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He that has ears to hear…

Posted: May 3, 2015 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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A couple of years ago I had written an article about the unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods, I discussed the attitudes of the Pharisees that were there listening. Amazingly, instead of agreeing with Jesus that the steward’s behavior was sinful, they instead began to deride Jesus to publicly mock Him. The more I ponder this reactive attitude towards Christ the more I am amazed at just how hard an arrogant and religious heart can be. Not only were they failing miserably at being faithful stewards of the oracles of God which they openly boasted to be the keepers and teachers of, they failed miserably in their living by them. Such is why all who will live godly for Jesus will not only be rejected, but likewise persecuted by today’s arrogant religious leaders.

Jesus said such men were “those who justified yourselves before men,” but warned all that God knows the hearts of all men. But what was it the Pharisees had been “justifying” themselves about? They were the prominent religious leaders of the day . . . that is up until the Light of the world appeared unto men exposing them for what they really were. They were covetous not only of worldly things, but also of the praise and admiration of men. No wonder Jesus spoke such sharp condemning words to them that what they “highly esteemed” was an abomination in the sight of God.

If you are an America Christian who is faring well and yet yearn for, or look for the praise and approval of men, then I strongly urge you to listen to Jesus words against these religious men –

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

In the Gospel of John it was recorded how many of the chief rulers actually believed on Jesus, but only two of which are mentioned in scripture and eventually came forward and stood for Jesus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. However, many of them would not openly confess Jesus because they feared the Jews, i.e., the Pharisees –

John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Please take notice that Jesus did not state they were indifferent concerning “the praise of God” for their life and ministry, but rather how “they loved the praise of men more.” Nowadays, the churches are being “led” by ministers out there who are guilty of serving men more than they serve God. Many ministers are simply more concerned with their own position and career as a pastor and therefore their “godly service” is tainted by their trying to keep the deacons that hired them happy with their performance.

Other ministers are motivated in “their calling” by an eagerness to hear praise from the members of their congregation on just how wonderful their message was. They love hearing how the message was precisely the encouragement and comfort their congregants “needed to hear,” as once more they were told how much God loves them just as they are, unconditionally. Meanwhile, they continue living in sin and would be almost impossible to differentiate from non-believers if they were not going to a church on Sunday.

These are only a couple of reasons why most ministers are hesitant to give their whole counsel of God, because they know if preach on the “hard texts” the church would rapidly clear out for many are there with self-serving motives and have no intentions of ever picking up their crosses to follow Jesus Christ. So these ministers excused themselves as being “servants of men,” having blindly compromised the Gospel, and have chosen instead to likewise make themselves comfortable in the religious social centers they dare to call Church.

Doubtless these church leaders were convicted by the Holy Spirit with similar admonitions as those that were giving to the Seven Churches, yet they were too weak and carnal and therefore intimidated by the board of deacons in their churches to obediently stand up and boldly preach the whole counsel of God. Or perhaps even now many people in their church feel the Holy Spirit convicting them through their personal study of God’s holy Word and are too intimidated by their authoritarian pastors to even ask or share what the Lord has been impressing on their own hearts? The verses below show how this intimidation existed and affected the parents of the one born blind which Jesus had healed –

John 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then does he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now sees, we know not, or who hath opened his eyes, we know not. He is of age ask him, he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day (like many nowadays) had made quite a living for themselves by taking wages of the people who had little to spare while they themselves fared sumptuously. Because of their riches they could not be convinced of their sin unto repentance since they believed they were obviously blessed while others were poor, supposing their prosperity was a sure sign of their godliness. Foolishly they perpetuated this lie deeper into their darkened hearts by exchanging honor among themselves as being the most venerable and praiseworthy leaders of the poor and ignorant. All too often we hear the same foolish clamor in lengthy introduction of certain preachers at public assemblies. Yet listen to Jesus explanation to them as to why such would not be saved –

John 5:44 How can you believe which receive honor one of another and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

What a powerfully strong and indicting question. Hear also the sharp judgment from Enoch recorded Jude against them, yet not only against those in Jesus’ days, but still loudly echoing in ours as well. Razor-sharp words to be applied against all the hypocritical leaders of religion everywhere who “appear to be somewhat” and trust in of their illusion of position, authority and knowledge; yet don’t walk according to the truth of the Gospel.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speak great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

These apostate covetous leaders unwittingly separated themselves from God because of their carnality and refusal to walk by the leading of Spirit of God. These are they who have run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward. Such leaders nowadays are now governing mega-church-empires all over the globe making merchandise of another gospel to carnal believers convinced they too are heaven bond. Dare to examine these men’s ministry and your own pastors in the light of Paul’s words to the Church –

I Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Beloved, Jesus once warned a man who came wanting Jesus to settle a dispute about an inheritance, beware of covetousness. It is a lie from hell that “He with the most toys when he dies, wins.” Riches cannot save a man’s soul, rather they tend to be the very weight that pulls them down into the depths of hell. Some may protest and say, “But wait, with Jesus it is possible for the rich to be saved.” True, but Jesus was the one who warned it is still easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle. Why then make it harder when even with the poor, the righteous are still scarcely saved. Are those things that perish with the using worthy of risking one’s eternal soul?

Luke 12:15 And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

Nevertheless, after Jesus’ reference to the unjust steward who wasted his lord’s good the Pharisees began to openly mock Jesus.

Lu 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. 15 And He said unto them, “You are they which justify your selves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

Because the Pharisees openly ridiculed Christ and His sermon against worldliness, He proceeded to tell everyone about “certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously … and a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores.” Now nowhere is it implied by Luke that this rich man and Lazarus were mere fictitious characters created for a parabolic lesson and to assume these were not two actual people lacks any support of scriptural implication. It can be seen in 16 other places in his Gospel account how Luke clearly records “Jesus spoke a parable” unto the people, but not here.

