Tag: faith

Scripture Prevails

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Scripture Prevails

I’m not emotionless, and I’m not cold hearted. I believe in facts, and I believe in truth. I’ve spent my whole life helping those in need. I’ve spent my whole life being a shoulder for those in need to cry on. I’ve been a punching bag. I’ve been a sounding board. I’ve been counsel. I’ve been the voice of reason. I’ve also been on the side where I needed all those things. I’ve been on the side where I felt little compassion and I know how hard life can be. Make no mistake, I will not sidestep the word of God to spare someone their feelings.

The world will turn on you, and in an instant friends, family, and strangers will attack you all for your beliefs. People will attack you for the word of God, and you will be the punching bag of many. In lieu of recent events, I felt it was my responsibility to check myself and see if what was said against me might have had any weight. When I look back at the post and what I wrote I see a clear cut message, free of emotion, without a scripture verse, but in response to recent issues regarding abortion. In the following hours after the post messages from people who don’t talk to me on a regular basis or even within a year, started to message me, and tell me how insensitive, and how wrong I was for stating abortion was wrong and that it was murder. Regardless of how things were said, I stood there and allowed stones to be thrown at me. What is it that really hit the red button I wonder? Not only did I feel the stones thrown at me, but I could also tell there was an issue with the Christian faith. There was anger, and there was bitterness, and there was insult.

At no time did I speak of my own opinion, or attack in return, but instead, responded with more scripture. This seemed to only add fuel to the fire. What did Paul feel as he was run out of Synagogue after Synagogue, Temple after Temple? I cannot imagine his level of frustration as he knew the truth, and going from a man of influence and stature, and respect, to a man run out of every town he preached in. How did Paul react with his change of status? The answer, while not easy, is simple, our Lord and Savior endured slander, false accusations, and even death for a crime he did not commit. Who am I to feel this way, to feel angry, to feel belittled over something that is clearly stated in scripture. It’s true, anger comes from feeling insulted, disrespected, or when our own insecurities are brought forth. We can only stand on the word of God. Many people will attack you for what you believe, but you need to ask yourself, as I have, whom do you stand with? As it is so wonderfully put in God’s Not Dead 2 “I would rather stand with God and be judged by man, then to stand with man and be judged by God.” How very true, and as I do feel badly for the tough decisions people might be in every day, for every tough decision God if we give him the faith, give him the glory, will show us a way. We must have faith in God, and trust in His perfect plan. Life is hard, and there are always consequences for our action, and those are things we must consider before we make choices that could change our lives forever. Yes, one simple act can forever alter the status quo of your life, and it’s something that needs to be thought about.

As for me, I will find a way to manage the feelings inside. I will praise God that perhaps the messages shared recently might find their way to who might need it. I will do the best I can and continue to fight the good fight, and never compromise God’s word for the feelings of others, even if I do empathize, and sympathize with them.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a: Training and Discipline] instruction in righteousness,” 

We believe that scripture is given to us by God to show us how to live. We believe scripture shows us the power of God, the mercy of God, the love of God, and the sovereignty of God. We cannot pick and choose parts we like and ignore parts we don’t. But, all sins upon repentance are forgiven by God. We must remember that while we confront the sin, we must always do so in a loving and respectful matter.

I have one example of what not to do. If you own a bakery, and a homosexual couple comes in requesting a wedding cake, it’s probably not the best idea to turn them away. If you want to show yourself as a loving Christian, you are respectful, and making someone feel an inch tall by embarrassing them, or insulting them, is not the Christian way. Invite them to church, ask to pray for them, or even remind them that Jesus loves them. I use this example from the many times it’s happened in the last few years. Every time it’s happened and it’s made the news, it’s because the Christian turned away the customer. I would argue that’s not the Christ[like] way. It’s not our place to pass judgment, but again, we are to call out the sin when we need too, and love on everyone regardless of that sin. We cannot sugar coat scripture, and we cannot ignore it.

I am a sinner just like everyone else, and I struggle with different sins. The Lord knows which sins I struggle with, and that’s between us. We all have sins, and we all have our different areas we need to work on. Scripture is the one and only truth. In this world as truth is becoming a fluid idea, and it can be anything for anyone, that thought process begins the decent into anarchy. We must accept Jesus as the one true way to the Father, and accept that Scripture is divined by God to teach us the way. 

Abortion

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Abortion 

Until I moved in with my grandpa at 16 I wore goodwill clothes, got free lunch, had little to no Christmas gifts, couldn’t join sports because mom couldn’t afford it. I had no money to go on trips with friends, nothing. Most nights for dinner I had cereal because that’s all mom could afford most of the time. Growing up in poverty gave me a respect for money, a hard working work ethic, and a drive to better my life. We cannot hope to change anyone’s mind, and we cannot hope to raise any kind of awareness without the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus shows us what the two greatest commandments are, and it’s our job to live them daily. Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV)36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” There is a distinct difference between Old Testament law, and a commandment. A law had a practical purpose for life at the time, while a commandment was a law against God. When you look at the commandments there is usually a substantial punishment that goes along with it, while the law at the time was about personal safety. (Yes we can talk about this if you want). 

I was recently in a conversation in which I was told I pick and choose topics to discuss and I do not discuss topics I don’t wish too. While this isn’t true, and over 700 posts have shown I’ve talked a little about a lot, I would like to make it known here and now, I do not pick and choose what to talk about and what not too, I talk about what I see as needed when I see it as needed, and whatever that may be. So, let me first start off by saying I am a sinner, I am no better then anyone else. I have my own struggles with my own sins, and I confess them to those I need to, but most importantly I confess my sins to God. Second, I am not judging anyone for their actions, I am simply calling out a world sin phenomenon and giving scripture as to why it’s a sin. Okay, now that that’s covered there’s a few things I would like to talk about, first is abortion, obviously this is the title of the post, but next is pre-marital sex.

There’s a reason pre-marital sex is considered a sin, and that’s because at its nature, sex is not for pleasure but for procreation. Pre-marital sex is a sin against God because its very act is to create life, which all life is a gift by God. To have sex out of wedlock means to potentially create life outside of the family dynamic. This is a sin because the family was designed by God to work as mother, father, and Heavenly Father. While there may not be an immediate repercussion, having sex out of wedlock is like playing Russian Roulette. Eventually a condom will fail, birth control won’t work, sex with multiple partners extends the risk of STD’s etc. Now, that being said, there are areas in which unplanned or unwanted pregnancies do happen, and those may be rape or incest. This is a different category of care needed due to the trauma experienced.

This however does not mitigate or detract from the main idea, and that begs the question, what is life? That answer can be seen below.

