Fighting Hidden Sin

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Romans 1:24-25

     Lately the Bible has been under attack through a recycled approach, the historic validity. New evidence surfaces that “proves” Jesus was married. Yet more evidence that Jesus was as fictional as Adam and creation. As I walked the Religious isles at our local mega bookstore, where Jesus lovers and Jesus deniers are lined side by side under the label of Christian Living, the book of Romans came to mind yet again…

    Yet again, I do say, because two days ago at the YMCA, while walking really fast on the treadmill, Romans 1 came to mind. I happened to look up and see a fellow on television named Jenner. I guess he was now wanting people to be delusional with him and think he was a woman. Sorry, after slightly throwing up in my mouth I wrote a little memo to myself on my phone, “Romans 1, our prayer as Christians if we are hidding sin.”

     Jenner was not the problem for me, he is a Romans One problem, as I myself have been. I am a little weirded out by dude, but seeing Robin Williams as “Mrs Doubtfire,” was disturbing too. The treadmill continued to force me to walk four miles an hour, and I made another entry into my phones memo pad, “They were given over to their desires.”

     A prayer I prayed so many nights as a Christian hidding sin, was that God would not give me over to a depraved mind. It was a cry for help to God as I was trapped in addiction that on my own was impossible, that held me captive and gripped my soul. I had believed so many lies, and did not want God to be finished with me. Yet in my despair, I was still hopeless. No, I am no better than the man on television, the man who for lack of acknowledging God and rooting himself in sin, was given over to desires that are unnatural.

     Romans One is clear on two things; 1. God has made himself known, known to be worshiped. 2. If we fail to honor him, and thank him, there is a wrath revealed from heaven. (Stop… I am not saying earthquakes and tornadoes are God’s wrath against sinners.) What the Bible is saying is that if we are suppressing the truth of God, denying the honor and thanks due him, then in time (for God is slow to anger) we are given to the desires of our hearts. As the old saying goes, “careful what you wish for.”

     As for these scholars who have proven God, the Bible, Jesus,and  Christianity to be false, read Romans 1:19-23 “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisable attributes, namely, his eternal power and devine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exhanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

     I am guilty of hidden sin, I am guilty of thinking my ways are better than His. I am a fallen man, not worthy of salvation. That is the good news of Romans and the gospel, it is the sweet aroma of life to those who are being saved, but for those who are perishing (openly denying God) it is the smell of death. I see the attack on morality in society not a fault of the media, or the world we live in, but it is me who must stand for truth, and encourage those around me to stand for truth, and spread this good news gospel, Jesus is risen, Jesus is coming back, and why he died in the first place, for you! For me!

     If you are a Christian living with hidden sin, know that God is patient. But there is verse in James that must be inserted here, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15. As I prayed each night that God would not kill me for my sin, I thought I was alone, I was believing that Hope was no longer available. God heard my prayer, He answered it, He saved me. And as I began to confess my sins, God was faithful and just to forgive me, and I understood from a whole different point of view these things called grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

     The lies the enemy tells Christians is staggering. From thoughts of suicide and deep depression to anger and deep despair. For the world is quick to ignore God, to jump into depravity. But for the Christian, we hide our sin, we conceal our addiction, we try to accomplish what has already been done on the cross. It is truth in Jesus Christ that sets us free. Truth, sometimes, has to be spoken out loud. Confessing to another the things that keep us from fellowship with God and others, confess them. Truth is a trait of our Father, the God who created you, he already knows.

     The Bible will always be under attack, morality will always be under attack, we will always be under attack. We can change the outcome of ourselves only, and pray for the Jenners, and the confussed scholars, God will defend His Name, and we will stand with Him, not in our righteousness, but clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. Read Romans One again, where are you with God? Are you begging him not to turn you over to a depraved mind? If you are, then let truth be your goal…If you believe God isn’t real, then ask yourself this, are you sure you’re not the fool? God declares himself known to you!

     I pray The lost would be found, the wounded would come in, and that truth would be declared from the lips of my mouth to the ears of the perishing.

