America's Paradigm Shift

"America is no longer a Christian nation." Barrack Hussien Obama

From the pre-revolutionary war days, up to the end of world war two, America was begun and developed as a Christian nation.
When the first settlers arrived, they were sent by nations who's ideology and theology was Christian.
Plymouth Massachusetts was settled by people who were leaving the religious tyranny of Roman Catholicism. When the Mayflower stopped in the coast line of what is now Massachusetts, the people aboard found they had made landfall above the territorial claim of any European homeland.
Which meant they literally were now out of colony jurisdiction of any lands claimed by any of the colonial powers of Europe. The first political and religiously free settlers of America.

THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT


This is a copy of the original, first document by the settlers at Plymouth Massachusetts. Drawn up on 11 November 1620.
Note the first line of the second paragraph.
Having undertaken, for (the) Glory of God, and advancements of (the) Christian faith, and honor...
Over 390 years ago. The first free people of the world, began a colony that eventually became the threshold of the United States of America.

The Paradigm Shift

What happened? When, and why did the United States of America stop being a Christian nation?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6: 12)

Since the dawn of man, Satan has been trying to usurp God given human authority.
Man comes and goes. In just a few decades he has to learn, work, and leave a legacy for his descendants.
Satan and his followers have no such limits on their life span. He and his demons have been in charge of knowledge and power of elements man has to learn about and become familiar with, with each new person born.
Satan knows human spirit and its abilities better than man does. And he knows how to use man's own mind, and needs against him.
Satan has infiltrated over the centuries the highest human offices of authority, by using man's own mind, will, and emotions against him. "...spiritual wickedness in high places."

Christians have lost the edge. They have become complacent. WE have let down our guard. WE have NOT DONE OUR JOB as Christians.

Its time to pick up the book, learn God's Word, pray for HIS Will. And stop being a looser generation.

2 Chronicles 7: 14
If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

What is Christian Discipleship?

Philippians 2: 8-KJV
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Hebrews 5: 8-KJV
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.
Galatians 5: 6-The Message
For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.

Galatians 5:6b.-dpv
Love is the power of faith.

The following is a paper from a Men's Breakfast, Thursday September 6, 2012 at Missionary & Alliance Church of Lewistown, Montana. With Pastor Jeff Towne.

The following is copyrighted: Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries.

Question: "What is Christian discipleship?"

Answer: By definition, a disciple is a follower, one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. A Christian disciple is a person who accepts and assists in the spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in our hearts, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christ like. This process requires believers to respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting to examine their thoughts, words and actions and compare them with the Word of God. This requires that we be in the Word daily - studying it, praying over it, and obeying it. In addition, we should always be ready to give testimony of the reason for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3: 15) and to disciple others to walk in His way. According to Scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterized by the following:

1. Putting Jesus first in all things (Mark 8: 34-38). The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on the Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.

2. Following Jesus' teachings (John 8: 31-34). We must be obedient children and doers of the Word. Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God (1 Samuel 28: 18), and Jesus is the perfect example of obedience as He lived a life on earth of complete obedience to the Father even to the point of death (Philippians 3: 6-8).

3. Fruitfulness (John 15: 5-8). Our job is not producing fruit. Our job is to abide in Christ, and if we do, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit, and this fruit is the result of our obedience. As we become more obedient to the Lord and learn to walk in His ways, our lives will change. The biggest change will take place in our hearts, and the overflow of this will be new conduct (thoughts, words and actions) representative of that change. The change we seek is done from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It isn't something we can conjure up on our own.

4. Love for other disciples (John 13: 34-35). We are told that the love of other believers is the evidence of being a member of God's family (1 John 3: 10). Love is defined and elaborated on in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13. These verses show us that love is not an emotion; it is action. We must be doing something and involved in the process. Furthermore, we are told to think more highly of others than of ourselves and to look out for their interests (Philippians 2: 3-4). The next verse in Philippians (verse 5) really sums up what we are to do when it comes to everything in life: "our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." What a perfect example He is to us for everything we are to do in our Christian walk.

5. Evangelism - Making disciples of others (Matthew 28: 18-20). We are to share our faith and tell nonbelievers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives. No matter what our maturity level in the Christian life, we have something to offer. Too often, we believe the lie from Satan that we don't know enough or haven't been a Christian long enough to make a difference. Not true! Some of the most enthusiastic representatives of the Christian life are new believers who have just discovered the awesome love of God. They may not know a lot of Bible verses or the "accepted" way of saying things, but they have experienced the love of the living God, and that is exactly what we are to share.

Fatherhood vs. Dad

Fatherhood
If you are the father of children, it is not enough to expect they should appreciate having a roof over their head, clothes and food, without repenting of sin in your heart.
Continue in sin, when you know by the Word it is sin, and despite your going to church, toteing a Bible, preaching to your children like you have some kind of right to do so, and your children will continue to be escorted by the Devil to hell.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Colossians 3: 21)

If your heart is not right with God, your children will see it. If your heart is right with God, they will see that to.
You can tell them to obey, but they will not obey you anymore than you obey your Eternal Father in Heaven.

 Any male can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.

Real Love

I was trying to count how many times God COMMANDS us to love each other in the Bible.
Out of 282 mentions of "love" in the Bible, I got tired of trying to sort out the ones where we are commanded to love.
Today, people who want to be loved, and "have someone to love", have the wrong idea what love is.

We look to love like a potion for our woes or wants .. after the lust wares off, all you have left is reality .. this meta-paradigm shift is away from reality .. love is a choice, its something you WORK on, not fall into. DPV

dpversion #2

(This study is begun by first reading 2 CORINTHIANS 3: 1 through 4: 7)

(2 Cor. 3: 3) Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
(4) And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward.
(5) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
(6) Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.

First Corinthians Chapter 2 verses 9-16 Paul says,
(9) "But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
IT CAN NOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH HERE: YOUR ABILITY TO SPEAK FOR GOD DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH YOU PRAY. NOT YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD.
THE DEVIL KNOWS GOD'S WORD BETTER THAN YOU DO.
WE MUST KNOW GOD'S WORD, BUT WITHOUT AN ABUNDANCE OF PRAYER OUR KNOWLEDGE IS EASILY DEFEATED BY THE DEVIL.

(11) For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. <GIVEN WHEN WE PRAY
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(14) For but the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." <WHEN WE PRAY (1 Cor. 2: 9-16)

"We have the mind of Christ" means, He makes known to you what He thinks about everything, as long as you bring it to Him in prayer. And since He Himself is Truth, how well you receive what His thoughts are, about anything, will be determined by how truthful you are with Him and yourself. Some people are not even true to themselves, much less anyone else. They are more willing to believe the lies they tell themselves, rather than hear the truth from God. But that's another subject.

