Moral Decline in our Society - Isaiah 5:20

 

What has happened to our society (and the world)?  The change in our society away from Biblical guidelines has led to a sick world, and even a sick church (as the church adopts worldly thinking). We are in MORAL DECLINE!

 

What was just a few year ago considered unacceptable is now paraded as a badge of honor (especially homosexuality).  But all immorality is sin, not just homosexuality (though the Bible does call it an abomination). We're not only not ashamed of homosexuality, but we are promoting it. Today, if you call homosexuality a sin it is considered a hate crime.  That is totally ridiculous from a Christian/Biblical viewpoint.  God doesn't tell you to hate people in sin!  I see homosexuality as a moral sin, but I do not hate the people who are involved in this sin (or any other).  I minister to many in this and other sins, and I sincerely care about them!!! Do you?  You should! 

So with all this acceptance and discussion on homosexuality, it seems many have forgotten that even in the year 2013 that other moral sins still need to be dealt with. I am referring to fornication (sex outside of marriage) and adultery (sex with someone other than your spouse), which are still sins that are NOT okay. 

Some may venture to say adultery is a sin, but rarely do you hear many calling fornication sin.  Even among "church folk" it often isn't discussed as so many "church attendees" (Note: Church Attendee is not synonymous with Christian) are sleeping with each other BEFORE marriage.  It has become no big deal.  We have been saturated with IMMORALITY by all forms of media (TV being at the top).

We are to the point that we don't even flinch at immorality any more.  Truly, this has become a society of calling evil (immorality in our discussion) good and good (morality in our discussion) bad.   

It's time to get in God's Word (Bible) and pray and ask the Lord to help us not to become so desensitized to sin.   

It's surely a spiritual battle so get your spiritual armor (Eph. 6:11-18) on and let's get back to the Bible.  It is a NOW word, it is not outdated, it is for you and me to guide us into all truth.

Closing WORD:
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.    Colossians 2:8

NOTE: For you who are battling with ANY addictions or counsel others with addictions, this is a must have book: "Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave" by Ed Welch (You can find it on www.ChristianBook.com  and many other bookstores).

Racial remarks as new Miss. America crowned. Racism is not only wrong it is sin!!!

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28

I didn't watch it Sunday night, but I found out this morning that Nina Davuluri just won Miss America 2014. She is the first Indian (India origin) American to be chosen as Miss America. Nina was BORN in Syracuse, New York. Nina was born to Telugu parents. Her mother, Sheila Ranjani, and father, Davuluri Koteshwara Choudhary, both were originally from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.

This racism and uncalled for remarks are just the sign of a fallen people who do not know God.  Racism will be with us until Jesus comes back.  But it shouldn't be named among any who call themselves Christian.  I am Italian in origin, my great grandparents came here from Italy. Is that going to be held against me?  I hope not! What origin are you? If you're an American (except native American Indian) then you too have origins in other than America. Do you want that held against you? Of course not!

When we discriminate against a person on the basis of any non-character trait we are wrong! A person's level of education; genealogical background; economic category; or skin color -- these are non-character traits, and when we make judgments about people based on things like this, we have sinned.

 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." Romans 10:12

Back when Romans was written (and before) the Jew and the Greek didn't associate with each other, but God tells the Christians at Rome that he makes no such distinction. God is rich to ALL who call upon Him - Jew, Greek, Italian, German, Indian, Syrian, Arab, etc. 

Now back to  our opening passage in Galatians,  "...ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28

Also James 2:1-13 is a very relevant passage against racism.  Well worth reading.Among the great words of this passage it says in verse 9, "But if ye have respect to persons (partiality), ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."

 

We need to get this clear as this passage and others indicate, racism is SIN!

In this world I don't see racism ever going away, but among us who call ourselves Christians may it not be named.  To this extent I pray!  AMEN!

For more Bible verses against racism please go to: http://www.openbible.info/topics/racism

The American Church Can Choose Humility or Humiliation

It really only goes one of these two ways for America (or any other country as well).

AMERICA you had such good roots and were a Godly country for many years.  Choice time Humility or Humiliation.  For entire article go here: The American Church Can Choose Humility or Humiliation

"Are you weighed down and struggling in your walk" (Hebrews 12:1)

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1

Sin is a big issue that we must deal with and keep out of our lives, but today I want to talk about "weights."  I'm not referring to that extra weight (body fat) many are carrying on them.  I'm talking about a different weight subject.

