God is Light: In Him there is no Darkness!

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light: in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. Be, if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" ~ 1 John: 5-7.

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched, this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it and we proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And, our fellowship with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ"~ 1 John: 1-4.

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words" ~ 2 Corinthians 2:9-13.

Those who live in the World and not in Christ

There are many living in the world and not in Christ though they claim to be Christian. They think that they are good Christians because they are not sinners, but they are / we are sinners. Praise God that Jesus Christ came for sinners, not the righteous. Who are these righteous? They are the righteous in their own eyes making them unrighteous. Many say, "I am not a sinner, for I have kept the commandments." Really? Did you know that no man on earth is free of sin. We have in our spiritual DNA, the sin of Adam/Eve. Paul reminds us that even after we 'see the light' as he did, we still sin though we don't want to ~ Romans 7.  We sin everyday consciously and unconsciously.

Have you given false testimony about someone based only what you think you heard them say or what someone told you about them? Have you put other gods before Jesus Christ? Of course, you probably don't think so. You may not be at the altar of a pagan god but so many worship at the altar of an idea - evolution -science/math or nationalism or at the altar of a a sports team, or the altar of Hollywood glamour, or the altar of the shopping Mall or Home Goods, and certainly many worship their job (which requires their entire being there), their lifestyle, their clothes, their shoes, and purses, their restaurant, their family.

How could that be? If you love and worship those things more than worshiping the Lord God everyday, you may have a problem with sin. "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Why do you ask me about what is good... there is only One who is good. Follow me! Matthew 19:16-21

Worse is that in our own sin, we cause others to stumble and fall in their faith and that is thus sin piled on top of sin. I see this everyday on social media and in face to face situations. Someone posts that they heard or think they know someone as a bad person and suddenly there is a swarm of others like vultures swooping down to condemn a person based on what they said. Even if it were true, we all say negative things, we just don't let others know we say them. Then we pass this false information along as true for today and all time. That is bearing a false testimony. We boast about ourselves as we passed on this on good information. We boast that we are good Christians, our family is the most righteous, our children, our spouse.

We worship the flesh even if we don't look at porn. How? We want to have and show that we have the best dress for the party or church on Sunday. We have the right shoes and purse and other accessories. We have the right hair style and though we may say we don't seek compliments, we sure love when they come our way. We want to have a nice landscaped yard and to have smart children again to show ourselves to others and get compliments.

The worst is that we call ourselves Christians. But, far worse is that in our sin, we cause others to sin. We make they feel like they don't have what we have and that they too should have it, including smart children and a good looking spouse. We may or may not realize that by doing this, we take away from them their Christian walk with the Lord and pollute them with false gods.

What is the way out? Jesus Christ is the way!  "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Why do you ask me about what is good... there is only One who is good. Follow me! Matthew 19:16-21

There best new is the Gospel. Christ was born, died and risen for sinners like me, like you! Forgive and embrace peace in the Peace and Presence of the Lord this Christmas. 

Give Thanks and Praise ~ The Lord God has No Equal!

If you are a Christian, you have been grafted into Israel. Jesus was a Hebrew, a Jew = God's chosen people. You cannot be a true Christian without knowing and accepting this. For Christ lived among his own kind, his people and he died and was resurrected for them. Isn't everyone on earth God's creation? Yes, but only some are called, chosen and faithful ~ "those he predestined, he also called, those he called, he also justified, those he justified, he also glorified," Romans 8:30. The Lord God Jesus Christ decides. His mercy and grace are not for our giving out but His.

Why?

In Isaiah we read, "Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighted the mountains and hills on a scale? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone's advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of Justice? No, for all the nations of the wold are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. All the wood in Lebanon's forest and all Lebanon's animals would not be enough to make a burnt offering worthy of our God. The nations of the world are worth nothing to him. In His eye they count for less than nothing... mere emptiness and froth.

To whom can you compare God? What image can you find to resemble him? Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with god and decorated with silver chains? Or if people are too poor for that, they might at least choose a wood for a skilled craftsman to carve an image that won't fall down. Haven't you heard? Don't you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God, the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant? God sits above the circle of the earth.

The people below look like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing. They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and they wither. The wind carries them off like chaff. To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal? asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens, Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name, because of his great power and incomparable strength not a single one is missing.

O Israel how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint" ~ Isaiah 40: 12-31.

What Does a Christian Parent Say/Do about Santa Claus?

That is a good question? Why? Because, speaking as a sociologist and social psychologist, I can tell you that whatever the majority does appearing as 'normal' it is difficult to be against it. Jesus knew this and though He was as both a man and God, the situation was not easy to deal with or face on His own but he had to do for our sake.

I remind you of this because whenever we/you have to face a majority of people who are doing or practicing something and we/you know that is not godly, we/you face being bullied, and or being persecuted. People don't like their sin being called out. At the same time, we feel we should belong to a group, and we should. We as Christians are members of the body of Christ. However, we see among us the worship of false gods. People with good intentions do this, we have 'American' traditions of this.

Belonging to a group is an important aspect of identity. Again, we want to belong, we want to do what everyone else does because not belonging and feeling on the outside of society is very difficult for an adult and certainly for a child. That is why, we as Christian parents, have to be strong in our faith and demonstrate this to our children.

With so much commercialism around us and a part of our American life style, it is difficult to not be part of it. Santa Claus was a created figure by certain elites to draw people together into what we know as a civil union or civil religion. There is nothing Biblical about Santa Claus. Our children should know this. Does that me we should forbid our children from singing songs about Santa, or from sitting on his lap to get a picture with the family, or from hanging a stocking by the fireplace with hopes that St. Nicholas will be there?

No, but when we do  it 'religiously' and without Christ in our Christmas then it is not a good practice; especially, if we want our children to grow up to be good Christians, to be saved! It is wise to children and grandchildren that Santa Claus is a man made symbol used to promote giving which is a good thing (the Magi brought gifts to Baby Jesus) but without hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, it is an unwise symbol that could be idol worship. I also tell them that many people in the world are not Christians and we should pray for them so that they reach out to the Lord Jesus Christ. And, I stress that when we look upon that man made symbol, we should first should think of Jesus Christ who is the greatest symbol of love, giving and hope.

