I will be moving my pulpit to
https://arts-bible-scroll.blogspot.com/
My pulpit is where I talk about the Bible and my faith.
I hope you will stop by and maybe leave a comment.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Arts-Bible-Scroll
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Habakkuk’s Complaint
Habakkuk 1:2 (ESV)
O LORD, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not hear?
We sometimes feel like this ourselves.
Habakkuk cries out to the Lord about the evil
he sees in Judah and ask why God lets it persist.
The LORD’S Answer
Habakkuk 1:5-6 (ESV)
“Look among the nations, and see;
wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
that you would not believe if told.
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,
that bitter and hasty nation,
who march through the breadth of the earth,
to seize dwellings not their own.
Habakkuk’s Second Complaint
Habakkuk 1:13 (ESV)
You who are of purer eyes than to see evil
and cannot look at wrong,
why do you idly look at traitors
and remain silent when the wicked swallows up
the man more righteous than he?
Habakkuk did not like God's answer.
He did not understand why God would let Chaldeans
who were even more wicked than Judah to be the
ones to pour out his punishment on Judah.
Habakkuk 2:1 (ESV)
I will take my stand at my watchpost
and station myself on the tower,
and look out to see what he will say to me,
and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
Habakkuk said that he would wait on the Lord take his
place at the watch post and he took his stationed on the
tower and wait on the Lord to answer him.
The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV)
And the LORD answered me:
“Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.
God tells Habakkuk what God says
will happen and to
write it down on a stone. it will happen in God's timing.
Habakkuk’s Prayer
Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV)
O LORD, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O LORD, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk hears how bad and ruthless the Chaldeans are
and ask God to show some mercy on Judah.
Habakkuk Rejoices in the LORD
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
We need to rejoice in the Lord no matter what the
situation is or how bad it looks for the Lord is our salvation.
Monday, February 24, 2025
Do not to go beyond what is written
1 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit,
brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none
of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Why do we do this?
We should use the Bible to interpret the Bible, or we can say we use the Word
of God to interpret the Word of God. So, when we have something written in the
Bible that is as clear as day, why do we try to ignore it and bring in other
things that are not as clear to make what was clear no longer clear?
It looks like we think God and His Word revolve around us.
So, we try to make the Word of God fit what we want it to say. But that's not
how it works—we should revolve around God and His Word.
We do this a lot with some of Paul's teachings. We read what he says, but we either ignore it or try to come up with other reasons to claim that Paul was not actually saying what he said. I even had a pastor tell me that John got it wrong or misspoke in part of his writings. How can you do that and still say that the bible is the inspired word of God?
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Becoming Radicalized for Christ
Disturbing Our City
Acts 16:19-20 (ESV)
But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and
Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they
had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they
are disturbing our city.
Can this be said about us? What have we done to disturbing
our city for God?
Luke 14:27 (ESV)
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 21:17 (ESV) You will be hated by all for my name’s
sake.
But even then, if we are put away. Give praise to God. You never
know who will be watching or listening to you and what effect it can have. Even
from the darkest most inner part of prison.
The Philippian Jailer Converted
Acts 16:23-26 (ESV)
And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison,
ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having
received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet
in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the
prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so
that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors
were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
What have we done or what will we allow God to do through us
to disturb our city for Him?
Just a funny note: After having inflicted many blows upon
them and throwing them into prison.
jailer to keep them safely.
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Asked ChatGPT who might be the Antichrist
I was bored today so
I started playing with ChatGPT and asked
Take what the Bible says in revelations about the Antichrist
and calculate his number and what it says about him and tell me who is the best
fit for this person
It doesn't have to be 100 percent accurate just who is the
best candidate do you think.
Here's what I finally got out of ChatGPT:
Many people have speculated about who the Antichrist might
be based on biblical prophecy. While no one can say for sure, here are some
commonly mentioned figures and how they align (or don’t) with scriptural
descriptions.
Key Biblical Characteristics of the Antichrist
- Global
Leader with Great Authority (Revelation 13:7)
- Deceptively
Charismatic and Persuasive (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
- Opposes
God and Exalts Himself (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
- A
False Peacemaker Who Later Turns to Tyranny (Daniel 9:27)
- Controls
a Global Economic System (Mark of the Beast) (Revelation 13:16-17)
- Performs
Signs and Wonders to Deceive (Revelation 13:13)
Commonly Discussed Figures
1. Emmanuel Macron (President of France)
- Why
He’s Considered: A rising global leader who has pushed for European
unity and involvement in Middle East peace talks. Some have pointed to his
name "Emmanuel" (meaning "God with us") as
symbolic.
