04/21/23 IT DOES MATTER

04/21/23 IT DOES MATTER

It is better to believe and behave like God loves you and wants to save you than to believe and behave like you have no choice.

04/20/23 SEEING CLEARLY

04/20/23 SEEING CLEARLY

We can realize we are corrupt or filthy, but we don't know how corrupt or filthy until we are cleansed. My misperception was in my own eyes, but new lenses allowed me to see clearly.

True spiritually as well as physically.

"I once was blind, but now I see..."
I received the miracle of spiritual sight when I was Born of the Holy Spirit, but I received even clearer understanding through the miracle of a pure heart when I was filled with the purifying presence and work of the Holy Spirit.

First, God regenerates us when He imparts His Holy Spirit to us.
Second, God purifies us when He fills us with His Holy Spirit.

Remember, Jesus told the Disciples to, Go into all the world... and make disciples of all nations...

AFTER THEY TARRIED "in Jerusalem to be endued with power from the Holy Spirit."
We receive the Holy Spirit in our salvation but we are filled with the Holy Spirit (His purity, His power, His presence) in our entire sanctification (full salvation).

We are entitled to eternal life by being born again, we are enabled for ministry by death to the world, the flesh and the devil in our total surrender.

04/20/23 "I AM IN TROUBLE"

04/20/23 "I AM IN TROUBLE"

Being in trouble, but not realizing you are in trouble.

A consistently successful athlete can be behind an opponent by a very small amount, but realizing there is plenty of time left in the contest, and realizing that he has the ability to overcome a minor deficit, he is not alarmed. But late in the contest, whether the deficit is large or small, a reigning champion suddenly realizes, "I AM IN TROUBLE;" he realizes his victory is not guaranteed. In fact, his opponent's performance indicates the probability of the unthinkable, A LOSS.

This is true in the Christian experience as well. A believer may have overcome various trials in the past, and therefore mistakenly think that he will not be overcome by a present, and small difficulty. After all, "FAITH" is the victory." However, presumption is not faith.

God's word tells us, 

1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV)
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.

God gives us instruction, leading, wisdom, discernment, understanding, "light," counsel, through Scripture, His indwelling Holy Spirit, pastoral leadership, fellow believers. If a person neglects or rejects God's guidance then there is no escape from impending doom. Our only hope is in Jesus. Our only hope is faith (obedient trust) in Jesus.

Proverbs 6:12-15 (NKJV)
12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;
13 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers;
14 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.
15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 29:1 (NKJV)
1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 

Don't end up in a place where you realize, I AM IN TROUBLE.

04/20/23 THERE IS A BALANCE

04/20/23 THERE IS A BALANCE

To be bold without being tender is being a bully.
To be tender without being bold is being a victim.

04/17/23 ONE MUST PRECEDE THE OTHER

04/17/23 ONE MUST PRECEDE THE OTHER

Until and unless we realize our own lost-ness, we will never want or experience His deliverance.

04/17/23 SUCCESS COMES IN A PACKAGE

04/17/23 SUCCESS COMES IN A PACKAGE

Some of my friends, which appear to be moving forward in their spiritual lives, are the most likely to quote spiritual nuggets they glean from the messages they hear from their own pastors (such as total commitment, holiness of heart and life and full salvation).

It is also true that some of my friends, which have a form of godliness but lack the power of the resurrection life, quote from their own pastors, who are preaching another Jesus, another Spirit and another gospel (such as sinning religion or miracle mongering).

The old saying is, "you are what you eat." This is true spiritually as well as physically and mentally. Too many people are feeding on the husks of man-made religion, while some are being fed nothing but the milk of the word. Seek out a preacher who preaches, "the faith, once for all delivered to the saints," and, he should be preaching more than entry level salvation. Your pastor should be declaring to you "the whole counsel of God."

However, it does not matter how pure and powerful the message is that your pastor preaches, if you do not walk in the light God gives you, you will be unproductive and face the possibility of being cut off and cast away. We must not be "hearers only," but doers of the word of God.

But if your pastor is preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, you should be repeating those truths to others and inviting them to, "come and see," what God's word can do in their lives.

04/16/23 TRUST GOD AND STAY CALM

04/16/23 TRUST GOD AND STAY CALM

We are living in desperate times, but it looks like things are going to get worse.

No fear. God's plan is still at work.

He is not surprised and those who trust and follow Christ are not forsaken.

04/14/23 NOT AN ANGEL IN SIGHT

04/14/23 NOT AN ANGEL IN SIGHT

This may be the worst technical video I have ever done. I mostly read my notes, because I did not want to leave anything out of my argument. Sooo, if you are looking to be entertained or captivated by my showmanship, sorry.

I have added this text, which includes excerpts from one of my earlier posts.

