Showing posts with label evil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label evil. Show all posts
Friday, December 23, 2022
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Integrity in the Underdog Church-wake Up!
Underdog
Why does the church keep acting like the underdog? I'm wondering why since we have God on our side we don't just go for it? Old, established churches, gather (and sometimes don't) and they are completely sold on hearing what the pastor has to say (and sometimes they aren't.) They take it with them but sometimes seem to reach a point where it isn't relevant (the teaching) through out the rest of the week. How can this be?
Compartmenalization:
Segmenting your life is dangerous. It seems almost necessary in this day. We want to believe that much of what we do does not change who we are. We don't know who we are in many cases and we are deathly afraid of finding out. Non-Christians probably should be. In some way who you are will reflect where you are headed and when Hell is the destination, the reflection isn't pretty.
Doubt equals fearing your reflection
Maybe Christians have the same problem. Christians are going to heaven. That was settled at Calvary. However, all it takes it doubt (and there seems to be plenty of that) and we could start fearing the reflection.
Cat:
I used to have a cat that would bat the cat in the mirror. It was cute. Not so much so in humans who are afraid of the reflection and try to preemptive strike it by not looking. Take a long look at who you are. It is who God made you to be-or at least it is how far you have come...
Self-exmination:
Anyway, all this seems to lead people to avoid self-examination. Probably because they are afraid of what they will find. Avoiding self-examination naturally leads to segmenting your life. See, I was getting back to it all the while...
We segment our life because we don't want to admit that that crap we are taking in is affecting us. We watch criminals perpetrate horrid crimes (fictitious or real) on TV and think-that is not real and its not me so I am fine...But what you watch is you. Not that you are criminal or even "like them." However, you have chosen to put that stuff in your head.
Recycling Bin:
On the computer, whatever you put in the "recycling bin" remains on your computer. The idea is that some people make mistakes and then want to un-delete something that they have sent to the recycling bin. It works. I have done it. In the mean time your hard drive is still partially filled with the junk that you have plans to be rid of. It still affects your hard drive-say if it has viruses in it.
The only way to stop this is to quarantine any infected files. I am not a computer person per se. I do not need any more details than what I have on how this works. However, the point is, that what's still there is still there.
The only way to get rid of it is to delete it-"actual and whole."
The same is true with our lives. When we put junk in our heads which it's really easy to do...Then the only way to be rid of the evil influence of it is to delete it "actual and whole." Problem-This is not within our ability. We can delete the source-we stop watching. However, forgetting is only questionably under our control.
Born again:
God can, However. He can help you erase the junk you've put in. So, repent. Turn from the junk that you are putting in and pray to God that you know you need healing from it. Stop watching evil and pretending that it doesn't effect you. Stop trying to compartmentalize it. This same principle applies to the mundane. Mundane is not inherently evil but is essentially uselessness compared to usefulness and so can be evil to those who are supposed to be useful.
God initiated an invasion and we are supposed to be part of it. The scheming enemy is focused in purpose to keep us from our potential. He wants to distract even divide. He seems to be succeeding since the church is acting like the underdog.
Wake up!
But we are not the underdog. You can actually do whatever you choose to do for God! You can change the wold for the better or for the worse now that you have Christ. You do not have to allow age, sex, race, nationality, economic status, or anything else to get in the way. Do not be divided against yourself. Decide now that nothing and no one will stand in your way from passionately living a life of purpose and love for the God who loved you that much to give his self for you-"actual and whole."
Integrity:
Integrity is being actual and whole. While division within yourself may seem useful now to allow you to dabble in things you should not-It is ultimately draining and weakening to the point of uselessness and the enemy knows this. So, stop. Be one person, know yourself, and your destination. Let that be the purpose of your life. Reaching new Heights in Christ!
You are not the underdog here! You have already triumphed (in Christ) over everyone of these distractions and hardships. They will one day all be permanently deleted. How can you do for Christ what you have never done before? Are you old and tired? Giving, working, and especially loving are energizing! Get alive and then live alive until it's time to go home...
