Only One Way? How Intolerant!

How can I say there's only one way to God?  Because it's true.

• The truth stands alone, but it takes a million lies to cover it up.
• The truth is simple, but the lies become more and more elaborate.
• The truth is unchanging, but the lies bend to conform themselves to every shift in society.
• Contrary to popular opinion, there is only one explanation that is 100% truth.
  

Consider these things:

• If there is a God, and if He is good--would He give people free will, or would he control and manipulate them?

That may seem pretty straightforward, He'd give them free will--but have you ever stopped to think about this:

• How would He prevent bad things from happening, yet not interfere with anyone's free will?

I don't believe that's possible.  So, bad things happen to us all.

And how could everyone NOT love Him, if nothing bad ever happened to any of us?

Lets put it in human terms.  Suppose someone is obsessed with you, but you don't know it.  They want you to love them, because they 'love' you.  So, they lure you into a date, a nice daylong cruise on their private yacht.  But, through a series of unfortunate events, the boat sinks and they save you from drowning.  You end up stranded, alone on a desert island with this person--and for some reason, there is no hope of rescue, ever.

Not knowing that this was all staged, you eventually come to love this person, who is brave and strong and always looking out for you.  You come to depend on them, and they go out of their way to provide what you need.  Yet, it is love based on a lie.

If this person is manipulating and deceiving you, they don't really love you, aren't looking out for your best interests, and can't be trusted. They are not who you thought they were-they are the worst kind of person.   This person has robbed you, for the most part, of your right to choose!  Knowing that, your love would turn to hate.

What kind of a person would be so desperate for your love, that they would go to such great lengths to entrap you?  In fact, don't we become a bit suspicious of someone who is nothing but devoted to us?  Don't we eventually perceive their desperation?

Now, if the God who created Heaven and Earth never let anything bad happen to us, and so completely sheltered us--isn't it possible that we would begin to see Him as desperate and needy, and capable of manipulating and deceiving us?  Could we really trust Him?

And what kind of character would that show Him to have, if He would do that to you?  He would not be a good God, worthy of love and devotion--He would be a desperate, needy, lying, deceiving, evil 'god'.  (Oh wait, there is someone like that . . . ever heard of someone 'making a deal with the devil'?  That's when someone trades in their free will for the promise of all their dreams coming true . . . )

Yet, how many of you blame God when bad things happen to you?  What do you want--free will, or a perfect life that's free from pain?  If He chooses to give you free will, you're angry when bad things happen.  But, if He took away your free will in order to spare you pain, could you love or respect Him then?


So, assuming we've gotten past the question of God's character . . .

• Why would He only make one way? 

My question to you--why should He make more than one way?  If He is Lord of all, and good, doesn't He have a monopoly on the 'product'? (truth and eternal life)

Does Amtrak advertise?  No.  Why not?  Because there is no one else you can turn to for that product.  If you want to ride a train across the U.S., you have to go to Amtrak--on their terms!  You pay the price they require, and you accommodate your schedule to the times their train is going to where you want to go. 

And they know this, so why should they waste their effort trying to persuade you?  (And because they're government run, they don't really care if they make a profit, or if you're satisfied with the service--think Post Office, DMV, etc.)

Like Amtrak, and the Post Office, God has a monopoly.  If you want what He alone can provide, you'll go to Him on His terms.  Not to mention, you are a mere mortal, formed from the dust of the Earth--and He is the Creator and Lord of everything that exists!  Who are you anyway, to think you can negotiate the terms?

Among us Americans, the roots of capitalism are so deep in us, that we don't even realize it.

• 'There's no free lunch'--yes and no.  Someone has to pay, that's true--but it might not be you.
• We are used to dealing with companies that are needy, for us to choose them--because, if we don't, they die.
• We want to be convinced, persuaded, wooed--I am the one with the power (the $$ to spend)--beg me to spend it on your product.
• We are used to hearing lies and exaggerated claims.
• 'You get what you pay for'--this one causes us to judge the value of a product by what it costs us.  If it's free, it can't be worth much . . .

