Afflictions

 There is one thing I've noticed among my brothers and sisters in Christ. There is a whole lot of affliction! What is an affliction? It's simply a disorder, disease, ailment, condition, or illness that causes great suffering. But why? Why would the believers, of all people, be afflicted? Aren't we supposed to be healed by His stripes? Paul said something in his epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 4 verse 8 that many of us can relate to, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair." Today I want to address just one type of affliction and ask, why are we suffering from afflictions like fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, constant pain, bowel disorders, heart disease, lung disease, paralysis, on and on, and on? Is it that we have some kind of unconfessed sin causing our ailments? Is God mad and therefore punishing us? Why would a devote Christian who follows Jesus, loves the Word of God, follows in obedience, has been baptized in the Holy Spirit, etc. be afflicted? These are questions I have pondered over and over as I myself am "afflicted" by a genetic condition that progressed to the point I am now confined to a wheelchair. What in the world could possibly be the reason I, you, or any other believer is afflicted? I'm going to share what the Lord revealed to me.

It's obvious that we must consider the record of  JOB. Why? Because of the extreme amount of suffering he endured and the patience he maintained throughout his ordeal. You have heard people say of someone they admire, "He has the faith and patience of Job."  You know the story of Job; yet let me go over it very briefly. The first chapter begins with the story of Job, how he was prospering. He was a good man, perfect, upright, one that feared God and eschewed evil. As his children feasted from day to day, he offered sacrifices lest they might have sinned. In verse six the scene is changed. The veil is drawn aside, and we see something happening in heaven. Satan appears, and when he is asked where he comes from he answers, "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down it" Job 1:7. Then the question is asked, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and escheweth evil?" verse 8. Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face" Verse 9-11. These verses contain a challenge to the Lord that Job will not stand true. God accepts the challenge: "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put not forth your hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD" verse 12. Do you remember the calamities that came upon Job? One thing after another happened. Job was perplexed. He did not know what was going on in heaven. He did not know of the challenge, and that he was being put to the test, and that the Lord was depending upon him. Job was stripped of all that he had, laden with disease, heartache, betrayed by friends, but at the end, he arose and said:

"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked will I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly" verses 21-22. Satan was beaten. He had charged that Job served God because it was paying him; that God had put a hedge about him; that Satan could not get at him. But Job stood the test. PATIENCE. Then comes the second meeting in heaven, and Satan, unabashed, again appears. Though he had been beaten once, he was not discouraged. God asks him again if he has noticed Job. Satan answers, "Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has will a man give for his life. But put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse You to your face." Job 2:4-5. God again accepts the challenge. And so Satan goes forth and does all he is permitted to do. He goes the limit. He may not kill Job, but he causes him to suffer intensely. Job is laid on the ash heap scraping himself, the matter oozing from all his sores. His wife counsels him to curse God and die. Job answers her: "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this, Job did not sin.  PATIENCE. Satan had been beaten again. 

Satan had tormented Job, causing him intense suffering; but Job had stood the test. God's confidence in him was not misplaced. Put yourself in Job's place. He was greatly perplexed at times. He had not seen that scene in heaven; he did not know the challenge that had gone forth. God was depending upon him. Job was perplexed. He could not understand why this thing had come. He was a righteous man and obedient to God in every way. He didn't understand how important it was in God's plan that he should stand the test. And he, like all of us who are afflicted to some degree, searched his soul and he did not know of any specific wrong he had done. Have you done this? Wondered this? Have you been perplexed as to why your suffering from illness, ailments, or disabilities? Was Job a bad man? Have you sometimes stood at the bed of sickness or gone through some severe trial and asked, "Why? Why me?" I have!  

So then, why?

UNDERSTAND! The problem of suffering and sickness is indeed an important one but all sickness is not the result of sin even though there are preachers that preach that and some of us have been duped into believing it. Look at this, of the man mentioned in John 9, it is asked, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" John 9:2. And Jesus answered, "Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him" verse 3. WOW. Sin was not involved. Could this be how God is using you? Don't get me wrong, there is, indeed, suffering that is a result of sin. You transgress and suffering results. That is one kind of suffering which we are generally quite well acquainted with. But there is another kind, mentioned in the fourth verse of the eleventh chapter of John (speaking of Lazarus) "When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" John 11:4. Reading again, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him." We cannot know what purpose God has for the things He allows, other than, through reading scripture we know God has a purpose for our lives. I have known people to go through bad experiences and exclaim: "Why, Oh Lord, did this come on me? Where have I sinned? What have I done?" And they search their souls and can find no reason for it. They are perplexed. Could it be, as it was with the apostle Paul, he had to contend with the thorn in his flesh? (2 Corinthians 12:6-7). Notice it says FLESH? That was in Paul's body! So is it plausible that there is a purpose even in suffering, and that it may be that God is causing you to pass through that perplexity that you may be able to help and to comfort those who are in any trouble? After all, it is only as we pass through certain experiences that our words of comfort or reproof have any weight? I'm writing this for any believer who is worried and perplexed and who does not understand that God is putting them through trials for the purpose of service! Consider the spiritual impact you have when you walk through the fire (whatever that might be: a recent heart attack, daily pain, a crippling disability) and others see you come through it still trusting God, maintaining your faith, and still happy to witness His goodness. That's a powerful testimony you might not otherwise be able to give.

