2 Corinthians 5:20-21

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though GOD were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to GOD. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might be reconciled to the Father from our sinful nature and our sinful ways. Our sinful nature causes us to have sinful ways! Our repentance is the evidence that we have been born again and are no longer a sinner subject to our sin nature! Repentance is the evidence that we are now subject to Jesus' Lordship!

Those who call themselves by Your name

As I have been praying for the Church lately these two phrases keep coming to me, "Those who call themselves by Your name." and "Those who You call by Your name." In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 Jesus refers to those who refer to themselves as Christians but are not. This afternoon as I was awakening from a nap my wife was watching a Christian interview show and the host made a statement about another Christian leader that tweeted "Marriage is between one man and one woman." when the Supreme Court redefined marriage; and they got lots of hateful responses from “Christians”.

In my 43 years of being a Christian I have know many people who called themselves Christians but their lifestyle and public behavior did not reflect common Christian values. I once was and have know many who were quite Christians, those who rarely told anyone they were a Christian.

The fact is that there are many who call themselves Christian but are not, Jesus said it would be this way and that those who claim to be Christian and are not will be surprised when they are rejected by Christ, see Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:31-46.

How can this be?

There are many "Christians" that just let others tell them what to believe based on the other's credentials as a leader. They do not read and study the Bible for themselves so that if the one they believe is not teaching the true life and doctrine of the Word of GOD then they do not know that they are believing a lie. Also there are some who are wolfs in sheep's clothing. some who are false prophets and those who purposely teach false doctrine. Jesus and the Apostles made reference to this fact.

That is why we as a believer in Christ, a Christian, one who is called by His name must know what the Bible says, what Jesus says!

Those who believe that they are a Christian because they prayed asking Jesus to forgive them for being a sinner do not understand what the Bible teaches. Repentance that the Bible teaches is not just about forgiveness of our sins but it also requires that we change our life to stop living like the world. That is why GOD gives us His Spirit, Holy Spirit, because just as we were not able to change our life on our own before we became a Christian; we are not able to change our life after we become a Christian, we have to follow Holy Spirit and GOD's Word.

Repentance is not just about stopping to live like the world but also starting to live for Christ! This also requires that we follow the Word of GOD and Holy Spirit to ensure that we are truly serving GOD as He formed us and called us to do.

The following was posted by Richard Dresselhaus on facebook 3-30-2018

An about face. That’s what marching bands do when they reverse direction.

And…that’s the meaning of the word repentance – an about face.

But…the problem is this – people confess their sins…but don’t reverse direction. That is not repentance.

John the Baptist said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Then he told the crowd to produce the fruit of repentance – an about face.

Yes…true repentance does have an emotional side – sometimes accompanied even with tears. But…it can’t stop there. Those emotions need to lead to action – an about face.

And…repentance is a continual discipline in the believer’s life. Conviction is followed by the decision to reverse direction.

Ask yourself if there are areas in your life that call for repentance.

It’s God’s way of producing change.

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The Future is for the Unafraid!

The Future is for the Unafraid!

There is a current car commercial that says, “There are two kinds of people; those that fear the future and those that embrace the future; the future is for the unafraid!”

This is a true statement about our society there is so much turmoil, fear, hatred and anxiety that people are fearful at every level of their life. Many people are taking their own life for fear of the future. So many people are addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex of every perversion, violence, uncontrollable anger, control of others that they are destroying their life and the life of those around them. These are the ones who believe any promise of a better life no matter how farfetched it is; they will spend their whole sustenance on any miracle cure; they join any group that pays attention to them and tells them all they have to do is follow their leader; they join any religion that says they can make it without giving up their way of life.

Unless the Body of Christ (us Christians) start being the light and love of GOD to these that are fearful there is no hope for them. The world has no cure or relief from their fear because it is the cause of their fear.

This is a true statement! Many Christians are afraid of the future, they just want to hold on and make it to the end. They want to fly under the radar of the anti-christian groups that seem to be in control of everything in our world today. They try to buy peace from GOD by giving their money and time to any ministry that promises peace and prosperity; they don’t want to protest abortion even if they believe it is sin; they don’t speak against sexual immorality unless it is trending on social media; many of their friends and maybe some of their family do not know that they are a Christian.

