Satan's Bait

I have a love for fishing because as a little girl, I grew up fishing with my dad and my brother. One of the first things you learn about fishing is to present the bait but hide the hook. That always presented a challenge for my small fingers when attempting to wrap greasy, slick bacon on a tiny bluegill hook. The truth is when fishing you're actually tricking the fish. It's a deception bottom line. The concept is the same with Satan. If you consider the tempter, even he presents the bait and hides the hook. He presents sin as fun, satisfying, profitable, and pleasurable while concealing the miseries and pain that always accompany sin. Surely this is part of what Scripture calls the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). Satan tempts us to believe that our happiness and fulfillment require us to indulge some sin whether a sexual affair outside of the marital bond, the murder of an unwanted baby in the womb, or engaging in some sexual perversion, etc. The “passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25) seem irresistible, in part because temptations alleged benefits.  Far from providing benefits, however, sin is the very thing that cripples us. When we commit sin, wrath, misery, shame, and loss are always close behind. 

Sin is bad for many obvious reasons; one of them is that it wreaks havoc in a man's soul. It promises satisfaction but delivers emptiness for a moment of pleasure. Sin always leads to more and bigger sins. It either makes us feel guilty and ashamed (which is bad enough), or creates moral numbness in us so we no longer feel guilt and shame for it or for committing more sins (which is worse). What is moral numbness? One example is the "bait" of fornication or adulterous "love." Why? Because it presents itself as pleasurable and satisfying but we can become so entangled by the thrill, the want, the desire, or even the need to be "loved" that it masks shame and guilt to the extent we are no longer convicted. Satan doesn't let you know he has hidden these hooks because he presents only the bait. Satan used this ploy successfully in the Garden of Eden. He told Eve that the forbidden fruit would open her eyes, thus causing her to be like God (Genesis 3:4-5). The serpent presented the bait and said nothing about the hook. It took one attractive, juicy, healthy apple pleasing to the eyes that took away Paradise in an instant. We need to consider not what Satan offers, but what we will lose." Our flesh is weak if we are not rooted and grounded in Christ. Salena Gomez has a song title that says it all, "THE HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS".

The bait Satan dangles always looks attractive. We are duped into believing that sin leads to happiness. Even when our conscience screams we are wrong in what we are about to do, the bait is too attractive to turn away. Satan knows WHERE our weak points are and he strikes at those areas. Obedience to God's Word is the only sure route to satisfaction though the flesh will try and convince you otherwise. God's laws are guidelines given by a loving Creator who desires for those He created to flourish. Holiness— not sin— leads to real, lasting, happiness. Holiness in this sense does not mean perfection, it means separated unto God ... to be under His will, His purpose, His desire for our lives outlined by His instructions. The sin nature in us rebels against this truth, which is why we often struggle with obedience to God. Satan exploits these traces of sin in us and fans our doubts about whether God's way is truly the best way. 

When we are tempted, the assumed benefits of sin appear large-just like a worm appears large on a fisherman's hook. The worm tastes good to the fish when he swallows it but along with the worm comes a hook! Expect Satan to entice you with bait that has a special appeal to you. Satan, like a fisher, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish. What whets your appetite? You need to guard those areas. The truth is, sin's hook is painful. It injures, damages, enslaves and sometimes disables. Sin leaves long-term (and occasionally life long) scars. The Word of God is the only powerful weapon that can defeat the temptations of Satan. God’s words are bountiful and complete, and they reveal in total clarity all the various corruptions and weaknesses of man, as well as all the cunning schemes and temptations of Satan. As long as we accept all the truths expressed by God, put more effort into His words, see things according to the truth and take His words as the standards for our actions, then we will be able to see through all of Satan’s cunning schemes and defeat all its temptations. 

The Scripture is filled with instruction on the subject of temptation. Jesus said “temptations to sin are sure to come” (Luke 17:1). But Jesus said that when we pray we should ask God to “lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13).  Always remember that God is aware of the temptations you face. Not only that, but He is also compassionate about your struggle with sin. Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Anyone who has tried to be good, pure, righteous, and loving in his or her own strength knows that it can’t be done. But, through the Holy Spirit, God is making you like Jesus, and what God begins He always completes. The Bible says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). And Paul made a statement of fact about us that provides comfort: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

It’s also vitally important that Christians remember that Satan, our enemy, is a defeated foe (Colossians 2:15 and Revelation 20:10). We are playing in a ball game whose outcome has been determined, a contest that’s already been decided! The victory has already been won. Satan will come out on the short end of the stick. You can count on it because, on the cross of Christ, Satan’s end was secured. You and I have access to One who understands and who can do battle with the enemy and win. So avail yourself of that access. When temptation comes, the Christian’s prayer should always be: “Father, I don’t understand the power that is against me for evil, but You do, and You have promised help. I now claim the victory that You have already won for me on the cross.” Therefore, when you encounter temptation, get on your knees, and pray.

Until next time,

-Pat-

There Is No Gray Area

When you consider SIN, it is important to realize that there is no “gray area” in God's eyes. You are either free from sin, through God's grace in Christ, or you die in sin –  The outcome depends on what course you choose to take. You can choose either to die to sin and live in Christ, obeying His will, or you can turn a dead ear to the Lord's commands, remain disobedient, and die in your sins (John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Mark 16:16). So many choose to ignore Life and it makes my heart heavy. I, too, was once indifferent, closing my ears to such teaching or preaching. It's why I'm so concerned for the lost because I remember how closed off I was. I know what that feels like. I know how the mind thinks. It is not easy to break through a wall of apathy. It certainly wasn't in my case. Today I hope something said here will sink deep into your heart to open your ears if you are a person ignoring the Spirits call to seek liberty in Christ Jesus.

In the reality of human existence, there are indeed only two spiritual choices for each of us – liberty or death. It doesn't get any more clear than that! We stand condemned before God because of our sins. Period. No one is exempt. The apostle Paul pronounced, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 – NKJV). The sins we have committed convict us of a frightening penalty, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The only relief from this 'spiritual' death sentence is to be freed from that which condemns us to it – our sin. Ironically, that freedom requires a death of its own. Paul illustrates this death when he states in Romans 6:3-7, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin."

Christ, who knew no sin, died to liberate us from our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ Gives Us “Liberty” From Sin. To gain that liberty, we must die with Him. HOW? By crucifying our former sin-condemned self THROUGH REPENTANCE, then burying the “old man” THROUGH BAPTISM into the death of Jesus. Because our sinful self has died and been buried with Christ, we who have undergone this process stand freed – at liberty – from sin! Liberty from sin, however, does not imply liberty to do whatever we please (Galatians 5:1,13; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Corinthians 8:9)... "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire." In other words, we haven't been given liberty to misuse it by returning to our sinful old ways. In fact, the totally opposite is true; “God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18). You see, by freeing us from our enslavement to sin, Christ has liberated us for the privilege of becoming enslaved to Him and to His commands. Some would complain that that's not much of a trade – one slavery for another. But when the alternative is spiritual death (eternal separation from God – Isaiah 59:2), that's actually an excellent exchange. And might I also add, being 'enslaved' to Christ is not uncomfortable. If anything it is comforting! When we are saved we are no longer enslaved to sin, but enslaved under the love and mercy of Christ. According to Scripture, prior to being saved “we were enslaved to sin;” -- sin was our master — being enslaved to sin and its dominating influence meant “we were in bondage to it” -- we were “enchained” to it. Our “innate sin nature” defines who we really are — “sinners” (Romans 3:9-10, 23; Gal 3:22; Lk 18:19). By definition, sin (in the Greek hamartia) means to “miss the mark;” thus as sinners, we fail to meet God’s standard of righteousness. If we think of sin as only being that which is “overtly evil” (lying, stealing, immorality, malice, anger) it is deeper. Sin is the governing principle or power that completely dominates the unbeliever’s life.  Essentially the reality is this — when we have a self-orientation in life, rather than a God-orientation, we are being ruled by sin instead of righteousness.

