would avoid destroying relationships that are important to us.

As the anxiety of this system climbs from the increased corruption and evil it can effects a person’s thinking if they fear the world and things happening in it or they fear man more then God. By having a reverential fear of God we have faith in the future promises and the hope he has given. This protects our thinking because our identity is not with the world and things that will be gone soon, but it is with God who does not die and does not change so we know the future hope he has given will be fulfilled. By keeping our minds on spiritual things and not fleshly things it prevents us from taking a path that could lead to our death, or even our destruction on God’s great day. The bible tells us to stay on the watch, because we do not know when the end of this system will occur. We do know it will happen in a time people least expect. There will be many naysayers who know what God’s word said but because it did not guide all they did they would not believe we are in the last days and the destruction would be suddenly upon them because they did not prepare their hearts and minds so they could be aware of the time frame we are in and prepare for it.

As this system winds down and the corruption and evil get worse we need to pay even more attention to the time frame we are in. This protects our relationship with God, it protects us morally and even physically. It only takes a split second to make a bad decision that could effect the lives of ourselves or ones we care about in a negative way. These effects could last our life time and the life time of those we care about. By letting God guide all we do and say and not trusting in our own understanding or putting our trust in the world or man it can protect our thinking which will prevent us making serious mistakes. This can also help guide us through times when we are persecuted or attacked by people and Satan. Most of us will experience calamity. By putting our faith and trust in God and realizing the bible warns we will be betrayed and people will sin against us. We learn to forgive them and move on. Even if they do not repent , we have forgiven them so we do not hold on to the negative emotions that come from being betrayed or sinned against. When this happens often times it dramatically changes our lives. The bible warns these things will occur. By recognizing that and realizing we will have things occur that can dramatically change our lives we can move on much more easily. Though the hurt may remain for a while it does not overwhelm us as it does those who have no faith in God. Their hope and trust are in things that are passing away. When they lose them it destroys them as a person. Those who store up their treasures in heaven by focusing more on spiritual things then things of the world can not be shaken as easily and when they are they recover much more quickly.

So by our actions we say more then about what we believe. Even if we have deceived ourselves our actions state what our true intentions are. So we need to be aware if our actions and the things we say and do glorify God or are they pleasing ourselves? Do the things we say and do honor God and show we are putting our trust in Jesus and trying our best to imitate him. By being aware of our own short comings and taking steps to protect ourselves and avoiding situations that may cause us to fall short it protects us. Not only that but deceptive people will be very kind and helpful when they are trying to deceive someone. By being aware of their fruits it can make us aware of who they truly are as an individual and prevent them from luring us into a trap or into sinning against God. If we are like the world it makes us more vulnerable and less aware when they are setting a spiritual or any other trap for us. So by letting God’s word guide all we do it works to protect us in many ways. We need to pay attention to our actions and what they are telling us about ourselves. We can be more aware of whether we are doing what God requires by peering deeply into his word and trusting it to guide us and not getting over confident in our spiritual growth and relationship with God and be aware of our short comings and work towards overcoming them so the world and Satan cannot use them against us. The bible warns pride comes before a fall. If we do fall we need to learn from it and study the bible how to avoid such a thing in the future and take steps to protect ourselves from making errors in the future. Very soon it can be a matter of life or death. We only have a little longer and things will be much much better and all the things that cause suffering and sadness will be done away with.

The bible says many will go through the great tribulation. So many will not die and live to see the better times that are coming. In order to do so we need to put on the complete suit of armor of God. In Ephesians 5 it tells us to put on the belt of truth. This means we take in bible truths and apply them in our lives and tell others about them. It tells us to have our feet shod in declaring the good news. By telling others about bible truths it builds our faith and helps to set in our mind and hearts God’s word which protects us. We are also told to put on the shield of faith. This means we believe God’s word, we put our trust and faith in God and Jesus and not the world or ourselves. We have faith in the things above which we cannot see. It tells us to put on the helmet of salvation. We do this by believing that Jesus was a ransom sacrifice for our sins and that provided a way for man to be forgiven. We put on the helmet of salvation by repenting from sin and trying our best to imitate Jesus. In doing so we are showing our obedience and trust in God and Jesus. By repenting we are accepting that God is merciful and will forgive us when we repent. In doing so we put on the helmet of salvation. We are to persist in prayer and pray in spirit. This means we believe God answers prayers and that he has the power to fulfill the things we ask for if they are in agreement with his will.

By our actions we show God what is really in our hearts. This also tells ourselves what is in our hearts. So even if we deceive ourselves, if we do as God would require it will help us to correct our paths and keep our paths straight so we do not get led astray or deceived. We also need to remain humble. If we find we get in many arguments the bible warns presumptuousness is the cause of that. Presumptuousness is a result of pride. If we find we get in frequent arguments then we should ask ourselves what is this telling us about ourselves? This is why the bible tells us God will put an end to the pride of the presumptuous. If we are prideful we will be easily offended if someone points out an error we are making and may not make the adjustments needed to draw closer to God. If we are prideful we will not ask those we have wronged for forgiveness. Remember confessing to the person is a part of repenting. If we have too much pride then we cannot fully repent. Pride could also prevent us from even acknowledging we have sinned. This would prevent us from confessing our sin to God. If we continue in a state of sin God will not listen to our prayers. As this system is winding down we need God more now then ever before. We need to do our best to draw as close to God and Jesus as we can and hopefully we will go through the great tribulation and live to see the world restored to the paradise it was meant to be and live to see loved ones we have lost in death resurrected. We must do all we can to protect our minds as this system winds down.

(Jeremiah 10:23) 23 I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.

(Jeremiah 17:9)  9 The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it?

(Proverbs 28:26) Whoever trusts in his own heart is stupid, But the one who walks in wisdom will escape.

(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.

(Colossians 3:23-25) 23 Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as for Jehovah, and not for men, 24 for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the inheritance as a reward. Slave for the Master, Christ. 25 Certainly the one who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

(Matthew 5:16) 16 Likewise, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.

(Matthew 12:35-37) 35 The good man out of his good treasure sends out good things, whereas the wicked man out of his wicked treasure sends out wicked things. 36 I tell you that men will render an account on Judgment Day for every unprofitable saying that they speak; 37 for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned.”

(1 Peter 2:21-23) . . .. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. 23 When he was being insulted, he did not insult in return. When he was suffering, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the One who judges righteously.

(Zechariah 8:16) 16 “‘These are the things you should do: Speak the truth with one another, and the judgments in your gates must promote truth and peace.

(Colossians 3:9-11) 9 Do not lie to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, 10 and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythʹi·an, slave, or freeman; but Christ is all things and in all.

(Proverbs 3:21-23) 21 My son, do not lose sight of them. Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability; 22 They will give you life And be an adornment for your neck; 23 Then you will walk on your way in safety, And your foot will never stumble.

(Matthew 15:17-20) . . .? 18 However, whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and those things defile a man. 19 For example, out of the heart come wicked reasonings: murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. 20 These are the things that defile a man; but to take a meal with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

(Romans 8:5-8) . . .. 6 For setting the mind on the flesh means death, but setting the mind on the spirit means life and peace; 7 because setting the mind on the flesh means enmity with God, for it is not in subjection to the law of God, nor, in fact, can it be. 8 So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God.

