"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.

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.

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?.")

What Does This 3-Letter Word Have To Do With 4-Letter Words?

Four-letter words have become an accepted part of our everyday society, but when was the last time you heard the three-letter word called sin mentioned anywhere? Apart from a church setting, probably never. Yet, sin is the biggest obstacle to prosperity in any nation.

So, who is to say what is sin and what is not sin? Do we as a society, or individuals simply make up our own rules to fit our own behavior? Maybe if we act like it doesn't exist, it will go away! But there is a better way - the Word of God. It is the only absolute we can depend upon in this day of seemingly endless communications on the information highway.

The Bible definition of sin is the transgression of the law. The following Bible verse indicates there are no differences in sins. "For He that said, do not commit adultery, said also do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law." - (James 2:11) Thus, transgression of the law is simply put, sin. Notice that (James 2:11) mentions both adultery and kill as its examples in the same verse. Does this ring a bell?

 (You might want to read my blog about Satan a couple of blogs back to get a better handle how this concept actually works.)

Once this supposedly highly intelligent and so-called civilized society realizes the quagmire sin produces and the apathy of our ways, maybe it will return once again to seek after repentance and after the God who is able to heal our once prosperous land. Till then, we can continue our quibbles about politics, money, animals, healthcare and the promoting of the very issues that hinder whatever prosperity the people hoped for in the first place.

God Never Called His Trinity A Mystery

The concept of the Trinity has baffled mankind for centuries. One reason it confused people was because its concept differed from the norm. While it seems we can easily envision God creating a man from dust, the same is not true when we attempt to envision Him making a Man from some other element. The truest test for proving Godly things is by comparing them with biblical truths. The Bible never recorded God stating He would never make a man from a different substance than from the dust of the ground. Therefore, since Jesus stated He came down from heaven, He could not have been made from the dust of the ground as is mortal man. His originality had to come from a heavenly substance.

A Bible verse that seems insignificant in its context at first until you reread it is Deuteronomy 29:29: "The secret things belongs unto the Lord our God, but the things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever." The question to ask here is, "Why do secret things exist, which belong solely to God?" The reason is, because they are not found in the Bible. If something is not written in the Bible, only God knows. This reality comes to light when we reason why Jesus (even though He is God) does not know the day or hour of His coming back to earth. The Bible does not record the day or hour of this event. Now that God has revealed to us the substance He used as the seed of the Holy Ghost that was implanted directly into the womb of the Virgin Mary, this verse makes much more sense.
(See: "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed"  )

That principle also applies to the second half of Deuteronomy 29:29, which states that the revealed things belong to us and our children forever. Many Scriptures declare our inability to know the things of God unless He reveals them to us, and He reveals to us through His Spirit dwelling in the heart of the believer. God never said His Trinity was a mystery--man did. The Trinity is found everywhere in the Bible, even in the Old Testament. However, God chose not to reveal His Trinity to us until these last days. Since the Trinity is recorded throughout the Bible, it had to be revealed as His Word declares.

Why is there so much backlash against the Trinity? The simple answer is Satan. Satan initiated the need for the Trinity in the Garden of Eden. The Bible also declares Satan entered into the heart of Judas when he betrayed Jesus. The Book of Revelation depicts Satan doing his evil work of deceiving people in the end times. Click here to see how Satan does his evil.

Is the road getting rough to travel? -- Have you decided to throw in the towel?

President's day is viewed by some as just another day off. Although gone for now, that day will come around again next year. Still, it is fitting that we set aside a day to honor a handful of 45 men. These 45 special men were selected and elected by a process and privilege, which we in the United States enjoy. That process says, we want this one man (or woman) to represent us as a nation. One individual with power and authority to lead and guide our country in many areas of decisions.

Over the years, we have been blessed with godly men who took charge to keep this nation strong and free. Presidents who were not afraid to call upon God for guidance and wisdom, and to use that wisdom even when it went against the grain of opposition. When I think of these men who took charge of this nation, one such man comes into mind more than any other.

A man whose odds of becoming president were so great, you wonder why he even kept trying. He was born into a very poor family. At 7 years of age, his family was forced out of their home and this boy had to work to support them. At age 9, this shy backwards boy's mother died. At age 22, he lost his job as a store clerk. He wanted to attend law school, but his education simply was not good enough. At age 23, he went into debt to be a partner in a store, but 3 years later, his partner died leaving him with a huge debt. At age 28, a 4-year romantic relationship with a young lady ended when she turned down his marriage proposal. Still, an earlier courtship ended in heartache with her death. At age 37, after a third try, he finally became elected to congress, but 2 years later failed to win reelection. At the same time, it was observed that he had what many today would call a nervous breakdown. At age 41, adding to the heartaches of an already unhappy marriage, his 4 year old son died. At age 42, he was rejected for land officer. At age 45, he ran for the Senate and lost. At age 47, He was defeated for Vice Presidential nominee. At age 49, he again ran for the Senate and lost.

