HELL will COME TO MORE THAN WE THINK

Enter through the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.  How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it…Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in Heaven.  On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’  Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you!  Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’  Matthew 7:13-23 

The simple message in this post is this: without a true belief in your heart and a life that reflects that trust in Jesus Christ, you will not see heaven.  Yes, the message of the passion of Christ is simple and yes, the choice sounds simple, but anyone who tells you that the walk in a breeze has lied to you.  Jesus said the road to eternal life is a difficult one, but He also said that by His strength and power, you can take His yoke upon you, for it is easy and His burden is light.   

That burden is to live for Him.  It is such a light load to bear, but it is our flesh that wars against that choice to say it is a hardship and not work carrying.  Just because we attend local church gatherings every Sunday (which is good – don’t forsake the assembling), are active in our local churches, lead Bible studies or even preach every Sunday does not equate to TRULY BELIEVE IN OUR HEARTS that Jesus is Lord of our lives and walking in that way.  Jesus said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8).   

Let it not be said of you and me that we didn’t know the truth.  Examine yourself so that no one needs to judge you (1 Corinthians 11:27-34, 1 John 4).  Paul said it plain and simple:  we must confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and BELIEVE in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…No one who believes on Him will be put to shame.  John, the Baptist, said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”  Peter said, “Each of you must repent and turn to God, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus said, “Therefore be alert, for you know not the day your Lord is coming.”  This is the simple message brought to you in love.  It’s not all soft as many say it should be and it doesn’t sooth the flesh, which it shouldn’t.  The message shines light on the way back to eternal life with God.  What road are you walking, and what road do you want to be on?  

Be wise and know the will and way of Lord (John 14:1-11).

IT DOESN’T SNOW ANYMORE?

That title sounds like a GREAT MISINFORMED TITLE doesn’t it?  There is not much of the US who has not seen some form of snow/winter weather precipitation in the past weeks.  But speaking from personal experience and hearing the experience of my elders, it truly doesn’t snow anymore!  At least not like it used to. 

I remember the days when it was no problem to get a foot of snow and be fine with it.  The whole family owned snow suits of some sort with the toboggans/skullees/whatever you call them, with the embarrassing ball on the top (why again did they put those on there).  

Well, the past few days I have been a part of and heard conversation where people have talked about the lack of snow in the past decade.  It seems the weather just doesn’t do what it used to.  With this latest stream of snow storms closely tailing the tragedy in Haiti and other major acts around the world, people have light-heartedly and jokingly made comments like, “With this crazy weather, I guess we can expect earthquakes and other crazy weather to be next on the list.”  Do they know the truth they speak? 

If you know what the Bible says about these times we are living in, you are not surprised at comments like the one just mentioned.  If you know anything from hearing others talk about the Bible, you may be wondering if this whole deal with Jesus, God, & heaven and hell has some truth to it – and you should wonder without being made to feel ignorant for asking. 

A woman asked me yesterday if I thought it had anything to do with global warming.  My reply was a simple, yet slightly sarcastic “yes.”  Why?  I told her, “Sure, the earth is warming up alright.  God promised Noah He would never again destroy the earth with water, but yet the next time would be by fire.”  Am I saying that global warming is playing into that promise, almost to say the world will set itself on fire?  No, but scientist have been studying the sun for decades and with advance technology, it has been confirmed time and again that the sun is indeed expanding.  That threatens our existence, as the earth is perfectly positioned  at just the right distance from the sun (and in the universe) to allow it to sustain all the life that is on it.  A little too close and we look more like Venus (boiling); a little too far and we get too cold (freeze) like Mars.  Even the common man is seeing the effects of the expanding sun.  The O-zone is deteriorating more and more.  Famines increase as draughts are becoming more common (look at California and Third World countries as of just the past couple of years).  Abnormal weather patterns are forming, causing snow where it hasn’t been and conjuring up heat-waves were rarely experienced.  Not to mention, the undeniable and alarmingly increasing 6.0+ Richter scale recorded earthquakes and lack of real winter seasons.    

