“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” ~2 Timothy 4:3-4
We are never to water down the Gospel, never to undermine or underestimate the work of the Holy Spirit, and never to distort the simple plain reading of the Word of God. We are not to mix New Age into the Bible because New Age is a mix of religious and spiritual beliefs having to do with mysticism inclusive of phrases such as “Consciousness of Sin” or “Consciousness of Christ,” or “The Greater Consciousness.” The New Age is a free-flowing spiritual movement and includes the practice of witchcraft – tarot cards, fortune-telling, astrology, horoscopes, crystals, healing runes, and the like – as well as philosophies, rituals, and traditions from various ancient cultures and traditions.
Revelation 22:14-15 tells us about those who are believers and warns us about what happens to those who practice any lifestyle of sin, “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.”
Today’s world views have infiltrated modern churches. Candied doctrine has replaced sound teaching. Modern churches have exchanged the Truth of God for a lie. There are people within the places of worship looking to be made comfortable in their sin, desiring to live whatever way they want without being held accountable. They are choosing to be willfully ignorant and defiant to the laws of God. Any church leader and any child of God MUST preach and proclaim the full counsel of God, which means they must preach against sin. In order for the Issues of Holiness and Righteousness to be addressed, the issue of sin HAS TO and MUST BE addressed.
Repentance and confession of sin to God are absolutely essential, and we are not to take advantage of God’s mercy and grace. The Scriptures say in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The first chapter of 1 John speaks about living in the Light, verses 5-10, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts,” and the Psalmist King David declared, “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”
There seems to be a misconception when it comes to the Holy Spirit as well. Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17), “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” John 16:5-15 details “The Work of the Holy Spirit.” Please note verse 8 tells us the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment,” and verses 14-15 tells us the Holy Spirit points us to Christ, “‘He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” Note the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and points people to Christ. The Holy Spirit will NEVER take our focus off of Jesus. NEVER. The Holy Spirit will ALWAYS point us to Jesus.
Since the Scriptures are God-breathed, it’s important to note, that the Word is written to us. The Scriptures tell us the good, the bad, the best, the worst, the beautiful, and the ugly.
The Holy Spirit also called the Spirit of Prophecy does NOT always give flowery or sugary messages. We see this throughout the Scriptures which speak of true repentance with humility before God (Micah 6:8), “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
As children of God, we are to read and study the Scriptures and check out any preaching or teaching with the Word of God so we don’t go astray and fall for “doctrines of demons.” The reason those within the church get deceived is that they are not studying the Word of God for themselves. The bible is clear on this as well, 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” DO YOU WANT TO HEAR GOD SPEAK TO YOU? ARE YOU LOOKING TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SHEPHERD? NEED A WORD FROM THE LORD? OPEN THE BIBLE AND STUDY THE BIBLE. The Word is an Instruction Manual. The Bible tells you everything you need to inherit eternal life, how God wants you to live, and tells you the thoughts of God. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE? OPEN THE BIBLE AND STUDY THE BIBLE. If you leave your bible on the shelf or table to collect dust, you will fall into sin. “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you,” (Psalm 119:11), and “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path,” (Psalm 119:105). DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO TELL RIGHT FROM WRONG? DO YOU WANT TO KNOW IF WHAT SOMEONE SPEAKING IS IN THE BIBLE? OPEN THE BIBLE AND STUDY THE BIBLE. Always pray before reading God’s Word. Ask Him to show you what His Word is saying. Ask Him to guide you. Let your mind be controlled by the Holy Spirit as spoken of in Romans 8:1-17.
The prophet Isaiah had this message from God (Isaiah 50:11), “But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.”
The Apostle Paul addressed the believers in Galatia about the false teachers and preachers coming into their midst; Galatians 1:8 states, “Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.” The only Sure Foundation for our lives, the only Sure Foundation our faith is built on is Jesus Christ. Look to Christ. Look to your Heavenly Father. Shift your focus, and keep your focus set on HIM!
“Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer a great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” ~1 Corinthians 10-17
“Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please me, I would not be a servant of Christ,” Galatians 1:10. As children of El Shaddai, let us press on, dropping whatever it is that would easily entangle us, cherish and cling to the truth of God’s Word, and keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. Let us be found faithful, uncompromising, and unwavering. Let us stand firm, rooted in Christ, and grounded in the Word. Let us seek not the approval and applause of men, but let us seek approval from God alone.
