Are You Really A Worshipper?

Conversation....

God: “Would you say that a person who watches 20 minutes of television a week worships the TV?”

Us: “Probably not.”

God: “Then why would you say that someone who worships ME 20 minutes a week is a worshipper of God?”

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Unity Means Compromise

"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
-John 17:20-21

When Jesus prayed these words, he was praying for true unity. To be in true unity, one must be in unity with the Father. To compromise the very Word of God to have unity with other so called "Christians" is a false unity. It is COMPROMISE!
2 Timothy 4:3- "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
The church in America today is full of itching ears wanting to be tickled. As a result, we have hirelings in the pulpits willing to compromise the Word to remain "popular" with the people. Pastors are too busy worrying about how to keep the numbers up than in preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in a "me" centered society. We want to go to church and "feel good." The entire ecumenical movement is wicked and from the devil. If you truly believe the Word of God, you can not be in unity with churches, faiths and denominations that compromise the Word of God to suit their needs. Paul told us to "come out from among them" and to be separate from the world. As true believers we do NOT have to try to be like the world. I urge you to be sure that you are not compromising for the sake of a false "unity".
The following quote describes well the difference between the true Gospel and the gospel of Satan.

The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war, but aims at peace and unity. It seeks not to set the mother against her daughter nor the father against his son, but fosters the fraternal spirit whereby the human race is regarded as one great ‘brotherhood.’ It does not seek to drag down the natural man, but to improve and uplift him. It advocates education and cultivation and appeals to ‘the best that is within us.’ It aims to make this world such a comfortable and congenial habitat that Christ’s absence from it will not be felt and God will not be needed.

–A.W. Pink

Christianity

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Something To Think About

I really am trying to get back to blogging! I do miss the outlet it provides for me. I get so busy. Just a few things to ponder....

"Christian" is a word used way to loosely. (Are you really following Christ?)

Why is church more like a social club than anything else?

Why is it that some of the most gossiping, backbiting people on earth are so called "Christians"?

What if the church today walked in power and love like the first church in the book of Acts?

When did Jesus say to run church like a business?

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To the Church in Laodicea/America

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit[12][Lit vomit ] you out of My mouth.
'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' "
- Revelation 3:14-22 (NASB)

Here is another version, The Message. It really brings in to full understanding what Jesus was saying.

Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says:

15-17"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.

18"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

19"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!

20-21"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!

22"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."
-Revelation 3:14-22 (The Message)

Powerful words to ponder. Jesus was not talking to unbelievers, He was talking to THE CHURCH! I don't know about you but I do not want to be thought of as vomit by God.

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Whose Side Are You On?

It has been a long time since I posted. I have been so busy trying to get our homeschool year off to a great start. I am trying to get back into blogging. It is a nice way of "escaping" for a while. Revelation 19 is such an awesome scripture. As for the battle spoken of starting in verse 11, I know which side I will be on. Do you know for sure which side you will be on?

Revelation Chapter 19

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God;
2 BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER."
3 And a second time they said, "Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER."
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!"
5 And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great."
6 Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Marriage of the Lamb

7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' " And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

The Coming of Christ

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, "Come, assemble for the great supper of God,
18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great."
19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

Doom of the Beast and False Prophet

20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.
21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.


There is ONE way to the Father. That is through Jesus Christ His son. Being born into a Christian family or a Catholic family does not guarantee your entrance to heaven. Jesus said, "You must be born again." (John Chapter 3) We have all sinned. You must confess your sins, trust in the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of yous sins and repent(turn away). Make Jesus your Lord and live for Him. The Bible says that if we are not for Him we are against Him. Jesus said if we were lukewarm He would spew us from His mouth. (Revelation 3:16) You are either serving Jesus or serving satan. Think about it!


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The Gospel of Martyrdom VS. The Gospel of Success

by Dr. Michael L. Brown

Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin. The appointed Jewish leadership confronted this anointed Jewish believer. They glared; he glowed. They were enraged; he was enraptured. Their faces were contorted with anger; his was like the countenance of an angel. “Men and brothers,” he said, “listen to me.”

He rehearsed the history of Israel, from Abraham to Moses to David, the faithfulness of God in spite of the unfaithfulness of the people. But Stephen was not there that day merely to recite the lessons of history. He was there to be a witness, and as a faithful witness he spoke. His words turned to piercing rebuke:

You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him -- you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it (7:51-53).

Soon his body lay battered and bloody, a mangled, motionless mass. He had not backed down. He had not compromised. He had not omitted a word. He was a witness and a prophetic voice. And that day he became the Church’s first martyr -- the first, but not the last. Hundreds of thousands have followed in his path. Being a witness for Jesus could cost you your life.

In the early Church, witnessing and martyrdom quickly became associated: The Greek word for “witness” is martus. Witnesses testify with their lives and often seal their words with their own blood. Have you done any “witnessing” lately?

It’s one thing to read the Word and be stirred by the examples of men like Stephen. But this was real life! He was probably a young man with a wife and children. His whole future lay before him. His family was dependent on him. There may have been a toddler waiting to greet him that day when he came home. But he never came home!

And then there was his ministry. He was a powerful preacher, anointed to heal the sick and perform miracles. Think of all the lives he could touch! Think of all the good he could do for the kingdom of God.

Why didn’t Stephen simply deny the false charges? “Men and brothers, the accusations are not true.” Why didn’t he politely dismiss their questions and calm their anger? Why did he continue to stand up and speak out? The answer challenges us all: He was not seeking to save his life; he was seeking to be a witness.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it (Matt 16:25).

