Fear IS A Liar - When Standing In The Life & Light of Christ...

The whispers of the enemy has from time to time run thru my head, heart and soul…  I have heard the words you are a terrible husband, a rotten dad, a lousy person, you will never amount to anything…  IF I tried to find my value in those words and the opinions of those around me – I would most likely end up a statistic in some police blotter somewhere…

Well, the fact is, my name is written in a book somewhere; thank goodness it is in a set of statistics that will live on forever.  Since I met HIM, He has placed NEW Words in my Heart that cast shadows on those old hateful words, and HE has carried me over and thru all the hardest times of my life, assuring me ⁽¹⁾ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  God LOVED me, me – a kid that would not amount to anything, a man that in the past a woman committed herself to before God & witnesses for eternity; just walked away.  A dad that was too strict and used the word NO too often, the guy with no value to this world, a lousy excuse for a human being – He Loved me enough to sacrifice HIS ONLY SON that I might live on?  Yes – even for the likes of me…

Then as I accepted that fact, that HIS Son Jesus, came to this miserable corrupted world to live, serve, sacrifice, endure cruel criticism, physical beating and then the Cross, ⁽²⁾ “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  The part that blew my mind, I was convinced that I was rotten to the core, and that by the world’s standards – I was not only worthless and unredeemable, but I was bound for an eternity of Hell & Damnation.  ⁽³⁾ “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  So in that terrible condition and state of mind – HE still loved me enough, that even if I were the only one here – HE would have still paid my debt and freed me from Sin and eternal death.

I have always been a hard head to learning – I need to practice it a few times till I get it right.  So; I am prone to mistakes, miscommunications and misunderstandings – but GOD in HIS Amazing knowledge, power, wisdom and sovereignty – he made allowance for this simple minded soul of mine.  He built into HIS Love for me a safety net in HIS Righteous attributes; ⁽⁴⁾ “But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

So where I was once most fearful of failure, what my failures would look like to my spouse, children, family, co-workers and friends, was all dispelled by HIS Spirit in my Heart; fed thru the reading and storing away of HIS Word in my Heart…  (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you Psalms 119) So the more I learned, the more I read and studied, realizing that there needed to be a balance between the knowledge of salvation and the Love, Compassion and Tenderness that needed to fill the Heart as a result of KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING the Cost of God’s Sacrifice to pay for our salvation…  He wants our HEART knowledge to open the doors to other’s Hearts so that we can show and prove to the World that our Testimony and Witness of Him is real and genuine.  ⁽⁵⁾ “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

You know, the Apostle Paul said ⁽⁶⁾ “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  For Love to be Sincere, there must be a depth in that relationship to allow trust to be formed and walls to fall down around one’s Heart.  Sincere in Loving those HE places on our path, while HATING that which is evil in the site of GOD as revealed to us in HIS Word.  We are to LOVE one another in the brotherhood and sisterhood of Christianity, and that Love and Honor is to go beyond anything we would reserve for ourselves.  Sacrificing our wants, desires and needs for those HE has entrusted the stewardship to us with.  Sometimes – most times that takes more internal discipline and uprightness than any of us can stomach on our own in this day and age.  We are conditioned as Americans to look out for “number one” first and foremost.  Jesus said he that is first will be LAST, and he that is last will be FIRST…  Think about it…

⁽⁷⁾ “He has shown you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  So folks – NOT ONLY is my value, worth and identity defined by Almighty God – and HE has told HIS People – HIS Children that HE holds the same regard for you too.  Therefore, to be obedient to HIS authority in my Life I must practice what HE has revealed to me thru HIS Word, and understand that HE Died to YOU too…  Therefore; the same LOVE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS  &  GRACE  HE has so abundantly shown and poured out over me, I must share with YOU and those around me, regardless as to whether you are a Follower of HIS or NOT…

My Heavenly Father – my “Abba Father” shows His gentle and tender Love for His children; fore HE Loves them and encourages them to call upon HIM as a child calls upon their “Daddy”.  HE Alone has the Sovereign Authority to determine our Value, Worth and Identity…  NO Man, Woman or Child has the right to assign any of those attributes or properties on anyone else in this world.  GOD and GOD ALONE has that Authority

GO in Peace Brothers and Sisters; spread the Gospel to everyone that you meet & greet.  For we are NOT to judge the soil that we sow HIS seeds upon, we are simply to trust the Quality and Significance of the Seed that we freely and sacrificially cast upon the soil that HE has prepared before us.  For HE shall send the Reapers to gather up the Fruit when it is time.

