By the 21st Century the darkness has already set in, AMEN!
Filed under Christian informed values.
Children’s book claims abuse causes homosexuality submitted to Supreme Court
‘Alfie’s Home,’ Ex-Gay Therapist’s Children’s Book, Submitted To Supreme Court To Oppose Gay Marriage…
February 7, 2013 · 1:41 pm
by Barton Gingerich (@BJGingerich)
The proposed change to the Boy Scouts of America’s exclusion standards has hit national headlines. Currently, the BSA forbids openly gay leaders, volunteers, and scouts. This reflects the opinion of the vast majority of active parents and Scouting leadership. As an Eagle Scout and Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, I was shocked and saddened to hear the announcement that the Boy Scouts were considering a change to this longstanding standard.
While The Atlantic insisted that the main impetus behind the change was the collection of heart-wrenching testimonies, this Christian Post article reveals the crux of the matter: large corporate donors are threatening to withhold funds to the BSA unless it alters the leadership standards. Within the past year, big donors Merck, Intel, and UPS threatened to no longer give to BSA because of its ban on gay scouts, volunteers and leaders. In…
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Filed under Christian informed values.
“Is Fatherhood Being Killed so the State Can Play God? – Kelly OConnell “
“The ungodly Government of today does not want real men around anymore: Satan knows if he can emasculate the man as head, he can use women, children, and the effeminate to take control. This is what an ungodly government does, they hate God or any idea of God, in stopping them.
The American people need to wake up, and go back to basics again, if they wish to save their culture.”
Filed under Christian informed values.
Dumb Religious Unity
Christ in us is the be all and end all, On the Cross it was finished, done and dusted, yet religious zealots feel they have to add something to a completed work of Christ, Jesus!
February 1, 2013 · 3:41 pm
Love not the world, a forgotten message
Being a true man of God and moving in obedience, has nothing to do with putting on a clergy suit, or street jacket reading Chaplain. Rather it has everything to do with moving in Christ, in total dependency to his leading, and not drawing attention to one’s self while doing ministry in his behalf.
These words I have written are cutting, as this is the gifting the Lord has given me in the form of a sword. Speaking the truths of God (or word of God) is just that; sharper than a two edged sword… Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart… This is a potentially a dangerous gift to be given, and will not make one popular amongst the world, and even less amongst the world Church structuring and its followers.
This is why it is written in Luke 14:26 Young’s Literal Translation
‘If any one doth come unto me, and doth not hate ( having a strong dis-preference for)
his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and yet even his own life, he is not able to be my disciple;
This means that if you have no desire to put aside everything that even remotely competes in one’s heart in following Jesus Christ your stuffed, and are moving down the broad road towards your own spiritual suicide!
Biblical doctrines or beliefs about Jesus, will not allow you to enter into the Kingdom of heaven, (which Jesus said was within you, when having been born again by the spirit). The human soul is the issue here foremost, not just the intellect or mind. This is why the scriptures always speak about the “sifting of men’s hearts”, and not one’s understanding. Intellectual understanding is fine concerning proper doctrines, yet more importantly we can only receive proper understanding when revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, by abiding in him, who is Christ within us.
Personally speaking, I was raised within a reformed Bible based Church structuring. And I must say, that theologically this type of instruction tracks very closely in sound Bible understanding, yet even its doctrines are not the truth of God; as God is spirit, and we must learn to move and function in him alone, not just a close counterpart in holding correct doctrines.
Also, I personally have discovered that although I was elect of God towards salvation, it is up to me to push into Christ daily within my life, (by the Spirit) and not become complacent in abiding in Christ, having replaced him with something of the world, which I love other than him. As then God would eventually give me over to that thing I love more than him, and I have then taken the broad road, which leads to my own spiritual destruction.
You see dear friends, if we start with Christ, we must finish with Christ! And although I have an understanding of Calvinism, and Armenian doctrines: that understanding will not affect my heart condition, in being a follower of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Even more dangerously, if I try to put “God in a box” by my own intellectual understanding, in forcing him into a theological filing system of sorts, I have then just killed the Holy Spirit by using the letter of the law in pride, not allowing God to be the master of my life, but rather me wanting to master him!