Unless a person is born again, and has the Spirit of God living in them, they are not going to be able to make sense of things spoken to them about spiritual things. At least not things pertaining to the Holy Bible. Some religious people see good things in the Bible. But the deeper mysteries of the Word remain hidden to them.
2 Cor. 4: 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; 
1 Cor. 2: 14 "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
2 Cor. 4: 4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

So trying to reach the "Lost" can not be done by showing them "what the bible says".
We reach them by "how we live our lives daily."

God would have all to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2: 4)
Everyone gets called to receive the salvation of God. Those who answer the call receive power to become the sons of God (John 1: 12). With this power we are given His Righteousness, His Royalty, His Holiness. He equips us (gives us His Grace) to show others His goodness in our lives (1 Peter 2: 9), so they too can have faith in the salvation He has provided through His Son Jesus. And since faith works (or is produced) out of love (Gal. 5: 6), then as we show others God's goodness by how we love them. Then, when we tell them about the power of God to be saved, their faith will come as they hear the good news about Jesus (Romans 10: 17).

Predestination

There is a thought among some believers, that predestination means some souls are predestined to be saved, and some are predestined to be lost, i.e. go to hell.
The very thought, God would predestine people to go to hell is absurd.
I'm glad these folk are not my judge.

Looking at Ephesians chapter one, and Romans chapter 8 we see where the erroneous line of thought on predestination begins.

In Ephesians 1: 4-6, using the King James Version, we read, (4) "According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved."
Also in Romans 8: 30 we read, "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Here we see a process. Not an end.
First, "whom he did predestinate". All people, before they become born again, are predestinated to be justified, and all glorified. Some just refuse the calling. Notice, the "calling" comes after predestinated, in Romans 8: 30.
Next we see, "them he called, he also justified". It is here where our involvment of the process begins. With our freedom of will, to choose to answer the call. If we refuse the call, then the process stops, until we choose to obey.
By refusing to answer the call, of what God has already determined for us. We then make our own destiny hell. We destine ourselves to hell, by our own choice.

The line of thinking, that "some" souls are predestined to be saved, and "some" souls are predestined to be lost, is not here. And I challenge anyone to find anywhere else in the entire sixty six books, of the known cannon of books, called the Bible, where there is any scripture saying, some people are "predestined" to be lost.
What we do find in Ephesians 1: 5 is the word, "us". Granted, Paul was speaking to the believers at Ephesus. However, the 'Doctrine of Predestination' as some teach, that some are to be saved, and some are to be lost, as if it where God's will, flys in the face of the rest of His Word.

God desires ALL to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2: 4).
God predestinates EVERYONE to be formed in the image of His Son Jesus. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate...". (Romans 8: 29) God knows every single person before they are even born. People forget Him, He does not forget people. Of the Rock that begat you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten God who formed you. (Deuteronomy 32: 18)

People deny to answer and obey the calling. People by freedom of choice, deny Christ, and bring judgment and condemnation on themsleves.
But ALL are called, to be justified, and glorified through the free grace of his (God's) will. Those who refuse, are not predestined to hell. God never says anything about being predestined to be lost. The only time predestination is used, is in the positive. Where he talks about our predestination to be justified, and glorified.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8: 29)

Ephesians 1: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, (who obtained an inheritance? Those who excepted Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior) being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: (Everyone has the same predestination, its just that some don't enter into that predestinated inheritance)
Everyone is predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son. To be in glory with him.
Some just deny to answer the call to except Christ as Lord. They are not predestinated to hell. They just make a bad choice.
Does God know what choice they will make? Sure, but he doesn't predestinate them to hell. The choice to repent remains open to them.

I wonder how many souls are lost, do to believers, excusing themself from witnessing to them saying, "I don't have to witness to them, because they are predestined to go to hell."
For this reason, "I'm glad these folk aint my judge."

King James Version
2 Timothy 2: (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. KJ V

God's Word Translation (Names of God Version)
2 Timothy 2: (25) He (we) must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the good news. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth. (26) Then they might come back to their senses and God will free them from the devil's snare.

It is not up to us to decide, and God has not decided yet. He will make the judgment at each individual's appointed time of judgment when their appointed time arrives. (Hebrew 9: 27)

1 Peter 2: 8b. God's Word Translation: The people tripped over the Word because they refused to believe it. Therefore, this is how they ended up.

People are not destined for hell by decree from God. He knows who will choose to answer the call, and who will not. But he doesn't predestinate them to those choices. He predestinates them to be in glory with him. The choice is theirs.

If Christians will observe faithfully, 1st Timothy 2: 1 and 2 and 2cd Timothy 2: 24 through 26, the chance more souls entering into what God has predestined for them, is greater.
"There are two reasons lost souls don't get saved, 1. They never met a Christian. And 2. They've met a Christian." Pastor Jeff Towne (What do lost souls see and hear, when they look at and listen to you?)
"You may be the only Bible someone might read today." That had to be by the Holy Spirit, because I'd never heard it before I first said it, and then read the same words in an article, by someone else, in a magazine almost a year later.
Let us who claim to be Christians, stop complaining, and do more praying, and sharing Jesus.

Loneliness

Lonliness is mis-understood. I enjoy mine. Bordem and Lonliness in the traditional sense, are not part of my personal venacular.
There are four precepts in 2 Chronicles 7: 14 that once understood, can bring us to a place of relationship with the Creator God, that is so loaded with grace, it causes us to never feel alone.

 Instead, I am always at peace with everything, regardless of its tribulation, or test of my faith.
1. Humble ourselves.
2. Pray (talk to HIM)
3. Seek HIS face: to know HIM (HE gives us HIS written Word)
4. When that written Word, which IS ALIVE, and actually reads us, and shows us what we do to fail HIS will for us, we turn away from that form of disobedience. Then we can go boldly before HIM and find mercy and grace in every time of need. (Hebrews 4: 16)
HE even gives us HIS own Spirit to have in us, to teach us, strengthen us, and comfort us at all times. (John 14: 16, 26 ; 15: 26 ; 16: 7)

 That relationship is what causes the Father of Lies to hate us so much. The Father of Lies is the one who brings the tribulations into our lives to test our faith. To try to get us to fall away from God's relationship with us. By tempting us to disobey. (1 Peter 4: 10-17)

Father God always stands ready to forgive with love UN-conditional. And that ticks the Devil off to no end. But that's his problem (1 John 1: 9) ☺

It all comes down to this: Love God with all your mind, body, heart and soul. And love HIS creation (other people) as HE does. UN-conditionally. I put it like this, I can not love, honor, and respect God, without loving, honoring, and respecting other people. Ephesians 4: 32 Be you kind, and tenderhearted one to another, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

 

The Moral High-road. Its easy to travel, because HE walks it with you. You are never alone.

