The full page advertisement in the newspaper caught my eye immediately.
Near the top of the light-blue page was the silhouette of a star.
In the center of the page were the words
ITS A BOY!
A verse from the Bible was printed across the bottom of the page: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
This simple message---"Its a boy!"---proclaimed the indescribable gift of a Savior who came to earth as a baby.
Why did Jesus come?
We needed God to send Jesus.
Because of our sin, we were separated from a holy God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
A perfect Savior and mediator were needed to bring us back together.
Only God could restore the relationship.
Jesus came "to take away sins, and in him there is no sin" (1 John 3:5). "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
God wanted to send Jesus.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him" (John 3:16-17).
He loved us so much that he gave his only Son so that our relationship could be restored. He gives us the opportunity for a personal relationship now, and forever with him in heaven.
Jesus willingly came.
Jesus was the only One who could meet Gods demand for perfect justice, requiring a perfect sacrifice.
No mere man could ever qualify; only Jesus---the God man---was sinless.
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14-15).
Jesus willingly came to earth to be born...in order to die. He said, "I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:17-18).
He gave his life on the cross so we could have the opportunity for eternal life!
Without the Fathers love and the Sons sacrificial substitution for us, we would be without hope. "For the wages of sin is death...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 6:23, 5:8)
God accepted Christs death in our place and raised him from the dead to prove our debt of sin was fully paid. "Christ Jesus is the one who died---more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God" (Romans 8:34).
That's why the Bible makes these promises to those who put their trust in Jesus alone for salvation: "Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (Acts 10:43) and "Whoever has the Son has life" (John 5:12).
Because of our great need and his amazing love, God the Father gave us the gift of "a baby boy"--Jesus Christ, his only Son.
Accept the gift of Gods Son, receive his transforming life for your your years on earth and for eternity!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Desire to become Gods inheritance
Many Christians consider their eternal inheritance, yet never consider Gods.
But the Bible tells us of His inheritance just as it does ours.
Paul prayed for us to receive a revelation of Gods inheritance: “that ye may know…the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18)
Paul’s very prayer teaches us that Gods inheritance is not a new earth, city, temple, river, or mansion, but His overcoming people: “his inheritance in the saints.”
Mindful of this, Jesus called the Laodiceans and us, to “buy of me gold tried in the fire” (Revelation 3:18). “Gold tried in the fire” is not any precious metal but rather our most precious spiritual possesion..faith in God and knowledge of God proven in strong testing.
Christian overcomers “buy” this spiritual “gold” by trusting and obeying God in fiery trials. And as they buy it, they become it!
Job said that not only his faith and knowledge but also his soul was becoming “as gold” in his fiery trial: “When he hath tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) . The Bible confirms that Gods overcomers, or tested, refined people, are indeed His “gold.” (Malachi 3:3 and Zechariah 13:8-9.) Because they’re His “gold” or most precious possession, they’re also “his inheritance in the saints.”
Consider these parallels between gold and overcomers.
Gold is one of earths most precious and noble metals.
Overcomers are Gods most valuable and honorable servants.
Gold is found throughout the creation, in earths crust and seas.
Overcomers are found all over the world, in the “dust” of every continent and “sea” of humanity.
Gold is a mark of worldly wealth.
Overcomers are spiritually wealthy, or rich in spirit, Bible knowledge, insight, closeness to God, and confidence in Him.
Gold is exquisitely beautiful, rare, and useful.
Overcomers exhibiting the “beauty of the Lord,” are found among Gods faithful few, and always accomplish His will.
Gold is malleable, soft enough when truly pure to be impressed and molded by hand.
Overcomers are impressionable in the hands of God, who shapes them to His Sons image and their predestined work.
Gold is stable, unchanging in its appearance, density, and value.
Once taught and proven, overcomers are unchanging in their beliefs, values, and life purpose.
Gold is durable-virtually indestructible-unharmed by time, neglect, or weather.
Overcomers “endure all things,” regardless of the season, treatment, or “weather” God sends.
Gold is also an excellent conductor of electrical power.
Overcomers prayers, words, and deeds convey Gods life-giving power to spiritually dead people--and they live!
Gold is refined in blazing furnaces.
Overcomers are refined in fiery trials of faith and patience.
Gold overlaid the Ark of the Covenant, the place where Gods presence dwelt.
Overcomers abide in Gods presence daily and “they shall see His face” eternally.
Gods earthly throne, the Arks lid or mercy seat was with solid gold.
Gods heavenly throne will be surrounded by overcomers enthroned with Him to rule the nations.
Gold’s elemental symbol (Au) is taken from the Latin word aurum, meaning, “shining dawn.”
Wherever overcomers live and work, their lives are a dawning (first light or preview) of the coming kingdom of God on earth.
Gold has inspired dreams of false utopias, lost cities and places where gold was as plentiful as grains of sand.
Overcomers inspire visions of the only true utopia, New Jerusalem, “where pure gold, like clear glass” will be so plentiful it will be used to build the entire city and pave its street.