Paul stated about the believer, “You are no longer a slave, but a son” (Gal 4:7) “You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons… you are children of God” (Rom 8:15-16). Romans 6:17 illustrates that our liberty is not acquired by being passive. Becoming free requires action on our part – obedience from the heart of that to which we have been delivered by the instruction of God's Word. That obedient action entails what Paul described earlier that I mentioned – being baptized into Christ Jesus, into His death (Romans 6:3). Even our Lord emphasized the importance of baptism being relative to our salvation when He said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). You cannot mince His words. You can choose either to die to sin and live in Christ, obeying His will, or you can turn a dead ear to the Lord's commands, remain disobedient, and die in your sins (John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Mark 16:16). Which do you choose? (Deuteronomy 30:15-19). These words of Moses from Deuteronomy 30:15-19 (NIV) could be the very words I speak in 2020. "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live" because there is no “gray area” in God's eyes.

Until next time,

-Pat-

When A Lie Is Repeated

I want to begin this blog with a story about three cheaters. 

A Hindu priest is carrying a goat. One of the cheaters comes and tells him, how can you, a holy man, carry a dog? To which he responds, "Are you blind? This is not a dog! This is a goat!" A few minutes later another cheater tells him the same thing. Now the man is confused. Not sure what he is carrying. A little later the third cheater tells him the same thing, "How can you, a holy man, carry a dog?" The man throws away his prized goat and runs away. The moral of the story is: When a lie is repeated several times, it does not become truth; but it does become easily acceptable and convincing. Today we live in a pluralistic, polytheistic, agnostic or atheistic culture and have been bombarded with lies from all directions so that the very truth of God and His Word is questioned not only by people of other religions but by some of the very people who are called by the name of Christ. So often we hear the lie 'all the roads lead to the same place and all religions are just different ways to reach God.' Theology impacts life. What you believe determines how you live. Your world view, your value system, your lifestyle, and things you do and do not do; all is determined by your theology. That is why we have to make sure what we believe and what we believe is the truth or not. We are people of convictions. And our convictions are not formed by the lies we hear in the world, but the truth we learn from the Word.

However, if God is really God, a Supreme Being, transcendent, infinite, over and above every created thing, including humans, any attempt to physically reach God will leave a person frustrated and unsure of what is possible. God says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). If God were seated on a high mountain, that mountain is too high for anyone to climb! Solomon thought so. Read his words,  “When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though a man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, ‘I know,’ he cannot discover” (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17). What he is saying is, a man in his own fallibility just does not know and cannot know God. And if you think you know, you do not even know that you do not know! How can the finite human being reach this God then? How can you know Him? How can you have a relationship with this inaccessible God? How can you fill the hole in your heart? How can you have a meaningful and joyful life? There is no way a puny human being can do that by his own human efforts. 

The only way a finite human being could reach God, and have access to the infinite and transcendent God, is if God Himself came down to the human level and made Himself accessible. The only way a man can know God, can have a relationship with Him, is if God revealed Himself to man. And that is exactly what God has done in Jesus Christ. The Word that existed from the eternity past, the Word that was with God and the Word that was God… all things came into being by Him; and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being. This Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-3, 14) ... JESUS! HE and HE ALONE is our mediator. The Creator of the entire universe became flesh, incarnated Himself in the human body, and made His dwelling among people. Instead of man trying to reach God and failing miserably, God Himself reached down to man. There is no other way for man to reach Him or to have a relationship with Him, apart from Jesus Christ as God’s provision (Philippians 2:6-11, NIV). No religion, no doctrine, no theology, no sect, no creed, no divinity, no cult will ever save you or be the paths that lead to heaven. All roads DO NOT LEAD TO GOD! But if you hear that enough it becomes what you believe, but believing does not make it the truth! For instance, I can believe there is only one moon because I physically cannot see any others. But the truth is, as of October 2008, there are 213 known natural moons orbiting planets in our Solar System! THERE IS BUT ONE WAY TO GOD, regardless of what you may have heard, been told, or believe to the contrary. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME" John 14:6 (emphasis mine).

History is crowded with men who would be gods but only one God who would be man! This is what makes Christianity unique among all the world religions: instead of man trying to reach God and failing miserably, God reached down to man and made Himself accessible to whoever wants to come into relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God so loved people that He provided the way of salvation, the way to come into a relationship with Him, by sending Jesus Christ into the world. By first coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ anyone can attain the relationship with God and live eternally in the presence of God. It is only in Christ that we have access to God. "There is no other name under heaven by which a man can be saved" Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other." Christianity makes sense. All other religions are man-centered. Christianity is God-centered. In all the other religions man takes the initiative and fails miserably. In Christianity God takes the initiative and fulfills the plan of salvation. Paul said, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:5). God has given us enough light in His revelation that we can trust Him and be grounded in the Truth He has revealed so that we are not beguiled by all the lies we hear around us. 

Until next time,

-Pat-

You've Been Born Naturally

You've been born naturally but have you been born spiritually? What if you go to church, have answered an altar call, been baptized in water, and read a Bible? Does that mean you are "born again?" This is a very important question. Have you been born spiritually -- or "FROM ABOVE" -- as the American Standard Bible quotes in John 3:3?
KJV: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." I want the readers of this blog to examine their salvation experience. Why? Because you are basing all eternity on it! You're not basing eternity on you attending church. There's nowhere in the Bible that says you go to heaven if you attend church. Let that sink in. It says you go to heaven IF you've been born again (or born from above). What does that really mean? I'll explain, but first, 2 Corinthians states, "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith." So, according to that verse, we will do that in this blog.

In John 3:2 a man named Nicodemus came to Jesus saying, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." In the conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus immediately points out that a complete regeneration is needed (being born again from above) IF Nicodemus wants to enter heaven. Jesus uses an analogy to birth. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus thought he understood Jesus as meaning literal childbirth, thus his remark that it would be impossible for a grown man to enter the womb again.
Jesus answers again with more clarity, "Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ” (Verses 5 – 7)” It is quite clear Jesus is referring to "spiritual" birth, which should be understood as a “birth from above.” No living person today can enter their mother's wombs again to be born. Therefore Jesus' reference to BEING BORN AGAIN is not literal.


It should also be understood that the term “born again” indicates a definite second step that has to be taken deliberately. It is not something that happens automatically. A person must be born of God or “born from above” to enter heaven. Jesus is actually warning us in the passage from Matthew that not everyone will go to heaven. Most people think He's referring to those sinners such as murderers or rapists, adulterers, etc. These verses are specifically addressing CHRISTIANS! How so? Watch carefully. He said, "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." NOTICE, Jesus isn't addressing Hindus, Buddhists, or Muslims here! These religious beliefs don't consider Jesus as their Lord, do they? Jesus is addressing those who call Him, Lord! There is only one set of people that consider Jesus their Lord ... Christians!! In Matthew 7:22 Jesus points out that many, that's M-A-N-Y 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?" Tell me ... Do Hindu's prophecy in Jesus name? Has a Muslim who practices Islam ever cast out a demon in the name of Jesus? NO! Jesus is talking about people who call themselves Christians. Jesus continues, "And then I will declare to them, I NEVER knew you; depart from Me you who practice iniquity" (some versions have practice lawlessness). Many. and again I say many as Jesus said many, have accepted the ideology that Jesus is the Son of God, but have NEVER accepted Jesus as their Lord ("I NEVER knew you.") Those are two radically different things! The proof is, those who hold only to an ideology continue to live in their sin! There is no change in them.

