07/24/17 Being "Born of God," according to First John.

07/2/17 Being "Born of God," according to First John.

Those who are "born of God," do not commit sin. (see vs 9)
1 John 3:1-10
(1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Those who are "born of God," love others with Divine love. (see vss. 7 and 12)
1 John 4:7-13
(7) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
(8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
(9) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
(10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
(11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
(12) No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
(13) Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Those who are "born of God," believe Christ, love God and other believers, gladly keep His commandments, overcome the world.
1 John 5:1-5
(1) Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
(2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
(3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
(5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Belief in Christ is not simply an event in the past, but it is a present reality.
Being born of God is not simply and event in the past, but it is a present reality.
Being a Christian is a present reality based on a present faith.

07/24/17 WHEN "EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING" IS A EUPHEMISM

07/24/17 WHEN "EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING" IS A EUPHEMISM

"Expositional preaching," sometimes means "God's word does not mean what it says."
The term, "EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING" is sometimes the devil's euphemism for "falsifying the word of God." Sometimes very scholarly preachers brag on preaching "Expositionally." They tell you that they are studying the word in systematic and faithful detail, but then they contradict major teachings of the Bible.

The first time we see the devil pull this bait and switch routine on the human race is in the Garden when he "explained" to Eve that she would not die, though God had clearly said that they would die if they ate of the Fruit.

Satan twisted God's words,

Satan input his own words and

Satan denied God's word.

The devil is still doing that today, through so-called "expositional preaching (teaching)" by those who subscribe to sinning religion and then call it "grace."

Here are examples of sinning religion's "expositional" views.
God does not make anyone righteous through salvation, He only sees and counts us as being righteous.
God does not save us from our sins, He only saves us from our guilt.
Christians cannot resist temptation.
God does not save us from ALL sin in this present life.
Christians cannot be perfect in love, as Christ is perfect in love.
God does not make believers PURE, HOLY and RIGHTEOUS, as Christ is pure, holy and righteous.
God does not require us to be holy, pure and righteous in order to go to heaven.
God does not Baptize believers with the fulness of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to regeneration.
God does not give spiritual gifts to the Church today.
God does not heal physical afflictions today.
Sin does not separate people from God.

BEWARE THOSE WHO EXPLAIN AWAY THE CLEAR AND CONSTANT WORD OF GOD.

07/22/17 A RE-POST FROM 2010

07/22/17 A RE-POST FROM 2010

I came across this post, which I made seven years ago. It is as true today as it was the day I wrote it.

06/27/10 SS CLASS CHRISTIANITY IS RADICAL

(overview)
People collapse or "go dark" under incessant false accusation from friends and family.
Believers and churches lose their anointing as they lose their focus.
Nothing succeeds like success and nothing fails like failure.
Satan falsely accuses the brethren in order to rob us of our Great Adventure.

CHRISTIANITY IS RADICAL...
Most people do not like to be thought of as radical, especially by family or friends or people who claim to be believers. Christians do not want to be thought of as holding radical beliefs.

Well, this ministry, THIS CHURCH is the wrong church to be part of if you are not willing to be thought of as holding strange and radical beliefs.

THIS CHURCH teaches that God can save us from all sin in this present life, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that God can and will purify believers in this life to be as pure as Christ is, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that Christians are to be non-violent peacemakers, loving our enemies, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church and that wives should obey their husband, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that God has intended for men to be the head of their households and to hold the office of pastor, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that the dead in Christ shall rise and believers who are alive on the earth will be transformed to meet Christ in the air at the Pre-Tribulational and Pre-Millennial Rapture, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that there will be a literal seven years of Tribulation, One World Government, One World Economy, One World Religion, under the authority of the world leader, the antiChrist, who will go into a literal Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, claiming to be God, because this is what the Bible says. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that Christ will literally rule the world from Jerusalem for a literal thousand year reign, and believers will reign with Him, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

THIS CHURCH teaches that there is only one Head over the Church and believers do not answer to anyone else for our service to God, because the Bible says so. AND THAT IS RADICAL.

We must not be deceived into denying what God has said, and we must not be pressured into denial.

I have seen people

Deceived,

Deactivated and

Destroyed

because they did not want to be different from other churches or other believers.

07/20/17 A GREAT MOVEMENT OF GOD IN A LOCAL CHURCH REQUIRES ACCOUNTABILITY

07/20/17 A GREAT MOVEMENT OF GOD IN A LOCAL CHURCH REQUIRES ACCOUNTABILITY

Ephesians 5:21
(21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Romans 15:2-7
(2) Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
(3) For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
(4) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
(5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
(6) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(7) Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 13:11
(11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Philippians 1:27
(27) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Philippians 2:1-4
(1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
(2) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
(3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
(4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

1 Peter 3:8-12
(8) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
(9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
(10) For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
(11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
(12) For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

07/19/17 READ FIRST JOHN, AS GOD INTENDED

07/19/17 READ FIRST JOHN, AS GOD INTENDED


This note looks at 27 verses from the short book of First John. The verses are clear calls to a life of Spirit filled victorious living, but I include the view of Sinning Religion (S/R) concerning these verses.

Now, I know that most folks will say that no one actually believes the alternative view I have added. While the Sinning Religionist (S/R) will not say that they would translate these verses in this way, it certainly is (for the most part) the interpretation that they consistently give to these verses. I have had these same things said to me time and again and again.

I hope you will read all of the verses, as I have them quoted from the KJV (though I could have used any number of other good translations), and then read the restated or explained comments attributed to the Sinning Religionist (S/R).

It is sad when sinning religion explains (changes) Scripture. Even when the Bible clearly says that God saves us from sinning, S/R says, "God meant to say..." or, "God meant THIS when He said THAT..." or, "God did not mean THAT when He said THIS."

For instance, God said that believers are, "righteous, even as He is righteous," but S/R interprets that to mean, “God sees us as righteous, even though we still sin and have a sin nature.” Consider these verses from that perspective.

PART 1... 1 John 1 & 2 For those who believe in Sinning Religion and read this article, but do not agree with my view of your position, please correct my statements and send them to me by email. BTW, you do not have to rewrite these verses for those of us who believe in salvation from sin, since we already agree with the way GOD SAID it. For those who want to refer to 1 John 1:8 as proof that believers cannot live without sin, don't be to sure that is what it is saying. Since the rest of Scripture refutes S/R and affirms righteous living, 1 John 1:8 must be understood in the light of those hundreds of other verses.

GOD SAID, 1 John 1:6

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

S/R says,

If we walk in darkness we still have salvation. Fellowship is not integral to salvation, it is an extra benefit which a Christian may or may not have. At any rate, walking in darkness (sin) does not separate us from God.

GOD SAID, 1 John 1:7

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

S/R says,

We actually cannot really walk fully in the light or in obedience to God or in righteousness, at least all of the time. Also, we are “counted” as cleansed from all sin, rather than actually and experientially cleansed (purified) from all sin. We will always have sin, in this life.

