01/31/26 USE THIS TIME FOR GOOD

01/31/26 USE THIS TIME FOR GOOD

I was in Cleveland, Ohio, during the Blizzard of 78. While helping someone shovel out, the radio reported the wind chill was 100° below zero. The drippings from the neighbor's nose formed a long icicle while we were shoveling.

That being said, let me say in the vernacular of my home folk, about our present situation, "this is a bad time." Be careful, be considerate, be in prayer for yourself and others. Use this time for you and your family to draw near to God.

01/31/26 THE WHOLE PACKAGE

01/31/26 THE WHOLE PACKAGE

You have probably heard the illustration about the hitchhiker who caught a ride, but instead of placing his heavy backpack in the backseat, he held it on his lap.
The driver asked him why he didn't just put it in the other seat. The hitchhiker said, "It was nice enough of you to give me a ride, but I did not want you to carry my baggage too?

Sometimes, believers have the same mistaken view of salvation. They trust Jesus to forgive their sins, but they don't trust Him to carry their burdens or to relieve them of their sinful nature.

Either that person does not have a pastor leading them into full salvation from all sin, or they love their Carnal (Double) Mind, or they refuse to exercise the faith in Christ's sacrifice that will set them free from ALL SIN (actions and nature).

Full salvation, "being saved to the uttermost" in this present evil world, does not save us from being human. ln fact, we cannot be saved from being human, (nor should we want to be saved from being human.) Full salvation (aka Entire Sanctification, Ephesians 5:23) does not save us from being human, it saves us from the inherited corruption, pollution, and inclination to sin. Salvation saves from sin by cleansing the sinner's hands (from disobedience) and purifying the hearts of the DOUBLE MINDED, CARNAL MINDED believer (from the Law of Sin and Death, the Old Man).

Jesus did not die and rise again to leave us in our sin; He died and rose again to save us from our sin. Jesus forgives, cleanses, purifies, empowers, and enables believers to walk in victory over sin, not in sin.

01/31/26 AVAILABLE TO ALL, POSSESED BY FEW

01/31/26 AVAILABLE TO ALL, POSSESED BY FEW

I know you have read this passage many, many times, but I want to repeat it and highlight a specific point.

This passage states emphatically and often that salvation is salvation from sin and sinning. Living righteously and obediently by faith is the norm, the standard life of a Christian. Being saved, living the saved life is not "doing the best I can," it is being and doing that for which we were saved. Salvation is God's transforming and enabling power for sinners to become new creations and to live lives that are becoming to a child of God.

Notice that in this passage (as in all of Scripture), the Divine directive is to live righteously, and there is a backup plan for a believer who might sin. We have a Savior from sin (Jesus), and an Enabler to follow Christ fully (the Holy Spirit, but IF ANY MAN SIN, WE (believers) HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS. Earlier, we were told, "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His (the Father's) Son cleanses us from all sin." Everyone has sinned, and all were born with a sin nature, and confession is essential to salvation. Therefore, John also said,
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God has a standard He requires, and He also has a provision for unwarranted and unnecessary sin that a believer may commit.

The provision is part of salvation, but it is not the norm of salvation. The norm is deliverance from sin, the norm is walking in the light, the norm is obedience, being more than a conqueror, the norm is keeping His commandments and doing that which is pleasing in His sight, the norm is having clean hands and a pure heart. When failure to follow takes place, God is able to forgive and restore, but He requires confession, faith and reconciliation.

Don't get confused, returning to God, reconciliation with God is not an automatic; it is a choice. Just as disobedience is a choice, restoration is a choice, made available by the grace of God.

In this passage I designate the portions that indicate victorious living with (*) and I designate the portion that indicates failure with (x).

1 John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not (*). And if any man sin (x), we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments (*).

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (dlg note... victory over sin is the standard).

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected (*): hereby know we that we are in him (*).

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked (*).

01/30/26 GOD'S PROVISION FOR YOU

01/30/26 GOD'S PROVISION FOR YOU

The unsaved, by the millions, have found forgiveness, newness of life, deliverance from sin, cleansing of the mind and the life, and the conscience by trusting in the sacrificial death and physical resurrection of Christ.

In the same way, God will cleanse and purify the heart of any believer from the corruption and the pollution of inherited, sinful nature. Just as cleansing the hands of the sinner is a Divine act, so too is the purifying deliverance from the Carnal Mind a definite work of grace for the believer.

If you are living a life of spiritual ebb and flow, victory and failure, then you need to believe God, surrender fully, and die to the world, the flesh, and the devil, and come fully alive in Christ. There is no need to carry around the Carnal Mind. You can have the mind of Christ constantly abiding, and He will always lead you in triumph in Christ.

Why do I repeat this message so often? Because most of the time that I talk to Christians and ask them if they are walking consistently in Jesus, they say, "I am trying," or "I do, most of the time," or "I am doing the best I can," or "It is so difficult," or "I am only human."

Remember, I am not referring to those who are trying to work their way to heaven. I am talking about people who have been saved, and they sincerely want to please God. But they have been told they cannot live victoriously over sin. They have been lied to and thereby held captive to Satan's power.

What would be your response if I ask you, "Are you following Jesus as closely as you can, every day?" Anything less than a heartfelt, "Yes," is a confession that you need to be filled with God's Spirit, and you need to walk in faith.

1 John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

01/30/26 DON'T GET ROBBED

01/30/26 DON'T GET ROBBED

There are people (who call themselves Christian) who will tell you that you cannot quit sinning, that you cannot obey God's commands, that God's saving grace cannot make you holy, pure, righteous, or conform you to the image of Jesus.

They probably also tell you that Romans 7 is "PROOF" that Christians cannot be delivered from the Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the Double Mind, the Law of Sin and Death (also referred to as the Sinful Nature.) However, Romans 7 actually says that God does deliver faithful believers from the Adamic nature. Then Romans 8 gives details on this deliverance from "all sin."

Don't think that such a misrepresentation of God's salvation is unimportant. Faith is key to salvation. Lack of faith is key to lostness. ("Without faith it is impossible to please God", and, "He that knows to do good, but does not do it, to him it is sin."

Knowing that God's salvation actually purifies the heart of the faithful Christian is key to victorious living and spiritual productivity. Knowing the truth sets us free.

I used the following method when I read and when I study a passage of Scripture.

As you read a passage, insert a mental marker (*) next to comments that declare (indicate victorious Christian living over sin in this present evil age. This is how I would set markers for Romans 8.

Romans 8:1-14
1 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 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 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 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 (*).

Now, if these verses mean what they say, then Romans 7 cannot mean what sinning religions says it means. In fact, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave us a very clear insight into the problem of inherent sin and then gave us the solution to the problems of the sinful nature in 7:24-25, which is addressed in much more detail in Romans 8.

01/30/26 A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUTH

01/30/26 A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUTH

I re-read this passage recently and was amazed all over again. I hope you read it now. It is a great truth, a great reminder, a great encourager. It is also stunning in its overthrow of sinning religion. As I read it, I inserted a marker (*) next to comments that declare victorious Christian living over sin in this present evil age. I also thought about folks who don't believe in total deliverance from sin. Maybe they should read it and put a marker (x) next to comments with which they do not agree or comments they think are refuted or "explained away" by other passages in the New Testament.

