Video Bibe Lesson - The Perverse Generation By Sarah Phillips

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

5/9/2020

The Perverse Generation

Sarah Phillips
"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?" Luke 9:41There is much written today about how the world has lost touch with God and morality. It's easy to view the past with rose-tinted glasses, to believe in "the good old days" or reminisce about a golden era. We do this in the Church all the time, often pointing to one practice that, if resurrected, would surely turn this generation around."If only the women still wore head coverings in church… ""If only we sang ancient hymns… ""If only young men and women got married earlier… "Don't read me wrong here… these issues are important. But the stark reality is, every generation has fallen short of God's glory. Every generation has sinned. Does this sound familiar?"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers."How often have I been tempted to mutter these words when encountering today's teenagers? But this quote is attributed to Socrates by Plato. Apparently teens weren't doing so well in the ancient world either. The fallen nature of man has followed us through the ages, plaguing the youth and old alike. Our broken nature manifests itself in so many ways… from the darkest sins to our lack of basic manners and courtesy.Jesus himself seemed to grow weary of the sins of his own day. I imagine the opening scripture was expressed with a mix of sadness and righteous anger.But what is the rest of the story? Even as his sinful followers surrounded him, Jesus healed the spiritual and physical afflictions of a possessed boy. We see here that going back to the "good old days" doesn't have the power to save us. It's the person of Jesus Christ who saves. This is the miracle of Easter: The incredible mercy of a God who would be justified in staying angry forever after the golden era of Eden went terribly wrong. He hears our cries for redemption - weak though they may be - and saves us.Is the world worse today than it was yesterday? Does it matter? God's patience and mercy for our "perverse and unbelieving generation" reveal the depths of his divine love. And those forgiven the most sins have the greatest number of reasons to rejoice.Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you ever felt so deeply ashamed of your sins that you thought no one could be as bad as you? Take heart. Some of the greatest saints were the worst of sinners. All sins can be forgiven when we call out to the Holy Spirit and ask for mercy. Rejoice in the second chances that come with Easter.
Further Reading:
Luke 7:47
Romans 3:23

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

What Is the Gift of the Spirit of Discernment and How Can Prayer Help?

• Cindi McMenamin

Have you ever had a conversation with another believer that caused unrest in your spirit? Maybe it was when you started hearing about a relationship or lifestyle – or even a new philosophy or perspective of theirs – that gave you a sick feeling in your gut.

Did you consider your internal response an indication that you were being critical, judgmental, or intolerant of that brother or sister in Christ? Or could it be that you have the gift of a spirit of discernment?

If you’ve ever wondered “What is a spirit of discernment?” you wouldn’t be the first to ask.

What is the gift of a spirit of discernment?

In First Corinthians 12:10, Paul refers to “distinguishing between spirits” (or “discerning of spirits”  in the NKJV) – as a spiritual gift that God gives to believers in order to recognize lying spirits and to identify deceptive and erroneous doctrines.

Paul warned when this gift of discernment is not being exercised in the church, distortion of the truth occurs.

But this gift of discernment is not something that is only exercised in a corporate church setting.

In 1 John 4:1, believers were exhorted to “not believe every sprit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  

As believers today, you and I are to heed that instruction to test worldly philosophies, foreign doctrines, and even new perspectives and ideas that come out of the mouths of politicians, celebrities, community leaders, and even pastors and religious leaders. We are to test everything that comes through our television sets, over our radio waves, and across our laptops and phone screens.

To have the spirit of discernment is to possess the ability to judge well. We get our English word "aesthetic" from the Greek word for discernment, meaning moral perception, insight, and the practical application of knowledge.

First Timothy 4:1 tells us: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” Thus, we are urged to “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 1:8).

Where is the spiritual gift of discernment mentioned in the Bible?

In 1 Kings 3, when the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him to name whatever he desired, Solomon pleased God by asking for the spirit of discernment. Solomon’s words were “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…” (1 Kings 3:9).

Solomon’s request for discernment so pleased the Lord that God not only gave Solomon a wise and discerning heart, but He also gave him what he didn’t ask for – “both wealth and honor – so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings”  (1 Kings 3:13).

In the New Testament, Paul prayed that believers would have and apply the spirit of discernment: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).

