Archive for the 'Religion' Category

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” – Psalm 17:15

The reader would very likely be best served to continue no further, but having hidden this verse in your heart, with unfeigned lips to call upon the Holy One whose balance is equal in all things, to meditate day and night only in this one essential and eternal object; Christ in that coming day when we see Him glorified – remade like Him.

The Kingdom of God now is only a like figure. Be not high-minded about this; it could be you on skid row, but we have a heavenly city. If not for the Scriptures, how could the believer understand the war within themselves, this relentless drawing and calling, the tug on the heart ever looking for Christ with the earnest expectation of the old creature we desire to forsake all the vanity of unholiness, yet to be fully converted into a son of God.

It’s love, for God is love, that demands our attention to Him and attrition of our wicked desires. Though instantly converted to life everlasting at the moment of faith in Christ’s shedding of blood for our sins and believing upon His resurrection, without His patience and ongoing mercies, how could the believer understand what is to become of himself? Many today are confused beyond reason. They seek not His face, clawing like a beast holding to their sins against the Spirit who demands that they turn to the living God. The ongoing creation of the new being growing with increasing rapidity, expecting Him, just Him, and having been made righteous, searching for the day when there will be nothing else but the presence of His visage.

“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:19

Romans 8:16-25 can be a difficult passage. But for context, we have the sublime simplicity of the verse from our Psalm. Assuredly the Romans passage has an apostolic context and a broader sense because the making of heirs, we sons of God, is ongoing even to this day.

Proving our heart, visiting us to give hope, Christ, trying and purifying the believer as we purpose in our mind to abandon sin after sin that holds us against the day of His likeness. The world appears all the more evil and decrepit when in the earnest prayer of desire to be like Him, especially in searching of His holy word. These two rein in our dead creature, ever quickening us, yearning for the time, to wit the redemption of our bodies to be glorified with Christ our King.

His marvelous lovingkindness to those saved by His right hand is terrifying without knowing where our transformation leads. One day, there will be nothing else but Him because nothing else matters in the least. In this one verse from the Psalm, you can see the historical redemptive plan of the ages unfolding: made in His image at creation, yet fallen into sin, saved and seeking after the great day of the final homecoming to be fully reconciled to God, the sons of God will be like Christ.

The creature itself will be finally delivered from the bondage of corruption into the final estate, the abode of many mansions. Fear not, for He is faithful and true, the mighty God, Lord of heaven and earth.

Nothing will satiate the hunger in the souls of those awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God. No evil could fulfill the desires of that lost sinner, having yet to know the Saviour through the second birth. And nothing will ever satisfy the converted soul; nary a thing can appease us from the one immutable desire; to be entirely remade without spot, without a rough and rowdy past, all sin purged from us as it is today already in the mind of the Father.

Satisfied, at rest, full of contented love for the Saviour; oh that the sons of men would be converted. They trifle at nothing to no good end. All the more thankful is the heart that is His, looking to that final day: no temple, neither sun nor moon; the Lamb is the light thereof. Purpose in your heart to mean this: ‘as for me,” follow Christ in hot pursuit, longing for the last day, making Him the one object of your desire.

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” – Ecclesiastes 11:6

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, and when suitably laid, none other foundation shall be rightly fitted; none other building can be erected save the manifest works of God by the faithful service of the believer seeking to please his Master. Sow the seed in faith, never knowing to wither it shall land or what manner of soil, stony or choked by the world or good (Luke 8:5-8). Withhold not your hand to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether it shall prosper or burn up is God’s domain, His word shall not return to Him void.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” – 1 Corinthians 3:13

This verse is most often applied to the believer’s choice whether to pursue the things of God or the appetites of this world. Also, the application is made to the judgment of Christ, both the believer and the unbeliever. Perhaps those are at times useful, but a more demanding application, and probably the correct one within the context of 1 Corinthians Chapter 3, may be addressed along with the verse from Ecclesiastes. Without any bad design, not knowing where or what seed shall prosper or which fruit will burn, the fruit that remains is that built upon the Gospel to the glory of God. No other foundation is sure. The preceding verse (12) says “this foundation,” and verse 11 tells us that foundation is Christ.

Perhaps never knowing in this lifetime what will stand the test of fire, we declare the good news of salvation and eternal life by Jesus Christ. And having helped a neighbor in need, having told the wasted sinner there is a better purpose in Christ, and encouraged saints in faithful pursuit of life everlasting, the Father keeps what’s good in His sight. We ought to be very grateful that God has a commission for each class of saints and every faculty of the believer.

Years of service, diligent and faithful, having suffered the lows and felt in seasons exalted with Christ when He brings glory to God through the work of His ordination at the hand of the believer, this is every believer’s office in Christ. Looking back at 5, 20, or perhaps 50 years of utility to our Lord, what will be the Almighty’s reply to our calling; faithful, yay or nay?

Many serve but for a season because they see little effect for their efforts. If you have faltered or stopped, get back to it, calling upon His holy name, seeking forgiveness and a new anointing, this time staying faithful by letting God own the outcomes. Being where God has called, doing what He has said, walking by faith and not by sight, the seeds are His, and the fruits, whatever they may be, are His. The lasting effects in history and eternity belong to God; head forward, hand to the plow, laying sure foundations in the liberty of Christ impart seed to the souls of men.

