The Once Saved Always Saved Controversy- a deep dive

 

I pray the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of those being misled by Satan's most deceptive lie .. ONCE SAVED  ALWAYS SAVED.

Among Christians, the discussions are tough. The disagreements confusing. I can only encourage you to read your Bible carefully so you can discern the spirit of truth from the spirit of error. Satan once confused Eve begining with these four words: "Yeah, hath God said" and twisted the true words God actually spoke mixed with something God never said.

The same thing is happening today regarding our security of salvation as believers in Christ Jesus. Satan was able to trick Eve about her relationship with God by injecting a lie mixed with God's truth. Today, the deception is the same.

Let's look at the argument being used "once saved always saved" and see where Satan mixes his lies with God's truth:

LIE: Salvation is secure forever TRUTH: "there's no condemnation anymore for those belonging to Christ." Romans 8:1

LIE: No adoption can ever be annuled TRUTH: "We have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

LIE: The devil cannot have us anymore. TRUTH: "No one can snatch us out of the Father's hands" John 10:28

See how confusing these are? The lies sound as true as God's actual words. So which is correct?

I tend to believe Hebews 6:4-6 "For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. (NLT)

 And I can back that up. Let's look at Judas as our example, a disciple of Christ, and take it step by step.

*He walked with Jesus. 

*He was as those once "enlightened" as Hebrews 6:4-6 states.

*He was named as a disciple. 

*He was a part of the team. 

*He performed miracles and experienced the good things of heaven because he shared in the Holy Spirit like the other 11.

*He was entrusted to carry the money bag so he was a trusted follower. Maybe morso than others since he was assigned as the treasurer.

Things to highlight regarding Judas and his position as a believer:

*Jesus summoned 12 including Judas

*Jesus gave them authority this included Judas

therefore..

*Judas is specifically mentioned as one of the 12, and thus one of them that received authority

*These 12 went - includes Judas

*These 12 freely received and were to freely give - again this includes Judas

So what happened that Judas faith failed?  How could he have been the betrayer? Wasn't Judas "saved" and thus always saved or was Judas never saved to begin with as so many Christians believe?

Let's take a closer look. Many argue that Jesus knew Judas was a devil from the beginning and was NEVER SAVED in the first place. I disagree.

The scripture they use to support this belief is John 6:70 --Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil” (NLT)  

This is proof, they say, that Judas was never saved. But I would argue this, knowing Judas would betray Jesus was FOREKNOWLEDGE! It's not that Judas wasn't chosen, baptized, and saved as the other 11 in the begnning . Jesus clearly stated He CHOSE 12. Though chosen and saved, he would still turn away later and betray Jesus. That's FOREKNOWLEDGE on Jesus' part! Tell me, do you think Jesus knows who will betray Him in the future or that He isn't aware of those betraying Him now and walking away from the faith they once claimed? Sure He does, He has foreknowledge. And these that walk away are "those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God" (Hebrews 6:4-6).

People also argue Judas was never saved using these points:

1. He was a thief  (John 12:6)  Well, that's TRUE

2. He was a child of Satan and doomed to perdition (John 17:12) Yes, TRUE

3. He was possessed by Satan (Luke 22:3) Absolutely TRUE

BUT..

Yes, these are all truths as recorded in God's Word. I am not disputing that. I question the timing! Was Judas always a devil? That would mean Jesus chose Judas knowing he was evil but made him a disciple anyway? Or did Jesus have the foreknowledge that a particular disciple would betray him in the future and lose his salvation? I believe it's the latter. We have the answer to these 3 questions. They were answered at the feast of unleavened bread!

Was Judas ever saved? Was Judas possessed from the beginning? Did Jesus purposely choose a devil to be a disciple? 

Clear answers are in Luke 22: 1-5. Look particularly at verse 4 from that passage, "then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve." 

Read that line carefully! Do you see it? THEN Satan entered Judas. THEN!  Not when he was chosen by Jesus. Not when he followed as the other 11. Not when he heard Jesus preach, believed, trusted, agreed,or witnessed. Jesus did not purposely chose a demon to follow Him. He chose Judas as the other 11 but had the FOREKNOWLEDGE who it would be to betray Him. Judas WAS ONCE saved. Judas DID follow. Judas DID sanction Jesus as LORD. But once, during the Passover and feast of Unleavened Bread, it was at that time Satan THEN ENTERED Judas, and he made a fateful decision to THEN betray Jesus for money. Judas fell from grace through choice. Yes, he was possessed by Satan. I agree. Yes, he is rightfully called the son of perdition. I agree. Yes, he was a thief. I agree. And yes, I agree the scripture is true, "No one can snatch us out of the Father's hands" John 10:28. But WAIT! NO ONE SNATCHED JUDAS out of the Father's hand! Judas walk away by choice. We can choose walk away. Judas chose to betray Jesus. We can choose to betray Jesus. Judas tasted the heavenly gift of the Holy Spirit. As believers and followers of Christ we too have tasted the same Holy Spirit. Can you now see how truth has been mixed with lies once again to confuse, trick, and deceive people into thinking once saved always saved is true? It simply isn't true!! That's Satan's verbage! He wants us to think that. Remember, "It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame." 

Understand, I'm not saying being weak, or sometimes commiting a sin, struggling but failing, is even remotely equal to betrayal, walking away from your belief, and leaving the faith you once practiced. What Judas did, as a man chosen, shown the way, given the Holy Spirit, practiced his faith openly, walked with the Lord day to day, and CHOSE by utilizing his free-will, to betray the one who called him. I do not believe Satan's verbage .. once saved always saved.

GOD DID NOT SAY THAT. Judas actions prove it. Satan has twisted the scriptures once again. If you betray your faith by walking away on your own, "it is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame." (NLT).

No one can snatch you away but YOU CAN WALK AWAY and reject the truth you were given. Remember that!

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

What Happens When You've Changed

The moment you decide to take your life to the next level, for those of you with a higher purpose, you are going to receive a lot of pushback. A lot of resistance. Paul certainly experienced it--"Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?"  (Galatians 4:16)

Jesus even said:

 "If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first" 

 "I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." 

"If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world." 

So remember when you're ignored (and you will be), rejected, laughed at, called names, made fun of, mocked, even physically attacked, they're not rejecting YOU. They are rejecting the evidence that Yahuah Hamashiach- JESUS, the Most High, can transform a person. 

People from your past, parents, friends, co-workers, people that used to know you all know your name. They know your past failures. They know your mistakes. So the moment Jesus (Yahuah Hamashiach) begins to change and transform you, instead of celebrating it, they question it. In the book of Luke (4:24) Jesus is speaking, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown." Sadly, familiarity blinds people. Let me explain. People from your past, your parents, your exes, people that knew you "THEN"  (before you came to Christ for renewal), they became so attached to who you WERE that they cannot recognize who you ARE BECOMING or have already become.

