What Have We Learned?

As we hear Texas lawmakers ensuring religious freedoms, and those opposing them by fear tactics, I thought what have we learned?

We have learned the certainty of Amendments mean very little.  They have become like many good things in this world… uncertain.  The Constitution, a great document created by the founding fathers- is and was to ensure freedoms to those in living in America. 

John Adams, our second president, said “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

Has it become inadequate?  And if so why is it inadequate? What does it say about the condition of America?

 

We have learned the Amendments have to be continually re-enforced as “this” group and “that” group act like termites attacking and gnawing away at the pillars that upholds an American civil society.   What are these pillars?   Glad you asked….

George Washington, General of the Revolutionary Army, First President of the United States of America, Father of our nation, wrote "Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society."

Proverbs says “A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!” 29:18

Just as there is peace and order in our life when we seek and trust in God so it true when a nation seeks and trusts God.  

Peace and order come from God who gives wisdom but if you are against God, how are you going to receive sustaining peace and order that come from true wisdom? You are not.

 

When one excludes the divine truths of the bible, in their own life and the in governing policies of the people- you have no law and no law to protect it’s people and the rights of its people.

James Wilson, U. S. Supreme Court Justice and Signer of the Constitution wrote: "Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is divine. . . . Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other."

We have learned we have to make laws in our states to assure certain religious freedoms and protection.  And we have learned we have to make more laws to bolster and reinforce those laws.

We are society of two peoples, while one people puts up a stone to build a wall to protect another is there to take down that same stone.

This country is divided.   

Jesus says, “A kingdom at war with itself will collapse.  A home divided against itself is doomed.”  Mark 3:24-25

“Wisdom shouts in the streets.  She cries out in the public square.  She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall.  “You simpletons!”  She cries. “How long will you go on being simpleminded? How will you mockers relish your mocking?  How long will you fools fight the facts?  Come here and listen to me!  I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.”  Proverbs 1:20-23

They will never have wisdom if they never turn to God.  For God is the one who gives it.

“For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.  He is a shield, protecting those who walk with integrity.  He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.”  Proverbs 2:6-8

We have learned to be passionate over words, that were once just taken for granted, but this passion is misplaced if not in God.

As I thought of these things in some quiet time with the Lord, I heard a thought of a whisper…

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

And in this word came like a flood that nourished my soul.

And we have learned nothing sustaining… until we have a relationship with our LORD Jesus Christ!

JESUS and the Cross

What does Good Friday mean to someone who doesn’t go to church? What does the cross mean to
someone who has never gone to church?

Just recently a sister in Christ shared a story of a friend of hers who didn’t know who Jesus was and she lives right here in America.  Is this shocking to you?  It is somewhat surprising but I understand - considering the state of the America and some of it's churches.

How many you believe sin can be corrected and a person, a family, a nation can be saved if they know Jesus Christ?

Knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior changes your life.

SIN and US 

Everyone has sinned or done wrong.   Do you know sin cuts us off from God?  Our sin not only causes trouble in our lives but the lives of others.  Sin has long lasting effects, and death but without Jesus Christ it leads to hell.   I know the world and Oprah have said there are many ways to heaven but the world and Oprah are not God.  Sounds offensive?  Yes sometimes the truth can sound offensive but it doesn’t mean it isn’t the truth.  I rather be confronted with the truth then live life heading towards destruction.

Jesus is THE ONLY WAY into heaven and if you have read these posts you know I have seen Jesus.  And since I have seen and know Jesus is alive and well and very real, I am honored to tell you about HIM who saves us from our sin.  

GOD and US

So let’s start with God, the GOD who saves our soul and liberates our heart and mind.     

God doesn’t fit into our typical human definition of a god.  God is both single and plural.  He is Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit.  Together they are ONE and they work as ONE.   They are like a band making an idea a reality.   We were once an idea and then He made us a reality with an individual purpose in mind.  Sad it to think that people can wander through life not knowing God and not knowing the purpose they were created for.
         

“Genesis 1:26 says “Then God said, ‘Let us make people in our own image, to be like ourselves.  They will be masters over all life- the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and the livestock and wild animals, and small animals.’”

“He (Jesus Christ) was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” John 1:2-4

“Philip (one of Jesus’ disciples) said to Him (Jesus), ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.’” John 14:8-10

GOD who created everything we can see and not see said there is only ONE WAY to heaven and that is through HIS Son, Jesus Christ.   

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

There is NOT a five lane highway into heaven.  Jesus Christ is the narrow opening in which we ALL have to enter Heaven.  There is no way over or around or under the immense barrier from here to heaven but through Jesus Christ.

As Peter said, “ And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 

Before I gave my life to God, I would go to church from time to time but I had this “mental fog” that would block me from the reality of Jesus Christ.  And the bible… well it might as well been a bunch of mumbo jumbo on some white pages stuck in between a piece of black leather bound.  So since I couldn’t really read, see or hear what was being shared, I couldn’t appreciate, taste, be encouraged or feed my restless soul.  But that all changed when God’s Holy Spirit came into my soul when I accepted Jesus Christ as my God, Lord and Savior. 

