He Answered

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:6-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:23-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Most denominations have gotten away from teaching the Word of God, and most people do not know that, because they, themselves, do not know the Word of God! 

I was speaking with a friend the other day and she was extolling a big name preacher; asking me if I ever listened to him! She listens to many preachers on the radio and I recognized their names because I too, used to "follow" them. I too, would go to their meetings and buy their books! 

I asked her if that preacher ever made her cry. She admitted, he did not. He made her feel good! I asked her if any of the others made her cry, and she could only give one name. 

Think about it. When was the last time you felt convicted of sin by a sermon? When was the last time you were called to repentance, by a preacher? When was the last time you wept before The LORD in remorse?

Motivational sermons are the norm today! Designed to improve your life and your walk; make you feel good about yourself! They pump you up and encourage you and strengthen you, so you can do more; be a better you!

NEWS FLASH:

It's not about you!

It's all about Him; Jesus!

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:22-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we are to put to death the "old man" and to "put on Jesus", shouldn't we "do" what He commands? Love, forgive, not judge, turn the other cheek; just to name a few! Raising Him should be more important than raising ourselves! 

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we are strong we do not need Him! When we are weak He is our strength! He is to be elevated! We are to die and He is to live in and through us! We are to be His mouth, His hands, His feet! We are to be Holy as He is Holy! Holiness only comes through submission and obedience! 

Your preacher, nor the TV preacher will be standing with you at the Judgement Seat of Christ! You will stand alone and give an account for every idle word you have spoken! If you have not repented for the unforgiveness, judgments and bitterness you have hid in your heart, you will not see God! 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Examine your heart!

Repent while there is still time!

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” ‭John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Obey!

Even so - MARANATHA!

From 1/24/15

For The Time

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"If the righteous scarcely be saved," is a far cry from what churches and Christian music portray "salvation" these days.

scarce·ly

ˈskerslē/

adverb

adverb: scarcely

1. only just; almost not.

   "her voice is so low I can scarcely hear what she is saying"

   synonyms:

   hardly, barely, only just;  almost not "she could scarcely hear what he was saying"

   • only a very short time before.

     "she had scarcely dismounted before the door swung open"
   • used to suggest that something is unlikely to be or certainly not the case.

     "they could scarcely all be wrong"

     synonyms:

     rarely, seldom, infrequently, not often, hardly ever, almost never, on rare occasions, every once in a while; More informalonce in a blue moon "I scarcely ever see him" surely not, not, hardly, certainly not, definitely not, not at all, on no account, under no circumstances, by no means, in no way, noway, noways "this could scarcely be accidental"

     antonyms:

     often

Brother's and sisters we have been lied to, and the lies by the enemy continue! 

Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew:  “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And again in Revelation:  “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” ‭Revelation‬ ‭2:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"Scarcely saved!"  ‬‬

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Obedience is the key. 

Today's Gospel allows for one to be saved and do their own thing with no change, because "Christ did it all!"  Never is judgment spoken of; if so it's for others, not for the believer!  Escapism is the belief for the believer. 

Everyone believes he's obedient - walking around with unbelief, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, and fear in their heart; judging others; gossiping. Unbelief is the acceptable sin in the Church. ‬‬

“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We will be judged!‬‬

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew‬ ‭12:36-37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We are called to repentance of our sins! Yet most believe it is just a one time thing! They do not grasp that repentance is a daily walk, as is walking in love and walking in forgiveness. "How many times?" All day long! (Matt 18:22)‬‬

“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Obedience is all encompassing! You don't pick and choose what you will obey. It's not about what you agree with; a servant does not argue with his Master. He obeys. 

Disobedience has consequences. ‬‬

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter‬ ‭4:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Father, make us to realize that You are God and we are not. Open our eyes, open our ears, change our hearts! Bring us to repentance LORD! In Jesus name we pray.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/2/16

Nevertheless The Foundation

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Many people quote a portion of the above verse! "The Lord knows those who are His" and most believe themselves to be His! If you ask, they will claim they are His and are heaven bound! They never pay attention to the rest of the verse - "depart from Iniquity!" They think since they go to church and sometimes read a daily devotional and say an occasional prayer asking God to "do something" that they have "departed from iniquity!"  

“But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The above verse pretty much clears up what God thinks about that! 

But what is iniquity?

in·iq·ui·ty

iˈnikwədē/

noun

1. immoral or grossly unfair behavior.

