A Christian's Rants and Raves

Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page

Last Updated: April 18, 2008

All ads are put here by the free web hosting service. Click at your own risk!

I plan to record my insights, revelations, comments, rants and raves here. I look at this as being therapeutic. I figure if I blow off steam I am less likely to get a gun, heh. But seriously folks, another reason why I am doing this page is that I'm considering the possibility that there are others out there who are seeing the same things, who might take comfort in that they are not alone.

INDEX

Heaven or Hell? 4/18/08
Only LOVE Can Conquer Slander 2/27/08
You CANNOT Serve God and Mammon 2/27/08
It's Always Something/The Offence of the Gospel 2/27/08
Sons of Sceva 2/27/08
Do You Hate Your Life in this World? 10/6/07
Read Matthew 10 10/6/07
Disappointed in the God of Our Own Making 9/6/07
Romanticising our Relationship with Jesus 9/5/07
It Ain't What They Say but What They Do 6/24/07
A Great Place to Hide the Truth 6/19/07
To Know Him 6/15/07
The Ping-Pong of Extremes 6/13/07
"Jesus Freaks" 6/11/07
X-ianity 6/7/07
Part-time Sinners 6/7/07
Giving to Get or Giving to Bless? 5/21/07
Don't Confuse Grace with License (at least, not around me!) 5/21/07
Can We Save the World? 5/21/07
God's no Slacker 4/8/07
Show Mercy 4/8/07
Are You Calling Out Your "Prophets"? 1/27/07
Love, not Restriction 10/4/06
The Drama Club 8/23/06
Everything is Subject to Rapture Cancellation 8/12/06/
Heaven's Warm Welcome 7/22/06
"Step Right this Way" 6/27/06
The Pendulum Syndrome 6/26/06
Keepers of the Fire Extinguishers 6/12/06
The Bible Testifies 5/26/06
Lead or Pushed? 5/23/06
Transformation not Rehabilitation 5/22/06
Work Out Your Own Salvation 5/22/06
Top Ten List to Recognize the Fraud Masquerading as Christianity 5/22/06
Those Who Prophesy Out of Their Own Hearts 5/21/06
Rewriting the Word to Suit Ourselves 5/13/06
Hope is Not a Cop Out 5/13/06
Paul's Thorn Sent by God or satan 5/3/06
The "Feel Good" Christianity 4/27/06
Agapao or Phileo 4/11/06
Sent by Christ or Your Denomination 4/7/06
Personal Relationship is Everything! 4/1/06
My People Love to Have it So 4/1/06
You Can't Build Muscle Without Pressing 4/1/06
Honesty is The Best Policy 3/31/06
Heaven is NOT a Reward! 3/23/06
Have You Spoken to the Devil Today? 3/22/06
The Great Debate 3/22/06
Revealed unto Babes 3/14/06
Jesus Is The Way to the Father 3/14/06
Be a Berean 3/8/06
Grace or Works?
Fig Leaf Salesmen
Two Experiences of the Faithful
"Least" of My Brethren
O Ye of Little Faith
Without the Camp "mistaken identity"
Bridges Burned
Are You Special 'Cause You're Loved?
Who's Your Family?
Bearing Witness to All
Talent
Choose Life!
Pitfall Awaiting The New Christian
Unrighteous Judgment
Grow Up!
No More...No Less
Self-Appointed Overseer
"Two" Christianities
Followers of Men
False Teachers Dividing up the Body of Christ
Ecumenism
The Un-"Churched"
Spirit of Truth Will Guide You Into All Truth
Two Kinds of Going Your Own Way
Clark Kent and Superman
We are in a War!
The Ultimate Ego Trip
Devout men
Paul's Words Twisted
Signs and Wonders to Lead Astray
Fear of Pride
Who's Judging You?
Prayer of Fear or Faith?
Keeping up Appearances
Is Gain a Sign of Godliness?
See the Grace Behind God's Blessings
Loving God Unconditionally
I Will Be With You
Obedience is Good for You
Burden bearing
Sales Pitch or Plain Truth
Tradition
God Empowers us to Defeat our Enemies
The Word of the Lord was Rare
Interesting Definitions
Patience is Not Wimpy
Suffering for His Name
Romans 13
Natural Man
Losing Your Saltiness
What Fruit Verifies
The Pains of Death
How Many Times the Ephesians read "Ephesians"

HEAVEN OR HELL?

I have a question for you...will you drink of the pure river of the water of life clear as crystal that proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb or will you be cast into the lake of fire where the smoke of your torment will ascend up for timeless ages?

Can you imagine that such a choice is in our hands to make? And even more, that some will choose the latter?

Anyhow, for all who have been misinformed concerning the requirements...I will set them out plain and simple.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God.
John 5:1

Whoever confesses with their mouth that Jesus is lord (God's appointed ruler), and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, they will be saved.
Romans 10:9

So forget about religion saving you. If it could then Christ died in vain. He would have rather told the people that the detour from Hell was in Judaism or Hinduism or Buddhism or whatever "ism" there was of that day.

Christ has nothing to do with religion except to deliver us from it and it's posings and hypocrisies. So to accept Christ as your Saviour does not mean that you will be joining the religion that calls itself "Christianity." It means that you will be born of the spirit of God thereby becoming a permanent member of the body of Christ which will give you access to God and His eternal Kingdom through faith in His anointed savior Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Bow the knee now to Jesus Christ and you will receive the free gift of eternal life. If you don't, you will bow the knee just before you are cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) Our default destination has always been hell. God, in His mercy toward us, gave us another choice. And such a simple choice it is. The most important one of your existence. Choose life!

Back to Index

ONLY LOVE CAN CONQUER SLANDER

Have you ever been a victim of slander. You don't know what hit you. One day you are "loved", have "friends", have a job, are a respected member of your community. Then, the next day, you are looked at like you have horns. The people in your life disappear one by one (or all at once in some cases) and you wonder how they could change their opinion about you so quickly after (in some cases) years of knowing you and sharing wonderful moments together. Well, I can answer that with some understanding. First of all, you might find it interesting to know that, in the Bible, the Greek word used for "devil" is defined as: "false accuser" and "slanderer". That explained a few things for me when I first discovered that reading in my Greek Interlinear Bible some years ago. It also helped me to forgive my accusers. Because I knew that they were taken by the devil and only one power would have been able to withstand his wiles. Love. The true godly unconditional kind of love which conquers all. It was their only chance and ours if ever we have the unpleasant experience of having to deal with slander spoken about another. It is very powerful but no match to the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Back to Index

YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON

Matthew 6
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Ok, so who's lying, Jesus or the "prosperity gospel" gang? Their message is a kind of "god-sanctioned" mammonism. Real slick how they pull out scriptures to substantiate their corruption of truth. (Seems to be all the rage today. People pulling out scriptures to support just about anything! Even people who don't believe will use a bible verse to spin off from.) But the New Testament shows us a very different picture of what the faithful disciple could expect. (read Matthew 10) We see it in the lives of the Apostles as well as the faithful disciples, that they were not living the "high life" worldly speaking nor were they having a party. Well, actually there is one account I can think of when they did celebrate with great rejoicing! It was right after they got beaten for proclaiming the truth. (Acts 5:41) They rejoiced for being counted worthy to suffer for His names sake. Do we think that these faithful believers, who loved not their lives unto death, all got it wrong but these charlatans and fat cats have it right? Wake up folks.

In 2 Peter 2:18 it speaks of false teachers and, one of the things they will do is to allure (entice, beguile) through the lusts (strong desires, cravings) of the flesh. Many of us crave worldly wealth for all the "comforts" and "perks" it can bring. So that's the allure of this "gospel" and what it's playing to as well as the part we play in this dance.

As a side note, has anyone ever asked these "ministers" where they get their money from? Well then maybe you should follow their example, by simply passing the basket around for yourself convincing the givers that:

1- They are not really giving their money to you but to God.
2- They will be made rich by giving you their money just like these characters are doing to you.

OK, back to the point: you cannot serve God and Mammon 'cause while you're serving the one, you are hating the other. While you are holding to one, you are despising the other. (Jesus' words, not mine.) What a crafty accomplishment on the part of our enemy to have his agents lace the gospel with mammonism? What better way to frustrate than this? Don't get me wrong. I'm not an enemy of money. I just don't choose to be it's servant. But if I did, I would serve it 100%! Not justify my love of it with bible verses. So when we ask ourselves why we are coming up empty, in other words, no godly fruit as well as no mass quantities of money, the answer is simple. We are in a pursuit which is in direct disobedience to the teaching of Jesus. You want money, seek and serve it with all your heart. You want God seek and serve Him with all your heart. You can't serve both.

Back to Index

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING/THE OFFENCE OF THE GOSPEL

If you've been speaking God's word to people for any period of time, (and I'm not talking about the watered down "feel good gospel" so popular today), I'm sure you've noticed that it won't be long before they head for the hills. It's always something. May not show up immediately but eventually they will be offended by one thing or another. Whether it's the rapture, speaking in tongues, the cost of being a disciple, Mary was the mother of Jesus but not the mother of God, whatever. Sooner or later, if they're not in it for the long haul, they will eventually take offence. It can be very upsetting having spent all that time with someone who then ends up walking away. But there is an upside to all of this. You can look at ministering as a "one night stand" (good one Johnny). No coddling, no diplomacy, no watering down for fear of offence. Just speak the truth in love of course and let the chips fall where they may. If they are serious about truth, and are in it for the long haul, they will cleave to the truth. If not, you haven't wasted your time or theirs.