Here a few other passages that speak of HIS Great Love and that which Lives in US…

^(a)      “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” 

^(b)      “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.  For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”   

^(c)       “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” 

^(d)      “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” 

^(e)      “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

References:

⁽¹⁾      John 3:16

⁽²⁾      John 15:13

⁽³⁾      Romans 5:8

⁽⁴⁾      Psalm 86:15

⁽⁵⁾      John 13:34-35

⁽⁶⁾      Romans 12:9-10

⁽⁷⁾      Micah 6:8

^a)        Psalm 107:8-9

^b)        Galatians 5:13-14

^c)        Galatians 5:22-23

^d)        Romans 13:8

^e)        Romans 8:28-30

Worship In Spirit - Walk In The Spirit...

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
 
At Spiritual Birth - Salvation we have our first Resurrection so to speak. CHRIST gives new life or awakens our Dead Spirit...

To commune with God, to have Fellowship with Him, we must traverse into our new reality with Him. This is not a game, or a worldly social club, Church is the collection of Souls that have come alive in Spirit to do His Work & His bidding in Loving Service to Him and His adopted Family. True Faith & Belief in CHRIST...

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Remember this: James 1:26-27 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Bridling the tongue of vain, useless babble that has no Spiritual value, or intrinsic value to furthering of His Kingdom... While showing compassion, Love, Charity, long suffering, tender Hearted, forgiveness and the Hand of Fellowship and Restoration to those that seek it when made aware of their offenses to You. Love is NOT a Feeling it is a commitment - lest you think I am in error, Look At The Cross !!!

Dying to one's self is learning Spiritually to remove your "feelings" from the equation while letting God's Spirit become your new reality... So very few are willing to "let go" and walk in The Spirit...

Please - don't get so caught up in this world's life that you lose sight of the Reality of Eternity !!!

Semper Fidelis...

This "old Marine Corps Motto" means, "Always Faithful", Forever Faithful, Eternally Faithful...  I now realize and understand I was very, very fortunate to have a Dad that believed that motto to his very core...  Always Faithful...   This is a term that has been lost in the last couple generations...  For FAITH has seemed to escape many.  See, my Dad taught my siblings and I that Faith, Truth, Trust, Honor, Integrity, Character, Respect and Loyalty were deep foundational truths that defined the man.  

We have lost those core moral attributes in this world, culture & society.  In the wake of that foundational shift, we ditched our moral compass along the road somewhere as well.    The collateral damage of these moral pillars failing has been most noticeable in our relationships, or, the failure of our relationships.  Husbands and Wives throwing marriages away after investing 30, 40 and even 50 years of their lives.  Friendships lasted a lifetime 100 years ago, today, if your closest friend doesn't meet your wants and perceived needs, simply walk away and find someone else that will make you "happy".

Today, a man must be the rock of the home, a good provider, a good lover, a good house keeper, a good gardener, provide emotional security as well as be Mr. Mom when called upon.  The culture has emasculated men, and in many circles confused the Biblically appointed roles of the genders so drastically, that the Home has become a battle ground.  All this because of that illusive American Dream...  Nice House, Nice Car, Toys, Vacations, Nights Out - money, money, money...  It became too much for one income to achieve the American Dream.   So, we ripped the baby out of Mommy's arms, dumped them into the baby sitters arms (now day care centers), and put poor Mommy out there into the work force to earn more money.  Subjecting her to diverse opinions and worldly influence and lustful eyes and smooth talking wolves.  We have given parental authority by proxy to the daycares & the school systems with a significant liberal bent, and then wonder why we have shootings, stabbings, rapes and bullying on school property.  Really???  Where are the voices of Reason??? 

