Why not a New Years Resolution?

 Well, it is that thime of year again. The old is passing and the new is coming. For years people have stopped and reviewed their past year and resolving that they need to make changes in the New Year to come. Let us take a moment to think about this and really look at a difference between resoulting and commiting.
  I will begin by sharing this fact with all of you. Throughout my life I alwasy made some silly and some not so silly reolutions. That's what all were taught weren't we? I would always resolve to not cuss as much, quit gambling, stop drinking as much, lose weight, stop spending as much, be a better husband, or becoming a better father. The list could go on even further than that, but for time sake I will stop right there. Have you ever found yourself in the same place?
  Today I do not make rersolutions. Today I make commitments. Many of us feel that they both have pretty much the same meaning, but the truth is that one leads to doing and the other to trying. If a person turly wants to accomplish something they will be doing rather than trying. Trying always leads to a loophole if you do not want to persevere.
  Today many people get offended when I tell them to stop trying and start doing. When someone tells me that they are trying to quit drinking, lose weight, cuss, or anything else, to me it says that they truly don't want to do it. Why would I say that? Because, I too bought into the same thing all of my life until I chose to 'Commit' rather than try. If one tries, thenthey probably wil not give it their all. If one commits then they usually give it their all.
 As the New Year comes in and the old is going out I want to share this important scripture with you all that has changed my life and continues to chnage my life each and every day "Whoever is in Chirst is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come." I comitted and quit trying after I read this scripture in 1992. I quit trying to live a good life, to live as a Christian, and to live as Christ. I committed to Him once and for all. Each one of us will have to do the same. Each one of us will either commit to being a follower of Christ, or a follower of the world struggling to please ourselves with things, our looks, and our bad habits. We will find ourselves making resolution after resolution to change the things in our lives that we need fixed, and lead us away from the cross instead of to it.
 I do not believe for one second that the Lord cares about whether you need to lose weight, or cast a trivial habit away as a sacrifice to be better. I believe He wants us to stop resoluting and start committing. The greatest committment any of us can make for a New Year is that we will be true followers of Jesus Christ. That we will get rid of anything in our lives that will mar or blemish the work on the cross. That the lost and dying world can have hope of a better life, a life in Christ. Don't resolute, commit~

Last Ounce of Courage

 Last night I had the privilege of watching this great movie "Last Ounce of Courage." My wife and granddaughter had seen it at the theatre and had told me it was great. My sistser had even seen it (I think she is the one told my wife and granddaughter to watch it) and was pumped about the message.
 Several blogs back I put out a similiar message and last night the movie confirmed in me that we can instead of we can't. Lets look for a second at just what has happened since this country we live in became a country. Our patriarchs put Giod first and revered Him over everything else. That not only revered Him, but they feared Him. We go around speaking of our great Nation as if we still had the same morals, fight, zeal and fervor for it and our Creator. But do we? Do we truly love this country in which God has blessed over the years? Let us take a look now, and let be the first one to raise my hand and say "I have been part of its demise."
 Many years ago we sat back and watched a few true Christians attempt to keep God in our country and our schools. We sat back and watched while we attended church and claimed to love God and Jesus. I would venture to say that the vast majority of us said that we would 'Die' for Christ. But did we? Would we? How long will we sit back and watch the few strip us from our what we claim to believe. How long will we be more afraid of men than of God for the choices (or no choices) we make concerning morals, and standards. You see, we all have to look in the mirror and ask ourselves this "Will we fight with our last ounce of courage?" Where is the courage that founded this nation?Where is the courage that says "We are Christians and we will not put up with this any longer? I will be honest, "It was all chatter and no action."
 If our leaders think that its okay to okay same sex marriage and marijuana because of individuals rights, then we have the right to put God back in our schools. We have the right to say no in the masses instead of the few that truly love the Lord. Wake up folks! What are you going to do? Our children and their children are watching us sit back in defeat instead of God's army victorious. Let us rise up and show them that God and Christ is worth fighting for!
 We say we love our kids, but what do we show them. That being a Christian means you have no rights. That what the world has to offer is more important than saying 'No' to immorality? How long will we see Christ being crucified again and again by liberal beliefs and Christain leaders living ungodly and immoral lives?
Being a Christian will take each of ours last ounce of courage. Courage to say "Sin is Sin" no matter what people say. "You aren't a Christian" a to those who live and choose immoral lives and then claim to know Christ. Being a Christian is going to take our last ounce of courage to not be like the world or those who claim to be Christians and by the choices and actions are not. \
 Last but not least I must share this "The Muslim faith is growing rapidly while the Christian faith is declining." They will die for what they believe, will we truly be willing to die also for what we believe in? We need to quit talking and start acting? We need to know that we are called to be more than conquerors instead of the defeated. May 2013 be the year that we get up out of our self righteousness and stand up for our faith. Jesus will be coming back and what will we say if He asks us "Did you stand up for me?"

Christmas and the 'Gift"

 We probably all can remember 'Christmas Day.' Christmas trees, gifts around the tree, and the reminder of Jesus birthday. The older I realize that I had always thought of Christ being the greatest gift, but turly "I never accepted the Gift." The day was full of eating, presents, fellowshipping and gluttony. As soon as the day was over, it was over and I went about my business as usual.
 Today Christmas is a reminder to me more than anything. A reminder that I need to 'Put on' and 'Accept' the wonderful gift that lies before both you and I.Let me share a few scriptures with you all that will help us to understand what I am talking about:
Romans 13:14 says this "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful flesh." In Galatians 3:26-27 we read "You are all sons of God through Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
 These passages really send a message to myself. Think about this, "Have you ever received a gift that you did not like, and then, never put it on?" I have. The giver never knew that you did not like it and you never truly accepted it within. A gift is not about receiving it, but using it. The same applies with us and the gift that God has given us, and the gift from Jesus through the cross. I was 36 years old before I truly 'Accepted the gift.' I always thought that I had because of what others told me. Today I 'Clothe' myself with Christ daily. I put on the gift of Christ daily. I no longer chase after things that money can buy, because there is not enough money in the entire universe that could purchase the gift that only Christ can give. By receiving the gift we must use the gift. We use it by allowing Christ to manifest Himself throughout our daily lives. We will be loving others, praying for others and serving others. We will be like Him here on earth. If we truly accept the 'Gift' then we give our all just as He gave His all while here on earth in death and His resurrection. Are you ready to 'Accept' the gift? Are you ready to use the gift? It is the best gift that we can ever receive and it is one that we can choose each and everyday of our lives. Merry Christmas!

Why Joseph? Why Mary?

 Have you ever wondered why Joseph, and why Mary? Why would the Creator of all things choose these two individuals? By now most of you know and would acknowledge that maybe I am a little strange and some of the things I blog about and write tend to make you question my sanity.
 It has been over 10 years now since the Lord showed me some pretty interesting and benifical mysteries regarding this question. We see in Matthew 1:18 thru chapter 2 that Joseph most definitely had a 'Personal' and 'Special' relationship with God. Today I am convinced that God also desires the same for us. He also desires to use us if we are willing to live as Joseph did.
  Verses 18-19 tell us that Joseph was a righteous man. When he found out about Mary being pregnant he did not go out and tell his friends how wretched and bad she was, but did a very righteous and noble thing "He was going to divorce her quietly." I love sharing this with youth, and adults to get their reactions. Almost everytime everyone will say that they would have responded in a much different way, and truthfully, I too probably would have. I would have probably let her have it, then picked up the phone and told everyone how rotten she was. My oldest sister said yesterday that she would have let her have it because of what she had done to her brother. There would have been no quietness in the way we responded I am sure. Joseph did not want to expose her because he was a righteous man.
 In verses 20-25 we see that God loved Joseph so much that He sent an angel to direct Joseph's thoughts, and plans. The angel also told him that he should take Mary as his wife and that Jesus was going to save His people from their sins. So, when Joseph awoke he did not think about the dream, ask himself questions like whether or not the dream was real, or even when he should make the next move. He got up and went and did as the angel had told him. Joseph was obedient. Joseph, by tradition was supposed to name the baby 'Joseph.' Instead, he named Him Jesus, just as he had been commanded. Joseph knew the scriptures and he also knew the prophecies about Jesus. As all this was happening Joseph was privileged to witness and be part of prophesy being fulfilled.
 In order to keep this short I will simply ask you to read chapter 2. Joseph and the Magi were both obedient to the everything the angel told them. They all were able to see the prophesies fulfilled because of their obedience to the angel.
  God desires, and will use only those who are willing to be obedient. We have all have had times in which we felt deep within us that we were supposed to do something and then thought our way out of it. I am sure that there have been many times in which we have all done things, or responded in un-righteous ways. Mary grew up around the temple and she too believed and acted in total obedience to God. She too believed that God (Through the Angel) spoke toJoseph and herself and she followed and went. What about us? Who and what to we follow? I put it pretty black and white to our congregation yesterday. If you have a dream, or a feeling that you know has to be from God, then act on it immediately. The plumb line is this "If it is taking you to the cross then you know it is of the Lord, so act without delay." "If it is not heading you to the cross 'Now' then it is not of the Lord." We all can be Mary and Josephs. We will not ever have the privilege of being Jesus parents, but we have the privilege of having Him abide within us. The one prophesy that has not been fulfilled is the end of time. Will we be found obedient and righteous, or will we be found complacent and disobedient. Let Jesus be the true King of your life today. It is never too late to change~

