Jesus said it.

Jesus said it

As I study the bible I pay close attention to what Christ says. Let us examine Matthew 21:21.

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Is Jesus speaking figuratively here, or is He stating fact?

Didn’t Peter walk on water? Didn’t the woman Christ called a dog have so much faith that the demon was cast out of her child? Didn’t Christ marvel at the faith of some and bemoan the lack of faith in others?

If ye have faith, and doubt not,

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 tells us.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Most Christians hope on the return of Christ, but is that really enough? Shouldn’t we hope to be more like Christ or his substance while we live here in this earth. We can’t see Christ, yet we have faith that He is our savior and that he will be returning.

If you were to apply the parable of the hidden talent, or three servants to application of faith it may be easier to understand.

Matthew 25: 14-26. The first servant working the money of the master was rewarded accordingly to his diligence of handling the money. The servant found not working the money or handling it diligently was harshly dealt with for his lacking.

When Jesus is speaking to us having faith I don’t believe it is a figurative statement. I believe it is factual. Remember he sent His Apostles out to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers raise the dead and cast out devils. Matthew 10:8. These men knew Christ, followed him and were given power to do these works. Weren’t the 120 waiting and praying in one accord in the upper room also given the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? Doesn’t the entire book of Acts describe the divine multiplying factor of Christ’s church through the promised Holy Spirit?  John 14:16

In the course of my journey in Christ I run into other folks claiming to be Christian. As we speak, it seems as though they don’t know the Holy Spirit is an individual that we can not see. Christ used a very specific term when He introduced the Apostles to Him. John 14:17

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

If we don’t know that the Holy Spirit is an individual, is it possible in our ignorance we grieve him? And aren’t we told not to grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:30.

Getting back to the point that I pay close attention to what Jesus said, I am convinced the only reason why God’s truth isn’t more readily known is because of a very weak faith in him by his believers.  The fault is not completely of the believers. We have a very convincing enemy working against God’s Holy Spirit these days. He is very busy especially with the technological blessings we all live by today. Fame, wealth, self-interest, influence are all idols before God. Satan and his demons are whispering into the ears of many rebellious to God. Satan has deceived many including the religious. Wherever God’s blessings are at work, Satan’s deceptions follow relentlessly turning proper thanks of those blessings into a creation of self-dependence and hard work. Take for instance the life saving work of a cardio surgeon. Or even the wealth building capability of a diligent money manager. These folks become very influential and sought after even without knowing or wanting to know their creator. And even with all these great talents the problems never end.

Now if we were to look at the potential of what Christ was plainly stating.

If we had faith without doubt, could we heal the sick, cleanse the lepers raise the dead and cast out devils today? The Apostles did so after Christ’s ascension. How is it that a nation built on Christian doctrine faces so many problems of need? Aren’t we supposed to have life and more abundantly? With a command Christ killed the fig tree. By example we should also have the power to speak to a mountain and have it cast into the sea! Remember we mustn’t doubt.

As I reflect there is a greater fear among people than when I was growing up.

Matthew 10:28

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 6:27

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?   '

Here Jesus is speaking to what we as modern Christian might call worry.

I notice that many Christians don’t speak much of their faith. They do speak about things that are of this world such as money, security, healthcare, possessions, interests, justice or injustice, politics and world events. Is it any wonder there is fear or worry or doubt?

Even when I make the point of what Christ said in scriptures about caring for worldly concerns some of the so-called Christians, knowing scripture say that worldly wisdom in healthy. My heart grows heavy in hearing these sentiments because I know that there is so much more potential in Christ’s instruction than in precautions of men.

Because of this fear or worry of losing worldly things the Christian demographic has abdicated the once cherished moral authority of “In God We Trust”. Our reality is plagued with manners and ways that reject God’s prominence and authority as honored by a people or nation. Unnatural lifestyles are accepted, criminal proceedings seem to be unpunished, lying is the new conveyance.

If Christians spoke their faith and lived it out boldly would this reprehensible tendency have had any room to grow? Or was it a certainty of prophesy Christ discussed in end times prophesy?

And if it must be a certainty then should we not seek out the condition from Old Testament prophecy speaking to similar times and conditions?

Isaiah 5:1-23 describes a condition which should seem very familiar to anyone honest about current conditions in our world. Isaiah 5:23-30 speaks to what is yet in front of us for our wickedness.

