05/30/25 STUBBORNLY BLIND

05/30/25 STUBBORNLY BLIND

Just as our present society has proved itself to be mindless, and sin saturated by buying into the insane, absurd, evil agenda of baby murder, so-called gender dysphoria, promiscuity, perversion, lawlessness, moral bankruptcy, blasphemy of the true and living Triune God and His word and His salvation these past few decades, which continues to decay at an ever-increasing rate; and just as the political left was called out for its anti-American, anti-Freedom and anti-Faith and anti-Family attempt at an actual insurrection during the Biden Administration (which he actually promised, and for which people actually voted), we now see those proponents of deception and chaos are admitting their own supposed delusion and crookedness, but those who were duped into Socialistic (Communistic) division and deception will accept the new lies of the Burro-cratic party and continue to follow down a path of destruction.

Trump could either finish out his term, serving his country or he could finish off his country by changing course during this term. Our hope is not in a party (though our total collapse is certain in the other party). Our hope is not in man or man's power. Our hope is in Jesus.

I have watched for decades as people were slowly turned away from morality, sound thinking. The population at large became afraid to even speak truth about society, morality, God, salvation, the Bible, family quietly, because of a rogue government and the threat of a society ruled by mob mentality. America has followed the European model of self-destruction.

I have watched as sinning religion, and the cults have led the Biblically illiterate away from Biblical Christianity until the fake is mistaken for the actual.

These have been terrible decades of deception, decline and disintegration, but the days ahead are likely to be even worse. If we will not learn from our failures, we will become more entangled in our chaos and corruption.

It is time for Christians to abandon sinning religion and to speak boldly for Biblical truth. Don't trust in horses or chariots or thrones or philosophies. Don't be intimidated by pseudo-intellectual Christian teachers, and don't be enticed by highly charismatic actors in the pulpit.

Find Jesus and follow Him as closely as you can.

05/30/25 ABOUT "CO"

05/30/25 ABOUT "CO"

Let me tell you a little about my view of Christian Non-Violence.

I use the terms Christian Non-Violence, Non-Violence and Pacifism in three different ways.
I refer to Pacifism and Non-Violence as either specific or general rejection of violent or deadly physical, military, police or personal FORCE.
I refer to Christian Non-Violence as personal refusal to use deadly force, whether privately or institutionally.
The Bible makes it clear that God has given the power of the sword (physical and deadly force) to the State to protect the righteous (law abiding) and punish the criminal (through Military or Police action).
The Bible allows Christian support of State protection and peace keeping through taxation.
Christians have a right to call on the State to protect them through Military and Police action.
The Christian does not obey the State when the State contradicts Biblical directives for Christians to take up arms against people, and the New Testament clearly directs Christians to be non-violent.

I will be glad to answer questions and address the Biblical position for Christian Non-Violence at another time. I have addressed it in the past, but I have other points I want to make with this post.

I was not brought up with a Christian or a Non-Violent point of view. In fact, I was a Christian for many years, believing that Christians had a right and a duty to take up arms against evil people.

During the sixties, as a Christian, I thought about joining the USMC to fight against Communism and for the protection of Christianity. I was not enamored with USMC, but I could see myself defending freedom and faith in Vietnam (with a machine gun in one hand and a Bible in the other, so to speak). Though I look back on such thinking as naive and contradictory.

During my Bible college years, I had fellow students and instructors who were Evangelical Quakers. I was not convinced of Biblical Non-Violence during those four years.

I was not part of a "Peace" denomination as a child, a young person, a Bible college student or as a pastor for the first few years of my ministry. I did turn my attention to the question and studied it Biblically. I was convinced of the New Testament position of non-violence through that study.

God directs Christians to not be violent.
God gives the State the right to use physical force to protect and to punish.

It is possible for a Christian to serve his country without personally taking up arms against other people.
To be a Conscientious Objector (CO) in some countries (including the USA) is a recognized moral and legal option.

For the person who is a CO, there are legal options available.
A person can fulfill his military obligation through either alternative or non-combatant service.

This can be through other governmental agencies, projects at home, such as medical, construction, office work, training, communications, education, infrastructure, or non-combatant field service, such as medical, chaplaincy, engineering, education, training, computing, communications, construction, as well as other areas of non-violent service available. Non-Violent service does not always keep a person out of danger. Then again, there are great numbers of military people who have never been put in a situation to take another human life, regardless of their beliefs concerning killing.

You may not agree with any of what I have said, or you may question the logic of serving in any capacity. I could argue along these lines, but my point is that there is more to honoring a Christian's belief in non-violence than falsely claiming that they are cowards or traitors to their country.

I contend that it takes more courage and faith to face your enemy without a carnal weapon than with a carnal weapon. I also contend that some people see what God says in the New Testament about Christians killing other people and they choose to obey God rather than men.

Though I am fully convinced in Biblical non-violence, I do not judge those who do not hold my position. I realize that people have not been taught Biblical truth. The Bible says that he that knows to do good, but does not do what is right, to him it is sin.

As I said, this is not a study on the subject. I don't expect to convince anyone, nor have I tried. I am saying that it is better to search out a question than to make hasty decisions that condemn other believers.

05/29/25 CHECK YOUR FOUNDATION

05/29/25 CHECK YOUR FOUNDATION

When obedience to God's word is made illegal in my country, I will obey God.

The Bible says,
Acts 5:29
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

This principle is applicable to any authority which contradicts the word of God, whether government or religious.

