“The Lord is not slack concerning [H]is promises…”  (2 Peter: 3:9a.)

“Let your, “Yes” be Yes and your, “No” be No.”  (Sermon on the Mount)

 

I can not remember ever making a promise to anyone and especially not my children.  They may have asked me for a promise early on when they were younger but not anymore. I explained to them that I cannot control enough to make a promise. The weather, health, other events, and many other things can interfere with a promise. The will of God may over-rule a promise. I will say, “If God wills I will do my best to…”  James in his epistle warns us of saying, “I will do this or that …” Instead he tells us to say, “the Lord willing I will do this or that.”

We are also warned in Scripture not to swear upon anything…” I swear to God” or I swear on …”  This is because we have no power over God or anything else for that matter. I have heard others swear upon the life of their mother or their children…this is evil and very foolish for you have no power over either and thank God for that.

Why is it so foolish to make a promise? It is foolish because it is a sure way to loose your children’s confidence in you and your word. Your word will loose more and more worth or value with every broken promise. However, if you say God willing or I will do my best they will come to understand that you can be trusted to keep your word. Another piece of counsel, help them understand the will of God and that though His will may not always allow their every wish His will is best. You will want to tell them of times God over-ruled your desires or plans and why it was for your best. How many of us would not have the life and or families we now enjoy if God would have allowed us to “get the girl” or the guy from our youth? How thankful I am that He says “No” as often as he does. Thank Him today for all the times He said, “No” or “not yet”? Explain the blessedness of God’s “No” to your children.

There are only (3) that can promise. One is God. God can control all events to make His promises unbreakable.  God is not slack or slow and it is only God Whose will is not over-ridden by outside events. The other persons that can promise is the God called prophet who speaketh the Words of God. The Old Testament prophet could promise based upon the God-Spoken Words and the New Testament prophet can make general promises based upon the revealed Word of God as can the well taught Christ-ian man or woman.

Understand what I mean when I say general promises and revealed Word. I Can say, “If you sense the drawing of God and if you will repent and believe the Gospel, you can be saved.” I can make that promise without heitation or doubt. If a broken hearted Christ-ian comes to me over a matter of sin, I can promise Him or her God’s forgiveness if s/he will confess them before God and I can make that promise without hesitation or doubt for it is God’s Word  and will that I am speaking of and not just my own. I cannot promise that we will do this or that tomorrow because it may rain, I may be sick, I may die! I do not control the events that will allow or disallow my promise. I can say, If God wills it and all things go well we can do this or that. This will lead all of us to prayer and to have our thoughts upon God.

God caused the sun to stay for Joshua, It was God the Son that caused the wind, the waves, and the storms to bow to His will, It is the Spirit of God that can cause the unchangeable person to change. It is God that raised Christ from the dead. It is God that called the animals to the ark, It was God that caused to Red Sea to split and the ground to become passable, It was Christ that caused the blind man to see, the lame man to walk, the dumb man to speak, the deaf man to hear and the poor man to become rich through the Gospel.  It is the Holy Ghost that changes the heart of stone into a pulsating and beating heart of flesh, it is the Holy Ghost that causes the spiritually blind to see, the spiritually lame to walk, the spiritually dumb to speak with a new tongue, the spiritually deaf to have an ear. You see God can remove all obstacles and make all obstructions bend to His perfect will.  That is why we say, “If God wills” instead of I promise.”  We can do none of the above.

Another wise act is to let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no.  We want to be a Christ-ian of our word. If someone asks you, “Did you do this?”  Your answer is yes or no and nothing more. Do not swear upon anything…simply let your answer be yes or no.  There are not many honours above being known as a person of your word. To be known as a good or honourable person is the highest compliment one can be given. My wife gave me a Father’s Day card that said I was a good man and a great father. There is no better compliment or honour a husband/father could be given in this world. The only honour greater than this is, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

To be known as a person of your word; to be known as a good and honourable person means that if someone says something negative about you, those that know you will disregard it immediately. If someone came up to a family member and said, “Your Dad/Husband/Pastor promised me…….” My people would know immediately that they are not speaking truth.  If someone approached my kids or wife and said, “Your Dad/Brian sent me to pick you up.”  My family would know to avoid this person at all costs and they would be prepared to defend themselves.  A family should have codes: names, symbols, signals, pass words, etc. to let each other know that this person is okay or what I am saying is true.  These codes should never ever, ever, ever, ever………………………be shared with anyone, not even extended family or friends. If the code is ever used change it immediately.

God has made many promises in His Word. Some of His promises are unconditional and others conditional. All of His promises of hope are conditional upon relationship and covenant. In other words, His promises are made to the elect. God’s promises of hope are not for the lost, God’s promises of hopelessness are not for the saved. A conditional promise is based upon a condition and an unconditional promise is without condition.

Salvation is a promise made upon the conditions of repentance and belief. Salvation is promised upon the submission to the Spirit’s drawing. THe promise of God’s love for His person, persons, people, and peoples is unconditional. He does not promise His love to you if you do this or that. His promise of love is not even based upon the condition of your unbroken faithfulness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No, God has promised Himself  as well as you that He would remain faithful to you unconditionally!!!!!!!!!!! God is so Good! Everything that hath breathe, praise ye the LORD God!!!

It is important to know God’s promises because our prayers should find their strength in these promises. His promises do not back Him into a corner. You cannot hold God hostage over His promises. You can, however, Call upon Him and ask Him for X which is based upon His promise. You may go to Him with boldness AND humility petitioning His perfect and wise will and knowledge of what is best. I can state unequivocably that God has answered all of my prayers and sometimes in ways that are too wonderful to share. Sometimes one should keep things between self and the Lord…these are truly sacred things.  It is enough to say, “God has answered my Prayer”  as in your “Yes” being yes and your “No” being no.

Godspeed

“[We] were never in bondage to any man…”  (John 8:33b)

 

Whenever the topic of Pro wrestling is brought up someone will invariably say, “Pro-Wrestling is so fake” or if someone sees it on tv they will remark with the same comment.  As an observer for most of my life I have heard this many, many, many, many times. After hearing it so many times you would think that I would have gotten used to it and that it wouldn’t bother me anymore. You would be wrong. When someone feels the need to remark on the fakeness of the SPORT I usually will ask them what is fake about it. They will point out things like the punches and the kicks aren’t real and that the ATHLETES stomp their feet whenever the punch or kick the opponent. I will typically point out that movies are fake yet the commenter enjoys the movies. Much of todays news is fake yet it is usually believed.