And in believers, adding courage to the young, hope for the weak or afflicted, giving assurance to the saints that their service will prosper God, ours is to deliver with the resolute purpose of heart, building upon that sure foundation. Knowing that some of the work goes nowhere, faithfulness to God’s plan matters; upon some have compassion, and others save with fear pulling them from the gaping entryway of hell.

Some won’t hear or respond, but by faith, the work that appears fruitless, all the while in us grows dependence on the Almighty, deeper and more meaningful prayer, driving our desire to bear fruit that He might be well pleased. Faith brings a work of God with its own results in the heart and attitude of the believer.

Some harvest may burn up, some tried by fire and remaining, but who shall stand on the last day to hear; Well done, good and faithful servant.

Labor in love, in obscurity, through the season of fruitlessness, pressing toward the mark, but always in faith that Christ in you will bring glory to the Father.

Romans 8

“16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” – Romans 8:16-17

The Holy Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit. This is a stumbling block, a significant hurdle for American Christians. They have allowed the carnal mind, which cannot be subject (Romans 8:7), to rule them, making their spirit of no effect in the Kingdom of God. If you are a blood-bought, redeemed son in Christ, and joint heir together with Him, then your spirit should agree with the Almighty.

Romans 8 is one of those cherry-picking chapters where people load up on the blessings and see none of the duty. There’s the discussion of pre-destination sometimes misused by all sides. There’s verse 15 in which the New Religion cries Abba Father but are paralyzed by fear, glued to the news cycle, readily adapting to the decrees of antichrist governments against that which is holy. And there’s verse 37, we are conquerors through Christ, but conquerors of what, they cannot say other than worldly carnal musings.

Likewise, Christians, if that’s what they are, love 1 John 4:19, but without boldness living in fear, what of verse 18 before it and verse 17? Who among us, having the early century martyrs as our example, stood boldly when the world was told to cower in fear over flu? There is no fear in the love of God, and if our spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit, we do not walk contrary to God but abide in power and love without fear. And verses 38 and 39 in Romans 8 are often cited by those living in comfort and ease, untested, never serving, denying Christ in deed, having gushing words about God, and not a drop of the service wherewith we are called to bear fruit. And verse 36, are they who won’t live for the King ready to die for Him?

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” – Romans 8:35

Fear of not fitting in, fear of not being liked, fear of appearing to be different; these are nothing. Massive problems loomed during the first century, and today American Christians are being tested at the hand of God’s supreme and sovereign power; do they know it? This is not a prophetic statement; it’s Scripture. If you are Christ’s, He will never stop loving you, but you can exit the love of God coming under chastisement instead for failure to follow Him in tribulation. The American Church failed massively, and with so few exceptions, it must be called a complete failure for the past three years. And given that Roe has been overturned, where are the large Church organizations galvanizing in each state?

When they teach verse 35, they apply it personally to Paul and his situation without instructing the brethren on how to prepare for these things. Do they consider these afflictions possible today? American Christians must realize that our spirit is to bear witness together with the Holy Spirit.

No man knows the degree of pain and suffering while we await His return. These things need to be settled in your mind now. They must be discussed with family, among the trusted and faithful brethren at Church, purposing in your heart to prepare. All things that proceed out of a man come from the heart. The body is weak, and the mind makes war on the Spirit; if you prepare only in your mind and with stuff, you can talk the talk, but it’s in your spirit where God will find you, and unless your heart agrees with God, you will falter, perhaps even denying Christ. If your soul is not right with God, you will fail the coming temporal, carnal, and earthly tests. Every true and faithful Christian is tested, regardless of a current global or national situation. Without the purpose of heart, no physical preparation can sustain a man; the Holy Spirit of God leading the believer is where iron is sharpened against a day of judgment.

“13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:13-15

There are levels of application to be made in verse 13. First and foremost, without salvation from death and hell by the forgiveness of sin in Christ Jesus, being dammed already, your eternal death awaits. And in the spirit of the believer, living after the desires of your body, you will have no heart for the trials that appear to be lining up. Without a true purpose in the love of Christ, the Christian cannot function within the Kingdom of God, reverting to the kings of this world and our present time and pursuits of vanity, forgetting the hope of Christ that lives in us (Romans 8:24-25).

No man can lose his eternal salvation, but to be clear as a bell with any who read this, if you only have a form of godliness, mere religion, a hearer of the word and self-deceived about your eternal soul’s condition, you will die. Life eternal is to those that are His, not by sacraments, not by earthly priests, nor denominations, not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by Christ.

Because verse 14 shows the only way, our spirit must agree with the Spirit of Holy God, “For as many as are led.” Who is your master, your king, what spirit do you fear? What spirit is in you; those that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, and none other! The spirit of bondage to any other is not of God, for we are bound in the Spirit of God, Christ the heir of all things, we being a joint heir with Him, there is no spirit of fear, no spirit of bondage, but as many that have the Spirit of God, they have a Father which art in Heaven.