These are some of the attitudes that make it hard for us to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But these attitudes don't apply in the relationship between God and man, because:

• God made everything--we were born into a world that contained everything we needed.  Is that not a 'free lunch'?  It is not God, but man, that has taken it upon himself to decide who is entitled to have, and who isn't.  God made enough of everything we need, for all of us.  It is men who refuse to share.
• God doesn't need us.  He is complete without us.  He is not needy.  He was, long before we were, and He will continue, even if we should all perish.  Because He does not need us, there is no reason for Him to beg, lie, woo, persuade, exaggerate or deceive us.  And, as I said before, He has a monopoly on the product.  If you choose God, you win.  If you don't, it's your loss, not His.
• You get what you pay for--maybe, where people are concerned (but most of the time you get less).  God is not greedy--everything* is His.  He can make more of whatever He chooses.  He has no costs to cover, no shortage of supplies.  He has no need to hoard.  It pleases Him to share freely.  He isn't going to gauge 'how much it's worth to you' to exact that much in payment from you,  for the things you need.  He doesn't deny you, based on your inability to pay.  He is not trying 'to create a brand for Himself', that He should only sell things to the highest bidder.  With Him, things are free--that's God's economy.  He only asks that you be a good steward of what He provides. 

*Actually, I wasn't completely accurate. . .  in saying that everything is His.  You aren't.  No man is, unless they choose to be.  Your spirit and your will belong to you--that was a gift to you from God.  You didn't ask to be born, and He won't burden you with eternal life, unless you ask for it. 

After you have worn out the body He loaned you for your life on this earth, you return it, along with your soul and spirit, to God.  He'll give your body back to the dust He made you from.  He'll judge you (by the laws He set down for mankind, and based on how you've lived your life). Then He'll dispose of what's left of you.

If, however, while you journey through this life, you come to love truth, righteousness and justice, and long for fellowship with God, there is a way.  One way.  And that should not surprise you.  After all, how many keys can open your front door?  Just one.  (Sure, you may  have some exact duplicates, but there is only one configuration of dips and ridges that will line up correctly inside the keyhole to open the lock.)


That way is through genuine repentance, and faith in Jesus' death on your behalf.  None of us is 'good enough' to get there without Him.  We have all sinned and 'missed the mark'.

An honorable man knocks at the front door--he doesn't look for a window he can sneak in through.  So it is with the kingdom of God.  If you truly seek God's mercy, you will go to Him in humbleness, and accept His terms (not with your head held high in haughty pride, demanding that He make you a way that appeals more to you).  And, if your repentance is genuine, the way you live the rest of your life will prove it.

Go to the one who died for you, and ask Him for mercy.  Once you leave this life, it will be too late.

Pastors: Who Are You REALLY Looking Out For?

My apologies to those who are dedicated, sacrificing Pastors who have the best interests of their people at heart.  To those of you who sincerely try:  God bless you.

However, some of you are being so helpful to the devil that he can leave your congregation alone and go on vacation!!

If you don't teach your people right from wrong, the truth from lies . . . if you don't preach about sin and repentance . . . who are you REALLY helping?

Sure, your attendance will be high, and you'll go through the motions of being a minister of the gospel . . . your political correctness will make you popular, but it will be an intricate dance to tell the truth without stepping on anyone's toes.  You'll be so busy with the latest program that you'll hardly notice that your old, faithful, Bible-thumping, Amen-corner Christians have departed.  The flurry of activity will distract you from the fact that you no longer feel God's presence in your church--or in your life.

Is your church 'lukewarm' towards God, towards truth, towards sanctification?  You are the one who sets the standard for your people.  They aren't going to achieve any more than you tell them you believe they can achieve.  If your church is lukewarm, it's because you allow them to be comfortable with being lukewarm!

Pastors:  If you don't teach your people right from wrong, don't maintain a higher standard for your congregation (and yourself), don't confront your people regarding their sins--do you really think you're helping them?