(Proverbs 2:10, 11) 10 When wisdom enters your heart And knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul, 11 Thinking ability will keep watch over you, And discernment will safeguard you,

(Psalm 19:7)  7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring strength. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise.

(2 Timothy 3:16, 17) 16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.

(Proverbs 2:1-6) 2 My son, if you accept my sayings And treasure up my commandments,  2 By making your ear attentive to wisdom And inclining your heart to discernment;  3 Moreover, if you call out for understanding And raise your voice for discernment;  4 If you keep seeking for it as for silver, And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures;  5 Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah, And you will find the knowledge of God.  6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and discernment.

(Psalm 119:1-6) 119 Happy are those who are blameless in their way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.  2 Happy are those who observe his reminders, Who search for him with all their heart.  3 They practice no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.  4 You have commanded That your orders be carefully kept.  5 If only I could remain steadfast So as to observe your regulations!  6 Then I would not be put to shame. . .

(James 1:24, 25) . . .. 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.

(1 Peter 1:13-16) 13 So brace up your minds for activity; keep your senses completely; set your hope on the undeserved kindness that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, stop being molded by the desires you formerly had in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all your conduct, 16 for it is written: “You must be holy, because I am holy.”

(Luke 12:35-40) 35 “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, 36 and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage, so when he comes and knocks, they may at once open to him. 37 Happy are those slaves whom the master on coming finds watching! Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them. 38 And if he comes in the second watch, even if in the third, and finds them ready, happy are they! 39 But know this, if the householder had known at what hour the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also, keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely, the Son of man is coming.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) 5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. 3 Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape.

(2 Peter 3:9, 10) . . .. 10 But 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.

(Zephaniah 1:18) 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them in the day of Jehovah’s fury; For by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be consumed, Because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

(Philippians 4:8) 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things.

(Matthew 24:37-42) 37 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For 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, 39 and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 41 Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 42 Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

(Titus 1:15, 16) . . .. 16 They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort.

(Matthew 7:15-18) . . .. 16 By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit.

(Galatians 5:19-24) 19 Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, 20 idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. 22 On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.

(Revelation 21:1-4) 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. 2 I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With 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. 4 And 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.”

(Ephesians 6:11-18) 11 Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; 12 because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 13 For this reason take up the complete suit of armor from God, so that you may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after you have accomplished everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm, therefore, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having your feet shod in readiness to declare the good news of peace. 16 Besides all of this, take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the wicked one’s burning arrows. 17 Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word, 18 while with every form of prayer and supplication you carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit. And to that end stay awake, constantly making supplication in behalf of all the holy ones.

(Luke 19:7-10) . . .” 8 But Zac·chaeʹus stood up and said to the Lord: “Look! The half of my belongings, Lord, I am giving to the poor, and whatever I extorted from anyone, I am restoring four times over.” 9 At this Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

(Romans 12:1-3) 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. 3 For through the undeserved kindness given to me, I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think, but to think so as to have a sound mind, each one as God has given to him a measure of faith.

(Proverbs 8:13) 13 The fear of Jehovah means the hating of bad. I hate self-exaltation and pride and the evil way and perverse speech.

(Proverbs 4:24) 24 Put crooked speech away from you, And keep devious talk far away from you.

(Proverbs 16:18, 19) 18 Pride is before a crash, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 19 Better to be humble among the meek Than to share the spoil of the haughty.

(Proverbs 13:10) 10 Presumptuousness leads only to strife, But wisdom belongs to those who seek advice.

(1 Corinthians 4:6, 7) 6 Now, brothers, these things I have applied to myself and A·polʹlos for your good, that through us you may learn the rule: “Do not go beyond the things that are written,” so that you may not be puffed up with pride, favoring one against the other. 7 For who makes you different from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?

(Isaiah 13:11) 11 I will call the inhabited earth to account for its badness, And the wicked for their error. I will put an end to the pride of the presumptuous, And I will humble the haughtiness of tyrants.

(James 5:16) 16 Therefore, openly confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. A righteous man’s supplication has a powerful effect.

(1 John 1:8-10) 8 If we make the statement, “We have no sin,” we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we make the statement, “We have not sinned,” we are making him a liar, and his word is not in us.

(Proverbs 28:13, 14) 13 The one covering over his transgressions will not succeed, But whoever confesses and abandons them will be shown mercy. 14 Happy is the man who is always on guard, But whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

(Matthew 13:1-9) 13 On that day Jesus left the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And such large crowds gathered to him that he went aboard a boat and sat down, and all the crowd was standing on the beach. 3 Then he told them many things by illustrations, saying: “Look! A sower went out to sow. 4 As he was sowing, some seeds fell alongside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on rocky ground where there was not much soil, and they immediately sprang up because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. 8 Still others fell on the fine soil, and they began to yield fruit, this one 100 times more, that one 60, the other 30. 9 Let the one who has ears listen.”

Things done without faith is a sin.

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

The bible tells us without faith we cannot please God. The bible tells us things done without faith are a sin. So we need to ask ourselves do we truly have faith in God and trust Jesus as our king who is sitting on the throne in heaven. How can we be certain of our faith and how can we acquire faith. What is faith? The bible defines faith as assured expectation of what is hoped for, even though we cannot see those things we will believe them and expect them. Abraham believed the promises God had made him and lived his life according to God’s will even though he knew the promises would not be fulfilled in his life time he still believe and trusted God setting an example of faith. You can read about Noah’s faith also. Before the great flood the earth was watered with a mist, not rain showers. Since this had not occurred before Noah could have had doubts but he did not , he lived his life according to his faith and built the ark saving those that God found to be righteous.

(Romans 14:21-23) . . .. 22 The faith that you have, keep it to yourself before God. Happy is the man who does not judge himself by what he approves. 23 But if he has doubts, he is already condemned if he eats, because he does not eat based on faith. Indeed, everything that is not based on faith is sin.

(Hebrews 11:5-7) . . .. 6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him. 7 By faith Noah, after receiving divine warning of things not yet seen, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; and through this faith he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that results from faith.

(Hebrews 11:1-3) 11 Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen. 2 For by means of it, the men of ancient times had witness borne to them. 3 By faith we perceive that the systems of things were put in order by God’s word, so that what is seen has come into existence from things that are not visible.

For a person to develop faith they first must hear about God and Jesus. By writing God’s word on our hearts and then teach others we build up our faith. If we find our faith is not what it should be we need to ask God and believe he will answer our prayer. We also must remain in union with Christ so we have to put off fleshly things of the world and set our minds on the things above. When we pray to God we need to ask me for these things in Jesus name. I doing so we are showing we know he was our ransom sacrifice and he is now sitting on the heavenly throne. We must observe all the commandments Jesus has given us. We also must keep our eyes on the things unseen which is the heavenly kingdom, God , Jesus and the future promises. The things unseen are God, Jesus, the angels because they are spirit persons and we cannot see spirit people. The unseen things are the future promises God has given us that the heavenly kingdom with Jesus as the king will restore the earth to the original paradise and that death will be done away with. We are told the things seen will be done away with but the things unseen will be forever. So that means the promises will also be forever. We also know death will be done away with. Though we cannot see it by believing there will be a resurrection and death will be no more we are showing our faith. By obeying God and doing our best to imitate Jesus we are showing our faith. By putting our trust in God by taking in his word and letting it guide all we do instead of putting our trust in the world or ourselves we are showing God our faith.

