Does God Care - Ron Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com
“No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed
that I came from God.” John 16:27.
Of course God loves all His children. The question we sometimes ask is who are
God’s children? Those who are His enjoy an awesome relationship with Him. What
God wants for each of His children is for them to understand His perfect will.
But that can’t possibly happen if we are living a lifestyle that is contrary to
what God’s word says. Why would anyone expect God to condone what His word
specifically condemns?
Sometimes it seems as though Christians, when they read God’s word, aren’t
convinced it’s God speaking to them. I imagine it’s because they don’t see God’s
lips moving as they’re reading along. So they find His word, in many cases, to
be unbelievable. “Just too tough to believe God actually breathed those words”.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, (Greek word “theopneustos”
meaning God breathed) and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16.
What God delights in is to see His children filled with the joy of the Lord, His
joy. But many want a different joy, sinister, an evil; something God never
intended His children to experience. The Bible gives us insight into God’s
attributes and what He expects from those who’ve taken His name. But what we
find is God’s word being ignored, even by many in the Church.
“It’s time to shelve the Bible. There are new and exciting alternatives to what
people believe to be God’s word so we don’t really need that fuddy-duddy old
book any more. It just doesn’t fit in our society. Our civilization has grown
and advanced. That old book might have sufficed back in the stone age but it was
certainly never meant for the 21st century.”
Here’s an excellent example of how the Bible is not taken seriously these days.
Failed marriages in the Church are as commonplace as in the world. Many
Christians today don’t know the word of God and don’t care to know it. The Bible
makes it clear that God hates divorce. He hated it from the beginning when He
created man and woman and He hated it when the “Word became flesh and dwelt
among us” John 1:14. He hated divorce when the Apostles were preaching and
teaching, and He hates it today.
Too many people today seem to think that God has lowered His standards. They
have a “that was then and this is now” type of mentality. The truth is, these
people are trying to conform God to man in order to justify their own sin. You
may think I’m painting with a broad brush but it seems to me that Christians
today are conforming to the world instead of to Christ.
The problem, as I see it, is many Christians have determined to ignore God’s
word as it relates to certain areas of their lives. It’s as though they live in
a dream world made up of their own ideas overlapping or superseding what God’s
word says. Even many little “man invented quips” supersede God’s word, and
become the norm. God’s word is relegated to a position of insignificance. That’s
just pathetic.
People “think” they know God’s heart better than He does. They will makeup what
they “feel” should be God’s response to certain circumstances that have arisen
in their lives. They circumvent God’s word so their minds won’t be tortured with
guilt. Many will go as far as to design their own personal god. They place their
own feelings and ideas of right and wrong into the caricature of their
personally designed god, in this way they’ve eliminated the restrictions and
regulations of the one true God of the Bible. Although they believe their
invented god is the God of the Bible He’s actually just a figment of their
multimedia driven imaginations.
“If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my
name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will
curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it
to heart.” Malachi 2:2.
God has been falsely and horribly portrayed through so many media outlets that
people actually believe the many false representations portrayed as the god seen
in the movies. We’ve all seen the different actor’s playing the part of God in
movies and on TV sitcoms. Actors attempt to portray a version of God each adding
his or her own entertaining perspectives on what they feel best represents God.
Then, although it’s impossible for any human to ever play God and get it right,
many people will accept their favorite actor’s portrayal of God. Morgan Freeman
is a good actor but he shines a horrible light on the one true God.
People begin to pick and choose the god they want from what they’ve seen on the
big screen. Some of those movie gods would let us get away with anything. These
are the only kind of god’s people want when they wish to live a lifestyle that
is contrary to the true words of the Creator God of the universe. In their minds
they’re doing fine because their “self designed god” is behind them 100 percent.
My wife had an occasion to exchange emails with another believer who was
convinced that God looked the way many different artists have portrayed Him over
the years. Tragically, those paintings were all she had and all she knew as God.
Let me ask you, did she really know God? Does the Sistine chapel actually
display any likeness to God on its ceiling, or is that painting a figment of
Michelangelo’s creative imagination?
Our minds can play some amazing games with how and what we believe. We can
motivate our minds to accept anything we want so long as it corresponds with our
desires. Our desires can be overpowering most of the time, and if we have little
biblical knowledge to draw from there’s no limit to how far away from truth our
desires will lead us. We’ve all seen the shipwrecks of people’s lives who
thought they were sailing along pleasantly going about their business only to
end up beaten and broken by the rocky, stormy seas along the shores of their
lives. Their lives then become garbage heaps, full of pain and misery and they
don’t understand why. Ultimately most blame the God of all creation for their
misery. Why not blame the actor who deceived them by giving them their specially
designed multimedia god?
Another example of how God’s word is ignored even in the Church can be
attributed to the lust of the flesh. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other:
so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17. This is another
huge problem that plays havoc with our minds. Old or young many today, because
of the immorality shoved down their throats through what Hollywood calls
entertainment, can no longer determine the difference between genuine love and
lust. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed.” James 1:14. So, many marriages end up in disaster even though they
began with what the couple thought was love. Lust is never fulfilling; even when
it is satisfied for a moment it’s never lasting and certainly is no substitute
for true faithful love.
With faithful attentive love, our relationship with our spouse will have some
great accompaniments. For example, along with our love and the togetherness we
share there is also a fulfillment for the need of compassion, companionship,
devotion, honor, trust and respect. These are all human desires that are
fulfilled when we truly love our spouse. There must be a true desire to give of
one’s self wholly to a spouse if a marriage is going to last a lifetime.
According to the one true God of the Bible, marriage between one man and one
woman is the only sanctioned and acceptable marriage He will accept. Entered
into correctly with the right motives marriage will last a lifetime.
You know and I know that much of what’s happening around this nation of ours
stems from a direct result of the influence of secular humanism. From our
government run public schools to the disasters in our Christian churches the
evil influence flourishes. As rules are relaxed, morals are relaxed and what was
an evil and untouchable taboo in decades past is now, among many, looked upon as
quite normal.
Christians, through God’s word, are given guidelines to live by. Over time those
guidelines have become less and less intrusive in the Christians life because,
for many, they’re now looked upon as foolishness or they’ve given up on the
Bible. “God’s rules are outdated and old fashioned and nobody lives that way
today”. This is all because we’ve been re-programmed to accept what God says as
unacceptable.
Also, many Christians see what they’ve been “missing out” on by watching
television programming such as soap operas and late night movies which make sin
look like fun. When the Bible says such things are sin and that we aren’t to
condone or participate in activities that would be considered by God as sinful,
then we must follow what the Bible says. Many of those sinful things we see the
“world” obsessed with have begun to look very inviting. They’re better known as
temptations, something Satan is very good at developing.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13.
This worldly influence invades our Churches and every corner of our lives. It’s
just a lot easier to ignore some parts of the Bible so we can enjoy the simple
pleasures the rest of the world enjoys. This way we can be happy and much more
content in our Christian walk. It’s easy to ignore the Bible, just stop reading
it. Oh, and we better find a church where the pastor knows how to tickle our
ears because we certainly don’t want to be offended by him bringing up those old
outdated taboos (sins). This shouldn’t be too difficult these days. “For the
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
All that I’ve mentioned so far brings up a question asked frequently. “Why is it
that God doesn’t seem to be very involved in my life? It seems to me that God
just doesn’t care.”
Men and God have been at odds for thousands of years. Man, for the most part,
just can’t get his mind around what God’s word says is the truth. Therefore man
makes up his own truth, teaching that man’s truth is correct and God’s word is,
well, fantasy.
Secular teaching in America has actually pitted man against God and has brought
our nation to a point where our society is now made up of mostly unbelieving
secular humanist devoted to man’s opinions. This kind of teaching is so
prevalent that there now remains very few die hard believers devoted to God.
Secular man looks at these die hard holdouts to God’s truth as strange, flat
earth, morons completely devoid of common sense.
“These holdouts to our truth of evolution are killing this planet. They worship
a nonexistent God, how can they possibly compare a nonexistent God to man’s
intelligence? Where is their God? From the beginning of man’s existence they’ve
been searching for some form of a god, so where is he?”
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking
after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of
the creation.”
2 Peter 3:3, 4.
Why doesn’t God care?
Many of my brethren disparage the Bible and wonder why God is seemingly ignoring
them, their lives are a mess. And continually the question is asked, “Why
doesn’t God intervene in my life? Why doesn’t God care?” “I don’t bother with
the Bible in its entirety, for me it’s just the New Testament that has some
relevant ideas. After all everyone knows the Bible was written by men.”
If you don’t take God’s word seriously and if you don’t believe the Bible in its
entirety is God’s word, then your god is not the God of the Bible and you are
relying on a false god to intervene in your life. Believers who don’t believe
the book of Genesis which contains the creation explanation must also dismiss
the book of Exodus and the fact that God wrote in stone using His own finger:
“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he
rested... And he gave unto Moses...two tables of testimony, tables of stone,
written with the finger of God,” Exodus 31:17, 18. At this point those who
misinterpret the book of Genesis must feel God has lied.
I will never understand my brethren who tell me that man has discovered the age
of the earth to be billions of years old, even though they know God says He
created the whole universe in six literal 24 hour days approximately 6000 years
ago. Why do Christians believe man over God and then turn around and make the
statement “God doesn’t care about me. If He did then why won’t he fix my messed
up life?” To me it’s a no brainer. To God it’s a no brainer. When we oppose God
in our personal lives and circumvent His word for man’s presuppositions there
will be unpleasant consequences.
God will not be mocked. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of
the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting,” Galatians 6:7, 8. All God asks of His Children is that
we believe He is who He says He is and that we believe He speaks to us through
His inerrant word. Isn’t it interesting that God only asks us to believe, but
belief in man’s “discoveries” are demanded of us.
Christians claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ but how is
that so if they continually mock God through their unbelief of the literality of
His word? Are they not deceiving themselves? Who among us would ever call God a
liar to His face? But isn’t that exactly what some are doing by placing what man
has said above that of what God says. Think about it. Even if there is
uncertainty in your mind, when it comes to a debate between what God says and
what man says, it would benefit you greatly to always side with God. “Whom
having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” 1 Peter 1:8.
Believe God, you’ll be glad you did.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Perplexity, Despair, and Hope - Ron Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” Luke 21:25.
