IN Name Only- A Dream of Two Sisters

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If you have any American cash or coins, take a minute to look at them.  Can you find the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on them?

Like streets signs you pass by everyday but pay no mind to their name, so goes the words, “IN GOD WE TRUST” on American currency that gets shoved into our pockets, wallets and purses.

Does America trust in God, considering it’s present undertakings and falling morality?

Annuit Coeptis?  God certainly would not favor America’s present positions.  We would have to be ignorant to His Word for one and brash to think God would continue to favor America and let America get away with such immorality.

Present lawmakers, by their choices, seem to think they can govern and make a nation great without God. This is far from the heart and mindset of the forefathers of the United States who established America’s republic in the everlasting truths of God. 

“The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” - Charles Carroll, Congress 1854

“Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.” – signer of the Constitution - Charles Carroll.

“Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they, therefore, who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments”- Charles Carroll

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” - George Washington 

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”– George Washington

“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” - John Quincy Adams

Further these present politicians seem to distance themselves from God, and only use God’s name when to suits them.  They forget God makes a nation great and without God, men make a nation and themselves a disgrace.  

It has become like the quote, "History has become legend and legend to myth."  This has only happened in 239 years.

 Two Sisters

In a recent dream, there were two sisters.  There was a younger sister and an older sister.  The younger sister is certain the groom is going to marry her.  In haste she buys her wedding gown and tells people about the wedding but the groom isn’t interested in her but instead her older sister.  He has been in love with her for sometime.  She is not brash like her younger sister but conservative in outer appearance and attitude.   The groom tells the mother he can’t marry the younger sister because he doesn’t know her.   His heart is solely for the older sister.  He “knows” the older sister intimately.  They have danced and he has lain down with her, consummating the marriage. 

I had to look this up but in the Hebrew the word is “ginōskō“.   It is to sexually/intimately know. 

Example of this is Joseph did not “ginōskō” Mary until after Jesus was born. 

“And did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name JESUS.” Matthew 1:25

The groom in this case “knows” the older sister intimately and sexually.  Like Mary, who was a virgin, who became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  Note: Matthew 1:18

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” Matthew 1:23

However I believe these sisters are illustrations.  They are not two human sisters like Mary and Martha or Leah and Rachel but are illustrations of two countries.

Ezekiel 23:2,4 uses similar language as the dream when speaking of the sisters. 

" Son of man, once there were two sisters who were daughters of the same mother."  The older girl’s was named Oholah and her sister was Oholibah, I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters.  I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

   

I believe the mother, is the illustration, of the belief/faith that birthed these two countries.

I could only think of Israel and the United States as two such countries born from the belief faith in the ONE TRUE GOD.

Historically speaking, Israel would be the older sister and United States would be the younger sister.

Knowing of someone is different then knowing them, trusting, depending, looking to and so on…  The present spiritual state of United States- the powers that be, shows it only wants “relations” with the worldly narrative and society.  It trusts not in God but in worldly elements such as money and popularity.   It may want the benefits of God but she has shown herself unfaithful to God.  If you were God, would you want to marry/support a country that has adulterous and idolatrous actions and thoughts in her mind and heart?  How could God bless a nation that goes against Him?  

God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”  Who does America trust?  Does it trust in itself?  Does it trust in money?  Does it trust in its past reputation?  What lusts drive it?  Does it have any self-control or does it continue to fall deeper and deeper into sin?

Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

James 4:6 says “… God sets himself against the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”

United States in a nation who turns to God in crisis but then forgets Him.

We see lies and injustices in government officials and courts, a mounting tidal wave of debt, a rise in drug use, and an American holocaust where babies are killed for convenience and profit.  We see people calling what is good bad and bad good.  We see discontentment and distrust in government leaders, we see same sex marriage become legalized and celebrated even in and on the White House.   We see our government falsely accusing Israel of terrorism for going after those who have hurt and killed their own.  We see our government publically declassifying private information about Israel?  Is that a way to treat a sister?   We see America’s government unable and unwilling to rescue and negotiate for American citizens to be released from a Muslim country but give this same Muslim country billions of dollars to support their “nuclear development technology”.   Further this Muslim country hates Israel and its people chant death to America on public television.  America reminds me of the church of Laodicea who said, “ I am rich.  I have everything I want.  I don’t need a thing! And God said to it,  “You don’t realize you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”  Further America now persecutes Christians with jail time and fines for not following the rules of the land, rules that go directly against God’s word.

