A Nations Spiritual House

Jesus says in Matthew 12:29-30 “Let me illustrate this. You can’t enter a strong man’s house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed! Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”

So think of this story. There were some men who built a nation. They built this nation on Godly principles but when these builders were replaced by new men they swung open their doors to the nation's villa to enjoy the deceptive night air and fell asleep in a drunken slumber. And when they awoke the next morning all the efforts and successes of the founding builders were burned to ground by those who were ignorant and had no regard for the Godly principles that once made the nation great.

Visitors -Mormons

We had two young men come to our doorstep. I could tell right away by their age, black suits, ties and name tags they were probably Mormon boys. Soaked by the rain and they greeted me with a smile, their names and a handshake.

I give them credit for getting out there to spread their religion no matter what the weather might be.

Armed with their little blue book by Joseph Smith they asked me if I knew whom they represented and I said yes. Though they may sound like they are followers of Jesus Christ and will tell you they think highly of Jesus Christ they are disrespecting him all the same. For Jesus Christ is LORD and Savior. There is no other way to heaven except through him.

Respectfully, I simply told them I didn’t believe in their prophet and I respect what the scriptures says about not adding or taking anything away from what the bible says. This ended our conversation rather quickly but as they shook my hand I looked both of them in the eye and with a genuine Holy Spirit filled word said, “There are false prophets.” I was rather concerned for the younger one as I held his hand the longest. The older one said, “We know there are false prophets” and then they quickly left. I know God's word never goes void.

In all honesty, I didn’t want to answer the door once I saw who was standing behind it but then I was reminded of whom I represent and what my actions say about the one who transformed me- God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

For I came to the Father first, who then gave me the Son (Jesus Christ) who then baptized me in the Holy Spirit.

I felt sorry for the lads but fortunately I have known several people have turned from Mormonism to true Christian faith.

Mormons have many rules, which require some strong devotion but this is what the bible says about that.

Colossians 2:23 “These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.”

Mormons want to claim they are Christians but they are false apostles.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 “But I will continue doing this to cut the ground out from under the feet of those who boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Mormons are like the false Christians in Paul's time who wanted Christians to follow Jewish regulations. Regulations are a way to control people but faith in Jesus is what makes you Holy and acceptable to God.

Galatians 2:4-5 Even that question wouldn't have come up except for some so-called Christians there--false ones, really --who came to spy on us and see our freedom in Christ Jesus. They wanted to force us, like slaves, to follow their Jewish regulations. But we refused to listen to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the Good News for you.

This is what the bible says about False Prophets such as Joseph Smith.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart.”

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end.”

Know where you stand when you speak to a Mormon or any other false religion such as a Jehovah Witness.

1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Mormons come in Jesus’ name to lead many astray.

Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray.”

Jesus is God. Mormons don’t believe Jesus is God.

John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.

1 John 1:1 The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life.

Revelation 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.

Mormons have added and disregarded God’s word.

Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.”

Revelation 22:18-20 “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words of this prophetic book, God will remove that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

A certain faith is not going to get you to heaven. Only the faith that Jesus who is GOD, became flesh, died and rose again will save you. If you are Mormon or you are practicing Mormonism or you are seeking God and have found yourself in the Mormon Church, I will strongly urge you to question what Joseph Smith has written. It is not the bible. It is not too late to come to the real Christ. If you care more about what God thinks then followers of Joseph Smith think- then ask God and he will reveal the truth to you.

All these verses that I was led to in the BIBLE should make it pretty plain and clear but ask him anyway.

“But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.” (James 1:6-8)

Watching What You Think & Speak

Galatians 2:20-21 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Like a sponsored rock climber reaching for his next hand position I reach not just for myself but those around me and my God. Our actions speak of whom we represent and I cannot get that next hand position if I find competence in myself for I would look down from my position and become worry because the height is so high. I might as well become prideful of some sort of accomplishment and then lose sight of the entire point of the climb of life. So with no competence in myself I look up to the LORD. There he guides my hands and feet and I can see vistas that many may never see but they have seen me. They have seen my life and what it speaks. Just like a soldier in uniform speaks of whom they represent and what he/she is committed to.

Self-preservation did help spread the word of the Good News but it is not always helpful if it is constant in your and my life. Not if it freezes us up and never enlightens others. Self-preservation can make us “too” aware of our surroundings and cause us to slip and fall.

So we must watch what we think and speak into our life. Opportunities and time are precious. What better use of our time then to focus on God. By God’s powerful grace and love we don’t have do depend on our own faulty perspective of others or ourselves.

God puts the clouds in their place, which are only vapor, and has the sun’s rays reflect off of them. They can’t claim credit for the beautiful colors that they become in the morning, afternoon and evening sky.

Christ who lives in us does so via the Holy Spirit. He is our compass and counselor to guide us in all his grace, love, power and wisdom. A part from Him we can do nothing. So why limit ourselves by what we believe and what we think?

Give your life to God. Read and soak up the truth. Grasp and hold onto it tightly and live out the truth not as you -because within us is the ability to become ignorant and prideful but let Christ within you live it out. Then and only then can righteousness be achieved and you will understand it is not you that lives but Christ within you…. And then and only then you will feel and see freedom.

They Sense It.

It is interesting to listen to different pastors and speakers on the radio and how often there is this commonality in their subject matter. I will be brought a topic by God to share with the group and often that topic will also be shared in some scope or dimension on the radio and even our Pastor on Sunday morning.