Can you imagine how he was probably criticized, misunderstood, had periods of depression, and snubbed by his colleagues - certainly he was not the envy of his peers. Nevertheless, in spite of all his heartaches and setbacks, he did not let it deter him. He kept going forward, not looking back. Thankfully, he did not give up, because at age 51, he was elected to the highest office of President of the United States.

You have probably guessed who this man was. Defeated repeatedly by personal, business and political failures, yet he never gave up. Born in a log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809, next year marks the 200th anniversary of his birth. Shot in the head by an assassin's bullet on Good Friday, he died the next day on April 15, 1865.

Abraham Lincoln, who became perhaps the most revered of all Presidents, never gave up when circumstances were against him. He kept his focus on the good until he won the prize. There is a prize awaiting you too. Paul the Apostle declared in the Epistle of Philippians - His desire is to know Jesus and counted all things as dung that he might win Christ. "Forgetting those things, which are behind, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Just as Abraham Lincoln did not give up at 7 years old, 9 years old, 22, 23, 28, 37, 41, 42, 47, 49 years old amidst failures and heartaches and attained the prize of President; and, as Paul pressed on until he reached his mark of his high calling; we too must set our sights toward and endeavor to persevere in our quest of reaching the highest office that anyone could ever reach - not as President of the United States, but as kings and priest in the house of our God in Christ Jesus forever.

Would a Loving God Really Send Anyone To Hell?

The question goes something like this, "Would a loving God really send anyone to hell? This is how the argument is verbalized to dispel the fact that God made hell for those who sin. While this doctrine is ever growing, even some outstanding Christian pastors have jumped on the bandwagon. However, no matter the status of the one spewing the dispute, a Christian must not go by what they say or hear say, but totally by the Word of God. That indeed is the only standard to abide by when confronted with things of the unknown.

In today's society, many believe hell does not exist or is hell here on earth. Another thought injects the suggestion that death is simply the grave without any consequences for this life's actions -- condensed into total annihilation when we die. Yes, and the list gets even longer as time passes. To understand why people believe these things, you need to read "my interview with Satan" on this blog site.

From a biblical perspective, not one of these views line up. Let's answer these one by one. Why would a loving God send anyone to hell? This question might best be worded as: "Why do I want to send myself to hell?" We are all accountable for our own actions. God gave each of us a free-will to make choices. Whatever choices you have made did not come from God. Each of us are responsible for our individual actions in life.

God did everything He could do to set us free from the wages of sin. He died in our place so we would not have to pay the price ourselves. Does that sound like a God who does not love us? We must quit blaming a loving God for what we do. If we reject God's way of salvation, we are saying, I want to pay the price for my sins myself and I want to live an eternity with Satan and not with God.

In the Book of Revelation 20:14, it declares that death and hell shall stand before God to be judged according to their works, after which both death and hell are sent into the lake of fire. Meanwhile, a previous verse 20:10 describes the lake of fire as the place where the beast and the false prophet are sent to be tormented day and night forever and ever.

So, the question is: Why does God (in verse Revelation 20:14) judge those in hell according to their works if they will only be dead or annihilated?  Doesn't it seem counter to reason, if one person did a lot of works during his life and another person did nothing, that they both should get the same reward if death simply means annihilation. Would not a better summation be that each are judge by their works, meaning that there are various stages of punishment, and each receives their punishment as each one deserves according to what works they did while on earth.

Will hell cease to exist if we refrain from talking about it? Should we take our chances simply on the premise that we heard someone say there is no hell? On the other hand, is there a reason for not believing the Bible, which teaches repeatedly of a literal hell? I am sure you have checked out every avenue before you made your decision. The Bible says God is faithful and wishes no one to perish, so how can we blame God for our rejecting Jesus?

The key to being sure you make the right decision, comes from what Jesus told us. He said: "He who comes to Me, I will in no wise cast out." If you have not come to Him, or thought you did at one time, I urge you to do it again to be sure. God only accepts a willing vessel. That is why many do not receive the love He offers. God searches the heart for sincerity. Do not give up on God. He loves you and sent His Son Jesus who died to show you of His love.  https://doveandword.com