Godly Mother

The following article is from Pastor Zac Poonen, entitled "The Amazing Faith of a Godly Mother".

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We read in 2 Kings 4:8-37 of a woman - a prominent, rich, wealthy and influential woman – who was also blessed by Elisha’s ministry. God does not choose only the poor and the illiterate and the uneducated to bless. He has no partiality. He chose an illiterate Peter, but He also chose a highly educated Paul. Peter did not know much of the Scriptures, but Paul was a scholar in the Scriptures. There were some rich women who supported Jesus and His disciples financially, and Jesus accepted their large gifts, because they were godly women (Lk.8:3).

Here was a wealthy woman who decided to support Elisha. She was a godly woman too, because when she saw this man visiting them occasionally, she said to her husband, “I perceive this is a holy man of God.” How did she recognize Elisha as a holy man of God without even listening to a single sermon of his? She just observed the way he conducted himself at the dining table. What an example for us! It is the little things that identify a godly man - the way he sits and talks to people, the way he eats his food and the way he conducts himself in ordinary matters. We don’t have to listen to his sermons.

So this woman decided to make a little guest-room in their house for Elisha to stay in - with a bed, a table, a chair and a light. Elisha had never even suggested that he needed any of these things. But she was a thoughtful, considerate woman - as all godly women are. God takes care of His servants by providing such places of rest for them, without their even expecting it. But a true man of God will never remain in debt to such people. So Elisha asked his servant Gehazi what he could do for her in return. Gehazi said that she had no children. So Elisha prayed for her and told her that she would have a child within a year. And she did.

That child grew up, and one day became sick and died (4:20). Think of the faith of this mother that she did not bury the child immediately but said, “Let me first contact the man of God” (4:25). So she went to meet Elisha. When Elisha saw her from a distance, he told Gehazi to ask her, “Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child?” (v.26), listen to the answer of faith that she gave concerning her dead child: “It is well.” What faith that was! Elisha went and prayed for that child and raised him from the dead. It’s amazing to see what that mother’s faith did for that child. According to her faith she received. That is why she finds mention in the gallery of the heroes of faith: “Women received back their dead by resurrection and gained the approval of God by their faith” (Heb.11:35, 39). If that mother did not have faith, she would have buried her child. What miracles the Lord does wherever He finds someone with faith.

Who is the Real Beast?

"So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee." Psalm 73:22

The Bible says that in the last days, men will be without "natural affection" (II Timothy 3:3). It is only natural to have love & affection for that which has come from your own loins and is part of you, your offspring.  How much more unnatural can one get than to condone & champion the right to kill your own children? 

In these days, people have more affinity for the "beasts of the field" than for their own humankind because man's vile lusts have degraded him to the point where he identifies more with beasts than with those who were created to bear the image of Almighty God.  Support for abortion in any way is simply the evidence that man has devolved into that which is lower than a beast.

"I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts." Ecclesiastes 3:18

Why It Really Has NOTHING To Do with "Equal Rights"

A number of people - even those who claim to be Christians - say that they support the legalization of homosexual marriage because they simply want to protect "equal rights" for all.  However, these same persons are decidedly quiet about espousing the "equal rights" of others, showing their professed noble intent to be nothing more than mere hypocrisy.

If such persons are so concerned about "equal rights", then why are they not fighting for the rights of felons to work anywhere they choose?  Felons can be automatically disqualified from employment opportunities due to these previous convictions.  Various state laws also limit where they can be hired, such as excluding them from the health care or education industries, preventing them from obtaining professional licenses, or from being hired in public employment.  Why are these persons supporting homosexual marriage not up in arms about such employment discrimination?  Why are they not concerned about these person's "equal rights"?

What about the "equal rights" of sex offenders?  A number of states & local governments restrict where sex offenders can live and require them to be tracked via registration with local authorities.  Shouldn't sex offenders have the right to stay, work, and go wherever they choose, even areas which are in close proximity to children?  Why is it okay to practice residential discrimination against these persons and limit them in these ways?  Isn't that a violation of the sex offenders' civil rights?

