07/26/23 JUST SO YOU KNOW

07/26/23 JUST SO YOU KNOW

Through the years I have preached about a multitude of situations, issues, doctrines. My preaching and teaching is drawn from my spiritual training and leadership of the Holy Spirit and godly believers, studies (primarily Scripture) personal experiences (primarily salvation and Christian ministry), ministry experiences (primarily preaching the Bible and addressing problems, questions and needs in the lives of Christians and sinners), observations (the people and society around me), current events and history.

Most of the subjects that I have addressed have been part of my on life or my pastoral life.
I have preached on subjects that I knew were part of other peoples lives

and

I have preached on subjects, with which I had no personal experience or connection.
Obviously, the older I got and the longer I preached, the more of life I became aware through experience, observation and reading.

As with other gospel preachers, people (mistakenly) have thought I knew secret things about them or they thought I was preaching at them when in fact, I was not. When people try to figure out who the preacher is "preaching at," they are ignoring the Holy Spirit, Who is actually speaking them about their own needs.

My preaching comes from a mixture of reasons.
Some of my preaching focuses on specific sins or circumstances, therefore some of my preaching is applicable to certain people.
Some of my preaching focuses on exposing false doctrines.
Some of my preaching is focused on the blessings, the fruit, the victories of God available to believers.
Some of my preaching is very definite, and personal to specific individuals because only God and the individual knows how it applies to the person.

My proclamation is both "scatter gunned" and "targeted." In other words, I send my message out to the general public (because everyone needs what I say) and I sometimes aim my message with certain problems and people in mind.

Three of the principles, which guide my preaching, teaching and counseling, are need, truth and love, therefore I preach the truth in love.

(notice the sections I designated with an asterisk *)
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, *pastors and teachers;
12 For the *perfecting of the saints, for the *work of the ministry, for the *edifying of the body of Christ:
*13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth *be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
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.

07/26/23 PASTOR/PARISHIONER CHECKLIST

07/26/23 PASTOR/PARISHIONER CHECKLIST

If your pastor is not...
Leading you into victory, light, growth, conformity to the image of Jesus, by exposing your frailties, weaknesses, errors, and your sins;

If your pastor is not...
Teaching you Biblical doctrine and equipping you to withstand false doctrine;
and
If he is not...
Reproving (better understood as, "convicting," and "rebuking," and "refuting," and "persuading," and "confronting," and "presenting evidence") concerning believer's errors, deception, misdirection, sin, in both thought and practice;
Then your pastor is not doing his job and,

If you ARE NOT...
Submitting to Biblical teaching of doctrine,
and if you ARE NOT...
Submitting to Biblical reproof and rebuking of your thoughts and actions,
Then you are not following Christ.

If your pastor is not...
Correcting (leading from darkness to light, from error to truth, from human, earthly, carnal, devilish wisdom to Divine wisdom, which conforms the believer to the likeness of Christ and conformity with the New Testament standard of holiness of life,)
Then your pastor is not a Biblical pastor.

If your pastor...
Is not training you in righteousness;
Is not leading you out of self oriented, and self serving beliefs and living, then you do not have a Biblical pastor.

If you think that your limited view of salvation is greater than the ongoing preaching, teaching and counseling of Scripture, which comes from the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, then you are already blinded and headed for total darkness. 

2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
God has appointed pastors to perfect believers in the faith.

If you don't think you need to be changed, led into greater light, delivered from the remains of worldliness and humanistic influences and continuously equipped to resist and reject the powers of darkness, then you are already a deceived slave of Satan. 

2 Timothy 3:17
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

If your pastor is doing his job and you are rejecting his leadership, his teaching, his example, his call for you to grow in grace and knowledge, then you are in opposition to the revealed plan of God for preparing believers and His church for spiritual worship, service and battle.

Though the following words were given to Paul, they apply to all of God's called, chosen, anointed and sent ministers of the Gospel. 

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

Also, we find these words in the book of Hebrews. Remember, these words are as inspired, authoritative and applicable to us as is John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8. 

Hebrews 13:7
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 

Hebrews 13:19
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
If your pastor is not doing his job, then you probably need to find a new pastor... NOW.
If you are not submitting to Biblical directives and leadership, then you need to repent... NOW.

07/25/23 TRUTH IN RHYMING VERSE

07/25/23 TRUTH IN RHYMING VERSE

When corrections apply,
Walk in the light.
Don't bat an eye,
Just do what's right 

When you hear God's Word,
And it strikes fire,
Accept what you heard,
Don't be a denier.

Don't blame God's preacher,
For your failure and strife,
Follow God's teacher,
To a victorious life.

07/24/23 THEY JUST WON'T LISTEN

07/24/23 THEY JUST WON'T LISTEN

If you have ever tried to reach and help a loved one who has a destructive addiction (alcohol, drugs, pornography, self abuse, illicit relationships), but they reject, refuse your counsel, your outreach of love, your offer of support and help; or if you have warned a loved one who is living in a make believe world, which will eventuate in their ruin, but they continue in the destructive activity, errant way, confused thinking, and you cannot get them to see or abandon their errant way; or if you have a loved one who is facing a terrible medical malady but they are not willing to take the available steps to avoid the inevitable; then you may understand the heartache of a pastor who tries to pull folks back from the fires of destruction.

It is heart breaking when loved ones choose to take a path of destruction, when they refuse to take the way of deliverance. Sometimes they do not believe that their way is dangerous or they do not believe that the way of deliverance is valid. They have swallowed a lie and they will not turn from it.

If you have experienced any of these scenarios, then you may understand what it means when a pastor cannot reach people with the light of the gospel and the power of God's word and His Holy Spirit.

I remember when my son and I pulled up behind another car at an intersection, which teed onto a highway. While we were waiting for a tractor trailer to pass by, the car in front of us inexplicably pulled into the path of the Semi.

