The Real Child In The Manger

Everybody just loves that little baby Jesus. He's so cute. So adorable. so harmless. STOP! False impressions of the Saviour stem from our misconception of who He is , why He came and His subsequent return in glory.

Who is He?

John tells us" the Word became flesh and dwelt upon us. Some may say, who does that mean? The term "the Word conveys the notion of divine self-expression or speech and has a rich OT background. God's Word is effective: God speaks, and things come into being (Gen. 1:3, 9; Ps. 33:6; 107:20; Isa. 55:10–11), and by speech he relates personally to his people.(ESV study Bible).

16th century reformer and theologial John Calvin said, "God, in so speaking, lisps with us as nurses are wont to do with little children" (Institutes, 1.13.1). O how precious is the baby talk of God. It is not like grass that withers or flowers that fades. It abides forever (Isaiah 40:8). (John Piper Desiring God) The Bible is God's own baby talk to His chosen children.

Human language is precious. It sets us off from the animals. It makes our most sophisticated scientific discoveries and our deepest emotions sharable. Above all, God chose to reveal himself to us through human language in the Bible. (Desiring God)
"1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. "

Right after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and believed the lie and all humanity fell into a life of sin that leads to death, the prophet Moses wrote, " 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. " This defeat is implied by the serpent's being bruised in the head, which is more serious than the offspring of Eve being bruised in the heel. Pointing forward to the defeat of the serpent by a future descendant of the woman. The serpent is viewed as more than a mere snake, something which the narrative itself implies, given the serpent's ability to speak and the vile things he says. While the present chapter does not explicitly identify the serpent with Satan, such an identification is a legitimate inference and is clearly what the apostle John has in view in Rev. 12:9 and 20:2." (ESV Study Bible)

The prophet Jeremiah spoke and Baruch wrote down his words 15 ‘ In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.... And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.(Jeremiah 33) John speaks of Him in his first letter when he writes "1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

The prophet Isaiah likewise proclaimed 1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. (Isaiah 11) [fulfilled in Jesus The Christ] 6 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,1 and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3]

In contrast to the way in which all other human beings live in rebellion against God, the coming Messiah will be the ideal in his human faithfulness, finding deep joy in living before God in reverence. The reason that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) is that the moral life begins with reverence and humility before the Maker and Redeemer. The idea of a quest for knowledge sets biblical wisdom in the broad context of the ancient Near Eastern quest for truth, and this verse also validates such a quest as legitimate and good. At the same time, it distinguishes the biblical pursuit of knowledge and wisdom from those of the surrounding cultures, for it asserts that submission to the Lord is foundational to the attainment of real understanding [Ps 111:10.] (ESV Study Bible)

Isaiah speaks of the Messiah's suffering, His death and His victory over death in Chapter 53 of His book.

Micah tells us where He is to be born
2 “ But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

Zechariah speaks of His return in victory over a rebellious world.
"The day of the LORD is coming....in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west....Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You."

John speaks of His coming as this mighty warrior to exact vengence on the rebellious. To execute judgement and righteousness. (Jeremiah 33)
1 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 4 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[f] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.

Remember at Christmas that little babe depicted in that manger is the one to whom God has committed all judgement. He will be the one to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. Or ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: I never knew you."

Where will you stand on that day? Do you know the real Christ child. Or the child of your own imagination? Which is nothing more than an idol created to sooth and comfort your own evil heart.

Child in the manger, Infant of Mary
Outcast and stranger, Lord of all
Child who inherits
All our transgressions
All our demerits on Him fall

Once the most holy
Child of salvation
Genlty and lowly,lived below
Now as our glorios Mighty Redeemer
See Him victorios
O'er each foe

Prophets foretold Him
Infant of wonder
Angels behold Him On His throne
Worthy our Savior
Of all our praises
Happy forever
Are His own

And the Lord God said "this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. hear Him.

Christ, Christmas and Marriage

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2)
(Jesus words Mark 10) from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Porneia (from which we get our word pornography) is illicit sexual intercourse 1. adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. 2. sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18 3. sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11.
Some say Jesus did not condemn homosexuality.That's simply not true.
20 And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, (porneia) murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.

Fornications are included in said transgressions against God. It is seen by Jesus as evil. Less you think those are rather strong, politically incorrect ideas, Jesus Himself was the one who said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matt 7) There are others likewise condemned, in fact in the same passage....Then there is the following... "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves...For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (Romans 1)

It needs no explanation.Plain, to the point. As are the words in Jude "7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. "
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 cor 6)"the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men....(romans 1:18)

That's why there is Christmas. The coming of God's one and only Son into the world. It's a BIG DEAL because SIN IS A BIG DEAL. It's a difference between an eternity with or separated from God. The Corinthians pretty much did it all. They practiced what Paul had just preached in those verses. But there was/is hope when he added this...
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Without Christ there is no hope. NONE.
10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,(Romans 3)the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6)

That Free Gift was given over 2000 years ago.
(Phil) 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal 4)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor. 4) 5 The devil led him (Jesus) up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me.....Luke 4)
10 He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth....
Being born again (that is literally "born from above") is an absolute necessity for heavenly occuptation.( 50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 1 cor 15)

How does one come to Christ? Humbly. 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."(James 4) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works,lest anyone should boast.(Eph 2)
Christmas reminds us of that gift. A gift given by a Holy, Righteousness, God who so loved the world that he gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is a Big Deal. Not to be taken lightly, as it is today in this world (and the church, I'm sorry to say)
When you close your eyes in death, it will be too late to say, "Gee God if you really existed, if you really hated sin, if you really...." it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment..." (Heb. 9:27)14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city

The reality is too horrible to imagine.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (rev 22) the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, (Homosexuality is called this) murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.(Rev 21)
I do not suspect that anyone will be laughing on the day of judgement. A day when Jesus will either say "well done good and fateful servant enter into the joy of the Lord" Or "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

I am in awe what God has done for us. Everyday I breathe is an absolute gift from God He can remove in an instant. (He gives to all life, breath, and all things... for in Him we live and move and have our being...acts 17)

Just because some marriages between men and women don't work doesn't make it right in any way to condone marriage between two members of the same gender. Two wrongs do not make a right. The argument is all wrong. According to what the Bible says about the subject.

