08/31/21FEAR NOT THEIR INTIMIDATION

08/31/21FEAR NOT THEIR INTIMIDATION

A directive, command or "law" from a kingdom, leader, nation or state is never legitimate or binding if it contradicts God's rule in our lives.

This means that no one is obligated to obey any law that usurps the rule of God, whether citizen, judge or law enforcement.

No one should impose godless rule.
No one should yield to godless rule.
No one should enforce godless rule.

It may require great faith, courage and sacrifice to remain faithful to God, but that is part of being a Christian.

Remember,
Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

08/31/21 IT IS A TERRIBLE THING TO HELPLESSLY WATCH THE TRAIN WRECK DEVELOP

Tears well up for what should have been, could have been, would have been, if Jesus had been trusted, loved, followed.

I sit, broken-heartedly, lovingly praying for the loved ones who are "living" an independent, separated, clueless existence of futility without Jesus.

Life is a vapor, a moment, a blink of the eye. Treasures, talents, travels only fill our hungry hearts with momentary diversion, which numbs us until death's grasp drags the Christ-less into eternal hopelessness.

The train of eternal loss and misery rumbles down the tracks of life, determined to take precious loved one away from us and God forever.

A momentary change of mind would cancel the ticket to eternity without hope. A recognition and acceptance of the true and living God would transfer the sinner to a destination of joy unspeakable and full of glory.

08/30/21 RECHECK YOUR SOURCE

08/30/21 RECHECK YOUR SOURCE

OK, I know that God appointed the State (not The Church) to protect moral, law keepers and punish law breakers and enemies of national peace and order.

The Roman Catholic Religion, through its premier doctrinal authority, Augustine, turned the Roman religion away from Christ and the New Testament revelation of Christian non-violence (not to be confused with Humanistic "Pacifism."

Roman Religion rejection of Biblical non-violence passed on to Reformed groups and writers (such as John Calvin) and other "Orthodox" religious group (such as The Church Of England), the un-Biblical, "Just War Theory."

Though this human invention is accepted throughout Christendom, it is not Gods view of Christian involvement in war.

With this being said, it is even more ridiculous for Christians to trust anyone, whether religious or political to reinterpret Biblical truth or set Christian principles of behavior for the followers of Christ.

No one, absolutely no one has the right to order or direct a Christian to take another human life. How much more absurd for Christians to either give their own lives, or take the lives of other people, at the command of people who are not aligned with God or His word. This is especially true when the political leader refuses to use his/her position to protect their own people (Americans).

08/30/21 AND THEY DON'T SEE THE CONTRADICTION

08/30/21 AND THEY DON'T SEE THE CONTRADICTION

Ya ever notice; some folks who claim to believe what the Bible says, attack other folks for believing and saying exactly what Bible says?

08/28/21 A MAJOR COMPONENT FOR CHRISTIAN SUCCESS

08/28/21 A MAJOR COMPONENT FOR CHRISTIAN SUCCESS

D'ya wanna know why it is important to hang around people who live life on the edge, while living in the middle of God's will?

I'll tell you why.

If you want to be a fisherman, a good fisherman, then hang around fishermen; hang around boats; hang around the dock; hang around where they eat; hang around the tackle shop.

Listen to them when they talk about their good time; their bad times; their successes; their failures; their favorite stories; their greatest challenges; their worst experiences; their most profitable trips; their most dangerous trips. Listen carefully.

LIKEWISE, as a Christian, if you want to know about victorious living; about living by faith; about living in the Spirit, then you need to be where victorious Christians spend their time.

You need to be in Sunday Morning Bible Class, where seasoned saints tell the stories of God's leading, teaching, empowering.

You need to be in Worship Services (AM and PM), where God's instruction and God's history of redemption, deliverance, faithfulness are proclaimed in preaching, teaching, reading, testimony, music, confession.

You need to be in Midweek Service, where exhortation, edification, supplication, intercession is offered by pastor and parishioners.

You need to be present for other meetings of the saints, where eternal issues are the focal point, where God is recognized for His promises, powers and presence in the lives of His children.

The gathering of believes is not the time to focus on sports, politics, finances, vocations, entertainment, hobbies. Some of these subjects do enter into Christian living, but Christ is the focal point of Christian gatherings, whether in a dedicated location or in the highway and byways of life.

Remember, where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst.