There is a song from Bethel Music “Reckless Love” by Steffany Gretzinger, Christians that are unafraid know the reckless love of GOD for them. There is a song “Your Love Compels Me” by Doug Holck, this is the result of knowing GOD’s reckless love for us. When we are consumed by His Love we will be compelled by it to do whatever He says! No questions asked no holds barred we will do His will with our life until we have no life left. (I am seeking and yielding to this lifestyle.)

The future is for those who want to and will do the will of GOD because there is no good or pleasant eternal future for those who do not do the will of GOD, only for those who do the will of GOD.

Jesus said, “If you know the truth it will set you free.” Jesus “is the truth, the way and the life.” It is an inconvenient truth to those who are lost unless we live it for them and speak into their need so that they can see its reality and recognize their need for the truth.

Unity And Lawlessness

Unity and Lawlessness

Over the 43 years I have been a Christian I have heard many teachings from 1 Corinthians 12, most have to do with the first 11 verses and chapter 14 dealing with the gifts of the Spirit. Next in verses 28-31 and Ephesians 4:11-16 dealing with the leadership gifts. Lastly in verses 12-27 about the Church being the Body of Christ in the earth.

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now GOD has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ No, rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But GOD composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism (division) in the body, but that the members should care for one another. And if any member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” NKJV (emphasis mine)

Emphasis paraphrased: “For as the body is one and has many members yet all the many members of that body are one, so is Christ! For in fact the body is not one member but many. Now GOD has set each member in the body just as He pleased. If there was one member where would the body be? Indeed there are many members in the one body. GOD composed the body giving honor where needed so that there should be no division but that the members should care for one another. Now you (we the Church) are the body of Christ and yet members individually!”

Romans 12:3-5: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as GOD has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

Ephesians 1:22: “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6: “I, therefore the prisoner of the LORD, beseech (exhort, encourage) you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, enduring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one LORD, one faith, one baptism; one GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

First, it should not need to be said that 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 are one continuous thought (teaching), and that the quotations from Romans and Ephesians should be studied in the context of those entire books. But as we have the need of breaking out scriptures for their individual thought I am concentrating on the above quoted verses.

So the point: Most Christians believe that there is one GOD who is triune in nature and that in the form of man He was born of a woman as Jesus Christ. Most Christians have heard and understand that we (the Church, believers in Christ) are the body of Christ in the earth to do the will of GOD in the earth as it is in Heaven. Understanding and acting upon truth is the form of knowing what Jesus referred to when He said that if we know the truth the truth will set us free.

Here in San Diego, and in many other cities I’m sure, we just celebrated the 40 days of Lent by many Churches and ministries coming together to celebrate 40 Days of Hope, a time of praying, fasting, worshiping, ministering and evangelizing our communities in unity (together). This is something that should be happening everywhere always but is not.

The shame on the Church is that most of the time we are not the Body of Christ. If we are not the Body of Christ then Christ is not our Head! If the Body of Christ is dismembered by self inflected wounds or overpowering works of the devil, either way we are lifeless and useless. Our Head (Jesus Christ) needs a whole and functioning body to accomplish the will of The Father in the earth as it is in Heaven.

This does not happen because we gather in our little or big groups divided by our doctrine, denomination, ethnicity, economic status, zip code, nationality or any other reason; these are the things that keep us divided not united.

The point of 1 Corinthians 12:24-25 & Romans 12:5, “…But GOD composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism (division) in the body, but that the members should care for one another…but all the members do not have the same function…” is that as individuals and as fellowships, ministries and churches we have different calls and gifts to fulfill the will of GOD. Our gathering together should be based on where GOD places us and what He has called us to do. The choice is not ours, it’s His and we need to obey if we want to live in the liberty where Christ has set us free and see the authority and power He has given us turning our communities upside down for his Kingdom.

Unity and loving one another are not concepts of Christianity, they are commandments of Christ. Jesus said if we have love for one another the world will know that we are His disciples. He also said that we are to be one with Him as He is one with the Father. If we are one with Him and love one another how can we be divided against each other?

Other scriptures mentioned; Matthew 6:9-15; Galatians 2:17-21, 5:1; John 8:32, 13:31-35, 14:15-18, 17; 1 John 2:3-11, 4:12-5:5; the only scripture from the OT because it says all that Jesus taught about unity Psalm 133.