When people, including well-meaning Christians, denounce me because I follow New Testament teaching, which they deny is Scripture (such as holiness of heart and life; Christian non-violence; Jesus became the sin sacrifice rather than becoming actual sin; Jesus was praying to escape death in the Gethsemane, IN ORDER TO REACH THE CROSS [He did not fear the cross or seek to escape the cross in the Garden]), then I will continue to follow Scripture rather than popular but errant views.

There have been great truths of the Bible rejected throughout Church history, and there have been times when believers returned to Biblical truth. Sadly, there have been some movements in the history of the Church, which allowed the false teachings of men or movements to replace Divine revelation, such as the false doctrines of sinning religion in the Roman religion and the continuation of Romanism into the Reformation period.

Rejecting Divine truth has been a problem since Eden. Returning to Scriptural truth also has a long history. However, returning to God's word has been partial and often groups stalled along their journey back to Biblical authority, thus institutionalizing their errors.

The New Testament points out both the value and the danger of traditions. Often the traditions of men detract from the will and authority of God. Traditions must be examined in the light of God's word. Reformers (before, during and after the Reformation Movement) exposed certain errors in Christendom, but they only addressed specific and limited areas of error. People followed those reformers, but they usually moved no further than the initial steps of the reformers. Eventually, other reformers would rediscover more truth that had been rejected. Sometimes there were "reformers" who actually misled folks into other false doctrines. These partial reformations and erroneous doctrines have continued in organized Christendom for centuries. Now people blindly follow false teaching because it has been "canonized" by men for such a long time.

My observation is that most people settle for the erroneous views because man-made beliefs coddle the carnal mind. Remember, Jesus told us that men would not follow truth because their ways are evil. Let God be true and every man a liar. Find and follow God's revelation. God is truth. God has given us truth. God calls us to truth. Feasting on God's word is not an invitation to a smorgasbord, to pick and choose what we want to believe. We are to believe and receive God's truth. We are to hunger and thirst after truth and righteousness. We are to seek and walk in the light of God. Blessings await those who seek God with the whole heart, those who accept the whole counsel of God.

05/29/25 A QUICK SELF-EXAMINATION

05/29/25 A QUICK SELF-EXAMINATION

If there is a body part that is not functioning properly (hand, foot, eye, ear, mouth, nose, lung, heart, stomach), then the entire body suffers. The failure of the one part could cripple or completely debilitate other parts of the body. The malady could even spread like an infection or a cancer, killing the body.

This is true concerning the local body of believers (the church).

A good question to ask oneself is "What kind of church would my church be, if all of the members were just like me?"

In the church arena, are you a spectator, a fan, a bench warmer, a glory seeker or a self-sacrificing team member committed to victory?

Are you committed to training, to discipline, to leadership, to unity?

Is it a pastime, a social amusement, an inconvenient obligation, or a burning desire?

Do you need to be sought and recruited, or are you eagerly looking for something you can do to evangelize the lost and edify the believer?

Are you a critic or a cheerleader?

There are enough "hangers on," but few who are addicted to spiritual service and willing to give their all for Christ.

05/28/25 RECOVER THE CHILDLIKE, NOT THE CHILDISH

05/28/25 RECOVER THE CHILDLIKE, NOT THE CHILDISH

Do you remember having some positive traits as a child, which you have lost or tempered as you have gotten older. I am not referring to endearing childish behavior. I am referring to traits such as being loving, sensitive, caring, affectionate, trusting (not gullible), thankful, courteous, respectful, interested in God and heaven and pleasing other people? And the list goes on.

Sadly, most people leave some of their most positive traits behind as they get older. They equate the more innocent characteristics with naivete and immaturity. This is why I differentiate these qualities from childishness. "Goodness" is not childishness, though it may be childlike. Remember, Jesus commended little children for their faith and said that adults cannot enter the kingdom of God unless they become childlike in faith.

It is true that we were all conceived with a sinful nature, which explains why children do not need to be taught to lie, get angry, covet, steal. But the carnal nature is not the whole person. Children are also born with God's grace, which makes them acceptable to God until they knowingly choose to do that which is wrong (aka sin) and they are born with a redeemable human nature, which has a desire for God.

As children come to the point of willing and known rebellion against God and His righteousness, they either seek God and His forgiveness or they move further into disobedience. The move away from God is demonstrated by a corrupting and hardening of the heart (conscience, will, desire, emotions and reason).

Life does deal us a bad hand, even at a young age. This can result in a surrender to the light God gives us and a faith in Christ or it will result in a surrender to the darker side of life.

This is part of the need for and the beauty of the "new birth." Not only does salvation bring forgiveness of our sins, it also imparts the grace of God, which bestows Christlikeness and enables godliness through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Salvation is a "saving from sin" and a "saving to righteousness." God imparts and instills His own qualities to the new believer. To stop the manifestation of godly qualities is to grieve and quench the Holy Spirit. As believers, we will either be conformed to the image of Jesus or we will be cut off from Jesus.

Let the graces of God flow freely in your life.

05/23/25 GEMINI AND MT. 5:48

05/23/25 GEMINI AND MT. 5:48

JUST SO YOU KNOW
While accessing GEMINI (which I will refer to as AI), on my phone, I asked if God calls us to PERFECTION.
Instantly AI referred to Matthew 5:48, where Jesus tells His followers to BE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.

This was an accurate and a good answer.