If a theologian feels that they must categorize such a heart condition towards the Lord, it would more closely resemble being called a “Calmenian”, yet even that formulation would be to force a spiritual understanding of my Lord, into an academic position, for those who may not even know him.
Filed under Christian informed values.
The sword of the spirit.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The key to this verse is it is living and active (in spirit) many think it is only talking about texts on a page. If they think that, they are wrong and cannot know the Lord personally. In the past, I have been spoken to, by God on this very issue of being given this sword. Also, I once received a vision while in a church of this double edged sword piercing my soul, not once but twice, as a single cutting would have been too overpowering for my body to bare in power. These are spiritual things, and should not be shared with the natural man, nor cast before swine so they may turn and attack you. This is why I take a chance posting events like this on the net, or even sharing with “Church people who claim his name, yet do not walk with him, nor even know him! The Bible is not written to such individuals to comb through by intellect alone. Rather only the basic message of the Gospel should be shared outside a fellowship of true believers. Why? Primarily it is because Satan will twist the truths of God found only by abiding in Christ, to another Gospel using deceiving spirits.
Filed under Christian informed values.
The Great Commissioning.
Matthew 28:18-20
King James Version (KJV)
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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
These verses are all too often taught to those who have no business in referencing them. “Within Christendom “, or man orchestrated institutions, which have not been called of God, to send anyone into the world, in representing Jesus Christ, and his gospel.
To act independent of the leading of God is also to act in sin. Institutionalized churches, have chosen to overlook the fact that it is only God who calls and chooses whom he wills, to do his work. In essence, these institutions have removed God from the equation, (and his throne) acting in rebellion, and not in dependence upon him.
In these verses, Jesus is speaking to the original 11 disciples, they are receiving their “personal commissionings”. The verses do not apply, to those whom he has not sent. Namely, Christendom or man orchestrated churches in general.
If a man is called by the Lord into ministry, he will be empowered, equipped, and sent of God to perform such a task, and no amount of human medaling can “teach those” whom are not empowered, or called of God, to move in the power of the Holy Spirit. A true disciple of Jesus Christ must be able to listen (hear) the Lord, move and speak, as only given to do, by his heavenly father. This faith walk is in total accordance with the scriptures, and sound doctrine. A disciple will move in obedience to his will, and not independently of his leading.
I’m sorry if this post is distasteful to some but it is the truth, when reading this passage in context as a whole; and allows the Lord God to remain in control of his gospel, not just religious men acting in religious zeal.
Filed under Christian informed values.
DISCOURAGEMENT: Radio Labrador
DISCOURAGEMENT: Radio Labrador
DISCOURAGEMENT, is the subject of this weeks broadcast, for true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Left” v. “Right” and the West Point “Far-Right Extremist” Paper
The Combating Terrorism Center at the United States Military Academy recently published a paper that would categorize our Founding Fathers as “far-right extremists.”
January 24, 2013 · 7:00 pm
Co-ed Combat and Cultural Cowardice
A man who endorses women in combat is not pro-woman; he’s a wimp.
January 24, 2013 · 6:57 pm
God’s Order V Satan’s Order
God’s order V Satan’s order in the world today.
^ Click on to enlarge ^
January 24, 2013 · 3:33 pm
True Shepherds,…
True Shepherds, and not anti Christs are described in: Ezekial 34. Which is something I have been moving into in spirit and in truth, as the Lord continues to do a work within my heart…
Ezekiel 34
New King James Version (NKJV)
Irresponsible Shepherds
34 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”
7 ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”— 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! 10 Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”
God, the True Shepherd
11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. 16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.”
17 ‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats. 18 Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture—and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.”
20 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, 22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I amthe Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them.28 And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. 29 I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. 30 Thus they shall know that I, theLord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’
31 “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.
