The Commercialization of Christ

The Holy Spirit woke me up at around 4 o'clock am with a message for myself and anyone who is willing to hear what the Spirit is saying to the people. I recently attended a Christian women's conference and it was an informative and interactive effect, but one thing sorta bothered me.  A common part of conferences is there will be a section for vendors to set up to sell products like jewelry, books, etc. and/or they have some representatives who give information about some mission or program.  When I first walked into this area, the first thought that came to mind was how Jesus had went into the temple and "drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of money changers and seats of those who sold doves" Matthew 21:12.  Jesus charged these sellers of  'religious goods' with being a 'den of thieves'.  What would Jesus say about all the "Christian" businesses we have today?

Anything related to religion is big business.  According to a report by CNSNews.com, a study by Georgetown University in 2016 estimated in the United States alone, that religion is worth over 1.2 Trillion dollars!

Why am I writing about this? First I want to confess my own sin. I got caught up in all the hype (deception), 'buy this new program it will help you with your bible study' or 'prepare for the tribulation'.  Everything is presented so beautifully with colors, shiny bling, pristine packaging or fear mongering "prepare for the end of the world, buy this solar powered generator". Satan loves to tempt us by telling us lies and presenting the bait before our eyes like he did with Eve.  First he twisted God's word by saying, "You won't die" when Eve answered him about what God had told her and Adam that they would die if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "Then Eve 'looked' at the tree and saw that it was good for food, and pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate" Genesis 3:6. Satan's mode-of-operandi has not changed. He continues to seek to steal, kill, deceive, and destroy through fear, offence, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.

We are a materialistic, commercially driven, deceived nation.  Marketing is a billion dollar industry and its main goal is to get you to part with your money by buying whatever they are trying to sell you so they can get rich.  It is written, the love of money is the root of all evil. It is sad that many Churches today have 'marketing' plans.  If you watch many "Christian" programs today they are always selling something: buy this book, buy this organic vitamin, buy this prayer shawl, buy this disaster plan to save your family during the tribulation, etc.  They claim it's for 'the kingdom of God'.  But what does the Bible have to say about this?  How do we apply the principles that were at play when Jesus talked about them to modern day church? We no longer have a physical temple in which we go to pray/bring sacrifices to.  The church is not a building, the 'church' is every born-again believer.  Jesus said "My Father's house is supposed to be a house of prayer." not a business.  We no longer bring rams and doves to sacrifice to a physical alter, Jesus took care of this on the cross by becoming our sacrifice for all eternity.  Now, our sacrifice is our praise, thanksgiving, and our own selfish desires. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1.

What does the bible say about material possessions, projects, daily living? 
1.  "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
2.  Do not love the world or the things in this world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
3.  Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23
4. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others  Philippians 2:3-4

Christians are not to worry about anything, not money, homes, families, end-of-the world, nothing! We should not covet nor desire the materials the world desires.  We should trust and depend on God and God alone. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD." Jeremiah 17:5.

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to be poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and their ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and was brutally tortured and shed His blood and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation. What is a person being saved from? Hell, the most horrible place we can imagine, it is an eternal place of torture away from the true and living God in a place in which all of God's goodness is removed. Salvation is not just about being saved from hell and going to heaven, Salvation is also about being adopted into the kingdom of God, you can become a son or daughter of the Most High and you inherit all the privileges of being a child of God.   Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believe will receive and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy your way into heaven because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real,  He lived and died and rose from the grave. 

2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus.

3. Believe in the blood that was shed for you and the forgiveness of your sins, and Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God.

4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ.

