02/28/23 GOD PROVIDES REAL SALVATION, REDEMPTION, ATONEMENT

02/28/23 GOD PROVIDES REAL SALVATION, REDEMPTION, ATONEMENT

If your preacher tells you that you have a...
1. "Standing with God," which is the way God "sees" you, through Christ,
AND you have a...
2. "State with God," which is the way you actually are, that is, the way you are actually living your life,

THEN YOU NEED TO FIND A BIBLE PREACHER, who preaches a God Who actually saves believers from sin; Who actually cleanses believers from all sin; Who actually transforms a sinner into a holy one; Who actually enables believers to fully trust, fully obey God; Who actually delivers from all temptation; Who actually sees us as new creations and actually sees our moral condition, and our faith status; Who actually empowers us to keep His commandments and do that which is pleasing in His sight; Who actually enables us to walk in the light, even as He is in the light.

Salvation is not some spiritual slight of hand or some heavenly misdirection or some divine hypnosis, whereby God is blind to the reality of our condition and pretends to see in us what is not real and pretends to not see in us what is real.

AND NO, I am not talking about legalistic, works salvation. I am talking about Divine, miraculous, Blood bought, Spirit wrought, Bible taught salvation, through which we can love God with our whole heart and mind and soul and strength and love our neighbor as we love ourselves; which not only gives us life but holiness of heart and life.

Jesus said that we must be born again (born of the Spirit), which is a spiritual transformation, not simply a wardrobe change. Being born of God enables and equips the believer to obey God.

God also tells us that we must be holy, even as He is holy and pure, even as He is pure and righteous, even as He is righteous; that we must follow holiness of heart and life ("The Sanctification"), without which no man shall see the Lord.

If we must be born again to be saved and go to heaven, we must also follow holiness of heart and life to be saved and go to heaven, because the same God says both truths in His word.

Salvation (regeneration, justification and sanctification) is the Divine, miraculous, transforming work of God that sets us free from sins penalty, pollution and power; that moves us from death to life, from the domain of Satan to the rule of God; that gives us victory over the world the flesh and the devil in this present evil world. 

1 John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

02/27/23 THE HALLMARK OF SALVATION

02/27/23 THE HALLMARK OF SALVATION

Remember, life in the Holy Spirit is guided and empowered by love, not legalism or lawlessness.
Remember too, love obeys God and is the evidence that we are God's children. 

John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 14:15-17
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

John 14:21
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 

John 14:23-24
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 

John 15:9-14
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

02/27/23 SALVATION, SIMPLY STATED

02/27/23 SALVATION, SIMPLY STATED

Christian obedience is not the work of the flesh, it is the miraculous work of grace, flowing from the Holy Spirit through the life of a saved person.

02/27/23 SALVATION IS CHRIST IN US, NOT SIMPLY US AT OUR BEST

02/27/23 SALVATION IS CHRIST IN US, NOT SIMPLY US AT OUR BEST

We are saved because God says we are saved, not because we say we are saved.
Proof of our salvation is verified by willing and loving conformity to God's standards, not self established standards, whether legalistic or libertine. 

2 Timothy 2:19
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

02/26/23 A RESCUE MISSION, NOT BOOKKEEPING

02/26/23 A RESCUE MISSION, NOT BOOKKEEPING

God did not sacrifice His Son to simply satisfy Himself. It was not simply a book-keeping action to balance a legal account. It was a Rescue mission to save fallen humanity from the PENALTY and the POLLUTION and the POWER of sin. Christ did not die and rise again to ignore our sins and our sin nature; He came to redeem us from the guilt and the corruption and the tyranny of Satan, sin and self-serving rebellion.

I can't even imagine Christ paying the price of death, then abandoning us to the perverted, oppressive, vile domination of the god of this world. Jesus did not come to showcase His sovereignty: He came to set us free and to purify unto Himself a distinctive people, zealous to do good works, and to make His children more than conquerors over the devil, the dark domain and death.

02/25/23 DELIVERANCE FROM CARNALITY ESSENTIAL FOR SERVANTS OF CHRIST

02/25/23 DELIVERANCE FROM CARNALITY ESSENTIAL FOR SERVANTS OF CHRIST

All sin is the enemy of man. Some sins seem to be more common or dominating than others. This includes Pride (inordinate self esteem), the Wrath of Man (anger, hatred), Self Orientation, Lust (exaggerated and unrestrained desires).

These are manifestations of the Carnal Mind. Though the Born Again person can resist the temptation to commit these sins, it takes the death of self and the fullness of the Holy Spirit to deliver from the inner tyranny of Pride, Wrath of Man, Self Orientation and Lust.
God promises to deliver from these slave masters, but Christians often choose to be dominated by these enemies of God rather than surrender fully to Christ and be ruled by God.

This is why Jesus sent His followers into all the world to preach the gospel, but He also told them to tarry in Jerusalem, so that they might be filled with God's Spirit and delivered from the corruption that too often robs believers of the victory in Jesus. 

James 4:1-10
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 

1 John 2:15-17
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.

02/25/23 DELIVERANCE FROM SIN'S CORRUPTION

02/25/23 DELIVERANCE FROM SIN'S CORRUPTION

You cannot be blamed for being born with The Carnal Mind (The Old Man, the Sinful Nature) because if was not your fault, since it is the Corrupted Nature we received from Adam.
You cannot be blamed for having the Double Mind after being born again, because justification does not rid you of the Carnal Mind, therefore the new believer has the mind of God and the mind of the "Flesh" at war within himself.