(Romans 10:17) 17 So faith follows the thing heard. In turn, what is heard is through the word about Christ.

(Romans 10:8-10) 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your own mouth and in your own heart”; that is, “the word” of faith, which we are preaching. 9 For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.

(1 Corinthians 9:16) 16 Now if I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe to me if I do not declare the good news!

(John 15:7-10) 7 If you remain in union with me and my sayings remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will take place for you. 8 My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love. 10 If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have observed the commandments of the Father and remain in his love.

(2 Corinthians 4:17, 18) 17 For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing greatness and is everlasting; 18 while we keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen. For the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting.

(James 1:17) 17 Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights, who does not vary or change like the shifting shadows.

We can be sure that the future promises God has given us will be fulfilled because not a single promise of his has went unfulfilled. God does not change so when he makes a promise he keeps it. There is no one wiser then God and no one more powerful so what he promises he has the wisdom and power to bring it about. So we have no reason to live in fear of the things happening or of death. It gives a freedom that those who lack faith do not have. Soon all the wicked will be gone and all suffering will be done away with. If we keep our eyes on the things unseen the things happening in our lives or in the world will not cause us excess anxiety or stress because we will be certain that this is temporary and much better time are very near. This world will be gone soon and so will those who put faith themselves or the world instead of God. This is why Jesus warned many would claim to be following him but he would tell them get away from me you workers of lawlessness. So we must not only learn about God and believe in him but we have to let his word guide all we do. In doing so we are showing God our faith.

(Revelation 21:1-4) 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. 2 I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With 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. 4 And 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.”

(1 Corinthians 15:24-28) 24 Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. 25 For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. 26 And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. 27 For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. 28 But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Daniel 7:13, 14) 13 “I kept watching in the visions of the night, and look! with the clouds of the heavens, someone like a son of man was coming; and he gained access to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him up close before that One. 14 And to him there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples, nations, and language groups should all serve him. His rulership is an everlasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed.

Another way we show God our faith is by being no part of the world and avoiding associating with those who do not believe in God. A yoke is put between two oxen so they can share the work. If one of the oxen is weak then it puts more of a burden on the stronger oxen. If we associate with those who are of the world or who do not believe in God we are becoming unevenly yoked and will add more burden spiritually on ourselves. This in turn can wear on us and rob us of our faith. The bible says those who practice sin are workers of lawlessness. Those who are lawless will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So it is very important to do all God requires of us if we want to continue to have hope in the future promises and to have God here our prayers. When we obey all God’s word and see the positive effects it has on us as a person and the strength and endurance we are given it helps to build our faith in God. Those who have faith in God can endure much much more then those who are part of the world. The bible warns if we are friends with the world we make ourselves an enemy of God. So we cannot be complete in our faith if we are friends with the world. If we show more love for the world then the things of the world the bible tells us the love of God is not in us. So we cannot have faith if we are living by flesh and not by spirit. Our faith is what will save us because it imparts endurance.

We need the endurance to do the will of God because of the way the world is it can be difficult to keep our eyes on the things unseen. This takes endurance that we receive because of our faith and hope in God. Those who endure to the end will be saved. As we see things rapidly winding down our faith will protect us and keep us from shrinking back in fear. The bible warns those who shrink back in fear will be destroyed. If we lack faith then we will see it as a minor infraction of God’s commands and we are telling God we do not trust his word to guide and protect us. All things we do must be guided by faith. As I mentioned earlier if it is not then it is a sin. I once was offered a job that would pay very well. I knew it would interfere with my worship of God because it would make it very difficult for me to have the time to take God’s word in daily and to apply it in my life. Though it would have been nice to have less struggles, I knew if I took the job it could erode away at my faith. By me turning down the job I showed God that he was first in my life and not the world or things in the world. In doing so I demonstrated my faith in him. It is by faith that were are declared righteous.

Things are rapidly winding down. If we see areas where we need to strengthen our faith whether it bad avoiding being a part of the world, learning to persist in prayer, learning to read Gods word daily and meditate on it and apply it in our lives. We should do our best to work on building our faith because the end of this system of things is very very near. If we fear the things that are coming then we need to work on our faith because we should be seeing them as signs things are going to be much better very soon. That is why Jesus told us when we see these things occur to raise ourselves up.

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) 14 Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? 15 Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 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 3:4-6) 4 Everyone who practices sin is also practicing lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 You know, too, that he was made manifest to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Everyone remaining in union with him does not practice sin; no one who practices sin has either seen him or come to know him.

(Matthew 7:21-27) 21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’ 24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house, and it caved in, and its collapse was great.”

(James 4:4-6) 4 Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that for no reason the scripture says: “The spirit that has taken up residence within us keeps enviously longing”? 6 However, the undeserved kindness that He gives is greater. So it says: “God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.”

(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.

(Matthew 24:13, 14) 13 But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Hebrews 10:35-39) 35 Therefore, do not throw away your boldness, which will be richly rewarded. 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. 37 For yet “a very little while,” and “the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay.” 38 “But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,” and “if he shrinks back, I have no pleasure in him.” 39 Now we are not the sort who shrink back to destruction, but the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.

(Revelation 21:7, 8) . . .. 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.”

(Luke 21:25-28) 25 “Also, there will be signs in the 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 People will 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, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

(Romans 5:1-5) 5 Therefore, now that we have been declared righteous as a result of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained access by faith into this undeserved kindness in which we now stand; and let us rejoice, based on hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but let us rejoice while in tribulations, since we know that tribulation produces endurance; 4 endurance, in turn, an approved condition; the approved condition, in turn, hope, 5 and the hope does not lead to disappointment; because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit, which was given to us.

What causes a person to feel empty?

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

I am going to discuss how sin effects us and how it effects our relationship with God. How to identify when we are being drawn away from God because it is not always obvious. I am also going to discus the cause of that empty feeling and how to fill it. Many now days wonder why they feel so empty.

When we start sinning it can draw us away from God which leaves an empty spot in our hearts that cannot be filled. It can draw us away from God and cause us to do many things we should not do to try and fill that emptiness. We often times will false reason believing the things were are doing are ok. So it is not always obvious when we are sinning. We have to keep in mind the heart is very deceptive and we have a tendency to false reason with ourselves. How can we tell when we have deceived ourselves or if others are deceiving themselves. Our fruits speak more then words. What are the fruits we are producing. Are we producing good fruits or fruits of the flesh. I am going to discuss the effects of sin and how to identify when we are being drawn away from God and what we can do to correct it.

We cannot trust ourselves because the bible warns the heart is deceptive and desperate. It can drive us to do things we should not do. Jesus warned out of the heart comes wicked reasoning so we should not let our heart guide us. When we sin it makes us lose the ability to tell when we are falling short of God. God examines the heart and knows even the hidden motives we may have. Because we have let ourselves become blind we may be sinning and have become unaware of it. In order to correct this we need to search God’s word and let it guide us and not rely on our own understanding. If we do not, we risk becoming hardened and unaware when we are sinning.

(Hebrews 4:13) 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.

