Hypocrites

The Final Masquerade

Today’s subject is on something that was chosen by voters on facebook.  One of the easiest things to teach about.  One of the easiest things to become angry about.  The easiest to find and see in the world today.  But mostly, the easiest to become.  When it comes to Hypocrites, people think they know everything about them.  But what they don’t realize they know nothing about them.  Let us first define the word Hypocrite.  Hypocrisy is an unconscious self-contradiction: a state  between one’s professed beliefs and feelings and one’s actual beliefs and feelings, or an application of a criticism to others that one does not apply to oneself.  Hypocrisy is like a father who beats his child with a belt for smoking, while holding a cigarette in his hand.  Or like a “Christian” who claims to be pro-life but yells at people to stop preaching at abortion clinics because it is pressing their beliefs on others.  Hypocrites are very common in the world today.  As a matter of fact, the majority of them are “Christians”.  

Hypocrisy is like a Masquerade mask.  You put on something beautiful and elegant on the outside, only to reveal another face underneath.  So take the following story, into consideration.

You enter in a big room where there is hundreds of people all wearing the most beautiful Masquerade masks.  They all tell you they are righteous people who have no sin, and they are beautiful and pure. but one by one as you unveil their true identity, the faces of every person is warped and twisted.  Dark and ugly.  Satanic even.   When God looks through the hearts of the Hypocrites, this is what He sees.  Masks, hiding a face full of sin.

Hypocrites are not only very annoying and ugly, but also very dangerous.  For years Hypocrites have ran Christians out of church and even out of faith.  New christians go to church and realize that the people who attend don’t practice what they preach.  After that the christians get so confused on what the Word really teaches that they either get burnt out of church or they themselves inherit the spirit of Hypocrisy.  Or when Pastors and Teachers preach holy living for years, and turn around and have affairs and come out to be homosexual.  When Christians go to church they have people they rely on and trust.  They need these influences to build their faith and to keep them strong.  Without which they fall under the temptations of this world.  And when they find out that those Pastors or Teachers they once trusted, is now one of the biggest hypocrites, it burns people out.  It literally drains their spirit.   So what now?  You have Christians who ultimately get  burnt out of Church and Faith.  That would make their blood on the hands of the Hypocrites. 

But what does the Word say about Hypocrites?  Rev. 3:16 says  “So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.”  This is actually saying it is better for you to be an open sinner, than a false saint.  Because as an open sinner you only hurt yourself.  But as a false saint, you hurt others around you.  Do hypocrites go to hell like any other sinner?  Yes.  Yes they do.  Job 13:16 says “He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” So as a warning to all who read this, be sure your not found guilty of such a hideous crime.

The bible says in Matt 7:5 “You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother’s eye.”  Jesus tells us that we must first cleanse ourselves before we judge others or else we are those Hypocrites.

1 Tim 3:7 says “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”  Paul tells us here that if we have a good report (a good reputation without sin), So while we preach or teach  to others, we must make sure that we are without sin to avoid being a lukewarm Hypocrite who will continue to be the reason of burning Christians out of church and faith and finding their blood on our hands.

Isaiah 32:6 For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

Isaiah 32.6 “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.”

Ezekiel 33:31-32 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Job 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Job 27:8-9 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Proverbs 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Evangelism 102

 

So Mr. Evangelist, it seems like after reading Evangelism 101 you find yourself in a tricky situation.  You find that once you have become a Christian, it is pretty easy to talk to people about your Christian life.  But it seems that there are some that are a little stubborn and just won’t listen when you ask them to accept Jesus as THEIR savior.  In this blog we will discuss different solutions to try in these unfortunate circumstances.

You have a friend, or family member, or just someone you care about, who doesn’t know Jesus.  But you have an urgency in your heart to show them the light so that they too can be saved and not eternally damned to a forever lake of fire.  It’s only normal to feel this urgency.   As a matter of fact, MOST Christians don’t feel that urgency, but people like Jesus, Peter, and Paul felt this urgency and even told us to feel the urgency because the Lord is returning soon.  But your friend or family member doesn’t want to listen.  They change the subject or avoid it all together.  What do you do?  For most people my advice would be: “Follow God’s Instructions”.   But for those that are unlearned I will discuss what to do in these times.

