Word became Flesh!

I desire the Deep things of God. I am not satisfied with the basics of Biblical Christianity, even though I am compelled to preach the basics, because many of God's children seem to be illiterate and still sucking on the bottle. By this I am stating that many if not most in the Church today cannot even tell a seeker why they are lost, not to mention how they might be Saved. One of the Deep things of God is the Person-hood of Christ. Who is He? Is He Deity? Just a prophet? Just a Spirit filled man? Is He God in the Flesh? Does it really matter what God’s Word says? Does the Bible only speak to the people mentioned in the Bible? Does Jesus ever claim that He is God? Does Jesus ever claim to be the Messiah? These questions were raised and discussed at Bible Study recently and I wanted to share the Scriptures that clearly speak to the Character of Jesus. I have heard many preachers and teachers that deny that Jesus claimed to be the Christ (Messiah) and say that Jesus was not God in the flesh. So I will simply say, what does Jesus say? Let us hear Him speak and the Holy Spirit speak through the prophets and Apostles. We need not the opinions of man, but the opinion of God! So is Jesus God in the flesh? Our very Salvation Depends on the Deity of Jesus Christ! If Jesus is not Divine, we are still lost in our sins because a Holy God requires a Holy Sacrifice to Atone for sins!

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

John 8:51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52 At this the Jews exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death.
53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Exodus 3:13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. {14 Or } This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, {15 The Hebrew for sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for in verse 14.} the God of your fathers– the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob– has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
Revelation 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, {14 Or } who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus indeed existed before the Creation, not just as a thought or plan!
John 17:1 ¶ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Matthew 26:60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him
68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (NIV)
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV)

There is but One God and His Name is Jesus! You may ask, how Can God Die? Well very Simple. God is a Spirit. Jesus through the Incarnation, became flesh. John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Who is the Word? Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” When He died on the Cross it was only His Flesh that died. 1Pe 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” Jesus is God in the flesh and His flesh died and paid for our sins and He arose by His own Spirit on the third day to secure Eternal Life to all who would Repent of their sins and believe in His Sacrificial Death and Resurrection! Hallelujah! I am sure many will deny the Deity of Jesus Christ and will suffer the consequences. I Trust it will not be you dear reader! Don't Listen to mans opinion about who Jesus is or is not, Read the Inspired Word!
Last exhortation in closing:
Jude 1:3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (KJV)
3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. (NIV)
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)
4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (NIV)

Discipleship through Spiritual Gift of prophecy!

When you think of the Church (the individual believers in the Work of Jesus Christ) and the Great Commission to Go and make Disciples of all Nations, what does that mean? Most Christians first think of Evangelism! While preaching the Gospel is our message and the Holy Spirit moves upon the unrepentant, unbelieving heart, there is another aspect of Evangelism that I desire to share. Listen to this passage and ask yourself this question; does my Church practice this type of evangelism and discipleship? 1Corinthians 14:19 “But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
21 In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" Now I am not at this time going to debate Speaking in Tongues verses prophesying, for the text indicates both Spiritual gifts. I am going to point out the verses 24 and 25! The Greek word for prophesying is propheteuo, which means to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office. Can you imagine what would happen in our Churches if this Spiritual gift was sought and practiced in our Churches today? If the Spiritual gift was practiced and given by the Holy Spirit to men who are an inspired speaker, unbelievers who visit would be “convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" Is your Preacher inspired by the Holy Spirit to exercise this gift in your Church? I have preachers and laymen exclaim to me all the time, “where is the power in the Church like that in the early Church”? Well maybe it is because belief in the Power of the Holy Spirit and the use of Spiritual gifts are not sought by believers! Evangelism and Discipleship are brothers. One cannot exist without the other! Both should be and must be implemented in the Church in order to fulfill the Christ mandate to Go! We all want to see lost people come into the Church and “fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" I for one love to see the Transformation take place in the hearts of lost and unbelieving souls! Let us all stop and pray the Holy Spirit bestow the gift of prophesying in our Church for the Glory of Jesus Christ!

Is America still Free?

What is Freedom? Is it worth fighting to keep it for next Generation? What does the Bible say concerning Freedom? What does history teach us about Freedom? Let me start by quoting an American President a few years ago; “If we (America) loose Freedom here, there is no where to escape too, this is the last stand on Earth!” Ronald Reagan I will tell you right up front, this is not political and I could care less if like Ronald Reagan or not! What he said is absolutely True! God is the Author of Freedom and as the Bible says; Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. And again in verse 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” It should grieve our hearts to the core of our being knowing America is far from practicing this principle set forth in verse 13! If we as Christians do not revere and stand firm on Freedom, No one will! The unsaved and the Worldlings think Freedom is the ability to do whatever they want, when they want and how they want! The fact is, Freedom is Given by our Creator and has responsibilities attached! The Principle responsibility is to do what is Right! Not what I think is right or what you think is right, but what God thinks is Right! Listen again to Scripture; 1Peter 2:16 “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”

Let us consider for a moment how God feels about how we have handled His Freedom, given by His Son Jesus Christ. His Son Jesus Christ is now mocked and ridiculed by the masses in America! Instead of Christians standing and proclaiming Freedom and forgiveness to all who would repent and believe in Jesus Christ, they sit in their homes and pews and complain and grumble about the Countries Moral decline. Let us consider something else; Is He (God) happy how we have handed over our Freedom for the sake of security? That is exactly what we as Americans have done. Example, look at how much Freedom has been lost since 911. A Freedom loving, law abiding, God fearing citizen gets profiled wherever we go! Bible carrying Christians are now on the spotlight of Home land security. Sounds almost like USSR or China! But Americans have surrendered to the pressure of fear and therefore handed over God's Freedom to other men for protection! If God brought us to something, do you not think He will bring us through it? One of our Founding Fathers warned us about complacency, apathy and giving up Liberty for the sake of security! “If we (Americans) give up Liberty for sake of security, we will loose both.” Ben Franklin It is so very true, if you give a rat a piece of cookie, he will then want some milk!