These days are certainly bewildering. It
just keeps getting better doesn’t it? Everyone reading this commentary is
certainly aware of all the distressing news now hitting us between the eyes. One
might call this current round of events mystifying to say the least. Which of us
would have ever dreamed that
“Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken,” Luke 21:26. Men and women are going to be witnessing some very strange occurrences going on in these last days. As everyone knows men’s hearts fail them all the time, but what the Bible says is going to be much more severe and with a much greater frequency rate. Men will be confused, and confounded, and their minds will be overwhelmed by the crazy things they witness that just aren’t normal, at least not the normal they’ve been accustomed to.
Living and growing up in
Soon this middle-age man will be moving
into a mode of a well deserved retirement and possibly even slowing down a bit.
Looking at the events of the day, would this gentleman have any reason to
despair? The destruction of the
I wonder sometimes how people cope with
current events. How many may be in the midst of or even totally engulfed with a
deep feeling of despair these days. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?
Some may have thoroughly lost hope. But what is it that they’ve lost hope in? Is
it that they see no way out of the current worldwide economic crises?
Perhaps they despair over the state of moral decay in
What then, should we despair at all the insanity currently permeating our land? Absolutely not. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Romans 12:12. I once heard it said that to despair is to turn one’s back on God. The definition of despair is: a profound feeling of hopelessness. Anguish, gloom, depression, despondency, desolation, and misery are but a few of the synonyms that go along with this same definition. As believers an attitude of despair certainly doesn’t befit us.
We are secure in our life in Christ. The
kind of hope believers have in Christ gives us a sense of security that covers
us like a safety blanket. As we see the destruction of
Many people have placed their hope for the future in a man. Their kind of hope is of no avail. Man will always fail to hold up his end. Sooner or later, no matter who the man is, there will be disillusionment. One man has been thrust upon us, seemingly bestowed with a supernatural power to influence the weak minded to follow him and his foolishness. Thus it will take much longer for those individuals to see the fallibility of such a man. Sadly many of these weak minded souls will never see the truth. A huge number of Americans are so completely blinded by this man that it seems he’s placed a hypnotic trance over them. After all these months they still don’t see the idiocy of his mindset.
Can you remember watching all the hysterical wailing by both men and women as Obama won the presidential election? If you’ve forgotten the insanity and would like to be reminded just Google it or do a search of YouTube. There are plenty of videos that will remind the masses of just how much influence this man wields over the weak minded. Has Obama told the truth or fulfilled even one of his campaign promises? Only to the homosexual community. Come on people, talk about disillusionment. It’s time for those of you who voted for him to open your eyes to the truth. There is absolutely no hope for the future of American, or the world for that matter, with Obama at the helm.
Soon, if not already, you who voted for
Obama will come to the realization that you’ve made a huge mistake. When this
happens, you may well be overcome with despair, knowing you’ve helped with the
destruction of
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” 1 John 2:18. Obama is certainly one of them, anti-Christ that is. Everything he does is in direct opposition to God, that’s anti-Christ. That, my brethren, is what the Apostle John is referring to in his epistle to the church. He speaks of the spirit of anti-Christ. Obama is filled with the spirit of anti Jesus Christ. We can see it in all his works and attitudes. Unless you are born again his agenda will be difficult to comprehend. You who voted for this man be on your guard, because as you begin to realize how evil he is despair may well overcome you, especially as you realize how terribly deceived you’ve been.
Having lived in a country of many
freedoms, most assumed it would remain forever as a free nation. Christians
figured it would remain so at least until the rapture of the Church. The
completely open satanic nature of this man will turn out to be a tragedy for
Newsflash:
Our freedoms are very quickly eroding. Some are already gone and unless the
Rapture happens within the next year or so everyone will feel the wrath of
Obama’s changes firsthand. This ultimate change thrust upon
Let’s travel back in time a couple thousand years and take a look at how the believers of the first century Church were treated. They were persecuted and martyred for their steadfast faith in Jesus the Christ. “Yes Ron, but that was back in the days when knowledge and wisdom were sorely lacking. Men feared the unknown. People had a fear of Christians and their beliefs”. Fine, let’s move forward in time now a few hundred years. What was happening to the believers of that era? How were they treated at the hands of folks who were a little more enlightened than, say, the first century persecutors? More persecution and more martyrdom. Do the research for yourself and you’ll find that from the early church’s history right up until our present day there have been literally millions upon millions of Christians killed, martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ.
“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;” John 15:20. Why, in the name of God, do so
many of my brethren in the
Well, guess what? No born again believer, who stands up for their Lord and vocally proclaims the message of the cross and does not cower, will be exempt from the persecution that’s on the way. Satan delights in stealing the joy of the brethren, we all know that to be true, he’s even more delighted when he can convince the unbelieving masses that those who follow Jesus Christ are evil and a detriment to any normal and progressive society. When he can get people to see his lies as the truth he can convince them of anything. The first thing he’ll want to do is to get rid of the stone walls (believers) that inhibit his unfettered advance. That means he needs to turn perfectly decent law abiding people into animals on the prowl to persecute the Church, and if possible remove those arrogant Christians from existence.
Knowing this ahead of time can lead believers to despair, but it shouldn’t. We, as Christ’s followers, know where we are going. We know this world is not our home and we should be in a mode of anticipation as we see the end approaching. To despair because of what’s happening before our eyes displays a lack of faith in Christ. This can be caused by a lack of knowledge of God’s word and even a lack of belief in what the Bible tells us will come about in the last days. Believing that God’s word is irrelevant and partly fable or mostly a myth is a real good indication some will end up in very deep depression and despair. Remember to despair is to turn ones back on God. Allegorize the Bible and you will find much to despair about.
The following quote shows up in many of the emails I receive, “I’ve read the end of the Book and God wins.” Yep, I agree God’s plan is being accomplished. God wins in the end as they say. But don’t you see, God won before the foundation of the world. As a matter of fact there was never even a contest. In God’s mind there was no win or lose scenario. God always knew Satan’s destiny. This was no surprise to God. He even placed all the names of His redeemed in the Lambs book of life before the foundation of the world. Nothing surprises God. And no, I’m not a Calvinist.
Believers can take heart in knowing that God knows each of us intimately and is completely aware of whatever our plight is. If we are living happy blessed lives or unhappy lives full of despair God knows where we are and what we are thinking. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Romans 8:16. And I can assure you God isn’t going to take it well when He sees any of His children wallowing in the depths of despair. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. God expects us to stand and be strong in the faith and trusting Him and His word.
If I could convince the brethren to study their Bibles I know that they would become certain that God can take away their despair through His word. Our hope as believers is in Christ, and by reading His word believers can avoid the pitfalls of despair. There’s hope for all believers nestled between the pages of God’s word and you won’t find anything to despair about in the Bible. Yes, our hope is in Christ. We are believers because we believe Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. That’s our hope, that’s our strength. That’s His promise to His people. Fear is to be nonexistent for the believers as we know for certain where we will spend eternity. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15.
Day by day as we see this world slipping further and further into the abyss our hope grows exponentially. Nothing in this world can touch the soul of a believer, not even the supernatural evil underworld of malevolent demons. Jesus has given us new life and that life is only accessible through Christ. Oh sure, outside influences bombard our minds and even our subconscious at times. It’s a constant battle with supernatural beings that inhabit other dimensions and that constantly infiltrate our dimension to wreck as much havoc as possible. Try as they might, nothing can touch those who belong to Christ.
If we believers could only grasp just a smidgen of how great and powerful God is and how much bigger He is than the lowly demonic hoard that wants to corrupt us and destroy us, we would never despair again. No matter how far this country slips into the wrong direction. We should never despair about our future since we know our future will be nothing less than awesome, full of joy and peace where God’s will is done for eternity.
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17. Don’t despair at the coming evil but rejoice in knowing you are a joint-heir of the King. That when you suffer persecution you suffer with Christ.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39.
His Kingdom is within sight. So shout out your love for Christ if you dare. “I love you Lord Jesus and I’m waiting for Your soon return”. Now, shout it again.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
All scripture is from the KJV
Complete Lack of Understanding - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
This phrase, “Complete lack of Understanding”, is from a news headline I read
recently. It was in reference to this whole idea of global warming, or as your
president and others of his like-mindedness refer to it now, “climate change”.
Over the past few months, Obama has demonstrated what many perceive as a
shallowness of understanding; he seems to be proving his shallowness as he and
his administration lead the US into a posture of “government controlled
everything”.
When I read that headline something dawned on me. I thought about Obama’s claim
of being a Christian, and his claim to taking a pro-life stance, but then I
looked at all the devastating and satanic moves he’s made since taking office. I
soon came to the conclusion that this man does not lack understanding he lack
something much greater.
While looking at his term in office thus far, not just his stance on global
warming, I see this man as making a firm stance against the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. Just read about what went on in the building where he attended
church services for twenty years. Then as president, signing into law the most
sweeping agenda for murdering babies in the history of the US, and offering
homosexuals equal legal and moral rights as though God would actually encourage
such abominations. You might just come away with a sense of how much
understanding this man lacks.
I started looking at the fruit this man has produced over the span of his life
thus far. I’m no longer somewhat skeptical of Obama’s claim as a Christian, I’m
sure he doesn’t know the Savior of the world. Obama has a gaping hole in his
understanding of who Jesus Christ is and what it means to be born again.
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” Romans 1:22. Why would a
born again believer in Christ congratulate the Pope for his pronouncement of
five more individuals who the Pope has declared saints? The Bible says we are
all saints when we become born again. Only those who don’t know Jesus Christ are
able to see anything special in what the Pope did. A Complete lack of
Understanding? Hmm.
Obama isn’t lacking in his understanding about what he’s doing as president, he
knows exactly what he’s doing. Even some leaders of other countries perceive
Obama to be naïve and without understanding. But they too lack understanding,
they just don’t understand where Obama is headed and why. If we step back and
focus our view on the big picture we can see his agenda is to dismantle every
remaining vestige of what Americans once thought of as freedom. “Give me
understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole
heart.” Psalms 119:34. David is asking God for understanding as should we all.
Is Obama seeking God’s heart? Is he seeking understanding from the creator of
the Universe? Does he have any intention of keeping Jesus commandments? Not so
you’d notice.
Here’s the problem. America has for the most part become a nation so wrapped up
in the luxury of materialism, and degrading immorality that any perceived threat
to their comfort zone or their immoral liberalities by anyone in government
would bring swift retribution. So our leaders we’re bent on supplying Americans
with all the pabulum they could dish out to appease the masses. Then someone
came along who had no real answers but was articulate in his speech and
charismatic in his demeanor. This man came on the scene with a simple message of
change and it was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the same masses that
require pabulum to achieve understanding.