The greatest miracle isn't always healing. Sometimes the greatest miracle is a transformed mind. The Bible guides to, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2) .. meaning you stop copying he bad ways of this world and let God change the way you think. AND JUST HOW DO YOU DO THAT? By the written Word of truth-the Bible. It says, "by the washing of the water by the Word" (Ephesians 5:26). This is why most people can't understand (because they won't read a Bible) so then reject this truth. They'll read romance novels, science fiction, fantasies, historical records, mysteries, horror, various authors, self-improvement books, etc but not one page of the best book ever writen; God's WORD. It's not because I write the words Jesus spoke and therefore the message is rejected or wrong. What I write arent my words, I only repeat what Jesus already spoke thousands of years ago. People reject scripture as truth, yet they believe other ancient accounts written long ago without question or proof of the author or origin.

We live in a world that operates on the unseen and the visible, physical and spiritual. But most people are operating within the flesh (the world and things of the world). Only a few learn to walk by the Spirit, a Christians daily way of living (Galatians 5:16, and 5:26, Romans 8:4). It's very simple, right? When the Spirit begins renewing you, your conversations begin to change. Your desires change. Peace changes. Discernment changes. Your thinking changes. Your priorities change. The people from your past (parents, friends, exes) they were comfortable with the OLD VERSION of you. That's why most of them are uncomfortable with the NEW VERSION of you now. It's not because you're perfect. You simple show them that change is possible! When Christ is formed in you, you stop living for acceptance and you start living with a purpose! The people who only see you for your past cannot see your present. Jesus is not asking you to convince everyone. He's simply asking you to remain faithful to what He has given you. He's watching. True transformation happens not by copying the ways of the world, but by letting God reshape how you think, see, love, and act day by day. And WE KNOW, as followers of Yahuah Hamashiach that this transformation is not an instant fix for every mistake but a patient, lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus. For those of you with a higher purpose we know instead of relying on our own weak strength, God blesses us with His Holy Spirit to help us heal, forget, grow, and live in true freedom because, "THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HAS MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH" (Romans 8:2).

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

Why Do Bad Things Always Seem To Happen To Good People?

 

Have you ever said or thought to yourself, 'why do bad people always seem to "get away with it? And good people never seem to catch a break'?

As a believer in Jesus, the scariest thing that God can ever do is stop correcting you. Every time you want to run back to the world and return to an old sin or vice, God pulls out His "spiritual belt" to pull you right back.  Don't call it punishment, call it proof. Proof that you are still His child. See, a father doesn't chase every child in the neighborhood with that same assertive discipline. He only does that for His own. 

The greatest evidence that you're God's child isn't that life is easy. Oh no no no. It's that every time you start running away or acting up, your Father comes after you. There's a reason why God let some people get away with things. And it's probably not what you think. There was a time I thought God was punishing me. I soon learned it wasn't punishment, He was parenting me! Everybody can do wrong but not everybody can get away with it. Stepping outside of Christ and slipping back into the abyss of sin can result in godly chastisement and usually ends in LESSON LEARNED.

Think about it this way. Your child's friend comes over to your house and they start jumping around on the couch with dirty, muddy, shoes. Who is going to get in trouble worse? Your child. Why? Because they know better. As far as the neighbors child, He might get a warning, whatever the case might be, but your child is going to get disciplined. I love the Bible because it captures how we really feel. In the book of Psalms 73:3 it says, "I envied the arrogant because I saw the prosperity of the wicked." So I questioned, " God, Christians can slip and do the same things as sinners but why does it seem the non-Christian gets it easier than we do when they clearly admit they don't even believe in you? Why aren't they chastised? His response really hit me. I heard, "I don't touch what doesn't belong to me." THAT'S NOT REJECTION. THAT'S RELATIONSHIP.

Unanswered sin is not approved sin!

God doesn't correct everybody, He corrects HIS children. And the closer you are to God, the higher the standards become . This is absolutely true. "To whom much is given, much will be required" (Luke 12:48). Society calls that bad luck but God calls it discipline. In the book of Hebrews it says, "Do not make light of the Lords discipline and do not lose heart when (NOT IF) when He rebukes you." Because the Lord disciplines the ones He loves and He chastises everyone He accepts as His Son"  (12:5-6)

I'll go deeper. A few verses down it says God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? Let's go a little further down still. It says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

So maybe God isn't harder on you because He hates you. Maybe He's harder on you because He claimed you.  When God puts His hand on you He doesn't just let you run like everybody else. Some people are getting away with it but you're being rescued and saved from yourself. He watches over us, guides us, directs our paths. And if we get off track, He lovingly brings us back through some lesson. Some people are being left alone but you're being loved too much to be left alone! Let that sink in. Don't envy people God hasn't interrupted. Delayed judgment is not favor. Remember that.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

False Teachers In The Last Days

 READ THE FOLLOWING four scripture locations. 

In this blog I will expose the tongue of a false teacher (mentioning no names) to reveal  how crafty and deceptive their words can be so you can recognize a counterfeit Jesus when pastors like this are teaching such.

NOTE: ALL OF THESE ARE REGARDING THE END TIMES:

ONE. 2 Peter 2:1-3 there will be false teachers among us, secretly introducing destructive heresies and exploit followers with deceptive words, removing the authority of Jesus,  even denying Him.

TWO. 2 Timothy 3:1-9--teachers have a form of godliness but deny its power. Lovers of self arrogant, greedy

THREE.  1 Timothy 4: 1-3 Casing some to turn away from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and teaching of demons

FOUR.  Matthew 24:11 Jesus warned about end times, stating "many false prophets will arise and deceive many."  

A certain pastor is teaching Jesus wasn't a Christian and that He never asked to become one. He's teaching Jesus never asked anyone to accept Him as personal Lord and Savior, that He simply wanted followers on His way of love- adding, "Anyone can do that regardless of what we call ourselves."

OKAY .. first of all, Jesus was not a Christian, of course He wasn't!! HE'S CHRIST. Christians are followers of Christ. This is not an argument. This is word play. Acts 11:26 says the disciples were FIRST called Christians. So no, Jesus wasn't a Christian in the sense that He followed Himself. He is the Lord Christians follow. The pastor said, 'Jesus never asked anyone to become one.' Hmm, that's weird because I'm pretty sure Jesus said, "follow me." He also said, "repent and believe the gospel." And .. He said, "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through Me." "If you love me, keep my commandments." We can't act like Jesus invited people into some vague lifestyle of kindness with no repentance, no faith, no obedience, no surrender. Maybe Jesus didn't use the exact words the pastor did, the exact modern phrase, but He absolutely called people to believe in Him, receive Him, to confess Him, to follow Him to obey Him, and to come to the Father through Him.