January 22, 2013 · 1:16 am
Lightship Chaplain
Some videos I have posted on my real life experiences, concerning following the Lord Jesus Christ in my life. I have been taught of God, as a son of God who learns of the Holy Spirit, not just by being taught Bible academics, doctrines and theology. I have been given some unique opportunities to share Christ with others in different ways, but in the end it is only God who ends up doing the work in the hearts of men, and never bumbling old me!
January 8, 2013 · 4:13 am
Heresy: ‘Go to heaven when I die’
Not if you are not there now, you won’t.
December 28, 2012 · 3:37 pm
True disciples follow Christ in Spirit, rather than just Bible Theology.
Proverbs 9:8-10 “So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”
Fear of the Lord in this passage, is speaking about abiding and following by spirit, the leadings of the Lord in obedience.
Simply put, one’s own understanding in a doctrinal position of the scriptures, is not the same as being able to operate while abiding in the Spirit of truth, (who is Christ within us). Only those who truly know him in the Spirit, are able to walk in the truth of God, as led of God.
It is fruitless to try and put across the things of God which are spirit, to one that cannot, or will not submit to the individual leadings of the Lord. This is known as casting pearls before swine. This is why it is entirely wrong to allow the unsaved into a gathering of the saints. It has nothing to do with evangelism, thus this type of ministering is to be done on the outside of the body of believers to the lost, when called to do so.
Following the “Broad Road” instead of the “Narrow Way”, is not discussed much anymore amongst nominal believers, as this would be to exclude everyone who cannot hear, will not listen, to the individual leadings of the Holy Spirit within a believer’s life. The scriptures are only written for reproof and correction for those who are born again of the Holy Spirit of God. Many counterfeit believers (nominal Christians) have been produced because of the teaching of the scriptures to the unregenerate, who are dead, having no light to see the truth of God, who is Spirit, and not just a theological or doctrinal position.
Today when people speak about the “Word of God” they are normally referring to the scriptural texts, yet the real word of God is received only within the “Spirit of Truth” who is the incarnate Chrsit, only found within an actual follower, and not just a Bible scholar. This is why Jesus told the scribe to follow him; (paraphrased) the son of man has nowhere to lay his head. Institutional organizations cannot follow Jesus Christ! You cannot teach someone into salvation nor sanctification merely by using the scriptures. The scriptures are written only to the regenerate in Christ, who choose to walk in obedience to his leading. To act independently, is to act either in ignorance, or rebellion against a work, which only God chooses to do in the individual heart. Man should not dictate to God, who is to be taught about the things of God, and this is the beginning of wisdom, in learning how to be obedient to the one which many claim to follow. Yet in actuality, are often acting in the independence of the flesh on a broad road, from those who actually abide and move with him in dependence upon him
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Filed under Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our Unfortunate Reality
Filed under Christian informed values.
Anti Christ’s wear Clergy attire!!!
Or they position themselves in “Church leadership roles”. The Bible does speak about holding the office of Deacons and Elders, and I would never condemn such offices of spiritual authority Biblically speaking. However, it is the spirit of the individual which we must examine.
The Apostle John spoke about those who did start with Christ, yet become diverted by their own need for position and status within the world. He coined the term anti-Christ’s in describing such brethren, who became cut off from God due to their own passions, and not willing to accept sound doctrines in being corrected in their personal walks by true Elders in the faith. So God gave them over to the things, which they made first within their hearts. To put this article in contexts, when I am using the term “Church”, I am speaking about the visible or world Church, not the hidden Church in Christ, who indwells every believer. These brethren are the true Church or Ecclesia, and can only be discerned by the spirit as to who they are, as found in 1John Chapter 4.
As for me personally dear brethren, have been called and chosen before the foundations of the earth to follow Christ in spirit and in truth. I personally have been shown my calling, and have walked with my Lord for over 30 years. In that time the Lord has revealed to me just how different I appear to nominal or broad road believers. I have often felt marginalized by those who claim his name, particularly within “Church leadership”. I never understood as to why I felt intimidated, out of place, and made to feel of a lesser nature, then the so called other brethren I associated with.
