Jesus, His Life

The History Channel has a series this Spring entitled, “Jesus, His Life.”  I was excited about it because I first heard about it on my favorite radio station, KLOVE.  The announcer stated that The History Channel financially supports (along with listeners who donate) KLOVE.

It was during the second episode where I found some assumptions made by the narrators that were not biblically accurate.  During Jesus’s baptism by John the Baptist, the claim was made that up until that time, Jesus didn’t really know who he was. Well, that is definitely not true!  Recall the account in the Bible when Jesus (age 12) was in the Temple (reading and commenting on the Torah – to the amazement of the listeners), and his parents were frantically looking for him?  What did Jesus say?

Luke 2:49 – And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?

The historical information included in the series is interesting.  However, I wish that they had done more research in the Scriptures and/or gotten input from biblical scholars.

I recently ran across a new blog entitled Eye Of Prophecy…watch and wait.  Underneath, was a quote from Rev. 19:10 – For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”

I found the post entitled, “Messiah’s Amazing Appearances Before He Was Born” quite fascinating and Biblically solid teaching!   I was reminded of my studies in Bible Study Fellowship years ago that covered Jesus’ pre-incarnate appearances in the Old Testament.  The post is very long, but worth reading!

Excerpt:

In one of several spectacular visions that John recorded in the book of Revelation, we read this bout Jesus Christ and his remarkable redemption for mankind that is truly universal in scope.

“…You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it.  For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.  And they will reign on the earth.  Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels…And they sang in a mighty chorus:

‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered–to receive  power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing'” (Revelation 5:9-12)

This powerful passage is looking back with deep indebtedness to Messiah’s First Advent (appearance); and looking forward triumphantly to his Second Advent (return appearance).  Both Advents are the heart and soul of the Christian faith — a New (and better) Covenant birthed from a Judaic Old Testament heritage which also experienced appearances of the Messiah.

(Jesus came first as the sacrificial Lamb of God for redemption.  He will return as the Lion from the Tribe of Judah to rule and reign on the earth)

Read more at link above!

 

 

 

 

Prophetic update: Is the Great Deception here?

Some call it fake news. Jesus called it deception. When His disciples asked about the signs of the last days, Jesus began by giving His followers this warning: “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4).

We live in an age of deception – fake news, false advertising, viral lies and click bait. The mainstream media perpetrate falsehoods regularly, as do various alternative media.

But one of the major sources of 21^st-century deception can be found in an unlikely place: our schools. For instance, the U.S. Department of Education urges all public schools to teach Islam.

It’s really just thinly veiled propaganda, though they would certainly not use that word. The DoE says schools should teach Islam “to create an anti-bias learning environment.”

Many regularly teach the religious doctrine that God and Allah are the same. Forget the “separation of church and state” arguments for the moment. This one teaching alone is a form of gross – and deadly – deception. And the deception is being inculcated in our malleable children, by order of the state!

In 2017, truth became even more subservient to political correctness. Isaiah 5:20 says, in part, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil …” Those words perfectly describe the pervasive spirit of deception that seems to have settled upon our world.

Another sign of the end times is an increase in the persecution of those who name the name of Jesus Christ.

Christianity Today reported, “For the third year in a row, the modern persecution of Christians worldwide has hit another record high.” Fox News said, “Nearly one in 12 Christians across the globe lives in an area where there is high-level persecution against members of the religion.”

A Yemeni man called “Sam” told CBN News: “Life for Christians in Yemen is very hard. For that matter, across the Middle East, there’s not a country where Christians are not suffering for their faith. This is our reality.”

But 2017 also found the persecution of Christians arise in unexpected places. Canada enacted Bill 89, which gives the state the power to take a child away from his or her parents if they do not agree that their child is transgender.

Jack Fonseca of Campaign Life Coalition warned: “[W]e’ve entered an era of totalitarian power by the state, such as never witnessed in Canada’s history. … Bill 89 is a grave threat to Christians and all people of faith.”

Even in America, it is becoming dangerous to be a Christian – especially one who is willing to take a stand for Judeo-Christian values. In 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the case of Jack Phillips, the Colorado baker who declined to make a wedding cake for a homosexual couple. His story is a reminder that following Christ may soon harm a believer’s ability to hold a job or run his own business in a Western nation.

Over the last few decades, some Bible scholars have postulated that the “mark of the beast” might be a computer chip inserted under a person’s skin. The chip would serve as an identifier and repository of vast amounts of information about the individual.

From critical medical information to credit and banking information, the chip would guarantee security and convenience. It would also make possible an amazing Bible prophecy concerning the Antichrist’s partner, the False Prophet.

Revelation 13:16-17 foretells, “He causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark.”

In July of 2017, a company in Wisconsin implanted tiny computer chips into the hands of about 50 employee volunteers. These chips only allow them to open doors and buy snacks from vending machines without money. In other words, they’re to make things more convenient for the busy employees. It sounds harmless enough, but it portends more ominous possibilities in the future.

Last year, the New York Times called certain toys “the cyber security nightmares of 2017.” The paper was referring to the fact that more and more toys contain cameras and microphones that connect to the internet – and constantly gather data.

Today, toys spy on us. Cell phones spy on us. Televisions, cars and even refrigerators spy on us.

In 2017, TSA began using facial scans at some airports. In October, the liberal Slate magazine reported on legislation pending before Congress. It said, “… an alarming section of the bill would give… a green light to begin using biometrics to identify people in airports nationwide… right now there’s only one technology fit for a biometric surveillance system: automated, real-time face scans

Read it all: WND: Prophetic Update: Is The Great Deception Here?

I wanted to copy and paste more of the article, but my computer is acting up and I keep getting the message: “WND is not responding.” I think that such a message, in and of itself, is a deception being done by g00gle in order to keep readers from that conservative website. Or, maybe it is just my computer? (I received a Mac laptop for Christmas and am anxious to learn how to use it so that I don’t have to deal with these “Internet Explorer” problems anymore!)