The issue is not the phrase. The issue is whether Jesus is Lord. AND HE IS. The pastor went on, 'Anyone can do that regardless of what we call ourselves.' People, THAT'S A BIG NO! Biblical love is not whatever the world defines it to be. After all, pedophiles say their actions are nothing but love of children. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. You can't reject Jesus and then claim that you are faithfully following the way of Christ! THAT IS THE LIE. THAT DECEPTION. THAT IS THE FALSEHOOD. THAT IS THE TRICKERY. THAT IS UNTRUTH.

False teachers love to keep the language of Jesus while removing the authority of Jesus. They want Jesus's love but they don't want Jesus's lordship. They want His compassion but they don't want His commands. They want His name without the cross. Jesus didn't come to give the world some sort of religious aesthetic. He came to save sinners, and that's why we can't just roll our eyes and move on. People are being led astray in these last days by leaders who make false teaching sound gentle.

FINALLY, GROW IN DISCERNMENT. Don't follow someone who uses Jesus' name while rejecting Jesus' words. And learn how to recognize a "counterfeit Jesus" when certain pastors are teaching one.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

The Eye Of A Needle

 

The question arose, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF : "It is easier to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."  ??  Can not a  monetarily rich person go to heaven ? What do "riches" entail?

The statement comes from Jesus in Matthew 19:23–26, Mark 10:23–27, and Luke 18:24–27. Jesus spoke these words immediately after the rich young ruler walked away because he loved his wealth more than he loved God.

First: Is Jesus saying no wealthy person can go to heaven? No. The Bible contains many wealthy people who loved and served God:

*Abraham possessed great wealth.

*Job was extremely wealthy before and after his trials.

*King David ruled over enormous riches.

*Joseph of Arimathea was a rich disciple who buried Jesus.

*Lydia was a successful businesswoman and one of the first Christians in Europe.

So, money itself is not the problem. Paul later wrote: "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil..." (1 Timothy 6:10) Notice: he did not say money is evil. Then why did Jesus make such a shocking statement? Jesus said: "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." His disciples were stunned because, in Jewish culture, wealth was often viewed as a sign of God's blessing. Their response was:  "Who then can be saved?" Jesus answered: "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."  That answer is the key.

Jesus wasn't teaching that wealth automatically damns someone. He was teaching that riches create powerful spiritual obstacles. Why are riches dangerous? I can think of a few  reasons. Riches have a way of making people feel independent, secure, self-sufficient, comfortable, less aware of their need for God. When life is easy, it is easy to think: "I have everything I need." But the Kingdom begins when someone realizes: "I desperately need Christ." Money can quietly become a substitute for trusting God.

What are "riches"? Riches are anything you possess that becomes more valuable to you than obedience to God. Money is only one example. Riches can include: investments, property, career, success, education, reputation, beauty, power, influence, social status, comfort, possessions, hobbies, relationships, even ministry, if it becomes an idol. Anything that owns your heart more than God becomes your treasure. Jesus said: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Notice what happened with the rich young ruler Jesus did not tell everyone to sell everything. He told that man because Jesus knew exactly what sat on the throne of his heart. When Jesus said, "Sell what you have...and follow Me," the man became sad. Why? Because his wealth possessed him and He didn't merely own riches, His riches owned him!

You might be asking, what does God require then? God doesn't require every Christian to become poor. He requires every Christian to surrender everything. There is a huge difference. A wealthy Christian can honestly say: "Lord, everything I own belongs to You." If God asked him to give it away tomorrow, he would. That is freedom. Riches can also be internal. Many people who are financially poor are spiritually rich in pride. Someone may have no money at all but still treasure: bitterness, self-righteousness, popularity, political power, intellect, or personal ambitions. These can become just as great a barrier as money. 

The eye of the needle. Most biblical scholars believe Jesus meant exactly what He said: A camel going through the eye of a sewing needle is humanly impossible. He was using deliberate exaggeration to make a profound point. Human effort cannot save anyone. The rich man cannot buy heaven. The moral man cannot earn heaven. The religious man cannot deserve heaven. Salvation is impossible by human ability.

The final lesson. Jesus wasn't condemning wealth. He was exposing misplaced trust. The question is not: "How much money do I have?" The question is: "What am I trusting?" If your security is in money, possessions, status, or anything else, those things become barriers to God's kingdom. If your trust is completely in Christ—even if God has blessed you with great wealth—then wealth becomes a tool rather than a master. That is why Jesus concluded with these comforting words: "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." The gospel changes the human heart. God can free a poor person from the love of poverty just as surely as He can free a wealthy person from the love of riches. The issue has never been the size of a person's bank account—it has always been the allegiance of the heart.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

5 SIGNS THAT HAPPEN BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST (are you ready?)

 

The Bible spells out 5 signs that will appear before Jesus returns (The Second Coming) and every single one of them is happening now. Not someday, but right now. I'm not referring to a rapture, no no, these 5 signs would be post-rapture right before He returns with hundreds of thousands of His saints -the believers. Here are the 5 listed in God's Word and #5 is the one He warned us the most about. So, how close is the Church to being raptured? Even at the door!

SIGN ONE: Israel is a nation again as of 1948. Jesus  said in Luke 21:24 "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the GENTILES BE FULFILLED."  For nearly 2,000 years Israel did not exist as a nation. It was scattered, it was destroyed, and it was impossible. Then on May 14, 1948 Israel declared independence. The entire world said that cannot happen and it did. You can't read the Bible and say this is not a sign.

SIGN TWO: Earthquakes, and they are happening every where. Google claims there are 10,000 to 12,000 worldwide every month and hundreds of thousands every year!! Jesus said, "Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in diver places"

(Matthew 24:7).And most recent, remember the massive quake on June 24th that struck Venezuela with a 7.2 then a 7.5 just 39 seconds later? A country that barely shakes and the death toll climbing above 4,734. Did you know Paul said all creation (the earth) is suffering under the weight of sin and decay and is eagerly waiting to be set free (Romans 8:22-23). 

SIGN THREE:  People have become lovers of themselves. Second Timothy 3:1-2 "In the  last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves. Covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy." You do not need a Bible to see this. Your eyes can see it. If not, logic alone should. Open any social media site. That verse isn't a prophecy anymore. It's a headline.

SIGN 4: The gospel has reached every corner on earth. Matthew 24:14 "This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then shall the end come." For 2,000 years this was literally impossible. There are tribes with no contact, languages with no scripture, nations sealed shut. This condition has never been met in human history until now. Today there are missionary organizations and translators that reach deep-jungle tribes by using bush planes, helicopters, and riverboats to access isolated areas. Missionaries spend years learning the local, unwritten language to translate the Bible into the tribes native tongue. The civilized nations use computers, satellites, Star-Link, television and radio preachers.