I don't write this out of hate. But out of love. God opened my heart to believe just 20 years ago. 1990. I was at home. Not a church. I cried out, just like that tax collector and God answered. And opened my heart to believe. And believe me I knew it. Heck, most baptists would say a 42 year old man, why brother, that's to old to be saved. Hog wash. God can do anything, at any time, to anyone when He pleases. But God saw it to do it at that time. And no one was more surprised than me. But as Paul said, "woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"

My prayer is that at the end of my life, I can say, "7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." I pray when you see the manger, you see the cross.
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Simeon,came by the Spirit into the temple,And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2)

No Other Gods

The God of the Bible; the God of Judaism and Christianity says, we are not to have any other gods. The New Testament Apostle Paul says when you worship and follow or sacrifice to other gods and worship them you are worshipping demons. ALL OTHER religions.....ALL OTHER so called faiths that take you away from the one true God are of this variety. Any religion that takes away from the work of Jesus Christ can be slotted into this category. For Jesus is the way, the truth and life, no one comes to the Father except through Him...(John14:6) The only name under heaven by which anyone can be saved. (Acts 4:12) We can't do enough good before a Holy Righteous God. We're tainted from birth. We're corrupted by the flesh as we emerge from our mothers womb. And all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. (Is. 64:6) We're not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners. We're born that way. It's in our nature. That's very plain from Scripture. It's also evident that when our first parents failed, believed a lie when the tempter said, "You won't die, you'll be like God" that God had a plan to save mankind. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. No form, no beauty , despised and rejected, He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors." 750 years before Jesus Christ was born, Isaiah the prophet wrote this. Exactly describing Jesus, even down to the fact He is like a lamb led to the slaughter." Reminds me of John the Baptists words when he saw Jesus and replied, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
The great sin of this world is that God can be clearly seen in His creation. But the carnal mind is enmity with God.The God of scripture is offensive, unreasonable, mean. He wouldn't damn people to hell. So they may say, "Jesus I like, but not that mean God of the Old Testament. It will be Jesus who says, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels...And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt 26)
Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, invoked the ancient jaguar goddess Ixchel in her opening statement to delegates gathered in Cancun, Mexico, noting that Ixchel was not only goddess of the moon, but also "the goddess of reason, creativity and weaving.
"I am convinced that 20 years from now, we will admire the policy tapestry that you have woven together and think back fondly to Cancun and the inspiration of Ixchel."(an ancient fertility goddess, Ix-Chel was responsible for sending rain to nourish the crops. When fulfilling that function she was called “Lady Rainbow”. She helped insure fertility by overturning her sacred womb jar so that the waters would flow.)
Delegates from 193 countries are gathered in Cancun for the two-week meeting, Invoking an ancient pagan goddess at a UN climate summit. Imagine what the out come would be if someone mentioned Jesus or the Bible at a meeting like this? The preacher said there is nothing new under the sun.
God saw that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:1-10)
Judges 2:11-13 notes: "And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord unto anger. And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth."(Canaanite fertility goddess 2nd millennium BC Phoenician goddess Astarte, an equivalent of the Babylonian Ishtar, and the earlier Sumerian Inanna. )
ll the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offerings to her 19 The women added, “When we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did not our husbands know that we were making cakes impressed with her image and pouring out drink offerings to her? 20 Then Jeremiah said to all the people, both men and women,2 When the LORD could no longer endure your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became a curse and a desolate waste without inhabitants, as it is today. 23 Because you have burned incense and have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed him or followed his law or his decrees or his stipulations, this disaster has come upon you, as you now see.” (Jeremiah 44)
1 Now concerning things offered to idols: we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.(1 Cor. 8)
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them...(Exodus 20)
the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. 5 They said, “Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices..Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.(Jer. 25)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.(John1)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.(Col 1)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,(Phil 2)
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself[a] purged our[b] sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.(Heb 1)
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”(John20)
Jesus said, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God...the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.(John5)
I and My Father are one.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Cor 13)
The God of Scripture is God. The only God who spoke all things into existence. He gives us life, breath and all things. Get to know Him. Come to Him for rest. When you know Him and walk in His truth you'll have real peace.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John14:27)