Obama’s real agenda wasn’t actually understood by the pabulum crowd. So in the
mind of this heartless man he had fed the masses what they wanted to hear and it
was easy. They fell head over heels for a man whose whole life has been devoted
to creating a socialistic state. But that pabulum crowd could see only dollar
signs and comfort zones being re-established throughout America once again, even
if it had to happen at the expense and suffering of others. Obama’s vanity came
shinning through. “He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but
he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.” Proverbs 12:11. In
other words whoever follows Obama has most assuredly checked their brain at the
door.
Now here we are 9 months or so into Obama’s presidency and we’ve seen a man who
is bent on destroying our republic, bankrupting our economy, and turning the US
into a slave state. Mark my words, we will be slaves to the government because
we are currently relinquishing every freedom, even our God given freedoms are
falling by the wayside just so we Americans can continue to live in what is
perceived to be a land of plenty. It’s no longer a land of plenty because our
national debt is so high that even Solomon in all his glory couldn’t possibly
contemplate paying it off.
America will never be able to withstand four complete years of this man’s
narcissism without losing much of what it once stood for. We will cease to be
the nation we once were and by the time the opportunity comes around again to
vote him out of office it may be four years too late. I wonder sometimes just
how many actually see this man for who he really is. I recently received an
email from someone who told me that voting in America is completely rigged and
it will do no good in the future to vote. If that be the case folks we are
doomed. But perhaps that’s just what the enemy wants us to believe so we won’t
bother casting a vote at all. In that respect evil would certainly take over our
country completely.
To some it may seem Obama hasn’t any common sense. That’s not what I see. I see
Obama as a man driven by an external force speeding to accomplish a major change
in this country in a very short period of time. Why? Because the force driving
Obama knows there is very little time remaining to accomplish his agenda. Satan
can also see the handwriting on the wall and he knows the hour is late. I know
there are many who look to all those secretive organizations such as the
Bilderbergers, the Illuminati, the Council on Foreign Relations and all the rest
as being the power behind Obama, and in one sense they may be correct. But there
is something even more secretive and sinister behind him and that force is
what’s driving Obama as if he were the engineer on a runaway train with no
brakes on a downhill slope to destruction. Our destruction is what he wants, no
more USA. Think about it. What’s his all fired hurry? It’s almost as though he
doesn’t even catch his breath before another act of lunacy is shoved down
America’s collective throats.
It’s important for all those who agree with me on this subject to take an active
role in the affairs of their government because we can no longer rely on our
elected officials to act on our behalf. No matter how insane a measure appears
to most of us on the outside, it’s pushed through the house and senate and
signed before America has a chance to blink. Or it’s rammed through even though
most of America doesn’t want it. Doesn’t all this seem just a little fishy? Does
Obama have a complete lack of understanding? Or is Obama’s path set by the evil
one? Are Americans in for the most terrifying ride this country has ever seen?
“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the
congregation of the dead.” Proverbs 21:16.
There still seems to be a majority of the populace who see this man as their
messiah. Some of them, though, are no longer basking in all the good they
expected to see accomplished by this man. Some of those Obamaites are far less
excited about their false messiah these days. Many have begun to see the truth
and are not looking forward to the impending doom on the horizon. The slightly
decreasing numbers of Americans that still approve of Obama’s presidency thus
far are a real boost to those of us who have known the truth all along.
As believers we are given the strength to withstand whatever the enemy can throw
at us, and throw at us he will. And that’s every bit of “ugly” he can muster.
Believers won’t go through the wrath that is to come from God during the last
half of the tribulation week, but nothing is said about believer’s avoiding
persecution. Persecution can come subtly or aggressively but by the look of
where this world is headed, especially when Islam becomes as dominate as many
suspect and if the Lord tarries, aggressive persecution of the Church will soon
be upon us.
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20b John prays this prayer at the end
of the book of Revelation. John put that verse there for us to read and repeat.
Every true believer should be repeating it daily. I know we can’t speed up
Jesus’ return, but we can let Him know we earnestly desire His soon arrival for
His Church. But until then we need to intensify our efforts in spreading the
truth of the Gospel of Christ, for the end is in sight.
Complete lack of understanding is certainly an appropriate response to some
politicians these days. On the other hand understanding has nothing to do with
most of the actions taken by politicians as they sit in their comfortable chairs
and allow Obama to destroy our nation. They are scared to death of the evil this
man oozes, and that is a fact. Some will stand against Obama, but not for long.
Before we know it they’ve changed their attitudes and their votes and begin to
side with the rest of the lame-brained chicken hearts we’ve elected to represent
us.
There is a real attitude of cowardice that runs rampant in the halls of
government these days. Many politicians have been representing their
constituents for so long they believe we owe it to them to continue to vote them
into office. Then they have no intention of following the consensus of their
constituency. They become embedded in their office and enamored with their power
and oblivious to the needs of the American people. They only care about how much
power and money they will retire with. So they aren’t about to upset the apple
cart even if it means bowing to Obama as he bowed to the Saudis.
Obama is evil through and through. He doesn’t care anything about this country.
He only cares about what this country can do to elevate him to an even higher
level. Obama seeks to be leader of the world and worshipped by all people
worldwide, and nothing is going to stand in his way to accomplish his goal. You
think Ron’s gone off the deep end don’t you? Well, if you believe differently,
if you believe that Obama is on his way to establishing a utopian world for us
to enjoy, then just sit back and enjoy your ride to nirvana.
If, on the other hand, you see what I and many others see, that this man is
treacherous and not one tiny bit without understanding of exactly where he
intends to lead America, you better get to as many as you can with the truth and
at least try to convince them of the lateness of the hour and what’s coming. I
made the statement earlier that Obama lacks something much greater than
understanding; he lacks heart and a conscience. Of course he’s not alone in his
lack of these two very important traits but he’s in charge.
Jesus is at the door. There’s a point coming very soon when the very last
believer will be acknowledged by God and the door will slam shut as far as the
Church is concerned. God the Father will turn to God the Son and say “Go get ‘em
Son”. In the twinkling of an eye the Bride of Christ will be rescued out from
among the realm of this world’s persecution. At that point all those who were on
the fence concerning whether or not to believe in Jesus as their Messiah will be
sure they’ve blown it big time. At first their only indication that something
went terribly wrong will be that they find the malls of America are never crowed
anymore. Mall or Heaven, make your choice, but make it soon.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Jesus Saves, for Life - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall
any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28.
God entered His creation, and became flesh. “And the Word was made flesh, and
dwelt among us...” John 1:14. Jesus is God incarnate.
Jesus is God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,” John
1:1. The Apostle John identifies Jesus Christ as the word, and the Word was God.
Now that we’ve established Jesus’ credentials we may proceed. In the verse from
John 10 Jesus gives believers the wonderful promise of eternal life and eternal
security.
God has given mankind a great resource for knowledge and truth. That resource,
the Bible, is replete with how man must respond to God’s free gift of salvation
in order to be justified in God’s eyes. Let me also say that no man can enter
Heaven unless they have responded to God’s free gift of salvation by receiving
the Son of God (Jesus the Christ) as their savior.
Over and over again I receive messages from folks who are very concerned that
I’m leading people astray because of my stance on the believer’s security. I’m
told that “Just because a person believes and becomes a follower of Jesus Christ
(a born again believer) doesn’t mean they are completely secure”. I am then
inundated with scripture verses that, in their minds, prove beyond the shadow of
a doubt that believers can lose our salvation. Losing our salvation is
completely contrary to God’s word. If you and I, once we are justified (saved in
God’s eyes), can lose our salvation or even walk away from our salvation once we
are born again, then God becomes a weak and insignificant God, one who certainly
wouldn’t have the power to create the universe let alone save us from our sins.
It simply amazes me that born again believers will dispute God’s word, and at
many different levels of understanding. To me it makes no sense, if we are born
again, to argue with the one who saved us. After all who’s word is it? It’s not
man that we’re disputing and squabbling with when we disagree with the word of
God. It’s God Himself. For example, man has come up with many different
scenarios as to how the creation of the universe came to be. Man has decided to
believe in billions of years for the creation of the universe. They’ve plainly
stated and they teach the earth to be billions of years old, and that man
evolved from pond scum. In God’s word He tells us how it all happened in six
literal, 24 hour days but as man’s “knowledge” has increased over the centuries
so has his arrogance. God’s now wrong or the Bible is a myth. Many of my
brethren will without any hesitation place their faith in man’s new
“discoveries” over God’s word. You may be surprised to find out just how many
Christians believe man’s published discoveries over God’s inerrant word when it
comes to the age of the universe or the evolution of man.
Actually there is a lot more to that verse in John 10 than initially meets the
eye. I’ve read John 10 many times and written about the believer’s security in
past commentaries. The part of this particular verse that has eluded many Bible
teachers in the past is, “they shall never perish”. I don’t know why Jesus’
words don’t always get all the recognition they should but if you will bear with
me you will see how very significant they are.
We’ll need to go back a verse to get the full impact of what Jesus is saying.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. Okay,
Jesus is speaking about born again believers. The best part of that particular
verse is Jesus says “I know them”. God knows us when we become born again “But
now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God...” Galatians
4:9a. Paul is speaking to the Galatians who are saved as being known of God.
Side note:
I can tell you for certain that if Jesus doesn’t know you, you’re not saved.
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.” Matthew 7:23. The relationship we enjoy with our Lord Jesus is a
two way street. We know Him and we are known of Him.
Then Jesus goes on to specifically convey His truth. He says, “I give unto them
eternal life.” That should be good enough for anyone who feels the need to argue
with God. When we read those words and we are truly born again, we can be
certain we are going to spend an eternity with our Lord Jesus. Not to ever be
separated from Him such as those who will be spending eternity in Hell.
Believers will always be with Him. Jesus will never take away your eternal life
if you truly have eternal life.
Jesus says neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Well, first of all
Jesus is God so who would be able to pluck any believer out of His hand? Who
would even try to do such a thing? Let’s see, he isn’t a man but Satan would
love to take believers away from God. All believers should be keenly aware that
that scenario just isn’t possible. This is the part of that whole verse that
trips up many Bible teachers. They say, “Yes, we agree that a believer can’t
lose their salvation, but they can walk away from it”. Well, not according to
the creator of the universe.
Still, they’ll focus their argument on other parts of God’s word. So, Jesus,
giving his followers eternal life does little to convince the skeptic of the
security of the believer. Their argument continues, “Jesus didn’t say a believer
can’t walk away from that eternal life He gave them.” Au contraire my friends,
Jesus made it perfectly clear in the very next part of the verse. But just like
many others these skeptics skip right over these five little words “and they
shall never perish”. Key word? Never.