1. Don’t Stop.  The Bible says in Isaiah 62:1 “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.” Think on this a min. before continuing and get in this mindset.  I will not stop, or keep quiet, or silent until Jesus returns and the world sees her salvation.  We’re not there yet.  And until that day comes, Do Not Stop! Don’t stop preaching, Don’t stop witnessing, Don’t stop praying, Don’t stop inviting them to church.  If you stop, they win. Satan wins.  Isaiah had the mindset of urgency by proclaiming I WILL NOT STOP PREACHING UNTIL TIME COMES TO AN END!
2. Love them.  You may be the only Jesus that person will see.  So make sure that you never quit showing them love.  God’s love.  The bible says in Romans 5:8 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus loves them EVEN THOUGH that person is a sinner.  Jesus loves them even when they reject Him.  But when the time comes when they must meet Him face to face on Judgment day, God will say “I don’t know you, depart from me you doer of iniquity.”  So we must make sure we show them the same love so that they know we don’t want to give up on them.  And that there is a God who loves them too.
3. Pray.  Prayer is one of the only ways of communication to God.  So pray that the Lord will convict their heart so they may see they need Jesus more than anything.  Continue to pray that the Lord tells you exactly what to say and do.  The bible says Matthew 10:19 Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. This means that know that Jesus is with you and He will tell you what to say.  Because another way God communicates with us, is through His word.  The bible.  So read His word daily to be prepared for times like these.  When the time comes, pray that the Lord reminds you of His words.  To give you wisdom and knowledge so that you can get through to this person.  A combination on prayer for wisdom, and prayer for the other person to feel convicted and open their heart is the best way to approach.  Note: This is a must!!!
4. Show and tell.  Quit tell them what God CAN do, and start showing them what God HAS done through YOUR testimony.  Your testimony may be the BEST testimony for this situation.  Use it.  If you discuss what God has done in the past, such as He made the earth and trees, they will just try to argue evolution.  So don’t get on the path on comparison between God and their beliefs.  Stay on God’s mercy and grace on Your life, and what He CAN do in theirs.
5. Shake the dust off.  The bible says in Mark 6:11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” This does not mean “give up”.   This simply means, don’t let it get to you.  But don’t fret about something to much and surround your life around that one person.  Because you have work that needs to be done else where too.  Keep inviting them, keep praying, keep preaching, keep loving and keep telling them of what God has done for you, but don’t be discouraged because they still reject it.  There is not much more you can do.  You must leave them to their fate.  Because when one rejects Christ, they have no salvation.  And warn them of their future for chosing to reject Him.
6. Remind them of their future.   If all else fails, tell them what they have to look forward to.  They story of Lazaras and Abraham tells us of the torture we can face in hell Luke 16:23-24 and in Hell, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ Remind them if they don’t come to Christ, then they will face the same fire.  Remind them that they will be eternally burning in the lake of fire asking for death but won’t be able to find it.

6 Easy steps to take and remember when faced with a problem of rejection towards Jesus.  Dont stop, show them love, pray for them, show them your testimony.  When these things don’t work, then you must shake the dust off your feet and remind them of their future.  Leave them with their decision.  Sometimes if you push, they will feel intimidated and run.  So don’t push.  Instead love.  And remember that the work that you are performing here, is the greatest work you can do for Jesus.  Because the greatest miracle in God’s eyes is bringing a lost soul to Him.  And the number one priority in the Christian works is soul saving.

But always remember this, You can not save a lost soul. You can only show them the way to salvation.  It is their choice wether they want to proceed down that path or not.  Your job is not to convince them of anything, but only to SHOW!!! If you try to do God’s job instead of your own, then things will not work the way you want.  Because its not about what you want.  Its about what God wants and what that person needs.  So may God bless you on your daily walk with Christ.  Now go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded you. And behold, He is with you always, to the end of the age.”

Get Out Of Jail Free Card

Eternal Salvation

Well, I guess it is time to discuss the topic that everyone is afraid of.  Do I have eternal security?  Or Can I lose my salvation?  This is a very touchy topic so I want to go over this with not just my words, but with prayer and God’s word.  This blog is called Pentecost Perceiver because I believe that the bible is verbally inspired by God Himself.  And while God speaks to me through His word, it is my job as a divinely anointed preacher to spread His word to you.

1.) Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Lets take a look at this verse real carefully.  He became the author of “eternal salvation” (not eternal security) unto all that obey him. What this teaches us, is when Jesus died on the cross, we can be saved for eternity if we choose.   If we want the salvation, we must OBEY him.  If we as Christians, do not obey his law and commandments, then we shall lose our salvation and spend eternity in hell.  The bible tells us in Proverbs 28:4 “To reject the law is to praise the wicked…” and 1 john 3:8 says “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning…” This tells us it don’t matter if you are a sinner or a Christian, if you sin, you praise the one who sinned since the beginning.   Continue to read in 1 john 3 and start your own study.

2.)  Hebrews 10   (The new covenant)   Some say that this new covenant says Christ died once, for all of our sins.  Past, Present, and Future.  Though this is true to an extent, they blow it out of proportion and change it to something that satisfies them.    The verse used here is mainly verse 14.  “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” But if they continue to read the WHOLE chapter, they will find the reference to the old Mosaic law.  That speaks of people having to give an animal sacrifice every year that didn’t cleanse them of their sin, but merely reminded the people of them.  These offerings would never take away their sins.  But when Jesus came and spilled his blood, He cleansed them all of their sins.  And His blood that was spilled will be offered to mankind until the end of days.

In order to be saved the bible says that we must:

• Believe He died on the cross to free us from sins, and that He was buried and Rose from the grave.
• Confess our sins and call upon His name, and accept Him as our Savior
• Come with a repentant heart.  (Repent means to turn away or change from)

When we accept Jesus as our Savior (keyword accept), Then we are cleansed from our sins.  But just as Lot’s wife in the old testament,  When God told her not to look back at her sinful and shameful life, she turned her eyes off of God and turned her eyes to her past.  God immediately destroyed her.   This was old testament so there was no second chance.

And just as Peter in the new testament, When Jesus called him unto the water,  Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began to sink, drowned and like Lot’s wife, be destroyed.  But this time with a new covenant, Peter had a second chance.  He called upon the name of the Lord and cried “Save Me!”  Peter, who was at this time a disciple, was being destroyed by the one who called him unto the water because Peter failed to keep his eyes on God.   The bible tells us in Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm. If we don’t hold firm to God’s laws and commandments then we fall short of the Glory of God.  We will waver, we will sink, we will drown, and we will be destroyed.  By the devil?  No.  But by the One who wrote your name down in the Lambs book of Life.   Because He will also blot it out.