So some will ask, “What about free will?” not the free will to sin but to serve. Many Christians are content to go to church where they are comfortable, to pay tithes and be part of a home group or Bible study but don’t really want to have a call or ministry. Too many Christians are just hanging on till the end because they misunderstand scriptures like, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” “But hold fast what you have till I come.” Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:25

What about scriptures like Matthew 7:21-27 where Jesus is talking to believers who go to and participate in church regularly? “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘LORD, LORD.’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name and done many wonders in Your Name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Wow! That is heavy! Is Jesus saying that we can do the works of the Kingdom of GOD and not get into Heaven? Yes He is! But how? Based on verse 23, “…depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” What is lawlessness?

Lawlessness is to be a law breaker or one that does not live according to the law. Not just in the criminal since of murder or rape but also in the since of not doing what is right and what one has been told to do; like driving the speed limit and not telling little white lies. In our society there is an unwritten law, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Does this apply to the Kingdom of GOD as well? I do not know but I see in the Word implications that there is no excuse for not knowing the law for those who have been a Christian for a while. Such verses as, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and all of these things will be added unto you.” Or the parable of the houses build on the rock or sand. Or, “…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…” Or, “But you must continue in the things you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.” Or, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Or, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Study these scriptures Matthew 6:33-34, 10:16-33, 24; Mark 13:3-27; Luke 21:5-36; Romans 14:11-13, 16-19; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:10-17; 1 Peter 1:13-21; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 12:11, 14:12-20.

How do these two thoughts (unity and lawlessness) relate? If the individual believer is lawless no matter their position or length of time as a believer then there can be no unity in the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is made up of individual believers which make up individual families, ministries and churches, which make up the Body of Christ.

Therefore we as individual believers must seek GOD’s Kingdom, study to show ourselves approved and live a holy life as our GOD is holy! It starts with living a Spirit empowered life.*

We cannot love GOD without serving Him and if we serve Him we will be persecuted; that is why we must study to show ourself approved before GOD by not loving our life unto death. We can only come to that place by yielding our life to Him completely as Jesus said, if we love anyone or anything over Him we are not worthy of His Kingdom and we will only have eternal life if we die in this life to Him and live for Him! Matthew 12:46-50, 16:24-27; John 11:25-27, 12:20-26

I have given a lot of scriptures and hopefully raised a couple of questions, this is how we learn and grow. Take the time to read, study and wait on Holy Spirit. Do not just believe what others tell you because it sounds good or because you trust them. This is what Jesus has called us to do, to do what He said. That means that you have to read His Words enough to know when someone is saying something different or even wrong. Jesus does hold us responsible to know His Word and to live accordingly. Holy Spirit will remind us of what He said and teach us what it means for our life and ministry (where we live, work, play, hobby, etc.); how we should be living.

Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness!

* If you are not sure what or how the Spirit empowered life works, one place you can find out is dninternational.org/SpiritEmpoweredLife

Servant Friend Child Bondservant

Servant Friend Child Bondservant

Jesus’ message of the Kingdom was that those that believed in the only Begotten Son of GOD could become the children of GOD.

Jesus referred to those who followed Him as servants, as He was, of the Father.

Jesus told the disciples they were no longer servants but friends.

Jesus anointed His servant, friend, children of GOD and sent them into the world to preach His Kingdom and make disciples of the nations.

The first leaders of the Church called themselves bondservants of Jesus Christ. Some were apostles, some were prophets, some were evangelists, some were teachers and some were pastors but they all called themselves Jesus’ bondservants.

So what do we call ourselves? Some call themselves apostles (bishop), some call themselves prophets, some call themselves evangelists, some call themselves teachers, some call themselves pastors. But do any of us call ourself a bondservant of Jesus?

My gifting and call is as a  teacher, I did not know or understand that for many years but even after I understood I only called myself a born again Christian, a believer and later a teacher. I never called myself a servant and I did not serve GOD as much as I served my own will. I thought it would be cool to be a friend of GOD like Abraham but GOD called Abraham a friend because first he was a servant then he was a bondservant. I had never heard anyone teach that concept and I did not understand the process to become a friend of GOD. I only recently started thinking about the fact that the writers of all the New Testament letters called themselves a bondservant of Jesus.

Throughout history many have made themselves a bondservant for economic reasons, usually for a specified period of time. Some have made themselves a bondservant rather than being freed from being a slave, this is for life.