Christians worrying about tomorrow or fearing death in this world are removed from the truth of God’s promises in eternal life, I know we are warned not to be deceived, but I also know many of those claiming to have faith simply don’t possess faith and deceive themselves welcoming woes stated in Isaiah.

We will have faith in God and seek to walk in righteousness of Christ or we will be the children of disobedience. Christ warns us of the time when those believing themselves as saved with be dreadfully surprised. Matthew 13: 14-23

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

If these scriptures don’t motivate any believer to press further into just what the Father’s will is I’m uncertain of any that will. There are some in Revelation that hold the same truth and reality, but among those that study Revelation prophesy many are divided in meaning and interpretation. So, we must also press into the word to see what it says about unity in Christ’s church.

Ephesians 4 speaks to the Christian walk from the Apostle Paul. In these words, we can have a surety that we are keeping with the will of the Father. Because Paul is the largest content writer of the New Testament, speaking largely to faith in Christ we must also have faith in Christ as part of the triune Godhead. Father son and Holy Spirit. Christ in flesh gave us the template to honor God’s the Father’s will, and He did so with warning the closest group he ever shared time with in fulfilling His mission. Read what He said to the group concerning how He would be perceived. John 15:18-21

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

And what did Jesus say to do to all His followers?

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The very thing Christ compels us to do will provide us with a certainty of many hating us.

Now are some unwilling to do what Christ tells us is it because they lack faith, or do they want to avoid persecution? Or is not doing what He told the faithful to do just a choice to be not interested either? Christian capitulation for man’s doctrine is one of Satan’s most powerful tools. To know this is to know the meaning of what the accuser of the brethren does. Keep in mind that as long as we are in the flesh without Christ are helpless to become children of disobedience. There bye not being found at the straight and narrow gate.

Another weakness of faith I see is that of the believer that misuses or misconstrues scripture for a personal affection they have that has no basis in context of scripture.  Many will mix our 2^nd Amendment right to bear arms as a notion that God approves of and even commands. This is malarkey. The favorite quoted scripture is Luke 22:36.

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

This would sound like Jesus is promoting warfare and if it stood alone such a thinking would make sense, but the following verse opens up the meaning a bit more than the less than faithful are interested in knowing.

Luke 22:37 states:

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

What was written about this time and Jesus’ words? The answer is in Isaiah 53:12.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

What is a transgressor? Someone violating a law of God. Is killing against God’s Law? 6th commandment.

How is it that folks claiming to be Christians can claim faith on nothing taught by Christ?

Remember Jesus answer to speaking in parables? Mark 13:13

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Such is the case with any violence proscribed in Jesus name that I question the faith of the beholder.

If we are to build our faith, we must press into scriptures and compare scriptures to each other for understanding the truth of God’s word. If we don’t we should consider ourselves twice accursed as Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

In my study of God’s word I hold fast to what Jesus said as He ministered for three and a half years of His life. More study has shown me how the Old Testament is replete of Jesus types and course destinations. In as much as I understand that a relationship with Jesus is needed, I am grateful He left us not alone and with a great comforter.

America's future

I didn't vote this past General Election.
I was certain that Donald Trump would win the election.
Here is why:

Hillary Clinton sought to grow the New World Order.
A type of oligarchy that controls all of what the little people do or say.
God's prophecy clearly states that the Roman Empire would be the last to rule before the end.
So plainly stated, no New World Order.

Donald Trump is a business man as well as a showman. He believes in his own way of doing things and quite honestly he doesn't care if he is offends anyone.

Our country has been in a darkening reality since the 9-1-1 attacks.
War seems to be endless, corruption, betrayal and moral decay permeates our culture.
Our economy hasn't recovered from the financial collapse of 07. The wealthy aren't interested in risk taking which would spur the economy. Those that are investing have plenty of competition to pay low wages.
Even the ACA legislation has produced problems none can figure out for any type of less expensive success.  Class, race, gender and political division tear us apart with no potential of a bridge to unity anywhere. After seven plus years of weary hope, change from despair was demanded.

The 1st faith of old America had been diminished.
Christendom had been compromised by all of the enemies onslaughts,
temptations and distractions. But when Americans finally had enough many prayed  for
relief of never ending politically correct insanity. Prayers were answered by President Elect Donald Trump.