So what exactly does the God say about all of this?  Let me leave you with His words.  Jesus’ disciples asked a question more specific, but He told them the answer and then some.  This is what was said to His own:  Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”  ⁴ And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 

⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:3-14 

Jesus will soon appear to all, whether that be Him appearing to His children to call them home or it be you and I going to stand before Him for final judgment.  The question is, what will be your verdict?  See the signs, but do as Christ said and don’t be deceived by them.  No man knows the hour of the Son’s return.  Test every spirit to see whether it is of God or not.  The only way to do so is to have the Holy Spirit.  The only way to receive the Holy Spirit is through Jesus Christ.  Do you know the way?  It doesn’t snow anymore.  Not like it used to.

Controversy Over “Tebow Ad” Still – For Real?!

Okay….so, you’ve heard about it by now, and it’s old, old, old news much like the Tiger Woods media coverage.  So, why another posting from yet another motivated journalist?  It’s not.  This post is about all the posts that continue to criticize something they neither have seen for themselves, nor will they straightout state their real issue.   So here is a response to it all.  Particularly, this was a response to yet, ANOTHER frustrated blogger’s irrelevant posting about other matters not stated.  The post ended with this question:  “What do you think?  Is it a good idea to have these kinds of ads during the Super Bowl?  Is Tebow doing the right thing by speaking out?”

My response was this:  

To answer your question, yes.  It is not “an unusual choice” for Tim to have “agreed to star in a Super Bowl ad sponsored by conservative Christian group Focus on the Family.”  Nor is it a matter of “conservative” or “liberal” or any other title that anyone may tag onto the word “Christian” that matters (yes, the choice of wording was meant on the authors part to make a point). 

As Mr. Tebow stated, “I know some people won’t agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe.”  It is such a lie and cowardly to attempt speaking fear into someones life because of your personal insecurities and/or fears.  Your post states, “Choosing to associate yourself with them for your first foray into politics is like choosing to associate with Al Sharpton for your first foray into civil rights.”  You do realize the ad (that you have not seen) says nothing about the Christian faith, nor states abortions are wrong, nor does it threaten the lives of others to make changes to their choices.  It is simply a message of victory.  Too many are offended by the truth that clearly rings in their heart of hearts – life is not given by man, nor should it be taken away by man.  That’s not the words of a Christian, but of many regretful women after they have aborted their pregnancies.

Also, your post states, “But the NFL tries hard to avoid political controversy.”  The NFL doesn’t try that hard.  Just look at the attire of the cheerleaders for starters.  Revealing more and more flesh and less clothing material, year after year, doesn’t really say, “Hey, we’ve got everyone in mind.”  No, it clearly says, “Enough fans like it even if many disagree, the fans aren’t complaining and let’s be realisitic.  We’re a business, and it sells, so let’s just play football.”  Not to mention, this airing occurs for several months on several days of the year. 

Now before your thoughts go to further attacking of someones Christian faith (Tim Tebow), realize that many “Women’s Interest Groups” and most world religions disapprove of such acts as skimpy dressing.  Are you saying that doesn’t create political controversy.

It’s not my goal to argue with you, and I won’t.  Thank you for leading others to go seek the truth of the matter for themselves.  By the way…you don’t have any post critizing ABC’s Extreme Homemakeover, where many families have openly given praise to God, the Son Jesus Christ, during PRIMETIME television.  They reach and will continue to reach millions of viewers more than the Superbowl could ever do in one night.  Just something to think about. 

So what is it that is really getting you about the ad, because no one is buying your “concern” for Mr. Tebow’s future, nor his future career?  Let’s be real about it, because anyone with a remote or finger can change a channel.  Take care man and thanks for reading/considering. 

What do you think about the response?  Give it two weeks and come back after you’ve seen the ad for yourself.  Stay blessed and keep looking to Christ (Jeremiah 29:13).

United: NO MORE DIVISION

…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.   And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. - John 17:21-22

BEING ONE…  It is true and without argument that a man and wife become one.  It is also true that they are two individuals who each bring different strengths to the table.  It is true that when they are divided and are walking in agreement, that the two become individually vulnerable to many outside threats.  It is true that when they come back into agreement, they are stronger than before and able to use those various strengths to battle on the frontline together.  So let me posed this question.  Is it not true of every believer? 