The bottom line is if you have an unexplained affliction or if you have been constantly attacked perhaps for years on end for no reason at all, just keep in mind Satan is given permission to try God's people to the utmost. We will cry to God day and night. It is the time of Jacob's trouble. We search our souls to see if any sin is left. But we find none. We repented of our sins. There is nothing against us. But the trial that comes brings perplexity, anxiety, confusion, terror, and distress. We go through somewhat the same experience that Job went through. Remain PATIENT. there is a purpose. Keep fighting the fight of faith. Stay strong. Honor God. Remain faithful. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning Psalm 30:5.

Until He comes,

-Pat-

I Waited But You Never Came

 

Many of you who converse with me on my Facebook page know I love animals. Having two cats and two rescued dogs is a testimony to that fact. One morning last month I awoke under a flannel sheet covered by two heating blankets that were caressing my body in a warm nirvana all night long. While lying on my back I began to stir and stretch. One of my cats sprung out of nowhere and jumped on the bed letting out a cute little phuuup sound. While curling up beside me she began nudging my arm with her nose in what was a successful attempt to cuddle and steal a hug. 

What a great moment that was, snuggled in a warm bed with my cat beside me safe from the frigid temperatures outside. It wasn't but a wink until my bliss turned to grave concern. The weatherman had predicted frigid cold for the next few days.  He warned the TV viewers to let their kitchen and bathroom faucets drip overnight to keep any pipes from freezing and bursting. As cozy and warm as I was, I realized protection from freezing was not true for many pets left out in the winter. As I lay there thinking, my mind drifted back to a situation I had witnessed as a volunteer at a local animal shelter.

  

On my very first day as I rounded the cages of lost, forgotten, and abandoned cats and dogs, I recall seeing one particular dog that was not confined in a pen.  He was sitting at the glass front door peering out over the parking lot.  People came in and out but this cute little dog sat perfectly still as if he were waiting for someone. I didn't think much of it at the time. My job was to take pictures of the dogs there, write creative personal bio's, then post their pictures online in hopes of attracting potential adopters.  Every day when reporting for duty I would see that same dog waiting at the front door peering through the glass. He always seemed disinterested in anyone coming or going. He never budged from his spot and he never looked up at people. After several weeks I became curious and inquired why this little Chihuahua, Lopez, was allowed to roam free while all other cats and dogs had to be restrained within assigned, numbered cages. And why or what was he waiting for?  The shelter manager told me he belonged to a former shelter employee who brought him to work every day. For reasons unknown the employee walked away from his job leaving his paycheck, never returning to the shelter, and never coming back for his dog. For two long years, Lopez waited for his owner. Every morning when the shelter was opened and the lights came on, little Lopez would run to the glass door and sit.  Still, his owner never came and Lopez was never adopted. Lopez eventually realized he had been abandoned and fell into despair. Lopez died waiting. He was found at the door one morning when the manager turned the key to enter the shelter.  Lopez had faithfully waited for his owner to come to get him, visit him, or even talk to him. 

 

 It's a sad story and remembering it can still induce tears.  Do you have any idea why I have told this story? This story creates a picture in my mind of how God must feel when we do not visit Him by praying, talking to Him, or reading our Bibles often. I can be distracted by TV shows I want to watch, by blogging on Facebook, spending time with my pets, or by just being exhausted that I often neglect to read the Bible as diligently as I should.  Oh yes, even me.  I am guilty.  As the story of Lopez came rushing back, I felt such shame as I mentally pictured God waiting for us just like faithful Lopez waited in vain.  The Bible, especially for the believer, is one of our greatest sources of spiritual food.  But sometimes we still fill up on too much junk food such as blogs, social media, news, TV sitcoms, books, online games, etc.  These things aren't bad in and of themselves but when they become the major source of your day something happens!  Your reasoning and perspectives will become less and less of a godly viewpoint. As an example, when a human body has a sodium deficiency, it will crave salty foods.  You might not even notice that you're craving salty foods in particular, but your body is reacting to that deficiency by creating a desire for something that restores it.  I know people whom I am friends with on FaceBook who have no desire to ever read the Bible.  They want nothing to do with it.  But that doesn't mean that as God's creation they don't crave, on some level, the desire for His Truth, His Wisdom, His Love, or His Perspective.  I frequently hear from non-Christians who have no idea how closely their innermost desires parallel God's desire for them.  A Christian, on the other hand, is much more likely to notice the source of this spiritual deficiency.  We've already been exposed to the source of God's Wisdom, Truth, and Perspective.  God's Word is meant to permeate every aspect of our lives.  Our knowledge of Him is supposed to transform us (2 Corinthians 2:15).  The more space that grows between your reading of scripture the more you'll find yourself saying things like, "That reminds me of a verse in the Bible" (but you cannot recall it), or, "That sounds kind of like the passage where...." (but you cannot recall it).  Before you even realize it, you'll begin paraphrasing it, changing it as you go along, making vague references to it, or letting other sources (books, articles, teachings) have a greater impact on your understanding of God's character which may not be true at all.  Have you ever said, thought, or whispered to yourself, someone else, or even God, "Look, at least I read a couple of verses today." 