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:   1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 21:12,  Genesis 3:6; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 12:1-2, Luke 9:23, Philippians 2:3-4, Jeremiah 17:5, Mark 8:36; 1 John 2:16; John 10:10

References:  https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/lauretta-brown/georgetown-study-religion-worth-12-trillion-us-economy-more-google-and

SEXUAL SIN-Satan's Greatest Weapon Against Mankind

This is a hard post for me to write, but I feel led by the Spirit, this message needs to be told.  Sexual sin comes in so many different forms, but the one form which I believe is at the core of all forms of sexual sin is sexual abuse toward children. Sexual sin against children is the 'pink elephant' in the room. Too many stories of children being silenced and told to not say anything because the 'family' would be embarrassed.  Right now, some young girl or young boy is having their soul destroyed, not by some stranger, but by the very one who is supposed to love them. 90% of sex abuse victims KNOW their perpetrator. It seems like every other week there is some news story of ANOTHER child pornography ring being busted, some teacher being arrested for 'inappropriate' interactions with an underage student.

No other sin can destroy a persons' soul like sexual sin, especially the soul of a child. "None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness" Leviticus 18:6.  This means have sex with a relative.  Why did God have to give laws to the Hebrews, spelling out exactly who they were not supposed to have sexual relations with? Why did God have to tell them NOT to sleep with animals??? Because all these sexual sins were the abominations that all the pagan people engaged in, i.e: Incest, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality all very wicked, abominable practices that God destroyed whole cities for as clearly shown in this verse, "Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you" Leviticus 19:24.

What hope does America or this world have? Are we not committing the very same sexual sins for which God destroyed those nations for in the past?

The reported sexual abuse cases estimate that 1 in every 10th child is sexually abused before age 18, but we know that this does not account for ALL the unreported cases, I would guess the number is more like 1 in every 3 children are sexually abused before the age 18.

This message is for the perpetrators, God loves you, God is a forgiving and merciful God. Repent, ask Jesus to come into your heart and change it. Stop being Satan's lap dog.

This message is for mothers with children, don't be naive, sexual abuse occurs in homes, with relatives, with fathers, grandfathers, cousins, teachers, preachers, not some stranger off the street.  This does not mean you need to be paranoid, but you must be watchful, and please, please, please, do not silence a child who speaks up about their abuse, it is not their fault.

This message is for those who know but stay silent out of fear, you don't have to be afraid, God is with you, All things done in the dark will come to light.

This message is for all those who say they are Christians, please pray for all children all around the world who are in abusive homes, being trafficked and sold as sex slaves, children who don't have a voice, too many are alone, afraid, and terrified. It takes literally seconds to molest a child, but it takes a lifetime for that child to recover from this assault against their soul.

                                                       I SURRENDER BY SEVIN

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to be poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and their ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and was brutally tortured and shed His blood and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation. What is a person being saved from? Hell, the most horrible place we can imagine, it is an eternal place of torture away from the true and living God in a place in which all of God's goodness is removed. Salvation is not just about being saved from hell and going to heaven, Salvation is also about being adopted into the kingdom of God, you can become a son or daughter of the Most High and you inherit all the privileges of being a child of God.   Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believe will receive and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy your way into heaven because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real,  He lived and died and rose from the grave. 

2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus.

3. Believe in the blood that was shed for you and the forgiveness of your sins, and Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God.

4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ.

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:   Leviticus 19:24; Leviticus 18:6; Ephesians 6:12

References:  http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92686; https://www.d2l.org/the-issue/statistics/
https://www.d2l.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/all_statistics_20150619.pdf; https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2017/11/15/rhode-island-principal-charged-with-failing-to-report-child-abuse;
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/11/17/ex-ips-counselor-ips-school-board-face-federal-lawsuit/870381001/

The Price is Right

I was waiting on my car to be fixed and sitting in the waiting room.  There was a TV in the room and the channel was on some game shows- "Let's Make a Deal" then "The Price is Right".  It had been a long time since I watched The Price is Right  show, the last time I watched it was when Bob Parker was the host, it was interesting to watch the show as although the host was different, the people were the same.

 Bob was no longer the host, a new host was emceeing the game.  Those in the audience were anxiously hoping their name would be called.  An announcer was calling the names of those lucky contestants, "Come on down";  those randomly chosen to participate and play the game were so excited, some were jumping up and down screaming, so happy to have been chosen to try to win some prize e.g.-a car, money, household appliances, trips...I could not help but immediately think of the judgment seat of Christ. 