50 - 70 years ago, families got involved with each other's struggles, there was a sense of accountability, to God and to each other.  God was just a matter of fact.  The Bible was revered and honored, considered God's Holy Word and Instruction to man, let alone His written will for our lives.  Prayer was an essential to get thru the day.  Modesty was exercised by most folks, and inappropriate conversation was never within ear shot of children.  When our Son or Daughter was having marital issues, we encouraged and exhorted them as the Good Book instructs to do.  We "worked" at our marriages, and sought help from our Pastor, Mother, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa when our marriages or life became a struggle.  We stuck with things and fixed them, rather than throw them in the garbage can and go out and get a new one.  We allowed our Children to read the Bible in School, Pray in School and recite the Pledge of Allegiance in School...  ALL THREE HAVE BEEN REMOVED from the majority of schools today...  AND - We question why 15 to 17 years old kids are signing up for ISIS and running away from home?  Really???  Where are the voices of Reason???  Where is the Public Outcry For The Moral Staples of our Society to be brought back into the Public Schools????

Today, God is Optional - if He even exists in most people's minds.  The Bible - is considered simply a book of suggestions, and at best is an ala carte menu choice as it is relevant to my wants.  Prayer - who needs prayer, I have a secular Shrink that has the whole world figured out that I pay good money for advice - who needs prayer...?  If you have turned on a TV or Radio lately, there is NO Modesty or Appropriateness to conversation or entertainment any more.  We might as well de-commission the FCC, because they are an unneeded and morally irrelevant government agency today.

If we Believe In God, and His Son Jesus Christ, then inherently we will also believe Faith, Truth, Trust, Honor, Integrity, Character, Respect and Loyalty are essential parts of a man or woman's soul.  We will practice Faith in God and trust His will in our relationships, friendships and marriages. We will work at making them wholesome, pure and above reproach.  We will Honor God in honoring those He has placed in our lives.  We will be Biblically Obedient to God, by sacrificing our own desires and wants for our spouse until He calls us Home thru Death or at the Trumpet Sound.  We will honor our other relationships and friendships by showing Christ's Love, Compassion and Charity in those relationships for a lifetime, not just while its convenient.  FAITH is not as we define it - it is as HE Defines it.  Do NOT Trust this old layman - Read The Book for Yourself...

Here are some Passages To Start With - then KEEP  GOING !!!

1st John 1:8-10

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

2nd  Timothy 4

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Where Are Your Accusers…?

In the Gospel of Christ as written by The Apostle John, we read in the first 12 verses of an ad-hoc trial that the Scribes & Pharisees put on for Christ to trap Him.  What transpired is nothing short of amazing, better described as just simply Awesome.

My vantage point for this piece is thru the amazing Theological eyes of Matthew Henry, and his wonderful commentary on this passage.  From my perspective, a novice man’s opinion, Mr. Henry’s commentary is delightful and exhaustive enough to fill my appetite for academics on the subject, while stirring the Heart with Spiritual food of Christ’s Devine Power in the midst of acutely controlled Strength in the form of Meekness.  Oh to have been there to see and hear our Lord speak with Authority and Compassion in the same breath, wow…

We all know the story.  Scribes & Pharisees marched this woman in before Jesus.  Just as He had spoken to the woman at the well in Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, here to, He knew as God incarnate that He indeed would see this woman brought to Him as an adulteress.  He knew her Heart.  He knew the accusers Hearts.  Yet He in the composure of The Master, He knelt down and drew in the dirt / sand.  We do not know what he was drawing or writing, but I admire Matthew Henry’s comment on this subject.  “Conscience is God’s deputy in the soul, and one word from him will set it on work, Heb. 4:12.”  I see this moment as a dramatic pause for these Scribes and Pharisees; they must have delighted in His silence as He knelt there.  Then He stood, to them, He stood there as a man they were about to trick or trap into saying something they could condemn Him with.  But after He stood – He spoke, as God’s Son He Spoke, the wisdom of the ages formed as The Word of the moment, timed and exercised perfectly.  “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first”. 

