Is it Criminal to be a Christian? What has changed?

The only hope a people have is in God but a people who don't trust in God have no hope at all.

Christianity is gradually being seen as a big negative by governments around the world including the United States -which was founded on Christian principles and beliefs.

This is nothing new to those in Christian faith. They have seen this rolling ball for sometime.

I appreciated United States history. The only history I disliked was European history but now I see it has some real importance too. At least the "old" history books that have remained truthful... and not even the History channel does that anymore. New history texts and many history shows have pushed the truth from them. And why? Is it no longer refreshing to hear the truth? It is better to live in denial? I rather hear the truth so I can fix my mistakes instead of repeating them.

Have you seen the media, government leaders and court systems lately? It seems they have tied Christianity up and thrown her into a closet with her mouth-tapped shut. And they only bring her out when it benefits them then quickly push her aside.

Does anyone ever think about where these ideas and beliefs came from when our founding fathers started to build America? What did they see that caused them to construct a government different then what they saw and came from? What did they base America on and why? AND why did they come to America first of all?

In a sense we're making a circle AGAIN but this time we, as Christians, have no other undiscovered land to go. God will have to rapture us out of here or we will have to be persecuted, imprisoned, spit on and treated unfairly for what we believe. That is unless there is a CHANGE.

Sometimes it helps to read what our founding fathers and officials wrote to see things in a different perspective: They were rebels in the sight of those who wanted to rule over them but why were they considered rebels? What did they believe that made them rebels? Why were they considered intolerant?

John Adams wrote:
“We recognize no Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!”
[April 18, 1775, on the eve of the Revolutionary War after a British major ordered John Adams, John Hancock, and those with them to disperse in “the name of George the Sovereign King of England." ]

• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” [letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress]

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798

What does that say about the United States today?

John Adams
"The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and the attributes of God.” [June 28, 1813; Letter to Thomas Jefferson]

"I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson

“Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity… and leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system.” [October 4, 1790]

"Without Religion this World would be Something not fit to be mentioned in polite Company, I mean Hell." [John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, April 19, 1817]

Samuel Adams: |
“ He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all… Our forefathers opened the Bible to all.” [ "American Independence," August 1, 1776. Speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia]

John Quincy Adams:
• “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?" “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity"? --1837, at the age of 69, when he delivered a Fourth of July speech at Newburyport, Massachusetts.

“The Law given from Sinai [The Ten Commandments] was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code.”
John Quincy Adams. Letters to his son.

Elias Boudinot: |
“Be religiously careful in our choice of all public officers . . . and judge of the tree by its fruits.”

Charles Carroll - signer of the Declaration of Independence |
"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." [Source: To James McHenry on November 4, 1800.]

Benjamin Franklin: |
“ God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech

“In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?” [Constitutional Convention, Thursday June 28, 1787]

In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."

In 1787 when Franklin helped found Benjamin Franklin University, it was dedicated as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."

Alexander Hamilton:
• Hamilton began work with the Rev. James Bayard to form the Christian Constitutional Society to help spread over the world the two things which Hamilton said made America great:
(1) Christianity
(2) a Constitution formed under Christianity.
“The Christian Constitutional Society, its object is first: The support of the Christian religion. Second: The support of the United States.”

On July 12, 1804 at his death, Hamilton said, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me.”

"For my own part, I sincerely esteem it [the Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests." [1787 after the Constitutional Convention]

"I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man."

John Hancock:
• “In circumstances as dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments, …at the same time all confidence must be withheld from the means we use; and reposed only on that God rules in the armies of Heaven, and without His whole blessing, the best human counsels are but foolishness… Resolved; …Thursday the 11th of May…to humble themselves before God under the heavy judgments felt and feared, to confess the sins that have deserved them, to implore the Forgiveness of all our transgressions, and a spirit of repentance and reformation …and a Blessing on the … Union of the American Colonies in Defense of their Rights [for which hitherto we desire to thank Almighty God]…That the people of Great Britain and their rulers may have their eyes opened to discern the things that shall make for the peace of the nation…for the redress of America’s many grievances, the restoration of all her invaded liberties, and their security to the latest generations.
"A Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, with a total abstinence from labor and recreation. Proclamation on April 15, 1775"

Patrick Henry:
"Orator of the Revolution."
• This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.”
—The Last Will and Testament of Patrick Henry

“It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]

“The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”

John Jay:
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Source: October 12, 1816. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393.

“Whether our religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received either from the clergy or the laity. It appears to me that what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat about his attachment to Ahab ["Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord?" 2 Chronicles 19:2] affords a salutary lesson.” [The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 1794-1826, Henry P. Johnston, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1893), Vol. IV, p.365]

Thomas Jefferson:
“The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.”

“Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.”

"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” (excerpts are inscribed on the walls of the Jefferson Memorial in the nations capital) [Source: Merrill . D. Peterson, ed., Jefferson Writings, (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc., 1984), Vol. IV, p. 289. From Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, 1781.]

Samuel Johnston:
• “It is apprehended that Jews, Mahometans (Muslims), pagans, etc., may be elected to high offices under the government of the United States. Those who are Mahometans, or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, [unless] first the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves." [Elliot’s Debates, Vol. IV, pp 198-199, Governor Samuel Johnston, July 30, 1788 at the North Carolina Ratifying Convention]

James Madison
“We’ve staked our future on our ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all of our heart.”

“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We’ve staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity…to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” [1778 to the General Assembly of the State of Virginia]

• I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and [who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare the unsatisfactoriness [of temportal enjoyments] by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give in your evidence in this way.
Letter by Madison to William Bradford (September 25, 1773)

• In 1812, President Madison signed a federal bill which economically aided the Bible Society of Philadelphia in its goal of the mass distribution of the Bible.
“An Act for the relief of the Bible Society of Philadelphia” Approved February 2, 1813 by Congress

“It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other.”

• A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest, while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven. [Letter by Madison to William Bradford [urging him to make sure of his own salvation] November 9, 1772]

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison proposed the plan to divide the central government into three branches. He discovered this model of government from the Perfect Governor, as he read Isaiah 33:22;
“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
He will save us.”

[Baron Charles Montesquieu, wrote in 1748; “Nor is there liberty if the power of judging is not separated from legislative power and from executive power. If it [the power of judging] were joined to legislative power, the power over life and liberty of the citizens would be arbitrary, for the judge would be the legislature if it were joined to the executive power, the judge could have the force of an oppressor. All would be lost if the same … body of principal men … exercised these three powers." Madison claimed Isaiah 33:22 as the source of division of power in government
See also: pp.241-242 in Teaching and Learning America’s Christian History: The Principle approach by Rosalie Slater]

James McHenry – Signer of the Constitution
"Public utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and constitutions of government, purity, stability and usefulness. In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions. Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience."

Jedediah Morse:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."

LOOK carefully at that one again!

Thomas Paine:
“ It has been the error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all the other sciences, and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all the principles of science are of divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles: he can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author.”

“The evil that has resulted from the error of the schools, in teaching natural philosophy as an accomplishment only, has been that of generating in the pupils a species of atheism. Instead of looking through the works of creation to the Creator himself, they stop short, and employ the knowledge they acquire to create doubts of his existence. They labour with studied ingenuity to ascribe every thing they behold to innate properties of matter, and jump over all the rest by saying, that matter is eternal.” “The Existence of God--1810”

Benjamin Rush:
• “I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them…we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government; that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible; for this Divine Book, above all others, constitutes the soul of republicanism.” “By withholding the knowledge of [the Scriptures] from children, we deprive ourselves of the best means of awakening moral sensibility in their minds.” [Letter written (1790’s) in Defense of the Bible in all schools in America]

• “Christianity is the only true and perfect religion.”

• “If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into our world would have been unnecessary.”

