Do We Get It Yet?

For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me— the very people I have created.I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.” But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 57:15-21 NIV

There is not one person on earth who has never sinned, never gotten everything right the first time. This is why Jesus came--to provide us a means of being cleansed and never totally forgotten, but forgiven, as we continue to get living right--the way He intends for us to live. He will keep us sheltered in His loving arms until we return to Him--living with Him, for all eternity.

However, the wicked--shall not dwell with The Lord forever for they continue in wickedness even when their sins are exposed and their evil intent revealed for all to see. They are blinded by their own desires to be great--when all they end up doing is making fools of themselves and greatness--will never be theirs. They seek fame and become infamous; they want notoriety and become notorious; they seek glory and are seen as gory. The end of the wicked and their eternity is already fixed in the lake of fire.

Though the wicked will act as though they are the wise, their true selves are soon seen and woe to those who believed anything they said. Their self-important wisdom is seen as foolishness and those who were gaslighted with all the falsehoods about great things--will end up in the muck and mire of all they detested.

The wickedness spilling over from Republicans will end up costing many their lives and this group--proclaims to be "pro-life." How can anyone be "pro-life when they make laws giving coal mines permission to contaminate and poison water? They are de-regulating food safety mechanisms, ripping apart the safe-guards put in place to protect the environment, the poor air quality will have us wearing masks like the Chinese and because healthcare is not important to them, people will die a slow agonizing deaths--because the pro-lifers didn't value their lives. What irony from a party who claims to love The Lord!  It would appear they love money and corporate greed far more than they love God and certainly they have demonstrated they have no love for those they can see, struggling on a daily basis. or perhaps--they don't want to see them.

The good will have their day and the wicked--will certainly know the consequences of their actions--sooner than they expect. God is watching--He sees, He hears, and He knows our thoughts from afar. He knows who belongs to Him and who doesn't. I'm willing to bet (though I don't gamble) that over 80% of those who claim to love God and are supporting a Republican agenda, are lying to themselves and they are certainly making a mockery of how God's love is manifested towards others by those who truly have received the love of God, and know how to love. Perhaps, they need to read the Gospel of John and all of his letters--again, and again, and again, until the love of God is revealed to them and in them.

Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. I John 2:3-18 NIV

There is so much more in The Word and in John's letters that reveal who we are by what we do, rather than what we say. God's love towards us is unconditional and so should our love be for others.

Soon and Very Soon!

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:3-8 KJV

When we understand the vision John had and know deep within our hearts that God always has our best interests at heart--we can find comfort in His Word, not fear.

We can be comforted in knowing that no matter how foolish men and women act life, there will come a time when all will stand before God and give an account of what we've done.

We can know--with assurance--that it won't be long now--not based on our calendar days, but in God's timing--before we begin our second life--living with Him for all eternity.

Looking at all the turmoil and violence in the world--with all the confusion about "everything" I can only cry unto the Lord, "Come quickly!"

We know that God is not the author of confusion and since He is not--Satan is.

We know that God does not promote hatred and fear and since He does not--Satan does.

More importantly, we know that when people ignore God or refuse to obey Him, He allows the enemy to wreck havoc in our lives--until we reach the place where we understand, we can do nothing without Him.

We are our own worst enemy when we refuse to obey Him in all things.

All of the foolishness over which people get angry and rebellious will soon pass away.

There is no politics in Heaven for the King of Kings is sovereign. There are no religious banners denoting which denoting different denominations hanging in Heaven for there is but One Lord!

There is no sickness and disease in Heaven and no reason for there to be pain.

There is no difference of opinion in Heaven for only the like-minded in Christ shall reside there.

There is no black or white or red or brown or any other barrier in Heaven that will separate humanity (in its glorified body) from enjoying The Lord!

Hallelujah! Soon and very soon!

The Person Who Prospers!

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither--whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

One of the insults hurled at any many televangelists is that they are "fleecing" people and misleading them with their prosperity messages. Well, I cannot speak for all of them, in fact I cannot speak for any of them, but I do know--the message of prosperity and how to accomplish it--is found in The Word and as long as they are preaching and teaching The Word, I find no fault with them.

When I listen to those who do find fault with anyone preaching about prosperity (and everything else in The Word), observation of those who are complaining are those who are barely surviving--in their personal life and in their church life. For it is envy that prompts their animosity towards others who dare to say anything about prosperity. And it is envy that clogs up their ears and blinds their eyes when they do not hear those they preach against--also teach obeying God's Word, totally. They do not hear the message of repentance, love, and obedience for they have closed their minds to hearing the "whole matter" and judge those things they do not understand.

It is not a sin for God's children to prosper and when we are obedient to His Word--it is a promise to us--that we should prosper in everything we do. What does it mean to prosper--when we obey? We end up having more than enough--for our needs and to help others.

