Ignoring Warnings

"The British are coming! The British are coming!" We are all familiar with the famous shout attributed to Paul Revere. There have been many warning cries throughout our history that people purposely ignored and the results were catastrophic. Noah warned of a flood coming but no one listened. There were signs indicating a stock market crash in 1929 but no one listened. People were warned of the inadequate design and construction of the levees in New Orleans years before the destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina. Did you know there were over 50 failures of the levees and floodwalls that were supposed to protect New Orleans? No one listened. And then the 2011 tsunami that disabled the power plant causing a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan. Today, nine years later, radioactive water is continuing to flow into the Pacific Ocean at a rate of around 2 billion becquerels a day! *** One becquerel is defined as the activity of a quantity of radioactive material in which one nucleus decays per second. WARNINGS WARNINGS EVERYWHERE, why do we sometimes ignore looming disasters? It seems only after a disaster we want to know what happened? Did anyone see this coming? Could anything have been done to avoid it? Well today with the same passion as Paul Revere, I am shouting, "Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming!!" Christians around the world are sounding the alarm ... Jesus IS coming. So why aren't our cries of warning leading to action? I think we can look to the story of Noah for the answer.

We know from scripture that it took around 100 years for Noah to build the massive ark as God had instructed him. Seeing Noah was a righteous man and blameless according to the biblical record, Noah lived a godly lifestyle before others of his day. Also, 2 Peter 2 tells us he was a preacher of righteousness but everyone else is described as a "world of the ungodly." Knowing Noah was a preacher, we can make a reasonable assumption he preached not only proclaiming God's truths, but preached about the approaching flood evident by his building a massive boat, and preached the need to repent. This would be in line with God's will since God typically gives the opportunity for people to repent prior to His judgments. If Noah was building the ark for 100 years, it is not hard to assume he was warning people through that same span of time. If Noah did warn the world, the world obviously chose to ignore his warnings, because the Bible teaches that the world was taken by surprise when the flood came. The fact that the world was caught off guard by the flood does not prove that Noah never preached concerning the coming judgment. It only tells us that the world paid no attention to the warnings. Men have heard warnings from many prophets over the ages, yet they usually ignore the warnings and are caught off guard by the judgment that follows. The entire history of the nation of Israel testifies to this truth.

Matthew 24 records Jesus Himself warning our world of another coming judgment, His Second Coming. Nevertheless, Jesus says the world will be caught off guard when He returns because it will be just like the days of old. 

Matt. 24:37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

Matt. 24:38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking,  marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

Matt. 24:39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Notice verse 39 says, "they did not understand until the flood came"?? They didn't understand because they ignored Noah's warning. They thought Noah was an idiot and his message even more so. Had they given any credence to Noah's warning, they would not have perished. Jesus WARNED that before His coming this time people it will be exactly as they were in the day of Noah. How so? Carrying on with their lives as if no danger of judgment existed! AND THEY ARE! "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark" (Matthew 24:38). The world will be surprised by the Second Coming despite the Bible's many warnings often repeated by preachers throughout the centuries as well as everyday believers that are now receiving dreams and visions. Visit YOUTUBE sometime and put in the search line, 'videos of Endtime dreams.' The unbelieving will scoff at people who share end-time dreams or speak prophecies of soon-coming judgment, and worse, will ignore God's very words recorded in Acts 2:17, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams." NOTICE GOD SPECIFIED "IN THE LAST DAYS?" Yet people will laugh and say it is not the last days. They will continue to go on about their business, living their lives, men marrying and women given in marriage just as Noah witnessed. Dreams and prophecies are not the only signs Jesus is about to return. Figure in those things Jesus told His disciples would take place: false Christs arrive, wars and rumors of wars, kingdom will be divided against kingdom, mother's against daughters, dad's against sons, famines, earthquakes, arrest, and persecutions of Christians, hatred of Christians and their message, rampant sin, and lawlessness, so on and so forth. Scoffers along with unbelievers, atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and doubters will attempt to present their argument that famine has always been, wars have been plenty, earthquakes exist, so therefore if Jesus was really coming He would have done so long before now. Yes, the world has had turmoils and natural disasters spread out throughout the existence of man. However, Jesus said, "Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." The key is when you see ALL THESE THINGS! Never in history have ALL THESE THINGS taken place at the same time! All these things are happening now in 2020.

