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Harsh words

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 31, 2011

Cover for a NIV Bible

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I have never believed that homosexuality (and lesbianism) was right and I have always objected to the association given between the homosexual community and specifically the transsexual community. The two are incongruous. These beliefs are based upon my faith as a Christian and what the teachings are on the subject as far as Scripture is concerned. God clearly states in several places in His word that these things are wrong but the gay community either chooses to ignore it or doesn’t believe it or tries to twist the truth in order to justify the lifestyle. Of course they may not believe in God in which case in their eyes there isn’t a problem. It amuses me when non-believers quote Scripture to defend themselves when they don’t believe in God or when they try to justify what they do by the use of Scripture as if it mattered to them. I do not have a problem with homosexual or lesbian people in the least but I do, as a Christian, have problems with their sexual behaviour which for Christians (and perhaps others) is unacceptable because it is in conflict with what Scripture says on the matter. What is objectionable is the fact that some quarters insist that the Christian Church accepts this behaviour as normal and allows acceptance of individuals into their midst without question. Christians are taught and it comes naturally to them to love their fellow-man but that does not mean accepting their sexuality and lifestyle. How can a Christian believer reject God’s word on the matter? It isn’t a question of love in the way that is often demanded of a Christian either. We get told that we should love those who are different as it is the Christian thing to do. Well it is the right behaviour to expect from a true Christian. However, loving someone doesn’t mean accepting their behaviour.

1 Corinthians 6

Lawsuits Among Believers

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Sexual Immorality

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[c]

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Footnotes:
  1. 1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.
  2. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Gen. 2:24
  3. 1 Corinthians 6:17 Or in the Spirit 
    New International Version (NIV)Copyright ©  1973, 1978, 1984, 2011  by Biblica

Shirley Anne

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The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 20, 2011

O Worship the Lord

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I base truth on what is written in the Word of God, the inspired word of God, The Bible and in the revelation of truth as given by the Holy Spirit. What others believe is a matter for themselves to consider. Having made a statement like that I have to admit and accept that not everyone believes the same. For those however, who purport to be Christian, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as written in the holy Scripture should not be taken lightly. Mis-interpretation is to be avoided as far is possible and the assumption that something is truth because certain passages seem to indicate that as fact should be avoided at all costs. Never take Scriptural passages out of context in order to justify one’s beliefs. The whole tenet of Scripture is to be taken into consideration over an issue for many passages may give a different view. All must be considered and weighed before making any assumptions as to the truth of the matter. As an example it says in many instances in the Bible that God is love. People therefore will use that as an excuse for their behaviour assuming that because God sent His only begotten Son to make atonement for our sins, all our sins are forgiven. They are indeed forgiven if we repent of them. Our lifestyles can be a reflection of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ or they can be an insult. If we knowingly continue in sin, against the will of God, there is no further atonement for those sins and we condemn ourselves. God is a loving Father to all mankind but He is a God who judges too. I read about homosexuality, bi-sexuality, lesbianism and deviant sexual activity which are not accepted as being wrong in the eyes of those who consider themselves to be of that persuasion. They assume that because it wasn’t their fault that they were born that way, which is in itself a debatable subject, that God accepts them when they live that way. He accepts them but not the things they do. It is one thing to be sexually attracted to the same-sex but another to actively indulge. God loves the sinner but hates the sin. The Bible is often used as proof that it isn’t wrong to love another person of the same-sex and it isn’t wrong to love another person but not in a sexual way. There are several verses in Scripture which show that God detests homosexual behaviour. It isn’t just sexuality either, there are many things that God detests and they are all written in His Word. Idolatry, fornication, mediums (as in fortune tellers and such), man-made festivals (and there are a few in the calendar year) and many other things which people tend to gloss over and forget. If you want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth then why settle for anything less? I am a sinner, I get things wrong, I do not deserve salvation from a loving Father but * by grace I have been saved, through faith and this not from myself, I couldn’t earn it, not by works or anything I have done lest I should boast about such things*. No, it is the gift of God and it says so in His word. It is all down to a willingness to walk as He expects us to walk and to beg forgiveness when we get it wrong. Not by the way we think we should be walking, not by a misguided interpretation of the truth but by the real thing.