"Let the children who are sent to those schools be taught to read and write and above all, let both sexes be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education”
Letters of Benjamin Rush, "To the citizens of Philadelphia: A Plan for Free Schools", March 28, 1787

Justice Joseph Story:
“I verily believe Christianity necessary to the support of civil society. One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law. . . There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying its foundations.”
[Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States p. 593]

“Infidels and pagans were banished from the halls of justice as unworthy of credit.” [Life and letters of Joseph Story, Vol. II 1851, pp. 8-9.]

“At the time of the adoption of the constitution, and of the amendment to it, now under consideration [i.e., the First Amendment], the general, if not the universal sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as was not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, and the freedom of religious worship.”
[Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States p. 593]

Noah Webster:
“ The duties of men are summarily comprised in the Ten Commandments, consisting of two tables; one comprehending the duties which we owe immediately to God-the other, the duties we owe to our fellow men.”

“In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed...No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”
[Source: 1828, in the preface to his American Dictionary of the English Language]

Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God [Exodus 18:21]. . . . If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . If our government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws. [Noah Webster, The History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie and Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337, 49]

“All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.” [Noah Webster. History. p. 339]

“The Bible was America’s basic textbook
in all fields.” [Noah Webster. Our Christian Heritage p.5]

“Education is useless without the Bible” [Noah Webster. Our Christian Heritage p.5 ]

George Washington:
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”

“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” [speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]

"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian" [May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge]

During his inauguration, Washington took the oath as prescribed by the Constitution but added several religious components to that official ceremony. Before taking his oath of office, he summoned a Bible on which to take the oath, added the words “So help me God!” to the end of the oath, then leaned over and kissed the Bible.

Nelly Custis-Lewis (Washington’s adopted daughter):
"Is it necessary that any one should [ask], “Did General Washington avow himself to be a believer in Christianity?" As well may we question his patriotism, his heroic devotion to his country. His mottos were, "Deeds, not Words"; and, "For God and my Country."

“O Most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ, my merciful and loving Father; I acknowledge and confess my guilt in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of my sins, but so coldly and carelessly that my prayers are become my sin, and they stand in need of pardon.”

“ I have sinned against heaven and before Thee in thought, word, and deed. I have contemned Thy majesty and holy laws. I have likewise sinned by omitting what I ought to have done and committing what I ought not. I have rebelled against the light, despising Thy mercies and judgment, and broken my vows and promise. I have neglected the better things. My iniquities are multiplied and my sins are very great. I confess them, O Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and loathing and desire to be vile in my own eyes as I have rendered myself vile in Thine. I humbly beseech Thee to be merciful to me in the free pardon of my sins for the sake of Thy dear Son and only Savior Jesus Christ who came to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me.”
[George Washington; from a 24 page authentic handwritten manuscript book dated April 21-23, 1752
William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian (New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35.]

"Although guided by our excellent Constitution in the discharge of official duties, and actuated, through the whole course of my public life, solely by a wish to promote the best interests of our country; yet, without the beneficial interposition of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, we could not have reached the distinguished situation which we have attained with such unprecedented rapidity. To HIM, therefore, should we bow with gratitude and reverence, and endeavor to merit a continuance of HIS special favors". [1797 letter to John Adams]

James Wilson:
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
Supreme Court Justice appointed by George Washington
Spoke 168 times during the Constitutional Convention
"Christianity is part of the common law"
[Sources: James Wilson, Course of Lectures [vol 3, p.122]; and quoted in Updegraph v. The Commonwealth, 11 Serg, & R. 393, 403 (1824).]

________________________________________________________________________
Public Institutions
Liberty Bell Inscription:
“Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof” [Leviticus 25:10]

Proposals for the seal of the United States of America
• “Moses lifting his wand and dividing the Red Sea” –Ben Franklin

• “The children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” --Thomas Jefferson

On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams "to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Franklin's proposal adapted the biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea. Jefferson first recommended the "Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by night. . . ." He then embraced Franklin's proposal and rewrote it

Jefferson's revision of Franklin's proposal was presented by the committee to Congress on August 20, 1776.

Another popular proposal to the Great Seal of the United States was:
" Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God"; with Pharoah's army drowning in the Red Sea

Article 22 of the constitution of Delaware (1776)
Required all officers, besides taking an oath of allegiance, to make and subscribe to the following declaration:
• "I, [name], do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."

New England Primer:
Used in public and private schools from 1690 to 1900 second only to the Bible
Some of its contents:
A song of praise to God
Prayers in Jesus’ name
The famous Bible alphabet
Shorter Catechism of faith in Christ

Janet L. Folger wrote a book called: "The Criminalization of Christianity"
Here are just a couple questions she asks….

Which of the following actually happened in America ?

A. A man is fired for displaying Bible verses in his work space.

B. A judge orders a mother not to teach her daughter anything that could be considered “homophobic.”

C. High school students are trained to roam the halls in search of verbal “offenses” to report to law enforcement officers.

D. A pastor faces a prison sentence for reading from the Bible.

E. All of the above.

ANSWER (E.) All of the above. Here’s where: A) Idaho , B) Colorado, C) West Virginia, and D) Pennsylvania .

Things are getting dark and they are only going to get darker with the decline of those who have no knowledge of God and have no relationship with Jesus Christ.

Think carefully and wisely. Being a Christian should never be considered criminal. It is criminal to go against those who uphold Christian values and morals. When a government moves and rules against the laws and regulations of God it will fall. When a government tries to erase and deny all ideals and laws of God it will fall. Man is not God and man is only a fool to act as if he is God. A system built on the ideals of man will fall and be washed away for it has moved it self into shifting sands and off the safety of the firm foundation of God’s truth. The men and women of history have spoken about walking away from God and Jesus Christ and have warned to not fall away from Christians pillars set up by God. They sought God. They would be disgraced by what they see today in America.

Be strong but be civil in the way of Christ Jesus.

Don't Assume

Recently I was listening to a man on Christian talk radio, who is suppose to be very knowledge in Christian circles talking about Pentecostals (specifically Assembly of God churches), which I am a member of, and he made the comment that Pentecostals believe that you must speak in tongues to enter heaven. Where did this man get this idea and information?

Did he go to a Pentecostal (Assembly Of God) church and hear this or just hear something in the gossip train? There is only one way into heaven and that is through Christ Jesus and through him alone. If you have the gift of speaking in tongues… great but if don’t that is all right TOO but it is not the deciding factor of getting into heaven.

My older sister thought in Pentecostal churches that we carry around poisonous snakes and if you get bit while the snake handlers are walking around the congregation and die then you must have recently sinned against God. (I had to laugh when I heard that.) Snakes in an Assembly of God church… I would imagine most, if not all, of our congregation high tailing out of the church building as fast as they could. The others left would probably be stomping on its head.

Where do such ideas and beliefs come from? It would be just as easy to assume that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are only welcomed in the Pentecostal churches then in other churches but I know for a fact that there are Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptists, Catholic and non-domination believers filled with gifts of the Holy Spirit! Amen. May God continue to work and awakened his people to his awesome power of His Spirit.

Do not assume anything of any individual or a church until you witness it yourself! Do not assume that just because one church is doing something, the other churches with same denominational name is doing or going to do the same thing.

Assumptions can kill friendships and bonds. Don’t assume that the reason someone (including the pastor) is teaching or sharing something with you or the congregation is because he has found out about your secret life or has noticed your faults but realize these words of knowledge come from God and conviction and correction sometimes hurts. Be grateful that God convicts you now and not later and be grateful that he loves so much to correct you. A shared word isn’t always a word from God but examine yourself before God and see if it does pertain to you. And don’t assume the reason something bad is happening to someone or some church is because they haven’t trusted or obeyed God. Remember Job… this may not just be their test but your test as well.

Division within the Church…

From the Inspirational Study Bible

How many pulpit hours have been wasted on preaching the trivial? How many churches have tumbled at the throes of miniscuity? How many leaders have saddled their pet peeves, drawn their swords of bitterness and launched into battle against brethren over issues that are not worthy discussing?