Don't you know, if you permit something, they think God permits it?  If you accept something, they think God accepts it?  If you remain silent about sin, if you don't point it out and call it for what it is--your congregation will assume that you condone it, and that God does likewise!

It would be nice if your people read the Bible--but you can't assume that they do!!  You need to shore up the foundations of their understanding--and then add the basic building blocks.  Forget the fancy trim and designer windows! Forget following the crowd!  Forget the latest fad!  Forget pleasing people--please God!!  Your people are falling into deception, and God is going to hold you accountable if you are not doing your job!

Satan has been waging a concerted attack against all that is foundational to the lives of human beings. He is setting the stage for his reign on Earth, as the head of a global government.  The day is fast approaching.  His reign won't last for long--but it will be devastating while it does.  How many of your people will be able to (spiritually) endure?  How many of their children have already been led far astray?

Unable to conquer truth, he is changing the definition and concept of truth, making it a relative term--something of little importance.  Unable to obliterate the family as fast as he'd like, he is attempting to redefine it as well, and make the family (as God designed it) obsolete.  He calls the idea of reality into question, teaching that it is something we create through our own will and imagination. 

When I say you need to get back to basics in your preaching--I mean the very foundations of our understanding of God and life!!  As obvious as these things may be to you--don't assume your congregation knows the difference!! They need to know there is a God!  There really is such a thing as absolute truth!  There are actions and beliefs that are right, and others that are wrong.  Jesus is the only way.  Etc., etc., etc.

If you don't teach your people what is sin, don't confront them when they sin, and don't hold them to a higher standard (because you don't want to make them uncomfortable?)--do you think you are acting in their best interest?  Sin and deception will ensnare them and pull them deep into bondage!  Which do you think is worse?  They trust you enough to put their spiritual well-being into your hands.  More than that--God thought highly enough of you, and trusted you enough, to place them in your care!!  Are you going to disappoint His faith in you?

Wake up and do what God has called you to do.  The hour is late!!  God is going to send a powerful delusion to those who do not love the truth . . . teach your people truth!! Teach them to love the truth, to search out the truth, to hold fast to the truth!!

You have labored long and hard--don't give up now that we are in the final stretch!  Forget what is behind and press forward with all your might!!  Your finest hour may be just around the bend!!

Believe That 'Each Of Us Has Our Own Truth'?

You can't be a follower of Jesus and believe that 'each of us has our own truth'.

If you believe this, you are like the sleeping crew of a ship that has lost its anchor.  You are drifting, unaware, and have no idea where you really are!

'Truth' is one of the most basic, fundamental principles in life!  Truth, absolute truth, exists--and there is only one truth!!  God is the author and embodiment of truth.  The Bible is the portion of the truth that He has chosen to reveal to mankind, to guide us through our lives on Earth.

For years, Satan attacked one truth after another, yet he only succeeded in deceiving some of the people each time.  But his plan calls for everyone to believe him (and to eliminate the ones that don't.)  Now the hour is late, and his time is running out.

He couldn't conquer truth itself, so it is no wonder that he has finally decided to attack and subvert the very concept and definition of truth!

I don't even know how to address this one--it's completely absurd. 

We live in a world where common sense has all but died, and where people think reality is just a creation of their own imagination.  They believe that if they change their thinking they can change reality . . . that if they deny something, it will lose its power to exist . . . that if more people, who desire the same reality, will join together, they will have more power to make it exist . . . that people who don't desire the same reality will hinder their efforts.  (This is why they will first ignore 'the opposition', but when that doesn't work will feel they must eliminate it.)

I'm not a philosopher.  I can't contort my mind through the mental gymnastics that are necessary to understand this way of thinking.  All I can say is that I know they are wrong, because I have found truth.  Not just my truth, THE truth.  It exists.  It proves itself.  It remains constant.  It povides a sturdy anchor.  It doesn't conform to me or my opinions--rather, it causes me to change and conform my opinions to it. 

When I found THE truth, it was very different from the opinions I held as MY truth. Yet, when I put them in the ring together, THE truth won every round!

