Are you Following the Pied Piper?

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your precious Word.  2 Timothy 3:16, states boldly “All scripture is God-breathed and useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction and for training in righteousness.”  May we be not be like Israel, in Zephaniah 3:2, who did not heed the voice of the Lord or accept instruction. She failed to trust or draw near to God.  We humbly ask for your direction through the Holy Spirit as we compare the fallible teachings of man to your perfect word and as Hebrews 4:12 declares, ‘let your living and active word act as a double-edged sword and pierce our soul and spirit, joint and marrow and judge the intentions of the heart.” Please purify us in your truth.

Introduction

I do not enjoy the following polemic I am about to wade into but also feel compelled to protect and warn those who have an ear (Matthew 11:15) to listen to the findings I have humbly gleaned from other believers who have taken the time to study to show themselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15).

As a believer who is being sanctified, I understand the error we can fall into and the correction the Lord administers to His children. I am thankful for His loving hand of discipline and direction as he keeps His sheep on the narrow path. May the following information be studied with a teachable, humble spirit.

Warning Against a False Gospel

John Piper’s worldview and teachings are founded in man’s philosophy (his own) and although his writings and preaching sound biblical, at closer examination, are found to be outside the Word of God.

Error: Christian Hedonism

Piper teaches that Christians should find their ultimate satisfaction in God and has given the philosophy a name, Christian Hedonism. I give merit for the word play and can give wiggle room for the concept of finding our source of satisfaction in God’s ways. Piper takes his concept and builds upon it through his book and website, Desiring God and expounds on it at conferences. This view is at the very least is an incomplete view of finding satisfaction in God and at the most is man-centered instead of a Christ -centered philosophy. 

First, the term ‘Christian Hedonism’ is an oxy moron. An oxy moron uses contradictory terms to make a point. Rhetoric and literary usage gives this idea a dramatic effect.  ‘Christian Hedonism’ certainly accomplishes the grab and wow factor.

The term ‘Christian’ was first given to the followers of Jesus at Antioch (Acts 11:26). This was about 40 A.D. around 10 years after Jesus’ resurrection. The term was given to the disciples, by pagans (worldly), as a label. It was a way to define those outside the typical social structure and strong evidence suggests the term was used in a derogatory fashion. Tacitus (AD 96) in His Annals (15,44) writes, The Vulgar calls them Christians. On a side note, the writers of the New Testament never called themselves ‘Christians’, they usually said, brethren, disciple or saints to name a few terms.  The term ‘Christian’ comes with a connotation of suffering. Those that gave that term to the followers of Jesus understood that Jesus suffered and those that followed Him would also suffer. The coiners of this term thought followers of Jesus were crazy for their beliefs and the term was used in conjunction with reproach. In 1 Peter 4:16, Peter encourages his fellow brethren with these words, “Yet if any man suffer AS a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let Him glorify God on His behalf.”  Suffering ‘AS a Christian’ meant the world will label you because you don’t fit within their definitions, mock you because you follow Jesus and cause you to suffer just as He did. 

The term ‘Christian’ in its original usage is a worldly label bestowed upon true followers of Jesus and since the world is at enmity with God, it is a derogatory term.  In modern days, we have co-opted this term to mean; a follower of Christ, but in reality, in its original context, it was not a nice word to be associated with.

Keep all this in mind. Later in this paper, context will have bearing on why the philosophy of ‘Christian Hedonism’ is worldly and not biblical.

Secondly, the term hedonism is also a worldly concept. The Webster dictionary defines the word as a “pursuit in pleasure.”  Piper also uses this as his definition. (As spoken in the Passion Conference, 2011).

Hedonism is a philosophy founded by Aristippus the Cyrene. He was a disciple of Socrates. His basic idea was that a good life was valuing pleasure as highest and pain as lowest. Epicurus took this idea further with ethical hedonism that it was a moral obligation to maximize pleasure and happiness. We are to decrease life’s pain according to Epicurus.  Essentially, this philosophy was founded in Hellenistic, worldly thought, which is the root for man-centered morality. (This is drastically different than spiritual precepts).

