Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
God so very thoroughly explains the hearts of man and the mindsets of unbelief and faith. God also shows the teachings of satan. Right from the beginning of time we are shown the pride of satan that thought himself to be equal with God. The history of satan’s work can be seen clearly. Satan fell because he yielded to himself, just as he promotes that man should surrender to man’s own brain under the guise of “that’s why God gave you a brain”.
In the Garden of Eden satan worked at Eve to get her to think on her own and establish herself as an authority. Eve being a woman with no sin was talked into trusting her desires and overlook what she knew in her heart was truth that God spoke. God said, you will surely die and satan says “yeah hath god said”. So in her action Eve made herself the authority, making herself equal to or greater than God.
We see the same in our world today churches and pastors are taught in seminaries how to rule rather than lead, while focusing on the promotion of self thought, rather than deliberate focus on finding what God says. Most every church teaches dependence upon the church rather than God’s Word. Just as in the days of our Lord Jesus on earth, the Jews did not search God’s Word to verify the 350 plus prophecies given about their savior, instead their gods were self-righteousness and the errant straying of their leadership. They made themselves gods and killed the Son of God, who called them, “Ye are of your father the devil”[1]
God says in, 1 Peter 1:20 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” This is a statement directing focus of hearts to searching the scriptures.
Over and over the direction is clear. In Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. 9) Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”
“Jesus Christ the Same yesterday, and today, and forever” is often ignored in that satan has convinced seminaries to teach that God is ever changing to fit our world. Every single Christian school of any size teaches this false doctrine, that their scholarly prowess is tantamount and actually supersedes Child like faith, and God’s Word.
Vs 9 very pointedly warns about diverse and strange doctrines. As we see in Eve the desire to insert selves (as gods) having a final authority, so we see today. God points out the quality of having “itching ears”[2]
Most every devotional and study guide that I have seen promotes a reliance on the interpretation by the writer. And they may present passages to read from the bible, but routinely they do not include the surrounding text that clarifies what God says, or as in the instance of the 1Peter quote from above, the meaning is limited to the day that it was said even though God indicates He is forever.
A personal relationship with Jesus is laying out His Word in front of us and praying for understanding. This process is one of leaving our own preconceived thoughts aside and focusing on what God is saying. The end of Hebrews 13:9, “For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”
God speaks to the establishment of the heart in Grace (unmerited favor), even to the exclusion of meat on the table, indicating the highest priority.
Also through history we see denominations that have been formed by false prophets who come up with so-called reasonable hypotheses that when the true faithful child of faith holds it up to God’s Word they see the lie. But when satan convinces man that he has a brain for the purpose of making all information subject to his own reason, then satan wins another companion for eternity.
Is God your God or are you your own God?
This reasoning is what closes the door and makes “the path narrow”[3] and God will say to those that claim to know Him, “Away from me I never knew you.”[4]
Our Prayer for all is that God opens the hearts of all who read God’s Word and that no one shuts out God by establishing themselves as the final authority. Our Journey in this life is just a stop on the way to Eternity. God Bless all with the humility to seek Him on His Terms!
Our world today is focused on having a good time and joys on our short journey through life to eternal life. Satan has succeeded in convincing many that a good time here is better than eternity in heaven with God before us, that somehow a life of no pain in heaven with nothing but joy can’t somehow hold a candle to the struggles here.
And satan wants us to forget what God shows us about how life changes to the worse times when we lose sight of God and His plan.
The greatest example is Jerusalem and Israel, the promise was given to Abraham of an eternal inheritance and the promise of the fulfilling of God’s promise of a savior in Eden. Secondarily God Promised Abraham his sons would inherit a land flowing with milk and honey, we are told of how plenteous the land was, with bunches of grapes so big it took two men with a pole to carry them. And years later we see the destitute and desolate ground Israel became as they abandoned God. God even calls the Jews sons of their father the devil, thereby showing His disowning of them.
God shows us how that because of God’s presence, Moses was standing on Holy ground at the burning bush.
In 2Chronicles 6:5-6, God is quoted by Solomon, “Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel: [6] But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
God declares His name to reside in Jerusalem, by putting His name there He made the temple and Jerusalem Holy. Not only did God abandon Jerusalem at the death of His Son but He destroyed the temple and removed Israel in about 70 AD, and he called the Sanadrin son’s of their father the devil. So For 2,000 years God has condemned Jerusalem.
All references to the Holy City in the Old Testament till the Death of Jesus were due to the declaration of God making His presence known there. His departure takes away any holiness.
At the death of our Lord the temple vail was torn in two signifying the departure of God from there. The end of God’s presence and the now focus on the New Jerusalem which comes down from Heaven.[1]
In Revelations 11:8, God calls Jerusalem on earth Sodom and Egypt, “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Clearly this is not a Holy City.
Also every reference to Holy City in Revelation is not of this world.
Then we look at satan’s working in the hearts of men, his worshipers, who plan a restoration of Jewish Religion. Rothschild’s built a temple to satan in the supreme court building of Israel.