Jesus prayed for all believers saying, “May they all be one…May they also be one in Us…May they be one as We are one…May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent me and have loved them as You have loved Me”  (John 17:21-23).   

Okay, no one can be that delusional to not understand when someone repeats something in two or more different ways, they must mean it – right?  I will not ask why the local churches are so divided.  We already know that is because of man’s disobedience – NOT because of God, NOT because of Jesus Christ, NOT because of the Holy Spirit.  The universal Church is united, but is scattered abroad.  The Church is united and is being revealed more and more daily.  When two disagree concerning God’s Holy Word, they are not able to truly walk together in all facets.  

The devil is no fool.  He has been using these types of flaws since before the glorious revealing of the mystery that was unity of all through Jesus Christ alone.  Each person, who so desires to believe and follow after Jesus Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit, has the opportunity to operate in a gift specifically chosen for them by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-13).  With these gifts, we are united by the Holy Spirit to do the great work of seeing God’s will done here on earth “as it is in Heaven.”  Yet, these gifts are diverse for us to work in our capacity to help the other where they are not equip to do so.  God has ordained unity in the Body through His Son alone, and provided diversity for the great reach to mankind.  This is in the effort to bring all mankind back to Him (2 Peter 3:9). 

The Holy Spirit has a specific gift for you, and you can’t get more individual than that, but why would you want to be individual for the sake of Christ anyway?  Why not be a part of the Body you once so desired to be a part of, rather than focused on yourself and your desires.  God blesses those who are willing to follow Him completely (Mark 8:34-38). 

So next time you are asking God about “individual will,” ask instead what is His Will that you may be a part of it.

DOES EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT GOD?

“As a result, mankind if without excuse.”  Romans 1:20b

 

As of the past couple decades, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have become reported by the media as the THREE MAJOR RELIGIONS of the world with supposed feuds over who is rightfully the heir of God, the Almighty.  It is never a easy task to tackle major points such as this, but the devil would have us to remain lazy or unmotivated in clarifying this issue.  Many have and are arguing this matter, so I will refrain from going into a detailed dissertation and stick to what the God has said about it all.

 

When Paul, the apostle, was called by God to serve in telling the good news about His Son, he had a main goal of making it to Rome to do just that (Acts 19:21).  Why Rome?  At that time, the Roman Empire was the power known by the whole world – greater than the United States of America has been (think of how impactful Rome must have been).  Nonetheless, the saying was true then that “all roads lead to Rome.”  If you can get the MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE to the most influential place, to the most influential people, then your chances of witnessing that message going out to the rest of the world are great.  God knew this, Paul knew this, and anyone during that time knew this.  rome was the place where everyone was always coming and going.  The same is true for today.  Just look at the entertainment industry.

 

The point of telling you about Paul and Rome was the significance of his delay in getting to Rome.  Because he was kept from making it there as soon as he wanted, his passion to get the message there was seasoned and grew with great anointing from the Lord.  If he could not be there physically, he was determined to write to them and write with divine clarity.  That brings us to the topic of the WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT THE MAJOR RELIGION of today. 

 

Paul, by the guidance and wisdom of God Almighty, made clear what God’s thoughts are of all the world religions.  He made it known as to why there are so many, why there is such reign of evil in this world, and why man will see his own mortality.  God spoke directly to the issue that has been argued for way too long by so many – the issue of who God favors and who He is not.  Is it Islam who tries to trace its roots back to Ishmael as the favored son of Abraham and God?  Is it Israel who traces their roots back to Isaac as the favored son of Abraham by God?  Or is it Christianity who traces it roots by the Jesus Christ, who was before time began, come down through the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the Savior of the world?   

Paul served God to make the whole message of God’s redemption of mankind known.  Take a moment to read the first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, whether you are a professing Christian, Jew, Buddhist or a Muslim (and any others).  God has only one desire for all of man, that they would return to a personal relationship with Him, through His Only Son, Jesus Christ.  The devil has worked to deceive all of mankind since man’s creation, and did so beginning with Adam and Eve.  He even convinced a third of the angelic host of heaven (known as fallen angels or demons).  Everyone knows about God, but as God said, “Man, by his unrighteousness, has suppressed the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:18-19).  Search the truth for yourself, for God said, “If you seek me with ALL your heart, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13).