Mean People Telling The Truth

"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. 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. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)Paul the Apostle. Many today would say how mean or intolerant of him to speak this way. Well, it was written about two thousand years ago by a man who was destined for great things in his religion of Judaism. ^"14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.( Galatians 1) "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.( Philippians 3) It was the God he thought he served. The God he so zealously fought for...." I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it"...Dod had other plans. " ¹⁵ But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, ¹⁶ to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles." Here he was, destined, he thought, to rise in the ranks of the Jewish religious leaders. Stopped in His tracks by the very one he was persecuting. "As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(Acts 9) Some scholars think Paul had a complete rhetorial education, which would mean that he had attained the highest level of education possible for a person living in the Greco-Roman world. Reading his letters in the New Testament reveals an intelligent, creative, diligent and persuasive individual. A man who cared deeply for those who did not believe what he knew was the truth. You can see his passion for the lost in acts 26, when standing before King Agrippa the King said to him “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”²⁹ And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” He longed that the pagan King had knowledge and faith in the One True God. And though persecuted by his own people, the Jews, in Romans 9 stated " I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen." Accursed from Christ for his people the Israelites. That's love. That's laying down your life more than I think any of us would care to admit we would do for our friends let alone our enemies. And yet this in itself is Christ like. Paul said "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Sounds arrogant. But Paul talked the talk and walked the walk. It is what Jesus did for the world. Laid down His life, to rise again from the dead proving He was who He said He was. The One "wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53) Paul realized it was absolutely essential to confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. That there was/ is no other way to inherit the Kingdom of God. No other way when you die to go to heaven. Jesus is truly the Blessed hope. The only hope of eternal life. Without Him you are guilty, an enemy of God, condemned for an eternity. Jesus own words make that very plain “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."(John 5:24) The world cries out, 'That isn't fair! What about all the good people doing good works for their fellow man." Well, it is good to help others, to contribute to clothe and feed the poor. To care for the elderly and sick. The widows and orphans. But this of and by itself does not warrant an entrance into heaven. For all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. In the sight of God there is no one righteousness. No not one. Jesus Christ is the only way, truth and life. He is the bread of life, that came down from heaven that gives life. He is the only doorway by which anyone can enter into heaven. He is the Word who was in the beginning with God and was God. The Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. Truth is God doesn't owe us anything because he has given us everything. Life, breath all things come from Him. And yet He saw to it in eternity past, before the foundation of the world, before man took his first steps into sin, to provide a saviour. His one and only Son, who He sent from heaven that through Him we might have eternal life. Why? Because God so loved the world. It's not that we loved Him but He loved us and is not willing that any should perish. But that all would come to repentance. But one must know that they have transgressed God's commands. That they have broken His law. That they are indeed a sinner and separated from God. That God will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom He has ordained. He proved it, by raising Him from the dead. Paul again in Acts 17, witnessing to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers reasoning with them among their own idols. He was laughed at, shouted down, chased by his own people, the Jews, in his missionary journeys. Beaten, whipped, thrown in jail and eventually beheaded in Rome under Nero. Yet Paul desired to obey, because he was amazed everyday, by the grace of God who saved the chief of sinners. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He did not compromise what he knew was truth. The truth is still the same truth. This is a present evil age. People of the world are blinded by the god of this age. They are dead in their trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air and are by nature children of Gods wrath. That is what most of the world would say is mean and unfair. If you think Paul's words I quoted in the beginning of this are unfair, listen to the Lord Jesus Himself. “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”(Mark 7:20-23 ) Both Jesus and Paul said this for a reason. To show you your need for a saviour. And all the Apostles stressed that if Christ Jesus is indeed in you you will desire to live a new and holy life. Living with a partner, practicing sexual acts outside the marriage vows goes against the behavior God desires of human beings. Homosexual acts-passive or active-an abomination to God and will bring His wrath upon those who partake. Gossiping, drunkeness, stealing, coveting all sin in the sight of a Holy God. Practices Gods people will pray they can be rid of and act according to His will to be holy because He is holy. Many paths to God? One Way to the only God. Through Jesus Christ His Son. The Way, the Truth and the Life. There are many today accepting of alternative lifestyles, homosexual marriage, sex outside marriage abounds, adultry a common occurance. I fear for those blinded by the god of this age, who believe it's mean or in tolerant to speak aganist these things. Truth is I fear for these people. For one day they will stand before the judgement seat of Christ. "The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”(Rev 21) Mean, intolerant to tell you these things? They did it...I do it as a warning in love. John Newton's dying words were "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things — that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." I know this is true. That's why I write these things to you. If you don't believe pray to God. "Have mercy on me a sinner." Ask Him to show you His truth. To open the scriptures. Be sincere. For God gives grace to the humble. But he resists the proud. You might call me mean for saying that. So then I'm a mean person in good company with Paul and Jesus Christ....Telling You The Truth.

Fear of the Lord

I fear there is no fear of God. I fear the wrath of God on all the Godless who don't fear God. I fear the terror that awaits all those who don't know God. (Ps 73) I fear for those who deny the only Lord and Savior because their fate is a Christless eternity....everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of His power.(2 Thess 1) I have hope in what God has done through His only begotten Son. (Rom 5:1) I pray for those blinded by the God of this age. (2Cor 4:4) the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience. For without Christ they are all children of God's wrath. (Eph 2) I love that God is continuing to draw His people from the 4 corners of the world...to open blind hearts and to let His light so shine to show His truth in a lost and dieing world. I pray today that someone reading this will be convicted of their own unrighteousness from a life of unbelief, from a life of filthy works through the dictates of a false religion (Islam, Hinduism, Buddism, Scientology, Jehovah Witness, Mormons, too many to mention) all those who bow down to the idols of self, idols of stone, plastic and wood, idols of the world, idols of men and women, idols of money, success and power, idols of sports heroes, film idols, everything and anything that takes them away from the only name under heaven by which we can be saved.....Christ Jesus--who saves all those who believe and trust in Him from the wrath of God to come.