Revisiting The Council of Nicaea

This is a legitimate arguement for anyone who believes they are a Christian. Revisiting the core beliefs of Christianity. To seek truth in our beliefs and make sure what we have defined in our hearts is truth. That our faith stands not only in line with , but vibrantly in line with the Word of God. Psalm 1 vs. 2 says, ” But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” It is the revisiting of such councils and creeds as the Nicene Creed and the council of Trent, that can help define more truthfully the ideas and beliefs we hold on to as truth. There are multiple creeds, councils, and confessions, articles and Catechisms. As overwheling as they can be, surprisingly they address almost all the debates we have today in social media, and social justice issues, tackling false doctrine and defining grace. The doctrine of “Orininal Sin” and the biggest of all controversies, the doctrine of the Trinity.

It amuses me to see so many people argue issues on their social media outlets, without even knowing the history or result of the belief system they are defending. It is embarrassing to think the world is watching fellow Christians debate and undermine eachother over things they know nothing about. It is their obvious lack of meditating on the law of the Lord day and night, mixed with their mingling of the world. This is why I argue for another “Council of Nicaea.”

It is not a small matter to dismiss the venue of social media and the impact it is having on Christianity. It is a “facebook religion,” that is sweeping through the churches, where a pastor or a doctrine can be undermined within minutes. Though on the surface these quotes and out of text scriptures seem truthful, they are in some cases merly mimicking the original “out of context father”, the devil.

These councils held so many years ago, ranging from A.D. 325 to as current as 1646, have played a critical part in modern Christianity. If you believe in the Trinity for example, then you are siding with the great majority of thealogians and early followers of Christ as well as Christianity today. Church history is not without it’s controversies, small sects throughout history have come strong against the Trinity. Today Jehova’s Witnesses are the leading religion that is anti-Trinitarian. Knowing the beliefs of the early church can help root your doctrinal faith. Though we follow Jesus, we cannot just remain “red letter” followers, for even Christ himself told us “Before Moses was, I Am.” Undoubtedly making it clear, He was here on earth, in heaven, long before He was baby Jesus. He was at creation as a creator. He has more to say than just what is qouted in the Bible, before, during, now, and for eternity to come. This argument of the “Trinity” then led to the debate of Jesus’ nature. Is He fully God, or fully man? Christians believe while on earth he was in a devine way, both. For more reading on councils and creeds get a copy of this book, Know the Creeds and Councils, written by Justin S. Holcomb. Published by Zondervan. Simple to read, it gives an overview
Of the more popular and decisive creeds and councils, as well as confessions and catechisms.

Different from today’s view on authority, only “pastors” and “deacons”were allowed to attend the majority of the councils. Yes, some without high church titles would manage to infiltrate the debates, but it was mostly those holding authority in their respected Reports would leak out and rumors would spread, but without social media, the damage was minimal.  Today anyone with a smart phone or computer can become an authority on doctrine or theology based on who will listen to them. It is easier to gain followers and produce false belief systems than ever before in the history of the world. What would have been debates brought to right standing authoritative persons, is now dismissed by rants on facebook, gaining likes and comments that further insult the biblical truths and theology originally disagreed with. There is a Truth that is fact, (a physical and seen truth,) and there is a Truth that Christians, by faith believe is fact. (It is the DNA of physical truth). Unsaved people do not care about “faith truth,” this is the truth that Jesus rose from the dead, that Christ will return, that our sins are forgiven, by faith that is fact, it is true. Yet to an unbeliever this is lunacy. So speaking to those who live by faith, trust in their God, and seek Him beyond quoted scritures on facebook, do you know truth? Do you believe in standing up for truth? No matter what the current social issue is, no matter what those around you are caving into, is your faith rooted in streams of water?

I choose to submit to the authority of my church, my pastor, to align myself with furthering the work of the church, to strengthen those around me who are weaker, not with judgment and long winded controversies, but with truth. Truth is not easy, it is not comfortable, truth if it so desires, does not abide with the popular view. Truth will either ratify your beliefs, or force you to deny Christ. This is my “Council of Nicaea,” to seek the generations before me, to ask what they beleive and why. To not let just anyone speak into my life. And to hold everything, teaching, thoughts, and words to the light of scripture. If it does not align with scripture, it is not truth.

