04/30/23 JUDGMENT DELAYED BECAUSE OF MERCY

04/30/23 JUDGMENT DELAYED BECAUSE OF MERCY 

(My article is not long but the passages at the end are long, and I realize you may not be able to read them now. However, the O.T. passages put "slow to anger" in context and the N.T. passages encourage us in time of trouble.)

I came across a great Bible truth some time ago but did not research the Biblical terminology at the time.

Some passages in the KJV refer to the "longsuffering" of God, while some other translations translate the same words (from Hebrew and Greek) as, "forbearing" or "slow to anger."

The phrase, "slow to anger" carries with it the idea of judgment delayed because of mercy.
God is patient, longsuffering, forbearing, slow to anger, delayed in wrath and judgment, because He loves the sinner and wants the sinner to be saved.

Yes, God knows who will be saved, because He knows who will believe and who will not believe. God provides the opportunity for salvation to us, but He does not make the choice for us. We are free to choose. God calls and enables us while we are yet in our sins, in other words, while we are dead in our sins and trespasses. We are able to choose sin while we are dead (separated from God) and we are able to respond to the call of God, to believe and repent while we are dead in our sins and trespasses (separated from God). God calls, enables and chooses those who believe.

He waits for us, giving us every opportunity. He delays His wrath and judgment because He does not want any to perish. But as many as will believe on Him shall be saved.

Consider these verses. I am going to include *(slow to anger)," along with the word, "longsuffering." 

Exodus 34:4-9
04 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.
05 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
06 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering *(slow to anger), and abundant in goodness and truth,
07 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
08 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
09 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. 

Numbers 14:13-24
13 And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)
14 And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
15 Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
16 Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
18 The LORD is longsuffering *(slow to anger), and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.
20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. 

Psalms 86:12-17
12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering *(slow to anger), and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Romans 2:2-11
02 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
03 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
04 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering *(slow to anger); not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
05 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
06 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
07 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
08 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
09 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
(when the Jews complained that God had opened the way of salvation to the Gentiles, Paul pointed out that God has the right to include whoever He wants to include.) 

Romans 9:14-33
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering *(slow to anger) the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
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. 

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering *(slow to anger), gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

1 Timothy 1:12-16
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering *(slow to anger), for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering *(slow to anger) of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 

2 Peter 3:8-18
08 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
09 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering *(slow to anger) to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering *(slow to anger) of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

04/28/23 DEEP WATER CAN AVERT A SHIPWRECK

04/28/23 DEEP WATER CAN AVERT A SHIPWRECK 

While searching for a list I had written, concerning ABOUNDING GRACE, I came across this other post I had made. It is short, but it has great truth. I did not give Bible references. Sometimes I don't reference my points because I figure my audience realizes the Biblical foundation or I figure that those who are interested will either search the passages out or ask me for my authority. Today I added the references and the quotes at the end of this re-post. I also added an asterisk (*) to a line that summarizes the post. 

10/22/12 THE STORY GOES
The traveler stood in the river boat wheelhouse with stark amazement as the captain stealthily guided his vessel past the rotting remains of sunken and abandoned boats along the river. Finally he said, "You must know where every rock and shallow spot is located." The captain said, "No, but I do know where the deep water is." 

SET YOUR COURSE...
When we bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, we are staying in the deep waters.

When we walk in His steps; when we walk in the light even as He is in the light, we are staying in the deep waters.

When we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him, we are staying in the deep waters.

When we read and believe His word; when we praise and worship; when we trust and obey; when we live in the Spirit; when we pray, in faith believing; when we serve Him and do His will... we are staying in the deep waters.

* If we stay in the deep waters of abounding grace, we will escape the shipwreck of our life and our soul.

Therefore, Launch Out and Hold Fast. Look unto Jesus as you Set Your Course, then Live by Faith until you Finish Your Course. 

BIBLE PASSAGES (NKJV)
I have given the verse in the context of the passage. It will take a little longer to read, but don't miss the great truths in these passages.

EVERY THOUGHT INTO CAPTIVITY
(2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,) 

WALK IN HIS STEPS
(1 Peter 2:21-23
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;) 

WALK IN THE LIGHT
(1 John 1:6-7
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.)

DENY SELF, TAKE CROSS, FOLLOW JESUS
(Mark 8:34-38
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.")

READ AND BELIEVE BIBLE
(2 Timothy 3:16-17
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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.)

PRAISE
(Philippians 1:9-11
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.) 

WORSHIP
(Psalm 96:7-13
7 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength.
08 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
9 Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously."
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.
13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.) 

(John 4:23-24
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.")

TRUST
(Proverbs 3:5-7
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;)

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
(1 Timothy 4:8-9
08 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.)

OBEY
(Acts 5:32
32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.")

(1 Peter 1:2
2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.)

LIVE IN THE SPIRIT
(Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.)

PRAY IN FAITH
(Matthew 21:22
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.)

SERVE HIM
(John 12:26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.)

DO HIS WILL
(Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.)

04/29/23 MODERN MESS OF BEANS

04/29/23 MODERN MESS OF POTTAGE

Did you hear me screaming this afternoon? While I was doing my exercise walk in TNH building I was listening to a YOUTUBE discussion concerning the historicity and factual record of Adam and Eve, as found in the Bible.

