Is It Judging When Holiness Preachers and Teachers Tell Sinners the Truth?
Good Morning to my friends of Strolling Through a Rose Garden Called Life…Living Holy From Birth to Death. Today I want to discuss a little snippet from Chapter II, The Rose of Awareness. Now, if you haven’t gotten your copy of Strolling…you won’t totally understand how this relates to the book, so run and get your own copy. I’ll sign it for you the next time I see you. It is available at Barnes and Nobles; my website (www.alfredaevansbooks.com); through my publisher, XulonPress.com; Kindlebooks.com; Googlebooks.com; in the bookstore of Full Gospel Holy Temple Church in Dallas, TX and, as of this week, WAYBRIGHT Bookstore in Dallas, TX.
It is the Mission and Mandate of the church to help people 1) to see the error of sin; 2) to get forgiven for sin; 3) to receive the power of the Holy Ghost in order to resist the pull of sin; 4) to do a work for God while living a holy life and; 5) to make it successfully into the Kingdom of God with all of its splendor and
rewards. In the process, we must praise and worship God, allow the Holy Ghost to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ and teach others to do the same.
People need to understand that no matter what we say with our mouths, if our lives and our actions do not measure up to the Word of God, we ourselves will be lost. What? You don’t believe that even if you carry out the Mission and Mandate that I just presented that you, your personal self, can still be lost if you don’t live right? Well, let’s see what the Scriptures have to say about that.
Ezekiel 18:24 (KJV) states:
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath
sinned, in them shall he die.
Now, let’s move on to the snippet in Strolling. In each of the chapters of the book, I included a section called Decision Points. Decision Points is a scenario about a real life situation that relates to the age group in each of the chapters that it represents. I offer no answers to the questions that are raised, because it is my hope that reading groups, churches, Sunday school classes etc. will discuss the scenarios and come to sound conclusions based on the Scriptures. There’s nothing like researching the Word of God in order to know God’s truths. In the Rose of Awareness Decision Point we talk about a young woman who finds herself in an adulterous marriage. Originally, she and her new husband pressed past the truth about their situation. They knew that they were wrong
when they got married, but the wife suddenly came to herself one morning. One of the questions in the Decision Point is, “Will Bob (who died suddenly in the scenario) be judged with the righteous or unrighteous when he stands before God? Should we even think about his plight or is that judging?”
Here are my answers. The Scriptures clearly teach us that we are not to judge one another.
Matthew
7:1-5 (KJV)
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 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?
5 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.
Judgment for sin falls into the province of God’s business. We have to remember that we do not know all of the aspects of an individual’s life. What may appear to be an adulterous marriage, simply because an individual has had four spouses, may not be the case at all. Not our business. And yet, as ministers, it is our responsibility to help to guide those who seek to make it into the Kingdom of God. The marriage situation is so touchy that somem ministers refuse to “go there” at all. In 2 Sam. 12:1 Nathan, the Prophet, was not afraid to confront David when he was in error concerning Bathsheba. God sent Nathan to David and Nathan stood boldly and told him “Thou art the man!” Nathan did not judge David, God judged David. Nathan simply told David the truth. As a result, David was able to REPENT and he got his life right with God. David had to bear the judgment of God, but at least he did not die in his sins because he repented.
2 Samuel 12:13-14 (KJV)
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
It is especially important that a minister (or anyone) deals with his own situation and assures that his life is right before God. We are told in the Scriptures that if we judge another we are condemning ourselves if we are in the SAME SITUATION. How can a Minister teach young people to avoid pot when he smokes a joint when his Arthritic hip hurts? Or how can one judge another’s wrong marriage when he knows his meets the criteria for adultery?
Romans 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (Author input: Thank God that his judgment is according to truth.)
3 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?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Thank God for this verse, for it is the linchpin of this dilemma. God is rich in goodness, forbearance and longsuffeing. Repentance is the key to it all.
So, what does a minister say to couples who come to him with questions about marriage when the minister knows that his own marriage falls within the area of *gulp* adultery? That minister should repent, seek God for wisdom concerning his own life, fall upon the mercies of God, obey whatever God directs him, trust God, live holy and guide the young people in the right direction. When a couple comes with their questions related to the appropriateness of their situation, simply tell them what the Scriptures say related to marriage; strongly encourage them to seek God about their decisions; and intercede for them. It would be irresponsible for a minister to see young people about to make a serious error and not make them aware of the dangers related to their decisions. The Decision Point in the Awareness Chapter attempts to do just that.
The book, Strolling…, makes it clear that simply telling the truth to young people who may be in a situation that appears to be, or may even be adulterous, is not judging them. God is big enough to make any wrong right if one repents and sincerely seeks His Will. As ministers, we must present the truth of the gospel to help the innocent avoid the pitfalls BEFORE they get into a bad situation and also help them understand the importance of repentance if they HAVE ventured into a bad situation. It is God Himself who will make the final decision.
Conclusion. My answer to the original question, “Is it judging when Holiness preachers and teachers tell sinners the truth?” is NO, It is not judging when Holiness preachers and teachers tell sinners (or anyone else) the truth. We are commanded and commissioned by God to expose sin. If an individual dies in his sin and we have refused to tell him the truth, THAT INDIVIDUAL’S BLOOD WILL BE REQUIRED AT OUR HAND. God will hold us responsible for that lost soul.
Ezekiel 3:18-19 (KJV)
18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Therefore ministers and Saints of God, we must obey God and carry out His mandate for our lives. We must assure that there is no unrepentant sin in our own lives and that we continue to live the life that God requires. Love God and live Holy.
I value your response to this post. Please tell me what you think by adding your comments below.
In Memoriam on Mother’s Day 2013
Mr. Oddie Lester Stephney Jr.
12/21/1968-06/06/2008.
We miss you so much and will love you throughout eternity. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be your Mother.
There’s a Storm Coming!
Today’s post is based on the 107th chapter of the Book of Psalms. This is the fourteenth psalm of praise and it tells us why a specific set of people should praise the Lord. Of course these groups are only used as examples because every living creature is supposed to praise the Lord.
Psalm 150:6
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
The six groups of people that Psalms 7 presents are: the redeemed or Israel; the rebels; fools who go against God’s word; sailors with bad experiences at sea; and both the rich and the poor people. This post will focus on that 4th group of people, the sailors. My own history is that I am from the island city of Galveston, TX, so I have a great appreciation for those whose lives revolve around the sea. The sailors’ story is told in Psalm 107:23-30.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
If there is any group of people who should be able to appreciate God for His deliverance from an angry sea, it should be this group of people because the sea is where their business is conducted.
