WHAT IS TRUTH?

 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all. John 18:37-38
Are you asking the same question that Pilate asked? 
Are you sincere in your search for the truth? 

If you desire to know the truth, come to the LORD JESUS for He is the Truth. He will connect you with GOD Who is the Author and the Finisher of all truth. Everything from the beginning to the end and in between hangs on Truth. Everything that is not connected to the Truth is deceptive and will perish one day. 

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6

The very foundation of the lives of the righteous is Truth.
 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup. Psalm 11:3-6

Stand firm in the Truth. Let it grip you firmly as a waist belt.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:14

You are prone to wander from the Truth but His mercy endures forever. Humble yourself and allow His mercy to draw you to the Truth.

 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 
When you receive JESUS into your life, He comes to you as the Spirit of Truth Who will guide you into all truth from within you.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 3 John 1:3 

Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. Proverbs 23:23
Judas sold the Truth for 30 pieces of silver. Pilate sold the Truth to gain popularity with the people. Peter almost sold the Truth for personal protection. 

   Are you tempted to sell JESUS for anything?  When you know the love of JESUS in your heart, His power will set you free. 

    

 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

JESUS, the Son of GOD is the Truth Who makes you free from every oppression of the devil.
 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 


Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25 


Dying to self and living for JESUS is true freedom.
 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it! 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 
Any 'gospel' that offers salvation through any means other than the cross of JESUS CHRIST is false. 
Justification by any legalistic rituals or self imposed denials is hopeless. 
Any teaching that is towards selfish living is not of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 
 
 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 17:17-19 
JESUS is the Truth, the word of GOD made flesh Who lives in us and sanctifies us.
 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6

GOD dwells in the city of Truth.
 "Thus says the LORD: 'I will return to Zion, And dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the LORD of hosts, The Holy Mountain.' Zechariah 8:3

Therefore receive the Truth, live the Truth and declare the Truth!
 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the LORD; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you? Proverbs 22:17-21

May the  GOD of Heaven bless you richly and abundantly!!

Gideon

Gideon

Judges chapters 6, 7 & 8

Judges 6:10 

 Also I said to you, "I am the LORD your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell." But you have not obeyed My voice.' "

Israel sinned by fearing the gods of the Amorites.

Judges 6:1

Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,

God delivered them into the hand of the enemy.

Judges 6:6 

So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.
They cried out to the LORD in their distress.

Judges 6:12  

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!"
Gideon was raised up as a deliverer to save Israel from the the Midianites.

Judges 6:13-14 
 Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites."
Gideon was also confused and discouraged like his brethren.

Judges 6:15-16 
 So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
He knew his weak state and he was humble. Therefore GOD picked him.

Judges 6:14,16,17
 Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man." Then he said to Him, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me.
God looked on him favourably. GOD sent him. GOD promised to be with him. GOD promised to defeat the Midianites through him.

Judges 6:19 
 So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented them.
Gideon made an offering to the LORD.

Judges 6:21 
 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

The LORD was pleased and accepted his sacrifice.

Judges 6:23
 Then the LORD said to him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die."
GOD confirmed His favor on Gideon.

Judges 6:25-26
 Now it came to pass the same night that the LORD said to him, "Take your father's young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it; and build an altar to the LORD your God on top of this rock in the proper arrangement, and take the second bull and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the image which you shall cut down."
He had to bring down inherited idol worship and establish Godly worship.

Judges 6:27
 So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the LORD had said to him. But because he feared his father's household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.
Although he feared man, he feared GOD more and obeyed GOD.

Judges 6:30-31 
 Then the men of the city said to Joash, "Bring out your son, that he may die, because he has torn down the altar of Baal, and because he has cut down the wooden image that was beside it." But Joash said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead for Baal? Would you save him? Let the one who would plead for him be put to death by morning! If he is a god, let him plead for himself, because his altar has been torn down!"
This opened the eyes of Gideon’s father to the futility of idol worship and he defended his son. He realised that he needn't fear other gods.