In my quest for acceptance, I painfully studied the scriptures’, familiarized myself with sound Biblical doctrines, and even learned theology, Church history, positioning within Ministry leadership, spiritual gifting, and then finally became ordained through the Baptist’s as an independent Minister. This is partially due of the rejection I experienced within the Presbyterian leadership, compounded by the fact that I never received a college degree, due to my struggle with learning disabilities.
After my Near Death Experience, when Christ pressed shoulder to shoulder against me; I decided to try a different “Church Order” who would accept the testimony of my calling, Biblical knowledge, and traditional view of the Bible. I got very close to being ordained as an independent Anglican Priest after writing my doctorate, and submitting it to the Church of England in North America.
I had prayed earnestly for the Lord’s leading in every undertaking which I had set my hand to, in an effort to serve him as a disciple. Then one day, out of the corner of my eye I could just make out my Lord standing opposite of my computer room, this time with some color. Normally I would not have paid attention to shadows seen from the corner of my eyes, but I had learned from my Lord to pay attention to such events: after seeing him next to me in death, and in the car the morning after my Pastoral vision, when he used a Truth for Life broadcast to explain to my intellect what my vision represented. The broadcast explained the root word for Pastor, and who was called to such a task, and who was not.
Dr. Gross, who had trained me in street ministry for six years explained to me that it was Jesus showing me to follow him alone, rather than involving myself with things of this world (specifically within the Church). This is precisely why the Apostle Paul did not entangle himself with different brethren, so he could remain free in Christ, to follow as the Holy Spirit led him.
I understand now why Jesus said that the only way to the father was in following him in spirit and in truth. This is the narrow way, and few it will be who find it! The broad road is choked full of anti-Christ’s, and would be brethren who may have started to follow our Lord, yet let the cares of the world entangle them, and would not be corrected in the wrongful desires of their hearts by the heavenly Father, who they had once set out to follow, yet soon fell into independence and chose to go their own ways.
The reformed part of the doctrine of once saved, always saved, discounts the passages of the sowers of seeds, the ten virgins whose lamps went dry, and the rich man entering the kingdom of heaven, the branches being pruned and burnt, and then even the whole bush, to name just a few. Enduring sound Bible Doctrine has little to do with intellectual understanding of the scriptures, and has everything to do with the condition of the human heart in dependency of those who choose to follow Christ in spirit and in truth.
Today alternative Christ’s (or anti-Christ’s) are wall to wall, this is partially due to the printing press in mass producing the Bible, but more importantly, delivering the Bible to people who have never known the Lord Jesus Christ personally, or they started with him and became diverted from following him alone in obedience. In short, the scriptural understanding of men, independent of God’s teaching via the Holy Spirit, has created a following which is unrecognizable to the natural mind in discerning truth from error.
It is simply amazing to me just how close people can come to the truth of God in using the Bible, yet in reality they neither listen to him, nor want him around, as it would hinder them from living as they chose, and they would experience as Christ and his Apostles did, terrible rejection in the world and that is no good for the “Church business”, or people who are only interested in being comfortable with their status, and false idols they have made for themselves.
Real followers of Christ are always hated for his name’s sake, so beware!
Filed under Christian informed values.
THE LITTLE GIRL AND THE CHICK
A little girl received a small chick which she adored. Worrying about losing the little chick as he grew, she pushed and pushed on him to try and hinder its growth. One day the little girl came out to visit her pet chick, but it was dead as she had crushed the chick slowly to death as to not allow it to grow.
The selfish desire of the little girl to have and hold the baby chicken finally killed him.
This is how I have felt many a time as a baby Christian, born again of spirit and given life by my Heavenly Father by grace. Yet others attempt to squeeze, crush and to manipulate you into what they want you to be. These type people often feel that they are superior to a child of God, and that they know best, what it is that they should do for them, acting independent of the Father in heaven.