SIGN 5: This is the one nobody talks about. BIRTHPAIN.  As a baby nears it's birth, a pregnant woman's contractions grow stronger and closer together. Jesus used that  metaphor to describe how things will grow worse, faster, stronger as His return nears.  Matthew 24:8 "These are the beginning of sorrows" (plural more than one). The reference to the word sorrow in both Hebrew and Greek, mean: travail, labor, birth pains. Birth pains do not come evenly spaced. They begin far apart and draw closer and closer together, then it happens.

Look briefly at the last 30 years

2004  Tsunami

2008 Financial collapse

Covid

Wars & rumor of more wars-Ukraine, RUSSIA, MIDDLE  EAST

The love of many are waxing cold

famine

The moral collapse of many nations

ALL THESE and so many more in a single generation. These are not random events, they are contractions getting closer together. Here's what nobody tells you. The same JESUS who warned about these signs also said, "When you see ALL THESE THINGS COME TO PASS know that it is near (His return), even at the door. Then Luke  21:23 says." When these things begin to come to pass, then look up- and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh." Pay attention! KEY WORDS: "ALL these things." When you see ALL these (same period of time). Not the 9.5 Biobio, Chili earthquake in 1960 then silence until Alaska's 9.2 in 1964. NO, every sign He listed is happening present-day. Jesus did not say hide, He said LOOK UP THE END IS COMING, but so is He!  

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

A Bad Trade For Your Soul

Today I'm addressing the world with this important message. I hope it reaches everyone who needs it.

Jesus asked a math question that most people are failing without realizing it. He didn't ask it of religious people. He asked it to people chasing everything in the world that it told them to chase. I'm referring to Mark 8:36. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? "People become uncomfortable with this subject. I think it's NOT ONLY important but relevant. Especially in todays self-centered society where there's a systemic prioritizing of profit over people and the environment.

I "used to" read Mark 8:36 and think it was about money. But now? I think it's about something far more expensive than $$$$ because Jesus isn't talking about your bank account in his verse. He's talking about your soul. He's asking you, even today, to do the math. "What does it profit a man to gain he while world and lose his own soul?" Jesus already knew something that we're still learning.

You could win every external competition and still not possess the only thing that actually mattered. You could have the title, the income, the followers, the influence, the respect, the lifestyle and still walk away from this life bankrupt. One of those things transfer. None of them cross over. None of them boost the economy of heaven Jesus operates in. He refers to a trade. He tells His disciples what it actually cost to follow Him .."Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow me." He knew what was pulling at them. The same thing is pulling at us two millennia later: a life that looks full but leaves you empty on the inside.

The world has gotten very sophisticated at packaging emptiness. It doesn't come looking like destruction anymore. It comes looking like success.  It comes looking like hustle.  It comes looking like achievement. It comes with all the applause and affirmation, and every external signal telling you that you're winning. Somewhere in the middle of all that, a man can lose himself slowly, quietly, without anyone around him even noticing. And that's the trade Jesus warned about. The slow trade. The one that doesn't happen all at once. The one that happens decision by decision. Compromise by compromise. Priority by priority. Until one day you look up and you realize you gained everything you were chasing and somewhere along the way, you lost "you." Your faith was traded for the things of the world .. the fleeting, the temporary the empty.

The most dangerous version of this isn't the person who dramatically chose the world over God. It's the person who just stayed busy, who kept moving, who kept building, who never stopped long enough to ask, is the thing I'm building toward actually worth what I'm paying for? Jesus is asking that question right now. Not to shame you, not to make you feel behind. He's asking because He knows what your soul is worth. And He's the only one in the room who paid the full price to prove it. Are you trading an eternal relationship with Christ, an eternity of boundless peace, reward, and happiness only to bankrupt your soul?

My final thoughts: the whole world is a bad trade for your soul. Think about it. Your soul .. the version of you that existed before life started adding things and taking things. The version of you God formed before the foundation of the world. That version of you is worth more than every achievement, temporary pleasure habit or desire. There is a cost. One is temporal, the other divine. One takes your life, the other gives you LIFE.

Until He comes,

-Pat-

Is it A Bird, A Plane, Jesus?

 

1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18

 Read the following verses VERY carefully from Thessalonians 4: 15-18, " For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." The last sentence says "comfort one another with these words." So today, that's exactly what I'm going to do. There is a huge clue Jesus left us in these verses that I bet you've missed. When you understand it, you'll have an ah-ha moment and then shout for joy. 

Last night as I was praying, I once again asked God for the umpteenth time that in these end times, I do not want be deceived by word, visions in the sky, by drones or holograms, AI robots, digital manipulation or by strong delusion. I have been asking for discernment and protection from being mislead. Why am I concerned? We've all seen the choreographed, aerial, acrobats, and light shows put on by drones. They can "appear" and "disappear" creating varied images in the heavens. They also are used in search and rescue, disaster management, law enforcement, firefighter, delivering packages and so much more. Today, drones are highly intelligent. They are cognitive, smart, autonomous, self-navigating, AI driven, etc. and are considered the most prominent deception in the sky. Drones can  trick the human  eye by exploiting human perception and visual illusions.

And, there is such deception today.  Falsehoods, deceptive practices, liars, cheaters, false prophets, false teachers, and false "christs." The Bible warns .. "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24) And Mark 13:22 states they will show signs and wonders to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect." Which leads to the purpose of this blog. How are you reading 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18? For years, I thought I understood this passage. In fact I was confident in it until last night as I was praying and God spoke to my spirit. Before last night, I thought: 'how will I know or any believer know that Jesus' return is real and not fake presented by technological geniuses running  drones or holograms? It is a legitimate question seeing that in the last days there will be so much deception. I believed in the past and shared my beliefs on this wise .. The enemy can fly any drone(s), use convincing holograms, make fire come down from the sky, use hypersonic sound to create a demanding voice, or a rapid laser-induced plasma effect that actually generate audible words that sound as if they are being spoken directly from thin air. If they produce a false image, picture, figure, or voice from these methods, there is one sure way to know their optical graphic is FALSE.  It's this, UNLESS my feet leave the ground and I am "caught up" in the air as 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18 states, it's not real, I'll  know what I'm seeing in the sky is a created illusion and not to believe it. For Jesus Himself will raise me up -no drone can do that! This is what I believed (past tense). I'm writing today for a new perspective. You'll love it.

For months on end my prayer has been, "Don't let me be deceived, Jesus. I don't want to be deceived by AI, drones, or holograms." 