So close to the cross but so far from the Christ.

We specialize in “I am right” rallies. We write books about what the other does wrong. We major in finding gossip and become experts in unveiling weakness. We split into little huddles and then, God forbid, we split again…

Are our differences that divisive? Are our opinions that obtrusive? Are our walls that wide? Is it that impossible to find a common cause?

“May they all be one,” Jesus prayed.

One. Not one in groups of two thousand. But one in One. One church. One faith. One Lord. Not Baptist, not Methodist, not Adventist. Just Christian. No denominations. No hierarchies. No traditions. Just Christ.

Too idealistic? Impossible to achieve? I don’t think so. Harder things have been done, you know. For example, once upon a tree, a Creator gave his life for his creation. Maybe all we need are a few hearts that are willing to follow suit.

(From No Wonder They Call Him Savior by Max Lucado)

Max Lucado then asks these questions:

What differences divide believers today?

What issues do you think Christians should not fight over? What issues are worth discussing?

What can we do to build a sense of unity in the church?

Why is a lack of unity harmful to the church?

How can believers remain unified when disagreements arise?

How can you help your Christian brothers and sisters focus on the common ground you share?

Vision of Two Women

I asked the Lord to give me some inspiration yesterday morning. I sat on my bed and opened my bible and began to read Daniel.

We are covering Daniel during our devotion time for the boy's youth program at church. When I was done reading I closed my eyes to relax and reflect but I must have gotten too relaxed because I must of dozed off when I saw this vision.

Vision of two women.
I saw a woman come into a house where another woman was. They were both wearing something that looked like togas. The woman who came into the house carried long silver like rods that were at least 7 or 8 feet long.

The two women went into a white room where the windows were covered but still let the natural light come in from the outside. The room had no pictures and was empty of furniture.

There the two women began to start their work, working on the rods and I got the distinct impression they were making a basket out of the long silver rods.

Then I opened my eyes and as I started to look for answers, I first thought of Moses in the basket but then I was reminded by the Spirit of the story in Zechariah 5

I would have just shared this vision with the church I attend and not shared it with my fellow Christians but I believe we all need to be aware of what is being prepared and what is happening.

Zechariah 5
Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, "Look up! Something is appearing in the sky."
"What is it?" I asked.
He replied, "It is a basket for measuring grain, and it is filled with the sins of everyone throughout the land."
When the heavy lead cover was lifted off the basket, there was a woman sitting inside it. The angel said, "This woman's name is Wickedness," and he pushed her back into the basket and closed the heavy lid again.
Then I looked up and saw two women flying towards us, with wings gliding on the wind. Their wings were like those of a stork, and they picked up the basket and flew with it into the sky.
"Where are they taking the basket?" I asked the angel.
He replied, "To the land of Babylonia, where they will build a temple for the basket. And when the temple is ready, they will set the basket there on it's pedestal."

The Line to Cross

Our love for God has to be stronger then the dark forces that come against us. The vitality of Christ must always be the main focus in our lives. The more we walk in faith the more and greater the dependence upon God. Life is delicate, fragile and precious and it can only be satisfied and accomplished fully when guided and lived with God.

These are all great truths but I forget sometimes what it must be like for a person who doesn’t know God or doesn’t have a relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ.

The questions that must come in the quiet moments in that person’s life as they sit on a picnic table watching the waves roll in on the shore: What is my purpose? How can I get past this pain? Who is right and who is wrong when it comes to certain religions or should I just take a little of everything to make sure I am covered when I die?

The truth of a Christian life sounds foolish to a person who doesn’t know Christ Jesus but we as Christians know it often takes a lot of discipline to remain foolish in the eyes of others. We also know that our foolishness has paid off many times and has strengthened us in difficult times. Our lives speak to unbelievers or those on the fence. We don’t do the same things we used to do. The way we live out our lives is just “different”. People can see it in our eyes and faces and it is undeniable the joy we have when speaking about our God and our Jesus Christ.

We forget that the unbeliever and/or fence walker is still comparing themselves to the world and each other? We forget that they are still looking for something that is sufficient to take away the emptiness, loneliness, hurt, anger, depression and anxiety. We forget that they still look at Christianity as just another religion. We forget that they have a salad bar God, chosen and picked out to their likening.

And then we also wonder why they still look to a pastor or reverend to give their loved one a proper burial when they don’t seem to believe in God?

The point is they do believe in God. The point is they are looking for answers. The point is they are comparing themselves? The point is they can see a difference in a person with Christian values verses someone who doesn’t have Christian values. The point is they are looking for something to fulfill them and give them a real purpose in life.

The only thing is they need that line to cross. Where is that line?

We all remember that line. The day we gave our lives to Christ. Some of us crossed that line through hardship and difficult circumstances. Some of us just knew that it was the time to give our lives to Christ. Some of us found the end of ourselves and were fortunate to find Christ waiting there for us. In all instances Christ was that line. He was the one who we found as sufficient. He was the one who opened our eyes to a life that we were blind to before. He was the one we compared our lives to and found that we needed Him as Lord and Savior everyday of our lives. He was the one who gave us purpose and the love to reach out, a love that is beyond our understanding or ability. He is that truth and that fulfillment in life and through all good things grow, mature and last. He is the only one can provide you eternal life in Heaven instead of hell.

Jesus Christ is that line.

RECALL NOTICE -

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Subsequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as SIN,
as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect.
The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.
There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is
P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload
your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) , for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will need to be scrapped
into the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention!

Signed,
GOD

Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by "kneemail."

"For with God, nothing shall be impossible"
Luke 1:37
"Obstacles are the things we see when we take our eyes off our goal".

Author of illustration (unknown)

Godly Jealousy

A great message by Michael Youssef:

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/leading_the_way/20080508/

Chasing the Wind

I recently read a blog that talks about when our faith is being challenged and it used the illustration by Jesus from Matthew 7:24-37.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”

I agree that if you build on any other foundation other then Jesus Christ your faith will crumble and crash to the ground in the storms and squalls of life but our faith should not just be a single sided matter of concern. Our faith should be partnership between Christ and us.

The foundation of our faith was not just given and chosen for us so we could build whatever we want to build on it. The foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ is given to us so we can accomplish all that God has planned for us.

Yes God has given us many desires, abilities and giftings but not used, constructed and mended together properly with the help of God they will all fall apart. And when it comes crashing to the ground you won’t just be scratching your head telling yourself that was a waste of time but you will be running to Jesus in agony, hurt and despair. There are many people in this world who don’t know God yet have been gifted with things God has given them and they build on foundation which is not Christ and they wonder why everything they do does not fulfill them. Some have just accepted these unsuccessful happenings or ventures as just a part of life but for you the believer in Christ Jesus it does not need to be that way!

(Ecclesiastes 2:11) says “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”

You don’t need to be left chasing the wind.

You see chasing the wind comes from human thinking and understanding and having no intervention or guidance from God.

Imagine if you will, God wants to build you a beautiful Arts and Craftsman home on the foundation (Jesus Christ) he has poured for you but you want to settle for a single -wide mobile home to park on it. You want to be settled and done. You don’t want to have to go through a lengthy construction process and struggles and costs that build a house. Nothing is wrong with a single -wide mobile home except if your spiritual home is built like a mobile home you might have some real problems when the real storms come and you may faultier and even fall away from your faith and Salvation in Jesus Christ.