God Bless you as you pursue Christ.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Why does the church keep acting like the underdog? I'm wondering why since we have God on our side we don't just go for it? Old, established churches, gather (and sometimes don't) and they are completely sold on hearing what the pastor has to say (and sometimes they aren't.) They take it with them but sometimes seem to reach a point where it isn't relevant (the teaching) through out the rest of the week. How can this be?
Compartmenalization:
Segmenting your life is dangerous. It seems almost necessary in this day. We want to believe that much of what we do does not change who we are. We don't know who we are in many cases and we are deathly afraid of finding out. Non-Christians probably should be. In some way who you are will reflect where you are headed and when Hell is the destination, the reflection isn't pretty.
Doubt equals fearing your reflection
Maybe Christians have the same problem. Christians are going to heaven. That was settled at Calvary. However, all it takes it doubt (and there seems to be plenty of that) and we could start fearing the reflection.
Cat:
I used to have a cat that would bat the cat in the mirror. It was cute. Not so much so in humans who are afraid of the reflection and try to preemptive strike it by not looking. Take a long look at who you are. It is who God made you to be-or at least it is how far you have come...
Self-exmination:
Anyway, all this seems to lead people to avoid self-examination. Probably because they are afraid of what they will find. Avoiding self-examination naturally leads to segmenting your life. See, I was getting back to it all the while...
We segment our life because we don't want to admit that that crap we are taking in is affecting us. We watch criminals perpetrate horrid crimes (fictitious or real) on TV and think-that is not real and its not me so I am fine...But what you watch is you. Not that you are criminal or even "like them." However, you have chosen to put that stuff in your head.
Recycling Bin:
On the computer, whatever you put in the "recycling bin" remains on your computer. The idea is that some people make mistakes and then want to un-delete something that they have sent to the recycling bin. It works. I have done it. In the mean time your hard drive is still partially filled with the junk that you have plans to be rid of. It still affects your hard drive-say if it has viruses in it.
The only way to stop this is to quarantine any infected files. I am not a computer person per se. I do not need any more details than what I have on how this works. However, the point is, that what's still there is still there.
The only way to get rid of it is to delete it-"actual and whole."
The same is true with our lives. When we put junk in our heads which it's really easy to do...Then the only way to be rid of the evil influence of it is to delete it "actual and whole." Problem-This is not within our ability. We can delete the source-we stop watching. However, forgetting is only questionably under our control.
Born again:
God can, However. He can help you erase the junk you've put in. So, repent. Turn from the junk that you are putting in and pray to God that you know you need healing from it. Stop watching evil and pretending that it doesn't effect you. Stop trying to compartmentalize it. This same principle applies to the mundane. Mundane is not inherently evil but is essentially uselessness compared to usefulness and so can be evil to those who are supposed to be useful.
God initiated an invasion and we are supposed to be part of it. The scheming enemy is focused in purpose to keep us from our potential. He wants to distract even divide. He seems to be succeeding since the church is acting like the underdog.
Wake up!
But we are not the underdog. You can actually do whatever you choose to do for God! You can change the wold for the better or for the worse now that you have Christ. You do not have to allow age, sex, race, nationality, economic status, or anything else to get in the way. Do not be divided against yourself. Decide now that nothing and no one will stand in your way from passionately living a life of purpose and love for the God who loved you that much to give his self for you-"actual and whole."
Integrity:
Integrity is being actual and whole. While division within yourself may seem useful now to allow you to dabble in things you should not-It is ultimately draining and weakening to the point of uselessness and the enemy knows this. So, stop. Be one person, know yourself, and your destination. Let that be the purpose of your life. Reaching new Heights in Christ!
You are not the underdog here! You have already triumphed (in Christ) over everyone of these distractions and hardships. They will one day all be permanently deleted. How can you do for Christ what you have never done before? Are you old and tired? Giving, working, and especially loving are energizing! Get alive and then live alive until it's time to go home...
God Bless you as you pursue Christ.
Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org
Monday, December 13, 2010
Games-Role Playing and Otherwise
Games
I play games. I play all kinds of games. I don't play many video games but I play card games, board games, role playing games, war games and more. And I play them cause I want to not only cause I have three kids in the home.
Evil
Games are not evil. That statement will come as a surprise to some of you for one reason or another. Some will say, why would you even have to say that since games are of course not evil. Others will say, well some games are evil. Hear me now, Games are not evil.
Evil
Gambling is not evil. Drinking is not evil. Drugs are not evil. I know, I'm probably offending your sensibilities and some who have recovered from strong addictions would want to say that drugs are evil. However, it just isn't so. People are evil and the things they do are sometimes evil actions. However, the things they use to do the actions are not inherently evil.
Evil spirits
The dagger that the evil priest uses for his sacrifices is not inherently evil. Now, be aware that evil can cling to objects and evil spirits are often attracted by the things used for evil acts even long after. However, their target is clearly people not things. So, it's not worth making things that have been used for evil seem light weight.
Games are not evil
That being said, I stick by my above statements about games which may have at times been used for evil, gambling as an over-indulgence as an example, drinking etc.
Role Playing
So, to sum it up. I play games and they are not evil. Even Dungeons and Dragons (TM) which has gotten such a bad wrap, Magic the Gathering (TM) which has a name that sounds wicked, and others like them are not evil. The people that play them who are not Christians are not more evil than any non-Christians. The people who play them who are Christians are Righteous because of the Blood of Christ.
Evil anti-games
So, what about the people who bash them, protest them, burn their kids' game books because they believe their kids are getting into something evil. Sorry, guys but this is evil. I say that because God does not want us to go through life ignorant and acting out of our ignorance but aware and acting out of our awareness. Even over-cautiousness which some people say is the right way to go because we are "trying to be Holy" is a sin against God. We have not been given a Spirit of fear.
If you have ever hurt a person because they innocently played games you should seek forgiveness from God. If you have ever argued with a person about the evil nature of these things without getting real answers you should seek forgiveness from God and them.
Games, Gamers, Gaming
"Gamers" often treat each other with more respect than Christians do. People are often accepted into a group with open arms and welcomed kindly. This doesn't happen in a lot of churches I know. I'm not saying their saved-that happens only in Christ. It is a free gift from Him after which there are works He has set aside for us to do. That being said, we should stop calling these things evil and the people who play them occultists and recognize that we could learn something from them. Ouch.
Games, Gamers, Gaming
Okay, if your a gamer and you're reading this-now it's your turn to be challenged. Gamers often game far to much. They sometimes block out huge chunks of time, especially video gamers (sorry) and just play games. This doesn't make life better for anyone. It's selfish when there are people in the world who are hurting and you could do something about it. Games can be addictive (you know this) and that's not funny. Going to bed with your eyes burning or dreaming about what goes on in the game excessively is not healthy.
Gamers and Junk Food
Oh, and what is with all the junk food? I know. It tastes good, but there is something to be said about self-control. Too much money is sometimes poured into this stuff as well. There is a proper use for wealth. The Bible says it is to give out of your abundance to those who have need. Think about changing your priorities and helping someone out financially and I don't mean by buying them a game. Please consider that your recreation (like any other enjoyable facet of life) may be getting out of control.
What people really need is Christ. He is willing to give himself to you. He is real and He has expectations. Anyone reading this who is not in a Bible Teaching church should get there. While gaming is not evil-Life itself is no game! One day there will be no more chances and we will all stand before God and answer for the works we have done during this life time. At that time you will need a strong advocate and the only advocate that will suffice will be Jesus.
Games, Gamers, and reality
I play games but I know the difference between games and reality (anyone who has a hard time with this should not play games) and I know when to take things seriously. Below is the simple checklist for the most important thing in this life. Do these things...
1 Admit that you have made mistakes. 2 Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins. 3 Ask Him to save you and to lead you for the remainder of your life. 4. Tell someone about your decision. 5. Get in fellowship at a Bible-based church.