Scripture versus Opinion

  If I were to rewrite all of Romans 2 for you then you all would probably not read this post out of boredom, or lack of desire. We tend to think that we all have it right and that we do not need to read anything that might distract us over a two to three minute time span.
  I have come to long for the Word even more each day after being in it for over twenty years, more than ever. Many times the Lord shows me where my thinking may have been in err, and many times He comfirms that I am most definitely right about the insight in which He has given me. The battle will always go on between ourselves and others in which we must come to the point of choosing to believe what the Word is saying and where our interpetation, and opinon lie. Once again I feel led to quote what my youngest daughter said several years back "If you err, it would be best that you err towards holiness." With this in mind, I must admit one huge thing "That this mind set will most definitley lead one to believe what it says, instead of what you want to hear."
  Romans 2 is a mirror to each and everyone of us. It should, and will take us to our knees in humility, meekness, and self examination. I was one who grew up and followed what I was being told to believe about scripture and applied all of my faith by what I was taught instead of seeking the truth on my on. One of the craziest things I bought in to was that by believing I was a Christian that I would immediately be exempt from God's wrath and punishment for the known sin in my life. I thought I had a 'Trump' or 'Get out of jail free' card, because I said a prayer, went to church, or confessed Jesus to be my Savior, while still living in sin. Let us look at a part of Romans 2 and what the scripture states versus our opinions:
  "But because of your stubborness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgement will be revealed. God will "Give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by perstistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the gentile. For God does not show favoritism."
  I do not know about you, but the truth is that God will not show favoritism to anyone. He is just and will judge justly. Just because one has said a prayer, gone to church, been baptized, or done anything else religiously, does not make them or anyone else exempt. God did not spare His own chosen people when they chose evil over righteousness. If we are believers and know (or justify) that we have anything unrighteous in us, that according to the scripture we will be judged by a righteous God who shows no favoritism. Now, we can form and opinion or personal interpretation about what it says, but it does say what it says. We might want to read it seasoned with a little grace, but grace is already at work by God allowing us to read it. Realizing His kindness should lead us to repentance (Verse 4).
  I personally look at the word 'Jew' (for myself) as 'Christian' in most cases, so that the Word speaks directly to me. We are supposed to know better just as the Jews were. Read this in verse 28-29:
  "A man is not a Jew (Christian) if he only one on the outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew (Christian) if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code, Such a man's praise is not frm men, but from God."
  we have read the scirputre and now we must choose it or our opinion. We do not like it when our true hearts are exposed, but it is only by God's grace that we have this opportunity. Knowing now that God does not and will not show favoritism I leave us all with this question "Is there anything unrighteous in our lives that will cause God to judge us by His wrath. There is no middle ground unfortunately in the Word. We must examine and choose. Opinion versus Scritpure? I am standing on the scripture which by His grace judges me, and by His grace which affords me the opportunity to get it right, right now~
 
 

The tragedy... What now~

  I want to begin my blog with a few lyric's from the song 'City on our Knees':
"If you gotta start somewhere why not here, If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta sart somewhere here, If you gotta start sometime I say now!"
  What a tragedy! Questions will arise and people will feel a great sense of compassion for those who were effected by this tragedy. This tragedy send me backwards. My first thoughts go to Columbine and then to the tragic event of 911. As the world witnessed horrific event after horrific event over the years, we have to ask ourselves "What have we learned?" America and the world is responding with the same response for every tragic event that has happened over the years. People pray, people seek answers, Churches will be filled tomorrow, and unfortunately the 'Newness' of this tragedy will erode away and America will once again turn from God, and to the world.
  I may not make any friends with this blog and will probably lose a few. However; we all need to look into the mirror of truth. As Christians we throw the white flag up almost immediately before the smoke clears. We accept the lie of "We cannot make a difference" and sit back on our comfortable couches once again as abortion, sexual immorality, impurity, drugs, atheism run rampant throughout our country. We cannot pray where we want, we have to remove anything that is of the Lord from public places, and we will pretty soon not be able to even say 'Christmas' in public. Christian corporations are sued and told not to do certain things because they are discremnating from the ungodly. "Do we even care? Do you even care? What stand are we making, and what stand am I making?"
  When and what will it take for Christians to make a stand? How many lives will have to be lost because we are more interested in political in being politically correct instead of soldiers for Christ. When the early Christians were being persecuted and martyred they did not give up! What would they have done when these tragic events took place?
  If you are not moved to do all that you can to regain God in our country, our schools, and communities by these tragic events, then we turly need to ask ourselves one huge question "Do we rally care?" All of the lives that were lost in the tragic events were in vain if it has not moved us to start right now, right here, regaining what our country and its politicians have taken aways from us. We all can make a difference in other peoples lives. We can all lobby for prayer to be put back in our schools. We can all make a stand against immorality, impurity, lust, and ungodly things going on around us.  What would Peter, Paul and John being telling us now? Sit back, stay comfortable and mourn for a week or so and then go back to the same complacent and apatheic lifestyle seeing our counrty and the cross of Christ be put to shame. We need to pray, but I must say that prayer is not enough if we are to make a difference. Get involved. Start in your homes with your family. Start in your churches and communities. You can be part of seeing Amercia become a country under God once again. Lets start now and lets start here. Right where yo are sitting you can make the decison to make a difference for Christ. He gave His all.....are we?

Lesson for today in 1 Samuel

 I cannot even begin to tell you all just how awesome it is to have the Word of God, and to have Him speak to me each and every day through it. Today I saw an awesome nugget that opened my eyes to our present time here in the good old USA and to all who are believers.
 In 1 Samuel 12 we read that Samuel is about to leave and giving his 'Farewell' speech. He reminds the people of Israel of their blunders in turning away from God and wanting a different king. Towards the end of the chapter they ask Samuel to pray for them and he assures them that if they serve God with their whole hearts, and chunk their idols, then He would not reject them. Lets see what He tells them that caught my attention:
"As for me, far be it form me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all of your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away."
 Samuel was a truly an awesome man of God even until the end of his life. Samuel's love for God and his people was exactly the kind love we all need today in our lives. Fully devoted and fully comitted. Even though the people of Israel rejected him and God over the years, He still loved them and spoke truth into their lives.
 Let's break this scripture down a bit. When is the last time we considered that failing to 'Pray' for others is a 'Sin?' This was truly an eye opener! So many times I think of someone and in my Spirit know that I should pray for them, but I get distracted and fail to pray for them. Reading Paul's Epistles leaves me speechless also at times. He always shares how much he remembers people and that he prays for them (I don't know how he had the time to preach, write, teach, and so forth with his prayer life).
 Next we see that Samuel commits to continue to teach them the 'Good and Right way.' Today it seems that the 'Good and Right' way gets left behind to Topical preaching and teaching, and not holiness and purity.  The quetion the Word is asking me is "Am I sharing the good and right way, or History and theology?" Today many will say that the love their families and friends, but are afraid to mention the 'Good and Right' way of doing things.
 The lie from the devil is that we serve the Lord faithfully and that love Him and serve Him with all of our heart. "Do we?" If we allow anything else to capture our hearts besides the Lord and His will then we cannot say the we love Him with all of our heart. Our actions depict just how much our heart truly belongs to Him. Another question we must ask of ourselves is "Are we truly faithful to Him?" Truly being faithful has nothing to do with going to Church and everything to do with serving others. "Do we truly love?" A young man in our youth several years ago asked me to define true love is. I found myself blurting out "Going beyond what is expected." What can we say "That we love and serve God with ALL of our hearts?"
 There is no reason for a believer to get down, or out. There is no reason for a believer to not give thanks each and every day for what God has done in our lives. Look back a year, two and even back as far as you can. Has God not brought us through anything we have faced? Has He ever forsaken us? He has been faithful, and we owe Him our all, and not just a trinket. We have the opportunity to serve, to be faithful to, and love an awesome God who has brought us from death to life.
 Last but not least, we need to understand that 'IF' we decide to turn away and practice or partake of anything evil, that we will be swept away. This does have everything to do with eternity,a nd it is our choice. Now take a deep breath and realize this, "He loves us!" Why would we not get rid of anything that hinders are total faithfullness to Him? Good word, good God~