- Alignment
with Prophecy: Has influence, but does not yet show signs of global
worship or economic control.
2. Pope Francis
- Why
He’s Considered: Some believe the False Prophet (Revelation
13:11-15), who helps the Antichrist, could be a religious leader. Pope
Francis has promoted interfaith unity and globalism.
- Alignment
with Prophecy: He fits the False Prophet role better than the
Antichrist, since the latter is more political.
3. Elon Musk
- Why
He’s Considered: Controls influential technologies like Neuralink
(brain implants), AI development, and financial systems (X, formerly
Twitter, and Tesla's Bitcoin involvement). Some believe such
technologies could be linked to the Mark of the Beast (Revelation
13:16-17).
- Alignment
with Prophecy: A global influencer, but does not hold political
authority or claim divinity.
4. Jared Kushner (Trump’s Son-in-Law)
- Why
He’s Considered: Played a major role in Middle East peace deals
(Daniel 9:27 speaks of an end-times covenant). Some note his office was at
666 Fifth Avenue in New York.
- Alignment
with Prophecy: Involved in peace negotiations but lacks global
leadership.
5. Klaus Schwab (Founder of the World Economic Forum)
- Why
He’s Considered: Promotes a “Great Reset” for global
governance, economic reform, and digital currency—all things that could
resemble a global economic system (Revelation 13:16-17).
- Alignment
with Prophecy: Holds economic influence but lacks the religious and
political power of the Antichrist.
6. A Future Unknown Leader
- Many
scholars believe the Antichrist has not yet been revealed and will emerge
as a powerful global figure after a major crisis (possibly a war or
economic collapse).
Final Thoughts
- Best
Candidate Today? No one perfectly fits all biblical descriptions yet.
If the Antichrist is alive today, he may still be rising to power.
- Most
Likely Scenario? A future world leader (possibly from Europe,
based on Daniel 7) who will unite nations politically, economically, and
religiously.
Friday, February 14, 2025
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the
end of the age.”
When we lead someone to the Lord, we cannot just have them
say some magic words and then say, 'Welcome to the family.' Jesus said to make
disciples. So, what does it mean to make disciples?
Disciples: mathéteuó
Definition: To make a disciple, to teach, to instruct.
Meaning: I make a disciple of, train in discipleship; pass: I am trained,
discipled, instructed.
We are to instruct them on what it means to be a born-again
believer a true Christian.
Verse 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
We need to tell them the salvation story how Christ was born
of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross and rose the third day.
John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.
But we must explain to them what is meant by “believes” and
what its true meaning is.
believes pisteuó
Definition: To believe, to have faith, to trust
Meaning: I believe, have faith in, trust in; pass: I am entrusted with.
We need to show them the difference between have faith in,
trust in and giving our whole life to Christ. Versus just knowing that there is
a God.
James 2:19 (ESV)
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
One thing I think is very important is that we must get them
to understand that they must count the cost of being a follower of Christ. That
we must die to self so that we become more like Christ.
The Cost of Discipleship
Luke 14:25-33 (ESV)
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone
comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children
and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For
which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the
cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a
foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying,
‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out
to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate
whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with
twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a
delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of
you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Now, Christ is not trying to tell us that we should hate
anyone, but rather that our focus should be entirely on God and not on this
world. If we love this world, we cannot be one of His disciples.
One thing I find interesting in verse 27 is the phrase 'bear
his own cross.' We must remember that the people Christ was speaking to at the
time did not yet realize that He would die on the cross. They were looking for
a Messiah who would free them here on earth. However, they did understand that
picking up their cross meant dying a slow and painful death.
What Jesus was trying to show them here is that they must
begin dying to self and start living a new life in Christ—giving up this world
and worldly desires for a total desire to be like Christ and follow Him.
In many churches, at the end of the sermon, the preacher
will have everyone close their eyes and bow their heads, sometimes even asking
the piano player to come up and play a song. Then, they give an emotional altar
call, asking if anyone wants to accept the Lord as their Savior to raise their
hand. After that, the preacher will pray a sinner’s prayer, asking for
forgiveness of sins or for repentance, and then end the service—sometimes
without even having people come forward.
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
I know I have posted about this more than anything else
because I believe it is that important. We need to be careful when giving altar
calls and not lead people into a false sense of security by having them simply
say some magic words.
This is also important when we are out in the world
witnessing and trying to lead people to the Lord. We need to emphasize the true
meaning of being a follower of Christ and help them understand that they must
count the cost of being His disciple.
I have warned about preachers like Joel Osteen, who teach
people to 'live your best life now.' But are we not just as guilty when we try
to lead someone to the Lord without showing them that they must count the cost
of being a disciple of Christ?