Remember the account in the gospel of John where Jesus said something that offended many of His disciples? They said "this is a hard saying, who can hear it" (John 6:60) and ended up walking away from Him. But a small group of His disciples stayed? Those who stayed didn't understand what Jesus meant anymore than the group that walked away but they were in it for the long haul. They were committed. Those are the people you want to spend your time with. At least, that's how I feel.

Back to Index

SONS OF SCEVA

I remember reading this account one day and said: "Oh my God. That's what I've been doing."

Acts 19:13-16
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, TOOK UPON THEM to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Now, I don't know what the motive of these guys was but the point is that they took it upon themselves to use the name of Jesus. Yeah, yeah, I know the school of thought that every child of God has the legal right to use the name of Jesus Christ. But I do not believe that every child of God has the legal right to use the name of Jesus Christ in the public ministry without authorization from above. Each has their own function to fulfill and to take it upon yourself to use His name and then, it doesn't produce successful results, I don't care how good your motive is, this will reflect upon His name. As if it's ineffective. Or that it works sometimes and doesn't work at other times. This doesn't build believing in the hearts of the people, but actually builds unbelief. Although usually these people who take it upon themselves to use the Name in ministry will blame the afflicted person who wasn't healed, telling them that they are the one who didn't have the faith. Nice! Pour salt in their wounds, why don't you. For some reason faith has become such an illusive thing to us today. Especially when self proclaimed "healers" are ineffective in ministering healing to the people and make us feel like a bunch of schlubs who can't muster up the faith. In the biblical accounts, we see people who weren't even saved having the faith to be healed. And yet today, people with the holy spirit don't have the faith to be healed? Something's wrong. Or rather, something's missing. I think it's God-sent healers.

Back to Index

DO YOU HATE YOUR LIFE IN THIS WORLD?

John 12:
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Jesus' words, not mine. So why does it seem strange to other Christians you when you tell them that you hate your life in this world? Isn't that where we all should be?

Matthew 16
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Why would Jesus say these things? Because in the same way that you can't serve two masters simultaneously, neither can you simultaneously live two lives. The demands of one life will always be in conflict and at cross-purposes with the other. And especially the demands that come from earthly family members.

Matthew 10:
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And here is an even stronger statement:

Luke 14:
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Earthly family members can have a "lording" power over you. I believe this is what we are to hate. Certainly not the people mentioned but their lordship (rulership) over us. And if we hate our lives in this world, we will not be nurturing it by pleasing people for our own ends. (in other words: to be liked, to be promoted, to get on their good side in order to get what they have, etc.)

To be worthy of Him, (in other words; be in a place where He can work with us) Jesus said that we must hate our life in this world. But, then again, he did speak this to His disciples (students who seek truth at all cost). Maybe that's the difference between Christians. Some are disciples and some aren't.

Back to Index

READ MATTHEW 10

I get so tired of the "get rich quick" schemes coming from the fraud masquerading as Christianity. Sure they use all the right words to make it sound legit like tithing, Abrahamic covenant, more than abundant life etc. But isn't it funny how they tell you that, if you give them your money you will get rich? When did we get so stupid? When did we start looking to the hucksters, cheats and con artists to tell us anything? Are we so desperate to live the "good life" in this world, that we'll follow anyone who tells us what we want to hear? When did they become the examples of living the Christian life with their worldly success, wearing their Armani suits, driving Mercedes-Benz cars, building Multi-million dollar Cathedrals? Read Matthew 10 for a very different view of discipleship.

Back to Index

DISAPPOINTED IN THE GOD OF OUR OWN MAKING

Sometimes it's the god of our own making and sometimes it's a god that was handed down to us by those we trusted in to show us the way but, whichever of the two it is, it was never the true God that ever disappointed us.

Back to Index

ROMANTICISING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

I've been running across images lately. Very beautiful pictures depicting Jesus hugging women. They are very well done and communicate a lovely sentiment of Him being there, so close to us, especially in times of sorrow and grief. But something about this concept strikes me as misleading. No getting away from the fact that the day of Pentecost changed everything. Since that day, for believers, it has been Christ in us, by way of the indwelling holy spirit. So to hold to the image of Him as a man on the outside, who will hold us and help us will, I believe, have a stunting effect on us. On the more obvious side, it can lead to idolatry. But on the more subtle side, we find ourselves seeking the help of someone we believe is living outside of us, rather than seeking His help from the inside of us which is where He came to abide when we received the indwelling holy spirit that He sent on Pentecost.

Paul wrote by the spirit:

2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Paul was telling them that, though they previously had known (perceived, understood, experienced and discovered) Jesus after (according to) the flesh, that now, He can no longer be known that way. While Jesus was here on earth, He taught His disciples that He was leaving and that they were to now look to and be taught by the Comforter (holy spirit) (John 16:13 and 1 John 2:27) that He was sending to take His place. He was preparing them (and us) for the new relationship with the Father that He was making available for us who believe. I am sure this was especially difficult for the disciples who did know Jesus according to the flesh to make this transition but they eventually did for the love of Christ.

There is a verse in John 20:17 which, when interpreted (or should I say "twisted") by the "old time religion gang" says that, when Mary first saw and recognized Jesus after His resurrection, He told her not to touch Him because she was a sinner. Geez. Sounds more like how the Pharisees treated the people than how Jesus did.

Anyhow, here's the verse:

John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Thayer's Lexicon and Strong's Concordance each define this word "touch" and it's derivative as: "to fasten one�s self to, adhere to, to cling to." I believe that Jesus was encouraging Mary not to cling to Him in His bodily state. Boy, if I were Mary, and saw Jesus again after thinking that I had lost Him forever, I'd want to hold on to Him too and never let Him go. But it was the beginning of a new era as he had instructed them many times. So, if the believers wanted to move forward and receive the increase, to continue to grow in knowledge and understanding of Christ, they had to get with the new program. The promised holy spirit, the Comforter, as He called it, would be sent to live inside us to take His place and to help us from within by our exercised faith. It's by the spirit now and Christ is the Head of that spirit.

Back to Index

IT AIN'T WHAT THEY SAY BUT WHAT THEY DO

Why are we so slow to use this scrutiny? It's simple enough isn't it? Even a child can use this criteria and often does when confronted with the hypocrisy of a parent. And yet, as an adult, I can't tell you how many times I've had to be reminded of this simple truth when confronted with those who would use cunningly crafted words to deceive. It must be something inherent in deceit. It artfully gains your confidence while putting you off your guard. Probably with a pinch of intimidation added to get you to fear questioning them. Well, whatever it is, it's obvious that we need to be vigilant about examining the words of others with this simple test. Do their deeds correspond with their words? Are they doing what they say? And, while we're at it, let's also examine ourselves using this same measure. Do our deeds correspond with our words? Are we doing what we say?

Back to Index

A GREAT PLACE TO HIDE THE TRUTH

There is something recorded in 1 Corinthians 1:20-29 that appears to be an enigma. That God chooses the foolish, the weak and the despised of this world.

1 Corinthians 1:20-29
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

I am sure that God has a strategy in all this. Of course it mentions that it is to the end that no flesh would glory in His presence and also that we would know that all that we have is of Him (vrs. 30) and not of our own genius or power. That part I get. But, if God is choosing those whom men despise, those from whom they expect nothing, to whom will His ministers be able to minister? I mean, honestly, who's gonna go to someone they despise expecting to receive anything from them? This was Paul's dilemma with the carnal Christians at Corinth. They were just like the carnal Christians of today who look to men of wealth, stature and reputation to teach them and to "show them the way". The way to what? Certainly not the way to the Lord but the way to get what these "ministers" appear to have...wealth, stature and reputation.

So I have to ask myself: Is God, by choosing those whom men despise, actually hiding His truth? Jesus, who always ministered in total accordance and harmony with God's will, spoke to the people in parables (a story that a person would have to seriously look into in order to get the truth out of it). And, when asked by His disciples why He spoke to the people in parables, he replied that it was not given to them (those who were not His disciples) to know the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven. It was only given to His disciples to know, in other words, His serious students. (Matthew 13:11).

Sure is a far cry from the "ministering" over-kill many of us operate in today, as we "bend over backwards" elaborating and instructing just about anything that moves! Heh. Maybe we should be thinking more about being faithful stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1) and, like Paul instructed Timothy, commit the truth to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

Like I said, God sure found a great place to hide His truth. Those who judge by outward appearance will walk right by those whom God chooses...the foolish, the weak and the despised of this world, thinking there is nothing to be gained from them. It's a perfect "weeding out" process. Gotta hand it to Him. It's brilliant!

