2 Churches and the faithfulness of God

Many of you pray for my wife and I and the Churches we Pastor, Thank you! Felt like sharing a little history about both Churches we Pastor. First, the Camden Southern Methodist Church. In 1977 three Godly gentlemen and their wives were “fed up” with all the “liberal” theology in their previous Churches. They got together and started a prayer meeting in a local restaurant in Camden S.C. called DeBruls. They and their wives met each week for prayer and some Scripture readings. Determined to be used by God for his Purposes they sought the Wisdom of God. Well God led them to an old beer joint\convenience store located on Haile street. The store had already been bought by a previous congregation who renovated the building. Their numbers dwindled and they decided to sell. The door opened for the Lord to answer the faithful prayers of a few of His Children. Determined as never before, they pulled their resources together and bought the property. The First Southern Methodist Church in Camden opened their doors for Ministry. The Camden Church struggled for some time keeping Pastor’s. All previous Pastor’s stayed on average of 1 to 2 years. The longest Pastor Ministered for 5 years. Camden Church is so Thankful to God for each of them and their wives. But the Camden Church needed more stability, so again, they sought the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord called me to be their Pastor in August of 1996. Truly the Spirit of the Lord honored their prayers and faithfulness! What a remarkable body of believers! Truly there is a Spirit of Revival! Camden Church knows they may have few numbers but God is a Big God! Tell anyone at the Camden Church they are too small to be of any service to the community and the Camden Church will Preach the Powerful name of Jesus Christ! The Camden Church has been through many trials and discouragements since they started praying in a restaurant many years ago but they are Solid as a Rock knowing why they are here in this Community! Many in the community would testify of the spiritual influence of this Body of believers if prompted! The Holy Spirit is Alive and Working on many hearts! For that, we are thankful! God is truly Glorifying Himself through this Body of believers! A Scripture that influenced the Camden Church the most through the years and could serve as a Church Foundational Statement; Revelation 3:7 ¶ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

My wife and I love the folks deeply and will remain faithful to the Lord Jesus until He Comes or moves us! Thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support as we continue to seek the Lost, care for the needy, encourage the brokenhearted and see lives Transformed by the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

Now the second Church we Pastor, Enon Methodist Church. The history and testimony of the Enon Church goes back to the 1930’s. The believers that started the Enon Church saw many revivals take place in the late 30’s and 40’s when it was located on the current property of Fort Jackson. It came to my knowledge that Ft. Jackson was the largest Army training base in the United States. Because the Army base was growing and the need for more property arose they requested the Enon Church relocate! The congregation agreed and Ft. Jackson paid for the Church building to be moved to its current location. As a token of the many souls changed for the Glory of God the Army donated an old Army barracks that is still being used as the fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms! What is more interesting is the history behind the Enon Church cemetery. Many members went to the Enon Church for services and many were laid to rest in the “Old Enon Church cemetery” which currently is still located on federal land. The Church was moved but the original cemetery is now part of a National Cemetery! As you can imagine the Enon Church has a rich history of military families. So many have come and gone through the years but Enon remains dedicated to the Message of Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ! Many have ask me since I became Pastor in 1999, where did the name Enon come from and what is the meaning. Well the name Enon was originally spelled Aenon as in the Biblical account found in John chapter 3. 22 ¶ “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” The name Aenon literally is interpreted “place of springs.” When the members came to form this body of believers they applied this passage to their Church and proclaimed; “Come to Enon and be filled with the springs of spiritual waters”, referring to the Holy Spirit that is Present among its membership! This has not changed and currently the Holy Spirit is alive and Moving amongst Enon’s congregation! My wife and I Love being Pastor of Enon. No matter how long it takes, no matter how hard things get, there will always be “plenty of water” at Enon.

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A Holy Desire to NEVER sin again!

We live in Perilous times, dangerous times and Perverse times!

 2Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

 

What a revelation those statements represent. Modern day Christianity in the United States of America is little short of Blasphemous and way past Lukewarm! You may say, “here he goes again on some Jesus freak rant about something that most care very little!” Very true, I might add! That is the problem. Most Christians in America today have long since forgotten what or who the Church is suppose to be and Represent! If Jesus Christ were here in the flesh, walking amongst us, He would get a “whip” and drive most Preachers from His pulpit and most “Christians” from the pews! Why? Because of the Lack of Holiness in their lives! So many professing Christians speak of their love for Jesus and then go about living ungodly, unholy, self-centered lives! They have not a holy desire to never sin again! Read through the passage of Scripture that was presented and see if what was said applies! Jesus Christ the Holy, Sinless, Only Begotten Son of the Living God has Redeemed us from our sins by His Blood to Live Holy and Righteous lives in the mist of an ungodly generation! To this end we Must strive Hard after Jesus through the Holy Spirit Power within! Which brings me to the question: do you have a holy desire NOT to sin?

