Idols and false gods

I watched a man who was afraid become bold. This man who lived in fear and was tormented by his thoughts and memories learned who he was according to God's word. He learned who he was in Christ. This same man who was lonely in a room full of people, felt loved. He felt God's love. This man who trusted no one and didn't believe that anyone could love him or be a true friend realized people can be good. There are good people in the world, not perfect, but good hearted and selfless people.

When he got saved he learned that God loved him unconditionally and made him in His image. He learned he could let go of the past, the bad memories, the pain, the bitterness and feelings of worthlessness. He became sure and confident and rightly so. He learned who God said he was. He learned who he was in Christ and what that meant. And that he had a heavenly father who loved him unconditionally and family in Christ who were his family alongside his earthly family.

He found peace and belonging in the Lord and witnessed to many, sharing with others the hope of Christ. And because of him many others received the Holy Spirit, and profited from the fruit of the Holy Spirit which are love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, and self-control. Their lives were transformed.

He went out of his way to witness to people and share God's love and peace and hope because it had brought him so much relief and joy to accept Christ as his Savior and experience God's peace and love and live in direct fellowship with God. But old thinking patterns flared up and were left unchecked.

We are in constant warfare. We have to keep our minds in check and not allow ourselves to think about things that we know we shouldn't do or dwell on. Sin and mistakes start in the mind, in our thoughts, and in our heart. When we allow ourselves to sin or live in sin we will feel guilty and ashamed. It isn't until we learn God's love is unconditional and we can receive forgiveness that we can move forward. Getting saved is only the beginning. We spend the rest of our lives becoming better and better people, more loving and kinder people. Sometimes we have to start over every day. But the main thing is starting over. By starting over I mean forgiving ourselves and moving forward in God's love and grace. The past always belongs in the past whether it's what happened ten years ago or yesterday.

The man who had experienced so much joy in the Lord reverted back to his old ways. Once again he was unfaithful to his wife. His wife who kept taking him back for 27 years put her foot down and ended the relationship. Where before he had affairs, he cared about this woman and after his divorce he got remarried. This second marriage ended.

He entangled himself with people who did not believe in and worship God, Jehovah. From what he told me he lost his identity in Christ. He experienced a great deal of loneliness. And often he felt like he didn't have anyone.

The man who had once found peace, happiness, strength and joy from God and knew who he was according to God's word, a new creation in Christ, a child of God, cut the lifeline that kept him from living in self defeat. He cut ties with the Holy One who made him feel like he was never alone. He stopped dwelling on the good things that kept his heart and mind in perfect alignment with God who gave him strength to get through the hard times.

The man moved back to a city near his home town after his girlfriend said she could no longer live with him unless he quit drinking because it was causing her health problems. I can understand that. He got into some trouble and needed help. My husband and I brought him back to his hometown to live with us.

He brought idols into my home. I told him he had to remove them from my home and property or he would have to leave. I would not disrespect the Lord, my heavenly father by allowing them in my home or on my property.

They provoked him (God) to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
Deuteronomy 32:16 KJV

I am the Lord : that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah 42:8 KJV

I fell in love with my heavenly father and his Son Jesus when I was a small child. I was verbally, mentally, and sometimes physically abused. Sometimes memories of the verbal and mental abuse try to resurface but I replace them with who God says I am and what is true according to God's word.

I learned as a young child that God is faithful and true and I was never alone. And I haven't been because he is always with me. I have felt his perfect peace that is beyond all understanding. He never leaves us nor forsakes us.

I have been miraculously healed more than one time, and have proof. I have been accused of things that I had not done but somehow my reputation remained in tact and others started a relationship with Christ because they saw him in me and my actions. There have been times that I got out in left field and lived in sin, but even then God watched over me and healed me. He knew my heart. He miraculously healed me from mitral valve prolapse and enlarged heart. Praise God for healing me.

God does not cause bad things to happen to us. Often though, we bring things on ourselves by making bad choices. We are not promised an easy life. We are not promised a life without pain, sorrow, or loss. But the Creator of the heavens and the Earth who created us in his likeness promises to strengthen us and promises he'll never leave us nor forsake us. He keeps his promises. He is not a man that he should lie.

That part of us that is made in his image is our spirit. Our body is a temple to our spirit. One day when Christ comes back to take us to our perfect eternal home, we will be given a new body that will not age or become diseased. We all feel as though there's an empty place in us, that is where God belongs. He completes us.

Here, on Earth, we are given the freedom to make our own choices. We are free to make our own decisions. We are free to do as we please. Unfortunately for some, that means killing, trickery, manipulating, lying, stealing, destroying, inflicting pain on others, and mutilating. In the Holy Bible we read:

The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 KJV

The thief who wants to steal your joy, your hope, your faith in your heavenly father, and your relationship with your heavenly father presents himself in many forms. He studies you, knows how to push your buttons, and manipulates you so that you will completely turn your back on God, or live in sin while trying to have a relationship with him which doesn't work. In the Holy Bible we read:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And 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 it is in the world.
1 John 4:1‭-‬3 KJV

The man whom my husband and I brought home to help, got rid of his false God's. I gave him a Bible to read and he retrieved from storage some books he had gotten when he took classes on the Holy Bible. The demons that tormented his mind and heart again, and the old memories from the past that haunted him again were eventually overcome by him asking for forgiveness from our heavenly father, reconciling with Christ, acknowledging that he had been forgiven, acknowledging that he was loved unconditionally, acknowledging that he was a conqueror in Christ; and by putting on the mind of Christ which is the word of God.