  But those whose names are in the book of life, Jesus will say "Come on down" He will say, "come My faithful servant into the  inheritance prepared for you".  

The contestants in the game show jump up and down when they find out they have a chance to win a car, they haven't even won the car yet, but they are running around the stage like crazy...people get so excited about worldly things, that get old, break down and thieves steal. On that Day, when and if Jesus calls your name that will be something worth jumping up and down screaming about. Actually, we should be jumping and shouting for joy NOW!  The Lord is worthy to be praised, now, His mercy and grace are so AWESOME!

But, there is a serious issue, because Jesus said that many on that Day, will want the prize of eternity in paradise, but just like the contestants in The Price is Right who don't win the prize because they didn't guess the right price, (choose the right Savior), those who choose the wrong will lose the game of life.  This is not about not winning some car or money, this is about losing an eternity with God in heaven.  If that person's name is not written in the Lamb's Book of Life, Jesus will say, "Depart from Me, you worker of wickedness, go into hell, the place that was prepared for the devil and his angels, because you have rejected My free gift of salvation, now onto to your willful choice to be away from Me forever". 

 What a very sad Day that will be for those who are are not chosen.  Many are called but few are chosen.

Winning some prize on some game show does not compare to winning the prize of salvation.  We don't have to wait anxiously on our names to be called. True Christians have assurance their name will be called.

The price was right, Jesus took our rightly deserved death upon Himself and paid the exact right price needed to free us from the bondage of sin. There are many trials and tribulations on this earth including death, but death for the believer is just a doorway into paradise.  To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and what a glorious Day that will be.

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to be poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and their ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and was brutally tortured and shed His blood and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation. What is a person being saved from? Hell, the most horrible place we can imagine, it is an eternal place of torture away from the true and living God in a place in which all of God's goodness is removed. Salvation is not just about being saved from hell and going to heaven, Salvation is also about being adopted into the kingdom of God, you can become a son or daughter of the Most High and you inherit all the privileges of being a child of God.   Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believe will receive and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy your way into heaven because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real,  He lived and died and rose from the grave. 

2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus.

3. Believe in the blood that was shed for you and the forgiveness of your sins, and Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God.

4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ.

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:   Revelation 14:11, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 22:14; 1 John 5:13; 2 Corinthians 5:8

But GOD!

An                  Arm           of                  Flesh
How many times have you had a problem that appeared to be too difficult to deal with, but you figured it out, and gave yourself the credit for figuring it out or you asked for help from someone else and gave them the glory? When we pride ourselves on the work of our hands, we are on a very slippery slope of idolatry.  Idolatry is the worship of something or someone other than God and giving credit for our victories to someone or something other than God. When we depend on man to help us in our time of need, 
we                make            man               our                     god. 

Now, there is nothing wrong with being confident in the fact that God has equipped us to do good work with our own hands, and as believers in Christ, we are to help one another when we are in need.  But, the ownership of the outcome of what is accomplished in our lives belongs to no one but God. Yes, we can prepare, build up our walls, but when the enemy is encamped all around us, we make a grave mistake in placing out trust in the work of our hands or trusting in someone else to help us win the battle.  

Let's see what happens when you put your trust in God and when you put your trust in man.

The one who places their trust in God versus the one who trusts in their own strength: 2 Chronicles Chapter 32 verses 1 through 22. 

 Hezekiah became king over Jerusalem. He did what was right in the sight of God. Hezekiah restored the Temple worship, destroyed the places of idol worship, and restarted the festivals required by God that had long been neglected. Because of Hezekiah's faithfulness to God, Hezekiah prospered greatly. (*the false prosperity gospel get their twisted doctrines from verses like these but that is another topic for discussion). His kingdom grew larger, he accumulated much wealth and property, and he was protected from his enemies. After Hezekiah settled into his kingdom, God sent an army to test Hezekiah's heart.

Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked the cities of King Hezekiah. We get a good example of how pride will lead to destruction. Sennacherib was very prideful, and he trusted in the work of his own hands, taking credit for all the victories over other nations. Sennacherib used 19 verses boasting about all that he had done, blaspheming God, and tried to intimidate king Hezekiah and the people of Israel to give into fearing his army. King Hezekiah responded to Sennacherib's threats by doing this: "Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven." vs 20.  Did Hezekiah cower and say 'oh woo is me', 'what am I gonna do?' NO! King Hezekiah did not send for help from other kingdoms either.  He asked for help from God. King Hezekiah placed his complete trust in the only One Who could truly help him! Did God have to take 19 verses to answer back Sennacherib? No, "Answer not a fool in his folly" Proverbs 26:4. 

God took ONE verse to destroy Sennacherib and his army. 

The danger we face is just like Hezekiah, our lives can be going very well and then disaster strikes: loss of a job, no money, children go astray, marriage breaks down, loss of home, or some new serious medical diagnosis, or the death of a loved one. It is at these moments when are own hearts are tested. Will we trust and depend on God or not? Unfortunately, if we are honest with ourselves, we tend to not trust God in those moments, and then we look all over the world looking for help and answers to our problem from the world, but only come to God as a last resort, and this is after we have completely messed up lives trying to fix the problem on our own.   The story of Hezekiah is just one of many stories contrasting the lives of those who trust in man and riches instead of trusting in God. One thing is crystal clear, those who trusted in anything or anyone other than God ALWAYS ended in total destruction, this is the result of being cursed.  

What does it mean to be cursed? Here is statement from BibleStudytools.com, "Nowhere in the Bible is the state of being cursed portrayed in more graphic terms than in Deuteronomy 28:16-68. The curse follows its victims everywhere, extending to progeny and all means of livelihood. It includes incurable diseases, slow starvation, abuse by enemies, exile, panic, confusion, and eventual madness." 

We are faced with many trials and tribulations, But God, can deliver us from them all, IF we put our complete trust in Him and Him alone. Do you want to be cursed or blessed, the choice is up to you. (John 16:33)

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to be poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and their ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and was brutally tortured and shed His blood and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation. What is a person being saved from? Hell, the most horrible place we can imagine, it is an eternal place of torture away from the true and living God in a place in which all of God's goodness is removed. Salvation is not just about being saved from hell and going to heaven, Salvation is also about being adopted into the kingdom of God, you can become a son or daughter of the Most High and you inherit all the privileges of being a child of God.   Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believe will receive and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy your way into heaven because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real,  He lived and died and rose from the grave. 

2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus.

3. Believe in the blood that was shed for you and the forgiveness of your sins, and Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God.

4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ.

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:   2 Chronicles 32; Proverbs 26:4; Jeremiah 17:5 & 7-8; John 16:33; 

References: http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/curse-accursed.html

The Ultimate Benefits Package

It's almost that time of year for to start selecting your health benefits for 2018.  The topic of this post is about some other kind of 'benefits. "I'm blessed and highly favored!" is a common saying among self proclaimed Christians today. When they say this statement, it tends to be related to material/earthly things like, blessed with a house, car, husband/wife, job, kids, money, etc. Yes, these are good things that God knows we need, but these things are temporary. Houses can and do get destroyed, cars breakdown and get old needing replaced, husband/wife/kids-any number of problems could interfere with these relationships, and money comes and goes (for many it mostly goes or is already gone).  So, if one was to believe that blessings from God are about earthly things, then it would not take much to place God in a place of being a temporary, 'sometimey' God.  God gives and takes away. Many have left the faith because they had this kind of view of God, believing that God is neither good or loving because they have suffered some tragedy.

What are the true benefits of being a believer in Jesus Christ? That is what this post is going to hope to address, The Ultimate Benefits of Being a Citizen of Heaven: (these benefits are active and ready to used TODAY!)

1. Peace. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27.   Peace, something that is so missing in many lives today. Many turn to drugs/alcohol, prescription pills, mindless TV shows, people, anything in this world to try to find some peace, but He can't be found. Jesus Christ is The Prince of Peace.  True peace can be found in no other.

