OBSERVE ALL THINGS

The Cross

2011-03-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

I Corinthians 1:18-24

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

This is a portion of the Second Lesson from today’s Morning Prayer. It is a very fitting portion of Scripture, for during Lent we are called to remember the cross, and are reminded to take up our own cross, because the cross is “unto us which are saved … the power of God.” How can an instrument of death and torture be the power of God? Once again, Christian theology is completely counter cultural. The world does not associate the cross, an instrument of death and torture, with power. No; health, wealth, popularity, beauty, “A” type personalities, and strength - these things the world reveres as power and strength and wisdom. No matter what the world says, or what the “wise” of the world consider to be power, the cross was and is still today the instrument of God’s salvation and the power of God to those who are saved.

This is the power of God. What power, indeed, the cross still wields in the lives of those who fall down before it today, which pick it up daily and carry it, following Jesus, the one who was crucified for us on the cross. This most heinous instrument of death and torture has become for us the emblem of eternal life and the highest sign of love God could show humanity. Jesus redeemed mankind from the cross while we were yet sinners, even absolving those who crucified Him, saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. Jesus’ redeeming power is so powerful that he even redeemed the emblem of the cross, making something that was horrible into something clung to by those who follow Him. Is the cross in itself holy? No, the fact that Jesus Christ was crucified out of love for us unworthy sinners makes the cross what it means to us today.

While the cross is still foolishness to the “wise” of the world, and while people still seek signs and worldly wisdom and chase after false gods to their own destruction, unto us which are called “both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

Paul Thompson

Teenagers and Young Adults Don't Like Contemporary Music in Church

2010-11-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=708

The link above displays the results of a poll taken of more than 500 youth concerning appropriate Church music. I am happy to read that the VAST majority of the youth do not like or approve of contemporary music in church that mimics secular music types such as rock, pop, country and rap. What is rock solid remains and stands the test of time. Faddish things come and go, and are usually laughed at when remembered years down the road. Such will be the case with today's contemporary Christian music.

Paul

Christians are just hypocrites

2010-10-02T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I just woke up from a dream that was bothering me and decided to check out Youtube. I found this video (link is above) and wanted to share it with you all.

Isn't it funny when a regularly UN-righteous person does a "good deed", or something they consider righteous, that all that persons wrongs suddenly disappear and everyone applauds them for their kind heart or their supposedly righteous deed (which happens a lot in Hollywood or among musicians)? They may usually live a life of sin which includes fornication, cursing, blasphemy, etc, but once a good deed is done, or this person proves that they "love they mama" then that person is alright.

On the other hand, if a Christian messes up or does something sinful, it's time to let the hammer fall, give it to em', etc. All of a sudden all Christians are hypocrites, and you hear the "see, I told you so". So, all that person's good deeds, love for Jesus, and usually quiet way of living mean NOTHING and that person should be exposed as a hypocrite!!

THIS IS ONLY a way for people to feel better about themselves, to validate their reason for breaking the 4th Commandment (not observing the Christian Sabbath, worshiping in Church) and makes them feel more righteous.

I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure many Christians feel the same. I'm not perfect, and God knows I can't be, but I love Jesus Christ, who IS perfect. Jesus came to save sinners, not the self righteous. The difference in a Christian's life is that they love God and are thankful for the salvation provided by Jesus Christ. This thankfulness will show in a Christian's life through obedience to the word of God, but failures will undoubtedly happen because we have a body, and our body remains racked with the disease called sin until we die.

A lot of people compare themselves to others and grade their behavior on a curve. God has a different standard, and He is the only judge.

One day the deeds of all will be exposed, the secrets of all will be exposed, and judgment will come from the only One who is qualified to judge the living and the dead, the Lord Jesus Christ. He won't be a baby in a stable when He comes, or as a sacrifice for sins, or a pacifist, but He will come as LORD, as Judge, as King and a as a warrior.

So, if you can spare 10 minutes of your time you can check out this youtube video if you wish. I'm not sure who this guy is, but I think he does a good job.

---- A sensitivity disclaimer: This email goes out to a lot of people, so don't take it personally, unless it applies to you. I used to send out emails pretty regularly, and I used to update my Blog pretty frequently, until I realized no one was reading them!!

God bless,
Paul Thompson+

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA6iKo0uUaE&feature=fvsr

Disease and Cure

2010-03-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

There was a man who didn't really feel that sick, but he went to the doctor for an annual checkup anyway. The doctor called the man a week later with the results of a blood test and asked him to come back in for a follow-up. The doctor informed the man that he had a strange disease and that he was dying. However, the doctor told the man that if he took this special medicine that the disease would go away and the man would live. The man told the doctor "But I feel fine! Nothing is wrong with me. I don't believe your diagnosis and I think you are lying to me. You're just trying to take my money by telling me I have some disease that really doesn't exist, you worthless, lying quack." The doctor gave the man a stern warning once again that he would die if he refuses treatment, but the man, who felt perfectly fine, still denied treatment. He wound up dying.

Contrary to the popular belief of unbelievers, true Christians don't teach that people go to hell because they don't believe in Jesus. People die and go to hell because they have a disease called sin. Most people deny they have this disease, and they deny it up until their dying day when it is too late to do anything about this disease. They deny they have this disease because they feel like they are pretty good people, that their good outweighs their bad, and that God (whoever they make Him out to be) will forgive them because they tried their hardest.

People; it just doesn't work that way. Just as in the story of the man with the disease who refused treatment died, so too will you die if you refuse Jesus. You have a disease called sin that makes you have all sorts of evil thoughts, commit evil deeds, and consent to evil acts. It doesn't matter how much "good" you do, you will never get rid of this disease. Good does not make up for bad, just like quitting smoking after you have lung cancer doesn't make lung cancer go away.

The prognosis: You have a disease called sin which leads to eternal death.
The cure: You need Jesus Christ to take away your sin disease so that you may live and have peace with God.

