Stedfast

No room for compromise

2012-03-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

Mark11:27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
Mark 11:28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
Mark 11:29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 11:30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
Mark 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
Mark 11:32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
Mark 11:33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

They could not tell. They always seemed to be in a place of compromise.

WE MUST KNOW! And you can be assured that the word of God is not of man, but it was written by Holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Ghost!

We must know what truth is, we cant attempt to please men. We must please God! We cant compromise and always take the middle ground. We must know that what we believe is of God!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Epistle of Jude

2012-02-27T23:15:00.001-08:00

The epistle of Jude contains so much, in such a compact book. With only one chapter this is one of the shortest books in the Bible, but it contains so many good things. Let's look at a few things that stick out to me tonight as I read the book of Jude:

-First Jude let's us know that there is one common salvation.
There is no such thing as a Jew body of believers, and a Gentile body of believers. There is one body, and one way into the body. We must go through the door, we must be born again of water (Jesus name baptism) and spirit (Holy Ghost infilling).

-Then Jude writes that they must contend for the faith.
No matter what we must know that we must fight for the right, stand for truth.

-After which he gives us warning of corrupt teachers and false heresies.
He said that certain men had crept in unawares. We cannot allow the devil and his liars to creep into our lives without us taking heed. For these false teachers turned the grace of God into something it is not. Grace is not a license to sin, but rather God's influence on our heart to lead us in the right direction. His grace gave us opportunity, to hear the word and obey the word!

-Then he states there is coming a time that those that do not believe will be destroyed.
These folks Jude talks of had already came out of Egypt, then they fell into unbelief. Lord help us not to come out of this world and sin, just to fall into unbelief.

-We don't want to be a wandering star, we don't want to be twice dead.
That's why we must fight to the end, that's why he already told us to contend for if we don't we are in trouble.

-He lets us know that there are going to be mockers, and those walking sensually.
We must yet contend for the faith, by...

- Praying in the Holy Ghost, hence building up our selves.
Prayer works, always has and always will. So does fasting, but we must build up our faith. The devil wants to destroy our faith, but we can be victors.

-Then we keep ourselves in the love of God
What a safe place to be, nothing can separate us from him. Only sin can separate us, and that's only if we allow it. But his love casts away all fear, and we know that a loving God is for us. So we know we have nothing to fear. Keep yourselves alive in him.

-And then we reach those that are outside the safety of Christ and pull them in.
We pull them from the fire, whatever it takes! For we know such where we without the grace of God.

-And to do so we must hate even the garment spotted by the flesh.
We hate must lies, we must abhor sin. We must love truth. Buy it and do not sell it for anything.

-Only one God and he is able to keep you!
There is but one God, and he is our answer and our only hope. Our saviour.

Jude is such a great book. One chapter tells us what the church needs to hear today. Contend for the faith, and don't compromise for anything, that's how we will make a difference and see souls saved!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Love, Forgive, and Rejoice in Truth!

2012-02-27T06:31:00.000-08:00

Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

It is easy to love those that love us. It is easy to forgive those that forgive us. But it seems to be a more difficult task to love those that count us as an enemy. Nevertheless, we must love others even when they do us wrong. Even when we are in the right, and they in the wrong. We must be willing to forgive, not only is the right thing to do, but it's what we must do in order to be forgiven ourselves.

Now don't get me wrong, love does not compromise what is right. But rather it rejoices in the truth. Never would I want God to hold me accountable for the wrongs I have put under the blood, so neither should I hold a grudge against others for how they have wronged me.

Our world today has the definition of love all mixed up. What is the Bible's definition of love?

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (love) envieth not; charity (love) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity (love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Now the world today leaves at a great majority of this portion scripture in their perception of love, they tend to like the kindness and the total success of love. But tend to leave out the seeketh not her own, and rejoiceth not in iniquity. We do not love our family when we do not tell the truth, love is not to compromise truth just to make a relative feel better about him or her self. Love is to tell the truth even when it is not convenient.

But we must love at all times, even when we are not loved. It's our job! We must forgive at all times, even when others hold a grudge against us. We cannot change some people and their perception of us, but we can make sure we are in the right. And to be in the right, we must forgive and we must love.

Just think how much Christ loved us, let this mind be in you that was in him. The Bible says he esteemed others better than himself.

Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Jesus went as far as to say for us to pray for our enemies and for us to do good to them that despitfully use us. Well there is nothing greater you can do for your enemy than pray for them, and try to show them truth. So do just that, it will be pleasing unto God. What would we be without him?

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Looking Forward

2012-02-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

Imagine driving down the interstate never looking forward, only looking the rear-view mirror....sounds crazy huh? That's a major accident looking to happen, a huge mess. Well that's just what happens spiritual when we look backward and take our eyes off of the highway, it makes a mess of us.

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes going forward for God requires us to "press". Its not always easy to "press," but it will be well worth it. But in order to move forward we must get our eyes off if the rear view mirror and must focus on the direction we are going. The Psalmist wrote that "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life", notice the word follow. God's goodness and mercy got us through yesterday's trial, test, and circumstance; so surely it can get us though tomorrow. So those things that are buried under the blood, those things that God's goodness and mercy got us through should be forgotten! In time past our goals may have been different, our attitude may have been sour, our outlook may have been bleak. But NOW is what matters most.

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

See yesterday is over, today is all that matters! If we get caught looking in the rear-view mirror, we will begin to condemn ourselves. If we get stuck in yesterday we will begin to lose our direction and our desire to move forward. You see...

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This is why we should be so excited because where we are now, not concerned with where we have been. We shouldn't be proud of the sins we committed in times past, we shouldn't share them with the generation coming up. We should be excited about where God has brought us to, and every time we hear someone preach against the very sins we may have once been entrapped with we should get excited that someone is warning the next generation not to take the road we took. If we can no longer be condemned by the sins of yesterday, then why would we try to justify them? If God forgave us, lets forgive ourselves, and be the first to stand beside the preacher when he preaches against the sins that once controlled our lives.

The Church preaches against:

Divorce

Homosexuality

Fornication

Murder

Stealing

Lying, and the list goes on and on

Some of these very things have been committed in times past, before Christ, in some people's lives that are now apart of the church. These things the church preaches against aren't preached against to condemn anyone or anybody, only to warn the generation to come and teach them how to be pleasing to God. Why would we that once committed some of these wrongs have any issue against them being preached against in the church? Only when we look in the rear-view mirror! But if we would just accept that we are a new creature and accept that God doesn't condemn nor does his ministers, we would be the first to say, AMEN!!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

See we show should forth praise to God for bringing us out, there's no greater way to show your thanks than through warning the generation to come not to take the same path. Sure it may take us swallowing our pride, but that's not hard when we don't look in the rear-view mirror and realize we are new creatures in Christ!

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Let's move forward, looking forward! Because it's hard to drive looking in the rear-view mirror!

Look Forward!! Forgetting those things behind!

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

-Bro. C

Acts 2:38, obey it!

"Lord of What's Left"- Rev. Jeff Arnold

2012-02-03T19:07:00.000-08:00

Watch/Listen and enjoy!

"Lord of What's Left"

Rev. Jeff Arnold

Some thoughts for today!

2012-02-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

Want to be saved? Then obey:

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

You will be a believer when you obey! (Luke 13:3, John 3:3 and 5, John 7:37-39, Acts 5:32, Mark 16:16 believers are baptized, Romans 6:4, and Romans 8:9, 2 Corinthians 13:5) Just a few scriptures that let us know we must repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and Holy Ghost filled to be saved! Just be a good person doesn't save us, Read Acts 10 and 11! Praise God!

God's love! We should love like he loves! Dont love sin, love people! Sin detorys people, so abhor it!

Jeremiah 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD...God is full of mercy and love, Love is long suffering...what a God! There will come a time of judgement, but God is not willing that any should perish..if we could emulate such love in our lives we would have many less problems....gives a even deeper meaning to Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Doing the Reasonable!

