02/27/21 PAST TIME TO WAKE UP

02/27/21 PAST TIME TO WAKE UP

If you are not rescuing your children from Public School then you have no right to complain about what has happened (is happening) to USA.

02/26/21 A BAD JOKE GONE WRONG

02/26/21 A BAD JOKE GONE WRONG

A funny thing happened on our way to the Gulag.
It wasn't haha funny.
It was freaky, queer, deviant, aberrant funny; which isn't funny at all.

 

02/26/21 THE WORLD IN REVERSE

02/26/21 A WORLD IN REVERSE...

I did this short video on the spur of the moment using one of my "extra devices" that I sometimes carry with me. In this case I did not have my phone.

BASIC OUTLINE...
This is based on a short video I made. I hope to add it to this post.
(here is the gist of what I wanted to say).

STAGE 1 Personal deviant behavior, perversion, wickedness, evil takes place privately. Society disproves of it and the State may make it illegal.

STAGE 2 Personal deviant behavior, perversion, wickedness, evil takes place quietly, but it is generally ignored by society at large and only on rare occasions involves legal action.

STAGE 3 Personal deviant behavior, perversion, wickedness, evil takes place quietly but openly and becomes a non issue with the major part of society because it has become a societal subculture. Laws dealing with the behavior are either removed or ignored.

STAGE 4 Personal deviant behavior, perversion, wickedness, evil is a societal norm and becomes protected and supported by the State.

STAGE 5 Personal deviant behavior, perversion, wickedness, evil is a socially protected norm and the State gives it preferential recognition, bringing legal action against those who view the behavior to be morally unacceptable. By this point the State polices our actions, our words and our thoughts.

Welcome to the world of Humanism, where man is god and the true God is mocked.

02/26/21 RUNNING IN CIRCLES

02/26/21 RUNNING IN CIRCLES

Even if ballots or bullets restore the freedoms we recently lost, we will still have a society that is anti-Bible, anti-morality, anti-Christian. REPENT.

In other words, USA will still be the enemy of God and on course to total destruction.

02/26/21 THE SOUL SNATCHERS

02/26/21 THE SOUL SNATCHERS

The difference is that Miles was just a "character" in a Sci-Fi film and I am an actual person telling folks, "They're here now."

02/25/21 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSANITY

02/25/21 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSANITY

Anyone who chooses a spiritual leader, teacher or pastor, or chooses their politics based on race is a racist and an idiot.

I see so many who put the most important decisions of their spiritual and moral lives on a race card. Yet I see so many leaders who are ill-equipped, misguided and corrupt. People often follow these deceivers because of misplaced loyalties or false guilt feelings. Putting your life and the lives of your family, friends and neighbors into the hands of a manipulator based on race rather than qualifications and loyalties is a sure path to destruction.

02/25/21 CULTURE MATTERS

02/25/21 CULTURE MATTERS

Better be more influenced by Christian culture than vocational, educational, recreational, financial, political, racial, social, regional cultures.

02/25/21 IT IS AT LEAST JEALOUSY

02/25/21 IT IS AT LEAST JEALOUSY

Cancel Culture is brainwashing society and rewriting history to hide Trump's overwhelming accomplishments as most successful POTUS ever.

02/25/21 AT BREAKNECK SPEED

02/25/21 AT BREAKNECK SPEED

If you believe the lie of the enemy, which claims that the truth is a lie, you begin to believe that the lie is the truth.

02/24/21 THE SOONER, THE BETTER

02/24/21 THE SOONER, THE BETTER

It's easier to start trusting God when you're younger than when you're older.

It's easier to keep trusting God if you started trusting Him early in life.

02/24/21 HATRED UNLEASHED

02/24/21 HATRED UNLEASHED

The hate God and hate Bible crowd now hates truth and sanity and they are willing to punish anyone who disagrees with them.

02/24/21 POLITICIANS, ACADEMICS, RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LEADERS

02/24/21 POLITICIANS, ACADEMICS, RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LEADERS

Beware of all liars, especially the Consummate, Habitual, Bald Faced liars who view lying as a normal tool of their trade.

02/23/21 REDEEM THE TIME...

02/23/21 REDEEM THE TIME...

Folks need to be eager, obedient students of God's word because... His word reveals Him; His word reveals His will; His word reveals our need and His provision for salvation; His word instructs us in righteousness; His word evangelizes (tells the good news), encourages, enlightens, edifies and equips us for life and service.

