Tag: Freedom

Sunday’s Sermon Series – CORRUPT TEACHERS

With the false teachings and widespread corruption being spewed from many pulpitis and elected government officials I thought this an appropriate sermon for today. 

Study of 1 Timothy, Chapter 1 False Teachers

2 PETER 2:17-22 (AMP and RVR 1960)

 

SERMON:

Empty Words & False Liberty

A sermon from Dr. R.C. Sproul

 

APPLICATION:

The following (Bold Print) is taken from Tim Challies’ “The Five Tests of False Doctrine”  which I used to make application for lawmakers, judges, etc. 

  1. Sound doctrine originates with God; false doctrine originates with someone or something created by God. –  Sound Laws and Policy always originates in the Constitution; not someone attempting to change it.
  2. Sound doctrine grounds its authority within the Bible; false doctrine grounds its authority outside the Bible. Sound laws and policy rest solely in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. 
  3. Sound doctrine is consistent with the whole of Scripture; false doctrine is inconsistent with some parts of Scripture. Sound laws and policy are Consistent with the original intent of the Founding Fathers who wrote the Constitution. 
  4. Sound doctrine is beneficial for spiritual health; false doctrine leads to spiritual weakness. Sound laws and policy strengthen the original intent of the Constitution they NEVER weaken it.
  5. Sound doctrine has value for godly living, false doctrine leads to ungodly living. Sound laws and policy have great value only if they have moral and ethical standards consistent with the original intent of the Constitution.
OTHER RESOURCES:

How do Politicians become Corrupt? “Love of power & the love of money” -Franklin; American Minute with Bill Federer

3 WAYS WE CORRUPT THE IDEA OF FREEDOM; Michael W Kelley

Beware the villains – 2 Peter 2; Hugh Palmer

 

Making Sense? American Pastors Network Leaders Say Opposing COVID-19 Recommendations May Result in Same Dire Outcomes

I Had to read the story to make sense of the headline 🙂 See ¹

Making Sense? American Pastors Network Leaders Say Opposing COVID-19 Recommendations May Result in Same Dire Outcomes

by News Room / May 18, 2020

World leaders came out with some dire predictions this week related to COVID-19 response, and the American Pastors Network  is pointing out the similarities and the differences.

First, the United Nations has predicted that the economic fallout from COVID-19’s spread globally could end up killing more people than the virus itself, according to Fox News, which also reported the UN estimation that the virus would threaten 130 million more people with starvation by the end of the year. The UN report also cited World Vision, which estimates 30 million children are at risk of dying from starvation, while the Los Angeles Times also reported that economists forecast a global recession that will result in up to 420 million people plunging into extreme poverty.

Conversely, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the coronavirus task force, warned of “suffering and death” if the U.S. reopens too soon. Fauci is testifying this week via video before a Senate panel and also told The New York Times in a statement that officials should adhere to federal guidelines for a phased reopening, saying, “If we skip over checkpoints in the guidelines…then we risk the danger of multiple outbreaks throughout the country. This will not only result in needless suffering and death but would actually set us back on our quest to return to normal.”

¹“Between the UN, WHO, Dr. Anthony Fauci and other experts, it sounds like death, economic carnage, famine and starvation are coming regardless,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “The UN says that if economic activity doesn’t soon occur, people will starve and fall into poverty. Dr. Fauci says that if economic activity occurs, people will die, with ‘suffering and misery’ the only result. Two experts, who happen to be very much aligned in many ways, are offering opposing recommendations with the same dire warnings. One must read between the lines. Both are globalists. Both forecast dire results. Both see only bigger government and, even better for them, a unified world government capable of addressing our dire needs. Unfortunately, both ignore the sad history of the world that tells us that the bigger government and the more elevated the ‘elite,’ the greater the death and misery of the people.

“There is one major lesson in this,” Rohrer continued. “Neither the UN nor Dr. Fauci nor the globally minded elite have the ability to offer any good news outside of more government and more regulations. Without a fear of God, a respect for the ability of people to make determinations for themselves and an appreciation for the freedom that comes from self-government under God with a Judeo-Christian-centered Declaration of Independence and Constitution, there is no hope or good news.

Neither the globalist expert, the UN elite nor medical experts have established any confidence worthy of anyone who loves freedom and understands what it takes to make strong families, strong economies and strong nations.”

Photo by Ilyass SEDDOUG on Unsplash

Saturday’s Military Devotional – Liberty

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

Porque vosotros, hermanos, a libertad fuisteis llamados; solamente que no uséis la libertad como ocasión para la carne, sino servíos por amor los unos a los otros. (RVR 1960)

CONTEXT: 

Liberty in the military is normally associated with authorized leave of absence from duty. A 3 day pass, shore leave or part of your 30 days of annual leave. What Paul in speaking about is similar but different. Confused okay, let me try and make sense of it for you.

Paul in Galatians 5:1-15, is focused on what one should be doing with their new found freedom in Christ. The same goes for all those going on authorized leave from the military, prior to departure we are reminded of the expectation for our behaviors and consequences for non-compliance. 