It is therefore more than reasonable to believe that the Pharisees and all those around wholly understood who Jesus was speaking about . . . and were therefore immediately brought back to a sober temperament as the fate of this once highly esteemed and respected individual was declared unto them. Nothing takes the wind out of the prideful mockery out of hypocrites faster than exposing the fate of one of their own, and such seems to be the intention of Jesus so addressing the rich man and Lazarus after the Pharisees deriding Him.

The modern church would do well to listen to the Jesus’ words above, as well as these other words He said later to the disciples once again in front of those who came trying Him with clever questions.

Luke 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people He said unto His disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes and love the greetings in the markets and take the highest seats in the synagogues and chief rooms at feasts. 47 These are they who devour widows’ houses and for a show make their long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

These religious leaders had all the outward appearance of being teachers and authorities on matters of religion, but they were nothing more than “whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” They publicly paraded themselves as spiritual leaders from God to the world while they really lived only for themselves neglecting the weightier matters of the Law; judgment, mercy and faith.

So what exactly is the difference from those pharisaical hypocrites then and so many of the chief leaders in modern churches today? Once again too many have neglected the warning that the covetous would again confuse gain with godliness and begin to preach prosperity over holiness, that Christians should be healthy, popular, happy and prosperous as a witness to God blessing us. But how does message that convict a dying world of sin, righteousness and judgment?

Where in this day and age is that lowly servant mentality that our Lord and Savior showed us among all those now confidently claiming to be King’s kids? Is it because we don’t remember when Jesus returns He is going to separate the sheep from the goats? Dividing those who served God and those who didn’t? Just as surely as the rich man pleaded with Abraham to “have mercy on me,” so will many of these confident believers one day beg for mercy and not find any because they too are guilty of neglecting the weightier matters of the Law.

Lu 16:25 But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, which would come from thence.”

I cannot help but consider Abraham’s words, “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot.” It seems that the torment of those on the other side is so great and extreme, that some like Lazarus might be compassionately compelled to try to pass over even at their own peril to try to offer some relief to the tormented, even though they were neglected and suffered greatly in this life. But the wisdom and righteous judgment of God has made this impossible. They had their opportunity to choose life and live, to repent and draw nigh to God and He would have drawn nigh unto them, but the opportunity is now forever gone.

Jesus concludes His accounting of the rich man and Lazarus fates with Abraham’s clear response to the rich man’s desperate pleading for him to send Lazarus back to warn his five brothers lest they too come to the same end, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.” Like a sharp sword thrusted skillfully into the very heart of the matter, since that was the confidence of these Pharisees who believed their knowledge of the scriptures would save them.

Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And you will not come to Me, that you might have life. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive Me not, yet if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.

How can you believe which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses you would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me. But if you believe not his writings, how can you believe My words? (John 5:39-47)

There are five articles I wrote all dealing with the apostasy that is now in the churches today. I wrote about “Why judgment must begin in the Lord’s house, with those who are called by His name,” because so many seem believers truly think heaven is going to be so much better off and lucky to have them once they get there. They are proud and arrogant thinking they have been God’s gift to the church. Meanwhile their hypocrisy has been the cause for the Lord’s name to be blasphemed among the unbelievers. We are to walk worthy of the Name of Jesus Christ if we call ourselves a Christian.

Next, “Faith, faithfulness and forgiveness,” in which I reasoned how it seems many are so-called believers are not truly pressing into the Kingdom of God, nor does it appear that they even understand the concept thereof. Maybe because they have been taught they are “king’s kids” and it’s their entitlement. Perhaps because they think that just because it is the Father’s good pleasure to give them the Kingdom all they have to do is wait for it to come to them. Foolishly they are strolling down the broad way that leads to hell itself.

Thirdly, “The rights of man,” and how since the fall of Adam this illusion of “rights” has been repackaged and resold over and over again only to keep men in conflict with each other and their Creator. God has indeed given rights to men, but they are His to give and not a man’s to claim. They are the blessings He bestows upon those who have embraced their responsibilities and so labored and walked accordingly.

Then, “The unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods,” and how our good stewardship requires our keeping God’s word with what it defines as defines as unambiguous righteousness, and likewise not allowing sin to creep into our lives disguising itself as something acceptable.

Lastly, “Faith as a grain of mustard seed,” the last in the series on faith, such faith which if truly obtain, Jesus said we could “say unto this sycamine tree, “Be you plucked up by the root and planted in the sea and it will obey you.” Oh how I pray always for this gift of faith that I might effectually minister the gospel in power to the needs of the afflicted and those tormented in this life. Oh, that all God’s children possessed and lived by such faith.

Now, before we finish, I want to share a conversation I had with one believer many years ago. After one of our house meetings, this individual came up to me and told me he wanted to do something great for God. I told him that was great, to be patient and God may so use him. However, he repeated himself as almost correcting me as if I did not correctly hear him, “Listen, I mean I want to do something really great for God.” To which I again said to him “Good. Be patient.”

At my reply he seemed almost agitated as if I wasn’t quite getting it, so he said again to me, “No, I am saying I want to do something really great for God, something that other believers aren’t doing for Him.” At that I then told him, “Good, I know just the thing.”

“What? What is it?” he eagerly replied, “I’ll do anything!”

I told him “This is something God looking for and really wants done but hardly anyone will do it because it costs too much.”

“I don’t care what it costs, I’ll do it. I want to do something great for God,” he insisted again.

“This is the greatest thing you can do for Him,” I told him, “But you have to be willing to give up everything if you want to successfully do it.”

“I don’t care, it’s OK no matter what it costs! I am the one that will do it!” he insisted “I just want to do something great for God.”

“OK,” I said, “Love Him with all your heart, mind and strength. That’s what God wants, but many can’t or simply won’t do it because it cost them too much.”

“Aaaaaaw man!” he said, “I said I want to do something really great for God.”

