tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565783416660418642024-03-08T04:02:19.339-08:00Convoluted ChristianitySocietal pressures twist true faith. Christianity without Jesus Christ is no Christianity at all. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-73377575636880141262016-03-22T21:40:00.001-07:002016-03-23T00:28:39.465-07:00Heirs of God <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ySri1Mpr64/VvIpvARByEI/AAAAAAAADaA/rBf96kRx_-8rMtv0jcvl0a0mcfR7qJjqg/s1600/heirs-with-christ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ySri1Mpr64/VvIpvARByEI/AAAAAAAADaA/rBf96kRx_-8rMtv0jcvl0a0mcfR7qJjqg/s400/heirs-with-christ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who are the “heirs of God?” Genuine Christians.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Christians have been brought into the family of God as His adopted children. Therefore, as with any child-to-parent relationship, Christians inherit what is God the Father’s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now, how is one adopted into God the Almighty’s family? <span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><u> Jesus</u></strong>--</span>Through one’s belief in Him, one’s acknowledgement of Him as Savior. Anyone acknowledging Christ has His Father’s acceptance, receives His Spirit as a marker, and gains promised adoption.
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” <i>(2 Corinthians 1:21-22)</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">"And you were also included in Christ when you heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of His glory” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i><span style="color: orange;">(Ephesians 1:13-14).</span></i> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you–guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us” <i>(2 Timothy 1:14)</i>.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Just as Jesus is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His being” <i>(Hebrews 1:3)</i></span></span>, so are Christians the exact representation of the Son, having received His being, or Holy Spirit within their hearts. In acknowledging Christ Jesus as God the Son and as one’s Savior, Christians are made righteous before God through His atonement on the cross. When God the Father looks at believers He passes over their sins, because of Jesus’ blood around the door of their hearts. God forecasted this with the “plague of the firstborn and the Passover” in Exodus chapters eleven and twelve.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you” <i>(Exodus 12:13). </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and He will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down” <i>(Exodus 12:23)</i></span></span><i>.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When Christ shed His blood on the cross, He was set as the atonement for mankind’s sins. He was the <span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“unblemished lamb” <i>(Exodus 12:5)</i></span></span>,</span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">sacrificed so His blood could mark the doorways of believer’s hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, Christians are saved from the punishment of rejecting God’s edict of sin’s judgment and condemnation. We are saved from eternal separation from God the Father and eternity in the <span style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“lake of fire” <i>(Revelation 20 :15)</i></span></span>.</span> We are brought from death to life <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">(Romans 6)</span></i>.
<b style="background-color: #ffe599;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">This salvation is of Christ Jesus only–there is no other way.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">God poured Himself out into human flesh and walked this earth as a human. He <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“humbled Himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!” <i>(Philippians 2:5-11)</i></span></span>. Why did He do this? Love. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">“</span><span style="color: orange;">God is love” <i>(1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16).</i> </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we may live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” <i>(1 John 4:9-10).</i></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him” <i>(1 John 4:16)<span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></span></i></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;">.</span></span><span style="color: orange;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So then, what exactly is love? It is the placing of oneself aside for the betterment of those who surround. In Jesus’ own words:
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command” <i>(John 15:12-14)</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is God. He is God the Son. He willingly <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” <i>(Philippians 2:7)</i></span></span>, so He could place before mankind salvation of no charge. This is the meaning of God’s grace–favor without earned merit.
<b>There is no other way of salvation than acknowledgment of God in the flesh, as a self-sacrifice for appeasement of His own holiness and righteousness. </b><u> Without the blood of Christ shielding our hearts, God sees unrighteousness and those slated for condemnation–just like the “Plague of the Firstborn” in Egypt.</u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is the Bread of Life <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">(John 6:47-51)</span></i>; He is the gate for God’s sheep <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">(John 10:7-10)</span></i>; He is the Good Shepherd <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">(John 10:11-16)</span></i>. He is<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> <span style="color: orange;">“the only way, the only truth, the only life. No one goes to the Father except through Him” <i>(John 14:6)</i></span></span><span style="color: orange;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In acknowledgement of this absolute, we are considered God’s children:
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">“Now if we are God’s children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory” (<i>Romans 8:17)</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” <i>(Galatians 4:4-7). </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in Him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us” <i>(1 John 4:16)</i></span></span><span style="color: orange;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christians are God’s children, Christians are God’s heirs, Christians are co-heirs with Jesus Christ! Just sit back and think about that for a moment. How powerful is this truth? It is a great realization to the one who allows it to sink deep into their heart, mind, and soul. It is life altering. Now is the day for Christians to live and proudly walk with unconstrained honor. We are children of the Almighty God! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“</span><span style="color: orange;">And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father'” </span><i><span style="color: orange;">(Romans 8:15).</span> </i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Abba is Aramaic for papa or daddy. Living life, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;">“keeping in step with the Spirit” <i>(Galatians 5:25)</i></span></span>, and calling out to God as the dad of our souls, the papa of our very being creates a meaningful bond that will mature us as Ambassadors of Christ.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” <i>(2 Corinthians 5:20).</i></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-49447606444020163872015-07-30T03:11:00.003-07:002015-08-01T20:22:34.273-07:00Wisdom's Call<br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TN_AnIO5aq4/VadAcuWXo4I/AAAAAAAACqU/2KxTrVWyacc/s1600/self%2Bhelp%2Bvs.%2Bself%2Bdenial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TN_AnIO5aq4/VadAcuWXo4I/AAAAAAAACqU/2KxTrVWyacc/s1600/self%2Bhelp%2Bvs.%2Bself%2Bdenial.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wisdom simply put, is distinguishing between what is true and what is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So, w</span>hat is true and right as followers of Jesus?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Well, it ain't self-help. Too many churches today have a humanistic teaching of salvation. Accept Christ to better yourself is the theme. </span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Secular salvation focuses on the individual rather than the individual focusing upon others. We are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1). God denied Himself when He came as Jesus, dying as a sacrifice on a cross. He took the role of a servant and so should we, if we are to be true followers of the Word become flesh. <b>Self-d</b></span><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>enial</b></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b> </b>is </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>putting others interests ahead of our own—love</u></i>.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">However, few in today’s “modern” church have attentive ears toward Wisdom's call <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Proverbs 1:20-33)</i>.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can numerous Christians claim on one hand to love God’s Son (accepting Him as their Savior) and on the other hand deny His power, deny being made conformable unto Him? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Why are so many persons who claim Christianity opting for wrong over right?</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">Look around, look closely.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">Count the number of Christians accepting God’s grace in vain </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(2 Corinthians 6:1).</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">There aren’t many representing Christ Jesus. There aren’t many standing for Him in wisdom, are there?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">If there were any day to stand tall for our Savior, it’s now.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">The time is near, closer than we think—the storm is on the horizon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">We are able to decipher the seasons around us, yet fail to view signs of Jesus' return. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><br></span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">We are to filter events through the signs He told us of, yet we listen to the world as they say, “Ah, those can be said of any era.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">People have been claiming for generations the end times are at hand" <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A4&version=KJV" target="_blank">(see 2 Peter 3:4)</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Take hold of Wisdom's call.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">Generations are but a speck in God’s eternal eye. And the current generation has thumbed its nose at God. </span><br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Therefore, just as the Lord had a controversy against Israel in the book of Hosea, He now has a controversy against America.</strong></span></em></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“ <sup>1</sup></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hear the word of the </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, ye children of Israel (America): for <strong><u>the </u></strong></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><u>Lord</u></strong></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><u> hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land</u></strong>, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land" </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea+4%3A1-10&version=KJV" target="_blank">(Hosea 4:1-10)</a></span></i></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Does that sound familiar? </span></span></b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br></span></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We need to acknowledge the time at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We need to acknowledge Jesus Christ. T</span>he signs He gave us are culminating together quickly and profusely—like bellowing clouds of a hurricane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars…Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be famines and earthquakes in various places…you (Jews and Christians) will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>At</b> <b>that</b> <b>time</b> <b>many</b> <b>will</b> <b>turn</b> <b>away</b> <b>from</b> <b>the</b> <b>faith</b> <b>and</b> <b>will</b> <b>betray</b> <b>and</b> <b>hate</b> <b>each</b> <b>other</b> <b>and</b> <b>many</b> <b>false</b> <b>prophets</b> (<b>teachers</b>/<b>preachers</b>) <b>will</b> <b>appear</b> <b>and</b> <b>deceive</b> <b>many</b> <b>people</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Because</b> <b>of</b> <b>the</b> <b>increase</b> <b>of</b> <b>wickedness</b>, <b>the</b> <b>love</b> <b>of</b> <b>most</b> <b>will</b> <b>grow</b> <b>cold</b>” (Matthew 24:6-12) <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A2-4&version=KJV" target="_blank">(Also read 2 Timothy 3:2-4).</a></span></i></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">True, all these things have been down through the ages—n<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one having combined into the perfect storm as they are now.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Yet,</span> there are naysayers who will convince multitudes the end is but a dream </span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A3&version=AKJV" target="_blank">(see 2 Peter 3:3).</a></span></span></b></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Taking all this to heart, the question remains: How long will simple ones love their simple ways?</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Proverbs 1:20-33)</i></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Be wise</u> in listening to God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Is your salvation a falsehood based upon self-centered statutes of a self-help regime? Or, is your salvation founded faithfully upon the Rock of Christ? Do you deny yourself for the sake of Jesus? </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Raise your eyes, raise your hopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Savior is knocking at the door. Will you be ready? Is your heart fully surrendered to Christ Jesus? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are questions we seriously need to contemplate considering the current age?</span></div>
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<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-11054774133873637332015-06-28T14:05:00.000-07:002015-06-28T14:05:03.015-07:00Homosexuality is an Abomination
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Absolutely no one should be accepted
as a brother of Christ, as a co-heir with Him, as an adopted son or daughter to
God the Father, without first accepting the absolute of Jesus being the Christ,
the Messiah, one’s Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
other way, period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>False teachers of
this age teach lies, preaching the doctrine of demons <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(1 Timothy 4:1-2).</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That may
sound harsh, but what else would they be teaching when they tickle ears by
leading people away from Jesus and straight to hell? They tell people what they
want to hear, and people want to hear what makes them feel good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider the following verses.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“For certain men whose
condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among
(us).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are godless men, who change
the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our
only Sovereign and Lord (Jude 1:4).” </span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Enoch, the seventh
from Adam, prophesied about these men: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands
upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the
ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and all the harsh words ungodly
sinners have spoken against him.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they
boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage”
(Jude1:14-16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“In the last times
there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the men who will divide you, who
follow mere natural instinct and do not have the Spirit” (Jude1:18-19).</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Let’s take homosexuality as a prime
example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many upon many Christians,
churches, pastors, and teachers condone what is clearly stated Biblically as an
abomination. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do not lie with a man
as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22) </span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Therefore God gave
them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the
degrading of their bodies with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served
created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even their women exchanged natural relations
for unnatural ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same way the
men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for
one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men committed indecent acts
with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their
perversion.” (Romans 1:24-27) </span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do you not know that
the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do not be deceived:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither the sexually
immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor <u>homosexual
offenders</u> nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor
swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”(1 Corinthians 6:9) </span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If more is needed, then take a look at the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis nineteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard said, homosexuality was not
clearly stated as to the cause of their destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chapter nineteen verses four and five clearly portray a city ravenous
with detestable behavior<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">: “…all the men
from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They called to Lot, ‘Where are
the men who came to you tonight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring
them out to us so that we can have sex with them.’”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did they know, the men they were
seeking to rape, and yes, that is what the context of the passage implies, were
two angels sent to destroy them.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">But today, homosexuality is accepted
as normal behavior, even among throngs of churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All such goes back to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“men who will divide you, who follow mere
natural instinct and do not have the Spirit” (Jude 1:18-19).</i> What does <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“mere natural instinct”</i> imply?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many contort that into, “See, that
verifies God created homosexuals, they are born like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Nope</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><u>It means one’s instinct of pleasure has corrupted the soul.</u></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“These men speak
abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do
understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that
destroy them” (Jude 1:10).</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
We have free
will--to do what we want with the lives God gave us. If people want, or feel
intrinsically pulled toward the same sex, they have been given over to their
desires or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"shameful lusts"
(Romans 1:18-23).</i> That doesn't make their lifestyle right and/or pleasing
to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Homosexuality reverses the order
God designed--in the beginning God created woman for man. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>People can, have, and will ape the truth to
meet their own needs</strong>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God did not send
His Son to invalidate His intended order--He sent Jesus to save it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Hebrews 6:16-20).</i> <u>God does not change</u> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Numbers 23:19, Psalm 102:27, Malachi 3:6,
James 1:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt He would offer up His only Son as a
sacrifice for humanity to change His appointed plan. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Today, Christians who stand for Jesus
and handle Scripture accurately are labeled bigots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bigotry, defined by Random Houses Webster
Dictionary, clearly spells it out as an extreme intolerance of any creed,
belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It rubbed me the wrong way initially, because I always associated it
with racism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>But in taking a closer look
at the definition, and its synonyms, if the world wishes to view Christians as
bigots, as dogmatic, fanatic doctrinaires of Jesus Christ, then I guess they
are right.</em> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>But let’s ask questions of those who vehemently
deny our belief—are they any less a bigot toward our right to profess our
belief?</strong> How can they stand there in hateful opposition, screaming bigotry, when
they themselves shower in it every day under the guise of equal rights? They
mock that which they do not understand, and the very things they do understand
are the very things destroying them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Acceptance of falsehood is not anywhere
in the inspired scriptures, truth is. The truth hurts, it stings, and yes it
angers those who deny it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there it
is--the source of contention, lack of tolerance for sin against God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to reach out in love to spread the
truth, but that does not mean we are to roll over and deny Scripture’s
absolutes. </strong></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Love should not be sightless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is not weak, but strong in conviction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is a fruit of the Spirit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>However, love doesn't preclude fighting for accuracy,
for what is right and true.</em> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Freedom of
speech in this case is just a microcosm of this country's angst. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gave us free will, this country lives
under the motto--"In God We Trust;" we should trust in His wisdom and
allow citizens freedom of speech, lifestyles, and religion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is God’s place to judge and condemn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In saying this, I can imagine someone asking,
“Aren’t Christians judging others saying their lifestyles are sinful?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Judgment is always linked to condemnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians are evaluating life in line with
the Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, <u>if we evaluate
others with hate, if Christians evaluate without extending concern for souls,
then we are guilty of sin against God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sin is sin, no matter the offender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God shows no favoritism.</u></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“For God does not show
favoritism.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Romans 2:11)</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“Do not threaten them,
since you know He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is
no favoritism with him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ephesians 6:9)</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“…It is the Lord Christ
you are serving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who does wrong
will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Colossians 3:25)</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“I charge you, in the
sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions
without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1 Timothy 5:21)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.7in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“But if you show
favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(James 2:9)</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Sadly, this is not the case among
humanity nowadays, nor has it ever been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank the Lord Jesus Christ’s atonement of our sins on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“There
is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through
Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set (us) free from the law of sin
and death” (Romans 8:1).</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to
those who are not in Christ Jesus, there is nothing but an expectancy of
judgment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The love and peace in this world are
fast evaporating and being replaced with apathy, angst, anger, and agitation. I
do know things are only going to get worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have no proof of this, other than Scriptural truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the last times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more reason for Christians to stand for
Christ, united together representing God’s grace. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know our faith and the world are on opposite
sides of the spectrum, but let us not give in to their hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once Satan baits us into fits of rage in
hostile arguments over God’s Word, then he has a victory in the minds of those
we are to convince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With some people, we
must understand the Truth will never sink in; as pearls before swine, it’s
useless to expect them to appreciate the beauty of God’s Truth—they are only
concerned with the here and now, unable to contemplate past their own
desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, when they continually and
aggressively deny Jesus, don’t argue, shake the dust from your feet and move on
to a soul who is receptive to God’s love through Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">6</span></sup><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NIV Disciple’s
Study Bible, p. 1735</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">7a</span></sup><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> Erwin W.