There are several Biblical reasons that refute the gross and absurd idea that angels, falsely referred to as sons of God in Genesis 6, cohabited with human females.

Over the years a lot of people have fallen for a doctrine of demons concerning Genesis 6, which is actually taught by some popular, well respected "Bible Teachers." The truth of Genesis 6:1-7 is clearly stated in the passage and most Christian scholars through the centuries have agreed with what the passage says.

However, pagan beliefs became part of the Jewish tradition and eventually this particular false narrative was deliberately and erroneously credited to Enoch in two writings. From one or two pseudepigraphal books bearing the name of Enoch, we find this pagan and vile account of sexual relations between spirit creatures and human beings.

Other books that are mistakenly referred to as "Lost Books of the Bible include The Book of Enoch, The Gospel of Barnabas, The Gospel of Peter, The Gospel of Judas. Those books were never part of the Bible and they do not meet the requirements for Biblical canonization (qualification). 

Though there are several points that can be addressed, I am only going to give one argument against the angels/sons of God position. My one point is the passage itself. The passage is sufficient, especially since there is NO OTHER PASSAGE THAT DISAGREES WITH THE CLEAR MESSAGE OF THIS PASSAGE. The Bible does not refer to angels in this passage.

God knew what He wanted us to understand and He clearly and repeatedly chose to refer to men and mankind and deliberately did not refer to angels cohabiting with humans. Angels are referred to as sons of God in another part of the Bible, BUT NOT in Genesis 6.

(excerpt from my post in 2010)
"An example of mistakenly interpreting the Bible according to human/demonic wisdom, rather than according to what it actually says is when it is erroneously said that the Genesis account of the Sons of God cohabiting with Daughters of men is referring to angels or fallen angels cohabiting with humans. The Bible says no such thing.

The reason this is important is because countless numbers have been ensnared by cults that use this error to turn people from the truth and purity of the Bible and gospel message. People turn to the cults because few churches are teaching the word of God clearly and with Divine power. The lost and ensnared are being sacrificed to the cults. 

I. A Quick Look at the Passage...
A. Genesis 6:1-7
1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repents me that I have made them.

1.Points to Ponder from the Overall Message...
There is not one single reference to angels or fallen angels in this passage. In order to get angels out of this passage we have to read (angels) into this passage. Even if we use the Jude passage, it does not say that the Sons of God were angels or that the angels cohabited with humans.

2. Verse By Verse...

vs 1 ...MEN began to multiply... DAUGHTERS were born to them. These are two classifications of humans, both male and female. MEN began to multiply (not gender but race). DAUGHTERS WERE BORN TO THEM (children were born to humans). Nothing angelic in this verse.

vs 2 In the Bible, SONS OF GOD is used in reference to Adam, Jesus, angels, redeemed men and even Israel.

However, each place makes it clear that it is either Adam, Jesus, Christians, Angel or Jews.
There is no mention of angels in this passage; only to humans.
The Sons of God is the righteous segment of society and the Daughters of men is the unrighteous segment of society.

Earlier, in Genesis 4:26 we are told that MEN began to call on the name of the Lord.
MEN TOOK TO THEMSELVES WIVES, which is a human arrangement, not an angelic arrangement.

In the New Testament, Jesus taught that angels do not marry and they do not have children.
Also notice that the MEN took WIVES AS THEY CHOSE. They were guided by carnal desires, not by Divine directives or godly principles. Sexual gratification was chosen over moral, eternal reason.

Satan used this attack against Israel later in history when Balaam told pagan king Balak to intermarry the women of his kingdom with the men of Israel. This would lead the men away from the true God and Balak would be able to defeat Israel. (see Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14; Jude1:10-11; 2 Peter 2:13-16).

It is the same temptation that ensnared Eve and has continued to enslave people through the years; and evil alliance that draws away from God.

The sin related to Genesis 6"1-7 is godly men being led astray by worldly women.

vs 3 My Spirit shall not always strive with men. This indicates that something displeasing to God was taking place in marriage relationship. Obviously the breakdown of morals and faith followed marriages that compromised godliness. This is strictly addressing God's relationship with humans, not angels.

We see this same plot of Satan in the garden with Eve, and Paul was concerned that the same kind of attack would happen to the Christians in Corinth.

vs 4 the Giants are not said to be anything other than powerful men.

The word GIANT may refer to physical stature, but it also may refer to man's greatness in other areas of life. We refer to men being giants of industry, commerce, government, militarism, finances, intellect, skill, art, sports. This passage says that they were MIGHTY MEN OF RENOWN.

There have been clusters of physically large men (giants) throughout history, not in the sense of "Jack and the beanstalk" kind of giant. Goliath and his family fit into this category of human giants. Goliath was not the offspring of angels, neither are the other groups of exceptionally large human beings. This passage says nothing about angels, fallen angels, demigods or any other spirit creature cohabiting with humans.