I have read that conservative sites are often targeted with difficulties, bans, and even undeserved blocking to make their readership go down. Need an example? Here’s one:

Right Wing News: How Conservatives Are Being Destroyed by Facebook, Twitter and Google Without Even Realizing It

My little ole’ Talk wisdom blog, with only 93 followers and usual readership of anywhere from 20 – 50 viewers each day, isn’t a big threat so g00gle likely ignores this site. [There have been times where certain posts got 100’s of viewers, and in the case of the Stephen Paddock Las Vegas shooting post, my stats rose to the highest level ever; over 2,300 views!]

Back to the topic. Hopefully readers here will go to WND and read the entire article. I would like to cite some of the better comments left there.

1. USPatriotOne • 14 minutes ago

The Bible is very clear on what needs to happen before Jesus’s return and the birth pains this world will go through before his return. There are several birth pains from earthquake’s to weather to signs from space to man’s deceptions and lies against their fellow man/woman to the mark of the beast and on and on it goes..!!! Nearly all these signs have either already come into being or are in the process of manifesting into our very lives whether we want this to happen or not..!!! I never found the Bible (the word of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit) to be wrong in any shape or form. Yes Satan and his NWO/Deep State/DemoRats/Rino’s and Islam lie daily to “We the People” and the World at large that the Bible is wrong, but it’s all part of the great deception engulfing our planet, and yes Jesus is about to return, I believe, all the piece’s to God’s grand puzzle are nearly in place! Satan and his demonic followers know this and their end is NEAR! Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ! Please Lord Jesus protect Prez Trump and VP Pence along with all Christians and Jews in America, Israel and around the world, I pray this in you most holy name our Lord and Savior “Jesus Christ”…Amen!

2. Al-Franki “el-da dhimmi” • 2 hours ago

Hal’s right, we’re pretty fully ‘decepted’ by now. I do remember his book from the 60’s warning us about end times. That was a long time ago he was telling us this…just remember, God’s ‘time’ is not ‘our’ time. It’s up to us to ‘see’ and heed the warnings no matter the time period.

3.
allpan • 12 hours ago
Great article, right on target. America has a poor teaching problem. We are # 36 out of 75 countries taking the international testing (PITA). We teach everything except the basics. Truly, our nation and others are facing the Judgment of God. There is so much disunity in the USA, violence, hatred and rejection of the Bible, we are truly in the last times. The Tribulation spoken of in the Bible is going to be a shocker to this world.

 

4. Watcher • 11 hours ago

“Today, toys spy on us. Cell phones spy on us. Televisions, cars and even refrigerators spy on us. In 2017, TSA began using facial scans at some airports. In October, the liberal Slate magazine reported on legislation pending before Congress. It said, “… an alarming section of the bill would give… a green light to begin using biometrics to identify people in airports nationwide… right now there’s only one technology fit for a biometric surveillance system: automated, real-time face scans.””

“in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man” (Dan. 7:8)

Cameras have eyes like the eyes of man.

Google: “comparing the human eye and a camera”

That bit of prophecy in Daniel 7:8 is telling us that there won’t be many places to hide from the kingdom of the Anti-Messiah, for camera eyes shall be virtually everywhere. That’s one of many ways in which his kingdom shall as much as possible mimic the coming kingdom of the true Messiah. If people understood that, they wouldn’t be off on a wild-goose chase looking for a Muslim Antichrist…

[Note from Christine: The camera comparison from commenter “Watcher” might be a bit off because the verse continues with, “and a mouth speaking great things.”    However, with the technology of today (and cameras everywhere!), it’s true that “there won’t be many places to hide” from the rule of the Antichrist. Here’s a graphic with a better illustration:

Since “allah” is a false god, IMHO, the Antichrist could be (most likely, secretively) muslim. I did find the Daniel 7:8 verse fascinating in the context of this discussion.]

End of Hal Lindsey’s article:

Why are people so upset with President Trump? Sure, he rubs some people the wrong way. He says unexpected and, sometimes, inappropriate things. He speaks – or tweets – when maybe he should stay silent.

But when you look beyond his bluster and just look at his actions and record, he’s mostly a moderate, right-of-center politician – not at all out of the mainstream.

I think the real reason so many people are obsessed with destroying President Trump can be found in his resistance to the New World Order.

In 2017, he refused to recertify the Iran nuclear deal. He formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord. He’s renegotiating NAFTA. He put an end to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He demanded that NATO members pay their own way. He called the United Nations to account and cut some of its funding. He got tough with the Palestinian Authority. He put the Muslim nations on notice that it’s their responsibility to confront and curb Islamic terrorism. And more.

In other words, he stood up to and fought the globalist elites who were on the brink of cementing their supra-national control of the entire world. And, believe it or not, by doing that and by seeking to return autonomy and sovereignty to the United States – and bring Judeo-Christian values back to the public square – President Trump may have complicated the build-up to the Antichrist’s one-world government.

And doing that guarantees him some terribly powerful enemies – including Satan himself.

That’s why, as we enter 2018, it is so critical that all believers follow Paul’s admonition: “I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

I would go a step further. I urge you to pray earnestly and daily specifically for our president and vice president. Pray that God will encourage them, give them wisdom and determination, and protect them as they stand in the gap for the America we know and love.

Some people consider the Trump Presidency as a type of reprieve from what is eventually going to come as a result of end times prophecy.  Of course, that would depend upon one’s political, social, and religious beliefs.  Those that hate President Trump [for whatever reason(s)] will likely NEVER see the good that he has accomplished in the first year of his presidency.

No matter what, keep praying people!

Hat tip: WorldNetDaily

Wherever pride is found, it is always hateful to God.

