grow – Praying Pint

33.a. “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”

Matthew 13:47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:30   Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Matthew 13:40     Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

Matthew 3:12     His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Revelation 14:10-11     he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Luke 13:27-28    But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.

Scripture is full of truth concerning heaven and hell. In heaven, there is everlasting holiness, peace, joy, worship, and praise, in the presence of the Creator of all things, our Heavenly Father, God, forever and ever – (Eternity). In Hell, there is everlasting torment, darkness, weeping, and gnashing of teeth. They are not fictional places. Heaven and Hell are as certain and real as the air you breathe, just as the coming day of judgment is surely coming. To deny that Heaven and hell exist is denying and rejecting God and the Word of God. “For God so loved the world that He sent his only Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ is rejecting God and denying His redemption, salvation, and forgiveness.

Apart from Adam and Eve, all of mankind was born into sin and have a sinful nature that opposes God. It is this sinful nature that promotes self over things of God. It can be intentionally selfish, self-centered, self-reliant, self-worthy, greedy, unkind, unholy, angry, hateful, jealous, prideful, boastful, arrogant, lustful, cruel, and ever choosing to reject and deny God, the Word of God, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of mankind is lost and apart from God and on a path that leads straight to Hell. Satan is always tempting the minds and souls of people to yield to these sinful nature’s attributes and a person willingly chooses to grab hold of these temptations and do what should not be done. God knows the thoughts and intents of every person. There is nothing hidden from His sight in all of creation. There are no excuses. Every single person is given a foundational knowledge of God. He has placed it in the hearts of all people. Rejecting this foundational knowledge denies God, the Creator of all there is and will yield a wasted, unfruitful, unsatisfied, and non-purposed life, ending in judgment and eternity in Hell.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

Heaven is reserved for those who acknowledge their sin (and sinful nature) and believe, repent, humbly surrender, follow, obey, trust, and rely on Jesus Christ for forgiveness, redemption, and salvation. This is an intentional choice to believe and rely on Jesus Christ. Their lives are no longer under the influence of Satan for they have been given and filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Daily they intentionally choose to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all they think, say, and do. Eternal Heaven is promised and assured to these, just as eternal Hell is promised and assured to those who reject Him.

27.q. “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions”

Ephesians 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Acts 20:30-31   and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Romans 16:17-18    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Colossians 2:4    I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

Colossians 2:8  See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

1 John 2:26     I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

2 Thessalonians 2:2-5   not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

1 John 4:1    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Timothy 4:3   For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Once people leave the Word of God they often then embrace fantastic fantasies. When a man rejects God’s truth, it isn’t that he believes in nothing; he will believe in anything. Their ears crave it. Their hearts feed on it. Their minds believe it.

Philosophy threatening us Christians is dangerous because it is not obviously sinful. It is high-sounding and seems highly intelligent. Vain speculation replaces God’s truth. Deception and false direction pulls and takes captive those who are not rooted, watered, and growing (maturing) in the Word of God and their understanding and knowledge of Him. Paul is warning them about people who would come and speak charismatically about vain things that seem plausible because of the way they are presented, but in truth, it dilutes the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have to be mindful of our innate desire to chase after worldly and fleshly stuff rather than the spiritual living water and bread of life found in Jesus Christ alone. As we grow in the knowledge and understanding of God’s grace, mercy, and love the things of this world become less important. Our hearts and minds daily continue to be filled to overflowing with more light, wisdom, discernment in what is God-honoring and glorifying and what is not. A shallow commitment leads to neglect. There will be no growth in our lives. In fact, there will be just the opposite. Once there is no desire for growth – a withering and shrinking decline takes place and tossing to and fro from every wind of doctrine takes root.

We are given the fullness of the Holy Spirit when we were born again. We are given free will to choose to listen, follow, and obey its leading. When we intentionally choose to desire more understanding and knowledge of God and what it means to live in such a way that honors and glorifies Him alone in all we say and do, then and only then will we display the peace, hope, and joy that only comes in and through Jesus Christ.

16.d. “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly and unspiritual.”

Philippians 2:4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 13:13     Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

1 Peter 2:1-2    So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation

James 3:14-16     But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

2 Corinthians 12:20     For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Unity is the goal, “Like-minded”, “having the same love”, “one purpose”, “On mind”. What comes in-between members, families, and churches that cause a lack of unity. The list is long. Pride, envy, jealousy, greed, selfish-ambition, quarreling, slander, conceit, hostility, anger, etc…… are all present in the worldly realm and should not be present in the church. When we were born again we became new creatures, a new creation. During our growth from an infant believer into a mature believer, we will encounter these worldly attributes in ourselves as well as others. The Holy Spirit will bring these to light within us as we continue to grow in our walk with the Lord. I don’t care how mature you are, there is always going to be something the Holy Spirit will bring to light in your life that is not in line with honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ. We need to be mindful of worldly influences. We need to be able to identify that which is of this world and at odds with living godly lives. The church is made up of Christians both new and old to the faith. Learning to live in harmony with one another requires each of us to ensure we are seeking unity and not being influenced by how the world thinks we should react to certain situations, comments, people, etc…. When we stay in God’s Word we will find peace, comfort, and strength to identify and keep out worldly influences. Don’t you wonder how many divisions have taken place just because of pride, anger, gossip, slander, conceit, greed, jealousy, selfish-ambition, and envy? Ask God to reveal what He sees in your heart so that you can confidently know you are living your life full of the Spirit and honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all you think, say, and do.

10.r. “Do you do well to be angry?”

Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”

Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

James 4:5-6 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

It is hard for me to understand why Jonah was mad enough to want to die. Did he see their sin and wants to see them punished as God said He would do if they did not repent? Did he want to see the judgment upon the city and all of the people rather than see them repent? I just don’t know. Jonah seemed to have a death wish for some reason. “Cast me into the sea” and “Please take my life from me” and “It is better for me to die than to live” are all death wish statements. It is very hard to understand why but what is recorded tells us much about the grace of God. He saved Jonah from the depths of the sea and the belly of the great fish. God saved Nineveh from destruction after they repented. God had pity on them for they were blind to their actions and when they were exposed, called out, they repented. God is gracious and full of mercy and steadfast love. We honor and glorify Him by recognizing our sin, repenting, turning away from our wayward ways, trusting, relying on, following, and obeying Him.

Rejoice always – Glorifying God

“for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

John 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Psalms 92:12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Isaiah 60:21 Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

Haggai 1:8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

To bring glory to God in what we think, say, and do is our purpose. When the result of our actions or responses does not bring glory to God we have a problem. In Thessalonians 5 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” In times of trouble, rejoice in the strength of God. In times of trials, rejoice in the power, might and strength of God. In times of uncertainty, rejoice in hope and trust in God and His steadfast love. In times of being misunderstood rejoice, in God who knows our heart, mind and soul. Whatever we are facing God is bigger, stronger, and certainly can do more than we ask and much more than we think. This rejoicing comes from deep rooted faith and humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying God. God will confirm Himself to us in many ways through His word. Spend time in His word, praying for it to come alive and permeate through you in such a way that He is honored and glorified.