What is fake about Pro wrestling?  Are the flips from the top rope fake?  Are the steel chair shots fake? Are the broken bodies fake? Is the torn off ear fake? Are the scars on the foreheads fake? Are the open handed slaps to the face or chest fake? Are the broken and missing teeth fake? The answer to these questions is, “NO, not at all.” The only thing that is “fake” about this sport is the scripting. Everyone knows that pro wrestling is scripted.  The Sport, itself acknowledges as much.  They admit that the athletes are actors playing fictional characters. But the atlhletism is (100%) one-hundred percent real.

Most of these athletes, behind the scenes, are friends and form a lifelong fraternity. One should not be surprised to see two “enemies” dining together at a hotel restaurant after the night’s matches. As a young man I spent much time around these athletes and boy could i tell some stories. I learned early on that celebrated athletes are as “normal” as you and I. They have their families, their bills, their debts, their flaws, their weaknesses, their like and dislikes. The only thing that makes them different is their familiarity to many.

Therefore, Pro Wrestling is not fake as it does not attest to any realism in terms of winning and losing. The Athletics are very real as are the real injuries (sometimes the injuries are scripted). Most in the business will call their business “Sports Entertainment.”

Politics on the other hand claim to be real when in fact it is scripted. When I say scripted I mean to say that both parties pretend to be open to each other’s ideas when, in reality, they are as closed and locked as my front door. I am convinced that many of our politicians are either psychopathic or sociopathic. I have come to this conclusion based upon the ease in which many of them lie and contradict themselves without any embarrassment or shame. The blatancy in which they lie would be unbelievable if I didn’t see it and hear it with my own ears. One should not be surprised to see a democrat dining with a republican nor should one be bothered by the friendship. While their constituents may have very hard feelings against the “opposing” party, the constituent’s representative does not. The politicians are for the most part are friends.

Mrs. Clinton when in the south tries to speak with a southern draw.  Some Obama person said that the Obama administration was without scandal. I heard a politician say just yesterday, that in Trump’s presidency there have been more hearings than in all of Obama’s administration. I was dumbfounded when I heard that. While it is a true statement, let us look at the reasons. 1. The democrats would never bring their own to a hearing and 2. The republicans didn’t want to get bogged down with hearing after hearing after hearing. If there was a hearing for everytime a hearing was needed in the Obama presidency there would be hearings for the entirety of his administration.To prove that politics is scripted all we need to do is look at all that Trump has gotte done. Whether you like him or not you must admit that he has done more in his presidency upto now than did any other presidents of recent times. The reason why he gets things done is because he is not a politician going off of a script.

I have often wondered if the politicians realize that they are being recorded. You would think that they do not know that they are being recorded. How could a person say one thing and then an hour later say the opposite in different company and not expect to get caught? Do they even care when they are caught?  “If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor period,” Obama said this repeatedly all the while knowing it to be a lie. One would think that to be a politician in the democratic party one must be a liar.

Harry Reed (D) Nevada said, “Why would I do that?” when he was asked to free up some money for the Children’s Cancer hospital during the last government shutdown…”Why would I do that?” Reed is a textbook sociopath. Reed demonstrated his callousness towards those who suffer. This man is certainly an anti-Christ and those that follow him must be also by their free association.

Pro Wrestling is scripted, politics is scripted, and Readers, Life is scripted.

“And as Jesus passed by, [H]e saw a man which was blind from his birth. And [H]is disciples asked [H]im, saying, Master, who did sin, thisman, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in Him.” (John 9:1-3) This man was cast as the blind man that would be blind for half his life. He was cast to be the man to give God great glory for his healing.

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in [T]hy [N]ame: those that [T]hou gavest [M]e I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the [S]cripture might be fulfilled.”  Judas was cast to be the betrayer of the Christ. Some may see this as unfair. They should not think this unfair as Judas did as Judas wanted to do.

“Known unto God are all [H]is works from the beginning of the world.”  (Acts 15:18) God, like any author or writer knows how his-story will end from the beginning. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle knew Roylott would be bitten by his own snake before he began writing, “The Speckled Band.”  Before the foundations of the world were set, God knew the ending from before the beginning. Your life and my life are scripted by a Great and Good and All Powerful Author and Finisher. Our lives are being directed by a Director of directors. This should give comfort and boldness in times of pain and weakness.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD…”  (Psalm 37:23)  The steps of the saved are directed or ordered by the Godhead. Our direction comes from God. Sometimes the script calls for a valley and sometimes the script calls for a mountain, but it is the same Writer and director. Job asks, “[S]hall we receive good at the [H]and of God, and shall we not receive evil?” We can, we should, we must always trust the Writer and His Script whether we are in the valley or on the mountain.

God has cast you to be you so Be the you He has cast you to be.

Christ told His adversaries to search the Script – tures for they testify of Him.

“…[W]here sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”  (Romans 5:20)

“The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”  (1 Corinthians 15:56-55)

” My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the [R]ighteous…”  (1John 2:1)

 

Dear Readers, The Christ-ian wants not to commit sin. The Christ-ian wants to be rid of sin. While the Christ-ian may have pleasure in sin like a lost person does but unlike the lost person, the Christ-ian does not pleasure in that pleasure. While the Christ-ian saint will not be sinless in his temporal state, the Christ-ian will, indeed, sin less as he grows closer to Christ, walks with Christ, and grows in the grace and knowledge of Christ. The Bible knows nothing of a sinless saint, but nonetheless He encourages us and exhorts us to be without sin. While the Christ-ian sins he is not committed to sin nor does he sin habitually as a way of life. As Luther said we are saints and sinners at the same time.

Christ did not take our place on our cross so that we could blatanly sin and never give it a second thought. Christ set us free from the penalty, the power, and the pleasuring in the pleasures of sin. Peter warns us not to use our Christ-won liberty as a cloak of lasciviousness. Grace does not give us a license to sin. Grace and liberty gives us license to look to Christ for strength not to sin. We are invited to come boldly before Him as He sits upon the throne of grace, for we have great need of that grace in times of failure. Paul reminds us that where sin aboundED, (past tense) grace does much more abound (present tense).

