Simple Christianity

Sometimes I get confused. I get confused concerning different denominations, different theologies, new things in Christianity such as modern music, "relevant" Christianity and church services, watching movies, why Christians don't observe the Saturday Sabbath when it is a commandment of God, and other issues. I don't want to make you thing that I am confused because of lack of study. The reason I am so confused is because I have studied myself into confusion. I won't get into details right now. I am not writing tonight to elaborate on the causes for my confusion. I have been earnestly praying to God to help me and to give me clarity. I think He has done that.

I opened up my Bible tonight and it fell open to Galatians chapter 3, where St. Paul says,

"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"?

"Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

As far as I know, I am a Gentile. How then am I justified? I am justified by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have faith that He who began a good work in me will see it through to the day of completion. I love Jesus Christ, and I place my trust totally in Him.

So, this for me settles many issues. Being justified by faith in the Son of God, will I be perfected then by my flesh? According to St. Paul, no. So if I worship God on Sunday because the Church at some time in history changed the date to make a distinction between them and the Jews, I am not guilty of breaking any law, because I am not under the law, nor will I be made perfect by the law. The purpose of God's Law is to lead us to Christ. All who would live by the law must live exactly and perfectly by the law, which no man or woman has ever been able to do. So the law serves as a moral guide, and the law also continually points us to Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ points us to the law, showing that we are continually in the need of His mercy.

Concerning music, TV, movies, etc, this is easy now. I believe it is wrong to become so opposed or so scared of these things that it becomes superstitious. One must ask himself questions before he watches/listens to something, such as, "will this help me love God more? Would this be offensive to God? Am I going to walk away from this being edified or will I walk away with perverse thoughts?" There are other questions one could ask oneself, but I think you get the point. It is put well in Philippians 4:7-9, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

As a Christian we must simply believe in Jesus Christ as God's Son who died to take away our sins and live grateful lives unto Him, serving Him all the days of our life in happiness and love towards others. Jesus told us what the greatest commandments are. Here is his reply to a man who asked Him what the great commandment is, "And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Jesus said that ALL the Law and the Prophets depend on those two commandments. Why did God give us these commandments? For our own good. Those who love God with their whole being will also love their neighbor, for how can a man love God who he has not seen when he does not love his brother? Love does no wrong to those who love is shown. This is Jesus' highest law: Love. That is the end of all His will for us. So I pray, that with God's help, I will have a heart filled with love for God and for all around me. Bitterness kills, and I am tired of being bitter. This doesn't mean that I have decided to be naive, or that I decided to stop noticing wrongs and pointing them out. True love is much different that the love that the world knows.

1 John 1

1 John 1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

--- This is one of my favorite books of the Bible. This is actually only the first chapter. Read 1st John if you get a chance; actually, make a chance. There's no reason why you can't take time to read it. It is a life changing book. It's towards the end of the New Testament. It will bring you through a series of small tests, to find out whether or not you are in the faith. I know some of you don't need to find out whether or not you're in the faith, because you know already that you are not in the faith. In that case, if you read this book, you will find a life giving message that will show you what it means to walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Bible is full of amazement, and it never gets old. It is a fresh and living book, full of wisdom, full of the life giving message of Jesus Christ. Read it, obey it, believe it, conform your life to it, and examine yourself. James 4:14, "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." Make sure you know where you're going when you go!

"Perfect in the original manuscripts"

Search the internet for churches, preferably conservative churches who call themselves evangelical, and read their statement of faith. Concerning the Bible it will say something like this one from Campus Crusades for Christ, "The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.


Can I ask you, does ANYONE have a copy of the ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS? NO! So what good does that statement do? If we don't have the exact word of God, copied exactly from the original manuscripts, then we don't have the Holy Scriptures. How is it that the so called intellectuals that write these statements of faith not see the stupidity in their statement concerning the Scriptures? So what if you believe that the original manuscripts were perfect, we don't have them now! Accuracy in translation doesn't mean inerrancy or infallibility, because translators, being human, or having evil intentions, can make small changes to the Scriptures and change the meanings of entire passages.

So these same people that will hold up a Bible and proclaim it to be "THE INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD" are saying under their breath, "but not really, because we don't have the original manuscripts".

One has to trust that manuscripts that have been carefully copied are also infallible and inerrant. I believe that there were texts that were carefully transcribed and kept perfect, and I believe this only because God promised that He would preserve His word all generations.

The modern translations such as the NIV, ESV, RSV, NASB, among others, use a Greek text that was extremely modified by Westcott and Hort in the late 1800's. The text of the NIV has 64,000 less words than the King James Version. And ministers can stand in a pulpit and say it doesn't really matter that much which Bible version one uses. This is satanic. The more I study it, and the more I think about this issue, the more I am convinced that this is confusion sent from the devil himself.

God promised that He would preserve His word for all generations, and I believe Him. The 5,000 most ancient manuscripts of the Bible that we have match up with the Textus Receptus some 99%. I am still studying this issue, because I am certainly not an expert, and a man or woman may gain information for salvation from any decent translation of the Scriptures; I did. However, this is a confusing mess in the world of Christianity. I am sticking with the Authorized Version (King James).

Be Reconciled To God (Get Right)

As a result of the first sin of Adam and Eve, disobedience to a direct command from God, sin entered into the world, and death through sin. Many people have argued that only Adam and Eve were punished for their specific sin against God, however, this is not true. Every succeeding generation has a natural inclination to sin against the Laws and perfect will of God. This is sufficient enough evidence to see that all have sinned in Adam and Eve, because every human being born after Adam and Eve have sinned, and will sin, because they have a gnawing desire inside that presses them to sin against God and man, some more than others, but all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). Nobody is righteous; nobody can attain the righteousness that God requires while he or she is in this flesh, and that will keep everyone out of heaven. This sounds discouraging, and it should. It may make you think that God is unfair or unkind. Think of it this way; God is perfect; not like man’s standard of perfection, He is “Perfection”. He meant for us to be perfect, as the Bible says in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” In order to be perfect, we must be reconciled to God, we must have a removal of all of our past sins. Without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). How do we have our past sins removed? How do we become perfect? How do we become holy so we can see the Lord? --Reconciliation through Jesus Christ!! He must be our redeemer and mediator between God and us. He must, first, remove our sins by taking the punishment for our sins on the cross, and then, by His ascension into heaven, He sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us always. This is the only way, as it is written in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” This excludes every other false way of getting saved and making it to heaven. You have two choices; believe what Jesus said, that He is the only way, or reject what Jesus said, call Him a liar, and wind up in hell. Romans 5:8-11 puts it very well, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” He will save us by His death, if we believe in Him, and we shall be saved by His life, because He is still alive and makes intercession for us. Make Him your savior, AND Lord, today. Don’t put it off. Amen.

