The Cowardly Christian-No Such Thing

Fear is one of the most commonly given into emotion that people suffer from today. Fear is not only an emotion but it is also a thought and belief system. Fear includes anxiety, worry, timidness, and doubt.  Why do so many who profess to know Christ, suffer from fear? When I first started writing this post, the first thought that came to my mind was the cartoon character/show 'Scooby Do'.  This animated cartoon entertained children and adults for years. It's main theme was how the title character Scooby Do, was a 'scaredy cat', as dogs stereotypically are seen as fearless and brave, but Scooby Do acted like a 'cat' instead: fearful, shaking, and quaking at fake monsters/villains.  There are two spiritual implications here: the irrational fear of Scooby and the fact that he was scared of unreal monsters.  This is the same scenario for Christians; their fear is irrational and they are afraid of unreal, fake 'monsters'.  The 'monsters' in Christians lives are mostly fear of the future and fear of the past. It didn't take much for Scooby Do to become terrified and hide under the bed or jump in Scraggy's arms; the actual 'monster' did not even have to be seen, just the 'thought' of hearing about the monster was enough to send Scooby scampering away to hide. This is an example of a very common irrational and distorted thought pattern called 'Fortune Telling'; when a person 'fortune tells' they assume something 'bad' is going to happen, and this thought leads to feelings of fear and anxiety which leads to unhealthy and cowardly behaviors.

What does the Bible have to say about fear?  The ONLY thing/One that people are to fear is GOD! Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, concluded after experiencing EVERY pleasure, EVERY man-made materials/entertainment, EVERY activity, that at the end of the whole matter, ALL THAT MATTERS is, "FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS."

Now, I can hear the arguments, "You don't know what I'm going through. There are things to be scared of like being raped or murdered or losing my job or losing my house or losing my kids or getting a disease". Are these issues to be 'concerned' about? Yes, but Christians are not to be afraid of these things;and, most definitely are not to obsess over them either;and that is what many people do, they obsess and live in a constant state of 'fear', shaking and quaking in their boots at imaginary foes. The truth of the matter comes down to one fact: this kind of fear is disbelief of God, pure and simple. 'Oh, but I do believe there is a God, I just can't help being afraid'. If this is the case, what 'about' 'God' do you believe? No where in any passage or in any verse in the Bible are God's people EVER given the 'ok' to be fearful of anything besides Him. NEVER.

• 'Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees, say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, DO NOT FEAR! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.' Isaiah 35:3-4
• '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
• 'Have I not COMMANDED you (not a suggestion a COMMAND!!!!)? Be strong and of good courage: DO NOT BE AFRAID, nor DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.' Joshua 1:9
• 'Therefore DO NOT WORRY about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble". Matthew 6:34

 There are many more verses with the same message: DO NOT BE AFRAID! So I ask again why are so many of those who think they are Christians afraid?  The Bible says it's because of unbelief and no faith. Psalm 27 verse 1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, WHOM SHALL I FEAR?" Yes, David is asking a rhetorical question- a rhetorical question means no answer is expected or the answer is obvious. The logical and rational thoughtful contemplation to this question, 'whom shall I fear' is based on the presupposed notation that God, All Mighty, All Powerful, Creator of All things, The Great I Am, The One who rescued the Hebrews from slavery in miraculous ways, This God, I know is REAL and this God knows me, and This God has my back, This God I can depend on, If I have THIS GOD, the answer to the question, 'whom shall I fear?' is NO ONE!!!!!!!

• 'But I could lose my job, I could end up being homeless, I could die from this disease, I could lose my children, I've lost my children/my spouse does God not care????' This is just another ignoring of the previous statements. This is a stupid question, 'does God not care'.  Of course He cares, He cared so much for an ungrateful, utterly depraved mankind that He came and DIED a very terrible death to save us! "Surely He Has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;..But He was wounded for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:4-5. The God who created the moon, the stars, the sun, the earth, the universe and other planets, and everything in the earth, but this God can't help you with your housing, your relationships, your job, your finances, your health, or anything else? 
• 'But, what I'm going through is the worst thing ever, the pain is overwhelming, I'm a good Christian, God doesn't care, if He did why am going through this?' So you want to compare pains, so you lost a child, what about God's pain, His pain of losing not one or two but countless trillions of 'children' /souls since the beginning of time that have choose to reject Him and instead worship satan and end up forever alienated from God. Can you compare your pain to His? "Yet I will leave a remnant, so the you may some who escape the sword among the nations when you are scattered through the countries. Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations." Ezekiel 6:8-10. 
•  'Well I'm homeless now, this proves God doesn't care."  Does God not understand what it's like to not have a physical roof over His Head? Jesus knows about being temporarily homeless, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Matthew 8:20.  
• 'But I have no money, I can't buy food, I can't pay my bills." Is it ok to worry in this instance, the answer is still no. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal...do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life MORE than food and the body more than clothing." Matthew 6:19 and verse 25.
• But I could be murdered or killed, someone is being killed every day, this proves God doesn't care. "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.

No matter what exactly it is you are fearing, it doesn't matter, Christians are to fear NOTHING.