Is Freedom something to fight for and protect? Absolutely! Do you want your children and grandchildren to live under the oppression of Big Government? I pray not! Do you want your children checking in with the State to see if it is ok to have a Bible Study or even start a mission to help the homeless? I think Not! Then I say Repent of your slumber and immoral attitude towards Freedom and come back to Christ! I will close with this statement of Scripture; "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21

Why I am Thankful!

My heart cries out to the Almighty and He answers me! My Soul is downcast and He Lift’s me up! My tears drown my face like a waterfall and He dries my eyes with His Breath! My broken and Contrite heart will never be despised by Him for He Promised! My sins are ever before me and He Washes them away with His Son’s Bloody Sacrifice! My soul feels alienated and He reminds me He will never leave me nor forsake me! My life seems to be filled with Joy suckers and yet He fills my Heart with the Joy of His Salvation!

Today is Thanksgiving 2010, and my heart is soft and humbled by His Presence in my life! I want to thank everyone who prays for life to be a Witness of His Glory and follows this blog! I want to share briefly what I am Thankful for this year.

1. Gospel of Jesus Christ: Good news is always welcome. We don’t have to pay our sin debt, because Jesus already has by His Death on the Cross, His burial and His Resurrection from the dead! We are saved by turning to Jesus and Trusting in His work for our Salvation!

2. God’s Grace: God’s kindness is given to us freely! God gives us what we do not deserve. Eternal bliss! Enjoying Him Forever!

3. God’s Mercy: God’s Mercy is why we are not consumed by the fires of Hell! God does not give us what we deserve! He has pity on us.

4. Privilege of Prayer: It is an Awe inspiring thing to know that God hears us and responds to our request. Without prayer our relationship with the Father in Heaven would be very cold.

5. My family: Thank God for your family! God ordained and created us to be a family. We need our family for many reason’s. One reason is your family knows your weaknesses better than you do. It is tough to have them point out your weaknesses but you would never grow in your Spiritual walk without this important accountability. Our weaknesses becomes our strengths when God’s power is involved. 2Co 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

6. Church family: Thank God every day for the people who sit next to you in Church! It is Christian suicide not to have Christian fellowship. Hebrews 10:24&25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another__ and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

7. Technology: Can you imagine life without computers? Without a washer and dryer, without electricity or a refrigerator. Think about your life without a car, without a doctor and without antibiotics. Thank God for giving us the knowledge and creativity to improve our lives!

8. America: We need to quit damning our Country and start Thanking God for the Freedoms we all take for granted. America has many faults and we should all be involved in trying to improve our Country, but would you rather be in another Country? Thank God for giving us the rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. He will continue to bless our Country if we turn to Him in repentance, faith and with Thanksgiving in our Hearts.

Be Blessed and Thankful !!

Thoughts on Revival!

Revival! Revival! Revival! Is there any doubt to the need for personal revival? We know as Christians that true Revival can only come to those who are Alive in the first place! We also know Him who said; “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” So I would like to ask a few questions and then share a few thoughts. Do you really want revival? Are you willing to do what is required? What is stopping you from being Revived in the first place? Are you willing to Stand in the Fire of Almighty God?

Most of my Christian life I have heard preachers, laymen and Pastors say the Church need revival. Many have said revival will only come through prayer. Some have said sing and Praise your way to revival! I am not going to debate their thoughts about revival. However, I would like to share my answers to the previous questions and hope you too will find yourself in a revival as I have found myself! I am a firm believer in the Transforming Power of Jesus Christ and the Fire He gives through the Holy Spirit. If I just pray for revival it will never come, because it has already been made available! You see the Holy Spirit is the Fire of God within the believer and He is Always Present. Do you really want revival? Then you are going to have crucify that which suppresses the Fire! Self, entertainment, pleasures, time, work, family and even Church can actually quench the Holy Spirit's fire in your life! These things listed above are not evil but distract us from the Pursuit Holy Fire Revival! Most are not ready to give these things up to seek true revival. “We are dust and dust settles” is a quote from A.W. Tozer and speaks volumes about our comfort and complacency. If you want revival then you must be stirred up.
Are you willing to do what may be required to receive revival? I can assure you with all the authority of God's Word that revival can and will never come without repentance! We can pray, fast, preach, teach, work in the Church etc. and revival will still not come. Repentance is a prerequisite for revival, just as Salvation. We must turn away from doing the same things over and over and expecting God to revive our mess! Listen to Jeremiah about this topic. Lamentation 3:16 “He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. 17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. 18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: 19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Are you willing to be broken and contrite? Revival is always here! Renewal can be new every morning because of the Faithfulness of God!
So what hinders us from being revived in the first place? No time for contrition? Too busy? Fire of God too hot? Some of my hindrances from the past came from my selfish fear of surrender. God may require something from me. He might want me to do something I don't want. Revival will never come until we are surrendered to the Spirit's Fire! Yes, the surrender and contrition do come from much hard prayer and fasting but Revival will not arrive until I Surrender to the Spirit's call. Which leads to the next question.
Are you willing to stand the the Fire of God and not just stand by the fire? The story of Moses has a lot to say about this. Remember when he went to God? He was called by God and had many objections. He had a confidence problem amongst many other self issues like we deal with everyday. He was standing in front of the fire of God as represented by the burning bush. He went to deliver Israel as instructed and came back to the Holy mountain. After much contrition and hardships Moses goes back to meet with God. The Lord gives the Commandments and then Moses spends time with the Lord. Then a really bad thing happened; Ex 32:1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him." Ex 32:6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
7 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.” Moses then intercession for Israel and pleads for Mercy. Then Moses did something that we must do if we truly want Revival. We must not stand by the fire but go into the Fire! Ex 33:12 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.'
13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." 18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen." Moses , like us, stood on the edge of the Fire of God. But we, like Moses must jump into the Fire and see the Glory of the LORD! True Revival comes from a God who is like a Fire. Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire." We need Revival, Yes. But are we willing to pay the price?