Sin, utterly Sinful

I have been in the Word of God everyday for over 20 years now. It is still speaking stringly to me and it is new every morning. I do not read the Word to become wise in theology, or make a stand for my doctrine. I merely crawl up in His lap and listen to what He has to say. The funny thing is that He always draws me closer to Him and to a life of hoiness, and joy. It is important to us all to truly understand that He is truly the Father we all so desperately need. He will never teach us to sin, condone sin, or do anything that would seperate us from Himself.
Today I can truly say that "Sin is not an issue with me because His Spirit will not permit it." No good Father would allow any of us to blatantly sin, and will always tell us to flee from anything that is not pleasing.  John states in 1 John 4 that our Spirits will attest one to another. This is so true! If the Spirit of God is in us then we all will have the same response, and take the same actions as 'The Spirit' of God leads. Sadly though, the Church has allowed another Spirit in, and another way to Jesus more attractive.
This is what Paul says in Romans 7:13 "Did that which was good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful." It is very important if one desires to grow, to take the sum of the Word and not just the bits and pieces they desire to retain for their own lifestyle. Paul is the same one that said we were no longer under the law, and turns right around an say that the law is good. This is not contradictory, but oneness in the Lord. When we are in our flesh (apart from the Lord) we need the law to expose sin because if we die in our sin we will be seperated from God throughout eternity (According to scripture, and not what man preaches). If we are in Christ, then there is no reason for the law because we will not be doing, or condoning anything that isn't holy and pleasing to Him, sinning.
Sunday night my wife, daughter and granddaughter went to see 'Lincoln.' They were not even there an hour and got up and left. When they came in the house I asked them what was up and they said "They used God's name in vain way too much, so we left!" This was utterly sinful to them. Why? because the Spirit of the Lord would never allow them to have their God's name used in vain. Today we are in a mess as so called Christians. We could probably have two parties (If this was even possible) like politics (and unfortunately people are coming up with more parties to confuse everyone), the Liberals and the Conservatives in Christianity. Now, if sin was utterly sinful to Paul, then how can anyone with liberal beliefs even think they were interpretating scripture correctly?
My heart goes out to all of the people in the world who are having to choose what is, and what is not the right way to the cross and Jesus. I become ill when I think about what my granddchildren and their children will inherit becuase of  sin not being 'Utterly' sinful. If we as so called Christians continue to to compromise and malign God's Word, then the future of Amercia will lead to Sodom and Gomorrah for our ancestors. Is the sin and freedom worth clinging to today for the destruction of the Church and our ancestors? Sin is utterly sinful to al of those who are truly being saved~

Wisdom through Timothy

I am probably pretty wierd to many people. If anyone attempted to figure me out, they would probably spend alot of time in vain because quite honestly "I have stopped trying to figure myself out." I have an awesome brother in Christ and friend that loves the blogs, but openly admit that the spelling and grammar is atroshious (I don't even know if that word is spelled correctly, lol). I think constantly. I am constantly looking forward and rarely looking backwards. I always ask myself this question "Am I making a difference for Christ, and am I changing daily?"
I love looking at the realtionship between Paul and Timothy. Paul was a seasoned 'Vet' who had made alot of mistakes in his quest to honor God. Timothy was a young man in whim had been raised by his God fearing mother and grandmother. When the two lives collided it is obvious to us today that Timothy wanted what Paul had to offer. Timothy wanted to know the Christ that Paul knew. No one can convince me that Timothy would have ever 'Come Up Against' Paul's teaching and beliefs. Some of yo may be reading this and think "That's totaly hypothetical Pete", but I believe that the scripture eludes that Timothy was Paul's right hand man. Timothy cherished Paul's wisdom and walk with Christ.
I have stated in other blog's that my son-in-law had asked me about 8 years ago where I had acquired my wisdom. He blurted out "Because of your age!" At this I stopped and thought before I spoke saying "Not because of my age, but through all of my failures." Timothy obviously accepted the fact that most of Paul's wisdom came from his failures, and Timothy respected that.
One of my constant thoughts is "How has the Church fallen so far away from the truth?" At 56 years old I can assure you all that I have made alot of mistakes over the years. I can say that that by remaining in the Word daily has been the greatest thing I have ever committed to. I also want to say that my 'Forgetting' what I had been taught has been monumental. My deepest regret today is that I had never sought out a truly 'Godly' man, and that I loved my opinion of what the scripture says more so than seeking a Paul. It really is a control issue. We desire to be right, and we desire to get recognition even for our belief's and theology. Unfortunately today I see younger men (15-40) that are seeking truth without Paul's in their lives. They gravitate to what they want to believe, and surround themselves with 'Like minded' people without the wisdom of men who have made the same mistakes. It seems that this is probably one of the reasons that 'Luke-warmness' is so rampant within the Church today and that it seems so many are looking for a different way instead of 'The Way.'
I implore anyone who reads this to seek out someone that is truly walking the walk, talking the talk, living a godly life, and could mentor you from a wisdom produced through their failures. In Philippians 3 Paul talks about his credentials, and also about his wisdom of his koweldge of God and religion. He laid it all down for the sake of knowing Christ. Did Timothy think Paul had some wisdom? Did Timothy have a tremendous amount of respect for Paul? When I was growing up we had a different respect than what I see today. We never questioned our elders, came up against them, or even questioned them. True respect has given way to freedom of belief, opinion and speech.
I will end with this "I do not wish upon anyone the mistakes that I have made in my life, about life, about God, about Jesus, or about the Word." Because of my failures I can say with assurance "Only a fool would attempt to run the race alone without seeking a Paul in their life."

Damned by a False Gospel~

Before we get started I pray that you will read the blog for what it says and ask God to reveal truth to you before you get 'Mad!'
I must tell you all first and foremost that I was heading straight to hell because of a 'False Gospel.' I truly believe that this world has become more 'Vile and Immoral' because of this gospel in which I accepted as truth. The gospel that I believed and was taught ws that if you believe in God and said you loved Him then you were a Christian and going to heaven. I believed that as long as you were Baptized, gone through confirmation, or was of a certain denomination, that I was going to heaven. I believed the gospel being told to me that I was always going to sin, but I was still going to heaven because I said 'The Prayer.' I was headed to downhill llike a snowball headed for hell.
Paul says in Romans 1:28-32 "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do whate ought not be done. Thye have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of murder, strife, deceit and malice.They are gossips, sanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Do we find ourselves here? I used to say "I love God" while I was living like the devil. What sticks out the most to me in this scripture is at the beginning of it "They do not think it worthwile to retain the knowledge of God." This was exactly what the problem was in my life. I chose to believe that I was good with God and that he would over look everything in my life that was not right. You see, Satan wants us to believe that lie. He wasnt us to believe that we 'Do' love God, and that no matter what He will usher us into heaven. The truth is that we do not want to to make it worthwhile to know God. We do not want to read the Word because then we will have to 'Change.' Isn't it much easier to enjoy life by following our opinions rather than the Word?
Judy and I are faced every week with kid's in the Juvenile Center, People who come into the food pantry, people on the streets, and people who we meet that are living in sin, but say that they have Jesus in their heart. Yesterday I talked with a girl at the food pantry that is living with a man, has four kids (another on the way), who grew up in church and said she reads her Bible every once in a while. I shared scripture with her about living with this man instead of being married and the truth about the example she ws being to her children. She melted in front of me. She had not heard that those who practice sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6, Gal. 5, Rev. 6). She said she loved Jesus and knew God, but in the end realized that she had believed a lie.
According to what Jesus told His Disciples, we all would know who are His by their fruit. People sit in Churches every week thinking they are good with God, but choose to party, live sexually immoral lives, condone impurity in movies, attire and language, and the Church tells them that they are Christians. Liberal is liberal and Consevative is conservative, there is no in-between. One either is a Christian or they are not. 'IF' people are not Christians (by their actions) then we need to quit calling them Christians, and then they may change.
Today we have limited the gospel to Jesus stepping out of heaven, the Imaccaulate Conception, His death on the cross, and His resurrection. Why? because that is what we were taught it was. The gospel is so much more! Paul's words in the scripture we just read is the gospel also. If we are reading this we should take a deep breath, and realize that God's grace allowed us to read the good news of the Word, and we can now change, get into the Word to find out the truth, and really come to know God.
I was heading to hell, and 90% of the people I come into contact with are too. We believed a gospel that was damning us instead of on saving us. It leads us to believe our opinions, and thoughts about what God says instead of knowing what God says and living how He wants us to live. The irony of living according to scripture is that it is far more easier to live daily by it than of the world. What have you believed? What do you believe? What will you believe? Christianity is not like going to Burger King, "We cannot have it our way." If you believe you can, and have bought into that gospel please get in the Word. Find someone that will disciple you to the cross instead of away from it. Embrace the true gospel~

What are we living for?

