Checkpoint #1

     The truth, as we all know, is not always easy to hear, but I just wanted us all to be reminded of where we are. The battle is getting dramatically more fierce. What makes it so dangerous is the subtlety in which it is coming. Its not so much the issues, circumstances & political events (though these are dangerous), but the inner war of the mind, will & emotions (soul).

Many hearts that were once warm & on fire are now cold, and growing colder. Offenses, frustrations, arguments, bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, anger, unbelief, doubt, pride & spiritual pride, worldliness, cares of this world, self love....these are the things and the like, that are creeping in the hearts of men... slowly and patiently stealing them away, distracting them from God, his kingdom and his righteousness. I feel it...we are battling it, and it's only going to get worse. In a culture permeated with deception & hatred, we cannot lose our first love...we are too close to the finish line. 

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:1-2.

Stay alert...shake off the encumbrances (impediments, hindrances, obstructions, obstacles, constraints, inconveniences, nuisances, disadvantages, drawbacks, etc) .... let's fix our eyes on Jesus until we're all home! 

God bless!

What we've been handed (Part 1)

   
     It seems everybody's a Christian these days, especially here in the American bible belt. While some say its because their goods outweigh their bads, most believe it to be true because of a sinner's prayer they prayed at some point in their life.  The Bible however tells us in John 3 that, "unless a man be born again'' he will never see the kingdom of God and in John 1 the "sons of God" are not born of flesh (man's decision), but by God's (Spirit).

     One of the many "doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1) that has infiltrated the church today is "Once saved always saved".  The osas doctrine teaches that if you pray a prayer and ask Jesus to come into your heart, you can receive a ticket to heaven regardless of how you live the rest of your life out. This is not what the bible teaches, but I too, used to believe it.  Over & over again in the new testement we read about repentance, holiness, obedience, endurance & finishing the race, yet so few are teaching this....and even less, living it.

     Latter Days Ministry (NOT to be confused with the mormon church) does an incredible job of exposing the lies of this doctrine and revealing what the word of God says salvation actually is.  For those of you who desire to understand more about this, I have provided the link below:
   

     http://thelatterdays.blogspot.com/2009/11/once-saved-now-lost-part-1a.html?m=1

     Let's continue to dig & look to see what it is that we've been handed...     

"... he (God) is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." Heb. 11:6



     

Divine Destiny

     There's a lot of talk these days about destiny. Everytime you turn around someone seems to be wooing you to find your place in this big old world of ours. Movies are made, books are written and songs are sung about it. It's also heralded from the pulpits of many churches, but with a new, holier sounding name..."divine destiny". If you're like most, you've spent much time (not to mention money and other valuable resources) pondering over and in search of this elusive destination.
     I too have spent more time than I'd like to remember on the hunt for mine. Seems most of my life was spent running here or there and doing this or that in order to discover what it is that I was attaining to. However, at long last I have found the target on which my life is now aimed. Its not a job or occupation, it's not a dot on a map or even a particular ministry for the Lord. No, it's something so beyond what I dreamed of & yet, it was right under my nose all the while.
     Jesus described this target as a buried treasure and a pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44). In Philippians 3:14, Paul even called it a prize!  In fact, Jesus told us that if we would ask for it, it would be given; if we would search for it with all of our heart, we would find it; and if we would knock, it would be opened up to us. As for Paul, he counted all else, including his very own life, as rubbish compared to it.
     So what is this destiny of which I speak?  It is none other that Jesus Christ & his very own nature being imbued into us, his disciples.  "For whom he (God) did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" Romans 8:29. To have the nature, love, holiness, will, thoughts, values, character, speech, and behavior of Jesus....yes, this is our mark! This is the divine destiny for all who will take up their cross daily, follow him and endure until the end.  It will cost you everything on earth, but imagine for a moment what awaits those who finish the race! (1 Corinthians 2:9)
     Bless you and may the Lord give each of you the spirit of power, love & self control to press on with great courage in these last days (2 Timothy 1:7).

Have you looked at what you're being handed?

     In recent years I've often said that one of the most difficult things in life is to try to give someone something they think they already have.  I know this because I lived most of my life thinking I had something that I didn't, and it wasn't until life came crashing down on me that I realized that what I had wasn't what I thought it was.  If you already know the answer (or think you know it), then what will make you accept it from someone else.

     In our journey here on earth we are bombarded with stories, things, history, education, ideas & opinions in the hopes that we will simply accept what we're handed.  Everyday we're faced with decisions to accept something whether it is good or bad, new or old, tangible or intangible.  However, only a few really stop to look over what it is that's being offered.
How do you know that what you're being handed is authentic?  Is it possible that it could actually be a counterfeit?  Or is it truly worthy of holding onto?  Few dare to resist simply taking everything at face value, but only a few. They dig, prod, push back & kick it around to see if it is acceptable. Its been said that anything worth anything must be tested.  In fact, as followers of Jesus we're instructed to be careful with what others want to place in our hands (or our minds). 1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world".

     Accepting something fake like a dollar bill or a piece of glass that we thought was a diamond may not effect your health or well being, but it will your bank account.  But when it comes to biblical teachings, truths, & doctrines, what we accept & believe could actually lead us right into Hell.

     These are perilous times that we live in & many have given themselves over to the "tickling of the ears" and "doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1;  2 Timothy 4:3). I believe one of the reasons this is true is because they were handed something without heeding the Lord's warning to test it.  If there's ever been a more important time that the disciples of Jesus needed to study the Bible for themselves, it's now! Satan is ready and more than willing to give you a counterfeit. Will you accept it?  Or will you dare to test it with the word of God?

     We'll be discussing some of the "things we've been handed" in upcoming posts.  Thanks for dropping in & may the spirit of truth lead you into all truth (John 16:13).

Stay Tuned

Well, here it is 2014 and its been a bit since my last, first & only post.  I'm finding I have a lot I want to talk about, but little time to put it all into words.  As I continue to prepare the estetics of this blog, I am brainstorming my thoughts & the order in which I want to communicate them.  I appreciate you dropping by & would ask that you continue to be patient with me as I slowly get my feet wet here from the fire.  Thanks for reading & stay tuned...