GOD SAID, 1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

S/R says,

God forgives us of the sins we confess and even of sins we do not confess, since He forgives us of future sins, before we commit them; however, He does not cleanse us from all unrighteousness in this life. He counts us as cleansed from all unrighteousness, for Jesus sake, but we are not actually delivered from all unrighteousness.

GOD SAID, 1 John 2:1

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

S/R says,

These things write I unto you, that you do not make sin a habit.

GOD SAID, 1 John 2:3

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

S/R says,

Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments most of the time (or some of the time or occasionally) or we at least want to keep his commandments.

GOD SAID, 1 John 2:4

4 He that saith, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

S/R says,

He that says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments is not a liar, or whoever does not keep his commandments some of the time is a liar.

GOD SAID, 1 John 2:5

5 But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

S/R says,

But whoso keeps his word (sometimes), in him verily is the love of God perfected (occasionally): and we know we are in Him, even when we sin.

GOD SAID, 1 John 2:6

6 He that saith he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

S/R says,

He that says he abides in him ought to try to walk or occasionally walk, somewhat like He walked.

GOD SAID, 1 John 2:15

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

S/R says,

It is futile, but try not to love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, it cannot be helped and it does not interfere with your salvation, because the love of the Father is still in you.

GOD SAID, 1 John 2:17

17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.

S/R says,

The world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that is saved does not have to do the will of God in order to abide forever, because he can't do the will of God, at least, not all of the time.

PART 2... 1 John 3

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:3

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

S/R says,

No man who hopes Christ is coming back, can purify himself, nor can God purify him as pure as Christ.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:4

4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

S/R says,

Whoever sins habitually is breaking the law, which is too bad for those who have never trusted in Christ, but no matter how many times a believer breaks the law, he is still saved. Sin is the transgression of the law, but Jesus paid for all of a believers transgressions, past, present and future.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:5

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

S/R says,

And you know that He was manifested to take away the believers penalty, but He does not save the believer from the power and pollution of sin, because the believer still has sin in this present evil world. Except, God can't see our sin, because He looks at us through Jesus.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:6

6 Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins hath not seen him, neither known him.

S/R says,

Whoever abides in Jesus, still sins, because no one is without sin and no one can live without sinning: whoever is a believer and still sins has seen God, and knows God. Deliverance from sinning is not part of salvation.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:7

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.

S/R says,

Little children, let no man deceive you: no man does righteousness and no man can be righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. In fact, if anyone says he is righteous, he is a liar and the truth is not in him.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:8

8 He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

S/R says,

He that commits sin may be of God or of the devil; because the devil sins from the beginning and so do believers, but God can't see the sins of the believers. Believers sin, but since Jesus PAID THE SIN DEBT, believers can't be charged with their sins anymore. For this purpose God was manifested, that He might ignore the works of the devil in sinning believers.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:9

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

S/R says,

Whoever is born of God does commit sin; because either God can't deliver believers from sin or God won't deliver believers from sin or God does not care that believers get delivered from sin in this world. God's seed remains in the believer, but that seed does not or cannot save the believer from sin. Not only is the believer able to sin, he is expected to sin and in deed, cannot do any other than sin, because, being born of God does not save believers from sinning.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:10

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.

S/R says,

There is no difference in the children of God and the children of the devil when it comes to sin, since both the children of God and the children of the devil sin. Even if a believer does not do righteousness, they are still of God.

GOD SAID, 1 John 3:24

24 And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

S/R says,

Believers who do not keep God's commandments are still in Christ, because believers still sin. Here is how we know that we are Christians, because we believe we are, even if we are still sinning. We know we are saved because we believed on Christ at some time in the past, not because we are abiding in the Holy Spirit and bearing good fruit rather than evil fruit. The Holy Spirit abides, even when we are producing bad fruit.

PART 3... 1 John 4 & 5

GOD SAID, 1 John 4:17

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

S/R says,

Believers are not like Christ in this world and though we are not like Him here and now, we will have boldness in the day of judgment, because it doesn't change our eternal destiny.

GOD SAID, 1 John 5:2

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

S/R says,

We know that we love the children of God, regardless of our feelings or actions, because keeping God's commandments has nothing to do with my relationship with God or salvation, since believers cannot keep God's commandments.

GOD SAID, 1 John 5:3

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

S/R says,

This is the love of God, that God says we have kept His commandments, even though we don't keep His commandments. We are unable to keep His commandments and it is just a legalistic burden to try to keep His commandments. It is grievous to try to keep His commandments.

GOD SAID, 1 John 5:4

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

S/R says,

Whoever is born of God does not overcome the world, because believers cannot overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. Christian faith has nothing to do with overcoming temptation, it only gives us victory in our sins, not over sin. Faith does not overcome the world.

GOD SAID, 1 John 5:5

5 Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

S/R says,

No one overcomes the world, even those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

GOD SAID, 1 John 5:17

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

S/R says,

Not only is all unrighteousness sin, all believers are sinners and no sin results in death for the person who believes in Jesus, even if they are unrighteous. We know that there is none righteous, no not one. (DLG note, this reference in the Bible is to the unsaved, not the saved).

GOD SAID, 1 John 5:18

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.

S/R says,

We know that whoever is born of God does sin; those who are begotten of God cannot keep themselves from sinning, even by the grace of God. Believers are Satan's instruments of unrighteousness as long as they are in the body.

GOD SAID, 1 John 5:21

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

S/R says,

Actually, no one can keep themselves from idols or any kind of sin in this life and in fact, God does not keep believers from all sin in this life.

07/18/17 MIND WHO IS MINDING THE MIND

07/18/17 MIND WHO IS MINDING THE MIND

There is a Rogues Gallery of evil heroes in Western Humanism. These are the men and women who have championed the exaltation of man to the level of God, and the fight against the Holy Bible, Christ, Salvation, and the good that has sprung from truth and righteousness. It is a religion of "non-religion." It is the faith of the true "infidels."

Satan's tool of Humanism seeks to control the people's minds through educational systems, economic systems, political systems, social systems, values systems, philosophical systems, religious systems.

Humanism has several different branches, but they all resist and reject the Divine revelation of the Holy Bible and the Lordship of Christ. Some of the branches of godless Humanism are Naturalism, Materialism, Secularism, Evolution, Liberalism, Pragmatism, Socialism, Communism. Those who have poisoned modern minds have been leaders in education, medicine, philosophy, science, politics, anthropology, economics, psychology.

Here is a very short list of these "anti-saints." The Holy Bible refers to those who believe on Christ and follow Him in holy living as "saints." I use "anti-saints" in the same sense that "anti-Christ" refers to those who are against Christ. These were Satan's ministers of unholy writ, promoting a belief system in anti-salvation.

(very short and incomplete list)
John Dewey.
Marx.
Engles.
Freud.
Margaret Sanger.
Eugene Debs.
Charles Darwin.
Carl Jung.
David Hume.
G W G Hegel.

All of these people, along with their systems are part of a Diabolic plan to rebel against God. Those who laud and applaud these people and their movements have been taken captive by Satan to do his will.