John Chrysostom on the Sabbath

2010-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

"[W]hen he [God] said, ‘You shall not kill’ . . . he did not add, ‘because murder is a wicked thing.’ The reason was that conscience had taught this beforehand, and he speaks thus, as to those who know and understand the point. Wherefore when he speaks to us of another commandment, not known to us by the dictate of conscience, he not only prohibits, but adds the reason. When, for instance, he gave commandment concerning the Sabbath— ‘On the seventh day you shall do no work’—he subjoined also the reason for this cessation. What was this? ‘Because on the seventh day God rested from all his works which he had begun to make’ [Ex. 20:10-11]. . . . For what purpose then, I ask, did he add a reason respecting the Sabbath, but did no such thing in regard to murder? Because this commandment was not one of the leading ones. It was not one of those which were accurately defined of our conscience, but a kind of partial and temporary one, and for this reason it was abolished afterward. But those which are necessary and uphold our life are the following: ‘You shall not kill. . . . You shall not commit adultery. . . . You shall not steal.’ On this account he adds no reason in this case, nor enters into any instruction on the matter, but is content with the bare prohibition" (Homilies on the Statutes 12:9 [A.D. 387]).

"You have put on Christ, you have become a member of the Lord and been enrolled in the heavenly city, and you still grovel in the law [of Moses]? How is it possible for you to obtain the kingdom? Listen to Paul’s words, that the observance of the law overthrows the gospel, and learn, if you will, how this comes to pass, and tremble, and shun this pitfall. Why do you keep the Sabbath and fast with the Jews?" (Homilies on Galatians 2:17 [A.D. 395]).

"The rite of circumcision was venerable in the Jews’ account, forasmuch as the law itself gave way thereto, and the Sabbath was less esteemed than circumcision. For that circumcision might be performed, the Sabbath was broken; but that the Sabbath might be kept, circumcision was never broken; and mark, I pray, the dispensation of God. This is found to be even more solemn than the Sabbath, as not being omitted at certain times. When then it is done away, much more is the Sabbath" (Homilies on Philippians 10 [A.D. 402]).

Who Jesus is

2009-10-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

Who is JESUS?

The MESSIAH that was promised in the Old Testament.

God in the flesh, the visible image of the invisible GOD.

The ONE with GOD [see John 10:30]who died for the sins of the world and was resurrected.

WHO is alive forevermore according to Revelation 1: 17-18.

JESUS is also:

-The Great I AM
-LOVE
-Salvation
-The Lamb of GOD, per Revelation
-The KING OF KINGS
-The Son of GOD being born of the Holy Spirit
-The ultimate Sacrifice who did away with burnt offerings and sacrifices of animals.
-THE LORD GOD
-The SAVIOUR
-THE REDEEMER
-JEHOVAH
-YHWH
-The provider
-The protector
-The Good Shepherd
-The deliverer
-The Rock
-The rewarder
-The Counselor
-The Guardian
-The Intercessor
-The Resurrection
-The life
-The way
-The truth
-The Source
-The Great Physician
-The Judge of all
-The Mediator

Addicted to God's Grace

2009-10-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

I love Jesus Christ. Why? Because He saved me. How? Through my goodness that He helped me to have? No! There is no good in me. God saved me THROUGH the IMPUTED Righteousness found in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because He loved me FIRST, I now love Him. My life is now hid in Christ. I live through Jesus Christ. Jesus is my hope and my salvation.

I'm not perfect and never claimed to be

2009-09-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

The following words from St. Paul, the greatest Christian missionary that ever lived and the writer of most of the books of the New Testament, echo in my life. These verses describe me. This is the curse of being human. I know what good is, I know what God requires, and in my mind and soul that is what I want to do. However, since I am still a living, breathing man I will never be perfect and won't even come close. All are sinners, and I am one of the biggest. The only thing I hope is that I don't slander the name of Jesus Christ who bought me and God my Father who adopted me. I am saved and going to heaven, because I trust ONLY in Jesus for my salvation, not because I ever think I will be good enough or righteous enough. If St. Paul committed sin but trusted in Jesus to save him, then I know that this Paul (me) is not alone.

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." -St. Paul, Romans 7:18-25

Justification by Grace through Faith

2009-09-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

Justification means to be justified in the sight of God, all sins forgiven forever, and is God's free gift to us through the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus Christ. It means to secure a place in heaven with our Lord forever, and is totally free, not of works, so that no one may boast of their own righteous deeds getting them in to heaven. Salvation is wrought entirely by the meritorious work of Jesus Christ! Please read what Martin Luther says concerning the importance of the doctrine of justification by faith.

- Paul

Selected from the writings of Martin Luther *

"This doctrine [justification by faith] is the head and the cornerstone. It alone begets, nourishes, builds, preserves, and defends the church of God; and without it the church of God cannot exist for one hour…. For no one who does not hold this article – or, to use Paul's expression, this 'sound doctrine' (Titus 2:1) – is able to teach aright in the church or successfully to resist any adversary . . . this is the heel of the Seed that opposes the old serpent and crushes its head. That is why Satan, in turn, cannot but persecute it."

"Whoever departs from the article of justification does not know God and is an idolater . . . For when this article has been taken away, nothing remains but error, hypocrisy, godlessness, and idolatry, although it may seem to be the height of truth, worship of God, holiness, etc."

"If the article of justification is lost, all Christian doctrine is lost at the same time. And all the people in the world who do not hold to this justification are either Jews or Turks or papists or heretics; for there is no middle ground between these two righteousness: the active one of the Law and the passive one which comes from Christ. Therefore the man who strays from Christian righteousness must relapse into the active one, that is, since he has lost Christ, he must put his confidence in his own works."

"When the article of justification has fallen, everything has fallen. Therefore it is necessary constantly to inculcate and impress it, as Moses says of his Law (Deut. 6:7); for it cannot be inculcated and urged enough or too much. Indeed, even though we learn it well and hold to it, yet there is no one who apprehends it perfectly or believes it with a full affection and heart. So very trickish is our flesh, fighting as it does against the obedience of the spirit."

"The article of justification and of grace is the most delightful, and it alone makes a person a theologian and makes of a theologian a judge of the earth and of all affairs. Few there are, however, who have thought it through well and who teach it aright."

"Of this article [justification] nothing may be yielded or conceded, though heaven and earth and whatever will not abide, fall to ruin; for 'there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved,' says St. Peter (Acts 4:12); 'and with His stripes we are healed' (Is. 53:5). And on this article all that we teach and practice is based, against the pope, the devil, and the world. That is why we must be very certain of this doctrine and not doubt; otherwise all is lost, and the pope and the devil and all things gain the victory over us and are adjudged right."