MLK Day Controversy?

The Buzz on MLK Day by Claudine Zap

I posted this in response to a day that should be honored, not only for the man whom it is named after, but the many men, women and children who walked in faith with him to see what God had intended all along – no racial divides.  Sadly, that has yet to be completely realized to this day.  Many organizations are opting not to honor the day.   Have a blessed day and continue to walk in faith and not by sight as so many have done before us, trusting God’s Will to be done (Hebrews 11:1).

Martin Luther King, Jr. was not an American president (think Presidents’ Day). Unlike our veterans, who are also honored with a federal holiday, King did not fight in any wars. In fact, MLK Jr. was a pacifist. But the slain civil rights leader has a federal day when the country stops to recognize his acheivements. It wasn’t always like that. The Buzz looks at some common questions around the man, the day, and his legacy.

Is MLK day a federal holiday?
In a word, yes. But that decision was not made without controversy. After King’s death, a bill was introduced in Congress to honor the leader with a national holiday. Some lawmakers protested that it would be too expensive, and too much for a private citizen, since King had never held public office. But King’s legacy of protesting racial discrimination proved reason enough, and in 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law. Still, not all states went along with the holiday. Arizona resisted for some time (Sen. John McCain was against the holiday before he was for it) but eventually joined in. The last state to recognize the holiday was South Carolina in 2000. Before then, it allowed its employees to choose among MLK Day or three Confederate holidays—proving the point of why the holiday was needed in the first place. The day is celebrated on the third Monday of January, and this year falls on January 18.

Why do we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?
King was an Atlanta-born Baptist preacher who was a key leader in the civil rights movement, which fought to end the unequal treatment of blacks under the law in the mid-20th century. He led the Montgomery bus boycott, sit-ins at segregated lunch counters, and the memorable 1963 March on Washington when he delivered his historic “I have a dream” speech. Many of his protests were met with violent response, but King stayed true to his belief in peaceful resistance. As Politico points out, his leadership led to the 1964 Civil Rights and the 1965 Voting Rights acts.

Who shot MLK?
The pacifist, who at the age of 35 became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, was assassinated in 1968 on the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee, where he had arrived to lead a protest of striking sanitation workers. Escaped convict James Earl Ray confessed to the murder after being captured in an attempt to flee the country. On the last speech he gave earlier in the night, King said, “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”

What is the “I have a dream” speech?
Probably the most well known of the pastor’s speeches is “I have a dream,” recited in churches, taught in the classroom, and quoted by politicians. The speech was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington, and was considered a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. It goes in part, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” You can watch the video of the entire speech.

Click to view article —–> http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93321?fp=1

WILL YOU TELL HAITI & THE WORLD THE TRUTH ABOUT God?

“But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief…” (2 Peter 3:10)

There are a lot of insightful, informative articles being posted about Haiti and God right now.  Some are very touching.  Others are straight out condemning and written with lack of knowledge.  Others are hitting a point that is being overlooked during this time.  They are addressing the fact that we live in a Fallen World due to the sin of one man (Romans 5). 

It has been asked if God hates Haiti.  To answer that in a way that some would not prefer, I’ve answered it this way to address the overlooked point:  What has occurred is yet another reminder to the world that we need the redemption that only God, the Father, can and has provided through His Only Son, Jesus Christ.   The acts of nature itself speaks to this fact, and God has spoken about this in his Word (Romans 8:18-30).   Original Sin has caused a great deal of mess and God has provided the only way – His Son (1 John 2:2).

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  (2 Peter 3:9).  Keep reading because here is the warning to us all.  The tsunami of India, Katrina in Louisiana, the quake in Haiti and many more all caught the world off guard.  We live life like tomorrow is promised, but heed what God has said:

“But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief…” (2 Peter 3:10)

So why is this post any different than others?  I hope it is not different from most.  What has occurred is dreadful, no doubt.   You and I would be of a cold heart to try and play it down.  The point being made here is that we can’t keep talking about the love of God in the way we (ministers and laymen both) have been doing that deceives people to think that He is pleased with the way the world is.  We deceive others by presenting a skewed view of the work of God rather than letting the TRUTH of His whole Word stand in plain site.   God is just and loving to the point that He sacraficed His Only Son (John 3:16).   If you don’t believe the statement about deception, boldly ask people in your own church about their lives as they currently walk in sin, sleeping together before marriage, hating their own brother yet loving the praises of men, and others speaking pridefully and jokingly from the pulpits as though death is not a reality for every single person under the sound of their voice (Matthew 7:21-23).