Sigh . . . most believers just don’t get it. Why is it so many fail to see the greatest commandment is also the greatest thing we can do? Why is it so many want to do the “really great” thing . . . do they really think that will make them a great person or man of God? If so, then their service is all about them and not God.

Why can’t believers just humble themselves and let God be God, and love and serve Him as He is worthy? Have they forgotten that he who willingly becomes the least, the same shall be great?

Lord Jesus, increase our faith, we desperately need real living faith . . .

Remember that true faith works by love. If we are ever to do great things for God, we must first give Him all our heart and mind and serve Him with all our being. Anything less is not loving Him with pure hearts; anything less is a falling short.

Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question tempting him and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Luke 16:31 And He said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

I Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Lord, we entreat You again, give us open hearts and ears that hear, for Your name’s sake Lord Jesus.

Worthless salt crushed under foot by men…

Posted: April 27, 2015 in End Times, Wake Up!
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18 months later and this word has only become more appropriate for the Church in America…

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You are the salt of the earth
But if its taste goes from the salt, how will you make it salt again?
It is then good for nothing but to be put out and crushed under foot by men.

As I sat down to write this article I am heavy in spirit.  I have felt the Lord impressing upon me the severity of the judgment that about to come upon those who call themselves “Christians.” I am acutely aware of the criticism that will be directed my way by proud “born-again believers” who are claiming to be “saved by grace” that I would even dare to write this article. But I have not rushed into this article by any means; rather I have been hesitant for a while to approach the subject myself by writing knowing it places me firmly in front of the mirror whereby as we judge others, so shall we be judge. Nevertheless, my convictions to obey the Lord has set me before my keyboard praying for God’s people and humility, grace and wisdom to address this subject as the Lord would lead.

The world is as full of those professing to be Christians as the rainbow is diverse in colors and hues. Today, Christendom encompasses a contrasting spectrum of thousands of denominations from archaic orthodox churches all around the world steeped in tradition to America’s modern social lounge churches settings with couches, subdued lighting and contemporary music and music videos playing on huge screens while some cool guy or gal assures everyone of the greatness of God’s love for them “just as they are.”

Thanks to the Mother of Harlots there is no shortage of places of “worship” and even more reasons that people go to them. Some go regularly out of cultural religious obligations, while others actually go mainly for business reasons. Many people go to church solely for acceptance, though not by God but socially by others, reasoning that at church others as a minimum will have to act like they love them. The prideful go in order to feel important, so they can routinely impress others with their superior knowledge of the bible and philosophy. Then there are the patriotic church goers that go routinely simply accepting it as their religious duty and to boldly declare their faith before men though often having little true charity for others or love and faithfulness to the one they claim to serve.

Sadly, unless they repent, many of these people are destined for a rude awakening when one day they hear the Lord Jesus say unto them, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” and “I never knew you. Depart from Me for you who practice lawlessness!” Such strong words as these should sober up with fear those who claim “The Law” has been done away with “through grace,” Many of people who say such don’t even have the slightest idea what they are affirming as divine truth, and are like mimicking parrots endlessly chattering confidently their position with ignorant boldness.

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The Eighth Beast on Kindle

Posted: April 21, 2015 in America
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Because I published with Kindle I had to remove The Eighth Beast from my blog…

However, it is…

Blog Page

…on Kindle

We hear it all the time,

“Isn’t it amazing that the scriptures  are silent about America?”

I once thought the same thing myself, but after prayerful re-examination of the history of America and searching the scriptures, I don’t believe that is true anymore. Therefore I submit the following for those open enough to examine for themselves whether or not America is mentioned in scripture. Though, I admit nowadays with the rising flood of endtime theologies, it is getting harder to convince most people that it is. As Mark Twain once said, “It is easier to fool someone than it is to convince them they have been fooled.” Likewise, it has been proven over and over again, that the greatest hindrance to people accepting the truth is a prejudice or presupposition to it before they fully hear a matter.

“He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and a shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

 Available On Amazon/Kindle 
$4.99

Bye Bye Miss American Pie

Posted: April 9, 2015 in America, Wake Up!
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I am sure must have heard already that the original handwritten lyrics to Don McLean’s legendary song “American Pie” recently sold at an auction for 1.2 million dollars.

When I heard this the other morning I was struck with the feeling that the significance of this sell is that America has truly been sold out; the handwritten constitution, the bill of rights….  it’s all gone. I couldn’t reason away the thought that we have just crossed a threshold were all prospects of turning America around are gone. Though individuals may still find life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and personal repentance, I was  left with the depressing feeling that the nation of America has officially been spiritually given over into captivity, with the physical soon to follow…

Below is one of the passage of scripture that I regrettably feel finds application to America today…

Ezekiel 16:35 – Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:
36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;
37 Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.
38 And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.
39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
40 They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.
41 And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
42 So will I make My fury toward thee to rest, and My jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.
43 Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted Me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

It grieves my heart to say these things…

Brothers and sisters, hide yourselves in the Most High.

The Occult World Peace Plan | The United Nations | Lucis Trust

Posted: January 5, 2015 in End Times
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I highly recommend this video for you and your whole family.

This video makes it clear why Christians must personally know Who it is they believe in and understand the Mystery of Godliness

Isaiah 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
John 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
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1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Live for glory of the Resurrected King of kings!!

It’ll make it easier to die for Him…

An examination of Modern Tribulation Theology & America in Prophecy

Posted: November 25, 2014 in Shared Thoughts
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Capture

I have just finished writing a book titled “The Eighth Beast.”

 I have created a separate site for the book and intend to keep it available for a season.

While some of the chapters have titles similar to blog posts here on Gates of the City, please note that for the most part they have been rewritten.

