Unequally Yoked

"Do not be unequally yoked together with with unbelievers.For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?"
from 2 Corinthians,chapter 6,verse14).

Recently the above quote was used by someone in reference to a Christian marrying a non-Christian.Few would disagree with the wisdom of heeding this advice.I think we can all see the potential for conflict when a Christian seeks to pursue a relationship with someone who doesn't hold to the same interests,values and beliefs.
First Corinthians has other references to Christians keeping separate from those who walk contrary to God.

The admonition about being unequally yoked does not only pertain to couples.It also applies to the people we choose to have as our friends,business partners or any other relationships that could be described as close.I would quickly add that this doesn't mean we are to avoid people who aren't Christian,on the contrary,we are to be living examples of the love of Jesus,willing to listen,help and counsel anyone as the opportunity presents.However,in His love for us and knowing our human nature,Our Lord recognizes the potential problems and conflicts that arise when Christians have sustained close relationships with unbelievers.The Bible has much to say on the subject of keeping separate as well as how He regards a professed believer being "of the world."
Jesus said we are to be in the world but not of this world.We would all be wise to study and understand what this entails.

Wake Up People!

An inquiring mind wants to know:

 Have you been paying attention to what is going on in this country? The world? Or are you too preoccupied with making money,being entertained,or altering your consciousness via booze and drugs? Do you have an unhealthy preoccupation with sports and your personal health? Now, I recognize that most of the activities I just mentioned are not necessarily wrong or "evil", but, to make them the focal point of your life is a huge mistake. Why? Because there are events going on in this country and around the world that will impact you, sooner, rather than later. It is my hope that with this article I'll help to make you aware and informed as to what is going on. The information I provide is not inaccessible but there is a great chance you will not find it on your cable or network news shows. I ask those of you who are religious skeptics to put aside your preconceived views on "religion" and keep an open mind. Never confuse what has been said or done in the name of "religion" to effect the facts that will be presented here. This is not some faith, religious group or denomination selling you their slant on current events. I only ask you to consider the fact that you have been indoctrinated and educated by your schools, colleges, universities and the media to view things a certain way. I want to help you see the truth of what is going on around you, and ultimately, become an independent thinker.

Inspired By The Book Of Ecclesiastes: If This Was Your Last Year On Earth

If this was your last year on earth,how important would it be to:
Get that new car,

Buy a bigger house,
Take that exotic vacation,
Sacrifice for that high paying job?
If this was your last year on earth,would you still:
Worry about every little thing,
Ignore the beauty of God's creation,
Keep your relationship with Jesus on the back burner,
Hold that grudge against a certain relative,
Spend more time with your career than with your spouse?
Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one,in an instant it can all be gone.
If you say you would do things differently,
Then why aren't you living, like it's your last year on earth?

Hoty Holy Holy

For Sunday-- another incredible song of praise and worship by Keith Green. So appropriate for the day. Give it a listen, it will be a  blessing to you.
As I wrote previously--few have ever sang with the passion and conviction of Keith Geen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9SIHGTys74

Holy Holy Holy - Keith Green

youtube.com

The True Seriousness of Saying You Are a Christian

If asked, millions of people in America and the world would describe themselves as being Christian, and that is certainly a nice thing to say. However, have we ever considered the seriousness and responsibility that comes with such a profession of faith? Do we recognize that we are living examples to others around us of our faith? Sadly, I believe many have forgotten or don't realize this.
Far and away the two biggest reasons I get for people rejecting Christianity are:
 1.Bad things that have been done in the name of Christianity.Things like abusive cults or clergy, violence, injustices,oppression,etc.It only takes a moment to see how bogus these reasons are. You can't blame a faith for the bad behavior of one person or group just as you can't condemn a whole race or culture because of the actions of one of its members.
Now for the second reason, one that should cause all Believers to have genuine concern: People will often say something like this: "most Christians I see or know are phonies."
Unlike reason #1, this complaint is something we as professed Christians have control of. It leads to the question we all need to ask ourselves, are we walking the talk of our faith?
Are we living as called out believers in Jesus? Are we trying to follow His teachings each and every moment of our lives, or, do we live,dress,talk and act as if we are "in the world" as opposed to not being "of this world"? (paraphrasing Jesus' words here).
Scripture tells us in Romans12--"And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
I could go on and on about how our behavior influences others and their view of the Christian faith but let's finish with this, what does Jesus have to say about people who say they are Believers but don't live and act as if they are?
Jesus said in Mark7--“Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
And finally, Our Lord has this to say: "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven."
May we all walk the talk of our faith. In doing so we achieve genuine peace in this life and paradise in the world to come.