We need to mind who is minding the mind.

07/18/17 THE FREE GIFT

07/18/17 THE FREE GIFT

Sometimes I win a "free" turn on my tablet game, IF I watch an ad. Well, if I have to watch the ad, the "free" turn is not free. If the game gives me a turn, without me having to do something to earn it, it is free. But even then, if I do not take the turn, I do not receive the benefit of the turn. Earning and receiving are not the same thing. We cannot earn salvation, but neither do we receive the benefit of salvation if we don't receive it through faith.

So, I asked myself, what is the benefit of salvation? From what is it that God will actually save me? Obviously salvation is a multifaceted gift. It does include forgiveness of sins, but it is more than that. God does not save us from the guilt of sin, and then leave us in sin at the same time. Salvation is deliverance from sin.

I cannot earn forgiveness of my sins and I cannot earn deliverance from sin. It is a free gift. When I receive the free gift of salvation (by faith) I am receiving deliverance from sin. I can claim to be forgiven, but if I am still being held by the power and corrupted by the pollution of sin, I am not receiving the free gift of God.

God does not require me to do anything to earn salvation, because I cannot earn salvation. But when I receive His free gift, my life is changed, and I am empowered to walk in righteousness, to walk in light, to walk in truth, to walk in love, to walk in the Spirit, to walk in His steps, to walk in a way that is pleasing to HIm, to walk in newness of life.

In my tablet game I am given a "free" turn to "take a chance" at getting a prize. In salvation I am given the free gift of definitely being delivered from sin, if I receive the gift.

There is no question about the gift being free.
Salvation cannot be earned, it is a free gift.

There is no question about the nature of the gift.
Salvation is deliverance from sin.

There is no question about the authenticity of salvation.
Salvation provided by God.

There is no question about the validity of salvation.
Salvation is the gift of God.

There is no question about the efficaciousness of salvation.
Salvation does deliver from sin.

The only question is, Will you be saved from sin?
You will be saved from sin, IF you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:21
(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 10:32-33
(32) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
(33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Luke 8:11-15
(11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
(12) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
(13) They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
(14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
(15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Acts 3:26
(26) Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Acts 16:30-31
(30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
(31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 10:9-11
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:13
(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Colossians 1:21-23
(21) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
(22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
(23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

07/16/17 FROM SEVEN YEARS AGO... ME NEITHER TOO

07/16/17 FROM SEVEN YEARS AGO.

04/23/10 ME NEITHER TOO

Y'all remember this verse
"And He shall save His people from the misconception that He saves His people from all their sins?"
Me neither too.

How about,
"If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Christ cleanses us from the idea that His blood cleanses us from all sin?"
Me neither too.

GOD SAYS,
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

However, for $19.95, I am sure you can buy a book that explains why God didn't mean what he said.

07/15/17 THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

07/15/17 THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

Somewhere between State Care and No Care is Fair Care.

TWO SIDES WITH A MIDDLE GROUND

Oppressive Government

Anarchy

Self Government (recognizing the Creator God),

The State is God's tool to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. The enemy of the people can be foreign or domestic, military or financial, political or ideological.

The State should not oppress and control the citizenry through laws and codes and force and intimidation. Self serving government is anarchy. Communism and Socialism leads directly to Atheism.

The Bible reveals God's plan for free people living in a free land, but it also requires following the guidelines of God.

Sadly, when man governs outside of God's revelation, he destroys the people.

07/15/17 FIRST TAKE IS BETTER THAN RE-TAKE

07/15/17 FIRST TAKE IS BETTER THAN RE-TAKE

MY EXAMPLE
I take a lot of video footage. My ION action camera makes it easy to do. I can capture really great moments with the quick flick of the button. However, I end up with a lot of footage that is not exciting or necessarily worth saving.

Sometimes I miss really good shots because of failure (usually mine), and occasionally I get the shot right after the action is over. GRRRR. Sometimes I get the action shot, but there might be collateral distractions, which require editing. Even when I get the shot I want, I have to edit out the extraneous material. IT TAKES TIME.

I try to think ahead or I try to see the shot from a "finished" point of view. This way I can capture the moment and save myself some time in the editing phase.

MY POINT
We should live our lives with alertness and purpose. We should live the moment with eternity in view. We should avoid the distracting and unwanted scenes of life, while we are living in the moment.

This can be accomplished by following the leading of the Holy Spirit and by exercising self control, which is the Fruit of the Spirit. In fact, the best moments in life are the moments lived in the light and power of the Spirit of God.

We are going to make mistakes, we are going to have those moments that we regret. We don't have to have the dark moments of sin, and we can limit some of our extraneous "footage" by being sensitive and responsive to God. It really is better to get a good FIRST TAKE, because sometimes we don't get to do a RE-TAKE.

07/14/17 A PRESIDENT, NOT A SAVIOR

07/14/17 A PRESIDENT, NOT A SAVIOR

Those who know me, know that I have been staunchly opposed to the policies of Obama and the Liberal, Democrat Party. It is not that was ever a follower of Reagan,(though he did many of the right things for this country) or a follower of either of the Bush's. There were issues in their personal views and behavior that were contrary to Biblical Christianity, as well as good things that they did for our country. Still, I was not a "party man" or a man follower. Clinton brought a whole new level of arrogance and lawlessness to the White House, and Obama completely changed the fabric of American political power and oppression, favoring Islam, baby murder, Bible hating, Christian bashing and persecution, sanctity of marriage (officially and legally), American culture, human rights, race relations and the general well being of the nation. Obama brought the greatest attacks on traditional values and the American freedoms of any President I have ever seen.

Trump is no savior, no angel, no saint. He has done and said and lived a life that rejected God. But up to this point, for whatever reason or reasons, Trump has not been at the forefront of an all out attack against this country. Yes, he may have made choices that were not the best of this country and he may make even worse choices in the future. But that is not the issue. NO PRESIDENT HAS undermined America, decency, morality, the rule of law as much Obama. AND HILLARY WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.

Therefore, I do not nominate Trump as the best man of the year, but I am sooo glad that God gave us a respite from the abominable team of Liberals. This period of time is good for believers to do all the good we can, while we can, without oppressive intervention of the State.

God uses wicked men to accomplish His will. I prefer it when God finds someone who is not viciously opposed to God's word, God's people, God's standards. Things can go totally wrong in a moment.

We should give thanks for this time or opportunity and rejoice that we were not saddled with Hillary or some other Liberal loon.

07/14/17 SECOND UPDATE on Watchtower visitors.

07/14/17 SECOND UPDATE on Watchtower visitors.

On June 24, I posted a video recounting my witnessing to two false witnesses who came to my house.

On July 8, I updated by saying that the Watchtower people had not returned, as they said they would, to respond to the Biblical concepts I had shared with them.

GOLD STAR showing up.
On July 13 the man who visited me in June showed up at my house with his wife (I actually wondered if he knew that I had posted only a week ago that they had not returned, as they said they would).