Powerful Delusion!

Confusion! Confusion! Confusion! So much confusion and rejection of the Truth has resulted in the “Falling Away of the Church.” How did I come up with this statement? Simply by knowing the Truth as revealed in the Word of God! Consider this Passage of Holy Scripture; 2Thessalonians 2:1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers,2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

The Return of the Lord Jesus will not occur until the Rebellion (fallen away) and the man of lawlessness (anti-Christ) is revealed! In order for him to rise to power and proclaim himself to be God the last Jewish Temple has to be built. Well is there any doubt the the fallen away has started? Have you been paying attention to the Church? Sin abounds and not much Repentance. The Grace and Forgiveness of God seem to be secondary to the Entertainment offered by the Contemporary Church! Living in Biblical holiness and Loving Christ and our fellow man seem to be crowded out by Narcissism! You now Jesus said this would happen just before His Return. Matthew 24:10 “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Jesus also reference the man of lawlessness being revealed before His Return. Matthew 24:15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ {15 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11} spoken of through the prophet Daniel– let the reader understand–” Well do we understand?

Where does the confusion mentioned earlier come into play? Matthew 24:23 “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect– if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” False prophets and false teachers exponentially out number True holy men of God! God is not the author of confusion, Satan is the father of lies! 2Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” Confusion, deceit, counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, evil deeds of the flesh all contribute to the fulfillment of the “Rebellion” just before Christ’ Return! Because the “Christian Church” in America has rejected the Truth and turned to the Entertainment god, God has sent a powerful delusion so they will believe a lie and be condemned with all who delights in wickedness!

So what must we do to guard against such powerful delusions and false teachings? 2Chonicles 7:13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Titus 3:3 “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

If we as true Christian’s focus on Jesus and walk obediently to the Word of God we will in wise Perish with the ungodly. John Wesley started his societies and when asked by people who wanted to join, he would simply say “do you have a desire to flee from the Wrath to Come?” Well the Wrath of God is Coming and we need to be fleeing to Jesus! The god Entertainment, Satan, anti-Christ, and all the wicked will be destroyed by the Brightness and Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ! Make sure you are not being deceived by the power in this World!

Christianween!

As many Christians embark the paganism of Halloween, trying to bring the knowledge of Christ to worldlings, another more important event happened in History on this date, The Reformation! Many in the Christian communities do not even know what this event entails, let alone its importance to Christian theology. Here is a brief history if you find the desire to continue:
WHAT IS REFORMATION DAY?
Reformation Day is an important liturgical festival that is celebrated by Lutherans and Christians of many Protestant denominations. It commemorates Dr. Martin Luther’s posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. This act triggered the movement in world history known as the Reformation. While the historical date for the observance of Reformation is October 31st, most churches celebrate it on the last Sunday in October.
WHAT WAS THE REFORMATION?
While it had profound and lasting impacts on the political, economic, social, literary, and artistic aspects of modern society, the Reformation was at its heart a religious movement. The Reformation was the great rediscovery of the doctrine of justification, that is, the good news of salvation by grace through faith for Christ’s sake.
WHY WAS THE CHURCH IN NEED OF REFORM?
For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church had been plagued by false doctrines, superstition, ignorance, and corruption. Since most ordinary Christians were illiterate and had little knowledge of the Bible, they relied on their clergy for religious instruction and guidance. Tragically however, monks, priests, bishops, and even the popes in Rome taught unbiblical doctrines like purgatory and salvation through good works. Spiritually earnest people tried to justify themselves by charitable works, pilgrimages, and all kinds of religious performances and devotions, but they were left wondering if they had done enough to appease God’s righteous anger and escape His punishment. The truth of the gospel — the good news that God is loving and merciful, that He offers each and every one of us forgiveness and salvation not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has already done for us — was largely forgotten by both clergy and laity. The Holy Spirit used an Augustinian monk and university professor named Martin Luther to restore the gospel to its rightful place as the cornerstone doctrine of Christianity.
DOES THE CHURCH TODAY NEED REFORMATION?
Some Theologians say the Church is in need of another Reformation. It is the opinion of the one writing this that the Church doesn’t need Reformed but Renewed! The Church needs Revived and empowered by the means of Repentance! The Church needs to stop entertaining sinners and start preaching and living the faith in the Person and Works of Jesus Christ. Salvation by Grace alone through Faith alone should be the catalyst by which Christianity thrives! Remember this event in the past as we reach lost souls for the sake of Jesus Christ!

America: On the path to Rome!

What I am about to talk about is grievous to my heart. I have spent many nights praying and lamenting. The topic is America! The land of the Free and home of the brave. The greatest most prosperous Nation this world has ever seen. Anyone who says that America was not founded on Biblical Christian Principles are ignorant and has not studied the founders own words! I love my Country and the Constitution as founded. Now for the Lamentations. Depravity! Depravity! Depravity! What is meant by depravity is found in the Bible. If you look and read the following passage with the Holy Spirit, the reader must see the the pattern of destruction. Romans 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, (Truth in America has become relative instead of absolute!)
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. This statement includes Atheist!
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Is America Thankful for Divine Providence and Protection as its founders were?
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Does this not sound like the Global warming, environmental fascist. Who think more of a little fish or an animal than a baby in the womb!
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen. America once celebrated our Creator but now it is politically incorrect or bigoted to even mention Him or His Son Jesus the Christ.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. If this is not talking about Homosexuality then what is it talking about?
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. This means people who do not think it worthwhile to keep knowledge have lost their ability to act on their own best interest. People who fit in this category do not realize the harm they are causing themselves and others.
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,
30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. “Woe to a Nation that calls evil good and good evil!”
America needs Salvation that comes through repentance and the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Our Nation is collapsing from the inside out! Truth is no longer sought. Money and power are the focus of most of our leaders. By the way, America deserves the leaders they elect! This simple Truth should raise awareness of the fact that people elect leaders that reflect their own character. America needs for its God fearing, law abiding peace loving citizens to awake from their slumber and repent and seek the Face of God to bring America back from its Depravity and restore our foundation upon the Rock of Truth! One of founders stated that this Republic could not stand unless its people are a religious and moral people! So, Lamentations and prayers will continue to go up to the Father of Truth. May Jesus Christ speak to many through this blog, that America will not dread the way of Rome!

