I’m Better Off Alone. – Lies of the Enemy #32– Purity 1044

I’m Better Off Alone.  – Lies of the Enemy #32– Purity 1044

Purity 1044 05/15/2023 Purity 1044 Podcast

Purity 1044 on YouTube: Coming Soon!

Good morning,

Today’s photo of my wife approaching the Ridge Cabin at the Merck Forest and Farmland Center Grounds in Rupert Vermont comes to us from yours truly as the wife and I decided to “DO Something” this past Saturday and spent a few hours hiking along the Gallop Road until we lost our way.   For the life of me I don’t know which way we were supposed to go to stay on track because we were faithfully following the signs leading the way but at the intersection leading to the Ridge Cabin things didn’t appear as they seemed as the three forked path must have had a fourth path as we came down one, explored the other – to the Ridge Cabin – and left via what we thought was the “only other way” only to discover a short while later that the path we were on wasn’t the one we thought it was!

But the sign we followed that pointed us back to the Visitor’s Center didn’t necessarily lead us astray, it just didn’t take us back to the beginning we had planned on.  

Well, It’s Tuesday and I spontaneously did something a little unexpected. I booked a “camping” trip for Saturday and Sunday (– no I’m not doing three days – I know my limits!) of the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend to stay at the Nemorod Cabin at the Merck Forest and Farmland Center.  While it’s hardly going to be “roughing it” what with Nenorod Cabin’s wrap-around porch and rocking chairs, but  I will be without my beloved electricity and indoor plumbing, and there are grave doubts that I will be able to connect to the internet with my phone, but sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone and get away from it all.    Although, I imagine I won’t have to worry about solitude as I am inviting the wife and her kiddos along for the ride if they dare… I’m sure they will.  They are no strangers to camping and may even choose to forsake the comfort of the cabin to sleep in tents or just to lie on the ground for all I know…  

Anyway, although my Memorial Day Weekend won’t be spent in solitude, I am hopeful that I will find some peace and rest, in spite of the rugged conditions and the boisterous company of people who “love camping”.  Although family vacations can be a mix of fun and frustrations at times, I know that whenever I venture too far into solitude or silence the specter of loneliness will rear its ugly head causing me to want to reconnect with loved ones, my heavenly Father, or just in the company of strangers in public places.  

And that brings us to our current series the “Lies of the Enemy”, which is an examination of some of the common lies, sometimes sneakily whispered into our minds as “first person” statements, that the enemy tells us to cause us to doubt our faith, lose our peace, cause division, or influence us to not follow the Lord with the way we live our lives. 

So today’s big lie is:

Lie #32:  I’m better off alone.          

Today’s lie is whispered into our ears by the demonic forces of darkness usually when we are at our lowest or most vulnerable state. It usually comes after loss and can be born from the deep hurt and disappointment that follows the rejection of broken relationships or even the departure of loved ones into eternity. 

Our pain and depression of the things we lost or at the offense of how we have been mistreated or abused can give us the desire to become a hermit and distance ourselves from everyone.  The enemy offers the solution of unending solitude with the rationale that because other people have caused your pain, it only makes sense to protect ourselves from further pain by removing ourselves from the company of others.

However, this is usually a set up as the enemy will then take the peace of solitude and change it to the anxiety of loneliness but with the hopelessness that “You can’t” – or won’t reach out to others to alleviate the problem.  It is then that the enemy tries to convince you that you really are alone – that there is no God – and no meaning or purpose to this life – and thus Satan and his demonic associates will offer up the final solution of suicide to “end all your pain, forever.”   

From hurt to solitude to isolation to suicide, the enemy knows if he gets us alone we are more susceptible to his lies and schemes to destroy us.        

But God’s word tells us that it is not good for man to be alone and He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves indicating that we are to have continuous relational contact with others.  The injunctions to not forsake the fellowship of the saints commands us to gather for worship and the guidelines for love, marriage, and raising children point to the flourishing that comes from God’s design for families.   Whether you decide to marry or not is up to you, but nowhere in scripture does good recommend a long term solitary existence as Christians are all called to go and make disciples.   God knows what we need and gives us His wisdom to lead us into a life that is filled with the fruit of the Spirit and all of those are best cultivated (especially patience) with others in mind.  