Judges 6:33-34
 Then all the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered together; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.
As soon as the curse of idol worship was removed, the Spirit of GOD came upon Gideon and raised him up to face the task ahead.

Judges 6:36-37 
 So Gideon said to God, "If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said-- look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said."
In sincerity Gideon wanted to know that GOD was in this and requested the fleece sign.

Judges 7:1
 Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the well of Harod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.
As soon as Gideon knew this was of GOD, he set camp against the enemy.

Judges 7:2
 And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'
Glory has to go to GOD alone. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Judges 7:3
 Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.' " And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained.
Fear has to be put away first.

Judges 7:4,6-7
 But the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' the same shall not go." And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. Then the LORD said to Gideon, "By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place."
GOD desires no frills!

Judges 7:5 
 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink."
Soldiers need to be alert at all times.

Judges 7:9 
 It happened on the same night that the LORD said to him, "Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.
GOD had finished His work. The battle was won in the heavenlies.

Judges 7:12
 Now the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the East, were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude.
The enemy seemed big, strong and frightening.

Judges 7:10,14,15
 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, Then his companion answered and said, "This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp." And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand."
When the LORD revealed to Gideon the real state of the enemy (that they were in fear), fear left him. He worshiped GOD. He took up the sword of the LORD.

Judges 7:17-18
And he said to them, "Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, 'The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!' "
Gideon followed the instructions of the LORD and asked the people to follow him. He was a good leader.

Judges 7:20-21
Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers--they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing--and they cried, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!"
The weapons of their warfare were not swords but trumpets (Prayer) and pitchers & torches (Breaking of self and letting the light of GOD shine from within).

Judges 7:21-22
 And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.
As the people of GOD took their place in obedience to GOD - with GOD & with each other - the enemy fled. They panicked, feared and used their own swords to kill each other.

Judges 7:25 
 And they captured two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued Midian and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
The enemy was defeated & beheaded!

Judges 8:1-28
vs 1-3
Take the task that has been entrusted to you as important. Don’t compare with the task of others.

vs 4-21
Learn to look at the big picture - The Kingdom. Support others in the work of GOD’S Kingdom. Stand united in exposing and destroying the common enemy.

vs 22-28
When you have excelled in some ministry and the people show admiration and devotion towards you, it is easy for you to take advantage of that situation to put yourself between GOD and the people carnally. This becomes a snare to you and to the people to play the harlot. Always keep your focus on JESUS. 

 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Genesis 15:1

Testings and temptations

GOD tests us in areas of our strengths. He desires to make us stronger. He does not test us more than we can bear but gives us a way of escape.

Satan tempts us in our weak areas. He wants to make us fall.

ATHEISM, IDOL WORSHIP AND HOMOSEXUALITY

 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32 

Man is made to worship GOD. If we don't worship GOD, we will worship someone else or something else. In doing this, we bring ourselves below what we are created to be and it becomes a curse to us. We carry this curse down generations (genes) until a person who seeks GOD cuts off this curse.
In addition to worshiping GOD we can be worshiping others or other things which, in GOD'S eyes is idol worship.

 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:4-6 

We are infused with GOD'S Holy Spirit, Who enables us to lead a righteous life when we live connected to GOD. The problem begins when we leave GOD out of the picture by not acknowledging Him. We fall short of His glory and our thinking gets unsound. The LORD JESUS said,
 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
All of us are born with genes of the 'fallen nature'. This manifests in various kinds of evil character and sinful lifestyle bringing us into GOD'S judgement. A classical picture of this is homosexuality.

Are you able to look at yourself objectively and find characteristics that are not according to the beautiful plan of GOD? 
JESUS is GOD'S Plan of restoration for you. Turn to Him now in true repentance. All things will become new for you as GOD'S love fills your heart and His glory fills your life.

 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

PRIDE

We are enjoying observing the progressive development of our precious grandchild. Even before she could stand steadily, she attempted climbing! Isn't that a natural instinct every human being is born with? I suppose it is the fallen nature of man that pushes from within to lift himself up.