There is no point to demonize 'Santa Claus'. Why not demonize him?  If children have a sound faith in God they will see for themselves who the false gods are. And, they will not be drawn away from the true God because they feel outside of the 'normal operations of society'. Best to prepare your children for living in this world with the Word of God, so that they can redirect social norms toward the truth - one body in Christ the Lord.

Mostly, you want your children to know unconditionally that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and that all things are possible in Him! Glorify the Lord! Sing songs of praise to Him. Place a manger scene under your tree and talk about the love and peace we have in Jesus Christ!

Women can do what Men do and Better!

I hear this statement a lot these days. Women can do what men do and better. Somehow 'modern' women have forgotten that their job is the most godly, valuable and precious of all!

Just because you can do what men do, does not mean you should or that you are of less value if you don't. Just because you can lead a group of people as a CEO or work on a loading dock, or teach a class, or dig a ditch, or conduct surgery does not mean you are equal to or better than men. If women today feel less valuable it is only because they let Satan whisper in their ear that this is true. No God created Godly woman would listen to that lie.

The argument made by women today is that women are made to be slaves to men. Where is that in the Bible? They argue that in the Bible women are required to be submissive. Being submissive means to come under protection. One submits to authority in many instances and it is instructed to us that it is for our own good. This starts in childhood as we submit to parents and continues as we submit to teachers, to pastors, to priests, to policemen, to government, and all those who have been given the role to guide and protect.

Read Ephesians 5 again and understand that your role of wife and mother is the most Godly of all and must be protected. First by God, then by your husband. Yes, there are rules for husbands to love their wives like Christ loves the church. You may ask, 'so why don't husbands treat their wives like this'? Why don't you ask their mothers; for their life begins in their womb and where/when our true and godly work begins. 

The most dangerous place in America today is in the womb ~ Chuck Missler. Why? Because more babies have been murdered in the womb than those killed in WWII. Life begins at conception. "Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear. But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! ~ Luke 1: 41-44.

Women, want to change the world? Live according to the Word of God!

How to be Discerning in these times?

How to be discerning in these times? When someone bases their thesis or thinking/belief on the Word of God = Bible, then you know that person is being led by the Holy Spirit. However, even those who think they know the Word of God must provide defense by showing in context of the scripture 3 times that their understanding is that of the true Gospel. What is that? The true Gospel asks only to love one another in Christ. To rest in His Peace and know that He saves - saves us from the sin of death and Thank God Jesus Christ died for our sins for we are sinful in our flesh as all flesh is corrupt! This is the Word of God and is found in the Gospel numerous times! There is no work we can do to be saved. It is His Will that be done, not ours! 

"Praise the Lord with His goodness, and for His wonderful works! Psalm 107:31


Who will be saved? Those that are called, chosen and faithful. What demonstrates this? Those that faithfully give Thanks and Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ in all things/for all things and share this message which is the true Gospel.This is all the work we are ever required to do.

For those who claim or boast that they are their own savior, or that their doctor saved them, that a new drug, or medical treatment saved them, that their education/professor saved them, that their new job saved them from financial ruin, that their hard work saved them, that their own view on the world saves/saved them as they see the Bible in their own eyes... those people are not 'yet' saved. All their work is for nothing!

"Praise the Lord O my soul, I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save." Psalm 146:1-3

All are called, be chosen and be faithful!

So many Christians have no idea what the true Gospel is about or for. Jesus Christ! He was the once and for all sacrifice. We can rest in the Peace of His Love. That is all we have to do. That alone is what is required, that alone is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. With that knowledge, we do not wish to pursue or indulge in the flesh or fleshly things of this world.

We need not fret about the world and what the world presses us for: the right college, the right house, the right job, the right car, the right party, the right president, the right country, the right priest, the right church, the right person (s) in charge, the right dinner, the right Christmas songs to sing, the right agenda to vote for, the right person to help, the right person (s) to let in, the right tree, the right lights, the right gifts, the right dress, the right jewelry, the right answer, or just the right whatever. 

All that is worry is being worrisome and that is false work = sin!  
Stop being a Martha and be a Mary ~ Luke 10:38

If we simply took pleasure in the knowledge that Christ is who we live for then all those right things we worry about would not be so worrisome, nor would worrying about those who need help; all would have the true Gospel and all would be at rest in His Peace and thus all would be helped in the same way – through Jesus Christ. 

All are called, be chosen and be faithful. 

For He who is in the world is not as great as He who is in us ~ 1 John 4:4.

Those Called by the Father ~ Be Faithful and True!

Jude 1:1-25
This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.

I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more mercy peace and love. Yes... more and more
But, now I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

So, I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful. And, I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. And, don't forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God's judgement.

In the same way, these people who claim authority from their dreams live immoral lives, defy authority and scoff at supernatural beings...These people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain... They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots... They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.

The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgement on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want.

But, you my dear friends must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said,. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them.

But, you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. And, you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement. Show mercy to still others but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

Now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power and authority are his before all time and in the present and beyond all time! Amen.

If you don't work you will not eat!

Sometimes, we as Christians tend to multiply duties in observance of 'our' religion. This practice enables us to give money, time and work so that we feel good about ourselves, fulfilled in our duty. However, our true Christian walk with the Lord is not 'religious' nor does it require a religious leader to tell us what to do or rituals to practice so that we know what to do.

Dear brothers and sisters, know that our religious leader is Jesus Christ. He is the high priest. You see, serving out of a sense of duty or established rules and rituals, and sacraments become mechanical as in habitual and thus are false works, lulling the soul into a comatose condition. God searches for in His children an awakened soul that thrills to the Joy of His Presence! He provides the Joy, your part is to glorify Him! Share that and you will share the true Gospel. ~ Jesus is Calling!