3.) Some of those that believe in eternal security say that if a Christian was to die and go to hell, they were never saved to begin with.  Thus they couldn’t have lost their salvation.  Well lets take a look at the verse I have for that.  Galations 5:1 Tells us that Christ has truly set us free.  And to make sure that we STAY free and not to be “tied up again”.  In vs 4 he says If we try to make ourselves right with God by keeping the law, that we have fallen away from Christ.  It is so easy to undo what God has given you at the time of your salvation.  Now don’t get me wrong when I say undo what God has done.  God can undo your salvation but that does not mean we are “un-forgiven”.  Eph 1:7 says that God can never un-forgive anyone.   But He also does not forgive sins not yet committed.   “If” any man sin, he is in need of an Advocate (1 John 2:1-2). If one fails to seek reconciliation with God after they have sinned, and continues in that sin unrepentant, there remains no more sacrifice for their sins (Heb. 10:26; 1 Jn. 1:9). God does not “un-forgive” anything. It is our failure to receive forgiveness by refusing to turn to God for that forgiveness.  The redemption is for past sins only (Romans 3:25). Upon the condition of believing, (v.26), and faith, (v.28). If you refuse to lay hold of redemption through belief and faith, by rejecting it through unbelief and lack of faith; it is not God who “un-redeems” you, but your rejection of that redemption.

4.) Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Now lets look at this verse.  Many will find that broad and wide gate because they believe they are eternally secure and not concerned about the Lords commandments.  But someone who decides to live a holy and humble life for God can walk the strait and narrow on the path of righteousness.   It is difficult because of the problems and temptations we face.  But as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus as Peter did, then we can walk on water strait toward Jesus and into righteousness.   The bible also says in Matthew 24:12-13 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This tells us that sin is everywhere.  But those who decide to walk the strait and narrow through out their WHOLE life, will be saved.  If you can’t remain faithful to God by not committing sin, then God will not remain with you.  The bible even says in Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who calls out to me ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in Heaven will enter. This tells us that we can call ourselves Christians all we want.  We can go to church, pay tithes, and what have you, but it means nothing unless you actually obey him and follow his commandments.  And I’m not just talking about the 10 commandments listed in Exodus.  I will post another blog on commandments later.

5.) Now let us look at Luke 13:22-30

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem.  Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied,  “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.  When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’  And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’ “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out.  And people will come from all over the world, from east and west, north and south, to take their places in the Kingdom of God. And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then.”

Jesus tells us here that in order to enter God’s kingdom we must “Work Hard”.  Many will try to enter thinking their saved.  Only because they thought they were eternally secure.  And you will stand outside his door pleading and begging God to let you in but since there is sin in your heart, He will tell you “I don’t know who you are.”  And again you will plea “But I went to church, I pay tithes, I was part of communion and even PREACHED the gospel.”  But since their is STILL sin in your heart, God will tell you again, “I don’t know you, GET AWAY FROM ME YOU WHO DO EVIL!.”  And you WILL be sent to an eternity in hell.  It’s easy to see that Jesus tells Christians that when we sin, we can not enter in the kingdom of God.

6.)  But what about the phrase “We ALL sin EVERYDAY?!”  Its technically not true.   Remember when I discussed 1 John 3?  It also says in this scripture on verse 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. This means that a Christian CAN NOT SIN UNLESS HE CHOOSES TOO!  If you life your life in Christ, your not sinning.  If you COMMIT sin, then you are of the devil and you must repent of THAT sin to be saved or else THAT sin will consume you.  If you reject your salvation that Christ has given you, then Christ will reject you.

7.)  The last thing I am going to discuss is what Jesus tells us about people who preach eternal security.  It says  Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. The one known as “The Deceiver” is Satan.  This is recorded in Genesis when he deceived Eve into disobeying God.  Satan tells Eve in Genesis 3:4 that if she disobeyed God, she shal not surely die.  But be as God.  The preachers that deceive us into believing in Eternal Security tell us that if we sin today, we shall NOT surely die (lose our salvation) if we sin, or eat of the world’s fruit, but be as God.  (Holy without sin and forever without sin.)  The eternal security doctrine teaches No matter what we do, or who we are,  we will still go to heaven.  Or else you were never saved to begin with.  And this teaching is a lie.  It is a “Get out of jail free card.”  It is to let Christians think they can get away with almost anything.    This teaches death, instead of life.  And if you have been thinking you can do whatever you want and still go to heaven.  Think again.  You are headed for an eternity in hell because you CHOOSE to disobey the bibles CLEAR instructions on daily Christian living.  This is truth.  But even if you still believe in eternal security then I have to ask you a question.  If I’m wrong, what does it hurt me?  I’m going to heaven regardless.   But what if your wrong?   Do you want to take that chance?  Study the new covenant in Hebrews 10 and study 1 John 3.   Studay the Lords commandments and the gospels of what happens to those who disobey him.  Still think your secured?  Because you “Get out of jail free card, has been void this whole time.”

Christianity 101

Christianity

What is Christianity?  What does it take to be a Christian?  Why should I be a Christian?