This is the story of the true Church in every nation and in every age:

You did not renounce your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness, who was put to death in your city -- where Satan lives (Rev 2:13b).

This is the gospel of martyrdom, the gospel of Jesus. It is the gospel that Paul preached and lived:

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24).

That is why he could say:

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 1:20-21).

As Leonard Ravenhill observed, Paul didn’t mind if the cost of his obedience was prison,

for it were better that he should be “the prisoner of the Lord for a few years than that his fellow men should be the devil’s prisoners in hell forever (Why Revival Tarries, 118).

How different this is from the philosophy that rules in today’s luxury-soaked America. How different this is from the modern gospel of success! Jesus cut to the very core of the issue. When Peter told the Lord in no uncertain terms that He was not to go the way of suffering, rejection, and death (“Never, Lord!” he said.” This shall never happen to you!”), Jesus identified Peter’s words as satanic.

Get behind Me, Satan! [Jesus said to Peter.] You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men. (Matt 16:23)

What was at the root of this satanically inspired theology? What fueled Peter’s opposition to the cross? It was a different set of values, a different perspective, a different viewpoint, a different understanding: “you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Now we’re getting down to the basics!

One “gospel” is interested in the things of this world, the things of men. The other gospel is interested in eternal things, the things of God. One message cultivates preservation of self; the other cultivates denial of self. One says, “Add to your life!” The other says, “Lose your life!” One message encourages self-satisfaction, the other encourages self-denial. One message tells carnally minded people “what their itching ears want to ear” (2 Tim 4:3); the other message tells the truth.

Whether or not we have much in this world is not the central issue. (Most of us in America have an incredible abundance, dozens of times what we actually need to live.) What matters is our attitude towards our what we have. And we who have an abundance must guard our hearts. Riches are deceitful!

Jesus rebuked the church of Laodicea:,

You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful poor, blind and naked (Rev 3:17).

But Jesus commended the church of Smyrna:

I know your afflictions and your poverty -- yet you are rich. . . . Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev 2:9-10).

We must see how tragically earthly the gospel of success really is. It still stands in the way of the cross. It still rebukes Jesus for promising suffering and death. In fact, it actually calls the path to Calvary “religious” -- meaning traditional, unanointed, and fruitless.

It is no overstatement to say that there is no cross in the gospel of success. In its most extreme modern forms, it originates from the pit. (Remember, it was Satan whom Jesus rebuked for trying to keep Him from going to the cross.)

The gospel of success criticizes the message of the cross because it leads to “death.” But the true gospel must lead to death -- death to the flesh, death to the will of man, death to this world’s priorities. Only through death can there be resurrection. Only through the cross can there be abundant life. In fact, if you want what some teachers call “the God kind of life” you’re going to have to experience “the Jesus kind of death.” Which path will you take?

The last generation taught what is often called “pie in the sky” theology -- and this theology certainly had its problems! There were plenty of negative distortions in the message. But we have substituted something worse. We now have the theology of “have your cake and eat it too.” The first message starved its hearers, depriving them of the blessings of life in the Spirit in this world. The second message engorges them, robbing them of the light of eternity.

People of God, we are not to center our lives around eating and drinking, gaining and possessing, having more and being merry, because tomorrow we do not die. No. We live forever! How foolish that we conduct ourselves as if this world were our lasting home. We’re just passing through!

When Jacob was a frail old man he said to Pharaoh:

The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of pilgrimage of my fathers (Gen 47:9).

King David, in spite of the equivalent of billions of dollars of riches, could say at the end of his life:

We are aliens and strangers in Your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope (1 Chr 29:15).

Hebrews 11 commends Abraham -- certainly a prosperous and influential man -- because,

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. . . . [All of them] admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own . . . a heavenly one (11:9-10, 13-14, 16).

How much more does the New Testament call us to live in the light of eternity!

Jesus told His disciples to rejoice when they were persecuted and rejected, “because great is your reward in heaven . . .” (Matt 5:12). He told them -- and us! -- to store up treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19-21), and Peter reminds us that we have a heavenly inheritance “that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Pet 1:4). That’s why we who suffer for Jesus now will be “overjoyed” when His glory will be revealed at His return (1 Pet 4:13). There is great joy now because there will be endless joy then!

You sympathized with those in prison [for the faith] and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions (Heb 10:34).

Consider the example of C. T. Studd. Raised in a wealthy, aristocratic home in England last century, he became a national celebrity as a sensational cricket player at Cambridge. (He could have become the “Michael Jordan” of his generation.) But through the preaching of D. L. Moody, he experienced a deep transformation and left everything to go to the mission field.

Was he wrong for abandoning a phenomenal sports career in England in order to preach the Word in China and Africa? Was he “religious” because he chose to forsake fame, fortune, and comfort to live sacrificically among the heathen? The decisions he made and the path he chose make one thing perfectly clear: He was not seeking to get ahead in this world. He was seeking to please the Lord. There is a difference!

On judgment day, and throughout eternity, men and women like C. T. Studd will be accounted wise. They will have our admiration and God’s commendation. Does anything stop us from following their lead? It will mean going against the grain!

Our country is saturated with a “save your life, improve your life” mentality -- from health clubs to exercise videos, from savings plans to retirement funds, from insurance policies to computer programs guaranteed to put you “in control of your life.” Be successful! Live in greater security and ease! Enjoy the American dream! Jesus says, “Follow Me -- even to the point of death.”