PROPHETIC MESSAGE: A Revelation of a Difference

Thus says the Lord, to you if you will hear HIM:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! ( Isaiah 5: 20, 21)

Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thes. 5: 22)

Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (2 Cor. 6: 17 from Isa. 52: 11)

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. (Isaiah 29: 13)

Remember you, not the former things, neither consider the things of old. (Isaiah 43: 18)
Be RENEWED in the spirit of your mind. Or, change your attitude from the attitude of the world, to excepting, the things of God, (Ephesians 4: 23) Stop using "their ways (the devil's ways) of describing or doing things" to describe or do the righteous things of God.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. (Jonah 2: 8)

I maintain (a higher standard, a seperation from their profane way of doing things) for my name's sake, that it (my name) should not be profaned among the heathen (Ezekiel 20: 9)

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness (Jeremiah 12: 10)

"Because they call darkness light, and light darkness, not showing my light to the heathen, but rather, letting the heathen think that what they do is righteous, when in fact, I detest what they do. These are the 'End Time Itching Ear Preachers', I warned my believers about. They act like the lost, thinking they do them and Me service. Don't act like them, act like me. Draw your strength from Me. Or they will never see the revelation of a difference if you walk like them instead of like me. Show my light to their darkness."

But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings (Jeremiah 23: 22)

...if you take forth the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth: let them return to you, but return NOT you unto them. (Jeremiah 15: 19b.)

So be it.

Characteristics of the Spirit led believer

Characteristics of the Spirit led believer

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5: 22,23)

I've been told (from the pulpit) that Agape is Greek for Godly love. Fact is, according to Strong's Concordance "agape" which is translated as the word love in Galatians 5: 22 is affection or benevolence. -a love feast.-feast of charity.

Look up benevolence in Websters Dictionary and you will find, Benevolent: Disposed to promote the prosperity and happiness of others.

It's not too big a stretch for preachers to simplify the definition of Agape Love as, Godly love.

The definition of benevolence here best represents the word love in Galatians 5: 22. Disposed to promote the prosperity and happiness of others. This particular form of love is the same love Jesus taught, as in Luke 6: 27 when he said we must love our enemies.

Promoting the prosperity and happiness of our enemies? What? Seriously?

Now that's a stretch. At least it is for people not led by the Holy Spirit of God. Even people trying hard to obey God's Word pause, when they realize this is a characteristic of a true believer.

Furthermore, if we truly want to follow the Lord, we must obey the Lord. His commands in Mat. 5: 44 Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. And Luke 9: 23 If any man will come after me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow me. If truly believed, meditated on, and obedience is complete. Then to stand up for one's "rights" is NOT obeying and following Jesus.

Here is where I may become very "un" popular among most Christians. By advising my fellow Christians that they must never stand up for their rights at any time, in any way shape or form. If they want to fulfill what Jesus says they must do in order to be one of his true followers, according to the verses above.

Everytime I see a Christian, especially a Christian who claims to be of Cleric stature, insisting apon having "their rights" in any given situation, I am saddened that Chirstianity in the truest sense of "Christ" still is not understood, and more especially is not portrayed correctly to a lost and dieing world.

If you claim to be a Christian, you must realize, that even though you may have rights, you must always forsake them, if you want to be christ like. Christ Jesus sacrificed everything, including his life, for the prosperity and happiness of everyone. Even those who are mean and hateful, unworthy of such love.

The following confession of faith is not my idea. I don't know who first turned Galatians 5: 22, 23 into a confession of faith. But here is a rendition I have been working on for some time. My rendition follows the one I first saw, but is not the same.

I choose love: No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy: God is the God of every circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, which only interrupts my walk with the Lord. God's grace and mercy is always greater than any problem.

I choose peace: I will live forgiven, I will forgive so that I may live. I will refuse to see people as anything less than God's creations in His own image.

I choose patience: Instead of complaining I will face changes, inconveniences, and new tasks with courage, and trust in God's will and purpose for me.

I choose gentleness: If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer as I take my God given authority over the evil one. If I make a demand may it only be of my self. I will be kind to the poor, the rich, and the unkind, for such is how God treated me.

I choose goodness: I will go without before taking dishonest gain. I will confess before I accuse. I will be over looked before I will boast. I will keep virtue with integrity.

I choose faith: I will trust God always. I will keep the faith with prayer and meditation on His Word. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God work in my life.

I choose meekness: I will yield the right-of-way, when someone takes my place. Instead of arguing, I will invite them to do so, and when the wait is long, I will use the time to pray.

I choose temperance: I will practice self-control. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I will be impassioned only by my faith, and influenced only by God.

To these, In Jesus Christ name, I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will rush boldly to the thrown of grace, where I will find mercy, and grace to help me succeed every time (Hebrews 4: 16). For God's grace is His divine intervention in my heart, strengthening me to live and love as He does. Glory to the Father in Jesus name, Amen.

Ask God to teach you..Proverbs 2: 1-12

THAT WE MAY LEARN THE WORD OF GOD, AND PRAY IN THE SPIRIT OF HIS WORD, THAT WE MAY OBEY HIS WORD.

Here are twelve passages from the Word of God that I want to begin with.

(* words spoke by Jesus)

*Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God..(JOHN 3: 5)

Not by works of righteousness..., but according to His mercy He saved us, by washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost;..(TITUS 3: 5)

That He (Jesus) might sanctify and cleanse it (the church, and the individual) with the washing of water by the word..(EPHESIANS 5: 26)

*Sanctify them through thy truth: Thy word is Truth.....(JOHN 17: 17)

*If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples...and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free..(JOHN 8: 31-32)

...but you are washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. .......(1 COR 6: 11)

*Now you are clean through the word which I (Jesus) have spoken unto you. (JOHN 15: 3)

With what and how shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and obeying God's word. .......(PSALM 119: 9)

Being born again ... by the word of God, which lives and abides forever. (1 PETER 1: 23)

...be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. ..........(ROM 12: 2)

...be renewed in the spirit of your mind ..........(EPH 4: 23)

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him ........(Colossians 3: 10)

What is my point in showing these 12 passages of God's Word? If we "Let the Word of Christ DWELL in you (us) richly in all wisdom..." (Col. 3: 16a), then we can know God. Notice in Rom. 12: 2 and Eph. 4: 23, our minds, and the spirit of our minds, are renewed. Our attitudes that are in error to God's Will and Word, are changed, as we hear, and except God's Word.

