And I, Brethren

"And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased." (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬ NKJV)

We need to remember we do offend when we preach the cross and when we stop offending we have strayed from The Truth!

The message Jesus preached was not popular with religious folks then and is not popular today!

"Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭21‬ NKJV)

Jesus loved him enough to tell him what he lacked!

"“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." (‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬ NKJV)

"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant." (‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭43‬ NKJV)

Becoming a true follower of Christ means giving up everything and sacrificing all we hold dear in this life, just as He did for us! The young ruler walked away sad but today's' church just changed the message to suit themselves!

No longer do you hear messages of repentance and turning away from sin as Jesus preached!

"From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”" (‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ NKJV)

"She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”" (‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ NKJV)

The sugar-coated message of a "God of Love" does not even remotely resemble The God Jesus obeyed even unto death on the cross! 

Jesus knew the penalty we faced for our sin and was willing to pay the cost, redeeming us to The Father! And we are deceived into believing we can live like the world, in our sins of unforgiveness, unbelief, bitterness, fear, worry and judgments and still spend our eternity with Him wearing our crowns of gold! Our audacity knows no bounds! 

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NKJV)

None read past "the cloud of witnesses" to see "lay aside every weight" and "the sin which easily ensnares us"!  This life is a race for which we train; its outcome dependent on our overcoming!  It's not about how much we accumulate or how popular we become! 

"“But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. (‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬ NKJV)

"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets."(‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭26‬ NKJV)

Wake up sleeper!!! If the message you heard yesterday didn't offend you, but in fact made you feel good, find another church!

Yes, God loves us! He loves us so much as to not leave us where he found us! It's up to us though to get up and start running the race He's called us to run! If you want to see the end of the course, climb up on The Cross for a better advantage! 

May "the offense of the cross" never cease in our message! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/1/15

Delight Yourself

"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." (Psalms 37:4 NKJV)

I am drawn to this scripture! I've quoted it often to others because I have grasped the truth that: "our desires should be His desires"!

de·light

 verb

1. please (someone) greatly.

noun

1. great pleasure.

The thought of delighting my LORD, delights me!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way." (Psalms 37:23 NKJV)

So, if I purpose in my heart to walk in the steps He chooses for me, instead of following my own fleshly desires, I will please or delight my Father! 

What a concept!!!

Early on in my childhood, I realized there was little I could do to please my earthly father, though I spent my entire life trying. I lusted after approval due to a spirit of rejection, because I judged my father and did not forgive him or extend mercy to him. When I forgave him last year that spirit left. I no longer suffer from that affliction. 

The only approval I seek or require now, is from my Heavenly Father! His Word shows me what makes Him happy, and my desire is for His delight!

There is a great difference in seeking our own pleasure and His pleasure! 

The world today demands to be entertained or "pleasured", at all times!  If we have a free moment, we are either watching TV, surfing the web, playing a game, reading a book, shopping, listening to music; the list goes on and on. The enemy's endeavor to distract us has been completely successful! Satisfying our flesh, our desires, our only goal; minute by minute; day by day! 

Self! Self-satisfied. Self-esteem. Self-defense. Self-absorbed! There is NO self-denial, in our land!

God calls us to "die to self"!

How do we do that?

Willingly, lay aside our desires, for His desires!

The only lasting satisfaction, complete fulfillment, to be gained is in doing His will! The term "joy unspeakable" is not a cliche! It is Truth and utterly obtainable through Obedience to His Word! I know, because I have joy! I never dreamed it was possible! Every promise of happiness the world offered fell short; missed the mark; disappointed! Not so with God!

You can go through your day with joy! You can live without worry or fear! You can have peace! All it takes is laying aside your pride; humbling yourself by repenting and confessing your sin! Forgiving the people who have hurt you! Releasing them,by giving them mercy! It was the best thing I ever did!!!! 

Seek Him!

Worship Him! 

Be obedient to His Word!

THAT IS WORSHIP!

