We live in a very weird, unnatural world right now in which the devil wants to distract us from what is important by feeding us information that sounds good but is not only of no use at all but often is detrimental. There are more people fighting today on the internet over the most silly things, blowing things out of proportion that which are insignificant.
I have been attempting to learn a little about AI-generated videos and pictures because of all the things I see Christians getting into that seem very "off" to me.
AI has a hard time doing hands and eyes. Look at these things, you can see it is not a real picture. AI is not very good yet at proportions on bodies. If the neck seems too long, or there are too many fingers, you can be sure it is AI-generated.
AI also has a hard time doing letters; sometimes they look smashed together or appear to be melting away. You can be sure it is AI.
One thing I have noticed with AI is that faces look way too perfect. Everyone has flaws, even with makeup. If the face is too flawless and the lips move too perfectly, then we can assume it is AI-generated.
Another thing we see in the shorts is little babies talking rudely and meanly to adults, using words a toddler can't even say. It is appalling to me that anyone would think it was funny for a toddler to speak disrespectfully to an adult.
We are, however, getting to the point that AI can be so well done that it will fool us into thinking it is real. It is best not to believe much of anything on the internet today. We must be very discerning and wise so that we do not waste our time looking at fake stories and, worse, passing those stories on to others.
If it seems stupid or foolish about famous people, it probably is AI, and we should avoid watching it at all. Not to mention if you have no need to know the silly gossip of celebrities or politicians, it is best to ignore them completely.
So, I guess my point is it doesn't matter if something is AI or not, if there is no need to know it, and it does not add to knowledge or wisdom, just ignore it.
Monday, November 24, 2025
The Holy Spirit is the Authority over the Born Again Believer
No believer has authority over any other believer, and we have no need of a teacher, because Christ in us is our teacher. There is no other mediator between us God, than Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
John 15:13 13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you."
Notice that when it is the Holy Spirit working in someone it is God Who gets the glory not man. When man seeks to be the mediator between people and God it is the man who glorifies himself and others glorify the man too.
1 Timothy 2:4-6 "…4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.…"
We have teachers, we teach ourselves, we listen to evaluate with the help of the Holy Spirit, and no one has teaching "authority" over us.
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Nowhere does God tell us to obey our leaders within the church, that idea comes from English translations that were guided by the Anglican model. We are to listen to discern, correct the leaders if they are wrong and see them as equal brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is crucial to understand because many leaders bring false doctrine and those who do not read and pray and are not led by the Holy Spirit believe whatever the leaders tell them. Even feeling intimidated and fearful if they do not do as the leaders tell them.
I have heard of cases in which the "paid-pastor" forbade someone in the congregation from holding Bible studies in their home because a pastor had to be teaching it. This is total nonsense. No one needs permission from anyone else to start a prayer group, have a Bible study or even baptise or observe the Lord's supper. We are free to do all these things as led by the Holy Spirit.
If a man in a gathering begins to attempt to bring others under his authority, that is the time to rebuke him for it, and if we refuses to stop and others follow him, then is when we must leave. Placing ourselves under spiritual authority of human beings is to usurp the Holy Spirit in us.
John 14:26 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you."
John 15:26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me."
1 Corinthians 2:10-13 "But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. / We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us."
Romans 8:14 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Those who are led by the Spirit of God because they have been transformed by Christ follow only Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
John 15:13 13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you."
Notice that when it is the Holy Spirit working in someone it is God Who gets the glory not man. When man seeks to be the mediator between people and God it is the man who glorifies himself and others glorify the man too.
1 Timothy 2:4-6 "…4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.…"
We have teachers, we teach ourselves, we listen to evaluate with the help of the Holy Spirit, and no one has teaching "authority" over us.
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Nowhere does God tell us to obey our leaders within the church, that idea comes from English translations that were guided by the Anglican model. We are to listen to discern, correct the leaders if they are wrong and see them as equal brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is crucial to understand because many leaders bring false doctrine and those who do not read and pray and are not led by the Holy Spirit believe whatever the leaders tell them. Even feeling intimidated and fearful if they do not do as the leaders tell them.
I have heard of cases in which the "paid-pastor" forbade someone in the congregation from holding Bible studies in their home because a pastor had to be teaching it. This is total nonsense. No one needs permission from anyone else to start a prayer group, have a Bible study or even baptise or observe the Lord's supper. We are free to do all these things as led by the Holy Spirit.
If a man in a gathering begins to attempt to bring others under his authority, that is the time to rebuke him for it, and if we refuses to stop and others follow him, then is when we must leave. Placing ourselves under spiritual authority of human beings is to usurp the Holy Spirit in us.
John 14:26 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you."
John 15:26 "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me."
1 Corinthians 2:10-13 "But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. / For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. / We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us."
Romans 8:14 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Those who are led by the Spirit of God because they have been transformed by Christ follow only Jesus Christ.
The Deer Who Come to Visit Us
Looking over the pictures from the last few months, I am reminded of how beautiful the deer are and what a blessing to watch, so I thought I would share them with you. I never saw a white deer before but she is in one of these pictures.
Do Local Assemblies Need To Be Guided By A Pastor?
The Apostasy of the Modern Church
We have all had to question God, asking for truth to dispel all the wrong things we were taught. Only those who want pure truth will realize they have been manipulated and intimidated by a system God never commanded.
Satan has been very clever, twisting scripture to make people believe things that placed them under the control of men while negating the control of the Holy Spirit.
I will never forget a conversation many years ago with a woman who had left the Catholic church and joined the Protestant system. The same system I was in at the time. We also had left the Catholic church and were seeking the truth.
She had been taught a wrong doctrine. During our discussion, I mildly challenged her to look at the Word of God with me so she could weigh what she was taught and what she was about to do, against the Bible.
My friend's answer to me was that her pastor told her what to believe about it, and that settled it for her. She would not look at the passages I suggested because in her mind, she went to the authority and he told her what she wanted to hear.
I suddenly had the feeling that we were back under the priest all over again, only under a different name, the "pastor".
My friend told me I couldn't know the truth because I had not been to seminary. At which point I posed the question to her, "Oh, you mean the Holy Spirit only goes to seminary?" She saw my retort as a rude remark, refused to answer, and no longer treated me as a friend but as an enemy.
Galatians 4:16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them."
The subject of the discussion was remarriage after divorce. My friend had seen many miracles after her husband left her. God provided for her because she was innocent in the matter. But then one day she decided to change her view and remarry. Sadly, her pastor advised her that it was alright to remarry after a divorce. My friend shared that she was perplexed that she no longer saw miracles as she had before the remarriage. She didn't put it together that her blessing of provision dried up when she disobeyed God.
Malachi 2:16-17 …15 Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?
Mark 10:9
"Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
Luke 16:18 "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
Romans 7:2-3 "For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man."
Is it any wonder why my friend refused to look at the passages given by God? She had been assured by her mentor whom she viewed as the mediator between her and God. This mentor was of the Baptist persuasion and she saw him as the authority over the Holy Spirit.