*Ephesians 2 v 8-9*

Shirley Anne

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If God is with us

Posted by Shirley Anne on August 28, 2011

Jesus

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Many things in life seem difficult until we try them out for ourselves but there will be occasions when no matter what we do we still fail. We seek help from others and then we succeed. Some things however are seemingly impossible no matter which way we look at them. Indeed many things are literally impossible to do by human endeavour. Nothing is impossible with God however. In Matthews gospel chapter nineteen we read about the rich young man asking what good thing must he do to gain eternal life. In reply Jesus told the man to keep the commandments of God to which the man replied that he had kept to the commandments. Then he asked what else was necessary and Jesus told the man that if he wished to be perfect then he was to sell all of his possessions, give to the poor and follow Jesus. The young man went away saddened for he was very wealthy. In life we place too much value on our possessions and sometimes pay little concern for the welfare of others. There are many ‘do gooders’ in the world spending their spare time and effort to the good of the community. Some would call themselves Christian whilst others may be of other faiths or have no faith at all. They all labour in vain if God is not with them in their ventures, true even for Christians. Psalm 127 verse one says this,  ’Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain’. God will place a burden on your heart and when you respond you can be sure that He will be with you when you take up the challenge but you must wait upon His instruction however seemingly impossible you think it is. Don’t go out in your own strength but go out in His, then you will succeed. For many years the church I once attended strived to bring in unbelievers so they could hear the message of the Gospel using all kinds of means to achieve that with some limited success. We longed to see the church grow but our numbers remained almost the same throughout that time. I was involved with outreach and was saddened by the lack of interest in the Fellowship in supporting the outreach program. Their hearts were simply not in it. Had we sought God in the first place we could have saved a lot of unneccessary work. It became apparent that God wasn’t with us in our ventures for if He had been the church would have grown. Did we seek God first? Well yes, of course we did but I assume that we asked and did not wait for an answer, going out in our own strength. If God is with us in anything we do then we will always succeed. Ask Him but then wait for the answer. His timetable is different from ours and so is His schedule!

Shirley Anne

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The way we are

Posted by Shirley Anne on July 10, 2011

The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th centu...

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When God in His infinite wisdom created this world and everything in it, He made it perfect. He made us in His own (spiritual) image. All He wanted was for us to love Him and obey but sadly we rebelled and sin came into the world. Sin is basically doing things against God’s will. Now many of todays Christian Churches have a very distorted view of what goes against God’s will and what doesn’t. In doing so they begin to judge other people by their lifestyles (often warranted I have to say) but in certain circumstances assert that unless we repent of certain things they as a church will have nothing to do with us. This is the first error on their part for as much as they reject us, God on the other hand does not do so. They are not fulfilling a command of God to love their neighbour as themselves. In God’s eyes we are all sinners and there is not one person among us who is worthy to receive God’s love and forgiveness, Christian or otherwise! Remember there is no hierarchy in sin, ALL sins are equal in God’s eyes! God’s plan for us was to love Him unconditionally but we made a mess of it. Now some might argue that well, why didn’t God make us to love Him? What would be the point in having all creation love God because it had to? God wants our love to be our decision, He is not after robotic obedience but willing obedience. Knowing however that we are now captive by sin and cannot always do as He would like of us, for at any one point ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’  (Romans 3:23). Is there therefore no escape, any way out? ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3 :16). Notice that phrase WHOEVER BELIEVES, there are no other basic conditions but of course believing is only the first step. One must accept this free gift before it becomes a possession and in doing so God will fill you with the Holy Spirit and you begin to realise what a real loving Father He is.

Shirley Anne

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Open confession

Posted by Shirley Anne on June 16, 2011

Cover of "Loving God (Walker Large Print ...

