The Power of Faith

 

(Mark 11:23-24) "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, 'Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea;' and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

What are the mountains in your life? Jesus paid the price on the cross to set you free from the evil one. By faith, speak to those mountains and tell them to be gone in Jesus' name! You have the authority by God's Holy Spirit. Faith moves the hand of God on your behalf! Speak words of faith and walk by faith and not by sight. Many people speak words of fear and anxiety, and the result is they live defeated lives. All things are possible to them who believe. Trust God and stand on the truths of God's Word.

So often people live their lives in fear of what could happen, or they worry about finances, or health problems, however, fear is the opposite of faith. The Lord understands that we are human, and anxiety is common to man, but he desires that we trust him with every aspect of our lives. Fear will empower the enemy in your life. If you live your life in fear, you will never have a breakthrough with God. Fear may even lead to demonic oppression. You must have faith in God that He is able to deliver and heal you to see results.

Fear also hinders many people from pursuing ministry work, because they feel they can’t accomplish the task. If the prophets and apostles had given into fear, we would not have the scriptures to guide us, and Christianity would never have spread beyond Judea.

To be useful for the kingdom of heaven, we must believe that God is bigger and more powerful than our problems or limitations. Moses had a speech problem and argued with God that he was not able to speak to Pharaoh. God commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and allowed his brother Aaron to speak for him. Moses was chosen from birth to be the deliverer for the captive Hebrews, but he felt inadequate for the task. Fortunately, God did not allow Moses to give in to fear but used him to show forth His power to the entire world. Elijah feared for his life and hid in a cave, but the God of Elijah protected him, and Elijah never saw death because he was taken to heaven in a flaming chariot. The apostle Paul wrote powerful letters, but he did not impress some in person. However, this did not deter Paul from taking the gospel to many lands. Paul understood that he was a vessel for God’s Spirit to work through.

With God, all things are possible; He is looking for humble vessels that he may work through. God is not impressed with your fancy attire, eloquent speech, or theological degrees. God is looking for common people, full of faith, which he may work through. Peter, James, and John were uneducated fishermen; however, Christ chose them to be his Apostles, and to turn the world upside down. If you will put your faith and trust in God, he will use you to minister into the lives of others.

Why do we so often worry about life’s problems? Does not God promise to meet our needs if we seek after him? Does not the Lord feed the birds, and clothe the lilies of the field? If we will replace fear and anxiety, with faith and thankfulness, we will know the peace and provision of the Father. If you live with a defeated attitude, you will not be useful to the kingdom of God. Faith will open the door to many blessings from God, including healings, deliverance, ministry, peace of mind, as well as many answered prayers.

(Hebrews 11:1-10 ) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a [good] testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him,] for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as [in] a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.

(Matthew 6:25-34 ) "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, [will He] not much more [clothe] you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble.

The Many Faces of Babylon

 

The Many Faces of Babylon

The Lord gave me a vision of over a dozen faces of television evangelists and mega-church pastors. Their images were spread out across my sight in this high-definition vision. The Lord spoke to me, "The apostasy runs deep, warn those in front of you and behind you!" For over thirty years I have been warning people about the apostasy, as well as the counterfeit revivals with demonic manifestations.

 Babylon is a term which means," wickedness". Mystery Babylon is the mother of all Harlots who rides on the back of the Beast. This is a reference to the Roman Catholic Church and her offspring. Her offspring are churches which will not endure sound doctrine, as well as Christians who are not faithful to Christ. Christians who live a compromised lifestyle are committing spiritual adultery. Salvation is a free gift of Grace which can never be earned through our works. God gives us grace to grow in him. However, we need to be filled with his Holy Spirit in order to live a Holy (set apart) life. There are many saved by Grace within the churches of Babylon, but Rev 18 tells us to come out of her!

 Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

 A lukewarm church will be vomited out of God's mouth (Rev 3). We must press forward and grow in our faith. Study God's Word, scripture is protein! 

 False doctrines and movements to avoid are, the unconditional eternal security doctrine (Once saved always saved), prosperity gospel, Calvinism, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Messianic Judaism (Hebrew Roots Movement), Oneness Pentecostalism (UPC and Apostolic churches, they deny the Trinity). True believers must stay clear from these doctrines of demons.