Most all denominations today call every religion as going to heaven they just all have a different name for god. This lie has filtered down through most every denomination. Now this lie has developed into the development of a tabernacle to be constructed in Dubai as we speak to be open to all religions.
We have to be very close to the last days of this world and we will get to see the real Holy City New Jerusalem and this entire world destroyed.
We humbly pray that all receiving this turn to their bibles and read His Word, the truth will set you free!
There is joy in the air, and truly a time for celebration of our most gracious God who sent His Son to pay the price for our sins. Jesus is risen and stands before God’s throne making intercession for us.
In truth there is sadness in the air as well and understanding this “truth truly sets one free”. The devil has scored a victory through false prophets who have turned worship services into a rock concert atmosphere and called it doing God’s work by bringing folks into a building, without filling up with truth.
It is amazing how much truth God reveals in his Word. James 2:15, 16, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, [16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” this holds true for spiritual food as well. The beauty of God’s Fulfillment of the promise given in Eden and His revelation of who we are and the depths of His Love for us, does not come through in the antics of most of today’s churches.
Being a Christian means following God’s Lead in “taking up your cross and following Him”. Read here in 1Peter and all through scripture this trail of thought that to be a christian as God defines it means that there will be suffering on our parts, for standing up for His Truth and more so as the end is nearing. The churches today don’t teach the truth of this extent nor the depth of commitment required or achieved by true faith.
Slowly read and digest, 1Peter 2:19-25, “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. [20] For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. [21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: [22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: [23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but yeilded to him that judgeth righteously: [24] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. [25] For ye were as sheep led astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
Jesus suffered wrongfully and teaches here that for us the same is honorable. When I read through this passage at our nightly Bible reading the meaning jumped out at me and has been in a forefront place of thought for several weeks and reading it many times has given insight to the being of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Clarity of who we are and what we are is not being taught. There are so many parts of God’s truth, “it is sharper than a two edged sword.” “There is nothing new under the sun.” and we repeat so often, “Except you have faith as a little child you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” In each one of these affirming statements is true Joy!
God very concisely throughout His Word, the Bible, shows us what mankind is made of and points out the path in faith to Eternity, to His Home for us in Heaven. The distractions of this world, proposed by false prophets, takes the minds off of the goal of life. Eternity! Making gain in this world the primary focus.
That path to eternity is presented by the Gospel, and John 15:13 states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Speaks not only of the sacrifice on the cross by Jesus, but addresses the attitude of His followers. Luke 9:23, “ If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” God tells us this over and over!
God is very clear all through His Word and in, 1Timothy 6:3, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 1TI6.4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 1TI6.5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
Herein we are told if anyone consents not to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we must separate ourselves, not silently but out of love of the truth.
Sadly satan using sleight of hand, with supposed just men, has taken over our churches. All one needs to do is read the Word of God and open the hearts to what is said by Him. But just as in the days of our Lord’s Appearing two thousand years ago, where the Jews surrendered their lives to the Sanhedrin (Priests) and spent no time in their bibles (Moses), we have thousands today that go to a building and surrendering their lives to a pastor or denomination not really knowing what God says.
Look at Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” The early Christians spent time in Moses and the prophets where God over 380 times foretells of His Savior’s fulfilling journey. But because they lacked familiarity with the word and faith and sought a different path to “holiness” they killed the very Son of God foretold of in Moses and the Prophets.
We see the same in 1Peter 1:10, “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:” God says the prophets were very diligent in their searching of Moses, Looking for the promised savior.
Sadly today we see the similar paths taken, that lead to destruction, most every church has guidelines and pamphlets that lead astray and twist God’s word into a fake love that seeks to get along and not stay on a narrow focused path to eternity. God in love says in 1Timothy 6:5, when you look into the Greek shows us that “getting along well” comes from destitute and corrupt minds that have no truth, and He adds from such withdraw yourself.
This is love that you walk with a straight line on the narrow path to eternity, separating yourself from those who have fallen into satan’s trap.
Displaying the truth is love, taking up your cross, and focusing on God regardless of what others choose is Love. The truth, God’s Truth, will set you free.
One of the greatest lessons for me in my life was learning about real faith. We had friends over just after Christmas and one of them asked our son what santa gave him for Christmas and he looked up to her with a very stern face and deep conviction in his heart and voice and said, “My daddy says there is no such thing as santa.” I was taking their coats at the time and I saw that face and said Oh my God that is faith. The faith that says rock solid and sure, “my Heavenly Father Says!”
What is stunning as well is Eve stumbled, being a woman of no sin nature at all and yet Satan convinced Eve to go against God. She used her brain and bought into the lies of Satan and left the protection of God’s Word and bit into the forbidden fruit.
All through History so many of the same type incidents are recorded for us in our Bible (God’s Word), The educated in this world feel the self-righteous push to promote their own thoughts above the God’s Truth and thereby create a place of authority established on that same Principle.
