Wondering about your salvation?

     I know in whom I have believed!  Jesus is my Lord, Savior, and everything!  Opps!  There is that absolute word "everything".  There are only two absolutes: life and death.  There are no other human absolutes.  Why is that?  We aren't perfect, definitely don't live in a perfect world and are NOT surrounded by perfect Christians much less those who are not saved.  That doesn't give any of us the freedom to sin.  So why do we?  There are several good answers to that question.  The first reason is fairly obvious; you aren't saved and don't know how dead you are.  The second reason is that we are a selfish people putting ourselves before everyone and sometimes that includes God.  The third reason is that the Christian church has taken, over the years, to making okay that which isn't.  The fourth reason is that we fool ourselves into thinking that we are getting away with our sin.  That brings us back full circle to the question:  "Wondering about your salvation?"  With these reasons before us, let's look at each one separately.
     The first reason is that you aren't saved and don't know how dead you are.  Theologians over the years have foolishly suggested that people can lose their salvation.  The Bible argues the opposite.  The Bible states that once we are saved we are always the Lords.  Not sometimes.  Always (absolute because God is the absolute word on everything).  When you "came to Jesus" the circumstances may have been as a child in a church.  You were schooled in being a believer and told someone that you were a believer.  Everyone thought that you were saved and maybe you did as well.  The age of accountability comes into play as we all come to the knowledge of right and wrong at a different age.  Some act like they never reached that age.  When we have the knowledge, opportunity to be in front of the truth and can understand we are sinful creation in need of a Savior, then the child or adult can give their lives to Jesus.  If you were baptized and think that saves you, you are not saved.  If you said the words but didn't understand the reality of the moment, you probably aren't saved.  If you don't want to live a Christian life, you probably aren't saved.  You may have a form of godliness but no essence.
     For years people have wrestled with definition of words.  One such word is "love".  The second reason is tied to this very subject as we are a selfish people.  Those who are living their lives as they think they can probably only love themselves.  To love means to live a selfless life.  Taking no thought of yourself having Jesus loving and living through you.  True selfless living means we see the will of God and not our own interpretation of what we think it might be.  If you are living a selfish life, you most likely have not been saved and transformed by the blood of Jesus.  Sounds harsh but it's what the Word says.
     The Christian church sends people to hell on a regular basis by their teaching "another gospel than Jesus gave us.  Just because the church legalizes sin, God has not.  Jesus tells us in the Word that we are to call no one on earth "Father" as there is only "one Father in heaven."  Jesus tells us to make a joyful noise (music) unto the Lord and yet their are churches that declare it sin to use instruments.  The Christian church lays out other theologies making sin okay and thus leads a lost people astray.  There is no wide road according to Jesus.  Narrow and straight is the path that leads to the Cross.  The many cults out in the world have made it clear that it's okay to add to and subtract from the Word of God.  In so doing, they have had their names erased from the book of life.
     When we continue to fool ourselves into thinking we can be fake Christians we are on a direct course for the entrance to hell.  Who do people think they are fooling.  Go back to the selfishness of man that prevents them from the humility of acknowledging the sinner they are.  Romans tells  us that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Still there are people who live like hell during the week and Sunday claim the status of a saint.  No one can have it both ways.  Either a man serves God (and the fruits show it) or they serve the world, Satan and all that is there to deceive us.
     The question is whether or not you have been saved by the Grace and Love of Jesus?  Well, have you?  Better make sure with God and live accordingly.  Don't take the chance of excuse after excuse.

Signs of the end of time.

     You are the sign of the end of time.  That's right, you the Christian believer are the sign of the end of time.  Mark 13 gives a pretty concise outline of the "signs of the end of time".  I'll give you a moment to read that chapter before we go on.  (elevator music)  So, you've read the 13th chapter of Mark.  Now you know what some of the signs of the end of time are.  You also know what your part in the end of time as a Christian are...or should be.  Thoughts, words and deeds have brought you thus far.  So, just by association, you are part of the reason the end of time is either put off or brought closer.  I don't think you need to alienate your family just yet but the day is coming when your faith in Jesus will do just that.  I don't think you need to pack a weapon and start a war is necessary but wars and rumors of wars will come.  I don't think you need to be concerned that the end of time will come, but rather what part you play in that process.  Whether you like it or not, believer and non-believer, YOU are a key part in the end of time.  YOU are the reason those "to the ends of the earth" do or don't hear the Gospel message and delay the end of time.  Don't like that?  Then do something about it instead of being a self serving unrepentant sinner.  Inaction is action.  Doing nothing is what the world likes for Christians to do.  Do nothing to upset their love of self and their sinful living.  YOU are called to be a particular people, chosen by God and set apart for the Gospel's message of saving grace that the world needs.
     Why does Jesus tell us about children and parents turning on each other?  What significance is there in the rupturing of relationships?  In 1962 the federal government threw God out of the schools.  Was that the tipping point?  No, it wasn't.  In subsequent years parents were subject to the schools liberal stance taking us to socialism and the decision that parents didn't have the right to discipline their children in any means except what the government deemed acceptable.  Was that the tipping point?  No, it wasn't.  Was it when society deemed it okay for a school counselor/nurse to take over parenting in the case of sexual activity up to and including abortion without parental involvement or consent?  No, it wasn't.  It wasn't when the CHILDREN were urged to switch sexual identities, allowed to select their own gender specific names or when they were given power to bring child protective services down on their parents.  So, when did this begin?  When YOU stopped being a parent, stopped teaching morals, stopped expecting respect, stopped letting God tell you what to do and started to believe the state or federal government knew how to be a better parent.  So the parents both went to work, the kids became latch key kids, and the family disintegrated.  That began when Adam and Eve decided that the way  Satan presented was better for them than God.  Is any of this sounding familiar?  Does anyone care to be honest and begin to adore God, confess your sin, be thankful for Him and ask him what he wants you to do?
     It's no longer pretending.  It's a lifestyle that was talked about centuries ago that has come to be.  Christians have given away what was life through Jesus Christ.  The work of a loving God to save a lost people doesn't seem to matter as everyone does his or her own thing.  It's become  the norm when it should be addressed as sin by the people for the people and of the people.  I'm not saying that you coalesce to the demands of the world.  Nor am I saying that you become an anarchist.  I'm saying that you and I need to stand up, be Christian and bring the Word to those who have no relationship with Jesus.  This shouldn't be that hard, but the cares of the world have weighed so heavily on the Christian (by their permission) that they have become ineffective.  With some Christians you may not even know they are Christian as they resemble the world more than Christ.  Maybe they aren't Christian?  Maybe you aren't Christian.  The Christian Jesus envisioned is one who has surrendered their life so that Jesus can live through them without thought of the cost.  Should one be so in love with God that Jesus lives through them, there is no cost to living for God.  That's the sign of the end of time.  Read Mark 13 again.

Go ahead run the red light!

     Red lights are understood differently in different parts of the world.  In the Netherlands and some select other countries the "red light" is in reference to a socially accepted prostitution area.  Red lights on planes and boats mean one thing while the railroad has their own use of red lights.  I can remember playing "Red light, Green Light" as a kid.  Entertainment was the goal but there was a valuable lesson to be learned for down the road when I obtained a drivers license.  Today I still stop for red lights but not usually yellow.  I don't have to stop for green lights at all.  With society today the red light is interpreted however it most benefits the user of the term.  Christians are no different.  Red light for murder.  Green light for smoking outside the door.  Red light for swearing unless you are at work or out with friends.  Red light for most Christians means someone else has to turn on the green light before Christians share their faith.  The Red Light of the Old Testament was found in the laws that mostly came from people wanting greenlights.  The Israelites were given the green light to give their wives a letter of divorce and send them away.  This became such a bonus for men that they could send their wives away if they didn't give them coffee (today in that same area).  Wow!  Just what did Jesus say about Red Lights?  He said, "Go ahead and run the red light."
     Wait a minute.  Did he really say that?  Not at all.  Jesus did come (according to Matthew) to fulfill the law.  Just what does that mean?  He made the law null and void because he fulfilled the requirements of the law through his birth, life, death and resurrection for us.  As Paul said, all things are permissible but not all things are right.  He was also confronted on a roof by the greatest buffet of all time and God telling him to eat all things created by him.  The red light was dead.  So, how does this affect the Christian?  For the who is running his life the legalism still is at work keeping them subject to the law.  For the Christian who has chosen to have Jesus live through them there is no law except the law of love.  Wow, that was simple!  The only light that exists for the Christian who's life is dead and Jesus is alive in them is the green light of love.  There are no red lights for Jesus and if he's living through you, you don't have red lights either.  The tricky part is whether you have a daily ACTS relationship with the father.  Worry means you don't.  Guilt means you don't.  Internal conflict means you don't.  Focus on anything other than Jesus means you don't.  Get the picture?  So, what is it going to be?  Are you going with the green light or keeping the red light?
     Yes, you still have to obey the traffic signals as you are in the world but not of the world.  But why don't you obey the great commission?  Why is it that you engage the rules of pagans but not the rules of God.  For he/she who loves is love from the Father.  Your submission to Jesus living in you brings you to the that point where it's better to obey God than man.  Your green light is backed up by the Holy Spirit and the Father as well as Jesus.  Why?  Because you are living a green light life you were created to live.  If you can't let Christ live through you than you should just be honest and say that you don't love Jesus or your salvation enough to give up the world.  You are serving yourself and Jesus is not living through you regardless of what you think, say and do.  If your motive is maintain control of your world, then suffer the consequences.  Go ahead and run the red light of life.  You won't be honoring Jesus but then that's what todays socialized religion is teaching about God.  It's not the truth but it's what itching ears want to hear.  Seeking to find a place where they don't have to be accountable for their sin, the Christian simply feels no allegiance to God or the Word.  Is that the life you want to live?