Hedonism was denounced in the middle ages by Christian philosophers due to the lack of emphasis on avoiding sin, doing God’s will and developing Christian virtues such as, hope, faith and charity. Erasmus, (Reformer-Humanist and Polemicist against the Catholic Church) brought this idea back with the thought that God designed us to be happy, but that he uses our desire for happiness to motivate us to behave morally. David Hume (Post Modern Philosopher-Humanist) furthered the idea through the beginnings of utilitarianism, the thoughts that the action is right if it benefits the majority.

After this brief history of the terms and what they truly mean, one can see the oxymoronic nature. The paired down definition is: The sufferer who seeks his pleasure.  Piper does try to say we need to make God our pleasure and our obligation is to find our maximum joy in God. On the surface, this statement is philosophically grand and agreeable but it lacks in giving the full picture of God and his design.

The question needs to be asked; did Jesus seek his own pleasure? Philippians 2:7. Jesus limited Himself (kenosis) read the link for a correct view of that term. There are heretical interpretations of that word... (Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man). Self-renunciation, humbling and servanthood is the best way to look at that word. He set himself aside and surrendered the full use of his divine attributes but had the full power of them. He only did what the Father told Him to do. A picture of submission. (Jesus could do whatever He wanted in His power but was obedient unto death. Something our fallen nature has a hard time fully understanding.) Restraint is a good word

The question needs to be asked; Was Job a failure for not seeking pleasure when he suffered but instead questioned God about his misery?

The question needs to be asked, Was Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, who’s life was full of sorrowful emotions and pain and brought about by the will of God in order to speak to the nation of Israel wrong? Jeremiah did not seek his own pleasure?

The question needs to be asked, Does remorse and contrition for sin cause us to be outside our obligation to pursue our pleasure?

The question needs to be asked; Does the warning, by the Holy Spirit to Paul, that his life would face hardship and death for His purpose have anything to do with seeking pleasure?

The problem with Christian Hedonism is it has roots in man-centered philosophy. In the natural world we can seek pleasure and creature comforts that lend to our happiness. In the supernatural, god-philosophy, the world and its’ pursuits are temporal, his promises are eternal. We seek HIM alone and in that he gives JOY. Joy has nothing to do with happiness. Joy is a God-given gift to the human that trusts in Him in all things. (Obedience is also a key factor in all of the above scenarios.)

The subtle error is trying to take something temporal and natural and spiritualize it. Unfortunately, we all can easily fall into this error. When we do, we should correct and seek the truth.  When man-philosophy enters into Biblical philosophy, terminology has a lot of room for mishandling of the definition and interpretation.

Humanism is not biblical and Epicurus’ following quote shows the psychology minded, human based philosophy. The word ‘feeling’ should be highlighted.  Feelings can be an outcome or an indicator but to give license to feelings as the basis for a decision process for what is good is wrong. - “We recognize pleasure as the first good innate in us, and from pleasure we begin every act of choice and avoidance, and to pleasure we return again, using the feeling as the standard by which we judge every good.” Epicurus. (Ephesians 4:14).

John Piper –Definition of Christian Hedonism- “You are obligated to pursue your maximum joy in God … Since God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, therefore, in everything we do we should always be pursuing maximum satisfaction in God. (Fifteen Dreams for the Future of Christian Hedonism, 2016.)

False Gospel- ‘Christian Hedonism’ is the heart of what it means to be a Christian, to be saved, you’re not saved if you’re not a Christian Hedonist.”  (Fifteen Dreams for the Future of Christian Hedonism, 2016.) John Piper.

I beg to differ on Piper’s statement. God is most glorified in us when we take up our cross and follow Him and keep his commandments. This is a death to the flesh and opposite of what hedonism states.  Matthew 16:24-26.   I do not see Jesus or the cross in his claim. If this was a single sermon or sermon series on subject matter such as Christian conduct or the need to be content and look on things eternally I could understand the premise but Piper is basing and focusing a whole movement and philosophy on his unscriptural definition. His bold statement that “you are not saved if you are not a Christian hedonist” just put him in the false teacher category. Nowhere in my Bible do I see that statement supported by scripture. This statement undermines the doctrine of salvation by faith through Jesus Christ alone.  When the doctrine of Salvation is tainted by man it is heresy, we are told to separate from those that practice or teach this. (2 Tim.4:3-4,  Galatians 1:7,9)

Colossians 2:8 –“ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human thinking and from the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Scripture states the heart of man is the seat of sin. Ecclesiastes 9:3, Jeremiah 17:9,  Romans 3:10.