The Word must dwell, that is, it must LIVE in you. You must know the Word of God. However, if you don’t pray, knowing won’t be good enough. The Devil knows God's Word. Studying God's Word helps us get our minds right. Prayer, is our direct link to God, for the "spirit of our minds", so HE can "renew" our spirits, and our minds.

Unlike the Devil, you have a choice. In 2 Chronicles 7: 14 we are told by God to first HUMBLE ourselves. Second we are told to PRAY. Third we are told to SEEK God's face (this means study His Word). Last we are told to REPENT (turn from our wicked ways). HUMBLE - PRAY - SEEK - REPENT. The order in which we are given these four precepts, is not an accident.

def: PRECEPT any commandment, instruction or order intended as a rule of action or conduct; esp., a practical rule guiding behavior, technique, etc.

Notice PRAYER comes before SEEK. Don't confuse seeking with prayer. Seeking is a matter of learning what God wants from us.

A lot of people today, not knowing what the Word says, will say, "I tried God, but he didn't do anything for me." So they reckon God isn't worth obeying or even trusting. They totally ignored the very first step in approaching Him. They do not humble themselves.

God is not someone to try. He is God. He is THE ONE to obey.

But that dosn't mean He is an angry, mean disciplinarian, watching to see if you are going to obey, so He can administer punishment if you don't. Instead, He is a God who administers love and mercy without end. Psalm 136 is 26 verses long, and everyone of them ends with, "for His mercy endures forever."

The first 9 verses praise God for His greatness, the next 17 are about God killing the enemies of Israel. "O wait," you say, that dosn't sound like mercy. That sounds like one of the many contridictions we hear people going on about. But if you truely seek God through His Word, you will understand that what sounds like a contridiction, is not contridictory at all.

God's mercies are toward those who put their trust in Him and obey Him (Ps.144: 8-20). He is willing to forebare with the non-believer for a while. But once they cross the line with those who trust and obey Him, then they make themselves His enemy, and He rises up to defend His people.

Today we live in the age of Grace. The Old Testament was a covenant of the blood of animals. Where the grace of God was only extended year after year for the temporary covering of our sins.

The New Testament is a covenant sealed with the Blood of Christ (Mt.26: 28; Mk.14: 24; Lk.22: 20; 1 Cor.11: 25). Now through the man, and Son of God, Jesus, who is the Christ (God in the flesh Jn.1: 1,10-11,14,17), we can recieve the mercies and grace of God the Father, permanently, once and for all.

Anyone who is already a believer is being constantly taught by God. Their ability to hear Him and learn, depends on how much they pray.
Anyone who is called by the Holy Ghost to be born again into the Kingdom of God, must begin with believing in their heart God raised Jesus from the dead (we know He died for our sins Rom.3: 25; 1 Jn.2: 2 and 4: 10).
Then a confession of faith in Jesus as Lord must be made (Rom.10: 9-10).
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (Jn.1: 12).
But you have to Humble yourself, PRAY, Seek Him (study His Word), and after He reveals to you what He finds in you to be disobedience; Repent.
Our being perfected is something the Holy Spirit does over time (1 Cor. 6: 11; Jn.8: 31-32; Rom.12: 2; Eph.4: 23; Ps.119: 9).
But regardless of our progress, if we first obey Rom. 10: 9-10, then from that moment on, Jesus has made a way for us to enter into, and remain in the Kingdom of God.
All we have to do from the moment we first believed, until the day we leave this world, and live our eternal life with Him, is continue as best we can. Learning about Him, trusting in Him (to meet our needs), and sharing the praises (of how HE meets those needs Mat.6: 33).
Also, we must share the love and mercies of God, in the name of Jesus, with all whom He causes to cross our path. That is our duty toward Him (Eccl.12 :13; Mat.5: 44-45; Mk.12: 30-31), (HE forgives us, so we must forgive others Mat.6: 14-15).

JUDE 24-25
Now (I commend all who took the time to read this) unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen

(this study, although posted on 7/24/2012 was the first one I ever wrote in 2007)

Tongues: The most controversial topic in Chrisindom

Jude 20 - "build up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."

Romans 8: 26, 27 - (26) The Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
("groanings which cannot be uttered", words one speaks that can not be understood, repeated, copied or talked about by others.)
(27) And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
(Notice the words "makes intercession for the saints", this does not mean the gift of being able to preach to people of another language, with a miracle of divinely imparted ability to speak in the language of another people. It has to do with private, personal prayer between you and God.)

Incidently, this form of prayer, makes the transmission of the Lord's Will much more easily brought to the mind of the person praying, i.e. "But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2: 16b.)


The next verse is irrefutable proof, that praying in tongues, in private prayer, is God's will.

1 Corinthians 14: 2 - he that speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks NOT UNTO MEN, BUT UNTO GOD, FOR NO MAN UNDERSTANDS HIM; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
(Those who will dispute the validity of a personal prayer-language or "tongues", will come up with very odd at best ways, of discounting tongues after reading this verse.
In their "reasonings", they try to rationalize their denial, as intellectualy as possible. After all is said, its simply denial of God's Word and Will, with pathetic excuses.)

One does not have to speak in tongues to be saved. But to deny oneself, or others to do so, according to these verses, is simply denial of a wonderful gift from God. It is a tool in the tool box of the christian's life that makes the job of living for God easier.
Sticking to the major subjects of the bible, to avoid controversy, comes out of lack of understanding, and denial of the above scriptures. And is even warned about in 1 Timothy 4: 3, 4 - (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching), but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Tongues is not new. Paul said, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all" (First Corinthians 14: 18). He taught about two kinds of tongues. The one in verse 2 is a private prayer language. And then in verses 5-23, it is for the edifying of the church, and a sign to non-believers.

 Tongues is something, for anyone who has a problem accepting it, to seek the Revealer of all Truth, the Holy Ghost Himself, for correct instruction. Real growth and transformation comes when, we except all the Truth. Not just the majors.

Any one can debate Jude 20 , Romans 8: 26 and 1 Corinthians 14: 2. But they won't be debating with me. They will be debating with God.  

