05/30/26 SHAKING THE WORLD...

05/30/26 SHAKING THE WORLD...

When I was a Quaker pastor (EFCER) I told my congregation we should be "EARTHQUAKERS, SHAKING THE WORLD FOR JESUS." We had T-shirts with a shaking world and this phrase. This is not the same picture, but it gives you an idea.

Whether we are "Friends" or not, all Christians should be "EARTHQUAKERS." Remember, the world was so messed up during the first days of the Church that the non-believers accused the Christians of turning the world upside down. Today, the world is so totally corrupted that Christians are trying to get folks right-side-up. The world needs to be shaken back to reality, and only Bible believers can accomplish this mission.

05/28/26 THE PICTURE IS GETTING CLEARER

05/28/26 THE PICTURE IS GETTING CLEARER

This is a short post to point out that the modern Bible-believing Church is the result of a thousand-year series of various Christians rediscovering Biblical truths that had been abandoned for 1,200 years by the Roman religion, claiming to be The Church. Since the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, the true message and mission of Christ followers, and sadly, for the many false Christs and false doctrines in these days of confusion.

As I said, this is a limited overview, but it shows us that the rediscovery, recovery, and restoration of Biblical Christianity took a long time, for many different believers to correct the corruption of the Roman religion.

Before the "Protestant Reformation" of the 1500s, there had been smaller and scattered attempts to return to Biblical faith. Part of the problem was that the Roman religion persecuted and murdered those who were turning from the false head of the Church to the Real Head of the Church, and turning from the corrupted word of men to the inspired word of God. During that time, some believers sought a truly holy life, and others risked their lives to make the Holy Bible available to the masses.

In the 1500s, Martin Luther and others rediscovered and taught the basics of God's plan for Salvation by Faith and the Priesthood of the Believer as the Biblical foundation of salvation. Sadly, the Reformation was centered around a few men who were not that far removed from some of the Romanist errors. Many of the errors of Rome continued into the Reformed movement. It was a significant start, but sadly it became a final destination for millions of Luther's and Calvin's followers.

Other Biblical truths were recovered as the Protestant movement continued. Basic doctrines concerning the nature and work of God, the Trinity, the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Son, along with restoration of doctrines concerning salvation, the nature and ministry of the Church, and Missions, among other rediscovered doctrines.

In the 1700s, John Wesley and others rediscovered and taught God's plan for the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, Entire Sanctification, and the life of Holiness and victorious living as the Biblical model of Christian living.

In the 1800s, John Darby and others rediscovered and taught God's plan for End Times and Last Things from a Dispensational model.

Martin Luther did not invent the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, and Wesley did not invent the doctrine of heart purity, and Darby did not invent dispensationalism. These were great truths of the Scriptures which had been denied and hidden by the Roman religion for centuries. The light of the gospel was hidden with the rise of Romanism and it was kept hidden for over a thousand years. In the1500s a movement began which would lead to hundreds of years rediscovering God's Biblical truths.

The light of truth has grown brighter and there is a new attack on the word of God. This was foretold by Jesus and the New Testament Apostles and Prophets. In the last days there would be an explosion of deception, with many false Christs arising and many people being led astray. The End Times will usher in the Tribulation, the Anti-Christ, the One World Government and Economy and Religion.

The signs of the times indicate that the Last Days might be upon us. The Rapture can take place at any time. But until then, the Body of Christ must be strong, and holy. Make sure that you are totally committed and that you are part of a faithful body of believers. I need it, you need it, your family needs it, your community needs it.

05/28/26 GOD DESIGNS AND ASSIGNS, WE RESIGN AND ALLIGN

05/28/26 GOD DESIGNS AND ASSIGNS, WE RESIGN AND ALLIGN

I am not a Doomsdayer, and I am not a negative person. I know there is good and evil, I know there is right and wrong, and I know there is peace and tribulation. My reality transcends the temporal and trusts the eternal. I do not trust the process; I trust the Processor. This is faith at work. I am pragmatic insofar as my hope is in Jesus, although I am living in a world of chaos, contradiction, and conflict.

I am a Bible believer. I don't like the dark side of life or the trouble that comes with a world in freefall, but I am hopeful. I am not hoping in this world or this world's "solutions" to human problems. My hope is in Christ alone. In Christ we have peace, even in this world of chaos and suffering. I hope for the things He promised. In the world, we have tribulation (difficult times), but Christ has overcome the world. The "tribulation" He was speaking about in John 16:33 was not the designated time of judgment described in the book of Revelation. The "tribulation" He spoke of was personal suffering, trouble, affliction, persecution that they would face after His death. It was not Divine judgment.

Christians face and experience "tribulation" in this world, but we look beyond this vale of tears. I will give a brief note and quote a passage. Consider these verses.

(dlg note... Jesus' parable of the stony ground. The seed (the word of God) was received by the shallow ground. This person received the word with joy and endured for a short time because he did not get rooted and grounded in Christ. Therefore, when difficulty [tribulation or persecution] came, it caused him to stumble and fall away).
QUOTE
Matthew 13:21
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

(dlg note... Jesus assures His disciples that He has given them his peace; and though they will have tribulation in the future, they can rejoice because He has overcome the world).
QUOTE
John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

(dlg note... Paul exhorted the followers of Christ in the faith, even through they would go through much tribulation).
QUOTE
Acts 14:22
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

(dlg note... Circumstances, including tribulations, do not determine our relationship with God. We make our own choice. Sometimes it is very difficult, but even death does not determine our destination).
QUOTE
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(dlg note... Paul mentions our victory over tribulation).
QUOTE
Romans 12:10-12
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

(dlg note... God comforts us in all of our tribulations, making it possible for us to comfort others in difficulty. Paul acknowledges that their victory was based in a right relationship with Christ).
QUOTE
2 Corinthians 1:3-10
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

(dlg note... Paul had told Timothy he would be greatly tempted. Paul was concerned about Timothy's response during heavy tribulation).
QUOTE
1 Thessalonians 3:2-5
2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

(dlg note... Those who abound in faith and love, will face persecution and tribulation. They show patience and God will count them worthy as they endure tribulation. God will also recompense those who trouble faithful believers).
QUOTE
2 Thessalonians 1:3-10
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

(dlg note... Though John addresses the event of God's judgment, which is called, "The Tribulation," John points out that he had gone through personal suffering (tribulation) because of his faithfulness to Christ).
QUOTE
Revelation 1:9
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

(dlg note... When writing to the church at Smyrna, John commends them for being faithful during their own suffering (tribulation). This is not to be confused with the Divine judgment which is later called "tribulation."
QUOTE
Revelation 2:9-11
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

My comments simply point out that believers go through trying times, but maintain a faithful, victorious and Christlike response to their tribulations.

05/28/26 IT IS YOUR CHOICE, BUT IT HAS CONSEQUENCES

05/28/26 IT IS YOUR CHOICE, BUT IT HAS CONSEQUENCES

Sometimes a person does not realize he has, or is close to having, major health problems until he gets a complete physical exam, including a total blood workup.

Such a checkup can ward off impending dangers, or discover the need for specific treatment, or expose an imminent threat to life, and sometimes it is too late. Sometimes it takes well-trained healthcare workers or high-tech medical equipment to detect the problem.

