09/29/17 SHARING THE CHRIST

09/29/17 SHARING THE CHRIST

12/26/12 NOT EVERYONE SEES IT RIGHT AWAY

I have used this image to share the gospel and to address the fact that not all people come to an understanding of the gospel in the same way. I hope you enjoy MY COMMENT in the box below, and maybe you can use this to share with friends, especially those who don't "see" the truth of Christ.

Do you see the supposed "image of Christ" in this picture?



NOT EVERYONE SEES IT RIGHT AWAY.

This picture started circulating in the 1950's. I first saw it in the 1960's. I won't tell the story behind the picture, but the image of Jesus can be perceived in the shadowy image.

Obviously it is just a perceived image of Christ, at least as He is usually depicted in Christian art. Don't worry about the accuracy. That is not the point of this post.

I have asked individuals and groups if they could see the image. Some people see it immediately, while some see it eventually, and some never see it. I use this as an object lesson. Even though the same information is made available to a group of people, different people respond to the picture in various ways, just as different people respond to the true revelation of the true Christ.

I have posted it on a chalk board at the front of the sanctuary, then asked if anyone could see the image. Since some folks do not see the image immediately, I proceed to bring a gospel message and point out that some people take more time to come to spiritual insight, just as it takes more time for some people to come to visual comprehension of this picture. I tell the people in the congregation to raise their hands or speak out when they finally see the image, even if I am preaching.

As I have preached, people throughout the congregation begin to see the image and they excitedly respond, some to the point of jumping up and shouting it out. Those who do not see it become frustrated and some even deny that there is an image to be seen. They accuse those who claim to see it, of pranking them. Some people actually become agitated.

This is just a picture, which I use as a tool. Obviously spiritual understanding is not attained or obtained in the same way as "seeing" this picture. But people respond to the idea of faith in a similar way. If they cannot see it, they deny it, for themselves and everyone else.

Once I saw the image, I could always see the image from that point on. There are several good lessons in this presentation.

09/29/17 WE HELP WRITE THE ENDING

09/29/17 WE HELP WRITE THE ENDING

I wrote this almost five years ago. I post it again today because the problem still exists and the victory is still possible, but the total loss looms larger every day. PLEASE READ AND HEED

12/19/12 YOU HELP WRITE THE ENDING

If you don't like emotion, and/or you don't like to see an old man cry, don't read my comment below.
I Hope this Helps...

I usually watch the news while eating my breakfast, but this morning I tuned into a rerun of Boy Meets World; the one where Corey is losing his closest friends for the summer and his older brother (Eric) is going to travel across country before going to college.

The problem, Eric has always been too cool and too removed from Corey (three years Eric's junior) to actually be close to him, to be his friend, or to simply get to know him. This really bothered me. I have seen this happen in real life, and responded with shocked incredulity as God's plan for closest friends (siblings) deteriorated because one of them (regardless of their position in the sibling order) either ignored or verbally abused his/her siblings. A self centered person can run roughshod over other people, robbing them of something beautiful, then walk away, callously blaming the offended one for being too sensitive. I have watched as the offended family members reached out to the offender, only to be ignored or rebuffed, again and again.

I was raised as an only child. I cannot tell you how many times I would have loved to have had a brother. I would watch with admiration as some of my friends enjoyed their closeness with siblings and then wonder with amazement when I saw others treat their siblings with disdain or simply ignore them.

I have seen children raised in loving Christian households become enemies, and conversely, I have seen the children of non believers, alcoholics, abusers, who grew into loving, considerate, sensitive adults.

The episode ended with Corey and Eric finally connecting and starting a meaningful relationship. Sometimes Hollywood gets it right while the real world misses it completely.
And yes, I did sit and cry as I watched the sadness of broken relationships, and
I cried again as I watched Hollywood's version of reconciliation.
I cry because there is so much brokenness and
I cry because so many people choose not to take self denying steps to reconcile with those they have offended.
I cry because God's will is thwarted by pride.
I cry because entire lifetimes and endless generations are broken and un-restored.
I cry because time runs out, leaving a trail of unresolved conflicts.

Yes, there is still hope for messed up relationships, but the longer it takes to restore those relationships, the more pain and loss there will be, and the harder it will be to reconcile.

Christ suffered humiliation and loss in order to reconcile us to God, and He was not guilty of anything.

Too bad that those who have hurt other people and have broken their relationship with others will not humble themselves and take the hard steps of reconciliation.

(please think on these things)

Psalms 133:1
(1) ...Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

John 13:34-35
(34) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
(35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 17:20-22
(20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
(21) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
(22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

1 Corinthians 1:10
(10) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:1-3
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
(3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Philippians 2:2-8
(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.
(5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
(6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
(8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

1 Peter 3:8-11
(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.

09/28/17 BE DILIGENT AND VIGILENT

09/28/17 BE DILIGENT AND VIGILENT

REMEMBER, we must not allow anything or anyone to wreck our relationship with God, but we must also make sure that we do not allow anything or anyone to keep us from loving those who are in need of redemption, regardless of how much they have hurt us.

We are God's ambassadors to the these people.

DO NOT FAIL THEM OR THEIR FAMILIES.

09/28/17 KEVIN MILES AND ME

09/28/17 KEVIN MILES AND ME
Here are a couple of short posts from December of 2012. I hope it helps you.

12/01/12 and 12/03/12
KEVIN MILES AND ME

On 12/01 I posted the following statement.
I wonder if Kevin ever got tired of being Miles? I know I do.

I realized that most people might not know the identity of Kevin Miles, therefore it was a teaser. But I added that I get tired. I came back two days later and explained this post.

12/03/ I posted this.
Kevin was, actor Kevin McCarthy: Miles was character Miles Bennell, in the 1956 movie, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."

So, the questions was, "I wonder if Kevin ever got tired of being Miles?"

Miles was the only voice of reason at the end of the movie. He was crying out, screaming a warning, only to be thought of as a raving lunatic, a drunk. No matter what he did, the people walked blindly into the very destruction, of which he warned them.

Though Miles was only a fictitious character, we see this in the real lives of Noah, Isaiah and the other O. T. prophets of God. 

It was also seen in the life of Jesus, as He wanted to protect Israel, but they rejected Him.

Sometimes I feel like Miles, crying aloud, only to be despised and rejected, but then again, that goes with being a servant of God.

09/25/17 ME NEITHER TOO

09/25/17 ME NEITHER TOO

Do you remember the Americans in the 60's shot while escaping to Socialism?

Me neither too.

09/25/17 WISH I HAD BEEN WRONG

09/25/17 WISH I HAD BEEN WRONG

Sitting at breakfast, thinking how blessed I am by being in America. Our country has made mistakes but it was always head and shoulders above the best of the rest.

I remember watching the news, during the 60s, as people tried to escape Communism/Socialism, hoping to reach the freedom of the West.