So, how can YOU know if you've been spiritually born again from above? You can know. John tells us, "These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life." Here's how you know. It's when your life has truly turned from who you were without regret, without question, hesitation, and without opposition. Many of us come to the altar in hopes of being saved. We recite all the prayers and say all the words we were told are needed IE: "Jesus I make you Lord and Savior of my life, come into my heart." Things are okay for a while, but some go right back into their old ways. MANY PEOPLE stay right there. That's key. They stay there. I'm addressing the "many" as Jesus did. They never change despite knowing better and they never seek to have a relationship with God because they believe that one trip to the altar locked in their salvation forever. But that isn't true! There is a definite second step that has to be taken deliberately. There are many who go the altar, say the prayer, and continue to live in and out of sin having no intentions of living a life in Christ. They may have even got baptized in water in the church and in front of the entire congregation! After my own trip to the altar in 1972, many years passed until I was actually born from above though I believed I was a Christian! I remained in the same sin I went to the altar for Jesus to forgive. I thought my altar call was enough. Had I died anywhere in that span of time and stood before Jesus, would He would have announced, "Depart from me, Pat, you were continually a worker of iniquity (sin/lawlessness). And I would have pleaded, "But Lord, didn't I start going to church? Wasn't I telling people about you? Wasn't I reading the Bible? Lord, I even got baptized in the church -in water- in front of everyone- remember? How can you reject me?" It's important to note, many well-meaning "Christians" come to the altar to be saved but the journey stops there! Instead, they remain in sin, having no conviction or desire to live right. Jesus rejects those that WORK iniquity (lawlessness/sin) as pointed out earlier. Other synonyms for the word WORK in the thesaurus is strive (in), cultivate, pursue. Some people claiming to be born again continually pursue sin. That's why I'm challenging Christians to examine their salvation experience. Why? Because you are basing all eternity on it!

So what is being born from above then? How can you honestly know you are? It's when you finally realize how miserable you are in your sin. When you can acknowledge you have no power over it. When you confess you NEED Jesus and surrender yourself fully to Him and humbly admit He has got to take control because you cannot. That is surrender. Many people sing, "I surrender all. I surrender all. All to Thee my blessed Savior I surrender all" but nothing could be further from the truth. To surrender is allowing Jesus to come into your heart and change you. You welcome it! Surrendering will be easy and obedience to Him something inviting. When you surrender your will to God, real change begins. Your goal in life will be fixed on things above. If you have doubts about whether you are really saved or not, you probably aren't. We should be shouting Christians, not doubting Christians. Somebody once said, if you could have it and not know it, you could lose it and not miss it. But the truth is, if you have salvation, you know it; and if you know it, you will not lose the knowledge of your salvation. Doubt is to your spirit what pain is to your body. Pain is a warning, a signal that something is wrong. SO IS DOUBT! "And hereby we do know that we know Him (and are saved) if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked (1 John 2:3-6).
Until next time,
-Pat-

I'll Be Your Eyes When You Cannot See

"I'll be your eyes when you cannot see." That is was what I whispered to my 11-year-old cat, Lucy, as she finally snuggled into my lap after a bit of hesitance and difficulty trying to jump up. With an ever-developing cataract, Lucy's perfect eyesight has been slowly diminishing. I thought about my promise to her and what it meant. When she is unable, I'LL BE THERE. When she can no longer see, I'LL BE THERE. When she needs my help, I'LL BE THERE. And if that isn't enough, then I'LL CARRY HER!
Lucy does not realize the devotion I have for her.

Oh, if we could only believe that about God!

When we haven't been able to see (the outcome of a situation), HE has been our eyes.
When we have been unable (to solve a problem), HE has been there to intercede.
When we have needed help (in any fashion), HE has been there to assist and solve.
And when we couldn't take one more step, HE has picked us up and carried us.
We do not realize God's devotion to us.

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"
Psalm 91:2 "This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.
Isaiah 25:4 "You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat."
Jeremiah 16:19 "Oh Lord my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of distress."
Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?"

GOD IS WITH US ALWAYS, yet we fear. Why? "Where can we go from His Spirit? Or where can we flee from His presence?" asks the psalmist, David. He said if we ascend to heaven, God is there. If we make our bed in hell, behold He is there. If we dwell in the remotest part of the sea, God is there. We need to trust OUR REFUGE, OUR PLACE OF SAFETY, OUR SHELTER, especially now in these trying times ladened with distress, trouble, and storm. Take to heart this verse if the current volatile riots scare you. It's from Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him, fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices." We are not to be dismayed or worried about anything, including the current social unrest, racial tensions, rioting, looting, political divide, etc. In these times we can be tempted to feel like God has forgotten us. HE HAS NOT! Psalm 23:4 reminds us, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me." God is living and He is among His people. Why are you anxious about what's happening? One of the promises of God I keep within my heart and mind is a verse from Isaiah 35, "Be strong, do not fear, your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution. He will come to save you."

There is much controversy regarding the president of this country. People have claimed he was appointed by God for "a time such as this." Others foolishly claim he's the devil incarnate. I want to remind EVERYONE, both believers in Jesus Christ and those of other faiths. God told us in the Bible that He alone is in control, and so much so, that Donald J Trump could not be sitting in the oval office without his presidency being a part of God's eternal plan whether you like God's decision(s) or not. Why? Because nothing, absolutely NOTHING is outside of God's will! Times, seasons, situations, and circumstances are all allowed and destined to work toward the culmination of God's Kingdom purpose for this earth and every soul living on it. I am dismayed by the amount of "professing" Christians that curse our current president and fail to remember that David Himself in his second chapter, verse 21 clearly tells us that God raises up kings (rulers) and He also disposes of them. That includes presidents! We are in the midst of seismic conflict threatening not only American society but every government on earth involving good versus evil. So no matter whether you believe Donald Trump is a godly or evil president, your opinion matters not, he is president because he is supposed to be there, and as Christians, you should not only know this but acknowledge it. Time, seasons, situations, and circumstances are all allowed and destined to work toward advancing God's will. Even though we cannot currently see the outcome, GOD IS THERE. Don't forget that! Nothing surprises Him because everything is being orchestrated by Him. Despite man's free will, God still uses His wisdom to complete His work over centuries of time. Do not fear. Do not be anxious. Do not curse or regret the governmental powers that be. Trust God, for He is our eyes when we cannot see and He knows the future!

Until next time,
-Pat-

PROFANITY. What's The Big Deal?

Question. Are you as sick of hearing profanity being uttered as I am? We are exposed to it at the supermarket, over the back fence, at ball games, from co-workers, and even from the mouths of children! It fills our novels, movies, and is profuse on television — in fact, it is a pervading evil influence in today’s society.
We hear it — not just from sailors (“cuss like a sailor”), or from the French (“pardon my French”) — but from all segments of our society. It used to be the case that a gentleman would never use profanity in the presence of a woman — and deep down he knew he shouldn’t use it anywhere. At least that's the era I grew up in. Now, women can swear with the best of them. Small children, who have not learned to discuss much of anything yet on an intellectual basis, can spew forth some real doozies of the “four-letter” variety. I read an article recently that found the use of profanity during the so-called “family hour” (8:00 to 9:00 Central time) is up 58 percent from two years ago. And the nature of the language (sexual explicitness) is getting qualitatively worse.