Back to Index

TO KNOW HIM

It's good to be learned in the scriptures. There are a lot of folks saying stuff is in the Bible that isn't so knowing what's in there helps. And also, it's good to know the scriptures 'cause you can learn what to "shoot for" in your walk with Him. But I see biblical knowledge as the beginning. Christ is to be experienced, I truly believe. Even Paul, who was very learned in the Old testament and, as far as the New testament goes, he literally "wrote the book" (or should I say "half the book" 14 out of 27 letters.) But all the revelation that he received by the spirit as recorded in his epistles was not enough for him. Neither was all the power he manifested in the form of miracles and healings. His heart cry was still: "to know Him (Christ) and the power of His resurrection." (Philippians 3)

Back to Index

THE PING-PONG OF EXTREMES

There is a very slick game being played by the enemy at our expense. I call it: the ping-pong of the extremes. Religion serves up it's morally restrictive, legalistic hand which, after a period of time in this hypocritical straight jacket environment, drives the person right into the arms of depravity (although they are tricked into thinking it's freedom). And, after a while in the decadent environment into which their pursuit of "freedom" brings them, it causes conscience pangs as they fear what they have become and even more so, what will become of them, which, in turn, gets them to run back into the arms of religion for "safety".

I remember an experience I had some years ago. I spent a week, as a guest, in the home of a person who was very religious. Their critical judgments of every word you spoke or every move you made, while suppressing any other expression but their own, had me quite agitated. I was a believer in Christ myself, yet just a week in this environment and I felt like going out and getting a 6 pack and listening to heavy metal music. And I don't drink beer or like heavy metal music! But that's how I humorously describe how this atmosphere made me feel. Like I was caged and wanted to break free. But, if we look at the objective of the enemy of righteousness, this is genius. Either way he has the person and nobody gets delivered from his grasp. In one case, they are the victim of the unreasonable, man-made requirements of religion and the frustration it causes, and, in the other case, they are a victim of their own fleshy desires, bouncing back and forth between the two, neither of which bring forth deliverance or freedom.

It's a walk by the spirit not by the law. And if we walk by the spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) And, if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:18)

Back to Index

"JESUS FREAKS"

Contrary to the media depiction of us, those of us who grew up in the 60's were not all a bunch of anarchistic, hedonistic, revolutionaries. There were some of us who simply felt that the answers we were given were not adequate. We sensed that there was something more to life than what was handed down to us, so we began to seek out what was missing. Sure, some of us got into trouble in the process but that's not unusual with any person on a quest; not knowing where they are headed nor where the answers lie. And, for some of us, we very happily met Jesus in the way. Yes, lets not forget that the 60's were also the time when the Jesus movement began. Sadly, denominations swallowed most of it up, but for those of us who still hold true to what we were given to understand about the personal relationship with God and with Jesus Christ, we continue on the path laid out before us. Yup, some of us "Jesus Freaks" are still around. Heh.

Back to Index

X-IANITY

I saw this word: "X-ianity" and thought it is a great way to describe the religion masquerading as Christianity. It is the greatest fraud perpetrated on mankind. It is dead and yet it bears the name of Him Who is alive. Because of it, the name of God and of Christ is blasphemed among the nations. It makes God and Christ look bad...the very ones they claim to represent. Godliness has power...a power they deny. Religion provides a pretense of salvation, a cover for sin with no power to deliver. So, since sin is never dealt with, this will usually lead the follower into hypocrisy turning them into posers rather than examples of God's deliverance. I've heard it said that the Bible is our script. But is Christianity a part we are playing like actors reading from a script? Are we trying to mimic the walk by the spirit? Are we trying, with our flesh, to do what can only be done by the spirit?

Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

We are not to act out but to work out our own salvation from the inside out by faith.

Philippians 2:12 &13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

In other words, let Him live His life in us for, only from Him does true righteousness emanate. Godliness and it's accompanying power glorifies God and the finished work of Christ through the deliverance it brings, not a part that is acted out.

Back to Index

PART-TIME SINNERS

Have you ever run into a Christian who didn't think they were that bad of a sinner before they accepted Christ, you know, in opposed to all those real sinners out there? It's sad for them because they miss the grace of Christ. People don't realize that it was not sins alone that were paid for but the sin nature we all possessed that was put to death. A nature that, under the �right� circumstances, was capable of anything. That was one of the biggest revelations I had at my conversion. That there were no good people/bad people but that we were all in the same �sin-nature� boat. That, we all needed salvation through Jesus Christ. None could count on their own �goodness� to meet God's righteous requirement of holiness and therefore have access to His presence.

But without this understanding, people think that God only saves people who aren't that bad; I guess in the erroneous spirit of �God helps those who help themselves.� So they can not imagine that God would forgive someone they believe to be guilty of �real� sins. They don't think that person has a right to peace of mind. So, rather than communicating to one of these "real sinners" that same grace that they received, they look at them with disdain and keep their distance as if they are above it all. Just like the unbelieving scribes and pharisees. False representatives of God's way whose hypocrisy was exposed.

Back to Index

GIVING TO GET OR GIVING TO BLESS?

What an upside down message is coming from those who say they are the ministers of Christ. It's corrupting the whole concept of giving and receiving. In the early days of the Church, according to the will of God, people gave out of their abundance to ease the pressure of their brethren who lacked. Now they get people who lack to give in order to get abundance, turning it into some "get rich quick" scheme rather than the loving exchange between one devoted family member and another.

I was reading the verses in 2 Corinthians and it really got me to thinking.

2 Corinthians 8:12-15:
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

These are the pure simple instructions of giving in the New Testament. It became a love thing because we have the spirit of Christ living inside of us. We are a family and in His love we desire to relieve the pressure of our brethren in need. But not to the extent that you are burdened in your giving. Give according to what you have. According as you purpose in your heart to your brothers and sisters who have need so that there will be an equality amongst the brethren.

In 2 Corinthians 8:4 giving was called: "the fellowship of the ministering to the saints". 2 Cor 9:1 also makes reference to contributions as: "the ministering to the saints."

Which brings up another point...who is getting all this money today? Are the needy brethren being ministered to by all these donations?

When the Church was run according to God's way, money was laid at the Apostle's feet, and they made distribution to the believers according as they had need. (Acts 4:34 &35) But today, we see lots of money being laid at the preacher's feet but where do we see distribution being made to the needy brethren? Something's wrong.

Many years ago when I used to tithe monthly, I got word from someone about a believer that I knew who couldn't pay her rent that month. She was a single mother of two who was really struggling. I was saddened and I prayed for her. But here is what happened. That month, while writing out the check to the group I was with at the time, I thought: "Geez, here I am giving money to an organization while my sister in Christ can't pay her rent this month. I'm gonna write the check out to her instead." So simple and yet it was revolutionary! Like I woke up from a stupor. Why was I pumping so much money into this group, when I could be helping my brother or sister who was by me and was in need of the basics, just like the scripture says? Yes I know that Paul and the other Apostles were helped on their way by donations from the brethren, but they were very low maintenance ministers. Not like today when those who call themselves the Lord's servants are using the believer's money to build personal "empires". They use it to pay for expensive media time where they peddle their miracle prayer clothes, their miracle spring water (geez, what are we idiots?!) or spend the paid TV time presenting new ways of extorting your money with their 6 step plan to prosperity (or is it 7?), or, how about the latest: "donate $1,000 to them and become a millionaire!", twisting the bible to make it all look legit. They use your money to fund their exorbitant lifestyles as they live high on the hog while those who donated the money are struggling to pay their bills. One character actually bought a Lear jet for 3 million bucks from another "ministry" and is now asking the believers to foot the bill. Lets stop these little piggies from glomming up the Lord's money and, when you do see your brother or sister in need, give according as you purpose in your heart.

Back to Index

DON'T CONFUSE GRACE WITH LICENCE (at least, not around me!)

Ever hear the spiel of the Christians who don't believe that the sacrifice of Christ was enough to secure salvation for them and that they must work to keep themselves saved? They treat those of us who hold to salvation solely by the grace of Christ as a bunch of licentious sinners. As if we have a very casual attitude towards sin. That we think we have a license to do whatever pleases us because we are assured a place in Heaven. They confuse grace with license. That accusation reflects on our character and is slander plain and simple. The gospel of the grace of God met up with the same opposition in Paul's day and they said almost the same things about him as they say about us today.

Paul, in dealing with this accusation wrote:

Romans 3:
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? ...

Romans 6:
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Our salvation is not something to take lightly or treat carelessly. There is no option for us to live our life as we please. (Besides, isn't that what we were all doing before we got saved and where did that get us?) Our service is a love thing. One that stems from appreciation as well as respect for what He did for us. If we believe that the grace of God leads us to sin, it is an insult to Christ and to the price He paid to obtain this grace for us. As if the salvation He secured for us by grace only has the power to lead us to do what ever we please rather than to lead us to do what pleases Him.

Back to Index

CAN WE SAVE THE WORLD?

If anyone could have saved this world and made it a better place, it would have been Jesus. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for shining your light and being a blessing to all, but to think it will result in saving this world and making it a better place, is like trying to fulfill a pipe dream. Like I said; if anyone could have saved this world, it would have been Jesus. But what did He do? He let the world do it's thing (which, of course, was part of God's plan of redemption). He let someone whom He loved betray Him and deliver Him up to those who hated Him. He let His closest friends forsake Him in His desperate hour of need. He let the envy of the ruling religious body have it's way in falsely accusing Him and seeking His death. He let the corrupt, self-serving political system issue forth a fatal unjust judgment upon Him. And He let Himself fall into the hands of those who hated Him letting all their fury be taken out on Him. This world killed the Prince of Life and desired a murderer to be released unto them. (Acts 3:14 & 15) That's this world in a nutshell.