Here is an abbreviated recounting of that meeting.
wm = Watchtower Man
DLG = me
() = editorial comments by me.

DLG
Give me a few minutes and we can talk.

WM
I am only going to be five minutes,

(First clue that this was not going to be a real conversation. What he really meant was, I am going to tell you something and then I am gone.)

DLG
Come on in and have a seat.

WM
Remained standing and started to talk.
(This was the next indication that he was not here to talk with me, but at me, so I also stood).

WM
When we talked before you brought up a passage in the book of Luke.
(He indicated that he wanted to start with this passage because the Bible says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God).

DLG
(I agreed that I had brought up Luke, but I had made it clear that the Bible does not say that Jesus was "flesh and blood" in the Luke passage, but rather in His resurrected body, Jesus was flesh and bone, since He had shed His blood for the sins of the world. I pressed that point until he finally admitted that to be the case. I went on to say.)

But the Luke passage was not the first passage I brought up. I actually pointed out that Jesus said He would raise His own body after being dead for three days.

WM
(Sheepish smile, knowing that he was about to lose the first round.)

DLG
In fact, that was the main point. Jesus raised Himself from the dead.
(I held my ground until he finally conceded the point.)
So, you agree that Jesus said He was going to raise His own body from the dead?

WM
(Hesitating, hem hawing, shuffling).

DLG
Is that what the Bible says or not?

WM
(After more evasion he finally admitted that is what the Bible says, but he quickly added that we need to read other Scripture to find out what that means.)

DLG
No we don't. We can accept what Jesus said right here in this passage. But yes, we need to know if other Scripture seems to say something else. So tell me, where in the entire Bible are we told that Jesus did not raise Himself from the dead?

WM
(more shuffling.)
But we need to know what Jesus meant by that.

DLG
I know what Jesus meant. He meant what He said. He said He would raise His body from the dead. You do agree that He was raised from the dead, right?
(I knew he should then tell me that God raised Jesus from the dead, since that is what they usually do.)

WM
(He then wanted to get over to the Luke passage, and I knew why).

DLG
But the question is about this passage. This was the first passage I asked you about and you have had several weeks to research it. Did Jesus say He would raise Himself from the dead, yes or no?

WM
You want to control this conversation, don't you?
(A funny statement coming from a false witness, since that is how they ensnare Biblically illiterate church folks all the time. They are the masters of evasion and conversation control."

DLG
I want an answer to the question. Did Jesus say He would raise His body from the dead? Remember, you already said He was raised from the dead.
(He started to tell me again that we need to know what the rest of Scripture says.)

Actually, the Bible talks about resurrection many times. Even Job, back around the time of Abraham, said he would see Jesus in the flesh. The whole Bible proclaims the resurrection of the body.
(He nodded his head in feigned agreement).
And I believe the Bible. You do not believe in resurrection. You believe that Jesus MATERIALIZED a body, but I believe He raised it from the dead.

WM
(He agreed and then started to tell me that materialization is what we should understand and not resurrection).
The Bible also says that Jesus came into a closed room. How could He do that if it was a raised body?

DLG
The human body is not a solid mass, (then pointing to my wall) and this wall is not a solid mass. Physical objects are actually made up of moving matter. You do agree, right?
(He agreed that physical objects are moving molecules.)

Do you not think that God can cause those molecules to move in such a way that one object could pass through another.
(He agreed that God could do that. But then I said,)

Even if we were solid bodies of mass and not moving molecules, I WOULD STILL BELIEVE THAT JESUS COULD PASS THROUGH WALLS.
Jesus was not a materialized body, He was a raised body from the dead.

Show me all the passages in the Bible that says Jesus materialized a body or that any body was materialized after death. It does not say that. It says raised and resurrected but never says materialized.
(Of course he could not give passages on materialization instead of resurrection, so I pointed out that he does not believe the Biblical record, but rather believes the JW position.)

There is not one verse in the entire Bible that denies the resurrection or refutes the word resurrection, but there are several verses that say Jesus was raised from the dead. You choose to believe MATERIALIZE but I believe what the Bible says.

LET'S LOOK AT THE LUKE PASSAGE

WM
It could not have been Jesus' body after His death, since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
(Yep, you read that right. He kept wanting to ride that dead horse of an argument. He already acknowledged that Jesus referred to His body in Luke 24 as FLESH AND BONE, not FLESH AND BLOOD.)

DLG
(I corrected him again and called him out for twisting Scripture.)
Jesus corrected and reproved the disciples because they thought He was only a spirit, rather than a resurrected body.
Jesus said that a spirit does not have flesh and bone, as He had.
Jesus said touch me and see, that it is I myself.
Jesus said it was His hands, His feet.
Jesus refuted the lie of denying the resurrection.

(At this point WM was done, and ready to leave. Actually Mrs. WM was ready to leave as soon as I started addressing the word of God.)

On his way out the door, WM said that we would never settle this.
I said I had already settled it because I believe the Bible, but he will have to face it everytime he uses these verses and denies that Jesus raised Himself from the dead physically.

I told him he needs to quit listening to the Watchtower and start believing the Bible.

And off they drove.

07/09/17 BIBLICAL MEDITATION

07/09/17 BIBLICAL MEDITATION

Biblical meditation focuses on vibrant interaction with God, which, transforms and empowers us.

Biblical meditation is not simply quiet acquiescence or mindless navel gazing. Biblical meditation is focused and lively interactive communication with God, which may involve vocal praying, praising, adoration, crying, moaning, thanksgiving, shouting, singing, as well as holy quietness in the presence of Almighty God. It also includes confession, supplication, intercession and surrender.

MEDITATION PASSAGES...
Joshua 1:8-9
(8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Psalms 1:1-3
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 19:13-14
(13) Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
(14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 49:3
(3) My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Psalm 63 (this entire Psalm addresses Christian meditation)

Psalm 119:97-104 (this section of 119 focuses on the benefits of meditation)

As a young preacher, I took this passage from 1 Timothy as a directive from God, concerning my life and ministry. (notice verse 15).
1 Timothy 4:11-16
(11) These things command and teach.
(12) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
(13) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
(14) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
(15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
(16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

07/08-1211/17 RANDOM

07/08-1211/17 RANDOM

* Loving, and being willing to forgive someone does not ensure a right relationship.

* THE SANCTUARY SHOULD BE A WAR ROOM, NOT A WAR ZONE.

* I still remember Obama raping the USA daily, regardless of what Trump has done.

07/08/17 Y'ALL COME

07/08/17 Y'ALL COME

SOOOO SAD... Some folks have never actually sat together with God in "heavenly places," or have been lifted up to realms of spiritual ecstasy, or have been bowed low before Him in the Holy of Holies.

Sadder still, most of them never will.

Yet every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

It is better to do it now through adoration, than to do it later through compulsion.

07/08/17 MINI CAMP MEETING TIME

07/08/17 MINI CAMP MEETING TIME

I have "mini-camp meetings" throughout the day, every day.