We dream of our eternal inheritance in this unique golden city, with its beautiful walls, mansions, boulevard, rivers and fruit trees.
But God has dreams of the unending rapturous fellowship He will enjoy there with overcomers, His golden inheritance.
Be an overcomer.
Get golden!
Behold Gods “gold”----proven faith in God and knowledge of God----in His word.
“Buy” it, by trusting and obeying Him in your tests.
Become it---and part of His golden inheritance of overcomers.
But the Bible tells us of His inheritance just as it does ours.
Paul prayed for us to receive a revelation of Gods inheritance: “that ye may know…the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18)
Paul’s very prayer teaches us that Gods inheritance is not a new earth, city, temple, river, or mansion, but His overcoming people: “his inheritance in the saints.”
Mindful of this, Jesus called the Laodiceans and us, to “buy of me gold tried in the fire” (Revelation 3:18). “Gold tried in the fire” is not any precious metal but rather our most precious spiritual possesion..faith in God and knowledge of God proven in strong testing.
Christian overcomers “buy” this spiritual “gold” by trusting and obeying God in fiery trials. And as they buy it, they become it!
Job said that not only his faith and knowledge but also his soul was becoming “as gold” in his fiery trial: “When he hath tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) . The Bible confirms that Gods overcomers, or tested, refined people, are indeed His “gold.” (Malachi 3:3 and Zechariah 13:8-9.) Because they’re His “gold” or most precious possession, they’re also “his inheritance in the saints.”
Consider these parallels between gold and overcomers.
Gold is one of earths most precious and noble metals.
Overcomers are Gods most valuable and honorable servants.
Gold is found throughout the creation, in earths crust and seas.
Overcomers are found all over the world, in the “dust” of every continent and “sea” of humanity.
Gold is a mark of worldly wealth.
Overcomers are spiritually wealthy, or rich in spirit, Bible knowledge, insight, closeness to God, and confidence in Him.
Gold is exquisitely beautiful, rare, and useful.
Overcomers exhibiting the “beauty of the Lord,” are found among Gods faithful few, and always accomplish His will.
Gold is malleable, soft enough when truly pure to be impressed and molded by hand.
Overcomers are impressionable in the hands of God, who shapes them to His Sons image and their predestined work.
Gold is stable, unchanging in its appearance, density, and value.
Once taught and proven, overcomers are unchanging in their beliefs, values, and life purpose.
Gold is durable-virtually indestructible-unharmed by time, neglect, or weather.
Overcomers “endure all things,” regardless of the season, treatment, or “weather” God sends.
Gold is also an excellent conductor of electrical power.
Overcomers prayers, words, and deeds convey Gods life-giving power to spiritually dead people--and they live!
Gold is refined in blazing furnaces.
Overcomers are refined in fiery trials of faith and patience.
Gold overlaid the Ark of the Covenant, the place where Gods presence dwelt.
Overcomers abide in Gods presence daily and “they shall see His face” eternally.
Gods earthly throne, the Arks lid or mercy seat was with solid gold.
Gods heavenly throne will be surrounded by overcomers enthroned with Him to rule the nations.
Gold’s elemental symbol (Au) is taken from the Latin word aurum, meaning, “shining dawn.”
Wherever overcomers live and work, their lives are a dawning (first light or preview) of the coming kingdom of God on earth.
Gold has inspired dreams of false utopias, lost cities and places where gold was as plentiful as grains of sand.
Overcomers inspire visions of the only true utopia, New Jerusalem, “where pure gold, like clear glass” will be so plentiful it will be used to build the entire city and pave its street.
We dream of our eternal inheritance in this unique golden city, with its beautiful walls, mansions, boulevard, rivers and fruit trees.
But God has dreams of the unending rapturous fellowship He will enjoy there with overcomers, His golden inheritance.
Be an overcomer.
Get golden!
Behold Gods “gold”----proven faith in God and knowledge of God----in His word.
“Buy” it, by trusting and obeying Him in your tests.
Become it---and part of His golden inheritance of overcomers.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Would you control a conversation just to make sure the truth is told?
When was the last time that anyone from any church or organization came to your door to bring you the good news of the gospel as they understood it?
There was a time when door to door or community evangelization was a common practice, and then as with many other things the practice has almost disappeared, being phased out as a type of ministry outreach from most of our modern church models.
There are several reasons for this, perhaps the busyness of our lives just does not allow the time for individuals to tell others of the one who has given them hope of a new life in Him, or it could be that with the watered down, itchy ear teachings from so many pulpits today that folks just don’t see the need to tell others that a day is coming in which all men will be judged for every word, action, and motivation of their lives.
And then again perhaps it could be that no one has offered to teach those who may be interested in doing true soul winning evangelism in the word methodology and pleading, for the Holy Spirit to apply the properly presented truth of the Word of God to the hearts of both the presenter and hearer of truth.
There are however others who certainly continue with their proselytizing efforts who bring a false gospel presentation of works above grace or any other twisted idea of just how to be found in good standing before God.