This morning I was truly blessed by reading a scripture my niece Mary posted on Facebook. This is the scripture she posted "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Cor. 4:16-18).What do we fix our eyes upon? Who do we fix our eyes upon? Are the things we fix our eyes upon eternal?
I will never forget back in 1994 when young man in our youth satered at me before he got out of my car and began to cry. He said "Mr. Prescott, it is hard! I can see the world, but I cannot see Jesus. I can touch the world, but I cannot touch Jesus." As he sat there crying I found myself in the most difficult place of needing to respond to this young man with words of encouragement. We all have been there haven't we? When things are good we don't see Christ at work around us. We covet more, seek more, and desire to please ourselves more. When things get bad we tend to take things into our own hands and attempt to solve them on our own. Amazingly enough though we look back at where we were and soon realize that it had to be Christ that brought us through, or brought us to.
We are taught from an early age that our successes are what makes us. How we look and who we are become monumental issues within all of us. The truth is this "We all are going to die." If we have fixed our eyes on ourselves and the things of this world, then what will our eternal be? If we have fixed our eyes on Jesus, what will our eternal be? Isn't it amazing that many who claim to be Christians teach their kids that more is better, instead of contentment? I will have to say that this is one of my deepest regrets as a father. Yes, my kids were told about Jesus, and showed Jesus, but they were also taught about things that are merely 'Temporal.' It is a conflict within each of us "Things we want versus things we need." Basic economics is the key to keeping our eyes on Jesus. Self contentment with who God created us to be is priceless. We are His masterpieces regardless of makeup, clothes, etc. When I look in the mirror everyday I have to admit to myself that I am 'Waisting away!' Instead of looking at the old man in the mirror with regret, I look at the old fellow with joy. I am getting closer to my true home with Jesus.
No picture can even come close to what heaven truly looks like, or how majestic the face of Jesus will be. But for me, I press on knowning that what I do not see will be as better than what I coudl ever imagine. Keep your eyes on Jesus~

Inheritance/Black Friday

Proverbs 13:22 states that we should leave our children/grandchildren an inheritance. It does not say whether or not that it is monitary or spiritual. In the New Testament it is pretty clear that our our lives are not about us, and that we are to die to self. Over the past several days the Lord has been speaking ot my heart about the word 'Inheritance.' Inheritance is a great word and I believe that the closest other word to it would be 'Legacy.' If you could choose to leave one thing in your legacy or inheritance, what would it be?
I am always in a constant thinking mode. My brain continuously thinks and analyzes my life, thoughts and beliefs. I never quit seeking truth, and answers to the present state in this good old USA. As I was walking the other day all of my thoughts were on inheritance. I thought "I would much rather leave my children and grandchildren the inheritance/legacy, of 'Giving.' This mentality it totally radical to life in the United States. The more we have seems to give us self worth. The more we obtain seems to depict who we are. The more we have takes us away from the Lord instead of to Him.
Irony runs deep in the lives of proclaiming Christians. We desire a closer walk with our Lord, and yet we put things in between that relationship, keeping us from a closer walk with Him. We have done the same in our example to our children and grandchildren. We teach them to covet the world instead of their realtionship with Jesus. James (Te brother of Jesus) speaks truth to us even today saying that we are an 'Adulterous lot' and through that love of the world we become enemies of God. So, will we admit it and show them the life of Christ and the joy of giving, or will we keep seeking the world and confuse them as to th ejoy that only Christ can give?
Black Friday is just around the corner. Is there truly anything that we need? Are we going to seek the things of this world, or Kingdom things? What example and legacy will we show our children? What inheritance will they receive? There are countless people in your community that need help. There are countless people around the world that needs our help. Do we care?
Last but not least I feel that I need to share some of the truth I encounter each and every week as I volunteer to serve the unfortunate and needy. I Emailed, Facebooked,a nd texted over 700 professing Christians sharing that we had a great need for clothes, shoes, and household goods for the Food and CLothign Pantry in which I volunteer twice a week. We had one generous financial donation, and a couple others donating clothing. After my appeal we had two under privileged families show up at the food pantry donating what little clothing that they had. They both said "Ya'll have provided food for us over the years and we know you need clothing and household goods for those who come to the pantry. We will bring more next week, because we do not need thse things. We would rather donate these thing sto the less fortunate rather than have a garage sale." It was hard to hold back the tears as these people were leaving a legacy/inheritance to their children of giving. It takes everything I have to not become bitter at those who have much and don't give back. It is far better to give than receive, and unfirtunately for those who have this becomes a stumbling block. This holiday season why not leave, share and show the less fortunate that we do care. Why not give as Christ gave, and love as He did. What kind of inheritance will we leave for our children, gandchildren and those aorund us~

Funerals~

As a Pastor I can say this without uncertainty that some funerlas are celebrations and some are filled with grief. Today's funeral were one of celebration. In most cases I am left the huge question of "Where are they really?" I will not lead anyone astray, so I will not say anything about where they are without a positive testimony.
When I was asked about what I might say at the funeral, I merely said as I always do "I probably will not know until its time to speak." After spending time with the family I was led to 2 Corinthians 5. Listen to what the Apostle Paul is writing beginning in verse 16 "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come. All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconcilliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting peoples sins them. And He committed to us the message of reconcilliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For He says 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."
The testimony in which the family was that the family member reconciled with everyone. They saw a peace and a joy in her last several weeks. What a beautiful testimony. She obviously made peace with Jesus and because of Christ in her, she reconciled with everyone else. What a blessing.
Why do I share this with you? Because of the testimony of God that His grace will be there for us until the end if we choose to be reconciled to Him. We cannot look at people and their sin if we are Christians without compassion, and God's forgiveness. We need to notice that the 'New' person in Christ is uged to share the truth with others. We are to be Ambassadors on His behalf to a lost and dying world. Paul urges us to not recieve God's grace in vain. we are not to claim to know God's grace and then do nothing about it. We cannot go on with our sinful nature, but be made new in Him. Paul ends up this message by saying "Now is the day of salvation."
As I gazed at the pictures being shown on the slide show it brought back many memories. It rbought back good times, and also reminded me of how old I was getting. I remebered that I had never truly reconciled myself with my own mom. When she passed away I realized that it ws to late. If only I would have known the scripture. If only I would have laid down my pride and loved as Christ loved. Reconcile while we have time. Reconcile with others, but most of all reconcile to God. He did not walk away, we did.
If we are not ready to surrender to Christ then we are playing with the salvation in which we desperately need to be living in. If we feel that we have been reconciled to God, and yet continue to sin, then we are receiving His grace in vain. Why go on with God if it is for nothing in the end? Today is the day that any and everyone can surrender to the Lord Jesus (all of you). Today can be that day of salvation. Today you can become a 'New' creation. Today can be the beginning of a life in which you have never dreamed. We all will die one day and we will all face the Lord Jesus. What will be our testimony~

A Christian~

If you have not noticed I am in love with the Word of God. It does have all the answers and it provides us all with tremendous hope. Over the years I have been critisized and rebuked for merely believing the Word and standing firm in what it says.
1 Peter 4 says some incredibly great things. I want to look at jus a small part of 1 Peter4 though.....Begiining at verse 12 Peter says "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the Name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of God rests on you. If you suffer it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However; if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that Name. For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners? So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."  Now, Peter wrote and said some deep words here. As true Christians we will suffer 'if' we openly share the truth (Word of God) with others, and are not ashamed of it, but being bold in it. If we do not come out of the closet, so to speak, what will happen in the end?
When I surrendered my life ot Christ in 1992 I embarked in a life of suffering. I took the Word for what is says and I was immediatley  met with opposition. It ws pretty painful and the church I was attending tried to rid themselves of me because I thought we all were to live by the Word and rid ourselves of hypocrisy. Today, it has not changed. Ironically one would think that the 'Unbelievers' would be the strongest opposition to the true Word, but even today the greatest opposition and persecution comes from those who claim to be Christians.
Last week I wrote a blog challenging the readers to examine their actions and beliefs (Many say I was judging because they did not want to examine theirselves). Many considered it to be 'Political' but it was about God's Moral Standards. We can all probably admit that over the years the U.S. is becoming more immoral on a daily basis.Truth is always met with opposition. Even though many agreed they said it was how I worded it. The most confrontantional were people claiming to be Christians that were not even a friends of mine on Facebook.
Peter makes one thing clear here "It's not over until its over." Today the Word has been maligned and people no longer stand up for 'The Truth.' Peter is writing to 'Believers' who are drifting away from the truth (Did you ever stop and consider that 'If' the sinners prayer or a denomination could get you to heaven then none of the books in the New Testament would have to have been written?). Today when we proclaim truth people respond with "You're judging." Ironically the Word says what it says and it is not about the 'tone' in whichit was written, but the truth that was in it. If we believe that all of the writers of the New Testament knew Christ and had a true insight to the real truth, why would we omit any of what they are sharing with others, and ourselves? If they gave their lives and died for Christ what would be the different for us? Peter clearly states that we are to  commit ourselves to our Creator. If we live as Peter, Paul and the others then we would truly be 'Committed' to our Creator. That means that we could do no less than share the truth with others, and serve others. We could do no less than give our all as committed Believers to every Word that is in the scripture.
The blogs I share are not to be confrontational, but blogs that lead people to examine their faith. Paul shares "How would they know If they have not heard" (Paraphrased from Romans 10). If we who claim to know the truth and believe in it with all of our hearts, chousl be committed to share it in it 'Raw' and unadulterated state.
If we are true Christians we will suffer. If we are true Christians and share the true Word, we will suffer. For all that are truly committed to Christ, we will suffer. Are we in?