   "a den of iniquity"

   synonyms:

   wickedness, sinfulness, immorality, impropriety;  vice, evil, sin;  villainy, criminality;  odiousness, atrocity, egregiousness;  outrage, monstrosity, obscenity, reprehensibility;  formalturpitude

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Iniquity is sin. 

Sin is what separates us from God! Sin is unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, worry, unbelief, fear, anger; not just the biggies like murder or stealing.

We boast about when we get to heaven and see God we are going to ask Him such 'n such; believing with all of our hearts we will stand before Him blameless (living in fear and unforgiveness like we do), because we said a few words at the altar when we were young and our denomination teaches us that we are the "Righteousness of Christ!" 

Have you departed from iniquity?

Have you even tried? 

Do you start your day, asking for help to put away the sins that have you captured? Are you praying, "change me Lord!" "Cleanse me!" Or are you just praying for the blessings on you and your family? 

Are you holding on to your sinful life as hard as you can, thinking you are holding onto God? God wants you to turn loose! Let go of the things that are weighing you down! Are your knuckles white from fear? Let go of your pride!

You want a move of God in your life? 

Pray: "God You do to me, whatever it takes, to get me and my family where You want us! Whatever it takes LORD!"

I surrender! I let go!"

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 11/3/14

Do Ye Look

“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We go through our day unawares of the spiritual battles taking place around us. And these battles are won or lost by what comes out of our mouths. Nothing is as it seems. And what looks like "forever" will change.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Everything that occurs in our lives  and around us has two purposes. One - to draw us closer to The LORD or 

Two - is meant to be a distraction, to get our mind off of Christ. 

Which - depends on where we are spiritually. Its effectiveness  is also subject to the same.

If Jesus is The Principal Purpose of your life, then the enemy is out to distract you. We all hope the events will send us even closer to our LORD, but often we are caught off guard and will take our eyes off of Him. As time goes by and we continue to focus on what is in front of us, we find ourself drifted away, because our anchor has slipped. Then the storms come to bring us back to Him! Their intensity and duration completely dependent on us! As we continually look at our circumstance and come into agreement with every negative thought the enemy puts in our mind, we stay in the turmoil. Grumbling/Complaining is the anchor to our storm. 

Storms/distractions are situations that involve the people around us; most often those we love. They can also involve our jobs, homes, automobiles, even world politics! Anything that gets us to think about, consider, focus on, meditate, examine, research, read about - continually causes us to waver in our walk. 

When we choose to focus on Jesus instead of the bad situation we are in; He then can bring it to an end. When we repent for our sins and choose to turn from the things that took us into dangerous waters, He then calms us in the storm! Peter sank because he took his eyes off of Jesus. We do too!

Focusing on Jesus does not mean one minute quoting scripture and then the next minute talking about how bad we have it! That is doublemindedness! 

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James‬ ‭1:6-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

No! When you choose to look at your situation through the lens of scripture you are fixing your eyes on the supernatural! That is how you stand! No matter what the storm, trial or test looks like; when you purpose to look to things that are unseen and call them seen, you are then entering into spiritual warfare! When we are looking at our circumstances we have left the war. We are "taken out", by the enemy. 

When you put your eyes on Jesus, you are joining in the battle on the side of Right!  You begin by believing for yourself and then your faith grows and God will use you to believe for those whose faith is underdeveloped! 

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”  ‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Through faith and obedience to God's Word, Abraham did and so can you!

Become a great warrior for The LORD! 

Get your eyes off of your circumstances and put your eyes on The Prize! 

This life is NOT about the here and now; it's ALL about eternity! And God uses those of us who were wounded in the line of fire - 

for when we are weak, He is strong! Get on the front line!

The battle is for men's souls; yours and those you love!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/9/14

This People

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Here Jesus is talking about the religious folk; the same as we have today. 

Nothing has changed. 

We also worship "in vain" because our hearts are far from Him. 

"True Worship is obedience to God!" KC

“And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Matthew‬ ‭15:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The discussion was about man's insistence (doctrine/ commandment) in washing their hands before eating.

Maybe this is from where our "germ-a-phobes" come - and Jesus is saying look at your heart! 

“And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:16-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So He spells it out!

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew‬ ‭15:19-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isn't that us???

We always wash before we eat yet feast on the trash the world serves; lewd and pornographic advertisements in magazines and on tv and videos; music with murderous and adulterous lyrics. 

We carry antibiotic hand cleaner and use it after shaking hands at church then sit and watch scary movies (opening ourselves up to demonic spirits of fear) and tv shows that excite and cause us to lust for the things of the world!