So yes I acknowledge the difficulties that our human relationships can cause but the trials are meant to mature us, to be wise and discerning with our hearts, and to choose the company and fellowship of those who respect and follow the Lord.  I

f someone isn’t following the Lord, are you surprised they are selfish or abusive? Those who don’t have a relationship with God through faith in Christ are worshipping false idols – usually themselves – and will invariably show the foul fruit that comes from following anything other  than the God who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us.    

SO don’t believe the lie that you are better off alone. It’s a trap from enemy! Instead choose to follow the Lord into the company of the saints and those who need the good news and the good works that you can give.  

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For those who want more evidence for Christianity than my simple apologetic will provide, I offer apologist, Frank Turek’s website, https://crossexamined.org/ .

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Today’s Bible verse comes to us from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”.

This morning’s meditation verses are:

Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT2)
¹²  Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
¹³  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Today’s verses encourage us to be kind, gentle, patient, and merciful with one another, to make allowances for each other’s faults and to forgive those who offend us – as we have been forgiven all things through Christ.  

I don’t set these messages up but the Lord sure seems to be Sovereign at times when our “random” Bible verse of the day flows with the first part of the message.  

So Instead of thinking you are better off alone – forgive the offenses of others and be  kind, gentle, humble, patient, and merciful in your dealing with others.  

Now if someone is toxic and refuses to follow the Lord and these basic instructions for human interaction, you may have to put up boundaries to limit or even end your interactions with them – thus “releasing them to Satan and possible repentance.  

When following the Lord we have to be uncompromising in our love for others but to remain in our company, we need to be clear that the others must also reciprocate the kindness and respect we provide. 

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As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk.

Today we continue sharing from  “Satan, Demons & Satanism: A Sinister Reality” By June Hunt.

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage you all to purchase June Hunt’s books for your own private study and to support her work.  This resource is available online for $7.99 (https://june-hunt.myshopify.com/collections/keys-for-living/products/keys-for-living-on-satan-demons-satanism_ ).

Satan, Demons & Satanism

A Sinister Reality

by June Hunt

IV.    Steps To Solution

G.  Prevention and Protection

Living in victory over Satan is possible when we realize that our victory is in Jesus Christ alone! We are engaged in a lifelong war with Satan, and often that struggle involves our family and friends. Therefore, we need to be prepared at all times so that we and those we love will not fall into the enemy’s hands.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

(Colossians 2:8)

•     Be aware—

Know that satanic influence can touch any family.

•     Be knowledgeable—

Know what the Bible says about Satan.

•     Be alert—

Be quick to recognize signs and symptoms of satanic involvement.

•     Be loving—

Listen for and hear feelings and emotions that are being communicated.

•     Be respectful—

Do not be accusing or condemning.

•     Be involved—

Attend a warm, Bible-believing, spiritually alert church.

•     Be tough—

Realistically present the consequences of satanic involvement.

•     Be edifying—

Plan activities and projects that build self-worth.

•     Be in contact—

Get support from ministers, youth leaders and police experts.

•     Be in prayer—

Ask God for a hedge of protection around your family.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

(1 Peter 5:8)

Pray …

Thank You, Father, that I am Your child and that Christ, who is in me, is greater than Satan, who is in the world. I acknowledge that Satan is a defeated enemy. He was defeated when the blood of Christ was shed at Calvary. His blood paid for the guilt of my sins. I am a child of God, and Satan has no authority over me. I’ve been bought with a price. My body is not my own. It belongs to Christ. I refuse all thoughts that are not from God, and I resist Satan and his power. As I stand in the full armor of God, I ask You to bind Satan and his demonic realm from any influence over me. Just as You put a hedge of protection around Job, I ask that You put a hedge of protection completely around me for the glory of Christ. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Many a buddy has jumped into the lake with his friend. While they are joined at the wrists, the jump feels fun and free. But stop! This isn’t your buddy—he’s the enemy of your soul. In the end, Satan and all his followers will be thrown into the lake of fire—a lake of eternal torment day and night, for ever and ever. Don’t be deceived. Don’t dabble in the demonic. Turn around, turn away and never turn back! It’s a matter of life and death.

—June Hunt^[1]

---------------------------more tomorrow------------------------

Join our “Victory over the Darkness”, “The Bondage Breaker”, "Freedom in Christ" series of Discipleship Classes via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts

(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154). The mt4christ247 podcast is also available on Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartradio, and Audible.com. 