Have you ever asked these questions?  Even for people who are Christians, need to be reminded on what a Christian is, and what being a Christian is all about. As a matter of fact, they are the ones who need it the most. This blog isn’t just for non-Christians, but for Christians too.  Being a Christian is far more then what people believe it is.  It is not a religion.  Its a relationship. Take notes people because what I will be discussing in the new category “Christianity 101” I am going to talk about things that you will need to be reminded of, and remind others.  I will say things that some Christians would dare not say lest they be persecuted by the public. I will bring the truth out that will offend, non-Christians and Christians alike.  I will give advice, and I will share the orders that Jesus shared with us.  But mostly in Christianity 101 I will teach.  However I will put more prayer, and meditation on this blog, I will take more time with this blog, so you will not see as many posts.

Let us get back to the main topic at hand.

I noted before that Christianity is not a Religion.  But a relationship.  It is an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. It is being married to Him.  Communing with Him or being ONE with Him.  The word Christian means being Christ Like.  The word Christian is such a powerful word that most people put the word to shame.  Being Christ like is everything He done, you should do.  Everything He taught, you should teach.  When people persecuted Him, He let them and just prayed for them.  When people crucified Him, He didn’t damn the world of their sins, but forgave the world.  He was a servant to all, and loved all.  Do you really think you are like that?

Lets look at the love of Jesus.

Some say “Well I love everyone but I may not like a few people.”  or “I hate our president!”, “I hate Muslims”, “I hate murderers and theives”.  But what we don’t realize is Jesus said the Greatest Commandment (Note: Commandment is singular and not plural) of all is Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as I have loved you.  The bible tells us that He loved us enough to die for the whole world.  That means in order to be a Christian, we must feel and be willing to do the same thing.  Even for the president, the Muslims, murderers, and thieves and etc.  He washed the sinners feet, He showed compassion to adulterers, He judged with a loving manner, and He never turned people away.  Now don’t be confused.  The bible also says that the Christians should not have fellowship with the sinners.  That means, As a Christian, if you hang out with sinners, to others you look like one of them.   Don’t fellowship with them don’t hang out with them.  But lead them.  Be with them to show them the light and only to do so.  Jesus tells us to go out into the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  That means we are not supposed to be of this world.  We are separate from the sinners.  But we need to go to them, to see them to the light.  Christians lose a lot of old friends but they gain many more.   The reason for this is because not everyone accepts Jesus.  And if they don’t accept Him, then they won’t accept you.  But the bible tells us that if our eye is destroying our body, pluck it out (Eye being a friend here.) Because its better for the eye to perish then the whole body be cast in the fires of hell.  Jesus tells us to separate ourselves from our non-Christian friends, lest we have the same fate as they.

Lets look at the power of Jesus

God is Terrible. His power is unlimited.  But He gave us power over all sicknesses and diseases.  He tells us in his word “These things I have done, you will do greater”.  Jesus loved the people who were sick.  Not disgusted by them.  He helped the people with diseases.  Not shun them in fear of catching what they had.  Jesus tells us that we should lay hands on people to heal them.  His power is linked with His love.  He heals, because He loves.  We must heal because we love.  If we don’t love the person like Jesus loves them how can we expect to heal them?

Being a Christian is more then a truth to believe in.  A song writer once said, Its a truth that lives, moves, and breathes.  It is the very essence of joy and peace.

But I want to answer the three questions I have at the beginning.

1. What is Christianity? Christianity is a relationship.  It means Christ Like.  Being like Christ.    Jesus heals so we must heal.  Jesus loves so we must love.  Jesus died so we must die.  (Put off the new man and put on the new.  Becoming a new creature.  Being born again.)  Jesus preached so we must preach.  Jesus was Holy so we must be Holy.

2. What does it take to be a Christian? It takes forgiveness. It takes truly believing that Jesus died and rose again from the dead.  It takes asking Jesus to come into your heart.  It takes sacrifice.  It takes a leap of faith.  And I won’t lie.  Sometimes it can be hard.  It takes courage and you must be willing to Repent. Repent means changing from your sins.  It takes giving up an old lifestyle.  It takes reading your bible and praying daily.  It takes loyalty and commitment.  It takes being fully consumed in God, so that God can be fully consumed in you.

3. Why should I be a Christian? So you can spend eternity with God in heaven, and not an eternity in hell.  God has unlimited powers.  Does that not sound like the kind of person you want on your side when you are having trouble?  You should be a Christian for the joy.  When you accept Jesus as your Savior you have an overwhelming joy come over you.  You should be a Christian for the peace.  When hard times come, you know that there is an Omnipotent God (all powerful), by your side and you know there is no need to fear.  If you think you want a life where there is safety and refuge, where there is peace and joy, where there is always an almighty God by your side.

Christianity is a lifestyle.  A Choice.  A Relationship

Christianity 101

I choose…not destined.

Choose you this day in whom ye will serve!!!

 

Ok folks.  Lets talk about this crazy un-biblical  “doctrine” of Predestination. Aka Calvinism  Just hearing the word gives me the shivers.  Predestination

Choose you this day in whom ye will serve!

(created by John Calvin) means that one does not have a choice on wether they go to heaven or hell.  Instead God already plans on us to go to which ever one He decides.  This means, anything that happens in my life, I never chose it, God MADE it happen.  So any mistake I make, or any wrong turn i take, or even if I go to hell, it is God’s fault.  Not mine.  Now when put like that, does it make any sense?  That God MAKES things happen in our lives, wether we choose it or not?  To put people on the earth just so half of them would go to hell?!   To me, not only is that NOT found in the bible, it is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE!!  To believe in predestination means you don’t believe in being born again.  Because it don’t matter what you do, it don’t matter what you say, your going to heaven/hell ANYWAY!!