'Gay'-pride parade features 10-year-old grand marshal

'Gay'-pride parade features 10-year-old grand marshal
There is a way that seems right to a man (or woman) but in the end it leads to death.... THE MARKETING OF EVIL... Gen. 19.1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them." 6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. The men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door. Jude 7: Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. 2Peter 2: 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; serving as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. It pains me to see the deception of the evil one...for there is a way that seems right to a man (or woman) but in the end it leads to death.(Proverbs 14:12) For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.(Matt. 24) scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.(2 Peter 3)
3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
⁴ For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
⁵ They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
⁶ Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
⁷ Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
⁸ They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
¹⁶ When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
¹⁸ Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
¹⁹ Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
Only the gospel offers hope for freedom from the blindness of ones heart to the truth of mankinds troubles. Our own evil hearts.
Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is good and right. (Proverbs 20:12)

Fear of the Lord

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10:28) Words from Jesus to the 12 when He sent them out to preach the gospel. He told them they would be hated for His names sake, that they would be interrogated and beaten. But added if God cares for the sparrows to whom He gives life, how much more does He care for those he is sending out into a world to do his will. Yes, Jesus said "take up your cross and follow Me. For he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Lose your life? Find your life? Tough words. Not something you hear much today in the evangelical world. Mostly it's come to Jesus, He'll make life easy for you. You'll get what you want in this life. Fortune. Fame. Yes friends it's all about you. NOT! The real gospel, the good news doesn't work that way. It's about the One who spoke out creation, from nothing. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Into the nothingness, piercing the darkness God said. God simply spoke it out of the divine essense of His eternal mind--The Light--The Heavens--Water--The Trees--The Fruit--and Living Creatures in the sea on the land and in the air. An abundance of creatures fashioned from the mind of a Holy, infinitely creative Divine being not limited by time or space or lack of imagination. Every creature that has or now exists reflects the infinite creativity of the one true God who wants to be known through 66 love letters called The Bible. Letters met for a people called from darkness to light, from death to life. (1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient Eph. 2:1-2) Called out of the darkness of unbelief, the enmity --the hatred you had of this God , separated from Him with the bleak eternity that awaits all the sons of disobedience... "when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thess. 1:) "‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.." That is the horror of an eternity spent without God. God gives the individual over to themselves for an eternity. No more grace. No more mercy. No more hope. Yet, Scripture contains the only words of hope. "The WORD who was in the beginning with God and was God. The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us...."(John 1:1;14) It's about the God of Scripture reaching down from heaven in the person of his Son, " "5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! (Phil 2:5-8) God, the Son became man. He who had no sin became sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. For "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 cor 15:50) A new birth is needed." 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever," (1 Peter 1) For "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6) Dirty, stained with the unclean, impure, detestable actions of a foul mind and corrupted spirit. It may sound harsh and unrealistic to the mind darkened with the cravings of this lost and vile world but it is the sorry state of mankind in the sight of a Holy, Pure, and Perfect Divine being. "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23) "There is no one righteousness. NO NOT ONE....." "Truly no man can ransom another,or give to God the price of his life,8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit." (Ps. 49) The ransom demanded was God's only begotten Son, " My Father loves me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me..." (John 10:17-18) Always doing what pleases Him God proclaimed, "this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him. "(Matt 17:5) You can hear God through His Word. You can learn about His Son between the pages of His book. "Whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24) That is the good news. That is the Gospel. God demands holiness to share eternity with Him. You're not perfect. No one can please God for without Christ you can do nothing. No one warrants a place in His kingdom. But he did not leave us alone. "10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1John) No matter where you've been, where you are now, what you've done or the lifestyle you're living that's contrary to a holy and righteous God. It doesn't matter. If God can deliever a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man, one who persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, a man who later would call himself the chief of sinners, and later pen two thirds of the New Testament. He can remove the blinders from your eyes and open your heart to believe when you simply come to Him in sincere faith asking for Him to have mercy on you, a sinner. "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. "(Romans 10:9) Saved? From what? From the wrath of God. "The Lord will come in His day... the heavens will disappear with a great noise; the elements will melt with fervent heat, and both the earth and everything in it will be burned up." (2 peter 3:10-12) To those who follow their own evil hearts to believe not, "a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." (Heb. 10:27) The King of Kings, Jesus saying, "depart from me, I never knew you.." But for the redeemed, those bought with a price, know it, and trust in the only name under heaven by which we can be saved.... A new life awaits. A new world is coming, the old order of things will pass away, "there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain....(Rev. 21:4) But " An eternity with the One who put eternity in our hearts."(Ecclesiastes 3:11)