The Bible is not silent on the proper use of human language. So what's the bid deal. Everyone curses, right? Paul wrote: “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear” (Ephesians 4:29). According to the bible concordance I use, the term “corrupt” is the Greek word sapros, akin to sepo (“to rot”). It denotes that which provides no good service. Our words in the presence of others ought to be such as build men up, rather than debasing them (Job 4:4). Again, the apostle wrote: “…but now also put away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful (filthy – KJV) speaking out of your mouth…” (Colossians 3:8). The term signifies that which is base, characterized by shame and denoting “foul or filthy” language. There can never have been a time in history when so much filthy language is used as it is today. And the tragedy is that today there are many people who have become so desensitized to unclean talk that they are unaware that they are even using it.


Profanity is such an invasive influence; it’s a mind-maggot. Think of that four-year-old boy from the supermarket! Profanity gnaws its way into the recesses of one’s thinking, and, if harbored, will make its presence spontaneously felt at the slightest provocation, even in a child! This is what happens when we allow ourselves to be unnecessarily and regularly exposed to its vileness. We may soon begin to “cuss” mentally even if we don’t verbalize profanity outright. We can’t cut ourselves off from the whole of society, no, but we can attempt to minimize our exposure. Discretionary habits are a start. I cannot count on my fingers and toes combined how many times I've tolerated an incident of cursing, only to be angry by the second incident, and eventually changed channels by the third occurrence.

It is a totally different world today. I can recall that I only heard one curse word growing up. It's true. Just one. And even at that, I was so naive I had no idea I was even being cursed at. I could not have been more than seven years old at the time. A neighbor boy had walked three houses down to my house asking if I would like to play kickball. I remembering declining his offer. After several other attempts to convince me that kickball was a lot more fun than "riding your stupid bike," I still declined. With that, he blurted out, "YOU SOB!!" (except he said the words I cannot type). What I heard, however, was, "You son of a DITCH." In my naivete, I believed he was calling me a literal ditch and in my neighborhood, this was before sewers. Dirty water would flow down the street and into the ditches in front of all the homes. So I knew in my own innocent mind he was calling me something "filthy" although not in a cursing sense. I ran home and told my mom, "________ just called me a son-of-a-ditch!" The look on my mom's face is one I remember to this day. She knew what he had said.

How refreshing it is to be able to relax occasionally, watch a program or movie, without being inundated with verbal trash. The Word of God is very clear regarding the communication that comes out of our mouths, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks - the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Proverbs 15:7). Some might say, “Why are you nitpicking? Why squabble about these things?” The answer is simple, we serve a precise God. He is to get glory in all that we do. And this includes how we think and speak about him. If we are saying things that attack, undermine, blur or otherwise detract from a truth that God means to get glory from—shouldn’t we stop? When you are a follower of Christ, you are representing the Lord, not only in what you do but in what you say, think, and feel. If you are praising God one moment but cursing up a storm in the next moment, your witness as being one in mind with God is exposed as weak. God wants only what is pure and noble to come out of our mouths. When our mouths are spewing out expletives, it dishonors God and who He is to us. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, it should change how we view ourselves and how we present those changes into the world: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
For your convenience, I've listed some scriptures below regarding this subject if you're interested.

Until Next Time,
-Pat-

James 3:10 - Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Ephesians 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

James 3:6-8 - And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (Read More...)

James 1:26 - If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.

Proverbs 21:23 - Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

2 Timothy 2:16 - But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Psalms 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 141:3 - Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Proverbs 4:24 - Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Matthew 5:37 - But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil.

Psalms 34:13-14 - Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Proverbs 6:12 - A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

Fools Hate Knowledge

Fools hate knowledge. Now, before you think I made a rude comment by calling someone a fool, you must know that those are not my words. Those words were quoted directly from God's Word and stated in Proverbs 1:22. In fact, The Word has a lot to say about a "fool." Here are some:
A fool utters all his mind.
A fool has no delight in understanding.
A fool despises wisdom and knowledge.
A fool has anger resting in his bosom.
A fool will perish.

According to The Word of God then, I have seen a lot of fools. You probably have as well. Two of the truths above that really stand out to me are, a fool DESPISES WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, and a fool WILL PERISH. It is becoming rare these days to run across someone that is truly hungry for the knowledge of God. People are more than willing to read an instruction booklet learning how to operate their smartphones, I-pad's, or digital TV's, but are not willing to read the Bible, much less to even open it! They have no desire to know or attain the wisdom necessary to guide their souls. There is no interest to learn prudence, discernment, or common sense, etc. God said, "fools hate knowledge." In fact, the Bible goes a step further. Read this closely and let it sink in, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). Break it down. Fools hate knowledge and hearing God's Word preached. To them it is foolishness, a joke. But these are they THAT WILL perish according to the Proverbs. Hmm. What about you? Are you uninterested in the Bible? Have you called it lame, stupid, or boring? Does it take real effort on your part to open it, read, or dedicate any quality time to it? Have you no desire to know what God has spoken about the end of days, the times in which we live, his signs in the sun, moon, and stars? Because I have to tell you, it's all there (and more). Maybe you would want to know the Bible if you did not perceive it as something too deep to understand? Can it even be understood? Of course, it can! Have you noticed that some people face no challenge understanding and following the scriptures, while others cannot understand the simplest concept like....we are lost without Christ. Why? Does our inability to understand God's Word come down to a flaw with how the Bible was written or a problem with us? If we are honest with ourselves, the answer is, us. Proverbs 1:23 says, "TURN you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you" KJV. There is a key to knowing and understanding God's Word.



The key is, God offers reproof (correction) through His Word. You'll often see the same meaning throughout the Bible as rebuke or reprimand. It simply means correction. God's "reproof" is intended to make you realize you are required to "turn" (from your former ways) and not to remain in them. For every Christian and those who desire to know the Bible, His Word is not meant to punish us, but to lead, guide, direct, and correct. The same thing was true when you were living in your parent's home. They had certain rules they wanted you to be aware of and follow. Their rules were not intended to spoil your fun or make your life miserable, they were rules carefully calculated to guide you to the correct path you needed, which in turn would give you a solid foundation on which to stand as you went out into the world. The foundation they laid would be the very rock that would keep you grounded as you faced the storms of life. Spiritually in the same sense, God's Word is the Christian's guide throughout their lifetime ... the spiritual "parental hand" if you will, meant to guide, shape, and correct through its teachings. Again, God's reproof is intended to unfold to us how we can turn from our ways through the knowledge and power of His Holy Spirit. To begin to know and acquire anything from God will involve you turning. You will not succeed through your own merit, effort, potential, skill, or capability. Only God can do that. When you make the decision you're ready to change and come to Him with your heart asking forgiveness, seeking His Word, it is then He will reveal His knowledge to you and scriptures can be understood


Picture parenting a six-year-old. Do you give them want they want if they will not listen to your instructions? Or in a spiritual sense, do you really expect to get anything from God (knowledge, answers to prayer, favor, etc.) if you rebel and refuse to read what He has to say? How can you know what He says if you ignore what is written in His Word? To "turn" implies a correction in your course and action. It definitely involves you changing, however, it is a continual, gradual, process in life with the help of the Holy Spirit. God rarely gives us much information at one time. You didn't expound the working of the universe with your three-year-old! Their learning, understanding, and obeying your instructions was gradual. Once they understood what was expected, they understood and began adapting their behavior accordingly.
In my own personal journey, I have had to make many course corrections as I continued and still continue my walk with God. The farther I go, and the longer I have listened and changed with God's continual help, the more UNDERSTANDABLE KNOWLEDGE God has opened up to me. Looking back at the things I could not understand when reading The Word years ago, seem like the simplest things now! It's almost embarrassing. I am continually amazed at how easy His Word really is to understand if you desire to know it, James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." IF ANYONE LACKS KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES OR ANY PARABLE JESUS SPOKE, ASK GOD TO REVEAL WHAT IT MEANS. HE GIVES ABUNDANTLY TO ALL WHO ASK OF HIM. THERE IS NO NEED TO FEEL SHAME OR CONDEMNATION. ASK! HE WILL ANSWER.