Once again, what matters?

What is the ultimate goal of being a Christian? Is it so we can "fill a void in our hearts"? Is is so we can "have our best life now"? No. Neither. The ultimate goal is spending eternity with our Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ made this possible by taking our place of eternal punishment, nailing it to a cross, dying, raising from the dead, ascending to heaven and ruling as Lord and King. The Lord is not willing that any should perish and go off to everlating hell. Not just separation from God, as most modern evangelists put it; ever-lasting-hell. Because of your sin you will be shut out of heaven and cast into hell, unless you repent and put your trust in Jesus. It's not about wearing nice clothes to church, having a blessed life on earth, having emotionally healthy spirituality or all that garbage; it's about being saved from wrath! It's about loving God with all your heart for being so loving as to give you a way to escape hell. Turn to Him today, surrender your life and follow Jesus. Read your Bible and pray every day.

Five Solemn Facts

THERE are five solemn facts with which I want to deal -- facts of such vital importance, that to ignore them is to wilfully reject the warning and entreaty of God's infallible Word, and deliberately disregard the danger signals of divine truth.

First: All Will Not Be Saved

There is no such thing as universal salvation; some will be saved, others-lost. Make no mistake, let no one deceive you. A day of separation is surely coming, a separation of the wheat from the tares, the good from the bad, the sheep from the goats. On one side or the other, every man and woman will be arraigned. Such is the solemn declaration of Scripture over and over again; and the question is, will you be among the saved or the lost?

Second: Multitudes Will Be Lost

"Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." Many does not mean few. Many means many. "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Few does not mean many. Few means few. There will be many on the broad way and few on the narrow (Matthew 7:13-14).

Third: Many Will Perish Who Expect To Be Saved

This is the saddest fact of all. Multitudes who confidently expect to be in heaven, will awaken when it is too late, to find that they have never been born again. All their lifetime they have been deceived. Satan has kept the scales on their eyes to the very last, and, finally, when it is too late, the scales fall off and they realize that they have never been saved. Oh, awful thought! - to be on a false foundation, unsaved, self-deceived, and lost eternally. Profession without possession, and the door of mercy closed.

Oh, my friend, can it be possible that this will be your fatal doom? Has Satan blinded your eyes; are you deceived? You who have listened to the Gospel all your life; you who have been an active member of the church-tell me, are you resting on a false foundation; and will you discover when it is too late that you were never saved at all?

Fourth: There Is No Salvation After Death

We read in God's word of a great gulf. We are told two things about this gulf. First, it is fixed. That means it can never be moved. It is permanent. Second, it is impassible. No one can cross from one side to the other.

This means that there is no second chance, in spite of what Jehovah's Witnesses have to say about it. If you, my friend, die unsaved, you will remain unsaved. The Bible does not offer a glimmer of hope to anyone who rejects Christ in this life. There is no hope beyond the grave, no second chance.

Fifth: This May Be Someone's Last Opportunity

"Yes, I would like to be a Christian, and intend to sometime," said a man to his friend one day, "but I want to enjoy the pleasures of the world first."

"Well, that's all right,' responded his friend. "Go on and enjoy the world! You can become a Christian afterwards."

"But just when should I become a Christian?" inquired the other, in a somewhat serious tone of voice.

"Oh, five minutes before you die will be time enough," replied his friend.

"But I don't know when I'm going to die," he exclaimed, "I may not have another five minutes."

"In that case," remarked his friend, "the time to become a Christian is now."

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Prov. 27:1). You may have another opportunity, but remember there is a time coming when you will not, when you will have to make the final choice. And this, my unsaved friend, may be that time. A sure as God lives, the hour will strike when you will attend your last meeting, hear your last sermon, and make your last choice. There is no "tomorrow" with God. "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).

Oh, then be warned before it is forever too late, or you will be lost and lost eternally; for remember, God says "My Spirit shall not always strive with man" (Gen 6:3). These are the solemn words of God Himself and you dare not ignore them. If you are going to be saved, now is the time. Will you then take the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour? Will you turn from your life of sin to the only Saviour of sinners? If you do not, have you considered the destiny that awaits you?

In Matthew 25, the Lord Jesus Christ describes the multitudes of lost souls going away from the Last Judgment. Going away from the fair scenes of home and country for ever -- away from all the beauty of this world.

-- Away from friends and home and loved ones -- Away from songs of praise to God-Away from the appeals of faithful preachers -- Away from the prayers and tears of Christian friends. Away from Christ. Away from the Bible with its heavenly truths, and the Gospel invitations-Away from peace and purity and hope -- Away from God forever. Christ said, "These shall go away into everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46).

Then you must flee to Christ. You must turn away from every other hope of heaven-your church, your baptism, your prayers, your tears, your good works. None of these can remove your sin. O, delay no longer. Time is fleeting. Eternity looms before you. Seek the Saviour for pardon now. He will save you.

The above tract is from the Free Presbyterian Church's website and copies can be purchased from the address below.

Five Solemn Facts
Lifeline Publications
1600 Neilson Road, Scarborough,
Ontario Canada M1X 1S3
From the Free Presbyterian Tract Society

What I Believe

I will be writing for a little while on what I believe. Tonight, I post the Nicene Creed, an ancient Christian creed summarizing the essentials of Christian belief. This is usually used by liturgical churches before Holy Communion is distributed as a statement of faith. If you cannot say this creed and mean it from your heart then you should not be receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen

Getting Right With God

I had an awakening today. It happened as I was driving my car to the courthouse to license our new car. I won't get into details, but I had a fear come over me, maybe more of an anxiousness, that lingered for a long time. Today is the Jewish Holiday Rosh Hashanah, what is known as the Jewish New Year. At sunset trumpets are blown on this day. It reminded me of a Bible verse that says that at the last trumpet Christ will return. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." I was listening to the radio and heard that Russia has just tested the largest bomb the world has ever know, and that Vladamir Putin has dissolved his cabinet. Palestine and Israel are having peace talks again which will include sharing the site of the old Jewish Temple. These are big things. As I pondered them it freshly reminded me that Jesus could return at any moment, and if He doesn't return right away you still do not know how long your life is. The Bible warns that in the last times things like these would happen, and these things are happening abundantly. It both frightened and excited me. What was frightening was that there are many people who I have failed to fully expound Jesus to, and their necessity for repenting and turning to Him for forgiveness. I also had joy, knowing that, because I love God and Jesus Christ that He first loved me. There is no way that I could love God if He did not first love me. The Bible says, "We love him, because he first loved us." (I John 4:19). God will not cast anyone He loves into the lake of fire. I have the promise that is written in the book of Revelation, "...Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

I am washed in Christ's blood, my sins are gone, because He loves me, and no other reason. He didn't see that I was a good person and then decide to save me, for the Bible says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." This is from Romans 5:8. While I was living in my sins, Jesus died for me, He loved me, He saved me from everlasting hell. Oh Jesus, why have I not loved you back like I should? I have not been living like I should and knowing what I know I have not told people about you. I will from this time forward walk in the light of your Holy Spirit, by Your mercy and grace. Thank you for having mercy on me.

