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~