This includes God's word, prayer, praise, thanks, confession, intercession, supplication, exhortation and teaching (provided through and for me), singing (sometimes myself, but often recorded by actual singers), testimony, hand waving, crying, shouting (sometimes), holy quietness, surrender.

07/07/17 IT AIN'T EASY, BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL

07/07/17 IT AIN'T EASY, BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL

Do you hate anyone enough to send them to hell?

OF COURSE NOT!!!

Now think about this.
If you don't love them. love them redemptively by showing them your love, and acting according to that love, then you are actually hating them, because hate is the absence of love.

As a Christian, lack of love is an action that denies the lost person the light of truth and salvation. Divine love is an active and positive manifestation demonstrated in our demeanor and behavior.

Yes, the sinner chooses sin and answers for his own choices.
But God demonstrated HIs love for us, and to us while we were yet in our sins.
John 3:16-17
(16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Likewise, believers are to manifest the same love of God for the people we know, not only other believers, but also for the people who hate us.

Remember, love covers a multitude of sins. After the lost person is dead and separated from God forever it is too late to wish you had said and done the loving, Christlike thing. And think about how minor the issues are that cause us to cut them off.

We cannot add anything to the redemptive work of Christ, but we are doing the work of Christ in this world when we reach out to others, while we suffer at the hands of wicked people.

Don't forget, Jesus taught that the believer who goes to worship at the altar, and then remembers that someone is angry with them, must take humble steps to reconcile with that angry person. As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with everyone.

07/07/17 THE THREE R's OF GODLESS RELIGION

07/07/17 THE THREE R's OF GODLESS RELIGION

Rebellion (disobeying specific Divine authority).
Rejection (denying all Divine authority).
Resistance (denouncing Divine authority).

God's word warns us about this.
Psalms 1:1
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

The man who "walks in the counsel of the ungodly" has chosen to disobey a known directive from God, by allowing the ways of the world and the influences of man (actually Satan) to negate the word of God.

The man who "stands in the way of sinners" has chosen the vain philosophies and lifestyle of the world and the flesh over the revealed way of God.

The man who "sits in the seat of the scornful" has chosen to attack the way, the will and the word of God, and God's messengers, by embracing and promoting anti-Biblical teaching.

07/05/17 A KIND OF SILLY STORY

07/05/17 A KIND OF SILLY STORY

So, I caught a Bluefish and thought I would keep it as a pet, but it died on the ride home. Shame too, I carefully buckled it into the backseat to keep it safe.

Then I caught a Flounder a few days later, so I thought I had a new pet. Yep, you guessed it; he flat out died too, and the Croaker croaked.

The same thing happened with a Speckled Sea Trout, a Spot, a Hogfish, a Puppy Drum, Finger Mullets, Jumping Mullets, Shiners (which died before I got them to the car), a Ray and a Skate.

I don't understand it. They were all healthy and splashing around when I caught them.
Someone said it sounded a lot like "fish out of water syndrome."
I asked what that meant and they said that fish don't live in the same environment that humans do. They even said that it would be like me trying to live underwater, like a fish.
How silly is that? Of course I could not live underwater. I would drown.

POINT...
We live in the realm that agrees with our nature.
This is why sinners can't live like saints and saints can't live like sinners.
The sinner must be miraculously transformed in order to live in the spiritual realm and a believer will die spiritually if he chooses to live in the realm of sin.

This is why Jesus said, "You must be born again (born of the Spirit)." In order to live the spiritual life, a person must be a spiritual person. Sinners trying to live as saints is, "like a fish out of water." And we know how that turns out.

Come to think of it, this is not only a silly story, this is an incredibly sad story, because people try to live as Christians without receiving the nature of God.

2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

PASSAGE...
These verses are awesomely wonderful for the person who abandons self and embraces God fully, but they are foolishness to the person who refuses to surrender fully to Christ.

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.

07/02-06/17 RANDOM

07/02-06/17 RANDOM

*Two glorious and complementary realities: God's mercy and His justice.

* SALVATION NOT ONLY MAKES YOU RIGHTEOUS, IT MAKES YOU REDEMPTIVE.

* GOD WILL WORK THROUGH CALLOUSED HANDS BUT NOT THOUGH CALLOUSED HEARTS.
What effort would you exert to save a drowning loved one?

God gave His best effort to save us.

We ought also to give our best effort to reach those around us.

We should give our best effort to rescue someone else's child, just as we would want someone to give their best effort to rescue our child.

Christians are on a rescue mission, not a trip to the amusement park.

*SIN AND DEATH ARE OUR ENEMIES. SALVATION FROM SIN IS SALVATION FROM ETERNAL DEATH.

*CHILDREN ARE BORN WITH A SIN NATURE, BUT VIRULENT ANGER IS AN ACQUIRED CORRUPTION. JESUS SAVES FROM BOTH.

06/30/17 WHAT IF I AIN'T...

06/30/17 WHAT IF I AIN'T...

Love, pure love, perfect love is redemptive, miraculous, Divine love, and it is the foundation and the expression of salvation.

If a person is not living by the power of perfect love, then he needs to be willing to become a vessel of God's love.

If a person is not living by the power of selfless love and he is not willing to become a vessel of God's love, then that person needs to be willing to be made willing.

The purpose of the word, the revelation and the command of God is to impart perfect love to us.

1 Timothy 1:5
(5) Now the end (goal, purpose) of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

If you are not led by perfect love and if you are not empowered by perfect love, then you need to either be willing to receive it as God's gift or you need to be willing to be made willing to receive God's perfect love.

As long as you hold to anything that is a hindrance to perfect love, you will not be a vessel of perfect love.

06/29/17 SOME THINGS DEMAND PRIORITY

06/29/17 SOME THINGS DEMAND PRIORITY

If you break a bone, get it reset.
If you get cut, clean it and bind it.
If you get off course, change direction.
If your marriage or family suffers division, fix it fast.
If your relationship with God is weak, seek God with the whole heart.

The longer you allow error to continue, the less likely there will be restoration and healing.

Sometimes the cure is painful, but it is necessary.
Humble yourself, submit to God, seek counsel.
Don't allow your broken life to become scattered debris on the stormy sea of life.

GOD CARES AND JESUS SAVES.

06/28/17 STRANGE SALVATION

06/28/17 STRANGE SALVATION

Sinning religion has a strange "salvation." It can save a man from murdering, stealing, worshiping false gods, beating his wife, drug addiction, child abuse, but then it can't save a person from other sins which are not as repugnant. (Yes, all sin is vile, but some sins are called abominations because they are so repugnant to God). How strange that God can save killers, gamblers, druggies, infidels, unfaithful spouses and child molesters from their sins, but can't save the supposed elect from less consuming sins.

OF COURSE, true salvation saves believers (God's people, Mt. 1:21) from all of our sins. Yes, we are still able to choose to rebel, but God's grace is greater than sin and we are enabled to resist temptation, ALL THE TIME.