Here is an example of what I am saying, using John 3:16

John 3:16 (my response)
16 For God so loved (*) the world (*), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever (*) believeth (*) in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 (sinning religion's response)
16 For God so loved (x) the world (x), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever (x) believeth (x) in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Here is my response to the Colossian passage.
Colossians 1:9-23
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you (*), and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will (*) in all wisdom (*) and spiritual understanding (*);
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord (*) unto all pleasing (*), being fruitful in every good work (*), and increasing in the knowledge of God (*);
11 Strengthened with all might (*), according to his glorious power (*), unto all patience (*) and (*) longsuffering with joyfulness (*) ;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (*) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light (*):
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness (*), and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (*):
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood (*), even the forgiveness of sins (*):
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross (*), by him to reconcile all things unto himself (*); by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (*)
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy (*) and unblameable (*) and unreproveable (*) in his sight:
23 If ye continue (*) in the faith grounded and settled (*), and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (*), which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

01/27/26 PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

01/27/26 PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

I decided to venture out to check my "trail cam," while it was still warm outside. It is supposed to get down into the 20s at night this week.

On days and nights like this, I think about the folks who have no shelter, and folks lost at sea. I don't take my comforts for granted. I know that some folks enjoy comforts that they don't deserve, and some folks suffer desperate circumstances that they don't deserve. Even believers are subjected to unimaginable conditions. History is filled with believers who have suffered for Christ's sake. Current conditions afflict believers who are suffering for Christ's sake. Who knows what any of us may face in the days ahead, for the sake of the gospel?

But this we know, God is for us, God is with us, God is within us. He will never leave nor forsake us, whether we suffer because of personal trials, or attacks and persecution by the enemy of our souls.

Romans 8:18-19
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.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

2 Corinthians 4:6-18
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

01/26/26 NO EXCUSES

01/26/26 NO EXCUSES

NO EXCUSE FOR EMPTY MINISTRY POSITIONS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

I have had pastoral situations in which there were numbers of young men who were called to the ministry and pursued their calling through pastoral discipleship and ministry training programs in our own church, or studies in our own Bible and Ministry Institute. Some of those men followed their local training by attending Bible colleges or Theological Seminaries, and some continued their personal studies as they entered active pastoral or missionary service. This does not include the number of men and women who were also trained (aside from pastoral positions), in Biblical studies, Theology, Doctrine, Ecclesiology, Missiology, Soteriology, Eschatology, Churchmanship, Church History, Lay Ministry skills, World Religions, and the Cults. They were able to use their training in our own local church, and they were readily accepted as lay ministers in other churches.

Every local church should provide the depth of training equal to four years of Bible college training. Local churches should be able to fill their own pulpits (and lay ministry positions) and also provide Christian workers who will go into all the world.

Don't depend on Associations, Conferences, Bible Colleges, Seminaries, or Denominations. God gifts men to lead and feed local churches. This includes teaching men for pastoring and the rest of the congregation for Christian service and spiritual warfare.

If you are a layperson, don't wait for someone to do the work God wants you to do. Lack of training should never be an excuse for failure to serve God.

The pastor/teacher should be equipping leadership for present needs and for future service.

It takes committed, obedient, called, gifted, trained leadership and fellowship to be the church and do the work of the church.

01/24/26 UNITY IN PURPOSE

01/24/26 UNITY IN PURPOSE

If anyone in the local church should be dreaming God's dreams, it should at least be the pastor.
If anyone should have a vision for the ministry of the local church (local and global), it should at least be the pastor.

The dreams and visions God gives to the pastor should be embraced and shared by the mature, spiritually minded parishioners (leadership and fellowship).

The pastor's dreams and visions must be God-given, God-centered, God glorifying, world evangelizing, believer edifying.

A healthy church loves God's light and walks in His light.
A healthy church does not need to be revived (yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly).
A healthy church is fed and led by a faithful pastor.
A healthy church hungers and thirsts after righteousness.
A healthy church is growing in grace and knowledge.
A healthy church "goes about, doing good."
A healthy church abides, continues, follows, pursues, and keeps itself in the way of God.
A healthy church has its lamps trimmed and filled with oil.
A healthy church is asking God for "another mountain."
A healthy church is self-denying, self-sacrificing, self-effacing.
A healthy church kneels..., sits..., stands..., walks..., runs..., fights..., and charges the gates of hell.

Pastoring a healthy church is not running a nursery.
Pastoring a healthy church is not overseeing a feud.
Pastoring a healthy church is not pampering the spoiled.
Pastoring a healthy church is not "sitting a death watch."
Pastoring a healthy church is not trapsing around the wilderness.

It is better to be Baptized with Holy Spirit Fire than to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. It is your choice.

01/24/26 USING TOOLS

01/24/26 USING TOOLS

Meeting together "in person" as a church is the Biblical model, not only because there were no "electronic church" capabilities in the New Testament, but because in-person is the most effective and efficient form of body life gathering.

However, the use of the printed word, audio and visual tools (radio, recordings, film, television, internet) is all valid and important forms for carrying out Christian ministry. I have used printed media, audio and video tapes, radio, television, and the internet in my ministry. I am grateful for internet communications and live interaction with people. It is not the best form of a meeting, but sometimes it is the only form to reach people. Personal sickness, dangerous regional diseases, weather conditions, distance, oppressive governments, environmental catastrophes, poverty, travel restrictions, and transportation shortages are some of the reasons people cannot get together with other believers. I am not talking about mere inconveniences; I am talking about actual and prohibitive issues. As with printing, radio, film, and TV, the internet has been a great tool for reaching people for Christ and building up believers in the faith. But they are tools that must be used carefully.

I use online ministry. I am amazed at the number of small churches using online ministry. Online ministry requires a different set of rules, boundaries, and considerations. I find myself tweaking our format. I need to make changes in specific technologies I use. Online ministry can be as simple as a phone camera set up and allowed to run unattended, or it can involve a team of workers (before, during, and after the service), who will make the presentation most efficient and effective. Online ministry is an opportunity for a local church (regardless of size) to reach its neighbors or reach the far corners of the earth. It will take vision, wisdom, sacrifice, and unity to make it work. Don't miss this opportunity.

Online ministry is not the same as in-person ministry. However, online ministry can support in-person ministry. And there are situations where in-person ministry is not possible, online ministry may be the closest option. It will take work to develop online relationships. Some things in ministry are personal and private, requiring a closed communication system. Sometimes a pastor needs to address his people (privately or congregationally) in a more controlled atmosphere. It will take special technologies to provide an online "church" ministry.

Sometime in the future, it may not be possible to use electronic tools, or you may not be able to meet in person. Take advantage of your present situation. Be in person whenever you can. When you actually cannot be in person, find an online ministry that treats you as a parishioner, not simply as a viewer. Build your pastor/parishioner or parishioner/pastor relationship. Don't settle for a "talking head." Be a participant, don't settle for being a viewer. Worship and fellowship are essential.

01/23/26 KNOW THE PLAYERS

01/23/26 KNOW THE PLAYERS

I don't think you have seen the news item, referring to a group of Christ followers raiding a religious meeting, terrorizing, intimidating, threatening, attacking, and killing people in the gathering.

AND, even if you ever see such a report, the report will be a lie, since Christ followers DO NOT DO THOSE THINGS. There are religious people, entire denominations that may do these things, BUT NO CHRISTIAN behaves in that fashion.