However, AI quickly added "personal," (extra-Biblical) interpretations, explanations or applications. This could be related to the "nature" of AI, which is to glean information from worldwide sources AND to make gleaned information part of its own "understanding" or knowledge base, AND AI is also working with the prejudices of the programmer and misleading algorithms.

After giving me Matthew 5:48, AI added the idea of, "striving" for perfection, equating perfection with, "maturity," explaining away Christ's statement, and by pointing out that absolute perfection is not possible for anyone but God. It is true that ABSOLUTE PERFECTION is a quality, which is possessed by God alone. AI also said that we cannot be perfect, since "everyone sins and comes short of the glory of God."

However, the question was about the perfection God calls us to experience. AI's reference to ABSOLUTE PERFECTION was one of several subtle steps to distract from the actual words of Jesus.

I asked AI what kind of perfection Jesus was talking about in Matthew 5:48. AI correctly said that it was perfection of love.
I told AI that Jesus did not tell us to STRIVE for perfection of love, BUT TO BE perfect in love. AI agreed that the passage does call us TO BE perfect in love, rather than strive for perfection in love.
I told AI that the Bible says, "all HAVE SINNED..." The passage does not say that all are presently sinning. AI agreed that the verse refers to the past and not to an ongoing reality (for believers).

There were other arguments that AI gave, which were interpretive rather than strictly focused on the subject. This is why I say that AI has Calvinistic or Reformed leanings. When dealing with clear statements from the Bible, it introduces collateral information, which is intended to nullify what the Bible actually says.

At this point, AI seems to be willing to acknowledge when its argument is flawed, but then it follows up with more flawed arguments, which it also acknowledges as flawed. There is no reason for AI to "qualify" its Biblical answers with extra-Biblical ideas, unless it has a bias built into its program or it "thinks" it can clarify Biblical truth with the teachings of "others," "some people," and "theologians."

At least AI (at this point) will acknowledge what the Bible actually says, whereas most Calvinistic and Reformed believers will either ignore or actually deny the clear and repeated declarations of Scripture, by referring to supposed "scholars," "experts."

I have even told AI that I was only interested in what the Bible says, rather than what men say the Bible says.

Eventually AI will be so corrupted that an honest Bible "discussion" (exchange) will be impossible. AI's view will become final. This appears to be what will happen with, "the image of the Beast." That "image" will speak with all authority and will not allow any room for disagreement.

AI also brought up perfection from Philippians 3:12, as a poof that we cannot be perfect.
I then asked how many times Philippians 3 talks about Christians being perfect.
AI correctly said that perfection is mentioned two times in Philippians 3.
I asked AI if there was a difference in the two perfections?
AI correctly said that one perfection is after our resurrection and the other perfection is now.

Sometimes AI tells you the truth but lies about it in the next (digital) breath. But most people will not know Biblical truth and they will come away from AI believing a lie (which is what happens when you listen to someone who teaches and preaches sinning religion).

Sinning religion teaches that God either cannot or will not save us from sin in this present evil world, or that God does not care whether we sin in this present evil world, or that God actually decrees that we sin in this present evil world.
Sinning religion will not tell us that Christ saves from all sin, that the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin, that we can resist all temptation, that God purifies our hearts, even as Christ is pure, that God will conform us to the image of Jesus, that God makes it possible to keep His commandments and do that which is pleasing in His sight.
Sinning religion will not tell you that the Bible reveals a perfection which God calls Christians into, and which God enables us to live.

05/22/25 NOT THE SAME

05/22/25 NOT THE SAME

People often confuse MATURITY with PURITY. It is not only the sound of the words, but also the use of the words in Christian parlance.

Spiritual MATURITY is the development and progress made by Christians through growth in grace. This should take place with aging. Sometimes maturity comes more quickly because of challenging circumstances. Some temperaments or personality types are more suited for maturing than others, but barring any abnormalities or handicaps, everyone should be able to mature, and if a person is faithful in his Christian life, he will mature.

Spiritual PURITY is a state of total cleansing from all sin, which Christians experience through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, as we are told in Acts 15:8-9. In the passage, Peter said that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was the same for the Gentile believers as it had been for the Jewish believers in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 15:8-9
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Purity of heart is God's instantaneous work of grace, which cleanses a Christian from the Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the Double Mind, the Law of Sin (the Body of this Death or the Law of Sin and Death), which are various Biblical names for the Sinful Nature, the Adamic Nature (extra Biblical names).

The basic order of salvation experience is...
God calling us to salvation.
Faith, Repentance, Submission.

LIFE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGINS
Clean Hands (what we do).

Conversion: Justification (forgiveness), Regeneration, Sanctification (cleansing from past sins and of guilty conscience and of current behavior), Adoption, Partaker of the Holy Spirit.

Growth in Grace (through obedient faith, prayer, study of God's word).

FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGINS
Pure Heart (what we are).

Growth in Grace continues.

God's call to total surrender.

Faith in His power to Entirely Sanctify our heart (to be made pure, even as He is pure.

Holy Spirit's Fullness (purifying, empowering).

Life in the Spirit.

Maturity should lead to Purity, but maturity does not purify us.
Maturity is limited by the absence of Purity.
Purity leads to greater maturing, but purity does not take the place of maturing.
Maturity is more concerned with quantity.
Purity is more concerned with quality.

Conversion is the presence of God in the Christian's life, bringing light, life, love, peace, joy.

Entire Sanctification is the presence of God's fullness in the Christian life and the absence of inherent uncleanness.

To Sanctify is to separate from sin and to separate to God and to make holy.
Entire Sanctification has been described as something we approach gradually, entered into suddenly and grow in forever.