"The article of justification must be learned diligently. It alone can support us in the face of these countless offenses and can console us in all temptations and persecutions. For we see that it cannot be otherwise: the world is bound to be offended at the doctrine of godliness and to cry out constantly that nothing good comes of it, since 'the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him.' "

"In short, if this article concerning Christ — the doctrine that we are justified and saved through Him alone and consider all apart from Him damned — is not professed, all resistance and restraint are at an end. Then there is, in fact, neither measure nor limit to any heresy and error."

"There is this about the article of grace that if one diligently and sincerely remains loyal to it, it keeps one from falling into heresy and from undertaking anything against Christ or His Christendom. For with it comes the Holy Spirit, who enlightens the heart by it and keeps it in the true, certain understanding, so that it is able precisely and plainly to distinguish and judge all the other articles of faith and forcefully to sustain and defend them."

"The papacy is shaken and shattered nowadays, not through these tumults of the sectaries but through the preaching of the article of justification, which has not only weakened the kingdom of Antichrist but has also till now sustained and defended us against its power."

* Selected from What Luther Says, an anthology compiled by Edwald M. Plass, Vol.2, pp.702-704, 715-718.

WHY IS JESUS NECESSARY?

2009-08-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

A FOLLOWER OF GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST HIS DEAR SON WHO TAUGHT US THE WAY OF SALVATION, AND HOW TO LIVE OUR LIVES.

WE ARE ALL SINNERS, AND WILL NEVER COME CLOSE TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN OUR OWN WILL, STRENGTH, OR POWER.

- ROMANS 3:23 “FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.”

WE HAVE A DAMAGED NATURE THAT WAS INHERITED FROM THE FALL THAT OCCURRED AT THE BEGINNING OF MANKIND WITH THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ADAM AND EVE.

- ROMANS 5:12 “THEREFORE, JUST AS SIN CAME INTO THE WORLD THROUGH ONE MAN, AND DEATH THROUGH SIN, AND SO DEATH SPREAD TO ALL MEN BECAUSE ALL SINNED.”

GOD PUT A MORAL LAW INTO OUR HEARTS. HE WROTE IT IN STONE ON MT. SINAI TO SHOW ITS PERMANENCE. THESE LAWS WERE TO BE A GUIDE TO US FOR LIVING, AND TO SHOW US HOW WE ALWAYS FALL SHORT AND OFFEND GOD. THEY WERE NOT MEANT AS A WAY OF ETERNAL SALVATION.

- ROMANS 2:14-16 “FOR WHEN GENTILES, WHO DO NOT HAVE THE LAW, BY NATURE DO WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES, THEY ARE A LAW TO THEMSELVES, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO NOT HAVE THE LAW. THEY SHOW THAT THE WORK OF THE LAW IS WRITTEN ON THEIR HEARTS, WHILE THEIR CONSCIENCE ALSO BEARS WITNESS, AND THEIR CONFLICTING THOUGHTS ACCUSE OR EVEN EXCUSE THEM ON THAT DAY WHEN, ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL, GOD JUDGES THE SECRETS OF MEN BY CHRIST JESUS.”

OUT OF THE MASS OF CORRUPT HUMANITY, GOD CHOSE ABRAHAM TO BE A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE CAME OUT OF HIM.

- JAMES 2:23 “AND THE SCRIPTURE WAS FULFILLED THAT SAYS, "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS"—AND HE WAS CALLED A FRIEND OF GOD.”

GOD CHOSE THEM TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE TO HIM. THIS IS WHY HE GAVE THEM A LAW. HE MADE THEM A POWERFUL NATION.

- DEUTERONOMY 14:2 “FOR THOU ART AN HOLY PEOPLE UNTO THE LORD THY GOD, AND THE LORD HATH CHOSEN THEE TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF, ABOVE ALL THE NATIONS THAT ARE UPON THE EARTH.”

EVEN WITH ALL GOD’S LOVE AND ATTENTION, THEY MANAGED TO WORSHIP IDOLS AND STRAY FAR AWAY FROM THEIR GOD.

- 2 KINGS 17:15 ” THEY DESPISED HIS STATUTES AND HIS COVENANT THAT HE MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS AND THE WARNINGS THAT HE GAVE THEM. THEY WENT AFTER FALSE IDOLS AND BECAME FALSE, AND THEY FOLLOWED THE NATIONS THAT WERE AROUND THEM, CONCERNING WHOM THE LORD HAD COMMANDED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT DO LIKE THEM.”

WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT, GOD SENT HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, WHO WAS AND IS GOD IN THE FLESH, TO BE OUR SAVIOR.

- ROMANS 5:6 “FOR WHILE WE WERE STILL WEAK, AT THE RIGHT TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.”

NO LONGER WAS IT A REQUIREMENT TO BE A JEW OR CONVERT TO JUDAISM AND LIVE IN ISRAEL TO BE A CHILD OF GOD. THROUGH FAITH IN GOD’S SON JESUS CHRIST, ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD COULD BECOME THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

- GALATIANS 3:28 “THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, THERE IS NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREE, THERE IS NO MALE AND FEMALE, FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.”

THROUGH FAITH IN GOD’S HOLY SON JESUS CHRIST, ALL WHO COME TO HIM CAN HAVE FORGIVENESS OF THEIR SINS (SIN=THE BREAKING OF GOD’S LAW).

- MATTHEW 26:28 “FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.”

JUST LIKE ANY HUMAN LAW, BEING SORRY FOR BREAKING THE LAW DOESN’T GET ONE OUT OF TROUBLE. YOU MUST PAY THE FINE, WHETHER IT BE MONETARY, AS IN THE CASE OF A SPEEDING TICKET, OR YOUR VERY LIFE, AS IN THE CASE WITH MURDER. HOW DOES THE BREAKING OF GOD’S LAW GET PAID FOR? NOTHING UNHOLY CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. UNHOLINESS IS SIN, AND YOU AND I HAVE SINNED MANY, MANY TIMES. GOD WOULD BE TOTALLY JUST IN SENDING US TO HELL. JESUS CHRIST, PERFECT MAN AND GOD IN THE FLESH, PAID YOUR FINE FOR YOU, MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO SHARE IN GOD’S MERCY AND HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. ALL GLORY AND HONOR BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST!

