12/31/21 IT NEVER GETS OLD

12/31/21 IT NEVER GETS OLD

During my Bible college days, I kept pocket sized Scripture with me all the time. It was my sword for spiritual battle, my map for my spiritual journey, it was light for those lost in darkness, it was food to feed my hungry soul. I read it as I moved about, road the bus, waited in line, waited for friends, waited for service, waited while doing laundry, eating my meals.

I focused a great deal of energy on the writings of Paul to Timothy and Titus, since it was God's word to young pastors.

Here is one of those passages I thought about on a regular basis.
2 Timothy 4:1-4
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

I still go back to this passage, though I am no longer a young pastor. I have aged, I have changed, but God's word is the same yesterday, today and forever. God's word, like God Himself, changes not. Not only is it still true, it is more evidently true today than when I first read it.

12/31/21 DON'T BELIEVE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

12/31/21 DON'T BELIEVE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS

If FB has ever "FACT CHECKED" actual facts posted in the virtual world of 3W, but then declared them to be false, untrue, errant or partially false (and it has), then we should not be surprised when the unpopular truths we share from the Bible in the ACTUAL WORLD of 3D are attacked, declared untrue and scorned. When you meet someone who DENIES AND DISPUTES Biblical truth, just remember that those folks are spoken of in the Bible, which they ridicule.

Psalms 53:1
1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

1 Timothy 6:3-5
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Peter 3:3-13
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

1 John 2:15-18
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

12/30/21 BEWARE YOUR REJECTION OF COUNSEL

12/30/21 BEWARE YOUR REJECTION OF COUNSEL

People do not want to be confronted with their own sins or their attachment to their own sins.

Those who are attached to and practice the vilest, most obvious sins, take offense when someone confronts them with the dangers of those practices.

Those who are attached to and practice borderline, gray area, questionable actions, take offense when someone confronts them with the dangers of those practices.

Let's face it, most people, especially most moral, most religious people don't dive into the deep end of the sin pool or head straight out to the breakers when they start swimming. They usually test the waters in the shallow end or along the shore, then they wade or play in the shallows, then they eventually venture into areas just beyond their supposed safe zone.

It doesn't matter what happens next. They either drown just beyond the safe zone or they move into the deep, from which there is no return.

Not only do they reject sound counsel (from people who have knowledge and understanding), they take offense, they become defensive of their faulty perceptions, they become angry with anyone who disagrees with their viewpoint and they shut off any and all correction, reproof and rebuke.

This is addressed by Jesus in the Gospel of John.
John 3:19-21
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

MEN LOVE DARKNESS
Darkness is the absence of light. Light is knowledge, understanding, truth, wisdom. People love their own viewpoint more than they love God's viewpoint. They want their own way, more than want to learn or follow God's. They love their sin. They love worldliness rather than godliness. To love the world is to hate God.
They love their own way so much that they will not even consider any objections to their way.
They love their way so much that they become angry with anyone who disagrees with their way.
Rather than hungering and thirsting for righteousness, they fill themselves with the husks of their own desires, not even weighing the value of any counsel or criticism.

According to God...
Men love darkness rather than light because, their deeds are evil.
Men hate the light and avoid the light, lest their evil deeds be reproved.
This is the result of sin.
This leads to more sin.
The fact that people do not even consider the validity of any counsel indicates their attachment to their sin.

12/29/21 CATCHING THE VISION

12/29/21 CATCHING THE VISION

One of the tragedies in NOT LISTENING is when you fail to get the information that could change your life for the better.

Obviously my major concern is communicating Biblical truths that enable folks to live victorious lives for Christ.

HOWEVER, it is sad and even tragic when someone fails to get information that could lead to better health, higher standard of living, a more productive life, successful marriage, successful child rearing, more fulfilling career choices, winsome persona, better communication skills, social influence, and the list goes on.

The problem is not that the information is unavailable or that the information is only available to those with "connections," or finances or specialized education or certain race or gender.

Part of the problem is that some folks are not very teachable.