You CAN be blamed if you, as a believer, refuse to let God deliver (purify) you from The Carnal Mind (the Old Man, the Sinful Nature, the Root of Bitterness, the Evil Heart of Unbelief, the Double Mind, the indwelling Law of Sin and Death, the Remains of Sin) because God's plan and provision is to set every Christian free from the inner turmoil, to purify every Christian from all Sin, as an indwelling nature. God delivers from all sin; God cleanses from all sin; God purifies from all sin; God saves from all sin, when the believer realizes that he has the Double Mind and accepts, by faith, the purifying work of salvation provided in the blood of Christ and in the Holy Spirit and in God's word.

Jesus did not die only to justify but to sanctify entirely (Ephesians 5:26-27; Colossians 1:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 5:10). To refuse God's purifying grace is the same as refusing God's forgiveness and regeneration because it is refusing God's salvation.

Sinning religion says we will always have the Carnal Mind, even as Christians, and they refer to Romans 7 as a supposed proof. Romans 7 does address the problem of the Double Mind, but it does not leave the believer without the promise and hope of deliverance.

At the end of Romans 7 the cry of the believer is, "Who shall deliver me from this Body of Death," and then answers the question by saying, "I thank God through Jesus Christ." Romans 8 goes on to describe the life of the person who is set free from, "the Law of Sin and Death."

Romans 8:1-17
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

It is totally obvious from Romans 8 that the salvation of God provides deliverance for the Christian from the Double Mind found in Romans 7.

Faith in Christ's salvation from the Penalty, the Pollution and the Power of Sin is the purpose of Christ's Redemption, Atonement, Sacrifice. To deny holiness of heart and life, which is provided through the fullness of the Holy Spirit, is to deny the salvation of God.

02/24/23 CORRUPTED BUT NOT GUILTY

02/24/23 CORRUPTED BUT NOT GUILTY

Contrary to popular (but errant theology) we are not born guilty because of Adam's sin. We are born corrupted because of Adam's sin. In fact, we are conceived with a sinful nature, as a result of Adam's sin. And yes, everyone who is a child of Adam does choose to sin at some point in his or her own life.

Though we inherited a sinful nature from Adam, and that sinful nature eventuates in wilful disobedience to God (for which we are accountable to God), we are not held accountable for Adam's sin. The Bible clearly says we are answerable for our own sins and not for the sins of another person. This is consistent with the nature of God's justice.
Simply stated, we are corrupted from the time of our conception and need the redemptive work of Christ (which He provided for all men, and is therefore the Savior of all men), but as young people we sinned against God and we are in need of forgiveness, newness of life, deliverance from sin's penalty, power and pollution (which Christ gives freely to whoever turns to Him by faith). This is consistent with the mercy of God.

Though we are conceived with sinful nature, God has unilaterally covered the pre-born, the new born and the infant.

Though everyone who survives into childhood sins against God God has given us the opportunity to believe on Christ and be saved. 

Hebrews 2:3
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

02/24/23 PATIENT, PERSISTENT FAITH SUSTAINS OUR SOUL

02/24/23 PATIENT, PERSISTENT FAITH SUSTAINS OUR SOUL

Jesus warns believers that we will suffer both persecution and spiritual attacks. Satan uses sinners to send persecution against faithful Christians and Satan also uses temptations, trials, physical ailments, social oppression, financial difficulties, relational breakdowns to attack and defeat Christian.

Jesus and New Testament writers encouraged believers to stand firm while under attack.

In Luke 21:19 Jesus said we would secure our victory by being patient, by persevering during our spiritual struggles.

Luke 21:19
19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 

The Holy Spirit told us through James,
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Paul said,
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Peter said,
2 Peter 1:3-11
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.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

02/23/23 DOERS, NOT SIMPLY HEARERS

02/23/23 DOERS, NOT SIMPLY HEARERS

"Clinging" to your Bible does not make you a force for God or good. Holding fast to Jesus and His truth, along with believing and following God's revelation in the Bible makes you a force for God and good. 

Great numbers of people "cling" to the Bible as an icon or an idol. The Bible is God's word, it is not an icon or an idol, but the cultural, religious, superstitious view and treatment of the Bible by unnumbered nominal and professing "Christians" is a pagan substitute for faith and salvation.

Simply clinging to the idea of Divine revelation is not a Christian position or action. God commands us through James to be doers of the word and not hearers only. (Yes, the book of James is God's word to New Testament followers of Christ, in spite of sinning religion's denial).

You cannot hold fast to God's word while living contrary to God's word. Slavishly clinging to a literary work is not the same as being filled with God's word or being enlightened by God's word or being guided by God's word or being empowered by God's word. Holding fast to God's word includes trusting, submitting, obeying God's word,

Those who simply "cling" to a claim to believe the Bible have not made a Christ centered influence in this world for truth and godliness; they have not stemmed the tide of Humanism, Statism (in all of its wicked forms), Paganism, Hedonism, Infidelity, Anti-Bibilical faith. They have professed faith in Jesus, but they have substituted Biblical faith for dependence on the flesh, the world and the powers of Darkness.

It has been this counterfeit Christianity that has sold-out America and sacrificed the children and youth to Moloch. None of the gods of this world have saved our children, our faith or our nation. The Arm of Flesh and the wisdom of this world has enslaved our society and is taking us further from God than we have ever been as a nation.