Don't we take every precaution to prevent our kids from climbing dangerous heights in order to protect them from falling and hurting themselves? The greater the height we climb, the greater the fall and greater the injury! The up-ride is exciting. It seems to put us above our rightful level of authority. From such a height we can look down on others and oh, the thrill of having others look up to us!

"Don't climb there!" Get down before you fall!!" As parents urgently warn their kids, so our Heavenly Father warns us. He brings us down graciously to protect us from a disastrous spiritual downfall. He lifts us up in His way in His time.

Knowing that our natural tendency is to go up, we need to diligently make every effort to come down humbling ourselves. The right way up goes down!

The proud heart is an abomination to the LORD. GOD resists the proud and destroys his house. The pride of life, wine and riches are of this world and cause strife and envy. Pride lifts up the heart and hardens the spirit and brings destruction. It is the attitude and way of Satan. It is totally contrary to the way of the LORD.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." Mark 7:21-23

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5

A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. Proverbs 15:25

By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. Proverbs 8:13

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:1-15-17

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Isaiah 14:12-15

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.

' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

GOD humbles us if necessary through affliction to draw us to Himself and to give us victory over the enemy who is the king of all the children of pride!

 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Destiny of Homosexual Lifestyle

Such a person is like a vehicle out of control in the wrong direction on the wrong road. Not only is he/ she heading towards death but is also putting many other lives in danger. Although you may not see the end of the road you are travelling on, you can check on the destiny of those who have gone on the same path before you.

 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square." But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally."  Genesis 19:1-5 

 Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace. Genesis 19:24-28

 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 1:7 


 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 21:7-8

 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. Luke 17:28-30


Such a path may seem right to men. It may even be approved by authorities and governments because they do not know the end of that path. Man does not have authority over death and after death. GOD has. The LORD JESUS holds the keys as He said, " I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." Revelation 1:18 

Would you excuse a glutton, a rapist, a pedophile or a murderer saying "Oh, he can't help being that because he feels that way?"

The moment you recognize you are on the wrong road, you need to turn. The end of that road, that is death, may be just around the corner.

 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. Proverbs 1:23-27 

 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

The easy path is not necessarily the right path.

The fallen carnal nature in every individual desires to do things that are not right. Therefore we should not walk according to our feelings. Imagine a child who is not disciplined and instructed or an adult who does not exercise self control.

Teen age boys and girls naturally display affinity towards those of the same sex. Although this is a passing emotional stage, during this time some of them are deceived by suggestions put into their minds that they are gay or lesbians. This makes them progress in this wrong mindset and if opportunity permits, to form such wrong relationships. They are even more prone to walk that path if they have had relationship problems with one or more of the opposite sex. Correction of the mindset is necessary to get such a person on the right path.

 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. Proverbs 22:15


GOD'S GRACE IS AVAILABLE TO YOU NOW. 
  GOD'S JUDGEMENT IS COMING. 
    WILL YOU RECEIVE THIS GRACE AND TURN FROM THE WRONG PATH?
      WILL YOU MAKE KNOWN THE TRUTH TO OTHERS AND HELP THEM ESCAPE THE IMMINENT JUDGEMENT?

KJV and KFC

KJV and KFC

If you want chicken for dinner, it can be cooked in many different ways and set on your table as KFC, roast chicken, BBQ chicken, curried chicken and so on. Each preparation may look, smell and taste different but the nutrients and essence of all of these is the same chicken protein.

The Bible also is now available in many different versions and languages, but the essence of the Word of GOD that is translated by Godly people is the same.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

..and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, 

which are able to make you wise for salvation 

through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Galatians 1:6-12

 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you 

in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you 

and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you 

than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches 

any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? 

For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me 

is not according to man.

For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, 

but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Your choice of the chicken preparation will depend on the flavors you are used to and the condition of your taste buds and digestive system. So it is also with your choice of the language and version of the Bible.