Last night Jesus spoke to my spirit:

Jesus: "Their technology is so advanced this is not true, Pat (yes, I heard my name!). They will create false images and generate a deceptive supernatural resurrection in the sky through 3D projections and drone swarms." 

Me: 'Then how am I to know it's you when you come for your followers.'

Jesus: "I've told you. You've read it dozens of times. Have you not understood?"

Me: 'I always thought when my feet left the ground, that was you rapturing me up to meet you in the clouds.'

Jesus: "I will but that is not the sign you should be looking for. Repeat aloud the scripture you know so well and I will open your understanding."

Me: (I thought for a moment then whispered as I recited the words) "The dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. "I repeated it about 4 times concentrating on the words.

Jesus: My child, no one can raise the dead but God Himself. When sleeping Christians are drawn from their graves, that will be your sign that I am above drawing those to Me. Then those alive, remaining, will follow them.

The message I want other believers to know is, God put it in plain writing so that the believers in Him would  not be deceived by a generated  false Christ or false miracles. Drones cannot raise the dead! 

"The dead in Christ shall rise first. THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN shall be caught together with them to meet the Lord in the air."  1 Thessalonians 4:16

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-

The Scariest Words-A Warning to Christians

 

Imagine spending your whole life thinking you're walking with God just to stand before Jesus and hear Him say the words, "I never knew you. Depart from Me."

In the book of James it says even demons believe and they tremble. Realize, demons ARE NOT ATHEISTS! They've seen His power, they know His authority, but knowing WHO Jesus is, is not the same as BELONGING to Him!

I can believe that a gym exists and still not get in shape! Belief that never changes the way you live is just information. In the book of Matthew 7:21, Jesus is speaking to the crowd and His disciples from the mountain side, and He's talking to them about judgement day. Jesus said, "Not everyone that says unto Me'Lord, Lord' will enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven." And then He said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied IN THY NAME? and IN THY NAME have cast out devils? and IN THY NAME done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." When Jesus said,  "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you" should scare every Christian as well as non-believers. In some translations it says, "you who practice lawlessness."

The key word for Christians to HEAR is, practice. Jesus is not talking about someone who sins, repents, and seeks God. He's talking about the people who call Him lord, do religious works, yet continue living in deliberate rebellion against what He demands. Lawlessness isn't just about breaking God's law, it's living life like God's authority just doesn't apply to you. Now, He didn't say I never HEARD of you because He knows about you. He said, I NEVER KNEW YOU. That means He never had a relationship with you.

Being a disciple of Christ isn't just knowing facts about Jesus. There's a ton of atheist history teachers that know facts about Jesus. So, don't confuse KNOWING "WHO" Jesus is, with KNOWING Jesus. There's a huge difference. We've all experienced somebody asking us if we know somebody and we say, 'I mean, I know 'em but I don't KNOW 'em.' God is saying if  I don't know you-know you, you cannot come into My house. In the book of John 10:27 Jesus said, "My sheep know My voice and I know them, and they follow Me." I can get emotional reading that verse because here I am, AND I KNOW HIM. I know His voice (the Word) and I follow.

Here's an example you can follow: Michael Jackson. Millions around the world knew his name, millions of people knew his songs. Millions of people could have called themselves fans but what value is there in that? Now flip it around. Imagine if Michael Jackson knew your name! Imagine if he called you his friend, invited you into his home and treated you like family? And everybody knew you had a real relationship with him. Who is more valuable? The millions of fans that knew Michael Jackson or the few people that Michael Jackson actually knew? This is exactly what Jesus is trying to get them to understand. The question was never, 'do you know My name, the question was, 'Do I know you??'

That scripture doesn't scare me because they didn't believe. It scares me because they did! And, Jesus still said, "I never knew you." This is a call to some fellow believers .. stop trying to act like you know God in front of people. Straighten up, get serious. Jesus' return is closer than ever. Just look around you. Prophecy is being fulfilled like never before. Personally, I just want to live in such a relationship with Him that one day He'll look at me and say, "I know you, Pat, Well done my faithful servant." (Matthew 25: 21-23).

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Provisions Change Not The Provider-considering Joshua 5:12-

 There's a verse in the Bible that's given me a new way to look at things. Even though I've seen it before and have skipped over it, this time I hesitated and reread it and realized something I haven't before.

Here is the verse from KJV, "And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land..."

It says the manna ceased. That's it. That one sentence. Think about it and what that meant. For 40 long years,  every morning,  God fed Israel the same way. Then one day it stopped. Can you imagine waking up that morning, walking outside, expecting what had always been there and then it's gone?  At first that sounds unsettling until you realize why. They weren't in the wilderness anymore. They were in the Promise Land. And suddenly that verse dawned on me. 

What if the hardest parts of growing is realizing God won't always do the next season the way He did the last one? We are creatures of familiarity. We love what we're used to even when God is doing something new. Sometimes we'll keep looking for yesterday's manna while standing in today's promise. That made me think and ask myself, 'Where am I expecting God to repeat Himself? Where have I confused God's faithfulness with God always using the same method? Maybe that's why some people think God has left them. Not because He is suddenly absent, but because they are looking for manna in a season of harvest.

The provision changed,  not the Provider!

 I needed that reminder because SOMETIMES WHAT FEELS LIKE LOSS IS ACTUALLY AN INVITATION TO GROW.

Have you been looking for yesterdays manna when God already brought you into a new season? I hope this has given you a new perspective.

Until He Comes.

-Pat-

Sowing To The Flesh

Galatians 6:8

 What does this mean: "He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption."

 What is meant by corruption? What happens? Is it something physical? Strictly spiritual?

This comes from Galatians 6:8:  written by Paul: "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Paul is using the law of sowing and reaping from farming. Whatever a farmer plants is what eventually grows. In the same way, the habits, desires, and choices we continually "plant" in our lives produce a harvest.

EASY ENOUGH, RIGHT?

What does "soweth to his flesh" mean? The flesh doesn't simply mean the physical body. In the New Testament, it usually refers to our sinful human nature—the part of us that wants to live independently of God. It includes things like: pride, lust, greed, bitterness, selfish ambition, anger, dishonesty, and living only for pleasure or self.

So ..

"Sowing to the flesh" means continually feeding those desires instead of following God's Spirit. What is "reap corruption?" I looked it up in original the Greek. Translated "corruption" and it literally means decay, ruin, destruction, or something that rots. The first thing that came to my mind was a body in a casket .. literal decaying slowly away (no hope, no life, no raising up to live again.) Think of a piece of fruit left on the counter. It doesn't become rotten overnight. It slowly deteriorates. Paul is saying sin works the same way. Corruption affects every area of life slowly eating away what started out as beautiful. Like cancer can do without you even realize you're being destroyed.