If you are living in sin, stop before it is too late. If you have taken the Lord's name in vain; if you have put anything before God; if you have not gone to church to worship God as you are commanded for ONE HOUR OUT OF AN ENTIRE WEEK; if you have not respected and honored your father and mother; if you have committed or are committing sexual sin; if you have committed murder or hate someone without cause; if you have lied, stolen, desired your neighbors wife or material goods, today is the day of salvation; today is the day to know that if you do not repent and ask Jesus for mercy that you may not have another day to do so. Jesus died to take away your sins; SO WHY DON'T YOU LET HIM!? Get right with God today, please.

Christianity is a Kingdom

Hello blogger friends. I just felt like writing about a thought I had recently. Christianity is not a democracy, it is a kingdom. Jesus Christ states that His second coming will be to establish His Kingdom, and that the current establishment on earth is a kingdom (the Church), and that the kingdom of God is within us. The Church is not to be run by people, although people are the Church of God. People should not vote on what is truth, what kind of worship should be offered to God, what kind of social actions should be taken by the people of God, etc... These issues are not a matter of man’s personal opinion. We don't have a right to "vote" on what we agree is the truth. We must humbly present our requests for truth before the King and wait for His answer. However, He did give us His holy word, the Bible, His will for living each day of our life with every answer to all of life's questions. One must be guided by the Holy Spirit in order to correctly interpret and understand the Holy Scriptures or there is a possibility of falling into error, which so many have done. We must also spread the word to all creation that their rightful King is returning to establish His kingdom and He will be judging the living and the dead. Submission to the King is not an option. He is, however, a good and loving King. Amen.

The Way of Life

The goal of the Christian is to be a slave of Christ. That is what the very word Christian means. A Christian or a disciple is one who lives under a certain discipline; a way of life. The Lord Jesus Christ told us what this way of life is in His sermon on the mount found in the Gospel according to Matthew, chapters 5-7. After all of the religious practices, all devotional practices, all striving to meet a certain way, the goal is our way of life summed up in these three most beautiful chapters of the Bible. It is the best sermon ever written. It is amazing to me how to the point and clear the Lord Jesus is in His teaching. It is amazing how simple and how deep His teaching is. It also amazes me how much He cares for us and how much He wants us to care for our fellow man. If you are in the covenant with God, then fill your heart with love and gratitude for God, let it overflow and consume you. The riches found in God are so above our imagination and so deep we cannot comprehend them. When I consider the mercy that He has granted me in my life I am terribly grateful. In the sermon on the mount the Lord Jesus teaches us to be thankful for our daily blessings and to be content with what we have. He also teaches us to Love the Lord God above all things. I have heard many people say that Christianity is not about a way of life. I beg to differ. It is very much a way of life, and if anyone cares to mature as a Christian they should begin now to practice this way of life found in Christ's sermon on the mount. I write this to myself as well as others, because the Lord knows my heart and I know that I need to grow to maturity in Christ.

Truth is Truth Even if You Refuse to Believe It

Jesus Christ is God in the flesh; that is truth. He really lived and walked on this earth; that is truth which is even documented outside the Bible. He was really crucified; that is truth. He really rose from the dead and ascended into heaven; that is truth. He really is coming again to judge the living and the dead; that is truth. Are you prepared to face the truth? Do you know that even the Scripture says that the demons believe in God, and tremble with fear? The demons have seen God, they know who He is and what power He holds. Yet the demons are still condemned for their disobedience to God. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me." What did He just say? The only way to the heavenly Father is through Christ. You have two options; accept this truth and live by it or reject this truth and be condemned. You can pretend these truths don't exist, but guess what? It doesn't make the truth go away. It is still there, and it is up to you what you do with this truth. Jesus Christ is king! He is a loving and merciful king. He wants you to be a part of His Kingdom. His Father is perfect and Holy, and we can't stand before perfection and holiness, but Christ can make us clean and make us inheritors of eternal life and make us a home in heaven. Praise be to the King of kings, our Lord Jesus Christ!!

Modern Contemporary Consumer-oriented Christianity: I'm Tired of It

Contemporary Christian music is most definitely more focused on the performer than on God or Christ. The performers are glorified on the covers and the inlay cards, and they most usually look just like secular rock performers. There is no separation from the world. The lyrics are usually so ambiguous that the song could either be about their girlfriend or God; that way they get maximum radio play and make more money. This isn't to say that all modern Christian music is wrong or bad, or that all contemporary Christian musicians are in it for the wrong reason, because there are some (a few) genuine and sincere artists. But usually this music leads Christian kids away from godliness and true Christianity and into a worldly form of life. Churches now appeal to people’s lusts and desires and it is based on what is hot in contemporary American culture. This is a far cry from what the church should be. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. 1 John 2:15 reads, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Don't you think that imitation of the ways of the world is exactly what the above verse is talking about? I don't care how much you argue around the fact that the church needs to be "relevant", the relevancy the modern churches speak of is simply love of the world. What is John speaking of in the verse above? What are the things of the world? Well, what does the music of the world sound like? What does contemporary Christian music sound like? Is it not a mimicking of the music of the world? How do the heathen youth of the world dress? How do the youth in contemporary Christian churches dress? Is it not also a mirror image of the world? These people who advocate "relevant" Christianity defend their reasons for dressing like the world, speaking like the world, listening to the music of the world, etc.; however, they have no defense coming from the Scriptures. It is blatantly obvious that the Bible OVER AND OVER AGAIN calls for our separation from the world and worldly things. I cannot see how imitating the world can do any good for God, but I can see how it is a complete disregarding of what the Scriptures teach. Love of one's own sins is what allows them to enter into a church and worship God they way THEY want and to do things the Lord hates. I have spoken with non-Christians who have said that they think it is stupid when Christians try to mimic the world, try to be "cool", try to be "relevant". The heathen LAUGH at modern versions of Scripture that include modern "relevant" language and they mock the weakness and whiney sound of contemporary Christian "rock". I know this because I am in the U.S. Navy and I speak with non-believers and God rejecters every day. This movement does not bring the world to Christ but brings the people of Christ to the world and causes mass confusion. I believe it will be a contributor to the decline of Christianity in the U.S.; Christianity could soon become a tiny flickering light in a very dark land, a smoldering wick near extinction; but Christ will not leave His Church in this state because He has said He will never leave us or forsake us. However, if we continue to be disobedient to His word and choose to love the world and the things therein, the church will remain only a remnant of true believers and can receive no blessing.