God clearly tells us to pursue close fellowship in these difficult times.
Hebrews 10:24-25
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.

08/28/21 BIBLICAL ORDER

08/28/21 BIBLICAL ORDER

The Biblical order of a godly family.
Husbands obedient to God.
Wives obedient to husbands.
Children obedient to parents.

God has a prescribed order for human relationships and it begins wing family order.
Of course everyone needs to be obedient to God.

HUSBAND AND FATHER
When a man, a husband is obedient to God, he will love his wife, as Christ loved the Church and will be kind, considerate, merciful, gracious to his wife and children. He will also be the channel through which he communicates God's will to the family.

Ephesians 5:22-33
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
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.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Ephesians 6:4
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

If a man, husband, father gives leadership that is contrary to the Biblically revealed with of God, then it is not binding upon anyone to obey follow that directive.

No one has the authority to require lying, stealing, cheating, physical violence, whether is a husband, father, employer, the government. We are all expected to obey God rather than men when the rule of man conflicts with the revealed rule of God.

The Christian husband, the Christian father must be humble, compassionate, wise, tenderhearted, conciliatory, condescending and understanding.
He does not have the authority to cancel out God's rule, but he must show the love of God to his wife and children.
He must not lord it over his wife and he cannot physically force her to submit.
The relationship and order of authority is based on love and truth.

The husband and father should not treat the wife and children crudely or indignantly. While the husband, father is the head of the household, he is also to exemplify the Headship and Authority of Christ.

There is no promise that a loving, kind, wise husband or father will have a wife or children who respond to that treatment in a positive way.
REMEMBER, GOD TREATED ADAM AND EVE PERFECTLY, AND THEY REJECTED GOD.

WIFE AND MOTHER
Wives, mothers should also live in the power and grace of God's leading
A wife should be subject to her husband, but should not compromise her faithfulness to God.
God is the source of order and He is not the creator of chaos.
Families need to have order and God designed the family order.

As the Bible says a man ought to love his wife as Christ loved the Church, so too, the Bible says that a woman ought to obey her husband as the Church obeys Christ.

Peter also addressed this principle:
1 Peter 3:6-7
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Nothing more and nothing less is meant, when the wife is referred to as the weaker vessel, than the fact of natural endowments. This does not lessen her capacity for God or morality or intellect. However, God designed us with limitations and strengths and this is true concerning the differences between male and female. The differences do not make one gender better or more noble than the other. The wife does not lose her responsibility to obey and follow God.on essential, moral, Biblical revelation.

The wife is a help meet to Adam. They are partners. The wife is not the slave of the husband. In fact, she has the authority, with him, over the children.

CHILDREN AND PARENTS
The Bible shows us the place of children in the family.

Exodus 20:12
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Matthew 15:4
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Ephesians 6:1-2
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

The order of human family relationships are demonstrated in Divine relationships. God is a loving, tender but ruling Father to His children. Jesus is a loving, tender but ruling husband to the Church..
Paul sums up the family order again.

Colossians 3:17-21
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
God's plan is perfect; human example is flawed. Don't blame God for Human failure.

08/27/21 WOW, WOW, WOW

08/27/21 WOW, WOW, WOW

God just sent another miraculous answer to a special need in our service to Him. God is good, all the time.

08/27/21 ACCEPTING THE CALL OF GOD TO ACTION

08/27/21 ACCEPTING THE CALL OF GOD TO ACTION

It is the shepherd's job to lead, feed, shear, protect the sheep.
It is his job and yours to be obedient to God's leading.

08/27/21 GOD IS CALLING HIS PEOPLE TO ACTION... NOW

08/27/21 GOD IS CALLING HIS PEOPLE TO ACTION... NOW

God's word clearly says that Government's responsibility is protecting the righteous (the lawful, the just) and punishing the evil. This includes bearing the sword (implement of law enforcement and war). The Bible says that the people (lawful and just) rejoice when the ruler does his job. In this instance, the Government is God's appointed servant for a very specific task.

The Bible clearly says that the Church's (God's body of believers) responsibility is to proclaim the Good News of Salvation to the unsaved, make disciples and equip, train and perfect believers. Christians are new creations and we are part of the kingdom of God, here and now. We bear the Sword of the Spirit (the word of God) as we engage the enemy of Christ. The Bible clearly says that our enemy is not flesh and blood (other humans), that our weapons are not carnal (fleshly), that we do good to those who abuse and persecute us, that we do not use violence against other people.