God did not choose the Sanhedrin as source for His apostles; He chose the simple fishermen and other humble men. And Satan has worked the system to promote supposed learned men to put forth lies and promote themselves as authorities above all because of their education.
Satan has promoted the “educated” into positions of authority to make the prophecy of scripture to mean that satan’s appearance would be some evil fearful being that would devour flesh and blood. But the reality is that satan always works the same way in a conniving secret hidden manner promoting himself as an angel of light. Instead of placing God and His Word as their authority, satan promotes man into surrendering his faith to a hierarchy of the pastors and their training above all else.
Satan has promoted self and self reliance dragging mankind down to the depths of hell.
All through the Old Testament we see Jews making God’s law a ritual for righteousness, and Bible translators have applied their authority and thoughts to the over 150 translations, instead of promoting the delving into the word and translating things literally.
“1Corinthians 2.14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Spiritual discernment comes from God and is not found in man.
“1Corinthians 1.21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
Man’s wisdom, the wisdom of this world, excludes and is unable to know God as the heart is closed.
Acts 17:11 “They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” God herein shows the mindset of true believers!
GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON[1] TO SAVE ALL AND LAYS OUT HIS PLAN FOR YOU TO LIVE IN PARADISE WITH NO ILLNESS, WORRIES OR SORROW, FOR BILLIONS OF YEARS FOREVER IN HEAVEN WITH HIM! GOD’S TRUTH OF THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL SHOWS US SO MANY THINGS ABOUT HEAVEN! WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FIND THE TRUTH THAT SETS YOU FREE[2] IN HIS WORD THE BIBLE!
God lays out His plan for all mankind, eternity in heaven forever and ever, or as the Greek words mean, “into the eternities of the eternities”, a never ending time. God tells us in His Word (the Bible) that not only will there be only joy there, but our amazing bodies will be able to transport through walls and objects, just look at what Jesus was able to do with His new body, entering rooms without opening doors. In eternity there won’t be any pain or sorrow. There won’t be marriage there, no evil hearts promoting self, no conflicts or battles, just an amazing joyous paradise!
God holds out this promise through His Son Jesus Christ who paid our ways at no charge. He sent His only begotten Son!!
Right along with this good news of eternity, God shows us the narrow pathway and what befalls us when we take our eyes off that promise. God guides us with example after example of the straying of hearts, what the mindset of those that strayed was and helps us to identify those same tendencies in our world and ourselves.
Be you believing, not unbelieving. Except you have faith as a little child you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. A little child in faith grows up to be a man-child in the faith, able to ferret out the truth by going to the Word to verify, “what does God say”. But satan says’ God gave you a brain use it and rely on it, the same message satan told Eve.
Go right to the Garden of Eden, the devil most assuredly built up a relationship with Eve and got her to question God’s Word, remember, “Yeah has God said?” The subtly of this evil works constantly. This subtly got Eve to question God. Satan broke down that faith as a little child and has had 2 thousand years since Jesus Christ came into the world to refine that subtly.
That subtly comes in so many forms, When we were about to have children my wife convinced me that we agree not to ever tell a lie to our children. Included in those things was the so-called “little white lie called santa Claus.” In teaching the truth from the scripture we as believers are certain that “ALL things come from God” and that ALL things work for the good of those who believe on Him”. So what do we see allowed, some made-up white bearded thug is promoted as the giver of gifts. And satan says don’t be such a prude! Can’t you hear it, “yeah does god give”? But look at what this simple lie does to tear down, who knows how big a framework, of faith in the minds of our little ones.
Another idol is the false god of luck. This teaching that there is such a thing as chance or accident goes against child like faith and weakens the faith that God does indeed supply all. Thankfully God in His mercy does not spare His love from us and uses all things even tribulations to bring us around to His knowledge of the Truth. Over and over God shows this with Israel, and in our lives.
God blessed me with a bride that was very good at standing up for the Word and defending God’s Word no matter the cost. Even her family and friends chose to distance themselves from her. So after we were married without my knowing it she was in tears many days seeing my Bible gathering dust.
Thankfully God was able to answer her prayers and break through this thick head of mine and bring me back to His unmerited favor. I was a stubborn person and my life was not in order. Things happened that were unexplainable at the time that took us from millionaires, down to a spot where we were close to homeless, but God in his mercy showed us that He had it all in control and a whole series of amazing things happened. And now I am reading and studying in His Word multiple times a day.
Faith of a little child knows that God never ever tells a lie, nor does God contradict Himself, nor does His message ever change. Yet, we see satan in the churches saying don’t be so rigid, give in a little, yes that is what it says there, but, this is what God really means. As a student in history we see how amazing things have taken place to preserve God’s Word. It is just stunning to follow that journey through the last 2000 years!!