We tend to think that as Christians we must feed the world by serving soup and in this way people will know God and we will be saved. Yes, it is true that we as Christians must feed the world but not with food for the stomach though a bit of something in the stomach makes it easier to know that godly people exist in this world and do care. I am talking about the true Bread of Life ~ The Word of God! This is what we must feed the world! How much of that do you share?

When Christians read 2 Thessalonians 3:10 this misunderstand its meaning. So, what does it mean that if you don't work you will not eat? Does it mean labor for others as in building up their business or projects or pulling weeds in their garden or harvesting potatoes in their field so that you have shown the Lord your work? No. But, what we do labor. What for then? We labor to spread the true Gospel and to Glorify God!

Paul said, out of example, we take care of ourselves our own body and by doing that we are able to share the true Bread of Life. Yes, we must take care to provide our body with physical bread and that labor is not to be a burden to anyone but our own responsibility so that we can do the real work of the Holy Spirit which is to serve the Word of God! This is what we share and work for.

Be in Christ ~ He is our Peace!

In these times, Christians can be frustrated with current events. They may not have a good grasp of the Word when confronted by those who wish to argue the faith or do harm. There is no reason to be a contender as in fighter or one who struggles and competes for the faith. Christ Jesus did all the fighting and will continue to do all the fighting for us. We can do no thing that requires struggle. He is our peace!

So, what does it mean when we read in Matthew 10: 34 “I do not come to bring peace but to bring a sword?” Does it mean we will/must fight as Christians for Christianity for Christ? No, it means that He will fight, He will do all the necessary fighting that has to be done with Satan. We have nothing to do with that. He does. Jesus told us when He was in the garden, for those who use the sword, they will surely die by it. Matthew 26:52.

Jesus Christ never asked anyone to murder in His name. He does not need any human hand to bring peace on earth. When will He bring peace? We cannot know the day or the hour. But, that is not our cause of concern. Our cause is to Give thanks and Praise that Jesus Christ died for our sin. He will come again! Praise God for His Coming! 

In this fallen world, though, He died for our sin once and for all, He asks us to sin no more. Until He comes again, we still are born to and live in a fallen world; therefore, our only struggle is to fight with our sin. That is our personal fight and in Jesus Christ we can win.

We can and must fight that good fight, 2 Timothy 4:7 and run the race for God for it brings an eternal prize 1 COR 9:24. And, we contend in this way.  For confirmation of this, in Philippians, we read that we are to conduct ourselves in the manner that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philip 1:27. He is our Peace!

Yes, He is our Peace! "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body, they cannot touch your soul... not a single sparrow will fall to the ground without His knowing it." Matthew 10:28-29.

Be Still in His Presence!

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But, anyone who does what pleases God will live forever" ~ 1 John 2:15-17.  You see, modern man has lost the perspective of eternity. He is engaged in ceaseless activity and amusement. The practice of being still in His presence is almost a lost art, yet it is this very stillness that enables you to limit the physical world and experience His eternal love ~ Jesus is Calling!

It is being still in His Presence that sets us apart. It is through your sacrifice of precious time that He will bless you far more than you dare to ask.

Let us be Filled with the Spirit!

If we insist on pursuing the flesh how can we be filled with the Spirit? Filling our body with sin by indulging in the flesh leaves no room for Him. Our body must be (become) a temple for the Holy Spirit, that is why Jesus forgave the prostitute and with that said, "Go and sin no more."

"Train yourself to be godly,as godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."1 Timothy 4:7-8.

Let us Come Before Him with ThanksGiving

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his for he made it and his hands formed the dry land. Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker: for his is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under this care ~ Psalm 95

Thankfulness ~ Giving Thanks is Being Blessed!

At Thanksgiving, we reflect on blessings. However, we might be thankful for all the wrong things. Blessings from God are not new jobs, houses, cars, clothes, furniture etc. No not even good health. What God the Creator of Heaven and Earth deems a blessing cannot be what we imagine. Blessings are for our spiritual growth. Paul was blessed for having a thorn in his flesh. Paul wrote, "there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times, I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me; but, he said to me "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 COR 12:7-9. Paul was made to understand that he must not boast of his works but give thanks and praise to God in all things... for we may not ever or always know what a true blessing is.

"For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you ~ 1 Peter 2: 19-21. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God" ~ 1 Peter 4: 1-2. Those desires also include chasing after whatever modern philosophy trends grab your attention as they seem to please and satisfy your immoral and material desires.

Paul warned of running after such fables because they temporarily appease our carnal urges. Paul said, "I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received or a different kind of Gospel than the one you were given" ~ 2 COR 11:3-4.

Remember, the Bible is the Word of God and Jesus Christ the Son of God came into the world to save us from the sin of death ~ That is God's Blessing! Give Thanks and Praise to the Almighty Creator when you gather round the thanksgiving table.

We Have Deliverance!

Salvation belongs to those who are called, chosen and are faithful, in this we will have deliverance!

All are called, some are chosen but not all are faithful. Why? Forgiveness is the key to being 'remaining' faithful to God. We must forgive all the wrongs against us and those who are behind such wrongs. How many times? Seventy- seven times ... Matthew 18:21. If we cannot forgive, we sin. This kind of sin leads to a hardened heart. With such heart, goes the mind and soul. Having such draws away all life from us leaving a gap or gaping whole in which the Holy Spirit cannot dwell. Our faithfulness has no spring from which to sprung and flow out.

How can I forgive? This is what most people yell about. Why? Satan strokes their self esteem by reminding them that they are righteous for hating others. He is the one whispering in their ear, don't forgive, hate them for what they did to you. How can you forgive, right? You can! First by knowing and accepting that you too are a sinner and that your sins have been washed clean through Jesus Christ, in Him we have deliverance!