There is a saying,
"Be careful of what you ask for you just may get it".
The bible warns the children of Israel what they will get in asking for a king.
1 Samuel 8: 7-19.
Paul tells us that the Old Testament Stories were written for our ensamples.
1 Corinthians 10:11.
Many but not all folks supporting Trump in the election were evangelicals.
I believe a report I saw for Evangelical turnout for Trump was an astonishing 84%.

Those in the establishment powers that tried to reinvent our culture as well as redefine our character have spoon fed us into accepting a morality which is not written in God's word. Anyone rejecting the forced change was ostracized, bullied, persecuted against 1st amendment protections as though the 1st amendment didn't exist. Years of abuse finally gave the masses one common goal and that was enough to rebuke the tyranny.

While those praying to God sought delivery, they did so while hoping in a man claiming he was the way to our salvation as a country. Does God use such men? You bet he does. Even the men that don't recognize God's supreme authority concerning the affairs of humanity.
Isaiah 44:28

Will America continue to pray or are they satisfied with the outcome and now gone back after the secular concerns of Laodician living?  Donald Trump claims to believe in God, but in his belief he believes he has no need to be forgiven.  He said this not me.

Do I believe God is using President Elect Trump for His creation?
Most assuredly I do believe it.  What I also believe is that America needs to repent from its laziness.
America needs to renew its faith for the blessings of all that God does.

The children of Israel went through cyclical seasons of worshiping God and turning away from Him.
They had plenty and lost much time and again, over and over. If America doesn't rise to the blessings God has granted and do His work as once done, we'll encounter the same struggles that Israel endured, but in a very short amount of time.

Our world is like the toes of the clay and iron feet depicted in Daniel's prophetic interpretation to Nebuchadnezzar. Will we be as in the days of Noah filled with evil, or will we be doing the work of the master?

I neglect to mention a second reason why I was sure of Donald Trump's victory.  I haven't be told to reveal it in this venue just now.  I'm sure it won't be long.  Knowing that the New World Order will never rise is more than enough for now.

Just because some feel as though victory is achieved, do not presume that it will be permitted long if it is taken for granted..  Satan's time is short and Jesus could be coming at any time.

P&B
PM

A Sinner's Praise

Father God,

Thank you for making yourself known through your son Jesus.

I pray my hands grasp your mastery during the labor of my days.

Bless you for your ever present watch covering my rest from exhaustion.

Establish your wisdom in my mind

facing the crooked thinking around me.

Let me bask in your peace amidst the chaos of this world.

Strengthen me while my physical body weakens,

and let your grace temper my judgment.

Make your mercy my hope in all desperation.

Guide my steps in all thy will

for all I do is appreciation by what you have done for me

in this Great Controversy.

Adopted twice, Unconditionally loved.

I’m an adopted child, grown into a man of 52 years. While I was growing up, this fact lingered amidst self-doubt and a type of confusion during my younger years.  It later became indifference steeped in certainty of self- righteousness which sabotaged the love that chose me as someone else’s child.

I am now grateful to my parents for their extraordinary kindness and unconditional love. The epitome, if you will, of a prodigal child. As privileged as I was for being adopted, my rebellious tendency was as  I reckon, more of a reaction to an inability to receive approval my parents weren’t equipped to offer, at least not in the manner I needed or sought.

If there is any responsibility of blame it can only be attributed to man’s ultimate enemy being Satan, or the devil. Anyone willing to offer unconditional love required for adopting any child will tell you of how much our enemy hates it. Money, time, frustration and victimization are all aspects of the process.  These troubles only arise when Satan seeks to prevent the willful loving of God by His children through an expression of unconditional love.

The spiritual reality written of now was never really present in former years.  We did the Christmas/Easter thing as disenfranchised Catholics. God however wasn’t the central focus of our growing as a family.  Through my years I found a great hypocrisy by those who claimed to be faithful.  I made no secret in letting my feelings be known to people of the cloth.

Inevitably my own confidence and self-righteousness matched with stubbornness led to a very dark place. I made many poor decisions for a person of privilege.  I’m not proud of any of these decisions, but as I come to know my relationship with God through Jesus I can begin to see how the poor decisions brought me to a place which is perfectly suitable for where God wants me now. 

When I realized the reality of the darkness resulting from poor decisions, my options only existed with depending on others rather than my foolish self.  My disbelief of man’s possession of truth was validated on convenience, materialism and wealth accumulation. I continued to reject God until I heard preaching that made sense. I began study of God’s word with a great curiosity and urgency.