They were sometimes captured, taken to jail, tortured or disappeared.

They were sometimes shot as they made a mad dash through an open field, trying to reach the protection of the Free World.

They were sometimes shot as they climbed walls, barriers, barricades designed to keep people within the clutches of an oppressive regime.

They were sometimes shot as they got caught in the Barbed Wire or Concertina Wire, which separated freedom from Communism/Socialism.

I remember in high school I was amazed that the poison of Communism and Socialism had reached so many in that day of political unrest and upheaval, causing riots and bombings of schools, police stations, government buildings. Yet, as a Christian, I knew it would get worse, no matter how mindless it was.

I wish I had been wrong.

09/24/17 WOW, just, WOW.

09/24/17 WOW, just, WOW.

Americans

without Jesus,

without Bible,

without self control,

without common sense,

without basic tolerance

are losing what little grip they had on reality.

It is just too absurd to address.

People are on a mission to destroy their own selves. The smell of blood has sent these cannibals into a frenzy that will not stop until they have devoured everything in sight.

Long Harbored

anger,

hatred,

jealousy,

resentment and

futility

Has Overthrown

civility,

law and order,

justice.

Mob mentality has moved from the streets

to the schools,

to the ball fields,

to the State Houses.

And, Yeppir, you know that I am going to tell you that a proper view and relationship with Jesus Christ would have saved us from this insanity. Even when Christians don't agree, real Christians do not turn to violence. Remember, love covers a multitude of sins.

Unhappily, if there is not love on both sides, the beastly sort will revert to wicked actions. Have at it.

Someone is coming back who will sort this whole thing out, His way.

09/24/17 WHAT SHAPES YOU?

09/24/17 WHAT SHAPES YOU?

I took this from a post I made on 11/09/12

DON'T BE SHAPED BY WORLDLY PRESSURES
When you wave the wand around (regardless of its shape), the bubbles form spheres of various sizes. This is because there is equal pressure all around the bubble. As the pressure changes, the bubble responds by submitting, or it collapses completely.

Unhappily, some Christians do the same. The pressure can be either fear or desire, but it often changes the person.

PROTECTION

The abiding presence, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowers us to not be conformed to this present world or to be tossed by every wind of doctrine.

Walking, living in the Spirit is the way of victory.

Romans 12:1-2
(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

09/24/17 LOOK, LISTEN, LEARN

09/24/17 LOOK, LISTEN, LEARN

In the Old Testament,

God allowed rebellious people to be invaded and ruled by oppressive enemies.

LOOK, LISTEN, LEARN.

09/23/17 DOUBLE STANDARD

09/23/17 DOUBLE STANDARD

HMMM?
THOSE WHO RANT ABOUT
HATRED,
DISCRIMINATION,
RACISM,
ARE OFTEN JEW HATERS.

09/23/17 MISTAKES ARE ONE THING, BUT...

09/23/17 MISTAKES ARE ONE THING, BUT...

Silly Donald. He thinks Nambia is a country, but it is really one of the 57 States.

My point is, ANYONE CAN MAKE A MISTAKE. Sometimes we even repeat our mistakes. Consider the two terms of BHO.

OKAY, mistakes are mistakes.

But when people fault Trump, don't forget,

Obama

WILLINGLY,

KNOWINGLY AND

AGGRESSIVELY

promoted the BEHEADING OF THE PRE-BORN,

betrayed Israel,

supported Black terrorist organizations at home and abroad,

ridiculed the Holy Bible,

promoted Islamic States, Isis and Socialism.

And this is just the surface of the destruction, known as the Obama Administration.

09/23/17 HEY, "PATRIOTIC" SNOWFLAKES

09/23/17 HEY, "PATRIOTIC" SNOWFLAKES,

You freak when the rule of Jesus is mentioned.

NO, I am not a Liberal, and Yes, I do love and honor America and I do have a problem with those who resist legitimate civil authority and national defense and those who promote Socialism and those who undermine family values.

BUT, so many of those who see themselves as conservative and loyal Americans go nuts when the Bible is mentioned, or the rule and law of God is mentioned, or the standards of holiness are mentioned, or the coming judgment and eternal punishment are mentioned.

THINK ABOUT IT... People get upset over anarchy or upheaval in this present social and political setting (and well they should), but they LEAD THE CHARGE AGAINST GOD'S RULE IN SOCIETY AND THEIR OWN LIVES by rejecting the authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Christ. Then they attack Christians in the same way that Liberals attack conservatives.

The Bible teaches that any resistance to God's rule is anarchy and will be judged by Him. It is evil to choose anarchy of any kind.
Submission to Christ and His word is not anarchy, no matter who it offends.

Loyalty to any rule, in order to be completely legitimate, must honor the Holy God of the Holy Bible.

09/23/17 I STILL DON'T IDENTIFY AS A CALVINIST

09/23/17 I STILL DON'T IDENTIFY AS A CALVINIST

My alma mater seems to be caught up in the current plague of "identity crises" that is sweeping America.

John Wesley Bible College (an unashamed Wesleyan/Arminian Bible college) changed its name to Laurel University (I know, pretty strange), but then quickly changed its name again, to John Wesley University (I know, pretty weird).

Now it is merging with a Calvinistic school but at the present time it is known as John Wesley University. (I know, WAY TOO WEIRD). Like I said, the identity crises has really hit this school. I will not be surprised when they change the name to Wesley Calvin University, or Calvin Wesley University, or John Squared University.

Well, I am not having an identity crises, either personally (though there are many who think my identity is a crises), or theologically/doctrinally. My view of Scripture is still unashamedly Wesleyan Arminian.

No matter what changes by my alma mater, I still believe the Bible rather than man made theology or doctrine.

I still do not believe the false teaching that the sovereignty of God precludes the free will of man, since God Himself actually designed free will and made it part of the human condition.

I still do not believe the false teaching that God cannot, or that God does not enable each fallen person to freely choose to do evil or to do good, to either receive or reject the light that He gives them concerning salvation. Otherwise there is no personal guilt and therefore there is no Biblically just judgment of sinners. We freely decide to sin, but more importantly, we freely decide to accept or reject God's call.

I still do not believe the false teaching that God saves a person without that person first believing, repenting, confessing and following Jesus. There are conditions that God requires for a person to be saved and there are changes that follow those conditions. There are two sides to salvation, the Divine and the human. God is the Author and Initiator and the Implementer of salvation. Man can never do the Divine part and man cannot dictates the conditions of salvation. However, God enables man to respond to Divine requirements, and God will not do for us that which He requires from us. We must believe, we must repent, we must confess and we must follow. To refuse to obey is to reject salvation and God does not force salvation on anyone.