John, an Apostle of Jesus Christ called a spade a spade when he said the whole world lies in wickedness or, as the NIV puts it, the whole world is under the control of the evil one. (1 John 5:19 ) And if that was God's assessment on the world in the "good old days", multiply that wickedness by 20 more centuries and you have today. And what are people doing? Saving everything but themselves. We try to save the trees by using plastic bags at the market while, at this moment, an unstoppable industry is mowing down entire forests. We try to save the whales and dolphins while they are pouring mass quantities of industrial sludge and pollutants into our waters. What real progress do we expect to make in saving a world that is under the control of the evil one? My heart breaks at what is going on under the sun. This beautiful earth and the creatures are being destroyed right under our noses. I desire change at least as much as any avid ecologist. But the real change will occur when Jesus comes back to rule and reign. He will destroy those who destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18) He will restore this corrupted planet. Until then, evil men will get worse and worse. And their destructions will increase. If we want to see anything saved, let it be our own selves and our loved ones from this wicked and perverted world.

Back to Index

GOD'S NO SLACKER

I had this question for a long time. Why it was so long before God responded to the cries of his people Israel while they were in bondage in Egypt? For some reason, it is assumed that they cried to God for all those years and he turned a deaf ear to them.

I did get my answer some years ago in Exekiel 20:4 and following, where it speaks of God asking the children of Israel, while they were still in Egypt to give up the Egyptian idols they were worshiping but they refused to obey and this is what brought judgment upon them. And proof of their worship of these idols being that, after the Exodus, when Moses went up to the mountain to get God's law, as soon as they doubted whether he would return to them or not, what did they do? They built the golden calf, an Egyptian idol and had the nerve to give it credit for bringing them out of Egypt.(Exodus 32:4)

Geez, that was quick. They reverted right back to where they were all those years before. Worshiping the idols of Egypt.

But last year, I saw something in Exodus 2:23. Something I had missed for years. It's almost scary how I didn't see this before. It just goes to show how traditions and notions drummed into us over the years can blind our eyes and minds.

The first mention of the children of Israel crying to God was after the king of Egypt died.

Exodus 2:

23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

Could it be that up until this time, if they were crying, they were crying to the idols of Egypt that they had become so accustomed to worshiping? And that now that they were crying to God, He heard them and showed respect to their prayers?

Another point: this king that had just died was the Pharaoh that sought to kill Moses, which is why he fled Egypt 40 years earlier. And isn't it interesting that when God sent Moses back to Egypt, He told him that the men who sought his life were now dead (which included this king who had just died). (Exodus 4:19) Wow. How quick was that for God to respond to the cries of His people? The king dies, they cry to God and He sends Moses to deliver them. And yet, God has been taking the rap for being slow to respond. The slanderer busted once again.

Back to Index

SHOW MERCY

Psalms 22:24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

I read this verse the other day and it stood out to me. This is God's attitude toward the pain of the afflicted. It's just the opposite of what people do. Or should I say; what shallow people do. They do despise, abhor (detest) and turn their faces away from affliction. And sadly, most of the people that I have known do this have been other Christians. Maybe we should follow our Heavenly Father's example rather than our self-righteous attitude which make us feel justified in judging an afflicted person in this manner: "They are afflicted because they deserve it!" as if they are greater sinners than you. You may say: "Huh? I don't say that. I say they are afflicted because they are not believing God's word." Ok. But let me ask you this: does this assessment result in you now despising, detesting and turning your face away from them because, in your judgment, they are not believing God's word? People shallow of life's experiences and lessons (in other words; untried people) can think, because they have not experienced tragedy of some sort, that they haven't because of their own goodness or because of their strong faith.

Jesus, pointed out, while standing before the self-righteous:

Luke 13:
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Now if Jesus, who always spoke God's heart, said that these people mentioned above didn't have this experience because they were the biggest sinners in town, where do we come off making these judgments? And if God, who knows the hearts, doesn't despise, detest or turn away from the pain of the afflicted, where do we come off acting so heartlessly? Could it be fear that makes us behave this way?

Back to Index

ARE YOU CALLING OUT YOUR "PROPHETS"?

If they speak in the name of the Lord and it does not come to pass, are you holding them accountable for what they are telling you? Don't accept vague fulfillments. It won't do you or them any good if you do.

If one prophesies falsely, that does not automatically make him/her a false prophet. We are all learning and we all make mistakes, including prophets. But if one who has spoken presumptuously in the name of the Lord fails to or refuses to admit it, what does that make them?

Back to Index

LOVE NOT RESTRICTION

Once I was observing the rebellion of my lower nature. It's great when I do that in union with Christ because I can be objective about it. I know we all have the same "old man" to put off, which always wars against the leading of the holy spirit so I don't take it personally, like it's only me. I kind of look at it from the outside like an observer saying to the Lord: "Yeah, I can see why you had to put that old nature to death". Of course when I look at my lower nature when I am not in union with Christ, I will most likely end up condemning myself. But I am getting off subject here.

When we view the Lord's instructions as law, our lower nature, which is rebellious to the things of God, will rise up in hostility and enmity towards them seeing them as restrictive.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So I was given this analogy. Someone tells you to cross the street at the green and not at the red. If you look at this like something you "have" to do rather than sound instructions coming from love, or, at the very least, good sense, you can feel resentful. So, rejecting it like something imposed upon you to restrict you, you say or rather your lower nature says: "Hey, I'm free to do as I will. I'll do things my way. I'm crossing at the red." Screech, boom!

The whole point of His instructions is to prevent such things from happening; be they small or big matters. And it's not in the old religious guilt way of thinking that if you don't carry them out, God will punish you for not listening to Him. It's like this: God, knowing all things, saw the danger or trouble up ahead and gave you instructions to divert it. If you reject those instructions, you're most likely gonna walk right into it.

Back to Index

THE DRAMA CLUB

We all have problems. That's just the way the world works. It's a troublesome place, especially for those who seek truth. And, for some of us, it can feel like we see more than our share of trouble. But, my question is, are we gonna let our own personal "drama" stifle our ministry to others? I know how sometimes it can feel like we are drowning but we also should be aware that others are going through things and, being a body, we should want to be there for them too. It's just a decision made in the heart, a prayer of sorts before the Lord, to be ready, under any circumstances, to be called upon by Him to minister relief to another hurting soul.

Back to Index

EVERYTHING IS SUBJECT TO RAPTURE CANCELLATION

My best friend has a great outlook. His posture as he awaits the appearing of the Lord Jesus to take the believers out of this present evil world. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) is this: everything is subject to "rapture" cancellation.

He puts it like this: "Just picture your best case scenario. Say you met the man or woman of your dreams and it's your wedding day. Or you are an expectant parent awaiting the birth of a beautiful baby boy or girl at any moment. Or you just found out you are in possession of a winning mega millions lotto ticket and it happened to be the grand prize jackpot!

Well, if, under those circumstances, you can still cry from the heart: "Come Lord Jesus!" you're priorities are in the right place, in other words, Hope up front."

In my years with the expectation of His appearing, I have observed that it is something that can easily get buried by the pleasures and/or pressures of this life. Have to be determined to keep it on the front burner or it will drift for sure.

Sometimes I remind myself of how Jesus might be feeling about getting us all up there to safety and it warms my heart.

Back to Index

HEAVEN'S WARM WELCOME

Have you ever judged your own performance as a Christian and then found yourself shrinking back at the thought of the Rapture feeling like a face of disdain was gonna greet you when you get there saying: "I'm so disappointed in you" or something like that?

Recently I have been thinking about how the Lord might be feeling about getting all those for whom He shed His precious blood to safety, never again to be hurt or troubled by this evil world again. He'll be so happy to see us out of harms way and will greet us with such love I am sure! But we will also stand before Him to be judged for services rendered. He will hand out rewards to those He judges worthy.

As I thought about this the other day, a beautiful distinction was made to me. Heaven's welcome will be warm to us all being based upon His unconditional love for us. But Heaven's rewards will be based upon our love for Him. We don't have to serve Him for Him to love us but we have to love Him in order to serve Him and that will be what will be rewarded in that day.

Back to Index

"STEP RIGHT THIS WAY"

"So you say God ain't talkin' to ya. Ya ain't had no revelation lately and you just don't know what your calling or purpose is? Well step right up. We have all you need right here. We'll sell ya books and tapes and courses that will teach you exactly what God wants for your life."

"You say you want to heal people but you just don't know how? Just your luck, we sell that here too! Just buy our books or take our seminars and you'll be out there healing in no time!"

"So you wanna be an Evangelist, an Apostle, a Pastor, a Teacher? Step right this way. What do we care if you have those ministries or not. We got colleges to enroll you in and we'll ordain you, and you'll be out there ministering whatever your little heart desires."