Sadly, man-centered philosophy can lead to deeper error if not corrected or kept in check.  If you think I am just splitting hairs or Piper is just being creative in packaging a way to teach Christian living, hold your hats, the following teaching of Piper is heretical. 

Error: ‘Evil’ and ‘The Law’

John Piper: “The essence of evil is to lose a taste for God…to prefer anything more than God is the essence of all your evil.”

Piper does not back this statement up with scripture because there is no scripture to back it up.  A scriptural definition of evil is the absence of the character and nature of God.  Evil, truth, sin, etc. is what it is because it is based on the character and nature of God, or the lack thereof.

Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. He is our standard.  (John 14:6)

The Greek word for “evil is “kakos- It means “of a bad nature, wicked.” The Hebrew word is “ra” and means “bad” or “disagreeable. 

Evil is the opposite of God’s Nature.  Sin is part of this equation.

Piper was interviewed and asked if the Ten Commandments were for today. His answer was not biblical. He says, “No,” and gives a half-truth for his answer stating, “We are not under the law…so the approach towards ethics is different.”

Nine out of Ten of the commandments are re-stated in the New Testament. The only one not repeated is “to keep the Sabbath Holy.”  (Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:16- Essentially every day is the Lords). The civic and ceremonial law is not for today but the moral aspects of the law certainly still apply.  The commandments reflect the Nature of God. Romans 1-3 states the law is written on the heart of man and his conscience bears witness

We are not under the law for salvation but we follow and pursue the moral law in our sanctification. Piper says the approach towards ethics is different. He is over emphasizing grace (something Paul refutes in Romans 6:1,15)

Antinomianism is the outcome of not taking Romans 6 in its full context.  Antinomianism comes from two Greek words, “anti” meaning “against” and “nomos” meaning “law’.  In theology it is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. Antinomianism takes a biblical teaching to an unbiblical conclusion. It misapplies the meaning of God’s gracious favor.

When Jesus died on the cross he indeed did fulfill the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:23-25. There is in fact a moral law God expects us to obey today, It is the law of Christ which encompasses the old moral law in these verses John 5:3, Matthew 22:37-40.

We are not under the law for justification… but we follow the law for our sanctification.  (Matthew 5:17,19, Hebrews 8:13- it’s a work in progress. From sacrificial system of animals for covering of sin, to Jesus being the sacrifice once and for all, to living a just and holy life under Jesus, who embodies it all).

For further refutation of John Piper’s error with specific emphasis on his book Desiring God, the book by E. S. Williams, Christian Hedonism, A Biblical Examination of John Piper’s Teaching should be read or the documentary can be seen on Youtube. E.S. shows evidence of Piper’s antinomianism.

Error: ‘Original Sin’

John Piper takes Genesis chapter 3 and states, “ What is the ultimate essence of the first, original, world-infecting sin… it was that Adam and Eve desired, desired, desired, this fruit more than God. 

They delighted more in what the fruit could be for them than what God could be for them. Eating was not the essence of evil, they preferred something else and that’s the ultimate essence of evil.”

I have to stop right here and quote these bible verses (Genesis 3:1) in full before moving on, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Satan twists one thing to deceive Eve. He get’s her to question what God really said. He wants her to doubt.

John Piper, is doing the same thing with twisting of Genesis 3.  God gave Adam and Eve a commandment.  Genesis 2:16, 17, And the Lord God commanded them,“You MUST NOT eat from the tree (of knowledge of good and evil) in the garden;… God DID NOT say, ‘ desired something more than God.’

John Piper states he was taught incorrectly, “ I’ve been taught that they disobeyed. Period.  No! Disobedience to the command of God is not more basic, not more fundamental, not more ultimate than what they desired above God.”