The truck was barreling down the highway, with no way to stop or miss the small car. The truck t-boned the car at full speed. The car driver could do nothing, the trucker could do nothing and we could do nothing but watch (and of course we prayed). But we could do nothing that would cause the collision to not take place. (Miraculously, God protected the driver, who flew about in his car, knocked out of his shoes, while the car basically flew a few hundred feet down the highway). Except for the intervention of God, the consequences were inevitable.

If you have ever watched a love one deliberately pull in front of a disaster which could have been avoided, something that you could have saved them from, but they would not listen, then you have an idea of what it means to be a pastor, offering God's deliverance from total disaster to people who will not listen.

07/24/23 NOT ME

07/24/23 NOT ME

There are people who say they like and want their preacher to proclaim Bible truth, but they change their viewpoint when the preaching or teaching or counsel addresses the problems in their own lives. I have run into this problem since I became a pastor in 1969.

I remember a song that says, "Everybody Else But Me." That seems to be the theme song of self oriented, self serving, self pleasing people.

The lyrics of the song are really great, but the person who wrote the song has reconstructed his belief system to deny Biblical truths. But regardless of his present beliefs, what the song says is true about so many folks.

Everybody Else But Me
Don Francisco

Way back there in Jesus' time; the Pharisees walked so proud
They thought that they had the way to God; they prayed their prayers out loud
But Jesus said they had hell to pay; for the pretense and the games they'd play
I'm glad that's not like us today;
we wouldn't act like that

Everybody else but me, Everybody else but me
He was talking to the hypocrite and pharisee
Everybody else but me

I went to church one day last month, the preacher he preached real good
Talked about 'true' commitment; New Testament brotherhood
Talked about watching the things we say; the gossip that can wound and slay
I sure wish Joe had been there that day;
cause he really needed to hear it

When Jesus made disciples; he told them what they had to do
He said take up your cross and follow me; deny yourself and you'll be free
But he ment those guys back in Galilee; that was just for them back then

Everybody else but me; everybody else but me
He was talking to those people back in Galilee
Anybody else but me

07/24/23 PERSONAL CONTINUUM

07/24/23 PERSONAL CONTINUUM

People need to receive the word of God as a healing agent, not as a torture device. Sometimes the loving, true, searching, healing, saving word of God brings pain, but though the work of redemption hurts for a while, it delivers and heals forever.

Sometimes a person should leave a "church" in order to find Biblical doctrine and spiritual edification. Too often people move from one church to another for carnal or misdirected reasons.

In the past, do you know what the advantage was for "New Church" to require Brother or Sister "Transfer" to get their "Old Church" to send a letter (document) recognizing (recommending) Transfer's moving from "Old Church" to "New Church?"

The communication between churches and pastors gave evidence that "Transfer" had actually made a profession of faith and had taken steps of obedience to Biblical directives, church authority, discipleship and unity with other believers in "Old Church," which would also verify the intention of "Transfer." I did not understand the value of this principle as a young pastor, because I mistakenly thought "letters of transfer" had to do strictly with denominational or organizational alignment.

Sadly, discontented people will leave churches for a variety of unworthy reasons, based on personal preferences or resistance to Biblical standards and authority. Those people carry their discontent wherever they go. "New Church" should consider the history of "Transfer's" church relationships because the well being of "Transfer" depends on him or her submitting to Biblical truth and leadership, and the well-being of the parishioners at "New Church" will be in jeopardy if a discontented church hopper is received with open arms.

As I said, sometimes there are Biblical or logistical reasons (major change in location because of occupation or health needs) for a person to move to another church. But discontent and refusal to accept Biblical doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness is the devil's way of destroying individuals, families and churches.

Churches and pastors should not try to control the minutia of peoples lives. However, churches and pastors have the right and the obligation to require Biblical behavior and relationships in the local body.

It is a disservice to "New Church" and to "Transfer" when "Transfer" comes with disruptive baggage. Even if "Transfer" is able to fit into "New Church," they are still the loser if they do not learn Biblical truth and behavior.

Everyone suffers when "Transfer" moves from church to church for carnal, selfish, unbiblical reasons. God sets the standards for individuals and churches. Loving and Biblical counsel is not a fun thing to go through, but it is required for everyone and for all churches, which are seeking to follow God's directives and minister faithfully to the local body.

A loving pastor and loving church does not want to lose anyone, even the discontented person. No loving pastor or church wants discontented folks to go to another church, without facing and solving their discontent.

I have believed and shared these truth for a long time, but America has moved from the "Me Generation," of the eighties, to the "Millennials," which was called the "Me Me Me Generation," by Time Magazine, ten years ago.

Secularism and Humanism has contributed to the narcissism of of today's young people. Anti-family, anti-Bible, anti-authority influences are now shaping the leadership of Education, Politics and "Churches."

07/22/23 IMPORTANT

07/22/23 IMPORTANT

I encourage you to watch a movie on YouTube, "None Shall Escape." 

Watch it as a family. Require your children (12 years and up) to watch it with you.

It has happened before, time and again.

It is happening around the world, now, at different stages.

The same preparations for godless takeover and oppression is now taking place.

It is verifiable history, and

It is the prophesied future for our own homeland.

But I know what will happen. Folks will shake their heads, click their tongues, laugh at my "hysteria" and march their families into destruction.

07/22/23 STUDY FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

07/22/23 STUDY FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Here are four good reasons people want to learn Biblical truth.

I will give them in no special order. Though they are each different, they should all be part of a person's search for truth. Each of the four is the flip side of one of the other four reasons. (#s 1 and 2 are the flip side of each other and #s 3 and 4 are the flip side of each other). People hope that studying the Bible will meet their need and lead them to their goal.

#1 People want to learn the truth of God because they want to be saved from wickedness in their lives. They not only realize they have sinned, they know that sin has power over them and they want to be delivered from the shame, the guilt, the power of evil.

#2 People want to know God's word because they want to be in a right relationship with God, they want to please God in this present evil world, they want to live life as life was meant to be lived.