2.Guaranteed Success. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." John 15:7.  The favor of God is something that is sung and talked about, alot, but this favor is conditional. Jesus says IF you will abide in Him you will get what you ask. The bible tells us why we don't often get what we ask, it is because we ask for things for selfish reasons, we ask for things from God with the wrong motivation. Abiding in Christ is total surrender to God's will, daily denying and dying to selfish motivations for living. "Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it." Psalm 127:1.  Whatever we do, if we are doing it  in the will of God, nothing can get in our way.

3. 24-hour Protection. "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." Isaiah 54:17.  This is another common verse sang/quoted, alot, but again this benefit is conditional. The proceeding verse clarifies who this promise applies to- THE RIGHTEOUS! It so ridiculous to think you can live a life of sin and then believe that nothing bad will happen to you.  God will not be mocked, a person who continues to live a life of sin, those weapons of the enemy will most definitely prosper. And, the protection God gives to us is over our souls. "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28.  God does not promise to protect Christians from bodily harm, we are subject to all the consequences of the curse just like everyone else. The benefit of 24-hour protection is knowing and trusting that God has your back NO MATTER the situation is the best protection that will never leave you, nor forsake you.

4.  Personal Helper. " But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. " John 14:26. Some people pay thousands of dollars for a personal assistant. Christians get the best personal assistant for free, and He is WAY better than any human assistant. The Holy Spirit is always with us, He teaches us, guides us, confirms our standing with God.  Flat out, plain and simple, everyone needs the Holy Spirit in order to live the way God require. Point blank, end of story.

5.  Guaranteed Retirement. Many people worry today about their retirement. They worry about where they will live, they worry about money, they worry about future relationships. Thousands of dollars are spent on retirement planning but nothing of this world is guaranteed. But a Christian does not have to worry about their retirement. A Christian does not have to worry about where they will live, about money, or future relationships because in heaven, Jesus has a mansion already built so no need to worry about where one will live, there will be no need for money because everything will be free; there will no relationship quarrels or fights because there will be no evil there. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

Jesus has prepared a place for His true believers, In His Father's house are many mansions. Jesus promises that those who will abide and believe in Him, Jesus will come and take them home to with Him in heaven for all eternity. 

This is just the first part of the Ultimate Benefits Package. There are so many more to be discussed on future posts.

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and the ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and was brutely tortured and shed His blood and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation.  Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believes will know and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real,  He lived and died and rose from the grave. 

2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus.

3. Believe in the blood that was shed for you and the forgiveness of your sins, and Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God.

4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ.

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:   John 14:27; John 15:7; Psalm 127:1; Psalm 128:1; John 14: 18; John 14:26; Isaiah 54:17; Matthew 10:28; John 14:1-4; 

References: Alan Wright's Daily Good News: The Daughters of Zelophehad Part 2

Life and Death Are In the Tongue

One thing that the current events does for me is confirm and prove that the Bible is absolutely true. The Word of God spells out perfectly why mankind cannot solve the problems that plague the human race.  How many wars will it take to convince the world that it is impossible for us to change without God? Why do they remain deaf to God but listen to Satan's lies, thinking we will eventually 'evolve' into a Star Trek Utopian society? Many ignore or disbelieve what the Bible says about humanity and life or they believe the words written are just fairy tales made up by 'foolish' men. Nothing could be further from the truth.  The Bible says that life and death are in the tongue.  Our words have power; our words can build up or tear down in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual realms of existence. We can't defend ourselves against words. If someone is trying to physically harm us we have the chance to fight back and not be physically wounded, but if someone speaks a harsh word we can't put up a barrier to block the words, they go past the physical barrier to attack our minds/emotions/souls.

Do you think words don't matter? Look at the news and see the truth. We are on the brink of World War 3 over WORDS! People get into knock-down-drag-out fights over WORDS!  Words are used to incite a crowd into a murderous frenzy and words are used to comfort a crying baby, WORDS HAVE POWER! People have lost jobs, been vilified in social media because of WORDS.