Let us (those who profess to be of Christ) do ourselves a favor and get in line with what God has instructed:   “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15 

We are less than Christ Jesus and without total faith in Him, what we will face much worse in the future days, months and years (Matthew 25:36).  We are much less than Christ and deserve the right judgment which God placed on His Son in our place.  So, no, God doesn’t hate Haiti, and no one is trying to take away from the reality of this heart-breaking event that has occurred.   There is simply a plea for us (professing followers of Christ) to present the whole Gospel and not sugar coat the inevitable of God’s ultimate judgment and the judgment already placed on His Only Son for all who would believe.

We don’t need to find ourselves being reactive to moments like this but rather proactive as the missionaries who were already in Haiti before this quake.  Share the truth of God’s whole Word, or people will continue to be asking questions like “where is God” when events worse than this occur, leaving many like those in the day of Noah.  God is love and loves us enough to give full warning and call us all into His protection. 

It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God (Hebrews 10:31).  Be blessed and encouraged that there is still work to be done (Matthew 9:37).

* The reason for the many Scripture citings is because mnay like to refute when God’s chosen laborers speak, so this allows those to refute with God instead, if they we choose (Jeremiah 6:10).

DOES God KNOW ABOUT HAITI?

So I just got done listening to a woman on the radio who was pouring her heart out about the need for us to pray that others would not look on the devastation of Haiti and other horrific events and think ‘how could there be a God that would allow this.’  In listening to her, my heart was greatly moved in total agreement that we do need to pray for those who are directly and indirectly affected by these grievous events that take place on this earth.  She was sharing how people experience events like what has occurred in Haiti, and they lose faith in God (or grow further from Him with hardened hearts) thinking that “we” must be alone on this earth to make things happen for ourselves, but just the opposite is true.  God is with us.  Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to those who would believe (Ephesians 1).  He has offered the same opportunity that is alive from the time of His leaving to the time of His return. 

This was the single thought that came to my mind when listening to her that we all too often forget – WE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD where evil exists!  Forgive me for being repetitive, but WE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD!  What does that mean?  It means that at one point in time, God had created this world and He said, “It is good.”  He was pleased with His perfect creation and all that was in and out of it.  But original sin occurred and since then, everything has been on a decline, needing to be redeemed.  From the very first person to the last, there has been and still is a sole need for each of us to be saved from our self-destructive existence.  Does this include that person you know who is really nice and never complains, but has no personal relationship with Christ?  YES!  God said there is not one person who is good, not even one.  He said that all of us have sinned against God and come short of His glory.  Another term for ‘fallen world’ could be ‘declining existence.’  

Get this…God is sovereign, holy, fully loving and perfect in His existence.  He has created all things for His pleasure and without Him, none of it would exist.  Rather than Him causing or even allowing the devastations of this world to take place, He has gone above and beyond to provide the ultimate solution – the redemption of mankind (and subsequently all of creation) through the sacrifice of His only Son and the promise of a soon redeemed world.  God has been clear throughout His written Word saying the only way to please Him is by having faith (Hebrews 11), but even if you and I do not remain faithful, He does (2 Timothy 2:11-13).  Jesus said it is a wicked generation that seeks signs (Matthew 12:38-42; 16:1-12).  In today’s terms, those who are pragmatic in their view of who God is would be the equivalent.  If you are looking for God to end the wars, stop natural disasters, miraculously cancel your debt, heal someone of a life-threatening situations or whatever before you will believe that He is who He says He is, and that His Son is the only way to an eternal life with God, then you may remain greatly disappointed (John 3:15-18).   