#3 People want to learn the word of God because they want to spend eternity with God, they want to go to heaven.

#4 People want to study the Bible because they do not want to spend eternity in torment, they do not want to suffer eternal punishment.

I am afraid that some folks who started studying the Bible for any of these reasons eventually settled for studying the Bible simply as a pursuit knowledge, information, religion or as a philosophical principle.

We should study God's word in order to escape eternal torment in the lake of fie; in order to live forever in the presence of God; in order to find deliverance from the corruption of sin; in order to be conformed to the image of Christ, and in order to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus and to be conformed to the image of Jesus and in order to be equipped for the evangelizing of the unsaved.

Do you study the Bible for the right reasons?

Are you hungering and thirsting for God's truth, which will lead you out of temptation and into spiritual victory?

07/22/23 THE CONDEMNED REJECT THE TRUTH

07/22/23 THE CONDEMNED REJECT THE TRUTH

Narcissistic people take preaching, counsel and uncomfortable Biblical truths as personal attacks, therefore there is never a good time to address toxic attitudes, venomous speech, abusive behavior. The very thing they need is rejected and the messenger of God is despised and blasphemed. The messenger may be a parent, a sibling, an offspring, a spouse, a pastor, a Christian friend. After all, who knows us better than those who are closest to us? God may use an unclean vessel or even a donkey. It does not matter to the person who is saturated with self and deception, they will reject truth from everywhere.

However, God directs us to be faithful in proclamation of His word, in season and out of season; in other words, tell the truth in love, even when it is "not a good time." Not only will God's messenger be hated, but God's word will be hated, and ultimately God will be hated.

Telling the truth in love will often drive the self absorbed and obstinate person further from God, His truth and His messenger, as we see in the example of Pharaoh when he was confronted by Moses. As with Pharaoh, the consequences of rejection impact many more live than just the offended one. Still, truth must be held onto and it must be proclaimed. It must be offered to the lost, regardless of what they will do with that truth.

Here is Divine truth, through Apostolic teaching to a pastor, concerning leadership of believers.

PLEASE READ and HEED. (notice places marked with an asterisk *. 

2 Timothy 3:14-17 and 4:1-5
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 *All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is *profitable for *doctrine, for *reproof, for *correction, for *instruction in righteousness:
17 *That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 4:1-5
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 *Preach the word; be instant *in season, *out of season; *reprove, *rebuke, *exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 *For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; *but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 *And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, *and shall be turned unto fables.
5 *But watch thou in all things, *endure afflictions, *do the work of an evangelist, *make full proof of thy ministry.

07/21/23 DON'T SWALLOW THE SWILL

07/21/23 DON'T SWALLOW THE SWILL

Just so you know, in spite of what your translation says or seems to say and in spite of what your preacher/teacher may be telling you:

Jesus did not fear the cross,
He did not seek to escape death on the cross,
He did not become actual sin,
He did not forfeit or lose His Deity or cease to be the Son of God,
He did not suffer the indignities and suffering that was handed out by Satan and demons in torment,
He was not born again through the resurrection,
And you are not little gods, you never were little gods and you will never be little gods.

Don't swallow the lies, lies, lies.

If you are being taught that these things are Biblical, you need a different teacher, preacher. These kinds of lies are diminishing the nature, dignity, immutability, glory and salvific work of Jesus, and each error opens up a new can of corruption and deception.

Do not choose spiritual leaders based on a few particular doctrines. You need to know that your pastor is consistent with all essential beliefs of the Bible.

Don't settle for "good enough," especially if you have new or younger believers in your family. To play this game is playing Russian Roulette (with a fully loaded gun) with eternal souls at stake.

And of course, if you are interested in my understanding of these issues, please get in touch with me. But be aware, I don't argue for argument sake.

07/20/23 CHOOSE TRUTH

07/20/23 CHOOSE TRUTH

Normal concern for attaining and maintaining excellence includes conformity to established standards, accepting correction and direction, seeking and receiving counsel, submission to legitimate authority, commitment to make needed changes, a positive attitude concerning other people.

These principles, in conjunction with faith and submission to God, are obligatory for those who want to be all that God wants them to be.
Salvation includes and requires denying self and following Jesus.
Anything less is a false religion and hypocrisy, regardless of how it is packaged, promoted and presented.

Don't fear loving and Biblical counsel.
Fear the absence of loving and Biblical counsel.

Read and heed God's word.
Be thoroughly familiar with what God has said in the book of Proverbs.

Seek and procure the best spiritual atmosphere for your children.
You only get one shot at training them in God's truth early.
God does not give you multiplied blessings for you to pick and choose how to use them.
God gives you everything you need for life and godliness, He does not offer options. It is yours to receive it is not yours to cherry pick to please your own agenda.
Align your agenda with God's agenda, align your desires with God's desires, align your mission with God's mission.
Die to self and live solely for God.

07/19/23 A WALK IN THE GARDEN

07/19/23 A WALK IN THE GARDEN

The Christian walk is not a walk in the park.
The Christian walk is a walk in The Garden.

But it is not always a walk in the flower garden.

Jesus showed us what a walk in The Garden was like when He battled Darkness; when He almost died; when He was on the verge of fulfilling His eternal plan of salvation on the cross and rising from the dead.

King David referred to this kind of walk; "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

As we stand on the mountaintop of victory, we see God's call to continue in victory. We catch a glimpse of the next mountaintop, which requires us to descend from our lofty and exhilarating experience, to battle the denizens of darkness, death and destruction. We may suffer pain, disappointment, extreme loss, and possibly personal defeat, but we must walk by faith, we must trust God, we must be faithful to His call, we must deny ourselves and follow Him fully.

Remember, God does not send us into the battle alone, He does not send us in order to destroy us, and He does not send us without a reason.

Regardless the trial, if we keep our eyes on Jesus He will never leave or forsake us. And even if we falter and fail, God is ready, willing and able to restore our joy, peace, love and victory.