Psalm One is the essence of truth, we are rooted in God, not only when we seek him, but when we also stop listening and fellowshiping with the world belief system.

Who Is Directing Your Narrative?

“Who is directing your narrative?” This is inherently the most crucial question you could ask yourself right now. Further out this year you will be all but persecuted depending how you answered, and already it has started in the city in which I live. There is no right or wrong answer, for the truth in the answer is relative. It is less about the answer and more about your willingness to compromise truth by bringing in your own exemptions. Narratives are our DNA in everything we claim ourselves to be. Though the word “narrative” first popped up in the art world, maybe what the painter was trying to narrate to his audience, has now become a political cliche of opposition. Each side claims the other has a narrative filled with bias and driven by some agenda that is on the brink of conspiracy. Where you stand is your answer, you may be silent today, but beleive me we will all have that moment Peter had by the fire, when a little girl says she saw you with Jesus, and you will have an opportunity to distort the truth of Jesus.
Peter did not only deny Jesus, he denied a narrative of truth. Jesus was the son of God and Peter knew it, and yet lied to a small group of people to keep his status as “one of the regular folk.”
This month the churches in our town were divided by such a question, they were asked, (not forced) to define there narrative; to stand with the Jesus of the bible, or to compromise the Bible and stand with a Jesus that is modern and inoffensive. Sadly I saw crowds of well to do Christians deny the Jesus that saved them and flock to a Jesus that is not in the Bible. A fictional character created by people who have not read the Bible or care to. A moral Jesus that in almost all areas of his life resembles the Jesus that suffered on the cross for our sins, yet fails to save because it is not necessary.
Who has decieved you? As Paul asked Galatia, I ask them, who has come in and sold you such a lie that you would deny Christ and take up for a Jesus that is not only absent from scripture, but is unable to save. This narrative is unabidding in love if you are willing withhold truth to avoid conflict and persecution. Peter denied the suffering Jesus, because he himself did not want to suffer. They have denied a truthful Jesus because they do not themselves believe the truth of Jesus.
John 1:1 is clear on who Jesus is, He is the Word of God, manifest in human body, fully God, fully man, from the beginning of the creation of earth he was there. There is no such thing as a “red letter Jesus” only. He is in Genesis, Leviticus, Psalms, Mathew, and Revelation… and any of the other 64 books not mentioned. The idea of only going by what is written in red, contradicts the application. If the same set of people got the whole Bible wrong, then how can we trust “red letter Jesus”. He too is fictional. A false Jesus started by a lazy belief system that led to an inoffensive Savior.
“Modern Jesus” and “red letter Jesus” are dangereous, they are as deceptive as Laban was to Jacob in Genesis 29:22-26. He gave Jacob the wrong daughter to marry on purpose, to keep with the culture of their day, it was not customary to give a younger daughter to marry before the eldest. What a narrative to emulate, decieve the non-believer into believing in a diferent Jesus because of the current and latest political views that the media narrats.
There is, praise the Lord, a saving Jesus. One who for our sake, became sin, became shame, became unworthy to be the son of God, yet though despised and rejected (by me) took upon himself the cross. Beaten and bruised. Mocked and ridiculed. Willingly died, giving up his Spirit, for me; for you.
Who is directing your narrative? Is Jesus worth following even if persecution is guaranteed? The Bible is a wonderful ocean of grace. Listen to Peter in 1 Peter 2:1-12 (remember, this dude rejected Christ three times)
“So put away all malace and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
‘Behold I am laying in Zion a stone,
A cornerstone chosen and precious,
And whoever believes in him will not be put to shame’

So the honor is for you who beleive, but for those who do not believe,

‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’

and

‘A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.’