We have desensitized several generations and wonder why our society has no regard for life. 

And we wash our hands! 

"We go to church and sing 'Oh How I Love Jesus' and then go out to eat and treat the waitress with contempt!" KC

"because our hearts are far from Him"

But our hands are clean!

Our hearts are wicked and our mouths condemn us!

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭KJV

The profanity, that escapes in our conversation, says exactly what is in our hearts, and most often we are unaware of what we are saying; it is so acceptable. I mean after all it's all over the tv!

But our hands are clean!

Please examine your heart! Ask God to expose the sin hiding there; fear and unbelief, unforgiveness, bitterness, gossip, anger, judgments . . . 

Look at what you desire! Is it more stuff or a closer relationship with God?

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

You Often Hear

You often hear me say "Time is short", for I feel in my spirit that it is indeed!

I feel a sense of urgency and I know I'm not alone. The message of repentance has to be shared, yet so many are unconcerned. Often, the following verse is quoted to me:

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew‬ ‭24:36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I am also told they have heard it all of their lives. They have been desensitized to it message. They believe that as it always has been, so it will continue!

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:16-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You may not see it, but He IS going out into the "highways and hedges", and they are coming in! The "poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind" ARE seeing the light and ARE being called out and "compelled to come in that His house may be filled." 

His "house" is not the churches. He is calling the wretched out of those big buildings that have been built to glorify man.

 "Man builds with his hands what's missing in his heart!" (KC) We are His church and we will be hated by the world. 

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew‬ ‭24:9-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you think that all will continue, as it has been, you are deceived. It may not happen this year; it may not happen in 5 years; it may not happen in 25, however KNOW THIS!  The end WILL come when you least expect it, "as it is written!"

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have been given orders and as His servants, we must be about our Master's business! We have no choice! If you are not obedient to His Word, then you are not His servant. Plain and simple!

“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”  Matthew‬ ‭24:46‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;” Matthew‬ ‭24:48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

An evil servant is one who sits in the house of God yet does not obey. One who might have one time felt the call to repentance, but loves his sin more than he loves God. He thinks he is "okay" or has time to "get right."

“The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew‬ ‭24:50-51‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The end of life as we know it, might not be tomorrow, but our lives could end today! Do not wait, for it may indeed be too late! Check your heart! Ask God to show you (and He will) any hidden sins; unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, judgments, worry, fear which is unbelief! 

Repent while there is still time! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/3/16

For The Time

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What is sound doctrine? 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

My heart breaks as I witness the falling away of the church. 

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If your leader, in his teachings casts doubt on the validity of the Bible, and is substituting other words, books and languages then you are giving heed to deceiving spirits! Their whole goal is to turn you away from The Truth! 

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

No other book is The Word! There is no other Truth! Through no other Word may a man be saved, healed, sanctified! 

In reading God's Word, we are delivered. We are taught His Ways. We are given Life and encouragement! The more time we spend reading The Word the more we take on God's characteristics. Only His Word has the power to shape us into His image! It is all sufficient and needs no supplement! Only The Word of God satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! 

If the teachings you are receiving are saying something contrary to what you've just read, in these scriptures, then you are following doctrines of demons! If you are not being pointed to The Cross of Jesus Christ and repentance of your sins, then you have departed from The Faith! You are no longer on the narrow way leading to life, but are on the broad path leading to destruction! 

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭KJV

If the road you are on is easy and does not require you to change, but says you are okay - just the way you are, then you are being deceived! 

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew‬ ‭7:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Don't follow the pack! 

If you cannot say "that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."(‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬b) without substituting another name, then you have strayed from The Truth! 

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you cannot trust The Holy Bible to get it right, but believe it had been corrupted by men, then you are following a different Jesus! 

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Such a great comfort - being fully persuaded that He IS able to keep what I have committed to Him! That confidence is my foundation, keeping me grounded amidst every storm! 

“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Be committed! 

Hold fast! 

Stand firm! 

Walk in love! 

Walk in forgiveness! 

Walk in repentance! 

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 8/17/15

Whom Have I

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Have you gotten to that point? 

I remember looking at every option the world offered and trying every alternative, only to find nothing satisfied; nothing proved true. I was burdened with a hopelessness no drug could cure. At the end of my rope; a friend showed me the way through forgiveness and repentance. I humbled myself and confessed and repented of the sin that had weighed me down. By emptying myself, I made room for Him. 