If you have not been studying for years, you have already wasted precious time. Better get busy and serious NOW. There is coming a time when you won't be able to study, to learn, to grow.

You should be taught and led in the Bible by a God called, Blood washed, Spirit born and led, Christ trusting and following, gifted, holy walking and holy talking, totally surrendered man of God.

Though folks wasted years, God will help them NOW if they will turn and seek Him with the whole heart. FAINT HEART never became champion. Think about this... those, in oppressive countries, who are weak in the faith do not endure the persecutions and hardship that go with oppression. If you want to be faithful in the coming difficult times, then you need to shore up your faith in the mean time.

Here are just a few passages to encourage you.
Ephesians 5:14-17
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Colossians 4:5-6
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

2 Timothy 3:12-17
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jude 1:20-21
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

02/23/21 EMERGENCY PROVISIONS FOR YOUR SURVIVAL

02/23/21 EMERGENCY PROVISIONS FOR YOUR SURVIVAL

One very important thought: Get yourself a few trustworthy, Formal Translation Bibles (eg KJV, NASB 1977 ed., Amplified Bible, and Study Bibles Thompson Chain Reference Bible, The Complete Word Study New Testament and also the Complete Word Study Old Testament by Spiros Zodhiates), Robinson's Word Study, Vines Word Study and Vincent's Word Study, along with a Concordance. There are other important study helps, but this is a good place to start.

"WHY?" you may ask. Because there may be a time in the near future that you will not be able to get a trustworthy translation. Remember, China is a major printer and publisher of Bibles and the USA will eventually follow other oppressive, Communist countries by controlling what Bibles are printed, published, purchased and possessed in the USA. You won't be able to get the truth on the internet because we are seeing the Statist crackdown on Biblical proclamation, around the world and even in the USA.

IT IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE (even if it gets better for a little while). Remember, oppressive governments and religions have always attacked the Bible and have made possession of a Bible almost impossible. Ask the Christians of Islamic States, Communist States and other dictatorships.

02/23/21 WHILE I WAS IN RUTHERGLEN

02/23/21 WHILE I WAS IN RUTHERGLEN

I was reminiscing a little bit today. I recollected, when I was 2-3 years old, going with my mom to visit her family in Rutherglen, Scotland . She had married daddy in Scotland and then moved to the USA. They lived in Morehead City, N.C.; (probably moved with daddy when he worked on a tug in Norfolk; back to Moehead; then to Leland, N.C. where daddy ran a restaurant and motel (The Orton Court and Restaurant). From Leland we moved to California (Hollywood area).

Mom won a Radio program called, Queen for a Day (hosted by Jack Bailey), which eventually became a popular TV program. Mom won some luggage and other travel items. Daddy got us the one way passage, and then after six months he was able to buy the return passage. We sailed aboard the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth. Way Cool. I was two years old when I went to Scotland and 3 when I came back. It was around that period of time that I received and accepted God's call to be a preacher. As I was reflecting on my trip to Scotland, I decided to share some Google Earth photos of my grandparents house and neighborhood (pretty much the same after 70+ years).

In fact, while I was there, at the age of two, I decided to walk down to the corner store and get some cookies. In Morehead I would go to Kib's store with someone, get cookies and say, "Charge it." I went to the corner store with my Scottish granddad one time and decided to do the same thing. I would go to the corner store, get some cookies (biscuits, they called them) and then say, "charge it." Eventually my Scottish granddad took me with him to the corner store again. The owner lit up and said something like, "Oh, he belongs to you." They all laughed. I don't even think they had a charge account until I started shopping on my own. hehehe. My granddad told them to give me whatever I wanted.

One more event. Notice the small yard (garden as they say) behind my grandparents house? Well, the neighbors in the next house to the right raised rhubarb. My cousins and I thought it would be a good idea to pour sugar into a paper funnel and go sit in the rhubarb patch and eat as much as we wanted. We did and it was more than I needed. I got sick. Thus ended my life of crime, by the time I was 3 years old. But I still love rhubarb, but prefer it in a pie rather than raw stalks and sugar.

Here are the photos from Google Earth.

02/23/21 FIRST THINGS FIRST

02/23/21 FIRST THINGS FIRST

You better choose your closest friends and spiritual mentors based on their Biblical and Christian commitments, rather than cultural, educational, economic reasons or shared interests (jobs, entertainment, athletics, business, hobbies), experiences and activities. Remember, everything is subordinate and subject to God's will and word.