After His resurrection, He told Peter the kind of death by which he would glorify God (John 21:19). What a concept! Think of a discussion among the first eleven disciples: “Matthew, Bartholomew, Thomas, by what kind of death are you going to glorify Him?”

For these men, this would not have been idle talk: According to tradition, all the first apostles, with the exception of John, died a martyr’s death. (John was reportedly boiled in oil twice -- and survived.) For them, the issue was not, “Will we be called to die for the glory of God?” But rather, “By what kind of death will we glorify Him?”

What about us? Is the call any different today? By what kind of death are we called to glorify God? Death to our reputation? Death to human opinion? Death to our careers? Death to our plans and goals? Or maybe the literal death of a martyr?

Savonarola, the prophetic priest in the fifteenth century Catholic Church understood the cost of fidelity to the Lord. When offered the red hat of a cardinal, he replied:

No hat will I have but that of a martyr, reddened with my own blood.

The fatal flaw of the modern, carnal prosperity message is that it encourages us to set our eyes on the things of this world. It makes it harder for us to leave all, lose self, and follow Jesus. It eliminates the call to take up our cross. (Remember, Jesus was not the only One called to carry the cross. Read Luke 9:23 several times out loud, and digest each word slowly: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”)

The gospel of success says, “Jesus died for you so you could prosper and succeed in this world.” (Of course, there is some truth to the prosperity message, but its emphasis is way off.) The biblical message says, “Live so as to lose your life for the Lord” -- meaning go anywhere, do anything, make any sacrifice -- as long as souls are saved, lives are changed, the kingdom is extended, and Jesus is exalted. As children of God, we now make our decisions based on entirely different priorities. We are already subjects of the heavenly kingdom. We have already died to this world!

Of course, there are things in this present age that are important. Justice in our society is important. Compassionate action on behalf of the poor and hurting is important. Righteousness and integrity are important. Morality and family values are important. But only those whose lives are given over to a higher -- and eternal -- purpose can radically change things here. As C. S. Lewis said:

It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one.

Can we be honest with ourselves? A major reason why we don’t take a stand against godless laws is because we don’t want to risk our lives. We’re not willing to suffer the consequences.

A key reason why we don’t share our faith more clearly and -- in love -- more aggressively is because we don’t want to experience rejection. We don’t want to lose our friends, or our jobs, or our ease.

One major factor that keeps many of us from the mission field is that we’re too comfortable here and now. (Let’s face it: Here and now is where it’s at for most of us. There’s only one way you can prove me wrong: Live differently!)

It’s time for the old spirit of martyrdom to enter the church of America. (Much of the Church worldwide has no choice in the matter. Christianity for them is synonymous with suffering. Just ask the families of the Christian men in Sudan or Ethiopia who were crucified for their faith -- in the last few months.) It’s time that we do God’s will, and God’s will alone.

I once heard Richard Wurmbrand ask why, when the Supreme Court passed the law removing public prayer from our schools, American Christians chose to comply. What would have happened if we simply refused to obey? The whole thing probably would have been turned around overnight. And if it wasn’t turned around? Then at least the church, through her biblical obedience, would have been turned around!

If only we would value obedience to the Lord more highly than we value self-preservation! If only the favor of God were more meaningful to us than the opinions of people! If only we would count suffering for Jesus to be a privilege! What could stop us then? This country boasts of fifty-seventy million born-again Christians. (Of course, that figure is preposterous.) But what if just one million true believers here (just twenty thousand from each state!) decided to obey God and stand up for what is right, regardless of the cost? Our nation would be absolutely shaken. Now is the time to awake!

In 1984, after hearing K. P. Yohannan of Gospel for Asia preach a challenging message, a Christian man named Samuel gave up his good job in South India and moved with his family to the region of Karnataka. There he began preaching to unreached Hindus, known for their hostility to the gospel. The Lord blessed the work, and even a Hindu priest was born again.

This was more than the extremists could take. They burst into a meeting one Sunday and severely beat Samuel with iron rods, breaking his hand, arm, leg, and collar bone. When his seven year old son ran up and cried out, “Please don’t kill our daddy!” they struck the boy on the spine, breaking his back. Then they left, warning Samuel that if he ever preached there again, they would kill him. The beating was so severe that Samuel and his son were hospitalized for several months.

After his release, Samuel attended a workers’ meeting with K. P. Yohannan. The first night, during a time of prayer, his arm was supernaturally healed of paralysis he was suffering as a result of his beating. The next night he testified of the things he had recently experienced for the Lord.

K. P. asked Samuel, “What are you going to do now?” With a peaceful determination, the young man replied:

I am going back. Even if I am killed, my blood will be the foundation for many more churches.

He returned and has continued to preach. His son is back in school and is also doing well. And Samuel has baptized many more converts -- and has been beaten again.

Would we have gone back and preached? K. P. was honest enough to admit that his own reaction might have been different. First he would have come up with lots of good scriptures to justify not going back. And then he would have used his best argument:

I’m only forty-some years old! God wants me to use my brain for His kingdom. With all the investment He has made in my life since I was sixteen, would it be right for me to be killed by some fanatics next week? Don’t be stupid! I am going to leave this place so I will have another forty years of my life to invest in and build God’s kingdom (Living in the Light of Eternity, 159-60).

Samuel thought differently. He was not out to save his life, he was out to save sinners. With such resolve how could he be defeated? His life is not his own! In past centuries, missionaries endued with the same spirit sailed off to far away lands with their belongings packed in caskets. They were making a one way trip!