Christ tells us we can not serve (2) two masters. We will, He says, serve one and hate the other. This is true of sin and salvation. We can not focus upon our Saviour and His abounding saving graces AND live in the condemnation of our guilt over sin. You must pick one or the other. You can live a defeated life dwelling upon your sin or you can live (and sin boldly) while dwelling upon the Saviour Who has defeated sin fully and completely and slayed the sin you are dwelling upon. God has chosen to remember your sin no more. He has cast it away. Your sin, yes, todays sin has already been dealt with. Do you understand that? The sin we commit (not committed to as in in a marriage) today and tomorrow and next week has already been dealt with by our Champion.

My daughter plays volley ball and she used to get so down on herself after making a mistake (not being perfect) that she would be less effective for the rest of the game. She would be less effective because she was dwelling on her past misdirected ball. We discussed this and we explained to her that she could take that mistake and put in into a mental box and pack it away in her mental attic while she continues to play and play effectively. She could then, later on, unpack that box and review what had happened and learn from that. The same is true of sin. If we focus on sin, like our adversary and accuser would have us do, we will be less effective for Christ’s Kingdom and Glory.

If or rather when we sin we should look at it, judge it, confess it, and then praise God for His forgiveness and love. We should confess it and praise our Champion, Who overcame sin and removed it’s sting and strength. Luther said we should sin boldly. He’s not saying to sin freely or to sin as a practice, but to remain bold in the grace of God when the accuser throws sin in our face. Paul asks the question, if God has forgiven you and justified you, based upon the work of Christ, who is it that can then accuse you or condemn you. The answer is no one. When your sin is thrown in your face, thank God for His grace and then mock the devil with that sin for neither does he or sin have any place or part in you. If he can get you bogged down in guilt you are not effective nor are you glorifying Christ for the victory He has already won.

Readers, I trust you understand what I am saying. We are not giving license to sin so that grace may abound. In the words of Paul, “God forbid.” We are simply exhorting you to focus on your salvation and the grace of the Saviour and not upon the already defeated sin. Some might ask, “Why then are we told to confess our sin if it is already dealt with?” When we confess our sin we are simply acknowleding what we have done, judging ourselves so that our Heavenly Father need not chasen us. With the lost man, God sits as Judge but with the Christ-ian God “stays up late” as a Father and is unhappy that we have come home late. That is the difference.

Therefore, one can live in defeat and let the accuser steal one’s joy or one can live joyfully, gratefully, and thankfully knowing that Christ has taken the sting and strength from sin. I choose the latter for the Joy of the LORD is my strength.

“But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”  (Daniel 3:18)

“[A]nd Jesus marveled…”  (The Gospels)

 

Those who know God and His Greatness and Power should never be surprised when He intercedes or intervenes on one’s behalf or the behalf of another.  However, one should be amazed that He does intercede and intervenes on our behalf and the behalf of another. David asked the question, “What is man that Thou visits him?” David said further, “Such knowledge is to wonderful for me.” Those that have seen the intercession of God on their behalf say, “I stand amazed.”  But let me say it again, one should not be amazed only at God’s Power but at His willingness to manifest His Power and His grace in thy sight and for thy good.

The recorded events concerning the (3) three captive Jews and the fiery furnace contain two miracles and (1) one is greater than the other. Before we discuss the (2) two miracles let me give you the backstory. God had raised up a pagan king, Nebuchaddnezzar, to attack and to take captive God’s chosen people for they had abandoned Him for other false gods. After the Israelites are taken captive, the king decreed that the best of the young men should be taken and trained in the ways of their captive nation.

Four (4) men are named amoung those that are taken. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men are trained over time and show themselves to be the best of the best of the captive youth. As time went on they moved up and bacame respected by the king and other leaders.

At this time the king had a distressful dream and he called his magicians and wise men to not only tell him the meaning of the dream but the dream itself! None were able to do this and the irrate king ordered all wise men to be put to death. Daniel, a man of God went to the king and promised to tell him the dream and to interpret the dream, thus saving many lives. Daniel was true to His word as God gave him the needed information. The meaning of the dream was of future kingdoms and empires. The dream contained a giant idol which was made of various metals and materials.

As time went on the king decreed that a giant idol be built and that it should be made of the materials that he saw in his dream. Once this idol was built King N. ordered that all his people would bow down to this image when they were signaled by the music. All but (3) three brave men bowed. As is usually the case, the faithful men of God rebelled against this Godless law. [Sidenote: There are many ways to tell if a person is a Christ-ian. One of these ways is trouble making where and when trouble needs making.] Part of this decree was death by fire to anyone who would not bow.

They were then taken to the king and the king gave them another opportunity to bow down to the image, but again they refused. The king is outraged (possibly because he had great respect for these men. He would be losing (3) three of his best men.) The king ordered that the fire be turned up (7) seven times higher than is usual.  Some preachers and commentators see this increase of heat to be a sign of the king’s out of control fury and they seek to make him look foolish. This I refute. The king turned up the fire so that the torture and death would be quick, for he resepected these men and these men respected him. The king was like any parent that was about to issue discipline, “This is gonna hurt me more that it is gonna hurt you.” The men would be dead but the king would live with this most painful of decisions.

Methinks the (3) three men, wanting to alleviate the kings fury, outrage, and sorrow, said, “If it be so, our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and [H]e will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not worship the golden image which thou hast set up.  To this refusal the king ordered the furnace to be heated (7) seven times greater than is normal. The fire was so great that the mightiest of men in the king’s army were burned and killed by the fire when they cast the (3) three Jews into the furnace.

“Then Nebuchadnezzer was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the [F]ourth is like the Son of God.”

There is present in this event a number of awe inspiring moments. 1. The Idol  2. The Music  3. The united front of the Chaldeans  4. The (3) three Jews standing  5. The refusal to bow after being given a (2nd) second opportunity.  6. The Fire  7. The Son of God. There are more but these (7) seven shall suffice us.

Which of these (7) seven do you see as the most awe inspiring?? My choice is (4) four and (5) five. As we have said before, God is Powerful and He does interject Himself into human matters and that is Awesome/ful. We are not surprised only by His great power but by His willingness to visit man and to intervene on man’s behalf.