(Proverbs 21:2-4)  2 All of a man’s ways seem right to him, But Jehovah examines the hearts.  3 To do what is right and just Is more pleasing to Jehovah than a sacrifice.  4 Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart —The lamp that guides the wicked is sin.

(Jeremiah 17:9, 10)  9 The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it? 10 I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, Examining the innermost thoughts, To give to each one according to his ways, According to the fruitage of his works.

(Matthew 15:17-20) 17 Are you not aware that whatever enters into the mouth passes through the stomach and is discharged into the sewer? 18 However, whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and those things defile a man. 19 For example, out of the heart come wicked reasonings: murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. 20 These are the things that defile a man; but to take a meal with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

(Psalm 36:1, 2) Transgression speaks to the wicked one deep within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.  2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much To detect and hate his error.

(Proverbs 16:2) All of a man’s ways seem right to him, But Jehovah examines the motives.

(Jeremiah 17:10) I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, Examining the innermost thoughts, To give to each one according to his ways, According to the fruitage of his works.

Just because the world may accept something as not being wrong does not make it right. If we are putting our trust in man or our own reasoning then we could start losing our ability to know when we are sinning. When we start becoming unaware of our sin we become alienated from God which can create an emptiness in our hearts that cannot be filled. Often times this can lead to someone committing more sins in an effort to try and fill that emptiness. Yet because they no longer have the love for God they will never fully be happy because they cannot fill that emptiness. We are imperfect humans, this is why the bible tells us that God should direct our steps and it does not belong to man to direct our steps. God created us, he knows our minds and hearts better then anyone. This is why Jesus in his sermon on the mount told us how to be happy. (Matthew chapter 5). When we fall into a sinful nature it can start effecting our physical health. From the stress involved.

(Psalm 38:3-6)  3 My whole body is sick because of your indignation. There is no peace within my bones because of my sin.  4 For my errors loom over my head; Like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.  5 My wounds stink and fester Because of my foolishness.  6 I am distressed and extremely downcast; I walk around sad all day long.

If we find ourselves no longer able to understand the deeper things in the bible and find we only take in what would be milk, which an infant would take in we need to take note of it. If we find we are making the same errors over and over we need to take note of it. It indicates we are falling away from God and need to correct the behavior that is causing it. If we start accepting the ways of the world it will draw us away from God. The world is in turmoil now because they refuse to let God’s word guide them. Would we want our lives to be like those of the world?

(Proverbs 26:11, 12) 11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, The stupid one repeats his foolishness. 12 Have you seen a man who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for someone stupid than for him.

(1 Corinthians 3:1-3) 3 So, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ. 2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough. In fact, neither are you strong enough now, 3 for you are still fleshly. Since there are jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and are you not walking as men do?

(Ephesians 4:17-19) 17 So this is what I say and bear witness to in the Lord, that you should no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are in darkness mentally and alienated from the life that belongs to God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensitivity of their hearts. 19 Having gone past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to brazen conduct to practice every sort of uncleanness with greediness.

(Jeremiah 10:23) 23 I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.

If we continue to sin it will harden our hearts towards Jehovah God and Jesus. He will stop hearing our prayers. We are living in very difficult times and very confusing times. Why make it more difficult by turning away from God. We need him now more then ever to guide and protect us. If we find we are losing the desire to study God’s word and to apply it in our lives it is an indication we need to do our best to start to take in his word daily and to persist in prayer. We need to take note of what is causing us to feel this way and what we can do to take corrective actions. We are to keep our minds focused on the things above and not on the earth below. The bible warns a fleshly man does not accept the things of the spirit of God. If we start falling away from God we lose the blessing of having the holy spirit guide us and we become separated from God. If we find we are being separated from God and start feeling that empty feeling, reading Jesus sermon on the mount. It reminds us how we can find true happiness. We will lose the peace in our hearts that protects our hearts and our minds and we will lose our thinking abilities. By turning back to God we can regain that peace and the hope the bible gives us.

(Isaiah 58:14-59:3) . . .For the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.” 59 Look! The hand of Jehovah is not too short to save, Nor is his ear too dull to hear.  2 No, your own errors have separated you from your God. Your sins have made him hide his face from you, And he refuses to hear you.  3 For your palms are polluted with blood And your fingers with error. Your lips speak lies, and your tongue mutters unrighteousness.

(1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4) 14 But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. 15 However, the spiritual man examines all things, but he himself is not examined by any man. 16 For “who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, so that he may instruct him?” But we do have the mind of Christ. 3 So, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ. 2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough. In fact, neither are you strong enough now, 3 for you are still fleshly. Since there are jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and are you not walking as men do? 4 For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” but another says, “I to A·polʹlos,” are you not acting like mere men?

(Romans 1:20-23) 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.

(Isaiah 57:20) 20 “But the wicked are like the restless sea that cannot calm down, And its waters keep tossing up seaweed and mire.

(John 14:26, 27) . . .. 27 I leave you peace; I give you my peace. I do not give it to you the way that the world gives it. Do not let your hearts be troubled nor let them shrink out of fear.

(Philippians 4:5-7) . . .. 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.

When you are close to God your heart is protected and you have a certain inner peace no matter what you have to endure. When we lose our reverential fear of God then we have no peace and we will develop many anxieties and fears. This can farther blind us to the truths in the bible. We will have a form of Godly devotion but prove false to it’s power. If we find our actions are not matching our words and the things we do are not showing we love God then we are proving false to the power of God’s word. This means we are becoming like the world. We are told the world would be destroyed. Surely this is not the course we would want to follow. Those of the world have no hope. They live in constant anxiety, and fear of the things occurring. If we fall into sin then we can no longer see the God news of the kingdom of heaven and have no hope but the hope we put in ourselves and the world. We see the condition the world and people who are in it are in. The whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. Is this where we would want to put our faith and trust? What hope does the world have? We can be a slave to the world which is a sin or we can be a slave for God which gives us hope in a brighter future. The world and the things in it are passing away. So would it not be better to put our faith, hope and trust in God? If we find we are making the same errors over and over again it indicates we need to take corrective actions and search God’s word on how to prevent that in the future. We have been warned the wages sin pays is death. If we lose our ability to recognize sin then it can lead to us dying much sooner then we may have.

(Romans 3:11-18) . . .. 12 All men have turned aside, all of them have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, not so much as one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they have deceived with their tongues.” “Venom of asps is behind their lips.” 14 “And their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood.” 16 “Ruin and misery are in their ways, 17 and they have not known the way of peace.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

(Jeremiah 5:21) 21 “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people: They have eyes but cannot see; They have ears but cannot hear.

(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.

(2 Corinthians 4:3, 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.

(Romans 6:16) 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?

(Proverbs 26:11, 12) 11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, The stupid one repeats his foolishness. 12 Have you seen a man who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for someone stupid than for him.

(Romans 6:23) 23 For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sin starts out as desire. Now desire is not always wrong. For example we desire to eat, drink water and to have a home to live in. It is when we start coveting things or start desiring wrong things like immoral sex, or have greed for money or power. The bible even warns gluttony is a sin in other words anything in excess can be a sin. If we are letting things consume our time to the point it is taking from our time to worship God then we have left our desire become sin by leaving it crowd God out of our lives. Sin can also cause this to occur. If we find something is crowding God out of our lives then we need to do all we can to correct it. The bible tells us all things are clean to the defiled and faithless. They declare they know God but the works they produce would show otherwise. So we will discus the works we are to produce. The bible tells us you would recognize the righteous and unrighteous by their fruits. We need to pay attention to our fruits and the fruits of those we associate with. Are we producing fruits that will give God glory or are we producing bad fruits.

