The Most Important Question You'll ever be Asked:

The Most Important Question You'll ever be Asked:

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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

A Thought from Oswald Chambers on Regeneration


“Our part as workers for God is to open men’s eyes that they may turn themselves from darkness to light; but that is not salvation, that is conversion—the effort of a roused human being. I do not think it is too sweeping to say that the majority of nominal Christians are of this order; their eyes are open, but they have received nothing. Conversion is not regeneration. This is one of the neglected factors in our preaching to-day. When a man is born again, he knows that it is because he has received something as a gift from Almighty God and not because of his own decision. People register their vows, and sign their pledges, and determine to go through, but none of this is salvation. Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, viz., remission of sins.”
My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Summary of the Vision: Hope for When the Storm Hits


Summary of the Vision

Goals: #1 to provide for family and #2 to be able to help others when the storm hits

 

4 Major Focuses

1.      Seek and Serve God only

2.      Pursue Wisdom

3.      Plan Purposefully to Provide for & Protect my family

4.      To Invest in Lasting Things: Relationships, Time with God, a Home (not just a house)

 

Major mechanisms to prepare:

·         Gold/Silver

·         Animals

·         Crops/Plants

·         Land

·         Businesses/Enterprises

·         Multiple Streams of Income

·         Reproducing Assets

 

Financial Instruments (IRA’s, Mutual Funds, etc…)

   If you choose financial instruments as one stream of income, it is important to remember to only invest in things that do not oppose Scripture. Many companies that are in stock portfolios, mutual funds and bonds contain pornographic, human cloning, abortion, homosexual, or alcoholic businesses or businesses that support them. Therefore, research the funds you choose. Why would God bless a financial instrument that funds sin?

     From my research and seeking counsel people have told me:

·         Get a Roth (it grows tax free)

·         Invest in Mutual funds

·         Keep your emergency funds in a money market

Websites that monitor for unbiblical companies and provide ideas/portfolios for investing without them:




Savings Tips

Tithe 10% to your local church & give above that to godly organizations and ministries

 

Save an Emergency fund—$1,000

 

Save 3-6 months worth of your needed living expenses in a liquid account--$10,000+

 

Save for “retirement”—simply old age, not to live a life of ease (Read Luke 12:13-21 very carefully)

 

Paid for cars are better than new cars. Buy used and save the difference toward more worthwhile goals.

 

Save to reach a giving goal that you have settled in your heart to give (2 Corinthians 9:7)

For a house an land debt free

(Look into building your own dome home or a small cabin—it’s really cost effective)

 

Misc Tips

 

     Dome homes are more energy efficient, require less lumber, and are very economical. One estimate I have heard is that an 800 square foot dome home costs about $10,000 (in areas that don’t have building codes). Even if the cost was two to three times that, most Americans could afford in their lifetime to save that amount and have a home debt free.

 

     A few acres will enable one to garden, raise some animals, and have more ability to provide for your family when times are tough.

 

     Hard work is required for anything worthwhile.

 

     Stand up in politics. Ex 18:21-23, 1 Cor 6:1-8, Ezek 3:17-21, 22:29-31

 

     Seek wisdom and truth!

 

     Have a trust or will or your estate will get eaten up by the government and not go to those you love.

 

   Have zero debt.

 

   Don’t cosign.

 

    Being self-sufficient by owning a home and taking measures to produce your own heating, water, electricity (wind and solar) and FOOD—animals, plants, orchard, garden—is an admirable and even Biblically based goal.

 

    Follow the principle of Ecclesiastes, develop multiples steams of income to be prepared for you know not what evil will come upon the land.

 

     Give generously and sacrificially.

 

      Provide for the needs of your family through multiplying resources: plants, orchards, gardens, greenhouse, animals: goats, chickens, pigs, cows, rabbits.

 

Live below your income

 

Relationships

          Relationships are the most valuable thing we have on this earth. Let’s look at just a few of the relationships that will truly make one rich.

*      Relationship with the Lord

*      Marriage

*      Family Devotions

*      Close Friends

*      Homeschool your Family

*      Disciple Others

      

    Be part of the Remnant

Ø  Repent

Ø  Surrender to Jesus as Lord

Ø  Faithfully follow Christ

Ø  Proclaim Truth

Ø  Abide in Relationship with Christ

 

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Psalms 127:1-5 (KJV)

 

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. 4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. 5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Psalms 128:1-6 (KJV)

  

The Personal, Familial, Corporeal, Educational, Economical, and Governmental Answer:

Jesus—The Voice of Uncompromising Truth

 

Courtesy of the Creative Commons

 

if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Psalms 62:10 (KJV)
 
 

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Wrong Type of Woman


The Wrong Type of Woman

 “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a

 wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother

 shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

 She also lieth in wait as for a prey,

and increaseth the transgressors among men.”