Roman Catholics killed Protestants and others, Protestants killed Roman Catholics and other Protestants, but NO CHRISTIAN ever used violence against anyone, for personal, political, phiosophical reasons. Using physical force to maintain law and order is the responsibility of government, not believers. Living as a soldier of the cross and giving our life in His service is the call and directive of God to the Christian.

Before the Church existed, Peter used violence against a guard, but Jesus rebuked him for that action. Since then, it has been known by Bible believers that there is no such thing as "Christian violence."

"Christian Violence" is a contradiction in terms and behavior. Since the days of Constantine, the devil has perpetuated the false idea of Christians using violence against our enemies.

There is no such thing as an actual "Christian Militia." To buy into such a lie, a person must either know nearly nothing Biblically or contradict God's revelation about salvation.

"Christian violence" is one of the major deceptions of the end times. There is no New Testament picture of a Christian armed resistance. We, as the children of God are Ambassadors, witnesses, light bearers, living sacrifices, doing the work of reconciliation.

01/23/26 TIME TO WAKE UP

01/23/26 TIME TO WAKE UP

Democrat: (Leftist, Liberal) led and instigated; (funded, organized, protected, justified), "protests" (terrorism, rioting, violation of the US CONSTITUTION), is the vestibule to hellish murdering of Christians, like we see in Africa and other pagan (heathenistic and hedonistic) nations.

Water and sinful human behavior seek the lowest level. It started slowly a long time ago. But it is gaining momentum and spreading like a plague.

Pay attention to history and to the rest of the world, foreign and domestic. It is filled with deception, greed, hatred, and murder, and it is coming to a community near you.

Even in this time of craziness and wickedness, some of us live in a fantasy world. We need to open our eyes and allow God to enlighten our understanding. If we don't see the futility into which we are headed, then we will become so involved and entangled that we will not realize we have been taken captive until it is too late.

Romans 13:11
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

1 Corinthians 15:34
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

01/20/26 KEEP AMERICA SAFE

01/20/26 KEEP AMERICA SAFE

I was not a JFK fan, but I had no problem when he stepped into the Cuban Missile Crises to protect the USA from the USSR.

Greenland must not be allowed to become a launching pad or corridor for Russia, China or any other enemy of America (European or otherwise). Our government (as well as every other government) has a Divine mandate to protect its country and punish the wicked.

All governments will ultimately fail utterly, and then Jesus will come back. Until then, we are in for a chaotic world. Hold fast.

Europe won't do the right thing for the USA: they have failed to do the right thing for their own people. If you let the blind lead you, the wicked will bleed you.

Get saved.
Be Biblical. (Know it and show it).
Follow Christ fully.
Stand fast.

RESPONSE TO A COMMENT
I do see you on Fb, but I really miss seeing you in person and on the PBall court.
In response to your comment, I don't know all that is or is not set up on paper or in reality concerning a USA defensive presence in Greenland or through NATO. I do know that Europe at large and Nato in particular should not be consulted or relied upon for the protection of the USA since it has failed and is failing miserably to take care of itself, corporately and individually. In fact, without the USA, Europe at large would not even exist. It has been US presence and protection since WW2 that has kept that part of the world from being devoured completely by Communism, Socialism, and now Wokeism and Islamism. It is presently held captive by destructive policies, politics, worldviews, and anti-Christian religion, and it is sinking deeper and faster into the filth of anti-faith, anti-freedom and anti-family influences, which is robbing them of liberty, dignity, history, culture and their future. The greatest, most powerful country in the world should not depend on the approval of any other country (much less powerless or ineffective countries) or alliances, such as Greenland and NATO, when it comes to actual protection of itself. If we depend on them "to let us set up" our defenses, then our safety is at their disposal. We should be neighborly with our neighbors, but not to the point of surrendering our national security and identity. It takes two to be neighborly.

RESPONSE TO A COMMENT
XXX, I have actually written several responses to your most recent comment, but for some reason (which I now understand), I was not happy with the content. The content was accurate and honest, but it was lengthy and addressed more issues than was warranted. It was difficult for me to narrow down to the real issue at hand, which was the Greenland issue.
I look at the governing of our country differently than some people. I am not focused on the person in the office or the personality of the person in the office, unless it is dominating their decision-making. Years ago, I was not concerned with Political Parties, but since the Democrats have adopted an anti-family, anti-faith (the Christian, Bible-believing faith specifically), anti-freedom, anti-American, anti-facts (concerning genders, fake science, murder of the pre-born, for instance), pro-Socialist, pro-Communist, pro-Wokeism, pro-Globalism, pro-Identity Politics, pro-abortion view and direction, and I am definitely anti-Democratic Party.
I agree that doing our homework is essential. But we should be looking at reliable, honest, accurate information, not politically motivated views, and we should not be making choices to please our enemies or our supposed "friends." Our Constitution matters. We should not have government leaders or judges who are politically motivated. We should not listen to a State News Agency (such as the Liberal media). We should not support people (in government or media) who ignore the actual facts, change the actual narrative to suit their purposes (such as Russia Gate, the fiasco known as the Biden Administration, the fabrications of impeachment, January 6th "insurrection," and the many unfounded and outright lies about Trump.
Trump is not a Christian, he is not a model of morality, and I don't always agree with what he says or how he says it, but the Left suffers from TDS to such an extent that they willingly lie about what he has actually said and done, they condemn him for doing the same things that JFK, Carter, Obama, Bush and Biden did. The mainstream media has not only ignored facts, but they fabricate and perpetuate lies about Trump and conservative Americans, even to the point of denying what they boldly asserted for years. Doing our homework is essential.
In my post, I addressed the issue of Greenland in connection with American safety. You changed the subject to Russia and Ukraine. I am not opposed to jumping around, but my point was that the USA does not need the approval of any country (much less weak, misguided, failing, and antagonistic countries), in order to secure our safety or our sovereignty.
Yesterday we saw the work of President Trump in action. He often postures in order to work a deal. (This is not to be confused with selling out our country as the Clintons and Obama did) or abusing the Presidential position to get personal favors (as Biden did) and sidetrack the Constitution.
President Trump's concern for Greenland is American safety, but it will include the safety of Greenland, the safety of Canada, the safety of Europe. Greenland has been the toy of European nations for a long time. No one believes that Denmark or Nato will or can protect Greenland from Russia or China. America can and will. Trump has taken steps to secure peace around the world, by using American influence finances and military ability (peace through strength), and he makes it clear to the rest of the world that we are against oppressive and murderous actions against segments of society (worldwide anti-Semitism, genocide in Africa and Europe), and action against wars in Europe and the Mid-East. The world would be a totally enslaved world without the USA. And now is the need for a strong USA, as never before. Finally, we have a President who is doing what all of our Presidents should have done, and a what many of them said they would do, but they did not.
The whole world wants to be like the USA (even with our problems), and the whole world wants (and needs) American presence and power to maintain social and political stability, and they want our finances, generosity, protection, but they don't want our "America First" mentality. (However, without the US maintaining our world power supremacy, the rest of the world is at the mercy of the most brutal and unjust powers of Communism, Islamism, and rogue nations like North Korea. Nato can't protect itself; the EU can't protect itself, and even the Muslim world will not protect other Muslims from Islamic terrorists. The US is a stabilizing force that has no equal anywhere in the world
Greenland has a population of less than 58,000 people (the size of Lebanon, Tennessee). There are 350+ cities in USA with a population of 100,000 to 8 million plus, and hundreds more cities with a population with more than 58,000. The population of the US is over 340 million. The population of Denmark is under 6 million. The military spending of the US is over $980+ Billion (almost $1 Trillion). The military spending of Denmark is less than $10 Billion. Even with the NATO military spending (without USA included).
Greenland is a sitting duck for Russia and an open season for China. Neither Greenland nor NATO can protect Greenland. The US can and would protect Greenland because Greenland is vital to American safety from Russia and China.
But yesterday President Trump stated that the US would not force Greenland into a deal with the US. However, the US under President Trump, is not going to allow the US (the greatest country, ever, in the history of the world) to be destroyed by the delusions of Greenland, Denmark, Canada, Finland or Russia or China. Greenland has been a toy for Denmark and other countries throughout history. Most populations of the world would love to be American. America is not the kingdom of God, it is not heaven, but it is the best thing this world has, and it is the tool through which God is blessing the rest of the world, whether they acknowledge it or not.
I do not stand with Trump or anyone who is in opposition to clear Biblical principles, but I voted for a president, I did not vote for a pastor or a Savior.
This world is not an everlasting kingdom or entity. It will fail, collapse, corrupt and vanish. It will be dissolved and a New Heaven, a New Earth and a New Jerusalem will be put in place by God and Jesus will reign forever and ever.
My allegiance is not to a mere mortal or to a political entity. My allegiance is to God and the New Testament principles established in the New Testament.