If you are a self confessed Christian struggling with the enemy called fear, God has a very crucial warning in Revelation Chapter 21 verse 8, the very first 'sin' that 'people commit and don't repent of' listed that WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God are 'the cowardly'(fearful, timid); and right after that 'the unbelieving'.  These two sins go hand in hand, because it is unbelief that underlies fear-not believing in God or His power or His abilities or His Word. And something to take note of, fearing in the manner discussed so far is a sin.  I'm not calling fear sin, the Word of God is calling it sin.

So what's the solution?

1. Believe- There is absolutely no rational or logical reason a True Christian should not believe God. It is impossible to please God without faith. When Jesus walked on the water in Matthew chapter 14, Peter asked to walk on the water too; Jesus told him to come, and Peter started out ok, but when he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the storm, Peter became afraid.  That is what we do when we fear, we take out eyes off of Jesus.  Jesus's response to Peter was not, "I understand why you are afraid, it's no problem." No, Jesus made a statement to Peter which is the same statement for ALL followers of Christ, "WHY DID YOU DOUBT, YOU OF LITTLE FAITH?" Peter's response is a perfect example of an irrational response. Peter had been told by Jesus to come, Jesus is God, so if God tells you do something, why would you fear?   Peter's fear indicated a belief that Jesus was going to let him drown. He didn't think about all the miracles Jesus had performed up till them, but right there in the moment he forgot Who God was. Prior to this, Jesus had told the disciples that the very hairs of their head were known by God, and that they were more valuable than many sparrows. Why after Jesus had called out the disciples to follow Him, would He suddenly just let them die? The obvious answer is HE WOULDN'T.  That is why we are instructed to THINK RATIONALLY about the Word of God.  Now this does not mean that we will not have concerns or grief about real life issues. The problem is when something 'bad ' happens, many people just wallow in self pity and disbelief and doubt, they live in fear and its associated unstable emotional state. "Weeping may endure for a night, But Joy comes in the morning."Psalm 30:5. This verse does not say, 'weeping will endure every night or for years' and it doesn't say 'joy 'may' come or 'could come possibly'. Our reactions to the consequences of living in a cursed world should be timely with ending. Weeping and mourning is for normal grief inducing life events. but believers are not to 'endure forever' in weeping/mourning.  It is amazing how many Christians struggle with fear because they have been hurt in the past, they act 'surprised' that they have been victims of some kind of abuse.  It's as if they don't even READ the Bible because Jesus said, IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE!!!John 16:33 Not might, not maybe, but WILL.  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace (not fear). In the world you will have tribulation/trouble/persecution; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."; and that since the world hated Him, the world would hate His followers-John 16:18. So what happens if you don't believe?  "Therefore I say to you that you will die in your sins if you do not believe that I am He."John 8:24  These are Jesus's words to the unbelieving.
2. Repent- "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you" Revelation 3:3 and "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent." Revelation 4:19. "Essentially, to repent is to turn away from sin and to turn to God and trust in the Gospel. It involves the altering of both the inward emotions of the mind and heart and the outward actions of the body," KcMcaul.  Gods goodness should lead you to true repentance and Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation. 
   
3. Let Go- "Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you". 1 Peter 5:7
   
4. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM- Instead of worrying or being afraid

  5. Pray- "The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous". Proverbs 15:29.  "Rejoice Always" and "Pray without ceasing" In EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.  So don't be anxious, fearful, timid, doubting about ANYTHING.

6. Trust- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart (mind, and soul), And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5

I REPEAT FOR THE FINAL TIME:

               Gospel Song ''No Fear in Love' by Steffany Gretzinger

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 Good News  is Believing in Jesus 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: Isaiah 35:3-4;John 14:27;Joshua 1:9; Psalm 27:1; Matthew 6:33-34; Matthew 6:19 and verse 25;Matthew 10:28; Ezekiel 6:8-10; Isaiah 53:4-5;Psalm 30:5;John 16:33;John 16:18;John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6: Matthew 14; Revelation 4:19;Revelation 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Romans 2:4;1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 15:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 41:10
references: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo; http://www.christianpost.com/news/5-characteristics-of-true-repentance-to-clear-up-confusion-120018/

Nothing Can Compare To the Power of All Mighty God!

One of the headline stories on BBC news today, June 1st, 2016 was the completion of the world's longest underground speed tunnel in Switzerland.  What caught my spiritual eye was one of the statements made by someone in the article praised the engineering feat of man. There were spiritual implications throughout this article and connected articles. One statement showcased was from 1882 by then president of Switzerland, Simeon Bavier, "A triumph of art and science, a monument to work and diligence! The barrier which divided nations as fallen, the [Swiss Alps] have been breached. Countries have moved closer to each other, the world market is open!" A triumph of 'art and science-a triumph to evolutionary beliefs.  A 'monument to work and diligence- a monument to the work of mankind.  'Countries have moved closer to other, the world market is open' -a monument to the New World Order. Many prominent European leaders were at the opening of the tunnel celebration.

Another startling piece of the article talked about how they celebrated the opening of the tunnel with an elaborate show with various entertainers.