There are also many counterfeit revivals going on, where God’s Holy Spirit has been replaced by demonic manifestations. People are laughing uncontrollably, as well as making all different animal sounds. They are hissing like snakes, mooing like cows, roaring like lions, howling like wolves, as well as barking like dogs. These same manifestations occur within Kundalini Hinduism, as well as other forms of occultism. In a congregation in Boston, the pastor crawled on his hands and knees like a dog, barking, and his wife led him around on a leash fastened to a dog collar around his neck. The wife then said, “Where he leads I will follow!”

People also claim to be drunk in the spirit; they display symptoms of physical drunkenness. After leaving one of these revivals in Florida, numerous people were pulled over by law enforcement officers for drunk driving. They all passed their breathalyzer tests, because they were made drunk by an unholy spirit. God’s Word is clear that God hates drunkenness, and no drunkard will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Satan is the lawless one, and he is making a mockery of God, within these revivals. After leaving this flesh fest, people were also seen displaying drunk behavior in local restaurants. They were falling on the floor in the restaurants, laughing hysterically. God is a God of order, and not foolishness. God will not make a person drive drunk or embarrass them in public. Where is the discernment? Why can’t Christians see that an unholy demonic spirit, is at work in their churches?

In some, so-called Christian rock concerts, many of the young people are going into trances, where they display tribal dancing. These are but a few of the demonic manifestations going on worldwide. The late pastor David Wilkerson warned the church about this invasion of demonic activity, as well as the need to return to holiness preaching, but most will not listen. It is time for the church to start using discernment and realize that something has gone wrong. God is withdrawing his Spirit from many churches, because they will not endure sound doctrine. If the churches will return to teaching and living in holiness once again, then maybe God’s Spirit will return!

Many of the leaders of these false revivals have been caught in adultery, as well as homosexual relations. I believe that in many cases physical perversion is a manifestation of spiritual perversion. A false prophet from Florida who led a well-known revival, has a tattoo of a Japanese goddess on his arm. He claims that this goddess is really an angel by the name of Emma who accompanies him during his kicking sessions at his so-called revival. He claims that Emma has instructed him to hit or kick people in need of healing, as an act of obedience. The revival was shut down when it was revealed that he was having an affair during the entire time of this revival. This wolf in sheep’s clothing, divorced his wife and married his mistress. Now he is back at it again. A false prophet from Kansas City, claims that this same angel Emma came floating into his church to usher in their false revival. His church later removed him from his ministry position due to sexual misconduct with church members. Another false prophet from his church admitted to being a practicing homosexual. I could go on and on with examples of how perverted these revivalists are, but this should suffice.

Many of the television evangelists, as well as mega-church leaders, have also had their share of scandals. A well-known television evangelist, who wears a white suite, and has a healing ministry, has much darkness surrounding him. Channel six news from Orlando featured an expose on this minister. They showed on film a group of men sitting at a table together, and the evangelist handed a bong to his lead singer, as well as another man at the table. Both of these men smoked the bong. One of the men who smoked the bong, died later from a heroin overdose. While this married evangelist was in Rome, he was filmed walking and holding hands with a female television evangelist, who was wearing very short shorts. They both admitted to a friendship when the pictures were released, but denied their obvious affair. In spite of this wickedness, their supporters chose to forgive them. If Christians would wake up and stop supporting these apostate ministers, they would shut them down overnight. God’s anointing is not on these reprobates, who use God for dishonest gain. Hell will be full of those who fleece the flock.

Many Christians are afraid of supernatural experiences because of the demonic manifestations. However, we need to allow God’s true gifts to be in operation within the church. It is not good to quench God’s Spirit, or to be afraid of it. For God does give visions, dreams, work miracles, heal the sick etc. (1 Cor 12). It is crucial that we pray over experiences, as well as use sound judgment. The reason for this unholy spirit which has invaded the church is loose living, as well as unsound doctrine.

Are You a New Creation?

 

God's grace is sufficient for those who are truly saved and walking in the light. Salvation begins with true repentance. Repentance means that you hunger and thirst after righteousness and desire to grow in Christ. It also means you are sorry for the old sinful ways of your past and now are putting your faith in Christ. It is God's desire for you to grow in him and allow his Holy Spirit to transform you into a new creation.