2011-12-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jesus did not die on the cross for our sins, so that we could partake of the salvation He has offered, and then just do whatever we feel like doing. He calls us to mortify our members daily! Mortify means to kill, or to cause to die. That means that we should do a daily "checkup" on our selves and kill the "cancer" of our own selfish will, and give our desires , finances, etc. to Him.
In order to present our bodies to God a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable, we need to consider the following things: what does God regard as holy and acceptable? He wants us to look like a Christian and represent Him!

2Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
He simply asks us to come out from among the world. We should reflect Him and all His holiness. If a person was a son or daughter of a king or queen, they would sure act like it, dress like it, etc.- they would be proud to show others who they are!
My question is, why are we not proud of who we are? We are the adopted children of our Lord and Creator, so shouldn't we want to be different than all others who are not Jesus' children? Are we ashamed of who our Father is? Many would say, "Surely not!"
Well...............then why do the children of God strut around in worldly apparel, do worldly things, go worldly places, and talk like a foul-mouthed heathen? Simple! You ARE ashamed! You obviously wish to blend in with the world!
Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

If we are who we say we are, then we need to stand up straight and tall, and act like it, and that's just our reasonable service!!!!!!!!

Acts 2:38, John 3:5....Be not only a reader, but a doer of the Word!

Sister Hannah Caudle

Stedfast with God

2011-12-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

Psalm 78:1 Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

Psalm 78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

Psalm 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Psalm 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

Psalm 78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

Psalm 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psalm 78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

We are living in changing times. The culture of America today is more anti-God than every before. This is all the more reason for us to be more involved with living for God than ever before. Because there should never be changing times in the church. When did school programs, social gatherings and athletic events become more important than the work of God? Since when did spending time with our friends become more important than spreading this great gospel? Young and old need to be more involved with the cause than ever before. Since when did a skirt automatically qualify for modest dress? Just because its a skirt (which it better be for women) doesn't mean its modest. Furthermore with some when did it become right for women to wear men's apparel, and vice versa? When did it become OK to resemble the world in our appearance, our attitude, our entertainment, and our morals? When did prayer become optional? When did fasting become old fashion? Who made it OK to call Pastors and saints alike by their first names without titles brother, sister, Pastor, etc. attached? Worse is the changing of doctrine; when did it become acceptable to God just to make a confession alone, or to be baptized any other way outside of Jesus' name? I never got the memo from the Lord that said we could now be born again without the Holy Ghost, because the truth has never changed. Really who do we think we are if we are of those that believe we do not still have to follow the old paths? It still takes repentance, it still takes the infilling of the Holy Ghost, it still takes Jesus name baptism to be born again. It's still holiness or hell. We still have to dress right and modest. We still are required to live separate from this world, and to abstain from the very appearance of evil. Praying is still not optional for a child of the king, and fasting is a must. We must gather together more and not forsake the gathering of ourselves together. It is still honor to whom honor is due. We don't need another rebellious generation rising up that doesn't know God. Those who claim Pentecost and claim the born again message and are forsaking what they once were need to wake up for their our sake and for their children's sake, before it's too late

I want to be steadfast with God. If God has not changed and we have his spirit inside of us, just like those before us, then there is no reason we should change our view on carnality and sin. Truth is still truth, right is still right, and sin is still sin.

Lets fight a good fight, lets be steadfast with God.

-Bro. Caudle

Old College Paper-- Ignorance

2011-12-06T21:56:00.001-08:00

Scared of the Light
Justin Caudle
Eng. 111
Ignorance Research Paper

Scared of the Light?

Are you scared of the light? That seems like an odd question in a society where the dark is associated with fear. But when the dark becomes common place then the light becomes the unknown. When one’s awareness of the truth diminishes, they then begin to find themselves in a state of ignorance. Being ignorant doesn’t mean that one is unintelligent but rather they are uniformed of what is true and of what is real. (Wikipedia) In essays written by both Fredrick Douglas and Plato, ignorance is defined from both a scholar and a person who admits that they once were in ignorance. Plato uses imagery and an allegory to represent humanities ignorance (Allegory of a Cave), but the difference between light and darkness being compared to the difference between truth and ignorance was not only used in Plato’s essay but can also be found many times in the Holy Bible. Jesus spoke of humanities ignorance in his message when he said, “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Holy Bible, Matthew 13) The message that Jesus Christ and the book that he inspired preaches is often misused and misunderstood not because people are unreachable but rather because they are ignorant to the light, and are afraid of anything outside of the normalcy of their darkness. The same blockade of ignorance that the followers of Jesus Christ face is similar to the rejection that the character in Plato’s allegory faced upon their return to the cave. Throughout the book of John the terms darkness and light are used to represent good and evil, one scripture says that men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Here once again men’s natural state keeps them bound because of the change that is required in order to enjoy the light and truth.

Ignorance is bliss is a statement that almost everyone has heard. Not knowing the truth of the matter; or either being to unmotivated to discover it, can cause one happiness? In the case of being ignorant of the message of Jesus Christ would this statement be true? That question is simple, no. The statement Jesus made concerning those that had closed their eyes to his truth was not directed at the non-believers, but rather those that are ignorant of his truth among believers. If one is a non-believer then that’s that, but if one is a so-called believer then shouldn’t they have understanding of the message they believe. Just as the humans in Plato’s Allegory of a Cave knew only the illusion that were shown to them, so is today’s “Christian” world. The chained individuals in the cave knew only what they were permitted to see by the authority over the cave, in today’s society believers are content to follow the teachings of particular men or women rather than directly follow the scriptures. If these individuals didn’t claim the Christian faith then that would be understandable, but when the message of the men and women they follow doesn’t fit the message of Jesus Christ line upon then they are found in ignorance of the truth. Often this is a willful ignorance, just as those that were in the cave where not persuaded enough to leave so is the ignorance that is facing the Christian religion today. Tradition has bound their heart into believing a lie. It is easier to believe a lie that you have heard a thousand times, than the truth that you have heard once.

A slave whom later found freedom after learning to read and write Fredrick Douglas said, “…in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell.” (Learning to Read and Write) There could be no better plan against ignorance than the one Douglas lay out, to leave ignorance one must be willing and hardworking. That’s why the plan against ignorance of the scriptures, is as Paul lay out to his son in the gospel Timothy, to study to show one’s self-approved. That’s why the writer of Hebrews said as newborn babes desire you the sincere milk of the word that you might grow thereby, the truth of the scriptures is available to them who are willing to search it out. Jesus said search the scriptures for these are they that testify of me.(Holy Bible) All of these Biblical references tell us that one must make an effort to not be ignorant of the truth. As Plato described the difficultly of the human adapting to the light of the true world so is the difficult of one ignorant of the message of Jesus Christ of adapting to the message he preached. So what is the message of the light that a dark cave of illusions doesn’t show? The message in the light of the Christian religion is the gospel of Jesus. His gospel was not a gospel of just say you believe but rather a gospel of obedience. That’s the very reason there are so many willfully ignorant of his message, is because of the reproving of the light. The light makes one not talk about change but forces them to change. That’s why Jesus said, “…every one that doeth evil hateth the light…..but he that doeth truth cometh to the light.”(Holy Bible) By ignorance many are scared of the light and don’t even know it.