Perhaps some readers here have heard of the latest “prophecy” claim being made regarding the Second Coming of Christ.  Some are  predicting it to happen on September 23, 2017.  Geoffrey Grider over at “Now The End Begins” blog explains quite well (via Scripture) why such a prediction is false and cannot possibly happen.

See: Now The End Begins: False Prophecy Alert Called ‘Great Sign’ That’s Happening on September 23rd is 100% Not True.

Excerpt:

In order for September 23rd to “usher in the Second Coming,” you would have to cram into the next five (now, two days) days the Rapture of the Church, the rise of Antichrist, the Mark of the Beast and all other events of the 3.5 years of the time of Jacob’s trouble, otherwise known as The Great Tribulation. Chances of all of that happening in the next 5 days (now, 2 days)? Absolutely zero.

I read on another website that a “Christian numerologist” joined the bandwagon making a similar “prediction.”

I can see why people are panicked due to all of the hurricanes happening in a row over the past few weeks which are causing much devastation.  We also have seen the earthquake that happened in Mexico.  However, Jesus told us that such events would only be the “birth pangs.”

Rom 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Reading the entire chapter of Romans 8 can help soothe our fears, especially the last two verses:

Rom 8:38

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

Rom 8:39

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It really helps to read, study, and know what the Bible teaches in order to not get caught up in false assumptions, false rhetoric, false pride, or false prophecy given by those who may just be in it for attention or to sell their books.

Habbakuk 2 speaks about the proud being rebuked and informs us:

Hab 2:3

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Hab 2:4

“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.

David Guzik’s commentary of this portion of Scripture is really good!

Here are a few excerpts that spoke of the time of Habbukuk, but also see if you agree with me that this speaks towards our world today!

b. For the vision is yet for an appointed time: Habakkuk spoke to an age beyond his own. The Babylonian conquest would not be evident in his own day, but in the future.

2. (Hab 2:4-8) God knows how to deal with the proud.

a. Behold the proud: Habakkuk wondered why Babylon – a nation even more sinful than Judah – would be used to bring judgment to Judah. In answering the prophet, God first assures him that He sees the proud, and knows that his soul is not upright in him.

i. Pride is everywhere and takes all manner of shapes.

– Here is the rich man, proud of what he has

– There is the poor man, proud of his “honor” in having less

– Here is the talented man, proud of what he can do

– There is the man of few talents, proud of his hard work

– Here is the religious man, proud of his religion

– There is the unbeliever, proud of his unbelief

– Here is the establishment man, proud of his place in society

– There is the counter-cultural man, proud of his “outcast” status

– Here is the learned man, proud of his intelligence and learning

– Here is the simple man, proud of his simplicity

Now, think about those who are involved in identity/racial/grievance crowd politics.  Can you see that pride is one of the main culprits that is being used to divide our nation, our people, and our government?

ii. “If there is a sin that is universal, it is this. Where is it not to be found? Hunt among the highest and loftiest in the world, and you shall find it there; and then go and search amongst the poorest and the most miserable, and you shall find it there. There may be as much pride inside a beggar’s rags as in a prince’s robe; and a harlot may be as proud as a model of chastity. Pride is a strange creature; it never objects to its lodgings. It will live comfortably enough in a palace, and it will live equally at its ease in a hovel. Is there any man in whose heart pride does not lurk?” (Spurgeon)

Guzik goes even further:

iv. “Wherever pride is found, it is always hateful to God.

The list of those utilizing “pride” (above) demonstrates how and why so many of the evils of our time are being perpetrated by those who adhere to such tactics;  and how it negatively affects us all!  Not only is pride “always hateful to God,” it is also hateful to man.

Why! pride is even hateful to men. Men cannot bear a proud man; and hence it is that a proud man, who has any sense left, often sees that it is so, and he therefore tries to affect manners of modesty. He will seem to be humble, when he really is not, if he has the suspicion that all about him will dislike him if they know him to be proud. But God cannot bear pride; it is a part of his daily business to put down the proud.” (Spurgeon)

So…what is the antidote to pride which is hateful to God and man?

b. But the just shall live by his faith: In contrast to the proud, there are the just. The principle of their life is faith, instead of pride that looks to self. True faith looks outside of self unto the LORD God, while pride always looks to self.

That last sentence deserves to be repeated:

True faith looks outside of self unto the LORD God, while pride always looks to self.

i. This brief statement from the prophet Habakkuk is one of the most important, and most quoted Old Testament statements in the New Testament. Paul used it to show that the just live by faith, not by law. Being under the law isn’t the way to be found just before God, only living by faith is.

ii. If you are declared just -that is, approved – before God, you have done it by a relationship of faith. If your life is all about living under the law, then God does not find you approved.

iii. In Hebrew, the important part of the verse has only three words: “the justified man,” “by his faith,” and “will live.” Every word in Habakkuk 2:4 is important, and the Lord quotes it three times in the New Testament just to bring out the fullness of the meaning

– Romans 1:17 is the commentary on the justified man – “The just shall live by faith”

– Hebrews 10:38 is the commentary on faith – “The just shall live by faith“

– Galatians 3:11 is the commentary on the Christian life – “The just shall live by faith”

The just shall live by faith!

Whenever someone makes a dated prediction about the end of the world, it will do readers good to recall what Jesus Christ said to his disciples (and, to all of us!):

Mat 24:3

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Mat 24:4

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.

Mat 24:5

“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

Mat 24:6

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all[fn] these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Mat 24:7

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,[fn] and earthquakes in various places

Mat 24:8

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Mat 24:9

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

Mat 24:10

“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another

Mat 24:11

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Mat 24:12

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Mat 24:13

“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Mat 24:14

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

I suggest reading Matthew 24 in its entirety! The words of Jesus Christ are faithful and true and can be trusted!

Blue Letter Bible: Matthew 24

Hat tip: Blue Letter Bible and David Guzik Study Guide on Habbukuk 2

Strife in this World. Where Are You? Where Are You Going?