Don't choose your pastor (or Bible teachers) based on popularity, charisma or communication abilities. These are important and should be part of a person's ministry, to a degree, but the life of faithfulness, love, holiness, Christ-likeness, humility and a sound Biblical view are more important.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

02/23/21 DON'T MAKE A TRAGEDY WORSE

02/23/21 DON'T MAKE A TRAGEDY WORSE

People do die from Covid19.
Beware those who use it for advantage and those who treat it as a lie.
Be wise, be considerate.

02/23/21 AN OLD SAYING COMES TO MIND...

02/23/21 AN OLD SAYING COMES TO MIND...

"Folks were straightening pictures on the wall, while the house burned to the ground."

02/23/21 SIN CREEP

 02/23/21 SIN CREEP

Some folks who cut me off because I was too "radical" are now wondering why USA is drowning in darkness.

02/23/21 THEY SHOULD HAVE LISTENED

02/23/21 THEY SHOULD HAVE LISTENED

Sad to see important ministries losing their platforms because of flourishing Secularism.
They should've stood with us in the 80s.

02/23/21 WE NEED THE SINGLE EYE

02/23/21 WE NEED THE SINGLE EYE

If you are more interested, focused, excited about anything more than Jesus, you have a major problem.

02/22/21 AS THE NOOSE TIGHTENS

02/22/21 AS THE NOOSE TIGHTENS

Politicals and academics who replaced God and His word with EVOLUTION and Statism in Public School openly attack freedom, families, sanity and morality.

02/22/21 SINSANITY RUNNING RAMPANT

02/22/21 SINSANITY RUNNING RAMPANT

Mindless leadership in the USA pursued European Liberalism's insanity until USA is now the most insane country in the works.

02/22/21 SATAN WANTS TO REMOVE DIVINE COHESIVENESS

02/22/21 SATAN WANTS TO REMOVE DIVINE COHESIVENESS

I spend a lot of time studying and preparing messages and lessons, but I also share a lot of info impromptu. When I make a mistake or leave a thought dangling, i try to correct it with my congregation.

I was making a point during service last night but could not remember the word, "CONSIST." So, here is the word and a little background documentation.

CONSIST
Jesus is what (Who) holds us together as individuals, marrieds, families, communities the universe and all that is in it. Satan wants to separate us from Christ, the Great Cohesive that holds us together with God. Satan will use politics, education, economy, and really stupid stuff, in order to turn our eyes, our hearts from Christ.

Colossians 1:17
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

ROBERTSON'S WORD STUDY
Consist (sunestēken). Perfect active indicative (intransitive) of sunistēmi, old verb, to place together and here to cohere, to hold together. The word repeats the statements in Col_1:16, especially that in the form ektistai. Christ is the controlling and unifying force in nature. The Gnostic philosophy that matter is evil and was created by a remote aeon is thus swept away. The Son of God’s love is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe which is not evil.

VINES WORD STUDY
Consist (συνέστηκεν)
Cohere, in mutual dependence. Compare Act_27:28; Heb_1:3. For other meanings of the verb, see on Rom_3:5. Christ not only creates, but maintains in continuous stability and productiveness. “He, the All-powerful, All-holy Word of the Father, spreads His power over all things everywhere, enlightening things seen and unseen, holding and binding all together in Himself. Nothing is left empty of His presence, but to all things and through all, severally and collectively, He is the giver and sustainer of life.... He, the Wisdom of God, holds the universe in tune together. He it is who, binding all with each, and ordering all things by His will and pleasure, produces the perfect unity of nature and the harmonious reign of law. While He abides unmoved forever with the Father, He yet moves all things by His own appointment according to the Father's will” (Athanasius).

 

02/21/21 DON'T BE DUPED

02/21/21 DON'T BE DUPED

The agenda of the Left is not a minor difference of opinion. It is an attack on the Bible, Christians, Family, Church, America.

02/21/21 COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT

02/21/21 COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT

What a disturbing and powerful thought in Matthew 6:23 ...If the light that is in you is darkness, how dark must your darkness be! Consider this, then remember what the Bible says about the Christian and light.

Matthew 4:16
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Matthew 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

John 8:12
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 12:46
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.

Acts 26:18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Romans 13:10-14
10 Love works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

2 Corinthians 4:6
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believes with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Ephesians 5:1-10
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Colossians 1:9-13
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 John 1:5-7
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:8
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.