When I spoke out in an adult Sunday school class about this matter, I was told I was not loving if I did not accept this matter of remarriage as the rest of the class was doing. Only one person approached me after that and said they agreed. That gave me a sense of how many people in that group cared about Christ and His truth.
The "pastor' who counseled her to remarry also stated in a sermon that I heard myself, that all teenage children must rebel against their parents at some point, it is normal.
Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children and Parents
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
I sent a note up to the pastor in the middle of his sermon with this passage and another one written on it;, the other passage was;
1 Samuel 15:23 "23 For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry. Since you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He has also rejected you from being king.”
The pastor was taking questions that night, read my statement, and looked into the audience with a stern look of resolve, and repeated his stance that children must rebel.
Is it any wonder that authentically born-again believers are leaving the organized church system that dominates everything, silences those who speak out for God, and shuns those who speak the truth?
This "pastor' was seen as "the Authority over that congregation of 200 members at that time, but over the years has grown to 1400. Is it any wonder why that church has grown? It has compromised and fed the people what they wanted.
I suggest that this particular church was a microcosm of the rest of the country. As the years passed, in the beginning, I believed this gathering was an anomaly; I was wrong. I found out that everywhere we went in the denominational organized church, the same mentality was emerging rapidly, that being the Bible was only a guidebook of suggestions that we were free to ignore in favor of "love", which was not love at all but tolerance for sin.
In my estimation, I equated this false love with bad parenting in which the parents don't discipline their children and give them whatever they want to keep the peace. The children grow up to refuse any correction or instruction they don't personally like. And that is where we are right now in the churches.
My thoughts in recent years is to cling to what God has told me to do and our soon homegoing as the church is removed. My guess is that most of the people in those institutional gatherings will still be sitting in the pews after the rapture.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Keep Looking Up, our redemption draws nearer every day.
,
Satan has been very clever, twisting scripture to make people believe things that placed them under the control of men while negating the control of the Holy Spirit.
I will never forget a conversation many years ago with a woman who had left the Catholic church and joined the Protestant system. The same system I was in at the time. We also had left the Catholic church and were seeking the truth.
She had been taught a wrong doctrine. During our discussion, I mildly challenged her to look at the Word of God with me so she could weigh what she was taught and what she was about to do, against the Bible.
My friend's answer to me was that her pastor told her what to believe about it, and that settled it for her. She would not look at the passages I suggested because in her mind, she went to the authority and he told her what she wanted to hear.
I suddenly had the feeling that we were back under the priest all over again, only under a different name, the "pastor".
My friend told me I couldn't know the truth because I had not been to seminary. At which point I posed the question to her, "Oh, you mean the Holy Spirit only goes to seminary?" She saw my retort as a rude remark, refused to answer, and no longer treated me as a friend but as an enemy.
Galatians 4:16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them."
The subject of the discussion was remarriage after divorce. My friend had seen many miracles after her husband left her. God provided for her because she was innocent in the matter. But then one day she decided to change her view and remarry. Sadly, her pastor advised her that it was alright to remarry after a divorce. My friend shared that she was perplexed that she no longer saw miracles as she had before the remarriage. She didn't put it together that her blessing of provision dried up when she disobeyed God.
Malachi 2:16-17 …15 Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?
Mark 10:9
"Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
Luke 16:18 "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
Romans 7:2-3 "For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man."
Is it any wonder why my friend refused to look at the passages given by God? She had been assured by her mentor whom she viewed as the mediator between her and God. This mentor was of the Baptist persuasion and she saw him as the authority over the Holy Spirit.
When I spoke out in an adult Sunday school class about this matter, I was told I was not loving if I did not accept this matter of remarriage as the rest of the class was doing. Only one person approached me after that and said they agreed. That gave me a sense of how many people in that group cared about Christ and His truth.
The "pastor' who counseled her to remarry also stated in a sermon that I heard myself, that all teenage children must rebel against their parents at some point, it is normal.
Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children and Parents
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
I sent a note up to the pastor in the middle of his sermon with this passage and another one written on it;, the other passage was;
1 Samuel 15:23 "23 For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry. Since you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He has also rejected you from being king.”
The pastor was taking questions that night, read my statement, and looked into the audience with a stern look of resolve, and repeated his stance that children must rebel.
Is it any wonder that authentically born-again believers are leaving the organized church system that dominates everything, silences those who speak out for God, and shuns those who speak the truth?
This "pastor' was seen as "the Authority over that congregation of 200 members at that time, but over the years has grown to 1400. Is it any wonder why that church has grown? It has compromised and fed the people what they wanted.
I suggest that this particular church was a microcosm of the rest of the country. As the years passed, in the beginning, I believed this gathering was an anomaly; I was wrong. I found out that everywhere we went in the denominational organized church, the same mentality was emerging rapidly, that being the Bible was only a guidebook of suggestions that we were free to ignore in favor of "love", which was not love at all but tolerance for sin.
In my estimation, I equated this false love with bad parenting in which the parents don't discipline their children and give them whatever they want to keep the peace. The children grow up to refuse any correction or instruction they don't personally like. And that is where we are right now in the churches.
My thoughts in recent years is to cling to what God has told me to do and our soon homegoing as the church is removed. My guess is that most of the people in those institutional gatherings will still be sitting in the pews after the rapture.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Keep Looking Up, our redemption draws nearer every day.
,
The Hospitality Crisis
Cell phones have created a hospitality crisis. People spend more time on their phones than with those right in front of them.
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Idle Conversation Breeds Gossip
This is the kind of gossip that God commanded His people not to indulge in, it only causes others to look down on the target of the gossip without reason.
Recently, someone confided in me about something a father had done wrong. They saw him from across the parking lot, chastising his daughter who was talking to a boy.
They made the assumption that the daughter and young man were innocent in their conversation, even though they saw them only once a year, didn't know what the father was saying, and had no information as to the interactions with the daughter and young man all the rest of the year.
In fact, they didn't even know the young man. But they judged the father harsh and restrictive. This is the very kind of thing I see all the time that ruins reputations. No real information, not even knowing what was said or why.
These are also those who made judgments about me without information, only what they wished to believe, without enough information, and worse, it was none of their business.
These people could have easily chosen not to make a judgment at all, assuming the father knew what he was doing and that whatever it was, it was none of their business.
Let's stop judging people for things that are not our business, not sin, and may even be what God told the judged person to do.
Someone who thinks they have a right to know everything about others, but often knows little because they are the ones who do not communicate well with others. They assume things that make them feel superior, unable to be completely objective.
John 7:24 "24 Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
When we judge, it ought to be according to God's standard and not our own prejudices. It ought to be with knowledge about the situation and not merely ideas thought up in the head about what might be going on, based on our own prejudices about someone, or worse, the desire to turn others against that person.
People who think they know everything are the most likely people to make judgments they have no business making about others.
We must judge things to be able to present the truths of God, but it matters what we are presenting and why.
Also, perhaps it is best to speak to people about others on a "need to know" basis, not just for the sake of idle conversation.
Matthew 12:36 "36 But I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment."
Recently, someone confided in me about something a father had done wrong. They saw him from across the parking lot, chastising his daughter who was talking to a boy.