The Age We Now Live In and the Frog in the Pot of Water Analogy

The Frog in the Pot of Water Analogy:
Is there anyone who doesn't know this one? The frog is sitting in a pot of slowly heating water on the stove, it is oblivious to the fact it is getting hotter and hotter till it finally reaches the boiling point and the frog is........dead.
This analogy is applicable to what is going on in America (and parts of the world) today. Events are happening that are so contrary to what is right, decent, and moral it's unreal. Add to that our safety and well being are potentially in danger. It seems as if the majority of people don't realize this, they are like the frog.
However,before we blame them for their lack of insight, lets look at some of the reasons this might be occurring. There is no need to go into a lot of detail but it is important to take note. Many Americans are preoccupied with making a living and "keeping their head above water" financially. The cost of living has never been higher. Also, people have become voracious consumers, often overspending on things that make them slaves to debt. We then have the people who are overly preoccupied with being entertained and satiating every imaginable desire they have. While we are at it, let's not forget those people who rely on the Media to tell them what to do,how to think, and reassure them that everything is OK. There are probably more reasons I could mention but I think you get the picture.Suffice to say we are a distracted nation.
Here is today's message to you, Wake Up People! There are things happening in this country and the world that are going to impact you at some point in the future. They may effect this country first but you will experience those effects eventually.
So what are you to do?
First, become aware and informed about what is going on in this country and the world. Get your information from non-partisan sources and outlets, AVOID the outlets I call conspiracy/whack job speculators.
Secondly, get yourself together, if you are overspending and drowning in debt, stop! Are you drugging, drinking and eating to excess? Stop! People, do things to excess because they are either unhappy or frustrated.
Thirdly, Simplify your life, relearn to appreciate the simple pleasures. A walk in the woods or by the ocean, spending time with your family, you know what I mean here. For those who are interested in getting high or lit on alcohol, these activities become their "simple pleasures," anything else seems boring.
Fourthly, reassess your spiritual status. In a world that is dominated by cynicism and outright contempt for anything connected with a Judeo-Christian belief, I understand the reality that millions have abandoned the faith of their childhood. As you may have read in one of the earlier posts, do not allow what is said or done in the name of "religion" to taint your perception of the timeless truth and wisdom contained in the Bible.
If you are one of those cynics, begin a kind of Biblical reconciliation process by reintroducing yourself to the practical wisdom contained in the Old Testament Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes as well as the New Testament Epistle of James. These will provide you with insights and guidance that are applicable to your life and relationships right now.
Forgive me for editorializing, but, DO NOT substitute listening to TV/radio evangelists for your reading and studying Scripture on your own. Nothing can compare to what happens when you read and study alone or with family.
As you implement the above suggestions you will notice a distinct change in every aspect of your life. You will look at things differently and more aware of what is really going on around you.
More to come on this subject in future posts.

Dr.Charles Stanley's 30 Life Principles

In an era of "smooth words" and dumbing down the Gospel, Dr. Stanley is a treasure.
I just came across this and thought it was so relevant for the age we now live in.
The following is a guideline for living the Christian life.


1. Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.
Genesis 1:26
2. Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
Exodus 19:5
3. God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.
Numbers 23:19
4. The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.
Deuteronomy 20:1
5. God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.
Joshua 3:8
6. You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.
Judges 2:1-4
7. The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.
1 Samuel 30:1-6
8. Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.
2 Samuel 15:31
9. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.
2 Kings 6:17
10. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.
2 Chronicles 20:12
11. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.
Job 42:7-17
12. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.
Psalm 4:8
13. Listening to God is essential to walking with God.
Psalm 81:8
14. God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
Isaiah 64:4
15. Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.
Jeremiah 15:19
16. Whatever you acquire outside of God’s will eventually turns to ashes.
Ezekiel 25:6-7
17. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.
Daniel 6:10-11
18. As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.
Hosea 3:4-5
19. Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.
Amos 6:6-7
20. Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
21. Obedience always brings blessing.
Luke 11:28
22. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit.
Acts 10:19
23. You can never outgive God.
2 Corinthians 9:8
24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.
Galatians 2:20
25. God blesses us so that we might bless others.
Ephesians 4:28
26. Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.
Philippians 3:10-11
27. Prayer is life's greatest time saver.
2 Thessalonians 3:1
28. No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith.
Hebrews 10:24-25
29. We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.
James 5:10
30. An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.
Revelation 22:12

Being A Witness For Jesus in This Modern Age

Jesus asks us in Luke 18:8--"But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on Earth?"

I have been thinking alot about witnessing for Jesus lately. Proclaiming the Gospel is something Believers are told to do. There is no question about this, it's all over the New Testament.

So, I can't help but feel some guilt that I have not been doing it like I should. With that said I should add this, there has never been a time when people have been either so cynical,uninterested, or just plain hostile to anything about Jesus and salvation. The reasons for this are probably more than I wish to innumerate but a few are worth mentioning.

1.Misdeeds and horrible things done by clergy, churches and people identifying themselves as Christian. Of course--as I wrote in an earlier post--don't confuse the Christian faith for what has been done in the name of religion.

2. The changing moral climate in America. What was once thought to be totally unacceptable behavior is now accepted as being acceptable. When you match this behavior up with the Bible's teachings you immediately see a conflict in beliefs.The intolerant Christian is the label put on anyone who actually believes the Bible.

3.An aggressive agenda to marginalize and disparage the Christian faith by the media and a wide variety of groups, not the least of which is the ACLU. If you don't believe this then you have not been paying attention.

4. I guess I should throw in our schools,colleges and universities while I'm at it. I am also including colleges and universities that were founded on faith and faith principles. They have either left Christianity behind or watered it down and compromised it to such a degree it is worthless.

Brothers and Sisters, it's grim out there.

So what are we to do? Stand on a street corner or outside a stadium and pass out generic Bible tracts? Now, that is a good and honorable thing to do but I have seen how mostly ineffective it is,again, in this day and age.