How backward American has become, this nation founded on principles and truths of God is now persecuting those compelled to live by the principles and truths of God.    

Followers of Christ remember this:

Jesus said, “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”  Matthew 5:11-12

Christians will be like the prophets who spoke out and lived out their faith while their nation fell to sin, was taken by its enemies and was even destroyed.  Christians will suffer by and for actions of unbelievers.  In a way, if we are not taken up before then, we will taste a little tiny measure of what Christ suffered for the sins of the world. 

Jesus said, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”  Also “Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.”  Matthew 24:9

Again God does not “know” a country that denies him.  He does not propagate a nation that does not follow, pursues, trusts, submits to, and loves Him.

I know this isn't an uplifting message and seems harsh but sometimes the truth is the truth, no matter if it's comforting or not.  But I want to share one more thing.  God spoke this to me this morning as I was relieving some burdens, "There are very many moments that come and go on the Christian stage but stay faithful to what you do know so you do not give up hope and become weary."  

 

The Turquoise Pillar

I recently had some dreams where everything was black and white except for a single column or pillar, which was turquoise in color. 

(This pillar was long and rectangular.  I wasn't fluted and did not have a fancy top.  It was simple in all aspects except it's turquoise color.)  

I came under the conclusion that I was only to pay attention to what this turquoise pillar meant.

So I sat down and began to dig quietly with God’s spirit as my guide. 

·       A pillar is a witness….  Genesis 31:52

Have you ever heard the saying, "They are pillars of the community"?   We as Christians are to be pillars...  We are to be ambassadors of God and children of God.   We are witnesses to the world of God's love and the real "hope" he gives us.   

We are not colorless as the world- where we believe in the false of hopes of the world that soon fade making us indifferent to everything!!!   


We once were indifferent, lost and hopeless as the world.... we didn't have anything to stand on and we know only by God’s goodness, grace and mercy that He saved us from that hopeless colorless hole that once entrapped us.  We called out to him in all sincerity and he went beyond our expectations in rescuing us.   He not only pulled us out of that hopeless bit but he set us
"upright".
  

·   A pillar is something that is set "up-right".
   

Like a caring parent God heard our sincere cries.... he came and picked us up, lovingly embraced us, brushed and washed the burdening hurts off our spiritual scrapped knees and elbows and in doing so gave us a new understanding of His love.
  
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:25-27

This new understanding by His Spirit set us upright in His love.   Faith began to grow from that once hard seed that had laid dormant when our soul was created.   We had a new realization of God.   
  

“For the LORD is righteous, he loves righteousness; the upright will behold his face.”  PSALM 11:7

It is amazing to think this all started when faith and God collided.  

As the scripture says "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
 
Jesus... through all things were created made this possible for us.   He was the gift to the world. He is the true gift,  a gift not given because we earned it or because we were good enough but because we are loved.   But like all gifts it has to be accepted.   Can anything be more profound then that? 

Jesus speaking of himself said:

 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.  There is no judgement awaiting those who trust him.   But those who do not trust have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.  Their judgment is based on this fact:  The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved darkness more than light, for their actions were evil.  They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness.  They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished.  But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."  JOHN 3:16-21

 Jesus Christ, the gift to the world, is what brings our life upright.  From gray ashes to a crown of beauty.  

  
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  JOHN 14:6

And without Jesus "this" pillar (you and I) cannot stand.  For God is the source of our strength. 

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.  PSALM 28:7

He is our firm foundation.  He is our rock in which we can stand.  

A relationship with Him gives us inner strength to endure. 

Have you ever noticed a pillar and the enormous loads it carries?  And how many times have we gone into a building and totally overlook the pillars and just see everything else?      

Sometimes I look at these pillars in some of these buildings and I wonder how can they hold up so much weight?  

Sometimes we overlook individuals in the church who are pillars.  Sometimes we look at other people's lives and think how in the world can they handle all that is happening in their life and still have peace?  

Again I am reminded only submission to God's love can we accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope for.  And the acknowledgment of God's love in our lives brings glory to Jesus Christ.  
   

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” HEBREWS 4:16

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” EPHESIANS 3:12

We are a witness of God.   God is our life… for without Him we do not have life but everything that is opposite of what God wants for us. 

God's everlasting love- empowers and encourages and enlightens us.   

Paul wrote: "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  and may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love really his is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in the Christ Jesus forever and ever through the endless ages Amen."   EPHESIANS 3:16-21

A relationship with God gives us hope "color", inner strength, but also shapes and molds us. 