For those who follow, even through times of terrible testing, there is another mountaintop awaiting us. Even our final victory comes as we pass through life's greatest trial.

We don't live for the mountaintop experiences, we live for the Lord, and He is greater than the mountaintops. Valleys and mountains come and go, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever; He changes not.

07/18/23 IT IS WHAT GOD SAYS

07/18/23 IT IS WHAT GOD SAYS

Here is a simple question, with a simple answer.

According to the Bible...
Q. Can a Christian live his life in such a way that he fulfills the law of God?
A. Yes.

Notice, I am not saying everyone or just anyone can keep the law of God.
Notice also, I am not indicating that the keeping of the law of God earns or merits salvation.
Notice again, I am not suggesting that anyone has kept the law of God throughout their entire life or that a person who has been converted cannot disobey the law of God.
Notice too, I am not saying that we are subject to the sacrificial, dietary, civil and ceremonial laws of Israel.
And especially notice, I am not saying that failing to keep the law of God must end in separation from God forever.

Of course I am saying all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death.
I am saying that those who have not kept the law of God (all of us) can be saved, reconciled to God by trusting in the death, resurrection and salvation of Christ.
I am saying that those who are saved (by grace, through faith in Christ) are saved from sin and sinning as they walk in faith, walk in the light of Christ, walk in the Spirit.
I am saying that being born of God enables us to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and those who love Him will keep the law of God and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
I am saying what God says in His word. 

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 15:10-14
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. 

Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

1 John 2:3-6
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. 

1 John 5:2-5
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?

07/18/23 SOUND DOCTRINE LEADS TO GODLY LIVING

07/18/23 SOUND DOCTRINE LEADS TO GODLY LIVING

LET TRUTH TRANSFORM YOU AND CONFORM YOU

I address Biblical doctrines (teachings) as much as I do because our lives are guided by what we actually believe.
I present God in the light of His moral traits, because that is what determines God's actions, which in turn determines our lives.
I focus on doctrines, truths that transform our lives, more than I focus on ideas, which have no bearing on our behavior.

GOD IS
God is holy (righteous, pure), we are called to be holy (righteous, pure).
God is love and loving, we are called to love and be loving.
God is just, we are called to be just.
God is merciful, we are called to be merciful.
God is kind, we are called to be kind.
God is patient, we should be patient.
God is true and honest, we should be true and honest.
God is forgiving, we should be forgiving.
God is faithful, we should be faithful.
God is compassionate, we should be compassionate.
God is gracious and giving, we should be gracious and giving.

GOD IS ALSO
God is also wise, we should trust His Word and His Spirit.
God is also sovereign, we should be submissive and obedient.
God is eternal, we should be eternally minded rather than temporally minded.
God is also Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we should be familial and social beings.
God is also One, we should worship and serve only Him.
God is also Creator, Sustainer, we can and should depend on Him.

ATTENDING PASSAGES
I realize the following list of passages is long, BUT they are well worth considering, in relationship to this post. Don't skim the passages. Take time to absorb the great truths. All of them. 

Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

1 Timothy 1:3-11
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 

2 Timothy 4:2-4
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

Titus 1:7-9
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 

Titus 2:1-15
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

07/18/23 BASICS OF SANCTIFICATION

07/18/23 BASICS OF SANCTIFICATION

(Definition:
Sanctification is to be made holy and to be separated from sin and separated to God.)

God has provided for faithful believers to be Sanctified Entirely, in a moment, in this present world (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24), which is, "the sanctification (the holiness) without which no man shall see the LORD," (Hebrews 12:14).

Entire Sanctification (the gracious, miraculous, instantaneous, purifying of the believers heart from the sinful nature), comes after Justification, which includes Initial Sanctification (the cleansing of the convert's conscience and behavior).

The word, "Entire," indicates something more than Initial, but does not preclude or replace growth in grace, which takes place in the believer from the time of conversion until the believer goes to be with the LORD.

Initial Sanctification happens concurrently with our Justification (delivering from "sins" i.e. sinful actions and guilt), and Entire Sanctification (delivering from "Sin" as an inherent condition, a.k.a. The Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the Flesh, Double Mindedness, Sinful Nature, Adamic Nature), happens subsequently to conversion, and both Initial and Entire Sanctification are miraculous and instantaneous Divine works of salvation.

Initial Sanctification and Entire Sanctification, as crises experiences, are entered into suddenly, which is not the same as what happens with "Progressive Sanctification."

"Progressive Sanctification," is the ongoing process of growth in grace and knowledge and submission, beginning at conversion and continuing through the lifetime of the believer.

Entire Sanctification is not the believers Glorification, which takes place at the resurrection or at the time of the rapture when
our earthly life is over.

07/16/23 BEWARE THE ALLURE

07/16/23 BEWARE THE ALLURE

This is not a prophecy, but an observation that will probably be a factor in future beliefs and behavior, including spiritual and moral concerns.

The internet is a powerful source of information, sometimes for good and sometimes for evil.

People who are looking for Bible and Christian information, truth, guidance on the internet can find it, but they must wade through tons of misinformation, deception, error.

This makes it likely that most people, including followers of Christ, will be led to sites which are antagonistic to the Bible and the God of the Bible.

As we have seen, dangerous sites abound and either corrupt or feed the corruption of those who turn to the world wide web for entertainment, information, inspiration, companionship.

We are seeing the dark possibilities of the internet, as it relates to future beliefs and behavior. The Biblical warning concerning an end-times system of One World Government, One World Economy and One World Religion finds an open door to the souls (reason and desire and emotion and conscience and will) of mankind. And sadly, most folks do not have a gate keeper who can protect them from deadly intruders.

We do not need to wait for this deception and control through the internet to come in the future. It is already at work, and gaining speed everyday.

I warn everyone, including well intentioned followers of Christ, do not let the internet take the place of a soundly established Bible preacher/teacher. You need to know the person who feeds and leads you. You need to know their testimony, their Biblical stance, their personal commitment, their dedication to live according to the word of God.