This failure of faith is not only seen in the personal lives of those who profess faith (though they have abandoned the possession of New Testament faith), it has been promoted by a silent pulpit or a pulpit that has denied the call of God to Biblical faith and action.

Considering the state of the State and the state of the organizational Church in America, I urge everyone to abandon the sinking ships of Secularism and Humanism, both personal and religious. Find a truly Biblical, Christ centered, Spirit filled and led local church and commit yourself totally to the Jesus and salvation of the Bible. 

1 Thessalonians 5:21
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 

2 Timothy 1:13
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 

Hebrews 3:6
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 

Hebrews 4:14
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 

Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

Revelation 2:25
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 

Revelation 3:3
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

02/22/23 VICTORY AND HOLINESS IN THE BOOK OF JAMES

02/22/23 VICTORY AND HOLINESS IN THE BOOK OF JAMES

DOES THE BOOK OF JAMES TEACH VICTORIOUS LIVING AND DELIVERANCE FROM ALL SIN OR DOES IT TEACH AGAINST VICTORIOUS LIVING AND DELIVERANCE FROM ALL SIN?

This is a Bible Study exercise, demonstrating that the overwhelming part of Scripture clearly declares God enables Christians to live victoriously and He saves us from sin rather than leaveing us in sin and defeat.
TRY THIS...
Take a Bible book, like JAMES (below). Categorize all applicable verses into one of two lists concerning Victorious Living and Deliverance From Sin. One list will have verses that seem to say we cannot live victoriously and delivered from sin in this life and the other list will have verses that seem to say we can live victoriously and delivered from sin in this life. Tell me how it goes.
THREE THOUGHTS...
1. You may not agree with all of my choices. I have verses and connected passages because some verses are tied to other verse. If you have questions about my choices, I will be glad to respond.
2. The seeming contradictions must be answered, since there are no contradictions in the Scriptures. The few verses must be understood in the light of the many verses. I will be glad to address the verses that seem to deny victorious living and deliverance from all sin.
3. God requires, expects and willingly enables us to live victoriously and delivered from sin.
Example below...
Remember, these are verses that seem, on the surface to fit into one of the two lists. Obviously, both positions cannot be true, therefore we say, "seem" because we do not want to misrepresent God. And remember, though these verses are part of a context that is consistently unified, these verses actually present the same truth.
(I did not add comments. If you wonder why I categorized them as I did, I will be glad to explain. And NO, there are not any verses or passages that either deny or seem to deny victorious Christian living or deliverance from sin in this present world. No wonder sinnig religion turns away from this book.) 

JAMES CHAPTER ONE... (27 verses).
Verses denying victorious living or deliverance from sin... (0 verses).
Verses indicating victorious living and
Deliverance from sin... (27 verses)
James 1:1-27
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(entire chapter proclaims victorious living and deliverance from sin). 

JAMES CHAPTER TWO... (26 verses).
Verses denying victorious living or deliverance from sin... (0 verses).
Verses indicating victorious living and
deliverance from sin... (26 verses)
James 2:1-26
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(entire chapter proclaims victorious living and deliverance from sin). 

JAMES CHAPTER THREE... (18 verses).
Verses denying victorious living or deliverance from sin... (0 verses).
Verses indicating victorious living and
deliverance from sin... (18 verses)
James 3:1-18
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
(entire chapter proclaims victorious living and deliverance from sin).

JAMES CHAPTER FOUR... (17 verses)
Verses denying victorious living or deliverance from sin... (0 verses).
Verses indicating victorious living and
deliverance from sin... (17 verses).
James 4:1-17
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
(entire chapter proclaims victorious living and deliverance from sin). 

JAMES CHAPTER FIVE... (20 verses).
Verses denying victorious living or deliverance from sin... (0 verses).
Verses indicating victorious living and
deliverance from sin... (20 verses).
James 5:1-20
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
(entire chapter proclaims victorious living and deliverance from sin).

02/21/23 BEYOND INSANITY

02/21/23 BEYOND INSANITY

The fact of God's love should never have to be proved or established with those who claim to be Bible believers. Neither should God's justice, mercy, holiness, omnipotence, omniscience, desire to save all men, power to save believers from all sin in this present evil age.

Yet, sinning religion and love for man made theology has invaded the church and corrupted the minds and beliefs of those who claim the Name of Christ.

Not only has it closed the minds of those who take pride in human wisdom and intellectual elitism, they are hardening the hearts of the unsaved against the convicting work of the Holy Spirit by nullifying God's requirements for people to believe, confess, repent, follow and continue in Christ.

02/21/23 THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

02/21/23 THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

A song says, "All of the promises in the Book are mine." There is a certain amount of truth in this statement, along with false teaching. The salvific promises made to Abraham, the virgin Mary and other individuals or groups ultimately become part of God's redemptive work and therefore we are the recipients of those promises. But God has not promised to make a great nation of us personally, as He did to Abraham, and He has not promised other women that they would have a virgin born child.

False doctrines of Reformed, Calvinistic, Covenental Theology rob Christians of some of God's promises to Christians.

False doctrines of Hyper Charismatics and "Prosperity Gospel" Theology claim promises in the Bible which were never intended to be applied to Christians.

We must know and understand God's word, in order not to be robbed of our inheritance, or to be misled by false hopes, which God never gave to us.