Those who belong to Him are His sheep and His sheep know His voice “and they
shall never perish”. The Greek word that God used here is ou mē translated
“never, certainly not, not at all, by no means”. Jesus expresses, purposely for
all the doubters, a double negative, strongly expressing a negation. “In no
wise” can one of my sheep ever lose or walk away from the eternal life I’ve
given them.
You still want to argue with God Almighty? If you insist we’ll keep going,
although for the life of me I can’t see why you insist on arguing with God. At
any rate let’s proceed. The word Jesus uses for “pluck” as in “neither shall any
man pluck them out of my hand” is Harpazo in the Greek. That word may be very
familiar to most of you rapture enthusiasts. It means to seize and to carry off
by force. So, just who is able to seize the believers “In Christ” (Christ’s
sheep) and carry them off, by force no less? What did Jesus say about the
importance of even one of His sheep “... if a man have an hundred sheep, and one
of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into
the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find
it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety
and nine which went not astray.” Matthew 18:12, 13. Every one of those who have
been born from above is as secure as Heaven itself. If it were not so Jesus
would have certainly told us.
“My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck
them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10:29, 30. After
Jesus finishes telling us that no man can pluck (Harpazo) those who are born
again out of His hands He takes us a step further and seals the whole concept of
the believer’s security by proclaiming that all believers are in God the
Father’s hands also. And “no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand”.
Now we have the skeptic to the believer’s security telling us we can walk away
from God the Father and God the Son by escaping out of their hands. God the
Father gives all believers to Jesus His Son. Would God give His only begotten
Son a bunch of renegades who, at the first chance they get would conspire to
escape his clutches? Why? So they can escape that horrible idea of eternal
salvation in Heaven with Jesus Christ? Not hardly.
It has always amazed me how the emails come flooding in about how wrong I am.
They try and remind me of all the scripture verses that seemingly contradict
what I’ve espoused above. Incredibly many people will continually stand
adamantly against the believer’s security and they will diligently work at
convincing me to do the same. If we will remember that there are no
contradictions in God’s word it will help to affirm what I’m trying to explain.
Actually all those other verses the skeptics love to point out only add to the
whole proof of the believer’s security.
Case in point “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his
name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5. Obviously, if
Jesus can blot out the name of a born again believer from the book of life,
believers can lose their salvation, right? It’s only a misinterpretation that
leads people to conclude Jesus would ever remove a believers name from the book
of life.
But if we look at the verse correctly, in context “He who overcomes . . . I will
never blot out his name from the book of life.” The “overcomer” mentioned in
this letter to Sardis is the believer. John tells us “For whatsoever is born of
God overcometh the world.” Also “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he
that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” John 5:4, 5. “I write unto you,
young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one” 1 John 2:13b. All believers
are “overcomers” in that they have been granted victory over the sin and
unbelief of the world.
Some people see in Revelation 3:5 God’s pen ready to strike out the name of any
Christian who sins. They read into it something like this: “If you mess up and
don’t win the victory, then you’re going to lose your salvation! In fact, I will
erase your name from the Book of Life!” But this is not what the verse says.
Jesus gives the overcomer (believer) a promise here, not a warning.
In His word God never says that He erases a believer’s name from the Book of
Life –there is never even a warning that He is contemplating such a thing! The
wonderful promise of Revelation 3:5 is that Jesus will not erase one’s name.
Speaking to the “overcomers”–all those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb–Jesus
gives His word that He will not remove their names. He affirms that once a name
is there, it is there forever. This promise is not based on our faithfulness but
on the faithfulness of God.
On the other hand “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of
this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of
the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation
22:19. This verse is another of those verses that these skeptics will trot out
to prove me wrong. The problem with this verse is those who would change God’s
word are not believers. No truly “born again” believer “In Christ” would ever
tamper with His word. No, these are those who are of pseudo-Christian cults and
those who hold to very liberal theological beliefs. Many cults and theological
liberals claim the name of Christ as their own, but they are not “born again”.
Names that aren’t in the Lamb’s book of life can’t possibly be removed.
There are, of course, many other scripture verses that confirm Jesus’ own words.
Once a person becomes born again, born from above, born from God they are sealed
until the day of redemption. There are no more arguments. If you must argue,
take them up with God.
For all of those who read this commentary who aren’t born again, it’s not too
late. Speak to the Lord Jesus Christ yourself, and say “Yes Lord, I believe”
before time runs out...tick, tick, tick.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
For Every Man - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering
of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should
taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9. No one is excluded from receiving the
free gift of salvation. God died on that cross so every human being on this
planet could obtain salvation and continue on to a new and awesome Heavenly
home. Jesus suffered and died for all humanity.
What stops man from wanting such a home? Pride. That’s it, it’s prideful to
reject God’s free gift of salvation. Only by believing in the death, burial, and
resurrection of His only begotten Son can we obtain that free gift. Many might
disagree with me and say it’s a hardened heart, or ignorance, even self-reliance
that keeps man from believing the truth. Pride is what got in Lucifer’s way and
it’s been the one thing that has been so prevalent in so many lost souls since
the beginning of time. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will
not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Psalm 10:4. Using God’s
name as profanity doesn’t count as keeping God in all our thoughts.
To humble one’s self before God requires an abandonment of pride and there are
so many who won’t allow that to ever occur in their meager and short existence.
So many people actually believe that this world holds the answer to
everything–every question, every thought, every experience and there is nothing
at the end of one’s life but a cold dark grave. When some folks hear the
question, “Are you a believer?” or “Do you have a relationship with Jesus
Christ?” their pride is activated and they reject such nonsensical questioning
with a prideful “I don’t believe in God” or “I don’t need your God”. This one
really saddens me, “I don’t fear your God”. Pride is the culprit and many a lost
soul will find this out the hard way. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an
haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.
We read in the book of Hebrews that Jesus tasted death for every man. That means
everybody that ever lived or ever will live has been covered by the blood of
Christ. In the past, before Jesus’ First Advent, if folks believed in the coming
Messiah and were faithful to God, when they died their souls were sent to
Abraham’s bosom. After Jesus died all who profess their faith in Him go directly
to Heaven. But the one thing they all have in common is that they all, at some
point, dropped that prideful attitude and humbled themselves before God. Alas,
Jesus tells us many will never lose that prideful attitude. “Because strait is
the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that
find it.” Matthew 7:14. They not only can’t find it but pride keeps them from
seeking the truth.
Many will hold to the two big lies of Satan, “Yea, hath God said”, and “Ye shall
not surely die” Genesis 3:1, 4. And they will remain in that state of
condemnation. They will never give up the pride that holds them captive like zoo
animals in cages. Jesus died for the express purpose of saving all the lost from
an eternity in Hell. All are given the same opportunity to believe and repent.
“Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain,” Psalm 73:6a.
Have you ever wondered how God could possibly love a person whose whole life is
or has been devoted to sin? He can, and He does. A person who has never
acknowledged God’s grace or His love but who has taken advantage of every good
gift which can only come from God is still loved by God. God knows how the evil
one works and He knows the influence Satan has on you and me. That’s why He made
the following promise “For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor
forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b. God does not love you and me more than He loves the
lost. The lost have access to that same promise and can, with a little faith and
a changed attitude toward submission, obtain that same promise immediately.
God loved us from before the creation of the earth, “According as he hath chosen
us in him before the foundation of the world” Ephesians 1:4. Until we breathe
our last breath God will remain true to His word. He will love us and He will
continue steadfast in His attempt to convince every unbelieving person on earth
of the truth of who He is. And His free gift of salvation is continually offered
to everyone.
When the end comes, as we know it will very soon now, all who believe death is
the end of all things will be greatly surprised; death is in no way the end.
Death is just an excursion into a whole new realm. It’s the end of life on earth
yes, but not the end of our existence. It is the end of all earthly problems,
worries, materialism, bank accounts, favorite cars, love affairs, and everything
else worldly. All earthly treasures which we built up over a lifetime are
instantaneously someone else’s at death. As followers of Jesus Christ we know
our earthly gains won’t come close to our heavenly rewards. But for the lost,
they not only lose everything they had acquired while alive, but they lose their
souls to an eternity in Hell. A double whammy you might say. But the latter is
so much worse than the first.
Did you know that at the exact moment that death grabs the unbeliever he/she
suddenly believes in Jesus? It’s no joke; they are believers at the nanosecond
they die. They instantly become keenly aware that Jesus the Christ is God
Almighty even though they wouldn’t believe it while they were alive. But it’s
too late for the unbeliever. They had their chance to accept the free gift of
salvation while they were alive. But all their thoughts went to accumulating a
house and garage full of material wealth, never a thought to their eternal
destination.
Imagine the hopeless feeling of those who remain in rebellion to God ‘til death
as their eyes close for the last time. Everything they did and everything they
possessed will come into view and they will scream with all their spirit “Lord,
Lord”. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord... ‘And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew
7:22a, 23. As we can plainly see their screams will be to no avail.
As Solomon aptly penned after a lifetime of acquiring a world of wealth, and
trying just about every perversion known to man, he came to the conclusion
“Vanity, all is vanity”. Those who die without Christ will come to the same
conclusion as Solomon. They’ll utter the following sorrowful words “I chose
poorly” because they will quickly realize they can never return from their now
eternal hellish home. Even the nicest, kindest person we know is destined for
Hell if they haven’t believed in the “One” God sent, Jesus the Christ.
Facing an eternity in Hell is a horrible thought. It’s nothing to make light of.
I can’t imagine any of my brethren wishing anyone that type of eternal
existence. If they do they don’t understand the full concept of Hell. All of the
brethren have a great opportunity to share Jesus with the lost, to explain the
difference between an eternity in Heaven and an eternity in Hell. Death isn’t on
the minds of most folks; most give no thought whatsoever to where they will
remain for eternity. The Great Commission given to all the saints is that we
deliver the truth of the Gospel of Christ to the lost. Basically, as we go about
informing them of their choices, we enlighten them as to the specific
differences between Heaven and Hell. This may motivate them to have a change of
mind, and hopefully they will make the smart decision.
As believers we see the end approaching more and more rapidly with every passing
day. But the lost don’t see anything different from day to day except maybe
their retirement portfolios declining. Is there a believer who hasn’t thought
about Hell? Probably not. No matter how much we think about it we never see it
as a huge kegger in the park, but that’s how so many of the lost souls of this
world see Hell. “Well, I’ll be with friends” goes the old joke. “No, you won’t”
should be our response and we should never laugh at that sorry quip. We should
be as serious as the grave when we proclaim the truth about Hell. It’s terrible,
painful, sorrowful, extremely hot, and completely void of the existence of God.