A few years ago, a young evangelist moved into an area in Asia famous for its violent resistance to Jesus. The radical religious opposition immediately came to his apartment, making their intentions clear: “We’ll kill you if you stay here and preach!” The evangelist only smiled. “I came to die,” he replied. Today his church has 200 members. That is the power of the gospel of martyrdom. That is true success.

Dr. Michael L. Brown
ICN Ministries
PO Box 1446
Harrisburg, NC 28075
704-782-3760
e-mail: ministry@icnministries.org




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Blessed Are Those Who Put Their Trust In Him

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us."

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The LORD shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:

6 "Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion."

7 "I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
'You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.




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Religion Kills

RELIGION KILLS
By Sean Dietrich

When I first met Jesus and started to follow him, I had two roads that immediately offered themselves to me. I could learn to love Jesus in simplicity, let him weed out the sin in my life and teach me to be his follower. Or I could follow the religious pathway, try and weed my own sins out, and please the Father on my own.

Sadly, I chose door number two! Religion.

Of course no one decides to follow rules and laws on purpose, it naturally happens when you choose religion. I loved Jesus and I wanted to please him, so I tried to follow the traditions that were set before me. I did my best to follow the business-like schedules that surrounded me, but I could feel my new love for Jesus slowly slipping away the more I got "plugged in."

I spent a long time hiding from Jesus in my religion. I am so glad he came through the fog, grabbed my hand and set me free! Jesus has been taking me on an incredible journey ever since I left my traditions and found him.

JESUS, THE ANTI-RELIGION

A bit of warning: Don't read the New Testament if you are satisfied with your religion! Jesus will shake your world too hard. He shook religion so hard in 33 A.D that they killed him for it! Imagine being killed by respected religious figures for honestly critiquing their traditions? I've found that mankind loves their familiar traditions and gets very touchy when you question them.

The most interesting thing I found in the New Testament was that Jesus didn't come to establish a religion here on earth like I had once thought he did. He came to wipe it out instead! Jesus constantly freed people from anything that smelled like a ritual or a blind tradition. He was always assaulting the religious leaders of the day, and calling them back to the simple relationship that God always wanted. He accused them of shutting the doors of heaven for everyone else!

It's no mistake that Jesus was constantly breaking the traditions of men. Traditions like Sabbath keeping and touching lepers, etc. He could have followed man's traditions if he would have wanted to, but he didn't. Why was Jesus such a downer on religion? Because he felt the same way about religion the Father does.

DON'T STRUCTURE YOUR LOVE

My wife and I enjoy spending time together. But imagine if my wife and I began to add structure and religion to our marriage, like people do in their relationship to Jesus? It would eventually suffocate the life out of the marriage. I can't imagine reading through our past love letters for one hour in my easy chair every day, simply because I am required to do so. Yet many Christians do this with their bible every morning. They read and pray out of obligation and not out of complete and total love!

My wife and I don't have to schedule meeting times together. We live together. We are together all the time. We find ourselves working through everyday life together, because we love each other. Why should our relationship with Jesus be any different? He wants more than bible reading and prayer, he wants our life and our love.

Jesus gave us a perfect example of the relationship he desires with us, by sharing life with his disciples. The disciples had a real-life relationship with Jesus, and they "served" only him. Jesus wants the same relationship with us. Like it says in John; He doesn't want to call us slaves (of religion) anymore, he wants to call us friends.

Thank you for making me your friend Lord! You're the best friend I ever had!!


The above was written by Sean Dietrich. Sean is, in my opinion, a very talented and gifted musician. His music is very anointed by God. All of his music is on his site and available to listen and download for FREE. What a blessing! He also has some wonderful articles and a newsletter which you can sign up for. "Religion Kills" was from his recent newsletter. I encourage evryone to check it out here.Jesus wants a relationship with all of us, not a dedication to dead religion!


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Test Everything Against The Word Of God

Concerning what is going on in the "emergent church", "ecumenical church" , "seeker friendly" church and the "purpose driven church", I urge everyone who reads this to ask God to open your eyes concerning these things. Also, churches that are ordaining homosexuals, condoning the homosexual lifestyle, and changing the Holy Trinity. Satan has creeped his way into the church because for so long the church has slept. Satan is attacking the Word of God from INSIDE the church itself. Satan is the father of all lies and the master of deceit. The Bible says that he disguises himself as an angel of light. Because so many professing Christians fail to read the Bible and study it for themselves they have been easily sucked in and seduced by these lies. Too many professing Christians are far too gullible. They are following the ways of man rather than the ways of God. Far too many of them would believe it just because their pastor said it.

It is a lie from the pit of hell that the church needs to change its message to attract the world. God is Truth and He has not changed! The cry from so many of these people is that we need to "unify the church". Unity can not come by compromisng the very Word of God. When Jesus prayed for unity, He prayed that the church would be one as He and the Father were one.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23)

This means the Church must first be in unity with God Himself. Then, and only then will there be true unity. Peace that is obtained by compromising the truth is not real peace!

"from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 3:15-4:4)

This scripture Paul wrote to Timothy hits the nail right on the head. Some of the largest and so called successful churches in America are doing just what the scripture says..."They will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear"

The message coming from so many of these churches today is that God loves everyone. And He does. But they are teaching a love that does not stand for truth, in an effort to not offend anyone. "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it has hated you.” (John 15:18)
Tolerance is another lie from the pits of Hell. I don't read anywhere in my Bible where it says that I have to be tolerant of opinions, teachings and lifestyles that are in direct conflict with the very Word of God. When you become a Christian you are enlisting in the army of the Lord. An army does not win a battle by rolling over and playing dead. It wins by fighting. As Christians we must fight for truth. An army always has guards watching for the enemy. We must test everything against the Word of God to keep the enemy from creeping in.