Cover of Loving God (Walker Large Print Books)

I am so unworthy of my Makers love. He has put up with my rebellion, my anger, my wrongdoing and all the other things that offend Him but what has He done about it? Showered me with His love! Gave me an escape route where there was none before I knew Him. He gave me His only begotten Son as a sacrifice, an atonement for my misbehaviour, my sins. He gave me Jesus Christ who took upon Himself the sins of the world, MY sins! How wonderful is the love of God, how far beyond all understanding. What a faithful and loving God He is. I am not worthy of His love but I rely upon it. I believe in God my Maker, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and in His Holy Spirit who is my guide through life. Whenever I stumble He picks me up. Whenever I transgress He pulls me up and shows me my error. Whenever I am feeling down He lifts me up and reminds me of His love. He prompts me when I am slow to act. How wonderful is my God. He gave me life where there was no life before……

You caught me Lord as I lifted my hands to you,
You caught me Lord as I lifted my voice to you,
You caught me Lord when I poured out my heart to you Lord,
Then you touched me Lord,
Yes you touched me my sweet Lord,
Then you touched me Lord,
Yes you touched me my sweet Lord,
And you gave me life, where there was no life before.

Copyright Shirley Anne 5 Feb 1993

Don’t believe in God? Have a look at this………… http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html

Shirley Anne

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Such love

Posted by Shirley Anne on May 30, 2011

c. 1632

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How deep the Father’s love for us

How vast beyond all measure,

That He should give His only Son,

To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away,

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders;

Ashamed, I hear the mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished;

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,

No gifts, no power, no wisdom;

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer,

But this I know with all my heart,

His wounds have paid my ransom.

Stuart Townsend.


Copyright Kingsway’s Thankyou Music 1995

I am reminded every day just how much I am loved. I am loved with an everlasting love that will never die. This love is pure, not like an earthly love. No matter what I have done or how I behave this love remains faithful. How then can I deliberately ignore such a love and come against the one from whom it comes? I cannot. Oh yes, I will fail and I do every day. It is a lifelong struggle which I am forced to undertake each day but I do it willingly and strive to correct my shortcomings. God, my God, the Father of all Creation shows His love for me in this,  ’While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’. (Romans 5:8). Christ did not die for those who already loved him but he died for sinners, of which I am one. It is hard to understand such a love for in this world we never experience anything like it. Everyone can know the love God has for them. Do you know that love?

Shirley Anne

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Who am I?

Posted by Shirley Anne on April 2, 2011

Who am I that you should love me
And your Spirit fix in me?
Who am I that you should die Lord
Hanging there upon the tree?
For you touched your servants’ heart Lord,
Still in her iniquity,
As she humbly came before you,
You were pleased to set her free.

O Your love is so astounding
It is all a mystery,
Far beyond my understanding
Even though it dwells in me,
Lead me on to pastures new Lord,
Keep me ever constantly,
Seeking ways to love and serve you,
I my frail humanity.

Copyright Shirley Anne 22 Jan 1993

Why should the Almighty god love me? I don’t deserve it, I haven’t earned it, I cannot earn it, I was born into sin and fall short of His expectations of me! I should be rejected, cast aside and condemned forever but you know what? God loves me despite all my faults. Why? Because I am His creation and He doesn’t want me to perish. So what did He do that He and I might be reconciled? He gave His Son, Jesus, who bore my sins and carried them away. I have been washed in the blood of Jesus, I have been bought at a price and because I take hold of this free gift I have become a child of God forever. I am now free of the chains that bound me. Does God love you? You can be sure He does and He wants you to be reconciled to Him also. It’s up to you though. Break free from the chains that bind you to the ways of this world and come to the living God. Take hold of His free gift. You won’t regret it. That’s a promise!

Shirley Anne

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Being a Christian

Posted by Shirley Anne on March 28, 2011

Ephesians 4 (New International Version – UK)

Ephesians 4

Unity in the Body of Christ

 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 

    2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

    3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

    4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called—

    5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

    6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

    7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

    8 This is why it says:

   When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.