Westminster Moment

About Christian Liberty. So many Christians fall on the doctrine of the liberty which Christians have when confronted with their way of life. They do falsely fall on this liberty, because the liberty spoken of in the New Testament is not the same liberty which these people speak of. As the Westminster Confession of Faith states in Chapter 20, "but under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected, and in greater access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of." Christians presumptuously take liberty in the worship they offer to God, in the way they lead their life, the music they listen to, the television they watch and the commandments of God they choose to obey. This is wrong, and this is not what Christian liberty is. The Confession of Faith goes on to say, "They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life." The liberty which was purchased for us under Christ is the liberty to serve the Lord with our whole life from our heart with love, and freedom from the tedious ceremonial law of the Jews. It is no license to sin. Why would a Christian want to, under the banner of liberty, do the things that the Lord hates and continue the very things which Jesus Christ had to be crucified for in order to save us, his elect children? So, the next time you meet a person who is living with their boyfriend of girlfriend outside of godly marriage, or who continues to disregard baptism, or neglects attending church, or listens to music that the Lord hates, you can be assured that it is not Christian liberty which they practise; they are just still sinners living in sin who need to know Jesus and who need to be enlightened; who need His salvation. There is no halfway Christian, no "almost there" point to Christianity. One is either born again or not. There is such a thing as a maturing and growing Christian who may seem stuck in between both worlds, but even this persons conscience is so made aware of the Lord and His will that he or she feels that they need to discard their old life and continue on with the life message they are receiving from the Holy Spirit. You don't believe me? Then believe what the Bible says. Read the Bible, pray, do some research and then come and discuss with me.

One by One They Fall

It is a sad thing to see converts fall away from the faith so quickly. They spring up with joy so fast, a desire to read the Scriptures, a determination to change their life, and then--nothing. They no longer have joy in the Lord, they no longer spend time in the Scriptures-or very little time, their determination to change things like quitting cursing, using the Lord's name in vain, harsh and perverse joking. Jesus says in John Chapter 3 that we must be born again. After the second birth a person grows, just as a new born baby grows. If there is no evidence in a persons life of regeneration or second birth then there never was a second birth. Just like a newborn baby, the new Christian should be hungry for the milk of the Word. They should be rapidly growing and changing just as a baby does. People who do not grow or desire the milk of the word are those who Christ speaks of in the parable in Luke chapter 8, "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture." and then "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." Jesus knew these things would happen; He warned us. I wish, however, there were more that fit this description, "But the seed that fell on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." I'm glad the Lord knows those who belong to Him. I'm glad that I belong to Him.

The Problem With Some Professing Christians

I had a random urinalysis today and I was sitting with the other people who were waiting for their turn. One person I sat by was a friend and co-worker of mine. I overheard him speaking with the girl next to him about religious stuff. Then he brought me in on the conversation, asking me what I thought about Christians drinking alcohol, and pointed to the verse where Jesus made water into wine. I noted that yes, the wine was more than likely alcoholic because there was no method of purification from fermentation until the 1800's and that the Bible always mentions wine "making the heart merry". I mentioned to them both that the Bible doesn't condemn drinking wine but it warns against getting drunk because being drunk causes the mind to have perverse thoughts, and no one can deny this fact; and drunkenness on many occasions causes many bad memories and sinful moments. The girl began to rail on other Christians for "judging" and being hypocritical, mentioning that many people tell her not to do things when they themselves do them. She wouldn't give a specific incident, which is usually the case with so-called Christians who somehow claim to be Christians but hate other Christians. She also said that sometimes she just doesn't want to go to church and people should leave her alone and not bug her about it. Church might last for an hour, maybe two depending what church service she goes to. She also mentioned that she likes to go to the clubs on Saturday nights, and I'm sure she spends far more than an hour or two at the clubs, yet she complains that people ask her to spend an hour at Church to worship the God who created her. She still claimed to be a Christian, saying that she believes in God. I told her that she should know, then, when she is doing wrong, and that if she is a Christian she should WANT to go to church to worship the God who saved her. The book of James says that "even the demons believe, and tremble". Demons believe in God. As a matter of fact, they have a greater understanding of God's greatness because they are spirits who were once partakers of heavenly things. This doesn't make them good with God, their belief in Him doesn't do one thing for them. They are lost and condemned to hell for eternity. It is so frustrating to hear people who claim to be Christians cut down Christianity and call people hypocrites. These people don't realize that they are being "hypocritical" and confessing their hypocrisy as they judge others. These kinds of people are happy to live in sin. The Church is full of false converts and new Christians who mess up. Christians are not perfect people. They should strive to be godly people, and yes, Jesus does say, "be ye perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." Unfortunately, I didn't get to say all I wanted to to her. A truly saved person doesn't behave that way. Yes, a saved person will notice hypocrisies and will be disappointed from time to time, but they love Jesus Christ at all times and could never speak a bad word against Him or His Church. So many people have forgotten the greatness of the Lord, our God. He is to be feared, praised, reverenced, loved and obeyed at all times and by all people. So many Christians are in it for themselves, what they can get out of this whole "Jesus thing". I'm afraid these people are in for a big let down. Jesus promised sufferings and persecutions. He also promised eternal life, and that is the prize. Being a Christian is about falling on our faces and saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbaoth" and giving thanks always. All things come from the Lord and the very breath you just took, the heartbeat that just pumped is because the Lord gave you life, air and the food that you ate this day. Give thanks with a grateful heart and love the Lord.

Forgiving Others

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:15-16.

