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.