These teachings are also available on the MT4Christ247 You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MT4Christ247

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

My wife, TammyLyn, also offers Christian encouragement via her Ask Seek Knock blog (https://tammylynask.blogspot.com/ ),  her Facebook Group: Ask, Seek, Knock (https://www.facebook.com/groups/529047851449098 ) and her podcast Ask, Seek, and Knock on Podbean (https://feed.podbean.com/tammalyn78/feed.xml)

For those who require the assistance of a Deeper Walk International Prayer Minister to experience healing or your freedom in Christ, I highly recommend Christy Edge’s Life on the Edge Freedom Prayer Ministry. You can schedule a session by going to : https://cedge216.wixsite.com/life-on-the-edge     

“The views, opinions, and commentary of this publication are those of the author, M.T. Clark, only, and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any of the photographers, artists, ministries, or other authors of the other works that may be included in this publication, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the author may represent.”

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

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^[1] June Hunt, Biblical Counseling Keys on Satan, Demons & Satanism: A Sinister Reality (Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart, 2008), 20–21.

I am All Alone – Lies of the Enemy #6– Purity 1018

 

I am All Alone – Lies of the Enemy #6– Purity 1018

Purity 1018 04/15/2023 Purity 1018 Podcast

Purity 1018 on YouTube: 

Good morning,

Today’s photo of a sunrise pathway scene reflected in the waters at the Vischer Ferry Preserve in Rexford comes to us from Nancy Saunders Sever who leads the Starpoint Church Divorce Care Group at my local church and yesterday lead a group of friends from the group on an 6:00 am morning hike to enjoy a gorgeous morning and the fact that there is freedom and healing, even after divorce, when Christians come together in unity to support and encourage one another.      

Well, it is Saturday, and even though my shifting schedule has me working today, I pray that all of my friends with the day off, and those working, take some time today to enjoy yourselves and thank the Lord for all that He has done.  And if you can do so in the company of family or friends.  As the Swedish proverb says “shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. "  And I can tell you that is the truth!

The Starpoint Divorce Care group was instrumental in my healing from my divorce. I shared my sorrow, and I can tell you that there was healing merely in having the opportunity to honestly talk about what I went through with others who had, were, or were preparing to suffer the same loss of divorce.   The word indicates that confessing our “sins” to our brothers brings healing (James 5:16) and I know that I released many burdens through that group.   

I also experienced joy! The leadership was intentional in organizing social gatherings for the group members and it was through these simple gatherings with new friends that I was able to get over loneliness and past the fear of “going out” in the world again.  

The enemy would have us isolate ourselves because when we are alone he can more easily condemn us, make us see the world as hostile to us, and keep us in bondage to addiction, fear, anger, or depression.   But when we come together as Christians, we can combat the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s word and the support of one another.  

And so in the spirit of standing on the truth, let’s continue with our current series which is an examination of some of the common lies the enemy tells us to cause us to doubt our faith or to choose not to follow the Lord with the way we live our lives. 

So today’s big lie is:

Lie # 6:  I am All Alone.    

I purposely put today’s big lie in the “first person” tense because that is often how the enemy delivers the “fiery darts” into our minds.  

1 Chronicles 21:1 (NKJV) tells us
¹  Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

Here scripture indicates Satan, apparently underneath God’s authority (2 Samuel 24:1), moved David to take a census of the people of Israel but He didn’t follow the guidelines  for doing so that God established with Moses (Exodus 30:12) thus acting in pride and against God’s word.    Acting in pride and against God’s word, huh?  Sounds like Satan to me!  

But it probably didn’t sound like Satan to David, it probably sounded like a good idea of his own.  It is unlikely that Satan announced his maniacal plot that would result in the deaths of 70,000 Israelites (1 Chronicles 21:14) to David in the second person: 

“Hey David, You should do a census!”

Instead it is more likely that the enemy phrased it in the first person: 

“I should do a census before we fight. The enemy will be intimidated when they find out how large our army is! That’s a good idea! Boy, I’m smart!”

Little did David know that He was going against God’s word. He had a heart for God after all.  But scripture tells us that Satan knows the word and just how to twist it.  So when we consider combatting the lies of the enemy, we have to  be on the look out of “our own thoughts” because they could be “first person” fiery darts from demonic entities. That’s right. Sometimes our thoughts may not be our own!  

Satan did it to David and so he will certainly do it to us.  

