UPDYKE books
Spiritual Adultery: (It's an unfaithful relationship. (click for more) Here is the principle: it is not difficult to judge sin, but when you condemn the sinner, you have implicated yourself. Judging the wrong is not the problem; it is condemning the person. Even if we have not committed the same offense, we may be guilty of it in spiritual significance. Our expression of condemnation has the potential of being equally as evil. Could this be spiritual adultery - to deny God’s mercy?
“So… I will ask for the power to forgive them, and let it pass,” Love concluded as he made his decision. “The pain they have caused I will give to God and ask for His healing.”
Jas 4:4, 1Jo 2:15-16, 1Jo 1:5-7, Col 3:5:You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Do not love the world or 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 desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
How can we not forgive others when we have been forgiven so great a debt?
What is spiritual adultery? It is unfaithfulness in our relationship with the Almighty Spiritual God.
It is hate, revenge, and condemnation. It is unforgiveness toward others in the face of the mercy he gives to us. He suffered and died for me, and for you. He feels rejection when we despise others.
It is idolatry. We use religion, a system of regulation and belief that elevates the position of man and diminishes God, to gain personal justification. It is self-reliance. This is the worship of self and false gods.
It is indulgence. How can we love the pleasures of this world, more than we love Him? Selfishness and worldliness will lead us into spiritual adultery.
A dependency on self-achievement and success for meaning and purpose in life is a striving which results in defeat with the realization of age, disease, and death. Surely, this isn’t Gods way or The Way with Him.
Confessions of spiritual adultery:
Worldliness: there are so many things that looked good to me. I wanted them and pursued them for myself, with disregard to what You were telling me was wrong. I have been so selfish in my pursuit of pleasure. I have indulged myself with what I could get, and have resented what I could not get. The happiness I found has always been fleeting. I continually sought to fulfill my selfish lust, even using others to get what I wanted for myself. Now I know that I have been wrong. This is my confession before You, Jesus. Please forgive me and wash me clean by the sacrifice of your blood, shed for the earthly wrongs I have done before you.
Self-sufficiency: I have been confident in my abilities and have rejected your Spirit of wisdom and love. I have relied entirely on myself. I have lived for self-fulfillment. As I have achieved my goals, they have been unworthy - not bringing any true or lasting satisfaction. I have been proud in myself and I have spoken against you. But now I know and see my need for You, because I have failed in myself to accomplish anything that is truly good, or even right. I need You, Jesus, to bring healing love into my life. Please forgive me for self-sufficiency, and renew in me the power of your resurrected life.
Self-righteousness: In truth, my religious activity has been to justify myself. I wasn’t honest about my own sin. I wanted to hide it and cover it over, so I could appear to be as good, or better than others, and…I have been critical of them. I have been quick to criticize and judge others for their actions, but have not been honest about my own faults. Help me now, Jesus, to know the complete truth about my false justification. Expose the deception of religion in my life. I abandon it now, to have You: your righteousness, truth, and life. Please forgive me for my self-righteousness as I accept your higher standard and trust only in You.
How are things with you and Jesus? Are you two-timing in your relationship with God?
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The Cross
Necklace
for the Sake of Sam
PURCHASE REVIEW
Here is a story of mercy and grace. It is among those that urge us to believe in truths higher than our preferred opinions, to act in ways that honor the image of God. “THE CROSS NECKLACE – For the Sake of Sam” promises these elements with a beautiful theme and intent. We all enjoy stories that spark the imagination in the way the Advocate does - that perhaps someone wiser and more knowing looks out for us and, if we are paying attention, guides us toward best outcomes.
In the small town of Walthem, Samuel Urban is known as the people’s judge. Once shown mercy, this magistrate feels obligated to grant unto those brought before him a second chance. Sam’s journey, one of pitfalls and recovery, is something people still talk about.
It was the intervention of his predecessor that saved Sam from a penalty that loomed like a noose, determined to claim his young life. But his acquittal stirred resentment in one who, unknowingly to Sam, became his archenemy. His nemesis seethed with anger at the news of Sam’s release from prison and the thought of him going unpunished.
The mysterious alliance that now desires to lynch Sam is not only reclusive, but very powerful and influential, and from them there will be no reprieve, because they lack understanding. But will he win in the end?
This is the story about a young couple, Sam and his girlfriend Jodi, but more importantly, it documents the influence of an Advocate, established in truth, for setting them free from their deepest despair.
The disgrace of Sam being charged a second time is more than they can bear. They are without hope until they discover a force at work in their lives which is greater than the reckless power possessed by their enemies.
Battle lines are drawn. The game of war is about to commence. But in truth, life is surely much more than a game. (Based on a true story.)
The Secrets of Sweetened Vales
Blessings All Mine
PURCHASE REVIEW
She was his first crush. When Julianne suddenly disappeared, he demanded answers, but those who knew what happened to her refused to tell him. Vincent’s heart was broken, but time didn’t wait for the truth to be revealed. He eventually moved on. Then one day a friend request came like a ghost from his past to resurrect the secrets of Sweetened Vales. And his haunts returned. Something strange had happened in that small town where its residents were healed, the source of it remaining a mystery.
Today it all seems like a dream as the world is consumed with the information age, yet the meaning of Vincent’s past is not explained by a search of the web. His personal experience, meaningful history, is soon to be forgotten. And still, he carries the scars of Sweetened Vales; his heart remains broken. Medication numbs the enduring pain.
The mystique of the strawberry fields known in his youth no longer entices a grower. Gone is the hopeful expectation Vincent once felt there. Wearing a cyber mask, he pretends to be someone he isn’t, in danger of losing his true self. He wonders if hope can be recovered like buried treasure, to heal the hurting once again.
Nowadays fresh strawberries are prominently displayed by the grocer year around, but this genetically altered fruit isn’t gratifying, not like the savory harvest from the fields of Sweetened Vales. Looking back, it's easy to see how the age inherited is altering us too.
What secrets does his past hold? Vincent intends to find out, to be free of the disappointing repetition that defines him. There was something very special about that strawberry farm and it is still intended for us today.
Thereafter
The earth shakes violently and the struggle of their after lives becomes the ultimate test.
PURCHASE REVIEW
Historical, end times fiction, “Thereafter”
is a book with insight for coming days, based on historical facts and an interpretation of prophetic writings.
The evidence we can glean from history is most convincing. Current events need to be understood within the context of lessons learned from our past. This book presents a fictional scenario of future events.
It’s a difficult and controversial topic, but one which we should not completely ignore. This writing is based two strong convictions. First, a time of great persecution is coming. Hatred is very strong.
Jesus said that nations will be offended, betray one another, and hate one another.
Secondly, we should not be surprised when it happens. He also told us to study for understanding, pray for refuge, recognize and understand the signs that foretell what is to come, and be ready.
Yes, we should be prepared! Are you?
“Thereafter” is insightful and thought provoking. Don’t just watch current events, interpret them!