I have always taken my duties as a Christian and as a pastor to be more personal and urgent than any order that any government could hand down to any citizen. I have taken spiritual warfare seriously. I see the local church as God's warriors under order to organize, prepare, equip and deploy in the war against darkness. It does not appear that this has been a popular position, seeing the condition of the American Church and the state of the State.

Taking God's directives seriously has led me and my congregation into strange situations and ministries. It has always been an adventure for the totally dedicated believer in our local church.

Today presents the American Church with extraordinary challenges and opportunities. We are at war with darkness. Sadly, there are few who have come under the Lordship of Christ and therefore God's army is depleted, undisciplined, untrained, unequipped and unready to be deployed as soldiers of light.

The Church in America is at "crunch time." There is no more time for delay. We have already lost millions of our children because churches played Pattycake instead of attacking the Gates of Hell and scattering the darkness of evil in society, education, politics. It appears, from the signs of the times and the Biblical narrative that our opportunity to reach our society is shutting down quickly and the time of American persecution of Christians is about to be unleashed as never before. I hope not, but to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

As the song says,
Rise Up O Men Of God.

And as the Bible says,
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.
REDEEM THE TIME, FOR THE DAYS ARE EVIL.
... AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.

08/26/21 A MINISTRY OF DREAMS AND THEMES

08/26/21 A MINISTRY OF DREAMS AND THEMES

When I was pastor in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, my ministry theme was, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, and also, What Would You Do For Jesus, If You Knew You Couldn't Fail. (Not original phrases with me)

The ministry theme for our church (The Church on Higher Ground) in the mountains of Tennessee was. UPWARD AND ONWARD.

Our theme when we moved to the coast was (and is) Launch Out and Hold Fast.

I feel justified in linking these themes together, as I look at our future.

You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet; What Would You Do For Jesus, If You Knew You Couldn't Fail, as we move Upward and Onward, therefore, Launch Out and Hold Fast.

08/26/21 I REALLY ENCOURAGE THAT EVERYONE READ THIS, NOW, AND HEED THE CALL

08/26/21 I REALLY ENCOURAGE THAT EVERYONE READ THIS, NOW, AND HEED THE CALL

CRISES TIME IS CRUNCH TIME
(whether personal, familial, national or local church).

Sometimes opportunities present themselves, which must be acted on immediately or the opportunity will pass.
Sometimes immediate action must be taken or there will be no need to take action.

This can be financial, vocational, medical, educational, relational or spiritual.

At times like these, it is natural for individuals to take extreme steps to protect and provide for themselves and their loved ones.

WE ALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES. But sometimes the corporate needs overshadows (at least for the moment) the personal and family needs.

Sometimes the door of escape from danger is about to close, and we must take emergency steps or lose opportunities forever.
Sometimes we must put our own agenda aside for a period of time, in order to accomplish a greater and more pressing good.

Some folks will not be able to relate to what I am saying. They don't have any high priority commitments to anything but self and immediate family. They are willing to give, provided it does not requires sacrificial giving of money, time, energy, skill, which they want to spend on personal projects.

Sometimes personal, family projects which are of high priority need to be set aside for a greater need.

A legitimate vision for God's work sometimes diverts our energy and resources for a period of time. There are times when local church needs should supersede our own plans.

Realize this, sometimes God gives a window of opportunity, which will not remain open very long. Christians, American Christians, need to be committed to the plan of God, even when it interrupts personal plans. Especially now and in the future.

There are people who make great sacrifices for the work of God, but when it comes to launching God's plan, there are seldom enough people totally committed to the project.

As we watch our society collapse before our very eyes, we need to be part of a local church that is of one mind; a local church with leadership that has caught God's vision; a local church that is taking dramatic and drastic steps to be all God wants it to be. And folks need to see the local church as God's fighting force, which actually has the right to call you to sacrificial service. But don't wait to be called. If you are a Christian, you are already enlisted. Now you need to be so committed that you eagerly volunteer for active duty on the front lines. We are God's army, and our warfare is real and demanding

Trust me, there will soon be a time that you will not be needed because the opportunity will be past and the mission will be scrubbed because folks were building their own kingdoms while the gates of hell were taking new ground.