As the bible says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I could not only read the bible and understand it but I experienced the life changing and life saving reality of Jesus in my life, something I thought wasn’t even possible.

THE CROSS and US

That is when I began to understand in a deeper personal sense -the cross Jesus took for all our sins or wrongs. 

Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.  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 judgment awaiting those who trust him.  But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.”  John 3:14-18 
    

God so loved you and I that he sent HIS SON to die on the Cross.  Jesus, the Son of God was nailed through his hands and feet to a wooden cross and died like a criminal to die for all of humanity's sins.
  
In the book of Mark, it is written that Jesus said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mark 15:34. 

You know why the Father turned His back when Jesus was on the cross? Because the Father could not look upon the sin Jesus was taking upon Himself for us.  Jesus, innocent of all sin, was being judged for our sin.

   

Jesus took that cross that we may trust in Him and be saved, that we may taste and see God is merciful and good.  That we may experience God’s perfect will in our life and have a relationship with HIM/GOD. 
     

1 Peter says “He (Jesus) personally carried away our sins in his body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  You have been healed by his wounds!  Once you were wandering like lost sheep.  But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25

Jesus going to the cross for us was like Jesus creating a bridge over an abyss that separated us from God.   By giving our life to Jesus we not only get to go to heaven but we can have a relationship with God, which liberates our soul from the daily tolls.

When I think of Jesus going to the cross I think of the garbage man picking up the trash.  Jesus going to the cross for us... and we giving our life to Him is like Jesus stuffing all our sins into an enormous garbage truck and Jesus driving our sin to a dump of forgetfulness never to be remembered by God again. 
 

Jesus paid for our sins but we must give our life to Jesus to receive this life saving and changing forgiveness.  

So are you going to believe in Jesus?  Are you going to trust in Jesus? Are going to accept his gift of going to cross for you and I? 
 

If so ask Jesus to come into your life now.  Jesus come.  

Let me pray with you:

Jesus I choose to believe and trust in you as my God.  I choose to surrender my life to you that you may liberate my life by having a daily relationship with you.  Jesus forgive me!  Forgive me for my sins.  I accept your free gift of forgiveness.  Pour out your Spirit upon my life that I may experience your wondrous light and transforming goodness in my life.  Thank you Jesus.  THANK You JESUS!

May God bless you my friend.  May God lead you to a bible believing church with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that will help and encourage you.   That God make you like a sponge to His wondrous marvelous word- The Bible.  And may God continue bless you with is presence and love as you continually seek Him in all of life’s experiences and challenges.

Thank you for letting me share with you.     

These Pointless and Senseless Acts of Violence Towards People and God's Children

I know these verses might seem random but they are not.   

We live in a world where I continually have to ask, "What is the logic? What is the foundation of such thoughts?  Has opinion replaced fact or is fact undiscernable to those those who don't know God?  

Now I ask, "What is the logic to this violence?  What is the reasoning?  There seems to be none but blind vengeance.  Drunk with hatred this evil staggers out public and harms and kills whoever might be in it's path. 

God spoke of these things in His Word. He knew times like these would to come.  He knew men's hearts would grow cold and turn to such darkness.  

But what is more alarming is the lack of wisdom/good sense the mainstream media has.  Why would ISIS tell anyone the truth?  They thrive on deception.  Small or large, why does anyone have to settle for such attacks as... "It is just the way things are"? Who settles for such ideas?     

IN a very odd sense these violent individuals are only strengthening those in the Christian faith.  They are only strengthening the Christian resolve.  Christians are holding on less to this life and turning to, holding and trusting more in GOD.  Throughout Christian history faithful Christians (men, women, and children) have been victims to bloody attacks for their faith in Jesus Christ. 
  

  "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it." Matthew 11:12

And when these violent people are killing Christians others are seeing the conviction of their Christian faith even when faced with death.  People are taking notice and people are coming to Christ- they want what these people know and believe and won't relinquish despite their spilled blood that cries out from the ground like Abel's.

Greg Laurie shared a story about a man named Polycarp.  He was pastor of the Church of Smyrna.  He was martyred on February 23, 155 AD. 

"On that day, the public games were taking place, and the crowds were whipped into a real frenzy.  Someone cried out, "Let Polycarp be searched for!"  

The night before, Polycarp had a dream in which the pillow under his head was on fire.  He woke up and told his follow believers, "I must be burned alive."  When Polycarp was arrested, he asked for the privilege of having a final hour to spend with the Lord in prayer.  

As Polycarp entered the Roman arena, God spoke to his heart and said, "Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man."  The Roman proconsul gave him a choice between cursing then name of Christ and making a sacrifice to Caesar, or dying.  Polycarp said, "Eight-six years I have served the Lord.  He has done me no wrong.  How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?"