BREAKDOWN: 

For, brethren, Paul says listen up my brothers and sisters in this fight for Christ. The same applies today to our service members and ex-military organizations listen up you are still in the fight.  

ye have been called unto liberty; You have been called, not everyone will be called or heed the call, but you stepped up. Today with an all volunteer military (since 1973) this is certainly true. These patriots heeded the call to serve freedom. Less we forget those from the era WWII, Korea, Vietnam before them who didn’t have a choice whose number was called and in many cases and went and served.  

only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, Biblically, Paul says just because you are free from sins because of Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary you have no excuse to continue sinning as your old self. The military comes under the same constraints, prior to enlisting men and women fell under the jurisdiction of local, state and federal laws. Their enlistment did not free them from the penalty of punishment should they misuse their “liberty.” The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) will aggressively be applied if they resort to shall we say excessive worldly behaviors. 

but by love serve one another. Paul is encouraging the reader to be Christ like, to serve others with an attitude of love whenever possible. In the military a unit cannot survive if the members do not seek the best for one another. They may not “love” one another but they must look out for one another or the unit is doomed. 

Another important aspect of this is the humility in which one must serve. Paul makes it clear it is not about him, (or any individual) it is always about Christ and Christ Alone. In the military I found more Type-A personalities congregated than anywhere else on the planet. We are wired from Boot Camp to be that way then 4, 6, 8 or 20 years later when we exit the military told turn it off be humble and all will be well; not an easy task.¹

CONCLUSION:

The bible makes it clear that the only true way to be free for eternity is to be in Christ. It also makes it clear that the freedom we enjoy being in Christ is not a licence to live a life serving worldly desires. In fact anyone truly in Christ, will desire to humbly and faithfully serve others with love. 

 

Today’s Questions:

Say What?

Observation: What did I read? What struck you as most meaningful?

So What?

Interpretation: What does it mean? Overall and the most meaningful? Did it change your view on LIBERTY?

Now What?

Application: How does it apply to me?

Then What?

Implementation: What do I do? How can I start living it out today?

¹ If you are having and issues with “turning it off”, PTSD, and just plain coping P L E A S E  check out the resources here 

Why Instant Freedom is Rare for the Sex Addict

Porn maybe the fastest growing addiction worldwide. In the today in the US, porn addiction, or problematic pornography use, affects approximately 5–8% of the adult population¹. People who are addicted to cyber-porn spend at least 11–12 hours viewing porn online every week, though this amount can be much higher. This article although directed to sex addiction is applicable to any addiction. – Mike 

By Steve Gallagher

The apostle Paul said, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” (II Corinthians 4:16-17)

God transforms a man in two distinct ways: either through a miracle, which occurs instantaneously, or through a process of change over an extended period of time. Many drug addicts, who persisted in their habits for years, have been set free instantly upon coming to the Lord. God does not always choose to deal with them in this manner, although I have heard of many cases in which He has done so.

However, the Lord almost always deals with those in habitual sexual sin through a gradual, well-organized process of transforming the man into a new creation. In all my years of counseling men who struggle with sexual sin, I could count on one hand those who were instantly delivered.

If God were to instantly set us free, it would then be much easier for us to return to old habits.

Just as it has usually taken a man years to entangle himself into such a spiritual mess, it will take some time for him to work his way out of it. In today’s “microwave” society, in which people get cured of their ailments quickly, we have become accustomed to expecting immediate results for everything we desire. As a result, people often get impatient with God’s timetable. There are good reasons why change does not happen quickly.

One of the things we must realize is that if God were to instantly set us free, it would then be much easier for us to return to old habits. However, when a person has to fight and struggle to break the powerful grip of sin, he will appreciate the freedom he eventually experiences. All of the pain my wife and I have endured has had a real effect on me. It has enabled me to see the consequences of my sin more clearly. During those times of battling the temptations of sexual sin, I became determined to resist them, partly because of the price I had already paid. I simply did not want to have to pay such a price again; I knew the end result all too well.

God’s Timing

One should also realize that God deals with man in His own timing. He knows when each person is prepared for the next step in the journey to freedom. The person dealing with sexual sin can often see no further than that seemingly insurmountable sin in his life. He wants to be freed of his sin and the suffering associated with it. Yet God sees the man’s heart and his entire future. He knows there are many deeply-rooted issues which must be exposed and subsequently dealt with. God is often more concerned about exposing and expelling the underlying issues of the heart than He is about the outward sin with which the person struggles. Since the man is looking to Him for help, the Lord is able to use this critical period of his life to uncover other areas which are aiding and abetting his unremitting addiction to sex.

Oblivious to the fact that God has even greater plans for his life, the man bound up in habitual sin is inclined to be preoccupied simply with being set free.

Oblivious to the fact that God has even greater plans for his life, the man bound up in habitual sin is inclined to be preoccupied simply with being set free. Delivering him out of the clutches of his sexual sin is only part of what the Lord desires to do in his life, though. For instance, the lack of love the man shows for those around him might seem to be a secondary issue, but it is a matter of extreme importance to the Lord. Yes, He wants to see the man delivered, but He is also concerned about the character of that man once he has been “loosed” from his sin. Will his selfishness simply be spent on being a workaholic? Will he live out the rest of his life with no concern for the lost who are going to hell around him? Will he continue to be self-centered with his family? Will those at work have to continually endure his temper? The man in sin often sees no further than the immediate freedom he desires, but the Lord looks at the long-term results.