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not recieved mercy, but now you have recieved mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorabl, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

I am overwhelmingly thankful to be a member of a church which has undoubtedly lived out these verses this past month. Honoring God, not man. Honoring scripture, not newspapers, teaching truth to set the captive free, rather than withholding the truth, to be free of ridicule. Our church leaders are rejected by men, yet are so precious to God!
We are in a new day in America, where the Jesus of the Bible, the Jesus who forgives sin, is under attack. It is not just by outsiders, but by wolves in sheeps clothing, selling a false Jesus, a Jesus that changes with the political Narrative. There is no one truth if you wish to not offend, you will have to change as people decide to be offended by the next big topic.
As Peter came to his senses, it was becasue he did love the true Jesus. Jesus, with open arms, gave to Peter the powerful tools of grace, mercy and reconciliation. these are available to all, all who call on Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, the Jesus that wants all of you, He will purify your life, he will ask you to give things to him, and give you the strength, in his timing to free you from the chains of captivity. But we must admit we are sinners… I am a sinner, saved by grace.
I pray as you read this you can know that if Jesus directs your narrative, then you will be able to stand up for a faith that is uncompromising to the tides of political fads. It is not a time to slander those who we disagree with, but to pray for them, for their freedom to give Jesus everything, even their beliefs, to trust that what Christ did on the cross is real, true, and he is alive!

Okay With Same Sex Tithing?

I admit,  I assume some of you will read this in an effort to see what same sex tithing is…so I won’t save it till the end. I will explain it in the next paragraph so you can close out this window and head to other sites and shake your head in disbelief that you even spent a moment reading this.
Same sex tithing is my new catch phrase for the modern seeker sensitive Christian. It is the Christian who follows the next big movement without understanding the ramifications of the decisions they are making. It is the Christian who has downloaded the Bible on their iPhone,  but quotes the verse of the day out of context and assumes that is adequate for daily devotion.
Okay if I have lost you, I am fine and dandy with the outcome. Now on to the question at hand… do you believe in same sex tithing? Have you walked with someone who has some disdain for the traditional church beliefs with which they have slighted your thought pattern? Would you let someone you love and would die for, die without knowing God’s true purpose and plan for them, because it might offend them?
Have you stood with those who regard pastors as greedy for profit homo-phobic religious leaders…and pondered if it were true? Maybe they do want your money…but not the homosexuals…isn’t their money as good as a straight persons money? If I were greedy I would not discriminate. Yet so many pastors are presumed bigots and greedy, yet I have never seen a crook who was picky about who he bamboozled.
Have you sat with anyone who is willing to slander a pastor or his family based on rumors. Laughing and agreeing because you yourself have heard the same things. Searching the scripture on anything that would confirm that the church is no longer relevant to society today…
‘Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked, nor stand with sinners, or sit with mockers. But His delight (what our delight should be) is in the Law of the Lord. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, his leaf will not wither….” Psalm ones first half.
We will not always agree with each other on every social issue. But let us come together and reason and settle our disputes within the church. Let us listen to the elders at the gate. And know that as the Word of God is handed down from generation to generation, we should not let the fads of people pleasers, out rank the wisdom of God pleasers. We are a peculiar people…meaning we are owned by God, purchased with the sacrifice of Jesus. A holy nation. Set apart to do God’s will. God’s will is that non should parish. We are either all in or almost out. 1John says “if we say we are without sin, we call God a liar.” Have you agreed that what the Bible calls sin is not?
I pray as you read this and wonder if your same sex tithing? You will search out the men of God who can share with you the trends of their day, and irrelevant they are now, yet how God’s word has stood the ages. Because God’s word is Love, is Jesus, is eternal….

Blessing For Famine

A VISION OF GRACE…

     Pharaoh had a vision…

      When  some ugly skinny cows gathered on the shore, they went for some attractive fat cows, seven ugly skinny cows devoured seven attractive fat cows. All seven attractive fat cows were gone. The ugly skinny cows ate the attractive fat cows. The attractive fat cows did not survive, because why? Yes, the ugly skinny cows ate them.

     Pharaoh barely wakes up, only to fall asleep again, and has a similar dream, this time involving thin and blighted ears of corn.

      (Two dreams) One Vision given by God, to achieve three purposes. Without this one vision, Joseph is likely another pile of bones in a jail cell with little bone fingers clung around the bars, his head looking out toward his homeland. Without this vision, the other eleven tribes of Israel will likely not come into existence. Without this one vision, a God who claims to have a chosen people, would cease to have people to call His chosen.

      Though there is now open a thousand rabbit trails to follow in this vision, the focus will be the three purposes.

