Like it or not, whatever your excuse, if you are an Obama supporter you have sided with a baby beheading, anti Bible, anti God, anti Israel, anti Jew, anti Christian who has used American tax money to oppose God and His will. Even on his last leg he is fighting against God's election of Israel as a chosen nation, thus feeding the coming antiChrist's agenda to eliminate the Jew from the face of the earth. Beware with whom you side, lest you stand against God.
Friday, March 3, 2017
12/06/16 DON'T STAND AGAINST GOD
12/06/16 DON'T STAND AGAINST GOD
Like it or not, whatever your excuse, if you are an Obama supporter you have sided with a baby beheading, anti Bible, anti God, anti Israel, anti Jew, anti Christian who has used American tax money to oppose God and His will. Even on his last leg he is fighting against God's election of Israel as a chosen nation, thus feeding the coming antiChrist's agenda to eliminate the Jew from the face of the earth. Beware with whom you side, lest you stand against God.
Like it or not, whatever your excuse, if you are an Obama supporter you have sided with a baby beheading, anti Bible, anti God, anti Israel, anti Jew, anti Christian who has used American tax money to oppose God and His will. Even on his last leg he is fighting against God's election of Israel as a chosen nation, thus feeding the coming antiChrist's agenda to eliminate the Jew from the face of the earth. Beware with whom you side, lest you stand against God.
12/05/16 HARDENING OF THE HEART KILLS
12/05/16 HARDENING OF THE HEART KILLS
Parents sometimes watch as their children slip further away, either because of drugs, or shame, or bad company, or evil entanglements, or personal failure, or private issues.
These parents are unable to get their children to open up, to talk, to seek help.
These parents watch as their children drift further and further away, toward total and inevitable destruction, unable to break through the wall of separation, the depression, the resistance, the hopelessness.
Pastors sometimes watch as parishioners do the same.
Nothing seems to reach them.
In fact, the parishioner cuts off open and meaningful communication with the pastor, making it impossible to lead them into spiritual deliverance and victory.
When the lines of communication are severed, the message of God is unable to reach the drifter.
When God's word is cut off, God and His salvation are cut off.
When God and His salvation are cut off, destruction becomes inevitable.
Do not harden your heart...
Proverbs 29:1
(1) He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Romans 2:5-11
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
Hebrews 3:12-14
(12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
(13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
(14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Hebrews 10:25-29
(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 12:25
(25) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Parents sometimes watch as their children slip further away, either because of drugs, or shame, or bad company, or evil entanglements, or personal failure, or private issues.
These parents are unable to get their children to open up, to talk, to seek help.
These parents watch as their children drift further and further away, toward total and inevitable destruction, unable to break through the wall of separation, the depression, the resistance, the hopelessness.
Pastors sometimes watch as parishioners do the same.
Nothing seems to reach them.
In fact, the parishioner cuts off open and meaningful communication with the pastor, making it impossible to lead them into spiritual deliverance and victory.
When the lines of communication are severed, the message of God is unable to reach the drifter.
When God's word is cut off, God and His salvation are cut off.
When God and His salvation are cut off, destruction becomes inevitable.
Do not harden your heart...
Proverbs 29:1
(1) He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Romans 2:5-11
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
Hebrews 3:12-14
(12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
(13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
(14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Hebrews 10:25-29
(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 12:25
(25) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
12/05/16 LIVING IN THE SPIRIT
12/05/16 LIVING IN THE SPIRIT
(don't settle for the fake)
Sometimes people think of the Christian life as an ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE, but it is more than an alternative lifestyle, because it is more than just a way we choose to live our lives.
The Christian life is the miraculous intervention of God's power, grace and holiness, which transforms us from sinners to children of God and conforms us to the image of Jesus. The Christian life is offered to many, but only given to those who surrender their lives and their wills into the hands of God, and trust God explicitly and exclusively.
There are those who have a "form" of godliness, but they are denying the power of God to save them from their sins, from the life of sinning, from the pollution of inherent sin. They have a humanly manufactured counterfeit of the Christian life (seeking to establish their own righteousness by self improvement), but they do not have the genuine life of God in themselves, because they not received and experienced the transforming and sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit in their own lives
* People sometimes have a form of joy, but not the pure joy of Jesus.
* People sometimes have a form of love, but no the pure love of Jesus.
* People sometimes have a form of peace, but not the pure peace of Jesus.
* The Christian life is the life of Christ in us.
* The Christian life is the life of holiness.
* The Christian life is the life of victory.
* The Christian life is the life of submitting to, and trusting Christ to save from all sin.
People can imitate the Christian life, but they cannot duplicate it. because it is the life of God imparted by grace, through faith.