Thump, went the first stone, thud went the next, then, as a bag of marbles spilled out unto the ground, they all dropped their stones.  For He alone, among all the men present that morning – He alone was without sin, He alone was blameless, He alone was pure and clean, The Very Word of God convicted their conscience.  They dropped their stones along with their ability to accuse this woman of anything in light of their own filthy sins.  Christ knew their Hearts.

His Moral Object Lesson was over – right?  No.  He carried on a brief conversation with her to show “us” the Heart of this dear woman; she was in need of a Savior, a Redeemer, and a Champion to rescue her from her own poor and sinful choices.  When she was placed in the presence of This Great Light of the Living Water of Christ, she recognized her sin and saw it as He saw – maybe for the very first time. 

I see Christ looking at her with deep concern, deep compassion for the condition of her Heart, and as He looked upon her, He had already forgiven her in His Dynamic Economy of Time.  For in His Eternity, the Cross was already a finished work, thusly, her sins were forgiven.  Christ died for all sin, Past, Present and Future.  She had been forgiven.  She stood there alone, with The Master still stooped and drawing on the ground.  He knew they were all gone, yet He stood up, looking around as to indicate to her with His body motion / language, they are not here.  Then He spoke to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

Her answer was more than likely offered with a shaky and broken voice, “No One, LORD”…  Ah, acknowledgment of His Lordship, knowing in Her Heart she had just been saved, physically from these corrupt men, and Spiritually by her Lord…

Then the words spoken by our Dear & Precious Lord are the words that those of us that Truly understand the weight and depravity of our sin long to hear…  “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  You are no longer condemned to a stoning, no longer condemned to death…  Now go on with your life and SIN  NO  MORE !!!   Folks, this is a call to Obedience of the Word of God in its authority and Sovereign Holy direction for our lives.

Grace – means there is nothing we can do, say or negotiate to win God’s favor, for Christ fulfilled God’s requirement for a death payment for sin.  If we take Christ’s Salvation – we must submit and yield to His Lordship.  1^st Corinthians 6:18 thru 20 - ¹⁸ Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We are no longer our own – He bought us with His own Life, thus His Word is ours to Obey…

America’s new culture is contradictive to any sort of accountability, thus it teaches our citizens of all walks that we are a group of individuals accountable to no one but ourselves.  “It’s all about Me, what I want, when I want it and where I want it – period”.  Satan’s schemes are all alike, nothing new under the sun.

Choose this this day whom you will serve…  Will you choose God, to which the Blessings are first to be joint aires with His Son in Eternity, and all the riches of Heaven are your reward.  Or…  Choose the ways of the world, believing there is no accountability for living this life apart from God’s Holiness, and in the end discovering you were serving your father the Devil.

The Gospel of Christ as written by The Apostle John

Chapter 8 Verses 2 thru 12

² Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.  ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.  ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?”  ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”  ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.”   And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Truly Making A Difference...

A Re-Post from my timeline in 2009:


Well...


I ...was kind of wondering, what if we all hugged a toddler tomorrow, or tell a teen we were praying for them & care about them, or maybe help an elderly person. Do you suppose it would make a difference in a "world of me, mine and I’s"?


Do they see what we claim to be and have?  Do they know the difference between those of us that Truly Know Christ, and the rest of the world?  You change the world, one person, one relationship, and yes - One HEART at a time. Make a difference to one person at a time; let them see Him in your eyes and deeds. AND - May you always see them thru HIS Eyes of perfect Love!

Do You Tell Others About Your Family?