I am constantly amazed at how Satan's dark deceptions are packaged and propagated as Biblical truth, concerning Bible, doctrine, music, history, salvation. It is bad enough that there are relatively few teachers and preachers of truth, but the superabundance of false teachers and false teaching found on the internet makes the probability of deception much more likely.

BE CAREFUL, YOUR SOUL DEPENDS ON IT.

07/14/23 A DESTRUCTIVE DISTRACTION

07/14/23 A DESTRUCTIVE DISTRACTION

One of the great truths of Scripture, which many Christians seem to miss, is this:
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Don't allow the enemy to turn your spiritual battles into earthly conflicts. It is a distraction, which will cost you your victory, peace, power, love, joy.

07/14/23 EMBARRASSMENTS WILL COME

07/14/23 EMBARRASSMENTS WILL COME

We are all going to be embarrassed at some points in our lives. Some embarrassment is incidental, while other embarrassments can be life changing and devastating. Make sure that you are not the one who does something, which will be devastating to yourself, your family, your church, your fellow believers, and especially not an embarrassment to the Name and cause of God.

Christians must live by Divine principles and follow Biblical directives and be subject to spiritual leadership and counsel. This will deliver us from unnecessary shame and suffering.

Don't wait until you have done the humiliating thing, and then seek God's deliverance. Certainly if we fail, we need to seek God's grace, forgiveness, renewal, but we do not have to do the shameful thing.

Seek and follow God's leading, His truth, His word, His wisdom, His Spirit and He will lead you NOT INTO TEMPTATION, but rather, He will make a way of escape, so that you will not be tempted or you will be enabled to resist that temptation.

07/14/23 A WARNING AND A JUDGMENT

07/14/23 A WARNING AND A JUDGMENT

I know why the greatest nation in the history of the world is being led into insignificance by incompetent and criminal leadership (actual "Idiocracy").

It is because God allows people and nations to determine their own destinies.

07/13/23 CONSIDER SOVEREIGNTY

07/13/23 CONSIDER SOVEREIGNTY

Most of us have seen movies about tyrants who oppressively rule over their people, giving free reign to their children to do as they please without any consequences for their evil behavior. In fact, we have seen politicians who use their authority to shield their own crimes, the crimes of their cohorts and the crimes of their children. The crimes can be personal or they can be crimes against the people at large or against specific segments of society.

We have seen a POTUS who has used his authority and power without justice and without righteous standards for himself, his family, and as a millstone on U.S. society. As someone has said (at least on the human level), "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Here are some thoughts I had concerning power and authority, which are not controlled by justice, mercy, grace, or love.

Sovereignty without justice selectively permits, protects, promotes and prospers the wicked, the rebellious, the lawless and the evil.

Sovereignty without justice selectively overlooks and endorses evil.

Sovereignty without justice punishes the law abiding and moral person.

Sovereignty without mercy designs a society and a world for the purpose of oppression, wrath and punishment.

Sovereignty without mercy is ungracious.

Sovereignty without mercy is graceless.

Sovereignty without justice and mercy either selectively ignores criminal activity or sets up loopholes, which decriminalize the actions of the criminal.

Sovereignty without justice and without mercy standardizes corruption and oppression.

God's love, grace, mercy and justice are not limited by His sovereignty or defined by His sovereignty.

The one true and living God of the Bible is sovereign, but His sovereignty serves His moral traits of justice, mercy, grace and love.

07/13/23 LESSONS FROM FISHING (2018 VIDEO)

07/13/23 LESSONS FROM FISHING (2018 VIDEO)

Not much to this old video, but the message is very powerful.

LESSONS FROM FISHING
Launched and paddled to Carrot Island.
Caught bait and prepared to fish.
Returned to boat ramp, all within an hour and a half (including downloading and uploading all my gear and my kayak), because of lightening storm.

This is all the video I got. 

The STORM IS COMING.
TIME IS SHORT, FISH!

07/13/23 PEEKS AND PEAKS

07/13/23 PEEKS AND PEAKS

Sometimes people say things that are not only beyond their own wisdom, but things that are contrary to their own belief system. This is especially true with teachers, writers, speakers, composers of Christian material.

Years ago, a popular motivational writer who went under the banner of "Christian", wrote the phrase, "From Peak to Peek", indicating that successful people advance from a level of success to envision another level of success.
Though I do not agree with that person's theology, the statement itself has value. In fact, the phrase can be turned several ways and still have value.

From "Peek to Peek"
God gives believers insight, understanding of certain truths. When a person has a "Peek" into God's will and follows, obeys, applies the principles of that truth, the person will be given another "Peek" into another, more advanced vision.

From " Peek to Peak"
A Christian needs to have a vision, an understanding, a hope, a "Peek" into the will of God before he actually reaches a "Peak" or mountaintop experience. Hope precedes Faith, and Faith follows Jesus from victory to victory. But where there is no vision, the people perish.

From "Peak to Peek"
When a person reaches a new "Peak" (level, mountaintop) of faith and obedience in God's will and God's call, then God broadens their knowledge, their understanding, their vision and enlightens their mind, challenges their faith, gives them another Peek into His plan, His leading, His call for their life. Walking in His light leads to walking in His light. This is growing in grace and knowledge of Christ.

From "Peak to Peak"
God not only gives us a vision and He not only extends our vision, He gives us victory after victory as we follow Him. We go from mountaintop to mountaintop. This requires us to travel through difficult terrain, dangerous forests, marshy and stagnant lowlands and dark valleys. But even the crooked ways are made straight, the high places are brought down, the low places are raised up along the way. Not everything is good, but all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

07/10/23 IN VARIOUS WAYS

07/10/23 IN VARIOUS WAYS

A.I. was a human problem before we had computers.

07/09/23 BECAUSE HE LOVES US

07/09/23 BECAUSE HE LOVES US

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would convict (convince, reprove) the world of sin.