Thoughts on Rapture!

The Rapture or Resurrection of the Church!
Some say Christians will be gone (Raptured) before the Tribulation. Some say that Christians will have to persevere. I personally do not see anywhere conclusively in Scripture that indicates the Rapture happens before the Tribulation.
It would be wise for all Christians to study, without referring to commentaries, of all Scripture concerning the Rapture(Resurrection). Just something to think about and ponder as we wait for that Glorious Day!
Here are a few of the most common Scriptures used to highlight the event.

Mt 24:29 "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

1Co 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

1Th 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

2Th 2:1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers,
2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.
3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Re 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great-- and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.


Notice the theme throughout these passages. Also a passage of importance is Daniel 12:11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."

With these can we conclude that the Rapture will be Mid-trib or Pre wrath Rapture?
Regardless, we are to Trust in Jesus to provide for Christians.
Mt 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Jesus is coming soon, so cling to Him and do not let go. Economic collapse, Food shortages, Disease, Earthquakes and Natural Disasters are increasing. It is a great comfort to read and pray for understanding concerning all the events taking place in the world.
Lu 21:25-28 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Lift up your heads (ie Be of good cheer) because our Redemption is drawing near and is at the door. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

Who's Ministry is it anyway?

Who’s Ministry is it anyway? So many claim to be ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but yet their focus seems to be on their careers and finances. I know, here’s another rant from a preacher about money. I know it takes money to live, but I also know that we must live by Faith, not by sight or our abilities to raise money! It is a slap in God’s face for a Church or Minister to be focused on money to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, instead of Lifting up Jesus in their Preaching and their Living! Numbers seems to be the focus of most Pastor’s I know. Numbers in the pews, numbers in the financial books to do more programs and numbers of converts to keep up with the Church next door! This seems to be the theme in the Church today! Is this ego driven instead of Love for Christ? So many articles recently have shown that the incorporated Church is decreasing in numbers. Some have had to cut the salaries of the Pastor and even staff members. Some Churches have even filed for bankruptcy or even closed their doors. Is this what Christ had in mind? Where in the Bible does it say that Ministers must raise money to do the work of Christ? Did the Apostle Paul have fund raisers? How about Peter, James, John and any of the other Apostles? How about this question; what did it cost Jesus to win our Salvation? Everything! Whining, grumbling and complaining about doing the Work of Jesus Christ seems to be out of place! Should it not be a privilege and honor to exalt the Name of Jesus? I would say turn to Scripture and obey what it says concerning the Ministry.
Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Is not our Love for Jesus the motivation behind Ministry? Does it take money to share the Love of Jesus with others? Lets look at another Scripture; 2Co 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” Notice Paul makes references in verses 4 and 5 about serving God in spite of monetary distress! Let look at these scriptures. 2Co 12:14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” Paul is a good example of how all who minister for Jesus Sake should not be a burden. On the flip side of this arguemment there are these verses. Acts 4:34 “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” This is not Socialism but devotion to Christ and His Work! We will always support that which we Love! The Bible does say however; 1Co 9:11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. 16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. 19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” Notice Paul’s statements in verse 15 and 16. His argument is to build Christ Kingdom and not receiving monetary funds even though they are available. All this ranting of mine can be summed up this way; Jesus deserves all we have, period! He should be the focus of Ministry, not the minister, not the people, not the prosperity of the Church, but Jesus alone! Who’s Ministry is it anyway? Here is the answer! Mt 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” It Christ Church and He builds His Church through His own Power and our Love for Him. Mt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” What is the cost of His Ministry? Everything! Who’s Ministry is it anyway?

Study of the Ten Commandments!

Study of the Ten Commandments

First I would like to address the question of validity. Some Christians say we need to get out of the Old Testament and get into the New Testament. Listen to the words of Jesus in the New Testament. Matthew 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." These words indicate that Christians still need the Moral Law of God. Not for salvation purposes but out of Love for Jesus. He said John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. So the Ten Commands are to be obeyed out of love for Jesus. Again Jesus says "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 If Jesus says we need to obey His Commands, well we need to obey them. It is as simple as that. If we think differently than what the Bible clearly teaches then we need to repent and obey. Proverb 30:5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. Let us look and see if God needs to rebuke us!

Exodus 20:1-17
1 And God spoke all these words:
Notice who is speaking, God. This is His Words so we need to listen.

2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
LORD (self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah) Jehovah is speaking and reminding Israel who He is and what He has done for them through Moses. It is also noteworthy that Jesus delivers us from bondage as well.

