Come Out From Among Them

The quandary is not with those who spiel hatred, but those who listen. Satan goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour. Satan is going to do his thing no matter. It only affects you when you listen and act on his prodding. Today we see fulfillment of "The love of many will wax cold" (Matt. 24:12). Strife and hatred are not of God. The Bible calls God "Love."

Jesus said you would know them by their fruits. A good tree will not bring forth corrupt fruit, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Most who condone sin, have never read the Bible, yet they trick the unknowing into believing they have. And even if they had, they could not understand it, because it is spiritually discerned: meaning only those born of the Spirit understand the things of the spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The Bible says, "Come out of the world and be separated from them, do not touch their unclean things." Satan is the god of this world (1 John 2:16). However, the victory of Jesus on the cross means you do not have to be of this world. There is another option available for you since the cross of Calvary. You can become a son or a daughter of the Living God through what Jesus accomplished. (Acts 4:12) states, "There is none other name, under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me."

If you are still under bondage to sin, get yourself free today, because "whom the Son sets free, he is free indeed." He can set you free from any vice you may have (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, porn etc.). All you need do is invite Him into you life as your Lord and Savior. Don't wait, or it may be too late!

What's Your Choice - Two Paths to Eternity

Everything we do in life is a choice. Do you want vanilla or chocolate? Which restaurant shall we eat at? What car should I buy? We even have to make a choice concerning where we want to spend eternity. That's right, and it is the biggest choice we will ever make in life. If we want to spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus, we must make a decision to do so. If we desire to spend an eternity in Hell with Satan, we do not have to do a thing, but go on living as we have been from the beginning.

Jesus said, there are two paths leading from this life to the life going on into eternity. He said the first one leads to destruction, and most of the people who live on this earth will go there. The second path leads to eternal life and few people who live or have lived on earth will choose to go therein. The path to eternal life is simple - believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, (confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the death). Why then do so few inherit eternal life as Jesus indicated, especially when nearly two billion of the worlds population claim Christianity as their religion?

We can look at the huge assortment of numerous denominations within Christianity for the answer. Many do not adhere to strict biblical teaching. Others teach from the Bible, but rely more so upon strong traditional values and teachings conjured up by that particular denomination's founders. Many larger denominations fall under that type methodology. A handful have changed the Bible to fit their particular doctrine. Others have rewritten their own bible mentioning Jesus so as to classify themselves under the umbrella of Christianity. Most of these various offshoots of Christianity were formed centuries ago and have added members throughout the years. Nevertheless, there is only one source for knowing the things of God and that is the Bible. No, not just any Bible. Many have been transformed to fit the doctrine of its religious founder. Only a Bible as translated from the original Hebrew and Greek is acceptable. Not just reading it, but studying it and doing what it says - confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. When you do your part, God will then do His part. You must make the first move - God will not override your free-will.

"Instant Gratification"

 In today's fast moving society, full of individuals seeking after instant information - is the Church fully equipped to handle the questions from those seeking for answers to Christianity?

Unlike the days of our grandfather, today’s world is a finger texting, quick talking, high speed lanes, fast foods, channel flipping, throw it in the microwave, get out of my way, want it now generation. In addition, we are living in an age where people are not just asking questions, but if you do not have an immediate, responsive, valid, realistic answer waiting, they quickly move on. Therefore, the Christian must always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks for a reason of the hope that is in him with meekness and fear.

When Jesus gave us the commandment to go out and teach all nations, He did not forget to give us a message to teach. Why then do we keep referring to the Trinity as a mystery; after all, it is Christianity’s most important doctrine. What about the Virgin Birth, the Born-again experience or the differences between the soul and spirit and how they work in the salvation message? Can we explain these and other paranormal questions the world is asking today in a logical way that makes sense by using only the Bible as our reference? Paul wrote in 2^nd Timothy 4:2,

•  “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables.” - (2 Tim. 4:2)

Certainly, things are different now than in the apostle’s or even our grandfather’s day, but that does not diminish the urgency of the Great Commission. In fact, as we see a decline in Christian believers and an increase in atheism and Islam today, that responsibility becomes even more demanding. What Jerry Falwell visualized for his Moral Majority movement in the eighties has afforded the opposite effect today. The immoral minority has definitely overtaken today’s Moral Majority.