“As long as you see commandment keeping as the essence of good and commandment breaking as the essence of evil. You will never know why you do what you do!”

This is heresy!

Read these passages and highlight the word ‘command’ and ‘law’. Disobedience was the original sin.

Genesis 3:8-11

Genesis 3:17A

How we know what is right and wrong, good and evil and what is sin.

I John 2:3-4

I John 3:4

I John 5:3

John 14:155

John 15:14

2 John 1:6

Luke 11:28

James 1:25

Psalm 19:7,8

Romans 2:15

Romans 3: 19-20 – the unbelievers are under the law…judge by it and can’t keep it

Romans 5:19

Romans 7:12

Romans 7:22

ECCLESIASTES 13:12-13- Refutes Piper’s Hedonism philosopy

The law is a reflection of God’s Nature. If we love God we will KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. We know what is sin by the study of the Word of God. Any thing other than the above is antinomianism.

Jesus came to fulfill the law not destroy it so I can be accredited with His righteousness. When Jesus fulfilled the law He made it stricter in a sense.  (Matthew 5:28). He strengthened the law, for ongoing faithfulness and obedience in pursuing righteousness. (sanctification).

The sin of Adam was the sin of disobedience. The apostle Paul states this plainly in Romans 5:19. “For by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.”

Error: ‘Liberal Theology’

Calvinism is a reformation, man-centered salvific heresy. The basic understanding of salvation is encompassed in the TULIP acronym.

The basics consist of predestination and election. These concepts are taken out of context biblically.  Calvinism also taints the sovereignty of God and twists Romans 9. 

The term elect is taken out of context. The term elect in the Bible is usually attributed to the nation of Israel or if used for an individual is due to their nationality as a Jewish citizen. Calvinism uses the term ‘elect’ for individual salvation, which is an exegetical error of grand proportion.

The error of Calvinism leads to many other errors due to the mishandling of scripture.  When the word is not rightly divided and eisegesis takes the place of exegesis wrong thinking will dictate teaching.

Calvinism not only get’s salvation wrong, it wrongly interprets the role of the church and Israel in the Bible. Replacement Theology believes the church is the fulfillment of all the Bible’s kingdom prophecies and the church has replaced Israel. Which leads to Covenant theology, which states all of Abraham’s promises were given to the church.

Replacement Theology leads to Amillenialism, the belief that the literal 1,000 year reign is within this present church age. This is a misinterpretation of Revelation 20. This leads to Kingdom Now or Dominion theology, which tries to build the kingdom for Jesus. This also leads to Social Justice programs.

John Piper believes in all the above theologies in some degree. (Any degree is false and not biblical.)

I could explain in depth on the above but that is for another time.  With the above theology, the time line of the Bible is off with the application of wrong concepts. They all promote a different gospel. It give the church a task that has not been decreed by the Lord, essentially humans are trying to push the agenda or take over God’s timing in the above belief systems. This also leads to not preaching the gospel, which we HAVE been commissioned to do.  To preach the good news (JESUS) and make disciples is the churches goal, that is true kingdom building, teaching the WORD of God in the fullness of truth. Not social programs or taking promises before God’s time or taking them from a nation.

Error: His (Piper) united efforts with Rick Warren

John Piper has read the Purpose Driven Life and has 20 pages of notes on the matter and is seen in an interview supporting Rick Warren in regards to this subject matter.

It would take another book to explain the egregious mishandling of the principles and scripture in Rick Warren’s book. It is a psychobabble, feel good, false gospel with no real mention of the real gospel.

John Piper also supports Rick Warren in his PEACE plan, which is ecumenical. He (warren) does not preach the gospel to these folks but instead says there are many ways to God.

This is the road to Babylon, which Revelation describes as the anti-christ system in the last days.

Rick Warren also does not support studying end time prophecy. Any pastor who says that is a worker of iniquity.

John Piper supports this man, who misleads the sheep and is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  (Matthew 7:21-23)

A man who tweets, “You are not saved by faith alone” is SCARY!