Conversion is deliverance from the fruit of sin.
Entire Sanctification is deliverance from the root of sin.

Conversion is the New Birth of the believer.
Entire Sanctification is the purifying of the believer.

Conversion is the forgiveness and cleansing of sins committed.
Entire Sanctification is the deliverance from inherent sinful disposition.

The word, "salvation" can refer to the conversion experience of the believer, but it can also refer to the ongoing condition of the believer.

The New Convert is saved from sins committed and saved from the power of sin to rule in his life.
The Entirely Sanctified is saved from the continuing inner struggle with his inherited sinful nature.
Conversion provides love, Entire Sanctification provides abounding love.
Conversion provides peace with God, Entire Sanctification provides the very peace of God ruling in our hearts.
Conversion provides joy, Entire Sanctification provides joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Conversion provides assurance of faith, Entire Sanctification provides full assurance of faith.

We cannot be perfect in maturity, as God is perfect, but we can be perfect in purity, as God is perfect.
When God cleanses us from all sin (as the Bible clearly teaches) we can be filled with His Spirit.

Our fullness is limited by our capacity. We cannot have the quantity of God's love and purity, which God has, but we can have the same kind of love and purity that God has.

Remember, the Bible tells us to be pure, even as He is pure; to be holy, as He is holy; to be righteous, as He is righteous, and to love with the same perfect love, with which He loves.

05/22/25 IT IS NOT COMPLICATED

05/22/25 IT IS NOT COMPLICATED

The Incarnation of Christ (God became flesh, God with us, God in Christ) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Christians are Divine and Miraculous works of God, in which Divine nature and human nature are joined together. This is what makes it possible for anyone to be saved from all sin.

Jesus delivers us from the penalty and the pollution and the power of sin (Jesus saves His people from their sins, He cleanses us from all sin).

Salvation from sin is a gift of God to whosoever believes (denies himself, takes up his cross daily and follows Jesus). Salvation is, "Christ in us, the hope of glory."

Jesus came, lived, died, rose from the dead physically, ascended to the Father to make intercession for us continuously, and sent His Holy Spirit to indwell, cleanse, fill, and lead us in victory over sin and temptation.

Living victoriously over sin is not human accomplishment, but it is God, Who always causes us to triumph in Christ.

05/21/25 GEMINI IS CALVINISTIC

05/21/25 GEMINI IS CALVINISTIC

Gemini is Calvinistic or Reformed. It reverts to what men say, rather than accepting and standing on God's word.

The AI capabilities access Scripture quickly, but it constantly seeks to explain away God's word by referring to what "others" say about the passage.

I hope to be adding my own chats, in the near future (the Lord willing), with Gemini, to demonstrate the problem.

05/20/25 KEEPING IT HONEST

05/20/25 KEEPING IT HONEST

You really might want to read the passages I have included.

How strange (spell that, "W A R P E D") that anyone who calls himself a Christian, would believe and teach that God (Who is a jealous God and will not allow His people to have any other gods before or beside Himself) would require less commitment, faithfulness, honor, love, submission, chastity from His holy Bride (Christians, the Church), His redeemed, His beloved, than the men of this world demand from their unregenerated, pagan wives.

How warped (spell that, "T W I S T E D") that anyone would claim to be in a right relationship with God while loving the world or the things of the world, or while being "friendly" with the world, or while walking in darkness, or while yielding to another master, or while sinning.

Sin, as a deliberate disobedience to the known law of God, not only breaks our fellowship with God, it breaks our relationship with God. It is a false narrative to draw a distinction between our FELLOWSHIP and RELATIONSHIP, our STANDING and our STATE in Christ, also referred to as our POSITION in Christ and our CONDITION as humans.

Sinning religion allows for spiritual infidelity in those who claim salvation through the name of Christ.
If you have sin in your life, if you are allowing sin in your life, you have not only broken FELLOWSHIP with God, but you have also broken your RELATIONSHIP with God.
If you have sin in your life, if you are allowing sin in your life, your STANDING and your STATE with God is broken.
If you have sin in your life, if you are allowing sin in your life, there is no difference in your POSITION or your CONDITION.

Sin separates from God. It only took one sin to separate Adam and the entire human race from God.
The wages of sin is death. Sinning can be a single act or a continuous lifestyle.

God's redemptive work includes His Holy Spirit leading us into light, truth, holiness and leading us away from darkness, deception.

God saves sinners, but He transforms them into saints (holy ones), He transforms us from the kingdom of darkness to the domain of light. He conforms us to the image of His Son. By God's salvation, we are new creatures, old things are passed away and all things become new.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Titus 2:14
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

2 Corinthians 11:2
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

As new creatures in Christ, we are created unto righteousness and true holiness, so that we might walk in righteousness and true holiness all the days of our lives. Though we, as sinners, yielded our bodies to be slaves of sin, we as redeemed children of God, now yield our bodies to righteousness and holiness (the sanctification).
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 4:22-24
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Hebrews 9:14
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Sweet and bitter water does not flow from the same fountain. Figs do not come from olive trees, nor olives from a fig tree. We cannot obey God and man at the same time (when they are in conflict). We cannot walk with or in darkness and walk in the light at the same time. We cannot disobey God's commands and love God at the same time. And the list goes on.

Christ died to make us holy. He died to purify us to be His bride.
Ephesians 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Colossians 1:21-23
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Jude 1:24
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

If someone tells you that these passages do not mean what they say, contact me with questions and I will be happy to discuss it with you.