Does this scene look demonic to you?

One of the statements was, "The sacrifices of the tunnel miners who died was also commemorated." Sacrificing human beings in pagan rituals is a common activity throughout history. A long standing legend is that thousands of people were sacrificed and intombed in the Great Wall of China. In the Bible, in the Old Testament, God routinely had the Hebrews annihilate pagan communities because they were sacrificing babies, men, and women. Many believe that sacrificing humans will give them some special power.  The only human sacrifice that gives real power was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.

'There's nothing spiritual about this article or the event, you're crazy'- Oh really, there is nothing 'spiritual' about this event???:

Religious figures attended a blessing inside the tunnel on Wednesday

A statue of St.Barbara, patron paint of miners, stands inside the new tunnel

The Devil's Bridge leading up to Gotthard pass in 1892

Another statement, "The area already has the 34km Loetschberg rail tunnel, which opened in 2007, but this latest engineering feat is being hailed by leading members of the Swiss government 'as being of unprecedented significance'". Unprecedented-man made-feat.  Now, one could interpret this to mean it's unprecedented in terms of tunnel making, but that is not how I see this statement. As pointed out the in the very article itself, when the big wigs of government showed up, it proved that there was more to this than just the building of a great tunnel.  NOT ONCE was any glory given to God for giving man the abilities to create and build.  No, all the glory went to the work of man, the genius of man, how great and wonderful man is.

For 17 years, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and over 2000 people worked on building this tunnel. One tunnel. This is 'so great', but unprecedented feat, I think not!

The Holy God in His Mighty Power created the Earth and EVERYTHING IN IT, the Moon, The Sun, the uncountable stars, the uncountable galaxies, Space, Time, Gravity, The sky, land, every kind of creature, mankind, the seas, foliage!  How dare they call what man has made unprecedented!! God did ALL THIS IS 6 DAYS!!!!!!!Just HIM, not thousands of people helping him. He SPOKE and ALL THESE THINGS CAME INTO EXISTENCE!  No drills, no nails, no concrete, no saws or hammers, no sweat, no glue, no boards or mortar. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE POWER OF GOD! NOTHING!

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 Good News  is Believing in Jesus 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 Chapters 1 and 2
references: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36416506; 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice

The Coming Mighty King

Jesus, the one name that is the most praised, ridiculed, blasphemed, mocked, cursed, debated. Jesus is the only historical figure to be so revered and reviled by man. Christianity is the only religion that is routinely demonized and made mockery of. Christians, compared to other religion followers,are more made fun of and belittled than all other religions.  Followers of Jesus are called, 'Jesus freaks' 'holly rollers' bible thumpers' 'crazies', but you don't see these same monikers being used to describe other religions like Islam or Buddhism.  Muslims follow the quran, which they consider to be their holy book, and they kill and maim people and perform various religious rituals based on their interpretations of it and yet NO ONE calls them "Muslim freaks" or "quran thumpers." It's ironic, when Christians witness to people, if the person doesn't believe, then the true Christian is to 'dust their feet off' and move onto the next person. But if a Muslim approaches you and demands you believe in Allah, and the person doesn't believe, the Muslim doesn't go onto the next person, they chop your head off, blow themselves and others up.  Men have tried for centuries to take away the deity of Christ in their various seminars and theories such as 'The Jesus Seminar' or the
'Jesus Movement'; the quran and other religions identify Jesus as just another prophet, or good teacher. And NO religious figure in history has been portrayed so heinously as Jesus Christ.  Look at the current blasphemous show on Cartoon Network, 'Black Jesus' and movies like 'Ted' and the popular animated show, 'The Simpsons' and these are just few of thousands of blasphemous shows and movies. Jesus Christ is fair game for the comedians, movies, and shows.  And the glaring fact that 'Jesus'/"Jesus Christ' is used in almost every movie since the 1980's and it's not used in a honoring way, but used as a curse word, a byword. Pop in any movie and just wait to see how long it takes before, "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" or the combination of 'Jesus Christ' with the 'f'' word is blurted out by the actor/actors.  Why can't the script writers find another word to express frustration, annoyance, surprise?  Why don't the script writers write, "OH Buddha, or OH Mohammed" for the actors' lines?

Is there a conspiracy to discredit Jesus and the Bible? OF COURSE!!! Satan's plan from the beginning was to discredit God when he deceived Eve in the garden of Eden. Satan hated the fact that man was living in paradise under the protection and guidance of God. If Adam and Eve had obeyed God they would have been able to remain in perfect paradise for the rest of their lives because death only entered into the human race when they sinned. Obey God you get to stay in paradise and live;disobey God you get kicked out of paradise into a hard barren land and you die.  The concept of living in Eden did not die when God ejected Adam and Eve out of the garden.  God has left a 'life line' to Eden through His statutes, laws, and commandments.  Obey God you get life, peace, prosperity, protection, health, protection, God walks and talks with you -just like Eve and Adam got in the garden; disobey God, you get kicked out of God's protection, you get all the curses, destruction, poverty, disease, death, hard labor, and instead of God walking with you, Satan is your blind guide. The literal life line to all that is good is God the Father and Jesus Christ.  No other religion, no other being created Eden and its life sustaining properties. There was one Eden, not two, three or a thousand gardens. Just one place where life began.  The path to complete health and wellness was through one Person, one way. It is here where Satan understood that it was too easy for mankind to get a touch of Eden if there was just one way. So what better way to get revenge on God and humankind, than to cause confusion, create a duplicate 'garden', that looks similar but doesn't have quite all the characteristics; but don't stop at just one counterfeit garden, no let's create thousands of fake gardens so man will not be able to find the one true garden. Jesus Christ says, "He is the Way, and The Truth, and The Life, and NO ONE comes before the Father except BY HIM.