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
One of the problems I have today
Today’s men have become too passive-aggressive, unwilling to sit down and work
things out. And if they do manage to muster the nerve to sit down and talk,
they’re not bold enough to tell you what they really think, nor are they bold
enough to listen to what you have to say and give it thoughtful consideration.
There are times when you may not want to discuss certain
topics which is ok, we can just agree to disagree. But if that's the case do
not talk about the topic, let it drop and don't be passive aggressive with your
comments.
I have on several occasions, changed my mind when someone
has given me a rational and scriptural reason. Now, I might not tell them right
away, but they would figure it out quickly.
Sometimes I think we need to remember Paul Opposes Peter “I
said to Cephas before them all,”
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Do you know what you believe?
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no
need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Do you know what you believe?
Can you defend what you believe with scriptures?
You can get a Bible for as little as $5 from Mardel. Most people have access to the internet, where there are many free online Bibles, Bible dictionaries, Strong’s Concordances, and interlinear Bibles.
Some people say they don’t have time to read, let alone
study, the Bible. But think about how much time you spend watching TV, movies,
or sporting events. For most people, time is not the issue—it all depends on
where your priorities lie.
I suggest starting by reading your Bible for at least 5 to
15 minutes a day. When you finish reading, pause and ask yourself what it
means. If you have trouble understanding what you’ve read, take the time to
call your pastor or someone you know who is solid in God’s Word and ask for
guidance.
Try this for at least a couple of weeks to a month. You will
most likely find that you cherish the time you spend reading and studying the
Bible.
You may ask why do I need to read the Bible?
When we repent and turn away from our sinful nature picking
up our cross to follow Him, we should desire to know Him better. The best way
to do this is by immersing ourselves in His Word. So that we might know Him
better.
By knowing and understanding God’s Word, we are better
equipped to recognize false doctrine. When we hear something that doesn’t sound
quite right, we will be able to discern what is true.
Sometimes it is the small stuff that will start to lead us of course. So, by knowing the word of God we are better able to discern what is true to His word.
Song of Songs 2:15 (ESV)
Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in blossom.
When we're able to catch those little foxes that destroy the
vineyard, we are better able to see bigger problems and know how to respond to
them.
Ezekiel 13:1-4 (ESV)
The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of
Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own
hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’ Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish
prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Your prophets have
been like jackals among ruins, O Israel.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Bible sales are booming
So, apparently, there is a hunger out there—people are
searching. But part of me wonders, how many of those Bibles will be opened and
read? And how many will truly understand what they have read?
That is why we, as true believers in Christ, must die to self and let Christ
shine through us. We must show the world what true Christianity is and what
genuine faith in God looks like.
It pains me to say this, but there are many fake churches
out there—more focused on putting on a show and tickling people’s ears than on
preaching the truth. It is so easy for someone searching for truth to fall into
one of these churches.
You might say, “We live in a small community and attend a
small to medium-sized church. We don’t have the funds to do anything big.” But
that’s the whole point—we don’t need to. We must die to self and let Christ
shine through us by being real, by being who God calls us to be—a light to this
world.
Matthew 24:44-46 (ESV)
4 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at
an hour you do not expect.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has
set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
Are we being faithful and wise servants?
========= =========
Bible translations bestsellers, 2024
1 NIV
2 ESV
3 KJV
For some good news the Message Bible has dropped off the top 10 list.
Monday, February 3, 2025
The Purpose of
the Parables
This Sunday, the pastor of the church we are attending now
gave a great sermon on the purpose of the parables. This is not his sermon, but
I am going to use part of it. If you’d like to see his sermon,
click here. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B8tkGBMd4/
Matthew 13:10-13 (ESV)
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in
parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets
of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who
has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who
has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in
parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do
they understand.
Matthew 13:16-17 (ESV)
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For
truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you
see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
These scriptures reminded
me of this:
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,
to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is
the image of God.
I thought, what a great parable that is in itself! The world stands outside, looking at what they perceive as the church. They see only brick and mortar because they are blind to what the true church is. This is why we, as true believers in Christ, must die to self and let Christ’s light shine through us.
Colossians 3:10 (ESV)
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the
image of its creator.
1 Peter 3:13-15 (ESV)
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if
you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of
them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always
being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the
hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Saturday, January 25, 2025
I hope you have
read my story of The Parable of Joe. If you have, let me ask: Are you like Joe?
Have you
prayed the sinner’s prayer but haven’t died to self, picked up your cross, and
followed Christ? Maybe you haven’t truly counted the cost of being a disciple
of Christ. Are you just going to church because you feel it’s something you
must do to be a Christian and to show others, you’re one?