“25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.” – Proverbs 29:25-26

And if bound in the Spirit of God, our spirit bearing witness to the same, you are loosed from a heart of fear and bondage toward the kings and tyrants of this world. The closing in of tribulation, distress, persecutions, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword from this world cannot hold you if you are bound to Christ by the Spirit of God in you. There is no fear in the love of God; now we, led by the Spirit, the sons of God being conformed to the image of God’s own Son, mortifying the deeds of the flesh, rejecting any and every spirit of bondage, receiving the adoption from the same Spirit, with Christ, heirs of Heaven, we cry, Abba, Father!

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” – Romans 8:26

The Kingdom of God is built for tribulations. Don’t breeze past that sentence. The Kingdom of God is designed for the hardcore, ugly days of evil upon the land, afflictions, and sufferings all around. The believer can compromise away his rights in the Kingdom if led by the spirit of fear; that’s the only way you can lose. We, those born again of the Spirit of God, have a Kingdom with a multi-failsafe power in our heart’s needs. But not only that, the Kingdom of God is built to withstand time. God didn’t create a pretty good Kingdom struggling to get by for those that dwell in Him. It’s constructed to withstand anything, for it’s the forerunner of God’s eternal Kingdom, His Son coming again to take full possession; it shall not pass, nor shall the believer. But so too, here now, the Kingdom of God has no equal. It can’t be torn down; it can’t lose a war; it can’t be destroyed; none shall overthrow it.

The Holy Spirit of God in us helps with our infirmities. Well, sure, often misapplied to verse 26, but a Bible truth nonetheless, He is our comforter, but the infirmity spoken of in verse 26 is our lack to pray as we ought. God knows what you have need of; what God wants is you, all of you, your very spirit. Pray, pray past the desires of your body, the needs of your flesh, pray until you can think of nothing to pray; knowing not what you ought, heart naked, alone with the Almighty, soul bared open, every fear and care evaporated, left where you ought; alone only in the fear of God. That’s where your spirit comes into bond with the Spirit of God, making intercession on our behalf, for what could you say to God? There’s nothing left to say, He is God, you are the clay, but dust, life a vapor; He gave you your conscience spirit, breathed it into being, the might and glory and majesty of Power at the throne that spoke the worlds into being, and you come unto that which is Holy. The scariest prayer you’ll ever make has a life-changing effect to follow; Lord, I’ll do whatever you want. Now you agree with God our King, ruler of Heaven and earth.

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” – Romans 8:34

Outside of the will of God, that is where we lose and the only place we can—justified by God, who can make any accusation of merit against His soldiers? It’s Jesus Christ that died on the cross, tortured to death for your sins. But the Kingdom of God, being made to withstand even death itself, Christ rose from the grave again on the third day proving the Scriptures true. The power of the Creator of life eternal is absolute and confirms the earnest of the promise beforehand that the Holy Spirit of God would dwell within us. It’s Christ that died for His inheritance, those that are His. Yea rather, that is risen again from the tomb and ever liveth to make intercession by faith; seated at the right hand of God, Christ continues to make mediation. The accuser of the brethren is defeated; Christ the daysman makes our case in the power of the resurrection unto eternal life. The Kingdom of God by the Holy Spirit in you has redundant intercessors and continual advocates with the Almighty; although God will remind you that it’s He who works through you, though you falter, you cannot fail in the will of the Father.

What place have the kings of this world with us? If you believe these things, if so be that we suffer whatever they may bring, we suffer it with Him. What is that to a child of the LORD most high, knowing that we may also be glorified together with Christ Jesus.

We have not the spirit of fear but of the power of God, and His love, and soundness of mind. At the moment of faith, you received all this, but be sure, it’s those that are led by the Spirit, whithersoever He listeth, that see the Kingdom of God, so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.

It’s why the would-be rulers of this world hate Christ and fear the Kingdom of God. If, as at times in church history, we had no fear of the tribulations, carrying on as though the petty powers of hell have no control, then brothers and sisters, fearless by the Spirit of God in us, what kingdom of men can stand; for we have a King that cannot fail and a kingdom that cannot be ended if you do not wane in the calling of Christ to remain in the will of God; walking after the Spirit.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1

“16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.” – Genesis 35:16-20

“Fear not: thou shalt have this son also.” Does it take massive brainwashing for a woman to kill her baby, or are they predisposed to be lower than an animal? Imagine a person not wanting the inconvenience of bringing a soul into the world by God’s grace; what compels a woman to kill her own child? Look at the text, Rachel was dying, in hard labor and great travail, but the midwife told her not to worry; the baby would be born. The midwife didn’t say; I’ll try to save you; she was saying, you have fulfilled the call and duty of the Almighty, fear not, depart in peace.

“Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?” – Isaiah 45:10

In Isaiah 45, from verse 5 downward, God makes it very plain that He is God, we are His created handiwork, with no right to question His motives or what He brings forth. There is a higher Law! God goes so far as to state that all the offspring that parents produce are God’s creation. Who is anyone to question what God has made and brought forth by the womb?

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” – Psalm 127:3

He made them, He knew them before the foundation of the world, and the Creator breathes life into every soul. There’s no reasonable way to conclude that America doesn’t deserve her destruction. Do we command God and destroy the work of His hands without recompense? He would be no God at all if that were the case.