I still do not believe the false teaching that Christ did not die for the sins of the whole world, that God did not love the whole world, that God wants anyone to perish. I do not believe that God chose, before the foundation of the world, who He would save and chose to leave the others in their sins with no chance of salvation. AND I CERTAINLY do not believe any such heresy that God chose to damn some people and leave them without any hope, FOR HIS OWN GLORY. God does work all things together for good to those who love Him and God does have a plan that will be fulfilled, but God did not choose some people to be left in sin with no provision of salvation.

I still do not believe the false teaching that God saves people who want to live in sin and who refuse to believe, repent, confess and follow Jesus. I do not believe that God forces salvation on anyone, anymore than I believe that God, by fiat, withholds salvation from anyone.

I still do not believe the false teaching that once a person has been saved that they are eternally secure, regardless of what they do or believe.

I refute all of these unBiblical and damnable heresies. They do not glorify God and they do not further the cause of Christ and they offer false hope and they bring division and they lead away from godliness. I have friends that believe these false doctrines, but that does not change the error of Calvinism and Reformed Theology.

I love my friends who are in error concerning these issues but I do not think for a moment that there is truth on both sides of these issues. While we may say that no one has a monopoly on the truth or a perfect understanding of all truth, we can say that these teachings of Calvinism and Reformed Theology are definitely wrong.

My alma mater may be going through an identity crises, but I ain't going with them.

09/22/17 NO MISTAKE HERE

09/22/17 NO MISTAKE HERE

THE END OF THIS WORLD TAKES PLACE TOMORROW. (at least for some folks, maybe you).

09/22/17 OBVIOUS IS OBSCURE

09/22/17 OBVIOUS IS OBSCURE

If we're not looking to Jesus,

Even the obvious is obscure.

09/21/17 STEPS TO FAILURE

09/21/17 STEPS TO FAILURE

Steps that lead to destroying the people who do not follow the haters of truth include...

DESTROYING historical markers that acknowledge the events and or people related to the despised belief or behavior.

DESTROYING and or rewriting the history related to the despised belief or behavior.

SILENCING (through intimidation and or punishment) those who espouse the despised belief or behavior.

KILLING those who espouse the despised belief or behavior.

Like it or not, the present day attack on Southern heritage and history, even if it comes in the guise of hating slavery, was a test balloon.

It is helping prepare people for the day that they can attack and kill Christians without compunction.

Not only is it happening now, it is accelerating. First is the social stigma and persecution, then comes the legal or governmental attacks.

Laugh if you choose, but raving Liberals who decry any resistance to Islam and any suffering of mud minnows will be glad to rid the world of Christian vermin, like me and you.

Oh, and by the way, they will seek to destroy our children first.

Of course, America is crawling with loud mouthed, gun toting "protectors" of motherhood, Old Glory, family values and " the American way of life." (I am not even sure that squirrels or deer need to fear these "patriots," much less should the enemies of decency and Christianity).

I think I will just follow and trust Jesus. It may be tough for a while, but His justice and His reign are certain.

09/20/17 (virtual) MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

09/20/17 (virtual) MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

Almost five years ago I sent out a "virtual message in a bottle" through my FB account. Here is a copy of that post. I hope you read the explanation. I realize it is a little strange, but then again, look who wrote it. (ME 😎). I am reposting it because I just re-read it and it still sounds like a good idea. After this one, maybe I will send out more virtual messages in bottles. Here is my re-post.

10/06/12 MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE...

A message in a bottle is a note, placed in a sealed bottle and thrown overboard, in hope that someone will find the message. This is an internet message in a bottle.

Message... I love you.
I miss you.
I want the best for you.
I want to hear from you.
Love,
Signed... (you know who I am).

EXPLANATION
I was actually saying that the MESSAGE is from me, but I wear various hats. I am a husband, a father, a grandfather, an in-law, uncle, cousin, nephew, pastor, friend. So, the message was for someone who would call me by one of those titles.

The message is open, but the relationship is private. This virtual MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE was directed to someone I love, someone I miss, someone I want to hear from. They may or may not realize it is them, but that is the way it goes with messages in bottles. Sometimes they are discovered and sometimes they just drift in the currents of life or wash up on a deserted island.

My MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE is impersonal, in that it does not say anything specific, or implicate a certain person. It is really very general.... except for the person who finds it wash up on their beach. Hopefully they will hear the depth of concern and respond.

Maybe a "MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE" is not a bad way to send out our love to people. You may say, "Why not just tell them?" Well, we do tell them, but for various reasons, they don't always get the message. Just like a message in a bottle, it is like a desperate, maybe final, attempt to reach someone.

09/19/17 SABOTAGE

09/19/17 SABOTAGE 

IF IT UNDERMINES THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE, IT ENSLAVES THE MIND.

09/19/17 REALLY IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ AND HEED

09/19/17 REALLY IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ AND HEED
(There is a plague of brokenness in our society, and very few healers. In fact, very few who are crying out against those who profess salvation, but refuse to be the peacemakers.)

How many broken relationships would be mended if the professed believers would live by the directives of Jesus to not judge one another? He clearly said that any judgment we render should be consistent with the facts of our own lives. We cannot condemn in others, what we allow in ourselves. A double standard of judgment is the same as being a false witness. When we are judging others, it is essential to get godly counsel from spiritual people to establish the justice and love and honesty of the situation.

The story of Jesus telling the people who were about to execute the woman taken in adultery illustrates the wisdom of Jesus here. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. Don't miss the point, such judgment is a sentence of death. Also don't miss the thought that our words can be the stones that kill others.

The biggest difference in the illustration of the woman taken in adultery is that it was the woman who was about to die. When we judge others with prejudice or anger or self righteousness, we are condemning everyone involved in the situation to suffer death in some form.

Jesus did say that we need to make sure that we are fit to judge. If we fault someone and condemn their whole family for the same kind of thing that others see in us, then we are in error, as much as the person we are condemning.

God told Paul that judging others in this fashion will bring us into the same judgment. Let me point out, sometimes the judgment that we incur falls upon our house, our family, our children our grandchildren.

While there are rare occasions for people to withdraw from other people, there is never any reason to be unkind, unloving, insensitive, irreconcilable. Though children will not be condemned for the sins of their parents, children often suffer for the sins of their parents. Don't heap suffering on the children. God will not hold us guiltless if we harm children.

Children (of all ages) should seek the wisdom of spiritual leaders (pastors, parents, mature believers) concerning the legitimacy of withholding the offer of reconciliation from someone.

PLEASE, BE THE RECONCILER. IT IS WORTH THE COST. REMEMBER THE COST OF OUR RECONCILIATION TO GOD WAS THE TORTURE, PAIN, SCANDAL AND DEATH OF JESUS.

DON'T SKIP PAST THE DIVINE WITNESS AND WISDOM OF THESE PASSAGES. READ WITH HUMILITY, COMPASSION, SUBMISSION.