08/26/21 SALVATION COMES BY FAITH

08/26/21 SALVATION COMES BY FAITH

The Christian says to the unsaved person:
"Believe that Jesus died and rose physically from the dead to forgive you and save you from your sins, and you shall be saved."

The unsaved rejects this message.

The Christian shakes his/her head in disappointment.

LIKEWISE...
The Entirely Sanctified believer tells the Carnal believer that Jesus died and rose again physically to PURIFY BELIEVERS and to infill believers with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, if the believer will trust and ask Christ for purifying grace.

The Carnal Christian often rejects this message.

The Entirely Sanctified believer shakes his/her head in disappointment.

TAKE NOTE. The Bible clearly teaches that there is such a reality, such an experience as Entire Sanctification for believers, the Purifying Infilling of the Holy Spirit. There is such a reality as Carnal Christians and Purified Christians. Many sinners deny that there is Justification and many believers deny that there is Entire Sanctification.

Disbelief is the outcome of false teaching and personal rejection of Biblical witness.

Every saved person had to trust Christ for salvation and every Spirit filled believer had to trust Christ for heart purification.

08/26/21 TRUE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

08/26/21 TRUE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

All Christ followers are true freedom fighters.

The freedom we fight for is freedom from sin and spiritual bondage.
The war we wage is not with flesh and blood, but with powerful spiritual beings.
Our weapons are not carnal, earthly, but spiritual and Divine.
Our kingdom is not temporal or worldly, but heavenly and eternal.
Our King is not weak, vacillating, corrupt, but all powerful, unchanging, holy.

08/25/21 LEADERSHIP MATTERS

08/25/21 LEADERSHIP MATTERS

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

This is to be understood, "When the lawful, just person leads the people." We are not likely to see a spiritually righteous person as national leader, until Jesus returns, but there are those who are more committed to lead by observing civil and national law than other people.'

Remember, God's directive for national leadership and service is, PROTECT THE RIGHTEOUS AND PUNISH THE WICKED. Any leadership that does not protect the lawful in the community and does not punish the lawless in the community is a cause of grief to that society.

We are having the misfortune of seeing a national leadership that is causing the entire world more grief than we have seen in our lifetime because he (it as a group) has rejected lawful order, justice

Another point to consider is the fact that this passage is more appropriate and applicable to a society that is aware of and submissive to law and order, to justice. The less a society is committed to lawfulness and justice, the less they want to have leadership, which meets the Biblical standard for leadership.

God's word bears witness to the historical reality of this principle and promises the future fulfillment of this principle when Jesus returns to rule and reign.

Spiritually, those who believe in and follow Jesus already know what it is like to be in the kingdom of God, though we are living in a present evil world.

John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:32-33
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 14:17
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 1:3-4
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Philippians 4:6-9
6 Be careful for nothing (don't be anxious); 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.

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.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

08/25/21 WHAT DRIVES ME?

08/25/21 WHAT DRIVES ME?

Why do I bear down so hard, cry so loudly, repeat myself so often?

Because some have rejected for so long, some have drifted so far, some are going to miss heaven forever.

08/24/21 LOVE GOD, LOVE ONE ANOTHER

08/24/21 LOVE GOD, LOVE ONE ANOTHER

This is the first time I think I ever heard this song. It is a beautiful song, beautifully done, but the real beauty is in the message. Please read the lyrics. Realize that we can't love God if we don't love each other. Loving others is not simply tolerating them or putting on a smiley face. My guess is that those who are the most choosy about the people they love, are the least lovely down inside.

We cannot keep ourselves in the love of God (as God commands us) if we do not love others. When the Holy Spirit tells you that you don't love others the way you should, don't make excuses or arguments, don't hide or ignore, don't harden your heart and move away from God.

Proverbs 29:1
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Bow before God, confess your sin, cry out for mercy. Don't quit until your heart is completely purified and filled with perfect love. The next time you gather with believers, it should be a love feast.