Single-wide mobile home mentality is: It is a person who has at one time in their life "given" their life to Christ but has gone no further in their partnership with the Godhead (Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit.). It is being selfish and single-minded. Obviously I am not talking about baby Christians here, I am talking about someone who's relationship with God is a one time act of surrender to the Lord and they have gone no further in their Christian walk. They don't study the word of God. They don't do anything to help their fellow man experience the love of Jesus Christ, and there is little difference between them and an unsaved person lost in this world except they may come to church on an occasion. Theses individuals biblical beliefs are weak at best. When faced with a challenge in their life, they immediately take the human route of understanding instead of the higher route which is to holdfast and trust in God. You say, Jeff, that sounds judgmental? I don't mean to sound judgmental. My objective is to show you, it is better have a relationship and partnership with God then a silent one and be lost. My concern for these individuals is if their is no inward or outward change than I wonder if they are saved or have fallen away to the allures and beliefs of this world. If so their souls are endanger.

The blueprints and building materials God has for you in life add more beauty and fulfillment then you and I can possibly imagine and they don’t include wheels and a hitch. They are permanent and long lasting. That mobile home of faith doesn’t have chance when the storms come to challenge and test your faith.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have-Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.”

God wants to help you construct that beautiful house of faith in your life that will withstand the storms, squalls, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and that fire on judgment day but in order for that to happen you have to make Jesus Christ the contractor of your life. You have got to stop your human thinking and reasoning and seek a heart of God.

1 Corinthians 3:17-20 “…For God's temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple. Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God's standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, "God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness." And again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are worthless."

Now the dangers of building by yourself: There have been times in my Christian walk where I thought I was doing God a favor by doing works and service by my own will power but all I did was slip into human thinking and understanding. My human thinking and understanding left me empty, tried, frustrated and worn out. And in the end I saw no point or meaning. It was fruitless and it got me in trouble with God.

It is a terrible thing to find out your efforts have been in vain…

It is probably just as bad as taking too many steps. You feel prompted to act in a situation and so you move in what you "think" God wants you to do but find out instead of taking just that one step God wanted you to take, you took five additional steps... and that is when you usually find yourself over your head in a mess that only God can straighten out.

And it’s hundred times worse when it’s not just yourself who are involved but others as well. You are left feeling like the only thing you can do then is apologetically, humbly; regrettably and even mournfully bow out of the situation.

Another danger of building by yourself is recorded in Matthew 7:21-23

“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. On judgment day many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.”

Meaning and purpose is useless without God. Just knowing the content about something is very different then living in the content of something. This is the same with God. We may know a lot of content in God’s word but it is very different when living out God’s word. All knowledge of content of God’s word (without God) is useless but knowing God’s word in hand with God is priceless.

Christ maintains and builds his church via the Holy Spirit. He is the foundation and with CAREFUL instruction from the Holy Spirit a person’s faith can be built to withstand all the trials this life has to bring. A peer faith is what God desires but a faith built by our understandings not Godly understandings is hard build on.

Guidance from the Holy Spirit is the assurance we won’t be left chasing the wind or find ourselves doing things unauthorized by God (Matthew 7:23).

Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me.” John 16:13-14

Every person who claims to be a Christian must look to God’s Holy Spirit for instruction in his or her lives.

The Holy Spirit gives us a spiritual birth. This spiritual birth helps us build upon God’s truths of Christ Jesus making them tangible for us not to just “know” but to put into practice in everyday life, everyday trial, everyday test, everyday challenge and everyday joy.

Yes the partnership with God brings fulfillment, Godly understanding, discernment and joy …so we don’t have to go chasing the wind. Ask God, "Lord am I truly living the life you want me to live?" Study the bible as you do this and ask God to build your assurance in Jesus Christ.

You will certainly be brought into challenges but challenges are good for us. They are faith boosters.

Rom 5:3	We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure.
Rom 5:4	And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
Rom 5:5	And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

God won't give you anymore then you can handle and He will slowly build you a strong house of faith as you trust and follow in the Lord Jesus Christ. The storms will come but keep your eyes on God and see what He does. Others may even ask you how you can stand so strong and you can answer, "Because of all that the Lord has done and has continued to bring me through."

1Peter 1:7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

May God bless you in all of His truth!

Taken to Heart

Condemnation, fear, accusation, negative sentiment that isn’t from God but is taken to heart can really hurt you. It can strip you of your peace and make you feel physically burdened. Lord Jesus guard our hearts and minds, and restore those who have been hurt by things that aren’t true and aren’t from you. And we thank you in Jesus name. Amen.

Colossians 3:15-17
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful heart. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Max Lucado's Fear LESS Part 1 (Video)
http://maxlucado.com/fearless/message01.html

Max Lucado's Fear LESS Part 2 (Video)
http://maxlucado.com/fearless/message02.html

Cleaning up the Clutter

A Live Oak, depending on the size, may have thousands or even millions of little leaves and each spring they cover the ground with a dense layer of leaf litter, which can make an ideal breeding spot for mosquitoes. I really hate mosquitoes. They are pests but unlike scorpions, wasps, centipedes, crotches, and fire ants they seem to hunt down trouble. Those little blood-sucking kamikazes instantly irritate me when they fly near my ears and if one sneaks into my bedroom and buzzes near my head…forget. I will hunt it down and squish it.

So needless to say, to cut down on these pests at the church, I use the blower and lawnmower to mulch up the live oak leaves.

I was blowing a good 5 to 6 inch layer of spent oak leaves into a pile from around the youth buildings when God showed me something. Just under the boardwalk, the blower uncovered a massive rock.

The majority of the rock was still underground but some of the top proportion was now exposed. The exposed part runs 8 or 9 feet long and looking at it's smooth surface it had to be part of stream at some time in it’s life.

God then showed me something “else” about the rock. He showed me that the rock represents Him and His Son (Jesus Christ). People are so lost in the leaf litter of life that they either bury the experience of God in their everyday lives or don’t even realize He is there because he has either been forgotten or covered up by the foolish ideas and notions of the world. And it is not just people of the world but also people in the church.

It can be a REAL problem in the church. People can get so focused on time, schedules, this song and that song, this activity and that activity, this program and that program that there is no room left for God. Leaf litter only makes a church dead and impersonal. I call it a “church machine” because it no longer is in touch with God. A church is rendered useless when it is just run by human motives, ideals, thoughts, and understandings. A church filled with leaf litter is religious and religion may look like it is going somewhere but it is going no where because it only deals with customs, rituals and head knowledge and not Holy Spirit dealings and heart knowledge.

Did Jesus not say, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth? He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me. All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me.” (John 16:12)

God the Father says “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations.” (Ezekiel 11:19)

Blowing the trumpet from the watch tower.
Some churches however have not just created their own leaf litter problems but have brought the leaf litter from the world and dumped into the church.

The church always has to deal with worldly matters but when the church deliberately disobeys God’s standards, laws and regulations and embraces standards of the world over what God has said, it no longer represents God or wants to hear from God.

If the worldly ideals, matters and status matter more then God to a person/or church how can God be seen in that person and/or congregation? God is talking to the legalist too! If you only enforce laws and regulations but God is not involved then you have only become religious and religion leaves God out of the process and equation.

If the church or individual doesn’t believe in absolute truth in the bible how can they be empowered to do God’s will? You have not only short changed yourselves but God as well.

If the Word of God is twisted and changed to resemble more the ideals of world - then what God says and Jesus says in red print, whom does it really represent?

If money and prosperity is emphasized over living right and doing God’s will, there is a problem.

If the giftings of the Holy Spirit are NOT embraced or encouraged because it makes certain individuals uncomfortable, what has the church done?

What would God say to a church that allows a gay and/or lesbian pastor/ teacher to preach to His people?

What would God say to individuals in a church that hate, judge, gossip, are unforgiving and sue one another?

What would God say to individuals who don't give 10 percent of their earnings to God to help pay for all the utility bills, missionary support, Sunday school materials, food pantry, maintenance and repairs on the church building, and your pastor's income? You hold on to your money like it is really yours but is it? Who gave you that job? Who gave you the ability and knowledge to do your job well? You hold onto that money because of some fear or future want or need but you don't realize God fulfills every want and need at just the right time. Be faithful and give that 10 percent and God will honor that.