Isaiah the prophet wrote that line must be upon line and that precept must be upon precept, here a little and there a little righty dividing the word of truth.(Holy Bible) Once again it is evident that one must be willing to search and look for truth to find it. Not just partial truth, but the whole truth. The application of knowledge is just as important as knowing what one knows, Douglas said that his newfound education had given me the knowledge of his state of being comparing it to a horrible pit, yet he was still without the ability to apply that knowledge in order to escape the pit saying he had no ladder.(Learning to Read and Write) This is why as in the case of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Bible records that then opened he (Jesus) their (the disciples) understanding that they might understand the scriptures, and how that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in his name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem. And that’s just what they did, beginning at Jerusalem in Acts chapter 2 the apostles began to preach that message of repentance and remission of sins that had be given them by Jesus himself in the commission. They were not hindered by individuals’ ignorance but rather they showed forth the power of the one who had sent them forth to preach his gospel. They went to many a people stuck in many a caves and those that were willing and obedient ate the good of the land just as the prophet Isaiah had said it would be. (Holy Bible)

So what is the truth behind the light? What must one do in order to be a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “…my sheep hear my voice”, but he didn’t stop there he went on to say, “….and they follow me.” His message of belief is one of obedience. True believers according to his words would receive his spirit in them, and according to the writings of Luke in Acts chapter five he states that the spirit is only given to them that obey God. So in order to be a true believer one must be obedient. The writer of Hebrews wrote that he is author of salvation to all them that obey him, and it is stated that upon his return he would take vengeance on them that obey not the gospel. In today’s “Christian” world there is a message of many paths to the same place, well if the message of Jesus Christ is correct then that is not so and is an example of men’s ignorance to what they say they believe. Throughout the Bible God states that beside him there is no savior, and Jesus whom was God in flesh stated that he was the way, the truth, and the life and that there was no other way into the sheepfold than though him. (Holy Bible) So either the message of Jesus Christ is wrong or the message of modern “Christianity” is wrong. Just as the figures shadows on the wall had become all the chained humans knew so is the scriptural knowledge of professing “Christians” today. They only know what one has taught them and made to seem true rather than following directly the message that they profess to be their basis’s for life. They follow after the commandments of men rather than those of God as Jesus said. (Holy Bible)

The message of the Bible is clear and available to them willing to come out of their cave of normal habitation and discover that there is one God and he is on their side. That’s the message the Bible preaches. True Christians should be a light of that message just as the figure in Plato’s story tried to relay his experience back to the others held bondage by what was false. The real message is that God was manifested in the flesh, and that he gave up that flesh whom was his only begotten son so that those that believed in him could be saved. And as true believers they would obey in order to fulfill by grace through faith, because faith without action is dead. Thereby they would believe not only that Jesus was real but that his message was real, by believing in the words he spoke. That if they believed and were baptized they could be saved, that if they did do these things that they could have his spirit which without they are none of his. Peter and Paul both preached this message, Peter in Acts 2:38 and Paul in the sixth and eighth chapter of Romans. This message completed Jesus and the words he said when he said a man must be born again. Throughout the book of Acts this is the same message of salvation that was preached by the apostles and according to the scripture that is the foundation we are built on. (Holy Bible)

But much as in the case of Plato and Frederick Douglas when the true message is given forth it seems foreign and is pushed to the side as if it is the illusion. To them that are in the light and have the revelation it is the very thing that drives them to try to share it with others, but some believe that ignorance is bliss. Ignorance is found in so many different avenues of society and one of them is the ignorance of people of and the faith they profess. And its hard to help one in the darkness if you yourself have yet to truly fully see the light. Ignorance will make one afraid of the light.

Letters to The News

2011-12-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Letters to The News:

Pattern of Salvation--Audio

2011-11-29T22:27:00.000-08:00

Easter 2011 Bro. Caudle

Baptism

2011-10-27T07:10:00.000-07:00

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

First of all baptism is not optional, its a requirement if you want to be saved.(Mark 16:16) Its the only way to have your sins remitted. So we must know from the beginning it aint optional, unless of course we want to be lost. Yet many of the same folks that say its just optional are the ones who baptism in the titles and argue against the true form of baptism, why worry if its just optional? But once it again it is not optional and the triune formula is false doctrine. There is only one Biblical way to be baptized for the remission of our sins. It must be in the name of Jesus Christ, for that name is the only saving name.(Acts 4:12) Key word is name, the only saving name is Jesus!

Father is not a name, its a title. So what is the name of the father?
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

So here is Jesus speaking telling us that he has come in his father's name. So whats the name of the father?
JESUS

Son is not a name, its a title. So what is the name of the son?
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

So here is the name of the son, JESUS! This was the man Christ Jesus, we must understand he was flesh and in him was the fullness of the Godhead. God (a spirit John 4:24) was manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). He was the son of God, not God the son.

Holy Ghost is a title. What is the name?
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

What name? JESUS! The Holy Ghost is the spirit of God, so of course it would be the same name.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Read the Bible, no where will you find were anybody was baptized in other name than the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. Only other baptism found in the Bible was John's baptism, and those baptized unto John's baptism were re-baptized by Paul in Acts 19. There is no such thing as a trinity, the word is not in the Bible. There is one God manifested in various ways throughout time. It is impossible to find one place where anybody in the Bible was baptized in the titles, it didn't happen. They understood what Jesus was commanding them, and that was to baptize in the name.

Read Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 16, Acts 19...baptism is in the name of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

This thing wasn't done in a corner, God confirmed his word. The Apostles and what they did must be our example, they obeyed the voice of God! They didn't baptize in other name, even history tells us that.

- Bro. Caudle
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Beautiful in his time

2011-10-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

God knows all things.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

And he always has a plan. We do not always understand why he is doing what he is doing, and we dont always understand why he commands us to do what he commands us to do, We can be assured no matter that he is working everything out for our good. He makes all things, and in his timing everything becomes beautiful that is in his will.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Just keep trusting God, he knows all things and will make everything become beautiful in the life of his saints. Because with him we always win

-Caudles
Read Acts 2:38, obey it!

Can You See, But Not See???

2011-09-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

As believers we must have understanding of the scriptures. Knowledge is not enough; and true knowledge comes easy when there is understanding. Those that never come fully to the knowledge of the truth never got a line upon line understanding of the Bible. It's possible for us to hear scripture, but really never have an ear to hear what the Lord is trying to speak to us spiritually.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

As in these scriptures there are those that God wants to save and heal, but their heart has prohibited them from understanding truth. The enemy would like to blind our hearts from faith and keep us in bondage.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Why? Why are these individuals ever learning? What has caused for this condition of their heart? They are blinded!!!
2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

This is why they are blinded. This is why we must always pray for our understanding to be opened as we read the scriptures; and this is why we must always let our beliefs be based solely upon what the Word of God says.

~Bro. & Sis. Caudle~
Acts 2:38- Read it, and obey it!

Letter to Editor

2011-08-31T18:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.mtairynews.com/view/full_story/7326111/article-Letter-to-the-Editor-

Old letter to the Editor involving the wine protest in Mount Airy some time back, but let your focus be more on the theme and not the particular circumstances.

Self-Examination

2011-08-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

An old silversmith was standing one day over a large vessel that was boiling over a roaring fire. His face was smeared with sweat and ashes; it was weather-beaten and weary. Yet he smiled as he stared at the metallic gray liquid, because he knew it was being perfected. A while later, one of the old silversmith's apprentices walked by and wondered what the old man was smiling about. The young apprentice stared into the rippling liquid and asked the old man, "Sir, how do you know when the silver is perfect, free from impurities I mean?"

The old man replied, " Well son you see, how I know that this silver is done being perfected is when I see my reflection in the silver liquid." He turned back to the pot and continued watching his silver...waiting to see his reflection.

James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
James 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Just like the old silversmith, God is watching over each of His children's lives, putting us through the test of fire and trials to burn away our imperfections....and make us more like Him.

1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

~ Bro. and Sis. C.~

Waiting upon the Lord

2011-08-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

This scripture is so true...for many years I had questioned whether I really had a purpose and whether I was ever going to see God work through me to the good of others. I waited 9 years for the man of my dreams....and my message to all you young ladies out there is wait on the Lord, put Him first, and all things in your life will fall into perfect place....and in His perfect timing. I'm happy to say now that I am Justin Caudle's wife...and God did keep me strong in Him. Another thing I would like to say, is that life is so much better if you save yourself for your mate! So challenge yourselves to keep God in the center and He will renew your strength....that's Gods divine promise to all of us no matter what comes our way!!!

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

-HRC

Showing our faith

2011-08-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God;but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Do we say we know God, or do we know him? Words are simply just words, but to know God we must obey God!