Jesus is giving us an obvious truth that is often neglected by God's people. It is very simple; forgive others of their trespasses against you and you will be forgiven by God for the trespasses you have committed against God, and if you do not forgive men their trespasses God will not forgive you of your trespasses. I have read this verse so many times I can't count, but today I just realized that I have some forgiving to do. I have been harboring hatred in my heart and I am scared to think that my Lord has not forgiven me. This same concept is found in the Lord's prayer which is mentioned right before these verses in the book of Matthew, when Jesus say for us to pray, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Again it is found in the parable in Matthew 18:23-35, "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

When we are forgiven by God through Jesus Christ, our sins are washed away, and not because we deserved it, but because God is gracious and merciful. When he takes away our sins, it is not because of anything we have done to make him happy enough with us to take them away; it is all based on the grace he has shown us through sacrificing his only Son, Jesus Christ. It was a despicable and hard thing for the Lord to do, to watch his only Son take on the sins of the world as he hang on a cross, dying.

How should this effect us? When someone does something very wrong to us when we didn't deserve it how are we to forgive that person? Should we go give them a hug and tell them we love them and forgive them when they aren't asking for forgiveness? I don't think that is what the Lord meant for us to do, unless it was a family member or close loved one who offended you and the relationship was reconciled. I believe we have to release the hatred and bitterness in our hearts and say, "Dear Lord God, I forgive this person for the sin they have committed against me, and I pray that you forgive them also. For they did not know what they were doing." Think of the grace and mercy the Lord has shown us. He could easily let his anger burn against us, kill us and send us to hell to suffer for eternity for the sins that we have committed against his perfection. We ought to be on our knees crying out loud, "THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING MERCIFUL TO ME!!". You can be guaranteed it is totally of his mercy when he forgives us, so we should strive to be like God and show mercy to others. "Be ye therefore perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect", as our Lord Jesus Christ says.

This is a hard pill to swallow, but even if you or I don't feel like forgiving someone for the sin committed against us, just pray to the Lord to forgive them and he will give you a heart to forgive sooner or later. We just have to obey his commands. God bless you and keep you.

The Main Message

There is one message in the Bible, one central theme; Glorify God by love and obedience. That is true worship. There is one sermon in the Bible, the same one Noah preached, the prophets of old preached, the Apostles preached, and the Lord Jesus Christ preached; repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We humans are prone to be disobedient to the only God of heaven and earth. As an entire race we have gone away from Him and can do NO good. He created us; He is God and King and the Father of us all. No amount of ignorance or disbelief can take away truth, and that is truth. No matter how much a man believes the sky is green it is still blue. You can't change truth. Another truth is that all men are separated from God. Separation from God includes separation from all benefits associated with God such as temporal blessings and special protection. But the most terrible tragedy is the loss of eternal life in heaven and the promise of eternal punishment in hell. This broken relationship with God is caused by sin; your personal sin. However, since God is merciful and loving He has granted provision for the restoration of this broken relationship; He has made a way to wipe our slate clean, take away all the sin in our life, and grant us eternal life in heaven. Jesus Christ is that way, and He is the only way. He took the punishment you deserve. Without Him you are condemned to eternal hell because of your sins. It is not because you haven't accepted Christ but because you are laden with sins that God must condemn. Let Jesus bare your load of sin. Though your sins be as red as scarlet Jesus will make you white as snow. Don't delay because we are not promised another day. James 4:14, "Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow; for what is your life? It is a even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." Life is short. Give your life to God through Christ today. Repent, turn away from your old way of life, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness.

People have noticed that I usually write only about one thing, and that is salvation. Well, when God puts it on my heart to write about something else I will; but until then, people are dying and being sent to eternity in fire and torment. Let me ask you, Christian, can you live with that? Can you live with the fact that the person you are sitting next to at work may one day be burning in fire eternally? Can you imagine a family member in torment forever? That's right - FOREVER. God have mercy on us for neglecting the salvation of souls.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo gloria ("Glory to God alone")
All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through his will and action—not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit. The reformers believed that human beings—even saints canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, the popes, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy—are not worthy of the glory that was accorded them.
The above information is from Wikipedia and is a short explanation of one of the five “Solas” of the Reformation.
As I have been pondering in my heart for some time the issue of the Communion of Saints as held by the Anglo-Catholic Church which I attend, I have come to realize where the uneasy feeling within me has come from. The Roman Catholic Church and the High Anglo-Catholic Churches hold to a belief that a saint canonized by the church is capable of intervening for humans who are yet alive on the earth. By their superior holiness they were allowed into heaven and now sit as an intercessor for the Christians on the earth and some miracles can be attributed to their intercession (how this can be proven I know not).
I have a strong belief that Reformed theology and the theology of John Calvin is the best summary of the Christian faith and best explains the seemingly confusing and unexplainable issues concerning God and our Christian faith. Coming from a Reformed point of view, the above statement from the Wikipedia article solves the issue that has been beating me around for a while. If God is completely sovereign concerning the use of all creation for His purpose and the salvation of that creation (and I firmly believe He is) and if He does indeed work through covenants that are irrevocable, (which He does) then those people who are ushered into God’s presence after death can make no claim that their personal holiness allowed them into heaven, but can only give all glory to God for His salvation, for taking away their reproach by His grace and mercy and by the shed blood of His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a matter of theology. If one’s theology allows that a man or woman is saved by their extreme holiness then it is allowable that that person is able to take some credit for his salvation, be held up as a model of extreme holiness and intercede for the living on the earth. However, if one believes that a man is not saved by works but by grace through faith and the sovereignty of God and by His choice and election then there is no cause to puff up the memory of that deceased person, elevating them to the status of a mediator and a higher level of saint then the other redeemed living still on the earth. Yes, we should look to godly men and women as examples of holiness and imitate their lives, as Paul tells his followers to imitate him even as he imitates Christ. But notice that Christ is the one we ultimately imitate, for He is perfection. But no man or woman can take credit for their salvation because God is sovereign in His choice as to whom He will save. God is to be worshipped and glorified; Christ Jesus is our mediator and example of life; the Holy Spirit is our intercessor. God Almighty is to be praised and thanked for our salvation. We are saved by the grace of our Father, not by works, so that NO MAN may boast.
Now, live according to the life you have been called to. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.