Why are children not allowed to work whenever and wherever they choose?   Federal law - and various state laws - bar children from entering the workforce until they have reached a certain age and even prevent them from working in certain environments deemed too "hazardous".  Is this not an example of age discrimination?  Why aren't these same persons supporting homosexual marriage not waging a war against these unequal practices?

What those in support of the homosexual agenda have done here is the same as what has been done with the issue of abortion.  They have redefined their argument by hiding it under the cloak of civil rights.  This accomplishes two things.  One, it removes focus from the perversions being espoused so as to sanitize it for public consumption.  Two, it provides a broad brush by which you can paint anyone who stands against your position as a bigoted oppressor.  Interestingly enough, many who support the "equal rights" of homosexuals to marry couldn't care less about the "right" to life of in utero babies being slaughtered in the womb; "equal rights" indeed.

Understand that when people tell you they support homosexuality due to a position of "equal rights", they are either lying or greatly misinformed.  The truth of the matter is that - even in civil laws - all do not share rights equally, and never will.  The basis of law determines what rights a person has, and those who commit infractions against the law - or who are deemed to be in need of additional protections by the law - can have these rights curtailed.  Not only is the restriction of rights a commonly accepted practice, such is often deemed a moral necessity for the public good.  Even now discussions are underway to restrict the "right" to bear arms amongst criminals and those who are mentally impaired.  So you see, the banner of "equal rights" in relation to homosexuality is really a misnomer; it is an intentional red herring used to silence the opposition...but I will not be silenced.   

God Himself established & defined the covenant of marriage in the beginning when He created man and woman (Genesis 2:22-24).  His law specifically declares any other type of sexual union outside of this definition to be an abomination (Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-27).

I am against the legalization of homosexual marriage, not because I fear or hate homosexuals, but because I desire to honor the law of God.  As such, I am not a supporter of sin nor of those who seek to validate sin (Isaiah 5:20).  This is why I do not fight for the "rights" of criminals not to be incarcerated, nor the "rights" of felons to work wherever they please, nor the "rights" of sex offenders to live near/with children, nor the "rights" of children to work at the age of 7.   I understand the principle that it can be not only fair, but just for an individual's rights to be limited based upon their violation of the law or vulnerability without the law.  And no matter how much they may squawk about "equal rights", supporters of homosexual marriage understand these principles as well.

I expect the world to champion the ways of the world; they are after all led by the same god (II Corinthians 4:3-4).  I even expect them to play name games as they attempt to pull the wool over people's eyes about the actual issues at hand.  However, there is no such thing as a Christian who supports gay marriage, for the supreme law for those in Christ Jesus is the law of God.  Those professing Christians who do support gay marriage have forsaken Jesus Christ in deference to being a friend of the world (James 4:4).

A Christian can stand firm in not supporting homosexuality because that very lifestyle is against the law of God, making such persons ineligible to participate in the "right" of marriage.  Such a decree is fair.  It is just.  It is righteous.  While the laws of man may be capricious or evil, we know that the laws of God are always good, for He is good (Mark 10:18).  Even the decree itself outlawing homosexuality is for our good, so that we can be reconciled to God, coming to know Him and His love.

Now, I am not politically motivated.  I am not holding up picket signs, attending marches, or advocating that people become political activists.  I am merely stating the truth of the situation at hand.  It is written that the whole world will be given over to the mind of the beast prior to Jesus' return, and such is the mind of a sodomite (whether homosexual or heterosexual).   This is in fact the only reason anyone supports homosexuality: they share in the same nature as the sodomite.  Instead of being born again and having the spirit of their minds renewed to reflect the mind of Christ (Romans 15:6; Ephesians 4:23; I Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5), they not only commit such acts of sodomy themselves, but they take pleasure in those who do (Romans 1:32).

