Humanism: How Stupid

Those who embrace humanism either don't believe in a supreme being who created all things good or they believe that if there is a supreme being, he, she, or it is not involved in our daily lives. They believe that evolution is merely a process of the earth.

If these things are true then the only thing we can do is eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die. This way of thinking is non-productive. It is as destructive as evolution without a loving God. Observe any building, machine, living thing, etc.--left to itself it deteriorates till it falls apart.

Whereas if there is a loving God watching over all--evolution is meant to help the living things adapt to their surroundings for the purpose of survival. The nature of our loving God is to work with the challenged party until the outcome is victory.

It is the humanistic viewpoint that has caused life on planet earth to get more and more difficult to cope with. It is this viewpoint that is causing the increase in pain and heartache.

If there is no loving God in charge of things, then inevitably selfishness is god.

The Christian viewpoint is that a loving God created the earth and everything in it. And it was good. Man's wrong choice--their choice to do what they wanted to do rather than what God (God is love--love always does the right thing because the right thing produces good.) told them to do, brought about all that is bad.

But a loving God is still offering love. He sent his Son who made all the right choices and then offered himself in the stead of all those who made wrong choices so that they can make the right choice which is to receive the Him and the new life he offers. This ultimate act of love reveals God’s nature as nothing else could do.

This loving God is behind true evolution--evolution is only true in the sense of adaptation--the same God who created everything good is the same God who causes things to adapt to their surroundings and be able to survive until the time when God's Son comes back to oversee the choices made throughout the earth and make all things right. God ordained that everything produces after its own kind, so apes do not turn into people, etc.

The humanistic world view encourages selfishness--the loving God worldview encourages people to follow love, and to heed God's guidance, and it also provides for all of mankind's needs to be met.
I prophesy that you will "Rise & Walk"

God's Got It Covered!

God covers every problem that man must overcome.

The crucifixion takes care of cleansing us and destroying the problem area which is our lower or carnal nature.

Jesus blood shed for all is powerful enough to wash away any and all sin. He bore the punishment for our sins to deliver us from all guilt, ignorance, and bondage which causes sicknesses, diseases, and curses. We still have tests and trials, but we also have a SAVIOR AND DELIVERER. Through this one act of agape love by Jesus Christ God provided a clean spirit that a Holy God can dwell in, access to the throne anytime, deliverance from the sin life and our lower nature, and healing physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.

The resurrection provides eternal life, a loving Father, a living Savior, a perfect hero, and example, a good shepherd, the door to life, access to the way, the truth, and the life, a trustworthy Lord, access to the Spirit of truth to guide us, and hope for the future.

God gives believers a new heart, new goals, new love, new hope and expectancy. He gives them many promises that help them through the tests and trials of life and He gives them peace in the storms.

God provided the Bible, a complete guide to life. It gives a picture of the true God and real life. In it you can find strength, hope, deliverance, promises, instruction, wisdom, understanding, weapons and armor to resist temptation and deception, and much more.

God offers peace and reconciliation with Him. He offers everyone eternal life through being born again of His Spirit (the receiver becomes spiritually alive as Adam and Eve were before the fall). The believer again becomes His child in the sense of being able to have a close personal relationship--a Father/child relationship with Him. God becomes involved in the believer’s daily life, guiding, teaching, training, and helping, as any loving parent would do.

I prophesy that you will "Rise & Walk"

Proof of the Rapture

The verses I use below are not to prove that there will be a rapture of the true church because I know of no verse that proves that. I am using these verses to build a case for why I believe there will be a rapture of the true church.

Some of the scriptures will seem more valid than other because some of them are for a certain way of thinking and others are easily discernable.

II Kings 22:19-20: Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. 20: Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. they brought the king word again.

(Talking about Josiah the king. I show in these verses that god does this kind of thing. He does provide a haven for those who are not guilty of whatever He is dealing with the people about.)

Isa: 26:1-21: In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2: Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. 3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4: Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 5: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. 6: The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. 7: The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. 8: Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 9: With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 10: Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. 11: LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. 12: LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. 13: O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. 14: They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. 15: Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth. 16: LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. 17: Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD. 18: We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. 19: Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 20: Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21: For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

(That may have been for then, but it fits now just as well and I think we can take these words to heart.)

Zeph: 2:3: Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.

(This scripture certainly give hope of a rapture.)

Four good points:

Lk: 12:40-46: Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41: Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42: And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43: Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44: Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45: But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46: The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

(Verse 46 sure doesn’t sound as if the earth is experiencing the wrath when He comes. First of all Jesus says that He is coming when people aren't expecting Him and then he talks about His servants being tempted to party. Now if the wrath were going on, who would be partying? I see a difference between tribulation and 'the great tribulation.')

Lk:17:26-27 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27: They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

(Notice, Jesus talks about Noe entering into the ark--he was spared from the flood. He was shut away safe. The rapture would take God’s people out of here before the wrath.)

28-37: Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29: But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30: Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31: In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32: Remember Lot's wife. 33: Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35: Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36: Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37: And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

((It will happen unexpectedly. Notice that those who are ready will be taken. Yes, taken out of here and this happens before all hell breaks loose, because if it were after, Christians would not be taken by surprise, they would be constantly watching for their deliverance.)

Lk: 21:23-28: 23: But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24: And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26: Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27: And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

(Notice that it is during a period of havoc as described in [I Thes: 5:2-9: 1: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4: But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5: Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6: Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7: For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9: For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,] Jesus said, ‘they’ will see the Son of man coming--He didn’t say ‘you,’ meaning His follower, He said they as in those who were going through the distress. To His disciples, He says, “When you see these thing begin to take place, look up, for your redemption draws night.” Then in Vs 36, He says: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.)

Lk: 21:34-37: And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35: For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

(See, Jesus does talk about an escape from the horrible things that are coming on the earth.)

I Thes: 4:15-17: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(The end of the age harvest sounds different from this. [Rev:14:14-20: And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15: And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16: And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. 17: And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18: And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19: And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.20: And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. ] Notice Vs 16-- those are taken first and then the wrath.

I Thes: 5:9: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9: For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Who will make the rapture? Those who know they have been redeemed and are walking by faith and love because of their hope. Notice that they are not appointed for god’s wrath--if no rapture--how are they going to get away from it?)