TRUTH

I will end with this our highest calling and duty as a ‘Christian’ who truly glorifies God is to love Him with all our heart, mind and strength by obeying His commands.

For visual/video support of the above dossier on John Piper. Youtube videos by Brannon Howse can be seen in entirety.

VIDEO REFERENCES

TITLE:

John Piper in his Own Words exposes his heretical ChristianHedonism & Unbiblical definition of Evil and Original Sin. Brannon Howse.
Transcript Version of the Video...

ELEKTOS: Jacob Prasch A biblical refutation of Calvanism

John Piper supporting Rick Warren: A Satanic Alliance

Please pray as you study this and God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth.

The above falsehood is infecting our Youth and is not leading them in the way of Christ.

WATCH THIS VIDEO with the above information in mind....EXCELLENT!

READ this ARTICLE... examining Piper's book, Part 1

Piper on Faith

Messing up Justification

Nature Speaks..Do you Hear?

"FLOWER IN A CRANNIED WALL"

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Flower in the crannied wall,

I pluck you out of the crannies,

I hold you here, root and all, in my hand,

Little flower-but if I could understand

What you are, root and all, and all in all,

I should know what God and man is.

Have you looked around recently at your environment and wondered where it all came from, how did it all begin? Have you loitered long enough on a path to see the patterns of our habitat, and realize the function of this big ball floating in the universe has design, precision and meaning? Have you realized the beauty layed before you every day without failing is a picture, or may I say, a well planned production to get your attention? The rising and setting of the sun is a message, have you stopped to listen to what it is saying? Nature is God's love note filled with consistency, surprises,opportunity and best of all a resounding call to find out who He really is.

Sadly, the writer of this poem did not find the understanding he wondered about in his poem. He died believing "..  in Pantheism of a sort." (from his diary). In quick terms, he believed God was unknowable, out there in the universe, but not involved. 

Pslams 19:1-4 says the heavens speak to all the earth....Are you listening?

Romans 1:20 says nature boasts of God and who He is and this is enough for

                     man NOT to have an excuse to know Him.

God wants to be active and involved, His love letter called 'nature' screams it. If you find yourself wondering 'if I could understand'  it may be time to wake up and smell the roses.

{He's REAL and He wants relationship with you}

EXCELLENT apologetic on panentheism

The Valley

It is interesting the places God takes you.

My daughter asked why God would send you into a 'wrong' place? Such a great question and a good opportunity to teach. I try to use every circumstance and opportunity in my path to teach the truth.

I told her sometimes we make mistakes in our own fleshly desires and God really didn't send us into these 'wrong' places. We may just realize after a while of strong conviction that we were wrong and have to repent, then the blinders fall off and we realize our error. Other times He does indeed send us to the 'wrong' places to test our loyalty, solidify our faith and to work in our weakness with the purpose of helping us slough off sin or bring a message to the 'wrong' place and best of all to proclaim His glory and Sovereignty. (Now God does not tempt us- EVER!) James 1:12-14. But He does PROOVE your faith is real by allowing testing. (Genesis 22:1, Hebrews 11:17).

This testing requires obedience, sacrifice and total submission to Jesus. It is a painful process because we are still living in this fleshly, sin natured body. Or others don't understand what is happening and judge, assume or abandon you. It's all OK as Jesus is revealing to my own heart, He calls me 'His Own'. He does eventually removes the 'testing' and then the restoration and approval comes.

I do believe the restoration will come to me this year.

I have had to trust Jesus MORE THAN EVER these past 2 years. That's how I know this testing is of Him. I've clung to Him has He's worked within our family structure. He has been removing the things He doesn't want there and causing us to change priorities, while keeping me cocooned in His truth. He has convicted us of sin, showed us error, showed us his grace and mercy as we repent and learn to follow Him as he requires.

He has me on the move again. I have to trust His leading in this matter as he purifies through the moving process. He is causing our family to trust each other, to actually communicate, to expose a better way for us to be united. It has taken a shaking in order for this to happen and He has worked with in our circumstances to pull back layers of things He didn't want there, to make sure He is truly center in our lives and to shore up the things He taught us. It certainly is part of His discipline to take us into the 'wrong' place. He did it to Israel in Isaiah. (Isaiah 44-46).