02/21/23 GODS UPFRONT AND BACKUP PLAN

02/21/23 GOD'S UPFRONT AND BACKUP PLAN

God's redemptive plan for the sinner is to save whosoever believes, confesses, repents, follows and continues (abides, remains) in Jesus.

God has an UPFRONT plan and a BACKUP plan for the believer.
UPFRONT: that we sin not.
BACKUP: that we be reconciled and restored through Jesus if we do sin. 

1John 2:1
"1 My little children, these things write I unto you,"

(UPFRONT PLAN)
"that ye sin not."

(BACKUP PLAN)
"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

The true believer determines to live in the UPFRONT plan, but IF he sins he can be restored by the BACKUP plan. This restoration is based on the same faith in the atonement that initially saved the person from his sins. 

Sinning willfully (which is a deliberate, volitional choice to disobey the known will of God), after conversion cannot be rectified without returning to a contrite, trusting and obedient relationship with Christ. Those who leave their first love must return and must do the first works over again.

02/21/23 DOES JESUS CARE?

02/21/23 DOES JESUS CARE?

DOES JESUS CARE?

Hebrews 4:14-16
"14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Oh yes, He cares. And we can know He cares. He does not remove every test but He does give us the help we need in the time of our trouble.

Yes, Jesus cares and He helps in time of need. He delivers from temptation and forgives us of failure.

Song
Does Jesus Care?

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song?
When the burdens press
And the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary
The long night dreary
I know my Savior cares

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
And as the daylight fades
Into deep dark shades
Does He care enough to be near?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary
The long night dreary
I know my Savior cares

Does Jesus care
When I've tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong?
When for my deep grief there's no relief
Though the tears flow all the day long

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary
The long night dreary
I know my Savior cares

Does Jesus care when I've said, "Goodbye"
To the dearest on earth to me
And my sad heart aches
Till it nearly breaks
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary
The long night dreary
I know my Savior cares
I know my Savior cares...

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: J. Lincoln Hall / Frank E. Graeff
Does Jesus Care lyrics © Word Music, Llc

02/21/23 LOVE IS THE DIVINE ATTRACTION

02/21/23 LOVE IS THE DIVINE ATTRACTION

I want people to be drawn to my ministry. I want people to come because it is God's word which I proclaim; I also want them to come because they sense that I truly love them.

Ministering the truth is first, but people ought to want your ministry because your love for them is real and obvious. 

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.

02/21/23 BIBLES, NOT BALLOTS OR BULLETS

02/21/23 BIBLES, NOT BALLOTS OR BULLETS

BIBLES, NOT BALLOTS OR BULLETS HAVE BEEN SAVING OUR COUNTRY FROM DOMESTIC ENEMIES
(this is not an anti Law Enforcement, anti 2nd Amendment, anti Military or anti Government post. It is just fact)

One Bible believing church, or just one Bible believing family, or only one Bible believing man (or woman) has done more to save the young people in American communities from the domestic enemies, including Humanism, Socialism, Communism, Statism, Racism, Sexploitation, One Worldism and all other perversions and corruptions than all the guns and all the gun carriers in our entire State.

Sadly, people would rather cling to their useless guns and politics than turn from their sins and follow Jesus.

02/20/23 CLING TO GOD

02/20/23 CLING TO GOD

As our family faces another heavy trial, I am reminded to continue to trust God, Who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

The greater the gift the more we treasure it (such as family and life itself). Though we cling to that which we treasure, we know that the Giver is greater than His gifts. 

God tells us,
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

And
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
And 

2 Corinthians 4:15-18
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

As Peter reminds us and testified to these same truths,
2 Peter 1:2-14
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.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

02/19/23 DON'T LOSE TOUCH WITH GOD

02/19/23 DON'T LOSE TOUCH WITH GOD

God called Abram to follow Him, while Abram was a "Natural Man." Abram chose to follow God and became a "Carnal Believer," with a checkered relationship of faith and failure, resulting in a broken relationship with God which spanned thirteen years. God eventually called on Abram to restore his relationship and to make total commitment. As God said to Abram, 

Genesis 17:1
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect (without wax, without corruption).

At this point, God changed Abram's name to Abraham and extended and expanded His promises to him. Abraham still had to make choices, but there was an obvious change in the life and commitment from that time.

Abraham did revert to an old sin on one occasion, even after his total commitment to God, but he again recommitted himself to the will and way of God. Making a total commitment to God does not guarantee a faithful life in the future, but it makes it more likely and it enables a quicker restoration if there is a lapse of faith and obedience.

02/19/23 IT IS IN THE JOB DISCRIPTION

02/19/23 IT IS IN THE JOB DISCRIPTION

A Pastor-Teacher (Eph. 4:11) shepherds his people through his teaching and preaching.

02/18/23 IT IS THE NATURE OF SALVATION

02/18/23 IT IS THE NATURE OF SALVATION

Salvation, which is focused on "doing" rather than "being," is not Biblical. 

"Being saved" is followed by "Biblical doing."

02/18/23 TRANSFORMING GRACE

02/18/23 TRANSFORMING GRACE

You don't have to be saved in order to accept the things you like, but if you don't endure (with grace) what you don't like, you're not saved.

02/17/23 1 Year Ago IT'S NOT JUST A CLUB

02/17/23 1 Year Ago IT'S NOT JUST A CLUB

Still a major truth that needs to be experienced, explored and exploited.

IT'S NOT JUST A CLUB
Here is where people make a major mistake.

