Discipleship and Seeking the Lost -

Do you shy away when someone asks you questions about your faith or your beliefs?  Whatever they may be.  Do you question what you believe?  Is it hard to explain to others, or is it that you yourself don't understand your own belief system?

I was once married.  The man I was married to believed without question.  However when I used to ask him questions about his beliefs, he was never able to answer.  He simply used to say, I don't ask questions...I just believe.  It's amazing to have such faith, no?  Yes...and No.  Why no, you may be asking.  Doesn't God tell us to have faith and love Him unconditionally?  Yes, of course.  But He doesn't want us to be ignorant about our faith and beliefs either.  He wants us to seek out the non-believers and the lost, so that we can preach the good news of the love of God to them.  How in the world are we supposed to do that if we don't understand ourselves?  Does that make more sense now?  I assure you my friends, it's good to ask questions and to understand fully.  It's good to gain knowledge about your faith.  Don't roll your eyes and walk away when someone tries to find out about your belief system.  Stand firm in your faith and tell them you're a disciple of Christ. For the Lord says to us in Luke 15:3-7

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.  Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; for I have found my lost sheep'. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

How is this relevant?  Let's dig into it a bit shall we?  Pastor David Hawkins said in his sermon on said topic that this parable refers to how God seeks out the sinners.  And don't you say, well this isn't for me then, as we're all sinners.  We should be delighted that God Himself seeks us out.  And as the disciples of Christ we need to seek those that have yet to feel the light of God shine on them.  Don't corner yourselves with other believers, as that goes against what Christ asked us to do.  Jesus said, 

 "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"

Matthew 28:19

Please don't sit back and watch the non-believers put down your faith.  Do you not see what's happening in our world?  Do you not see what folks are doing in the name of their own faiths?  The Muslim extremists want to destroy Christianity and the followers of Christ.  Are you going to still sit back and not speak up?  Will you allow your faith to be destroyed?  Take advantage of your freedoms Americans.  Not many people are given this luxury.  I for one aim to take the liberties given to me and preach about the good news.  For I have been saved and forgiven, by the grace of God.  As once I was lost, but now I am found...was blind but now I see.  Hallelujah and Praise be to God!!!!  

"I stand, with arms high and heart abandoned.  For the One who gave it all.

I stand, my soul Lord to your surrendered.  All I am is Yours."

I will speak the truth about the One and only God and will not be dismayed by the evil one.  For he lurks around for his opportunity.  I have said many of times before that it's a daily battle folks.  Just because you have accepted the truth doesn't mean you're saved forever.  You still can be led astray by the enemy if you allow him in.  So stay vigilant and aware of your belief, don't shy away from telling others, and don't be led astray at any time by the enemy.  Keep studying the Word of God, and preach the good Word to all you have access to and then beyond.  That's the only way we can find the lost...

Humility vs. Self Promotion -

It's funny honestly.  How very easy it is to speak of others and say, "can you believe what they are doing?" or "do you see what they are all about?" or better yet, "I cannot believe how selfish so and so is..."

I have been doing what I can for the past year; to speak the truth about God, to preach humility, and to bring an understanding of the word of God to whoever I can. However while doing this, I remained unchanged myself.  It is so easy to get up on a soap box and tell others to lead better lives.  So very easy to pass judgement on them for their actions and choices.  Never to have to do a self evaluation. Never to look within for faults.  Never to search within for brokenness.  Why?  I am surely teaching the word of God to the lost aren't I?  Doesn't that automatically make me better? Don't I naturally belong in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Or am I like the pharisees of the time of Jesus Christ. May God have mercy on my soul, I sure hope I am not that bad....am I?        

It is said that the pharisees were the individuals who knew the laws of the Jewish religion and its traditions.  People sought their guidance on matters of principle and religious teachings.  The scripture has very harsh words for the pharisees.  It is written:

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others..." 

Matthew 23:1-5 

As I just said, may God have mercy on my soul if I have acted as a pharisee.  I listen to the word of God in sermons every day, study the Bible, listen to worship music constantly, pray, and yes preach as often as I can.  Now that doesn't sound bad, does it?  No, but alongside all these noble things, I have sadly been self promoting.  I have been so fused over material things.  So vexed by finances and inconsequential worldly troubles.  So bogged down by my own self worth and physical appearance that I did not even realize how it's impacting me as well as those around me.  What's funny is that I speak of hypocrisy, whilst being a hypocrite myself.  I myself must remember that God says: 

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

1 Peter 5:7

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money"

Matthew 6:24

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:11

So today I vow to live the life I preach.  It all starts with ourselves folks.  How am I to convince others not to put their hands in the fire, when I have done so repeatedly.  I vow to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk as well.  Therefore my gracious readers (all two of you...) I will stand firm in my faith and know that I am no longer a hypocrite.  I am the daughter of God.  The One who created me.  He the creator of the heavens and the earth.  He who knows me by name.  He has a purpose for me in this lifetime, and I aim to fulfill that purpose.  Though I yet not know what it is, I shall humble myself in His presence and seek His mercy, forgiveness and guidance through my new path.  For God is not an option, He is a necessity.

May He forgive me for my wrongdoings and allow me to follow in the footsteps of those He is pleased with.  In His mighty name I pray.  Amen!    