Why people shy away from reading the Word~

Over the years it seems that people enjoy reading other people's works more than reading the Word. I have to admit that it was always easier for me to read a devotional and hear an encouraging message rather than trudge through the Word.
Hebrews 4:12-13 gives us all an insight to why we shy away from the Word, and retreat to others writings. Paul pen's these word's "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edged sword, it penetrates  even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Over the years many have used the excuse saying "God knows my heart!" I myself BC (Before Christ), used the same line to justify my belief's and attempt to make myself 'Feel' better about my actions. Can you relate, or know anyone else that has been there?
Jerimiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This is a key indicator and reminder for me as I pursue Christ and His ways. Our heart can be swayed away from following Christ whole heartedly by our own passions and desires, our family and friends, and our emotions and thoughts. Why is it so hard to give 100% to Christ as we are instructed in the Word? Because of what Jeremiah writes (prophesies). We would all be lying if we said that we have never 'Maligned' the Word and have been disobedient because of the things in which I have listed above.
It is not easy to accept the 'Word of God as Black and White.' Why? Because it shows us our true heart. It divides our spirit and our soul and 'IF' we stay in it and accept it as God Speaking to us (and we all should), then we will have to change. We would have to 'Purify' our hearts and souls. We might have to look in the mirror and accept the fact that we are not in the race and that we do not love as Christ, giving Him and everyone else our all. Lord forbid we become so hardened that we accept our opinions, thoughts, ideologies, and others interpretations over 'The Word.' It was not easy for me and it will not be easy for any of you. However; I can say this "It isn't hard and it is much easier to believe it and live it, rather than deny it and justify our own actions (Hearts).
We will all "Give and Account" as it is written to God one day. We will not be able to stand before Him and blame others writings, or use any excuse for why we did not place His Word above all things. He really knows our hearts regardless of what we think. Our actions always prove our true heart. It may be scary to look at what it really is, but once we truly see it for what it is we can allow Him to fill us up with life instead of death. Last but not least "Why do you believe what you believe?" I pray it is because you know the Word of God and are truly living it~

If you voted for Obama you cannot know Jesus!

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance to how satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness" (2 Thess. 2:11-12).
  Jesus would never have voted for one who is for 'Same Sex Marriage' or 'Abortion.' Peter, Paul, John, Matthew, Luke, and the others who 'knew' Jesus would not have done so either. Jesus speaks of what will happen if we do not (America) repent in Matthew 11:20-24. I could spend a day and lose most of you if I shared all the scripture that validifies my statement. The Spirit of God would never allow anyone to walk away from morality and the cross.
  Unfortunately sin nature rears its ugly head and people follow the 'Lie' instead of the 'Truth.' They reject the Spirit and believe the lie. No Spirit, no Jesus. Common sense would always lead one to morality instead of immorality. What more would the Spirit of God do?
  In the Name of Jesus many write books, lecture, and get accolades from the millions. They speak well and share what people want to hear. They claim to minister to the homeless, the needy, and the hurting. They claim know Jesus and care for the morality of our country and the world. Ironically their lives are not filled with daily ministering to the ones they speak about, or the things they claim that will bring one closer to God. They serve in a 'Token' manner maybe once a month or several times a month to validify what they speak and write. They are no different than those Peter speaks about in 2 Peter and Jesus brother Jude speaks about in His book right before Revelation. In their wealth they enjoy pleasure instead of service and support those who 'Enable' those hurting, homeless and in need.What would Jesus do? Would he support hand outs without truth. he would not condone sin and immorality.
  Paul writes this in Titus 1:15-16 "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and their consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are destestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Is it pure to condone and vote for one that promotes sin and immorality? Sadly enough those who read this will attempt to justify their actions, but the scripture is quite true. Morality has gone out the window and our grandchildren and their grandchildren will be handed down this way of life because we did not have the courage to change in and for the Name of Jesus.
  This blog is not about politics, but the truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life", not the devil and his lies. If one believes that they can be a Christian and vote for anyone or anything that leads people away fromt he cross instead of to it have bought into the lie. One cannot say they truly love as Christ when they support immorality. God have mercy on America for we are not a nation under You, but a nation of self righteous, selfish people professing to know You~
 

The Mirror

 As human being we tend to lean to our own understanding, and to our own opinions. We have been taught so much over the years and have 'Picked and Chosen' those things in which we desire to embrace and thrown out those in which make us uncomfortable, or cause us to have to change.  Sound familiar?
 When I preach and teach it is not uncommon for me to ask those listening to put their hands up in front of their faces and say "This is a mirror and now you must ask yourself in whom do you see? Do you see Christ and the Word, or do you see yourself in all of your glory?" This is not a comfortable question and it is a question that one will either embrace or run from.
  Many today claim that they love God and love Jesus. many claim that they know the truth and yet live like the pagans. Many today love the world and all that it has to offer and only give God part of what He deserves and that is "All of us." Last week while teaching in at the Juvenile Center we heard the same thing we often hear "We love God and He love's us no matter what we do!" I stepped back and looked at Judy and said to them "Do you see my beautiful wife back there?" They all turned around and nodded 'Yes.' I went on to share with them "Tonight when she asks me if I would take her to dinner what would she do if I told her 'Not tonight darling I have a dinner date with another young lady." Would I seriously think that she would say "Okay honey, I'll keep the lights on for you, Love you!" Amazingly enough they all recieved it. But what about us? Would we reject this analogy because of what we have been taught, or would we embrace it and change?
 In 1992 something huge tool place in my life. I had formed all of my opinions about God, Jesus, Religion, Heaven and even Hell. I leanded on all of the teachings that allowed me to love the world and myself instead of truly loving Jesus. What happened is simple "I looked into the mirror of truth." The truth was that I did not love God, Jesus, my wife, my children or anything else as I espoused. I loved Pete and his kingdom. My wife loved me enough to finally put me in a postion of showing that I loved her and was willing to do whatever it took to show her. I would either go to a Bible Study, or we were through. Did I desire to change completey? "No!" I wanted to change just enough to satisfy Judy and make things better. To show my love at the least expense to me. God worked in a mysterious way.
 It was a God things for sure. I now had to look intently into the mirror. The mirror was the Word of God, and when I looked back at myself I did not like what I saw. I saw the man I truly was. I saw that all that almost all that I had ever been taught was not truth and I needed to change. I began reading and embracing the Word for what it says instead of what I had been taught and what I wanted to hear. The mirror of truth exposed all things. What is amazingly awesome about this time in my life is that I have never quit looking into the mirror of truth. Daily I read His Word and daily I like what I see. I like what I see that it is and has done in my life. The person I see is Jesus in me. This would not have ever happend if I had not been willing to let the Word examine my life daily.
 Today I meet and share the truth with many people on a daily basis. I am reunited with alot of people who knew the old wretch that I was and see the change in who I am in Christ today. It seems the majority are drawn to hear what I say, and are amazed at the change, but soon drift away. They, like I was, do not desire to hear the truth anymore. They have built up their on foundation on what they have been taught and the opinions they have formed in this life. Sadly they walk away and find themselves saying they love Jesus, but embracing the world. How about you? Are you truly desiring to love teh Lord as we have been created to do? Do we truly desire to be His, and desire to know Him more? Then get in His Word daily. Believe what it says and run from the things you have been taught. If what you believe and what you have been taught is allowing you to "Go out to dinner with someone or something rather than Jesus", then flee from it and sek the mirror of truth.....His Word. I know by faith that you will begin seeing who God created us to be "His image."

What side of the fence are you on?