If you are TRULY saved and water baptized, then you have received the free gift of the Holy Spirit. However, there is a difference between being indwelt with the Holy Spirit, and being filled, or baptized in the Holy Spirit. You must ask, as well as seek after the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11: 9-13).

(Luke 11: 9-13) And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

When a person is truly saved, they are born again. Your sins are 100% forgiven and your slate is wiped clean. Your spiritual garments are washed clean and made white by the blood of Christ. You are saved by grace alone according to the finished work of Christ who made atonement for your sins. You walk perfectly before him because of the blood of Christ, as long as you walk in the light, and not darkness.

 In regard to salvation, the righteousness of Christ is imparted to you. However, God's Word teaches us that we must keep our garments clean, and they can become defiled through unfaithfulness to Christ. God's Word also states that our names can be blotted out of the Book of Life. A lukewarm church will be vomited out of God's mouth (Rev 3). Without holiness no man shall see the Father according to Hebrews.

 When a person is truly saved God gives them grace to grow in him. A new believer takes baby steps at first and grows with the nurture of the Holy Spirit. God is patient and gives us grace when we fall down and scrape our knee. God picks us up and carries us when we cannot walk. However, you must keep your faith until the end and walk in the light. God spoke to me once and said, "My grace is sufficient for the morning light". God does Not give grace to those who love darkness and are apathetic toward righteousness. 

Christ told the woman caught in adultery that her sins were forgiven her, then he told her to go and sin no more. We are living in the last days and the great falling away from the truth is here. Most Christians will not endure sound doctrine but prefer to have their ears tickled with man pleasing doctrines. The biggest deception is the greasy grace doctrine. Churches are serving up spiritual junk food to their congregations and people demand it. I have met many people who claim to be saved; however, they told me they were living with their partner unmarried. They would also use the worst profanity, and some would even use God's name in vain and tell dirty jokes while claiming to know the Lord. Sadly, this is not a few, but many.

The churches have replaced the teaching of true grace with greasy grace. Preaching against sin and teaching holiness has been replaced with the grace for everything without repentance doctrine. We are not to be joined to the harlot (Mystery Babylon), but to be faithful to Christ.

If you love and know Christ, you will keep his commandments and no longer walk in darkness. 

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

John 8:11-12 KJV - She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Luke 13:27 KJV - But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

John 8:34-35 KJV - Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Romans 6:16 NKJV - Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV - Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

1 John 3:6 NKJV - Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

1 John 3:9 NKJV - Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Millennial Period

 

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

(Zechariah 14:3-9) Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

Our children are being targeted by the LGBTQ and transgender groups

 

Our children are being targeted by the LGBTQ and transgender groups. Drag queens are reading to young children in schools, libraries, and events across our nation. Skittles candy have put drag queens on their candy wrappers. They also put black- trans- lives- matter, and other pro- perversion writings on their candy. Teachers, as well as employees of many businesses are being fired for not teaching, or endorsing the homosexual, or trans gender perversion.

 It is now legal for any man who identifies himself as trans- gender to use a female restroom or locker room. Trans-gender men may be straight, bi-sexual, or gay. Trans people are competing in women's sports events, and even being allowed to join Girl Scouts. Would you want your Girl Scout daughter to sleep in a tent with a boy who is gender confused? Young girls have been attacked in restrooms by violent trans men. Our public schools are teaching elementary age children that it is acceptable to have a sex change operation if you want. Gay marriage, cross dressing, homosexual relations, are all an abomination to a Holy God!! We live in Sodom and Sodom will be judged shortly. It is time to wake up and repent of this wickedness!

 Romans 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Lev 20:13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

Deut 22:5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.

1 Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,p nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Timothy 1:8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

Jude 1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire

Pentecost Sunday

 

Happy Pentecost Sunday!

Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

(Acts 2:28) 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."

Jesus Said He is... Series, Part 8: The Way the Truth & The Life (Only Way to Salvation)

 

Jesus Said He is... Series, Part 8:  The Way the Truth & The Life (Only Way to Salvation)

(John 14:5-7) Thomas saith unto him, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" 

Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him."