They made the assumption that the daughter and young man were innocent in their conversation, even though they saw them only once a year, didn't know what the father was saying, and had no information as to the interactions with the daughter and young man all the rest of the year.
In fact, they didn't even know the young man. But they judged the father harsh and restrictive. This is the very kind of thing I see all the time that ruins reputations. No real information, not even knowing what was said or why.
These are also those who made judgments about me without information, only what they wished to believe, without enough information, and worse, it was none of their business.
These people could have easily chosen not to make a judgment at all, assuming the father knew what he was doing and that whatever it was, it was none of their business.
Let's stop judging people for things that are not our business, not sin, and may even be what God told the judged person to do.
Someone who thinks they have a right to know everything about others, but often knows little because they are the ones who do not communicate well with others. They assume things that make them feel superior, unable to be completely objective.
John 7:24 "24 Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
When we judge, it ought to be according to God's standard and not our own prejudices. It ought to be with knowledge about the situation and not merely ideas thought up in the head about what might be going on, based on our own prejudices about someone, or worse, the desire to turn others against that person.
People who think they know everything are the most likely people to make judgments they have no business making about others.
We must judge things to be able to present the truths of God, but it matters what we are presenting and why.
Also, perhaps it is best to speak to people about others on a "need to know" basis, not just for the sake of idle conversation.
Matthew 12:36 "36 But I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment."
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Do not listen to the culture, Listen only to the Holy Spirit
God never called believers to "Make America great again", He called His children to bring the gospel to "all nations."
Mark 16:15-16 " 15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
The modern-day American Christian is so distracted by politics and saving themselves from tyranny that they have lost sight of their calling to the gospel.
My question is why so many Christians believe in the last days as being now but are attempting to stop prophecy from happening.
Sadly, I recently heard a prominent preacher proclaim that any church that does not speak about politics to motivate the people to become active in it is a dead church.
I see no mandate in the Bible for born-again believers to indulge in saving the country in which they live. The Bible clearly says to bring the gospel to individuals so that souls might be saved. In doing this, we will address the sin nature and repentance toward God.
All the "Christian" conservative talking heads have gone rogue now as they proclaim conservatism while negating much of what is in Scripture.
The worship of freedom has become a religion of choice among many "Evangelical Christians."
Since childhood, we have been trained to believe that if we didn't vote, we were not good citizens of our country. Most do not realize it was indoctrination all through our government school experience.
Elected politicians were treated much like the paid-pastors in this country; they were elevated above the voters and church attendees, sort of like when Israel wanted a King like the rest of the nations instead of depending on God.
Pressuring brothers and sisters in Christ through voter shaming to go to the polls is not Biblical and may even be making your brother or sister fall, since many of us are sensitive about voting for the lesser of the two evils to run our government.
We are in trouble in our country, not because Christians didn't vote, but because the population as a whole chose their cultural Christianity over God. They created a hierarchy system of church governance that God never commanded, and became intimidated by those they thought had authority over their Spiritual lives.
The people in those churches were afraid to do anything without the consent or approval of the hierarchy; in other words, they followed the pastor, not Christ.
Nowhere in scripture did God tell His children to "get out and vote," nor did He tell us not to vote; it was entirely a choice, and either way could be led by the Holy Spirit based on God's plan for the country.
Many political types use scriptures like "follow the laws of the land" as justification for pressuring believers to vote. They say it is a privilege that we have this freedom. But the law of the land does not mandate that we vote, so we are not in violation of the scriptures if, at times,we choose not to cast a vote.
Sadly, I am seeing "Christians" fall into the trap of naming people as Christian who are ecumenical and not at all followers of Christ alone. They use the Christian title to get votes and deceive many people into thinking they are voting on God's side, when in fact, they may be doing the opposite.
Since the believers in this country today lean heavily on their freedom of religion to keep them safe, I fear they are not strong and would easily fold when faced with a government that persecutes believers for their faith.
Those who fight the government or maintain the government they have are demonstrating fear of losing what God may have plans to take away. In a sense, they are fighting against God while thinking they are for Him.
There is no correlation between conservatism and Christianity, since being a conservative does not transform anyone into a new creation; only Christ does that, and only to those who admit their sinful nature and desire to be cleansed by Him. And, let me tell you, this group of transformed people is a tiny remnant right now without any ability to change nations.
When God proclaims it is time for a rebellious nation to end, then no clamoring after freedom and peace will make a difference; they are kicking against the goad while wasting their time when they could be speaking the gospel to the lost.
I was appalled when I heard the conservative pastor tell young people who supposedly became saved that their salvation is a commitment for life. Becoming born again is not a commitment; it is a transformation performed by Christ to change them into a new creation.
This pastor left the message that working to keep their salvation was paramount, when just the opposite is true. They do not work for it; Christ does it all in those He transforms, and we do work because of it, but not for it.
This same pastor was worried about his new converts finding a church to attend, when he should have been encouraging them to begin at home and praying for the Holy Spirit to lead others to them if it is His will. This pastor was fixated on the paid-pastor system and the size and building more than the Holy Spirit working in the lives of those who supposedly became saved.
I was frustrated with the message I heard and reminded of the great deception that has escalated in our day.
Many true believers are leaving the organized church system that has become more political than godly.
Remember to remain strong, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and do what He says, even if no one else believes you or goes with you.
Mark 16:15-16 " 15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
The modern-day American Christian is so distracted by politics and saving themselves from tyranny that they have lost sight of their calling to the gospel.
My question is why so many Christians believe in the last days as being now but are attempting to stop prophecy from happening.
Sadly, I recently heard a prominent preacher proclaim that any church that does not speak about politics to motivate the people to become active in it is a dead church.
I see no mandate in the Bible for born-again believers to indulge in saving the country in which they live. The Bible clearly says to bring the gospel to individuals so that souls might be saved. In doing this, we will address the sin nature and repentance toward God.
All the "Christian" conservative talking heads have gone rogue now as they proclaim conservatism while negating much of what is in Scripture.
The worship of freedom has become a religion of choice among many "Evangelical Christians."
Since childhood, we have been trained to believe that if we didn't vote, we were not good citizens of our country. Most do not realize it was indoctrination all through our government school experience.
Elected politicians were treated much like the paid-pastors in this country; they were elevated above the voters and church attendees, sort of like when Israel wanted a King like the rest of the nations instead of depending on God.
Pressuring brothers and sisters in Christ through voter shaming to go to the polls is not Biblical and may even be making your brother or sister fall, since many of us are sensitive about voting for the lesser of the two evils to run our government.
We are in trouble in our country, not because Christians didn't vote, but because the population as a whole chose their cultural Christianity over God. They created a hierarchy system of church governance that God never commanded, and became intimidated by those they thought had authority over their Spiritual lives.
The people in those churches were afraid to do anything without the consent or approval of the hierarchy; in other words, they followed the pastor, not Christ.
Nowhere in scripture did God tell His children to "get out and vote," nor did He tell us not to vote; it was entirely a choice, and either way could be led by the Holy Spirit based on God's plan for the country.