Matthew 5:23-26
(23) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
(24) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
(25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
(26) Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Matthew 7:1-5
(1) Judge not, that ye be not judged.
(2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
(3) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
(4) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
(5) Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Matthew 18:21-22
(21) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
(22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Mark 11:25-26
(25) And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
(26) But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Luke 6:37-42
(37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
(38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
(39) And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
(40) The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
(41) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
(42) Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Romans 2:1-3
(1) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
(2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

09/18/17 YOUR POINT OF SURRENDER AND FAITH

09/18/17 YOUR POINT OF SURRENDER AND FAITH

When God sends revival to you, it will not have to be through scheduled services or

weekly meetings or

organized gatherings.

He will meet you at the point of your surrender and faith, and
He will pour His glory into your frail earthen vessel.
He will ignite your soul with heavenly fire, Divine love, self effacing humility.
He will let you stand at the door of eternal dismay, crying out to reach the people who have resisted, rejected and ridiculed you.

It will happen at the point of your surrender and faith.

Sadly, very few people will ever find themselves at, or will allow themselves to reach that point.

09/18/17 SET MY SOUL AFIRE

09/18/17 SET MY SOUL AFIRE

HAVE YOU EVER...
Attended a concert, and then stayed a little longer because you could meet and talk to the members of the band?
Attended a sporting event, and after the game you hung out near the locker room exit, hoping to see your favorite players and possibly get them to sign a ball, or bat or shirt?
Attended a church event, and then approached the preacher or teacher or speaker, intending to greet them and have them sign your Bible?

BUT HAVE YOU EVER...
Experienced the presence of God so powerfully or personally during a service that you could not wait to get to the altar just to commune with God and surrender yourself anew, even if there is no altar call taking place?

OR HAVE YOU EVER...
Been so overwhelmed with love for an estranged lost loved one during a service that you melted before God and you humbly approached that person, in brokenness, trying to bridge the gap of separation that would one day result in eternal separation in hell?

It would be easy to blame the preacher for not bringing the fire, but the fact is, the personal encounter with God could take place regardless of the dynamics of the preacher. It is not the dynamics of the preacher that results in miraculous, humbling, compassion. It is the willingness and hunger within the parishioner that bursts into incendiary love and unrestrained reconciliation.

DON'T MAKE IT NEVER
If you don't believe this is reality, you are right. It is not and it will not be a reality in your life.

BUT IF YOU BELIEVE that God wants to do this in your life and you want to be an instrument of love, grace, mercy, humility and salvation, then one day, it might happen.

OH DEAR GOD, LET YOUR FIRE FALL ON ME.

09/18/17 ONLY ONE PERFECT MAN, YEP

09/18/17 ONLY ONE PERFECT MAN, YEP

When I talk about a Christian living without sin, people usually refer to Jesus, as a supposed argument against salvation from sin,
"There has only been one perfect man."

I think I have a new response.

Yes, and there was only one Holy Spirit conceived Man.
Yes, there was only one virgin born Man.
Yes, there was only one absolutely sinless Man.
Yes, there was only one self resurrected Man.
Yes, there was only one God-Man.

And that very same Man died and rose again
so that we would be forgiven (Ac. 26:18),
so that we would be purified (Ac. 15:9) and
so that we would be empowered (Ac. 1:8) and
so that we would walk in newness of life (Ro. 6:4) and
so that we would walk in the Spirit rather than in the flesh (Ga. 5:16).

And that very same Man died and rose again
so that His people would be set free from Satan, sin and self in order to joyously keep the commandments of God (1 Jn. 5:2-3),
so that His people would become partakers of Divine Nature (2 Pe. 1:4) and would be conformed to His image (Ro. 8:29).

And that same Man sent the Holy Spirit so that His people would,
love one another from a pure heart (1 Pe. 1:22),
keep his commandments and do that which is pleasing in His sight (1 Jn. 3:22),
walk in the light, as He is in the light (1 Jn. 1:7),
love one another with a perfect love, as our Father loves us with a perfect love (Mt. 5:44-48),
follow in His steps and do no sin (1 Pe. 2:21-22).

And the list goes on.

09/18/17 THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT HOLINESS

09/18/17 THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT HOLINESS

Here is the quote from Ravi Zacharias, which I wanted to share in my message.
"Jesus does not offer to make bad people good, but to make dead people alive."

SAY WHAT???

dlg response
"Yes" to the last part, but you have to throw away your Bible to say that Jesus does not offer to make bad people good. In fact,
He makes wicked people righteous,
He makes evil people holy,
He makes sinful people pure.

Not only does He make "bad people good" (righteous, holy, pure), He saves us from sin, which is the very cause of death. Believers are alive from the dead because
we are not dead in our sins and trespasses, and
sin, when it is finished, brings forth death, and
the wages of sin is death.

In fact, the verse just before Romans 3:23 (the wages of sin is death), says
Romans 6:22
(22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

09/17/17 CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

09/17/17 CAN YOU  BELIEVE IT?

While we were not looking, someone put this verse in the Bible.
Titus 1:16
(16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

This makes it sound like a person who does not do good works or a person who does evil works DOES NOT KNOW GOD and that they are actually lost. It also makes it look as if those who disobey God are unsaved.

You might want to check your Bible to see how it changes the message of God and salvation.

You have to be careful. No telling what strange doctrines get introduced as God's word.

09/16/17 SABER RATTLING

09/16/17 SABER RATTLING

Through the last several decades I have exposed and addressed the problem of Secular Humanism taking over the Public School systems of America. I have documented and warned Christians, churches, parents, educators and churchmen about the attack on our children and our faith. Throughout these decades I have had Christian parents, pastors, educators tell me how alarmist I was and how I was wrong. Usually they argue, "Our school is different." I could address this lie, but I have other fish to fry.

Even today there are Christian parents, pastors, educators and churchmen who will defend the totally corrupt, anti-family, anti-Bible, anti-Christian, anti-Christ, pro Socialist, pro Atheist brainwashing system, called Public Education (properly called Public Schooling, State and Humanistic Indoctrination). We live in a society that has been mentally and spiritually and socially and morally raped and made captive to the most outrageous concepts and behavior.

Through the years I have listened to "good ole boys" brag about how they would not allow various things to happen. They bragged about taking action, even armed resistance, if the Government ever tried to push that agenda on them. DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH. I told them at that time that they would do nothing and look where we are now. THEY DID NOTHING. (The real tragedy is that the wielders of the Sword of the Spirit also did nothing).

I am not advocating violent resistance by Christians. I am simply pointing out that those who cry PATRIOT have lined up with, and bowed down to the the wicked State at every juncture. I never said I would take up the sword of steel, because I know that Christians are not called to fight with carnal weapons. However, I did say I would stand and fight with the word of God and not simply rattle my saber.