Let me
assure you, there is no good work we can do that will save us! We must commit
our whole lives to Christ and follow Him with everything we are.
Are you ready to become radicalized for Christ? Let me tell you—it’s not too late. All we have to do is repent, confess our sins, and believe that Christ came, died on the cross, and rose again on the third day. But like I’ve said, it’s more than just a prayer. Repentance is a verb; it’s an action. We must turn from our sins and follow Christ wholeheartedly and die to self
Find a good
Bible believing church and read your Bible daily. This will not save you, but
it will help you grow in Christ and get to know the risen savior.
The Cost of
Discipleship
Luke
14:25-33 (ESV)
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone
comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children
and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count
the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a
foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying,
‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out
to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate
whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with
twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a
delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does
not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Altar
Calls?
The reason I
wrote The Parable of Joe is that I believe churches are failing in their
altar calls to clearly communicate the true meaning of repentance and to
explain the cost of discipleship. Typically, at the end of a service, the
pastor will ask everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes. They might
even invite some musicians to come up and play softly. The pastor will then
emphasize the importance of accepting the Lord as Savior, and if someone raises
their hand, they’ll thank them.
Once the
pastor feels that everyone who is going to raise their hand has done so, they
will ask the congregation to stand. The pastor will then lead those who raised
their hands, and sometimes even the whole congregation, in what is often a
made-up "sinner’s prayer" or simply the Lord’s Prayer. After that,
the service ends.
I have asked
why they don’t invite people to come forward, either before or after the
prayer. The response I’ve received is that they want to make becoming a
Christian as easy as possible. In my opinion, this approach is fundamentally
wrong. Repentance and discipleship involve commitment and understanding.
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads
to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and
the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Are We afraid to tell them what true repentance is and are we afraid to tell them what
true discipleship means?
Strong's
3340.
metanoeó: Repent
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: Repent
Meaning: I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with
reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent.
The Cost of Discipleship
Luke 14:25-33 (ESV)
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone
comes to me and does not *hate his own father and mother and wife and children
and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For
which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the
cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a
foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying,
‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out
to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate
whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with
twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a
delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does
not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
I will
probably be posting more on this subject in the near future, not that anybody
really cares about what I post.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
The Parable of Joe
Joe had always considered himself a decent man. He worked a
steady job, treated his neighbors with respect, and occasionally helped out at
the community food bank. But deep down, Joe always felt a sense of emptiness—a
nagging feeling that something essential was missing in his life.
One Sunday, while driving past a small church, Joe noticed a sign that read, "Come as you are: God loves you." Something about the message stirred his heart, and he decided to attend the service that morning. The sermon was fiery and passionate, delivered by a preacher who spoke about the importance of salvation and the love of Jesus. As the preacher concluded, he invited anyone who wanted to receive Christ to raise their hand and repeat the sinner’s prayer.
From that day on, Joe considered himself a
Christian. He stopped cussing as much, made it a point to attend church every
Sunday, and even joined the men’s breakfast group. On the outside, Joe looked
like a man who had it all together. But inwardly, not much had changed. Joe
still pursued his own desires above all else. He rarely prayed or read his
Bible, and his faith remained a Sunday ritual rather than a daily relationship.
He told himself that he was doing enough
by going to church and trying to be a good person.
One day, Joe’s life came to an end. He stood before the
throne of God, awe-struck and trembling. The scene was more glorious and
overwhelming than he could have ever imagined. As he stood there, the Lord
looked upon him with eyes that pierced his soul.
“Lord,” Joe began, his voice shaky but hopeful, “I’m so glad
to be here. I’ve been waiting for this day. I went to church; I said the prayer…
I’m ready to enter heaven.”
The Lord’s gaze did not waver. His voice was firm yet
sorrowful as He said, “Joe, you said the words, but your heart was far from Me.
You never truly died to yourself. You never surrendered your life or followed
Me. You called Me Lord, but you didn’t do the will of My Father.”
Joe’s heart sank. He tried to protest. “But, Lord, I quit
cussing! I go to church every Sunday! I even joined the men’s group! Doesn’t
that count for something?”
The Lord shook His head. “You performed outward actions, but you never truly knew Me. You never sought My presence or allowed Me to transform your heart. Your faith was empty, a checklist of rituals rather than a living relationship. Depart from Me, for I never knew you.”
Tears streamed down Joe’s face as the weight of those words
sank in. He had spent his life believing he was saved, yet he had missed the
essence of what it meant to follow Christ: dying to self, serving God with all
his heart, and living a life transformed by grace.
As the gates of heaven faded from view, Joe realized the
tragic truth. He had been so close, yet so far. He had heard the call but had
not answered it with his whole heart. And now, it was too late.
This story serves as a solemn reminder that faith is not
just about words or rituals. True faith requires a surrendered heart, a
transformed life, and an abiding relationship with the Savior. Let those who
have ears to hear take heed and seek the Lord while He may be found.
Monday, January 20, 2025
I’ve have heard 2 Timothy 1:5 used to defend women as
pastors and preachers. The problem is that this verse has nothing to do with
being a pastor or a preacher; it is entirely about parenting and raising your
child in the ways of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not
depart from it.
In contrast, we do have these scriptures that make it quite clear regarding women teaching or preaching.
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 (ESV)
For God is not a God of
confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should
keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be
in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn,
let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in
church.
I’ve heard some argue that this was simply an issue within
this church, where women were causing problems. However, it states, “As in all
the churches of the saints,” so this wasn’t limited to one church—it applied to
all the churches. Additionally, we see this addressed in 1 Timothy 2:12-15.
1 Timothy 2:12-15 (ESV)
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority
over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam
was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not
deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she
will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and
holiness, with self-control.
Again, I’ve heard people argue that this was specific to the time and culture
they lived in. However, Paul stated that it was because Adam was formed first,
then Eve. Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a
transgressor. I don’t see how the message could be any clearer. Yet, we still
try everything possible to justify women as preachers and teachers.
Now, I will add that there is nothing in the Scriptures that
says a woman cannot teach a child or other women. 2 Timothy 1:5 shows us how a
grandmother and mother should raise their child in the ways of the Lord. If
you’re a woman with a youth ministry or a women’s ministry, I see nothing wrong
with that, nor can I find anything in the Bible that speaks against it. In
fact, I believe the Bible supports that role for women.I have heard this
scripture used several times in defense of women pastors and preachers.
Acts 2:17 (ESV)
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God
declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
But then again, this verse does not say women can be pastors
or preachers. It says, “and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,”
I like this from Bible.org. Prophecy is not identical to
preaching but involves both forthtelling and foretelling. The reason women may
prophesy but not teach or preach to men is that the message that the prophet
gets from God is not filtered through the interpretive process—that is, it is
directly mediated by the Spirit. Hence, in effect, prophecies are ‘tamper-proof,’
whereas teaching is not.
I
have heard it said they believe the Bible is God's inspired word but then go on
and to say they think John got it wrong in 1 John 2:1 (ESV) My little children,
I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.
They think it should say “you will sin”. To me it looks like they think Paul
and John just got it wrong.
So why do we struggle so much with what Paul teaches? Why do
we try to find reasons to go against his teachings? If Paul was wrong about
this, what else might he have been wrong about? Do we truly believe the Bible
is the inspired Word of God?
Posting what I believe on Facebook has gotten me into trouble
recently—lol. You don’t have to agree with me on everything, and that’s okay.
You’re welcome to tell me why you think I’m wrong, but please make it biblical
and include your scriptures. Simply saying, “So-and-so is doing great work for
the Lord,” and using that as proof doesn’t cut it.
Voddie Bachman has said it would be easier to make a
biblical argument for polygamy than for women preachers.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Becoming
Radicalized for Christ
People will be lovers of
self
Godlessness in the Last Days
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable,
slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous,
reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having
the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Matthew 7:5 (ESV)
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
We must become willing to die to self and purge that log out
of our eye so that we can help others.
Becoming Radicalized for
Christ
Does God revolve around you?
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (ESV)
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of
wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if
anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for
honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the
master of the house, ready for every good work.
Does God revolve around you, or do you revolve around God?
Think about that.
Are we so caught up with ourselves, we think everything revolves around us?
We think that God is just about us, and we forget His righteousness, His
holiness.
We are here to praise Him and to give Him glory. We are to throw ourselves down
at His feet.
We must cleanse ourselves in His righteousness, giving up our dishonorable self
and be a vessel for His Holy use, ready for every good work.
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Becoming Radicalized for
Christ
The Advance of the Gospel
Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV)
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to
advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial
guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the
brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more
bold to speak the word without fear.
Wow what a testimony this is. This is what I want my faith to be like. Right now, here in America we don't have to worry about going to jail or prison because we worship the Lord. Right now, our biggest persecution is being mocked and ridiculed and in extreme cases maybe losing our job. I do foresee a time we might be rounded up and put into a reeducation camp. Right now, in Britain in Ireland they are threatened with jail time for just standing and saying a silent prayer or even charged with hate speech for reading the bible. I do fear this is coming to the United States in the not too distance future. If this does happen, will you be ready to stand like Paul for your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and still bring glory to His name.