Many political types use scriptures like "follow the laws of the land" as justification for pressuring believers to vote. They say it is a privilege that we have this freedom. But the law of the land does not mandate that we vote, so we are not in violation of the scriptures if, at times,we choose not to cast a vote.
Sadly, I am seeing "Christians" fall into the trap of naming people as Christian who are ecumenical and not at all followers of Christ alone. They use the Christian title to get votes and deceive many people into thinking they are voting on God's side, when in fact, they may be doing the opposite.
Since the believers in this country today lean heavily on their freedom of religion to keep them safe, I fear they are not strong and would easily fold when faced with a government that persecutes believers for their faith.
Those who fight the government or maintain the government they have are demonstrating fear of losing what God may have plans to take away. In a sense, they are fighting against God while thinking they are for Him.
There is no correlation between conservatism and Christianity, since being a conservative does not transform anyone into a new creation; only Christ does that, and only to those who admit their sinful nature and desire to be cleansed by Him. And, let me tell you, this group of transformed people is a tiny remnant right now without any ability to change nations.
When God proclaims it is time for a rebellious nation to end, then no clamoring after freedom and peace will make a difference; they are kicking against the goad while wasting their time when they could be speaking the gospel to the lost.
I was appalled when I heard the conservative pastor tell young people who supposedly became saved that their salvation is a commitment for life. Becoming born again is not a commitment; it is a transformation performed by Christ to change them into a new creation.
This pastor left the message that working to keep their salvation was paramount, when just the opposite is true. They do not work for it; Christ does it all in those He transforms, and we do work because of it, but not for it.
This same pastor was worried about his new converts finding a church to attend, when he should have been encouraging them to begin at home and praying for the Holy Spirit to lead others to them if it is His will. This pastor was fixated on the paid-pastor system and the size and building more than the Holy Spirit working in the lives of those who supposedly became saved.
I was frustrated with the message I heard and reminded of the great deception that has escalated in our day.
Many true believers are leaving the organized church system that has become more political than godly.
Remember to remain strong, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and do what He says, even if no one else believes you or goes with you.
Friday, November 21, 2025
They want a leader but they don't want Christ
If someone will not listen to us because we don't have a title, then that person is looking for an idol to follow, not Christ.
The Last Days Apostate Chruch and Its Ilk
Every church that has a one-man-paid-pastor system is in violation of the scriptures. And, wrong about many other things. They don't understand confession of sin or forgiveness when confession is made, so they forgive before people are repentant.
They don't understand love so they do not discipline those in sin. They do not understand the gospel, so they reject much of what is in the Bible about marriage and about the edification of the saints. There is much more; these are just a few. I advise people to get out of those places, they will only hold them back from Spiritual and emotional maturity.
The organized church system protects its money, protects its pastors when they are in error, and rejects those who want to walk authentically with Christ.
They defend and teach the "pastor" has authority over the congregation but this is not "Biblical. They silence everyone in the congregation except those who have been chosen to speak. They instruct the congregation when they can and cannot speak, it is not the Holy Spirit Who speaks but those controlled by men.
1 Corinthians 14:26 " 26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up (edify) the church."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Romans 12:6-8 "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
1 Peter 4:10-11 "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing."
Romans 14:19 "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
The purpose of gathering is to build one another up in the faith. Edifying one another helps us to go into the world and carry out what God meant for us to do.
So many church attendees sit in pews every week without any Spiritual or emotional growth because they are not participating, they are allowing the one man paid pastor to do their worship for them while they remain pawns in the pews.
And, sadly, those in the pews see the man in the pulpit as the mediator between them and God. God said there is only one mediator between them and the Father, and that is Jesus Christ Who lives in every born-again believer.
They don't understand love so they do not discipline those in sin. They do not understand the gospel, so they reject much of what is in the Bible about marriage and about the edification of the saints. There is much more; these are just a few. I advise people to get out of those places, they will only hold them back from Spiritual and emotional maturity.
The organized church system protects its money, protects its pastors when they are in error, and rejects those who want to walk authentically with Christ.
They defend and teach the "pastor" has authority over the congregation but this is not "Biblical. They silence everyone in the congregation except those who have been chosen to speak. They instruct the congregation when they can and cannot speak, it is not the Holy Spirit Who speaks but those controlled by men.
1 Corinthians 14:26 " 26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up (edify) the church."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Romans 12:6-8 "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
1 Peter 4:10-11 "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing."
Romans 14:19 "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
The purpose of gathering is to build one another up in the faith. Edifying one another helps us to go into the world and carry out what God meant for us to do.
So many church attendees sit in pews every week without any Spiritual or emotional growth because they are not participating, they are allowing the one man paid pastor to do their worship for them while they remain pawns in the pews.
And, sadly, those in the pews see the man in the pulpit as the mediator between them and God. God said there is only one mediator between them and the Father, and that is Jesus Christ Who lives in every born-again believer.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
You are not their Jesus
Amen, Amen!!!!! So often we think just one more call, just one more discussion, that they are not listening to, and just one more happy hug is going to cause the rebellious ones to like you, so they will like Jesus.
This is all wrong. If they cannot like Jesus unless they like us, then they wouldn't really like Jesus; they only use us as a safe place. Jesus Christ needs to be their safe place, and only they can make that choice.
Remember, often it is getting to the bottom without others bailing them out or being there for them, that brings them to Christ. If you really love them, let them go and pray. Follow the Link!
This is all wrong. If they cannot like Jesus unless they like us, then they wouldn't really like Jesus; they only use us as a safe place. Jesus Christ needs to be their safe place, and only they can make that choice.
Remember, often it is getting to the bottom without others bailing them out or being there for them, that brings them to Christ. If you really love them, let them go and pray. Follow the Link!
Question All Things Hold Fast to Truth
It is not fault-finding to point out sin. In my experience, fault finders are those who create rules that God never made and expect others to follow them.
We see a lot of this in our day! Many people have expectations of others that are cultural but not Biblical. They twist Scripture to justify their own ideas and impose them on others through false judgments, rude behaviors, and gossip.
We must avoid these people. If they will not listen to sound doctrine and refuse to be corrected, then we must ignore them and get away from them and all those who listen to them.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."
These people will hold to a form of religion and deeply proud of themselves for what they think they know; they cause trouble, ruining reputations without cause, and depend on followers to uphold their brand of Christianity based on their own ideas.
This group of apostate people is growing rapidly as the 2 Timothy 3 mentality increases. We are in the end times, and very little will make good sense, and God is not honored.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 "21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil."
We see a lot of this in our day! Many people have expectations of others that are cultural but not Biblical. They twist Scripture to justify their own ideas and impose them on others through false judgments, rude behaviors, and gossip.
We must avoid these people. If they will not listen to sound doctrine and refuse to be corrected, then we must ignore them and get away from them and all those who listen to them.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."
These people will hold to a form of religion and deeply proud of themselves for what they think they know; they cause trouble, ruining reputations without cause, and depend on followers to uphold their brand of Christianity based on their own ideas.
This group of apostate people is growing rapidly as the 2 Timothy 3 mentality increases. We are in the end times, and very little will make good sense, and God is not honored.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 "21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil."
The Apostasy of the Modern Church System
Nothing has changed, and everything is growing worse!
