I John Review: What to Do, Part 1

March 30, 2016

What to Do... I am splitting this into segments to keep the posts shorter. At the end I will combine them for one cohesive posting.

Walk in the Light Purify Yourself Do Right Love, It's What We Do Grow up Listen to the Apostles Overcome the World Stop Sinning Test the Spirits Keep It Keep from Idols Love One Another Pray for Them Keep Yourself Safe

Take note of the order. It has been altered compared to the posting dates and has been rearranged to fit, as best as I could, to the life of a Christian. We need to first begin our walk with the Lord. Then we are to purify ourselves. This is not to be something we do at a later time, it is a necessity from the beginning. In fact the Scriptures say that we are "a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come." Way too many people practice and teach that as new Christians, we cannot not help but sin. We do new Christians a disservice when we expect them to fail. John says... no one is saved and continues to sin... Yikes, that is strong! but needs to be our drive and expectation.

K and A, are you walking in the Light? I believe you are. Make sure you follow through with the first steps of the faith: Do right and purify yourselves. If there is something in your life you know is sinful, you must stop sinning. If you want to do it anyway, then reconsider your relationship with Christ and make it real. I am always here for you, to pray for you and to help you. God helps those who ask. Do Right.

~Dad

I John Review: What Not to Do

March 29, 2016

What Not to Do...

• Don't Have to Sin
• Don't Love the World
• Don't Be Led Astray
• Don't Hate

These are crucial to know if we want to remain a Christian. So much talk in the church today that sinning is what a human does. After all, we aren't perfect. Of course, we know that John said that If we continue sinning we are not a follower of Christ; we are headed for the lake of fire.

So what are some ways to keep from sinning? The key is the other points of this post.

When we are led astray by those in the church who say we need to be like the world to win them, we are apt to be caught in sin. When we begin to hate those who we are trying to save from destruction, we are apt to sin. When we love the "freedoms" of the world and despise the restrictions of Christ's commands, we are certain to sin against God.

Daughters, John is straight forward. If you follow the ways of the world you will fall from the protections of Christ. He will not force you to follow him. If you love their ways more than his ways, you cease being a Christian. I am not saying that you will never sin. Nor am I saying that you can never be made whole again. K and A, Our walk is not just one decision, it is a lifetime of choices. Make your choice each day to follow Christ and not to be led astray by the world. True freedom is found in following his commands.

~Dad

I John Review: General Info

March 28, 2016

General Info...

• To Have Christ is to Have Life
• This is Love
• To Love is to Obey
• No Fear in Love
• Eternal Life is Real

These go well together. When we look at them, we see where it all starts, with Christ - God. In order for us to find life, we must have Christ. It is where it all begins. Christ is love and we receive love from him, and we are enabled to love him back. But love is not an empty saying or feeling. Sure it produces feelings, and we must confess it, but what it produces is obedience. It takes obedience to love our Savior, or we do not truly love him. This is a major theme of 1st John. People like to quote the phrase and truth that there is no fear in love. But they forget that if we are not rightly serving the Lord, being obedient to his commands, we do not love him and fear needs to be felt.

This is contrary to teachings in the liberal churches of today. There love is shallow, an acknowledgment that Jesus is who he is and this should produce good feelings and cause one to live a happy, content life. We must be wise to false teachings and live a life of service to the Lord.

What we do in this life matters for eternal life is real. John didn't say it, but sometimes I look at the end this way... Everyone gets eternal life, some in heaven, some in the lake of fire! I know that seems like an eternal death but in reality, it is a life of eternal suffering where each person hope it ends but never does. But those who love the Lord, those obedient to his way and commands, will find the eternal pleasure the others thought they found following the world.

A and K, chose wisely the path you walk. Take Christ and find life. Live life for him according to his way. Then, when you die, you will receive the reward for your love and devotion, that of eternal life.

~Dad

I John Review: Info on Satan and His Followers

March 27, 2016 on 03-28-16

Info on Satan and His Followers

• Satan Controls the World
• Antichrists Deny the Truth

There were just a couple titles attributed to Satan and his followers, but when we look at the magnitude of the truths spoken by John, these are major points which must not be overlooked!

It is imperative that we understand that the world we live in is controlled by Satan and his minions. In general, the things elevated as good are evil and the things this world despises are good. Satan, of course, is a liar. He is the great deceiver. His cunning tricked Eve and she began to desire to be God. When she partook of the Serpents ways, she became like him and so deceived her husband. Sin is a deception and a trick making us believe we can achieve something we otherwise could not.

The world today has many "desirable" ways and they deceive many Christians. Lets look at a few: 

Drinking - today's church is caught in this one. Check out the commercials, the people are smiling and are having a good time. Why don't they show mangled cars and the families destroyed by a loved one being killed by a drunk driver?