Why had I searched everywhere else? It was my unbelief. I had listened to the lies of the enemy, portraying God as unable to do what He promised. I had seen no evidence, in the churches I had visited, of a power I had read about. All I saw were more lost people - just like me. I lived in fear and worry. I sought to control  every facet of my life because everything was out of control. I doubted, yet searched for something I could put my faith in; something that would prove to be true. I longed for "real", yet all I found were empty promises. 

Then I met The Creator of the universe. He revealed Himself to me. When I recognized my sin I was made painfully aware, I needed a Savior! As I repented of my sins of unforgiveness and judgments; of doubt and unbelief, and made Him LORD,  His promises of freedom manifested.  Light shown in the darkness and all heaviness left! I am no longer that person who had no place to go. He is my refuge; He is my Redeemer; He is my God.

I say all of this to tell you, there is hope in Jesus Christ. The key is obedience to His Word. If you have reached the end of your rope, I can give you a hand up! PM me and I'll mail you the same CDs (free of charge) that helped put me on the road to freedom. 

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.”  Psalms‬ ‭73:26-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent while there is still time.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Therefore All Things

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We would best recognize this verse as "The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!" And we think about it as - doing nice things for others in hopes they will do nice things for us! And the majority of the time it works; we respond in kind; like begets like.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  Galatians‬ ‭6:7-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Most people associate sowing and reaping with financial gain! A truth that the devil has perverted: "you can't out-give God"! 

However, the majority do not realize that the law of reciprocity works in every spiritual circumstance; not just money!

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Judging begets judging and mercy begets mercy!

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When you judge someone for something hurtful they have done to you or someone you love, you are actually binding that act to you! When you forgive someone for a hurtful act, you loose that act from yourself! You are no longer tied to that event. Repenting of judging a person who wronged you is the only way to loosen that which has you bound! 

Those who are critical or judgmental are captured! They need mercy as much as they need to extend mercy! 

My prayer today: Father I choose today to be merciful, as you are merciful! I know I need mercy and I purpose in my heart to walk in love and forgiveness! Father I repent of the critical/judgmental spirit that has operated in my heart and I refuse to listen to his lies any longer! I choose to extend mercy and grace and desire to love my neighbor as You have commanded; just as I love You! Amen.

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”  ‭Mark‬ ‭12:29-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA!

From: 5/29/14

My People Are

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I can't count the number of times I've heard "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" quoted from the pulpit over the years. And truer words were never spoken. The church at large is ignorant of God's Word, for lack of spending time in study! 

But I can't think of many sermons I've heard on her rejecting knowledge, and today that is true in great abundance around the world. 

I love the old saying, "the devil tried to destroy the church, and when he couldn't, he joined it."  His twisting of God's Word began in the garden and continues this day. And everyday I see evidence of people who believe they are following Jesus going down a path that becomes wider with every step! (Matthew 7:13)

The Truth is being preached, but people prefer a softer gentler message. They are rejecting knowledge and following a "different Jesus". (2 Corinthians  11:4)

The Truth is hard! The walk is full of persecution and rejection often by people we love or respect. The Truth is lonely because it requires separation from idols that others refuse to lay down. The Truth is painful because it requires obedience to God's Word and laying aside pride in humility and transparency! The Truth means dying daily on our cross, not just wearing it around our neck.

(1 Corinthians 15:31) 

Why would God send His Son to die for our sins, admonish us to repent up until the very last book in The Bible and then let us live like kings and queens here and give us our every desire for a cushy life? Isn't that what is being preached? The nonsensical Gobleygook that is being embraced in the name of Jesus is plain rejection of The Truth that has the only power to set us free? The counterfeit message entraps and enslaves and is accomplishing its goal of sending people to hell! 

The sugar coated gospel twisting mercy and grace into a salvation that guarantees ones admission into a glorious eternity, bears no resemblance to the walk that Jesus Himself said we must walk!  

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The uncompromised Truth, brings freedom through obedience! No more fear. No more worry. No more anger. No more rejection. (Worry, fear, rejection are all torments from the devil; a result of the sin! They are unbelief!)

Freedom from fear and worry is available and can't be bought through a pharmacy nor is it bestowed by a benevolent god that nods at our sin. Their god's very acceptance of our sins would not have required Jesus' death for our salvation. 

Freedom from the consequences of the sin, we harbor in our heart, IS available through obedience (repentance and confessing our sins one to another as commanded in James 5:16). THAT freedom (from past sins that are brought into The Light) and deliverance is received when we come to the end of ourself and willingly give up all rights to our will for His will! It's a "whatever it takes God" moment that changes a life!