Jesus said that he would build HIS CHURCH, and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. So why do certain people feel that they can do a better job than God, in being overly involved in a child of God’s life? Just like the little girl, they want to be in command and control of another with a misplaced affection, even though they may not see it.
As a child of God in Christ, I feel that I have suffered this same type fate, of being crushed oftentimes like the little chick. Yet our Lord promises that a child of God was created for his purpose, and although tested under the pressure of life by others, we are not given more than we can handle on a spiritual level. What we do learn however, is how to push back against this pressure, and in doing so develop spiritual muscle, not unlike a weight lifter pushing against more and more dead weight.
Always remember that our spotter, the Lord Jesus Christ, is always with us and he will never allow the pressures of life to be able to kill us. Like Job, we can be tested to extremes to see how we will react within our hearts, and even have the ones closest to us say – “curse God and die” (spiritually speaking) in our faith. Yet we must push ever harder in faith upon our Lord, despite the accuser of the brethren and his cohorts, trying to subvert us away from the truth, found only in abiding in the person of Jesus Christ, the spiritual link to our Father in heaven.
Filed under Christian informed values.
My life in pictures
A real Christian knows and experiences Jesus Christ daily in their lives. They do not wait to see him in death, as then it is too late! (NDE)
August 13, 2012 · 2:37 am
Woe be unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!
Jeremiah 23:1, Woe be unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD.
Allow me to share some of my anti-Christ or (alternative Christ’s) experience with you all on the web. First off, I want to say that I was raised up in the Reformed Church; I experienced my Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ at around 15 or 16 years of age. Prior to this the devil tried to destroy my walk with God, and for some time afterwards. Within the spiritual realm we fight not against flesh and blood (human beings) but against principalities and wickedness. The children of the Devil are known as the wicket in the scriptures (the unregenerate) and are agents of Satan spiritually. The manifestation of their actions and attitudes cannot be of God, as they do not know him, or walk with him in the Holy Spirit. So persecution of the elect, is the result because of who the wicket are, and who they serve, simply because of the fall of mankind from God.
Normally, the natural of the unregenerate man, has not a clue that he is evil, sinful, or fallen by nature. Most of the time they will appear to even be “good people”, yet they have no appetite for the truths of God, or his people, as that is the nature within them. The religious person is the worst, having a form of Godliness but not the power their of. The scribes and Pharisees, (the theologians) at the time of Christ, were the worst of all the enemies to Jesus and his disciples. Most of these men with the exception of Nicodemus never were elect of God for salvation from sin. Nicodemus himself had to live on the lamb (so to speak) to escape persecution from the very people he had been a part of. This type of behavior is what the Bible is actually speaking about when it speaks about not fighting against flesh and blood. It is a description to the true disciple of Jesus what can be expected of the natural man (or carnal man) within their lives.
Today is no different, other than the Religious’ people today claim the name of Jesus Christ as their savior, and those who have started with Christ, are most often diverted onto the broad road by such nominal believers. The Apostle John first put a name to these type of broad road believers, he called the anti-Christ’s in having once been a part of the brethren, than they peel off to preach another Gospel to others. These type men are only interested in their building of something for Jesus, normally in their pride of life, and not just ignorance. Yet it is even worse for them if they knowingly deceive people for personal gain, or to be accepted within the world. These men have no desire to be a follower of anyone, especially the Lord; as this would impose on them being in command and control of their own lives, and the lives of others! These type of Ministers are the wolves in sheep’s clothing which the scripture warns about to other sheep. Denominationalism is just a symptom of this spiritual condition, it goes much, much, deeper than most could even imagine, or want to see!
I had no idea when entering into ministry how severe and deep this root of sin runs today, and how destructive it is to a “would be follower of Jesus Christ” in the Holy Spirit. No, rather all this “Gospel selling” is the direct equivalent to Jesus getting angry and turning the tables over in the temple of the day!