Being a Christian means God talks to you (personally) .. Romans 8:16

Afflatus, af-fla-tus, [af-FLAY-tes], A divine imparting of knowledge; REVELATION. Inspiration.

People who are not born again, can not understand the deeper meanings and life giving benefits of the Word of God, because the scriptures are spiritually discerned (First Corinthians 2:14).
Until they except the power of God to be saved, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17).

They may expound what seem to be great things, from the Holy Writ. However, as long as they are still trying to achieve there own salvation, the truths they expound on, will always have a sense of heaviness (Mark 7:7; Pro. 14: 12-13).
"Wherefore The Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men" (Isa. 29: 13)
I've seen people leave church services feeling good. Then shortly after, suffer the grief of not knowing if they were worthy of eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said we must be born again to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). In verse 6 He said that which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In Matthew 13: 11 Jesus says, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." People who are not "Born Again" won't see the mysteries even when they look right at them (Mat. 13: 15). God deliberatley vails the hearts of those who refuse to have faith in His Son, and the salvation He provided (2 Cor. 3: 14-16).
According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear (Rom. 11: 8; Isa. 29: 10-13).

The Holy Spirit tells us what Christ thinks about everything we bring to the Lord in prayer (First Cor. 2:16...But we have the mind of Chirst).
How much time you spend in prayer (Lu.9:23 daily - Mk.14:37 one hour) determines how well your spirit hears the Holy Spirit (Rom.8:16).
In First Thessalonians 5:17 the Apostle Paul says to pray without ceasing. In Jude 20 we are told to build ourselves up, praying in the Holy Ghost (praying in the Holy Ghost can't be any clearer than is stated in 1 Cor. 14: 2, and Rom. 8: 26 says why we do this).
In Ephesians 3: 16 "...to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man," can only be accomplished by praying in the spirit as Jude 20 says.

First there has to be a belief in the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, after He died for your sins. With this belief there has to be a confession of faith in Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10: 9-10). This can only happen if the Holy Spirit calls you out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light. You are being called even now, if you haven't received Jesus as Lord, because God would have all men to be saved (1 Peter 2: 9; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Tim. 2: 4).
As you learn about your relationship with Him (Col.3:10; Eph.4:23), and as you spend time with Him in prayer (Luke 9:23; Mark 14:37), it becomes a natural way of life.
Confess the Lord Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 10: 9-13).

Then listen to the Holy Spirit, He will be talking to you in your spirit (Rom.8: 16). The more you pray and read the Bible, the better you will hear. Being a christian means God talks to you. But are you listening?

Lady Preachers

...there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

The Church today is called the Bride of Christ.

In the venacular of the Bible, the words man, men, and sons, usually leaves out the female gender in its terminology.
However in God's eyes we are not humans who have spiritual experiences.
We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

The Church today is called the Bride of Christ (Rev.21:9-10).
Our human minds can hardly understand the rationale of the spiritual experience in this analogy, but its there in the souls who are with God after the 'Catching Away' (1 Thes. 4: 17; Rev. 21: 9-14).

According to Jesus in Mat. 22:30, spirits have no gender. Here is a personal quote just for this. I hope everyone, male and female, see the humor in it.
"If men can deal with being members of the Bride of Christ, women can deal with being members of the sons of God." D.P. Linderman

In Matthew 3: 6 Jesus says, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." When the Bible talks about man, men, or sons; Ladies, it's talking about you too.

In the Bible there are women elders, deaconesses, and prophetesses. And even a woman Judge of Israel, the highest authority, (the supreme human leader of Israel) before Israel rebelled and demanded a King. Judges of Israel where also the highest spiritual leader. The one whom all the people looked to for guiedance, and to hear the words of God. See Judges chapters 4 - 5, her name was Deborah.

Also prophet and preacher are interchangable. Deacons preach to. One only need to know how to use a concordance to prove this. Too much emphasis is placed on the clergy today being, "called". If you have the Word of God in your heart. You are called to preach. More about that in the dpversion blog September 2011.

As for some saying Paul orderd women not to speak in church. We need to learn the whole truth, not just what suits us.
Apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3: 16 about Paul's writings saying this, "...some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also other scriptures..." The word 'wrest' comes from the greek word 'strebloo', Strong's Conc. 4761, (streb-la-o), which means to pervert. Some pervet, or explain falsely what they can't explain by what they know.

If the Word preached edifies (strengthens your faith), exhorts (encourages your faith), and comforts (makes you feel safe in your faith), as Paul said preaching should do in 1 Cor. 14: 3, then it dosn't matter if it was preached by a man or a woman.

Trust God Anyway

Recently, I was attending a lecture on Christian World Views. The main topic this particular evening was about Sociology.

The speaker was giving the Bible based view of family relationship, and how we should work on maintaining a healthy relationship with each other.

He presented the facts based in scripture that followed how things 'should' be, without taking into account that, there are people in the audience who have past failures with divorce.

The way it sounded to one individual was that, because he was married and divorced, there was no hope for him, that his attempts to follow after Christ now were futile, and he was wasting his time.

This caused a great deal of stress in this individuals heart and spirit, because he was not very secure in his knowledge of scripture.

I gave him this message, which I believe the Father's Holy Spirit gave me for him.

Trust God, He has an equitable solution, despite the trials, and temptations to fail. Don't listen to the Devil's lies. He tries to persuade you to stop trusting God, and to stop seeking His will through His Word with prayer.

Here is a group of Bible verses, I have used for several different themes. But they are proving to be of value to a great number of lines of thought, when it comes to various situations in life we find ourselves dealing with.

The Message Bible:
Jude 1: 20-23
Romans 8: 22-30 and 14: 17-23
1 Corinthians 14: 1-3 (esp, vs 2) "speaking to God in tongues privately" What I call the tool in the Christians tool-box of life, for maintenance of a healthy spiritual life.

Draw the lost with LOVE, it is, THE POWER OF FAITH ___ Gal. 5: 16 b.

So, whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who seperates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then him self] be a vessel set apart and useful and honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work (2 Tim. 2: 21 amplified version)

24. And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forebearing and willing to suffer wrong.

25. He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will preceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it].

26. And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.

They are captives, as we once were. Show them God's love, and draw them gently to the Cross. Not like Ogers, beating them up with scripture. The scriptures are for believers, not UN-believers see 1 Cor. 2: 14 and 2 Cor. 4: 4 .... 2 Tim. 2: 25 ...IN THE HOPE THAT GOD MAY GRANT THAT THEY WILL REPENT AND COME TO KNOW THE TRUTH... draw them with the power of faith > love, (FAITH WHICH WORKS BY LOVE Gal. 5: 6 b.)