"It's so simple, but simple is the hardest thing you will ever do!" (Chet Murrell)

Jesus came to set the captives free, and He still IS!

Repent before it gets worse! "Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/24/15

And The LORD

“And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” ‭Zechariah‬ ‭3:2-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:1-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:8-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:13-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:4-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Rejoice with me, for God has done a work! He is my Deliverer! He is my Redeemer! He is my Everything! 

What a glorious day! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Love God

"Love God. Love people!"

You see it everywhere!

Sounds good! So spiritual! 

So unscriptural!

Once again the devil twists the Word of God and because we do not bother to check it out, we accept a poor substitute for the Truth! 

Jesus ACTUALLY said:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you see the difference?

First is its attitude: The way of the world is flippant! Cut to the chase. Get it done and move on! The bottom line, with one extremely important component missing! But that's the way the enemy does it! Twists and omits! A measure of Truth and enough of a lie to make it error!

The Commandment that Jesus gave says that if we do "that ONE" we fulfill ALL the Commandments! It's important; NOT to be taken lightly!

The definition of Commandment:

com·mand·ment (kəˈman(d)mənt/)

noun:  a divine rule, especially one of the Ten Commandments.

1. • a rule to be observed as strictly as one of the Ten Commandments.

     
     

We are a people who no longer revere God's Commandments! I'm sure the arguments to remove them from our federal buildings and monuments have played a part! They have been and are denigrated; no longer are esteemed! But then again, God is no longer feared, so why should His Commandments be respected? However, the day is soon coming when we will see His anger and all of that will change! For He will not contend with us forever!

So do you yet see the omission? Do you see the error?

Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF! 

And oh, do we love ourselves -AND hate ourselves at the same time. The time and money we spend on caring for ourselves, while at the same time we are so impatient of our shortcomings!

Everyone we meet with - in session; forgiving themselves is the hardest and yet is the most necessary to be set free! We are our own harshest judge! 

We love ourselves and mistreat ourselves at the same time! And because of the unrepented sin we hold in our hearts, the enemy has a field day whispering in our ears our every failure! Even as we are caring for ourselves; we are loathing ourselves! And in our hatred of ourselves, we call God a liar! We believe the lie that we are worthless, as we hate His creation! 

The unforgiveness and the judgments we hold in our hearts of others is sin we are admonished to repent of, however what we hold against ourselves is often far worse!

How can we accept God's forgiveness of our sins yet not do the same? When we don't forgive ourself we set ourself above God! We must repent of making ourself to be god! 

He alone is God, and we are not! Who are we to contradict Him? 

“The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.” Psalms‬ ‭147:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Confess and repent of the sins of judging and unforgiveness you are holding onto, against yourself! Ask God to reveal what you have hidden in the dark corners of your heart and find someone you trust and confess! God's Word is true and freedom and healing comes from obedience! 

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

That "men" includes you!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He loves you! Now you - love you too!

Repent and obey Him!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

9/17/15

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."  George MacDonald

But We Are

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

My heart is so heavy this morning for a people who are so deceived; who claim a righteousness and truly believe their sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, because of a lie planted in denominational churches; by the enemy years ago. They went to an altar, asked Jesus into their heart, but never made Him LORD! 

The commandments of 

obedience and repentance are ignored! They are told a half-truth; that there is nothing they can do to obtain righteousness; that Jesus did it all; and instead of finding out the Truth; instead of seeking Him with their whole heart, they go about their life, unchanged; indistinguishable from the condemned world!

"there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee"

We call on His name and pray scriptures; claiming blessings - all the while exhibiting the curse in our lives! We curse, "The Curse", in our prayers, and expect the god we have created in our own image to make the very suffering the One True God has sent to draw us back to Him, disappear! 

“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You can read your Bible, you can memorize scripture all day long, you can pray until your last breath, but unless you humble yourself in obedience to The Word Of God, and confess and repent of your sin, your "righteousnesses are like filthy rags"!

“Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:” Isaiah‬ ‭46:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” ‭Job‬ ‭9:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our instant, "drive-thru", microwave society believes Jesus is coming back for a bride without spot or wrinkle and they need do nothing to be her!

They believe that being an "overcomer" means holding onto a lie, their father's denomination taught, without wavering when faced with Truth!

They will not examine their heart and see the pain that remains from unforgiveness, choosing instead to believe the voice that says "I'm okay!"

They choose to ignore the multitude of scriptures that encourage change, emptying of oneself, becoming humble, laying down pride, and the like!

Wake up church!

Repent!

Time is shorter than we think!