My Bible says that homosexuality is WRONG! My Bible says that God is the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT. I do not care if you think the very fact that this is masculine offends you. Jesus called God His Father, not His mother. So get over it. God did not leave us the option to change what we do not like about His Word. He did not leave it open for discussion. Marriage is between a man and a woman! PERIOD! In John 3, Jesus said, "you must be born again." Jesus said that He was ,"THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE", not, "a way. a truth and a life!" All roads do not lead to God. There is ONE WAY! Truth is not relative or changing. Truth is absolute. God is truth. If truth was different for everyone then there would really be no truth....Think about it! Many would say, that to say these things is being judgemental. I beg to differ. I did not make up these things, God did! I am merely telling the truth! God will do the judging on judgement day.

A Few Questions To Ponder:

• How can you be openly gay, and claim to be a minister of the Gospel?
• How can you claim to be a minister of the Gospel and not mention the word sin?
• How can you claim to be a Christian church and want to change the Holy Trinity?
• How can you claim to be a Christian church and condone the homosexual lifestyle?

I encourage everyone who is reading this to test everything against the Word of God. False doctrine is what usually cries out the loudest about unity. I urge you to listen carefully when you hear the cry for unity; because it may be the cover of false doctrine trying to creep in. "Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1Thessalonians 5:21)

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:11)

"For I am the LORD, I do not change;" (Malachi 3:6)


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God Loves Quitters

GOD LOVES QUITTERS

By Sean Dietrich


I used to try and try and try. When I first began following Jesus, I would try and try to do the things that were said in the bible. I would desperately try to do the things that my other brothers and sisters told me I should be doing. I tried to follow a strict set of moral guidelines, and I always came up short! Nothing worked. I read more books, prayed more prayers and things never panned out for me. I can tell you, I felt like Paul felt when he said, "Woe is me."

I remember coming home one day from a worship service on a Sunday afternoon. I opened up my front door and fell face forward on my couch and just cried. Nothing was happening in my spiritual life at all at the time. I was dry. It was that simple. This was unacceptable for me. I was a music minister. I was supposed to be an example! However, the self-imposed burden of full-time ministry did nothing to push me into this flawless life of following Jesus. I was hopeless. The more I tried the more I failed.

How did I plan on solving my problem? By trying harder of course! The only conclusion I could come to in my all failings, was that I was slacking. After all, Jesus said if we love him we would keep his commandments. So what does that really mean?

AND THAT'S A PROMISE

Jesus said if we love him, we would obey his teaching.

Before I shed my "works" mentality, I used to envision Jesus saying this in an irritated state. I really believed that Jesus was actually saying: "The more you do for me, the more you will prove your love for me." But then I had a revelation. I can't explain how it happened, and I can't detail the exact process of events that led up to it. But what brand new life it brought!

All at once, Jesus revealed to me that if I sought the love found in him instead of seeking the commandments, I would end up keeping obeying his teachings without even trying. I began to see that Jesus' statement was actually a promise! Jesus was telling me that if I would just learn to love with him, the commandments would wind up be kept. He was promising it to me. What a promise.

I can remember finally getting it. I am referring to the moment when I finally had a revelation of his love. It was something I had yearned for in the deepest chambers of my heart for so long. Suddenly all the years of work that Jesus had been doing inside me began to show up externally. I was giving up my own efforts and resting in the total love he had for me.

WINNERS ALWAYS QUIT?

I remember vocalizing out-loud to God, "Lord, I give up." It felt so good giving up too! What freedom! I could finally see that he never really expected me to "try" and live the perfect life to begin with. Instead, he wanted me to "love" him, and "abide" in him. He would take care of all the rest if I would just learn to love and trust him. The pressure is off!

It's different for everyone, and I am not prescribing a method that promises revelation. All I know is that when I gave up, Jesus came through.

The beautiful thing for me is: the more I willingly give up, the more fruit he produces through me. All of the sudden I'm living on the pages of the bible. I was now free from the law of sin and death! Not just intellectually free. Really free! Now I too finally experience the awesome life found in the New Testament. It's an amazingly beautiful way to live.

I can definitely live life this way. Thanks Jesus.
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AMEN to that! WOW! I could not have said it any better myself. I thank God that I "got it" too. Everything Sean said is sooo true! We have to "Let Go and Let God". I know in my life, another thing that really brought about change, was when I learned to worship. I mean really worship, not just "lip service". We are to worship God just because He is God. He is an awesome God. He created us to worship Him! He deserves all the praise, honor and Glory! It is all about Him!
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A Little Bit About Sean Dietrich...
Sean visited my blog and left me a link to his site. Sean is, in my opinion, a very talented and gifted musician. His music is very anointed by God. All of his music is on his site and available to listen and download for FREE. What a blessing! He also has some wonderful articles and a newsletter which you can sign up for. "God Loves Quitters" was from his recent newsletter. I encourage evryone to check it out here. Thanks Sean for the great writing and sincere honesty! As soon as I read "God Loves Quitters", I told my husband I just had to post it on my blog because it summed it all up so perfectly. Someone else had experienced exactly what my husband and I had experienced. True Life in Jesus! Thank You Jesus!