Consider this warning ..."That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last day's scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). JESUS IS AT THE DOOR! My cry is my warning ... open your eyes! A flood of judgment is about to fall upon the world. Dreams, warnings, and prophecies are going out from not only people but children as young as four who are sharing vivid end-time dreams with their parents. I'm no Paul Revere but I know when to shout a warning, and I'm shouting! Don't ignore the signs all around you. Come to Jesus today before He returns by saying in your heart, 'I am sorry for all my sins, and I repent of them all. I give you my life today, and I confess my faith in your Son Jesus Christ that he is Lord. I believe that Jesus died and resurrected to give me eternal life; I confess my faith in Him, and I accept Him as my personal Lord and Savior. Guide me to know your truth and fill me with your Holy Spirit.' Amen.

Until He comes,

-Pat-

You Have Died. Where Is Your Spirit?

When a person physically dies the spirit separates itself from the body. The body is dead and therefore nothing but an empty shell to be placed into a grave. But where does the spirit go? To answer that question I'm going to use an analogy. Think of your soul like a CPU (central processing unit) of a computer. If you were to remove the CPU from a computer what happens? The computer immediately stops working.  It "dies," and that because the CPU is the "life" of the computer. Similarly, the spirit is the life of the body. James 2:25 confirms that "The body without the spirit is dead." If you are a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ you will never taste death. How can that be when we know we will all physically die someday. And in fact, some of us may already have gravestones with our names on it. Though death may consume your body, your spirit remains alive and immediately returns to the Lord. Think of that CPU being removed from a computer. Let's say you're the one who has removed the CPU and that you place that CPU up on a shelf for safekeeping until you put it back into the computer.  Removing a CPU from a computer does not render it unusable! It was only removed, not destroyed, and IT IS NOT DEAD. When reunited back into the computer, the computer comes alive again. Comparably, our spirits after our physical bodies die returns to the Lord for safekeeping UNTIL IT IS REUNITED WITH YOUR BODY AT THE RAPTURE! Is it more clear now?

God's Word offers many insights on the future of our earthly, physical bodies, which will be resurrected from the grave at the Rapture. Paul wrote that we "wait eagerly for . . . the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23). NOTICE IT SAID OUR BODIES. Redemption in this sense means retrieval, recovery, reclamation, repossession. The analogy of the CPU becomes clear. At the rapture here is what happens with the bodies of all Christians who have died and lie in graves. At the moment Jesus comes to gather His Church, "For the Lord, Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and 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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."  Jesus is not coming down. We are going up! 1 Corinthians 15:52, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." Notice, this verse addresses the dead from graves, AND WE -in addition to- shall be changed. Both the dead IN CHRIST (those lying in the grave) and those still alive IN CHRIST on earth will be going up to meet the Lord in the air. The bodies of living believers will, at the same time as those who already passed, be instantaneously changed 1Cor 15:50-53 Phil 3:20,21. This "change" of the living, and resurrection of the dead in Christ, is called the "redemption of the body" of which I spoke of at the beginning of this paragraph (Romans 8:23 Ephesians 1:13,14.) John wrote, "It has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2). Metaphorically, CPUs will be put back into the body we possessed on earth and we will be CHANGED, made new, a better, incorruptible version in the twinkling of an eye! The exact details of that will remain a mystery; however, we know that we will be physically resurrected at the Rapture (John 5:29; Acts 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). We also know that our resurrected bodies will be different in some ways than our current bodies (1 Corinthians 15:45–49) and suited for eternity.

BELIEVERS NEVER DIE. At the moment of physical death, our spirits go to the Lord UNTIL THE APPOINTED TIME to first call up the physical BODY of all believers from their graves, then following are His believers who are still alive on earth. Remember, though Lazarus BODY was dead (and had a stench) it had been buried four days prior to Jesus commanding, "Lazarus, come forth," so too will Jesus call BODIES from the grave at the time of the rapture. Lazarus did not come out as a rotting corpse. He walked out of his grave whole and alive (story in John chapter 11). In the same manner, believer's "bodies" will rise from their graves at the rapture and be united with their spirits who have been in the care of heaven. Then all will and be changed in the twinkling of an eye to be just like Jesus. I believe we will be just like the risen Christ. We can get a glimpse of what that might be because Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days after his resurrection (Acts 1:3) and as to as many as 500 more people. Luke tells us in the KJV that Jesus showed himself alive by “infallible proofs.” It means that the proof of the resurrection is certain and sure, unquestioned, and beyond any doubt. It is testimony that could stand up in any court of law – Jesus Christ actually rose from the dead. Jesus spoke, walked, ate, preached, and even cooked breakfast for the disciples by the Sea of Galilee!

What does this teach us? It teaches us the continuance of God's love. Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. In the list of specific things, Paul mentions “neither death nor life,” which means that when we cross over we need have no fear for the same love of Jesus that saved us will see us safely to the other side. It teaches us how impotent death is to separate us from Jesus. Though we die, we will live with Him forever. Death itself cannot break the bond between Jesus and His people.  We shall be then, after the rapture, what we are now—only vastly improved by the grace of God. You will be you and I will be me—but freed forever from sin, selfishness, pettiness, bitterness, ungodly ambition, unholy thoughts, and every other ugly thing that makes us hard to live with now. The “real you” will survive the grave. Death is not the end.  Paul proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." There is no waiting. Our spirits return to the One who gave us life. Does that mean our spirits (like a CPU) are in a sleep-like state and "placed on a shelf" in heaven for safekeeping until they are reunited with our bodies at the Rapture? The Bible doesn't reveal that, but it does say to be absent from the body is to be with the Lord. Our spirits, whether conscious or sleeping will be in heaven waiting for the redemption of our bodies! New Living Translation Romans 8:23, "And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us." 

Until He comes,

-Pat-

 

Is Anybody Listening?

There are early warning signs of the end. IS ANYBODY LISTENING?

Jesus' first warning is of a time of great deception: “Watch out that you are not deceived”  He said. We are now living in that time of deceit. Our enemy, Satan, has individuals in place who have gained control of all types of positions of influence in politics, media, and education, and they are promoting values and deception that brings society to a new level of degradation. Just look around.  The enemy is out to corrupt and control minds. This bent toward evil has been with us since the Fall of Man, and we are in a spiritual battle until the time that Christ returns. Believers in Christ should be those who hold to the truth of Scripture and give no credence to the manipulation devices of the enemy, the media, television, and the Internet. It is not that all we see on TV is harmful, but we should regard with a healthy dose of skepticism anything on the airwaves. We should measure everything against the truth of God's word especially testing what we hear from the media! "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1). If deception is one of the early signs of the coming of Jesus, what things have you seen today that lead people away from a knowledge of God and His Word? Do you feel that the idea of truth is attacked today? How?  THINK. 

Jesus then went on to warn us about those who will come proclaiming they are the Christ (Matthew 24:5)). This warning is undoubtedly a characteristic of the age in which we live. Many have already come proclaiming themselves as savior and thinking they alone have the answers to the world’s problems. I am convinced that more is ahead. There will be one who will claim that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) and will look to be worshiped as God. Along with him, there will be a figure, a man doing signs and proclaiming himself a lamb, but inwardly he has the nature of a dragon. He will demand that the world leader, the Antichrist, should be worshiped. I think I know who each of these is. Revelation 13: 11 "Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given the power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth (Revelation 13:11-14). Even though this man, commonly called the False Prophet in scripture, will perform great and miraculous signs, also causing a fire to come down from heaven to earth, we must ignore such signs and hold to what is taught in the Word of God. We must not be deceived! Even though there will be those seeking to trick us into following them, Jesus tells us that this is still an early sign. These things must happen first, but the end is not far away.