I recently listened to one of the Dave Matthews Band’s greatest hits entitled, “Where Are You Going.”

You can watch the video here:

YouTube: Dave Matthews Band: Where Are You Going? [Lyrics below post]

I have always liked this singer’s voice and many of the band’s songs. Matthew’s singing style is often very calm and soothing. In this particular song, Dave Matthews  asks  the “where are you going?” question.  At certain spots in the song, he (sadly) states that he “has no answers for you.” But he does state, “where you go is where I wanta be.”

So, where does one look for the ultimate answer to “where are you going?” Where do YOU ultimately want to be and with Whom?

Before we get to those important questions, let’s look at a few words that describe what most of us go through at times in this life.

The first word is “strife.”

The meaning of the word “strife:”

noun
1. vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism:
to be at strife.

2. a quarrel, struggle, or clash:
armed strife.

3. competition or rivalry:
the strife of the marketplace.

4. Archaic. strenuous effort.
– Dictionary.com

The Bible utilizes the term “tribulation” [“trouble” in some versions]

noun

1.  grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.

2.  an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.

tribulation in the Bible:

trouble or affliction of any kind (Deut. 4:30; Matt. 13:21; 2 Cor. 7:4). In Rom. 2:9 “tribulation and anguish” are the penal sufferings that shall overtake the wicked. In Matt. 24:21, 29, the word denotes the calamities that were to attend the destruction of Jerusalem.

Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary

– Dictionary.com

The NKJV at the Blue Letter Bible website informs us that the term “tribulation” occurs 22 times in 22 verses.

The plural version of “tribulations” occurs 8 times in 8 verses.

I encourage readers to click on the individual verses and read the surrounding Scripture. It always helps to clarify the content and keep it in proper context.

When we read this portion of a verse in 2 Thessalonians, one could accidentally take it out of context.

2Th 1:6

since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,

Reading all of 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 reveals what we are to be, do, and endure on this earth. There will come a time when those who wrought trouble upon believers in Jesus Christ will be “repaid with tribulation” by God Himself.

Did anyone reading here today hear about the recent clash between a female anti-Trump passenger and a male passenger sitting next to her on a plane?

You can view the video clip HERE.

In the video clip, Martha McCallum also interviews the man who was verbally attacked, and you might be surprised at what he says near the end of the interview. He didn’t want to press charges against her, saying that “maybe they were just having a bad day, or something.” And he ended the interview by saying, “I just wanted to show them the love of Jesus.”

Perhaps the Christian man heard that the woman and her husband were flying back from the funeral of her mother-in-law? Now THAT would have been a very bad day for anyone! If the woman and her husband were not kicked off of the plane, perhaps he could have shared the Good News of the Gospel with her.

Maybe not…

But this man showed grace towards two individuals – one was silent (the husband) while the other verbally abused and cursed at him (the cursing part isn’t in the video clip, but several witnesses said he was cursed at during this encounter).

Jesus warned us that “in this world, we would have tribulation (or trouble).”

Matthew 24 describes it vividly, and we learn that such trouble and strife will increase the closer we get to the end times.

Mat 24:7

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,[fn] and earthquakes in various places.

Mat 24:8

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Mat 24:9
¶
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

Mat 24:10

“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another

Mat 24:11

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Mat 24:12

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

I am seeing a huge increase in “the love of many will grow cold.” Even relatives, friends, and acquaintances are turning on each other over the election results last month! It’s truly sad…

Matthew 24 informs us:

Mat 24:13

“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Mat 24:14

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

The truth contained in the Bible knows no equal! We are told that Christians are going to be persecuted. Notice that “the fruit of the Spirit” contains the term “longsuffering.”

Gal 5:22
¶
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23

gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Longsuffering is why Christians are told (in Matthew 24:13)  to endure till the end.

What are we seeing since the election (as well as before it)? A huge increase in the following as described in Galatians:

Gal 5:19
¶
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[fn] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Gal 5:20

idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Gal 5:21

envy, murders,[fn] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

No matter what is thrown against us, we have the promises of Jesus Christ to sustain us through it all.

Jesus tells us:

Jhn 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Paul reiterates this in Romans:

Rom 8:38

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

Rom 8:39

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our true and ultimate home:

Jhn 14:2

“In My Father’s house are many mansions;[fn] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.[fn

 

Jhn 14:3

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

NKJV Footnotes

(14:2)

Literally dwellings

Hat tips to all links and graphics.

*******

Lyrics to “Where Are You Going” by the Dave Matthews Band.

Where are you going
With your long face
Pullin’ down
Don’t hide away,
Like an ocean
That you can’t see
But you can smell
And the sound of waves crash down.
I am no superman
I have no reasons for you.
I am no hero,
Aw that for sure,
But I do know one thing,
That’s where you are is where I belong.
I do know
Where you go,
Is where I wanta be.

Where are you going,
Where do you go.
Are you looking for answers,
To questions, under the stars
Well if along the way,
You are grown weary,
You can rest with me
Until a brighter day
When you ok.

I am no superman,
I have no answers for you.
I am no hero,
And that’s for sure.
But I know one thing,
That’s where you are, is where I belong.
I do know
Where you go,
Is where I want to be.

Where are you going
Where do you go.

Where do you go.
Where are you going,
Where do you go.

I am no Superman
I have no answers,
For you.
I am no hero,
Aw that’s for sure.
But I do know one thing,
That’s where are,
Is where I belong.
I do know
Where you go,
Is where I wanta be.

Where are you going
Where do you go.

And a where are you going.
Where…lets go!

Songwriters
HARRISON, GAVIN RICHARD / BYER, RICARDO A.

Published by
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Read more: Dave Matthews Band – Where Are You Going Lyrics | MetroLyrics

The Presidential Campaign Has Gone From Bad to Worse, to Nightmarish, to Surreal!

