10/31/18 GALATIANS 1:1-5
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
GALATIANS 1:1-5
notes to follow
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
10/31/18 CULTURE, NOT COLOR
10/31/18 CULTURE, NOT COLOR
Moral dysfunction flourishes in cultures opposed to Christ and the Bible.
Christian culture nourishes moral behavior.
Moral dysfunction flourishes in cultures opposed to Christ and the Bible.
Christian culture nourishes moral behavior.
10/31/18 DEVELOPED OR NEGATIVE
10/31/18 DEVELOPED OR NEGATIVE
If Africans had been "white" and Europeans had been "black," would the world have developed or just be negative?
If Africans had been "white" and Europeans had been "black," would the world have developed or just be negative?
10/31/18 CAN YOU IMAGINE
10/31/18 CAN YOU IMAGINE
Can you imagine a world without Christianity but dominated by Islam, and then think, "What a wonderful world?"
Can you imagine a world without Christianity but dominated by Islam, and then think, "What a wonderful world?"
10/31/18 COMMON DENOMINATOR
10/31/18 COMMON DENOMINATOR
Some believe Christianity is as bad as Bible haters say.
Some think Islam is as good as Bible haters say.
What is the Common Denominator?
Some believe Christianity is as bad as Bible haters say.
Some think Islam is as good as Bible haters say.
What is the Common Denominator?
10/31/18 SPOUTING AND CREATING
10/31/18 SPOUTING AND CREATING
Be sure to follow people spouting peace, joy, love and unity, while they create chaos, anger, hatred and divisiveness.
Be sure to follow people spouting peace, joy, love and unity, while they create chaos, anger, hatred and divisiveness.
10/31/18 THE IMPORTANT THING IS...
10/31/18 THE IMPORTANT THING IS...
The important thing is, follow the crowd, the freebies and the hypocrites, since they lead to freedom and exceptionalism.
The important thing is, follow the crowd, the freebies and the hypocrites, since they lead to freedom and exceptionalism.
10/31/18 SO MUCH TO OFFER
10/31/18 SO MUCH TO OFFER
Too bad "superior" people are arrogant, intolerant, mean, petty, self centered and deceived.
They have so much to offer.
Too bad "superior" people are arrogant, intolerant, mean, petty, self centered and deceived.
They have so much to offer.
10/31/18 LIBERALATED
10/31/18 LIBERALATED
Finally, a society rising above guile, false accusation, pride, weakness, flaw, prejudice, violence, ignorance.
We're Liberalated.
Finally, a society rising above guile, false accusation, pride, weakness, flaw, prejudice, violence, ignorance.
We're Liberalated.
10/31/18 LIBERAL ENLIGHTENMENT
10/31/18 LIBERAL ENLIGHTENMENT
Libs have enlightened me.
Just wish I could enslave myself to even the score.
But no fear, they have that covered too.
Libs have enlightened me.
Just wish I could enslave myself to even the score.
But no fear, they have that covered too.
10/31/18 EVEN IF I FREE MY SLAVES
10/31/18 EVEN IF I FREE MY SLAVES
There is just too much pressure today.
I may have to free my slaves.
Even then I will still be an old white man.
NO HOPE FOR ME.
There is just too much pressure today.
I may have to free my slaves.
Even then I will still be an old white man.
NO HOPE FOR ME.
10/29/18 FORMULA FOR IGNORANCE
10/29/18 FORMULA FOR IGNORANCE
Personal darkness, hardness of heart, along with deceivers in the "information age," lead to never finding the truth.
2 Timothy 3:7
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Personal darkness, hardness of heart, along with deceivers in the "information age," lead to never finding the truth.
2 Timothy 3:7
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
10/27/18 KNOW, BELIEVE, LIVE, TRUST THE WORD
10/27/18 KNOW, BELIEVE, LIVE, TRUST THE WORD
If you don't know the word, a supposed expert in the word will twist the word and might get you to disobey the word.
If you don't know the word, a supposed expert in the word will twist the word and might get you to disobey the word.
10/27/18 DON'T BE LED ASTRAY BY "CLEVER"
10/27/18 DON'T BE LED ASTRAY BY "CLEVER"
Clever and detailed explanations of a few verses are used to distract you from God's clear, consistent, constant revelation.
Clever and detailed explanations of a few verses are used to distract you from God's clear, consistent, constant revelation.
10/27/18 BEWARE WHEN CONVOLUTED CONTRADICTS CLEAR
10/27/18 BEWARE WHEN CONVOLUTED CONTRADICTS CLEAR
BEWARE.
Convoluted Bible "explanations" by "smart people" (cults or otherwise) often contradict God's clear and repeated word.
BEWARE.
Convoluted Bible "explanations" by "smart people" (cults or otherwise) often contradict God's clear and repeated word.
10/27/18 DON'T LISTEN TO DOCTOR SERPENT
10/27/18 DON'T LISTEN TO DOCTOR SERPENT
NO SHOCK.
Eve listened to doctor Serpent.
Christians are still led astray by "Bible scholars" who say sin does not kill.
NO SHOCK.
Eve listened to doctor Serpent.
Christians are still led astray by "Bible scholars" who say sin does not kill.
Friday, October 26, 2018
10/26/18 DON'T DELAY
10/26/18 DON'T DELAY
Staying unsaved deepens spiritual darkness.
Getting saved brings light to the blind.
Total surrender fills with light.
DON'T DELAY
Staying unsaved deepens spiritual darkness.
Getting saved brings light to the blind.
Total surrender fills with light.
DON'T DELAY
10/26/18 HARSH REALITY
10/26/18 HARSH REALITY
The realization that conversion is essential for eternal life makes folks realize they have loved ones who won't be in heaven.
THIS IS HARD
When a person realizes that those without Christ are excluded from heaven, it can make them angry with God or with the message of salvation.
We all have loved ones that were not saved when they died. We all have loved ones who are not saved now, and the likelihood of them getting saved is not encouraging.
Salvation requires major changes, but the thought of eternally losing a loved one can be too much for a person to handle. A lot of emotion, as well as misinformation and cultural baggage must be addressed.
God loved our loved one more than we loved them and God had a greater interest in them getting saved than we do. As much as we love our lost loved ones, the fact is that God loved them so much that He gave His Son to die for them, and offer them eternal life. And God did this, knowing what their choice would be. That is infinite love.
God is not willing that any should perish, so we can rest assured that the lost loved one had every opportunity to trust in Christ. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, therefore we know that God did not shut them out, either lightly or arbitrarily. If they never trusted Christ, it was because they chose not to trust Him.
The fact is, we almost never know what is in a person's mind during their last moments. When I don't know, I choose to accept that God is merciful rather than vindictive. God is also just. He does all things well. We can trust God to do the right thing, the loving thing, the merciful thing, the just thing.
If a person takes a negative attitude toward God or salvation because they resent the idea that a loved one might be lost forever, then they compound their own problem. I have heard people say that they wanted to god to hell to be with friends or loved ones. Well, actually, there will not be any love or friendship in hell and no one brings anyone else any comfort. In fact, I think it is probable that the presence of others in hell may even add to the personal torment they suffer. How terrible would it be to hear or see people in hell. Missing heaven brings nobody any comfort.
Resisting or rejecting salvation does not help others who have, or will, die without Christ. In fact, it will make it less likely that other loved ones will get saved. One of the major ways God rescues people is through the ministry of those who have been saved.
It may be hard to understand, but in eternity, God will deliver us from all pain, including the loss of loved ones.
It is hard to deal with lost loved ones being cut off from God forever. But the only way we can be of any help or comfort to them is by getting saved and then praying for them and witnessing to them.
THE MAIN REASONS TO GET SAVED
I tried to offer some words of encouragement to those who have loved ones who died, without the likelihood of having gotten saved. Although I believe there is validity to theses arguments, the fact is that we ought to get saved,
BECAUSE WE ARE LOST AND BOUND FOR ETERNAL SUFFERING,
and
BECAUSE GOD HAS PROVIDED SALVATION FOR US THROUGH THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF HIS SON.
We need to be saved, in order to live a life that is pleasing to God, and in order to go to heaven, and escape torment forever.
We need to get saved because God has provided the miraculous way for us to be transformed into His children, new creations.
The realization that conversion is essential for eternal life makes folks realize they have loved ones who won't be in heaven.
THIS IS HARD
When a person realizes that those without Christ are excluded from heaven, it can make them angry with God or with the message of salvation.
We all have loved ones that were not saved when they died. We all have loved ones who are not saved now, and the likelihood of them getting saved is not encouraging.
Salvation requires major changes, but the thought of eternally losing a loved one can be too much for a person to handle. A lot of emotion, as well as misinformation and cultural baggage must be addressed.
God loved our loved one more than we loved them and God had a greater interest in them getting saved than we do. As much as we love our lost loved ones, the fact is that God loved them so much that He gave His Son to die for them, and offer them eternal life. And God did this, knowing what their choice would be. That is infinite love.
God is not willing that any should perish, so we can rest assured that the lost loved one had every opportunity to trust in Christ. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, therefore we know that God did not shut them out, either lightly or arbitrarily. If they never trusted Christ, it was because they chose not to trust Him.
The fact is, we almost never know what is in a person's mind during their last moments. When I don't know, I choose to accept that God is merciful rather than vindictive. God is also just. He does all things well. We can trust God to do the right thing, the loving thing, the merciful thing, the just thing.
If a person takes a negative attitude toward God or salvation because they resent the idea that a loved one might be lost forever, then they compound their own problem. I have heard people say that they wanted to god to hell to be with friends or loved ones. Well, actually, there will not be any love or friendship in hell and no one brings anyone else any comfort. In fact, I think it is probable that the presence of others in hell may even add to the personal torment they suffer. How terrible would it be to hear or see people in hell. Missing heaven brings nobody any comfort.
Resisting or rejecting salvation does not help others who have, or will, die without Christ. In fact, it will make it less likely that other loved ones will get saved. One of the major ways God rescues people is through the ministry of those who have been saved.
It may be hard to understand, but in eternity, God will deliver us from all pain, including the loss of loved ones.
It is hard to deal with lost loved ones being cut off from God forever. But the only way we can be of any help or comfort to them is by getting saved and then praying for them and witnessing to them.
THE MAIN REASONS TO GET SAVED
I tried to offer some words of encouragement to those who have loved ones who died, without the likelihood of having gotten saved. Although I believe there is validity to theses arguments, the fact is that we ought to get saved,
BECAUSE WE ARE LOST AND BOUND FOR ETERNAL SUFFERING,
and
BECAUSE GOD HAS PROVIDED SALVATION FOR US THROUGH THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF HIS SON.
We need to be saved, in order to live a life that is pleasing to God, and in order to go to heaven, and escape torment forever.
We need to get saved because God has provided the miraculous way for us to be transformed into His children, new creations.
10/26/18 FULLNESS MAKES A DIFFERENCE
10/26/18 FULLNESS MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Many started out in faith, but then turned away.
Full commitment and fullness of Spirit could have made the difference.
Hebrews 10:22-31
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
NOTICE,
VS. 22
God calls us to DRAW NEAR, with a heart in FULL ASSURANCE. If it is a settled issue, that God decides for us, then there was no reason to call us to this level of commitment.
VS. 23
God calls us to HOLD FAST the profession of our faith WITHOUT WAVERING. If we have no responsibility for our own salvation then there was no reason for God to call us to HOLD FAST, WITHOUT WAVERING.
VS. 24-25
God directs the local church to PROVOKE one another to GOOD WORKS. God enables Body Life to encourage Godly Living.