In Isaiah 53:2-5 we read that Satan tries to tell us that we have no deliverance, well the Word of God tells us different. "For the servant of God grew up before Him like a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground; He has no royal kingly pomp, form, or comeliness that we should look at Him and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him. Surely, He has borne our griefs sickness, weakness and distress and carried our sorrows and pain of punishment. In verse 5, we read further that He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole."

The enemy tries to tell us that there is no deliverance for us but Jesus did it all! Jesus delivered us, there is deliverance for us ~ Praise God!!!

"I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to our laws. Lord, don't let me be put to shame! I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding" ~ Psalm 119: 30-32.

Remember, you who were born again will be delivered but for those who reject Him, they will stumble and fail in their rejection...  "But, you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy" ~ 1 Peter 2: 8-10.Our faith and faithfulness are in His mercy and grace. That is the reason to be faithful and the ease of being faithful.

In faithfulness,You have deliverance in Christ Jesus!

Come Close to God!

Women seem to love spending time at Home Good as if it were their 'church'. We think that as long as we are not 'hurting anyone' then we are not hurting God. Sorry to say but relishing in time spent at Home Goods is hurting God. It is sad that we can so easily get caught up in the world...like many people, including men. By indulging in things of this world we do hurt God, we hurt the potential for the Holy Spirit to live and dwell in us. We create conflict in us as we become divided between God and the world.

In James, we are reminded of the conflict in the world and though we may not think we are part of it or have anything to do with it, we are mistaken. Simple by our desires to get things and get them 'cheap' causes disparity in others. Ask "What is causing quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you" You want what you don't' have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have but you can't get it so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet, you don't' have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong, you want only what will give you pleasure.... Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands you sinners; purify your hearts for your loyalty is divided between God and the world" ~ James: 1-7.

God our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ is our everything!

Jesus Christ "God" is the Same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow!

God does not change. " I the Lord do not change" Mal 3:6. It is man who changes or thinks he/she does. God is eternal. Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow-forever ~ Hebrews 13:8 And, in being so, "The eternal God is your refugee" ~ Deuteronomy 33:27.  Therefore, "with Him that all things are possible" ~ Matthew 19:26. "For nothing is impossible with God"~ Luke 1:37. If you have a concordance in the back of your Bible, look up "God" and see the number of entries. There are more entries for "God" than any other. The Bible is His Word do not doubt it. God used men to be an instrument of His will which was to have His Word for all people. "Every word of God is flawless"~ Proverbs 30:5.  His Word is flawless because He does not change. And, because, He does not change, we can have knowledge of Him. In this knowledge of Him, is our faith and eternal life.

In Hebrews 11, we read that faith is the substance of things hoped for. " Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb. 11:1. "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's' command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Heb. 11:3

It was by faith that Abraham was able to offer his son Issac as a sacrifice- because of the faith of things hoped for - resurrection. Thus, it is not faith 'in' Jesus but our faith is the faith of things hoped for - Jesus Christ the Light of the World. Our faith is the substance of things hope for. There is no work in that.

Therefore, there is no work(s) that we can do toward salvation; God, Jesus Christ, did everything for us that we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. "For no one comes to the Father except by me" ~ John 14:6. Even as 'believing in' is a work. That is dead work. We know of Him and we subdue all arguments against the knowledge of God 2 COR 10:5 and in this knowing of Him we are in Him and He is in us. In that being 'in/of' Him' we know that He is the Lord God Christ Jesus and that He is the Creator of Heaven and Earth of all things seen and unseen. Though we may be in this world, we are not of it ~ 2 COR 10:3. For, in/of Him we live, move and have our being ~ Acts 17:28.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. So, don't be misled my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession" ~ James 1:16-18.

God is my Strength and my Portion!

Psalm ~ 73:26

In this world, we think that we need so much stuff! Otherwise, we will be looked down on, we will be out of the loop, the circle of people, things and events. You know the song "Let it go" well, that applies. If God is your strength and portion, what else do you need? In this world, regardless of what God's Word offers, so many of us still fall prey to the world and its things. And, when things go bad, we wonder why. Some think that bad things happen as a bit of bad luck. They have no clue that they contribute to those bad things happening to them through their own actions and in-actions .. the seen and unseen.

For the most part they blame bad things happening to them on what can be seen: loss of a job, illness, divorce, and what they deem as an unfortunate accident. There are things that are unseen as well that trouble us and cause us problems as they demand a great deal of our attention. They steal away any reaching out to the Lord God. These things are: ideas, desires, lusts, envy doubt, greed, pride, and a whole gamut of unseen.

All of us have a tendency to blame bad things that happen to us on what can be seen - on that which is tangible as in what we think is really real - here and now. Ironically, we who believe in the unseen God will often lay blame on the Lord. What is really strange, is that for those who don't accept the Lord God as Creator of Heaven and Earth, because they can't see him (so he isn't real), they will often blame him. Maybe because they can't see him. Essentially, all of us, don't want to accept that we need Him. We want to be in control of every aspect of our life. If only we knew how much God truly and really offers.

Prayers That Avail Much!

Pray God's Word over your husband and family everyday. Why? Prayer is effective when the living Word of God comes from your mouth. Commit yourself to prayer and to pray with your mouth filled with His Word!

In Romans 5, we read about peace and joy. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance - character, and character- hope. And, hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who he has given us."

Reflecting on scripture, prepares us to pray because we have received God's Word. If you feel that your marriage is suffering, preserve and hope as hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts....

A Prayer for a Harmonious Marriage ~ "Dear Father in Heaven, your Word of hope uplifts our hearts because You are in us. We commit ourselves to live in mutual harm one and in accord with one another delighting in each other, being of the same mind and united spirit. Our marriage grows stronger day by day in the bond of unity because it is founded on Your Word" ~ Romans 12: 12, 1 COR 15:19.

A Prayer for Husbands ~ "Father, in the name of Jesus, I take Your Word and confess this day that ____________ hearkens to the wisdom of God and that he and I shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet without fear or dread of evil. ____________ makes his ear attentive to skillful and godly wisdom and inclines and directs his heart and mind to understanding" ~ Proverbs 2:2.