Worship God

"...I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." -Revelation 22:8, 9

Even the angel, which was probably magnificent, wanted no veneration but told the apostle to worship God. What was his form of worship? What act led to the angel telling him to worship God? He fell down before him. I suppose he may have prostrating, maybe even kneeling. Veneration becomes worship. WORSHIP GOD ALONE! Jahovah is Supreme God. YHWH is LORD of the Universe. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD INCARNATE! The HOLY SPIRIT is the paraclete, the comforter from God, which is God. He is worthy of praise and honor, and no one else. Almighty God in heaven, YOU are worthy of all praise! All else pail in comparison and fade away at the sight of you.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I would have never thought this, because I have such a love for the New Testament; the gospels, epistles, catholic letters to the churches, etc. However, the book of Deuteronomy is full of God's will for His chosen people. I find the book to be a love letter from the Lord to His people telling them that He wishes them well and will grant them wellness and a good life if they obey His commandments. Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy explicitly when He was tempted by Satan. When I read Deuteronomy it ties together much of the rest of the Bible, and gives clear understanding to me when I read the Psalms, how they proclaim, "Lord, how I have loved thy Law", and the many other references made in Psalms concerning the love of the Law and the word of God.



One of the verses that got my attention today is verse 29 in chapter five. "O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!" The first part of chapter five is the recounting of the Law of God, the Ten Commandments. The ten commandments are spoken of as the Covenant of God in this chapter. After recounting them, the Lord says what is written in verse 29. The Lord, still to this day, wishes for us to keep His commandments. I find nowhere in the Bible the taking away or revoking of the precious Law of God as summarized in the Ten Commandments. As a matter of fact, I see Jesus, on more than one occasion, telling people to keep the Law of God. Luke 10:25-28 reads, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He (Jesus) said unto him, What is written in the Law: how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do and thou shalt live." Jesus did not attempt to tell this man to recite the sinners prayer with Him; He didn't tell the man that he could never live up to the Law, so he might as well not try, but simply place his faith in Him (though we should do this); He didn't tell him that there is a purpose for this man's life and that his purpose could only be known by following God, then he would find peace and happiness. Jesus, being God in the flesh, told the man the same thing He told His people in the Old Testament; "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess." Yes, the Law is in place to show us that we are sin laden. As John Wesley said, "The Law continually drives me to Christ, and Christ to the Law." The law makes us aware of our sins against God's perfection and will for us, our lives, and our children's lives. The law should make us cling to Christ, ask for forgiveness, and turn away from our sins and live lives pleasing to God our Father, who has held back His wrath and has offered us a way of escape through Jesus Christ. To know the will of God, this is not hard. Read His commandments:



1.) I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me.



2.) 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: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.



3.) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.



4.) Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.



5.) Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.



6.) Thou shalt not kill.



7.) Neither shalt thou commit adultery.



8.) Neither shalt thou steal.



9.) Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.



10.) Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.



Read these slowly and evaluate yourself to see where you stand in light of the Law of God. If you have broken the Commandments (and you have) ask for God's forgiveness, repent of your sins (turn away and stop doing it) and follow God's Law in happiness, knowing that you are making the Lord happy and ensuring a good future for your children, producing a righteous generation for the Lord. Don't neglect to teach your children to love the Lord and follow Him all the days of their lives. Remember what Jesus said to the man who he healed of paralysis, "Behold, thou art made whole: Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." So, for you dear reader, be healed of your sin by the grace of Christ through repentance and commit yourself to following Him and His ways, and sin no more. But if you fall, know that the Lord is merciful and will forgive you of all unrighteousness when you confess and repent. Amen.

Walking With God

1 Thessalonians 2:12, “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His Kingdom and glory.”

What is it to walk worthy of the God who hath called us unto His Kingdom and glory? We are to examine ourselves to find whether or not we have been walking, or living, worthy of our glorious God who has called us unto Himself, His kingdom and his glory. This is also a cause for giving praise and thanksgiving as we remember that our God has stooped down to us and has shown us grace and mercy allowing us to be partakers of His kingdom and glory.

What great love the Father has for His children, for those He has redeemed by the precious blood of His dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. What a great price He paid for us unworthy sinners, a price so great that He Himself had to pay for it by offering up His Son to take away OUR sins, our guilt and our filth; a price we could not pay by any amount of works or obedience. If it weren’t for this gift, this payment for sins, this sacrifice to save us from everlasting hell, there would be no hope for us, for there is no other way to the Father but by His Son Jesus Christ. He was blameless, we are worthy of blame; He was sinless, we are laden with sins; He never spoke a word out of place, I can’t put two words together without saying something I regret sometimes; He had perfect obedience to the Father, we cannot obey perfectly for one day. Yes, Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, as St. John the Baptist says. He did what we could not do, and He took away the sins we could not cast off, that is if you are re-born, a child of the Father.

If you are aware of the price that God the Father paid by sending His only begotten son to this earth, to die a violent and torturous death, all for our sakes, out of love for lost sinners, and then to rise again to prove that He was and is God in the flesh and that His promise of eternal life is true, what sort of life should we live?

1. Day-to-day we battle with living in this sinful world, with being human beings, stained with the stain of sin and a damaged, nature inclined to do evil. We are continually faced with trials and temptations, and, unfortunately, many of us give in to them. So many of us become complacent to the World of God, relying completely on God’s mercy (or rather, His inability to see us, or His quickness to forget what we have done). God is not like us. God is NOT like us! He is always able to see us and He never forgets, until sin is washed away by Christ. He is a perfect and Holy God, and He requires much from His people, for those who have claimed the kingdom of His Son. For such a large gift, and a free gift at that, we must walk worthy of our God who has indeed called us, for we would not seek after and call Him.