 

02/21/21 IF YOUR LIGHT IS DARKNESS HOW GREAT IS YOUR DARKNESS?

02/21/21 IF YOUR LIGHT IS DARKNESS HOW GREAT IS YOUR DARKNESS?

Identity thieves abound.
False Christs proliferate.
Angels of light spew their pitch.
Beware the deceiver's path of "truth."

02/21/21 DARKNESS WILL INCREASE

02/21/21 DARKNESS WILL INCREASE

Know the Bible.
Evil people distort and hide God's word.
Beware Online dependency and China's Bible printing.
Remember the Dark Ages.

02/21/21 SOMETIMES THE TITLE IS MISLEADING

02/21/21 SOMETIMES THE TITLE IS MISLEADING

Don't be suckered into the plethora of deviant groups calling themselves Christian (eg Restored Church of God).

02/20/21 CHOOSE YOUR GOD CAREFULLY

02/20/21 CHOOSE YOUR GOD CAREFULLY

I use to preach and teach that the USA will not be a major player in the end times. I STILL DO. I hold this view because I don't see anything in the Bible that indicates differently while America has been in the grip of God hating, Christ rejecting and Bible denying since the 1980's. However, many well known and highly respected Bible teachers claimed that the USA will play an important role in the last days.

As we watch world events and especially the free fall of America into anti-Christ, anti-Bible lawlessness, it becomes more evident that America will become a byword among the nations in the future. This is not totally unthinkable, since God foretold that Israel would become a byword among the nations, at least for a while.

As great as the USA has been in the world and as much as the USA has been blessed of God, the greatness and the blessing was due to the relationship God had with US. As the relationship fades and sours, the greatness and blessings of America are disappearing. It appears that America will not be great among the nations of the world.

Still, Americans tend to think that we will always be God's favored nation; that we will always be abundantly blessed with natural advantages, political, military, financial, social greatness. It is a false hope.

Our only hope in in a right relationship with Jesus. If our nation at large will not turn to a right relationship with God, we, individually, need to make our relationship with God the defining reality in our lives.

We need to love what God loves, hate what God hates, do what God commands.
No one can have two allegiances, two masters. Christians must not try to make the State a co-god with the true God.
In fact, such a belief is treason against the true God of the Bible. God is One; God is the Only; God is jealous of His Own honor. God will not share His glory with another.

When we love God as we ought (with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength) we do not want to give His glory to another and we do not want to steal His glory for ourselves.
When we love God as we ought, we obey Him, keep His commandment and do that which is pleasing in His sight.
When we love God as we ought we live for Him.

02/20/21 THINKING BIBLICALLY

02/20/21 THINKING BIBLICALLY

Don't let the devil fool you into stealing God's glory. We can't progress into salvation or into holiness of heart (aka Entire Sanctification).
Only God can Save us and Make us Holy.
To claim that we achieve God's grace by our human effort robs God of the glory that belongs only to Him.
Salvation is a work of God's grace, provided by God and offered to "whosoever will."
Holiness of heart (Entire Sanctification) is a work of God's grace provided by and offered to His children who seek the Lord with the whole heart.

As recipients of Saving and Sanctifying grace we can progress or grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord.
We don't progress INTO it. By God's power and grace we are miraculously transported from darkness to light, death to life, devilish domain to liberty from sin.
However, we do grow IN grace and knowledge after having been saved and after having been Entirely Sanctified.

Calling yourself a sinning Christian is a contradiction and an affront to God.
Remember, Jesus came to save His people from their sins.
Remember, he that is born of God does not commit sin.
Remember, he that sins is of the devil.
Remember, the seal (outward evidence) of salvation is to depart from sin.

BIBLICAL TRUTHS
Honestly claiming salvation from sin is recognizing the love, power, holiness, justice, mercy of God. It is not a personal boast, since no one is inherently righteous, pure, holy.
Claiming to be a sinner is to deny the redemptive work of God through justification, sanctification, regeneration, adoption.

When we are saved we are born again (born of the Spirit).
When we are saved we are new creations in Christ.
When we receive Christ we become partakers of Divine nature.
When we trust and follow Jesus we will put off the Old Man and put on the New Man.
When we are entirely sanctified we are crucified with Christ.

God says...
We can't redeem, justify, regenerate ourselves. Only God can.
We can't fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit. Only God can.

And He says...
We must believe, confess, deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.
We must hold onto, cleave to, continue in the Lord, grace and faith.