VS. 26
IF WE SIN WILFULLY. Sin is a CHOICE, it is an act of the WILL. It is not obligatory, nor acceptable for believers to sin. This is a warning to believers not to sin.
VS. 27
For those who choose to sin wilfully, after having saving faith, there is Divine judgment for those enemies of the cross.
VS. 28-29
Just as God had judged those who disobeyed the law of Moses, in the Old Testament, so He will judge those who rebel against His law during the Church age, with SORER PUNISHMENT, since that person has been SANCTIFIED.
VS. 30-31
GOD will judge his people with VENGEANCE, AND WARNS them that it is a fearful thing for these people to FALL INTO THE HANDS OF GOD.
Many started out in faith, but then turned away.
Full commitment and fullness of Spirit could have made the difference.
Hebrews 10:22-31
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
NOTICE,
VS. 22
God calls us to DRAW NEAR, with a heart in FULL ASSURANCE. If it is a settled issue, that God decides for us, then there was no reason to call us to this level of commitment.
VS. 23
God calls us to HOLD FAST the profession of our faith WITHOUT WAVERING. If we have no responsibility for our own salvation then there was no reason for God to call us to HOLD FAST, WITHOUT WAVERING.
VS. 24-25
God directs the local church to PROVOKE one another to GOOD WORKS. God enables Body Life to encourage Godly Living.
VS. 26
IF WE SIN WILFULLY. Sin is a CHOICE, it is an act of the WILL. It is not obligatory, nor acceptable for believers to sin. This is a warning to believers not to sin.
VS. 27
For those who choose to sin wilfully, after having saving faith, there is Divine judgment for those enemies of the cross.
VS. 28-29
Just as God had judged those who disobeyed the law of Moses, in the Old Testament, so He will judge those who rebel against His law during the Church age, with SORER PUNISHMENT, since that person has been SANCTIFIED.
VS. 30-31
GOD will judge his people with VENGEANCE, AND WARNS them that it is a fearful thing for these people to FALL INTO THE HANDS OF GOD.
10/26/18 DON'T MISS THE TREASURE OF CHRISTIAN FAMILY
10/26/18 DON'T MISS THE TREASURE OF CHRISTIAN FAMILY
Love and miss mama and daddy.
Wish we had walked His way together.
Hope to see them again.
Christian heritage is unfathomable.
Love and miss mama and daddy.
Wish we had walked His way together.
Hope to see them again.
Christian heritage is unfathomable.
10/26/18 IT TAKES TIME TO BE HOLY
10/26/18 IT TAKES TIME TO BE HOLY
You better have a pastor that is close to God and filled with God's Spirit and His word. You and your family need this. BUT YOUR PASTOR'S CLOSENESS to God does not substitute for your responsibility and need to be close to God personally.
As a pastor, I am able to enjoy a lot quiet time (sometimes not so quiet) in meditation, prayer, reading, worship and praise than most folks. This time is worth more than all the gold and wealth this world could offer me personally and for my ministry, as I feed, lead, protect and serve God's people.
Though you do not have my calling and my opportunities, you should seek the outpouring of God. Come with hunger, expectation, surrender. Come hungry and eat heartily. Be filled to overflowing.
IT TAKES TIME TO DRAW CLOSE TO GOD.
IT TAKES TIME TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF GOD.
IT TAKES TIME TO BE TRANSFORMED BY HIS SPIRIT.
IT TAKES TIME TO BECOME ACCULTURATED TO THE FAMILY AND KINGDOM OF GOD.
You better have a pastor that is close to God and filled with God's Spirit and His word. You and your family need this. BUT YOUR PASTOR'S CLOSENESS to God does not substitute for your responsibility and need to be close to God personally.
As a pastor, I am able to enjoy a lot quiet time (sometimes not so quiet) in meditation, prayer, reading, worship and praise than most folks. This time is worth more than all the gold and wealth this world could offer me personally and for my ministry, as I feed, lead, protect and serve God's people.
Though you do not have my calling and my opportunities, you should seek the outpouring of God. Come with hunger, expectation, surrender. Come hungry and eat heartily. Be filled to overflowing.
IT TAKES TIME TO DRAW CLOSE TO GOD.
IT TAKES TIME TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF GOD.
IT TAKES TIME TO BE TRANSFORMED BY HIS SPIRIT.
IT TAKES TIME TO BECOME ACCULTURATED TO THE FAMILY AND KINGDOM OF GOD.
10/26/18 COME HOME
10/26/18 COME HOME
I worked out while listening to Merle Haggard sing some great hymns and gospel songs.
I am amazed at how much God loves us and how much we need Him. My heart aches for those who have moved away from the loving God of the Holy Bible. My heart aches for those who have moved away from loving parents, family, fellow believers.
Sadly, some have been led away, and no longer listen to correction. I hope and pray that folks will listen carefully and hear the call to, COME HOME.
Whatever you think of Merle Haggard and whatever you think of me, the purpose of this post is to get you to think about the God who died and rose again to save those who have walked away.
I worked out while listening to Merle Haggard sing some great hymns and gospel songs.
I am amazed at how much God loves us and how much we need Him. My heart aches for those who have moved away from the loving God of the Holy Bible. My heart aches for those who have moved away from loving parents, family, fellow believers.
Sadly, some have been led away, and no longer listen to correction. I hope and pray that folks will listen carefully and hear the call to, COME HOME.
Whatever you think of Merle Haggard and whatever you think of me, the purpose of this post is to get you to think about the God who died and rose again to save those who have walked away.
10/26/18 I WANT TO MEET YOU ON THAT SHORE
10/26/18 I WANT TO MEET YOU ON THAT SHORE
(I posted a video by Merle Haggard singing, If We Never Meet Again, This Side Of Heaven)
I met a man yesterday who admitted that he had been saved but he has wandered and is now a backslidden hypocrite. SO SAD. I asked him what it would take for him to come back. He said he didn't know. For my friends and loved ones who have drifted or rebelled, I hope you hear this song, and hear my cry, and most of all, HEAR GOD'S CALL.
You might not like the singer or his style. You might not love me or even have confidence in me. But you have no reason to not like or love God, and He loves you so much that He gave His Son for you.
I asked the man what it would take for him to turn back to Christ. He said he did not know. BUT I KNOW. It takes coming to the end of self and surrendering to Jesus.
(I posted a video by Merle Haggard singing, If We Never Meet Again, This Side Of Heaven)
I met a man yesterday who admitted that he had been saved but he has wandered and is now a backslidden hypocrite. SO SAD. I asked him what it would take for him to come back. He said he didn't know. For my friends and loved ones who have drifted or rebelled, I hope you hear this song, and hear my cry, and most of all, HEAR GOD'S CALL.
You might not like the singer or his style. You might not love me or even have confidence in me. But you have no reason to not like or love God, and He loves you so much that He gave His Son for you.
I asked the man what it would take for him to turn back to Christ. He said he did not know. BUT I KNOW. It takes coming to the end of self and surrendering to Jesus.
10/25/18 TALK TO WALK
10/25/18 TALK TO WALK
During Bible study, we discuss current events, Bible doctrine, Christian living in evil world.
A Bible talk,
To help our walk.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
10/24/18 SCATTERED FOR A REASON
10/24/18 SCATTERED FOR A REASON
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
SCATTERED FOR A REASON
DLG NOTES TO FOLLOW
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
SCATTERED FOR A REASON
DLG NOTES TO FOLLOW
10/24/18 CLEANSES COMPLETELY
10/24/18 CLEANSES COMPLETELY
Not a verse, but a Bible principle, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness."
Christ cleanses from filth, natural and spiritual.
Not a verse, but a Bible principle, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness."
Christ cleanses from filth, natural and spiritual.
10/24/18 FREELY FLOWING FILTH
10/24/18 FREELY FLOWING FILTH
VISIT THE WORLD, actually or virtually (videos, photos, documentaries).
Much of it is a sewer, flowing freely into reprobate USA.
VISIT THE WORLD, actually or virtually (videos, photos, documentaries).
Much of it is a sewer, flowing freely into reprobate USA.
10/24/18 TIME TO FOLLOW JESUS, NOT FALL BACK
10/24/18 TIME TO FOLLOW JESUS, NOT FALL BACK
Join The Fully Committed
Romans 13:8-14
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
March Forward, Don't Fall Back
Hebrews 10:35-39
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Join The Fully Committed
Romans 13:8-14
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
March Forward, Don't Fall Back
Hebrews 10:35-39
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
10/24/18 SAD BUT NOT SHOCKING
10/24/18 SAD BUT NOT SHOCKING
It's sad, but no shock that the UK and USA have abandoned their heritage and culture, since Christians also abandon God's kingdom.
It's sad, but no shock that the UK and USA have abandoned their heritage and culture, since Christians also abandon God's kingdom.
10/24/18 IT WAS TOO ABSURD TO BELIEVE
10/24/18 IT WAS TOO ABSURD TO BELIEVE
I scoffed in the '60s, when Liberals said USA should become more like the poor nations in order to bring about world equality.
I scoffed in the '60s, when Liberals said USA should become more like the poor nations in order to bring about world equality.
10/24/18 CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES
10/24/18 CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES
The USA (built on the Christian message and culture), became the most successful and beneficent superpower in the world.
The USA (built on the Christian message and culture), became the most successful and beneficent superpower in the world.
10/24/18 USA HAS TRIED TO HELP
10/24/18 USA HAS TRIED TO HELP
Compared to USA, major parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Mideast and even Europe are oozing soars.
Don't blame U.S.
Compared to USA, major parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Mideast and even Europe are oozing soars.
Don't blame U.S.
10/24/18 AN OBVIOUS LIE
10/24/18 AN OBVIOUS LIE
If USA is so terrible why are people walking 2300+ miles to come here illegally?
Liberals lie about America.
If USA is so terrible why are people walking 2300+ miles to come here illegally?
Liberals lie about America.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
10/24/18 JUST BEING HONEST
10/24/18 JUST BEING HONEST
It is not faithless to acknowledge the fact that this world will not be won to Christ.
IT IS BIBLICAL.
It is not faithless to acknowledge the fact that this world will not be won to Christ.
IT IS BIBLICAL.
10/23/18 MESSAGE, SAVIOR, CULTURE
10/23/18 MESSAGE, SAVIOR, CULTURE
The Bible reveals God's Message, Savior and Culture.
Post Christian America rejected the Message, the Savior, and now the Culture.
The Bible reveals God's Message, Savior and Culture.
Post Christian America rejected the Message, the Savior, and now the Culture.
10/23/18 UNIFIED SEPARATELY
10/23/18 UNIFIED SEPARATELY
Jesus Christ is the greatest unifier in the world. Part of the world unifies in submission, the rest unify in opposition.
Jesus Christ is the greatest unifier in the world. Part of the world unifies in submission, the rest unify in opposition.
10/23/18 THE ATTACK INTENSIFIES
10/23/18 THE ATTACK INTENSIFIES
Culture matters. American betrayal of Christian culture and the foreign invasion of Christ-less culture hastens the US demise.
Culture matters. American betrayal of Christian culture and the foreign invasion of Christ-less culture hastens the US demise.
10/23/18 LAW BREAKING IS NOT A GOOD RECOMMENDATION
10/23/18 LAW BREAKING IS NOT A GOOD RECOMMENDATION
Thousands of Latino invaders defiantly violate international borders and break international laws.
And they will be good Americans?
Thousands of Latino invaders defiantly violate international borders and break international laws.
And they will be good Americans?