Blessings

William Males

NOTE: This is an old post which still generates traffic. However, in 2015 I wrote a Book on America in Prophesy called “THE EIGHTH BEST” which was updated in 2022 and includes more info and better quality audio files, all of which you can link to the Table of Contents >HERE<
The book is free to read on line, but also available on Amazon >HERE<

Wretched Men

Posted: November 22, 2014 in Devotionals, Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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There was a time when I honestly thought I was a Christian, meaning, that I was a real “follower of Christ.” But like so many others professing Christ nowadays, I was believing what so many religious teachers out there teach as the Christian’s dilemma, that we will always be stuck in doing those things we hate and many times completely unable to do those right things we want. My question was and still is, just how is that being “free indeed?”

John 8:31 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed ;32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 7:19 – For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

So, how are we supposed to reconcile those words of the Apostle Paul with the words of Jesus? Are we “wretched men,” or are we “free indeed?” Like so many, I was taught that Bible teaches that sin “dwells in me,” and therefore, evil is always going to present with me. Thus, like Paul himself supposedly admitted, I too was always going to be sinning, and that like it or not, I am therefore incapable of ever becoming the person I pray to become in Christ. That if I want any real peace of mind and heart, I just needed to accept all that as fact and quit being so hard on myself. If I did not simply accept who I was “in Christ,” I would never have any peace.

To this day I am continuing meet believers who wholly accepted it as sound doctrinal fact and therefore teach it as so. Consequently, many of these have absolutely no real motivation to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” To me, that is both alarming and frightening, since without holiness no man shall see God on favorable terms.

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Giving way for the rise of the Son of Perdition

Posted: November 4, 2014 in Shared Thoughts
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NOTE: This is an old post which still generates traffic. However, in 2015 I wrote my Book on America in Prophesy called “THE EIGHTH BEST,” which was updated in 2022 and includes more info and better quality audio files, all of which you can link to the Table of Contents >HERE<
The book is free to read on line, but also available on Amazon >HERE<

(A chapter from a book I hope to complete soon on America in Prophecy)

  2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.

The above verse is widely accepted and quoted by Christendom today as referencing an end-time antichrist figure. However, when researching old commentaries, even the widely trusted Matthew Henry Commentary, it is hard to find one who fail to relate this “man of sin… son of perdition” to the position of the papacy, or the succession of popes of Roman Catholicism. Some commentators, like the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary printed in 1871, recognize this verse as being ultimately being fully realized in an individual “whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” However, they too affiliate this individual with the papacy position, but believe there would be one Pope in the later days which would boldly oppose the Lord, His word and Jesus the Christ openly.

“Doubtless “the apostasy” of Romanism (the abstract) is one of the greatest instances of the working of the mystery of iniquity, and its blasphemous claims for the Pope (the concrete) are forerunners of the final concentration of blasphemy in the man of sin, who shall not merely, as the Pope, usurp God’s honor as vicegerent of God, but oppose God openly at last.”

If so many commentators have recognized 2 Thessalonians 2:3 speaking of “a falling away first” as being the rise of Roman Catholicism and the “man of sin… son of perdition” as the succession of popes, why then has that understanding been nearly completely abandoned by Christendom today? Or perhaps a better question would be what scriptural and historical justification did the commentators have for interpreting it that way? Perhaps part of the answer is obscured in Paul’s motive for not write openly about the subject here, but only alludes to it by directing his readers to remember that which he had taught them in person.

2 Thessalonians 2:5 – Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

Paul’s manner of writing here raises a question that I have never heard asked before; why wouldn’t Paul plainly write these things out again if his intention was to put forth a clear and coherent teaching on the apostasy which the Holy Spirit had revealed to him was going to take place? Especially when in his other epistles Paul’s normal pattern was both methodical and thorough while presenting the oracles of God to the saints, yet here he asks them “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” It is evident Paul felt it was wisdom to trust the Holy Spirit to help them recall these pertinent things, for he continues with “ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.” Hence it seems evident that the Apostle Paul under the unction of the Holy Spirit was writing with great carefulness and was unwilling to formally document that which he had communicated to them in person.

Furthermore, when one considers how this manner of leading their focus with a question greatly differs from Paul’s normal pattern of writing, it is hard not to conclude that Paul was deliberately being obscure here. For where else in any of his other epistles can it be found that Paul asks such a steering question? In all his epistles Paul only use the word “remember” seven times. Except for its usage here in 2 Thessalonians 2:5, everywhere else he uses it as to introduce an exhortation for the believers not to forget particular truths which are then clearly articulated within the exhortation. Similarly, Paul used the phrase “Know ye not” three times in the epistle of Romans, eight times in I Corinthians, and once again in II Corinthians: yet in all of these it is clear the questioning is rhetorical since he again immediately follows clearly articulating truths which are fundamental to the Christian faith.

In those days, delivering a letter was considerably more costly, laborious, and time consuming than writing one; especially compared to the ease of email correspondence nowadays. So it wouldn’t have been prudent for Paul to be so vague unless it was intentional, and so again, we must not fail to make noted that only in 2 Thessalonians 2:5 that Paul can be found imploring his readers to “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things” without his normal manner of investing the time to clearly define those “things.” Therefore, Paul had to believe there was more wisdom in his being vague and petitioning them to recall certain things, than there was wisdom in his establishing an official documented description of these things with Silvanus, Timothy and his name attached to it. His following comment concerning “when I was yet with you,” makes it obvious he was confident they would recall what he had taught them in this private teaching and “know what withholdeth.” For though Paul openly preached to the Jews and Gentiles alike that Jesus was the Christ, there were some things that he knew should only be taught to those who by their rebirth and salvation had a firm foundation of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and therefore able to be entrusted with some “meat” from God’s word. (more…)

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Posted: September 30, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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I know I have written several times on grace in the past, but we must be obedient to what we feel the Lord gives us to share. So, whoever you are, maybe this is just for you.

The follow list contains three things that God’s word not only fundamentally teaches about God’s grace, but biblical history affirms over and over again to be true as it records without partiality the triumphs and failures of those who believed in God.