This one is as close to a promise of the rapture as I can find:
Rev: 3:8-11: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9: Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Scriptures that tell who will go through the wrath and who will not:
Rom: 1:18: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom: 2:5: But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Rom: 2:8: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Rom: 5:9: Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Eph: 2:1-3: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Eph: 5:6: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col: 3:6: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

1Thes: 1:10: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1Thes: 5:9: For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rev: 18:1-19: And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2: And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3: For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5: For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6: Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7: How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8: Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 9: And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10: Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11: And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13: And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14: And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15: The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16: And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17: For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18: And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19: And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

(Babylon is the great city of lies being build right at this time. All philosophy that causes rebellion and disobedience to God is Babylon or babbling.)

Rev 18: 20-24: Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21: And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22: And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23: And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24: And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

( I believe Vs 4 is where the rapture takes place and we are all rejoicing in heaven in Vs 20-24.)
I prophesy that you will "Rise & Walk"

To Be Involved Or Not To Be Involved

Why Christians should be involved in government:

Because Christians should be pleading the cause of the oppressed:

Isa: 1:17: Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Isa: 5 8:6: Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Jer: 22:3: Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Because The Bible says ungodly men are trouble to the people and the nation:

Prov: 12:7: The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

Prov: 28:5: Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

Prov: 29:4: The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts (rules for selfish purposes) overthroweth it.

Prov: 29:12: If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

Prov: 29:16: When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

Christian must object to corrosion and corruption of our government because disobedient and rebellious nations are oppressive and are vulnerable to the enemy:

I kings 8:33-34: When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: 34: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.

I Kings 8:35-36: When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: 36: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

Because God wants to heal the land:
2 Chron: 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Because Christians are to light and salt:

Matt: 5:15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Matt: 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matt: 5:13: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Because Jesus wants us to occupy till He comes:

Lk: 19:12: He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. (1 to take possession of by settlement or seizure 2 to hold possession of by tenure; specif., a) to dwell in b) to hold (a position or office) 3 to take up or fill up (space, time, etc.) 4 to employ, busy, or engage (oneself, one's attention, mind, etc.)
I prophesy that you will "Rise & Walk"

I Believe In Evolution Alright

What about Evolution?

Evolution is a real process. Does that surprise some of you--that a adamant believer of the Gospel would say that? Let me explain.

I’ll start with Daniel 4:33: The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

Evolution is not only by intelligent design, it is also by a loving God. Let’s look at how it works.

The account above tells of evolution’s benefits that this loving God designed. Because Nebuchadnezzar had to live in the field and eat grass his body adjusted and he developed what was needed to survive. Feathers and bird claws evolved. This is not a case for the atheistic theory of evolution--it is a case for a loving God who has provided adaptation.

What happens to an unattended field? It grows over with weeds, thorns, and nettles. But if an intelligent loving being cares for it, it evolves into a place bountiful in blessings.

What happens to a house that is left uncared for? It gradually deteriorates and eventually falls apart. This goes for car and everything that has been created by man. It take man caring about it to keep it in good repair. If neglected, things waste away to nothing. It could be said that they evolve into junk. The evidence is substantial.

What happens to a house that is loving and intelligently designed, built, and maintained? It gradually evolves into a beautiful, functional home.

Children when raised by caring parents evolve into useful contributing adults. What would happen to a child if there were no intelligent being and no nurturing in its life? It would evolve into a mess. There are cases of children growing up with wolves or practically on their own-- They could not function as reasoning human beings without rehabilitation. It takes loving people many years to help these children evolve into persons who can function well.

The human body grows and by the time it reaches adulthood all the equipment required for it to function correctly has evolved. It could not be an accident that the things needed for adulthood are there at the right time. What is wrong with the theory of evolution is not evolution, but the mentally defective idea that something could evolve into something better without the design and help of a caring God!

I prophesy that you will "Rise & Walk"

Are You Biblical?

A biblical Christian has repented of their sin and of doing things their way. They have asked God to forgive them and have asked Jesus to come into their heart and be their Lord and Savior.

They learn from the Bible that God’s plan of salvation includes entering into Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. They are glad to hear that all they have to do is live by faith--faith that their old man or carnal nature is crucified and faith that they have been resurrected from the dead and given new life--the life of Christ.

They understand that Jesus is the blueprint and He will recreate them in His image as they yield to Him.

They have a game plan and that is to spend each day listening to and learning from the Lord.

They renew their mind with the Holy Bible and have a servant’s heart toward God. They take pleasure in loving, witnessing, and ministering to people o9f all walks of life because Jesus lives in them and they are a member of His body and therefore happily do His thing.

They have been relieved of the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust for other things. Their life is hid with Christ in God. This world is not their home. Their burden is light and their yoke is easy. They have a glorious and eternal future. For now, they are willing to suffer rather than to fail to please God, if it is necessary to their particular ministry.

They practice looking in the mirror of the Word and when they walk away, they remember what they look like because they are doers of the Word.

The put on the full armor of God and stand against the enemy.

They long to congregate with like-minded people so that, as a body, they can help one another live, move, and have their being, in Christ.

They abhor the thought of a worldly church and understand that the church is built upon the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone. And they understand that God ordained the church to be a place where Christians urge one another on to love and good works.

That church is a tight-knit group of like-minded people who walk by the spirit and not by the flesh. They operate the same as the human body--all having their unique function, yet always working as a unit, being single-minded on serving the Lord.
I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

The Purpose of Raising Them Up

When God raises up a ruler, He has a purpose for them. Their choices will determine their purpose and their future. Let’s look at Ezek: 30:21-26: Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword. 22: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. 23: And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. 24: And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man. 25: But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. 26: And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

(Why would God raise up the king of Egypt and why would He put him down and raise up the King of Babylon, after all neither of these kings belonged to God? They were not one of His. That’s what we are going to find out.)

Ezek: 31:1-14: And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2: Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness? 3: Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. 4: The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. 5: Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. 6: All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. 7: Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters. 8: The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. 9: I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him. 10: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; 11: I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness. 12: And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him. 13: Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches: 14: To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

(According to Ezekiel 31, God raised up the king of Egypt so that the oppressed and weak would have a place to go for refuge in their time of trouble. Israel went to Egypt different times. Abram, later Abraham went to Egypt, Isaac went to Egypt and Joseph, Jesus’ father, went to Egypt to save Jesus’ life.

Why Pharaoh? My guess is because he was in the right place at the right time for God to use him and God knew he would not oppress the people.

Why did God use him for a while and then judge him and take him out? It shows in these passages that Pharaoh got a big head. He got puffed up and according to what it says in verse 11, Pharaoh must have misused his power after he began to think more highly of himself than he ought. He apparently did what all corrupt rulers do, he concentrated on pleasing himself above all else, therefore he became an oppressor.