I am a Christian, therefore I believe the Biblical account, but it was interesting (spell that D I S T U R B I N G) to hear a supposed Bible believer try to explain away the Biblical record of Adam and Eve by espousing the idea that the Bible account of creation is MYTHO HISTORY. Yes, I have heard people try to equate Evolution with Creation, but this was more sophisticated and dressed in more evangelical terminology. The idea is that various forms of manlike creatures roamed the earth for 750,000 years, then God supposedly brought a male creature and a female creature together, and from those two people (referred to as Adam and Eve), came the entire human race. And this is supposed to be more palatable than Almighty God creating man in His own image. It is as absurd as the false teaching that angels cohabited with humans. Don't listen to those weirdos. You never know where there mind has been.

This so-called theologian, philosopher, Christian apologist believes that the MYTHO History is not intended to be a lie, but simply an explanation. He referred to the God's breathing into Adam's nostrils, the breath of life, by saying God blew into Adam's nose and considers God taking a rib from Adam to form the woman as ludicrous. He also laughs at the idea of a "talking serpent," a "magical tree" whose fruit gives immortality. His blasphemy is replete through the first 11 chapters of Genesis and continues into the teachings of Jesus and the Revelation at the end of the Bible. Yes, there is imagery in the Bible, but when you don't accept the facts of the Bible then you won't understand the imagery correctly.

So yes, I would walk and squawk, walk and squawk, scream, and walk faster. It turned out to be a good walking time and it stirred me up as I am preparing for my upcoming Men's Bible Theology In Genesis Study, this coming Thursday.

I believe God's word is true and inerrant because it is God's word. I don't try to make it fit "science." Academicians, historians, anthropologists, and other "scientists" have falsely accused the Bible of errors for centuries, but the Bible has been verified time and again.

I can't answer every question about life, but I know where life comes from and I know that the God of the Bible knows everything and He has all power and He has all wisdom. I don't care who comes up with a new find that "disproves" the Bible record. I already know they are wrong and probably will be proved wrong in the next several years. But even if they are not proved wrong in this lifetime, they will be proved wrong for eternity.

Whenever people try to make the Bible agree with fallacious human wisdom and knowledge, there is pride. This pride denies the word of God and tries to explain God in such a way that He is more palatable for the natural mind. They deny the true God, His nature, His attributes, His word. That is the wrong direction because if you come to God, you must come by faith; you must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Hebrews 11:3
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

04/28/23 BEWITCHED BY DOCTRINES OF DEMONS

04/28/23 BEWITCHED BY DOCTRINES OF DEMONS

If you are not obeying the truth of God, you may be deceived, led astray by DOCTRINES OF DEMONS, or as the Bible says, BEWITCHED.

The Bible teaches, as Christians, we have a free choice to either obey God or not obey God. Various reasons cause a person to not obey God, but I noticed this one again this morning. Paul called some people "foolish," meaning, "morally deficient," because they chose the way of sin instead the way of obedience. Paul pointed out that those same people had been bewitched, deceived, led astray by wicked doctrines.

Do not be led away from obedience to God's truth by wicked doctrines. Any doctrine that says Christians are allowed or expected or required to disobey God, is an evil doctrine, A DOCTRINE OF DEMONS. 

Galatians 3:1 (NKJV)
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

Yes, DOCTRINES OF DEMONS lead people to NOT OBEY THE TRUTH.

04/29/23 STUDY OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN BEGINS NEXT WEEK

04/29/23 STUDY OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN BEGINS NEXT WEEK

MEN, do not forget, we start our Bible Theology In Genesis Study (in-person and online) 7:00 pm Thursday, May 4. I encourage Carteret County TNH men to meet in-person at The Net House whenever it is possible. If you would like to invite other men to join us either in-person or online, let me know ahead of time. I believe we may have some churchmen from South Carolina meet with us online. I would figure on sessions lasting 90 minutes. There will be opportunity for Questions and Answers, but I am teaching the class. This is not a time for arguing or debate. I will need to know if any men outside of The Net House wants to be part of this study.

04/28/23 NO LONGER WRETCHED, BUT DELIVERED

04/28/23 NO LONGER WRETCHED, BUT DELIVERED

The truly WRETCHED are those who finally realize the influence of the Sinful Nature and seek deliverance from Adam's likeness, or as it is sometimes called in the New Testament, The Old Man, The Carnal Mind, The Law of Sin and Death, Double Mindedness, The Evil Heart of Unbelief, The Root of Bitterness, The Flesh (nature, not skin), Sin (as a state of being, not the action of rebellion).

After describing the inner turmoil and occasional defeat that Christians sometimes experience because of the sinful nature which we inherited from Adam, Paul boldly declares that deliverance comes to the believer who refers to his own inner battle with carnality as being WRETCHED. Realizing that the wickedness, the corruption, the pollution of the Carnal Mind is like being lashed to a rotting, putrefying, maggot infested, disease oozing corpse, from which there is no escape, until someone separates us. While attached to this dead body, the living person is hampered from eating, drinking, washing, dressing, and performing other necessary bodily functions. This is the import of the word, WRETCHED in Romans 7. It is a WRETCHEDNESS beyond words.

It is not a condition that the believer must contend with for a lifetime. It is not a situation, from which there is no deliverance. Though the Carnal believer cannot set himself free from this inward bondage and corruption, God is ready, willing and able to loose him and let him go free from this inherited and clinging corruption, just as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and then commanded that the grave clothes be removed. God not only wants to give life to the sinner, but He wants to purify the believer, and loose him from his old self. God provides cleansing from the sins we have committed and purification from the sin we have inherited.

Sinning religion teaches that God does not actually save us from all sin, that God does not purify our hearts, that God does not deliver us from, "the body of this death." Sinning religion tells us that Christians must carry this body of death until physical death sets us free. WRONG. Death does not save us from sin or death. Believers do not have to continue being Double Minded, Carnally Minded. The death, resurrection, blood of Christ and the fire of the Holy Spirit and the washing of water by the word cleanses, saves, delivers from all sin.