I was just thinking... Of the folks that are around me from day to day, many claim the name of Christ, or consider themselves "Christian"...   But, as I recall many of those conversations each day, I don't remember hearing the name of Jesus brought up much.  In fact in most conversations, at no point do I remember any reference to Him.  I mention my Wife, Children & Grand Children several times a day in conversation whom I love. Yet when I mention my Abba Father, or Jesus - ...even among family sometimes, I can sense tenseness or a virtual wall / curtain begin to go up?

Where have we come as a culture and society that we can't converse of the most Holy and Righteous of our Family?  That when we mention the name of our Precious Jesus or His Heavenly Father, people around us become uneasy, and even family roll their eyes?  Who is this Christ we follow that no one seems to want to talk about thru the work day or at family events?

Luke 9:25-26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Yes Pastor Burns I remember - 70 times 7, then start all over again, and again, and again until Jesus comes - or takes me home. Hypocrisy grows out of the Heart that forgets or chooses not to Love, Offer True and Authentic Forgiveness, Show Mercy, and Bless with Grace in every relationship...  We are not His by simply claiming His name - we are His by the Spirit that lives within us, and the immense Love that must be shared with others thru that Spirit within us. I speak His name because if I don't my heart will scream His name thru the wall of my chest!

I was just thinking, when I woke up this morning, and this is what rolled off my finger tips...

Praise His Holy & Mighty Name - Thank You Mr. Olson for the Reminder of the Relationship!!!

An Apology For Lack Of Eloquent Writing Skills...

I am sorry, I am not the normal FB friend, Internet Blogger, neighbor, user or contributor. I see it as a platform to share ideas, concerns and issues facing our culture, society and the human race. Since my Faith defines my person, that is the filter thru which I see, hear, speak and post. I have been posting since 2009, and have in that time apparently offended a few folks 2 or 3 times (maybe more).


I apologize for my lack of skill and talent in the presentation, however; I do not and will not apologize for the content. God / Christ IS...  Accept HIM Now, or HE Will Deal With you Later...

He is Loving, Merciful, Compassionate, Tender Hearted, Long-suffering, Meek and Forgiving... But... He is also HOLY, RIGHTEOUS & JUST... Regardless of the feel good gospel being presented today, there is still payment for our sin and worldly ways. There are only two payments available, YOUR Payment in Full -or- the Payment Christ already Paid In Full for us... See - Love has Always been about CHOICE !!! We will answer for our Choices...


The Bible - His Word - The Absolute Truth... The thing about Absolutes, is they divide, you are on one side or the other... A Choice... You Must Choose, there is NO middle ground... No negotiations, no picking and choosing the things you like versus the things you don't...


Acknowledge your failures and sin, contritely confess and turn from it, accept His Gift and Payment for us, then pick up your Cross and Follow Him for Eternity... This is the only Choice that assures your Blessed continuance - the other choice leads to a much darker outcome.

Do You Really Forgive Your Spouse... ?

I think it is safe to say, that in one form or another, we each offend God on a daily basis. Yet, we pray, ask and expect immediate forgiveness and restoration of the fellowship with God almost as though it is owed to us...

Yet, when our husband, wife, friend or neighbor offends us, we are slow to offer God's Mercy, Forgiveness, Grace and Restoration.

Where is the Love of Christ in that? Where is the testimony in that? Where is the Biblical grounds for that? My NKJV teaches quite the opposite. The Bible states that if we want God's Mercy, Forgiveness, Grace and Restoration, then we are to offer it unconditionally and continually to our Spouse, Children, Parents, Family, Friends, Co-Workers and Neighbors.

 

Prayerful Consideration Is In Order...

Defending The Faith (1 Peter 3:15)...

If we are living it right, our Spirituality should attract those that God called to be saved... But, it should also create angst for those that want no part of Him. He came once, and is coming again to divide, Truth from lie, Holiness from evil, and the Righteous from the Worldly... In the Christian, the attributes are not the result of works, heaven forbid. In the Christian, these attributes of Character and a Spiritual life are the result of changes of the Heart and Mind, produce works from the New Spirit from within...