      The first purpose, was to free the prisoner. Joseph needed rescue, and God provided it by the vision to Pharaoh. Yes God speaks to kings on our behalf, though kings may not know the roll they play, God orchestrates beautifully the release of those who trust him. After Joseph interprets the vision, he is placed in power.

      Secondly, was to save the world. Although the story focuses on Joseph and his brothers, we find this verse nestled in at the end of a chapter… “moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.” Genesis 41:57. ESV. The whole world was saved by the vision of a coming famine. If God had not warned Pharaoh through this vision interpreted by Joseph, then no one would have stored up for this great famine that came across the whole earth. Joseph was used by God, not only to save his own family, and be reconciled to them, but to save the entire earth.

    Not by any means least, but Thirdly, The vision glorified God. No council or visionary employed by Pharaoh could truthfully give insight to such a mad dream. Pharaoh was informed that a young Hebrew would likely be able to interpret the vision. The last time we know of Egyptians and Hebrews meeting is Joseph’s great grandpa Abraham stopping in (for a famine) and lying about his wife being his sister. The interaction was brief, but troublesome, plagues broke out when the Egyptian king thought he might take Sarah for his bride. Wether the new Pharaoh was aware of this interaction of their great grand parents or not, Joseph was about to put the Hebrew people on the current map, thus glorifying the God who placed him there.

      Joseph said to his brothers… “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life…” Genesis 45:5 ESV.

     If God is in the business of using evil for his good, then we should be in the business of forgiving evil done to us by others around us. If Joseph had not forgiven his brothers, but rather slaughtered them at the gates of the great city, then the remnant of Israel would have been lost. Yet here we see a man set free by a vision, save the world by a vision, and glorify God through honoring the vision. He honored the vision by forgiving those who the vision was intended to save. Christ came to die for all, therefore there is no one who is outside the vision of salvation, if God will use a godless ruler’s dreams to save the earth from famine, how much more should we set aside our bitterness to join Christ in his vision, to seek and save the lost, to give bread to the hungry, and water to the thirsty, even those who have trespassed against our heart.

      My prayer is that we can be the Joseph in Egypt, to those who come. Even when we realize those who come have wounded us in the passed. Let God be glorified! when the ugly skinny cow comes out of the water, will you remember the vision?

 

 

Delinquency towards homosexuals PART 2

1 John 1:5 through 2:2…

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claimed we have not sinned we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

My dear children I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father on our defense— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

This is awesome news to anyone, it frees me up to not judge the world,(the unsaved). And it clarifies those who are saved, and those who are not. It leaves me with a clear answer to who can be saved, and who is a sinner and who is without sin….ALL can be saved, and ONLY Jesus was without sin.

There is a clarity in Scripture on sin… it separates us from God. Coveting is as much a sin as lying. Yet no one holds signs saying “GOD HATES THOSE WHO COVET.” or “GOD HATES OVER EATERS, SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL FOR THEM.”

The writers who penned Scripture (inspired by God) are trying to make it clear, ALL have sinned. ALL, EVERYONE, ME. And without Christ, Gay or Straight, you are in need of a Savior, and you deceive yourself if you think you are without sin.

The stance and belief I have on non-believers is this, “There is good news for you, Christ died for you, to save you from the harmful things that destroy, from the lies of satan that would keep you from being all He has planned and purposed you for, and if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart…YOU SHALL BE SAVED!!!” And if an unbeliever accepts Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone, the new is here.

If you accept Christ, then the next logical step is, you go into discipleship, and grow in Faith, and knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Starting with milk, then onto meat. The Holy Spirit is your counselor, a guide, He will reveal the things in your heart that are sinful. But we cannot come to Christ unless we admit we are sinners, thus needing Him!

The issue brought on by the homosexual agenda against Christianity is the stand alone question they always ask… “Is homosexuality a sin?” The problem with this question is that it is a set up. Of course Christians believe the act of homosexuality is a sin, but we believe a thousand other things are sins to. It would false to say homosexuality is the worst of all sins, yet it is made to look as if that is what we are saying.