Example:  Say God predestines me for heaven.  I can break every single commandment in the word, by murdering, stealing, cheating, lying, or whatever, and I am STILL going to heaven.  Sounds a little easy, some would say thats cool.  But in another perspective, say God predestines me for hell.  It don’t matter how many souls I save, or how much I worship, and love God, and all I do for him, I am still going to hell.   That is not cool.

But see if there was predestination, then their would be no point in Christ dying.  What i mean by that is, the bible says that God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)  This means that God loved us to save us from our true judgment of eternal life in hell.

The bible also says that he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13)  This verse SIMPLY says, that being saved from our sins, is dependent on us.  Jesus said that no man can come to the father except through Him. (John 14:6)  If we choose to reject Christ or our salvation, which means rejecting his law,  then we go to hell.

The bible says that the Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)  This means God WANTS ALL TO BE SAVED!!!  But it don’t happen the way He wants.  He gets disappointed.  He even cries when one of His children go to hell.  Wouldn’t you?  When you bare a child, do you decide what that child does, when they do it, and where their future leads?  Though you may think you do, your child is their own person.  They make their own choices, they will lie without being taught how.  And when this happens, you discipline them. (Like God sometimes does to us.)  Then when its time for your child to move out of the house.  You have no say in what they do anymore.  It is all their decision.  Just like we have ours.

Lastly we see that the bible says  “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”  This tells me, that when I sin, I WILLINGLY reject Christ, and I am of the devil.  Therefore I CHOOSE to go to hell.  But if I CHOOSE to be born of God, endure until the end and not sin, then I am born of God and Saved of my eternal damnation in hell.

I don’t know if you serve a limited God, but The God of Gods, loves me enough to give me the choice.  He wants me to love Him because I want to.  Not because He made me.  He wants me to want him, to need him, to cherish him.  All because I WANT to.  Why be with someone you love, if they don’t love you with their own free will?  God loves us.  He is no respecter of persons, and He loves ALL of His children so much that He wants them ALL to be with Him in heaven.  Never in hell.  But the people CHOOSE hell.

 

Which do you choose?

Omnipotent

This word, is one of the best ways to describe God.  Overall there is no describing God.  When you try to Describe God, you ultimately try to Define God.   When you try to Define God, that means you Limit God.  When you try to Limit God, then you miss that God is truly Omnipotent.

Omnipotent means:  All powerful, Almighty, Having unlimited power, Universal power, and if looking in certain dictionaries, they define it as, an Attribute that God alone possesses.

God is Omnipotent.  He has unlimited and universal power and authority.  Therefore you can not limit him.  The word Unlimited, meaning without limits or boundaries, is something that the Human mind can not comprehend.  We think that Time is unlimited.  Time continues forever and ever.  Does not have a beginning and will never end.  But Time does have a Limit!! God created it, therefore it started.  Then the bible tells us about the signs of the times, or the end of times.  Those that endure till the END shall be saved.  But unlike TIME.  God, is limitless.  The thought of this is so far beyond man’s comprehension, we can hardly even believe what is at the “end” of the Universe   Does that mean there is an end to the universe?  Why yes there is.  God created it, God defined it, so God limited it.  It is just so incredibly astronomically enormous, that our minds can’t even come close to seeing its limits.  Just like we can’t fathom the thought of life after death.  We have not experienced it, and it is something that so many people have such controversial disputation about.  Is there a heaven and a hell?  Do we cease to exist?   Is there a purgatory, where I may become a ghost?  Death is such a horrifying phenomenon,  that we can’t digest its full extent.  All of these things,  Time, The Universe, and Death, were created by a supreme deity known as the Omnipotent God.  Jesus Christ.

Omnipotent also means Unlimited Authority.  Even a king must pass his kingdom to an heir.  And even a king only has so much power.  A king can tell people to do something, and it be done.  Kings have authority to command armies and civilians, and force people to work the land.  But a king with Unlimited authority can do all of these things and more.  A human king can not tell the grass to grow, or the land to quake.  He can not tell the wind to blow or tell the waves to come so far on the beach.  He can not tell a star to shine, or even create a human being out of dust.  But an Omnipotent God, who has unlimited power can!  And He did using his Unlimited Authority.  This king speaks, and stars shine.  He speaks and oceans roar.  When He speaks, mountains bow to honor him and the wind and the seas obey him.  And even all the animals, know who their King is.  He is not just a king.  He is the KING OF KINGS!

With thunder in his footsteps and lightning in his fists.  The strongest of all tornados and storms are known as “The finger of God”  He holds the entire Universe in the palm of his hands.  And with his words, was the heavens and the earth created.  And with His love and his hands, did he form, mold, and create us.  Breathing a living soul into an empty vessel of flesh.  Who continues to control anything in existence.  Including the moons, the solar systems, the suns, the galaxies.  And even the little fetus that was conceived inside a mothers womb.

This Omnipotent King also has the unlimited authority and power to punish those who oppose him.  He is a righteous and just king, who sends those people to a place where time does not exist.  Where you exist for all of eternity.  (Something else a human mind can not comprehend)  But this place is the worse place to spend eternity.  It is a prison.  A prison with raw torture and a pit engulfed in flames.  Where the flames consume you as if you were being burned at the stake.  Being burned to death watching your skin melt off, screaming in agony, yet never able to die.  And this continues for eternity.  This King will send those who oppose him, to a place where demonic creatures gnaw on your bones.  A place where the flame is so hot, that if someone may dip their finger in water and touch it to your tongue will bring you relief.