Signs of the end of time.

     You are the sign of the end of time.  That's right, you the Christian believer are the sign of the end of time.  Mark 13 gives a pretty concise outline of the "signs of the end of time".  I'll give you a moment to read that chapter before we go on.  (elevator music)  So, you've read the 13th chapter of Mark.  Now you know what some of the signs of the end of time are.  You also know what your part in the end of time as a Christian are...or should be.  Thoughts, words and deeds have brought you thus far.  So, just by association, you are part of the reason the end of time is either put off or brought closer.  I don't think you need to alienate your family just yet but the day is coming when your faith in Jesus will do just that.  I don't think you need to pack a weapon and start a war is necessary but wars and rumors of wars will come.  I don't think you need to be concerned that the end of time will come, but rather what part you play in that process.  Whether you like it or not, believer and non-believer, YOU are a key part in the end of time.  YOU are the reason those "to the ends of the earth" do or don't hear the Gospel message and delay the end of time.  Don't like that?  Then do something about it instead of being a self serving unrepentant sinner.  Inaction is action.  Doing nothing is what the world likes for Christians to do.  Do nothing to upset their love of self and their sinful living.  YOU are called to be a particular people, chosen by God and set apart for the Gospel's message of saving grace that the world needs.
     Why does Jesus tell us about children and parents turning on each other?  What significance is there in the rupturing of relationships?  In 1962 the federal government threw God out of the schools.  Was that the tipping point?  No, it wasn't.  In subsequent years parents were subject to the schools liberal stance taking us to socialism and the decision that parents didn't have the right to discipline their children in any means except what the government deemed acceptable.  Was that the tipping point?  No, it wasn't.  Was it when society deemed it okay for a school counselor/nurse to take over parenting in the case of sexual activity up to and including abortion without parental involvement or consent?  No, it wasn't.  It wasn't when the CHILDREN were urged to switch sexual identities, allowed to select their own gender specific names or when they were given power to bring child protective services down on their parents.  So, when did this begin?  When YOU stopped being a parent, stopped teaching morals, stopped expecting respect, stopped letting God tell you what to do and started to believe the state or federal government knew how to be a better parent.  So the parents both went to work, the kids became latch key kids, and the family disintegrated.  That began when Adam and Eve decided that the way  Satan presented was better for them than God.  Is any of this sounding familiar?  Does anyone care to be honest and begin to adore God, confess your sin, be thankful for Him and ask him what he wants you to do?
     It's no longer pretending.  It's a lifestyle that was talked about centuries ago that has come to be.  Christians have given away what was life through Jesus Christ.  The work of a loving God to save a lost people doesn't seem to matter as everyone does his or her own thing.  It's become  the norm when it should be addressed as sin by the people for the people and of the people.  I'm not saying that you coalesce to the demands of the world.  Nor am I saying that you become an anarchist.  I'm saying that you and I need to stand up, be Christian and bring the Word to those who have no relationship with Jesus.  This shouldn't be that hard, but the cares of the world have weighed so heavily on the Christian (by their permission) that they have become ineffective.  With some Christians you may not even know they are Christian as they resemble the world more than Christ.  Maybe they aren't Christian?  Maybe you aren't Christian.  The Christian Jesus envisioned is one who has surrendered their life so that Jesus can live through them without thought of the cost.  Should one be so in love with God that Jesus lives through them, there is no cost to living for God.  That's the sign of the end of time.  Read Mark 13 again.

Glimpses of the end of time.

     Time began when Adam and Eve sinned and were kicked out of the garden.  Before that event time didn't exist.  Estimates of time before the fall are just that, estimates.  Time will again cease to exist in the future.  When the end comes, time will once again be obsolete and unnecessary.  During this time of worldly existence we are challenged to "make the most of our time."  The world has plenty of events and preoccupations to keep people busy.  But, for what?  The Bible is clear that this "world" is Satan's domain.  Our, the Christian, home is in heaven and because we've been brought to life from our dead worldly existence, we have no time limits.  We will live forever in the presence of God. For the saved there is no longer any constraint of time.  When our earthly bodies die, we are immediately in the presence of God.  We remain alive because time has ceased to exist the day we let Jesus live through us.  Time isn't something that constrains as the world sees time.  The world is so ordered and scheduled that most of peoples lives are taken up by time related things.  But, the Christian, while existing in the world, is also involved in time related work, play, and worship, is not solely focused on time.  Or at least shouldn't be.  Some of the time related issues in our lives program us to "not have the time"  to do what we are asked by Jesus to do.  Time, then, gets in the way of Jesus working through you and I.  Why?  Because we have chosen to exist in earthly time instead of living in eternal time.  With God there is no beginning and no end.  When we are alive in Christ, there is no end of time.
     Jesus was irritated with those of the religious mind while he was on earth.  They wanted a sign that would show him to be God.  Many Christians still do this.  Unbelievers also have this expectation as a means of defensive living amongst the Christian witness.  But, the Christian, has no reason to seek a sign as they should not be ignoring Jesus who lives through them.  To the Christian, according to the Bible, the past shouldn't order our lives even as the future shouldn't be counted on. Jesus through us asks us to be present in today.  Do his great commission today.  This isn't something we can schedule.  Nor is the great commission something we can ignore.  Living in the present is the only "time" we have to bring the Word of God to a lost and hurting world.  While it would be nice to wait for Sunday, many will perish before Sunday.  The same goes for any other scheduled ministry time.  Christians have been persecuted for living their faith.  There is no persecution for those who have a worldly mind.  Relinquishing their faith for the approval of mankind isn't something we ought to be doing.  When we obey the laws of the world we cannot serve the love of Jesus.  Not talking about Jesus at work because there is a rule about that kind of thing?  Not bringing up Jesus because it's offensive to the pagans?  Peter told the religious authorities that he needed to obey a higher authority and speak the Word (Jesus) despite man ordering them to no longer speak the name of Jesus.  Sound familiar?  It's a sign of the end of time.
     The saying goes: "He/she are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good." is true as well.  Somewhere in the "time" we are on earth we need to have balance.  Yes, we need to look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus.  Yes, we need to look forward to no more persecution.  Yes, we need to look forward to living in the peace and love of the Father in heaven.  No, we don't need  to do this so much that we are distracted from making disciples of all man.  Time for church?  Nope.  Time for prayer?  Nope.  Time for turning off your faith?  Nope.  There is no time for the believer.  Time has ceased to exist when you turned your life over to Jesus.  Church, prayer, faith are no longer constrained by time.  Time has ceased to exist and in it's place there is "NOW".  The time for salvation is "NOW".  Being in an attitude of worship, prayer, witness, and anything else Jesus wants to do through us is no longer constrained in our lives and like Paul said, "we are ready in season and out to give a reason for the hope that is within us."  If you truly believe this then live it.  If you believe, you no longer are constrained.  Time has, for the believer, ended.

It's not "better late than never"!