TURQUOISE

Did you know the turquoise stone is easily shaped and polished?

Reminds me a bit of what happens as a Christian matures in Christ.

"And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God." 1 PETER 2:5


Turquoise also represents the tribe of Judah/ Yehudah in the priest's breastplate.

Judah means "Give praise to the Lord." Yehudah in Hebrew means: to submit, the center of the Divine, the Way, humility inspired by submission to the divine, gratitude, thanks, and kingship.

Once again we see.... "the Way."  Who is the Way? Jesus Christ.

I have found this true as well... through humility inspired by submission to the divine, come wisdom, and gratitude. 
 
Judah also is represented by the symbol of the "lion".

WHO do we know as the LION OF JUDAH and King of kings?

That's right... Jesus Christ.  

"Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." REVELATION 5:4

"On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords." REVELATION 19:16


And we as Christians belong to Jesus Christ,  the LION of JUDAH and KING of kings!

You might be asking, so does this turquoise pillar represent Jesus Christ?  This pillar is a witness of Jesus Christ.

Let us conclude with this scripture.

“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  REVELATION 3:8-13

SOUL NEED PART 5

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SOUL NEED PART 5

REDEEMED BY HIS SPIRIT

As we observe the world becoming an ever-darkening place, these days will hopefully only reinforced our need to be constantly reassured by God’s presence in our life. They will hopefully strengthen the Christian resolve as it has in the past.  The less people can hold onto in this world the more they seek God and abide in the presence of God.  And the more they abide in the presence of God, the bolder and confident they get in God.

I was reminded of a scene from the Lord of the Rings. 

Frodo is speaking to Gandalf and says, “I wish the ring had never come to me.  I wish none of this had happened.”

Gandalf replies, “So do all who live to see such times.  But that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.  There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil.”

Do we not all wish none of these dark things were happening in the world? Don’t we all wish we wouldn’t have to experience them?  But we can’t wish them away or get to decide the times in which we live but to decide what do with the time we are given remembering God is at work not just evil. 

“I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.  He has made everything appropriate in its time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work, which God has done from beginning even to the end.   I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good in one’s lifetime;” Ecclesiastes 3:10-12

“And we know that all things work together to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For who, he foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

     

The world is a growing cesspool but perhaps cesspools are needed to show people what they are being suffocated by so they might swim up to the surface and call out to be saved by God. (Yes saved from eternal damnation -to the plunges of the natural eye -to spiritual battles.)

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil”

Walk vigilantly, cautiously, watchfully, not as fools who aren’t mindful of the Spirit, but redeeming the time by the Spirit, because the days are evil.

Redeeming the time… is to redeem the days in God.

God doesn’t want to be a bystander to his children’s lives.  He wants us to invite Him into the things in our life.  He wants to commune with us and guide us through all the tasks and experiences in this life.  He wants to warn us and instruct us and direct us.  Then the things we face won’t seem so burdensome, mundane and repetitive or even fearful.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

·       What happens when we allow God to guide and direct our day instead of us trying to “go it” our own way? 

·       What happens when we allow Him to guide us through unfamiliar experiences?

·       How many times has he made us aware of the presence of evil and to act and speak accordingly? 

“For in him we live, and move and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, “For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:28

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Redeemed in Him means “Thy” will be done not “our will” be done.  Note: Matthew 6:10   

The day is… REDEEMED in Him not us.  May God redeem our days by his presence, which gives us all things to live a godly life.  Remembering He is the source of life, the peace in life, and truth in life and fulfills every need in our life.  We speak this goodness over our life. In Jesus Name Amen.

Sin & Homosexuality

How is it some are so easily persuaded away from the truth.. saying such things as "If God is the God of love then why does He hate homosexuals?  This is made worse by Christians who spew hatred of homosexuals instead of watching where they stand.  

Homosexuality is wrong but it's not a Christian's job to judge but God's job.  Sin is a sin.  We are to hate the sin but love the sinner. 

Some churches/church leaders are embracing the ways or values of the world and because of this they have allowed the floodgates of sinful society to poison and corrupt.  Their congregations must wonder... "The word of God says this but you are contradicting what the word of God says by your words and actions."  

Have we gone into the dark ages? 

The Word of God is the Authority of the Body of Christ
Man was never to dictate the morals and values of the church.  God has set them in stone and when the morals, values, principles are not followed the dark evil root of uncertainty aims to kill, steal and destroy.  Truth is solid ROCK… lies and deceits are sand and will soon be exposed for the winds of God’s time will show their nakedness.