Now we know that the wicked also prosper and we only have to look at the events occurring in the world to see how. The drug kings--both legal and illegal--prosper when they sell their wares. The illegal drugs keep people dependent and poor, committing criminal acts to support their habits. The legal pharmacies are just as bad when they overprice medicines needed and end up scamming insurance companies and leaving the elderly making choices between eating and taking their medicine. We see the wicked in high places of authority, making deals with the devil that ultimately create chaos and disaster for others. We see the wicked in families and churches who say one thing, but live a lie--scamming their families, neighbors and friends--trying to make themselves to be something when they are not. But God has a solution for the wicked and their wealth--it is laid up for the righteous--those who obey God no matter what.

But then the Word also says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 1:3 NKJV). So now, we see that prosperity "in all things" is God's desire for us--in our finances, our health as long as our soul--our will to obey Him in all things--prospers.

When people complain about the prosperity of those who preach and teach the Gospel, I'm led to believe that they did not believe God from the beginning--of the Word. Throughout the bible, we find promises of prosperity (along with repentance and obedience). One of my favorites is Joshua 1:7,8 and then there is the entire list of things that are ours when we obey found in Deuteronomy 28 as well as the curses for disobedience. It's all in there.

The bottom line is this--we should not be "best buds" with those who deliberately live in opposition to God's Word or hang out with them unless it is an effort to be a witness to them about God's goodness. And we most certainly should not take up their habits, but be strong and courageous in obeying God's Word and stand back and see how He causes us to prosper in all we do that honors Him. That is the person who shall prosper in all things--when they are living The Word--for all to see.

The First Death Is Just The Beginning!

"Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Unless Jesus returns before we take our final breath, we will die (or fall asleep) and our end will only be for the earthly measurement of time. The heavenly measurement of time begins when He returns and all the dead in Him (those who died believing Him to be their Savior) shall rise at the sound at the trumpet and they shall be judged first.

It is not the first death that we need to concern ourselves while we live. It is the second death--the assignment of eternal resting place--in heaven reigning with Jesus or in the lake of fire, being tormenting continually for eternity.

While I know there are those who do not believe in heaven or hell, according to God's Truth they do exist and in the end, we'll all discover their existence. But while we wait for the end to come, we must know that our final resting place for eternity is determined by what we do while we have breath to live. Notice what John says, about who ends up in the lake of fire.

"The cowardly--those who are always fearful because they do not know that love casts out fear. The fearful do not know love for it they did, they would not fear. The unbelieving--those who refuse to accept God's existence so they can do whatever their flesh dictates. The vile--those who do every imaginable evil thing they can without concern about how their actions impact others. The murderers--those who have no respect for life and consistently are responsible for the deaths of others. The sexually immoral--those who use sex as a tool for pleasure with anybody and everybody without discrimination or adherence to God's plan for sex. Those who practice magic--misusing gifts of discernment and abilities given by God for monetary gain or fame. The idolators--those who worship things made by the hands of man or people--holding the things and people in higher esteem than God. The liars--those who twist and malign truth (especially God's Truth) for their own personal agendas in order to influence others into doing what is pleasing in their own sight--totally ignoring God's plan for man." All these--when they have chosen to do these things--will end up in the lake of fire, unless they choose to live as God desires before the first death.

No person--can send another to hell and God won't either. The eternal resting place in which we end up is determined by what we do when we are alive, having the ability to choose and choose wrongly. Every person--believer and unbeliever--chooses their final destination and they have no one to blame but themselves.

No matter how our end comes the first time--illness, accident, war, acts of violence or old age, our greatest concern should be the second death.

To Know Him Is To Know Them!

"Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:19 NIV)

Knowing how to answer everyone who has a question about The Word with The Word is how we convince and what we say, will sometimes convict.

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts and He is being questioned by the Pharisees--those religious folks who claim to know God, but only so they can feel superior to others. When Jesus told them that He and His Father were witnesses of who He was, they challenged Him based on the Law--human standards which is all religious people have. The question--where is your father was about His human father (not understanding who He was) and when Jesus responded, the way He did, I can only imagine how their jaws may have dropped. They didn't get it.

But then again, there are those in the 21st Century who still don't get it. We cannot have a rational conversation--based upon spiritual truths--about Jesus or God, without referencing the other. They are One in purpose--without God--there is no Jesus and without Jesus--there is no access to God. Why people don't understand this is because they fail to understand the first fourteen verses in the first chapter of John and the first chapter of Genesis. God is a spirit and He came down to earth in the likeness of man, wrapped in flesh, born of a woman, who named Him--Jesus--out of obedience.

If anyone knows what God said and meant--it would be Jesus--who did not come to change the course of mankind by changing the law (which man could not keep), but to make sure mankind would have access to all God has planned--the abundant life--a result of obedience to His Word and fulfilled by the work on The Cross.

No matter how hard we try, we cannot escape The Cross and what it means. Nothing we mere humans say can change what God intended and when we attempt to manipulate His Word and His Love, we deceive ourselves if we think for a moment that He is not aware of how we've been deceived. No cross, no salvation; no salvation no hope for eternal life, no Jesus, no peace.