FOXNews.com - Gates: U.S. Not Ready to Talk About Containing a Nuclear Iran

FOXNews.com - Gates: U.S. Not Ready to Talk About Containing a Nuclear Iran

The Humbling Of A King

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Humbling of a King

[Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation]
[28] All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. [29] At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” [31] While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, [32] and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” [33] Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
(Daniel 4:28-33 ESV)
Isn't it interesting how there is nothing new under the sun. Words of the preacher, Solomon from Ecclesiastes. Man thinks, and I say thinks, he has all the answers. That science is our savior. Our technology the instrument by which life extension will be accomplished. God proved to a King that he wasn't who thought he was. He didn't have all power, the Kingdom wasn't his because of his own actions and greatness and power but because God in His Power and Might allowed the king to conquer and rule and have what he had. God threw him out to live among the beasts, to see just how powerful he wasn't. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." God has allowed us, this nation to have what it has. Prosperity, wealth, equality, freedom. He can take it away in an instant. Our president said "I will built more oil wells off the coasts to provide our great nation with all the oil we need." WHAM! RIGHT IN THE KISSER! OUCH! Oil spilling into the gulf at a rate unimageable. The men who could dig a hole so far down in the gulf didn't know what to do. They are confounded by the consequences of their actions. From some who worked on that oil rig, comments that BP cut corners in the name of profits and now the magnitude of the problem, the death of the gulf too horrible to imagine. I looked at the pictures and videos of what's happening in the gulf and thought, "It's red like blood, the blood of the earth?" I thought of Revelation 16 where it says, "The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died." Man is not as smart, as wise, as in his arrogance he thinks. And now it seems all that technology and wisdom of man is held captive by a gushing flow that powers that technology that man created. I guess man never thought or wanted to imagine the folly or consequences of his actions. In Matthew 7 Jesus said, "²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’²⁴ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ²⁶ “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” We need wise men to guide and lead us. But alas, are there any? Let Gods people pray for mercy, for a solution to this disaster. His Divine intervention, A Daniel or a miracle in an age where people follow their own evil hearts that are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Is there any hope? [Nebuchadnezzar Restored]
[34] At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
[35] all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
[36] At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. [37] Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
(Daniel 4:34-37 ESV)
All who walk in pride he will humble. Whether now or later. For every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is lord, to the glory of God the Father. For God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. Pray that sanity and reason will return and prevail in a Godless world. A world of false gods. A world bent on destruction. A world in love with its achievements. Never acknowledging the One who has given them the abilities, the mind to achieve. A world that follows the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience. That the veil of blindness will fall from their eyes and then they'll see the truth and be set free. That the world will praise,extol and honor the King of heaven. The King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. Oddly tragedy can turn into a blessing. Making us see what really matters in life. That there is a reason why there is something rather than nothing. That there is a God and He wants to know you and for you to know Him. That the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. As John Milton wrote in his hymn Amazing Grace,"when we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun." That's real hope and the only happy ending there is.

Death: The Final Frontier

Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.(NIV)
The fear of death. I don't think you hear about it that much in this country because most people put it out of their minds. They may see it on the news but that's what happens to someone else. One day we're all that someone else that it happens to. The time is coming when you will take your last breath. Each person has only 86, 400 seconds a day. How are you spending those seconds? At one time in his life Saul of Tarsus spent those seconds pursuing believers of what was called "The Way." But Paul himself said, ""I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it" (Galatians 1:13). I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (1 Tim. 1:13) He thought he had the way but he failed to see who Jesus was. He was ignorant. He was destitute of the true wisdom of God. Yes even this man, who penned 2 thirds of the New Testament approved when the disciple Steven was being stoned to death by Jews who really didn't want to have anything to do with what he said. That they had failed to see Jesus for who he was, the predicted coming Righteous One who they had betrayed and murdered. (Acts 7:52) But the Old Testament had spoken about Him, "Made His grave with the wicked but with the rich at his death." (Isaiah 53:9) Fulfilled 750 years later when Jesus, bent, twisted and pierced body was laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea , a rich man who believed. Jesus prepared His disciples for it saying in Matthew 16 " I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and I must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Isaiah had said, "It pleased the LORD to bruise Him...to make His soul an offering for sin." There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death say the proverbs. In this case the way of death led to the hope of life eternal to everyone who calls upon His name. From a God who wishes that no one would perish but all would come to repentance for everlasting life, with Him. A life of obedience to the will of God which is being holy , because He is holy. That is, set apart to obey the call of God. Paul soon found it wouldn't be easy for Jesus Himself said to paul at his conversion on the road to Damascus "he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake." Suffer? I thought God loved us. How could He make us suffer? As Christ suffered so God's people will suffer. When we suffer we learn how much we really have. An inheritance incorruptible, undefiled reserved in heaven. One that will never pass away. The world wants the passing pleasures of sin. The quick fix. The instant gratification of the flesh. The world hates Jesus. Because He says these things are wrong, evil and will bring about your death eternally. The Jesus of Scripture is hated because He points out their imperfections. Their evil hearts. Their inheritant wickedness from the womb. " behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." God says through David you have been brought forth in wickedness. You certainly don't have to teach a baby how to lie, to cheat, to manipulate. It comes naturally. We're born selfish little sinners. Screaming out our displeasure or discomfort whenever we don't have our way. People don't want to be held accountable for the lusts, elicit passions and perversions that consume their every waking hour. They want the freedom to do as they please. Oh, God will allow them to do it but remember the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,dissensions, heresies, envy, murders drunkenness, revelries, and the like; nor homosexuals nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. " (Gal 5:16-21;1 Cor. 6:9-11) Acts that are displeasing to God because no good can come from them. They lead to death. The kingdom of God is life. The works of the flesh death. Of the mind, body, soul and "Everlasting destruction from presence of God and the glory of His power." The spirits fruit... love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness ,gentleness, and self-control. God doesn't say this because he's a spoil sport but because he loves us and wants the best for us. That best includes life forever with Him in a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells. The world and it's desires are passing away. Therefore do not love the world or anything in the world. For the world's desires are dying as is everyone who clings to them . But those who do the will of God live forever. Where there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more sorrow and no more death. For the old order of things will pass away.

