Monday, December 7, 2020

Affirmed Forever

From the time that the Lord first called Abram (Genesis 12:1-4) at age seventy five and for the next twenty five years the Lord continued to affirm and reaffirm him. (Genesis 13:14-18, 15:1-5, 17:1-27, 22:11-18) To affirm someone is to, assert strongly and publicly by declaring as a fact, one's support for another by validating, upholding and defending them. Everyone needs affirmation. Even Jesus Christ the Son of God was affirmed, "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying,"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17) Jesus was affirmed by His Father at the launch of His ministry on earth as the Son of Man and "We declare to you glad tidings, that promise which was made to the fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: You are My Son, today I have begotten You." (Acts 13:32-33) He was affirmed again by the Father at the fulfilling of His ministry on earth when He was resurrected from the dead. 

Many in the church today struggle with their identity and affirmation. I myself also have struggled with the same because my natural father passed away when I was young and I did not become a believer until twelve years later. However, at a conference in 2002 the Holy Spirit spoke to me to go forward and receive a father's affirmation from a well known man of God who was thirty years my senior and had been in the ministry for fifty years. When I received the father's affirmation I truly felt validated and from that point forward was able to receive my Heavenly Father's affirmation through His Word as to how He truly sees me and my identification with Him through Jesus Christ. It is truly liberating when you absolutely know with out wavering that, "...He made us accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 2:10) 

So, why do believers struggle with who they truly are in Christ.  Look what happen to the Lord after the Father affirmed Him, "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  and when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread....Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down..." (Matthew 4:1-3, 5) Satan attacked Jesus’ affirmation or identity by basically saying, "If you really are who you say you are then prove it." Jesus knew who He was so He did not have to prove it to Satan.  

Paul tells us, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:10-12) To define what a scheme of the devil is from a biblical perspective, it is a large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect in a devious way with the intent to do something illegal or wrong. Paul encourages the believer to be strong and courageous by totally relying on God’s strength, abilities and promises. Believers are not to rely on natural things for the warfare at hand, but God has spiritual armament to triumph over the devious, illegal systematic plans and ideas of the devil. 

Paul reiterates this very thing in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 but reveals something else, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." Paul tells us again that God has spiritual armament for pulling down strongholds (fortress, or strong fortification) These strongholds are everything that opposes God's Word, such as philosophies, fantasies, reasoning and false doctrines. These things are all demonically influenced and if unchecked will attach themselves to our soul (mind, will and emotions) When a person thinks about something long enough or has repetitive thoughts, a belief system is  formed. These beliefs when held on to long enough become mental strongholds. Mental strongholds are powerful because they hide the truth and can shape a person into a false identity. 

One of Satan’s primary schemes is to keep believers from knowing who they truly are in Christ which keeps them from the call of God in their life, thereby defeating their purpose. This scheme also causes believers to feel inadequate or inferior because it fills the mind with sin consciousness. The following are some examples of how this diabolical scheme can get place with believers....

  • Being hurt in any relationship;
  • Being abandoned by a parent, spouse, loved one or close friend; 
  • Physical or mental abuse; 
  • Hurt by another believer especially a church leader; 
  • Receive(d) constant criticism; 
  • Have faced a traumatic situation;
  • Experience numerous failures; etc.
All of these can become thoughts that produce feelings of condemnation, guilt, shame, inferiority, or inadequacy. If you are dealing with any of the things mentioned above and they are producing these feelings, condemnation, guilt, shame, inferiority, or inadequacy, then know that God's Word has exceedingly abundant great news for you! Proverbs 4:22 tells us that God's Word is, "life and health (medicine) to all our flesh." So begin a daily time of reading and meditating on God's Word. Declare what God has done for you in Christ; How the Father see you in Christ; What the Holy Spirit through God's Word is doing in you; and what God can do through you by His Holy Spirit who is in you. When we come to truly know who we are in Christ we will have no problem accepting ourselves with all of our flaws, our strengths and weaknesses, our successes and failures without condemnation, guilt, shame or inferiority because through God's Word we will see that our heavenly Father truly loves us and is not ashamed to call us His children.

Monday, November 30, 2020

Hold Fast to Your Confession

Word games are a favorite among many. They not only provide fun entertainment, but they also provide a learning experience. Some of the top word games today are, Scrabble, Boggle, Typo, Balderdash, Upword, Word Search and the ever favorite, Crosswords. Though word game may provide various benefits, how we use our words has a great impact upon ourselves and others. Solomon says it this way, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21). 