10/23/18 ABANDONMENT IS NOT HEROIC
10/23/18 ABANDONMENT IS NOT HEROIC
Thousands of male Latino invaders have abandoned their families into the hands of oppressive regimes?
Liars or cowards? Or both?
Thousands of male Latino invaders have abandoned their families into the hands of oppressive regimes?
Liars or cowards? Or both?
10/23/18 THE REAL TRUTH
10/23/18 THE REAL TRUTH
God could delay collapse of USA and the world, but it will only be a delay.
No Jesus, no hope.
Know Jesus, know hope.
God could delay collapse of USA and the world, but it will only be a delay.
No Jesus, no hope.
Know Jesus, know hope.
10/23/18 THE NEAR FUTURE OF THIS WORLD
10/23/18 THE NEAR FUTURE OF THIS WORLD
As USA joins the rest of the world and forms RUINATIONS, it becomes clearer that our only hope is the return of Jesus.
As USA joins the rest of the world and forms RUINATIONS, it becomes clearer that our only hope is the return of Jesus.
10/23/18 BUT IF...
10/23/18 BUT IF...
Fortunately USA is following Europe into the future (unless the future looks like Europe).
Fortunately USA is following Europe into the future (unless the future looks like Europe).
10/23/18 LOOK WHAT WE MISSED
10/23/18 LOOK WHAT WE MISSED
Too bad USA has our history instead of the history of South America, Africa, Asia.
Look where we (and the world) could be today.
Too bad USA has our history instead of the history of South America, Africa, Asia.
Look where we (and the world) could be today.
10/23/18 IF THEY COME ILLEGALLY, ARE THEY REALLY OUR FRIENDS?
10/23/18 IF THEY COME ILLEGALLY, ARE THEY REALLY OUR FRIENDS?
I'm relieved that more people are forcing their way in, who hold such high values of law, morality, family. NOT!
USA ASKED FOR IT.
I'm relieved that more people are forcing their way in, who hold such high values of law, morality, family. NOT!
USA ASKED FOR IT.
10/23/18 DON'T BE ROBBED BY THE DEVIL
10/23/18 DON'T BE ROBBED BY THE DEVIL
Don't allow failure, ineptness, embarrassment or pride to keep you from pursuing spiritual attainments.
DON'T BE ROBBED BY THE DEVIL
By Failure
If you ever failed in your walk or service to God, it is no reason to give up or turn away. If you slip as you are climbing the mountain, you don't just jump to your death below.
By Ineptness
We all excel in various areas of life, even in the Christian life, whether it is study, ministry, body life, witnessing or serving others. Even if you have to work harder in order to be and do what God is calling you to, do not allow your inability to rob you of His ability to work in you.
By Embarrassment
Embarrassment has been the death knell for myriads of believers. Folks sometimes let a minor bump in the road become their Everest of defeat, because they did not succeed or they did not excel in a particular activity or event. They would rather drop out and never face embarrassment again, rather than allow God to enable them to become what He wants them to become.
By PRIDE
Maybe the root cause of these excuses for defeat is PRIDE. You cannot allow your INORDINATE SELF ESTEEM (pride) to stand between you and your walk with God, your service to God, your fellowship with God, BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.
Humble yourself, repent of your disobedience and doubt, trust in the Lord and follow.
He is your Strength, He is your Courage, He is your Enabler.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Philippians 3:8-15
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Don't allow failure, ineptness, embarrassment or pride to keep you from pursuing spiritual attainments.
DON'T BE ROBBED BY THE DEVIL
By Failure
If you ever failed in your walk or service to God, it is no reason to give up or turn away. If you slip as you are climbing the mountain, you don't just jump to your death below.
By Ineptness
We all excel in various areas of life, even in the Christian life, whether it is study, ministry, body life, witnessing or serving others. Even if you have to work harder in order to be and do what God is calling you to, do not allow your inability to rob you of His ability to work in you.
By Embarrassment
Embarrassment has been the death knell for myriads of believers. Folks sometimes let a minor bump in the road become their Everest of defeat, because they did not succeed or they did not excel in a particular activity or event. They would rather drop out and never face embarrassment again, rather than allow God to enable them to become what He wants them to become.
By PRIDE
Maybe the root cause of these excuses for defeat is PRIDE. You cannot allow your INORDINATE SELF ESTEEM (pride) to stand between you and your walk with God, your service to God, your fellowship with God, BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.
Humble yourself, repent of your disobedience and doubt, trust in the Lord and follow.
He is your Strength, He is your Courage, He is your Enabler.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Philippians 3:8-15
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
10/22/18 CHOOSE YOUR TREASURE CAREFULLY
10/22/18 CHOOSE YOUR TREASURE CAREFULLY
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
CHOOSE YOUR TREASURE CAREFULLY
Our area, in fact all of the southern east coast, is strewn with the debris left by Florence and Michael. I saw a large sailboat that was torn from its mooring ball and driven ashore on a beach in Morehead. I continue to see the interiors of really large homes, dragged to the street to be hauled away. Sometimes the piles of debris are taller than a person, and stretching the entire length of the house. It is not just the furnishings, but the walls, the floors, the ceilings, the electrical work, appliances, carpeting, rugs, books, magazines, electronic components, insulation, studs, clothing. Some houses are not being gutted, but torn down completely. In some communities there were entire neighborhoods blown and washed away by the storms.
The problem for the houses that are being gutted and having their furnishings removed is mold. Expensive sofas, chairs, mattresses, beds, carpeting, dressers, cabinets, curtains and drapes got wet and then sat for a short time in the sweltering heat, providing a hot bed for mold, mildew and other growths which are not only destructive to the furnishings, but even deadly to the inhabitants.
A great amount of the ruined belongings were personal treasures to the victims. They were treasured belongings for various reasons. Some items were very expensive; some were personal favorites that they had owned for a long time; some were gifts with sentimental value; some were rare objects or antiques.
Treasures to Trash in a Moment of Time. Possessions with special meaning and value, which will never be replaced. Gut the mold took over. Still, with the dangers involved, some folks are not willing to give up their Treasures Now Turned Trash. They want to hold on as long as they can, even though it will even trash their health or the health of loved ones.
Of course, I view these aspects of natural disaster as spiritual truths. I have traveled the roads of life for years, seeing great numbers of people ruined by the sin storms of life. They have accumulated and lost material Treasures through the years, either because they were moth eaten or turned to rust or they were stolen by robbers. Though some of these Treasures are more enduring than others such as gold, silver, jewelery, these too will be gone.
There are other Treasures that are truly valuable. I am not talking about gold or silver or artwork or precious gems. I am talking about relationships with friends and family. But sadly, people put these Treasures above a right relationship with God, and even these Treasures can become Trash.
We see the earthly Treasures piled high in a Trash heap along the curb, in front of the storm struck house. The former Treasures and now useless, worthless, waiting to be carried away to a land fill or burned. The person will have to start over. Maybe they will have to scratch out a living. But their lives go on, though their Treasures have been turned to Trash.
This is the way it is with people who suffer the loss of relationships. When their lives have been gutted of loved ones and everything that they hold dear, because of death, failed relationships or wrong decisions. If they cannot recover or restore their lost Treasures, they must move on, start over, building and developing new lives and relationships.
Sometimes the Treasured relationship they have turns to Trash because the other person is toxic, because of drugs, anger, deceit, philandering or some other sin. The consumer of alcohol becomes consumed by alcohol. After years of suffering through difficult situations, the toxic person is finally gone, through death or separation. For whatever reasons, the survivor then builds another relationship with another person who has the save toxic personality as the other loved one, and again their Treasure becomes Trash.
What is your Treasure? What do you hold onto? What has your affection and commitment? If your focus, if your Treasure is not Jesus, they you have the wrong Treasure, because your Treasure will always become Trash.
Jesus talked about Treasures and Trash. Some things are worthy of pursuit .and some are not. Some Treasures will last a lifetime but then fail you in your closing moments of life. Some Treasures will last for eternity. What are your Treasures? Don't be a Trash collector from the beginning, accumulating that which has momentary value. Be a collector of true TREASURE, which will never lose value.
The greatest TREASURE is a right relationship with God. Pursuing God is referred to by Paul, when he said that he apprehends that which has apprehended him. None of us seek after God until God has sought after us. Jesus came to seek and to find that which was lost and gave His life to save the lost. Jesus gave parables on seeking for the lost, finding the lost, recovering the lost and restoring the lost.
We are the Treasures of God. Our worth, our value is not in ourselves, but in the fact that God created us for His Own purposes. God also redeemed us from our rebellion. God not only poured Himself into creating us, but He poured His life out to redeem us.
Now, we as the Treasures of God can be indwelt by the TREASURE of His presence. He is the TREASURE we carry about in these earthen vessels.
If you choose your TREASURE carefully, It will never become Trash.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth,
That pass away, that are moth eaten, that rust, that are stolen, and pass away
Will grow strongly dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
CHOOSE YOUR TREASURE CAREFULLY
Our area, in fact all of the southern east coast, is strewn with the debris left by Florence and Michael. I saw a large sailboat that was torn from its mooring ball and driven ashore on a beach in Morehead. I continue to see the interiors of really large homes, dragged to the street to be hauled away. Sometimes the piles of debris are taller than a person, and stretching the entire length of the house. It is not just the furnishings, but the walls, the floors, the ceilings, the electrical work, appliances, carpeting, rugs, books, magazines, electronic components, insulation, studs, clothing. Some houses are not being gutted, but torn down completely. In some communities there were entire neighborhoods blown and washed away by the storms.
The problem for the houses that are being gutted and having their furnishings removed is mold. Expensive sofas, chairs, mattresses, beds, carpeting, dressers, cabinets, curtains and drapes got wet and then sat for a short time in the sweltering heat, providing a hot bed for mold, mildew and other growths which are not only destructive to the furnishings, but even deadly to the inhabitants.
A great amount of the ruined belongings were personal treasures to the victims. They were treasured belongings for various reasons. Some items were very expensive; some were personal favorites that they had owned for a long time; some were gifts with sentimental value; some were rare objects or antiques.
Treasures to Trash in a Moment of Time. Possessions with special meaning and value, which will never be replaced. Gut the mold took over. Still, with the dangers involved, some folks are not willing to give up their Treasures Now Turned Trash. They want to hold on as long as they can, even though it will even trash their health or the health of loved ones.
Of course, I view these aspects of natural disaster as spiritual truths. I have traveled the roads of life for years, seeing great numbers of people ruined by the sin storms of life. They have accumulated and lost material Treasures through the years, either because they were moth eaten or turned to rust or they were stolen by robbers. Though some of these Treasures are more enduring than others such as gold, silver, jewelery, these too will be gone.
There are other Treasures that are truly valuable. I am not talking about gold or silver or artwork or precious gems. I am talking about relationships with friends and family. But sadly, people put these Treasures above a right relationship with God, and even these Treasures can become Trash.
We see the earthly Treasures piled high in a Trash heap along the curb, in front of the storm struck house. The former Treasures and now useless, worthless, waiting to be carried away to a land fill or burned. The person will have to start over. Maybe they will have to scratch out a living. But their lives go on, though their Treasures have been turned to Trash.
This is the way it is with people who suffer the loss of relationships. When their lives have been gutted of loved ones and everything that they hold dear, because of death, failed relationships or wrong decisions. If they cannot recover or restore their lost Treasures, they must move on, start over, building and developing new lives and relationships.