Lutzer, <u>How to Say No to a Stubborn Habit.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1979.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SP Publications, Inc. Victor Books, 1989) 16. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">7b</span></sup><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> Lutzer,
21, 22</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-22214194881383954432014-11-19T21:40:00.001-08:002014-11-19T22:13:48.184-08:00For the Bible Tells Me SoLearning from men is often valuable and helpful. However, it is not without risk. There must be a Holy Spirit driven need to fact-check what the heart is absorbing from external stimuli. The only source without error is God's Holy Word.<br />
<br />
Submitting one's heart to Christ Jesus, prayerful communion in the Holy Spirit, and Scriptural-led lives are the hallmarks of true Christians. Sadly, there is a deep divide between persons whose hearts are sincerely Christ-filled and Christless Christians who proclaim the rhetoric of man-made, religious traditions.<br />
<br />
How does one safeguard against free falling into fallacy taught by others--intentional or otherwise?<br />
<br />
By following and living out the words within God's Word, rather than by the words of corrupt, sinful men.
Put your hope, your learning, your key to growth in the Author and Perfector of our faith--Christ Jesus, our Lord. The Spirit of the Living God testifies about Him within the pages of Scripture. Read, follow, trust, and believe the Bible over man's teaching(s).<br />
<br />
Time devoted to Scriptures' applications prevents sin from remaining one's master; it will also aid one from being deluded by deceitful doctrines. It negates stagnant faith by securing and promoting the Christian's ongoing maturity in the Eternal, Risen Lord.<br />
<br />
So, the blunt question remains. In whom does your faith reside? Scientific institutions infused with man's philosophies, religions ripe with false teachings, faith riddled with humanistic dogma, pastors pandering for profit, society-soaked Christianity, stewards of Jesus Christ instructing listeners to verify what they say to be doctrinally sound, or in Scripture proclaiming Jesus Christ? <br />
<br />
One's faith cannot be in men, no matter how sincere and Biblically sound they are. Faith is placing absolute trust in Jesus. Trusting the words of Scripture. Living in accordance to the Bible.<br />
<br />
Do I believe what I write? Yes!!!<br />
<br />
Do I believe in a personal relationship with God the Father, one as an adopted child, as His heir? Yes, I Do. Do I believe the only Way to receive this gift of grace is to accept Jesus? Not only that, but that He is God the Son, God in the flesh, and that I am a co-heir alongside Him (Romans 8)? Yes, yes, I do.<br />
<br />
I accept Jesus' acceptance to be the Suffering Servant. That he was willingly poured out into the likeness of a man, living a sinless life, taking on the sins of the world as a substitutionary offering, submitting to crucifixion and death on a cross, and bodily (not figuratively) rising from the grave on third day.<br />
<br />
I accept these acts of love, I accept these truths of God the Son. Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life leading to salvation.<br />
<br />
Why do I believe? Because the Bible tells me so.<br />
<br />
I choose it over the world's chaos, over sin's temporary power, over the grave's temporary sting, over society's persecution, over Satan's temporary reign as the ruler of the kingdom of air. The prince of this world already stands condemned, defeated by Jesus' victory on the cross.<br />
<br />
God's grace is offered in these Scriptural absolutes and I humbly accept them in Christ's Name.<br />
<br />
I pray Christians who have sincerely accepted Christ Jesus as their Savior, will kneel in their hearts before Him as the Lord God Almighty. He was, He is, He shall be--the Beginning and the End, the King of Kings for now and evermore. <br />
<br />
May God the Father be glorified in His Son, through the lives of those Jesus laid His life down for, believers called to earnestly contend for the faith, who love Him, because He first loved us.<br />
<br />
To those who follow Jesus, remember:<br />
<br />
Prayerfully season ‘spiritual meals' with the salt of Scripture, rather than allowing others to pepper misguided error and/or deceit into your doctrinal beliefs. Failing to do so will harden the heart and deafen the soul's ear toward the Spirit of Truth.<br />
<br />
The days are cold, abusive, angry, and dark. Guard the well spring of your heart by refusing the pollution of the world to taint it's waters. Allow only He who is Living Water to be the depth of your soul. Filter all others out with Scripture.<br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-20932577022298953262014-08-11T00:32:00.001-07:002014-08-11T00:49:18.544-07:00Distraction, Retaliation, and Carnality Many churches are being distracted, falling for lies, giving into desires—committing spiritual adultery. We sit and watch others walk tall in their religion saying, “Their beliefs are wrong, but you gotta admire their effort and determination.”<br />
<br />
The unbelieving of Christ, and/or mutated conspirators of Scripture, do have strong walks of deception, <u><i>why can’t we have strong walks of truth?</i></u><br />
<br />
It's difficult to understand this “Christian" nation—we call on God when we see fit. We cry out with prayers when things are rough, but when everything is good, we take the credit.<br />
<br />
<i>“There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed” (Hosea 4:1a-2) </i><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">America</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">is</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">in</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">a</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">rut</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">of</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">retaliation</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">against</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">God</span>.<br />
<br />
Christians are too underdeveloped to stand their ground for Jesus . We are like frightened children and dogs in a thunderstorm. One loud noise of opposition we seek shelter, run, and hide shivering in hopes the trouble will go away. <br />
<br />
Where are the mature Christians? Why are only handfuls standing up for our Brother, our Savior, our King and Lord? Christ stood in defiant opposition to political, religious, social, and spiritual attackers; <b>why</b> <b>are</b> <b>so</b> <b>many</b> <b>professions</b> <b>of</b> <b>Jesus</b> <b>followed</b> <b>up</b> <b>by</b> <b>a</b> <b>refusal</b> <b>to</b> <b>stand</b> <b>for</b> <b>Him</b>?