     Still don't have your attention, do I?  What are you waiting for?  There is an urgency to what God wants to do through you!  Putting things off until "tomorrow" isn't a good policy.  I'd like to pacify you with your not having done anything.  But, of course, I won't.  Neither will God.  It's not okay for you to sit back and do nothing and yet call yourself Christian.  You sit back, go to your games, party with your friends, and play your video games and haven't even said a word about your faith.  The only place where you can say "its better late than never" is in hell where your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and enemies are going to live eternally.  Still think that way?  It's because of Christians lack of discipline that they don't think, say and do what Jesus wants done.  It's because of Christians who don't care that the needs of the blind, elderly, orphans and others aren't being taken care of while those "Christians" sit in their homes, drive their cars and eat their food all the time bemoaning the fate of the less fortunate.  Better late than never?  I don't think so.  Jesus said, "As you have done to others you have done to me."  Do you tithe your 10%?  Not good.  The Bible says that we and everything we belong to the Lord even as we do.  Give 100% or at least make it available for His use when he wants and needs to use it.  Give away and you will be surprised as He takes care of our needs so we don't need to hoard to take care of ourselves.  Matthew tells us that  we should take No thought for tomorrow."  None.  It's not "better late than never."
     "I will wait for the right time, age and place to tell my children about Jesus."  Really?  When will that happen?  When will the time, age and place be better than now?  The Bible says that NOW is the day of salvation.  Not tomorrow, not next week, and we fool ourselves to think that way.  Being alive physically is a privilege and not a right.  Many are denied longevity and die early.  Everyone is included regardless of age or situation.  People can't buy their way into heaven.  Neither can good works do that job.  Only by dying to self and being alive with Jesus living through you are you able to step into heaven.  There is no short cut.  You can't "wait until the  last moment"  Should you do so, it may be too late.  After a worldly death there is no longer the option of "better late than never."  It's over.  There is no purgatory where you can exercise your choice to accept Jesus.  Sorry Catholics, it doesn't work that way.  You who listen to pastors who preach anything other than the Word of God and use their "wisdom" are led astray and you need to wonder if you are really saved.  Are you?  The Bible says that if anyone adds to or subtracts from the Holy Scripture their names will be removed from the book of life.  Mormons, are you listening?  Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, and other cults; are you listening?
     Here is the kicker.  ANYONE who teaches others to do the same are better off if you were thrown in the ocean with a weight tied to your neck.  That's what the Bible says.  Do you believe it?  Then stop worshipping Satan when you worship Halloween, Santa Clause at Christmas, the Easter Bunny during Easter, and other Satan inspired distractions taking your attention off Jesus.  Stop it!  Teaching your children to do likewise is telling them it's okay to worship Satan and to lie to their children.  Do you want to be asked about this when you stand before the Father?  Do you want to stand there and watch that child you failed to tell about Jesus walk into the lake of fire?  As they look back and ask you "Why?" what are you going to tell them?  "It's better late than never."  Right.

Taking things out of context.

     You have probably taken things out of context for whatever reason.  Use of clichés seem to be only one way of doing so.  Paraphrasing is okay but don't forget to keep things said in context.  Then of course there are "old wives tales" and the local gossip chatter "in order to better pray for you."  Preachers from all denominations take "license" to mean they can use Scripture for whatever they want without the accountability they would give you for doing the same.  "Snippets" of truth in the midst of lies is just another way of taking things out of context.  We come to think taking things out of context is just another walk in the park no harm, no foul.  Authors are continually being accused of plagiarism from other's works.  Yet, the Scripture stands alone in the field of integrity.  Why is that?  Because it's God breathed and the infallible Word of God.  Where the church and Christians use the Word for their advantage, God uses his Word (Jesus) to save souls from hell.  Which do you participate in doing?  Do you read the verses before and after the one you are quoting?  There might be a bit of taking out of context if you don't.  Knowing the whole story is key both to interpret and to application of Scripture.  Many a life has been ruined by the small thing which was misinterpreted to be a big thing.  Accusations by the enemy is bad enough but for the believer in Christ to do the same is simply sin.  I'd like to think the well intentioned Christians who do this had gone to prayer before they engaged this action.  But, they don't.
     Fear dominates the need for taking things out of context.  We are fearful of what people think, what they may find out and how they will pass this onto others.  We are fearful of men when we need to be fearful of God.  People don't like being called out on their sin  by others.  They will do almost anything to avoid this happening.  Heaven forbid they run into a real Christian who has heard God and relates that message to you.  Remember the husband and wife in the Book of Acts who came back to the disciples and lied in order to retain some of what they had given to God?  They both died and were carried out of the presence of the disciples and God.  Taking things out of context is nothing more and nothing less than lying.  Manipulation at it's best.  Satan loves this to happen to and amongst Christians as it breaks down their integrity.  If the integrity is gone so is the witness.  This leaves the witness of the Christian church (true believers) with very little, if any, validity in bringing the Gospel to others.  We need only look at the last century to see all those in church leadership who have  fallen.  Have you fallen?  You are only one step away from being back in good graces with God.  He waits for you to adore, confess, thank and supplicate with him.  The Bible tells us that when we confess and repent he throws our sins as far from us as East is to West.  He didn't say North to South because both have a beginning and an end.  He also says he throws our sins in the sea of forgetfulness.  What a great image!  Why does he do this?
     He does this so that you and I can return to that place where Jesus is living through us bringing salvation to others.  There are some keys to combating the taking things out of context.  First, read your Bible every day and meditate on the Word all your waking hours.  Second, don't succumb to someone quoting Scripture if you don't know that to be a Scripture in the first place.  Ask the person to show you the Biblical proof.  Next, understand what the Bible really teaches.  Don't take the alleged knowledge of those who claim to have studied this or that topic.  Learn from the Holy Spirit what the Word has to say.  Speak the Word with the authority it's been given by the Father.  If you practice ACTS on an ongoing basis the Holy Spirit will put within you that sensor that will tell you if people are correctly interpreting the Word of God.  Again, James 4:17 tells us that if we know what is right to do and don't do it, we sin.  Don't misuse the Scripture.  That's called manipulation.  The Scripture tells us to "try the spirits" to determine if the message is from God or not.  If the Holy Spirit tells you something is wrong, beware.  We all have the opportunity to attain a life that doesn't take things out of context.  What are you going to do?

What does the voice of God sound like?

     Have you ever heard the voice of God?  Perhaps you have and didn't know that's what you were hearing.  The voice of God has been heard by many.  There are requirements for hearing the voice of God.  Silence.  If you are talking, have any other distractions going or are not in that space where the voice of God can be heard; you won't hear him.  Sometimes we don't hear because we don't believe that he speaks to his people anymore.  Maybe you are involved in a church where this voice of God is ridiculed and "not for today."  There are so many things that keep us from hearing the voice of God.  The most important is that we don't spend enough time with God to actually hear his voice.  For ages people have opened the Bible and blindly pointed our a Scripture as what God is saying to them.  "Judas went out and hanged himself." isn't one of them.  Others have alleged prophets who speak the "Word of the Lord" but is it really?  While there is supposed to be order in worship, it's God's order that really matters.  People go up to other people and say, "The Lord told me to tell you such and such."  Trust me, if they have to say "The Lord told me..." it isn't likely to be from God.  Busy bodies have used this tactic since the beginning of time.  So, when and how do you hear the word of God.  It's first between you and God.  Bringing yourself to the throne of God through ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication) is the first step.  Meditating on the word daily brings us closer to the loving Father.  Knowing that we can sit quietly before God and he will direct our ways is brought about when we have the presence and attitude where God can and will speak to us.
     We are in a hurry in our lives and barely take time to say grace if we do at all.  We live lives where we take time for everything but God.  We don't teach our children and we don't teach our families how to pray much less how to hear the voice of God.  Is it because of fear?  What would we do if we actually did hear the voice of God.  It's there in the Holy Scripture.  It's in the songs of worship and its there when we honor God in all that we think, do and say.  Being busy is just an excuse.  Being on a schedule is just an excuse.  We make time for what is important to us.  We're supposed to make Jesus the only important part of our lives.  When we do that we begin to understand that his voice is what's important and not the voice of the world.  We live in a society where we are battered on every side by selfishness and greediness.  I'm not just talking about money.  There are machines that captivate our minds called TV, Radio, Telephone, Cell phone, games and so many other things.  We take time to gossip about whatever we have heard but take no thought about how hated that is by God.  Living like this isn't pleasing to God.
     The voice of God isn't foreign.  He speaks of to us in the quietness of our hearts, warns or teaches us in our dreams, encourages us through those who have Jesus living through them.  Sometimes he talks to us in an audible voice.  Not from a stranger nearby or someone on the street.  It's a voice intended for you alone.  You hear his voice and either listen or dismiss what he has to say.  If you have Jesus living through you, you listen to the voice knowing that it's him!  You are having time with your Father.  He knows your heart and longs for fellowship with you.  Not on Sunday but every day.  When you are walking as Jesus wants you to walk you are continually in a position where ACTS are active in every moment in your life.  Guess what!?  When you are in this position God takes care of your needs so you needn't have that distraction.  No worry.  You are in his hands.  What are you waiting for?  Get before God ad be blessed!