In reflection the rebuke of Jesus to Satan mentioning that man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word of God really was the transformation that worked within me.  The more I read the more all social problems made sense.  I began to see the light and I wanted more voltage to be a brighter light.

In Scripture Paul speaks of adoption.

Romans 8:15, 23 Romans 9:4, Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 1:5

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory of the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

I am not sure when these scriptures came alive for me, but I am glad they did.

I guess the world teaches us to compare ourselves with others always seeking to be the best.

Because I was a stubborn individual, the things that interested me became my focus.  Any of these focuses allowed me to excel in comparison to others.  My confidence in my own abilities was my stumbling block because the world presumed the same confidence to be arrogance.  What amazed me was the very thing the world sought, they’d reject even though I delivered that which they sought. My lack of humility made the very ground I stood on a trap for envy.  The fact that I cared little for feelings of others or materialistic sensibilities others cherished made life a difficult journey to worldly success.

Life wears on us all.  Our age diminishes our vitality, injuries of the past become prohibitions of the present.  Guilt of failings, regret of lost opportunities all work together to make desperation an unwelcome friend.

The purpose I thought to be my own no longer made any sense. Faced with the fact that my life was finite I wondered why I was given a chance at life others had not received. Abortions had been an acceptable form of birth control in my lifetime. My life as lived didn’t amount to any type of redeeming contribution to humanity.

The adoption into God’s family for others than those of Israel came through Jesus Christ’s passion and sacrifice for all men. Israel hadn’t become what God intended. Abram later known as Abraham received God’s first promise to be the father of multitudes. God also promised to bless those who blessed Abraham and his offspring, and curse them that cursed Abraham and his offspring. Many other promises from God to men were made in later generations of Abraham’s line.  All have been kept.

As a servant of Jesus we are adopted into God’s family. God loves all his children, but blesses those that know Him and His law. This is how unconditional love transforms those that accept Christ because they understand that the love of Jesus is redeeming to God and his eternal nature.

Once anyone becomes a child of God the things and concerns of this world’s importance don’t remain important.  They become secondary to God’s desire.

While the world seeks immediate gratification to the nature of self-importance an unexpected pregnancy becomes problematic. Procedures such as abortion become justified in seeking self-important living because of the liability and burden children are deemed to be in our culture.

This world’s notion of love is about the utopia of foolishness people desire.  This world’s love isn’t based on sacrifice of service, but rather getting along for the sake of convenient and expedient living of the self-righteous and self-determined people. The moral relativism people hold onto can’t compare with God’s with the integrity and moral character God demands.

God wishes that none of His children would perish and offers an adoption to a fallen world.  In order to receive this adoption we must desire to know God through His son Jesus and in becoming part of His family we are inheritors of all his promises. By rejecting this adoption we become the thrown away barred from His kingdom yet to come. Much like aborted children of the self-determined and self-righteous people don’t become because of the choice not to abide God’s commandments.

I am thankful for my earthly adoptive parents, but I am forever grateful for my adoptive Father in Heaven.

All sins save rejecting the Holy Spirit of God are forgivable and forgiven through confession and repentance.  That is the promise of unconditional Love only God can give. Those in His family share such grace by His mercy because they understand justice is God’s to determine.

 
By the way, those that adopt unwanted children are covered in doing unto the least of these and thereby making their own salvation a certainty in God’s kingdom to come. 

Amen

Peace and Blessings

Probation Hotel

The Spirit of the Lord has been upon me.
For years I have been led to providing a means for the undesired in life.
Several years ago I thought greatly about a way to help the homeless.
The idea came to me just as the bottom was falling out just before the TARP Bailouts.

The homeless are still a problem, but now I am put into a position to face the hard reality of seeking residence for parolees getting out of prison. Being a convict and trying to re-establish a normal life without opportunity of employment or residence is a mighty mountain.

If those in prison have paid a debt for wrongdoing, how does it make sense for the general population to continue punishment? Truly as I embrace an empathy for this reality I wonder just how many really participate in forgiveness.

Wouldn't be a great idea to retain possession of an old vacant hotel and update it for the use of a halfway house for parolees released into a free world assisting them back into civil life?  This idea facilitates efficiency for the corrections systems, and local communities. It also offers protection to both parolees from re-offending, and the public from not having to be unforgiving as neighbors.
I'm praying on this everyday and through the days.
All I know is as God put it on my heart, he'll see to the provision.

Peace and Blessings