Joel Rosenberg’s blog post should be read by everyone – especially Christians!  It is spot on in describing what the current presidential campaign has become!

Ironically, Dr. David Jeremiah mentioned Mr. Rosenberg’s expertise on the Bible and Bible prophecy in today’s sermon on Turning Point:  “The Apathy of America.”

Excerpt:

As the news from both presidential candidates goes from bad to worse to nightmarish to surreal (see below), I find myself grieving. There is no other way to put it. I’m not grieving as one who has no hope. But I am grieving all the same.

It is bitterly painful to see America arrive at this point, neck-deep in corruption and vulgarity, edging closer and closer, day by day, towards moral, spiritual, social and economic implosion.

We desperately need a revival, a sweeping spiritual awakening, to put us back on the right track. Will it come? I honestly do not know. I’m praying — pleading — for the Lord to give us one, and soon. I’m praying for each of the presidential and vice presidential candidates, and their families and advisors. I’m praying the Lord will supernaturally salvage this train wreck of an election and give us a surprise ending that will truly bless the entire country. Yet I’m also praying for His infinite, amazing grace and mercy if He chooses to let us proceed down this ugly path “as is.”

Unless we turn wholeheartedly to Christ our coming King and Redeemer, it could be a very dark four years indeed. But the Scriptures do offer us hope.

“If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.” (Jeremiah 18:7-10)

I have to admit that I seriously long for the Lord to set the Rapture into motion in the days or weeks ahead. Election Day would be just fine, though sooner would be better.

I am willing to preach the Gospel and teach the Word of God and make disciples and serve the poor as long as the Lord tarries, so as long as He continues to grant the grace and strength to do His will and forgiveness whenever I inevitably fall short.

But as darkness falls over America, as it is falling over so much of the world, I am growing weary. As the rich and powerful and corrupt seem to gain more riches and more power and grow more corrupt, I am growing weary. As I see injustice spreading like a cancer, and as I see so many people abandoning the faith and ignoring the Word of God and doing whatever is right in their own eyes, I am growing weary.

It is all foretold, of course. The ancient prophecies are coming to pass — all the apostasy, the corruption, the persecution and darkness that the Lord Jesus and the Apostles and the Hebrew prophets foretold about the “last days” — we’re seeing it all play out, just as the Word warned us ahead of time.

Consider just this passage and ask yourself if this doesn’t describe American culture and politics today? “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

The worse it gets, the more I find myself saying, “Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus!”

I’m not going to post anything new about the increasingly toxic and tremendously disturbing presidential campaign. If you’re interested, you can read what I posted on my “Epicenter Team” page on Facebook on Friday. Or you can scroll through the last several days of Tweets.

For now, let me just say this: regardless of how grieved I am by both nominees, I am 100% committed to genuinely and faithfully praying for the Trump family, and for the Clintons, as I have been throughout this campaign. I will continue to pray that the Lord Jesus Christ shows them great mercy, that they will seek Him with all their heart, and that He will supernaturally change them and bear much good fruit in and through them.

The God of the Bible is a change agent. All through the Scriptures we see God saving, changing and redeeming broken, burdened, troubled lives, and it is breathtaking to behold. The Lord loves to change hearts and minds and mouths. He alone has the power to change lives, and I truly pray He will show His great mercy and love to the Trumps and the Clintons. Meanwhile, I have great respect for those who feel called to provide either family and either candidate sound, Biblical, spiritual counsel. Both families need true, faithful believers around them speaking the truth in love, as do we all.

Indeed, whoever wins the presidency and is raised up to lead America for the next four years, I will pray for faithfully and respectfully. This is what the Apostle Paul commands of us. Thus, I hope you and your family and friends will be faithful in praying for the next president and all the Members of Congress, too. “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:1-4)

That said, I believe it’s important for all of us to realize just how much trouble we’re in. After killing 58 million babies, America now faces impending divine judgment. There is no way out, no way back. The blood of 58 million babies is crying out for justice and they will get it.

Only a true revival — a great, sweeping spiritual awakening — could possibly forestall such a judgment. In addition to such a great awakening, ideally the Lord will give America a leader like King Josiah, the Biblical leader who made big, bold changes to turn his nation around. Indeed, God saw Josiah’s humble heart, and his great love for the Scriptures, and his passionate commitment to help his nation make major reforms and get back on the right track, and therefore He gave Josiah much favor. Indeed, because of Josiah’s leadership, the Lord chose to forestall imminent judgement of the nation of Judah for some two decades.

Sadly, neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton nor Tim Kaine have demonstrated any of the characteristics of Josiah. But Gov. Mike Pence has. Perhaps the Lord will raise him up to provide the leadership we need at this time. I hope so. Time will tell.

In the meantime, prayer is really all we have as individual Christians at this point. Yet what more do we need? Prayer offers us a direct line to our Father in heaven, the Almighty God of the universe who could grant us a great awakening if He sovereignly chose to, or who alone can give us the grace to endure the suffering and hardships if He chooses to set His judgments into motion.

In these dark times, my friends, come what may, may you and I keep our eyes on Jesus and be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

Hat tips:

Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog: Some thoughts on a presidential campaign going from bad to worse to nightmarish.

David Jeremiah.org

“Obsession” With Bible Prophecy?

I don’t recall reading too many articles where the Christian author seems to discourage studying, writing about, and sharing Bible prophecy.  Well, that changed today when I read this:

Obsession With Bible Prophecy – The Devil Loves It

I will admit that I don’t know much about the author. His bio says this:

Chuck Baldwin – is a radio broadcaster, syndicated columnist, and pastor dedicated to preserving the historic principles upon which America was founded.