That which inspires me and gives me goosebumps and wet eyes is, “If it be so, our God Whom we serve is able to…But if not be it known unto thee…”

“If not…” This is faith, my readers. This is experiential faith that causes faith to grow into hope and hope into burning love for God. Methinks events like these will happen again very soon. Let us all amaze God by our love, by our loyalty, by our faith in Him, Who amazes us each and every day. God breaks through the natural with the  supernatural and inspires us, and empowers us to do well and to do good works and to give all glory to Him. The Church…the Body of Christ… is a miracle.

“I have not seen such faith…” Lord Jesus

“Taste and see that the LORD is good.”  (Psalm 34:8)

Sometimes a person can get in their own way. A person can be so intelligent and live in the realm of deep thought and observation that they are absent minded when it comes to the ordinary.  G.K. Chesterton was a brilliant journalist and a devoted Christian. He excelled with the paradoxical. He was a man that loved to write and to inform so he wrote and informed. The public considerered him to be a great and gifted intellect of their time. However, when he would got out he would often times send a telegram to his wife asking her where he was suppose to be going.  It was so that she would pin his destination upon his great big coat. Some might say, “He was so Heavenly minded that he was of no earthly good.”

We have observed that Bible readers can be much the same. The reader may read a passage and wonder to themselves, “What does this mean?” We might at times look for a deeper meaning when their is none. We may try and interpret the Scripture as code or seek the double meaning in the Words of Holy Writ.  “When I am weak then I am strong.” What deep and mysterious truth is held in that declaration? There is nothing deep or mysterious in Paul’s declaration. Paul means exactly what he wrote. When Paul is weakened in the flesh, when he has been worn out, when he is physically and mentally exhausted the Spirit of God strengthens him. The Lord said to His inner circle of (3) three, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Our ensouled living & spirit encourages us to “Faint not.” A preacher i know says, “Keep on keeping on.”  God tells us to, ” Go forth and…” Much of Scripture is to be taken at face value. Scripture means what He says.

Psalm 34:8 says to you and me, “O’ taste and see that the LORD is good.” What doth that mean? I know that this verse has a deeper meaning AND a practical meaning. (DV), We will focus on the practical. We will see (DV) that practical becomes spiritual.

O’ Taste and see that the LORD is good.”  When you sit down for a meal, the expectation of taste is present. That taste should and could cause you to know that God is good. We eat to live, it is a staple of life. The enjoyment of taste, however,  is an extra, “It is only goodness that gives extras,” said Sherlock Holmes.

Holmes goes on, “There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion, It can be built to an exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence [God] seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food are all really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But the rose is an extra. it’s smell and it’s colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers.” [Side note: Our greatest assurance is the Indwelling Holy Spirit of God in Christ.]

Taste is necessary to discern what is good and healthy or bad and toxic. Taste is also an extra. The Creator, our Maker could have omitted the pleasure of taste in His creation. Eating foods could have been tasteless. Eating could have been simply a staple of life and no more. Eating could have been a necessity only. In the wild, one does not see or hear the animals preferring one prey over another. The animals eat to live; it is a necessity of life. …..BUT we can enjoy and find great pleasure in our food. Therefore, when thou sitteth down to feed, think upon the goodness of God. Eat sloooowwwwwllllyyyy and be enraptured, and be engrossed by the Greatness and the Goodness of God.

“Jesus perceived…”  (The Gospels)

“…Think on these things” (Philippians 4:8)

“As a man Thinketh, so is he.”  (Proverbs 23:7)

 

Rene Descarte (Rah-nae Day-cart) was and is (He’s in Heaven) a philosopher and a great one at that. He is known for and by his quote, “I think therefore I am.”  His meaning is that a person that exists thinks, that is to say, if you are thinking, you are living. A person who thinks thinks things through thoroughly will live a good life, will make sound choices, will be confident in his ways. will be successful in his ventures.

Ms. Kathy Griffin is a comedien and actress. Her hook is the revealing of the flesh and blood world of the celebrity that is, up front, plastic and “man. u. factured.” She reveals what the celebrated are really and truly like. She tells us what goes on behind the scenes. She is ToTo that reveals the wizard to be a man. She shines a light upon the sycophantic and idolatrous world of celebrity and those that do not see themselves as equal to the celebrity or those that see themselves as “not as god as…” or “less than x.” Persons, people and peoples celebrate that which they do not find in themselves or have not realized to be in themselves. They… I say They and not we, because we know that we are complete in Christ and we are indwelt by the Godhead, and we are God’s new and much better creation. We are much more than their equal.

There has been a lot of attention focused on Griffin as of late. There is a photo of Ms. Griffin holding a likeness of President Donald Trump’s decapitated head as it drips with fake blood. Many were angered by this and Ms. Griffin was pressured into saying, “i’m sorry.”Ms. Griffin went on to say that she “feels” like Trump and his family are seeking to destroy het life and that we all know how he is. “You all know how he is…” is a logical fallacy, she is appealing and resorting to the popular opinion, association, attacking the person, and false dilemma and these are among many others.

While I have enjoyed Ms. Griffin’s iconoclastic comedy, I noted some negative traits that were being manifested in her press conference. (1st) first, “I feel like…” I have noticed these words in many t.v. shows.  The term, “I feel” has replaced “I think.” There is a difference between thinking and feeling. In the past terms like, “methinks” and “thinks me” were used to denote that one is basing an opinion or a thought or a decision or choice upon the thought process. When a person says, ” I have decided…” they are implying that they have closed the thinking process because they have come upon a decision or choice and that is that.

In today’s world we hear person’s saying, “I feel.” While it is true that a thoughful decision can be changed with further information, the feelings are much more swayable. Paul warns us not to be, “tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.” James tells us that, ” a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” A double minded man is a man that allows his feelings and emotions to change what he thinks is proper. Persons that are tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine is easily swayed in their beliefs because a person they like “said so.”  Equally true is the opposite, if a person speaks truth the feelings-inclined person will not accept the truth because of his hard feelings toward the speaker.