He conquered his demons. He lived in peace and happy for awhile then something happened to steal his joy. Something dampened his faith and he started to become bitter and angry. He wasn't reading the Bible and listening to uplifting music and he started drinking more and more. 90% of our spiritual battles are in our mind, in our thoughts. We can let our thoughts run wild, we can dwell on the past or 'what if', we can dwell on pain from a loss, or we can put on the mind of Christ. In the God breathed word of God, the Holy Bible we read:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV

The man I've been telling you about found his way back to God. In the Holy Bible the Lord my God has many names. Some of them are Jehovah, El, Elohim, I Am.

The man was still in love with his girlfriend. He still hoped they would get back together. He thought eventually she would move to North Carolina to be with him or come get him and take him home. However, he didn't stop drinking and she didn't take him back. His attitude became worse. He could not or would not admit he was an alcoholic. He would not accept help for alcoholism. Who he was sober and who he was drunk were as different as day and night. There were times my husband and I were afraid to go to sleep because he would be drunk and in a rage for no apparent reason.

He periodically did things to break the law and was in jail many times. When in jail and sober, he remembered the Lord and his heart went out to the men who were incarcerated with him and he witnessed to them, sharing God's love and hope. This man who had God's love and our love and the love of many others pushed everyone away. He fed the anger and gave in to negative, life sapping thoughts, and bitterness.

Our thoughts and the sin we allow in our lives like pride can destroy us and our earthly relationships and put a gap between us and God. We can make anything a God to us by putting it, him, or her before our relationship, worship, and praise of our heavenly father. I will always love the man I've told you about. I won't tell you who he was out of respect for him and his memory.

I am so thankful that he got right with God again and felt his love and peace again before his life was over. And I am thankful for him witnessing to others and planting that seed of hope and salvation. In God's word, the Holy Bible we read:

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2 Corinthians 5:14‭-‬15 KJV

If you live in loneliness, sadness, bitterness, anger, alcoholism, depression, drug addiction, cutting, or anything else that causes you to feel defeated; there is a way out. You have supernatural help. You are loved unconditionally. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You need only to believe. Believing equals receiving. Lean on God, not your own understanding. We only see parts of our selves and our lives but he sees the whole picture.

Learn to keep your thoughts in check. It took me a while to learn how to do it but it is possible. When you have a negative thought, acknowledge it, and replace it with a positive thought, preferably with something from the word of God. Study the Bible. Claim God's promises. Learn who you are in Christ. Look at people who try to influence you or who do have an influence on you and your thoughts. Are they building you up or tearing you down. Deal with the ones who are tearing you down. That is not love. Find a church to go to and hear the word or listen to it online. Find like minded believers to spend your free time with. Listen to Christian, uplifting music. And believe. Faith is the key to salvation. In the Holy Bible we read:

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:1,6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understating, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 1:6

Lisa C

Why Do Christians Suffer

We do not find in the Bible that Christians are exempt from suffering. Rather that Christians are strengthened to endure the hardships that they must face. Only when we are caught up with him in the heavens will we be made new and given a body as glorious as his and live an eternal life where there is no pain, no sorrow, and no more tears.

We read about many forms of suffering in the Bible. Jesus told his disciples that they would be persecuted by those who persecuted him (John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.); there name would be slandered (Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?); men would scourge them (Matthew 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues:); they would be rejected by some (Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.); they would be hated (Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.).

The disciples suffered many hardships. Barnabas and Saul taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to almost the whole city who came to hear them. This made the Jews envious and they spoke against them (Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.) Peter and John were beaten and suffered shame for his name (Acts 5:40-42 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.) Peter and John were imprisoned (Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.) The disciples had tribulations (Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.) Paul was stoned, beaten and shipwrecked (II Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;) Paul and Silas were beaten and cast into prison (Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely:) The disciples were made a spectacle of (I Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.)

In their writings Peter and Paul gave directions to the church of Christ. Peter said that we may be criticized and tried (I Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. I Peter 1:6-9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.) Paul taught that we have satanic opposition (Ephesians 6:12-18 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;)

Some do not want to suffer for Christ but instead want to know what the benefits are of enduring to the end. But to those of us who love Jesus and are thankful for what God did for us through him there are rewards beyond anything that we can comprehend. When Christ returns our ole human bodies that have pain and sickness will be changed in the twinkling of an eye to a body that is like Christ’s body (Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working where by he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.) A crown of righteousness will be given to them that love his appearing (II Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.) A crown of life will be given to them who endure temptation (James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.) An incorruptible crown (I Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.) And those who feed the flock of God will receive a crown of glory ( I Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.)

It may seem impossible to endure until the end but Christ has given us grace which covers all areas of our hearts, minds and lives when we succumb to him. Paul said in II Corinthians 12:9 And he [Jesus] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. And Paul said in Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We also read in Romans 8:34-39 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We read in Revelation about the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.)

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.