All of this has been affirmed through scripture.  I do not live according to feeling or experience alone but the Word of God.

Ephesians 6: 10-18 has been my prayer, my action, my study. He warned me to keep the armor on. The truth of His word has kept me through this violent tumbling and now I pray my family has the unity we lacked, the strength we need, the healing our hearts and minds need through His restorative process.

I am grateful for His loving, gentle hand on us through the valley (Psalms 23:4).  You have taken us through the valley and we are glad you are moving us out with your rod (of discipline) and I know you will restore us to what you want. (Even though I do think there will be some more rough road ahead).

My prayer over my family is John 17 during this coming out of the valley. I have not departed from the faith or become hypocritical, my conscience is not seared and I've held onto truth all while in the darkness of the valley.

I am grateful for the teaching of Jacob Prasch, as his teaching has helped us stay on that narrow path even when others have abandoned us because they thought we were on the wide one.  Jesus taught we would go through the same things He did if we choose to follow Him, I am honored to suffer as my savior did. (Although, our suffering is nothing close to His). He was misunderstood by his family, mocked by the culture, abandoned by his disciples, hated by those who should have welcomed Him. Even in our sin, He was waiting to help us turn to the correct way. My what an Amazing God we serve. Thank you for keeping us Lord!

You are answering a prayer of mine. I never thought it would take this to answer it but I trust your method! My answer has involved more than I think I have in me, I think that is where you want me... to show YOU did it and not me!

One of the Best teachings on the BELT OF TRUTH!

EXCELLENT Video...

Do not be ignorant....

This is my prayer for my family... fellowship...

Timely Teaching....John 14-17

Pastor Joe Frocht Nails it!

Losing Your Religion

When did you lose yours?

Preach it McGee: "The Man Who Lost His Religion"

Blue Eyed Jesus

Every Christmas I make it a tradition to add a new ornament to my daughter's collection. Each one has a memory attached to it. When she is old enough to leave the coop, she can take all the ornaments gathered over the years to her home and decorate her tree with memories of her childhood.

This year, I wanted to make sure she remembered the reason for the season and found an ornament of Jesus, the Good Shepard. I looked it over and chuckled at how they painted his eyes blue and that got me thinking about what Jesus might have looked like. Hmm!

I wrote a little diddy of my thoughts about this matter.

'Blue Eyed Jesus'

Blue Eyed Jesus

Jesus was an Israelite

Born in the Middle East

He may have had olive skin

And straight white teeth

His hair most likely was dark brown

Who knows what length he wore,

He probably had facial hair

At times a shadow or full beard

Genetics and DNA state

The possibility that Jesus

Could have blue eyes

Brown, hazel, grey or green

Scripture is silent on his physical stature

From baby, child to adult

There is no description

And this is not by default

The fact of the matter is

We all just speculate

On the features of Jesus

The divine God man

Is His image on the burial shroud?

Did anyone make a portrait?

It’s good we do not have an image

For an idol we would make

Instead of getting to know Jesus

In faith without tangibility

Now the promise of seeing Gods face

Rests in eternity

But God in His mercy

Gave a glimpse of Himself in history

Mary, Joseph, James, Jude, Simon

His sisters and disciples

For thirty-three years in time

Saw Jesus’ human form and face

A future time we too will see

The face of Jesus again

At His second coming and

Earthly reign in the millennium

For 1000 years mankind will

Behold the face of saving grace

And meet with Him in Jerusalem

To worship; a man from every race

Think in wonder on this truth;

When we enter eternity,

We will behold Gods face in all its’ glory!




Isaiah 53 says He would not have external features to attract or draw people to him.

I don't think Jesus had blue eyes because of the above verse.

Cut The Mustard

I love a good idiom like 'cut the mustard' or 'can't cut the mustard',  meaning either I will succeed or I can't handle the job.  I live within both of those phrases. I know God has brought me to a point where I know I can't handle the job set before me, but I will succeed because I choose to trust in Him. What a paradox!