Spiritually: If a believer continues to sow to the flesh (but it also affects those outside of belief) fellowship with God grows cold. It really does. Prayer becomes difficult. The conscience becomes less sensitive to sin. A person may become hardened to sin. There's a loss of inner peace, and an unexplained emptiness. Stepping away from the concept of God is a step toward personal autonomy, self-reliance, a greater focus back worldly pursuits with a the false freedom of forging your own moral path where there is no burden of spiritual expectation or sin.

Emotionally: guilt shame, anxiety, loss of peace, emptiness, broken relationships. It can actually lead to what I call toxic-shame. A deep-seated, painful belief that you are inherently broken, defective, different than others around you and in your own mind "maybe I deserve hell." You begin to self condemn rather than knowing we all can drift, but there is a way back if we come back. COMING BACK?? If we realize the error of our choices, turn, tell God we acknowledge our sin, then repent meaning intentionally turning your life toward God by rejecting your old sinful habits/vices. It's easily understood when thought of as a 180 -- instead of continuing on a path that leads you away from God, you choose to turn away from sin and walk in the opposite direction. The Prodigal son did! (Luke 15:11-32.)

Morally: If anyone continues to entertain sin, know that sin rarely stays the same size! It tends to grow. What you will not resist, persists. As a Christian though, you never fight sin alone; ever. As humans, the weakness of our flesh pulls us to sin. Jesus promised those that love and follow Him, "I am with you always, even unto the ends of the world" (Matthew 28:20). You've heard it said, "With God, all thing are possible" and it's true! Jesus promised His continuous presence, comfort, authority over evil, conquering desires, and an ongoing spiritual empowerment over Satan and to never feel abandoned. You can and do find, in Christ, walking the path as a  believer is relatively easy when you "walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

BECAUSE ..

*A lie often leads to more lies. 

*Lust often demands more. 

*Greed is never satisfied.

 *Bitterness deepens over time.

Like rust on metal, corruption spreads if left unchecked.

For a believer, Paul is not teaching that every sin causes someone to lose salvation. Rather, AND THIS IS IMP0RTANT, Christians who sow to the flesh experience a damaged relationship with God, loss of joy, discipline from the Lord, and the loss of eternal rewards, even though they belong to Christ. Elsewhere, Paul teaches that believers can be saved "yet so as through fire" while suffering loss of reward (1 Corinthians 3:12–15). Paul doesn't end with corruption. "...but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Every act of obedience is also a seed: 1. Time spent in God's Word. 2. Prayer. 3. Forgiveness. 4. Kindness. 5. Self-control. 6. Generosity. 7. Trusting God during trials.

These seeds also produce a harvest—not always immediately, but inevitably. They lead to increasing Christlike character now and culminate in eternal life and fellowship with God. A helpful way to remember this verse is: The flesh always promises life but produces decay. The Spirit sometimes requires sacrifice now but always produces life. Paul is reminding us that God has built a moral law into His creation: the direction we consistently choose today becomes the harvest we live with tomorrow. Every choice plants a seed, and over time those seeds shape both our character and our future.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Fear Before Faith Gets A Chance (Matthew 8:26)

 Jesus asked His disciples this question more than once in Matthew 6:30, Matthew 8:26, Matthew 14:31, Matthew 16:8 .."Why are you afraid?" I don't think it was because He was surprised they were scared. Think about the one famous story most everyone is familiar with. The disciples (and Jesus) are in a boat on the sea of Galilee. The wind is fierce, the waves are roaring, the boat is rocking, and water is coming into the boat. Jesus is sleeping peacefully but the disciples are in a fearful panic.

These are imaginary problems. You heard me ..imaginary.

Hear me now and I'll explain what I mean.

The storm is real, right? The disciples in full panic mode wake Jesus afraid they are going to drown. Then He asks, "Why are you afraid?" To me it's obvious, right? That question kept going through my head because Jesus saw the storm, felt it, heard it. So why would He even ask? As I pondered His question over and over, something dawned on me. Jesus did not ask, "Is there a storm?" He asked, "Why are you afraid?" In other words, He's not questioning the circumstances because that's all around them . He's questioning the story they are telling themselves about those circumstances. And honestly I think that's where a lot of fear comes from. Not just what we're facing but what we've already decided that it means: 

'This is going to ruin me'

'I'm not gong to make it through this'

'Nothing is ever going to change'

'I'm going to fail again'

'Nothing ever goes right for me'

Noticed what happened.  Here it is, the crux of  this story. The mind answered the future before the future even arrived! And fear usually lives in that gap! See, the disciples weren't drowning yet BUT INTERNALLY they had already started imagining the outcome and that's what hit me. Why? Because I realized how often I have done this. Sometimes uncertain things happen and my mind can immediately write the worst ending. Then, maybe like some of you, I start reacting to a story that hasn't happened.

MAYBE THAT'S WHY Jesus asked the question "why are you afraid?" Not to shame them but to interrupt the conclusion they had already agreed with. According to scripture, "Fear has torment" (1 John 4:18) and the Bible also tells us, "Be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6-7) Anxious means fear, unease, nervousness. So Jesus wanted to interrupt the conclusion they had already agreed to before faith had a chance to. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is pause and ask, "What outcome have I already decided is inevitable? We sometimes create unnecessary worry, doubt, and fear before the future has even been created! So, why are you afraid? Don't entertain those thoughts. Trust in the Lord and His word, "All things work together for good to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:28). Also, "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). 

Regardless of everyday storms, frightening winds rocking your world, troubles that seem to almost overwhelm and drown you, DO NOT CREATE AN OUTCOME IN THE FUTURE USING YOUR MIND THROUGH FEAR THAT HASN'T HAPPENED. If you are a Christian, you know your Father's voice, you know His promises, you know His provisions. Despite storms, trust Him. He won't let you drown even though at times, you may get soaked to the bone, water may get as high as your neck, but IF YOU ARE HIS, you will weather any storm that comes your way for He will, "order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even dash your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11-12).

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

A Lesson Through Denial For All Of Us

"DO YOU LOVE ME?"

 Jesus asked Peter the same question three times. The number wasn't random. Let me share why I think this is the most redemptive question in the entire New Testament.  Though Jesus already knew the answer, He didn't ask because He needed information. He asked  because Peter needed restoration. Let me expound.

It's found in John 21:17. Jesus said to Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Feed My sheep.” I used to read this passage and feel sorry for Peter. But now, I think Peter was the most loved person in that moment. Think about the context. Peter had denied Jesus 3x. Not once, not twice, but three times! Around the fire, in the cold, while Jesus was being led to the cross. And now they are standing by another fire on the other side of the resurrection. And Jesus asked the question of Peter, "Do you love me?" Once, twice, three times. And I couldn't help but notice Jesus didn't bring up Peter's denial. Jesus didn't rehearse the failure. He didn't make Peter explain himself. He just asked the question. The same question .. 3x. One for every time Peter said he didn't know Him.