1John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked

To say we know God is one thing, but to really know him we must obey him.

To say we love God is one thing, but to love God we must obey him!

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

I want to know him, because many are going to say Lord, Lord. But he is going to say to many depart from ye that work iniquity, I NEVER KNEW YOU.

If you believe in him, truly believe in him, then you will obey him. If you love him, you will obey him. If you know him, it will be because you obey him.

As much as false doctrine may not teach that one must make an effort to enter into the kingdom of God, if we are going to be saved we are going to have to strive to enter in. Its going take us showing our faith.

1John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

I dont want to just know of God, but I want to know God!

Faith between the Promise and the Performance

2011-07-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Romans 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Abraham didn't give up. There was time that transpired between the promise and the performing of the promise, but that's why we must have faith. What God has promised he will perform, there maybe a pause between the promise and the performance, but God has not forsaken us.

He promised Abraham a seed...pause.....Abraham's wife Sarah had Issac when Abraham was 100. 25 years after the promise, God fulfilled his word.

He promised Abraham a land to his seed, for 400 + years his seed was in bondage...hundreds of years didn't stop the promise.

Deu 1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

He promised to redeem men...when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son made of a women to fulfill his promise. God in Christ.

He promised the gift of the Holy Ghost...there was a space of time..then the day of Pentecost and the fulfillment of that promise.

Whatever promises you have in your life, don't give up on them just because of time. God hasnt forgotten us. His promises are sure.

We have another promise, that same Jesus is coming back to take his bride home. The church without spot, or blemish. We need not grow weary in well doing, God will fulfill his promise. There has been a pause, there has been space, but God will deliver on his word. Have faith.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

-Bro. C

Acts 2:38, obey it!

The Word

2011-07-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psalm 119 is a good chapter to read over and over again, no it's a great chapter! It speaks so much of the word and how the writer loves it with his whole heart.This is one of those chapters you can read over and over and still get inspiration from it every time. Well every chapter in the Bible is that way! But here are just a few verses that stuck out to me as I set and read it tonight:

Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Sometimes its good for a little affliction to come into our lives to keep us on track, keep us praying and seeking God. Lord if it takes affliction to bring our backsliders back then so be it.

Psalm 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Cant no wealth, no riches of this world compare to the priceless value of Truth! Buy it for yourself, buy it for the next generation, and don't let go of it. Its far more valuable than anything else.

Psalm 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

The word settles what is and isn't truth. So once I know what truth is I hate every lie that speaks contrary. I hate every false doctrine. Love everybody, but hate every sin. Love everybody, but hate every lie. Love everybody, but hate every false doctrine. If I am going be in love with truth, I must hate lies. See I cannot serve two masters, I am going to love one and hate the other. So I choose to love truth, for its more valuable than anything.

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Preach to me preacher, I wont get offended. Why? Because I love the truth. Because I want to be saved. Because all scripture is given by God's inspiration. And I have great peace and I'm not torn between serving two masters because I have truth, and nothing else could satisfy like truth does. For the word of God has set me free.

Psalm 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Psalm 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

When you love truth, you hate the false way. Enough said. Psalm 119 is a GREAT chapter!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Grow Up!

2011-07-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

1Co 13:11 When I wasa child,I spake asa child,I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

A child just does some things a little different than do grown-ups. Something that may not be a part of acceptable behavior for an adult may just be ok for a kid. Why? Cause a kid is a kid, they speak like one ( without little thought of what they are saying and its impact on others), they understand like one (they just don’t comprehend some of the directions they are given in life), and they think as a child ( they believe that the adults can do anything, they think less on the major issues of life and more so on the small things). A infant can be taken in some businesses without their shoes on, but for the adults the sign on the door means just what it says. See kids just get better treatment sometimes and sometimes just seem to be able to slip by with doing something unacceptable. This only last for some time, this only seems to be the way a child could act, and when that child became a man he must put away these actions in order to truly be a man. He is taught how to be a grown-up.

Let's make this spiritual, let's compare this to the spiritual realm. Let's make this putting away of childish ways our plan in the spiritual manner. I have seen folks that where in the body of Christ for years but it seemed after all that time they were still on the same level of God, and ultimately this would lead to their spiritual downfall and backsliding. We must put away childish things.

Its childish to talk about your brother, the one that wants to help you reach the next level, the same one that is praying and fasting for you and your family.

And I want you to remember that Jesus said except we all become as little children we shall in no likewise enter into the kingdom of God, but he was talking about their acceptance of him and their love for one another and him. But I'm talking about childish actions, actions that are immature and due sometimes to the lack of experience.

Its childish to kick against the preacher the one trying to preach you and your family and friends the words of eternal life. I have seen adults that have tore their family apart and caused for members of their family to backslide and disrespect the church and its faithful because they got their feet stepped on, well you can see why they got their feet stepped on.

In the 14^th chapter of Matthew the preacher lost his head, John the Baptist spoke the truth and upset some folks. So John was arrested and we all know ultimately beheaded, but even after they destroyed the preacher, even after they had passed their hate of the minister on to the child, even though the preacher was no more, God’s word was still right. Like it or not God’s word still says that adultery is wrong, God’s word still says that murder is wrong. You can destroy the preacher but not the words nor the God behind that preacher. You can kill the messenger if it's his time, but you can't destroy the message.

"Oh that preacher don’t know what he’s talking about, that won't ever hurt you, you just wear what you want to wear.” Um… about 10 years down the road it will be just drink what you want to drink, just smoke what you want to smoke. Be with who you want to be with. It’s time we put away childish ways for the sake of ourselves and our children.

"Oh that man is not to smart." Well I beg to differ with you, I believe the man of God are the most intelligent of men around the world. They have wisdom from above!

Our world today is a mess, because man have failed to give ear to God, at first maybe just slightly then as time progressed more and more. We have prisons full of people who once where probably told don’t listen to that preacher, graves filled with people not ready to meet God because they wouldn’t heed to the word of God.

We must put away Childish ways and just Grow up. We can't stay on the bottle too long, we have to leave the milk and grow to a new level, eat a better diet.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil

Proverbs

2011-06-27T19:32:00.000-07:00

The words of wisdom will continue, I have been short on time lately. Look for the words of wisdom to continue this week, plus for a blog entitled, "Spiritual Authority".

Continue

2011-06-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This scripture sums up the gospel well. This scripture gives us the apostle’s doctrine. This scripture gives us the plan of salvation. This scripture assures us that we must repent. This scripture clearly lets us know how to be baptized, in Jesus name. This scripture lets us know the Holy Ghost is for us, for those with an obedient heart. This scripture was spoken by the man that had the keys. I love this scripture! Obey it!

If baptism is required for remission then the name is as much required. Baptism does nothing for us without the name, and that name is Jesus. Acts 4:10-12. And without water and spirit birth we will not be a part of the kingdom of God. Preach the word, teach the word, believe the word, and obey the word! Without the foundation we will not stand.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

-Bro. C

Words of Wisdom: Proverbs Chapter 3 & 4

2011-06-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

I have combined these two chapters because yesterday I didn't have the time to post a blog.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Proverbs 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Proverbs 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Proverbs 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Let God direct you by his word. Don't look to your own human intelligence, emotions, nor wisdom. Look toward God and let him direct you. Don't look to the right, nor to the left. Nothing off the path has anything to offer us, what we need (all we need) is on the path. Let the word direct your steps. Every voice that speaks contrary to truth needs to be gone from our lives, because those voices are subverting whole houses. Any voice besides those preaching truth should not be of influence in the lives of those in the church. Everything to the right or to the left is destruction, but on the path their is safety. Stay with Jesus, stay with the word.

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Word of Wisdom:Proverbs Chapter 2

2011-06-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Wisdom! That's the them of Proverbs. Well its that wisdom, not earthly wisdom, but that Godly wisdom that will preserve thee. It will keep thee from the strange woman, wisdom will help us to understand and walk with a clear focus. Don't look to the right nor to the left, keep your focus on God! And remember what James wrote, if you lack wisdom just ask God for the right wisdom to direct your life. Pray for his will, God will never fail you.