  

Reading the Bible isn't just something you need to do to stay spiritually healthy.  It's not a pill you have to swallow or a chalky vitamin you have to chew.  Reading the Bible is something you should do because you want to!  How much you read and how frequently you read is not the point.  Reading exposes you to the history of the Creator's relationship to creation -- that includes you.  Lopez wanted a relationship with his owner.  Not because he had to, not because he was afraid to be punished if he didn't, and not because he would be threatened.  Lopez wanted a relationship with his owner because he was driven by love.  If a dog can have that kind of desire and faithfulness, can you not muster enough love for God?  If you want to know who God is, He had 40 people write a book with 66 chapters about Him over the course of 1,500 years!! Now, all you have to do is pick up a Bible off the shelf, read the Bible online in any version you want, or even download the Bible to your phone!  Don't do it because you feel someone is making you do it.  Had Lopez's owner returned, Lopez would have been crushed if he thought his owner really had no interest in him but was being forced to return to the shelter.  Also, don't read the Bible to show off or brag about how much you read.  Don't memorize verses to look impressive, to get a pat on the back, or acknowledgment from your friends.  These things can be motivators to assist you in getting on the right track and to create healthy spiritual habits, BUT DON'T LET THOSE BE THE REASONS YOU READ THE BIBLE.  A healthy relationship with God will drive you to read the Bible because what it says excites you!  Read the Bible because you want to know God!  Read the Bible because it's living and active (Hebrews 4:12).  Read the Bible because it can SPEAK POWERFUL TRUTH into your life.  Read the Bible so that your life reveals more of Christ in you (2 Corinthians 3:3).  I know God will always be faithful to be there for us when we do decide to communicate, turn to Him, and read His Word. He will never grow tired of hearing us and interacting with us. And, He will never forsake us the way we have often failed and forsaken Him.  

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Of Water And Of Spirit

The Lord woke me early this morning as He often does (2:34 a.m. it was) and began filling my mind with scriptures and the direction for this blog. Here are the words that came to me:

"You must be born again of water and of spirit." John 3:5 (Tell them what is meant by Water and Spirit.)

"By the washing of the water by the word." Ephesians 5:26  (I'm coming for a Church washed in water without spot or blemish. Tell them.)

As I thought about the words in these scriptures, I started breaking them down:

We must be born again which involves two things. Water and Spirit. What are water and spirit? Simply His Word and the Holy Ghost. We can read in scripture that Jesus is coming for a Church (believers) who are sanctified and holy. The only way for this to happen is through washing in water BY THE WORD (Ephesians 5:26) and receiving the Holy Spirit. What does washing in water mean?

We can break it down even further. First, We must be born again of water OR in other words, we must be washed IN THE WORD because he said "by the washing of water BY THE WORD. What about actual water baptism? Doesn't that count? By coming forward to be baptized in literal water is like a promissory note, an act of faith showing our commitment to God, symbolizing the washing away of our old life, and beginning to walk in newness with Him. We know Jesus was THE WORD made flesh (John 1:14; Revelation 19:13) therefore Jesus and the WORD are synonymous. Secondly, we must be born of the spirit is the same as we must be born of the Holy Ghost. Acts 1 records John baptized with water" (the baptism of repentance of sin). After you repent of your sins, you need to immerse yourself IN THE WORD (the Bible is the spiritual water). Then you will receive power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) to witness as you begin your journey of holy living. Remember, the word holy means separated, it doesn't mean you are some kind of pure god being. It means you are dedicated and consecrated to God, it means you are separated from your sin and unto Christ alone. Being born again of water and of the spirit is the regeneration of the human spirit in contrast to physical birth. Jesus also told us not to be surprised by the idea of rebirth in John 3:5-7.

It's time for believers and even non-believers to understand the call of God because the days are evil. When you think about the world in these times that we are living in, it isn’t hard to see that there is a huge amount of suffering going on. Warfare, poverty, political unrest, innocents suffering and being killed, etc. It can leave us wondering: when will it all end? Have you as a Christian ever wondered how long can God allow this to continue? But did you know there is something that believers can do to shorten these evil days? “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” 2 Peter 3:11-12. 

It is through the fear of God that we can hasten the coming of the day of God. As believers, we are to come to perfection in Christ, so that there is no spot or blemish in us. This is said of Christ, "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27.) With the strength and guidance God gives us by the Holy Spirit, each one of us can live without committing conscious, willful sin. With that strength and grace, we are able to overcome sin in our flesh when we are tempted, to the degree that we are obedient to the light and understanding that God has given us. The more faithful and obedient we are, the faster the work He has prepared for us will be accomplished (Ephesians 2:10) By this “holy conduct and godliness” we hasten His coming.

Paul said it like this: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on …” He is speaking about being perfect as Jesus is perfect; coming to the whole fullness of God (Colossians 29; Matthew 5:48). Are you thinking nonsense, none of us can be perfect. But Paul says that he was "reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3: 12-14. How can we possibly come to the point where we have no spot or blemish or wrinkle? What does that even mean?

To have no spot or wrinkle or blemish doesn’t mean that we have no sin, as we can clearly see in 1 John 1:8 all have sinned and fallen short of what God intended for us. As we grow in Him we become more and more enlightened to what He desires of us. We sometimes harbor sin (gossip, jealousy, anger, and the like that we are as yet unaware of, which God hasn’t given us light/understanding over because He only shows us as much as we can bear at a time. The more we read and learn, the more we grow and mature. We confess our sins, repent, and keep pressing on. That sin which He hasn’t shown us yet doesn’t cause us to be blemished, but what does cause a blemish in us, is disobedience. If God has spoken to us time and time again about something that we need to overcome, if He has given us light over something, and we don’t do anything about it, but allow that sin to remain active in us, then we get “spots” and become blemished. That will make us unfit to be a part of that glorious church that He will present to Himself. We have to do something when He shows us something in ourselves; we have to repent and continue to fight and come to victory over that sin.