So please, check out his site and his music. I promise, you will be blessed!
www.seandietrich.com

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If You Love Me, You Will Keep My Commandments

I think it is time that all people who call themselves a Christian, sit back and look at what is going on in the church today, and think long and hard about it. The Presbyterian Church wants to change the liturgy concerning the Holy Trinity. The Episcopal church is in an uproar over having gay Bishops, and now likewise with the Presbyterian Church. The Catholic church is indecisive about how to translate the mass from Latin to English. We now have a liberal church and a conservative church. Go figure?

God left us His word to guide us. He gave us His Holy Spirit for the same thing. If all of these denominations and all of these leaders and people who call themselves Christians were really serving the same God, wouldn't they all agree. If they all were in unity with Jesus Christ first, they would not have to worry about being in unity with each other. If churches had wanted to have openly gay Bishops 200 years ago, it would have never happened. Why is it that man feels he has become so enlightened ? God is sitting in heaven, and He has not changed one iota. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore!!

I know I sound like I am ranting, that is because I am. America needs to wake up! We need to stop trying to conform God into our image. God is a Holy God. He is a just God. He has standards that He set long ago. Though the world may have changed, He has not. Holiness is not something He casually asks us for. Repentance is part of the package. Jesus is not an insurance agent, that you go to for Hell insurance. Jesus is Holy and Mighty. He is coming back to judge the world. He may have been a cute baby in a manger, but that is not what He will be when He returns. EVERY KNEE WILL BOW!

The first church, in the book of Acts, they were moving in power and in one accord. How is it that 2 thousand years later, we have all this nonsense. I'll tell you what it is. It is man trying to mold God into his image. It is man trying to have "comfortable Christianity". We live in a convenient society, a "microwave world". We want God to be that way. Man is trying to make being a Christian "convenient". We don't want to have to change or be Holy. We don't want to have to give anything up. We want to "have our cake and eat it too."

You know, when I look at the disciples, they gave up everything to serve God. They even gave their lives. We have a hard time giving up a few hours on Sunday.

If you really think about it, how did we get to this point of so much confusion and indecisiveness? Everyone thinks they are right. Their opinion is right. Their interpretation is right. They all claim they "heard it from God". Man and his ways has caused this confusion. The Bible warns of false teachers and heretics. Everyone needs to read the whole scripture, the whole Bible. You can not take one verse and make it mean what you want it to mean. If God said it was wrong, I don't care how loving and accepting you think He is, IT IS WRONG! God is loving and accepting, but He set a standard and He does not change.

As for things like the rapture.. Pre-trib?, mid-trib?, post-trib? JUST BE READY! But I know one thing, He said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."


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" Your fear will set the limits of the effectiveness of the Gospel through you."

I heard this quote while I was watching television last night. I did not get to catch the name of the preacher, but thought that it was a powerful statement. To often we let fear of man keep us from sharing the truth of God's word. We often are afraid that we might offend someone or they may think we are crazy.
If you were to go to the doctors and you needed to know what was wrong, would you want him to keep the truth of a terminal illness from you just because he did not want to upset you? Of course not! Why then are we afraid to warn people of the effects of sin and the very real chance of spending eternity in hell if they do not receive Jesus as their Savior? So what if they think you are a little crazy. If you tell them the truth, it is off of your shoulders. The choice is then up to them. Nowhere did Jesus say that all would receive the Gospel. He just gave us all the great commission to spread the Gospel. He said He would make us fishers of men. You may not catch a fish every time you cast, but with persistence you will eventually real in a big one. Don't let fear stand in your way!

Religion, christianity, Jesus, gospel, spirituality, Christian,blog, faith

Where Is The Army Of The Lord?

America has become a land of lavish church buildings with the latest and greatest high tech tools and elaborate fellowship centers, posing as Christian churches. Television is full of wealthy televangelists streaming the airwaves with a prosperity, get rich gospel. All the while asking you to help them get richer by sending in your next offering so they can buy their next Lear jet. Our pulpits are full of pulpeteers who tip-toe around the truth in an effort to keep attendance high and not offend anyone. Many pulpits are sending out a feel good message week after week to keep the offering high and the pews full. We have committees to come up with "programs" to get people to come. We hire marketing firms to "market" our churches. And the people come, week after week to hear their motivational speaking with a Christian flare. To some church is nothing more than a social club and a good place to eat on Wednesday night. Preachers tickle the ears of the people with a watered down Gospel, and if there is a mention of "sin" or a little bit of hard truth the people get offended.

As Christians we are called to be separate from the world, but there is little distinction. The divorce rate in the church is just as high as in the world. We allow our children to do things that we never would have dreamed of in an effort to help them "fit in".

As the messages in the pulpits have lost their strength and diverted from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, so has the power of the church. Many think that being a Christian is a pleasure cruise to heaven. They eat,drink and be merry. Prayer was taken out of schools because we took a "God will take care of it" attitude. Same with abortion.

The Bible likens the body of Christ to an army. Where is the Army ? Hiding in the trenches? Many haven't even made it to the trenches. They have put away their weapons and gave up the fight.

Jesus had a great commission to His disciples: go into all the world and preach the gospel. This pertains to all Christians. We can look in Ephesians 6 and read what the army of the Lord is supposed to do.
Ephesians 6:12-17 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

It is time the church remember who it is that heads up this army, who is the commander of the forces:
God is a big God. He is a mighty God. He is an awesome and powerful God. He is an all knowing God. He reigns forever and ever and ever. He is our rock and our fortress, our ever present help in time of need. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will never give us more than we can bare. He is our provider, our healer, our deliverer. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is the great I Am. He is Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Savior and Redeemer.