Galatians 3:1-3
(1) O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
(2) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
(3) Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Sometimes people think of the Christian life as an ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE, but it is more than an alternative lifestyle, because it is more than just a way we choose to live our lives.
The Christian life is the miraculous intervention of God's power, grace and holiness, which transforms us from sinners to children of God and conforms us to the image of Jesus. The Christian life is offered to many, but only given to those who surrender their lives and their wills into the hands of God, and trust God explicitly and exclusively.
There are those who have a "form" of godliness, but they are denying the power of God to save them from their sins, from the life of sinning, from the pollution of inherent sin. They have a humanly manufactured counterfeit of the Christian life (seeking to establish their own righteousness by self improvement), but they do not have the genuine life of God in themselves, because they not received and experienced the transforming and sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit in their own lives
* People sometimes have a form of joy, but not the pure joy of Jesus.
* People sometimes have a form of love, but no the pure love of Jesus.
* People sometimes have a form of peace, but not the pure peace of Jesus.
* The Christian life is the life of Christ in us.
* The Christian life is the life of holiness.
* The Christian life is the life of victory.
* The Christian life is the life of submitting to, and trusting Christ to save from all sin.
People can imitate the Christian life, but they cannot duplicate it. because it is the life of God imparted by grace, through faith.
Galatians 3:1-3
(1) O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
(2) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
(3) Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
12/04/16 YES
12/04/16 YES
When the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, without getting wet, was it because of God or because of Moses and the Israelites?
Yes.
It was because of both God and the Israelites.
It could not have happened unless God opened the Red Sea and it would not have happened unless the Israelites followed Moses.
If God had not performed the miracle, there would have been no crossing of the Red Sea.
If the Israelites had not trusted and followed, there would have been no crossing of the Red Sea.
God has miracles awaiting those who trust and obey. Failure and defeat await those who live in the flesh instead of in the Spirit.
When the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, without getting wet, was it because of God or because of Moses and the Israelites?
Yes.
It was because of both God and the Israelites.
It could not have happened unless God opened the Red Sea and it would not have happened unless the Israelites followed Moses.
If God had not performed the miracle, there would have been no crossing of the Red Sea.
If the Israelites had not trusted and followed, there would have been no crossing of the Red Sea.
God has miracles awaiting those who trust and obey. Failure and defeat await those who live in the flesh instead of in the Spirit.
12/04/16 AN OLD CHURCH
12/04/16 AN OLD CHURCH
People mistakenly look down on a church because it has so many old people and not enough young people. The church could be at fault for failing to reach and keep the young (though not necessarily). Instead it may be a sign of a good ministry that there are so many seniors still faithful to God and His church. The problem is not the presence of the elderly but the absence of the young. I hope you read my note.
NOTE...A FAILING GENERATION
QUESTION...
Why does there always seem to be so many old people in the church instead of young people?
RESPONSE...
Well, this analysis is not always true. I have had (and seen) congregations that were primarily young adults and young people. Sometimes that came about after an established church was led into renewal, thus reaching the unsaved and unchurched younger generation. I have also seen a young congregation develop during the formative years of a new ministry. But my observation is that those young people will age as time goes by, and those who remain faithful to God will continue to be a visible and important part of a mature church.
CHRISTIANS ONLY
I am addressing this question in relationship to godly, faithful believers, though it is true that non-Biblical religious groups also have larger numbers of elderly members. However, large numbers of elderly believers is a good thing, not a bad thing. Think about it. Wouldn't it be strange for a church not have a relatively large number of older people? Shouldn't the young believer and the middle aged believer still be a believer when he is older?
VALID INSIGHT
Still, the observation is valid for Bible believing churches. And don't forget, just because the older people are the larger part of a church or the more active part of a church does not mean that salvation and being part of God's church are not intended for younger people. It means that the young people have either been neglected in that church, or they have chosen to reject God, or they are being drawn away to other groups, whether the groups are Christian or not.
CONSIDER THESE POINTS
People come to salvation at all ages and therefore it is expected that a large percentage of those who follow Christ in a local church should eventually be part of an accumulated older group.
It is normal for children who hear the gospel of salvation to enter into a faith relationship with God. Sadly, it is not unusual for a large percentage of those who get saved at an early age to also turn from God and go back into sin. This is not surprising, since the parable of the seed indicates that only a few will remain faithful. Most of the backsliding takes place while people are still young, because they are drawn away by the desires of this world, and other young adults backslide because they are overwhelmed by the troubles of this life, thus depleting the youth presence and influence in a local church.
Some of those who come to Christ as children and as young people will continue as believers throughout life.
Then there are those who come to Christ later in life, during middle age or later. This of course raises the average age of a congregation.
