General

Confessions of a screwed up Middle-aged man: I was in a discussion

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So the other day I was in a discussion and someone made this statement:
“I’m pretty sure Jesus would be happy to bake a cake for a gay wedding”
My reply:

“… I am sure he would as well. Then talk to them and before it was over the wedding would be cancelled and a year later both would be married to someone of the opposite sex.”

In the Bible it is made clear that Jesus dined with sinners. It is also clear as in the example of the adulteress that Jesus stated he that is without sin cast the first stone and then walked over to the woman and stated that she is to sin no more.
So I fully support my reply. I can see Jesus actually presenting a cake at a gay wedding but I can also see Him talking to all present and upon that day everyone in the room would turn from their sins and become Christian. I know with all my heart that Christ would give an interesting parable and look to the couple that were about to wed and they would see Jesus in all his glory and they would turn from their sin and would in fact call off the wedding.
For Christ said to honor all the commandments, which is not just the ten most heard, but it is every law in the book of Exodus and Leviticus presented after Moses descended from Mt. Sinai.
In this commandments it clearly states that man shall not lie with man and so is called a sin. Since the two grooms will have their eyes opened to this they will turn from their sin and live a life that will be seen as righteous in the eyes of the Christ the one that had given them their cake and told them that they cannot eat it too.

Either or?

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The other day my pastor posted this question on facebook:
“Should the word of God influence people’s lives or should the lives of people influence the word of God?”
This is a straight forward question and most answered correctly, which is the word of God influences people’s lives. Unfortunately not all answered this way. The answer they presented was this convoluted response that ended equally saying it was actually both.
Here is what Jesus says on this question:
Revelation 3:15-16 – I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
These are verses I keep coming to time and again as I type out my posting. Why? Because this is something not being taught within many churches today. They teach you that God and Jesus loves you and wants you, but they do not emphasize the need to grow in your faith.
Now why do I say grow in your faith? Because it is an ongoing ever changing process. Do you go from a newborn babe to an adult in one day? No you do not. It takes years. I know men that are in their fifties that still behave like they are in their early teens. It is this believe that once you reach a certain point you do not need to do anymore.
This is the furthest thing from the truth. A truth I had to learn the hard way. A truth that cost me all my personal possessions and the disillusion of my second marriage.
God makes it perfectly clear it is either black or white. There is no grey area. You follow His word and you are changed or you are not and you stay the same which is of the world.
You cannot be both of God and of the world. You cannot serve two masters.
Jesus makes it very clear the result. He would rather you be cold or black for Him then to be a grey a lukewarm. Now really try and think upon this. Jesus would rather you deny Him then to have asked Him into your life and you choose to live in the grey areas of your relationship with Him.
Here is an extreme example just to get the point across. Say someone is a striper, female or male, and becomes saved. They must now make an extremely hard choice. They must now decide to follow the entire Bible or to ignore this verse or that verse. This is equal to the adulteress which was going to be stoned and Jesus stepped in and stopped it. He then turned to the woman and said “Now go and sin no more.”
The striper who makes thousands of dollars in a week must now give up this job for a minimum salary job, because they did not bother to improve their minds to get a better paying job. Following the Bible cost them in the world, but the hardship that is to follow strengthens them and makes them ready for the next struggle. For if God wishes to use us He will place us through many trails. Each one tearing away a sin that is within us. Ever striving to become as pure as possible even though we shall fall short. It is when we live our life’s like this is when we are seen with favor form Him, for He sees that we are moving up the narrow and winding road, filled with its rocks and nails toward Him and our final reward which is an eternal life. A life that will last billions of years and all for His glory.
So to reaffirm the answer to the question my pastor posted you must be white and hot for God by letting the word of God influence how we are to live our life for Him as is prescribed for us within the word of God… the Bible.

The modern day Lot: Part 2: The “I must walk with the sinner” excuse

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Now I wish to make this perfectly clear from the outset. Yes we must go to the sinners and live amongst them to be a living light of what it is to be a child of God. Why? Mainly to shine the light upon them in their darkness so they can see what is good and what is bad in the eyes of God, but we are not to be with them for years, months, weeks or even days. We are to seek out our main fellowship with other Christians the be strengthened in the Lord.
Hebrews 10: 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Here is where things differ and what many that use the excuse in the title forget to follow and understand. There comes a point where you must separate yourselves from those that sin or you risk not only your own salvation but those that you may be reaching.
We are told in 1 Corinthians 5: 9-10 we are given a list of sinners we are not to maintain a long relationship with because we will become bound to the world which is the opposite of God.
Must ye needs -3784. opheilo of-i’-lo, or (in certain tenses), its prolonged form opheileo of-i-leh’-o probably from the base of 3786 (through the idea of accruing); to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty:–behove, be bound, (be) debt(-or), (be) due(-ty), be guilty (indebted), (must) need(-s), ought, owe, should. See also 3785.
Proverbs 3: 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Depart: cuwr soor or suwr (Hosea 9:12) {soor}; a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative):–be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), X grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, X be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.
So clearly as stated within the Bible itself we are told not to willingly be part of the world and as I pointed out yesterday in Part 1 per 2 Peter 2 what will be the results:
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
This why this excuse is just that an excuse to deny God and to allow sin to grow in strength not only in the world but in those that call themselves “Christian” and do not do as the Bible instructs them to do. To separate themselves for sinners, especially those that refuse to hear your teaching and refuse to see your example.