(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.

(Isaiah 3:10, 11) 10 Tell the righteous that it will go well for them; They will be rewarded for what they do. 11 Woe to the wicked one! Disaster will befall him, For what his hands have done will be done to him!

(Proverbs 21:4)  4 Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart —The lamp that guides the wicked is sin.

(James 1:15) 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.

(Titus 1:14-16) . . .. 15 All things are clean to clean people; but to those who are defiled and faithless, nothing is clean, for both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They publicly declare that they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort.

(Matthew 7:15-20) . . .. 16 By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? 17 Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19 Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.

(Galatians 5:19-21) 19 Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, 20 idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

Repenting is a daily thing as we take in God’s word it helps us identify areas we need to work on. This is why the bible says we need to continue renewing our minds , which means we need to take in God’s word daily. God would have his laws read frequently to Israel to deeply set them in their hearts and minds. If we start desiring the world and the things in the world it can draw us away from God and crowd his word out of our hearts and we will be prone to making bad decisions. Israel did this in the past and God said they were causing his good name to be smeared. By taking in his word daily and keeping it written on our hearts it will protect our decision making and help guide us through these troubled times. If we start being a part of the world we will start trying to please people instead of God. This can cause us to start becoming blind to sin and cause us to lose our desire to draw closer to God. We also need to take note of how we use our time. The bible tells us to use our time wisely. Is our time being used in a way that we will glorify God and draw closer to him or are we getting caught up in the fleshly things of the world?

(Matthew 4:17) 17 From that time on, Jesus began preaching and saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.”

(Psalm 51:9-12) . . .And wipe away all my errors. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, And put within me a new spirit, a steadfast one. 11 Do not cast me out from your presence; And do not take your holy spirit away from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation; Stir within me a willingness to obey you.

(Mark 4:19) 19 but the anxieties of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches and the desires for everything else make inroads and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

(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.

(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.

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.

(Matthew 6:25-27) 25 “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? 26 Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? 27 Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?

(James 4:7, 8) 7 Therefore, subject yourselves to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones.

(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.

(Galatians 1:10) 10 Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave.

(Proverbs 3:6)  6 In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.

By being aware of our sinful nature and admitting we sin and not trying to justify our actions we can draw closer to God. In doing so we can truly know what love is because God is love. Many friendships and relationships end because people try and find many friends or get in relationships because they feel something is missing. They keep repeating this behavior and try filling by turning to the world what only God can fill. Jesus referred to it as a thirst and the waters of life . Wealth, material things, many friends, drinking alcohol, and any other things people pursue trying to fill that thirst will only leave them looking for more and never happy because the thirst can only be filled by putting our trust in Jesus and God and getting to know them better. This will also prevent us from being deceived and enslaved by another. Many are living in a spiritual famine now days. We have all the spiritual food in God’s word and have no need to experience excessive spiritual thirst or hunger. If we do not fill it with God’s word then we will try and fill it with the empty things of the world. By taking in God’s word and drawing closer to him we can find true peace and happiness.

(John 6:35-39) 35 Jesus said to them: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not get hungry at all, and whoever exercises faith in me will never get thirsty at all. 36 But as I said to you, you have even seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will never drive away the one who comes to me; 38 for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose none out of all those whom he has given me, but that I should resurrect them on the last day.

(2 Peter 2:17-19) 17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a violent storm, and the blackest darkness has been reserved for them. 18 They make high-sounding statements that are empty. By appealing to the desires of the flesh and with acts of brazen conduct, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for if anyone is overcome by someone, he is his slave.

(Amos 8:11) 11 ‘Look! The days are coming,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘When I will send a famine into the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But for hearing the words of Jehovah.

How do I recognize when myself or others are producing good fruits from their works? The bible tells us by the works and their fruit you would recognize who worships in truth. Some of these fruit we can read about in Galatians 5:19-22. It discusses the fruits of the flesh and the fruits of the spirit. If we are not producing the fruit of the spirit and are producing the fruit of the flesh such as having out burst of anger, or we find ourselves getting intoxicated then we are producing fruits of the flesh indicating we need to correct some of our behavior. But I am mainly going to talk about the works and fruits of the lips. We produce the fruit of the lips by telling others about God and Jesus and their amazing qualities and helping them to draw closer to God. So we need to ask ourselves is our words and actions getting others to repent and put their trust in God. By professing our faith to others and teaching them about God it helps to build our faith and we store up treasures in heaven. This also helps us to keep our eye focused on the things above and keep us from being drawn away from God.

The bible tells us not all claiming to to have faith will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one doing God’s will is who will enter. So faith alone is not adequate we also have to have works that show our faith. For example when someone is having hard times do we offer them scriptures to help comfort them. Do we offer them an ear so they have someone who will listen to them? Do we put the interest of others before our own as Jesus did. Do we tell others about our faith and help to build up their faith? Do our actions glorify God? Do we let our light shine before others by teaching them about God and by our actions are we showing we are not part of the world setting an example of faith for others? Are we teaching others about the love of God and are we inciting others to do fine works. If we do these things it will help keep our eyes on the things above, it will draw us closer to God and we will find true happiness.

(Hebrews 13:15, 16) 15 Through him let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that make public declaration to his name. 16 Moreover, do not forget to do good and to share what you have with others, for God is well-pleased with such sacrifices.

(Matthew 6:19-23) 19 “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 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!

(James 2:14-17) 14 Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If any brothers or sisters are lacking clothing and enough food for the day, 16 yet one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them what they need for their body, of what benefit is it? 17 So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead.

(Matthew 7:21-23) 21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’

(Matthew 5:14-16) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when located on a mountain. 15 People light a lamp and set it, not under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house. 16 Likewise, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.

(Hebrews 10:23-25) . . .. 24 And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, 25 not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.

Bloodguilt is a sin that is not always obvious.