When you compare Christianity to other religious practices, one has to scratch their head in confusion as to 'why in the world do some of them do the things they do?'  Walking on glass, cutting their bodies, putting pins and needles in their bodies, eating weird food, putting their bodies through severe calisthenics, piercing their bodies with hooks, getting crucified.  I was watching some travel channel like show, and it was showcasing some country village that was celebrating some religious holiday.  Part of this religion activities was to place pins and hooks in the body and hang objects off the hooks and walk up a hill bare foot on rough/rocky roads, and it was a sort of competition as the person who could hang the most stuff off their body and make it up the hill the fastest won some type of prize/recognition.  As the narrator was talking to the men participating in this, the men had pins all through their body and blood was running down their face and they were laughing and smiling. All I could think is, "They need Jesus."  But the Bible explains exactly why people follow after these bizarre religions.

  "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and

unrighteous, of men, who suppress THE TRUTH in unrighteousness,

because what may be known of God  is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are CLEARLY seen, being

understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so

THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE,

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were

thankful, but became FUTILE in their thoughts, and their foolish

HEARTS WERE DARKENED.

Professing to be wise, THEY BECAME FOOLS, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God

into an image made like corruptible man- and birds and four-footed animals creeping things. 

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts,

do DISHONOR THEIR BODIES among themselves, who exchanged the TRUTH OF GOD

for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen." Romans 1:18-25. 

 I am aware of some Christian 'sects' who have strange rituals.  The Gospel, as preached by Paul, got him in trouble with the 'Judaizers' because of his preaching about the 'freedoms' in the New Covenant. He debated in Galatians chapter 3 and Acts chapter 15 and other verses, explaining the difference between the Law and Grace, but the Judaizers argued that the gentiles should be keeping the old Mosaic laws too. Paul confirms loud and clear, Christians are under a New Covenant, the Mosaic law was fulfilled and completed by Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross.  The law has transformed into something even better, it is now in the hearts of every believer, the law is now even higher than when it was given to Moses on Mount Sinai,  because before you could lust after a women and not incur any penalty, but now if a man looks at a woman with lust in his eyes, he is guilty of adultery, which in the Old Testament, this sin would be punished by killing the man and woman, but we are no longer under the Old Testament, we are now under the New Covenant what was created and sealed with the Blood of Jesus Christ. I already know many are going to charge me with being a bigot/hateful for talking about these other 'religions'.  This is the world we live in, where common sense and logic have died a tragic death, and now we live in a world where you can't call something that is crazy, crazy, and that's 'crazy'.

That's what trips up a lot of folks about the Christian faith.  'It's too easy' so it must not be real. What just say a prayer and get dipped in water and have faith, that's it? Oh no, there HAS to be more to it than that, many think. There is something in man that makes them feel that for something to be important you have to do a lot of steps/actions to make it special.  They feel like the more they do, that makes it more 'holier' or worthy to follow. In the Christian faith, everyone is saved on equal ground, there is no such thing as one person is more 'saved' than the other. Now when it comes to rewards for good work, there is a measuring stick. The one's who gave their very life for Christ will be rewarded way more than someone who just stayed on the couch all of their life, as proven by the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:29, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."  But at the same time, even a person who has many works is no better standing with God than the one who has fewer works for God is no respecter of persons.  There are two warnings when it comes to issue of works-the motivation behind the works and the actual performing of works.  The simple truth is if a person is truly regenerated, given a new heart by God, their mind renewed by Christ/The Holy Spirit, truly SAVED, it SHOULD lead to good works.  There is no such thing a 'lazy Christian' in the Bible.  In fact there are some chilling words for those who believe they are Christians but don't work:

•  "Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness (laziness) and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us...if anyone is not willing to work, THEY DON'T EAT" 2 Thessalonians 3:6 +10  
• "Faith without works is dead." James 2:17.  

And those who think they are Christians because they went through the motions of becoming a Christian, there are two passages that they should pay special attention to. The first is Matthew Chapter 7 verses 18 through 23. Jesus is talking about who are His true followers, "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit (works), 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".  Now from this verse, many say I am doing a lot of work; I volunteer at the shelter, I teach Sunday School, I donate money to the poor, I visit nursing homes, etc. Man sees the outward performances but Jesus sees the heart. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your name?" And I will declare to them, "I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, you workers of wickedness/those who practice lawlessness." 