Linda Agnes Knowles
“For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to the children, that the coming generation would know them-even children yet to be born-to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments. Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.” -Psalm 78:5-8
Note the contrast in these verses. Those who have hope have put their confidence in God. They are the ones who are trusting in God, believing in Him, following His commands and laws. They are the ones having communion with God. Then, there are the rebellious and stubborn. Those who are hostile and defiant toward God. They are without loyalty or faithfulness.
Let me just talk about backsliding for a few moments. The Bible says this about turning back (backsliding), “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him,” (Proverbs 26:11-12).
We are to guard our hearts because every decision, every issue of life flows out of our hearts. So, the Scriptures warn us and command us to guard our hearts will all diligence. We are told to be sober-minded as well, clear-headed. Backsliding occurs when a person is set on living a life of impurity. Backsliding can happen when we begin making the smallest of compromises. “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself,” (Proverbs 14:14). The English word “backslider” comes from the transliteration of the Hebrew word, “sûḡ,” which means “apostatize.” Apostasy means to embrace lies instead of truth. Backsliders are those who fall from grace. They are those that apostatize. They are the ones who deviate from the narrow road onto the broad road that leads to destruction. Backsliders go back to their sins just like a dog returns to its own vomit. Backsliders are those who get what they deserve; they will eat the fruit of their own way (Proverbs 1:31). They are filled with their own devices, insistent on living a life of immorality and impurity. For those who backslide and believe they will have time to come back to God, we are not guaranteed our next breath. We don’t know if we will have another chance to repent or come clean before God simply because we are not guaranteed our next breath. God does NOT play games. I’ve said this before I will say it again: there is no neutral ground when it comes to living for God. We must remain steadfast, press forward, without looking back. We must keep our eyes fixed Jesus, looking straight ahead. Don’t look to the right or the left. Continue onward in holiness and righteousness.
“My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. GUARD YOUR HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE, FOR FROM IT FLOW SPRINGS OF LIFE. Put away deception you’re your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil,” (Proverbs 4:20-27)
Our hope is found in Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. He is our Risen Lord and Savior. Those who are putting their faith and trust in Him, believing in Him as their Redeemer will not be put to shame. Our hope is found in no other. Our hope is found in nothing else. Look to Jesus. Obey the commands of the Lord, and march forward, Saints of the God. He alone is our Hope and our Salvation.
THE STORYLINE NEEDS TO CHANGE
By Linda A. Knowles
“Without wood, a fire goes out;
without gossip, a conflict ceases.
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels
that go down into the inmost being.”
Proverbs 26:20-22 (Berean Study Bible)
The storyline hasn’t changed even after all these years. I watched it growing up. The storyline goes like this: Mary gossiped to Ella. Ella didn’t stand up to Mary and chose to listen to the gossip. Daphne heard the gossip Mary was telling Ella, and Daphne told Joe and Elsie who then whispered to Myron then Maria then Julie then Victor. Mary made she sure spoke to everyone Daphne spoke to so she could make sure they had all the details and “correct information.” One person after another heard the gossip, either shared the gossip, participated in the gossip, or just remained silent as the gossiping was going on. Florrie, who was the object of the gossip, was unable to recover her reputation from all the lies the gossipers said. She ended up leaving the church, never to be heard from that church again. Florrie left the church completely disheartened, discouraged, and extremely hurt; the End.
Does betrayal happen in the church from one member of the body of Christ to another member of the body of Christ? Absolutely. The storyline I told above is an all too familiar storyline that still saturates the church today. Gossip doesn’t just happen within the walls of the place of worship, but members of the Body of Christ will sit down over a cup of coffee at another’s house or at a cafe.
Proverbs 18:22 & 26:22 both echo the same words, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.” Gossip has a way of seeping into your spirit, your heart, your mind, and your soul. If you allow yourself to listen to gossip about a person, you will see that person not as he/she is, but you will see them in the light of the gossip you told or entertained.
Lies are always soon exposed according to the book of Proverbs. Truth will always stand the test of time. Whether gossip is all lies or all truth or part true and part lies, gossip just like lying is a sin. The Apostle Paul even addressed this, “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds,” Colossians 3:9. We must remember we are not controlled by our fleshly desires. We are controlled by the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all truth. According to Romans 8:12, we are under no obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do. As children of the Most High God, we must understand that our Heavenly Father is the God of Truth and His language is Truth. Therefore, His children should speak the language of truth, not lies.