We need discretion to tell what is and isn't of God, remember try to try the spirits! And understanding, we need that opened so we can clearly understand the scriptures (truth). Read the word, believe the word, and obey the word!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Word of Wisdom: Proverbs Chapter 1

2011-06-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

There is a lot in the first chapter of Proverbs, but the last verse seems to sum it up very well. Basically it's saying just do what God says to do, and everything will work out for your good. As verse 5 in chapter one says, "A wise man will hear, and increase learning." We must accept the teaching and preaching of God's word in order to live a good life. This chapter lets us know that if you despise such learning (wisdom and instruction) you are a fool (verse 7), and that a fear of God is required of us. It goes on to warn us not to follow those that want to rebel and wait to shed the blood of the innocent. We better watch what nets we set, and what pits we dig. They could be to our own down fall. Wisdom is crying out, trying to persuade men to follow God, he gives safety!

Proverbs1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

Provers 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

But men still attempt to follow their own way, and their own devices. So they will eat of the fruit which they produce. Reminds me of "be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (Isaiah 1:19) Choose to obey God, and eat the good fruit!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Stedfast

2011-06-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

Update on upcoming blogs:

Within the next two weeks I hope to finally finishing putting together a blog on Spiritual Authority. I know sometime back I first mentioned it, but time has not allowed me to finish it up. Just wanted to make sure I let everyone that reads my blog know that I haven't forgotten about that topic I mentioned a few weeks back, unfortunately I wasn't able to make it my next blog like I had originally said/planned.

Also hope to everyday update my blog for the next month with "Words of Wisdom,"starting today. Drawing from a chapter of Proverbs each day.

Thanks for all those that read this blog, and for all those who comment on it so kindly. With viewers from America, to Germany, to Russia, and many more countries; I am so glad for them all. Hopefully inspiration, and truth has found it's way into many lives.

A few scriptures about steadfastness that I love:

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye STEDFAST, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence STEDFAST unto the end.

Acts 2:42 And they continued STEDFASTLY in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

BE STEDFAST in TRUTH!

- Bro. C
Acts 2:38, obey it!

Serve Him!

2011-06-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

God has never liked doublemindness, and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. If God be God, then serve him with all of your heart! It saddens me to see double lives, lets purge ourselves from filthiness of the flesh and lets receive the word of God for what it says! We cant serve God and our flesh, to be carnal minded is death! STRIVE to enter in! Serve God with sincerity, they that worship God must worship him in Spirit and in Truth!

Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Let the world do what the world does, and follow Jesus!

God's Army: Truth is INVINCIBLE

2011-06-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

"there are no invincible armies and that there never have been" -Stalin

Sorry Stalin, but you must never heard of God's army! It is invincible. Its called the CHURCH!

2 Corinthians 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Truth is invincible. You can’t war against God and win, period. Try as some might, and some truly are, you will not prosper against truth! There is no wisdom nor is counsel that will stand against truth; truth is invincible. Truth will never change, as much as men try to form their own doctrines.

Truth is going to save those that obey it, but its going to stand against those that will not obey it.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

John 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

As long as we stay in God's army we are invincible, no weapon formed against us shall prosper!

Way less traveled

2011-05-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

A tombstone read:
Pause, stranger, when you pass me by,
For as you are, so once was I.
As I am now, so will you be.
Then prepare unto death, and follow me.

Pushing the grass aside a bit more, was found the following scratched on the stone, done with a crude instrument:

To follow you I'm not content. Till I know which way you went.

Matthew 7:13 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:
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

It would be wise of us to follow the strait and narrow, to follow the way that few will travel. It may seem to be the less popular way, but don't consider the circumstances of the path as much as you consider the destination of the way. We may even have a life of afflictions, but if it ends with us hearing, "well done" it will be well worth whatever it took. Just ask the beggar, the rich man had a great natural life but that didn't mean he had a right relationship with God (Luke 16). Whatever it takes I want to commit myself unto his will and way! I'll obey the scriptures and let the world go by.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."- Robert Frost

False Title

2011-05-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

Albert Bierstadt, The Rocky Mountains, Lander's Peak, 1863.

In his 1867 "Book of the Artists," H.T. Tuckerman described the above painting in glowing terms, "Representing the sublime range which guards the West, its subject is eminently national; and the spirit in which it is executed is at once patient and comprehensive-patient in the careful reproduction of the tints and traits which make up and identify its local character, and comprehensive in the breadth and grandeur of the composition." This painting was one of the most popular at that time, to Americans it seemed to capture the West that many of them had never seen. As did many other Americans, Tuckerman assumed that since the title of this art work was The Rocky Mountains that it in fact represented the Rocky Mountains. But that assumption was not true. No landscape like this exist in the American West, in fact the artist had painted the Alps. The peak centered in this painting is the Matterhorn, a peak the artist often painted. This type of artwork is known not as realistic but as naturalistic. Bierstadt retained elements of the West in this work with accurate representation of Native Americans, but he presented them in a personal point of view. He combined the Swiss Alps with the West. I've heard it said that the artist did this work because he desired for America to be Europe. But nonetheless, as much as this work appears realistic it is not true to it's title.

Mark 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

They might come in his name, may even appear realistic, but as pretty they appear they may be false prophets. The art critic was even fooled by the artist, we cant afford to be fooled. The artist wanted America to be Europe, well the devil has found a way to paint a pretty picture and he wants the world to be the church. We must stay with the scriptures, so that we can tell what is right and what is wrong. They could afford to mistake the Rockies for the Alps, but we cant afford to mistake a lie for truth. We cant afford to mistake anyone that believes in more than one God for a Christian. We cant afford to mistake anyone that hasn't been born again as a child of God. Because no matter the title, it is what it is! I want to be a Biblical Christian. I don't want to be deceived, but I'll deceive myself if I'm only a hearer of the word. Lord help me to be a doer of the word, cause only the truth will set me free.

Just Saying

2011-05-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Why is it that so many have a lack of appetite for the word of God. It is so real, it is so relevant. That's often why it is rejected I believe, because many want to live their own way regardless. They worship God with their lips, but that's were it stops. Not only is this in the world, its can be observed in some of those that profess to believe truth. There is a lack of desire for anything with substance. Why is it that instead of the scriptures, everybody wants a pretty little story. Instead of hearing an anointed message, they would rather hear something with little substance that has a catchy title. When the scriptures quit being the final authority, something is very wrong! Not with THE CHURCH, not with God, but with us! Where is the hunger for the word, for truth! And truth isn't picking and choosing what you want to believe. Anyone is entitled to believe anything they want, but I believe the Bible. So what the Bible says is the final authority, period! Whether it goes against my grain, or my tradition, it still has the final authority. And the word is truth, the complete truth! We must believe it all. When those professing to be in truth quit allowing the word to be the final authority in all aspects, they are going in to dangerous territory. Nothing can be worse than for us to believe a lie and be dammed. Often you hear, "so you are saying I'm wrong". Well yes, that's correct, if our belief isn't based on the scripture then according to God and his word, we are absolutely wrong if we believe anything other than what the scriptures say. Why is it that so many want to just do enough to get by. Lord help me to never strive to just barely make it! Because with my whole heart I want to serve him, not with my lips. The word convicts, the scriptures are so real, they deal with all these issues. That's why so many don't desire anything with substance, for it offends them. That should not be! Lord correct me, help me! Whatever you must do I want to be saved, I want substance to sustain me! I thank God for all the substance that's ever been fed me, and will be given me! Even this very blog is unique for me, because usually everything I do is mostly scripture with little comment. Why? Because there is nothing I can add to the word, it teaches and preaches itself. I don't need pretty little slogans, and all the flashy stuff. Though all that might have its place, most of all I want substance! I want the scripture, I want truth. Whether we want it or not, we need it!