WRETCHED is the believer who realizes that the Old Man, the Law of Sin and Death is seeking to ruin, destroy his life. WRETCHED is the believer who is deceived into believing that there is no deliverance from such WRETCHEDNESS. WRETCHED is the believer who does not trust Christ for deliverance from all sin. WRETCHED is the believer who fights a lifetime against the inner corruption, from which God wants to deliver them. WRETCHED is the believer who rides the roller coaster of sinning, repenting, sinning, repenting, when there is actually deliverance from such a condition.
Paul cried out for those who suffer the continued inner rebellion of the Carnal Christian, when he said, WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM and asked, WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH. There is an answer. There is deliverance. There is hope. It is not in suffering or constant struggle or dying daily or hopelessness. The answer is in Jesus. The answer is in the death, the resurrection, the ascension, the intercession of Jesus, The answer is in Jesus filling us with His Holy Spirit. The answer is in the heart purity provided by the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life.

Paul boldly declared that deliverance comes from God through Jesus Christ. He then recapped the problem at the end of verse 25. Remember, Paul wrote Romans as a letter, not a book. There is no break from our 7:25 to 8:1. HOWEVER, Paul quickly revealed the deliverance available in Romans 8. Unlike the proponents of sinning religion, Paul shuts the door on the Carnal Mind, the inner warfare, the roller coaster of victory and failure. Read the very next words of Paul (actually the words of God, through Paul). We never lose our human condition (nor should we) but God does deliver us and purify us from a the inner rebellion. We are still human and we still have free will to turn human desire (as given to us by God) into sinful desire and action, but we do not have to vacillate in our walk or in our intentions. God purifies us even as Christ is pure. We can come to the end of our WRETCHED life and enter into the Spirit filled life, the life of walking in the Spirit, the life of clean hands and a pure heart, the life of joy unspeakable and full of glory, the life of peace brought about by the rule of God in our inner man, the life of perfect love, the life of deliverance from our wilderness wanderings, the life of WRETCHEDNESS. 

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.

Remember, this is the CONTINUED MESSAGE OF ROMAN 7. Romans 7 is not the end, but the introduction to the beginning of the Spirit filled, the Spirit dominated life. Yes, we will still be tempted from outside of ourselves, but the Fifth Column Attacks will be over. Yes, we can still choose to sin, as Adam chose to sin, though he was created without a sinful nature. But the biggest YES is that, YES, God delivers from all sin and makes us more than conquerors and leads us in His triumph and makes it possible to love Him with the WHOLE HEART and to be PURE IN HEART.

NO LONGER WRETCHED, BUT DELIVERED.

04/28/23 REPOST: MISSING THE MARK

04/28/23 REPOST: MISSING THE MARK

I have posted and re-posted this, but here it is again. I hope it is helpful to folks. 

07/03/22 MISSING THE MARK
repost
04/03/19 MISSING THE MARK...
This is one of my articles from the past, in which I address my Biblical view of "sin," since I mentioned "SIN" in my answer to the question, "What happened to USA." I give four verses that use the phrase, "sin is" or "is sin." None of four verses give the complete definition of sin, but all four tell us what sin is. 

08/11/13 MISSING THE MARK...
The basic idea of sin is, "missing the mark."
However, we need a Biblical view of, "the mark." since some people erroneously say that anything that is not absolutely perfect is sin. This cannot be true, because only God is absolutely perfect, yet He created angels and man without sin. Undoubtedly those who spend eternity with God will be sinless, yet not absolutely perfect. So, here are four passages that help us understand what sin is, what it means to miss the mark, and what it means to be saved. 

Four Biblical Views of Missing the Mark
1. The Legal Mark. God is the Sovereign Lawmaker and Ruler of the universe. When God establishes laws for a people, the people are to obey or be found guilty of rebellion and insurrection. God has given specific laws to specific people in history, but does not obligate all men to obey those laws. This is seen in the laws of sacrifice, ceremony and diet, which were part of the Jewish society of the Old Testament. Christians are not obligated to keep the Jewish laws, including, Sabbath keeping. However, there are laws which are incumbent upon all men, and the breaking of these laws is sin.
1 John 3:4
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 

2. The Moral Mark. God is holy and righteous. Morality is based in the nature of God. To act in opposition to the nature of God is to be immoral. God intended for Adam and for the human race to live morally, but sin entered and morality was lost. However, God, through grace restored righteousness in His people. Whether a person was raised with Jewish training in the law, or not, God reveals moral standards to men. When a person is disobedient to legitimate authority (parental, governmental) he is guilty of moral failure, since all legitimate rule is from God. When men fail to live up to those moral standards, they miss the mark, they sin.
1 John 5:17
(17) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 

3. The Personal Mark. God has not only set universal laws, and moral standards as marks that must be met, God sets personal standards for individuals, which must also be met. This is why a personal relationship with God is essential. We can know the will of God only when we know God. Also, we can only do the will of God when we know God as our personal Lord and Savior. As a person grows in grace and knowledge he will find that his path becomes narrower, yet he does not resent it, since he loves God and lives only to please God. Failure to follow the directives, to miss the mark that God gives us individually is sin.
James 4:17
(17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 

4. The Spiritual Mark. All men have transgressed God's laws. All men have done unrighteousness. All men have done that which they know to be evil in their own lives. Therefore God has given the standard of faith as the mark which must be met if we are to be saved from sin. Our previous sins are taken away when we trust Christ and Christ alone for our forgiveness and cleansing. The power of sin is overcome when we trust Christ and Christ alone for victory over sin. We are given power to live a life of triumph when we trust Christ fully. To live a life separate from faith in Christ is to miss the mark, is to sin, and the wages of sin is death.
Romans 14:23
(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. 