This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. The Bible tells us what normal spiritual health is, how to achieve it, and how to maintain it. The Bible also warns us that the believer can become callous, unaware of his own condition, and will even think that he is doing well.

God gives us shepherds, teachers, counselors, and mentors to lead, train, exhort, warn, correct, reprove, and rebuke. Remember, we are a body. We work together, we minister to each other, we submit to each other, we honor each other, we love each other, we build each other up. We are not Lone Ranger Christians. Another model of the local church is that we are a family, a household. The norm, the plan of God, is for babies to be born into families, to be nurtured by parents, to be socialized through family relationships, to work together with the family, to serve the family, to support the family, to be united with the family.

Of course, the person who thinks that he stands may be failing in grace or falling from grace. It is possible that a person will not heed godly instruction, seek spiritual guidance or even yield to legitimate authority, which will result in that person being fallen from grace.

God has provided all that is necessary for life and godliness, from the beginning of our salvation through ever step we take, until we have finished our course. To resist or reject God's grace at any point is to separate ourselves from God. Any way you look at it, the person who is disobedient to God or is resistant to the graces and provisions of God is not following Jesus, or cleaving to Jesus, or continuing or remaining or abiding in Jesus, or in God's grace, or in the faith God has provided. I am not making this up as I go. These are various ways the Bible refers to the same issue.

05/27/26 WHO RULES YOUR REALITY?

05/27/26 WHO RULES YOUR REALITY?

The "Christian" communities across America need to be alert, honest, focused, and committed to Christ and His word, whatever the cost may be.

Give up the futile and godless idea that human force will save America (or the world) from the incoming tsunami or rising tide of violence, perversion, oppression, torture, whether foreign or domestic.

Christians are told to support the State's responsibility to protect and to punish, even with our taxes. This does not mean that we will personally use violence. We are to obey the State until the State tells us to disobey God.

We are called to bear the Sword of the Spirit, willing to shed our own blood in service to Christ, but we are not called to personally shed the blood of our enemies with the sword of steel. Our personal responsibility is to reconcile, not kill our enemies. Jesus said that if His kingdom was of this world, "THEN" would His servant's fight. But this world's system is not God's kingdom. We are fighting a different war, a spiritual war.

The battles of this world will not bring God's kingdom. Christ and His kingdom will not be brought in through Geo/Political or military actions. Christian weapons are not carnal (earthly, material), but spiritual. Christians do not wrestle (fight) against flesh and blood (human beings).

There are plenty of people who are qualified to fight in the power of the flesh, but even then, it is ultimately a losing battle. There are very few who are signing up for duty in the Lord's army, yet this is the most important battle that will be fought.

The question is not whether you like what I say or not. The question is, "Will you do what God says, or not?" We celebrate those who were willing to die for our country, and rightly so. But folks do not celebrate those who take up the cross and marched into the jaws of death for Jesus.

We, as Christians, need to align with the passage that says, "...they loved not their lives unto death." Rise up o men of God.

05/27/26 WHICH KINGDOM?

05/27/26 WHICH KINGDOM?

God instituted Human Government in the days of Noah to establish and maintain civil order. God's directive to human government is to protect the law-abiding and punish the lawbreaker. God has given the sword of steel to the State for this purpose. God reiterated this truth through the Apostle Paul in Romans 13. He did not give this responsibility to the Church.

I am in my 80th year, and this is the most aggressive President I have seen who puts America before other countries (while making the world a better place to live in). The Trump Administration has also done more to protect our young people from drugs, our borders from invaders, our streets from rioters, and our nation from terrorists, our churches and families from oppression, and our freedom from overthrow by blood thirsty pagans than I have ever seen in any other Administration. This is not an endorsement of the personal life of the President. It is a political and social observation.

Trump has recovered the world's respect, after we have been shamed by corrupt, mindless and spineless policies of previous Presidents. The policies of this Administration have also made the world a safer place at the present time. We now have a President who stands in the way of the most dangerous and volatile regime we have faced since WW2, and based on its capability and willingness to launch a nuclear war. A few other countries have been much larger, much stronger, much richer, and wars have taken more lives, but Iran's leaders have actually been killing and threatening Americans, and our allies, for almost 50 years (without American reprisal), plus they are able and willing to build and launch nuclear weapons against America, Israel, and even their Muslim allies. They are driven by an end-times apocalyptic vision, which would bring international destruction in order to fulfill their warped view of religion.

We have also seen this Administration present policies and actions against international aggression and domestic corruption that should have been enacted for decades. But America's rejection of the God of the Bible, and the embrace of Socialism, Paganism, Humanism, Hedonism, Materialism, Statism are sabotaging any leaning toward nationwide repentance that could eventuate.

We don't know what will happen from day to day concerning peace in the Middle East or on the homefront. Europe and Africa are suffering and folding under the corrosive invasion from the blood thirsty thugs and pirates that came into our world 1400 years ago, and that band of criminals is taking aggressive steps to replace American freedom and faith with Sharia Law.

We know that the kingdoms of this world will not bring peace. The Bible clearly tells us that Persia will survive and will be part of a deadly alliance in the end-times. Remember, their mantra has been, "Death to America and Death to Israel."

All of the money, all of the weaponry, all of the diplomacy, all of the treaties that will be used by America to bring about good, will not prevent the One World Government, the One World Economy, the One World Religion, the final Anti-Christ from coming on the world scene.

Yes, we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the repentance of America, and the free countries of the world should withstand the wicked oppressors of the world, but our only hope for ourselves and our families and for a lost world is a personal relationship, a spiritual transformation that can only be found through Christ and His word.

We should do what God wants us to do, publicly and politically, but never forget that this life, this world is but a vapor. Find and commit yourself to the eternal God, Jesus Christ. Don't waste your energies, hopes, abilities on that which is passing away. Spend and be spent for Jesus. Seek the lost, do not think you can raise the dead corpse of worldly politics, principles and powers.

This barely scratches the surface of what we are facing, and sad to say, men are not turning to the Sword of the Spirit; they are trusting in the arm of flesh, they are trembling and falling before the powers of darkness. Even though the masses will not turn to Christ in these times, you have the choice, the opportunity to turn while God is calling you.

05/27/26 FACTORS IN DECISION MAKING

05/27/26 FACTORS IN DECISION MAKING

THE OPTIONS (our own choices)

The option to humility is pride.
The option to soften is harden.
The option to repentance is rebellion.
The option to peace is turmoil.
The option to unity is division.
The option to assurance is confusion.
The option to kindness is cruelty.
The option to patience is discontent.
The option to sincerity is pretense.
The option to contentment is avarice.
The option to meekness is conceit.
The option to love is hatred.
The option to joy is misery.
The option to goodness is wickedness.
The option to gentleness is harshness.
The option to self-control is self-pleasing.

This is just a quick list of some choices we have every day. These choices come up in major decisions and minor ones, but the choice we make is always major.

Choosing to be conformed to the image of Jesus is always a vital choice.
Love is a self-denying PRINCIPLE and POLICY.

Sometimes we make the right decisions because there are external influences. There is an "OUGHT TO" factor. "...forgive others... or God will not forgive you..."
As we follow Christ, we will make right decisions because we have an internal influence. This is the "WANT TO" factor, "I delight to do Thy will."