In the end! It is ALL About Christ - period... Wrestle with it, argue it, twist it, debate it, let the world taint it in your mind & heart... But - in the end, if you didn't bow the head, bow the heart, and bend the knee in loving submission to Him and His Ways voluntarily, you will have it bent by force and declare Him King of Kings!

He showed us how to forgive by giving his Son to die for us! We must in turn, die to self and likewise learn and practice the Love and Complete Forgiveness for and towards others.

The world is on a collision course with a Spiritual Destiny that is going to Rock the Universe - it's ALL About the King and the relationship you have with Him first, and the others He places in your life next...

Hopefully, I will see you at the table...

RC

Witness...?

I was recently told by a loved one, that I am too Biblical, and always weave a spiritual context into my conversations.   It was implied that This perspective of mine causes folks to feel uncomfortable and stressed.

Over the past 35 years, at least a half of dozen times, I recall telling loved ones of conviction I was under to give it all - or give nothing in my Christian walk.  God has cleared any and all obstacles to give it all.

From my perspective - if we are just traveling thru this world, not to become attached, shouldn't we reflect the world we are heading to, not the one we are leaving behind?

Will we look at CHRIST as we are transformed and carried out at the Rapture and say "this is too Spiritual - I want to go back". 

I think Not...

Revelation 3:14-17 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

Due to the promises of God, I know my destination is to be with Him in The Eternal Glory of Heaven...  As I travel this world, I am to become more like Christ, less like the worldly man that I was.  Not perfect, but Yielding the flesh to the Spirit.  If that is offensive - then I guess I apologize if you are hurt, but, I will continue...  Yes - I will continue to offer the Loving Gospel of Christ to the unsaved, and Challenge and Encourage those that claim His Name as their own!!!

Matthew 10:34-39 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10:32-33 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Balance...

Hebrews 2:5-9 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying:  “ What is man that You are mindful of him,  Or the son of man that You take care of him?  You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor,  And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”  For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

God IS...

If my head and heart are on right Spiritually, then at the depths of my Soul, I know beyond a doubt that I can not work to justify myself before God... I can not work for Salvation. I can not work for Redemption. I can not work to earn favor with God...

My Salvation, Redemption, Righteousness and Sanctification are all by the Choice of The Living God, Master Creator, Father of all There is. By His Choice / Election we are sealed unto Eternity to live and reign with Him Forever. NOT - by anything I can think, do or negotiate... Salvation / Redemption is solely and completely a manifestation of God's Sovereign Holy Will & Character Alone... 

Simply stated Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone - period...

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Straight Facts...

Men and Women's hearts are still desperately wicked, but freedom of Spiritual Choice among the elect is still alive and well. Just as we choose to Love - we also choose to yield to temptation and sin.

Straight facts, YOU CHOOSE !!! Not your environment, not your husband's poor choices, not your wife's distant attitude, not the issues at the job - but You will answer... YOU alone will stand for your choices in following God's Word and how you used your life, your marriage, your job, rearing your children and your Christian Service to bring Honor, Glory and Praise to God the Father & His Son... For Jesus said "If You Love Me - You Will Keep My Commandments".

**(by the way, you can't erase the ones you don't like, they all apply, and His Wonderful Loving Grace doesn't nullify the statement either)**

Do you WORSHIP a Mighty, Holy Righteous God that will soon bring judgment to the world? Or are you wrapped up in the concept of a dear old loving man in the sky that is going to give everyone a free pass? If that is the extent of your Theological and Doctrinal Depth, my advice to you is get used to Dark immense Heat... For the True God and His Son are about to make an appearance on the scene that will quite literally damn the unredeemed to Hell!

Psalm 86:12-13 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. For Your loving kindness toward me is great, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Romans 3:21-26 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

John 14:6-15 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

Has Our Culture - Cheapened True Grace... ?

Jesus died on that Old Tree to forgive us of ALL our sin. The story didn't end there. He rose again 3 days later to defeat death and fulfill the punitive portion of the law requiring a life payment...