And He also says...
We can build ourselves up on our most holy faith.
We can keep ourselves in the love of God.
We can walk in the light, as He is in the light.
We can walk in the Spirit.
We can keep His commandments and do that which is pleasing in His sight.

02/20/21 PERFECTION IS NOT A BAD WORD

02/20/21 PERFECTION IS NOT A BAD WORD

Strange that some folks who claim to believe the Bible do not believe in the perfection God requires of us and enables us to experience and live.

Some folks want to change the word from "perfection" to maturity or some other word. Sometimes that is acceptable, provided we don't do away with the idea of perfection, as it is presented in the New Testament Greek. However, sometimes maturity and other words do not represent what God's word says. Perfection is the right word, provided we understand perfection in the Biblical sense. This little article points out the Biblical view of experiential "perfection."

See my short article below. For a fuller presentation on the perfection that God requires believers to have, follow (cut and paste) my link at the end of this article.

 

 

02/19/21 BEING CHRISTIAN IN A VIOLENT WORLD

02/19/21 BEING CHRISTIAN IN A VIOLENT WORLD

Our nation and society are on the verge of national insanity and complete moral breakdown. Professing "Christians" have bought into Humanistic, Socialistic, Liberal teaching and bowed before the gods of Statism, Materialism, Naturalism for so long that the Western Christianity is nothing more than paganism. This is not an accident. This has been the developing plan of Darkness for over a century.

We have watched as wicked oppression has tightened around the throats of Christians around the world. Now we may be are on the verge of Satan's last big push to envelope the USA in damning deception.

We hope and pray for the young and clueless who are strangers to God (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), His word, His salvation, His Church. This may be the final generation of Christian influence in our land, either because Jesus catches us away in the rapture or because America has rejected God for the last time.

In any case, Christians need to know what God says and expects from His children during these extreme days ahead. It is not a surprise that Americans are lost and hardening their hearts. Now is the acceptable time and today is the day of salvation.

Among the many great truths that "Christians" have resisted and rejected over the years is the glorious truth of following Christ, the Prince of Peace, in becoming "peacemakers" and willing martyrs for the glory of God. It is time to learn what God says, and do what God commands, concerning our relationship with the enemies of morality, salvation, freedom and Christ Himself. Very few western Christians have been taught the New Testament view of Christian non-violence (not to be confused with pacifism). If you want to be a victorious and Christlike Christian in the insane and vicious days ahead, then it is essential to come back to a Biblical understanding of faith, love and Christ-likeness.

Here is an article I shared just a month ago, but changes (social, political, religious, academic, economic) are happening so quickly that we better make major changes in our Biblical knowledge and our life of grace. I am re-posting my article for those who see the signs of the times and want to respond in a Biblical fashion. Take the couple of minutes to read this article. I hope it causes folks to seek God's will concerning true Christian warfare.

BEING CHRISTIAN IN A VIOLENT WORLD.

01/15/21 BEING BIBLICAL IN A VIOLENT WORLD

THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING BIBLICAL POINTS.

The New Testament view of Christian response to violence as a peacemaker is little known, seldom understood, widely rejected.

God ordained human government, to protect the righteous, punish wicked.

God entrusts societal and national law and order into the hands of legitimate law enforcement and military.

God commands Christians to pay taxes for legitimate law enforcement and military.

God directs Christ followers to be personally non-violent, peacemakers.

The State is obliged to wield the sword of steel in worldly government, to ensure law and order and national safety.

The Church is obliged to wield the Sword of the Spirit in spiritual warfare.

The State must take life, sometimes.

The Church (Christians) must not take life, but rather spend our lives in proclaiming salvation and be willing to give up own lives.

God uses the nations of the world and their swords of steel to accomplish His will in an unredeemed world.

God uses His people (the Church) and the Sword of the Spirit to wage spiritual warfare for the souls of the unredeemed.

There is not one place in the New Testament that Christians are COMMANDED to take up arms against an enemy.

There is not one place in the New Testament that a Christian is COMMENDED for taking up arms against an enemy.

There is not one place in the New Testament that a Christian is EXCUSED for taking up arms against an enemy.

There is not one place in the New Testament that a Christian is ALLOWED to take up arms against an enemy.

The New Testament does COMMAND Christians to NOT TAKE UP ARMS against an enemy.

The New Testament does CONDEMN Christians taking up arms against an enemy.