On a personal note I wish to inform those reading my posts, especially yesterday’s, that I have come under heavy attack from those that call themselves as of being within the Body to the point of, in a sideways statement, saying that I am lying. Plus they did not follow the correct method’s prescribed to us within the Bible that we must follow and did the attack openly and publicly. They may say I did the same, and they may be right, but the context was different for what I did, so it may have been right or it may not have been and I admit that I may have been wrong in the method I pursued. If they felt I was so wrong and they are truly of the Body then they should have followed the correct methods and maybe I should have as well.
I wish to state that I use only the King James version of the Bible and even that I do not trust fully since it was translated hundreds of years after the original writing were done in both Hebrew and Greek. As a result I use a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and also two separate dictionaries.
Now I will admit to the statement that this in my opinion, but it is an opinion formed from thoroughly reading the Bible, analyzing and praying upon the wording to the best of my ability and the insight given me by God through the Holy Spirit. When I quote from the Bible I do not remove or increase what is written. So to imply I am not telling the truth, in my eyes, is calling the Bible a lie and in so doing calling God a liar, which again is something someone of the Body would not do. Now why do I imply they may not be of the Body? They may have been at one time, but their actions speak loudly, and show they are in doubt of their own believes and have not followed the correct methods given to us within the Bible. This implies that they are not as well read on the Bible as they state, which lends toward behavior found by those that have become separate from God. Behavior, I believe, I have been instructed by God to teach unto these that do this for they have become lukewarm for God (Revelation 3: 14-22), and no longer bear fruit for the Him (John 15: 1-6).
I also admit to being direct and even harsh. I will not stop doing so, especially when attacked, but I will remain loyal to my believes that I am a tool of Jesus Christ my savior and the Son of God (Ephesians 2:8-10).
2 Timothy 3: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

A key element that must change in the Christian faith: “Creationism”

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This key element is those that stick steadfastly to the believe that this planet is only a few thousand years old. This is believed by those that strictly follow what is called “Creationism.”
Now I want to make this perfectly clear. I still believe and adhere to that fact that God did create this planet and all that is upon it as well as the entire universe. I wholeheartedly agree with the creation story listed in Genesis.
Adhering to strict creationism those that follow it, in my eyes, actually limit God. Now how would I make such a statement?
First and foremost creationist state fervently that only this planet is the only thing in the universe, they have since expanded it to this solar system. The mere fact that they must keep expanding it proves it is a man-made doctrine and does not agree with the Bible and is designed to fit the needs of the people purporting it.
I am one that does believe in a Pre-Adamic race and there have been discoveries of humanoid bones that support this. It is this refusal to accept hard evidence that hurts creationist and in turn hurts all Christians everywhere. They call science evil and something to be ignored as coming from those that wish to discredit and remove the reality of God and to some degree that is a true statement. Here is the kicker though, when science is done correctly and sticks to the facts, as it should be done, it actually supports that there is a God.
Simply mathematical science. When you take a look at the odds that this planet would cause not only life but intelligent life throughout the entire huge universe is astronomical, which as I stated above confirms God is real. The Big Bang theory again confirms God for it is exactly how He did it in that moment and as a result 98% of the entire mass of the universe was created in the few moments.
Does this make me a Theist? Yes it does for I believe that limiting God to one tiny speck of a planet throughout the entire universe makes Him as insignificant as a bed bug.
God created the heavens and the stars this means he created galaxies and within them are solar systems and within them are planets, as science has documented. So why limit God to this planet. Why limit God to a few thousand years when there are bones of ancient animals and people found buried deep within the surface of this planet. Do I think the planet is billions of years old? I honestly do not believe so, for I think there is errors in the methods of carbon dating for they are originally based in comparison to the layers of the planet they had to go through and they theorize it is a set amount of time. Yet it has since been document that some layers that can been up to several feet deep happened in a few days due to a volcanic eruption and also due to meteors hitting the earth. Have they then adjusted the carbon dating scale? No they have not. Do they need to do so? Yes they do.
One of the main reasons I feel that carbon dating needs to be revisited is actually found within the Bible in the book of Job 40: 15-19 whose very description is now full confirmed though science to be an Apatosaurus. So if it is walking in biblical times how can carbon dating be accurate?
It is when people challenge the norm is when there is growth in people, in society, in religion. Did not Martin Luther challenge the norm and did not Christian go through a great growth due to it? Yes it did. Did not Galileo challenge the norm and so we went from thinking the earth was the center of the universe to being just one planet within a solar system. Well it is time again for the norm to be challenged and for there to be growth. Why? Because those that oppose God and wish to remove Him from the minds of all humanity are winning at this time. Only through a willingness to challenge what is thought to be normal will we ever grow. Not only in our believes but in our faith in God and for God. For when doing so we will be able to embarrass the fact that this mere speck of a planet is nothing in comparison to God and that very fact that it is so unimportant and yet He took time to place life upon it of all types speaks of how great and glorious He is.
Yet even to contemplate this causes many to run and hide to what is normal, but as they do so we are losing several generations of humankind to those that wish to say there is no God. This to me is acts of selfishness for when you think only of yourself and not of others and of their salvation and of their ability to share in an eternal life that will allow them to explore all of God’s creation which is the entire universe you not only harm them but yourself.
Yet what was normal? A flat planet. Earth is the center of everything. Buying your way into heaven with Indulgences. This solar system was the only one in the entire universe. The universe has always existed exactly the same, forever. Animal sacrifice.
Are they normal now? No they are not. Why is that? Because they were all formed by humans, not God. What has not changed and is continually reinforced? The Bible and in so doing GOD is proven constant and true and real.

