Compassion, are we truly broken inside over others infirmities.

Posted on by A.W.Nobles

Matthew 14:14 (NIV) When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

  1. σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai; from 4698; to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion:—feel compassion(2), felt compassion(7), moved with compassion(2), take pity(1).

I’ve know many minister that desperately want the Gifts of Healing in their ministry. And either have had very few genuine healings along with many other “healings” that were questionable or fake. Yet they preach and act like God is doing healing at all their meeting. And when no healing happen they blame the sick for having no faith to be healed or that their sin is keeping them from being healed.

But I think the lack of genuine miraculous healings may have more to do with the hidden motives of the heart.

Just like I see many ministers claiming to be prophets all while giving out more false prophecy than any true prophecies, and sometimes no true prophecies at all.

I see a connection between these two types of ministries.

People are so desperate to hear the true voice of God or receive a healing touch from God for their terminal illness, that people will fill churches and stadiums, spend their last dime, just to listen to false prophets and fake healing ministries, in hopes that they were true messengers of God.

It seems to me many ministers unknowingly want healing and prophesy to be activate in their ministry because of the promotions that it brings for their platform ministries. And so they want bigger platforms, which means bigger donations, which means they can now be in “full time” ministry.

There is a unfortunate understanding in many american church circles, that if you are in full time ministry then you have arrived in your spiritual life. Being able to be fully funded come with many honors from fellow Christians and benefits.

I wonder where are the ministers that have lived among the sick and dying and have their “insides” broken over the pain and suffering that resides in individuals and their families that are crying out to God for mercies of healing.

Where are the ministers today that would move to a leper colony, knowing that once there they can never come back to society, just so they could bring the sick and dying the gospel message and Jesus fully present in body, blood, and Divinity in the eucharist?

You can learn about Father Damien or know as Saint Damien of Molokai, or Saint Damien De Veuster born 3 January 1840 and died 15 April 1889 from leprosy he contracted from his caring for the sick in the leper colony Molokai, Hawaii.

I wonder would there be more gifts of healings if there was more compassion that come from deep brokenness over other’s suffering from sickness than from the hidden desire for larger platforms, greater number of people attending ministry meetings, and larger donations?

Saint Damien of Molokai taken in 1889, either late February or March, weeks before his death by William Brigham at a side wall of the St. Philomena Catholic Church.

The Christian and American Duty

Posted on by A.W.Nobles

Here John the Baptist speaks to King Herod fro...
Here John the Baptist speaks to King Herod from a hill (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I would suggest that the American citizens should remember that the President is the servant of the People, and he is an elected “citizen”. The problem is that many American politicians think that they are the “authorities that are appointed by God” and the American citizen is their servant. When the second _____ becomes reality, American will cease to exist.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. NIV (1 Pe 2:13–14)

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. NIV (Ro 13:1–2)

Both of these verses are often quoted by well-meaning Christians as a Biblical mandate to blindly submit to church leaders or US government officials. I would suggest that the historical context of these passages is to be looked and which is form of government was present, the “Emperor”. Nobody voted for the emperor during this time, he was born divine or he killed the last emperor and claimed the power for himself. All of the emperor’s governors were to establish and exercise the will of the supreme authority, that of the Emperor. None of these forms of government that the Apostolic authors are writing about is the form of “government by will of the people”. No form was the American Constitutional form of government. If American Government is the will of the people, then the officials are the servants of the people, there to administer the people’s will. I would venture to say that if someone is still trying to say that we as Christians are to blindly submit to American elected officials because they were elected (even in times when the government is not governing accord to the will of the people), then they may want to consider renouncing their American citizenship and swear allegiance to the English crown. If that is Biblical thinking and of application of scripture they are promoting as current for our Republic form of Government then America should have never of rebelled against the Crown and the “authority that which God has established”. That would mean that America rebelled and was born as a country under judgment of God.

“Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

I would suggest that American civics needs to be taught again in schools and also to the current government officials, because we the people are the ones responsible for what our government does and we the people are accountable to God for how are government servants behave. Just like a business owner who has an employee that is doing illegal business, if the owner does nothing to fire or discipline the employee, then the owner is also guilty under the law.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. NIV 1 Co 3:11–15

We will have to give an account for all of our words and deeds, and deeds include how we voted. The blood of Jesus covers our sins but that is not the same and “wood hay and stubble that have to go thru the fire of Judgment. I’m not saying we are not to respect and give honor where honor is due, but as American citizens we are the government and when our business employees or our government employees are acting like fools, we have to speak up and correct them or fire them. I would also disagree with the idea that Jesus was never political in his ministry. He blasted the government of that day, that is why they wanted to kill him. Israel’s main form of government at the time was a theocracy and the government of King Herod was only a puppet oversight government for the Roman Empire that was overseen by Pontius Pilot. Jesus publicly blasted the theocracy and their leaders on many occasions, and just one of many examples is Matt 23:13-36. He even calls them a “bunch of snakes” (that didn’t go over to well with the Jewish leaders). Even John the Baptist publicly blasted King Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, and that got John beheaded.

For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Mk 6:18.