Some churches have so much leaf litter that they have made quite the pest problem and resemble more the world then servants for God … and then they wonder why they don’t hear or experience God? Would God show himself where He isn’t welcomed?

(Of course, He does show up sometimes and it’s a real reawakening. And sometimes He lets the church fall apart so they will repentant and come back to Him. And yes He does allow the weeds and wheat to grow together but they won't end up in the same place at harvest time.)

An individual or a church cannot serve two masters and these are huge warning signs.

I plead with you the Christian church. Just look at what Jesus says to the churches in Revelation Chapter 2, 3 and 4. "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the Churches." Ask God to help you examine yourselves.

For the people lost in this world, the leaf litter is upholding the values and ideals of the world. They can’t see God because the world and all it’s allures blind them. They are slaves to a world that says “I” or “ME” are more important then anyone else. They react and do things merely by human instinct because they don’t know God and/or have never been shown God. God hasn’t touched their heart… YET. These people have no truth to stand on so they go with what the rest of this world wants to believe. God to them is whatever they decide they want Him to be, -certainly not a God that wants His people to uphold His morals, laws and regulations. They can only see that kind of God as a controlling and convicting God but if they only knew God, they would see why He made such morals, laws and regulations in the first place.

(He made such morals, laws, and regulations because He didn’t want His beloved creation to destroy it’s self.)

They believe in a god of love and a god that sends nobody to hell… and that is true. God is a God of love and He sends no one to hell. Of course God’s love isn’t made up of what we consider or try to manipulate or understand love to be. God’s love is Holy, unrestricted, and unselfish. It is righteous, sinless, and quick to save. And God sends nobody to hell.

(The devil and his army have whispered this particle truth to thousands, but they forgot to tell these precious individuals the ENTIRE truth.)

The truth is “God doesn’t send people to hell because they DO that to THEMSELVES because they do not want to believe in Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for our sins and they choose not to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

These poor souls choose to continue and practice sin and won’t come to Jesus to save them. They do not realize they were made for Jesus Christ not for the ways of the world. That is why every time a person tries to find fulfillment in the things (the leaf litter) of the world they are left unsatisfied. The leaf litter of the world has covered their eyes and hears so they cannot see the Rock of Salvation (Jesus Christ). They are too busy wondering why they have all these pest problems to seek the solution, which is Jesus Christ.

To truly be the body of Christ and be free we must blow away the leaf litter from our lives so we can truly see God and what truly matters in life. To seek God’s face, to get right before God, to be filled and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, to read His Word, love one another, and to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus Christ.

Who Am I? What Is My Purpose? Looking and Searching for Meaning -Graffiti - Bridge To Live

Treasure Hunters Find True Treasure

I have a good friend who is a job hunter. He has had so many jobs that I have don't even try to keep track. He has always sought the perfect job those that will satisfy him and provide a good income for his family. I admire that in him for that. For one it takes courage and risks and sometimes-potential employers don’t always understand when looking at his job resume why they might want to hire someone like my friend. And 2 most people give up finding the perfect job just to meet the needs for themselves or their family. He will probably one day find that perfect job because he is relentless in this quest.

He is a treasure hunter and like all treasure hunters they seek what they cannot yet see to fulfill a want or need in their life.

Last night as was rereading Colossians 2, I thought how much the enemy wants to bury Jesus Christ and all He is and stands for from those who haven’t met or haven’t come to know him yet. The enemy wants to hide the truth of Jesus Christ from the world because in him lay hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and without Jesus Christ people are just lost, unfulfilled, and have no hope or absolutes to build off of.

But a treasure as GREAT as Jesus Christ can never be buried in the soul of the seeker because until that need is met, he/she will seek him until they find him. He/she instinctively knows what exactly meets the requirements of true treasure in their soul. (Romans 1:19)

He/she will have sought long and hard, finding nothing satisfies them and they won’t give up seeking this true treasure (Jesus Christ) until he is found. They know all other ways are sinking sand.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28)

But those who say they have no need or do not understand what this true treasure is, will be deceived by persuasive arguments, empty philosophy and high sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world. (Colossians 2)

Jesus says to the Laodicea church that has gone contrary to his will, “You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 I advise you to buy gold from me – gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I amthe one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.” (Revelation 3:17-20)

Now that is a true friend. A friend that will tell you the truth before it is too late.

Everyone knows there is a God for the bible says “God put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20)

Have we not all seen how similar the veins on the backside of a leaf look to the veins that carry the blood in our very own bodies? Have we not felt the wind on our faces but do not see where it goes or comes from? How clear water is but is essential for life? How the rain is carried in the clouds and how it is poured out? Or even how a seed must die to produce new life?

“Yes they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.” (Romans 1:21-22)

Seekers of true treasure, is Jesus knocking at your door? If so let him in and find the treasure you have always been seeking.

John 3:16 “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. Their judgment is based on this fact: 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.”

False Teachings in so-called “Christian” Churches

There seems to be an increasing amount of false teachings about Jesus Christ. To be quite honest, it pains me the same way a woman were to watch her loving husband be falsely represented/ depicted in a court room.

Watching and hearing Oprah (Video of Oprah) say there is more then one way into heaven other then Jesus Christ is a giant dangerous problem. It not only ignores that fact,

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

But questions if the bible is absolute truth. Oprah is not the only one pushing these ideals but so-called “churches of change, progressive or off shoot congregations of different denominations. There are television programs with "so-called experts" and books like "Conversations with God" and "Conversations with God for Teens."

They present crosses on their signs and steeples but deny and question why the cross and/or the saving power in Jesus Christ.

Certain churches within different denominations have made it easy to make this transition simple to these so-called “Christian” churches, by slowly allowing morals and truths to be swept aside. These issues range from allowing homosexuals clergy to lead their congregations, to allowing same sex marriages, to questioning and denying the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to have an emphasis on money and prosperity rather then a heart of giving… to name a few. Some churches are so planned and scheduled down to the minute that they completely alienate God. They have become routine, impersonal, ritual, machines. Clergy, pressured by numbers and figures end up preaching to the wants of people instead of what God wants them to hear. And of course you have the baby boomers children, who were seldom or hardly taken to church, going to these so-called "Christian" churches to seek truth, purpose and encouragement having no idea of the false teachings being taught to them.

Recently I read an article in our community paper about a local church called “The Branches”. They say they are a Presbyterian/Lutheran congregation but the clergy did not sound sold out for Jesus or the bible. When asked how people get into Heaven. They answered, “I’m not sure. I think we begin by how we live on Earth.”

WHAT? JESUS is the only way to eternal life in Heaven.

When asked if the bible represents absolute truth and is without error, they answered with ‘No. I think it is a document produced by people like you and me. They are fallible like you and I. They were inspired, but they were not free of short-comings and it needs to be read as such.” The church is defined as a 'church of change' that is interested in living the genuine questions about life as opposed to handing out the answers.”

WHAT? How can a person live their life if they live by questions and no absolutes? If your thoughts are only based on the standards and ideals down here then you are no different then a person who says they don't believe in God because the people who have made up such false teachings have made up their own false gods who can not save them or empower them to change. The devil has tricked and blinded such people. They think they have tasted enlightenment but in the end they will find out the only god they were serving is Satan himself who wants to take as many of God's chosen creation with him to the eternal pits of hell.

The clergy then quotes a Boston University Professor Harrell Beck that reads, “Asking the questions for which there are no answers is the beginning of wisdom.”

HUH? Questions about how to live life, that do not start in truth, they only lead to "disaster". You must start with Jesus Christ as your foundation to find true wisdom.

The article then sits on a nice large ad that points out that you can pay to take sessions for these, “Living the Questions” classes on Thursday nights from April to June developed by two theology students from Boston University

Note: (Newspaper quotes came from page 9 of "THE ADVISOR!" Issued on (April 9, 2008) written by staff writer Caroline Turney.)