When we understand the spiritual, the natural will fall into place and we will have peace in the land. It's all about being in a right relationship with Them--and living according to Their purposes and not our own. Trying to understand God with our natural, limited minds only leads to confusion. We need to communicate with Him on a spiritual realm, so our natural mind can accept who He is and how He wants us to live.

As so many people have said, "going to church doesn't make a person a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes them a car." To be a Christian means to follow, represent and emulate Christ. When we emulate Christ, we acknowledge The Father and try to please Him. If we please one, we please both. To Know Him, is to know Them!

Too Many To Count!

"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9 NIV)

Contrary to the belief of some, those who believe that only 144,000 will make it into heaven, we see in this verse--based upon John's vision--a great multitude--too many to count--from every nation, tribe, people, and language--standing before the throne of God and the Lamb. How awesome is that? The "remnant" is so many we can't be counted!

What's more important to understand about this particular verse is--those standing before the throne of God--were not there because of their religious affiliation to any specific denomination. They were not there because of their race, ethnic origin, geographic location, or economic status or educational background. No--they made it to the place of their desire because of their obedience to God and acceptance of His Son and the work on the cross. How simple is that?

So basically what this means is there should be no division between people earth on earth because there will be no segregation of those standing before God in heaven. All Believers--followers of Jesus Christ--should be able to come together in fellowship and not see anything other than the glory of God surrounding us. If we ever get the "in-fighting" stopped, thinking that one religious group is superior to another, then we'll be able to do what God has asked us to do, and when we stand before Him, we won't notice anything about anyone else other than--they made it!

What are we waiting for? His Hand to reach down and pull us together or spank us for disobedience? If we believe The Word of God, have an intimate Relationship with Him, then we should be able to do what He told us to do--go into all the world, preaching the Gospel and accepting all into the fold. If we can't accept all into the fold of Believers, then there really is no need for us to go into all the world because in the world--there are all types of people!

There are people of mixed ethnicity, different shades of black, red, brown, white; there are different cultures with different traditions and different celebrations and different ideas and thoughts, but if all the differences are set aside to believe in the Creator God, God the Son, and Holy Spirit---what then is the problem?

Since we create biases based upon racial differences, we need to stop thinking about ethnicity and think the human race. That is the only race that concerns God and it should be the only race of people concerning us. If we cannot treat all human beings well, we will never see the end result in heaven, but even so--there will be so many of us there--too many to count--and it is not His desire that any should be left out of that number.

In The Book!

"All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine." (Revelation 3:5 NLT)

Is your name in the book of life?

There are a number of thoughts about how one gets their name in the book, but if we read The Word carefully, and comprehend what it means to be victorious--we'll know.

In this vision from Jesus, we are told that if we repent--of all sin--turn away from it and turn to God--with our whole hearts, we will wear white (robes) signalling accomplishment in living right before The Lord--during the White Throne Judgment--where we'll receive our crowns and be assigned our mansions (poetically speaking)! Once we have been "certified" victorious, Jesus will announce us before the Father and the angels, that we belong to Him.

As much as I read--secular books--and as much as I write, I don't think anything I've read or written will be quite like this book. There's a segment in The Book of Life that's all about me--my name--written in the precious blood of The Lamb! How awesome is that!

For Believers--we have something to look forward to when Jesus returns; for non-believers--well, only Jesus can determine their fate, just as He has determined the fate of all who believe.

If there is anything in your life, right now, right this minute, that would hinder your name being written in The Book of Life--let it go and open your heart to Him who saves and redeems, clearing the path for having a right relationship with The Father so you, too can be assured of being announced because your name--is in the book!

If We Love!

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:10, 12NKJV)

Loving someone is not always the easiest thing to do--especially if we love like God loves--unconditionally, no matter what. God loves us, in spite of us, no matter how many times we probably disappoint Him in the things we do and say. Parents, are supposed to love their children--no matter how many times they disappoint them by the things they do and say. Spouses, when they truly understand the distinction between loving and lusting--love one another--no matter how many times they are disappointed with one another. The fact is--if we live long enough--we will disappoint someone we say we love.

How people handle disappointment is a true benchmark of their "love" for the object of their affection. We already know that it is obvious that many who marry, don't really love because of the high divorce rate. If they truly loved one another, they would not cause harm to each other, be unfaithful in their relationship, and they would forgive each other when they have been disappointed.

Parents should not be willing to abandon their kids--don't condone stupid--but don't leave them hanging trying to sort things out if they have never been taught how to be responsible.

God loves us so much--and He does not condone sin--that He is willing to forgive us when we recognize how much we disappointment Him by the things we say and do. He doesn't just love us when we do right--He continues to love us when we do wrong and are willing to be corrected.

Can we say the same? Do we love God enough to not want to disappoint Him?

Every time I think I've gotten a handle on my temper, something happens that reminds me, I still have a long way to go--to stop disappointing God. I am so thankful that He loves me enough to check me and remind me that I have not arrived at perfection--I still need Him to guard my tongue!