We are not accountable for the sin that we are not aware of. Have you ever read the Word of God and discovered something you were doing in your life was a sin but you weren't even aware of it? That's what I'm talking about   But we are fooling ourselves if we think we can say, “Yes, I knew about that sin in myself, but the righteousness of Jesus covers me, so I will not be held responsible for it. I overcome through faith in His finished work on Calvary, not by anything I must or can do.” Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we can indeed receive undeserved forgiveness for sins we have and do commit. But the salvation obtained through forgiveness is only the beginning of a disciple’s life. Jesus opened a way of salvation from sin for us. This way, the way that Paul was pressing forward on, leads to the goal: to be perfect in Christ as far as we have received light/understanding. This way reaches all the way to God’s throne (Hebrews 10:19-22). There we receive all the mercy and grace and help we need to overcome sin (Hebrew 4:15-16). The power of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to us after He had opened up this way, is what enables us to be “… more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:27).

It is critical that we pursue this goal, and be faithful to the extent that we have light/understanding over the sin in our flesh. None of us can do more than what we understand to do. But we can be 100% faithful to do that which we do understand. Then God can give us more light and understanding as time goes by, and if we are faithful to be obedient, then that pursuit of righteousness will hasten the coming of the day of God and He will receive a Bride whose lamps are burning bright, who are washed in His Word of Truth, kept by the power of His Spirit through grace and mercy, without spot or wrinkle.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

The Attacks Of Satan On God's Truth

 

(credit Manny Di Benedetto Martinez)

 Satan opposes the purpose of God -

Satan failed in his revolt in heaven. What does he have left to do? He will attack the purpose of God on earth and attempt to make a kingdom for himself here.

His strategy is to undermine the truthfulness of God with lies. He is a skilled and experienced liar. Ever since he first lied to Eve in the Garden he has been successful as a master deceiver.

His goals are threefold:

* He wants people to spend eternity with him in hell

* He wants people to honor him while dishonoring God

* He wants to possess and have total control over individuals

That old slick devil is going to make fools of people by getting them to believe counterfeit religions, cults, occult practices, and false philosophies of life.

Think about all the sheep that already died believing that they are saved or can be saved through human merits or through some religious system.

Satan's Counterfeit Religions:

Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Zen Buddhism, Hare Krishna, Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, Bahaism, Silva Mind Control, Theosophical Society, Roy Masters, Echkankar, etc...

Satan's Cults:

He also accomplishes his goals through cults. Religions are systems of works, whereas cults are a perversion of Christ, His atonement, and His Word. 

Christian Science, Unity, Scientology, Jehovah Witness, Mormonism, Masons, Unification Chruch, Unitarianism, New Age, The Way International, Swedenborgianism, Herbert W. Armstong, "The Local Chruch", Children of God, etc...

Many of the principles and practices of cults are already widely taught in our public schools. 

Satan's Occult Practices:

Occultism is the participation in demonically controlled practices. It brings one into direct contact with Satan or demons. 

Astral-projection, Astrology, Palm Reading, Hypnosis, Seance, Telepathy, Clairvoyance, Fortune Telling, Tarot Cards, Quija board, Visionary Dreams, Ghosts, Fetishism, Blood Pacts, Spirit Guides, Materialization, Speaking in Trance, Table lifting, Incubi and Succubae, Rod and Pendulum, etc...

If Satan cannot capture an unbeliever with false religions, cults, or occult practices, he can always turn to false philosophies of life.

Satan's False Philosophies:

Kant's "no absolutes apart from experiences"

Hegel's "no absolutes - all life is relative"

Kierkegaard's existentialism "what may be true for you may not be true to me"

Darwin's evolutionism "no purpose in life...survival of the fittest" 

Freud's psychoanalysis "free love...we are all motivated by pleasure"

Skinner psychology - "self-esteem movement and behavior modification"

Dewey's humanism - "man is the measure of all things. He is god"

America has deeply embraced all these false religions, cults, occult practices, and absurd philosophical ideas. 

Our schools, churches, media, and every social structure have been deeply invaded by Satanic lies and mind manipulators. We have become stupidly programable.

Why? Because most people do not know the Truth. Instead, they have developed itchy ears to hear liars, false teachers, and preachers.

Any wonder why America is going to hell in a handbasket? We handed her over to Satan by adopting all his lies of which he has many.

Put on your silly mask. Get that vaccine. Adopt Satanic arguments for life and put your trust in his false securities...

This is not what God wanted for us...

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

What's That On Your Dress?

 

Your wedding day is one of the most important events in your life. The day is full of emotion surrounded by the support of family and friends who love you. You look forward to this special day for months if not years. When the day finally arrives you hope everything will be perfect including the music, flowers, your hair, your veil, and your gown. You meticulously groom and preen yourself over and over, checking at the last possible moment for a spot or wrinkle on your dress you may have missed. You want nothing more than to present yourself as a beautiful and perfect bride when your eyes meet your Bridegroom!

Are there any of you that would dare walk down the aisle in a spotted wedding gown like in the picture posted above? I dare say, not one of us! Yet in a spiritual sense, some of us are wearing spotted wedding gowns unaware the church organ is about to play the famous song Here Comes The Bride! Is this really how you want to meet Jesus? You are not ready!