 

The following is a passage of Scripture that speaks of the “holy desire not to sin” as I have proposed.

 

1John 3:4-9 “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

 

Are you lawless? Do you rebel against the law of God?

Do you know that Jesus appeared to “take away our sins” and in Jesus there is no sin?

Do you understand that Jesus took away our sins so we can Abide in Him? Do you understand Whoever Abides in Jesus does not sin, does not continue to sin nor remain in sin?

“ Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him (Jesus)!” Wow! What a statement! It deserves our attention! Do we know Jesus? Do we continue in sins? Do we trample His Blood under our feet by continuing to sin?

 

In other words, Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

 

Well? Shall we continue to sin so Grace may abound? Well, God will forgive us, let us have a good time and live it up! Let us do as the world does! Let us think as the world does! God will forgive us! His Grace covers me so I can do as I please! WRONG!

 

Let us go back to the Passage in 1John. “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He (Jesus) is righteous.” Right there we have an answer. We are to have a desire to do Righteously and Not wickedly! So, do you have a desire never to sin again? The question is not works on our part as it is about the Work of the Holy Spirit within us as Children of God! Do you practice righteousness? If so you are declared Righteous through following Jesus example of living Righteous! We have been Born Again through Faith in the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross and are declared Righteous to God the Father because of the Work of Jesus. Do we continue in sins? No, to do Righteously as Jesus is Righteous! I Know we all fall short of the Glory of God. I Know we will from time to time fall into sin and we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous! Jesus is our Atonement! He is the Propitiation for our sins and the sins of the world! I also know it ought to break our hearts every time we do fall into sin! I also know we make many excuses and should never justify our sinfulness!

 

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” God’s seed is Jesus! The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and has been Given by Jesus to His followers! Because Christ Spirit dwells within we cannot sin!!! That is what the Bible says! What does that mean? The Holy Spirit Convinces us about sin! He Convicts us and empowers us to put away sins forever! That is why Jesus gave us His Spirit! Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” It was said not to long ago that we should not use “we are human” as an excuse to remain in sin but we should walk in the Spirit to do Righteously”! If indeed you have the Spirit of Christ you will have a Holy desire to never sin again!

 

If you read to this point there is one other thing I would say. If you were convicted, the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart, then you need to repent! Change your way of thinking! Change your way of living! Seek His forgiveness and Mercy! Don’t let anyone tell you that no one can repent. Many say repentance is a one time deal, Hogwash! If God commands men everywhere to repent, then He has enabled them to do just that! Listen to the following; 2Timothy 2:19 ¶ “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

 

When are we as believers in the Holy, Righteous, sinless Son of God going to quit making excuses for sinfulness and wickedness? 1Peter 1:13-16 ¶ “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

 

“For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8

 

Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”

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A Refreshing Vacation

I would like to share how the Lord Refreshed me on my vacation!!

I needed a Fresh perspective so I sought the Lord!! LONG o so LONG struggle with my mothers Graduation to Glory left me Drained… What shall I do Lord? Then a friend invited me to come and share with the Homeless outreach in Indianapolis!! I set out to go to a family reunion in Ohio and be with family but the Lord had other plans…lol Just like Him to move in mysterious ways!! I Prayed and cried to the Lord….Just One O Lord…May One be Blessed and Touched by your Word coming through my mouth and life!! My God did something I must share!! HE TOUCHED ME!!! Yes He TOUCHED ME!!

My friends Pastor and some other of her Church folk were so Open to Minister to those homeless folks it really Touched my heart!! We estimated 150 Homeless came to get food, cloths and support…Well they Lined up and could not get the physical provisions until they got a Spiritual Provision.. The Pastor played her guitar and we sang Amazing Grace!! Amazing Grace!! The Spirit of God then moved me to a different Message than I had planned!! Strong was the Presence of the Lord that Saturday in Indy!!

The Message the Lord laid on my while we sang Amazing Grace is as follows; Isa 61:1 ¶ “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” This describes most of the beautiful souls we saw Saturday!! So many ,brokenhearted, Bound in sin, needing MERCY!! I am tearing up!! My people were there!! Your people were there!! They need Jesus!! Isa 61:2 “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;” I saw many of the 150 who were needing Comfort!! They needed NOT a hand out~~but a Hand up!!!

God is very much interested in our soul winning the down and forgotten. The ones who are hungry physically & spiritually. God is Not all concerned with who goes to church every Sunday, because I have found that Most (notice I did not say all) of the Sunday Church folks are HELL Raisers the other 6 days. God have Mercy!! I don’t know how long we sang and Preached, maybe 45 minutes? The people were in line and I could see the Lord moving!! Isa 61:3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Anyone needing Forgiveness, Cry out to God till He comes and Saves you!! Keep Crying out for Mercy…WEEP because of your sins and Cry till He Showers you with Mercy!! His Mercy and Grace is before you now!! He is Providing your cloths and physical food through His people!! Praise the Lord Jesus for Dying on a Cross to Save your souls and Anoint you with the Joy of Gladness!! Cry to Jesus for Mercy till He answers!! Mercy triumphs over Judgment!! James 2:12 “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

I saw the Lord Jesus being GLORIFIED Saturday!! He was using me and others to Show Christ in us the Hope of Glory!! That HE might be Glorified!! We are Jesus Ambassadors!!! We Represent Jesus!! I saw that in action!! Blessed my Soul!!! You see Faith without works is DEAD…James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

I confess~~I went hoping to see some come to Christ and found myself being Ministered too!! Spirit of the Living God!! Fall FRESH on me!! Was my prayer for that day~~He did!! Spirit came down and Ministered!! This was my trip to Indy!! Was Refreshing to my spirit!! If you who are reading this blog do not know Christ as your Savior, Cry to Him now for Mercy!! Cry out for forgiveness!! You are a sinner and need to Repent and turn to Christ!! He died for you on a Cross to Cleanse you from your sins with His own Blood…He was Raised from the Dead after three days!! Believe Jesus did this for you!! Cry to Him!! He will Save!! All that God may be Glorified!!

 

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Message of Mercy!

A Message from the Lord Jesus to my heart 10 minutes ago. I MUST Share this thought.

Paul said he was the “chief” among sinners. This shows his Humility. 1Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

Paul also said I am resolved to know nothing but Christ Jesus and Him Crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

This verse that spoke volumes to me a moment ago; 1 Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Christ was Crucified for you! Christ was Risen from the Dead for you! So, know this; Repent, you turn from your sins and turn Christ, that He might have Mercy upon you! Cry out to Jesus! 2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Let us never forget that we are all sinners and need forgiveness! We need not to continue in our sins! Christ was Crucified! Sins are Washed Away in His Blood! He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in our heart’s to keep us Clean and accountable! We have a way out! Let us not make excuses for our sins! Let us lay them out before Jesus! The Spirit within us, if we are Born-again, will give us a way out so we will not fall into continued sins! 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”

Let us look at the Passion or Sufferings of Christ, as He paid our “sin” debt! Isaiah 53:4 “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” See, Jesus was Crucified for you! How shall we respond to His Sacrifice? Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you– even Jesus.”

Why not just Turn from the sins that have brought you nothing but hardship and pain? Is your sins so luscious that you go to Hell for them? Repent and Turn to Christ! Jesus will Save all who Repent and cry out to Him for Mercy!!

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Why is it Called Holy week?

Millions of professing Christians around the Globe are celebrating Holy week! Why is it Holy? Simply put, Jesus Christ was and is our Sacrificial Lamb! He was Sacrificed on a Roman Cross and Shed His sinless Blood to Wash Away your sins and mine! That is why it is Holy! To top if off, God Raised His Son from the Dead on the third day. After He was placed in a borrowed tomb! Hallelujah, CHRIST IS RISEN! He IS RISEN INDEED! Why don’t you believe? Why don’t you honestly look at the evidence and quit doubting! Do you Know Jesus? Are you known by Jesus? May I introduce Him to you? Some of you may be familiar with the following, some, not so much! Here goes:

The Bible Says: MY King is the King of the Jews.

He is the King of Israel.

He is the King of Righteousness.

He is the King of the Ages.

He is the King of Heaven.

He is the King of Glory.

He is the King of Kings.

He is Lord of Lords.

That’s MY King! I wonder… Do you know Him?

MY King is a Sovereign King.

No means of Measure can define his Limitless Love.

He is Enduringly Strong.

He is Entirely Sincere.

He is Eternally Steadfast.

He is Immortally Graceful.

He is Imperially Powerful.

He is Impartially Merciful.

Do you know him?

He is the Greatest Phenomenon that has ever crossed the Horizon of this World.

He is God’s Son.

He is the Sinner’s Saviour.

He is the Centerpiece of Civilization.

He is Unparalleled.

He is Unprecedented.

He is the Loftiest Idea in Literature.

He is the Highest Personality in Philosophy.

He is the Fundamental Doctrine of True Theology.

He is the ONLY One Qualified to be an ALL Sufficient Saviour.

I Wonder if You know Him today?

He supplies Strength to the Weak.

He is Available for the Tempted and the Tried.

He Sympathizes and He Saves.

He Strengthens and Sustains.

He Guards and He Guides.

He Heals the Sick. He Cleansed the Lepers.

He Forgives Sinners. He Discharges Debtors.

He Delivers the Captive. He Defends the Feeble.

He Blesses the Young. He Serves the Unfortunate.

He Regards the Aged. He Rewards the Diligent.

And He Beautifies the Meek. Uh..

I Wonder if you Know Him?

He is the Key to Knowledge.

He is the Wellspring of Wisdom.

He is the Doorway of Deliverance.

He is the Pathway of Peace.

He is the Roadway of Righteousness.

He is the Highway of Holiness.

He is the Gateway of Glory.

Do you know him??

Well….

His Life is Matchless!

His Goodness is Limitless!

His Mercy is Everlasting!

His Love NEVER Changes!

His Word is Enough!

His Grace is Sufficient!

His Reign is Righteous!

And

His Yoke is Easy! And

His Burden is Light!

I wish I could describe Him to ya!

He is Indescribable!

He is Incomprehensible!

He is Invincible!

He is Irresistible!

Where You Can’t Get Him Out of Your Mind!

You Can’t Get Him Off Your Hand!

You Can’t Outlive Him!

And You Can’t Live Without Him!

The Pharisees Couldn’t Stand Him!

But They Found Out That They Couldn’t Stop Him!

Pilate Couldn’t Find Any Fault in Him!

Herod Couldn’t Kill Him!

Death Couldn’t Handle Him!

And The Grave COULDN’T Hold Him!!

THAT’S MY KING!!

THAT’S MY KING!!

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Persecution Cometh to America!

Ah, the Persecuted Christian, what a beautiful thing that brings Glory to our Father through His Son Jesus Christ! No this is not some weird, fanatical, unbiblical death wish! It is True Biblical Christianity! Some “Christians” today, maybe even some who are reading this entry, will no doubt coward away from Christ at the first sign of real persecution! The kind of Persecution that may require your life! Persecution that will require you to deny and curse the name of Jesus Christ or face starvation, beatings etc. America is not exempt! I want to share a few sentences from an article I found on the Christian Post. Then I will comment further!

“In a world of political correctness devoid of the rule of law, tolerance has come to mean total rejection of Christianity and moral standards. Modern tolerance redefines words like ‘marriage,’ ‘discrimination,’ ‘equality,’ ‘morality,’ and even ‘absolutes.’ The word ‘tolerance’ as it is used today never includes opposing arguments or competing worldviews. Tolerance has become Orwellian and decidedly intolerant.” – Matthew Staver, Dean and Professor of Law at Liberty University School of Law.

A few examples of recent intolerance for Christianity:

• The Supreme court determining to exclude anyone who prays in Jesus name from a rotation of officials who open city business meetings

• The removal of US military Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, over the issue of praying in Jesus Name

• UCLA’s prohibiting a graduating student from thanking her “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” in her graduation speech

• Colleges making special accommodations for foot baths and Muslim only prayer rooms, while a Muslim group membership may be suspended or revoked for 57 reasons including but not limited to: unbecoming behavior, insubordination, or inactivity; but denying Christian groups campus recognition “because it requires its officers and voting members to agree with its Christian beliefs”

• A San Diego elementary school created an extra recess period to allow 100 Muslim students to pray, while a federal judge upheld a Knoxville, Ky., jury’s decision that a public school could prohibit its 5th grade Christian students from studying and discussing their Bibles during recess

• Christians in America have to tolerate the defamation of their holiest images in national museums, including particularly provocative, offensive acts defined as “artwork,” some receiving taxpayer-funded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. On the other hand, several college editors who cited freedom of speech when republishing anti-Muslim cartoons first published in a Danish newspaper, were fired or disciplined because they were offensive to Muslim students

• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (Los Angeles) requested an investigation of the desecration of a Quran, Islam’s revealed text, as a hate crime. Conversely, when Palestinians tore up Bibles for toilet paper (May 15, 2002, The Washington Times) there was no outrage, and after a church in the U.S. saved and held fundraisers to afford the cost of buying and shipping requested Bibles in the Pashto and Dari language to an American sergeant in Afghanistan, the Bibles were confiscated, thrown away, and burned. The only official comment about burning the Bibles was this one, by a Defense Department spokesman, “Troops in war zones are required to “burn their trash.”