24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
These are the people who can see just how beautiful the sea is when the weather is good. Its quiet and majestic beauty is breathtaking. On the other hand, they also know that the sea can be horrible when the weather is bad. I lived through a terrible hurricane named Carla when I was 16 years old and I saw her firsthand effects on the Galveston Island. I know that the tempestuous sea can be awful! A ship in the middle of that kind of storm must have been a frightening place for the sailors to be.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
The “he” in this verse refers to God Himself. Only God has the power to raise this kind of storm and lift the waves in this manner. As a little girl, I remember that my Grandmother would make us sit and be still in a storm because God was doing His work. If men were wise today they would hold a better appreciation of God and His awesome power. I’m not saying that every storm is an an act of God’s anger, but it would be wise for men to recognize that He has the power to stir up a storm. And yes, negative circumstances could very well be the result of God’s anger at our bad behavior.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Try to imagine with me how it might have been for the sailors on this ship. At first, the waves appear to take the ship as high up as a mountain. Then, it pauses at this height for a moment. Inhabitants of the ship see the valley of the wave on both sides. In the distance they see the mountains of other waves. The sound of the powerful wind is so loud that it threatens to shatter their eardrums. Then suddenly, the wave runs from beneath them and the ship takes a deep plunge into the watery valley of death below.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
The battering of the winds, the waves and the fright would cause some men to absolutely lose their minds. For some, all hope is gone. The physical abuse of the winds on the ship makes it feel as though the ship will either be crushed or torn apart. The men wait, some of them expecting to be absolutely destroyed. They reel and rock with the movement of the sea; it is difficult to keep their balance. Can you imagine how it would feel to have your very foundation shifting like that? We depend on the place that we stand on to be sturdy, still and safe. It must be overwhelming to have your very foundation shifting. For these men, the years of experience of the crew did not matter. These men needed God’s help in the worst way.
28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
The men humbled themselves and made a wise decision. They cried out to God who was the only one who could deliver them. They cried, “Oh God, save us!” Buddha couldn’t do it. Mohammed couldn’t do it. This storm required a living God of Power and they had sense enough to know it. And what did He do when they cried out? The 29th verse tells us.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
I don’t believe God had to yell at the storm. He didn’t have to say, “Hey! Waves, stop that”. He didn’t have to grab the whirlwind and shake it to make it stop. Remember how our Moms would give us “the look” in the grocery store when we were acting up? We knew that look meant that we needed to stop it! immediately? I believe God just gave the storm the “look” and all was well. That’s our God of power. That’s our God of might. And what happened after the storm ended?
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
When God quieted the sea, the sailors immediately saw good weather. The dolphins were jumping again and the sun was shining. The waves were gentle, and a cool breeze was blowing. The sea appeared as though nothing had ever happened to it. These were some happy men. With their newfound peace, God quickly took them to where they were trying to go. Don’t you imagine they had a beautiful story to tell their families, friends and neighbors about the goodness of God?
I’m reminded of another situation in the New Testament when Jesus’s disciples had a similar experience. It is found in Mark 4:35-41.
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
This situation was the same as that of the sailors in Psalms 107. The difference is that in the book of Mark, the men had Jesus on board. Jesus was quietly asleep on a pillow in the lower part of the ship. He was not worried about the little storm that blew up because He knew that He had the power to still it. He simply rebuked the wind. He might have said, “Oh shut up!” and the wind quieted. He said, “Peace, be still!” And everything negative turned positive.
The Apostle Paul, in Acts 27 and 28, was involved in a great storm in which the ship was destroyed, but God did not allow one soul to be lost. Paul extolled God’s goodness for his deliverance. We should do likewise when we are delivered from a great storm.
We will all experience storms in our lives. Every storm that arises is not the kind that occurs in the sea. Some are storms of sickness. Sometimes a storm is related to misbehaving children. At other times the storm may be related to our finances. These kinds of storm are just as real as those faced by the mariners in Psalms 107 and those faced by the disciples in the 4th chapter of Mark. But the solution that quieted the storm then is the same solution for today. Call on the name of the Lord and He will answer prayer. Rare is the person who is able to say, “I haven’t had any storms in my life”. To them I say in the words of my late Grandmother Ada, “Baby, just keepa living. The storms will be there.” Storms are meant to drive us to God, so when they happen, just cry out to Him. You need to repent first, so that you can be right with Him. If you are not saved and you try to cry out to Him with anything other than repentance, He might not answer. But if you repent of your sins, you will have a right to call upon the name of the Lord and He will answer.
Has anyone noticed that whenever America gets into trouble we (they) don’t mind calling on God? That’s a very good thing to do. Unfortunately, though, as soon as the storm is quieted, America goes back to our (their) sinful ways. We (They) act almost embarrassed that we (they) had to call on God for help. That foolishness needs to stop though, because if we (they) don’t break this cycle, one day we (they) are going to call on the name of the Lord and He is not going to answer. In Proverbs 1:22-33 He said that He would mock them when their calamity comes.
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
There’s a storm coming and we need to be ready for it. We should be in a position so that we will be able to call upon the Lord and have Him deliver us out of all of our fears. Let us pray for our Country. As a matter of fact, let’s you and I pray now before the storm comes. May God bless you.
Do You Now Believe?
In the Post dated April 19, 2013, we talked about The Power that’s in the name of Jesus and the privilege that He gave us all when He gave the church His power of attorney. In today’s lesson, we find Jesus was in the process of preparing His disciples for His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. We begin in John 13:21 when Jesus’ reveals that he was about to be betrayed.
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Following the Passover supper celebration, the disciples and Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Many important things are associated with the Mount of Olives, including the fact that Jesus later ascended to heaven from there. Jesus also often taught on the Mount of Olives.
From the time that Jesus chose his disciples, He started to teach them, a little at a time, about some of the events that were going to happen to Him. He couldn’t tell them everything in the beginning, because the story would have been too discouraging for them. But, during this final teaching session before His death, critical events were beginning to unfold and He had to get his disciples prepared. In John 13:33, He told them plainly that He was getting ready to go and they would not be able to come with Him.
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
The disciples’ response to His words was to be sad, confused and perplexed. Peter alleged his allegiance in John 13:36-38, only to discover that he would betray Jesus rather than stand up for him.
36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Jesus encouraged them in John 14:1-4 again, saying that they should not be upset that He was going away because He would be coming back for them.
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
But then Thomas illustrated his confusion in John 14:5-7
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
And then it was Phillip’s turn to show his confusion in John 14:8
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus had been with them for three years and they still did not appear to have a basic understanding of who Jesus was. His response to Phillip reflected the fact that the basic problem of the group was unbelief.
John 14:9-11
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
The word “believe” means to consider a thing to be true or honest; to accept the word or evidence of a thing or person. In John 14:12 Jesus reminded them of the importance of believing on Him.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Now, we’ll skip over to John 14:28-29. He’s telling them again that their belief is very important.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Then in John 14:30-31 He let them know that he didn’t have a lot more to tell them.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
This is interesting. The group was on its way to the site where Jesus would be betrayed and the disciples still didn’t quite understand the concept of His leaving and coming back. Jesus continued to tell them of the hard things that were soon to unfold; He told them again in John 16:16.
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
They were literally minutes away from the Garden of Gethsemane and his disciples were more confused than ever and voiced it in John 16:17-18.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
Telling them again that He was going to be leaving, an amazing thing happened. Suddenly their understanding cleared. It happened after He told them again in John 16:28.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
They responded in John 16:29-30 by saying that they believed Jesus.
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
Jesus responded in John 16:31
31…Do ye now believe?
It was as though everything changed and they were able to understand and believe. All of the events that were going to happen began to happen. Jesus said in John 16:32-33
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus then prayed for His disciples, and they entered the Garden of Gethsemane. We know that after His Gethsemane experience He was betrayed, crucified, raised from the dead and returned to heaven. He bought our salvation with His own blood.
The gist of our lesson for today is twofold. First, we have to believe in God and His gift of His only begotten Son. We have to believe that Jesus died for us and that through Him only are we able to get into the Kingdom of God. My question of you is, “Do you now believe?” Belief is not just a head thing; it is believing to the saving of your soul. Your eternal salvation rests upon your ability to believe in Jesus as your Savior. The second point of the lesson is this. If you are having difficulty with believing any aspect of the gospel, ask Jesus to help your unbelief. Remember that the chosen Apostles didn’t quite understand what Jesus needed them to know until Jesus intervened and made His words clear to them. Look at the great men of God that they became after His intervention. Cry out to Him as the father of the child with a dumb spirit did in Mark 9:24.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
May God bless you.