Proverbs 23:24-28 (KJV)

 

Take heed to these verses men. A strange woman (an adulterous, a flirt, etc…) is a pit to you.
 

Summing it Up: Hope for When the Storm Hits


Summing it Up: Hope for when the Storm Hits


        Where is this Country headed? It is obvious. If you have ever read the Old Testament through, you have seen how departure from God and wickedness meant the eventual destruction of a nation if something did not change. The needed change is repentancea complete turn of direction and whole-hearted dependence up on the Lord.

         God presides sovereignly over history, He sets nations up and He determines the exact day of their fall. We have hope! The loving God, the Almighty of all ages has shown His love by sending prophetic voices to His people—that is His nature.


A Prophetic Voice
Hosea. United States Public Domain work.
 
 

A love for people, a passion for truth, a commitment to purity in heart (inner man) and life (outer man).

 

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and John the Baptist are just a few Biblical examples.

I believe Adrian Rogers, Kevin Swanson, D James Kennedy, and Chuck Colson are contemporary examples.

 

   True prophets always told of the impending judgment, the Lord’s love, and His mercy if the people would just repent (change course and devote themselves completely to the Lord). ….however, they were seldom received. False prophets proclaimed peace and messages, visions, and dreams from the Lord that the Lord had not given them. The false prophets were often well received, but utter ruin was their ultimate end.

      A great collapse and fall is coming unless a miracle happens, I will not lie to you. The collective wickedness and sin of this nation has been left largely unpunished for a hundred years in this nation and there is no peace about playing around with thinking that God will delay punishment much longer.

     I love people—I want them to return the truth, to Jesus (John 1)! But I also hate sin—the wickedness and corruption of the day appall me; the great rejection of God and His Word; the lack of righteousness that causes such a stench in our nation! O God, I know that Your people will be taken care of, for we are in Your Hand. But my heart goes out and sorrows—yea grieves!—for all those who are doomed to destruction because of their wickedness.

 

The Personal, Familial, Corporeal, Educational, Economical, and Governmental Answer—the Hope for when the Storm Hits is:

Jesus Christ—The Voice of Uncompromising Truth

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Be Faithful in the Land (season) of your Affliction—it is Temporary, You are a Citizen of Heaven!

Be Faithful in the Land (season) of your Affliction—it is Temporary, You are a Citizen of Heaven!

 
Gideon's Fountain,Near Jezreel. Courtesy of the Creative Commons

 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 1 Kings 18:3-4 (KJV)

 

 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. John 15:18-25 (KJV)

 

 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven Neh 1:1-4 (KJV)

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. Dan 1:8-21 (KJV)

 

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:4-22 (KJV)

 

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

He resists the temptation of his master’s wife

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

He was falsely accused

13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

Joseph in prison

19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. Gen 39:1-23 (KJV)

 

   False prophets abound in these last days before our Lord’s return (1 Timothy 4, Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3) and many follow them. But each day the return of our Lord and Savior draws closer! Stay alert like the 5 wise virgins in Matthew 25 (for more on this, listen to A Tale of Two Believers by Vincent Newfield at                http://www.sermon.net/reallifeanswers/sermonid/1199876724 ).

 

     Keep your righteousness in the hard times. Righteousness means two things in Scripture either right living (holiness) or right relationship, right position with the Lord through Jesus Christ. Do not try to march on in your own strength, but depend on the Spirit and grace (Christ’s righteousness). Yet take personal responsibility for your conduct and choices (right living).

Saturday, April 26, 2014

TO THE 2 PARTIES IN THE CHURCH


TO THE 2 PARTIES IN THE CHURCH

Holman Bible Illustration. Public Domain.
 

The Lukewarm christian

 

What will many Christians be like before Christ returns?

 

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 2 Tim 3:1-9 (KJV)

 

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Rev 3:14-22 (KJV)

 

Repent! You don’t know when Christ is coming back—you need to be right with Him!

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matt 25:1-13 (KJV)

 

 

To the Weary, Faithful Christian Soldier

    To you, dear Christians, who have been faithful and are weary from the Battle. Let me remind you of a few things. First of all, come to the Lord and cast your cares upon Him. David let out his frustrations in life to the Lord and we see that though he initially came frustrated, he left confident in His Lord based on the record of the Psalms. As my Pastor has said before, “If we come away heavy after praying, we haven’t really cast our cares upon the Lord. We’ve just complained.”

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt 11:28-30 (KJV)

 

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22 (KJV)

 

Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 (KJV)

 

    If may feel as if everyone is against you. Even Elijah felt that way:

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace. Romans 11:1-6 (KJV)

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