The last 100+ years we have seen many translations come out under the guise of making the Word more clear, when you see the license these translators give themselves, we come to understand that most are doing satan’s work. In actuality they are putting spins on God’s Word and though it seem to the average hearer to be more clear, in actuality the meaning is compromised! All one needs to do is compare the variant readings. Take the Geneva Bible of 1560, and compare it to the KJV of 1611, some clarity is lost in places. (In future blogs I will go over some of the differences)
Then along comes the revised version of 1885, where evil men brought forth a whole newly invented chronology of the Bible. I have a book that itemizes thousands of changes from the KJV that blows any reader away. But again this is satan’s working. And since then with the further invention of printing technology we have half dozen plus versions of the Bible, thus giving the tools to satan to paint a very blurry picture of what the truth is, what the real meat of the truth is.
A true child of faith reads in the Word of God, that The Law is done away in Christ, but satan teaches we need to beat down the hearts of men with the law and salve in the gospel. This gives uncertainty, where God says and shows it is His working that opens the heart.
A little child sees that creation was 6000 years ago, yet satans minions say millions of years ago. And a little child of faith sees that God created man and woman, yet satan says there are more catagories of life, and satan teaches that life developed over time. But you don’t have to look to close to see that we are created, just by the complexity of our bodies, we did not just happen. A little Child of Faith sees God recognizing people before they’re even conceived, yet satan has convinced many that murdering the unborn is a choice.
Jesus Christ came into the world and along with His gift of salvation He brought the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through that Spirit we have in front of us the Holy Bible, given by inspiration.
Now we see that even in our churches that Faith of a little child is subtly is attacked, Pastors taking the false doctrine they are taught in “higher Learning” and they present touchy feely renditions that contradict God’s Word, preventing growth in true faith and Truth. Seeking to please more people they teach a compromise doctrine, from such turn away.
God in His Word is very diligent in giving us warnings to guide us home for all eternity. 2Timothy 3: 1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Our prayer is that each of us surrenders our Hearts to allow God’s working, so that we are kept on the path to paradise. His Truth will set us Free!
The promotion of self is contrary to faith for the simple fact that it is God’s working in the heart that converts to faith, which in turn causes repentance. The Jews at the time of Jesus Christ’s visit to earth rejected and killed Jesus because they promoted self as their gods and stumbled[1] at the law, the stumbling stone and as a result Jesus calls the Jews prodigies of their father the devil. The first step is not repentance but the opening of the heart by God to the gospel and faith.
A true Pastor’s job is to support the growing of a keen unbending faith as we see exampled in little children. (“except you have faith as a little child you shall not enter into heaven”) A faith so strong that their hearts are convinced to the point of resisting evil even to the death, “Except you take up your cross and follow me you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”.
We see that commitment in Noah where he spent 100 years building an ark, an ark that has been discovered today in the mountains of Ararat. God tells us that the last days of this earth will be just like the days before the flood, and looking at our world today we see so much of our world today is just like those days. Mathew 24:37-39 “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
A true pastor also is required to focus on negotiating the narrow path through all the temptation of this world, instead we hear from so many, doctrines of focusing on the gifts and pleasures of this world. (Sounds like Noah’s day) God’s Word is full of the knowledge to discern that narrow way to eternity in real bliss in heaven.
Jesus says, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”[2] And Jesus also says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”[3]That dividing principle comes down to one issue, do you worship self and put yourself in a position as the final authority, or do you surrender to the authority of God and His Word.
God tells us explicitly what is in the heart of man if it goes unchecked. In 2Timothy 3: we see God through Paul laying out the future from his day as revealed to him and we see this is exactly what has happened and is happening today in our world. Verse: “1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Notice God does not lay out sins of the flesh but unchecked evils of the uncircumcised heart.
One of the unique things in studying the Greek language upon which the Bible was written, Greek grammar places the most important thought in the sentence in the first position. Whereas in English translations that order often is interrupted based upon other grammatical truths that don’t always hold true in translating especially the most recent translations of the last 100 plus years.
But looking at this quote in 2nd Timothy God places “For men shall be lovers of their own selves,” in that first position, which is very revealing. And this one phrase ties all of scripture together. First the true faith comes from humility of the heart, whereas the resistance to the gospel message ties to the pride of the heart.
I love to Search my Bible using word search in the KJV on Kindle on phone or computer, and another search tool that I especially like on the computer. Links to access these tools are on the home page on https://atmite.com save it to your device or computer!
God is very clear about the impact of pride and self interest. He shows us the pride of the scribes and Pharisees that is easily related to today’s world. Churches today appeal to the flesh and promote pride instead giving tools to maintain humility. All the attributes of God fearing people are found in a humble heart, pride in the heart removes the heart from a true walk with God.
We see satan in the Garden of Eden was promoting pride and self to Eve. And satan (lucifer) was removed from heaven for his prideful proclamations of self worth[4], claiming that he was going to be greater than God.
Here are some of the points God makes about pride:
Proverbs 8.13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
1John 2.15, “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. 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
Psalms 10:4 “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”
Psalms 31:19 “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD: for He hath shewed me His marvelous kindness in a strong city.”