No one will want to stay there after they realize where they are. But they will
have no choice, once there Hell will be their domain for eternity.
Atheists and the rest of the unbelievers don’t understand that they are never
out of the presence of God while they are alive on this earth. God is everywhere
and He sees everything we do. Every believer rejoices in the fact that God is
always with us, but unbelievers want nothing to do with God. At their death they
will get their wish, but not while they are alive. Whether they like it or not
God is ever present in all our lives. But God will not be in Hell; that’s what
makes it Hell, it is void of God. All God’s grace, and His mercy, and of course
His awesome love is present with us. In Hell there will be none of His
attributes present. That, my friends, is the indisputable truth.
Salvation by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ is all we need to
avoid that horrible place called Hell or Hades. And it’s available to every
atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, and all the other nonbelievers out there.
It’s even available to all those who are wrapped up in Christian cults such as
the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all the rest of the false religions
floating around these days.
Islam, the fastest growing religion today, has 1.5 billion followers, and yet
they are all perishing if they continue in their unbelief. Jesus wants to be
their Savior the same as He wants to be yours and mine. All can come to Jesus
for salvation while they are still alive, because He died for everybody. But God
will not accept any excuses and there will no doubt be many. Let me put it
another way, the fact that you were sold a bill of goods by some false teacher
or a lying prophet is no excuse for rejecting the truth of the Gospel. The lie
you were fed will most certainly affect your final eternal destination. And once
you’re there, you’re there for good. The foolish people who have been captivated
and sucked into these false religions and cults have had every opportunity to
seek and find the truth. They can reject the falsehoods that they’ve been taught
and embrace the truth of the scriptures. But they better do it soon.
Have you been deceived? Will you believe the truth? Only you can answer those
questions. Salvation is personal and it’s for everyone, but it only comes from
the one true God. Lord Jesus the Christ.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
A Prayer for Change - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they
have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set thou a wicked man
over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let
him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let
another take his office,” Psalm 109:4-8. King David had enemies, and David’s
enemies were also enemies of God. Psalm 109 is David’s prayer against an
un-named enemy and it could have been Saul, Absalom, or a nation. In the same
way, Christians have an enemy and our enemy is God’s enemy. Our government is
filled with people who follow Satan and just like their leader they too are bent
on destroying those who are called by God’s name, and believers need to humbly
pray for God’s intervention.
“Father in Heaven, our present leadership in this country is bent on destroying
all vestiges of freedom. The man who occupies the Oval Office is undoubtedly
being led by Satan. Let his days in office be few, and let another, a godly man
take the reins of leadership. We make amends O Lord, we repent of our past sins
and though they are many it is with earnest and heavy hearts that we ask You, O
Lord, to act upon our prayers today. We pray for the healing of our land and for
Your intervention in all our lives and in our human system of governance. We ask
You, Father, to bless our land with change, but with Your change, Lord, not
man’s notion of how life should be. We pray that our hearts and minds would be
devoted to You, O God. We pray for a godly leadership in this country. Please
Father allow a godly man to assume the office of President of the United States
of America, a man who would lead us in accordance to Your will, a man who would
pray with us “Thy will be done”. We pray, Father, that You would place a man
over us who will make it his goal to stand up for our Lord Jesus Christ in all
circumstances. Father this is our heartfelt appeal to you, and as always through
the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen.”
The above scripture verse was sent to me a few weeks ago. I thought, “How
appropriate it would be to build a prayer around that verse asking God for the
restoration of our country and for the presidency with that verse”. Many of you
share my concerns for this country and I know you’re praying that same prayer or
at least one very similar. Believers must focus on prayer especially since we
are surrounded by overwhelming proof we are in the last days here on earth. We
must be serious in our convictions so that God will hear our prayers and send
relief from the evil that currently holds sway over us. If we mindlessly mouth
prayers without a fully convicted heart then God may well respond in kind. I say
shame on us if we water down our prayers. In the end we’ll get what we deserve.
We may already be receiving our due.
Analysts will claim the worldwide recession is over and everything is getting
better, then they turn around and the very next day it’s that same old tired
doom and gloom hitting us smack between the eyes. We may not be able to trust
analysts anymore than we can trust the wind to cease blowing from the south. But
we can trust the word of God, and we can discern the signs of the times. How
many warnings are we given throughout God’s word that present us with a nice
clear picture of what to expect in the very near future? If God’s children would
actually believe His written word and study it diligently we wouldn’t be in the
mess we’re in today. Every believer should be keenly aware of the evil facing us
on a daily basis. Instead of our continuing decent down that slippery slope we
might just be seeing a more positive perspective confronting us. Sadly we are
not only on a slippery slope, but we’re rapidly picking up speed.
We’ve all made mistakes in the past and we will no doubt make new ones in the
future, but one thing we can resolve to do right now is to refuse to make the
same mistakes twice. Electing evil people over and over again to run our
government can only be classified as a huge mistake. Accountability in
government is the responsibility of all Americans.
Patriotism and loyalty to one’s country is all well and good, even necessary,
but for the believer it is essential to be completely devoted to Jesus Christ.
Many of our fellow citizens have put their lives on the line for their country
and many have died for that cause so their families as well as their countrymen
can live in peace and safety. Freedom is costly, and anytime a patriot loses his
or her life for the cause of freedom we who remain should do all we can to keep
their memory alive while preserving what they died for.
But preserving our freedom today is quickly becoming an exercise in futility.
Freedom is easily distorted and can be eliminated through the apathy of any
countries citizenry, and removed by those who would trade freedom for servitude.
The most important factor or cause or devotion we can possibly be involved with,
is our declaration of love for our savior Jesus Christ, and the promotion of His
Gospel. The fact that we have freedom in Christ is the only true freedom we will
ever have while we’re occupying these bodies and this land.
Many Christians have been put to death for the cause of Christ; many more will
lose their lives in the future so Christ can be preached continually. Without
freedom the believers work here on earth would be much more difficult and
costly. Because America has been a free country for the last 233 years, the word
of God has been spread throughout the world. Jesus has been preached continually
and will continue to be so if believers will stand up for their Lord. The only
thing that can really stop us is apathy.
We can all see that attitudes are changing in this country with regards to
Christianity. Attitudes now center on godlessness and even hatred toward
Christians, and those attitudes will be detrimental to our freedom and our
ability to spread the word of God unencumbered. In many parts of the country
there are police officers that will arrest you for just praying in public or
distributing Gospel tracts. Some are being arrested and jailed for preaching on
a sidewalk or in a park, and what’s their crime? Proclaiming the message of
salvation through Christ our Lord. A decade or so ago sidewalk preaching was
just as normal as breathing. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of
wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
Believers will need to become ever so crafty with regards to our presentation of
the Gospel lest we all be thrown to the lions.
America would be much more conducive to Christians if Christians would take the
land back. A good way to do that is to get God involved. “If my people, which
are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. I know this verse is
passed around a lot these days and I’ve used it myself in previous commentaries,
but listen to your God as He speaks the above verse to you. Can you not see the
tears in His eyes as He admonishes his people? Many think this verse was only
for the Jews but the Jews were never called by His name. They are Jews, Hebrews,
Israelites, Zionists but they were never called by God’s name. Jews aren’t even
permitted to speak the name of God. Christians are called by His name, so this
verse is for those of us who claim salvation through Christ and Christ alone.
Pray without ceasing. That’s Paul’s admonition to us. We are to be in constant
communication with our Father in Heaven. Prayer is so important to our walk with
Christ that if His people would just humble themselves, seek His Face, and turn
from their wicked ways He would heal their land. South Africa, Europe, Asia,
Australia, South America, North America, Greenland, you name it God will restore
your land if you will only humble yourselves and turn from your evil ways.
I can only conclude that there must be a huge lack of faith in God, or few
believe that the above verse was meant for them. Why? Because our lands are far
from experiencing any real healing. I know for a fact that prayers for our
country and our leaders here in America are part of the daily devotions for many
of my brethren. But here’s an addendum to our prayer life. If we have leaders
who are trying to run our country into the ground for some sinister reason, then
besides prayer Christians must take some physical action. America’s Christians
must stand up for their rights or they will have no rights to stand up for. We
must stand against tyranny. In America we can accomplish huge changes through
peaceful revolts, just by casting a vote against our elected officials who are
bent on turning a blind eye and a closed ear toward our voices.
It’s extremely important that we who are called by God’s name get involved and
stay involved with the process of making changes in regards to those who
currently lord over us. It’s not necessary to keep the same old tired souls in
office term after term. If we’re aware of how our representatives vote on every
issue then when we don’t like the way they vote, we tell them so. Then if they
continue to vote against our wishes, we must revolt against them with our voice
and our vote. If Americans really cared about their future they would make the
necessary changes. But it must be important enough to us or we will never get
involved. It seems that only when our lives or livelihoods are threatened with
disaster that we finally get angry enough to protest.
Currently the majority of our government officials are ungodly. We’ve voted in a
majority of democrats and they have taken it upon themselves to make some of the
most sweeping evil changes this country as ever seen. The republicans aren’t
helping matter as they side with the opposition on issues they shouldn’t. This
is how you and I know we need to make changes in our leadership. When the
elected leaders no longer listen to their constituents it becomes necessary to
eliminate them through our electoral process.
Godly change is what’s needed in America. You and I can, if we all ask God for
help, initiate that change confidently. If you are reading this commentary and
you think it’s time to get off the stick the first thing you must do is get
registered to vote. Then make sure you know where your communities balloting
locations are. Mark your calendars with the date of the election and then tell
all your family and friends to do the same thing. If our current leadership
won’t listen then let’s kick them out of our offices. Remember the offices that
house the people we elect belong to us, they are ours and we select who will
occupy them.
Across this land there is a satanic deception that many just don’t see. Many
people who are eligible to vote don’t, or won’t. Christians would hold the
majority vote in America if we would all vote. Those who never vote have no
voice in the process. We can effect change if we so desire to do so. But it must
be paramount on our minds and we must be resigned to help in forging changes in
our government leadership or it will never happen, and the evil that currently
permeates our land will continue unabated.
“Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” Psalm 109:8. This prayer
of David’s is perfectly pointed at all who would try their hand at destroying
our great nation. God stands on the side of the righteous He will not stand with
our enemies. We are a nation of believing, caring, giving individuals who know
the difference between right and wrong. We currently have the wrong leaders in
place; let’s determine, once and for all, to only elect godly men and women to
manage our government.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Exclusivity of the Christian Faith - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” 2 Corinthians 4:3.