I will give you what I think we should do but let me give you this admonition by Jesus regarding witnessing first. In Matthew Chapter 7:6 he says: "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine....." The rest of this quote pertains to endangering your personal safety by witnessing to certain types of people. if you look at most commentaries the words "pearls" and "that which is holy," represent precious biblical truths, principles, commandments of God, and directions, which God speaks to your heart. Jesus says we are not to offer them to those who are aggressive and/or openly hostile to the Salvation message.

Now that doesn't mean we shouldn't pray for this person or that we won't have an opportunity to withess sometime in the future, it's means just not at this moment in time.

What to do in regards to witnessing? I make it personal.I find opportunities when a co-worker or someone I come in contact with asks me what I've been up to. I might say, well I went to Bible study last night, or, I had a Bible study at home with friends, it was really interesting. We studied how what you say can sometimes get you into alot of trouble (from the Epistle of James). Notice how I mentioned a totally relatable subject. It's better than saying, "Yeah, we studied how everyone who is not saved will burn in hell.......eternally." I think you see what I am getting at. Pick your scenario to reference something God related.

Something else. People I know will occasionally mention to me a personal issue or trial they have been going through. I will say that I get insighs and strength from reading Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the words of Jesus when I am troubled. More often than not I get the following reponse or something close to it--"I am not into religion, I had enough of that in the past." I respond with, "forget about "religion", check out Proverbs for starters, that has timeless wisdom and common sense. You really won't believe how relevant it is."

Many times we need to get a person's foot in the door faith wise. Then, they can be gently led to the Gospel of Jesus.

Any suggestion readers have on witnessing would be much appreciated. If you know anyone who might be interested in this Blog, please tell them about us.Also, feel free to share any of the articles I have posted so far.

The Absurdity of Portraying Jesus As a Hippie, pt.2

It is of course a no-brainer as they say to read Part 1 of this article below before reading this one.
There is a depiction of Jesus today that I would label, "the kinder,gentler" Jesus. Although not called a hippie, this Jesus encompasses all the same qualities mentioned previously. It is the,everything is OK if it is done in love, non-judgemental Jesus.
To this I would say that you either don't know the Gospels or you have chosen to to ignore what we call His "hard sayings".
Let me provide some examples of Jesus being anything but non-judgemental.
In Matthew 23:33 we read of Jesus condemning the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy saying: "You snakes, you vipers' brood, how can you escape being condemned to hell?"
My advice would be to read all of Matthew 23, Our Lord minces no words in his condemnation of those who have misused their religious position.
To the Jews who repeatedly challenged and tried to use His words to justify having Him killed He had this to say: " You are of your father the devil and the desires of your father you want to do."
One more, from Mark 16:14 which gives a description of Jesus being very critical of His followers. After He was resurrected, He appeared to His disciples and as they sat at the table "He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen."
I could go on and on but suffice to say that a reading of the Gospels will dispel the Jesus was the first hippie myth.To close this all out I will add the following.
This is a quote by Jesus that many people either don't know or have explained away or misinterpreted. It is from Luke 22:36. As Jesus spoke to His disciples regarding their mission to spread His Word to the people He said: "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack: and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."
Hold on there, Jesus advocated being armed and potentially dangerous? In a way yes. Our Lord recognized that the areas His disciples were going into could be quite dangerous.The sword was for protection, not aggression. It is amazing how many religious teachers try to explain away this by saying ithe sword was a metaphor for "spiritual" warfare. Utter nonsense.
There has been a tendency over the years to portray Jesus as a benign, almost effeminate man. He was anything but. This was a man who worked as a carpenter with His earthly father Joseph, walked great distances and often slept outside. He was a rugged man.
So Brothers and Sisters, let us not only proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ but also remember that He was of flesh and blood just like us and suffered and died for our sins. Amen

The Absurdity of Portraying Jesus As a Hippie, pt.1

The Absurdity of Portraying Jesus as a Hippie, Pt.1
Back in the early 70's there was a phenomenom that occurred called "The Jesus Movement." Perhaps some of you out there might recall it. It was made up in large part by young people, many of whom you would call hippies. It had the noble plan of restoring first century Christianity. While it is not my intention to go into alot of detail about this movement, I will say that although it eventually died off, quite a bit of good came out of it. Not the least of which was that thousands of people came to a knowledge of the saving Grace of Jesus. I'd be remiss not to add that an incredible amount of great Christian music came from this era. Music of a passion and quality we have not heard since.
The 70's was the first time I ever heard of Jesus being referred to as a hippie.
 The reason given for this description was that Jesus was said to be all about love, peace and harmony. Fast forward 30 years or so and we see that the 'Jesus as a hippie' portrayal is still with us and shows no signs of going away.However, what has been more prominent in recent years than the peace, love and harmony Jesus is the portrayal of the non-judgemental Jesus.
 Promulgated primarily by the "spiritual but not religious" crowd,and, pretty much every Christian Church and denomination that has watered down what the Bible says, this portrayal is a sad distortion of reality. It only takes reading the words of Jesus found in the Gospels of Matthew,Mark, Luke and John to see how wrong this is.

In part two of this post I will look into Jesus' own words in regards to the areas of being "non-judgmental", accepting of everything if it is "done in love", as well as protecting your own well being (what would Gandhi have thought?).

Modern Worship?