"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding" (Proverbs 15:32). If you will go back and notice, Proverbs 1:23 ends with God making known His Word to us AFTER we turn. The middle part of the verse says if we turn, then God will POUR (not trickle, not sprinkle) but POUR out His Spirit upon us! And it is this "spirit," HIS SPIRIT, that reveals the deep things of His Word. We can clearly see and understand that in order to know God's Word it will take the Spirit of God to reveal it to us. From the verses listed below I have learned several spiritual truths. I will list 10. This is what I learned from Proverbs 1:22-23.
1) The Bible is not simple to the carnally minded!
2) The simple do not understand the Bible!
3) Fools do not want to learn the Bible!
4) God offers all of us reproof!
5) We must turn and make changes in order to Learn!
6) If we make an effort to change, God will pour out His Spirit upon us!
7) The Bible contains hidden and concealed information!
8) God will make known secret things to those who are actively searching for Truth.
9) Only with God's Help will we know and understand God's Word!
10) Understanding the Word of God is conditional! (Come, repent, seek, find)

Not only is there knowledge and wisdom to be discovered in The Word, but discernment! YOU NEED DISCERNMENT. What is discernment? It is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. Failure to distinguish between truth and error leaves the Christian subject to all manner of false teaching. False teaching then leads to an unbiblical mindset, which results in unfruitful and disobedient living. Without discernment, we are at risk of being "tossed to and fro and carried away by every wind of doctrine" according to Ephesians 4:14. We must be careful about what we hear even in our present-day churches for many are introducing damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that paid for their souls by His death on a cross (2 Peter 2:1). Other examples for your learning can be found in 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 John 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Corinthian 11:13-15; 2 Timothy 3:5; 1 John 4:1-6; Matthew 7:15.
I do hope Christians and non-Christians alike acknowledge and understand that we need spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and discernment which comes only through the Word of God alone. Many Christians need to check their egos and become open to God's correction and reproof. Being chastised is not easy for anyone. Even admitting you were wrong in believing what you may have been taught by a wayward preacher will certainly be another challenge. What is the message here? Don't be a fool.
Until next time,
-Pat-

Wrath or Love?

Unfortunately, there are some people of the opinion that anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ uses that "religion" as a crutch, and even more misinformed that Christianity is a system of control through strict and overstretching commands. I have learned by reading God's Word that, "Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17) OR John 8:36, "So if the Son has set you free you are free indeed" completely contradicting that notion. I could give many more examples but you get the idea. The opinions of the world are both sad and misinformed but the opinion that really cuts to my soul is the belief that God is not loving at all. Frequently the world points to things like destructive weather or babies born with diseases to support their opinions. Is God a God of wrath or is He a God of love? To be honest, the Bible presents Him as BOTH, but God's 'wrath' is not based on vindictiveness as worldly wrath is. This can be seen, as an example, in the 6th chapter of the book of Revelation when The Lamb (Jesus Revelation 1:29; 1:36) opens six seals of the scroll of history. There we read, "Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountain and rocks, "Fall on us from the face of Him who is seated on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the Great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (Revelation. 6: 15-17). The real question? Is the word wrath as we use it in society the same "wrath" as spoken of in Revelation? When we use that word if ever, we refer to anger based on revenge for something done TO us. An angry wife might burst out, "He will feel my wrath for cheating on me." However, the "wrath of God" is not born from a seed of revenge! Christ died to save this lost world; He did not come to get revenge on you. There is a huge difference. It is the disobedient rebels in this life against God who perceive Him as mean and cruel, without any reason to pronounce righteousness judgment of any kind. They do not see Jesus as "The Lamb Who was slain," Who by His sacrificial Blood "ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people and nation" (Revelation 5:9; 5:12; 13:8). They don't see Him as loving but rather wrathful. They unjustly look upon their only hope (having that knowledge or not) and perceive unjust judgment. They only see a cruel God with a heavy hand who enjoys throwing people into hell.

Later in the book of Revelation, we read that the same people REMAIN in rebellion against God all their life choosing to curse the Name of God. They never repent but are left without the redemption that comes from the Lamb's Blood by grace through faith and they are left with only a "fearful expectation of judgment" (Hebrews 10:27) and "a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries." So yes, God is a God of wrath to those who deny His sacrifice and Sovereignty, however, it is a retributory punishment of merits NOT ONE OF REVENGE. For all we've ever done, some still do, God could wipe us out in a heartbeat if His punishment was one of angry revenge. Instead, the earth keeps spinning despite all the rebellion, hatred, filth, murder, perversion, and corruption. And why? Because God is and has been long-suffering, slow to wrath, patient, loving, and hopeful ... He's waiting for as many who will come to the truth that He and He alone is God and our hope of salvation. "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). But time is drawing down. And despite the fact God's wrath will fall on some, He doesn't choose it. WE DO! His mercy and love can be seen in the very next chapter, Revelation 7:15-17 and He shelters those who came to belief. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the Throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." You and I have a choice. That choice is called free will. Free will is a wonderful thing because it proves God is not trying to control us. We control our own destinies. God desires for us to love Him because we want to, not because we have to out of fear of revenge or punishment. If we perish without Him, we choose to perish. No one gets to enjoy heaven who doesn't love God. That has to make sense even to a non-believer! Just as you would not leave your children's inheritance to a complete stranger or a neighbor who might only know your name, God will not reward His eternal treasures to those who totally disregard Him or in passing say they have heard of Him in church but are not a part of His family.

One day at the judgment seat of Christ we will be in one group, "saved" or "unsaved." "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). You may be wondering who then can be saved if final judgment is based upon the good or bad that we've done because the truth is, we've all broken laws set forth by God in one way or another. The Word of God verifies that "ALL have sinned" (Romans 3:23). That's just it! Without Jesus, YOU CAN'T BE SAVED. The only thing separating you from God or His Kingdom ISN'T YOUR SIN, it is your rejection of Jesus Christ! Let that sink in. I'll explain. As one example, why am I promised heaven but an atheist is not? I have committed as many sins as an atheist! What exonerates me and not an atheist? It's my choice to believe or not believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and then follow Him (John 14:16). I personally choose no other way. I've rejected every other religion, practice, belief, goodness, or merit. The Bible tells us Jesus is the propitiation for our sins: 1 John 2:1-2 (KJV) "If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins." Propitiation means atonement. Jesus is our atonement, our sacrifice, penance, recompense, OUR PAYMENT for the sins we've committed. He suffered and died for YOUR sins so that you wouldn't have to! Jesus gets you off the hook (so to speak) no matter what your sins are or were, no matter how bad, or how seemingly unforgivable. The truth is, without Jesus as your atonement, you will stand before God unrepresented and your sins will be uncovered; exposed! God will see them all. When a person has a change of heart, believes and accepts Jesus as the only way to heaven, his sins are "covered" never to be seen by God. Anything that person has ever done wrong in life was wiped away at the moment of belief, repentance, and conversion of heart! He stands before God at the judgment seat pure as the driven snow (Isaiah 1:18). Paul said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). The Apostles did not preach to be saved you must be good, or kind, or generous, or live a decent life. Our deeds are not good enough no matter how noble because they are incapable of erasing sin! Being kind or generous doesn't erase the fact we are cheats, liars, thieves, adulterers, murderers, drunkards, child molesters, etc. Our sins drove his nails!