For the person who believes in sinning religion, but also believes that once in a while God's grace delivers from temptation, why not resist all temptation, believing God for deliverance, JUST IN CASE that particular temptation is one that can be overcome? (hmmm)

The god of sinning religion has either powerless grace, or inadequate love, or both.

06/27/17 WORTH THINKING ABOUT...

06/27/17 WORTH THINKING ABOUT...

Sinning religion boldly and erroneously says that Christians cannot live without sinning, at least for an extended period of time (like 5 minutes or so).

OK, let's just say that Christians can only go without sinning for 5 minutes (although they are equipped with the word of God, the Holy Spirit of God, the Blood of Christ, the promises of God, the grace of God, the fellowship of believer. Do you ever hear those promoters of defeatist religion praising God for deliverance from sin for one minute? or three minutes? or 5 minutes? OF COURSE NOT. Think how traumatic it would be for them to live a half an hour in faithful obedience to God... or an hour... or a day.

Imagine the shock to their systems to find out that God's commands and promises are NOT empty taunts and Divine mockeries. More than that, imagine the total change that would take place in their lives if they really trusted Christ for SALVATION. But sadly they are shielded from the deliverance of God by the lies of the devil, and then have the audacity to say that they are witnesses of truth.

On the other hand, if God is able to enable believers to live a minute, three minutes, five minutes, a half an hour, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, or longer without disobeying God's commands, why wouldn't they take what they can get from God and be thankful? Instead of praising God with those who testify to victory over sin, even for a short time, the sinning religionists are quick to point out that any short lived victory over sin is bound to end and the Christian will be right back in the grip of the flesh, the world or the devil. God cannot even get their praise for momentary victorious grace over sin.

OH, ONE MORE THOUGHT... How sad is it that the devil gets the praise for believers failing, and God is robbed of His praise when He empowers believers to live according to God's will.

ALSO...
If God can save you from sinning for 10 seconds, then He can save you from sinning until you die or until the rapture.

(THINK ABOUT IT).

06/26/17 PURITY OR MATURITY?

06/26/17 PURITY OR MATURITY?

PURITY COMES IN A WORK OF GRACE.

MATURITY COMES THROUGH A WALK OF FAITH.

06/25/17 AHH HA

06/25/17 AHH HA

The gifts and calling of God without the grace of God explains a lot.

06/23/17 LISTEN TO THE INFORMED

06/23/17 LISTEN TO THE INFORMED

Proverbs 11:14
(14) Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
(trust me, the following thoughts make sense)

I like to fish.
I would rather fish, and catch no fish, than to not fish.
I would rather catch fish than not catch fish.
I would rather catch small fish (in my cast net) than no fish (hook and line).
I would rather catch lots of big fish in my cast net than small fish on hook and line.
I would rather catch big fish on hook and line.
So, it turns out, I like fishing AND catching.

But I don't always catch fish.
However, I do look and listen, so that I might learn.
I sometimes learn from people who know much less than I know, but they may know ONE thing I need to know.

I ask questions, I observe, I read, I listen. I am willing to be counseled, taught, instructed in the art and science of fishing.
I ain't proud.

LIKEWISE (here it comes) I am still open to spiritual counsel. I prefer to get my help from a person who is wiser, deeper, but I will listen to a donkey if he is speaking truth.

Sadly, I know people who were born perfect and have improved their status with every new day. They have never liked counsel and they only listen to counsel that fits their own BRAND of truth. They don't open their heart to anything that does not have their own image on it.

The sadness is not only that they are conceited and foolish, the sadness is that they block God from communicating with them, because they CANNOT BE COUNSELED.

The multitude of counsellors to which God's word refers includes Scripture, Holy Spirit, godly and seasoned saints, as well as learning by observation and examples. Humility is a lifeline that can bring you to safety, pride is an anchor that will drag you down.

Pride (conceit, arrogance, self satisfaction), being sin, actually leads a person to not only resist and reject godly counsel, it leads the haughty person to follow false teaching.

Drop the self absorption and open up to spiritual guidance if you want real safety.

02/23/17 INFERNAL SECURITY

02/23/17 INFERNAL SECURITY

A FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY LEADS A DROWNING PERSON TO THINK HE DOES NOT NEED RESCUING.

06/22/17 THERE IS A REASON

06/22/17 THERE IS A REASON

"Wannabe rescuers" throw anchors, not life rings, to drowning people.

06/22/17 TWO REALITIES CONVERGE

06/22/17 TWO REALITIES CONVERGE

#1 Tragically, there have been several drownings in our area recently, due to rip currents. One man even died after rescuing (saving) two girls. How tragic and how heroic.

#2 During Bible study last night, we talked about how many of the people we meet in daily activities are actual Christians. It became clear that the general population is lost in sin and need saving.

CONVERGENCE...
At the breakfast table this morning I was talking to my two youngest granddaughters about what it means to be, "saved."

I teach by asking questions and by tying concepts together. Here is how that conversation went.

Q. Do you know what sin is?
A. They told me that lying and kicking people and talking ugly was sin.

DLG... I agreed and then pointed out that SIN IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD, which they already knew, but they repeated for me.

Q. Does sin make you closer to God or farther from God?
A. Farther from God.

Q. Does God want you farther or closer?
A. Closer.

DLG... At this point the girls brought up last night's Bible study concerning the number of people that the devil has and the number of people that God has. Of course, as very young children, in their sphere of acquaintances they are familiar with more Christians. Sadly, that will change as they get to know more people.

The girls held their hands far apart and said that God has this many people, and then they held their hands close together and said the devil has this many people.

I told them that the Bible says the devil actually has more people than God has. (That is a hard pill to swallow.) They pointed out that God is more powerful, therefore He should have more people.

I agreed, but then explained that God is powerful enough, but each person makes his/her own decision to either follow God or follow Satan, and more people choose to be selfish and sinful than to love and trust God.

I then explained what it means to be, "saved."

Q. If a person is drowning, what do they need?
A. To get out of the water.

DLG... hehehe, good answer. see, life really is pretty simple.

Q. What do they need if they cannot get out of the water?
A. Someone to HELP them.

DLG... EXACTLY. They need someone to Help them, to Rescue them, to SAVE them.

I returned to our earlier subject.

I told them that the Bible says, "Many are called to God, but only a few are saved."

I held my hands far apart and then close together and asked which was many and which was few. Of course they gave the right answer, but it still bothered them that only a few would be rescued, saved.

I told them that the Bible says, "There is a wide door that leads away from God and a narrow door that leads to God, and many would go through the wide door away from God and few would go through the narrow door that leads to God."

Again, they were bothered

I told them that God sent Jesus to help, to rescue, to SAVE people from being lost in sin and swept away in disobedience.

Drowning people must realize that they are drowning and they must call on God to save them from their sin. REMEMBER, God commands that we call on Him in faith and repentance; He never tells us to continue in sin or presume on Him. We must believe, confess, repent, obey. There is no salvation for the unbeliever, the unrepentant and the disobedient.