“It is clear that from the time of cell fusion, the embryo consists of elements (from both maternal and paternal origin) which function interdependently in a coordinated manner to carry on the function of the development of the human organism.  From this definition, the single-celled embryo is not just a cell, but an organism, a living being, a human being.

The American College of Pediatricians concurs with the body of scientific evidence that corroborates that a unique human life starts when the sperm and egg bind to each other in a process of fusion of their respective membranes and a single hybrid cell called a zygote, or one-cell embryo, is created.

As physicians dedicated both to scientific truth and to the Hippocratic tradition, the College values all human lives equally from the moment of conception (fertilization) until natural death. Consistent with its mission to “enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being,” the College, therefore, opposes active measures23 that would prematurely end the life of any child at any stage of development from conception to natural death” (ACPEDS, 2017). 

Now, it was also brought to my attention that I need to consider miscarriages, however, that seems to be irrelevant due to the fact, one is a natural occurrence, and the other is a man-made decision. Humans have free will, and while anyone in a situation of feeling the need to have an abortion I would like to say there is hope out there. There are options. There are ways to mitigate abortions by safe sex practices if you decide to have sex outside of marriage. There are adoption clinics where parents are waiting for a child. There are foster parents. (Yes I realize the system is not the greatest) however it is not our place to play God and determine what’s best for a child when we are opting murder is the best option. We determine life by a heartbeat and when that heartbeat stops we determine death. When a baby has a heartbeat is well beyond the point of a living entity. If a person commits murder of a pregnant women, that person is charged with a double homicide, however, if a mother chooses to end her own child’s life it’s considered to be her ‘choice’, however once the baby is born that same option to murder her child is no longer considered choice but murder. Even to the point where a child may be viable outside of the womb and now well into the 9thmonth, abortion is considered legal in states and is spreading. I was told recently that for a child with a deformity or debilitating issue, that is the main purpose to late term abortion, however, again are we playing God and determining what impact that child might have on others? 

Ephesians 2:10“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a gift from the Lord.” God is the author and creator of life. All life is an act of God. 

We are not to pick and choose which part of the Bible we want to obey and which we want to pass to the wayside. We also must not make erroneous claims. Old Testament law is largely to keep people safe from illness, from death, to keep people clean, etc. As our laws change so do the laws of old. However, while laws change, Sins do not. We are all sinners, and while we do sin, there is hope in our chains. Jesus Christ bled for us, so our sins would not condemn us to hell, but give us a chance of everlasting life. The key however, is that we must come before God humble, and in acknowledgment of our sins, repenting of them, and asking God for His mercy and forgiveness. As Christ said to the women at the well, ‘Go forth and sin no more.’

We never know the joy a child may bring no matter what they may be born with. In the days of Sparta any baby born with a deformity was killed. This was to keep the Spartan line strong. In countries like Japan, babies who are women were aborted if a family had met its quota of babies of allowed of a certain sex. In parts of Africa women are circumcised to prevent them wanting to have pre-marital sex. We find it so repulsive to think about the holocaust and the murdering of thousands, but just because a baby had not been born yet we as a society somehow have justified that as acceptable. We find what Harod did when he murdered all the first born boys from infant to 2 years old in the search for Jesus an awful thing, but we do it every day.

Now, let me be clear, I am by no means justifying other sins, nor am I saying one sin before God is worse then another, however, I am saying it is our job as Christians not to judge, but to call out sin. We are to point it out, and attempt to stop the sin from happening by sharing the Word of God. There are plenty of other posts I’ve written that talk about other sins.

Dave Pelzer was born into a world where he would grow without a name, kept in a basement, abused, tortured, and was treated less then human. He grew up to be an amazing motivational speaker that talks about growing beyond your upbringing, to love, to forgive, and to find purpose in yourself.

My cousin was born with severe Cerebral Palsy and requires near 24-hour care. From the moment she was born there was a problem, and knowing she would be different who whole life. She is one of the happiest, smartest, most loving people on the planet, even with her disability. Just because she was born with a major disability does not make her life any more or less important. She is a child of God, a gift from God, and a joy to all who know her.

We never know the impact someone may have growing up, and trying to prevent someone from living in poverty, or free from a home where they are unwanted, there are millions of people living in poverty who are happy. There are options for those families who cannot take care of their children. There are organizations that help underprivileged homes. There are adoptions, and places that will help raise kids. Conception is a gift from God and that child is innocent. We shall not take an innocent life, lest we be judged for it. We have a responsibility as the church to help those who are in trouble with pregnancy. We as a church have a responsibility to help children in need, to help parents in need, and to be a greater bacon hope, not to pass judgment, but to help the needy. We all sin, but this is one sin we need to stand up for, and be a voice for the millions of babies murdered every year. We have an obligation to stand up and say something because scripture tells us those who watch sin and do nothing are just as guilty as sin. James 4:17 (NKJV)17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” 

We as a church must continue to support those in need, and support the sanctity of life.

Reference

When Human Life Begins. (2017, April 17). Retrieved April 9, 2019, from https://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/life-issues/when-human-life-begins

Rebel Without A Cause

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Rebel Without A Cause

While the term Rebel is not always considered to be a bad thing, such as the Rebel Alliance in Star Wars, the rebellion I’m referring to is much more serious. When we think of rebelling, or rebellion today we think of the nations in Africa that often have a coup or even Iran or Russia. Rebelling might make for good Television, but in reality the rebellion that is the ultimate story is that of Satan against God the Father. Isaiah 14:12“How you are fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!” Satan rose against the Father and has gone to great lengths to destroy lives. The plot to remove man from the presence of God was to introduce knowledge into the Garden. Sin, is the avenue of our rebellion towards God every day. When we sin knowingly we rebel against the Father. Deuteronomy 31:27 (NKJV)“for I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. If today, while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord, then how much more after my death?”When we rebel we are say we are without prophet, or in otherwise without God’s favor. Numbers 14:9 (NKJV)9 “Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”

We often want to stand up against those in charge. We want to stand and argue or bicker over leaders saying things like “they aren’t my _____”. I have heard that a great deal in regards to the President of the United States. We often forget that just because something like an election doesn’t go our way that somehow we don’t have to respect that leadership. In scripture the Sanhedrin tried to trick Jesus into saying something against Rome thus he would be charged with citing rebellion. In 2 Samuel rebellion is something King David faces more then once. In 2Samuel 15:9-12“9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ” 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.” Absolom rose against David his own father in a coup over Jerusalem. We see Christ affirming to us that those in Authority are appointed by God, and there is a reason for it. Not every King, or ruler will be promoters of peace or prosperity, but a purpose never the less. 

Many don’t like President Trump, but regardless he was elected and serves the office of this great nation. We have a hard time understanding how the Lord can keep leaders such as North Korea, or even Syria in control, but there is a reason. We must understand parents, step parents, principles, bosses, or any other leadership must be respected under the law of the Lord. No matter how much dirt there is, or what mistakes someone made, we all dirt in our lives. None of us are perfect and we cannot expect to know what it’s like to be in the highest positions of leadership. We are all without justification on our own, but it’s through Christ we are blessed. We are blessed and through mercy we are given the ability to preach, teach, and lead those around us. Will we lead rebellion against the Lord by spouting hate and wicked speech, or will we lead those to the Lord by showing love to all, and living our lives according to scripture?

We understand that the Romans were not always the kindest to the Jews, and yet Paul is very clear, Romans 13:1“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” There is no authority great then God and we must remember our place in this world. Do not sin knowingly and in the face of God. Sin itself is treason against our Father and we must not do so just because we think we can get away with it and be forgiven. In 2 Samuel 20, Joab for the second time defies the will of the King (David) and murders the leader of David’s Army Amasa. Due to Joab’s disobedience in the murder of Absolom he was demoted from General. Joab is in essence rebelling against the will of his King, due to putting what’s best for himself first. This all falls under the second rebellion to threaten the throne in a short time as Sheba stands against David calling David’s appointment not legitimate. David was appointed by God to be King, and yet Sheba, and others teach us a valuable lesson what it means to rebel against God. 

To rebel against God is treason and the punishment for treason is death. Will we stand with God or with the world?

As I was thinking about what it means to submit authority and how we cannot use this as a blanket statement.

James 4:17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” 

Exodus 1 Israelites rebel and do not kill the males born, thus being blessed by God.

Daniel: Daniel’s friends disobeyed king Nebuchadnezzar and does not bow down to the idol, and is blessed by God, surviving the furnace.

I am a man who believes that doing what’s right stands above that of the law of man. Understanding that ALL men in power are appointed by God. When evil rulers abound, opportunity given to those who follow Christ, we are commanded to do what is right, and thus stand up and resist the ordained for what is, and we obey our Lord. We are tested to see if we will stand by and do nothing and be subject to the wrath of God, or if we will stand up and incur the wrath of man and blessed by God?

Those with the means to do what is right must do what is right. We who can fight should fight against the evil in this world. We serve the Lordship of Jesus, and it’s in Jesus we stand up against the wrong, and obey that which is governed and not in conflict with the will of God. Batman for instance is a vigilante, but if an authority is unable or unwilling to do what is right or necessary, should he not stand up and do what is called in James 4:17?

While the idea of vigilantism is highly controversial, and largely theoretical, it’s an interesting topic to discuss. I’ve always wondered why we don’t see more vigilante justice in this world. There are a lot of millionaires and billionaires in this world and yet none of them have become Batman. Although rare there have been some accounts of vigilantism, however, in those instances it’s been more motivated by vengeance than justice. The Cornel Law School definition of vigilante justice is “Behavior that resembles or matches that of vigilantes. Vigilante justice often describes the actions of a single person or group of people who claim to enforce the law but lack the legal authority to do so.  However, the term can also describe a general state of disarray or lawlessness, in which competing groups of people all claim to enforce the law in a given area.” 

It’s a tough idea to really put into practice because largely in my opinion it’s based on accountability. While we may feel that law enforcement agencies don’t move fast enough, or don’t care enough to do the job, the fact is, while I do support the idea of vigilante justice, it’s something that must be engaged only in extreme circumstances, and it must be remembered that in our nation there are laws against this act.

Real Life Vigilantes 

There is a group of people who patrol the streets in Liverpool UK, and they claim to be extra eyes and ears for the police. They do however dress in suits, gear, and hide their identity. They have stopped at least one pickpocket, but more then that, they help prevent crime, and feed the homeless. There is a project called the real life superhero project, and they are a real group in Montreal. There are other groups popping up, and while they are not quite Batman, they do have good intentions to help those in need, and deter crime.

http://reallifesuperheroes.com
http://xtremejusticeleague.org/index.php/about/

The line between rebellion and trying to do the right thing is a blurry gray line. It must be understood that just because you don’t agree doesn’t give you the right to take matters into your own hands. Children who don’t think their parents make the right decisions, doesn’t mean the child can do what they wish. Just because you don’t like the way a court case went, doesn’t mean you can take justice into your own hands. Rebellion is not always a bad word that depicts racism, or rule breakers. While the rebellion in Star Wars stood against a dictatorship that ruled through fear and punished with death, not every rebellion is indeed a negative thing. The biggest rebellion we need to keep in mind is the rebellion towards God in sinful behaviors. We must understand that God is the authority and His law is perfect and good. The laws of man may be fallible and mans rulers though ordained by God does not mean all leaders or rulers are to be obeyed. Obey the rulers of man so as they do not conflict with the laws of God. There may come a day when the rulers of the land make God’s law a crime. In these situations it is right to rebel against the authority, but know that there will consequences for it. While Jeremiah, Daniel, even Paul, disobeyed the law of the land, Paul died for it. Are we willing to die for the Lord? Are we willing to stand against authority to stand up for God? Our life is not our own, but our life is for God. We must remember to always do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, and follow authority ie: Parents, Police, Teachers, Government officials etc. so long as God is not being disobeyed. (This is not a matter of opinion based on different policies.)

Stand for the Lord and do what’s right. Know the details before passing decisions. Be vigilant, and prepare for the day when doing what’s right may not be easy, and it may turn illegal. I cannot vouch for others, but I would rather be judged by God and find pleasing favor in the Lord, rather then save myself in the eyes of man. 

Do You Doubt Yourself

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Do You Doubt Yourself? 

God, I can’t do what you ask of me; you’ve got the wrong person for the job. God, why am I not handsome enough? God, why am I so stupid I can’t figure out this math? God, I’m not good enough.

No matter what your doubt is, or your level of self-esteem, there’s one very important detail to remember, God loves you, and God has created you for a purpose. It’s hard to understand that we won’t be good at everything. Not everyone will like us, or even respect us. God knows our hearts, our strengths and weaknesses, and because of that God uses us to fit our skill set. I know God isn’t going to put me in a position to rely on math. I also know my gifts don’t rest within the nursery at church, however the youth, God thought it would funny to place me outside my comfort zone to get involved with the youth program at church, despite my comfort level. I have often wondered why me, and I’ve questioned what gives me the right to teach, or preach about our Lord and Savior. I’ve wondered what makes me the right person to start with. When it comes down to it though, am I questioning myself, or am I questioning God? Does God make mistakes? According to scripture, no, God’s plan is perfect, so then, we are the ones sinking in the water because of a little faith.

What do we think about ourselves with others? The Devil is the great divider. If Lucifer can divide us from inside paradise imagine what he can do to our marriages, our families, communities, etc. It’s hard thinking about how far divided we really are. We are divided in ideals, politics, even now the topic of biological sex identity. We have truly become lost in the ideas of the world. Even lost we have hope, a hope of tomorrow, a hope of eternal, and no longer the darkness reigns without a hope. We just need to see the red letters and know the truth. Galatians 3:26 NKJV“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” For my God has breathed a breath of life, and I am reborn in it. I feel the spirit renew my faith everyday. I feel God by my side even in the darkest of nights. I feel God’s warmth in the coldest of days. Fear does not run my life as it once had. I came to the Father broken, and I was remade, re-forged, and built stronger. 

Colossians 3 speaks of being a new man/woman, a new creation in the spirit of the Lord. It calls for us to let go of the old self, to allow the old (you) to die away and be reborn. You aren’t who you were growing up or what side of the tracks you grew up on. We are made of God and in the Holy Spirit we are not divided in God’s house. We are all valued to why do we devalue others, or even ourselves? Just because we are different, and come from different places, doesn’t mean we don’t all add value to this life. Colossians 1:16 NKJV“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or [powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”We are all made of God, for God, and that means that each of us plays a roll, not a matter of big or small, God loves us all just the same. 

God I don’t know if I can teach that class. God I don’t know if I can go on that mission trip. God I don’t know if I can lead that ministry in my church. God chooses us because He knows we can handle it. God appoints us because we are the right person for the right job. We must learn to trust in that and be willing to submit, and not constantly push back. We are all Human beings and we bring differences but even in those differences we celebrate under one name, Jesus Christ. We are under our creator the one and only Father God.

We doubt if we can live together, or if we can coexist in this world, but the thing is, we must live in harmony together. Republican or Democrat we say “Oh I’ll never be friends with that someone who voted for that guy.” Even worse, is when the dissention becomes hostile and filled with anger and violence. We don’t have to agree but we are called to live together under one ozone layer. It’s time to put away the foolishness that’s ridden our planet in anger and hatred. It’s time to realize it’s time to make a change. Proverbs 17:27NKJV “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”

God our father teaches a quiet answer that turns away wrath. Do not allow your insecurities to cause you to try and strong arm your opinion. Do not allow fear to dictate your actions. We all have our creator in common and even when I doubt who I am, what I can do in this world, God always says “I got this”.

Always speak the truth and we do that in love. All things are possible in Love. God gives us all a chance to do great things, or terrible things. We have the opportunity to spread love and at the same time if we doubt ourselves, trust that we are loved by the Father. No matter the opportunities God places in your lap, God chose you to be the one unique enough to handle the job. No matter if it’s a ministry class, a mission trip, a conflict at home or work, we have the power to change because we learn the truth in Jesus Christ. We may not be able to change others, but we can change ourselves. Don’t doubt who you are, instead grow in Christ. Don’t run from Christ’s calling for you, instead embrace it, and know that you are so loved by our creator that He wants a personal relationship with you. That means you’re important and needed and wanted. It doesn’t matter what man/women, says about you, all that matters is what we do and if it’s pleasing to God.

We are gifted with Grace, and blessed with Mercy, and we have our Faith that in Jesus Christ alone we are saved. We have Scripture to guide us, to teach us, and in all we do bring Glory to the father. These are the pillars in which we stand and if we are honest with ourselves, we have a blessing and we should all feel special and loved. Don’t let the world tell you you’re anything less then royalty under the blood of Christ. Don’t let the weight and sin of this world eclipse who you really are.

Whom Will You Kneel For

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Whom Will You Kneel For 

The world, life, is hard and is relentless in the attack. I was thinking about the movie Superman, and the picture of Zod in front of Superman demanding the man of steel kneels before the general. We have a choice in our life to determine whom we ultimately want to kneel before. We don’t have the option to sit on the sidelines and not choose a side. Everyone has a side, even those who don’t believe at all have a side. If we are not with Christ we are with the world. If you’re are in the world, you may be an unwitting participant in the team for Christ, but more often then not we become unwitting pawns of the Devil. I just heard the public outcry, ‘but I’m a good person!’ While that may be true, good doesn’t get us into Heaven. 

The idea of being saved is different from the idea of being submitting. The act of kneeling is the physical show of a person submitting. Ephesians 3:8-14“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Jesus Christ is the great healer, and the Son of the Father. We are healed from our chains, and set free, but how many of us are willing to submit to the father? We love the idea of fire insurance, or the get out of Hell free card, and that describes the savior part, but what about the Lord part? Do we truly, if we’re honest about it, feel the need to bow, or drop to bended knees for the Lord of the universe? We love the insurance, but to be a servant, that’s the line. Our Lord says, Matthew 7:21-23“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 

Knowing that Jesus Christ existed, and accepting the power of Heaven and Earth, are very different then succumbing to them. Knowing the power of Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to wash over you, it’s hard not to drop to your knees when you finally have the release of the world on your shoulders when you submit to Christ. We know that being a Christian, especially today is very difficult, but we realize that we still have freedoms to worship without fear of being turned into human candles which is exactly what Nero of Rome did to early Christians. 

Whom will you kneel for, and when your faith is questioned, or attacked by the world, will you have the strength to kneel before God, and stand up to man? The battle for your soul has already been won and gift wrapped for you, but you have to choose to use it. Christ died for you so you wouldn’t have to bare the weight of your sin, and in return some very simple things were asked of you. Love with all your heart and submit to Christ. The war is still being waged, and eventually, hopefully before it’s too late, you’ll have to pick which side you want to be on. As for me, I’d rather kneel before God, than stand against Him. It’s never too late to let go of yourself, and be made new in the blood of Christ. It’s never too late to let go of yourself, and realize God’s way is far better than your own. We could never hope to achieve success on our own, and if we measure success from a world view, then we will only have greatness in this life, but if we accept the greatness and mystery of Jesus Christ, we will see greatness from a Heavenly view when this life passes away. Of course, it’s a choice we all must make, and some will refuse to submit to the Lord, and scripture is clear what happens to them. It might not seem fair, or just, or compassionate, but when we don’t follow rules of man we go to jail, a life in four walls, freedoms stripped away, but when we consider breaking the cosmic rules, that’s unfair. How small and foolish creatures we are to think we know better then the sovereign God of the Universe. There’s hope in Jesus, as Jesus is the one and only hope. 

The Path To Damascus: A Journey Over The Mountain

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The Path To Damascus: A Journey Over The Mountain

This was supposed to be a leisurely walk in the woods. Day one, not the case. Right off the bat the Devil’s been nipping at my heels. From my pack being overweight, to pack malfunctions, to the rain, to the camp stove not fitting on the tank. It would seem I did not do due diligence in my preparation, even though I’ve been planning for five months. Even now as I lay in the tent I can hear the heavy wind and the rain going on outside.

1400 after exhaustion we stopped and set tent. Notes that the bag is way to heavy but with no reason what to cut next time at a loss. The pad, tent, bags are needed without a doubt. Clothes are wet from the rain and sweat. It’s likely some knives aren’t needed. Sox are decently dry. Nothing but mud and rain so far. Goals to make it to the footbridge day one not going to happen. The right strap of the ruck seems unable to hold the weight of the pack. Water seems abundant on the trail so far. There’s been a good amount of uphill but thankfully down also. My body hurts and I feel exhausted. Riley is such a trooper. She’s gone through streams, mud and crossed bridges with no problem. I think she knew of some animals off the trail and she seemed intent in a direction at one point. So far the ground is covered in rock. Setting up the tent was a big challenge but we are safe and sound for probably the night. I don’t think I will make it in 5 days. Oh, side note, no service at all on the cell. And we are going to nap. 

The Road is long, but we never give up, even when we are knocked down.

In the end much like NASA, I would consider this a successful failure . While I didn’t hit my goal the lessons learned are most valuable, and myself and Riley come away without any major injuries. Best of all, I didn’t die

I did not achieve my goal to make it as far as I wanted, but understanding that failure isn’t an awful word, so long as we learn from them. Due to fatigue and pain I stopped early in the day. Currently unless I can lighten the load or the trek becomes easier, it’s not likely I will make my goal. What was my goal? Was it to prove to myself “I still got it”, or was it something else entirely? As it is written in Acts 9 a man named Saul, a Jewish Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and trained at the school of Gamaliel, a well known and one of the most noted rabbis in history. He had power which we know because he was able to be granted the authority to go to Damascus to seek out and prosecute Christians. Saul was not a man to be trifled with. He was wealthy, popular, well known, educated, and most of all had incredible authority. He did not make it to Damascus the way he intended. On the path he becomes blinded and the Lord came to Him. Jesus Christ spoke to Saul, condemning him for the ongoing persecutions. Saul became something new. He would be known throughout the world as the Apostle Paul. So what happened to Saul? Simple and yet complex, the Holy Spirit is a force in which we do not understand and yet we know it can change people, it can heal people, it can stop death, and much, much more.  

The water of Christ is like the untainted water in nature, pure and crisp, untoched by the hands of man.

So here I am on my very own path to Damascus and the first theme that comes to mind is transformation, second is perseverance. In order to understand Jesus we must under the nature of who Jesus was. As we learn in scripture, Jesus is love. We are loved and as I lay in this chilly tent with Riley (my service dog)  next to me pressed up against my hip, I’m reminded of love. Love is the lynchpin to everything, the transformation of our spirit, who we are, and the love that gives us salvation. Here’s the catch, love and salvation doesn’t mean your life will be easy or smooth sailing. Frankly, it’s the opposite, and life gets harder. To live in Christ is to carry a cross, but also paint a bullseye on your chest. To live in Christ is to be different however, to live with that renewing source of love everyday of your life. How can we love with so much hate and turmoil? For that we return to scripture. 

Our Lord and savior loved us eternally despite our cruel nature. Our nature of sin that is no less than cosmic treason. Christ died, bled for us and with arms wide open. The trinity being part of the sacrifice repaired the gap between God and mankind that was made in the fall. The trinity touching the Earth, covering the soil on Golgotha with innocent blood cleansing sins for all who seek Jesus with a repentant heart. Christ suffered for our sins, not just a death but a cruel, long ordeal of flogging with a scourge. This was a long ordeal of hatred and malice of men pouring out His blood with each whip tearing flesh from the body. Christ suffered for our sins and in a single sentence uttered from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ freed us from a fate we deserved, Hell. Luke 22:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” That forgiveness is a gift that came at a high cost, but a gift we must choose to use. 

We all face change, but how we change is up to us. Do we change in Christ, or do we allow the world a chance to be what changes us? We all face the world every day, but it’s important we remember, “Don’t let the world be your Bible, let the Bible be your world.” (NK) Allow Christ to be the change in you. Saul changed and reminds us 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”Saul changed from the Holy Spirit and forever became Paul. As the world attacks you everyday the world wants to change you and when we truly take a look at the world, Satan rules it. Satan wants us to look like him, and not Christ. When we choose to transform ourselves to fit in the world, we choose to look like the god over the earth. It takes perseverance to fight against the forces that mean to sway you into darkness. When you choose to follow Christ, you live to follow Christ. Romans 12:1“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.” We must not just feel different in our hearts, but allow that different feeling to shine in our actions every day. We cannot say we are different and still act and behave as if the world has a hold of us. We must renew ourselves daily and follow Romans 12:2“And do not be 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.” 

We all face the world, it’s peer pressure, it’s lies, it’s draw to look like the world living in greed, sex, cruelty, debauchery, and other sinful desires. When we face judgment at the foot of the cross, we will never be able to blame others for our actions. We will never be able to say someone else, or something else made us make sinful and un-Christ like decisions. We are all accountable for ourselves, and how we behave and treat others. The transformation that Saul goes through on the road to Damascus is a very real, fundamental example of how the Holy Spirit can change someone. Saul was a man who did awful, sinful things, and was motivated by hatred. Saul hated what the Christians stood for, and was determined to imprison, and even murder Christians. Saul was responsible for allowing Stephen to be stoned to death. We see the nature of Satan as he interferes with the workings of the Church and how Satan is determined to destroy as many lives as possible. Satan wants to break the bonds between God and man. By allowing ourselves to become overtaken by the world is to transform into the likeness of Satan. If we are to call ourselves Christians, everything we do must hold true to that scripture. We must work at it every day. We must not allow ourselves to be swayed by this world, but instead allow ourselves time in the Word of God. We must study, and take the word into our hearts so that when people (the world) looks at us we look different. When we stand up before the world and against the pressure of the world we will be judged by God. Do we allow ourselves to follow destructive paths, or do we allow our path to be laid out by Christ? Walking against the grain as it were is not an easy thing. Walking against the will of this world, and standing firm on the cross is the hardest thing you will ever do. 

There is hope for those who are walking with the world. It’s never too late and you’re never too far gone to change your life around and start living for Christ. It’s never too late to accept the gift of the Holy Spirit into your heart, and allow that spirit to change you into a new creation. There is nothing too big, or too small that the Holy Spirit cannot change. The Spirit can take killers and turn them into saints. The spirit can take thieves and turn them into great missionaries. The spirit can take the worst drunk and turn them into the best father. Christ is in the business of changing lives by loving us, and showing us mercy. We are washed through the water to wipe away our sins, and be made white as snow. Jesus Christ saves, and we need to understand that as long as we live in this world, it only takes one small step down the wrong path and before we know it we’ve slipped into a chasm unable to get out on our own. We must learn that when we follow Christ nothing is impossible. Christ can change hearts and minds without bending someone’s will. I’ve seen those with addictions, with cruel and malice hearts, even devout atheists change their path because of the Holy Spirit. We all walk our own path to Damascus and while some may never find God it’s not because God wasn’t there, it’s because they chose to deny. Just as much as the slow fade (casting crowns) can cause us to slip into sin, we are only one step away (casting crowns) from knowing Jesus Christ. On my path to Damascus I realized I had a choice, a choice to be a servant of Christ or be a servant of myself. I realized I made a choice in my past to walk in the wrong direction, and I realized how influencing the world is. I realized that once I chose to follow Christ so much of the pain, and so much of the despair that I was going through would be caused by my own sinful desires. I was sinking under the weight of my own sin, and I realized that Jesus Christ was the hand that reached into the mud and lifted me out. Every one of us walks our own path of Damascus we just need to choose to let go of ourselves, the selfishness that consumes us, and allow Jesus Christ into our hearts. Once we make the choice it’s something we have to work on daily. We cannot grow complacent because the Devil never stops. The Devil never takes a day off and neither can we. The Devil and the fallen angels in his army are constantly moving against the people living in this world, and if we are not careful the cunning snake enters our lives without us knowing it. We can never become complacent to the true and real dangers we as Christians face, particularly now. The war against Christianity is not just from other religions anymore, but from within the ranks of Christianity, from politicians, and other groups that aim to destroy the Christian faith. Much like Paul we know that to be a Christian is to live a different life, but also means that life will not be an easy path. Paul would undergo great pain and suffering in the name of Christ, but we suffer only a little while to live in paradise forever. 

Being a Christian is hard sometimes, but having faith that no matter where our path leads us, whether it be down a peaceful stream, a muddy mountainous trail, or the valley of death, the Lord will see us through any and all circumstances. I firmly believe that when we no longer have a purpose God will take us home. We of course have the choice to do stupid stuff and we can hurt ourselves in the process, but God will take us home when the time is right. Follow God’s path, and live a Christian life. Don’t walk an isle on Sunday, and smile and shake hands, but as soon as the doors open you go back into the world acting like a devil. We are always being watched from people all around us, and when we act like a devil people notice. It’s only a matter of time before someone says ‘if that’s what a Christian looks like I want no part of that.’ We must do better and not give a bad impression of what a Christian should look like. As a Christian we are little Christ, and we need to be Christ like. No, we will never be perfect, and we will always fail, but we are always able to make the choice what kind of person we want to be. Let the Holy Spirit cover you and transform you each and every day. Continue to grow and change in Christ and withstand the attacks from the world. I may not have finished my goal but I have learned from it and I have grown in lieu of my failure. I will not allow this to defeat me and I will continue to grow and try to better myself and allow my failures to make a better man and most importantly a better Christian. I will attempt to take the path to Damascus again, and I will do so with the lessons I have learned. It’s okay to fall and fail, just never give up. Do not allow pride to determine who you are, but instead humble yourselves before the Lord, ask for forgiveness from the sins you’ve committed, and repent to do better not tomorrow, but today. 

Looking Back

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Looking Back

As the year 2018 ends, looking back over this last year I wonder what I’ve accomplished. While I can’t say I’ve had the most productive year, but I don’t believe it’s been a total waist either. While I’m not sure I see my own growth, I have been told I have grown, and no I don’t mean my stomach, I mean my walk with the Heavenly Father. I have moved farther along on my path to a Bachelors Degree. I have joined a young adult bible study that I enjoy going too. I have started working towards being ordained. I have attempted to get a recumbent trike from the VA as part of my recovery from back surgery. I completed another round of physical therapy. I have maintained a debt free life. I participated in multiple Wounded Warrior Project events. I said hello to new friends, goodbye to some of them, even goodbye to some old friends. The biggest change in my life is meeting a wonderful lady named Argie. We have grown in our affection of one another despite the distance between us. We are making plans to meet early in 2019 and I have become quite hopeful for that visit.

While on the surface from the outside looking in it may not look like I’ve made any progress but in reality, laying the groundwork and a solid foundation takes time and efforts. There have been setbacks along the way as my career in security ended abruptly. But God closes off paths to bad areas we don’t need to be. Security was over for me, and when it closed I decided to listen to God and trust in the new path before me. It’s interesting how God will take something completely unrelated and show us a path. While I was in Cape Cod I met some great men of God and they made great points of scripture that would lead me to my new path. Interestingly enough this came less then two weeks after I would loose my Job in security.

Going into this New Year I would recommend not looking back except to learn lessons, and leave the junk behind. Do not hold onto pain, or losses, or regrets. Learn from them, and always have a spirit of joy. The Lord God is plentiful with gifts from above, and we should be rejoicing that we still draw breath, and that while we do we can live for God. 1 Chronicles 16:11-12“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”1 Chronicles 16:8“A blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.”

Do not live in the past, because it’s gone and done. Look ahead to the future with joy and hope for Jesus loves you. 

The World and Blindness

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The World and Blindness

I could have the most money in the world and without you I would have nothing. I could have hundreds of friends but without you I would have no one. I could have all the toys in the world, but without you I would have nothing. There is no amount of world that can satisfy the hunger of my soul. My Lord without you I am nothing. I can feel all the deepness of love but without you to show me the way that love means nothing. Without you my Lord I do not fully understand love, or life. What is it I seek if not for your face? Is it truth? The world tells me so many things, how do we know what’s truth? There are so many people and so many ideas about what’s right, and what is wrong. We save the trees, but we kill the babies. We are told we cannot say Merry Christmas, so it has to be a holiday party, but that wasn’t enough and now we can no longer use the term holiday. Freedoms are no longer freedom, instead it’s limited by what is deemed acceptable. In this ever changing world, there is so much telling me how to feel, what to say, what not to say, and there’s so much confusion all around me.

I can imagine so many people feel this way. I can imagine the millions of people who struggle with their faith, who go out into the world from the comfort of their homes, their old schools, and enter into a world where everyone’s got an opinion and theirs is the right one. Where the real world will teach you what you need to know. The protection of the ferry tail life is gone and the world will teach you how to be.

I remember when I was growing up and going to church I was glued to what I was being told. I was a sponge and I wanted to know whom this Jesus was who would make everything better. When I reached middle school I had been in church for many years and I fear without it my life would have been tremendously different, if I survived the three years. I can remember many nights coming home from school after a long day of being bullied and tortured and crying myself to sleep, praying God would take me before morning. I asked, begged God for many nights to save me. I remember being offered drugs more then once. I remember more then once being offered cigarettes, and alcohol. Later I remember the whispers that gangs had moved into the neighborhood and they were recruiting. The Devil was hungry and I refused to be his entrée. I knew those things were wrong and I stayed away. I recalled the DARE program and hearing what drugs do, and I remember hearing how they destroy your life. Without Church it seems my life could have gone far differently. Wondering every night if my life was a mistake I faced the world and it was telling me my life was worthless. I was being told that my life would be better in a gang doing drugs, stealing things, drinking, and that’s where I would be better off.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)2 “And do not be 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.” The world wants you to think that God is dead. The world wants you to think that God is a nice story you tell people to make them feel better about death and life. I recall what scripture says, John 20:29“Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas saw and only then did he believe, but those of us who’ve never seen, we are called to believe from faith in the things we cannot see. See, with the world fallen, and ruled by the Devil, everything is teaching us to forsake the cross as nothing more then a story. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Jesus knew all along who would betray him, who wouldn’t believe in him, and yet, he offered the same gift to them as he did to those who loved him. He offered the same gift to the soldiers who nailed him to the cross. He offered the gift of salvation and forgiveness to the man who flogged him nearly to death. To those people he offered this James 2:30“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Forgiveness is an amazing gift, a gift we must accept in order to use. Forgiveness is such an easy concept, and yet for some so, so difficult to act on. The world teaches revenge, to get even, if you are hurt, to hurt them worse. Jesus forgave us, so we would live, but not so we could live in faith alone, but that our faith would compel us to work. 

James 2:20-24 (NKJV) 20“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

I am a stone jagged and rough. Jesus Christ is the waters of life, and in my walk with Christ the waters wear away the sharpness, the jagged, jaded edges, and it’s in Christ I become smooth and the waters wears away everything I am not meant to be. Jesus knows I’m a work in progress and he doesn’t judge me for the failings of my sinful natures, instead he picks me up, brushes me off and tells me not to do those things again. Jesus Christ knows my heart and knows I am a sinner but I try hard to walk the righteous path. I know that the world teaches me so many things, but it’s the teachings of the greatest teacher, the greatest shepherd to ever be. No matter how awful the world tends to be, remember that there are good people who live in it. Remember how dark the path may be Jesus is our light house guiding us home. The world will cast the fog, and will try to push you off course to get lost on the sea. We may become broken along the way, but God mends the broken hearted. God uses the broken, and makes the weak strong, and the poor rich. God is a master builder and creates a masterpiece in each of us. The potter to my clay, and I know that my Jesus is greater then that of all the world, and I trust Jesus, and though I am told I must live in the world, I know I must never become apart of it. I realize that I am not a perfect man, I am a wretched sinner, and I deserve Hell, but by Grace I am saved.

Lord my shelter, my rock, my protector, I pray to you to watch over me, to guide me, to look after me in the days ahead as I go to be closer to you. It’s no accident I find my own path to Damascus, and I ask for your wisdom that I may grow closer to you. I ask for the words to put on the paper that would be a message to the world. I ask for those who read this little blog of mine that they are blessed in the words you speak through me. I ask that I decrease and your presence increases in my works. I ask that you diminish my pride and that my works be about you and not me. I ask as I go into this new year that you show me a path. I ask for your guidance in where to go, and what to do that would be pleasing and uplifting in your word. The world is a cruel place and I’ve seen so many affected by the cruelty and awful nature of people in the last few weeks, I pray that those who’ve been hurt that you place your healing hand on their hearts. I ask these things to your blessings and your will. With love in my heart I humble before you that your will whatever it may be will be done. Amen

Blind Justice

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Blind Justice

We spend so much time trying to fight what we cannot see, smell, or touch. How do we prove something that happened 2000 years ago, and how do we face that truth if it were to flip our world upside down? The truth is we often hold anger and resentment early in our life that forces us down a path of quantifying what we see and what we fan feel, the problem is when that pain forces us to a feeling that there is nothing out there, no God, no grand plan, just cosmic chance.

We often want answers as to why bad things happen to good people. We want to know why people get sick, or why babies die, or why there is evil in the world? The idea that there is evil in the world because of a cosmic or divine standing such as sin is hard for some people to believe. Some people believe that sin is just the nature of man and man is only the wirings within the mind, the nature and nurture argument that a compound of events molds a person into the way they are and thus sin is nothing more then biology. While many compare this in adults, we fail to recognize the sin that spawns in children at an early age. The sin, or nature to lie, or to steal, or harm animals, or even other children is nature are it’s earliest stages but if it’s nature and nurture then what’s the cause? If human behavior is not inherently sinful and evil is a learned trait then where do children at this young age learn such behavior?

We want to think that we are in control of our lives, and that there is no one else, and nothing else at work. We want to believe that we are all we need and nothing else can dictate policy for our lives. Many view the Christian faith as a faith of rules, of guidelines in which a cosmic fairy tells us what we are doing wrong, as it takes the fun out of life, and in turn threatens us with some imaginary fiery torment for all eternity. So instead of putting any credence to this nonsense, people walk their walk and live their lives however they want, and while some live their lives in complete peace of others, there are some who find the cross so distasteful, so offensive that they cannot help themselves but to wage war with Christianity.

For those who wage war with Christianity, what is the main piece of contention? As it has been said by both Lee Strobel and J. Werner Wallace, the linchpin of Christianity rests with the resurrection of Christ. If the resurrection didn’t happen then the followers of Christ were liars and died for a known lie and Christ was just some profound Rabbi. If it did happen, and Christ did raise from the dead, then how would we be able to prove it happened? There are manuscripts that date back to within 30 years of the resurrection of Christ, and there are thousands of manuscripts that can all be cross-referenced to prove validity. That being said, there is still the question of how to prove or disprove the case for Christ. There are 5843 surviving manuscripts of ancient texts that is far more then those of the Iliad, and other early writings. All of these things further the evidence that this was not an isolated account. How can we expect to find truth if we are unwilling to truly add up the facts that all point to one truth, Jesus.

Women were not allowed to be legal witnesses, and every account of the life and resurrection of Christ does not show discrepancies, it shows a different perspective, different pieces of the puzzle that all point to the same overall story, despite the small variances in story, the overwhelming evidence points to the empty tomb that the Romans, and Jews were unable to prove foul play. The first account of the missing body was reported by women, and the fact that would only hurt the case for Chris, yet that did not detract the Apostles to tell the truth. There is no way 500 people would have been under some joint hallucination, or mass psychosis. This is just simply not possible. Yet, so many people discount the 500 eye witness, the truth does not just come from followers of Christ, yet Romans and Jews alike. The accounts of the empty tomb and the death of those followers of Christ has accounts on both sides who wanted nothing more then to prove the stolen body theory. Jesus did not survive the cross as many have proven, that his death was most assuredly accurate.

Scripture is not the only account out there but scripture is the only truth, the others just collaborate the truth. Jesus was thrust with a spear at the end of his life by trained killers, killers who if failed would be executed themselves. Jesus died on the cross from his injuries sustained in a flogging, beatings, hanging on the cross unable to breath, and bleeding to death, Christ would not have survived his ordeal. The cross is offensive to so many, but even for sinners and atheists alike, the cross is a symbol one so many find distasteful or are afraid of. So many people allow their anger and hate to blind them from a truth they don’t want to see. The truth is, it doesn’t matter if you are Atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, Pagan, or any other faith sins are equal at the foot of the cross. Jesus dying on the cross for the love of all mankind was a gift, one that was given freely and for all those who seek Him to use. A gift without application is worthless, but for those of us who seek Christ, who seek to have a relationship with the Father, we understand that the justice of the Father is blind. We understand that before the cross all sin is equal, and so long as we seek the Father through Jesus Christ the sins we have are washed away because Christ alone took the punishment, the wrath of God for them. As we know from our own legal system, justice holds the scales and is blind to anything but the facts. Our Heavenly Father does not see our color, our creeds, our nationalities, even our flaws, for the scales are level for each of us. Our hearts which turn to Christ, to be made a new creation, to burn away the sins of the past, to be reborn with a new heart, washed by the waters in baptism showing ones faith to the world, starting a path as a new person.

It is because of Christ I do not fear death, instead I know that when my work here on Earth is done I will be welcomed home with open arms. It is because of Christ that I have any hope at all within this life, and the hardships I’ve endured seem to mean something. It is in Christ I know that my suffering as not been for naught and I trust in my Fathers plans for me. I know that love is more powerful then my sins, and that sins albeit cosmic treason against an almighty, all powerful God, love concurs death itself. My works are but filthy rags to the Lord but my heart is worth all eternity. It is the heart in which Christ died for, the gift for each and every one of us to choose to have that relationship with Him in our hearts. How lucky are we to have a God who cares about us, who cares about our well being, and wants only what’s best for us. How gracious are we to be to give God nothing short of our love and devotion. Jew and Gentiles we are all welcomed into the Kingdom, and the price of admission is love. We are to have a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Christ changed my life two years ago, and while it hasn’t been an easy road for me, I know that Christ has plans for me. I was angry with God for the way everything had happened with my ex-wife. I was angry that I was made to go through such an awful even not once, but twice in my life. God though doesn’t make people do bad things, they are more then capable of doing that on their own. God does however promise to see us through those bad times. God promises that He would never leave nor forsake us. God didn’t just promise those things to me in passing, but when the odds were stacked against me to survive, God put a stop to my own death, assuring me my sins were forgiven, and breathing new life into my chest. A miracle to say the very least, and not only did I survive, I have come so far under the guidance of my Heavenly Father. Christ lives and as one of my favorite movie series points out, “God’s NOT DEAD!” No God is not dead, and the empty tomb and over 500 eyewitnesses proves that. We have so much evidence for the existence of Christ’s miraculous life, all we have to do is accept what we find. Bad things happen in and around the church and this often pushes people away. People judge God by the actions of people. People hate God or despise the very existence of God because they often feel hurt or betrayed by God, or deny that a God could be so careless to allow such evil or bad things to happen. The truth is, we don’t always have the answers of God and the why, but we do understand that we have free will to love or hate. We have free will to build or destroy, and it’s in those decisions our actions are born, thus we do amazing or awful things. The pursuit of power, greed, or sexual lust are the three basis that people do most things wrong in adult life. God does not need us, but wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

Jesus Dies 

Luke 19:44-46“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.”

John 19:34“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”

The Empty Tomb 

Luke 24:1-12 24 “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, [a]and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were [b]greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

8 And they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like [c]idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths [d]lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.” 

John 20:4-7“So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the [a]handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.”

Jesus Resurrected 

John 20:24-29 24 “Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, [f]“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Reasons to Believe 

The eye witnesses had power, had prestige, and money. They had nothing to gain giving up their life for Christ, except for the truth of a Heavenly Father. Every eyewitness was willing to die for the truth. That puts their testimony in a different category then you or I.

The chain of evidence is there if people actually look at it. The writings and teachings did not change from writings within 20-30 years, till the counsel in which the bible was assembled.

Christianity is true because the evidence points to truth. God is truth and the scales are equal for each and every one of us. 

Christmas Truth

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Christmas Truth

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus Christ is the truth, and the only ‘truth’ that matters this Christmas. Jew and Gentiles alike, those who follow Christ in the light of the truth shall be set free from the bondage of sin and we will be washed by the reviving waters, the blood of Christ that was shed so each and every one of us could live a life in eternal hope. That blood that was shed could never happen without the birth of that baby Emanuel. Christmas is our time to remember the birth of Jesus, and no matter when it ‘actually’ happened, Christmas in December is our observed celebration. 

Jesus is Christmas. Christmas is not about us, or the gifts we get. God gave us a single gift and that gift was Christ. Do we trust in the Lord? Do you ask God for all these things, these wishes of jobs, love, relationships, or just the stuff? We are not the center of the universe. In 1532 Nicolaus Copernicus theorized we are not the center of the universe. This man was threatened with death, even by the church, and shows that there will always be religious idiots. There will always be those who know just enough scripture to be dangerous. So many people choose to live for self, choose to live for selfish desire and don’t live a Christocentric life (Christ Centered). Nothing else matters in our life, except a babe born laying in a manger born in Bethlehem. All people, reace, ethnicity, color, or creed is loved by God so much that he gave his only begotten son for us.

John 8:12“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 

We see the Christmas story in Luke.

Luke 2:1-25 (NKJV)

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.