One of the greatest “selling points” or Heresy of the Gospel today, is the doctrine which teaches that God loves everyone; this is totally unscriptural in the broader sense which it is used. Yes of course God is love, and God is also good. He allows the rain to fall on the wicket, as well as the righteous. Yet this is because of the nature of God in being all good, yet he is also without sin and cannot partake in it. The love of God to man was in sending his son to die on a cross in paying the price for sin. It was an act of great unfailing love towards mankind to provide such atonement for all who would choose and believe in faith, in the great mercy and grace which only Jesus Christ could provide as the unspotted lamb of God.
God’s love for the natural man ends there. There will be a judgment day to determine simply who is, and who is not in the lamb’s book of life. I don’t want to get off track here, but I would like to interject that more often than not, the new Near Death Experience phenomenon which people are so interested in reading about today, often teaches that people will have a second chance at confessing Jesus Christ is Lord, and receiving salvation beyond the grave. Having suffered a NDE myself, I can understand why many would believe such an assertion. Yet by personal experience in the subject prior to my own event, is that everyone who returned from the dead (that I knew) came to a saving faith, before their final curtain call. Even Lazarus who Christ had raised from the dead eventually died again. 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV- (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) We are told here in 2 Corinthians 6:2 that we are given the chance to enter in with Christ while we live and breathe, not afterwards in the scriptures.
Now if someone wants to believe in a universal doctrine that all tongs will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord in an era of purging fire, well go rite ahead, be my guest. Yet this assertion to me, would be to dismiss the lake of fire described after the final judgment, and is purely speculative and merely academic in nature.
Let me get back on track now; I was talking about Shepherds, or Pastors, Ministers, Elders, or people whom have interjected themselves into leading others. Noticed I said “interjected themselves” as a true Elder in the Lord would never make such an assertion in independence of the calling and leading of God. Yet an anti-Christ would; in attempting to be an alternative to the truth of God, found only by walking and abiding in Christ! This has nothing at all to do with education or Bible knowledge, it is a call of God alone, and given only to men whom he empowers!
I will go off on a limb here and say from my personal experience, that most of the Clergy I have met in recent times, are at best people who have started with Jesus Christ in initial salvation, yet in spiritual ignorance (if that were possible) have either started to lean towards their own understanding in the flesh, or are in rank rebellion against God by refusing to listen and be taught of him. This is known as a broad roader, who if they will not repent will eventually be cut off and burnt. The other type of nominal minister is one who has never come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, yet may hold a good theological understanding. Both men are the result of the condition of their heart towards God, and if elect how will they chose to follow him in Spirit.
Allow me to share with you why I shared my thoughts this evening: It is because after having my spiritual experience in Jesus Christ one night, in being given a brief vision of a heart beating filled with rich green grass, soon after I was married, I could not understand the meaning of the vision the Lord had given me. The next day on a Truth for Life radio broadcast in 1999 while warming up my car for the drive for work… Pastor Alistair Begg was preaching on how the word Pastor is derived from the word Pasture, and how it is only God who gives a man a “Pastor’s Heart”! Instantly the vision the night before made perfect sense to my understanding. I waited years until I got my computer and ordination to contact him regarding this experience. I received a nice letter from a staffer saying they were glad the Lord used their broadcast, yet my story never appeared within their “truth notes” sometimes read on the radio. and never a personal response from a man called to minister to others. I just couldn’t figure out why, even if these Church personalities are so very busy.
To the best I can recollect, it seems that I once again sent my story to the Man’s Facebook page immediately after he changed his profile picture, and now it seems I am no longer connected to his personal page, I am not making any negative assertions about the man’s character, but the whole thing seems very strange to me when wishing to share the things of God with a brother in Christ.
Another time when I was in my early 30’s I once wrote a long detailed letter to Mr. Bible – Dr. Jack Van Impe asking questions about eschatology, in the letter I shared that in 1948 when Israel became a nation, could not have been its blossoming, as that occurred in the 1967 war, when Jerusalem was regained. I received a bunch of books, answers to most of my questions – except the 1967 war. A couple years went by I guess, and I was walking in the halls of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Dr. Van Impe read a letter from a Bishop in England asserting the very same point I had written in my letter years prior; maybe this is just a coincidence, but then again I would have never thought, I would have seen that program in the halls of a military academy either.