Words have so much power, they are what created the world and everything in it; in the beginning God "said" let there be light...How does one become a Christian? by hearing the gospel 'spoken' to them and confessing with their mouth that "Jesus is Lord".  How do we get are hearts desires (when they are inline with God's will), by 'asking' God for what we want.

 "Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim" Proverbs 15:4.  A cut will heal, a broken bone will mend, but a hateful word spoken can stay with a person for their

lifetime. It is heart breaking how many people suffer all their lives because of how they were spoken to as a child; 80 year old men and women still bitter and hopeless because their parents spoke criticizing/hateful words instead of words of love and affirmations.

Does this world need a new policy or great speech or new laws?  NO! "Perceptive words spread knowledge; fools are hollow-there's nothing to them." Proverbs 15:7.  There is no comparison between the wisdom of God versus man.  The Word of God is perfect through and through, it needs no revisions, no updates. It gives mankind exact instructions on how to live a successful life.  It is the living God Who is Spirit transformed into physical pages. If the world would just stop and hear the Truth, we would not have all the problems we see today. The Truth is being heralded for all who will listen.

Do not be alarmed at the news of possible war with North Korea or any other country.  Jesus gives us warning that when we 'hear' of wars and rumors of wars, to not be afraid.  We should not be surprised. If you are afraid, you need to get your life right with God right now!  So many Christians in industrialized countries like the US blindly think nothing bad is going to happen here, but we do not get immunity from the coming destruction. When that final prophetic piece falls into place the whole world is going to be affected; how you deal with it depends on where you stand with God.
The world is just as God said it would be in the last days.  Christians, we have nothing to fear; death has no power over us unless we are not truly of the faith. To die for Christ is gain. Nothing in this world can separate us from the love of God. We must stand firm in the faith in the Word, and not put our trust in riches or governments/men;

Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.  Jeremiah 17:5  

Jesus gave the parable of the rich fool in Luke chapter 12 starting in verse 13; the rich man had stored up many crops and decided to build bigger barns to keep then in; then the rich man decided he wanted to spend the rest of his days having a good time in life, eating, partying.  But Jesus called him a 'fool' for although the rich man had many material possessions he was spiritually bankrupt, and he did have many years to live it up, no, his life was required of him that night. Jesus calls anyone who will live like the rich man a fool for laying up treasures on this earth for selfish reasons and being poor towards God. 

Where we stand with God will determine how we hear and understand what is going on in the world. The words that we speak in our personal lives and what is said on the world stage will lead to either life or destruction. We need to choose our words carefully.

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and the ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation.  Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believes will know and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave.

2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus.

3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God

4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ.

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:   Genesis Chapter 1; Romans 10:14; Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 21:22; Isiah 55:11; Mark 11:23; Matthew 4:4; Jeremiah 17:5; Luke 12:13-21; Proverbs 15:4; Proverbs 15:7; Matthew 24:6

References: 

Night Of The Living Dead

AND AFTER ALL THIS, IF YOU DON'T OBEY ME, BUT WALK CONTRARY TO ME,
THEN I WILL WALK CONTRARY TO YOU IN FURY; AND I, EVEN I, WILL CHASTISE YOU SEVEN TIMES FOR YOUR SINS.  YOU SHALL EAT THE FLESH OF YOUR SONS, AND YOU SHALL EAT THE FLESH OF YOUR DAUGHTERS. LEVITICUS 26:27-29

I used to love to watch scary movies. Why I felt 'entertained' by images of demonic forces, ghosts, vampires, zombies, or other creatures and seeing people brutally murdered was a sign of my own spiritual blindness.  Why would these types of movies be entertaining to someone who claims to be a Christian?  The truth is demons and murderers are real. But they are not the topic of this post. Demons and murderers are representative of one of the two Kingdoms I want to discuss with you today. According to the Bible, there are only two dominions, The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.  

There is no 'middle' kingdom!!!

How many Christians today are truly in the kingdom of God?