That’s a big introduction for today’s lie but I wanted to explain those “first person” lies because if we aren’t “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” – even first person thoughts, we will be susceptible to deception.

And just like how the enemy likes to take the truth of God’s word and twist it, he will also take the facts of a situation and twist them to afflict us. The best lies are partially true and Satan knows this.  

So, the lie of “I am all alone.” can be based on the facts of the circumstances.  I am alone. My spouse left me. My family is far from me.  I don’t have any close friends. 

The enemy will be quick to point out these facts and provided you with commentary to explain them:

“I’m alone because nobody loves me. Nobody wants to be with me.”

But what the enemy doesn’t tell you is that there is Someone that does love you and is always with you: God.  No matter what your circumstances on this earth may be there is One who will never leave you or forsake you.  God reveals the fact of His omnipresence through out scripture.  

In Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) God says:
⁹  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Wherever you go, there you are with God.   

Remember David, the guy who really messed up more than once,  well he knew this truth about God too.  In

 Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT2)

¹  O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
²  You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
³  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
⁴  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.
⁵  You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
⁶  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

 This is the wonderful knowledge about God that Satan doesn’t want you to know, read the rest of Psalm 139 and the whole counsel of God and you will see that God is all knowing, all powerful, every where present and He loves us enough to send Jesus to save us.    

If you have put your faith in Christ, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, Himself, lives in you. 

SO in reality, the Christian is NEVER ALONE.  We can’t be alone because God is with us wherever we go.   But if we forget this, the truth of our relationship with God, the enemy can get us to believe the lies that will fill us with despair, cause us to be fearful or angry, and tempt us to look for satisfaction and love in all the wrong places.   

 So if you are hearing that lie: “I’m all alone.”   There are two ways you can combat it. 

1.    You remember word and your relationship with God and go into His presence through prayer, Bible Study, worship, praise, thanksgiving, or doing good works in His name.   The word says that in the presence of the Lord there is full of joy.  

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
¹¹  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

God shows us the path of life. In His presence there is fullness of joy! So stay in His presence by walking and talking to God as you follow His path through life.  

And the second way you can combat, the lie that “I’m all alone.” Is to

2.    Seek the company of family, friends, and brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Or go out to new places and make new friends, and take your faith with you.   

Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) says
¹  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

So spend some time making friends in the body of Christ.  We need each other but no one will know your need if you don’t seek friendship. I know it is not easy but the Lord directs us to love one another and we can’t do that by ourselves.   

So don’t believe the lie that “I’m all alone.” It’s not true, God is with you.  But if you are lonely, be bold and courageous and seek out good company where you can confess your sorrows to cut them in half and where you can double your joy. 

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For those who want more evidence for Christianity than my simple apologetic will provide, I offer apologist, Frank Turek’s website, https://crossexamined.org/ .

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Today’s Bible verse comes to us from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”.

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)
¹²  So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Today’s verse points to the fact of our physical impermanence and encourages us to live from a heart of wisdom – to make our days count.  

All wisdom comes from God so to gain a heart of wisdom we need to know what God’s book of wisdom, the Bible, says and to wisely apply its teachings to our lives.  

The Bible will show us that our lives are but a vapor and we only have limited time to enjoy our lives and to contribute to the work of God’s kingdom.  

So don’t waste your time in earthly pursuits but seek God’s wisdom and to grow your capacity for being in His presence and doing His will. We have to grow into maturity and it may take some time to gain that heart of wisdom but if we number our days we will be able to focus on what’s really important – what will last for eternity – our character and the work we do for and with the Lord.

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As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk.

Today we continue sharing from A.W. Pink’s “The Sovereignty of God.”

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase A.W. Pink’s books for your own private study and to support his work.  This resource is available on many websites for less than $20.00.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

By  ARTHUR W. PINK

CONCLUSION continues

Let us take up these questions in the order of mention.