You can live in an alternate reality if you choose (we used to call that 'insanity' . . .).  You can define truth for yourself, and occupy your mind with the complex mental contortions of philosophy--but not if you are a follower of Jesus.  And, whether you are or not, someday you will come face to face with THE truth.  It will reveal itself and your eyes will be opened.  Hopefully, for you, the day that happens will not be judgment day.

Expect To Be Popular?

You can't be a follower of Jesus and expect to be popular.

Trying to be popular is a trap.  When you try to be popular, you say and do what will please others. 

But, especially these days, people don't want to hear the truth, be confronted, feel uncomfortable, or face unpleasantness.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is all of these things: absolute truth, confronting us about our sin, a push outside of our comfort zone, the unmasking of evil.

Speaking of these things will not please others.  Yet Jesus says that if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the Father.  If we remain silent before men, we can expect to hear Him say, on the day of judgment, "Depart from me.  I never knew you."


So, tell me then:  how can you be true to the gospel and be popular?

Believe There Are Many Ways to God?

You can't be a follower of Jesus and believe that there are many ways to God.

Jesus said that He is the ONLY way . . . THE way, THE truth, and THE life . . . no man goes to the Father but through Him . . . the only begotten son . . .sent by God, because He loves us all so much . . . because He wishes that none would perish . . . but that all would come to repentance and receive eternal life.

Do Appeals For Donations Turn You Off?

Do appeals for donations turn you off?  They never bothered me before, but lately they do.  I'll share my thoughts on that, and I'm interested in whether any of you feel the same, for the same reasons.

I feel, deep in my heart, that selling the truth of God is wrong!  I understand that there are basic costs that ministries incur, costs of websites,  printing books, making DVDS, mailing, etc.  Those costs are legitimate.  I have no problem with charging what things cost--selling books and DVDs at cost, for example, but I believe it is wrong to put a dollar value on the truth itself! 

Over the past few months, I have found websites that are invaluable sources of information. The Lord has led me to many sites in response to my prayers for wisdom.  Lately, even those that seem to present the most truth have begun to request donations.  I don't mean they've just put a 'donations' button on their site for people who want to give, but they are explaining their hardship and asking people to give.

(God help me if I'm wrong about this, and God forgive me if I succumb to the temptation myself.  I think it would be easier for Him to forgive me, than for me to forgive myself.)

Again, I understand there are costs involved, and how frustrating it is when funds are lacking!  (I won't share my personal experiences or situation because that is irrelevant--but please trust that I have lived a life of financial hardship.)  Out of that comes my conviction that if you put your faith in God for the resources to do what God has called you to do, He will provide what you need to do the job, and meet your needs as well!

It was with God that the idea originated that 'a workman is worthy of his hire', and that you don't prevent your ox from stopping to nibble while he is pulling the plow for you (or something to that effect).  God knows what you need, and He can provide it. He can also inspire people to give, if He so chooses.  Even so, if no one gives, and nothing is provided, and you are sure you are doing the will of God, then you continue and you sacrifice and cover the costs yourself.  Rest assured that in so doing, you are 'laying up treasure in heaven'!

As I have constantly prayed for wisdom and understanding of certain matters, the Lord impressed upon my heart that if He granted me understanding, with it would come a responsibility to share it. (If you are indeed sharing God-inspired truth, then please remember that the Lord gave it to you for free, and the ones who need it the most may be the ones who can't afford to pay for it. The Lord's design has always been to have people that would be conduits of His blessings to an unbelieving world. He gives them to us to pass along to others, yet He gives us a portion too.)

The Lord lays out the responsibility of a watchman-that if he warns the people and they don't listen, their blood is on their own heads, but if he knows and doesn't warn them, their blood will be upon his head. I believe it is time to speak out boldly.

I believe the Lord is raising up an army of people to share His word in these 'last days' (right now, via the Internet). It will be able to penetrate places where a missionary may never be able to set foot. We, in America, are strategically placed, and divinely endowed with the freedom of speech, technology, time, resources (compared to billions of others in this world) and credibility as a free people in a God-inspired country, to be able to reach the world with the truth about what is happening as the 'days of grace' draw to a close.