The Church is not a club. Though it is a voluntary body, it is not is not a "do as you please, self fulfillment group." It is not based on personal preferences or man-made rules and regulations. It is not a democracy or a majority rule government.

It is the body of Christ, of which we are members, together with other believers. We are accountable to God if we violate His standards and directives. We are also answerable to each other and we are answerable to God's chosen leadership.

Come as you are, but expect total transformation and relational realignment.
God chooses the leadership and you are expected to be of one mind with the body, submitted to the leadership, and putting others before yourself. You must deny yourself, humble yourself, and love others as you love yourself.

I know this sounds strict, but when you narrow yourself down to loving God with your whole heart, it is not a burden or grievous.

The reason people have a problem with Biblical churchman-ship is because they don't love God or trust God.

Some people try to live up to God's standard, but soon tire of the self denial because it demands too much from their unsurrendered hearts. However, those who die to self, die to this world and die to sin, find joy in walking in the steps of Jesus, walking in the light of God’s word, walking in the Spirit, fighting against temptation, agonizingly contending against the devil and diligently fighting the good fight of faith.

Paul said,
Philippians 3:8-14
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

02/16/23 THERE IS A PRICE FOR REJECTION

02/16/23 THERE IS A PRICE FOR REJECTION

If you're not happy with what God's word says about the Christian life (faith, repentance, love, obedience), you can still use the same words but you must change what the words mean (this is Satan's suggestion).

Or you could surrender to God (the only right option), then you will love what God's word says.

02/16/23 MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

02/16/23 MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

If your "salvation" allows, overlooks or endorses sin, you do not have Biblical salvation.

02/15/23 CHOOSE THE REAL AUTHORITY

02/15/23 CHOOSE THE REAL AUTHORITY

I noticed early that popular preachers often quoted popular scholars.

I chose to quote God’s word instead.

02/15/23 A FIRM FOUNDATION

02/15/23 A FIRM FOUNDATION

Since Bible college days I have been building my beliefs on Scripture rather than human invention.

02/15/23 ALWAYS IN ORDER

02/15/23 ALWAYS IN ORDER

Because it is always appropriate and because He is always worthy...

GREAT IS THE LORD AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED.

02/15/23 RE-POST WITH SUGGESTIONS

02/15/23 RE-POST WITH SUGGESTIONS

Re-post PLUS, Suggestions On How To Use This Tool.

I WROTE...
"You should be asking spiritually minded, Bible believers, "HOW AM I DOING" concerning your attitude, behavior, health, relationships, salvation.

But, even if you don't ask, you should be open to loving (though unflattering) counsel.

The things they tell you could save a relationship or ministry; it could even save your life (physical or spiritual); it may even save your life eternally."

I SUGGEST...
This is an exercise for the Christian family, small groups in the local church, such as discipleship, ministry, fellowship, men's and women's and youth, pastor/parishioner.

If a person is not willing to humble himself and submit to fellow believers, he (or she) has no right to be in leadership or ministry position 

Ephesians 5:21
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Proverbs 27:17
17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

02/15/23 SIMPLE FORMULA

02/15/23 SIMPLE FORMULA

Old Testament is the beginning of Holy Scripture.

New Testament is the completion of Holy Scripture.

Human interpretation counterfeits Holy Scripture.

02/14/23 FALSE DOCTRINE FROM FALSE TEACHERS

02/14/23 FALSE DOCTRINE FROM FALSE TEACHERS

Whoever claims to be a Christian but tells you that Jesus does not save us from sin and sinning is a false witness.

02/13/23 A SAFETY FIRST IDEA

02/13/23 A SAFETY FIRST IDEA

You should be asking spiritually minded, Bible believers, "HOW AM I DOING" concerning your attitude, behavior, health, relationships, salvation.

But, even if you don't ask, you should be open to loving (though unflattering) counsel.

The things they tell you could save a relationship or ministry; it could even save your life (physical or spiritual); it may even save your life eternally.

02/13/23 NOT JUST BLIND BUT TWISTED

02/13/23 NOT JUST BLIND BUT TWISTED

Rich Islamic nations heartlessly watch, while I$rael and we$tern "devils" $end million$ in di$a$ter relief to Turkey.

02/11/23 NO HOPE

02/11/23 NO HOPE

Jesus is the sinner's only hope. If all is unilaterally, unchangeably predestined, there is no hope. Millions are falling for the devils lie that God does not love all of the lost and wants to save all of the lost.

02/10/23 EVIL REALITIES

02/10/23 EVIL REALITIES

Imagine an almighty sovereign who has the power of life and death, choosing to pardon and adopt a few of those anarchists who openly defied him, blasphemed him, conspired against him; and imagine the sovereign ruler did it to magnify himself and show off his power and authority, rather than because he was motivated by love, kindness, compassion, mercy and self sacrifice for his rebellious subjects.

Now imagine an Almighty Sovereign Who has the power of life and death, choosing to pardon, adopt, enrich every repentant usurper who willingly and contritely calls on and trusts the Sovereign; and imagine this Sovereign Ruler provided reconciliation, at His Own expense, for the benefit of His enemies, rather than from selfish aggrandizing motives. Also Imagine that His act of reconciliation was afforded to "whosoever" and regardless of the crimes of the whosoever. Imagine that it was made available, not by caprice or fiat or on the basis of personal value, talent, exceptionalism.

You don't have to imagine, the loving, self sacrificing regent because the God of the Bible has provided salvation for, whosoever will.