LAST DAYS FACTOR
Now, in these last days, we are seeing fewer and fewer young people and young adults come to Christ, because there is so little Biblical evangelism and because the "modern church world" has gone after another (a false) Jesus, another (a false) Spirit and another (a false) gospel, and because the world is following after the false gods of Humanism, Statism, Academia, Spiritism, Materialism. Just read what God's word says concerning the affections and priorities of people during the Last Days.
Now, with the numbers of young people coming to Christ dwindling and with all believers getting older, it is reasonable to see "old congregations."
AND IT AIN'T JUST THE AGE OF THE PEOPLE, IT IS THE QUALITY OF THEIR COMMITMENT.
We should rejoice to see large numbers of older Christians in a church. It indicates a vibrant and stable ministry and a faithful seniors group in that church.
Yes, we want to see large numbers of young people and middle aged people as well.
We should love the older group and we should not despise the younger group in a church.
However, in the end times we are not going to see the great influx of young people that we have seen in earlier times.
As a result, more and more people will think of salvation and body life as something for the old and infirm and confused and uninformed, rather than for children and youth and young adults.
Then there is the problem of the younger ones getting older, but not actually following the old paths, not actually living in the power of the Spirit. Younger believers that have a form of godliness, but have denied the power of the Spirit in their lives. Younger believers that say the right words, but do not have the same love, peace, joy, conviction that comes with spiritual maturity.
A CALL TO ACTION
This should stir the local church to action. While it is true that young people and young adults tend to discount the counsel of the elderly, we must not surrender our young people into the hands of devil without a fight.
Just because the world is turning against God, does not mean that we should quit trying to rescue our young people.
Just because young people and young adults are more quickly influenced by other young people does not mean we should sit back and watch them go to hell.
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME.
IF NOT YOU, WHO?
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
THIS IS THE BATTLE FOR A WHOLE GENERATION.
People mistakenly look down on a church because it has so many old people and not enough young people. The church could be at fault for failing to reach and keep the young (though not necessarily). Instead it may be a sign of a good ministry that there are so many seniors still faithful to God and His church. The problem is not the presence of the elderly but the absence of the young. I hope you read my note.
NOTE...A FAILING GENERATION
QUESTION...
Why does there always seem to be so many old people in the church instead of young people?
RESPONSE...
Well, this analysis is not always true. I have had (and seen) congregations that were primarily young adults and young people. Sometimes that came about after an established church was led into renewal, thus reaching the unsaved and unchurched younger generation. I have also seen a young congregation develop during the formative years of a new ministry. But my observation is that those young people will age as time goes by, and those who remain faithful to God will continue to be a visible and important part of a mature church.
CHRISTIANS ONLY
I am addressing this question in relationship to godly, faithful believers, though it is true that non-Biblical religious groups also have larger numbers of elderly members. However, large numbers of elderly believers is a good thing, not a bad thing. Think about it. Wouldn't it be strange for a church not have a relatively large number of older people? Shouldn't the young believer and the middle aged believer still be a believer when he is older?
VALID INSIGHT
Still, the observation is valid for Bible believing churches. And don't forget, just because the older people are the larger part of a church or the more active part of a church does not mean that salvation and being part of God's church are not intended for younger people. It means that the young people have either been neglected in that church, or they have chosen to reject God, or they are being drawn away to other groups, whether the groups are Christian or not.
CONSIDER THESE POINTS
People come to salvation at all ages and therefore it is expected that a large percentage of those who follow Christ in a local church should eventually be part of an accumulated older group.
It is normal for children who hear the gospel of salvation to enter into a faith relationship with God. Sadly, it is not unusual for a large percentage of those who get saved at an early age to also turn from God and go back into sin. This is not surprising, since the parable of the seed indicates that only a few will remain faithful. Most of the backsliding takes place while people are still young, because they are drawn away by the desires of this world, and other young adults backslide because they are overwhelmed by the troubles of this life, thus depleting the youth presence and influence in a local church.
Some of those who come to Christ as children and as young people will continue as believers throughout life.
Then there are those who come to Christ later in life, during middle age or later. This of course raises the average age of a congregation.
LAST DAYS FACTOR
Now, in these last days, we are seeing fewer and fewer young people and young adults come to Christ, because there is so little Biblical evangelism and because the "modern church world" has gone after another (a false) Jesus, another (a false) Spirit and another (a false) gospel, and because the world is following after the false gods of Humanism, Statism, Academia, Spiritism, Materialism. Just read what God's word says concerning the affections and priorities of people during the Last Days.
Now, with the numbers of young people coming to Christ dwindling and with all believers getting older, it is reasonable to see "old congregations."
AND IT AIN'T JUST THE AGE OF THE PEOPLE, IT IS THE QUALITY OF THEIR COMMITMENT.