Proverbs 14.2 “He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.”
Proverbs 16.17 “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.”
Mark 7.21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
A pastor shall be: 1Timothy 3.6 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
Pride is so prevalent in our world today, just as in Corinth in the first century AD. God through Paul teaches us how pride has enveloped the thinking to point of exclusion of Christ, to the point that there is no growth in the spirit. 1Corintians 3:1 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. [3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? [4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? [5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?”
We see the same today, denominations are plenteous and most exclude growth in spirit by their boasting in who they are. When you drill down to the beginnings of each of the existing denominations to their origin you see doctrines developed by men who in pride seek to promote their own prowess, thus just as in Corinth, to the exclusion of God.
That Narrow way that leads to eternity is fraught with distractions that stifle the spirit.
Watch and Pray!
Coming: What part of anything in life is not part of life?
2 Corinthians 13:5, 6 “Examine yourselves, whether you be of faith; prove (test) your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates. But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates.” Also read all of Hebrews 11.
Faith (true faith) is [2] “The gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” “Faith[3] is a shield against the fiery “Darts of the devil.” We[4] are saved through Christ, by faith. We are made righteous by faith. Faith is not ashamed. Not [5]all men have faith. By faith many were healed in our Lord’s days on earth. By [6]faith we know that God created heaven and earth. By faith we know there is a heaven and a hell. By faith heaven is our home.
Throughout the Bible we see examples of faith in those who have lived before us. How by faith [7]Abel obtained a witness that he was righteous. How by faith Enoch did not die. And by Faith [8]Noah believed the word of God and, out of the millions, he and his house were the only “faithful” on earth, at the time of the flood. In Noah’s day, the millions were given over to the joys of this life and a fake faith. You can hear the people ridiculing Noah for being so foolish as to build an ark, and for preaching during the 120 years of building to the people, his relatives and neighbors, saying, “Repent…follow God’s word…listen to the truth, for the truth will make you free … ” What would their reply be? “Look at that fool, building such a large boat …and on dry land too… how does he think that thing will float?… flood? ..and as for free, look at our free life styles, look at the pleasures we have here…why do you talk of greater pleasures than these?…eternal pleasures haw!…we believe in God and heaven…but relax…give in a little … lets eat drink and be merry…” Oh the tears Noah Shed, seeing his blood brothers laugh at him! Read your [9]Scriptures and see that this not only happened, but is happening still. Look at all the lives of the apostles and prophets shown to us and see how men of today count what is written as so many fairy tales. Faith believes what is said, without question. Don’t you see that faith is against reason; reason looks at and trusts in what it can touch and see and handle. “But faith[10] is the substance of (OR firm confidence in) things hoped for, the evidence of (OR conviction regarding) things not seen.” “And [11]without faith it is impossible to please God.” “For man[12] cannot come to God except first he believe that he is God.” “And God is a rewarder[13] of those who diligently seek God.” So walk by faith and not by sight.
Look in another place where Christ says of faith, “[14]Except you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of God.” Paul, the apostle, calls Timothy, “A [15]true child in faith” (γνησιω τεκνω εν πιστει). The possessive personal pronoun “my” is not in the Greek, and it is τρκνω = child, not υιοσ = son. The same holds true in Paul’s address to Titus. This reveals even more of what faith is. Be as men in God’s knowledge, but you can’t be a man if you haven’t been a child first. You always remain a child in faith. The apostle Paul says, “We know in part and we speak in part”. The same is true for us. No [16]one will know all of God’s wisdom until that day of perfection, until heaven. But the spirit of faith says, “Lord,[17] I believe your word, your word is truth”. Use the example of a little child, who will believe all things told it, by it’s father, never doubting. The same is our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Faith[18] demands truth from those who speak of things religious. And faith can look at God’s word and clearly tell if a man, claiming to be a preacher of God, is showing all of God’s word. Each [19]one of us has the responsibility to look in our scriptures and find out if our pastors are faithful or not. There will be no one let into heaven on a plea of ignorance and no pastor or any other person is going to suffer hell’s damnation for you, if they knowingly or not lead you astray. Do you think the devil would have half a chance to seduce anyone, if he were to walk around with a sign on his neck saying, “I am the devil”? So it is just a tragedy to hear people trust their eternal life on a man who is so nice and well liked, and not turn completely to God’s word.
Here is where we stop and show that all those words that are harsh sounding to our flesh, and that are the fire and brimstone of our God, are by faith turned into words of love. These words are the sign around the neck of Satan and all those who preach just enough of God’s word to fool those that are too lazy to look in their Bibles. For our heavenly Father clearly shows in his word, that narrow path that leads to heaven. And he clearly shows the workings[20] of the devil; that one who, “as a roaring Lion, walks about, seeking whom he may eat”. And shows us this devil who seduces people through the use of false preachers, and establishes himself as an angel of light. “By their fruits you will know them.”