First Commandment:
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
The First Commandment is clear; do not have anything in your life that is more important than Our Creator, our Father and our God! He delivered us and Saves us through Jesus His Son and deserves prominence in our lives. 1Corinthians 6:19 “know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Second Commandment:
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”
5 “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Idolatry, What is it? The Hebrew word translated in the King James version of the Bible is graven image. (to carve, whether wood or stone:--grave, hew). An idol is changing the image of God into our image. Thinking about God in ways other than who He is. To change His image is to worship God in your own image. Notice we are Created in His image, not vice versa. If we have anything in our lives which we hold dear to our hearts more than Him we are worshiping that thing instead of the Creator. What we will not surrender to Him we will ultimately worship! God is jealous? Yes. But the jealousy refers to His zeal or anger. What is He angry at or about? Idolatry, sin, putting other things ahead of Him! God says He will punish the children for the sins of their fathers to the third and forth generations of those who hate Him. Seems unjust or does it? The Hebrew word for visit or punish is as follows; [to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit]. Who suffers when parents are hateful toward God? Is it not the children? Adam Clark describes this portion of Scripture this way; ‘This necessarily implies-IF the children walk in the steps of their fathers; for no man can be condemned by Divine Justice for a crime of which he was never guilty; idolatry is however particularly intended, and visiting sins of this kind refers principally to national judgments’. Verse six shows the love and mercy of God toward those that love God and obeys His commands. Notice the difference between the judgment upon the generations of those who hate God is much less than the mercy or love He shows to those that live in loving obedience.

Third Commandment:
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Because God’s Name is Sacred and Holy any misuse of His name will automatically get God’s attention. To misuse or take His name in vain is to slander or empty God out of our hearts. Notice God says He will not allow a person to escape punishment for calling Him a liar or emptying His Name as useless. Jesus says in Matthew 5:33-37 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Again Jesus speaking concerning words in Matthew 12:36,37 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Let us therefore watch our words and not use them to slander or for evil speech.

Forth Commandment:
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
The Sabbath is a day of remembrance. One day in seven to rest from our labors and remember our Great Creator! Notice God made it Holy. No Christian is free to disobey what God has Commanded. Most Christians disobey this Command by not remembering and choose to say Sunday is the Sabbath. I challenge you to find in the New Testament where it says this Command is nullified. Also remember what Jesus said; Matthew 12:8 “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Believing in Jesus and walking in obedience to Him is remembering the Sabbath. Continued study of this topic, one should refer to Hebrews. 4:7-11 “Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’ 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.”


Fifth Commandment:
12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

This is the first Commandment with a promise attached. “That you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Now what does He mean “honor your father and your mother?” The Hebrew word for honor can be translated- to promote. The Etymology Dictionary defines the word honor this way; high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor. God’s first institution was the family. Father, mother and children. God knows that if children will honor their parents, they will certainly be more apt to honor Him. It is a disgrace to God’s character and love to dishonor our parents!

Sixth Commandment:
13 "You shall not murder.
First off let us realize that the KJV translated the word kill. The Hebrew word means man-slayer, murder. So the word kill does not and is not what we are to obey hear. Murder is different from killing. Listen to other Scriptures define what God is saying in this Command. Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, {21 Exodus 20:13} and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother {22 Some manuscripts } will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, {22 An Aramaic term of contempt} 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
1John 3:15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”
Proverb 6:16-19 “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Now we see the difference between murder and killing. The King James translators missed the translation from original Hebrew. “ ratsach” is a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder:--put to death, kill, (man-)slay(-er), murder(-er).
To kill someone or to murder someone is different; to kill someone in self defense or in case of war does not fall into the same category as murder.
Here is an illustration for killing;
1Samuel 15:2 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"
Israel went to war with the Amalekites. They were a wicked and Idolatress people. Israel was acting in self defense under the direction of God.
An illustration of murder is;
Ps 106:34 “They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, 35 but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
36 They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.
38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”
You see killing and murdering are two different things. The best illustration of murder today is abortion. The shedding of innocent blood! Soldiers do not commit murder when fighting for our Country.

Seventh Commandment:
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
Adultery covers a multitude of sins pertaining to sex. Most people think that you have to be married in order to commit this sin. Not true! Listen to Jesus; Matthew 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' {27 Exodus 20:14} 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” It is also note worthy to apply this commandment to our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Part of being an obedient Christian if faithfulness. Going to Church, serving and loving others, witnessing, worshiping etc...are all part of what God wants for our lives. If we become unfaithful we have committed spiritual adultery!

Eight Commandment:
15 "You shall not steal.
To the simple minded, this commandment is easy. Do not take anything that does not belong to you or that you have not earned. This is absolutely what this command is saying! But, there is a spiritual aspect to stealing. Listen again to God speak; Malachi 3:8-10 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-- the whole nation of you-- because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” God is a giving God and He wants us to be giving as well. Let us not steal from our neighbors or steal from God what is His!

Ninth Commandment:
16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Again, what is hard about this command about lying? If your neighbor is doing well and you are not, the tendency of fallen man is to attack his neighbor’s character. Giving false testimony is a willful and premeditated act! One of the best ways of bringing shame upon yourself is to lie about them in some way. Hear are a few Scripture to give greater understanding about this command; Proverb 6:16-19 “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Notice two of the seven things detestable to the Lord have to do with false testimonies, lying. Again, listen to Jesus; Matthew 5:33-37 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'
But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;
or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Proverb has selective passages concerning gossip-which is false testimony: Proverb 11:13 “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” 16:28 “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” 18:8 “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.” 20:19 “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” 26:20 “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” The most stunning and straight forward passage is Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Do not lie or gossip, enough said!