2. God’s Sovereignty and Christian service

If God has determined before the foundation of the world the precise number of those who shall be saved then why should we concern ourselves about the eternal destiny of those with whom we come into contact? What place is left for zeal in Christian service? Will not the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, and its corollary of predestination, discourage the Lord’s servants from faithfulness in evangelism? No; instead of discouraging His servants a recognition of God’s sovereignty is most encouraging to them. Here is one, for example, who is called upon to do the work of an evangelist, and he goes forth believing in the freedom of the will and in the sinner’s own ability to come to Christ. He preaches the Gospel as faithfully and zealously as he knows how; but he finds the vast majority of his hearers are utterly indifferent and have no heart at all for Christ. He discovers that men are, for the most part, thoroughly wrapt up in the things of the world, and that few have any concern about the world to come. He beseeches men to be reconciled to God and pleads with them over their soul’s salvation. But it is of no avail. He becomes thoroughly disheartened and asks himself, What is the use of it all? Shall he quit, or had he better change his mission and message? If men will not respond to the Gospel, had he not better engage in that which is more popular and acceptable to the world? Why not occupy himself with humanitarian efforts, with social uplift work, with the purity campaign? Alas! that so many men who once preached the Gospel are now engaged in these activities instead.

What then is God’s corrective for His discouraged servant? First, he needs to learn from Scripture that God is not now seeking to convert the world, but that in this Age He is “taking out of the Gentiles” a people for His name (Acts 15:14). What then is God’s corrective for His discouraged servant? This: a proper apprehension of God’s plan for this Dispensation. Again: what is God’s remedy for dejection at apparent failure in our labors? This: the assurance that God’s purpose cannot fail, that God’s plans cannot miscarry, that God’s will must be done. Our labors are not intended to bring about that which God has not decreed. Once more: what is God’s word of cheer for the one who is thoroughly disheartened at the lack of response to his appeals and the absence of fruit for his labors? This: that we are not responsible for results: that is God’s side, and God’s business. Paul may “plant,” and Apollos may “water,” but it is God who “gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Our business is to obey Christ and preach the Gospel to every creature, to emphasize the “Whosoever believeth” and then to leave the sovereign operations of the Holy Spirit to apply the Word in quickening power to whom He wills, resting on the sure promise of Jehovah: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please (it may not that which we please), and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it” (Isa. 55:10, 11). Was it not this assurance that sustained the beloved apostle when he declared “Therefore (see context) I endure all things for the elect’s sake” (2 Tim. 2:10)! Yea, is not this same lesson to be learned from the blessed example of the Lord Jesus! When we read that He said to the people “Ye also have seen Me, and believe not,” He fell back upon the sovereign pleasure of the One who sent Him, saying “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me, and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:36, 37). He knew that His labor would not be in vain. He knew God’s Word would not return unto Him “void.” He knew that “God’s elect” would come to Him and believe on Him. And this same assurance fills the soul of every servant who intelligently rests upon the blessed truth of God’s sovereignty.

Ah, fellow-Christian-worker, God has not sent us forth to “draw a bow at a venture.” The success of the ministry which He has committed into our hands is not left contingent on the fickleness of the wills in those to whom we preach. How gloriously encouraging, how soul-sustaining the assurance are those words of our Lord’s if we rest on them in simple faith: “And other sheep I have (“have” mark you, not “will have;” “have” because given to Him by the Father before the foundation of the world), which are not of this fold (i.e. the Jewish fold then existing): them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice” (John 10:16). Not simply, “they ought to hear My voice,” not simply “they may hear My voice,” not “they will if they are willing.” There is no “if,” no uncertainty about it. “They shall hear My voice” is His own positive, unqualified, absolute promise. Here then is where faith is to rest! Continue your quest, dear friend, after the “other sheep” of Christ’s. Be not discouraged because the “goats” heed not His voice as you preach the Gospel. Be faithful, be scriptural, be persevering, and Christ may use even you to be His mouthpiece in calling some of His lost sheep unto Himself. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).^[1]

---------------------------more tomorrow------------------------

Join our “Victory over the Darkness”, “The Bondage Breaker”, "Freedom in Christ" series of Discipleship Classes via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts

(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154). The mt4christ247 podcast is also available on Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartradio, and Audible.com. 

These teachings are also available on the MT4Christ247 You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MT4Christ247

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

My wife, TammyLyn, also offers Christian encouragement via her Ask Seek Knock blog (https://tammylynask.blogspot.com/ ),  her Facebook Group: Ask, Seek, Knock (https://www.facebook.com/groups/529047851449098 ) and her podcast Ask, Seek, and Knock on Podbean (https://feed.podbean.com/tammalyn78/feed.xml)

“The views, opinions, and commentary of this publication are those of the author, M.T. Clark, only, and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any of the photographers, artists, ministries, or other authors of the other works that may be included in this publication, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the author may represent.”

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

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^[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1949), 247–249.