Society is angered when Christians speak the truth and don’t embrace such social topics as  homosexuality.  Of course the way the truth is spoken has a great affect on how it is received.

Homosexuality  

Homosexuality is wrong but it is not all by itself in the wrong column list.  It is just as wrong as murder, lying and adultery.  There isn't any degree difference.  A wrong is a wrong. 
  
The World Media
World media is controlled by public opinion, mostly liberal public opinion but why doesn’t the media just consult the bible instead of asking these so-called “religious experts”?  I mean "THE SOURCE" itself is better then hearsay every time.

I come to these two conclusions about the media when it comes to the word of God.  Either the word of God is so veiled to them that they cannot read and comprehend it or they don’t want to read it and be convicted themselves by what the word of God says.   They rather go by hearsay, that way they won’t be responsible… but that is self serving ignorance and regardless of this ignorance... and if they want to admit it or not, they know right from wrong.
  

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”  John 3:19-20

Minister Matthew Henry wrote: “Sinful works are works of darkness.  The wicked world keeps as far from the light as they can, lest their deeds should be reproved.  Christ is hated, because sin is loved.  If they had not hated saving knowledge they would not sit down contentedly in condemning ignorance.  On the other hand, renewed hearts bid the light welcome. A good man acts truly and sincerely in all he does.  He desires to know what the will of God is, and to do it, though against his own worldly interest.”

Jesus said “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Romans 2:14-16 says “Even the Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life. This is my message.”

What is scary is people are going to doctors for answers to homosexuality.  Doctors are people, they are not God.   Don't put your soul in the opinion of men/women (no matter what endorsements they may have hanging on their wall.)  Put you soul in what God's word says. 

If you want to know the truth… consult the source, not people who can be easily persuaded, manipulated, play favorites and give into pressure.

What does the Bible Say?

The bible DOES say homosexual is a sin and is wrong. It is as wrong as murder, lying and contradicting the right teaching that comes from the glorious Good News (Jesus is the ONLY WAY into heaven- just another thing the world has a problem with.) 
 

Let’s read 1 Timothy 1:5-11.  “The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and sincere faith.   But some teachers have missed this whole point.  They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking about foolishness.  They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident.  We know these laws are good when they are used as God intended.  But they were not made for people who do what is right.  They are fore people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy who murder their father and mother or other people.  Theses laws are for people who are sexually immoral, for homosexuals and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.”

God/Jesus considers a marriage to be between a man and woman.  Jesus/God created a woman for a man and NOT a man for a man or a woman for a woman, if homosexuality was God’s intent, he would had created Adam and Steve or Eve and Eva not Adam and Eve.
   
Jesus says, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

In the Old Testament before Jesus came in the flesh to earth- there was no grace given to homosexuals or man and woman who committed adulterous acts.  The punishment was death.  If you were caught you were killed.  (Read for yourself in Leviticus 20.)  Jesus came that we might turn away sinful ways, be healed and be saved. 

Yes there are people who have been healed of homosexuality.  Look it up for yourself.  This isn't out some religious obligation but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in a person's life.
 

Look at 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.” 

Now read Romans 1:26-32 “ That is why God abandon them to their shameful desires.  Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.  And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other.   Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.  When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud and boastful.  They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents.  They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving.  They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway.  And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”

The only way out of such a death sentence is to acknowledge and turn to God and admit you have sinned against God and be sincerely sorry/repentant for your sins.  The only way out of such a death sentence is to give your life to Christ/God who took your punishment of your sins on a cross 2014 years ago.   Only he has the power to forgive you, transform you and give you the ability to overcome sin in your life by His Holy Spirit. 
  

Am I a hater of those who claim to be homosexual? Of course not! If so I would have to hate all people who do not acknowledge God and fall into sin. 
   

Besides hate is to be unforgiving and I don’t want to go to hell for someone else’s sin for the word of God says if we don’t forgive then we won’t be forgiven for our sins.  Matthew 6:12, 6:15.   We are to hate the sin that shackles people to death but love the person, hoping they will come to Jesus to be set free from the sin in their life.

Why do I say this? Because GOD is the only one and has the right to judge.  And people are the ones who make the decision to sin - so really they are condemning themselves by the sinful lifestyle.

If you are hating homosexuals think about this:
 
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11. 