Psalm 1 reads, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly...” There are two choices presented; to walk worthy of God or walk in the council of the ungodly. God always shows us that there are two ways; the way of the wicked and the way of the righteous. The man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly is one who is walking with God, walking worthy of our God who called us. To be walking in the council of the ungodly means to be living by the advice of the unsaved, the un-redeemed. This is the man who lives for his own desires, who seeks after material wealth, who is looking out for number one (himself). In order to further his pursuit of glorifying himself, he consults those who have done the same and have succeeded in their pursuits. Maybe he reads periodicals written for the man (or woman) who wants to get it all, attain everything, be super sexy, have the perfect body; to summarize-to live a self-centered and sin-filled life. In order to live a sin-filled and self-centered life, he or she turns to the advice of those who have been walking in the council of the ungodly. Why should he seek the advice of a mature Christian or a minister? Righteousness is not what he seeks, but unrighteousness. We read from verse 2 of Psalm 1 what the righteous desire, what they seek after, what their delight is; “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” This is pleasing to the Lord. The man who desires to know and learn God’s law, His holy word, is a man who has submitted to the Lord, who has found the truth and has loved what he has found. The man who desires God’s law is one who is walking worthy of the Lord. He is framing his life according to God’s word. He may not be perfect, and sin may still cling to his flesh with voracity, but he despises it and works diligently to shape his life according to the word. God blesses this man; “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Why will he flourish like a tree planted by water? Because he has been planted by the living water, the water of life, flowing from the wisdom of the eternal Father. The fruit he brings forth is the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of righteousness. His leaf will not wither; he will not shrink back or become dried up in his quest for righteousness because the Lord will continually restore him, no matter what the world, the flesh and the devil may toss at him. He is able to withstand the stormy sea, the dry desert, and the temptations of the devil. He will prosper, spiritually and materially, obtaining the things necessary for life, because he has been walking worthy of the Lord who called us, who has ordained good works for us. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. That is a promise from Jesus Christ Himself. The Lord gives to those who seek after Him all they need to live, and more. God’s promise is sure for those who walk worthy of Him. Colossians 1:10 reads, “that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” This verse points out that walking worthy of the Lord is pleasing to Him. This pleases our heavenly Father, to see His children doing what they ought to do. This is not a matter of gathering up enough good works to climb to heaven on. This is a matter of children obeying their Father. When children disobey their Father they are disciplined. Those whom the Lord chastens He loves. Those whom He loves He chastens. He does this for our own good. This proves that we are His children and that we can be pleasing to Him. Those who do not please Him are not His children. This verse also points out that we are to be fruitful in every good work. Those grateful to their Father for saving them will increase in the works of their Father, doing the works He has appointed for them to do. Those who do not the good works appointed by God are not His children and are not pleasing to God. Now, it is true that there are many sincere believers who have repented and placed their trust in Christ who do not do the works they are suppose to do, but they know what they ought to do and it bothers them when they do not do them. This will continue to bother them until they become fruitful in good works. At last they will find peace because they will be doing the will of the Father. Another characteristic of those walking worthy of the Father is that they are increasing in the knowledge of the Lord. I can tell you that after I became a Christian I could not learn enough about the Lord. I received an insatiable appetite for the Word of God. It was the only book in my whole life that I couldn’t get enough of. I’m sure this is because it tells of the works of God to and through His people. It was a living book to me, not a dead historical work that was nice to read but irrelevant to our day. If you don’t have an appetite for the written word of God, I would encourage you to get into the word daily and read it until you attain this hunger for the knowledge of God. Pray for wisdom and God will give it. Pray for a desire to read the Scriptures and you will receive it. Read Psalm 119. The entire Psalm is dedicated to the word of God and His law, and illustrates how much the writer wants to know the word of God.

I want you to ask yourself if you have been walking worthy of the Lord our God who has called us into His kingdom and glory. Have you been self-seeking? Are you more worried about how you look to the opposite sex than you are about how you look in the eyes of our Lord, or do you seek after His kingdom and righteousness? Have you been seeking the advice of the ungodly or do you seek after the council of the Lord, His people and His ministers? Do you delight in the law of the Lord? Do you meditate on it as mentioned in the 1st Psalm? Have you been fruitful in every good work, or have you been slothful in works? Have you sought to increase in the knowledge of the Lord by attending Church, Bible study, reading the Scripture on your own, praying for wisdom?

Dear people, know that all good things are impossible unless the Lord, by the Holy Spirit, empowers us to do good works and the other good things we should do. Pray earnestly that the Spirit would be magnified within you and that God would give you the grace, wisdom and knowledge to do His will and to live as we ought to live. Remember also what is said in Luke 17:10, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” This is very pleasing to the Lord. Amen.

Prayers for my dear family and myself

For Those We Love.

ALMIGHTY God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For our Children.

ALMIGHTY God, heavenly Father, who hast blessed us with the joy and care of children; Give us light and strength so to train them, that they may love whatsoever things are true and pure and lovely and of good report, following the example of their Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

For the Absent.

O GOD, whose fatherly care reacheth to the uttermost parts of the earth; We humbly beseech thee graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to thee, may be bound together by thy love in the communion of thy Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Person, or Persons, going to Sea.

O ETERNAL God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; We commend to thy almighty protection, thy servant, for whose preservation on the great deep our prayers are desired. Guard him, we beseech thee, from the dangers of the sea, from sickness, from the violence of enemies, and from every evil to which he may be exposed. Conduct him in safety to the haven where he would be, with a grateful sense of thy mercies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Navy.

O ETERNAL Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; Vouchsafe to take into thy almighty and most gracious protection our country’s Navy, and all who serve therein. Preserve them from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that they may be a safeguard unto the United States of America, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and quietness serve thee our God, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Soldiers.

O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers of our country; Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Safe Return from a Journey.

MOST gracious Lord, whose mercy is over all thy works; We praise thy holy Name that thou hast been pleased to conduct in safety, through the perils of the great deep, [his way,] this thy servant, who now desireth to return his thanks unto thee in thy holy Church. May he be duly sensible of thy merciful providence towards him, and ever express his thankfulness by a holy trust in thee, and obedience to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

It's been a good day

Today my son, John Paul, was baptized at St. Barnabas Anglican Church. Afterward we had a good cake, went out to eat, spent time with Pastor Roy, and enjoyed this day. I am now off to the middle east. Thank you Lord for being good to me.

What Matters?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself. If you love the Lord like this you will obviously obey His commands such as being baptized, becoming a disciple, and gathering with believers to worship the Lord on the Sabbath etc. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, learning His ways and walking as He walked, is the pinnacle of Christianity, not a mechanical outward showing to go through the motions and prove to someone you did what you were suppose to do. The sum of it all is to live as Christ lived. That is true conversion. Oh, how I need to practice this myself! I fall short, even though I think myself to be a holy man at times. It is laughable. The moment I think myself a holy man I immediately see in the mirror of truth how short I fall from the image of Jesus Christ, the perfect, holy, beautiful, peaceful, loving, healing, helping, servant King of kings and Lord of lords. How I need to listen to His admonition to wash the feet of the brethren, to humble myself, to esteem others as better than myself, to be not a respecter of persons, to help the poor, widows and orphans. I am also guilty of imitating the world around me; that is, the people in this world. It is very true that bad company corrupts good morals. It so often happens that I am not a good example as I think I might be, but that more of the sinner rubs off on me than I rub off on them. Dear Jesus Christ, help me to love you with all that I am and walk with me every moment of every day that I may do your will and be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

There is only One who is good

On my blog site I ask the question, "Are you a good person?” To sum up all my other posts and make it really simple, here is truth; You are a sinner and sins don't go away because you feel bad for committing them; you need to pay for them and you can't pay for them except to suffer eternal punishment. If you don't call out to Jesus Christ, confess your sins, repent of them and ask Him wash them away with the blood that was shed on the cross you still have a debt to pay before God, for the Bible says, "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." in Romans 14:11-12. There is one way to heaven and to God; "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, you should have known the Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." John 14:6-7. Jesus Christ is the only way to God; not self righteousness, but self humility; not in extemporaneous good works, but faith in Jesus Christ as the savior and Lord; for if good works could save you then there are many muslims, budhists, hindus and pagans on their way to heaven and Jesus Christ died for nothing. It is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that you can enter heaven. Get on your knees, ask forgiveness and, as Jesus says, "go and sin no more". Do it before it's too late. "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow; for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14).