May I encourage you not to participate in conversations that will tear someone apart? Do not allow yourselves to engage in conversations that will disrupt the unity amongst the believers within the Body of Christ. Remember always your words will either portray or betray who you are.
Heavenly Father, You are the God of Truth. Help me to always speak truth as You do. Give me the words I need to speak. Fill me with the wisdom and understanding that comes from You alone. Give me the strength and help me to walk away from conversations that will compromise my character and my witness. Help me to stand up for what is right and what is true. Your approval is the only approval I need to gain. I give You all the glory, the honor, and the praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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THE DEMON CHALICE
By Linda A. Knowles
Thursday, 12/10/2020
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You chose to drink from the demon chalice,
Which was passed all around;
Then you chose the chains,
That now have you bound.
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You bought the lies,
And you bought into the deceit;
You sold out to gratify your fleshly need.
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You chose the honey from Timnath,
And you filled yourself with her seductive,
sensual intoxicating wine,
Drinking yourself into a deep sleep,
Cheapening your own life.
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You should have been vigilant and sober minded
But your lust-crazed mind and soul has left you bound;
Your lust-crazed heart has left you spiritually blinded.
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You drank from the demon chalice;
Tell me, who can help you now,
Since you’ve chosen to swim in willful ignorance
while drowning in disgrace?
“…behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.”
-Numbers 32:23 (KJV)
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CARSON’S NIGHTLY DANCE
Written By Linda A. Knowles
June 2020
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Carson came home at 4 a.m.
And Emily wondered where he had been
when she came out of her room,
saw him sitting on the steps
and she called out to him, “Dad.”
She wondered what he was doing
and could only assume it was bad.
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She said he wouldn’t look at her,
His guilt she would have seen,
Who was he with at night after 10:15 p.m.,
especially when Lillith, his wife, turned her head,
only to discover he wasn’t next to her in bed.
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He doesn’t seem to understand;
Emily kept hearing Lillith cry,
But Darby saw Lillith’s tears,
her trembling with every heavy sigh.
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Emily wanted to know does he have another kid?
Maybe a third child that he hid?
Carson forgot how to tell the truth.
He just kept on lying.
He doesn’t seem to understand;
his wife is always crying.
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He needs to man up,
and tell the truth,
That he’s been reckless
and far too loose.
I make NO apologies for what I am going to say.
What kind of mumbo jumbo generic hypnotic garbage are these self-proclaimed, self-anointed Facebook prophets prophesying?!
LET ME CLARIFY SOMETHING TO THE SIMPLEMINDED WHO ARE BUYING INTO THIS GARBAGE: If you are living like the devil, God ain’t gonna bless your sorry self who is living a life of wickedness! Give me a break with the generic puffed-up wealth toting prophecies! Where are the messages from these so-called prophets preaching repentance, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of the blood of Jesus, and the story of Redemption?! Oh, wait! No, no, that is not what those who CLAIM to have a relationship with God want to hear. People would rather hear lies than hearing that disobedience does not bring about the blessings of God! (Isaiah 30:10)! No one wants to hear the truth: Living a life of sin brings destruction and sets you on the broad road to destruction. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
No, I’m not keeping my mouth shut on this. Overflow and increase falling into your bank account? Your income will double this year? February is your month of favor?!!! What a load of codswallop!
The Bible is quite clear in Psalm 5:12 when it tells us that the Lord blesses the righteous and His favor is their shield; therefore, favor doesn’t have to locate you if you are truly a child of the Living God. According to Psalm 5:12, you already have favor because His favor is your shield. The Bible is also quite clear when it states the poor in spirit are blessed (Matthew 5:3), and it is because the poor in spirit are those who realize they are in need of God.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 makes it clear, “For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Most of the so-called prophecies of Facebook push money, income, and wealth higher than God (Matthew 6:23, Luke 16:13), and yes, I have read the so-called prophecies from these so-called prophets. God lavishes those who truly love Him with His divine favor and grace (Deuteronomy 5:10, 1 John 3:1). These charlatans who have run amuck with false prophecies are greedy, self-serving, haughty, arrogant, and filled with pride (2 Peter 2:2-4). The truth does not give a flying fig about anyone’s feelings! God’s truth does NOT change.
I have no problem with people being used in the gift of prophecy.