What do I mean by a spotted gown? The true followers of Christ are referred to throughout the scriptures as "The Bride Of Christ," and as followers, we believe Christ is coming for His Bride (His true Church) as promised in the Bible. She is not just any bride. Her commitment to Him from the moment of being "saved," has kept her untainted or "unspotted" from the impurities of sin she used to relish in. She willfully turns from sin. She's a spiritual virgin and maintains a deep SPIRITUAL intimacy with Jesus. Her gown is white for 3 reasons: the forgiveness and redemption of sin through Jesus' blood sacrifice on the cross, sanctification by the Holy Spirit working in her, and keeping faithfully pure for Him alone. She refuses to return and commit fornication again with the world. Ephesians 5: 26-27 says this about Jesus and His Bride, "and (he) gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or any wrinkle or any other blemish but holy and blameless." 

The Bride heeds the words in Timothy 2:19 and eagerly and purposely does not allow herself to once again engage in all sorts of ungodliness from her past life. She departs from iniquity! "Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His. And, Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." And she does! You see, analytically they that love God keep themselves just as a literal virgin bride keeps herself for her wedding day. Keeping oneself isn't done through one's own strength, lest one boast of good works. Rather, they desire with the help of the Holy Spirit to turn from their former life and former sins. And as His Bride, they no longer make a practice of sin and by divine assistance accomplish it!! PRACTICE is the keyword here! Christ's Bride will not regularly or repeatedly exercise herself in sins.

How does one's garment become defiled?  What constitutes a spot/blemish? SIN! Many illustrations of corrupt human nature pertain to the flesh such as adultery, uncleanness, lasciviousness, drunkenness, and homosexuality, etc. Some may think the Church doesn't engage in such things, that born-again Christians just don't do those things anymore. Sadly, you'd be mistaken! Hopefully, as a professing Christian, these have no place in your life anymore.  Imagine the last time you visited the grocery store and bought fruit. As an example, apples, peaches, or grapes. Did you look them over before placing them in your cart? Most of us do especially if bought individually. We look, examine, and choose the ones closest to perfection, at least without mold, spots, or rotting areas. Can fruit with bad areas still be useful if it has some spots? Yes, but only if we cut the spots out!! This is what Jesus is looking for in a Bride. Hear me out. I'm not saying you have to be perfect. I'm not saying you'll never grow weak and not commit sin. I'm saying if there are old sins you are refusing to abandon, those you willfully keep choosing to do, you are blemished! To remain "spotless" in a spiritual sense you cannot return to your former way of living. If you are a Christian and continue in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, you are PURPOSELY and WILLFULLY committing a sin.  If you are a Christian and engaged in a same-sex relationship you are PURPOSELY and WILLFULLY committing a sin.  If you continue to return to a bar to drink and get drunk, you are PURPOSELY and WILLFULLY committing a sin. These things should not be! You cannot continue to return to your former sins like a dog returns to its vomit or as a pig to her wallowing in the mire LEST A WORSE THING COME UPON YOU. God keeps urging me to tell the Church to cleanse herself of such things. Oh, I'd rather be like so many others who uplift and encourage you, telling you how God is love, how you can do anything and still get into heaven, how His mercy forgives those who once knew Him but have walked away for good. But I cannot! His messages are extensions of patience and endurance yet filled with warnings. He's coming soon. Rev 3:5, "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life but will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." To be "blotted out" your name must have been written in the Book of Life in the first place, right? Right? If our names, as believers, are written in the Book of Life we surely want no spot, no wrinkle, no WILLFUL or defiant sin left in our life that might get our names removed! The point here is are you still conducting your life in WILLFUL, DEFIANT, and REBELLIOUS DISOBEDIENCE? The one who willfully continues sinning after receiving the gift of God is in danger of being blotted out!

ONLY believers can also have their names blotted out. The unbelievers do not qualify under this category because they were never written in the LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE in the first place! The names of all unbelievers are written in and judged out of the "other" books- (books plural!) The other books are namely, the law! Read Revelation 20:12 closely ... "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books (plural) were opened. Another book (singular) was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books (plural)." True believers are judged out of ONE book (The Lambs Book of Life) and unbelievers are judged out of the other books of law (plural.) ONCE A BELIEVER'S NAME IS BLOTTED OUT, that name disappears from the list of those who are saved. Remember Jesus words, "Depart from me you who work iniquity"?? 1 John 3:9 (NIV) "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God" -- John is telling the believers that we cannot go on willfully and purposefully sinning even though we know what God has shown us and cleansed us from. You cannot continue to sin as a drunkard, a fornicator, an adulterer, a pedophile, a homosexual, on and on.  You must forsake all that. Revelation 16:15 "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches and KEEPS his garments, lest he walks naked, and they see his shame."  There is a big difference between slipping up and committing a sin due to the weakness of the human flesh, and willfully choosing to consciously continue IN sin. The entire purpose of Christianity is change ... rebirth!

Our Bridegroom is coming soon. You must be dressed and ready. Check your heart. Bring your actions in alignment with the spirit so that your garment will remain white. Believers have a dire warning in 2 Peter 2:10-21 "For if after they have escaped the pollution's of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." Be careful not to slip back into your former habits and vices so that you not entangled therein, and overcome.

Are we not married to the Lord? Is He not the Husbandman? Are we not His Bride? Are you still looking to the world and what it offers through lusts and desires? The garment you wear tells it all. I am talking to the believers! This message is not to the unsaved! The unsaved aren't dressed in white! God's Word is to His people. I am writing with the urgency of the Spirit of God. We MUST take an evaluation of ourselves and correct what is wrong, so we, as a glorious church, not having a spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, can be holy and without blemish. Sometimes I bow my head and cry. Who will listen? Who will get it? 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Can You Return An Apple Once It's Been Plucked?