When the proconsul threatened him with being burned at the stake, Polycar replied, "You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time and is quickly quenched, but you do not know the fire that awaits the wicked and the judgment to come into everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting?  Come and do what you will."

The crowds went crazy, providing firewood and kindling from their woodshops.  There Polycarp stood, and they set the wood around him on fire.  Amazingly, the fire did not harm him.  It came right up to him and would not burn him, while Polycarp sang praises to God. 

Finally, they couldn't wait any long and thrust him through with spears.  Polycarp showed true courage in the face of true persecution."    

Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior said:

 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell^." Matthew 10:28

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, said:
"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers."

  Matthew 24:9

This violence today is just as irrational as it was back in Polycorp's time.   It was too kill anyone thought less of and doesn't follow and go along with certain religious practices.  Today it is the same but instead of killing for sport they kill for terror hoping it to cause panic, sow distrust, fear and unrest.  These are tactics that come straight from the devil handbook.  This is this pointless violence.  This is senseless violence. This violence has no reward.   It kills many and condemns the attacker to unquenchable flames of hell.  This violence is only a tool of evil.  A tool the devil uses to destroy what God has created and misdirect what God wants for His creation.  The devil manipulates men to destroy men, the creation God made in His own image. GOD sent HIS SON, Jesus Christ, to save and transform humanity from this kind of fallen mentality, this thinking that only separates them from their Creator.

Jesus Christ from whom all things were created through said, "Put away your sword, those who use the sword will die by the sword." Matthew 26:52

MURDER is SIN

God says: "You must not murder." Exodus 20:13 

This is how Jesus Christ, the Creator, spoke to some of religious men who were trying to kill him: 

³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵ A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. ³⁷ Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. ³⁸ I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

³⁹ “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. ⁴⁰ Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. ⁴¹ No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

⁴² Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. ⁴³ Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! ⁴⁴ For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵ So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! ⁴⁶ Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

⁴⁸ The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

⁴⁹ “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. ⁵¹ I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

⁵² The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ ⁵⁵ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

⁵⁷ The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

⁵⁸ Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” ⁵⁹ At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

John 8:34-59

    

These violent estranged individuals from God, have not embraced God for who He is but have alienated themselves from God by carrying out these violent acts.  THINK!  Acts of violence never make one right before God. 

 These evil acts are man wanting control. They are placing themselves in God's place.  They are of religion not of GOD.  Has anyone not learned from the past?  This pointless violence comes from the fallen sinful understanding that is idolatry, participation in demonic activities (murder, lies, deceit) hostility, quarreling, jealousy, out bursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, and feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group...) Note Galatians 5:19-21

The word says, "Don't be misled.  Remember that you will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.  But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  So don't get tired of doing what is good.  Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time," Galations 6:7-9  

 These violent acts of terror are against God and HIS Ways. 

 Jesus CHRIST, Deity, GOD, LORD of lords, Who conquered death and the grave and is Life said,

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me." Matthew 12:30

I know some of these violent people think Jesus was only a good man or a prophet of God but he was MORE then a prophet.

Jesus said, "I am the Messiah!" John 4:26

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." John 11:25

No prophet can promise that! 
Why do I tell you these things? One is remind you of the things Christ said and encourage you.  Two, to reach those who do not know.  That they might turn to God so God can give them living revelation in their heart that these things are true.  

I was speaking to a brother in Christ who used to be entrenched in evil practices.  He was told about Jesus. Curious, he just asked, "Jesus if you are real reveal yourself to me".  And instantly Jesus appeared before him in his face.  Needless to say, he left his evil practices behind and surrendered His heart to the LORD.  Now, years later he is teaching others about Christ Jesus as the Lord leads him. 

Jesus said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day.  With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations,  beginning in Jerusalem:  There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.  You are witnesses of all these things.  And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised.  But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."

For by the Holy Spirit comes living wisdom, resurrection power that continually teaches and transforms the heart to live liberated in God's love.

It is just as the Sovereign LORD spoke to the prophet Ezekiel

"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 36:26-27

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"So we have stopped evaluating other by what the world thinks about them.  Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being.  How differently I think about him now!  What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone.  A new life has begun!  All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did.   And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them.  This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.  We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you.  We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!"  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

It takes a honest, humble, strong, discerning person to realize he/she needs God, Jesus Christ.  He is the one who gives you direction and purpose in every good thing you do.

 Jesus said, "God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them." Matthew 5:3

Jesus said, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 

I too have seen Jesus Christ and things I did not think I would likely see until I passed through the veil of this life.  I tell you these things not to boost. I am an ordinary simple person.  A man very unimportant in the eyes of the world.  I share these things in hopes people stop and turn to Jesus so they might be saved and be transformed in heart and mind, and spirit.

Remember what Jesus said, "God bless 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 persecute, too."

Matthew 5:11

Again, persecution has the opposite affect of what these violent men want.