There is Power in the Name of Jesus!
In the name of Jesus, In the name of Jesus,
We have the victory.
In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus,
Satan has got to flee.
Who can therefore stand before us
When we call on that great name?
Jesus, Jesus, wonderful Savior we have the victory.
What exactly is a name and why do we all have one? A name is a word or combination of words by which a person, place or thing is identified. The purpose of a name is to differentiate one thing from another. Wouldn’t it be strange if we all had the same name? Let’s say we all were called Betty Jean. If I said, “Betty Jean come and get this dollar”, either everybody in the room could get up to get the dollar or maybe nobody would. That would be confusing.
George Foreman is a famous boxer who has around ten children. All five of his sons have the name George. They are George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, and George VI. But even though they have the same legal names, some differentiated by a number, they still had to have a way to differentiate one from another, so they have nicknames. The four younger sons are “Monk”, “Big Wheel”, “Red”, and “Little Joey”. His two daughters are Freeda George and Georgetta. So, even in that interesting situation, they still had to have a unique and clear name to avoid confusion.
Names have specific meanings and they sometimes “script” a person’s life, because some individuals try to “live up to” their name. Therefore parents need to be very careful about how they name their children. My own first name is Alfreda. Alfreda is the feminine form of Alfred and it means wonderful counselor. Interesting enough, isn’t it, that I am often found counseling? To show you that names can script a baby’s life, let’s suppose a child was named Delilah or Jezebel. Delilah was the woman in the Bible who caused Samson to fall and Jezebel was an evil woman married to Ahab. If an individual tried to live up to those names, the outcome could be disastrous.
We all know how important it is to have a good name. We live a clean life, protect our credit and pay our bills on time so that our name is kept clean. One of the reasons that identity fraud can be so terrible is because our reputation can be slaughtered by someone who fraudulently misrepresents himself as us. That person can then cruelly destroy our good name. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:1 (KJV)
1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
We can be assured that the name of Jesus is a good name and it represents a powerful and holy man. A very short time before Jesus was to be betrayed, beaten, persecuted, and crucified for your sins and mine he handed us, his church, one of the most powerful weapons in the universe. What was that weapon? It was the ability to ask our heavenly Father for anything, as long as we used the name of Jesus. John 16:23-27 says:
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Just a few days before He would be crucified, raised from the dead, take a quick trip to heaven, walk again on the earth among men for a limited time, then re-ascend into heaven where He now stands in intercession for you and I, He gave us this wonderful and powerful gift. He was giving the church a most powerful and legal weapon to use after He was gone. By allowing his disciples, and ultimately you and I, to use his name, He gave us his Power of Attorney.
A Power of Attorney is a written document or letter that is used when someone wants another adult to handle their financial or property matters. If someone becomes unable to make their own decisions (e.g., in a coma, mentally incompetent, etc.) they may need another adult to make decisions for them. When my grandmother became too ill to take care of her own business she gave me her Power of Attorney. Because Jesus was preparing to finish His work on earth, He knew that we would need the power to carry His work on. All believers have full, legal, redemptive, gospel, blood bought, promised and family right to use the name of Jesus in several different situations:
- In salvation:
Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Acts 4:11-12 (KJV)
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
2. In baptism
Matthew 28:19 (KJV19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
3. In worship:
Matthew 18:20 (KJV)
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
4. In combat and in healing:
Mark 16:16-18 (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
5. In Preaching
Luke 24:46-47 (KJV)
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
6. In Prayer
John 14:13-14 (KJV)
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
7. When receiving the Holy Ghost
Luke 11:9-13 (KJV)
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
All of the things that we have spoken of today are for the blood washed, born again Saints of God. The name of Jesus is not to be used by the unsaved. If an unsaved individual attempts to use the name of Jesus for any reason other than repentance, they are attempting identity theft and have no right to do so. But the good news is, if the unsaved individual wants to be saved he or she can be saved. Then, they can feel free to use the name of Jesus. I have heard of many testimonies in which the name of Jesus caused people to be healed, accidents to be averted and needs met. One outstanding testimony follows that saved one of my friend’s life.
Bro. and Sis. H. gave a testimony about their shared experience when she used the name of Jesus. Sis. H. gave her heart to the Lord, which made her husband very angry. He didn’t want his wife to be saved. One night, as she was preparing to go to church, he began to choke her. Just before she passed out, she was able to say “In the name of Jesus!” Suddenly, “something or somebody” grabbed the husband, threw him against the wall and began to rough him up. He said that the entity rolled him, twisted him and tumbled him head over heels out of the front door, across the street and down the block. He could not see anyone, but when he finally came to himself he was leaning against a telephone pole, dazed, some distance from his house. Needless to say, he repented and gave his heart to the Lord. The name of Jesus is powerful!
We might as well get used to honoring and bowing to Him now because Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that the day will come when everyone will honor that name.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Since Jesus has given us this powerful weapon, let’s use it to the glory and honor of God so that the work that Jesus started can be finished through us. May God bless you all
“Backslider, You Can Come Home Again-The Parable of the Prodigal Son”
Today we’re going to talk about a well-known parable, the parable of the Prodigal son. Let’s define a couple of words before we begin. The first word is parable. A parable is a story that illustrates lessons using human characters. It breaks down difficult ideas and makes them easier to understand. Parables also teach us about how people should act. Jesus often used parables to teach complex subjects in a simple way. A couple of His other more famous parables were the Ten Virgins and the Good Samaritan.
The other word that we will define is prodigal. Prodigal refers to a wastefully extravagant spendthrift. He’s the big spender or the high roller. Prodigal is the man who will walk into a bar with his weekly paycheck and, before he pays the rent or buys his baby’s milk, say, “Bartender, I’m paying for a set-up for everybody!” But a prodigal might also be that young woman who, when her parents send her to college with a credit card to pay for her books and dorm room, buys Gucci bags and 6 inch heels. A prodigal is a foolish and wasteful spender.
In our dear country of America, we are also foolish and wasteful spenders. Our national economy is set up to make us want more and buy more. There are some people who are on Welfare that will spend $300 to get their hair and nails “did”. They will spend $250 for a pair of Air Jordans for their child, when he is wearing jeans with holes in them. And if they can’t quite pull it together for Air Jordans, they will spend $100 for a pair of Bare Cordans that look like Air Jordans, when a good pair of $25.00 tennis would serve just fine. The child could also have a decent pair of jeans and a warm coat. We’re just prodigal or wasteful spenders. Of course, it is certainly not just the poor who are foolish spenders. Look at our actors and movie stars and their lavish and wasteful lifestyles. Look at the athletes who wind up with no money after 10 years of beating up their bodies. Foolishness. Some of that wasted money could better be spent towards getting souls into the Kingdom of God.
Let’s get back to our parable of the prodigal son. Most know the story well. Today we are going to look at the Seven Steps that he took as he went down into degradation and the seven steps that took him back up to Salvation. The First four steps down were Self-will, Selfishness, Separation and Sensuality. These steps are listed in the back of my KJV study bible and make the parable very easy to follow.