What I do have a problem with is the false prophetic charlatans who would rather lead people straight to hell instead of telling them the truth. These charlatans are perverting the Word of God and they are lovers of self. In the Books of Jude and 2 Peter, these charlatans are called unthinking animals (Jude 1:10-19, 2 Peter 2:12).
Look at the book of Proverbs and observe carefully how things ended up for the simpletons, for those who are simpleminded. (“Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!”-Proverbs 14:15; “For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.” -Proverbs 1:32; “The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his own sin entangle him.” -Proverbs 5:22; “”How long, O simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?”)
God will not be and is NOT mocked.
(“For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” -Romans 16:18)
It never ceases to amaze me the levels of stupidity people will resort to. People will interfere in someone else’s argument without having all the facts. Without having all the facts, unwise judgments are made, which results, most of the time, with people flapping their gums and spreading gossip and slander to anyone who will lend them a listening ear.
If some people are gossiping about you, it should be understood that if they are not gossiping about you, they are gossiping about someone else. Those who are flapping their gums are getting all up in your business because they don’t have a life of their own. They will badmouth, backbite, slander, and lie because they have nothing better to do. However, when they do so, they are involving themselves in something they have no business getting involved in. They are too wrapped up in flapping their gums because they are filled with hatred, anger, and jealousy. What they do not realize is that they have no self-control as they are salivating looking for the next dainty morsel to share with others who are all too eager to listen.
It is shameful and embarrassing when gossipers do not have all the facts but will pontificate as if they have all the facts. Has anyone considered that gossiping and interfering in someone else’s argument is like yanking the ear of a wild dog and expecting it not to take a bite out of him or her? If they should attempt to yank on the ears of a “wild dog,” why should anyone feel bad for them? They are simply reaping what they have sown, and they deserve whatever consequences they get.
Linda A. Knowles
“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” -Proverbs 18:13NLT
God wants to live among His people. He wants to protect them. That has always been His desire since the beginning of time. He desires to commune and have that fellowship with His children. However, His people have rejected Him as their Lord and their God. Those who have claimed God as their own have defiled their own bodies and have exchanged the Most High God for other gods, the creation created by God Himself and the things created by man.
The Church has exchanged what is holy for what is evil and exchanged the truth of God for lies. Rather than seeking the God Who Provides her with all her needs, she seeks after that which is temporal such as power, prestige, wealth, popularity, and the like.
God is not welcomed in most places of worship, and His Word has been dissected and chopped up to the point it is unrecognizable. The Word has been made to suit the lifestyles of the people instead of the people seeing themselves in light of the Word of God, repenting, turning from their evil ways, and humbling themselves before God.
God desires a relationship with His people, but they have kicked Him out of their lives and their hearts. They have kicked God out of their homes and places of worship.
The consequences of their sin are falling on their own heads, and they are blaming God for their suffering. Their choices have them on the broad road to destruction. They are headed to Hell. Their consciences are seared and their hearts calloused.
The anger of God is set against all sinful and wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. The creation clearly shows the invisible qualities of God and so they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Everything is exposed before the eyes of God. He sees all and yet His children don’t believe He sees all they do and hears all they say. They are clever at doing wrong, but they are stupid when it comes to doing what is right. They have chosen death instead of life. They have chosen to be cursed rather than blessed.
To all those who have believed Him and accepted Him, to them, He gave the right to become children of God. Those who do His will and walk uprightly before Him, they belong to Him.
“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor has sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who see Your face.”
JEZEBEL’S WEB
The widow weaves her web so steadily,
Each silk strand in its place,
That dark corner that will ensnare,
Those simpletons in her space.
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She’ll go against the Word of God,
And set the trap in place,
And there so obvious are her victims hung
On each and every strand that’s strung.
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Her web expands in width and height,
The depths not truly known;
But each and every single strand
Holds those known and unknown.
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She spun them in her silken web and slowly drains their blood,
Her victims with eyes sunken and ashen faces,
So pale from her unloving embraces,
But she cradles her human slaves,
Now bound by her vicious silken strands.
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You see her web has stretched so far and wide,
Her dungeon blackened and damp;
And fools go down into her place,
To find themselves dying in disgrace.
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Be careful for those dark corners,
Where sin is allowed to dwell,
Where transgressions are celebrated,
Where lies are free to swell.
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Be careful for the black widow,
Who would try to claim your soul,
For the wickedness that is her,
Her name is Jezebel.
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Written By Linda A. Knowles
Stained Glass Confessions 