We should rejoice to see large numbers of older Christians in a church. It indicates a vibrant and stable ministry and a faithful seniors group in that church.
Yes, we want to see large numbers of young people and middle aged people as well.
We should love the older group and we should not despise the younger group in a church.
However, in the end times we are not going to see the great influx of young people that we have seen in earlier times.
As a result, more and more people will think of salvation and body life as something for the old and infirm and confused and uninformed, rather than for children and youth and young adults.
Then there is the problem of the younger ones getting older, but not actually following the old paths, not actually living in the power of the Spirit. Younger believers that have a form of godliness, but have denied the power of the Spirit in their lives. Younger believers that say the right words, but do not have the same love, peace, joy, conviction that comes with spiritual maturity.
A CALL TO ACTION
This should stir the local church to action. While it is true that young people and young adults tend to discount the counsel of the elderly, we must not surrender our young people into the hands of devil without a fight.
Just because the world is turning against God, does not mean that we should quit trying to rescue our young people.
Just because young people and young adults are more quickly influenced by other young people does not mean we should sit back and watch them go to hell.
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME.
IF NOT YOU, WHO?
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
THIS IS THE BATTLE FOR A WHOLE GENERATION.
12/01/16 ONLY WORSE
12/01/16 ONLY WORSE
A carnal person (including a carnal Christian) is like a crazy rattlesnake, with a bad attitude and an aching tooth, on a bad day, except worse.
A carnal person (including a carnal Christian) is like a crazy rattlesnake, with a bad attitude and an aching tooth, on a bad day, except worse.
11/30/16 ABANDON SHIP
11/30/16 ABANDON SHIP
Moderate Muslims are not Christian anymore than so-called radicalized Muslims, but they are going to spend eternity with each other and with all other Christ deniers, regardless of what they call themselves.
The answer to being part of an organization, (whether political or religious), including,
The answer to being part of an organization, (whether political or religious), including,
* A Reformed or Reorganized Cult (regardless of their new face), or
* A corrupted denomination (no matter its history or former followers), is
"ABANDON SHIP," because it is not going to be saved.
Because they are ABANDONED by GOD and must be abandoned by us.
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
EVEN IF A PERSON shakes the filth of failed movements from himself, he/she is leading family and friends into darkness, and they are adjoined to a putrid carcass, rather than serving and advancing the living Body of Christ.
PUT YOUR LIFE, your FAMILY, your Energy, your MONEY, your ABILITIES, your FUTURE into a ministry that is aligned with God's word.
* A corrupted denomination (no matter its history or former followers), is
"ABANDON SHIP," because it is not going to be saved.
Because they are ABANDONED by GOD and must be abandoned by us.
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
EVEN IF A PERSON shakes the filth of failed movements from himself, he/she is leading family and friends into darkness, and they are adjoined to a putrid carcass, rather than serving and advancing the living Body of Christ.
PUT YOUR LIFE, your FAMILY, your Energy, your MONEY, your ABILITIES, your FUTURE into a ministry that is aligned with God's word.
11/30/16 CONFLICTING VIEWS
11/30/16 CONFLICTING VIEWS
When will you conservatives wake up? The Democrats understand that it is wrong to take legal action against dangerous illegals, but it is acceptable to behead, scald, hack, smother, stab and torture human babies, both in the womb and out of the womb.
COMMENT
Of course I am referring to leaders in the Democratic Party and the principles which the Democratic Party endorse.
When will you conservatives wake up? The Democrats understand that it is wrong to take legal action against dangerous illegals, but it is acceptable to behead, scald, hack, smother, stab and torture human babies, both in the womb and out of the womb.
COMMENT
Of course I am referring to leaders in the Democratic Party and the principles which the Democratic Party endorse.
There are individuals who are Democrats and endorse the Democratic Party who say they do not agree with these principles.
GET OUT OF THAT MOVEMENT, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THAT MOVEMENT PROMOTES.
11/29/16 YA GOTTA DIE
11/29/16 YA GOTTA DIE
(I really hope you will read this note I just wrote. It is as essential to the believer as "ye must be born again" is to the lost).
YA GOTTA DIE
Death is an extremely difficult thing. Death to self may be the most difficult thing. I say this because most people would sooner see a loved one die than be willing to die to self. People will cling to habits, desires, pleasures, relationships, addictions, fears, ideas, principles, organizations, "stuff," attitudes, even when it means the loss, or the death of a loved one.