    9 (What does he ascended mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?

    10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

    11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

    12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

    13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.

    14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

    15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

    16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Living as Children of Light

 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 

    18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

    19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

    20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

    21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

    22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

    23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

    24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

    25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body.

    26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

    27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

    28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

    29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

    30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

    31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

    32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

In this secular world it is difficult to be a Christian sometimes because the world does not see as we see, does not feel as we feel and does not believe as we believe. We are called to be in this world but not part of it, not falling into the same lifestyle and behaviour as those in the world. We have a standard to live up to that is not of this world and it is driven by The Holy Spirit. Sometimes we let ourselves down and we let Him down too but we continue to strive for perfection knowing that perfection in this world is unattainable. We look to a better place knowing that our corruptible selves will no longer be for we shall be clothed in incorruptibility. It is a joyous thing to be a Christian and to know one’s Father in Heaven.

Shirley Anne

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What would you do?

Posted by Shirley Anne on March 11, 2011

What would you do if you were me
And I were you
What would we see?
What thoughts would swim inside your head
If you were me
And I were you instead?
For in the past I thought the same
As you do now
But I did change.
I’d think perhaps that you would too
If you were me
And I were you.

Copyright Shirley Anne 10 March 2011

I am a Christian believer. I believe in God, the Creator of all things, in Jesus the Christ (Messiah) His only begotten Son and in the Holy Spirit. I wasn’t born with these beliefs. Nobody is. In fact I was an atheist, a non-believer, an adamant non-believer who just would not entertain the idea that I could be wrong. This is documented in one of my pages above. I was an unbeliever of almost 44 years yet I was able to change and that in an instant! Being as I am now I am persuaded, encouraged, even commanded to tell others about this diamond of information, that God does exist, that Jesus paid the price for all my sins and that the Holy Spirit is within me. It isn’t that I do these things reluctantly either. I do these things because I want to. If I didn’t want to I wouldn’t be a real Christian. As it says in Scripture no-one lights a lamp and then hides it under a table! Knowing something different than I knew before is one thing but knowing what I knew before is nothing in light of what I know now! It is for this reason as much as anything else that compels me to spread the word. It doesn’t matter if nobody else agrees with what I say, it is important that they hear though even if they do not think so. I will have done my duty. If those who listen make no positive response then the consequences lie with them alone. Naturally they won’t see things that way because they see with different eyes, with a different spirit, just as I once did. Remember…just as I once did. What would they do if they were me? They would do exactly the same.

Shirley Anne

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The Lost

Posted by Shirley Anne on February 10, 2011

Whenever I speak up for God, whenever I make a stand against those who insult God by their bad behaviour, their insolent and unbelieving attitude, I take a verbal bashing. It is sometimes the same when I write on this blog or elsewhere. Only those who make intelligent and non-inflammatory comments get through the screening net of course. As it is many of the posts I write on this subject are well read but there is always very little response. Those who already believe don’t need to comment of course but those who are unbelievers will only respond aggressively (to God) or not at all. The Gospel is too much of a challenge for many, they don’t want their lives changing even though it would be for the better but of course they don’t know that! The problem is that these people do not know they are lost, they do not know the danger they are in when they reject God. I pray for them every day because I too once acted in the same way. For those who do not believe, the Word of God is meaningless. It is hidden from them and they are blind to the Truth.

1 Corinthians 1:17-19 (New International Version, ©2010)

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

   “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
   the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Note especially verse 18.

No matter how hard people try to distort the truth it will always remain the truth. They question that truth by saying it is only one interpretation. They will say anything in defence of their view and anything to discredit God. It is understandable seeing as they are blind. In order to know the Truth, in order to believe in God, one must have God’s Spirit within. There is no other way that we can believe. A non-believer cannot turn and suddenly believe or make that decision in an instant without God’s Spirit being in them. We are told:-

Matthew 7:6-8 (New International Version, ©2010)

   6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

And I can see the truth in that, it is evident whenever I try to witness to people but God says this to them:-
Ask, Seek, Knock

    7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

The problem now becomes  this:- Will their hearts be open to God? Will they seek, will they knock on His door, will they ask Him to come into their lives and see the difference it will make?