Where sin did abound (in the rebellion of Adam in the Garden), the grace of God did abound in the Garden of Gethsemane, on Mount Calvary and at the empty tomb.

The work of redemption is the act of a loving God, not the act of a vindictive power hungry ruler. 

Romans 5:6-21
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
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.

02/09/23 GOD IS FAITHFUL

02/09/23 GOD IS FAITHFUL

One of the ways that 2022 was such a difficult year for me included my physical condition. Really difficult. In spite of my problems and my inability to keep fit, at a body weight near 210, I was able to do a bench press with 175 pounds (80% of my body weight at that time). I mention this because my physical problems continued into 2023 resulting in medical procedures and a present body weight of 166 pounds today. My strength is greatly depleted. Still, by God's will and intervention I am hopeful of recovery. During all of this, Martha has been more support and encouragement than words could ever tell. God gave me a wife beyond my deserving.

Yet, all of my personal issues are insignificant compared to other testing taking place in our family at this time. But God is all we need and He will not fail us, regardless of our trials. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 

I post this, not as a complaint, but as a testimony to God's glory, power, mercy kindness, wisdom and love. 

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I do know Who holds tomorrow. He has never failed, and He never will fail.

Not only is God good, all the time, He is good to those who trust Him, and He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.

02/09/23 THE WORST OF COUNTERFEITS

02/09/23 THE WORST OF COUNTERFEITS

"Salvation" beliefs that don't lead to perfect love from a pure heart in this present life are Satan's lies.

02/04/23 IT IS NOT WITHOUT REASON

02/04/23 IT IS NOT WITHOUT REASON

Our church, as a body, has corporately suffered physical onslaught from the enemy of our souls, at various times through the years, to the edge of tragedy.

Though different circumstances, we are under attack again these days. Our hope is settled in Jesus, but the path can take us through fire and flood.

I mention this, not as a complaint but as a warning for families, churches, communities and nations. A close relationship with Jesus and settled faith in His word is all that will keep you. You dare not trust yourself or the present evil system.

Pray for us. I believe in trusting Christ and His word, not in unbiblical, "word of faith" presumption that masquerades as Biblical faith.

02/04/23 THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

02/04/23 THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

The Dems and Joe allowed America's greatest threat to invade our air space, spy on the entire continental US, photograph whatever it wanted (and do who knows what) and now has the upper hand over our families and future, but at least Trump was stopped from tweeting.

Thank you Liberals for a better world.

02/04/23 RE-POST 2022

02/04/23 RE-POST 2022

Still true, and will still be true forever.

Q. WHAT IS A DOOR WHEN IT IS NOT CLOSED?

A. IT IS AJAR!

Okay, some wordplay is silly. But some wordplay is dangerous. When people play games with God's word or the words God uses in His revelation, they are playing games with God's will and His way. Not only do people jeopardize their own well-being, but they are also endangering the spiritual and the eternal well-being of the people who trust them.

I should not have to point this out, but let me make it clear that I realize that English is not the same as Greek or Hebrew. In fact, English is not the same on both sides of the pond. However, when the Bible is translated then the legitimate intent is to put the ideas and or words of one language into the ideas and words of another language. If we are talking about the use of words, such as PERFECT, PERFECTION, HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, PURE, GOOD, then we must use those words in a way that agrees with the original usage and also as it is used in the translation. 

If we don't use Biblical terms in Biblical ways then we won't have Biblical understanding.
If we use extra-Biblical terms for Biblical truths, there is a greater possibility that we will misrepresent Biblical truths.

"Perfect" is a good Biblical word to use when used in the Biblical context. However, Christians (for the most part in the western world), have allowed people with a dishonest theological agenda to prejudice them against God's word and God's plan concerning perfection in the Christian life. The gainsayers want to redefine the word, "Perfection," to mean what God never intended for the word to mean, and they want to rob the Biblical word, "Perfection," of the meaning God intended when He used the word.

There are Biblical passages that associate a given form of PERFECTION to believers (such as PERFECT LOVE). No place in the Bible calls for any believer to be Absolutely PERFECT, Angelically Perfect, or Adamically Perfect, and I have never known anyone who preaches such lunacy. Yet, I am often falsely accused of such nonsense, simply because I preach the Biblical view of Perfection; because I preach the unsearchable riches of God's grace that saves us from all sin, in this present evil world. People also attack the Biblical teaching about God's transforming grace and power that makes us more than triumphant conquerors in Christ.

Those with an errant agenda denounce Christians who seek to live godly lives as being self-righteous and legalistic. They deny that God's word enables anyone to obey God's commands.

These points also apply to other words and concepts in the Bible, such as; being HOLY, being PURE, being RIGHTEOUS, being GOOD, even though the Bible bears witness to such truths. Select verses are taken out of context and used as "proof" that no one is PERFECT, HOLY, PURE, RIGHTEOUS, GOOD, in the Biblical sense of the words.

PURITY is not the same as MATURITY, therefore they cannot always be used interchangeably, yet that is what some folks do, in their attack on Biblical truth. But remember, Jesus called His disciples to be perfect in love, even as our Father is perfect in love. Perfect means complete. In this passage, it does not mean complete in immensity. It means moral completeness, it means love without corruption. The passage does not call anyone to have the same quantity of love like God, but it does mean we should have the same quality of love as God.