Paul realized if believers were able to discern what is best from what is just good or acceptable, they would be pure and blameless, and stand apart from the rest of the world.

The Apostle John also urged the first century Christians to practice the spiritual gift of discernment because of how quickly they could be deceived if they weren’t grounded in the truth: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

How do I know if I have the gift of discernment?

Scripture implies that if we are wise and walk in the ways of the Lord, our lives are evidence of a spirit of discernment. “Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them” (Hosea 14:9).

All spiritual gifts are abilities that are empowered and enabled by the Holy Spirit and used for the edification of the church.

If you have the gift of discernment, then, it isn’t something that is evidenced by your wisdom and savvy in the workplace or your strong opinions that stand out among unbelievers. If it is truly a gift it is given to you to uplift and encourage the body of Christ.

Are you a person who studies the Word of God so you can have a discerning heart? Are you one who pours over His precepts so you know how to discern God’s truth and rightly divide it, teach it, and apply it?

Hebrews 5:14 tells us if we have a maturity in the Word, we likely possess a spirit of discernment: “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

How do I pray for the spirit of discernment?

Since Solomon pleased God by asking for a wise and discerning heart, we would do well to request of God the same.

We can pray for a heart of discernment as the Psalmist did in Psalm 119:25: “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”

When we pray for discernment, we are to ask for it in faith, like we would ask for anything (Matthew 21:22). We are also to ask for it with the right motives. James 4:3 tells us “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

If you are asking God for anything, not really believing God will give it to you, you are one who “should not expect to receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7). And if you ask so that you can wield a spiritual super-power and appear more spiritual than others around you, that, too is not pleasing to the Lord.

But, when you ask humbly, in faith, and with the motive of living a more holy life, God will hear you (Matthew 21:22).

Pray also for a renewed mind and a stronger desire for God’s Word than the world’s philosophies. Romans 12:2 tells us: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The more you grow in your love for and knowledge of God’s Word, the more discerning you will be.

Suggested Prayers for Discernment

Here are some suggested short prayers for a discerning spirit:

Lord, God, please give me an understanding heart and a sensitivity to Your ways.

Lord, help me to distinguish between the truth of Your Word and the lies of this world.

Lord God, help me to discern between Your voice and the enemy’s voice. May Your gentle warnings be louder in my ears than the enemy’s empty threats.

Lord God, grant me a desire for Your Word so I will crave Your instruction, guidance and wisdom. Your Word tells me if I lack wisdom, to ask You for it and You will give it generously and without finding fault in me. Thank You for Your desire to give me a discerning spirit.

Lord Jesus, tune my ears to Your still small voice that convicts my heart of sin, corrects my ways, and counsels my heart. I know You are not the accuser who wants to discourage me and give me a spirit of despair. You are instead, my Advocate, who gently corrects me with Your Word, and steers me along the right path.

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

Abraham stood yet before the Lord (Gen. 18:22).

The friend of God can plead with Him for others. Perhaps Abraham's height of faith and friendship seems beyond our little possibilities. Do not be discouraged, Abraham grew; so may we. He went step by step, not by great leaps.

The man whose faith has been deeply tested and who has come off victorious, is the man to whom supreme tests must come. The finest jewels are most carefully cut and polished; the hottest fires try the most precious metal. Abraham would never have been called the Father of the Faithful if he had not been proved to the uttermost.

Read Genesis, twenty-second chapter: "Take thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest." See him going with a chastened, wistful, yet humbly obedient heart up Moriah's height, with the idol of his heart beside him about to be sacrificed at the command of God whom he had faithfully loved and served!

What a rebuke to our questionings of God's dealings with us! Away with all doubting explanations of this stupendous scene! It was an object lesson for the ages. Angels were looking. Shall this man's faith stand forever for the strength and help of all God's people? Shall it be known through him that unfaltering faith will always prove the faithfulness of God?

Yes; and when faith has borne victoriously its uttermost test, the angel of the Lord--who? The Lord Jesus, Jehovah, He in whom "all the promises of God are yea and amen"--spoke to him, saying, "Now I know that thou fearest God." Thou hast trusted me to the uttermost. I will also trust thee; thou shalt ever be My friend, and I will bless thee, and make thee a blessing.