Why would God raise up the king of Babylon? Babylon has always been a bad influence on God’s people. Because God deemed that a lesson needed to be taught to all and that is revealed in verse 14. He wants the world to know that He alone is God and no one should think more highly of himself than that which he know to be true, which is he or she is a mere man and without God they are as grass that is here today and gone tomorrow.

God is teaching this lesson again. This is why Babylon or Babylonian thinking is taking over the world today. It is for the purpose of teaching another lesson in hearkening unto God and no other. Any teaching that is not Biblical is Babylonian and will come to naught along with all those who do not repent of that way of thinking. "If life has knocked you down,

I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Are You Guilty of a Little R&R?

Almost everyone is familiar with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah. The story tells of Jonah’s call from God to go to Ninevah to announce God’s judgment to the heathen, godless, and hostile city. Jonah inwardly refused God’s commission and hopped on a ship headed in the opposite direction; however, the hold God had on Jonah’s life was too strong. God sent a tempest upon the sea which caused the mariners to toss Jonah out of the boat. God then prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, causing him to spend three days in the belly of the fish until the fish vomited him out on dry land. After all of this, the half-hearted prophet repented, headed for Ninevah, and upon arrival held a revival to preach God’s message to them. Jonah’s revival crusade brought in more converts than he had expected.

We would have expected Jonah to break out in praise with the results of his preaching in Ninevah, but Jonah responded just the opposite. The magnitude of God’s mercy proved displeasing to the prophet and the story says Jonah became angry with God. Can you imagine that? What is the most fascinating is the attitude of Jonah. It is an attitude that is not foreign to any of us. Jonah would have perceived the people of Ninevah as his enemies. And what we want for our enemies is certainly not to be blessed with God’s mercy and grace. Instead of seeing our enemies redeemed, we would rather see them go to turmoil and ruin.

Almost everyone is also familiar with Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. Jesus told about a young man who approached his father, requested his inheritance, and then made a complete mess of his life in a strange country. After making such a mess of his life and falling on hard times he finally came to his senses. He began to think of his home and his father. He headed for home and while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. His father ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. We are reminded that in the story this young renegade who returned home with egg on his face, had an older, more stable, more responsible brother. This older brother came home after a hard day of work and handling his father’s business, only to find dancing and music. He became angry finding out that good ole’ dad was throwing a party for his wayward son and refused to go into the house. That sounds like the same attitude Jonah had.

It is a kind of jealousy that wants nothing less than to set very strict limits to God’s love. We often assume this position every time we expect the Lord to be more severe in judging the sins of others than we anticipate for ourselves. Sadly, we often find it difficult to delight in the repentance and redemption of those we define as “gross sinners”. We would rather see them burned than blessed.

It feels so right to retaliate when we’ve been wounded. Nothing seems more bittersweet as to get even. We willingly trade blow for blow with those we perceive to have broken trust with us. We quickly look for ways to pay off old scores whenever former friendships turn sour. Do you remember ever feeling that way? I am sure we all do at times. It is painful to have these feelings! These feelings are also the source of many problems. Some of these problems which are obvious within us are: bitterness, mean-spirited, and even maliciousness. Over time these feelings of bitterness and being mean-spirited, begin to harden the heart. The heart becomes callous and indifferent, and overshadows our character. Sooner than we realize we can become the type of callous and mean-spirited person others try to avoid.

We may reach a point we realize where we are and try to patch things up. But between ourselves and the other person things are never again quite the same. Time after time the hope of genuine reconciliation breaks up on the rocks of an abiding resentment. Some breaches of friendship widen until, it would appear, no bridge will ever be built to close the gap.

That we all realize and understand the consequences of these feelings, is at least one reason we should be grateful for the gospel. We should be grateful for one particular portion of the gospel, in which Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you….Do to others as you would have them do to you…Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful!” For many, if not most of us, this command of Christ is beyond our reach. Perhaps we should begin with the recognition that these words of Christ are “gospel”. That is to say, they are “good news”. This recognition should confirm that we are capable of accomplishing this command. We can accomplish this command because Christ makes us capable in the power of his Holy Spirit. Christians living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ are empowered to act, and not just simply react. We cannot afford to allow our affections and attitudes to be shaped and determined by the hatred that is unleashed upon us. What we can do is commit our wounds to Christ and then release our resentment, bitterness, and desire for retaliation into His hands.

As God’s people, we seldom argue with Him about the measure of mercy he gives us. But isn’t it surely the case that we cringe at the mere suggestion that God might display a similar mercy to those we detest? It seems as though the issue is this: that God’s grace and forgiving treatment of others leaves the work of judging unattended. We then falsely assume we must take up the slack and do the judging for Him. We are not at all that comfortable in a kingdom where parties are given for wasteful prodigals. We are not at ease with a God whose graciousness exceeds all reasonable limits. So if we want our world to be different, we need to release our bitterness and resentment into the hands of our Redeemer.

To change our world and release our fleshly bitterness and resentment will be hard, and it will be painful, but it will be worth it. It will be redemptive because Christ has the scars to prove it.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Jesus Goes To The Office Everyday

I’m glad people are grateful for Calvary, but there is more to Jesus’ contributions than that. Jesus did a lot of things to insure our salvation before He went to Calvary and His job doesn’t stop there by any means. Let me tell you about Jesus’ offices.

Jesus i.e. God with us.

The Son of God - God in the flesh. He is God manifested and man perfected. The benefit is that by looking at him we can see what God is like and what perfected man looks like.

The Prince of Peace - He teaches us by words example how to be a peacemaker. He has provided peace between us and God and peace of mind for us, knowing that our sins are forgiven, we are children of God again and we have the Good Shepherd. World peace will only come through obedience to him.

The Good Shepherd - will lead you to green pastures, by still waters, and in the paths of righteousness. He will restore your soul. Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will not need to fear harm because He will be with you. His word and his Spirit will comfort you. He’ll prepare a table before you in the very presence of your enemies. And ensure that goodness and mercy follow you always. If you follow him.

The Christ - the Anointed One his anointing is for the purpose of meeting the needs of the people.

The Messiah, the Savior - Being the only sinless One, He is the only One who could bear the sins of the world. He died for our sins. He had no death coming because he had never sinned. He acted out the crucifixion of the carnal nature. Salvation comes through being crucified with him (identifying with his death) and at the same time receiving new life (spiritual life) in Christ.

The Living Word - His life portrays true obedience to the teachings of the Bible. His teachings and life manifest the true meaning of Bible teaching.