Its fine to talk about Jesus in Church, but whatever you do don’t mention His
name outside the confines of that big white building.
The government of the United States of America along with some very satanic
organizations such as the A.C.L.U. has given Christians a new commandment to top
all of God’s commandments. Stop promoting Jesus Christ in public, stop
mentioning Jesus by name, and displaying your messages pertaining to Jesus
Christ in any form outside of a church building. “No more crosses on government
run military cemeteries” says the A.C.L.U. “Tear down every remaining vestige
relating to Jesus Christ in the public square” is the cry of most of those
followers of Satan. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine unto them,” 2 Corinthians 4:4. That blindness is
spreading far and wide.
The Apostles Peter and John give us the appropriate response to these foolish
lost souls. “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right
in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye,” Acts
4:19. Peter and John stood firm on their faith in Christ. More and more many of
our elected officials here in the U.S. along with many secular organizations are
aligning themselves with our enemy and are becoming quite extreme in their
stance against the Church, even suggesting that homeschooling is a form a child
abuse. You see, if the government can’t have your children for 6 or 7 hours per
day how then can they brainwash them? Clearly, before long, standing firm on the
Christian faith will bring the wrath of our new socialist government down upon
us.
If the children in public schools mention the name Jesus Christ during class it
will bring swift retribution. The ACLU has their moles sticking their dirty
little noses into every classroom in the public school system. Oh, and yes, all
the false religions are more than welcome in those same public schools. For
example, the religion of Islam is welcomed in our government run public schools
and in many of those institutions it is encouraged, even promoted right along
with secular humanism.
Those of us who belong to Jesus Christ are being forcefully mandated as to when
and where we may proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. The spiritually dead have
spoken. They want nothing less than the total eradication of the Christian
faith. Why? Because of the exclusivity of the Christian faith. The Bible states
emphatically there is no other way that one might be saved. No other way to the
Father but by the Son. That’s too exclusive and the lost don’t like it.
Yes, Christianity is very exclusive. No other faith claims God died for His
creation. Other faiths actually disparage Christians for believing such an
outlandish concept. “God dying for humans, that’s utterly ridiculous”. They just
can’t wrap their minds around the God of all creation dying. It’s not a concept
that comes easy to anyone. But it’s wholly and completely the truth and we as
believers should never be ashamed to preach that truth. “For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth;” Romans 1:16.
Many of my professing brethren don’t agree with the exclusivity part of our
faith. I’ve heard Christians actually embrace the fallacy that many paths lead
to God. Jesus was quite open in His public statements about this very subject.
At times He must have come across as rather arrogant to those unbelievers of His
day. Most of the Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers of Jesus’ day never believed
what He was saying. To them He was a blasphemer for claiming equality with God
Almighty, never realizing He is God Almighty. They were always trying to trip
Jesus up to get some dirt on Him so they could condemn Him to death. They were
unable to find fault in Him, but nevertheless, prophetically speaking they
succeeded.
Jesus continually saw through their deceptive plans and rebuked them. He spent
years attempting to get across to those foolish men the fact of who He was. He
explained that He is the only way to the Father. Today, there’s not much
difference in people’s attitudes, but it seems the spiritual blindness is much
worse. The exclusivity of the Christian faith stands as a road block to many.
“The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the
LORD,” Proverbs 19:3.
Anyone who sees the Bible as just an antiquated, outdated book of obsolete
scripture verses, especially out of date for our post modern times, can’t
actually grasp the truth of the scriptures. Therefore to those individuals the
Bible’s truths remain indiscernible and just plain foolishness.” For the
preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are
saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Yes there are many religions around the world but Christianity holds the top
spot for exclusivity. Actually, Christianity isn’t even a religion, it’s a
lifestyle and it is so very exclusive that many people hate hearing those two
historically famous words that bring hope and joy to Christians, “Jesus Christ”.
Jesus, because of His proclamation that there is no other way to the Father but
by Him, is being banished from most public arenas. He’s just too exclusive.
The Holy Bible, the awesome word of God, is very direct in what we are to
believe. Jesus tells us in His own words that we will only be allowed into the
presence of God through Him and Him alone; and as I mentioned previously that
truth is way too exclusive for those who are perishing. No one on this planet
will ever obtain salvation through any other means, try as they will. God’s word
is quite clear on this subject. All those who deny Christ as the propitiation
for our sins are in rebellion to God. So when anyone quotes the verse from John
(... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but
by me” John 14:6) the rebellious and foolish lost become agitated with us. This
is when the name calling begins. Arrogant, bigoted, self absorbed, high minded,
exclusive, ignorant, Bible thumping Jesus freaks. Actually believers will wear
any title put on them for Jesus’ sake and be worn like a badge of honor.
Why are so many at odds with the truth? Why is the correct path so hated? Jesus
tells us that the path that leads people to their own destruction is wide, and
well traveled. The truth is not elusive but it does convict the sinner, which is
what those who remain in their rebellion to God can’t stand. Unbelievers, sooner
or later, will begin to blame Christians for every disruption in their lives.
The Christian faith and believers are becoming outcast in countries all across
the world. I’m praying right along with many of you who would love to see Christ
remove His Church prior to the full exclusion of Christianity from all
societies.
There are many Christians today who desire to remain politically correct in
their approach to all the false religions being promoted today. They water down
the truth or they just skip the truth all together. Many of my brethren won’t
believe the truth. Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, is quoted in the
Book of Acts as saying “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is
none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts
4:12. Why would Luke place this quote of Peter’s in Acts? Because the Holy
Spirit knew there would be those who claim many paths to God.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not
hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain,” Exodus 20:7. It’s considered
hypocrisy to claim the name of God but act in a way that disgraces Him.
Believers who claim the name of Jesus but disparage His words are also
hypocrites because they dishonor His Holy Name through their rejection of the
exclusivity of Christianity. Those who claim many paths to God and also claim to
follow Jesus Christ are actually declaring themselves to be gods; they’ve placed
their knowledge and wisdom above God and His word. That’s exactly what Satan did
which is what got him banished from Heaven. What makes people think they can
usurp God’s word and still be permitted to join Him for eternity?
Again, it’s that old political correctness that distorts the minds of so many.
Who do you want to be accountable to? Satan or God our Creator. We can’t have it
both ways. When we become believers we cast off the old man, political
correctness is out when it comes to the inerrancy of God’s word. We now follow
God’s truth which is the antitheses of political correctness. Jesus says “He
that is not with me is against me...” Matthew 12:30. Jesus is being very
exclusive here by removing any thoughts of neutrality. Believers need to
recognize that exclusivity. We need to stand wholeheartedly with Jesus. If we
don’t stand with Him on His ground we stand against Him on all other ground, and
will undoubtedly end up far below ground.
All other religious faiths in this world are on a sure path to Hell. They have
condemned themselves through their continued embrace of false teaching and
teachers. I’m not saying they can’t be turned from that condemnation (actually
many are being rescued daily), but while they remain in unbelief they remain
condemned. Many of our government leaders fall into that same category.
Today and forever, believers must accept the fact that our faith in Jesus Christ
as the only way one may be saved is exclusive. Just how exclusive is this Christ
centered faith? Here’s the simple truth of it, God’s free gift of salvation is
available to every man, woman, and child on planet earth. “Wow Ron, if you put
it that way it sounds completely inclusive”. Yea, that’s what our Bibles tell
us. All who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and
Him alone for salvation will be saved. We need to be right up front with all
those we witness to that there is no other way to the Father but by the Son.
“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I
will, but as thou wilt,” Matthew 26:39. How did God the Father answer that
prayer from His only begotten Son? There’s no other way Son. Jesus being
completely obedient to the Father died on that cross for the sins of the world.
If there was another way in which man could be saved, then God the Father didn’t
answer His Son’s prayer and Jesus died for nothing which means our faith is in
vain.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Dead Faith - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:20.
Many an individual claim they’re saved yet continue in their same sinful
lifestyle without any visible change. We aren’t God, we can’t see into the
hearts of others. We can only see visible outward signs that give us any
indication whether or not a person is a believer. James says without works faith
is dead. Our works are the result of our love for God and they should come
instinctively after conversion. As believers, born from God we should be
passionate, even driven, by a desire to please God and to give our lives to Him.
So how do we know whether or not our faith is dead? Honestly, a professing
believer who is living a lifestyle contrary to God’s will may not even care
whether or not their faith is dead. Our faith in Jesus Christ needs to be a
living faith. It’s not to be misplaced out in the world somewhere; it’s placed
in a living God. What’s that mean, living faith? “If a brother or sister be
naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in
peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things
which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath
not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:15-17. Jesus tells us to love one
another but if we show no compassion toward others, or very little for that
matter, or if we can’t seem to get motivated enough to help our fellow man then
our faith may very well be dead.
Many Christians are non-participants in God’s plan for humankind. They just
aren’t interested in fulfilling God’s commandments. What that means is even
though they’ve made the statement that they’ve repented of their sins and asked
for forgiveness, and say they’ve asked Jesus Christ to be the savior of their
lives, there’s no visible change between their current status and their
pre-conversion state. This is where James chapter 2 comes into play in all our
lives. If there is no visible difference in a person’s life after the conversion
experience, what kind of faith is that?
After conversion Christians should begin to look at the world with a whole new
perspective. As we become more and more familiar with God’s word we begin to see
the evil that’s been surrounding us much more clearly. We begin to eliminate the
baggage we’ve been carrying and are then free to pursue God’s will for our
lives. By baggage I mean being stuck with the mindset of mass accumulation, such
as materialism. Even attributes such as self-reliance, pride, haughtiness, etc.,
are all hindrances to our relationship with God. These hindrances should be
significantly reduced at some point after conversion so a believers life will
become completely devoted to adhering to God’s will.
Now that our blinders have been removed we need to tell others about our new
relationship with God, and the saving grace only obtained through Jesus Christ.
This becomes our works which God has ordained as a part of our new life in
Christ. All of our works need to bring glory to God and it should be our good
pleasure to help others to come to the saving knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.
The truth is the world has been blinded, and because of our new ability to see
the truth we can play a big part in God’s plan just by witnessing to the lost.
The Holy Spirit will do the rest by removing the blinders of all those who want
to see the truth.
Our conversion/rebirth puts us forever in the hands of Jesus Christ, and as such
it’s essential that our actions and even our conversations produce good works.
The more we grow in our Christian walk the more we will accomplish for the
Kingdom of God, and we will continue to grow as we study His word and give
ourselves wholly to Him.