If you don't read it how can you have faith.
What is Bloodguilt?
At times the Hebrew word for “blood” (dam; plural, da·mim′) refers to guilt incurred by the shedding of innocent blood and is thus rendered “bloodguilt
This is a very complex one, for example If an Israelite killed a thief at the wrong time they could be bloodguilty.
(Exodus 22:2, 3) 2(“If a thief is found in the act of breaking in and he gets struck and dies, there is no bloodguilt for him. 3But if it happens after sunrise, there is bloodguilt for him.)
If we have an animal that poses a danger to others and we do not properly take care of the problem we could be bloodguilty.
(Exodus 21:28, 29) . 29But if a bull was in the habit of goring and its owner had been warned but he would not keep it under guard and it killed a man or a woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner is also to be put to death.
If we do not warn those who do wicked things about their errors we could be bloodguilty.
If we do not warn others of what God requires of us we could be blood guilty.
(Ezekiel 3:17-21) 17“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman to the house of Israel; and when you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them from me. 18When I say to someone wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him, and you fail to speak in order to warn the wicked one to turn from his wicked course so that he may stay alive, he will die for his error because he is wicked, but I will ask his blood back from you. 19But if you warn someone wicked and he does not turn back from his wickedness and from his wicked course, he will die for his error, but you will certainly save your own life. 20But when someone righteous abandons his righteousness and does what is wrong, I will put a stumbling block before him and he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die for his sin and his righteous acts will not be remembered, but I will ask his blood back from you. 21But if you have warned the righteous one not to sin, and he does not sin, he will surely keep alive because he was warned, and you will have saved your own life..
If someone does not heed the warnings of danger they could be bloodguilty.
(Ezekiel 33:3-5) .. 4If someone hears the sound of the horn but does not heed the warning and a sword comes and takes his life, his blood will be on his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the horn, but he did not heed the warning. His blood will be upon himself. If he had heeded the warning, his life would have been saved.
Once someone has been warned their blood is not on your hands but on their own.
(Acts 18:5, 6) 5When, now, both Silas and Timothy came down from Mac·e·do′ni·a, Paul began to be intensely occupied with the word, witnessing to the Jews to prove that Jesus is the Christ. 6But after they kept on opposing him and speaking abusively, he shook out his garments and said to them: “Let your blood be on your own heads. I am clean.
Saul had been saved from bloodguilt by not killing David but later became bloodguilty when he killed the Gibeonites. The Israelites took an oath saying they would not kill the Gibeonites, violating that oath made Saul bloodguilty.
Harming others deliberately can bring blood guilt.
(1 Samuel 19:4-6) 4So Jon′a·than spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him: “The king should not sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you and what he has done for you has benefited you. 5He risked his life to strike down the Phi·lis′tine, so that Jehovah brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and you were overjoyed. So why should you sin against innocent blood in having David put to death for no reason?” 6 Saul listened to Jon′a·than, and Saul swore: “As surely as Jehovah is living, he will not be put to death.”
(2 Samuel 21:1, 2) 21 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three consecutive years, so David consulted Jehovah, and Jehovah said: “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gib′e·on·ites to death.” 2So the king called the Gib′e·on·ites and spoke to them. (Incidentally, the Gib′e·on·ites were not Israelites but Am′or·ites who remained, and the Israelites had sworn to spare them.
Abigial saved David from being bloodguilty when out of anger he almost shed someones blood.
(1 Samuel 25:23-26) 23When Ab′i·gail caught sight of David, she hurried down off the donkey and threw herself facedown before David, bowing to the ground. 24She then fell at his feet and said: “My lord, let the blame be on me; let your servant girl speak to you, and listen to the words of your servant girl. 25Please, do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless Na′bal, for he is just like his name. Na′bal is his name, and senselessness is with him. But I, your servant girl, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent. 26And now, my lord, as surely as Jehovah is living and as you are living, it is Jehovah who has held you back from incurring bloodguilt and from taking revenge with your own hand. May your enemies and those seeking injury to my lord become like Na′bal.
Why would God feel so strongly about the shedding of innocent blood? Remember we were created in God’s image so to deliberately endanger ourselves or another to the point it cost their life shows that we do not love God because we have been created in his image.
If we are blood guilty God holds us responsible.
(Genesis 9:5, 6) 6Anyone shedding man’s blood, by man will his own blood be shed, for in God’s image He made man.
The religious leaders in Jesus time were blood guilty because of their false teachings. So if we mislead someone and cause them to miss the mark we are blood guilty.
(Matthew 23:33-36) 33“Serpents, offspring of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of Ge·hen′na? 34For this reason, I am sending to you prophets and wise men and public instructors. Some of them you will kill and execute on stakes, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35so that there may come upon you all the righteous blood spilled on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zech·a·ri′ah son of Bar·a·chi′ah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Modern day false religion will be held accountable for their false teachings. So always make sure what we are teaching is in agreement with what Jesus and the apostles taught.
(Revelation 18:24) 24Yes, in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.”
If we know that there is a condition that exist that could cost someone their life we could be bloodguilty if we do not take care of it.
If we do not properly maintain our home and things become unsafe and we knowingly neglect those things, we could be blood guilty if someone gets hurt.
(Deuteronomy 22:8) 8“If you build a new house, you must also make a parapet for your roof, so that you may not bring bloodguilt on your house because of someone falling from it.
So if we do not want to incur bloodguilt we should tell others about Jehovah and what he requires. We should also warn others of dangers that lay ahead. We should pray to God to help us so we do not become bloodguilty because it is a very serious matter.
(Psalm 51:13-15) 13I will teach transgressors your ways, So that sinners will return to you. 14Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, So that my tongue may joyfully declare your righteousness. 15O Jehovah, open my lips,.
We would not want to live recklessly and become blinded to the dangers in front of us.
(Proverbs 24:7-12) 7True wisdom is unattainable for a fool; He has nothing to say in the city gate. 8Anyone who plots evil Will be called a master schemer. 9Foolish schemes are sinful, And people detest a ridiculer. 10If you become discouraged in the day of distress, Your strength will be meager. 1Rescue those who are being taken away to death, And hold back those staggering to the slaughter. 12If you say, “But we did not know about this,” Does not the One who examines hearts discern it? Yes, the One who watches you will know And will repay each man according to his activity.
We need to let God’s word guide us so we do not become bloodguilty.
(Proverbs 21:2-5) 2All of a man’s ways seem right to him, But Jehovah examines the hearts. 3To do what is right and just Is more pleasing to Jehovah than a sacrifice. 4Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart —The lamp that guides the wicked is sin. 5The plans of the diligent surely lead to success.
If we learn to let love guide us hopefully we will not incur bloodguilt.
(1 John 5:1-4) 5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God, and everyone who loves the one who caused to be born loves him who has been born from that one. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and carry out his commandments. 3For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, 4because everyone who has been born from God conquers the world. And this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith.
If we believe someone is bloodguilty we must not make false accusations but we must have solid proof that they are bloodguilty.
(Matthew 18:15-17) 15“Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.
For example if someone was in a car accident and killed someone, we should not assume that they were drinking or acting reckless. We always have to have clear evidence and trust worthy witnesses.
(Matthew 18:15-17) 15“Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.
(1 Timothy 5:19-21) 19Do not accept an accusation against an older man except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20Reprove before all onlookers those who practice sin, as a warning to the rest. 21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels to observe these instructions without any prejudice or partiality..
So it has become clear disobedience to Jehovah, not warning others of dangers or not taking preventive actions to preserve life we can incur bloodguilt. So if we deliberately endanger ourselves or others we can incur bloodguilt. Over indulging in things that could have a negative impact on ourselves could incur bloodguilt. Smoking or doing other things that could cost our lives or someone else’s could incur bloodguilt. So we will be viewed the same as someone who murdered another.
(1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) 19Do you not know that your body is the temple of the holy spirit within you, which you have from God? Also, you do not belong to yourselves, 20for you were bought with a price. By all means, glorify God in your body.
We all have short comings so we should not judge others if we feel they are doing things that could incur bloodguilt. We should make sure of more important things first like building each other up spiritually and not get overly consumed in personal things it is between them and Jehovah if they are aware of the dangers.
(Colossians 2:16-19) 16Therefore, do not let anyone judge you about what you eat and drink or about the observance of a festival or of the new moon or of a sabbath. 17Those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ. 18Let no man deprive you of the prize who takes delight in a false humility and a form of worship of the angels, “taking his stand on” the things he has seen. He is actually puffed up without proper cause by his fleshly frame of mind, 19and he is not holding fast to the head, to the one through whom the whole body is supplied and harmoniously joined together by means of its joints and ligaments and made to grow with the growth that is from God.
Now the dilemma comes up what if the laws of the land that Jehovah requires us to follow could incur bloodguilt. In that situation what would we do. We have to remember Jehovah’s laws are above mans so we always obey him first.
(Romans 13:1-4) 13 Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2Therefore, whoever opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will bring judgment against themselves. 3For those rulers are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you want to be free of fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; 4for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear, for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword. It is God’s
minister, an avenger to express wrath against the one practicing what is bad.
(Acts 5:29) 29In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.
So whether it is entertainment, eating, socializing we need to let God’s word guide us so we can show God’s glory.
(1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1) 31Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. 32Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, 33just 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. 11 Become imitators of me, just as I am of Christ.