We actually get a glimpse of a MIGHTY MAN OF RENOWN in Genesis 10:8-9, when Nimrod is called a "mighty man" and a "mighty hunter," (which Hebrew word is also used in reference to a hunter or an oppressor of other men). Nimrod was a kingdom builder and builder of great cities. It is not out of keeping to use the term, "giant" in reference to an extremely successful political leader, military man, or a man of commerce.

The cohabitation was between men and women, who conceived and bore children, which angels do not do.

vs 5 Man's deeds and thoughts were evil, not the thoughts and deeds of angels.

vs 6 God was grieved with the wicked development of humans, not angels.

vs 7 God declared His intent to destroy mankind, not angel-kind. Even animals would be destroyed, but no mention of angels.
This is a totally human and earthly scenario.
(end of excerpt)

Now let's see how the word of God is perverted by this false doctrine. Let me read it the way the devil wants you to believe it. 

Genesis 6:1-7 (a corrupted version)
1 And it came to pass, when MEN began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
The "men" refers to humans, since two men gendered people cannot multiply and have children. Humans had children and some of those children were daughters. It would be the daughters of these ungodly people that would corrupt the men who came from a godly heritage.
Remember, the world fell quickly into a godless condition, causing God to send the worldwide flood.

2 That the ANGELS or FALLEN ANGELS saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with ANGELS or FALLEN ANGELS, for that THEY ARE SPIRITUAL CREATURES THAT HAVE THE POWER TO COHABIT WITH FLESH, THAT IS WITH HIMAN FEMALES: yet THEIR days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the ANGELS or FALLEN ANGELS came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, THESE HALF HUMAN AND HALF ANGEL or FALLEN ANGEL became mighty DEMIGODS which were of old, DEMIGODS of renown.

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of ANGELS or FALLEN ANGELS AND DEMIGODS was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of THEIR hearts was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made ANGELS or FALLEN ANGELS AND DEMIGODS or men on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7 And the LORD said, I will destroy ANGELS or FALLEN ANGELS and DEMIGODS ALONG WITH man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both MAN, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air, for it repents me that I have made ANGELS or FALLEN ANGELS AND HUMANS.

This is how it would read if this is what it meant.
It is blasphemy to change the word of God (add to the word of God, take away from the word of God).

Accept this passage for what it clearly says.
There are people who play fancy footwork with passages in 2 Peter and Jude, in order to promote this doctrine of demons, but those passages do not support the fallacy that the sons of God in Genesis 6 were actually angels.

04/12/23 NOW YOU SEE U.S., NOW YOU DON'T

04/12/23 NOW YOU SEE U.S., NOW YOU DON'T

For thousands of years, the Bible has declared the present day developing alliances of Russia, Iran, China, Syria, Turkey The Revived Roman Empire as well as the "New World Order" (a One World Government, One World Religion and One World Economy).

I have been preaching for decades that the USA would not be a factor in the end times. I preached this when most people could not grasp the idea that America would ever fall. The worldly evidence favored the idea of the a strong America in the last days.

I did not see America in the Scriptures. America is not missing from the Bible simply because America did not exist in the Bible days. God knew everything. Actually God referred to the unknown nations of that time as, "Islands."

Not only is the USA missing from the Biblical narrative, the Bible indicates that world upheaval will take place. Although the USA was a thriving country and although there was a lot of Christian influence in our country over the last 60 years, it was evident that this America was following in the steps of Europe and therefore would lose its leadership position in the world.

In 2008 America sealed its doom by openly turning from our Christian and Biblical past. With each Liberal Administration we see less and less tolerance for Bible beliefs.

Obviously, I don't know when Christ will return. It could be a thousand years from now (but I don't think so). However, there are so many world wide events and conditions today that it seems the news headlines scream, "End Times."

It will all come together, just as the Bible has told us for thousands of years. It may not be in our lifetime, but it is not a stretch to think it could be tomorrow.

It is always a good idea to be ready for death or the Second Coming, but with world events as they are, it would be really stupid not to be ready.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

04/12/23 THIS IS NO THEORY

04/12/23 THIS IS NO THEORY

The real (but secret) Conspiracy is to make people believe there is a conspiracy theory, which is trying to expose the secret Conspiracy as real.

Remember, if it is true, then it is not a theory, it really is a conspiracy.

04/12/23 A WARNING AND A PROMISE

04/12/23 A WARNING AND A PROMISE

Someone said we would be hated by others, including our own family, if we follow Him.

He said we would have no inherent or blameworthy reason for the hatred.

With the hatred comes false accusations, anger, betrayal.

That same Someone told us not to be afraid; He also told us to love our enemies.