Sometimes you need to be the bad guy/gal.

     No one likes to be the bearer of bad news.  Shuffling off the responsibility of telling the truth to anyone can make them the bearer of bad news and not you.  So, you sit on your butt and don't say a word.  You may nod in understanding or even smile to show your support.  However, knocking on someone's door to tell them bad news is often left undone or done poorly by someone else.  I'm not necessarily talking about death notifications; though they do fall into the category.  You see your neighbors son or daughter out doing or saying something that's clearly wrong and you don't say a word.  You say, heard, and are thus complicit in their choice.  You and I are our brother's and sister's keeper.  It says so in the Bible.  The Bible is the infallible word of God.  As such, it's the authority and not you or someone you consult with.  "It's none of my business." you say.  Wrong.  "It's someone else's job." you say.  Wrong.  If you belong to the Lord and are no longer in the captain's chair, then Jesus is and he's living through you.  Just what would Jesus do?  He wouldn't tell anyone it's someone else's job. The Good News is your responsibility.  YOUR responsibility.  What you do with that responsibility determines who is in control of your life.
     James talks about the tongue and it's wild nature when not under the control and direction of the Holy Spirit.  The power of the tongue has been exercised more times in negative manners by Christians than in positive examples.  Thinking is a trap for the Christian.  Paul exhorts us to be ready, to be poised to bring the Good News and give account of the hope that is within us at ALL times.  There is NO cost to count when we have Jesus living through us.  There is NO negative consequences we need to be mindful of when we have Jesus living through us.  Paul told us that he counts it all joy suffering for the Lord by bringing the Good News to others.  The disciples all gave the Good News to those they came in contact with.  Sometimes that act sealed their deaths.  Let me ask you, would you rather give the Good News to someone and die or deny Christ?  The great commission is for the believers to go to all the world and to make disciples of all mankind.  Pretty simple; don't you think.
     How about deciding to follow Jesus and tell others about ACTS?  Maybe explain why it's important to adore God followed by showing what real confession means to the Father.  Then act out thankfulness in all aspects of your life.  You can in great confidence then approach the throne of God and make your needs known.  What if your spouses, children, neighbors, and others were to see that you had this relationship?  What if they repented of their sin and gave their lives to Jesus?  What if they did this with others in their lives?  What if this continued on till the end of time.  If you won't do the job then perhaps you are the problem.  Yes, some will see you as a bad person for "making me feel guilty."  Sometimes you will be the good person for opening a door they had thought was shut.  Regardless, you need to do something.

Praying you aren't dead.

     Born dead and living a dead life with a dead world isn't the nicest picture.  Imagine if you took this theme and actually inserted the title: "World of the Walking Dead."  That would be the picture showing the reality of the unsaved.  Walking dead.  They go about their day and nights thinking that they are alive; but they aren't.  They think that there will always be time to get right with God; but there isn't for many.  Growing old is a privilege and not a right.  Many are cut short in their lives and are lost forever.  Anyone who doesn't know the Son, doesn't know life.  I'm sorry to have to say this but I'm talking about many who claim to be Christian as well.  Churches with pastors and parishioners alike are walking dead.  But, you say, what about the things they do and say in the name of God?  If they don't know Jesus, they aren't saved from their lives as the walking dead.  But, you say, isn't that cruel of God to exclude those who do good?  The Bible tells us that there is no one good who is part of the walking dead.  "Would a loving God send someone to hell?"  No, he wouldn't.  But the walking dead would choose that over life eternal in heaven.  That's the deal about free will.  You choose whether you want to be in heaven or in hell.  The consequences of remaining an unsaved person is spending eternity in hell.
     Think about this.  You have a wife and kids, a church, and coworkers who are in your circle along with friends and other relatives.  You know that Jesus is your Savior.  You choose to not tell others about Jesus.  The consequences of your choice is they might never know and spend eternity in hell.  Think about this. You, not wanting to offend anyone, don't tell your child they need Jesus to become alive.  You, not wanting to offend anyone, don't tell your spouse, friends, coworkers and others that they need Jesus to be alive.  Your choice.  Obviously, first of all, you have chosen to not have Jesus living through you as He wishes.  Your life becomes more important than His life in you.  And because of this people perish.  Maybe you child, relative, friend or others.  But they perish because you didn't have Jesus living out your life.  You haven't spent time with Jesus to know what is important to him.  You haven't read the Word or you don't believe the Word.  The consequences of sin is death.  James 4:17 says: "If you know what is right to do and don't do it, you sin."  Pretty simple even for me.
     But we don't want to rain on anyone's parade.  Pastors spend their time on making sure the money comes in and that the membership (giving units) seals that arrangement.  Meanwhile, the people perish.  The Bible says that "without a vision, the people perish".  Vision of what?  Vision of Jesus living through you!  If you aren't the light to the world, you have to question if you really want to serve Jesus.  Thinking someone else will do it doesn't justify your inactivity.  YOU and I are the Word to the world.  If people can't see Jesus in us, then who will they see him through?  It's the last days.  We don't know the hour he will return.  We do know that he will return to take his own home with him.  Imagine both sides of the equation, living and dead, and what will be the response when those who have Jesus living in them disappear.  In the twinkling of an eye (1/10th of a Nano second) we will be taken.  Disappear!  Christians on earth will be gone.  Those who thought they knew him will be surprised but now know that what was spoken and written by God was and is true.  The question is whether or not you are ready at any moment to disappear?  I'm praying you aren't dead.

The enemy attacks! What do you do?

     Nothing.  It's that simple.  Nothing.  Why would that be?  If you are in the presence of a loving and caring God, you are protected by the host of heaven.  The Bible says that the Lord and his army are waging war continually to protect you and to preserve you.  Nothing in the world can do this.  No religion can deliver this kind of love.  The God of love is the only source by which Satan and his demons can be put to flight.  In the name of Jesus!  Greater is he who is within you than who is in the world.  Don't get me wrong, persecution and attacks will come.  Those who don't feel this attack are simply not doing anything to threaten the world.  Those who are doing something for God are going to be persecuted, attacked and even killed for the Lord they serve.  Should you take the commission of Jesus seriously and are out making disciples of all mankind, you also have the knowledge of the Lord of heaven going before you, hedging you about with angels and fighting the evil one.  It's pretty simple.  You adore God.  You confess to God.  You thank God.  You ask God.  Because you do this you are no longer walking the way of the world because Jesus is walking through  you.  It is he who tells you what to say, provides insight into the worlds sinful ways and brings victory for the Father through your subdued life.
     You're a moving target and everyone else has the weapons.  According to the Bible we are told that there will be betrayal of parent by child and child by parent.  Friends and family as well as enemies will do whatever they can to derail you from being Jesus to their world.  Your very presence will bring up the anger that sweeps them along in the world's ways.  BUT!  The Bible says that greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world.  Contingent on Jesus living through you.  Jesus' living through you is contingent on your surrendering your total being so that it's Jesus who is living in and through you.  It's Jesus that people rail against.  Even in alleged Christian churches and groups there is a lack of protection because people would rather serve the world over surrendering to Jesus.  What would happen in your family, your church, your neighborhood if Christians stepped aside and gave way to Jesus living through them, their lives dedicated to His good and not the worlds, and stood strong with their faith the light of the world?  Your world and the world around you would change.  There would be no choice.  The Love of God triumphs over every obstacle the father of lies can throw at you.  There is nothing new the evil one can throw at you that hasn't been thrown at the righteous of the past.
     So what if the enemy attacks...you know that you must be doing something for God to take this abuse.  We don't need to go looking for trouble.  We only need to let Jesus live through us.  The world is opposed to Jesus more today and will only get worse.  There is no hope for the world.  The final chapter has been written and we will be forever part of the Kingdom or an enemy of the Kingdom.  Woe to those who have knowledge of the Lord and have trampled it in the dirt.  Woe to those who haven't shared Jesus where and when they could.  We spend time deciphering the difference between what we believe and why we believe instead of dedicating ourselves to the only Jesus that means anything.  What matters most isn't what color to paint the bathroom in the basement of the church.  What matters most isn't knowing the statistics of your favorite sports team or the words to the latest worldly song.  Yet, our children don't know the Bible.  Most Christians are luck if they can quote just one or two verses of the Bible.  How are we supposed to share what we have if we don't know what we have?  The word of God is a mighty sword able to sever us from the world.