THE GOOD NEWS... Jesus saves His people from their sins. Jesus came to seek and to save us from sin. By faith in Christ we are delivered from the penalty, the pollution and the power of sin. Salvation is not just a free ticket to heaven, it is deliverance from sin. It is not the imparting of absolute perfection, it is the gift of becoming what God wants us to become in this present evil world. 

A Closer Look...
4 Passages of Doom for Sin. 

I. This passage, which tells us that sin is the transgression of the law, also tells us that the salvation of God delivers the faithful from sin.
1 John 3:1-10
(1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(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.
DLG note...
Those who are the "sons of God" (by faith) will be like Christ when He returns.
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
DLG note...
Those who are serious about being "sons of God," about going to be with Christ, at His return, will avail themselves of the purifying grace of God in this present evil world. Heart and life purity are essential if we want to spend eternity with God (Ps. 24:3-4; Mt. 5:8; Ep. 5:26-27; Ti. 2:14).
Our purity is as real as His and it is as complete as His because it comes from Him. It is not an imagined purity or a self attained purity. If there is any pollution, then there is no purity, if there is purity, then there is no pollution. Our purity comes as a work of God's grace (Ac. 9:15).
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
DLG note...
Disobedience to the law of God is sin, whether a person has ever been saved or not. Adam was created perfectly holy, yet he chose to sin. No one is excused of their sin, but repentance brings forgiveness. Salvation, the grace of God is not a license to sin (Ro. 6:1, 15), it is the enabling power of God to not sin (Ro. 5:21; Ep. 2:8-10; He 4:15-16; He. 12:14-15).
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
DLG note...
The purpose of the incarnation, the sinless life of Christ, the death and resurrection of Christ was to "remove," "carry away" our sins, not to gloss over them or pretend that they do not exist or turn a blind ey to them. The Holy Spirit said, through John the Baptist, that Jesus would take away our sins (Jn. 1:29), not just our penalty. This verse says that there is no sin in Christ, and it is said in conjunction with the idea that believers are in Christ, therefore, believers are delivered from all sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
DLG note...
In agreement with the previous verse, John said that those who abide, continue, remain in Jesus do not sin. And just so there is no confusion, John said that the person who continues to sin has not seen Christ and does not know Christ.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
DLG note...
John warns believers not to be deceived by false doctrine. Believers do live righteously and they are actually righteous. If you are told that Christians are not actually righteous and that they do not live righteously, then you are being told a lie.
[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.
DLG note...
The person who claims to be a follower of Christ, yet continues to commit sin (regardless of how little or how much) is actually of the devil. It may not be popular or comfortable, but it is true and it is God's word. Sin is from the devil and those who sin are from 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.
DLG note...
On the other hand, those who are presently born of God, do not presently commit sin. This is because the seed of God remains in the believer, and the seed of God will not remain where sin is allowed. A believer can no more sin than a cow can fly, because it is not the nature of godliness to sin. We are partakers of Divine nature and we are conformed to the image of God's Son, therefore sin is foreign to believers. If a person who is a believer chooses to sin, then he is denying the power, presence and person of God to rule in his life, therefore he is not a believer, but a backslider.
(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.
DLG note...
John tells us that the evidence of salvation is the fact that the unsaved, the children of the devil, do not live righteously. 

II. This passage tells us that all unrighteousness is sin, and that whoever is born of God does not sin. 

1 John 5:17-18
(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.
DLG note, vs. 17...
All moral failure is sin, and all sin must be renounced, otherwise it leads to death. (see Ro. 6:23 and Ja. 1:12-15).
DLG note, vs. 18...
It is basic knowledge among Bible believers that whoever continues to sin (great or little) is not born of God, because those who are born of God commit themselves to cleave unto the Lord (Ac. 11:23); to continue in the grace of God (Ac. 13:43); to continue in the faith (Ac. 14:22); and to keep themselves in the love of God (Jd. 1:21). 

III. This passage tells us that we have the power individually to either obey or disobey the will of God for our private, personal lives. 

James 4:17
(17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

IV. This passage indicates that the believer will act in a way that is consistent with the law of God, the righteousness of God and the leading of God, because faith is not contrary to the rule of God, but is subject to the rule of God, and it is energized by love for God and other people. 

Romans 14:23
(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
DLG note...
The faith life is a life of obedience (Ja. 2:17-26); the faith life produces victorious living over sin (1 Jn. 5:4), which produces holiness of life and results in eternal life (Ro. 6:22; 1 Pe. 1:9).

04/28/23 THEY STILL PLAY GAMES

04/28/23 THEY STILL PLAY GAMES

Boys use to play Army, Cowboys and Indians, Cops and Robbers (all of which are now condemned as Racist and Nationalistic), Kill the Man With the Ball (now known as Rugby).

Those boys got older and now they play as if they are "grown up." This includes financial games, political games, academic games, social games.

But most of them did not really grow up. They have left God, the Bible and Salvation out of their lives, thus refusing to become mature, responsible, productive members of society.

They play at being "protectors" of fidelity and freedom by clinging to guns (while they watch their families, their finances and their faith being torn away and violated by Secularist AND Socialist forces).

Some people want a little "religion" or a little salvation in their lives, but they are not willing to totally surrender all too Jesus. They too are game players, playing "church," instead of being the church. They have become collaborators with the enemy rather than defenders of the faith.

The longer "the games" go on, the less likely the players will ever face reality and become real men.