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">We</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">are</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">a</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">nation</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">of</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">carnal</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Christians</span>.<br />
<br />
The lascivious Christian serves the flesh (<i>Romans</i> <i>8:5</i>), feeds upon milk and therefore is immature (<i>1</i> <i>Corinthians</i> <i>3:1</i>). Their walks are unreliable (<i>Romans 7:19</i>), they are unfruitful (<i>Matthew</i> <i>13:22</i>), they have lost their joy in Christ (<i>Psalm</i> <i>51:12</i>), and all their rewards will be stubble in the fire (<i>1</i> <i>Corinthians</i> <i>3:15</i>). All this does not mean salvation has been lost; however, it does entail a weak, fearful walk.<br />
<br />
<i>We as a nation have become flesh bound</i>. We do not live in the Spirit. We have been preoccupied with the here and now. Life is but a vapor. We exist only for a short time on this earth, and what do we do? We lust after prestige, power, possessions, flesh, and money.<br />
<br />
We purse the name of Jesus on our lips because we recognize His saving power, yet we do not walk in His light. We either forget His commandments of love or we modify His teachings to suit our fancy. We are too afraid to stand for Jesus in the face of opposition, because we are terrorized by the reactions of the world. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Christ</b> <b>Jesus</b> <b>suffered</b> <b>for</b> <b>us</b> <b>and</b> <b>we</b> <b>should</b> <b>accept</b> <b>His</b> <b>call</b> <b>to</b> <b>be</b> <b>like-minded</b> <b>with</b> <b>Him.</b></i><br />
<br />
What does this mean? To stand with conviction of truth against those who vehemently oppose or desire to kill us. We should count it joy, and an honor, we can return Christ’s favor by bearing up under their rage and venom.<br />
<br />
Each of us is guilty of falling by the wayside and not participating in Christ’s kingdom. We idly stand by and watch false ramblers of faith march on, while we do nothing to refute their lies.<br />
<br />
Why are we so afraid? I cannot speak for you, but I will tell you of myself. I speak loudly, but at times I leave the big stick at home. This happens when I get sidetracked by desires.<br />
<br />
For instance, I rationalize my occasional smoking, by saying it’s just a cigarette, God will forgive me when I ask. Yes, He will, but my devotion to Him wanes each time I decide to fire up another cancer stick. I defile His temple and grieve His Spirit living inside me. I choose to disobey and I suffer the consequences of mounting decisions contrary to God’s will. <br />
<br />
Cigarettes are an overflow from my old self and I have yet decided to hand them over to God. I clinch them tightly, in turn placing them in a higher status than God. <br />
<br />
True, each time I ask for forgiveness, but I show no sign of change, no effort toward actual repentance. This eventually creates a barrier between me and the Holy Spirit, who is my source of power, my source of strength, comfort, and counsel. Without Him by my side, I am nothing. I tremble at the thought of standing against those who can tear me down.<br />
<br />
When I fail to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, I’m all alone in each battle. No wonder I lack the backbone. Each decision to disobey lays another brick on the wall between Jesus and myself. Before long, I can’t even see Him. This doesn’t happen overnight, it is a process of time. <i>It’s</i> <i>a</i> <i>day</i> <i>in,</i> <i>day</i> <i>out</i> <i>walk</i> <i>of</i> <i>disobedience</i>.<br />
<br />
Of course, this is me. But, I do know this is how the mind and soul work. I’ve spent many a year in darkness, and I know the particulars of sinful decision-making. So my vice may not be yours, but the same principle applies. <i>Whatever your brick and mortar are on the wall of disobedience, these are the causes behind a carnal life</i>. <br />
<br />
We must, and I stress we, pursue a godly life through the ever-present Holy Spirit. We must stand for Jesus. We must spend time in prayer. We must study Scripture. <b>To</b> <b>know</b> <b>Christ</b> <b>is</b> <b>to</b> <b>spend</b> <b>time</b> <b>with</b> <b>Him</b>. This is only accomplished by offering ourselves up as living sacrifices (<i>Romans</i> <i>12</i>). This is done by relinquishing the grip we have on ourselves, and devoting our hearts and time to Him.<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-55933806753835488832014-07-23T22:14:00.000-07:002014-07-23T22:14:39.930-07:00Law, Grace, and Jesus <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywCbu3PmN7U/U8iyP7hV93I/AAAAAAAABLE/Pm0EgbfFGfs/s1600/Proverb_29___18_by_anakfreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywCbu3PmN7U/U8iyP7hV93I/AAAAAAAABLE/Pm0EgbfFGfs/s1600/Proverb_29___18_by_anakfreak.jpg" height="320" width="279" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Proverbs 29:18</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint ; but blessed is he that keeps the law.”</span></span></h3>
<b><br /></b>
<b>My</b> <b>perspective:</b><br />
<br />
<i>“Where there is no revelation…”</i> means where eyes have not been opened to God’s truth—Jesus is the only way to God the Father.<br />
<br />
<i>“…people cast off restraint..”</i> means exactly that, no self-control. <b>Where</b> <b>people</b> <b>lack</b> <b>in</b> <b>reading</b> <b>God’s</b> <b>Word</b> <b>they</b> <b>have</b> <b>no</b> <b>mirror</b> <b>to</b> <b>reflect</b> <b>the</b> <b>depravity</b> <b>of</b> <b>their</b> <b>spirit</b>. They “<i>cast</i> <i>off</i> <i>restraint</i>” and go for the gold in pleasure—what feels good, drunkenness, hate, fits of rage, pride, arrogance, sexual immorality, and on and on and on. Such things are not of God, they are of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air—the devil (<i>Ephesians</i> <i>2</i>).<br />
<br />
<i>“…but blessed is he who keeps the law" </i>We are no longer under law, but under grace through Jesus, so blessed is the one who maintains a personal relationship with Christ. This entails searching intently for wisdom (ability to discern between what is right and true) <u>through</u> <u>God’s</u> <u>Word</u>, bringing about peace of mind, body, and soul. Doesn’t mean suffering and sorrow will dissipate nor riches will be poured over one’s head, but that through the storms of life our sails will be filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). He will carry us along as a ship in turbulent water if we only learn to rely upon His presence.<br />
<br />
“<i>Against</i> <i>such</i> <i>things</i> <i>there</i> <i>is</i> <i>no</i> <i>law. Those</i> <i>who</i> <i>belong</i> <i>to</i> <i>Christ</i> <i>Jesus</i> <i>have</i> <i>crucified</i> <i>the</i> <i>sinful</i> <i>nature</i> <i>with</i> <i>its</i> <i>passion</i> <i>and</i> <i>desires</i>. <i>Since</i> <i>we</i> <i>live</i> by <i>the</i> <i>Spirit</i>, <i>let</i> <i>us</i> <i>keep</i> <i>in</i> <i>step</i> <i>with</i> <i>the</i> <i>Spirit</i>” (<i>Galatians</i> <i>5</i>:<i>22</i>-<i>26</i>)<i>.</i><br />
<br />
In Ephesians chapter two, Christians are taught we are made alive through Christ like a newborn to its mother. Before Jesus, the law had to be followed to the letter for cleansing and forgiveness of sins. This legalism never established permanence because continual rituals of sacrifice had to be performed to receive righteousness. With every wrong/sin, works had to be performed before God to receive a pardon.<br />
<br />
<b>The Messiah put an end to the legalistic era—Jesus has fulfilled the law. Through Him we are cleansed once for all—through Him we, true believers, are alive.</b><br />
<br />
Personally, though I was dead in spirit (hate, rage, depression, etc) through escapism (liquor, drugs, etc), I surrendered to Jesus and now am alive (contented peace). It is by grace I have been saved—the definition of grace being unmerited favor from God that provides salvation. I did nothing to deserve God the Father’s favor—God the Son did it for me. By accepting Jesus’ death on the cross as my eternal sacrifice and believing in His bodily resurrection, I am now more alive than ever before.<br />
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<b><i><u>No</u></i></b> <u><i><b>person</b></i></u> <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">can</u> <u><i><b>go</b></i></u> <b><i><u>to</u></i></b> <b><u><i>the</i></u></b> <b><i><u>Father</u></i></b> <b><i><u>except</u></i></b> <b><u><i>through</i></u></b> <b><u><i>His</i></u></b> <b><u><i>Son’s</i></u></b> <b><u><i>life</i></u></b> <b><i><u>sacrifice</u></i></b>.<br />
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All I had to do was accept in faith, which is not of ourselves, but a gift from God as well. A gift is freely given not earned. If salvation were based on earnings, it would be based on works and “merited favor." We must soften our hearts and open the ears of our spirit to hear the call of salvation from Jesus. Let go of the pride that deceives one into thinking good deeds/works are sufficient to enter into heaven—they won’t. Good deeds and love are a sign/result of having received Jesus’ Holy Spirit, but in no way do works/deeds in and of themselves provide salvation <i>(James 2:14-26)</i>. Let us not be mere listeners of the Word, but doers of the Word <i>(James 1:19-27)</i> and we will be blessed .Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-72929336898367025412014-07-19T20:55:00.001-07:002014-07-19T20:55:30.596-07:00Aiming at the MarkBetter. That seems to be the mantra today. Why, as Christians, do we have our eyes fixed on the mark of being better? We are distracted and deluded by this simple, yet malignant word.<br />
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To be better is a mark we fall short of daily. We promise to lead lives devoted to Christ and end each day as failures. <b>Jesus</b> <b>is the mark to which we should live.</b> He is our role model. He came as the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). Have any of us ever lingered in thought about that title, Suffering Servant? It's worth a deep thought or two.<br />
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Jesus is the exact representation of God in human form. He is the stamp of God in the flesh. He came to sacrifice Himself in order to appease His righteousness. He did not place Himself in what one would naturally assume God would chose. No, His choice of substitution was to bear the burdens of life and the rejection of others. He did not desire to be lavished with wealth and position.<br />
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<i>Jesus understands rejection--His own received Him not. He understands the harshness of life and man. He knows firsthand absence of fairness--socially, economically, and sadly, spiritually</i>.<br />
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In His Sovereignty, God showed us how to be better. By not concentrating on the 'better me' but by living righteously. In and of ourselves, impossible--in Christ Jesus, more than possible. Scripture promises us a participation in the divine nature of God Himself with the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is an amazing reality to the sincerely saved.<br />
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I have heard our lives are to prepare us for eternity, but I tend to disagree. True, we prove our loyalty to Jesus by living this life in faith. However, our lives are more than a preparation. We exist to glorify God, to live in such a way that brings our heavenly Father honor. This is not realized by a desire to be better than what we were or even better than what we are--it is only done by imitating Jesus Christ.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>Christianity is more than a belief in Jesus or His completed work in Calvary. Satan himself, along with his minions, believe these truths. No, Christianity is more than belief--it is surrender. The surrender of one's life by kneeling before the King of Kings, by making Jesus the Head of our lives. This is salvation. This is how we become better, by representing Christ in the power of His Spirit</i></span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-17040603405317715952014-07-16T05:52:00.000-07:002014-07-16T07:09:46.031-07:00Stench of Error The unsaved have no right to stake claim or recite God’s laws or loosely take Jesus on their lips.<br />
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Changing Jesus words, changing Scripture to meet one’s desired way of life, following false teachers, listening to twisted truths, <b>does not predicate salvation.</b> Misled malcontents of God’s instruction are the reason many spurn Him.<br />
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How do they do that, you ask? By creating knock-off religions such as The Church of the Latter Day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarian Universalist, Gnosticism, Worldwide Church of God, Presbyterian USA, The Way International, Chrislam and more. All have different standpoints, but <b><u><i>all wreak of error</i></u></b> by teaching Christ is but a prophet, or claiming Christ reappeared appointing new apostles, or denying the existence of hell, or accepting homosexuality, or giving creed to interfaithism, or denying Scripture's inerrancy and so on.<br />
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I do not plan to get into the logistics of each “religion” and their belief system; I only mention them to show how many false avenues there are incongruent with Scripture. This incomprehensive list doesn’t even include atheism. They flat out deny the existence God, a pattern of thought even demons reject.
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God is long-suffering and gives people time to see the error of their ways. The unrighteous and unsaved live out their lives free of punishment thinking God is on their side—<b>wrong</b>! Go to His word, their schemes and practices are of the devil.<br />
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Many people accept homosexuality as the norm and sexual immoral behavior as a legitimate lifestyle. Others claim Christianity as a means to financial gain—business contacts through the church or Christ as a career; others are just swindlers, liars, cheats, drunkards, adulterers, and the like. And all this is done under the presumption of Christianity.<br />
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<b>They are misled, they are wrong.</b> They will be spurned, chastised, and rebuked in the end—Jesus will accuse them straight to their faces. One cannot love the world and its ways claiming to have Christ as their Savior—<u>simply cannot be done</u> (1<i> John 1:15-17</i>). Those who ape His truth, those who forget Him, those who deny Him will be torn to shreds with their deeds leveled against them. But those who honor Christ and accept Him will be vindicated of their faith.<br />
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Forget worship on face value. God desires and requires heart worship. If our hearts and minds are set upon Jesus, our actions will follow suit. Do not allow the world to dictate God’s stone-set way of salvation. Following the world’s deluded way of being supreme to Jesus will cost you dearly in the end. Don’t be blinded by technology and bad persons living in ease while the saved are persecuted. Study, know, and live by God’s Word--be imitators of Jesus Christ.<br />
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The Bible is truth—the very nature of God is at stake when people twist and contort His absolutes. One must believe the Holy Spirit will reveal more and more to which only believers of Jesus will be tuned in to hear and understand. But many have cast doubt on Scriptures, questioning God’s ability to provide His creations with an infallible text. If you are one of these who promote or permit such actions, know this:<br />
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<i>“The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none…” and “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:6a, 12)</i>.<br />
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Your way may create avenues for a guilt-free lifestyle, but you will find no life through Jesus, only death through the devil. To cast suspicion on Scripture, is to call God an incompetent trickster who can create the universe, yet is incapable of inspiring His creations to pen the Bible. If this is your mindset, you had better enjoy life because the other side of time will be hell.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-23808331290536026142014-06-16T22:42:00.000-07:002014-06-16T22:42:32.868-07:00Drifting Away Society is bent upon the reduction of Jesus Christ within Christianity. The church has become infiltrated by the doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). Homosexuality is promoted and endorsed, Scripture is contorted, anger towards righteousness and truth in Jesus is rampant while cold, abusive, self absorbed lives permeate the pews.<br />
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The world considers a believer of Jesus, who does not yield to their overwhelming influence, an outcast worthy of ridicule and shun. And they herald a new way to God by coming together unified under one faith, by manipulating God's Word to correlate with darkness and evil. Such are the teachings of deceiving spirits set forth in efforts to lead the elect away. And, in many cases, they have succeeded. <br />
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The church has been brought into disrepute by liars, cheats, swindlers, and carnal leaders (2 Peter 2:2). They step forth into the limelight rather than the Light of Jesus Christ. They purse the name of the One and Only upon their lips while their hearts are corrupt with selfish ambition, greed, pride, and just flat out darkness. Many discerning, faithful Christians know all this to be true.<br />
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What is to be done then? Is not the great apostasy and drifting away prophesied within the pages of Scripture? Yes it is, and given this, we are not to be discouraged or overrun with worry. The Ancient of Days knew this would be the case, told us about it beforehand, and has everything in hand-- working towards the completion of His sovereign will.<br />
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However, this does not give us license to sit idly by, waiting and watching, without standing in the gap on behalf of those led astray by false teachers. The Lord <u>is</u> the storm on the horizon. Do you not see it? Can you not feel it in your bones? If so, how can we allow apathy rule the day? Shouldn't we, as faithful brethren in Christ Jesus, reach out in courage and boldness to those being misled by malcontent miscreants? The Lord is coming, and that right soon! The forecast is the fulfillment of His Word. <br />
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Scoffers are here ridiculing and persecuting us. They say, "Where is the coming He promised?" (2 Peter 3:4)<br />
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"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient...not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).<br />
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With this being the desire of our Savior, shouldn't we proclaim Him to those being dragged away by Satan's cohorts with false religion, carnality, feel good spirituality, and spiritual adultery?<br />
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"The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought (we) to be?" (2 Peter 3:10-11)<br />
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We should not become apostles of apathy toward mankind. We should be on guard against fallacies, preaching Christ in truth, instead of allowing the apostasy to steam roll others into a fearful judgement. The time is here. The time is now. We as heirs of God the Father, and coheirs with Jesus, are soon to be caught up out of this world, escaping judgement. In the power of God the Holy Spirit, we need to proclaim boldly, and proudly, the message of Christ. That it is by Him and through Him we are to be saved. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-66102464220618625572014-06-13T17:37:00.002-07:002014-06-13T18:34:42.380-07:00Merging Into One Religion Is The Tickling Of EarsI've been absent from my blog for a while...I'm trying not to become tethered to the net. But every now and then, I have something on my mind that needs penning out.<br />
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My blog is entitled Convoluted Christianity because of the apostate age in which we all live. Many false teachers have reared their heads watering down the gospel of Christ preaching peace between faiths. God is spoken of as love without mention of His holiness and righteousness. Such teachings are lies by omission. <br />
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Yes, God loves but not at the sacrifice of His nature. The faiths of the world cannot, and must not, be seen as serving the same God. The Triune God is not a mixture of human beliefs, interpretations, or paths leading unto Himself. Scripture is His Word, not His manifesto up for debate. There is only one Jesus and He is not the sugared down version the world portrays. He is the King of the universe, of all creation. He is powerful and not to be taken lightly.<br />
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It is heretical to bring religions together as one when all are different. Islam cannot mix with Chritianity, nor Buddihism, Hinduism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, and so on and so forth. There is only one way to Father God and that is Christ Jesus. Sugar coating Scripture to appease the masses is outrageous. We are living in the age of the great apostasy. Many are drifting away, because of preachers and leaders like Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, the Pope, Rod Parsley etc.. Some preach motivational sermons with holy sacraments for sale to bless lives, others promote world unity through the bridging of faiths melting into one. Sure, on face value some men teach Christ, yet with closer examinations they prove to be agents of Satan masquerading as agents of righteousness. <br />
