The heart of God is love

Each day it appears the world is getting darker. My post prior to this was about love. Let me tell you some stories about this love. It comes from God. "It" being the love...as well as the stories.

Once upon a time, there was God. The semites called him Yahweh or Jehovah. The semites were descendants of Shem, the son of Noah. (You can begin reading that story here). From the lineage of Shem came forth the Father of Nations: Abram, whose name - as it pleased God - was changed to Abraham.

Abram had a wife named Sarai whose name - as it pleased God - was later changed to Sarah. From Abraham and Hagar, the servant of Sarah, came forth Ishmael who was not the promised seed that God spoke about to him when He referred to Abraham's 'seed' in Genesis 13:15 (chapter 13 verse 15), "For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."

Nope - Ishmael was a product of man's doing. The wife, Sarah, couldn't see how both of them in their old age could have a son (they were past 80 years old) so she encouraged her husband, Abraham, to sleep with Hagar to have this "promised son/seed".

Well, God had a plan already, but they went and tried to do what only God can do so then this here boy, Ishmael, was brought into the picture. When Sarah got jealous of Hagar (because Hagar was prancing around like she was the wife, all because she bore a son to Abraham), Hagar ran away and was by a fountain out in the desert. The angel of the Lord said this to her:

"I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude."
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, "Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

So Hagar goes back to the camp and submits herself. Later, God does what he promised and gives Abraham and his wife, Sarah, their child: Isaac.

Hagar couldn't resist mocking Sarah & Sarah caught her doing it. So she had the slave woman cast out of the camp with her son to let her know that Ishmael was not the true heir of Abraham. The father's heart was grieved because of it - I mean Ishmael was the little son he played with for the 13 years. A father doesn't teach a son, play with a son, love a son for 13 years and then easily discard him like that. But God promised Abraham that he would make a nation from Ishmael because Ishmael was of Abraham's seed (sperm). After Abraham set Hagar out with Ishmael, she tried to turn away and let her son die under a bush because the water bottle that Abraham gave them was empty. God heard the voice of Ishmael. Whether Ishmael was crying or praying or what, the Bible does not say. Simply that God heard the voice of the lad. So the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, asking her what was making her sad...and then re-assured her that God heard the boy and would make a great nation out of him. Then God opened her eyes to see the water that she used to fill the water bottle up with. God was with Ishmael. He grew and lived in the desert & became an archer. And Hagar got him a wife from Egypt.

From the seed of Abraham came two nations: Ishmael and Isaac.
Isaac was the promised seed. But since Ishmael was also of his seed, the Lord followed through with His promise of blessing his seed and giving his seed the land that Abraham had seen. The Lord said all the families in the earth would be blessed because of Abraham and whomever blessed him would be blessed, but whomever cursed him would be cursed. The end. for now.

That's a bit of history to be reminded of there.
Now let's talk about God and love.

John chapter 1 verse 1:In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
verse 14: and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...

The Word was Christ. Notice the capitalization showing personification of the Word. The Word was the person of Jesus, the fullness of Christ. The Son of God.

1 John 1: 7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

The minute a group of people who profess to "know God" or "worship God" begin to riot, get upset, get angry, demonstrate, act in rebellion, act in hatred, damage, destroy, kill, maim.... in the name of God... I have to question what sort of "god" do they serve?

For the God of Heaven and Earth - the Alpha & Omega - the King of Kings & Lord of Lords ... He does not need man to tell Him what is in man's heart. For He knows all that is in the heart of men/women. His arm is not too short that He cannot spare, heal, bless... nor is it too short that He cannot strike, pluck up, wipe out. He is God and that's just the way it is. He does not need mere mortal men of flesh and blood to "act on His behalf" EXCEPT IN ONE FASHION: To demonstrate His love.

TO DEMONSTRATE HIS LOVE - one to another.

Men, children, women killing others because they don't believe like they do... they don't have the same skin color they do... they aren't of the same bloodline as them... they don't come from the same race... This is murder and it's an abomination to God.

Believing that God would bless us with fleshly lusts, desires, and other things of the flesh when we "go to be with Him" or when "that day comes" is a false teaching.
God does not tolerate sin. He would not have a harem waiting in heaven for any man for any reason.