Another part of the problem is that some folks want everything handed to them, they have no ambition or drive or patience.

Yet another part of the problem is that some folks have no imagination or have no confidence or have no sense of adventure.

Still, some folks want change, as long as they don't have to give up something that is familiar to them or do something that is different and challenging to them.

There are other reasons. I think you can see that most obstacles are in the mind, but they can be overcome by the person who is willing to listen, change and work.

Sometimes the ideas are rejected because people are not ready to accept the ideas or because people have no confidence in the person who is advancing the ideas, even if the ideas have been tested and proved by someone else.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, these principles are applicable to our spiritual lives. It is also worth noting that spiritual, moral, relational, family and ministry lives are impacted because people don't accept counsel concerning the mundane issues of life.

A "life counselor" does not have to know the intricacies of a subject in order to help a person make wise choices in the major issues of life. But receiving counsel is more than just a halfhearted nod to the counselor. Honest appraisal of spiritual counsel is listening for Divine guidance, encouragement and challenge, with the willingness to joyfully launch into a new direction, whatever the cost.

12/28/21 CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT PRAISE SATAN

12/28/21 CHRISTIANS OUGHT NOT PRAISE SATAN

I have various reasons for not boasting in the supposed "unassailable power of sin."

First let me say, IT IS NOT UNASSAILABLE, which is fundamental to my other reasons.

You may be thinking, "Of course sin is not unassailable; who would say such a ridiculous thing?"
"Well, we know it won't be me," says I.

However, most of the people I encounter readily say that God is either unable or unwilling to save all of us, or even save any of us, from all sin (IN SPITE OF WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS).

They may say God saves all Christians from the PENALTY OF SIN, or at least they may say that God saves a special class of unilaterally, unconditionally elect from the penalty of sin (including sins that have not yet been committed and for which they will not be required to confess or repent),
BUT THEY WILL DENY that God saves anyone from sin's POWER AND POLLUTION in this present world, thus they are saying that sin is unassailable, at least in this life.

They say that God cannot or will not deliver from the SIN NATURE (AKA The Sinful Nature, The Old Man, The Carnal Mind, The Double Mind, The Evil Heart of Unbelief, The Root of Bitterness) in this present life and they will say that God cannot or will not deliver the believer from all temptation, or sinning. In other words, they are saying that sin is powerful enough to keep God from saving us from sin. If the problem is, as they say, that God can save us from all sin, but does not save us from all sin or is not willing to save us from all in this life, then they are saying that sin is unassailable.

But let me move on.
I refuse to boast in sin's penalty, power or pollution because it is not all powerful, BUT ALSO because sin gets plenty of boasting from preachers of sinning religion and the people who have fallen for the false doctrines of sinning religion.

It is hard to find a preacher that proclaims God's victory over all sin in the lives of His people today. They not only preach that all men have sinned (which is true) and that all men are born with a sinful nature (which is also true), BUT THEY FALSELY SAY that God does not cleanse us from all sin, they say that God does not save us from sinning, they say that God cannot or will not make us pure or make us holy or make us righteous or make us perfect in love. They falsely accuse true believers who are walking in the light, they falsely accuse those who are walking in the steps of Jesus, they falsely label obedient Christians as cultist, blasphemers, enemies of the cross. I WON'T SING THE "GLORIES" OF SIN and the sinning life (as so many others are doing), because it is a lie and it robs God of His glory.

Yes, I know there are false prophets who promote a false holiness of heart and life. But those same charlatans also claim to be saved, claim to believe in Christ, claim to believe the Bible. I am not going to deny the Bible, I am not going to deny Christ, I am not going to deny salvation OR HOLINESS OF LIFE, simply because there are false teachers giving false witness in the name of Christ and His truth. It would be like denying the Trinity or the Deity of Christ, just because the Roman Catholic Religion claims to believe in those truths. Truth is not a lie because a liar claims to believe that truth.