Prophets--Signs--Faith

I spoke of what a rational minded individual with average intelligence would do when presented with a radical idea in my last post.  It's easy for us to judge those before us for rejecting the prophets of God.  Ever consider whether you would act differently?  What if you have already rejected someone who spoke the word of God?  Keep in mind, not every man or woman who says they communion with God is telling the truth.  For it is written in 1 John 4:1 - 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

But how do you know who is from God and who is not?  What determining factors are there?  The truth is that the Bible, the Torah, as well as the Quran speaks of signs of coming prophets.  Yet we do not believe.  Our forefathers didn't believe either.  Some of us consider ourselves of superior minds and intelligence and look harshly upon those who believe something other than what we feel to be correct. Take Mormonism or Later Day Saints church movement for example.  They believe that Joseph Smith was directed by angels to recover a book written in gold plates containing the religious history of an ancient people.  Prophet or fake?  Or take the example of Alexander Dowie who claimed to be the spiritual return of biblical prophet Elijah. Whatever happened to him?  Perhaps consider John Hugh Smyth-Pigott who claimed that he was the second coming of the messiah and was god, not man.  Where is he now? I am certain if researched, many more will be found.  So again remember this:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 7:15

So then how does one recognize the truth?  The answer is simple my friends.  Be aware of the word of God in scriptures.  Study them and know them well.  In scriptures the foretelling of prophets and the signs that will appear are written.  After educating yourself, pay attention to the teachings of the so called prophets.  Is their message leading you to God or away from Him?  Do they prophecy in the name of God, or are they fortunetellers looking for your wallet?  Are they seeking fame for themselves or are they giving all fame, praise and glory to God?  Is their healing given only in return for profits or do they speak the truth of the gospels without wanting anything in return?  For Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 9:3-5

"He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”

In scripture it is also said about false prophets that: 

"For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."

Romans 16:18

To be a true messenger or God, the messenger must display the characteristics of godliness.  He must be pious and righteous.  Not just in his words, but in his actions as well.  My dear readers, your best defense against being naivete is to arm yourselves with the word of God.  Know it by heart.  Know the truth.  Don't be fooled.  At the same time however, don't be reluctant in recognizing someone who is indeed preaching the word of God.  Prophet or not, trust in the true word of God, no matter who speaks it.  For it is written: 

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:14

Alas, whatever you do my friends, please don't be hypocrites.  Don't speak ill of those who disbelieved and mocked Christ on the cross, and then in the same breath mock those speaking the same word of God that Christ taught.  For we must be vigilant and on guard.  It is a daily struggle and a war against the enemy who is forever waiting for an opportunity to attack.  Attack in the form of discouragement, or in the form of false prophet-hood.  Do not give him cause to enter your lives.  Be alert in your hearts and minds and do not be dismayed ever.  For the Lord our Savior is with us always....Amen!!!

Religious hypocrisy!

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 6:1

Ever wonder what you would have done in the days of the prophets?  If someone claimed to be a messenger of God.  What would you do and say?  What if it happened now?  Would you believe them and take them seriously?  Would you ask for proof?  Would you ask them to perform miracles? If you look at history, it shows us that people not only question, but usually mock the prophets when they are preaching the message of God.  It's only after their death do most realize the errors of their ways, and begin following their teachings.  I heard in a sermon and nodded in agreement when the Pastor said, "people approve the wicked deeds of their fathers and adorn the tombs of those their fathers killed."

What is the point of this you may be asking.  Well if you have read enough of my work, you know I always have a point.  The subject matter that mostly all religious and pious people want to avoid is the point here.  The point of religious hypocrisy.  I have talked about said topic within my other writings, but it's such a big issue that it deserved it's own blog. Have you noticed that all religious folks are offended when questioned, corrected or directed about their beliefs and practices?  Offended and defensive.  Their priorities are in the wrong place. They desire worldly things, and chase after appearances and the non-essentials.  They practice ceremonial offerings and prayers when their hearts are full of envy and malice.  They lack any concern for others and have become complacent in their teachings.  However, these same individuals are the ones to condemn others and their ways.  Do you disagree?  Have you too not seen this?

Why should I be concern with this, you ask.  Live and let live, you say.  It's not my problem, you say. Well I say, have you kept anyone from knowing God's word?  Perhaps imposed law upon them and not let them know God's grace and forgiveness?  Then my friends, you too are hypocrites!  Yes, I speak to you.  You, the one who tells your neighbor to not take the Lord's name in vain, yet yourself worship money and other worldly idols.  Is that not blasphemy too?  Oh you hypocrites, look within you before pointing out the sins of others.  For the Lord says:

"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."
Matthew 7:5

"You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Matthew 15: 7-9

"Do you suppose, O man, you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?"
Romans 2:3

So why then do we insist on condemning others when we too are condemned by such actions.  Why is it easier to see the errors of others but feel ourselves sinless.  Truth be told, we should all consider this.

I am guilty...

when I am interested more in outward ceremony then hard commitment

when I am interested more in religious tradition rather than biblical teaching

when I am interested more in appearances then the approval of God

May the Lord in heaven forgive us, guide us and allow us to remain humble while we seek the word of God, and not worldly pleasures.  Amen!