So what is the answer? I believe you will find it specifically spelled out in the 6^th chapter of Ephesians. Flesh and blood is not our problem, except where apathy in the Church is concerned. Where are the tent revivals, Billy Sundays and Billy Grahams? Television is fine for sowing a seeds, but cannot take the place of an on fire man of God preaching a Holy Ghost filled message in a tent setting built on prayer. If the Church is to press forward with the Great Commission of today, it needs sound doctrine and valid responsive realistic answers for those who believe the Church is void of genuine answers. If Jesus merely gave us a mystery (Trinity) for ammunition to spread the Word, we are of a people most miserable. The principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness in high places were deceiving the elect and the elect bought the whole fabrication. The Trinity was always in the Bible, it was never a mystery and by merely understanding Trinity’s concept, we can provide most any realistic answer to any tough question a skeptic may submit.

The Great Commission never stopped with the advent of television. Jesus said, “Go out” and teach all nations, making disciples…” The Church of today shoulders the same responsibility as those of previous generations. As times change so must methods. The Church must keep abreast of God’s Word and what He is doing in these last days in order to satisfy an instant gratification generation seeking immediate answers. The book of Daniel declares, “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” This is the Church’s greatest hour; let it not neglect this opportunity. "The Unveiling of the Trinity" is an excellent book that provides the whole picture of the Trinity, without the mystery. The updated version to simply be titled "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed" and provide even more realistic answers than the previous version should be available by the end of this year. Don't be caught without your helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the "Word of God."

Has the Immoral Minority Overtaken the Moral Majority?

With the Presidential Election coming up, I have republished this blog in light of the times. Even after the people have voted for their candidate of choice, this article will be relevant as the people have made the decision of whose moral values they wish to follow.

Sin is a word most people hate to hear, let alone be accused of committing. The Bible declares tears do not exist in heaven, but the late Reverend Jerry Falwell must be fighting them back. The morals in today's society have plummeted to an all-time low. Has Reverend Falwell's Moral Majority army of the 1980's and 90's now become the Moral Minority? With the past several elections over, Americans selected whom they desired as their leaders. Did they vote for someone with strong moral principles, someone who would guide us with wisdom of God's Word and His will for our nation, or did they risk placing our nation in jeopardy. The voter must realize that when someone votes for a candidate, he is agreeing with that candidate's platform? In other words, the voter embraces any immoral viewpoints, which his candidate may have.

Perhaps the biggest tragedy in America is the attempt to rid God from every venue of life. Each Christmas season that evidence becomes more evident. However, a close second, is one that must bring even God to tears -- abortion. For any clear thinking individual to dare compare the tragedy of abortion to any war we fight is a tragedy in itself. What the poll show at the time of this writing is that between 65 to 70 percent of Americans agree that the issue of abortion either does not matter anymore, or a woman should have the right to abortion anytime she desires and at any age she happens to be. Moreover, the polls also show something else. What do you suppose is more important than the issue of abortion? That's right, the good old root of all evil -- the pocketbook. The candidate who can promise the most entitlements gets the cherished endorsement.

I hate to be the bearer of doom-and-gloom, but as a thinker and a realist, I no longer see a silver lining in the clouds anymore. The fringes surrounding America's future are showing right now. Today foreclosures are out of control, oil prices are gushing skyward, food prices are hard to swallow, medical cost make you sick, all the while the dollar keeps declining. Notice, the one thing we want to protect is the very item being affected -- the pocketbook.

Today's abortion issue is merely one among many moral issues that needs fixing. Throughout history, we have had watchmen like Noah, Jonah and others who warned of impending danger and the need to repent. Yet, many times the warnings were ignored, while at other times, including 9/11 and Katrina, everyone was caught off guard and by surprise. Are we living in a period of time, which is repeating the warnings of the past? Could another impending disaster be looming round the corner? Have we paddled beyond the river of no return? Is there still gold at the end of the rainbow?