And this Omnipotent King, also has the unlimited authority and power, to reward those, who honor him.  Who love him and worship him.  He rewards people by giving them a peace.  And a place He has prepared for us, where we will never feel pain again.  No headaches, toothaches, back pain, no more sickness or feeling achy.  No stomach viruses, no pain in child birth, and not even a bee sting.  All that He asks of us to be rewarded, is to be faithful to Him.  To love Him. To CHOOSE him.  He asks that we surrender our lives to him.  No im not talking about sacrafice.  Im talking about opening your heart and let Him consume you.  And for you to be engulfed in his mercy and love and holiness.

And the great thing about this Omnipotent King, is He WANTS us to be with him.  You know what that means?  That means when we invite Jesus Christ in our heart, the Omnipotent King, then that Omnipotence, is there to back us up.   To care for us, to keep us safe, and to promise us a beautiful eternity.  This Omnipotent King loves us more then the rest of his creation.  More then the ends of the universe, more then time, and more then his own creations.  He loves us.  He wants us.  So let Him have you.  And you have him.

With this Omnipotent King, comes Omnipotent Love.

Resolution or Revelation?

It is 2011.  New years day has come and gone, and millions of people stayed up until midnight to “bring in the new year” and make their new years resolution.  Resolution.  Something you promise yourself you will do before the year is up.  Such as lose weight or learn to play guitar, or do more charity work.

Though there is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself in one aspect of your life, the problem with resolution is 95% of people break 95% of their resolutions.  Or forget about their Resolution at the end of the year.  So though you “may or may not” truly mean it at the first of the year, by the time you come close to fulfilling your Resolution, you have already forgotten it.  Some people even make their resolution to QUIT something.  Such as smoking, eating unhealthy or even being lazy.  And when February comes around, they hadn’t quit, don’t intend to, and forgot about their Resolution, their promise to themselves.

But you know, the bible says in Matthew 5 33-37 not to swear at all.  Not for yourself, on God, heaven, earth or anything.  But you should only say yes, or no.  Anything else beyond that comes evil.  Lost yet?  That means you don’t swear or promise on yourself or on your dog or swear to God that something is true or not true.  Instead just say yes or no.  Some people don’t see that much of a sin, but God said He did not like it, just the same as He said He don’t like you to kill.   A sin is a sin in the eyes of God no matter how big or small.  No sin can enter in so if you have that sin in your life, repent of it lest you are cast in the lake of fire.

But instead of making Resolutions, how about getting a Revelation.  A Revelation is the act of revealing or disclosure.  What significance does that have with new years?  Well a Resolution is something you want, and swears to do for that year, with no thought of the past.  A Revelation is a moment where you reflect on the previous year, realize your flaws that separate you from Christ, and strive to do better. For example:

“Last year I brought 2 people to God, in 365 days i only brought 2 people!  I have GOT TO DO BETTER THAN THAT!!! “

“Last year I disappointed God by acting worldly, giving my friends the wrong impression of who I really am.  I have got to start standing my ground and showing the world I’m a Christian.”

And after every revelation, should follow a prayer.  Such as the first example the prayer should sound like,

“Lord, I’m sorry I was not faithful in bringing the lost to you!  Help me, by giving me more opportunities!”

The second is fairly simple,

“Lord, I’m sorry I have disappointed you, Help me learn to become e better example to my family and friends!

Notice how every prayer starts with “Lord, I’m Sorry”

This is because when you reflect on what you have done the previous year, you realize that somewhere, you were wrong.  And you need forgiveness before asking the Lord to help you fix it.  Otherwise, its pointless.  Instead of swearing that you will do something, or quit something for your Resolution, Reflect, and ask the Lord for forgiveness to help you accomplish something you need to work on.  Give yourself a Revelation.

My Revelation,

“To forgive my neighbor 70 times 7 and to bring more lost to the pathway of heaven, is my Revelation for 2011“

Christmas or X-mas

Which holiday do we celebrate? Do we celebrate Christmas? or X-Mas?

Who do you think should come first in our Christmas Holiday?

Whats the difference? Its simple. Christmas is about Christ. X-Mas is about Saint Nick, aka Santa Clause, and reindeer, and presents and lights and trees. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with giving presents or Christmas trees and lights. But when that is the only thing we think of when we mention the holiday Christmas, then something is wrong. Parents who focus their children’s Christmas experience on Santa Clause and not on the birth of our Lord, are breaking the 1st two commandments.

Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
(Deu 5:7-8)

We put this “Jolly old chubby man in the red suit” In front of our Lord Jesus Christ with out even realizing it. We decide that Christmas is not Christmas without Santa Clause. When in reality Christmas is not Christmas without our Lord Jesus Christ.

Though Saint Nicholas, who DID exist many years ago, He does not live today!  Our Lord Jesus lives today and forever more!  Saint Nicholas though he was a good man, is NOT some fat man who rides on a sleigh and reindeer giving presents to good boys and girls! In fact he would be offended to the highest degree to even consider the idea!  Because Saint Nicholas was a man of God, who served God, not wanting to come before him.  Which is why my picture is Santa, bowing before his King!  This man in the red suit is a man-made idol. A graven image. People worship this idol for putting him as the center of our Christmas Holiday.