Sometimes the Treasured relationship they have turns to Trash because the other person is toxic, because of drugs, anger, deceit, philandering or some other sin. The consumer of alcohol becomes consumed by alcohol. After years of suffering through difficult situations, the toxic person is finally gone, through death or separation. For whatever reasons, the survivor then builds another relationship with another person who has the save toxic personality as the other loved one, and again their Treasure becomes Trash.
What is your Treasure? What do you hold onto? What has your affection and commitment? If your focus, if your Treasure is not Jesus, they you have the wrong Treasure, because your Treasure will always become Trash.
Jesus talked about Treasures and Trash. Some things are worthy of pursuit .and some are not. Some Treasures will last a lifetime but then fail you in your closing moments of life. Some Treasures will last for eternity. What are your Treasures? Don't be a Trash collector from the beginning, accumulating that which has momentary value. Be a collector of true TREASURE, which will never lose value.
The greatest TREASURE is a right relationship with God. Pursuing God is referred to by Paul, when he said that he apprehends that which has apprehended him. None of us seek after God until God has sought after us. Jesus came to seek and to find that which was lost and gave His life to save the lost. Jesus gave parables on seeking for the lost, finding the lost, recovering the lost and restoring the lost.
We are the Treasures of God. Our worth, our value is not in ourselves, but in the fact that God created us for His Own purposes. God also redeemed us from our rebellion. God not only poured Himself into creating us, but He poured His life out to redeem us.
Now, we as the Treasures of God can be indwelt by the TREASURE of His presence. He is the TREASURE we carry about in these earthen vessels.
If you choose your TREASURE carefully, It will never become Trash.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth,
That pass away, that are moth eaten, that rust, that are stolen, and pass away
Will grow strongly dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Monday, October 22, 2018
10/22/18 TIME FOR A NEW ALTITUDE
10/22/18 TIME FOR A NEW ALTITUDE
(moving on up)
You wouldn't tell your insurance provider, "No thanks, just a cardboard box is fine, I don't want a new house."
So why tell God?
LET'S BE REAL
I suspect you know I am not talking about earthly real estate, right?
I suspect you know that most Christians are not even told that they can move from SPIRITUAL DISASTERTOWN to VICTORYVILLE.
I suspect you know I am pointing out that most people choose to live near a SPIRITUAL OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, rather than on HALLELUJAH AVENUE in BEULAH LAND.
God has provided, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to rescue and restore us (perfect us) in Christ, and to give us the VICTORY and always lead us in TRIUMPH.
Just because we have experienced spiritual disaster does not mean we must live in spiritual squalor.
PASSAGES
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
2 Corinthians 2:14
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
(moving on up)
You wouldn't tell your insurance provider, "No thanks, just a cardboard box is fine, I don't want a new house."
So why tell God?
LET'S BE REAL
I suspect you know I am not talking about earthly real estate, right?
I suspect you know that most Christians are not even told that they can move from SPIRITUAL DISASTERTOWN to VICTORYVILLE.
I suspect you know I am pointing out that most people choose to live near a SPIRITUAL OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, rather than on HALLELUJAH AVENUE in BEULAH LAND.
God has provided, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to rescue and restore us (perfect us) in Christ, and to give us the VICTORY and always lead us in TRIUMPH.
Just because we have experienced spiritual disaster does not mean we must live in spiritual squalor.
PASSAGES
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
2 Corinthians 2:14
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
10/22/18 DO YOU NEED A NEW PLAN?
10/22/18 DO YOU NEED A NEW PLAN?
If your assurance adjuster tries to move you into a hovel, when your policy offers a mansion, you need a new pastor.
If your assurance adjuster tries to move you into a hovel, when your policy offers a mansion, you need a new pastor.
10/22/18 GOD'S DISASTER RELIEF
10/22/18 GOD'S DISASTER RELIEF
God's appraisal of our storm (SIN) DAMAGE and His provision for our restoration (PERFECTION, in Greek) is available through Jesus.
God's appraisal of our storm (SIN) DAMAGE and His provision for our restoration (PERFECTION, in Greek) is available through Jesus.
10/22/18 DON'T EVEN THINK THIS
10/22/18 DON'T EVEN THINK THIS
Seven words we should never tell God.
"I'M GOOD, I'VE GOT IT FROM HERE."
Seven words we should never tell God.
"I'M GOOD, I'VE GOT IT FROM HERE."
10/22/18 DON'T MISS THESE FREE OFFERS
10/22/18 DON'T MISS THESE FREE OFFERS
FREE OFFER
Doctor's HEALTH SCREENING.
or How about,
Pastor's SPIRITUAL HEALTH SCREENING?
OTHER OFFERS
(Passages Included)
I. SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE Screening (Matthew 5:2-12)
II. PURE LOVE Screening (1 Corinthians 13)
III. TWOFER SPECIAL OFFER
A) SIN Screening (Galatians 5:18-21)
B) FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Screening (Galatians 5:22-26)
IV. SPIRITUAL WARRIOR Screening (Ephesians 6:10-20)
V. FAITH Screening (Hebrews 11)
I. Matthew 5:2-12
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
II. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
III A. Galatians 5:18-21
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
III B. Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
IV. Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
V. Hebrews 11:1-40
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
FREE OFFER
Doctor's HEALTH SCREENING.
or How about,
Pastor's SPIRITUAL HEALTH SCREENING?
OTHER OFFERS
(Passages Included)
I. SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE Screening (Matthew 5:2-12)
II. PURE LOVE Screening (1 Corinthians 13)
III. TWOFER SPECIAL OFFER
A) SIN Screening (Galatians 5:18-21)
B) FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Screening (Galatians 5:22-26)
IV. SPIRITUAL WARRIOR Screening (Ephesians 6:10-20)
V. FAITH Screening (Hebrews 11)
I. Matthew 5:2-12
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
II. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
III A. Galatians 5:18-21
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
III B. Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
IV. Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
V. Hebrews 11:1-40
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
10/22/18 IRREPLACEABLE BOOK
10/22/18 IRREPLACEABLE BOOK
I value my electronic Bibles because of convenience and study aids; but hard copy Bibles are still irreplaceable.
Read and Heed the Bible.
I value my electronic Bibles because of convenience and study aids; but hard copy Bibles are still irreplaceable.
Read and Heed the Bible.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
10/21/18 WORKING AND WALKING IN THE LIGHT
10/21/18 WORKING AND WALKING IN THE LIGHT
We cannot work in the light if we don't walk in the light.
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Romans 13:10-14
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 5:8-11
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 1:15-16
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 2:6-8
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Titus 2:14
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
We cannot work in the light if we don't walk in the light.
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Romans 13:10-14
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 5:8-11
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 1:15-16
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 2:6-8
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Titus 2:14
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
10/21/18 TOO LATE... FOREVER
10/21/18 TOO LATE... FOREVER
We all have moments of, "TOO LATE."
Death adds to that phrase, "FOREVER."
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Ephesians 5:14-21
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Colossians 4:2-6
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
We all have moments of, "TOO LATE."
Death adds to that phrase, "FOREVER."
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Ephesians 5:14-21
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Colossians 4:2-6
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
10/21/18 NIGHT IS COMING
10/21/18 NIGHT IS COMING
Night comes.
The Day of opportunity is fading quickly, and folks are still grasping for futility.
John 9:4
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 11:9-10
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
John 12:35
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Night comes.
The Day of opportunity is fading quickly, and folks are still grasping for futility.
John 9:4
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 11:9-10
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
John 12:35
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
10/20/18 FUNNY, EDGY and TRUTHFUL
10/20/18 FUNNY, EDGY and TRUTHFUL
I r fuhnee ev'n if i ain't nuffin else.
Or maybe even edgy.
But if you listen really close, you might even hear truth.
I posted this primarily because of my videos, where I often speak extemporaneously or with impromptu comments. I will joke and reflect on issues with my own colloquial and quirky sense of humor. Usually I do this when I am trying to make a special point. I know this probably drives some folks mad, but others might find it funny. I also address "touchy" issues or deal with issues from a more controversial point of view.
I r fuhnee ev'n if i ain't nuffin else.
Or maybe even edgy.
But if you listen really close, you might even hear truth.
I posted this primarily because of my videos, where I often speak extemporaneously or with impromptu comments. I will joke and reflect on issues with my own colloquial and quirky sense of humor. Usually I do this when I am trying to make a special point. I know this probably drives some folks mad, but others might find it funny. I also address "touchy" issues or deal with issues from a more controversial point of view.
10/20/18 BIBLE STUDIES AND A GROWING CHURCH
10/20/18 BIBLE STUDIES AND A GROWING CHURCH
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
BIBLE STUDIES AND A GROWING CHURCH
A good way to grow Christians is through Bible Studies. This includes Home Bible Studies and Church Bible Studies. A good way to grow a church spiritually is through Bible Studies and a good way to grow a church numerically is through Bible Studies. Some people get nervous when they hear growth in numbers or membership or attendance associated with church. They automatically think of physical or numerical church growth as being carnal or spiritually void. However, the Book of Acts associates numbers with a strong, healthy, spiritual church. (Acts 1:13-16; 2:37-47; 4:4). The Holy Spirit led the Gospel writers to take count during the ministry of Jesus. This is because numbers are people. When numbers are used as a score card or a fleshly device, then there is a problem with focusing on numbers. Numbers, for numbers sake do not indicate whether a church is good/bad, strong/weak, healthy/sickly. However, numbers are people and people are important and people count. I am talking about good growth, healthy growth, numerical growth that goes with spiritual growth.
I have been really disappointed. Over the years I have been extremely blessed in many different ways, including pastoral ministry and church growth, to the point that I have been spoiled. But I have also had disappointments.
(As I was crossing the Bridge, a vehicle in front of me was crossing the yellow line from time to time, as if the driver was distracted by the scenery. I made comment and then I made a spiritual application to his dangerous driving).
Some people think that just because you get on the bridge… as in, "Jesus is the bridge I can do what I want to because I am going the right way." You might be headed in the right direction, but that does not mean you are going to reach your destination. God does allow temptation, God does allow distraction, God does allow tragedy. Safe arrival depends on how believers deal with their trials. Just because you get on the bridge does not mean you can take your eyes off of the road and it does not mean that can cross the lines that God has set.
Anyway, back to Bible Studies. One of my greatest experiences as a Pastor has been through Bible Study ministry (church building or home Bible Studies). But, as I said, I have been greatly disappointed in our ministry here in the Morehead/Beaufort area because my hope was to start several Bible Studies as part of our outreach and evangelism program. I had actually included my area of outreach to extend from Swansboro in the southwest to the far reaches of Down East. And actually I would have included Havelock and Merrimon. I have even offered lead people in Bible Study from other parts of the state, because I really want to reach and teach the gospel to people (Mt. 28:18-20), either personally or by internet.
I am guessing that folks don't need Bible Study because they have enough Bible Studies or maybe everybody in the county goes to a really good church with excellent Bible Studies. I don't think that is true, because I don't think everybody in this county goes to church, much less a really good church; a Bible preaching church, a Jesus following church, a Spirit filled church, a love saturated church. I don't think most people go to that kind of a church. I want to provide that kind of a experience for people.
I invite folks to Bible Study. I tell them that I will come to their house and answer any question they have, about what we believe. And it is important for folks to know what Bible teachers and preachers believe and even how they live, today. It is not good enough to jump on a band wagon or rush into "popular" churches, because the beliefs and the life of the people is more important than their popularity.
After talking with folk, I give them my phone number and tell them to give me a call. I tell them that my wife and I will be glad to come see them. (humorously I said), I have been thinking about getting four or five more phone lines to handle all the calls we are getting.