The Light of the world - His life and words give the needed light to all the rest of the Bible. His life and words shed light on who God is and what he wants. His Spirit is light.

The Bread of life - He said his words are Spirit and they are life. We are to feed on his life and teachings in order to be energized to live spiritual life.

The Door - No man can enter the kingdom any other way and no one in the kingdom may venture out into the world without Jesus.

The Wedding garment - We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ to be properly clothed.

The Way, the Truth and the Life - His ways are the ways of life. His teachings and life magnify the truth, his life is “The life“.

The Resurrection and the Life - That’s why you must receive Jesus into your heart to be saved. Without welcoming him into your heart, you can’t have resurrection from the dead nor new, eternal life. Note: You can’t be resurrected until you die first.

The Author and Finisher of our faith - Our faith starts with his work and is perfected by heeding his words. Faith is born when you receive him and abiding in him assures the maturity of your faith.

Our Forerunner, Captain and Example - He went before us and did that which we are required to do. The present advantage is that we can look to him to see the way. He is the perfect example and as our leader.

The Mighty Conqueror - He conquered sin, death and the power of Satan, the devil. The devil held no power over him because he refused to listen to the devil, ever. (devil - liar, traducer - one who falsely accuses another. He falsely accused God in the garden and he’s still doing it.) He (Jesus) always obeyed God thereby conquering sin. He rose from the dead thereby conquering death. He conquered Satan (the accuser of the brethren) by qualifying us for grace. Because he lives, we live also. Because he overcame, we can overcome.

Our Wisdom - If we obey him, we will walk wisely.

The Faithful One - Because he was ever faithful, we can count on him always. We can rejoice that he will reign for he alone is worthy.

The Second Adam - He came and restored or made right everything that the first Adam messed up. Now we have a choice. We can choose to follow the first Adam and die or we can choose to follow the second Adam and live.

The True Vine - As we abide in Him we are kept alive and made productive.

Our Big Brother - Let’s look up to and follow him. In Biblical Judaism, the oldest brother handled the father’s business. The other siblings went to him with their problems and disputes. Jesus is God’s oldest Son and he holds this office, also.

Jesus is Lord - In order to receive God’s salvation of your soul from sin and death, you must make Jesus Lord in your life.

Jesus in us is our hope of glory.

The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

The Bridegroom - Those who are found without spot or wrinkle (no holding out) will be one with him and sit on the throne with him.

The Bright and Morning Star - Let the Morning Star rise in your heart. He alone can enable you to rise and shine.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Offspring of David - All the promises pertaining to these are his.

King of kings and Lord of lords - He took the kingdom back from Satan and He will reign forever.

Our High Priest and Advocate - Without this office, forget it. He is ever living to make intercession for us.

The living Word

The Faithful One

So you see, it’s not just what he did that saves us, but what he is doing now!

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Peace

In the first half of the book of Isaiah, the prophet generally gives the message of judgment for sin, and he calls Judah, Israel, and the surrounding nations to repent of their sins. Yet during this message of judgment, Isaiah foretells that the Christ would come to bring peace. “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace“, Isaiah 9:6. This prophecy came during a time of great darkness, but God promised through Isaiah to send a light who would shine on everyone living in the shadow of death. Indeed when Christ was born in Bethlehem, the angels announced the event of His birth with these words, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men”, Luke 2:14.

During His lifetime Jesus gave His peace to those who believed on Him. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…” John 14:27. Jesus distinguishes His peace from the peace as the world understands it: the absence of war on earth. What Jesus brought instead of worldly peace, was a reconciliation between God and man. With Christ’s peace we have no need to fear the present or the future. This peace only comes to those who heed such warnings as Isaiah’s to repent from their sins and find that reconciliation between themselves and God. Those who do not receive Him, remain in a state of alienation from God and His people. The antagonism of the unbeliever toward Jesus and His followers is such that it will even destroy the closest family relationships. Jesus did not come to bring the kind of peace that glosses over deep differences just for the sake of superficial harmony. Conflict and disagreement will arise between those who choose to follow Christ and those who don’t. Jesus also taught his disciples that His peace was not meant to bring worldly peace. Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemy will be those of his own household”, Matt: 10: 34,35.

As Christians we continue to live in a state of spiritual warfare. Jesus taught us that war will be waged within the institutional church. In it there will be false sheep and shepherds. Although there will be the pure in heart who see God, there will also be those within the church who try to satisfy the pleasures of the flesh and are proud. Even Jesus disciples were proud when they were found arguing about their prestige in the kingdom, “Now there was a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest” (Luke 22:24). There will also be those within the church who are worldly, “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him”, (I John 2:15). Some people think worldliness is limited to external behavior – the people we associate with, the places we go, and the activities we enjoy. But worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart. There will also be backbiting within the church, ” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another”, (Gal. 5:15). When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. When we express their faults to others, soon the unity of believers is broken.

If as Christians we live in a continued state of spiritual warfare we find ourselves asking, where is the peace Christ promised? We must remember that the peace Christ gives us today is not peace with others or peace from the problems of this world, but peace that can be found in our hearts. It is a peace that the world cannot give. It is a peace that comes only by expressing faith in Jesus. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith is required of those seeking His peace.

The return of Jesus, however, will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah for future peace when the unrighteous will be separated from the believers and destroyed. Jesus describes this in His parable of the weeds, “The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them (tares) is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age”, Matt. 13: 37-40. At the end of the world, angels will separate the evil from the good. There are true and false believers in churches today, but we should be cautious in our judgments because Christ is the only one qualified to make the final separation. It is more important to judge our own response to God than to analyze the response of others.

As Christians we find peace, not in the world, but in our hearts, because we have been reconciled with the Father. There is an old hymn that I love, “Take It To the Lord In Prayer”. The lyrics say, “oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.” How much pain are you bearing needlessly today, because you are not experiencing the peace of Jesus in your heart, and not taking your problems and pain to Him?

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Why Would You Want To Completely Understand God?

Why would you want such a God? I read in the Book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

According to these verses God’s thoughts, God’s methods are way beyond our own comprehension. Some people struggle with that. They want a God made in man’s image instead of man made in God’s image. Another passage that I enjoy is this one:

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

There you have it. No one is going to be able to say, I got God all figured out. It’s just not possible and why would you want it to be? Why would you want a God that is no larger than your capacity to understand?

I believe in a God and a Saviour that is vastly larger than my ability to comprehend and to fully imagine. If I could understand everything about God, Who God is, and why God does what he does, then I’d probably be God. And if that were true, we’d all be in a lot of trouble. No, I thank God that He is larger than my finite ability to comprehend. I thank God that He is vastly larger than anything I can imagine.