01/19/26 REMAIN FAITHFUL

01/19/26 REMAIN FAITHFUL 

REMAIN FAITHFUL, it is more than just a good idea; it is a command and a requirement.

Either God will separate us from sin, or sin will separate us from God.
God does provide, but we must decide.

It is possible to get saved and stay saved. (best decision).
It is possible to get saved and fall away (backslide) because we choose sin rather than God. (an always costly and possibly damnable decision).
It is possible to turn from backsliding and then return to God and His salvation. (essential but unlikely decision).
It is possible to continue backsliding to the point of eternal separation from God. (the worst decision you can make).

Though backsliders can return to Christ after deliberately disobeying God, their disobedience may result in never becoming all God intended for them, and they may lose the eternal blessings that God would have given them if they had remained faithful.

God provides for all Christians to enter the Promised Land of a Spirit-filled, victorious life and eternity with God.
Sadly, some will not continue (abide, remain, follow fully) to eternity with God.

Though repentant, Christians will spend eternity with God, many of them will fail to enter the Promised Land of "milk and honey," which includes...
Being "FILLED with the Holy Spirit,"
"WALKING (living) in the Spirit,"
Being "PERFECT in Love,"
Having "the PEACE OF GOD RULE" in their hearts"
Having Joy UNSPEAKABLE and FULL OF GLORY,"
Having "VICTORIOUS, OVERCOMING faith,
Producing "MUCH fruit,"
Being of the "SAME MIND with Christ,"
GUIDED by His EYE,
"CONFORMED to the IMAGE" of Jesus,
and much, much more).

God will...
Save faithful followers to the UTTERMOST,
Cause faithful followers to "always triumph in Christ,"
Enable faithful followers to be "more than conquerors,"
Grant faithful followers to "serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness... all the days of their lives."

01/19/26 TYPOLOGY IN EXODUS

01/19/26 TYPOLOGY IN EXODUS

The Biblical typology presented in the Exodus of Israel from bondage is:
The Passover (with all of its parts) is the death of Christ, the first steps in salvation, the judgment on those who are not "covered by the Blood."
Egypt is the life of sin.
Pharaoh is Satan.
Moses is the deliverer.
The Pillar of Fire by night and The Cloud by day is the Holy Spirit.
The Red Sea is conversion.
The Sinai Wilderness is the beginning of the Christian life.
The Manna is the Bread of Life (Jesus)
The Rock is Jesus.
The Water is Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit
The Tabernacle is Jesus and the graces of salvation.
The Jordan River is entering the Promised Land (the victorious life).
The Promised Land is the Christian life of victory and spiritual rest in this life (it is not heaven).

(There is more. This is just a basic intro to God's message to us through the Exodus.)

This view is introduced and alluded to in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 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.

Ask the question, "Where am I in this story line?"

01/16/26 IT IS ESSENTIAL

01/16/26 IT IS ESSENTIAL

Don't make choices contrary to Biblical counsel.
John 16:12-13
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

BUT IF YOU HAVE...
Don't continue in the wrong direction.
1 John 2:1
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

BUT IF YOU DID, AND NOW you find yourself in a chaotic free fall, unable to reverse the mess you have gotten into, whether through deliberate rebellion or through a series of bad, unwise choices, carnal choices, your only hope is...
ACKNOWLEDGE and ADMIT your failure to find and follow God's leading.
CONFESS your sin of self-orientation.
REPENT (turn from your errant ways immediately).
SURRENDER to God's will in every area of your life.
FAITHFULLY FOLLOW FULLY.
It is hard to admit failures (especially sins), but it is a greater failure (or sin) if you fail to confess and correct your failures.
Continuing in the wrong direction leads to greater failure, sins, chaos, loss and suffering for yourself, and your loved ones.
Personal failures (especially sinful choices) are not only destructive and debilitating, but it can depress you to the point that you think all is lost. But Christ can deliver you from your wrong choices and your blighted bondage. Do the right thing; trust in, and turn to Christ, and He will lift you up.
Pride has held you captive
The way of escape is humble submission to Jesus. Humble yourself under, and into the mighty hand of God.
1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
You have already lost too much, don't lose it all.
Proverbs 29:1
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

01/14/26 CHANGE IS NOT ALWAYS BAD

01/14/26 CHANGE IS NOT ALWAYS BAD

Because of my age and physical condition, I change my workout routine and lifting goals from time to time. Various kinds of changes take place throughout our lives, but some changes are essential and urgent as we get older. It is easy to think of ourselves as being much younger, therefore we push yourselves beyond our abilities. This can lead to injuries, which can be disabling.

I like setting goals in my life. It makes me more aware, more challenged, more consistent, more accountable, and therefore, more successful. But with age comes change. It is difficult for me to "ease up" on aggressively lifting more weight. But for overall health and physical well-being, I realize it is to my benefit to make adjustments.

I still need to increase (or at least maintain) my strength and mobility. I do certain exercises that are often used to gauge a person's overall strength. However, the ability to do the movement, and improve overall well-being is more important than setting personal records with one-time attempts.

As I continue to do bench presses, I will still use challenging weights, but I will be more focused on repetitions and sets than on "maxing out" with a single repetition. This will still give me an idea of a one-time maximum lift. Since I am not in competition or seeking a world record, I can use a bench press calculator. In other words, there are formulas to guesstimate a one-rep lift, without the stress and danger of using maximum weight.

At the present time I am not aiming for new "max out" bench presses. I am focusing on the routine reps and sets. This should still help my strength without over stressing joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

In pursuit of a healthier life, I make changes when I find a better way. And the fact is, the normal physical changes that come with time and circumstances require lifestyle changes. Sometimes this requires us to stop certain things or to begin certain things.