My reason for posting this is to help you keep your eyes on the truth and not be swayed by worldly wisdom & carnal platitudes appealing for you to partake in some pseudo form of world tolerance or peace.  As a Christian, we are to stand for the Lord and His righteousness alone...that is if we are truly His.

Beleavers

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same
is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy
receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself,
but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or
persecution ariseth because of the word,
by and by he is offended. " Matthew 13:20-21

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46

You cannot be a believer in Christ Jesus unless the word of God is the standard of truth in your life.  If there is any wavering about this in your mind, then you have given the enemy a huge advantage to snuff out your spiritual life.  The word of God is the actual sustenance our spirits need in order to grow and mature in the faith (Hebrews 5:12).

Many professing Christians are actually not believers at all.  Rather, they are beleavers.  I call them beleavers because they 'be leaving' the Lord at the drop of a hat.  They have not committed to give their life to Jesus.  They are not willing to stand with Him against that which is evil.  They use Jesus like window dressing to pretty up the outward appearance of their lives, but leave the doctrine of Christ and deny Him at the slightest sign of pressure or conflict.

beleave:  to cause or allow to remain behind, to leave something behind; to abandon

A lot of time is wasted talking to and trying to reason with beleavers.  They spend most of their time disputing the word of God and explaining why it does not mean what it says...and then they'll get mad at you when you point them to the Scriptures.

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16

Someone recently contacted me, disturbed because a number of what they had considered strong Christians seem to be gravitating closer to the world and farther away from God.  To hold on to a religious facade, these persons are taking refuge in false doctrines such as Once Saved Always Saved or Universalism which says God's love will save everybody in the end.  They will believe anything in order to continue pretending that their sin has no bearing on their eternal relationship with God.

Although this person sought reassurance, all I could say is, "It is written."  God warns us in His word that a great falling away will occur prior to His return.  This is the time to see it.  If our hearts are not wholly set on the truths of God - if there is any part of us that still longs to do things our own way - then we may very well be in danger of falling into apostasy.  When the rubber meets the road and it is truly time to chose whom we will serve, the beleaver is going to run for the hills for they have no anchor or root in their souls.

The issue is not that beleavers don't understand what God says.  The problem is that there's still sin in the camp.  They are willfully continuing in sin in some area of their lives and they do not want to give it up.  They don't want to repent (which means to turn away from sin).  Don't be shaken up as you see this begin to happen around you.  Just make sure that you are keeping your body under subjection so as not to become a castaway yourself (I Corinthians 9:27).

You may very well find that those most receptive to the Gospel these days are not the professing beleavers, but those who have been outside of the religious domain.  This is just as it was in Jesus' days.  The religious sinners saw no need for repentance, but those who were broken and humble before the Lord came to Him in droves.   

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." James 1:8

The only issue between man and God is sin. It is not that we don't know God loves us.  It is not that we need tangible proof God exists.  It is not that we pride ourselves on being a 'freethinker'.  There is only one reason that people do not give their lives to the Lord, and that is they love the darkness of lies more than they love the light of truth (John 3:19). 

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." Matthew 10:34-35

God wants to know; who is on His side?  Will faith be found on the earth when He returns?  Don't get distracted by the falling away, but make your own eye single so that your whole body will be filled with light.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you to those whose hearts He has prepared to receive the truth.  Jesus is using the sword of His word, the sword of Truth, to divide between the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, the believers and the beleavers.  On which side will you be found?

Truth vs. Unity

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34

This was posted on the blog before, but some things bear repeating.