I would like to present to you today, a short exercise that I have used on many occasions to turn the false presentation of doctrines of demons, to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to show those who present a corrupted gospel the absolute fallacy of their beliefs and allow them to question their stance in a manner that they cannot argue against , but will have to consider once they have willingly participated.
Whenever someone from a religion that teaches a work based salvation, approaches me either in public or privately, I offer them the opportunity to present to me with what they believe to be the gospel.
After they have made their first presentation, I ask them in a non confrontational manner if they really believe what they have just told me.
The answer is predictable, of course they believe it or they would not feel the need to share their truths with me and others.
After a few moments of reflection I ask them to repeat to me what they have told me is the gospel as I want to make sure that I understand what they believe.
I calmly thank them for repeating to me what they believe to be the gospel and then I tell them that I want to be certain that I fully understand what they are telling me and ask them if I may repeat what they have just told me back to them.
I always enjoy the looks on their faces when they hear those words as they are thinking that they have just taken great strides toward creating a convert. The answer is then always, “Why yes, please do repeat what we have told you.”
Their claims are then repeated back fully and concisely, then after repeating back to them what they have stated as the gospel I ask them a simple question.
“Is that the full content of what you have just told me is the gospel?”
If the answer is “not fully,” we revisit the first few steps, if the answer is “yes” I then ask them if I may share what the Holy Bible says about the gospel.
We have to remember that some of the groups that publicly declare what they state to be the gospel are using a false version of what they claim to be the Bible; for instance a Jehovah’s Witness will use a New World Translation which teaches a perverted view of the Canonized version of Scripture or perhaps it would be someone who claims that there is another book that goes beyond the inspired Word of the Holy Spirit.
In either case I recite to them what the Holy Bible declares to be the gospel, how that Christ had come born of a virgin, the only Son of a Holy God, and how that the same Christ had lived a sinless life, had been betrayed by those He came to reveal himself to, how that He was hanged upon a cruel Roman cross after being beaten and spat upon, and how that He was dead and buried and that three days later He was raised to life again and later returned to the Father where He prepares a new home for those who will accept Him and Him alone as their only way of salvation.
After those declarations I read to them what the Apostle Paul (whom they claim to understand) says in the book of 1 Corinthians ch 15 verses 1 thru 4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preach to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”
I then go directly to the Scripture in the book of Galatians ch 1 verses 8 and 9 “But if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you that what you have received, let him be accursed.”
As you may presume by now the conversation is changing rapidly as they have just been given the inerrant Word of God and cannot deny that the doctrines that they bring do not align with the authority of the Holy Bible.
There is a great victory here for you, in that the gospel has been proclaimed accurately to the lost and that now they have a great decision to make, in that will they accept the truth or will they continue to believe and propagate a lie.
As the moment closes remember that scripture instructs us to not wish them well on their journeys, as that makes us partakers in their sin.
2 John 1:10-11 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”
There was a time when door to door or community evangelization was a common practice, and then as with many other things the practice has almost disappeared, being phased out as a type of ministry outreach from most of our modern church models.
There are several reasons for this, perhaps the busyness of our lives just does not allow the time for individuals to tell others of the one who has given them hope of a new life in Him, or it could be that with the watered down, itchy ear teachings from so many pulpits today that folks just don’t see the need to tell others that a day is coming in which all men will be judged for every word, action, and motivation of their lives.
And then again perhaps it could be that no one has offered to teach those who may be interested in doing true soul winning evangelism in the word methodology and pleading, for the Holy Spirit to apply the properly presented truth of the Word of God to the hearts of both the presenter and hearer of truth.
There are however others who certainly continue with their proselytizing efforts who bring a false gospel presentation of works above grace or any other twisted idea of just how to be found in good standing before God.
I would like to present to you today, a short exercise that I have used on many occasions to turn the false presentation of doctrines of demons, to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to show those who present a corrupted gospel the absolute fallacy of their beliefs and allow them to question their stance in a manner that they cannot argue against , but will have to consider once they have willingly participated.
Whenever someone from a religion that teaches a work based salvation, approaches me either in public or privately, I offer them the opportunity to present to me with what they believe to be the gospel.
After they have made their first presentation, I ask them in a non confrontational manner if they really believe what they have just told me.
The answer is predictable, of course they believe it or they would not feel the need to share their truths with me and others.
After a few moments of reflection I ask them to repeat to me what they have told me is the gospel as I want to make sure that I understand what they believe.
I calmly thank them for repeating to me what they believe to be the gospel and then I tell them that I want to be certain that I fully understand what they are telling me and ask them if I may repeat what they have just told me back to them.
I always enjoy the looks on their faces when they hear those words as they are thinking that they have just taken great strides toward creating a convert. The answer is then always, “Why yes, please do repeat what we have told you.”
Their claims are then repeated back fully and concisely, then after repeating back to them what they have stated as the gospel I ask them a simple question.
“Is that the full content of what you have just told me is the gospel?”