The third contact was with Rev. Pat Robertson, sent by my brother in law in a letter thanking him for his prayers while nearly dying in military training. I had written how a friend with muscular dystrophy and I had watched his programs as a teen, and how encouraging they were to both of us. Then I went on to say I thought maybe the Lord would have me in ministry, but that I did not like the business end of the industry in something that was freely given; or at least something to that effect… I never heard back from that minister either, and my testimony of my near death never showed up even as a footnote on his website.
My whole point is this, who do these men really serve God or Manna? I’m sure if they were led of the Holy Spirit of God, surly they would have desired to have some sort of fellowship? I have only experienced true fellowship with people who actually have spiritual (supernatural experiences) in Jesus Christ, and this is why the Bible says you will know them by their fruits, and not Bible knowledge.
Mathew 7:13 -14 (ASV) Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
The Bible is only written to disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, (not the world) and discerned by the Holy Spirit (the teacher) to those who receive regeneration (Born Again) And strive to enter the Kingdom of heaven in heart (Spirit) not theology or natural understanding.
Filed under Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Learn to discern just who are Christ’s disciples
Overcome Evil with Good
Actual born again Christians are the living testimony of who the Bible is addressing only. For others it is merely a theological or doctrinal positioning, and not an actual heartfelt, living, spiritual reality. This is why 1 John chapter 4 tells the actual believer to discern by spirit, just who are their brothers and sisters in Christ. The rest of the “religious’ folks” (2 Timothy 3:5) holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
The Christian veneer that most nominal Christians possess is just that: “a form of Godliness” only as they are not true disciples of Jesus Christ by spirit. I have experienced this many times over within my own family, and the testing of my heart. And I am “hated for his namesake” normally on a subconscious level.
The most recent example is when I declared that I would follow Jesus in my heart of hearts (by spirit), and that what my wife does, is really up to her! My elderly father (who has been a Deacon in his church in the ladder part of his life) felt it necessary to make a special trip to my home, take me to my back garage, and tell me just how unloving I was to make such a declaration when concerning my wife! Yet Jesus said “If anyone comes to me and does not hate (strong dispreference of ) his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26). Also; So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14: 33). These verses show a willingness of heart to truly follow Jesus in all that we have, and most will not be able or willing to pay the cost, because of their love for the world. In simple terms, most will look back like Lot’s wife whose name is not even recorded in scripture. This is also why Jesus taught that: And a man’s foes (enemy) shall be they of his own household (Mathew 10: 36).
Why is this? It is because the Holy Spirit’s love for Christ in a true disciple is stronger than that of natural affections. This is also why Jesus taught: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: and a man’s foes’ shall be they of his own household. (Mathew 10:33-36). All inspired scripture is of God, and is only intended for those born of Spirit and push forward IN Christ (spiritually) within their hearts’, and not just intellectually, by learning sound doctrines via our own understanding. In fact, Scripture is not to be taught to the wicket, nor are we to fellowship with them; as the result of doing these actions is to let Satan into the camp, giving the Devil a foothold upon the saints.
The result of teaching of the Bible to centuries of the unregenerate is a two edge sword (word of God), in that great blessings have benefitted generations of Christian informed cultures’ in countries, (specifically Britain and the United States) in the past. And now has become a curse in that people who claim to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ go around preaching as (alternative Christ’s) or anti-Christ’s, and false prophets (teachers) wishing for men to follow them, and their Bible based teachings (doctrines) rather than following the Holy Spirit (who is Jesus Christ) incarnate, in the true disciple’s spirit.
Please Note: All these men started with Christ, yet wanted to draw others unto themselves! Antichrists’, false teachers, prophets (Ministers)…
Acts 20:30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
1 John 2:17-19 (ASV) 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.18 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.