Tenth Commandment:
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Let us define covetous; to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property. The Hebrew word for covet literally means, to delight in. When you see something your neighbor has and you do not have the same thing and you start thinking things like, I wish I had that, I want what they have, I deserve what they have etc... that is coveting! Here again is other Scriptures to define this Commandment; Luke 12:13 “Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ 14 Jesus replied, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’ 15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 16 And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.
17 He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18 "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Again listen to Paul; Colossians 3:1 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Finally, we reach this verse to bring this Commandment to full understanding. Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’"
Now we have heard the Truth of God’s Commandments. God is enough! He wants you and I to live Free from the bondage of sin! God through His Son Jesus Christ wants us to be filled with Him, through the Holy Spirit. God will bring every man into judgement. The question is not if we have kept all these Commandments, for this is impossible, it is whether we believe in Jesus Christ as the only sin substitute. Jesus fulfilled the entire Law of God where we have broken them all! James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
Here is a reminder; Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." These words indicate that Christians still need the Moral Law of God. Not for salvation purposes but out of Love for Jesus. He said John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.” So the Ten Commandments are to be obeyed out of love for Jesus! Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The good works Paul is speaking of is obedience to the Law of the Ten Commandments. Jesus died and shed His Blood to wash away our sins, disobeying the Law, and is calling us to a holy life. The only way to live a Holy life is repenting of our sins and believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and then walking and living in obedience to the Holy Law of God! “If you Love me, obey my Commands!” Jesus.

Fathers, listen up!

This came from the back of a church bulletin and is worthy of our time to meditate and reflect. How to be a five star dad by Paul J. Twist:
It has been said, “The only things you can take with you to heaven are your children.” “Father’s Day is a good day for dad’s to examine their hearts and priorities, asking questions such as; 1. Am I the spiritual leader God wants me to be in my family? 2. Do I spend more time earning money than I need to provide for my family? 3. Do I value the friendship of others more than time spent with my own family? Often, mothers are thought of as the ones who have the greatest influence in training their children. But a few years ago, a study revealed a startling fact regarding Church attendance. When both parents attended Church, the study showed that 80% of the children also attended Church when they were on their own. When the mother attended with the children, but the father did not, only 30% of the children attended on their own. Yet, when the father attended Church with their children, without the mother, 70% of the children continued to attend Church when on their own, almost as high a figure as when both parents attended with them! A family does need a strong, faithful mother who takes time to pray for her children, and train them in the ways of the Lord. But the father needs to be the leader, and set the example by his own faithful Church attendance if his children are to follow Christ when they are older. They are more likely to do as you do than to do as you say and the result of your Godly example will follow you into Eternity.” Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” So now what are you going to do with this thought? God ordained the family unit and designated the father as the spiritual leader. We can see in our own Nation how the world views a fathers role in the family. But our thinking should not be as the world thinks but as God thinks! O fathers and mother, the ruin of your children or their salvation, will, under God, very much depend on you. -Spurgeon For you fathers out their, let me ask a question; do you pray with your children? I said with them not for them. Do you lead them in prayer? Why not? Wake up and swallow your Pride if you do not lead your children in prayer or to Church! I pray you so live, that when you stand over your child's dead body, you may never hear a voice coming up from that clay, "Father, your negligence was my destruction. Mother, your prayerlessness was the instrument of my damnation. Fathers remember the survey that was just shared? Do you want your pride and slackness to be the destroyer of your children? Not to mention the destruction of your own soul! A mother is important for the children, but the father is the leader of both! God ordained the family unit. Can we undo what God has done? Only to our destruction as a family and then a Nation. Blessings to you fathers. Pr 20:7 “ The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”

Hey Mothers!

Do you have Moral principals that guide your world view? Everyone sees the world through preconceived moral principles. What is right, what is wrong and who or what determines that foundation. Listen to God; “Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Wow what a principle and a promise! By giving respect and lifting up my mother I will be blessed and live long. Someone once told me that a mother’s love is as close to God’s love we can ever experience this side of Heaven. It is pretty bad if your mother does not love you. I know no matter how or what I have ever done my mothers love has not wavered! God’s Love is similar; Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I desire to share a few more thoughts about Mothers day. First off I think Mothers day is under rated. What is my problem with that idea? The World views mothers as a means to an end- money. Can you put a price tag on your mother? Proverb 31:10 “A wife (or mother) of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” I am blessed to have such a mother that all the flowers, gifts and money in the World could not replace a hug, kiss and a I love you. To show honor to my mother daily and not yearly brings more wealth to my soul than all the money in the World! I must say shame on you if you cannot honor your mother who gave you life. Besides the fact God’s promise is void for those who do not honor their mother. It is incomprehensible to me that one day a year is set aside to honor mothers. If I cannot honor my mother everyday than I need to be shamed! One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters. There is none, in all this cold and hollow world, no fount of deep, strong, deathless love, save that within a mother’s heart. I think Lincoln said it best “No man is poor who has had a Godly mother. Proverb 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: If I could recount the numerous times my mother spent praying for my safety and health it would add up to years and I thank God for such a mother as this, she is BLESSED! I must say to my mother; “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Some refuse to praise the Lord for their mother, but for those who have a God fearing mother knows that Mothers Day is everyday!

A prayer for America!

May 6, 2010 has arrived and it is a day set aside for National Prayer. As a Christian and then an American, I often pray for our National leaders, our Military men and women, families of our troops and for persecuted Christians everywhere. As a Christian I am commanded by God’s Word to pray. 1Timothy 2:1 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- the testimony given in its proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle-- I am telling the truth, I am not lying-- and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
I want to offer my prayer, which is in agreement with Daniel’s prayer, in hopes you will agree with me in this powerful movement for our Country. I will put parenthesis around my assertions. Daniel 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, (President) our princes (leaders) and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.(America) 7 "Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame-- the men of (America) Judah and people of (America) Jerusalem and all (America) Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 O LORD, we and our kings, (President) our princes (leaders) and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.
9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All (Americans) Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. "Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers (leaders) by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us (America), yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. 15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people (to America) out of Egypt (Europe) with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong.
16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from (America) Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill ( Your Country). Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers (leaders) have made (Americans) Jerusalem and your people (Christians) an object of scorn to all those around us. 17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary (Church). 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.
19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your ( Country) city and your people bear your Name.(Christian)" Now for anyone concerned about my assertions let me say I am not changing God’s Word, only applying it to today! One last Scripture to sum up my assertions. 2Chronicles 7:13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Are we not Christ-ians? We bare the Name of God’s own Son and are adopted into God’s family through His Sacrifice on the Cross. Are we Christians not sealed with the seal of approval through His Resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit? YES! Have a Prayer filled Day for our Country!