I also will not call God a liar or His word a lie.
I will not trod under foot the blood of Christ, or blaspheme the work of the Holy Spirit as He leads, empowers, enables and gives me victory over sin and Satan.
In fact, whether anyone ever experiences victory over sin or whether anyone gets saved, denial of truth does not change truth.
Also, keep in mind that plenty of people erroneously preach about the victory of sin in their lives and they deny the success of grace over sin. I refuse to stand with them in their false message. In fact, because so many preach a defeated salvation, there is a great need for people to know the truth and to proclaim the truth, no matter how unpopular it is. My hope is to be one of those who stands for truth
And, by the way,
I do explain the dangers, the deception, the power and pollution of sin.
I do warn people about the false hope of sin.
I do tell people about the inner corruption of the Adamic, Nature (the Sinful Nature).
I do tell people that no man is inherently righteous, independently capable of resisting temptation or able to save himself.
But at the same time, I do not preach that God leaves His children to be victims of darkness.
I preach full deliverance from sin through the shed blood and physical resurrection of Christ.
I do warn believers that they can go back into sin after being converted.
But I also preach that God is able to keep and enable His children to overcome all temptation and defeat all spiritual enemies.
I won't falsely glorify or honor Satan by saying his impact and influence over us is greater than that of Jesus Christ.
I won't claim to have victory over sin, if I do not experience it by His grace.
I won't tell anyone that they can earn or add to their salvation, but neither are they abandoned by God (because of Adam) to a life without hope or help.
For every verse that is falsely offered to deny and disprove that Christians can live without sinning or that God's grace is not greater than our sin, or that Christ is not more powerful than the grip of Satan on God's people, there are hundreds of verses that clearly proclaim God's victory over sin, in His children, in the here and now.

Let Satan, all the demons of hell and every tongue in this world deny the overcoming power of Christ in this life, but God's word stands sure.
Let every preacher deny the power of God unto salvation from sin, but God is still true.

12/27/21 BE SURE TO READ BOTH PARTS OF THIS POST

12/27/21 BE SURE TO READ BOTH PARTS OF THIS POST

Part One...
I have often said that Christians must control (by the power of the Holy Spirit) every thought that they entertain (referencing 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, which says,)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Spiritual warfare for Christians involves, requires the tearing down of strongholds of sin and Satan and also requires us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Not only should we shut off the flow of sinful thoughts, anti-Biblical thoughts, we should shut off the flow of negative thoughts when we can. We should think on, focus on the things that are good and wholesome and give no opportunity for the devil to mislead, capture, pollute our minds.
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Part Two...
What I have just said, in reference to individual Christians is also applicable to a corporate body of believers, whether it is a couple, a family, a church, a ministry group.

God gave us relationships to help us think the way He wants us to think, to speak the way He wants us to speak, to live the way He wants us to live. Husbands and wives need to bring good thoughts, positive thoughts, victory thoughts to each other.

When a spouse focuses on, or even serves as a reminder to that which is burdensome, draining, discouraging, then that spouse has sided with Satan to destroy the husband or the wife. It doesn't matter if you say you love your husband or wife, you are destroying your spouse and your marriage with your negative words, prejudicial words, doubting words, defeatist words, complaining words, angry words, suspicious words, critical words. Your negativity does not need to be aimed at your spouse, it only has to be shared with your spouse to destroy him/her. Feed your loved one the dark thoughts and you will reap the dark thoughts... UNLESS you are married to a very strong and deeply dedicated person who is able to withstand Satan's attacks and supported by your words and attitude. EVEN THEN you will be robbing, injuring your spouse, yourself, everyone else, and the work of God. A dark spirit of negativity keeps everyone from reaching their potential.

Now, take this thought and adapt it to parent and child relationships; sibling relationships or other family relationships. Don't be the messenger of doom and gloom. Your words are the torpedoes that Satan uses to sink your family.

Again, take these thoughts and apply them to the household of faith and fellowship of believers. One gaping hole in a local body of believers can sink an otherwise successful church.

Above all, your negativity is an offense to God ON MANY LEVELS. Regardless of everyone else's attitude you should be the one with the faith, love and joy.