I believe America was divinely ordained to put an obstacle in the way of Satan’s plan at this very point in time! I believe we are called to use our freedom & constitutionally guaranteed rights to resist and expose the truth about Satan’s plan to the world, at this very hour, while we still have those rights! This is the fulfillment of Christ’s words in Matthew 24:14:

‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’

I believe the words ‘for a witness’ hold special significance. I believe this means that we, while the events spoken of in the end times prophecies are unfolding, will be explaining them to people throughout the world, and sharing the gospel message! Those who hear will not be able to say they didn’t understand what was happening, and who was its author, if we do what we have been divinely appointed to do–in this very hour! Our message will be the ‘witness’ to them whereby they will later be judged as to whether they understood what they were participating in!

So, when I see these blatant appeals for donations, it is a HUGE red flag to me!  Maybe it is not that these folks are sinning, or out of God's will in general.  Maybe it is just a barometer of their faith in God's provision.  But if they do not believe that (without them 'helping') God can provide for them to do what they believe He has called them to do--then how can they trust that He will provide for more mundane things, such as their own personal needs, or those of their family?  I'm just sayin' . . .

It may simply be that all the changes that are occurring in our economy, and the fact that we are under God's judgment, have not fully penetrated most people's understanding.  I believe that, as with grief, there are certain stages or phases we go through in coming to this understanding.  I believe that most people are still in the 'denial stage' of grief over the loss of America and life as we have known it.  We are all in different stages of our 'paradigm shift'.  So, I can certainly understand and leave room for that.  I don't judge these people.  However, I still believe, deep in my heart, that this is a step in the wrong direction.

Things are going to be 'tough all over'.  Our economy is going to crash.  You MUST start seeing things differently!!  Capitalism is being purposely destroyed--and it is the will of God for this to take place!!  The sins that have been committed under this system, and justified by it, the way it has been misused and corrupted, the way it has deceived and corrupted so many and led them into sin, have brought about its judgment!!  We are experiencing a brief reprieve, but things are never going 'back to normal' again!! Rather, things are going to get much, MUCH worse in the days ahead!!!

Now is a good time to get your beliefs about money in line with God's Word.  I know it is hard to conceive of a non-capitalist way of using money, but capitalism is not 'God's Way' any more than communism is.  These are constructs and traditions of men.  We have strayed far from God's plan for trade and commerce. 

Jesus had much to say about money.  This would be a good time to go back to The Word and establish a Godly foundation in regards to your beliefs about money.  Again, let me say, go back to The Word of God, not to the 'prosperity' messages and other doctrines of men that took hold in the church in recent times.

Ultimately, each of us will be confronted with the choice of continuing to partake of the world's system of trade, or being left to trust in God to provide for our needs.  Your beliefs about money, and lack of understanding of God's will in this area, could very well be what ensnares you into accepting the 'Mark Of The Beast' (because you believe you have 'no other choice'). 


One other point, in regards to those who have books, DVDs, etc. to sell, that purportedly contain revelations of truth that God has given them, and who request 'donations' in return:

Taxes should be paid by a nonprofit organization on materials that they sell. However, in an underhanded way of trying to escape our tax laws (we should 'render unto Caesar what is Caesar's'), many ministries request 'donations' in return for these materials.  (In a broad sense, true donations are not taxable, but there are certain guidelines regarding what is considered a true donation). 

This has been a commonly accepted practice, but is it really handling money in an upright way, that serves as a witness to the unbelieving world that Christians operate under a set of 'higher laws'? 

Furthermore, I would apply my own criteria to determine if it is really a 'donation' that is being requested, or if you are in fact being sold the item: 

• If you do not have the ability to pay the amount of the 'requested donation', will the ministry still send you the materials, upon request?

I say that those who don't, lack integrity in regards to finances--and are most likely in violation of tax law.  As with most things, what is visible may only be the 'tip of the iceberg'. 