- JOHN 3:16 “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.”

- ROMANS 10:9-10 “BECAUSE, IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT JESUS IS LORD AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR WITH THE HEART ONE BELIEVES AND IS JUSTIFIED, AND WITH THE MOUTH ONE CONFESSES AND IS SAVED.”

- JOHN 3:18 “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM IS NOT CONDEMNED, BUT WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE STANDS CONDEMNED ALREADY BECAUSE HE HAS NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF GOD'S ONE AND ONLY SON.”

WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE? KEEP READING.

- 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10 “OR DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT THE UNRIGHTEOUS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD? DO NOT BE DECEIVED: NEITHER THE SEXUALLY IMMORAL, NOR IDOLATERS, NOR ADULTERERS, NOR MEN WHO PRACTICE HOMOSEXUALITY, NOR THIEVES, NOR THE GREEDY, NOR DRUNKARDS, NOR REVILERS, NOR SWINDLERS WILL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”

- REVELATION 22:15 “OUTSIDE ARE THE DOGS AND SORCERERS AND THE SEXUALLY IMMORAL AND MURDERERS AND IDOLATERS, AND EVERYONE WHO LOVES AND PRACTICES LIES.”

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE LIST, YOU PROBABLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT A LITTLE MORE. WHO’S RIGHT? YOU OR GOD WHO SAYS ALL HAVE SINNED? ONE LIE, ONE THEFT, ONE CASE OF ADULTERY, ONE HATRED, ONE GREEDY MOMENT, ONE CASE OF SEXUAL IMMORALITY, MAKES YOU A SINNER AND SEPARATED FROM GOD, JUST LIKE ONE RAPE MAKES ONE A RAPIST AND ONE KILLING MAKES ONE A MURDERED. GOD=TOTAL PERFECTION AND HOLINESS. MANKIND=SHOULD HAVE BEEN HOLY BUT WE'RE NOT.

MAYBE YOU THINK THIS SOUNDS TOO HARSH. THINK ABOUT IT. AM I LYING TO YOU? WHAT HAVE I GOT TO GAIN BY TELLING YOU WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY? IF YOUR HOUSE WERE ON FIRE I WOULD BANG ON YOUR DOOR TO WAKE YOU UP AND GET YOU OUT OF THE FIRE.

SO, THE CHOICE IS YOURS. BELIEVE WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT IN YOUR HEART (THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN, BUT ITS END IS THE WAY TO DEATH. – PROVERBS 16:25) OR BELIEVE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS, WHICH IS THE WORD OF THE LORD. (EVERY WORD OF GOD PROVES TRUE; HE IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM. – PROVERBS 30:5)

THIS ISN’T WRITTEN TO MAKE YOU FEEL BAD ABOUT YOURSELF. THIS IS SIMPLY WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS. THIS IS WRITTEN TO LET YOU KNOW HOW GLORIOUS AND WONDERFUL OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST IS!

HOW DOES ONE GET SAVED/BORN AGAIN/BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

- ACTS 16:30-31 “SIRS, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? AND THEY SAID, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED, AND THY HOUSE.”

- MARK 16:16 “WHOEVER BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED, BUT WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE WILL BE CONDEMNED.”

THERE IS MUCH MORE TO WRITE, BUT THE BASICS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ARE BELOW.

- GALATIANS 5:14 “FOR ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, EVEN IN THIS; THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.”

- JOHN 13:34 “A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER: JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, YOU ALSO ARE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”

- 1 JOHN 4:7-8 “BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE IS FROM GOD, AND WHOEVER LOVES HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE.”

- JAMES 4:6 “BUT HE GIVES MORE GRACE. THEREFORE IT SAYS, "GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

Classical, Liturgical, Confessional

2009-08-19T11:56:00.001-07:00

I get Google Alerts on a couple Anglican topics, and they are so depressing that I usually just wind up deleting them. The ACNA is already having struggles between those who do/don't want woman's ordination, Anglo Catholics and Evangelical Anglicans (who, by the way, seem to be simply doing what all the mega churches are doing-selling out to the world), Charismatics and everyone else, which Prayer Book to use, etc. And, of course, the never ending blasphemy and heresy coming out of TEC and ELCA lands in my email inbox every day. Bahhh! It's all so tiring. I know where I stand and I can focus on the things that matter, like doing the works Christ told us to do; making disciples, feeding the poor, helping children and widows, etc., but mostly, proclaiming Lordship of Jesus Christ and the glorious salvation offered in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I consider myself to be a Christian that happens to like confessional Christianity and traditional liturgy. Many, if not most, Anglicans and Lutherans of varying denominations have it backwards. They are Christians who put their denomination, disputes, errors and everything else before their Christianity. Such a shame. Such a waste of time.

Be what you want your children to be

2009-08-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

A mother and her son were watching the Discovery Channel when, to the mother’s surprise, the little boy saw a statue of Buddha and said, “That’s the religion of some Asian people and in India too, I think”. The mother said “Do you know what they believe?” to which the boy replied, “I think they believe in a fat bald man who gives you good luck if you rub his belly. Some of them wear orange robes and are really nice and peaceful people.”

So she got out the encyclopedias and showed the boy other religious pictures, starting with a crescent moon, representing Islam. The boy said, “That’s the religion where ladies wear long black robes and cover their faces and all the men have beards. They really like their religion so much that they practice it all the time, even when they’re not at church.” “Wow” replied the mother “You really know your stuff! Where did you learn that?” The boy said “A friend at school lives by one of them.”

Then she showed him a Star of David. The boy said “That’s the Jews. A lot of them were killed by bad people. Some of the men wear all black and have black hats and curly sideburns. They go cry at a wall in Jerusalem because they are sad.” “Where did you learn that?” asked the mother. “From watching a movie on the history channel” said the boy.

The mother then showed the boy a Cross, to which the boy replied “Oh, I know that one. That’s about Jesus.” “You’re right!” said the mother. “What do we Christians do?” The boy said “They build really humungous and pretty buildings that nobody goes to, except for little kids, like when you drop me off at Vacation Bible School. But it’s hard to tell who a Christian is because they act, look and talk just like everybody else.”