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Listen closely, examine actions, and know Scripture. The times are coming to fruition with Christ Jesus' return imminent. Christless Christians are everywhere quoting Scripture decieving many. I mean Satan knows the Bible frontwards and backwards...twisting, manipulating, and convoluting verses through false teachers and prophets, just as he did face to face with Jesus in the wilderness. Filter men's words through their obedience to Christ Jesus. You will know them by their fruit.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Links to support found at my Facebook page "Convoluted Christianity " <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/TruthBeTold" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pages/TruthBeTold</a><span id="goog_1008866177"></span><span id="goog_1008866178"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-21308099990283751272013-11-01T20:03:00.000-07:002013-11-01T20:03:54.025-07:00Meekness is the Key<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've been spending some time away from the ole computer lately. I have found it easy to lose oneself in the cyber world while ignoring tangible life. Like anyone's walk in life, especially one of faith, there are hills and valleys to traverse. For me, it is far too simple to withdraw into a life of study and writing. But the Christian life is not one meant for solitude. Being the introvert I am, the difficulty remains not in extending love from a distance, encouragement from a keyboard, love from arm's length, rather delving into faith and applying wisdom found in Scripture outside of this machine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don't know how many have read my 'bio,' so here's a little background on Chad. I am a recovering alcoholic and addict. Almost two decades spent wallowing like a pig in the mire and mud of hate and anger. There are many reasons as to why I chose the lifestyle I use to reside in, but it all boils down to ignorant selfishness. I chose to escape into an altered reality pleasing myself, instead of facing life head on and pleasing my heavenly Father. In God's strength through Jesus, I have since kicked alcohol and drugs to the curb. However, I still struggle with the aspect of escapism. The hypocrite within loves to rail against those who are almost surgically tethered to technological devices; those who always have a phone to their ear or head buried downward typing out texts. Yet, I constantly fail to realize I am no better because I retreat into Facebook, blogs, and surfing the net on my laptop. How can I stand in opposition toward apathy in life when I exude the very same aspects of those I call 'Apostles of Apathy?' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's easy to fall into a stance with one's arm extended forming an outstretched index finger. Pointing out others ineptitude at displaying Christ's love is a soap box position. If only I and others could come down atop the soap box and use it's contents to cleanse our high and mighty perspectives. Now, this is not to say shining the light of Christ on lies, apostasy, and hypocrisy is unwarranted. It's just prudent to always bear in mind </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/BibleChapters.asp?fcid=168&lcid=168" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Galatians 6:1</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">--</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Brothers, even if a man is overtaken in some offense, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, looking to yourself lest you also be <strong>tempted</strong>."</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are all guilty of sin--and that of the same sins in varying degrees. They may take different shapes, yet if we think we are innocent of sins others commit, then we are not only deceived by Satan--we are also self-deceived. We as Christians are forgiven and righteous before God the Father through God the Son. We cannot use that freedom in harshness toward others, rather in a <em>"spirit of meekness."</em> To be low in self and lofty in Christ will always project God's true love. After all, as those who have been called out of the darkness into the light of God's mercy and grace, we must not forget what we were<em>--"lest (we) also be tempted"</em> to walk as zombies in our old selves. We have been crucified with Christ on the cross and resurrected to a new life. To forget we were once drowning and Christ Jesus threw us a life line, is to repeat the actions of our 'dead selves.' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love is action, love is real. Shedding truth when we ourselves are sinners is not hypocrisy. We now reside within the era of grace through Jesus. Using this gift of grace to shed truth in hateful opposition and no direct application to ourselves is sin. Meekness is the key. To think of Christ, and to withdraw into His presence, will cause us to step outside ourselves. To step outside the familiarity of old habits and the comforts of escapism is surrendering oneself to Jesus. Yes, faith is a gift--it is also a journey. Just as life is a dance of one step forward and two steps back, we must reverse that order in growth. We will fail, it is inevitable while we still reside in the flesh. But, we cannot repeat actions of old--we must commit ourselves to two steps forward after every one step back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Each day adds to the year's total of 365. Each year adds to the sum total of one's life. I have no clue as to why living creeps by while life flies by--escapes my intellect. But, it is a fact. Life's memories are a blur, but they don't feel that way in the 'process of.' It is easy to forget eternity waiting for us on the other side of time. I forget this daily, even though I'm aware of the reality. I must focus on this reality rather than escaping into a world withdrawn from society. I look forward to my growth in the Lord. By His grace and love, I have truly become a new man. I am not what I use to be and remaining meek in Christ's presence will mature me past where I am now. </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Not that I have already obtained or am already perfected, but I pursue, if even I may lay hold of that for which I also have been laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward. Let us therefore, as many as are full-grown, have this mind; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you. Nevertheless whereunto we have attained, by the same rule let us walk." </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=6289&lvid=6293&ol=on" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Philippians 3:12-16)</span></a></em></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*more of my bio can be read at </span> </span><a href="http://authonomy.com/books/47153/convoluted-christianity/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://authonomy.com/books/47153/convoluted-christianity/</span></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-15436670006089229372013-10-17T22:58:00.000-07:002013-10-17T22:58:53.192-07:00Pacifying the Old Nature or Maturing in Christ<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Aside from being under the weather, I've had a rough go of it lately. Nothing external, all internal. I will not go into the details, but it is no different than any other Christian. True our weak points may differ, however the intensity of the battle is no less the same. We all struggle with the 'old man' within as we strive to run our race for Christ (</span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/BibleVerses.asp?fvid=4930&lvid=4930&q=old%20man" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Romans 6:6</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">; </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/BibleVerses.asp?fvid=6150&lvid=6150&q=old%20man" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ephesians 4:22</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">; </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/BibleVerses.asp?fvid=6382&lvid=6382&q=old%20man" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Colossians 3:9</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">). It is easy to forget this life for Jesus is a battleground. With so many distractions, and our own propensity to please self, we neglect putting on the armor of God (</span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=6203&lvid=6213&ol=on" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ephesians 6:10-20</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">). Scripture would not refer to armor, if were not true there were a battle raging about us. Satan and his minions attack us on every level. If there is a gap in the defensive wall, our city will fall.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Like a city that is broken down, without walls, Is a man whose spirit is without restraint." </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=25100&lvid=25100" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Proverbs 25:28)</span></a></em></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"City" symbolizes our heart, our relationship with Christ. True, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of our Father </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=5003&lvid=5011&ol=on" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Romans 8:31-39)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, but let's be honest with one another--at times we choose to ignore His love in favor of our own inclinations. If our "walls" are weak, crumbling, or non-existent, then the enemy can trounce right into the center of the city and crush it with ease. "Restraint" is the mortar holding the "wall" together. It is our intestinal fortitude to remain loyal to Jesus, to represent Him faithfully on the battleground of life. Now, this doesn't come with our transformation into God's children. It is not handed to us in a neat package when we accept Christ. Just as walls are built, one brick at a time, we increase strength of control in victories against the destroyer of souls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But, the same can apply to defeats. The words "broken down" imply a continual process over time. Walls aren't simply cast aside in one defeat. They can be seriously damaged from a blow in one specific spot, but for the city walls to be "broken down" entails a siege and a series of defeats. Time is deceptive. It only exists in our dimension. The spiritual world has no time. It is one of man's many bright ideas. We have placed importance on the now, and how fast or slowly it expires, to the point of where we count it's passing on the face of a dial. With each decision in the 'moment of now' we either choose loyalty or disloyalty. Both affect the effect of our self-control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the field of battle, Satan's arrows fly mercilessly </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=6209&lvid=6209" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Ephesians 6:16).</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Do not be coy in thinking they fly haphazardly. He has targets and they strike with accuracy. If we are not prepared for the battle, if we neglect ensuring our walls of defense with learning Scripture, we will have allowed Satan to gain the upper hand. Sure, we will suffer defeats in our lives. But to allow those losses to remain in our hearts is immature. We must repair those breaches in our defense by kneeling before our King in prayer, continuously and persistently. We cannot allow gaping holes to remain for any ole enemy to enter with sinister intentions against our faith. We must raise ourselves up. This is not possible without being yoked to Jesus Christ </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=344&lvid=344" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Matthew 11:29)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. The raising up ourselves implies our willingness to allow Him to pick us up. He does not force Himself upon our will, He waits patiently for us to call on Him, and then, we rise up in Christ. We must not doubt this or we will not receive anything.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he who doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed about. For that man must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; He is a double-souled man, unstable in all his ways." </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=7128&lvid=7130" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(James 1:6-8).</span></a></em></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Faith is being certain of the unseen </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=7029&lvid=7029" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Hebrews 11:1)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Our faith is believing the Spirit of God is afoot and ready to take up our cause. The Lord is the Spirit </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=5714&lvid=5714" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(2 Corinthians 3:17)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, so being yoked to Him is essential in keeping our walls secure. Self-control lies in the decisions we make over time. Time escapes us quickly, so as 'they' say, we must keep short accounts. Refusing to reckon with one sin, no matter the degree, leads to another sin. Such a pattern of thought is sightless to accumulation. We commit one sin, we do not deal with it, and then we look up from sinful inclinations and months have passed. We have snowballed out of control. Our walls are down and the enemy has overpowered our spiritual dignity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The answer to overcoming such defeats is repenting of our sins. To make an about face and begin rebuilding our fortification against darkness. Brick by brick, decision by decision, returning to the Lord in the small things of life and loyalty in the large areas is the key. This will entail blood, sweat, and tears. It is not easy. Restraint is often a fight against pride--"I want it though, Lord." And Satan's arrows are aimed directly at your pride/self-centeredness over whatever begetting sins you suffer. God's love and grace are prime aspects to cheer us on, knowing we have righteousness in Christ no matter our failings. However, to succeed and mature in Christ, we must push past our beginning in Christ, past the foundational level of learning about love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=6901&lvid=6903" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Hebrews 6:1-3)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. We must live these attributes of Christ out, to be conformed into His likeness to the glory of our heavenly Father </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=5000&lvid=5002&ol=on" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Romans 8:28-30)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. We must walk in the Spirit.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"But I say, Walk by the Spirit and you shall by no means fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these oppose each other that you would not do the things that you desire. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law...But they who are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and its lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" </span></em><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=6034&lvid=6044&ol=on" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Galatians 5:16-26)</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></em></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Apostle Paul gives excellent advice on re-securing protective barriers against the onslaught of Satan's assaults. It is found in </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=6290&lvid=6293" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Philippians 3:13-16</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward. Let us therefore, as many as are full grown, have this in mind; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you. Nevertheless whereunto we have attained, by the same rule let us walk."</span></em></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All these things come in time. I cannot speak for you, but the 'me in me', the selfish child within wants them now. I often run ahead of the Spirit, rather than keeping in step with Him. I end up making wrong decisions or saying/doing the wrong things, then having to back step over the mistakes. I expend far too much energy in zeal without knowledge. In my haste, not only do I burn myself out--I sin against God by not following His Spirit</span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=24886&lvid=24886" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Proverbs 19:2)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Then at other times, I sin by not keeping up because I'm too busy pacifying the 'old man.' Thank the Lord for His grace, patience, and long-suffering over His children. With each phase of life, clothing myself with Christ and arming myself with weapons of light will become first nature, if I remain faithful at tending the walls around my city <a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/bibleverses.asp?fvid=5133&lvid=5136&ol=on" target="_blank">(Romans 13:11-14)</a>. Then I will be mature and conformed into the image of God the Father's Son. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eternity is in our hearts, new life with Jesus Christ stipulates a Father-child relationship with God. It starts at spiritual rebirth and continues on forever. In death, our mortality is swallowed up by life and we will be made permanently like our Savior </span><a href="http://online.recoveryversion.org/BibleVerses.asp?fvid=5737&lvid=5737&q=swallowed" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(2 Corinthians 5:4).</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> What a day that will be!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-88429309896652355012013-10-04T20:12:00.000-07:002013-10-07T14:17:57.518-07:00Crucial Truths<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the
truth, and the life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one comes to the
Father except through me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you really
knew me, you would know my Father as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.’”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <em>(John 14:6-14)</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are prevailing beliefs teaching
God is a consciousness which we humans are to aspire to—that He encompasses all
religions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alongside such dogmas is a
contention that loving hearts, good ethics, and good lives, no matter the
religion, will grant admission into heaven. Wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One cannot believe such and participate in
the kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ is the
gate, the only gate, to enter through for salvation (John 10:7-10). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If someone claims to be a Christian, yet refuses to believe Jesus is the Christ, they are an antichrist—not the Antichrist, but one who simply denies Him as God <em>(1 John 2:18-27).</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you claim to serve and love God yet deny His Son, you are not saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your mind-set is that Jesus was just a prophet, then you make Him out to be a liar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by that same reasoning, if He were just a prophet, He would not be a very good one if He lied about who He is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many claims Jesus made of
Himself--here are just ten (Case for Christ Study Bible, NIV):</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to establish the kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to equal with God (John 5:17-22)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed He will judge the world (Matthew 25:31-32)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to have the power to forgive sins (Luke 5:20-21)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to be the bread of life (John 8:12)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to be the light of the world (John 8:12)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to exist before His birth (John 8:58)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to be the gate for God’s sheep (John 10:7-10)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to have the power to grant eternal life (John 11:25-27)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->He claimed to be the only path to God (John 14:6)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To say one is a Christian, while contending God encompasses
all religions and many avenues lead to Him, is outright heresy! God
came in the flesh and His name is Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And He said, "I am the only way."</span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“And this is His command: to believe in
the name of His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:23)</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, there
are those who will purse Jesus on their lips and deceive populations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will use His name to spread their
lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will mix truth with error
contaminating the entire lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guarantee they will downgrade, mutate, or deny one (if not more) of the above
claims Jesus made about Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep a
watchful eye and attentive ear.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Dear friends, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many
false prophets have gone out into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
acknowledges Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit
that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the spirit of the antichrist, which
you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” (1 John 4:1-3)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truly listen carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Persons may claim Jesus is from God yet distort who God is, in turn falsifying their claims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others may claim Jesus as the Christ, but
detour around His claims and commandments, thus proving they have the spirit of
the antichrist.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“They are from the world and therefore
speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.” (1 John
4:5)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Error and lies have infiltrated Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>False teachers of Christ claim to possess
clearer insights, epiphanies, and revelations about God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be (or know of) one of the many people who truly
believe they are Christian, yet in reality are unsaved because of the mutated
truth of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, stop taking
other people’s word at face value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
even take my word for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get in the
Bible and read it, study it, pray over it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t have a working
knowledge of Scripture, if you don’t stand for Christ, you will fall for
malicious ministries of deceiving spirits <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(1
Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are nine crucial doctrinal truths<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>1</sup>
one must hold to be a Christian.