True faith is indeed the most complete confidence. Look at the examples of the martyrs who were so confident that they could suffer even death, to be able to spend forever and ever in heaven. Faith has not changed, even as God’s word will never change. And look again at the confidence of faith, how [21]Abraham moved to a place he didn’t even know, and accepted God’s words; “Take[22] no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” How he was sure of God’s promises and was willing to offer up his son, whom God said would be his heir. Read the words of Hebrews 11 and see how faith is so much like the eager faith of a child who believes, without question, what is told it by its father. These believers (as all believers must) gave up all that they had for the one treasure no one could take away from them, namely salvation and heaven. By their faith their treasure was in heaven. “Lay not up treasure where moth and rust do corrupt and thieves steal. But lay up treasure in heaven where neither rust corrupts nor thieves steal.” “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Look at Mark 10:23-27. “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and said unto them, children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure saying among themselves, who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them says, with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
We see here that the disciples were “astonished out of (or beyond) measure”, why? because God used the word in Greek for riches χρημα (which means; whatever is for use, whatever one uses, a thing, matter, affair, event, business, money). And does not use the other Greek word for riches πλουτος (which means; wealth. or abundance of external possessions). Looking at the Greek background in these verses we see that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for those who trust in the very things of everyday contact to enter heaven.
God says in Luke 14:33; “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.” (disciple means nothing more than a follower of Christ here, it never refers to an office, but a pupil or student, as all believers are) The Greek word for forsake, also means; to separate one’s self, to bid farewell to. “Meaning that you say goodbye to everything, family, wealth, honor, advantage, and hold onto salvation and Jesus Christ above all else. That if it comes to be that you are forced to choose between family or any possession, and Christ, faith chooses Christ. If not, he will not receive the crown of heaven. “With God all things are possible”, through the faith that God gives.
“He [23]that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” And in Luke 14:26, Christ uses the word “hate” to express our form of love toward our relatives, when it is compared to the love toward God by faith, of true believers. Don’t you see how impossible this is to our reason, but by faith in the ALL powerful, Almighty God, it is possible, simple childlike faith.
Know for sure that the Bible is God’s word. Believe all of it and you will know that you have faith, that one and only true faith. “I am[24] the way the truth and the life”, says our savior. “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” “If the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” Yes you will be free, free from sin, free from eternal death in hell, and you will have confidence in your heart, and to say as the apostle Paul, “I am [25]determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified.” And, “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And through faith your eyes will be opened that you will be able to see the fruits of the false prophets, as pointed out by our Lord. For God says regarding his word, “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city and from the things which are written in this book.” Does God mince words here? Is there any gray area? Read Galatians 1:6-12, and [26]other passages, God says, “Even if it be an angel from heaven who preaches any other Gospel, let him be damned (accursed).” Read John 1:1 and following. Christ and the word of God are one and the same, if you throw out part of God’s word you are throwing out Christ. Without Christ there is no salvation. Faith accepts ALL of God’s word without questionings.
Know this also that God’s love is far greater than we can imagine. How can we as men equate our love with God’s? For Jesus Christ came into the world and died on the cross, as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. And to those that believe on him, he says, you still[27] have the flesh, but the sins of the flesh and your guilt by birth and of your flesh, have been put away from you as far as east is from west; and by my mercy I give you freely, eternal life, and take care of all of your basic needs. And by Christ’s righteousness we are made sons of God and all things that are written in the word of God become for us, the words of our shepherd. “My sheep[28] hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.”
Know also that the last days of earth[29] are here. For we hear of wars and rumors of wars; and we see men in their wickedness, murdering millions children for the sake of pleasure (legally by man, not God), when we see God talking of children even before conception. We hear also of more and more “natural” upheavals (earthquakes, floods, etc.); all these are signs of the end. “Watch, for that day comes as the twinkling of an eye, and of that day knows no man.”
Remember, “that all [30]men have sinned and come short of the glory of God ••• ” “There is none that does good no not one.” “No man comes unto the Father but by me.” “Where[31] is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of work? No: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law.” “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: Yes, let God be true, but every man a liar •••”
My prayer for you is that God give you the strength to open your heart and let the light of salvation fill it with joy. This is the peace that God gives men, that they may be reconciled to God by the death of our savior, only Believe. And those that believe will all receive the same gift of [32]eternal life; it does not matter if the believer is black or white, male or female, slave or free, the gift is the same. Open your eyes and see that the word of God is indeed truth, and pray with an ernest heart that God shows you His wisdom.
Know that [33]faith and doubt can not live in the same heart, and be honest with yourself, for God knows all hearts. Pray and seek God’s kingdom; for God says, “Seek [34]and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, ask and it shall be given…”
“And I trust you will know that we are not reprobate.”