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? ......

Quit taking tradition over truth! Quit putting family before truth! Quit desiring popularity more than truth! Just saying!

Matthew 7:13 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:

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38, Obey it!

God loves us, His truth saves us!

2011-05-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God loves us! We, that are in his kingdom are his children, so we know he loves us. But God loves all humans. God hates sins, and so should we! But God loves mankind. So should we! God loves us, that's why he hates sin. Because sin separates us from a God that loves us!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Love involves compassion, but too often folks confuse it with sympathy toward sin. Thats when apathy toward the word of God takes place, is when we have sympathy toward sin.

Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

Deuteronomy 13:7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;

Deuteronomy 13:8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:

But rather God's love involves rebuke and correction at times. Because remember God loves us, so he hates any sin that tries to separate us from him. And wants to drive it from our hearts.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Neither does love keep one from telling the truth. The truth is necessary to save us. If anyone is preaching a false message they are accursed, and they are speaking lies.

Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Cant speak a lie in love! Cant have sympathy toward sin, and apathy toward the word and act as if you have a true love for sinners. True love is to give them truth from the word that will save them! That's compassion, that's love!

1 Timothy 2:4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour

1 Timothy 2:5 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

God loves mankind, and he has been longsuffering. We should be longsuffering, and speak the love in truth! Because we don't want them to perish, but they will without truth!

-Bro. C
Acts 2:38- the way into the kingdom! Obey it!

Please God

2011-05-15T00:08:00.000-07:00

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Are we looking to be 'popular'? I sure hope not! We must remember we are going to be hated of ALL nations for his NAMESAKE. The truth has never been 'popular' with men, but the majority doesn't mean anything to God! God is the authority over the church, he is the head. Its not a democracy, a monarchy, nor an oligarchy. The church is the kingdom of God, and it is governed by him! And God places Spiritual Authority in the church (my next upcoming blog is on Spiritual Authority, to resist such authority is to resist God!) to preach, teach, and administrate his people. They are not there to please his people. Ministers are not placed in the church to be 'popular' and please people, they are there to preach and pass on truth! And saints shouldn't be looking to be 'popular' in society either.

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Lets not worry about our image of fitting in the 2011 world. Lets be concerned with how God views us! WE cant afford to let go of anything, truth is truth! Biblical sound doctrine must be our desire, and we must love truth with our entire heart. Don't seek to please men, seek to obey God!

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

-Bro. C

Godly Inheritance

2011-05-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

The best inheritance one can leave for the next generation is a Godly heritage. Buy the truth and sell it not, not just for your own sake but for your family and friends sake. We first must save ourselves, but without truth our family and friends will never be free from sin. More precious than any inheritance in financial status and wealth is to leave a testimony that you served God, and left that example to the next generation. That is an inheritance that will last. Truth is going to endure to all generations, so it is to our benefit to believe it and love it! Our only hope, our next generations only hope is in a right relationship with God. Is it always going to be easy to stand for what is right, and stand for what is yours? No! Sometimes the path is filled with resistance, because there is a real enemy. But GREATER IS HE that is in us! Naboth stood up against Ahab and wouldn't let him take his vineyard, even though Ahab gave great offers for it. Naboth wasn't for sale. Why? Because the vineyard was his inheritance. And he was lied against, and was killed. He stood his ground, and even though he died he did not lose his vineyard. Something far greater than death is for us to lose our love for truth, and for there to come a strong delusion that we would believe a lie. If we die standing for what is True, so be it! But we cannot lose our heritage, if we want to be a part THE CHURCH!

Psalms 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Psalms 112:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Our delight should be in the word of God!

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psalms 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Psalms 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Delight in God and the things of God, and pass it to the next generation! Don't delight in the filth of this world. Don't love the ways of the world! Cant serve two masters! Don"t set evil before your eyes. Don't lust after the things God has said NO to! Have a Godly seed. He is the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Let this truth be passed on! It's the world's only hope! Cant be saved without obeying the word of God, must be born again of water and spirit! Must repent, be baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost! And from there grow! So stand for what is right! And don't forsake the old paths, nor remove the ancient landmarks! Make the decision for you and your house!

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Leave a Godly inheritance of Truth! Have backbone!

-Bro. C

THE CHURCH

2011-05-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus said he was going to have a church! He said this church would prevail! There is ONE church, the church that Jesus Christ established. This Church is built on the rock, that rock being the revelation that Jesus was the Christ. That he was the son of God! There is one God!

So we can establish our own way and follow our own devices, but they will not make us a part of God's kingdom! We can create our own "church", with our own doctrine. But our devices and our "church" will just pass. But God's church will never fade, never go away. And to be a part of that church, we must obey God! We must stay on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, if not when the storms come we will topple over. Only God's church is going to prevail!

1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

The day is going to declare what you are. If you are not built on the foundation, and are not following the TRUTH you are in trouble! The church must keep preaching Acts 2:38, keep preaching holiness, keep preaching godly living! If we dont, then we dont change truth nor the real church, but we dam ourselves. The Bible hasn't changed, God hasn't changed, his church hasn't changed! Only mankind, and their doctrines change. Have you changed? Hopefully you stay with God's plan, so you can be a part of his kingdom!

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

We are going to be hated for believing in One God, and for believing in the only saving name Jesus! We must endure to the end, God has great things in store for us!

The Pattern of Salvation

2011-04-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

I want to shorten my message from yesterday and it put it into blog form. It was entitled, “The Pattern of Salvation.” Paul was an example to us, as were many others in the Bible. You could say they were a pattern for us to follow, but the pattern wasn’t created and established by Paul, rather Paul believed the common salvation for his own life and preached it unto others.

Lets look to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, for a minute. Jesus came for a cause, he came for a reason. All of the prophecies concerning him in the Old Testament had to be fulfilled. In John 18, we find Jesus standing before Pilate and he tells Pilate for what cause he came.verse 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

He came to “bear witness unto the truth.” For a reason. Not just so…

That 2000 years later we could have a nice story to tell.

Not just so we would have a day to celebrate life and family.

Not just so we could hide eggs and give children sweets.

Not just so the stores would have another holiday to sell for.

Not just so we would have a day to go to church on.

But he came, TO SAVE US!

He came and died, and was buried, and resurrected. And if not for the resurrection, Paul wrote later, that our faith would be in vain if the dead rise not. He was giving us his gospel, he was bearing witness to truth, he was setting a pattern for us to follow. Everything Jesus said and did was for a reason. He did everything he did in his love toward us, showing us his great grace! He allowed this to be for whosoever will. He came on the scene saying “repent, and believe the gospel.” He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to give life (John 10:10). He had so much purpose!

Lets look at the pattern of Salvation that Jesus set, and then how Paul obeyed it! First lets remember that Jesus came in the flesh (God in Christ) so that he could have a lamb to shed blood, because the shedding of blood was needful for remission of sins. (Heb. 9:22, Matt. 26:28, Eph 1:7). Once again there was a reason, as in everything Jesus did. Now neither of those scriptures tell us how to apply that blood, nor how to get remission, WE will see how later. Lets look at the gospel…

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

That is the gospel, now the question is how do we obey the gospel? Jesus gave us this pattern to follow, and helped us by explaining it during his earthly ministry. He told us a “expect a man be born again”, and he told us “of water and of the Spirit.” He explained his fulfilling of the old testament to his disciples in Luke 24 and then later opened their understanding so that they could understand the scriptures. Luke 24:

Verse 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luk 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Once again for a cause he suffered, and rose. So that now repentance and remission of sins could be preached in his name!

And on the day of Pentecost this very message was preached. We find Peter deliver them the way to obey the gospel. Repent-our death, our turning from sin. Be Baptized in Jesus name-our burial, remission of our sins (blood). And receive the Holy Ghost (God’s promise, what he must give us if our heart is right). This is the way to obey the gospel, the pattern Jesus set! (see Acts 2:38, obey it!)