Think about this next time you hear a request for a 'donation' for an item that claims to be God's truth and revelation that we 'all need to hear'.  It may be the 'American Way' or the 'Capitalist Way'--to sell God's truth for a price--but it is not God's way!!!  I daresay, if Jesus were to visit today, He would 'overturn the tables' of these merchants!

'We Know In Part And We Prophesy In Part'

While I haven't been here at my cyberspace truth pitstop, I've been out on my own little truth journey through the worldwide web. The Lord led me to a most interesting pitstop, which I have included in my links (The Watchman's Cry).

A lot of things that the Lord had revealed to me were confirmed there--and He is revealing more to me, in answer to my prayers. I'll share one interesting little item with you:

'We Know In Part And We Prophesy In Part'

Fulfilled, in my life, in two ways. 

1. 'And that ain't the half of it!'  None of us knows the complete picture. We each only know a part of it. None of us has the complete interpretation of all the prophecies. He shows each of us, only a part. Like an orchestra, each of us doing our part produces the whole. Don't think any one man is the source of all your answers! 
2. 'Write what you know.'   That was His word to me, in response to my concerns that there is so much I don't know. 'Just write what you know.' And as I have done so, He has been with me and has guided me, telling me things I didn't know, as I write. Filling in the blanks, so to speak. My own knowledge forms the bare bones outline--His Spirit provides the substance, the style, and the intent, and weaves it together into a message that (I pray) will speak to you personally. Part of what I 'speak' is what I know, part of it is prophecy. (Though I don't think I'm a prophet--just another watchman.)

How Dumb Is That?

How very strange that we live in a country where truth is so hard to find. Not that the truth is rare, or somehow hidden--but rather, because those who know it would prefer not to mention it!

Although we are not running for office, we have allowed ourselves to be convinced that what we say should be 'politically correct'.  How dumb is that?

And since when did we think it was admirable to be like a politician?


God Damn America?
Is America Going To The Dogs?

I Hate Islam!! But . . .

Although Obama claims to be a Christian, he definitely is not.  By his voting record, you can see.  He not only approves of abortion, he promotes it!!  Although political correctness demands that we allow a woman her 'right to choose', ABORTION IS A SIN AND A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY!!  If you are a Christian, and you have ANY problem whatsoever with that statement, you had better get on your knees before God and repent!

Abortion, Are You SURE You Have The Right?

But, this blog is not about abortion. It is about islam . . . and about Obama.   Our president is a man who claims all religions, yet practices none.  However, I believe he has a special place in his heart for islam.

Presidential Admissions (short video)

Islam is the most foul, blasphemous thing I have ever seen.  Every word I hear from the koran makes me either want to laugh (because of how transparent it is in regards to who 'inspired ' it), or vomit (because of the blasphemy).  Every word of that vile text came straight from the mouth of satan himself!!  And mohammed--he was demon possessed, just like hitler after him, who rose up in the same image and manifestation of satan.

I recently posted a blog on the koran   Warning To America: THE KORAN    which I can't even bear to read, it is so vile.

From what I have learned about islam, it seems very probable that The Antichrist is a muslim caliphate (the equivalent of a muslim pope).  However, I have two reasons to question that:

1. What I understand from scripture, so far, is that the kingdom of The Antichrist will be attacked by two coalitions of predominantly muslim countries.
2. I know, from history, that satan plays both extremes.

Just as demons perform a little show of allowing themselves to be exorcised by cross wielding Catholic priests, so can satan be the puppetmaster behind both an islamic caliph and the caliph's archrival--whoever that may prove to be.  Don't be so drawn into the drama that you see his archrival as a savior!  Just because someone is the enemy of your enemy, DOES NOT necessarily mean he is your friend!!

Satan wants to make it appear that there are many roads to righteousness and one road to damnation.  He will unite all religions together under the banner of 'tolerance' of the Antichrist, and he will proclaim Jehovah God, Creator of All, to be the source of damnation.  (This means unrelenting persecution and murder of Jews and Christians by the rest of the world.)