LOVING GOD, LOVING EACH OTHER
by Bill and Gloria Gaither
Lyrics

Loving God, loving each other
Making music with my friends
Loving God, loving each other
And the story never ends

They pushed back from the table
To listen to His words
His secret plan before He had to go
It's not complicated
Don't need a lot of rules
This is all you'll need to know

Loving God, loving each other
Making music with my friends
Loving God, loving each other
And the story never ends

We tend to make it harder
Build steeples out of stone
Fill books with explanations of The Way
But if we'd stop and listen
And break a little bread
We would hear the Master say

Loving God, loving each other
Making music with my friends
Loving God, loving each other
And the story never ends

Loving God, loving each other
Making music with my friends
Loving God, loving each other
And the story never ends
And the story never ends
Oh the story never ends

08/24/21 IF YOU WANT SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

08/24/21 IF YOU WANT SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

I found this in my notes from the beginning of August.

Spiritual discernment must come through:
Spiritual surrender to God,
Submission to Biblical leadership,
Single mindedness with God and fellow believers.

 

08/24/21 IF YOU WANT SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

08/24/21 IF YOU WANT SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

I found this in my notes from the beginning of August.

Spiritual discernment must come through:
Spiritual surrender to God,
Submission to Biblical leadership,
Single mindedness with God and fellow believers.

08/24/21 MY MINISTRY IS TO TEACH GOD'S TRUTH

08/24/21 MY MINISTRY IS TO TEACH GOD'S TRUTH

Most "church goers" are bereft of BIBLICAL TRUTH concerning Soteriology, Eschatology, Ecclesiology, Christology, Pneumatology, Hamartiology, Anthropology, Theology, Psychology and the History of God's relationship to man, yet they see themselves as Bible believers. If you don't know what God says about these subjects, you can't be a strong Bible believer.

No wonder Paganism, Humanism, Cultism, Liberalism, Statism, Hedonism have enslaved, blinded, corrupted the American Church.

It is my responsibility as a pastor to teach God's truth and train God's people in righteousness.

Paul wrote, concerning the CHURCH,
Colossians 1:25-29
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

08/24/21 WOE IS UNTO ME, IF I PREACH NOT... BECAUSE I AM DEBTOR TO ALL MEN

08/24/21 WOE IS UNTO ME, IF I PREACH NOT... BECAUSE I AM DEBTOR TO ALL MEN

As a preacher, I can say with Paul, "Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel of Christ." (If I do not declare the good news). Though it could be because of a resistant heart, instead this is not said in fear of God for failing to obey a command of God, but rather, I must preach the gospel because I embrace the call of God to preach. Preaching is part of who I am. Preaching is as essential to my being as breathing. As with King David and Jeremiah, I must speak, I have to speak; God's word burns within me and I cannot keep it to myself.

1 Corinthians 9:16
16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.

Every Christian should have a, "Woe is unto me..." reality in his/her life. Whatever the issue is, it is connected to the broadcasting (proclaiming) of God's good news.

There are believers who sense the need, the desire to serve God in their giving, their ministry to others, their abilities, their skills, their gifts, their talents. It isn't because they have an over abundance of energy or money or time or opportunity, but because they realize that God has given them something to be passed on, to be communicated to others and they cannot be at peace until they fulfill their God given mission.

Yes, your mission is also to share the gospel. The Bible says we are debtors to others, and because God has given us something to give to others, we are indebted until we pay that debt.

Romans 1:14-15
14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.

Sometimes the burden upon us, the drive within us is intricately related to others, even the entire local church to which we belong.
Sometimes the mission is bigger than an individual or a select few individuals.
Sometimes the mission employs the commitment, the sacrifice, the attention, the action of an entire local church.

Believers should be part of a local church with a great vision, a great mission from God.
Believers should share the great vision, the great mission of their local church.
Believers should engage in the great vision, the great mission of their local church.

The concerted cry of a local church should be, "Woe is unto me, if I don't spend myself in the good news effort of my local church."

Why do I emphasize the importance of the local church?
Because the local church is God's idea, God's plan, God's appointed system.
If we separate ourselves from God's people in the local church, we are usurping the plan, purpose and power of God.
If we choose a Lone Wolf Christianity, we are subverting the will of God.

08/23/21 NIP IT AND KEEP IT NIPPED

08/23/21 NIP IT AND KEEP IT NIPPED

We must PUT OFF the CARNAL MIND in a single act of faith.
We must GUARD OUR MIND moment by moment through a life of faith.

 

08/23/21 GET THE POWER NOT JUST THE FORM

08/23/21 GET THE POWER NOT JUST THE FORM

Regardless of how wealthy, healthy, successful, moral, kind you are; without faith (trusting and following Jesus), you're lost.