        The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14 through 30. Jesus talked about three workers, their boss gave each worker a number of goods(talents) based on each worker's abilities.  One worker got 5 talents, one got 2, and the other got 1.  The ones who got 5 and 2 put in work and increased the number of talents they each had, but the one who had just gotten 1 talent, did absolutely nothing but bury the talent in the ground.  Now this parable translates to fact that God is the boss of His followers, and the goods-talents each Christian is given is the Gospel and the good works.  Each Christian worker is equipped by God to perform what God created them to do. Some Christians are given '5' talents, some '2, and some '1'.  Now back to the parable, the 1 talent worker, because they were afraid, had buried their talent and they called a 'wicked and lazy' servant. Jesus tells His followers, " You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and, it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.  Christians who 'hide' their faith and do no works are lazy and wicked. What happened to the worker who buried his talent? His one talent was taken from him and given to the one that had 10 and the wicked servant was cast into outer darkness where,
"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This should really give Christians who think they can just 'coast' their way into heaven something to be very concerned about. MOTIVATION AND OBLIGATION-What drives you to work for the Lord?

Back to the main purpose of this post.  Jesus Christ, the ridiculed One, the One beaten and spit upon, the cursed and shunned One. But one day, one day very soon, ALL THE MOCKING WILL STOP!

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 Good News  is Believing in Jesus 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 2 and 3; Matthew 19:29; Acts 10:34-35; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-11; James 2:14-26; Matthew Chapter 7;Matthew 25:14 through 30; Revelation 19:11-16. Matthew 5:14-16; John 14:6; Romans 1:18-25; Galatians Chapter 3, Acts Chapter 15

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR GOD LATELY?

I was driving to an appointment when an old song by Janet Jackson popped in my head, part of the lyrics are “What have you done for me lately?” The unspoken message is- if you really loved me, you would show it. This got me to thinking about what I have done lately for God? This thinking came from one of my Bible studies on Numbers, an Old Testament chapter of the Bible. Particularly Numbers Chapter 20, God gave through Moses a reminder of all the sacrifices the Hebrew people were to give. Daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.  Two words stand out from this chapter, blood and sacrifice.  

The concept of works is one of most heavily debated issue in the Bible. Why this is such a confused issue is beyond me. What is crystal clear throughout the Bible is that serving God requires constant blood and sacrifice. But from the beginning the sacrifices were not to be compulsory, but were to come from a willing and sacrificial heart.  In the Old Testament, the Hebrews had to give daily sacrifices.  The command of daily sacrifices did not change in the New Covenant forged through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as evidenced by one of Jesus's commandments in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, AND take up his cross, and follow me." Also in Matthew chapter 6 verse 1,"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as hypocrites do in the synagogues, in the streets (on the social media sites), that they may have glory from men, assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But when you do a charitable deed, do no let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." Notice the underlined words, 'when you do'. Jesus does not say 'if' you do charitable deeds, it's when; which indicates an assumption that His followers will doing charitable deeds.

The issue most debated is how one gets saved or gets to go to heaven/paradise in the first place.  Some believe you have to work your way to salvation. That their 'good' works will get them into heaven.  The Bible makes is clear that there is absolutely no way a regular man's work can ever reach the standards of a Holy and Omnipotent God. This is what the Bible has to say about man's 'good works', "We are ALL infected and impure with sin. And all our 'righteous' deeds are nothing but filthy rags." Isaiah 64:6. It is faith in Jesus Christ and faith alone that saves.  But the issue of salvation and walking out the Christian faith are two different things as pointed out in James 2:17, "Faith WITHOUT works is dead." The issue is NO ONE can 'work' their way to heaven.  It is not the works that save, works PROVE that you are saved.  "Then the King will say those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father inherit the kingdom of prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and YOU GAVE ME FOOD; I was thirsty and YOU GAVE ME DRINK; I was a stranger and YOU TOOK ME IN; I was naked and YOU CLOTHED ME; I was sick, and YOU VISITED ME; I was in prison and YOU CAME TO ME.' Then the righteous will answer Him saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give your drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, in inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:34-40. Jesus immediately follows this verse to tell the people who did not do things to go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous get to go into eternal life. Jesus says the 'righteous' are those who serve others.  Not the selfish or prideful or sinful.  The righteous alone inherit the kingdom of God.

The key to issue of 'works', is what is your 'motivation' for doing what you are doing.  If you are working for selfish gains, to please others, your 'good works' will be burnt up in the Judgement. "Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of 'what sort it is'. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures the fire, he will receive a reward". 1 Corinthians 3:13-14.

Living the true Christian life is not easy, actually it's impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit.  Over and over again throughout the Bible, it is clear that man, no matter how hard they try, cannot love and obey God as they should.  The flesh is very powerful and it takes a power greater than it to overcome our spiritual dilemma because: the heart of man is desperately wicked; the thoughts of man are futile; the works of man are like filthy rags; those who live according the flesh are slaves to sin; the natural man does not accept the things of God; Jesus Christ gave a promise that after He went back to His Father, that His Father, God, would send back a 'helper' who would abide with His followers forever. The Holy Spirit guides, teaches, admonishes, and empowers those who believe on Christ. It is God who equips us to live the Christian life. " I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME."