This is also true in the spiritual realm, both in personal time with God and in ministry. I am not saying that we should limit or define ourselves because of an age "number," I am pointing out that it is normal for age or health to limit and define our place and function in the local church. Aging is a blessing, but it must be entered into wisely. We call this, "growing in grace and knowledge." Aging may limit our ability to serve in the same way we served ten years ago, but it does not take us out of service. In fact, there are benefits that come with aging. Use your maturity, accomplishments, wisdom to serve God and to help others, even if it does change the way you perform your service to God. Do what God wants you to do and pray that someone will come along and advance the cross after you.

01/14/26 A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD

01/14/26 A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
(I did a video introducing my property, where I serve the Lord, then I wrote this post.)

I enjoy walking around my property. It is my home, my getaway, my retreat, my launching pad (beachhead), my headquarters, my workplace (where I proclaim, teach, counsel, praise, worship, meditate, pray, study, train others). It is a place of personal encounter with God and a place of corporate encounter with God. I am thankful for such a place, in which I can do the work of God.

Every Christian home should afford this kind of atmosphere. But I see so much more potential for where I am. I hope your home is also a lighthouse in your community. And I hope that my little part of the world becomes a greater light in a darkened world. I hope folks come to find the answers to the spiritual questions they have.

Our meeting room does not have a typical "churchy" decor or architecture. It is more like a family room, set up for friends and fellow travelers. Some of the folks who have worshiped with us in our house, were so focused on the "unchurchly" setting that they would not focus on the presence of God. I have had people tell me that they were hoping I would get a real church.

Real church is not made of blocks or bricks, vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows, choirs and music programs, youth groups, senior groups, married groups, and single groups. Church is not padded pews and lofty spires, programs and full schedules.

There is nothing wrong with any of these if they are all pointing to and serving Jesus. But the Church is not these manifestations. The Church is the Body of Christ, and the Local Church is the local gathering of His people to worship, praise, serve, grow, give, yield, whether it is in a cathedral of a cleared space in the forest, whether it is a mega facility in the heart of a metropolis or a hut in the jungle.

I always wanted my church facility to be a place where people encountered God, grew in grace and knowledge, worshiped and praised God, gathered to fellowship and minister to other people. I have enjoyed great times in traditional buildings, which seated a few hundred people, and huddling together in an old school bus because we were stopped by the State from meeting in a building, and sitting on the ground and picnic benches and lawn chairs because we did not have a building to meet in, and meeting in homes, motel conference rooms, public library meeting rooms, store fronts, campgrounds because we had no home to call our own, borrowed buildings, rented but unused church buildings, city parks, trailers, borrowed basements, tents and a local bar annex. I was always grateful for the privilege to worship and serve God. But it is really nice to have what we have now. It is not the venue that matters; it is the encounter with God that matters.

I hope you are finding a loving, enlightening experience wherever you are gathering together with a Bible believing body of believers.

If you are a true seeker for truth and a life filled with the presence of God, and if you want a New Testament message and fellowship, and if you don't mind a really humble setting, you are welcome to contact me to see when we meet for worship, study, praise, and fellowship. We have in-person services along with online services, but we sometimes change our schedule, so please contact me before you come.

01/13/26 IT IS NOT LEFT TO US

01/13/26 IT IS NOT LEFT TO US

Explain this statement, as it would have been understood by folks in an earlier generation in some communities: "I'd like to have run my car into a ditch," or "I like to have run my car into a ditch."

Sometimes the same words and phrases may have different meanings or even opposite meanings to other people in different times or cultures. This also happens with Biblical translations of idioms or colloquialisms.

God's word must be understood as it was given, as it was intended. I realize there is a difference between a translation and an interpretation. Translation is the process of changing speech from one language to another. Interpretation is explaining the meaning of speech. Bible translation is essential. Biblical interpretation must be according to the original intent of the Author (God).

Bible translations are intended to make the revelation of God's word (and words) available in various languages. Interpretation is part of translating the Bible. However, Biblical interpretation, to be true and accurate, must convey the intended meaning of the Author. An idiom needs to be understood in agreement with the intention of the speaker, in the time and culture of the speaker and the hearers. An idiom or colloquialism must not be freely interpreted aside from the intended, original meaning. Different words must be used in a translation; different interpretations should not be part of a translation. Responsible Bible teaching and study require an understanding of Biblical languages, Biblical history, and Biblical culture.

Interpreting God's word and the meaning of His word is not a private issue. It is one thing to ask God to enlighten our understanding of His word; it is a different thing to ask God to make His word align with our understanding. A private interpretation can relate to an individual or to a group. "Private interpretation" includes any explanation that is not consistent with the original intent of the Author.
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (Spirit).

When a person says, "I love you,' to another person, it must be interpreted in the way it was intended by the speaker, lest there will be confusion, or worse. The word, "love" is not always meant in a romantic way. In witnessing to men who were intending to do me physical harm, I have sometimes told them that I love them. Since I had been talking to them about Jesus and their need for salvation, they knew that I was saying I loved them with Christian love. Often, they would try to make my words mean something perverted, inferring that I had a sexual desire for them. Rather than try to explain my real meaning, I would point out that they were the ones with the perverted point of view, or they were trying to twist something good into something perverse. I would tell them that I love them with the same kind of love Jesus loves them. Most of the time, those men had a Christian heritage and therefore they knew my real meaning.

But the point is, the same words or expressions can be interpreted in diametrically opposite ways. Knowing the author and knowing the author's point of view helps us understand what the author actually meant by his statement.

Do not let your own thoughts or another person's teaching or another spirit interpret God's word. Always be ready for God to guide your thinking, enlighten your mind, change your viewpoint to align with His.
1 John 4:1
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Bible understanding requires reasoning according to God's revelation.
Isaiah 1:18
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

John 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Remember, the word of God and the Holy Spirit of God will always agree. God's Spirit will not teach you or lead you contrary to His reveled word. This is why we must be filled with His word and filled with His Spirit.
Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Ephesians 5:17-19
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16-17
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

(btw, the answer to the initial question in this article is:
"I almost ran my car into a ditch.")

01/11/26 FOR THE WANT OF A NAIL

01/11/26 FOR THE WANT OF A NAIL
(Most of this is a repost, but I have added a short postscript. It is very simple, yet profound.)

(post from 12/12/21)
I have used the poem/proverb, which starts with, "For the want of a nail..." I applied it to...
The importance of prayer.
Nothing is too small.
God creates from nothing.

Think about these words as they apply to your part in God's kingdom work.
For the want of a nail, a shoe was lost.
For the want of a shoe, a horse was lost.
For the want of a horse, a warrior was lost.
For the want of a warrior, a battle was lost.
For the want of a battle, a kingdom was lost.

We All Have A Place
I posted this because I was thinking about the importance of the NAIL.
It is the smallest part of the story.
It is the least expensive part of the war machine.
It is the least esteemed of the battle gear.

Sometimes we think see how small our part is in the grand scheme of life, yet God has assigned us to our station, and we must be faithful so that the campaign will succeed.

It is often the small things (the little foxes) in life that determine the failure or success of a great endeavor.
Do not underestimate your part in God's kingdom work.
Do not be missing in the war for men's souls.
Do not be the cause of your local church failing to do God's work.

P.S.
Dedicated, Spirit-filled leadership (pastor) and dedicated, Spirit-filled parishioners are essential to a successful ministry.

01/10/26 THE CHOICE IS YOURS, CHOOSE WISELY

01/10/26 THE CHOICE IS YOURS, CHOOSE WISELY

We live in a world of filthy speech.
We live in a world of crude behavior.
We live in a world of cruel treatment.
We live in a world of insane chaos.
We live in a world of "I don't really care" mentality.
We live in a world of "Don't tell me the facts, I have already made up my mind."
We live in a world of "It's my life, my mind, my body, leave me alone."