Jesus had a lot of negative things to say about religious sects who thought they were worshipers of God. Why did Jesus call the Pharisees and teachers of the law ravenous wolves, but the people in sin He just told them “go and sin no more”?  Why did He call a crowd of Jewish people sons/daughters of Satan? The Hebrew people had the laws of God, they were God's chosen people, but Jesus knew the truth, they may have called themselves Jews, but they were deceived. In John Chapter 8 starting at verse 39, the Jews were arguing with Jesus that they were true children of God, but Jesus exposed who their real father was, the devil.

Many today are like the crowd who claimed they were children of Abraham. Becoming a true child of God is made possible by believing In Jesus and turning away from sin. But many so-called Christians are really living in graveyards of their own making by continuing with a life of sin and believe that God does not care about their sin. Jesus talked about this in Matthew 23:27, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness."  Nothing is hidden from God.

  Look at some graveyards, where there are manicured lawns, with nice trees and flowers, they appear so peaceful. Many of the headstones have sayings like, "Rest in Peace". Many mainline celebrity "Christians" look very manicured on the outside, with their expensive clothes, fancy shoes, million-dollar estates, and jet planes. But the word of God is true, the wages of sin is death, and those who do not repent and die in their sins are not 'resting in peace. "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." Hebrews 10:27 The adversaries are God’s enemies, those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible has a harsh warning for those who have been given the Truth but still abuse the grace of God to live a selfish life.  Hebrews Chapter 10 starting at verse 28 to 31 "Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. "

THE NARROW WAY

THE BROAD WAY

In these last days, we are seeing the real “Night of The Living Dead". Zombies are real. "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, "These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are DEAD." Revelation 3:1. Jesus is calling some members of the church as being the living dead. These ‘church’ members live, party, eat, marry, work and go about their lives as if there is nothing wrong; they foolishly think they are 'good' with God when Jesus calls them out has being dead, naked, wretched, miserable, poor, and blind. "I am blessed and highly favored" is a common saying espoused by many Christians today. They equate material possessions and comfortable living with being 'blessed and highly favored' by God, but the Bible says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. So just because someone has material goods does not mean that they are favored by God. Jesus said that His followers would be hated by the world because the world hated/hates Him. His true followers are identified by their exclusiveness not their commonness with the world. It is foolish to continue to live in sin and think because you have ‘made it’ in the world that this means that God is ‘blessing’ you.  

What is the conclusion of the matter? We who claim to be Christians are to test ourselves to be sure we are of the faith. If our faith is not genuine, if the Holy Spirit does not reside in us convicting us of our willful sin, all that we do in the name of Christ is in vain. A chilling scripture I will continue to make note that is a warning to all those who call themselves "Christian". Following Christ is no child's game. We, to our peril, tend to treat God so flippantly, but God will not be mocked. We will reap what we sow.  EXAM yourself daily, because on that day of Judgment, you don't want to be told this by Jesus:  

Trust completely in God; don't lean on your own understanding and repent from any sins. Jesus Christ raises us up from our dead state. Tribulations will come, but brothers and sisters, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and the ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth.  The Good News  is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, born of a virgin; Jesus lived and died but He rose from Dead, and now offers anyone who will believe in Him Salvation.  Salvation is a free gift from God, anyone who will believes will know and have a real relationship with the true God.  You can't work for it or buy because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ and  Believing in Jesus gets us into the Kingdom of God and saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.

1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave.

2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus.

3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God

4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ.

This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived.

Bible verses related to this post:  Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:13; 2nd Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:17-29; Ephesians 5:3-10; Philippians 3:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22; Romans Chapter 6; Romans Chapter 7; Romans 8:39-47; Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 23:7; Hebrews 10:26-31; Romans 8:7, Romans 5:10; 1 John 3:8-9; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 2:5; Revelation 3:1; Revelation 3:17; John 16:33; Psalm 46:1-2; Psalm 91:5; Leviticus 26:27-29; Galatians 5:16

References: https://youtu.be/EU6t4yCidAo