Today society measures the courage of a woman the same way they measure a man’s; are they a cop, a soldier, a career gal? What kind of people would encourage killing their children and grandchildren in favor of women acting like men? There’s not much to say about that that hasn’t already been said. The passage in Genesis 35 recently hit like a ton of bricks; Rachel and her midwife did everything they could to bring another life into the world, and Rachel gave herself that the tribe of Benjamin might fulfill the word of God. We don’t want to call this a type of Christ, but she died that he might live; what else did Christ do, if not that very thing; die for you, that you might live? What is the pathology of killing a child inside of you?

“10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” – Proverbs 31:10-12

And think of the Uvalde Shooting; how do 400 cops sleep at night, how do they live with themselves? How does standing by not terrorize their conscience every waking moment? America is full of mindless, heartless, soulless creatures; evil has come upon us as a nation, I fear, sure destruction is our lot; what else could God do? Is He not God!

Some young man with a devil in him starts killing children; who are to blame? It isn’t the gun; parents may play a large part, but who didn’t teach the parents? Ultimately the Church has failed by allowing evil to engulf the country. Watching the news and waiting for the rapture, that’s the American Church.

Many American Christians admit that judgment is first upon them (the house of God) and that we may have brought it as a nation. Still, they won’t realize they have a say, that taking just action against the unjust within God’s Law is allowable, even desired under the Law.

Throwing off such chains of those who would hate God is not some philosophical quip by a founding generation; it’s God’s Word. Waiting and praying for justice and deliverance from the same devils in unholy collusion with satan running America is evidence of brainwashing and further proof that American Christians may love Christ, the example servant, but they hate Christ the Lord.

Government can prosecute, enslave, imprison, kill, even crucify and bulldoze into trenches those who would tell the truth of God’s word, but none of that would change the facts at hand, that they are guilty before the throne of the Almighty God, now, right now! But admittedly, judgment is first upon the House of God for these sins.

Everybody loves the meek baby Jesus. But when Christians are asked, how does allowing mass murder of children love your neighbor, they become confused, even defiant, believers and even unbelievers alike. It is the failure of God’s men that has brought the ruin of Western Civilization.

Count it all joy that God loves us enough to destroy our nation, and then you can begin to work with God to repent, which does not mean some mealy-mouthed sorrowful prayer, although it should start with prayer. Repent means stopping what you are doing that’s against the Law of God. Once you understand that the love of Father God is why He will not abide our wickedness, then you can understand that He would be with the effort to right the wrong. There is both sin by commission, to actively participate in evil, and sin of omission, which is knowing to do good and doing it not (James 4:17).

By repentance, we seek forbearance, that He might not destroy us out of the land. God has given us a beautiful, bountiful, and various land, but the people’s hearts have turned cold, ugly, mean, and degraded. If your countrymen don’t stop, they must be made to stop, and being convinced by the totality of Scripture, would not God bless such an effort? Are 70 million babies to be rendered unto Cesar? Are they Cesar’s children or Gods? It is not the love of God or our neighbor to allow the country to persist in mass murder. And how, Heaven help us all, does it love those children to gaze upon their ongoing destruction for decades while doing nothing, the ground crying out with the blood of 70 million innocent?

All beings brought to life arrive by the creation of God. Are God’s pinnacle creation a mere commodity, or are they precious in the sight of the Lord? We know where this is headed. We see it coming all around the edges. The selling of those yet unborn, killed for their body parts, for “research”? And the prior attempts to take Stem Cells all very clinically, scientifically, and sterile in a laboratory environment, but we all know where this leads.

First, do no harm? Is it any wonder the medical industrial complex has turned to sick care, keeping people ill for profit? What kind of sin is this when it’s proclaimed in the name of Science? Science is the observation of God’s creation or His created order. When a people make Science their god, any abomination in the name of Science is called some common good. The mass murder by a vaccine is only a “logical” step in this self-destructive chain. Wholesale slaughter must be en route. It’s what the evil in men excels at when wickedness is allowed to reign unchecked. If not for God’s hand, the whole world would turn to violence as before the flood.

Holy God permits that evil necessary to teach those He loves that He is God, right is right, and wrong is wrong. He is God; He defines these terms and makes the outcome His handiwork of human history. Lord help us; we’re in trouble. When you’re in trouble with God, only God can save you.

Since Roe has been overturned, has a single State Governor called for legislation to outlaw abortion in that State?

Note: Tagged Gospel Witness with the other posts in this series.

There is a funny story about soul winning. A man asks, how can I be saved and one replies just hold on; God loves you. And another man replies, just let go; God loves you. Then somebody comes and opens their Bible showing the man how to have eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Recently, there was the blessed opportunity to share the Gospel with a lost sinner. They ultimately balked at the idea of serving Holy God. When asked, they flat out said no.

We almost always share 1 John 5:11-13 while discussing the nature of the record (testimony) being set forth. 1 John 5 includes what we know we have, a new life now in Christ and life eternal with the Father.

“11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” – 1 John 5:11-13

You can know that you have eternal life. Many, sadly, confess to a day when they will stand before Christ and find out; the Holy Bible says you can know now, today!

It’s important to note that when sharing the Gospel, the lost sinner is making their covenant with Christ. It’s also important to note that when sharing the Gospel with a lost sinner, we use evangelistic language and substance, allowing the Holy Spirit of God to bring them under conviction for sin and the realization of the need for salvation from death and hell. Telling lost sinners to stop sinning is mostly a waste of time; they need salvation first.