All believers are admonished to spread the Gospel. The commandment wasn’t meant
for just a select few. So, do we spread the Gospel as commanded? Preaching the
Gospel of Jesus Christ is a huge part of what James is speaking about as works.
You see, works is doing what God wants of us, and even commands us to do. Please
don’t misunderstand James’ admonition of works based faith. James is speaking of
a believer’s life after justification.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure,” Philippians 2:12. This is another easily misunderstood scripture
verse. Paul’s statement of “work out your own salvation” means that after
conversion we need to be diligent as we go about our Fathers business.
Continuing day by day in God’s will, and working out our own salvation is God’s
will for our lives. It’s obedience to God that Paul is speaking about. Again,
works aren’t what saves us, but works will certainly follow our born again
experience.
We should see evidence of works in every area of believer’s lives. We need to
activate the awesome salvation God freely gave us. By activate I mean we are to
involve ourselves with sharing God’s Gospel, activate it. Paul, like James, is
actually bringing the same concept into view, albeit a slightly different
approach, but both approaches are completely complementary of each other. If
there is no activity in a believer’s life, activity associated with spreading
the Gospel, feeding the hungry, basically showing others the love of Christ,
then as James explains, our faith is dead.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also,” James 2:26. God has given us an awesome advantage over the lost in that
He has allowed those who follow Him to see things the lost cannot. When
believers read God’s inerrant word they are blessed with understanding, and they
gain insight into God’s nature. Believer’s advantage is that they now know God,
and since we know God and we know what He expects of His own, we must train
ourselves to do the works He has assigned to us. Occasionally believers fail to
be attentive to God’s will and must be admonished to continue to seek His will.
Faithful mature believers will apply themselves to accomplishing that task.
Many reading this commentary will conclude by this point that I am advocating
salvation through works. No, I’m not. God offered His Son to die for our sins.
We accept His free gift and are then justified through our faith. “The just
shall live by faith,” Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38. And in
Habakkuk 2:4 we’re told “The just shall live by his faith. Clearly we live by
faith, we promote the Gospel through and by our faith, and we exist as believers
by faith through God’s grace. Once we have the Holy Spirit sealed within us we
are completely secure in God’s hands. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that
ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14.
What we do after our becoming justified (born again) for God’s Kingdom is what
James considers as works. We are adhering to God’s will by following His
commands. If believers aren’t interested in following all of God’s commands,
well then James says our faith is dead.
James’ admonition that faith without works is dead isn’t a contradiction of the
other scriptures that plainly state we are saved by grace through faith, “For by
grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: Not of works, lest any man should boast,” Ephesians 2: 8, 9. But what he is
saying is once we’re born of God our works will be the natural progression in a
believer’s life. What you can take away from all this is if a person shows no
interest in following Christ even after conversion then they are probably living
a lie. On the other hand there are many who do a ton of works thinking that’s
what puts them in a right relationship with God. No sir! Get right with God
first then the attitude of working for God’s Kingdom will manifest itself in
your life like rivers of flowing water.
James and Paul aren’t saying anything we don’t already know. To believers, doing
the works of God is a blessing. Being works oriented is our biblical manifesto.
Works are simply our marching orders. A truly born again believer “in Christ”
will find no drudgery in following God’s will. As we go about our daily routine
it is a natural occurrence for believers to be the light of Christ. Simply put,
works are the believer’s pleasure and as such their accomplishments are assured.
Jesus tells us that not everyone who calls Him Lord is in line for any
inheritance. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 7:21. Doing the will of the Father, the Son tells us, is essential for
admittance into the Kingdom of Heaven. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Matthew 7:22. Here we see that many
will say they did many wonderful works for the Lord but as we’ve already learned
works aren’t what saves us. “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew
you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:23.
Faith without works is dead and faith in Christ is what we need for salvation.
Jesus makes it plain to all those who have eyes to see and ears to hear how we
enter Heaven. It’s a yes, a done deal, for all those who have placed their faith
and trust in Him. All those who do the will of the Father will be saved. What is
the will of the Father? “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of
God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:29. We see from all this
that faith and works are associated in that one is dead without the other. It’s
plain what kind of Christians we are if we remain in our comfort zone and never
embark on a path that involves adhering to God’s will.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe,
and tremble.” James 2:19. James tells us that without works our faith is the
same as demons who believe and tremble. Such a faith cannot save anyone, because
there is no verifiable works that would naturally accompany a saving faith.
Where faith abounds there is the fruit of the Spirit which is always accompanied
by works. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians
5:22-25
What kind of faith do you have? Are you one of those James addresses whose faith
is dead or are you alive with the Spirit of God and following His commands? We
should all give it some serious thought.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
All Appearance of Evil - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Abstain from all appearance of evil” 1 Thessalonians 5:22. Paul admonishes us
to abstain (stay away) from even the very appearance of evil. He’s speaking
about the outside, visible part of us as what others might perceive as evil.
Born again believers in Christ have an awesome responsibility to Jesus, we’ve
put on Christ therefore we are to hold ourselves above what even the appearance
of evil. By the way Christians should know what constitutes the appearance of
evil and what doesn’t.
I read a news article recently about a woman scorned. The woman’s husband had
been caught in an extra marital affair and she decided to embarrass him by going
public with the news and details of his lapse into infidelity. In today’s
culture where we see and hear about this type of activity continually, just how
embarrassed would this guy be if he had to stand out in public with a sign
indicating his infidelity? Later I read that the article was a hoax, still my
conclusion doesn’t change. Are people actually embarrassed when their
infidelities become public domain? The sin of adultery seems to be at a point of
commonality that would rival the sin of homosexuality. Under normal
circumstances adulterers would be outcast until they had repented and asked for
forgiveness. Today adultery seems to be so commonplace that their boldness goes
unnoticed. Where’s the outrage from God’s people? Even in the Church today
there’s a problem with adultery. Many just ignore God’s word.
The Church has allowed the appearance of evil to manifest itself right inside
the sanctuary. Yet God’s word is true and unchanging. The seventh commandment
proclaims “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14. In Leviticus we read
“And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that
committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress
shall surely be put to death,” Leviticus 20:10. Obviously our civilization now
looks on adultery with a lackadaisical attitude. I live in a community that
boasts of its many Churches, yet adultery’s ugly head is raised even here among
all these saints.
A married brother in Christ asked me once if it was alright for him to be alone
in his car with a single woman. I quoted the verse found in 1 Thessalonians to
him and tried to explain why this was not a good idea. My explanation of why
this would be seen as inappropriate went right over his head. Another man asked
me if two older people in their sixties could live together without being
married. Again, it’s the appearance of evil, it isn’t a Godly behavior, and it
could lead others astray. That brother went on to give the reason why this older
Christian couple opted for living together instead of following God’s precept of
uniting in holy matrimony. “But if they get married they’re placed in a higher
tax bracket and that’s why they remain unmarried”. Excuse me, but where in the
Bible is there a verse that condones living together to avoid paying your taxes?
People will invent a plethora of excuses that allows them to dabble with or even
wallow in the pig’s trough. Then they begin to flaunt their sin since they’ve
been able to condone it in their own eyes. As for those who belong to Jesus, we
must find ways to prevent even the slightest manifestation of evil in our lives.
Our intensions may be perfectly innocent but remember it’s the perception of
evil that’s being addressed here.
“He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of
stumbling in him” 1 John 2:10. In Greek the word “meno” can be translated as
“Abide, tarry, remain continually, and endure”. As followers of Jesus Christ we
are to remain (abideth) steadfast in the light; all of those translated English
words above apply. There should be no variance or movement out of the light into
darkness. As Christians we are to not only avoid the darkness but even the
appearance of darkness in our lives. We know God sees everything, every sin we
commit whether out in the open or hidden by darkness. “The eyes of the LORD are
in every place, beholding the evil and the good,” Proverbs 15:3. When we are out
in public others can see how we act and how we speak. Believers know it’s their
responsibility to present Jesus to the lost and they see Him through our lives.
How can we be His light to the lost if we are stepping back and forth in and out
of darkness?
The second part of John’s admonition is for the brethren to have no occasion to
stumble a fellow brother in Christ. In other words there should be nothing in
our walk with Christ that would lead another into sin. Again, we abstain from
every appearance of evil (sin). Just how do we go about that seemingly elusive
task? There’s an old adage I’m sure you’ve all heard before, “What Would Jesus
Do”? This comes from a book entitled “In His Steps” and was written by Charles
Sheldon back in the 1800s. If you haven’t read it I highly recommend you
purchase a copy or go to www.kancoll.org/books/sheldon/ and read it online for
yourself. It’s a story of a pastor who challenges his congregation to repeat the
words “What Would Jesus Do” each time they were about to make an important,
possibly life changing, decision.
I know what you’re going to say “WWJD is an old and tried idea that had its run
and now is thoroughly out dated” it may seem that way to some because we’ve
stopped applying it to our lives. Nothing about keeping Jesus on our minds can
ever be considered outdated. WWJD was marketed and sold to the public as a
merchandizing scheme. It seems this is always the case when something good is
identified as a money maker. My challenge to you this day, is to grab that old
tried idea back up off the shelf and restore it to its position of prominence.
And the next time you are about to make that very important decision which just
might have the appearance of evil ask yourself the question “What Would Jesus
Do”. But take it a step further next time and ask yourself this, “How will what
I’m about to do glorify God?” If it doesn’t glorify God, abstain. It’s that
simple.
Many Christians today have become lax in their attitudes toward sin. Because of
the influence of the world and the temptations put before us by those who are
lost, many followers of Christ stumble and some make a habit of stumbling. I’m
sure there are many who see nothing wrong with being alone with someone of the
opposite sex. That’s because our morals have been tampered with. Just look at
all the movies that have been produced to lure us into evil. Sin (evil) is sin
and there is no hiding from it when it appears in our life, we can’t fool God.
Having a grasp of what may constitute the appearance of evil before we step into
that dark arena might just keep us from stumbling a brother, not to mention
ourselves. Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, comes with maturity, Christian
maturity. Christians who are mature in their walk with Jesus will do anything to
avoid the appearance of evil; no one wants to knowingly lead another astray.
I mentioned two different accounts of believers participating in what would be
an appearance of evil; there are many more. As believers who have been reborn,
born of God, and since He now owns us we should do everything possible to keep
from associating with even the tiniest fragment of evil. Why be conformed to the
world. Since we’re only passing though this world to get to our permanent home
we should have that home on our minds. It should be our privilege and honor to
lead others into the light of Christ while abstaining from all appearances of
evil in our own life.