I realize our world has always had these anti-social, anti-productive, anti-Christian issues, but the further people get from God, the more radical and acceptable the deception and corruption become. As Jesus said, "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be..."

Remember, one of the signs of the coming end-times is massive, widespread deception. There will be deception in the natural and spiritual realm. Therefore, the sins of society will be amplified personally and corporately, and more widely demonstrated.

While "education" is lauded, the leading people in our country and around the world promote insane principles, such as that there is no difference between males and females.
While the historical evidence abounds for Biblical truths (the origin, existence, and destiny of Israel; the worldwide flood; the origin and beliefs of Christianity), academia and elitists are rewriting history, turning to fairy tales (super giants, demon and human creatures, outer space aliens).
While the awareness of order and discipline is demonstrated throughout the natural realm, chaos, error, divisiveness are being promoted in society, academia and politics.
While the Biblical record of Divine grace, love, sacrifice, humility, self-denial, service to others, unity, submission to a moral and higher lifestyle has given the proven principles of law, order, morality, faith, the world is readily following and being dominated by atheism and a blood thirsty, hate-filled religion.

Being a Christian is more than just quiet acquiescence to a higher moral standard or an attractive religious form and formality, and it is more than excited participation in emotional displays and ecstatic personal behavior. Being a Christian is a personal encounter with God that transforms the sinner into the likeness of Jesus, and it is a commitment that pursues love, truth, faith, godliness; and faithfully submits to, and follows the Lordship of Christ, in every area of life, regardless of the cost.

Bible believers is a vanishing culture, but it remains as the only answer to a world gone mad.

There is a little song that says,
Take the whole world, but give me Jesus...
and
Though no one join me, still I will follow...
and
No turning back, no turning back.

01/09/26 PRINCIPLES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

01/09/26 PRINCIPLES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

The old saying is true: "It is not what you know, it is who you know."

No matter what others tell you, knowing and loving Jesus is what really matters.

Quit wasting your time and energy on that which leaves you empty and contributes to the lostness of society.

Be a blessing, not a burden.
Be a help, not a hindrance.
Be a stepping-stone, not a stumbling-block.
Be a faithful follower of Christ, not a facilitator of futility.

Romans 13:11-14 KJV
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Ephesians 5:6-17 NKJV
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

01/08/26 I HOPE THIS MAKES IT CLEAR

01/08/26 I HOPE THIS MAKES IT CLEAR

I realize I say the same basic truths over and over again. But they are vital truths, which most people don't know. Because there are so many facets to God's revelation, I say the same truths in different ways to help folks see what I see. Maybe I will say something that will register with you personally, or I will say something in such a way that it will help you share the Good News with someone else. God's treasures are so great, I want everyone to have access to them.

Sin is rebellion against God, which separates us from God.
Salvation is Divine deliverance from sin.
God will forgive sins incurred by personal disobedience and He will deliver from sin nature inherited from Adam.
Salvation is life changing.

Everyone was born with a proclivity to sin, which makes them spiritually corrupted.
Everyone has chosen to sin, which makes them personally guilty.

The sinner needs salvation because his life is sinful and because sin separates people from God in this present world and in eternity.
The sinner needs salvation because sin robs a person of the potential and the excellence of being human, as God designed.

God provides salvation because He loves sinners and He wants to reconcile everyone to a right relationship with Himself.

God confronts sinners with His judgment and His mercy, and He invites (calls) sinners to be reconciled to Himself, through faith in Christ and repentance (turning from sin).
God gives sinners a choice to believe and receive, and He enables those who believe on Christ to turn from sin.

Some people want Divine forgiveness of their sins, but they do not want Divine rule in their lives.

Salvation is both forgiveness and deliverance. Jesus did not die and rise again to save us in our sins but to save us from our sins.
Salvation is not only forgiveness for the sins we have committed, but it is also purification from the corruption we have inherited.

Conversion, basic salvation, comes as a Divine work of God's grace. We hear about salvation and then, because God is inviting us, we decide to believe. God then instantaneously converts us through justification and regeneration.
The fullness of the Holy Spirit, full salvation, comes as a Divine work of God's grace, subsequent and separate from, but in conjunction with our conversion.

The desire, power and ability to live a life of righteousness comes with conversion.
Later the end of internal strife with the sinful nature comes with the purifying infilling of the Holy Spirit.
The life of victory over sins and sin comes with daily trust and surrender to the will of God.

01/07/26 DON'T GET SHORTED BY SINNING RELIGION

01/07/26 DON'T GET SHORTED BY SINNING RELIGION

Some of my friends attend churches that believe the doctrine of full salvation through the Blood and Resurrection of Christ, and the purifying, empowering, enabling, and gracious work of the Holy Spirit in fully surrendered believers (which I also believe and know to be true).

Some of my friends have pastors who preach, teach, and live the Entirely Sanctified life (also referred to as the Spirit-filled life).

I know there are people who claim to believe and live by this Biblical truth, but they do not. It is like the great number of people who claim to be saved, but they are not saved.

On the other hand, I have friends (Christian friends) who have longed for a consistent, faithful Spirit-filled life, but they have been told by pastors, teachers, relatives, friends, or popular ministers that they cannot be saved from all sin (or some sin, or any sin) in this present evil world.

I am guessing some of my friends who read my posts have probably been warned against my message. If you have been warned or led away from the life of victory, but you want to obey God, to please God, to follow God with your whole life (body, soul and spirit) every day and you would like to be able to resist any and all temptation, and you would like to live a life of righteousness and victory as a sacrifice of love rather than an oppressed fulfillment of an obligation, then I have Good News for you.

God does save His people from their sins. He saves believers from all sin. As Sacrifice, Redeemer, Intercessor, and High Priest, He is willing and able to save "to the uttermost" (entirely, completely), those who come to God through Christ. He saves us from the defeat of sin and from the domination of sin. He keeps those who walk in the light, those who live faithfully, from the penalty, the pollution, and the power of sin.

Salvation from sin inherited is provided in the same way that salvation from sins committed is provided: Christ died and rose again to forgive and cleanse us from all sin; the Holy Spirit came to enable, impower, purify the believer; we are saved by faith, and we live by faith, and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

If God can save us from one sin, He can save us from more than one sin. In fact, we must be saved from all sin, or we are not saved from any sin. Breaking one commandment is the same as breaking all of the commandments.

If God can enable us to live obediently for one second, He is can enable us to be obedient for one minute, one hour, one day. God is able and willing to keep us for as long as we look unto Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

God enables believers to keep themselves in the love of God, to keep themselves unspotted from the world, to keep God's moral commandments (not the sacrificial, dietary, ceremonial laws of Israel), to keep us from falling, AND God will keep us, perfecting holiness in us.

I am not saying that it will be impossible for you to sin, or that you will not sin again in your future. I am saying that God's grace is sufficient to deliver you from all sin (its penalty, its power and its pollution). I am telling you that by God's grace you can walk in whatever light God gives you. I am telling you that you can keep His commandments (in other words, you do not have to willfully disobey any command God gives you). I am telling you that you can bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I am telling you that by God's grace you can be dead to the world, and the carnal inclinations. I am telling you what God said in First John 2, which is what the entire Bible says (though the New Testament makes it much clearer).
1 John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

01/07/26 SIMPLY STATED

01/07/26 SIMPLY STATED

Being spiritually lost is living your life without Divine direction.