04/28/23 TWO IS USELESS WITHOUT ONE

04/28/23 TWO IS USELESS WITHOUT ONE

Just guessing: 2nd A folks do not know there is a 1st A.

04/28/23 DON'T CHOOSE SIN

04/28/23 DON'T CHOOSE SIN

I have the "key" that sets folks free,
Still they scorn the light and refuse to see.

Matthew 16:19
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

John 3:19-21 (NKJV)
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

04/27/23 BE A TEAMPLAYER

04/27/23 BE A TEAMPLAYER

Not everyone on a team is a teammate, not every teammate is a team player, whether in sports, business, warfare, or a local body of believers.

Self pride, self assertion and self promotion robs a team of victories.

04/27/23 (Sportaphor alert)

04/27/23 (Sportaphor alert)

Strength, speed, quick response, toughness, courage, endurance can look like mayhem, but teamwork turns it into Rugby.

(insert "Churchmanship" for "Rugby")

04/25/23 BE A PART, NOT APART

04/25/23 BE A PART, NOT APART

BE PART OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, DON'T BE A STRANGER
The view from my study, office, work-out room. My "net house" is a great place for family and friends to get together for feasting, fun and faith gatherings (fellowship, praise, study, singing, encouragement, building up and equipping for spiritual service).
I hope you, your family and friends are part of a local body of believers, being built into a holy temple of God. 

Ephesians 2:17-22
17 And He (Jesus Christ) came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
18 For through Him (God the Son) we both have access by one Spirit (God the Holy Spirit) to (God) the Father.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

(comments from photos in this post)
#1
I not only meet with our folks in-person here in Williston, but also online. I also will meet with folks in their homes to set up Bible studies for them, their families and friends (sometimes in home and sometimes with an internet connection). Special studies are also offered in both formats.
#2
I use my out building (Net House) to lead praise, and the study of God's word. This includes in-person gatherings and online outreach for local folks and friends at a distance (domestic and foreign).
#3
As you will see in the following photos, we sing together, feast together, fellowship and have fun together.
#4
I use the large monitor to share visual helps and to include our live-stream people to interact with the in-person group.
#5
At present we have seven households in our local fellowship. Numbers are only important because numbers represent people, and we care about people. Singles and families are very important to us.
#6
We have eight young people at the present time (two of them are not in this photo). Our saved young people are not only going to be the church sometime in the future, they are the church now.
#7
We gather for special occasions, such as birthdays and holidays.
#8
It is essential for young people to be committed to Christ and to be involved with other young people who love the Lord.
#9
Celebrations are important, but sometimes folks just play games or converse or play music.
#10
Parents and children should be enjoying and participating in the same worship, study of God's word, and fellowship with God and His people.
#11
Each part of the body has interests they share with others, as well as participate corporately with the other parts of the body.
#12
We are starting a Monthly Men's Fellowship (in-person and online) as well as a Weekly Men's Ministry Study (also in-person and online). We have 5 local men (as well as 4 local teen males), along with 2 online men. Our Men's Ministry Study should start May 5 and include men form at least one other online Church group.
#13
And, as some of you have seen in some of my videos, I use the Net House as an indoor walking track for my health. I need to walk, but I don't need the pollen, so I walk inside the building. I often listen to music and discussion videos and sometimes make my own teaching videos while walking. You can see me at the far end of The Net House. At present I am doing 3-4 miles (at 3 mph) a day. I also do weights and machine exercises at home.

04/25/23 LEARN FROM YOUR LESSONS

04/25/23 LEARN FROM YOUR LESSONS

I went to Bible college as a very shallow believer, since I never had Christian upbringing, and I only remember having a Bible believing pastor for a couple of years in my lifetime. I had a lot to learn. God had always been good to me, even when I would backslide from time to time, and I never forgot His faithfulness or call on my life. Some of my learning during Bible college years was taught and some of it was caught.

Being eager to learn and grow I paid attention to my ministry studies and I paid attention to God's personal leading. The first (or second) winter, when snow and ice were on the ground, I slipped on the steps, going down into the dining hall, injuring my ankle. In fact, I thought for a moment that I had broken my foot again. Immediately I gave praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. I was not asking for healing. I was just thankful for His watchful care, even though I may have broken my foot. After all, it could have been much worse.

As I attempted to stand up, I realized my foot stopped hurting. I was still cautious, but I proceeded into the building. Within moments I was walking normally, with no pain. God confirmed a great lesson to me that day. I was aware that God protects and heals and I was aware that I should give Him praise in all things, but this was such an obvious manifestation that I could not ignore it.

However, I learned a greater truth than the fact that God heals. I learned that giving Him praise is always in order, regardless of circumstances. I did not come away from that experience expecting God to keep me from all difficulties or injuries, and I did not come away from that experience expecting God to instantaneously heal me of every problem or sickness I may have. I came away with the joy of knowing God was with me and would be with me even when my circumstances were not good.

You may say, it was only a twisted ankle or at the worst a broken bone, so what is the big deal? I agree, it was not a world shaking event, but I learned from it the importance of giving thanks to God, sincerely and immediately; not for the deliverance that God can give but for the assurance that He is with me at all times, even when the evidence seems to indicate otherwise.

I have noticed that some folks react to life differently. Some folks are always gloomy, even in the the best of times. Some folks lose their spiritual focus when something negative happens in their life. And some of those folks allow that negativity to spread throughout their thinking, attitude, behavior and relationships. Saying the words of praise is not a mantra or incantation or magical phrase or a trick to get God's blessing. We must be in a place of true submission, praise and thanksgiving when we say the words of praise. It needs to be a "whole man reaction," to God. We need to praise Him when things are, "good" and when things are, "not so good," because God is always good, He never fails, He never leaves us or forsakes us and, "all things work together for good to those who love the Lord."