Matthew 23:1-33
Hypocrisy Exposed
23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses.
3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.
4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger.
5 And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
6 And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues,
7 and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people.
8 But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
9 And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
11 But the greatest of you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Eight Woes
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter it yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’
17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
18 And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the offering that is on it is obligated.’
19 You blind men, which is more important, the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering?
20 Therefore, the one who swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it.
21 And the one who swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells in it.
22 And the one who swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
28 So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,
30 and you say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
31 So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers.
33 You snakes, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?"
The "pastors" of our day need to stop calling themselves by titles and begin to reject the place of honor as though they are above others. Nowhere in the scriptures do we see God telling us to use titles such as "Pastor" or "Reverend."
The leaders of this apostate system need to stop begging for money and pressuring people to pay tithes.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 "The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
There are no rules, mandates, or pressure from others to give; it is all left up to the Holy Spirit Who lives in each of us.
"8 But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters."
There is no one above another in the body of Christ. We all have callings and jobs to do, but no one is superior or an authority over anyone else. Christ, the Holy Spirit is the only Authority, and He lives in every born-again believer.
In the formalized, organized churches, you will find lots of pressure to do as everyone else does, say what they say, go where they go and be just like them. Resist this urge to fit in so that you can walk in the Spirit of Christ. No one else should tell you what you should be doing except those things according to the principles and commands of God.
Matthew 23:1-33
Hypocrisy Exposed
23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses.
3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.
4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger.
5 And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
6 And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues,
7 and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people.
8 But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
9 And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
11 But the greatest of you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Eight Woes
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter it yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’
17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
18 And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the offering that is on it is obligated.’
19 You blind men, which is more important, the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering?
20 Therefore, the one who swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it.
21 And the one who swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells in it.
22 And the one who swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
28 So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,
30 and you say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
31 So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers.
33 You snakes, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?"
The "pastors" of our day need to stop calling themselves by titles and begin to reject the place of honor as though they are above others. Nowhere in the scriptures do we see God telling us to use titles such as "Pastor" or "Reverend."
The leaders of this apostate system need to stop begging for money and pressuring people to pay tithes.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 "The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
There are no rules, mandates, or pressure from others to give; it is all left up to the Holy Spirit Who lives in each of us.
"8 But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters."
There is no one above another in the body of Christ. We all have callings and jobs to do, but no one is superior or an authority over anyone else. Christ, the Holy Spirit is the only Authority, and He lives in every born-again believer.
In the formalized, organized churches, you will find lots of pressure to do as everyone else does, say what they say, go where they go and be just like them. Resist this urge to fit in so that you can walk in the Spirit of Christ. No one else should tell you what you should be doing except those things according to the principles and commands of God.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
The Love is rare now but one day soon everyone will be together to celebrate our wedding!
Sometimes I think about how wonderful it would be to have good relationships with family. Not relationships based on fun and having a good time, but rather surrounded by the love of Christ as each one seeks to edify one another in the Word with the intense desire to obey God. No competitiveness to appear superior, but just humble discussion, interested in all things Jesus Christ.
Most of us cannot have these kinds of relationships here on earth because even the Christians have little desire for the Word of God in these last days, and even less desire to know what God thinks.
If you are like me, you have probably been told you are legalistic, unloving, judgmental, usurping the authority of "clergy" and worse, treated as though you are unworthy of kindness and love.
Many years ago, when I was a new believer, the meanest people were those family members who attended church gatherings every week, faithfully showing up to be seen while lacking the love of Christ and all the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
For years, I could not understand the discrepancy between the title "Christian" and the way people acted, with such pride and self-righteousness.
I began to be thankful that they did not accept me because I was no longer pressured to become like them. There have only been a handful of lovely believers in my life from the beginning of my salvation until now.
When the Lord opened my eyes to the false, burdensome social Christianity in nearly all the gatherings we attended, there was no going back to that pretense and superficiality.
I love my family members, but when it became clear they had no love for me or the Lord, I had only one thing to do, and that was to remove myself and get on with my life.
Over the years, God brought to me from time to time, lovely, authentically born-again believers who enjoyed speaking of the Lord and discussing His word with enthusiasm. There are very few people left in this world who enjoy speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, most church attendees not only don't know their Bibles but also fight against God's principles and commands.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
Here is what I do not notice when in company with churchgoers in our day:
Romans 8:6 "The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,"
Ephesians 5:9 "for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth."
Colossians 3:12-14 "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."
The false church of our day delights in superiority, competitiveness, and holding past forgiven sins against those they think are unworthy. These folks do not confess their sin of pride or rudeness, but justify it as though they have not sinned.
1 John 4:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
2 Peter 1:5-8 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."
Our modern brand of Christianity does not look to edify someone in the word; they look to find flaws to be able to gossip.
Most of us cannot have these kinds of relationships here on earth because even the Christians have little desire for the Word of God in these last days, and even less desire to know what God thinks.
If you are like me, you have probably been told you are legalistic, unloving, judgmental, usurping the authority of "clergy" and worse, treated as though you are unworthy of kindness and love.
Many years ago, when I was a new believer, the meanest people were those family members who attended church gatherings every week, faithfully showing up to be seen while lacking the love of Christ and all the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
For years, I could not understand the discrepancy between the title "Christian" and the way people acted, with such pride and self-righteousness.
I began to be thankful that they did not accept me because I was no longer pressured to become like them. There have only been a handful of lovely believers in my life from the beginning of my salvation until now.
When the Lord opened my eyes to the false, burdensome social Christianity in nearly all the gatherings we attended, there was no going back to that pretense and superficiality.
I love my family members, but when it became clear they had no love for me or the Lord, I had only one thing to do, and that was to remove myself and get on with my life.
Over the years, God brought to me from time to time, lovely, authentically born-again believers who enjoyed speaking of the Lord and discussing His word with enthusiasm. There are very few people left in this world who enjoy speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, most church attendees not only don't know their Bibles but also fight against God's principles and commands.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
Here is what I do not notice when in company with churchgoers in our day:
Romans 8:6 "The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,"
Ephesians 5:9 "for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth."
Colossians 3:12-14 "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."
The false church of our day delights in superiority, competitiveness, and holding past forgiven sins against those they think are unworthy. These folks do not confess their sin of pride or rudeness, but justify it as though they have not sinned.
1 John 4:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
2 Peter 1:5-8 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."
Our modern brand of Christianity does not look to edify someone in the word; they look to find flaws to be able to gossip.
One day soon, believers will all be together at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and everyone there will love Jesus Christ, and they will love us too!!!
God Gives the Evidence of the Spirit of God in the Believer
Someone who is born again naturally without trying displays the fruit of God's Spirit. Next time someone says to you; "you don't know their heart", remind them of God's own words. Yes, only God knows the heart and God speaks to those who belong to Him so they do not fall into the trap of enabling and accepting a rebellious soul who may not be saved.
Matthew 7:15-20
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law".
If someone consistently disrespects the Word of God and others, we should challenge them to ask God if they are saved because the fruit looks bad.
