Counsel of the Nations

Counsel of the nations,

Sometimes a sensation,

Sings in jubilation

Many generations.

God foretold the story,

They in all their glory

Will o’ertake the nations,

Stirring up libations.

Many eyes are blinded

To what is behind them,

Not suspect their motives,

Which are so corrosive.

Days, they are of Noah,

People in a coma,

Not aware of nature

Of those who are danger.

Many worship idols,

Men who have the titles,

Think they are their answer

To now cure the cancer.

Wolves are in sheep’s clothing,

They the people loathing,

Promises made to them,

Will not carry through them.

Men, they can’t be trusted,

Someday they’ll be busted,

For they people hustle,

And the people muscle.

But God will bring to nothing

The plans of those who’re coming

To destroy the people

And to gather sheeple.

An Original Work / January 17, 2025

Avoid Senseless Arguments and Quarrels

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:14-18 ESV)

So, when this says for us to do all things without grumbling or disputing, what is the real message here? It appears that it most likely refers to complaints against the Lord and how he is doing things, like the Israelites complained and were rebellious against God and Moses in the wilderness. This could also indicate a “subversive form of dissent” (source: bible hub). And this would also be indicative of lack of faith and trust in the Lord.

So this is not teaching against examining what we see and hear against the Scriptures and us pointing out errors of doctrine that are permeating the American church and people’s individual lives. This is not speaking against testing the spirits to see if they are of God and exposing the fruitless deeds of darkness for what they are. Paul called out false apostles by name and he refuted the lies which were being spread against the truth of the gospel.

And this is not saying that we can’t be a strong voice against injustice and against lies which are being spread in the name of Christianity or in the name of “liberty and justice for all.” We can take a stand against what is wrong and speak on behalf of truth and justice and what is right in the eyes of the Lord. And we can be truth tellers who warn people against following after “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” and who reason with them about truth.

But we are not to get into pointless and heated arguments with people when we disagree with them, or when they disagree with us. We can state our beliefs, and support them with the Scriptures, and we can listen to what others are saying, and to do so respectfully, but when it appears that both sides are going to stand their ground, then we should walk away from the conversation and not get into a “knock down drag out fight”.

We need to be mature and reasonable people who know when enough has been said. Therefore, if we were to go further with the conversation, it would be of no value to anyone. And that means we must accept that we are not going to convince everyone that what we believe is true. Our job is just to give out the truth, and it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convince people. For only God can change people’s minds and hearts. But we should also seek the Lord to make certain that we are right, and that we are following the truth.

For, as those who make professions of faith in Jesus Christ, we are to be his representatives in the world shining the light (the truth) of the gospel to the people so that they can hear the truth, and hopefully will then believe the truth and will surrender their lives to Jesus Christ to do his will. So if we live in contradiction to what we profess with our lips, then we lose our testimony for the Lord. And this is not saying that we all will be perfect people, but that our witness for Christ is not in words only, but in how we live our lives.

But when we are living for the Lord, in doing his will, and we are exposing the fruitless deeds of darkness for what they are, and we are speaking the truth of the gospel against the lies which are being taught, we will be opposed, even by others who profess faith in the Lord. For not everyone is going to agree with what we are teaching, because they have been taught differently. So that is why I try to include Scripture references so that those who read these writings can test what I say against the Scriptures.

And, in summary, the message of the gospel taught by Jesus, and by his NT apostles, is basically this: By faith in Jesus – a faith which comes from God, is gifted to us by God, and is persuaded by God, and is not of our own doing – we are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we are raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin. So we are no longer to live in slavery to sin. For if sin is what we obey, it ends in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it ends in eternal life with God.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

To Be Like Him  

An Original Work / March 16, 2014  

Based off Scripture

Crucified you are with Jesus.

To be like Him, oh, you’ll be,

Because He died at Calv’ry,

So from sin you’d be free.

Oh, what joy He brings into your life,

Giving life with Him endlessly. 

