What Angers God

“At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride” (Daniel 4:36-38). (Cross-reference): “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1John 2:15-17). (Cross-reference): “For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?  You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you” (1Corinthians 4:7-8). What do you think? King Nebuchadnezzar, after boasting to himself about his kingdom and great power, was removed By God and made to eat grass on his hands and knees for seven years.  Above, at the end of those 7 years,...

Are You Teachable? (by Walt Henrichsen)

“And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”” Matthew 21:23 Jesus performed miracles in the presence of scribes and Pharisees, and they asked Jesus this question “Doing these things” pertained to the miracles they witnessed. Assuming that Jesus was unable to control the natural order, who gave Him the authority/ability to alter the natural order? If I see what I believe, rather than the opposite, how do I avoid what these religious authorities did?  If I saw a man performing miracles, and he preached as truth that which differs from my understanding of the Bible, how would I respond to him? Jesus therefore answers their question with a question, to which they respond: “…but if we say ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'” 1 How do I avoid allowing culture to shape my assumptions of reality?   All are teachable.  The question remains, “From whom will I learn?”  When I say a person is not teachable, I merely suggest that he refuses to learn from me. ______________________________________________________________ 1 Matthew...