08/23/21 PURITY IS SUDDEN, MATURITY IS INCREMENTAL

08/23/21 PURITY IS SUDDEN, MATURITY IS INCREMENTAL

You won't grow into heart purity or perfect love.
It is an instantaneous, crisis, work of grace, received by faith.

08/23/21 BEWARE THOSE WHO CONTRADICT THE BIBLE

08/23/21 BEWARE THOSE WHO CONTRADICT THE BIBLE

Do not be led to erroneously believe that Christ does not save believers from sinning and a sinful nature.

08/23/21 DON'T SWALLOW THE LIE

08/23/21 DON'T SWALLOW THE LIE

Claiming Jesus saves us from sinning and from sin nature does not indicate a limited view of sin, but a Biblical view of Christ.

08/22/21 KNOWING THE PLAYERS

08/22/21 KNOWING THE PLAYERS

Two groups of people:

The saved (saints).

The unsaved (sinners).

Two kinds of believers:

The Carnal Christian (saved but battling the sinful nature).

The Entirely Sanctified Christian (filled, purified and empowered with the Holy Spirit.

Three levels of unsaved:

Morality seeker, the sinner with a form of godliness, while resisting and rejecting the God of salvation.

Openly defiant rejecter of God, the Bible, Christian values.

Scorner, Mocker of God, the Bible, Christian values.



(I may come back to give passages for these points, but you should know these yourself and you should be able to find those passages. If you need help before I get back, please let me know.)

08/22/21 NOT TRYING BUT TRUSTING

08/22/21 NOT TRYING BUT TRUSTING

Obeying God is a surrender of the will more than an act of the will.

"Thy will be done," is the believer's prayer and declaration.

08/22/21 A FORM OF GODLINESS IS NOT GODLINESS

08/22/21 A FORM OF GODLINESS IS NOT GODLINESS

Pretenders, Hypocrites try and sometimes counterfeit, but saved people trust and obey, then God does the impossible within them.

08/22/21 DON'T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN GOD'S BEST

08/22/21 DON'T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN GOD'S BEST

Because of Common Grace, a person can stop smoking, boozing, drugging, stealing, murdering, hatefulness, deceitfulness, divisiveness, self promotion, self aggrandizement and many other destructive and devilish behaviors.
(Common Grace is the Divine gift given to the unsaved world, which basically keeps all sinners from being total monsters).

But a transformed, holy heart and life is only possible by God's omnipotent, all merciful Saving Grace.

(With this thought in mind, please read this entire chapter, as one thought from God.)
2 Timothy 3
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.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
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.

08/22/21 CARRY, CONCEAL, CONQUER

08/22/21 CARRY, CONCEAL, CONQUER

Warriors of God carry, conceal and conquer.

Ephesians 6:17
17 And take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Psalms 119:11
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

08/21/21 ACKNOWLEDGE, CONFESS AND LIVE GOD'S TRUTH

08/21/21 ACKNOWLEDGE, CONFESS AND LIVE GOD'S TRUTH

I know that i say, write and explain life changing Bible truths that some people have never heard and may never hear from another preacher.

I am not referring to "Bible Trivia," type truths. I am referring to essential truths concerning victorious living, New Testament view of Christian non-violence, Biblical view of obedience to God rather than men, salvation from sin and sinning, deliverance from widely held false beliefs.

Maybe some folks have seen and accepted some of those truths. It is important to acknowledge and profess Biblical truth, regardless of what others believe. We should not be unkind but we should be unwavering in our faith.

It is not easy to stand for truth, which is culturally despised and rejected, even by other Christians. But remember, truth is not determined by popular vote, it is established by Divine Authority, and we are accountable for the light we have received.

08/20/21 SINFUL FAITH IN SELF SHOULD NOT BE GREATER THAN TRUE FAITH IN GOD

08/20/21 SINFUL FAITH IN SELF SHOULD NOT BE GREATER THAN TRUE FAITH IN GOD

It is a crying shame that the self assured believe (mistakenly) that they can live lives that are not sinfully corrupt, but those who claim to believe in Christ do not believe they can live lives of holiness, purity and righteousness, though God gives believers everything necessary for life and godliness.

(Read this passage carefully)
2 Peter 1:1-4
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.