I can expound on all the scriptures, but if I don't have love, I'm just a lot of undescernable noise (1 Cor. 13: 1 dpv).

Philosophy : the search for truth and reality

Philosophy: The object of philosophy is to ascertain facts of truth, and causes of things or their phenomena, to enlarge our views of God and His works...
Noah Webster 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language

3rd New Edition International Dictionary (humanist - politically correct)
"...a search for the underlying causes and principles of reality" (assumptive language - no God).

"Political correctness: obfuscation of truth" dplinderman copyright 1989

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong. He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the Truth. Then they might come back to their senses and God will free them from the devil's snare so that they can do His will (2 TIM 2: 24-26 Names of God Version)

We must not be condesending, or badger the non-believers with "the errors of their ways".
We must see them as we once were ourselves, CAPTIVES of the Devil.

Be careful not to let anyone rob you 'of this faith' through a shallow and misleading philosophy. Such a person follows human traditions and the world's way of doing things rather than following Christ (COL 2: 8 NGV)

Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants - what is good, pleasing, and perfect (ROM 12: 2 NGV)
KJV same verse .. And be not comformed 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 (ROM 12: 2 KJV)

...we are changed into HIS Image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 COR 3: 18 b.)

The Lord is the Spirit. The Spirit is Truth. The Truth is THE WORD OF GOD see John 17:17

Buy into the Humanist World View - Buy into the assumptive language of humanist thought - comform to the world.

Buy into the Word of God - Know the Truth - Know Freedom.

Solifidian: One who holds that faith alone, without achievement of personal merit, is sufficient to insure salvation

According to the Copyright 1958 by G. & C. Merrian Co. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, Religion is defined as:

1. The service and adoration of God or a god as expressed in forms of worship.

2. One of the systems of faith and worship.

3. The profession or practice of religious beliefs; religious observances collectively; rites.

4. Devotion or fidelity; conscientiousness.

5. An awareness or conviction of the existence of a supreme being, arousing reverence, love, gratitude, the will to obey and serve, and the like; as, man only is capable of religion.

The word 'religion' appears five (5) times in the King James Version.

Acts 26: 5 .... (2356 threskeia, thrace-kee-ah, ceremonial observance, worshipping)

Gal. 1: 13, and 14 .... (2454 loudaismos, ee-oo-dah-is-mos, Jewish faith, religion)

James 1: 26, and 27 .... (2356 see above)

The word 'religious' appears two (2) times.

Acts 13: 43 .... (4576 sebomai, seb-om-ahee, to revere, i.e. adore, devout worship)

James 1: 26 .... (2357 threskos, thrace-kos, ceremonious in worship 'demonstrative' i.e. pious)

The numbers in parentheses are references to definitions of the original Greek word used in, The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible, Copyright 1995, 1996 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Focusing on James 1: 27 of the King James version which we read,
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.


What we do for God is our Religion. It is practicing our faith. Going to church to worship Him, study His Word to know what He wants from us. Helping the less fortunate in His name. Keeping our selves from various sin. Testifying, sharing with others the Praises of God, for what He has done for us personally, and the good news of salvation as His first and most important gift to us. These things make us religious. We are being religious by doing them.

But doing things for God, does not achieve merit toward salvation.


According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary Copyright 1958 by G.& C. Merrian Co.
Solifidian is defined:
One who holds that faith alone, without achievement or personal merit, is sufficient to insure salvation.

Our religion celebrates what The Lord Jesus Christ did for us. He saved us from an eternity of separation from the Creator, Father. And it celebrates the love of the Father for us, in that He gave us His Son Jesus as a propitiation for our sins that separated us from Him in the first place. Our religion is not what brings us back into the Grace of God. If it did, then salvation would not be a free gift of grace at all. Salvation would be an achievement of our own merits. (propitiation..Rom. 3: 25; 1JN 2: 2; 4: 10), (gift of grace Eph. 2: 8, 9)

For by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph. 2: 8,9,10)
But now in Christ Jesus we who were seperated are made close by the Blood of Christ (Eph. 2: 13)

Now...the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it. (first Thessalonians 5: 23, 24)

GRACE IS

Websters Dictionary 1953 copyright addition - GRACE: divine influence given man for his regeneration or sanctification.

Strong's Concordance - GRACE: 5485 Gr. CHARIS, divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.

Holy Spirit, empower me with grace and mercy from God the Father to live and love the way Jesus does (Heb. 4:16 dplversion)

Receiving vs. Achieving Part 1 w/ pts 2 and 3

Solifidian, sol-i-fid-i-an, One who holds that faith alone, without achievement or personal merit, is sufficient to insure salvation.

FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. (Romans 10: 13 ; Joel 2: 32)

If you truly understand what it means to call on Jesus name to be saved as in Romans 10: 13, then according to First Thessalonians 5: 24, Faithfull is HE that calls you, who also will do it.

Jesus is going to save you, you are not going to save yourself. If you have to do more than what grace has done, is doing, and even will do, then you have not received salvation, you are still trying to achieve salvation.
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2: 8-10)The works we do after receiving the free gift of salvation, is a reflection of HIS grace at work in our lives. Works are a result of grace, with HIS divine intervention in our lives, and the reflection of that intervention in the choices we make, and the actions we take, from then on. [see Strong's Concordance - 5485 Grace, charis, divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life].

Some argue that once you've confessed Jesus as Lord, as in Romans 10: 9, then you must maintain your salvation with good works. Apostle Paul emphatically called such line of thinking foolish, bewitched, disobedient to the truth of Jesus Christ. Paul asks, "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"  (Galatians 3: 1)
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are  you now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3: 3)

...of Abraham...what was his experience?
If he was put right with God by the things he did, he would have something to boast about - but not in God's sight. The scripture says, Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous (Gen. 15: 6).

A person who works is paid wages. Wages are not a gift; wages are earned.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6: 23)

Those who depend on faith, not on deeds, believe God's declaration, that they are justified by faith in Jesus, faith that God takes into account in order to put them right with himself.
Therefore we conclude that we are justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3: 28)

David proclaimed the happiness of the person whom God accepts as righteous, apart from anything that person does.
Old Testement - Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned!
Happy is the person whose sins the Lord will not keep account of!" (Ps. 32: 1, 2 Good News Version)
New Testement -  Romans 4: 2-8 N.I.V., (2) If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about---but not before God. (3) What does the scripture say? ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS [ GENESIS 15: 6 ] (4) Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. (5) However, to the man who DOES NOT WORK BUT TRUSTS GOD WHO JUSTIFIES THE WICKED, his faith is credited to him as righteousness. (6) David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.