He nailed our sin to that cross, and put it behind Him... We as His Followers are to do the same. To forgive one another, and place those offenses behind us and walk away in His Spirit... To forgive, time and time again, just as He does and we expect Him to do for us...

He commands us to follow His Lead and Example. Yet some of those professing His name pick & choose what parts of the Faith & His Word they will Honor... They hold past hurts and offenses as badges of courage or rights of passage. Holding captive to those sins themselves, and others around them, rather than truly Forgiving and letting go. Never fully understanding Christ's Love & Compassion for us in the midst of His Unconditional Forgiveness and Love.

They want or demand His Forgiving Grace for themselves, while not freely showering those around them with that same Grace from the Heart of Christ. American Christians are spoiled, and arrogant, we feel that we have the "in" and understanding of Christ's Love. All the while forgetting He went to that Cross first out of obedience to The Father, to Glorify and Worship Him. He sacrificed His own Will and Life that the Bride might be purified and made righteous. We American Christians know so little of sacrifice, hardship or true suffering. Dear Father Forgive US...

Oh, how we must grieve Our Blessed Savior... For I know that I am such an unworthy soul, that He would Love even me, born in my sin with an evil heart. Yet, He gave His Life for mine... Oh What A Savior...

Note To A Dear Friend...

Accountability - Confusion in interpreting the message...

I am sorry kiddo, that's not what is being said here. Not at all... Ephesians 4:1-6 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

We are called out from the ways of the world to follow The Way of Christ. That brings accountability period. That's NOT legalism. Legalism is when I, as your Dad, Husband or Friend has a list of arbitrary Do's & Don'ts that I hold over your Head as a litmus test for Salvation... I know Legalism, because I lived it the first 30+ years of my life. What this is saying is God has expectations of us - accountability. Accountability in the way we live our lives as to not bring harm or retribution to the Name & Testimony of Jesus Christ. If He Lives In Us, then His Sacrifice & Humility in Love is in us. There is no deep rooted anger, there is no fear of accountability, there is no contention among fellow Christians, Husband & Wife, Mother & Daughter, Sister & Brother, Employee & Supervisor. God's Spirit, His Peace and His Heart are all a part of the New Creature. Stumbling from time to time is one thing, however; a life of perpetual frustration, anger, with the desire to run from God's accountability is a warning sign.

In Matthew 7, Jesus warns of the wolves in sheep's clothing, a picture of people calling themselves Christians, that participate in the activities of a Christian life. However; when pressed in Spiritual matters, they display the core of their Heart and their true Master. You see Dear Child, God's Holy Spirit lives in the Heart of those He calls. While these dear people are not perfect, their dependency for life in its most basic form to the most complex is rooted in Jesus Christ. At any given moment they believe deep in the core of their Heart in Jesus Christ, and His ability to deliver them from any evil or any problem by His Power & Will in His Timing... That is Faith, Trust & Belief in Christ, not depending on our own abilities. Believing in the Supernatural - and believing that the Supernatural can in fact manifest Himself in the world today... God IS !!!

Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Accountability - is an innocent and practical way for the brethren to watch for the wolves, a as well as lovingly help a Brother or Sister in the Faith, when they are struggling. Carrying each other's burdens, praying, walking along side and using the Scripture as the measure. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. If a person definitely rejects a lovingly & innocently posed question regarding their walk (offenses), then you must follow Christ's instruction and take another Brother / Sister with you to talk with this person. If they still reject your concern, take your Deacon with you, if still the offense continues Un-repented, take the Deacon and Pastor with you. If still they stand in defiance, offering no conversation, or discussion of the matter in their defense, nor offer no apology, or repentance of the issue, take them and the issue before the congregation. If this does not bare Good Spiritual Fruit - then the Church - by Christ's own instruction, is to set apart the Un-repentant Heart from the Church / Congregation, if they truly are of Christ, they will be given over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh and salvation of the soul.