I don’t want a small God. I don’t want a God that can be contained within the confines of my own brain and imagination. I don’t want to find an end to my God or my Saviour, Jesus Christ. I don’t a God that can be quantified, digested, and distilled in the confines of man’s inventions and imaginations.

I want a God where I am always learning about, Who is capable of surprising me at any time, any place, and in any way. When I pray I want my prayer to be heard by a God that is not limited to what I imagine is possible. I want the God that I have. I want the God of the Bible.

Why would you want anything less?

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Follow Me!

Christians are told how important it is to continually follow Jesus. We are to follow Him constantly and consistently. We are to follow Him closely enough that others will see Jesus in us. It takes courage to follow Him. When we hear Jesus say to those who were scattered along the hillside, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all maner of evil against you falsely, for my sake,” we know that it took courage. When we read that as they followed Him they were afraid, we know that it took courage. Those of us who walk with Him know the courage it takes when some fear grabs at our heart. We know the courage it takes when we sense how far the road with Him can lead. We know the courage it takes when we sense how high the Christian adventure can lift us. We know the courage it takes when we sense how much acceptance and how much surrender it may mean.

There is an incident in the New Testament which turns our thinking completely around. It is full of human compassion which sooner or later touches all of us. A father full of grief had come to Jesus to tell about the death of his child. After telling Jesus, the father went straight to his house. Jesus followed. We don’t need someone to explain the deeper meaning of this drama. What happened so long ago has happened to every one of us. There have been times when we have poured out our hearts, said all there is to say, then went our way. Then we sensed we were not alone. Jesus followed. The soul knows it’s crisis, when our world falls apart and all certainty seems to disappear. There are no words in these moments. Our prayers are stifled. Fortunate is the man or woman who know in that hour they need not walk alone. After all, Christianity is a faith for crisis. It does not matter whether it is a crisis of joy or a crisis of sorrow.

Let us ask ourselves some questions that reach deep into us.

I. Have we the courage to ask Jesus to follow us to the place where we live?

Our home is our world. Everything we are is reflected there: our integrity, our vulgarity, the nature of our weakness, the nature of our strength. Do we have the courage to leave the door open so that Jesus can come in with us? Do we dare ask Him to be near us during those moments of intimate relationships when we say things the world must never know or hear? Would we wish Jesus to follow our thoughts no matter where they might lead? Would we want Jesus to follow our hopes and dreams no matter what they encircle?

II. Have we the courage to ask Jesus to follow us to the moment in which we are tested?

There are times when we are like a man sinking in the quicksand. We do not want to yield to our weakness, be we feel ourselves alone and helpless. We find ourselves in the grip of something that is not of ourselves. There are times our heart is divided and our mind is unclear. In that moment we may see the old standards of our parents by which we were raised grow hazy. We begin to rationalize and justify our actions. We seek to persuade ourselves we have found a better wisdom and a new morality. We live as though there is no future. If only then we could remember there is a tomorrow and tomorrow will be full of loneliness and remorse.

There are other times of testing when we must follow our course. There are times when we must stand against our own kind, when we must set ourselves against our own families and follow a voice that cannot be silenced. We cannot turn a deaf ear to that voice or turn from that sense of duty in ourselves. There is only one road and we must walk down that road. But there is that other voice whispering of the price we shall have to pay, and of the cross we shall have to bear. If in that moment we waiver, we will never be ourselves, and we will never build a better world.

III. Have we the courage to ask Jesus to follow us to the place of our fears?

There are those bitter days when our minds are torn by conflicts. We are afraid and our fear dominates everything we do. We do not trust ourselves for fear we will fail. We do not trust our friends for we are persuaded they cannot help us. Our souls are truly sick. Panic sets in and we run from psychiatrist to psychiatrist seeking relief. Do we then have the courage to ask Jesus to follow us to the place of our need?

What is it we do when our heart is troubled? We ask ourselves questions, but there are no answers. We find our hopes and dreams have been carried away. We look for fulfillment, but there is never any end. We grow bitter about life. But it might have been different if we had asked Jesus to follow us. How many answers would we have found, how many dreams might have become reality, and how much fulfillment we might have seen if we had asked Jesus to follow us? What could our faith had done, with what assurance could we have met our difficulties, and with what dignity could we bear our troubles, if only we had the courage to ask Jesus to follow us?

Yes, it takes courage to follow Jesus, but it takes more courage to ask Him to follow us. The road before us may be long, we may need to travel through the dark, we may be afraid. Then we hear footsteps. We look behind us and see the shadow of Jesus following after us. It is then that we know all will be well for He will be with us whenever and wherever our need is.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

The Savior

There are certain views and prejudices which stand between many people and a full knowledge of Jesus Christ and a true joy of salvation. Certain views and prejudices create fixed ideas and limits which make it impossible to obtain this knowledge and joy. For some people everything must fit into these limits or else be left outside. This charge is frequently brought against religious people. Religious people are frequently charged with being narrow-minded and having a fixed outlook and nonflexible.

Examples of this charge include:

Religious persons:

1. A man who claims his religion is the only true religion.
2. A man who claims he has full revelation and unless you agree with and accept all his doctrines you are wrong.

Non-religious persons:

1. A man who says all forms of religion are wrong.

For the non-religious, religion is only meant to apply to a certain type of person. Many non-religious people recognize religion as something that does some type of people good. They feel it is all right for some, but they don’t feel they are the type. They say religion is not appealing to them, but fail to realize this is true because they have not given religion a chance. Their outlook is cramped and confined and their view of the Truth is that it is something which can be fitted into their mind, instead of something their mind needs to absorb and be fitted to. These narrow-minded views result in not understanding the mysteries of life and the things which make life worth living. These narrow-minded views result in the inability to find true fellowship with one another.

The view Christ came to teach:

Christ taught that we are the same and there are no barriers. He came to banish and break down divisions whether religious or non-religious. He came to proclaim that all men and women are one in nature and have one great need, a true knowledge of God. Christ constantly referred to God as Father in order to stress this. The first move on the road to being a Christian is to stop being a social, moral, or intellectual snob. The way to obtain salvation is to realize the need for it and to seek it. This is the theme of the New Testament: the humble find salvation, but the proud and arrogant ever remain on the outside. The people who consider themselves in a special and particular position never find happiness, for God does not legislate for special cases, but for mankind. He provided a Savior for the world in His Son. It is therefore our own responsibility if we consider ourselves to such exceptional people that a world-Savior does not include us.