If the answer is “not fully,” we revisit the first few steps, if the answer is “yes” I then ask them if I may share what the Holy Bible says about the gospel.
We have to remember that some of the groups that publicly declare what they state to be the gospel are using a false version of what they claim to be the Bible; for instance a Jehovah’s Witness will use a New World Translation which teaches a perverted view of the Canonized version of Scripture or perhaps it would be someone who claims that there is another book that goes beyond the inspired Word of the Holy Spirit.
In either case I recite to them what the Holy Bible declares to be the gospel, how that Christ had come born of a virgin, the only Son of a Holy God, and how that the same Christ had lived a sinless life, had been betrayed by those He came to reveal himself to, how that He was hanged upon a cruel Roman cross after being beaten and spat upon, and how that He was dead and buried and that three days later He was raised to life again and later returned to the Father where He prepares a new home for those who will accept Him and Him alone as their only way of salvation.
After those declarations I read to them what the Apostle Paul (whom they claim to understand) says in the book of 1 Corinthians ch 15 verses 1 thru 4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preach to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”
I then go directly to the Scripture in the book of Galatians ch 1 verses 8 and 9 “But if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you that what you have received, let him be accursed.”
As you may presume by now the conversation is changing rapidly as they have just been given the inerrant Word of God and cannot deny that the doctrines that they bring do not align with the authority of the Holy Bible.
There is a great victory here for you, in that the gospel has been proclaimed accurately to the lost and that now they have a great decision to make, in that will they accept the truth or will they continue to believe and propagate a lie.
As the moment closes remember that scripture instructs us to not wish them well on their journeys, as that makes us partakers in their sin.
2 John 1:10-11 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Would you speak the truth even if it causes you to be persecuted
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” 1 John 3:13.
The idea behind this verse is that we (the Ekklesia of Christ) should not be surprised as we see the world becoming more hateful towards us.
They’ve hated Messiah Jesus for the last 2,000 years so of course they’re going to hate His followers.
The world of the perishing has no clue as to what Christians are all about.
Many of them see us as haters.
God tells us to love our neighbor as our self.
But our neighbor hates us because we live our life in accordance to God’s will through His word. Then, as His children, we promote a godly lifestyle in the face of all adversity.
Sometimes it’s easier to just walk away, or stay away, from those who think us haters, but the fact of the matter is they will never stop hating us until they see the truth for themselves and become a part of the same body of Christ.
There are many who hate the followers of Jesus Christ, but one group of folks who continually refer to Christians as haters are homosexuals, as do those who agree with and condone such a lifestyle.
Why?
Because all truely born again Christians are fundamentally opposed to such a lifestyle.
Most of us are steadfast and unwavering in our convictions of God’s truth.
Taking a stance against homosexuality these days has become very unpopular.
We are called intolerant, religious fanatics, haters that the world would do well to get rid of.
The world is growing more hostile toward Messiah Jesus and His followers than ever before.
Dark times are approaching.
It seems as though the homosexual agenda is to force their lifestyle into the mainstream of thought, that by doing so they can persuade through collusion all humanity to become as they are – homosexual.
In order to be fully accepted into society they know that everyone must become homosexual or else there will always remain some who oppose that lifestyle, and any opposition is a conviction of sorts. They don’t want to be convicted so they need to rid the earth of those fanatical people who stand in their way, a way, I might add, that includes full on perversion.
All who stand opposed to the homosexual lifestyle are now known worldwide as haters.
We are referred to in this manner because we believe in God, and His word is clear, He is diametrically opposed to the homosexual lifestyle.
Those who call us haters, for the most part, don’t believe there is a God, thus they see us only as a mean spirited bunch of Neanderthals.
Through their unbelief they take God’s glory from Him and place it upon themselves.
The judgment of God is on those who reject Him but especially on those who work to change Him into a created thing. They are His creation and yet they see themselves as their own gods.
“And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things ...Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator” Romans 1:23, 25.
Their bodies and especially abhorrent sex is their god.
“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
The fact is the cross is offensive to all those who are perishing.
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthinans 1:18
Those who refer to Christians as haters have a very stanch, intense desire to see us hurt. It is their goal to abuse us, persecute us, and even destroy us, all just so they are no longer confronted with the truth.
To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.
But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.
When people hate Christians they are actually saying they hate God. They hate the children of God even though they don’t believe we have a Father in Heaven.
Not all professing Christians have a problem with the homosexual lifestyle. There are many who profess a faith in Christ but who are fully into practicing this ungodly abomination themselves.
I would be remiss if I were not to point out the following statement of fact.
When a person speaks about their faith, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are professing a faith in Christ. Many simply have faith in their own self-sufficiency. Until a person admits that the Gospel of Christ is true, they are not saved.
They may repeat a statement such as “My Christian faith”, but until they say yes to Jesus Christ (from the heart) and become born again they remain as lost as those who hate and reject Christ altogether.
The born again are admonished to uphold God’s word as truth.
We are to live our lives according to His precepts. God’s word is our authority and we need to embrace His truth.