My love for God is unconditional, but I have to make an effort not to disappoint Him and I'm working on it. How about you? Are there things in your life that you know, need to be removed? Are there any areas in your life in which you know, you need His continued guidance and direction?

If we truly Love Him, we'll acknowledge where we are, invite Him to govern our lives, and hear Him when He speaks--correcting us. Are we willing to listen?

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to live a life that is pleasing to You, watching out for all those things that would disappoint You, and learning how to love, like You love us--unconditionally. Amen!

Human Effort!

"The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63 NLT)

For those who do all they can to make life bearable for themselves and others, I commend you. For those who do nothing but seek self-comfort--I wonder about you. For those who walk not after the flesh, but allow Holy Spirit to guide all you do, I thank God for you. If what we do is not by the leading of Holy Spirit--our efforts will amount to nothing, short of temporary solution.

The old adage that is better to "teach a man to fish than to give him one" is still relevant today.
Now, I know there are some who do not believe God or that He exists and they think that what they do is more important than what most Believers do. If acknowledgment from man is all a person wants, then--it is enough. However, if one wants to please God, then one must things the way God wants them done--this ensures eternal life, beyond the temporary life here on earth.

Does that mean people should stop giving and assisting others? No! What this means is that before we do anything, we should seek Him for direction and then do what He says.

We know from all the documented sources about "giving people a helping hand" and then watch those same people end up in the same condition in which we found them, If we're going to really help people, we must begin with "wisdom and knowledge" so they will be able to do for themselves.

In Michigan, there are thousands of jobs available, but people do not have the skills to get the jobs. Why? Too many people, here, do not have the literacy skills or technology skills needed for the jobs.

As an educator, I am appalled at the attitude of those who think education is a waste of their time and yet, we still have the highest unemployment rates in the country. And now, many who are receiving benefits from the state are crying foul because their cash assistance will not be available for long. Their protests are pointless since the state has been saying for over five years that people had "five years" to get an education or job skills and most--didn't believe it and just sat around on their hind parts, waiting for the handout.

If they had been forced to demonstrate sufficient literacy skills in order to get the assistance, they would be in a much better place than they are in right now. The assistance received, should have been based upon their ability to get an education or job skills training as a condition of receiving the benefits. Sometimes, as seen in Michigan, waiting for the mailman becomes a career that requires little effort. Well, the mailman's job just got a little lighter (figuratively speaking) and many will find themselves wishing they had paid attention to "the last letter" they received.

I'm sure the conditions mentioned about Michigan may be true of other states as well, and what we must do--is to educate people about how to do things--especially in giving. We must remember that it is not by human effort that we accomplish anything, but by the direction of Holy Spirit that we can accomplish all things.

Who Will Be Your Witness?

"Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son." (I John 5:9,10 NLT)

If we had to stand trial today and provide evidence that we are who we say we are in Christ, what would be a judge's final ruling?

Who would we call to be our witnesses to support our claim to being a follower of Jesus Christ?

Do we even have any witnesses who could testify on our behalf?

Would we have to find "false witnesses" or would our witnesses tell the truth?

We can lie to ourselves and act like we are "all that" when in fact, we haven't reached a point in our lives where we truly believe we are who we say we are. If we did, the world would be a much better place for if we are truly His, we would know how to change the course of events without violence and hatred and bigotry and know how to encourage all to live according to God's Word, not in opposition of it.

Who will be your witness and can you call them to testify with confidence or will you quake as they speak?

If we truly think about how others perceive us and are willing to look self--in the face--and dare to make whatever changes are necessary, we would have no need to fear what any witness would say about our relationship with Christ.

Something to think about. We can fool ourselves and others, but we cannot fool God! He knows--everything about us!

Jesus--The Only Way!

"Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NLT)

One of the reasons I love the Gospel of John is the very personal--close-up--we get of Jesus. Now, some might say (if they are scorners) that Jesus is very arrogant. There is a difference between being arrogant and confident and here--Jesus displays His confidence in knowing who He is!

"I am the way!" The way to having eternal life and the path we all should follow for the abundant life, right here on earth, that He promises in the tenth chapter.

"I am the truth!" He is the truth--revealing the character and attributes of God in person. Every thing He did was because of the Father's DNA in Him.

"I am the life!" He is the life--the personified life of the Father, who loves us so much that He willingly gave His life for us that we might be saved from ourselves. No one else can make that claim, truthfully!

"No one can get to the Father except through Him!" That's a pretty bold statement. Basically, what He's saying is that it doesn't matter what else you believe or who else you believe or not--the only way to come into the presence of God is through Him.

Let me take this a step further. Jesus said that whatever we asked of the Father--in His name--He would do. Using the name of Jesus in our communications with God, brings us into His presence and we have the boldness--empowered by the name--to ask what we will (aligned with The Word) and have a right to expect it to come to pass.