We make some changes because they are part of our NEW NATURE.
We make some changes because they are part of our NEW NURTURE.

Christian CHARACTER and Christian CULTURE equip us to walk in victory and service.

We are personally influenced by the INHERENT and the INSTRUCTIONAL aspects of Christian truth.
In both cases, they inform the watching world that we are INSTANTANEOUSLY TRANSFORMED from darkness to light, from sin to righteousness, and that we are PROGRESSIVELY BEING CONFORMED to the image of Christ.

Actual Christians, those who walk in the light, KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AND DO THAT WHICH IS PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT.

The Christian choice is NOT STATIC OR STERILE; it is DYNAMIC AND PURE.

The Christian REALITY/EXPERIENCE is a LIVING RELATIONSHIP it is NOT A LIST OF RULES AND REGULATIONS.

]05/26/26 NOTICE THIS

05/26/26 NOTICE THIS

Here is another post I wrote over 10 years ago, concerning Hebrews 12:14-15 (with some editing added). Usually, the focus is on vs. 14 (following peace and holiness...), but in this post, I especially noticed vs. 15 (failing to enter holiness of heart will lead to failing of the grace of God). I hope this is helpful. It might be a good discussion starter for a family, outreach, or ministry class.

QUOTE (from Jan. 22, 2016)
DOES YOUR PASTOR, TEACHER, OR MENTOR TELL YOU THIS?
Did you notice this Hebrews passage in my previous post?
Hebrews 12:14-15
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

The Sanctification
The Greek actually says that we are to follow after "the sanctification." There is a specific sanctification, purification, cleansing, and setting apart, which Christians are EXPECTED to pursue and obtain. This particular sanctification is mandatory, essential, and obligatory to a right relationship with God.

Essential
Think about it. Has your pastor ever told you that there is a specific holiness, a specific cleansing available to believers, which is attainable and obtainable, by the grace of God, which you should follow after in this life if you want to spend eternity with God? If no one has told you about this, then you better find someone who believes it, lives it and communicates it to you, because, without it you will not see God, that is, you will be denied access to His presence. Remember, only the PURE IN HEART will see God.

Fail Of Grace
Also notice, that it is possible for believers to fail of the grace (fail to obtain the grace) of God, they will fall short of the grace of God. It is not that the grace of God fails Christians, but those who do not search for, find and obtain God's peculiar purity of heart and life, will fail the grace of God, will come short of the presence of God.

Root Of Bitterness Defiles
Failing the grace of God allows the root of bitterness to spring up in our heart and life, and that corruption crowds us, disturbs us, annoys us, to the point that we become a stumbling block to others, causing them to be defiled.

It is not enough that God can and will sanctify us completely: we must keep ourselves in that grace by following Him fully. If we go backwards, from our relationship with God, we will be defiled, and we will contribute to other people being defiled also.

05/26/26 WHAT IS YOUR AROMA?

05/26/26 WHAT IS YOUR AROMA?

Here is a post I made over 10 years ago, and a related one I wrote that same year (2016), with some editing. The truth is still applicable. I hope they are helpful. They might be good discussion starters for a family, outreach, or ministry class.

10/01/16 WHAT'S THAT SMELL?
When we lived on the mountain in Tennessee, we used a wood stove for heat in the wintertime. Admittedly, I did not have it vented perfectly, and sometimes, we carried the smell of a fireplace wherever we went. I remember a cashier at the store was serving some of us, and then looked around and asked if something was on fire. hehehe. Really, it did happen.

When I go fishing and have to work with cut bait or old "fresh bait" or old GULPs, my hands take on a certain aroma. My grandchildren have told me (in the past) that my car smelled like fish. Actually, I take pains to eliminate that problem. The fishy smell was rare and light, but you know how over-reactive little children can be.

Whatever you keep your hands in might cause you to carry that smell with you. If your workplace or your living area has a particular odor, you are likely to carry that smell on your clothes. A good washing can remove bodily nastiness, but it takes a spiritual cleansing to take away spiritual filth. It is possible to be nasty for so long that you don't even notice it. It is possible to get beyond the song, "Dirty Me, Dirty Me, I'm Disgusted With Myself."

NOW FOR THE KICKER...
If you live in the light and life of Christ, you will give off a sweet-smelling aroma, but if you allow the filth, garbage, sewage of this world to be your daily habitat, you will stink to high heaven.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15
(14) Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
(15) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

Don't be rotten fish on a hot day, Don't stink up your world. Let the beauty of Jesus live in you and you will give off the sweet smell of salvation.

A little closer look.
10/02/16 HOW DO YOU SMELL?
What aromatic contribution are you going to make in your world today?

Remember, my previous post addressed the issue of the spiritual aroma of our lives. We will, "give off" whatever fragrance we have, "put on," and we will give off whatever fragrance we have not removed. Sometimes we don't know we are giving off an offensive odor. Sometimes there are people who give off the same odor and the don't smell it on themselves, and maybe they are not offended by your stench because they stink too. But basically no one likes a repugnant pungency, and trust me, folks don't want to sit next to a stinker. There is a washing for the body and there is a washing for the soul.

If we are wearing CRITICISM, we will stink.

If we are wearing ARROGANCE, we will stink.

If we are wearing ANGER, we will stink.

If we are wearing FEAR, we will stink.

If we are wearing WORLDLINESS, we will stink.

If we are wearing SELFISHNESS, we will stink.

If we are wearing WORRY, we will stink.

If we are wearing HATRED, we will stink.

If we are wearing JEALOUSY, we will stink.

If we are wearing ENVY, we will stink.

If we are wearing DECEIT, we will stink.

If we are wearing GREED, we will stink.

If we are wearing Lust, we will stink.

If w are wearing PREJUDICE, we will stink.

If you want to know whether you are giving off any offensive odors, ask someone else. Of course, God and His word is a good place to start, but let's face it, some people are deaf to the voice of God and blind to the written word. However, God uses faithful, wise and loving believers to help others find and follow His will. Find someone with good judgment, honesty, concern. This could (and should) include your pastor, as well as other seasoned saints in the church. Ask them if there are issues in your life that are offensive, then seek God to cleanse you by removing the source of offense and to refresh your presence by covering you with His beauty and sweetness.

Here is how Paul said it...
Ephesians 4:20-32
(20) But ye have not so learned Christ;
(21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
(27) Neither give place to the devil.
(28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Colossians 3:1-10
(1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
(6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
(7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
(8) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
(9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
(10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

05/26/26 SPIRITUAL GROWTH

05/26/26 SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Spiritual growth includes...

Hearing,

Knowing,

Understanding,

Wisdom.

05/25/26 IF IT IS GOOD, IT IS OF GOD

05/25/26 IF IT IS GOOD, IT IS OF GOD

SOMETHING I WROTE IN THE PAST
(GOOD WORKS... Nov.14, 2017??)

My dreams are really vivid. Sometimes I wake up to my own voice (or my own voice wakes me up), involved in a theological or doctrinal discussion, or I wake up with a fresh thought on an old subject.

NO, I am not aligning myself with the Biblical concept of "dreaming dreams and having visions," nor am I saying that my beliefs are based on special revelation or personal views arrived at while I am asleep. It is simply that I think so much about Biblical issues that my mind remains focused on those things, even in my sleep. Most of us have done this for one reason or another.