Learning to Fight

One of the things the Lord is accomplishing in the struggler’s life through this process is to teach him to fight and hate sin. This change of heart comes about through the battle.

The Greek word which we translate as “overcomes” is nikao, which means to conquer or subdue. It comes from the root word nike, meaning victory. Thus, we learn that Christians are meant to conquer or subdue something. Some synonyms for the word conquer are surmount, prevail against, subjugate, master and overpower. These terms describe the kind of life the believer is expected to live and experience.

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

Consequently, the Christian sex addict must wage war against the sin that is dominating his life. Rather than giving him an instantaneous deliverance or a desired “quick fix,” the Lord wants him to learn how to battle against it. Why? In order that he learn to hate evil as the Lord does. This is what victory is all about.

How Long will it Take?

An individual dealing with sexual addiction needs to understand that it takes time to overcome. How long it will take depends on two things.

The first is the depth of his involvement with sexual sin. Has the person been doing it for years? Has he been in denial over his problem? Has he been refusing to face responsibility for his actions? How deep has he gone into depravity? If there is proof that a deeply-rooted addiction exists, the time it will take to loosen the powerful hold that sin has had on him will be lengthy.

The other factor is the person’s determination to find freedom at any cost. Personally, I would rather work with someone who has long-standing problems but is honest with himself and is determined to endure whatever he must so that he may come into real victory. Sometimes the man with the worst addiction is the one who finds the greatest freedom. Understanding his need, he knows he must find his way to God no matter what.

As you go through this process of coming into freedom, keep your eyes on the Lord, not on the sin. If you are always focused on how badly you are doing or your past sinful behavior, you will never sense any victory. On the other hand, if you “set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth,” (Colossians 3:2) you will begin to see the One who is more than able to set you free.

Steve Gallagher is the founder and president of Pure Life Ministries. He has dedicated his life to helping men find freedom from sexual sin and the abundant life in God that comes through deep repentance.

Adapted from a chapter of At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry, copyright 2000 Steve Gallagher. 2007 www.purelifeministries.org. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use, copy, distribute, or retransmit information or materials on this page in accordance with our terms and conditions, so long as proper acknowledgment is given to Pure Life Ministries as the source of the materials, and no modifications are made to such material.

¹ = Pornography Facts and Statistics

 

You are not BORN Free

The bible makes it clear we are all born slaves to sin (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23). Here Jesus is explaining that anyone who continually sins is a slave (think context of the times, slaves were lowest class of people) to that sin. He is showing that following sin demonstrates our love for the dark evil side of life (John 3:19). 

He goes on to say that He Jesus, the Christ, the Bread of Life, is the only way to be set free from the bondage of that slavitude. How does one get out of the dark shadows of sin? We must enter into the light, the light that only Christ himself can bring forth John 8:12.

It is also important to point out one other thing here, lest we fail to take in the whole counsel of God. What Jesus is not saying is that everyone who sins is condemned and not a Christian. Only one man, Jesus walked the earth sinless. Neither you nor I will ever achieve that state short of glory. John in 1 John 1:5-10 explains it we are going to sin. The difference between a Christian and non is one will feel the pangs of guilt and confess their failure(s) striving evermore to please God. The other will continue in their worldly ways.

A Prayer for More Freedom

everyday-prayers{Understanding God is sovereign in our lives does not mean we should sit back and just let stuff happen. Communion with God through prayer is our most powerful tool to understanding God’s call to action, His will for our lives.*}

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8: 36)

Dear Jesus, I’m still not as free as you intend. Though you’ve already freed me from trying to earn my salvation by anything I do or based on anything in me; though you’ve already liberated me from the illusion that I can earn more of God’s love by ramping up my obedience and decreasing my foolishness; though the chains of condemnation have already been broken and the fears of death, judgment day, and the future have been sent packing— I’m still not as free as you intend.

 I’m still a babe, a neophyte, a raw rookie in so many gospel freedoms. Only the gospel helps me see and acknowledge these things. Only your grace keeps me from going to shame and self-contempt as I offer these prayers.

Jesus, please free me so I can be less irritated, and less often, with fewer people. Please turn my hair-trigger reactions into slower, wiser responses. Please help me to use fewer words and more listening when engaging others. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control and my commitment to a pain-free heart.

 Jesus, please liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment. Please help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Please help me to be more intrigued with people I don’t know and less timid around strangers.

 Jesus, please break even more of the chains of my insecurities. Please free me from the graveclothes of feeling incompetent about important things in life. Please unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not by showing me more of you and who I am in you.

 Jesus, please free me for greater spontaneity, louder laughter, saltier tears, and quicker repentances. I pray in your most compassionate name. Amen.

Smith, Scotty. Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith (p. 72). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

{* My addition}