Death to self is essential for total commitment to God. Death to self is not required at our salvation. Instead we are given life (regenerated). We come to Christ, dead in our sins and trespasses, and then we are quickened (born again), we are transformed into new creations (received Divine nature) and begin to walk in newness of life. But as we grow in knowledge (by hearing the whole gospel truth of the fullness of the Holy Spirit) and as we grow in our relationship with Christ, we discover that there is an "Old Man" (sinful nature, inherently evil disposition) lurking deep within us, and occasionally erupting in lust or hate or greed or deceit or evil desire. This "evil heart of unbelief," this "double mind" rises up in defiance of God Himself, even within a convert.
This is the famous, but often misunderstood "inner struggle" of Romans chapter seven. The carnal Christian has an inner battle between his new nature (new man) and his old nature (old man), and sometimes the believer gives in to his root of bitterness, resulting in sin. The believer must then confess and repent in order to be forgiven and cleansed. False doctrine says that the sinful nature is the human nature and that believers can never be purified and delivered from this inner struggle. WRONG. Christ saves from ALL SIN.
However, God has the answer to this "sin" problem within the believers. It is, DEATH TO SELF. Jesus referred to it by saying that we must DENY OURSELVES AND TAKE UP OUR CROSS. Paul told us that spiritual victory requires our Old Man to be crucified with Christ. This is because the sinful self does not submit to the law of God, and in fact, it cannot be subject to God because it is the enemy of God by nature.
But the sinful self does not want to die. Crucifixion is a good description of death to self because it is a slow and deliberate death, during which time the crucified person fights for life and argues against his execution. Our Old Man fights this death to self and resists God's work of purifying the believer.
The interesting thing is, the person who will not die to self, carries about the decay and stench of death as a carnal believer, because God says, to be carnally minded is death, ultimately culminating in eternal death.
If you are struggling with this inner battle, talk to me and I will tell you about God’s deliverance. If your church or pastor does not believe that God can or will save His people from all their sin, here and now, then talk to me. Remember, only the pure in heart will see God and without holiness of heart and life, no man shall see the Lord.
YA GOTTA DIE
Death is an extremely difficult thing. Death to self may be the most difficult thing. I say this because most people would sooner see a loved one die than be willing to die to self. People will cling to habits, desires, pleasures, relationships, addictions, fears, ideas, principles, organizations, "stuff," attitudes, even when it means the loss, or the death of a loved one.
Death to self is essential for total commitment to God. Death to self is not required at our salvation. Instead we are given life (regenerated). We come to Christ, dead in our sins and trespasses, and then we are quickened (born again), we are transformed into new creations (received Divine nature) and begin to walk in newness of life. But as we grow in knowledge (by hearing the whole gospel truth of the fullness of the Holy Spirit) and as we grow in our relationship with Christ, we discover that there is an "Old Man" (sinful nature, inherently evil disposition) lurking deep within us, and occasionally erupting in lust or hate or greed or deceit or evil desire. This "evil heart of unbelief," this "double mind" rises up in defiance of God Himself, even within a convert.
This is the famous, but often misunderstood "inner struggle" of Romans chapter seven. The carnal Christian has an inner battle between his new nature (new man) and his old nature (old man), and sometimes the believer gives in to his root of bitterness, resulting in sin. The believer must then confess and repent in order to be forgiven and cleansed. False doctrine says that the sinful nature is the human nature and that believers can never be purified and delivered from this inner struggle. WRONG. Christ saves from ALL SIN.
However, God has the answer to this "sin" problem within the believers. It is, DEATH TO SELF. Jesus referred to it by saying that we must DENY OURSELVES AND TAKE UP OUR CROSS. Paul told us that spiritual victory requires our Old Man to be crucified with Christ. This is because the sinful self does not submit to the law of God, and in fact, it cannot be subject to God because it is the enemy of God by nature.
But the sinful self does not want to die. Crucifixion is a good description of death to self because it is a slow and deliberate death, during which time the crucified person fights for life and argues against his execution. Our Old Man fights this death to self and resists God's work of purifying the believer.
The interesting thing is, the person who will not die to self, carries about the decay and stench of death as a carnal believer, because God says, to be carnally minded is death, ultimately culminating in eternal death.
If you are struggling with this inner battle, talk to me and I will tell you about God’s deliverance. If your church or pastor does not believe that God can or will save His people from all their sin, here and now, then talk to me. Remember, only the pure in heart will see God and without holiness of heart and life, no man shall see the Lord.
11/27/16 WHAT IS WORSE...
11/27/16 WHAT IS WORSE...
Question...
What is worse than a pastor preaching the same old truth, over and over again?
Answer...
Parishioners neglecting or rejecting the same old truth over and over again.
Question...
What is worse than a pastor preaching the same old truth, over and over again?
Answer...
Parishioners neglecting or rejecting the same old truth over and over again.