About Us “Chuck Baldwin Live” aired its first program on August 1, 1994. The broadcast originated as a Radio Talk Show and continued in that capacity for eight years. The current format of the show features a recording of Dr. Baldwin’s sermons and commentaries that are heard 30 times a week on 12 radio stations in 5 States, including Northwest Florida (from Destin, Florida to Mobile Alabama) and Southern Alabama (including Evergreen, Greenville, and Monroeville), parts of Central Florida (Deland area), Lynchburg and Martinsville, Virginia (including Roanoke, Virginia and into the Triad area of Winston/Salem, Greensboro, and High Point North Carolina), and in Utah (between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas). CBL is constitutionalist, Christian, pro-life, pro-traditional family, and patriotic. We support constitutional government and the Bill of Rights. We hold fast to the principles and values expressed by the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence.

OK…he’s a pastor? Well, it’s often not surprising that some pastors choose to ignore the book of Revelation. I have been in a church where the pastor happened to refuse to include the study of Revelation in the sermons. I didn’t bother to ask why because I quickly left that congregation.

I found the link via a blog called, “Freedom Is Just Another Word.”

Since there was no section for comments at the original author’s site, I wrote the following at the linked blog:

christinewjc

August 18, 2016 at 10:59 am

Wow! Went to the author’s website and the article was quite harsh! If we aren’t supposed to look at, study, and share “the signs of the times” for the additional purposes of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the warnings with the lost, then why does Revelation 22:7 tell us – “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”???

Is America Under Judgment?

This is a question for anyone who cares to share their own opinion, scholarly review(s), or biblical knowledge about this topic.  Is America currently under judgment?

I asked that question of a Christian friend in a previous comment thread who happens to support Donald Trump for president.

When I first started blogging about my opposition to Trump as the nominee, I did write that even though he isn’t my choice for president, IMHO he would be light-years better than either HiLIARy [H/T Steve of Cry and Howl for link] or Commie Bernie. All that I could do is hope for the best concerning him. However, the more I learn about him, the less I think that my previous opinion was accurate.

Recently, the media of mass deception (can’t trust them, of course!) has claimed that Trump stated that his plans for banning Muslim immigrants “is a suggestion.” First he said he would ban them “until we know what is going on”…whatever that means. Next, he said that it would be a temporary ban. OK good – that brings some clarity to the issue. This morning I watched a brief segment of the news on CNN, and they had as the byline beneath the screen that Trump is now saying, “everything is a suggestion.” I shake my head in disbelief that he ever said that! Do you know if it’s true? I didn’t think that Trump would be so wishy-washy and it bothers me.

Now, I hear that Mitt Romney and a bunch of anti-Trump Republicans want to draft Mark Cuban to run as a third-party candidate.

I have tried to wrap my mind around all of the possible scenarios regarding this election and at this point, I can’t even imagine what is going to happen.

I fear that God still places America under judgment because of her sins. Such sins run rampant like never before and until the people in this nation repent and turn back to the Lord Jesus Christ, we will continue to deserve such judgment.

Editorial Reviews

An obscure passage in the Book of Isaiah describing the fall of ancient Israel has, since September 11, 2001, been eerily re-enacted in the United States exactly as it originally occurred in the time of the great prophet of Israel leading to the nation’s demise.

Jonathan Cahn, the author of The Harbinger, has been shocking audiences by revealing the astonishing parallels between the fall of ancient Israel and current events unfolding in the US, what he calls “an ancient mystery that holds the secret of America’s future and the collapse of the global economy.”

In this stunning new documentary The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment, Rabbi Cahn unravels the mystery behind this seemingly innocuous Biblical verse, and shows that ancient harbingers of judgment are now manifesting in America, just as they once did in Israel. This fascinating new DVD asks the question, “Is God sending America a prophetic message of what will soon be?” and Rabbi Cahn provides the answers through mounting evidence that the answer is ‘yes.’

 

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
Warnings From God? By David Bower VINE VOICE on July 8, 2012
Format: DVD
This is an interesting study on some very pertinent events in the recent history of the United States. Rabbi Cahn uses the verse in Isaiah 9:10 as a focus for his analysis of events in this country starting on September 11, 2001 with the destruction of the two World Trade Center towers representing the first shaking.

The documentary is in two parts, “The First Shaking” and “The Second Shaking” on two DVD’s. In the first Rabbi Cahn seeks to show how events after 9/11 followed a similar pattern to Israel’s experience before their destruction at the hands of the Assyrians. The parallels are too close to appear coincidental and Rabbi Cahn presents strong arguments that these events are warnings from God.

The information provided is interesting to anyone who is concerned about the future of this country and brings together in one place a cross-section of information that applies to the events which occurred. The conclusion is we are following a similar path nationally and are being given a warning that the path we are following is the wrong one.

If a national repentance does not come wherein we return to our dependency on the grace of God, judgment will surely follow and increase in intensity.

The second DVD, “The Second Shaking” discusses the second warning from God as being the financial problems that have emerged and focuses on the events of September, 2008 including the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the stock market crash of 2008.

The second DVD attempts to introduce a note of hope when Rabbi Cahn urges Christians to remember God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14. There may be a problem there because many believe that promise was only to Israel, not to the church. God gave Israel a land but He didn’t give the church a land, He gave the church a heavenly city, The New Jerusalem.

There is no real doubt that the United States is on an unsustainable path; if we continue on this path we are heading down a path toward our destruction as a nation. As students of prophecy have observed, the United States is conspicuously absent from Bible prophecy concerning the end times.

It may well be we are observing the reasons for this as they play out in real life before us. It appears doubtful to me that the USA will be restored in the time left as signs all over the world point to the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hat tips to all links.

Rush: Liberals see right wing as bigger threat than Islam.

WND has an article up today where radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh makes the claim that conservatives are a bigger threat to liberals than Islam.

