Tag Archives: The Truth

Tough but True!

“It is a remarkable fact that all the heresies which have arisen in the Christian Church have had a decided tendency to ‘dishonor God and to flatter man’. “  Charles H. Spurgeon

We live in a time like none other in the history of the Church~Body of Christ.  There is not a single day that goes by that we don’t read a story in mainstream media and/or Christian media,  or hear on the news or a from a radio station of another Christian organization that is “falling away” from the blessed truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)   I know I’m not alone in watching with great sadness churches (some denominational– others interdenominational– some non-denomination) changing their views, policies, doctrine and ministries to suit the “times”.  We are warned often in the New Testament of those who will creep unawares into our churches… and those who will walk away from the One True Gospel because of  the self centered, lust-filled and power-driven old “person” within us.  Charles Spurgeon witnessed it.  We are witnessing it!  Like a “whirlpool sucking everything into the darkness”.

I wrote several postings last year about wolves in sheep’s clothing ( Matthew 7:15), however they weren’t read by many.  A year later, apostacy has escalated at an alarming rate as I watch Christian (?) ministers/ministries/organizations move away from the true Gospel… to a

‘people-pleasing gospel’

or a ‘cotton candy Christianity’

or a ‘cultural gospel’

or a ‘New Age gospel’

or a ‘question the Bible gospel’

a ‘jump on the band wagon gospel’

or a ‘mix Christianity with other religions’

All of these are deceiving many in our churches,  and the members follow along, like the “blind leading the blind” not questioning. (1 Timothy 4:1)  Why???  I’ll tell you why… because the average Christian has no idea what they really believe or why they believe it because they spend no time in the Word of God, “testing the spirits” (1 John 4:1)  I know that sounds tough and hard, but, it is the truth.  As I’ve written many times before… you don’t need a theological degree to read and study the Word;  you don’t need an education in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.  All you need is a personal relationship with God!  That relationship comes through repentance and personally receiving the “gift of salvation–the blood of Christ” that reconciles us to the Father; making Jesus Christ the Lord of your life and then the Holy Spirit takes up residence within your heart and at that moment you are a brand new person, with a new life.  With the abilities to read and study the Bible.  Earnest prayer for understanding, asking the Holy Spirit for discernment and a willingness to surrender your own will to the will of God—-the Word will become something you crave and can’t do without!!

Much Praise to The One Who is The Giver of Eternal Life

The unconditional love of the Almighty LORD God given to sinful, God rejecting, and self pleasing mankind is the most amazing representation of WHO He is.  He sent His ‘only’ Son to die and pay the penalty of our sins, then offers to us as an amazing free gift … we don’t need to work or try to be perfect (we couldn’t anyway), because Our Savior Jesus Christ who was without sin chose to take all the sins of world as the price required for salvation and freedom from the bondage of ‘self’!   The Word of God is the most amazing book ever written!   Here, thousands of years after the initial writings, the original manuscripts are still with us.  The Bible is God-breathed words penned by the holy men He chose.  

Let us never cease to be in awe of  the one and only True LORD God and His  endless grace;

 The salvation freely given to us by the precious blood of the Lamb of God;

The Holy Word of God!  ©Streim

If anything I’ve written here disturbs you… pick up your Bible.  Find out for yourself!  Read and ask God for wisdom, as it is His Will that you read His words of love and caution.  Your heart must first be in the right place with the Father and Lord Jesus to receive instruction.  Here’s a few verses you get you going… reading them in context gives the depth.  All four of these references are from our Lord Jesus:  Matthew 7:15; 10:16, Luke 10:3 and Acts 20:29.  Be blessed…

 

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Wolves and Artificial Sweeteners~ Part 1 http://wp.me/p1Ypb1-7V  

Warnings Given With Love  http://wp.me/p1Ypb1-tB

 

Hannah’s Prayer

Since today is the National Day of Prayer (as appointed by our government) , I wanted to share what I believe is one of the most beautiful prayers of  thanksgiving I’ve read in the Word of God.  It is my hope, that each of you as you pray remember Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and 18 “pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Hannah’s Prayer

And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.  “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.  “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.  “The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength.  Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.  “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.  The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.  He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He has set the world upon them.  He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.”   1 Samuel 2:1-10 (NKJV)

Hands raised in Praise

♥ Streim

He NEVER Leaves Us!