Ms. Griffin is also using this attention to further her career. This is due to her feelings of ambition (Methinks). She said, “I live to make people laugh.” Being interpreted, “I live for the high I get from pleasing other persons.” Her feelings are keeping her captive to her self centeredness at the cost of the reputation of the President and his family. She would like us to forget that she has, in the past, admitted to a premeditated decision to target Trump’s youngest child and make him a focus of her comedic attacks. Her thought process or decision making process is being over-ruled by her feelings of hate and the feelings of needed-acceptance when her audience applauds her views and vile words. Persons, celebrities, and her ilk are similar to sharks as they both attack when they see blood or weakness in prey. In a shark it is biology; in a person it is cowardice. These types do not attack until they see others attacking and they see that sycophants applaud the attacks. A person that is given to their emotions is a weak person and is lazy in thought. They are too weak to labour in thought and too fearful to take a stand on their own.

The Christ-ian is not like this or rather the Christ-ian should not be like this. Paul said, “Judge all things…”  “Prove all things,”  “….Think on these things.”  Both our Lord and His Apostle say, “Take heed (Thought),” Behold,”  “Be not deceived,”  “Consider,” Peter says, “Be vigilant,”  “Gird up the loins of thy mind.”  John says, “Try the spirits” or in other words put all things on trial before accepting them as true. Moses was told to, “Judge righteous judgement,” by God. God told Joshua to, “Observe all…”  God, through Isaiah says, “Seeing many things, you observeth not…”  The Christ-ian is a person of thought. The Christ-ian is a thinker. The Christ-ian observes. The Christ-ians considers matters. The Christ-ian judges all things to be True/False, Right/Wrong, Good/Bad. The Christ-ian is vigilant and proves a matter before accepting it as true. The Christ-ian beholds, takes heed and is not easily deceived….because the Christ-ian is a thinker, an independent thinker. Christ-ianity is the thinking man’s “religion.”

The wise man says in Proverbs that a man that answers a matter before hearing it is foolish and is a person of folly. Hu-mans feel before they think. For example: in today’s lingo bad means good (prophesied) and phat means “dope” or good or cool.  Not all persons are up on this slang so if someone, who is not up on their slang, were told that they are, “a phat and a bad dude!” they may feel anger or become offended.  However, if they thought this through, they would realize, “this is my friend, so bad and phat must be a good thing.” Hu-mans feel first and think later. It is a temptation to give into our feelings and at these times but we must seek grace to endure and overcome and forgiveness when we fail.

A closing thought on feelings: Feeling are not bad for God gave them to us. It is written, “Jesus being angered…” and “Be ye angry and sin not.” Also, “Jesus wept.” and “Jesus had compassion upon…” and “grieve (anger) not the Spirit.  Paul tells us not to be overly sad and hopeless when a loved one leaves this world for the next and greater world. Our Lord says to us, “Let not your heart be troubled…” Emotions are good for they are from God but these emotions should not control our thoughts and actions and decisions. Our “renewed” thoughts and way of thinking must control and rule our feelings lest we be fools and persons of folly.

God told one of His prophets that his family was to be taken away from him and to enter eternity. The prophet was instructed by God not to cry or weep over this great loss (methinks, publically) Therefore, we see that emotions and feelings can be controlled and over-ruled by proper thought.

In closing, happy is the person that balances the thoughts of the mind and the feeling of the heart. Happy is the man that answers a matter only after hearing it.

“And having spoiled principlalities and powers, [H]e made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”  (Colossians 2:15)

“Who is this king of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”                                                                                                                                           (Psalm 24:8)

 

The question our text from Colossians 2:15 seems to raise is where and when did this spoiling of pricipalities and powers happen and where was this open show of triumph? The answer most would give would be the Cross at Calvary. While the death of Christ truly is a triumph over evil it was not an open show. No, when Christ died at Calvary it appeared a great defeat to our Champion. Another question that is raised in our next text from above, when was this great battle won by our King? Another question that has been asked over and over again by many thinkers is what did Christ do and where did He go for the (3) three days between His death and Resurrection.

It would appear from the texts above and other texts we will consider (DV) that our Champion descended into the heart of the earth. This is not to say…and let me be clear, Christ did not descend into Hell in order to suffer for sin. No, He descended into Hell to square of against the enemy and to take captivity captive, that is to say, He descended to take His chosen people out of Abraham’s Bosom and to deliver them to Heaven.

To make my case let me appeal to Scripture and logic. (s)atan sought to do all he could to eliminate the blood line from which Christ would come. This is the reason for the sons of God (fallen angels) taking the daughters of men (Genesis 6) and impregnating them with demonic seed, this is the reason the Children of Israel were always in danger from her enemies like Haman in Esther. This is the reason that Herod sought to kill the young King of Israel, and prior to that (s)atan put it in Herod’s heart to tax the world which would force a pregnant Mary and Joseph to travail dangerous terrain.

Using logic, does it not make logical sense to expect (s)atan to attemp one last coup while Christ was rounding up His chosen and preaching righteous condemnation to the damned in Hell?  Of course, he would, that’s what he does. (s)atan seeks to thwart all of God’s plans but is always foiled by God in the end…silly devil Victory is for God.

It would seem then that there was a battle in Hell/Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise). We know from the revealed events (Lazarus and the rich man) in the heart of the earth that there was a great gulf that separated the (2) two sides. For the sake of undisputed power and for the Glory of God these (2) two sides must have been bridged and at this bridging a war or battle was had and won by Christ and His Chosen.  What else could our texts speak to or a text from Hebrews 2:14b, “…through death [H]e might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil…”?  Are we told anywhere else what our Champion did for those (3) three days?  What else does “taking captivity captive” mean and from where were they taken? and when was that done? and furthermore who were those saints that came forth from the graves after Christ’s resurrection and walked among the people?

This event combined with the transfiguration, I believe, are microcosms if you will, of Christ’s return to earth and the rapture of the saints and the defeat of the enemy. Before the transfiguration, Christ said that there were some standing with Him that should not see death until they see the Coming of the Kingdom. We are then told that He taketh, Peter, James, and John and was transfigured before them. They beheld our Lord change into an Image of great glory, they saw Moses and Elijah attending Christ and speaking to Him. For all intents and purposes the men of Christ’s inner circle saw the King in His Glory, they saw The King enthroned over His Kingdom., they saw “[His] Kingdom Come.”

When we think about the events that seemingly took place in the heart of the earth we see, Christ descending from above, calling His own to His side, taking captivity captive, and proclaiming condemnation to His enemies (a picture of the sharp sword of Revelation 19). And then defeating the enemy, spoiling the principalities and powers (of Ephesians 6), and making a shew of them openly, triumphing over them all.