This great truth has seen me through countless trials and losses. No matter what happens, "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised."

04/25/23 REPOST... DELIVERANCE FROM SIN

04/25/23 REPOST... DELIVERANCE FROM SIN

I posted this short overview a year ago. But God posted the original, in much more detail, thousands of years ago.

04/24/22
Salvation saves us from sin and sinning.

It is true that a Christian SHOULD NOT SIN (since we are saved from sin and sinning).

It is true that a Christian CAN NOT SIN (we are delivered from sin's domination, and we are enabled and empowered to obey God.

It is possible and expected that Christians do not sin).

It is true that a Christian CANNOT SIN (the life of faith and the life of the Holy Spirit within us are contrary to continuing, ongoing sin).

It is true that a Christian CAN sin (but it is rare and it must be confessed and turned from in order to remain in faith. Unintentional, unplanned sin must be renounced immediately if we want to continue in a right relationship with God).

Here are just three passages, upon which I base my statements. These passages clearly state the Biblical truth that salvation is deliverance from sin 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. 

Romans 6:1-23
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

1 John 3:1-10
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
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.

04/25/23 NOT DISTURBED ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS

04/25/23 NOT DISTURBED ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS

Conservatives get bent out of shape when they think about how the government and Liberal society maneuvered them with false information concerning COVID, concerning masks, concerning distancing, concerning the lock downs, and rightfully so because it was wicked not just misinformation.

Why aren't Christians bothered at all with the misinformation that they're pastors and the rest of "Christian" society around them are promoting, by telling us that we cannot be delivered from sin and telling us that we cannot be made more than conquerors through Christ? Where is the uproar over that?

The promotion of sinning religion is far more destructive than any social, political corruption. But sin is more palatable than infringements on earthly freedoms. Just look at the way Christendom has opened its arms to divorce, sex before and outside of marriage, homosexual "marriage," transgendering, sex with children, drugging, gambling, profanity, pornography, family values, civil behavior, and the list goes on.

There was a time when churches would raise their voices against sin's encroachment, now they raise up against those who teach and and follow the Bible.

Though our society was not Christian, it publicly observed decency, truth, honesty, loyalty and other Christian principles. With each turning from Biblical morality and submission to God, our country moves further and faster into darkness and insanity.

04/24/23 HEADY RELIGION FAILS

04/24/23 HEADY RELIGION FAILS

Evidences that "heady" religion is not Biblical salvation are that cerebral "Christianity;"

Does not save people from sin and sinning;

Does not impart overcoming faith;

Does no produce perfect love or joy in the midst of sorrow, or peace that passes understanding, or hope where there is no hope,or rejoicing in the midst of trial or conformity to the image of Jesus or holiness of heart and life.

Those folk often have a zeal for human wisdom and religion, but their excitement about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the word of God, Christ likeness, victorious living, total commitment is usually lagging. In fact, I have had people with heady religion come to me and ask questions about my beliefs; and though they can't argue against the Biblical witness, they are so bound to heady religion that they hold steadfastly to their joyless, unsatisfying beliefs.

This is especially interesting since heady religion claims that my doctrines are legalistic and create fear, sorrow and angst. But the reality is, those who have believed and have entered into full salvation have joy unspeakable and full of glory and they have a confidence in God and His word which carries them through the darkest moments and heaviest trials.

It is time to trade in your heady religion for heart changing, Spirit empowering, triumphant salvation.

04/24/23 CHOOSE YOUR BELIEFS CAREFULLY

04/24/23 CHOOSE YOUR BELIEFS CAREFULLY

I read and believe the whole Bible.

Believing in sinning religion is a devilish deception.

04/23/23 A GREAT BOOK TO HAVE

04/23/23 A GREAT BOOK TO HAVE

One of my favorite Bible survey books was, "The Unfolding Drama Of Redemption." It was written by William Graham Scroggie, a Baptist minister, who wrote about the deeper life (or higher life) of Sanctification, from a Keswick position.

Scroggie made the Bible narrative easy to follow for a the young Christian but thorough for the seasoned saint. I have always found the Title of his book to be intriguing. I think the idea that our life is an unfolding drama of redemption is a good way to frame our journey.

Sadly, some people's lives are stuck on the Title page, never making it to the INTRODUCTION, much less the chapters which lead to a wonderful ending.

Follow Jesus. Make your life an adventure, a love story, not a tragedy. The righteous live by faith, and remember, faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

04/23/23 WE NEED TO GO, NOT JUST KNOW

04/23/23 WE NEED TO GO, NOT JUST KNOW

When facing a decision, simply contemplating the road to success leads to nowhere.

It is not good enough to know the right way, we must go the right way. 

Psalm 32:6-8
6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.
7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.  

Psalm 143:6-8
6 I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
7 Answer me speedily, O Lord; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.

Proverbs 3:5-12
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. 

Proverbs 4:18-27
18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

04/23/23 HINDRANCES TO GROWTH

04/23/23 HINDRANCES TO GROWTH

As long as we argue for our own view, or for the worldly teachings of ungodly men (rather than yielding to the authority and revelation of God), we will be building a fortress of mud, a castle of vapor, a palace of refuse.
As long as we dig-in and resist Divine wisdom and counsel, we are undermining our own foundation.
As long as we reinforce our fallacious arguments, we are fortifying the bars that imprison our minds.

People refuse to abandon a failing cause because of personal pride.