*Source ~ Word Ministries, Inc. "Prayers that Avail Much"

Works are Evidence of Our Faith

By faith we are saved not by works. Works are evidence of faith. Think about it. Abraham could not have approached the 'work' (sacrificing his son Issac) he was asked to do if he had not faith first. If he did do the 'work' first without faith, then what would his faith mean? Nothing. Faith is accepting God's call and being faithful to it. This is a gift from God; when His call is received and accepted it is called God's grace and this is a gift.

Why a gift? Because, we do 'man' does not seek after God. He seeks us. Otherwise, what would it be but 'our' work (seeking Him) and it would be work without faith; in that - He was, is and will be. "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace" ~ Romans 11.

"What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?" And..."So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless" ~ James 2:14-17.

Yes, faith by itself isn't enough. However, don't misunderstand, we cannot be the one who goes about being nice and thinking that it qualifies as faith for it is just works without faith. It is by faith that we are saved, not by works. Works are evidence of faith. How does one have faith first? All are called, some are chosen and all that are called, chosen must be faithful. What does that mean?

It means that when we are called we recognize (hear the call) that we are being 'chosen' and in being chosen acquire a gift which is 'grace' (undeserved) and by being faithful to that 'gift' we acknowledge that gift and its giver ... giving thanks and praise to the Lord who is our choice by faith and not by works. This in itself is a revelation as when that happens, works pour out from us. Why? Because this is no longer 'our' work but the work of the Holy Spirit in us which reveals being called, chosen and faithful. And, that's how it should and must be. And in this way, works are evidence of our faith!

The Lord is my Inheritance!

Dear sisters in Christ, I write to you today to remind you that... "God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do and it gave Him great pleasure. So, we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who  belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us His mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill His own good pleasure. And, this is the plan: at the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ- everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan" ~ Ephesians 1:5-11.

And this is why..."I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The Lord is good to those who depend on him to those who search for him. So, it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And, it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of His discipline" ~ Lamentations 3: 24-27.

And, because the Lord is my inheritance, then I can ..."give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will  surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have." For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me" ~ Hebrews 13:4-6

Paul struggled with sin (Romans 7:14), though he was born again in Christ Jesus. Thank God Jesus Christ came into this world to save us from the sin of death, by taking away the sin of the world and so in Him we have eternal life. As Paul, I will surely sin though I do not pursue it. As Paul, I have been made clean and made right before God by the blood of the Lamb - Jesus Christ... for without Him, I would surely be a filthy rag before a Perfect and Almighty God.

The Lord is my inheritance - He is my helper so I will have no fear!

Where two or more are gathered!

Where two or more are gathered, There He is. In that, we are the body of Christ. The church is this body... where we are together, He is with us. And, thus, there are responsibilities for men and women belonging to such a 'body' - being in such a relationship. For instance, a man must be faithful to his wife and children as he is the manager of God's household. He must not be arrogant or quick tempered, a heavy drinker, violent or dishonest with money. Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home and he must love what is good. he must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong... for there are many rebellious people who engage in wild rebellion and in useless talk ~ Titus 1:6-10


*Recommended read ~ The Brainy Husband, click on right side bar link.

Woman/women ~ Kingdom Dynamics

3:16 The desire of the woman/women  in God's design.

Satan struck at the core of God's design. In Genesis 3:16 we read that Eve was tempted by the serpent (Satan) and she disobeyed God's command and brought her husband into disobedience as well. Why? Is it because woman was not present when God warned Adam not to eat of the tree after all she was created second. Yet, Eve knew of this warning which we could assume she was told by Adam or by God or was known simply because she was a creation of God's. Something though in Eve caused her to spout off to the serpernt while in the presence of Adam; essentially, an act of disobedience in the sense that it revealed in her a desire to be first in relationship with God.

Therefore, one might interpret this 'spouting off' to the serpent) as revealing woman's sense of being second to Adam in creation; thus, becoming her greatest stumbling block and the root of most dysfunctional behavior women have in relationships with men today. In her desire to be first with God, she was now fixed to be second, failing to realize she was actually as much first as was Adam... a very important creation in God's design. She doubted her creation and relation with God. Satan chose Eve because of thebdoubt in her which we could assume he sensed about her.

Now fallen, Eve's earthly desire would now be for her husband which would mean that her fallen desire was now to be that of desiring control over her husband. Taken in this way, the statement is not about God commanding women to be under their husbands due to this desire but then again it seems so. But, what if God is actually reminding her of her sin and warning her against this sin which she now she must overcome through prescribed kingdom dynamics in order to regain her relationship with God.

We as Christians accept that when Adam and Eve sinned, that became our sin. It is in this fallen world, that we can and do ask, how is what they did relevant for us today. If you ask that then you do not understand what actually happened in Genesis 3:16 and nor do you understand then why God sent His Son to atone for that sin 'our' sin for the sake of our salvation.

Yet as I said, this is a fallen state of being all too often both men and women claim that what Adam and Eve did was her act and not mine. They ask - How is what she did relevant for women today?  In light of Genesis 3:16, all we have to do is look around at the world today and see that Eve's sin - her doubt carries on and or is passed on. Women in their doubt still desire to be first; and because of that, they think it can be accomplished by controlling men. As a result, the man might (either inadvertently or intentionally) rule her 'women' emotionally. In that case, her value, significance, and security would then hinge on the man's response to her. Again she fails to trust God who wanted her deepest longing to hinge on Him.

In this fallen world, women's hope and salvation hinges on God's prescribed kingdom dynamics or God's social hierarchy; which is: God, man and woman. It is our hope that God did this so that Eve's (Adam's too) sin could run its course and she would finally realize that her creation was God's design and that knowledge alone is her greatest worth erasing all doubt in her.