These are questions we seek answers to, but another question each of us must ask ourselves -- "What matters most, my pocketbook or my morals?" Your vote will tell exactly where you stand. As I see it, if America's morals are not right, the American dream will become the American nightmare. Maybe, just maybe, Jerry Falwell and the Moral Right were right after all.

Pride or Humility?

We all take personal pride in things we accomplish. You may well be the greatest in your field, and there is nothing wrong to feel good about what you have done, it is when you allow it to overwhelm you above what you really are. The Bible specifies in Philippians 2:3, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves." The apostle Paul stated he could boast about many things, but would not do so--then went on to say, "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord".  The Proverb declares that pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pride is mentioned as one of the signs of the last days, whereby men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, unthankful... (2 Tim. 3:2).

Pride is most evident in many venues today. Athletes in sporting events display pride in various ways and the public spectacle they radiate is emulated by the younger wannabe sport enthusiast in their particular sporting genre. Not to mention the nations who no longer hold to God as their protector, but rely upon their great might of accumulated weapons, or the proud parades that now grace many nations of the world today.

The Bible says, "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble." "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." Jesus said in Matthew 23:12, "Whosoever shall exalt (pride) himself shall be brought low, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

The signs abound everywhere that the last days have arrived. Soon the man of sin (pride); the Antichrist, will deceptively appear on the scene. The wrath of God shall suddenly come upon the world as a snare, when they least expect it (as occurred on 9/11). The sand in the upper chamber of the hourglass is about to empty its last few grains into the lower hourglass chamber. Will you be ready when the trumpet sounds its alarm and the shout goes out to the wise virgins - "The Bridegroom Cometh" - "The Bridegroom Cometh". Will you say right now -- "My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." - (Ps. 34:2)

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. - (1 Peter 5:6)

The Religion of Love

Some religions attempt to propagate what they ain't. But that is not so with true Christianity. First, let's look at, "What is true Christianity?"  Some are led to believe today that Hitler was a Christian. Those who believe that are not really Christians themselves, nor have any idea of what true Christianity comprises. It has been said there are three types of believers -- the Believer, the Non-believer, and the Make-believer. Only the true believer has made Jesus their Lord and Savior.

Jesus said we would know them by their fruits. An apple tree doesn't bare lemons, nor does a lemon tree bare apples. He went on to say, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Then He said something both startling and amazing -- He said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you." Whereby we might say to that, "Wait a minute Lord, I can deal with the love your neighbor stuff, but love my enemy? You don't know what he did to me Lord -- You don't know the names he called me and how he assaulted me when my back was turned. How Lord, can you expect me to love this person?"

Well, loving your enemy is another characteristic of the true believer. In another place; Jesus said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses." The Apostle John reported in 1 John 4:7, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

Why all this about love? The very next verse in 1 John 4:8 declares, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." Jesus displayed the ultimate love for us in that He died in our place so we might spend eternity with Him in heaven. The Church is the reflection of Christ's love to others while we remain here on earth. To become joint heirs in eternity with Christ begins with how we love and treat others, even our enemies. By the way, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is called the Love Chapter. If you get a chance, it would be worthwhile to check it out. Till next time -- remember, a religion of love does exist, but if you are confused which one it is, just look at its fruit -- may God bless.

                                                                                                                      George T.

Do You Do What They Do?

Today it seems everyone wants to do what everyone else is doing. When I was young and wanted to go or do what my friends were doing, I remember my mother asking me--"If they all jumped in a lake, would you jump in also?" After hearing that several times I vowed to be my own person and not do what the crowd did or said. Now that I have grown and have a good knowledge of the Bible, I realize Momma was right. Today, a great majority have fallen away from God to follow the crowd. The crowd is telling them things that in years past were shocking and unthinkable. Today those same unthinkables are both applauded and considered normal.

The Bible tells of a time coming when men will be without sound judgment, having their conscience seared as with a hot iron, falling away from the truth, giving heed to seducing spirits, without natural affection, all the while the love of many will wax cold. Certainly we have delved deeper and deeper into sin without even giving consciousness to the fact.