If these crucial absolutes are not accepted, you are
lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These truths are the life of Jesus
<u>Christ</u>, Christ being the operative root of “Christ”ian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deny these and you deny Him, and if you deny
Him, how are you a Christian?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Absolute inspiration of Scripture </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Scripture’s infallibility</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The virgin birth—Immaculate Conception (free from
impurity or blemish)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The deity of Jesus Christ</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The sinless life of Jesus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross for sinners</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jesus’ bodily resurrection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jesus’ ascension into heaven</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jesus’ return </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Beyond all question, the mystery of
godliness is great: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appeared in a
body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the
nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)</span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: 9pt;">1</span></sup><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> Charles R. Swindoll, “Doctrinal Truths” (2012, Insight
for Living on OnePlace.com)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-82789143041047661372013-09-26T23:48:00.001-07:002013-09-26T23:48:40.948-07:00Capstone or Savior?<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">"But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,' and, 'A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall'" (1 Peter 2:7-8). "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate'" (1 Corinthians 1:18-19).</span><br data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[1]" /></em></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christ Jesus is illogical to hard hearts. Deafened ears cannot hear the Lord calling out. How can they? God is Spirit, our Comforter is the Holy Spirit. Only a receptive soul will recognize the Lord's persistent knocking at the heart's door. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today's society is bound by flesh and worldly reason. God has truly destroyed the wisdom of the wise and the intelligence of the intelligent. God appearing as a man goes right over the heads of many stubborn people. They cannot begin to grasp the reality of our lives being a simple creation by the hands of a Creator. They believe they are self-made or evolved from lower species. How ridiculous. The arrogance of mankind in refusing to admit we are jars of clay--mere specks of dust in comparison to eternity and God's infinity--has produced a cold and abusive generation. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[bxul].[1][4][1]{replies10151903854759534_29789585}.[1][2]{comment10151903854759534_29791282}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]">Populations throughout the world resemble Simon the Sorcerer from Acts 8:9-25. </span></span>They are <em>"full of bitterness and captive to sin"</em> <em>(8:23).</em> They gather false teachers to soothe their itching ears and turn aside to myths <em>(2 Timothy 4)</em>. Jesus is flippantly used as a means to financial gain by prosperity preachers. They proclaim God's Word as a means to worldly riches, prestige, and position. They have no part in God's ministry, because their hearts are not right before God <em>(Acts 8:21).</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">False religions, or should I say cults, are growing. They have a form of godliness, but deny it's power <em>(2 Timothy 3:5).</em> They deny the power of the cross--Jesus' self-sacrifice for the atonement of our sins. Cults display many qualities of light, yet are actually deceived by deceitful spirits and things taught by demons <em>(1 Timothy 4:1).</em> Countless persons have abandoned the faith and are lulled into a false sense of security, because they have failed to submit to Christ Jesus. <em>"They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us" (1 John 19).</em> They may say Christ is the Son of God, but their merging of worldly logic with Scriptural Truth is of Satan. I mean, even demons who possessed people which Christ cast out cried, <em>"What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High? I beg you, don't torture me!" (Luke 8:28).</em> It's one thing to say and know Jesus is the Son of God, it's another to acknowledge Jesus as God and Lord of your life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many persons claim they are Christian, but are lost. They are blatantly deceived or too arrogant to admit their error. Love for the world--society's acceptance, power, money, ranking, pleasure--is scheduled for destruction. <em>"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed (Jesus) remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9).</em> This means if Jesus is truly in our hearts, our character will be influenced by the Holy Spirit's presence. We will grow and mature in His qualities and be heavily convicted of our sins. We will have godly sorrow rather than worldly sorrow. Our sin will exact an eager yearning for change, for a life lived for God's glory rather than the world's acceptance. <em>"The man who says, 'I know Him,' but doesn't do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him" (1 John 2:4-5).</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cults, false religions, philosophical lives are prevalent. They cause many to fall without them even knowing why they stumble. Christ has become their capstone. Chasing mankind's arrogant ideas of existence and worship leads only to eternal separation from God the Father. <em> "There is a way which seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These are obvious truths for those who love and live for Jesus--and even for many who reject truth. Yet, countless still fall prey to lies and apostasy. These are the times prophesied in Scripture, the age prophets longed to witness. We are living in a world where Scriptural truth and prophecy are being revealed before our eyes. It is an exciting time for sincere followers of Christ, because we recognize the day of His return draws near. It is also a sorrowful time for true Christians, because of the souls destined for destruction due to their denial. I prefer to concentrate on the horizon, keeping a watchful eye and attentive ear for the trumpet's sounding and the return of our Savior. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christians--wake up! The last times are here. Can you not feel it in your soul? Can you not feel the Holy Spirit weighing your conscience when you view the world around you? Or am I just overly hopeful? Either way, whether I'm correct or not, it's certainly time to get ourselves ready. The church must unite as one man, as one body with Christ Jesus as our Head, so we can stand strong in the gap representing God's grace to the world. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-240088778176962552013-09-21T16:05:00.000-07:002013-09-21T16:05:42.184-07:00What's Happened?
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">America claims
Christianity on the whole,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But all I see are shrines
upon every knoll.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">About Jesus many have no
clue,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">He is the capstone to
their routes in lieu.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Worship goes to
technology, sex, money, and drugs,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">While giving God numerous
shoulder shrugs.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We approach Him in prayer
and requests,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And harbor adultery within
the chest.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Upon His Rock we claim His
glory,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yet, countless have
exchanged Jesus for a fictional story.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We have replaced our
obedience and devotion,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">For lives full of wayward
emotion.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">One group says this,
another sect says that—<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">All declare this is where
the truth is at.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some claim Jesus was just
a prophet,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And others use Him for a
dollars profit.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Many add to or contort His
words,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Grouping together in large
herds.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Numerous taunt God by
bragging,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“His Word and Son are
lagging.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Generations come and go,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Where’s He at?—thought He
promised to show!”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Like Lucifer, this land is
arrogant,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our own rules, regulations,
and religion we plant.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just like repeated days of
old,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">humility before God
refuses to unfold.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Simple minds seek simple
ways,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wisdom is calling
out—count the days.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">America was planted like a
choice vine,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love and hate for God has
become a red line.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Failure happened when
varied degrees of Christianity,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Became aped into false
forms a plenty.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Each generation has grown
worse,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The present has one foot
in the hearse.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">God is not pleased, He has
not overlooked,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">He does not forget, the
oven is set to cook.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><u>Acknowledge sin and He
will forgive</u></em>,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Or suffer the lives you
chose to live.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The fourth quarter has
started,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Minutes tick for the vain
and hard-hearted.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus is the only truth
and only way,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Don’t wait until the final
play.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Time sneaks up quick and
the game ends,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The loss will be severe—no
clock left for amends.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><u>Jesus is man’s Savior and
He is the Living Stone</u></em>,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why aren’t more believers
mature and grown?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So many beliefs about Him
mutilated,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Speak the truth and you
are hated!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stop worshipping true to
the false,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And <strong>stand for Christ on
the cross!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-69404044375815582192013-09-17T17:26:00.001-07:002016-03-23T00:08:50.423-07:00Corruption<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8FEHYCl1nc/VvIvXPq3JuI/AAAAAAAADag/V9OXceXyzRgNxf5lpkhVv1mFt9lKYBjJQ/s1600/Corruption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8FEHYCl1nc/VvIvXPq3JuI/AAAAAAAADag/V9OXceXyzRgNxf5lpkhVv1mFt9lKYBjJQ/s400/Corruption.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deviance, distortion, and perversion permeate many churches in these last times. Perversion does not always entail corrupt, sexual natures. Perversion is anything distorted, corrupted, impaired, or wicked. Many claim to know Jesus nowadays, but do they really know Him? Countless disciples are disdainful, and of darkness rather than light. Christianity steeps with compassionless, apathetic persons. Jesus' name is thrown around as a marketed tool or as an avenue of judgment. Perverted spirits malign the gospel of Christ with words lacking supporting lifestyles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is not something new. The Apostle Paul in Galatians chapter one speaks of a similar sickness within the body of Christ. <em> "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ" (1:7). </em>In Paul's day, Jews were trying to convince Christian Gentiles their salvation was worthless unless accompanied by circumcision. In effect, their faith was only counted as righteous before God if they completed a certain task. Salvation based upon works in other words. Sound familiar?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, today, not only is salvation through works promoted, other false aspects contaminate Christianity. Such as love God, but don't mention Jesus--too controversial; such as worldly passions--homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, adultery are either condoned or overlooked; such as retaliatory mindsets--fight back rather than turn the other cheek. Many "Christians" are jaded. Hard hearts herald a new religion, a man-made spirituality. They negate the work of Christ on the cross, implementing human regulations which do nothing to restrain sensual passions and restrict regeneration by the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:23).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Human regulations of "do this, do that, don't do this, don't do that" are take backs to the day of the Apostle Paul (Colossians 2:22). They create a 'Pharisee on the street corner' religion. And such a religion is stiff-necked and compassionless. <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: orange;"><em>"Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men'" (Matthew 15:6b-9)</em>.</span></span></span> This is proportionate to numerous 21st century churches. Christianity is being used much like baseball's double play. The truth comes at you fast and hard, but more often than not, it is scooped up and thrown hurriedly to first base to get the other team out. It's an 'us against them' mindset instead of 'they are lost and need saving' mindset.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salvation is being used as a defense rather than an offense. We hangout in the outfield of life waiting for something spectacular to come our way, completely bobbling the small plays. The small plays happen all the time--it's the attention to details which affect the outcome, not one miraculous make on life's stage. If we allow perverted, misguiding's of Scripture--taught by <em>"hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2)</em>--to harden our hearts, then we have fallen from grace (Galatian 5:4) and there is nothing but a fearful expectation of judgment waiting for us (Hebrews 10:27).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Defensive postures are for those on guard--holding close themselves to themselves. Love is seeking out the best interests of others regardless of one's actions. Self-centered, prideful, dispirited carnal Christians are incapable of empathy and compassion. Walking with Jesus is humility and submission to God, not surrender to man's teachings of logic, ethics, and tradition. Walking with Jesus is placing Him as Head of the Church, as Head of our individual lives. More often than not, He is an afterthought of religion--or even more reprehensibly, a means to an end other than glory to God our Father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><em>Those who claim God's love, while refusing to adhere to Jesus' example, corrupt the grace of God in the eyes of those who are weak in the faith, or who just outright deny. They are lukewarm and will be spewed out. Let us not continue today's perverted gospel!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-6656621991543578402013-09-12T15:53:00.002-07:002015-08-15T20:31:39.834-07:00Hardened by Sin's Deceitfulness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">America is gospel hardened. Ease of life has created an atmosphere of complacency. The early church had persecution--Christians around the world are still suffering persecution for proclamations of Jesus Christ, and the gospel spreads. Yet, here in America there may be churches on every corner, however, hearts are separate from God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is an air of pomposity. We have wrought the freedoms by the work of our own hands--wrong. Sure, we worked, and that we have done hard and consistently, but nothing happens outside the will of God. It is He who grants the freedoms and it is He who takes them away. Not we humans. Yet, take a look around. Open your ears and what do you hear? Mouths gaping wide spewing revulsions of me, me, me. It is the nature of the prideful beast within us all outside of Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">American society has heard the great news of creation's Lord and Savior for generations now. So much so, we have lost faith. Hebrews 11:1 states <em>"faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."</em> The majority of today's America is evidentiary in faith. We are a nation of doubting Thomas's. We have become believers of the here and now, the "what-can-you-do-for-me" generation. But, Christianity is following Christ Jesus--the Suffering Servant <em>(Isaiah 52:13-53:12).</em> Followers are no better than their masters <em>(Matthew 10:24)</em>, yet we incorporate a corporate attitude of going with the flow, of living the life of pleasure, of avoiding strife at all costs. We no longer are sure of what we hope for and we are certainly leery of placing trust in what we cannot see. It is evident all around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus is God. He is the Alpha and Omega tabernacled in human form. He is the Rock upon which Christianity is founded. Unfortunately, modern and cultural Christianity has twisted views of Christ. Some dispute the era of grace by enforcing and subjugating regulations, procedures, and intolerances of the freedom Christ provides. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Others doubt the goodness of God because they are no longer to live as they once lived--thinking, "How can God be good if I can't be me?" We are not to be the persons we once were<em>--"living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry" (1 Peter 4:3).</em> And this is exactly the lifestyle preferred among this "Christian" nation. And when the truth of Scripture is set forth, whether by word or lifestyle, genuine Christians are thought odd, abnormal, and strange while such sincere believers are made fun of, rejected, and reviled <em>(1 Peter 4:4).</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">America is in a rut of retaliation against Jesus. We are a nation of carnal Christians. The lascivious Christian serves the flesh (Romans 8:5), feeds upon milk and therefore is immature (1 Corinthians 3:1). Such walks are unreliable (Romans 7:19), unfruitful (Matthew 13:22), the joy in Christ is lost (Psalm 51:12), and all rewards will be stubble in the fire (1 Corinthians 3:15). We as a nation have become flesh-bound rather than whole-souled into Christ Jesus. We do not live in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). We have become preoccupied with the here and now. Life is but a vapor. We exist only for a short time on this earth, and what do we do? We lust after prestige, power, possessions, flesh, and money. We purse the name of Jesus on our lips, yet we avoid walking in His light. We either forget His commandments of love or we modify His teachings to suit our fancy. We are too afraid to stand for Jesus in the face of opposition, because we are terrorized by reactions of the surrounding environment.<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please, don't get me wrong. Just because I sit here blogging out the nation's condition, I do not think myself any better than society. I am guilty of everything I rail against. How can I not be? I am a sinner saved by grace. I live in the moment far too often, forgetting and/or brushing aside the Holy Spirit's weight upon my conscience. I grieve Him daily. Thanks be to Jesus Christ for pouring Himself out to issue God the Father's grace to mankind! But His grace is not freely given--it came at a cost. Jesus sacrificed Himself. He allowed His own creation to turn on Him, to beat Him unmercifully, to spit on Him over and over, to humiliate Him, laugh at Him, torture Him, kill Him. This is grace at it's best. It is <strong><u>not</u></strong> the "what-can-you-do-for-me" mindset. It is God's favor given to those who do not deserve it. It is only received by claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. <em><u>It cannot and will never be received any other way!</u></em> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If it were not for Jesus and the life I claim in Him, I deserve the worsts of death for offending the Almighty with my past denial and lifestyle of unbelief. This is why I rail against a nation claiming Christianity. This is why I am disgusted by a country pursing God upon it's lips, yet refusing God in flesh. We are going to be punished harshly if we do not turn from our sins and acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all. If we do not change our sinful, arrogant lifestyles and pull a complete 180, then there is a certain doom which looms on the horizon of time.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We, as a nation, cannot allow ourselves to "be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13b). We must soften our hearts, unclench our teeth, loosen our stiff necks and hear the call of Jesus. But, it is not enough to just hear, we must submit to Jesus as King. We must surrender our egos to God. We are not who we think we are--we are not the end all that meets all. Only in Christ will we receive mercy, grace, and boundless life eternal. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-63908892891173385462013-09-09T15:14:00.000-07:002013-09-09T15:14:41.587-07:00Aftermath of Disobedience<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Read Isaiah