As I began to think about being a bondservant I had a basic understanding that a bondservant is a person that binds themselves to someone else to live according to that person’s will. This is a very serious decision it requires a complete surrender of yourself to someone that you must have complete trust and confidence in.

First generation Christians who made themselves a bondservant to Jesus knew who He was and had seen Him, heard Him and some had followed Him from the beginning of His ministry.

Second generation Christians are those who by faith in the teachings of Jesus and the in filling of the Spirit of GOD have understood that Jesus came to save us from our sin and call us into His Kingdom here on earth and later in Heaven. Later we learn through study, prayer and experience that being a Christian is not about ourselves but about serving GOD. As I have studied the Bible and prayed and sought GOD I have begun to understand that Christianity is not about what GOD has and will do for me, it is about what he created and called me to do for Him! Becoming a bondservant is a process where we go from seeking to be blessed by GOD to seeking to obey and bless GOD! To be fully yielded and obedient is the goal of this life so that we are prepared for our purpose for the eternal life.

I am on my way seeking to become a bondservant of Jesus in reality not just name. How about you?

The Bread of Life

The Bread of Life

“I am the bread of life.” John 6:48 NKJV

Jesus’ declaration of being the Bread of Life (John 6:22-71) created quite a stir among the Jews and His disciples and it still creates quite a stir in the Church today. There is some misunderstanding about the discussion that He had at that time still today and therefore some bad teachings about it.

This is a study about what Jesus was saying and how we should understand and apply it to our life.

First what do Jesus and the Bible say?

In the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke they record Jesus’ temptation and the very first challenge the devil gives Jesus after 40 days of fasting is to turn a stone into bread, Jesus response is, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of GOD.’” This is a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3, “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” This was after 40 years of living in the wilderness and eating manna for most of that time. Now Israel was going to enter the Promised Land and GOD was giving them a review of His faithfulness and the promises and curses of obeying or disobeying Him.

In John 4:4-42 Jesus ministers to the people of the city of Sychar Samaria through the woman at the well. When His disciples offer Him food He tells them, “…I have food to eat of which you do not know…My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” :32 & 34

“Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34

“When He called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, ‘Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!’ When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, ‘Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all food?’ And He said, ‘What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.’” Mark 7:14-23

The Bible has a lot to say about the mouth, the heart, food and life following are a few scriptures that deal with the natural life and the spiritual life.

 “A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, but the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.” Proverbs 13:2

“Then he said to them, ‘GO your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’” Nehemiah 8:10 This was after many Jews had returned from their captivity to Jerusalem and the priest had just read the Law of Moses to them.

 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Timothy 6:6-9

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

“Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the Kingdom of GOD is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to GOD and approved by men.” Romans 14:16-18

So it is clear that eating is normal but our life is not about eating and living after the natural things of life. Rather we should be seeking GOD’s Kingdom and doing His will and let Him provide for our natural life as He wills.

All that said, so the meat of the matter is that Jesus is the Living Word of GOD, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:1, 14, 17

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom.’” Matthew 26:26-29

So Jesus is GOD and the Living Word and we are to live by every Word from the mouth of GOD, this makes Jesus the Bread of Life which comes from the Father! When we take communion it is symbolic of Jesus’ body and blood given as a living sacrifice for the remission of sins for the whole world.

When we seek GOD‘s righteousness and Kingdom by doing His will for us individually and as His body in the earth; as we study and live by His written Word; as we yield to Holy Spirit to instruct and gift us; then we are eating His Living Word and receiving our spiritual life plus He is providing what we need for our physical life.

Religion and the Church

Religion and the Church

As I was praying for the Church The Spirit of GOD (Holy Spirit) caused me to think of the woman caught in adultery and then the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. He showed me that they both were victims of false religious teaching and practice.

The Samaritan woman was divorced five times and living with a man she was not married to; this was adultery and/or fornication; since we do not know the details of her marriages and divorces.

We do not know the details of the woman caught in the very act of adultery; was she married or single, was the man married or single or even who the man was since he was not present for judgment and punishment along with the woman.

The Samaritans were mixed Jews in both blood and religion, whatever her sins the woman at the well knew both and was able to talk with Jesus bringing up both points in her conversation. What Jesus did was speak truth to her and reveal Himself as the coming Messiah. While we do not see her asking for forgiveness for her sins we do see that she became a believer and immediately went into the town where she lived and started testifying about Jesus as the Messiah. This led to the citizens of the town coming out to see Jesus and inviting Him to stay and teach them. The result was that in two days the citizens of this Samaritan town became believers in Jesus as their Messiah.

The woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus as a test of His adherence to the Jews interpretation of the Law of Moses. She was brought alone and accused of being caught in the very act, this meant that there should have been a man accused with her; according to the Law of Moses; both persons caught in the act of adultery were to be judged and stoned to death, not just the woman. Jesus spoke to her accusers and the crowd the truth of their sin: I have read an account of a Church leader in the early 20^th century who in a conversation with Christ where Christ revealed that during this confrontation what He wrote in the dust was the sins of her accusers. I have not had the LORD tell me this personally but I would not doubt the veracity of this statement because He told them, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.” After all of her accusers were convicted and left there was just Jesus, the woman and the crowd. Jesus knowing the truth did not ask her if she had committed adultery but, “Where are your accusers, has no one condemned you?” When she answered no He told her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then He spoke to the crowd, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Today we have too much religion in the Church and not enough light (truth)! Our doctrines come from religion not light, our lack of unity comes from religion not light, our structure comes from religion not light.

Jesus commanded us to do the will of GOD: which is to seek GOD and His Kingdom before everything else, to store up treasures in Heaven not on the earth, to love one another as He loves us, to love our enemies, to take up our cross and follow Him to the exclusion of everything and everyone else, to preach the gospel to all the world, to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to tread on serpents (demons), to raise the dead, to make His enemies His footstool, to make disciples of the nations of this world. Only some Christians are doing some of these in some places in the world.

Jesus did not call us to go our own way and do our own thing! He called us to be filled with His Holy Spirit and to do His will in the earth as it is in Heaven, where He has prepared a place for those who serve Him: not those who just say a prayer asking for forgiveness or those who serve GOD only doing what they want to do. As the heir of GOD’s Kingdom He came to serve the will of His Father not do His own thing. So as joint-heirs we are to be bondservants to Him doing the will of the Father in the earth as it is in Heaven!

Study the gospels, pay attention to the words in red! Don’t just believe what others tell you the Bible says, study it for yourself! There is a test, you will be held accountable, if you claim to be a Christian Jesus will expect you to prove it by how you live your life in the flesh. Lose it for His sake and save it for eternity, save it for your sake and lose it for eternity.

What Jesus said about riches, rewards and persecutions.

What Jesus said about riches, rewards and persecutions.

“Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of GOD!’ And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, ‘Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of GOD! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of GOD.’ And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with GOD; for with GOD all things are possible.’ Then Peter began to say to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You.’ So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time–houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’” Mark 10:23-31 NKJV (emphasis mine)

This follows the encounter with the rich young man who wanted to know how to inherit eternal life. Mark 10:17-22, also study Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30.

In all three accounts there is an emphasis on those who leave everything in this life to do the will of GOD that they will receive in this life many times more than what they left.

What is the will of GOD? It is not the giving of money to ministries so that you can receive more money in return. While this is a Biblical principle of sewing and reaping it is not doing the will of GOD! The will of GOD is to take up our cross and follow Jesus, leaving everything if necessary. Those who do this are not concerned about receiving in this life time rewards for they are committed to the will of GOD no matter the cost and understand that they are building up treasure in Heaven. Study Matthew 6:9-13, 19-21, 24, 7:21, 10:34-39; John 6:38-40; Luke 22:42; Mark 8:34-38.

Mark’s account is the only one to emphasize persecutions with the rewards in this life time, Matthew’s account emphasizes the special reward for the Apostles.

Post script: “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat (exhort, encourage). We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the LORD, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:10-17 NKJV (emphasis mine) Study the whole chapter, Paul is making it clear that doing the will of GOD is not living the life of comfort and waiting. While it does not mean that GOD is calling all Christians to a life of hardship and suffering for Christ’s sake we should always be seeking His will rather than our comfort.

Jesus himself said that we would be hated and persecuted for His sake because they hated and persecuted Him because He proclaimed the Father and the Kingdom of Heaven. Read the Red!

The Bible

The Bible

Following is my undereducated but much experienced view of the Bible.

The Bible is the divinely inspired Word of GOD given to man so that we should know GOD and His plan (will) for His creation.

The Bible is the most controversial book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most transcribed book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most translated book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most printed book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most imitated book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most powerful book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most important book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most misunderstood book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most studied book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most inspired book in the history of the world.