Music & Dancing - Again partying and having a good time. It is mostly about the sexual. Look at the moves, the beat that causes people to move in certain ways... usually the bottom is the desirable part people like to move and see moved. Listen to what the crowd enjoys. It is the moves that are sexual that get the greatest attention. I watched a talent night from Liberty University... the crowd mostly enjoyed the sexually themed ones, could tell by the whoops and hollers. I was sad at first, but it is not the least surprising anymore. Even though dancing was not allowed by students, the students went out dancing and even the president of the college was a spotted at a dance event complete with a picture.

Drugs - how can this be you may ask? I had someone who was interested in coming to our church say that light drug use was okay. It didn't affect his Christianity. Now that it is becoming legalized, that theme will only grow.

How does this happen? Satan puts within the church anitchrists. They say that it is not what you do that makes you or keeps you from being a Christian. They like to quote Paul and say that "all things are permissible." But Jesus said that in the end times the sheep and the goats would be separated by what they did or did not do! That will determine their end - glory or the fire!

Daughters, do not let Satan deceive you. He wants to use the pleasures of the world to suck you in. Whether it is popular music, rock or country, dancing, drugs and alcohol, clothing and fashion... he is aiming for you. A - I see it happening at Penn View with the clothing style, and some with music, Be careful not to be pulled into it. K - be careful not to participate in it. You flirt with the world, and it will ensnare you.

Girls, If you think this is not a problem, Satan has already started his work on you. I see it in my life, not just in the past but now as well. The Bible says, when you work helping others in spiritual matters, be careful not to get caught your self. I see my standards weakening, because I am  involved with some who flirt with or are caught in sin. Satan is real! Stand on the Word and reject him.

~Dad

I John Review: Attributes of God

March 26, 2016 on 03-28-16

Attributes of God in 1st John by post titles...

• God is Greater
• He First Loved Us
• His Great Love
• Jesus - God in Flesh
• Jesus Came to Eliminate Sin
• The Spirit Confirms

Daughters, some of the things learn about God are these; God is greater than the one who controls the world. You can count on him to be there for you. He loved you before you desired him and his great love has been given out for you.

Jesus was God in the flesh, and he came so you might stop sinning. God knew that we could not keep from sinning. Despite being perfect, Adam and Eve sinned against God. Jesus came and showed that it is possible. You need to be made pure, and then you must live in him, with his power in order to succeed against the draw of the world, the draw of Satan.

The Spirit will confirm what is to be. He will affirm your standing with God. But you can fake yourself out by lying to yourself. Satan, the father of lies, is there to draw you away, but you can stand against him if you remain close to the Lord. The Spirit is there to help you.

A and K, God expects you not to sin. In fact, you are not his, if you continue sinning. Run from those who teach otherwise. This is the truth given in the 1st letter of John. Show you love the Lord by fleeing temptation and living pure in his sight.

~Dad

I John Review Explained

March 25, 2016 on 03-26-16

I John Review...

I will take the titles of my blog to do a review the book of 1st John. I did not have time to spend categorizing these fully, but I believe we can see the heart of what John was telling his readers, what he was telling us.

There are five areas of content:
     Attributes of God
     General Information
     Info on Satan and Followers
     What Not to Do
     What We Are to Do

Over the next few days, I will list the five area discussing some in detail and highlighting themes in others. But for today grasp this thought... The biggest area of truth given by John was in reference to what we are to be doing. Another area of importance is the attributes of God. All three God-heads are mentioned.

Daughters,it is my prayer that you see the truth of the Word as the way to live your life. I John has been an encouragement to me in my devotion to him and know I am on the path up the narrow road on my way to see Jesus when he comes to take me home. Be ready, young ladies, for he will soon come and only those washed in the blood and who are following his commands will be saved! I want to see each of you in heaven.

~Dad

Keep From Idols, I John 5:21

March 24, 2016 on 03-25-16

I John 5:21... Dear children, keep yourselves from idols...

Idols, what are they? Webster says that it is something worshiped as God or an object of extreme devotion. In Bible times, and in areas around the world today, idols were something made of wood or gold or stone or other inanimate material. Today when we think if idols we think of sports players, or movie stars or musicians. But what we should consider is that it is anything that we devote more to than we do the Lord. It could be our job, our children, our spouse, our dog or cat. Anything can be a god to be served.

What do we spend our time and money on? These are areas in our lives that we make our gods. Most people have many of them. Most Americans don't believe they have any, but if they are honest with themselves, they do.

One thing is certain today, fabricated idols are becoming more common. People are setting things up in their homes and cars to pray to and to worship. Some people dangle things off their mirrors in their cars to keep safe. Others pray to idols that represent God. Not only are we not to make an image to worship - one of the "Ten", we are not to have any other gods than Him.

My dear children, A & K, do not make for yourself a god to serve.  A boyfriend or teacher or other person is to take place of God. He is the only one you are to be devoted to. Honor and worship him and give to him your whole being. Put no thing or person before him! Keep yourself from idols, no matter the form.

~Dad