After Christ gained the victory and utterly shamed and defeated the enemy, He rose from the dead, and brought His saints with Him and they all were seen by many persons. Over the course of many days Christ would be seen by over (500) five-hundred persons and i would guess the risen saints were to. At some point either before or with Christ all ascended into Heaven and were welcomed with the song of Psalm 24.

A word concerning the whereabouts of (s)atan.  I know he is not confined to hell, nor is he the king of hell. (s)atan is a spirit that is very active in our times and he will remain active until He is deactivated by the Brightness of our Lord’s Glory. How would (s)atan be involved in the war during the (3) three days in between Christ’s death and Resurrection? We see from Scripture that (s)atan has a free reign (within God’s boundaries) for He was present in Heaven when the events of Job took place and we see him as the cause of David’s weakened faith in 1 Chronicle 21, and the empowerment of Judas prior to the crucifixtion. So it would follow that he is able to descend as well as ascend. And if (s)atan wasn’t present, it was his forces that were humiliated and defeated.

These events spoken of above should embolden our Hope of evil’s full and final overthrow and utter defeat, defunction, and deactivation at the edge of our Champion’s wetted and glistening sword. Our Lord Jesus is the King Who is Mighty in Battle. Hallelujah!!!

 

Godspeed.

“Judge Righteous Judgement.”  (Deuteronomy)

 

In our last article we wrote on the cowardice and hatred of the Islamic religion and those that perpetrate heinous acts of violence upon non-expecting people. The most recent being the attack upon children at a concert in England.  We made the point that if a religion is founded upon a bad guy and a pedophile goodness should not be expected from that religion. Also if a book, full of hatred and instructions to murder, is the foundational document of a politically motivated religion that entire religion must be tainted as “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

We further wrote upon the need to be vigilant and to be prepared to defend one’s self, one’s family and others. However, we want to be very clear on a point that was also made in that last article.  The point I’m referencing is that any assault upon our enemy is to be left to the professional ministers of God and by that i mean those that are part of the U.S. Armed Forces and those that are members of the Police Force (Romans 13).  We as private citizens are NOT to assault anyone. We only have the right to defend ourselves.

In a recent episode of “Law and Order SVU,”  there was depicted the rape and murder of a young female Muslim working in a restaurant. This young woman’s father was also killed as he was working in this restaurant. This woman’s mother and sister was also assualted but lived. The cowardice rapists and murderers were Americans in black masks.  In this case the terrorists were not Muslim but were American or American so called and in name only. These cowards did not display any true American values.  What should be done with the American (in name only) cowards? They should be judged with righteous judgement. They should be executed upon being found guilty beyond any reasonable doubt!!!

During the Reformation Martin Luther was thought to be dead by all. However, he had been hidden away by his king. While Luther was hidden away he translated the New Testament into the German language. While Luther was performing this labour of love, many other wrong minded reformers were terrorizing and killing those that represented the Catholic Church.

It was thought by the king that only Luther, himself could stop this terrorism.  Luther was called for but he first studied the range and all that was happening under the guise of “Junker George,” an aristocratic knight. As Luther beheld this…this …these acts of cowardice he revealed himself to be alive and condemned all that took part in these murderous acts. He promised to see that justice was done and these rioters and terrorists would face justice for doing this is his name…Luther said something like, “This is not my work, this was never my work!”

While we see islam as anything but peaceful, we must remember that Islam is merely the vehicle that is used for fallen and depraved humanity to demonstrate their depravity and fallen state.  The wickedness that the islamic religion has released upon mankind is the same as what the Nazi’s released upon the Jews and the white supremacists release upon their victims or a man releases upon a woman when he rapes her. The only difference between the Muslim’s and the Nazi’s and the white supremacist and the rapist is that the Muslim’s do it and the Nazi’s did it on a grander scale. Other than the scale the murder, hate, persecution, and cowardice is all from the same source, the fallen state and depravity of man.

Just as the loved ones of the victims of white supremacists, premeditated murderers, and rapists might have a desire to take the law into their own hands they do not, they entrust these criminals and cowards to the professional law enforcement.  This must also be the decision when being angered by Islamic attacks, especially if you think about attacking a muslim that had nothing to do with an attack. Remember we must judge with righteous judgement. Also, if you were to take the law into your own hand and harm another you will be put into prison and who will defend your family if they decide to take vengeance.

Christ-ian reader,  The Scriptures…our Scriptures tell us that the wrath of man does not work or demonstrate the works of God nor are we to return evil for evil but to overcome evil with good. They further tell us, however, that we should live in peace with all men with as much as lieth in us. This seems to give us warrant to defend ourselves and our loved ones as does the instructions the Lord gave His disciples to purchase swords. [Sidenote: I believe that moreover than giving us warrant to purchase swords, Christ was stating the importance of the Gospel message and that that message must be guarded by all means].

Let me be clear on another point, the prejudge a matter or a person is folly and evil. This may seem to contradict some of the comments I have already made concerning the Islamic religion. If so let me use an analogy. The Catholic church is an evil entity but those in the Catholic Church are not evil but blinded, but the leadership in Rome is not righteous. Likewise, the very foundation and the leaders in the Islamic religion are evil and many of their followers are blinded by (s)atan (2 Corinthians 4:4). To be sure the human founder of this religion was Mohammed but it’s spiritual founder was (s)atan.

Godspeed.

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the [I]mage of God made [H]e man.”  (Genesis 9:6)

 

There maybe some portions of Scripture that may seem to be a “hard saying.” However, the teaching and meaning found in our text is not a hard saying, in fact one would have to be an imbecile or playing one not to understand it completey.  But for the imbecile or the one playing an embecile let me spell it out.

God said and meant- if a man or hu-man kills another hu-man hu-manity must kill the murdering hu-man for the murdered hu-man is made in the Image and likeness of God Himself, therefore the murderous assault upon the dead hu-man was an assault upon God Himself. This does not give every hu-man the right to kill a murderous hu-man for this order was given to Noah, the representative of all hu-manity or the governing leader of the new world. Still confused?  Let me try and be even plainer, If you kill another person your life is forfeit and you must be put to death.