 In this hurry up and wait, instant gratification mentality society we live in today, many live their lives in the fast lane without realizing where their life has gone until it is too late. The good news is--it is not too late to wake ourselves up before we take that last breath.

God is a God of love and of second chances. He never gives up on us no matter what we go through. However, the first move is up to us. God gave us a free-will to choose. We have two choices-- to follow after the ways of the world (the crowd) - or to follow after God. If we follow after the ways of the world, the Bible declares that the ways of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are not of the Father. The ways of the Father are summed up in these two commandments - love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. The important thing about those two commandments is that you cannot keep them by yourself. The only true way anyone can keep them is by making Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of our lives. Then we become reconnected or reconciled back to God (the Father), our creator. You will no longer want to follow after the crowd again, but your desire will be to follow after God and His Word. Take the time to do it now while it is fresh on your mind. You will be glad you did.

                                                                                                                       George T.

Revelations in these Last Days

In the Old Testament, God revealed many things to us through the prophets. Today, in both the Old and New Testaments, God is revealing to us through His Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that whatsoever was hidden or covered, shall be made known and revealed. When Jesus asked His apostles who do men say that I am, Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said, "Flesh and blood had not revealed that to you (Peter), but My Father, which is in heaven."

Notice that it was the Father who revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ. It is significant to note that the Father revealed it to Peter and not the Holy Spirit. Why? Because this incident happened before Jesus ascended back into Heaven. Thus, the Holy Spirit had not been poured out at that time. Jesus promised to send His Holy Spirit to us, which occurred on the day of  Pentecost, 50 days after Christ's ascension. Today it is through the Holy Spirit we receive revelation of the things of God and of the testimony of Jesus - (John 14:26 & 1 Corinthians 2:10-14).

The Book of Daniel also has an interesting prophecy about the end-times. In Chapter 12, an angel told Daniel to shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end when many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased. Most Bible scholars took the meaning of knowledge for the things of the world such as technology, medical, inventions etc. However, we are finding that God is also pouring out knowledge in abundance over His Word. Such is the case with the things hidden from us that were referred to as mysteries. A book by Jonathan Cahn called "The Mystery of the Shemitah" is a prime example of new revelations unfolding for us in these last days just as predicted in Daniel.

These things were always in the Bible, but they were covered or hidden from our knowledge, and therefore they must be made known and revealed to us just as promised. "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed" is another prime example of a doctrinal truth once hidden from us, but is now revealed to us in these end-times. The best way to find those hidden gems from God's Word is to study and seek for them on your own. However, you can always take a shortcut and get copies of the books that have done all the reseach for you. In any case -- happy seeking and may God bless.

"Born-again" Through Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 declares, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and thereby from wisdom we also get understanding and knowledge. In a broader sense, Wisdom is the application of how the "Born-again" experience is realized.

1.) When we realize who God is and the power of His might, the fear of the Lord is ignited and initiated within our heart.

2.) By seeking out the attributes of God through His Word or the witness of His people, the beginning of Wisdom (the fear of the Lord) turns into a desire for more Wisdom. In the search for more of who God is provides us with the confrontation that God is not only just, but also a loving God who desires our love and fellowship in return.

3.) When we yield our love and fellowship over to God by making Jesus the Lord of our lives, it opens up a new and greater understanding of who God is. That understanding of God in return, stimulates us to continue to seek for an even greater understanding of who God is and His love for us. As Proverb 9:10 points out, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of  wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Thus, understanding is gained through wisdom.

4.) Understanding of God then provides knowledge. When we have understanding of how something operates, we store that information into our database called the heart, and when a situation comes up concerning a specific situation, we recall our knowledge from the database that applies to that particular circumstance. So it is with understanding of God's Word. The more you study it, the more the Holy Spirit reveals to you and the more He reveals to you, the more you understand and therein knowledge is attained and retained.