I don't know about you but I take the Bible seriously and literally.  Lately, the parable of the mustard seed found in all three synoptic gospels has been laid on my heart.  It is a warning and prediction about the kingdom of heaven (the earthly sphere of profession) and the church. The mustard seed starts off smaller than a grain of rice but grows into a very large bush, and within it is the true and false. The false is depicted by birds that nests within its' branches. The birds are demonic influences that want to hinder the true growth and bring impurity into the church.  There is a list a mile long in all the false ways this is accomplished.  This makes me ever more grateful for the ministry of Paul. He had to defend himself to other christians all the while loving them, correcting them, encouraging them. I am certain he would have understood the above idiom.

Mustard

The 2nd Letter to The Corinthians: Chapters 10-13

I am understanding the dilemma Paul went through a bit better through my own life circumstances.  I have been accused by christians and non-believers of being contentious because I question what I see ( I think that's salt - Mat. 5:13) although my heart is passionate and only wants what is right (I've always been curious with a genuine heart of respect). I have been accused of piety (believe me I know I am a sinner- wretched just like Paul states and want to correct when I am wrong) when all I have is passion for the Lord. I have been accused of wanting to take control when all I want is to communicate and come to a mutual understanding. I have been accused of being false in my intentions when all I want is fellowship and community that builds each other up. I have been accused of being over emotional or even negative when I am actually trying to look at life through the lens of reality (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). I know some have even thought I have the influence of a demon, they just won't come out and say it. Please know I am a Holy Spirit in dwelt believer and I serve only one master. (I am not the fulfillment of 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, I masquerade NOT! Discernment is also key, (John 8:48-52). (I know a lot of people, so please don't try to guess who these people might be. In fact, I hope that I misunderstood them and want to give benefit of the doubt but the pattern keeps repeating so I am more attuned to it, even when it seems subtle.) If anything, I am battling oppression as I conquer the falsehood against me and within the church and learn the dynamics of true forgiveness and letting anger not take root in my life and loving ALL. Paul went through this same scenario with the Corinthian church. They accused him of living by the world's standards, of being untrue through his 'weighty and forceful' letter but unable to speak well. The Corinthian church was in a carnal state and looked on the outward, they followed the latest and greatest, 'super-apostles' and became haughty which lead them back into worldly practices (sexual sin and lustful desires). When a christian becomes haughty they don't heed any correction and become nit-picky fault finders and this leads to gossip, slander, strife, division etc.). I have to be careful here, because I can tend to be fearful of allowing deception into my life and become nit-picky too. I want to be a good Berean and ferret out false ways to protect my heart (not to boast in being right).  The one sin I have had to deal with recently is anger. All these false accusations causes one to have to deal with forgiveness without the possibility of reconciliation and lay your character, personality and identity at Christ feet (and go it alone) and still love (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). I have to admit, the struggle is real. I live the mustard paradox in this area of my life and have been challenged greatly where all this is concerned. I know victory is my reward, as I choose to be obedient to God's ways and lay these burdens at his feet.

The antidote to the false is looking at the fellow believer as Christ does. Paul mentions this before he defends his ministry in 2 Corinthians 5:13-21. What a pickle for Paul to be in. He has to call out sin against a rebellious church, while looking at them as Christ does. I'm telling ya, what knife can cut that mustard? (only submission to the Holy Spirit can accomplish this task).

My Prayer:

Lord, please bring reconciliation. Please let the ultimate spiritual gift, LOVE abound between the true brothers and sisters in Christ. Strengthen all of us in truth and unity of Spirit.  Thwart the plans of Satan to separate. Help the true followers love the false professors (deceived, blinded) and let only truth come from our lips so if any that are false may be converted. Let us not grieve your Holy Spirit.

VIDEO:  AMEN!
The Holy Spirit and the Sinning Christian

The Holy Spirit and the Indwelling  Mustard! My heart resonates deeply with this sermon. I relate to the lady who felt she was called but couldn't do anything about it but still did what she could and in the end left a huge blessing.