The fallen world is God prescribed to work as a program allowing original sin to run its course. This program is governed by God design -  a social process so to speak outlined in Ephesians and in other scripture all of which define God's authority in male/female relationships 'marriage'. You see within this hierarchy there exists security and salvation which are to reassure the woman of her worth and man of his. Accepting this hierarchy will not and should not lead to independence or rebellion by either the man or woman. Rather, it should and does open the way for her and him to the fullest joy of her voluntary submission to God's hierarchy applied in marriage. There, in that process, they will rediscover their (her) true relationship God intended for them (her) from the beginning. 

Believers' Question of Spiritual Gifts in the Church

Not all, but quite a few churches, appear to be divided by godless ideas concerning spiritual gifts. Namely, how do we know who is prophesying in the name of the Lord and who is not, who is performing miracles and healing in the name of the Lord and who is not? Who is really speaking in tongues and who is not??? The godless idea in some churches is that no one can do these things in fear of misrepresentation of the Holy Spirit or misdirection ...but is it a godless idea to question? What do they have a problem with? The troubling question is who really has such gifts and from whom are they given since we know that Satan works in this world. They ask, "how we could know if this is the Holy Spirit"?

That is a good question. Yet, we should know that Paul said to those in Corinth that we all have spiritual gifts as such gifts as they are from the Holy Spirit and we should use our spiritual gifts and not neglect them. One can suppose that perhaps such fear stems from another aspect of that same message from Paul as he states that one of these spiritual gifts is the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit ~ 1 COR 12:10. Again, who decides.

Earlier in 1 COR 2:11 we read about discerning God's Spirit and that no one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit. And yet...
we have received God's Spirit so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. How to know who is of the Spirit of God and who is not? Paul says that we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead we speak words given to us by The Spirit using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths ~ 1 COR 2:13. However, this is not pointing speaking in tongues as such is a gift for the person who speaks in tongues, it strengthened personally. But, one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church ~ 1 COR 14: 4. Hence, someone who comes speaking in tongues is not necessarily helpful... we should seek abilities that will strengthen the whole church ~ 1 COR 14: 12. Paul tells us to speak wisdom with words that benefit the entire church - we as believers can understand; this we can read in ~ 1 COR 14: 15. Speaking in tongues is for non-believers.

Given that, when trying to understand spiritual gifts in the church, we must be mindful that people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit... for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others ~ 1 COR 2:14- 15.  Is what Paul said here then later connected with his letter to Timothy when Paul states, "Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you"~ 1 Timothy 4: 14-16.

Even so, we can see how the church or some churches as we are one body in many parts of the same body can be either confused or fearful that they cannot discern who actually has gifts from the Holy Spirit; so they simple avoid such things as spiritual gifts. If this is a problem in your church, in this difficulty, we as believers should remember that "God has united us/you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God, he made us pure and holy and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord" ~ 1 COR 1:30-31. For this is what we as believers can all understand.  Boast not that you have healed, boast not that you have prophesied, boast not that you have spoken in tongues, but the Lord! As we believers know "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him" ~ 1 COR 2:9.

God causes everything to work together for the Good

Romans 8:28-37 ~ "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to ho him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his won Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one - for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one- for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love'? Doe sit mean he no longer loves us if ewe have trouble or calamity or are persecuted, or hungry or threatened with death?.... despite all theses things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us."

Romans 8: 12 ~ "Therefore dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful natures urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."

Romans 8: 18 ~ "... what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay."

Romans 8:38 ~ "... I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Do not Judge ~ Follow Me

Do we as women seek to usurp God's hierarchy. It appears so. We as women are guilty of demanding to be in charge of all things based on how we feel about things. And, we can be found criticizing and judging each other... who is doing what and where. We think that women must be superior to men and any tending to them is less than any job. We wonder why some women choose to stay at home to server their husbands and family and judge that they are not working. By whose measure do you use? Take the log from your own eye before you judge others ~ Matthew 7:3.

Jesus said "Follow Me". What does that mean? It means to live a spirit filled life, not one of the flesh. What does that mean? It means not to live in this world coveting material goods and engaging in fleshly indulgences ...bothering about things that don't matter for they will disappear. This is not easy to understand let alone embrace. It is difficult to know what we are called to do.

We are called not to judge and to follow Christ. We are called to live within God's hierarchy as godly men/husbands and women/wives. When we read Matthew 19 "The Rich Young Man", we can even become alarmed. Why? Because, Jesus tells His disciples that it is hard for a rich man to give up his wealth and things so that he/she can enter the kingdom of heaven. It is not only about having money. It is not. It is also about indulgences in things of the flesh and their idolatry. We should be and are alarmed. Not because we agree and think it is wrong but because we think that we must give up things we have to live in poverty and in our consumer society, this is not common among us.

We live in a consumer oriented world that is what is common to us. We base our life on accumulating things and indulging in things that bring brief happiness for ourselves and family,which includes buying label clothing, eating organic food, taking vacations, watching Hollywood films and doing all kinds of things that do not glorify God. We are called to follow Christ, to be in this world but not of it ~ 2 COR 10:3.

This is what we should understand when we read Matthew. You see, the message Christ gave us is not about having money as in being rich and that is bad. It is the idolatry we make of it. We have made idols of many things because of money. We consume and indulge in things that take away from following Christ, from glorifying God. Jesus answered Peter by saying that everyone who leaves houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mothers or children or fields for His sake will inherit eternal life ~ Matthew 19:24.

For some, this maybe shocking and painful to reconcile with. Why would that be? Because, we as a consumer society we place more value on knowing the 'right' people, being in the 'right' places and buying the 'right' things. We value less glorifying God. Yet, if we want to inherit eternal life, we must follow Christ, we must live a life of salt and light; being at peace, in joy and at rest in trusting our Father in Heaven. This glorifies God our Creator and Savior everyday. This is what it means to be in the world but not of it.