The story of Jesus speaking to the Samaritans recorded in John 4:41,42 illustrates these truths and the working out of this idea. “And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard [him] ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world”. This story reveals the power of God and the Gospel. However, there is a casual element in the story. It shows us the great possibilities that are in life for all of us if we just take advantage of them. Nothing could be quite as casual as the chance meeting of Jesus and this woman. They just happened to meet and talk about a drink of water. From their conversation came the salvation of the woman and a large number of people from her town. This is the very essence of the Gospel; that there are infinite possibilities which are present in the most unlikely circumstances. That is how the Gospel is spread.

Think of the woman going out of town to the well. She was a burdened sinner who returned a redeemed soul. Life under the guidance of God is full of this kind of situations. You never know when God is going to appear or when the Holy Spirit is going to descend. You never know when Christ is going to deal with you and remove your burden and give your soul release. That is why every Christian must be optimistic. Just when you are about to convince yourself that your struggle is all in vain and your fighting is useless – just then, when least expected, you are rewarded with victory. Thousands of times this has happened and it is the belief of the Christian, who believes in the unity of the human race and who regards all men and women as being equal. It is his belief that what has happened once can always happen again – that if one man has been saved, all men can be saved. He who doesn’t expect, doesn’t receive.

Consider all this in the light of the Samaritans and you will see how an honest, open, unprejudiced mind is rewarded. The Samaritan men were in the city following their occupations, not thinking of anything in particular. Suddenly the woman appears and shouts, “Come see a man which told me all things that I ever did. Is this not the Christ?” The Samaritans knew the woman well. They were aware of her notorious character. She was living with her sixth husband or at least one who passed as her husband. She was one of those unfortunate people who had gone down and down, who had broken every moral law and desecrated every thing that is required as sacred. Her life was in a hopeless mess, but at that moment she was a messenger of the Gospel. She was the one who called upon the people of Samaria to come out of the city to see Christ. There is enough Gospel in that fact alone to save the whole world if we could but see it.

Consider the reaction of the men. They are asking, “what is this woman talking about? What is this hysterical outburst?” Thank goodness she found someone who can frighten her and bring her to her senses. We can easily add, “religion is quite useful in slums and pagan countries; such people need something to change them.” The messengers of Christ are strange people. They are sometimes the last you would expect: ex-convicts, ex-drunkards, ex-everything immoral. Would you be prepared to listen to them?

Consider the woman’s message. If the messenger seemed strange, the message was even more so. She said, “Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did.” Not a man who told her all her good points, nor praised her. He was a man who told her of her faults and her sins. He revealed all her past with all it’s horror. In other words her message was, “Come see a man who told me the truth.” She had met a man whose religion was personal, one who stated honest bare facts. This is the very secret of the Gospel. It understands human nature. We are usually prepared to listen to a man who is serious and earnest. Jesus’ message may lash out and hurt us at times; nevertheless, His message shows that He is out to help us. Jesus exposes our sins and weaknesses, but He does not stop at that. Why was this woman shouting about this? Not because He had exposed her sins, but because He had removed them.

The result of the woman’s message was that what happened to her happened to those whom she spoke to. Their lives were changed. They knew their sins had been forgiven. They became filled with this joy and they turned to the woman and said, “now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, Savior of the world.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

In Defense!

Liberal theology interprets God’s plan of salvation as something He devised so that we sinners could get to heaven even though we miss the mark. All one has to do is admit that they are a sinner, ask forgiveness for being a sinner and believe that Jesus said the price for their sins and then they are in.

To give them credit many of that group want to be good and try to be good, but if it’s too hard--oh well, god will forgive them for their weaknesses.

There is a branch of this group who don’t even care if they sin--thinking that their sins are covered, according to Jn:3:16 and Rom: 10:9-10

The trouble with this theology is that it does great harm and is not in line with a lot of scriptures. I will point to many of the scriptures that show this interpretation of the plan of salvation to be in error.

But first, the harm is that it negates the true intention of God and violates the true plan of salvations. For I will show that God’s intention is to restore the sinner to spiritual life and to give the repentant sinner the power, knowledge and equipment to overcome sin and death.

And second harm is that it violates God’s plan to have obedient children who will love and help the world--be a part of the answer and not be a part of the problem--to do this one must learn to make godly decisions that are good for themselves and those whom they touch rather than harm. Lies, sexual sins, abuse of substances, obesity, greediness, putting money first, not knowing God’s Word, ugliness, a me first attitude, and a my little world perception are a few of the wrong choices that cause harm and suffering.

Now I will show the loving heart of God and His ingenious plan of salvation.

Rom: 8:1-4: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5-8: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9-11: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.10: And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12-14: Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15-18: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Is The Glory Gone?

Do you ever feel that God is absent from you? None of us ever likes to admit there are times when we have a hard time finding God. The truth is that, even in the most saintly people, there are sometimes vacant places in the heart when God seems far away. All of us like to know where God is at all times. In these troubled and threatening times, our restless hearts keep looking for some evidence that God is still in control of the world.

For Israel, Mount Sinai was God’s address. It was where the people of Israel could find God. The cloud which had symbolized God’s presence and protection during their exodus hovered over the mountain top. Occasionally they even heard God’s voice behind the cloud. But the mountain was not God’s permanent home. During their final months at Mount Sinai, the Israelites built the first Church – the tabernacle. It was God’s home on earth and the place of personal encounter where worshipers could meet with God. It was filled with God’s glory, the overpowering sense of His presence. “Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34. From this point forward, God would live with His people wherever they could be found.

So why does God sometimes seem so far away? There are four good reasons:

1. A part of the reason God seems far removed from our circumstances and hurts is because of who He is. He said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). In other words, God is much larger than our concepts and our understanding of doctrine and righteousness. He is bigger than our church or denomination.

2. At other times, God seems absent because of who we are. We are rebellious, selfish, and contrary. There are periods when our prayers, even our churches and our worship, are so full of ourselves we display our wants and feelings, and leave no room for God.

3. God often seems absent because of our affluence, apathy, and comfort. We become so comfortable we simply don’t need God as much as those who are suffering or those enduring persecution or oppression.