Luke 15: 11-13(KJV)
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Our parable tells us there was a man who had two sons. His younger son decided that he wanted to take his “inheritance” now and go and do what he wanted with his life. First of all, he had no inheritance because his father was still alive. Who reads a will and divides the proceeds before the death of the testator? At any rate, the father listened to his son, the spoiled brat, and gave him all of his inheritance. Some people are still doing this kind of thing today. For example, If you know that your daughter is not responsible, why would you give her access to her entire years’ worth of college money the first week that she goes to school? If you know that your son is a drug addict, why would you give him a pocket full of money? You know he will kill himself on drugs. Kids need their parents to be strong.
Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Well, the foolish prodigal took his money to go and find his fortune. But instead of investing his money and making it grow, he spent it in no time. Isn’t it amazing how quickly money will go when you are on a spending binge? Everybody will help you spend your money
So these are the first four of the seven steps that he took downward:
1. Self-will. He wanted to do things his way.
2. Selfishness. He didn’t care how his leaving the family affected everyone else. It was all about him.
3. Separation. He went into a far country. He wanted to get away from those who knew him. Everybody at home knew where his money came from, and he couldn’t be a Big Shot there, so he separated himself.
4. Sensuality. The fourth step down was sensuality. The word Sensuality means that an individual is focused more on physical pleasure rather than spiritual or moral concerns. Wild women and wild men took Prodigal on a wild ride. But where were those “friends” when the going got tough?
The next three steps show us the consequences of the prodigal son’s bad behavior. They are Spiritual destitution, Self-abasement and Starvation. Luke 15:14 through 16 illustrate this point
Luke 15:14-16 (KJV)
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Oh my, our high roller had two bad things happen at once. First, he found himself broke. He was totally out of money. That money fulfilled the saying, “Easy come, and easy go”. At the same time, a mighty famine hit the land, causing him to be in want. His situation was so serious now that he was in serious trouble. We never know what tomorrow is going to bring, so the high roller days need to stop. This applies not only to the individuals, but to our government as well.
5. Spiritual Destitution. Destitution means to be in extreme poverty. It means to lack the very necessary means to live. The prodigal son is, of course, like the man or woman who has turned his or her back on God. Without the Lord we can do nothing. Those who have turned their backs on God have no one to turn to. The Bible tells us that a backslider is like unto a dog that has returned to his own vomit. (Gross)
Proverbs 26:11 (KJV)
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
6. Self-abasement. The prodigal son is still going down because verse 15 tells us that he stepped into self-abasement. The only job that the Prodigal son could find was working for a hog farmer. Ever been close to a pig pen? There’s a reason that the pig pen is way away from the big house. It stinks! Then in verse 16 the man hits rock bottom. He stepped into Starvation. He almost ate hog slop. (Double gross).
7. Starvation. Sometimes backsliders have to be allowed to hit rock bottom before they come to themselves. Parents who rush in to solve their children’s problems all of the time do not do them any favors. Sometimes they have to experience the negative consequences of their foolishness. If we allow the backslider to bump the bottom of life, perhaps they will look up and live. (Never stop praying for them, though.) Alright now. Prodigal has hit the bottom and there’s nowhere to go but up. The next four steps are Realization, Resolution, Repentance and Return. These steps are leading the Prodigal back to His father, and back to God.
Luke 15:17-20 (KJV)
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
8. Realization. You have to realize, backslider, once you’ve had your hand in God’s hand, nothing is going to satisfy you except God. You can’t run from Him and get away. Many backsliders are just too proud to give in to God, but you must. You’re just rowing around in a tight little circle and getting nowhere. God loves you and He wants you back. You know you’re tired of the world. Come home.
9. Resolution. The prodigal son remembered the life he used to have and who he used to be. Thank God that he came to himself. He resolved that he would return to his father. His resolution was that he would work for his father as a servant. All pride was gone at this point. He thought, “These people don’t love me, but my Dad does. And even if I have messed up so badly that he doesn’t want to own me, maybe he’ll give me a job. I need to eat. I want to live and not die.”
Backslider, why don’t you make up your mind to return to your Heavenly Father? You blew it. Yes, you messed up, but the Bible tells us that God will abundantly pardon you.
10. All you have to do is Repent or say you’re sorry and God will forgive you. So you committed adultery; so you got strung out; so you extorted money and went to prison. God does not care about your past, because He loves you. (It’s true that He hates your sin, but he loves you.) He wants your life back into the safety of His arms.
11. Just Return to the Lord like the Prodigal son did. Prodigal had a very big surprise when he got home. His father welcomed him with love and kisses. Prodigal did not expect that at all.
Luke 15:20-24 (KJV)
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
12, 13, 14. The last three steps in the restoration of the prodigal son and the backslider are Reconciliation, Re-clothing and Rejoicing. The second half of the 20th verse says that Prodigal’s father had compassion on him, ran to him, and kissed him. Prodigal tried to give his Father his practiced speech about being willing to work as a servant of his father, but Prodigal was already forgiven. And backslider, you are already forgiven. You cannot activate that forgiveness, however, until you ask for it. Prodigal’s father put the best robe and shoes on him. He put a ring of love on his finger. He had a feast set up and he wanted everyone to celebrate with him. His son that was dead to him had returned. That return made him alive to this loving father again. If the Prodigal son had never gone home, he would never have been restored. (Besides, he might have been found dead of starvation or frozen to a fence post, but fortunately, that did not happen). Backslider, repent, be saved and live. There was great rejoicing in the home of the prodigal’s father. The Bible tells us that there will be great joy in heaven when you return to God.
Luke 15:7 (KJV)
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Backslider, you can come home again. Just don’t wait until it’s too late.
The Root of Your Anger Just May Be Pride
Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Recently, I had an experience with an individual that left us both disturbed. I believe that we both want to resolve a difference of opinion that we had. I was asked to give my opinion on a particular topic. Unfortunately, my opinion was not the one that the receiver expected to hear. That person became very angry, leaving me to wonder why my opinion was sought in the first place. Since anger is a universal emotion, I thought this Post would be a favorable spot to discuss it. My position: I was not going to lie and provide a positive assessment when I did not feel that one was due. These are the questions that I would like to discuss:
1. What could I have done to avoid the angry response that I received? Was there something in my presentation that fueled the angry response? If so, could I have sidestepped the issue, rather than be a participant in the disagreement?
2. Was I the cause of the angry response that I received?
3. How does one respond to anger in another individual?
The first thing that I decided to do about the situation was to pray about it. I went to God in prayer, asking Him to search me to assure that my behavior was not the cause of the problem. The Bible tells us to follow peace with all men and I desired to have peace in this situation.
Hebrews 12:14-15 (KJV)
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
When I went to God in prayer, He did not speak to me directly, but He spoke to me through the upcoming Sunday School lesson No. 11. My answer was found in the Bible Expositor and Illuminator, in the commentary related to Col. 2:9-10:
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
I’m going to quote directly from the lesson because it so clearly explained what I needed to know about anger:
“Remember that humility is knowing who you are not. Jesus was despised and rejected, so you should not expect praise and appreciation; but love people, regardless of how you are treated. One of the facets of this is that you no longer need to be angry with anyone. Anger is triggered by expecting to be treated in certain respectful ways, and if you are not, you become offended. The problem is pride and a sense of entitlement. If you remember that you are complete in Christ, you can adjust your attitude and love a person who otherwise would have offended you. “
“WOW!” I thought. “God gave me the answer that I needed concerning the other person’s problem which is pride. That individual felt offended because they expected me to give one assessment when I gave another.” Wait a minute! It’s so easy to see the fault in another individual, isn’t it? God quickly reminded me that when we seek Him for an answer, we have to be certain that we get what we need from His answer to make us a better person. A disagreement involves two people. Both share the responsibility for the outcome. Examining myself, I realized that I also expected to be appreciated for the answer that I gave. I was also shocked and amazed when the response to my answer was different than what I expected. Therefore, pride was the root of my problem too. *Gulp*
Proverbs 16:18 tells us that Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:32 also says He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
According to Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
So, here are the answers to the questions that I posed earlier.