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 Good News  is Believing in Jesus 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: Matthew 16:24, Number 20, Matthew 6:1, Isaiah 64:6, James Chapter 2, Matthew 25:34-46. 1 Corinthians 3:13-14; Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 94:11; Romans 8:5-7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 14:16; Philippians 4:13 and 2:12-13; Matthew 20:28

GO Into All The WORLD

God has been putting many messages on my heart lately because the hour is late, time is running out, things are picking up exponentially; quickly to usher in the external short reign of Satan. And most are not ready. When you read the Word of God, most of His commands are crystal clear, no ambiguity, you don't have to wonder, "What does He mean here?" One such command is Jesus's GREAT COMMISSION to His followers in the chapters of  Matthew, Mark, and Luke, "GO therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all the nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the FATHER and SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT." Matthew 28:19. and again in Mark 16:15-16," GO into ALL THE WORLD, and PREACH the gospel to EVERY creature. He who believes and is BAPTIZED will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned."; and in Luke 24:46-47,"Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that REPENTANCE and REMISSION of SINS should be PREACHED in His name to ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem." I think one of the greatest heresies today is the direction given by many churches today. It is in some of the study type Bibles that have sidebars with information. It is given in classes on evangelism.  It is the direction to 'share your faith'.  Now I know that it's about semantics. But what does The Word say? Does it say 'share your faith'? Do semantics matter to God? You can bet your life on it. How about in Numbers Chapter 20 starting at verse 7. God had commanded Moses, to SPEAK to the rock in order for water to come out. "Take the rod; you and your brother. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water',  but a few verses later Moses had a different idea about getting water, in anger, he struck the rock with his rod.  Just like Moses and other people from the past and the people today think they can change a command to fit what they think, and they think it's OK with God. Was God OK with Moses doing something different? What's wrong with striking the rock instead of speaking to it, the water came out either way. What's wrong is Moses disobeyed God, pure and simple.  And he was punished for it.  Matter of fact throughout the Bible, it is shown over and over that God is NOT OK with changing any of His laws. In fact, there is a warning to those who add to or take away from this God given Bible, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If ANYONE adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, 'God shall TAKE AWAY his part from the BOOK OF LIFE, from the HOLY CITY, and from the things that are written in this book." Revelation 22:18-19.

Why are Christians today confused about what Christ wants them to do?  Christ did NOT tell His followers to, GO TO CHURCH when it comes to preaching to THE LOST! No where in the Bible does it say, "BRING THE UNSAVED TO CHURCH". Throughout the New testament, the disciples went OUT into the cities and countrysides; After Christ ascended back into Heaven, the disciples went OUT into the cities and country sides, spreading the gospel from town to town. Church congregations were planted in cities, but they were not the vehicle for preaching the gospel to THE LOST. The apostles went to the Synagogues and taught about Christ, The apostles taught about Christ wherever they went; the unbelievers did not go to apostles or to the places where the church members were gathering to "hear the word."  Christ went to the lost.  The lost came to Him, but at that time, for the wrong reasons as revealed by Jesus, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs"- Jesus told the many who were following them they should believe He was The Christ based on a number of proofs one of them being the great signs/miracles He was doing-Jesus is saying that these unsaved people were not following Him because they wanted to learn more about Christ- Jesus goes on to reveal the real reason they were following Him,"Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, NOT because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." John 6:26.  Many churches today have 'programs' to reach the lost; They direct their members to invite their unsaved friends and family to a pancake breakfast, or a luncheon, or some churches offer free food after the service.  I am not saying these actions in of themselves are wrong. This message is about what Christ gave as the Great Commission.  He did not say to bring your unsaved friends and family to a church function.  Jesus said GO OUT INTO THE WORLD and teach them The Gospel.

So what about those churches who tell their members to 'share the gospel'? There are a number of churches who do go into the neighborhoods, the streets handing out gospel tracts, there are some who stand on street corners proclaiming the gospel.  But something is obviously missing.  The statistics of the number of true converts from these methods is very low. Now on the one hand, this would be expected because Jesus does tell us that "narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and FEW find it". But let's look at what the Word of God reveals about the effects of REAL evangelism.  First Jesus clearly identifies true believers in Mark 16, verse 17," And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." These 'powers' came from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It was because of these signs/wonders and the teaching of the Gospel, that 3000 souls were added to the church body from the first message. "And the Lord added daily those who were being saved." There are many churches today who preach that these powers are no longer available. To have this belief you have to 'take away' from the scriptures. Some do go out and preach the gospel, but it is without the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is why churches have a hard time getting converts and getting its members to actually proclaim the gospel outside of a church service. The excuses are, "I don't know how", "I'm not comfortable", "I don't know enough" "Every Christian doesn't have to share the gospel that's only for preachers".  Now it is true that each member of God's family has a different role to play, some are teachers, some are preachers, some are healers, some are prophets, some are elders and deacons. But we have to go back to what did Jesus say? Did He say, "Only the teachers and preachers are to go out into the world." Many churches have "How to Evangelize" classes, there are numerous books/tracts/instructions on how to share the gospel. Some say, you need to have a 'story' of how you came to Christ-ALL of these are the instructions of man, man's opinions.  It is GOD who empowers His followers with all power and ability to do what He has called us to do. Paul stresses the importance of when preaching to the lost in 1 Corinthians 2:2, that it is Christ Crucified and Christ Crucified alone is the message, not your personal story. Where does it say that we are tell our personal story when trying to reach the lost? The only time anything of our own thought process that comes into play is when it comes to if you are asked why you believe as written in 1 Peter 3:5."But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear ".  But this is not to be the starting point of spreading the gospel. The power is in the written Word of God.