If you have been blessed to lead souls to Christ but did not discuss the things in this post with them, please don’t think you did something wrong. God saves who He will by the manner He chooses, and no two salvation testimonies are the same. Each salvation is personal, from Nicodemus, to the woman at the well, to the Ethiopian Eunuch. There is no formula for salvation; God leaves the perfect intact truth of His covenant with them in the new convert’s heart as the Holy Spirit begins to grow them. But consider discussing the service of God and the authenticity of what you’re sharing from the Bible.

Depending upon how the discussion goes, we share 1 John 5:11-13 very near the end of the conversation if the lost sinner makes it that far. As John does, we can discuss the record of what we have, why, and how we know. By the time we share these verses, the lost have agreed that they are a lost sinner, that God is the judge of their sin, and that they are headed to death and hell being condemned already. They have agreed that Jesus has authority and power over their eternal destination. They have also stated agreement that Jesus died for their sin and rose again on the third day as the satisfaction of their sin debt and proof of the power of Christ to offer new life now and life eternal.

I don’t preach Lordship salvation when I share the Gospel with a lost sinner. But, we always, in one manner or another, as part of sharing these verses with the lost sinner, tell them that God will begin to change them, giving them new desires from the heart outward, that they will begin to be remade into the likeness of Christ, or a son of God. Part of this change that happens after salvation is that we serve Christ in the Kingdom of God. We can state it just like that, or perhaps as, become a son of God to follow the will of Holy Father God or work in the Kingdom of God keeping all that Christ commands. Some variation of this is essential to share, asking the lost sinner, will you serve Christ? Too many Christians have been saved, they claim, but for what they do not know. Service is what Disciples of Christ do.

You can share 1 John 5:11-13 how you feel led, keeping within the truth while evangelizing Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, sure foundation, and way to the Father in heaven. We review the record that we, the lost and the witness, have made, explaining that what we are doing is making a record before Holy God of all that the lost sinner has confessed about himself as a sinner and the futility of works. And also that the lost sinner has agreed upon the only solution, the power and authority of God by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to save their eternal soul.

If somebody is under conviction of the Holy Spirit, they will not hesitate or reject serving God. Their definition of service, being a lost sinner, especially if raised in religion, may be faulty. It’s essential to tell them that we are not talking about religion (though we are, but not as the world perceives and sadly not as most denominations and cults express) and that we’re not talking about a Church or, again, what they may perceive to be the true church of Jesus Christ. Salvation is personal; it’s a relationship with God, through Christ, the Holy Spirit in us. If they are genuinely saved, they will have true religion and be among the body of Christ. This part of the conversation may vary if the person is a regular Church attendee.

So we review the record of all that’s been discussed, clearly stating that salvation means a change of heart and therefore mind, entering into a life of service to bring glory to the Father through Christ.

We usually share this other verse, that’s in Romans, early in the conversation. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23. Sin brings death, which is what God owes the sinner (wages) for their works of transgressing God’s Law but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, it’s a gift; He’s a wonderful and marvelous Saviour, but Jesus is also Lord, King, and Master of His inheritance, which are the converted sinners one and all, His body, the church. If the lost sinner is under conviction, they will testify about their desire to belong to God, working in the Kingdom, as you discuss these verses.

During your talk, if you have not discussed the authenticity of the Bible while sharing the Gospel, these verses in 1 John 5 (or Romans 10:17, faith by the word of God) are a perfect opportunity to do so. After all, John says, this is the record. The Bible and the passages you share are the basis upon which the lost sinner and Holy God are forming their covenant; if the lost sinner doesn’t believe the Bible, they are not being saved at that time, regardless of what else they may say or desire. If the Holy Spirit is upon them, they will confess that Jesus is real, that the Bible is true, the written record is authentic, and that they want to belong to Him in service.

Remember, we’re having a narrow-scope evangelistic conversation with a lost sinner. However, souls get saved over a Psalm (song) or apocalyptic passages such as Genesis 3 and Revelation 20-21, some of which may include symbolism. The Holy Spirit often uses the fall in the Garden and the resurrection of the damned unto the lake of fire to bring fear of God, a conviction for sin, and the need for the one true Saviour, Jesus Christ. But we also count those passages nonetheless to be the record of sin and eternal damnation that God has given us to bring a desire of life and life everlasting through the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.

The poor fellow who decided against Christ seemed disconcerted and even offended by the conversation and me. He wanted his life cleaned up and straightened out without the pesky bother of a Lord. When they balk, we pray for them, for God to send another messenger, and for the seed to take hold in their conscience that Christ would draw them and call them into His love. It’s important to remember; that we are only the messenger; soul winning is not friend winning. We tell them the truth; their problem is with God if they don’t like it.

You will not win them all, but it’s far and away the better thing to be thorough in showing them the love of God and then let them go away than to make buildings full of lost sinners, some deceived, some falsely converted by easy believism. The object is not ours; the crowns are Christ’s cast at His feet upon the mount of His throne, for the Father is the one that works all in all. God, save that young man’s soul.