It is time for the Army of the Lord to come out of hiding and march forth in to battle, with our heads held high knowing who we serve. We are "more than conquerors". We need to march onward in the name of Jesus Christ! ....... Will you enlist?


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All Things Work Together For Good

" And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28 KJV

You know, many Christians and even many Pastors believe that God does not perform miracles today, and that they are a thing of the past. Well, I know that my God is a God that changes not. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. I want to share a testimony of my daughter. She is 6 1/2.
A little over 6 years ago, my husband and I left for the hospital, I was in the beginning stages of labor. We were going to go have our second child. My pregnancy had gone great and I was going to try to have a natural birth. My son had been a C-section 5 years earlier. After many, many hours of labor,(over 36), I was finaly dilating and excited that it would soon be over. It was at this time that the Doctor noticed that the baby was showing signs of distress and decided we needed to do an emergency C-section. I was rushed to the operating room and Nicole was quickly delivered. My husband held her briefly and they whisked her away to clean her up etc.. At this point she seemed fine. A little while later, while I was in recovery with my husband by my side, they came and told us Nicole had been rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit and that she was not doing well. Boy, talk about a real excitement buster. A little while passed and the Doctors came to visit us and let us know what was going on. Nicole had aspirated her muconium(the first bowel movement they sometimes have inside the mother). This is much the consistency of tar. It had caused her lungs to "stick together."Nicole's life was hanging in the balance, they told us she may not live. It was a moment to moment thing. My husband was able to see her but I could not. I still could not do much moving from the C-section and also developed a bad e-coli infection. This was truly the most difficult time in my life. I felt numb. I felt betrayed by God. "Why me?",was often in my thoughts. I also felt more helplessness than I have ever felt in my life. This was my child, my baby, I am supposed to take care of her.I had no choice but to put my trust in God. My husband and I gave our daughter to God. We actually told Him that we trusted Him completely and we wanted Him to heal her, but if He wanted to take her home we understood. WOW, was that a hard thing to do, but the best we could do. The nurses told us that Nicole was the worst case of muconium aspiration they had ever seen. I did not get to hold my baby until she was 10 days old. For the first few days we could not even touch her. Nicole spent 5 weeks in the intensive care unit. We finally brought her home. But what we brought home was a baby that the doctors said would probably never walk or talk. Nicole had brain damage as a result of her lack of oxygen . She came home on a feeding tube and also had crossed eyes.
We had a true lesson in living one day at a time. I always trusted God and knew that He was in control, but I will not lie. Many times I would wonder,"Why me?, Why my baby? What did I do to deserve this?" The answer is nothing. I don't know why. We had many many therapies each week. Nicole progressed very slowly and you always wondered if she would reach the next milestone. ALWAYS, when we would feel discouraged and wonder if we could take anymore, God would move. She would roll over, or crawl. I remember the first step. She was 2 years old. WOW what a day! She did not talk until 2 1/2 to 3 years old. At around the same age Nicole had a follow up MRI, and guess what? The brain damage was gone. Unexplainable by the neurologist. Explainable by me. GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD! HE STILL DOES MIRACLES ! He does it in His time. It was a rough first few years, but Nicole is now all caught up to her peers. She NEVER is quiet and she loves to dance for Jesus. Every time I think to myself,"Will she please be quiet!" A little voice reminds me what could have been. Every time she dances in any open space, (the grocery store, the mall ) I am also reminded of what could have been.
I am writing with tears in my eyes so grateful for all that God has done. Nicole forever changed my husband and I's outlook on life. We could have chosen to be angry at God for putting us through it, but God truly does work all things together for good. Our hardship and difficulties with our daughter caused us to reassess our lives. Our marriage, which was quickly failing, is better than ever. God is in control. I can truly say that I am thankful for what I had to go through. I came out a better person on the other side. God really does know what He is doing, even when we don't understand.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." --Hebrews 13:8

Churchianity VS. Christianity

Churchianity - We dress up on Sunday, dust off
our Bible, put on a smile and go
"act righteous" for an hour or so. Christianity - We go to church on fire, we have been in God's presence every day all week long.

Churchianity - We turn our noses up to the "not
so nicely dressed" , unbathed man
who walks into church; all the
while hoping he doesn't sit by us. Christianity - We welcome him with open arms and hearts. He is overwhelmed with the love that he feels for the first time in his life.

Churchianity - We are an army that kills and injures our
own. (with gossip and backbiting) Christianity- When we see a hurting or injured fellow soldier, we pray for them.

Churchianity- We all want to be in charge
and be the head. Christianity- We realize that we are a body, and each part is important no matter how small.

Churchianity- We make sure we "bless" the
food before we eat. (This is the
only prayers we mutter all week long.)
Christianity- We fervently pray. Prayer is a way of life. We know that it changes things.

Churchianity- We run our own lives, only calling
on God when the car breaks down or we get a little sick.
Christianity- We seek the face of God concerning His will for our lives and follow with obedience.

Churchianity- Miracles?,Healing? Yeah, we read about it once.
Christianity- The church is operating in the same power of Acts chapter 2. Signs and wonders are a normal thing.

Churchianity- We need the latest and greatest programs to get people to come.
Christianity- The people are drawn by the tangible presence of God. They know us by our love.