We are not called to abandon our life and those things in it which we have here on earth. We are asked to live our life with those things differently than the world does. We are of it but not in it. We must not treat things including those nearest and dearest to us as primary and treat God as secondary or someone/thing we pray to on Sunday. How can we live differently? We can live differently by realizing that everything in this world including houses, family and children belong to God and with Him all things are possible ~ Matthew 19:26.

House Divided Cannot Stand

A house divided cannot stand. If we do not abide by and in God's hierarchy we can expect our house to be divided and for it to fail or even collapse. Why do you think that divorce is so common in this country? Women have the idea that they should run the house and even the church. Where do men come into the picture these days? They are being minimized. This is not godly. God ordered our 'social and spiritual' life here on earth in a way that is for our own good. Men should love their wives just as Christ loved the church  and women should submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5), not as slaves but to come under their love and protection. Yes, women need to be protected from this world and from themselves so that they can have a godly relationship with the Lord and receive forgiveness and salvation.

When either husbands or wives fall from God's order of living, family suffers. Men suffer and so do women. A house divided cannot stand ~ Matthew 12:25.

Discipline your children in the ways of the Lord!

If you start from early on in your child's life to discipline them in the ways of the Lord, you will never have to reprimand them. How is that possible? You need to start reading the Bible to them instead of fantasy stories that lead nowhere or have no lesson in godly behavior.

The Bible has many lessons for young children and sometimes the wisest parents read verses and scripture that help them in their daily life struggles. It is important to let your children see you live your faith
.
Look to Matthew and the other gospels which have many simple stories that illustrate godly behavior in all social situations. Children need to know that they can trust the Lord as they see the world in its fallen state. Consider reading Matthew 6: 25-27  "Do Not Worry" It will encourage them and you!



*In the beginning was the word...children learn words, teach them God's.

God's Love for Women

God's love for women is abundantly present in His Word. Having God as our greatest love, as our supreme protector and care giver, because no one in this world could love us more, is our greatest protection and our eternal salvation. Acknowledging Him as our past, present and future source of eternal love and support gets us through the trials of this fallen world. Henceforth, we can forgive those who are not able to, who are not as godly as we imagined and who cannot in this fallen world be perfect in any and all situations.

God is our true 'bridegroom' who is forever ours! He helps us, guides us and helps us to guide others to Him. Whenever you think your spouse, your child, your parent, your neighbor, or even your representative is less than your godly expectations, you should repent because it is Your thinking that is less than godly. Your sin  is the problem - that sin is doubt. Doubting that the Lord God Jesus Christ, the Creator of Heaven and Earth is not there for you, does not have your back, and cannot see what is bothering you. You must repent. Repenting is rethinking. What should you repent-rethink? Your relationship with Jesus Christ who is our/your Lord and Savior!

Then and only then can you rest assured that God's love is for you and it is eternal. Be at peace as you rest in His perfect presence, wisdom, love and protection. In this way, you can accept each day as it comes to you. Rejoice, and trusting that God is abundantly present instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, Thank God in all circumstances. Trust in the Lord, don't be fearful and rest in His almighty sovereignty ~ Jesus is Calling!

Rescued from the Kingdom of Darkness!

"Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and with high-sounding nonsense that come from the human thinking and spiritual powers of this world" (the kingdom of darkness). "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. so you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority" ~ COL 2:8-11.

Rejoice! We have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness. How are we rescued? It is God the Creator that draws You/His Creation to Him. Natural man, that is fallen man left to himself is merely a thing having free will, does not have a 'heart' for God. His natural tendency in this fallen world is to reject his creator as natural 'fallen' man is a thing in and for itself. The Old Testament was God's Will for natural man that was given in the form of law so that natural man could overcome the sin of being a thing in and for itself. However, God saw that the law was too much for him and God sent His Son to overcome that sin.

The New Testament is like the Old Testament ~ the Word of God. What is different is that God came into the world ~ Jesus Christ to lead the way out of 'being for and in oneself'.  He came into the world to draw us to Him the Creator of Heaven and Earth- God the Father and to tell us that The Old Testament/Will of God is no longer necessary for our salvation. The New Testament/Will of God is no longer the law but has been written on our hearts. What remains is free will. We have the free will to make the conscious choice of accepting that truth. If we choose to look in our hearts, we will find Him there and His Will for us. If we choose of our own free will to look, find and  accept this new condition; then, we have been born again.

With this information, we no longer seek/want to indulge in the old natural man who was only for him/herself, seeking to indulge in the flesh in the pleasure of the selfish body. Nor do we seek to justify that sin, or seek to have other people applaud that sin with new law to cover it up. We do not desire the flesh, but desire the Holy Spirit. Thus, we would not declare that we love Jesus Christ and He loves us and then purposely with determination: hate, envy, steal, fornicate or engage in any sexual immorality, commit adultery or murder.

You see, "when you accept Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure as in the Old Testament. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision, the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when You were baptized. And, with him You were raised to new life because You trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away nailing it to the cross" ~ COL 2:11-14.

"You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from this world. So, why do You keep on following the rules of this world? "Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!?" (the teachings and law of the Old Testament).
Such were the rules/laws that were mere human teachings (God ordered for and because of natural man's fleshly indulgence) about things that deteriorate as we use them.They were many such teachings (laws) and yet not near enough to deliver natural man from him/herself as they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires ~ COL 2:20-23.

That is why we give Thanks and Praise to God..."For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His Dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins ~ COL 1:13. "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will Grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness" ~ COL 2:6.

God's wrath then is His bringing in the Harvest!

Jesus Came for the Sinner ~ Go Woman and Sin No More!

Yes, Jesus came for the sinner. Today as it was in the past, people come to Christ not finding and meeting Him in a 'church' but in their hour of need or in situations they never dreamed of, even in prison.

I am a sinner, I am a filthy rag ~ Isaiah  64:6. Praise God that Jesus Christ came into the world to save me! Jesus defended the woman that was about to be stoned. Why? We are all sinners. Though, we are and will be counted as sinners until we are delivered from the sin of death, we in this fallen world are asked to sin no more. So that we are conscious of our sin, and our failures and suffer for them spiritually and in that comes the fruit of the spirit and we thus grow spiritually.
 