The Bible is the most read book in the history of the world.

GOD has given humanity His Word so that we would know Him.

GOD has given humanity His Word so that we would know how to live life according to His will.

GOD has given humanity His Word so that we would know His truth and not be deceived.

GOD has given humanity His Word so that we would live in His light not darkness.

GOD has given humanity His Word so that we would know that we are sinners.

GOD has given humanity His Word so that we would know of His plan of salvation for us.

All controversy surrounding the Bible is from people who do not want to follow GOD and live according to His will for humanity. So they question its origin, authenticity, authority and usefulness; that includes those who claim to be Christian or religious.

People question the veracity of the modern Bible because it has been translated and transcribed so many times by so many different people with so many different reasons and purposes.

People question the need for the Bible because they question the existence of GOD and believe that humanity can and will solve all of its problems itself.

People question the inspiration of the Bible because imperfect men wrote it and it has a lot of stories about the Jews and Israel.

People question the relevance of the Bible because so many have used it for their own purpose rather than for GOD’s will.

There is much controversy about the languages the Bible is written in; the Bible is 66 books written by about 40 different men over about 2000 years in at least 3 different languages. Some of the books that used to be part of the Bible are no longer considered to be inspired or doctrinal by some Christian groups. For centuries the Bible was transcribed by hand and many versions are not translations based on the original texts but interpretations based on personal opinion, experience, or goals.

The reality is that men have tinkered with the interpretation of the Bible and its doctrines, that it has been misused by many through history for greed and power. It has been used for evil and good but the good was not always the will of GOD. But, that does not change the Word of GOD it is still the GOD inspired revelation of Himself and His plan for humanity.

For all that humanity has done to the Bible it still has more information about who GOD is and His plan for humanity then we are able to fully understand and live by. The Bible is still the standard by which we are to interpret all other words and teachings that are supposed to be from GOD.

Never doubt the Bible, GOD has inspired men to write it and to print it and to make it available to everyone in the world. In fact that inspiration is still being exercised by GOD’s Holy Spirit where people do not even have a written language. There are men and women who are going to people who do not have a written language and learning their oral language, then inventing for them and teaching a written language and interpreting the Bible into their language so that every tribe and tongue will have the written Word of GOD.

Never just believe what anyone tells you or teaches about the Bible. GOD gave us His Word through much sacrifice by others so that we can read and study His Word for ourself. He expects us to know what His Word says and that will only happen as we read it daily, study it regularly and pray for His Spirit to help us understand and apply it to our life. You can only know the counterfeit if you already know the truth. If you have been taught a counterfeit and then read and study the Bible you will learn the truth and be able to apply it to your life thus discarding the counterfeit.

GOD does hold us accountable for knowing and living by His Truth.

What's Your Reason?

What’s Your Reason?

There are different reasons that a person gets saved; they don’t want to go to hell, they want to be with loved ones and friends in heaven, they want victory over sin in their life, it makes them feel good about themselves, their family and friends are saved, they always went to church and just believe they are saved, etc.

Just as there is only one way to be saved there is only one reason to be saved. Jesus Christ and Him crucified! There is only one eternity that is in Heaven, “And this is eternal life to know You, the One True GOD and Jesus Christ whom You sent…Jesus is The Way, The Truth and the Life…Jesus is The Lamb of GOD that takes away the sin of the world…Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life and no one comes to The Father except through Him.”

The saved are to be Jesus’ body (The Church) in the earth doing The Father’s will in the world so that we will reign with Him in His eternal Kingdom of Heaven.

So what is wrong with the other reasons? Nothing if they lead to being born again because only those who are born again have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Those who are born again are those who stand through the trials and testing of being a son or daughter of GOD. They are those who rejoice in the tribulations and persecutions for doing the will of GOD. They are those who are compelled by the Love of GOD to do the work and will of GOD.

Here’s The Thing: GOD’s Word And Judging

Here’s The Thing: GOD’s Word And Judging

I teach what I learn from the Spirit of GOD and His Word. I speak against teachings that I understand are not true or not taught according to GOD’s Will. What I am not trying to do is speak (judge) against any other minister or servant of GOD. I know that I have not always practiced the grace of not judging those who serve GOD differently than I do. GOD has not called me or anyone to judge others’ ministries. He will judge each of us according to His Will for us.