1. What could I have done to avoid the angry response that I received (triggered)? Was there something in my presentation that fueled the angry response? If so, could I have sidestepped the issue, rather than be a participant in the disagreement?
Option A. I could have been more perceptive in this situation. Anticipating that my assessment might not be well received, I could have avoided giving a response. I could have just said, “no” to the request for an assessment.
Option B: Even if I gave an answer, perhaps it could have been softer. We must always be truthful in our response to others, but we should avoid being hurtful, if at all possible.
Option C. Sometimes the truth hurts; we have to be wise enough to know whether or not the individual is really able to receive the truth (as we perceive it). The truth of this option was proven the next day. Another individual requested an assessment and my response was equally as thorough and critical as that given to the angry respondent. The second individual gladly received the assessment, made the suggested changes and left the experience appreciative rather than angry.
2. Was I the cause of the angry response that I received?
Option A: Probably. Since I am so accustomed to having my assessments received in a positive way, perhaps I was a little pompous. (Gotta watch that pride thing. Pride caused Satan to be kicked out of heaven and can infect us all if we are not careful.
Option B: Maybe not. Perhaps the individual had other issues that caused her response. I can only fix my issues (spelled Fix-Me-Jesus) and pray for the issues of others.
3. How does one respond to anger in another individual?
Ans: It depends on how the anger manifests itself.
Option A. When the person is angry, but non-combative. Don’t argue. If the person is willing to talk, stay calm and hear them out. They may just need to be heard. Make sure that they understand that you value them as a person. You are assessing some external object or work, not them. Seek to understand their point of view more than having them understand your point of view. Do everything in love. If you cannot resolve the issue immediately, let it rest. Sometimes a little time or distance is needed to get over a stinging situation. If they are saved, God will work it out.
Option B. When the person is angry, and losing self-control. Maintain a posture that does not intimidate. Pray. If necessary, RUN! (Just a hint of humor. Christian relationships should never collapse this far. But just in case it does…Pray and RUN FAST!) God bless.
The Story of Jonah and Our God of Mercy
The prophet Jonah was the son of Amittai and was from Gath-Heper, located a few miles north of Nazareth, which later became the childhood home of Jesus. Jonah was given clear instructions by God to go to the city of Nineveh and prophecy against them for their evil ways. His first commission from God was found in Jonah 1:1-2
Jonah 1:1-2 (KJV)
1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, situated on the river, Tigris. It was a country that was the enemy of the Israelites. The Assyrians were some of the meanest and most awful people of that day. God told Jonah to go to the enemies of Israel and warn them that they were going to be destroyed because their wickedness was great. What God was asking Jonah to do was to go to his enemies, prophesy to them which would cause them to be saved. This is a clear example of the mercy of God. He wanted His servant to go to those who were on their way to Hell and warn them of their coming destruction. Jonah knew that God was a God of mercy and that he would forgive and save the Assyrians if they repented.
God still works through His chosen vessels to warn mankind of their sinful ways today. As ministers, we have to remember that it is never about us! It is not about our comfort zone or what we do or do not want to do. If He tells us to speak to a prostitute about her coming destruction, we have to tell her the truth. If He sends us to warn the Hip-Hop culture that their behavior is not pleasing to Him, we must go. If He says to tell the religious-but-lost group that they need to be delivered, we have no other choice than to obey God. Where He sends us we must go. God never tells us to try to make anyone do anything. We are simply to obey His mandate and He will do the drawing, the convicting and the saving. When God calls, we must either obey or suffer the consequences of disobedience.
Well, Brother Jonah decided that he just would not do it! He did not like the Assyrians and He did not want them to be saved. He could not see himself witnessing to his enemies. Instead, he wanted them destroyed. He knew that his God of mercy was sending a warning so that the people could turn and repent and be saved. He realized that God is a good God who loves all of mankind, even our enemies. He knew that God would never destroy a man or a woman without first telling him or her how to avoid that destruction. Because Jonah did not want any part of the salvation of the Ninevites, he decided to give God “the hand” and run. Jonah’s behavior said, “I’m not available. I have something else that I’d rather do. Maybe I’ll get back with you later on that Nineveh thing.” Instead of going to Nineveh, he went to Joppa, and started on his way to Tarshish on a ship.
Jonah 1:3 (KJV)
3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
Why didn’t Brother Jonah know that you can’t run from God? Wherever you run, He’s already there when you get there. I’ve heard so many stories of ministers who’ve tried to run from God because they didn’t want to be a preacher. I wonder if they’d ever read the book of Jonah?
God gave me a little song that is based on an older Holiness song. (Sorry the tune is in my head and there’s no way to share it in this Post). The words of the song go like this:
Refrain
You can’t hide, no you can’t hide.
The word is gonna find you and you can’t hide. (You sinner)
You can’t hide, no you can’t hide.
The word is gonna find you and you can’t hide.
Lead
You’ve been sitting in the corner, think the Saints can’t see
You’d better get on this altar, better get on your knees.
You’ve been running around, you’ve been doing your dirt
You haven’t even thought about the people you’ve hurt.
Refrain
You can’t hide, no you can’t hide.
The word is gonna find you and you can’t hide. (You sinner)
You can’t hide, no you can’t hide.
The word is gonna find you and you can’t hide.
So what happened to Jonah next? God sent a great storm in the sea that was very terrible. All of the men on the ship were dipping water out with buckets and calling on their “gods”. They even threw cargo off the ship that they could have kept. Somebody realized that Jonah was not helping. He was sleeping instead.
Jonah 1:6 (KJV)
6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
The men decided to cast lots to discover who caused the sudden fury that fell upon their ship, and it turned out to be Jonah. Well, the lots told them who the culprit was, but not why the terrible events were taking place. Jonah had to ‘fess up.
Jonah 1:8-10 (KJV)
8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
These unsaved men asked him, “Man, are you out of your mind? You can’t run from God.” The men wanted to help Jonah, so they asked him what they could do to turn God’s fury around? Jonah had to tell them to destroy him so they could go free.
Jonah 1:11 (KJV)
11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
Jonah 1:12-13 (KJV)
12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
The men tried their best to save Jonah. They rowed harder and harder to try to outrun the storm, but to no avail. Now isn’t that typical of people today? They row their little boats of sin, sometimes going in a tight little circle but getting nowhere. God says, “Get saved”, but they say, “Not me!” God says, “I’m warning you”, but they say, “I don’t hear you”. God says, “This is your final warning”, but they say, “ I don’t believe you”. Then, death catches them in their sins and its over for eternity. When that soul stands before God at the Great White Throne Judgment, what will he be able to say in his own defense? He’ll have to say like Jonah said, “Throw me overboard”.
When the men realized that throwing Jonah overboard was their only option, they actually stopped calling on their gods and called upon the true and living God.
Jonah 1:14 (KJV)
14 Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.