2 Timothy 2:14-17

 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord 

not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, 

a worker who does not need to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the word of truth.

But shun profane and idle babblings, 

for they will increase to more ungodliness.

And their message will spread like cancer. 

Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

As long as your digestive system is healthy, you should be able to enjoy most of the versions and benefit by them. The GOD of the Word will teach you His Word and the Holy Spirit in you will guide you into all truth.

2 Timothy 2:23-25 

 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel 

but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, 

if God perhaps will grant them repentance, 

so that they may know the truth,

 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, 

look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, 

be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-

-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, 

has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, 

which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, 

as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, 

beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, 

being led away with the error of the wicked; 

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:13-18

When you sit at the table for a chicken feast, first make sure that the chicken itself is not bad. For example, the Bibles of the Mormons and of the Jehovah's witnesses are perverted and do not portray the truth of the Word of GOD.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 

 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, 

but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, 

they will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away from the truth, 

and be turned aside to fables.

 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, 

do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

2 Peter 2:18-19 

 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, 

they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, 

the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.

 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 

A rich man will have many preparations of chicken on his table and will pick and choose and be fussy. A poor man will value whatever portion of Scripture he may possess and will eagerly study the Word, be it KJV, NIV, ESV or NLT. GOD will speak to him through it.

The nourishment the body receives with the chicken is more important than the smell of the roast, the appearance of the stir fry or the taste of the KFC. Whenever you read the Bible, whether it is the KJV, RSV, NIV or NASB, allow the Word Of GOD to nourish your soul through the revelation of the truth by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12-13 

 For the word of God is living and powerful, 

and sharper than any two-edged sword, 

piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, 

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, 

but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him 

to whom we must give account.

Let not knowledge puff our soul but let us allow GOD'S Spirit to change our heart with His love through His Word. Thus we will avoid arguments and rifts that arise from differences in preferences of the versions of the Bible.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? 

Or do we need, as some others, 

epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, 

written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, 

not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God.

 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves 

to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, 

not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

1 Corinthians 8:1 

 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. 

Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 

If the preparation of chicken is not digesting well in you or is causing you to be sick, you will need to look for another preparation. It does not mean that you start condemning that particular preparation of chicken because it might still work well for others!

 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; 

only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, 

but through love serve one another. 

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 

But if you bite and devour one another, 

beware lest you be consumed by one another! 

Galatians 5:13-15 

Let us enjoy a good fellowship while we enjoy a chicken treat together! 

Let us devour the chicken and not each other!!

Are we mature enough to sit around a table and joyously with love

discuss the Scriptures with brethren whose interpretation of certain parts of the word may be different to ours?

The heart is a more important organ than the brain. Therefore let us keep our heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, 

you need someone to teach you again the first principles 

of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 

For everyone who partakes only of milk 

is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, 

those who by reason of use have their senses exercised 

to discern both good and evil. 

Hebrews 5:12-14 

When you observe an individual's attitude and his ways while discussing Bible versions, you will be able to discern whether he is reading and studying the correct version! The one who is listening to others' views, displaying patience, speaking with wisdom and love, is for sure being well nourished in his soul with the correct version of Scripture! Therefore the Bible you read with humility and spiritual hunger will nourish your soul through the Holy Spirit.

 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, 

slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, 

and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, 

he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 

for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets 

what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty 

and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, 

this one will be blessed in what he does. 

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue 

but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

James 1:19-26

The best interpretation of the Bible that others around me read, is my life as a Christian. I should therefore allow the word of GOD to nourish my soul to the extent that it become flesh and blood in me.

I should ask myself, "Is the 'Rebecca Version' of the Bible, effectively revealing the truth of the word of GOD to others?"

JESUS was the Word of GOD that was made flesh and blood!

 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 

and we beheld His glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 

full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

 I am the vine, you are the branches. 

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

The LORD JESUS has now asked us to live in union with Him that we may display His glory and be His witnesses in this world of darkness.