There is a Biblical and clear meaning to the phrase, SIN NOT. We should understand God's thoughts and think God's thoughts behind Him, and we should communicate God's thoughts to others, clearly. Remember, Christ came to save us from our sins, not to save us in our sins.

01/28/23 POINTS CONCERNING FREE WILL

01/28/23 POINTS CONCERNING FREE WILL

Freedom of will is the Biblically revealed, God given, limited ability of humans to make choices, some of which are temporal and some of which are eternal. Not only does God give us choices, God enables us to make right choices and to live by those right choices. There are issues, about which we have no choice or control. Freedom of will is not the ability to create our own salvation or our own deliverance from sin and it is not the ability to make wrong choices without bad consequences or sinful choices without eternal consequences.

People who believe in supposed sovereign, unilateral, unconditional (therefore, double sided) election, falsely say that freedom of will means we believe we can save ourselves.

There are people and belief systems that espouse forms of free will, which are erroneous, but there is also the Biblical revelation of God given, human free will.

The Biblical view of free will is not based in the false narrative that humans are inherently good, but that fallen humans are given the ability to choose that which is good, through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Because of Adam's sin, we are all born with a fallen and corrupted nature, with the tendency to sin. But God has provided salvation for all men, including the pre-born, infants and very young children. We are not guilty because of Adam, but our inherent sinful nature inclines us to rebellion and therefore we all sin at some point in our early life. God has provided salvation for all of us from the time of our conception and He has provided salvation for all who choose to sin, if they call on Christ in faith.

Not only does God call us and require us to believe on Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, confess our sins and confess faith in Christ, repent of (turn from) our sins and follow Jesus, He enables us to live by faith, as we surrender to Him and His will.

God is love and He is also just, merciful, truthful, gracious, holy and sacrificially redemptive. He is also sovereign (meaning He rules over all, not that He causes sin or causes anyone to sin) and His sovereign rule is consistent with His love, justice, mercy, truth, grace, holiness and sacrificial redemption.

And yes, all of these points are based in Scripture. If you are being taught that these points are not Biblical, you need to talk to a Bible believer who can show you the truth. Don't let human theological systems rob you of Divine revelation and salvation.

01/27/23 PHOTO FROM THE PAST

01/27/23 PHOTO FROM THE PAST

I never forgot why we stood against the State.
(photo of our church youth during State oppression) 

As a parent, as a pastor, as a Christian I took my stand, I supported my people, I followed Jesus as fully as I could. Other pastors, believers and churches should have seen the rising tide of oppression against freedom, family, faith, and they should have raised the clarion call, put their lives (livelihoods, comforts, reputations, social status) on the line in loyalty to God's rule, in defense of America's children, in opposition to Statism, Humanism, and the mounting attack on Bible, morality and the Lordship of Christ.

The chaos, rampant perversion and overthrow of decency and truth is escalating every day because of the same spiritual disconnect as we confronted those many decades ago. We were scoffed (and we still are), but now we see the cost of cowering and compromising. Parents, pastors and parishioners are still betraying Christ and His cause, and today's youth are in more jeopardy than ever before.

We are involved in spiritual warfare, while the western church thinks we are having a garden party.

01/26/23 TRUTH AND TWISTED SCRIPTURE

01/26/23 TRUTH AND TWISTED SCRIPTURE

I decided to re-post the passages from my previous post, along with bogus, false, errant misinterpretations that fit the beliefs of those who claim that salvation is a unilateral, unconditional choice of a god who predestines some to salvation and others to reprobation.

Not all followers of Reformed and Calvinistic teaching agree with all the things in this post, but neither do they agree with all of the teachings of their own systematic. However, my point is that they do stand against the doctrines of Scripture and are actually aligned with the absurd statements I have posted under the sections called, Twisted Scripture.

They actually change some passages, outwardly deny some passages, deny that eternal Biblical truth is applicable in the elect of god.

If you are easily upset or offended when your pet, sinning religion doctrines are addressed, you might not want to read this article. 

Matthew 10:32
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 

Twisted Scripture
32 Whoever I have chosen to confess me before men, him will I confess before my father which is in heaven. 

Matthew 12:50
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. 

Twisted Scripture
50 Whoever I have chosen, though he has not done the will of my father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother, because I have chosen him, without condition, rhyme or reason. 

Luke 9:48
48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 

Twisted Scripture
48 And He Said...: whoever has been predestined to receive me has also been predestined to receive him that sent me because no one has a real choice... 

Luke 12:8
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 

Twisted Scripture
8 Also I say unto you, whoever shall confess me before men (though not freely from a free will, but because god sovereignly decreed that he confess me), him shall the son of man also confess before the angels of god. 

John 3:15-16
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Twisted Scripture
15 That whoever has been predestined to believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved certain people, that he gave his only begotten son, only for those certain people, that they should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 11:26
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

Twisted Scripture
26 And whoever was predestined to live and believe in me shall never die. It does not matter whether you believe this or not. 

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

Twisted Scripture
46 I come as a light to predestined people who had no real choice, except to believe, and they shall still be bound by darkness in this life. 

Acts 10:43
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 

Twisted Scripture
43 To him...witness, that through divine decree, certain unilaterally chosen people would be allowed to believe in him and receive remission of sins. 

Romans 9:33
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

Twisted Scripture
33 As it is written...offense: and whoever has been irresistibly decreed to believe on him shall rejoice that they have been loved by god, while others have been eternally hated and reprobated.  