When Christians had the opportunity to speak up for prayer, for the Bible, for the unborn, for sexual purity, for social decency, for family values, for all things moral, Christians shifted with the tide and gun toters hid behind the NRA, but allowed every kind of wickedness to run over them.

Now look at our society. IT AIN'T COMING BACK. But that does not change the responsibility of Christians to HOLD THE FORT. Remember, Noah did not win the world, but he did get his family through the CATACLYSMIC DELUGE. If you are late on building your ark, YOU BETTER GET BUSY NOW, 'CAUSE THERE IS A BLOW COMING THAT YOU CANNOT STOP.

09/16/17 ARGUMENTATIVE?

09/16/17 ARGUMENTATIVE?

As I have been reworking and republishing my earlier articles, I am reminded that sometimes people have said that I seem to "want to start an argument."

My observation has been that when I say things that other people like or agree with, then I am not starting an argument. Isn't that strange? hehehe

Also, I don't really argue about the best color for eyeshadow or the best Tiddely Winks players or any other issue that is simply a matter of personal preference, even if it is a matter of national debate.

Some folks know everything about everything and they are not satisfied until they tell you why you are wrong. It is as if they have no reason to live, except to live your life for you. NOW, that is the person who is trying to start arguments.

I address and take a position on issues that have Biblical importance. I preach and teach that Christians should not try to be the Holy Spirit to other people or try to guide their every step or judge their every movement.

However, when people do not agree with my position they want to reduce my observations to the rantings of a mad man. To be honest, sometimes a person does not even understand my point of view because they are so blinded by the errors of their own gurus.

My point is this. If we don't address any of the hot button topics (Biblically speaking) of the day then we are allowing our society to skip mindlessly into hell. We need to be clear in our understanding about the vital issues of life. Remember,
In essentials, Unity.
In non-essential, Liberty.
In all things, Love.

We must speak the truth in love.
Yes, even if you speak the truth, it will be called error by someone.
Yes, even if you speak in love, it will be viewed as pride, arrogance, judgmentalism.

It is not always easy to walk this tightrope. Sometimes we should not even try, and sometimes we just have to throw the lifeline and not take it personally when others curse us for caring.

09/15/17 THE MOST EXACT SCIENCE

09/15/17 THE MOST EXACT SCIENCE

I remember talking to a popular local medical doctor in Morehead, back in the 80's. As I shared the claims of Christ with him, he resisted as if I was attacking his own deity, and he explained that he was a man of science.

I told him that I was also a man of science, since I was a student and teacher of Theology.

He looked at me as if I had jumped a track.

I explained to him that "theology is the study of God," and it had actually been called the "Queen of Sciences" since it is the most exacting of sciences. This is true because it is based on the inerrant word of God.

I could tell he was not impressed (because he actually scoffed my assertion).

I then said that Theology (the true study of God) is actually more exacting than medicine.

Oh boy. I found his "touchy button." At this point he was walking away, at least in his mind.

I pointed out that there are many things in medicine which are unknown and that medicine is constantly changing, but Theology, the study of God from the Holy Bible tells us everything that is necessary to heal the spiritual ailments of all men and it is not a changing discipline.

I also pointed out that if a person applies the prescribed treatment of God's revelation, then they are guaranteed the healing of their spiritual problem, However, the body is not always responsive to medical treatment, and in the end, all patients die, even if they follow medical treatment. On the other hand, the intent of salvation is eternal life and therefore a believer is certain to live forever.

I don't think I convinced him that day. I hope someone else told him the truth later, so that he would become a believer.

09/14/17 WHY THE FANATICISM?

09/14/17 WHY THE FANATICISM?

I have often wondered how Liberals, Progressives become so convinced of that which is contrary to fact and common sense, such as the current confusion concerning gender identification.

It is because Liberals saturate themselves in the concepts and culture of Liberalism. They have been trained, educated and socialized in the Liberal mindset.

Their heroes, their mentors, their authorities, their information sources are all Liberal.

Their causes, their supporters, their cohorts are all Liberal.

The common bond is a rejection of Biblical revelation and Divine authority. They have accepted, as authoritative, the views of those who reject the rule of God in their lives. Even those who want to be Biblical have exchanged the authority of God and His word for political, economic, racial, academic authority.

This is why BHO, the champion of murdering babies by beheading is considered to be a hero among great numbers of black Christians. They have allowed the racial, political and economic influence of the godless far left to replace the authority of the Scriptures. It does not matter that he mocked the Bible, Christianity, Christ, sanctity of life and sanctity of marriage, Christian values and racial unity. Solidarity with BHO was more important than standing together with Bible believers. It prevented them from speaking against, voting against a man who was leading America away from Christian, Biblical values and into a hodge podge of Islam, Liberal, Sodomite, Gender bender, Feminist, Humanistic error.

Liberalism is a battle for the mind and soul, and those who do not want to become captive to the Holy God of the Holy Bible choose to be enslaved to the various enemies of the cross. Basically, any port in a storm, to avoid the wind of change emanating from Jesus Christ.

These folks have been lured into the clutches of Liberalism, but then they became saturated. This saturation makes it almost impossible for them to listen to, or consider, the claims of Christ on their lives. Their initial rejection of Divine authority is pampered and fed until it becomes the driving force in their lives. They are on a mission to destroy that which is the greatest threat to their world view, and the greatest threat is God and His word.

09/14/17 VERY SCARY

09/14/17 VERY SCARY

When you shut out loving, Biblical preaching, you shut out God.

Preaching, counsel, teaching from the Holy Spirit DEMANDS our
UNDIVIDED ATTENTION and
TOTAL COMMITMENT and
BEST EFFORT.


Without this kind of response a person is a mockery to truth, salvation, the church and God.

Satan cherishes the hypocrite, since he/she does untold damage.

09/13/17 JUST LIVE WITH IT

09/13/17 JUST LIVE WITH IT
You might like this, from about 5 years ago.

I want to share a story with you about something that happened in our church some time in the past. I have left out some names because I am addressing a principle and not a personality. Since this was shared openly with the entire congregation, I am not sharing a confidence.

JUST LIVE WITH IT...
During services I give opportunity for people to share what is on their hearts, such as praise, prayer, questions, exhortations.

God spoke clearly and definitely to a visitor concerning a situation in his life. The visitor said he had opened his home and life to a young man, who in turn robbed him and his family of money and a computer. The visitor admitted that he was angry enough with the thief to punch his face in.

When the person said this, a five year old reacted dramatically, with shock and disbelief on her face. She turned around in her seat, looking to see how the Seaside Chapel children and adults responded to this admission of anger and intent of violence.

You have to remember, we preach/teach/live Biblical non-violence, and active love for those who mistreat us. The children in our church are raised with a New Testament mindset, they hear holiness of heart and life in every service. Except for the world around them they are not exposed to violent or abusive people, and even cruel talk is not acceptable.