It is sort of like when I first got married. I used to swing my arms from one side to the other in my sleep, hitting my new bride. During my high school and college years, I worked as a mate aboard sports fishing boats. In my dreams, I was landing large fish and throwing them into the fish box on the boat. I am just glad I was a fisherman instead of a hunter or a butcher.

Anyway, I recently woke up answering a question that I was being asked by some imaginary person in my sleep. I woke up saying, "It doesn't matter."

The question I had been asked was, "Then how does someone know if a good deed is a work of faith or a work of the flesh?"

It does not matter what another person may think or say concerning the good works of a Christian. It is not something that other people should be concerned with, especially other Christians. If it is a good deed, and if it is done by a follower of Christ who is manifesting the likeness of Jesus, no one should be trying to judge the deed. God is the judge of such things. Why would a believer want to fault a fellow believer for doing a good thing in the spiritual likeness of Christ?

Of course, if a person does not believe that anyone can do a good deed, then they have to attribute all good deeds to "works of the flesh." Sadly, we live at a time when people quickly attribute the work of God to the devil. Hmmm, it seems there is a Biblical word for that. Have you ever heard of blasphemy?

05/25/26 WHAT GOD ACTUALLY SAID

05/25/26 WHAT GOD ACTUALLY SAID

I hear people saying that we cannot resist temptation and that we have to sin. This is not simply an indictment of the fallen human condition, the weakened human nature, or the depraved, sinful nature; it is a denial of God's purpose and power to save believers from sin and sinning.
1 Corinthians 10:12-14
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.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Let's be clear, those who believe in sinning religion (religion that says God authors, allows, or accepts sin in the life of a believer) do not believe Biblical Christianity, but rather they believe a devilish, soul-damning religion.

Those who believe in sinning religion either believe that God does not want to save His people from sinning, or God is unable to save His people from sinning, or God does not care if His people sin, plus the fact that they deny and refute the word of God concerning God's salvation from sin and sinning.

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.

1 John 5:17-21
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Romans 2:6-11
6 Who (God) will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

05/25/26 INNER AND OUTER HEALTH

05/25/26 INNER AND OUTER HEALTH

Our bodies can appear strong and vibrant externally, though we are having organ failure internally.

This is often the case spiritually. Outwardly, we may appear to be in a right relationship with God, while our inner man is still in the grip of sin.

In order to avoid and correct spiritual dysfunction (hypocrisy), we need to seek and heed Divine examination and intervention, then walk in the power and purity of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

05/23/26 LIVING WITH PURPOSE

05/23/26 LIVING WITH PURPOSE

A stumbling block or a stepping-stone?
A help or a hindrance?
A blessing or burden?
We decide what we will be.

We decide whether we will walk in faithful obedience to the will of God.

What is the day-by-day, and moment-by-moment reality of your life?
I am referring to the redemptive, sacrificial, life-changing, continuous presence of Jesus in our lives that draws people to Christ and His salvation.

The Bible says that Jesus, "...went about doing good..."
The Bible says that believers are created in Christ Jesus to do "good works."
The Bible says that we should let our light shine before men, so that they will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
The Bible says that Christians are God's witnesses, God's ambassadors, taking God's word to the world and bringing the lost to reconciliation with God.
The Bible says that we have been given the treasure of God's light to shine in this world of sin and darkness, so that others may see and be saved.

Remember, we are debtors to all men.

We have been entrusted by God to give them the message of salvation.

If we are not passing this message to those who are being held in chains of sin and death, then we are robbing them.

05/22/26 DON'T BE HELD PRISONER

05/22/26 DON'T BE HELD PRISONER

(This is a 4-to-5-minute read, but I address several aspects of this great Biblical truth, and as usual, I try to make difficult concepts clear for young believers in the faith.)

As we see in the Book of Judges and Romans chapter 7, the carnal Christian life is an inward battle with a rebellious spirit. The recurring cycle for the carnal Christian is,
Rest (living by faith),
Rebellion (giving into temptation),
Rebuke (God convicts the backslider of sin),
Repentance (turning from sin back to faithful obedience),
Restoration (the repentant backslider is forgiven of his lapse),
Rest (living by faith)."
Most Christians are held captive by this cycle of inner conflict. Some never hear about God's provision to deliver the Carnal Christian from the Double Mind (the Old Man, the Carnal Mind, the Evil Heart of Unbelief, the Law of Sin and Death, aka the Sinful Nature).

The Bible tells us that there are two kinds of people: the lost (the Natural Man) and the Christian.
The Natural Man has not yet been converted, regenerated, saved, or justified. He is living his life strictly on the natural, fleshly, temporal level.
The Christian has entered into a relationship with God. The Christian is born of the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit and the fully dedicated Christian is filled and purified with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible tells us that there are two kinds of Christians: the Carnal and the Spiritual.

Since Adam's sin, all of his children are born with a weakened, afflicted Human Nature and a corrupted disposition, the Carnal Nature, which is often called the "Sinful Nature"

Our own personal sin separates us individually from God.
God calls sinners to personal faith and repentance.
When the sinner hears and heeds the call of God, he is Divinely and miraculously transformed into a new creation, a spiritually oriented person.
The sinner becomes a saint (a holy one) and begins to walk with God.
The new Christian still has his weakened, afflicted Human Nature and his Sinful Nature, but he is given a new nature, a Divine nature (a likeness to God).
It is the presence of God in us that is at war with the sinful nature, the sin nature.

Our Human Nature is the seat of decision.
Our Carnal Nature is inclined to sin.
Our Divine Nature is inclined to God.
This is where the inward battle takes place, which is addressed in Romans 7.

HOWEVER, though Romans 7 portrays the problem of the Carnal Mind (the Carnal Nature, the Sinful Nature, the Old Man, the Double Mind). God does not sentence the believer to a life of Carnality. At the end of Romans 7 we are told that Jesus is the Answer, the Solution, the Deliverer from the Law of Sin and Death (the Double Mind).

Romans 8 continues God's revelation concerning Christian victory over sin and death. It addresses and amplifies the message of deliverance from the Carnal Nature. Likewise, Romans 6 explained the death of the Old Man.

The hope for the Carnal Christian is the purifying infilling and continued presence of the Holy Spirit. God delivers the faithful follower from all sin (including the pollution of the Sinful Nature).

The Bible consistently tells us that God will purify His people, and His purification of our heart enables victory over our sin, inherent and personal.

If we sin after our conversion, we have an advocate with God. But we can live a life that is obedient and pleasing to God. We can live a Christian life that is free from inner turmoil continuous backsliding. If and when we need reconciliation, God is ready and eager to restore us. But if we walk in the light, we will not walk in the flesh, but in the Spirit.

Sin held us captive to do that which was evil, but Jesus set us free.
Sin Nature holds Christians captive to an inner battle, but Jesus sets us free.

Be saved, be sanctified entirely.
We have victory over sin when we trust and follow Jesus fully.

We have a choice to either be the slave of sin or the slave of God. We make our choice by either believing and trusting Christ or refusing His deliverance.