Are you a Notional Christian?

What a day to be alive and walking in the steps of Jesus! As I ponder about the life and teaching of Jesus, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a prophecy Jesus spoke concerning His Return. Matthew 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Unless you are a notional Christian, that means you follow Christ when you take a notion, this Scripture is accurate and hits the heart of the current Church deception! The church is now so worldly and drunk from its own maddening immorality there is no limit to its folly! The Apostle Paul understood what Jesus said concerning the church in the Last days. 2Timothy 3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” The notional Christian is no Christian at all. They are in love with the concept of Christianity but deny the Power of the Resurrected Christ! So many are so involved with world they only speak of Jesus when they think it is fashionable. True Christians are only concerned about Godliness and living a Holy life for the Glory of Jesus, without caring what others think of their love for the One who died for them and Rose from the dead! Jesus has called us out of this world to be Holy as He is Holy and to Love one another as He Loved us! Not so the worldlings. 2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” Listen to this quote; "The church today is halted between two opinions. They do not know whether they want to serve the God who sent His Son to save them from their sins, or whether they want to pursue the idolatry and vain manner of living that is typical of American society today. What the Spirit wants to impress upon you this hour is that what passes for Christianity in the churches today is unacceptable to Him." ~Joseph Herrin Remember the beginning Scripture of this devotion? Jesus said “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” How do we stand firm to the end of this wicked age? Repent of your idolatrous self and turn to Jesus! You have to come to God on His terms not yours! Turn away from your lies, hatred, lust, envy, strife, drunkenness, sexual immorality, stealing and hypocrisy. Turn to Jesus and be washed in His Blood shed on the Cross. Believe that God His Father raised Him from the dead and start fresh. Be Born again in the Spirit of God , so you can live a Holy life for which you were Created! Stop being a notional Christian and end up in Hell because you failed to know Him and Love Him. May everyone reading this be able to join me in Praising the Lord Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! He is coming soon! Yes, He is coming soon! Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Church of the damned!

As Christians put away their Easter dresses, suits, baskets and other stuff, there is a war raging within the Church of Jesus Christ. This war has clearly defined lines of engagement. Most Christians are not even sure what they believe let alone why they believe. The war I am referring to is Authority. Do Christians have the authority to make their own choices concerning Church policies? Can the Church decide what sin is and what it is not? Can a Church pick and choose it’s own Moral standards? I want to share this short article dealing with the issue of sexuality and then make a few comments that will answer the previous questions offered for examination. This article comes from Christianpost.com
“Christianity Lite” is a new religion that presents itself as an updated and modernized Christianity. But the effort to reject Christianity’s understanding of biblical sexuality goes hand-in-hand with the rejection of an entire range of biblical doctrines. Nothing less will sustain their effort. You cannot leave a biblical conception of sin and salvation in place if you are determined to deny the sinfulness of a behavior condemned in the Bible. As Eberstadt concludes:
Christianity Lite has left enough evidence in its wake for us to judge the final outcome of that great experiment: It is a failure. The effort to throw out the unwanted bathwater of the sexual code has taken the baby-the rest of Christian practice and belief-along with it.

A project of theological revisionism is easy to start, but hard to stop. Like a spreading acid, theological liberalism moves from one doctrine to the next, developing patterns of argument that arise over and over again. It is no accident that the very churches and denominations now determined to ordain unrepentant homosexuals are the same churches and denominations that were determined to ordain women to the pastorate. The arguments used to get around, over, and under clear biblical teaching are the same. The Religion News Service report states that many pastors are now caught “between church law and civil law” on the issue of same-sex marriage. They are really caught between the Bible and sexual revolution. The choice for any true minister of the Gospel is clear.
Before long, we will see all too clearly just who will show up to represent Christianity, and who will show up to represent “Christianity Lite.”
Now to answer the previous questions. NO!! Churches do not have the authority to pick and choose what to believe and what is sin and what is right. Who’s Church is it anyway? It is Christ Church! His Word defines sin and salvation. He has the only Authority within His Body, the Church. If you go to a church that debates homosexuality or any sin defined by the Word of God than I would recommend that you leave immediately! Why? Because it is not Christ’s Church! Mt 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, {16 Or ; also in verse 20} the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, {18 means } and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades {18 Or } will not overcome it. {18 Or } 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be {19 Or } bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be {19 Or } loosed in heaven." Sounds like Jesus is defining His Church. The only Authority for Christian life and action must be obedience to clear Biblical teaching without debate. SIN is not up for debate in God’s eye! Salvation is not up for tweaking to fit our own desire! Any church that debates sinful issue’s is a church of the Damned! Ga 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” What is the True Gospel? 1Co 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: {3 Or } that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” This is the Message of the Church of Jesus! It is offered to you and I and the whole world. The only requirement is REPENTANCE! You must turn away from sin and quit debating it! My prayer is that you will grieve your sinfulness and turn to Jesus for Grace and Mercy! Flee from the Wrath of God.

Good Thursday, not Friday!