The theme that God has been sharing lately has been Jesus’ return and living and trusting in God. Which for many may see broad in scope but is it really when you just narrow it down to our personal lives and our relationship with Jesus. God has been reminding his messengers to tell his people of His Son’s return.

Along with this encouraging and urgent message there has been, at least in my life, this lack of luster of the things of this world. This understanding that the material things are very temporary in usage and satisfaction.

Christmas has come and gone and it seems the world has gone back to business as usual.

For some however it hasn’t been business as usual. Some have lost family and friends over the Christmas break. Some even though they have been careful and good stewards of their money have found extra expenses they had not foreseen do to medical, home, and car repairs. I believe these people might be the most fortunate for they will have to look to God to help them fulfill their needs as they continue to tithe. These families won’t take for granted the simple pleasures such as water, electricity, and a roof over their head and food to fill their stomachs. They will cling to God and through this relationship of dependence will see the workings of God more clearly then those who don’t have any extra circumstances in their life to deal with. To others they are may seem unlucky, unfortunate, and tried to extremes but when there is nothing to cling I found there is always God who helps me see and live past my circumstances even though they may difficult.

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” MATTHEW 5:3

Luke 17:26-37"When the Son of Man returns, the world will be like the people were in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came to destroy them all. "And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business--eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building-- until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be `business as usual' right up to the hour when the Son of Man returns. On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to pack. A person in the field must not return to town. Remember what happened to Lot's wife! Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it. That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

"Lord, where will this happen?" the disciples asked.

Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."

The values we live by either will make us die spiritually or be uplifted and encouraged spiritually. Even the smallest gift of kindness isn’t ignored when someone is in need.

Our words and actions can nourish those around us or be tools for the enemy to bring down those around us.

What we embrace will affect our life. Is it the world ideals or God and Jesus? There one brings death and one brings life.

God does not share these messages to scare his people but to prepare his people because he loves them. And if we are scared, think why we are fearful of this message.

1 John 4:18 “Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.”

1 John 2:28 “And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”

It is hard to keep up a meaningful relationship with someone when there is no communication.

I am finding it is difficult to depend on anything in this life except God. People though how lovely will misunderstand you and presume things of you. Things will breakdown and need repairs. The places that you thought you could depend on for permanence or being trustworthy will leave you stranded or take advantage of you. Nothing stays the same and sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes is a bad thing if you put prominence in that thing or place. Your body will even fail you.

Things will become just things. They are here today and quickly replaced tomorrow.

Sometimes it seems like people are running on a hamster wheel running to get nowhere.

Before I let the mind do what it wants let us ask where is the accountability? Where is the self-control?

Where do we stand at the end of day with God? Where to we put our trust? Where do we put our security and rest? Tangibles or intangibles? If it is tangibles, what happens when those tangibles fail us? Value is in what? What we can or not take with us after this life (that is but a breath and a passing shadow) is over?

I guess what we ought to ask ourselves is what are lasting values that really matter in the end and do they parallel to what God thinks is important.

Matthew 24:12-14 "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come."

2 Peter 3:9-11 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!

May God help us live as if Christ were coming back tomorrow and knowing there are no guarantees for tomorrow.

Renew

A few years ago my wife had a boy in class that came to school as a different superhero everyday. One day he would be “Superman”, the next “Batman”, the day after “Spiderman”, the day after that “The Incredible Hulk”, the day after that “Wolverine” and so on….

He would not just wear the iconic shirts to show who he was but would come into class acting like those characters. The door of the classroom would open and in came flying superman in pre-1^st grade stature. The door of the classroom would swing up and in jumped a grimacing clutched fists miniature “Incredible Hulk.” This became so normal in her classroom that it never became a problem. Mr. Superhero would come in, do his entrance, hang up his backpack and my wife would just have to remember to call him by his right superhero name throughout the day. And my wife, not a real big superhero fan did a pretty good job remembering his identity for that day.

Can you imagine how fun it would be to wake up as a little kid and have the ability to be whatever superhero you wanted to be for that day? Everyday would be a new day. You would put on that superhero shirt and presto chango- you were the “Green Lantern.”

Why can’t we do that? I’m kidding of course but in all honesty why can’t we “renew” ourselves? Sometimes I think we are so stuck on what we can and cannot do or see in ourselves that we simply go about our daily lives as if this normalcy was all there is. We accept only the realities we can see not even considering the ones we can’t see.

It’s like there are all these “rooms” full of possibilities for our life but we limit ourselves to that one room in which we choose to stand. There are so many realities waiting for us to find but we limit God on what he can and cannot share and show us in our life.

God is continually making things new. Each day is new. Each season is new. Each year is new. Look at all the things that he created that are constantly changing from the mountains, to the forests, to the valleys, to the seas, to the skies to the stars above the skies.

He constantly is reinventing things. God said, “Look I am making all things new!” Revelation 21:5.

God is constantly doing good works some not always easily seen but hopefully understood in the future.

He renews our lives via the Holy Spirit (John 3:14) And through the Him we discover all the passages, meanings, rooms, worlds, experiences and advanced things to come as he prepared for us and are yoked (Matthew 11:29-30) and empower by Christ who works within us. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Psalm 119:40 “I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.”

In his goodness we are renewed and clothed in the best that God has to offer and we can fly through that classroom door of life knowing God who is our supernatural life is with us.

Have you asked him to take you into all the other rooms he has prepared for you? Ask Him. Ask while the leaves are still green in your life and the acorns haven't fallen from your canopy so when the leaves do change color and fall gracefully to the earth and the acorns are seeded- you and the others you leave behind will see God's mighty hand upon your life.