Read and Heed the command and invitation of God, and you will be Freed from the domination of sin in your life.
Romans 6:6-22
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

05/22/26 OBVIOUSLY EVIDENT

05/22/26 OBVIOUSLY EVIDENT

Growth in grace is observably consistent for true believers.

05/22/26 DON'T BE DISTRACTED

05/22/26 DON'T BE DISTRACTED

Every important area of life has distractions (marriages, parenting, economics, career, athletics, friendships, health, political, academic, and of course, our spiritual lives.

The distractions can impair our success. Some folks are easily distracted because they lack self-discipline. Sometimes the distraction is understandable. In either case, distraction can lead to tragedy.

This is what is happening in the Christian community. People are being distracted by both important and silly things. Some of the distractions are worthy of our attention, but not to the point of shifting our focus from Jesus. Some of the valid distractions are family relationships, emergency needs, financial difficulties, health problems, political upheaval, social stress, and workplace changes. Sometimes our circumstances demand special attention. But there is nothing more important than our relationship with God. We must give ourselves totally to developing our relationship with God. We must fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

One of the biggest surprises to me is how little it takes to distract people from their eternal destiny. Not only does a vital spiritual relationship guide us through the twists and turns of this present evil world, it also prepares us for our future and forever destiny.

Focusing our attention is up to us. We need to have the single eye for God and His will. No one can focus for us. Turning our eyes upon Jesus requires that we turn away from the things that draw us away from Him. God tells us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of God.

05/22/26 BLIND LEADERS

05/22/26 BLIND LEADERS

Important thoughts for Christians (pastors and parishioners). You might find something helpful somewhere in this post. It might be worth the 2 to 3 minutes it takes to read it. It might even be a good discussion starter to share with other Christians.

SIX BLIND MEN AND AN ELEPHANT
An old "parable" from India illustrates the problem of analysis based on subjective observation. (I chose not to use the term "subjective truth.")

The "parable" refers to six blind men in India who heard that an elephant had been brought to their village, but since none of them had ever encountered an elephant, they decided to check it out together.

Each of the six men touched the elephant and then described what they had experienced. But they each touched a different part of the elephant (the tail, the leg, the side, the trunk, the ear, and the tusk). Each of their descriptions of an elephant differed (a rope, a tree, a wall, a snake, a fan, and a spear), giving a false analysis and description of an elephant.

This simple story applies to life in general, but it has a very definite application to Christian understanding.

Some people are so focused on one aspect of Biblical truth and salvific experience that they don't "see" other facets of truth.

People can be so focused on the Divine side of salvation that they ignore the human participation, such as faith, repentance, confession, obedience, and following, which are part of God's design.

People can be so focused on a particular doctrine that they do not understand the broader scope of God's salvation.

People can be so focused on their own experience (whether the experience is legitimate or not) that they do not experience the specifics of God's will, God's enlightenment, or God's grace.

People can be so focused on a cultural view of Christianity that they are blind to the Biblical revelation of salvation.

There are other problems as well, but this should indicate my concern.

In order to have a proper view of the word of God, we must have a wide variety of information, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

In order to be in a right relationship with God, we need to have a clear and accurate comprehension of the Bible. Sadly, great numbers of people today are ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.

It is the appointed job, task, ministry, life of a pastor to know the truth and to convey the truth clearly. Pastors have been called and gifted to do the great work of shepherding, leading, feeding, correcting, teaching, protecting, and arming the people of God for the work of the ministry. But the pastor is responsible to follow fully, to spend the hours in prayer, study, counseling, teaching, preaching, equipping, encouraging, enlightening, unifying, reproving, and edifying the believers. The pastor/teacher needs to have a solid awareness of Scripture, theology and doctrine, history (world and Church), linguistics, current events, cultural differences, world religions, cultic beliefs and practices, and political agendas. All of these side issues are part of life and should be understood in the light of Christian faith and practice.

Here is one of the several passages that I have had as a ministry motto over the years.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The Christian faith and experience is not a rope, a tree, a wall, a snake, a fan, or a spear. It is a total life reality, a reality beyond the natural, an eye-opening worldview, which is part of the Christian equipment list for living the Christian life and reaching the lost world around us.

05/21/26 THE GOSPEL IN ACTION

05/21/26 THE GOSPEL IN ACTION

Which temptation can you resist?

ALL OF THEM. 1 Co. 10:12-13.

05/21/26 A GREAT TRUTH, IGNORED BY MANY

05/21/26 A GREAT TRUTH, IGNORED BY MANY

What temptation is irresistible?

According to Bible, NONE.

05/20/26 IT IS NOT SUDDEN

05/20/26 IT IS NOT SUDDEN

For decades, I have been pointing out the destructive steps that are leading to the present and intensifying attack on Southerners and traditional American values. Today, we are seeing the unveiling of what has been developing. I have been ridiculed for years as I watched and warned people about the rise of political, regional, and Humanistic propaganda to finish what General Billy T started back in 1864.

The rhetoric is building into a declaration of war, imprisonment, and Nuremberg-style trials. I pointed this out for decades, and it has been building steadily until it is bold and dangerous.

By the way, this also fits into end-time prophecies.

05/20/26 TRUE MENTAL ILLNESS

05/20/26 TRUE MENTAL ILLNESS

How strange, the Donkey crowd always cried for doing away with nuclear bombs, but now they condemn Trump for removing the threat of a mad dog religion seeking to instigate a world war in order to usher in their false deliverer (Al-Mahdi).

And notice, this is being done in Persia. Don't forget how Persia, Russia, and other Middle East and Far East countries fit into end-times events.

Today's world events have more twists than a Chubby Checker movie.
It is all happening right before our very eyes, but blind eyes do not see.

You better pay attention.
You better know the Bible.
You better know Jesus.

05/19/26 SAD COMMENTARY

05/19/26 SAD COMMENTARY

There is more camaraderie, dignity, self-discipline, excitement, commitment, and vision in athletic groups, military units, music groups, civic groups, social organizations, polluted political parties, Bingo Parlors, fraternal organizations, and Pizza of the Month Clubs than in most "Christians" or most local churches in a community.

05/19/26 WHO IS YOUR PATTERN?

05/19/26 WHO IS YOUR PATTERN?

I saw the following QUOTE on a "Christian" group. It is almost like a joke, a bad joke. How sad that the level of Christian understanding feels comfortable in excusing their unclean speech. And sadder that they find comfort from a popular preacher. And sadder because they thought it was valid to blame the Marine Corp. for their lack of grace, wisdom, dignity, and respect for other people. Since when does the wickedness of any worldly organization justify filthiness in the people of God, or lessen the responsibility of Christians to be conformed to the image of Jesus? And saddest of all, because such a stance misrepresents the saving grace of God. What a shallow view of Christ and salvation when people continue in sin as if it is normal or acceptable.

QUOTE (copied and pasted)
"I remember (popular preacher's name ommited) saying that when he got saved his heart knew it but his mouth forgot it at times. He was a Marine so his mouth was used to running without a filter."

05/19/26 NEW BEGINNING(S)

05/19/26 NEW BEGINNING(S)

God is the God of New Beginnings. Not only do we get a new beginning when we first receive Christ as Lord and Savior, but we get new beginnings whenever we have rebelled and then repented.