Rush: Liberals see right wing as bigger threat than Islam
‘The left thinks we’re unjust and immoral’

Excerpt:

“Who are their biggest enemies? Christians, conservatives, right wingers. The left, which is Islam – militant Islam is on the left, just as the Democratic Party is,” Limbaugh continued. “Take a look their common political opponents or other kinds of enemies. It’s us, folks. This is the thing that a lot of people can’t get through their heads. We had 9/11. We had Fort Hood. Do you have Obama condemning it? Obama will not condemn it.”

Limbaugh went on to say that Europe is importing its own destruction, given that Islamic radicals have vowed to use Western freedom as a tool to bring about its destruction. The host said the cultural transformations happening in Europe give Americans a glimpse into their own future unless they act now.

“For some reason, Obama and his crew do not look at Islam as a threat to their power. Terrorism is a threat to their power, but they see that in us. We are a threat to their power – and we are. We’re trying to take it away from them. We’re trying to beat them in elections. That’s not allowed. That will not happen. We pose too big a threat to them. They could peacefully co-exist with all these other people. They’re on the same place in the political prism. They’re both out there on the left. Both have the same common enemy: The United States, Great Satan.”

Limbaugh said liberals find America an unjust and immoral place because its founding included slavery, while Islamic terrorists come to the same conclusion because the U.S. is populated with infidels.

“You listen to the ex-president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and you couldn’t tell the difference in what he says about America than Joe Biden on the campaign trail, or Obama,” said Limbaugh.

“They talk about this country in identical ways. They talk about Republicans in identical ways. We are their biggest threat, making us their central enemy. The American left, Democratic Party, and liberalism worldwide, its enemy is conservatism. Conservatism, if ever it succeeded – really succeeded – would vastly shrink the source of power, wealth and existence for all these people, and that is government.”

;

I found the following photo back in 2010 which was taken during an anti-Israel march in San Fransicko.

Notice what is in the photo below.  The man holding the sign is wearing Muslim terrorist garb.  The man walking next to him is wearing a commie red t-shirt with the image of Che Guevara!

How ironic that the Muslim man is holding that sign (below)!  Here’s a quote from Che Guevara that may explain their union of nefarious ideologies:

“I don’t care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting.”

Che Guevara

H/T Brainy Quote

I wish that more Americans would heed Ronald Reagan’s advice:

“How do you tell a Communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.”

― Ronald Reagan

I must admit that I found it confusing when I first heard about the march and saw that photo! However, by the year 2013, it became much clearer why these two evil ideologies would march together in anti-Israel solidarity!

Tolerance is a crime when applied to evil (Thomas Mann).
(H/T – Atlas Shrugs)

The following is an excerpt from my former Talk Wisdom blog essay entitled, Why The Unholy Alliance of Islam and Communism? Taqiyya?

What those two men (seen in photo below, marching together, BTW, in an anti-Israel demonstration during the Bush presidential years) represent is the forming of an alliance between radical Islam and Communism!  Also, notice what the sign says:  “Thank You S.F. (San Francisco) Liberals – You Die Last.”  How ANYONE could possibly support either group is beyond any semblance of reason!  Liberals are being USED by both!  Yet they are either complicit in either ideology or just too damn ignorant to realize it!

I thought that the evil alliance of radical Islam and Communism (Putin and his ilk) would one day need to battle against each other for dominance of the world. This may still happen. Perhaps the caliphate-hungry Iran is using Communist Putin in the usual Muslim deceptive tactics known as al Taqiyya?  Muslims might join together and tolerate Communists in an old taqiyya-style kind of temporary alliance.  Why?  Because of their joined hatred of Israel!  They are uniting with the intended plan of making a future collaborated attempt at destroying Israel!

But then, which one [Islam or Communism] will ultimately win out?

Well, this terrorist’s quote shows what radical Islam believes:

“Sons of Islam everywhere, the jihad is a duty – to establish the rule of Allah on earth and to liberate your countries and yourselves from America’s domination and its Zionist allies, it is your battle – either victory or martyrdom.”

Ahmed Yassin
H/T Brainy Quote

And, where does the U.S. fit into this picture?

If the Lord Jesus Christ tarries, then hopefully America will break free from this egregiously criminal ObamaFRAUD tyrannical government with a new conservative leader who will help get us back on track towards restoring our beloved Constitutional Republic!

If not, then we might very well be headed into the fulfillment of end times *prophecy.

Hat tips to all links.

*******

*Prophecy

Talk Wisdom at Word press posts on Bible Prophecy

For more on Bible prophecy, please see former Talk Wisdom blog posts:

Understanding Bible Prophecy

Prophecy Continually Being Fulfilled

Jerusalem Countdown

David’s Incredible Prophecy of Israel’s Enemies Today

Zechariah’s Warning to Bush and Condi

Discerning Signs of the Times

The Failure of Attempts to Undermine the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

It is the Monday after the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  Of course, there will always be detractors of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and subsequent resurrection to life.

Made an observation today.  When I typed in “He is Risen” into the Startpage search engine and clicked on “images,” they all represented that Jesus Christ is risen!  Why is that?  Because no other religious leader could ever claim this!  It is a fact of history, whether atheists/skeptics/haters/false religions/ etc. want to believe it or not.

I think that it was very sad that there were not many films on T.V. yesterday about Jesus Christ.  Fox News had Bill O’Reilly’s rendition of the Good Friday and Easter events in the film adaptation of his book, “Killing Jesus.”  Have not read the book but watched the film last year and what stood out most to me was the error being made that Jesus (apparently) didn’t know who He was (the Son of God) in the beginning of His ministry.  That’s totally absurd!  Also, the title of the book and movie isn’t correct, either.  Jesus laid down his life for his friends willingly.  He could have called legions of angels to “rescue” Him from the cross; but instead He stayed there to rescue all who would believe in Him from the penalty of their sins.  His sacrificial death was accomplished to defeat eternal death and hell for all human beings who would place their trust in Jesus Christ.