Living your life without Divine direction is being spiritually lost.

Divine direction comes from God's Holy Spirit and God's word, through obedient faith in Christ, revealed by the Holy Spirit through Biblical preaching, teaching and counseling, and personal study, meditation and prayer.

Some people are lost because they do not have Divine direction and some people are lost because they will not follow Divine direction.

Being spiritually lost is being in spiritual darkness. God is light, His word is light, but people choose darkness because their deeds are evil, self-oriented.

Being in darkness makes people blind, unaware of their location, condition direction.

Blindness, darkness, and self-orientation lead farther away from God.

01/07/26 ROMANS 7 AND 8 GO TOGETHER

01/07/26 ROMANS 7 AND 8 GO TOGETHER

This is not an in-depth study. This is just a quick acknowledgment of a major problem in popular "Christian" teaching and Christian living. If you have questions, please let me know.

We are constantly told that God does not save believers from the pollution, power, and presence of sin (as a nature and as behavior).

Defeatist preachers and teachers tell Christians that we must always have the inner struggle and corruption of the sinful nature because God (according to them) does not cleanse, purify, or deliver us from the inward corruption and domination of sin. They claim that Romans 7 declares such nonsense. They erroneously say that Romans 7 proves Paul was never delivered from the sinful nature (the Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the Double Mind). Actually, Romans 6, 7 and 8 (along with the rest of the Bible teach that God will deliver the believer from "the law of sin and death," which is another designation for the "sinful nature."

In Romans 7, we are shown a battle between the Old Man (the old sinful nature, inherited from Adam) and the New Man (the new godly nature, imparted to believers by the Holy Spirit). Supposedly, this battle rages throughout our entire Christian life, either because God cannot or will not deliver us from inner corruption or turmoil.

However, as Paul finishes his explanation of the personal conflict Christians have in Romans 7, he asks the question, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

Sinning religion wants us to believe that this was an ongoing and present struggle within Paul. It was not. It was a testimony of Paul, reflecting on the Christian's early salvation experience, revealing the need for God's deliverance. Remember, we are forgiven for the sins we have committed and from which we have turned, but the sinful nature is not an act; it is a condition. God forgives sinful actions, but since the sin nature is not an action, but rather a condition, forgiveness does not change the sinful nature. Instead of forgiveness, we need cleansing and deliverance from the sinful nature. This does not come at the same time as our conversion, but it becomes available because of our conversion.

Scripture tells us, "Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded."
There is a difference between "sinner" and "double-minded," just as there is a difference between "hands," and "heart," and as there is a difference between "cleanse," and "purify."

God cleanses the life and conscience of a person's past when he comes to Christ in repentance, and God subsequently purifies the heart of the believer from the Double Mind when he makes full surrender. God cleanses our hands (representing our behavior) and purifies our heart (representing our nature).

After crying out to God for deliverance and asking the question...
Romans 7:24
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
He announces the answer...
Romans 7:25
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
The first part of the verse is his triumphant declaration that God delivers from the sinful nature, the Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the Double Mind.
The last part of this verse does not mean that Paul continued to have the inner battle. It is a restating of the problem and the answer to the problem. In fact, verse 25 is not the end of Paul's teaching on this subject. Verse 25 is the transition to the in-depth explanation of God's deliverance. Instead of ending our reading with 7:25, we should continue into 8:1 and following. It is a detailed presentation concerning God's deliverance from the sinful nature.

Now read 7:24 through 8:14
Don't get stuck in Romans 7. Move on in faith and truth and deliverance as Paul explains in Romans 8.
Romans 7:24-25
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 8:1-14
1 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 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 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 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.

Romans 8 is not a dark alley of doom; it is the highway of victory out of the dark alley of doom introduced in Romans 7. Whoever tells you that the Christian life is described in Romans 7 is not telling you the truth, and in fact, they are probably telling you a lie.

Believe Romans 7, but move on to Romans 8.
Without writing a commentary, let me at least repeat Romans 8:1-14 (with asterisks* as points of interest). Don't build your life on the partial truth of Romans 7:12-23. Build on the firm foundation of Romans 8:1-14.

Romans 8:1-14
1 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 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 *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 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.

01/06/26 DON'T BE ROBBED

01/06/26 DON'T BE ROBBED

Most church folks have been taught that they must live their Christian lives in a state of inner conflict, spiritual upheaval, struggling with their sinful nature, failing to live victoriously over sin. According to the preachers of doom, salvation does not enable them to resist every temptation, to walk in all the light God gives them, to overcome the world, to keep God's commandments, or to do that which is pleasing in God's sight.

The only part of the GOOD NEWS they know anything about is the forgiveness of sin part of salvation (which is glorious GOOD NEWS), but it is not the whole truth about GOD'S GOOD NEWS. God's GOOD NEWS is that Jesus came to save us from our sins, not in our sins, not simply from the punishment for our sins, and He came to save us from the pollution (corruption, filth) and the power (weakness caused by the dominance) of our sins. Most preaching leaves the sinner in the life of sin.

However, the Bible reveals a salvation from all sin; a pure heart and a pure life; a desire to obey and please God, which is accomplished by Divine grace, which enables us to follow Jesus fully.

The reality of perfect love, a pure heart and life, deliverance from inner conflict, complete cleansing of our life and conscience, power to obey, follow, and serve God faithfully; these are elements of Entire Sanctification.

The devil denies salvation from all sin; false prophets rail against God's provision. Though true believers long for victory over sin, many never find or experience deliverance and victory provided by the fullness of God's salvation because they have been deceived by a manmade salvation.

A life of victory over sin comes with conversion (regeneration, justification). Victory over internal conflict with the Old Man (sinful nature) comes subsequent to our conversion. Entire Sanctification (purity of heart) is the result of the fullness of the Holy Spirit, which comes with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of the Baptism (fullness) of the Holy Spirit is perfect love.

All of these great realities of salvation are repeated throughout the Bible, while the life of sinning and defeat is preached by many (if not most) preachers, based on a few misused verses.

01/03/26 HATING WHAT GOD HATES

01/03/26 HATING WHAT GOD HATES

We must hate the sin and love the sinner, which is the Christian view (because it is the Biblical view), though it is erroneously refuted by some very popular "teachers." Don't "water down" the pollution of sin, and don't underestimate the power of salvation.

God hates sin, yet loves sinners, and God enables believers to love as He loves and to hate what He hates. Fancy theological footwork can "prove" or "disprove" anything.

Some people like to have a unique way of looking at the Bible, or they frame the teachings of the Bible from a sinning religion point of view. For whatever reason, beware those who say that Christians can't hate sin and love the sinner. Don't swallow something just because it is served up by a popular person, or because other people swallow it, or because it pleases your spiritual taste buds.

I tell people not to swallow what I teach or preach (just because I proclaim it), but rather to examine it to see if it is Biblical. Don't drink the "kool aid" of false doctrine; it is poisonous. Still, people gorge themselves on lies and junk, rather than take the time to study the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to change their minds.

Something is not true simply because it is popular or because you like it personally.
Something is not false simply because it is unpopular or because you don't like it personally.