The New Testament does INSTRUCT Christians to love, feed, care for, pray for, and do good to an enemy.

The New Testament does DIRECT Christians to suffer persecution, imprisonment, injury and even death without hating or retaliating against an enemy.

Other than Peter pulling a sword against Malchus (for which he was reproved by Christ) there is no New Testament evidence of Christians taking up arms against an enemy.

There are passages in the New Testament where believers were persecuted, mistreated and even killed by an enemy, YET THE BELIEVERS NEVER REACTED IN VIOLENCE.

My argument is concerned with Christian faith and practice during this present age of grace and New Testament revelation.

Though the book of Revelation was given during the early days of the New Testament, the prophecies are addressing a period of time after the Church Age, or the Age of Grace or The Dispensation of Grace or The Dispensation of the The Church.

The Church Age (from the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 until the Rapture of the Church) is not to be confused with the Tribulation period or the Millennial Reign of Christ. The directives to the Church in this period of time refrain Christians from taking up arms against our enemies.

by Pastor David L. Gould

02/19/21 THE CHURCH...

02/19/21 THE CHURCH...

THE CHURCH...
an article I wrote and posted in 2010

In this article, from several years ago, I expressed my view of the CHURCH throughout my ministry. As we have passed through Philadelphia and as we are crossing into Laodicea, the reality of these truths becomes even more vital to personal salvation.

THE CHURCH IS GOD'S PLAN TO REACH THE WORLD.
THERE IS NO CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT THE CHURCH.

A. THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE CHURCH
THE CHURCH is the most powerful, important wonderful body of people in the world.
The Church is only mentioned two times in the four Gospels of the New Testament. Jesus said He would build His Church on the fact that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and then said that when there is dissension between followers of Christ, they should eventually bring the problem to the Church. But notice, when He said that He would build His Church, He said, “...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The Church is magnificent because it is His Church and it is built upon Christ and it is will prevail against the gates (the power, wisdom, resources) of hell.

B. THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH
THE CHURCH was God's idea from before the foundation of the world, though it was not known for four thousand years.
Basically, the Church is a BODY of people who have a saving faith in Jesus Christ and follow the teachings of the Holy Bible.
The body is universal, regional and local. In the Old Testament the people of God were distinguished by being part of the Jewish faith, practicing Jewish religious ritual, but God had always planned to include people of all racial backgrounds in a saving relationship with Himself.
This plan is called The Church. The Church is not obligated to observe Jewish laws of sacrifice, diet or ceremony. The Church is comprised of people who trust in the sacrificial death and physical resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ, as the only acceptable way to find God's approval. However, this plan did not become evident until after Jesus Christ came into the world.
(I emphasize portions in this comment by using all caps, since I could not bold face in earlier formats).
Ephesians 3:3-9
(3) HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words,
(4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
(5) WHICH IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AS IT IS NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BY THE SPIRIT;
(6) THAT THE GENTILES SHOULD BE FELLOW HEIRS, AND OF THE SAME BODY, AND PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL:
(7) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
(8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
(9) AND TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST:
THE CHURCH was a MYSTERY (a secret) in the Old Testament, revealed to Paul in the New Testament. A Biblical Mystery is a secret that can only be discovered, understood, when God explains it or reveals it. The Church has been God's plan from the beginning, but was kept hidden from the human history until the coming of Christ and the teaching of Paul the apostle.

C. THE MASTER OF THE CHURCH
Remember, when Peter identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus said,
Matthew 16:17-18
(17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
(18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1. THE CHURCH belongs to Jesus
The Bible says Jesus is the Head of the Church.
Ephesians 1:22-23
(22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
(23) Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 5:23
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
Colossians 1:18-19
(18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
(19) For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; 

2. Jesus Died for THE CHURCH
Ephesians 5:23
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: AND HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY.
Ephesians 5:25-27
(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT;
(26) THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE IT with the washing of water by the word,
(27) THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, OR ANY SUCH THING; BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH.
Jesus is the only Head of THE CHURCH, on earth and in heaven. In fact, the Biblical models of the Church recognize the Authority of Jesus over the Church.