Jesus offers you forgiveness without cost! You don't have to clean yourself up first to come to Him. You come as you are because you are incapable of cleansing yourself! No amount of goodness, good works, or even church attendance, will do it. You have to realize and admit that you cannot clean yourself up; you must admit that apart from His grace, sacrifice, and mercy, you haven't a shot in Hades! Like the atheist, followers of cults, religions, other beliefs, gods, or philosophies, cannot stand blameless before His holiness and expect exoneration without Jesus. Period. And for those who describe themselves as Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterian, or whatever, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but you're relying solely on your denomination, your label means nothing. You likewise, will perish in unbelief because your sins will be revealed, unmasked, brought to light. Somebody has to hear the truth.
Until next time,
-Pat-

Follow Me

FOLLOW ME. That's what Jesus invites us to do. What exactly is meant by those two little words follow me? In short, "follow me" is more or less saying. 'imitate me.' If you follow Christ you'll listen to and do as He commands so to live your life in accordance with His example. How many times have you ever sat at a table when someone was trying to explain instructions written on a piece of paper and they said, "follow me here." Instinctively you knew to lean in closer, listen better, and absorb what was being said. Another example would be if you were sitting in a room with someone you trust and they stood up and said, "Come here, follow me." Most likely in blind faith, fully trusting them, you would get up and trail right behind them no questions asked. When we decide to become followers of Jesus, we make a decisive break with our old way of living and turn to a new way of life. As Christ comes to live in us everything begins to change. Our will changes and our desires change. Sound too difficult to do? It would be if we relied on our own strength but that's the beauty of it. When we decide to follow Christ, He gives us the ability to change our ways through the power of the Holy Spirit. For the first time, we realize who God is, what Jesus has done, and how much we need Him. The sin we once loved we now hate, and the things of God that we thought corny or old-fashioned we now love. We spend our lives in uncompromising obedience to His Word. In essence, it's laying down our lives. And even though it is contrary to our human nature to submit, His Spirit slowly transforms us in a way that helps us do the things that please Him. In time, pleasing Him takes precedence over pleasing ourselves, and doing what is right becomes less difficult. Jesus does not ask us to die for Him, rather change our ways for Him, to "FOLLOW."


Ultimately the call to follow Jesus is a call to die to oneself and to die to the things of this world. It calls for repentance and change. Repentance is an elemental transformation in someone’s mind, heart, and life only capable through God's help. When people truly repent, they turn from walking in one direction to running in the opposite direction. From that point forward, they think differently, believed differently, feel differently, love differently, and live differently. Again, not through their own efforts or strength, but through God's power VIA the Holy Spirit that He gives to those who commit to following Him. When you come to Jesus, He not only forgives you of all your sins, but He also fills you with His Spirit. God has promised his people, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. . . . I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” The meaning behind these words is mind-blowing. When you come to Jesus, He puts the source of His life in the center of your life! A miraculous transformation begins. Yes, we die to ourselves and the sinful pleasures we once engaged in but we also live to experience full joy when we follow Him.


It is His Word that brings transformation to our lives. When we come to Him as we are, He places the source of His life at the very core of our lives. We don't need to change to come to Him, we come just as we are ... broken, lost, strapped with problems, engulfed in sin and vices, etc. To come to Jesus, or to believe in Jesus, is to look to Him to satisfy your soul forever. To come to Jesus is to taste and see that He is good and to find Him the end of all your desires. To believe in Jesus is to experience an eternal pleasure that far outweighs and outlasts the temporal pleasures of this world. You have no idea what He is about to do the moment you leave things behind and choose to follow Him. His ways are too great to describe in words. He satisfies your soul forever when you come and believe in Jesus.


I speak from experience when I say there has been a total transformation of my mind, my desire, my will, and my relationships. I am compelled by His love for me to not only tell others about His Word and how it changes lives but also what the life of Jesus looks like in action. I am challenged to follow the footsteps of Jesus and bring a complete transformation over my life. I'm a work in progress, ever-transforming, ever-changing! Simply, God saves a person, fills him with the Holy Spirit, and then says, in effect, “Now you work it out in your life, and be faithful to Me, even though the nature of everything around you is to cause you to be unfaithful.” To become more Christ-like begins by beholding His glory in His Word. That’s why it’s so important to regularly take in Scripture. For as we read or listen to God’s Word the Holy Spirit transforms us into Christ's image without us realizing the work is being done in us! The sin that was once appealing becomes easy to walk away from. If you read through the Bible regularly, you will have the full counsel of God at your disposal. You will start to have the mind of Christ. So when the temptation to commit sin comes knocking, all you'll have to do is draw your sword (which is the Word of God-Ephesians 6:17) aim, and fire those words directly at Satan and the thoughts coming into your mind. In several places, the Bible also tells us the best way to resist temptation is to flee from it (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). Yet still, if you fall from time to time, and you will as you transform from glory to glory, repent quickly. Jesus isn't looking for you to be like other Christians, He's looking for you to "follow" and be like Him.

Until next time,
-Pat-

Fearful Of The 2020 Pandemic?

I'm not sure about you, but in my household, words like plague and pestilence have never been a part of our terminology. Yet today with the Covid 19 here we are. As strange as these words seem, they are not as uncommon in the Bible (depending on the Bible you read). For example, Psalm 91 NIV speaks directly to the notion of plague or pestilence three times, boldly claiming, “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence” (verse 3), “You will not fear . . . the pestilence that stalks in darkness” (verse 6), and finally, “No evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent” (verse 10). I like the New Living Translation (NLT) which reads, "He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease" (verse 3), "do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday" (verse 6), "no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home" (verse 10). With the fatal worldwide pandemic of Coronavirus, how do you read the promises of Psalm 91 during this global "pestilence"?

It's good to note that Psalm 91 was written by David, who spoke these words of hope and comfort as one who had personally experienced refuge and security by trusting in God in the midst of fearful circumstances. His Psalm begins with a picture of God’s people dwelling in the shelter and shadow of the Lord, "He who lives in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (NLT). David's words paint a metaphorical picture ... God is a refuge, God is a fortress, God’s faithfulness is a shield, and God even has wings that cover and provide security. The important thing to remember here is that David is creating figurative relationships between God and the created world that shape a new reality for the fearful. These creative images draw us out of our fear-entrenched perceptions into a new world that redefines our source of protection and peace! Verse 3 in the NIV plays into this figurative imagery by likening us to a bird that will escape the net of the “fowler” (a term used to describe a bird-catcher in ancient times). In a parallel line, we are told “he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.” Just as we should understand the first line of this verse as figurative language which communicates a general picture of deliverance, so should the second.

I also want us to grasp the language in verse 5 and 6 of David's Psalm as he mentions "terrors in the NIGHT" and "arrows that fly in the DAY", "disease that stalks in DARKNESS", and "disaster that strikes at MIDDAY" (from the NLT). To the close observer, David has covered morning, noon, and night with his verbiage. This 24-hour protection is a promise made accessible and obtainable to those who LIVE IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH and make Him their refuge. Who is this? It is the obedient believer. It excludes the non-believer. Verse 9 clearly lays out a contingency, "IF you make the Lord your refuge IF you make the Most High your shelter, (then) no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home." Not only will no plague befall you, but it also won't even come near your home!! Just as the blood of an unspotted lamb or goat was sprinkled on the doorposts of the Israelites (to distinguish those from the Egyptians) so that the angel of death would pass by (Exodus chapter 12)., in like manner we symbolically "sprinkle" the Blood of the Lamb (wherein lies power) and His spoken WORD (scriptures of promise) over our lives which protects believers from worldwide pandemics. The "disease" that stalks in darkness