Romans 5:6-10

Some are at peace with God. Some make war on God. And yet some are wholly unaware. Sometimes it’s difficult to know who is who and what master they serve. Some have peace with God but a raging war against sin on the inside, tearing them up. Some have faith without peace being a sheep gone astray. Some are justified by the illusions of their mind having peace for a season of their own creation; like a baby with a pacifier, they have temporary comfort while gaining no sustenance. Many know full well they serve the devil; you being a sinner, have that same capacity. Most are blinded and glad to be so. But every soul on earth, ungodly sinners all, have access in faith to the throne of the Almighty by the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no peace, no end to the war of the heart and soul by any hustled-up religion, self-help book, and undoubtedly not by the evil that abounds unto death in this world. But we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and our Saviour. Do you want to wait, have faith in the arbitrary, and see if a better option comes along? You genuinely are taking your chances; eternity is nothing to gamble away.

Hardships are coming; they’re already arriving and will bear down on the soul. Tribulations start in the tangible world, but that’s not the target; it’s in the human soul where the wrath settles; having vexed the body and mind, the trials of wrath look for your core, plunging the depths of conscience to see what you’re made of. None can withstand God. It’s war by judgments and tribulations or peace by the Lord.

The wrath of God is the allowance of evil, and the world leaders have sided with the maleficent, choosing war with the Almighty. It will affect you, family, friends, work, and every aspect of life. The rulers and would-be tyrants all around us have a vested interest in keeping you socially inept, isolated, away from others of like heart and mind. As if by some power, and it is, the whole world was locked in their homes wearing a diaper on their face. Evil is real, and it’s a spirit. The mental damage to especially the young and old is permanent, and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. No man knows the future but do you think things will soon improve? They could, but more likely are wonders to behold; all the world will marvel as the depths of evil are plunged, and none will escape. It will affect your very soul as God permits; that is the target of the enemy’s attack. Evil thrives in the torment of the heart and soul; that’s what’s coming. But there is a peace to be found.

“1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1-2

If not today, then why wait? There is no better situation coming, no better time than now, no better covenant than in Christ Jesus. One has but to believe that Christ died paying the fullness of your debt for sin. What a simple and marvelous thing that today, this very moment, you can be delivered from the power of darkness and brought fully into the love that God has for you. There is no reason to wait. Christ will not die again better; God will not love you more later, and the Holy Spirit will not browse the library of your works looking for your nobility. Christ is noble; Christ is King, the only Holy One worthy of life yet suffering defeat at the cross by His own will, for you personally, that you might live bought into godliness by His shed blood upon the tree. He’s not going to the cross again; it is finished; seated at the right hand of Power, Christ has sealed the covenant in His own blood. There’s no purer a covenant because there is no pure blood than that of the Son of God shed for you. Today is your day, the day of redemption; Christ paid it all so that you might go free.

“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

Now is that time. Not when you have the strength, not when you claim self-godliness, but now, today! God knows you have no power to save yourself from being in a helpless state against what’s coming, and God knows your sins and transgressions; they have found you out. Christ died for the ungodly, not the self-reformed, cleaned up, and presented with phony piousness; Jesus died for the sinner. Today is the day of salvation come unto you!

“7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:7-8

Evil is arriving, and cowardice abounds in these times, although we do see glimmers of hope. Oh, so rarely for a righteous man, and some might die for a good man daring to follow after, but Christ didn’t die for good men; He died while we were sinners, ungodly, yet without strength on our own, because God loves you. God has Commended His love by showing the extraordinary depth and mercy of His heart toward you, in that He gave His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. No better man is coming; it’s Jesus Christ the Son of God. He’s the only sinless, there being none good, no perfect love but that of God.

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.”

The story goes that this poem was found on a cell wall in an insane asylum. Is it any wonder, the love of God seems wholly irrational in a hate filled world. When they come for the truth-tellers, when earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, when as today they call the just man crazy and the evil good, upon what foundation of love will you stand?

Today is the day of salvation because of the covenant with the Saviour who was foreordained before the foundation of the world to die for you. You can be found justified in the mind of Almighty God and saved from the wrath to come. It’s coming; there is no better time, no nearer day to the Lord than this very moment, escaping the wrath of God that abides on all those that hear but wait! Salvation is to them that believe in the power of God over the evil of sin, the world, and death.

“9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” – Romans 5:6-10

The enemies of God are lining up, outing themselves more and more every day. Surely you’re not with them? Why remain an enemy of God? It’s a war you can’t win; today is the day of reconciliation, forgiveness, and salvation; having risen from the grave, He’s alive. By His life, you can enter into life everlasting.

What cartoonish silliness is this to stand at the pearly gates and be assessed by God to see if you’re worthy? You are not holy. You are not sinless. You are not eternal. You’re not worthy; you’re an ungodly sinner, full of deceit, hate, and anger. When those eyes pierce your very soul, it’ll be too late; either you belong to the Just One who is worthy and enter into the love of God by Him, or you’ll be cast into outer darkness burning for eternity. No man stands on the last day; every knee will hit the dirt, every tongue will be stopped; Christ is King.

It’s by the power of God that Christ rose from the grave, and it’s by His power that you, if you are His, will be raised to a new life, being made a son of God, knowing God, set to new purposes in a new kingdom under Heaven. Want to die a death with meaning, gallantly? Die for Christ on the battlefield fighting for the souls of men in the Kingdom of God. Today is the day to be made a friend of God; such a thing as that is the offer of the Almighty whose boundless love toward you would accept the torture of His own Son in your stead.