I will present the counter argument to the main arguments presented by the churches today about 'going to church'.  Again, no where in the Bible does it tell sinners to go to church to get saved. Research it yourself. Do not just go off what I or some preacher says. The verse that is used to promote the lie about 'going to church' is Hebrews 10:25, some Bibles translate this passage to state, "Do not 'forsake the assembling of ourselves', as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Some Bible versions actually have, "go to church services".  It is this verse that they say, "Ha, see you are supposed to go to church."
But does the 'the assembling of ourselves' have anything to do with saving the lost? No. and Secondly, does this statement mean, 'go to church'?  You do not need to know Greek to find out the original words that are used to translate from the original Bible sources. There are free programs that are available to anyone with a computer and a desire to get to the truth.  There are those who believe you have to go to seminary or Bible college to be able to teach/understand the Word.  Please again, show me, where in the Bible does it say that MAN will teach you all things?  No, THE HOLY SPIRIT will teach you all things. But back to the issue, the original Hebrew word that the verbiage 'assembling of ourselves' is translated from is ''episunagógé".  It means 'a gathering together'. Now, you could assume that this means that church members should meet together because it is true that believers need to be together on this earth so we can support and exhort one another. The early church met DAILY in the houses, in the temples, they sold their possessions and lived communally. 'Corporate' worship was mostly in the houses.  But no where in the Bible did the early church members, 'go to church'. They fellowshiped one with another and they took care of each other's needs. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, an in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Acts 2:42-46. Now let's look at the words here in this passage starting at verse 44- 'Now all who believed 'were together'.  Is the original word ''episunagógé" used here in verse 44?  No, it is not. The original Greek words here are "én" which means 'agree' and "epi"- these two Greek words are translated in this verse 'were together', but these particular Greek words can have different meaning depending the context of the whole passage. But here it is CLEARLY not the "gathering together" that is mentioned in Hebrews 10:25.  The early church members, regularly 'met together' but it was not labeled as a 'church meeting, church service'. Sometimes it was hear Paul and other teaching, sometimes it was for a meal, sometimes it was worshiping, hearing a prophecy, disciplining errant believers, doing good works like caring for the poor/widow/orphans.  

My point in drilling down on this is to call out the the heresy that you have to 'go to church' to be saved or that the lost are supposed to be brought to church to get saved.   Let's look back at the original Greek word in Hebrews 10 that the 'do not forsake the assembling of ourselves' comes from, ''episunagógé" . Now this word ''episunagógé"  is only found in TWO places throughout the Bible. Just two.  That other word combination for 'together' is found in 896 times in the Bible. As another writer on this subject pointed out, if you have a word that is only used a few times in the Bible, it must be really special.  Good and honest study of the scriptures means you do not take away any parts of the Bible; every verse, every doctrine, every interpretation has to be taken into context with the WHOLE Bible and surrounding verses, because it is very easy to misinterpret a single verse. In fact that is how we have so many different Christian denominations and sects. They all take one or two verses of the Bible and they create a whole new doctrine based on those verses; and their 'new' doctrine contradicts other scriptures in the Bible.  

Most churches today say you have to go to church based on the Hebrews verse. But does ''episunagógé"  say 'go to church'?  It does not, and if you look at the surrounding verses and the other place in the Bible the word is used, you get a clear meaning of the word ''episunagógé" .  You have to start at the beginning of Hebrews Chapter 10.  Was Paul talking about church gatherings in this chapter? No!  Paul starts this chapter off reminding us that the LAW could not SAVE us, it was just a shadow of the good things to come, that the commandments of the animal sacrifices was not enough to take away sin. This chapter is explaining the importance of how the New Covenant was brought into fruition by the shed blood of Jesus and that now our sins can be forgiven, but that does not give us a license to sin or live anyway we want; the ''episunagógé"  is the phrase for when Christ is returning to gather His people before the Wrath of God is fully poured out on this wicked world, The DAY OF THE LORD. This is commonly referred to as The Rapture.  Paul describes what THE DAY OF LORD is all about in 1 Thessalonians Chapters 4:16, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first... and that true believers are not of darkness, and God has not appointed His true believers to wrath." 1 Thessalonians 5:9. The Greek word ''episunagógé"  in found in chapter 2 verse 1 of Thessalonians, which is the one other place the word ''episunagógé" is found:  "Now, brethren, concerning THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and 'OUR GATHERING TO HIM {''episunagógé" }, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled." This is the only other place in the bible that the word ''episunagógé" is found. The people who believe that Hebrews 10:25 means going to church here, but 2 Thessalonians is talking the catching away on the Day of The Lord, the rapture.  This is another example of 'adding' to the scripture.  The entire context of Hebrews is clear, Paul is talking about sin and missing out on the rapture, just has he explains about the catching up in 2 Thessalonians. There are plenty of verses that talk about the saints living together, working together for the faith, praying together, eating together, and worshiping together.  But no where is it written that the people who worshiped at Ephesus were saved but the ones worshiping at Phillip were not. The fact of who was saved was not based on a building or a specific congregation or denomination. Their single solidifying fact was Christ was the head of the church, and they were members of HIS body and the church members gathered together frequently in the particular places they lived. There was no 'holy' physical building that they met at a few times week because they understood THEY were the temples of God who happened to gather at various places-houses/temples/fields. 