God does not tolerate murder. He demonstrated the greatest love of all: Even though we did not know Him, He sent His son to demonstrate His love to us...and in our arrogant ignorance we killed His son. By "we" I mean "the world". But more importantly, His son Jesus the Christ, knew that this was going to happen and HE OBEYED THE FATHER ALL THE WAY UNTO DEATH.

Because He loved you.

Before you were ever fashioned in your mother's womb, before you were even a thought, even while there were plans set out to destroy your life prior to your being birthed...and even thereafter, GOD knew your name.

God knew your name.

God does not forget us. We forget Him.
He gave us Jesus to demonstrate who He is, what He is about, how deep He loves us, and to show us how we can become sons of God.

1 John 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life. By his own power - which God gave him - he raised himself from the grave. He was clothed in a new body. His blood was presented to the Father for the purification of our sins. Thomas the doubter could stick his finger in the holes in his hands, but he could not see nor touch blood because there was no blood. The blood washed away our sins. One final scapegoat to take away the sins of the men.

All we have to do is believe. All we have to do is confess that Christ Jesus is the son of God and believe on His name. Couple that with faith and obey the Word. The Word was made flesh. The Word was uttered, "Let there be light" and it was good. God's word remains forever. The Word was written in the pages we call the Bible because the Spirit of God was obeyed by men who loved God. The Word gives us life, instructs us, gives us wisdom, dispels myths and fabels, teaches us truth, and shows us the Father.

Any who do not profess that Christ came in the flesh from the Father have the spirit of anti-Christ.

1 John 4:2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

I think as we watch the news concerning certain peoples, we can see there is much hatred toward their neighbors near and far. I think many of us find such behavior pretty wild. But God did say that he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And I did just remind you that every jot and tittle shall come to pass that the Word of God has said. We're watching prophecy come true before our very eyes. I don't know how many of you are awake and aware of the changes in the spirit realm... nor of the prophetic fulfillments that are coming to pass in these days. It's amazing to behold.

Do you have His love in you?
Do you love others? Even when they hate you? Or when they spitefully use you?
Do you bless those who curse you?

Ultimately - in posing those questions, the main question is:
Do you have the heart of the Father?

1 Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, [love], these three; but the greatest of these is [love].

Read the Bible - choose your language

Love forgives

This message is mostly to fellow Christians. Regardless of how long you have attended church or claimed to be a Christian, this is something we all need to remember. No matter what church we attend or what body of believers we fellowship with or where we encounter other believers, there is always going to be the opportunity for adversity between believers.

The Lord God puts people in our lives for a reason.

Whatever that reason is, we need to search Him for answers - not one another. Search His Word - it is faithful and true.

We cannot hold other believers - or even non-believers - responsible for the many feelings that swell up within us when someone or something offends us.

Unforgiveness does not show the love of God. God is love. Therefore, if we walk in the light as he is in the light then the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and we have fellowship one with another. (paraphrase - 1 Jn 1:7)

There is going to be trouble in this world. Relationships are a challenge. But regardless of what has happened, it is so very important not to become bitter. Not to allow the cancer of unforgiveness to enter into our heart, soul, and mind and spew out of our tongues like poison to others' ears and spew out of our actions like soldiers combatting an adversary. Our fellow brothers & sisters in Christ are not adversaries. And those who are non-believers are not our adversaries.

Our enemies are not of flesh and blood.
We are complicated and intricate beings fashioned beautifully by the exact hand of God. All of us - believer or not. We need to learn to forgive and we can only learn by looking to the one who Forgave all of us: God. Through His Son, Jesus Christ - who was obedient to the Father all the way to death.

Let it go. Whatever it is. Lay it before God. He will not forgive you if you do not forgive others.


2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Harry Potter series

Recently, I went to a movie and the trailer for the new Harry Potter movie came up on the screen. I sat there watching the horrific images of imagined beasts and spirits swirling through magical air as the boy-wizard attempted to evade their attacks or return an attack, sometimes while whooshing around the air on a broomstick. I could not help but wonder how much darker this trailer was from the prior Harry Potters (although, I missed the last episode's trailer, so this is new to me). I wondered to myself, "Parents would let their young children watch this??" Talk about having bad dreams! And the thought came to me that these parents who permitted their children to watch the first few episodes would be in a bind if they forbade their children from watching THIS one. I could hear the arguments from the children already. "You let me watch the first three/four!That's no fair!"