Loving what God loves and hating what God hates (in ourselves as well as in other people) is not simply an act of the human will; it is God's work in us, because we surrender to God's will. Being conformed (in our thoughts, words, and deeds) to the image of Jesus is not a "one-and-done" past experience; it is an ongoing transformation as we walk in the light of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

As God leads you, do not stop following.
As God leads you, do not veer to the left or the right.
As God leads you, do not lag behind.
As God leads you, do not rush ahead.
As God leads you, do not be unaware to God's corrections.
As God leads you, do not be distracted by your surroundings.
As God leads you, do not return to your former thoughts, words, or actions.

The Christian life is a walk with God, in His light, by His Spirit.

01/03/26 LONGING FOR THE KING

01/03/26 LONGING FOR THE KING

Regardless of your political stance, if you don't like the protection of the law-abiding and the punishment of the lawless, then you will loathe the return of Christ as King, reigning in Jerusalem.

01/03/26 DON'T LET THE LEAST BE YOUR MOST

01/03/26 DON'T LET THE LEAST BE YOUR MOST

The State has the power of bullets (to protect and to punish).
The Citizenry has the power of ballots to enact justice.
The Christian has the power of the Blood of Jesus and His word (the Bible), to live a life that is pleasing to God, and to serve as God's ambassadors, reconciling rebels through Christ.

Voting for the right platform is the least you can do for yourself, your family, your community, and your country.

In fact, when you neglect (or abandon) your responsibilities to Christ, or your spiritual obligations to your family, or your moral duties to your community, then your political action really is "THE LEAST YOU CAN DO." Sadly, most of the socially concerned who call themselves "CHRISTIAN" are choosing to do the LEAST they can do.

Using our ballot is good and commendable, but all of the ballots are only a fading whisper when we neglect our spiritual responsibilities, our Christian obligations. The "least we can do" is useless if we don't do the "best" and the "most" we can do, by giving ourselves fully to Christ.

Take the time to study the issues, the candidates, the Party platform, and use the power to vote, and to promote the people who have been serving God while in political office, leading our society.

But do not trust in ballots or bullets. Our hope is in the Blood of Jesus and His word, the Bible.

Even when (and if) we have the right man to vote for, there is no promise that he will continue to be the loyal and consistent leader he should be.
Even if we have a respite from the SINSANITY of today's Burro-Cratic (spell that W O K E N E S S or,
C O M M U N I S M or,
L I B E R A L I S M or
D. E. I. or, any number of IDIOCRATIC political actions by any Humanistic, Statist political party or movement), then we still have a life, community, nation and world, lost and wallowing in the love of money, the rule of the god of this world, "the Prince of the Power of the Air."

01/01/26 STAND FIRM FOR CHRIST, OR ELSE

01/01/26 STAND FIRM FOR CHRIST, OR ELSE

Have you ever had a sinful desire or drive that you could not control?

That inner corruption can cause you to think, say, or do the vilest things. This inner inclination is referred to as an attitude, a nature, an evil heart of unbelief, a bent to sin, the Adamic nature, the Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the Double Mind, the Flesh, the Sinful Nature, the Law of Sin and Death. We are all born with this inner corruption. This corruption defiles the spirit of everyone and would separate everyone from God, but Jesus made atonement for everyone, and before we were born, we were covered by the Blood of Jesus. This is why the Bible says Jesus "is the Savior of all men." Still, every child of Adam has eventually given way to their baser nature, and they have willfully rebelled against the rule of God. This sin separates everyone from God and requires the violator to turn to Christ in faith for salvation. It is bad enough that we have inherited a natural bent to sin, but when we yield to temptation, we are further corrupted, and we are hardened in our hearts against God. If the person does not acknowledge his sins, then he moves further from God, and more sins of various kinds begin to spread as a cancer in the soul of the rebel.

Not only do the sinners become more resistant to God, but they also become more vulnerable to temptation. As their inner man is weakened and overcome by Satan, they make themselves candidates for demonic oppression and demonic possession.

The sooner a person discovers victory over evil through Christ, and the sooner they take control of their own life through faith in Christ and submission to the Holy Spirit, the less likely they are to find themselves totally obsessed by evil thoughts from Satan.

Do not mock; you could be the next victim, unable to find deliverance from spiritual manipulation.

Our message is Good News. God does not leave us as victims to our evil desires or drives. Just as Christ died and rose again to give forgiveness, newness of life, cleansing, reconciliation and enablement to live righteously to anyone who believes on Christ and follows Him, so too, God purifies the heart of believers who are willing to die to self and the world. We do not need to live in bondage to evil inclinations. We do not need to constantly suffer an inner battle between the Old Man and the New Man, between the godly nature and the sinful nature. Not only can we escape the penalty of sin through spiritual conversion (justification, regeneration, sanctification), we can escape the power and the pollution of inbred sin, inherited sin, Double Mindedness because Christ cleanses the faithful believer from all sin, from twistedness, from inner rebellion, from selfishness.

Jesus died for our full salvation, don't be cheated out of the blessings of God by those who refuse to surrender completely.

01/01/26 FOUR QUESTIONS

01/01/26 FOUR QUESTIONS

Four questions that help us understand CHRISTIAN, BIBLICAL Faith and Practice.

Does God Command it?
Does God Condone it?
Does God Commend it?
Does God Condemn it?

Though the entire Bible is God's infallible revelation, Christians are not required or allowed to practice everything that God has revealed to His people throughout history.
Christians are not required, or even expected, to keep the sacrificial laws, the dietary laws, the ceremonial laws, which God gave to Israel in the Old Testament.
There are also specific commands God gave to certain individuals, which do not apply to other people.
Therefore, the principles I suggest apply to Divine directives for those who live in the Church period.

Here is an example of how to use these questions when considering a subject.
Does the God of the Bible command Christians to sin?
Does the God of the Bible command Christians not to sin?

Does the God of the Bible condone Christian's sinning?
Does the God of the Bible condone Christians not sinning?

Does the God of the Bible commend Christians for sinning?
Does the God of the Bible commend Christians for not sinning?

Does the God of the Bible condemn Christians for sinning?
Does the God of the Bible condemn Christians for not sinning?

I am not claiming that this is a failsafe approach to understanding Scripture and the Christian life, but it is a valid tool. In finding the will of God, we must make certain that we are not reading our own bias into God's word. We should look for clear and supported Biblical answers to these questions. We should eagerly seek God's view on these questions.

A good working definition for sin and sinning is, "willful disobedience to the known will of God."

Obviously, there are Divine directives which are binding on all people, but sometimes there are personal directives given to specific individuals, which other people are not obligated to follow. This is why the Bible says, "he that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin."

Every person needs the redemptive grace of God, at all times. Believers come into a right relationship with God with a certain level of knowledge and understanding of truth. As believers grow in grace and knowledge, they acquire greater light, knowledge, understanding, responsibility, opportunity, accountability and ability to do that which God calls them to do.

In seeking God's will, these questions relate both to God's written revelation and to personal awareness of God's will and His leading. With God's light comes God's enabling power to do that which is pleasing in His sight. Greater light brings greater liberty. Spiritual liberty is deliverance from sin and the law of sin and death. Spiritual liberty is not freedom to disobey God or live a life separate from His Lordship.

Remember, God intends for us to live in righteousness and holiness all the days of our lives. Clean hands and a pure heart are not rules and regulations that enslave us: they are acts of God in our lives that set us free from the law of sin and death.