Millions of Christians celebrate the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and then wake early in the morning on Sunday to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. I was stunned when I heard an Atheist say, “there are contradictions in the Bible and I can prove it.” To my amazement, he proved his point. He said, “there is no way that Jesus was Crucified on Friday and then Raised from the dead early on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. Jesus said, “Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” So, if Jesus was Crucified on Friday then there is a contradiction because that would mean Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night and then Sunday .” Here ends his argument. The Atheist was right! We Christians wonder why there is so much corruption and confusion in the Church and why so many in the world say there are problems with Christianity. The Atheist did not like my response and some of you may not either. Jesus did die on the Cross for your sins and was raise from the Dead, so repent of your sins and believe in Jesus. Just because Christians contradict themselves from time to time does not give you an excuse not to believe the Truth! The Christian Church has for generations celebrated the Crucifixion of the Passover Lamb, Jesus, on Friday when it should be celebrated on Thursday. Listen to what Jesus said and count for yourself. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Christ was crucified for us at the third hour (9 a.m.). Darkness came over the land at the sixth hour (Noon) and lasted until the ninth hour (3 p.m.), when our Lord gave up His spirit. So here is the Truth. Thursday night, Friday, Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night then Sunday. Corruption, ignorance and deceit are manifest in the Church today. We as believers need to always study and obey God’s Word rather than trust in the traditions of the Church. The Atheist did not find contradictions in the Word of God, he found then in the people who go to Church! We must know the Truth and obey, even if doing so causes people to feel uncomfortable in their ignorance. Just because “that’s the way we have always done it” does not make it Right! What do you believe and why do you believe it is more important than just acting out your religion in ignorance. Jesus Rose from the dead early in the morning on the first day of the week (Sunday) and we now know He was Sacrificed on Thursday and not Friday. As I always tell my people “now you’ve heard the Truth, what are you going to do with that Truth? Romans 10:9 That 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. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Father, thank you for sacrificing you only begotten Son on the Cross to Atone for our sins. Thank you for His Glorious Resurrection. Grant all who reads this the knowledge of their sins and how our sins can be Washed Away by His Blood if they would just Repent and believe! In Jesus Name, Amen

Church of Vomit!

Scripture for consideration. Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit (vomit) you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Remember the Luke-warm church did not realize they were about to be vomited out of the mouth of Jesus because of their self centeredness, self righteousness and their lack of the True Christ centered mission of the Church. Does this sound like your church? Does your Church focus on the Person and Works of Jesus Christ? Is their always discussions about how to attract people to your Church? Christ never said He wanted His Church to be attractive, seeker friendly, comfortable, contemporary, old fashioned, people focused or modern. He gave this command for the Mission of His Church. Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Luke 24:46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. John 20:21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Ac 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

After the Church received the Holy Spirit to empower them to fulfil His Mission, the book of Acts records the Purpose of the Church. Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Now with the clear Mission and Purpose of the Church clearly manifested by these Scriptures, ask yourself with prayer and honesty; does the Church I go to seek to obey Christ, without compromise, or does it only seem to do its own thing? If your Church is seeking obedience to Christ through its teaching and Preaching, then follow Christ through that local congregation. If not, run as fast as you can away from that church because you may find yourself vomited out of the mouth of Jesus-the Head of the Church! It does not sound good to be vomited out of Christ body, does it?

Easter verses Resurrection!

A close friend ask me a question concerning Easter events at a Church she has been attending; This is what is being planned at Church for this weekend for the children...what do you think of this...that they are having our kids participate in a Jewish tradition? For the sake of teaching them how things were done in those days, I am not offended at that, but to mix Judaism with Christianity is mind boggling to me....not sure what to think...could you clarify? Answer - I have done many studies on the subject and see nothing wrong with sharing the customs of the Hebrews as long as it is used to clarify and point to Jesus as the fulfillment! The Seder dinner is an interesting Passover celebration as long as we understand the bitterness of our bondage to sin and how Jesus become sin for us and delivered us from that bondage on the Cross! The emphasis of Passover was to show God's deliverance and He passed over the people who had the Lambs Blood on their door. We know that God doesn't Passover (cover) our sins, but washes our sins away by the Blood, Lamb of God, Jesus! If they emphasize these points, Old fulfilled by the New, very good Bible lesson. Many people smarter than myself have shared their personal convictions about Easter eggs, Resurrection cookies and Easter egg hunts. I understand the need to reach youngsters with the Gospel Message but I just cannot imagine Jesus doing such things. Many Christians participate in such events but I am not to fond of such none sense. That is my conviction. In case you do not know why I feel so strong about even using the word Easter, I want to share. Here is the only Scripture that uses the word Easter. I am placing King James and New International version together to see the difference in the translations.
Ac 12:1 ¶ Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. {stretched...: or, began} (KJV)
1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. (NIV)
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (KJV)
2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. (NIV)
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) (KJV)
3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (NIV)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. {Easter: Gr. Passover} {quaternions: a file of four soldiers} (KJV)
4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. (NIV)
NIV has translated the word properly from the Greek. pascha is the Greek word meaning Passover. the Passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it). The Hebrew origin- pretermission, i.e. exemption; used only technically of the Jewish Passover (the festival or the victim):--passover (offering). - Easter----Is improperly put for PASSOVER, Ac 12:4; Passover being the name of the ancient Jewish festival here referred to; while Easter, from the Saxon goddess Eostre, is the modern name of a Christian festival, in commemoration of the events of Passover-week, and fixed at the same period of the year. History--The name "Easter" originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. The Venerable Bede, (672-735 CE.) a Christian scholar, first asserted in his book De Ratione Temporum that Easter was named after Eostre (a.k.a. Eastre). She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. Similarly, the "Teutonic dawn goddess of fertility [was] known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Eostra, Eostre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos." 1 Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: "eastre." Similar Goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime.
I cannot and will not ever mix the Passover and Resurrection of Jesus Christ with Paganism. Ignorance went a long way but not when God opened my eyes to this perversion! Isn't that partly what is wrong with the Church today? Mixing Sacredness with Paganism? James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. I am of the opinion that we as Christians need to obey God’s Word as written and teach our children from what He says and not use the ways of this world to illustrate what He has said so clearly in His Word! Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual {1 Or } act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer 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.” But as always you need to pray and seek God's face concerning how to teach your children. I know it is hard but Jesus always honors humility and our desire to serve Him!