My heart deeply sinks and I want to yell out, “NO!” I want to literally throw up because I worry about those who follow such false teachings. I want tell people going and participating in these death traps, “I know the truth because the TRUTH has set me free. Jesus Christ is not some far away messiah who can’t hear us but He is very near and His Spirit resides in me! There is no other way to Heaven except through Jesus Christ. Through him there is not just eternal life in heaven but a “NEW” lifestyle and outlook on life. THERE is encouragement and hope and absolute truth! There are "absolute" answers to your questions.”

All that being said, I want to conclude with this:

2 Peter 1:12
I plan to keep on reminding you of these things – even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth.
1:13
Yes, I believe I should keep on reminding you of these things as long as I live.
1:14
But the Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that my days here on earth are numbered and I am soon to die.
1:15
So I will work hard to make these things clear to you. I want you to remember them long after I am gone.
1:16
For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes.
1:17
And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God's glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, "This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him."
1:18
We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain.
1:19
Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place – until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts.
1:20
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves
1:21
or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.

2 Peter 2
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.
2:2
Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered.
2:3
In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way.
2:4
For God did not spare even the angels when they sinned; he threw them into hell, in gloomy caves and darkness until the judgment day.
2:5
And God did not spare the ancient world – except for Noah and his family of seven. Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment. Then God destroyed the whole world of ungodly people with a vast flood.
2:6
Later, he turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into heaps of ashes and swept them off the face of the earth. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people.
2:7
But at the same time, God rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a good man who was sick of all the immorality and wickedness around him.
2:8
Yes, he was a righteous man who was distressed by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.
2:9
So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while punishing the wicked right up until the day of judgment.
2:10
He is especially hard on those who follow their own evil, lustful desires and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at the glorious ones without so much as trembling.
2:11
But the angels, even though they are far greater in power and strength than these false teachers, never speak out disrespectfully against the glorious ones.
2:12
These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, who are born to be caught and killed. They laugh at the terrifying powers they know so little about, and they will be destroyed along with them.
2:13
Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They revel in deceitfulness while they feast with you.
2:14
They commit adultery with their eyes, and their lust is never satisfied. They make a game of luring unstable people into sin. They train themselves to be greedy; they are doomed and cursed.
2:15
They have wandered off the right road and followed the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.
2:16
But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.
2:17
These people are as useless as dried-up springs of water or as clouds blown away by the wind – promising much and delivering nothing. They are doomed to blackest darkness.
2:18
They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With lustful desire as their bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living.
2:19
They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
2:20
And when people escape from the wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up with sin and become its slave again, they are worse off than before.
2:21
It would be better if they had never known the right way to live than to know it and then reject the holy commandments that were given to them.
2:22
They make these proverbs come true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and "A washed pig returns to the mud."

Scriptures came from the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible


All other ways are sinking sand. Jesus Christ and his true way is where we must stand. He is our solid rock.

That is Faith in Deed!

Most of us know that good deeds don’t get us into Heaven but it is by faith in Jesus Christ that we can enter into Heaven for eternity. Good deeds and actions however show our faith to others. People can tell what "kind" of people we are by our actions, words and deeds. You and I can say we are Christians all we want but we prove it to the "world" by your actions.

James 2 says this “what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food and clothing and you say, “Well, good-by and God bless you; stay warm and eat well” –but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all- it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.” Do you still think it’s just enough to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?”

Example of useless faith: You see a woman with children at a gas station. Her car is stuffed with all of their remaining possessions. You can tell they are seeing hard times and it is evident that she is down to her last few dollars when her children cry out from an open window, "I'm hungry mom." She quietly tells them, "We'll be able to get something when they get to grandma's" but you can tell by her voice and the way she is looking at the numbers on the gas pump that they may not even be able to get to grandma's house as she reluctantly let's go of the gas pump handle. You have the ability to fill up the rest of her tank with gas and purchase a couple happy meals for the kids but you don't.

Other example of useless faith: You see an elderly woman trying to reach for a high item on top of a shelf but you walk past her instead of helping her. A homeless man sits on a curb. He is obviously thirsty. You have a bottle of water but you don't give it to him. You go to work, the guys are cursing this word and that word and to fit in you curse right along with them.

People believe you are a person of faith by your good deeds.

Some refer to Hebrews 11 as the “Hall of Faith” All those people listed in Hebrews 11 proved their faith by action. God told them to do something and they did it. Hebrews 11:6 says, “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” How did those people sincerely seek him? By doing what God had asked of them.

There is a fine line however between doing good deeds to make yourself look good and doing good deeds for God’s glory and it is an easy trap to fall into if you aren’t careful.

Jesus says this in Matthew 6, "Take Care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do- blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you."

Along the lines, Isaiah 58 says, “They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf. We have fasted before you!” they say. “Why aren’t you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it.” I will tell you why! It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? No, the kind of fasting I want calls for you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. “Yes I am here,” he will quickly reply. Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you be as bright as day. The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

Jesus, also talking about fasting, says the same thing, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you, but if you refuse to forgive others your Father will not forgive your sins. And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you”. (Matthew 6)

When you are resentful and have unforgiviness toward others, you are not only oppressing others for something God has forgiven you for but you are imprisoning yourself. And when you make a show of your good deeds to others, who gets the glory, you or God? Do you think human opinion and praise are greater then God’s rewards?

Proverbs 19:17 “If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD- and he will repay you!”

Besides, is what you have really yours? Think about it?

Jesus said, “Wisdom is shown to be right by the results from it.” (Matthew 11:19) What kind of results come from selfish ambition and/or not sharing what God has given us?

Consider this in closing, “when the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Then the righteous ones will reply, “Lord when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you? And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! Then the King will turn to those on his left and say, “Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison and you didn’t visit me.” Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And he will answer ‘I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46

Sorry we can't be the pirates that don't do anything or the world won't know the difference between us and it.

Micheal Youssef is also being shown the same things God is showing me.
Click on this link if you want to see "Using the Power of Example"
http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/leading_the_way/20080403/

A Privileged Life

Can you imagine that the God of the universe wants to have a relationship with us? Not just any type of relationship but an intimate relationship with us.
Can you imagine? Is it not amazing?

Sometimes our daily circumstances and personal issues take our thoughts away from God. It is this meeting, that appointment, this time, that project, this obstacle, this gathering and before you know it, you are laying on your bed giving God your impersonal check-list for the day before you close your eyes and go to sleep. Where are the genuine unrushed exchanges and moments of silence with God in our day? A relationship based on “a few drowsy words” or “no time for you actions” would last how long for two friends or two lovers? I don’t know about you but I think that kind of relationship would cease to continue would it not?

Thank God, He is a patient, loving and merciful.

We are all guilty of this, are we not? Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily lives and routines that we can’t even see what God does for us. And if we can’t see what God is doing in our lives how can we really be aware or notice what God wants us to do?

Who knows how many people in our week we have missed to show God’s love to. We as Christians sometimes seem to walk around with blinders on.

Refreshing gratitude, peace, and love come forth as we take time for the Lord in our day. The weight of time, tasks and even burdening emotions are lifted and we get refocused on what truly matters in this life. We forget how privileged we are to be so loved.

Take time even if it is right now. Get away from the computer. Go some place quiet. Close your eyes what do you hear? Open your eyes what do you see? What do you have that the Lord has given you that you are grateful for. What are some of the things that have been on your mind that you need God’s help figuring out or even letting go of? Who do you know who could use your prayers? Oh I am sure as soon as you start talking, the both of you will have plenty to talk about.

And if it has been quite sometime since you talk with God, then I am certain He would love to hear from you just as He would any of His children.

May God Bless you.

The Seed

The Seed was planted in the dust of this world.

The Seed died in and amongst the dust of this world.