Jesus who, could have had the woman stoned, stopped the woman’s condemners by saying, ““He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

They all knew they were guilty of “some” sin in their life so they could not stone her.   We are all guilty of some sin in our life so who are we to “throw” judgment?   Jesus was kind and merciful yet he spoke the truth.  That is the way he wants us to be.

You are living a sinful lifestyle think about this:

Jesus being God told the woman to, “sin no more”.  Don’t you think, rescued from sudden death, these words from Jesus were swallowed with a deep sense of weight and gratitude that remained with her the rest of her life?

For this woman who committed adultery knew what were the consequences of her actions if she got caught.  She knew she would be stoned if she got caught but like the rest of humanity, she thought she would not be caught. She thought she could get away with it.

Why does it seem the reality of our judgment takes a back seat?   Why doesn’t it take a prominent seat?   Why are we so careless with our soul? 
 

Maybe you have read something in this blog post that has awakened you to your carelessness of your soul.  Maybe you are not guilty of homosexuality but one of the other things mentioned and God is saying to you “Make it right now, make it right before it is too late”.

The reality of the matter is if we get caught in this life or not, we will still have to answer for our sins by God.  The reality of the matter is no matter if the world thinks our ways are right or not, we will have to still answer to God for our sin.

There is no way in our own facilities to get away from the punishment of our sins.  We cannot pay them off or work them off or barter them off by putting them on a scale and weighting our good deeds against our bad deeds.  For God knows who we truly are.

The only saving grace we have is if we turn to Jesus for our redemption/salvation, Jesus who paid for the punishment of our sins on the cross so those who accept and believe in him and his sacrifice will not perish in the hell but have everlasting life in heaven.

Romans says, “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, not matter who we are or what we have done.  For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty.  He has done this through Jesus Christ, who has freed us by taking away our sins.  For God sent Jesus to take the punishment of ours sins to satisfy God’s anger against us.  We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us…” Romans 3:22-25

Some people may take the sacrifice of Jesus for granted and think they can go right ahead and keep practicing sin but sin only leads to death.  Note: Romans 6:15-16 It should be that by your faith in Jesus that you have been given power to not give into sin and don’t want to sin.  After all God changes the heart and gives us His Spirit.  

“And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart.  And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.” Ezekiel 36:25-27

People need to know what is wrong in the sight of God.  God is the one who condemns.   

God’s church is to speak boldly the truth (Scripture) in the Spirit of love. “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 2 Timothy 3:16 AMP

The spirit of this world makes it sound like if you tell someone you don’t agree with them or what they are doing is wrong that you are judging them or hating them but is that true?

 God’s Word is like a word of warning, telling us the stove is hot but some don’t listen.  Many touch the hot stove and many souls have been lost because they simply don’t care or want to listen.

We are living in the end times.  The signs are indicating the end is near.  These signs of people loving the things of sin and darkness and not the light.  Jesus said, “Just as the gathering of vulture shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”  Matthew 24:28

Jesus also said “Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.   And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.  And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.  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.”  Matthew 24:9-14

Read the word of God for yourself.  Don’t take a well-known Rev. or Pastor’s word for it.  Some of them of have poisoned and seared their conscious, they may have a form of godliness but deny the power of God’s word in what they say and do. 

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”   1 Timothy 3:2-5 

For those who are being mocked, persecuted and lied about for standing up for what is right, I am reminded of a scene in The Lord of the Rings, were Gandalf stands up against the Balrog in the caverns Moria.  Gandalf is on a narrow bridge and he makes his stand against a monstrous fierily horned beast armed with a giant cleaver and ever stretching whip of fire.   Gandalf makes a stand against the Balrog to allow his companions to escape.
 

 He declares to the beast, “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”  And with a blow of his staff, the bridge of rock crumbles underneath the beast’s feet.  The beast falls into the deep but not easily defeated the Balrog snags Gandalf off his perch and takes the old man down with him.  As they tumble Gandalf takes his sword and repeatedly smites the beast.  The battle continues onto a mountain where Balrog is finally defeated.   Gandalf awakes after the battle as Gandalf the White instead of Gandalf the Gray.

Sometimes we must take a stand against the Balrog situations in this life. Those situations where there is unrighteous and injustice and lies and deceit.  We must stand against the Balrogs in life for the sake of others.  We must speak the truth when others have been persuaded, manipulated and belittled not to.  The battles cause us to seek God who is greater then ourselves and in the process we not only see God’s word (the Sword) is true but we are transformed and encouraged in the things of God.  We go from the Gray (old) to the White (new).

For the word of God says “He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:6

In word of love and caution, J.D. JOHNS