It is always so, and always will be. "They that are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."
--Selected

It is no small thing to be on terms of friendship with God.

Tragedy in the Church House.....Tragedy in the Church House

Tragedy in the Church House

Tragedy in the Church House

Matthew 5:14-15

Every Sunday countless people all over the world sit in church buildings with a false sense of security. They assume that their morality, lifelong church membership, or baptism will earn them a place in heaven. While many of these folks sincerely desire to please God, they are confused about what the Christian life is all about. They think in terms of doing rather than being. So they imitate the actions of good Christians: going to a weekly service, praying, reading the Bible, and trying to be decent people.

However, salvation is not the product of good works. We come into the world with a corrupt nature, and all our wrongdoing is born of a heart turned away from the Lord. Because we are sinful people, we sin. It's that simple. The good news is that in the salvation experience, we are given a brand-new nature (2 Cor. 5:17). Our sin is wiped away because Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for us. From the moment we trust in Him, the Holy Spirit dwells in our heart so that we can live righteously.

The world values action, but the Father prioritizes relationship--specifically a right relationship with Him. People who scurry about flaunting religiosity are missing out on the deeply satisfying and joyous intimacy between a believer and the Lord.

We can help turn others' tragic misunderstanding into triumph by being ready to explain why we have hope (1 Peter 3:15). Speak of the personal relationship with Christ that's possible when a person admits his need and trusts in the Savior. If your light shines, it reflects well on the church.

Altar-Call Christians?

Altar-Call Christians?
by Debbie Holloway

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching” (John 14:23-24).

I’ve watched a lot of altar-calls in my day. The church in which I grew up routinely had altar-calls at the end of Sunday morning services. “If you’ve never asked Jesus into your heart, and you want to now, raise your hand. Come to the front. Pray this prayer…” Granted, not every church and every denomination does the whole altar-call thing. But it’s a pretty recognizable event in the land of “Christianese.”

And it’s not baseless. After all, Paul wrote to the Romans:

"If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

And,

"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame’" (Romans 10-11).

But I wonder sometimes if we grasp those verses a little too tightly, and forget about the kind of life that Jesus was calling us to live. Are we living like Christians – like those “belonging to Christ” or “members of Christ’s household” – or are we simply living like people who prayed the Sinner’s Prayer that one time?

Take a look at a few of these verses:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'  But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:38-39).

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on” (Matthew 6:25).

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God" (John 3:20-21).

Jesus said those things. Jesus said to follow him. To give, make peace, feed the poor, and endlessly love.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Ask yourself… Are you walking in the footsteps of Jesus? Are you walking in the light? Or are you just someone who said the Sinner’s Prayer one time, long ago?

Further Reading

John 14

Gideon: A Fearful Man with a Mighty Mission

Gideon: A Fearful Man with a Mighty Mission
by Jennifer Waddle

“O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” Judges 6:15

It was during a period of great famine and impoverishment, that a man named Gideon was chosen to deliver Israel from the bondage of other nations. The Midianites, Amalekites, and others from the east had forced Israel into the mountains to make their dwellings in dens and caves. Any livestock or produce that Israel gained was quickly destroyed. Therefore, when Gideon was found secretly threshing wheat in a winepress, it was probably because he had no other choice.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Judges 6:12

The title given to Gideon, mighty man of valor, didn’t seem to line up with Gideon’s perception.There he was, hiding in a winepress, trying to survive, and God was addressing him as a “mighty man of valor.” (with an exclamation!)

Gideon, along with the rest of Israel, was oppressed, fearful, and nearly defeated. So, to be called a mighty man of valor just didn’t resonate.

O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ Judges 6:13

On and on, in Judges chapter six, Gideon questioned, doubted, and inquired of God in fear.

It was as if he couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that God, the Creator of the universe, was choosing and equipping him to do a mighty thing for His people.

What mighty calling from the Lord do we struggle with most? What list of weaknesses do we make for ourselves; weaknesses that we believe invalidate us from serving God in a mighty way? What arguments do we make with the Lord when He calls us to step out of the comfort zone of our “winepresses?”

• I couldn’t possibly accomplish that!
• Someone else would do a much better job.
• I don’t have the strength, the smarts, the resources, etc.
• It would require too much.