We must remember that real Christian faith changes lives. However, in this day and age, it has morphed into changing Christianity and the Bible to fit modern society.
Consequently, we see the acceptance of lifestyles and behavior that are quite contrary to Biblical teachings.
I also think of "contemporary" come as you are worship, church seminars that revolve around today's "Christian" authors as opposed to Scripture, "praise and worship" that includes worldly music, and much more.
As an aside--Christian rock or  Christian rap, is an oxymoron folks.
The harsh reality is this: we have become a society that is dependent and even addicted to being entertained and this mindset has infiltrated the Church.
We must not forget Jesus' admonition: we are to be, "in this world but not of this world."
The picture below continues this theme:

So Who Do You Think Will Get In?

Because narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." (from Matthew 7:14
"So Who Do You Think Will Get In?"


The above is a question I was asked by an acquaintance regarding who will have eternal life,or as some say, make it to Heaven.
My initial response was, in this day and age, not as many as you think.The opening quote by Jesus confirms the validity of this statement Also, the Christianity of today barely resembles the Christianity I grew up with nearly six decades ago.We have departed so far from the truth and dictates of the Bible it is unreal.
Let's do this first, who does the Bible say WON'T get in: The following is from the New King James version of the Bible, 1Corinthians 6:verses 9 and 10.Those of you who don't believe the New Testament is the unchaging word of God may want to skip this.
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
It is interesting that one particular group of people believe this passage from Scripture promotes hatred of them and their lifestyle.
I would bet everything I have that this quote condemns more people individually and collectively who are drunkards, adulterers, thieves and fornicators, than say...homosexuals. Get what I am saying here? There are far more drunkards in American than homosexuals. There are far more adulterers in America than homosexuals. There are far more......you see?
There are certain things God views as sin and He condemns it. He hates it! From a personal standpoint, I may very well want to engage in (regular) drunkenness, and I have, but no longer do so because of these Bible admonitions. Why? It's because I desire eternal life.
So who will get in then? 1Corinthians 6:verse 11 provides the answer: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

It's all there, you repent of your past life, accept Jesus as the Son of God, and admit that you truly believe He is your Lord and Savior. You then become a NEW man(or woman) in Him. That means you live His way and you live for Him as detailed in the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament.
The shocking thing? What reads like it would be a "drag" and a burden to the "unsaved" person is exactly the opposite, it's a joy. 

When Trials, Problems and Turmoil Come Your Way

For many Christians, the first reaction to problems that arise in their life is to complain or ask, why me Lord?
I know that's the way it was with me for a long time. But, then I came to the following realization regarding life's problems:

 "What are we to do about our problems? We must learn to live with them until such time as God delivers us from them. We must pray for grace to endure them without murmuring. Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly." A.W.Tozer.

This so true. When I gave my problems, physical issues, etc. over to God instead of complaining and asking Him to resolve them NOW, I learned these valuable lessons.
1. God works according to His timetable, not mine.
2.Staying close to Him through prayer and the reading of my Bible did strengthen me spiritually.
3.I had the realization that my "murmuring" and impatience to get out from under my problems showed a distrust and lack of faith in God.
Problems, trials and turmoil have the potential to draw you closer to God if you approach them in Godly humility and submission.

Some Rules For Daily Life

1.On waking,lift up your heart to God,and the last thing at night commend yourself to Him.
2.Always say your prayers night and morning,and remember during them that you are speaking to God.
3.Read prayerfully the Holy Scriptures every day.
4.Say grace before and after meals.
5.When tempted,ask help of Our Lord at once saying,"Jesus,help me",or some other words.
6.Learn to think,speak and act as in the presence of God.
7.Be moderate and careful as to eating,drinking,sleeping and

amusements.
8.Say a mid-day prayer.
9.Try and do all you have to do heartily and as to God,and to advance in holiness.

10.Do not speak evil of anyone,nor listen to evil tales about anyone.
11.Try and help others to live better lives,and try to be engaged in some good work for others.
12.Keep Sunday properly.

13.When able, share your faith with others,especially those who are hurting and lost.
14.Examine yourself daily,ask pardon,resolve to avoid sins and the occasions of sin.

The above was in part excerpted from The Devout Christian's Manual.

Ten Ways To Love

There Really Only is One Way

It has sadly become all too common among many of today's Christian Churches and clergy to promote the falsehood that there are many paths to heaven no matter what religion you are.
Anyone with even a casual knowledge of the New Testament recognizes what a blasphemous belief this is. The sign below reminds us of this fact. I could have listed many Scripture verses that say the same thing

Faith and Prayer

We must not forget this truth
Our faith is kept alive by prayer


You say your faith is waxing cold? How is your prayer life?

Spiritual Not Religious

Ever hear someone say the above--'I Am Spiritual But Not Religious'? I would tend to think you have, you hear it alot these days.The connotation of this phrase is that "I am loving(spiritual) but without all those nasty rules and regulations religion(Christian in particular) has." People who say this often embrace new-age or eastern religions which have many admirable beliefs such as kindness to others and love.
However, believers recognize that this is lacking and incomplete because of what the Bible says.
We know there is only 'One Way' to real peace and happiness on this earth and after.This of course is through an acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God and Our Savior.
How sad that there are so many Christian churches and pastors in these latter days that teach the 'many ways to heaven' falsehood.
As for the Christian faith? Yes, there are commandments and a way of conducting yourself but they are not a burden to us as so many people believe they are. In fact, they are Our Lord's way of protecting us from ourselves and our sinful desires.
Now consider this, has there ever been such a difficult time to share your faith as there is now?
We have a widespread watering down and compromising of 'the faith once delivered unto the saints' by the Churches, a hostile media as well as schools and colleges that either espouse doubt about Christianity or straightout deny it's relevancy.
The big problem with the 'spiritual but not religious' mindset is that it won't bring real peace on this earth and salvation.
So what are we to do? We are to reach out to those who are lost, and that includes the 'spiritual but not religious crowd.'
We must pray for these people and ask God to provide us with the opportunity for us to touch their hearts and minds.
Do not lose sight of what the fate is for those who die and don't have Jesus.
And remember, we will give an account for what we did and didn't do in this earthly life.