  1. Grace is sufficient.
  2. Grace can be frustrated.
  3. Grace can be received in vain.

First, regarding grace’s sufficiency in the life of the believer, Paul was assure by God that His grace would be adequate to see him through whatever temptations he would endure or the trials and persecutions he must suffer for the cause of Christ.

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

Paul learned his confidence was only to be in God’s grace, and that he could not depend on his own strength or power. For it was in his weakness where Paul found he was able to experience God’s fullness in a way he couldn’t in those areas where his own strength or wisdom were adequate, such as making and mending tents. But when it came to his salvation, doing the work of the ministry, fighting the fight, or running the race, Paul knew full well he could not do those things apart from the grace of God given unto him.

Furthermore, the fact that God had given such empowering grace unto Paul, he was fully aware he must take full advantage of it so as not to frustrate it, lest he fall short in the calling God had given unto him.

1 Corinthians 9:16 – For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

I often use the following example when speaking of God’s “sufficient” grace. Someone needs to get somewhere but they have no means to get there. They are at an impasse and do not know what they are going to do because they have to get there or the consequences will be severe if they fail to do so. Upon hearing of their plight I offer them the use of my car, to which they say, “Great, but I have no money for gas.” I tell them no worries, I will fill up the tank and that will be more than sufficient to get them there.

Being greatly relieved, they are now confident that they can safely make the trip because they have been given all they need for the journey, but while on their way they get to thinking they have more than enough time and there is “more than sufficient” gas, so they take the liberty to go sightseeing to other places along the way. Getting caught up in their new found liberty with my car and gas, they carelessly are driving around exhausting the gas. Soon they turn around towards their original destination and suddenly to their surprise the car abruptly stops out of gas!

Is this is not like the parable of the ten virgins Jesus gave us? Or the warning in Hebrews 4-

Hebrews 4:1 – Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

There was no more reason for the people to run out of gas than there was for why the promise of God to give “The promise Land” wasn’t realized by those to whom the promise was given. Yet we too today are being warned of like consequences, the possibility of coming short of our destination by tempting the sufficient limitations of God’s grace. For “To day if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” God clearly gave the Israelites a sure promise, and all the promises of God in Jesus are yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us! And so how could it possibly be that they failed to have God’s promise fulfilled?

Numbers 14:34 – After the number of the days in which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know My breach of promise. 35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.

What’s this? God told them they would know His “breach of promise?” How could this be? Surely God doesn’t break His word? There is no doubt that He loved them, and God is no respecter of person, right? And yet what did Peter say when God gave him the revelation of His grace being given unto the Gentiles too?

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted with Him.

Secondly, scriptures clearly say God’s grace can undeniably be frustrated.

Galatians 2:21 – I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Paul makes it clear; God gave unto him a grace that was sufficient to enable him to be and do all which God had called him to. This grace given wasn’t because of any sacrificed animal or any other ordinance given under the Levitical priesthood, or because of Paul’s own keeping of the Law. Rather, this grace was founded upon what God did through Christ so that Paul and men everywhere could be washed and justified of their sins and then filled with the Spirit of Christ in them, the hope of glory. It was this indwelling grace of the Spirit of Christ that enabled Paul to do and be all that God required of him. Likewise God desires His grace to work in men so they too might fulfill that which God requires of every one who names the name of Christ.

Hebrews 7:11 – If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Romans 8:3 – For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.

It was impossible for the law to save men, as it was weak through the flesh, meaning “it is not possible” for dead, unholy men to make themselves holy and alive, or “that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away [their] sins,” (Hebrews 10:4). Therefore, God sending his own Son in the likeness of man’s own sinful flesh, through Jesus’ shed blood and it alone men can now be justified of their sins, fully forgiven and sanctified so as to render them fit for the fullness of God’s sufficient grace; the indwelling and empowering of the Spirit of Christ.

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

I Timothy 1:12 – And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

Colossians 1:27 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily.

Three, God’s grace can be received in vain.

Grace is so, so much more than just “unmerited favor.” Yes, absolutely God’s offer of grace is unmerited, for it was ordained from the beginning, even before the foundations of the world, long before anyone could have even tried to earn, merit, or deserve it. And when sin did abound, grace did abound all the more in that Christ came and willingly died for the ungodly. But God’s grace doesn’t stop at the offer of forgiveness of sins, for it is the power which quickens dead men and makes them alive and turns sinners into saints.

1 Corinthians 1:24 – But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

God’s grace is the power of God that delivers us from the sinful nature embedded in our hearts and equips us for our unique ministry unto Him and others. It cannot be said enough, grace is the divine indwelling of Christ Himself empowering us, moving us ever towards victory and making us overcomers. It is by this grace and grace alone we are what we are, (or can be as we grow in Christ), or as Paul said, “I am what I am…”

II Corinthians 6:1 – We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

I Corinthians 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Likewise, we all must be sober and recognize that the Kingdom of God suffers violence and they who would take it must take by force as the Jews did the Promise Land. But we need not depend on our own strength, for it is by the force/power which works in us mightily as we exercise our love and faith in Christ that we are empowered to do what He has called us to do.

Like Paul says, faith works through love.

Galatians 5:6 – For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avail anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.

John 14:23 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. 24 He that loves Me not keeps not My sayings: and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.

Faith works because it is the consequence of hearing God’s word whereby we can receive grace to enable us to be faithful. For the Apostle Paul said, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” So let’s look into this, first faith comes by hearing God’s word, and then grace through faith saves us. However we know without hearing we could have no faith, and yet it is through faith that grace comes whereby we are saved. So what is the gift? Is it grace or faith? What says the word of God?

Romans 12:3 – For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Every man has been dealt the measure of faith, but what is that measure? What does that mean? It means that for all those who would recognize their personal poverty of spirit, and mourn for their sins before a holy God and quit excusing themselves by blaming everyone and everything for what they are and have done, and start to hunger and thirst for righteousness, that God will give them grace for obedience to the faith. That is the beginning of the Be Attitudes of the Sermon on the Mount.