Just what are you expecting?

     People didn't expect John the Baptist as he came out of the wilderness preaching repentance and baptism.  Why?  Because they were only looking for what the religious fakes had to present to the people.  Same stuff everyday.  "Notice me how holy I am.  I dress in the best of dress, pray in public and make great showing of giving in front of people."  Nice but it won't get you into heaven.  But that was what the people had come to expect.  Fast forward to today.  The expectations are much the same.  People don't expect effective Christians.  People are used to the complacency and lack of caring from those who call themselves followers of Jesus.  It's uncomfortable to be noticed as different much less not the status quo.  Expecting the same thing day after day, Sunday after Sunday, holiday after holiday.  What a boring and mundane existence!  Should you actually belong to Jesus and should you actually believe the Bible and should you actually let Jesus live through you this won't happen...ever.  Jesus lived his life on earth being different, unusual, controversial and confrontive.  He was the exception to every rule of the day.  Granted he is God.  He can do what he pleases.  Except...live through you.  Don't get me wrong; he wants to and has made the way to do so.  However, so few "Christians" actually love Jesus enough to die to self.
     Just what are you expecting God to be through you?  People notice when your life reflects a "not of this world" attitude.  The cares and worries of the world keep so many entrapped that there is no freedom to be what Jesus wants to be through us.  Keeping an inoffensive life in place is so dominant that there is no time left to be the discomfort others feel.  You and I are called to be set apart from the world.  To be in the world but not of it.  Conformity to the worlds expectations is simply not an option for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication are the door to Jesus living through you.  Once you decide to follow Jesus there should be no turning back, no complacency, no status quo.  What's keeping you from being a blazing fire instead of a snuffed out candle?  Just what is it going to take for you to surrender to Jesus?  Side note:  In heaven you will stand before God and be judged by your life on earth.  What you did and did not think, say and do will be put before you.  An accounting will be required of you.  "I don't know?" like some 13 year old just won't cut it.  Will there be a "great cloud of witnesses" to attest on your behalf?  How many people will be saved because you have Jesus living through you?  Maybe you don't care.  Jesus does.  He died so that others could have salvation and know him through his presentation through you.
     Just what were you expecting when someone first entered into your life to tell you about Jesus? The world has conditioned the unbeliever to be defensive and even aggressively defensive toward Jesus through you.  Do you really want to hear those who didn't choose Jesus to say to you, "Why didn't you tell me?"  Like Lazarus and the rich man, after those you didn't tell die there will not be a second chance like so many teach.  That's a lie straight from the pit of hell.  Sons, daughters, spouses, friends and even our enemies will be asking that question.  "Why didn't you tell me about Jesus?"  Well, why didn't you?  Perhaps you were living the expected life of those in the world.  Perhaps you were so involved in TV, sports, drinking, drugs, infidelity, and other joys of the world to bother really living the life Jesus wanted to live through you.  Just what are you expecting Jesus to be through you?  If you contend that you want to play life save, so be it.  You miss the peace that passes understanding, you miss the "well done thou good and faithful servant", you miss the glory of someone knowing Jesus and eternal life.  All because others have come to expect nothing from you who think, say and do nothing.  Why don't you love the lost?

Let's be noticed!

     It sickens me that people bow down to peer pressure to not offend anyone.  John the Baptist came from the wilderness wearing offensive clothing and eating locusts and honey.  Yet, people flocked to see him, confess their sins, and to hear the good news.  Many became his disciples which John in turn sent to Jesus.  Telling a Christian that they need to tolerate other beliefs is a challenge to war for a very few.  Unfortunately, the Christian world has been in the habit of compromising their faith so long that it's the rule rather than the exception.  People, WHAT are you doing?!  Christian, WHAT are you doing?!  For the sake of those perishing, go out and be offensive!  Placating those around you isn't found in the Bible.  Tolerating isn't found in the Bible.  There is no reference anywhere in the Bible that tells us to be accepting of others beliefs!  NONE!  The Bible does tell us to be unwavering with our faith.  The Bible tells us to speak boldly the message of salvation found only through Jesus.  The Bible tells us to be a light on a hill and not under a basket!  The assignment you, if you know Jesus, is to go into all the world and heal the sick, deliver the demon possessed, and to preach the Gospel so that all may be saved.  That's what the Bible says.  So, let's be noticed.  Let's scare the hell out of them!
     Just what are you doing with the free gift of salvation that God has so mercifully given to you.  Are you putting the gift into a safe place or are you sharing the gift to everyone you meet?  If you aren't talking to people about Jesus daily, you aren't giving people anything.  What good is your message if no one hears it?  Stop rationalizing and justifying why you are sinning against Jesus by not being a Christian to others.  Stop the lying you are doing when you say that it's not your job.  Stop the excuses!  YOU are the reason others are not hearing the Gospel and are heading straight to hell.  YOU are the stumbling block.  YOU are the problem!  YOU don't pray. YOU don't adore Jesus.  YOU don't confess your sins.  YOU aren't thankful.  YOU aren't asking what God wants in your life.  If I know this do you really think that God isn't aware of what YOU think, do or say?  In order for the Gospel to be noticed people need to know Jesus through you.  If you don't have Jesus living through you then you aren't a Christian.  You are a fake and they will know it.  If you don't have persecution in your life you aren't doing anything for Jesus.  Satan doesn't bother with those who are working for him under the guise of being a Christian.
     Should you begin to take Jesus seriously and understand your life isn't yours, maybe people will see that there is something different about you and ask you what that is?!  Novel concept!  The Bible warns us that we need to be separate from the world.  Be in the world but not of the world.  How will the world know about Jesus if we spend our time being the world to others rather than Jesus?  Be Jesus to the world!  No excuses and no compromise.  Don't join in with the world as they celebrate Santa Claus and commercialism.  Don't join in with the world as they celebrate that demonic holiday of Halloween.  Don't tell you kids lies like the tooth fairy.  Who are we kidding?  All we do when we engage the latter is tell our kids and others that it's okay to lie!  Satan is the father of lies.  You participate in the lies he tells to the world and you are serving him rather than Jesus.  Don't like that?  Get right with God.  While many Christians go to Easter Egg hunts at churches where the children get the hunt and adults buy their specialty drinks and watch, Satan is wandering amongst you and your children with no one to stop him.  Even the pastors and other leaders are doing the work of Satan when they don't do the work of Jesus.  Many pastors think they are saved when all they have is a form of godliness that isn't of God.
     You say, "But I love Jesus."  Then begin to act like it.  Let God check out your heart as you spend time in private adoring him, confessing to him, thanking him and then asking him what he would like prayed about.  Maybe you might just become pleasing to God rather than man.  There are many churches I don't want to be associated with because they don't love Jesus.  The message is all about the world and not about Jesus.  There are many people who call them Christian that the same applies.  Be careful with what you think, say and do because people and Satan are watching.  Be noticed by Jesus living through you with no apologies!  Get the Gospel in you noticed.  Now!