 

Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain

As followers of this blog you may have noticed I haven’t posted anything since my April 7th message “Are we a people of the WORD?” .   We, as Christians have all heard or made the statement “If you’re going to talk the talk; then ya better walk the walk”.  I say with honesty I will not post anything on this blog that I don’t live by myself.   Thursday April 4th as I studied in John chapter 10 (The Good Shepherd), Scofield referenced Jeremiah 23:1 with John 10:1 so as I often do, I went to Jeremiah 23 and began reading.  I got so caught up in the message, I read through the 28th chapter.  I looked up at the clock— WOW  1:10 pm — I missed my noon medications and snack.  I got up quickly from the couch (too quickly I realize now), my feet went toward the kitchen and my torso stayed in a forward position.  I heard a snap; like a rubber band being stretched to its limit, ready to pelt someone across a room.  I walked two steps before I experienced a twisting, tightening muscle spasm.  Down the leg on the outside, across the toes and up the inner thigh– one humongous ‘Charlie-horse’ (have no idea why they call it that).  I attempted to walk it off and stretch, but nothing helped.  No let up… this thing was constant.  Anyone familiar with the 1-10 pain scale… this was a 12!  I’ve birthed 7 children, and this was like being in labor.  By Friday evening I knew something was wrong (duh) so a friend drove me to the ER.  One of my herniated lumbar vertebral discs decided to “pop”… diagnosis  lumbar radiculopathy.  After giving me 2 shots (dilaudid and tordal–the strong stuff) the doctor wrote out 3 prescriptions for some heavy-duty stuff, let me rest some and sent me home with a referral to my family doctor on Tuesday.  My family doc sent me for an MRI, scheduled an appointment with a specialist and I had to retrieve any previous MRI s to take with me to that appointment.  Now, I am not a pain wimp; but even those super meds did very little to alleviate the constant,  excruciating muscle spasms and loss of feeling in my toes and lower leg area.  For two full weeks I lived in sheer agony with little sleep (maybe 24 hours total) until I saw the neurological pain specialist last Friday the 19th.   The specialist I’d seen 7 years ago for my back issues, so he remembered my condition.  He looked at the new MRI, did some reflex and feeling tests and told me “Well, I don’t like to do surgery until we try shots”.  So the next thing I knew I was in the surgical pain unit of the hospital being prepped for a ‘epidural steroid injection’.  The entire procedure was like an out-patient surgery.  They sedated me, used an x-ray machine to locate the precise spot for the injection, and kept me until I ate a cookie (smile) and drank something.  I was given a follow-up appointment for May 3rd and told by Doctor D. that I’d be back to normal within 2-3 days.  Whoopeee…  I would be able to take care of myself again!  I must tell you I have wonderful neighbors and amazing children.  One neighbor loaned me a recliner and brought me a few meals, another gave me a special pillow and checked up on me 2-3 times a day.  My daughter’s called often  and even helped me out with washing my hair.   I must stop here for today because sitting on this office chair is quite uncomfortable, so I’ll finish up tomorrow.   I learned three very important lessons during this time about our flesh, our faith and God’s caring love.  I will share them with you (hopefully) tomorrow.♥

During that time, my prayers were simple… Father I love you!  My Bible reading was nearly impossible because of the pain and medications, but I did read John 10 everyday on my phone’s KJV app. 

Genesis 28:15 ” And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest , and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”

Hebrews 13:5 ” Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said , ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ “

May your day be blessed with the power and knowledge of His continual presence in your life as His adopted child through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! © Streim