I Can’t be Forgiven – Lies of the Enemy #4– Purity 1016

I Can’t be Forgiven – Lies of the Enemy #4– Purity 1016

Purity 1016 04/13/2023 Purity 1016 Podcast

Purity 1016 on YouTube: 

Good morning,

Today’s photo a brick tunnel pathway comes to us from my sister in law, Megan Seguin, who shared this scene on social media yesterday from her road trip family vacation that made a stop at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  

Well, It’s Thursday and as is my habit, I am sharing today’s photo as a visual encouragement to get on or to stay on the path of Christian discipleship even if the going gets “tight” and you feel that the world is closing in on you. 

When we decide to follow Jesus Christ with the way we lead our lives, their will invariably some push back from the world as lifelong friends, or even family members, may reject your new life of faith and possibly end their relationships with you because of it! Also the spiritual forces of darkness are not happy to lose you to God’s kingdom and usually retaliate with “fiery darts” to  tempt, accuse or condemn you. 

Scripture reveals instances where the enemy influenced people in their through lives and so when we have thoughts that would cause us to go back to the sins we repented of or doubt the sincerity of our faith or our worthiness, we have to realize that those thoughts may not be our own and could be the Lies of the Enemy.   

And so today we continue our examination of some of the common lies the enemy tells us to cause us to doubt our faith or to choose not to follow the Lord with the way we live our lives. 

So today’s big lie is:

Lie # 4: I Can’t Be Forgiven.     

What better way is there to keep Christians from enjoying their lives and being a force for the kingdom of God than to make them doubt that they could ever be forgiven for their sins? 

This Lie, that “I can’t be forgiven for all the things I ‘ve done! (or that REALLY BAD THING I have done!), is in direct opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ that tells us that Christ died to pay for the penalty of all the sins of the world.

Romans 6:23 (NLT2) tells us
²³  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christ’s death paid the “wages of sin” for anyone who receives the free gift of God, forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:7 (NLT2) tells us that God
⁷  … is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

We are forgiven of our sins by grace and through faith in Jesus.

Christ, Himself, spoke of His authority to forgive sins throughout his earthly ministry.  At a dinner party of a Pharisees and\ immoral woman came and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair and anointed him with expensive perfume. It was quite a scene and it caused the host to wonder why Jesus would let a sinner do this to Him. After telling a parable about the forgiveness of debts and how we love much when we are forgiven much, Christ declared that the sinful women was forgiven and it wasn’t because of what she did. Jesus said in: 

Luke 7:47-50 (NLT2)
⁴⁷  “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
⁴⁸  Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
⁴⁹  The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”
⁵⁰  And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

She was saved not because of her foot washing ability, she was saved because she put her faith in Jesus! And likewise any of us, who put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior are forgiven for our sins.  And that is all our sins! Past, present, and future. 

The Apostle John wrote to the early church to encourage us in our attempts to live a holy life and even gave us instructions if we should go astray.  In

1 John 1:9 (NLT2) John tells us that when we sin we only need to confess them to God and repent:
⁹  But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

And if you think this is limited in some way or is inviting into a sin-confess cycle of licentious living, John goes on to say:

1 John 2:1-2 (NLT2)
¹  My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
²  He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

So we are to endeavor to walk away from sinful living and to be assured that Christ’s work not only paid for our sins but the sins of the world.   As

John 3:16-17 (NLT2) tells us
¹⁶  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁷  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

So while Christ’s work paid for all the sins of the world, in order to be forgiven and saved from God’s wrath, we have to believe – put our faith in Jesus.  

So to combat today’s lie of the enemy, that “I can’t be forgiven”, we have to put our faith in Jesus, and know and agree with the fact that what the Bible says is true, and thus know and experience the freedom, victory, and new life that we comes from God and knowing that we have been forgiven for everything we have ever done or will do, no matter how big or how many our sins may be. 

So rejoice! You can be forgiven! If you have put your faith in Jesus, You ARE forgiven! 

Often we don’t feel forgiven, because we either dwell on our pasts or never stop living in the past by continuing to live in sin.    

Telling ourselves that we are forgiven, when we are walking in darkness can be cold comfort as the Holy Spirit convicts us that we aren’t supposed to be living that way any longer.   To alleviate the conviction and to experience the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we have to be “real” with God and ask Him to give us the strength and guidance to repent of our sins and to stop walking in darkness.  