Pray that God would open your eyes and ears to The Truth, and change your heart!

Being a Follower of Jesus is not "easy peasy!" 

Take up your cross! 

Humble yourself. 

Examine your heart! 

It's all about the heart!

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/2/14

And My People

“And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭11:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Having lived in a backslidden state for many years, I know intimately what that means! The above verse describes accurately the backslidden! 

The backslidden only exalt themselves! Their god is themselves! They worship a god made in their own image! They will not submit to God's authority; His Laws! They are rebellious! They are only concerned with their needs and their wants! They do not know God nor do they fear Him! Because they do not know His Word, nor do they seek Him, they walk around, content in their sins, believing they are sanctified! Their hearts are hard! They are right! Everyone else is wrong! 

“Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Most people that go to church esteem the words/doctrines/ traditions of men, more than the Word of God! They have done away with that which offends them, choosing to believe lies over Truth! 

Yes, God loves you, but (and its a big but) if you do not follow His commandments, you will go to hell, even if you go to church every time the doors open! 

The Law was given to show mankind their sins! It lists them in detail! If you don't know you have sinned you cannot repent! 

If your heart is hard, you read The Law and are offended because it points to your sin! If you are broken and contrite, you read The Law and agree with it; that you are just what it says you are; a sinner needing a Savior! (Deut 28: 58-61) (Deut 29:18-20)

If you think you have it all together, like I did, then ask God to open your eyes and ears, and then read your Bible; every page, every word! It was through reading His Word, that He revealed Himself to me and revealed me to me! 

I surrendered to Him, sold out! 

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You CAN'T be washed clean by The Word, if you never read (or only read parts of) The Word!

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:26-27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent!

Seek Him!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

11/18/14

The Just Man

“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” ‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Integrity is a word we don't hear much about these days! It seems almost like a cherished antique! I'm sure most have even forgotten its meaning!

in·teg·ri·ty

inˈteɡrədē/

noun

1. 1. 

   the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

   "he is known to be a man of integrity"

   synonyms:

   honesty, probity, rectitude, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness "I never doubted his integrity"
2. 
   

After reading the definition, I think it's time to put "integrity" on the endangered species list, for it may go extinct! 

Did you notice ALL of the listed definitions, of the word integrity, are attributes of God?  Few men (today), exhibit these traits,  nor do we attribute them to God, either! 

When did integrity die? When we took God out of our schools? My guess!

I, personally, know a few men who walk in integrity, but not many would I use (that word) to describe! How sad is that? A man of integrity is as good as his word! Not many are!

The majority of people even question God's integrity! How? Why? Think about it! When we worry and when we fear, we question His integrity! 

I remember the exact instant I became aware of my doubting God's integrity! Oh, that realization rocked me! The actual weightiness of my sin of unbelief blew me away! I mean, I thought I knew and loved God! I went to church, every time the doors were open! I sang in the choir!

However, the conviction of just that sin, changed the whole game! I repented of calling God a liar! I repented of my doubt and unbelief! And every fiber of my being became aware of Who God really IS, that night! The enormity of my error! Wow! And He loved me enough to forgive me and reveal Himself to me! 

Think about it! 

Every time you worry about something, you question God's integrity! You (like me) call God a liar! You say He is not in control! You say He is not big enough to handle the situation; be it your children, your finances, your health!  Every time you attempt to control your circumstances, you are in essence say, "I don't trust you, step aside God! I'd better handle this!" You are telling the One who created the universe with just a Word, that He is NOT big enough to fix your problem! 

The same with fear! 

Did you know that The Word says, 'do not fear' 365 times? One for every day of the year! Do you think maybe God is serious, about letting Him handle it?

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Both worry and fear are sin! They both stem from doubt and unbelief! They both say, "I don't TRUST God!"

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The denominations have accepted fear and worry as acceptable sins! Everyone does it, so it must be okay, right? Wrong! Just like unforgiveness, bitterness, lust, jealousy, and anger, God wants you to deal with your sins!

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts‬ ‭17:30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you find, in reading this, that you are guilty of the sin of worry and fear, you need to repent! Don't just accept it, deal with it! Ask God to reveal to you when and where fear first appeared in your heart. Pray "show me the root!" Repent! Acknowledge, and confess your doubt and unbelief, and ask God to forgive you. Then forgive yourself! Ask God to show you just how BIG He infinitely IS (as far as our little, finite minds can comprehend!)

TRUST in the integrity of God! Then you will begin to value the quality of integrity in yourself and others! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 3/28/15

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