11/25/16 THUS SAYETH SARCASTIA
11/25/16 THUS SAYETH SARCASTIA
Being a Christian (or at least saying you are) makes you perfect in spiritual knowledge and maturity, whether you have ever been taught certain Biblical principles or not. This must be true, because I have known so many "believers" who have all the answers, EVEN THOUGH...
* they have not asked the right questions* and they don't know the nomenclature of certain Biblical concepts* and they don't know the definitions of certain Biblical terms* and they don't communicate certain Biblical truths* and they don't follow certain Biblical directives
and they don't demonstrate Biblical graces* or they have never heard or been taught or studied certain doctrines.
In fact,
ARE ONLY useful for those who are either mentally or spiritually slow.
Happily, society is becoming so much more inherently enlightened that there is very little need for sluggish ministry dinosaurs like me.
Being a Christian (or at least saying you are) makes you perfect in spiritual knowledge and maturity, whether you have ever been taught certain Biblical principles or not. This must be true, because I have known so many "believers" who have all the answers, EVEN THOUGH...
* they have not asked the right questions* and they don't know the nomenclature of certain Biblical concepts* and they don't know the definitions of certain Biblical terms* and they don't communicate certain Biblical truths* and they don't follow certain Biblical directives
and they don't demonstrate Biblical graces* or they have never heard or been taught or studied certain doctrines.
In fact,
* the gift and calling of pastor/teacher (Ep. 4:11), and
* the gift of the word of knowledge, i.e. the spiritual gift of comprehending and communicating Biblical truths (1 Co. 12:8), and
* the gift of the word of wisdom, i.e. the spiritual gift of applying Biblical truths to lives (1 Co. 12:8),
ARE ONLY useful for those who are either mentally or spiritually slow.
Happily, society is becoming so much more inherently enlightened that there is very little need for sluggish ministry dinosaurs like me.
11/24/16 TWO THOUGHTS...
11/24/16 TWO THOUGHTS...
1- The miracle of salvation is not so much that God loves us, which is marvelous beyond comprehension, but that salvation (not simply forgiveness), transforms us from twisted and broken sinners to holy and whole followers of Christ by supernaturally conforming us to image of Jesus.
2- Salvation from sin and selfishness to holiness and faithfulness is accomplished by the two instantaneous and Divine works of grace (justification and entire sanctification), and by the walk of grace, which follows our total commitment.
1- The miracle of salvation is not so much that God loves us, which is marvelous beyond comprehension, but that salvation (not simply forgiveness), transforms us from twisted and broken sinners to holy and whole followers of Christ by supernaturally conforming us to image of Jesus.
2- Salvation from sin and selfishness to holiness and faithfulness is accomplished by the two instantaneous and Divine works of grace (justification and entire sanctification), and by the walk of grace, which follows our total commitment.
11/23/16 THEY JUST MISS IT ALTOGETHER
11/23/16 THEY JUST MISS IT ALTOGETHER
A blind person cannot see, a deaf person cannot hear, a mute person cannot talk, a person in a coma cannot interact with others, and A DEAD PERSON CANNOT DO ANYTHING.
The unsaved are spiritually dead in their sins and trespasses, but they are still alive in their bodies, therefore they think they are alive. They think that because they can think, because they can grasp natural truth, therefore they understand spiritual truth. HOWEVER, spiritual truths cannot be communicated to a lost person. No matter how much someone loves them, the unsaved are totally unable to grasp spiritual truth. They misunderstand, they misrepresent, they misquote, they miss the whole reality, BECAUSE THEY ARE DEAD SPIRITUALLY. And telling them that they are dead or unable to understand or that they are totally in error about spiritual truths, sends them off of the deep end. But here is what God said,
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
It is heart breaking for a believer to reach out to a loved one who is still in sin, because they are in rebellion to God and therefore are repulsed by our love and God's truth.
A blind person cannot see, a deaf person cannot hear, a mute person cannot talk, a person in a coma cannot interact with others, and A DEAD PERSON CANNOT DO ANYTHING.
The unsaved are spiritually dead in their sins and trespasses, but they are still alive in their bodies, therefore they think they are alive. They think that because they can think, because they can grasp natural truth, therefore they understand spiritual truth. HOWEVER, spiritual truths cannot be communicated to a lost person. No matter how much someone loves them, the unsaved are totally unable to grasp spiritual truth. They misunderstand, they misrepresent, they misquote, they miss the whole reality, BECAUSE THEY ARE DEAD SPIRITUALLY. And telling them that they are dead or unable to understand or that they are totally in error about spiritual truths, sends them off of the deep end. But here is what God said,
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
It is heart breaking for a believer to reach out to a loved one who is still in sin, because they are in rebellion to God and therefore are repulsed by our love and God's truth.