What Is God Like?

It's interesting how God is frequently thought of as some distant unknowable figure, often angry and vengeful.
Do you want to know what God is like? Then read about Jesus in the New Testament.

 I say this because Jesus said in John 14:9--"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."

Truth in the Humor

I find this sign humorous. Much, but thankfully not all, of what is called the Christian faith today hardly resembles what Jesus taught and what you read in the New Testament.
We who are Christians must search the Scriptures and pray daily.

From the Wisdom Books

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are a vast source of wisdom and knowledge. The sign below says:
"Trust in the Lord With All Thine Heart---And--Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding."
Amen to that!
Go to God first before doing anything.

Know Your Bible!

For well read Bible believing Christians it can be rather disturbing to watch "religious" programming on television these days. I say this because it seems as if the subject matter covered by many "teachers" is heavy on God making you happy, successful, and healthy.
On a few of the "religious" cable networks there is a heavy emphasis on what is called the prosperity Gospel. This is a kind of give(to the preacher) and get rich in return. Plant your seed (money to their ministry) and you will receive a ten fold harvest.
The sad reality is this, there is precious little solid Bible teaching on television these days.
Sure, these TV preachers can cherry pick verses out of context to validate the most heretical of views,but, a person who knows their Bible will recognize a lie a mile away.
Here is what I discovered over the years: avoid reading all the free literature provided by ministries,sects and TV evangelists. Your time would be better spent reading the Bible and praying.I found that many ministries inundate gullible readers with literature that promotes their faulty interpretation of Scripture. The Jehovah's Witnesses and the off-shoots of the original Worldwide Church of God readily come to mind.
If you think you need a Bible commentary to help you in your studies, pick one by the greats of the past like Matthew Henry or A.W.Tozer.
In closing I ask this: is it possible to be a Christian living in a country such as America or Britain and be Biblically ignorant because he or she doesn't read the Bible?
I could be wrong but I tend to think it isn't. I think this because Our Lord says 'narrow is the gate that leads to (eternal) life'.There are many other passages that say the same thing.

 Study to show yourselves approved Brothers and Sisters.

A Problem With Too Many Modern Churches and Faiths

Where I recently moved there is a now closed 111 year old Presbyterian Church.It is a beautiful and majestic building.
The Presbyterian denomination, like the Episcopal Church and others, have been profoundly effected by disagreement over many issues, not the least of which is the acceptance of homosexuality
I would be remiss not to add that there has been other issues such as the inerrancy of Scripture that have caused division.
There are two things that have happened related to these conflicts: #1.Churches(Christian faiths) have changed to meet society's changing views or, #2.Churches(faiths) have split, with some remaining traditional and others going modern. We see this happening in most Christian faiths and denominations today.
I think of my former faith from many decades ago,The Episcopal Church USA, which in the very early 70's started its decline into modernism with the acceptance of women priests(1Timothy2:12), later the acceptance of homosexuality, and then the acceptance of homosexual priests and bishops, and finally, allowing heretics like "Bishop" Shelby Spong to publish blasphemous books denying the deity of Jesus and stating that the Apostle Paul was a repressed self-loathing homosexual.
Is it surprising that the numbers of worshippers in the Episcopal Church has plummeted in recent years?
And doesn't it follow that if your faith teaches nothing but 'everything is OK if it is done in love', and the Bible is a book of analogies more relevant for the time in which it was written, that many people won't see the purpose of even bothering to belong to a Christian faith?
The proof of the Bible is irrefutable. For those doubters out there I would direct you to the excellent book byJosh McDowell entitled, Evidence That Demands A Verdict which gives secular and Biblical proof of the Bible.
To close I will give you a quote by A.W. Tozer which is more relevant today than when it was written over 50 years ago.It pertains to who is supposed to be changing who in society. It appears that far too many modern faiths and churches have it wrong.

"Religion today is not transforming the people; rather it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society's own level and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender."

The Ten Commandments

It is hard to believe that what you are about to read has been banned from being displayed in pretty much every public school and government venue in America.
What is so offensive about it? Would not the world be a better place if everyone observed what is written as well as Jesus' words, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?"
Our country has become increasingly immoral and violent in the last 30 years. Is it a coincidence, at least in part, that this coincides with a departure from the historic traditional Christian faith by Americans and a steady increasing hostility to this faith by the media?
This has all been spoken of in the Bible, how the people will reject the ways of God. It is my hope that He has not given us up to our sinful desires (Romans1:24).