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Receiving vs. Achieving Part 2 - What about obedience? Or, what about those who do not follow sound doctrine?

Solifidian, sol-i-fid-i-an, One who holds that faith alone, without achievement or personal merit, is sufficient to insure salvation.

There may be times after being saved, we do things that displease and dishonor God. If we don't turn to Him with confession and repentance, we loose the benefit of His blessings (Ps. 68:19; 1 Kings 9: 1-9; Hos. 13: 5-9, blessing leads to backsliding (Hos. 5: 6 ...so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me), but the Lord WILL STILL BE THEIR HELP 9b.,
Turn, O Backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: (Jer. 3: 14). Mal. 2: 2; 3: 7 return to God, and HE will return to you. Specifically with HIS blessings and favor that were lost do to disobedience).

Here is divine advice how not to backslide:
Jesus said to "watch daily, 1 hour, that you don't enter into temptation" (Lk.9: 23; 22: 40, 46; Mt. 26: 40-41).

"The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Backslider"

When the Holy Spirit reproves believers of what is right (Jn. 16: 10), but by an act of spiritual ignorance we fail to recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit; Or we do recognize His leading, but are not spiritually wise and or strong enough to follow. Then we loose the blessings of God. This is why it is important to strengthen our inner man by praying in the Spirit, as Jude 20; First Cor. 14: 2 and Rom. 8:26 says to do.

LET THE WISE OBSERVE: Salt in the Bible is an analogy of Wisdom,
When a child disobeys a parent, the child looses priveledges. So it is with God and us; The child is not cast out into the street. Left to go hungry and die. Instead the child is made to re-evaluate their behavior. The Lord chastens HIS wayward children, just as human parents do Rev. 3: 19.

God's own Holy Spirit is in us, and will NEVER leave or forsake us (Heb. 13: 5). HE will see to it that the work of salvation is completed in us (1 Thess. 5: 24).
We can try to ignore the Holy Spirit, and sadly some do. But that is only when the progression of sin has so hardened that persons heart, that they no longer can hear the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 4: 2). Until God lets them go to a point of being so broken by bad circumstances, which is inevitable when a born again believer walks out from under HIS grace blessings. Constantly urged by the Holy Spirit, eventually the backslider will call out to God, abundantly aware that they have sinned. Just like the child that has been made to re-evaluate his or her behavior. Bad circumstances are the result of doing things out from under the grace and blessings of God. These results, or bad circumstances will turn out to be nothing short of being chastened by God (1 Cor. 11: 31-32). Try to ignore Him and the Holy Spirit will bring you to your knees in broken repentance. This is the love of a parent. Who will not let the child continue in a path of self destruction.

Once broken, God has made the way back into His favor in First John 1: 9. We need only to confess sin. In the moment we do, He is right there with forgiveness. And once again whether we deserve it or not, by something called grace, He restores us to all the blessings with favor.
Ps. 51: 17; Isa. 57: 15

Nothing we do will achieve salvation for us, we can only receive it as a free gift by faith in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross at Calvary Jn.17: 4, and it will be finished in you, by His own Holy Spirit.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ (Philippians 1: 6).

Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it (1 Th. 5: 24).

Part 3 will "Finish" this 3 part series. But the subject by no means will be concluded in us. We are a work in progress 1 Cor. 13: 12; 2 Cor. 3: 18, we are changed, transformed (Rom. 12: 2) ... by HIS Spirit, HIS Word of Truth (JN 17: 17).

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Receiving vs. Achieving Part 3 - It Is Finished

Solifidian, sol-i-fid-i-an, One who holds that faith alone, without achievement by personal merit, is sufficient to insure salvation.
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (NIV Gal. 3: 3)

This 3rd part of this series, Receiving vs. Achieving is the final one. However, despite the fact I give it the, "it is finished", addition to the title. We will see that just as our Salvation, although as far as Jesus' work to bring it about is done, or, finished. His work in us, as long as we are in this life, will not be finished until we have gone through the judgment fire (1 Cor. 3: 13, 14), which will take place after we have either died, or gone through the catching away of the Church (what some call, "The Rapture", 1 Th. 4: 17). Obtaining salvation, or "receiving" salvation, is a continuous, day by day process, until the end. The finishing of our faith, the process of being, "saved", is not finished when we first believed, and confessed Jesus as Lord, any more than the process of becoming, "as he is", is finished at the moment we first believed.

As long as we are in this life, every Bible study, or sermon, or preaching, could be legally concluded with, "To Be Continued".
Its not enough to just say the right words. We must believe them also. Romans 10: 9 says, We must confess Jesus as Lord, however, we must also believe in our hearts Jesus lives. It's the faith we have in our hearts that he was resurrected, combined with an open confession in a risen Lord that brings the promise of our own rebirth. The rebirth happens when God the Father, seals us with the Holy Spirit of promise (2 Cor. 1: 22). The word "earnest", used in the KJV, is the same word used for a down payment for property. We receive a promise of the completion of salvation. The NIV says, God puts a seal of ownership on us, by putting his Spirit in our hearts, guaranteeing what is to come, (the completion of our salvation). Eph. 4: 30b says, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Our salvation is not complete when we say Jesus is Lord. Calling him Lord requires obedience. People who are not obedient are just mouthing words. Their words are not from a heart of faith.

When people hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, their hearing must be mixed with faith (Heb. 4: 2). People who hear the gospel, but don't repent in their heart, turning away from the sin that has controlled their lives, never actually believed the gospel in the first place. The gospel was not mixed with faith (Heb. 3: 18).

To say someone "is saved", is the same as saying a piece of land I am paying a mortgage on is mine. It's not mine. It belongs to who ever I'm making the payments to. It won't be mine until all the payments have been made.
Jesus made all the payments for our souls on the Cross. Everyone now belongs to him. Even the non-believer. But until we acknowledge his ownership, we remain lost. The fact that at judgment, the lost will be cast into the lake of fire, is proof that the lost belong to him as well as the saved.

A believer's soul is in the process of "being" saved. But as for someone "loosing" their salvation is concerned, if they really believe in their heart that Jesus died for their sins, and that God raised him from the dead, and they obey the word, turning from their sin, their salvation is begun. And it will be finished, regardless whether or not they die soon after believing, or they live a long life after believing. (2 Thes. 5: 24).