The Greatest Sermon of the Apostle Paul   More Mustard! You are a preacher, Your life is talking! The presence of Paul caused revolution or revival in his missionary journey.  He totally cut the mustard! LOL!

What Do You Do with Your Burdens? McGee Nails this message of what that means for fellowship between other believers and on your own. Brilliantly taught!


J Vernon McGee has been an encouraging listen these past few months. This man's ministry is still being used by the Holy Spirit today. My grandparents used to listen to him and I saw the fruits of the Spirit in their life. Such great memories!

Note for Fun: My father was lead to the Lord by my Grandpa Koch (My mom's dad). He preached the gospel and had such a passion for the winning of souls. I miss you grandpa Jack, your ministry, which you led out of your house has born much fruit!

Luke 17:5-6 -Now this is my kind of mustard!

NOTE:
A sneaky bird that enters in the church are bullies and meddlers... Diotrephes was one that was warned about in 3 John. It does take wisdom and discernment in knowing who is looking out for souls (watchmen) and who is lording over man.

Mr. McGee Preach It...  I know what is right..... Woman's Place in the Local Church... those who question my 'intentions' I agree with McGee! But I also know God uses women boldly too. I find it quite ironic I agree with this article as I find God using me in the way the article states but don't agree with the organization's founder.

Good Teaching on this subject

I am strong in my beliefs because I submitted to the authority of STRONG MEN!! I do not claim these things from my own teaching, hence, all the videos, articles I learn from are from these strong men. I then teach it to my daughter.  Titus 2: 4-5. (Mainly about how to be a good woman through biblical teaching and discipleship... it does take teaching doctrine to set a foundation). I also believe in the authority structure of the family and the church. I don't believe a woman should be a pastor.

Also, someone threw this hint in my direction, The Jezebel Spirit. Heck, I never heard of it and had to do my research on it. WOW!  This accusation is destructive and harmful to true believers who are just trying to be Bereans (especially women) I question if a person has a hatred toward a Godly person by trying to use this accusation against them!  It is a device of Satan to separate sheep from fellowship and causes much harm.  Remember Jezebel hated God and was lewd and openly tried to control and overtake Godly men, her goal was to use worldly ways, idol worship and licentiousness. Yes, this needs to be outed from the church, but you have do your detective homework and get hard evidence. Word of caution before you accuse someone of this or if you think a person may be like this, you had better get to know them or do your research before you fire away. If you can't tell the difference between a Godly Berean questioning what a pastor says in the pulpit and a jezebel spirit you may need to go check yourself and see if you are of the faith. In this apostate time a church should welcome tough questioning! All it can do is strengthen you! If you find you are in need of correction, then humble yourself and thank God for the person that dared to ask.  PRAYER is key: be in prayer over your church flock and that God will expose those wolves early on and be in prayer that the church will correct error as they learn it!

I wonder if there is a Delilah Spirit, or What about a Bathsheba Spirit... ABSURD! Yes, there can be attitudes and people who are dastardly that come in to try to control. A person who questions with respect is being Biblical.

Love, The Lady who likes Dijon Mustard!

THE BEST TEACHING ON THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT... which I know I am NOT of.... Never have been...and I am soaring in this truth... those that tried to pin this on me have a problem and it is not mine.

God With Us

As promised, I am sharing one of my favorite 'Christmas' songs. O' Come O' Come Emmanuel ,God with Us. The promise of the Savior in the Old Testament to the exiled nation of Israel and the fulfillment of this in Jesus, God's only begotten Son. I love the gospel message in this song. It speaks to all of us who were once exiled from God because of our sin. It speaks of freedom over death, of His safety as He leads us and the beginning of a beautiful saving relationship stated long ago on Mt. Sinai.

I love how sombre the tone of the melody is, all the while telling us to rejoice. Oh what a beautiful depiction of Israels history and the deliverance from all the world's sorrows.

As a lifelong believer, I have seen God work in my life and know even today He is with me. Praise Him!

Listen to this beautiful rendition... You may have to go on youtube to actually listen to it. It is worth it!

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny From depths of Hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height, In ancient times did'st give the Law, In cloud, and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.