Personal pride is the destroyer of our own making.
Personal pride is the poison we put into our own sustenance.
Personal pride is the fire that consumes our own lives.
Personal pride is the cancer that eats away our own peace, joy, love, confidence, comfort.
Personal pride is the acid that dissolves our own relationship with God and loved ones.
Personal pride is the weight that crushes our own dreams to dust.

04/23/23 SEEK, HUNGER, THIRST

04/23/23 SEEK, HUNGER, THIRST

I have sought to live by God's revealed word and I have endeavored to teach God's word to my family and congregations. Sometimes God has taken us off the beaten path of typical ministry and churchman-ship. In the rapid and ever changing world since the 1950s I have sought to believe, live and teach the Christian faith consistent with New Testament revelation. Many of the changes I have had to deal with were not written in ministry books. I often found myself following the Holy Spirit and His word into situations that required desperate prayer and study. I was not given the luxury of honing my gifts and skills of preaching, teaching, pastoring. I was too busy seeking, calling on and following the Holy Spirit into new frontiers and confronting new forms of resistance in our society, government, economics, academics.
I have tried my best to lead my people in the light of God's word.

I have tried to teach them Biblical truths and spiritual principles.
This has been good for my own personal growth in knowledge and grace.
However, there is something that has not changed through all of these decades. Learning, understanding, memorizing Scripture is as essential now as it has ever been. (in some ways it is more essential now, but that is a different article).

I encourage young people to learn the word, memorize the word, hide the word in their hearts.
Don't fill your lives or your minds with the foolishness (pleasures, entertainments, amusements, wisdom, knowledge) of this passing world.

The New Testament calls us to be filled with the good things of God.

Hunger and thirst after righteousness, and you shall be filled.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Be filled with the word of Christ.
Get to know the love of Christ that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all His wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Be filled with joy.
Be filled with goodness.
Be filled with comfort.
Be filled with the fruits of righteousness.

04/23/23 EASIER CAUGHT THAN TAUGHT

04/23/23 EASIER CAUGHT THAN TAUGHT

Sometimes the truth of God is easier caught than taught.

God's truth is sooner perceived and received by the heart of the humble than by the mind of the brilliant, because truth is more than the communication of temporal fact, truth is the communication of spiritual realities.
(passages taken from New King James Version) 

John 14:6-7
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."

John 8:31-32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 18:37
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

1 John 5:20
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 

Truth is received because it is truth and truth resonates within the mind, regardless of our education. God's truth is not an academic discovery, it is a relational revelation, shown to those who trust Him.

Explaining the truth often confuses the truth in people's minds. I am not arguing for blind acceptance. There must be a foundation of truth that is reasonable, but reason is not the strict domain of the "intellectual." Reason is not simply academic accomplishment. Reason is relational acknowledgement.

I can reason that something is true without knowing all of the facts of the subject. I can reason that something is true because of the source. Obviously there is no absolute reasoning without an absolute source of information. God and His word is our absolute source of information. Whether I comprehend it or not, I know that what God says, and what God does is true to His nature.

I don't have to know or understand the specifics of a subject (though it can be helpful) but if I know the Author, or if I know the Messenger I can know that the message is true, I can know that it is reasonable. If I have trouble understanding the Messenger or Author (God), then I need further enlightenment from Him. Another lesser messenger may help me but often times other messengers confuse the message rather than clarify the message. The biggest help a Christian scholar can be to the Church is to provide a faithful translation of what God said. Human interpretations and philosophies are more detrimental than helpful.

I tell you this because there are so many voices garbling the message. To a great extent, the Author (God) gave us His message clearly in Scripture. He also spoke to His people through appointed and anointed messengers, and ultimately has spoken to us through His Son, the Messenger of the Covenant, and in His written word, given by the Holy Spirit. Today God uses Bible believing, Holy Spirit led human messengers to broadcast His word, His truth.

Through the years men have lost either the Message of God or they have lost the meaning of God's Message. This is when human attempts to convey God's message often confuses the meaning of God's truth. Men think they must explain God's word through fallible human logic or academics. Men settle for human counterfeits because it is easier to fill our minds with worldly wisdom than to yield our minds and lives to Divine reason and authority.

God intended for all men to have a knowledge of His word, His way and His will. However, when men refuse to accept the revealed word of God they resort to man-made philosophies and theologies, usually leading people away from Divine enlightenment rather than into Divine truth.

As a result, men, even sincere and honest men, get caught in the trap of accepting and believing the explanations of men rather than the simple, but profound, word of God. Two important things are needed to understand God's word (at least understand that which He wants us to understand at any given time); these two things include knowing and understanding the Person, Nature and Work of God and also knowing and understanding the word of God. If you are "understanding" God's word, based on the teachings of people who contradict, diminish and reject the word of God then you are not actually understanding God's word.

I get tired of wading through tomes of worldly and fancy footwork theologies, based on human wisdom. I have no time for "Biblical" arguments that glorify man's intellect and charisma. God gave us His word so that we might know Him. He gave us His word so that we might be conformed to His image. He wants to draw us to Himself. Though God is a God of righteousness, judgment and justice, He wants to rescue, redeem and restore fallen men to a right relationship with Himself. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, though He does celebrate the triumph of holiness over sin.
We should fill our hearts and minds with truths that glorify His goodness, His mercy, His kindness, His love, His Justice, His righteousness. 

We get an insight to God's interactive nature, His moral attributes, by considering His special communicable traits instilled within His people through His Holy Spirit, and especially from His description of love, which He refers to as, "the more excellent way."

Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

As important as the laws, the justice and judgments of God are, we are told,

Romans 13:8-12
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

As important as God's characteristics are, we are told that God is love.