The men on that boat were so awed by experiencing the might and power of God they changed gods.
Jonah 1:16 (KJV)
16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.
You know what happened next. They threw Jonah overboard. This sullen prophet actually chose death rather than obey God. But, how many of you know it “ain’t over until God says it’s over?” God controls life and death. Even if Jonah chose to die, it did not happen or could not happen if God did not approve his death. Jonah was swallowed up by a specially prepared whale. He was in the belly of the whale for three days, and while he was there, somehow he got his thinking straightened out about his disobedience to God. He repented, cried out to God and God let him out. When God got through with Jonah, he was ready to obey God. The Bible tells us that Jonah made a three-day journey in one day. Prophet Jonah had to be running! He ran into the city preaching, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed!” Hearing this Hebrew running and preaching like a madman convicted the city. Everyone went on a three day fast, including the animals. God heard their repentant prayers and accepted their fast and forgave the city. Because of the pressure that God put on his backside, Jonah obeyed God and did what he was told to do. But Jonah still had a “stank” attitude.
Jonah was angry because God forgave the people. He asked God to kill him since He forgave the people. There were about 120,000 people in the city and their lives were spared because of Jonah’s preaching. Jonah should have been happy about the success of his mission but he was not. Jonah was angry at God for four reasons:
1. God is merciful.
2. God is gracious.
3. God is slow to anger.
4. God changes his plans to destroy men when they turn from sin to righteousness.
When his book of the Bible ended, Jonah was still angry. History tells us that the city of Nineveh was ultimately destroyed 100 years later, when the people returned to their sins. How does Jonah’s story apply to our lives today? The same four descriptors of God that were identified in Jonah’s book still prevail today. God is still merciful, gracious, slow to anger and he saves those who repent. He is still directing His ministers to move when He tells them to do so and he expects obedience. I do hope and pray that Jonah got his attitude right before he left planet earth. Thank God for His mercy. As we often say at my church: Pray my strength in the Lord, because I do mean Jesus in my life. God bless.
Understanding the Concept of Christian Submission
This week’s Sunday school lesson is a very interesting one. The title, Family Relationships, does not give a clue that it reviews one of the most difficult concepts in the life of some Christians, which is the concept of submission. At the very thought of the word, some people begin to visualize a dominant, overbearing and unloving husband and father scowling and commanding his wife and children to obey, obey, obey him! They see a trembling and fearful wife and children skulking about, afraid to disturb the “master” of the home. But is this what God intended when he established the concept of submission? Ephesians 5:21-33 and 6:1-4 give a description of the true meaning of submission in the Christian’s life.
Ephesians 5:21-33 (KJV)
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 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.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (KJV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
These scriptures give a clear picture of the love, order and sacrifice that a family is to follow. The very first scripture makes it clear that in a family that fears God, submission is the order of the day for both the husband and wife. There is no place for a tyrant here. Next, the scriptures establish the order that a marriage should have. God placed the man as the head in a marriage. He is to have the final say about how his family runs. It is clear that someone has to be the head in a relationship such as marriage; a two-headed beast is a freak! The scripture lets us know that this is the order that God established and we are to honor it. The scriptures go on to describe the type of man that God expects a wife to submit to. A man is to love his wife as he loves his own body. He is to nourish and cherish her. He is to respect her decisions as well as his own. In turn, she is to reverence and honor him. It would not be difficult to submit oneself to a man who seeks God about his role, responsibilities and decisions. The wife who is married to this type of man realizes that she is ultimately following God’s decisions. Godly husbands also realize that godly wives have the power to pray to God concerning her husband’s decisions. This type of environment will be loving, peaceful and free of abuse and harsh conflict. What a great environment it would be to raise children in.
Children are told to submit to their parents, but parents are also told that they should not provoke the child to wrath, which is angry, violent indignation. Parents are to nurture them and bring them up in a godly environment.
Following a man like the one described in Ephesians would be easy for any wife. The difficulty comes, however, when the husband is not following God. What is a Christian woman to do when she wants to live for the Lord, but the husband has no interest in living for God? Suppose he even forbids her to live for the Lord? Is she to follow his mandate and risk losing her soul because she feels that she has to submit to him? Absolutely not! She is to submit to her husband in every way that she possibly can but, with a sweet spirit, stand her ground when his decisions violate scripture. Let’s consider the following situation:
John Jones was a young man who attended church regularly, but he was a hypocrite. He would drink late into the night in the clubs on Saturday night. On Sunday morning he would stand as an usher in his local church, sometimes weaving and bobbing from the left-over effects of the alcohol that he had consumed. The pastor at his church knew that the young man had a real addiction to alcohol, but he refused to address the problem. After all, the pastor also drank a little wine for his stomach’s sake and felt that he could not advise the young man properly. The young man’s wife made up her mind that she wanted to live for the Lord. She got saved, filled with the Holy Ghost and then began praying for her husband to be saved. She was directed to a church by the Holy Ghost where the people lived according to the Word of God. They embraced her and prayed with her concerning her husband’s state. Her husband became furious because she was now saved and no longer went clubbing with him. He actually went to the pastor of the church that his wife was attending, and attempted to have the pastor tell his wife that she was wrong for not following him to the clubs and the lifestyle that he wanted for her. After all, he said, “I am the head of my house”. Needless to say, the wife’s pastor attempted to help the young man understand a man’s true role as the head of his house. The young man rejected the pastor’s advice and left angry.
There are some people who might deem the pastor of the young woman’s church to be wrong for not directing her to follow her husband’s lead. Fortunately for this young woman, her pastor was a true man of God who sought God for His perfect will. The outcome of this situation could have gone either way. The young man could either have had his eyes opened by God (hopefully) and became saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, or he could ultimately have divorced his wife. Either way, the young woman did indeed do the right thing. She was kind, loving and submissive to her husband in every way that she could be, but when he attempted to cause her to leave Christ, she stood her ground. The key that unlocks the entire situation is Ephesians 5:21.
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Emphasis added by the author)
May God bless you.
Jesus Loves You!
Hello everyone. I have a message for you from the Lord. As my husband and I were preparing for service in the nursing home that we visit, I asked the Lord what He would have me tell the residents. His answer was, “Tell them that I love them”. This post is based on Jesus’ message to the nursing home residents. We are blessed, however, because His message of love applies to us all.
“Jesus Loves You!”
Many of us learned a little song as children entitled “Jesus Loves Me”. According to Wikipedia, “Jesus Loves Me“ is a Christian hymn that was originally written as a poem in a novel by Anna Bartlett Warner in 1860. The poem was written to comfort a dying child. The tune and chorus were added in 1862 by William Batchelder Bradbury and has become one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches throughout the world.
These are some of the words to this song:
- Jesus loves me! This I know,
- For the Bible tells me so.
- Little ones to Him belong;
- They are weak, but He is strong.
- Chorus
- Yes, Jesus loves me!
- Yes, Jesus loves me!
- Yes, Jesus loves me!
- The Bible tells me so.
-
We can rest assured that Jesus loves us unconditionally, just as the song says. He doesn’t like the sin that men commit, but He loves the sinner. We are approaching that time of year when many people are full of joy and excitement, which is the Christmas Season. Christmas is a very special time during which we exchange gifts and display love for our fellow-man. During this time Christmas cards are shared and hugs are plentiful. Jesus is the reason for the Season. It’s true that some people attempt to desecrate the holiday by “boozing it up” and doing things that have nothing to do with Christ. But we don’t worry about that because, in spite of what some people do, the Season is all about Jesus. Some people lie about a fat man that slides down a chimney, filling stockings and leaving toys. Other people forget the purpose of the Season and buy or charge themselves into so much debt that it will take them into next year to get out. But we don’t do those foolish things, because the Season is about Jesus. Still other people complain that because we don’t know exactly when Jesus was born they refuse to celebrate Christmas. We do choose to celebrate Christmas because we know that He was born.