We have seen time after time acts of cowardice and murder perpetrated around the world. Just this week we have seen many children slaughtered in a concert in Manchester England as well as many injured. The last count I remember was (22) twenty-two murdered and (59) fifty-nine greatly injured. These young people were murdered while enjoying a concert (A note to legalists, Please keep your ridiculous comments to yourself, comments like, “If they were not their enjoying the devils music, or something equally as silly or equally as hateful, they would not have been harmed. Humanly speaking and using some of your man centered theology; Many of these young people may have “gotten” saved later in life but now they are lost forever and you seem to feel vindicated in that thought.)

The same cowards from a hateful religion that worships death are responsible for this heinous and cowardice attack on these children as well as so many others. (A note to the progressive, liberal, and leftist minded persons,  Please do not bother responding to my comments from above or those which are to come.  Do not waste your time and try to convince me that i am blaming an entire religion based upon the actions of a few.  First of all, these actions are not being commited by a few….They are, have been and will be committed by a large number of Islamic followers.  When a book that is as unholy and satanic as the Quran and is their foundation, the entire religion is wicked and unholy. “A little leaven…” Many of the murderous and cowardice followers would have been “nice people” before they murder so very many.)

Someone might say that those that kill often die themselves so they shouldn’t be considered cowards.  These cowards kill because they expect to gain some wicked rewards when they arrive in Heaven.  They expect to gain (72) seventy-two virgins and a large number of their wicked family members will obtain glory in Heaven as well and they are willing to kill or rather slaughter untold numbers of persons to obtain this wicked reward.  But these cowards and murderers will obtain the same ruin and punishment that the pedophile Muhommad received in Hell and instead of receiving virgins he has received the fury of Jehovah and their relatives have and will receive the same reward. Not to mention the death these murderous, foolish and cowardice devils die is instantaneous.

Again the death these muslims die is instant.  Let’s compare their death to those that die at their filthy hands. Those that survive their explosive attacks often endure pain and loss all the days of their remaining lives.  They live in fear of another gutless attack at the hands of “Peaceful” muslims.  While others await their painful be-heading.  Have you, my reader, ever seen a be-heading? I have.

Let me describe it for you my sheltered readers.  First the Christi-an (whether they are truly Christ-ian or not these cowards consider them to be) is dragged in front of the camera, sometimes they are given a last opportunity to convert or die, (5) five men will hold the one sentenced to death (2) two on his left arm and (2) two on his right arm. These (4) four mice will twist the arms so that the man, that is upon his knees and awaiting death, will be forced foward. His face now in the sand, the (5th) fifth coward will lift his head by his hair, and they will saw…yes, saw his head off with a knife. This man will die while squeeling like a pig because that is the sound that will exit the gaping hole in his neck until the (5th) fifth man puts his knee into the dead man’s back and pulls his head off his body by using his hair. The body will fall forward into the blood soaked sand and the head will be laid upon his back for all the world to see.

These cowards (I know I am using this word alot and it is by design) believe they are demonstrating their strength by killing others in this fashion.  What they don’t realize is that in America a (5) five on (1) one attack is a cowardly attack, especially when the (5) five need a weapon to finish off the braver and better man.  My muslim reader, Let it be known that some of us are capable of taking on multiple attackers and defending ourselves to the very end with a simple and almost effortless twist of the neck…

Calm down my Christian reader, these are the perilous times Peter spoke of and we are in them.  His warning is to be vilgilant and we are not to be vigilant so that we might die knowing who killed us. No! we are to be vigilant so that we might fight back and defend the Christ life that dwells within us.  My readers, if you are the focus of a prepared attack or are the focus of an attack in the works you will not be given the opportunity to discuuss anything…you must put up or be shut up for good and know that your family may be next.

To those who know me, I am a man of peace as is my Master, but as He knows there is a time to do differing things.  There is a time to use mud to heal and a time to use the scourge to scatter. I am not seeking to entice anyone to go out and actively seek and or do any harm to any muslim, God Forbid.  If you go out and hunt trouble you are looking for trouble and you must know that “the wrath of man does NOT work the righteousness of God.” When I speak of using violence of anykind it is in self defense and in defense of family and others. It is a soldier of God’s Kingdom defending that Kingdom. If a soldier of God’s Kindgom goes rogue, we of God’s kingdom, will see him or her face judgement.  We must play by the rules even if they do not.  Proactive assaults upon the enemy must be left to the professional ministers of God.  We must play by the rules; the first time we make a mistake the entire nation if not the entire world will descend upon us and we will be branded extremists and anytime one is converted to the faith they will be called radicalized.

There is something you can do pro-actively. You can tell members of this vile religion about Christ. I would advise you to start with and possibly finish with a tract. If you decide to give a tract to a Muslim do so in public for we know not their reaction and for that matter we know not anyone’s reaction so it is a good rule of thumb, in these perlious times, to witness in public or when others are around or to those you know and are comfortable with.

I do not advise my method. What I do or have done is this…rather I’ll tell you a story,  I was at a flea market and I observed a vendor selling “religious” materials and also giving some away. This always attracts me like a bat to an insect.  I approached and somewhat surveiled the area. I noticed one book on the “True Jesus,” which would be a lie and many others if not all the others on Islam. I approached the vendor and said something like, “Good morning, may I ask you some questions? The vendor agreed. I said, “I do not mean to offend (but I did….mean to) but how does one follow the religion of another who was a pedophile and an all around bad person?”  To this the vendor smiled and said, “We do not worship in any one religion, we are more spiritual than religious.”  Being interpreted, “We don’t believe in any of this, we’re just trying to make some money.”  I believed them not, they clearly have a leaning to the wicked and cowardice religion of “peace.”  This Islamic vendor is there to try and convert the hispanic people to Islam. This vendor was there to try and turn the Hispanic people against America because of all the “hatred” and “indignities” they receive from Americans. Reader, There is something else we can do and that is to pray and that is where our true power lies. Our true unified power lies in the One True and Living God that inclines His Ear and His Heart unto His praying people.

My readers, This threat, this enemy, our enemy, God’s enemy will not go away until they are confronted and stopped.  These cowards are no different than a serial killer in this way, they will not stop until they are stopped.  They will be stopped either by our united prayers unto God, or the professional Ministers of God, or (1) x (1) one by one as they come for us, God’s united and prayerful and prepared people or better yet, the Returning Christ of God but until that great day arrives we must look to Him and Hope in Him.