The Ten Commandments:

A Morning Prayer For Forgiveness and Renewal

"ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; I have erred, and strayed from thy ways like a lost sheep. I have followed too much the devices and desires of my own heart. I have offended against thy holy laws. I have left undone those things which I ought to have done; And I have done those things which I ought not to have done; And there is no health in me. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon me, miserable offender. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That I may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen."

From the 1928 Book of Common Prayer

A Sobering Statement

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." Zechariah12:9.

I state the following with no political affiliation on my part. If the truth be known, I am a monarchist who awaits the earthly rule of the King of Kings.
If we look at the attitude and actions in the last several years of the United Nations, and to a lesser degree America towards Israel, it has hardly been what you could call good.
In the U.N., Israel is regularly condemned while the countries that sponsor and encourage terrorism, persecute Christians and those of other faiths aren't.
American politicians regularly criticize Israel in a way that doesn't seem to take into account that this country is surrounded by countries that want to annihilate it.
Let's not forget that the U.S. gave Iran, the biggest sponsor of terrorism,150 billion dollars in their nuclear deal with them. Iran, who hates Israel, now has the potential for creating a nuclear bomb in the not too distant future.
There is a price that will be paid for those who "come against Jerusalem."

It is later than most of us think.

A Coincidence?

Continuing the theme of the previous post above (A Sobering Statement). Please read that one first before the following;
"In August 2005, the U.S. pressured Israel into evacuating Gaza. Families lost everything. They even dug up their dead to put them in new cemetaries.
President George W. Bush applauded the dividing of God's land.  
What did God think?
The very next day, August 29, 2005, a tropical depression formed. Hurricane Katrina pounded the U.S.--it became the largest disaster in U.S. history.
New Orleans was devastated. Over one million were forced from their homes, costing the U.S. close to $200 billion"

A coincidence?

So Just What Is the Rainbow a Symbol Of ?

You'd have to be living in a cave not to know what the rainbow is thought to be a symbol of in this 21th century.
The rainbow has been adopted as a symbol by people whose lifestyle is in direct contradiction to those who truly believe the words of the Bible.

What follows is a passage from Genesis describing what it really is a sign of:

"And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth."

May we not forget this the next time we see a rainbow..

Who Is Considered Blessed By Our Lord?

Wisdom,encouragement, reproof and guidance can be found in Proverbs, the Psalms and Ecclesiastes.


From Psalm 1:

"Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper."

Understanding Temptation

There is not a human alive who has not been tempted and subsequently sinned. As it is written,"all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
Here are a few things to remember when dealing with temptation:

From James1 beginning with verse 13--
"Let no one say when he is tempted, ' I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
Sobering words there but don't forget, God is not the one bringing forth temptation.
Now for some encouragement from 1Corinthians10:12--
"13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."


Now that is good news! God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can deal with. The question then becomes, do we allow ourselves to succumb to sin?
And in closing, this promise from God. We read in James1, verse 12:
"12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."


What a Promise! What a God! Praise the Lord!

Christianity in the U.S.A.--21th Century--pt.1

This post was originally going to be part of a Gospel tract I had been putting together but some things I have seen and heard over the last few days prompted me to write the following.
I was watching my cable provider's (Spectrum) local news channel yesterday and the newscaster said something interesting while reporting on worshippers attending Easter services. She said(paraphrased) in describing the events going on in town: "people were attending Church services today to celebrate what Christians believe is the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Call me sensitive but I found that to be an interesting way to phrase believers going to church on Easter: "what Christians believe is the resurrection of Jesus Christ." What I took away from it was, well Christians may believe in that resurrection stuff but......It's as if she had to give a little disclaimer.
Like I said, perhaps I am making a mountain out of a molehill as they say but it definitely came across as a kind of a backhanded remark. Compare that to what we have all heard in the past: "Millions of Christians around the world today are attending Easter services to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
There was no wondering what was going on if you watched television programming this past week and on Easter Day. There were lots of documentaries on the major cable networks that questioned the authenticity of the Bible, the existence of Jesus and other Biblical figures,the origin of the Bible, Jesus' "lost years",etc. Those who also scanned through the channels know what I am talking about here.
All these so-called documentaries approached Christianity with a high degree of skepticism. Allow me to editorialize for a moment but I never see shows that question whether or not Buddha existed, and I certainly never, ever see documentaries that ask pointed questions regarding Muhammad, the Qur'an, it's origin and veracity.
So why is the media doing this? Is it because the Christian faith believes the words of Jesus when He said there is only one way to eternal life and that there is a standard of conduct you have to adhere to? A standard by the way that is considered passe and downright discriminatory and hateful by the majority of people in America in 2017? If I was a betting man I would probably put my money on that belief.
There is more I plan to write on this subject because it is an absolute necessity for Believers to recognize what they are up against in this age. I don't just mean up against personally, I am referring to how this subtle, and not so subtle, condemnation of real Christianity in our culture effects your family,friends and your ability to witness to others about what Jesus is all about.
My advice--pray,study the Word daily, and whatever you do, walk the talk of your faith, be a living example of what Jesus can do with a converted, born again Believer.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my posts, if you scroll down a little you will see some brief instructions under the picture (EOD) about posts on this page and on two Blogs that I have. If you know anyone who might enjoy this page please let them know about us.
My one Blog is from about eight years ago: www.worksfromfaith.blogspot.com
This one is my Facebook page here, designed for those who don't use Facebook www.ofwhatoursaviorspoke.blogspot.com

Muscular Christianity

 I have seen alot off posts from sites and pages recently that portray Christians as weak and male believers as wimps. I think the late Johnny Cash has a very good response to this.