Then, there was a series of one hour shows (I think it was on a CNN station).  I started to record them, but after watching the one which made the claim that there was a “book of Judas” left out of the canon of Scripture, I knew that everything else in the series would most likely be wrong or suspect in nature.  Cancelled those recordings!

But then, I found the re-broadcast of The Bible series which was done back in 2013.  It is excellent and I highly recommend it for people who want to see a series that stays mostly true to the Scriptures. I only had time to watch the last two episodes which were about Jesus and covered some of the missionary journeys of the apostles.

Today, I read a post over at James Bishop’s blog entitled, Meme Grinder # 20 – ‘An Atheist’s Frantic Attempt to Undermine Jesus’ Resurrection.’”

Excerpt:

Although Christians are celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and its importance for humankind’s salvation and reconciliation to God we do still, sadly, have atheists like David McAfee trying to bring the whole show down on that very special day. The show of Jesus’ resurrection if is one that all of us have been invited to and that we can all partake in; it’s also a show that we all take a stand on. In our western world, for example, we either believe in it, disbelieve it, or stand indifferent to it. Unfortunately an atheist such as McAfee not only disbelieves in it, but he makes it his life mission to ridicule anything Christian related. 

Be sure to read it all HERE!

Yep…I know how he feels!  Got one of them here at my own blog.

My comment there:

Well done and well said, James!  It is really good that you take the time to counter Mr. McAfee’s declarations of unbelief and distain for Jesus Christ and God’s Word, the Bible.  Psalms tells us:

Psa 119:42

So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.

Having my own “nemesis” at my blog for over 10 years now has helped me to share the truth vs. the errors that he claims as a non-believer.

I have found that no matter what proof and truth is shown to detractors of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they often will never accept it or even consider it!  The greater audience of your blog may well be reached rather than McAfee; so you are doing the good work of an evangelist despite the fact that the person you are replying to will continue to reproach you for what you write.  This is exactly why Proverbs contains the paradox of these two verses of wisdom:

Pro 26:4

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.

Pro 26:5

Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

In a comment thread on one of my posts, I made the claim that Jesus Christ has fulfilled over 300 Bible prophecies.  There are several yet to be fulfilled at His second coming.  I found a site that lists 353 prophecies fulfilled by Christ!

According to the Scriptures: 353 Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Even with all of this evidence, hardened hearts will still refuse to believe in Jesus!  Amazing…isn’t it?

Why is that?

 1Co 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Well, God bless you James for your efforts here at your blog to lift up the Name above all names…the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

In Christ,
Christine

Does Your Church Pastor Preach Sound Doctrine?

Are YOU listening to sound doctrine from the Bible or what your itching ears want to hear?

Christians should take heed of Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:2-5 before making their choice of a candidate for president.

News reports are telling us about “famous” Christian leaders who are getting behind Donald Trump! I have always expected this of the leftist leaning Christians, but not the ones who are perceived to be born-again in Jesus Christ!

I pray that those who think that Trump is “the one” in this election to re-evaluate. If you need help doing this, please read THIS POST!  That post also includes evaluations about the Democrat candidates.

When Paul speaks of preaching the word “in season and out of season,” Bible commentator David Guzik tells us:

This tells us when the pastor should be ready to preach the word. He should be ready always. He should preach it when it is easy and preach it when it is hard. He should preach it when the fruit is evident and preach it when the fruit seems invisible. He should just preach it.

Furthermore:

It is important to realize that not everyone who opens a Bible and starts talking is preaching the word. Many well-intentioned preachers are actually preaching themselves instead of the word.

Unfortunately, I have seen pastors of three former churches where we attended (one was for 20 years before it went astray!) as a family as being guilty of “preaching themselves” in some way rather than preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

One pastor decided to follow in the reprobate footsteps of Rick Warren.

Another pastor decided to follow in his own footsteps by badgering the congregation (and the guests there!) with statements like, “you are stupid if you don’t accept Christ TODAY” and/or “don’t wait to escape hell – accept Christ now!” I must admit that this was an uncharacteristic utterance from this mega-church pastor!  However, we had a guest with us (last Easter Sunday) and we all could not believe our ears when the pastor did such a thing!

Next, we started attending another church and that pastor was wonderful until he started preaching cult-like characteristics during a sermon on the book of Matthew. We were shocked by this development because we had been attending that church for several months.

Our new church (as of October, 2015) is holding to true doctrine.  I hope and pray that the pastor continues to steer clear of false teachings!

The book of Revelation describes Seven churches. Out of the seven churches, only two (Smyrna and Philadelphia) did not receive any type of reprimand.

I am seeing personal examples of churches falling into false teachings.  It is happening at a greater rate today.

Many churches have “lost their First Love” (meaning Christ) and/or have been guilty of noticeably falling into blatant sexual sin. The list of failings of these particular churches can be read in Revelation 1:20 – Revelation 3:21.

The warnings and condemnation of the five other churches at that time in history also serve as warnings for congregations of the churches of today! Be SURE that the pastor(s) of the church you attend are preaching sound doctrine!

David Guzik helps us identify them:

a. Preach the word! Paul’s emphasis on the word of God has been constant. There are some 36 references to the true gospel in this letter and some 17 references to false teachings.

i. This constant emphasis makes Paul’s point clear to Timothy:

– Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord (2 Timothy 1:8)

– Hold fast the pattern of sound words (2 Timothy 1:13)

– The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men (2 Timothy 2:2)

– Rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)

– A servant of the Lord must be … able to teach (2 Timothy 2:24)

– All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16)

Always remember that we are to “convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

There will be people who will NOT accept what we share regarding the gospel of Christ.  But we are to plant the seeds anyway; even when it is uncomfortable to do it!

This is how we fulfill our ministry!

I pray that this post will help readers during the trying times ahead.

In Christ,

Christine

2Ti 4:2

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

2Ti 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

2Ti 4:4

and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

2Ti 4:5

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.