D. THE MODELS OF THE CHURCH
1. THE CHURCH is the BODY OF CHRIST
Ephesians 5:23
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: AND HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY.
1 Corinthians 12:27
(27) NOW YE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular.
Ephesians 4:12
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST:
Colossians 1:24
(24) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the AFFLICTIONS OF CHRIST IN MY FLESH FOR HIS BODY'S SAKE, WHICH IS THE CHURCH:

2. THE CHURCH is the BRIDE OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 11:3
(3) But I would have you know, that THE HEAD OF EVERY MAN IS CHRIST; AND THE HEAD OF THE WOMAN IS THE MAN; and the head of Christ is God.
2 Corinthians 11:2
(2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: FOR I HAVE ESPOUSED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, THAT I MAY PRESENT YOU AS A CHASTE VIRGIN TO CHRIST.
Ephesians 5:23
(23) FOR THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF THE WIFE, EVEN AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: and he is the savior of the body.

3. THE CHURCH is the BUILDING OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 3:9
(9) For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, YE ARE GOD'S BUILDING.
Ephesians 2:20-22
(20) AND ARE BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE;
(21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:
(22) In whom YE ALSO ARE BUILDED TOGETHER FOR A HABITATION OF GOD THROUGH THE SPIRIT.

4. THE CHURCH is the ARMY, THE SOLDIERS OF CHRIST
Philippians 2:25
(25) Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, AND FELLOW SOLDIER, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
(3) Thou therefore endure hardness, AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.
(4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may PLEASE HIM WHO HATH CHOSEN HIM TO BE A SOLDIER.
Philemon 1:2
(2) And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus OUR FELLOW SOLDIER, and to the church in thy house:

5. THE CHURCH is the HOUSEHOLD, FAMILY OF CHRIST
Galatians 6:10
(10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.
Ephesians 2:19
(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD;
Ephesians 3:15
(15) Of whom THE WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IS NAMED,

6. THE CHURCH is the PILLAR AND GROUND (SUPPORT) OF THE TRUTH
1 Timothy 3:15
(15) But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH IS THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH.

E. THE MINISTRIES AND MINSTERS OF THE CHURCH
1. The GIFTS of the Spirit are given to and for THE CHURCH
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
(27) Now ye are THE BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular.
(28) And GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, first APOSTLES, secondarily PROPHETS, thirdly TEACHERS, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
(29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
(30) Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
(31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
All of 1 Corinthians 14.
Ephesians 4:11-12
(11) AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST:
Ephesians 4:15-16
(15) But speaking the truth in love, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS, which is the head, even Christ:
(16) From whom THE WHOLE BODY FITLY JOINED TOGETHER and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh INCREASE OF THE BODY UNTO THE EDIFYING OF ITSELF IN LOVE.

2. THE CHURCH sent the APOSTLES TO PLANT CHURCHES
(The apostles not only made converts, they established fellowships, churches, and appointed elders for those churches).
Acts 13:1-3
(1) Now there were IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
(2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, THE HOLY GHOST SAID, SEPARATE ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK WHEREUNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM.
(3) AND WHEN THEY HAD FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT THEM AWAY.
Those converted to Christ became THE CHURCH
Acts 2:47
(47) Praising God, and having favor with all the people. AND THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY SUCH AS SHOULD BE SAVED.

3. The Origin of THE CHURCH at Antioch
Acts 11:19-26
(19) Now THEY WHICH WERE SCATTERED ABROAD upon the persecution that arose about Stephen TRAVELED as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, PREACHING THE WORD to none but unto the Jews only.
(20) AND SOME OF THEM were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, WHEN THEY WERE COME TO ANTIOCH, spake unto the Grecians, PREACHING THE LORD JESUS.
(21) And the hand of the Lord was with them: and A GREAT NUMBER BELIEVED, AND TURNED UNTO THE LORD.
(22) THEN TIDINGS OF THESE THINGS CAME UNTO THE EARS OF THE CHURCH WHICH WAS IN JERUSALEM: AND THEY SENT FORTH BARNABAS, THAT HE SHOULD GO AS FAR AS ANTIOCH.
(23) Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
(24) FOR HE WAS A GOOD MAN, AND FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND OF FAITH: AND MUCH PEOPLE WAS ADDED UNTO THE LORD.
(25) Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
(26) AND WHEN HE HAD FOUND HIM, HE BROUGHT HIM UNTO ANTIOCH. AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT A WHOLE YEAR THEY ASSEMBLED THEMSELVES WITH THE CHURCH, AND TAUGHT MUCH PEOPLE. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

4. Converts, CHURCHES and CHURCH Elders
Acts 13:48; 14:1, 4, 22-23, 27; 15:3, 22-23, 36, 41;16:5; 18:22; 20:17, 28; 21:18