Jesus wasn't reopening a wound. He was closing one! And here is what really wrecked me. Every time Peter answered, Jesus gave him an assignment. "Feed My Sheep "Feed My sheep." "Feed My sheep." He didn't just restore Peter's relationship. He restored Peter's purpose.

Because some of us have been sitting in the guilt of what we did, convinced that the failure disqualifies us from the assignment. But Jesus meets Peter exactly where the denial happened. By a fire. In the early morning. He doesn't lead with judgement. He leads with a question that pulls Peter back identity. "Do you love Me?" Not did you perform perfectly? Not did you hold it together under pressure? Not did you prove yourself worthy. But, "Do you love me?" Because love was always the foundation. And Jesus knew if Peter could answer that question honestly, everything else could be rebuilt on top of it. 

So here's what I want to leave you with. Maybe God is asking you same question today. Not about your failures. Not about your record. Just this, "Do you love Me?" Because your answer to that question determines everything that comes next. Regardless of any  failure on your part, do you love Him? Go feed the sheep. Your mission doesn't end because of a moment of weakness or fear.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Hell Has An Algorithm

 

What if I told you that hell has an algorithm. What is an algorithm? Basically a logical procedure designed to process input and produce an expected output. I'm actually going somewhere with a logical end so hear me out.

Hell's algorithm can't predict the future so it watches your patterns to now how to set you up more easily. And the more you feed it, the stronger it gets. The devil doesn't have tomorrow's information, he has yesterday's data! Read that again. And if yesterday's temptation still works today, why would he need a new strategy?

This is a spiritual algorithm that we're dealing with. God literally just revealed something that got my attention and I haven't let go of it yet. It came to me that your Face Book and your Instagram feed is like a SPIRITUAL RESUME! Think through what I just said. It's full of what you entertain on a regular basis.

 Have you ever noticed that animals in the wild usually run from people but the ones that are constantly fed will walk right up to you with no fear? Why? Because they no longer see you as a threat, they see you as a source. Some of us have done the same exact thing with the enemy. We feed him on a daily basis through means that seem innocent.

Hear me. The very thing that should flee from you now feels comfortable around you because you kept feeding it. What do I mean? You feed lust so it stays. You feed unforgiveness so it stays. And eventually what should have been running from you starts living with you! The enemy was never created to be your roommate. He was designed to end up under your feet (Psalm 91:13). So if he came in and kicked his feet up in your life, ask yourself one question.. what have I been feeding it? 

The enemy doesn't know everything. He's not God but he watches patterns and builds his algorithms about you. He studies appetites. He remembers what made people fall before and he'll use that same exact bait to keep you stuck in a perpetual cycle of sin you can't seem to get rid of. The Bible says in 1 Peter to, "be sober minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." 

A lion doesn't attack everything. It watches. It waits. It learns your patterns and habits. It looks for weakness. Even my house cats did that and that's exactly how temptation works. James 1: 14 says each people are tempted and led away BY THEIR OWN LUST and enticed. We lust and Satan lures us into fulfilling that desire.

Focus on "tempted and led away".. or lured. That's hunting language and every good hunter knows that you study patterns before you set traps.

The enemy may know your history, but he doesn't know your future. All he knows is that schemes worked before and he works hard on stopping you before you get there.  Luke 10:19 assures every believer, "Behold, I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means shall hurt you." Satan does not have the power to destroy you so his plan is to keep you stuck in the exact same cycle until you destroy yourself. But you have power through the Word of God to rebuke to back Satan off.

How in the world can we fix this? Stay close to God. The more often and deeper you dabble in worldly things through temptation, those things we know are our weaknesses, the easier it is for the enemy to detect how unprotected we can be in his world. You can bet he'll be swift to test you, seduce you, and ensnare you. Remember, he has your algorithm patterns. CHANGE WHAT YOU KEEP FEEDING and you'll change what you keep fighting.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

I Was Born Like This. I Can't Change

Roman Bathhouse

Recently I was asked by a friend if I could speak to a lady whose son was a part of the LGBTQ community. According to the mother,  despite efforts on her part to show him God created him male in a male body, her son was convinced (quoting Him now to her)  "God made me queer. I am comfortable who I am. I cannot change just like you can't change being my mom." After a brief exchange I asked if she would ask his mother if I could speak with her son, Ryan, and left my cell # in case he might want to reach out. In the meantime, anticipating a possible call, I prepared some notes with biblical verses and locations so that I would not stumble trying to remember the exact location of scriptures careful not to misquote verses. Within the next 72 hours I did get a call from Ryan! I want to share this condensed conversation for any LGBTQ man or woman that has asked the same thing Ryan asked me. Not to judge, not to point a finger, but to share God's perspective as it is written That's it.

Here's the condensed version.

Ryan: How can I change something when God made me like this? I was born like this and I've known since age 8. How can that be a sin like my mom keeps telling me?

Me: First, let me see if I can make some things clear. You do know what you are feeling isn't abnormal, Ryan.? Are you surprised I said that? You were probably expecting something else. Condemnation maybe?

(silence)

Me: Okay, let see .. Scriptures tells us we're all sinful at birth from the time our mothers conceived us as the scripture confirms in Psalm 51:5, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." And Romans chapter 3:10-12 and verse 23 states, "There is no one righteous, not even one, and all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are born with a natural propensity to sin. It's just a fact.

Ryan: "So what you're essentially saying is, I'm going to hell?

Me: Being born with an inclination doesn't itself make the inclination's expression right. Scripture says that EVERY ONE is born with desires that pull against God's design in various ways. Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you don't do the things that you wish."

RYAN: My point exactly. I can't help being this way.

ME: Incorrect.  The good news is, there  is a way out if you're willing to accept this good news.

(silence).

Ryan: Tell me why then, there's been an increase to 23 million in those who have joined the LGBTQ community if it's not natural? We can't all be wrong. Or where does it explicitly state that my lifestyle is wrong? There is nothing to back what you're saying. No one on earth can seem to show me. (giggling)

Me: Well, Ryan, these are signs of the last days. NOT THE END, the last days. Signs to show man we're nearing the end and judgement is coming soon after. The Word of God states that sin will become increasingly sinful as the day approaches just as LGBTQ increases. You do know the lifestyle your living wasn't uncommon in biblical times and that's why the Bible addresses this multiple times? You're not the first and you certainly won't be the last. Relying on a multitude of numbers doesn't make a claim correct, it often reveals the opposite.

(a long silence)

Ryan: What? What do you mean? 