In fact, the reverse is true-- Jehovah God is the only source of truth and salvation.  Allah IS NOT God, nor are any of the many other gods and 'prophets' who are worshiped by men.  Jesus (God) came to earth as a man, led a sinless life, died on the cross to pay for OUR sins, and ascended into heaven on the third day.  He is now seated on the throne in Heaven, awaiting the day (before this generation passes away) that He will return to Earth, defeat the armies of the wicked, pour out God's wrath upon the evil, and take the throne on Earth, to rule over all mankind.  (Even so, come Lord Jesus.)

The man we have elected to run our country has his own agenda: to run America into the ground, to totally destroy her, to enslave her people, and hand her over to her enemies.  And God has willed it so--unless we repent!!  We can fight Obama all we like, and cry out to God for help and deliverance but, unless we repent, it ain't gonna happen!!

God Damn America?

I hate islam!!  But:

• It's not the only danger we are facing.
• It is only one face of evil on a multiheaded beast.
• It doesn't necessarily mean you are my friend if you hate it too.
• It doesn't mean you are holy by virtue of fighting it.
• It doesn't make you my savior, or the messiah, if you deliver me from it.

and

• The suffering islam would bring to America, may be one of the plagues God uses to cause our nation to repent.
• Without repentance, we are in very real danger of being subject to sharia law (among other things, women will lose their rights, our children will be lost to vile islamic ideology, and amputations and executions will be the punishment for breaking the law).
• The road, that takes us from where we are now, to sharia law, is one of many horrors and extreme suffering.
• God loves us, is grieved if we choose this road and wishes, with all His heart, that we would repent instead!!

It's Time To 'Shake The Dust Off'

The day has arrived that we must 'shake the dust off our feet' in regards to some of the people in our lives that we have been trying to persuade to Christ.  When the time arrives to 'shake the dust off' in regards to a specific person, the Lord will speak to your heart.  It is important to  listen, because God knows the heart and He knows the point at which a person has decided that their 'final answer' is 'NO'.  Beyond that, you are wasting precious time. 

He may already be speaking this to your heart about some of the people in your life, and you may have found it very confusing--but He does not call us to devote our life to persuading anyone to turn to Him.  When He sent out the twelve disciples to different villages, two by two (as their first 'solo flight', as Christians ministering the gospel through the power of God) Jesus gave them specific instructions. Part of that instruction was:

'if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.'

His desire is that we present the truth, live the truth, and minister in what ways we are able.  We are not to so heavily invest ourselves in someone that we bind ourselves to them and make their choice our responsibility.  The Lord wants people who truly desire to walk with Him--who choose Him out of their own free will,  not from constant badgering or guilt. 

He called us to be witnesses--to the truth and to what He has done in our lives--not salesmen.  It is the job of the Holy Spirit to persuade men of their sins and personal need for a Savior.  In fact, if we go beyond presenting and living the truth and ministering as we are able, we may very well have the opposite effect and actually get in the way of the Holy Spirit and cause a person to harden his heart!  People come to Jesus out of hunger!  Force feeding has the opposite effect.

And that brings us to the unfortunate situation of people who are 'unequally yoked'.  If you are married to an unbeliever, you need to prepare your heart.  The day is soon coming that you will be confronted with a choice: will you choose to join your unbelieving spouse and turn your back on God, or will you stand firm in your faith, and lose your spouse?

When the time to choose arrives, the Lord will speak to your heart:

'Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.'

Will you heed His voice?

There comes a time when you have to let go of your hopes for someone and accept things for what they are.  I am not saying you should leave your spouse--that is a choice for the Lord to direct you in.  I am saying, don't be surprised if your spouse leaves you. 

Prepare your heart for the possibility that your spouse will leave you, in the not too distant future, if you continue to serve God.  Evil has greatly increased on the earth and people are now, consciously or not, making spiritual decisions.  As things get more difficult, they will act out of what is in their heart, and the spiritual decisions they have made.

Make up your mind now, what you will do when that time comes.  You will be very vulnerable to making a choice you will regret, when that horrible day arrives.  There are few things more agonizing than being left by the one you love.  But the Lord will sustain you through that time, if you choose to remain in Him.