As those who live in the presence of God by the presence of the Spirit, we can testify with the apostle Paul that “no evil” will ever come upon those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). It is important to remember here that evil and hardship are not synonymous in the Bible—think about Job and Jesus. As God’s people, we read Psalm 91 with confidence, knowing that God’s providence toward his children is always good, not evil. We are wise to follow Jesus’s lead in reading Psalm 91 as a beautiful picture of God’s power and protection for the faithful. Sometimes we struggle with passages like “no plague come near your home,” wondering if the words could really mean what they say. Does this mean believers can’t get sick? NO, of course not. Our flesh is susceptible to harm and illness, however, Psalm 91 is specifically pointing out plagues and pestilence. Plague is a contagious bacterial disease (Bubonic plague as an example.) Pestilence (a virulent infectious disease) They are both epidemics in nature and both can be referred to as a "plague." They are not your normal colds, flu, or your typical illnesses. In scripture, plagues and pestilence are generally allowed by God to send a message to either wake-up or repent. Rather than looking at is as punishment, it is used as a wake-up call. In the NLT, verse 6 of Psalm 91 describes these as "the disease that stalks the darkness." What could that mean? Something that seems to creep along as if in the night; that is, where one cannot mark its progress, or anticipate when or whom it will strike. The laws of its movements are unknown, and it comes upon people as an enemy that suddenly attacks us in the night. Like Coronavirus. And if You make the Lord your refuge, according to verse 7, WATCH CLOSELY, though 1,000 fall at your side and 10,000 die all around you, these evils WILL NOT TOUCH YOU! These are the beautiful promises of God to His faithful ... they are "your armor and your protection" (verse 4).


We can rest assured of our protection under the shadow of the Almighty when we belong to Him. When you read Psalm 91, remember that the greatest danger in this world is anything that keeps us from the next. With that perspective, read Psalm 91 and find refuge in the gospel which makes all of the glorious promises of this psalm yours in Christ. Still fearful of things going on in the world today? You don't have to be!

Until next time,
-Pat-

The Implanted Word

Perhaps you've heard other Christians say, “The Bible is important, but it’s not all there is to a relationship with God.” A relationship with God? A relationship as in He/me, me/He? Yes! It’s certainly true that our relationship with God cannot be limited exclusively to mere book knowledge, even if that book is the Bible. It’s imperative that we take what we read in the Scriptures and make those words the foundation and blueprint of an active life in Christ (Gal. 2:20; Gal. 5:24; Gal. 6:14).

The Bible itself says it is the “implanted word” that is able to save our souls (James 1:21). IMPLANTED! Did you get that? To implant is to insert or fix into a person's body. To implant God's Word is not merely the “read and understood Word.” How many people occasionally read their Bibles, perhaps memorize some favorite verses, tell others they can identify with certain scriptures when hearing them quoted by someone else, and then believe as long as they have read, know or recognize some scriptures it's all that is needed to have a relationship with God? Is that you or someone you know?

You see, the doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in the inspired Scriptures are intended to complete us as servants of God, and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Discipleship is not merely an educational exercise — it is the process of allowing God’s word to transform us into the likeness of Christ (Romans 12:2; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Transformation is a process that continues throughout a lifetime as we change from glory to glory. Glory to glory is not moving from one state of euphoria to another. It is not going from one state of being lost in the spirit to the other. To go from glory to glory - to be ever-increasing in glory - is to continually be changed into what you were created to be. It is infinitely more than studying as though for an academic exam — it is being recreated into a “new man who is renewed in knowledge” by means of the instruction and direction of God’s word (Colossians 3:10).

Consider the words of David as recorded in 2 Samuel 22:31: "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him." We’ve all learned many valuable things from our parents, teachers, and other persons of positive influence, but would we say of any of them that everything they taught was perfect? However, when we follow God’s Word — unlike the frail, self-serving words of humankind — we can be one hundred percent certain that what He says is true. We can trust Him. We can count on His Word as being 100% foolproof. Regarding the unchanging character of God, Moses wrote in Numbers 23:19: "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. He has said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" Moses continues in Deuteronomy 32:4: "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He."
God’s Word has been proven: “The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). No one who ever relied on God’s word in humble faith and right understanding has ever been disappointed by it. While it’s true that many have suffered from unreal expectations and false interpretations, the true Word of God has been honestly tested time after time and has never been found wanting (lacking). The Bible has withstood every onslaught of skeptics and infidels who have died long ago — but the Bible still remains: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). BY NO MEANS! That's very specific.


As those who inhabit this planet we can choose to place our confidence in many things — our own feelings, which change from moment to moment; the theories, religions, beliefs, philosophies, and ideas of other people who are as prone to error as we are; or we can choose God’s perfect and proven Word, delivered through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Our Lord Himself said: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). It shouldn’t take a great deal of thought nor a higher degree of education to determine which way is wisest and best. To have a "relationship" with Jesus Christ requires more than skimming through the pages of the Bible. It’s imperative that we take what we read in the Scriptures and make those words the foundation and blueprint of an active life in Christ through thought, meditating on His Word, spending time with Him in prayer, and acting in obedience to what we learn as He reveals it to us in a slow unfolding manner. And when we do there is a lasting peace the world cannot give.

Until next time,
-Pat-

Monsters Under The Bed

As a child, how many of you thought there was a bone-chilling monster under your bed? That one hideous creature, who, with tentacle fingers was just waiting for you to hang your leg over the side so he could grab and pull you into the abyss? If it wasn't THAT monster, then it was the clown in the closet, right? In reality, as adults now, we know there wasn't anything under our bed or in our closet that was going to get us. At the time, FEAR ITSELF was the monster! It was fear that crippled us. It was fear that kept us trapped under the bedsheets and as a result, made us afraid to move. It was fear that skewed reality and made actual truth non-existent in our own minds. Fear is an emotional response to situations we don't think we can control that will do us harm.
Here are examples of fear we experience:
1. "I'm afraid to stand up and give a speech" (Emotional response: I'm scared. People might laugh).
2. "I'm afraid to commit to marriage" (Emotional response: I'm scared. We might become a divorce statistic someday).
3. "I fear Christianity is just not for me" (Emotional response I fear I'm not good enough. My sins are too bad).

Fear is a crippling force and so is anxiety. Anxiety is the emotional response we have when we try to control the uncontrollable. Here are examples of anxiety:
1. "I'm a nervous wreck because I don't think he loves me anymore."
2. "I'm so worried it's going to rain on our wedding day." "
3. "I can't sleep when my daughter is out with that boy!"

Anxiety is the gap between what we expect things to be like and the way things are. Read that again and let that sink in. The wider the gap, the greater the anxiety; and the greater the anxiety, the harder and more desperately we will search for a "savior" from it. If we are truthful with ourselves, we sometimes disbelieve that God can work things out so we step out of faith and try to solve our problems and worries with other things or idols. Unfortunately, things and idols don't really solve the problem, they just temporarily numb the fear. And that's as good as it gets! When believers don't take God at His word or His promises there is no true cure for anxiety - there are only distractions, delusions, or drugs of choice utilized like a bag of tricks that helps us sleep at night.