04/12/23 THE UNITY OF THE GOSPELS

04/12/23 THE UNITY OF THE GOSPELS

God's word is intricately woven.

This is true for all 66 books and is demonstrated beautifully in the four Gospels: written by four different men; sometimes different but similar events and sometimes the same events but from a different perspective; always complimentary, never contradictory. Even with the "synoptic" gospels there is sameness and difference but always agreement.

If there was only one Gospel written, by a single man, it could appear to some people that the writer presented a singular, biased account. The four Gospels demonstrate the veracity, accuracy and the unity of the record of the life of Christ.

As always, God knew what He was doing when He gave us the four Gospels.
Don't allow a skeptics misunderstanding to discredit God's revelation.

04/11/23 IT HAS BEEN AN ADVENTURE

04/11/23 IT HAS BEEN AN ADVENTURE

We have been exiles, sojourners, aliens for about 38 years. We have lived in apartments, houses, motels, travel trailers, vans, a bus, a tent, as guests in other people's homes. We have worshiped in trailers, a converted Mexican restaurant, a bus, store fronts, an annex to a bar, libraries, open fields, living rooms, a train station, a book store and even in "church buildings," including a R.C. facility, and we have relocated in one city eight different times in one year, in order to please the State, without compromising the Lordship of Christ over His church.

We have been happy wherever God led us and we did not complain because we did not have anything to complain about. It has not always been easy, especially as we were raising four children and giving them a Christian education while we fled the threats and oppression of Babylon and weaved our way through Laodicea.

I got my library out of storage again and I am ready to set it up. I have had it set up from time to time (since the time we lived in M.C.) in North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina. I have tried to keep my most valuable books "handy" through the years, but I have also used the resources on the internet.

I enjoyed my "settled years" of ministry, but I have no regrets or complaints about our years of wandering. We (along with the rest of the world) are facing new, strange, difficult, dangerous days ahead. No matter how the devil tempts me and how the world will hate me, God will not fail me. I want to be faithful as we come to the last part of my journey (which could last until I am 100+ years old). My greatest concern is for those who have abandoned the truths they were taught, and for those who are drifting away from the Lord. The days ahead are going to take a major toll on many who have known the way of salvation, but have turned aside.

Remember, Paul said,
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

04/11/23 LOVE AND DANGER

04/11/23 LOVE AND DANGER 

Two reasons that cause us to draw close and hold tightly to someone.

We are drawn closer to people and cling more tightly to them because of love and danger.

When our love is intensified, it is more evident (to ourselves and others). Love is emotion, but love is far more than emotion (God is love). Emotions become thoughts, thoughts become words and words become actions. Closeness and relationships with others are demonstrated through a touch. Regardless of our personality type, expressing our love and affection is important to both parties in a healthy relationship. Love is communicated not only through words and actions but through intimate affection. Even a hug becomes more aggressive, a hand clasp is more firm. We must be willing to be affectionate. If affection is shown for pets or inanimate things then it can be, it must be shown for people. It may be uncomfortable but it will become easier as we allow it in our relationships.

We also are more obviously "clingy," more dependent on someone when danger is near either because we need them or they need us.

Awareness of another person's importance makes us more attentive and considerate.

This is true concerning our a relationship with God. We NEED to express our love for Him. Remember, He not only loved us, He showed His love through redemptive action for us when we were estranged from Him, and He has drawn close to us in waves of affection. God wants us to love Him and to show our love through obedience, and He wants us to draw near to Him in affection.

We also need to hold onto Him tightly because He is our Refuge, our Fortress, our Shelter in the time of storm, our Rock in Whom we hide.

We need to love more (especially God), we need to trust more (especially God).

04/10/23 AN OPEN FIELD OF MINISTRY

04/10/23 AN OPEN FIELD OF MINISTRY

I recently said,
"Electronic Communications Ministry is one of the great ministry opportunities today. But it must always be understood that MINISTRY is the definitive term."

This applies to the proclamation of God's truth through audio, video, documents, in gatherings, online, live streaming. Making the message of God available and presenting it in forms that are appealing and understandable.

In recent history, Christianity (at large) has been slow at recognizing and utilizing modern media as a tool to publish God's truth and promote His salvation. The Bible was the first major work printed with movable type, by Gutenberg. There have been some other "early bird" moves by Christians to use technology, but the world has been much more effective and efficient in using the printed word, radio, movies, television and now the internet.

The need as well as the opportunity is available for Christians with many and varied skills in technology, communications, transportation. Some churches do very well along these lines, but sadly, most churches don't have the people to fill that need. Sometimes there are well meaning people with very little skills or very little commitment. At other times there are people with knowledge and skills, but they either lack the encouragement, leadership or opportunity to use their abilities. Then again, some people have the abilities and opportunities, but they have no vision for using their skills to reach the lost and build up the local church.