 

The other morning while I was in prayer, concerned over the coming wrath of God because of the sins of this nation, I heard these words in fast succession flood my spirit:  

Can you return wine into a bottle once it has been poured?

Can you stop an arrow once it has left the bow?

Can you return an apple once it has been plucked?

Can you raise the sun once it has set?

Can you bring back the time that passed one minute ago?

Such words to ponder! God was speaking to me in His wisdom. I could do nothing but shake my head because of His acuity but also because of the alarming reality of those words.  Is America experiencing the wrath of God? Has judgment begun? In short, I don't think so. However, what I do think is God has pulled back and allowed America to go the way of her wicked desires. This isn't judgment as we think "judgment" but rather a type of forsaking us wrath preceding judgment. The pattern of God's "wrath" appears to follow this chronological order: Patience, Longsuffering, Warning, a Forsaking Wrath (where He pulls away and we get what we choose in our rebellion), then Horrible Calamity, followed by Final Judgement. We are at a point in this nation where the Bible is no longer respected but is perceived as interfering with people's sinning. It has become an inconvenience, nuisance, and disruption. So to resolve this "problem" lawmakers are decreeing laws that negate Biblical commandments (IE: abortion, homosexuality, gender reassignment, fornication), etc. SIN has become socially acceptable. "For because of these things (sin in general) the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:6).

When God's eternal justice is no longer surpassed by His eternal mercy - that is to say His attribute of mercy is expended - His judgment or wrath is necessarily manifest. At this point, America has seen patience (tolerance), longsuffering (forbearance), warning (natural tragedies), and the period of FORSAKING WRATH. I feel that is the point America is heading into. It's an inevitable consequence. His forsaking wrath is REMOVING RESTRAINT! Examples of forsaking wrath would be those in Psalm 81:11-12, "But My people did not listen to My voice, and Israel did not obey  Me. (WATCH CLOSELY) ... So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices." Also Romans 1:24, " So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies." In 2021 this is the extent to which we have turned. You don't have to be a genius to see how disobedient we have been! We have written laws to make it legal for men to marry men, women to marry women. We can now murder a baby who is fully developed, 9 months old, whose mother had just given it birth. We recently had a law passed where children as young as three can now decide to change genders and if the parents object to the child's desire they can be arrested and the child removed from the home! We are allowing transsexuals to enter our schools and read stories to four-year-olds teaching them they are neither a boy nor a girl but are whoever (what gender) they want to be. When we forsake the simple rules for living and human existence God laid out at the foundations of the world, we are let go to our own devices. Notice the wording in the Bible ..."GOD GAVE THEM OVER." Giving us over is God's forsaking us wrath and unfortunately, America is now in this phase of retribution. "Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). Forsaking us wrath is a proclivity toward lesbianism and homosexuality.

Also evident of forsaking us wrath is clearly seen in Romans 1:27-29 as a depraved mind, which scripture identifies as a reprobate mind (verse 28). When God slowly pulls back His restraint, you'll see that those who practice the aforementioned, actually approve of others who do the same (verse 32). How many people have you seen marching in the streets, approving one another for the right to kill babies up to birth and even after birth? How many have you seen marching in the streets, approving one another for the right to change their gender and mocking the Creator who made them male and female exactly as HE DESIGNED? "Don't be deceived, God is not mocked," says Galatians 6:7, "For whatever you sow that will you also reap." Whenever anyone or group of individuals violate the precepts of GOD'S WORD, he, she, they, whoever, will suffer the respective consequences. Most assuredly America is facing this form of judgment! Those who persist in sin, even as a whole nation will be given over to tyranny and God will forsake and remove any restraining grace if they fail to repent. God's judgment begins with the house of God first. That's us! We must, therefore, repent ... seek His face, turn from our own wicked ways, THEN AND ONLY THEN will God heal our bruised and dying nation.

America is not characterized by people who are unfaithful to God's precepts, not really. There is only a small minority of individuals who are grossly disobedient and too many of these have been allowed by the faithful to gain high positions of influence in our cultures, education system, media and entertainment, and unfortunately into the halls of Congress in Washington DC. This is tragic! Those individuals who are rebuked by God's forsaking wrath are largely responsible for God's consequential wrath on our nation. Psalm 29:2 states, "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan." I don't know about you, but I'm groaning. Today I'm urging you once again to humble yourself, repent of any sin(s) you've committed, pray, seek God's face, turn back to Him if you have slipped away so that God will honor His word and heal our land. God is merciful and He can appoint more time for us to get it right BEFORE the next step which is calamity like we've never seen! The ball is still in our court. In truth, God's "restraint" has been the faithful, praying Christian who intercedes for the world and its sinners as Christ remains in us and is that restraining force maintaining a light in the world. We must not lose heart regardless of every evil thing around us (2 Corinthians 4:16.) May all of us recommit and work toward our own spiritual maturity, pray for the lost who presently hold office, and continue to elect, new, mature believers in order to sow godly policies that will manifest God's blessing upon this nation for years to come. I cannot put an apple back on a tree once it's been plucked but God can!

Until He comes,

-Pat-

Obsession

 OBSESSION

The DOMINATION of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc. Obsession is also any fixation, preoccupation, or fetish.

Examples are:

A gambling obsession.

A weight-loss obsession

A sexual fixation for a person

An unreasonable preoccupation to protect your loved one as if they were a possession. 

These are just a few.