Drowning people do not always realize they are drowning, and therefore they do not call out to be rescued. In fact, they sometimes reject and move farther from rescuers.

Drowning people sometimes get so far away that they cannot be rescued.

Sin deceives people into thinking they are not in trouble. Sin can separate from God to such an extent that they cannot hear the call of God any more.

Some beaches nearby have been closed because of the rip currents. However, life is not closed, and in fact, the rip currents of life are even more numerous and powerful than before. Until life is closed down, the only hope for being rescued is for a person to believe and receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.

BTW, the photo is this morning's food art that the girls asked for. See, you never know what will show up at the breakfast table.

06/21/17 KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

06/21/17 KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE IS REDEMPTIVE, NOT PUNITIVE.

LOVE, NOT LAW, COVERS SIN.

LOVE, NOT LEGALISM, IS GOD'S WAY

LOVE, NOT LEGALISM, IS GOD'S WAY

Marriage ripens in the midst of love, but rots under legalism.

Husbands must love their wives, AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH, regardless of the wife's attitude.

Wives must obey their husbands, AS THE CHURCH OBEYS CHRIST, regardless of the husband's attitude.

Husbands must rule by love, not by force.
Wives must yield by love, not by fear.

Father and mother must provide for their children's well being, just as God cares for us.

Spiritual and physical well being are the duty of loving parents.

Loving care and sacrificial provision is the sign of love. Remember what Jesus and the Father did for us.

06/21/17 DON'T DESPISE YOUR WEALTH

06/21/17 DON'T DESPISE YOUR WEALTH

God called me to repentance and faith when I was very young. I did not have believing parents, and I have no idea how Biblically sound the churches were that daddy would drop me at on Sundays. I only remember one family and one school teacher that professed faith, until we moved back to Morehead when I was about ten years old. Even then, my home church usually had theological Liberal pastors. I only remember one Bible preacher in our church, and he was only there the last year or so before I went to Bible college. There were a few spiritually oriented people in our church, but none of them had been led into deeper truths through the years.

I praise the Lord for all of His goodness and care through my childhood and youthful years, without any real human ministry teaching or discipling. I sure would have liked to have had Christian upbringing and mentoring, but I did not.

Things changed considerably when I went to Bible college. I had godly and Biblical teachers, who cared for me and taught me the word of God. But after graduation, I was on my own again.

After entering the pastoral ministry, I knew a few (very few) godly and Biblical preachers (who lived distances away from me) and very few of my parishioners were spiritually advanced enough to provide the mature counsel that I would liked to have had. It was not as much the fault of those Christians as the fault of sorry hirelings that passed themselves off as pastors to those people.

As a result, I was pretty much on a discovery journey, without human help. I stayed in the word of God and close to the Holy Spirit, since those were my only sources of mentoring help. Being a pastor, a husband and a father and learning how to manage finances was a challenge. God was faithful, but there is a reason He has planned for children to be trained in the home, in the church, and by mature elders in the faith.

But these were treasures I did not have. So, what is my point? Well, I am not whining or complaining, because God did a miraculous work in me, in spite of me. My point is that others who now have the wealth of Bible training, spiritual counsel, Christlike examples to follow and strong body life, seldom take advantage of their privileges.

I am amazed at how many people would rather re-invent the wheel of Christian living than learn from someone who already knows about the trials and opportunities of life. I watch train wrecks in life take place because folks will not tune into, or take hold of sound counsel. Even when their marriages, children, finances, health, social and spiritual lives fall into total disarray, they reject sound, loving, wise, Biblical counsel and then react to Biblical leadership like it is the ranting and intrusion of a madman.

If you have access of Christian leaders who will help you grow, and go in the right direction, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR ADVANTAGE. If you do not have that kind of leadership, then find it. In the meantime, you must apply yourself to find, learn and live the truth of God. God did not design you for personal failure and spiritual disaster. Body life and spiritual accountability are Biblical tools for successful Christian living, successful living.

06/20/17 WHAT IT IS

06/20/17 WHAT IT IS

HOLINESS ISN'T RULES & REGULATIONS RELIGION, BUT A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REDEEMER.

06/20/17 YOU NEED THIS

06/20/17 YOU NEED THIS

YOU NEED A CHURCH THAT PROCLAIMS HOLINESS OF HEART AND LIFE.

Sinning religion denies and denounces the Biblical revelation that God can or will cleanse believers from all sin, and that God can or will empower believers to live holy lives. As a result, the victims of such devilish teaching do not attend churches that preach victorious living over sin, resulting in sub-Biblical living. They may go to churches that preach moral standards, but in effect they are preaching legalistic rules and regulations, since they are calling people to do, in the flesh, what they deny God miraculously enables them to do in the Spirit. They are guilty of the very thing (legalistic following of rules), which they blame on those who believe God for victory by walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Holiness of heart and life is the result and the proof of salvation, while fleshly rule keeping is the standard of those who do not believe in Divine deliverance from all sin in this world.

Now here is my point. Attending a church and being enlightened through the preaching and teaching of men who believe the Biblical message of victorious living, provides the constant encouragement and leadership that draws and drives people in the way of truth. This is God's method of building and equipping believers for their spiritual walk and warfare. If personal responsibility and Biblical righteousness are not proclaimed, then the hearers are being denied the truth that sets them free.

Imagine children who are raised in homes with no moral standards or no consequences for wrongdoing. Imagine children being constantly bombarded with temptation, deception, intimidation to do evil, while not having leadership that demands moral accountability or counsel that builds character. God directed parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, rather than provoking them with unreachable standards. Likewise, God provides the same discipline for believers through the ministry of the church.

A church that does not equip, enable, encourage its people to holiness of heart and life is a church that is provoking the believers to live spiritual lives, while denying the power of God, which produces spiritual living. Those who do not teach and preach Divine deliverance from the pollution and power of sin are leaving the believer in the chains of bondage, to sin and to Satan.

06/19/17 SEEING CLEARLY

06/19/17 SEEING CLEARLY

When we understand that we are scum without Christ, we will humbly come to Christ.

06/19/17 OBEY GOD!

06/19/17 OBEY GOD!

The impossible is possible, when God's grace and your faith come together.

06/18/17 SYMPTOMS

06/18/17 SYMPTOMS
Rebellion manifests itself by lack of truth and lack of love.

06/18/17 ABANDON THAT SHIP

06/18/17 ABANDON THAT SHIP

If your church does not preach against sin and call you to holiness of heart and life, abandon that doomed vessel before it pulls you to eternity without God.

06/18/17 A FATHER'S DAY MEMORY...

06/18/17  A FATHER'S DAY MEMORY...

Longggggg time ago (in the 60's) my dad hired out as mate to a private boat, which docked at The Morehead City Yacht Basin. The boat was a nice boat, but it was really slow.