Have you drawn close to God for nothing?

IMG_20140719_205356It 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.”

What Is Sin, This Is The Continuation Of A Previous Study.

If you don't read it how can you have faith.This is a continuation of my post on repenting, this list is to help keep our minds alert to sin so Satan cannot lure us in as easy thus helping us draw closer to God.

If you haven’t read my other post on repenting you can read it here. https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/what-is-sin-and-some-steps-to-repenting/

      1. Abusive speech. For example lying about someone or spreading rumours. Or talking down to them or things they have done. ( Ephesians 4:29 ) ( James 5:9 )
      2. Oppression- to suppress by maltreatment to depress mentally. ( Psalm 52:1-5) ( Isaiah 10:33 )
      3. Eating blood or taking it into your body. ( Deuteronomy 12:27 ) ( Acts 15:29 )
      4. Bragging or boasting. ( James 4:13-16 ) ( Psalm 94:4 )
      5. Deliberately making cuts in yourself. ( Leviticus 19:28 ) ( Mark 5:2-8 )
      6. Getting tattoos. ( 19:28 )
      7. Getting involved in various aspects of fortunetelling. ( Leviticus 19:31 ) ( Acts 16:16-17 )
      8. Not honouring your parents. ( Ephesians 6:2-3 ) Obeying God on this one comes with a promise that your life will be extended. ( Deuteronomy 5:16 )
      9. Stealing, committing theft. ( Leviticus 19:11) ( Ephesians 4:28 )
      10. Deception – dishonest act or misrepresentation. ( Leviticus 6:2 ) ( Proverbs 2:22 )
      11. Defrauding – to take or hold by deceit. ( Deuteronomy 24:14-15 ) ( Proverbs 14:31 )
      12. Seeking revenge. ( Leviticus 19:18 ) ( Proverbs 20:20 ) ( Matthew 5:43-44 )
      13. Hating others. ( Leviticus 19:18 ) ( Matthew 5:43-45 )
      14. Gluttony – over eating. ( Proverbs 23:20-21 )
      15. Laziness – inclined toward inactivity. ( Proverbs 12:11 ) ( Proverbs 20:13 ) ( 2Thessalonians 3:10 )
      16. Greed – excessive desire for something. ( Luke 12:15 )
      17. Bestiality – immoral relations with animals. ( Leviticus 18:23 )
      18. Murder ( James 2:11 )
      19. Slander – uttering false statements or defaming. ( Leviticus 19:16 ) ( Psalm 15:1-2 )
      20. Divorce, except when sexual immorality is involved. ( Malachi 2:16 ) ( Matthew 5:32 )
      21. idolism – excessive devotion to something. Images, money anything that you devote most of your time to. ( Exodus 20:4 ) ( Isaiah 44:9 )
      22. Tradition – getting involved in traditions of man or traditional rituals or celebrations. ( Jeremiah 10:1-5 ) ( Mark 7: 1-7 )
      23. Not returning something found if you know who the owner is. ( Leviticus 6:3-4 )
      24. Cross dressing. ( Deuteronomy 22:5 )
      25. Lying ( Proverbs 12:22 ) ( Revelation 21:8 )
      26. Obscene gestures or language. ( Colossians 3:8 ) ( Ephesians 4:31 )
      27. False pride – artificial self esteem. ( Isaiah 2:17 ) ( Psalm 10:3-4 )
      28. Haughtiness, arrogance. ( James 4:6 ) ( Psalm 10:4 )
      29. Cowardice, lacking courage. This is referring to not having courage to resist the world and do what God would require. ( Revelation 21:8 )
      30. Not studying the bible. ( Proverbs 28:9 ) Ignorance is no longer accepted as an excuse because Jesus clarified everything and set matter straight. ( John 15:22 ) God sends messengers so there is no excuse, if people do not know God it is because they refused to get to know him. ( Revelation 12:11 ) The act of ignoring those willing to teach is severely punished. ( 2Thessalonians 1:7-9 )
      31. Homosexuality – being attracted to persons of the same sex. ( Leviticus 18:22 ) ( 1Corinthians 6:9 ) ( Romans 1:24-27)
      32. Adultery – unfaithfulness by one who is married. ( Matthew 5:27 ) ( Hebrews 13:4 )
      33. Incorrect hair length for your gender. ( 1Corinthians 11:14-15) I had trouble with this one I had hair half way down my back. It took me years to get the courage to cut it. Kind of nice not having guys that are walking behind me thinking I am a women and not having kids ask me if I am a women or a man or why I have a beard if I am a girl.
      34. Coveting – excessive desire for someone else’s things. ( Exodus 20:17 )
      35. Having bad associations. (1Corinthians 5:11-15 ) ( 2Timothy 6:1-9 )
      36. Causing strife or rivalries. ( Proverbs 29:22 ) ( Proverbs 15:18 )
      37. Presumptuousness – assuming something is true, making assumptions without the facts. ( Proverbs 21:24 ) ( 2Chronicles 26:16-21 )
      38. Enslavement to things around you, letting them consume too much of your life. ( 1Corinthians 6:12 ) ( Colossians 2:8 )
      39. Having a low regard for spiritual things, believing your way is better then God’s. ( Proverbs 28:6 ) ( Psalms 78:31-32 )
      40. Making a show of your worship. ( Luke 20:46 ) ( Matthew 6:1 ) ( James 2:1-6 )
      41. Exalting others or showing favouritism. ( Matthew 23:8-12 ) ( James 2:8-9 )
      42. Murmuring about others. ( 1Corinthians 10:10 )
      43. Judging others. ( Matthew 7:1-5 )
      44. Violence ( Psalm 11:5 ) ( Proverbs 6:16-17 )
      45. War, getting involved or supporting it. ( 1John 4:20 ) ( Isaiah 2:4 ) ( 2Corinthians 10:3-4 )
      46. Superstition – an irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious. ( 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 )
      47. prostitution ( Leviticus 19:29 )
      48. Tipping the scales. Using dishonest measures. ( Leviticus 19:36 )
      49. Contentiousness – causing to argue or disagree. ( Proverbs 1:14-19 ) ( James 3:16)
      50. Not taking care of the poor. ( Proverbs 28:27 ) It is part of the reason Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. ( Ezekiel 16:49-50 )
      51. fornication – immoral intercourse. ( Ephesians 5:3 ) ( Jude 7 )
      52. Incest – sexual relations with those who are closely related by blood. ( Leviticus 18:6-18 )
      53. Having relations with a woman while she is on her menstrual cycle. ( Leviticus 18:19 )
      54. Moving another’s property markers. ( Deuteronomy 27:17 )
      55. Treating handicap people bad. ( Deuteronomy 27:18 ) ( Leviticus 19:14 )
      56. Breaking the laws of your nation. ( Romans 13:1-7 ) ( 1Peter 2:13-14 ) You must obey God’s laws first. ( Acts 5:29 )
      57. Drunkenness ( Proverbs 23:20-21 ) ( 1Corinthians 5:11 )

I have also placed my link below for information on repenting. If you would like more information for help with dealing with a short coming you may have become aware of go to http://www.jw.org . There you will find wonderful and helpful information.