4. God often seems absent to us because there are frankly some places God will not go. This can be illustrated from God’s Word. The tabernacle was always placed in the center of the camp. Inside the tabernacle the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the inner sanctum, the Holy of Holies. The Ark had an incredible power associated with it. In fact, it was generally assumed that Israel was invulnerable in military battles because of the Ark’s presence. At one time something bad happened. Eli was the high priest and his two sons were to assume his priestly duties when he became unable to function as high priest. The two sons, however; had lost personal touch with God and ignored the standards of holiness imposed upon the priests. Israel was at war with the Philistines and Eli’s sons carried the Ark of the Covenant onto the battle ground. The two sons were killed, Israel was defeated, and the Ark was taken by the enemy. Eli himself dropped dead from the news. The whole tragic thing occasioned the naming of a baby with on of the most horrible names ever given to a child: Ichabod. For Israel, the glory of the Lord was his presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant. The truth is that God’s glory, had temporarily departed when the Ark was removed from the tabernacle. His presence didn’t leave because the Ark had been taken, but because of the sin of His people. It is important to know that the absent glory did not reveal an absent God. Even when the sin of His people rendered them spiritual empty, God was never absent. He never abandons His people!

God was and is still ready to display His power. He is simply searching for those who will meet His conditions. Those conditions are that worship must be placed in the center of all that we do. Our worship, and our praise must be a joyful experience because the glory of the Lord is here among us.

There is something we need to understand about joy. You don’t just decide to be joyful, rather it is a fitting response to the actions of someone else. Joy is as spontaneous as the “Ah!” that comes from our lips when we see a rocket explode during a fireworks display. Joy is as sudden as the stillness that comes over us when we stand on the mountain summit and look across a valley. Joy is as unexpected as the tears that come to our eyes when we hold our child for the first time.

Are you experiencing the presence of God in your life and enjoying His glory? Don’t miss His presence because of who He is, or because of who you are, or because you feel too comfortable to need Him, or because of sin in your life. To be in God’s presence is to put ourselves where joy, real spontaneous joy, is possible.


"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Let's Serve

God uses each and every Christian in His work. Many times before we respond to God’s calling to join Him in His work we must be challenged. In Romans 15:1-13 the apostle Paul challenges believers to serve each other and to work together in unity. We are to set aside willfulness and self-pleasing actions for the sake of building others up for good.

A person that serves is described as:

1. A person that is devoted to helping those who are weaker.

Romans 15:1, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. This is a large challenge. Paul addresses this challenge to “us”, who he considers strong. He is addressing those who have a solid grounding in the Scriptures; those who have emerged victorious from crises in their own lives because of their strong faith; and those who are strong because of their maturity in Christian living.

Paul says it is our duty to help those who are weak. The strong “ought” to bear the infirmities of the weak. It is the duty of the stronger Christian to consider and lower themselves to the weakest. We must consider them by realizing they are weaker and not trample over them. We must encourage them by bearing their infirmities. Those strong in the faith should bear the doubts of the weak, because a weaker Christian in the faith will decrease his faith with each doubt he has. When the weaker brother can be shown his doubts are invalid, his faith is restored.

Paul also says those stronger in the faith ought to “bear” the infirmities of the weak. To bear means “to carry”; not just put up with or tolerate. We cannot begin to “bear” someone’s burdens until we have sympathy for them and are concerned. Strong Christians have a duty to bear the burdens of the weak, and the weak Christians should be able to expect help from stronger Christians when they have doubts and experience failures. Weaker Christians should not try to bear their own infirmities if they feel their infirmities are pushing them down and destroying their faith. They should ask for help from someone stronger and expect them to provide the needed help.

2. A person that must not please themselves.

Romans 15:1, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves”. As a servant it is not our business to gratify all the little appetites and desires of our own heart. This is the key – A Christian servant should not be self-centered, but should be concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. The first lesson we must learn to be a servant of Christ is to deny ourselves. Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”

3. A person that pleases his neighbor for his own good.

Romans 15:2, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” Pleasing our neighbor is not just an end in itself, (not just that they will be happy), but for his edification. When a servant pleases his neighbor in this way it builds them up in Christian graces. We are not to please our neighbor in everything, but for his good; especially the good of his soul. This is the example Jesus Christ left for us. Even He did not please Himself, but “He came to do the will of the Father that sent Him.” Jesus had no place to lay His head. He lived upon alms. He would not be made a king. He washed His disciples feet. He emptied Himself and made no reputation for Himself. All Christ die was for out sake, for our good, to bring righteousness for us and to set an example. Christ was our perfect example of One challenged to serve others.

How do we learn to be one that serves?

1. Through the example of Christ.

We must bear the infirmities of the weak, for Christ bore the reproaches of those that reproached God. He bore the guilt of sin and the curse for it. We are only called to bear a little of the trouble of sin. He bore the sins of the world. We are only called to bear the infirmities of the weak.

2. Through the Scriptures.

Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” The Scriptures are left for a standing rule to us. They are written that they might remain for our use and benefit; for our learning. There are many things to be learned in the Scriptures, but to learn how to be a servant is one of the most important. The example of Christ, in what He said and did, is recorded for our emulation.

3. Through the example of others.

As we have stronger Christians minister to us in our need, and help us to bear our infirmities, we can learn from their example how to minister to others who are weaker.

What are the results of being a servant to others?

1. Romans 15:4, “That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope“.

The result of being a servant is that we achieve endurance through patience and develop the ability to remain steadfast in the face of adversities. Patience works experience and experience works hope. The more patience we exercise under troubles, the more hopeful we may look through our troubles.

As we study the Scriptures for the examples given to us, they serve to give us encouragement that we might have hope. As Christians learn from the past they are motivated to endure and be comforted in the present, looking ahead in hope to the future. The steadfast endurance and encouragement a Christian receives from the Scriptures come ultimately from God, the author of the Scriptures. The study of Scripture gives patience under human persecution and Satan’s opposition. The study of Scripture also gives patience as we bear one another’s burdens, and in waiting for divine promises to be fulfilled.

The study of Scripture gives us comfort. It is the comfort that springs from the Word of God and bids us to rise above our fears. It is the comfort that urges us to dwell little on fleeting things and commands us to find our joy in God.

2. That we have a Spirit of Unity.

Romans 15:5,6, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded toward one another according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This Spirit of Unity includes being of one-mind; to be able to think the same, and one heart; to be able to love the same, and one mouth; to be able to speak the same. The foundation of Christian love and peace is laid in like-mindedness. This like-mindedness must be according to the pattern and example of Jesus Christ. Like-mindedness that is patterned after Jesus Christ means we will have a right mind, a sound mind, a pure mind, a spiritual mind, and a renewed mind. The mind controls our conversation with God; the mouth controls our conversation with others. A spirit of unity is an essential element in a relationship of service.