When He says homosexuality is an abomination, we need to stand firm on His word of truth.
Remember Jesus’ words, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21.
Standing against God’s will (His precepts) is a vivid indicator that a person doesn’t know Jesus; the Holy Spirit is in every saint but that verse above makes it obvious that God’s Spirit is not in every person who professes to be Christian.
Standing contrary to God’s precepts would certainly fall under the category of grieving the Holy Spirit, which we are admonished not to do.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30.
Those who are sealed with God’s Holy Spirit find it next to impossible to stand contrary to His word.
Poking our finger in the eye of God by condoning what He refers to as an abomination is not a good idea. By refusing to believe or follow His word we call Him a liar, which is a stance that no one should take.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8.
Ignoring God’s inerrant Word or using the power of line item veto upon His Word whenever something arises that conflicts with our own preconceived ideas is the same as saying God is out of touch and insignificant, especially concerning current cultural trends.
This is simply not the attitude of a truly born again in Christ believer, and God’s judgment is upon those who remain in this mindset.
Christianity is highly promoted as a tool to be used in political corners as a springboard for helping politicians get elected, or to remain in office.
In many cases their Christianity is only a facade.
But that facade is removed when it comes to ignoring God’s written word while remaining politically correct.
The political climate of today only adds fuel to the flames of fire that promote hatred toward Christians.
Representing our God as well as His truth is contrary to our current political system.
There is another group of folks who continually refer to Christians as haters; they are those who stand firm on a woman’s right to chose to murder her unborn baby.
Murdering babies while they grow in the womb is a deplorable act of selfishness and pure hatred.
Condoning this abomination as well as the homosexual lifestyle is akin to standing in full rebellion to our Creator God.
In many cases, when a person comes to the realization that they’ve been an accomplice in the murder of their own baby their hearts are broken and only the love of Christ can heal that broken heart.
As with all sin, once we truly ask for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive.
Christians who show the love of Christ through the way they live their lives and interact with others, even though those others may hate them and want to destroy them are doing God’s will.
If it weren’t for the body of Christ on earth, this planet would have imploded many years ago.
I know that many atrocities have been committed in the name of Jesus Christ.
But those who murdered and destroyed lives, even though they used His name to justify their actions, were not living or acting according to God’s will and percepts.
As saints we are commanded to love our fellow man.
The ones who call us haters have nothing to fear from us. We are only here to promote the Gospel of peace. We live for Christ and we love our fellow man and hate should never be a part of the life of a born again believer. The truly born again have one main goal, which is to spread the word of truth. We are to see to it that everyone, whether they call us haters or not, are given a look at the other side, Christ’s side.
“For God so loved the world” John 3:16a.
Homosexuals and abortionists are nonetheless loved by God, but God will not abide their rejection of Him.
We love our neighbor no matter what he or she is into that contradicts or offends God.
Loving our neighbor doesn’t mean we want to live as they do, but it does mean that we have a burden on our hearts to see that they learn the truth about Jesus before it’s too late.
"And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Jude 1:22-23
Instead of letting these folks get to us and anger us let’s show them how to love by loving them no matter what hateful maneuverings they bring against us.
Stand firm on God’s precepts without wavering.
When we stand firm in our faith in God and on our convictions that His words are true, even the hardest heart and the weakest minds begin to be more receptive to our message.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12.
It won’t be long before Jesus calls us to meet Him in the air, and then to give us our rewards.
Hold fast to that fact.
The Kingdom of Heaven is nigh at hand for all who know the Lord.
The idea behind this verse is that we (the Ekklesia of Christ) should not be surprised as we see the world becoming more hateful towards us.
They’ve hated Messiah Jesus for the last 2,000 years so of course they’re going to hate His followers.
The world of the perishing has no clue as to what Christians are all about.
Many of them see us as haters.
God tells us to love our neighbor as our self.
But our neighbor hates us because we live our life in accordance to God’s will through His word. Then, as His children, we promote a godly lifestyle in the face of all adversity.
Sometimes it’s easier to just walk away, or stay away, from those who think us haters, but the fact of the matter is they will never stop hating us until they see the truth for themselves and become a part of the same body of Christ.
There are many who hate the followers of Jesus Christ, but one group of folks who continually refer to Christians as haters are homosexuals, as do those who agree with and condone such a lifestyle.
Why?
Because all truely born again Christians are fundamentally opposed to such a lifestyle.
Most of us are steadfast and unwavering in our convictions of God’s truth.
Taking a stance against homosexuality these days has become very unpopular.
We are called intolerant, religious fanatics, haters that the world would do well to get rid of.
The world is growing more hostile toward Messiah Jesus and His followers than ever before.
Dark times are approaching.
It seems as though the homosexual agenda is to force their lifestyle into the mainstream of thought, that by doing so they can persuade through collusion all humanity to become as they are – homosexual.
In order to be fully accepted into society they know that everyone must become homosexual or else there will always remain some who oppose that lifestyle, and any opposition is a conviction of sorts. They don’t want to be convicted so they need to rid the earth of those fanatical people who stand in their way, a way, I might add, that includes full on perversion.