5. God gave Officers and Offices to THE CHURCH
Elders, Deacons, Shepherds, Bishops, Presbyters,

F. The MESSAGE of THE CHURCH
1. CHURCH EPISTLES...
God gave His instructions and revelation to specific CHURCHES.
Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
2. CHURCH PASTORS...
God gave His instructions and revelation to Pastors of local CHURCHES.
Timothy and Titus.
3. SCATTERED CHURCHES...
God gave His instructions and revelation to the CHURCH in various regions or scattered abroad.
Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter.
4. HOUSE CHURCHES...
God gave His instructions and revelation to CHURCHES meeting in homes.
1 and 2 and 3 John.
5. SEVEN CHURCHES...
The Book of Revelation was sent to seven specific LOCAL CHURCHES.

II. NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHMANSHIP...
Acts 2:42-47
(42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
(44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
(45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
(46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
(47) Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
A church is not successful because it is big or because it is small. A church is successful because it is Faithful.
This passage gives us profile of a healthy church.
The church is made up of the saved people (going back to vs. 41).
The church is made up of the committed people; People of One Mind, Single Eye, Self Denial (vs. 42).
The church is made up of Biblically trained people; dedicated to know the teaching of the Apostles (vs. 42).
The church is made up of people in fellowship (2 men in a ship), communion, partnership (vs. 42).
The church is made up of people who eat together, whether rich or poor (vs. 42).
The church is made up of people who seek God in prayer (vs. 42, 46).
The church is made up of people who unselfishly bear each others burdens, producing enough for themselves and others (vs. 44, 45).
The church is made up of people who praise God privately and corporately (vs. 47).
The church grows because God gives the increase. It is not programs or gimmicks or formulas, but God Who causes real growth in the church (vs. 47).
A church without the characteristics in verses 42-46 may have numbers but they do not have God's growth.

A church that has these characteristics is growing in grace and knowledge, even if they are not having all of the numerical growth they would like to have.

02/19/21 CHRISTIANS LIVE IN NEW TESTAMENT REVELATION

02/19/21 CHRISTIANS LIVE IN NEW TESTAMENT REVELATION

When Divine directives differ between Old and New Testaments, Christians follow New Testament. Remember, the Old Testament is the SHADOW (foreshadowing) of God's redemptive plan and the New Testament is the SUBSTANCE (fulfilling) of God's redemptive plan. As someone said, the New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed.

In the Old Testament God reveals...
His nature and work;
His creation (the universe, the world and mankind);
Adam's nature, sin and fall;
Mankind's origin, corruption, rebellion;
God's plan of salvation, promise of His Son;
Foundation for salvation (through a nation, a tribe, a family and a Man);
God's laws for Israel (sacrificial, civil, dietary, priestly, celebratory and governmental).
God's designation and instructions for His earthly kingdom (Israel)

In the New Testament God clearly reveals...
His plan of salvation;
His Son (nature and redemptive work);
His Holy Spirit (nature and work);
His Church (origin, nature, purpose, instructions).

There is much more. But with this in mind, we see that God gave civil and governmental laws for Israel as a kingdom in the Old Testament, but He gave different directives in the New Testament for civil and governmental actions.

Jesus is not establishing a kingdom of this world (though His kingdom rule is in this world). His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and Christians are ruled by spiritual realities, we fight a spiritual (not a fleshly) fight.
In the Old Testament God instructed Israel to fight God's enemies and defend God's kingdom through physical warfare.
In the New Testament God instructs the Church to love our enemies and do good to them; to give our lives rather than to take the lives of our enemies.

Many who call themselves Christians have actually adopted the Roman Catholic view and the Reformed view of the Church living by Old Testament, Levitical, kingdom laws, but God calls, directs and enables Christians to live by the Law of Love, the Royal Law, the Law of Liberty.
Remember,
John 1:14-17 (vss. 14-16 is foundation of vs. 17)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The New Testament makes it clear that Christians are not violent or vindictive. Our beliefs concerning Christians and violence must be based on New Testament revelation, rather than Old Testament laws since we are part of God's Church (the Body, Bride, Building of God). Christians, the children of God, are "peacemakers." Don't confuse Biblical peacemaking, non-violence with popular "pacifism," since they are not the same.

If you do not know the New Testament argument for Christian non-violence, peacemaking, then you need to learn it and live it.