Over the years it has been amazing, and even amusing to look back at my life and see what God has done and also how big a fool I used to be. The overview of my life could probably be summed up by saying "I had to quit thinking and start believing." I tell you this "I am one blessed man to have had my eyes open to the truth, and that truth has set me free!" I had to quit taking only the things I wanted to hear from the Word and start embracing those things that rubbed me wrong or threw me into utter conviction as truth. Let's take a look at Jesus and how he deals with His disciples and those around Him. We will see that just because they believe in Him for a moment that this did not mean that they would have eternal life with Him. I posted on facebook a saying I saw last week that truly allows us to stop and think "Eternity will be a long time to think about what you should have done." Pretty profound I would say.
 Jesus was heading in to the last days of His life when Matthew pens chapter 25. Things are intensifying and His teachings are becoming more 'Servant' related. He knew that the only way the gospel would go on is if He shared the secret to remaining devoted to Him and living in a manner worthy of eternity. He also knew that not everyone would embrace this truth and would perish (There were usually alot more people around than the twelve when He spoke).
Matthew 25:31-46:
 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His thronein heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will seperte the people one from another as a shepherd seperates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed be my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For i was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thristy and you gave me something to drink, i was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." "The the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?" "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." "The He will say to those one His left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me ntohing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help You?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
 So, where are we in this parable? Jesus did not say "But if you have said the prayer or made a confession of faith then you're exempt!" He is sharing with His disciples and those around the same thing we need to know today "Just because you call me Lord it does not get you eternal life" (Parphrased for Matt. 7). They gave up everything for Him and followed Him around in the hot desert for over three years, and He is still lying out conditions to be His.
 There are a couple of things worthy of noticing here..... Jesus is speaking 'Physical and Spiritual.' Yes, there are those who need food, clothes, visits, etc... but He is also letting them and and us know that there are many  seeking 'Food' (The truth of the Word) 'Water' (He is the living water) 'Clothed' (To be clothed with the Word) 'Sick and in Prison' (Those who are in sin and the prison it places people in). So what are we doing? His disciples understood fully after His resurrection this parable. They spent the rest of their lives serving Him and others. Today people get upset when challenged to 'Do' as the scriptures tell us to. Jesus was not saying "Do these things once a week, month or year, but all the time."
 last but not least I need to show you all one more amazing truth. Those who were doing what we told them they had done were doing it not even knowing they were. They loved Him so much and others that they were doing only that which was natural. They were not complacent as the others who thought they were good with their beliefs. What will we do with these scriptures? It would be best to act on them now realizing that His grace is being poured out giving us the opportunity to change and do what He desires instead of what we think. That my friends proves His love for us.... That He gives us the opportunity to get it right~

Thou shalt not Judge

 I cannot begin to tell you how many hours I spend a week just talking to God about why so many people remain to be deceived. It always comes back to one thing and that is "They do not know, or want to knwo the truth." We desire Jesus on our conditions and our flesh always wants Him at the least resistence to our lives and way of thinking.
 Years ago (BC, Before Christ) I would always use that scripture many use today when I was being held accountable "Judge not lest ye be judged." Isn't it ironinc that this is probably the only scripture that most people can quote word for word? I cringe today when people use this scripture when they are held accountable. Unfortunately they have been taught this scripture as a 'defense' mechanism (I did too). Not many people understand (or want to) what Jesus was really saying to the people listening and to us today. The problem in most churches today is that they will pick a scripture and expound on it without keeping it in context. Let us look at this scripture in context. I always tell those listening that we have to keep scripture in context and the only way to do that is to go up at least 10 verses and down about 10 verses to get the context. Lets look....
Matthew 7:1-6:
 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother 'Let me tke the speck outof your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. if you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."
 Jesus is not saying that we should not hold another accountable for wrong, but that we are to first get whatever is in our own lives right first. If we love our brother then we do as He says to do "Then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." The problem is this "many who claim to be Christians judge people for smoking while they are drinking. Many people still Judge people for cussing when they just change the word that they are using to sound a little better. Many people pick and choose what sin is, and justify sin in their lives while telling others they are sinners. Jesus is also pretty clear about sharing truth when others. There will be some that will cling to the first part of this scripture and do not want to understand the whole sum or they would have to change. These are the people who will always argue the truth and take the scripture (Which is sacred) and malign to their way of life.
 Paul states in Romans two the same thing. He basically says "Clean up your own back yard before you can help clean up anothers." Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 5 that "God will judge those outside the church, we are to judge those inside the church." Every gospel and epistle written are to people who have wandered away from the truth and back to their own way of thinking. If not, then there would be no need for them to have ever been written. The Bible would have just been a 'Novel' instead of the life changing truth.
 Love those around you who claim to be Christians. Tell the the truth instead of a lie. If we love deeply as Peter says in 1 Peter 4, then we will tell people the truth. If we love people then we will align our lives up to the Word so that they too will have hope to clean up their lives in order to help others to see that "With God all things are possible."
 It really does not matter what side one chooses 'Onced saved always saved, or predestined', the truth prevails in the Word "Whoever claims to live in Him, must walk as Jesus did" (1 John 2:6). Jesus judged the hypocrites of His day for saying they loved God, but were not willing to live Holy for Him. He wanted them to know the truth, repent and be with Him in heaven. It is no different for us today. His heart is that we repent and be with Him throughout eternity. There have been many people over they years that have said this to me "A lot of people have told us the same thing, but you are living it, and that gives me hope." Can they say the same about your life? You are not reading this blog because just decided to read it, but God has given you breath of life today proving that He loves you. What you do with the Word will prove your love for Him~

Don't Blame Satan

Over the years I have heard many blame the devil, satan, or the enemy as an excuse for the sin they got tangled up in. Once I surrendered to the Lord I realized that if the Holy Spirit was in me, then I could not have an excuse for 'Any' sin that comes my way.
Jesus brother James gives a insight as to who is really behind deliberate or intentional sin. James say in 1 James 13-25 "When tempted, no one shold say, 'God is tempting me.' God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." What is he saying? It's not the devil, or God, but 'Us!' we cannot blame anyone else.
John writes in John 13:2 "The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus." In John 13:27 he writes "As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into Him." These words echo in our lives also.
Stop, think, how many times have we blamed the devil, or others for our own personal desires? We don't like calling it sin, but that is what it really is. Satan may 'Prompt' us, but He cannot make our choices. Once we 'Choose the sin over the Savior' then satan enters us, and we follow him instead of the Spirit of God. It is time that we all 'Own' up for our choice to choose sin over Jesus. The Spirit of God will always lead us away, but we make the choice to let, or allow Satan in.
Many have taught alot of things over the years about why people fall away and get entangles once again in sin. The truth is always found in the mirror, and not around us. Next time there is something you want ot listen to, watch on Tv or the movies, wear, or give in to....."Ask youself this question "Jesus or the devil." It may surprise you that the choice really isn't hard at all~

Jesus hated the Nicolatians~

  Many people have no idea that in Revelation 2-3 Jesus states His dislike, and yes, Hate for the Nicolatians. Sadly enough He does also mention that there are people following there doctrine and ways of life. Jesus also talks about Jezebel and she too has a damning doctrine like the Nicaolatians. I pray that everyone who reads these blogs will take to hearta nd examine each ones lives to see 'If' we line up with the Word, or with the Nicolatians.
  Today churches are full of Nicaolatians. They are not only in the church, but on the radio, and televsion. Their teachings have spread like wild fire, and the bride of Christ is being adulterated by their teachings.
  The Nicolatians taught that we were saved by Christ's mercy, and that we are no longer under the law. This gave them the freedom and liberty to live immoral and sinful lives. At the detention center last Sunday one young man who quit coming to Bible Studies, but recently returned said this "I left because I wasn't hearing what I wanted to hear, and I knew inside that it was the truth. I praise God that He has brought me back." With that said I have to ask this question "What do we do with the truth when it does not ine up with what we desire to hear?"
  Today I know many Pastors, teachers, leaders and church goers that change the Word as the Nicolatioans did. They claim freedom from the law, and live impure, and immoral lives. What is impure and immoral lives? Anything that opposes the truth and lends itself to the world. Here is a good example of what I am talking about..."Brother Pete, I listen to secular music, and see nothing wrong with drinking wine or other drinks even if it is at a bar. I also hear "That movie isn't that bad and you know what..I don't seeing anything wrong if watch it because it has a good story line." How about this one "At least I'm better than I used to be!" Obviously they now that their choices are not godly, and so they decide to justify rather than change. Right now some of you may be shaking your heads in disagreement, but obviously you have been told what is acceptibale to your denomination, or religion. The Bible is clear about the lives we are to lead.
  So, what do we want to hear? Let me state for you a fact "The number one drug in the world today that is killing people, destroying lives and families, and causing the most grief, is 'Alcohol.' Today people don't see alcohol as a drug, but it does the exact thing that a drug will do, 'Alter ones mind. We do not want ot hear that because we don't want to give up our idols. While we pray over our food and partake of several glasses of wine think about this "Our kids will do the same, and one day they may have a little too much and kill someone else driving or get killed themselves. As we listened to 'Lonely days and lonely nights' and 'I love rock and roll', let me assure you of this "Your kids will be swayed to the world and away from the cross.
  'If' we call people Christians who are not living as the Word says Christians live, then please don't call them Christians. This will give them a false sense of reality and give them no need to change. Instead, call them Nicolations. Then walk them through the Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to have His way, so that the may repent and be saved. I implore each of you to read Revelation 2-3 and ask yourselves this "Am I living bey what Jesus is talking to the church about." I pray that none of us will ever assume the Nicolation practice, and doctrine~
 

