THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY “For men shall be lovers of their own selves… more than lovers of God …”

12- 01 – 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (II Timothy 3:3-5)

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY “For men shall be lovers of their own selves… more than lovers of God …”

3- “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4- Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures; 5- Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

According to Dictionary.com; “Incontinent”- means: “unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces. unable to contain or retain (usually fol. by of ): incontinent of temper. lacking in moderation or self-control, esp. of sexual desire. unceasing or unrestrained: an incontinent flow of talk.”

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Incontinent” means, “lacking self-restraint, not being under control”

Matthew Henry wrote, “When men have no government of themselves and their own appetites: not of their own appetites, for they are incontinent; not of their own passions, for they are fierce; when they have no rule over their own spirits, and therefore are like a city that is broken down, and has no walls; they are soon fired, upon the least provocation.” (The Bible Collection)

We need self control, be it at sex, wine, drugs, gambling and even with our own temper. The Lord will always have the grace for any sins, temptations, weaknesses and our vices. We need the Holy Spirit to work in us, within us and through us. The Holy Spirit is the main key to your success in overcoming your sin problem. And self- control, moderation and your willingness to be free and get out of it. It is an uncontrolled addiction that needs to be broken by the Lord and the power of His shed Blood on the Cross. God is the answer and He is the only answer to our sin problems. I remember back in those days before I came to know the Lord, when I was struggling overcoming my own addiction with drugs, and other sins until the day, I humbly came to Christ and accept Him as my Savior and Lord. You have to let go and let God work it out for you in the Name of Jesus and by the power of the Cross. (Ephesians 4:22- 24) 22- “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23- And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24- And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY “For men shall be lovers of their own selves… more than lovers of God …”

11- 30- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (II Timothy 3:3-5)

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY “For men shall be lovers of their own selves… more than lovers of God …”

3- “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4- Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures; 5- Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

“False accusers”- It’s the title of some individuals that no one wants to be identified with or to be friend and work with. In (Revelation 12:9- 10) 9- “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10- And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Satan was called “accuser of the brethren” and indeed he is the accuser of the brethren. Satan is the one who causes divisions in the church, at home and even in Christian organizations. Others, they felt accomplished by destroying the dignity and integrity of their friends, comrades or people’s lives. Gossip and being judgmental could lead to false accusations in a deeper level. According to Matthew Henry “The times are perilous when men are false accusers one of another, diaboloi — devils one to another, having no regard to the good name of others, or to the religious obligations of an oath, but thinking themselves at liberty to say and do what they please, Ps. 12:4. 8. When men have no government of themselves and their own appetites:” (-The Bible Collection)

Once you put more importance to yourself or you become self-centered; sin such as gossip, judgmental, false accusations and love for self… becomes more visible to your life. Matthew Henry said, “…having no regard to the good name of others” Those who are self-centered will be hooked and becomes a servant of not just a single sin, but more sins; until those sins will destroy their life, their home, their relationships and future. (Romans 13:12- 14) - “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13- Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14- But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY “For men shall be lovers of their own selves… more than lovers of God …”

11- 29- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (II Timothy 3:1-5)

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY “For men shall be lovers of their own selves… more than lovers of God …”

1- “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2- For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3- Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4- Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures; 5- Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Paul was talking about the danger in the Christian community as well as in the secular world. Paul talked of “…men shall be lovers of their own selves” The love for self which leads to other sins that destroys ones testimonies. That’s 1 of the sin that destroys many lives, homes and churches. Paul said in verse 3- “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good…” One of the dangers we have as the Lord’s disciples is if we begin losing our love for the Lord. (Revelation 2:3- 4) “And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  4- Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” The wicked do not have the natural affection, but for us Christians, its part of being a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder they kill and do crimes, they commit immorality and blaspheme the Holy name of God without hesitation. They are trucebreakers which means they’re not for peace and they’re actually law breakers. They’re not for peace and order and it’s so sad that many religious groups were like that too. They declare war against the Government and even against religious groups that are not the same as theirs. I praise the Lord for Christianity as the religion that focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection. And He is coming again for His saints. It is a religion of love, peace and compassion. These are 3 of the things that I believe the Lord Jesus Christ wants for us to have. We need love, peace and compassion. Love was the reason why He lay down His life for us. (Romans 5:1; 8) 1- “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 8- But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Jude 1:22) “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

11- 28- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (II Timothy 3:1-5)

THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

1- “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2- For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3- Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4- Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5- Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

We are all living in the last days or dangerous times. Paul used the word “perilous times” in (II Timothy 3:1 and 2) which covers from the time of his writing until the second coming of Christ in the air and when He comes to rule in the millennium. We are faced with dangers in every corner of our lives. Here in verse 1, Paul was talking about the danger of being selfish and self- loving people instead of God-loving people. Some of the people that we know are self centered.  When you become self-centered, the next thing you’ll do is to covet and boast. You will just love to talk about yourself and be proud of yourself and your accomplishment. We can see it from every corner and how people blaspheme the name of our God. You see it on TV, in your wide screen, in theaters or movies and even in some secular books and the Internet. Others are using the Holy Name of God and the Lord Jesus Christ in vain. Rebellion and ungratefulness is very common in many homes, churches and even in a Christian homes and Christian organizations. There’s no question about how people are so sinful before God and unholy. The sad things about the things that I’ve mentioned is, many of the so called church people and even Christians and religious leaders were practicing and living in some of those sins without even knowing it. Others knew that they are hooked into some of those sinful things that displeased our Lord, but 1) they don’t have the guts to take a U- turn or repent of their sins. 2) Some, just want to stay where they are in terms of living in sins. 3) Others wanted to turn their back from their sins, but they’re afraid or something or someone is holding them back. 4- While others don’t know the way out. All you have to do is to surrender everything to God and let the Lord set you free. (John 8:36) “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

BLACK SATURDAY...? WHAT ABOUT IT...?