The hour that Jesus spoke of has arrived:

'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'  

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'

There has recently been a shift in the spiritual realm. It seems that people are no longer restraining the evil that is within their hearts.  Evil wants nothing to do with good, and good wants nothing to do with evil.  Everyone seems to be choosing one side or the other.  The Lord is calling us again, to devote ourselves fully to Him, and to begin to emotionally distance ourselves from those who have rejected Him. 


[Here is a word to those of you who think that you can hide behind your  unbelieving spouse:
Do not listen to the lying whisper that tells you you can just keep quiet about being a Christian, find some way not to get 'The Mark' and be ok, (because you know your spouse will take it and will still be able to buy and sell, thus providing for your needs)!  The Lord knows your heart and is not pleased.  Repent and put your faith in Him.]

It's Time To 'Shake The Dust Off' (Part 2)
You Only Die Once--Make It Count!
Here's The Deal . . .

A 'Sleeper' Doctrine?

What if I was to tell you that, coiled amongst your core Christian beliefs, was a deception powerful enough to cause you to turn your back on God?  A 'sleeper', if you will, awaiting the right time to strike. . .

A lot is said, in the Bible, about the return of Christ.  But nowhere is a 'Rapture' mentioned.  In fact it is a relatively new doctrine, being only a couple of hundred years old, if I remember right.

In fact, if you put aside everything you've ever heard, and read through the New Testament, asking God to teach you and give you understanding, I believe you will come to a very different conclusion than what is currently being taught.

If you are a born again Christian, you do not have to have someone interpret God's word for you.  The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will teach you all things--if you will listen.

Now, I am not saying that so that you will throw aside your teachers, pastor and elders.  I am saying--don't just take ANYONE's word for spiritual matters, but also search the Scriptures yourself and pray for God to lead you in truth.

I am also saying it so that you understand that it is OK for you to do this.  In fact, when the apostle Paul came and taught them, the people of Berea were praised for it!

'Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.'

The passage I paraphrased, about the Holy Spirit teaching you all things, was written by the apostle John to the church at a time when some were teaching false doctrine--so it absolutely applies to this situation.  This was his word to them, to hold onto the truth and abide in God, and the Holy Spirit would keep them grounded in truth and protected from deception. 

Although we have many wonderful pastors and teachers, now more than ever, it is vital that you look to God, not men.  And because of the difficult times ahead, it is critical that your Christian faith is based on what God's Word (the Bible) say to YOU--not what someone tells you God's Word says to you.  Check it out for yourself!  The foundation you lay now will have to support you through the storms that are coming in the days ahead.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would remind believers of everything he had taught.  (I believe that also covers the whole Bible, not just the 'red letter' words.)  But how can you be reminded of something you do not know?  God's Word is alive.  Study it, know it and, when you need it, He will remind you of just the right verses that apply to your situation.

I said all that because I want to explain what I believe to be true about 'The Rapture' and the return of Christ. And I want you to understand that I am not trying to recruit disciples to myself.  I want you to find the truth, and not just take my word for it. 

This will probably take up more than one post, so I will have to link them together for you when I finish.  I will conclude this one by giving a couple of my reasons for why I don't believe a 'Rapture' comes before The Tribulation.

1. It never made sense to me that Christians all over the world, for the last 2,000+ years, would endure persecution and yet we (American Christians) would expect God to whisk us away when things got difficult.  What arrogance!  We should expect to suffer MORE than they did, because we were endowed with such tremendous blessings from God and we squandered them!   
2. Also, one of the themes I see, throughout the New Testament, is that suffering is a means of purification.  I really don't like that.  I don't like to suffer, nor do I like to see others suffer (if they are 'innocent'--I've got to be honest).  But God sees things from an eternal perspective and He knows that what we go through here on Earth will build the character that we take with us into eternity. 

These are a couple of the ideas that got me digging deeper to find the truth.  I want to continue on this topic, in a new post, by taking the time to present the verses from God's Word that I believe support my position.



Just Another 'Blue Light Special'?
Deathbed Conversions