God often uses the weak, the fearful, the ill-equipped. In fact, it is in our very weaknesses that He is strong! It is in our fearfulness that He proves Himself more than able. And, it is in our lack that He equips us to do exactly what He’s called us to do.

I suggest making a list of every weakness you can think of. Write it down. Present it to the Lord. Then, wait in wonderful expectation for Him to take those weaknesses and say, “Rise up, mighty one of valor. I have chosen you for this exact thing.”

A Prayer for Those Caught in the Gossip Trap

A Prayer for Those Caught in the Gossip Trap
By Meg Bucher

The fibers in my stomach began to fly off with my lunch as mud slung out of my smartphone speaker. For seven years, I had tried to find the good and lend an understanding nod, until God revealed my agreeability made me guilty of conspiracy. Afraid to come across judgmental, I refused to weigh in directly.

Confidence at a high volume lofted a convincing argument on dishonesty’s behalf, and a strangling hold on the hand of truth that threatened to lurch out of my stomach. I always found something positive to say about the person in vocal peril, but ran the risk of being directly associated with the entirety of the conversation.

 “Stay away from ungodly babbling because it will only lead deeper into a godless lifestyle.”1 Timothy 2:16 (VOICE)

Through the Holy Spirit abides in every Christian heart, and the uneasinesses I felt was a warning for me to evacuate that phone call. God is the protector our hearts, alerting us to falsities that attempt to crack through the surface.

What is“ungodly babbling?” Paul warned of false teachers, whose grand assumptions illuminated a lack of knowledge. In 1 Timothy 1:4, he warns,“Tell them to turn away from fables and endless genealogies. These activities just cause more arguments and confusion.”

Gossip operates on opinion. Faith is fueled by fact.

“Once these empty voices start to speak, Timothy, they infect and spread; and soon the body is consumed with its cancer.” 2 Timothy 2:17 (VOICE)

The more we entertain gossip, the more likely we are to consider it. Aiming to operate in peace with someone by allowing them air out their opinion puts our hearts at risk for misaligned empathy.

“Instead, they should concern themselves with welcoming in and bringing about the reign of God, which is all about faith. “ 1 Timothy 1:4b

Looking back, I had made room in my schedule to take that phone call, and it cost me. No one can force an ear-full of gossip upon us, yet we often let a guilt-filled, “good friend,” status overcome our urge to hit“Ignore.” When we pray for God to redirect the way we spend our time, He is faithful to answer.

“Our teaching about this journey is intended to bring us to a single destination—a place where self-giving love reigns from a pure heart, a clean conscience, and a genuine faith. “ 1 Timothy 1:5 (VOICE)

When our minds are full of things we wish we didn’t know about people, it threatens to taint our view of them. Christian life aims to see the God-placed strand good in everyone.

Gossip is rooted in lies, or twisted truths. Even honest reporting has an undermined intention to throw it’s victim under the bus. It’s deceitful, and one of the devil's favorite tools. Lying is his specialty, and he aims to “kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10) A stolen, destroyed, or annihilated reputation can emotionally destroy a person. We are to have nothing to do with those conversations(2Timothy 3:5b).

Those who fall into a pattern of speech that isn’t rooted on the truth tend to be most convinced that they know what they are talking about. Don’t be fooled. Motivated by a need to feed insecurity, their confidence is rooted in opinions.

Conversation that is focused on negative attributes and here-say is never worth the time it takes to entertain. A godly friend will understand why we can’t go there with them, and hold us accountable, too!

Father,

Praise You for godly friends who hold us accountable. Thank You for illuminating the deceitful power of gossip, that we all entertain within earshot daily.

Forgive us for listening to it instead of walking away. We confess that often we don’t speak up out of fear of rejection, and pray that you help us to have the courage to honor others with kind words when their character is being publicly slain.

Bless and heal those who have been mangled by gossip, and others enslaved by it’s addictive habit. Heal our insecurities, and help us learn to turn to you for affirmation. Make us busy serving others in love to give You glory, instead of sitting in circles of babble and participating in chatter-filled phone calls. Empower us with Your Holy Spirit to head Your warnings, and steer our conversations with Your love.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.