Nowhere in The Word are we told to "pray" in another person's name or pray to another person. When we do--we negate our ability to be in His presence, and have no confidence in our prayers which is why some people--never see prayers answered. We are not told to "repeat words"--ad nauseum--to receive forgiveness. We are not told to go through Mary to get to Jesus. We are not told to pray to statutes or to expect answers to prayers by rubbing beads, or stones or any other man-made item. The only way (and He is the way) we can confidently pray (communicate with God) and expect answers is when we ask of God--whatever it is--in the name of Jesus!

If anyone is teaching anything other than what God has said in His Word--they are liars and the Truth is not in them. Muhammad is not the way, Buddha is not the way, Mary is not the way, Jesus is the Only Way--we come into the presence of God! Hallelujah!

Message For The Times!

“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth." (Revelation 2:14-16 NLT)

The simple, but powerful message--used by John, the baptist (one who baptized, not the denomination), spoken to John, the Disciple whom Jesus loved, and should be used by Believers all over the land--REPENT!

We hear all sorts of "feel-good" messages from various preachers of The Word. We hear prosperity messages (which some have rejected), we hear messages for healing (always appropriate), we hear messages of deliverance (again, appropriate), we hear messages of forgiveness (we should forgive since we have been forgiven) and we hear messages about the power of prayer (there is power in prayer), but what we seldom hear is a message that deals with repentance--turning away from sin and turning to God--and this is why the world is in the shape it is.

John's message before the appearance of Christ--REPENT and be baptized for the remission of sin.
God's response to our needs--because He loves us so much--He came down from heaven, in the likeness of sinful flesh, tempted by all man could be tempted, and chose to be raised upon a cross for our sins though He never committed a sin.

Our response to God has been--negligible at best--we come to an altar, sorry for our sins (sorry we got caught), and ask Him to forgive us--and as soon as we get out of the church, away from the altar and those who were praying for us--turn back to our sinful lifestyles, like a dog returning to its own vomit--absolutely sickening.

The real problem is that not many--who are preaching--understand the need to teach REPENTANCE and what it really means. To repent is more than to say, "I'm sorry, Lord forgive me." True repentance is an acknowledgment that we have sinned, we need Him in our lives to help us to remain sin-free, and give our lives over to Him to keep us from sin--turning completely to Him--away from sin.

When we say we allow Jesus to be our Lord and Savior--what we should mean (and some don't know), is that we give Him complete control over what we do and say--we submit to His Lordship. Accepting the work on the cross is acceptance of His being our Savior--saving us from ourselves. This is the first step on the journey to living a life that glorifies God and puts us in position "to receive" all His many benefits--prosperity, longevity, good health, etc. REPENTANCE--comes first--then we receive the rewards from pleasing Him--not the other way around.

It is time for us--all of us--who believe and agree with God--to preach the message for this time--REPENT!

Who The AntiChrists Are!

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour."(I John 2:18 NKJV)  "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (I John 2:22 NKJV) . "and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." (I John 4:3 NKJV)

The prefix "anti" means opposed to or against "whatever it is attached. So with this dictionary meaning, or logic, we can conclude that anyone who denies Jesus, God, is opposed to them or against them--hence--the atheists are antichrist. From a spiritual perspective, that would mean that anyone who is influenced by Satan is "antichrist."

We see the influence of the antichrist working in the world right now! We see it on a global level where chaos and violence reign. We see the influence in entities who wish to "change" everything that God has established, including biological functions and who is male or female. We see the influence in politics when politicians choose to promote their own ungodly agendas in lieu of making decisions that benefit all people and not just those of their ilk. We see the influence when colleges have to change their "language" to be more inclusive of those who are confused about their gender. "God is not the author of confusion," and we know who is. We see the influence when teachers are asked to "ignore the biological assumption of gender classification" and allow children to believe they are "its" (penguins are things).

We see more of Satan's influence on a daily basis and it is amazing that they do not realize who is influencing them. That's blindness! Deception is one of Satan's favorite devices to control and manipulate people. We have to remember he hates mankind and will do anything he can to destroy us because God loves us.

There is an antidote to counteract the influence--His name is Jesus and our response to anything the enemy has started is to proclaim The Name and not back down from anything the antichrist attempt.
The antichrists use "science" as their rationale to oppose God, not realizing that it is God who gives wisdom to those who research and explore, trying to understand why--things already exist! Science has not created anything from "nothing" and even the scientists are muddled with their finds that support biblical records of history. I praise God for the scientists who explore and for the inventors who invent things from those things that already exist.

And for those who say we cannot rationally believe in something we cannot see--God--here's my answer.

I cannot see their thoughts--therefore they must not exist.
I cannot feel their thoughts--therefore they must not exist.
I cannot smell their thoughts--therefore they must not exist.
I cannot hear their thoughts--therefore they must not exist.
I cannot taste their thoughts--therefore they must not exist.