Matthew 7:15-20
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law".
If someone consistently disrespects the Word of God and others, we should challenge them to ask God if they are saved because the fruit looks bad.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Monday, November 17, 2025
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Adding or Taking Away are Both Sins Against God
Adding to Scripture or taking away from Scripture to make it say what we like is the same as denying Christ, He is the Word!!!!
Ignore a Fool, Show them the kindness They Never Gave Us
Narcissists do rude things because they want you to tell others about it, so they can deny it and make us look like those with a problem.
I cannot count the number of times I have seen this happen. The best thing to do is avoid them, ignore their noise, and remain focused on Christ.
Proverbs 29:9-10 "9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life."
The important thing in dealing with this modern rude culture is to not become like what we see from day to day. If we return insult for insult, we have become just like those who love the drama and pain they bring others.
Proverbs 26:4-5 "4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes."
Fools will play many tricks of manipulation to goad their target into ungodly responses; do not comply or be controlled by their nonsense.
Remember, you cannot teach a fool anything, so answering them only makes us look just as foolish as they are.
The devil loves to make Christians fall into the trap of the need to be heard. We do not need to be heard and we do not need to explain ourselves. Silence is often the best answer.
2 Timothy 2:23 "But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling."
Matthew 15:14 "Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Our walk will be blameless and peaceful if we obey God in not answering foolish and contentious people.
I cannot count the number of times I have seen this happen. The best thing to do is avoid them, ignore their noise, and remain focused on Christ.
Proverbs 29:9-10 "9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life."
The important thing in dealing with this modern rude culture is to not become like what we see from day to day. If we return insult for insult, we have become just like those who love the drama and pain they bring others.
Proverbs 26:4-5 "4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes."
Fools will play many tricks of manipulation to goad their target into ungodly responses; do not comply or be controlled by their nonsense.
Remember, you cannot teach a fool anything, so answering them only makes us look just as foolish as they are.
The devil loves to make Christians fall into the trap of the need to be heard. We do not need to be heard and we do not need to explain ourselves. Silence is often the best answer.
2 Timothy 2:23 "But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling."
Matthew 15:14 "Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Our walk will be blameless and peaceful if we obey God in not answering foolish and contentious people.
God's System is Different From Mans
The whole church system has been broken for hundreds of years, when the Catholic church instituted a hierarchy system God never intended. When the Catholic leaders, Luther and Calvin, left the church, they brought their hierarchy with them, beginning the "paid-pastor" system as though the pastor was the mediator between God and the parishioners. This was not God's system but man's.
God never intended leaders in the church to have authority over the gathering of believers. He designed that leaders would guide the proceedings but all would participate in sharing. No formal program was instituted and all was done to edify the people to grow and become sharers of the word when they left the gathering. Every person was to participate.
1 Corinthians 14:26 "What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification."
Edifying one another is the goal to build up Spiritual strength. We worship as led by the Holy Spirit; our edification is our worship and observance of the Lord's supper. We are to do the Lord's supper whenever we meet.
Romans 14:4-6 "…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God."
There are no rules about when to meet or the order of special ritual, each one shares as led by the Holy Spirit. I have seen this done, and it is a beautiful thing; the Leader is the Holy Spirit. The leaders appointed by God are me,n and they do not have authority over the people; they are guides. The Holy Spirit is the leader with Authority.
May each believer prayerfully seek Christ to understand these principles as given by God in His Word.
God never intended leaders in the church to have authority over the gathering of believers. He designed that leaders would guide the proceedings but all would participate in sharing. No formal program was instituted and all was done to edify the people to grow and become sharers of the word when they left the gathering. Every person was to participate.
1 Corinthians 14:26 "What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification."
Edifying one another is the goal to build up Spiritual strength. We worship as led by the Holy Spirit; our edification is our worship and observance of the Lord's supper. We are to do the Lord's supper whenever we meet.
Romans 14:4-6 "…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God."
There are no rules about when to meet or the order of special ritual, each one shares as led by the Holy Spirit. I have seen this done, and it is a beautiful thing; the Leader is the Holy Spirit. The leaders appointed by God are me,n and they do not have authority over the people; they are guides. The Holy Spirit is the leader with Authority.
May each believer prayerfully seek Christ to understand these principles as given by God in His Word.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Women in the Church Gathering
The head covering for women believers was instituted by God to demonstrate the relationship between Christ and His Church. God commanded men to be uncovered as a symbol of Christ and the woman to be covered as a symbol of the church. It had to do with Christ protecting the church, and the church submits to Him.
Christ commanded men to submit to their wives as they protect them, the men are servants, and the wives were to submit to their husbands as they submit to the Lord as a helpmate.
Husbands are to lead as led by the Holy Spirit and women are to follow as led by the Holy Spirit. Everything as done unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:21-6:4 "21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. 22 Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
Christ commanded men to submit to their wives as they protect them, the men are servants, and the wives were to submit to their husbands as they submit to the Lord as a helpmate.
Ephesians 5:21-6:4 "21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. 22 Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
Ephesians 5:25-30 "25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church [c]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are parts of His body."
There are two commands in this passage in 1 Corinthians: the woman was to be covered when she prayed and prophesied in the gathering of believers, and the men were to be uncovered. This is about both submitting to Christ.
This was not about which culture you live in, it is entirely applicable to any culture that obeys Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:3-5 "…3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved."
The command for the woman was to be covered when she prays and prophesies in the gathering of believers; in other words, she is participating in speech but not as the leader.
If the woman were to be completely silent, as other verses might suggest, then this passage about the woman praying and prophesying in the gathering would be a contradiction.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 "Women should remain silent in the churches. For they are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church."
In this passage, the women were disruptive and asked questions because they were new believers and did not yet know anything. This was not a command never to speak, but to never speak in a disruptive way, usurping authority, arguing with those who were speaking.
Notice the women were learning here; they had no knowledge of the Bible and were not yet led by the Holy Spirit.
1 Timothy 2:11 "A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet."
We know this was not a command to never speak because of 1 Corinthians 14, in which God tells a woman to be covered when she prays and prophesies. Many churches have taken this speaking to one extreme or another, either to never speak at all, or allowing a woman to speak in authority over men.
The truth is that neither is correct. Women are not allowed to disrupt and argue because they need to learn at home first before they have anything to share in the gathering. The men are to lead, and according to 1 Corinthians 14, the women share in praying and prophesying as led by the Holy Spirit not as leaders but as participants.
The example of Priscilla and Aquilla shows us that women participate in teaching as a couple.
Acts 18:24-26 "24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was proficient in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit, he was accurately speaking and teaching things about Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began speaking boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately to him."
This couple were friends of Paul and were very active in presenting the gospel and teaching new believers.
Let's be clear that women were not to lead, but they were active in sharing through prayer and prophesying as long as they were covered. Let's also remember that the prophesying was not fortelling the future, but forthtelling the Word of God, and all was led by the Holy Spirit.
Pheobe was a deacon active in the church. She was entrusted to carry a letter for Paul a long, dangerous distance.