The owner took the boat offshore fishing one day, but there was a strong southerly current. The captain was not very good at his job, and as a result he lost his bearings and when he got back to the sight of land, after dark, he did not know that he had drifted about 25 miles south of his home port. He wanted to go into this strange port, but daddy convinced him that it could be very dangerous. As it turned out, daddy was right, of course. The radio on the boat had stopped working and they could not contact anyone. Daddy told the captain that they should just drop anchor and wait until morning, since the weather was good.

Obviously our family became concerned when daddy did not get back to Morehead. We called the Coast Guard and they sent a search plane from Elizabeth City to search our coastal area. The plane searched all the way past Swansboro. As it turned out, the boat was anchored off of Bogue Inlet. Daddy, having been a signalman in the US Navy was able to send signals and then semaphore messages early the next morning, but no one responded to their call for help. Actually, the plane flew right over them, but never saw his signal light.

Our family was up all night waiting for news. I had received a marine band radio one Christmas and I monitored the CG calls most of the night. I also sought God in prayer. We never got any good news from the CG, but God showed me that He was taking care of daddy and the boat. I told that to my family. I am not sure that they were terribly impressed with my "religious" view. Still, I knew that daddy was going to be fine.

The next morning daddy was able to communicate with a fishing boat and get definite info on their location. He also asked them to radio the CG to notify his family that they were safe. We got word and waited eagerly for his return to shore.

It was a harrowing night for the family. And it was also agonizing for me, to think that I had lost my dad at sea. Of course, Divine comfort quelled my fears and sustained me. It was terrible to be separated, but it was good to know that we would be reunited.

There are fathers today who are lost in a sea of self orientation, detached from the moorings of God and unaware of their dangerous location. There are children and other loved ones who are watching through the night of sin as fathers drift further and further from the shore of safety.

God knows where the lost are located. God can reach the lost. God can save the lost. But those who are lost in sin, separated from God and His people are not trying to reach the harbor of hope. They have set their course by faulty information and have refused to cry out in repentance. There is no promise that they will turn their eyes upon Jesus. We have the hope that God will reach out to them, but they still need to come to Christ.

I was blessed to have my dad return from a night, "lost at sea." I am hoping he was on the right course when he weighed anchor from this world and passed away. I look forward to seeing him on heaven's shore some day. Until then,
I miss you daddy,
I love you daddy.

06/17/17 EVERYTHING IS DARK

06/17/17 EVERYTHING IS DARK

Most of us have seen movies or TV programs, such as those with western, crime or war themes, which depicted a person who was dying from a gunshot wound. But before the victim died, he said that he felt cold (due to the loss of blood) and that everything was going dark.

There is a spiritual application to these natural phenomena. A saved person who turns back to sin is not being covered spiritually with the blood of Christ. This person becomes cold, not physically, but relationally, spiritually. The life of Christ is not active in them and they lose the warmth of love and comfort that accompanies salvation.

In a similar way, the person who has sinned is in the first steps of spiritual death, and they become blind to the truths and presence of God. Remember, God is light, Jesus is the light of the world, God's word is a light unto our path. When we move away from God and His word, we move into darkness.

Be sure to stay vitally connected to Christ, since He is our life. When we allow sin to separate us from God we will grow cold and blind. These are spiritual symptoms and markers that help us realize our lost condition. When these symptoms begin to manifest themselves, it is good to find out what it is that brought about such spiritual losses, and then REPENT of your sin.

A dying person cannot restore his/her body temperature to normal, nor are they able to restore vision to sightless eyes. However, when a believer senses or realizes that his spiritual warmth and sight are beginning to fail, they can call on Christ and He will restore their life and vision.

06/17/17 THE GUEST BECOMES THE RULER

06/17/17 THE GUEST BECOMES THE RULER

The ultimate danger in letting sin into your life is losing your life to sin.

06/16/17 NO REBELLION ALLOWED

06/16/17 NO REBELLION ALLOWED

A right relationship with God requires His children to align with Him and His will. It is impossible to be in a right relationship with God when we resist or reject the rule of God in our lives.

Of course, there is a popular religion that says obedience to God does not matter. It is really old. It started in the Garden and was the revelation of a spirit.
Genesis 3:4
(4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

06/15/17 DON'T BE A HAM

06/15/17 DON'T BE A HAM

I don't think Noah got drunk on purpose, but I don't know for certain, so I cannot say either way.
I don't know of a Biblical passage that accuses Noah of deliberate drunkenness.
It has been suggested that the wine fermented due to either the environmental changes that took place because of the flood or because of the stored grape juice. It was Noah's first involvement with raising grapes and there is no mention of intoxicating wine before this time. STILL, I DON'T KNOW THE WHY.
I do know that he got drunk.

I don't know that he ever got drunk before or after that one time.
I don't know of a passage that either blames or accuses Noah of being a drunkard.
Of course, it is easy to attack Noah, since he is not able to explain or defend himself. It is easy to use Noah as a poster child against having desire for strong drink, but such an attack is based on a false narrative and is unkind.
Even if Noah got drunk on purpose (total speculation, devoid of evidence) then it is also possible (and probable) that Noah repented.
I am not excusing or accusing Noah of anything. I am simply saying that he did get drunk.

In fact, Noah's drunken state is not the actual focal point of the account. It was the attitude and actions of his sons that were important.
One son, Ham, demonstrated his own disrespect and disregard for his father by making a mockery of his father. The other two sons, Shem and Japheth, displayed their respect and concern and love for their father by covering him during his time of vulnerability and embarrassment. One son robbed his father of dignity and the other two sought to save his dignity. I can only guess that Ham may have been bitter and may have retold the event in somewhat of a different way than it actually took place, in the years that followed this event and the curse that fell on Ham and his children.

The fact that Shem and Japheth did the honorable thing does not prove that they were in a right relationship with God. There are untold millions of unsaved people who do not hold their parents up to open ridicule or smear the name of their loving parents. In fact, some folks would never think of demeaning their parents, regardless of how vile the parents have been.

If great numbers of sinners refuse to belittle their parents (publically or privately) then it is obvious that a loving, spiritual person would not do such a thing.
Don't forget, whatever you say on the internet that hurts the reputation of another person (whether based in truth or not) is there to stay.
Don't forget, if someone has done wrong, and then sought God's forgiveness (whether once or a multitude of times) then it is under the blood and is not to be used against them.
Don't forget, Christians often know truly dark things about other people (relatives and otherwise) and they have never said anything that would hurt those people or their families.
Don't forget, as ministers (preachers or otherwise) of the gospel, we consider the confidential knowledge of other people's failures as a sacred trust, and we should never put them to an open shame.
Don't forget, love covers a multitude of sins. Love will not only protect another person after they have sinned (and especially if they have taken steps of reconciliation), it will keep us from doing the unChristian thing of gossipping and accusing and attacking the children of God.

I would imagine that any retelling of this event would cause Noah to suffer great heartache.
Heartache because he was compromised by strong drink (for which he would have already sought God's favor).
Heartache because his own son mocked him.
Heartache because his friends and others gave credit to a false narrative.
Heartache because his testimony and representation of the true and living God had been besmirched by a cold and callous person.

DON'T BE A HAM.