Romans 1:5 – By whom we have received grace… for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name.

But how can men know these things without hearing the word of God or be able to recognize it as true? By that measure of faith God has dealt to every man. Every person has enough faith already dealt to them; it is there in their conscience with the writing of God’s law in their inner man that can enable them to properly respond to hearing the gospel, the only question is will they? Even creation is designed so as to stir up that measure of faith, compelling all men to seek after God and truth.

Romans 1:20 – For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

  Consequently, there is no excuse, even Wisdom is said to be continually “in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out My spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Thus hearing God’s word we are given that increase of faith through which grace can flood our souls and save us, God pouring out His Spirit unto us and changing us from the inside out, from inward virtue to outward godliness.

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus expects to see these things in us, for by “grace through faith” these things should be in us and abounding. Otherwise we will be proven to have been “barren…[and] unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Surely none of us would be content or pleased with a friend or a spouse as our lover who simply “believes” in us. We would expect and settle for nothing less than faithfulness, and rightly so, because that is the reasonable expectation of a love perfected by grace. True faith will always work towards faithfulness because faith works by love. It really is that simple.

Sadly, many believers continue in sin while rejecting correction with “God loves me unconditionally.” They have minimize amazing grace to nothing more than “unmerited favor.” Foolishly they live out their lives giving way to their flesh, continuing their friendship with the world. They don’t even try to keep His words simply because they don’t love Him, having believed the lie it really doesn’t matter anyway… since God loves them unconditionally. But is that what Jesus said or their pastor?

John 14:21 He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. 24 He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.

Right there in verse 23 is the biggest word in the bible, and often the most overlooked, “If.” Wherever there is an “if” in the scriptures there is also an insinuated “then.” That little word has enormous meaning; for it is a qualifier preceding a condition. That little “if” is a razor sharp edge on the sword of the spirit that cuts through all the pretense and good intentions to the very heart of every man’s faith and belief in God. So much so that the Beloved Apostle John had this to say-

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, [then] we [God and us] have fellowship one with another, and [then] the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The very first act of grace through faith is the work of repentance, faithfulness to the commandment of Christ to all men.

Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.

Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

1 Peter 1:13 – Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.

Sadly, many professors of faith today will one day find they have exhausted the grace of God, having frustrated it with their persistent unfaithfulness. They neglect that measure of faith dealt to them and thereby limit the effectual working of God’s grace, burying as it were the proverbial “talent” Christ entrusted them with to invest towards for His glory. These are they who will one day find they were actually goats and not sheep they thought they were when the Lord returns to separate those professing to know Him.

Psalm 78:41 – Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

Dear reader, this is a very serious matter, because God has given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that enable us to be holy and separate from the world, doers of His word and not hearers only, to answer the call to be glorious partakers of His divine nature, having Christ formed in us and escaping the wrath to come.

1 Peter 1:3 – According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

No Excuse

Even though Adam sinned and all are now required to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, there is no excuse for continuing in sin. For God foresaw sin even before anything was created and though as a mystery hid until the appointed time, the remedy was always there. Therefore it must be recognized as an indisputable fact that God foresaw absolutely everything, in infinitesimal detail, and categorically knew every good and evil thing that would transpire throughout all eternity. Therefore before the creation of man, God fully knew all the circumstances which would occur and every opposing force of evil that would arise with all their intensity, destruction and confusion, and accordingly made all the necessary preparations to assure His own purposes and glory. That regardless of the foe or evil intent, He can absolutely assure those who love Him, that each and every circumstance and event in their lives was foreseen and therefore He can successfully work all things together for their eternal well-being.

No, the foreknowledge of sin didn’t discourage God; He still elected to create humanity in His image, knowing that as lights they could still brilliantly manifest the wonders and glory of God through the sufficiency of His amazing grace available through Jesus Christ the Lord. Each created to be temples for the Spirit of the living God, and called to “serve the LORD with gladness… [for] the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” Man, every man, is “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” What then will sinners say when they are asked by their Creator why they ignored His calling them?

 It is irrelevant how men may view and dismiss their sin, for what God sees in sin is a willingness of men to trample His Son in order to continue down their own path with a callous indifference for Jesus’ precious blood; devalued to the status of a common product readily available on shelves of the local convenient stores that they assume will always be there whenever they need it. Sadly such people are sitting in churches on Sunday feeling all justified while committing idolatry, worshiping a “Jesus” the modern commercial church system has made just for them and they don’t even know the difference.

2 Corinthians 11:4 – If indeed someone is coming to preach another Jesus, whom I did not preach, or you are receiving a Spirit other than you once received, or another gospel which you did not accept before, you would do well to bear with me.

Dear reader, if Jesus tells us, “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? And in Your name have cast out devils? And in Your name done many wonderful works?” Don’t you think we better be sure we know who He was talking about? Before He says to us as well, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who work iniquity.”

It has been said the judgment of God is to let men go their own way when they have frustrated His grace. For this cause God permitted the rise of those empires that took the Jews into captivity twice, and why He allows the rise of the last and final, Eighth Beast, a corrupt government system under the authority of Satan eager to force those created in God’s image to desecrate their bodies (God’s temples) with a “mark” that would forever oblige them to now serve and worship the dragon and the beast.

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

Hugs . . .

Posted: August 29, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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??????????Are you a hug-giver or a hug-taker?

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Then Jesus took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

What a wonderful passage showing the gentle love of our Savior as He received the little children with hugs and then blessed them. Surely it is evident Jesus was without a doubt a hug-giver. But does that automatically make the little children hug-takers? The answer is no of course, for most often they trustingly hug back echoing the affection they’re given.

Children need hugs, we all do. But why hugs? Perhaps it is the very first embrace in life, as a newborn baby naturally clings to its mother and she hugs the infant in a warm embrace that affirmably assures the child instinctively of the mother’s love and commitment.