Romans 16:1-2 "Greetings and Love Expressed
16 I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea, 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well."
The only job of the church women were not given was that of a leader over men; they were instrumental in every other calling, even teaching one-on-one those who were new believers. They prayed and prophesied within the gathering as led by the Holy Spirit. And, were messengers and helpers to others in ministry.
May we examine all of our modern cultural teachings according to the Bible and within context. When context is ignored to create teachings that are not biblical, many believers are harmed and discouraged from doing what God has called them to do. Let us rightly divide the word in all matters.
There are two commands in this passage in 1 Corinthians: the woman was to be covered when she prayed and prophesied in the gathering of believers, and the men were to be uncovered. This is about both submitting to Christ.
This was not about which culture you live in, it is entirely applicable to any culture that obeys Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:3-5 "…3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved."
The command for the woman was to be covered when she prays and prophesies in the gathering of believers; in other words, she is participating in speech but not as the leader.
If the woman were to be completely silent, as other verses might suggest, then this passage about the woman praying and prophesying in the gathering would be a contradiction.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 "Women should remain silent in the churches. For they are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church."
In this passage, the women were disruptive and asked questions because they were new believers and did not yet know anything. This was not a command never to speak, but to never speak in a disruptive way, usurping authority, arguing with those who were speaking.
Notice the women were learning here; they had no knowledge of the Bible and were not yet led by the Holy Spirit.
1 Timothy 2:11 "A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet."
We know this was not a command to never speak because of 1 Corinthians 14, in which God tells a woman to be covered when she prays and prophesies. Many churches have taken this speaking to one extreme or another, either to never speak at all, or allowing a woman to speak in authority over men.
The truth is that neither is correct. Women are not allowed to disrupt and argue because they need to learn at home first before they have anything to share in the gathering. The men are to lead, and according to 1 Corinthians 14, the women share in praying and prophesying as led by the Holy Spirit not as leaders but as participants.
The example of Priscilla and Aquilla shows us that women participate in teaching as a couple.
Acts 18:24-26 "24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was proficient in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit, he was accurately speaking and teaching things about Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began speaking boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately to him."
This couple were friends of Paul and were very active in presenting the gospel and teaching new believers.
Let's be clear that women were not to lead, but they were active in sharing through prayer and prophesying as long as they were covered. Let's also remember that the prophesying was not fortelling the future, but forthtelling the Word of God, and all was led by the Holy Spirit.
Pheobe was a deacon active in the church. She was entrusted to carry a letter for Paul a long, dangerous distance.
Romans 16:1-2 "Greetings and Love Expressed
16 I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea, 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well."
The only job of the church women were not given was that of a leader over men; they were instrumental in every other calling, even teaching one-on-one those who were new believers. They prayed and prophesied within the gathering as led by the Holy Spirit. And, were messengers and helpers to others in ministry.
May we examine all of our modern cultural teachings according to the Bible and within context. When context is ignored to create teachings that are not biblical, many believers are harmed and discouraged from doing what God has called them to do. Let us rightly divide the word in all matters.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Stop Calling America a Christian Nation
The dangers and pitfalls of calling "America" a Christian nation. Stop talking about politics in America and speak only of Christ.
My husband and I had to give up our cultural Christianity and Catholicism to follow Christ. Please stop talking about your pastor or special speakers, your denominations, and begin speaking only about Christ.
When we call America a Christian nation, we send the message to the rest of the world that all the evils that are a part of this nation are the very definition of Christianity.
My husband and I had to give up our cultural Christianity and Catholicism to follow Christ. Please stop talking about your pastor or special speakers, your denominations, and begin speaking only about Christ.
When we call America a Christian nation, we send the message to the rest of the world that all the evils that are a part of this nation are the very definition of Christianity.
In the Mind of America More than Reality
I have been hearing a lot from "conservatives," whether Christians or not, they all say, "Make America great again." There is the presumption that because of all the things Americans used to enjoy in the 40's and beyond was what made America great.
Those in this generation recall unlocked doors without fear, plenty of money for all the holidays, and other things they wanted to indulge in, as well as what appeared to be more stable family lives. I am convinced most of this is more in the mind than the reality.
Children were more respectful of their parents, or so it seemed. We saw the television stories as more wholesome than anything now. But let's take a more honest look, bypassing the good feelings we remember from all the things we thought we had.
Let's take a good look back and see if things were as good as we wish to believe.
I am in my 70s now and my memory was one of a dysfunctional family in which there was little interaction with parents that resulted in wisdom and a lot of television shows that brought unbiblical ideas that we thought were good, but were in fact working against the Bible.
We were raised on stories like "Bewitched", "I Dream of Jeannie", and Halloween stories of witches and ghosts. We all "trick or treated" on Halloween. We enjoyed the fantasies of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Hansel and Gretel and the witch, the Wizard of Oz, and Gunsmoke, in which the main character was a woman in a tavern who was a madam to prostitutes.
We celebrated Easter, the bunny, and eggs. We went to church, where bags of candy and nuts were handed out at Christmas time, and a tree was in the back of the church, which was decorated for the holiday season.
Soap operas were common and viewed by many housewives during the day. These shows were full of foolish drama about affairs and other decisions that ruined people's lives.
In the cop shows, the main characters were not married and frequently made subtle advances toward women. Even the so-called wholesome shows had frequent flirting and winking about dating.
Many of the shows we thought were so harmless and fun did not pass the smell test when compared to the Bible. The fact was that most people who attended those buildings they call churches didn't know very much about their Bibles.
God was never mentioned in these shows we grew up with, and the Biblical principles were violated or ignored completely. Many Christians were fooled that these shows were harmless because they didn't read the Bible or had a desire to do so.
Because the country was basically deceived about what "morality" looked like according to God's Word, they accepted many things that God condemned.
America was extolled as the most powerful country in the world where anyone of any religion could come and practice openly whatever brand of faith the wished to enjoy. The gospel was here spread by a few but for the most part most people viewed religion as a private matter. Christians who attended churches every week rarely mentioned God to anyone except someone else who went to those churches.
I was raised in one of these homes. I never heard the name of Jesus Christ roll off the tongues of a family member. There was never any teaching in the home about Christ; there was no Bible reading and no discussion about anything of consequence.
I learned about Christ from attending Sunday school but had no support at home for it except harsh rules without conversation. When I would ask questions about something, I was put off with "because I said so", or "that's just what we believe", without any explanation or discussion.
After I was born again, I realized there could be no discussion because most "Christians" didn't know why they followed certain rules, because they didn't know their Bibles. They merely did what was culturally acceptable at the time. These same people relaxed their views and rules as the culture changed, accepting things they would have condemned in the past.
When I was raising children the people around me attempted to shut me down when I wanted to openly discuss things. You see, it was a cultural thing that got worse as the culture began to grow in rebellion against God's Word.
To this day, it is nearly impossible to discuss a matter at length with anyone because it is considered rude to question anyone or disagree, so everyone remains silent about God's principles and rejects, dismisses, and isolates those who wish to have an honest, open discussion about the principles of God.
Satan has managed to fool several generations into believing good people are those who remain silent in the face of sin, fantasy thinking and unbiblical principles. Pleasing God is not even on the table, nor is talk of repentance and cleansing.