The meaning of Romans 13:1-2 and Peter 2:13-14 is not to remain silent and do what ever the government tells you, but not to be a criminal and break God’s law. It always has been a Christian duty to speak out against injustice and breaking of God’s law. As an example, if and when the US government makes and enforces the law that makes it illegal to say that homosexuality is a sin and that the church is required to perform same-sex marriage, then the church will have to break the “ungodly law” and continue to preach the truth. My main point is that well-meaning Christians that are American citizens misuse these and a few more verses to say that all Christians should not criticize or speak out against any officials of the US government, including the President. My argument to their misapplication of Scripture is that they are using Scripture as justification to neglect the responsibility of their American citizenship, which is to keep our government honest, God-fearing, and submitted to Gods will. It is Jesus that charged his disciples to “therefore go and make disciples of all nations,” (and that includes the USA) “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Mt 28:19-20 (NIV) Pray for the American citizens in government, and teach them to obey Jesus. That is our Christian and American duty. Grace and peace to you.

Once saved always saved… From Hell?!?!

Posted on by A.W.Nobles

English: Souls being led out of Hell by Jesus
English souls being led out of Hell by Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The teaching of “Once saved always saved…from hell” is satanic. “Once save always saved…from the power and slavery of sin” is the Gospel.
Jesus did not save us from hell, He saved us from sin.

Matthew 2:20-21

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Notice that the Angel of the Lord did not say “he will save his people from HELL” but “from their sin”.

When people hear the teaching that once saved always saved, what they normally hear is,  ‘Jesus saved me from the consequences of my sin, which is Hell.’ Almost nobody wants to go to hell, so many say, “If and when I sin, I’m OK, because I said a prayer years ago.” Which means to them, do what ever you want because you won’t go to Hell. This is the straight from the Satanic writings that say, “do as thy wilt”.
Jesus came to save his people from their sin, not from Hell. Hell is the result of sin, not the symptom.
If we are saved from the power and control of sin, then that is good news!

Phil 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

We are free from the power and control of our flesh, sin, and Satan. We are now able to have the desire for God’s will and the power of God to do His will.
Someone might claim to be a saved from Hell by a prayer they said years ago, but they live under the power of sin, continue to practices sin without conviction (being sorry is not the same as conviction), and think that asking for forgiveness later will appease God. This person is not a born again Christian. They are still in rebellion against God and will be judged by God to hell with the rebellious angels.

Matthew 7:21

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

These are the words spoken by Jesus. Notice that there are two different groups that say “Lord, Lord.” One group of people say Jesus is Lord but do what ever they want, and the second group that also calls Jesus Lord are doing many religious and spiritual things. The first group are those that say a prayer and call themselves a Christian but do their own will and expect Jesus to save them from Hell. The second group also said a prayer and call themselves Christian, but they expect not to go to hell because they did good works. Neither group is born again, otherwise Jesus would recognize His spirit that is alive in born-again believers.

The scary part is God’s wrath. His severity remains on all mankind from birth to death, except for those that are born again. Those that have the spirit of God in them are no longer objects of the wrath, and no longer under judgment of rebellion. God recognizes Himself in born again mankind.

John 1:12-13

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 3:1-8

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

Voting God off the Island

Posted on by A.W.Nobles

Island in Lhaviyani Atoll

In America, morality is no longer based on facts and truth but is based on what popular opinion polls say is the majority. Morality is now a vote.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:34 NKJV

Jesus is both Lord and Savior. The two can’t be separated. Jesus said;

John 14:15 (NIV) If you love me, you will obey what I command.

Again He says the same, leaving no wiggle room.

John 14:23-24 (NIV)Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”

The sad thing is most people live like, and some even believe, that the kingdom of God is a democracy, as if we can vote on what God has said and decreed. They think if they get enough people to agree with their opinion, or that their sin should no longer be in the “Unlawful” and “Against God” category, that they can change the mind of God by saying “According to the popular vote, everybody agrees with me, which makes you, God, a bigot and a hater of what the people agree to.” As if this would change God’s mind and cause Him to resend His law! Some are even in the mindset that after presenting their popular vote to God and He doesn’t agree with the masses, they will impeach Him, voting God off the island.
This is nothing new and is why the gospel of Christ is so offensive to the rebellious mind. Jesus as savior is great and every body likes a get out of jail free card, but to demand that people surrender their will and life in exchange for eternal life is a very offensive and very different gospel.

Psalms 2
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the brulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break
Their bonds in pieces
And cast away
Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Consider, right thinking about God

Posted on by A.W.Nobles

Romans 11:22 (NIV)
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to
those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his
kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.”

We are compelled to consider both!

If we don’t know and teach both sides
of God’s nature then we malign His character and build an idol to
worship just like Aaron did when he made the golden calf for the
people while Moses was gone talking with God. Without thinking right about God, we are quick to make He who is infinite, more manageable and therefor we are led into making God into our image, an image we can control.
We get frustrated when we have unfulfilled expectations, which turns to anger when we unsuccessfully try to force our will to come to pass. When God doesn’t fit our image and low understanding, we can easily get mad at God.
Thinking rightly about God will help us place God above our will and beyond our own image.

Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)
Doxology
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”*
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.