There is a scripture in the Bible that says, "Now, no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrew 12:11 Then Hebrews 12: 7 says, "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Hebrews 12:8 says, "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in he way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"
Chastening- correcting mistakes and curbing passions; to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement. Chastisement- severe criticism; a rebuke or strong reprimand. Train- to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of a child or other person by discipline and instruction: to make proficient by instruction and practice Instruction- orders or directions; knowledge or information imparted I had a conversation today with a Sister in the Lord. She was speaking on the fact that people that go to church, say they are saved, do not want anyone to correct their children. She said if a person corrects the children, the parents (the Saint), gets offended and has words with the person that did the correcting. She was also speaking on the fact that today's youth will not take correction. She said they do not listen and they have their own opinion of how something should be done or what they should be allowed to do. She said the get smart with you and talk back. I listened to her talk and then thought about what she said. She was talking based on what she has seen in and around the church. When she finished, I told her matters not whether the youth want to hear it, fight against it, ignore it, get mad about it....(the truth and correction), they are still to be corrected, like it or not. When the Church stops correcting youth because of the parents, or because the youth do not like it, the church is out of order. Any parent that is saved, wants their children saved. A parent that does not want their child corrected is asking for trouble. The youth of a congregation do not determine what is right or wrong, what should or should not be preached!! Correction of a child begins at home. According to the word of God, the father is to bring the child up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. If the father is not in the home, then the authority of the home is responsible. Lack of a father in the home does not negate the mother, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle from training up the child in the way he or she should go. Those in their 50's, 60's, 70's were corrected in the home, at school, by the neighbor or any adult. You did as you were told, no questions asked. If a grown person asked you to do something or told you something, you listened and obeyed. Now some will say, because of evil, sin a child can not listen to or obey all adults. True, but they can be taught who not to listen to also. Much can be said on this subject. The object of this post is to say, the Church that Jesus purchased with His blood is bound by the word of God to teach the truth unto holiness. Anyone that does not like that, needs to go to the alter and pray through to the Holy Ghost!! The church can not lower the standards of holiness because the youth do not want to obey. In addition, the Church should not cater to the whims of the youth. When I hear preachers say, things have changed, its a new day......what does that mean? Every generation since Jesus can say that!! But sin was still sin. The main issue for the Church today is having able, Holy Ghost filled pastors/preachers that will be led of the Holy Ghost to keep the culture of the day from invading the church with its lust and sin. There are many more devices in the world today to distract from living a holy life. It takes the Holy Ghost, the Pastor and Elders of the church to be able to call sin sin in every generation, until Jesus comes back for the Church. Some will say, new methods are needed to carry out the message of salvation. Wrong!!! Wrong!!! Wrong!!! The Bible says God chose the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." I Corinthians 1:21 What should be preached? Jesus!!! The Word!!! How should the word be presented? By preaching!! Not singing, skits, plays, drama's , mime, etc. Preaching, God chose preaching!!!! "Then Phillip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." Acts 8:35 "And daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Acts 5:42 "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;" II Corinthians 4:5 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." II Timothy 4:2 Youth in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025............ must all be preached to and taught the unadulterated word of God, whether they like it or not. They must hear the same message preached to them that their parents, grandparent, great grandparent heard. They must repent just like they had to, be baptized in Jesus Name just like they had to and receive the Holy Ghost just like they had to. The likes and dislikes of the youth of today must be scrutinized by the Word of God and the Holy Ghost just like my life was all that came before me. The likes and dislikes of the youth today must be corrected and rebuked by Elders/Pastors just like those that came before them. It it the responsibility of the Pastors/Elders today to discern the more's of society and establish what is Holy and what is not. The youth have not say in this, none at all. #Ohamen steadfastapostolic.com
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Just some thoughts today, because of the times in which we live. For the Jesus Name baptized believer, these are perilous times. The standard of holiness has been lowered by man, and God is not accepting it. There are souls that need to be saved and man is changing the standard!! And it seems as if it is those that have been in this thing a long time that is causing the most harm. It is almost as if the old ones are getting tired and restless in this life.
Secret sin is a reason too. Most recently I have had to face this. Old ones hindering babes in the Lord!! My soul cries out for this. I had to ask the Lord to sustain me. I write a lot about the ministry because it takes preaching to save souls. Those charged with ministering the word must live clean lives. But the times in which we live, some seem to feel that it is alright to live two lives as long as you.... I disagree. When Achan brought the accursed thing into the camp, he placed everyone that lived in that camp in danger. He tried to bury the accursed thing, but God still knew it was there. God told Joshua what to do to defeat the enemy. Part of the instruction from God was to destroy all that was in the city both man, and woman, young and old, ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword (Joshua 6:21). But Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. Achan's disobedience brought the anger of the Lord on everybody!!! In Ai during battle, Israel was defeated because of this sin. Joshua, fell on his face before the Lord and asked him why? The Lord responded,"And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon the face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff." Joshua 7:10-11. Joshua went throughout the camp looking for the disobedient one. When he came to Achan's family, Achan answered Joshua, and said," Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:" All Israel stoned Achan with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones (Joshua 7:25). The last verse of Joshua chapter seven says, "so the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. Sin must be addressed in the Church. No matter who it is. If you have secret sins, go the Lord and repent and stop. Otherwise, your sins will find you out too. |
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