11/22/16 IT IS NOT TOO LATE
11/22/16 IT IS NOT TOO LATE
(God does not love Satan or backsliding, but God does love backsliders, enough to turn them over to Satan, so that they may suffer sorrow).
Sitting Together In Heavenly Places
God speaks to everyone during worship services where God is being glorified by faithful preachers and the people are worshiping in spirit and in truth. Sadly, not everyone is listening for, or listening to God. We should hear God through the anointed preaching, singing, testifying, praying, exhorting and holy quietness. Sometimes God speaks to us about passages, which are read, but not actually addressed by the preacher. When this happens to me, I do not allow myself to miss what God is saying through the preacher, but I take hold of the other enlightenment also.
Last Sunday evening Pastor Clint (at the Free Grace Wesleyan Church, on the Island) read from 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (among other passages) and preached on the importance of remaining faithful. As we read verse 20, another thought came to me.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
(18) This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
(19) Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
(20) Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Becoming Shipwrecked
If our beliefs do not purify our lives then our lives will be tainted. This is what happened to Hymenaeus and Alexander, to the extent that they became shipwrecked. God not only loves us so much that He sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, He continues to love us even if we backslide (notice verse 20).
They Turned From Faith
According to God, Hymenaeus and Alexander did not hold to faith, but rather put it away and became shipwrecked. This is not the picture of a lost sinner who continued in sin. This is the picture if a sinner who got saved and then turned from faith to disaster. Also, God said (through Paul), that these two men should be given over to Satan so that they might learn not to blaspheme. Notice, following false doctrine is blasphemy.
Redemption And Warning.
Those who follow false doctrine will backslide from saving faith, but they can also be restored.
* God Is Faithful...
* God is loving and faithful to the sinner, to the backslider.* God reached out to Adam after Adam ate the forbidden fruit.* God reached out to Cain after Cain killed his brother.* God reached out to Abram (Abraham) after he rejected God's plan.
* God reached out to Israel and His chosen nation time and again, after they had gone back into sin.* God reached out to king David after he had committed adultery and murder.* God reached out to Peter after he denied Christ.
Concerning Backsliders, God said,
1 Corinthians 5:5
(5) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Redemptive
Turning a fallen believer over to Satan is not simply for punishment or chastisement, but it is redemptive. When people turn back from following (trusting and obeying) God, they can be turned over to (released into the care of) their new master (Satan). We do this with the hope that the losses imposed on them will drive them back to submission and faith. God prefers to draw us to Himself through His blessings, but if we will not respond to His manifested kindness, then He will allow us to suffer under the hardness and harshness of Satan. We can either turn to God because of the kindness of His grace or because of godly sorrow through affliction. We make the choice.* If You Have Not Followed God Fully* If you have turned from following God.* If it has been an extended time and if there are a great number of failures, sins in your life.
then God loves you and calls you back to Himself.
Pray,
Dear Lord, forgive me of my wandering, my disobedience, my selfishness, my rebellion.
I am sorry for my sins and I don't want to keep sinning against you.
Forgive me, restore me, renew me, cleanse me, fill me, empower me, lead me.
Dear Lord, I need you.
I believe in your salvation.
I believe in your deliverance.
I believe in You.
In Jesus name…
(God does not love Satan or backsliding, but God does love backsliders, enough to turn them over to Satan, so that they may suffer sorrow).
Sitting Together In Heavenly Places
God speaks to everyone during worship services where God is being glorified by faithful preachers and the people are worshiping in spirit and in truth. Sadly, not everyone is listening for, or listening to God. We should hear God through the anointed preaching, singing, testifying, praying, exhorting and holy quietness. Sometimes God speaks to us about passages, which are read, but not actually addressed by the preacher. When this happens to me, I do not allow myself to miss what God is saying through the preacher, but I take hold of the other enlightenment also.
Last Sunday evening Pastor Clint (at the Free Grace Wesleyan Church, on the Island) read from 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (among other passages) and preached on the importance of remaining faithful. As we read verse 20, another thought came to me.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
(18) This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
(19) Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
(20) Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Becoming Shipwrecked
If our beliefs do not purify our lives then our lives will be tainted. This is what happened to Hymenaeus and Alexander, to the extent that they became shipwrecked. God not only loves us so much that He sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sins, He continues to love us even if we backslide (notice verse 20).
They Turned From Faith
According to God, Hymenaeus and Alexander did not hold to faith, but rather put it away and became shipwrecked. This is not the picture of a lost sinner who continued in sin. This is the picture if a sinner who got saved and then turned from faith to disaster. Also, God said (through Paul), that these two men should be given over to Satan so that they might learn not to blaspheme. Notice, following false doctrine is blasphemy.
Redemption And Warning.