The “Gimme Gimme” crowd

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Due to many “ministries” out there those that think they are “Christian” are told to just pray for it and God will give it to you, oh for a little money they will pray it for you are well.
This is not how God works.
God wants all to share in Him. Many are taught to ask of God and they shall receive, which is partly true, we should also be teaching not to keep that which is given and to share it to all the world, to show that it is God’s.
Jesus said we are to spread the Gospel to all the world. To share God and Jesus throughout all of humanity, yet most keep God and Christ closed up behind closed door. This is not what we are commanded to do.
Yes God wishes to inspire us, but to what end? To keep it all to ourselves? By all mean no. He wishes us to share to our friends to our neighbors, to strangers, to sinners. Yet most just go to church on Sunday or watch a broadcast on TV and say to themselves: “I am filled.” Well I say you are truly empty and void of any true glory that may have been given unto you.
How do I share you may ask? You are reading this are you not? This is how I share God. This is how I share Jesus Christ.
Do you honestly think he suffered being wiped and then hung bloody upon a cross, which is considered the worst way to die just so you can keep Him to yourself???

::I hit the save button and finish typing unable to continue out of shear sorrow for those that selfishly keep God as their personal slave.::

Where does the “world” begin?

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That an interesting and complicated question. Many think it is any other nation then the one they live in. While correct it is not the full answer. When someone becomes a “Christian” we are instructed within the Bible to separate ourselves from the world yet to still be a part of it. Why? So we can be an example to all others within the world of what believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God really means. So the real answer to that question is anything around you is the “world.” That includes what and who you invite into your home. “Why that wording of the sentence?” you ask.
Every television, radio and computer is an entrance into your home. What you place upon the screen or station is something from the world in most cases. Due to computers most cable companies and networks know how popular a show is, which constitutes them continuing to produce them. I actually have several channels blocked on my TV because I feel they do not promote what I feel is the correct message for my family to see or hear. I will not bother telling you which one, but I will tell you that it boils down to what is taught within the Bible. I do not care how “wholesome” a show may appear if it has elements that are not seen as correct within the Bible it is not allowed. Now if enough people followed this practice you would see how shows start to change for the better. This is just a little example, so I will expand into what is the “world.”
The world is everything outside your home as well. Again your actions and behavior are themselves a witness to God if you call yourself a “Christian,” yet many that do call themselves this live their life’s like they are of the world. Well here is some news for you. It is because they are of the world. People live what they truly believe. If they truly followed God they would do things like vote, write their government representative, help those in need; talk to those that sin and help them understand that their life is not on the right track to an eternal life in all of God’s creation.
In reality extremely few do this. My statement to this is that “few” are the real “Christians” for they are living what they believe and ARE being a shining light of God unto the world about them. If any calls themselves “Christian” this is what we are told and taught we must do. We must through our deeds, action and words be a shining light unto the world about us daily. Showing that through our life choices that there really is something called a “God” and His Son is the Lord our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Grocery Store the new Church

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Here the people flock to on Sunday morning instead of worshiping God. Grocery’s the new god of humanity. Gluttony, all hail the food we must eat for it is greater than God the creator or all, including the food.
Here is the challenge to those church leaders that just might read this post. Once everyone that is coming to church do so. Gather them all up and take them to the new church and stand in front of it handing out fliers. Talking and greeting those that come to the Grocery store and see if they will join you in where they should be on Sunday, the day of rest and worship called for by God for God.
Who knows you may just cause someone to see that God is real and though His Son the Lord Jesus Christ there is more to life than food for the body, but also food for the spirit.