All who stand opposed to the homosexual lifestyle are now known worldwide as haters.
We are referred to in this manner because we believe in God, and His word is clear, He is diametrically opposed to the homosexual lifestyle.
Those who call us haters, for the most part, don’t believe there is a God, thus they see us only as a mean spirited bunch of Neanderthals.
Through their unbelief they take God’s glory from Him and place it upon themselves.
The judgment of God is on those who reject Him but especially on those who work to change Him into a created thing. They are His creation and yet they see themselves as their own gods.
“And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things ...Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator” Romans 1:23, 25.
Their bodies and especially abhorrent sex is their god.
“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
The fact is the cross is offensive to all those who are perishing.
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthinans 1:18
Those who refer to Christians as haters have a very stanch, intense desire to see us hurt. It is their goal to abuse us, persecute us, and even destroy us, all just so they are no longer confronted with the truth.
To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.
But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.
When people hate Christians they are actually saying they hate God. They hate the children of God even though they don’t believe we have a Father in Heaven.
Not all professing Christians have a problem with the homosexual lifestyle. There are many who profess a faith in Christ but who are fully into practicing this ungodly abomination themselves.
I would be remiss if I were not to point out the following statement of fact.
When a person speaks about their faith, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are professing a faith in Christ. Many simply have faith in their own self-sufficiency. Until a person admits that the Gospel of Christ is true, they are not saved.
They may repeat a statement such as “My Christian faith”, but until they say yes to Jesus Christ (from the heart) and become born again they remain as lost as those who hate and reject Christ altogether.
The born again are admonished to uphold God’s word as truth.
We are to live our lives according to His precepts. God’s word is our authority and we need to embrace His truth.
When He says homosexuality is an abomination, we need to stand firm on His word of truth.
Remember Jesus’ words, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21.
Standing against God’s will (His precepts) is a vivid indicator that a person doesn’t know Jesus; the Holy Spirit is in every saint but that verse above makes it obvious that God’s Spirit is not in every person who professes to be Christian.
Standing contrary to God’s precepts would certainly fall under the category of grieving the Holy Spirit, which we are admonished not to do.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30.
Those who are sealed with God’s Holy Spirit find it next to impossible to stand contrary to His word.
Poking our finger in the eye of God by condoning what He refers to as an abomination is not a good idea. By refusing to believe or follow His word we call Him a liar, which is a stance that no one should take.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8.
Ignoring God’s inerrant Word or using the power of line item veto upon His Word whenever something arises that conflicts with our own preconceived ideas is the same as saying God is out of touch and insignificant, especially concerning current cultural trends.
This is simply not the attitude of a truly born again in Christ believer, and God’s judgment is upon those who remain in this mindset.
Christianity is highly promoted as a tool to be used in political corners as a springboard for helping politicians get elected, or to remain in office.
In many cases their Christianity is only a facade.
But that facade is removed when it comes to ignoring God’s written word while remaining politically correct.
The political climate of today only adds fuel to the flames of fire that promote hatred toward Christians.
Representing our God as well as His truth is contrary to our current political system.
There is another group of folks who continually refer to Christians as haters; they are those who stand firm on a woman’s right to chose to murder her unborn baby.
Murdering babies while they grow in the womb is a deplorable act of selfishness and pure hatred.
Condoning this abomination as well as the homosexual lifestyle is akin to standing in full rebellion to our Creator God.
In many cases, when a person comes to the realization that they’ve been an accomplice in the murder of their own baby their hearts are broken and only the love of Christ can heal that broken heart.
As with all sin, once we truly ask for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive.
Christians who show the love of Christ through the way they live their lives and interact with others, even though those others may hate them and want to destroy them are doing God’s will.
If it weren’t for the body of Christ on earth, this planet would have imploded many years ago.
I know that many atrocities have been committed in the name of Jesus Christ.
But those who murdered and destroyed lives, even though they used His name to justify their actions, were not living or acting according to God’s will and percepts.
As saints we are commanded to love our fellow man.
The ones who call us haters have nothing to fear from us. We are only here to promote the Gospel of peace. We live for Christ and we love our fellow man and hate should never be a part of the life of a born again believer. The truly born again have one main goal, which is to spread the word of truth. We are to see to it that everyone, whether they call us haters or not, are given a look at the other side, Christ’s side.
“For God so loved the world” John 3:16a.
Homosexuals and abortionists are nonetheless loved by God, but God will not abide their rejection of Him.
We love our neighbor no matter what he or she is into that contradicts or offends God.
Loving our neighbor doesn’t mean we want to live as they do, but it does mean that we have a burden on our hearts to see that they learn the truth about Jesus before it’s too late.
"And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Jude 1:22-23
Instead of letting these folks get to us and anger us let’s show them how to love by loving them no matter what hateful maneuverings they bring against us.
Stand firm on God’s precepts without wavering.
When we stand firm in our faith in God and on our convictions that His words are true, even the hardest heart and the weakest minds begin to be more receptive to our message.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12.