"You say you want prosperity and deliverance. Well that'll cost ya. 10% of all you earn and it's yours."

Is anybody else seeing this??? The utter offense of the merchandising of "Christianity"? Do we honestly think that God would put a price tag on His truth, His ministries, His blessings? Do you really believe you will obtain the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God with money? And what about those who cannot afford the cost of their material? Are they left out in the cold?

These salesmen are like spiritual black marketeers (another good one Johnny) selling you the things that you are not getting legitimately (in other words, by the spirit).

I site two examples below. The first is a man who wanted to buy a ministry. Read the apostle Peter's response to this evil.

Acts 8:18-20
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles� hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them (the apostles) money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

The second is the account of King Saul who had been stiffing God for quite some time and now God was stiffing him. So, rather than asking himself why God wasn't talking to him, repenting and seeking God's forgiveness and mercy, he instead sought council elsewhere...from a woman who was getting her information from an evil spirit.

1 Samuel 28:6&7
6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

Will it come to this for us too? When we are not receiving what we want from the spirit of the Lord, will we try to climb up some other way to get it?

John 10:1&9
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door (Christ) into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

And we are no less party to this thievery just because we paid money for it.

God help us if we think that this marketplace they call "Christianity" has anything other than God's judgment hanging over it's head.

Back to Index

THE PENDULUM SYNDROME

When error gets uncovered, we must be cautions not to become too rambunctious finding ourselves victim to the pendulum syndrome whereby a person takes things to the opposite extreme, yet still missing the mark. For example, I have seen those whose eyes have been opened to God's grace through Christ who formerly had been enslaved under the law through false teaching, go so far over in the opposite direction that they now have a very casual attitude towards sin. The pendulum swinging so far over that it lands outside of truth but in the opposite direction. Then, when this error is recognized, they, in a seemingly "righteous indignation", start to implement laws, rules and regulations to combat this licentiousness. And again, we have the pendulum swinging so far over in the opposite direction that it once again lands outside of truth.

Or lets say you are under the thumb of organized religion, believing it is the pathway to God. Then your eyes are opened and you see it for the fraud that it really is. Feeling duped, the tendency can be to swing so far over that you give up on God and faith altogether thinking now that everything is a fraud and you, once again, land outside of truth.

You can see the pendulum syndrome in effect in the overthrow of worldly governments. A society that is degrading in decadence is a prime candidate to be overthrown by a repressive religious regime which, in turn, may be overthrown by libertarians who in turn may be overthrown by fascists. All opposite extremes with no truth and no remedy.

Back to Index

KEEPERS OF THE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

I saw a PBS special where they walked you through the various lands mentioned in the Bible. There were many beautiful sights. But something in the show was just too good to pass up. Sometimes material just drops into your lap.

They brought you to a monastery where it is believed that they are in custody of the famed burning bush. You know the one mentioned in the account in the book of Exodus where Moses was called to service by God who called out to Him from a bush that burned with fire but was not consumed?

Anyhow, what I found so very interesting was that right next to the bush the monks keep a fire extinguisher. This just struck my funny bone. It epitomized the job of religion in a nutshell. They love their sacred relics and their traditions but, if God should actually show up, they will be ready with their extinguisher to try to put out the flame.

Back to Index

THE BIBLE TESTIFIES

The idea that the Bible is the only revelation we are to walk by is not Biblical. Isn't it the Bible that shows us how God deals with His people generation after generation in a personal and direct way, revealing specifics to them as needed and making Himself known to them intimately? One would have to honestly say after reading these accounts: "If God did that with them, won't He do that with me too?" I believe that this is the encouragement the scriptures were meant to provide. To motivate us to seek this intimacy and the knowledge that would result. We will absolutely fall short of this experience if we think the knowledge of God is to be gained by book study alone.

Paul's Prayer for the Colossians

Colosians 1:9 &10
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God....

Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 1::16-18 ff
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Paul, writing to the Colossians and the Ephesians, prayed that God would give them spiritual wisdom and revelation so that they would gain the knowledge of God. If, as they claim in religious circles, all the revelation is in the 7 church Epistles (which Paul penned), why would he be praying for revelation for them to know God better? Wouldn't he just direct them to his letters for that knowledge like they are doing today when they present the Bible as being all we need to know God? Paul knew his place. He understood that he was simply the minister of God to the people who planted or watered God's Word, but that it was God who gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6 & 7) Only God can reveal truth to a seeking person's heart and �put it all together� for them, in other words, give them the right understanding.

When Jesus spoke to the people in parables, he was showing us something. That he actually hid truth from some.

Matthew 13:10 & 11
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Shocker huh? It's hard to conceive of, when we are so willing to spill out all we know to whomever we meet, that Jesus actually hid truth in the obscurity of the parable. Even Paul wrote about being a faithful steward of the mysteries of God with which he was entrusted. (1 Corinthians 4:1 & 2)

I believe that the knowledge of God can only be known and understood to the seeking heart. And not all will seek this knowledge. So how could the knowledge of God be accessible to all through the study of a book?

Back to Index

LEAD OR PUSHED?

Anxiety is a spirit of the times. Probably more so than ever do we have to resist this pushy spirit. To think this spirit is not operating in the Church today is to be very naive. Many years ago, when I moved around in religious circles, anxiety was at the helm. They make no qualms about forcing you into situations you are not prepared for. No sweat off of their backs. And if you succeed in your endeavor, they get the glory but if you fail, it's because of your lack of faith.

Christ leads with council, not vagary. When we, in anxious desperation, try to manufacture an opportunity to try to "force God's hand", we will end up in a worse situation than we began with. This kind of behavior has gotten many Christians into trouble and even worse, has caused many to fall away out of frustration. Personally I think frustration is one of the worst forms of stress. And to have a strong wind behind you, yet no godly council, can cause great frustration and can provoke you to foolishness.

We've got to "raise the bar" and expect specifics from the Lord and those who claim to speak for Him. Otherwise we have no more than the psychics and palm readers offer. Let's expect more from Christ's Headship than this.

Back to Index

TRANSFORMATION NOT REHABILITATION

Romans 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

When I hear testimonies of Christians boasting that since they have been saved, they don't smoke, drink, gamble or cuss anymore it just irks me. I mean if they completed a program that helped them stop doing these things, I'd have to say the program did it's job. But to bring the Lord's name into it bugs me. Like Christianity is some rehab that gets us to clean up our act. If we could clean up our act, then Christ died in vain. The whole reason for the offering of His very life was to take our place in judgment because we couldn't clean up our act. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: all our "righteous" acts are like filth stained rags. (Isaiah 64:6) Do we really think that the redemption that Jesus purchased at so great a cost was for the purpose of getting us to stop smoking, drinking, gambling and cussing??? Wouldn't have been worth the effort would it? After all, isn't that what Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and Nicorette are there for? Not the precious blood of Jesus being shed for such a tiny salvation as this?

Back to Index

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION

Christianity is a matter of faith and, by that faith, must be worked out, not worked in. When we legislate Christian behavior using what is written in the New Testament Epistles as law, we rebuild what Christ destroyed...the unsuccessful combination of the law over the flesh. The law made nothing perfect (Hebrews 7:19) because it was weakened by the flesh (Romans 8:3). What results from this will be religion...a cover of the evil lower nature, not an overcoming of it. True Christianity is manifested from the new man, the indwelling holy spirit. This is done by faith, a faith which also reckons the old man (the flesh) dead.

I do believe that the two verses below describe the difference between the two methods of doing righteousness. In Romans 7, Paul describes the frustration of trying to do God's will with the flesh under the law. By this method, he desires or wills to do God's will but can't find the way to do it.

Romans 7:18
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

In Philippians, he presents the new way. To work it out or energize it from the new man by faith. And the result will be the doing of God's will.

Philippians 2:12
12b ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The epistles give much insight into the new man and all of it's attributes. To try to do these things with our lower nature under the law will prove impossible and absolutely frustrating. These qualities are manifested by first believing that they are in us, that is in our new man (the indwelling holy spirit) and then energizing or "working them out" by faith. Of course a faith that is motivated by love, for truly God will be glorified by the outcome.

Back to Index

TOP TEN LIST TO RECOGNIZE THE FRAUD MASQUERADING AS CHRISTIANITY

10- "Truth" for sale.
9 - Upholding the traditions of men, thereby laying aside the commandments of God.
8 - Rulership through fear and guilt often threatening the loss of salvation.
7 - Leaders who have been ordained by men and not by God who are esteemed as idols among the people.
6 - Endless array of how-to books and seminars filled with formulas, techniques and hypes but with no power to deliver.
5 - Focus on all things worldly such as politics, monetary gain, and the fair show in the flesh.
4 - The building of outward dependencies whether it be upon their group, their leaders or their weekly meetings rather than a dependency upon God, Christ and the indwelling holy spirit.
3 - Donations taken under the guise of "spreading God's word" which end up being used to build their Empires with nothing left over to distribute to the needy in the Church.
2 - Dividing up of the Christians into sects, cults, denominations, organizations, and store fronts.
1 - Usurping Christ's headship over the individual members of the body of Christ and posing, themselves, as mediators.