Friends with God today; Jesus knows those that are His. There’s no reason to fight it, no reason under creation to remain His enemy – what have they got to offer but the coming hell on earth and in eternity to follow?

It can’t be overstated; there is no better offer coming, no better god, no better faith, no better religion; it’s not even about religion or Church; it’s Jesus. Jesus Christ poured out the sinless blood of the New Covenant, for He is the way to the Father, the Creator and Redeemer of those yet without strength, of ungodly sinners in need of salvation; turning to the Saviour today, you can be His. The choice is yours to make, the wrath to come or the love of God by Christ Jesus. Without the resurrection of Christ, there is no eternal life for the believer at the last day; you won’t be raising yourself from the dead to be with Holy Father God. Now is the time to get this right.

Call upon the Father, tell Him you don’t want war with Him; you don’t want to die in your sin but desire a life with meaning and purpose above any that the death and hell the world has to offer. Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. God is faithful to those who are His, for He delivered Christ, so you can also know that He’ll deliver you into eternal life, sealed through faith, in the blood covenant made before the world began.

Revelation 7.

Readers will remember the post: “Jehovah’s Witnesses” Are Terribly Mislead in which commenters lamented the lack of knowledge as to the symbolism of the number 144,000 among other good comments.

I said this:

These are they, best as we can reckon, that were saved, sealed, witnesses of the children of Israel (sons of Jacob) called Jews, that suffered for His name’s sake, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ up to and through the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. The 144,000 are Jews! They are not American of Caucasian and African lineage living today; they are not! And, suppose for a moment, they are not, but suppose they are real; if there are only 144,000 thousand of them; why are there millions of them running around?!?

Here we find an explanation of the number as symbolic and an interesting discussion as to who the 144,000 are in history. In the comments conversation over there, I learned something new: the majority view is; that the 144,000 represent the entire church or all those in the church age. That I had not known, but it didn’t change my mind. I remain in the minority view. Read the discussion over there.

Verses 9-10, I think, are the church:

“9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Here also is an explanation of who specifically the 144,000 are. “Jehovah’s Witnesses” today are terribly deceived.

There are so few knowledgeable and well-researched web pages about the Bible; it’s disappointing.

Romans 3:10-26 (Psalm 10:6-7, Isaiah 59:7-8)

I went to a Buc-ee’s. It’s quite an operation. One leaves trying to wrap their mind around what is or is not America and wondering what will become of us. The gas was 10 cents higher than the other stations on the Interstate, but nobody seemed to care or notice; it’s a Buc-ee’s, so presumably, that makes it worth it. Without exaggeration, this one must have more than 100 gas pumps, every lane full; cars, SUVs, or pickups with boomers dragging a fifth wheel.

I’m not sure what the attraction is. The people seem to be there only to be there. Everything was slightly overpriced, and although the food looked pretty good, it was only gas station food. But Buc-ee’s is more than a gas station; it’s a relationship. The BBQ sam’mich was going as fast as they could make them by the dozen.

The lady at the checkout, local as they come, said it’s flat out, non-stop; there must be thousands of people coming and going every day. They’ll pay you $20 an hour to work the overnight shift. She seemed a little slow, but professing Christ, she’s my sister and probably has a more faithful love for the Saviour than I’ll ever know. All some need is a crumb from the Master’s table (Matthew 15:27). God rarely calls those from the high lofts – if that’s you, salvation is no small gift; don’t waste it (Luke 12:47-48).

It’s hard to know if the people going there don’t care about inflation and the state of things in the world, or perhaps that’s the point of stopping at a Buc-ee’s on your road trip; to forget the world. There was no sense at all of the death of America or the irony of the place as a symbol and type of the commoditization of the consumer being a nail in the coffin of the West by ending the tangible work of making and building things. The country’s going to hell, actual, but hey, let’s head to the Buc-ee’s out by the Interstate!?!

There’s a section for T-shirts and hats and Buc-ee’s gear. No, I didn’t get a Buc-ee’s T-shirt. Maybe a twinge of regret since I’m not against self-deprecating humor. An area with very overpriced “local” stuff with a State or nearby tourist attraction theme to it. Many self-serve soda dispensers with Buc-ee’s brand of cola, root beer, orange, and the like. They make their own dessert fudge right there and have other areas with things like that. And, of course, a section of regular snacks like Cheeto’s and Coke in a can for those who need a known degree of danger to their health delivered in a familiar size, shape, and color.

On private property, which sole purpose is to make money, it’s often a tricky business, pretending to browse while not angering a money spender. I was quite the novelty among those from far-flung midwestern and northeastern states. A real live Christian, openly discussing salvation in Christ Jesus and handing out literature about the human soul’s condition and relationship to its Creator. A real oddity, curious looks of wonder all around. Christians really exist, rare, but we saw one at the Buc’ee’s, didn’t we, honey, and it asked me about heaven.

“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” – Romans 3:11

There is none righteous, no, not one. Nobody understands; none seek God, for it’s the Almighty that calls to them and draws them and makes the previously unaware begin to see His purposes; nobody seeks God but that God reveals Himself. You can talk at the Buc-ee’s to a midwestern tourist all day long about Christ, but they can’t hear you until God speaks to them.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” – Romans 3:18

Holy God stands before all men, observing their every thought and deed, but neither can they see Him.  So few now care for the things of the Almighty or ever consider His ways. How does a civilization turn Godless and survive?