After service, the mother told me about the child's reaction and I asked her if she had asked the child to articulate her thoughts. She had not had an opportunity, but she was going to talk to her later.

So, here's how the conversation went.

Mother...
I asked her what she thought of about when someone was talking about their house getting broken into and their stuff being stolen, and the person said part of him wanted to forgive the guy but part of him wanted to punch his face in.

Five year old...
Her face got really serious and she said, "That's a bad thing. He should just live with it."

Mother...
I asked what should he just live with.

Five year old...
And she shrugged her shoulders like she didn't understand what I wasn't understanding, and said, "Having his stuff taken." Then she looked off and was thinking so I was quiet and she said, "I don't know..maybe that person who took stuff is like, someone's friend or somebody's husband....I don't want him to get punched. (long pause) - Maybe that man will just forget about punching him."

Mother...
That was the conversation and I didn't press her about it anymore, because it was upsetting to her that someone would think that way. I told her that she was right, that we shouldn't have those kind of feelings toward others and that we should love people no matter what they do to us or our things.

Pastor David's response to the visitor...
I was glad that our visitor felt free to share. I was glad for the opportunity to encourage him to do the right thing. His wife and daughter also offered words of wisdom and exhortation, and read from Matthew 18. I pointed out that if we don't forgive, we will not be forgiven and that God can cleanse our heart from such carnal inclinations.

However, my main point is the reaction of the little child: "That's a bad thing. He should just live with it,"
"I don't want him to get punched... Maybe that man will just forget about punching him."

Actually, the reaction of the child should be the reaction of all adults. Yes, there is more to dealing with crime than this little story, but for followers of Christ, it must begin here.

I was overwhelmed that a five year old has such a grasp of Christian ethics and grace. I was pleased that she evaluated and articulated her position so clearly. I am glad to have a church where little children learn that people are more important than stuff and that grace and mercy are better than judgment and vengeance. Just so you know, this was worth more to me than all the wealth this world has to offer.

We have a great message; may we never clutter it up with temporal and carnal action.

09/13/17 WELL, MAYBE NOT SO LONG

09/13/17 WELL, MAYBE NOT SO LONG

A blast from the past, but it goes with what I have been saying lately.

"Okay, this might take a while.

Think about all the Bible verses that say God DOES NOT WANT TO cleanse faithful believers from all sin in this present evil world... DONE.

All the Bible verses that say God CANNOT cleanse faithful believers from all sin in this present evil world... DONE.

All the Bible verses that say God WILL NOT cleanse faithful believers from all sin in this present evil world... DONE.

All the Bible verses that say God DOES NOT cleanse faithful believers from all sin in this present evil world... DONE.

Hmmm? That didn't take so long after all."

09/12/17 THERE IS GREAT PEACE AND UNITY IN THE FAMILY OF GOD

09/12/17 THERE IS GREAT PEACE AND UNITY IN THE FAMILY OF GOD

but not everyone is in the family of God.

For those who are looking for a warm, fuzzy Jesus relationship that makes everyone happy and never offends anyone, DON'T READ THE BIBLE.

The FAULT IS NOT in Jesus, Who actually is very compassionate and self sacrificing and loving. The fault is in ourselves, because we insist on having things our way rather than submitting to the God of the universe.

FACE IT, YOU ARE GOING to lose friends, and loved ones if you choose Jesus. It won't be because you turn your back on them, but because they reject Christ and turn their back on you. They will love the things that Satan loves and hate the things that God loves. We will still seek to reach them by love, but they will turn against us with anger and sometimes with violence.

Some folks may be confused over gender confusion issues, but God and His word are clear to His people.
Some folks may hate Israel and the Jew, but God has a different viewpoint.
Some folks may choose to abuse their body and mind with drugs of various kinds (including legal and illegal, socially acceptable and Biblically forbidden).
Some folks may think they have a right to satisfy carnal desire, but the body is the temple of God and it must not be defiled in illicit relationships or activities.
Some folks think that the State is God, or Man is God, or Knowledge is God, but these popular false gods will not save them from eternal separation from God.
Some people accept doctrines of demon in the false religions and cults of this world. Even though they call themselves Christians, they are enemies of the cross and the people of God.

HIS TRUE FAMILY
Matthew 12:46-50
(46) While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
(47) Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
(48) But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
(49) And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
(50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

THE CHRISTLESS RESPONSE
Matthew 10:34-39
(34) Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
(35) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
(36) And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
(37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
(38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
(39) He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

PEACE ONLY IN JESUS
Luke 12:49-53
(49) I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
(50) But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
(51) Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
(52) For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
(53) The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

09/12/17 LUCKY?

09/12/17 LUCKY?

NOT TRUE,
"We dodged a bullet," or
"We were lucky."

TRUE,
God spared us this time.

09/11/17 TO MISQUOTE THE BIBLE

09/11/17 TO MISQUOTE THE BIBLE

WOW, how 'bout all those verses that deny believers victory over sin and promise that God will not deliver us from temptation. NOT.

09/11/17 TWO THINGS HERE

09/11/17 TWO THINGS HERE

FIRST
Just to make it clear,
Though I do NOT believe any descendent of Adam can have
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION (since only God is absolutely perfect), or have
ANGELIC PERFECTION (since only the angels who did not rebel against God, with Lucifer, are angelically perfect), or have
ADAMIC PERFECTION (since only Adam and Eve were created perfect, but then they were corrupted by sin, after which Adam passed his spiritual corruption to all of his descendents. however, this corruption did not pass to Jesus, since Jesus is the Son of God and was born of the virgin)...

I do believe God provides a perfection of heart for those who trust Him for salvation. This perfection can be referred to as
ATONEMENT PERFECTION (since it is provided by the sacrificial death of Christ and cleanses from all sin by the infilling of the Holy Spirit), also called
BIBLICAL PERFECTION (since it is described and explained, offered and provided in the Bible), also called
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION (since it is the perfecting of love and the total cleansing of the heart provided by God and experienced by His children).

SECOND
As I was working on my documents I came across this statement I made on 03/16/12. Referring to the fact that some people choose to live with inner turmoil rather than have their hearts purified by God, I pointed out that the vacillating life of Romans 7 is the abode of the carnal Christian, but God calls believers to move into the Spirit filled victory of Romans 8.

Then I made this statement,
"DID YOU HEAR ABOUT the guy who lived in Romans 7, accusing the guy in Romans 8 of being self righteous?"

I hear it all the time from sinning religion.

09/09/17 FALSE HOPE

09/09/17 FALSE HOPE
If salvation does not save a person from sinning, then it cannot save anyone from hell.