If we “don’t feel” forgiven because we are being condemned by the thoughts of the way we used to live, but have actually not lived that for some time (even one day), we have to realize that those feelings of guilt or condemnation are not from God. Either we are beating ourselves up or the enemy is sending thoughts to condemn and accuse of “not really being a Christian” or not “really being forgiven”. 

If that’s happening we have to realize that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, and we need to choose to believe that God has forgiven us, we are really Christians and reject the lies that the enemy wants us to believe to keep us in chains.  

But we have been set free, and to experience the freedom we already have, we just have to know we are in Christ and live like it.   

So reject that lie – that you can’t be forgiven – and stand in the truth of your new life in Christ

 

For those who want more evidence for Christianity than my simple apologetic will provide, I offer apologist, Frank Turek’s website, https://crossexamined.org/ .

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Today’s Bible verse comes to us from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”.

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Psalm 18:30 (NLT2)
³⁰  God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Today’s verse reminds us that God’s way is perfect and all His promises are true and that He is a shield of protection to all who put their faith in Him.   

God’s way is Jesus Christ – THE WAY – THE TRUTH - & THE LIFE.  And the promises of  the forgiveness of sins, a new eternal life, salvation, blessings, and protection are all true!   

Because we have the promise of eternal life in God’s kingdom, we have the ultimate protection. Because God’s promises are true we have the ultimate peace. And when we make the decision to put our faith in Jesus (God’s perfect way) and following Him in the way we live our lives, we can continuously discover just how perfect God’s way is!

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As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk.

Today we continue sharing from A.W. Pink’s “The Sovereignty of God.”

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase A.W. Pink’s books for your own private study and to support his work.  This resource is available on many websites for less than $20.00.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

By  ARTHUR W. PINK

CONCLUSION continues

 

Once more. What a word was that of the Lord Jesus as He stood before Pilate! Who can depict the scene! There was the Roman official, and there also was the Servant of Jehovah standing before him. Said Pilate, “Whence art Thou?” And we read “Jesus gave him no answer.” Then said Pilate unto Him “Speakest Thou not unto me? Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and have power to release Thee?” (John 19:10). Ah! that is what Pilate thought. That is what many another has thought. He was merely voicing the common conviction of the human heart, the heart which leaves God out of its reckoning. But hear the Lord Jesus as He corrects Pilate, and at the same time repudiates the proud boasting of men in general: “thou couldest have no power against Me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:11). How sweeping is this assertion! Man—even though he be a prominent official in the most influential empire of his day—has no power except that which is given him from above, no power, even, to do that which is evil, i.e., carry out his own evil designs unless God empowers him so that His purpose may be forwarded. It was God who gave Pilate the power to sentence to death His well-beloved Son! And how this rebukes the sophistries and reasonings of men who argue that God does nothing more than permit evil! Why, go right back to the very first words spoken by the Lord God to man after the Fall and hear Him saying “I will put ENMITY between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed” (Gen. 3:15)! Bare permission of sin does not cover all the facts which are revealed in Scripture touching this mystery. As Calvin succinctly remarked “But what reason shall we assign for His permitting it but because it is His will?”

At the close of chapter eleven we promised to give attention to one or two other Difficulties which were not examined at that time. To them we now turn. If God has not only predetermined the salvation of His own but has also foreordained the good works which they are to walk in (Eph. 2:10), then what incentive remains for us to strive after practical godliness? If God has fixed the number of those who are to be saved, and the others are vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, then what encouragement have we to preach the Gospel to the lost? Let us take up these questions in the order of mention.^[1]

---------------------------more tomorrow------------------------

Join our “Victory over the Darkness”, “The Bondage Breaker”, "Freedom in Christ" series of Discipleship Classes via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts

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These teachings are also available on the MT4Christ247 You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MT4Christ247

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

My wife, TammyLyn, also offers Christian encouragement via her Ask Seek Knock blog (https://tammylynask.blogspot.com/ ),  her Facebook Group: Ask, Seek, Knock (https://www.facebook.com/groups/529047851449098 ) and her podcast Ask, Seek, and Knock on Podbean (https://feed.podbean.com/tammalyn78/feed.xml)

“The views, opinions, and commentary of this publication are those of the author, M.T. Clark, only, and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any of the photographers, artists, ministries, or other authors of the other works that may be included in this publication, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the author may represent.”

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

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^[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1949), 244–245.