Children run to their mother, father, grandmother and grandfather for hugs of comfort and assurance because they have already experienced the undying love and commitment that has selflessly been invested in them since birth. Nothing feels better than being hug from one who has consistently been there giving of themselves freely, investing their time, labor and love in you. There is hardly a greater pleasure than embracing a child, son, daughter, spouse, or parent, and to hug them and feel the flow of mutual love and gratitude for just being there . . .  over and over, again and again and again.

But if it was not for the consistency and proven dependability, hugs would be worthless. For what basis for comfort would there be in a hug when the passage of time doesn’t reinforce the reliability in one’s love and actions to those they hug? Perhaps a better question, why would they even want to hug? The sad answer lies in the fact that there are hug-givers and hug-takers. An embrace from hug-givers affirms what is already known to those they hug, it overflows with significance, conveying love and security to those they embrace.

Hug-takers however, are often people full of good intention but never quite seem to be able to be there when really needed. Their biggest distraction in life is themselves; always being driven, moment to moment by what is important to them. They almost always mean to be there for you, but can’t because other more important things usually come up: things that affirm to others that “you’re not the most important thing in my life right now.” Occasionally they take a moment out of their own time to deceive themselves into thinking they are giving affirmation of love and hug others, but in truth they are taking a hug from another, trying to find that comfort and assurance they only remember.

Sadly, hugs can be like slack sails with no real wind in them, just yesterday I was told by a friend how when someone they care for hugs them it is just empty, “there’s nothing there.” Hugs can never affirm what your history negates and all the good intentions in the world are worthless, unless you are paving a road to hell. Never forget, faith works by love and love is faithful. True love is said to never fail, but should it fail, it is quick to repent and make amends, shoring up what was breached in its moment of neglect.

But sadly, hug-takers are some of the most selfish people out there, hugging others only trying to convince themselves how much they really do care, while their own inactions cause the one being hugged to stand back in bewilderment. Don’t deceive yourselves, if the “love” you feel doesn’t benefit to others, it really isn’t love.

Some people just need to wake up and do the right thing and realize what truly is important to Jesus.

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Those in Lot’s fellowship…

Posted: August 25, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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Brothers and sisters, why do you think Abraham thought he could appeal to God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were fifty righteous men in the cities? Most people tend to think it was just “righteous Lot” who was living there vexing his soul among all those vulgarly wicked and profane sodomites. But do you really think Lot would live there alone if there were no other professing “believers” living there? When Ezekiel was sent to reprove Israel, God declared that, “As I live says the Lord Jehovah, Sodom your sister, she nor her daughters has not done as you have done, you and your daughters.” Surely you wouldn’t think that there were no professing believers in Ezekiel’s days? Why then do we tend to dismiss the idea there were other “believers” in Sodom?

No, there were religious people all over the land, many just like those in Ezekiel’s day who were boasting in their arrogance to be God’s chosen people, prophets and priests and faithful followers of Jehovah, the called out ones, or so they thought. They were as surprise as will be so many when they too cry out “Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name cast out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?” Only to hear the Lord reply, “I never knew you! Depart from Me, you who live working lawlessness!”

No, righteous Lot was alone only in his righteousness, many were there claiming to be the believers in the living God. It was that reason Abraham asked God, “Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will You also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are in it?” and yet the longer Abraham thought about the “believers” dwelling in Sodom and the surrounding cities, he began to go lower and lower in asking God till he said “Oh do not let the LORD be angry, and I will speak only once more. Perhaps ten shall be found there?” And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.”

Seriously consider this, you who so confidently profess to be serving God, for out of Abraham’s appeal to God to spare the cities for fifty righteous, only one was led out. That was a speculated “fifty,” out of how many though that was professing faith? Abraham knew they were not all serving God, that many had deceived their own selves into thinking they were righteous, so fifty had to be a conservative number to start with. Then, knowing the holiness of God, Abraham began to whittle the numbers down till he reached ten, only a mere ten and God still said He would have spared the cities. And yet it was only righteous Lot who came out from among them, with his wife looking back perishing. Do you understand the math concerning this? Only 2% of Abraham’s original conservative number was saved.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

 How is it men don’t fear God?

America Series Part 5 – Daniel’s Seventieth Week

Posted: August 23, 2014 in America, End Times, Prophecy, Shared Thoughts, Study!, Uncategorized
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To download article’s MP3 file:  1. Click on this link  2. Right click on page  3. Select “save as”

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And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)

This is the only “seven year” scriptural reference I know of that is used foundationally for the complete duration of the “seven year tribulation” with the perceived division being “in the midst of the week” when, according  to popular understanding of the doctrine, the antichrist does away with the animal sacrifices that were reinstated in a rebuilt temple.  There are however, many scriptural references to “seven years” –

  1. The two periods of seven years which Jacob labored for Rachael and was given Leah instead, then the next seven years for which he indeed received Rachael.
  2. The seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine with Joseph in Egypt.
  3. The seven years of famine under David and Samuel.
  4. The seven years of famine with Elisha.
  5. The seven years of burning weapons after the war with Gog and Magog, (which if there is a seven-year tribulation immediately before the return of Christ, this war needs to take place before it then.)

Since seven years divided by two equals three and a half years, it must be acknowledged that there are also several three and a half year periods in scriptures referred to as “time, times, and half of time,” or periods of 1260 days, 1290 days, and 1335 days. With all these segments of time recorded in scripture, it is not surprising there has always existed a curiosity as to what these times meant and when would they occur. However, it is astounding the extreme lengths some have labored to prove they know the dates of these times and when they will occur, when scripture clearly states the revelation for some of them are sealed until the end.

I am personally persuaded that to assume these three and a half year periods mentioned must be referencing to either the beginning or end of the tribulation period,  would be as imprudent as believing all the previously mentioned seven-year periods were the same. Clearly a simple reading of them all brings a quick dismissal of such nonsense. Therefore caution must be taken when asserting things from scriptures, for history shows it isn’t hard to earn the title of “false” teacher or prophet.