You aren't done and have only begun

     I reflected on my birthday today and wondered why we celebrate a time when we were dead in this dead world?  October 1, 1971 is my birthday.  It's the day and hours God became real to me and began to reside inside me blessing me beyond belief!  I won't forget that day when He cleansed me from ALL of my sin and then chose to forget that sin!  Can you believe it?!  Maybe he's done that for you as well.  I hope so.  If not, now is the day of salvation.  Should you have read the previous 4 entries regarding ACTS you may have decided to take your faith seriously.  I certainly hope so as Jesus in you can bring the Gospel to those around you.  You aren't done and have only begun.  A majority of Christians think they are done when they have accepted Christ.  That's a lie.  Many Christians think they don't need to do anything because that's "what pastors are for."  That's a lie.  The bulk of Christians sit back knowing Jesus and not caring that the world is going to hell.  That's on them.  If your life doesn't have Jesus living in it; you are just as good as dead.  Your faith is in vain and you have returned to your forgiven sin.  Just why do we leave our first love?  Certainly it's not because he has left us as he has promised to "never leave nor forsake you."  But, you leave him.  Why?  Is it because the world is stronger in you than Jesus?  Maybe you have said that you have given him your life and you really haven't.  Then you aren't saved and your name isn't written in the book of life.  Then you are destined for eternity in hell along with pastors who haven't given their lives to Jesus and preach a feel good gospel that isn't a gospel at all.
     Every 12 step group has as their basis an acknowledgement that they are powerless.  Good starting place but you aren't done and have only begun.  The 12 stepper knows that this journey of sobriety is only finished when they die.  It's no different with the Christian.  We come to that place where we are convicted of our need for Jesus to live through us and we acknowledge that we are powerless.  The demons roam the earth valiantly trying to get people to believe that they are okay, just fine, and okay with their sin.  Until your birth into Christ, you are Satan's missionary.  But, we go to church Wednesday and Sunday, we practice being at peace with people, we share what we have, and so many other exonerations for your life without Christ.  SHOULD you have Jesus living through you, you and many others don't have the need to justify your Christian title.  Your LIFE says it all.  Do you have Jesus living through you in such a way that people want what you have?  If being a Christian was a crime (as it is in some countries) would there be enough evidence to convict you and send you to life in prison?  Do people even care about how much you know until they know how much your care?  Does your life exude Jesus?  Does the Holy Spirit have the freedom to direct your life?  Have you a daily life with the Father and are praying and doing HIS will?
     You aren't done and have only begun.  This, for the true Christian, isn't anything foreign to you.  Don't be one of the worlds Christians.  Be Jesus to the world and the world will know you aren't done and have only begun.  My life has been one of on the straight and narrow visiting on the broad road bent for destruction for one reason along.  During those times on the destructive road "I" had taken back my life thinking I could do what I wanted to satisfy old patterns of sin.  All because I stopped adoring, confessing, thanking and asking God.  Maybe you have done so as well.  It's time to come home.  Jesus is only a prayer away and he's waiting.  What are you going to do?

What to ask God?

     We are at that stage where we can the throne of God and ask.  Not just for anything though.  God has already told us that he will take care of all of our needs.  He's also told us  that the answers to our prayers are on their way from heaven even before we ask.  As if that's not enough, He knows all of our needs from the beginning of time.  Yet, we can come to God and ask.  Remember adoration takes us into the presence of God, confession eliminates the barrier to approaching God, and thanksgiving focuses on all that God has done for us.  All that's left is to understand what to ask and how to ask.  Here is the kicker.  We need to let God tell us what to pray for.  Even if someone has asked us to pray for specifics there is still the direction of our prayer issue.  Since we have Jesus living through us there is a simple answer.  Let Jesus talk with the Father through us.  Let the words of our lips be His words and not ours.  Most Christians have garbage prayer lives.  They may or may not pray in public, over meals, with their children or wives.  What would happen if we were continually in a state of real prayer where the Holy Spirit spoke to us and told us what to pray for 24/7?  Paul talks of being "instant in season and out to give an account of the hope that is within us."  Paul was always in the presence of God.  Why was that?  Because it was "no longer I who lived but Christ who lives within me."  The formula of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication have been present since the fall.  Real men and women of God are continually in the presence of God because Jesus lives within them and through them.
     So, what to ask God.  Don't come with a list.  Don't present over and over in vain repetition.  Don't have any sense of self in your prayers.  Don't expect answers that your mind conjures from who knows where.  Don't  share your prayers to others.  They are between you and God.  Why all of this?  Because you want to be his vessel, doing what he wants you to do, saying what he wants you to say and your life being not yours but His.  Come empty into that place and wait on God to tell you through the Holy Spirit what needs to be prayed for.  State the desires put upon your heart with confidence that he will know there is no shadow of turning in any area of your life.  Be sensitive to his voice as he speaks with you.  Ask God to show you his will for your life and know he wouldn't show you what to think, say and do unless he knew you could.  Here is the important point.  As you pray the heart of God, he takes care of those needs you have had.  He knows your needs and will take care of them as you go about His business.  It's going to take time at first but as you work through adoration, confession and thanksgiving and supplication; you will find you want to near to God all the time and the strappings of the world will dim more and more.  Priorities in your life will become God centered regardless of the cost.  Your going to need this transformation and strength for what is to come.  You are here for a purpose and that purpose will be preparing you for the end of time.
     What would happen if you went into your private prayer time and just prayed for the salvation of all you know who don't know Jesus?  What if you were to listen to the heart of God and know what to pray for in that person's life?  Would you believe God and pray unceasingly for the salvation of your child, spouse, other relative, friend or whomever?  Do you believe that God will answer your prayers?  I'm sure by now that you have figured it out that living for God means Jesus living through you for his glory and will.  That means none of self.  God may lead you to pray for someone you don't know is such a specific way that you wonder if you're sane!  If you will only believe you will see much more than anyone around you sees.  The unfolding of the hand of God will bolster your faith and you will be prepared for whatever comes.  The difficult days are already coming and many have no faith or belief to carry them through the trials and troubles. Jesus living through his disciples will bring them to that place of optimum service to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  Your life may be demanded from you should you have no shadow of turning when they ask you to renounce your first love: Jesus.  Adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.

Words from the heart of thanksgiving

     You have spent time with the Father giving adoration for who he is, who Jesus is, and who the Holy Spirit is.  Patience has taken you into the inner sanctum of your heart where he is waiting to meet with you.  You have spent time waiting on the Holy Spirit to point out unconfessed sin until you are empty.  The adoration and confession is never complete.  Your focus is on Him and Him alone.  There can be no other focus for you.  Jesus is everything to you and he has chosen to live in you and through you to the fallen world around you.  Because He has taken you through the adoration and through the confession, the relationship is one of awe in who Jesus is.  That's what he wants to be through you.  So during your confession you have admitted and repented from those things that have hindered you for so long.  Being free gives you the ability to move into thanksgiving.  Do not be deceived!  This is not thankfulness for what you have had any part in.  This thankfulness is for being set free to have Jesus not only reside in your heart but to also be your heart.  Like me, you and everyone else on earth have nothing to offer the Holy God we have encountered.  We are thankful for his willingness to come, live, die and then rise from the dead so that we can surrender ALL of our lives to his will and his heart.  Thanking God for his creation should be interspersed with the glory that creation reflects from him.  This time of thanksgiving is where we are so much in awe of who Jesus is, the wonder of his work here on earth to bring about our salvation.  This time of thanksgiving is for the continual presence of the Holy Spirit in his speaking into our daily lives.  Thanksgiving has all to do about God and nothing to do with you and I.
     This thankfulness is for the sole purpose of placing us in awe before a grand and glorious God.  We pass this thankfulness onto our friends, families, children and even our enemies as a testimony not of ourselves but of God and who he is.  If you haven't taught your children to adore God, confess ourselves to God and haven't provided that sense of awe before God; Jesus has not had his way in your heart and you need to start again.  Nothing but Jesus in all aspects of our lives.  Nothing but his love that took him to the cross running through us even though we don't deserve that grace.  Humbled by adoration, confession and thanksgiving you know on no uncertain terms that Jesus living in and through you is all that matters.  If you find yourself falling back into the world, begin again and be right before God.  God living in you and through you gives power by the Holy Spirit to discern what is right and what is wrong.  If you are involved in anything but the holy work of God, you aren't worshipping Jesus.  Go back to the beginning and begin again.  This process may need to be repeated hourly, daily, weekly, or as Paul suggests, always in order to put away the things of the world not just for you but for those who fellowship with you.  The process has taken you into the holy of holies.  The intimacy you find with God will be overwhelming.  If it's not, then go back to the beginning and surrender again.
     Adoration of God brings us into that space where we can come up, sit beside the Father, confess our sins and be forgiven.  It's in that space that we can be thankful for all that comes from Him.  Things from this world never satisfy.  The road is wide that leads to destruction but narrow is the road that leads to eternal life.  Have you chosen the narrow road for you and yours?  Jeremiah did in 24:15.  "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Nothing else.  Job stated, "Though he slay me, yet will I praise him."  The disciples (all but one) left everything to follow Jesus and to live Jesus day by day.  There is not exception eve if the world teaches it.  There is only one way.  Period.  No other way by which man may be saved.  Time is of the essence.  Jesus has told us to go and make disciples of all men.  Are you one?  Is your life focused on Jesus or religion?  Is it more important in your church to have order and coffee in the foyer than to let the Spirit order his service.  Time should not be an issue.  Eventually, if you seek Him daily, the adoration, confession and thankfulness will be more instant in season than out of season.  The Holy Spirit will give you what you should say when that moment comes.  Don't hold back.  Because of you people will either be saved or lost.  He has called me.  He has called you.