It is desirable that Christians should agree in everything that they might glorify God. One mouth in confessing the truths of God. One mouth in praising the name of God. One mouth in common conversation, not jarring, biting, or devouring one another.

3. That we might receive one another.

Romans 15:7, “that we might receive one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God”. Paul had encouraged the strong to receive the weak because sometimes the prejudices of the weak Christian make him shy away from the strong, as much as the pride of the strong Christian makes him shay away from the weak. Neither should be. There should be mutual embracing among Christians. Those that have received Christ by faith must receive all Christians by brotherly love.

Jesus Christ has received us into the nearest and dearest relations to Himself. He has received us into His fold, into His family, into the adoption of sons, into a marriage-covenant with Him. The end of our reception by Christ is that we might glorify God in this world, and will be glorified with Him in that to come.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

What's It All About

People look at the bad things, the hurtful thing, the tragedies going on and think that since God is all-knowing and all-powerful, that these thing are hHs fault. But just the opposite is true.

God is a loving Father. All the things He told us not to do is because those things cause the very harm that we are blaming on Him. And all the things He has told us to do are the things that will prevent those tragedies and help those who are experiencing tragedy.

Oh, why can’t people be made to understand that God is life. He is love. He is light. He is Papa. He has the answers. We are the problem.

Why do I continually hear about mankind’s search for answers to life, search for a reason for being here, and search for a better life and yet they bypass or nix God and the Bible.

It must be the way we’re coming across. Some peddle emotional highs. Some peddle miracles. Some peddle a ticket to heaven. But somehow we’re not getting through.

The answer to life is that God, who desired to have offspring who were one with His creation, created mankind in His image and put them in a body of the same material as His creation. He revealed through the Old Testament what He wanted of them and what the reward for obedience would be.

In the New Testament, He sent His Son who accomplished all the things God said to do and then paid the price for mankind’s disobedience and became their propitiation so that all those who will come to The Father, repent of disobedience, receive His Son as their Lord and Savior can have eternal life and be made into the image of a real man which God has portrayed in His Son.

The purpose of life is to grow up into Him in all things and to love one another. That is--be a part of the answer instead of a part of the problem. Help others find the true way and help others out of their troubles.

The better life is to have a personal Father/child relationship with God who is life, light, and love. And to understand what it’s all about and to have a mission to be about the Father’s business.

You want someone to admire--to look up to--someone to model after? The real hero and role model is Jesus Christ. He is worth serving. It is safe to put your complete trust in. He has proved Himself to be number one for all time.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

Water Baptism Doesn't Save You

1 Peter 3:21

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”

It is strongly advised here, not to rest in the letter, but to look for the substance of what is here .(from Adam Clarke Commentary) emphasis is mine.
“There are many difficulties in this verse; but the simple meaning of the place may be easily apprehended. Noah believed in God, walked uprightly before him, and found grace in his sight; he obeyed him in building the ark, and God made it the means of his salvation from the waters of the deluge. Baptism implies a consecration and dedication of the soul and body to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He who is faithful to his baptismal covenant, taking God through Christ, by the eternal Spirit, for his portion, is saved here from his sins; and through the resurrection of Christ from the dead, has the well-grounded hope of eternal glory. This is all plain; but was it the deluge, itself, or the ark, or the being saved by that ark from the deluge, that was the antitype of which Peter speaks? Noah and his family were saved by water; i. e. it was the instrument of their being saved through the good providence of God. So the water of baptism, typifying the regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit, is the means of salvation to all those who receive this Holy Spirit in its quickening, cleansing efficacy. Now as the waters of the flood could not have saved Noah and his family, had they not made use of the ark; so the water of baptism saves no man,” This text, as far as I can see, says nothing in support of immersion in baptismal water as the means of salvation;”

Peter is teaching that the fact that 8 people were in an ark and went through the whole judgment, and yet were unharmed, is analogous to the Christian’s experience in salvation by being in (union with) Christ, identified with Christ our "Ark" of salvation so to speak.

Peter is not teaching (as some twist the Scriptures to say) that immersion in water by a particular denomination saves you. Peter pictures the waters of baptism as corresponding to (prefigured by) the deliverance of Noah’s family by the Ark. Noah and his family's identification with the Ark (by going into the ark when the flood came) is a type of the believer's identification with Christ (by grace through faith) in which he or she identifies with Christ's finished work on the Cross and in so doing in a manner of speaking that person is now safe within the "Ark", Who is Christ Jesus. He/she has received Holy Spirit baptism and now qualifies for water baptism.

Peter seems very aware that his words are open to dangerous misuse. This is why, as soon as they are out of his mouth, as it were, he qualifies them lest they be taken the wrong way. In verse 21 he does say, "Baptism now saves you" - that sounds like the water has a saving effect in and of itself apart from faith. He knows that is what it sounds like and so he adds immediately, "Not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience , The exercise of saving faith which triggers Holy Spirit Baptism which seals your salvation Eph. 1:13.

I hope this clarifies the question for you. Peter did not say Water Baptism saves you. As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.

The term water baptism is assumed in this verse, Never stated.
NOTE:

Jesus plus anything else for Salvation equals Nothing. It's NOT Grace through Faith + all you can do. Jesus plus Nothing else for Salvation = EVERYTHING.

Note: Water Baptism in the Bible is always after salvation and only by immersion (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Acts 8:38). Water Baptism is a public symbol of what has happened inside of a believer. It symbolizes the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:3-4)

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"

More Than We Can Handle

How many times have you heard someone say, “Well, God said He won’t put any more on us than we can bear” or He won’t give us any more than we can handle?

They are misquoting 1Cor: 10:12-14: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14: Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Paul was saying that temptations come to everyone, but God will not let the pressure of the temptation overcome you if you are doing your part. In fact He will show you the way out of it. Are you doing your part? Do you have on the full armor of God? Are you a doer of the word as well as a hearer? Do you meditate in His word and protect your heart from bad influences? Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and all your being? If you do these things temptation can’t pull you down unless you let it.

Now does that sound anything like God won’t put any more on you than you can handle?

God isn’t the one who is tempting you either:

Jas: 1:12-17: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15: Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16: Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Misquoting that scripture is a total injustice against God and the hearer. It sounds as if God is the troublemaker. Many people actually think God puts hardship on them to test them. They do not know the Bible. The Bible makes it clear who is the troublemaker and who is you stay and help.

"If life has knocked you down, I prophesy that you will Rise & Walk"