On the other side of this issue is the fact that a person with a faith outlook, a love filled heart, a joyful spirit can buoy up a sinking person or group. Imagine what it would be like if an entire group had a unified commitment to constantly bring positive, faithful, joyful, loving, peaceful, encouraging words to one another.

How sad it will be to find out that your negativity, your whining, your complaining, your focus on the world, your love of the world was the added weight of despair that dragged you loved one down to a destruction.

God gives all that is needed for life and godliness, but those who addicted and in love with a negative worldview and impact on other people are the enemies of the purpose of God.

Hebrews 10:19-27
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us 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.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

12/27/21 SPIRITUAL MATURITY

12/27/21 SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Our campfire meeting gave rise to something I have been missing for a couple of years. I have missed the verbal inter action with the children and youth of our church for some time. Some of the most stimulating, most interesting and most insightful conversations I have are with children and young people in our church. They understand so much more about basic Christian truth, and living Biblically than most of the adults I meet.

It is great to converse with people who actually think deeper than the obvious and speak beyond chit chat level understanding. Their conversation is not simply parroting information or formulas. They speak from the depths of their being and their personal knowledge and relationship with Christ.

I have missed these conversations over the past couple of years. We had more of these exchanges in our house church setting than we had when we met in our store front building and more than we had on ZOOM meetings. I don't blame either the store front or the ZOOM setting. It is that we lost some of the closeness during that time that we had enjoyed previously. As I pointed out, this recent conversation was around the campfire, but it use to take place regularly in our church gatherings. I want the young people to feel more free and open during worship, study and fellowship times, in the building as well as around the campfire.

This kind of interaction also opens doors of personal inquiry and introspection, which in turn leads to a greater awareness of Biblical and Holy Spirit truth. It helps maintain a humility level that too many adults have lost on their way to "perfection." But, as I have tried to communicate in the past, our world is changing so quickly that all of us need to be hungering for truth and adjusting our communications skills to the social winds of change.
I try to allow for the fun things in life. In fact, I enjoy the fun things of life. I try to recognize the need for young people to just be young people together.

However, there is more than enough time for people to pursue the mundane and the frivolous. When we get together I want our young people and children to think and talk about the real issues of life.

This kind of activity needs spiritually established, mature believers to lead the young people. Without spiritually mature leadership the valuable opportunities will be reduced to exercises in futility.
But this is a whole other subject to be addressed at another time.

There is much more I can share concerning the importance of adult leadership of young people in spiritual issues, but not tonight.

12/27/21 PLAN YOUR DESTINY

12/27/21 PLAN YOUR DESTINY

If you want a wonderful ending to 2022, then you need to mean business with God at the beginning of 2022 (which should start by the ending of 2021) NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME...
2 Corinthians 6:1-3
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

These were the words of Paul,
Spiritual victory does not just pop up in our lives. It is the outcome of a life spent in submission and faith in Jesus Christ. Maturity, purity, and security are all dependent on a faith relationship between an obedient believer and God. God does do the unexpected for us and to us and through us, but God does not violate His own standards of justice, grace, mercy, wisdom and truth.

We do not initiate God's grace, love, mercy, kindness, patience, reconciliation, intervention or intercession. However, we do determine whether we will cooperate or resist God's overtures of salvation. Since salvation includes more than just the initial steps of God, then our faith is what opens the door to God and faith is what keeps the door of our of our heart and life open to God's continued presence, purity, power and purpose.

God does not choose for some people to be saved and other people to be lost. God does not choose for some Christians to be victorious and other Christians to fail. GOD IS NOT A RESPECTER OF PERSONS. God mercifully offers His blessings to all men and then He justly blesses those who submit to Him in faith.

Continued faith brings continued understanding, strength, faith, leading, empowering, wisdom and victory. We determine whether we will receive (take) the salvation from sin that God offers us.

No matter how hard it may be, you can submit to God. No matter what the personal cost is to you, it is worth the cost to trust and obey God. Jesus did not unilaterally pick and choose who would be saved from eternal torment and who would suffer eternal torment. That would make Him a respecter of men. God chose to make salvation available to all men, on the same basis; faith in Jesus Christ. God chose to make spiritual victory available to all Christians, on the same basis; faith in Jesus.