chapter five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it refers to the
nation of Israel, many similarities can be drawn to the state of the universal
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep in mind, the nation of
Israel is God’s chosen people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He
deals with their neglect of His favor, He will definitely deal with a world who
utterly denies Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s Christians
have received the gift of grace and mercy in a world ripe with sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has planted the Word of Truth only to
see it trampled underfoot with suspicion and denial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is love; He <em>“did not send His Son to
condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be a time of judgment, but now is
the time of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians should
reach out in self-denial not Christ-denial.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is
coming a time where the world and its Christless Christians, who bear no fruit,
will be judged harshly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the
ones who received the message of Christ on face value. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They turn from the faith and claim Christ’s
truths are up for debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will
destroy their hedge of self-spiritualization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will break down their walls of man-made religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will trample them under His foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will make them a wasteland—neither pruned
nor cultivated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briers and thorns of
bitterness will fill the soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hate will
fester in place of peace, contentment, and clarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All God sees and hears are cries of judgment
against Him—He has and will turn a deaf ear to false Christians saying, “I
never knew you” (Matthew 7:15-23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Denial and Consequence</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If eighty
percent of America is Christian, and thirty-three percent<sup>1</sup> of the
world follows suit, then why do so many taunt God with their deeds and demand
action from Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They live like “hell”
and expect Him to answer their prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God does not answer to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
what happens?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many go their own way
saying the God of Scripture does not exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is unkind, too demanding, and uncaring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His way of salvation is a farce—Jesus is not
the only way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes God (Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit) out to be a liar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They mutate Scripture to satisfy their own twisted hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is aped into a self-serving,
hypocritical religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They claim
to follow Jesus and deny His deity asserting, “God’s Word has been
mistranslated,” or “How can man write an inerrant book,” or “God’s Word is
outdated,” or “There are many interpretations—it just depends on how you look
at it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All outrageous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, if you believe in a God, which
many of these so-called Christians do, then how is it you can’t perceive Him to
be capable of inspiring man (His creation) to write infallible words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is it you can’t admit that same God can
provide avenues for His Word to be passed down through translation without
error?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you claim God, who does
not change (James 1:17), to have given us a Word that would become outdated? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>“All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and
training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for
every good work” (2 Timothy 4:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For
the word of God is living and sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
irritates the sinews of those rebellious to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want what they want and God precludes
them of such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His word cuts deep and to
avoid their desires from being carved out, the Bible is contested as errant,
outdated, or just outright manipulated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, they turn on true Christians, who speak the truth, calling them
narrow-minded, prejudiced, and bigoted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They repose in the shelter of free will calling their actions good and
those who confront them as bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
cast the Son of God and His flock aside, persecuting them while heralding their
wicked ways as the new way to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
arrogance as to their way superior to Gods will pave their road straight to
hell.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Such
patterns of thought and subsequent actions will set you ablaze in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As dry grass curls and withers in the fire,
souls will decay in this life and the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No wonder depression, constant searches for happiness, and complete
feelings of emptiness course rampant through today’s world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All understanding has blown away like dust
replaced with refuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while,
people will cling to false ideals of Christ hoping lies will answer their cries
for help.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has
turned an unresponsive ear to false devotions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>“If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law
(Jesus), even his prayers are detestable” (Proverbs 28:9).</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has turned His back to charlatan
Christians, because they deny who He really is—they no longer pray to the one
and only God, they utter to empty air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of belief in babblings, the world has caused its own
demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soul’s grave has <em>“enlarged
its appetite”</em> and <em>“opened its mouth without limit” (Isaiah 5:14).</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many will go down to the pits of hell
thinking their way is better than Gods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One day, eyes and ears will be opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The unsaved and conceited <em>“man will be brought low and mankind humbled,
the eyes of the arrogant humbled” (Isaiah 5:15).</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is
merciful or the world would not have received Jesus as the light of
salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But limits have been
set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before long, a day of judgment will
be called for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s holiness requires
satisfaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end times are
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying it will be tomorrow
or next year or even in my lifetime—but it could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No man knows the day, but we are given signs
to filter the times through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mature,
faithful followers of Christ are able to read the signs like meteorologists
read weather patterns; or how doctors are able to read the signs of any
particular sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>The world has a
sickness and it is called self-importance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without Christ Jesus as your cure, your soul is terminable.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spiritual weather patterns forecast
Christ’s return and the coming storm on the horizon for those left behind after
the rapture of believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
warnings all about us, yet so many choose to ignore and turn from their sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are blinded by desire, science,
technology, machinery, false teachers, apostasy, aped truths of Jesus
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So things get worse, the world’s
disease goes unchecked and the cancer of denial spreads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>God exists,
Jesus is who He says He is.</strong> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Refusal of
Him causes the Holy Spirit to crush souls and the Father to punish His
creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turns nation against nation
swiftly and speedily—not one of them grows tired of killing or dying for their
cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roar of hate is in unison
around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rage growls, seething
with many a devised plan for horror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Terrorists are everywhere like a roaring sea and they are quick to
implement death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are clouds of
bombs, terrorist’s attacks, missiles, gun fire in unsuspecting public
squares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is absolutely no light of
hope except through Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the world
deems Him as an unfit route of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><em>All will continue to worsen—wait and see.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are
on the fence, why choose Satan over Christ? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately, that’s what it boils down to—the
devils arrogance or Jesus’ humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is time now to make the wise choice, repent and turn to the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <em> </em></span><em>“If we claim to be without sin, we
deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">1</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><a href="http://religious.pewforums.org/reports/"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://religious.pewforums.org/reports/</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-20848992285208601842013-09-05T17:00:00.000-07:002013-09-05T19:27:11.612-07:00Our Living Hope<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>1 Peter
1:3-5<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>“Praise be
to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a <strong>living hope</strong> through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that
can never perish, spoil, or fade—kept in heaven for (us), who through faith are
shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation ready to be revealed
in the last time.”</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><em> </em> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We, as
true brethren of Christ, are given a living hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What exactly is a living hope?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through Jesus’ bodily resurrection, we have
the guarantee we are to be raised as He was—that is, if we are not among the
one’s counted during His return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
so, if we are living at that time, our bodies are to be resurrected anew into
one identical to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, the
resurrection of our bodies into a glorious transformation, or glorification, is
definite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are promised this in
Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:1-58).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God did it for His Son and He
has promised to do it for us, His adopted children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, we are heirs of God and co-heirs
with Jesus (Romans 8:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, living hope is an enthusiastic
belief that is alert, sustaining, conscious, growing, ready, alive and
kicking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It resides within the
boundaries of our resurrection and our inheritance as the family of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our endowment firmly resides in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to set expectations of favor within
the parameters of Paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There our
rewards, our home, our lives will never <em>“perish, fade, or spoil.”</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, we are nothing but temporary tents
housing the gift of life, our spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All spirits are eternal, it’s just a matter of where we will spend
eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To place scope of vision on
the here and now, brushing aside the hereafter, is foolish and juvenile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children do not consider tomorrow, they are
only concerned with the immediate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We as
adults know better, yet when it comes to life after death, we emulate the
shortsightedness of the immature.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our earthly gains amount to nothing,
no matter the amount accumulated, when death comes knocking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one single item can be taken into
eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, why is so much emphasis
placed on material possessions rather than spiritual ones?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is the short span of eighty to one
hundred years, at best, so dog-gone blind to hope?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The windows to our souls have blinds of
apathy blocking the view of God’s ageless tomorrow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are Christians, true Christians, our
citizenship resides upward not outward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our hope is meant for eternity’s inheritance with Jesus, not the devil’s
doghouse of denial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We know that hope’s gains are <em>“kept
in heaven,”</em> but how?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through faith in
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is complete trust or
dependence on the absolute of Jesus being who He says He is (Hebrews 11:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are assured of our inheritance’s reality
and its safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is <em>“shielded by God’s
power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the
last time”</em> (1 Peter 1:5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice verse
five states, <em>“the salvation that is <u>ready</u> to be revealed.” </em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once Jesus died on the cross and defeated
Satan and sin, He was resurrected in victory over death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three “evils”—Satan, sin, and death—were
defeated by the One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan stands
opposite his Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God—Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit—defeated all three on Calvary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christ was the Suffering Servant, but do not miscount the role of the
Father and Spirit in salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Father sacrificed His only begotten for the sake of His creation, the Son gave
Himself up for the Father’s righteous love, and the Spirit raised Jesus from
death and now works as our Counselor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
one, true God won.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since that glorious triumph, the
Father has been preparing a family unto Himself through His Son, by placing His
Spirit as a seal on the souls who accept His only means of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This salvation is ready to be revealed here
in the last times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus spoke of the
end times when He walked the earth, this verse refers to the last times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of the Olympics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end of the games is designated by a
closing ceremony on the final day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
days preceding the closing ceremony are generally referred to as "the
end of the games."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not until the last game
is played is the closing ceremony set to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The same is of life as we know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The past has been the end of times, but now is the last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot say how long the final game will
last, only that we are in the final play of history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the game clock ticks down to zero, the
closing ceremony will begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The signs
are all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open your eyes,
Christians, and read the times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end
has become the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus could
literally come back at any moment.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All prophecy in Scripture leads to
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old Testament prophecies tell of
the coming Messiah, the Christ, Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>New Testament prophecies foretell His return, one: to catch up His
family, and two: to establish His kingdom by ending the present age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His return is eminent—through His own
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The times He spoke of exist in
overwhelming abundance today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
continue eyes set downward is to live as an ostrich with its head in the
sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end is coming whether or not
we keep an eye out for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Our living hope should be on His powerful appearing.</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-16778881705576841992013-09-04T16:30:00.000-07:002013-09-04T16:30:11.015-07:00Age of Denouncement<br />
(excerpt from my unpublished book, Convoluted Christianity)<o:p></o:p><br />
<u1:p></u1:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Are you an apostate?