A common belief among many is that all religions worship the same God, or there are many paths of truth. However, Christ said, that he is the way, the truth, and the life and no man cometh unto the Father but by Him.

Donald Trump, and Joel Osteen, and the late Billy Graham all believe that people of many different religions are saved. Graham and Osteen have stated that God judges' people according to the light (knowledge) that they have. Graham denied that you need to accept Christ to be saved on the Robert Schuller program, as well as on Larry King Live. Osteen also denied Christ, on Larry King Live.

 Donald Trump also believes that all of the popular religions of today, worship the Same God. Trump said that the Jews are God's chosen people and they do not need to accept Christ to be saved. He also said that if the Jews didn't need to believe in Christ, then why not also try praying to Allah and see what happens. This universalist theology is very dangerous because you cannot have the Father without the Son. 

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

Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leads to eternal life. Jesus Christ is the sheep gate. Without Christ, you cannot enter God's Kingdom or receive of his Holy Spirit. It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that you receive eternal life. The Holy Spirit is that living water from above that springs up to eternal life.

Christ made atonement for the sins of mankind upon the cross of calvary. However, you must repent of your sins and place your faith in Christ to be saved. Mohamed, Buddha, Joseph Smith, and Ghandhi are all dead. However, Christ's tomb is empty, and Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Salvation is God's way, or Hell's way. There is only one truth, and his name is Jesus Christ! Jesus died on the cross to remove your sins, not Mohamed, or Budda.

Another heresy is Israel worship. John Hagee, as well as most people within the Hebrew Root's movement (Messianic Judaism) believe that Jews can be saved through Torah observance, apart from Christ. The truth is that the true Israel of God are those in Christ. Paul refers to Jews who deny Christ, as the Synagogue of Satan. There is neither Jew, not gentile, in Christ for we are one body. 

I love the nation of Israel, and I pray for her salvation and protection. However, I don't support Netanyahu, or the government of Israel. They have committed brutal war crimes against humanity. I believe that God has restored the Jewish people to their ancestorial homeland in hope that a remnant will be saved. I believe that when Christ returns and splits the Mount of Olives, many from Israel will mourn over the one whom they have pierced and will flee to him for salvation. Israel will worship the Beast for a period of time, then a remnant will be saved by Christ upon his return. Israel worship is idolatry. Repent of this and worship Christ, for he alone is worthy.

The good news is that Christ made peace between the Father and mankind through his death upon the cross. The Father is a holy God who cannot look upon sin. No person on earth could save himself by his own works because we are a fallen race. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the spotless, perfect, lamb of God, who took our sins upon himself to wash us clean.

We are justified in the eyes of God and saved by faith alone in the finished work of Christ upon the cross. However, we must repent of our sins and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. Come as you are to Christ and allow his Spirit to make you into a new creation. Also, pray that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit.

Salvation is a free gift that can never be earned by our own works or by religious observations. Ask Jesus into your heart today and make him Lord of your life! When you accept Christ, you need to give up the old sinful life and stop walking in darkness.

You need to grow in Christ through obedience to his Word. The Bible states that God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. In obedience to Christ, you also need to be water baptized. Water baptism proclaims that you are dead to sin and alive to Christ. The baptism of repentance also proclaims that you are born again and have become a new creation. The free gift of the Holy Spirit is given to those who are truly saved, at water baptism.

(Acts 2:28) 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."

Please consider these Scriptures.

(Matt 11:27) All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

Dream of the Coming Storm

 

This morning, I dreamed that I was standing outside of a large cement building. The building was the size of a large warehouse and was made entirely of cement, including the roof. There were two other large buildings that were storage units, with around a dozen garage type doors on them. There were several inches of water standing everywhere. Tsunami, or civil defense sirens, were continuously wailing throughout the dream. 

People were beginning to enter the large cement building for refuge from the coming storm. I said to my wife, "We need to warn people to seek refuge NOW!" I then woke to a vision of a large tornado coming toward us.

The coming storm is the Tribulation Period. People need to start making plans to ride out the storm in remote wilderness locations. Revelation chapter twelve tells us that God will protect and keep many of his elect out of the Great Tribulation, in remote, wilderness locations, of God's choosing. God's Word is crystal clear that there will NOT be a pre-tribulation rapture. If you are like most, expecting to be raptured before the Tribulation, you will most likely die.