Do not fear being a Christian

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For too long those that call themselves “Christian” have stood silent as those that oppose and even hate God have made their presence very well known. The latest example is in Indiana where the governor signed a law reinforcing the first amendment of the Constitution. In a fever pitched rage they shouted that their rights were being violated yet they are violating everyone’s rights by their insistence that they are better than anyone else. We are all equal no matter our color, creed or ethnicity and yes the right to live in sin or not.
Yet the “Christian” community for which this law was meant to help set silent in the wings saying nothing for the most part. This is not how it should be. Do not fear those that shout and say you are phobic or evil for as Christians we know what is right in the sight of God. We are the ones that are to defend God. Why? Because it is a way for God to challenge us on where we stand with our faith in Him. When you set silently you call Him a paper God, nothing more then what those that hate Him believe. You reaffirm their believes by your silence.
End the silence and cheer for God. End the war of hatred for God and be willing to stand in public and say and ACT like a Christian should.

A misunderstanding what is a “church”

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What is to follow are some key points that need to be made clear. Why? Because what is a “church” has become lost over the centuries.
The first and most important point: we are called together as already saved members of the Body of Christ.
Matthew 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Hebrews 10: 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
These verses show clearly that we are to be with Christ when we gather together. Also note that these gatherings are not called “churches” here. Just gathering, which leads to my second key point.
1 Corinthians 14: 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Churches as is seen above is defined as follows in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: 1577 ekklesia ek-klay-see’-ah from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):–assembly, church.
A Christian community and an assembly.
Again we clearly see that these meeting and assemblies are first following that which is taught in Matthew 18 and Hebrews 10. A gathering together as already children of God through the salvation of Jesus Christ.
We are also told by Christ to go into the world and teach the gospel. He never says bring the world into the gatherings. Yet that is what is being done today.
Sinners are being allowed in the building that are called “churches,” for that is all they are buildings. Especially if you are not already one with God through Christ. Churches were just buildings made to make it easier to gather together, which in time allowed a man-made system to be created that as the centuries have passed turned them into businesses and enterprises and in today’s world that is exactly what most are. Gathering in funds to allow the head person in the pulpit to live in luxury while many in the “congregation” struggle to makes ends meet.
Acts 2: 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

A true “church” is called to spread the wealth to all within it. Not to keep it for the few as is done in a business. For that is what today’s “churches” especially most larger ones are all about.
Here is what those in Christ should seek out when looking for a home to gather in the name of Christ:

Is God the center?
How does the pastor live and dress?
Are people within the “church” struggling while others prosper?
Do you feel growth in your spiritual journey toward God?

If any of these answers leaving you doubting then it is best to move on and look for something else.

To be separate

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We are told in 2 Corinthians chapter 6 to become separate from the world, yet today many “churches” welcome sin into their buildings. The most pronounced version of this was when the Presbyterian Church first renounced any affiliation with the state of Israel and in the same conference allowed gays to join their group. Notice I said “group” not “church,” because the moment the rejected the chosen people of God they turned their back upon the Bible, Jesus Christ and God. This is not separating from the world this is inviting the world into what was once a place of and for God.
We are to be an example unto the world of what is good and righteous in the site of the Lord, yet many “churches” say “come to our place of worship as you are and we as well as God will accept you as you are.” This is calling God a liar.
This is something that has been steadily growing for years. Why? Mainly due to money for they could not financially support their building. Why? Because they stopped teaching the Bible long before they publicly turned their back upon God.
Yes we are called to gather together, but we are to already be followers of God when we do so. We are not to invite those that openly sin into our midst for it will weaken us over time as it has done. It clearly states that when we gather we are to give support and strengthen each other. Why do this if we are already children of God? Because we can fall astray and even fall away from God no longer bearing fruit or even become false visions of Christianity (John 15, Revelation 3). Which is exactly what many if not most in today’s Christendom have become. Why? Because they no longer separating themselves from the world but welcome it into their “churches.”
I highly recommend that people re-read or if they never have read (which I think is a possibility) Revelation chapter 2 and 3 which covers the seven churches or styles of churches as it applies to today’s “churches” and seriously compare them to the churches they are in and see if they see any resembles to their own “church.” If they see any that are called wrong by Jesus then they should leave that group and find a new and true church home.