As to Capital punishment.  This is a war therefore, those that commit such heinous and cowardly attacks should be judged in a military tribunal and if found guilty they should be presented with the Gospel of Christ, and then executed and sent to God for His judgement. This form of punishment should be enacted upon all premeditated murderers AND serial rapists, though it would be decided in the courts and not a military tribunal. We must do all things decently and in order.

Whenever I write an article like this I wonder if readers will think that I’m trying to sound tough?  Readers, I am not trying to sound tough. I am trying to be as clear and as plain spoken as I can be.

If I am wrong, O’ God, show me and forgive me.

Godspeed

 

“And [Christ] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the [G]ospel to every creature.”  (Mark 16:15)

“These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”                                                                                                                                          (Acts: 17:6b.)

“Go ye therefore [because “All power is given unto [M]e (the Resurrected Christ) in [H]eaven and earth] and teach all nations, baptizing them in the [N]ame of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…”  (Matthew 28:17b.-19)

“… [R]epentance  and remission of sins should be preached in [H]is [N]ame among all nations…”  (Luke 24:47b.)

 

I enjoy movies greatly (sorry to my bound legalist friends). In movies, especially action adventure or war films or post apocalyptic movies there is normally an element that is seeking to take over the world or their spot in the world.  These elements are usually depicted as evil geniuses or mad men with power and as in control of others; whether it’s “Cobra” from “G.I. Joe” or The “League of Assassins” from my past….err….I mean Batman’s past, or Kryptonian Aliens from Superman’s former home, or “Pinkie and the Brain.”

Even in real life, there is the very real, very clear and very present danger of ISIS, who are seeking to take over the world with their wicked and (s)atanic ideas as they are of their father, the (d)evil who are performing and manifesting his lusts and desires… Silly (s)atan, the Earth is for the meek.

However, I wonder if the “Starship Church” has forgotten their “Prime Directive” given them by the “Captain of their Salvation?”  The Church’s “Prime Directice” is to Overtake, over whelm, over throw this “present evil world” that “lieth in wickedness.”  Our prime directive or great commission is to support the rebellion behind the enemy’s lines and to break down the strongholds.

To be true to Scripture I must teach within the context and intent of Scripture.  Some may disagree with my sound theology but I ask them to bear with me and I trust they will not see me as a heretic. The (1st) first, (3rd) third and (4th) fourth passages above were spoken by Christ to His Apostles. They were told to preach, teach and to baptize. The Christ-ian believer is not told from these passage to go ye in to all the world preaching, teaching and baptizing. My proof or point is simple…does the Christ-ian believer have the authority to preach, teach and to baptize or are these reserved to those that are called by God to fill the office of Minister?  It seems to me Christ was giving orders to those that are called to His service in ministry as prophet, preacher, missionary, evangelist, pastor, or teacher.

The great commission was and is meant to authorize those called to leadership, for it is written, prior to the commission itself, that all power has been given the Son of God and He, in turn, bestows that power upon His chosen and called ministers. He further states that the Holy Spirit would descend and empower the called ministers to witness to Christ’s death and His Resurrection. I believe this is still true today. Those that are called to fill a spiritual office are charged, by Christ. to preach, teach, and baptize. Therefore, the great commission is not charged to all the Church but to the called ministers of God.

HOWEVER!!!, HOWEVER!!! HOWEVER!!!…….Scripture teaches that like calls unto like as in deep calls unto deep, and the spirit witnesses to those with like spirit, or the order to be fruitful and multiply and beget offspring in the likeness of the multiplier.  God said, “Let us make man in [O]ur [I]mage” and this creative spirit is intrinsic, methinks, in all born again believer priests (2 Peter).

It is seen in life begetting life; a woman gives birth to another of her likeness and that child, generally speaking, will go on to give birth to another of her likeness. Scripture also states that things done on earth are a shadow or picture or type of how things are in Heaven, is it not written, “[T]hy will be done on earth as it is in [H]eaven?” God is the Creator and those like Him, made or remade in His Image, should then also have a creative spirit within that causes them to call out to others like themselves.

Having said all that has been said, let me summarize thusly, While Christ’s commission was and is specific and particular, in its charge, to those especially called to be spiritual helps, and leaders and to fill offices as prophet, preacher, pastor, missionary, or evangelist…in other words, God-called minister, those numberless members of The Good Shepherd’s flock will also beget others in their likeness as it is spiritially biological.

All the members of Christ’s Body have an intrinsic need to “take over the world” and it must be awakened. The manner in which we take over the world is by calling unto others that are or will be like us. I’m talking about those that are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, those that “must needs” be saved, I’m talking about the lost for whom Christ came seeking and and saving and whom God is not willing that they should perish.

We know not who’s names are fore-written in the Lamb’s Book so we, the Church, the Body of Christ, we the sanctified, we that bear His Son’s Image must call out to all persons, people, and peoples for He said, “And I, If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto [M]e.”  He also said, “All that the Father giveth [M]e shall come to me; and him that cometh to [M]e I will in no wise cast them out.”

Paul, from Rome, wrote to the Thessalonians (methinks the Thessalonians), that their faith is being spoken of through out the world. One should infer from that that the Thessalonians were speaking loudly and speaking often about their faith and of much, much more import, the One in Whom their, God-gifted and God granted faith, is placed.

In summary, those called to fill certain spiritual offices are charged with, directed to, and commissioned to “go forth” and “preach repentance and remission of sins in [H]is [N]ame” “to all nations”, “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever [Christ] has commanded”…and baptizing these nations of the world “in the [N]ame of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  And thereby we shall take over the world…Mwa Ha Ha Mwa Ha Ha………

And those that are called to salvation but do not fill an office of ministry, they too, have the right, the priviledge, the honour, and the authority to speak of and to witness to the Life, and Soul Saving Son of God, Whose Name is Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Living and the dead, Who can save to the uttermost

To be a witness to Christ is not a task or a responsibility one begrudgingly performs but to be a witness to Christ’s love, compassion, and power is a great honour and a great priviledge for it is written, “that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

I’m not heritical; this is sound and contextual teaching……Mwaaaa Ha Ha Mwaaaa Ha Ha….MWAA HA HA!!!….

Godspeed.