Little children, let no man deceive you: (1 John 3:7)

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (Romans 12:9)

Even though the world makes halloween seem "cute" and "harmless", the warning still remains in Scripture; Little children, let no man deceive you! We are to abhor that which is evil, no matter how "cute" the world makes it look.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17)

I've been thinking a lot lately on simplicity. The simplicity of Christ, the Word of God, and things such like. How truly simple everything is if you step back from the big theological explanations that try to explain away the Word and just read the Scriptures.

In the Scriptures, there is one of two sides that you can be on ~ God's, or Satan's. You cannot serve both at the same time (Matt. 6:24 & Luke 16:13), so you either have to be on one side or the other. Knowing that, it simplifies everything a LOT!

Everything in this life is either on one of these sides or the other. There are no gray areas. If you're not for God, you're against Him and on the side of Satan, as a servant of sin (Romans 6:16). Likewise, if you are for God and obeying His Word and His commands, then you are on His side and against Satan and SIN.

It is so simple; good or bad, light or darkness, righteousness or unrighteousness, God or Satan, bright or dark, right or wrong, on or off. Everything… everything, is either on one side, or the other. You cannot be a Christian (Christ-like) and still be the servant of sin (1 John 3:8-10), nor can you serve the devil and obey God at the same time. The Scriptures are clear; this is NOT possible!

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)

If we keep everything simple and plain, as it was meant to be, then even a child can understand it (and even Christ said we must become as little children in order to enter into the kingdom…[Matthew 18:3]). Let's not be drawn away from the simplicity of Christ! Let's keep everything simple, plain, and clear.

If something is not supported in the Scriptures, or is spoken against in that precious Bible, then it is obviously of the devil. We must try every spirit.. why? to see if it is of God. How are we to do so? By using the sword of the Lord, the Word of God.

Let us be careful that we are not drawn away (corrupted) by long, lengthy explanations (subtilty) that explain away the clear meaning of Scripture, by using everything else but the simplicity of Christ. Remember, everything in this world is on one of those sides or the other… Christ's or Satan's, good or evil, right or wrong, light or darkness, righteousness or unrighteousness, on or off, black or white, etc.

Let's keep everything in the simplicity of Christ!

"I love you, Mother," said little John;
Then forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his Mother the wood to bring.

"I love you, Mother," said rosy Nell;
"I love you better than tongue can tell"
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her Mother rejoiced when she went to play.

"I love you, Mother," said little Fan.
"Today I'll help you call I can;
How glad I am that school doesn't keep".
So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

"I love you, Mother," again they said,
three little children going to bed;
How do you think that mother guessed
which of them really loved her best?

- Author Unknown, at least, to me

I thank the Lord for my dear Mom, who is an excellent example of being a godly woman to me! May all of us honor our mothers, not only on this day, but every day with our love, respect, and obedience!

"I may not have riches as some others may, but I have a Mother who knows how to pray."

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
~ Proverbs 31:28 – 30 ~

Dare To Do Right

Dare to be honest, good, and sincere,
Dare to do right, and you never need fear.
Dare to be brave in the cause of the right,
Dare with the enemy ever to fight.

Dare to be loving and patient each day,
Dare speak the truth, whatever you say.
Dare to be gentle, and orderly too,
Dare shun the evil, whatever you do.

Dare to be cheerful, forgiving, and mild,
Dare shun the people whom sin has defiled.
Dare to speak kindly, and ever be true,
Dare to do right, and you'll find your way through.

I was scanning through one of my books (Choice Stories for Children) and happened to notice this short little poem at the end of one of the stories.

No author is named, so I don't know who wrote it, but I thought I'd share.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [2 Timothy 2:22]

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. [1 John 3:7]

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Will you dare to do right?

After viewing the poll stats this morning, I was very disappointed to see how many people believed in the lie that a baby is born sinful. I was happy, of course, to see at least a few people vote against the idea. For those of you who believe all babies are born sinners, consider just for a moment all the little children you would have to believe are going to hell. Including every single little child that is aborted..
We all know that only the pure and godly shall have part in the kingdom of heaven, so if you believe babies are born sinners, then they would have to be sent to hell.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. [Psalms 127:3-5 KJV]

Would the Lord give us a sinful heritage and reward?? Would it even be a reward, if it was born sinful?

Jesus says:
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. [Luke 15:10 KJV]

So, we're supposed to be 'happy' to have our quiver full of 'sinners', but the angels are only happy when one repents? Hmmm… something doesn't add up here.

Jesus is our example that we should all strive to follow, correct? Okay.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. [Isaiah 7:14-16 KJV]

Does this say he is born sinful, or does it say he was born not knowing to refuse the evil and choose the good? If Jesus was born in the flesh as a human, and HE was born innocent, and HE is our example, then it only makes sense that since he wasn't born sinful, he wouldn't make an innocent baby, who has done nothing, be born sinful.

Sin is a willful transgression of the law….

What I want to know is this: What did that baby do on the way out that transgressed the law?!

If you say he's born sinful, then there must be something this baby chose to do on the way out. What was it? Sin is a choice, not something you inherit.

I'm gonna use Mom's words here, but this just completely describes it:

This is anti-God, anti-Bible, anti-truth, and anti-common sense!

Now, I ask you again, and please think very carefully before you say they are born sinful… What does the Bible really say?

For further reading, please see part 2 in this study:
Born A Sinner? Part 2
And
Are We Born Sinners? by Brother Mike Miller

And to think… I wrote all that before breakfast!!