It is the unbeliever who must make the move and when that move is really sincere, God will respond. Nothing will change unless the wish is there and the ride will not be easy. The same old problems will still be there, God does not take them away but with His strength and leadership life itself takes on a new meaning. When you see with a believers eye you see just how lost you were beforehand.

Shirley Anne

It appears that I have to write an addendum here in response to the fact that I have comments closed on this post.

As a believer in God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit I write articles from time to time more in the way of information rather than debate. It is for this reason and this reason only that I close the comments box. I realise that not everybody is a believer and that other people have different beliefs, which incidentally I fully respect, that is their right and you will not see me writing anything to the contrary here. The reader will also notice that I do not pull to pieces what others believe in by telling them that their ‘religion’ or belief system is stupid. What I write about here is my own belief system. As a Christian I have to proclaim The Gospel in any way I can. It is a commandment of Christ Jesus. Those who are not interested should remain silent and not condemn what I write in their comments. I already know that an unbeliever doesn’t agree so to save argument I close the comments box. It isn’t a personal attack on those who believe differently. Please don’t take it as such.

If I comment elsewhere it is because the topic has been left open to comment.

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Paganism is everywhere….

Posted by Shirley Anne on February 6, 2011

Next week most of the Western World will be celebrating Valentines Day. It is another of those traditional festivals or observances that people follow simply because well, everyone else does it and it is fun and it is harmless, or is it? Many of the things we do in modern society are rooted in history and we accept them as a part of life without question. We find no fault in them whatsoever and anyone finding fault in them is simply ridiculed and ignored as being not of sound mind or being small-minded. They see people who object as spoil-sports and interfering busy bodies. However unless you are a witch, a devil worshipper or non believer in Jesus you should take the subject very seriously. If you are one of these people then it is even more urgent that you repent and see how wrong our religious and other festivals really are. Now I have talked about this several times in my blog and it won’t be the last time, God willing. I make no excuses for doing so. I pray that The Holy Spirit will guide you to the Truth that is in Christ Jesus so that you do away with these earthly and satanic practices by ceasing to observe them. The following web site explains in detail how satanic forces are influencing our children with our own eyes blinded to what is actually going on in the world 

Here is a site that is both interesting and informative. It is written by someone who used to dabble in the occult….  http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/ 

Shirley Anne

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Another realm

Posted by Shirley Anne on February 2, 2011

Perhaps you think that this world is all there is, that nothing else exists outside of it. I am not talking about other worlds in space, I am talking about other realms that co-exist out of our sight. To be specific another place of existence, a spiritual place. This place exists all around us but we cannot see it. It is filled with beings beyond our imagination, a real place with real beings. In this realm are demons and angels and they fight for our souls. They are both spirit beings and both are very powerful. The God of all Creation is in control of all things and nothing escapes His attention. Spiritual warfare continues out of sight as God’s ultimate plan unfolds. We live in the material world and most of our concerns relate to that but if we are open to God’s love His Spirit reveals His truth in our hearts and we also become aware of the spiritual realm surrounding us. This life we lead is a testing ground to see if we will obey our God believe it or not. If the spirit within us is in tune with God’s Holy Spirit we believe, we repent and we accept Christ‘s sacrifice for our salvation. God certainly has a plan. Jesus came to proclaim the coming kingdom of God and called us to repentance so that we might enjoy that kingdom with Him. Those who refuse will be cast out, not my words, God’s words. In the meantime the great adversary, the Devil has been given authority to rule for a season and we are in a spiritual battle with the forces of darkness:-

Ephesians 6:12 (New King James Version)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

So we fight constantly against forces we cannot see and if we let down our guard or do not put on the full armour of God we stand exposed and vulnerable, we fall into sin.