Me: Okay, Leviticus 18:22 states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman. It's an abomination" -- meaning detestable, Ryan. Morally unacceptable, not unforgivable. And then again, in the book of Romans 1:26-27 Paul describes both female/female and male/male same sex relations as unnatural and shameful. And one more .. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 states, "Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the Kingdom of God?" I'm not judging you, Ryan, I'm sharing what God said to address some of your questions. Paul goes on and specifies, "Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, adulterers, or men who have sex with men, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God."

Ryan: Right, but context is everything. So what's the context behind this? Give me concrete proof. 

Me: I thought you might go there if you called so I got some history and made notes.

Me: It's a good question. Okay. Corinth was a wealthy Roman port city rebuilt by Julius Caesar. It was notorios even by Roman standards for sexual excess, and the Greeks had a verb for this .. korinthiazomai which means Corthianize, meaning to live immorally.1 Corinthians is essentially a corrective letter TO A CHURCH, a church, Ryan, one in chaos and claiming to be Christians in which Paul lists behaviors- the sexually immoral and those who commit same-gender sex acts, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers.. and notice, same-sex acts and sexual immorality sit between adultery and theft. So Paul wasn't really singling anything out. All these sins were being committed.

Ryan: So you're basically saying I'm not going to heaven and God hates me. This is the same stuff I get from other Christians as I speak to the Christian church in general who never helps, just judges.

Me: Let me see if I can clarify better for you, Ryan. GOD ABSOLUTELY LOVES YOU but He does hate sin as it is enmity with Him, a holy, undefiled God. But as I said earlier, there is a way out. If you actually hear one more verse you'll see how Paul finishes.. "And that is what some of you were, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." Isn't that amazing? You can have the same.

Ryan: (sounding disappointed) I don't get it.

Me: Ryan! If it can happen to them, it can happen to you! Paul's point to the Corinthians wasn't 'these people are excluded' -- it's that "they've been changed." Some Corinthian believers had come out of every behavior on that list, including same-sex practices. Roman bathhouses were known for that. Ryan,  God can transform you through grace and by accepting Him to be Lord over your life. You can throw away your old self and lifestyle if you choose to through free-will, vow to turn/change, repent of sins, and be “born again.” But GRACE doesn’t mean you continue as you were. Grace isn’t permission but rather, transformation. Start off by taking the first step in this journey! Come as you are, like we all were, a broken sinner needing help to change, start over, confess and be freed and forgiven of all sin. Then begin walking in newness of life asking Gods help each day that you journey on. Begin reading His Word, learning and growing.

I don't know what decision Ryan made. I hope these questions and answers has helped someone else. Any additional question can be asked in the comment section where I would be happy to address them as I did or Ryan.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

How Do We Get To Heaven?

 

Someone asked me, "How do I get to heaven?" 

Could you answer that question?" What if someone told you they were a  good person, believed in God, prayed consistently, went to church on a fairly regular basis, held high moral standards, and always committed to ethical behavior, would you agree these are all good things? They are. Would you say a person like that deserves heaven? Actually, the answer is no. NONE of those things can "earn" God's unearned favor--not even a belief in God Himself! That's right. Satan knows and believes there is a one true God, but is he in heaven?? 

The pathway to enter heaven doesn't work on a point system, though many people think that and are gambling on it!

Here's a question. Are any of those things I listed above actually what Jesus said we need to do to attain heaven after our physical death? That is .. Be good? Go to church? Strive to do your best? 

I'll let Him answer Himself.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father except THROUGH ME" (emphasis mine). Notice what Jesus DID NOT say? 

He didn't say..

•  I'm one of many ways to reach heaven.
• Keep being a good person. Your efforts will earn a place here..
•  If your good works outweigh your bad ones I'll let you in..
• Saying you believe in me wins every time.

Those statements are far from what Jesus really said: I AM THE WAY! Period. Simple. There's nothing else attached. No effort, no climbing, no ascending, no reincarnation or coming back. Jesus-one way-complete. He is the door. John 10:1 Jesus tells us plainly, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber." To iterate and reinforce further John 10:9 reads Jesus speaking again, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved."

Think about His words. If we depend on our own efforts to save us-- being good, sincere, dedicated, honest-- every single one of us will fall short. EVERYONE. EVERYTIME. We can't work to gain, ascend to it, depend on philosophical guides as an example who teach reincarnation (actually believing that karma may send your consciousness back into a cow and there you'll live the life of a cow ). Continuing,  no god or goddess made of stone, wood, clay, brass, silver or gold, no man-made religion centered around self-awareness or one that requires your blood, and certainly not our own ethical conduct will earn a place in heaven. That's exactly why Jesus came to earth! Because we do fall short and cannot be in the presence of a holy God as we are no matter how WE try. Even with our best efforts some ignorantly think it can be traded for righteousness, but any effort is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Paul wrote in Ephesians 2: 8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not you're own doing. It is a gift from God, not a result of your own works so that none may boast."  "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). BY GRACE you are saved. It is a gift.

We are saved because JESUS DID WHAT "NEVER" COULD. 

He lived a perfect, sinless life in our stead knowing we could never earn it or ascend to it through behavior. He willingly went to the cross, THOUGH INNOCENT, allowing His crucifixion to pay the consequences for our sins. He rose again in power and overcame death for all of us wiping our slate clean if ..

1. We will believe it

2. Are remorseful for our sins as we should be

3. Repent then begin turning from our sin and vice

4. Trusting in Him alone through blind faith to carry us and help us remain faithful, knowing HIS SACRIFICE was sufficient for us. That's the gospel. 

Mind you, those that commit their hearts to Jesus as THE WAY aren't perfect. We stumble. We sometimes mess up. But true commitment does make you regret you slipped up. Faltering becomes bothersome when you're a Christian. When you are of the world no sin bothers, you embrace it. BUT IF a  Christian slips by committing a sin (and they do occasionally) they will feel horrible, they will almost immediately say they're  sorry and keep going relying on God's grace of forgiveness as He promised. Here is another mark of true Christianity: Christians do not make a habit, keep a habit, or continue to commit sin over and over using God's forgiving grace as a ticket to continue in and use it as an excuse for bad behavior. Listen to what Paul was telling fellow Christians way back during his ministry A.D. 33 to A.D. 64 .." What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2) 

Any stumbling or weakness becomes less of a challenge when you follow Christ because temptations become less, obedience (His command to love)  becomes a breeze as we grow stronger day by day and stay the course.

How do you go to heaven? Don't start with what with what you've done. Start with what Jesus HAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED. It isn't about what you've achieved by being good, through any works you've done. It isn't by self-effort, ascension toward Nirvana, through meditation, or the practicing philosophies, etc. Salvation has never been nor will it ever be earned. We are too flawed. Salvation is received through grace in Jesus Christ.

 Until He Comes,

-Pat-