Don’t get me wrong.  God desires and is making Himself known to this world every minute of the day.  The fact that you are breathing is His mercy – whether saved or not.  The fact that you and I can never repay God for the wrong of our lives (our flesh and sin), yet He has still made a way for us to be redeemed anyway is Him showing how much He loves mankind.  Even more, He is being patient to give each of us an opportunity to respond to His great show of love (2 Peter 3:3-13).  The fact all the more remains that we currently live in a fallen world.  

The Original Sin caused a HUGE mess!  God says even all of creation eagerly waits with anticipation for His sons to be reveals.  For creation was subjected to futility – not willing, but because of Him who subjected it, in the hope that creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children.  He said that all of creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.  And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the first-fruits – we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.  Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.  (Romans 8:19-25).  That’s not to say that everything that happens is because of someone’s actual sin, but to say simply that the introduction of sin into the world began the down-spiral of all creation that could only be stopped by God. 

I hope you understand that God is love.  He loves each person and knows the needs of every person.  He knows the heart of each person when hard times come and go.  He knows who trusts Him in spite of and who truly believes His Son’s testimony – the testimony that Jesus is the only way to God.  To the one who claims to be a disciple of Christ Jesus, are you being a light in total submission to Him or are you trying to work good within yourself?   

Think on this….Everyone will die, but not everyone will live (John 11:25; Revalation 2:11; 20:6; 20:14-15; and 21:8). 

May you be blessed from what you have read.  Let whoever has ears, let him hear and seek God for understanding through His Holy Spirit.  Share the Good News of this redemption that is being offered to all.

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLAYLIST?

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Proverbs 23:7

MUSIC SHAPES THE MIND…have you ever heard that said before.  Don’t be soooo stunned by the picture above.  It is scientifically proven that music stimulates brain activity more than any other sound (until we hear God’s voice audibly and then it goes crazy – haha).  But to the point.  The question poised is WHAT’S ON YOUR PLAYLIST? 

I read the article below and wanted to share it with you since we’re in the midst of the Christmas season.  Some of us are singing about the glory of God’s sacrafice to send His Son down to earth to be born of a lowly birth.  Some of us are singing about silver bells and “all I want for Christmas.”  Some of us are singing a mixture of the two.  A big problem is the lack of focus on what this season is all about.  It’s about the birth of Christ and His purpose for becoming like us – not giving and receiving gifts!  What we watch and read becomes a part of us without the filter of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s understanding.  All the same, what we sing about is what we ultimately believe in our hearts.  Is that true?  Read on….

“You’re the Inspiration”

So what’s on your personal playlist? What artists make the music that speaks most deeply to your heart, and why? If you’ve never spent much time thinking about what you identify with musically, I’m hoping Muse might serve as your inspiration to do a bit of honest reflection on the topic.

Ask yourself how you use music. Is it an outlet when you’re down? If so, how does it connect with your emotions? Does it allow you to exorcise things that might not get released otherwise? Or does it reinforce what’s already going on inside, submerging it further? In short, how is it shaping, molding and influencing the yearnings of your heart?

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” And as the songs that serve as soundtracks for our own baseball games and homework sessions and midnight pity parties flit past our eardrums and into our minds and souls, they become what we think in our hearts. Whether we’re aware of it or not, the lyrics we absorb end up molding what we believe is right and true. And that means they are partially responsible for the overall trajectory of our lives—which naturally affects the lives of those around us.

Music helped Stephenie Meyer craft an angst-filled drama (TWILIGHT) about a chivalrous vampire and the girl who so desperately wants to be with him forever that she’ll trade in her very soul for the privilege.  And then Meyer eagerly shared her muse with the rest of us (those of you who find nothing wrong with movies/show/music like hers and call yourselves Christians).   To read the Full Article

So what is music helping you create? And who are you sharing it with?  God is calling us to be a holy people who are set apart (1 Peter 1:13-25).  Whatever you think, that is what you will be and are.  Merry Christmas to you and yours.  May your focus be turned to Him this season as He has offered the greatest gift man will ever receive (John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2).

Judgment Allowed Today?