At his response the mother started crying, realizing that she should have been practicing what she had claimed to believe.

The point is that one should be careful what one claims to be. In the United States, the vast majority of people claim to be Christian, or have been baptized in a Christian Church, and then never darken the doors of the Church with their shadow. Subsequently, their lives show absolutely no Christ-likeness, no change. You can’t say you love God and never visit Him, never worship Him, never do anything to grow closer to Him by learning obedience to His Word. That sort of a relationship doesn’t work with your parents, or especially with your wife or husband, does it? Try telling them you love them, then never visit them, never try to please them, and basically ignore their existence until you absolutely need them for something. This is the same way people treat God. Perfection isn’t possible, but love is, and Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. “

- Paul Thompson

An email to my wife about spiritual things...

2009-08-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hi my love,

Remember the other night when you said that you don't know if you believe that the Genesis account and other stories are just spiritual illustrations teaching us a cosmic lesson, instead it is less confusing and right to believe that these stories are literal? Well, you are right. When does one stop taking things as figurative and start taking it literally? You could take it all the way from Genesis to Revelation figuratively if you wanted to, but then where is truth in that? One could read Aesop's Fables and get a good lesson from it. I think it is right to think that when the Bible is figurative it is blatantly figurative, and when it is literal, it is blatantly literal.

Also, if you'll think about it, there is NO harm in playing it safe and believing less, or the bare minimum, but there is harm in believing heresies or stories as truth. So, take, for instance, a Baptist, who believes that the early church was simple, independent, having only a bishop (pastor or shepherd) and deacons like the New Testament says, and believes in "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved". Then they meet together, sing hymns, pray together and hear the word preached, and lead holy lives. They stick only to what the Bible says. There is no harm in this. How could there be?

On the other hand, some church traditions treat their church traditions as if they have been there since the beginning. Sometimes these people begin to worship the idea of the church instead of the Lord. Then, as is evident in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, traditions such as the assumption of Mary, purgatory, intercession of saints, indulgences, immaculate conception and other doctrines become something that you MUST believe to avoid being a heretic. What does that do with the early church people who didn't believe in these doctrines? Make them heretics?

About Apostolic Succession and Apostolic Churches, I realize the purpose behind it, to ensure that godly men were put in place after the death of the previous bishop, but it took on a different form, becoming almost like a magical transmission of truth and power. That's not the case. Apostolic Succession never secured the church from error, and has never perfectly preserved the truth, has it? Any man who has a great knowledge of the Bible and leads an upright life can effectively teach the Scriptures to others and be their pastor. Truth is preserved in men who love God and desire truth, not in the laying on of hands.

Also, I have seen a lot of liturgical churches that have the scripture verse, "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" above a picture of an altar, or vestments or something. I think they are reading that verse backwards. I think that they may be reading it as "worship the Lord in the holiness of beauty". Beauty is not holiness to the Lord. Holiness, however, is beauty to the Lord. Holiness can be as homely as a dirty man in rags who loves God with all his heart, mind and strength and who loves his neighbor as himself, and who watches the words that comes out of his mouth, who helps the orphans and widows, who keeps himself unspotted from the world, who confesses his sins and repents, placing his trust in God and His Son. On the other hand, there are MANY people who have beautiful churches and wear beautiful vestments who molest children, or are very proud of themselves, who wear huge mitres upon their heads. Jesus slept on the streets and probably wore the same humble clothes for most of his adult life.

Love you,
Paul

Important Message from Ben Stein

2009-07-30T11:36:00.001-07:00

This is a great message from Ben Stein. The basic message is this: If you don't want God in your life, then be prepared for Him to back out of your life. Don't ask Him for favors or help if you don't want Him around. Don't complain if He lets us destroy ourselves. Pass it on.

Sincerely,
Paul+

I find myself in full agreement with Ben Stein, as I often do:

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

The Church Militant

2009-07-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

I personally believe, based on the clear command of Scripture and the witness of the Church throughout history, that the ministry of the Church Militant is to preach the gospel to all creation, making disciples of all nations. This includes witnessing to others with zeal. I’m really glad the apostles didn’t sit in the upper room and wait for converts to accidentally stumble up the stairs and join their church. Just as we don’t sit in a boat and wait for the fish to jump in, we shouldn’t expect people to magically become Christians. It is my/our task to get out and make disciples. I believe this means convicting sinners using the Law of God (Ten Commandments), but in a gentle manner, showing all people how they have sinned against God, failing to keep ANY of His commandments. The Law is the schoolmaster to bring people to Christ. Once a person realizes how broken and sinful they are, they can receive the cure for their disease, which is Jesus Christ, the saviour of sinners.

If a doctor were to tell you that you need to get a shot in the arm and then start receiving chemotherapy, you would be offended at him for offering a cure to something you don’t have. But if the doctor tells you that, after examination, you have cancer, then you will gladly take the cure, or therapy, and will be relieved.

Once converts are made, it is the job of the Church Militant to teach them to “observe all things, whatsoever I (Christ) commanded you (doctrine of the Apostles).” The Church Militant should also provide for the widow and fatherless, help the poor, love the brethren and try, as much as it is possible, to live at peace with all men, and to not create schism.

Each member has his or her own gift of ministry, which should be used according the portion it has been given them.

Rev. Paul Thompson

Prayer

2009-07-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

Christian prayer is communication with God the Father, and is best exemplified in the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ gave us, the Lord’s Prayer. We should glorify God in our hearts and minds first, we should seek out His kingdom, and pray that His will be done in our life, just as it would be done in heaven. Then we should offer our petitions to God, and also ask forgiveness of our sins, since we do sin daily against His Divine Majesty. We should seek His protection in our daily life against sin in our own lives and from the attacks of the evil one. We should also remember that to God alone belongs all glory and honor.

I practice Morning and Evening Prayer as it is in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (USA), but that is not all that I do. I have three children; two boys and one daughter. I pray with them every day, utilizing the Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostle’s Creed, always leaving room for our own personal petitions and concerns. My oldest son, James, (7 years), keeps a prayer journal, and he is quite a boy of prayer, that I know, with God’s help, will grow to be a man of prayer. I am also teaching my children that written prayers are for our learning, and teach us how to pray, and for what we should pray. They do know that they can, and should, speak to God from their hearts.