We see the "results" of a person's thinking, just like we see the "results" of the wind--which we cannot see, but believe it exists. We cannot see oxygen, but we know it exists because we are still here, living, breathing human beings, with an established gender--male or female, biologically determined by God.

"The greater one lives in me" and therefore, since I have the mind of Christ, I will proclaim Him forever! There is none like our God, no one in the earth can do what He does or loves like He loves! Hallelujah, Jesus!

It's In There!

"As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me." (John 6:45 NLT)

There's a pasta sauce commercial that comes to mind, but I cannot remember with certainty which one was advertised. I do remember that every time someone questioned what was in the sauce, the response was, "It's in there!"

Tomatoes--"It's in there!"

Garlic--"It's in there!"

Peppers--"It's in there!"

Onions--"It's in there!"

Now, though I may have forgotten all the ingredients mentioned in that commercial, the response is relevant to those of us who teach God's Word and our response to any question about living right should be,"It's in there!"

What questions might those be?

God's response to liars--"It's in there!"

God's response to those changing His Word--"It's in there!"

God's response to all sexual immorality--"It's in there!"

God's response to parenting--"It's in there!"

God's response to praying--"It's in there!"

God's response to Satan's influence--"It's in there!"

God's response to where we shall spend eternity--"It's in there!"

God's response to gaining wealth--"It's in there!"

God's response to healing--"It's in there!"

God's response to losing one's soul in order to gain the world--"It's in there!"

Whatever question we have--the answer is in God's Word, but if we refuse to read and understand, we will never receive the Truth of The Word! Jesus is The Word alive--His Truth's aligned with His Father's and when men refused to accept Him, they also refused to accept what His Father had already said throughout the generations of mankind.

Everything we'll ever need to know about living in right standing with God is in His Word--and those who read and seek understanding will obtain through Holy Spirit, but those who don't--won't!

As it is written in the Scriptures, "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God!"

If we refuse to believe God and that He is the creator of all things created and without Him, nothing was created, then we choose to live without benefit of His Wisdom and peace. Where God's wisdom is not operating, there is chaos and confusion and we can see the results of confused people who now believe--we have no need for gender distinctions, public bathrooms to accommodate males and females--separately, no need for learning the distinction between a mother and a father, no need for respecting authority, no need to do anything other than--appease flesh--without regard to the consequences.

Satan's influence has pervaded nations and he's sitting back laughing at all the confusion because he has always hated everything God created for His loved ones--us!

With current trends  now evident--soon we will have no need to have names--other than--Clone numbers. How sad our God must be to see this current trend, but He knows the end from the beginning and for those of us who remain steadfast, immovable in our faith in Him, we will see how He handles all the confusion and then spend eternity with Him!

When we read His Word, we discover--all the problems that could fall upon man has already been addressed and we can say with confidence--"It's in there!"

Our Tasks!

“I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons." (Isaiah 42:6,7 NLT)

Anyone who proclaims the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior has a job to do. We are called--to be true representatives of Him--who called us--to demonstrate His righteousness (not our own). We are to be a light, guiding nations. We are responsible for making sure the eyes of the blind (spiritually) are opened and those who are held captive by the darkness of their minds are set free. And we do all of this-in the name of the Lord, giving Him the glory for all things accomplished.

Every time the enemy raises his ugly head with lies and half-truths (which are actually whole lies), we must be in position to declare God's Truth. In order to do this, we must stay in The Word and be ready with an answer for anyone who questions our faith--based on The Word.

The enemy's strategy is to create scales on the eyes of those who say they believe, but are actually weak in their faith walk. We know these people when we see them because they waver--wobbling between God's Truth and man's political correctness in making decisions. They have been blinded to the Truth and then they promote--what they cannot fully see--the Truth of God's Word over the "constantly changing" landscape of political correctness. It is our job--our task--to keep telling God's Truth until the scales drop and they can see clearly how the enemy has manipulated them.

One of the reasons people find themselves in the darkness of depressed minds is because the enemy has planted seeds of doubt in their minds--causing them to doubt their own self-worth and doubt whether they are loved or not. The enemy plants seeds of negativity in the minds of all who waver--not understanding that their lack of total faith in God--has opened the door for Satan to enter.

The Word says, through John, "You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free." We must keep telling, and keep telling, and keep telling until we can tell no more--the Truth of God's Word so we can see captive minds set free--and the seeds of doubt are replaced by seeds of Love--His Love and ours--leading them to a path of His plan.

We have tasks to complete before He returns. The world is turning dark as it succumbs to the enemy's manipulations and we are the only ones who can be a beacon of light in the midst of all the darkness. Are you up for the task? Then let's get busy--promoting God's Truth like never before--to His glory by allowing Holy Spirit free reign in our lives!

Living Water!

"Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)" John 7:38,39 NLT)

Without water, not much lives on our planet. Even though water covers most the planet, if we do not have water and many don't have access to water, people and things die. The deserts are dry because of a lack of water. In a drought when the rain doesn't fall, things die because of a lack of water. Even though our bodies contain a great deal of water, when we get dehydrated, some people faint and others may die because of a lack of water.