And so America tells itself what is said by all those about to suffer a fall: “He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.” – Psalm 10:6. A fitting verse for an afternoon at the Buc-ee’s, overwhelmed with abundance.

“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” – Romans 3:14. Compare with: “His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.” – Psalm 10:7

Is that you, a sinner, dead in your trespasses, self-assured yet utterly self-deceived, blind to God? A man can curse God without ever speaking a word.

“15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known” – Romans 3:15-17 (see Isaiah 59:7-8). It is an apt description of the American leadership we’ve come to know, realizing they are taking us where almost none but the hopelessly useful idiot dare go.

The place was packed with people, but there was still room to move and browse. Are they conscience, wandering through life, or simply taking a break from the soon-coming and man-made wreckage?

But I did meet a brother in Christ who was missing several front teeth. I know this because I asked him about his eternal station and saw the biggest unashamed smile light up half complex; that man knows Christ, and from what he’s been saved. It never gets old, that smile of the true believer, the blessing of the almighty by His Spirit living in their heart, the wonderfully fearful, and nowadays ever more rare called of God, appointed unto salvation to service of Him. He moved here from England as a child, an Air Force vet, and a good guy. ‘Round these parts, missing teeth don’t mean dumb; that’s just Hollywood.

His Church is a large one, down to about 50 core people as they search for a new Pastor. As hard as that sounds, it appears to be a good thing: find out who’s committed, purge the chaff, gather the dead branches and burn them up, get new leadership, reset, and serve with purpose. He was there just for the spectacle of it all. Neither of us was disappointed.

We talked by a display of beef jerky, a prominent item, being both road food and guy food. It caught my stomach’s attention. I told him we had about forty; that is the core where I go, serving the Lord with consistent purpose. I’m blessed beyond measure to be among folks who love the Lord, seek the lost with the Gospel, work for Christ with purpose of heart and mind, and are training the young. It’s a rare thing where I go, having been to dozens of Churches, many just like the Buc-ee’s, full of tourists who, for the life of their eternal soul, couldn’t explain the purpose or meaning of what their Church exists to accomplish and why they are there or who profits.

Departing from my new friend and heading for the Beef Jerky counter, I got $15, half a pound worth by weight, of the “sweet and spicy,” which was neither sweet nor spicy. And it got eatin’ in the vehicle on the freeway after leaving; this is what one dutifully does with beef jerky on the road. Not dry, somehow, although under spiced, it was pretty tasty. Since they said we couldn’t eat cows anymore, I ate it all ’till I felt a little gurgly in the belly. I still eat dead cows; price is no object if it means one more good ol’ methane-loaded cow fart to make a liberal cry.

I don’t know if America will make it. I suspect not. But my new toothless Buc-ee’s friend and I, we’ll make it. The rest may burn like a roman candle, but we’d like you to know; that you can make it too.

“24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” – Romans 3:24-25

Christian influence isn’t in decline because of a failed eschatological system.

It must be observed that postmillennialism lost favor (and today remains held in disfavor) with conservative theologians for manifestly unorthodox and insufficient reasons. Extra-biblical reasoning, as well as lazy or poor scholarship, has intruded itself into Christian discussions of eschatology. I will highlight four misguided grounds often used for rejecting this hope-filled eschatology. In this article I will focus on: Newspaper Exegesis.

Christianity is in decline because those claiming to be adherents are not adherents but observers in mind only. They won’t declare the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), rebuking the workers of iniquity for their sin (1 Timothy 5:20), because modern Christians are pseudadelphos – fakes and phonies (Revelation 2:2), theoretical Christians doing the work of Christ nowhere but in the vanity of their deluded heads. Instead of being doers of the word, they are hearers only deceiving themselves (James 1:22), endlessly filling their heads with knowledge they are the disciples of the high-back leather chair (2 Timothy 3:7), their feet are hideously grotesque (Romans 10:15), wicked slothful one talent servants (Matthew 25:26-30) one and all who won’t teach all nations to observe (DO) all that Christ commands (Matthew 28:18-20).

The New Religion are a bunch of losers in retreat because they have latched onto a theory of eschatology from which to derive a lazy and apathetic good for nothing wait for the rapture lifestyle. At the same time, they accumulate comfort and ease in this world instead of building up treasure in Heaven, proving they have a heart problem (Matthew 6:19-21). Of course the gentleman at the linked article is much too polite to put the problem this way, but I’m not.

Note: The cited verses here are not meant to prove or support an eschatology system, but are given for instruction and reproof.

Some are more equal than others.

Seattle police arrested a street preacher on charges of being a risk to public safety for reading his Bible aloud at a public park near an LGBT pride event.

Matthew Meinecke, who identifies himself as The Seattle Preacher on Twitter, was surrounded by Seattle police officers as he was reading his Bible and was subsequently arrested and fingerprinted at a police station before being released.

The preacher also posted a video showing a protester seizing his Bibles and ripping pages while shouting, “Get the f— out of here! Get your holy water off my ovaries, b—-! Get the f— out!”

He was also arrested at a Roe v Wade rally.