Many believers today live with a sense of defeat and failure not realizing that the words coming from their mouth are most likely the reason for this, especially if their words are negative in content. Look what the writer of Hebrews says concerning God's Word, "who (Jesus) being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, (the Father) and upholding all things by the word of His power..." (Hebrews 1:3) Notice that it does not say "the power of His word" but "the word of His power." In other words, God's Word is His power or as Hebrews also say, "For the word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12) 

It has been said by many, that Christianity is called "the great confession" However, far to many believers are defeated in life because they believe and confess the wrong things. Again, looking to the Book of Hebrews it  says, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." and "Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 4:14, 10:23) Believers are to "hold fast our confession." But what confession are we to hold fast to? We are to hold fast to our confession of the absolute integrity of God's Word as well as hold fast to the confession of the finished redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Concerning holding fast our confession to the absolute integrity of God's Word, let's consider the following...

  • Psalms 89:34 My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. 
  • Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
  • Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
  • Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
  • John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth
  • Hebrews 11:3 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.
These are but a few passages of scripture that reveal the power that is released when believers stand on the integrity of God's Word. God has promised to make His Word come to pass, all we have to do is speak it and believe that it will never fail but get the job done every time. Concerning holding fast to the confession of the finished redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ let us consider the following...
  • Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
  • Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
  • 1 Peter 2:24 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.

These too are but a few passages of scripture revealing the finished redemptive work of Christ and the believers legal right to these incredible promises. Both of these areas of making confession require only one thing, faith, the rest is up to God. Let's face it, every person who walks by faith will have testing, but keep in mind they do not come from the Father, they come from the adversary, (James 1:13, 1 Peter5:8) The devil does not want the Word of God to have the ascendancy in your life. He knows that when believers live by the Word of God, they know how to resist him on every level of life in the same manner that Jesus did. This is freedom, this is life, this is rest, because this is Christianity. 

"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health (medicine) to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you."  (Proverbs 4:20-24)

Monday, November 23, 2020

Many Thanks

Thanksgiving Day, in the United States, is a holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Thanksgiving was celebrated nationally in 1789, after a proclamation by George Washington. It has been celebrated as a federal holiday every year since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens." As a federal and public holiday in the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays of the year. The event that Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World at the Plymouth Plantation in 1621. According to historic accounts, this feast lasted three days, and it was attended by 90 Native Americans. It was first and foremost celebrated as a religious observance of the blessings of God upon the early settlers.  

Although the colonist did not call the celebration Thanksgiving, it was the first corn harvest proved successful by the new colonists. After being plagued with sickness and death, there was definitely something to be thankful to God for. So, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. While no record exists of the historic banquet’s exact menu, the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow wrote in his journal that Governor Bradford sent four men on a “fowling” mission in preparation for the event, and that the Wampanoag guests arrived bearing five deer. Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. The meal, most likely, did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations. Today, in the United States, Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday of the year. 

In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance. Instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. Although turkey has become all but synonymous with the holiday, it may or may not have been on the menu of this inaugural feast in 1621. According to the National Turkey Federation, today, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat some type of foul, whether roasted, baked or deep-fried, on Thanksgiving Day. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, a variety of vegetables and pumpkin pie. Volunteering is also a common Thanksgiving Day activity. Communities, especially churches, often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate. Parades have also become an integral part of the holiday in cities and towns across the United States. Although these things may have some redeeming qualities, there is one thing that has certainly corrupted Thanksgiving Day which began Thanksgiving Day 2014. Unfortunately, most department stores and retailers have permitted greed to erode this day of giving thanks to become a day of making a profit.  

Although there has been a departure in the United States of the true meaning and reason for celebrating Thanksgiving, and although there may be some who disagree that Thanksgiving was a religious event, believers should never let any sector of society deprive us of celebrating Thanksgiving from its original roots, celebrating the wonderful works of God. The Apostle Paul tells us, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Believers are to maintain an attitude of gratitude. We should always remember what the Lord Jesus Christ did for humanity. The fact that He left the glory of heaven to take on the form of a man (Philippians 2:5-8), becoming sin with our sin, sick with our sicknesses (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10) and a curse for all (Galatians 3:13), should cause every believe to be extremely thankful and to greatly rejoice. To rejoice is a spontaneous, unsustainable feeling of jubilance; a feeling so strong that it finds expression in some external act, clapping, dancing, shouting. It means to be exceedingly joyful. 

Even in our prayer time believers are to be thankful, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men." (1 Timothy 2:1) So, during this festive holiday, let us truly offer the Lord the fruit of our lips from hearts of thanksgiving, how great and wonderful He is. Let us give Him thanks for the wonderful blessings that He has given and continues to give. May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fill you with thanksgiving everyday...