Overall, prayer is a constant relationship with God that should be carried out all day. I converse with God while at my day job, on the drive home, and many times being consciously unaware that I am praying to Him. A good book I read a couple years ago called The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, was a good example of living a life of prayer/relationship with God. God can be glorified in the kitchen in one’s heart just as much as He can in the liturgy of the Church.

DEPRAVITY

2009-04-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, humans are totally depraved. There is no goodness in them. I went through a short period where I believed that the remaining goodness in a person could coax them back to the God who created them; that the light that brought them into this world would somehow draw them back to that original light through works of righteousness. I was wrong.

I have a friend who has a large tattoo on his back. It is a scale, and weighed in the balances are the words "good" and "bad". The "good" side of the scale weighed more than the bad, showing that his "goodness" outweighed his "badness". When I asked him if he thought he was basically good, he said "yes, I am mostly a good person. I've never done anything too horrible". This same man says the most crude and horrible things I've heard come out of a man's mouth. He also breaks every commandment of God Almighty, and boasts about doing so. Yet, he seems to believe that his goodness outweighs his evil.

I stand with what the Bible says. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). I can say completely truthfully and with my whole heart that nearly every unsaved person I work with is wicked and does no good. Romans 3:10-13 says "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:"

I can vouch for the truthfulness of every statement in this section of Scripture.

- None righteous. Not one person I know follows God's Law, or has a heart to love God.

- None that understandeth. Not one person I know understands spiritual things, nor do they desire to.

- None that seeketh after God. Unless they are hiding something, I don't know one of them who actively pursues God. None seek the true God. They are too busy seeking entertainment.

- Open sepulchre. A sepulchre is a tomb or grave. The words of their mouth are deadly, and hearing it everyday is poison to my soul, and the souls of those around them, sending them to death.

- Deceit and poison. This is what flows from their mouth when they speak. I rarely hear an encouraging word from any one of them. Their words are poisonous and they are deceitful, trying to cause others to stumble and fall and sin so they may not feel anyone is better than them.

This may sound rude, but this is just the way it is. If people think that judgement day will prove them just and good men because they were "basically good", they have another thing coming. They will be judged for their works, and their works will be filthy rags, and their horrible sinfulness will condemn them.

There is ONE CURE. The Lord Jesus Christ has made atonement for those who repent from their sins and turn to him for forgiveness. Trust in Him fully for redemption and justification and begin a new life. Don't wait to come to God until you are perfect; that day will never come. He wants you just as you are, as sinful and dreadful as you are. He will completely justify you and make you a new person.

Was (is) Jesus God?

2009-03-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

The New Testament writers clearly believed that Jesus was God. For instance, look at this verse from Titus 2:13 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

-Here Jesus is referred to as the great God and Saviour.

Acts 20:28 says, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

-This verse says that God purchased His church with His own blood. It was the blood of Jesus that was shed when He was crucified.

Apostate Christianity

2009-03-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Christians, be very wary of the claims of some self proclaimed Christian denominations today. There is ONE way to judge whether or not a church is a Church of Christ or a synagogue of satan. Please read the quote below from the late Archbishop Cranmer.

"If there were any word of God beside the Scripture, we could never be certain of God's Word; and if we be uncertain of God's Word, the devil might bring in among us a new word, a new doctrine, a new faith, a new church, a new god, yea himself to be a god. If the Church and the Christian faith did not stay itself upon the Word of God certain, as upon a sure and strong foundation, no man could know whether he had a right faith, and whether he were in the true Church of Christ, or a synagogue of Satan."

Seek for wisdom, which is only found in the Scriptures:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov 1:7

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6

When you seek for the truth you will find it. Pray to God to lead you in the right and righteous path.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Baptism

2008-09-21T23:51:00.000-07:00

So many times I have heard preachers say that Paul was basically downplaying the role of baptism in the Church, or showing its insignificance, in 1 Corinthians 1:17 when he says "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel," putting preaching at a much higher level than the sacrament of baptism. However, a closer look at the context that the verse is placed in paints another picture.

In verses 12-17, Paul is correcting the church at Corinth for their mistaken belief that whoever baptized them, or introduced them to the faith, required their devotion and full allegiance, creating factions of Christians within the church. This is why, in vs. 13, Paul says "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" Paul goes on to say "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name." (vs. 14 & 15).

Paul's words, "I thank God that I baptized none of you", and "were you baptized in the name of Paul?", place a great deal of importance on baptism. The people of Corinth were all baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. They all belong to Jesus Christ through their baptism in His name.

Paul's relief in not baptizing many of the members of the church of Corinth is caused by his desire to not be a major part of the factions that were being created in the church, not because he placed little or no importance on baptism. Paul writes in many other places about being baptized into Christ, dying in baptism and rising in Christ. Paul simply was not called to baptize them, but to preach to them. This means that there were others who were called to baptize them. Simply because Paul wasn't called to baptize but to preach doesn't mean that baptism isn't important, it just means that wasn't his job! Of course he would do it if he had to, as he mentions that he did baptize a few of them. The very fact that Paul points out that divisions were caused over the people who baptized them shows what a great deal of importance the early church placed on baptism.

Tradition and Reason

2008-09-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I don't like change. I am a sucker for tradition. Tradition is usually a sign of stability, or maybe very slow change. This dislike for change and desire for tradition may be caused by a world that views truth as relative and a church that conforms to the fashions and fads of the day. Actually, I'm sure those reasons have something to do with it.

However, if tradition leads to a dead spiritual life I am against it. I've been in many traditional churches that are still Spirit filled and full of life. I've been in others where the members go to church because they really like the liturgy, or the sound of the organ, or they rant about their choir or they are really in love with the smells and bells, and they seem to lack spiritual life and vitality, and they have little or no concern for those in the world.