Oh, what plans He has for your life.

Share the gospel faithfully.

Show the people He loves them.

Now His witness you’ll be.

Tell the world of sin about Jesus,

How He died for them on a tree.

Purifying hearts, He saves them,

Who believe on Christ, God’s Son.

Turning now from their idols,

New lives they have begun.

Jesus saves from sin; we’re forgiven.

Over sin, the vict’ry He won!

When He comes again to take us

To be with Him evermore,

There will be no more crying.

Gladness will be in store.

Heavens joys will now overtake us:

We’ll be with our Lord evermore.

https://vimeo.com/89237609

Work Out Your Own Salvation

 

Having the Mind of Christ

“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.” (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)

[Abbreviations: NC – New Covenant. OC – Old Covenant. NT – New Testament. OT – Old Testament]

What does it mean to “have this mind..”? It has to do with our thinking, and what our minds are set on, and/or an “established set of attitudes held by someone” (source: Google). It has to do with our judgments and our discernment, too. What are our minds controlled by? What do we think about most? This has to do with our belief system, too, resulting in particular attitudes, thinking, and actions. For what our minds are set on often determine our actions, as well. First we think it, and then we might do it.

So, if our minds are set on Christ, and so we take on his attitudes, and his way of thinking and believing, and we now have his discernment and judgment, and not that of human flesh, then what should that look like? Well, first of all we humble ourselves, and we become servants of the Lord who minister to the true needs of the people of the world and of our fellow Christians (and those giving lip service to Jesus Christ). And we acknowledge our own humanness, and yet we also give testimony to God’s saving grace.

And we follow our Lord in obedience to his commands and in obedience to his will and purpose for our lives. And we put into practice, by the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit given to us by God. And we minister in the areas of service where God has called and placed us, which are our individual assignments of God within the body of Christ (the church), which are our body parts (see 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). And we encourage the body of Christ in our walks of faith, and we warn against what is not of God (Ephesians 4:1-16).

And we obey God, and we do his will, and we submit to his calling on our lives, and we serve him and the people in the manner in which he has gifted us and called us and equipped us in ministry. And this may mean being treated like Jesus was treated, too, being falsely accused of what we did not do or say, and being harassed and attacked and slandered. And it may mean being rejected and persecuted and cast aside as unwanted and as not worth anything to anyone, and as though we are unnecessary to the body.

But where human beings (even professing Christians) may slander us, and cast us aside as unwanted and as unnecessary, and where they may reject us and lie about us and call us all sorts of names, if our lives are surrendered to the Lord to do his will, and so we are following him in obedience, and we are not deliberately and habitually sinning against him, then the Lord will value and honor us, and he will use us for his purposes and for his glory as instruments of his love and grace to others, even if they bitterly reject us.

But, no matter how we are treated by other human beings, we must remain faithful to the Lord in service to him, obeying his commands, and sharing with the people the true message of the gospel of Christ and of our salvation from sin. For lies and liars abound these days who are spreading lies about Jesus and about his gospel message. And they are turning many people away from the true gospel, to accept a diluted and altered gospel that does not require that we die with Christ to sin and obey his NC commandments.

But Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26 ESV)

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

The Peace of Christ  

An Original Work / October 31, 2011

Based off of Col. 3:1-17; Eph. 5:19-20

Let the word of Christ dwell in you,

As you teach with all wisdom,

Teaching one another to not

Think on earthly things;

Think instead on things above,

Where Christ sits with God, in love,

Saving us from all of our sins,

Cleansing us; made new within.

Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts,

As you sing songs unto Him;

Speak to one another with psalms,

Hymns, and spir’tual songs;

Always giving thanks to God,

In the name of Christ, His Son,

Who gave His life up for us all,

And gave us eternal life.

Let the love of Christ within you

Rule in your hearts; grace within,

Purifying you from your sin,

Make you whole within.

Forgive as the Lord forgave.

Show His kindness ev’ry day.