Grass/Weed's and Life/Death

 It has been a while since I have posted a blog. Judy and I purchased a house that needed remodeled back in October and have just now finished. One can learn alot when it comes to remodeling. Almost nothing ever seems to go as planned. We were supposed to have moved in by February and finally, here in May we have.
 The house we purchased is another corner lot house. The grass had all gone away and weed's and dirt were all that was left. This lead me to pruchase and lay 7600 sq feet of 'New' grass (alot of grass). I do not know if any of you have ever laid sod before, but that is a total of 16 pallets! The grass always looks good when you lay it and you most definitley want it to stay looking great. This requires daily watering for 30 days.
 I realized after about a week that some 'Nut Grass' and 'Crabgrass' began to spring up. These two lawn raiders are weeds that will take over a yard destroy the good grass. It did not take long for me to be able to walk throught he grass and identify these pesty weeds. Immediately you go to your knees and patiently pull each weed out in order to get the whole root. This daily process was not very fun, but God began to speak to me through the battle of grass versus weeds.
 First we have to realize that weed's only spring up in the weak areas of a yard where the grass isn't firmly planted. Second we have to know that if the root isn't pulled out completely then the weed will continue to grow. So goes life... As Christians we too can allow weeds to spring up in our lives inthe areas that we allow to be weak. As I reflect on my life I can look back and see where I allowed those weeds to spring up and how they choked out my passion and love for Christ. They quickly had me tending to them instead of serving others.
 As a father I was always scanning my daughters lives to make sure that no weeds would grow up and choke out their realtionship with Jesus. It wasn't very fun, or even easy when I had to say 'No' to the weeds that were attempting to grow up in their lives.
 As Pastor I am always concerned and aware of weeds trying to pop up in our ministry. Jesus even speaks about the Wheat and the Tares in His sermons.
 The two weeds I spoke of are almost unnoticeable among the grass. Their beginning leaves look almost like our Saint Augustine grass. It took about 3-4 days of really scanning my yard to get familiar with these weeds and the differences they had between the good grass. After I had pulled weeds for days I could visually see them 10 feet away. I had trained my eyes to recognize the differences, and I trained myself how to pull them out, so that they would not come back. Today only a few attempt to rear their ugly heads as the Saint Augustine is getting stronger and fuller.
 How about us? Are we allowing the things of this world (Weeds) to choke out the life that Christ died for? Can we no longer recognize weeds (secular things) in our lives that keep us living the life Christ died for? The only way I can is to stay in the Word which always reveals the weeds. I constantly have to be sharing with others and serving them daily in order to keep the weeds at bay. The the things of this world will always come our way. If we do not tend to them then they will eventually take over our love for Christ and others. We cannot just pull a little sin out, but we must grab it up by the root and be finished with it. If there are any weeds in your life today, then pull them out. The Bible is pretty clear that 'Sin' (Weeds) will seprate us from God. Seperation from God is death, but godliness is life~

Godly Intentions/Awesome Friends/ God's Amazing Love

God is amazing! Last year after Judy and I had the blessing of going to Africa to see our daughter and son-in-law. On the way we read a book titles 'Radical' by David Platt. The experience of the two left us desiring to make some more radical changes in our lives. Almost as soon as we returned from Africa a good friend of mine called and asked if Judy and I would like to go to Israel. He said "Won't coast you a dime, I want you to go with me and my dad!" What a blessing! On this trip we read two more great books titled 'Not a Fan' and 'Red Letters.' The experience in Israel and these two books left us overwhelmed and willing to do even more radical things in our lives for the glory of God.
About fifteen years ago I purchased and 'Icthus' ring from James Avery. Everyone always comments on it, and James Avery had discontinued them shortly after I purchased mine. When we went to Africa Judy left all of her jewelry behind in Corpus. The Lord placed it in my heart that I should see if James Avery would make her one like mine, and we could replace her wedding ring with it. I contacted the office of James Avery and they told me that in 'rare' occassions Mr. Avery would do an out of production item for those who wrote to him with their request. I quickly typed out a letter to Mr. Avery and sent it off to see if he would produce one more of the discontinued rings so that Judy and I would have matching wedding rings. This might seem like a great idea to most, but I was not sure she would give up her wedding ring after 30 years of marriage for any other ring. Approximately three weeeks later I recieved a letter from Mr. Avery stating "This one time I will make an exception and make one for her, but only once." All I could think was "Thank you Jesus!" I placed the order and began praying in earnest that Judy would understand and that this idea the Lord laid on my heart would be her heart also. Several weeks after ordering the ring we finished 'Not a fan' with our church. Judy came in my office before a Bible Study and said she needed to talk with me. She looked at me and said "Would you mind if I take my wedding ring and have the baggets and bands to the jewler and just keep the gold band?" As I listened to her my heart was truly leaping. She also said that she wanted to 'sell' all of her other jewelry and send the proceeds to people in need in Africa (We were raising money to send to a Pastor in Kenya who in return purchased food with 100% of the funds to give to the refugges). After sharing this all with me she said "What do you think?" I simply turned ny chair around and printed out the letter I sent James Avery, and then the letter he sent me along with order. It was a glorious night! The ring came in about four weeks and she has proudly worn it ever since.
Before Judy's wing came in she took all of her jewelry to a jewelry store to palce on consignment. Judy shared with her story about her new ring and what we intended to do with the proceeds from the old with the young sales girl at the store. She was blown away, and God received the glory. All of this sounds good, but almost a year later only the least exspensive piece had sold.
Over the past several months Judy and I were discussing whether or not we need to take the jewelry to another plac eof consingment. As days past we forgot until last Thursday. Judy told me that the young lady had called her and said "All your jewelry has sold, you have a check for $4,500.00 here waiting for you!" We were elated to say the least.
Yesterday Judy went and picked up her check finally. Around 3:00 she received a phone call from some of our dearest friends asking us if we would like to go to dinner with them at 4:45. Judy said 'yes' of course and we anxiously waited for our friends to arrive (we don't get enough together enough and we always look forward to seeing them. When they arrived they told us that they had a house warming present for us. They carried a box in and placed it on our table. She quickly pulled out some awesome air freshener, and other items for the house. The she also handed Judy a new purse and said "This is totaly Judy with all the colors." She told Judy to open the purse because she had a few other things for her. The first box had some beautiful pearls, and the next, beautiful diamond earings, and Judy began to cry (Got pretty emotional). As she continued to open each box she realized her dear friend had been the one who purchased all of her jewlery, and wanted her to have it back. Every peice of Judy's jewelry were pieces that I ha pruchased for her over the years. Each one had a story behind them and a special purpose and meaning on our lives. Her friend loves the Lord, and loves us too... She did add that there was one other catch though "Judy could not sell them."
You see, God is amazing. I am not sharing this story for any reason except that God gets the glory. God knew that every piece of jewelry had significant purpose and meaning in our lives. They were all special gifts that will always have meaning of our journey in life together. One example of significance was that her diamond earrings were for her first year of sobriety. God in His foreknowledge knew that our hearts would be willing to give up monitary things with sentimental meaning to help those who were less fortunate. Without Jesus neither of us would have. God also knew that a good friend would take us to Israel as part of softening our hearts to prepare us for sacrifice. And God also knew that through our dear friends He would show us the love of Christ, and their love for us as we willingly surrender our lives each day for Him. God is faithful~

'Saved'

Every since I surrendered my life to the Lord in 1992, I have never quit seeking 'Truth.' All of the things I was taught throughout the years became 'Dim' as Christ was using His Word to show me 'Truth' versus what I had grown up being taught and believing about Christ and Christianity. Until the Lord comes back, or He takes me home, I will be seeking His truth in His Word and sharing it.
I will never forget growing up in a church and being taught one thing, and then running into others telling me something different. I never shared this with others at the time, but I do always now. To put it plainly "I was confused!" This may have been the very reason I did not want to pursue Christianity, or seek a better life. A righteous life.
In my teenage years I was introduced to the big word 'Saved!' People were always asking me if I was saved, or if I wanted to be saved and have eternal life. Being 'Saved' was always the key word to being a 'Real Christian.' It was explained to me that by getting saved and making a profession of faith that no matter what I did in the future I wold be 'Saved.'
Did you Know that no where in the scripture does it elude to the fact that being 'Saved' is a one time thing? I did not until I sought the Lord for direction and clarity on this word. Many love to say "Anyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." Okay, saved from what? The scripture clearly states that it is from ourself and sin. It does not say forever. If so, then there would be no need to repent, go to Bible Studies, Church, or produce fruit. Common sense tells us that if we sin we must repent and therefore be saved from the sin we committed.
People over the years have confused themselves, and lead others astray by the msiconception that being saved is being born again. No, being born is explained by John in this manner "No one born of God will continue to sin, because they have been born of God" (1 John 3:9). John also says the same thing in 1 John 5:18. So where did this word 'Saved' get so far out in left field?
Today I do not go around stating "I am saved', but that I am a servant of Jesus Christ. One might have said the prayer (By the way "The prayer is not in scripture) in second grade, but that does not mean  they are etrenally saved. They were saved from their sins at that moment. If they have sinned from that moment, then they need to be saved again for any sin that they have.
The word 'Saved' is probably the devils greatest tools of all. If he can convince us that we are saved and that we can continue to in, then apathy and lack of faith will lead to a sin filled church, people and body of so called believers. Do not take my word for what I have written. I encourage you to do a word study on this topic and keep things in context when you read this scripture~