09/10/17 BUILT ON THE NON WORD OF GOD

09/10/17 BUILT ON THE NON WORD OF GOD

Of course, there is a sinning religion explanation for my previous post, listing all of the verses in the New Testament which allow Christians to not obey God (ZERO in number).

The explanation is simply that there are no verses that really say God allows disobedience, BUT THAT IS WHAT GOD MEANT when He didn't say it.

I have written and posted several documents that give great numbers of verses in the Bible, which say that God does make His people pure, righteous, holy, good and that His people do practice righteousness and good works, while there are only a handful of verses that seem to disagree with these concepts. (There are no verses that actually disagree with my assertion, but they may SEEM to disagree.) As a result, sinning religion teaches that God did not mean what the verses actually say, and they also teach that there are verses, which mean what the verses do not say.

This is true for the PERFECTION that God calls His people to experience and to practice. Though I do not believe that anyone can be Absolutely Perfect, or Angelically Perfect or Adamically Perfect, I do believe in Atonement Perfection (cleansing away all sin by the infilling of the Holy Spirit), also called Biblical Perfection and Christian Perfection. I not only give a great number of verses that say this, I name and document about 16 areas of life that this perfection is manifested in a Christian life.

Again, there are no verses that contradict the perfecting work of God in the believer (though there are great numbers of people who assert the error.) However, sinning religion boldly boasts that the verses calling us to perfection and promising perfection by the grace and power of God, and the verses, which give witness to this perfection in the lives of believers, do not mean what they say, and though there are no verses which contradict the perfecting grace of God in the lives of believers, sinning religion gives passages (which do not deny or denounce Atonement, Biblical, Christian Perfection) and boldly assert that God meant for us to understand that we cannot be Perfected in Love and Purity and in our Spirits.

Sinning religion is built on the "unrevealed word of God," which openly denies and contradicts the revealed word of God.

09/10/17 THERE YOU HAVE IT

09/10/17 THERE YOU HAVE IT

After posting the previous N.T. verses on Christians OBEYING GOD, I thought I would post all of the N.T. verses that allow Christians to disobey God. ... Well, there you have it.

09/10/17 CHRISTIANS NOT ONLY OBEY GOD, THEY ALSO... HEY, WAIT A MINUTE

09/10/17 CHRISTIANS NOT ONLY OBEY GOD, THEY ALSO...
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE

I was going to write something else, and only mention that Christians "obey" God (which is considered to be a false doctrine by those who are deceived by sinning religion). But as I referenced a few verses concerning obeying God, I decided to let this thought stand alone.

Here are seventeen New Testament passages, which specifically refer to Christians OBEYING God. There are other verses that clearly say
Christians keep the commandments of God, and
Christians do that which is pleasing in God's sight, and
Christians deny themselves, follow Christ fully, and
Christians avoid the appearance of evil.

But these verses address Christians "obeying" God, by using the word OBEY. These verses come from the KJV, but I could have done the same exercise with other sound translations. I could have focused on the Greek word used in this place, but I did not take the time to do that this morning. The point is, Christians obey God. What's so hard to understand about this?

Acts 5:29
(29) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:32
(32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Acts 6:7
(7) And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Romans 1:5
(5) By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Romans 6:16
(16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:17
(17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Romans 10:16-17
(16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
(17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 16:19
(19) For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Romans 16:26
(26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

2 Corinthians 10:5
(5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Galatians 3:1
(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?

Galatians 5:7
(7) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Philippians 2:12-15
(12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
(13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
(14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
(15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Hebrews 5:9
(9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

1 Peter 1:2
(2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1 Peter 1:22-23
(22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
(23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 4:17-18
(17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
(18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

09/09/17 SAD AT ANY LEVEL

09/09/17  SAD AT ANY LEVEL

The World At Large
It is sad beyond words to see a world that has hardened its heart to such an extent that NOTHING, NO TRAGEDY, NO VIOLENCE, NO DEBAUCHERY can shake it from its false hopes and self orientation.

Individuals
Likewise, it is unspeakably sad to watch individuals, friends, loved ones and family harden their hearts to the message of God, to the warnings of God, to the judgments of God and continue in their self deception and self lordship, ignoring and explaining away Scripture, counsel, preaching.

Take A Hint
Resistance to God does not lead to a better place or a better situation.

It is a story as old as man, even older.
PUFFED UP PEOPLE DO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN THEIR OWN EYES, and their attitude says, GOD CAN GO TAKE A FLYING LEAP.

Evidence
How do I know this is true? Because people would be transformed into the likeness and image of Christ and love would reign in their lives and the world would be stunned by the power of God in them.

Proverbs 29:1-2
(1) He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
(2) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

09/09/17 PLEASE READ AND HEED

09/09/17 PLEASE READ AND HEED

(We don't have much time. Be God's instrument of love and peace. Let the church be the church in these perilous times.)

We personally cannot do anything about

the monster storms devastating the globe,

the torrential floods sweeping away lives and property,

the raging fires scorching the earth,

the insatiable drive for power of a madman in N. Korea,

the blood lust of leaders in Iran and Saudi Arabia,

the mounting numbers of victims to disease, pestilence and starvation,

the diabolical darkness of Islam, Liberalism, Statism, and all other Christ and Bible rejecting philosophies.

Someone says, "WE CAN PRAY."

Yes we can. We can ask God to do something, but WE CANNOT PERSONALLY STOP OR CHANGE THE TSUNAMI OF SUFFERING IN THIS WORLD.

HOWEVER, we can personally stop the destruction of sin in our own lives, the damning aloofness of selfishness, the death dealing arrogance of judging and shunning other people and their children because of self imposed "justifiable spiritual homicide."

We can turn from sin.

NO, we cannot turn from sin without God calling us to turn, and we cannot turn without God enabling us to turn, but
YES, we can turn, because it is the will and the work of God that makes it possible for us to personally turn.
We can stop doing that which is displeasing to God.
We can start doing that which is pleasing in His sight.
We can start loving the unlovable.
We can start denying self and start following Jesus in perfect and redemptive self sacrificing love.

I cannot help what world wide catastrophes may do to my world, but I can stop
the TSUNAMI that results in me living in the flesh,
the PLAGUE of self assertion,
the Famine of God's truth in my own life,
the FLAMES of anger, jealousy, bitterness.

Please,
if you are not fully and humbly following the way of God, the word of God, the will of God,
if you are not heeding the counsel of godly leaders,
if you are not hearing the cries of those who are lost,
if you are not giving your life to reach the unlovely, the unlovable in your world,
if you are not lovingly and humbly taking light to those in darkness around you,
if you are not denying your self in order to be God's ambassador,

PLEASE, let God arise, and let the enemy be scattered.

Please repent.
Please let God remove the scales from your eyes and the chains from your heart.

We don't have much time, don't spend it in personal grudges, self righteous aloofness, judgmental Phariseeism. relational maelstroms.