Huh? Meaning, have you fallen away from your faith? Have you
denounced your relationship with Jesus? Have you been led to His waters
to quench your thirst and decided to gorge your stomach with Satan’s canteen of
lies? Do you live in accordance to God’s Word or are you a lover of the
world? Are you misled by false doctrine, false faith—lies? Do you
even know if you are on the path to hell or have you been blinded by the
devil’s deceit? Remember, if you claim to be a Christian, you had better
examine your beliefs in the light of Jesus.<u1:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Look at the world around
you. No, let’s be more specific for now. Look at America. Our
motto is “In God We Trust." Nothing could be further from the truth.
America trusts in itself. It is a nation bent on me, me, me.
Technology is progressing at such a rate interpersonal connection is
practically obsolete. Rarely do you find a person without a cell phone to
their ear or their head buried downward typing out texts. Computers are
the new god of choice. Everything is instantaneous, we are junkies for
immediacy. We claim freedom is our right, yet we freely relinquish our
lives to the cyber world. We are chained to our phones, computers,
twitter accounts, Facebook pages, emails, texts—we have shackled ourselves and
Satan could not be happier. He has distracted our thoughts of Jesus with
ease. Technology at heart is not evil, but what we are doing with it is.</span> <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">At this nation’s start, we
fundamentally had God at the core. In turn, God blessed this nation with
growth incomparable to any other country, just look at our history. Yet,
as the years have progressed our faith has regressed. We claim “In God We
Trust” and spit in His face every day by rejecting His Son as the Christ.
We live out our lives our way, demanding God change His—man, this nation is
arrogant. With the same mouths we profess Christianity and spew out
profanity. With the same knees we bow to God in prayer yet worship technology. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">We have no regard, no
appreciation of God’s earth—we pollute it for the almighty dollar, we destroy
it for profit. We carouse in drunken, drug-induced stupors, partaking of
sex-filled lifestyles blaming God for the consequences of STD’s and unplanned
pregnancies. We wag our fingers at Him in disgust for allowing rapists,
murderers, kidnappers, and the like to go free due to a corrupt justice system.
Not to mention how politicians love to play the Christian card while running
for office, yet when elected their true colors shine. Our government is
one of injustice, one catered to the wealthy, one catered to the lobbyists who
represent large corporations and our elected officials are steeped in what’s
right in their eyes, rather than the eyes of those who elected them. And
all this under the motto, “In God We Trust”—please.<u1:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">We are an egocentric
society. We want what feels good and we want it now. Tell us we are
wrong and suffer the backlash of fury, hate, and exile. America does not
trust in God. It serves the gods of this age—technology and pleasure. Take
a gander at the youth of today. Rebellious, self-seeking, violent,
obsessed with the here and now, and make no provision for tomorrow. They
love to fight and revel in violence. Their favorite forms of
entertainment are games that feature murder and war, movies that glorify care
and consequence free lives, and clubs where alcohol, drugs, and sex run rampant.
We take up for them by claiming such lifestyles and entertainment are not the
cause for our nation’s woes. Let me tell you, if you consistently fill
your mind with such, your spirit is stained. Our hearts are
the well-spring of our lives, we must guard them fiercely (Proverbs 4:23).
If they are tainted, then the waters that flow forth are corrupted with the
vile we mixed in with them. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Many claim to be followers
of Jesus, yet vehemently cry out in rage when the one and only truth is put in
front of them. How can those who partake of the world, crave its
pleasures, and fall for Satan’s lies be Christian? How can Christian
fight against Christian over doctrine clearly stated in Scripture? How
can a society so bent on itself, so warped by desire, and mutilated truth of
Jesus Christ be Christian? It simply cannot be. This nation is one
of partying, depravity, sexual immorality, homosexuality, swindlers, murderers,
liars, cheats, drunkards, deniers of solid Biblical doctrine. </span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Countless so-called Christians are lost. They never accepted Christ as their Savior—that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>He</u></b> is the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>only way</u></b>, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>only truth</u></b>, and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>only life</u></b>—they are Christless Christians, apostles of apathy. Absolutely no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Get mad all you want, reject my words all you want. At the core, it’s not me you are mad at, but God (1 Thessalonians 4).<u1:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></u1:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><u1:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></u1:p></span><br />
The world today treads the
path of the wicked (Proverbs 4:14-15). We as Christians are to avoid the
wide path that leads down to destruction of souls, but what does the majority
do— travel on it, live on it, make their beds on it. So-called Christians
eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence (Proverbs 4:17).
They raise their children to serve God but their life-style examples teach the
way of the devil. Grown children end up falling away from the faith,
because they have not been taught the ways of the Lord. The path of the
saved should be one that shines Christ’s presence from within like the first
gleam of dawn, but instead they have chosen the way of the unsaved falling into
deep darkness—they have no idea what is making them empty inside, so joyless,
so unclear of why they keep tripping (Proverbs 4:18-19). </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><u1:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></u1:p></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-73914339426166057782013-09-03T20:24:00.003-07:002013-09-03T20:24:59.725-07:00Secularized Christianity
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why is the
church institutionalized?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are we
standardized, regularized, and incorporated into a system? Perhaps the church
has gotten too comfortable in her own skin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Freedom of religion” has allowed Christianity to grow and spread the
great news of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But freedom along
with free will is a two sided coin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
one side, liberty is enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
other side, emancipation leads to familiarity yielding carelessness and apathy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans enjoy independence to the point of
disregard to others who surround.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Freedom
gives the right to express perspectives, but that right becomes a red line for
certain persons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people have lines
drawn in the sand and they sit around waiting for someone to cross it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once done, one’s freedom becomes a slight to
someone else’s freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become a
nation of angry, agitated, brawling Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have split into numerous denominations causing a fracture in our
unity in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the good times
are harder to navigate than imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Christ Jesus
needs to be reinstated as Head of individual lives, then logically He becomes reinstated as the Head of the Church.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, and only then, will the love of Christ course through the body as
blood through veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be
sustaining to all Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to
unify rather than sect off into groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need fellowship together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
need acceptance for the marginalized and misunderstood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need the church to be home for all members
to become part of the whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, secular
society has permeated our inner selves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since childhood, all of us have been indoctrinated with education,
marriage, children, and career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
careers have to be successful and become the center of many lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage is encouraged to the point one is
abnormal by remaining single.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Education
and college are viewed as the end all that meets all of youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where in all of this are we taught God as the
center of our lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where in all of
this are we encouraged to chase wisdom and understanding in Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are we not taught <em>Jesus</em> <em><strong>is</strong></em> the end all
that meets all?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Understandably none of this is to be expected
from a secularized civilization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
the church, the body of Christ, individual Christians, children to the
Almighty, brethren to the Living God are expected to set forth Light into the
darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This entails living as Christ
lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called out to the
misunderstood, disenfranchised, abnormal persons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>Secular society has no place in our Christian
lives.</em> The church has failed to follow Jesus' commandment of "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-40). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we have succeeded in accepting these as commandments, then why are we fighting amongst ourselves in front of a watching world? Why do so many feel pushed off to the edges of brotherly kindness? Meaning, you can be part of the family, but you're not particularly welcome to the reunions. Why do so many souls feel slighted when seeking acceptance into the family of God? Because many Christians have secularized thoughts and hearts. They still filter others through their past or their appearance, rather than seeing and hearing their desire to know Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Society is a machine engineered to create duplicates. We are all expected to follow the same pattern. Well, in my view of life--the God of all creation rather enjoys variety. We are not all expected to be the same in the Almighty's family. That's why the church is referred to as the body of Christ with Him being the Head. The body has a number of different parts, and all with different purposes. The arm can't walk and the foot can't write. The foot can't walk without the leg and the arm can't write without the hand. And neither the arm, foot, leg, nor hand can do anything without a head atop the body. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So it is with the church and Jesus. If we continue to marginalize others because we can't identify with them, or because we are ashamed of them, then we inflict harm upon our own body. Much like junk food for a steady diet, disunity among the body of Christ will create lingering instability in our health. The church needs to shed the world, reject false teachers, cast out the doctrine of demons and mature in the Lord growing past the elementary teachings of John 3:16. We need to wake up and know there is more to God, there is more to Jesus than "God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son." There is power, there is knowledge, there is peace, joy and life to be known by graduating from Salvation Elementary and entering the University of Faith. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Christ Jesus is King! He is the Living One (Revelation 1:17-18). He is our Educator in this the school of life. Through His Spirit we are able to pass the courses set before us. Let us grow setting forth lives giving glory to God. Let us set our eyes upon our heavenly citizenship and it's society, rather than the failing one we experience here in the flesh. One day our journey will lead us to the promised land! Will we want to enter by the skin of our teeth or do we want to enter as victors in Jesus? Let's grow and love without judgment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Who will seek admission into God's University? Who seeks to grow in the Lord? Who desires more than just elementary teachings of Christ? Who wants to give God the Father glory by surrendering to the Holy Spirit's presence within all believers? I sure do.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-14221231868193540592013-08-29T22:52:00.000-07:002013-08-29T22:52:35.667-07:00Faith Trumps Doubt<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bible is truth—our understanding of God is at stake when people twist and contort His
absolutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One must believe the Holy
Spirit will reveal more and more to which only believers of Jesus will be tuned
in to hear and understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, many have
cast doubt on Scriptures, questioning God’s ability to provide His creations
with an infallible text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are one
of these who promote or permit such actions, know this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>“The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none…” </em>and
<em>“There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death”</em>
(Proverbs 14:6a, 12). Your way may create avenues for a guilt-free lifestyle,
but you will find no life through Jesus, only death through the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To cast suspicion on Scripture, is to call
God an incompetent trickster who can create the universe, yet is incapable of
inspiring His creations to pen the Bible.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Study God’s Word and
consider these three points while reading:</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Revelation</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the act of God; the Holy Spirit <u>imparting</u>
to the Bible writers truth <u>incapable </u>of being discovered by man’s
unaided reasoning (1 Corinthians 2:10-12)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Inspiration</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:
the act of God; the Holy Spirit <u>enabling</u> the Bible writers to <u>write
down</u> in God-chosen words, <u>without</u> mistake, the truth that was
revealed to them (1 Corinthians 2:13)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Illumination</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:
the act of God; the Holy Spirit <u>enabling</u> believers to <u>understand</u>
the truth given by revelation and written down through inspiration (1
Corinthians 2:14-16)</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God wants desperately for
us to wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, He will
never relinquish His holiness and righteousness to appease our
sensibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out Psalm 50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is the Mightiest of the Mightiest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord speaks and summons the earth because
it is His—it was made by Him and through Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From heaven God shines brightly and His glory overwhelms all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord Jesus will come and will not delay
nor will He be silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elements will
rage about Him like a swirling hurricane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will catch up into the air His <em>“consecrated ones, who made a covenant
with Him by sacrifice”</em> (faith in His atoning death on the cross).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, He will call out to the heavens and earth
for all created to be judged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
heavens proclaim His genuine goodness; His right to call judgment out on the
wicked, for He Himself is Judge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is
dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is not upset with His creations for the lack of prayers, service, and worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is disappointed and angry at our allegiance to the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His well-being does not teeter-totter on what we offer Him through tithes and offerings, our gifts and talents, or our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Albeit, those are ideal avenues to prove our loyalty and love for Him, but He does not need them to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sees all, hears all, and knows all the motives of our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creation is His; He merely wants glory and honor from those He has saved through the sacrifice of His Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we deny Him gratitude when He has given such a gift—eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior?<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>But many of today view God as
in need of our attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not need us for survival, we need
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He desperately wants us to accept
His Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <em>U</em></span><em>ltimately it is our
choice to what our eternity will be—heaven or hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The choice has been laid bare in front of us;
it is in no way God’s fault for what we choose.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><em> </em>
</span>A lot of Christians, nowadays, like to ride the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>Well, it’s either black or white; there is no
grey in salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is either Jesus or
Satan; Jesus or the world around us.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><strong>There is no middle ground.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>God desires and requires heart
worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If our hearts and minds are set
upon Jesus, our actions will follow suit.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do not allow the world to dictate God’s stone-set way of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following the world’s deluded way of being
supreme to Jesus will cost you dearly in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be blinded by technology and bad
persons living in ease while the saved are persecuted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Do not doubt God's Word. Do not dwell in life's
distracting routine, forgetting God's presence and power. Set your heart upon Jesus rather than the weekly schedule. As believers in the true God, we must accept the gift of faith and trust
God’s inerrant Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing is
impossible for the Almighty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> His Word was presented in the flesh (John 1). Jesus came as God in man as the very Word of God. He spoke the Father's words, He represented the Father, He advocated for Light over darkness. God came to save us as one of us. He sacrificed Himself to appease His holiness. He gave Himself just like a parent to a child. He is our Father. Through Jesus I have been made right, or righteous, before God the Father. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so--and I trust it with my soul. God is capable of presenting His written Word. The Bible is truth. Have faith in the Living God—He knows what He is doing. In the end, doubt is defeated by sureness of what one hopes for and one's certainty of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). This is faith.</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-23986748011685301592013-08-26T18:17:00.001-07:002015-08-01T20:28:21.612-07:00Spiritual Training in Life<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think of your walk with Jesus as an athletic event or exercise(<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 Corinthians 9:24-27).</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Training with a daily regiment will help you reach your goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more time and effort you put into it, the stronger and healthier you grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same applies with our relationship to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In turn, w</span>e each have a race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consider the sport of track and field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Individual races are set forth, but all the contestants arrive as members of teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <o:p></o:p>Athletes spend hours, days, weeks, even years training for one particular event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They expend blood, sweat, and tears into their hearts devotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each race counts as points toward the final tally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more individual victories, the better the team finishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Runners, whether they be sprinters or long-distance, cannot afford to be distracted in their training or even in the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they turn their heads to see where the other runners are, their steps will become choppy, cumbersome, and they lose balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life is similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To each Christian is given certain tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to seek them out, know what they are, prepare ourselves for the race, and contribute in victory through Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how we give glory to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how we stand united and tall for Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By following His lead, we will give the Father glory in all that we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more we train, the stronger we get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stronger we are, the better equipped we are to handle the attacks of self and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>By training as runners for Christ, we will contribute to the victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dedication is the key to any successful venture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we fail to exercise our minds, how will we be able to stand with Scripture pursed on our tongues?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we fail to prepare our hearts before God, how will we be able to stand tall as victors on the podium of life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are distracted by the gifts and talents of others, because we fail to seek out our own, runs will falter and we fall flat on our face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Don’t worry about the other races and runners around you, concentrate on your race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Win and contribute to the total score as best as you can. <o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We cannot be ill-prepared, or terrified, to step onto the track of life and run our individual race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do so is perpetuating the carelessness of faith throughout the nation and world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we will face opposition, but our focus should be on the prize (Philippians 3:14). </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christians must remain united as the body of Christ and perform, in sync, as the winning team. Our lives are our ultimate race. Run in such a way to win others over to the family of God. Jesus must be the Head of the body and we as the body's members must acknowledge this fact. If we can't unite, then the devil will divide us. The better we handle the daily grind of training, the stronger we are at withstanding internal pressure, the more capable we are of handling external pressure. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christ Jesus was victorious and we have His Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have faith He will have your back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is our Counselor or Divine Coach for the competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take advantage of His presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call on Him for aid in training, trust on His attendance in your contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will manifest Himself in power through your speech, through your bravery, through your compassion for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will latch onto your soul and carry you along with winds of supernatural strength of purpose in Jesus' name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will give you wisdom and knowledge, insight and discernment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have faith in His presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is God, He resides within all believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-21213064802444088552013-08-21T17:30:00.000-07:002013-08-21T17:30:09.431-07:00Love is Intolerant of LiesWho tells the truth, one who loves or one who deceives? Love is viewed as acceptance, an open door policy without Christ as the only way, the only truth, the only life leading to God the Father. If Jesus is excused from God's love, salvation is not and will not be attained. Deception is a tactic of Satan. If he cannot get someone to deny Jesus, he will trick their honest sensibilities. He uses cults and false religions to call those in search of acceptance. Today's most common lie is "spirituality" or the longing for something outside ourselves. I have been referred to a new wave of "religion" led by Oprah Winphrey. <em>Simply put, she states Jesus' reason, or primary reason, was not the cross but to teach us how to live a Christ-like life.</em> <em>Now, on face value this may sound harmless.</em> <strong>But nothing could be further from the truth!</strong> <strong>Jesus came to sacrifice Himself on the cross to <u>atone</u> for mankind's sins.</strong> He did not come to teach us the way, because He is the way. Before Christ, we were under law, with it's regulations teaching righteousness. But, Jesus abolished it in favor of grace (undeserved favor). The only way to receive God's grace is through absolute belief in Christ's death on what? <u>The cross</u>.<br />
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Salvation is not based upon human effort, but through faith in Jesus' self sacrifice on the <u>cross</u>. The problem with Oprah's, and others, "feel good" spirituality is they say Christ came to teach us how to live and we should follow His example. Yes, we are to follow His lead, but in absolutely no way does our following, in and of itself, grant salvation! If that were the case, salvation would be based on works. Then Jesus' death was for nothing and we would be worshipping a flawed God. Meaning He came to show the way, but His way only ended in death rather than life. No, <em>Jesus' purpose in coming was death on the <u>cross</u> and resurrection.</em> <strong>No one should be accepted as a brother to Christ, as a co-heir with Him (Romans 8:17), without first accepting the unequivocal truth of Jesus' atonement on the <u>cross</u>, His bodily resurrection to God, and that He is the Christ, the Messiah, God's Son--God in flesh.</strong><br />
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False teachers of this age teach the doctrine of demons--avenues leading away or around Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 4:1-2). They will appear as honest, trustworthy, wise people--ones who the masses will be attracted to. If a Christian's level of maturity is that of an infant, one of child-like faith but no depth in the understanding of Christ, they will be easily entangled in deception--such as Oprah's new religion. <em>Christ is the way, the <strong>Holy Spirit </strong>is our Comforter, Defender, and <strong>Teacher</strong> of lives being transformed into Christ-likeness.</em> If God's message through Christ Jesus is watered down to please the masses, then people are being led to eternal separation from God. People who do such are cohorts to the doctrinal teachings of demons masquerading as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).<br />
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In order to know deceit when it is introduced, Christians must know Scripture. We don't have to be scholars. What we must be is independent of outside views and base everything we hear and see off the Word of God. This is done by reading it, using the concordance to cross reference verses and words--simply put, spending time with God earnestly searching His truths out. 2 Timothy 2:15-16 covers this well--<br />
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<em>"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene."</em><br />
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If we continue to accept or tolerate abominable and contorted views of Christ, God the Father is not in us (1 John 2). Love is a truth which is intolerant of lies. Love is not blind and it is not weak. God's truth cuts and love is speaking God's Word honestly. If people choose to ignore truth, that does not mean the truth becomes weak. <em>Veracity is not based upon people's acceptance--the truth remains whether it is believed or not. Humans acceptance is not the activating agent--that was taken care of by Jesus' death on the <u>cross</u>.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256578341666041864.post-76906747800113333142013-08-20T17:05:00.000-07:002013-08-20T17:05:11.930-07:00Let Us Not Be One of the Many...
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<span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much of the world still views God
as a judgmental, harsh, old man sitting on a throne bitter towards those below
His feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is heresy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is loving, holy, completely pure, spotless,
immaculate, profoundly good and extremely long-suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His holy attributes prompted Him to send His
Son to save the world, not condemn it—“For God so loved the World…” (John
3:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you think He is harsh, you
don’t know God at all. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why would a harsh ruler
send his only begotten son as a sacrifice to appease his own righteousness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And why would that son accept such a
role?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cold, embittered rulers would provide no way
of salvation and condemn all to punishment, let alone lay down their life for
those who deny them as king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In His
infinite compassion, God does sit upon a throne—a throne of righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Webster defines righteous as morally right or
justifiable, virtuous, genuinely good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God is the Father of all by virtue of creation—He created absolutely
everything—and wants to save His creations from the punishment of offending His
holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cannot simply look the
other way—He is pure and long-suffering, but evil cannot stand uncontested
anywhere in His creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to do
something, so in love He sent His Son to take our place in condemnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sent Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was poured out into the tent of a human
body to provide a pure, unblemished, holy lamb for sacrifice, knowing no other
way was possible (Isaiah 53; Philippians 2:6-11; Hebrews 10:1-18). </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that is not a harsh,
judgmental, cold, bitter God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
neither self-seeking nor arrogant. That is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is forgiving, self-denying,
self-sacrificing, and pure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We as humans
are the selfish ones who pout and raise our chins in disgust that He doesn’t
base our salvation off of works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you
tell me, is a simple acceptance of Jesus as God, and as Savior, more difficult
than working for salvation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fail to
see the logic in people saying God is cruel, casting good people into hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road to damnation is paved with good
intentions, but if you fail to accept Jesus as your Savior, then hell is your
eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it cruel for those
good people to deny Jesus and His ultimate act of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unsaved, good people cast themselves into
hell by choosing to deny the one determining factor of
salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans
are the bitter, cold ones denying God’s love.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let us not be one of the
many condemned by outright denial of Christ, nor with words claiming Him, but
hearts separate from Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have respect
for the Holy One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will judge
all—believe it now or you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When in
worship, know exactly who you’re coming before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are children of the Living God—think like it, act like it, worship
like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not be like the Israelites
in the book of Malachi who placed earthly leaders ahead of our heavenly
Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh that one of you would shut
the (church) doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am
not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty… (Malachi 1:10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A son honors his father, and a servant honors
his master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am a father, where is
the honor due me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am a master,
where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty (Malachi 1:6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants our love and respect; this comes
from the heart, not from “useless fires” of lip service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know who you claim to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you worship or love someone without
knowing who they are?</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span>If you truly wish to know
peace and contentment, approach the throne of grace in confidence and you will
be forgiven, accepted into the family of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will clear your guilty conscience, wash your sins away, and raise you
up with Him in a new life (Hebrews 10:19-23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as He died to sin and rose from the dead by the gracious love of
His Father, so too will your old self die and be resurrected to Him in new
life—now in the spirit and in bodily form at His definite return (Romans
6:1-14).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0