It won’t be long before Jesus calls us to meet Him in the air, and then to give us our rewards.
Hold fast to that fact.
The Kingdom of Heaven is nigh at hand for all who know the Lord.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Perhaps Very Soon
“Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:” Ezekiel 38:2-3.
It certainly looks as if we are seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy that God gave to Ezekiel.
In the last few days the enormity of the threats, rhetoric, and unsolvable problems that has been publicized by the media involving political relation between Iran, Russia, the U.S., China and Israel is chilling to even the most casual observer.
Daily and even hourly I am asked by concerned people from all walks of life and nations, “What is going on?” and “What does it all mean?”
We are witnessing around the globe the things spoken of by Christ in the books of Matthew ch 24 and in Luke ch 21. At the same time we see the exponential increase in the numbers and intensity of earthquakes, storm, famines, with the threat of impending plague, as scientist tinker with virus after virus with the intent of studying the effects of uncontrollable and untreatable flu upon the mass of humanity.
We are witnessing signs in the heavens and the falling away of believers as they are duped into believing that the great “Catching” away of all true believers is either a lie, a misunderstanding , or an event that will not happen in their lifetime.
The nation of Iran, under the rule of Islam, is closer by the day to developing a nuclear weapon with which they will exercise dominance in the Middle East and will be able to hold devastation over the heads of every nation in the world.
Above all of that is the seemingly daily threat from the Mullahs of Iran to wipe the nation and peoples of Israel from the face of the earth. Just today 02.03.2012, the chief Ayatollah of Iran declared Israel to be a cancer upon the face of the earth , that needed to be surgically removed, either by another nation or by Iran herself.
Along with Iran’s threat comes Israel’s promise to preemptively end the threat of a Nuclear Iran, which has the great likelihood of ushering in battles that we read about in the book of Ezekiel chs, 38 and 39.
Russia, likely the biblical (Magog) has promised that a strike on Iran is the same as a strike on Moscow, making any strike against Iran a very dangerous and uncontrollable calculation.
There is good news in this matter, in the fact that the Holy God has made promise to defend Israel, during her darkest hour.
There is however no such promise made to the United States of America, unless we unwaveringly maintain an allegiance to the nation and peoples of Israel. If any nation will follow the word of God as stated to Abraham, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee.” Genesis 12:3
While the United States of America has partnered with Israel until this moment, it remains to be seen if we maintain that partnership, when it comes to an all out confrontation with the enemies of Israel. After all it is an election year, and our current administration has committed to ending Americas role in fighting radical fundamental Islam and in an immense downsizing of the US military.
The book of Ezekiel further expounds upon this scenario, “And I will send a fire upon Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles; and they shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 39:6
It looks as if God is serious what the future of Magog holds, and then God refers to a “them” in the same thought. Who is God referring to when He says “I will send a fire among them that dwell carelessly in the isles?” The Hebrew word that indicates “carelessly” can also be used to mean in safety or security. The Hebrew word could also mean a sense of false security or a confidence in other than the hand of God.
I ask you, what country has been dwelling carelessly in their own country for decades?
Could it be the good old US of A, as we as a nation turn our backs on the God that we should trust and place all of our trust in the weapons of our own creation ?
It is prophesied that Persia (Iran) will attack Israel in the last days, and that Persia will be soundly defeated, and that other nations will be drawn in to the fray. “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks in thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army….” Ezekiel 38:4a
Do not doubt Iran’s resolve to induce war to the entire region and then the world, as that accomplishes the higher purpose of ushering in the Islamic Savior the 12th Imam, the man whom those who witness his advent will recognize his as the prophesied Anti-Christ of scripture.
It could be that the U. S. of A will come to Israel aid and convince Iran to drop its Anti Zionist pursuits, which will only delay the inevitable war for a very short time.
We live in very dangerous and exciting times. Dangerous in that if we do not know Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and as the ONLY way to a Holy God, we are living on the edge of destruction, both temporally and eternally.
Bu to those who do know Him in a personal manner, this is the most exciting of times as we watch Gods prophetic word unfold daily, right before our very eyes.
Each and every true Christian should be on the very edge of our seats as we see fulfillment of prophetic scripture come to pass.
So now we have to decide what to do as we wait on the return of our Lord.
Do we act as if we can amass enough material items in the form of food, water, guns, ammunition, gold and silver, or other commodities?
That is not the answer, as it only provides for a temporary hope, and that hope not strong enough to sustain. It is foolish to believe that any individual or group of individuals could survive for more than just a short time, considering the mass of humanity that will be running without rule in the search to take whatever is available from anyone who has it.
There is only one answer that suffices to overcome the troubles that are brewing on the horizon and that is to put your faith in Christ as Savior, Deliverer, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
One day in the very near future the true believer will hear a trumpet and a shout and will know the voice that calls out to His own, “Come up hither….”Revelation 4:1-2
If you don’t know for sure that you will recognize that voice when He call then I invite you to call out to Him, confess your sins, and ask for His cleansing, and then realize that we are saved, by grace alone thru faith alone in Christ alone.