The Seed that died in the dust of this world then was resurrected.

The Seed gave birth to more seed that grew and took on the
characteristics of the great Seed.

And together they yielded a harvest of everlasting fruit.

Buzz Buzz

The days have been getting nicer in Texas. A couple of days ago I opened up the front door and then went and opened the back French door so we could have some fresh air come into the house and as I was heading back to whatever I was doing a bumble bee came buzzing in through the front door. For a little guy he made a lot of noise.

I am not certain what his objective was but he soon decided this wasn’t the right place for him. There weren’t any flowers, freshly cut oranges on the kitchen counter but maybe if my wife was around he would have stuck around. She is pretty sweet.

Not wanting to hang with me it proceeded toward the back when it smacked into the side of the French door that was closed and did this fall to the ground and made this little buzzing sound like one of those little finger twist up toys. Buzzzz Buzzzz

In many ways it reminds me of how we can miss the mark. How we could miss the point. How we could miss the door and how we sometimes ignore the door to true freedom because of distractions or our stubbornness, or our current situation we find ourselves in at the moment, or even the restrictions and blinders we put on ourselves.

We too run into windows occasionally and we could run the risk of running into something that seems to lead to freedom but results in anguish, hurt, depression, lost hope, and even death.
Jesus says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.“ (John 10)

There are times where I have found dead bees in my house on the window seals. They died because they couldn’t find a way back outside. They stayed with something that looked like it led outside … like it led to a life but clearly halted the rest of their lives. It gave a light but wasn’t the light that led to life. It missed some important characteristics and if they were paying better attention, they could see this was no way out. Still in their stubbornness they continued to bump and buzz their way into the glass until they clasped from exhaustion and died.

Occasionally, I will take a plastic cup, and scoop a few of those exhausted bees into it and take them back outside. They all recover and soon go on their way, hopefully gaining some important insight. I believe God does that to us. He scoops us up after we have surrendered and are exhausted from bumping into those windows in life and sets us free. You see the closed and even the screened windows in life look like they lead to life but really they are only impostors. They aren’t the true door to life and freedom. Jesus is the way to freedom and new life.

Jesus says this, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

May God bless you with all he has for you,
Jeff

It's Not about Mary: It's ALL about Jesus.

It’s not about Mary; it’s all about Jesus.

Why do I keep hearing this buzz of Mary?

Mary carried the seed of God who was Jesus.

We now carry and share that spiritual seed of Jesus with others.

Neither Mary nor we should have any credit for this for God chose us just as he chose Mary.

When the Holy Spirit is in you do you receive any credit for what it produces within you or others? Of course not!

Does Mary receive any credit for what was produced within her?

No! The Holy Spirit is responsible for Mary to become pregnant with Jesus Christ. Jesus receives the credit for doing the will of the Father.

Does Mary have anything to do with making us right with God through some kind of sacrifice?

No Jesus makes us right with God because he was blameless and the only holy sacrifice.

Does Mary have anything to do with resurrecting Jesus?

No! The Holy Spirit resurrected Jesus just has he will resurrect us and has given us new life, new sight, new perspective and a new heart.

Do we receive any credit for our resurrection or our new outlook in life? It is based on our faith in Jesus and Jesus alone. Jesus receives all the credit for saving our souls not us. Jesus receives all the glory for awakening us to this truth and new life.

Mary would be shaking her head in pity for those people who try to make her into some god of worship and so would any of the apostles. You kiss no statue nor do you worship it. You worship the one and true God.

Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit.

Our Resurrection

Remember our resurrection would not be possible without the resurrection of Jesus.

This Woman and This Man (Marriage)

This woman and this man show:

A will to grow and change together for their lifetime.

To make a song together.

To unwrap their dreams and the possibilities together.

To make a new standard in their life.

To be accountable to one another and God.

To become more intimate with the word commitment and what it means to cherish, hold, even in sickness and in health.

To know what it means to be blessed being soul mates, lovers and friends

Friends who will help remind one another each that they were never designed to carry heavy burdens and/or worries.

Lovers who will remind each other to forget the past and to look forward to what the future holds.

Soul mates who will show and be a model of unity in trial and in celebration to those who know and see them.

A unique couple, which will share all joys, achievements, failures, and simple pleasures and strive to understand one another’s sorrows and joys.

To figure out what is a compromise.

To forgive and makes allowances for one another’s faults and falls.

To understand why it’s always important to think pure, lovely and admirable thoughts of your spouse.

And finally to truly love which is patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, hopefulness, forgiveness, abiding, and yes even self-control.

The Will of God Brings Fulfillment in Life

Fulfillment is nourishment to the soul. You can try to get nourishment from a lot of different things in life but only God’s will brings satisfaction. The world tries to convince us everyday that we not be satisfied us unless we do this, get that, try something better but what does the world really know?

Just look at all the things us humans have consumed, bought, believed, tried, and now are useless or forgotten. Things are constantly changing, becoming unpractical, no longer in style, are worthless and lose value shortly after we buy them.

God's will however never changes and his will is perfect for our very soul. It brings us fulfillment that the world can not even understand or touch.

Jesus spoke of this right after talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. The disciples were trying to urge Jesus to eat but he smiled and said "No. I have food you don’t know about." Seeing his disciples were confused and fixated on the physical and not the spiritual of this matter, Jesus the awesome and merciful Lord he is, explained to his disciples what he meant.

John 4:34 Jesus says to his disciples "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid in good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One person plants and someone else harvests’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest."

Doing the will of God brings lasting fulfillment. It brings a type of nourishment and fruit that will be long lasting.

Jesus says in John 15. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine and you cannot be fruitful apart from me."

You cannot have joy or lasting fulfillment apart from Christ. You can not understand and mature in Christ and be fulfilled with lasting joy if you do not stay in the will of God.

Paul writes in Galatians 6:8 "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 (of God) will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit."

Jesus tells us, ‘Yes I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I remain in them, will produce much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father."

A satisfied soul produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control which perfectly fits and lives in God's will and you are free from "internal" conflict. Galatians 5:22.

If you just follow your basic instincts and sinful desires you will produce evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sinful behaviors that lead to destruction. Paul writes anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

God wants us to live a fulfilling life but we are hard headed and stubborn and we just have to figure things out in the most difficult ways. You and I can not have a fulfilling life apart from God’s will and we can not accomplish anything fulfilling away from Christ. If you and I part from Christ our efforts will be worthless and will only bring us heartache and strife. But in accord and/or harmony to God’s will we do produce fulfilling results.

Jesus concludes with "I have loved you even as the Father as loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and I remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it- the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my name. I command you to love each other."

Yes to find lasting fulfillment we must give up our old lives that we cling to. Our old lives only continue to hinder our way to lasting fulfillment. Our old lives and old ways of thinking only makes us run from first to second base and sometimes not even that far. Wouldn’t you rather just hit home runs instead? Would you rather make that basket then have the ball stolen from you as you are heading up court? Wouldn’t you rather make it over all those hurtles then trip over each and every one and never make it to the finish line?

Our old lives not only never give us fulfillment- but put us in real danger of never knowing Christ and his power to save and enrich our lives beyond anything we knew possible.

If you are looking for fulfillment in everything else but in Christ then it is pretty obvious Christ has chosen you but you haven’t found him yet.

I like Psalms 1 "Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season with out fail. Their leaves never wither and in all they do, they prosper."

Find the will of God in Christ Jesus and fulfillment and joy will start maturing on those branches of yours.

There is no GOD???

I have been thinking lately about those individuals who seem to have no idea what their life would be like without God. I am talking about those who people who don’t believe there is a God.

God is around us 24/7. His fingerprints are on everything that surrounds us everyday. His omnipresent Spirit is everywhere, his angels are "silently" and constantly watching over us (well most of the time silent) and even down to our next breath... God has created. Our breath something we so often take for granted is a gift from God. No matter if we are deserving or undeserving of it God gives it.