As I said, it has been a disappointment. Folks are in need. They need teaching and salvation and a good church, in which to grow. I invite people to come to our church, I offer to come to their homes, to hold Bible Studies for their family or their friends. I offer them various areas of study, including, End Times, Salvation, Christian Living, Old Testament or New Testament studies.
A good home Bible Study can draw people together and to Christ. It can help the unsaved see that Christians are not monsters or robots. They can grow closer to family and friends. They will develop a hunger for God's word, God's people, godly living and eventually come to the church, where the can find and follow Christ. I have been in Beaufort since latter part of 2015, and still no one has taken me up on the home Bible Study offer.
I believe there are several factors concerning this, but one thing is that people are not as open to, or interested in the Bible, the church, God or salvation as in former years.
I joke about it, but I don't think that their refusal is personal. I have had great success with this ministry in the past, and I am even more highly qualified now than I was when I first started. So few people even open their minds or lives to Bible Studies. This is true even for church people.
Our Bible Studies were life changing, life saving. Families were brought together, people were saved, Churches were built up. Our Bible Studies allow people to find their own group, study. Though I am teaching the word of God, folks are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, be open, But I make it clear that I am teaching the Bible and I won't compromise the truth.
I don't meet too many folks who are involved in a Bible Study. They may go to Sunday morning services and Sunday evening and midweek, but after that they are wiped out. Folks act like they live by the idea of ONE AND DONE or THREE AND FLEE.
But the early church (the New Testament church in the book of Acts, not the "Eight O'clock Service), bet daily in some fashion or form. Whenever our church had a daily program that gave people a full experience in Christ and His word, the people flourished and the church grew dramatically. This is because people are in love with Christ, with His word, with His people, with His work.
Years ago when we had a church in Morehead we had home Bible Studies. One of those studies was in my home. Martha and I arrived home about 15 minutes late for the Bible Study one night, which was unusual. I was concerned, because we often had 50+ people come to our home for Bible Study, and I could just imagine them waiting in the yard, the driveway, the road. But when we got home, all we saw were the cars. We went to the door of our house, and we saw the 50+ people sitting there, waiting for us. Someone had climbed through our window and let everyone come in through the door.
For years I had appointed men to lead home Bible Studies, and during this same ministry period in Morehead I had about three or four other home Bible Studies in other homes, which led by dedicated men from our church. As pastor, I managed the study leaders, but they led the Bible Studies.
There was an excitement about going to Bible Study and church. People not only arrived early (for the most part) but they wanted "the best seats in the house," (in other words, up front and personal). Very little of this hanging at the back of the church. If you go to sporting event, concerts, lectures, plays, recitals, most people want to get the good seats, which are not the ones far back or in the nose bleed area. NOT SO WITH TOO MANY CHURCHES IN OUR SOCIETY. In fact, if you were to visit churches in underdeveloped countries, countries that may actually persecute you for meeting in a home or in a warehouse or in a wooded area, the people would be early and they would sit close to the "action," and they would stay longer, in order to talk Jesus (not sports or business or other trifling issues). The 50+ people came and sat on the sofa, the chairs, the floor. They packed out the house and never complained.
(I point out that I communicate in a rather "down home way" because I am just me. Though I do preach and teach in a way that is fitting for different types of congregations, what you see and hear on these videos is pretty much me just being me. I tell a story about a preacher who scoffed my use of the word, "young'uns.")
BIBLE STUDIES. A great way to reach and teach and grow a church. However, there are a lot of Bible Study programs used by church written by popular and exciting teachers, but they are often teaching false doctrines. It is especially disturbing to see the numbers of people who follow after female teachers.
I'm sorry. You better read the Book. God appoints men to be pastors and teachers, and God does not want women to teach men. That is jus the way it is. NOW, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I MEET WOMEN PREACHERS OR TEACHERS? I honor them. Why? Because God probably does not have a man to do the job and He called a woman to do what a man should be doing. (Remember Deborah in the old Testament?). God's first choice to be the head of the household is the husband and God's first choice to lead and teach and pastor the church is a man.
Our church grew in numbers and in love and in growth. Read the first chapters of Acts.
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
BIBLE STUDIES AND A GROWING CHURCH
A good way to grow Christians is through Bible Studies. This includes Home Bible Studies and Church Bible Studies. A good way to grow a church spiritually is through Bible Studies and a good way to grow a church numerically is through Bible Studies. Some people get nervous when they hear growth in numbers or membership or attendance associated with church. They automatically think of physical or numerical church growth as being carnal or spiritually void. However, the Book of Acts associates numbers with a strong, healthy, spiritual church. (Acts 1:13-16; 2:37-47; 4:4). The Holy Spirit led the Gospel writers to take count during the ministry of Jesus. This is because numbers are people. When numbers are used as a score card or a fleshly device, then there is a problem with focusing on numbers. Numbers, for numbers sake do not indicate whether a church is good/bad, strong/weak, healthy/sickly. However, numbers are people and people are important and people count. I am talking about good growth, healthy growth, numerical growth that goes with spiritual growth.
I have been really disappointed. Over the years I have been extremely blessed in many different ways, including pastoral ministry and church growth, to the point that I have been spoiled. But I have also had disappointments.
(As I was crossing the Bridge, a vehicle in front of me was crossing the yellow line from time to time, as if the driver was distracted by the scenery. I made comment and then I made a spiritual application to his dangerous driving).
Some people think that just because you get on the bridge… as in, "Jesus is the bridge I can do what I want to because I am going the right way." You might be headed in the right direction, but that does not mean you are going to reach your destination. God does allow temptation, God does allow distraction, God does allow tragedy. Safe arrival depends on how believers deal with their trials. Just because you get on the bridge does not mean you can take your eyes off of the road and it does not mean that can cross the lines that God has set.
Anyway, back to Bible Studies. One of my greatest experiences as a Pastor has been through Bible Study ministry (church building or home Bible Studies). But, as I said, I have been greatly disappointed in our ministry here in the Morehead/Beaufort area because my hope was to start several Bible Studies as part of our outreach and evangelism program. I had actually included my area of outreach to extend from Swansboro in the southwest to the far reaches of Down East. And actually I would have included Havelock and Merrimon. I have even offered lead people in Bible Study from other parts of the state, because I really want to reach and teach the gospel to people (Mt. 28:18-20), either personally or by internet.
I am guessing that folks don't need Bible Study because they have enough Bible Studies or maybe everybody in the county goes to a really good church with excellent Bible Studies. I don't think that is true, because I don't think everybody in this county goes to church, much less a really good church; a Bible preaching church, a Jesus following church, a Spirit filled church, a love saturated church. I don't think most people go to that kind of a church. I want to provide that kind of a experience for people.
I invite folks to Bible Study. I tell them that I will come to their house and answer any question they have, about what we believe. And it is important for folks to know what Bible teachers and preachers believe and even how they live, today. It is not good enough to jump on a band wagon or rush into "popular" churches, because the beliefs and the life of the people is more important than their popularity.
After talking with folk, I give them my phone number and tell them to give me a call. I tell them that my wife and I will be glad to come see them. (humorously I said), I have been thinking about getting four or five more phone lines to handle all the calls we are getting.
As I said, it has been a disappointment. Folks are in need. They need teaching and salvation and a good church, in which to grow. I invite people to come to our church, I offer to come to their homes, to hold Bible Studies for their family or their friends. I offer them various areas of study, including, End Times, Salvation, Christian Living, Old Testament or New Testament studies.
A good home Bible Study can draw people together and to Christ. It can help the unsaved see that Christians are not monsters or robots. They can grow closer to family and friends. They will develop a hunger for God's word, God's people, godly living and eventually come to the church, where the can find and follow Christ. I have been in Beaufort since latter part of 2015, and still no one has taken me up on the home Bible Study offer.
I believe there are several factors concerning this, but one thing is that people are not as open to, or interested in the Bible, the church, God or salvation as in former years.
I joke about it, but I don't think that their refusal is personal. I have had great success with this ministry in the past, and I am even more highly qualified now than I was when I first started. So few people even open their minds or lives to Bible Studies. This is true even for church people.
Our Bible Studies were life changing, life saving. Families were brought together, people were saved, Churches were built up. Our Bible Studies allow people to find their own group, study. Though I am teaching the word of God, folks are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, be open, But I make it clear that I am teaching the Bible and I won't compromise the truth.
I don't meet too many folks who are involved in a Bible Study. They may go to Sunday morning services and Sunday evening and midweek, but after that they are wiped out. Folks act like they live by the idea of ONE AND DONE or THREE AND FLEE.
But the early church (the New Testament church in the book of Acts, not the "Eight O'clock Service), bet daily in some fashion or form. Whenever our church had a daily program that gave people a full experience in Christ and His word, the people flourished and the church grew dramatically. This is because people are in love with Christ, with His word, with His people, with His work.
Years ago when we had a church in Morehead we had home Bible Studies. One of those studies was in my home. Martha and I arrived home about 15 minutes late for the Bible Study one night, which was unusual. I was concerned, because we often had 50+ people come to our home for Bible Study, and I could just imagine them waiting in the yard, the driveway, the road. But when we got home, all we saw were the cars. We went to the door of our house, and we saw the 50+ people sitting there, waiting for us. Someone had climbed through our window and let everyone come in through the door.
For years I had appointed men to lead home Bible Studies, and during this same ministry period in Morehead I had about three or four other home Bible Studies in other homes, which led by dedicated men from our church. As pastor, I managed the study leaders, but they led the Bible Studies.
There was an excitement about going to Bible Study and church. People not only arrived early (for the most part) but they wanted "the best seats in the house," (in other words, up front and personal). Very little of this hanging at the back of the church. If you go to sporting event, concerts, lectures, plays, recitals, most people want to get the good seats, which are not the ones far back or in the nose bleed area. NOT SO WITH TOO MANY CHURCHES IN OUR SOCIETY. In fact, if you were to visit churches in underdeveloped countries, countries that may actually persecute you for meeting in a home or in a warehouse or in a wooded area, the people would be early and they would sit close to the "action," and they would stay longer, in order to talk Jesus (not sports or business or other trifling issues). The 50+ people came and sat on the sofa, the chairs, the floor. They packed out the house and never complained.
(I point out that I communicate in a rather "down home way" because I am just me. Though I do preach and teach in a way that is fitting for different types of congregations, what you see and hear on these videos is pretty much me just being me. I tell a story about a preacher who scoffed my use of the word, "young'uns.")
BIBLE STUDIES. A great way to reach and teach and grow a church. However, there are a lot of Bible Study programs used by church written by popular and exciting teachers, but they are often teaching false doctrines. It is especially disturbing to see the numbers of people who follow after female teachers.
I'm sorry. You better read the Book. God appoints men to be pastors and teachers, and God does not want women to teach men. That is jus the way it is. NOW, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I MEET WOMEN PREACHERS OR TEACHERS? I honor them. Why? Because God probably does not have a man to do the job and He called a woman to do what a man should be doing. (Remember Deborah in the old Testament?). God's first choice to be the head of the household is the husband and God's first choice to lead and teach and pastor the church is a man.
Our church grew in numbers and in love and in growth. Read the first chapters of Acts.
10/20/18 A Reviled Slandered Version
10/20/18 A Reviled Slandered Version
Children (natural or spiritual) are letters of recommendation to the world.
Do not become a Reviled Slandered Version.
2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NLT
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we, as some, need commendatory letters to you, or commendatory ones from you?
2 You are our letter, having been inscribed in our hearts, being known and being read by all men,
3 it having been made plain that you are Christ's letter, served by us, not having been inscribed by ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not in tablets of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart.