In word or deed, whate’er you do,

Glory give to Jesus Christ. 

https://vimeo.com/125863950

Looking to the Interests of Others

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4 ESV)

What encouragement do we have in Christ? It is that Jesus Christ, who was God in the flesh, and fully man, left his throne in heaven, came to earth, and eventually was hung on a cross to die for our sins. In his death, he who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God via God-persuaded faith in him, which results in us being crucified with him in death to sin and raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin but now as slaves to God and to his righteousness.

As followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ he then encourages us in our walks of faith in him, and with his love and watch and care over us, that he is with us continually, and that he will provide for our needs, and that he will minister to us in our trials and tribulations, and that he will forgive our sins. But all this is contingent on our faith in him being genuine biblical faith which dies with him to sin and lives for him in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living, and that we are not living in sin in willful rebellion against him.

But he also encourages us with his counsel and correction and discipline and with reminders that we must leave our lives of sin behind us and now follow him in walks of obedience to his commands. This kind of encouragement falls under the category of exhortation, and a holy summons or urging, or an entreaty or appeal, such as insisting that we stop doing what we should not be doing and we now do what we should be doing, as followers of Christ. So not all encouragement is the feel-good stuff, but it is all necessary.

And we are to encourage one another with this same encouragement that we receive from Christ. So we are to be those who speak the truth in love to one another, and who warn other believers in Christ against false teachers and false gospels, so that we all grow together in love and in maturity in Christ when each body part is working properly. And not neglecting meeting together, we are to be teaching and admonishing and exhorting one another every day so that none of us may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

[Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Ephesians 5:15-21; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:12-16; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:23-25; James 5:19-20]

So, if we are now of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind, this is speaking of the mind of Christ and of his love, and of being in full accord with him and with his teachings, and with his commands, and with his promises, which have stipulations, and with his judgments, too. We are likeminded with regard to the teachings of the Scriptures on what constitutes genuine faith and salvation from sin, and we are all walking in obedience to our Lord and no longer in sinful lifestyles.

Therefore, we will do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves. Jesus modeled this for us in his ministry on the earth where he gave up his time and even his sleep, sometimes, to minister to the people, to heal them, and raise the dead, and cast out demons, etc. But he also sacrificed himself by teaching them the truth of the gospel and to confront them with their sins and to call them to repentance and to warn them of judgment if they did not obey him.

So, not being selfish, and counting others more significant than ourselves, is not all this worldly and fleshly feel-good stuff that marketing people are pushing upon us. For me, it is dedicating my life to the Lord and to his service in daily writing down what he teaches me from his word each day and posting these writings on the internet, even being willing to be rejected, ignored, falsely accused of wrongdoing, slandered, fought against, or just ignored and cast aside as though I am worthless and of no value at all.

And not looking to our own interests, but looking to the interests of others, is more literally translated as “each not to your own look ye, but each also to the things of others.” (YLT) So, what things? It doesn’t say. From what I can tell, this has to do with caring about others and their needs and their concerns, showing sympathy and compassion and love and tenderness where this is needed. This is caring about the welfare of others, and at the top of this should be us caring about whether a person knows Jesus Christ.

For Jesus taught that if anyone would come after him that he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by His Grace, and now follow him in walks of obedience to his commands in holy living, in the power of God, then we have the hope of eternal life with God. For Jesus said that not everyone who calls him, “Lord,” will enter God’s kingdom, only those DOING the will of God.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

Oceans  

Songwriters: Joel Houston / Matt Crocker / Salomon Lighthelm

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep my faith will stand

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

And I will call upon Your Name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw 

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The Desires of the Flesh

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:17-21 ESV)

[Abbreviations: OC – Old Covenant. NC – New Covenant. NT – New Testament.]

When we believe in Jesus Christ with God-gifted and God-persuaded faith in him, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as slaves to God and to his righteousness. Therefore, we are to no longer let sin reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its passions. For if sin is what we obey, it leads to death, but if obedience to God is what we obey, it leads to righteousness, and its end is eternal life with God (Romans 6:1-23). 

And Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to our old lives of living in sin and for self, we will lose them for eternity. But if for Christ’s sake we deny self, die to sin daily, and walk in obedience to his NC commandments, then we have salvation from sin and eternal life with God. For if we deny Christ on this earth by our actions, in practice, he will deny us when he returns to take his bride to be with him (Luke 9:23-26).

So, we cannot just make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and now all our sins are forgiven and heaven is guaranteed us when we die. The Scriptures do not teach that. That teaching is of the flesh of man, not of God. God’s gospel message requires that we die with him to sin, not just once, but daily, and that we now walk (in conduct, in purpose, in practice) according to his NC commandments. For not being under the law is a reference to not being under the OC liturgical, ceremonial, and dietary laws and restrictions.

So, we cannot be born again Christians who are headed to heaven if we are still living in sin and not in walks of obedience to our Lord and to his NC commands. If sin is our practice, and not obedience to God, and not holy and righteous living, we will not inherit the kingdom of God. For Jesus said that not everyone saying to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING the will of God. Many who profess Jesus as Savior and Lord, only with their lips, will hear Jesus say, “I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Yet, many professing Christians today have bought into an altered gospel message which makes no requirements of them that they deny self, die daily to sin, and walk daily in obedience to his commands. And this is not a demand for sinless perfection (see 1 John 2:1-2), but that we not live in deliberate and addictive sin against the Lord as a matter of life practice. For if sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, and things like this are our practice, and not obedience to God, we will not inherit eternal life with God.

So, we need to take the Word of God seriously, and not lightly, and we need to be students of the Scriptures who study them in their full context. Why? Because so many false doctrines of faith stem from Scriptures taught out of context and twisted to say what they do not say if taught in context. Like for example, many are teaching Ephesians 2:8-9 absent of verse 10 and so they are teaching that no works are required of us. But verse 10 says:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

And many people are teaching John 10:28-30 absent of verse 27 which describes for us who verses 28-30 are for. So, in context:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

So, to whom does God give eternal life and they will never perish? To his sheep who are listening to him, adhering to and obeying his commands. They are those who are his disciples who follow him in walks of obedience and in surrender to his will and purpose for their lives. They are not those who are deliberately and habitually living in sinful practices while claiming Jesus as their Savior and heaven as their eternal destiny. So, please read the Scriptures in their context so you know what they are teaching, in truth.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]

Create in Me a Clean Heart

By Keith Green

Based off Psalms 51

Create in me a clean heart, oh God

And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart, oh God

And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation

And renew a right spirit within me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD847UcRbL4

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The Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is love,

Which comes to us down from above,

Unselfish, obedient to God,

Does not give to sin any nod.

The fruit of the Spirit is joy,

Takes pleasure in God, His deploy,

Surrenders our all now to Him,

And no longer led by a whim.

The fruit of the Spirit is peace,

For from sin God gives us release,

No longer a captive to sin,

In Christ victory o’er sin we win.

The fruit of the Spirit is patience,

No longer to live in complacence,

Now live in endurance, persistence,

To follow our Lord in insistence.

The fruit of the Spirit is kindness,

To help to free others from blindness,

No lies that we tell to please others –

Not spouses, not sisters, not brothers.

The fruit of the Spirit is goodness,

Live rightly for God in its fullness,

Forsaking our sin, live for Jesus,

Who died so our sin He would free us.

The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness,

Rejoicing in God in all gratefulness,

No longer give in to all hatefulness,

No longer in sin in all shamefulness.

The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness,

In love, and no longer resentfulness,

No gossip, no hate, and not slanderous.

Compassion, in love, and in tenderness.

The fruit of the Spirit is self-control,

No longer in bondage to sin in whole,

God’s grace training us to say “No” to sin,

O’er sin and o’er self we now victory win.

Based off Galatians 5:22-24

An Original Work / January 16, 2025