Although many people may be happy during this time, there will be others who are overwhelmed with sadness. The older I get and the more friends and family members that I lose to death, the more I am able to understand the sadness that some may feel. On television we see large groups of family members and friends gather for fun and fellowship on Christmas day. Some people may lament that this is how everybody lives, except themselves. Of course, we know that this is not true. Other people may be sad because they do not have the same amount of money to spend at Christmastime that they once had. Retirement, the downturn in our economy and job losses have affected us all. Some people may even feel that they have no one to love them. For those who feel this way, please remember, Jesus loves you. If you still have life, you are blessed. Despite the fact that some may have good health and strength, a roof over their heads, food on the table and clothes on their backs, they still complain. These material things are blessing from God and we should be thankful for what we have.
How do we know that Jesus loves us? The answer is in the song, “Jesus Loves Me”, because the Bible tells us so. The Bible lets us know that God is love and that He first loved us. He gave us His son Jesus to die for our sins. To quote the late, great, Apostle Lobias Murray, Founder of Full Gospel Holy Temple Churches, Inc., “If you believe it, say Amen!”
There are some people who do not believe or can not receive the truth of the love of Jesus because they think that they have done so much wrong in their lifetime that their sins are unforgivable. They are unable to forgive themselves and do not realize the breadth and depth of forgiveness that Jesus’ love has made available to us. Let’s look at the lives of a few really “bad” historical characters. Most of us will agree that they did a lot of wrong. These names are taken from The Top Ten Most Evil Men by J. Frater. www.listverse.com/2007/09/05/top-10-most-evil-men/ (accessed 11/29/2012). I’ve included five of the ten listed and tell you why they are considered to be the worst. You may remember some or all of them.
Idi Amin Dada - President of Uganda in 1972. He was responsible for the death of between 80,000 to 500,000 people.
King Leopold II of Belgium. - Died in 1909. He caused over 3 million Congolese to be murdered.
Pol Pot - Leader of the Khmer Rouge and the Prime Minister of Cambodia from 1976 to 1979. He caused 2 million Cambodians (approximately one third of the population) to die.
Adolf Hitler -Appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933. He brought death and destruction to tens of millions of people, including the genocide of some six million Jews in what is now known as the Holocaust.
Josef Stalin - General Secretary of the Communist Party. The total number of people murdered under Stalin’s reign, ranged from 10 to 60 million.
Yet, in spite of all of the evil that they did, if they had just called on the name of Jesus and repented of their sins, they could have been saved. Why do we know that ? Because of this Scripture:
John 3:16 (KJV)
16 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 15:13 (KJV) declares:
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Can you think of anyone who might die for you? Not many of us can. But guess what, Jesus already did just that. When we were at our worse, Jesus died for us. Why? Because he loves us. There are some people that we might consider hard to love. They may fall into our ”really, really hard to love” group like child rapists and mass murderers. Some of you may even think that you even fall into this group, but look at this scripture:
Romans 5:6-8 (KJV)
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. No matter what you have done, you are not too tough for Jesus’s love to be extended to you.
There is one group of people who I would especially like to comfort and that is those who either had an abortion (female)or who contributed to the death of a child through abortion (husband, boyfriend, parent). This is a sin that takes severe emotional toll on the involved people. It is truly a hard-hearted person who can murder an innocent child, embryo or fetus and walk away unscathed. Sometimes the emotional toll shows up years later. There are even those who fear that they can not be forgiven by Jesus for this sin. But I’m here to declare unto you that even this sin can be forgiven through the love of Jesus. I was a graduate student at Texas Woman’s University a few years ago when a group of young nurses from Russia, who were touring the United States, came to our campus. We had an opportunity to exchange ideas with them (through an interpreter) about Nursing and our various roles. The question arose concerning the most frequently utilized method of birth control in Russia and the answer astounded us. It was abortion! This discussion was held years ago. Curious about how things had changed in that country, I checked the internet to determine what the most frequently used method of birth control is today and it is…abortion! In an article entitled “Abortion Remains Top Birth-Control Option In Russia” dated 6/28/08, the interviewee stated, “Despite an abundance of new family planning options, the lack of public awareness and prohibitive expenses — like $25 monthly packs of birth control pills — mean many women still see abortion as their only choice.” http://www.rferl.org/content/AbortionRemainsTopBirthControlOptionRussia/1145849.htm (accessed 11/29/2012). In spite of these astounding crimes against the ordinances of God, Jesus still loves those women. Whether the individual has committed one murder or one million, whether a person has committed one abortion or 50; Jesus is able to love them, save them and deliver them. He hates the sin but He loves the sinner. No matter what state you find yourself in today, call on the name of Jesus. Repent of your sins and allow His love to turn your life around. Jesus loves you!
“Judge Yourself”
“Judge Yourself”
The Word of God encourages us to judge or evaluate ourselves regularly. This is very important because, if we don’t judge ourselves, we can believe that Jesus will do it and it might not be so nice when He does it. Specific instructions are given to us in the Word of God related to taking the Lord’s supper and self-evaluation.
1 Corinthians 11:23-31 (KJV)
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
If we do not judge ourselves, Jesus will chasten us. He does this in several ways. First, he gives us an opportunity to learn and change our behavior. He does this through rebuke and admonition. The next type of chastening is through negative circumstances and calamities. This does not mean that every negative event is a rebuke from God but when things go wrong it is wise to first check to be sure that we are not the source of the problem. Sometimes things are simply just circumstantial, but circumstances should cause you to judge yourself. The last type of chastening that Jesus may give is the worse type. Hopefully no Saint will experience this level of chastening because this happens when we refuse to obey God. At this stage our behavior causes us to be condemned with the world.
In today’s post please understand that I am not fighting any other churches, groups or organizations. But I am duty bound to point out the truth if I am going to help. Revelation 2:7 (KJV) states
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
True salvation means deliverance from sin. Only those who are truly saved will be able to make it into the Kingdom of God. When one is truly saved he or she wants to do the things that God requires. He or she wants to please God and to live according to His Word. If an individual does not recognize and value the Word of God there is no hope for that person. We have to accept the Bible as our roadmap for life, for without the Word of God we are lost. A saved person is one who recognizes the need for repentance, then repents and turns 180 degrees away from sin. There is an actual change in his whole life. 2 Cor. 5: 17 (KJV) states that
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
I was raised to attend church and to be faithful to church matters. However, I received very little training in living a saved life. As a matter of fact, we were told that once you get saved you never have to worry or be concerned about your salvation again. Perhaps you have also heard the expression once saved, always saved? I went to the little chairs at the front of the church when the “doors of the church were opened” and later got baptized in water. I thought that was it…I was in and on my way to heaven. Man, was I ever wrong. If I was confused, maybe some of you are also confused. I encourage you to ask yourself this question: “Am I really saved?” What you are doing with that question is judging yourself. This is a very important question because your eternal future rests upon the answer.