I Have Judged you and found you Wanting

I have judged you and found you wanting. I can not get these words out of my mind. The first words I heard when I woke this morning. Words like these can be found in Daniel 5:27. You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; Addressed to King Belshazzar, God says " you have not humbled your heart....And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. Belshazzar decided to have a party using vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem. The fingers of a hand appeared on a wall before him writing these words on a wall. You have been found wanting. It says the Kings countenace changed, his throughts troubled him and his knees knocked together. Best believed he was scared to death. He called upon Daniel for an interpretion. And that very nite he was slain. The consequence of His disrespect for the true God. For a Holy God. Who demands respect. It seems to me the same could be true of the church today. The church wants a little bit of God and a lot of the world. Lots of flash and special effects, lots of noise and bells and whistles. Sprinkled with brief clips of a word from God. Not too offensive, oh no. Not to convicting, they may go down the street. Not too damaging to their precious self esteem. Never condemning or prehaps they'd leave. The church has lost it's backbone. And in the process condemns not only itself but all those who it cheats out of the truth of the gospel message. We are fallen, miserable creatures, tainted through and through, with sin from birth, evil from our youth, incapable of coming before a Holy, Righteous maker who demands perfection--Holiness to approach Him. For without Holiness no one will see God. (Heb. 12:14) People hold on to their pasts proclaiming they need not give up anything to believe. Their eyegate still a cesspool of worldy sites and sounds. Glorifying in music of that which appeals to the baser instincts including lustful affections, perverted desires and rebellion against authority. It's okay, it doesn't affect me, I can live with it. Jeremiah penned the heart is deceitful above all things. The heart lies ...because you want to be lied to. The heart is desperately wicked who can know it. People want to hear that they're okay. Oh, you won't be judged. God is a God of love. He'll love you no matter what. Well God has said the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God. Character matters. Now if the righteous one is scarely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? For the wages of sin is death. There is a way that seems right to a man (or woman) and the end of it leads to death. Sobering words for a world lost within itself. For a church lost not wishing to offend the world. Consumed within the the grasp for money, power and fame. Jesus said they have their reward. But it is fleeing like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14) The marque has proclaimed "Coming Soon, A new heavens and new earth in which righteousnes dwells." Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ( 1 Cor. 15:50) The old order of things will pass away. Jesus Christ, came down from heaven, God's one and only Son, who being in very nature God, came in the likeness of a man, humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. (Phil 2:5-11) He did it for us because only perfection will do. The one who was in the beginning with God and was God. He became flesh and dwelt among us. To save us from the wrath to come and open the portals of heaven that we may go it by the blood of His cross. For God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2Cor5:21) Righteous is a prerequisite for heavenly habitation. His is the only way. All other paths only lead to destructon and despair. All other paths only lead to eternal condemnation. "I Am the way, the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except by me." (John 14:6)

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Sometimes the Lord moves in mysterious ways. He called on a rank pagan idol worshipper for what appears no reason at all. Told him to leave his country, father, mother, his family, and go to a place that God would show him. Huh? And added " I will make you a great nation. I will bless you, and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing." A great nation? A great name? "And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Say what! Can you imagine the reaction of his family. "You're going to do what?! Are you nuts! What about your benefits, healthcare, 401K! You know what, Abraham obeyed. He listened to God and God gave him the land of Cannan. His livestock grew, and God promised that his descendants would be like the dust of the earth. Which no one can count! And when Abraham had no off spring God promsied him a son, from his own body, even in his old age. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. His actions, his decision to believe God , to follow where God told him to go, bless each and every one of us today. That's right! You are connected to the past through Abraham. Talk about an amazing story! "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles (everyone not born a Jew) by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you. So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." The gospel, the good news, came down to us from Abraham through His progeny, the 12 tribes, their descendants among whom were Issac,(the son of the promise, born to Abraham), a gentile Moabite girl called Ruth, and Jesse the father of David and finally Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ. All because Abraham believed God. You are part of this whether you know it or not. Whether you believe it or not. It was God's plan from eternity. And for those who believe scripture. "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus"...Paul wrote this thousands of years later! That blessing given to Abraham has come to us. That blessing is redemption through the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. Decisions do matter. Sometimes we are forced into them unexpectedly when they are the last things on our mind. Sometimes they occur through derision or strife. It happened in the early days of the church. ^{Acts 15:36} Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹ Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. " Yet even in this unfortunate split instead of one missionary and pastoral expedition there were two. God turned a a really sad incident into something good. Leaving a place you love, a loved one when they pass from this life or even a job you take pride in and enjoy because of derision or strife is no easy decision. Yet know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to His purpose. A purpose at that time of distress we may not know or understand.

Finality of death. Reality of Christ.

In 2010 I would like people to be aware of the finality of death. I remember a little over 50 years ago when my grandfather died. We had what is called a wake in the living room of my grandfathers house. That is where family and friends came to say their goodbyes. There it was, right there in the living room of his home, the casket where his body lay. Then his buriel at a church on a hill in the rolling hills of Maryland. You see there was time, not that long ago, in this country, when churches were where people buried there loved ones. And every time people came to church they could see the graves and contemplate the finality of death. Today death is hidden from us. Behind walls of tree lined grounds and manicured lawns. We try our best to spruce death up to take away its sting. But the beautiful cemeteries only placate the living. Yes in 2010 I would like people to understand the finality of death. "It is appointed for men to died once, and then the judgement." (Hebrews 9:27) Judgement! Something not talked about much today in or out of the church. Not very PC in this overly sensative world. Why would a good God judge anyone? Because He is the only being that is truly good. As Jesus said no one is good but God alone. The kind of good people think they might be doesn't cut it for heavenly habitation. For James tells us, "whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law." God expects perfection. And only one person ever was perfect. (Hebrew 4:15; 2Cor.5:21) So, in addition to my wanting people to understand the finality of death in 2010, that is, that it is settled. All will die. I want them to see the reality of Jesus Christ. That Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. That He was buried and rose again the 3rd day according to the Scriptures. And whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That's the Gospel, the good news. For the Father judges no one but has committed all judgement to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." (John 5:22-23) You honor the Son when you believe and obey. "Salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name by which we can be saved." (Acts 4:12) Saved from what you might ask? From God's flaming fire of vengence, on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, when He is revealed from heaven. Those who do not come to God through faith in His only begotten Son will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of His power. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) For it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31) Yes, in 2010 I want people to to be aware of the finality of death and the reality of Jesus Christ. "The Word who was in the beginning with God and was God. Of whom God the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased....."For He came down from heaven itself in the likeness of sinful men, to puriify for Himself His own special people..." (John 1:1; Phil. 2:5; Titus 2:14). And if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) God gave...Jesus saves...The Holy Spirit fills us to obey. For without holiness, no one will see God. The finality of death takes on new meaning in the reality of Jesus Christ. That He truly is the blessed and only hope for us all. Then and only then can a person truly say "O Death where is your sting? For in Him Death is swallowed up in victory!

Judge not?

Judge not, that you may not be judged. (Matt 7:21)

Ah, the most popular verse used by all those in opposition to the gospel to silence Christians. "See we're not to judge. " They say. Well then what about all these verses? Acts 17:31 He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Romans 3: 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? Acts 10: 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 2Tim.4:I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at* His appearing and His kingdom:2Tim. 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Heb. 10:30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." Heb. 12: 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. Heb. 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 1Peter 4:5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Rev. 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" John 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him..Matt 10:14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city...So, from these verses we can ascertain that a day of judgment is coming. That God will judge through His Son Jesus Christ. He will be the one who says "enter in to the joy of the lord or depart from Me you who practice lawlessness." So then what exactly did Jesus mean when He said don't judge? Well, we shouldn't seem holier than thou, or exact judgement as a hatred of someone. Christians are to love as the Father loved us, calling us from darkness to light and from death to light. Remembering that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. There must be compassion for those entrenched in sin and captured by it's grip. Preach the truth, don't compromise, but do it graciously, knowing that the gospel offends the natural man. 1 Cor. 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. But there does come a time when if reasoning doesn't work, it is time to back off. Do not cast your pearls before swine as Jesus proclaims in Matthew 7. Acts 13 gives us an example: 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Our responsibilty as believers is to deliever the good news to those who are lost. If they do not receive it with joy continue to love them no matter what. Pray that God would draw them to Christ. But remember it's the job of the Holy Spirit to open a cold dead heart to the truth. God originates, the Son reveals , the Holy Spirit animates. God has given us the privilege of delivering His message of good news.

Has God Given Up On America

Has God Given Up On America?
In memorizing Romans Chapter 1 it dawned on me that what it sounded like Paul was describing could be occurring in the very land we live in today. The immortality and perversity that runs rampant and seems to be infiltrating every facet of society has and is reaching epic proportions. The veneration of personalities in film, sports, science, music and the like, a kind of modern day idolatry. We worship the ground they walk on. We stand in super market lines and are assaulted by articles lambasting famous personalities infidelity or sexual proclivities , or violent tendencies. And we eagerly dive deeply into the cess pool of nonsense that now has become the staple of many a once respected news outlet. It's the hard copy that entertains us tonite as we dare access hollywood for the latest dirt on our lords of notoriety. In the last verse of Romans Paul says people not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. I believe human nature is such that people love to associate themselves with like minded people so that their thoughts and actions can then likewise be acceptable in their own minds. Strength in numbers so to speak. Paul the Apostle of the gentiles (anyone not born Jewish) explained that God's wrath, that is His anger occured when He allowed a people to do exactly what they wanted to do when their disobedience reached a certain point. A point where people said, "I don't need God" and they no longer listened to what God said. God finally gives them over to themselves. To their own evil hearts. Simply put God says, Hey you don't want to listen, well then, have it your own way. Just like Frank Sinatra singing, "I did it my way." Let's hope he didn't practice what he preached in that song. But what does man's way lead to. Paul says "because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things." Knew God? How did they know God? "Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." All that is made, the heavens, the galaxies, the stars, the sun, the moon, the earth, the sea, the fish, the birds, the trees, the insects, the wind, the rain, the thunder and lightening, everything reveals there is a God. But mankind is not thankful. Our thoughts become futile. Meaning our thoughts have no useful purpose. Their foolish hearts were darkened...That is they failed to acknowledge God. "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good."(Palsm 14:1) What is a fool? A person lacking in judgement or prudence. Which means these are people who can not discern good from evil. There's no standard by which to evaluate it. They go by what they feel in their heart they know is right. The utterence of a fool for " the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. . Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) No one! To follow your own heart. To do it your way is the path to death and destruction. It's a place where prudence, the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, disappears like a mist, a vapor. For they are no longer thinking in a rational orderly way. But have descended into a world of self indulgence and fleshly pleasures. "being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;" A sign that God has given a people or nation over to vile passions is recognizable by the fact that " even their women exchange the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burn in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." It's a slippery slope into the abyss of self indugence where a persons own conscience becomes seared with a hot iron. There are signs that indicate when it has begun. Have we worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator? Many in the environmental movement see earth as the living mother of us all. Not that taking care of what God has made us stewards of is in and of itself wrong. But the modern Gaia movement, is based on what ecologist and environmentalist James Lovelock posited, that the earth is a superorganism. Much like that portrayed of the planet Pandora in the film Avatar. The modern day environmental movement has become a religion to many. They worship at the altar of mother earth. What about morality? Or violence, wickedness, gossip, inventing new ways of doing evil or a hatred of Christianity? The recent ruling by a judge that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional. Or Franklin Graham being banned from praying at the Pentagon for their upcoming May 6th National Day of Prayer event because he called Islam “evil.” Who wouldn't call intentionally hi jacking planes, flying them into buildings and killing thousands of people evil. They did it because in reality this is the only way they are guaranteed a place in the Islamic paradise. He said it because he loves them and believes that Jesus is the only path to God. And Isalm as a false alternative that only leads to destruction. Isalm or any other religion is not what this country was founded on. Listen to the voice of our founding fathers. Those who risked their lives so that we might live as free men and woman.

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

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS • “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?" “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity"?

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

JOHN ADAMS "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798
Jedediah Morse:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."

SAMUEL JOHNSON: It is apprehended that Jews, Mahometans (Muslims), pagans, etc., may be elected to high offices under the government of the United States. Those who are Mahometans(Muslims) , or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, [unless] first the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves.

1ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES GEORGE WASHINGTON “ It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”
“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.” [speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs May 12, 1779]
"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian" [May 2, 1778, at Valley Forge]
• At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison proposed the plan to divide the central government into three branches. He discovered this model of government from the Perfect Governor, as he read Isaiah 33:22;
“For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
He will save us.”

The is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)
I'm a child of the 60's. What do I mean by that? I was influenced by the language of that time. SEX, DRUGS and ROCK AND ROLL! Yeah! Light and Lift up a candle, light and smoke a joint (I never inhaled, oh sure, dude, just ask Bill) It was a time of supposely great freedom to do whatever you wanted. Morals, right and wrong were whatever you made it to be. It was relative. And like a sock that has a tear in it, if not repaired it keeps getting bigger and bigger until it's only fit to be thrown out. I"m afraid that is where our nation is at this time and its not getting any better. That "Hippie" if it feels good mentality, that subjective morality, has infiltrated every aspect of this nations existence. Good has become evil and evil has become good. But before you can understand what evil is, you have to understand what is good. You must have a standard or anarchy reigns and confusion corrupts every aspect of a persons mental abilities, actions and words. My mother just died from a disorder called dementia. This affliction destroyed her ability to be rational. She was always right, In her own eyes. It was impossible to tell her anything that would be of help to her. She refused to accept anything was wrong with her. She didn't want any help. She didn't accept help because she didn't think she needed help. That is the way of the spiritually blind in the world today. Scripture says, "they follow the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience and are BY NATURE children of wrath." Say Oprah..... everyone is not a child of God. They'll be those who understand what I am saying and others who think I am a nut case. So be it. But to explain so you may understand it's like Neo In the Matrix picking up the red pill and suddenly sees the world for what it really is. A lie. He realizes he's been inhabiting a deception created by a heartless, unfeeling machine. The reality of this world is much worse. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Cor. 4:4) The god of this age? Luke 4:1-8 reveals " Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.... 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' There's a real devil. ....( John 8:44 NIV You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ) He'll tell you just want you want to believe. That "adultery, fornication (sexual immorality) uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, the greedy, revilers, and swindlers and the like... are fine. And you'll believe it because there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death... but in reality "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor 6:9-11) . What the world needs now is LOVE. Not an erotic love which our modern society is pummeled with in every nook and cranny... around every corner and behind every door. But a selfless, sacrificial love. In the original language of the New Testament it's called "agape. " It's the kind of love God showed when he sent His only Son to accomplish where our first parents failed. OBEDIENCE AND TRUST. The world needs a real Saviour not some phony who claims to have all the answers and solutions to all our problems. One who satisfies the itching ears of those who turn away from truth. A truth that truly will set you free. And save you from yourself. By the unmerited favor of God, it's called grace. I am a Christian. That is I believe that Jesus is the Christ. The Messiah. That He came down from heaven, lived a perfect sinless life, was crucified, died and rose again for the sin of mankind. I remember when God opened my heart, convinced and convicted me of my own inherent evil. I believed and repented. I knew at that moment I was forgiven and my life would never be the same again. The Bible became my food and His Word my meat. Do I still sin. You bet. Do I want to obey. You bet. Do I? I wouldn't bet on it. But I am a work of God in progress. For I am still wrapped in the corrupted perishing flesh of a dying world. But as a believer my citizenship is in heaven, from which I also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Chris, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. All of us will spend an eternity somewhere. As the prophet Daniel penned in the Old Testament " And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." That is being forever conscious of your guilt. Knowing you heard the truth but denied it. As The Apostle Paul wrote " when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power... And that is the saddest fate of all to those who can not see a truth that sets one free.

What John Hagee believes

"I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption" (John HaGEE Houston Chronicle, April 30, 1988).
The Houston newspaper then quoted Hagee's own shocking words: "I'm not trying to convert the Jewish people to the Christian faith... In fact, trying to convert Jews is a 'waste of time. . Jews already have a covenant with God and that has never been replaced by Christianity." (Houston Chronicle, April 30, 1988, sec, 6, pg. 1).
Oh, really. Paul was a Jew who preached to Jews. Why? Because they were in need of a Saviour. Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.' 26 Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings--that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus..38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses..44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles." Jeews don't/ won't inherit the kingdom of God just because they are born a Jew and attempt to obey the law. Simple because they can't. (read acts 13)
6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed .30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (read Romans 9) Jews must have faith in Jesus, must confess with their mouth and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Being born a Jew does not guarantee a place in the kingdom of God.
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Romans 3-- we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...
Peter preached to the Jews in Acts 4:5 "And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Peter tells the Jews salavation comes only through Jesus the Christ. The Messiah.
Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one (Jew or gentile) comes to the Father except through Me. And in John 5 :22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
One people of God Jews and Gentiles. Only those who confess Jesus Christ, believe and repent will have everlasting life with God. No exceptions. He is the hope for all people. No Jesus. No hope.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
John Hagee preaches a different Gospel. Another Gospel