In the 43 years I have been a Christian and tried to serve GOD as best as I knew and cared to I have had my understanding changed by increased knowledge and experience of GOD and His will. This happened as I heard or read the teachings of others that challenged what I believe, as I read the Bible for myself and as I sought the will of GOD for myself.

As my experience and understanding of GOD and His will has grown, matured and changed overtime so has what I share and teach. This means that I have taught things I no longer understand or believe as good and correct theology.

So here’s the thing: While I am responsible to teach what the Spirit of GOD and His Word teach as I understand it; GOD has not called me to judge anyone! To recognize their fruit but not to prune or cut them down for the fire, GOD is the pruner! He will do the judging how and when He wills, Paul is a perfect example.

Whose Side Are You On?

Today I heard a pastor on TV say something I’ve heard many times but today I felt Holy Spirit was telling me that it is not a true statement. The pastor said when GOD is on our side no matter what we will always be blessed. Putting aside the prosperity doctrine that he generally teaches this statement is still not true. GOD is not on any ones side, He does not take sides in sports, politics, religion, or life. He loves every person who has ever lived, is alive and who will be born. Jesus obeyed the will of the Father in their love for all of humanity by giving His life for everyone who has ever lived, is alive and who will be born; to deliver us from sin, death and hell so that we could live and serve in His eternal Kingdom.

We are supposed to be on His side! We are born in sin and destined for eternal hell but GOD offers everyone the opportunity to change sides, from death to life, from hell to Heaven, from self will to His will. The choice is ours that is the freedom of choice that everyone has. When we chose forgiveness and repentance we change to GOD’s side, the Body of Christ (the Church, the Royal Priesthood, the Army of GOD), there is only one body and Jesus Christ is its head. When we chose GOD’s side we give up our will for His will, Jesus calls us servants, friends and children of GOD (joint heirs, siblings).

Here are 4 statements made by Jesus when He was on the earth as the Son of GOD – Son of Man. “… unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of GOD…Your Kingdom come Your will be done in the earth as it is in Heaven…Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteous…not My will but Yours be done.”

Forgiveness we understand easily enough, repentance seems to have many misunderstood applications. Repentance is the changing from our side to GOD’s side, the changing from the world’s side to GOD’s side, the changing from the devil’s side to GOD’s side. Repentance is the process where we stop living and being for anyone or thing except GOD and His will. Jesus gave His Body one commission we call the great commission, but He gives each of us a commission or call to fulfill our part of the great commission.

So whose side are you on? As Joshua challenged the Children of Israel, "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I AM - 365 Names of God with Scripture Quotations

Revelation 3 and the End Times

Whatever you believe about the end times (the times we live in?), read the Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels about the end times (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 20-21, John 15-17) and Revelation (1-3 and 22:7, 12-17).

Revelation 3:1-6 “And to the angel (or messenger) of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of GOD (Isaiah 11:2) and the seven stars {as seen in Revelation 1:20 these are the angels or messengers of the churches}: “I know your works that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before (My) GOD. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch I will come upon you as a thief and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (Nevertheless) you have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy”’.” {This letter could well be addressed, ‘And to the messenger of the church in America (USA) write,’} There are many sins in the Church in America; lawlessness, pride, greed, divisions, anger, hatred, sexual immorality and idolatry. There are many in the Church who are just waiting for the rapture to rescue them from the coming tribulation and they have many good works, “I know your works that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” There are many who will find verse 5 offensive and unbelievable, but these are the Words of Jesus to John for His Church. “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Jesus says that ‘He will not blot out his name from the Book of Life’ but will confess the name of those who overcome before His Father and His angels. Overcome what, living the good life of physical and financial health and prosperity based on good works and faithful giving; or of living a life of service and persecution by faith and obedience. Revelation 22:19 “and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, GOD shall take away (may GOD take away) his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city and from the things which are written in this book.” If our name can be taken out of the Book of Life then we can lose our salvation. Verse 6, “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” All seven letters from Christ to the churches have this sentence in their conclusion so that all of the letters are meant for all of the churches! No matter what we call ourself if we claim to be a Christian and a Christian Church, ministry or organization then Jesus expects us to know what He said and to live our life and ministry accordingly. Remember Jesus said the Father was going to send His Spirit (Holy Spirit [ghost]) to remind us of all that He taught, John 14:25-26.