Sunday, September 29, 2013

Nations ignore YHWH at risk!


Why should or would God bless any nation that shuns Him.

If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts: I will send poverty upon you, and will curse your blessings, yea I will curse them, because you have not laid it to heart.

(Malachi 2:2)

In the USA, the Constitution states that a person has the right to the freedom of religion AND the free exercise thereof. It also states a person has the freedom of speech. Even so, a person who publicly warns homosexuals of their sin against God will get arrested for a hate crime. Worse yet, in the State of California it is now legally sanctioned for a 30 years old male teacher to escort an 8 year old little girl into the men’s bathroom while he explains to her that she can be a “big boy” now if she wants! And, it is legal for him to whip his penis out to urinate in front of her - as long as she says she thinks she is a boy! (Think about folks - it is called the law of unintended consequences.)

You have rebuked the proud: they are cursed who go astray from Your commandments.

(Psalms 119:21)

Too many societies, like the USA today, embrace the homosexual and shun the former convict. They cater to the pregnant unwed mother by offering to kill the life within her for free or bill the father for the child. They threaten and imprison the husband whose wife breaks her vows and runs away with their children - with the governments help no less. In this respect, and many others, many Muslim countries are closer to the will of God than alleged “Christian” nations.

But this people who know not the law are cursed.

(John 7:49)

Many citizens of the USA like to say, “God Bless America”. Why! The God of the Jew, the Christian, and the Muslim are one God - the God of Abraham; and He will have His justice - and all nations - even the USA, as a nation and a people, must turn to Him or suffer the consequences.

And you are cursed with want, and you afflict me, even the whole nation of you.

(Malachi 3:9)

Open the gates, so that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

(Isaiah 26:2)

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Are you a friend of Jesus?


Would Jesus call you a friend?

I have heard it said that we draw a circle around ourselves and place within that circle those who we would die for. Jesus told us:

Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.

(John 15:13)

          Some of us have many circles. I have had many - as a sailor, soldier, cop, son, husband, father, and a friend. Now I have only one - as a follower of Jesus - the most important circle of all. My friends in Jesus are being killed in far too many places these days and it is heart breaking to be able to do so little; but, I have not, as yet, been called to personally defend my suffering friends. What I have been called to do is to speak to another suffering group. A group who may not even be aware of their suffering. I speak to those who have been falsely led to believe that they can be a follower of Jesus without being obedient. Jesus, immediately after His comment above, said:

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

(John 15:14)

          Please, take serious note of the “if”. Jesus makes it quite clear that those who do not obey Him are not His friends. His words, not mine.

          Jesus asks all to join His circle. He wants you as a friend and more - as a part of His family; but both must obey:

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

(Mark 3:35)

Jesus died so that all could have life; but, only those that obey will have life:

For many are called, but few chosen.

(Matthew 22:14)

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Can You Hear Him Now?


Even in our everyday life and interactions with others we learn that the difference between those that really listen to us and those that “hear without listening” - the same issue exists for Jesus. Almost a hundred times, over dozens of times in each of the four gospel accounts, we find Jesus stressing that we really need to hear what He is saying:

He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

(Matthew 11:15)

And he said unto them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

(Mark 4:9)

          Jesus tells us that He can tell who really hears Him because they obey:

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

(Luke 8:21)

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

(Luke 11:28)

          Jesus tells us that those do not hear His words are not His:

Why do you not understand my speech? because you cannot hear my word.

(John 8:43)

He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear not, because you are not of God.

(John 8:47)

          If you are to be one of His sheep you must hear Him and follow Him!

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

(John 10:27)

          Many say they hear Him but they do not care enough to listen - to change their lives and follow Him - they “hear without listening”. Jesus is calling --- can you hear Him now? Are you listening?

Are You Forgiven - Think Again


It is sin that separates man from God; and contrary to popular belief, Jesus Himself tells us His sacrifice does not cover all our sins.

But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:15)

We are told we will be forgiven only if and as we forgive others. The “Lord’s Prayer” even includes us asking God to do exactly that:

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

(Matthew 6:12)

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

(Luke 11:4)

This means more than loving and forgiving slights from friends and loved ones. Jesus says:

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same?

(Matthew 5:44-46)

 

For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you? for sinners also do even the same. And if you lend of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and the evil. Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

(Luke 6:32-36)

          We know that as children of God we are hated by this world; and, that we are to return that hate with love and forgiveness. Even though this love is not a “touchy feely” love it is still not easy! How would you react to a bumper sticker that said, “Have you hugged a terrorist today?” We must have the help of the Spirit to exercise love for our enemies. This is one reason why:

For many are called, but few chosen.

(Matthew 22:14)

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Things that matter


Jesus told us what the most important thing to do was - to love God!

Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

(Matthew 22:37)

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

(Mark 12:30)

And he answering said, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.

(Luke 10:27)

            We are also told that to love God means that we keep His commandments:

But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.

(1 John 2:5)

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.

(1 John 5:2)

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

(1 John 5:3)

Jesus expects us to obey Him too - keep His commandments - if we love Him:

If you love me, keep my commandments.

(John 14:15)

            Love and obedience are not optional additions to faith, they are the fundamental foundation; and, they are not just an internal feeling of faith or belief, they are the active expression of faith.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

(1 John 3:18)

Unanswered Prayers


A lot of folks wonder why God doesn’t answer their prayers. Well, what would you say to a child who was always asking for something, but never willing to do what it is told to do? These verses give us some insight into what Jesus might say:

He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

(Proverbs 28:9)

And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

(Luke 6:46)

He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

(John 14:21)

And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the open streets so that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

(Matthew 6:5)

But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

(Matthew 6:33/34)

            If you aren’t doing what God asks of you then you have forfeited the ability for asking Him for anything! If you are doing what God asks of you then the most important prayer you can make is for God’s help in fulfilling His will for you.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Do you follow Jesus or Paul?


If you will be a child of God, how many times must you be told before you will listen?

And he said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.

(Matthew 19:17)

And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

(Luke 6:46)

If you love me, keep my commandments.

                        (John 14:15)

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

(John 14:23) 

If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

(John 15:10)

            Jesus couldn’t have been clearer! The law is not done away with. Paul was liar. The law may have been a grievous burden is his eyes but John knew better:

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

(1 John 5:3)

Everyone transgressing and not abiding in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. The one abiding in the doctrine of Christ, this one has the Father and the Son.

(2 John 1:9)

            It is not about being legalistic! Go back and read the verses above - it’s about loving God and Jesus enough to listen to Them- not Paul! Is Paul your Creator! Is Paul your Savior! Is Paul your Lord!

The Trinity Doctrine is a Lie


Jesus knew the He was not God.

Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and my God, and your God.

(John 20:17)

From H. G. Wells’ The Outline of History: "We shall see presently how later on all Christendom was torn by disputes about the Trinity. There is no evidence that the apostles of Jesus ever heard of the Trinity, at any rate from him”.

The doctrine of the trinity is a concept that stems from a council over 300 years after Jesus (the Council of Nicaea - 325). Afterwards the Catholic Church threatened death to anyone who did not accept the doctrine - as late as the 16th century - Michael Servetus was burned at the stake. At one time so many Protestants rejected the doctrine of the trinity that Britain passed a law to protect them in 1813.

Do you follow Jesus or the doctrines of men?