It is possible to be a faithful, obedient follower of Christ. In fact, being a Christian means being a faithful, obedient follower of Christ. Being a faithful, obedient follower of Christ means we have turned from sin, we have been made righteous, and we are enabled to live righteously. Salvation is deliverance from sin's penalty, power, pollution, and presence. Jesus said that being His disciple starts with denying self, taking up our cross daily, and following Him. Faithful obedience is not the standard for a select group of believers; it is the norm for everyone who is saved.

While we are living in a faithful, obedient relationship with Christ, we cannot sin. The Bible says that the person who is presently born of God cannot sin. However, if we do not continue (abide, remain, hold on, walk in the light, grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ), then we are shifting our loyalty, our commitment, our faith away from Christ. When we are not living by faith, walking by faith, or continuing in the faith, we no longer have the benefits, protections, or strengths that come with faith in Christ. God's word tells us we can "sin not." But if we sin, we have an advocate. If we believe, confess, and repent, then we will have a New Beginning.

Being the God of New Beginnings means that a believer who has sinned (failed of the grace of God, fallen from grace, forsaken their "first love") is given a New Opportunity. As many times as a person rebels against God but then repents, that person is given Other Opportunities.

The Book of Judges records a period of Israel's cycle of sin and salvation. I remember an outline from my Bible College days: Rest, Rebellion, Rebuke, Repentance, Restoration, Rest...

The God of New Beginnings is the God of Other Opportunities. God is merciful, long-suffering, and forgiving. God has not only forgiven the brief and nearly unnoticeable sins of neglect or momentary drifting, but God has also forgiven the most heinous sins that backsliders have committed.

God is so good, so kind, so loving, so merciful, so forgiving, so redemptive. God loves, seeks, reconciles and restores the lives of people who repent after they turned against Him and denied Him and have wrecked and ruined the lives of family and friends.

But be aware, faith can change to presumption, and people can frustrate the grace of God. God does not force people to sin and He does not force people to return to faith.

(I don't use the term "Second Chance" for a few reasons.
* The term "Second Chance" is often used in reference to the erroneous teaching that a person who dies without Christ is able to receive Christ as Savior after they have died.
* The word "Chance" may convey the idea of "luck," "happenstance," or "randomness."
* The word "Second" limits the number of times).

The repentant sinner is blessed by God with other opportunities. But presumption will lull the unfaithful into eternity without God. Be glad for the goodness of God. Be transformed by the power of God. Be faithful in following God.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

05/18/26 THE REAL SELF

05/18/26 THE REAL SELF

Public playing reveals character more than public praying.

05/18/26 KNOW THE REASON

05/18/26 KNOW THE REASON

Corruption came from Adam.

Personal guilt is self-inflicted.

05/18/26 WHO IS IN CHARGE?

05/18/26 WHO IS IN CHARGE?

Escaping torment and inheriting heaven are benefits included in our salvation.

However, the central, fundamental issue in salvation is a change in authority. Before salvation, the ultimate authority in our lives is our own selves. Actually, before conversion, we are slaves of Satan, slaves of our sinful nature, and slaves to our sins. While we are still enslaved to darkness, God calls us to faith in Christ. God requires our submission, and He enables us to submit.

Faith in Christ includes the belief that Jesus died for our sins and was raised physically from the dead, and a commitment to the Lordship of Christ.
Romans 10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

God sets the believer free from sin's penalty, power, pollution, and presence. We cease being the slaves of sin, and we embrace the rule of God in our lives. When we choose to trust Christ for our salvation, God miraculously enables, enlivens, and empowers us to follow and serve Him faithfully. This is conversion.
Romans 6:1-22
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Romans 8:1-11
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.

After conversion, we are enabled to continue in the faith, and we will continue to grow in grace and knowledge as long as we walk in the light (the truth, the life, the way) and in the Spirit of God.

Conversion changes our relationship with God, changes our inner man, changes our desires, and changes our resolve. Our salvation (conversion) will accept the rule of God completely. Without a change in loyalty to God, there is no conversion or salvation.

05/18/26 TRUTH CAN BE A "HARD SAYING"

05/18/26 TRUTH CAN BE A "HARD SAYING"

I used the term "hard sayings" recently. This comes from two words, "difficult" and "words" in John 6:60. In John 6, Jesus had said that men must eat His flesh and drink His blood. This was said as a figure of speech. The passage refers to taking bread and wine as a metaphor of the body and blood of Christ, but some of those hearers chose to interpret His words literally. God had told His people in the Old Testament not to eat or drink blood. Some of those standing near Jesus that day interpreted Jesus as teaching false doctrine. They were so revulsed that they left Jesus.

Jesus acknowledged their disapproval and addressed the problem. He pointed out that the flesh profits nothing, and His words were actually spirit and life. Remember, Jesus was talking about eating bread and drinking wine. That was the physical reality, representing the spiritual meaning. He attached the figure of His body and blood to the metaphor of bread and wine. He also pointed out that those people were offended because they did not believe Christ.

Jesus then asked the disciples if they would also leave Him. Simon Peter answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure (we know) that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

Here is the problem today. People hear the words of Jesus, but they do not believe (hear with their inner man) what Jesus said. They hold on to what they think is truth even when it is contrary to what God's word actually says. They don't like it, therefore, they don't accept it (believe it).

The teaching about the bread and the cup is not hard to understand. The problem is accepting a man-made meaning that has been imposed on the passage, rather than what the passage and collateral passages say about the subject.

There are various Hard Sayings in the Bible. I recently addressed the New Testament position concerning Christians taking violent actions against other people.

It is a major problem when anyone dismisses the revelation of God. God's specific instructions concerning specific issues are vital to the Christian experience. However, rejection of one part of God's revelation also leads to rejecting other truths God reveals to us through His word. A specific truth is related to other specific truths, as individual cells are related to tissue and tissue is related to organs and organs are related to systems and systems make up the human body. Damaging a specific area of the Christian understanding and life will damage other areas of the Christian life.

When you read or hear a Biblical truth that conflicts with your understanding, your heritage, your training, your culture, you need to find out what God's word actually says and then you need to bring your beliefs and behavior into submission to God's word. Do not swallow what anyone says. Examine the issue in the light of the Bible. Do not allow a hard saying to turn you away from Christ.

Conversion requires submission to Divine transformation, and growth in grace will continue to accomplish major transformation in our lives.

05/17/26 NO EXCUSES

05/17/26 NO EXCUSES

Hating Jews is Satanic, by any name, and by any person.

05/16/26 DON'T MAJOR ON MINORS

05/16/26 DON'T MAJOR ON MINORS

The detail, the minutia, the simple, the basic, the hidden is very important.

However, it is true that people sometimes "do not see the forest for the trees." Focusing on the details can cause you to miss the main thought.

It was said, "God is in the details." This is true. It has also been said, "The devil is in the details," which means that ignoring the details can result in error or failure.

There are great truths contained in the small and technical parts of Scripture. Knowing the linguistic, cultural, and historical context of a passage is part of understanding the word and the revelation of God. However, it is possible to focus so much on the details that you miss the main message of a passage.

When we look out of our window, we see beyond the window, beyond the screen in the window, and maybe we see beyond our own front yard into open fields or beautiful mountains or a magnificent seascape. But if we change our focus to the screen (which became basically invisible to us), we begin to see the little squares formed by the crossing wires. The more we focus on the screen, the less we will see in the distance.