If it ain’t Santa, its shopping or presents. People who are so worried about giving or getting presents they hurt themselves financially. I understand paying a price to help someone in need. Or to bless someone. But there is no need in hurting yourself to give a present that someone does not need but merely wants. With that note remember what the word says

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
(Php 4:19)

“Need” that Need was the Lamb that was slain, our Savior Jesus. He is the only thing we will ever need.

So instead of spreading the Christmas Cheer that Santa wants us to spread, why not spread the Christmas Cheer of Jesus Christ. good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

X-Mas. The Holiday that removed Christ from CHRISTmas.

Next year when Christmas comes around, instead of dreading Christmas because of shopping, and family, how about you start the new tradition of reading the very first Christmas story, the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ to your family….and to others who may need to be saved?

Next year when your kids tell you they want to write a note to Santa requesting some gifts for being good, Tell them what gift God gave, even though we were yet sinners, because he still loved/loves us. And the gift we can have one day if we follow Jesus all of our days.

What does Christmas mean to you? Does it mean “Oh no, more shopping?” / “Santa is coming soon!” / or “Thank you God for giving me the ultimate gift, Your Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins on Christmas day. Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday Jesus!”

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Jos 24:15

For me, its a no contest.

Happy Birthday Jesus. You are the gift that no one else could give. You were the baby lying in the manger, You were the child born of the virgin Mary, You are the Lamb that was slain for my sins. And for that, me and my house says, this Holiday belongs to You, and You alone!

Merry Christmas every one!

Invisible Church 2

Time to have an addition to the previous Invisible Church post.  I have talked about what it was, but lets go into depth in what the Church with the four walls was meant to be.  Lets first take a look at how we see our local church.

Local Church.  Doesn’t matter what denomination, they all have service at least once a week.  Maybe two or three times a week.  Maybe more.  Have communion for special services, and baptism with water.  Revivals, Vacation Bible School, Pastor Appreciation, and so on.

But one thing most churches do, and not realize is,  Idolatry.  Todays congregation raises their Pastor on a pedestal like they worship him.  Granted the bible does say, “we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love”   and “The Lord commanded that those who preach the good news should be supported by those who benefit from it”.  So yeah, I understand giving thanks to your Pastor, and showing him honor and respect.  But most church folk, don’t just respect and honor him, but they fear him more than they do God.  The follow him and listen to what he says over what the Word says.  They would rather listen to him, fight and die for him, then read the Word and learn for themselves.  Why is this?   Because EVERYBODY in this world needs something to worship.  Most people need to see the things they worship.  And Most of those most, see it easier to worship their pastor, their (special link to God), then face the hard truth. That no human is going to judge them and pity them in the end.  But God the just, will judge, with no pity OR mercy unless they are covered with blood, and not the filth of this world.

So if thats not enough, lets take even a deeper look inside local churches today.  Democracy.   I may post something on this a little later, but, remember this, MOST LOCAL CHURCHES ARE RAN BY DEMOCRACY!!!  Some say its a good thing.  NO!!!  Where in the bible does it speak of the church as a democracy?  Yeah, ok, Moses has people under him, and those people had people under him, but why did God do that for Moses?  Because Moses was the ONE and ONLY holy man of that time.  He had so much pressure put on him by being THE MAN!  HE was the leader of ONE GIANT CHURCH! So yeah he needed a little help.  But when a local church has to answer to a district and those answer to someone else and those answer to a Headquarters and give THEM their tithes and offerings?  It is blasphemy!  You don’t pay rent to another church or other people!!   (Other then paying for a building)  You are a church of the living God!  You have a Pastor which is the leader and the shepherd.  Then you have people under him so that he wont have so much on his shoulders.  And that is how a church is supposed to be.  Giving tithes and offerings to God and ONLY God, and answering to GOD and ONLY GOD!  To give anyone else YOUR tithes and offerings is IDOLATRY!   If a pastor wants to send money to another church to support their ministry, wether it be missionary, or whatever, thats HIS CHOICE!  But FIRST that Pastor must know to support HIS church before others!  His congregation rely on him, not other churches.  So that pastor should put HIS people first (Jew first) and THEN the people outside his church (THEN to the gentile).

Now that we looked at the Worship and the Democracy, of the local church, maybe we should go even more deeper.  Thats right, we are going to talk about the RELIGION in MOST CHURCHES!!!  I want you to remember this next statement, remember it and write it down because this is important!

Religion is a law that MUST be kept, or face the consequences. (Old covenant)

Christianity is the fulfillment of that law.  (New covenant)