Churchianity- Can't remember the last time someone came to the altar to get saved.
Christianity- Adding to the numbers daily, people crying out in repentance.

Churchianity- We don't share the gospel for fear of offending someone.
Christianity- We realize we are all called to spread the gospel and that the world is full of lost and dying souls. We are not ashamed of the gospel.

He is God !

~He Is God~

He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation
and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe
and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ..
.unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him,
and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him,
and The people couldn't hold Him
!Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him,
and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,His word is eternal,His will is unchanging,
and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,He is my comfort,He is my Lord,
and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
' I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,never forsake me,never mislead me,
never forget me,never overlook me
and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD IS !

PASS THIS ON IF YOU BELIEVE IT... I love the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done in my life; therefore I'm passing this on.

Go Into All The World And Preach The Gospel

If we want an abundant end-time harvest, the church needs to get out and get to work. The field is plentiful, but harvesting takes work. We can't expect the field to harvest itself. We are called to be a light unto the world. We are called to be seperate. They should know us by our love. Just think how many people each of us comes in contact with every day, that do not know Jesus as their Savior. The Christian Church should be a force in todays world. It should be of greater impact than it is. The Church in America needs to awaken from it's slumber. We have been silent for too long. We have sat back and let abortion beccome legal, prayer be removed from our schools, and homosexuals get married. Evolution is the norm in our school's science classes. They can hand out condoms at school, but need parental permission to give an aspirin for a headache? We can kill babies but have to save the Manatee? Churches risk losing tax exempt status if the pastor speaks out on political issues, but the government can fund planned parenthood? Our buildings need to be a place to be equipped. When we leave the church building we need to take what we have learned and impact the world. We need to share our faith. We need to live what we believe. When is the last time you shared the Gospel of Jesus with someone? The church of Acts Chapter 2 greatly influenced the world. We need to have that same unity and power.
" And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. " Mark 16: 15
This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task -- to be sharers of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. Will you do what Jesus asked you to do? .......

Standing and Knocking

" I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. " So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Because you say, " I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3: 15-17, 19-20
Those words are something to think about. Most of the time when we hear those scriptures preached, especially the part about standing at the door and knocking, they are being used evangelically. They are used in the sense that Jesus is knocking on the heart of the unbeliever. Jesus is doing this, but these scriptures in Revelation are directed at BELIEVERS. They are written to the church; specifically, the Laodecian church. I believe the church today has qualities of all 7 of the churches mentioned in Revelation. Unfortunately, I believe the American Church has many of the qualities of the Laodicean church. The Laodicean church was the wealthiest of the seven churches. The Laodicean church had become complacent and stood for nothing. Their indifference led to idleness. The Laodiceans had confused material possessions with God's spiritual blessings. They were confident, satisfied and complacent. Likewise, America is a wealthy country. For the most part everyone has their basic needs met and many of us live in abundance. Many are extremely wealthy. The American Church has become complacent. We like to stay within our 4 walls, with our comfortable pews, and beautiful stained glass windows. We have watered down our message so that we do not offend anyone, and they will come back. We have almost turned in to a social club. We say we want the lost to come to church, but when they show up with rings in their nose, or in blue jeans and tatoos, we turn our noses up at them. Come on folks, you all know what it is like to walk in a room and know that you are not wanted because you don't "fit the mold." Some of us invite people to church, but how many of us will actually share Jesus with someone outside of the church building. Many have to dust their Bibles off on Sunday morning before church. Would anyone know you were a Christian if you did not tell them? Shouldn't we be different? Shouldn't our light so shine that others notice a difference? What do you stand for? Anything? Or is it everything? When that abortion discussion starts at work, are you quiet so as not to offend anyone, or do you speak up and tell them you believe it is wrong? Jesus made it very clear how He feels about lukewarm Christianity. I believe we need to wake up! Time is short. We were called to GO INTO ALL the world and preach the gospel. I did not read anywhere where it said to invite people to church and hope they would come. Don't get me wrong, that is not a bad thing, but people do not have to be in a church building to hear the Gospel. Many will not come to a Church, but will listen if you share the Gospel and the love of Jesus with them. Let's Get Busy! Jesus is coming back soon! SOULS !

Religion vs. Relationship

Do you think the kingdom of Satan, Lucifer, "the devil", the prince of the power of the air, (whatever you choose to call him), is at all hurt by us being "religious"? Does us faithfully going to church Sunday after Sunday, singing in the choir and being a good person in any way hurt or slow down the enemy and his army of demons? No! The devil is not worried about "religious" people. The enemies camp and his powers are only thwarted when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we stand our ground. When we not only preach it but practice it. When we truly stand and say, "I am a child of the Most High God." When we truly live and believe that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. When the way we live our lives is a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we live a life that makes our neighbors and co-workers notice something is different. We are not called to be of this world, but to stand out and be separate. To let our light shine does not mean going to church Sunday and Wednesday. Our light shines when we live a Godly life Monday through Saturday. When we stand up for what is right. When we choose not to laugh at the off-color joke at work. When we love the unlovely. When the co-worker says he has a headache, we don't say, "I am sorry" , but we ask to pray for him. We are called to be holy.This is when the kingdom of darkness is thwarted. We must separate ourselves and let our lights so shine. We must have a relationship with Christ so that when all hell breaks loose in our lives, we can stand and know that God is in control. We can have the peace that surpasses all understanding. We must remember who we are in Christ and when the enemy comes knocking we remind him with holy boldness who we are!