So, what say you? Are you the “Christian” that keeps your mouth shut about Jesus Christ and His Glorious Gospel for fear the World might reject you or persecute you? REPENT if you fear men more than God! I would rather be rejected and despised by the entire World of men and be accepted by my Father in Heaven through Jesus Christ, then to be rejected by my Father and accepted by the World of men!! Actually, if an individual who claims to be a Christian is not experiencing intolerance or persecution – being called names, belittled, marginalized, or characterized because you stand for sound theology – you should examine yourself to make sure you are a Christian.
Our culture is doing what Scripture said – getting worse and worse. The books of James and 1 Peter tell us not to be surprised at fiery ordeals …[when they come – not if] as though some strange (or foreign) thing were happening to you. Suffering, intolerance and persecution are building us up for the best part of life – which is yet to come.

We are in the world to be salt and light. We have to have contact with the world to be salt and light, just as Jesus did. Keep standing for righteousness or right living, for life of the unborn and of seniors and keep going whether or not you win in the courtroom, the capitol, or anywhere else in this world, because you are standing for Christ.
Remember that it is impossible to find unity with the world without compromising, and remember that we are God’s messengers. Take all opportunity to proclaim the gospel (Galatians 4:16), and ask yourself, “What am I proclaiming?” If we are proclaiming that the Word of God is truth by our life and actions we are becoming the enemy of the world. The world is not tolerant of its enemies.
In Germany, many who called themselves Christians went along with Hitler but people like Corrie ten Boom said no I must stay true to purpose of the gospel. The world would say her family lost and that she was foolish to proclaim the gospel in a losing situation, but the reality is that she won for the gospel by pointing fellow prisoners to Christ.

Persecution is an expected evidence of being a follower of Jesus Christ, and we can utilize everything that is happening in our world and culture as a pulpit, an opportunity, to share the hope we have in Christ. But the Bible teaches us to respond and not to react.
Matthew 5:10 talks of the blessing of those who are persecuted for righteousness sake – not for responding as the world does.
Intolerance for righteousness is to be expected and embraced as an opportunity to live so that anytime Christians are persecuted, the world will watch and wonder why are they willing to persevere and not compromise.

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The Word became Flesh!

I desire the Deep things of God. I am not satisfied with the basics of Biblical Christianity, even though I am compelled to preach the basics, because many of God’s children seem to be illiterate and still sucking on the bottle. By this I am stating that many if not most in the Church today cannot even tell a seeker why they are lost, not to mention how they might be Saved. One of the Deep things of God is the Person-hood of Christ. Who is He? Is He Deity? Just a prophet? Just a Spirit filled man? Is He God in the Flesh? Does it really matter what God’s Word says? Does the Bible only speak to the people mentioned in the Bible? Does Jesus ever claim that He is God? Does Jesus ever claim to be the Messiah? These questions were raised and discussed at Bible Study recently and I wanted to share the Scriptures that clearly speak to the Character of Jesus. I have heard many preachers and teachers that deny that Jesus claimed to be the Christ (Messiah) and say that Jesus was not God in the flesh. So I will simply say, what does Jesus say? Let us hear Him speak and the Holy Spirit speak through the prophets and Apostles. We need not the opinions of man, but the opinion of God! So is Jesus God in the flesh? Our very Salvation Depends on the Deity of Jesus Christ! If Jesus is not Divine, we are still lost in our sins because a Holy God requires a Holy Sacrifice to Atone for sins!

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

John 8:51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52 At this the Jews exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death.
53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Exodus 3:13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. {14 Or <I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE>} This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, {15 The Hebrew for <LORD> sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for <I AM> in verse 14.} the God of your fathers– the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob– has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.

Revelation 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, {14 Or <the Only Begotten>} who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus indeed existed before the Creation, not just as a thought or plan!

John 17:1 ¶ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Matthew 26:60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him
68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (NIV)

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV)

There is but One God and His Name is Jesus! You may ask, how Can God Die? Well very Simple. God is a Spirit. Jesus through the Incarnation, became flesh. John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Who is the Word? Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” When He died on the Cross it was only His Flesh that died. 1Pe 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” Jesus is God in the flesh and His flesh died and paid for our sins and He arose by His own Spirit on the third day to secure Eternal Life to all who would Repent of their sins and believe in His Sacrificial Death and Resurrection! Hallelujah! I am sure many will deny the Deity of Jesus Christ and will suffer the consequences. I Trust it will not be you dear reader! Don’t Listen to mans opinion about who Jesus is or is not, Read the Inspired Word!

Last exhortation in closing:

Jude 1:3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (KJV)

3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. (NIV)

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (NIV)

 

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