The Holy Spirit works in our lives through, and in conjunction with, the word of God.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin so that we may believe on Christ, confess our sins, repent (turn from) our sins, deny ourselves and follow Jesus.

The working of the Holy Spirit happens in a specific instance and also through a string of events. This is why I preach, teach, counsel and constantly repeat the message of surrendering to God. God will help the rebellious person to see and understand his need and to be converted. Hopefully, those who do not respond when they first hear the word of God will hear and heed the Holy Spirit the next time they hear the word of God.

It is essential for us to receive the word of God in order to be saved. The Holy Spirit of God deals with us when we hear God's word. If we neglect, reject His call, He may come to us at a later time to remind us. But if we are exposed to the word of God again, He will use the word afresh, to convince and to convert us.

My great concern is for those who choose not to see or hear the word of God. They are slitting their own spiritual throats.

We are saved by grace through faith.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I come as an ambassador of Christ, calling people to be reconciled to God.

07/09/23 PRIDE IS A TERRIBLE THING

07/09/23 PRIDE IS A TERRIBLE THING

It separated the chief angel and a third of the angels from God.
It separated Adam and Eve from God.
It has separated all descendants of Adam from God.
Pride is what gets us separated from God.
Pride is what keeps us separated from God.

Consider these New Testament verses.

When Mary praised God for Jesus, she said:
Luke 1:51
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

Paul's list of sins in the life of a reprobate includes:
Romans 1:30
...Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,...

Paul told Timothy these people have corrupt minds:
1 Timothy 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Paul said these would be the characteristics of end times people:
2 Timothy 3:2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

James told us God's response to the proud:
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.

Peter told us God's response to the proud:
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

07/09/23 PREPARE YOURSELF FOR WORSHIP AND SERVICE

07/09/23 PREPARE YOURSELF FOR WORSHIP AND SERVICE

I went over to The Net House to take care of some things this evening. While I was there I took advantage of the opportunity to pray for myself and our church folks. I am blessed beyond words and I want to always be a blessing to others.

Part of my prayer is that each believer comes in the spirit of love, submission and self denial because that is the requirement for worshiping in spirit and in truth.

My back-up prayer is that those who do not come in the Spirit will humbly surrender to the Holy Spirit and die to self. To fail in this area is to fail God, self, family, church and the lost, to whom God wants to send you.

We cannot make anyone conform to the likeness and the will of God but we can pray for them. However, we can determine our own spiritual condition when we gather with the local body. In fact, we have the opportunity on Saturday night and Sunday morning to prepare our hearts and minds. It is a double insult to God if we neglect proper preparation and then fail to come into His presence in the fullness of the blessing.

I know the enemy is working in people's lives to keep us from following Christ fully and to keep us from worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness.

Prepare yourself tonight for a glorious time tomorrow. 

James 4:8 KJV
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

07/09/23 WHEN SCIENCE IS NOT

07/09/23 WHEN SCIENCE IS NOT

Neutrinos, Quarks, Protons, Electrons, Neutrons, Photons, Fig Newtons and Morons
KNOWING truth today is as essential, but more difficult to attain, than it has ever been. The Bible tells us that men will be "ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth."

This is true because people love darkness (sin) more than they love light (truth). It is also true because deception is increasing and strengthening in these days, more than ever before.

So-called science (pseudoscience) has become the self appointed source and distributor of "truth." Pseudo science will fuel the hellish fires of lawlessness, greed and blasphemy, which will demand the worship and submission of society, as the new flood of sin, wipes out a world, which is being washed away in rebellion, pride and perversion.

For the greater part of a century, the scientific community has been setting the trap to ensnare the minds of the supposed intellectual community as well as the minds of grass roots society. The scientific community has changed the standards of determining truth. Let me give you an example.

The scientific community (actually springing from the Queen of Sciences, Theology) had a foundation in discovering truth, facts, laws.

However, when the Humanistic segment of the science community could not align their opinions or their intentions with God's revealed word, they decided to disengage from the Bible and to become critics of the Bible. This included offering points of view which were more palatable to those without faith. Then they attacked the Bible as a book of myths and errors. They not only promoted the absurd as though it was the absolute, they moved from the idea of proving ideas, hypothesis and theories to the point of saying that the things they could not explain were defensible on the bases of "probability." In other words, they promoted faith in their vain imaginings and scoffed faith in the Creator God of the Bible. This is where much of science is today.

It started with attacking the idea of creation, including creation of the universe, the world and mankind. It moved to the realm of denying God's laws of morality concerning sexuality, marriage, gender. The drive to replace Biblical revelation and Divine authority led them to invent new stories concerning the origin of matter, life, order. Science has moved from the facts of the Universe and lifeforms to the supposed authority of speculation concerning Multiverses, Megaverses, Macroverses, Omniverse, Oververse, Archverse. These imaginary concepts are being discussed in scientific circles as if they are real, yet they are only imaginary solutions to problems they cannot solve and questions they cannot answer. This kind of speculation intrigues our present world, which is groping in darkness (intellectual, moral and spiritual).

So, if you are looking for the answer to our ORIGIN, EXISTENCE, LIFE, FUTURE, you will not find it in studying the UniVERSE, MultiVERSES, MegaVERSES, MacroVERSES, OminiVERSE, OverVERSE or ArchVERSE.
But you will find the truth, the answers, in studying these VERSES.  

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

Psalm 33:6-9
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.  

Isaiah 40:26
26 Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.  

Jeremiah 10:11-13
11 Thus you shall say to them: "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens."
12 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
13 When He utters His voice, There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: "And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries."  

John 1:1-4
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  

Acts 17 24-25
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.  