Sometimes this is what happens with Scripture. In fact, this is a major problem today. People get so caught up in a single word in a single verse that they lose all perspective concerning the primary meaning of the passage.

This ploy is being used by some folks today to turn our attention away from God's actual revelation and toward an eccentric concept, which may have no connection with the actual meaning of the passage. This is then connected in some way with another passage, as if the obscure is more telling than the obvious. The person who is promoting the minutia that contradicts the obvious will often connect it to extra-Biblical sources as well.

Again, God is in the details, but the details agree with the broader revelation in the Bible. This is where AI often fails to be a good source or resource for Biblical study. AI is programmed by people who have a personal agenda, and by algorithms that are based on human interests, rather than the eternal, inerrant, infallible revelation of God. These man-made doctrinal systems slip into a person's understanding, undermining their relationship with God.

Understanding the minutia and understanding the whole message of God requires a broad knowledge and understanding of the whole word of God.

It is essential that you have a working knowledge of the Bible, and that you are learning from honest, godly, Biblically based teachers and preachers.

05/16/26 A HARD SAYING

05/16/26 A HARD SAYING

This addresses a "Hard Saying" in the New Testament that Satan has been trying to discredit since the days of the Apostles. If you disagree with my point of view, at least read this post through.

In this post, I am referring to God’s directives concerning the Christian response to physical aggression and opposition; it does not refer to God's directives to human government concerning the Civil order and the treatment of evildoers. God has given The State (not The Church) the responsibility to protect the righteous (law-abiding) and to punish the wicked (the lawbreakers) with the sword of steel. Christian actions and Government assignments are not the same. The Church wields the Sword of the Spirit to fight against the spiritual enemy and set the sinner free. Christians are subject to the State unless the State requires disobedience to God.

FACTS...
Whenever believers in the New Testament entertained violent action against anyone, Jesus corrected and reproved them.
Whenever a believer in the New Testament used physical (violent) force against anyone, Jesus reproved the believer and healed the victim.

God, in the New Testament, never commanded violence by any Christian, in any situation, at any time.
God, in the New Testament, never commended violence by any Christian, in any situation, at any time.
God, in the New Testament, never condoned violence by any Christian, in any situation, at any time.
God, in the New Testament, condemned violence by all Christians, in every situation, at all times.

If there was ever a time when Christians could have, should have, and would have resorted to physical violence because they were suffering personal or family injustices, physical attacks, murderous mobs, social oppression, political persecution, then it would have been during the time of the New Testament. However, after Jesus condemned and corrected the violent action of Peter in the Garden, we never see a believer resort to violence, even when their lives were in danger.

When New Testament believers were targets of abuse, violence, and murder, they either escaped the attacks or accepted their suffering with love and grace, which was a miraculous response. And this is the point. Christians are not of this world, we are new and different creations who are part of the kingdom of God. Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it was, then would my servants fight." We live for a higher purpose and follow a higher authority. We are sent to reconcile the sinner to God, not to kill them. Killing is what pagan religions do.

New Testament Christians realized that their lives were not their own, but that they had been bought with a price. They actually did trust God and they actually did love their enemies.

The New Testament Christians were also convinced that this earthly life is short and fragile. They were not living for the "now," they were living for eternity.

The early Church (the first 300 years) did not practice or promote physical violence by believers, even in the military. This is not only addressed in the New Testament writings, its evidenced by the writings of other Christian leaders during that period of time, and also by the writings of opponents of Christianity and by the fact that Roman leaders did not recruit Christians to bear arms.

The view and practice of Christians taking up arms for the State came along with Constantine. Constantine used the Christian community to further his own pagan and political agenda. That was a time when the Christian community was legally mixed with the pagan community. It became convenient and profitable for pagan groups to merge with Christian culture. It wasn't until the 3rd century that people who "professed" Christianity became soldiers in the army, fighting for the State.

Eventually there were leaders in the newly paganized Christian community who incorporated non-Biblical beliefs (theological and practical) into the official stance of the apostatizing "church" of Rome, introducing the idea of Christians participating in "Just Wars."

When the Protestant Reformation took place in the 1500s, the so-called Reformers continued with many of the false doctrines of Augustine and other teachings of the Roman religion (such as anti-Semitism), and the abomination of Christians taking up arms to kill people for the State.

Remember, Luther was a Jew hater and the Roman religion practice of killing their enemies was followed by Luther and Calvin and other leaders of the Reformation.

Today we see Christians of most denominations in the West being misled into the idea that Christians take up arms for the State as well as for their own protection.

"Christian violence" is popular today, but it is still contrary to the New Testament revelation. We can either obey God or take the easy, popular path of pagan history.

05/16/26 ENABLED TO OBEY

05/16/26 ENABLED TO OBEY

Faith, Love, and Grace enable us to obey God's commands.

05/13/26 MARCHING ORDERS

05/13/26 MARCHING ORDERS

"Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

05/13/26 BE HONEST WITH ROMANS 7

05/13/26 BE HONEST WITH ROMANS 7

If you disagree with the idea of deliverance from sin in this present evil world, maybe this post will be interesting to you.

If God can keep you from willful disobedience for 5 seconds, then He can keep you for 5 minutes, or even 5 hours, or even 5 days, or even longer.

The only law that says we must sin is the Law of Sin and Death, in Romans 7. (The Law of Sin and the Body of Death comprise the sinful nature that all humans inherited from Adam).

Romans 7:21-25
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
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.

BUT Chapter 7 is not the final word on the sin problem, even in the book of Romans. At the end of Romans 7, Paul asked, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Paul immediately gave us God's answer, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." The Holy Spirit continued to reveal more about this deliverance in the very next words of Romans 8.

Romans 8:1-11
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.

The devil wants us to only see that there is a sin problem; he does not want us to know that there is a sin solution through Divine deliverance. Whoever teaches the sin problem from Romans 7, without teaching God's salvation, God's deliverance from the sin problem, as found in Romans 7 and 8, is teaching the message of Satan's power to enslave rather than the message of God's power to save and deliver.

Not only does God deliver believers from the acts of sin, but He also delivers from the attitude of sin. God delivers from the fruit of sin and the root of sin. Satan does not want you to know this. Sadly, there are also preachers who don't want you to believe this.

Deliverance from sin is not a special grace or a life extended to, or experienced by, or enjoyed by a select few of God's children. Deliverance from sin's penalty, power, presence is the reality for all of those who are born of the Spirit and walking in the Spirit. It is the seal God sets on us, to identify us as His children.
2 Timothy 2:19
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1 John 3:2-10
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

We are delivered by The Law of Love, The Royal Law, The Law of Liberty. If we love God, we obey God. Love is the fulfilling of the law. Believers are not only recipients of God's love, we are also channels of His love. Divine love, Perfect love, Pure love is the evidence of salvation.

John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 15:10
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

1 John 5:1-3
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

2 John 1:6
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Regardless of what you have been taught and what you have believed, isn't it worthwhile to see if God is willing and able to deliver you from a sinful disposition and sinful actions? If you have a driving inclination to do wrong and if you yield to temptation, which causes remorse, guilt, and shame, then don't you want to be delivered from the grip of sin?