Notes:
People have made unbending, staunch faith seem old-fashioned and something of the past. Call it what you want. God says it is tne only way to heaven!!! The footnotes are from: The Greek used is the Textus Receptus. The bible used is the King James Version. *
* The Textus Receptus (Received Text) is by all evidence, closest to the original letters of the apostles. This has been handed down from generation to generation and has been used by all Christians until the 1800’s. At which period, several groups of unbelieving men have brought forth a corrupt and small amount of manuscripts (the ratio of Transcripts agreeing with the Textus Receptus to the corrupt manuscripts is: 999 with the Textus Receptus to 5 with the corrupt). These five corrupt ones, through many manmade theories, have been Established, and are tile basis of all printed English Versions today except the King James Version.
There are many books written on the subject. One of the best is titled; True or False edited by; David 0. Fuller J. D. Published by; Grand Rapids International Publications, a Division of Kregel, Inc.
Right from the beginning of time there has been a battle between good and evil. The promise of heaven and paradise, versus the trickery of evil always calling to question God’s sincerity. Satan used the lie, “Yeah hath God said?” to call to question God’s integrity and to implant evil and sin into the hearts of Adam and Eve and all mankind. The bible shows the trail of man’s heart being drawn deeper into a denial of God at moments of time.
All through the Bible God shows us the heart of man, how that repeatedly Israel abandoned the true God and were drawn to the rituals of ceremonies in the worship of idols. The Jews transformed Moses into a ritual by which they supposed they could be holy, instead of the reminder it was that they had need of a savior. And their stubbornness was addressed by Jesus in that He states [1]“I came not to call the righteous (those proud ones who thought they were and excluded God’s Promise) but sinners to repentance.” God shows us very clearly in the New Testament the revealing qualities of the heart, not only of the evil closed heart that thought very highly of itself, and the humble heart necessary in the faithful, but gives warning that this evil will get worse and worse.
This humility that rules in the hearts of believers is a working by God. It is shown in the words God says “[2]except you take up your cross and follow me you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”. And in many other places, [3]“except you have Faith as a little child you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”. Both statements speak to the condition of the heart of the believer on the right path to heaven.
In Ephesians 4: 11-20, God lays out the Service relegated to pastors and teachers very clearly. “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 fullness 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. [17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, [18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: [19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [20] But ye have not so learned Christ;”
What stands out Very Clearly God is showing us that His true servants (pastors) have a directive to (verse 14) strengthen the believers so that we are not tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. Understanding these words give strength to see and make choices as little children who have taken up our crosses willing to suffer for Him and follow Christ in everything.
Churches and Pastors today promote lies (cunningly devised fables) saying, I do not care where you go just go somewhere. Most churches have a totally one way communication that requires all participants to bow down and believe that not stirring the pot is more important than the truth. And just as with the Jews these rituals are established that override the focus on God’s Truth. So just as all the years of Israel pandering to Idols we have millions who pander to the modern day idols of tradition and a hierarchy, that is every bit the same as in the old testament just applied with more cunning.
“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”.[4]
It is very clear picture of the heart, [5]“what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
So instead of surrendering to a pastor or teacher who will never stand for you before the throne of God, turn to the Bible and listen to Jesus speak to you in His Word. For herein lies eternal paradise in Heaven with God!
Jesus paid for our sins that we may live in eternity with Him!
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.[1]” A faith so strong that one stands firm defending it till death if needs be. All that truly matters is eternity in heaven.
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [2] God here speaks of deep conviction “faith,” that in all things God would truly be first position in your life. However what we see is a wide spread surrender by so many of their conviction, into the hands of a church and/or pastor who has become a ruler rather than a servant. This servant should be building up the flock so that each of the flock are able to stand with their own cross (commitment) and defend themselves against the wiles of the devil and evil. God in His word gives out the tools to identify truth for the purpose of survival and building of Faith. Anyone who falls short of this service as a pastor is a false prophet.
Going back to Eden before the fall we know that Eve out of an innocent heart bought into the devil’s promotion of the good looking fruit, then after the fall into sin at the birth of her firstborn, Eve shows her faith in the promise of God to send a savior that she declares, “I have gotten a man the Lord”.[3] (The KJV adds the word “From” which is not in the Greek. This is an example of how one word added or changed by someone does change the whole meaning of what God intended.) When you look at this glorious declaration of faith and how it is diminished with the added word, one realizes how subtitle the devils work is.
Right from the beginning of time satan the father of lies has distributed and manufactured continuous lies for the purpose of gaining company in hell. He told Eve the lie that eating the fruit would make the eater of it like gods[4] to “know good and evil”. This action sheds a light upon how satan calls God a liar, and through his followers promulgates lies disguising them as truth[5], especially in the last times[6].
God’s Creation in which we live has many facts of life that through the ages the Devil has picked away at to populate hell. We have talked about the promotion of self[7] being the biggest tool of satan. Truly the lie of promotion of self is that, in the minds of many, they are the final arbitrator of decision and you alone have the choice of what you believe.