There is such a thing as Christians who struggle with Pornography (I would know)

There is such a thing as Christians who struggle with Smoking (Not mentioned in the bible, so is it a sin?)

There is such a thing as Christians who Gossip and do not care, (is it a small sin that doesn’t separate us from God?)

There is such a thing as Christian kids that don’t obey their parents, (in the old testament they would be stoned to death)

There is such thing as Christians who struggle with homosexuality, (Silence, do you disagree?)

SO what does that mean?

It means that God’s grace is sufficient, for all sin. But the list is for me to evaluate my walk with God, and encourage and disciple those who God places in my life. Paul tells believers to get rid of the acts of the flesh, the lusts of the flesh. The world is not needing to hear our lists of sins, they are living in sin, straight or gay, they need a savior.

We must be willing to submit everything to God, he wants our all. So if you are a Christian, I would ask, have you given Jesus All?

and if you are a homosexual, I would ask this, would you be willing to give Jesus everything, even if He asked you to give up a relationship? Could you give up yourself, weather you chose it or were born it, would you say “Jesus if this is hindering me from giving you everything, I am willing to give you my life.” It’s not the homosexuality that makes you a sinner, it’s the fact that we as humans entered the earth ready to sin, however it manifests or shows, we as humans naturally rebel against God. That is why only God can draw men to him, and we can respond with acceptance or rejection. God loves everyone, and he knows the desires he has placed in your heart, and he wants us to relinquish our desires, dreams, aspirations to him, and he will give us a new set of eyes. This message is for gays, straights and all who breathe, God is love, God is gracious, and God gave up all his rights, will you give up yours?

It is not until you accept Christ, that you accept the Word of God, and if you do, then you want to please God, the Holy Spirit will encourage and minister to you and show you how to please God. He can change heal the  brokenness in anyone’s heart.

 

 

Scroll of Eden: Book One in the Passing Evils series.

Book one is here, “Passing Evils: Scroll of Eden” and it is a free download, it is only available (as of now,) at smashwords.com. click the link to take you to the page and download it, read it, and get hooked… because book two will be out in mid February. Enjoy. Thanks for your support and you can check out the Passing Evils Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Passing-Evils

www.smashwords.com/books/view/385518 

Have an awesome holiday season and Merry Christmas!!!!

A Delinquency Towards Homosexuals

2 Corinthians 5: 11-21 is a scripture giving believers their new title, “Ambassadors of Christ.” Then the description of the duties of this assigned title, are “with the ministry of reconciliation.” I have long been a fan of this passage, and as of late it has been at the forefront in regards to the political issues regarding homosexuals and religious freedoms.

Christians and homosexuals alike have, admittedly, their extremists; and in no way do these extremists reflect the true values, or beliefs as their larger group. For example, the Jones-borough “Baptist” church which systematically opposes everything in such a hateful way, that they themselves have become targeted and opposed by all sides of the political and faith isles. It is easy to see these crazies and agree they are just that, crazy.

Anyone in our country is protected by “rights” free speech, right to bear arms, free press, right to a speedy trial…etc. And rightfully so. But where I find a problem is this, we allow government dispersed rights to trump the rights in which we are called to lay down as Christians. For example, we have a right to sue other people for wrongs done to us, yet the Bible teaches us not to take our brothers in Christ to court. But you have the right to! So if you’ve been wronged and you find out it’s a brother in Christ, and you decide to sue anyway and win, and take from their paycheck $100 a week until they pay you back (you are well within your “American Rights”) Good for you, you American you! But you are no longer representing Christ.

In Rome, after Christ’s death, Christianity for hundreds of years was either illegal or legal. One day it was legal, and after a new emperor came to power it was illegal, then after another take over of an emperor it became legal again. Other countries to this day have laws that restrict church, speech in church, and in Syria today, Christians are being killed, tortured and raped., as in many other middle eastern countries, down into Africa and Asia. But here in America we are so caught up with our rights given to us by man’s law, that we are focused more on keeping our rights protected then keeping the second greatest commandment, “love your neighbor”.