A Prayer For the Conversion of Muslims

Did the above title cause you to pause and ask, what's this all about?
Believe it or not there was a time when most all truly Christian faiths recognized the fact that belief in Jesus and His redeeming work was the one and only way to heaven.
As we now know, much of Christianity has fallen under the "big tent", there are many ways to heaven lie.
Here is a prayer from a wonderful little prayerbook called The Scottish Book of Common Prayer. Published in 1929, it actually has prayers in it for Jews and Muslims to be converted to Jesus.
Naturally, the recent editions of this prayerbook have eliminated these prayers.
FYI--Muslims believe in Jesus as a prophet but totally reject the fact that he is the Son of God. Due to this fact they are lost, and according to the Bible, are destined for hell.
May we pray for the conversion of all Muslims.

"ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who in thy goodness hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine in our land: Extend thy mercy, we beseech thee, to the nations of the world that still walk in darkness. Enlighten the Moslems with the knowledge of thy truth; and grant that the Gospel of salvation may be made known in all lands, that the heart of the peoples may be turned unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Who Or What Should We Really Fear?

There is understandably, for most non-believers and probably many believers too, a feeling of fear when you mention the danger of getting into an accident, being subject to a terrorist attack, becoming critically ill or losing a loved one. But these conditions and events pale in comparison to the following two quotes from Jesus:

 The first one is from Matthew10:28--"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell."

In these latter days we have been given a view of Jesus as your benign 'love everyone' no matter what type of guy and God as a kind of stern Grandfather. What those who are Biblically ignorant forget or maybe don't even realize is that Jesus is God!


The second quote from Jesus is found in Luke 12:4 and 5--
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him."


Do you have a concern or fear for yourself or loved ones in regards to their relationship with God? If you do, then today is the day to start doing something about it.

What You Can't Imagine

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1Corinthians2:9.

Above, the Apostle Paul quotes a verse from Isaiah 64 in his Epistle to the Corinthians.

Thought by some to refer to the beauty of Heaven and by others to be the wisdom God will reveal to believers that is not discoverable by our senses, it is a glorious promise that we must not forget.

Pray and study His Word daily!

America Is Lost

The following are some thought provoking quotes that have more substance in one or two sentences than all your talk show hosts will offer in hours of programming. After each quote I will offer a comment.
I begin by paraphrasing a quote by John F.Kennedy who said, while presiding over a dinner at the White House for 40 former Nobel Prize winners:
 "this is the greatest collection of minds ever gathered in one room, except, when Thomas Jefferson dined alone at the White House."
How true.Sadly,when Thomas Jefferson's name is referenced today it's usually in the context of the fact that he was a slave owner or with the speculation of whether or not he had sex with one of his slaves.That pretty much says it all in regards to realizing what preoccupies the minds of Americans.
"He who knows nothing is nearer the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and error." Thomas Jefferson.
Too many Americans have been deluding themselves on the state of this country for too long.
"The majority of men prefer delusion to truth.It soothes.It is easy to grasp.Above all,it fits more snugly than the truth into a universe of false appearances." Friederich Nietzsche.
Just keep telling me everything's going to be okay, that way I don't have to worry,or heaven forbid,do anything about it. As they say,ignorance is bliss.
A government which "robs Peter to pay Paul," can always count on the support of Paul." George Bernard Shaw.
We saw this going on with the former administration.
Two more from quotes from George Bernard Shaw; "Liberty means responsibility,that is why most men dread it."
If we are not careful we are going to lose some of the liberties we take for granted.
Another one from Shaw;"We learn from history that we learn nothing from history."
America,it's scholars,its media and its people,choose not to pay heed to the reasons for the collapse of once great nations.
"The worst lesson that can be taught a man is to rely upon others and to whine over his sufferings.If an American is to amount to anything he must rely upon himself, and not upon his state; he must take pride in his work,instead of envying the luck of others;he must face with resolute courage,win victory if he can,and accept defeat if he must,without seeking to place on his fellow man responsibility which is not theirs." Theodore Roosevelt.
As the character of the American has changed since the time of Roosevelt,this quote has more meaning now then when it was originally written.
Wake up America!

End of Days Recap

The following is from a website called Unsealed--It's pretty much a recap of end-time events. These are times like no other. Don't be asleep or like the frog in that slowly warming pot of water(see one of my earliest posts on this subject).


The Bible tells us many things about what will precede the return of Jesus Christ:

1. It will be a time when knowledge and transportation have greatly increased (Daniel 12:4)
2. Wickedness will be rampant as it was in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-38)
3. Homosexuality will be rampant (Luke 17:28-29)
4. Adultery, material greed, and the killing of innocent life will be commonplace (Revelation 17-18)
5. The Gospel will have been preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14)
6. Many false religious leaders and false prophets will have arisen (Matthew 24:23-25)
7. Earthquakes, disease, and famine would be widespread (Luke 21:11)
8. There will be many wars and rumors of war (Mark 13:7)
9. There will be a Jewish holocaust (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
10. Followed by Israel's return as a nation (Ezekiel 37:11-12)
11. Israel's pure language, Hebrew, will return to the land (Zephaniah 3:9)
12. The Ethiopian Jews will return to Israel (Zephaniah 3:10-11)
13. The Russian and European Jews will return to Israel (Jeremiah 23:7-8)
14. The Roman Empire will be revived, but will only be a confederacy (Daniel 2:40-43)
15. Many believers will fall away (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
16. And perhaps the most shocking prophecy can be found in 2 Timothy 3:1-7:
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."