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Born again)

Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
So Paul said he was an example, a pattern to follow. So how did God take him from being a persecutor of the church to what he became (a great missionary/evangelist of this gospel)? By him following the pattern, the common salvation. Which we all must follow.

First of all he had to get the revelation of one God, of what he later wrote Go manifested in the flesh!

Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Act 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
If we never believe, “I am he” we will die in our sins. First must get that understanding.

Then the Lord sent Paul to a preacher.

Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And that preacher, Ananias, gave the pattern to Saul.

Act 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Act 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

And we find this to be the pattern Paul preached in the 19^th chapter of Acts.

Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Act 19:7 And all the men were about twelve.

Act 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
So Jesus came and bore witness to the truth, and accomplished his mission. He shed his blood for our remission, and he sent back his Spirit to reside in those that will obey him. So Jesus established the pattern, Paul followed it and preached it as did the other apostles. So why would the pattern change for us, why would the message change for us? It hasn’t, this is the common salvation.

Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Follow the pattern, believe the truth!

Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him
There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. It has been confirmed by his word. Follow the pattern of God’s word! The examples he gave us!

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation

-Bro. C

Suffering for a Cause!

2011-04-18T23:12:00.000-07:00

Could your suffering have a meaning to it?

I want to use an excerpt from Viktor E. Frankel's book which is a great read, "Man's Search For Meaning." As did Mr. Frankel in his book, let me make it clear from the start that in no way is suffering necessary to find meaning. He said, "I only insist that meaning is possible even in spite of suffering-provided, certainly, that the suffering is unavoidable." The following is that excerpt I would like to draw from:

The Meaning of Suffering

We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one's predicament into a human achievement. When we are no longer able to change a situation- just think of an incurable disease such as inoperable cancer-we are challenged to change ourselves.

Let me cite a clear-cut example: Once, and elderly general practitioner consulted me because of his severe depression. he could not overcome the loss of his wife who had died two years before and whom he had loved above all else. Now, how could I help him? What should I tell him? Well, I refrained from telling him anything but instead confronted him with the question, "What would have happened, Doctor, if you had died first, and your wife would have had to survive you?" "Oh," he said, "for her this would have been terrible; how she would have suffered!" Whereupon I replied, "You see, Doctor, such a suffering has been spared her, and it was you who have spared her this suffering-to be sure, at the price that now you have to survive and mourn her." He said no word but shook my hand and calmly left my office. In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of sacrifice. (Man's Search for Meaning, pg. 112-113)

Upon reading these two paragraphs of Mr. Frankel's book, these scriptures came to my mind:

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Jesus came for a reason, for a cause!

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins

He came for a cause, Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins, yet there was suffering involved.
1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Christ sufferings were for a cause, for our redemption. So that we could have new life. He shed his blood so that we could have remission of sins though baptism in his name. He died that we might have life. He gave us an example to follow. It would take a whole another blog to cover that. But his death, burial, and resurrection gave us an example of our new birth experience that we must have!

But the sufferings he faced were for a reason, but there was purpose in what he was doing. Love for us!

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
See sometimes we have to see the silver lining and unsterstand there may be a cause in our affliction, a meaning in our suffering. Consider:

It may be God's way of awakening you
Psalms 119:67

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

It may be Eternally weighty for you
2Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

　

It may be a chastening from the Lord that you may yield fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

　

Maybe it is for our refining

Isasish 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

You can find a meaning in your suffering, and it can help you to see the big picture. To understand that though it all you are becoming stronger, that your faithis being built. Now if you are outisde the will of God, and not following him then your suffering may be self inflicted, but if you are walking after the Spirit of God then you just need to consider Jesus who for the JOY set before hiim endured the cross. See the JOY at the end of all your sufferings, and understand that God is always for you.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Understand that whatever takes place in this life, you may lose everything the world has, but if you gain your soul that is what matters! Dont let the circumstances of life rob you of your faith. Keep the faith though them, and on the other side see that your faith is that much stronger. What sight may see as suffering, faith will see as a CAUSE!
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

2Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Faithfulness--Treasure

2011-04-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

Treasure
1Co 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also

We often don't like to talk a lot about our treasure, but the bible says where our treasure is that's were our heart is!

Is our treasure in the church, if so We will not HOLD BACK ANYTHING THAT BELONGS TO GOD!!

Acts Chapter 5 ––
– Act 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Act 5:2 And kept back part of the price , his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost , and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Act 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Act 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Act 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
Act 5:8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Act 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Act 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

You better watch taking what dosent belong to you, ask Adam and Eve!

What they held back killed them! What God requires of you and you are holding back is killing you if you are holding it back! DONT NOT PRAY, DONT NOT FAST, DONT NOT DO SOMETHING FOR GOD!! Because God wants to bless you, but you holding back is killing you!!
It isn't killing the church, it isn't killing God, isn't killing me, IF I HOLD BACK OR YOU HOLD BACK WE ARE ONLY KILLING OURSELVES!!

I was praying a few days back for the Lords blessings to be in some folks lives, and I stopped and remembered something I had heard before..so I started praying for them to be faithful so that God had to bless them..His plan works, you either have the blessings of God in your life, or eventually the wrath and judgment of God! I want his blessings! Don't Hold back what is his!!

So let's talk just a moment about treasure.

We live in a greedy world, driven by the love of money! And you can find that all evil traces its roots back to the love of money!

You must get deliverance over your pocketbook to please God! Who wants to be a faithful and wise Steward/Servant?!

You see God wants to see your faithfulness, and obedience and just how much you love him..is it more than earths treasures!! I'm living on the principle, But seek ye first the kingdom of God!! God opens doors, God makes ways!! So for us to purse wealth more than God is not wise! No steward can serve God and mammon! Luke 16:13

Mat 6:19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth , where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Heb 7:1 For this Melchisedec , king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. (Not to great!)

Let me give two Examples before the law here––Pre–dated the law! About 500 years before the law! And the law was not destroyed...but love requires more than law read Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Gen 14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Gen 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
Gen 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet , and that I will not take any thing that is thine , lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

Gen 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
Gen 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Gen 28:21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
Gen 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Blessings follow obedience!!
Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Remember the earth is the Lords!! You are just giving God what is rightfully his, its all rightfully his, really God is just giving you what he wants...and your pretty blessed you are getting the 90%, that's your first blessing right there, if it wasn't for him you wouldn't be getting that!

Jesus Christ is High Priest after the order of Melchizdec(Hebrews 7:15–17) and we are children of Abraham through faith (Galatians 3:7, 29)

Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth .

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done , and not to leave the other undone

When you give you are giving unto the Lord!

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ

Whether we pay them are not, it belongs to God. When you withhold it you are withholding what is his, thus robbing him! Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth , that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Deut. 14
Deu 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
Deu 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.

Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

1 Co. 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

Faithfulness--Talent (Second blog on Fatihfulness)

2011-04-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

TALENT

Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest .

Using our talent is about serving and working, we need faithfulness...we need soul winners. He that winneth souls is wise! Everyone isnt a keyboard player, or a bass player, or a preacher. We all have a calling to be a witness.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And those talents you had when you weren't serving God, God can take you and use them same talents the enemy use for destruction for advancement of his kingdom! Peter and his brother knew a little about fishing, well here came Jesus saying follow me I will make you fishers of men! Your potential is greater with God than anywhere else! You have eternity to gain.

We are never too good to do what must be done for the kingdom of God! if you do well with the small things entrusted to you, God will increase you...Pray for his will, you don't want what will cause you to be lost..God is for you!

We need outreaches', and pray warriors, and some folks take can talk to God!

Faithfulness--Time

2011-03-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

Over the next few blogs I want to talk about faithfulness to God in different aspect of our lives.