4 And we have such confidence through Christ toward God;
5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reason out anything as being out of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God,
6 who also made us able ministers of a new covenant, not of letter, but of Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.
Children (natural or spiritual) are letters of recommendation to the world.
Do not become a Reviled Slandered Version.
2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NLT
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we, as some, need commendatory letters to you, or commendatory ones from you?
2 You are our letter, having been inscribed in our hearts, being known and being read by all men,
3 it having been made plain that you are Christ's letter, served by us, not having been inscribed by ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not in tablets of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart.
4 And we have such confidence through Christ toward God;
5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reason out anything as being out of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God,
6 who also made us able ministers of a new covenant, not of letter, but of Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.
10/20/18 TIGHTEN YOUR MOORING LINES
10/20/18 TIGHTEN YOUR MOORING LINES
It hurts parents when children distance themselves.
It hurts Christians more when their children distance themselves from God.
It hurts parents when children distance themselves.
It hurts Christians more when their children distance themselves from God.
10/20/18 HEAVEN'S SEARCHLIGHT
10/20/18 HEAVEN'S SEARCHLIGHT
Ask God to search the corners and canyons of your heart with His purifying light.
Psalms 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ask God to search the corners and canyons of your heart with His purifying light.
Psalms 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
10/20/18 BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS START AS HAIRLINE FRACTURES
10/20/18 BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS START AS HAIRLINE FRACTURES
Great chasms are created in finite moments of separation, whether in earthly or eternal relationships.
James 4:4-10
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Great chasms are created in finite moments of separation, whether in earthly or eternal relationships.
James 4:4-10
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
10/20/18 DON'T BLAME GOD
10/20/18 DON'T BLAME GOD
The song says,
"You have as much of Him as you want;
That's why you have as little of Him as you do."
The song says,
"You have as much of Him as you want;
That's why you have as little of Him as you do."
10/20/18 IT IS UP TO US
10/20/18 IT IS UP TO US
The level of Divine transformation in us is determined by our faith and willful availability, not by God's omnipotent capability.
The level of Divine transformation in us is determined by our faith and willful availability, not by God's omnipotent capability.
10/20/18 TWO SAD
10/20/18 TWO SAD
Two Sad Scenarios.
1) The person who has NEVER DRAWN close to God.
2) The person who NO LONGER DRAWS close to God.
Two Sad Scenarios.
1) The person who has NEVER DRAWN close to God.
2) The person who NO LONGER DRAWS close to God.
10/20/18 WHY NO HOLINESS
10/20/18 WHY NO HOLINESS
It takes time (faith, surrender, obedience) to be holy, which explains why so few are.
Jude 1:17-25
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
It takes time (faith, surrender, obedience) to be holy, which explains why so few are.
Jude 1:17-25
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
10/18/18 DON'T BE A STINKER
10/18/18 DON'T BE A STINKER
"Dirty me, dirty me,
I'm disgusted with myself."
By the time this happens, we are already an offense.
Make sure that your inner man is giving off the sweet savor of godliness rather than putrid stench of decay and death.
YOUNG'S LITERAL TRANSLATION
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
14 and to God are thanks, who at all times is leading us in triumph in the Christ, and the fragrance of His knowledge He is manifesting through us in every place,
15 because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost;
16 to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life; and for these things who is sufficient?
17 for we are not as the many, adulterating the word of God, but as of sincerity--but as of God; in the presence of God, in Christ we do speak.
"Dirty me, dirty me,
I'm disgusted with myself."
By the time this happens, we are already an offense.
Make sure that your inner man is giving off the sweet savor of godliness rather than putrid stench of decay and death.
YOUNG'S LITERAL TRANSLATION
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
14 and to God are thanks, who at all times is leading us in triumph in the Christ, and the fragrance of His knowledge He is manifesting through us in every place,
15 because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost;
16 to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life; and for these things who is sufficient?
17 for we are not as the many, adulterating the word of God, but as of sincerity--but as of God; in the presence of God, in Christ we do speak.
10/18/18 DON'T WAIT 'TILL IT'S TOO LATE
10/18/18 DON'T WAIT 'TILL IT'S TOO LATE
If you procrastinate long enough, you won't have to do it... or maybe... it will be too late to do it.
If you procrastinate long enough, you won't have to do it... or maybe... it will be too late to do it.
10/18/18 GROWTH IS MOVING ON
10/18/18 GROWTH IS MOVING ON
Not only should we receive, pursue, follow good counsel, leadership, we should evaluate it and be open to criticism.
FROM NOW ON.
Not only should we receive, pursue, follow good counsel, leadership, we should evaluate it and be open to criticism.
FROM NOW ON.
10/18/18 THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR GROWTH
10/18/18 THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR GROWTH
We always need Training, Counseling, Information, Leadership, Direction, Correction, Reproof, Admonition. Read, Listen, Heed.
There is always room for growth.
We always need Training, Counseling, Information, Leadership, Direction, Correction, Reproof, Admonition. Read, Listen, Heed.
There is always room for growth.
10/18/18 PRACTICING WHAT I PREACH
10/18/18 PRACTICING WHAT I PREACH
I seek info: teachers, books, people; concerning Bible, theology, history, ministry, fishing, kayaking, news, etc.
I have needed and I will always need help from other people. It is part of life, it is part of growth.
I seek info: teachers, books, people; concerning Bible, theology, history, ministry, fishing, kayaking, news, etc.
I have needed and I will always need help from other people. It is part of life, it is part of growth.
10/18/18 NOT FOR KNOW IT ALLS
10/18/18 NOT FOR KNOW IT ALLS
If you are not a, "know it all," then you should be seeking counsel and direction often, AND EVEN FOLLOWING SOME OF IT.
If you are not a, "know it all," then you should be seeking counsel and direction often, AND EVEN FOLLOWING SOME OF IT.
10/18/18 HE IS NOT A "FALL GUY"
10/18/18 HE IS NOT A "FALL GUY"
It is easy to blame God for your messed up life (although He is the source of your deliverance); sin seeks a "fall guy."
It is easy to blame God for your messed up life (although He is the source of your deliverance); sin seeks a "fall guy."
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
10/17/18 SOCIALISM CONTRADICTS GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
10/17/18 SOCIALISM CONTRADICTS GOD'S COMMANDMENTS
SOCIALISM AND CHRISTIANITY ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED AND ETERNALLY IRRECONCILABLE.
CHRISTIANS NEED TO STAND FOR TRUTH, NOT POLITICAL ADVANTAGES.
I recently heard a non-believer state the anti-Biblical position of Socialism. If non-believers understand it, then there is no excuse for believers to be blind to God's truth.
I will state this idea from my point of view.
SOCIALISM CONTRADICTS GOD'S COMMANDMENTS.
First, God commanded us to have no other god's before Him. Socialism and the State replaces God when we follow them rather than follow Him. In order to understand that Socialism is anti-Biblical and anti-God, you have to know about the Bible, about God and about Socialism. For a person to claim to be Christian, while embracing or excusing Socialism reveals the fact that the person either does not know the Bible or does not know Socialism.
State worship has been around since after the flood. The power of the State has grown and spread throughout the world. Anti-God and anti-Bible Statism has been seen in the Roman Empire, Communism, Nazism, Socialism, so-called Democratic Socialism, far eastern nations such as pre-war Japan, Mao's China, and post war North Korea. These authoritarian nations have either denied the existence of God, outlawing Christianity or they have declared their rulers to be god's, and persecuting Christians for not worshiping the State and the god of the State.
Second, God commanded that we should have NO IDOLS. We think of idols as false gods, whether materialism, heroes, or objects of worship.The New Testament tells us that GREED or COVETOUSNESS is Idolatry. Wanting that which does not belong to you, envying someone for what they have is IDOLATRY. Socialism is a system that takes from those who have and gives to those who do not have. Material wealth is not taken away from a person who has been proved to be a thief. This leads to the next point of view.
Third, God commanded us to not steal. Socialism is the power to steal from one person and give it to another person. The supposed humane concerns of Socialism can be addressed through self sacrifice and community concern, but Socialism wants to address human problems by forcing people to take care of those problems at the threat of government enforcement and punishment. Socialism, not Christianity, will take your money and pay for the murdering of pre-born and partially born babies. Socialists will take your money and pay for women/men to commit adultery with contraceptive protection.
Remember also, the Bible clearly says if a person does not work, then that person should not eat.
There is not a successful Socialist Nation in the history of the world.
Socialism makes slaves of everyone, Christianity does not. It is the foundation of Christianity that set people free from the authoritarian rule of Europe and set people free from human slavery. (By the way, it was blood thirsty, money hungry, sexually corrupt African Muslims that built, and has continued to sustain the most widespread and deeply ingrained system of human slavery in the history of the world, not Christianity or a free America).
SOCIALISM AND CHRISTIANITY ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED AND ETERNALLY IRRECONCILABLE.
CHRISTIANS NEED TO STAND FOR TRUTH, NOT POLITICAL ADVANTAGES.
I recently heard a non-believer state the anti-Biblical position of Socialism. If non-believers understand it, then there is no excuse for believers to be blind to God's truth.
I will state this idea from my point of view.
SOCIALISM CONTRADICTS GOD'S COMMANDMENTS.
First, God commanded us to have no other god's before Him. Socialism and the State replaces God when we follow them rather than follow Him. In order to understand that Socialism is anti-Biblical and anti-God, you have to know about the Bible, about God and about Socialism. For a person to claim to be Christian, while embracing or excusing Socialism reveals the fact that the person either does not know the Bible or does not know Socialism.
State worship has been around since after the flood. The power of the State has grown and spread throughout the world. Anti-God and anti-Bible Statism has been seen in the Roman Empire, Communism, Nazism, Socialism, so-called Democratic Socialism, far eastern nations such as pre-war Japan, Mao's China, and post war North Korea. These authoritarian nations have either denied the existence of God, outlawing Christianity or they have declared their rulers to be god's, and persecuting Christians for not worshiping the State and the god of the State.
Second, God commanded that we should have NO IDOLS. We think of idols as false gods, whether materialism, heroes, or objects of worship.The New Testament tells us that GREED or COVETOUSNESS is Idolatry. Wanting that which does not belong to you, envying someone for what they have is IDOLATRY. Socialism is a system that takes from those who have and gives to those who do not have. Material wealth is not taken away from a person who has been proved to be a thief. This leads to the next point of view.
Third, God commanded us to not steal. Socialism is the power to steal from one person and give it to another person. The supposed humane concerns of Socialism can be addressed through self sacrifice and community concern, but Socialism wants to address human problems by forcing people to take care of those problems at the threat of government enforcement and punishment. Socialism, not Christianity, will take your money and pay for the murdering of pre-born and partially born babies. Socialists will take your money and pay for women/men to commit adultery with contraceptive protection.
Remember also, the Bible clearly says if a person does not work, then that person should not eat.
There is not a successful Socialist Nation in the history of the world.
Socialism makes slaves of everyone, Christianity does not. It is the foundation of Christianity that set people free from the authoritarian rule of Europe and set people free from human slavery. (By the way, it was blood thirsty, money hungry, sexually corrupt African Muslims that built, and has continued to sustain the most widespread and deeply ingrained system of human slavery in the history of the world, not Christianity or a free America).
10/17/18 CATCH GOD'S VISION
10/17/18 CATCH GOD'S VISION
BIBLICAL ministry is bigger than individual effort.
God provided the local church to conquer local darkness.
BIBLICAL ministry is bigger than individual effort.