Without water, nothing grows--all vegetation suffers, animal life suffers, and we as people suffer for if there is nothing growing, there is no food and we die. This is the result of a lack of "natural" water. Without water, there is no life.

Spiritual water gives life, too--it is born and ignited within us by Holy Spirit and only those who believe that Jesus is will be able to drink the "living water" and have it flow from them. Without the living water, there is no life in the lives of Christians because it is Holy Spirit that gives life-flowing water (the ability to share The Word accurately and love unconditionally).

If Holy Spirit is not in charge of our worship services--there is no life in the building and the service is dry and dead. This is one of the reasons that many churches cease to exist--they have no life--and Holy Spirit was not allowed to ignite those who say they believe.

There are many people who claim they are "filled with the Spirit" but I often wonder--which spirit fills them. Angry, jealous, envious people cannot be filled with Holy Spirit. Mean, abusive, derogatory people cannot be filled with Holy Spirit. Deceitful, manipulative, criminal-minded people cannot be filled with Holy Spirit--so there is only one other spirit left to fill them--the demonic spirits that reign in the land, and easily influence those who are not filled with Holy Spirit.

Those who are filled with demonic spirits oppose everything God has said. The church leadership does not lead according to God's plan (clearly spelled out in His Word), but according to their own plans. The praise and worship is manipulated by cheerleaders and the service becomes a rally and Satan sits back enjoying every moment. By the time The Word should come forth for the benefit of the people, the people are too tired to received from all their jumping, dancing and shouting and The Word (from them or from God), falls upon "dry ground."

When Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born of water (the natural water involved in child-birth) and of the spirit, Nicodemus wondered how he could return to his mother's womb a second time. He did not understand--the natural water allows a child to survive within the womb, but it is the "living water" of Holy Spirit that helps to survive outside of the womb.

Without water we die--without living water--we fade away into nothingness--devoid of true feelings and lacking true knowledge.

Let's go to the fountain and drink--believing Jesus is all He said He is and be filled with "living water" so out of our bellies, living water (God's Truth) will also flow.

Are We Listening?

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7 NLT)

To whom is John referring? Certainly he is not referring to those who have "physical ears" because just about everyone has physical ears, but he said, "anyone" with ears. The anyone he references is those who have "spiritual ears" so they can hear what the Spirit of God is saying. If one does not have access to Holy Spirit living within, they will not have spiritual discernment to understand those things that occur in the spirit realm.

For those who do have Holy Spirit living within, the message then, is for them. They must listen and understand what He is saying to the churches (every body of Believers).

For those who disparage God's Word--they do so out a lack of knowledge. They are ignorant to how God operates and so naturally, they tend to denigrate anyone who claims to know and understand His Word. Ignorance--of anything--will always lead to doubt and scorn. Until these people are ready to acknowledge God, His Word is not meant for them, but for those who already profess knowledge of His Word and relationship with Him. This is why, He tells John that the church at Ephesus needs to repent and "turn back to Him" because they no longer love Him or one another. Are we yet, the Ephesus Church--no longer loving God and one another?

This turning back to God is a theme repeated throughout Old Testament scriptures and is still relevant today. The Word going forth from many is that it is time for us to "return to God and His ways" for surely His ways are better than ours. Whenever we "attempt to live" without Godly direction, we miss the mark and chaos ensues.

We have missed the mark and chaos is reigning throughout the land--in America, and across every body of water--unrest resides in the hearts of people and destruction becomes inevitable.

Are we listening to Holy Spirit? Is His message getting through to us? Are we ready to repent and turn back to God so we can be victorious in all things?

If we, as Believers, refuse to listen to Holy Spirit, how can we expect the unbelieving to hear us? Is our message the same as God's message or are we creating our own to draw people to us, instead of Him?

Believers must hear Holy Spirit and do what He says if we ever expect to see peace and love in the land. We must do things God's Way and be quick to tell those who do not understand God that we "agree with God" and lead by example--all to come to know Jesus!

Are we listening?

The Power of Belief!

"And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” (John 3:36 NLT)

Are you an "anyone"? Fortunately, for most of us, we meet the criteria to receive eternal life because we are "anyone" who believes in Jesus.

With so many positive-thinking, motivational speakers out there, we see when we read The Word the principle from which most of them obtained their concepts, even if they won't admit it. There is power in belief--whether it is positive or negative and the only criteria that must be met--is individual belief.

If we believe that everyone is out to get us--we act out of paranoia--and we never see that some folks are put in our path to help us--not hurt us.
If we believe all the negativity that we ever heard about us--we become bitter and suspicious and in many cases, we operate out of negativity--always expecting the worst to happen to us.

If we believe that we can do all things through Him who loves us--most of us will actually attempt to do things and see success with our attempts.

If we straddle the fence--half-heartedly attempt to do things--we do not get the full measure of success we could have had.