True confessions of a sinner

     The first step in confessing our sins is to acknowledge that's all we are.  We are sinners who are unable to live through a day without sinning.  Why is that?  Because we are human beings who have let our free will dictate our lives instead of Jesus.  It's not enough to do an initial confession at the time of our salvation.  That is essential!  We must live holy lives and are unable to do that without Jesus first of all and secondly with unconfessed sin running our lives.  We are called to be a holy people set apart from this world and yet remain as lights in this world.  Sin is darkness.  If you harbor sin in your heart mind or soul, you are living in darkness and you don't have Jesus living in you.  Don't try to rationalize or justify why you think, do and say.  It doesn't work and won't do a thing to bring others closer to Jesus much less your self.  The fact is you and I live with sin and for the most part few ever do anything about it.  I'm not talking about those things you did that you addressed at the front of the church on Sunday.  Neither am I talking about those sins committed that a brother or sister has called to your attention.  In fact, there are people who are not Christian that live more appropriate lives than you do and the world knows it.  This isn't something you can climb under, over or go around.  The sin in your life is like a dam that you are able to go past.  Why is that?  It's because you don't want to give up the sin.  It is YOU who builds the dam so that you can partake in your chosen sin.  Don't think so?  Read on.
     While you are sitting there reading begin to let the Holy Spirit show you the unconfessed sin in your soul.  Let him take you to the heart and show you the darkness there.  Revelations tells us that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  That means you and I.  ALL have sinned.  All will continue to live in their vomit because it's more important to them than Jesus living through them.  You as an individual are in need of cleansing from your sin.  This can only be accomplished by surrendering to Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to show you the sin you have, and then confessing AND repenting of that sin.  Remember ACTS?  Adoration brings us into the presence of God.  Once there confession clears our hearts of sin that prevents intimacy with God.  Preparing yourself means shutting out the noise of the world and engaging the silence of God.  There the Holy Spirit can do his work exposing the sin in our lives.  Once done, you and I have only one choice.  Face the facts.  Admit what sin we have.  Be repentant and ask the Father to forgive our sins in Jesus' name.  Don't, then, return to our vomit as dogs do.  Remain clean by remaining in God's presence instead of the world's presence.  Should you don't do this, you are no cleaner than the day of your worst sin filled life.  If a part is dirty, the whole thing is dirty.  You can't be a little pregnant.  Neither can you have sin that is petty.  Pregnancy and sin are just that.  Nothing more and nothing less.
     The Catholic church tells their cult to go to the priest "Father" and confess their sins.  The Bible clearly states that we are to call no one "Father" here on earth as our "Father" lives in heaven.  The people of this world, in any capacity, do not have the power to forgive much less remove sins from our lives.  Neither do they have the power to restore a right relationship with God the Father.  The teaching that Mary is anything other than another human being makes her to be something that she's not.  The Catholic church and many other groups, cults, denominations are straight from the pit of hell leading people astray.  I use this example to show how far we as people have come to defend our sin.  Sin all week, come to confession and be clean.  Nope!  That's not how it works.  Just because mankind makes behaviors and choices legal doesn't change how God sees the sin.  Here are just a few examples:  telling our children the lies of Santa, the Tooth Fairy, magical little people of St Patrick's Day, imaginary holidays and the importance of being yourself and the list could go on and on.  Being an example of Jesus to our children is much more important that being okay with the world as an example.  We lead others astray to cater to our comforts and evil desires.  It's okay to be dedicated to sports teams and sports figures and ignore Jesus.  Is this really the message that will bring your children, friends and relatives to a saving knowledge from your sin?  If you live like hell, you will eventually go there.  Don't deceive yourself you are making a stand.  Either you stand for Jesus or you stand for Satan.  Yes, this is harsh.  Maybe that's what it takes to get your attention.
     Go into prayer with adoration as your first goal where God meets with you.  Then go into confession so your heart will be clean from your sin.  Then you will be seriously ready to move forward in your relationship with God.

Adoration of God isn't optional or part time.

     We live in a world of part time everything:  part time parents, part time workers, part time pastors, part time sinners and etc...  As such we are full time failures at adoring the loving God who created us, cares for, protects and saves us.  To not adore God with all of our being means we have divided loyalties.  If we have divided loyalties, we are not living full time for God.  This concludes that you and I aren't living for God if we are living for someone or something else.  Can't go without your cigarette?  Your adoration goes there.  Can't go without your drink?  Your adoration goes there.  Can't go without lying?  Your adoration goes there.  Can't go without junk food, sports, and even church?  Your adoration goes there.  Adoration is not in the eye of the beholder.  Adoration is in the eye of God whom we are to be adoring.  To do anything less lets in the world and yes, there is your adoration.  Have you ever just sat and took in the presence of God so much that there was nothing in your heart and mind except God?  Maybe you are scared to go there.  Maybe you don't know how.  Maybe you have pastors and other church leaders who tell you that praising God and showing our adoration takes place on Wednesday nights and Sundays.  Well, they have lied to you.  That's their adoration and it doesn't have to be yours.  We don't have to be involved with rituals, compact hours of singing, giving, listening and singing.  That's called legalism and it's a sin.  Legalism in any form is found in those lives who don't fully give their lives to God.  Maybe that's you.
     Telling God all that we think about each partner in the Trinity takes intent.  It also takes time.  Yes, it also can be a ritual/legalism if you don't allow this to be a God directed event.  When you go to church your time with God is ordered by those directing the meeting.  That's exactly what you are not supposed to do.  The Bible is clear that we are to come away from the world and that's where we are to adore God.  This should be anytime the Spirit leads you to adoration.  Maybe he wakes you in the middle of the night and tells you to pray.  Always begin with adoration.  Maybe it's on the way to work in the middle of your commute.  Yes, it's always okay to pray with your eyes open.  Telling God all that he means to you separates you from all those thing that mean something to you.  Have you taught your children to adore God?  If not, you have sinned and caused them to sin.  Do you really take your relationship with God seriously and have His heart beating in you?  If not, you may not know Jesus at all.  Better get right with God.  Adoration focuses our entire being so that we are ready to be in the presence of God because he wants to have an intimate relationship with us as we should with him.  Do we even think about how much of our time is spent before sports, playing games, social media, drinking with the boys after work, and all the other events that steal us away from God.  It's no wonder the Christian church has chosen to be unable to carry out the will of God.  Someone else will do it has been the argument.  NO, if you don't do it, you don't serve God.  If you don't do it, you are sinning.  How many times would Christ have to die for you in order for you to take seriously his sacrifice?
     Resting in his presence is where adoration takes the serious God seeker.  That's where the peace that passes all understanding is found.  That is where our focus becomes sharpened so that tomorrow we fail less and less.  Resting in his presence is that place where everything but Jesus has been pushed out of our minds and we are at peace.  It may take minutes to get there or it may take hours.  That's up to God and not you.  How bad do you want to be in the arms of God?!  It's not a choice for the Christian but a command.  Lack of adoration means we don't adore God with all our hearts, souls and minds.  Remember this was the first commandment.  Love the Lord your God with all of your heart soul and mind.  Not some.  Not part time.  Not when we feel like it.  It means ALL the time.  Whether we wake or sleep, we wake or sleep in the Lord.  You can't be in love with part of Jesus.  It's either all or nothing.  I'm not making excuses for me and I certainly won't for you.  The final judgement will be where you and I are in front of God and shown our lives.  What will they show?  If you don't start with adoration, you won't have anything to pass onto others.  Go to a place where you can go before the Father and just begin telling him you love him.  Don't stop until you are empty.  Stay there till the peace comes and your heart is ready to be searched by the Holy Spirit.

Do you really pray?