I believe there is a place for these religious rights, and we are blessed to be in this country at this time, when we can be a hub for missionaries and ministries to the diverse cultures and lifestyles of this country as well as internationally to the world that is less accommodating to Christianity. Our country is a safe haven for those who are persecuted and displaced by the religious wars that go on in the Middle East. But as these rights here are being lost, and changed, we must not give up the title of Ambassador of Christ in exchange for Ambassador for Religion. If we are a group of people who say “It’s not religion it’s a relationship,” then we probably should understand what that relationship requires of us, and what it requires us to lay at the feet of Jesus in whom we are in relation to.

Politics have pressed their thumb hard and deep into the lives of Christians and Homosexuals, in a pitted war of Left vs. Right.  Realistically though, could there be a belief that is neither right, nor left? Did thousands of years ago, Jesus send a subliminal message by ridding on a donkey into town that he was a Democrat, no he rode into town on a baby donkey to proclaim He was the KING of PEACE. He was not here to wage war on the government of that day, which was highly oppressive.

Here we allow one political party to “define” our views, and place it in a box with a small window above that is unwavering to what a majority of voters will allow (Overton Window) Thus as the window shifts, so our religious rights shift, the window will always work against the truest of followers as those less enthused or less devout will lose interest and allow the slight of opinion to pull further the majority.

As Christians, the bride of Christ, we should be less ready to fight the government for a discount on taxes and to abstain from taking pictures at gay weddings, and be more equipped to give an answer to those who are seeking, preaching while preaching is legal. I do believe there is a place to stand your ground and an avenue for it, but everyone focusing on their religious rights is as annoying as watching football players mock refs by imitating a thrown penalty flag and shaking their heads when they don’t get the flag thrown for them. They scream for injustices done to them because they thought they were held or tackled wrong. Then later they tweet about it.

I do not know anything about the family who reportedly refused to take wedding pictures for a lesbian couple, but I am disappointed that they refused. They are sighting religious rights keep them from taking the pictures. I am not a Bible Scholar in any situation, but no where in the Scriptures is there anything about missing an opportunity to let your light shine to anyone in the world. We are called to let our light shine before men. There was no reason to ignore this couple, and in turn looking ridiculous in light of what is taught in the Bible. I would like to ask the photographer if any of their other couples they photographed weddings for ever had premarital sexual relations, or lied, or disobeyed their parents, or coveted, or sinned. They do have the right to refuse service, they have religious freedoms, they have rights up the wazoo, so do the lesbian couple, and thus the rights given by the governmentare conflicting and a judge is left to decide, and in this case, he decided in favor of the lesbian couple. And I’m not sure I disagree with the judge in this case, in regards to why one should expect a set of laws governed by man to please everyone will not degenerate into complete chaos because the rights demanded by individuals increases as the population increases.  Are we slowly shifting from telling people Jesus loves them, to arguing that my rights allow me to tell you NO, and Oh by the way, Jesus loves you.

As I come to a stopping point until part 2, I beg you to Pray if you are a believer, Pray out of love for the lost, and for those who are hurting and looking for the Savior, Jesus did not hold onto his rights, He trusted the Father,.. “he left his rights, will you leave yours, we don’t understand it,  let it go.” -Newsboys

If we are Ambassadors of Christ with the ministry of reconciliation, what are we doing to enhance our audience, and what are we doing to hinder our image. Not that we have to please man and say a sin is not a sin, but to realize Christ called you out of your sin, with Grace, not counting your sins against you, forgiveness and grace can be extended to all lifestyles, it is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin and changes hearts.

All I can do is honestly proclaim it was Jesus Christ who saved me from the wretch that I was. So If someone rejects God, let it be them rejecting God, not us as Christians painting a Jesus that is incapable of saving everyone, and has already rejected them. This goes against God’s very nature, that no one would be lost, God may not have called you to serve in the homosexual community, but he has not called you to reject it as damned to hell either… TO BE CONTINUED.

Vicious Cycle of Self-Destruction

Excerpt from Session One of Cross Roads (Finding Sexual Freedom).

“One of the most persistent false beliefs is that we will always be trapped and there is no hope for us. God, however, has a different point of view.”