Today we’re living in a day and time in America where everyone is “saved”, in their own eyes. So, how does one know whether or not he or she is saved? The way that we know an individual is saved is the same way that we identify a tree. We know a tree by its fruit. The same applies to salvation. Some might have received Jesus as a child and were baptized. Some might have been sprinkled with water and feel like they’re “covered”. They’re on their way to heaven and they’re so-o-o glad. The only problem is, they’re living like the devil is their Daddy now…and he is. If you scratch a little below the surface you will discover that not only are they not saved, but the vast majority may not even know what it means to be saved. Ask them what it means and you will hear such things as “I sing in the choir” or “I’m on the Usher Board”. Some might even say, “I’m a preacher’s kid” or, “My Mama and Daddy raised me right”. You dare not press some of them too hard because they may get frustrated on you and act up. I’m remembering my own personal experience years ago.
I was a new graduate from nursing school. We had just bought our first house in Lewisville, TX when a Theology student came out to Lewisville, knocking on doors and asking families about whether or not we were interested in studying the Bible. Well, I was religious so I said “yes” to a Bible study. At the end of the first session, Gary Friesen asked me this question, “If you were to leave earth right now, which way would you go”? I got angry and told him that what he was asking was personal business and I didn’t feel that he had a right to ask me such a thing. After he left, the question lingered. It bothered me because, the truth of the matter was, I didn’t really know that I was saved. I was drinking socially and smoking like a train. I was a party animal and if you upset me I’d cuss you out. I had a sharp tongue that could cut you like a knife. That night I went down on my knees. I asked the Lord to take me off the throne of my life and, as Gary said that I should do, I put Jesus on the throne of my life. That’s when my spiritual life took a turn in the right direction. I felt the joy of the Lord in my soul, but knew that there was more that I needed. I began to hunger and thirst after righteousness and to actively search for something to fill that big gap in my soul. Matt. 5: 6 states:
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Over a period of months God drew me to Himsef with chords of love. I went to a Holiness church in Dallas, Texas, Full Gospel Holy Temple Church, where God indeed saved me and filled me with the Holy Ghost. Today I know that I am saved because I live according to the dictates of the Holy Bible. By the power of the Holy Ghost, I live a life that is pleasing to Christ. All of the glory goes to God.
It is amazing to me that so many people live in open sin and yet call themselves saved. Shacking up is one of those types of open sin. One of the most amazing things today is the fact that men and women can move in together without the benefit of marriage. It’s so glamorized on TV that they don’t call it shacking up anymore. They call it living together. They call each other “my friend” or my “”fiancé”. Some have been together for years. What is their reason for not being married? Some have the silliest reasons such as, “We want a big wedding”. Some have 3 or 4 children and still call each other “fiancé”. A fiancé is not a spouse! You are not saved if you are living with a man or woman as a spouse when they are not your spouse. Who told you that that was alright? As Bishop Murray says, “Woman, you need to go to your house, tell that man to get out of your bed and get his drawers off the floor and get out”!
Look, if you are still cussing, lying, (including telling the peace-sake lie), still cheating, still sipping, dipping and tipping you are not saved. The saved individual will quit the clubs, quit the old lying and cheating buddies and learn how to sleep in their own bed at night… without any drop-in visitors. When Jesus has cleaned up the inner man, it will show up on the outside. Women will no longer want to show off their bodies to anyone except their own husbands. Your skirt tail will go down and your cleavage will close up. Whoever heard of Sexy Saints? So, if you are sagging and bagging; shacking and tatting; cutting yourself and piercing everything that you can pierce, including unmentionable areas; lying, cheating, and stealing; shooting up and all of these ungodly things, then you are not saved. Even if you are morally good and you’ve never repented of your sins your name has never been written into the Lamb’s Book of Life.
The importance of repentance. Do you realize that if you have never actually repented of your sins you are not saved? I don’t care how many times you have gone to the front of the church to “join church” you are not saved. Repentance is the first step in the salvation process. For those who may think that repentance is not important, let’s see what the Word of God has to say about it.
What did John the Baptist preach in Matt. 3:1-2?
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
When Jesus started his public ministry what did He preach In Matt. 4: 17?
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Apostle Paul taught repentance in Acts 20: 21
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Apostle Peter taught repentance in Acts 2: 38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The good news for us all is that salvation is a gift that has been made available to every man, woman and child. You can be delivered from anything that is not like God. All you have to do is to repent.
So what is true repentance? Repentance is being godly sorry for one’s sins. It is an actual turning away from one’s old sinful behavior, taking a 180 degree turn and intending to never be guilty of those sins again. It is an act of the will to want to become a new creature in Christ Jesus. You need to see yourself as lost and bound for Hell without Christ and have a deep conviction that you want to be different. You must believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and your only hope for salvation. Then, you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior with your mouth. The Bible says in Romans 10:10 (KJV)
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
What happens after you repent? Jesus will immediately have your name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life. He will apply his precious blood to your sins and wipe them out as though they never occurred. Then, He will begin the process of transforming your life into His own image. Repenting gets you saved. Salvation makes you eligible for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Next you ask God for the gift of the Holy Ghost. You need the Holy Ghost in order to fellowship with a Holy God. You need the Holy Ghost because He gives you the power to live a sin-free life. He will teach and guide you into all truth. He will be a comfort to you during your transformation because life is not always easy. The evidence that the Holy Ghost has arrived is the fact that you will speak in other tongues. Don’t ask me why you have to speak in tongues when you receive the Holy Ghost. Not my rules. I will tell you this…no tongues? No Holy Ghost. Fight until you get it. Pray, fast, seek God, read the Word, turn away from sin.
Holiness Plus Nothing. The Bible warns us against adding to and taking away from the Word of God. Will someone please help me to understand what Free Masons and Eastern Stars have to do with Christianity. These secret societies are of the devil and have nothing to do with salvation. You certainly cannot mix them with God, Jesus or the Holy Ghost because they are of the devil! Just search the Scriptures for the truth.
Any denomination that tells you that “once saved, always saved” lie is not telling you the truth. If that were the case, everything that should be in hell will be heaven and that’s not going to happen. Do you really believe that a man who died from a heart attack while in the process of raping someone would go to heaven because they “confessed Christ” as a child? Not so!
If a denomination tells you that sprinkling you with water will get you into heaven it is dead wrong. Jesus was not sprinkled, He was submerged. He’s my example.
A church that requires you to pray to an image of God is not a true church. If you are not encouraged to read the Bible or if you are told that you have to confess to a man called Father, you’d better run from that building, for it is not a church based on Christ. There may be many people who love God within those walls. I do believe that some way or somehow God will get the soul-saving information to those people who really want to be saved.
I am not judging anyone, because judging is God’s business. But I’m telling you this: If any denomination does not teach you that in order to have fellowship with a Holy God you have to live free and separated from sin, then they have fallen short of teaching and preaching the gospel. Personally, I want all that God has for me. I would not put my entire hope for eternity in something that is not supported by the Word of God. To me, that’s crazy. When Jesus comes to rapture us out of here He is going to be looking for a church like the one described in Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)
27 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.
The people are the church, so Jesus will come back for holy people. When you become filled with the Holy Ghost it means that the very Spirit of God abides in you. You be the judge of where you are in Christ. I encourage you to love God and live for Him every day. May He bless you and yours. Let’s close with the words of a little song:
Goodbye world, I live no longer with you
Good bye pleasures, I live no longer with you
I made up my mind to go God’s way the rest of my days.
I made up my mind to go God’s way the rest of my days.