Yet, though we hear or read the Word of God, we stumble and fall everyday. We are lured by the world into thinking that we are not lovely, not worthy of love and must do something to call attention to our needs.
Yes, this is sadly why we continue in wicked ways, we continue to put on fancy clothes, jewelry, and brighten our eyes with mascara... primping will do you no good ~ Jeremiah 4:30. Why do we do this? Because, this is a fallen world and we tend to be led by it and forget that though we are in it, we are not of it ~ 2COR 10:3. We are foolish people, we are stupid children who have no understanding, and have no idea how to do right ~ Jeremiah 4:22. We were and are fallen in our transgressions.

Yet, God so loved the world, He sent his only Son. Give thanks and praise to Almighty God. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and Rejoice that you live in Christ Jesus. In that, you must continue to follow Him, leave your life of sin. Let your roots grow down into Him and let your life be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth! ~ Col 2:6.

"Now go woman and leave your life of sin" ~ John 8:1.

Death is in the World Because of Sin

Why do bad things happen? Because, sin is in the world. Because of sin, which came into the world through the serpent who tempted Eve causing both Adam and Eve to disobey God, causing them to become corrupt and to fall from their perfect state of being, death is inevitable. Exactly! Because of original sin 'corruption', death is inevitable. Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ came to earth (into this world) to show us that death of the flesh is overcome by the born again resurrected spirit.

"...We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called, those He called, He also justified, those he justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justified... Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? Shall trouble hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long, we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 28-39


* "For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And, I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For t me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better." Philippians 1:20

Why do bad things Happen?

We can hear that question every day. "So, why do bad things happen", or what some ask, "why does God let bad things happen?"

God does not let them happen. But, because of original sin, God knows that bad things will happen and yet He can turn them around for good...for His good which is for all our good. This, we may not, from the perspective of this world, understand. What we know is that God suffered far more than anyone has or will ever have. Jesus Christ came into this world to show us that the only escape of this fallen world with all its sin is death. God gave us free will, and He acknowledges our choice and He allows us to experience the outcome of our choices, trouble and suffering is part of that.

Effectively, we are blessed even when bad things happen. How? When we give ourselves to Him, trusting in Him that good will ultimately reign when the bad things happen, then we are blessed. Trusting in Him to turn things around for His glory which is ultimately ours. We know this to be true as His Word promises.

Now, someone can say, "Well,  my brother never chose cancer or my son never chose to be killed in a car accident." Our remote ancestors Adam and Ever made a decision that affected every person born since then as well as nature itself. We put a curse on ourselves and the world because we choose to disobey God, the curse is 'corruption' which means that the world is now operating in a way that it was never intended to.

Cancer is a result of this world because our body is not able to function in the perfect way that it was intended to. An accident is also the result of our being in an imperfect corrupted world.

Did  Jesus's coming really change that circumstance as in create an 'out'...? Yes, by accepting Jesus' as the new Adam a new kind of man as in 'reborn' (God in the flesh - born to die and be resurrected) we are able (being born again -baptized) to be changed on the inside with the expectation of the outside being changed soon along with the restoration of the earth and nature as it was before the fall of man.

This world is a fallen world. Jesus reminded us that though we are in it, we are not of it ~ John 15:18. In Him, we overcome this world, through death of this world and resurrection in Christ.

What about prayer, don't some people pray and actually experience miracles? Yes, that can happen. We can call on the Holy Spirit to help us overcome this world and ask if that is God's will that a person remain with us, he/she will be healed; because, by God the Holy Spirit's intervention His Will / His Glory will be revealed and recognized. And, sometimes, God shows another way to overcome this world and that is through death which is also His good as such it also reveals His Will/Glory arriving at the same result... which is "...he who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 

"For anyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world... anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart.  And, this is the testimony - God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."  1 John 5

Put on the Armor of God

Be strong in the Lord!

Ephesians 6:11

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand... Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Works vs. Fruits ~ Drawn by God /Choosing God - Bears Good Fruit!

Matthew 7: 18 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit". God draws us to Him. Thus, we are chosen by God and though being chosen we have to receive Him. By receiving Him, we choose to do His will for it is by our choice to receive that we do His Will. That is why a man/woman not drawn to God and yet chooses to do what he/she thinks is God's will ... will not bear good fruit.  "Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, only the one who does the will of my Father". Matthew 7:21

Being drawn to Him, one is chosen by Him. Choosing Him in return, we are born again (become a child of God) which causes us to choose and do His will, "Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them" Matthew 7:20. The man/woman who is not drawn to God and will not choose Him nor His Will and thus cannot bear good fruit. Though, he/she thinks he/she does God's will he/she does only that which he/she chooses to do and why his/her choices will not be good fruit and though his/her works may be many they will not be good enough to have him/her enter the kingdom of heaven. "I will tell them plainly, I never knew you." Matthew 7:23

Does that mean that any man drawn by God and chooses God yet does not His will as in 'does good works' will still enter the kingdom of heaven? Good question. No man/woman drawn by God to Him and chooses God can ever not bear good fruit. In fact, they don't even have to try to bear good fruit as in 'do good works'... that is the point. All his/her fruits will be good fruit for they have been drawn to God and have chosen God in return. A parent draws his/her child to their bosom and it is up to the child as in his/her choice to receive as in to 'choose' the parent that gave them life. This is faith, this is first fruits and this alone saves!

From that moment on, all work (whatever it is) that comes from a child of God will be good fruit. Amen!

"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" 2 Timothy 2:21

What are those good works that God tells us through Timothy ? "The Fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22  Do we just start working? No, we don't. Why? Because that's work. Those good fruits 'works' come out of/from us, they are the fruit we bear being children of God. There is no work in that. We could never do enough good works for all our righteous acts are but filthy rags... Isaiah 64:6

"It is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:9