In Hebrews 12:1, it states that we are to "...let us lay aside every weight..."  By definition "weights" are not sins (weight and sin are distinguished from each other in this passage.)  Hopefully, every one reading this knows they aren't suppose to sin.  But what about those things that aren't necessarily sin, but hinder us (weigh us down) in our walk with Jesus.  A weight is something which in itself to another may be harmless or even legitimate, but in our own case is a hindrance.  We all have to look into our hearts and ask ourselves will this be a hindrance in my Christian walk.

The Christian life is compared to a race.  The ultimate goal of the race (the Christian life) is to be able to say as Paul said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." - II Tim.4:7. Paul also said, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." - I Cor. 9:24. God wants us to give our all in this race.  You can't expect to give your all if you have heavy weights in your life; they will slow you down spiritually!

Can you imagine a champion runner running with a 120-pound sack thrown on his back right before the race? Though he may be the best in the world, you would not expect to see any world records broken on that day.  Though he's the best, that 120-pound sack is going to slow him down. He would admit that even being over his optimum weight by the slightest amount could cost him a win in a race.   Well, my fellow Christian, that's exactly what weights in the Christian life will do to you; they will hinder you from being ALL that God intended you to be. Let me encourage you to get rid of those weights and run this race of the Christian life like the Spiritual Champion that God created you to be (Rom. 8:37 & II Cor. 2:14).

I even believe there are things that God may say to me in the future, "Hey Jim what about ____________ (fill in the blank)".  I could say, "Lord, you want that to go? Lord what's wrong with that?" The Lord would say, "Jim it's a weight,"  and there will go some more stuff in the life of Jim.   Poor Jim!  No, BLESSED Jim!  FREE Jim!  I want to be used of God to my full potential, I want you all to be used of God to your full potential. I want you all to be truly FREE in Jesus! 

So, in closing let's remember it's time to get rid of not just sins, but also those weights and be the person God has called you to be!

Heavenly Father,

We come before You and ask that You reveal to us by your Holy Spirit those things in our life that our weighing us down. We thank you for the liberty that will come forth as we get released from these weights, so that we will then walk as Champions in You!   In Jesus; Name AMEN!

Syria Needs the Gospel Rather than Missiles

A well written article worth the read by all Christian. Syria Needs the Gospel Rather than Missiles

I personally believe there is a time for war (See Eccles. 3:8a), it's just not NOW in this situation.
I will not be surprised if Obama (not the citizens of the USA) goes to war with Syria in the next couple or few days.  But it will not represent the desires and will of the people.  Meanwhile, keep Syria in your prayers, and that God's Word will even now reach this country.  They need Jesus! - Jim

Is the Bible relevant today!

Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever".
  
We are in a society that tells us the Bible is outdated.  We need to see that the Bible is not just a history book (though it has great history), it's also not just a  scientific journal (though the Bible reveals many scientific facts), it is also a great book about the end times.  It even talks about Israel often, and it has never been wrong! But we must never forget that the Bible is the description God gave us about who He is, and what He desires and plans for humanity. 

Many even in the churches today are falling for the lie that we live in a new time and that the Bible is not relevant. This has led to a sick and weak church. The Word (Bible) is indeed relevant today. It is for you and me right NOW!  Follow the Word now and it will change your life. 

I believe the Bible is relevant today in a lot of areas - we just don't want to admit.  It's not popular to stand for the Truth (Bible). But many of the areas that we won't touch or are told "don't judge" (a future devotion, boy will you be surprised) are areas where God's Word has plainly stated this is wrong, this is sin!

For example, the Bible is very clear on the subject of the sanctity of marriage as being one man and one woman. Also, the Bible is clear on the fact that abortion is murder (forgivable, but murder all the same), that having sex outside of marriage is fornication, and the list goes on.  So let's stop using the excuse that the Bible is not relevant today.  It is totally relevant today.



This was a short devotion as we start our journey together in Christ and through the holy scriptures.


I am available for prayer or ministry through my email: WordNowbyJim@gmail.com

Have a Jesus' blessed day!


Jim

Prov. 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.