Unsurrendered Love Lives ...Written by Dot McGinnis
Unsurrendered Love Lives ...In I Peter 3:15, we are admonished to live a surrendered life; one that will “set apart Christ", as Lord in our hearts. This means we’re to allow Him to exercise His Lordship over every area of our life. Perhaps one of hardest things for an unmarried Christian to yield, to Lord, is their love life. Scripture abounds with examples of men who were unwilling to surrender themselves, completely, to Lord, in this area, and how they suffered because of it. Romans 15:4 says, “Everything that was written in past was written to teach us …” Let’s look into lives of Solomon, David, Samson, and Jacob (men, with unsurrendered love lives) and see what God would have us to learn from their experience. Moreover, let’s examine our own lives as well, to discover whether or not we have truly surrendered our all. First of all, consider Solomon. God gave Solomon a discerning heart that enabled him to distinguish between right and wrong. To this, He added great insight and a breath of understanding as measureless as sand of shore. The Bible says there never was nor will there ever be a man with wisdom of Solomon. (I Kings 3:9-12; 4:29-31). Though he was wisest of men, he was still very foolish. For, he allowed his involvement with heathen women to take precedence over what he knew to be right. God tried to warn him. But, he wouldn’t listen. He chose, instead, to love women who led him astray, turning his heart away from God. Solomon reaped a bitter harvest because of rebellion he sowed. The affect of his transgression was felt not only by Solomon, but also by his son; an innocent victim of his father’s sin. Read about it in I Kings 11:1-13. Next, we have David. David was a man with a heart toward God. He shared a relationship with Him that was unique. They had a closeness and an intimacy we should all strive to attain. God was pleased with David, calling him a “man after His own heart.” David, however, when it came to affairs of heart, never even considered that God may desire right to exercise His Lordship even there. He had an adulterous affair with Bath-sheba, arranged to have her husband killed, and paid for it all with death of his son (II Samuel 11:1-27 12:7-23). How his heart must have broke when Nathan prophet confronted him with his sin, giving him this prophetic message from God: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise word of LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes?” (II Samuel 7b-9a). Then, we have Samson. Samson also teaches us about unsurrendered love. Samson had been separated unto Lord since birth. He was a man God appointed to judge His nation, Israel. The Spirit of God came upon him in power; empowering him with an unusual amount of strength. He was strong and yet weak, at least whenever Delilah was concerned. Because of his attraction to her, Samson paid a price. Her love caused him to suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He suffered physically because he lost sight of both of his eyes. He suffered emotionally because he was betrayed by woman he cherished most. He suffered spiritually because he lost his relationship with Lord. Samson’s unsurrendered love life cost him in every area of his life (Judges 16:4-21). Finally, there was Jacob. Jacob had a deep appreciation for spiritual things. He longed to gain possession of birthright, blessing, and all that went with them. They were so important to him that he schemed and connived, deceiving even those closest to him, just so he could have them as his own. (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-40).
| | Call no man Father Written by Rev Anthony Smith
Call no man Father by Anthony Smith Matthew 23:5-23:10 Call no man Father A look at deception and Consequences. The institution of Christian religion was and is still based on words of Jesus and Holy Spirit directing men to put forth laws and statutes that are pleasing to Father. Many have taken this law of Our Father in Heaven and made it to none effect upon this earth to millions. Some times men will say, “Its all in interpretation.” But where in Bible is it stated that, Scripture is only open to private interpretation? This is a deception and misleading statement. In Matthew 23:5 we see Jesus rebuking leadership of Church for Vanity, lets read; Matthew 23:5-10 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge borders of their garments, And love uppermost rooms at feasts, and chief seats in synagogues, And greetings in markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. The stability of House of Israel was not upon minds of religious leadership at this time. Leaders were trying, as is today, to enlarge their influence upon congregations. Making laws and rules and changing truth of word of God into a lie. Not stopping for a moment to see damage that they have done neither repenting of it. These men as some are today, cannot see clearly neither can they see any farther than their own ambition. Wanting to make a name for themselves in annals of history, but what they fail to understand, history will neither remember them nor will any of saints of God. Ask yourself a question, Why Did Jesus come to this earth? What was so important that He gave up, Glory for abuse, a mansion for a rock, Golden Garments for Rags, Honor for Dishonor? John 8:45-49 And because I tell you truth, ye believe me not. How many have been put down because they have told truth? Mankind has gotten to point that they would rather believe a lie instead of believing truth. Mans truth is short lived and it is cankerous and moth eaten. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say truth, why do ye not believe me? Why wont they believe truth, message after message from Word of God and many still reject truth. Man has stated;” We have developed a Roadmap to Peace in Middle East.” The facts state; U.S. Consulate in Saudi Arabia hit An attack on U.S. consulate in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, left five non-American staff, four police and three extremists dead, U.S. and Saudi officials said after three-hour long battle. Suit against military policy on Gays, Gunfights rage in Baghdad streets. After escaping from PA prison several months ago, Kamil returned to Jenin region and significantly increased his involvement in Islamic Jihad activity. Kamil is responsible for both executing and directing explosive device attacks and shooting attacks against Israeli security forces operating in Kabatya region. Kamil recruited a vast number of operatives to Islamic Jihad infrastructure in Jenin region. Even after this man still calls others father. What have they done, have they delivered any from sin, have they saved a single soul, have they created anything from nothing, have they caused man to be at peace with each other, NO. They can do nothing. And what about them hearing truth, Jesus said; He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. This was a harsh statement wasn’t it, but does this statement from Christ still hold true today? The answer is yes. Everything Jesus said and did was from True Father in Heaven and not a man made doctrine of human fatherhood. Then answered Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? {This was an example of Blaspheme of Holy Ghost} Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. {Mat 23:12-13 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.} [ABA’SED, pp. Reduced to a low state, humbled, degraded.] Jesus in this verse declares state of Priest and others that dared to exalt themselves above level of servant to people. Jesus stated that, he came to serve and not to be served. These last few verses are most ignored verses in Scripture, Lets read;
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