Tradition, theology, doctrine and liturgy are all very important; important to me personally. But I can't stand deadness! I don't mean that I need to see people doing back flips in church, waving their hands or speaking in tongues. What I mean is I can tell when I meet a Christian who really loves the Lord and who's life has been transformed by Him, and I can tell the other type; the type that goes to church for social reasons, and that's about it. They may sing ancient and beautiful songs that have beautiful words and melody's, but do they mean or feel what they sing? Of course, there may be people in the congregation that do love God and want to serve Him truly. I've met some.

What is more depressing is that there are hardly ever young people in either group. The church seems to be dying in America. At least the traditional church. To me, this is very sad. It's my opinion that it is NOT the right thing to do to coax them back to church using entertainment. That has nothing to do with conversion. They have to be made disciples, true converts, true seekers of God, and only conviction and the Holy Spirit can do this. I suppose we live in an age where people, especially young people, are completely and totally lost to entertainment. How can a quiet and reverential old traditional church compete? It can't. One has to love God to do anything truly. One must let go of over-entertainment as well. People are so consumed with entertainment that it is saddening. They must be doing something constantly, such as playing video games, chatting, texting, surfing the web, listening to IPod's, downloading music, looking at porn, watching a movie, whatever. Satan wins through these tools.

This post is turning into something I didn't intend it to. What I wanted to say is that tradition is good at making boundaries and passing on the ancient faith. It is not good when tradition becomes the god. There is One God. He is jealous for us and for our time.

Paul

"If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know." St. Paul

Jesus told us to:

2008-03-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

Jesus told us to:

To feed the poor.

To clothe the naked.

To visit the sick and imprisoned.

To help the orphans and widows in their afflictions and

To keep oneself unspotted from the world.

To obey the Ten Commandments.

To become like little children in order to inherit the kingdom of God.

To suffer the little children to come unto Him, and forbid them not.

To baptize believers and

make disciples of all nations.

To cleanse the lepers, heal the sick and raise the dead.

To sell all that we have, give it to the poor and come, and follow Him.

However, all these commands are summarized in this, "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul and strength and to love thy neighbor as thyself."

Because, "Love suffers long and is kind;
love does not envy;
love does not parade itself,
is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely,
does not seek its own,
is not provoked,
thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13

Love is the fulfillment of the Law, because love looks after the salvation and welfare of others, and one who loves God will never want to offend their Holy Father.

2008-02-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

1 John 1:3 "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."

The beloved Apostle John is writing his letter with a mission in mind. He wishes for the readers of his letter to gain knowledge of the precious Savior, Jesus Christ, so that they may have fellowship with him. Why does he wish for others to have fellowship with him? Well, because his fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. Why would St. John want others to share in this fellowship? What is so pressing that he feels the need to write a letter to share with all the churches of his time, and, ultimately, to all Christians everywhere for all time?

There is a need for every living human to share in this fellowship, for there is no life outside of this fellowship. More to follow...

Give Thanks!

2008-01-20T21:18:00.000-08:00

Give thanks to the Lord.

1 Thesselonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

In all circumstances and situations give thanks unto the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever. Don't blame God for the bad stuff. All bad stuff, like sickness, disease, fights, wars, death, come as a result of human sin and the curse it brought upon the earth. Even vegetation and animals suffer because of sin. Before sin there were no thorns, thistles, or weeds and animals didn't eat one another. God is the source of life and light. In the book of James we read, "ever good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the the Father of lights". This is the verse that I read when my son James was born. He is a life, he is my son, he is a gift from God, a good and perfect gift.

The breath you breathe, the reason you woke up this morning, the heartbeat that just pumped, the food that you ate, the water you drank, the clothes you are wearing, the vehicle you drive; you don't DESERVE any of these things. These are conveniences and blessings from our heavenly Father. They could all be gone tomorrow, and you could be going to the bathroom outside and wiping with leaves, building a shelter out of sticks with a thatched roof and mud, digging up roots to eat for dinner, going without a shower because you don't have running water, or you could loose your health, your money, etc.

Give thanks to God, for this is His will and desire for your life.

Simple Christianity

2007-12-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

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"

2007-11-26T07:32:00.000-08:00

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)

2007-11-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-11-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-02T18:14:00.001-07:00

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

2007-09-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-07T23:01:00.001-07:00

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

2007-07-05T03:59:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-22T00:31:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-05T03:03:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-05T02:25:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

"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

2007-05-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-30T03:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

"...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

2007-03-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-02-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-11T19:42:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-01-30T13:36:00.001-08:00

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

2007-01-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-01-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

A Self Examination

2007-01-08T20:29:00.000-08:00

“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!!

Do You Think You're Going to Heaven? Are You Good Enough?

2006-11-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

Some people think that the world can be changed, or made better, by creating laws that people have to follow. Others think that certain social programs, such as gun laws, metal detectors in schools, higher fines for seat belt laws, porn addicts anonymous, welfare, food stamps, recovery shelters, 12 step programs, and the like are the way to make a society a better place. Maybe a gun law will reduce crime; maybe stricter drug laws will fix things; maybe socialism.

Many of these things mentioned above are not bad in and of themselves such as food stamps to temporarily help people who are in need, welfare to help struggling parents for a while, or 12 step programs to get people off of drugs or alcohol. The sad thing is, not one of these things can change a person's heart, which is exactly where a change needs to occur. The inner man (or woman) cannot be changed by a "program". These programs and other such things will never make a society better, will never make a lick of change, because people will always be corrupt, will always go back to drugs or alcohol, will always go back to sexual deviancy such as sex outside of marriage or porn addiction, will always return to laziness, complacency, and selfishness. Unless people are changed in their hearts, their inner-person, no true or lasting change is accomplished.

The worse mistake, and most common problem of mankind, is that people just assume they are OK with God. This is a lie. People must get right with God. The human heart is corrupt and will always turn back to its corruption, even if for a while a person makes a vow to change his or her life. Nothing less than perfect can stand before a Holy God. Psalm 14 verses 2-3 say, "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." This is the very reason that social programs and laws do not make permanent change. People must have a change of heart. School programs don't make schools better, do they? Kids must change individually, and the change must begin at HOME with a change of heart. How does this change of heart take place? The Lord Jesus Christ put it this way, "Ye must be born again." Even further, Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

How is a person born again? How does he get a new heart, or spirit, implanted within him? How is true change accomplished?