Summary of the Sabbath and the Christian

"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator." Galatians 3:19

We have spoken many times about the law and the Sabbath, breaking down the Scriptures to disprove many common errors such as:

• The fulfilling of the law in Christ only included the moral and ceremonial law and not the Ten Commandments
• Jesus said the law would be in place until Heaven and Earth passed away 
•  Sunday worship is the mark of the beast
• The law has no purpose today
• The purpose of Jesus' sacrifice was to get us to obey the Ten Commandments
•  The law is not fulfilled in Christ
• Christians are still under the law
• Without the old covenant law, Christians would be lawless
• The admonition to keep God's commandments in the New Testament is a reference to keeping the law.
• The Sabbath law has been in place and binding for man since the beginning in the Garden of Eden

So I post this, not to rehash those topics, but to share a video by Chris White.  It is a great resource for those looking for a succinct review of this topic, as it touches on all of the subjects above and more, including:

• What is the new covenant?
• What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit in sealing this covenant?
• What are the "commandments" of the New Testament?
• How are the additional Sabbaths different from the 7th day Sabbath?
• What is the purpose of the Sabbath?
• Wasn't the 7th day Sabbath an everlasting covenant?
• Why is believing that you must keep the 7th day Sabbath a dangerous snare?

Saints, Hold On!

I was reading this week how a swarm of locusts - of reportedly biblical proportions - has struck Egypt.  Immediately I thought of how God sent the plague of locusts against Egypt when He was commanding Pharaoh to let His people go.  It simply was one more confirmation for me about how we are in the last days.  God is in the process of culling His people from out of the world (via sanctification unto holiness) for His end time work.  The world has been used to forge the character of Jesus Christ within His people (Galatians 4:19), but in the end it will be thrown away like afterbirth as God prepares to usher in a new Heaven and a new Earth after Jesus' second coming.

Yet, this locust plague is different...and appropriately so.  This particular swarm has crossed over Egypt and spread into Israel itself.  The very ones whom God delivered from Egypt with the help of a plague of locusts are now being themselves hit with the same plague.  I say this is appropriate because Egypt - often symbolizing the world in Scripture - has invaded the church.  Much of what calls itself the church is carnal and so enthralled with the world that there is virtually no difference between the two.  There is no evidence of the new birth and the life of Christ within much of the churchworld because many professing Christians are feeding on the world instead of the word of God.  Their desires therefore mirror the desires of those in the world, although God has called us to "Be ye holy." (Leviticus 20:7; I Peter 1:15-16)

Yet, God says to His people ensnared in Babylon, "Come out of her my people that you don't become a partaker of her sins and a partaker of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4)    Yet what do we see?  Israel becoming a partaker of the plague sent against Egypt.  Friends, if you don't realize that time is winding down, then you need to pray to the Lord for eyes to see.  Prophecy is unfolding right before our eyes as the systems of this world come together with one mind to give their power to the beast (Revelation 17:13).  The only question of importance is, "Where do you stand?"  Don't be found too busy or distracted to prepare for His coming (Matthew 22:1-14). 

"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?" Luke 12:56

When Israel was in Egypt, Pharaoh increased the pressure & stress on God's people in order to deter them and turn them back from wanting to go into the wilderness to worship their God (Exodus 5:1).  Likewise, Satan is increasing the pressures on the church in order to deter & distract them from pressing in to the Spirit of God so as to reap the Lord's promises.  Yet, as rough as it may be, as seemingly hopeless as your circumstances may appear, I tell you that God is bringing you out!  Hold on and press in to the Lord all the more.  In spite of Satan's schemes, the Lord Jesus Christ is mighty to deliver, only believe...and keep believing.  No matter the situation, hold on to the promises of the Lord and see His faithfulness unfold in your life.  How can you give up when victory is just around the bend?

"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever." Exodus 14:13

Remember the old paths and turn your whole hearts unto the Lord (Jeremiah 18:15).  Sometimes, even the "old school" music is better than the contemporary.  Songs that truly relay the Gospel message and can strengthen you in times of going through.  The Sensational Nightingales, The Gospel Keynotes, The Williams Brothers, The Angelic Gospel Singers, Dorothy Love Coates, Wynona Carr, The Jackson Southernaires, Bessie Griffin...but as the old folks might say, "Yal don't know nothin' about this here."  :-)

Hold on Saints!