I wanted to share this article and the response I gave to it, or more the response that I gave to other’s responses.  There is a misunderstanding about the right and wrong of judgment today.  It’s not taught from the pulpits as it should be.  Then again, rarely are any of the messages convicting and exhorting that are given from the pulpit – watered-down messages that tell the people what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:1-5),  leave them thinking they will always strive before God in SIN (still calling themselves “sinners” before the world) even though God/Jesus and his many prophets and apostles clearly said STOP SINNING and live as the blessed ambassadors of Christ that you have been called to be!  (Prov. 23:6-9)

That’s not what this posting is about though.  The misunderstanding of whether judging others is biblically right or wrong is rampant.  As a messenger of His Word, He has called me, along with the many other messengers, teachers, preachers, minister, etc. to proclaim His Word and rightly divide that truth to correct, rebuke, teach and exhort.  So I prayerfully did so, understanding that it was a public sector that I did it in (Matt. 7:6).  I hope it blesses you.

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Chaz Bono: Sex change is his ‘best decision’ (AP)

AP – Chaz Bono says beginning the sex-change process to turn him from a woman to a man is “the best decision I’ve ever made.”    For full article click here

JENNY COMMENTED – God made her a woman and she has defied Him and had surgery to change that. Good luck to her when she has to meet up with God and explain her stupidity and disrespect to Him.

WALLY REPLIED – She will be condemed to hell like all homosexuals and lesbians.

MARK L REPLIED – Or vice versa

CLEARLY DZ REPLIED – did God make her in his own image and she just bing really naughty? ya know children of financially successful families always try to be so trendy…sometimes fashion errors are simply not enough…and God knows most are too lazy, stubborn and loosely educated to make any difference in politics…so who knows? is she jewish? i am sure a good rabai could help with this matter

GETS IT REPLIED – jenny, people like you are more dangerous to society than a trans-gender.   You always forget that part about Thou shall not judge.

MY REPLY TO THEM ALL - 

Hey everyone in this reply.  I will agree partially with “Gets it” on the last point of “not judging”, but let me be clear about my agreement.  If one is a follower of Christ, you are only to judge those who are also claiming to be followers of Christ and are a part of the Church – not those in the world (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).  She doesn’t claim to be a part of the Church Christ has established and is not of God, so God alone will judge her.  If she or anyone else is claiming to be a part of the Body of Christ, but lives in sin, surely will be judged by the His people and cast out if they do not submit to the Lord.  Again, I have not heard her claim to be a follower of Christ. 

Jesus did say that it would be harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (understand what this means), because they think they have everything they need or at least could buy it.  But you can’t buy God’s forgiveness.  Even Christ didn’t buy His forgiveness – He paid the price for us all with His life and that pleased God’s wrath on those who would come to Him completely (Luke 18:18-30; John 3:16).  

Simply this…Pray that God would draw her, by His Holy Spirit, to Christ.  She, nor anyone else, is able to come to Christ of her or his own accord.  Jesus made that clear (John 6:43-46).  If she responds to God’s calling with a “yes” then He will show her the wrong and make it right.  Otherwise, “the way of a fool seems right to him/her, but a wise man/woman listens to advice (Prov. 12:15).  

WARNING: None is any better off than her if they have not committed fully to God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  That goes especially for those who claim to be followers of Christ (Christians), yet do not keep His commandment, nor strive in His counsel and leading of His Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:13-23).  Christ has already taken on the wrathful, just punishment of Sin that God must judge in His sovereignty.  For anyone, in their right mind, who appreciates the sanctity of life, you wouldn’t want to die a second death, but you most definitely will if you do not respond to the loving call of God to come back to Him and away from Sin.  The first death would be your physical death (which will come) and the second is worse – the death of your spirit which is the only way you can relate to God.  That would be an eternal separation from Him.  We have no idea what that is like because at this moment, God is with us (even if we don’t acknowledge Him).  Nothing exist without Him – understand that for your reality.  Nothing will exist without His presence – nothing.  Utter emptiness with no peace, joy or love; no good; no more grace and mercy.  JESUS is the only way back to God – there is nothing in us that will bring us back into a right standing with God.  He knew this and it was His will that Christ die for us, so we wouldn’t have to experience eternity without Him in the second/final death (Rev. 20:10, 14; 21:8).  To understand more about avoiding the Second Death

Be blessed and know that Christ does desire greatness for each of us.  That includes Chaz, but He will not force anyone to come to Him.  He will only knock. (Luke 11:5-13)  Will you answer?