However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider such texts in light of history and prayerfully seek understanding through the Holy Spirit’s illumination. We must be students of God’s word, for perhaps the greatest reward of persistent prayer and seeking to prove all things, will be the avoidance of being carried away by the flood of false doctrines that the Holy Spirit warned would be promoted abundantly by demons through arrogant men thinking themselves to be something they are not.

True understanding is given by direct commandment of God who tries the hearts of men. It is never the product of clever men being able to calculate their way through hidden codes in scripture; Harold Camping’s date setting errors should be a sufficient warning to any aspiring date setter. But that doesn’t mean we cannot know the times in which we are living. (more…)

Black and White

Posted: August 22, 2014 in Shared Thoughts
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Black and White.

There is a sharp and blaring contrast that divides the blackness of the deceitfulness of sin from the bright white of truth which alone serves as a sure foundation for virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, kindness, godliness, and charity, or the defining characteristics of true and living righteousness which comes through faith in, and faithfulness to, the living God. For faith without faithfulness is merely a personal deception.

When men fail to see the sharp and distinct line, which is unmistakable to the seeing, it is for one of two reasons. Either they are ignorant or they have allowed their own hearts for self-serving reasons to mingle the two together. Like it or not, only in Truth can men truly be free. But that becomes the defining point of when, where, and why evil in the hearts of men compel them to reject the truth of what freedom is, triggering in them a desperate need to redefine it into something it is not. (more…)

Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it…

Posted: August 4, 2014 in America, End Times, Wake Up!
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A message the Lord gave me to share in open assembly. 

Transcript-

In the beginning of your message, the Lord put this… brought this to my heart. Being a husband and being a father, loving my wife and kids, loving my friends, loving my pastor, this passage has always struck me, motivated me to prayer. Ummm,

(I’m reading from Ezekiel 14)

The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,

Son of man, when a land sins against Me by traitorous betraying, then I will stretch out My hand on it, and will break the staff of its bread, and will send famine on it, and will cut off man and beast from it.

And though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver only their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord Jehovah.

If I cause destroying beasts to come through the land, and they spoil it so that it is deserted, so that no one may pass through because of the beasts,

though these three men were in its midst, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters. They only shall be delivered, but the land shall be deserted.

Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it;

though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

Or if I send a plague into that land, and pour out My fury on it in blood, to cut off man and beast from it;

though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter. They shall only deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

For so says the Lord Jehovah: How much more when I send My four evil judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the destroying beast, and the plague, to cut off man and beast from it.

Yet, behold, there shall be left a remnant in it that shall be brought out, sons and daughters. Behold, they shall come out to you, and you shall see their way and their doings. And you shall be comforted concerning the evil that I brought on Jerusalem, for all that I have brought on it.

A brother  asks – What passage was that?

William – Ezekiel 14:12 to the end.

God will provide our needs, you said that. You talked about tribulation; you talked about God’s faithfulness and God will provide for us when the time comes… But God is providing for us.  It is fooling… it is foolishness to think that we need to wait till the sword comes and that God’s going to provide. God is providing now.

People in the congregation say “Amen.”

William – Today… we are told in the book of Ephesians “that having done all to stand.” Are we doing all…to stand? Because it is coming. We… you… do all now to stand? We have… I’ve heard it, and, and, I hope I am saying it in the right spirit. You know, God’s put it on Albert’s heart to talk about preparing, and he has prepared. And there are other’s that I know that are preparing. Because God is providing now that preparation for what is coming. God sends His the prophets. God sends His word and says I will do nothing except I reveal it first through my servants the prophets.

And that is the time you receive what God is saying, and you take the time to prepare, first and foremost spiritually. And mentally to prepare you for what’s coming so that you’re not overwhelmed by sudden fear… but also in the practical. Because we have that little warning there, with the five foolish virgins that come to five wise ones and say, “Give us of yours, because our lamps are gone out.”   And they turn around saying to those who had opportunity, who had time to prepare spiritually, emotionally and practically, “Uh-uh, no, not so. Go and buy from them that sell lest we don’t have for ourselves.”

God is speaking to all His people, “Prepare, prepare, prepare, spirit, soul, and body.” To stand in righteousness, to give heed because the God of gods who is righteous and just and has given everything we need now to prepare. And we need to prepare first and foremost in righteousness and repent, and to be the redeemed of the Lord and to let Christ come forth. But faith without works… in that you’re not preparing beyond that to the body, to everybody.

We are the body of Christ, and we need to discern those that are the body of Christ. And we need to let charity move forth beyond words, beyond the walls of the church into true commitment to each other, to stir us up.

This is the word of God today (pointing up towards the pastor), and my prayer is that God’s people lay hold of it, and put actions to it.

 

Love and Honor

Posted: August 3, 2014 in Shared Thoughts
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Which is more important, to feel you are honoring the Lord, or for Him to feel He is being honored? Likewise, which is more important, for us to feel that we love the Lord, or for Him to know He is truly loved? Let’s take this one step further, by adding to our considerations what Jesus also said about faithfulness.

Luke 16:10, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”

Now based upon Jesus’ words, if when we are being faithful in the least, that discipline will remain constant into our being faithful in greater things; it then seems obvious that the opposite would be true. No, I am not simply repeating what Jesus said, I am working this principle backwards, from the greater down to the least.  For if men are unfaithful in the greater things, then they are without a doubt being unfaithful in the least of things.

Therefore, if men are failing to honor God, they will surely be failing to respectfully honor men. Once again likewise, if they are failing to love God they will be miserably failing at loving other men. Now that doesn’t mean they are going to be aware of it, at least not be facing it head on in the mirror so to say. For we have a way of lying to ourselves, especially about love. (more…)

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