Those who follow false doctrine will backslide from saving faith, but they can also be restored.
* God Is Faithful...
* God is loving and faithful to the sinner, to the backslider.* God reached out to Adam after Adam ate the forbidden fruit.* God reached out to Cain after Cain killed his brother.* God reached out to Abram (Abraham) after he rejected God's plan.
* God reached out to Israel and His chosen nation time and again, after they had gone back into sin.* God reached out to king David after he had committed adultery and murder.* God reached out to Peter after he denied Christ.
Concerning Backsliders, God said,
1 Corinthians 5:5
(5) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Redemptive
Turning a fallen believer over to Satan is not simply for punishment or chastisement, but it is redemptive. When people turn back from following (trusting and obeying) God, they can be turned over to (released into the care of) their new master (Satan). We do this with the hope that the losses imposed on them will drive them back to submission and faith. God prefers to draw us to Himself through His blessings, but if we will not respond to His manifested kindness, then He will allow us to suffer under the hardness and harshness of Satan. We can either turn to God because of the kindness of His grace or because of godly sorrow through affliction. We make the choice.* If You Have Not Followed God Fully* If you have turned from following God.* If it has been an extended time and if there are a great number of failures, sins in your life.
then God loves you and calls you back to Himself.
Pray,
Dear Lord, forgive me of my wandering, my disobedience, my selfishness, my rebellion.
I am sorry for my sins and I don't want to keep sinning against you.
Forgive me, restore me, renew me, cleanse me, fill me, empower me, lead me.
Dear Lord, I need you.
I believe in your salvation.
I believe in your deliverance.
I believe in You.
In Jesus name…
11/21/16 BEWARE THE FALSE DOCTRINES
11/21/16 BEWARE THE FALSE DOCTRINES
(and false prophets of Reformed Theology and John MacArthur)
I was just reading from the false doctrines and deliberate misrepresentations of John MacArthur, one of the leading voices of sinning religion.
MacArthur boldly and falsely declares,
"Reformed theology has historically been the branch of evangelicalism most strongly committed to the sovereignty of God."
FACT CHECK...
Arminianism is TOTALLY committed to the sovereignty of God. Arminianism correctly asserts that God is sovereign ruler, but in His sovereign will, God gave the freedom of choice to Adam, and God enables freedom of choice for all men. Arminianism correctly declares that God loved all men so that all men might be saved. Of course not all men are saved, but that is because some men do not choose to believe, confess, repent, even though God in His sovereign will has given mankind a free choice and opportunity to either accept or reject the gospel.
The truth is, Reformed theology is committed to the false idea that God's sovereignty does not allow for anyone to make an actual free will choice concerning salvation. MacArthur's belief in God's sovereignty is that God chooses who will be saved and who will be damned, and there is no actual free will with which to choose.
In fact, MacArthur says that the love of God in John 3:16 has nothing to do with the people who will never get saved. MacArthur says that God did not love the whole world with redeeming love.
I understand there is more entailed than this short statement, but this short statement is accurate.
COMMENT
Remember, MacArthur does not believe that Jesus died for everyone. Yes, if you want to support the heresy of Divine unilateral, unconditional, double predestination, go ahead, but if you want to believe the Bible, then abandon the blasphemers (as the word is used in 1 Timothy 1:20).
I was just reading from the false doctrines and deliberate misrepresentations of John MacArthur, one of the leading voices of sinning religion.
MacArthur boldly and falsely declares,
"Reformed theology has historically been the branch of evangelicalism most strongly committed to the sovereignty of God."
FACT CHECK...
Arminianism is TOTALLY committed to the sovereignty of God. Arminianism correctly asserts that God is sovereign ruler, but in His sovereign will, God gave the freedom of choice to Adam, and God enables freedom of choice for all men. Arminianism correctly declares that God loved all men so that all men might be saved. Of course not all men are saved, but that is because some men do not choose to believe, confess, repent, even though God in His sovereign will has given mankind a free choice and opportunity to either accept or reject the gospel.
The truth is, Reformed theology is committed to the false idea that God's sovereignty does not allow for anyone to make an actual free will choice concerning salvation. MacArthur's belief in God's sovereignty is that God chooses who will be saved and who will be damned, and there is no actual free will with which to choose.
In fact, MacArthur says that the love of God in John 3:16 has nothing to do with the people who will never get saved. MacArthur says that God did not love the whole world with redeeming love.
I understand there is more entailed than this short statement, but this short statement is accurate.
COMMENT
Remember, MacArthur does not believe that Jesus died for everyone. Yes, if you want to support the heresy of Divine unilateral, unconditional, double predestination, go ahead, but if you want to believe the Bible, then abandon the blasphemers (as the word is used in 1 Timothy 1:20).
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