God will NOT protect you where you are at. Nuclear War is coming and you need to SEEK GOD as to where to relocate for his protection. For example, Charlotte North Carolina is destined for judgment. God has showed me this several times. Most of the United States shall be destroyed by nuclear fire. People living in coastal areas need to be on High Alert according to the Lord. The Lord told me that the Tribulation Period will be 2028-2035.

 Please see my post entitled, "Visions of the Nuclear Judgment upon America." This post gives tips concerning where to relocate for the Great Tribulation. It is pinned to the top of this page under featured posts.

(Rev 12:13)  Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.  15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.  16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.  17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ told us exactly when he will return, as well as when he will send forth his angels to gather the elect. Christ said that immediately after the tribulation of those days he would return and gather his elect unto himself.  Christ will return, and resurrect the dead, at the Last Trump, on the Last Day.

 (NKJV) Matt 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Jesus Said He is... Series, Part 5: Living Water: (Written by my Wife and Me)

 

Jesus Said He is... Series, Part 5: Living Water

Jesus, our Living Water, Written by my Wife

The Living Water of the Holy Spirit, Written by me (Mel)

Technically, Jesus did not utter the phrase, "I am Living Water," but He still made it clear that He is our Living Water that brings us life, forgiveness, and joy.  He told the woman at the well that if she would repent and accept Him as her savior, her soul would feel satisfied and she would no longer need to seek fulfillment from outside sources because He would be her everything.

When we accept His free gift of salvation, follow His holy ways, and stay grounded in the Word of God, we will never feel spiritually hungry or thirsty again.

Because no one is exempt from the trials of life, I fully believe that every single Christian experiences a dryness in their soul multiple times throughout their walk with the Lord.  We tend to allow hard times to dry up the Living Water dwelling inside us. Not because the Living Water of Jesus is defective, but because we cease to tap into the holy power of the endless well Jesus offers.  In essence, we seal up the well.  We blame God with every bad thing that happens from insignificant things such as bad weather to more serious issues such illness, financial struggles, and loss of a loved one. We forget that we are living on a fallen world in mortal bodies.  Perfection only exists in Heaven.  Therefore, rather than accepting the hard times with grace, we blame God and push Him away. 

I also fully believe that the True believer begins to feel more and more dissatisfied with the dryness in their soul and they find themselves longing again for the rivers of Living Water to again flood their spirit.  They miss communing with the King of Kings and their heart and flesh cry out for God once again. 

I write this from experience as I too have pushed God away due to extreme heart break.  In 2014 I went through a period of about 6 months where I was so angry with God that I could not even pray.  When I began releasing my bitterness and letting the Lord's gentle love warm my heart again, I started merely saying, "Thank You," to Him for even the small things until I was able to slowly revive my relationship with the Lord. My dry soul ached still ached for communion with Christ, and He was full of mercy and instantly accepted me back when I was ready to repent of my bitterness. 

I know you can relate to such a dryness, and Jesus gently calling you back to Him.  Do not ignore those instincts and let Satan discourage you.  He would love it if you gave into your negativity, stayed angry, and ignored God altogether.  It is always a good time to worship, but when you are lowest can be best time to praise. 

When you are feeling dry, and are unsure of how to uncap the well, and if all you can say is one word, let me suggest, "Jesus."  There is Power in the name of Jesus.  Calling on the name of Jesus brings healing.  If you allow Christ to work in your life, you will begin to find peace.  You may never understand why bad things happen, but you can find joy and comfort in just knowing how much Jesus loves you!  That alone can often get you through the dark times in your life and send the flood waters rushing back through your soul. 

(John 4:10-11 & 13-15) Jesus answered and said unto her, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." 

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?"

Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." 

The woman saith unto him, "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not."

The Living Water of the Holy Spirit, Written by me (Mel)

(John 7:36-39) Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." 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.

Many churches teach salvation through Jesus Christ but neglect to teach people the necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit. John 3:5 states that we must be born of the water and of the Spirit to be truly born again. Salvation is a free gift of Grace that can never be earned through our works or by religious rituals. Salvation begins with true repentance of sins. Repentance is a change of mind and heart in regard to the old sinful lifestyle. God gives grace to those who seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and his righteousness. Repentance occurs when you surrender all to Christ. You must first realize that you cannot save yourself through the strivings of the flesh. We are justified by faith in the atonement that Christ made upon the cross. Salvation is for those who walk in the light, not darkness.

(John 3:5-7) Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

Whether you consider yourself to be Baptist, Pentecostal, or Non-Denominational, if you are TRULY saved and water baptized, then you have received the free gift of the Holy Spirit. However, there is a difference between being indwelt with the Holy Spirit, and being filled, or baptized in the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 2:28) 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."

Notice what Peter's first command is: repent.

After we truly repent of our sins and put our faith in Christ and his atonement upon the cross, it is also essential that we are baptized in water. Water baptism is an act of obedience; it proclaims to the world that you have been born again. You are marked by God, and you identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ through water baptism. You are also proclaiming that you have been crucified with Christ and are dead to sin and risen with Christ as a new creation!

(Romans 6:1-13) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Many Christians have never been taught that there is more to their spiritual walk. In order to live an overcoming Christian life in these dark times, it is essential that we be filled with God’s Holy Spirit (Baptism in the Holy Spirit). You cannot be saved unless you have been filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit. The atonement of Christ provided for the fullness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The Holy Trinity is received by faith alone in the finished work of Christ.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a second act of Grace, and it is when a believer is filled and becomes indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Baptism is an immersion of power that is accompanied by spiritual gifts according to God's will and must be sought after by faith. The Holy Spirit is God, he is the third person of the Holy Trinity, and he indwells us, as well as ministers to us. It is God’s will that we all experience the fullness of God and that is only possible by receiving the baptism in the Spirit. The infilling of the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the hands of the Apostles within Scripture. It was first given on the Day of Pentecost to those seeking God in the upper room. You may receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit by earnestly seeking God in prayer, or through the laying on of hands.

(Acts 2:1-4) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

There are nine gifts and nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is God's will that we seek him for the fullness of his Spirit. The strivings of the flesh are worthless. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we may become a new creation (set apart people). Only through the Holy Spirit is the love of Jesus poured into our hearts. We cannot walk, live, or bear good fruit apart from the Holy Spirit. If you love Christ, you will keep his commandments. This is only possible by being transformed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit. To live and walk in the Spirit is to walk away from sin.


The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is essential for all believers. Come as you are to Christ, but don't stay that way. It is true that we are justified, saved, and sanctified by faith alone. Christ's finished work upon the cross paid our debts in full and his shed blood sanctified us and removed our shame and guilt! However, faith must be accompanied with repentance to be sincere. You must be born again to inherit eternal life with Christ.

A dead, or lukewarm church will be vomited out of God's mouth according to His Word (Revelation 3). You cannot overcome your old nature, or bear good fruit, apart from God's Spirit. It is only possible to live an overcoming, or holy life, by surrendering your will to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out. God gives us Grace to grow in Him. We come to Him as babes on milk and learn to walk by his Spirit.


You must abide in the vine (Jesus Christ). Scripture teaches us that to abide in Christ is to continue in the faith and allow His Spirit to pour love into our hearts for others. To truly know Christ is to love one another and forgive others their trespasses, as Christ has forgiven us. We must give others grace to live in His grace. To walk in the Spirit is to live in God's freedom and no longer to be a slave to sin. Are you a new creation in Christ? Are you born again?

Jesus Said He Is..., Part 2: The Door of the Sheep & The Good Shepherd (Written by my Wife)

 

Jesus Said He Is..., Part 2: The Door of the Sheep & The Good Shepherd

In 2017 I read a book by Phillip Keller titled “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.” I have not enjoyed a non-fiction book as much as this one (not counting the Bible, of course). Keller preaches the Truth so eloquently that it struck me to the core. Keller opened up the world of shepherds I never knew.