I am not talking about human endeavor or independent self-control; I am talking about the power of God to save His people from their sins. I am talking about total surrender and saving faith in Christ. I am talking about walking in the Spirit.

By the way, if you find this encouraging or helpful, just let me know with a comment or an emoji reaction. Thank you.

05/12/26 THE REAL CAUSE

05/12/26 THE REAL CAUSE

It is not the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin that deadens or destroys or determines your present or future separation from God, it is your failure to trust Christ and turn from sin.

05/11/26 YOU CAN'T BLAME GOD

05/11/26 YOU CAN'T BLAME GOD

God has always preferred, planned, and provided our deliverance from sin, even before the foundation of the world.

God knew Adam's sinful condition and location, yet God came "looking" for Adam, calling Adam to Himself. God provided covering for Adam's physical, moral, and spiritual nakedness.

God has always taken the FIRST STEP toward sinful mankind. But He gives us the option to either receive or reject His provision for forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life.

God tells us to seek Him with our whole heart. If we seek Him, we will find Him. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.

God warned Cain and directed him into a path that would have kept Cain from moving further into his sin. God not only provided Cain a way to escape the snare of sin, but God also mercifully extended protection to Cain after Cain rejected God's warning and killed his brother.

All through human history, God has desired and provided the reconciliation of fallen men.

God sent His Son to seek and to save the lost.

God's search-and-rescue mission continues through His people, the Church.

God sends His redeemed children to seek the lost and bring them to salvation. We are God's ambassadors, sent to reconcile the rebels to God.

The Bible speaks about the universality of the love of God and His atonement. Yes, God is righteous and just, as well as loving, merciful, and kind. God is balanced. God does hold us accountable for every thought, word, and deed. But He has also provided atonement and reconciliation to whosoever will trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.

There is a famine of Biblical truth today, and as a result, people are glomming onto the "half-truths" of Reformed (more accurately, Deformed) Theology, and the warped views of Neo-Charismatic (more accurately, Crazymatic) or Apostolic (more accurately, Apostasyholic) Movement, and the Reconstructed or Deconstructed (more accurately Destructed) "Christianity."

It takes time, dedication, single-mindedness, spiritual life and understanding, knowledge of Scripture and Church history and Bible Doctrine in order to know Biblical Christianity. But most people want to be spoon-fed the lies of Satan, rather than actually study, seek, and submit to the revealed word of God.

If you have sinned (and you have), then you are separated from God, and you need Divine reconciliation (which God has provided). YOU are included in God's love and redemption, but you are not forced into it. You have a choice, an actual choice. You can believe and receive God's offer of forgiveness and deliverance from sin. If you do not believe and receive then you are choosing to rebel against God and to bear your own guilt.

He loves you, willingly and redemptively, but since God has given you the freedom of choice, your choices will have consequences. Receive and be saved or reject and be condemned for your own sins.

05/11/26 CHECK YOUR CONNECTION

05/11/26 CHECK YOUR CONNECTION

Some pastors don't proclaim truth.
Some parishioners don't walk in truth.

05/11/26 GUARD YOUR GATES

05/11/26 GUARD YOUR GATES

Guard your gates (eyes, ears, mouth, heart) against evil.

05/11/26 BEWARE ANOTHER GOSPEL

05/11/26 BEWARE ANOTHER GOSPEL

Beware Deformed Theology and Crazymatic Religion.

05/09/26 HE SENDS US AND GOES WITH US

05/09/26 HE SENDS US AND GOES WITH US

As I get older and my energy ebbs and my abilities are more limited, I still dream, envision ministries that can be done, that should be done. I see the looming opportunities for ministry, for service, for outreach, even in areas that I am not gifted, called, or equipped. I see great possibilities for church believers of various levels of attainment and growth.

I see things the way they are, and I know what the Bible says about the destiny of a Christ-hating society, therefore I am not Pollyannish. Still, there is great opportunity for the fully committed and totally surrendered Christian. There are fields of ministry today that did not exist in our "yesterdays" and will not exist in our "tomorrows." Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation and service.

The old question still echoes through the corridors of time, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us...?" The world is filled with adventure seekers, social justice warriors, change agents, political firebrands, inventors of evil things, and self-serving leeches. The worldly agenda is being fulfilled, the carnal ranks are overloaded, the hellish plans are racing forward, but only occasionally do we see a blood-washed, Spirit-filled, single-eyed believer answer, "Here am I; send me." Where is the Church, where are the mighty men of valor, where are those who are charging the gates of hell and sounding the alarm and rescuing the perishing and setting the prisoners of sin free?

Jesus came to seek and to save, and to send the sanctified into the world to drive back the darkness and deliver the captives from their chains of sin and death. The local church is charged with the duty to lead, teach, equip and enable soldiers of the cross to march forward in victory. As the song says, "Rise up oh men of God, be done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings."

There is an increasing need for God-called and Spirit-filled and anointed preachers, teachers, and pastors, but there are few who are answering the call. Most church folks fail to see how they fit into the Great Commission, whether at home or abroad. Today's need is for willing servants who will surrender their lives and their abilities into the hands of God. God can make the unthinkable become reality, whatever your strengths or weaknesses are, God has a plan, and He can make it become a reality. But we need to be totally surrendered and obedient.

Jesus said...
John 9:4
4 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

We are told...
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

SONG... Work For The Night Is Coming
by Anna Louisa Walker Coghill

1 Work, for the night is coming:
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling:
Work mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter;
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man's work is done.

2 Work, for the night is coming:
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor:
Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute
Something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man works no more.

3 Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work, while the night is darkening,
When man's work is o'er.

Jesus said...
John 20:21
21 "...as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

SONG... So Send I You
1954
The Investment
by Margaret Clarkson

1 So send I you to labour unrewarded
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown
To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing
So send I you to toil for Me alone

2 So send I you to bind the bruised and broken
Over wandering souls to work, to weep, to wake
To bear the burdens of a world a-weary
So send I you to suffer for My sake

3 So send I you to loneliness and longing
With hart a-hungering for tthe loved and known
Forsaking kin and kindred, friend and dear one
So send I you to know My love alone

4 So send I you to leave your life's ambition
To die to dear desire, self-will resign
To labour long, and love where men revile you
So send I you to lsoe you life in Mine

5 So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred
To eyes made blind because they will not see
To spend, though it be blood to spend and spare not
So send I you to taste of Calvary

"As the Father hath sent me, so send I you"

SONG... So Send I You (same tune)
1963
The Return
by Margaret Clarkson

1 So send I you- by grace made strong to triumph
O’er hosts of hell, o’er darkness, death, and sin,
My name to bear, and in that name to conquer-
So send I you, My victory to win.

2 So send I you- to take to souls in bondage
The word of truth that sets the captive fee,
To break the bonds of sin, to loose death’s fetters-
So send I you, to bring the lost to Me.

3 So send I you- My strength to know in weakness,
My joy in grief, my perfect peace in pain,
To prove My power, My grace, My promised presence-
So send I you, eternal fruit to gain.

4 So Send I you – to bear My cross with patience,
And then one day with joy to lay it down
To hear My voice, “Well done, My faithful servant –
Come, share My throne, My Kingdom, and My crown!”

As the Father hath sent Me, so send I You.”