I received a huge hugggggggg from my Father this morning while reading Isaiah 58! With tears of delight I am "riding on the high hills of the earth" today; knowing I'm loved and ready to extend love to His!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 7/1/14, 3/8/16

I Am The LORD

"I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things. ’" (‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭5-7‬ NKJV)

When you realize that it is God that "creates calamity" and that it has a purpose; it changes your view on the events of your life!

You see, I had always been taught that the devil did the bad things to us.  I would curse the sicknesses. I would pray for rapid relief of adversity. I would quote scripture in my desire to end the trial and get back to life as usual! 

But if we believe the above scripture and others that it is His will to work all things for our good, it puts "storms" in a different light! 

Looking back at my life of rebellion, I see God's hand trying to gently guide me back to the narrow path, but I was determined to have it my way! His corrections would become stronger and I would dig my heals. I was going to "stand!" The storm would increase in intensity and a big wave would come and knock me down and in my stiffnecked, open defiance, I'd wave my fist at the devil and yell, "I will not be moved!"  

Never ever knowing I was in error! 

That all along it was God trying to get my attention! 

To my shame, I was defying God! 

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction;" (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ NKJV)

I don't know how I thought The LORD, chastened and corrected! But I had been told by my teachers that it was the devil making my life miserable! Never did they say the stuff I was going through was from God, for my own good! 

" Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die." (Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬ NKJV)

We have all lived in open rebellion for so long, taught by a traditions of men and doctrines of demons that we are supposed to live long and prosper, in complete happiness! 

That just is not true! Our life is not ours and it is for His good pleasure we exist! When we grasp that and humble ourselves in submission, that is when the blessings of God and His peace and joy abounds! "Happiness is a 'by product' of obedience, not the means to an end!" (Paris Reidhead)

If you are going through storms; if your trials seem never ending, try something different! Try obedience to The Word of God!  I know it's a novel concept, but it works!!!! 

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."(‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ NKJV)

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ NKJV)

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ NKJV)

If you are at the end of your rope, repent! Turn to God! Humble yourself and sincerely repent of your sins! 

"But I'm a good person! What sins?" you say!  

Sins common to all of us are: unforgiveness, bitterness, judgments, gossip, anger, worry, fear! These sins permeate the church and are deemed acceptable by everyone but God! Unforgiveness all by itself will keep you out of heaven!

"“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."(‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14-15‬ NKJV)

Walking in repentance; walking in forgiveness; walking in love is obedience to Him, and makes us "overcomers"! 

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭7‬ NKJV)

Stop grumbling and complaining! In everything give thanks! Keep your eyes on Jesus! Seek first the kingdom of God! Do not fear! Look not to the things that are seen! Humble yourself! Repent!

Time is running out! Church we have got to get this right! 

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA

From 10/10/15, 12/15/15

This Is Your Lot

"This is your lot, The portion of your measures from Me,” says the LORD, “Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood. Therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face, That your shame may appear. I have seen your adulteries And your lustful neighings, The lewdness of your harlotry, Your abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! Will you still not be made clean?”" (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭13‬:‭25-27‬ NKJV)

This does not sound like the god of whom the TV ministers preach! Does it?

This message God delivered to Israel, through the prophet Jeremiah, was not the sugar coated "god loves you" sermon you hear today. 

When I read His Words, I am so aware that we are right where they were, and that God today is again unhappy with "His people"; the "church"!

But are you His?

When you refuse to hear His voice; refuse to obey His Commandments; refuse to follow Him; are you really His?

Have you "forgotten"Him?

Have you "trusted in falsehood"? 

Did you mind immediately think, "oh THAT'S Old Testament", when you read of His displeasure with the people who were called by His name?

Do you not see the similarities? 

Of course not, you only see what you want to see! You only hear what you wish to hear! Your god is made in your own image! You have a different Jesus! And he is preached all around the world by big name preachers who want even bigger ministries for the "god of love!"

Yes, God loves you! He loves you so much that he won't let you stay in the sin you are in! He will do anything necessary to stop you dead in your tracks; to keep you from going to hell; to save you from your sins!

He's asking again today: "Will you still not be made clean?"

(How low will you have to get, before you turn to Me?")

Repent while there is still time?

And the time for repentance, is indeed running out! 

God thought your sin was bad enough to allow His Son to die for your sins! Shouldn't you recognize that your sin is not something God winks at?

Leonard Ravenhill's tombstone reads: "Are the things you are living for, worth Christ dying for?"

"God thinks "you are to die for!""  (Explanation of that true saying: "God loves you so much, if you were the only one on this earth, Christ would have still died, just for you!") 

Doesn't that break your heart? That the sins you hold in your heart (the unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, and fear); those sins you refuse to let go of, is what Jesus died on the cross for, and yet you refuse to give them up!?! 

He shed His precious blood for the atonement of your sin; a covering so that you could stand blameless before God, and yet you won't humble yourself, lay down your pride and repent! 

Sin is serious! 

Repentance is serious! 

God is serious!

"“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14-15‬ 

NKJV)

There will be no unforgiveness or unforgiven people in heaven!

Repent or perish!

“but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:5‬ b NKJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 7/9/14

Then He Said:

"Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. ’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living." (‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭11-13‬ NKJV)

I was a prodigal! Several times!

Many times I turned around and each time my life changed, however, I never came face to face with my sin! I knew I didn't like where I was, I knew I had to do better! I knew I had to stop "the bar-room" sins, and I did, for a time, but when the tests came I had no staying power on my own! After, so many trips down to the altar failed, I finally got to the point of the "whatever it takes God" prayer! True repentance!

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ (‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭11, 17-19‬ NKJV)

I came to myself! I got low enough that at that point I threw up my hands and surrendered all! I had done what the church said, and had said the words, but had (up to that point) never gotten so low there was no other place to go but to God! 

THAT is where you find Him!

You recognize your nothingness! You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have tried everything and failed and are willing to truly humble yourself before your Creator and verbally give up - everything! 

You lay down your pride!

You come to the realization that in you there is nothing good, that you have nothing to offer Him, except your will; the very thing He requires; the very thing the devil refused to give and doesn't want you to do! Your choice at that very point who you will follow!  

"And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’" (‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭11, 21‬ NKJV)

The prodigal laid down his rights, his expectations of grandiose living in his father's mansion, and was begging just let me serve! His was a "whatever it takes" father, just let me come home prayer! I am willing!

There was no "help me Lord to do Your will!" His was "I will do Your will!"  No argument over punishment; no - "that's not fair"; no - "well how about?", JUST - "anything you require, Lord, I will happily do!"

I'm sure the prodigal's father had also prayed "whatever it takes" Lord to bring my son to his senses, too! 

"Whatever it takes" is where the rubber meets the road! It's the hardest prayer anyone will pray and it's the most effective! It's desperation in action! It is blurted out! It is wailed! It is sobbed! It is powerful!  It is what God is waiting for, from all of us! 

Are you a prodigal? Are you a parent with a prodigal? Are you just ready for a deeper relationship with God? Pray: "whatever it takes!"

Then trust God! 

He is worthy of your trust! 

It will get worse and you will be tempted to try and reconsider that prayer, but trust God! 

Keep your hands off of what you have given to Him, to "keep"; you; your spouse; your children!

Let Him have His perfect way, in perfecting you and yours!

You just "keep" your eyes on Jesus, and trust! 

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." (Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ NKJV)

Don't look at the situation; look at Jesus! 

 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 9/18/14, 8/14/15, 1/8/16

Thus Says The LORD

      "Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said, “You shall have peace” ’; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you.’ ”" (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭16-17‬ NKJV)

"For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury— A violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly." (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭18-20‬ NKJV)

"“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings." (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭21-22‬ NKJV)

"“ Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD." (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭23-24‬ NKJV)

"“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal." (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭25-27‬ NKJV)

"“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD. “ Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? “Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor. Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’ Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the LORD." (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭28-32‬ NKJV)

IF the prophets you listen to, do not turn your heart back to The LORD in repentance, then he is a lying prophet. If he promises you peace in these troubled times, and only good things to come, he has a lying spirit!

Guard your heart, lest you be further deceived! Pray God open your eyes, open your ears and changes your heart!

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 12/5/15

"Unbelief says: I will lose more by my obedience than I will by my continued disobedience." Paris Reidhead

Let No One

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ NKJV)

It seems everywhere I turn I hear preachers and self-proclaimed prophets speaking empty words! 

Their long, prayers and prophecies promising this and such are full of "empty words"! I have listened in amazement, thinking "this is gobbley gook"; it makes no sense, it has no substance, yet all around me people make a big deal over their proclamations! 

"Empty words" are void of life! They promise peace and prosperity; never speaking of obedience, conviction, repentance or dying to self! Their routes are devoid of sacrifice! Never will you be called to follow Christ to the cross! They are lying spirits!

"Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.”"(‭I Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭23‬ NKJV)

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons," 

(‭I Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ NKJV)

"As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ NKJV)

"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ (‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭3, 24-27‬ NKJV)

If it feels good; if it requires nothing from you, but promises the world; it's a lie! 

We are called to live like Jesus! We are to take up our cross! We will be hated and persecuted! Our families and our friends will speak hurtful words about us! We are called to suffer for the gospel! 

I like the way Charles Spurgeon put it: "If you are called to endure hardness for the sake of the truth, then those are the sufferings of Christ. If you suffer for your ownsake, it may be a punishment for your own sins."

If you are promised, by someone laying hands on you, that things will be better and money and happiness is coming your way, you are being lied to! Our life is not meant to be easy. It is through the fire we are proved and made to be a reflection of the Master! Jesus promises peace through the storm, only if you keep your eyes on Him!

Guard your heart! Read your Bible! Know His word! The Holy Spirit will reveal to you The Truth and give you a check in your spirit when deception comes calling! Pray God opens your eyes and gives you discernment! Pray you will not be deceived!

"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭24‬ NKJV)

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 12/16/15

But Know This

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"

(‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1-5‬ NKJV)

Yes we are, with no doubt, living in the "last days"! 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who sees it! Everyday, I am face to face with the examples Paul gave to Timothy of self-absorbed people, having a form of godliness! 

There is a big difference in loving yourself and being "in love" with yourself! The same gulf as loving God and just going to church!

Never, since time began, has mankind been so deceived! 

"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."(‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ NKJV)

It truly is amazing to speak The Truth to someone and watch it go over their head! Then, in the next moment they will quote some person they have just read, as though it were gospel! Deceived! 

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."(‭II Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭3-4‬ NKJV)

There is only one Truth! 

There is only One Gospel!  

And The Truth hurts! 

The Truth shines a light on the sin in your life and cuts to heart of the matter! 

You are going to hell without the Blood of Jesus Christ as a covering for your sin! And there is no salvation without repentance! 

As iron sharpens iron (Proverbs  27:17), we as friends are to admonish the people we love to stay the course! If we see them going off in the wrong direction, we are to (in love) give them the right coordinates to change their headings! 

Friend, if you have unforgiveness in your heart, you will not see God! If you are angry, if you worry, if you are a control freak, if you are bitter, if you are self-absorbed, if you do not honor your parents you have sin in your heart! 

If you do not "love The Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might, and your neighbor as yourself", then you have broken the 1st Commandment, and are living in sin! 

For Jesus' Blood to cover your sin, you have to admit you have sin and you have to be remorseful! It's not just saying "yes, I have sin", you have to be truly sorry and repentant!

There is a huge difference in being sorry for sin and being sorry you got caught in sin! (Ask any spouse that caught their mate in adultery!) Lip service does not count!

Repentance is the most important act you will ever commit! And repentance is a commitment! A commitment to turn away from sin and go in a different direction! It means a changed life! 

If you said some words at the altar but you are still living the way you were before, you are not saved; no matter what your denomination preaches! 

Confession and repentance of your sin is the only way to apply The Blood! It is not automatic, when you ask Jesus into your heart! If someone did something to hurt you years ago and it still hurts, it's not under The Blood! There is unforgiveness there! 

I know first hand! I chose to repent of unforgiveness, of each act that God brought to my memory! I confessed I had unforgiveness, I confessed I had judged the person that had hurt me, and I repented for my sin and forgave! I KNOW it's under The Blood, because it no longer hurts! The open, seeping, nasty wounds I had buried for so many years, but that were still so painful to the touch (because they never healed), are as if they never occurred! It actually feels as if those acts happened to someone else! Mainly because they did; to the old me!

Friend, please examine your heart and ask God to reveal to you the sin that is there! He will!

I too thought I was "okay" with God, and have come to know that "okay" is a lie from the devil!

"Okay" is NOT OKAY!

"that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬ NKJV)

Jesus is coming back for a holy bride! 

"Okay" won't cut it!

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA!

From 4/4/14, 1/5/16

Now Go And

“Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them.’ ””

(‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭15:3‬a NKJV‬‬) was the command given to Saul.

Then The LORD told Samuel:

““I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night.”

‭‭(I Samuel‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

“Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD.””

(‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

And Samuel calls Saul on it! 

“Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”” (‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭15:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

“And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.””

‭(‭I Samuel‬ ‭15:20-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Isn't that what we do? Instead of obeying God's commandments we justify our disobedience to ourselves  and expect Him to understand; "We did it for Him!"

“But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.” (‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭15:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

We are called to separate ourselves from the world; we are commanded to not love the things of the world, but yet we have taken the things of the world that we love and incorporated them into the church! ("all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them.") 

One example that comes to mind is our music. Any given Christian concert looks just like a secular concert! Take away the words of any song and it is indistinguishable from any secular song. And the same "worship" is done in our churches every week.  Indistinguishable is not separated!

Our justification? It's for The LORD!

Obedience is on our terms! 

“So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”” (‭I Samuel‬ ‭15:22-23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

We, today, don't know what sacrifice is "because Jesus did it all!" We go about like Saul, prideful cutting corners and making excuses! Our rebellion runs deep. We have missed it, just like Saul! We do what we want, never mind what He requires!

Do not think this is about the music; it's about the heart!

The sacrifice of our will in submission to His Commands is the only true worship He desires! 

Rebellion is not a little thing! 

It is actually everything!

Repent of your stubborn rebellion and obey The Word of The LORD, while there is still time! 

“Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”” 

(II Corinthians‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭7:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Even so - MARANATHA! 

And in them

"And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’" (‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭14-15‬ NKJV)

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭24‬ NKJV)

"If the grain rots it becomes a perversion and you fall into error!" (Bob Phillips 'Ascending The Mountain of Glory') 

I was listening to that sermon the other day, and those words hit me hard! Read it again.

"If the grain (Word) rots - it becomes a perversion and you fall into error!" 

He was saying we hear a lot of Word, yet if we are not obedient to it - it rots! The rottenness becomes a perversion (is corrupted seed) and we fall into error! Compromise of the Truth is error! 

We hear but not obey. We hear it again, and still do not obey, we justify our disobedience. We finally cease to hear at all and and the enemy can then sow bad seed and we will accept!

Rotting seed is not seed that has died!

There is a difference! Rotting seed is useless; does not even resemble its original form; only good for destruction.

"“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience." (‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭11-15‬ NKJV)

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you." (Hosea‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ NKJV)

The trials come to break us of the hardness of our hearts! We have a choice to humble ourself before God and through repentance change our course, or continue with an unbending back and a stiff neck, trying to be strong and in control! 

The storms WILL continue and He WILL break you, for only He can be God! 

"And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭12‬ NKJV)

Father, please forgive the hardness of our hearts! We repent of our lack of humility! We ask LORD that you open our eyes, open our ears, and change our hearts! Bring us to repentance! We lay down our pride and humbly ask that you continue the work You began in us!  We cast down our idols and we tear down our high places! We vacate the throne and ask that You take Your proper place, for You alone are God, and we are not!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 9/22/15, 5/9/16

Have you ever

Have you ever "known" something was "wrong" about something but you had no evidence?

Have you ever heard something, say a song or teaching, and the words "seem" right, but you knew something was amiss?

Have you ever been the only one in your circle to recognize the "wrongness" of a popular group, ministry, or belief?

Deception is widespread! 

Do not believe everything you see or hear, but test the spirits!  

Sometimes the choice of words used to describe something says more about that something than we might first believe. 

I listened to a song this morning, and the words "sounded" right; scriptural, but something was wrong; just a knowing on my part! Then I read the blurb about the song and I'm sure the author was unaware of the accuracy of the description. 

The "word" used to describe the song, that made me take notice was "haunting!"

Supernatural, demonic, dark things are so prevalent in our society (like the word "magic") we don't give much consideration to them. We accept them as the norm. They are not and should have no place in the description of a believers faith or worship! 'What fellowship has light with darkness', comes to mind!

I looked up the definition of the word haunting:

haunt·ing

ˈhôn(t)iNG/

adjective

adjective: haunting

1. poignant and evocative; difficult to ignore or forget.

   "the melodies were elaborate and of haunting beauty"

   synonyms:

   evocative, emotive, affecting, moving, touching, stirring, powerful; More poignant, nostalgic, wistful, elegiac; memorable, indelible, unforgettable "the haunting background music"

It's the perfect description of this song! Then I looked at the root word! A different story altogether!

haunt

hônt,hänt/

verb

gerund or present participle: 

haunting

1. (of a ghost) manifest itself at (a place) regularly.

   "a gray lady who haunts the chapel"

   synonyms:

   appear in, materialize in;  visit "a ghost haunts this house"

   • (of a person) frequent (a place).

     "he haunts used book stores"

     synonyms:

     frequent, patronize, visit regularly; More loiter in, linger in; informalhang out in "he haunts street markets"

   • be persistently and disturbingly present in (something).

     "cities haunted by the shadow of cholera"
   • be persistently in the mind of (someone).

     "the sight haunted me for years"

     synonyms:

     torment, disturb, trouble, worry, plague, burden, beset, beleaguer; More prey on, weigh on, gnaw at, nag at, weigh heavily on, obsess;

"But, the song is about Jesus", you might argue! "It has scripture in and advises you to make him your one thing!"

There is another Jesus the church is worshiping today, and his disguise is enough to fool the elect! 

The key to look for (for the truth) is repentance of your sin! 

Do not be taken in by big name, successful ministries!

There is a revival going on and God is moving, changing hearts and changing lives, but it is behind the scenes! He's out in the highways and hedges, bringing in the broken and cast offs! It's underground and powerful!  No one is getting rich or famous - it's all Him; not any man or woman! It's people examining their hearts, forgiving those who have hurt them and repenting of those they have judged and hurt! It's lives being changed through obedience to God's Word, without an agenda. It's servants serving, not self seeking; only for His glory! 

As the one world religion gains momentum and we see compromise and tolerance at its helm; like an avalanche it is picking up everything not securely rooted in a foundational relationship of Jesus Christ and obedience to His Word! 

"“And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’  and will deceive many.

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.” (Mark‬ ‭13:5-6, 21-23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Read your Bible, like a book, (cover to cover, page by page) daily! When you finish, start again! Never stop! 

The enemy has been twisting God's Word since the garden and continues today. 

Do not trust another for your understanding. Ask God to give you wisdom and search the scriptures for yourself. If you don't know the Word, then you can and will be easily deceived. 

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (‭‭I John‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

‭‭(I Corinthians‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Seek God, not an experience! There IS a difference! 

Obey The Word and repent, while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 4/21/16

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