After reading his book, the 23rd Psalm, and the fact that Jesus refers to Himself as both the door to the sheepfold and also as our Good Shepherd, it makes this comparison so much more meaningful. Real sheep 100% rely on their shepherd to properly care for them. A bad shepherd has underfed sheep full of parasites living in dying pastures. Just like Jesus, a good shepherd takes care of His sheep’s every need. He takes great care moving his sheep from pasture to pasture in order to assure they always have plenty of green grass. He anticipates their every need.  He does everything he can to protect them and keep them safe. (Please read Keller’s book, he says it so much better, and you will see the bible in a completely new light.) 

Jesus is our door of protection when we stay within His will.  And in turn, we have the free will to open or close the doors to our hearts to Him. But remember, only our True Shepherd may enter through the correct door to our hearts. The thief and robber, Satan, may try to gain access, but the sheep (the true believer) will not recognize his voice, and will not let him in. Or should not let Satan enter. When we first submit to God, then resist the devil in the name of Jesus, Satan will flee.

(James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Our Good Shepherd protects not only the doors to our heart but literally laid His life down for us.

Jesus is the door of life. Jesus longs only for good things for our lives (see Jeremiah 29:11), and desires that we may lie down in green, lush, beautiful pastures next to still waters. He longs for a life full of abundance, or full of plentiful blessings.

Satan is the door of death. Why would you choose to walk through a dark and twisted door that would only steal, kill, and destroy your soul?

Do not waste your life waiting to decide whom you will follow and allow access to the door of your heart. Choose today whom you will serve. Make Jesus Lord of your heart, mind, body, and soul. Lock the door of your heart to the sins of this world and do your very best to walk down paths of righteousness. 

I would also like to visit the parable of Jesus and the Lost Sheep, my favorite parable from Jesus. It is proof that Jesus loves us and does not want any of us to perish spiritually. He is actively seeking out each and every one of us and wants to welcome us into His fold. There is more than one version of this parable, so I'll share the one from Matthew (read also Luke 15:1-7):

(Matthew 18:10-14) “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Jesus already gave His life for us. He shed His holy, sinless blood on the cross with the desire that we might live with Him forever.

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Christ does not have to do anything else; it is up to us to choose to accept God's precious gift. Yet, in spite of this fact, God still actively seeks each of us out and calls us to Him. He will search for the one lost sheep that has wandered away.

I would next like to focus on what it means to be lost. The Bible makes it clear that we are all like sheep that have gone astray.

(Isaiah 53:5-6) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Or to put it another way:

(Romans 3:23) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Which means we are all in need of God's saving grace.

We all have sinned, but being a lost sheep does not just refer to those who have yet to receive Christ as their Savior. For one thing, we all sin every day. Although we do not lose our salvation with every minor sin, we still should daily confess our sins. There are those, however, who have been saved and have backslidden. Therefore, to me this parable is also about those who received Christ as Lord of their life, then later fell away. In other words, one can become lost again.

(Revelation 2:5) Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

There is no shame in admitting that we have done wrong and allow God to change us from the inside out. Sometime that requires a daily cleansing and always a daily self-examination of our hearts.

(Psalm 119:175-176) Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.

(Psalm 139:23-24 ) Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Jesus loves us all very much and wants to rescue us from a life of sin. He will never stop chasing us. His Word shows He has compassion for us and longs to capture us forever. He wants to teach us, guide us, direct us, encourage us. He wants us to cling to the folds of His robes and learn at His feet (by reading the Bible).

(Mark 6:34) And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Once we have been rescued, we are to remain changed. We are not to give into the temptations of the world. Reading the words of Jesus will really encourage and guide you in your daily walk. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with the Old Testament and I love and study the entire bible. However, if you truly want to learn and grow and be rescued, studying the gospels and really allowing Jesus' own words to sink deep into your heart and soul will transform you. I can say from experience that really focusing first on the words of Christ and then his followers who wrote the New Testament, will make you calmer and feel more at peace with everyday life. It will make it easier to live a life set apart from the ways of the world.

(1 Peter 2:1-3 & 21-25) Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus referred to Himself as "The Good Shepherd," and He is indeed good. Life is often full of pain, sorrow, and frustration, but God's love never changes. Jesus is the only way to Salvation and a life of peace.

 (John 10:1-18 & 27) [Jesus said] "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers..."

Then said Jesus unto them again, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."