Our failure is OUR FAILURE. God cannot be blamed. Neither can He be blamed for doing what He said He would do, concerning the unbelieving, the rebellious. He decided that anyone who believes can be saved. He decided that we would have the choice. This is the act of justice and mercy. For God to choose some for salvation and deliberately, unilaterally abandon others to hell, without a choice would be the act of unilateral condemnation of people based on the wicked deeds of another person. We have all sinned, but we all sinned willfully, deliberately. We all chose to live outside of the grace of God at some point. However, God in His mercy, grace, kindness seeks the unsaved, offers the unsaved salvation and saves those who choose to accept His offer.

Romans 5:18-21
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

12/26/21 LIGHT AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

12/26/21 LIGHT AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

One of the most amazing and most important things said by some of our young people, as we sat around the campfire was that they could not remember the specifics of their conversion, but as they got older they realized and appreciated the presence of God as He delivered and kept them from sin.

Remember, all of our young people trusted and called on Christ for salvation while they were only two or three years old.

I was only three when I got saved, though I did not have Christian family or go to a Bible preaching church. My (unsaved) dad told me Bible stories and the Holy Spirit enlightened and quickened my heart to believe Christ for my salvation. God also called me to preach when I was three. I have always known Christ as my friend and Savior, and I have always known that He wanted me to be a preacher. Yes, I fell short from time to time, but I always knew to repent and trust Jesus for forgiveness. Being part of a faith community (family and/or church) would have enabled me to be more consistent in my faith relationship and victorious life.

After the young people said something about their vague remembrance of their conversion experience, I explained to them that it is good to know the circumstances of our conversion, but it is even more important to know the reality of our salvation, to know the abiding presence and enabling power of a right relationship with Jesus. At such an early age a child may not remember the particular events of their conversion, but knowing and being aware of Jesus in our lives is the essential reality. I pointed out that there are adults who can tell you the how, the where, the when of their conversion, but they do not have the evidence of salvation through a daily walk with Jesus. Living in the power of salvation and knowing Christ in our daily lives is more important than remembering the event itself (especially at such an early age).

We don't know what goes on in the deep recesses of a person's heart, but we can see the fruit (not only their works, their behavior, but the fruit of the Spirit) in a person's life. We can see the evidence of their spiritual condition, I have watched our children throughout their lives and it is evident that they have a living relationship with Christ, as well as a personal testimony to God's saving presence.

So, as I said, one of the most remarkable points that these young people shared was the fact that they know Christ and they have His presence in their lives. Early conversion should not be a surprise to believers, since Jesus said to let the very young children come to Him, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

I told the young people that I remember the life changing power that came into Joanna at a very young age (even though she does not remember the specifics of her early conversion). I also pointed out that we need to continue in a saving relationship with Christ, through faith and obedience. Salvation is not a one and done: it is a "take up your cross daily and follow Jesus."

The Bible clearly teaches us that being a Christian includes BEING BORN AGAIN (born of the Spirit), as an initial, crises, instantaneous conversion, AND IT INCLUDES BEING PRESENTLY AND CONTINUOUSLY BORN OF GOD. It is the ongoing reality of salvation that saves us from sin.

GOD SAID... (be sure to read these verses carefully)

CONVERSION (having been born again in the past)
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 1:22-23
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

CONTINUOUSLY (being currently and continuously born of God)
1 John 2:28-29
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

1 John 3:7-10
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

1 John 4:7-9
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 5:1-5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:18-21
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

12/26/21 ANOTHER FULL DAY OF PRAISE AND FELLOWSHIP (CHRISTMAS SUNDAY)

12/26/21 ANOTHER FULL DAY OF PRAISE AND FELLOWSHIP
(CHRISTMAS SUNDAY)

Praise the Lord for a blessed service, a wonderful fellowship meal, a relaxed afternoon with believers, group singing and game time for our young people.