Monday, November 16, 2020

Enter The Throne Room

Probably the greatest revivalist in American history was Charles Finney. Finney was convinced, through many years of Revival ministry, that God intended the church to live continually in a Revival state. He believed that this was the “normal” state of the church. Quite frankly, so do I. He was also convinced that if the church would just meet the basic conditions for revival, that is, deep repentance and heartfelt, agonizing prayer for the outpouring of God’s Spirit, then Revival would always result.  He likened it to a field of wheat and said it this way, "If a farmer tills the soil and provides the right seed and conditions, then a great crop will always result. This is normal and expected. Revival is no more a miracle than a crop of wheat. Revival comes from heaven when heroic souls enter the conflict determined to win or die or if need be, to win and die! The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." John Wesley was of a similar mind when he said, “Have you any days of fasting and prayer?  Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down.”

God spoke to Ezekiel and said, Ezekiel 22:30 "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." (Ezekiel 22:30) Although this was a message of judgment on Jerusalem we cannot look at the state of the USA and brush away a statement like this and say that it does not apply to the church today. Statistically, corporate prayer is the least attended ministry in the church today and yet it is one of the most important. 

There is nothing in Scripture to suggest that corporate prayers are more powerful than individual prayers, but when we look at the early church, we can see that it was an important principle that they practiced continually, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)  After Peter and John were released from custody for preaching and teaching in the Name of Jesus they immediately gathered with a number of other believers to pray, "And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said, why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ.'  "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:23-31) 

The apostle Paul tells us through the Holy Spirit, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all..." (1 Timothy 2:1-6) 

All believers are called to pray for all men. This implies that before we pray for ourselves and our families that we should be praying for others, especially those who are in authority so that there will be peace in our nation and that the preaching of the gospel go unhindered. "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.(2 Thessalonians 3:1-2) This is why we pray for those in authority, so that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly, be unhindered, and be glorified. 

"Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Satan plans are to try and stop the work of God from going forth. It is up to the church, that is, every individual believer as to whether or not the devil succeeds in his plans."And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it...And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 14:13-14, 16:23-24) 

Believers have authority to ask and pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name. When believers pray God's will (His Word) they are not only reminding Him of His promises (Isaiah 43:26) but they give Him permission to move and rule over the situation no matter what it is. In these passage, two times, Jesus directs us on how to ask and what to expect. When believers stand on God’s Word, in the delegated authority that has been given to them, asking in the name of Jesus, God can do great things such as bringing many lost into His Kingdom. However, we must remember that pray or asking is only the preparation of the soil. A sower must still go out and sow the seed. For believers, the seed we are to sow is God's Word. (Mark 4:13-20) 

A farmer can pray for a crop all year long, but if he doesn’t prepare the soil and sow seed there will be no harvest. We can and should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest, but if no one ever sows the Word there will be no harvest of souls. (Romans 10:14-15) So, let us "make a wall, and stand in the gap before God on behalf of the land," our nation is depending on us.

Monday, November 9, 2020

Shine Jesus Shine

One of the most interesting stories of the Old Testament is found in the life of the prophet Elijah. According to James, "Elijah was a man with a nature like our..." (James 5:17) In other words, he was a mere man, subject to the same weaknesses and or infirmities as all other men. Yet God used him supernaturally in various time and situations, one being at Mount Carmel. Israel was under the corrupt leadership of King Ahab whose wife Jezebel was a promoter of worshiping false gods. A challenge is set before Ahab to settle the issue as to who was God, "Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" And Elijah answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table. So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel." (1 Kings 18:17-20) 

The next statement that Elijah makes, I believe should be considered by church leaders today as a word spoken also to us, "Elijah came to all the people, and said,"How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word." (1 Kings 18:21) Question? Is God doing the same tremendous things today through the church as He did in the early church? The answer to this question is, absolutely! The fact is, God has always proved Himself through miracles, signs and wonders from the beginning of mans history through almost three hundred years after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. 

Some may say that the resurrection of Christ was a show of God's power that is enough proof as to who He is. If this is the case, then why were so many miracles performed in the early church? Some may say that when the Bible was completed (canonized) that there is no longer a need for miracles. If this is true, then Christianity is nothing more than one of the worlds religions. What separates Christianity from every other religion is not only the resurrection of the Lord, but the signs, wonders and miracles. Interestingly enough,  the Lord used them to confirmed the preaching of the Word. (Mark 16:20) 

As Elijah faced off with the false prophets of Baal and Asherah, God proved Himself with a mighty show of power that "when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said,"The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39) How many people have you seen in your life time who have rejected Christ in the past but have fallen on their faces in public crying out, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" Well, maybe you haven't, but I have and many others ministers that I know have seen large numbers of people do this very thing, why? Because the Lord was working with us and confirming the Word through accompanying signs, not because we are special or more valuable to Him than any other believer. It is simply because we believe that the Lord has not changed, meaning, He has not changed who He is, what He does, and what He has said. (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 89:34, Psalm 119:89, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) 

Today, we tend to limit the preaching of the gospel to sharing Christ with our words. This is certainly a good thing to do and it is also the primary function of the church. However, the apostle Paul reveals something very interesting that we have missed in many respects, "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:18-19) Paul reveals that the full gospel is not only preaching Christ in word, but that preaching Christ in mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit is indeed the full gospel. Of course to believe this for today takes faith

I always find it interesting that the Lord Himself tells us, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."  (Mark 16:17-18) Notice the only condition that is required to perform signs, wonders and miracles is to, "Those who believe." Also notice that it does not say or even allude to, "And these signs will follow only the apostles who believe or only those who believe during a particular dispensation of church history:" I believe that once again the Lord is calling for Elijah's as it were, to step up in faith in the face of all the Baals (the world and every other religion in the world) in the power of His might showing those who reject Him that "Jesus Christ is LORD!" This will be accomplished through the full gospel that Paul spoke of, preaching Christ in mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit. This is what will cause the church to shine as it did in the past. This is what will separate the church from every other religion. This is what will reveal the real Jesus, and this is what will unite the church once again all for His glory.  

Monday, November 2, 2020

A Religion Based on Theory

Throughout the history of man, many have refused to believe in "Elohim", God the Creator and Judge of the universe. As the world population increases, so does the propaganda of lies increase that say there in no God, no Creator. This lie has increase much more since the publishing of "The Origin of Species" in 1859 by Charles Darwin, then any other time in history. The Origin of Species is one of the greatest wrong guesses in the world of science, we call it "Evolution". Sadly, evolution is taught and accepted as scientific fact in high schools and universities throughout the world and yet due to modern advances in technology, evolution has been consistently proven scientifically, to be a fallacy. Even Charles Darwin two years after he wrote "The Origins of Species," shared his doubts that evolution could ever produce something as complex as the human eye. 

To fully understand evolution we must distinguish between micro-evolution and macro-evolution. In short, micro-evolution is when gradual changes take place causing some variations in a particular species due to cross-breeding, climate or environmental changes. This is also called "adaptation." However, although these changes take place, the species remains "its kind." It does not transform into a different species plus it does not conflict with what God said at the time of creation, "...Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so." (Genesis 1:24)

Macro-evolution claims that after an astronomical number of random mutations take place over an astronomical number of years, finally a major change takes place and an entirely new and different species evolves that had never existed. Although micro-evolution does exist, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that macro-evolution has ever occurred. In other words, one of the proofs of evolution was to be observed by fossils and or observed in a laboratory that would show this random mutation to be so. The problem, there is absolutely no evidence to prove this at all.

So, why do educators still promote these lies and teach them as facts? Without mentioning any names, the following are quotes (only a very few) from some of the top leading evolution scientists in the world...

  • All of us who study the origin of life find that the more we look into it, the more we feel it is too complex to have evolved anywhere and yet we all believe as an article of faith that life evolved from dead matter on this planet.
  • Our faith in the doctrine of evolution depends upon our reluctance to accept the antagonistic doctrine of special creation.
  • The theory of evolution has survived despite the lack of scientific evidence because the theory is considered socially desirable and even essential to the peace of mind of the body politic.
  • Evolution is unproved and not provable. We believe it only because the only other alternative is special creation which is unthinkable
  • It is therefore a matter of faith on the part of the biologist that evolution did occur and he can choose whatever method of evolution that suits him personally; the evidence for what did happen is not available.

All of these quotes by evolutionists say the same thing. Forget about scientific evidence because evolution is a matter of faith and there is no evidence to prove it. We call this higher education, hummm. The reality of evolution is plain and simply. It is not the "Theory of Evolution" but "The Religion of Evolution," and yet how many educators today throw out the "separation of church and state" card. If educators were really honest, they would stop teaching such an idiotic religion and see the the very proponents of evolution say that they have absolutely zero proof of it. 

I want to finish by sharing one more (though there are many) ditch effort that evolutionist purpose as they feverishly try to keep their religion alive. Keep in mind that evolutionist consider themselves highly intellectual people. Another guess goes like this, "evolution could never have developed life by chance on our Earth, in our solar system or in our universe. For life to have originated on Earth it would be necessary that quite explicit instructions should have provided for it's assembly." Now this sounds like the admission that there is a Creator. However, the guess goes on to say, "that life was purposely seeded upon the earth in the distant past by some intergalactic space aliens who themselves were created in another galaxy by some super-intelligent, super-being, that is, a higher intelligence. Furthermore, because these aliens seeded the earth with life they have a responsibility to serve the higher intelligence, but we do not because we are a secondary life form."

Now this may sound somewhat hilarious, but these thing are serious. David goes on to say, "...They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good." (Psalm 14:1) The church has a mandate not to lobby against evolution, but to win souls and make disciples. Our failure in fulfilling our mandate, has opened the door for these atheistic teachings to fill our world and be taught as truth when in fact the church is the vehicle of truth to the lost world. If you think about it, it take more faith to believe such an outrageous religion as evolution than to believe in the one and only Creator, Elohim. So, let us rise up, through off the slumber and get down to business magnifying the Lord in all sectors of society and letting His Word prevail over all the corrupt words of the world. Let's lead people away from darkness and tell them the good news. LET'S GET PEOPLE SAVED! The lost world is counting on us!!!    

Monday, October 26, 2020

The Dominating Factor

One of the most wonderful things that Jesus did for humanity was to become a substitute and redeem humanity by "...opening their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ." (Acts 26:18)  The word redeem means, to compensate for the faults, poor performance or behavior of another; to rescue; to buy back; to ransom. In other words, God took upon Himself the liability of man's sin by deity and humanity coming together in Jesus Christ. Jesus became mans substitute by paying the price with His own life for the crimes of man thereby satisfying the demands of justice for man's crimes.  But it goes much deeper than this. 

If Jesus only paid for man's sin, then man would still be faced with a dilemma. He would still be spiritually dead and the fallen, satanic nature would still be present within. But the reality of redemption is that God has made a way for humanity to receive His divine nature (2 Peter 1:2-4) thereby putting to death the old fallen, satanic nature. Jesus calls this transformation, "Being born again, being born of the Spirit." (John 3:3-8) The Holy Spirit speaking through the apostle Paul says it this way, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ..." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) 

The old spiritual nature that linked humanity with Satan has ceased being and a new nature, God's nature, is imparted to him. In destroying man's old nature and giving him a new nature, man has now been given the position as a child of God (John 1:12) with all of its rights and privileges. (Ephesians 1:1-23) This is great news but there is something that many believers have not fully understood. The believes spirit is born again, that is, recreated, becomes a new creation, not their soul (mind, will and emotions) or their flesh. This means that a struggle as to who is in charge, the mind and flesh or the recreated spirit is present. This no way indicates that man now has a dual nature, one of righteousness, the new nature and one of sin, the old nature. What this does mean is that man must let his recreated spirit dominate his soul and flesh.

The apostle Paul tells us, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."  (Romans 8:5-8) and "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." (Galatians 5:16-17) As we can plainly see, the flesh and soul are not recreated and need to be brought under subjection of the recreated spirit. They are enemy's to God because they want to acts out against God. 

Believe it or not, there is a very simple way to bring ones flesh and soul under subjection to the recreated spirit. The Holy Spirit through Paul tells us, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:12-14 and, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) Believers are to offer their bodies to God for His service and not for their self seeking desires. They do this by, "...not being conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) and by "being renewed in the spirit of your mind." (Ephesians 4:23) Through constantly studying and meditating on the Word of God, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17) which builds the believers faith and also by rely on God's grace "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) which gives the believer the ability and desire to do God's Will. 

James sheds some light on this very thing, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) The word implanted means to, firmly set, insert or embed as seed in the ground that takes root and causes growth. So, the Word of God implanted into the soul of man has the ability and power to save, heal, preserve, deliver and make whole the soul. The saving of the soul will bring the flesh under control because the recreated spirit will once again be the dominating factor in the believers life in the same manner that it was in Adam before the fall. 

Now you may be thinking, "I do read, study and meditate on God's Word but I still struggle with poor thinking and the works of the flesh." Well James continues to tells us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." (James 1:22-25) Certainly, reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God is of the utmost importance, but it is only when we believe and act on God's Word that faith is built, grace abounds and the works of the flesh and arguments and renegade thoughts of the mind come under the dominion of the recreated spirit. 

This is not at all difficult to the believer who truly wants to be and "Imitator of God as a dear child" who act on God's Word because they know that He is faithful and performs His Word. However, this is very difficult and almost unattainable to the believer who does not believe and act upon God's Word. Unfortunately, some believers have either never been truly set free by the truth or they only expect God's love and favor to be upon them if they do enough good works. If this is you, then know this. God has already given you a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) and His grace (Ephesians 4:7) so all that is required is to believe His word and act on it. It will transform your life. 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)