For the sections of this post, which I did not add Bible verses, I could have. If you have questions about those comments, let me know.

05/20/25 SHARING AS I GO

05/20/25 SHARING AS I GO

I took several Gospel Tracts when we went to Morehead today. While Martha was at the doctor's office, I was getting my steps. While I am walking I near Walgreens I looked for opportunities to witness.

On this occasion, 3 of the 4 people (all men) I talked with, gladly accepted one of the little booklets I was handing out.

One of them is a believer and thanked me and offered to return it so I could give it to another person. I suggested he read it, and if he liked it he could share it with someone else. He thanked me and offered God's blessing on me and my effort.

I met and talked with someone from The Island. We talked about our common heritage of Diamond City. I also gave him a tract. Come to find out, we have 17 mutual friends on FB.

I shared with a delivery man from Wilmington and one from Greenville, one of which accepted my offer.

We went to a local shopping center where I walked and witnessed some more. I stopped to talk to two men who were in their cars. They both accepted the Tracts. Finally, I approached a man walking to a restaurant and asked if I could give him something to read when he has the time. I told him what it was, and he warmly received it.

I approached 3 black men, all of which accepted a tract, and 5 white men, 4 of which accepted tracts.

I pray to meet the right people, and I pray to be a good witness. Then I pray for the person I talked with.

Praise the Lord for opportunities.

05/18/25 CONSIDER THIS

05/18/25 CONSIDER THIS

Just so you know what the Bible says...
If your salvation does not transform you into a new creation AND does not conform you to the image of Jesus, then you do not have the salvation of God.

If your salvation is a unilateral, unconditional "one and done" divine decree, rather than an active, ongoing, interactive, living and loving relationship with God through Christ, then you are not yet saved.
If you did not seek the Lord with your whole heart, you are not yet saved.
If you do not deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus, you are not yet saved.
If you do not walk in the light, as Christ is in the light, you are not yet saved.
If your savior does not save you from the penalty of your sins AND the power of sin AND the pollution of sin, then Jesus is not your Savior.
If you do not obey God, then you do not love God.
If you do not do the will of God, then you are not a child of God.
If you love the world and the things of the world, then you are not saved.

Don't believe the Liar when he tells you that these different points are works of the flesh or self-saving concepts. These are only some of the Biblical truths related to salvation. Salvation is the Divine work of delivering us from all sin.

5/18/25 REMEMBER, "AI" IS ARTIFICIAL

05/18/25 REMEMBER, "AI" IS ARTIFICIAL

As has been said, "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get." This is true for the masses as well as for individuals.

This is true for the AI world as well as for the "Old Gray Mare" world. Especially in these days, which "appear" to be the closing of the Church Age, and introduction to the Tribulation.

So many signs to consider, such as the excitement over the false religions of Romanism, Islam, The State, Scientism, Wokeism, Terrorism, Sedition, Perversion, Sin-Sanity, Idiocracy, Baby Killing, Meism. Not only are we seeing evil spread unchecked, but we are seeing what appears to be advancement in good things (though they are beyond the reach of sinful humanity), such as, World Peace, Universal Prosperity, Political Stability, End of Disease, but those intentions will "sour in the cup," since anything and everything without Christ is doomed to failure.

Trying to keep up with the "Joneses" and with "technological advancements" and with societal changes and with the "proposed evolution" of mankind (including families with designer children, the building of a super race through genetic and biometric engineering and AI manipulation resulting in cyborg empowered humans (at least according to present day social planners), "Unlimited" Human Power and Health and Immortality. There are also religious and moral "developments" (corruptions) taking place among people professing Christian faith, through "deconstructing," "reconstructing" Biblical revelation. All of these attempts at attaining to, and obtaining perfection are never-ending pursuits of the elusive and the illusive.

Yes, God created us with the capacity to learn and develop but He did not create us in order to become our own saviors and masters. Our first and most important need in life is to be in a right relationship with the Creator God. He is the only King, Lawmaker, Judge, Savior.

This begins with recognizing that we need forgiveness, newness of life, Divine wisdom, which are all external to us and available only through the revelation of God's word and the sacrificial work of Christ.

All of man's attaining and obtaining, aside from a personal and salvific relationship with Jesus, is delusive and destructive.

Though we are conceived with a corruption that tends toward sin (due to Adam tainting the entire human race with his rebellious spirit), we are also born with the active hand of God, bestowing His blessings on us. God has a plan for all of us, but it is not knowable or reachable until and unless we receive Him as our own personal Lord and Savior, and even then, we will not fulfill His will if we do not trust and obey Him by following His leading.

In these, "days of wild confusion," we need Divine life, power, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, guidance. God calls us to repentance, life, faithfulness, godliness, spiritual unity, productivity.

We don't reach the fullness of God's Holy Spirit without being filled with the word of God. Being filled with God's word is not simply an academic exercise. It is a "whole person" experience (body, soul, spirit).
Our body, our "other" awareness, is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and must be dedicated to God's will and service. We must submit ourselves physically to godly living and holy service.
Our soul, our self-awareness (reason, desire, emotions, conscience and will), must be surrendered to God's will, hungering for God's truth, seeking God's presence, following God's leading. We are transformed from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of God through salvation. We become new creations (old things are passed away and all things become new).
Our spirit, our God awareness, is quickened, enlightened, empowered, fed, purified through a living relationship, a total dependence, a loving commitment to Jesus.

Being transformed and conformed is not a one and done external entry in a heavenly ledger. It is a dynamic, personal, ongoing encounter with the Living God, through His grace and His provision.

There is a great need for on-fire Christians today, but there are few who are even hearing the call of God and even fewer who are heeding God's call to holiness of heart and life, and to unflinching Christian service.

Get In.
Get Settled.
Get Serious.
Get Trained.
Get Equipped.
Get Busy.

No time to trifle. Souls are pouring into perdition.
God is asking us, "Who will stand in the gap?"
God is asking us, "who will go for Us?"
Answer God by saying, "Here am I Lord, send me."

O5/14/25 OPTICS CAN BE DECEPTIVE

O5/14/25 OPTICS CAN BE DECEPTIVE

(photo of "Concealed Weapons Prohibited)

You can't believe every optic.

You cannot always believe everything you think you see.

I did not have a gun of any kind in my hand, no matter what it looks like. Sometimes. what you see is not reality. It is easy to misjudge someone or a situation when we don't know or understand all of the facts.

O5/13/25 DON'T MISS THE TRUTH

O5/13/25 DON'T MISS THE TRUTH

These are not just pious platitudes, these are Divine truths revealing the call of God to salvation from the domain of the Devil, from Darkness and Damnation to Biblical Light, Life and Liberty from sin.

Don't let anyone rob you of Divine Deliverance, which is Blood Bought and Holy Spirit Enabled. The enemy of your soul twists God's word into sinning religion. Biblical Salvation enlightens, enables, endues believers for victorious living and faithful service.

READ THESE FEW VERSES SLOWLY AND THOUGHTFULLY. TAKE THEM PERSONALLY FROM GOD.
Then, briefly share what God is showing from this passage.

Colossians 1:9-14 KJV
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

05/09/25 DON'T WAIT, ACT NOW

05/09/25 DON'T WAIT, ACT NOW

Hope in Christ is the anchor of the soul.
Faith (obedient trust) is the cable that secures that hope.
Love (agape [ag-ah-pay] love) is the evidence of our connection with God. Remember, God said, love is the fulfilling of the law, and if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.
1 Corinthians 13:13
13 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

God's word also tells us to build ourselves up in our holy faith, and to keep ourselves in the love of God.
Jude 1:20-21
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

We build ourselves up and keep ourselves by reading and praying, trusting and obeying, worshiping and praising, and by following Christ fully and communing with God and His people.
Hebrews 10:19-31
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Here are some of the steps Christians take in moving away from God.
They slip their spiritual moorings, which are, reading, praying, fellowship [with God and His people], walking in God's light, following God's leading [whether direct from His Spirit, His word, or His appointed leadership].
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

They experience remorse and regret and sorrow for failure to do the right thing.
If their sorrow is not godly sorrow, they reject God's call to repentance.
They deny personal responsibility, accountability and guilt.

They drift further from Christ.
They begin to yield to contrary currents.
They resist and reject spiritual authority.
Their remorse and regret for failure increases.
They shift their guilt to others'

They reset their course adjust their sails.
They settle for, and then choose failure, darkness.

Even if they eventually come to their senses, and return to the Father, their life was mis-spent, and wasted in the pigsty of sin, self and Satan's will.

I have heard people actually say that God has specific time for people to get saved. They have the audacity and ignorance to claim that God does not want a person to get saved before a "hidden agenda" of a so-called sovereign. NONSENSE. the Bible says, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME, TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.

Regardless of how much time you have wasted or lost, NOW IS THE TIME. The Bible also says, REDEEM THE TIME.

For one thing, you may wait your way to hell. Also, the sooner you return to Him, the more you will glorify Him, and the more blessed you remaining life will be. Don't waste, don't throw away your life. SEEK YE THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, CALL UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR.

05/08/25 A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

05/08/25 A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

This is what I see when I enter The Net House. This is where I gather with other Fishers of Men, to worship, praise, study, fellowship, serve, grow. I hope you are gathering with serious believers. Jesus is the only Head of the Church, and He died a sacrificial death once and only once. He alone is our High Priest, and we need no other priest. In fact, those who are saved are Priests. There is no ecclesiastical, organizational priesthood in the true church.

The is no other Head of the Church, other than Christ, in heaven or on earth. Any teaching otherwise is anti-Christian, heretical and a doctrine of demons.

We must gather together regularly, and so much the more as His return draws near.

05/08/25 FOCUSING YOUR WHOLE LIFE

05/08/25 FOCUSING YOUR WHOLE LIFE

When you major on the minor and minor on the major, when you focus on the peripheral rather than on the central, when you carefully inspect the secondary and neglect the primary, you will never become what God wants you to become.

When your politics, your pleasures, your treasures, your culture, your race, your education, your habits, your hobbies, your social standing, your finances, your relationships, your emotions, your associations, your assumptions filter your faith and your behavior, you are a dead man walking.

God's salvation miraculously transforms you into a new creation and His indwelling conforms you to the image of Christ.

God gave you the power to choose or refuse His presence, power and purity of heart and life.

God calls you.
You choose.

God leads you.
You choose

Choose ye this day whom you will serve.
Choose Jesus.

05/06/25 GOD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE

05/06/25 GOD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE

If we are to believe, as sinning religion tells us, that their god gets glory because he predetermined every human event, including Adam's sin and the inherent and inescapable sinfulness as a child of Adam, and he unilaterally and unconditionally predetermined to elect some people to salvation, but predetermined that others would be left in their sin, with no provision or offer of salvation, then it would follow that their god should also get glory for predetermining the damnation of those he created for the very purpose of being lost forever. After all, unilateral, unconditional, "sovereign" predestination for deliverance and for reprobation is the work of the same god, whether the sinner is one of the supposed elect or not. If salvation only depends on a wrathful god, rather than a just and loving God, Who desires all men to be saved, and if that salvation does not include the enabled free will of any sinner to believe in Christ's sacrificial death and physical resurrection, and to receive god's offer through repentance, confession, and obedience to Christ, then that god should be glorified for predetermining their god imposed reprobation.

I just choose to believe the Biblical revelation that Jesus died for all sinners and the Father will save whosoever will choose to believe on Christ, which includes faith, repentance, confession and faithful following. We must make our calling and election sure. Many are called (with an actual call) but few are chosen. Salvation is a Divine and human agreement and alignment.

05/06/25 OVERCOMING

05/06/25 OVERCOMING

VERSES ADDRESSING "OVERCOMING"
I reference almost all of the verses in the Bible, which use the words related to "overcome." There is no verse in the Bible, which indicates Christian defeat by Satan. Though Satan is allowed to oppress and persecute and kill believers, he cannot defeat spiritually or eternally those who remain faithful to Christ.

My point is that Christians can expect to overcome sin and Satan. The use of the words in the Old Testament differs considerably from the use of the words in the New Testament.

The Old Testament passages are people and period specific, rather than Divine directives concerning believer's victories over spiritual battles. I have only referenced them as ADDITIONAL VERSES at the end of this article, since they are not directly addressing Christian spiritual battles. However, there is nothing in this list that intimates that those who follow Christ cannot overcome sin.

The New Testament verses (other than the Book of Revelation) refer to Christian's overcoming our spiritual enemies. There is not a single verse that indicates that Christians cannot overcome personal conflicts with darkness.

The Book of Revelation foretells the conflict between the Beast (the anti-Christ) and the Saints (Tribulation believers). The Beast will be allowed to oppress and kill the saints for a while. Ultimately the Lamb (Jesus) conquers the Beast and his dark domain.

NEW TESTAMENT
JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD, FEAR NOT
John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

WE ARE TOLD TO OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD
Romans 12:17-21
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

CHRISTIANS WARNED TO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL (we have the choice)
2 Peter 2:18-22
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 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.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

BELIEVERS OVERCOME EVIL
1 John 2:12-17
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

CHRISTIANS OVERCOME LYING SPIRITS, FALSE PROPHETS AND FALSE TEACHERS
1 John 4:1-6
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

CHRISTIANS OVERCOME BY FAITH
1 John 5:2-4

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

THE BOOK OF REVELATION
(Chapters 2-3 are prophecies concerning seven churches [and the Church Age]. Christians have the ability to overcome spiritual enemies, as indicated in these seven verses, directed to each of the seven churches. The seven churches were actual churches, but they are also prophetically symbolic of seven periods of the Church Age.)

The Church in Ephesus
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The Church in Smyrna
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

The Church in Pergamos
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

The Church in Thyatira
Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

The Church in Sardis
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The Church in Philadelphia
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The Church in Laodicea
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

THE SAINTS OVERCOMING SATAN
Revelation 12:10-12

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

THE LAMB OVERCOMING THE WORLD
Revelation 17:12-14

12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

ULTIMATE OVERCOMING OF SIN AND SATAN... (New Heaven, NEW EARTH, and New Jerusalem)
Revelation 21:2-9

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

NEGATIVE OCCASIONS DURING THE TRIBULATION
(when God allowed sin and Satan power to overcome the saints)

THE BEAST OVERCOMING THE TWO WITNESSES

Revelation 11:5-7
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

THE BEAST OVERCOMING THE SAINTS (temporarily... see chapters 12, 17, 21 and 22)
Revelation 13:4-8

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

ADDITIONAL VERSES
(addressing specific earthly conflicts) ...
Genesis 49:19; Numbers 13:30, 22:11; 2 Kings 6:5; Isaiah 28:1; Jeremiah 23:1-12 (this passage from Jeremiah is directed at false prophets).

05/02/25 DON'T BE DISTRACTED

05/02/25 DON'T BE DISTRACTED

"Magic" is not magical (that is, it does not just happen without a cause, it is not unexplainable). It is often the trickery of sleight of hand, or it is demonic activity, and sometimes it is both trickery and demonic. Trickery, deception is the primary tool of the devil. Magic appears to make some things vanish, or it appears to make some things materialize out of thin air. The key thought here is, "appears".

Satanic deception happens when the "magician" misdirects the person's attention from the major issue to a peripheral issue, while the deception develops. The devil tricks people into spending a lot of time thinking, focusing, studying, discussing, debating and following issues, such as religion, culture, "science," psychology, anthropology, politics, which distract them from a right relationship with God, a deep relationship with God, a growing relationship with God.

The afore mentioned issues have a value, but they are peripheral to the revelation of God. The time and energy spent in pursuing or investigating those issues not only takes time away from a right relationship with God, but it also shades, colors, demeans the person's view of the Bible and robs them of the true treasures of Divine revelation and reconciliation.

When time and attention are spent on worldly and carnal ideas, views, activities, events, beliefs, behavior, then it is expected that the person will move further and further from God's leading and empowering. It happens slowly, unobtrusively and appears to be harmless. The person starts out with the right intention, but he is drawn into darkness rather than light.