These prophecies have already been fulfilled—just in this past century, in fact. Many just in the last few decades. The Bible's apocalyptic prophecies are being fulfilled right now, for the first time in history. It is actually happening. Open your eyes while there is still time

Bible Truths We Must Not Forget, pt.1

"8. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1John1:8,9.


I am sure we all realize that everyone in this world has sinned in the past and most likely will commit some type of sin again today. It is the nature of Man inherited from our first parents. Not surprisingly, unbelievers scoff at the notion of original sin yet if you simply observe human behavior you will see the truth in this belief.

 While the first verse might be directed more to those who have not come to faith, the following verse (9) is for everyone, including believers. I say this because too many people forget that no matter how great their sin, He will forgive us if our repentance is sincere and from the heart.

Anyone who doubts this needs to read about the life of King David found in the Old Testament.

Prophetic Words From Daniel Webster

For those who may not know, Daniel Webster was a Congressman,Senator and Secretary of State(under three Presidents). Most importantly, he was a devout Christian. Read the following words from a speeech he gave in 1823:


“If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, then error will be. If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendency. If the Gospel does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will. If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of this land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.”

As the Bible has been increasingly diminished and eliminated from the public square in this country( as well as in our schools,colleges, universities,etc.), we see the truth of Webster's words spoken almost two centuries ago.
Consider how far we have fallen: have you taken the time to see the content and language in your TV and cable shows? The anarchy that has now become common place in the streets of America? I am referring to the rioting that goes on when a speaker or politician attempts to exercise their right of free speech. Most recently we have seen this in the actions of a group that calls themselves "antifa".How about the necessity of keepinng our public schools and colleges locked and guarded because of the numerous times gunmen have gone in and murdered students and staff? And of course I would be remiss not to mention the necessity of having guards within our public schools to maintain order among the grade school, middle and high school students. How about a divorce rate in this country that is now over 50%? I could go on but you get the picture. This country has become increasingly, immoral, violent and debased and there is no sign of this "trend" letting up.
There was a time, now many, many decades ago, where the above mentioned events either didn't occur, or if they did, they happened rarely.

 There is little doubt this is what happens when a country distorts, diminishes and rejects the teachings of the Christian faith as found in the Bible.

Don't Forget

"Trying to follow Jesus while hanging on to our old life is like trying to grow a lovely garden without first pulling out the weeds."
Pastor Charles Stanley

People often ask why they are not "getting" anything from their faith or things seem to be no different, the above quote is likely the reason why.

No Compromise! The Lesson of Solomon

We Christians must be ever vigilant not to compromise our faith or the truth of the Bible.

There is something to learn about this by reading the account of Solomon's life in the Old Testament.
He was blessed by God with wisdom,power and riches unlike any other man yet strayed from His instruction by marrying foreign women which led him into idolatry and ultimately punishment by God (in the comments section below I provide an interesting link regarding Solomon's sin).
I am sure Solomon did not initially believe his disobedience to one of God's commands would ultimately take him so far from God's Grace and blessings.

Like Solomon, when we first rationalize and compromise our faith by sinning, it becomes successively easier to do so. Satan sees our weakness and is only too happy to send more temptation our way. Before you know it, you don't even recognize your acceptance of sin, you simply explain it away.

Compromising your faith can and will break your fellowship with God.
Brothers and Sisters, be ever vigilant because your adversary the devil.........

A Prayer Before Bed

Father, We Thank Thee

Father, we thank thee for this night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.

Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do, in work or play,
To grow more loving every day.
Amen

Some Reasons Why We Need To Study Prophesy

Too many believers view the study of prophesy as being potentially intimidating and overwhelming.
They also think The Book of Revelation is the main place to go to study prophesy. Those of you who read your Bibles daily know different. Prophesy is found throughout the new, as well as the Old Testament.
What follows are some reasons why you need to study prophesy.

Jesus taught prophesy (Matthew 24-25).
Prophesy is the Word of God (2Timothy 3:16-17).
We are exhorted to heed prophesy (2Peter 1:19-21).
Prophesy reveals the judgement of this world system (2Peter 3:10).
Prophecy reveals the works and the character of God (Revelation 1:1 and chapters 21 and 22 of Revelation).
Prophesy reveals the program of God (Joel 2:28, 1Corinthians 15:28).
Prophesy reveals the rewards we may earn (1Corinthians 9:25).


I could go on and will at a later time but the above should be of encouragement to those who have shied away from the study of prophesy.
Brothers and sisters, "study to show yourselves approved unto God".

Regarding Problems Getting To Some of the Articles

There is obviously a problem accessing some of the articles you will see on this blog. I am working on fixing it but I am not optimistic that I will be able to.
If you click the, "Image may contain a text" below the title of the article you may find your way to the post. Also, I posted most of them on Facebook on a page with the same title as this blog.
As an UPDATE on the above--I believe most of the articles are now accessible on this site, it's just that the pictures which at one time accompanied them are not.
Much Love to you all.