     We have several examples of Jesus going aside to pray.  That alone should be enough for us to be motivated to pray.  Sadly, for the vast majority of believers this isn't the case.  While we are called to be all things to all people; we can't even get ourselves to be silent before God and hear what he wants us to pray for and about.  We pray our hearts and not his.  Sad.  Very sad that we teach others to do the same.  We even put up less of an example by our lives.  When was the last time you prayed regardless of where you were or what you were doing?  How many of us even listen to God before we pray for a meal at home or out in public?  The ditty that we prayed with our kids when they were young is not even sufficient to touch the heart of God.  It sounds good and rhymes but has little that can support our belief.  Fatalistic is more the message.  Why?  Because the Christian is never going to die!  We go from life to life.  Have you ever heard the Holy Spirit speak to you?  Have you ever heard the voice of God speaking to you?  Have you ever waited until God spoke?  Have you come to the throne with no motive other than to listen to Him as he ministers to you and others?  Well, do you?  Praying isn't for the weak of heart.  Praying is for the warrior that's consumed with the fight for souls of mankind and their salvation.
     We live in a world that has lost it's morals long ago and instead has taken to legalizing sin so that they can live any kind of life they want.  Sorry but God hasn't changed.  He won't, hasn't and will have the first and the last word of your life.  Yet, the choice is yours whether you spend eternity in heaven or hell.  There are no alternative choices.  Just as there are no other choices; the Christian should take that approach when they follow Jesus.  The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.  The Bible says that the words we pray are already being answered before they pass over our lips.  The truth be told, we only expect God to answer as we see fit and not for his will to be done.  Selfishness is not love of any sort.  James extolls us to be honest.  He says that we ask and receive not because we ask with wrong motive to consume whatever for ourselves.  This ought not be!  However, if we don't pray, won't pray and teach our children to not pray, it remains true.  Whenever you defend yourself and your thoughts and actions, there at it's center is sin.  Justification and rationalization will get you nothing.  NOTHING.
     There's an acronym for praying that is patterned after Jesus' example.  That is ACTS.  Adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.  Notice the word order.  If we don't come into the presence of God, then why do we pray?  If we don't confess and come to him with a clean heart, they why do we pray?  If we don't spend time thanking God for his blessings, they why do we pray?  And if we don't come to him asking for our needs (not wants), why do we pray?  There are no time constraints on prayer.  When we come into his presence with praise we enjoy the peace of God that is beyond understand.  When we confess our sins and are humbled before him we acknowledge that it was for our sin that Jesus came, lived and died before his resurrection to save us from the sin.  When we express our thankfulness for all that he brings to our minds during prayer and elsewhere, our focus is taken off of us and focused on Him.   When we have been taken through the first three by the Holy Spirit spending time as needed for each, THEN we can ask for his answer to our prayers.  When we are there we most likely not be asking for much for ourselves.  Why?  Because prayer is supposed to be about Jesus and not you or I.

Thinking is part of the problem. So, stop!

     It's all about rights and as a Christian you have none.  Seem harsh?  Are you feeling defensive?  Maybe your "rights" are getting in the way of your relationship with Jesus?  Don't give me that "we have free will" argument.  When you gave your life to Christ you gave up that free will to be and do what God wants; not what you want.  Anywhere you find yourself engaging your perceived rights, you are not serving Jesus.  If you have parts of you that aren't serving Jesus; what kind of Christian are you?  Part time?  Only when convenient?  Or perhaps you are like Thomas Jefferson who professed Christ but removed those scriptures from the Bible that he didn't like.  No, there is no APP for that.  Surrender means just that...surrender of all of your so called rights.  But I am getting ahead of myself.  Just what was it and how did it come about that brought you to wanting Jesus in your life but not YOUR LIFE?  There is a difference between having Jesus in your life (smacks of rights again) and Jesus being your life.  Big difference.  One you are in charge of thinking and in the other you enjoy Jesus doing the thinking for you.  The Holy Spirit is welcome in one and excluded in the other.  The Holy Spirit was sent (have you received the Holy Spirit?) to guide us in ALL that we think, say and do.  If we are living our lives we constrain the Holy Spirit to those areas where we are comfortable.  If Jesus is living our lives we know that Holy Spirit is also living our lives.
     How can we think if we don't have the Word living our lives?  Do we think that we can take our experience, training and mistakes to do better than God can do through us?  What happens if we sit on our rights is as follows:  you don't witness Christ, you cater to the needs of others rather than to the needs of Jesus, you minimize your Christianity instead of allowing Christ to maximize His life through you, you don't pray continually and unceasingly have the Word meditating in your head.  Get the picture?  Either you have Jesus living His life through you or you don't.  You and I cannot serve two masters.  If we do there is no allegiance to either.  The focus is still on you.  That's sin.  Don't think so?  Maybe you should read your Bible and understand the concept of being saved from your living and thinking.  How many of you witness to people you meet?  How many of you are bold as Christ lives through you?  Are you afraid to confront the unbeliever and afraid to share the Gospel as well as afraid to offend?  Then Christ doesn't live through you.  What lives through you is your own thinking and your "rights" reigning instead of Him.  How does that impact the world around you?  It doesn't.  Cults and Satan are doing their job better than you are doing yours.  That's why the people perish and you don't care.
     Jesus said it simply.  Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.  He also said that we needed to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Truth be told if we can get out of the way, stop thinking and surrender our whole lives to Jesus; we will be loving the Lord our God.  With that in mind, there is ample proof that if you are truly out of the way and Jesus is living his life through you there is no need for any of the other commandments.  Because of your love for God and you having Jesus living through you, you and I will fulfill the desires of God's heart like loving others as you love yourself.  You love true self when you understand the love of God as Jesus lives his life through you with the Holy Spirit.  For God's sake, stop thinking!  FOR GOD'S SAKE, STOP THINKING!  Not when you like, not later, but now!

Okay, so I've been led to return

     After taking a break, I spent many hours praying and seeking God in beginning to write the blog again.  I'm very disheartened with the observation I've been privy to over the last few months.  Christians have failed in their service to God.  Not just me but everyone.  Every church has failed.  Keep in mind that I'm only talking about Christian organizations.  The Scripture is almost unrecognizable unless you are part of the problem.  The problem then is relegated to the interpretation wrought by those who aren't really committed to the Gospel at all if they ever were.  Harsh?  No.  Truthful?  Yes.  If you aren't ready to take an intense look at the Gospel and your life, you might want to stop reading now.  God has shown me the necessity of speaking the Gospel without excuse and without defense.  Defense is something reserved for those who haven't given their lives to Christ.  They may have given part of their lives like Sunday morning, but when the real is revealed, well, let's just say no one will be able to stand in the presence of God.  Just why is that?  The Bible tells us that because we are broken, condemned, and in need of a life replacement.  That's not what is being preached or presented for the most part.  God hasn't given us a new Gospel, he hasn't asked us to make corrections, he hasn't said we can rationalize, justify or manipulate his Word.  It's God breathed and not man breathed.
     I want to be very clear.  There can be no misunderstanding.  There will be no cutting slack or downplaying of the Gospel in any way, shape or form.  I believe the Bible to be God breathed and the Bible isn't open for discussion, change or new understanding.  I want to be very clear.  Jesus is the Son of God and is Lord of Lords!  He lived, died and rose from the dead for the sole purpose of bringing God's grace (not condemnation) to a lost and dying world.  I want to be clear.  There is a heaven and there is a hell.  YOUR choices determine whether you go to one or the other.  There is no middle ground, a place where people can go for a "second chance".  There are no marriages nor are there any given in marriage in heaven.  Matthew says those who overcome will be like the angels.  I want to be clear.  I will not apologize for the truth of the Gospel.  Nor will I excuse myself or anyone else.  There is no justification for any part of life we live outside of Christ.  None.  I want to be clear that the Gospel is NOT tolerant to sin.  If you or someone you know tells you otherwise, they are lying.  Jesus himself said that he came to bring a sword and that the Gospel is offensive to those who are perishing.  Are you offended by this?  Then you are perishing.  Simple, isn't it.
     The Gospel preached by Jesus and then the 12 for the most part has disappeared amongst Christians as the "perceived need" is to be kinder, gentler and non-offensive.  The 12 went through 3 years of living Christ as they walked with him.  You and I have done what?  We've lived life for ourselves or current ideology and lived for Christ incidentally if at all.  When was the last time you shared the Gospel?  Maybe it's because you are not living the Gospel.  We Christians are the only Bible many will see.  What makes you and I think people are hungry for lives like we have?  Today the lie has survived and truth has been buried.  The 12 were the first example of truly living for the Christ who saved their souls.  There was no other option or choice but absolute dying to self and Christ living through them.  When was the last time you rebuked a demon?  How about the last time you laid hands on someone to bring God's healing to them?  When was the last time God spoke through you?  When was the last time you put time into reading the Word and meditating on that Word?  When was the last time you told your children, friends, spouses, and others that they were living condemned to hell if they didn't surrender their lives to Christ?  Have you told anyone what is going to happen in the end times and the consequences for all?  Well, have you?
     Unashamed.  Humble.  Honest.  Loving.  In order to become a Christian there needs to be a life transplant.  Realizing this, we put on Christ and he throws our dead life into the sea of forgetfulness.  Realizing this do we continue attempting to do CPR on the dead in our life as well as others lives?  Realizing this, do we put on Christ and NEVER take him off?  Thanks for reading.
Steve