1 John 4:16-19
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Love does not exclude or negate the other characteristics of God, but love is paramount in the characteristics of God. God hates sin but God loved the world to such an extent that He sacrificed His Son to become the Savior of all men.

1 Timothy 2:3-6
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

1 Timothy 4:10-11
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
11 These things command and teach.

04/21/23 WHY I "HARP"

04/21/23 WHY I "HARP"
(this will take you between 5 to 10 minutes to read, but it might help someone in their daily walk and lifelong journey: it may be worth the time).

I preach and teach about a wide variety of issues related to our spiritual lives (doctrinal, practical, social, relational, political, moral, economic, recreational, educational). There are periods of time when I focus on a specific subject and I address it from many different angles. I deal with the lies of sinning religion almost all of the time, since it is the counterfeit, which Satan wants us to believe, and sin is the life he wants us to live. I often expose the lies of the supposed Divine decree of our inability to choose to believe on Christ; the false doctrines of unilateral and unconditional salvation, limited atonement, and the blatant lie that sin does not separate us from God.

I also realize that I address these issues a lot in my writings. This is because the doctrines of sinning religion are running rampant. It was not always this way. However, those who have espoused the false teachings of Augustine and Calvin have flooded the internet, and since people go to the internet for information they encounter the most visited, most popular sites, which are Reformed and Calvinistic.

Since there is a flood of false doctrine, I respond to the darkness by shining the light of Scripture, though some folks, even in my own congregation, may think I over react. I don't want any of my family or my congregation to ever turn from light to darkness. Let me tell you how that can happen through the following steps (*).

*Truth sets people free, but it only frees the people who believe the truth.

*We are born with God's grace already active in our lives, and God extends His love, mercy and grace to us through His goodness, kindness, enlightenment and the restraining work of the Holy Spirit in our world, but we are born with a spiritual "bent to sin."
*As a result of this "sinful nature," at some point we choose to do that which we know is evil (to whatever degree it may be, it is still sin) and we become accountable for our sin.

*At some point we hear the gospel of Christ's sacrificial and salvific death and resurrection for the sins of the world, and we hear the call of God to believe on Christ for Divine salvation, we then repent (turn from sin and turn to follow Christ); to confess our sins and confess our faith in Christ publicly.
*These are Divine conditions, which are declared in the Holy Bible. These are not humanly devised impositions, rules and regulations.

*When we respond in faith to the call of God (when we are "saved" from sin), which includes *justification (forgiveness of our past sins and being made righteous); *regeneration (new birth, aka born again, born of the Holy Spirit); *initial sanctification (our conscience and life is cleansed), *we are then empowered to live righteously.

*Salvation (being saved) transforms us from sinners to holy ones (saints) and enables us to keep God's commandments and to do that which is pleasing in His sight.
*Remember, entire sanctification (cleansing from the Old Man, deliverance from the Double Mind) comes to the believer subsequent to our conversion, as we come to understand our inherited sinful nature and our need to make total consecration.

*Believers are enabled through salvation live as God's word says,
*walk in newness of life;
*walk in the light, even as Christ is in the light;
*walk in the steps of Jesus;
*walk as Christ walked;
*walk in truth;
*walk in love;
*walk in faith;
*walk in good works;
*walk worthy of our calling;
*walk worthy of the Lord;
*walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh;
*walk in God's commandments;
*walk uprightly;
*walk in righteousness;
*walking in God's ways;
*walk in the perfect will of God (walk in perfect love);
*walk honestly;
*walk as children of light;
*walk circumspectly (carefully, wisely),
*believers still have a free will after salvation and after being filled with the Holy Spirit (as did Adam, though he was created without sin or flaw), therefore it is possible for the most advanced believer to choose sin, to turn from God's will, from God's grace, from God.
*The danger of going into sin is immediate and can be eternal.

The following emphasizes why I am so deliberate and persistent in warning people about sin and sinning religion.
*Sin has three postures; WALKING, STANDING and SITTING, each with a different degree of separation from God.

Psalm 1:1 points out that the blessed person:

*"Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly."
"To Walk" refers to the way we live.
"The Counsel" refers to influence promoted by someone.
"The Ungodly" refers to people who are not seeking or yielding to God and His word; they neglect God.

*"Stands not in the way of sinners."
"To Stand" refers to a commitment deliberate choice.
"The Way" refers to a specific behavior of someone.
"Sinners" refers to those who have chosen to willfully disobey God; they reject God.

*"Sits not in the seat of the scornful."
"Sits" refers to taking an immovable position.
"The Seat" is the assumed position of authority.
"The Scornful" refers to those who mock, ridicule, demean God and His word; they invect God.

*Each of these three postures leads to a more defiant and separated relationship concerning God.

I am pastor to family and friends. I am concerned that any one of them can be in a right relationship with God, but a lack of vigilance may lead them into sin.

*Going back into sin would start out in the life of a believer who hears, listens to the counsel of the ungodly. That has been the way of rebellion and backsliding since the beginning of mankind and it was the concern of Paul at the beginning of the Church Age.
*The believer does not have to be convinced, or well versed in the lies of darkness.
*However, when there is more garbage in than there is truth, then the person will slack off from a vital commitment to God and begin to absorb some of the false doctrines around them.

*The person (the one who is socially and morally responsible) but listens and is receptive to the counsel, the teaching, the philosophy, the worldview of the ungodly, will be more susceptible to more destructive false doctrines.

I am seeing this happen more frequently and more quickly than ever before. This is why I bear down on the plain truths of the Bible. I don't want my family members or my fellow church family to be nudged away from truth or drift into deception because the way of darkness will end in eternal loss and tragedy.