America has not been great; it has been a place of prosperity and freedom to act in any way that pleases each person, but not free to express God's Word to correct rebellion against God.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,"
1 Timothy 4:1-2 "Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron."
2 Peter 2:1-3 "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them, the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep."
We have been living in the last days for a very long time. The evidence that the church will be going home soon is the intensity with which rebellion is increasing. This generation, mine in the 50s and 60s, was just as immoral as any other generation; the difference was the deception that, as long as it was hidden, one could attend the churches and pretend every week and everything would be alright.
The immorality was in the fantasy life and hearts of the people indulging through television and movies, while pretending they were good because they were not "doing" their sin outwardly, but it was clearly in the hearts of nearly everyone.
Acts 20:29-30 "I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them."
Romans 16:17-18 "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive."
Because of the lack of knowledge about God's Word, there are many things that defy God that the culture thinks are just innocent fun.
Wisdom is becoming scarce in the culture as a whole because the Bible has been rejected by most people, even those who attend "church gatherings." The authentically born-again believers remain a remnant as they always have been, even from the beginning of the first-century church.
We truly are living in the end times. This explosion of "Christians" who fight against the truth is one of the indicators of the apostasy God told us would be present when Christ comes.
Those in this generation recall unlocked doors without fear, plenty of money for all the holidays, and other things they wanted to indulge in, as well as what appeared to be more stable family lives. I am convinced most of this is more in the mind than the reality.
Children were more respectful of their parents, or so it seemed. We saw the television stories as more wholesome than anything now. But let's take a more honest look, bypassing the good feelings we remember from all the things we thought we had.
Let's take a good look back and see if things were as good as we wish to believe.
I am in my 70s now and my memory was one of a dysfunctional family in which there was little interaction with parents that resulted in wisdom and a lot of television shows that brought unbiblical ideas that we thought were good, but were in fact working against the Bible.
We were raised on stories like "Bewitched", "I Dream of Jeannie", and Halloween stories of witches and ghosts. We all "trick or treated" on Halloween. We enjoyed the fantasies of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Hansel and Gretel and the witch, the Wizard of Oz, and Gunsmoke, in which the main character was a woman in a tavern who was a madam to prostitutes.
We celebrated Easter, the bunny, and eggs. We went to church, where bags of candy and nuts were handed out at Christmas time, and a tree was in the back of the church, which was decorated for the holiday season.
Soap operas were common and viewed by many housewives during the day. These shows were full of foolish drama about affairs and other decisions that ruined people's lives.
In the cop shows, the main characters were not married and frequently made subtle advances toward women. Even the so-called wholesome shows had frequent flirting and winking about dating.
Many of the shows we thought were so harmless and fun did not pass the smell test when compared to the Bible. The fact was that most people who attended those buildings they call churches didn't know very much about their Bibles.
God was never mentioned in these shows we grew up with, and the Biblical principles were violated or ignored completely. Many Christians were fooled that these shows were harmless because they didn't read the Bible or had a desire to do so.
Because the country was basically deceived about what "morality" looked like according to God's Word, they accepted many things that God condemned.
America was extolled as the most powerful country in the world where anyone of any religion could come and practice openly whatever brand of faith the wished to enjoy. The gospel was here spread by a few but for the most part most people viewed religion as a private matter. Christians who attended churches every week rarely mentioned God to anyone except someone else who went to those churches.
I was raised in one of these homes. I never heard the name of Jesus Christ roll off the tongues of a family member. There was never any teaching in the home about Christ; there was no Bible reading and no discussion about anything of consequence.
I learned about Christ from attending Sunday school but had no support at home for it except harsh rules without conversation. When I would ask questions about something, I was put off with "because I said so", or "that's just what we believe", without any explanation or discussion.
After I was born again, I realized there could be no discussion because most "Christians" didn't know why they followed certain rules, because they didn't know their Bibles. They merely did what was culturally acceptable at the time. These same people relaxed their views and rules as the culture changed, accepting things they would have condemned in the past.
When I was raising children the people around me attempted to shut me down when I wanted to openly discuss things. You see, it was a cultural thing that got worse as the culture began to grow in rebellion against God's Word.
To this day, it is nearly impossible to discuss a matter at length with anyone because it is considered rude to question anyone or disagree, so everyone remains silent about God's principles and rejects, dismisses, and isolates those who wish to have an honest, open discussion about the principles of God.
Satan has managed to fool several generations into believing good people are those who remain silent in the face of sin, fantasy thinking and unbiblical principles. Pleasing God is not even on the table, nor is talk of repentance and cleansing.
America has not been great; it has been a place of prosperity and freedom to act in any way that pleases each person, but not free to express God's Word to correct rebellion against God.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,"
1 Timothy 4:1-2 "Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron."
2 Peter 2:1-3 "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them, the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep."
We have been living in the last days for a very long time. The evidence that the church will be going home soon is the intensity with which rebellion is increasing. This generation, mine in the 50s and 60s, was just as immoral as any other generation; the difference was the deception that, as long as it was hidden, one could attend the churches and pretend every week and everything would be alright.
The immorality was in the fantasy life and hearts of the people indulging through television and movies, while pretending they were good because they were not "doing" their sin outwardly, but it was clearly in the hearts of nearly everyone.
Acts 20:29-30 "I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them."
Romans 16:17-18 "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive."
Because of the lack of knowledge about God's Word, there are many things that defy God that the culture thinks are just innocent fun.
Wisdom is becoming scarce in the culture as a whole because the Bible has been rejected by most people, even those who attend "church gatherings." The authentically born-again believers remain a remnant as they always have been, even from the beginning of the first-century church.
We truly are living in the end times. This explosion of "Christians" who fight against the truth is one of the indicators of the apostasy God told us would be present when Christ comes.
The Thief on the Cross and His Salvation
The thief on the cross was not baptized. He wasn't even baptized with the Holy Spirit because Christ had not yet died and sent back the Holy Spirit.
Everyone who is born again now has the Holy Spirit and is commanded to be baptized in water as a profession of their faith, but not for salvation.
John 16:7-8 " 7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:…"
There is no ritual required for salvation, but there are a couple of commands by God after salvation, such as the Lord's supper to remember Him and baptism in water to proclaim our new life in Christ. None of these things saves anyone, but they are expressions of faith after salvation.
Christ did all the work on the cross; nothing we would do could be added to what He did. The Perfect Lamb of God had to die. How silly to think that anything we would do could save us.
Titus 3:5-7 "5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life."
Everyone who is born again now has the Holy Spirit and is commanded to be baptized in water as a profession of their faith, but not for salvation.
John 16:7-8 " 7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:…"
There is no ritual required for salvation, but there are a couple of commands by God after salvation, such as the Lord's supper to remember Him and baptism in water to proclaim our new life in Christ. None of these things saves anyone, but they are expressions of faith after salvation.
Christ did all the work on the cross; nothing we would do could be added to what He did. The Perfect Lamb of God had to die. How silly to think that anything we would do could save us.
Titus 3:5-7 "5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life."
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