God provided the local church to conquer local darkness.
10/17/18 BODY LIFE MINISTRY
10/17/18 BODY LIFE MINISTRY
Productive churches have pastors and parishioners assisting and supporting each other to fulfill their ministries to reach the world.
Productive churches have pastors and parishioners assisting and supporting each other to fulfill their ministries to reach the world.
10/17/18 PROCLAIM and PUBLISH, PERSONALLY and through MEDIA
10/17/18 PROCLAIM and PUBLISH, PERSONALLY and through MEDIA
Christians should PROCLAIM & PUBLISH the TRUTH, with their lives, voices, talents, time, money & with modern media.
Christians should PROCLAIM & PUBLISH the TRUTH, with their lives, voices, talents, time, money & with modern media.
10/17/18 CREATED, THEN it must be DUPLICATED and DISSEMINATED
10/17/18 CREATED, THEN it must be DUPLICATED and DISSEMINATED
FIRST, media must be CREATED,
THEN it must be
DUPLICATED and
DISSEMINATED.
Sad that Satan's work has plenty of workers.
FIRST, media must be CREATED,
THEN it must be
DUPLICATED and
DISSEMINATED.
Sad that Satan's work has plenty of workers.
10/17/18 PUBLISHED WORK IS INVALUABLE
10/17/18 PUBLISHED WORK IS INVALUABLE
If a picture is worth 10,000 words, think about 50 years of recorded adventure, study, teaching, preaching, counseling. Buuut.
If a picture is worth 10,000 words, think about 50 years of recorded adventure, study, teaching, preaching, counseling. Buuut.
10/17/18 TOTAL DEDICATION and Romans 12:1-2
10/17/18 TOTAL DEDICATION and Romans 12:1-2
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
TOTAL DEDICATION and Romans 12:1-2
NOTES TO FOLLOW
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
TOTAL DEDICATION and Romans 12:1-2
NOTES TO FOLLOW
10/17/18 STRAYING FROM OUR COMMITMENT
10/17/18 STRAYING FROM OUR COMMITMENT
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
STRAYING FROM OUR COMMITMENT
PEOPLE GET UPSET WITH GOD
Not only in time of great loss or tragedy, when emotions take over, either blaming God for causing or allowing it to happen. Even this is not justifiable, accurate.
People actually blame God, but some people encourage others to blame God, to rage against God. This happens with supposed Christian preachers and teacher, saying it is good, helpful, cathartic to raise your voice against God. They call such venting against God, "honesty." It may be honest, but it is also ignorance, because not is responsible for doing ill to anyone, simply on Divine whim or Divine ignorance or Divine maliciousness.
When God allows or even orchestrates anything that we may consider unkind or unwise, it is because God uses everything (aside from sin) to communicate and to help us, to either draw us to Himself by His kindness or drive us to Himself by moving us to godly sorrow, which produces repentance.
People (in Western culture) want to be thought of as Christians, since "Christian" coveys the idea of moral, just and civil humanity. They want the advantages and benefits of being Christian. They want mysterious, magical or miraculous helps from the supposed God of Christianity.
However, when things do not go their way or when they do not get the "perks" that they thought they should get, then they become disenchanted and even angry with the God who did not turn out to be the god they were expecting.
They also enter into the "Christian" life with a preconceived idea that they can actually be in charge of their own life, while adding the trappings of religion. Then they discover that being a Christian actually requires a complete transformation of thought, speech and behavior.
They had walked up to the Christian Buffet of life, taking what they wanted and leaving what they did not want. But then they have an encounter with reality when a preacher or teacher exposes them to the reality that salvation is surrender to the God of the Universe, as found in the Holy Bible.
At this point they become angry with the human instrument of God, whether a preacher, teacher, counselor, parent, spouse. Obviously they have not actually met, believed, received and followed Jesus Christ, therefore their lives end up being more confused than before. After all, they don't steal or kill. They see themselves as being as good as the next guy and are angry that they have made concessions but did not get the benefits.
The fact is that God required them to completely give themselves to God. Not 50% or 75% or even 99%, but 100%. They did not expect this.
GOD IS EITHER LORD OF ALL OR HE IS NOT LORD AT ALL.
The Scripture says (Ro. 10:9-10 NASB '77),
"9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved;
10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
This is actually more consistent with the Greek than the KJV which says, "confess with thy mouth that Jesus is Lord." It is more than confessing that Jesus is Lord, it is a matter of confessing that Jesus is "my" Lord.
There is no salvation without the Lordship of Christ, despite the popular but twisted form of Christianity being taught by so many today.
So they come to Jesus, or at least seem to come to Him. In either case, they don't seem to understand that God wants them to surrender everything to Him when they get saved. Or if they did understand, they no longer understand what they understood at the beginning.
They don't surrendering completely, following fully, walking in the light, dying to self, being crucified with Christ. As a result they come to Christ and then back out.
Luke 8:12-14
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Sometimes believers slip away from God and then they are influenced by the Devil when he says, "YOU WON'T DIE," or, "SIN WON'T SEPARATE YOU FROM GOD."
OH YES IT WILL. God says it will. Sin separates us from God. All sin, any sin, from which we do not turn. Sin is basically setting yourself up as your own God, as the Lord of your life. Sin is a matter of Lordship.
DENY YOURSELF. This is the first step in following Jesus. It is at the beginning of our walk, relationship, experience, the reality of salvation.
(encountered a man "walking his dog." He couldn't get control of the dog, and said, "He don't listen to me.")
As I drove on, I pointed out that there are people who call themselves the children of God and they don't listen to God, either.
That dog was walking right down the middle of my side of the road, headed straight for me. The man kept calling, cajoling, reaching out, but the dog had a different agenda.
That is soooo much like rebellious people, rebellious people who call themselves Christian. I give it to you. The dog probably never made an agreement with the man to be obedient. But when a person actually comes to Christ, it is with the understanding that they are sick of sinning (disobeying) God and they are making a commitment to trust and obey Him.
If we take off, going straight into oncoming spiritual traffic, we face life ending tragedy, like a dog in the middle of the road. If we resist and reject the call of God on our lives, we are not under His Lordship and therefore we are not under the atoning blood of Christ.
When we loose ourselves from the rule of God when we don't let God, don't seek God, don't answer to God, don't obey God, we walk straight into disaster.
God doesn't just want our sins, or even our soul, He wants all of us, our life and words and thoughts and actions and relationships and work and recreation and friendships and successes and failures. People want to give to God the stuff they don't want or the stuff they want changed, but they want to hold on to the stuff they want to hold onto, the stuff they love. If you love the world or the things of the world, then the love of the Father is not in you. It is simple and clear.
Then, when we hold those things, rather than surrendering them to God, we are putting ourselves and our family members in jeopardy. God loves us enough that He will take stuff away from us in order to save us from our sins. God wants to reach us through His kindness, but if we resist His kindness, God will afflict us or allow us to be afflicted, in order to drive us to godly sorrow, which leads to repentance. Do not hold onto anything and then expect to receive the blessing of God. God loves us, but not to the point that He allows us to sin, without consequence.
The true believer in Christ understands, and can say, I know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His will. This is why I can rejoice, even when things are not going well in my life. I know that God does all thigs well, I know that God is all wise, I know that God is working the affairs of life in my favor.
God sometimes strips away things from our lives to show us that what we really need is Jesus. We may think that He is only going to strip away the bad stuff, the tough stuff of life, the inconvenient, the uncomfortable, even that which is dearest to our hearts. We sing or say, "Whatever it takes, take the dearest thing to me, if that's how it must be." That is how much we need to love God, because nothing is more important than a right relationship with God,
because that is how much He loved us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, to save us.
Since the Father gave His Son to save us and since Jesus gave His life to save us, then we need to understand that we should not hold back anything from God. And since we know that God wants to reach us, even if it is through sorrow, then we need to accept our need to turn.
I know these are hard words. I know this is a heavy message. But it the truth and if I don't tell the truth it will lead to a heavier problem.
I am going to end on a positive note.
When you make the surrender of that which is most important and precious to you, when you trust Him with those things, you will be able to say,
Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him, trust Him, believe in Him, because He becomes your all. At that point you can actually Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Not look at the seas around you, not look at the temptations that are calling you, but
Keep your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Not just pious platitudes, but truths that really do transform us.
DASH-CAM MESSAGES
STRAYING FROM OUR COMMITMENT
PEOPLE GET UPSET WITH GOD
Not only in time of great loss or tragedy, when emotions take over, either blaming God for causing or allowing it to happen. Even this is not justifiable, accurate.
People actually blame God, but some people encourage others to blame God, to rage against God. This happens with supposed Christian preachers and teacher, saying it is good, helpful, cathartic to raise your voice against God. They call such venting against God, "honesty." It may be honest, but it is also ignorance, because not is responsible for doing ill to anyone, simply on Divine whim or Divine ignorance or Divine maliciousness.
When God allows or even orchestrates anything that we may consider unkind or unwise, it is because God uses everything (aside from sin) to communicate and to help us, to either draw us to Himself by His kindness or drive us to Himself by moving us to godly sorrow, which produces repentance.
People (in Western culture) want to be thought of as Christians, since "Christian" coveys the idea of moral, just and civil humanity. They want the advantages and benefits of being Christian. They want mysterious, magical or miraculous helps from the supposed God of Christianity.
However, when things do not go their way or when they do not get the "perks" that they thought they should get, then they become disenchanted and even angry with the God who did not turn out to be the god they were expecting.
They also enter into the "Christian" life with a preconceived idea that they can actually be in charge of their own life, while adding the trappings of religion. Then they discover that being a Christian actually requires a complete transformation of thought, speech and behavior.
They had walked up to the Christian Buffet of life, taking what they wanted and leaving what they did not want. But then they have an encounter with reality when a preacher or teacher exposes them to the reality that salvation is surrender to the God of the Universe, as found in the Holy Bible.
At this point they become angry with the human instrument of God, whether a preacher, teacher, counselor, parent, spouse. Obviously they have not actually met, believed, received and followed Jesus Christ, therefore their lives end up being more confused than before. After all, they don't steal or kill. They see themselves as being as good as the next guy and are angry that they have made concessions but did not get the benefits.
The fact is that God required them to completely give themselves to God. Not 50% or 75% or even 99%, but 100%. They did not expect this.
GOD IS EITHER LORD OF ALL OR HE IS NOT LORD AT ALL.
The Scripture says (Ro. 10:9-10 NASB '77),
"9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved;
10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
This is actually more consistent with the Greek than the KJV which says, "confess with thy mouth that Jesus is Lord." It is more than confessing that Jesus is Lord, it is a matter of confessing that Jesus is "my" Lord.
There is no salvation without the Lordship of Christ, despite the popular but twisted form of Christianity being taught by so many today.
So they come to Jesus, or at least seem to come to Him. In either case, they don't seem to understand that God wants them to surrender everything to Him when they get saved. Or if they did understand, they no longer understand what they understood at the beginning.
They don't surrendering completely, following fully, walking in the light, dying to self, being crucified with Christ. As a result they come to Christ and then back out.
Luke 8:12-14
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Sometimes believers slip away from God and then they are influenced by the Devil when he says, "YOU WON'T DIE," or, "SIN WON'T SEPARATE YOU FROM GOD."
OH YES IT WILL. God says it will. Sin separates us from God. All sin, any sin, from which we do not turn. Sin is basically setting yourself up as your own God, as the Lord of your life. Sin is a matter of Lordship.
DENY YOURSELF. This is the first step in following Jesus. It is at the beginning of our walk, relationship, experience, the reality of salvation.