The Armour of God

 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Remember, there is another realm besides the one in which you live your daily lives.

Shirley Anne

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The Holy Spirit

Posted by Shirley Anne on January 8, 2011

 

 

 
 
 

We live at a time when Biblical truth is being shouted down by those without the Church, and sadly, by some within the Church. Any who have the courage to publicly speak up in defence of Biblical truth and the moral values that are foundational to the Christian life are mocked, ridiculed, and maligned as hate mongers. The intent is to silence the truth through intimidation. And it can be effective. One needs only look around him to see the moral decay in society. Primetime TV shows that target our youth regularly feature promiscuity, adultery, fornication, and homosexuality as positive lifestyle choices. Violence of the most hideous nature, full frontal nudity, and sexual immorality of every sort  are unashamedly portrayed on giant movie screens to the cheers and applause of audiences whose consciences have been shaped by satanic forces. The internet has allowed the decibel level of those seeking to drown out the voice of God to be raised to deafening proportions. So loud has the voice of the enemy become that even some Christian denominations are forsaking the Truth.
 
It is in the midst of this cacophony of lies that the Holy Spirit speaks to His children. But His is not the loud shouting used by the enemy. His is the still, small voice, the whisper that speaks to the spirit of those who are called by His name. It need not be loud for it speaks truth and when truth is proclaimed even the most violent storm is calmed.
 
He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to your spirit. Thus, you shall overcome all the lies that seek to destroy you.
 
 
I take no credit for this article but I fully endorse it and concur with the writers’ sentiments. Each day I live I see the blindness of people who enjoy some of the wicked ways of this world. They blindly follow others, they blindly follow tradition thinking most of what they do is harmless. They either disbelieve in God or they simply ignore Him. Scripture tells us that ‘the wages of sin is death but  the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’. (Romans 6:23). How many take notice? People of today are not God-fearing, they are seekers of the pleasures of the flesh and indulge in all kinds of wickedness and sinful ways. They are self-seeking, immoral, lovers of themselves and encourage those who do likewise. As believers in God and Jesus Christ we have to make a stand against evil whenever we come across it but we can only do this by the power of The Holy Spirit within us. Those who don’t have The Spirit don’t have God in their hearts and will resist all attempts to change their lives and will resent any interference. God once destroyed two cities and all their inhabitants because of the evil that was practiced in them. They were the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20 – 19:24). Today He works in different ways but work He does.
 
Shirley Anne 

 

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No other name…

Posted by Shirley Anne on January 3, 2011

Many people believe in God or a god. In every religion in the world there is a god or gods. Some folk, not believing specifically in any god do feel there is some supernatural power in control, a ‘Great Spirit‘, a ‘Supernatural Force’ but they cannot describe what or who it is. Some people of course don’t hold such beliefs in a deity and think we arrived here by chance or by the ‘forces of nature’. Some don’t know what they believe in. According to some they are re-incarnated and others are ‘saved’ by their gods. In the Christian faith there is salvation. We have a Saviour. Now many religions have no problem with the Christian faith until we mention the name of our Saviour whose name is Jesus. They cannot accept that (a) God sent His only begotten Son to carry the burden of our sins so that we can go free. The price has been paid in full. It is the free gift of God and it is ours through faith and by Gods grace only. There is no other way for mankind to be saved. God says so. Read the following passage……………

Acts Chapter 4

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is

   “‘the stone you builders rejected,
   which has become the capstone.[a]’[b]

 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers’ Prayer

 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:   “‘Why do the nations rage
   and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth take their stand
   and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
   and against his Anointed One.[c]’[d]

 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people[e] of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

There is no other way to be saved, there is no other faith that will rescue you from God’s wrath, there is only ONE WAY and that is believing in Jesus and what he has done on your behalf.

Shirley Anne

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Been there, done that………

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 12, 2010

Been there, done that and have a wardrobe full of Tee Shirts!