Time is short, don’t delay your decision.
It certainly looks as if we are seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy that God gave to Ezekiel.
In the last few days the enormity of the threats, rhetoric, and unsolvable problems that has been publicized by the media involving political relation between Iran, Russia, the U.S., China and Israel is chilling to even the most casual observer.
Daily and even hourly I am asked by concerned people from all walks of life and nations, “What is going on?” and “What does it all mean?”
We are witnessing around the globe the things spoken of by Christ in the books of Matthew ch 24 and in Luke ch 21. At the same time we see the exponential increase in the numbers and intensity of earthquakes, storm, famines, with the threat of impending plague, as scientist tinker with virus after virus with the intent of studying the effects of uncontrollable and untreatable flu upon the mass of humanity.
We are witnessing signs in the heavens and the falling away of believers as they are duped into believing that the great “Catching” away of all true believers is either a lie, a misunderstanding , or an event that will not happen in their lifetime.
The nation of Iran, under the rule of Islam, is closer by the day to developing a nuclear weapon with which they will exercise dominance in the Middle East and will be able to hold devastation over the heads of every nation in the world.
Above all of that is the seemingly daily threat from the Mullahs of Iran to wipe the nation and peoples of Israel from the face of the earth. Just today 02.03.2012, the chief Ayatollah of Iran declared Israel to be a cancer upon the face of the earth , that needed to be surgically removed, either by another nation or by Iran herself.
Along with Iran’s threat comes Israel’s promise to preemptively end the threat of a Nuclear Iran, which has the great likelihood of ushering in battles that we read about in the book of Ezekiel chs, 38 and 39.
Russia, likely the biblical (Magog) has promised that a strike on Iran is the same as a strike on Moscow, making any strike against Iran a very dangerous and uncontrollable calculation.
There is good news in this matter, in the fact that the Holy God has made promise to defend Israel, during her darkest hour.
There is however no such promise made to the United States of America, unless we unwaveringly maintain an allegiance to the nation and peoples of Israel. If any nation will follow the word of God as stated to Abraham, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee.” Genesis 12:3
While the United States of America has partnered with Israel until this moment, it remains to be seen if we maintain that partnership, when it comes to an all out confrontation with the enemies of Israel. After all it is an election year, and our current administration has committed to ending Americas role in fighting radical fundamental Islam and in an immense downsizing of the US military.
The book of Ezekiel further expounds upon this scenario, “And I will send a fire upon Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles; and they shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 39:6
It looks as if God is serious what the future of Magog holds, and then God refers to a “them” in the same thought. Who is God referring to when He says “I will send a fire among them that dwell carelessly in the isles?” The Hebrew word that indicates “carelessly” can also be used to mean in safety or security. The Hebrew word could also mean a sense of false security or a confidence in other than the hand of God.
I ask you, what country has been dwelling carelessly in their own country for decades?
Could it be the good old US of A, as we as a nation turn our backs on the God that we should trust and place all of our trust in the weapons of our own creation ?
It is prophesied that Persia (Iran) will attack Israel in the last days, and that Persia will be soundly defeated, and that other nations will be drawn in to the fray. “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks in thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army….” Ezekiel 38:4a
Do not doubt Iran’s resolve to induce war to the entire region and then the world, as that accomplishes the higher purpose of ushering in the Islamic Savior the 12th Imam, the man whom those who witness his advent will recognize his as the prophesied Anti-Christ of scripture.
It could be that the U. S. of A will come to Israel aid and convince Iran to drop its Anti Zionist pursuits, which will only delay the inevitable war for a very short time.
We live in very dangerous and exciting times. Dangerous in that if we do not know Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and as the ONLY way to a Holy God, we are living on the edge of destruction, both temporally and eternally.
Bu to those who do know Him in a personal manner, this is the most exciting of times as we watch Gods prophetic word unfold daily, right before our very eyes.
Each and every true Christian should be on the very edge of our seats as we see fulfillment of prophetic scripture come to pass.
So now we have to decide what to do as we wait on the return of our Lord.
Do we act as if we can amass enough material items in the form of food, water, guns, ammunition, gold and silver, or other commodities?
That is not the answer, as it only provides for a temporary hope, and that hope not strong enough to sustain. It is foolish to believe that any individual or group of individuals could survive for more than just a short time, considering the mass of humanity that will be running without rule in the search to take whatever is available from anyone who has it.
There is only one answer that suffices to overcome the troubles that are brewing on the horizon and that is to put your faith in Christ as Savior, Deliverer, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
One day in the very near future the true believer will hear a trumpet and a shout and will know the voice that calls out to His own, “Come up hither….”Revelation 4:1-2
If you don’t know for sure that you will recognize that voice when He call then I invite you to call out to Him, confess your sins, and ask for His cleansing, and then realize that we are saved, by grace alone thru faith alone in Christ alone.
Time is short, don’t delay your decision.
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