Your own eternal life depends on you doing the right thing.
Your family depends on you doing the right thing.
Your enemies depend on you doing the right thing.

09/08/17 ACCUSATIONS FALSELY MADE

09/08/17 ACCUSATIONS FALSELY MADE

A friend of mine posted this quote.
People forget years and remember moments. -Ann Beattie, novelist (b. 8 Sep 1947)

DLG COMMENT

The Problem

It is so true. Sadly, even if the moment they remember is a negative memory, which is either false of thwarted.
It is even sadder if the false memory stands between people.
It becomes even more tragic if

that false memory or

that exaggerated memory or

that misunderstood moment or

that deliberate lie

is told to other people as if it is the truth or as if it is an accurate retelling of a moment in time.

Just like a bullet from the barrel of a gun, words that are spoken or written cannot be put back. The damage is done. Usually the one who pulls the trigger in character assassination goes on with life, while the victim suffers many different kinds of losses.

The Solution

This problem would be solved if folks would just do what God says to do.
He says to not bear false witness.
He says not to accept an accusation unless it meets certain criteria.
He says to love one another.

That would take care of gossiping and slander and misrepresentation.

That would also take care of truth telling for the purpose of hurting someone.

This passage could save untold numbers of broken relationships and spare untold millions the agony of being hurt by false accusations.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6
(4) Love suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

The Danger
Sometimes a truth is told in such a way that it implies a lie.
Sometimes a half truth is told, implying a whole lie.

My observation has been that people who tear others down have been spared incredible sorrow and suffering because someone chose to spare accuser the agony of public ridicule.

And don't forget, Satan is called, the accuser of the brethren.

09/07/17 BAD WORDS TO AVOID

09/07/17 BAD WORDS TO AVOID

There is a word for a team that does not practice, does not play together, does not follow directions. DEFEATED.

There is a word for a company that does not practice sound business principles, does not take care of its customers, does not gender employee support, does not follow proven management leadership. BANKRUPT.

There are words for a marriage that does not recognize the importance of love and unity, compassion and respect, trust and loyalty, submission and authority. ROCKY, or FAILED, or SUPERFICIAL, or FORCED, or DISSOLVED.

There are words for people who call themselves Christian, yet they do not live under the Lordship of Christ, do not submit to Biblical leadership, do not follow Biblical standards, do not walk in peace with fellow believers, do not seek and obey sound counsel, do not live to reach the lost and build up the body. BACKSLIDDEN, LOST, HYPOCRIT.

09/07/17 THIS HARD TRUTH COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE

09/07/17 THIS HARD TRUTH COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE

How Is Each One Like The Other?

Commonality among Lucifer, Hitler, Kim Jong-un and the nicest Liberal (or conservative) or any unsaved person you may know, is that each one held or holds himself/herself to be above the authority of God and His reveled word, the Holy Bible.

The Hard Way Out.
If you resist, reject and rebel against the Lordship of Christ and the authority of His word, you are as lost as you can be, without being dead. Once you are dead, you are as lost as the devil, forever. Now is the time to abandon false hopes, errant philosophies, self reliance.

Only Choice.

We cannot lift our puny fist against God without facing the consequences, no matter how many other people hold the same views. Like it or not, we are condemned to eternal torment until we surrender our minds, our beliefs, our entire selves to Jesus Christ and trust His word.

09/08/17 ABOUT DUMB ANIMALS

09/07/17 ABOUT DUMB ANIMALS

You can teach a dog to take the posture of prayer.
You can teach an ape to raise his hand and jump up and down in celebration.
You can teach an unsaved human to attend church and follow ritual and decorum.
You CANNOT teach any of them to worship, praise and love Jesus.

DIFFERENT LEVELS
This does not put dogs, apes and unsaved humans on the same level. Unsaved humans are on a much lower level, because they have the capacity and the responsibility to trust, worship and serve God, but choose resist, reject or rebel against Him.

AN ADVANTAGE
But the unsaved human also has an advantage over the two dumb animals mentioned. An unsaved human can believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved, and therefore can worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

A HIGHER RANKING WITH A HIGHER PURPOSE
I am guessing that a dumb animal does not know he has no soul. Sadly, unsaved people live as if they have no soul and live as if they have no need to prepare that soul for eternity.

Dumb animals and unsaved humans can be trained to perform various beneficial services. But only the saved human can surrender his will and life into loving, loyal submission, and sacred service to God and his fellow man.

Not only can humans enter into a real relationship with God, they can be transformed into the image of the Living God. Humans can become partakers of Divine nature and receive eternal life.

WRONG CHOICE
How sad that most humans choose to be dumber than dumb animals.

09/06/17 SELF DETERMINATION AND THE DETERMINATE COUNSEL OF GOD

09/06/17 SELF DETERMINATION AND THE DETERMINATE COUNSEL OF GOD
(I remember staring with amazement at converging tide lines when I worked on fishing boats off the coast of North Carolina. I now watch in horror as the will of man tries to dominate the almighty power of God.)

The opposing tides of Self Determination and the Determinate Counsel of God clash for a short time, but ultimately the unstoppable will of God will be unleashed and His grace and mercy will be withdrawn, leaving the rebellious person under the mighty and terrible judgment of God.

One of the worst things we can do is seek to satisfy or please ourselves according to our own understanding and desires, because it will take us further and further from God
One of the best things that God can do is allow us to satisfy or please ourselves according to our own understanding and desires, because facing failure and emptiness may turn us around in repentance.
The problem is, when these two separate tides come together some folks persist in their stubbornness, as if their Self Determination will overcome the Determinate Counsel of God.

God wants to draw us to Himself thorough kindness and mercy and blessing. When we resist God's will, God takes the next step.

God will drive us to repentance because He loves us enough to send suffering and heartache, in order bring us to repentance.

If we refuse, there is nothing left but the judgment of God.

Choosing Christ and His way early is the wisest choice.
Turning from pride and then abandoning self destruction is wiser than forcing the hand of God.
We cannot win if we oppose God and His will.

STEPS OF RECONCILIATION
God delays His judgment because of His mercy and grace. This is true in the micro and the macro sense of the word.

God extends mercy and grace to individuals, for a limited time, and,
God extends grace and mercy to cultures, societies and people groups, for a limited time, and.
God extends mercy and grace to the entire human race, for a limited time.
But the period of grace and opportunity to turn, to repent ends at some point and the judgment and wrath of God is unleashed.

DO NOT
Do not resist or reject or rebel against the leading of God and His word.
Do not resist or reject or rebel against the authority of God and His counsel.
Rebellion, Resistance, Rejection always ends in disaster.

2 Peter 3:4-18
(4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
(5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
(6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
(7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
(8) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
(9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
(11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
(13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
(15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
(16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
(17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
(18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.