(encountered a man "walking his dog." He couldn't get control of the dog, and said, "He don't listen to me.")
As I drove on, I pointed out that there are people who call themselves the children of God and they don't listen to God, either.
That dog was walking right down the middle of my side of the road, headed straight for me. The man kept calling, cajoling, reaching out, but the dog had a different agenda.
That is soooo much like rebellious people, rebellious people who call themselves Christian. I give it to you. The dog probably never made an agreement with the man to be obedient. But when a person actually comes to Christ, it is with the understanding that they are sick of sinning (disobeying) God and they are making a commitment to trust and obey Him.
If we take off, going straight into oncoming spiritual traffic, we face life ending tragedy, like a dog in the middle of the road. If we resist and reject the call of God on our lives, we are not under His Lordship and therefore we are not under the atoning blood of Christ.
When we loose ourselves from the rule of God when we don't let God, don't seek God, don't answer to God, don't obey God, we walk straight into disaster.
God doesn't just want our sins, or even our soul, He wants all of us, our life and words and thoughts and actions and relationships and work and recreation and friendships and successes and failures. People want to give to God the stuff they don't want or the stuff they want changed, but they want to hold on to the stuff they want to hold onto, the stuff they love. If you love the world or the things of the world, then the love of the Father is not in you. It is simple and clear.
Then, when we hold those things, rather than surrendering them to God, we are putting ourselves and our family members in jeopardy. God loves us enough that He will take stuff away from us in order to save us from our sins. God wants to reach us through His kindness, but if we resist His kindness, God will afflict us or allow us to be afflicted, in order to drive us to godly sorrow, which leads to repentance. Do not hold onto anything and then expect to receive the blessing of God. God loves us, but not to the point that He allows us to sin, without consequence.
The true believer in Christ understands, and can say, I know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His will. This is why I can rejoice, even when things are not going well in my life. I know that God does all thigs well, I know that God is all wise, I know that God is working the affairs of life in my favor.
God sometimes strips away things from our lives to show us that what we really need is Jesus. We may think that He is only going to strip away the bad stuff, the tough stuff of life, the inconvenient, the uncomfortable, even that which is dearest to our hearts. We sing or say, "Whatever it takes, take the dearest thing to me, if that's how it must be." That is how much we need to love God, because nothing is more important than a right relationship with God,
because that is how much He loved us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, to save us.
Since the Father gave His Son to save us and since Jesus gave His life to save us, then we need to understand that we should not hold back anything from God. And since we know that God wants to reach us, even if it is through sorrow, then we need to accept our need to turn.
I know these are hard words. I know this is a heavy message. But it the truth and if I don't tell the truth it will lead to a heavier problem.
I am going to end on a positive note.
When you make the surrender of that which is most important and precious to you, when you trust Him with those things, you will be able to say,
Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him, trust Him, believe in Him, because He becomes your all. At that point you can actually Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Not look at the seas around you, not look at the temptations that are calling you, but
Keep your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Not just pious platitudes, but truths that really do transform us.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
10/16/18 R U READY?
10/16/18 R U READY?
Are you Willing?
Are you Wooed?
Are you Worthy?
Are you Wise?
Jesus used the parable of the Wedding Feast to address the problem of human resistance to the call of God. This parable simply points out the sinner's rejection of the invitation and provision of God to enter into His kingdom. Remember, He said this parable was intended to address the invitation of God and the failed human response to that invitation.
People make it complicated, to the degree that they convince other people that this has nothing to do with the Christian response to the Gospel.
THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING FEAST
Matthew 22:1-14
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
DLG notes...
PARABLE OVERVIEW
This parable refers to God's principles of inviting people into His kingdom. The parable refers to a king, his son's wedding, the invited guest, the kings servants, the uninterested masses and the invitation to, "whosoever will."
It is fair to say that, "the king," represents God; "the kings servants" represent the prophets; "the king's son" represents Jesus.
THE KINGDOM (vs. 2)
The kingdom of God is to be understood as, "the rule of God," or those who submit to the rule of God. The kingdom of God was seen as the unified Nation of Israel and Judah, and then as the single nation of Judah, and then (in the New Testament) as the rule of God in His Church.
Christ rules in the hearts of His children (Ro. 14:17). We will see the kingdom of God physically (The Millennial Reign of Christ in Jerusalem) when Christ returns to earth and sets up His Earthly Kingdom. Ultimately God will rule over His people forever and ever in eternity in the New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem.
FOUR WRONG RESPONSES (vs. 3; vss. 4-7; vs. 8; vss. 9-10)
This parable points out that God has broadened the scope of His kingdom, from a political, geographical national form (through Israel and Judah) to a spiritual and international form (through the Church). We see this in the four invitations that are extended.
THE FIRST RESPONSE, NOT WILLING (vs. 3)
The first group of invited people responded by not being willing to come to the wedding. KJV says, "...the would not come." However, the Greek word indicates specifically that it was a matter of will, choice, decision, intention, desire. The phrase, "to call them that were bidden," is interesting because the same word is used twice, i.e. "to call them that were called." In the time of Jesus, a guest was invited in advance, and then they were invited again, at the time of the wedding.
These people were, twice called," still they were not WILLING. The call of God, whether nationally (Israel) or personally still allows the called one to decide whether he will come to the kingdom of God or not.
THE SECOND RESPONSE, NOT WOOED (vss. 4-7)
After the invited guest rejected the kings call to the wedding, because they chose not to come, for whatever "reason," the king sent another call, but he described the great feast for those who would come. But they disregarded the invitation as something of no importance.
They continued in their mundane activities. It was an insult to the king and his son. The people were not only indifferent to the feast, they were indifferent to the king and his son. They were not impressed, they did not realize the honor of being invited. They did not realize the importance of the king and they did not understand the value of the invitation. They dishonored the king and his son. But their terribleness of their disdain for the king is seen in the fact that they rebuffed, attacked and killed the kings messengers.
GOD'S ASSESSMENT, NOT WORTHY (vs. 8)
The king acknowledged the UNWORTHINESS of all those who rejected the invitation, and resisted the kings messengers, by sending his army to destroy the insurgents and destroy their cities. Unworthiness is not simply a mark of shame, it disqualifies a person from the opportunities, advantages and privileges afforded to those who are qualified.
WORTHINESS is based on relationship and response to the king, not on inherent value.
THE THIRD RESPONSE, NOT WISE (VSS. 9-13)
The king extended his invitation to the masses, rather than just those who had be previously invited. He sent his servants to invite anyone and everyone they could find, to come to the wedding, regardless of their background, and the celebration was filled with guests.
When the king attended the feast he saw one of the guests was not properly attired. This was an insult, since proper attire was provided for guests. When the king asked the guest how it was that he was not wearing the proper clothes, the man was speechless. At this point the man was removed and assigned to outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
That improperly clad guest was unwise because he had access to the celebration, the feast (the kingdom of God) but refused proper attire.
THE CALL AND THE RESPONSE (vs. 14)
In order to be part of the kingdom of God (here and now) and in order to spend eternity with God, we must put off sin and the old man (Ep. 4:22; Co. 3:8-9), and we must put on righteousness and the new man (Ga. 3:27; Ep. 4:24; Co. 3:10-14).
Remember, "For many are called, but few are chosen."
Be Willing, Wooed, Worthy and Wise.
Are you Willing?
Are you Wooed?
Are you Worthy?
Are you Wise?
Jesus used the parable of the Wedding Feast to address the problem of human resistance to the call of God. This parable simply points out the sinner's rejection of the invitation and provision of God to enter into His kingdom. Remember, He said this parable was intended to address the invitation of God and the failed human response to that invitation.
People make it complicated, to the degree that they convince other people that this has nothing to do with the Christian response to the Gospel.
THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING FEAST
Matthew 22:1-14
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
DLG notes...
PARABLE OVERVIEW
This parable refers to God's principles of inviting people into His kingdom. The parable refers to a king, his son's wedding, the invited guest, the kings servants, the uninterested masses and the invitation to, "whosoever will."
It is fair to say that, "the king," represents God; "the kings servants" represent the prophets; "the king's son" represents Jesus.
THE KINGDOM (vs. 2)
The kingdom of God is to be understood as, "the rule of God," or those who submit to the rule of God. The kingdom of God was seen as the unified Nation of Israel and Judah, and then as the single nation of Judah, and then (in the New Testament) as the rule of God in His Church.
Christ rules in the hearts of His children (Ro. 14:17). We will see the kingdom of God physically (The Millennial Reign of Christ in Jerusalem) when Christ returns to earth and sets up His Earthly Kingdom. Ultimately God will rule over His people forever and ever in eternity in the New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem.
FOUR WRONG RESPONSES (vs. 3; vss. 4-7; vs. 8; vss. 9-10)
This parable points out that God has broadened the scope of His kingdom, from a political, geographical national form (through Israel and Judah) to a spiritual and international form (through the Church). We see this in the four invitations that are extended.
THE FIRST RESPONSE, NOT WILLING (vs. 3)
The first group of invited people responded by not being willing to come to the wedding. KJV says, "...the would not come." However, the Greek word indicates specifically that it was a matter of will, choice, decision, intention, desire. The phrase, "to call them that were bidden," is interesting because the same word is used twice, i.e. "to call them that were called." In the time of Jesus, a guest was invited in advance, and then they were invited again, at the time of the wedding.
These people were, twice called," still they were not WILLING. The call of God, whether nationally (Israel) or personally still allows the called one to decide whether he will come to the kingdom of God or not.
THE SECOND RESPONSE, NOT WOOED (vss. 4-7)
After the invited guest rejected the kings call to the wedding, because they chose not to come, for whatever "reason," the king sent another call, but he described the great feast for those who would come. But they disregarded the invitation as something of no importance.
They continued in their mundane activities. It was an insult to the king and his son. The people were not only indifferent to the feast, they were indifferent to the king and his son. They were not impressed, they did not realize the honor of being invited. They did not realize the importance of the king and they did not understand the value of the invitation. They dishonored the king and his son. But their terribleness of their disdain for the king is seen in the fact that they rebuffed, attacked and killed the kings messengers.
GOD'S ASSESSMENT, NOT WORTHY (vs. 8)
The king acknowledged the UNWORTHINESS of all those who rejected the invitation, and resisted the kings messengers, by sending his army to destroy the insurgents and destroy their cities. Unworthiness is not simply a mark of shame, it disqualifies a person from the opportunities, advantages and privileges afforded to those who are qualified.
WORTHINESS is based on relationship and response to the king, not on inherent value.
THE THIRD RESPONSE, NOT WISE (VSS. 9-13)
The king extended his invitation to the masses, rather than just those who had be previously invited. He sent his servants to invite anyone and everyone they could find, to come to the wedding, regardless of their background, and the celebration was filled with guests.
When the king attended the feast he saw one of the guests was not properly attired. This was an insult, since proper attire was provided for guests. When the king asked the guest how it was that he was not wearing the proper clothes, the man was speechless. At this point the man was removed and assigned to outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
That improperly clad guest was unwise because he had access to the celebration, the feast (the kingdom of God) but refused proper attire.
THE CALL AND THE RESPONSE (vs. 14)
In order to be part of the kingdom of God (here and now) and in order to spend eternity with God, we must put off sin and the old man (Ep. 4:22; Co. 3:8-9), and we must put on righteousness and the new man (Ga. 3:27; Ep. 4:24; Co. 3:10-14).
Remember, "For many are called, but few are chosen."
Be Willing, Wooed, Worthy and Wise.
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