When a person says there is no God, they really have NO idea what their life would be like with the absence of God in their life.

Knowing there is a God, do you know what it would feel like if God made himself absent from you? Absent meaning you could not experience this life as you are currently experience in God's grace and power that some of us take for granted or deny in one way or another.

Do you know what it would feel like in the absence of God? Do you know what would happen to the things around you?

Things would rapidly die. Creation is dependant on God. If God made himself absent, it would be like pulling the plug on a vacuum cleaner and throwing it off a ship into the deepest part of the ocean to sink to the bottom but even that would not go far enough to explain God's presence in our lives.

People who walk around and claim there is no God can’t possibly understand or see the power of God unplugged them. They just seem to think that everything just magically works in their life because of luck or some human logic. That is just not so or true.

You want to know what if feels like to really feel the absence of God in an individual, I can humbly tell you because I have felt it personally. My description and words probably don’t even come close to the full range and intensity of emotions I had experienced when I felt the absence of God but I will try to describe it to you. It has been several years now and it is not an error I will make again.

I made the unfortunate mistake of not speaking the truth in the presence of the God after being confronted by God. Immediately after speaking this lie an enormous loss or void and sensation of death closed in around me as the Holy Spirit yanked itself from me. A roaring vision of a skull of death then appeared as I tried to breath and register all what was going on. I could feel myself slipping and drowning in this horrible place that was totally void of the characteristics of God and life as we experience it right now. I immediately and frantically stumbled to the altar for prayer not fully knowing what I had done and the danger I had put myself in. To put it simply, I feared of my life.

No one knew what exactly had happened to me but I knew I had to do something quick and with a fear surging through my veins, I asked for our pastor to pray over me and he did. You see I thought all the works I was doing for the church somehow made me right with God but really I was lost. I had no real relationship with God, I just had my deeds which looked good on the surface but really didn't give God what he wanted which was my heart and focus. Good deeds are dead without God moving and directing them. My life of good deeds where chaff not wheat and my life was may of looked good on the outside but I was just a white washed tomb in God's eyes.

It was a hard lesson but I am glad God did that to me now instead of when I go meet him and he says "I never knew you." I have experienced something not many but a few have experienced. I thank God for his mercy and that I am still here. I believe one of the reasons I am still here is to share this and other testimonies with those who will listen.

Humbly I tell you and warn you, don’t mess or fool around with God. Being hard headed is no excuse and I can only imagine that hell is much worse then feeling the absence of God and his Holy Spirit. It will be a death like no other.

God’s source of power that surrounds us everyday is beyond our understanding. God, Jesus
Christ, and the Holy Spirit are real and you can take my word second to God’s word, which should always be first.

Making Works Part of the Equation of Salvation?

I recently watched a 30 minute movie at our church. It was about a church with enormous youth following. The movie has some good messages but it had a couple of things that bothered me. The interns that worked there kept saying two phrases. I have “burned the boat” and “I have burned the bridges”.

Naturally I understood what they meant. We, who have genuine faith in Christ Jesus have “burned our boat,” so to speak. We “burned our boat”, so we wouldn’t sail back into our old lives of enjoying sin. We have also “burned the bridges” in the same way. We know those old bridges that led us into temptation and sin so we have laid a torch to them so we would be able to cross back over them again.

The concept however of “burning the boat” and “burning the bridges” became a problem to me when they associated the feelings of guilt with going “home”. “Home” was now considered a problem when "home" was not considered the intern’s place of service? The interns mentioning they were going “home” for Christmas or to visiting family because of a loss ” rose flashing red lights in the leadership.

Why did I sense guilt and shame by the interns when they went “home” see family?

What kind of pressure were they receiving? Was this pressure and guilt from themselves or from the leadership to keep numbers high? Why did I feel that the interns saw their service as part of the equation of their salvation?

Our service in the body of Christ and in our community should never be the part of the equation of our salvation, which comes from Christ and Christ alone. Guilt should never be used to keep members in a certain body of Christ.

A person should receive joy for their Christian service. They should never look at their service as a way to make brownie points with God or add to some resume for God to consider when we enter heaven. God knows what we do and not do. He will judge us according to our works but our works have nothing to do with making ourselves righteous before God. Works can not give us some kind of edge on our salvation.

Our human efforts are useless. It is only when the Holy Spirit works through us that we give glory to God and show the love of Christ to others. God should be the one to receive the credit for our good works for He was the one who changed our hearts in the first place.

Were we not dead in our trespasses and sin before we came to Christ or Christ came to us? Did God not bring us back to life and bring us into a new existence that did not exist before?” We did not become this new creature in Christ by ourselves. (Colossians 3:10)

Paul says in Romans 4 “When people work, their wages are not gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith not because of their work.”

Paul continues in Romans 4:24 to say, “assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”

I have made this mistake of trying to score points with God by doing “Christian activities and services” and it only made me burned out and miserable. When you do things by your own accord, understanding and efforts you soon find there is no joy or peace in the work you do.

Joy is fully trusting in God in faith. Remind you that joy doesn’t mean you don’t get tired in doing the work but you find the work rewarding and encouraging. Trusting in God produces a good attitude and works which will be light to show others the goodness of God. (James 2:17-24, 1 Peter 2:9)

Salvation and peace come from Christ and Christ alone.

Jesus says in John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Paul writes in Galatians 3:3 “Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away?”

Do not make works part of the equation of your salvation or life.

Tension and Conflict within the Body of Christ.

In our men’s bible study group we have been studying the book of Acts. Like most bible study groups we come from a variety of different Christian churches and have found that tension and conflict aren’t rare within a specific church or among different churches.

These are some of the questions we have been asked in our study guide which I thought would be helpful to you, the believer.

What causes tension and disagreements in the church today?
Example answers: (Traditions, maturity, legalism, self-centered beliefs, demons, spirits, unguarded thoughts and speech, course jokes, different perspectives on God’s word, personal agendas.)

Why is it important for Christians to get along?
Example answers (To function as a body in love and purpose, to encourage those and reach those in our church and community for Christ. To show we can get along even when we disagree.)

What can we learn from the early church leaders about resolving our differences?
Example answers (They had an assigned group of people that prayed, considered solutions, and presented a solution to the people. The people were engaged in the solution process. They probably had individuals who also interceeded and had intercession.)

What do I usually do when I feel tension in a relationship?
Example answers (I get mad, a blow them off, I internalize everything until presumption, guess work, feelings of inadequacy, judgement has got the best of me or overwhelmed me.)

How can I improve the way I resolve conflict? (Stay calm in Christ, lament to Jesus and let him speak to you about the situation, acceptance on disagreement then agreement on both sides. Try to see if there has been a miscommunication. Why is there tension? Was it something as simple as a person's tone of voice or a misunderstanding of the chosen words that were actually said. Did you just happen to be the brunt of someone's bad day? Am I demonstrating and acting in love?)

What happens when believers criticize and argue with one another?
Examples: (Shows disobedience to God, God has a difficult time working through them "trespasses". Hurt, resentment, anxiety, murmuring, judgments can cause problems to get bigger and affect and involve more believers.)

What character traits do believers need to get along with each other?
Examples: (Love, forgiveness, allowances of misgivings and failures, Holy Spirit, obedience to Christ, a love for people, focus on Christ, understanding of different maturity levels, what God’s words says.)

How can we cultivate these qualities?
Examples: (Depend and trust in God, live them out by his Holy Spirit not our will, refer to scripture often, prayer, be respectful, seek a common interest or bond in the relationship. Drop the dispute)

Harmony among believers (EXCELLENT Scriptures references)
(Proverbs 17:14, Romans 12:16; 15:5-7; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:3; 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:2-4; Philippians 2:3,4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15; Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:8,9.)

Questions came from "Life Lessons, with Max Lucado. Book of Acts"