Today I want to address an obsession people can develop for another person and what the underlying source of that unreasonable attachment is. And though we may never consider an obsession to be anything of concern, in reality, obsessions certainly can be and are a source of neurotic fixations of Satan. Take for instance a persons' obsessive love interest over another person. This kind of obsession may result in the one obsessed sending repeated and excessive texts, emails, or even phone calls to the person they are interested in. The obsessed person may need constant reassurance from outsiders that they are goods enough to win their 'object of desire'. The obsessed person may consistently monitor the actions of the other person or ask for feedback from others regarding the activities or decisions of the person they are obsessing over. The obsessed person may want to let go and even try to let go but in time find themselves "possessed" by the same impulse and craving. These things can lead to delusional love disorders and unfortunately can cause significant distress, loss of sleep, uncontrollable day-dreaming, emotional distress, or impair everyday functioning depending on the degree of the fixation. And though love and obsession are related in some aspects, the two can never be thought to be the same! Am I a licensed psychiatrist to be making such statements? No. And although I was employed by one of Kansas City's top psychiatrists for many years, I both saw and learned of many conditions that plagued society. I'm not writing this blog as any professional. I will, however, discuss from a spiritual perspective how obsessions are far more than just "feelings." They are tools the devil uses to misguide, misdirect, fool, imprison, and otherwise get us to a place of irrational thinking for the purpose of robbing us of peace, which, as Satan's end goal, can eventually destroy us altogether 

As of this writing, I personally know of three people (two women and one man) who have an ungovernable preoccupation with a chosen person of the opposite sex. Their "attachments" have gone beyond attraction to destructive idolization. Let's look at how we can overcome obsessions through reading scripture, knowing scripture, and practicing its principles. First, know that temptation to do something forbidden by God is not sin. It is wrong WHEN WE YIELD TO IT. Jesus Himself was tempted but He never sinned (Hebrews 4:5) Temptation is the lure Satan uses to try and get us to sin. Sin is committed when a choice is made to accept the temptation. For example: yielding oneself to sex with another person whom you've obsessed over. It always presents itself through THOUGHT then it is carried out. Thoughts challenge your FREE WILL, which is the power of choice and the deciding factor in whether or not you bring to fruition the thought. Free will exists in the mind. A thought comes before an act.  Therefore, an act is the outward revealing of a decision or choice already decided upon and made with our free will (Mark 7:21-23). Remember that scripture tells us that from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within and defile the man. Throughout the Bible, both heart and soul (mind) may be referenced as the same - center of our spiritual being. The Bible warns us to guard our minds and to think about things that will strengthen us spiritually.  No matter how "Christian" you think you are temptation may come when you least expect it. Don't overestimate yourself and underestimate temptation.  Many Christians fall into temptation and give in to their thoughts because they think it could never happen to them. Deal with temptation immediately. It's so important to stay away from the source of temptation. Don't stand around thinking about it or how good it will feel to entertain it. RUN!

How can we overcome obsessions that begin as thoughts since it all begins in the mind before being acted out? The Bible gives us the answer IF people would only read it then apply it.  Reading it without applying it will leave you a defeated foe! We must take EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE that raises or presents itself against the knowledge of God. TAKE YOUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE! What do I mean? Cage them, chain them. This is only accomplished by knowing and reciting the Word of God. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal or of the flesh, they begin with thoughts, and therefore we must use our spiritual weapons which are given to believers by Christ. They have divine powers to destroy any strongholds over us. I'm speaking specifically about The Word of God (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5.) Once a thought enters your mind that you know goes against God's written Word, a thought that tempts you to sin or begins to feed your obsession with lust, you must take that thought(s) and crush it, chain it, bind it with the Word of God BY DECLARING ALOUD A SCRIPTURE RELATIVE TO THE TEMPTATION! Take your sword (the Word of God) and slay that thought. As an example for those obsessed with lust or desire to have another person's body outside of marriage, say aloud: Satan  I will not act upon the thought you put in my head because it is written, 'For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are not of my Father but are of the world.' God has instructed me, 'do not love the world nor the things in the world!' He has promised me that if I 'walk in the Spirit I will not fulfill the lusts of my flesh.''" THIS IS HOW YOU TAKE YOUR THOUGHT CAPTIVE! Notice, three scriptures were quoted in that prayer! If you learn scriptures that apply them to the specific thoughts you are tempted with, those thoughts will leave you! Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world!

Philippians 4:8 instructs us, "Finally brothers (and sisters), whatever is true (the WORD), whatever is honorable (the WORD), whatever is just (the WORD), whatever is pure (the WORD), whatever is lovely (the WORD), whatever is commendable (the WORD) if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise (the WORD) THINK on these things." Notice scripture is telling us to think ... "think on these things." Holy things, righteous things, pure things, just things. It all begins in the mind - to do right or to do wrong. If you take any bad thought captive it will never become any action! Read that again. According to Colossians 3:5, we are to put to death sexual immorality. How do we put it to death? With the Sword (the WORD of God). Cleanse the mind and the body will follow. Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). He will "fight for you and strengthen you, He will help you and uphold you with His righteous hand" (Isaiah 41:10). Look at Psalm 119:9-11 closely, "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You" (that's yet another prayer you can say when temptation rises.)  Again, scripture is stressing to KEEP THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR MIND! It is your defense. No temptation is not stronger than the Word of God.