11- 27- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Galatians 4:9- 10)
BLACK SATURDAY...? WHAT ABOUT IT...? 
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10- Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Definitions of Black Saturday on the Web: In professional wrestling, Black Saturday refers to Saturday, July 14, 1984. On that date, Vince McMahon and his World Wrestling Federation (WWF) took over the Saturday night time slot on Superstation WTBS that had been home to Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) and its flagship weekly program, World Championship Wrestling, for twelve years.
Black Saturday was a series of massacres and armed clashes in Beirut, that occurred in the first stages of the Lebanese Civil War. On Saturday December 6, 1975, the bodies of four members of the rightist Kataeb Party (Phalange), an organization grouping primarily Maronite Christians, were found in an abandoned car outside the state-owned power plant in Christian-dominated East Beirut.
Black Saturday refers, in France, to the busiest day of the year when many people go on holiday. This Saturday is usually at the end of July, though in 2007 both the last Saturday of July and the first Saturday of August are designated as Black Saturdays.
Black Saturday (24 September 1983) is the name given to the crisis when the Hong Kong dollar exchange rate was at an all-time low. On that day, the USD $1 = HKD $9.6. For a period, Hong Kong stores began quoting products in US dollar prices, because of the uncertain fluctuation in domestic currency.
Black Saturday is a term used in Scotland to describe a particularly dark, stormy Saturday that occurred on 4 August 1621. Many regarded the foul weather as a judgment of Heaven against Acts then passed in the Scots Parliament tending to establish Episcopacy.[1] Many suicides were recorded on this day, as some saw the foul weather as a preparatory for Armageddon.
The Cuban Missile Crisis (known as The October Crisis in Cuba or Russian: Карибский кризис Caribbean Crisis in Russia) was a confrontation between the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War. (Source- Internet: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
For me, Black Saturday will only be black; if you don’t have Jesus in your heart and if a person is near death without hope. The world around you may fall apart, but if you have Jesus and the hope of eternal life; your days will not be black. Jesus is the light of the world. (John 1:4- 5) 4- “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5- And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

A LATE THANKSGIVING DAY MESSAGE FOR YOU…

11- 26- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Psalm 105:1- 2)

A LATE THANKSGIVING DAY MESSAGE FOR YOU…

1- “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 2- Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

When I feel sad, sorry, sorrowful and stressed out, I ponder upon His Word, I pray and I prosper. (Psalm 105:1- 2) are the Lord’s GPS to us Christians. Your questions could be; “How can this be the Lord’s GPS? And what do we mean of GPS in those verses? In verse 1, we were told to “Give thanks unto the Lord…” And indeed we need to give thanks to God who gave us this life and the blessings of it. Of course we don’t want to overlook the gift of eternal life in Heaven in Jesus name. Again, in verse 1 it says, “call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.” It means, Pray unto the Lord…” Does it sound familiar to you? If you know what I meant, then were on the same track, you are absolutely right… It was the same things Paul was talking in the New Testament in the Book of (Philippians 4:6) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” And the last would be “Sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” Again, does it sound familiar to you? Yes, it was Paul who said that in the Book of (Ephesians 5:18- 20) 18- “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19- Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20- Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” I believe, this is worship and that’s what God expects of us in our worship. We give thanks, we pray, sing and along with that, we tell others of His marvelous works. We testify to the people of the goodness of the Lord and everything that the Lord has done in our lives. (Psalm 106:1- 2; 30:4- 8; 11- 12) 1- “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2- Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can show forth all his praise? 4- Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5- For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 6- And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 7- LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. 8- I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. 11- Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12- To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

BIBLE VERSES AND SONGS FOR YOU, FOR A GREAT THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

11- 24- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION

BIBLE VERSES AND SONGS FOR YOU, FOR A GREAT THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

(Psalm 105:1- 2; 106:1- 2; 30:4- 8; 11) 1- “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 2- Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. 1- Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2- Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can show forth all his praise? 4- Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5- For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 6- And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 7- LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. 8- I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. 11- Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12- To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by

When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

MY TRIBUTE

How can I say thanks, For the things You have done for me, Things so undeserved,

Yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels, Could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory, To God be the glory, To God be the glory, For the things He has done. With His blood He has saved me, With His power He has raised me, To God be the glory,

For the things He has done.

Just let me live my life, Let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee, And if I gain any praise,

Let it go to Calvary. With His blood He has saved me, With His power He has raised me,

To God be the glory, For the things He has done.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

To God be the glory, great things He has done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Great things He has taught us, great things He has done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
GIVE THANKS
GIVE THANKS, WITH A GRATEFUL HEART
GIVE THANKS, TO THE HOLY ONE
GIVE THANKS, FOR HE'S GIVEN
JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON (X2)
AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY, I AM STRONG
LET THE POOR SAY, I AM RICH BECAUSE OF WHAT,
THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US (X2)
GIVE THANKS...