TIME

Psa 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Psa 90:9For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
Psa 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psa 90:11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
Psa 90:12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (We have but a certain time upon this earth to live our life and to make preparation for the hereafter. WE need to use that time effectively and efficiently for the kingdom of God! The scripture teach us that life is short.) And so out of our demands and hectic schedules we cannot forget God!
He must still be the priority of our life, David said As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Redeem the time... Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Days are evil, and if God isn't our priority and we aint spending time with him we will get caught up in the world and their ways!)
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
We cant just pray monthly or weekly, but we must daily. Study the scriptures!

Be in the house of God at every opportunity! Each service has eternal effects, eternal purpose! Forsaking not the gathering of yourselves together, as the custom of some is, but so much the more as you see that day approaching!! Heb 10:25 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.

Must be about the Father's business, Facebook aint our calling, our job aint our calling, certain things are a requirement and our responsibility but our calling is to be a witness to this world, to be a soul winner!! He that winneth souls is wise!!

We must encourage our young to spend time with and for God. Dont waste our time with what we call fun, and video games, and computers and tv, and all the distractions around today. Use your time to do something for God, read that Bible, pray, do something to affect someone's eternity in a positive way!!

Grace

2011-03-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

**Ephesians 2:8
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: "Many have confused themselves with the scriptures by trying to interpret the scripture with their opinion, rather than with the scriptures. Scripture must interpret scripture, we must rightly divide the word. Ephesians 2:8 is one such scripture that is often misquoted and misunderstood. Though some believe this scripture contradicts Acts 2:38, it does not; nor does it contradict John 3:3, and 3:5. So let's look at Ephesians 2:8, lets interpret it with scripture.
For by grace....
What is grace? Well first let's examine what grace is not..
Grace is not a license to sin..

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

So what is Grace?

Grace is the divine influence of God on the heart of men..

Grace teaches..Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

The grace of God is now to all men, but that doesn't mean that all will be saved. Though God is willing that none should perish, there will still be those that choose to disobey God! Another point to made here is that this is for "whosoever will", everyone has opportunity to be saved! But it's going to be by faith in the grace of God. God's grace has placed a man of God in your life to preach you the truth of God's word, that's grace. Now what do you do with the opportunity God has given you is your choice.

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. What id the grace of God do it gave Noah a plan of now to build a ark to save those that where willing to be saved. That takes us to faith..

By Faith
Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah didn't just say thanks Lord for the grace, now I think I will do this my way. No, Noah built the ark by the commandment of the Lord, that's faith. Faith requires us to trust God enough to obey him, sometimes even when we don't full understand.

Today the grace of God has come to us though his word, telling us that if we will repent of our sins, be baptized in his name that he will give us the Holy Ghost. (AND YOU WILL SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES) He afforded us the opportunity, grace has appeared unto you, what will you do? will you have faith?

There is so much more to write on this topic, hope this was an enjoyment to read! Praise God

** Note: Ephesians is written to the church at Ephesus, refer to Ephesians 1:1..to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. This epistle was written to the church, not to sinners!
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

-JC

REMISSON OF SINS

2011-03-12T07:28:00.001-08:00

Remission of Sins!

Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins

Blood for Remission(SHEDDING)

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Name for Remission(JESUS)

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Baptism for Remission

(APPLYING OF THE SHED BLOOD AND THE NAME)

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

BE BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS!!

1Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

1Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

2011-03-11T17:38:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Psalm 139:7-8 Whither shall I go from spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

God is ever scanning the earth. And sure he sees all the wicked and their ungodly deeds. And sure he sees us when we make mistakes and when we fall, and we understand that because of the conviction that we feel. But just as much as God sees the evil of men, he also has his eyes on those that fear him. And if we can feel that conviction when we do something wrong just like we should, then we need to remind ourselves that God is also taking account of all the times we witness, all the times we pray, when we tithe, when we fast!!

The devil has a way of working on us and bringing up all those things we have under the blood, and anytime we fall he tries to condeem us. But God!! We going make it! Keep walking after the spirit and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh!! AND REMEMBER GOD SEES YOU!! So be careful what you do and what you say,but remember God also sees you when you Pray, when you invite someone to church!! And he's a proud father at those moments, and the rest of the time thank him for his rebuke and reproof! He shows us his love at all times, just sometimes in a different way!! God bless!

Speak Encouragement, Turn a deaf ear to Negativity!

2011-03-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
    The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.
    When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" A frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
    This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue.(Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. )An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say.

    Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.
    Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
    Be special to others.

Pro 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

You never know how much a kind word can mean to an individual that may be on the brink of giving up, and giving in! Sometimes we must do as David did and encourage ourselves in the Lord. But not everyone is able to encourage themselves, not everyone is to that point. Our young people (literally children, and young in the Lord) need all the encouragement we can give them to make it. Our young people go to school were 99% of peers are NOT like them, they spend the majority of their time at school. while there they are being taught confusion. From evolution to the homosexual lifestyle, they are being taught contrary to the word of God. The school system, the teacher, the bus driver, the world, most of their peers aren't going to encourage them to live for God. So we must!! And young people you need to be one another's biggest supporters. They need to know that they are beautiful without the junk this world paints themselves up with. Without dressing as immodest as the world. It's the beauty of holiness!! And it aint optional. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Isa 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Everything in the world, the spirits of the world, the lust of the world, all are against the church and those trying to live right. More than ever we need to let each know that we can make it, that we can see it though. Remind somebody that God loves them and is for them. Find someone to share this gospel with, for truth is our only hope. God is our hope. Speak life. Speak positive, ignore the negative voices! WE NEED TO VALIDATE THAT WHICH IS RIGHT,AND ABHOR THAT WHICH IS AGAINST GOD!! MAKE HEROES OUT OF FAITHFUL MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD ,NOT OUT OF HOLLYWOOD!!

Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

So with whomever you have influence, encourage them to live for God!!Speak encouragement, don't let folks die in their pit. Help them out

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (DONT KICK A BROTHER WHILE THEY DOWN, HELP THEM UP!)

Our goal is to make heaven our home, to be children of God! WE must be baptized in his name and filled with his Spirit after repenting of our sins, encourage those around you to OBEY GOD, thats their only hope! WE can make!

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

You can make it!! And if you have fell then....

Mic 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

YOU CAN MAKE IT!!! ENCOUARE SOMEBODY!!

Church Intended: Love the World, Love not the World.

2011-02-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

Church Intended: Love the World, Love not the World.: "John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everla..."

Truth is Truth, God Preserved!!

2011-02-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

God is truth. His word is truth. No matter the changing trends and theologies of this world, truth still remains unscarred. Truth saves. Truth sets free. Truth remains. We must not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the leaven of false teachers. We must be bold with truth. Let it be said we are narrowed minded, if you have truth you have the right to be narrowed minded. Truth is truth, right is just right. Truth is not to watered down. Truth is not to be compromised, for then it would no longer be truth. Truth must be proclaimed. We can proclaim whatever we like to be truth as truth; if it is not truth that we heed to, its not to truth’s destruction, its to our own destruction. If we don’t apply the blood of Christ to our lives though water baptism in the only saving name Jesus, it doesn’t change the apostles message, it only dams us for failing to obey God. Truth is not complicated. Truth isn’t pliable. Truth remains. To love truth you must hate lies. Only when you are speaking in truth, are you speaking in love. He that causes afflictions by lies, hates the one he is lying to. (Proverbs 26:28) Truth cannot be alternated , and still be truth. Truth is God inspired. It’s God sent. Its also God preserved, eternally and divinely protected. We don’t have to come to truth’s defense, whether we believe or not, he abides faithful for he cannot deny himself. But with our human choice we must buy the truth, and at no price sell it!

Don’t be ashamed to believe in ONE God, named Jesus. Truth is he is ONE!

Don’t be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation. The death, burial, and resurrection. Truth is we must die to sin, be buried with him in Baptism in that only saving name, and filled with the Holy Ghost. That is truth!

If anyone should be intimidated it shouldn’t be truth believers, but rather those speaking contrariwise. We need not outside sources. We have the truth! Our doctrines must be established directly from the scripture, line upon line. We need not the wisdom of this world, we have truth! TRUTH!

-JC