As our church gets ready to kick of an awesome study through the living free ministry, “Cross Roads.” I can’t help but share how effective this study is, and continues to be. The lessons each week are in depth and intense. Yet the grace of God is the blanket that covers the shame we as men can feel from the secrets we have stowed away. Despair is the word that so filled me, a hopeless enslavement to the lure of lust. Despair that pulled me further away from God, others, and continues to recycle me through the process of falling. imagine a machine designed to kick you down, then lift you up, only to kick you down again. The machine is Satan, the father of lies. Despair is is conveyer belt, that holds easily the weight of our lusts, and sets us standing at boots end, to maximize the intrusion, and as the machines foot kicks us down, there again a hand lifts us to ready our feet for another kick back into the mire…

Session one addresses this vicious cycle of self-destruction well, reminding us that these are “false beliefs” and pointing a way to true beliefs, true freedom from slavery.

If your a dude, this class is for you. You may not be in despair or trapped, but then if your not, we need your testimony and accountability to help lead those who are in despair and feel as though every time they stand, a boot kicks them back into the sin they so hate, yet are so enticed by.

God is powerful and He has nothing but love for you, and His grace is enough for the blackness your heart may have, or the trap you feel like you deserve to stay in. His hands will lift you onto ground that cannot be shaken, moved or invaded upon.

I pray if you a trapped you will find freedom, and if you are free, you will lead. God bless and come join living free and get enrolled into the Cross Roads class this week!

Session topics include:

1. Sexual Sin as Slavery

2. Masturbation and Lust

3. The Lies of Pornography

4. The Sins of the Fathers

5. False Intamacy

7. Depending on God Alone

13. Perseverance

And six more topics and studies to encourage you and change you through the Power of the Holy Spirit. See you there!!!

When the Windmill Stops

Today’s innovation seems to be an evolution of discovering God’s knowledge and then finding a way to make it covetous enough to sell it before it is obsolete. History is full of people who made world changing discoveries, only to be out done months later by someone else who made it just a bit better, or cheaper. Controversies over who really invented the telephone, to who flew the first plane (and survived) are part of our American culture, we love dramatic stories so much that our televisions are filled with odd people being followed around by cameras and calling it reality.

Then comes the windmill, also filled with mixed stories on who the true founder of the technology of harnessing wind was. Yet there they sit, historical sites all around the world. Legends and visitors mingle at these massive constructs from Germany to the Mid-West, their lifeless structure boasts of a once vibrant purpose.

Once upon a time they milled the wheat, making the pace of preparation and distribution of milled wheat thousands of times faster. Once upon a time they drew water from beneath the surface, providing water for the families within the town in which it was built. Farmers used these ancient giants to direct water paths to water crops and vegetation at an increased rate, saving water and resources. These once upon a times are now mere places to draw minimal tourists.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Innovation brings to light two extremes, two that as a Christian man I can relate to my own life. the first is not to chase the latest fads of how to be a better Christian. It’s amazing that a same author can have more than one “self help” book and be successful at the second one and then the third, and then the fourth. If I read your first book, shouldn’t I not need your second book? Fads run into the ground because they are quickly exposed as another imitation of a sustenance it would never be able to fill. But maybe the next one will. Okay I’ll try one more….

Okay just one more.

The second extreme is “when the windmill stops.” When I slow down the race, and find an apathetic park bench to feed pigeons and refuse to explore the many options of biblical Christianity… Accountability, Scripture, Prayer, Fellowship, Worship…Witnessing, being bold in my faith, sharing the gospel with strangers, giving time and finances. and Yes maybe I should pick up a self help book every now and then.

I want neither to be the latest product, nor do I want to be a historic site of a once latest product.

To persevere is to set a pace that neither runs ahead and tires out, nor does it slow down and find a lounge chair, and settle for second.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

As beautiful as a windmill is, if it is not grinding mill, or extracting water for nourishment, it is doing less than it was created for, and if a fad is “positive thinking” yet fails to glorify God as the true healer and provider, it is misleading the runner with promises not found in the Bible.

Lord Help me to find more of you, that I may be more like you, help me to be relevant to those around me, yet not conformed to the world I’m in. Let your cross bring Salvation to the generation you placed me in, and to the ones that follow.

God you are the only God, let your name be Glorified. Amen.