The phrase "once saved, always saved", is an erroneous statement. But the idea that someone can loose their salvation is an error as well.
Our salvation is not on condition that we live perfectly obedient lives. If it was, that would mean the blood of Christ was insufficient, and no one would be saved. The NIV 1 John 1: 8 says, If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Verse 8 here implies the Truth is in us, at the same time sin is. Why?

I set my eyes to the words in the Bible, my fingers to the keys on the keyboard, to answer this question, and my human frailty, makes me want to abandon this work, because of the magnitude and abundance of explanation of what I read in Paul's 2 letter to the Corinthians. And indeed, all the books of the New Testement. But because the topic of "once saved, always saved" and the arguments pro and con persist. I pray for strength, and insight how to explain it, as simply as possible, despite the fact there appears to be no simple explanation.
However, because I have read the KJV, the NIV, the Amplified, and several other "versions" of the Bible cover to cover enough times, that the Holy Spirit has settled it in my heart, by God's own Word, and by experience, that I do not have to fear being rejected, or lost do to my own short comings, or lack of ability to finish the course. The race, as Paul puts it.
Any time I am concerned about this, I need only visit Philippians 1: 6 or 1 Thessalonians 5: 24 and settle down into prayer (most likely including some confession of sin), and once again the Holy Spirit puts my soul at peace (see 1 John 1: 9).

Our salvation begins in grace, and it ends in grace. Paul uses a very course, but like it or not, a very appropriate way of answering those who would after being saved by grace, would think that now their salvation is determined by their own effort or actions. He says, Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (NIV Gal. 3: 3)
Notice the words "attain your goal". Who is doing the work in us? Do we give the glory of our salvation to God? Or is some of the glory for us to achieve?
In Matthew 10: 38 Jesus says, "he that will not take up his cross, and follow him, is not worthy of him". This refers to people who see the truth of the gospel, but are decieved by the sin in their life, and fail to repent of their sins. They keep certain things back, voiding out the work of Christ in their life. They do not come to the truth, they keep the lies of the Devil in their heart, and fail to receive salvation. They are as the people in the parrable of the sower. see Mark 4. They hear, some even receive. But the cares of this world, or the lies of the Devil, which is still in their heart, because they did not surrender to the fullness of the gospel, they never get the work of salvation sealed in them by his Holy Spirit.

A believer who sins, is still a believer. They will suffer a diminished walking in the blessings of God as the pattern of sin progresses. Because sin is progressive. Just as walking in the light is progressive. The more Word one gets into their heart, the more light they walk in. The more sin they get into their heart, the more darkness they walk in.
When a believer starts down the path of sin. They go deeper and deeper into darkness, and the Light of the Truth (His Word), becomes veiled by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13).

Sin blinds us to the truth. It is a deceiver of the heart. 2 Corinthinas 3: 15, 16 KJV says, But even unto this day, when Moses is read (remember, here the N.T. is not written yet, they only used the O.T. to show Christ), the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (their heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Until a soul repents of sin, they remain captives of the father of lies the devil. But "turning to the Lord", repenting of sin, brings liberty. 2 Corinthians 3: 17 ...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

In 1 Corinthians 3: 13-17....we are told that what we do in this life will either be rewarded, or we will suffer the loss of reward. Those rewards are for doing good works. Not the reward of eternal life. Eternal life is not a reward, it is a free gift. You can not earn it, you can not achieve it, you can only receive it, and it is not taken back.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11: 29)

Whether the gift of God is a gift for the ministry, or the gift of salvation, God does not take anything back. He does withdraw his favor, his working with you (Mark 16: 20), until you stop your backsliding, leaving you open to the attacks of the enemy. But that is what a believer does by choosing to walk in sin. It's not God's fault. It's a process of God allowing our bad choices to force us back to himself via 1 John 1: 9.

Show me a person who has stopped believing they are saved by grace, that they must continue in good works to remain saved, and I will show you someone who did not receive the correct truth of the gospel. They did not receive faith in the power of God to save by grace (Gal. 3: 2-3)

As for those individuals who appear to have been saved, but lost their salvation, see 1 JN 2: 19. They never truely believed in the first place.

Fearing the loss of salvation is the Devils work. The poor soul who believes they can loose their salvation, is kept in bondage to the idea they must continually achieve it. Ephesians 2: 8-9 says, we are saved by grace through faith. We can not achieve it. Or we would be able to say we did it without totally relying on the blood of Christ, and by our own merit, we somehow achieved our own salvation.

Know that HE which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus...(2 Cor. 4: 15).
We are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works, that we should do them (Eph. 2: 10).
We are a work in progress.

THANK YOU JESUS


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Receiving vs. Achieving - Part 4 - Continue in my word
Jesus finished the work of salvation. Then rested in the place of authority, because the work was done (Mat. 26: 64; Mk. 12: 36; 14: 62; 16: 19; Luke 20: 42; 22: 69; Ps. 110: 1 Acts 2: 25, 26, 33, 34, 35; Ps. 16: 8-10; Acts 5: 31; 7: 55, 56 < here standing to receive Stephen, Rom. 8: 34; Eph. 1: 20; Col. 3: 1; Heb. 1: 3, 13; 8: 1; 10: 12; 12: 2; 13: 10; 1 Pe. 3: 22), being seated represents rest, as from work. The "Right Hand" is a postion of authority.
Knowing the fulfillment of all things would soon be accomplished. BY HIS OWN BLOOD, HE PERFECTED FOREVER them that are sanctified (Heb.10:14). Verse 15 says the Holy Ghost is a witness to us that we are perfected by the sanctification we recieved in Jesus.

On the way to Calvary Hill, the church leaders had no idea they were being led captive in Jesus's victory procession, which was freeing Him from their authority. They thought they were killing Him, when in fact He was destroying their unjust authority, freeing Himself and all who would follow Him as Lord.
Having all requirments of the Law nailed to the cross (Col. 1: 20), Jesus totally disarmed the enemy of God's people - Satan, and the unjust leaders of the church (Col. 2: 14-15). The unjust leaders used "traditions of men" and "set aside God's Word", to teach precepts of men in the place of God's Word (Mt. 15: 3,6; Mk. 7: 5-9).
Satan used guilt by the requirments of the Law.
It was the requirments of the Law that kept people in bongage to guilt. When Jesus had those requirments nailed to the cross, He removed our guilt (Heb. 10: 14).

TO BE CONTINUED (by every believer)