Here we see how Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding from the Book of Proverbs is activated in the "Born-again" experience as mentioned by Jesus in John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Notice, you do not see the Kingdom of God by growing up into a church or by becoming a member of a church or merely stating that you are a Christian--you first must become "Born-again." We have other articles about becoming "Born-again" in this blog site.

In the above illustration, it must be mentioned that the secular mind cannot teach you the things of God, because they are foolishness to him as 1 Corinthians 2:14 clearly points out. When you seek out knowledge from a secular viewpoint, you are seeking knowledge from someone who has never received the wisdom, understanding and knowledge of who God is. In other words, the love of God has never permeated his heart because the world and the flesh remains embedded therein and not the Word and the Spirit. Without the fear of the Lord activating a desire to know who God is and knowledge of His Word, understanding cannot motivate the individual to become a "Born-again" believer in God's Kingdom. John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." You cannot see the wind, but you can fell it. Likewise, you cannot see the Spirit, but you can feel Him -- and it all begins by making Jesus Lord and believing in your heart that God raise that same Jesus from the dead. Yes, God has made it that simple for us

Are You Going To Heaven?

Heaven? Is there any way to know for sure that Heaven will be your new home when you die? Jesus gave us the answer to that question in John's Gospel in chapter #3. Simply stated, you must first be Born-again to enter into the Kingdom of God. But what does that term mean and how is becoming "Born-again" accomplished?

First of all you must be aware that the Bible tells us that sin cannot enter into heaven. Therefore, most people believe you can get into heaven by keeping the ten commandments or other laws. As you are probably aware -- no one can keep the commandments and laws. Simply stated, since no one can keep the commandments or laws, no one will ever get into heaven. Romans 3:20 states that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for the law is the knowledge of sin. Can you then go to a priest and confess your sins to him? By no means. You are still attempting to be justified by the law.

Can a man under the law forgive another individual who is also under the law his or her sins? The Bible says that only God can forgive sin. In any case we cannot be saved by the works of the law even if we confess our sins to a thousand priests. If we could, then Jesus died in vain. We are saved by grace and not by the works of the law or by any deeds of the flesh. We are save by grace through faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross and in that fact alone takes away our sins by His shed blood and opens the door to heaven for us. It is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy He has saved us.

Let's carry this a little further and consider a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes 9:3:

• "There is an evil among all things that are done under the sun...the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."

The hearts of men are evil of evil because we were all born into sin. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - (Romans 3:23) Sin cannot enter into heaven. If it did, it would be just as bad there as it is here on earth. So we must get rid of our sin first if we want to enter into heaven. That is where "we must become born-again" comes into play.

Ecclesiastes goes on to say that: "The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more reward; for the memory of them is perished. Also their love, their hatred and their envy is now perished; neither have they any portion of any thing that is done under the sun."

All of our hurrying and backbiting is over in the grave. So, did God just haphazardly put us on this earth without any reason or purpose? The Bible says "God made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." Why did He do that? The next two verses tells us -- "So they should seek the Lord, if haply they seek after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being...for we are also His offspring." - (Acts 17:26-28) We are His offspring, but sin has kept us apart. What is the answer? "Born-again"!

So back to the question, "Are You Going To Heaven?" The primary answer to that question is "Have you been Born-again?" Jesus said: "Unless a man is Born-again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." The next question is: "How do I know I have been Born-again?" Two things are necessary to be Born-again. First - repentance. The Bible states in Isaiah 55:7, "Let the wicked forsake their ways." Second - Romans 3:23 states: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." and Romans 6:23, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus." Therefore, by repentance, (which is the forsaking of our sinful ways) and calling upon the name of Jesus Christ and invite Him to become Lord and Savior and believing in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead. This is how we become born-again. After that happens the following verse kicks into play.

• "But scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." - (Galatians 3:22)

When we make these two decisions on our part, God takes over on His part. Our part is to initiate the decisions and desire for salvation. God will not violate our free-will, but He awaits for an invitation from us. When we have repented and invited Jesus to become our Lord, we are Born-again according to the Scriptures. Do this now and the next time someone asks you if you are going to Heaven, you will know for sure and answer with a definite - ("YES I am, but -- how about you my friend?.")