It is the half-hearted beliefs by some who will not see the end result promised to all who believe and obey--eternal life. These are the people who say, "I believe in Jesus, but I don't believe what His Father said." Why is this so? When we only read The Word selectively--forgetting that Jesus appeared on the earth as God in the flesh and nothing God the Father had previously said was negated by His appearance on earth. The one thing that most ignore is that we are to, "Love God (and obey) and love one another" as the total fulfillment of everything that God ever said. If we truly believe--we would receive The Word with gladness and obey.

I choose to believe and obey. I am everything that God says I am--blessed, highly favored, more than a conqueror, healed by His stripes, descendant of royalty, joint-heir with Christ Jesus, the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, His treasure, loved beyond measure, and nothing by any means shall stop me from believing what God has said about me. That's the power of belief--the power needed to successfully navigate life and endure all that comes before us.

What do you believe?

http://www.amazon.com/Am-All-That-God-Says-ebook/dp/B00C9F99BU/ref=la_B00BAW31CQ_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412511994&sr=1- 6

Straight From The Throne!

"Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
What happened during this conversation with Jesus? The disciples finally got it--they understood that Jesus came--straight from the throne of God!
Have we figured it out, yet? Do we "know" or are we still debating amongst ourselves who Jesus is?
If we are still debating who Jesus is, perhaps we need to take another stroll through John's perspective of who Jesus is. I would encourage everyone to re-read the entire Gospel, but if you're short of time--seek The Lord and at least read this chapter--the entire chapter.
I believe that one of the reasons people have a problem understanding the three distinctive roles of God is because they failed to see Jesus in this Gospel. In this Gospel, we become personally acquainted with Him; He speaks to our hearts and shatters the blinders that keeps us from seeing fully, who He is. In order for us to truly see Him, we must open our hearts and spiritual understanding and He will reveal Himself to all who are willing to receive.
Are you willing to receive Truth--straight from the Throne?
The Word of God contains all we will ever need to know and if we need to seek understanding of The Word, we should seek Him and His wisdom and He will give us all we need to understand Him and how He wants us to live.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask You to help us today. Help us to open our hearts to You so we will hear You when You speak and know that it is You speaking to us. Help us to see through the bitterness that prevails over the hearts of many who have been hurt by religion and religious people. Open our spiritual eyes--no longer blinded to Truth--and cut away all the doubt in our hearts so we can fully receive the indwelling of Holy Spirit as our guide, counselor, and comforter for the rest of our days. Create in us the boldness needed to direct those who doubt--straight to You, and encourage them to learn at The Throne of Grace and Mercy. Help us to understand there is no need for us to ask questions of anyone other than You because You have all the answers. All this we ask and thank You for giving in His Name, the name that is above all names, Jesus! Amen!

Follow The Good!

"Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God." (3 John 1:11 NLT)

As I was re-reading this passage of scripture this morning, what John was saying to the church in his letter reminded me that we are indeed "without excuse" when it comes to knowing how we should live.

The bad example John references is the "church leader" who throws people out of the church when people don't do what he says, rather than what is good. John was encouraging people to help support "the traveling teachers" (evangelists), Diotrephes was opposed to welcoming or supporting those traveling to teach The Word and told people not to help, and when they did help, he threw them out of the church. Considering this church was probably meeting in his home--he felt he had every right to control what occurs in his home.

Are there any church leaders who are doing the same thing today? There are some who are so puffed up with their own importance and what they have to say, that if a person doesn't support what they want, they invite them to leave the church! I have been in churches where the leaders were dictators and felt they had a right to be so since it was their "father or mother" who had founded the church. What they failed to realize is that a relative may have established a ministry in a local building, but that does not give them the right to dictate to people who do not support their "self-righteousness".

In one church in particular, I got tired of the attitude and left. When a person can "see" that God is not in charge of the situation, the only recourse one has to stay in right relationship with God is to just leave--the madness--not God.

That's the other thing that baffles me. When people do leave a church because they do not see God's hand in anything that's taking place, why do people assume that person is "leaving God" and not just a building?

It is amazing to me that some get so caught up in themselves that they do not even recognize when they have taken charge in a church and left God completely out of the situation. Oh, they "posture" at teaching, using The Word, but then they negate The Word with their own sense of righteousness and setting standards for others according to what they do--not what The Word says. God is not mocked--He sees it all and understands the motives in the person's heart--and only that person is deceived--by their self-righteousness.

This is why John was writing this letter--to encourage people to follow the "good examples" and influence of those who are not only teaching God's truth, but living God's truth for all to see.

I am a passionate advocate for those who have want to follow truth and have been deceived by people. And my advice is similar to John's. If there is no indication of a person or church leaders doing things according to God's Truth--RUN and don't look back! When we know what God has said, we are held accountable for what we do--on all levels and what we say. 

Don't be fooled or cajoled into following people--FOLLOW THOSE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST IN WORD AND DEED--ALWAYS DOING GOOD FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS!