03/01/25 SEEK GOD FOR YOUR LEADING

03/01/25 SEEK GOD FOR YOUR LEADING

What were those parents thinking? They gave us jabs to keep us from getting Smallpox, Polio, Measles, Chickenpox, Mumps, Lock Jaw, Diphtheria. Oh, that's right. They were thinking that a jab was better than a lethal disease. They were thinking about the other boys and girls in our society who had died or been crippled by sickness. They were thinking about entire regions being decimated by plagues.

I realize that some medications have been harmful (at least to some people). I realize that we have ailments today that we did not use to have (and may be the result of medical mistakes). I realize that the COVID thing was a catastrophe in so many ways, and the love of money will lead people to do things that are harmful to other people.

I realize that is sometimes a mistake and a danger to blindly follow the experts though they may be trained in medicine. I also realize that some people are so convinced that they know more about health and healing than anyone else and they know more about everyone else's physical condition and health needs than those who are actually dealing with sickness or disabilities.

I don't always know what is the best thing for myself (and sometimes I do). I don't presume to have all of the answers for other people or for the children of other people.

I have yet to meet anyone that I would want to make all of my personal health choices (doctors or self appointed health gurus). Sometimes people suffer with issues that are a total mystery to other people. Some people think they are smart enough or wise enough or educated enough to make health decisions for everyone else.

However, I have noticed that those same people (as well-intentioned as they may be), have made some decisions (or they are making decisions), which are obviously wrong.

We should all be as well informed as possible, about the essential issues of life. And we should consider good counsel, given by responsible people. But we all must make our own decisions about various issues of life. Don't let others shame you or intimidate you into doing something you believe is the wrong choice.

Seek God. Don't fear what other people say or think. It is possible to make honest mistakes, while trying to do that which we believe God wants us to do. We are not all-wise or all-knowing. It is wrong to presume on God, but it is also wrong to be intimidated by popular trends. Remember, faith is not to be confused with presumption, and "one size does not fit all," even when it comes to medicine or diet.

Medicine is not an exact science, either for the well trained or the strong willed, opinionated, lay person. Be as faithful to God's word and sensitive to His leading as you can be. Be humble and open to instruction. But don't let someone else usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit in your life.

02/28/25 A REAL CHURCH

02/28/25 A REAL CHURCH

I recently posted a couple of photos of our meeting location, which I call, "The Net House." (As fishers of men, we gather at The Net House). I realize that it may not seem like much of a meeting house to most folks. In fact, some folks do not even think we are an actual church, because we do not fit the image of a "real church," including the architecture, location, decor, pastoral image, preaching and teaching methods, ministry programs, organizational affiliations.

We have met in private homes, storefronts, Roman Catholic chapels, motel conference rooms, Public Libraries, campground meeting rooms and laundry rooms, secretly in borrowed church basements, camping trailers, public parks, open fields, a church bus, a tavern annex, a train station, tents, a city recreational building as well as really nice and conventional "church" facilities.

We have entertained Christians from other countries, who said that our church atmosphere was more like their churches back in their home countries, which were politically and legally opposed to the gospel message (such as Bulgaria, Russia and Iraq).

I have rented rooms and buildings (sometimes at a high cost), gathered in my home, met secretly and sometimes illegally. I have often wished for a place to meet, to teach, to preach to sing, to praise, to fellowship. Thanks to the vision of other people, we now have property and a facility that provides a warm and conducive setting for all of these, and other activities.

I don't have to get anyone's permission or pay exorbitant amounts or face the threat of being shut down or runaway because of government, disgruntled neighbors, antagonistic enemies of the cross, or nosy, busy bodies.

I can preach or teach or praise whenever I want, for as long as I want, as loudly as I want, whatever God wants. I can't lose my job. If folks don't like the message or the ministry, they can go wherever they want, and I won't chase them down. I care about folks, but I care more about God and pleasing God.

I was blessed to have a very functional and attractive "church" facility, but mostly blessed because of the wonderful believers, which I was allowed to serve as pastor. I have enjoyed the many other venues through the years, but I have always known that the church is not a building made with hands. The church is a local gathering of God's people. I am not afraid of a large congregation, and I am not afraid of a small congregation. What I strive for is a congregation that loves God with their whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and their neighbors as themselves.

I praise the Lord for in-person services and also for online ministry as well. I hope you are part of a local church ministry that would fit into any period of history, on any geographical part of the world. Because the church (and in this sense) the kingdom of God is not meat and drink (earthly and passing blessings), but righteousness, peace and joy.

02/27/25 DON'T BE CONFUSED

02/27/25 DON'T BE CONFUSED

I voted against Communism, Socialism, Woke-ism, and the Idiocracy of the previous Administration.

I voted for President Trump to deal with the issues that the Constitution allows government to address, and for the policies he promised during his candidacy.

I did not vote for him to install a FAITH OFFICE or to bring Christians into or under a State prescribed religion authority, or to be misrepresented by some government view of Biblical faith.

This is why a man-made rule will always fail. Only God can rule flawlessly and justly; only God can bring world peace and justice. We should pursue peace with all men and we should live justly, but we should never expect anyone to perfect this sinful world. I am not looking for the Revelation 6 "rider of the white horse." The false Christ will come, and we will see terrible things before he comes, but I expect to be gone (in the Rapture) when he comes.

I am looking for the Second Coming of Christ, which will be in phases. There will be the Resurrection of the
I. Phase Two of the First Resurrection.
The First Resurrection [the resurrection of the righteous] has three phases.
A. The First-fruits: Christ and a select group of Old Testament saints).
B. The Harvest: The dead in Christ at the end of the Church Age (followed instantly by the Rapture).
C. The Gleanings; The believers who die during after the Rapture and before the Great White Throne Judgment.
II. Phase

02/26/25 JUDGMENT IS COMING

02/26/25 JUDGMENT IS COMING

I was thinking about the directive for government workers to give a five-point report on what they did last week.
Some folks readily and easily responded.
Some folks hate President Trump so much they refused to do it.
Some folks know that they have been ripping off the U.S. taxpayers and they refused to answer.
Some folks (but not many) had acceptable reasons for not answering at that time or in that fashion.

When you get down to it, a short email response from employees to a legitimate question from the boss (the President of the USA), is reasonable. This is pretty much a normal idea in the real world of employment.

But let's not talk about earthly government. Let's talk about accountability from the work force of the kingdom of God. We know that there is coming a day of accountability before God.

Accountability for sin is taken care of through faith in Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of the world, and His physical resurrection from the dead. There is no salvation without His death and resurrection, but it is not only His death and resurrection that is necessary for our salvation. We must have a living faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.

His death does not save people who reject Him. Knowing about His death and resurrection does not save anyone. Saving faith in the sacrifice of Christ is essential to salvation. Calvary was Judgment Day for believers.

However, those who do not accept (believe, receive) the offer of salvation through Christ are personally answerable (accountable) for their own sins, and will be judged according to their actions, words and thoughts, at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Those who do trust in (which includes obedience to) Christ will also face a Judgment Day, but it is the Bema Seat of Christ, after the Rapture and before the Return of Christ. Believers will be judged for their works, to either receive or lose rewards. (I know you may have questions about this judgment, but it is not as mysterious as it sounds).

Therefore, we as believers should be living our lives in faithful subjection to Christ. Not only should we be doing that which He commands and that which is pleasing to Him, we should be eagerly pursuing and following His call and His leading in our lives.

Sadly, some folks who call themselves Christian just sit on their calling. The true believer in Christ not only follows Jesus, we are faithful to pass God's blessings and gifts to other people. God has given us something that belongs to other people, which makes us debtors. To sit on your opportunities or your gifts is bad enough, but when God gives you something for someone else, and you do not pass it on to them, you are failing God and stealing from the other person.

Some folks will see this post as an expression of "works salvation." WRONG. The person who is actually in a right relationship with God will understand that our calling is not only an obligation and responsibility, but it is a a privilege and an opportunity in our relationship with God to live out the salvation we have received. Faithful and loving service to God is the very thing that flows from salvation. We are saved by grace through faith and we are created unto good works. It is all part of being in the family of God.

02/25/25 VIDEO GET THE KNOTS OUT

02/25/25 VIDEO GET THE KNOTS OUT 

This is a re-post video from nine and a half years ago.

If you are not enjoying the presence and power of God in your life as you should, maybe you have something in your life that is cutting you off from the free flow of God's love, God's light and God's life. Sin is that impediment.

We need to have clean hands and a pure heart. Faith in Christ and turning from sin will open your life up to the free flow of God's forgiveness, cleansing, power, purity, and leading.

Take about 12 minutes to sit and let God search your heart as you watch this video. TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY. Ask God to search your heart and life. Ask God to show you what you need. Surrender your life to His presence and His will.

02/25/25 EARTHLY RULE

02/25/25 EARTHLY RULE

The responsibility and authority of Government (including the President) is to protect the law abiding and punish the criminal. The USA has a foundation (legal system and Constitution) that recognizes Christianity as its founding faith. (THIS IS NOT MY OPINION, THIS IS THE HISTORICAL FACT). The Christian faith is the bedrock of our country and should be protected, but it should not be ruled, led, governed by the State.

Government should protect our rights, not determine our beliefs, or determine our religious duties. Since our country is based on Biblical truth, then there is no conflict between the Christian faith and Constitutional rights (as long as the State stays within its Constitutional boundaries). If the laws of the land contradict the basic revelation of Christian responsibility, then the Christian must obey God rather than men. However, the New Testament directives concerning social and civil behavior do not contradict the founding principles of our country.

Pagan practices have been and are forbidden in the USA (polygamy [Mormonism], "honor killings" [Islam], foot binding [Chinese practice], spousal burning on funeral pyres [Hindi and American Indian practice], for instance). Christian practices are not contrary to American justice system. It was Christian values that removed slavery in Britain and the USA.

There should not be an official State Office of religion. Years ago Bill Clinton did what seemed to be a good and Christian thing to do, when he signed The Religious Freedom Restoration Act. However, that law protected the use of drugs in Native American religion.

When the State is given authority over Christianity, then the cornerstone of American freedom is removed.

It is one thing for a president to take official action in political issues, it is another thing for a president to set Christian policies and practices.

God may use Trump to correct political oppression, corruption, fraud, but Trump does not have Divine authority to guide Christian faith or practice.

02/25/25 CORRUPT SPEECH

02/25/25 CORRUPT SPEECH

Corrupt and profane speech reveals a corrupt and profane heart.

Our whole society is sick, from the head (leaders in politics and business, law, academia), and the heart (religious and so-called Christian people) to the sole of the foot (the general population). This Biblical imagery is found in Isaiah 1:2-6, when God referred to His people, Israel, being in rebellion to His authority.

It is a symptom of extensive moral corruption when profane, perverse, obscene, prurient language is used openly and without shame. It is a subtle, but deliberate public form of anarchy.

I am constantly seeing and hearing "Christians" use words that are corrupt and demeaning. The vast majority of those who see themselves as Christians in this post-Christian world have renounced the Divine work of clean hands and pure hearts.

Matthew 15:10-11

10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Ephesians 4:29-32
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.