Do you know the Ten Commandments? Most people know some of them, or have heard of them. They reflect the perfection that God requires of us. They are;

I am the Lord thy God, You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make idols or bow down to them, nor serve them.

You shall not use the name of the Lord your God disrespectfully.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not lie about your neighbor.

You shall not lust for your neighbor's house, or his wife, or any thing that is your neighbor's.

God gave us His law to show us how we are suppose to live. Unfortunately, not even one person (with the exception of Jesus) has ever kept all the commandments of God. The transgression of the law is also punishable by death, because God calls transgression of His law sin, and one sin left unpaid for is enough to condemn. God's holy word, the Bible, says, "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Let me ask you, have you ever broken God's perfect law? Have you ever told a lie? Even one lie? That is transgression of the law. Have you ever stole anything, no matter how small it was? You have broken God's law. Have you ever committed adultery? Jesus said that if a man looks after a woman and lusts after her in his heart he has committed adultery in his heart. You have broken God's law. Have you ever been jealous of your neighbors prosperity? Have you ever hated your brother, or sister? Maybe you have had sex outside of marriage? You stand condemned. You have an unpaid sin debt strapped to your back that is sinking you to hell.

Guess what? These transgressions of Gods law do not fade away with time. God is not some Universal Grandfather sitting in heaven laughing at the sins of his silly children. He is a Holy, Righteous and Just God. He is a Judge. If you received a speeding ticket and were fined $75 dollars, and you decide to not show up to court to pay the fine, will the fine go away? No, you still owe the debt. Maybe you decide to show up to court and, since you know the judge is a good man, you ask him to just forgive you of your debt because he is a nice guy and the offence was committed long ago. If he is a good judge he will make you pay because he must uphold the law. God is a good and just God; you MUST pay for all your sins. Revelation 21:8 says, "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." God is holy and nothing even slightly unholy can enter His presence. NOTHING. If you think God is different than the way I have explained, you have made up a false god in your head. The God I speak of is the God of the Bible. The worse thing is that there is nothing you can do to take away your sins.

....But God made a way for you. The repentant sinner can be forgiven. That HUGE debt of sin that you could never pay can be paid for. There is only one way to have your debt of sin paid for; that is through God's only begotten son Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Luke 5:32, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Jesus can grant you repentance unto life. You must repent, which means turn away from all of your sins and sinfulness and then ask Jesus Christ to forgive you. When Jesus died on the cross, he took away the sins of every person who would come to Him for forgiveness and paid the debt for all who would come to Him. He was the perfect sacrifice. He lived a perfect life and was condemned to die a shameful and sinful death on the cross. He stood before God with your sins and threw them into hell and said to God, "It is finished", meaning that it is paid for. Then three days later He rose from the dead in His own power and will be returning to judge the living and the dead. You can be made white as snow before God. You can be sure that at the coming judgement you can stand clean before God, knowing you are His son or daughter. John 3:17-18 says, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." 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." Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. He is our only mediator before God. Repent of your sins, ask Jesus to save you from hell, and He will do it. Then, "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." so says Revelation 2:10. You see how the 12 step program has 11 too many steps? The only step you need is Jesus Christ. Can you see how programs and laws don't change hearts? Only the Lord God can change hearts, thus changing a neighborhood, a town, a society.

If you don't believe me, read the Bible. If you don't believe the Bible, you'll know the truth someday; I just hope it is not too late by the time you come to realize it. If this letter hurts anybody's feelings, I would rather have you dislike me and know the truth than be happy with me and ignorant of the truths of the Scripture. May God open your eyes, enlighten your mind and bless you and be with you always.

Observe all things...

2006-08-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

The Gospel of St. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." These verses are known as the Great Commission. Jesus told his disciples as He ascended into heaven to go and teach all nations. He gave them this commission. The word commission is defined as:

-The act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty.
-The authority so granted.
-The matter or task so authorized.
-A document conferring such authorization.
(Definition found at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=commission)

As a follower of Jesus Christ I feel that this commission has been extended to me as well, feeling that God has put a burden on my heart to spread His gospel and share His word with as many people as possible. This is the purpose of this blog site, to share this information with you.

Why would Jesus, as He is leaving this earth, tell his followers to teach all nations, baptize them, and have them to observe everything He commanded?

What did He want them to teach? Jesus wanted His followers to teach all nations about Himself. He wanted them to teach the gospel.

And what is the gospel? It is the good news that Jesus Christ is the messiah. That He is God made flesh through a Virgin, that He led a sinless life, that He was wounded for our transgressions ( Isaiah 53:5 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=29&chapter=53&verse=5&version=9&context=verse)

That He was crucified, died and was laid in a tomb, and that on the third day He rose from the dead by His own power.

He is the one who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21) because "..the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) but "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

Why did He want this to be taught? What does He want to save us from? Why do we need a savior?

He wanted this taught because He is merciful and is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all would come to repentance. You see, one sin is enough to separate us from the perfect God. I'll say it again -ONE SIN is enough to separate us from the perfect God. Nothing unholy can stand before God and there is nothing you can do in yourself to make up for the sins you have committed because "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). You can't be good enough because we are corrupt from birth because of the fallen state we have been left in since Adam and Eve sinned.

What does He want to save us from? HELL. Hell is reserved for those whose sins are not covered by the blood of Christ Jesus. Hell is a place created by God for the judgement of sinners and fallen angels. It is a lake of fire and lasts for all eternity.

Why do we need Jesus to save us? Because we can't save ourselves. In the Book of Acts, a man asked the Apostle Paul the most important question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) The Apostle Paul replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31).

If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was born of the Virgin Mary, that He died and was raised from the dead, and that He ascended into heaven you can have eternal life. But, as the book of James says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." You must place all your trust in Jesus Christ. You must repent of your sins, don't turn back to them and ask Jesus to save you from dreaded judgement. Get on your knees and pray the 51st Psalm. This Psalm is a perfect Psalm of repentance.

Romans 10:9-13 "That if thous 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."

The disease: You have a debt of sin you cannot pay off that will put you in hell.

The cure: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." John 1:12, Romans 3:23

If you want to be saved from eternal hell and know Jesus Christ as your savior, please let me know. Email me at drummerboypaul@gmail.com I would like to help you in your new found faith in Jesus Christ.