Romans 1:18-32
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

07/08/23 TRUTH IS NOT A THEORY

07/08/23 TRUTH IS NOT A THEORY

IF YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS AND REJECT IT, YOU ARE WILLFULLY REJECTING THE OBVIOUS... AT YOUR OWN PERIL

In scientific method, the words, "theory, law, hypothesis and fact" are not used in the same way as in normal conversation. In scientific nomenclature, "theory" is more authoritative and final than the word. (Actually, I think the scientific use of the word has changed since I was a in elementary school). On the other hand, the scientific use of, "law" and "fact" is not authoritative and final.
This next statement is taken from SERP (Strategic Education Research Partnership). This is an historic view concerning the origin and present use of the word, "theory." 

QUOTE FROM SERP
"The Theory of a Theory
Wait a second! Isn’t a theory something that we know for sure, knowledge that’s been studied, tested, and proven, like the atomic theory of matter? It’s a serious word, a word that carries weight, right? Researchers study it. Professors teach it. Students are tested on it. Scientifically speaking, that’s true. The dictionary defines “theory” as “a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena.” The germ theory of disease, the cell theory of organisms, and the general theory of relativity are examples of scientific theories that have been built up over time on strong foundations of evidence.
But the word theory has another common meaning that’s nearly opposite! To understand this non-scientific definition, let’s turn to the origin of the word. It comes from the Greek theorin, which means “to look at” or “to observe” or “to speculate.” That term comes, in turn, from the Greek theoros, “a spectator,” which comes from thea, meaning “theater.” Perhaps this connection to the theater is part of the reason the word theory is sometimes used to suggest that something not completely real is going on. Unlike the scientific definition, the common definition leaves room for speculation. It implies that something isn’t proven, that it’s just a hunch."

DLG observes...
Funny how that works. The speculations, the unproven, possible errors of "scientists" become inerrant (by definition) and Divine revelation is discarded as stumbling blocks to knowledge.

Thus, "Science" (so-called) has torpedoed the truths of God, creation, human dignity and exceptionalism and sexuality and family fundamentals, morality, possible enlightenment for human betterment.

This is not a surprise, since mankind has always attempted to choke out God and His revelation, which germinated in the Garden of Eden, flourished in the antediluvian world and then reappeared in Babel. Babel was a self admitted attempt by mankind to overthrow the living God of creation and become the replacement god (which was also the intent of Adam and Eve in the Garden).

Modern, so-called science (aka pseudoscience) has been wanting to kill God and enthrone mankind in His place. As Satan blinded and deceived Eve, and as the spirit of rebellion took over the entire world in the days of Noah, and as the concerted effort of the people Babel sought other deities through ancient astrology, so the modern age is now coming together under a common world language through the computer, and forming a one world economy, a one world government and a one world religion, atop the tower of human attainment in the land of godlessness and chaos.

We are now living in a world where the leaders of government, academia, "science," finance, religion are worshiping and serving Secular Humanism, mocking Biblical truth, persecuting Christ followers. There is a turning from God to self and to outer-space aliens and to technological saviors.

We are watching as the new Tower of Babel (confusion, chaos, rebellion, self aggrandizement) is being built through communications, technology and opposition to Divine revelation.

It is no accident that the Bible tells us in the book of Revelation that the BABEL-ONIAN system will be the predominant political, religious and economic system in the last days.
It is because people have turned away from Divine revelation, and they are turning from common sense, that people are believing insane lies. God tells us in His word that men will turn from truth in the last days because they do not want to obey the truth and be saved.

This will result in God sending strong delusion to those who refuse to be saved and choose to persecute His people.

I hope you will take time to read these two chapters from 2 Thessalonians, because this is NOT THEORY, THIS IS DIVINE, inerrant, infallible REVELATION. 

2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 NKJV
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.  

2 Thessalonians 2:3-17 NKJV
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

07/08/23 BLESSED BY A DREAM

07/08/23 BLESSED BY A DREAM

I had not sung an old Christian chorus in very long time, but around 12:45 am I had a dream.
In the dream I was with a group of other believers.

We encountered another group of people (who were not Christians) and I asked them if they knew what Christians had for breakfast.
They said, "no."

I started singing and my friends joined with me.
We sang,
"Jesus, Jesus,
Jesus in the morning, Jesus at the noon time,
Jesus, Jesus,
Jesus when the sun goes down."

My friends were good singers and joined me, singing in harmony.

When we finished, the other group asked us to keep on singing.

We sang the same song, including two other verses.
"Love Him, Love Him,
Love Him in the morning, love Him in the noontime,
Love Him, Love Him,
Love Him when the sun goes down.

Serve Him, Serve Him,
Serve Him in the morning, Serve Him in the noontime,
Serve Him, Serve Him,
Serve Him when the sun goes down."

I am not a singer, but I have sometimes sung a song, as a witnessing tool. People will sometimes listen to a song more intently.

I remember witnessing to a convenient store clerk one time (in the late 1960s).
As other customers were coming into the store, I wanted them to hear my witness too, so I asked the clerk If I, along with Steve, a fellow Bible college student (who sang in our college men's quartet), could sing a song for her.
She said yes.

I don't remember the song but my friend joined in, making it a much better presentation. The clerk listened and some of the other customers stood still and listened.

Anyway, back to my dream comment. I had not sung this song, "Jesus, Jesus..." for quite a while, but there it was. I woke up singing it in my mind and it has been lingering for the past couple of hours.

I suspect I will still be singing it later today. What a blessing to have such a fun and meaningful dream.

07/06/23 (RE-POST VIDEO) JW AT THE DOOR

07/06/23 (RE-POST VIDEO) JW AT THE DOOR

Re-post. Recounting JW encounter. This is an example of how how I deal with Bible subjects (Theology, Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Eschatology, Ecclesiology, Anthropology, Cosmology, Astronomy). I hope you watch.