The Pharisees’ religion, whose roots supposedly were grounded in Moses, became something of self promotion, declaring self to have the ability through works to gain heaven. God all through His Word holds out the truth of salvation that rips apart all the self righteous promotions of churches today. In Roman 4:6-8; “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” These are Beautiful Words of Truth that give a peace that passes all human understanding. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”[8]
In the early Church after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, we find the mindset of sharing resources as a group and a focus being made to search the scriptures daily[9], making God’s Word the center of their life, making eternity the focus.
Through the next 2000 years we see more and more tearing down of God’s Truth through the teaching of lies. We have multiple, so called, brands of Christianity today based upon one individual promoting his self and his mental prowess for interpretation of God’s Word. People have taken the studies of true Christians like Luther and made a false religion out by twisting his writings.
When you look at catholicism[10] and it’s evil roots and the historical evidence of attacking God’s Word, and instead of searching out truth, they were an overriding methodology for control and monetary gain.
Today we have more subtle promotions by so-called progressive pastors who remake God’s Word into an acquisition of worldly benefits, trying to promote a middle of the road to attract others away from the Truth. These “progressives” (satan’s helpers) who for money have stated that “just go somewhere it matters not where”; Show us where that is in the Scripture. God’s Word says quite the opposite.
God says, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?[11]” This parallels with, “Jesus said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”[12] And Again, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”[13] And Again, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”[14] Literally there are hundreds of similar references in God’s Word, the Bible, that imply the same mindset of, surrender to, being committed to, subject to, or submitting to, the authority of God and ALL His Truth. “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?[15]”
So by God’s Definition, His Son Jesus is described as: “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,”[16] So a True relationship with God, Son and Holy Ghost is a oneness with your Bible, His Word. Thus we have that defined as we stated before.[17]
It is through the commitment given by God’s working in the hearts of men that a clear path to eternity is shown, called a commitment or surrender to God. God’s working in the heart is the door through which we walk and are able to discern the Truth that sets us Free and also the recognition of the lies of satan.
So try the spirits[18] is very pointed and the command from God to separate from those who teach a lie is crucial to our walk. Luke 6:22, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” “I came not to bring peace but a sword”[19]
So some of the markers or red flags shown by the revealing from God, are the Pastor that places any publication of man on an equal basis with God’s Word and deeming it necessary, is a false Prophet.
Any pastor that casts a negative light on the atoning work of Jesus is a false prophet.
False Prophets promote false narrations or deny so many of God’s teaching. God Says you CAN NOT find good fruit on a thorn bush (Matthew 7:16-20) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”[20]
Here are some of the revealing Fruits to separate from: Identifying satan’s helpers
They present a different definition of the Gospel than eternal salvation through Jesus, they are false prophets.
They that would reinterpret the Bible leaving out parts of the quotes or alter in any way the Bible, are false prophets.
They that deny Biblical authority or inspiration, making the Bible out to be a history book rather than the authoritative Word of God.
They make God’s Word out to be contradictory or not coherent, when God never contradicts in His Word and it takes submitting to His Truth to see the trail through the whole Word.
They deny our sin nature and roundly reject original sin, passed down to us from Adam and Eve.
They say that we were never separated from God through sin.
They deny the deity of Jesus and promote a divine nature from within ourselves.
They often deny the resurrection or the virgin birth.
They deny the trinity, stating that God is the universe or that they are interrelated and that somehow God is dependent upon creation. And they emphasize Jesus’ humanity.
They might teach there is more than men and women.
They have no belief in hell and say all are saved.
They promote that what one does as more important than what one believes.
The preaching of pluralism that all roads lead to god and heaven and that all religions share the same truth, and is another false doctrine
By reading the Word of God (The Bible) (the most exact version today is the KJV) one learns how to identify God’s Truth and the thorn bushes. There is no such thing as an acceptable little white lie. We seek to be grounded in Truth, God’s Truth, as herein is Freedom!
Love is speaking the Truth of the destruction ahead for those who do not walk in truth. Love has come to mean “getting along well”. In other words keep quiet and watch others walking off a cliff to eternal death, rather than speaking up. And just as the Pharisees killed Jesus because he spoke the truth we see governments today trying to make God’s Word out to be hate speech.
1Timothy 6:3-5; “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
Just as in the Garden of Eden, satan’s message is the same! “Yeah hath God said”[21] or today “that’s old fashioned” or “you need to give a little”. God says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever”[22]
The devil’s message is one of “well, men have the ability to have sex without any consequences women want the same” so 63+ million babies are killed and millions more around the world. We can go on and on of all the distractions and lies in this world, but ultimately failure to recognize the divergent path that pulls us away from faith as a little child leads to the broad way to eternal fire.
The devil is always wanting to pull us into his fake reality away from the truth of salvation by drowning us in the cares of this world.[23]“God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”[24] The Peace that healed the wound of sin.[25]
Stand Strong in the conviction of God’s eternal love and His sacrifice for us! And billions of years of joy await!!
atmite 
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