Finally, you cannot stop temptation from coming into your mind, but you can disagree with it and stop it from becoming any action. As long as you are fighting a temptation you are not sinning no matter how long the temptation lasts. Just because you're a Christian does not mean you'll never face temptation. In fact, because Satan knows your weaknesses, he'll use those to try to bring defeat into your life and make you want to give up trying to live according to God's will.  Don't fear temptation. You have more power than Satan because you are a child of God. James 4:7 instructs us to, "Resist the devil (with the Word of God) and he will flee from you." As I so often repeat, read the Bible!  Become versed in what it says. It will give you the fighting words to overcome sin and we know, To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne" Revelation 3:21. YOU CANNOT OVERCOME SIN THROUGH YOUR OWN STRENGTH. It takes Jesus. And Jesus was "The Word Made Flesh" (John 1:14). Get His Word in your mind. READ!

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Corrosion

 This past week I was in my kitchen searching for a particular flashlight.  Not the typical larger flashlight but a smaller mini-sized one I knew I had placed somewhere.  After a thirty-minute search, I found it pushed way back inside one of the kitchen drawers I hardly ever open. You know, the proverbial "junk drawer." We all have one.  I was happy to discover I had not thrown it away.  The last time it was used, I had put brand new AA batteries in it so I knew I was good to go, or so I thought! I flipped the switch to turn it on but the light did not come on. Nothing.  Not even a faint glow.  I knew I had put brand new batteries in it before I stored it. I figured the batteries must have lost power from being idle for so long.  I unscrewed the top and began violently shaking it in an attempt to dislodge the 2 AA batteries. OH!  What a mess.  I had battery acid and pieces of brown corrosion falling into my hands, on my lap, and onto the floor.  The entire flashlight walls, spring, switch, and the bulb was covered in a caustic mess!  As you know, batteries are not designed to be idle.  They are designed to be used.  My flashlight had become useless.  In the same sense, we could use the following analogy of ourselves. God has designed us to be the light in the world.  We were not meant to remain idle or to be spiritually tucked away from everybody and everything as followers of Christ.  As a believer, you have a light to shine amid the darkness.  Are you shinning it?

  

You and I have been given the light of the gospel, the Word of God, full of grace, truth, knowledge, and wisdom.  Have you tucked it away in a drawer of your mind, keeping it only for yourself and looking to it only when you need something? I am not suggesting any of you be a Billy Graham (unless you've been called) but we are to reach out and share the gospel, if by nothing else through action or a deed of love, and when led by the Holy Spirit, to be a witness and shine our mini flashlight!  I know many will feel unsure, even uneasy at my last remark.  Some may be quietly questioning, "Oh here she goes, the testimony, witnessing, talking to people about Jesus thing.  Well, count me out because I am no speaker and wouldn't even know what to say or even muster the courage to approach someone."  Calm yourself. I am not instructing anyone to become a radical witness and go knocking door to door.  I am, however, asking you to check yourself. Are you still energized regarding your belief in Christ?  Are you as thankful to be saved today as you were on day one? Do you ever have a hunger to share what you have learned from the Scriptures or are you simply satisfied with tuning into a favorite preacher on Sunday mornings or maybe catching a show or two of Christian radio and calling it sufficient?  Is your spiritual battery draining?  Worse, is it dead? Or God forbid, has it corroded altogether? 

  

I do not think any of us will be able to convince the King of Kings we love Him if we won't open His letters to us (our Bible) or confess our undying love. The Word is the very source that protects, strengthens, secures, energizes us, and keeps us in communication with Him. Let's look at another short analogy. If you were in the US military- wrote home to your true love - but never heard back from them while you were away, then returning home, found your letters had never been opened and sitting on a dusty shelf, would you be so naive as to think that person really loves you?? Jesus KNOWS which of you loves Him.  You do not want to stand before Him and hear the voice of God, "I PRESERVED MY WORD THROUGH THOUSANDS OF YEARS, DOZENS OF GENERATIONS, AND AT THE COST OF MILLIONS OF LIVES TO GET IT INTO YOUR HANDS... AND YOU NEVER CARED ABOUT ME ENOUGH TO PICK IT UP AND READ IT??"  That's a sobering thought!  If you'll be honest with yourself, you have to admit, the depth of the love of which you feel for Him is measured by the length of time you're willing to spend with Him.  There's not much else to say.  The deeper your love the more time you want with Him.  We all have busy schedules, more so than ever before, but humans will always make time for what they love. How deep is your love?  It is a spiritual trap to love less than all of our hearts.  You see, loss of love for the things of God happens gradually over a period of time, just as the AA batteries in my flashlight didn't fizzle out overnight.  Jesus said to Matthew in chapter 22: 37-38, "You shall love (that's not a suggestion, it is a command) the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first and great commandment."  Some of you may be willing to confess that you love God but don't feel it as deeply as this command suggests.  Do you know the true test of your love?  Easy. The level of obedience.  2 John 1:16 "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."  When our spiritual battery is charged, our level of obedience is great.  When our battery is low, our passion for Christ is low, our obedience is low.

 

It is amazing how little it takes to break the contact between a battery and the object to which it is supposed to supply power.  Where do you stand today?  Has your zeal for God and His Word been overtaken by worldly corrosion?  You can be refreshed by opening your Bible often, plugging into God's Word, and learning what it says.  Ask God for wisdom and understanding.  He will teach you.  Humbly submit yourself. Walk in the Light as He is in the light.  We must be constant in season and out of season and the only way to guarantee that is to be fully charged at all times.  Let the believers begin each day spiritually charged, lamps full of oil, walking in obedience, and watching and waiting for our Lord's return!

Until He Comes, 

-Pat-