Back to Index

THOSE WHO PROPHESY OUT OF THEIR OWN HEARTS

Ezekiel 13 offers a very clear description of the ministry of those who prophesy out of their own hearts. The result of it will be that they will dishearten those on the righteous path while encouraging those who are not.

Ezekiel 13:17 & 22
17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

Back to Index

REWRITING THE WORD TO SUIT OURSELVES

This has been bugging me for a long time. I see simple basic truths in the Bible ignored by Christians and if one should take a stand on these truths, he or she is treated like an inflexible extremest, religious fanatic, narrow-minded fundamentalist or just plain odd. So for example Jesus knowing that you can't serve two masters instructed those who wanted to be His disciples (students) to "leave all and follow Him". But the example set by "Christianity" today shows us that we can have the world and the Lord side by side. It even uses the Lord as a means to gain the world. So, the question is: do you believe what Jesus said is true or do you rewrite the word to suit yourself?

How about one church with no divisions as Paul wrote about so plainly. That's how the Lord wants the believers to operate and how we work together most efficiently. As one body, notsplit into many denominations. But tell that to your Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Church of God, Presbyterian, Greek Orthodox, Episcopal, Congregational, Pentecostal, Northern Baptist, Southern Baptist, Reformed Baptist, The Six-principle Baptists, General Baptists, 7th Day Baptist, Primitive Baptist, Free Will Baptists, (ok. So I'm picking on the Baptists. I couldn't resist). It's gotten so bad that the sects are birthing sub sects. Instead of fusion we have fission. The Church is divided up into so many pieces, it's like Humpty Dumpty after his great fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again. But we act like all these divisions are perfectly normal. We even boast our membership in our particular group like it's something to be proud of. Like the Corinthians whom Paul was reproving, we are still saying: "I'm of Paul, I'm of Peter, I'm of Apollos" but, of course, using the names of today's church leaders instead. Rewriting the word to suit ourselves.

This is a country where Bibles are still easy to obtain. Over the past few decades I believe more people than ever have been studying the Bible. So why don't they see it? What is to blame for this nurtured blindness? For one thing, I blame the religious system for offering this watered down version of what God requires setting the bad example of compromise which the people are following. But that does not excuse those who follow their ways. The individual has a responsibility to search out the truth for themselves, not search out places that tell them what they want to hear as if you can shop around for a truth that fits your lifestyle.

Back to Index

HOPE IS NOT A COP OUT

The hope of Christ's appearing to take us to be where He is, is the whole point of our salvation as one sister so beautifully put it. (good one Michelle)

1 John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

When you are alive with hope, you don't want to be found in some dark place when the Lord returns. So it is quite an incentive to keep yourself in the light...in a pure place.

Hebrews 7:19
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

People do all sorts of things to get closer to God but it says here that when we are in hope, we actually are drawing near to God.

Ephesians 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints

This was in Paul's prayer for the Ephesians. How important was the hope to Paul that he would pray for this understanding to be in the believers there?

1 Thessalonians 5:8
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

To have the hope of Christ's appearing near at heart is the helmet of our spiritual armament. It protects our head and particularly our mind against the enemies onslaughts.

Hebrews 6:18 & 19
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

We can actually flee for refuge into the hope of Christ's appearing and find strong consolation there. How valuable is that in such a fearful and dark world. It is both sure and steadfast. So it also keeps us stable.

And how does the hope affect our desire to minister God's word of salvation to people? Doesn't it put a fire in you because you know that at any future moment Christ will appear?

Romans 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Those of us who hold His appearing close at heart have nothing to be ashamed of. As a matter of fact, as far as Jesus is concerned, it is something for which He will offer heaven's crown.

2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that Day; and not to me only, but also to all those who love His appearing.

I don't see a cop out here. Do you?

Back to Index

PAUL'S THORN SENT BY GOD OR SATAN

In 2 Corinthians chapters 10-12 Paul, writing to the disrespectful Corinthians, had to foolishly boast before them saying things that they should have been saying about Paul, in admiration and support of him. But because they were carnal, they instead praised those who had worldly stature and success while thinking little of Paul. In his self-admitted foolish boasting, he recounts details of his service to God and the resulting persecution he endured. In Chapter 12 he speaks to them of visions and revelations he received from God when he was taken to the third heaven and earth. Then it says in some Bible versions:

2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Even today I hear this from Christians. They believe that God sent the messenger of satan to humble Paul because he was proud. That doesn't make sense. I mean if the revelation God gave to Paul was lifting him up with pride, wouldn't that be playing right into the enemy's hands? Wouldn't satan be encouraging Paul in that pride rather than �humbling� him? And are we to believe that our loving Father gave Paul revelation and then sent satan to attack him to make sure he didn't get a big head? How creepy an idea is that?

I believe that this word "exalted" is mistranslated. Many bible versions affirm this. (Revised Standard Version, Weymouth, Murdock, Montgomery, Diaglot, English Standard Version, the Common Edition and possibly others). These versions use the words �too elated�, "over elated" or �uplifted� rather than "exaulted" or "lifted up with pride". Now read it.

2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be uplifted or too elated through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be uplifted or too-elated.

Now that makes sense. The enemy attacked Paul to try to take away the joy and elation he felt as a result of the wonderful things he was shown through the abundance of the revelation God gave to him.

All I can say is that Paul must have done something right because over 1900 years have passed since his death and he is still being slandered. Great is your reward in Heaven brother Paul.

Back to Index

THE "FEEL GOOD" CHRISTIANITY

That's what people want, so they follow those who encourage this "feel good" experience. They turn from those who are experiencing the trials, reproach and persecutions for Christ sake as if they have it all wrong. When you speak to them about waiting on the Lord to train you, raise you up and send you, they don't want to hear it. Like you're some kind of kill joy trying to cool their thunder. They just want to do what makes them feel good and they want to do it now (I smell anxiety here). They go out on their own to preach and to heal because it makes them feel productive. They ordain themselves to minister whatever they want to whomever they want in whatever way they want irregardless of their function in the body of Christ. A big part of why things are the way they are in the church today. Looks like lots of stuff is going on but of what spirit?

I remember something I heard some years back. I will recount it as best as I can remember it. A brother from China was visiting America. You have to be sturdy of character to be a true Christian in China. Many are persecuted and killed because they do not submit to the State-run church. So after visiting various congregations around the U.S., someone asked him: "Well what do you think of the ministry going on here in America?" He responded: "It's amazing how much they get done without the holy spirit."

Back to Index

AGAPAO OR PHILEO

Something I stumbled upon many years ago that really got my attention. On one of my excursions into the Strong's Concordance, which breaks down the meaning of the words used in the Bible, I found this. The definition of phileo and agapao, two Greek words translated as "love" in many Bible verses. Here's what it said:

Phileo: to be a friend to, fond of an individual or an object, that is, have affection for denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; being chiefly of the heart

Agapao: is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: being chiefly the head.

I was a bit shocked having thought that agapao aka "Christian love" was something that just flowed from us. But when you think about it, it begins to make sense. Jesus asked us to love our enemies. Does loving your enemy come easily? Do you find love just flowing from your heart when faced with someone who makes you feel like socking them in the jaw? It would have to be a determined sense of duty on our part to love an enemy.

Many years ago I was awoken to the fact that phileo was passing off for agapao among Christians, myself included. It made me sad to think that I was loving with such a shallow love yet thinking I was loving with Christ's love. In a world where the love of many is growing cold, where people are even lacking in natural affection, phileo can shine real bright. But it is a weak love. If you love with phileo love, you will only love your own, those you are fond of or have affection for. You will only love people who love you. But Jesus said that if we only love people who love us, where's the reward in that? (Matthew 5:46)

The big bust is: can you love your enemy? I mean really love them. If you can, that's agapao at work and you worked it out making the conscious choice with your head out of a sense of duty and obedience to Him, to do what you really didn't feel like doing.

I have learned that there definitely is great reward to you for loving with agapeo. Not only does it have the ability to warm your enemies heart, it also empowers you in the situation, while keeping your heart in a good place when confronted with evil.

Back to Index

SENT BY CHRIST OR BY YOUR DENOMINATION?

Mark 16:
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

A classic mistake which leads to error in understanding the Bible is that people don't notice to whom the words were written or spoken and they then attempt to apply everything to themselves. So they take instructions specifically given to others and move on these. What are we saying? That the Lord does not interact directly with His people anymore so now we have to "borrow" someone else's revelation? Let's expect more of Jesus' Headship than that. He is alive!

So, who were these words in Mark 16:15 spoken to? To you? To me? To every Tom, Dick or Harry that wants a ministry or wants to preach? No. They were spoken to the 11 Apostles to whom Jesus had taught the true doctrine; something Christians have yet to agree upon.

In my experience, I too had been pressured to go out and "preach". They conveyed this verse in Mark as a general command from Jesus to all Christians. The "Great Commission" they call it. But do we really think that the Lord would send us all into a dangerous spiritual battlefield to preach irregardless of our God-given calling, stage of growth, or level of understanding? And how about all the varieties of "doctines" people are being sent to "preach" making the message of Christ look as diverse as the amount of sects there are?

I remember one day reading the next verse in Romans 10 and it confronted me exposing this erroneous concept.