These deceptions come as entertainment, education, political jargon. They also come through ministries, such as Bible teaching and preaching and Christian songs. Don't waste your time on that which numbs, robs, destroys, kills. The imaginary wisdom, found in worldly (and religious) events, amusements, treasures, pleasures, not only replaces the truths of God in our lives, but it also removes the truths of God from our lives.

I have observed that a great amount of the teaching and preaching by popular "Christian leaders" is focused on the peripherals and very little addresses the main reason Christ actually came. In fact, more and more of the popular "Christian" ministries are undermining and attacking the actual message of the Bible. Jesus came to redeem us from every evil deed and purify unto Himself a distinctive people, zealous of good works. Jesus came to save us from our sins. Jesus came to make us holy, righteous and pure.

I not only preach the fundamentals of the faith, and I teach Biblical doctrines, I also declare the whole counsel of God, deliberately keeping "the main thing as the main thing," by "majoring on majors and minoring on minors." My job is to lead the believer into holiness of heart and life and equip them to for every good work.

2 Corinthians 11:2
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-14
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Ephesians 5:25-27
25 ...as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Colossians 1:9-12
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Colossians 1:21-23
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

1 Peter 5:8-11
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

dlg note... I could go on and on, but this should make it clear concerning the true objective of God's salvation.

I consider myself to be fairly astute concerning the various facets of life, but I am aware that this world is not the friend of God. Remember, "friendship with the world is enmity with God." 

The more time a person spends with the world, the more love they will have for the world and the things of the world. "If you love the world and the things of the world, then the love of the Father is not in you."

05/02/25 TOO MANY VOICES

05/02/25 TOO MANY VOICES

THIS IS A REPOST (maybe a re-repost) from something Lydia wrote, but it so true and so well said that it needs to be heard and re-heard. Though I am not an Augustinian, here is a well-known quote, which does have value.
"In essential things, unity,
In doubtful things, liberty,
In all things, love."

God determines that which is essential and reveals it in Scripture. Don't allow human interpretation to be your authority. Be sure to be faithful to that which is essential, regardless of what other people say.
Don't hold other people accountable for your light.
And remember, love is more than a sentiment. Love is a relationship, a nature, a character, an action, a standard, and it is demonstrated in thoughts, words and deeds.

We are to be steppingstones, not millstones; we are to be bridges, not barriers; helpers, not hinderers. The more truth we have, the more we will resemble the One Who is the Truth.

This is something that needed to be said and needs to be read.

02/18/25 My post.
MY COMMENT TO LYDIA'S POST.
Quote...
I was working on a post very similar to yours, for days. I would write, set it aside, write some more... This morning, I deleted it because I was not happy with my post.
YOU HAVE SAID IT BEAUTIFULLY, AND ACCURATELY.
The only point I will reiterate is the fact that sin is what God calls sin, not what self-assured prophets and self-made authorities tell us that sin is. If it violates God's clear revelation, it is sin. God holds us accountable for what we KNOW to be His truth, He does not hold us accountable for another person's light (or confusion).
Again, this is a thoughtful, kind and loving encouragement. Christian Perfection demands humility and compassion and personal liberty concerning many issues.
...End Quote.

REPOST OF LYDIA'S ARTICLE.
Quote... There are a lot of loud and usually obnoxious voices out there trying to tell you what to do concerning your health and the health of your family.
Think about it. We have the WHO, the CDC, and the Faucis of the world telling us everything we should do concerning our health. Preventative medicine, long-term care, and injections of all kinds. They are very in your face sometimes and don’t care how they demean you for not agreeing with them. It’s really rather disgusting.
Then on the other side you have the anti- WHO, the anti-CDC, and the anti-Faucis of the world telling us we shouldn’t listen or do any or all of the preventative, long term care, or injections of most or all kinds. They are very "in your face" sometimes, and they don’t care how much they demean you or your decisions when it comes to your health or the health of your family, including your children. And it’s really rather disgusting.
Why is it disgusting coming from either side? Because neither side is God.
A loving husband and wife who seek the Lord concerning their overall health and wellbeing, and the overall health and wellbeing of their children should tune out those voices on either side who are calling them crazy (at least when they’re being nice about it and using a nice adjective to describe you), and instead seek the Lord and listen to His voice.
God knows above all the other voices what you and your children need. And I know this comes as a shock to some people, but not everyone has the same maladies, issues, and susceptibilities as everyone else.
Not even little children. Some children will go through life and never encounter a major medical issue, or have any underlying problems, or be susceptible to sickness or diseases that other children are susceptible to. We should be very grateful for such a blessing.
But, there are little children who suffer things you would never want to see your precious little boy or the little girl who is your whole world go through. And those parents and families are living day to day, trying to keep their little ones as healthy as they can, for as long as they can, and keep them from suffering as little as possible.
As Christians, we need to seek the Lord concerning our overall health and the overall health of our children. And the path doesn’t look like everyone else’s, and that’s ok We need to drown out the voices of those who rant and try to call into question our wisdom, and sadly even those who question our walk with the Lord, because we choose to follow His leading when it comes to our medical decisions for our families.
Your story is not my story. And my story is not your story. That’s why I don’t rant and rave against other Christian’s decisions when it comes to the wellbeing of their families.
Seek the Lord and follow His will. He knows you and your family better than anyone else. And never forget to sincerely love those who don’t agree with you, who rant and rave against you, and who question your sanity or even your salvation.
...End Quote.