 

Deception, false leaders, wars, and revolutions are all early warning signs. Jesus warned us that nation would rise against nation (literally on earth) and kingdom against kingdom (or the kingdom of darkness against the kingdom of light) Matthew 24:7. AS IN HEAVEN SO IN EARTH. There is a type of revolution in our streets right now. Revolution: A fixed or settled condition, the establishing or settling of something. Commotion, tumult, unruliness, disruption, disorder. It is used of political or social revolution, insurrection, sedition; riot, uprising, and disturbance. Look at Antifa. We are now facing times of revolution against the accepted political order of all nations. The world is and will be in turmoil, and is all part and parcel of our enemy's plan to bring chaos, fear, civil disturbance, and political revolution. In such a climate, control over the population of the earth will be easier for one man to rule over a one-world government over the whole earth. Luke tell us that Jesus spoke about earthquakes, famines, and pestilences happening to the human race along with fearful events and great signs from heaven: There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11).

 

 

Revelation 6:5-8 says that among other signs of Christ’s soon-coming there will be many who die due to famines and plagues. Is Covid-19 an end time pestilence? There are many thousands dead due to COVID 19 and now they are warning of a second wave. Luke writes of famines and pestilences that cause fear, as well as fearful events and great signs from heaven. We don’t know if the COVID 19 is the pestilence mentioned by Luke, but it could be a sign from God to wake us up to the reality that this world is not all there is, and that we are to prepare ourselves for the coming of our King. Can anybody hear me? IS ANYBODY LISTENING?? The word pestilence comes from the Greek word “loymos” which means plague, a fatal epidemic disease. Could it be that COVID 19 is allowed by God to shake us and to get our attention? Matthew adds a few words more about the signs that should wake us out of spiritual slumber. He speaks about the signs mentioned being the beginning of birth contractions: “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:7-8). So ... What do you think Jesus is referring to by using the analogy of a woman in birth pains? When a pregnant woman begins the birthing process, the pain is not severe, and the birth contractions are several minutes apart. The closer she gets to the birth of the child, however, the more frequent the contractions are, with the level of pain much more significant. In using this analogy, Jesus is saying that the closer the world gets to the end of the age, the more frequent will be the wars, revolutions, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, strife, division, etc. I see it building now! Just as the contractions of a woman get more painful, so will the amount of pain, anguish, sickness, and death of many on planet Earth. The wars and revolutions will be very severe, with much loss of life. Matthew tells us that:

 

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:22). It will be cut short by the appearance of our Lord Jesus. He will come for those who are His (rapture). What does all this mean for you and me? It is time to make sure that we belong to Christ so that, when He comes, we will not be ashamed at His coming. IS ANYBODY LISTENING? Those who belong to Christ have a personal relationship with the Lord. This relationship is vitally important in being saved. Simply wearing a crucifix around your neck, attending Sunday services, or being benevolent doesn't make you a Christian. Standing in a garage does NOT make you an automobile! Likewise, simply going to a church doesn’t make you a Christian, I don't care if you have a perfect attendance record! Many people "say" they love God, or say they believe in Jesus. Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15) -- a little stronger: "By this, we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;" (1 John 2: 3-4) IS ANYBODY LISTENING?  There is no use going to meetings of Christians, going to church, getting baptized, giving money, etc. if you have not repented and forsaken your old life of sin! If you say you are a believer, you had better obey the One who bought you with His blood. "You are not your own...you are bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20). I personally know people who claim to be Christians but are "in bed" outside the marital bond. There are people calling themselves believers who are "marrying" others of the same sex. CHRISTIANS! This is a warning! Jesus is coming soon. All the signs are ramping up. Get your lives in order! MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF YOUR FLESH- Romans 8:13 is clear, " For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." IS ANYBODY LISTENING? You must cease from purposely, defiantly sinning! Leave your bed of fornication.  Stop being a proponent of abortion, same-sex marriage, adulterous affairs, perversion, and drunkenness. Why do you call Him your Lord and not do the things He has asked?" IS ANYBODY LISTENING? Hello?  He is giving us signs. He's coming soon.

Prayer: Father, as we see the unfolding events of this world, help us not to be troubled but, instead, live each day to the fullest. Help us to take each day as it comes and do our best to follow You. We want to focus on essential things, i.e., those things that have eternal value. We say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” Amen.

Until there is no more time,

-Pat-

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-