Romans 10:
15a and how shall they preach, except they be sent?...

Can't get any clearer than that. Certainly the sending mentioned here is not done by organizations who have mishandled Mark 16:15 to their own advantage but by the Lord. And the more I thought about this, the more angry I got at these pseudo-sendings done by those who not only get God's people to go out and "preach" their sectarian doctrine, but they send them out with no spiritual training, no armament and no godly authority.

When Jesus sent out the 12 and then the 70 to preach, He gave them authority, power and the true message to preach.

Luke 10:
17 � And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.

Matthew 10:1,7&8
1 And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.

Why did He empower those He sent out to preach?

Matthew 10:
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

If Jesus defined these men whom He sent out with such great power as: "lambs amongst wolves", how would you define someone who doesn't have a clue about the enemy they are about to encounter, who has been sent into the midst of wolves by some organization? And even worse, how would you define those who would put a believer in such jeopardy for the sake of recruiting for their organization? I remember those who pressured me in my early Christian days. They actually led me to believe that if I didn't speak to people, their blood would be on my hands. Shame on them.

Yes, we all can bare witness to His goodness from day one! And, as we continue to grow in Him, we will understand what our specific function is in the body of Christ. Then let us carry that out with all our heart. But one thing I am absolutely sure of, none of us have been called of God to recruit for any organization.

Back to Index

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP IS EVERYTHING!

Our personal relationship with the Father and the Son is everything. Without it we have nothing from which to minister. We have no effective witness. And you can't compensate for the lack of a personal relationship with biblical knowledge. Our lives are to bear witness to the accomplishments of Christ, not our mouths. Either He is a living, active presence or it's all just talk.

What separates Christianity from all the other beliefs in the world is the evidence of Christ in the senses realm. Not the "inerrancy" of the book about Him.

Back to Index

MY PEOPLE LOVE TO HAVE IT SO

Jeremiah 5:30 & 31
30 A wonderful (astonishing, appalling) and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so:...

I'll never forget the first time I read this. It shocked me! This describes what is going on today too but, for some reason we have accepted this as the norm but to God this is appalling and horrible. Prophets get away with prophesying falsely and the people aren't calling them out when their prophecies fail. Man-appointed leaders, posing as priests, are ruling by their own means. They claim to speak for God and yet how could they be if they all disagree? And saddest part of all, it says "My people love to have it so."

Back in those days, as God was awakening me to the oppression of self appointed rulers, I used to think that people were in these prison camps (as I call them) just like I was at one time, because they didn't know any better and all they needed was someone to give them a helping hand out. But to think it was a cooperative effort makes the "rescue" attempt a bit tricky. Some people are being serviced in some way by this ungodly rule and it wasn't up to me to take it upon myself to randomly rescue them. This kind of helped me understand the reason for the fruitless tug-a-war I had been in for so long.

Anyhow, the point is, save yourself from the debates because some folks are there because they want to be and have no desire to leave. God has promised to set the captives free and only He knows who they are and only He can open their eyes, not us. We may be called upon to plant and to water but it is God who will give the increase.

Back to Index

YOU CAN'T BUILD MUSCLE WITHOUT PRESSING

The first time I really understood that I was gonna be engaged in spiritual warfare, it frightened me. I don't like it any better than you do. But them's the facts ma'am! There ain't no victory without a battle. And in our pursuit of the fullness of Christ, we will be engaged in one battle after another. But, if we press forward in each battle, we will experience the promised victory, and will be made stronger. But, during these times of trial, remember to let our blessed hope comfort your soul. There is an end to this battle.

Back to Index

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

Can't hide anything from God. He knows everything. And, in spite of everything he knows about us, even our darkest secrets, He still loves us. If we truly desire to grow; honesty is the best policy! Our righteousness is a gift from God through Jesus Christ our Lord. God will never condemn us ever again so we can feel free to open our heart to Him who already knows everything and "come clean". He will actually commend us when we approach Him in honesty fessing up to our evils with the desire to change. But if we cover our sins, deceiving ourselves that we are in the light when we are really in darkness...like it says:

Matthew 6:23b
...If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

That's a real darkness when we think we are in the light when we are not. And a sure way of stunting our growth and staying right were we are. Open up your heart to Him and see how compassionate He can be.

James 1:5
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; (won't make you feel ashamed) and it shall be given him.

Back to Index

HEAVEN IS NOT A REWARD!

Eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ the Lord. Our citizenship in Heaven is based solely upon what Jesus did, not what we do. It was only the sacrificial offering of Christ that was acceptable to God...the righteous for the unrighteous. If our sacrificial offering to God would have been good enough to gain citizenship into Heaven, then Jesus never would have had to do what He did.

Hebrews 10:14-16
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews 8:6
6 But now hath he (Jesus) obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Jesus brought in this NEW COVENANT and by doing this, the OLD Covenant was done away with. Let's stop resurrecting it by putting ourselves back under a law for righteousness which made nothing perfect!

Hebrews 7:19
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness (Romans 10:4) for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ died in vain. (Galatians 2:21)

Back to Index

HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THE DEVIL TODAY?

Although we don't like to admit it, I am sure there isn't anyone reading this that hasn't, at least once in their life, complained to God about things not going the way He promised. Maybe because of prayers we feel haven't been answered or because of the infrequency of uplifting spiritual experiences in our lives. Maybe even because of the time we have put in pursuing the things of God. But one day, as I was troubled and complaining to Him, I had this thought: that we are talking to God about things we should be talking to the devil about. It's the devil who has been responsible for hindering us from realizing our full potential in Christ. He is at the heart of every failure we've experienced as we attempted to attain to the things that our Jesus shed His own blood to make available to us.

Romans 8:32
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

God is not holding these things back from us. It's the devil who's been standing in the way and blocking us from what is rightfully ours.

So, I ask you, have you spoken to the devil today? Have you rebuked his interference? Have you called him out as being the hinderer and are you aggressively rejecting and destroying that evil work in your life?

1John 3:8b
8b...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Back to Index

THE GREAT DEBATE

I believe the Bible is saying this and you believe the Bible is saying that. I quote this verse and you counter it with that verse. (dueling bible verses I call it.) But what gets settled in this great debate? Nothing. It only causes contention and strife. Like it says:

Galatians 5:15
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

And now they have a new word for this debate. They're calling it "dialogue". "Let's dialogue" they say. Sounds so harmless doesn't it?

The word "dialogue" is defined as: "A discussion intended to produce an agreement". But is that really what's going on? Isn't it more honest to say that you want to come to an agreement by convincing the other to accept what you believe? I remember being approached by someone who wanted to "dialogue" with me. And when I would not accept what he was spouting, He accused me of not being humble. Not being humble to dialogue? Hum! Another such one implied that if during the dialogue, the other person does not accept what he's saying, that person was being obstinate. Obstinate to a dialogue? Does that sound like a dialogue or a dictate?

Hey, I have absolutely no problem with a bold declaration. If you truly believe you have God's Word and have a heart to proclaim it, great. But please, don't call it dialogue OK?

Back to Index

REVEALED UNTO BABES
Luke 10:21
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

It's so easy to be intimidated looking at Christianity as something to be understood in a scholarly manner. How many of us think we have the education to make the grade? But look at this statement our Master made. He rejoiced and thanked the Father that these things are hidden from the wise and prudent. What things? The understanding of the things of God. The things of God are spiritual not intellectual. It's a heart thing, a love thing, not a head trip.

Huh??? You mean we have been looking to the wise and the prudent to show us these things and yet Jesus said that they are hidden from them?

But we have a great promise here. Though these things are hid from the "wise and prudent" (learned and intelligent according to Strong's Concordance), Jesus said they are revealed to babes. I believe this "babes" is an attitude.

Luke 18:17
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

If we want to enter into the understanding the things of God, we have to approach it with a child-like heart and attitude.

When the Apostles stood before the Pharisees (a.k.a. "the wise and prudent") after performing a miracle in Jesus' name it says:

Acts 4:13 &14
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

I guess the question here is, when we grow up, do we want to be Pharisees or do we want to be men and women that they know have been with Jesus?

Back to Index

JESUS IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the way to the Father. But I do not believe this ends with salvation. He is the continual way to the Father.

Luke 10:22
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

It is the Son who makes known the Father. Not ministers. Even true ministers can only help you to see this and encourage you to look to Christ your Head, but they cannot reveal the Father to you. Only the Son can. And isn't that the knowledge we all seek? To know our Heavenly Father intimately?

Back to Index

BE A BEREAN
Acts 17:10-12
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These (the Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed;...

So what can we learn from this? That you can be willing to receive the Word with all readiness of mind, but at the same time, be cautious enough to search the scriptures to check out whether those things you're hearing are so or not. It is very important for us to take the responsibility for what we believe.

Back to Index

GRACE OR WORKS?

1 John 5:1a
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) is born of God...

Romans 10:9
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

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

How could this be? There's gotta be a catch right? Maybe that's why so many are adding works to this grace. Because they are trying to understand something so wonderful by human standards and they're not going to the Lord for the spiritual understanding. So they propound false teachings which say we can only keep our salvation if we remain faithful.