I mean really - how could you, in good conscience, prevent your child from watching this one if you permitted them the first ones? Would it not be a bit hypocritical to reason to your children, "Well - I was never really for you going to see Harry Potter to begin with and this movie just looks scarier than the first few."? Yes, you could argue this one is much darker. But the point is: You already let them go to the first few episodes. So really - what's the diff?

Where is my reasoning coming from?

The fact that anyone would sit in front of a Harry Potter movie already opens up this discussion. A "christian" co-worker of mine justified her reason for reading the books/seeing the movies: "It's about good versus evil!"

It's about good versus evil? I'm sorry - did I miss the kiosk that was handing out wools to pull over our eyes down the road somewhere?

Are you not aware that the so-called "good" versus the obvious "evil" is made up of a cast of WIZARDS, WARLOCKS, AND WITCHES?!!! Since when did those who practice these dark arts consider themselves GOOD?

Dark arts.
Do you know that the Ministry of Dark Arts is taught to these "good" wizards, warlocks, & witches in the story? *nod, nod* yeah. At least the author was telling the truth.

"But, but, white witches aren't bad witches. They're good witches. They use their magic to heal and to ward off bad spirits and.. and.." blah blah blah blah blah blahblah blaaaaah-dee-dee blaaaah.

I dont know what your bible says, but mine says:
(Exo 22:18 KJV) Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Deu 18:10-14 KJV
(10) There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
(11) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
(12) For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
(13) Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
(14) For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do].

Here it is again in plain terms:

Deu 18:10-14 MSG
(10) Don't you dare sacrifice your son or daughter in the fire. Don't practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery,
(11) casting spells, holding seances, or channeling with the dead.
(12) People who do these things are an abomination to GOD. It's because of just such abominable practices that GOD, your God, is driving these nations out before you.
(13) Be completely loyal to GOD, your God.
(14) These nations that you're about to run out of the country consort with sorcerers and witches. But not you. GOD, your God, forbids it.

WAKE UP, CHRISTIAN WORLD!!! Are you so comfortable with your stinking thinking that you cannot SEE what's really going on, Private?!
Last time I checked, the Word of God said of the church (the body of believers that are usually labeled "Christian"): "...as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word," {Ephesians 5:25b,26}

He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word.
The word. Every word that proceeds from God's mouth. The word cleanses and renews your mind. Are you reading it??

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." {Romans 12:2}
"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;" {Ephesians 4:23}

Now why would God want us to be renewed in our minds? For one, Romans 12:2 says so that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. But a strong reason is: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." {Romans 8:7}

We cannot rightly discern or approve what is good for our children, our selves, our brothers & sisters in Christ, or anyone for that matter, if we are not reading the Word daily and obeying God. In order to teach others, we must first be taught. How can a Christian teach anyone anything that they have not already learned for their own self? "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) Look up the words "familiar spirit" in the bible. Grab yourself a concordanceand start studying. Look up the word "familiar" and be sure it is followed by the word "spirit". Then see what the Word says regarding those with familiar spirits. Become familiar with what those who have a familiar spirit do & how they were treated by those who followed Christ or God. For example, the sorcerer in Acts 8 who begged Peter to have the ability to lay hands on others to impart the Holy Ghost. Or in Acts 13, the sorcerer whom Paul encountered and was trying to turn the deputy away from the faith. Or how about the damsel with the spirit of divination in Acts 16 who grieved Paul by crying out after him, then when the spirit was cast out of her - she was useless to her masters because she couldn't (read tarot cards, read chicken gizzards/liver, read blood, read tea leaves, read palms, read the stars, read lines in your forehead, look into her crystal ball, create voodoo dolls, tell your future, consult with images/the dead) soothsay anymore. Or the King Saul in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 28:7; 1 Chronicles 10:13).

That's another one: divination. Look it up in the concordance. Become familiar with these things. So you can approve what is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord first and foremost in your lives.

These movies & books & games & such appear harmless. "Hollywood glam" we say. But don't be deceived. Garbage in, garbage out. Monitor what your children -- and you -- watch. Cut out some of this garbage hocus-pocus crap that teaches the wrong spirit. Edify yourselves with good wholesome movies.