Jesus didn't have to say this, but He did: "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34 ESV). The bottom line is, if we dissect the monster of FEAR and ANXIETY, it's practically atheism. Why would I say that? Because our unwillingness to believe that God 'can' and God 'cares' causes us to behave as if God doesn't exist at all! Or, if He does, we need to convince or bribe Him to pay attention and help us because otherwise He would be unwilling or we would go unnoticed. Who hasn't tried to bribe God at some time in their life? I certainly have in my past. ('God if you do this for me I'll never miss another Sunday service' -- 'God if you get me through this I'll never drink again' -- 'God, if you'll just let me have this one thing I'll tell all my friends you're real'). This may be the way of the Gentiles, hypocrites, maybe even people that need to control things, but it should never be characteristic of those who are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not merely suggest we not be anxious. No, He gave a command! BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING. His command is clear. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS is not a suggestion. However, the words, "You might want to reconsider" or "You should probably think twice about that" ARE suggestions. When we believe that God can and God cares - even when in the midst of injustice, pain, loss, doubt, or any other kind of scary monster that paralyzes us, we don't have to be overwhelmed with fear or anxiety. We can actually experience His peace. You might be thinking how could a child who truly believes there are monsters under his bed have any kind of peace? I'll answer that with this example: Have you noticed how a child is calmed when dad walks into the room and assures the chid there is no monster under the bed because dad already drove them out of the room before the child's bedtime ever came around? God said in Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This Word is true in the storm or out of the storm! That's God's promise of peace to you. "My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you" (John 14:27) And He said, "Greater is He that is in Me than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4) That's a Father, who by His Word, has the power to destroy the monsters in your life. And we have His Word, THE BIBLE! His Words are our weapon against fear, doubt, or anxiety.


God's Word is able to guard our hearts against future fear, anxiety, doubt, indecision, nervousness, uncertainty, alarm, panic distress, etc. When we BELIEVE that God can and that He cares, we are reminded of the reality of the peace He promised which already belongs to us because we belong to Him! His promises are able to calm our hearts and allow us to make stable, faith-based decisions instead of fear-based ones. I have experienced this peace and can describe it for you like this. A child can be afraid of the dark, but as soon as daddy enters the room and sits with him, promising he won't let anything happen to that child because daddy is stronger than the monster, something happens. The child falls back to sleep with dad right there. Believing God 'CAN' produces that same feeling of protection and assurance! Your fears and doubts just melt away. God's assurance is also similar to a wife struggling with something that has brought her to her wit's end. Her husband steps in and assures her everything will be okay because he'll fix it, he'll take care of it. SHE BELIEVES HIM BECAUSE SHE TRUSTS HE'S TOLD HER THE TRUTH. She then begins to relax because her husband has reassured her he's got it. It's the same when you truly trust God. It's the peace of God's promises and assurance. It's the calm of knowing since God has done the greater thing of giving us His Son Jesus, that He will also take care of the lesser things because we belong to Him. How wonderful! When we believe that God can and that God cares it gives us the perspective we need on life to be able to live peacefully in His provision - whatever it may be. "You will keep in perfect peace the mind who is stayed on Thee" (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).


Believing God's Word has given you the power over every monster in your life, and it's the peace that sets you free to walk into any circumstance and know you are loved and protected! That's why we can rejoice in Him always - not because our lives are perfect, but because He cares for us because we belong to Him. We can ask Him for anything we need and trust that He knows what is best for us and will give it to us at just the right time no matter what that is including confidence in the midst of travail. We don't have to get His attention, we don't have to bribe Him, we don't have to convince Him that we are worthy of Him answering our prayers. We can simply walk through life in His perfect peace because we believe that He is Who He claims to be and will do as He promised. We are children of The King (Galatians 3:26, Romans 8: 17-19). We are blessed with adoption, inheritance, salvation, enlightenment, fellowship, renewal, knowledge, citizenship, reconciliation, sanctification, holiness, faith, righteousness, anointing, peace, forgiveness, a sound mind, every good work, power over darkness, etc. The only enemy is fear and we have to make the conscious choice every single day not to buy into its schemes and plans. Finally, every emotion is powerful. Some say fear stands out from all the rest because it is the only one that holds us back. As a believer, I believe fear is no more powerful than any other emotion. Why? It is the power YOU GIVE IT that makes it strong. Think about that! (Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 41:13, Exodus 14:13, Deuteronomy 31:6, 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 27:1, Hebrews 13:6, John 14:27). As a Christian, You have always had the power within you to overcome fear!

Until next time,
-Pat-

"Colonoscopies and Spiritual Cleansing"

Before my employment as an office manager for a psychiatrist, I had both medical training, schooling, and employment in the field of gastroenterology. That simply means I worked in a branch of the medical field that deals with healing disorders of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum. As such, I participated in the procedure rooms and observed some rather unpleasant things. If you think preparing for a colonoscopy is unpleasant, you should try viewing one. Before a colonoscopy, the patient is sedated. When I had one years ago, I was administered a medication before the procedure called versed. Versed is a "conscious sedation" meant to relax and block pain. During a routine colonoscopy the physician looks for abnormalities such as polyps (growths) on the walls of the colon that can become cancerous if left untreated. Colonoscopies are considered preventative care. There are all kinds of tests and preventative care for our physical bodies, but are there preventative cares for our spiritual health? Is there a procedure that would delve into our spirits to pick out unnoticeable issues that, if left alone, would grow into deadly problems in the years ahead? Is there some kind of spiritual surgery that could excise a "root of bitterness" or uncontrolled anger, lust or pride before it "springs up causing trouble and defiling many" (Hebrews 12: 15).

Good news. The answer is yes! There is a spiritual procedure I like to call a spiritoscopy (pronounced spirit-os'-copee). I simply refer to it as God's Word! Hebrews 4:12-13 says, "The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." That's some scalpel! When we submit ourselves in obedience to the Word of God, whether by reading it, through a minister who preaches it, or by others who teach it - that living and active Word cuts into us, laying our thoughts bare, exposing us and convicting us if something isn't right such as a root of bitterness, uncontrolled anger, lust, pride, etc. I allow myself a "spiritoscopy" often by going to the Word and asking God to show me if there is "any grievous way in me" (Psalm 139:24). I desire His piercing work so that any offense against Him may be excised from me through prayer and forgiveness. The Word of God not only heals but can be used as preventative care. In a spiritual sense God frequently uses "nurses and assistants" (if you will) to wield His "scope" searching the thoughts and intents of our hearts. These "preventative care assistants" are those in the Church body around you as teachers, preachers and evangelists who show you the Word, share the Word, preach the Word, teach the Word then used to convict and correct the deadly things that can spring up to trouble and defile you (Hebrews 12: 15).


Paul tells us, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3: 12-13). I find it interesting that God's Word describes sin as something that hardens the heart putting us in grave spiritual danger. Why? Because in the physical sense a real tumor is generally harmless until it hardens into a hard mass which then puts us in grave physical danger. Did you notice in the scripture I just mentioned that the warning from Paul is plural? His message is to all of us (brethren). All of us are to take care of our spirits. We are to search ourselves, making sure there is no spiritual growth such as an evil unbelieving heart or grievous root growing in any of us. We are to help each other see what we cannot see for ourselves. We are to help, guide, and assist to excise those issues when they arise and do so without a judgment. At the same time we are to exhort, encourage, comfort, and stand alongside one another so that we can help each other to grow in faith. In this way, sin won't deceive us or harden our hearts against God and against one another. This is why I write these blogs. I want us to learn, grow, mature, and change through what we learn from Gods Word! I want our lamps to be burning and filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, shinning brightly when Jesus returns. Each blog is intended to be like a spiritual screening, where you can exam yourselves to determine if you need to schedule an appointment for prayer and get yourself under the Great Physicians' hand so that His Word can heal and restore you to spiritual health. When was your last spiritoscopy? It isn't always pleasant, sometimes it's even bothersome to hear you have a sin issue, but spiritoscopies can help protect a neglected soul from a deadly spiritual illness that can metastasize. Which by the way is much worse than any disorder of the physical body! Just as colon disease is treatable if caught in a timely manner, all spiritual illness is correctable if dealt with early and not allowed to take root. If you let it go, if you continue to neglect to apply the Word of God, your sin, as a disease, will dig so deep you become entangled in all it's roots causing you to slowly fall away from your original faith. Don't let that happen! Exam yourself daily. Purge out any weakness or any sin by calling on our Great Physician to cleanse, heal, forgive and restore you. And He will!
Until next time,
-Pat-