If Adam taught us anything, it was that under the most perfect conditions, outside (Garden of Eden) and inside (a sinless nature), he could not hold on to God's spirit. And he was asked only one thing to do. "Don't eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." (Gen 2:17) So depending upon the rules of the group you are adhering to for doctrine, you will have anywhere from 10 to 10,000 things to do to keep your salvation. Get real! Do we honestly think in our present condition and the present condition of the world, that we will do any better than Adam?

Besides, since the judgment that came upon us all through the disobedience of Adam was so sure that there wasn't anything we could do to reverse it; wouldn't the judgment that came upon us through the obedience of Christ be at least as sure that there wouldn't be anything we could do to reverse it?

Romans 5
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made* righteous.

This word made* in the Greek means "to place down permanently!"

But one thing that has given grace a bad name is that some confuse it with license as if "anything goes" now, which plays right into the hands of the legalists. Grace is undeserved kindness and, when whole-heartedly received and understood, will inspire the good works that God has ordained for us to walk in, (Ephesians 2:10) not works of the flesh done to "make ourselves worthy of" or, to "hold on to" our salvation.

The good that we do will be duly rewarded on that day when we stand before Him but will not qualify us to stand before Him. The good that Jesus did qualified us!

We have to stay razor sharp on this matter...with His help of course.

Back to Index

FIG LEAF SALESMEN (good one Johnny)
I thought this was such a good description of religious "Christianity" that I couldn't resist. Actually someone else coined this phrase when we were discussing how the religious approach provides nothing more that a cover for sin, much in the same way that Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves after they sinned.

So these "fig leaf salesmen", presenting themselves as leaders and teachers of the way of righteousness, provide a very cunning derailment from the godly path as they deceivingly come in Christ's name offering us a convenient cover for sin rather than ministering deliverance from it. But Jesus was never deceived by their "fair show in the flesh" and when calling them out said:

That on the outside they appeared to be righteous to the people but on the inside were full of hypocrisy and iniquity.(Matthew 23: 28)

That they were so busy cleaning the outside up but on the inside they were full of extortion and excess.(Matthew 23:25)

That they were blind guides who strained out a nat but swallowed a camel. (Matthew 23: 24). These blind guides of the people would be very conscientious in small matters but very careless in big ones. So, for example, they would be ever so careful not to eat with unwashed hands, but they would have no problem plotting to kill God's Messiah.

They had no desire to enter the kingdom of heaven but shut the door up to try to prevent those who wanted to from entering in. (Matthew 23:13)

That they persecuted and murdered the faithful servants of God (Matthew 23:37) because they wanted the flock all for themselves. (Matthew 21:33-42)

That those who they trained up were made two-fold more the sons of hell than they were. (Matthew 23:15)

Yikes! That's not where we thought they were gonna lead us when they promised to help show to us the way in our early Christian days.

It never ceases to amaze me the debilitating affect they have on "their" people. They like to keep them in the dark about spiritual things, especially by getting them to focus on the good and/or evil works of the flesh, because the last thing they want in "their" flock is someone exercising spiritual discernment because they fear exposure.

To me religion as "the way to God" is nothing more than an extended foot stretched out to trip us when we are babes and don't know any better. I was tripped by this foot in the beginning but take heart, that doesn't mean you will be condemned to a life sentence. If you really want to move forward spiritually and are willing to pay the cost of being a disciple; God can open your eyes.

Back to Index

TWO EXPERIENCES OF THE FAITHFUL

We rejoice in the things that Hebrews 11 tells us that faith can do and we desire to experience these great victories in our lives as well. For example, obtain promises, get the dead raised back to life, stop the mouths of lions, escape the edge of the sword, put to flight the armies of the enemy, etc.

But have we considered the other side of the experience of the faithful mentioned here? The trials of cruel mockings, beatings, being put in restraints, imprisoned, wandering about in deserts; being destitute, afflicted and tormented, tempted, stoned, slain with the sword, and cut in two.

By today's standards, the judgment call on believers who are experiencing such things because of their stand of faith, would be that they are people who aren't exercising their faith. After all, if they were, they would not be in such a state.

But the testimony of the truth stands sure that: these also obtained a good report through faith. (Hebrews 11:39)

Back to Index

"LEAST" OF MY BRETHREN

Matthew 25:
40 ...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

In this context, Jesus was speaking about those who did acts of kindness to those who were in need. The hungry were given food, the thirsty were given drink, the naked were given clothes, the sick or imprisoned were visited, the strangers were given a place to stay.

Does Jesus regard these people as being "the least of His brethren" because of their need? Absolutely not! But that is how the world judges people in these circumstances and He was using their own judgment system to make this point. That the way we treat those regarded as "least" in this world, those from whom we think we have nothing to gain, will show the degree of love we have for Jesus.

Back to Index

O YE OF LITTLE FAITH
In Matthew 16:6-12, when Jesus said "Oh ye of little faith", he wasn't talking about the size of their faith being little. Jesus told them in another place (Matthew 17:20) that if they had the faith the size of a mustard seed (which is very little) it was powerful enough to move mountains. So He couldn't have been reproving them for having a faith that was little in size but little in duration. That it was a brief faith which didn't stand the test of time.

In the context, the disciples were reasoning among themselves about not having brought enough bread with them and Jesus had to remind them of the provision of the awesome miracle of the loaves and the fishes which they had recently experienced TWICE! He was reproving them for having a faith that was little in duration, not for having a tiny faith.

Back to Index

WITHOUT THE CAMP "MISTAKEN IDENTITY"
The tent of meeting was set up without the camp. This is where people went to inquire of the Lord. (Exodus 33:7)

But the place where the unclean were sent to purify themselves was also without the camp. (Leviticus 13:46)

I have noticed that those who have left the camp to inquire of the Lord are sometimes mistaken for the unclean.

Hebrews 13:

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Back to Index

BRIDGES BURNED

When your bridges are burned behind you and you enter a period of persecution and/or tribulation, you can't retreat to escape it. The only escape from it is to go forward. That's a good thing.

Back to Index

ARE YOU SPECIAL 'CAUSE YOU'RE LOVED?
It's a misconception that if a person is loved, that means they're special, as if they are worthy of that love. True love is unconditional. So when a person is loved with this love, they are loved by someone who loves all, be they the high or the low of this world. They love for the sake of love. For the beauty of love. So if anyone is special, it's the one doing the loving not the one who is being loved.

It goes the other way too. If you find yourself in the category of the "unloved", don't let this reflect upon you as if there is something wrong with you. You're simply among unloving people.

Back to Index

WHO'S YOUR FAMILY?
Answer it quick. What did you say? Your husband/wife and kids? Your parents, brothers and sisters? Your Aunts, Uncles and cousins?

Well what about your brothers and sisters in Christ? Where do they stand in order of importance? Are they just a pretend family but not really thought of as close because they're not you're flesh and blood?

When Jesus described who His family was, He said:

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

Why isn't this our answer too?

There are just too many families that come before the family of God.

Back to Index

BEARING WITNESS TO ALL

We like to bear witness to those who will believe but there are times we will be called upon to witness to those who will not believe also. I know we prefer to speak to those who will accept Christ for the joy that it brings but those who will not accept Christ get to hear the Word too so they will be without excuse in that day.

In 1 Peter 3:19 & 20 it says that after His resurrection, Jesus preached to the spirits that were in prison who had been locked up in the days of Noah. No way these evil spirits were gonna repent. But God wanted Jesus to bear witness to them never the less. I saw a connection between this and our bearing witness to those who will never repent.

Remember the parable of the sower? (Matthew 13) He sowed his seed upon all the grounds mentioned, not just on the good ground.

Back to Index

TALENT
Talent...how are you gonna use it, to serve or be served. In the world, a person who is recognized for their talent is usually praised and served and, with a worldly frame of mind, this person will most likely think that their talent has set them above the rest. But when God has His way, a person's talent or ability will be used to serve others. So, for example, a strong man will not be greasing and flexing his muscles but will be using his strength to lift another up, being grateful for the God-given ability to do so.

Back to Index

CHOOSE LIFE!

Whether you choose to live in the darkness or in the light, you won't be the master of either realm. People think that if they choose darkness, they will be calling the shots but this is part of the deceptive lure. The reality is that you will be a slave in either realm. If you choose the light, you will find a benevolent Master who seeks your good always. If you choose the darkness, you will find a cunning and cruel master who hates your very breath and seeks your destruction. Choose life!

Back to Index

PITFALL AWAITING THE NEW CHRISTIAN

One of the pitfalls awaiting the new Christian, or any Christian for that matter, is religion ready and waiting to swallow up your God-given service and make you it's captive. I was it's victim in my early days and didn't recognize the bondage I was in because it was so cunning. To this day, I am still shaking off it's effect on me.

Although to some, religion and godliness are one and the same but they are very different indeed! Religion is an outer cover or as Paul put it: "a fair show in the flesh". A religious-minded person will be more concerned with how they appear before people whereas a godly-minded person is more concerned with how they appear before God.

Be aware. The godly are not immune to the seduction of religion. It is one of the enemies most effective tools to derail you. But and if you do succumb, the Lord can turn this into a schoolroom for you and, once delivered from i