What Matters?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself. If you love the Lord like this you will obviously obey His commands such as being baptized, becoming a disciple, and gathering with believers to worship the Lord on the Sabbath etc. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, learning His ways and walking as He walked, is the pinnacle of Christianity, not a mechanical outward showing to go through the motions and prove to someone you did what you were suppose to do. The sum of it all is to live as Christ lived. That is true conversion. Oh, how I need to practice this myself! I fall short, even though I think myself to be a holy man at times. It is laughable. The moment I think myself a holy man I immediately see in the mirror of truth how short I fall from the image of Jesus Christ, the perfect, holy, beautiful, peaceful, loving, healing, helping, servant King of kings and Lord of lords. How I need to listen to His admonition to wash the feet of the brethren, to humble myself, to esteem others as better than myself, to be not a respecter of persons, to help the poor, widows and orphans. I am also guilty of imitating the world around me; that is, the people in this world. It is very true that bad company corrupts good morals. It so often happens that I am not a good example as I think I might be, but that more of the sinner rubs off on me than I rub off on them. Dear Jesus Christ, help me to love you with all that I am and walk with me every moment of every day that I may do your will and be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

A Self Examination

“But let a man examine himself”
Remember, as you read this self-examination, that God is perfect and requires complete perfection in order to have eternal life and live with Him in heaven after death. One transgression of one of these Laws is enough to condemn a man or woman for all eternity. Matthew 5:48 says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Jesus also says, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19. It is not I, the writer of this tract, which says these things are truth; these truths come directly from the Holy Bible, the source of divine knowledge.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Have you invented God in your head? Have you said to yourself or others, “The God I know wouldn’t send people to Hell” or “I think that God is like…” or “Surely God would never punish me for something so small”? If you have done this you are guilty of breaking the first commandment and have created a false god. You have not gone to the source of the knowledge of God which is the Scriptures.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, nor bow down to them, nor serve them.
You don’t have to melt gold and make a golden calf and bow down to it to be guilty of breaking this commandment. Turning to anything besides God for comfort or salvation is considered worshipping an idol. Putting anything in the place God deserves is idolatry.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Do you use God’s precious name in the place of a curse word? Do you use God’s holy name loosely, such as saying, “Oh my God!”? That is blasphemy and you stand guilty before the Lord God Almighty and will have to give an account before the Lord on Judgment Day.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
When is the last time you’ve been to church? When is the last time you have set aside one day in seven to worship God, read the Scriptures, and practice holiness?
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
Do you disrespect and disobey your elders? Have you neglected the care of your parents?
6. Thou shalt not kill.
If you have not directly murdered anyone, Jesus says that hatred of your brother (fellow man) is murder. And, yes, abortion is also murder.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Have you committed adultery? If you haven’t committed the physical act, have you lusted after another man or woman rather than your God-given spouse? If so, Jesus says that you have committed adultery in your heart. Are you living in sin by having sex outside of marriage?
8. Thou shalt not steal.
Have you ever taken anything that was not yours, no matter how small? Have you taken two newspapers out of the paper box when you only put in money for one? Have you taken supplies from work unauthorized?
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Have you ever lied? Yes, you have.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thy neighbour’s wife, nor anything thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Have you desired to have what your neighbor has? Have you been jealous of the things that your neighbor has acquired?
If you have lusted, lied, stolen, and taken the Lord’s name in vain you have become an adulterous, lying thief who is guilty of blasphemy. That isn’t even all of the commandments! This transgression of God’s Law is called sin and “the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23). Everyone dies, so you may be thinking, “What’s so bad about that?” The death the apostle Paul speaks of is the second death as mentioned in Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (This is only a partial list of grievous sins, by the way. If I were to mention all violations listed in the Bible you would never finish reading this tract). We shall all face judgment as St. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Everyone will stand before God as mentioned in Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Every sin we commit is like gathering up traffic tickets. Imagine you are caught speeding and are fined $75.00. You are summoned to court because you haven’t paid the ticket and you reluctantly drag yourself to court. The judge asks you why you haven’t paid the ticket and you respond, saying, “Well, Judge, I know I have broken the law and that I am guilty, but I figured that since you are a nice man and good that you would forgive me of this fine and let me go.” If that judge is indeed just, he will make you pay the full amount of the traffic ticket and will probably also fine you or give you jail time for not paying the ticket when you were suppose to. Many people perceive God to be the same way. “Because so many people are breaking God’s Law and because there are so many people doing worse things than me, I must be pretty good. God will not judge me for breaking His Law because many people are worse than me.” It doesn’t matter how many bad things you’ve done compared to others. If you have broken God’s law and have not paid the fine, you are guilty…just as guilty as any other sinner, no matter how bad.

Thanks be to God for creating a way to escape this second death as mentioned in Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Since you have been accumulating an abundance of sin debt against God, you need a way to pay the massive fine. There are two ways you can pay; pay for it yourself (which you do not want to do) or repent of (turn away from) your sins, confess them to God and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to take away your sins. The most familiar verse in the Bible is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 1 John 3:4-6 reads, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
You see, Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. Jesus took on the wrath of God against sin for all who would believe in Him. When Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was beaten, spit upon, tortured and crucified He was taking away the sins of the world, for all who would love Him. He was perfect and we are not. He was guiltless and we are not. By His stripes we are healed. By his resurrection from the dead after three days we will be raised to live eternally. Ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and sin no more. Go to church, observe the Sabbath, honor the God who saved you. Stop living in sin before it is too late. Jesus Christ can save you today! Read Psalm 51 and make it your own penitential prayer. Jesus is merciful and full of compassion. He will take your sin debt and give you a new start, and will save you from eternal damnation. TURN TO HIM TODAY!!