I was about to go to sleep on Friday night or to be precise it must have been around 0130 on Saturday, when I heard E returning home from her night out at her aunty’s with her mom. I had been watching some television as I lay there not wanting to doze off but knowing I must, which was what I was about to do. She is very quiet when she is walking about late at night or this time early morning so as not to disturb anyone. I dozed off and was awakened by my bedside alarm which is triggered by a floodlight at the front of the house, so I knew it must be our youngest son coming in after a night out with his mates. He isn’t as quiet as E but because he had been drinking I guess he made more noise than he thought. I needed the toilet anyhow and most probably would have woken naturally to do so. I waited until he was safely in his room and then went to the toilet. I noticed the waste bin in front of the bath, not where it usually is alongside the toilet pan. I began to move it and noticed that it contained shall we say, some part digested food! He had been sick. I left it until I arose later and cleaned it all up. I mentioned that I knew he had been sick and he simply said, in a matter-of-fact way, ’yes, too much drink’! He’ll learn one day I hope. I have been there myself on many occasions in the past. There have been many things in my life that I have done and now feel ashamed about but all that is passed has to be forgotten. I have moved on a long way since those days. It is interesting to note that as we grow we pick up habits both good and bad along the way and much of what we do is governed, not the right word, influenced by those we mix with. All that we do is governed by our own spirit, the essence of who we are. I liken it to a book. The book itself is the person people see with their eyes. The theme of the book is what we do in the sight of others but the story is a reflection of the spirit within. Some stories are good, some are bad, some are a mixture but each reflects the thoughts of the author as the tale is told.

Many years of my life were spent as an atheist; now I am a Theist. people ask how did I change or what brought it about. Some might say that they once believed but now they don’t. They’ve been there and got the Tee Shirt as they say. Well I tell them that it was God who changed me because if it had been up to me I would still be an atheist. God has to place His Spirit into your heart before you see things differently. You don’t put hot liquid into a stone-cold vessel, it would simply shatter. The vessel has to be prepared to take the hot liquid in safely. Those who say they were once believers could not have been so if they subsequently reject their beliefs. I am talking about fundamental belief here and not doctrine. Doctrine comes about through the thoughts of men. The Truth, the real Truth has to be revealed by Gods Spirit within us. I searched for God but didn’t know Him and because I searched and was open to Him He was gracious to me. As children we soak up information and it carries on all through our lives. We never finish with learning because we will never know all things as human beings, no matter how hard we try or how clever we think we are. So it is with learning about God. My views on my faith have been adjusted many times since I became a Christian or a follower of Jesus and this is because The Holy Spirit is revealing the Truth as I journey forward. Many times I have slipped and fallen but God has lifted me up again and placed me on the right path. It is the same with the knowledge I have about Him. I read quite a lot of differing doctrines regarding my faith and none of them are completely right, although their authors may think they have all the answers. God shows to me those parts from each teaching that are the truth.

I have just finished reading another article by yet another church which upholds the views about Christmas that mainstream churches seem to be blind to. Christmas is nice; a jolly time, a festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, a time for giving, peace on earth and goodwill to all. It is a time for Christians to get together and get to church……….NOT!

People are saying ‘Put Christ back into Christmas’. Well that is people who believe for many who celebrate have no idea what it is all supposed to be about. I used to say the same thing but I’ve sinced learned the truth. I’ll tell people what it is all about…….It is totally based and rooted in paganism. It is totally against Gods will and He even says so several times in Scripture. The plain truth is that Christ was never in ‘Christmas’. He was never supposed to have His birthday celebrated. All these things have been brought about by men. Christmas is simply a tradition and means nothing to God. He abhors the whole idea. If we continue to be disobedient to His will He will reject us. I’ve been there, done the Christmas thing and I don’t want the Tee Shirt. I want God instead.

Thank you for reading all the way to here. I hope God will speak to you.

Shirley Anne

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