1 John 2:22 – 1 John 4:3 – 2 John 1:7
This is why we are warned in (Matthew 7:15): Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing (Clergy attire), but inwardly are ravening wolves. And (Matthew 24:3-5, 10-11) “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered, “Watch out that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name. At that time many will turn away from the faith… and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” If one reads straight through Mathew 24, Jesus is explaining to the disciples how the end times will appear.
Also we are warned: (2 Timothy 3:1-7) 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self,lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power ; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth… This is speaking about those who claim his name (the Church), disciples are warned about – not just the wicket! Men will be; (Romans 1:30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents. The Lord God will not tolerate such behavior; as written in (Isaiah 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
These are all spiritually discerned things being spoken about, and if we will not follow Christ in Spirit (as Sons of God) we are in disobedience and not Sons and Daughters at all. It does not matter how well educated in the scriptures one becomes, how much worship (sacrifice) one performs in his name, if we do not listen we are disobedient and will be pruned if we have started with the Lord, or cut off from Christ (blaspheming the Holy Spirit) within our hearts and finally lost and burnt, by continually refusing to listen to our Lord in spirit. This has nothing to do with Bible study, behavioral modifications or Religious’ attendance. But has everything to do with the conditions in which we keep our heart as we are tested in following Christ within us, (if we have truly been regenerated) and elect of God.
The doctrine of once saved always saved, “within the perseverance of the saints by grace” (TULIP) taught within Calvinism (reformed theology), is the only “slightly unsound” part of the doctrine, yet is potentially destructive as it allows for a confession of faith, but no commitment in spirit; and although earnestly taught through the ages, has missed the gravity of abiding in Christ (who is one’s salvation) in my opinion. The Apostle Paul was even concerned that he would not finish with Christ and be disqualified! So brother Paul continually pushed forward in spirit despite all opposition in the world. Arminianism on the other hand, dismisses the election of the saints by grace John 10:29. (My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.) Both doctrines are but men’s attempt to explain the spiritual things of God, and fall short of the truth of God, who is Jesus Christ within his Bride! This is the only and intimate relationship which only the true disciple can discern, and no amount of doctrinal education can ever replace the actual “knowing” and following of Jesus Christ in Spirit!
It is a great deception of the Devil to lull saints into a false security, of not being able to walk away from Christ, and is a broad roaders doctrine, which allows would be followers of Christ “his Bride” “Virgins” “Ecclesia” “Church” (the elect) to act independent of the Holy Spirit’s leading (s) in actually listening and abiding in Christ, in obedience and following him alone as their head and husband.
I could give loads of scripture to support such an assertion, yet I would be referencing the scriptures’ most of the day! So I will use but a few as an example:
(Matthew 8:19 – 26 ) 19 Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go andbury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves ; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25 And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord ; we are perishing !” 26He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith ?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
In this passage, the scribe is a scriptural scholar (Theologian); and in the second part the disciples father was not dead yet, but he was concerned about collecting his earthly inheritance.
Jesus rebuked them both (in heart), as one wanted to be a part of the world and teach about Christ but not have to follow him, he just wanted knowledge to share about Jesus to the world and it’s religious organizations. The second brother wanted his financial security first within the world before he followed Jesus Christ. Both men were attempting to follow Jesus as (disciples), yet their hearts were tested to see if they would.
10 Virgins representing the “Bride of Christ” still following the Holy Spirit within them (lamps filled with oil) (Matthew 25:1-13) 1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
(Luke 13:23-24) 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.
(John 15:5-12) 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
In every one of these passages, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, and every passage always speaks to following Christ in perseverance and obedience as an intimate bride, not as an unbeliever, merely religious about Jesus, or even a theologian!
(Matthew 24:11) and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Be not deceived dear Brethren, don’t follow the teachings of Men, follow the teachings of the Holy Spirit within you, who is Jesus Christ, the truth of God, lest you be deceived in your own understanding! Always ask the Lord to show you the truth about what has been taught to you.
Blessings,
Roland Dell
Filed under Disciples of Jesus Christ.
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