Listen, there is SO MUCH religion in churches today, we literally damn OURSELVES to hell.  Don’t believe me?  How about people in churches today who damn other people by judging them.  They don’t look like Christians, they don’t talk like us, women don’t have long hair, mens hair is too long, they wear to much jewelry, their not as modest as we are!  PHARISEES!!!!  YOU SCRIBES AND PHARISEES!! HYPOCRITES!   Where were you before you were saved and sanctified?  Were you not lost? and broken and nasty with filth?  Were you not as disgusting as they by being covered with sin?  Some say, well i was never as bad as they are!  Scribe and Pharisee!  Hypocrites!! Do you not remember sin is sin?  That there is no greater than or less than?  Murder is the same as calling your brother a fool! (Matthew 5:22)  You have people who say the youth can not get on stage, with shorts, or t-shirts or anything other than the ususal “sunday clothes”.  But JESUS said, suffer not the little children to come unto me.  for SUCH is the kingdom of God.  Kingdom of God is the people in it.  NOT the area.  On a personal note, I have seen youth filled with the holy ghost, in t-shirts, shorts, chains on their necks, hats cocked to the side, and pants very loose around the waist.  How can they recieve that?  Because in their minds, and according to their knowledge, they are saved, and sanctified.  How DARE you tell them otherwise.  Yes, maybe teach them as they grow in Christ, but DO NOT condemn them for who they are.  Did Jesus say make yourself holy and THEN ill come into your lives?  No Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.  He died for us, so we can change.  Didn’t say, change and then ill die!  Pharisees believe that we still have to obey so many laws (outside of God’s law in the new covenant) that when they decide to preach that man made law to the children of God, they corrupt their minds, causing the them to do the same thing the Pharisees are doing.  Judging.  No, not holy judgement either.  The kind of judgement that says Your child can’t get on stage with shorts on because its immodest.  Well i’m sure SHORTS are more modest today then what Jesus wore on the cross!!  So my child can’t get on stage with shorts.  That just means Jesus isn’t welcome either inside your church either, since He was dirty, bare foot, bloody, naked, torn, bruised, beaten, spat on, and not your race of color!  Yeah, it’s different since He was on the cross.  He didn’t have a choice.  Actually He DID CHOOSE THAT!  He chose that so the kids COULD get on stage with shorts on.  So some guys CAN wear hats and baggy clothes and still get baptized by the holy ghost.  He died so this filthy religion could die!  He resurrected so that Christianity could RISE FROM THE ASHES!!!

This post, is not to say don’t go to church.  This post was created to warn you not to get entangled with the junk that is found in churches today.  There are still people in those churches that are pure and just.  And those people would agree 100 percent with what I just said.  These people believe in the invisible church.  The church without walls, and boundaries and  limits.   Without democracy, religion, and idolatry.   ONE CHURCH.  ONE BODY!  ONE ACCORD!   An invisible church does not mean you don’t attend a church at all.  No.  Even I go to church.  But the invisible church is not a place at all.  It is a life.  A point of view.  A choice and it is a Truth.  The invisible church means you are not caught up in todays democracy of church.  Todays religion.  But you are the kind of Christian, that was found 2000 years ago.  Before there were different denominations.  Just one church.  In different buildings.  I am a member of a local church.   And I am a member, of the invisible church.  Because I am in this world.  Not of it.   I am a Chosen, highly blessed and favored, child of God.  (Ephesians 1)

God Is Terrible

It’s interesting people automatically assume you are a heathen going to hell for saying God is terrible.  When in fact, if they would have read the word, they would see that the bible, God’s OWN words, says He is terrible.  Consider the passage from Psalms.

Ps 47:2 For the LORD most high is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.

How wonderful this verse is!  It is the verse that speaks of our King’s TRUE majesty.  He is the “Most High”.  (He is above all else.)  He is a great King (Ruler) over all the earth.  And He is Terrible.  This word terrible does not mean what your thinking.  It does not mean bad or horrible.  it means fearful, or to be feared.  It means mighty, or great.   This scripture in general is saying, our God is so great there is no other words to describe him!

This is the same God that created the UNIVERSE!!!  He created the sun, planets, the moons, and even the closest star which is 4.3 lightyears away.  And the nearest galaxy is 2.5 million lightyears away!  A single light year is how far the speed of light travels in one year.  And light travels at 186,282 miles per second.  Thats extremely far!  Like Pslams 103:12 says, as far as the east from the west.  Wow, only God can know how far the east is from the west.

King David says in Psalms 139 For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mothers womb.  And i praise you, for i am fearfully and wonderfully made! This verse David says, Lord, yeah, you created the universe, but thats nothing compared to how you made and formed me inside my mothers womb!  Scientists think they know alot, they know a certain act must be done to create a baby, but they will never know why or HOW the bones grow or muscles start out of an egg and a sperm.  Where does this come from?  David is astounded by the thought of how great God is, just by knowing that He FORMS us in our mothers womb!  Note the “fearfully made”.  We are terribly made by a terrible God!

Ps 65:5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

Ps 66:3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

Ps 66:5 Come and see the works of God: He is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

Wow, more excellent verses to describe our God.  The word Terrible in the original translation is yare’.  Which means to fear, reverence, respect, honor, and my favorite, to stand in AWE of!!!  In other words “God is AWESOME!  because only He is worthy to stand in awe of!”  -Pastor Timothy Jones of YCOG.  God is not only great and mighty and majestic, He is AWESOME! or in the words of THE word He is TERRIBLE!!!

Ps 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Ps 99:3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.

So now let us sing songs about his holy, great and terrible name!

 

Deuteronomy 7:21Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God [is] among you, a mighty God and terrible.

 

Now to conclude on this blog, i would like to say, God is terrible.  He is awesome.  And this last scripture just said dont be afraid of them (your enemy the devil)  For the Lord your God, is with you.  For God has said He will never leave you, or forsake you.  And He is a mighty God.  He will be there for you when you need him the most.  For David said “No I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or His seed begging for bread.”  No, God will not allow that.  Because He cares for you and He loves you.  And He will literally change the course of the Universe JUST FOR YOU!  Why?  He loves you.  How?  Because

 

God       is        Terrible!!!!