GO LIVE 2016
NOT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
A 12.5 minute review of an encounter I had this morning with some Russellites (Falsely called Jehovah's Witnesses).
They claim to believe the Bible, but they do not believe these truths from the Bible.
They do not believe Jesus raised Himself from the dead.
They do not believe that Jesus is God.
They do not believe in only one God.
They do not believe in the physical resurrection.
They do not believe that Jesus ascended physically into heaven, that Jesus sits physically in heaven, that Jesus will return physically from heaven, that Jesus wil reign physically on the earth.
They do not believe that the Father created all things.
They do not believe the Holy Spirit is a Person.
There are other things we talked about, but basically,
THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THE HOLY BIBLE.

07/06/23 DECEPTION AT THE END

07/06/23 DECEPTION AT THE END

Probably the most significant sign, as the end draws near, is all invasive, rapidly spreading, totally destructive deception and chaos, in every area of life.

Today's dystopian, dysphoric society is just the tip of the coming "iceberg." Knowledge is increasing faster than it can be absorbed and technology (AI and Quantum Computers) is ushering in an apocalyptic world. But, as Scripture says, knowledge will multiply but men will not be coming to the knowledge of the truth.

The more society learns and the more society changes, the less society knows and the less likely society is to be enlightened and transformed by God and His salvation.

The lies abound in science, media, communication, history, medicine, politics. Likewise, Satan's deception, his lies about God, about salvation, about the Bible, about morality, about doctrine, about interpersonal relationships, about Christian relationships and Christian living are a worldwide plague, and the only hope is loving and walking in the light of God's truth.

I am dedicated to staying on top of spiritual dangers and threats, and I have been combating the gathering darkness for almost sixty years, but it is impossible to keep up with the flood of lies. If it is so difficult for a full time, God appointed shepherd, how much more daunting for even the dedicated, well established churchman?

I work at it and I study God's word in order to lead my people away from, and out of Satan's traps. Yet, there are people who are being deceived, ensnared, poisoned because they choose the appeal of forbidden fruit instead of the correction of the word of God. I watch as people reject Biblical truth and blindly dance into a life of self aggrandizement, drawing their family and friends with them.

I often study and teach about the dangers of false teaching and false teachers. Sadly, most people swallow the popular lies and resent anyone who attempts to tell them otherwise.

It is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I can see the disastrous end, but I can't get the victims to listen, much less turn from their destructive ways.

Don't take these days lightly and don't take Bible teaching and counsel lightly. The only way out of the coming darkness is to walk in all of the light of God. Don't just listen for sound doctrine, seek it with your whole heart and embrace it as if your soul depends on it, because it does.

07/05/23 WE CAN ALL USE A LITTLE HELP SOMETIME (VIDEO 2016)

07/05/23 WE CAN ALL USE A LITTLE HELP SOMETIME (VIDEO 2016)

This is a memory from seven years ago. If you don't want to hear me point out God's plan for fulfilled lives, families and churches, "just walk on by..." This was a LIVE FB video. I hope it blesses you.

07/05/23 NOT JUST A ROAD TRIP

07/05/23 NOT JUST A ROAD TRIP

The Christian life is not a road trip for fun and relaxation; it is a mission transformed life of loving trust and obedience in service to God and His people.
The Christian life is not our own personal itinerary, designed according to our temporal and self oriented desires; it is a life of Divine purpose, schedule, comradery and accountability.
And keep in mind, God always knows best, and God always does all things well, and God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose and God gives us everything we need for life and godliness. But He does not provide all of these blessings to the person who takes their own route in life, rather than follow Him.

07/05/23 THE NEED FOR LOCAL SHEPHERDS

07/05/23 THE NEED FOR LOCAL SHEPHERDS

The shepherd protects his flock by fighting the lion, the wolf and the bear.
He guards them by placing himself between the sheep and their enemies, as a door that shuts out the intruder.
He leads them to food and drink.
He seeks them when they go astray.
He rescues them when they get into trouble.
He guides them through difficult terrain.

These are some of the reasons God calls, equips, trains and enables His under-shepherds.

It is an insult to God for a believer to think he or she does not need a pastor or does not need to follow a loving, knowledgeable, self sacrificing pastor.

Yet, pastors watch in great dismay as disgruntled, self-sufficient parishioners reject the plan of God, the leading of God, the provision of God. It is bad enough when someone removes himself or herself from God's plan, but it is even more disturbing when folks rob others of God's will.

God's directive to the leadership of the church was spoken by Paul. 

Acts 20:28-30
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

07/05/23 STOP, LOOK and LISTEN

07/05/23 STOP, LOOK and LISTEN

When you find yourself withdrawing from Biblical and loving pastoral counsel, leadership, authority, you need to STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN. It is important because you are acting contrary to Divine revelation and plan.

As sheep that stray from the shepherd and the flock, you are vulnerable and you put your family at risk.

You are about to make a decision that will destroy your relationship with God and negatively impact other people who are watching your walk with Christ.

07/05/23 DERAILED AND SIDETRACKED

07/05/23 DERAILED AND SIDETRACKED

Derailed and Sidetracked are two of Satan's ways to destroy those who have turned to Jesus. The rail or track is the path along which a believer travels, while following Jesus.

A train is derailed when a sudden and catastrophic event removes a train from its tracks. Spiritually, this is when a Christian is completely separated from a right relationship with God; when a believer is no longer following Christ.

A train is sidetracked when it moves off of the main route. This can be temporary and may even be for the benefit of the train. However, when a believer is sidetracked, he has left the prescribed path and taken another route. This may be for a brief time, but it is still a separation from God's call. Temporary sidetracking can be eternally costly, to the one who is sidetracked or to others who are traveling with the sidetracked believer. Being sidetracked can also become a lifelong condition. I remember seeing train cars which have been sidetracked and left sitting, uselessly sitting for years.

Don't allow Darkness to get you offtrack. You must watch and deliberately choose to be faithful to God. God's word tells us to abide, continue, remain, follow. 

God's words to Jude are appropriate at this time. 

Jude 1:14-25 (especially notice the designated *verses)
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
*20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
*21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;
23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
*24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. 

Obviously this is a subject with many ramifications. It would be a great "discussion starter."