The 8 young people and a few adults gathered around the fire pit for a couple of hours. Eventually I asked each one present to tell about their first remembrance of God speaking to them. It was a great time of sharing.

This was just the beginning of wonderful times together. It was the end of an awesome weekend, the last hours of a wonderful day. I wish I had taken photos of the campfire.

As the embers cooled we closed down, we went back into The Net House. I closed up the windows and doors, cut off all the power, went inside my house, reflected on Gods presence throughout the day and prayed for God's continued work in The Net House Crew.

I love where I live and I love what I do.

12/25/21 THANKFUL FOR A PLACE TO MEET (Saturday, CHRISTMAS DAY)

12/25/21 THANKFUL FOR A PLACE TO MEET (Saturday, CHRISTMAS DAY)

A great day of fun, fellowship and family was topped off with great food.
All but 3 of our church gathered to share a meal together at The Net House.
Sister Kim took plates home for herself, brother Wade and sister Lucille.
Several folks went next door to visit with them.
We we very glad that Hillary's mom and dad could be with us.
After we ate, folks exchanged gifts and then played games and talked.
I am now looking for a wonderful worship and praise service tomorrow.
Here are a few photos of our church folks enjoying The Net House facilities.
We enjoy being together, but the real joy is watching our children and young people have such a great time together in a Christian gathering.

Thank you Jesus, for
Your wonderful kindness.
(I did not take many photos, sorry.)

12/24/21 IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

12/24/21 IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

Many (maybe most) people in the USA are so use to getting nice gifts that they don't always appreciate the value of a sacrificial gift or a relational gift (a gift that is related to a sacred relationship). This is part of the reason that God's gift of His Son, God's gift of salvation is treated so lightly and carelessly by so many people. If you don't realize the cost of the gift to the giver and you don't realize the dedication expected from the recipient, then the meaning and the value of the gift is treated crudely and cheaply.

We celebrate the birth of Christ into the world with pageantry, music, generosity to other people. If the true values of the gifts or the relationship is not understood, then the celebratory activities are trite and trivial.

This is why so many people receive the Lord's Supper (aka Communion) without examining their own hearts, without making total commitment to follow Jesus fully. To receive the Lord's Supper without absolute surrender to the Lordship of Christ, without yielding our will completely to the rule of God, is to mock the gift, to treat Divine provision for salvation as though there is no value in the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

The principle of recognizing the spiritual meaning in Christian celebration is evidenced in the Lord's Supper. Going through the outward steps, while being inwardly unaware of the spiritual meaning is not only a waste of time for us to take, to receive the Lord's Supper, while in an unworthy spiritual condition, but it is to drink and eat condemnation (God's judgment) to yourself.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

This passage indicates that a person who participates in Christian celebration, without having the right relationship with God is presuming and actually dishonoring God.

The principle applies to other aspects of Christian celebration.
For instance, to claim the name of Christ as your Savior, while living in known sin is taking the Name of Christ (God) in vain.
In the Old Testament, God warned and instructed His people that sacrifices were not what God wanted, but rather a broken and contrite spirit.
It is blasphemous to use holy realities for personal gain or pleasure.
We must not take the holy things of God and then repackage them for our own gain.

God is looking for folks "to worship Him in spirit and in truth."
Don't use the Incarnation of Christ, don't use the fact that God became a Man, for temporal, carnal pleasure or gain.
Enjoy the season, but don't repackage the Incarnation of God, or His ministry as a platform for personal aggrandizement.

12/24/21 CHOOSE THE BETTER

12/24/21 CHOOSE THE BETTER

Remember (especially as we approach the beginning of a new year), we should not try to be everything we can be or to do everything we can do. We should seek to know the will of God and then be everything God wants us to be and do everything God wants us to do. No more, no less.

As someone said,
The greatest enemy of that which is best is that which is good.

Narrow yourself down to God and His will. Don't waste your time, talents, treasures on the things that pass away. Invest yourself on that which has eternal value and that which is of value in God's view.

Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

12/24/21 BUT IT IS NOT A WORD FROM THE LORD

12/24/21 BUT IT IS NOT A WORD FROM THE LORD

Have you ever noticed how often the pseudo spiritual GET or RECEIVE "a word from the Lord," which God had already given to everyone, thousands of years ago? Sometimes they use a different "word" or vocabulary, but it is the same message. In fact, anytime a person claims to "give a new word from the Lord" (which is actually God's recorded word), then that person is claiming special revelation, while plagiarizing God. That person is actually a "word" thief and a robber of God's glory. That person is either too stupid to know that God has made that "word" known to millions of people for thousands of years, or they are willfully stealing from God. Either way, God is not happy. Those people are either deliberately dishonest or they have fallen for the false teachings of WoF movement.

Not only are these people false prophets, they are often giving false prophecies that do not align or agree with God's true word, God's true revelation. When a person does not read, study, meditate on God's actual word, but then they spout some information that is already Divinely given or they claim that some common sense truism is a WORD FROM THE LORD, then they are trying to lift their own status by diminishing the authority, magnificence and wisdom of God.

This is not to say that God does not lead people, or enlighten people or "speak to them." However, no one "gets," "receives," a revelation from God, no one hears from God in the same way that the apostles and prophets of Scripture did. God not only spoke, He spoke to special messengers, and those special messengers were especially gifted, chosen and guided in their ministry of writing Scripture. The were Divinely inspired, whereas Christians today are enlightened, rather than Divinely inspired.

I remember watching this mess rise up sixty years ago in "Pentecostal" groups (falsely labeled), which followed the erroneous teachings from the Azusa Street "Revival" of 1906. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be God's servant or wanting to share God's message, but twisting and misrepresenting God and His message is wrong.

For over a century (since the 1906 birth of the modern tongues movement) people have stood up during service, prefacing or peppering their testimonies with, "Thus saith the Lord," or "The word of the Lord came unto me saying." People have actually told other people, "God told me to tell you." I have known people who claimed to hear from God in their dreams, while sleeping and therefore they deliberately and eagerly welcomed sleep so that they might "hear from God." These people were deluded. This is the same thing we are seeing with people today. They believe God speaks to them and through them directly, in a special way.

Repeating what some inner voice tell you is a dangerous thing to do. Remember, Adam and Eve heard a voice. The New Testament tells us to try the spirits to see if they are from God. The devil comes as an angel of light and false prophets will abound in the end times.

12/24/21 THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE SOMETIMES PRECEDES DEATH

12/24/21 THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE SOMETIMES PRECEDES DEATH

Special times and certain songs remind us of special people. If the loved one is deceased we feel the loss greatly.
I think of mama and daddy, often.
Sometimes I think about watching Perry Como, especially around Christmas. When I watch those old Perry Como shows on the internet I think, "Daddy would like this."
Or when I am doing something we use to enjoy together, I think, "Daddy sure would enjoy this."
Or at certain times, when I am with my children or grandchildren, I think, "Man, would he get a kick out of this."
But those are no longer possibilities. Daddy is gone.

I miss you pop. (and no, I don't talk with the dead).

But there are other times we feel great sadness. It is when a gulf of separation (not simply geographical) comes between us and a loved one. It is sad when all indications are that the chasm will not be bridged. The beautiful memories, the fun times, the loving moments, during the good times and even the hard times, get pushed further back until it seems that you are the only one who remembers the the good and precious times of the past.

When a loved one has died, there is an emptiness that lingers, but when a relationship with a living loved one is being killed on a daily basis, the emptiness and hurt grows greater and greater, day by day, year by year, until all earthly contacts are impossible.

Of course, the pain of separation is maximized when someone is rebelling against God and His word. The pain of loss is not only because of momentary suffering, but because someone is choosing eternal separation from God.

The sadness is compounded by confusion when we see unsaved people who treat their loved ones with civility, courtesy and compassion, while those who come from Christian families are cold, distant, even callous.

What we see in the manger of Bethlehem is God, reaching, loving, caring and healing broken relationships. But some people don't care how broken their relationship is with other people, just as long as they get to be happy.