Pastor Dan
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
I play games. I play all kinds of games. I don't play many video games but I play card games, board games, role playing games, war games and more. And I play them cause I want to not only cause I have three kids in the home.
Evil
Games are not evil. That statement will come as a surprise to some of you for one reason or another. Some will say, why would you even have to say that since games are of course not evil. Others will say, well some games are evil. Hear me now, Games are not evil.
Evil
Gambling is not evil. Drinking is not evil. Drugs are not evil. I know, I'm probably offending your sensibilities and some who have recovered from strong addictions would want to say that drugs are evil. However, it just isn't so. People are evil and the things they do are sometimes evil actions. However, the things they use to do the actions are not inherently evil.
Evil spirits
The dagger that the evil priest uses for his sacrifices is not inherently evil. Now, be aware that evil can cling to objects and evil spirits are often attracted by the things used for evil acts even long after. However, their target is clearly people not things. So, it's not worth making things that have been used for evil seem light weight.
Games are not evil
That being said, I stick by my above statements about games which may have at times been used for evil, gambling as an over-indulgence as an example, drinking etc.
Role Playing
So, to sum it up. I play games and they are not evil. Even Dungeons and Dragons (TM) which has gotten such a bad wrap, Magic the Gathering (TM) which has a name that sounds wicked, and others like them are not evil. The people that play them who are not Christians are not more evil than any non-Christians. The people who play them who are Christians are Righteous because of the Blood of Christ.
Evil anti-games
So, what about the people who bash them, protest them, burn their kids' game books because they believe their kids are getting into something evil. Sorry, guys but this is evil. I say that because God does not want us to go through life ignorant and acting out of our ignorance but aware and acting out of our awareness. Even over-cautiousness which some people say is the right way to go because we are "trying to be Holy" is a sin against God. We have not been given a Spirit of fear.
If you have ever hurt a person because they innocently played games you should seek forgiveness from God. If you have ever argued with a person about the evil nature of these things without getting real answers you should seek forgiveness from God and them.
Games, Gamers, Gaming
"Gamers" often treat each other with more respect than Christians do. People are often accepted into a group with open arms and welcomed kindly. This doesn't happen in a lot of churches I know. I'm not saying their saved-that happens only in Christ. It is a free gift from Him after which there are works He has set aside for us to do. That being said, we should stop calling these things evil and the people who play them occultists and recognize that we could learn something from them. Ouch.
Games, Gamers, Gaming
Okay, if your a gamer and you're reading this-now it's your turn to be challenged. Gamers often game far to much. They sometimes block out huge chunks of time, especially video gamers (sorry) and just play games. This doesn't make life better for anyone. It's selfish when there are people in the world who are hurting and you could do something about it. Games can be addictive (you know this) and that's not funny. Going to bed with your eyes burning or dreaming about what goes on in the game excessively is not healthy.
Gamers and Junk Food
Oh, and what is with all the junk food? I know. It tastes good, but there is something to be said about self-control. Too much money is sometimes poured into this stuff as well. There is a proper use for wealth. The Bible says it is to give out of your abundance to those who have need. Think about changing your priorities and helping someone out financially and I don't mean by buying them a game. Please consider that your recreation (like any other enjoyable facet of life) may be getting out of control.
What people really need is Christ. He is willing to give himself to you. He is real and He has expectations. Anyone reading this who is not in a Bible Teaching church should get there. While gaming is not evil-Life itself is no game! One day there will be no more chances and we will all stand before God and answer for the works we have done during this life time. At that time you will need a strong advocate and the only advocate that will suffice will be Jesus.
Games, Gamers, and reality
I play games but I know the difference between games and reality (anyone who has a hard time with this should not play games) and I know when to take things seriously. Below is the simple checklist for the most important thing in this life. Do these things...
1 Admit that you have made mistakes. 2 Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins. 3 Ask Him to save you and to lead you for the remainder of your life. 4. Tell someone about your decision. 5. Get in fellowship at a Bible-based church.
Pastor Dan
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/
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