Again, back to Hebrews 10:25.  Paul is saying here in Hebrews that believers should not continue to live a life of sin or they will miss out 'forsake' on the coming of the Lord, that the Lord will NOT take them from the earth to avoid the Wrath of God because they have continued to sin. Paul tells the believers starting in verse 19 to 'enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus...for us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works."  Believers are to live a life that is HOLY, but if they do not, Paul gives a warning starting at verse 25, "if you are doing evil, you will forsake the gathering of His People when He comes, which is the manner of some,{some live a selfish and sinful lifestyle}, but true believers are not to live like that but instead are to exhort one another{admonish, warn those as stated in 1 Timothy 5:20-Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.}, and so much more as you see THE DAY approaching. For IF WE SIN WILLFULLY after we have received the knowledge of the truth, THERE NO LONGER REMAINS A SACRIFICE FOR SINS!" vs 26.  

What happens to those who continue to live in sin and reject the saving faith of Jesus Christ? They are and will be under the bondage of Satan; they will NOT BE CAUGHT UP IN THE AIR WHEN JESUS COMES; they will believe the lawless one's signs and lying wonders; that they are under unrighteous deception because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they may be saved; And that for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonian 2:11-12. Unsaved people are condemned.  They will suffer the Wrath of God.  This is one of the main points of the Gospel.  Why do the lost reject the truth? Because they don't believe that they will have to suffer any of God's wrath, either because they believe He doesn't exist, or He is really is not that mad, that everyone gets to go to heaven, that a loving God would not hurt people. None of these reasons are true. 

1. God IS REAL- the heavens declare His glory -Psalms 19:1; 

                   2. God IS ANGRY ABOUT SIN- the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience because of their fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, and covetousness/idolatry- Colossians 3:5. 

3. GOD DOES NOT SEND EVERYONE TO HEAVEN- Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for hem. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. Revelation 21:11-15

This message will be rejected by most because we have too long been deceived about this issue. But I am to tell the truth in love. I am not really saying anything that has not been said by others. And people know in their heart that something is very wrong with the church system today.  Statistics show that people are leaving 'organized' religion in droves.  That church buildings are being shut down.  There should be no wonder, because what kept the early church members together, that emboldened them to preach the gospel even though they were being put in prison, thrown to lions, cut in half, hanged, crucified, skinned and boiled alive is because they had the genuine, true Holy Spirit living and demonstrating His power within them and they were a REAL family who spent quality time together.  The Word is clear that it is impossible for ANY of God's true children to be taken from Him. IMPOSSIBLE for someone to truly taste and experience the power of God and to then say, "Nope, I don't want it." "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and Put Him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6.  Unbelievers have more discernment about the churches than the 'believers'.  

The lost are outside (and inside) the church buildings.  They are in the clubs, the bars, the restaurants, the neighborhoods, the concerts, the schools, the colleges.  They ARE NOT coming to a church building. Christ has told all of us who believe on Him, to tell this message to every creature in all the world. Are you willing to look into your self and believe the truth? Yes, we as believers should congregate together, but it should be more than Wednesday night bible study and Sunday or Saturday worship service. There are a large number of people who do just that.  Superficial, no Holy Spirit, just country club/social gatherings that slap on the Christian label but the real Christ is no where to be found. This does not apply to all church bodies. Take of this message what you will.

 My prayer is it challenges you in the name of Jesus to look at your own standing with Christ; Together with the Holy Spirit we can reach those God has chosen for ever lasting life. It is not our place to pick and choose who to share the gospel with. Jesus tells us to tell them the gospel, if they don't believe, 'shake the dust off your feet' and move on the next person.

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 Good News  is Believing in Jesus 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: Matthew 28:19, Revelation 22:18-19, Luke 24:46-47, Numbers 20; Matthew 7:13; Acts 2;47; Acts 2:41;1 Peter 3:5; Acts 2:42-46; 1 Timothy 5:20; Thessalonian 2:11-12; Psalms 19:1; Revelation 21:11-15;Hebrews 6:4-6; Matthew 10:14; John 14:26

Resources: http://biblehub.com/greek/1997.htm