A Dear Pastor Friend of mine, used to always tell me "People do - What People want to do"... At first blush, it seems to be a pretty simple and basic statement. As I aged, and experienced the harshness of the world and life in it, I realized this Dear Pastor was teaching me a core Spiritual Lesson. The contents of a person's Heart are on display in the things they do & say every moment of their life. Christ's Love is Deep, Unconditional, Drenched in Mercy, Full of Forgiveness, Abounding in Grace, and Always - Always willing to Restore the Fellowship. This too, is the Heart of the True Loving, Devoted, Submitted and Yielded Follower of Christ. These attributes are then on display in their actions, their words, their Charity & their Worship and they are both a conduit and a reflector of Christ's Amazing Love & Light. They are not perfect for they walk in the flesh, but they are not of the flavor of Modern American Christianity where Grace is used as an excuse to do what we want all in the name of Liberty. Christ died to give us Ritualistic / Ceremonial freedom or Liberty from the Law, not Liberty from the Heart of the Law. That Heart of The Law is God's Holy, Righteous, Just and Revered Character, which Christ Lovingly and Humbly submitted Himself to.

So my Dear Child, what I was truly saying was this... A Child of God, the betrothed of Christ will reflect the Heart of Christ (for further detail read Matthew 5 and Galatians 5).

 A Follower of Christ, will have a Heart willing to discuss your thoughts and opinions of their life - when you offer it with love, as Paul instructed, "speak the Truth in Love". They won't be quick to be offended, they will show Loving Kindness, Gentleness, Compassion, Understanding, Mercy, Eternal Forgiveness, Un-Ending Grace, and Continual Restoration, for those are the attributes of the core of their Heart, for that and much more is the core of the Heart of their Blessed Jesus. The Holy Spirit Truly - Truly takes up residence in the Hearts of genuine / authentic Christians. That Spirit is Real... That Spirit is of God, do the math Dear Child, God is Holy, Righteous & Just. If that Light lives inside of you, you WILL BE DIFFERENT than the rest of the world. So too, will the Christian friend you are trying to discuss this offensive issue with, they will be different as in the True Christ. Approach in deep prayer, bathed in Love, and open arms of Christian Fellowship, God will prepare the Heart of your friend for the discussion. God Bless, I will pray for you...

What Does Christianity Look Like To You...?

Some have noticed, I cleaned off a lot of my Biblical based pictures and posts, due to being offensive to a few folks...


This Morning I share Greetings in the name of my Lord and Savior "Jesus, the One and True Christ, sitting in all His Majesty and Sovereignty next to God the Father".


I tell you friends, that if the TRUE Love of Christ is not in you, your mind and heart will never know True Peace, True Forgiveness, True Joy or True Deliverance from the mighty and powerful hand of Judgment that is soon to be seen.

The earth quickens in the site of Him standing and poised to come get His Bride. The Bride's heart races as she sees her groom stand before the Father. The work is finished, the deceiver draweth close, Israel is weary and at the door of compromise.
 
So, listen intently True Church, the wedding trump is about to sound... Sow the last of the seeds He has given you, repent and prepare your hearts. The Prince of Peace and King of Kings is about to arrive to collect up His Bride.


If my pictures and biblical posts were offensive, then let my words of Truth this Morning, proclaim Him Lord and serve to let you know, I am a willing servant of Jesus Christ willing to endure that which the world and this country wish to place upon my shoulders in His Name!


For He came to divide, the world from the pure. While He is a God of Love, the doctrinal truth of that love is foreign to man, unless he truly seek the One that Hold Truth in His Heart and His Hand.


He has showered us with His Love for nearly 2000 years in this age of Grace. Soon, He will shower the earth with True Judgment, and no man will escape His Righteousness, accept those called to Himself. Christ came to save the world, but, the world as a whole, would have Him NOT.


I challenge all Christians that read this post and hear my voice to fan the fire of your Faith, come alive and awake from your slumber, get dressed and square away your affairs, for the Son of God, our Groom is standing and waiting for the Father's call to "Go Get My Children"!!!