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

What Is Sin And Some Steps To Repenting.

Sin What Is It?

If you don't read it how can you have faith.  Sin means to fall short or miss the mark. Sin is so prevalent now days that a lot of people don’t even realize that they are missing the mark. So people have become so out of touch with God’s laws that they believe they don’t sin. The bible warns us about developing an attitude like that. ( Proverbs 16:18 ) ( Luke 18:9-14 ) Satan influences so many aspects of peoples lives that people aren’t even aware of when they are sinning. The bible tells us that ignorance of God’s laws is no longer accepted. ( Acts 17:30 )Jesus came and he clarified things. God always sends messengers to teach what his will is. ( Revelation 12:11 )We may feel that small sins don’t matter but the bible tells us that they do, knowing this should motivate us to work harder at pleasing our heavenly father.( James 2:10)I did this study years ago and I keep adding to it. I am not posting this to make anyone feel like there is no hope for them because they sin, I am writing this to help them realize that they can over come it. When I first started studying the scriptures I became aware that I was sinning way more then I realized. I started making a list of things I had to watch for so I could work on doing better. Once in a while I would review the list to help keep me from back sliding. I hope this will help others.

The world is a mess because people will not listen to God. He is trying to tell us what it takes to be happy but we just aren’t learning that we can’t guide ourselves we need him to guide us. He did not give us his laws to hinder us or to control us like puppets, that is what Satan would do. He gives us his laws to teach us how to be happy and to draw us closer to him.( 2 Timothy 3:16 )

This will not be a comprehensive list. As I see short comings I will have to work on I add to it. Some I don’t have to work on but I keep them on the list so Satan can’t lure me into doing them. To be forgiven for a sin we have to repent so I am going to cover some the steps involved with repenting.

Steps To Repenting.

      1. First we must take in an accurate knowledge of our heavenly father and his laws.( Psalm 38:18 )

      2. As you take in knowledge you will become aware of sin.( Ezekiel 18:21-23 )

        When you study and learn what God requires of us our conscience will start to heal. We may start to feel guilt that is good it means you are drawing closer to God and you want to please him. If you don’t feel guilt right away that is okay remember some things have been deeply entrenched and will take a will. We have to let God continue to guide us.

      3. As we become aware of our sins we need to talk to God about them. Please don’t give up that is what Satan would want. He wants nothing more then to take others into destruction with him.( Revelation 20:10-14 )

      4. We must try our best not to commit the sin again. Keep in mind that Jehovah God provided a ransom for repentant sinners. ( Acts 10:43 )

        If you do slip up don’t give up just dust yourself off and keep trying.( Proverbs 26:17 )

      5. We must continue to take in knowledge to give us the strength and wisdom to over come our short comings.( Philippians 4:9 )

      6. We must forgive ourselves, we are a new person when we have repented.( 2Corinthians 5:17 )

        God doesn’t even remember our sins if we truly repent.( Micah 7:18-19 )

      7. Use Gods personal name Jehovah.(Psalm 83:18 )

        The bible tells us there is only one true God. ( John 17:3 )

        We must approach him through his son Jesus Christ.( John 14:6 )

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

If you want to learn more about repenting go to http://www.jw.org . They will have information that is very will written and easy to understand. Always check the scriptures that have been quoted never take someone’s word on what the bible says.

Language or Speech That Offends God.

If you don't read it how can you have faith.Could Your Language Or Speech Be Offending God?

   We can see how the morals of the world are heading they are only getting worse. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish right from wrong. Since there is no one at a higher level then God he is the one we should look to when we are wondering how to carry ourselves through our daily lives.

   Jesus said what comes out of the mouth is what defiles us. (Matthew 15:18,19)  He also stated that when you speak injurious things you condemn yourself. (Matthew 12:36,37) Speaking of bad things is also improper, God even considers it a form of idolism. Which is the worship of an object as a god. (Ephesians 5:3-5)

   By learning about speech that offends God it will help us to control what we say and do. (Romans 2:13, Proverbs 17:27,28)   To help us, we need to learn to fear God. If we fear God we do not exalt ourselves, have false pride, or speak with a perverse mouth. (Proverbs 8:13) The bible tells us that soft words turns away rage and words causing pain make anger come up. (Proverbs 15:1,2)  In God’s eyes the one that is slow to anger is better then a mighty man and being silent shows your wisdom and understanding. ( Proverbs 19:1)

   We need to worry about what God thinks because he is the one that can give us eternal life or eternal destruction. All this around us will be done away with and so will the people who do not desire the earth to be restored to a paradise. (2 Peter 3:5-7) By worrying about whether someone thinks we are cool or not just adds to the corruption, we become a part of it.

   We are told to be swift about hearing and slow to wrath. (James 1:19,20) We want to imitate God and not the seed of Satan. (3 John 11) Using vulgar language or speaking abusively of someone may not seem all that bad but the bible tells us in Luke 16:10 “The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and the person unrighteous in what is least is unrighteous also in much. ”  So a sin is a sin, no matter how small it may seem.

  You may ask yourself, but someone is gossiping about me or speaking untruthful things about me. What should I do? The bible tells us to pray and God will comfort you. (James 5:13) God is not pleased with evil doers either, he will give them what they have earned. (2 Thessalonians 1:6,7 Romans 2:3-10)

   If we retaliated then Satan has won because he molded you to become just like the person causing you the tribulation. We need to conquer the evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21) By doing this we set an example of how a christian should act. We will not stumble others. (1 John 2:10}

  God is merciful toward us so we in turn should learn to practice mercy. If we do not show mercy and we judge others we will be judged just like them. How can we look at another persons imperfections and judge them when we have our own. (Matthew 7:1-5)

   We know we are in the last days the bible warns us what type of people we will have to deal with and why they behave the way they do. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)  Gaining this knowledge may seem overwhelming so we need to get help from God to help us through these times. (Ephesians 6:10-13)

   In Jesus sermon on the mount he tells us the things that would make us happy and being a peacemaker is listed among them. (Mathew 5:9) We can have confidence that if we obey God he will help us. (John 14:13-15)

   In contrast disobeying God could hinder our ability to love. By being patient and merciful we are given the same mercy. (Luke 7:47,48) Your actions could actually turn a person away from doing bad and in doing so will help you to attain forgiveness. (James 5:19,20)

   If we can conquer the evil with good then we will inherit the prize. (Psalms 37:11, Revelation 21:3,4)

   If you want to learn more go to http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/h/r1/lp-e and do a search on gossip or lying.