Despite Ourselves

Have you ever experienced a rough week, and when you look back on it you realize it was a blessed week? God reminds me of this all of the time. Ministry is not always fun, and it is definitley not glamorous for those who really giving it all of their best.
This week I had two encounters with people that truly have made me uncomfortable when I think about them. Alot of my days do not end until 9:00pm, and most are always filled from morning until 9:00 staying busy and active.
Thursday night we had a great, challenging Bible Study. As I was leaving at 9:00, two young men from the neighborhood walked up (the zip code in our neighborhood is one of the top 5 in Texas for crime) and said "Can we talk to the Pastor?" Honestly....I thought about saying "No! He has already left." I was tired and it had been a long day. Most of the people who walk up to QTM are looking for hand outs, and I really was not up to it. As usual the scripture flooded my mind and soul and I could almost hear Jesus saying "Do not judge, least ye be judged." This young 19 year old named Brian looked at me and said "Could you bless me?" As I gazed at his tattoo's, his sideways hat, and his shirt that said 'I love Haters!' compassion filled my soul. Needless to say I spent the next 30-45 minutes sharing truth and hope with him. What a finish to a long day...
This morning I was excptionally tired. I went to QTM to help the youth set up for their fund raiser to raise money for their mission trip to Panama this year. I worked hard physically,and mentally on Friday, and fatigue was taking its toll. I decided to walk fromt he ministry home to just think about some things (Takes 50 minutes) and as I walked out the door a lady was about to get in her car with her 15 year old daughter. She hollered at me and said "Are they closed?" I said "Yes" as I kept walking. I thought to myself when I had seen them "Just looking for another hand out." I did not get more than three steps and called back out to them "Wait, what can I help you with?" The lady shared the purpose of their visit, and I quickly asked them where they go to church. The ladt snapped back at me as she rolled her eyes "No Where!" I could tell she wanted something from me, but did not want to hear what I might share. I told her and her daughter to follow me inside. I told them "I am going to help your daughter, but I need to share soemthing with them as I get the money her daughter needed. I looked at the mother and said "Kim, you have four kids, a car that I have no idea how it keeps running (I would not have given $50.00 for it) a preacious daughter who is trying to become what God has created her for, and she has no chance in life does she?" Tears started pouring down her face, and continued to share Jesus with her and her 15 year old daughter. They both stood there in my office crying and then my heart sank when Kim looked at me and said "What do you whear for church, we don't have proper attire." I told her Jesus does not care what she looks like, he cares about her and her children's future. Kim shook her head as tears continued to flow down her face, and when her daughter looked at her mom to get her approval to hug me, I almost lost it too. I pray they come to church tomorrow and find that they can have life in Jesus.
I do not like to share alot about how the Lord uses me, because it is about Him and not about me. The purpose in sharing is that maybe all will see that 'DESPITE OURSELVES' God wants to use us. Pastor's, Teacher's, Elder's, Deacon's and all other Christians fight the battle of SELF, There is not one who struggles at times either wanting to do the Lord's work, or feeling they have done enough. I am being transparent with you all. It is not easy for me either at times, but the Lord has shown Himself to me larger than ever when I find myself fighting me~

'The Challenge'

One of my favorite things in life is to be challenged, and to challenge others. This may seem strange to some, but it keeps me extremely busy and on course. Every morning 90 people get text's of scripture, quotes, and challanges to start ther days off with the challenge of living for Him.
Every Sunday morning (before most roll out of bed to get up for church), I get to chat and pray with my dear friend in Phoenix, Arizona, Dan. It is always a time of sharing what the Lord has done in our weeks, and share 'God Moments' before we pray.
Reecently Dan has been blessed by having his son's meet him every Saturday morning for breakfast, a time of reading the scripture, and a time of sharing what the Lord has been showing them. This past Sunday he shared that now they would be coming up with a new 'Challenge' for each other each week. There challenge this week was to bring a 'Homeless' person home to eat with them, or take a homeless person to eat. Wow! What a challenge. I cannot wait until tomorrow to hear the stories about their week, and all that happened.
This has lead me to do the same in our Bible Studies, and beginning tomorrow to our ministry. Apathy will only lead to apathy if we are not challenged and inspired to live out what we believe and profess.
Today, I want to challenge each of you with this "Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, and probably the best time to get a friend, acquainatance, or family member into church. Ask someone to join you." If you were not planning on going to Church tomorrow, then I challenge you to go and maybe get a 'Kick Start' on starting a new life, and a new day. Christianity is pretty simple, "Die to self, and live for Christ." Without the Jesus death on the cross, then there would be no resurrection. This leaves no hope for anyone. Unless we die to our thoughts, habits and ways, then we too will not be ressurected with Him. Daily challenge "Die to me, live for Him!"

All or None

We all know the story about the last supper and Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. I just wanted to share a couple of verses with you all so that we can apply the scripture to our lives today.
In John 13:8 we see these words "No," said Peter, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
We too have the same problem as Peter. Our pride and arrogance keeps us from allowing Christ to do a total work in our lives. Today, we also do not want Christ to 'Wash' all of us. We tend to want Him the way we have fabricated Him. We desire to 'Hold' on to at least a little of uncleaness (sin) without allowing Him to cleanse us all the way through, making us righteous, Holy and pure. We must remember what the Hebrews 12:14 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord."
Jesus makes it pretty clear to Peter (and us) "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." Unless we allow Jesus to totaly clean us from the inside out we too can have no part with Him. We have been taught we can, but according to scripture we can't.
Do we truly want Jesus to reign in our lives? Will we allow Him to clean every nook and cranny in our lives? Will we allow Him to change us from the inside out? Today, allow HIm to clean out that closet where all the things we don't want let go of in our lives still abide. Allow Him to do a total work so that we can have our place with Him everyday~

Lessons from the beginning~

God is soooo good, and always faithful. Yesterday I went back to Genesis and taught (and God once agagin spoke into my life) the kids at the Juvenile Center, and then at church, this powerful reminder from the beginning.
We find in Genesis 1:26-27 these unique and unending words "Then God said. 'Let Us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them ruleover the fish of the sea and the brids of the air, over the livestock, over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God made mand in His own image, in the image of God He created him; malt and female He created them." I know that we have read this, been told this, and believe these passages. But, do we truly see the meaning of them?
First of all we have to focus on 'His Image' and 'His Likeness.' We tend to think that 'His Image' from a picturesque perspective. We look around though and we see many different nationalities, skin color, and totaly different apprearances. So, how can we be His image? If we are His image we first must understand that and image is also a reflection. We were created to be His reflection to the world. What He is, we should be. It also says "In our likeness." Easy to just think and say "I am", but truthfully do those around us always see God's reflection, or likeness in us. I will end this part by merely stating "This is the reason we all were created." To be His reflection and likeness to the rest all the others around and in whom we come into contact with.
We see in the beginning of chapter three in verse one the serpant (the devil) saying these words to Eve "Did God really say 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" What can we learn from this? The devil will first get us doubt what God has said, and all that we know. It is no different today. We know the truth and yet fro some reason we doubt that God will keep His Word, and that when He has said something, we must believe and yield to Him, and nothing or, no one else.
In vesre 2 we see that the woman knew better in the first place "The woman said to the serpant 'We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." Isn't is amazing that the same thing applies today? You see, Adam and Eve had the opportunity to walk with God, enjoy all of His good creation, and live for eternity in all goodness. Ironically God wants us to experience the same life today, but we must yield to His ways. The Word allows us to know the good and the evil today, so that we can choose good over evil.
Satan will never relent though. In verse 4 he says "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. " For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." He still speaks and imparts the same thing today. He tells us "It's okay...No one can be perfect. You can go ahead and do what you know i evil and justify in the end. God will forgive you, and 'Yes' you won't die, you have eternal life. In essence satan was telling Eve that she could have her cake and eat it to. She could still do what she wanted to do and have eternal life. This same lie has been echoing even until today.
In verse 6 we see this "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining knowledge, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Satan will always make the things that oppose God and good, look enticing and harmless. That is why many see what looks good, and soon abandon their relationship with God for that which is evil. Sin does not merely effect the one who chooses evil over good, but it also effects those around them.
Now, lets take a look back and see what the Lord is Showing us:
1) Satan will always cast doubt in our minds to cause us to compromise our realtionship with God.
2) We know what is good and we know what is evil. There are no excuses, because God's Word tells us in Romans 1 that we have all been 'Hard Wired' with truth.
3) Satan will awlays attempt to convince us that we will still have eternal life even if we knowingly continue to sin. Eternal life is not his to give.
4) We can stand on truth or give in to desire. Our choices will effect many around us.
5) Last but not least we have to look at the beginning. We were created to be His image and His likeness. If we embrace this truth then only good will come from us. If we live with this truth, then we will not be subject to doubt, or enticement. If we hold fast to this truth then we will never allow anything to seperate us from God~