Romans 10:9-13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Twisted Scripture
9 That those who have been predestined to confess with their mouths and have been decreed to believe in their hearts that god has raised him from the dead, they were already saved by divine fiat.
10 For by divine decree and irresistible command the unilaterally elect are saved without divine deliverance from unrighteousness and in spite of what they say, they will not be saved from sin in this world.
11 For Twisted Scripture says, whoever has been chosen (without faith) will boast in divine fiat.
12 For Twisted Scripture says that god hates Jew and Gentile alike and because of his own baseless favor provides salvation for some and damnation for most.
13 For whoever god names through favoritism shall be saved. 

1 John 3:2-10
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
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. 

Twisted Scripture
2 Beloved...
3 And every man that enjoys gods favoritism is not concerned with purity, since purity in this life is unattainable.
4 Whoever is eternally secure by divine fiat is not held accountable for his sin, his transgressions of the law,
5 And you know that he was manifested to overlook our sins and we will never have to answer for our sins.
6 Whoever is eternally secure in god's favoritism will continue to sin in this life and the eternally secure will sin without fear of punishment.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you, you cannot live righteously and you cannot be righteous, since god does not save his people from their sins.
8 He that was divinely chosen still commits sin. The son of god was not manifested to save you from sin, but he was manifested to blind the heavenly father to your sins. The son of god does not destroy the works, the pollution or the power of the devil in the lives of the unilaterally elect.
9 Whoever is born of god continues to sin; though god's seed remains in him, he still sins, though he is born of god.
10 In this the children of god are manifest, and the children of the devil. The children of god sin without penalty but the children of the devil will answer for their sins. No one does righteousness, and those who are declared righteous by god can do unrighteousness without eternal consequence. 

1 John 4:13-17
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

Twisted Scripture
13 Though we are born of god, we are still evil, sinful, corrupt, wretched, sinners.
14 And we have seen...
15 Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of god, god dwells in him and he in god.
16 And we know and believe that god loves us, but does not love most of the human race. god is love, but god's love is ruled by his power and self gratification. Those who dwell in love are living contrary to divine justice.
17 Our love will never be perfect in this life. We will never have the assurance of faith. We will never be conformed to the image of Jesus in this life. 

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? 

Twisted Scripture
1 Whoever believes in Christ is not born of god, but rather, whoever is born of god believes in Christ, in other words, we are saved by decree, not by faith.
2 By this we know..., when we love the children of god we love god, but love does not eventuate in keeping god's commandments.
3 Loving god is good, but it does not cause us to keep his commandments. As believers, we still feel the burden of god's commandments. Obedience is beyond our ability.
4 Those who are born of god do not overcome the world. Victory over the world is unattainable. Faith cannot conquer all temptation.
5 Believing that Jesus is the son of god does not make us overcome the world. 

1 John 5:17-21
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
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. 

Twisted Scripture
17 Unrighteousness is sin, but sin does not separate us from god. There is no sin that brings death to the unilaterally elect.
18 We know that whoever is born of God sins, and he who is begotten of god does not keep himself.
19 Believers know they are of God, though we sin just like the rest of the world
20 And we know...
21 Little children, you will fail, but try to keep yourselves from idolatry, though you cannot. 

2 John 1:6-11
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 

Twisted Scripture
6 And this is love, that god's love excluded most of the human race and Christian love does not enable us to walk according to god's commandments.
7 For many deceivers have been predestined into the world, denying Jesus Christ came physically to save us from our sins. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Don't be concerned about your own personal life and your deeds in the flesh. You cannot lose your soul or your predetermined rewards regardless of what you do, since christ paid your penalty for sins, past, present and future and god does not judge us according to the deeds done in the flesh.
9 Those whom god has chosen will continue to transgress, sin, but they will still be believers. Sin does not separate you from god. Failure to live by the teachings of christ does not jeopardize your salvation or relationship with the father or the son.
10 If anyone comes to you denying unilateral, unconditional, double sided predestination, or denying sinning salvation, or denying once-saved-always-saved, or if they come to you declaring freedom of will, or declaring holiness of heart and life, or declaring that Christians live victoriously over the world, the flesh and the devil, or declaring that God purifies believers (as Christ is pure) through the sanctifying blood of Christ, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the sanctifying power of the word of God, or declaring that God loves all sinners and Christ died for all sinners, then reject their doctrines and hold to the sinning systematic of human teachers instead.
11 For whoever is kind to those who oppose the Reformed or Calvinistic systematic is a partaker of evil deeds 

Revelation 22:12-21
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

Twisted Scripture
12 And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as he did that which god predestined and decreed for him to do, as if he had a choice.
13 I am Alpha and Omega...
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, which they had to obey because they had no choice, since god ordains every action in all of humanity, both good and evil. The elect have the right to the tree of life and enter the city through the gates because they were predestined to enter, without the obligation to submit and obey god's commandments.
15 For outside of the city are all manner of unclean sinners, unlike sinners who are saved on the basis of god's unilateral and unconditional election
16 I Jesus have sent...
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, COME...and whoever god predestined.
18 For I testify unto every man that I have spoken through the prophets and apostles, but I will clear up the confusion when the Reformed and Calvinistic teachers properly explain my errors in the Bible.
18 Beware of those who take away from the words of this prophecy, unless they are teachers who can explain what I was unable to explain to people.
20 Don't let anyone tell you that this book of Revelation should be understood as literal in any sense or that the events of this Book are prophecies of the end times.
21 The grace of...