Conforming to the world is a pit many Christians have fallen into. Some of whom
have knowingly, and willingly conformed their bodies into the exact image and
lifestyle which they were brought out of. Instead of separating themselves from
the world they’ve joined the ranks of the walking dead. Certainly this is the
appearance of evil.
When believers get caught up with the cares of the world they lose their focus
and begin to put on the world. There are those who mark up or punch holes in
their bodies then say it’s done so they can witness to others who are into that
type of mutilation. They want to be on a level playing field so to speak with
those they are witnessing to. Some believers seem to be under the false
assumption that if they take on a similar look as those who are lost their
witnessing will be more productive. This is a huge error. We’re not taught in
the scriptures to conform to the world in order to be a better witness “And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:2.
To abstain from ALL appearance of evil means just that. If believers become
intertwined, so to speak, with the walking dead, the lost can have a devastating
effect on the saved. They may very well bring you down to a level that will be
difficult, if not impossible, to separate from, “Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians
6:14. If we follow Paul’s admonition, then we shall find it much easier to
abstain from any appearance of evil.
When we look around at the world today we can plainly see evil permeating every
nook and cranny of society. There will always be folks who try to tell us that
what we once perceived as good is no longer good and they’ll turn normal around
and replace it with abominations. They’ll tell us that bad and evil are now
good. Believers must be constantly on guard and thoroughly prepared for what’s
coming. This world is turning upside down. We must abstain from joining in with
the crowd.
I made, in the beginning paragraph, a very important statement. Christians
should know what constitutes the appearance of evil. Many today who call
themselves Christians haven’t a clue as to the full scope of evil that currently
permeates our society. The truth is, evil abounds in both its scope and its
depth. Believers have neglected their Bibles long enough. We read and study
God’s word thus we learn His truth and what God considers evil and what He
accepts as good. Then we need to take it one step further and apply His precepts
to our lives.
Gird yourselves with righteousness, allow no evil into your circle of influence,
be the light Christ has ordained you to be. Be wise, be prudent, be an example
of Christ on earth. Avoid at all cost the appearance of evil. Remember the
temptation to embrace evil comes from the lust of the flesh which is Satan’s
domain. “...every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it
is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Thy Will Be Done - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
How often do we pray “Thy will be done” and then go about doing our own will
instead of God’s. Why is that? Is it God’s will that we become slothful and
apathetic instead of focused on His coming Kingdom? The Mormons and Jehovah’s
Witnesses are certainly deceived as they remain in their false religion, yet the
one thing we must give them credit for is their very aggressive stance on
witnessing and their evangelistic approach. Comparatively those two false
religions are head and shoulders above Christianity in regards to their
evangelistic approach especially when it comes to witnessing. Why aren’t my
Christian brethren as aggressive? Is the body of Christ so full that there’s no
further need for evangelism? If we’re sincere when praying those words “Thy will
be done” then we would see many more positive results. Sadly, what we see, in
America at least, is Christ’s Church losing ground, fast.
With so many ignoramuses running the Christian churches today guiding their
flock into complete heresies there’s no wonder true Christian evangelism has
declined. Here’s what the Lutherans have recently come up with to be a light to
the lost world. They now allow homosexuals to takeover of the administration of
the Church, thus, they’ve now allowed the fox into the hen house and they’ve
closed and locked the door behind them. We will see much more of this nonsense
in the near future as we grow ever so much closer to the biblically prophesized
last days. In the meantime the Great Apostasy is here.
Why do so many Christians simply ignore scriptures? Once we’re “in” that’s it,
that’s good enough. “Well I’m okay. I’m headed in the right direction. The rest
of those folks out there have had the same opportunity as me.” Have they? I
wonder. With all the false teaching being promoted as truth these days and as
the church is seemingly going along with it like sheep being led to the
slaughter, are all the walking dead actually given the same opportunity as the
rest of us?
Have you ever talked to a Mormon about salvation? They do feel, through a
burning in their bosoms, that they know Jesus Christ, but if you really delve
into their church doctrine you will find that they teach that Satan and Christ
are spiritual brothers. Wow. They don’t know my Messiah at all. My Messiah is
God Almighty; He’s not brothers with Satan. Jesus Christ created Lucifer as the
cherub that covers but who later fell into rebellion against Him. True believers
know Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are condemned but how many of my brethren
ever attempt to explain the truth to these foolish people?
Isn’t it possible that many in these cults have never heard the true Gospel? It
is God’s will that His Gospel, His truth be preached to the entire world, not
false gospels. God’s command to spread the good news includes witnessing to all
those individuals who are stuck in false religions. They may even live right
next door to you. Your next door neighbor, who, in your mind may be past the
point of no return, may only be a few yards and words away from hearing the
truth and becoming born again. My fellow brethren, it’s time to burden our
hearts with a desire to spread the truth to all the walking dead.
Let me tell you a story about a man who previously filled the ranks of the
walking dead. Not that he was in a cult, but he was just as dead. He was a man
who would not allow the subject of God to be brought up in his presence. This
man had no desire to know God or to include Him in his life. Oh yes, he had
heard about God in his past, he had an Aunt who would take him to Sunday school
now and then, a dad who liked watching Billy Graham on TV, and a mom who would
cry whenever her son would claim he didn’t believe in Jesus. This man had at
least heard something of what people said about Jesus Christ. He had seen the
signs on storefronts indicating “Jesus Saves” but he really hadn’t a clue as to
what any of it meant. He thought being born again was for those fringe religious
freaks, hippies and other weirdoes. For the first forty-four years of this man’s
life no one even made an attempt at specifically explaining the Gospel to him.
There were the occasional Christian cults that would show up at the front door
of his home, but they would not endeavor to return once they encountered this
man’s hostility.
This heathen man was an alcoholic, a blasphemer, a liar, a cheat, and what’s
worse he would browbeat his fellow man to submit to his will. At six feet four
inches tall and weighing in at 250 lbs he was a formative foe to any who would
dare challenge him or stand in his way. Some of his neighbors attended church
each and every Sunday, but never once witnessed to him. Were they afraid of him?
Possibly. But where in the Bible are we told, by Jesus, or any of the biblical
writers, that if we are afraid never mind witnessing? God will get someone else,
you just take it easy. God placed no such qualifying words in His command to go
and preach the Gospel to all nations.
America has been very diligent, even impressive, in past accomplishments at
spreading the Gospel of Christ to foreign shores. Such has been the case for
many years, yet, in the meantime, America itself suffers. We have now become a
country where believers from other nations come to evangelize us. America’s
spiritual heart is out of order. Certainly something has fallen through the
cracks. That something is God’s word. Oh sure, the cults are still out there
actively seeking converts and doing quite well I might add. But where’s the
Church, the true body of Christ, the front line if you will?
The religion of Islam is making huge strides here in the US. Many people are
becoming Muslims, even many who were brought up in the Church are turning to
Islam for their answers. Why? What could Islam possibly offer people who were
brought up in the Christian Church and in Christian homes? What would be so
appealing that these folks would turn their backs on Jesus Christ? It’s my
opinion that no truly born again believer “in Christ” would ever turn their
backs on Him and attempt to join the ranks of the condemned. But for those who
are only going through the motions not really believing the word of God I can
see how they could be led away. No roots, no commitment, no real faith, but
totally lost.
What does all of this have to do with the man I was talking about? The man who,
for forty-four years lived as a walking dead person because no one with any
intestinal fortitude ever took the time to witness to him? Some of you might
have figured out by now that the man was me. Although I was and am married to a
wonderful Christian woman, she was going through a lapse of faith when I met her
and so her witnessing was at a standstill even before she met me. Finally, one
day after some years of marriage she came to me and told me she needed to get
back to Church. I thought to myself “that’s no big deal I can tag along every
now and then” and so I did.
In the church we attended was a man, 20 years my senior, who was a fishing guide
on the famous Rouge River in Oregon, one day this man decided I needed a fishing
lesson. If he was scared of me he never showed a sign of it. Sitting in his boat
for almost 8 hours gave him ample opportunity to explain Jesus Christ to this
heathen. After that full day of fishing spent with my new friend in his boat in
the middle of a freezing cold raging river, in the middle of March, and after
landing two of the biggest Salmon in mankind’s history (okay, that’s a fish
story) I asked Christ into my life and became born again. This older gentleman
never worried about what my response would be or whether or not I’d lose my
temper and possibly lash out at him with a volley of foul language, which I was
quite proficient at by the way.
Elvin was his name and what he did was he simply shared the Gospel with me that
day and it was as though the proverbial light bulb had just come on. Suddenly
the whole world changed before my eyes. The Holy Spirit, through His constant
prodding, finally chipped away at the last remaining vestige of my prideful
self-reliance, self-will, and doubt. The seeds that had been planted years
before finally bore fruit and my eyes were opened to the truth of the Gospel.
Elvin went home to be with the Lord a few years ago, but through his diligence
the Gospel continues to be preached. Not only by me but by numerous others he
touched as he guided them in a fishing journey of a lifetime.
Every believer has the same responsibility lying at their doorstep. Preach the
Gospel to the world. Remember most of the lost world is outside the church
buildings doors. Believers who actually do witness and evangelize are in no way
waging a losing battle. God opens doors, opportunities if you will, and His word
will never come back void. It may only be one person you witness to who becomes
a part of the body of Christ, but that one person may affect the lives of
thousands, even millions. You have no idea of your potential and you may never
know the flood gate you opened. But God knows and He never forgets. “Now he that
planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own
reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye
are God's husbandry, ye are God's building,” 1 Corinthians 3:8, 9. We are to be
about our Fathers business as He directs, and his directions never include
simply standing by as others perish. We are God’s husbandry, teachers,
preachers, ministers and laborers with God spreading the truth to a lost world.
Many of you will recall the conversion story of D.L. Moody. For those who have
never heard or read this story here’s a quick synopsis. A youth pastor by the
name of Mr. Edward D. Kimball pursued the young Moody, even going as far as
reaching out to him at his place of employment, Holton’s shoe store. Kimball
shared the truth of the Gospel with D.L. and there in the back of that shoe
store in Boston the future great evangelist gave himself and his life to Christ.
If that youth pastor (E.D. Kimball) hadn’t bothered taking a few extra moments
with Moody, how many others worldwide might never have had the opportunity to
hear and receive the Gospel of Christ?
Believers cannot surrender or retire; there are no qualifying words in Mark 16,
or Matthew 28 for that matter, that give rise to the idea that there is ever to
be an end to our witnessing and spreading the Gospel while we are alive. “And he
said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.” Mark 16:15. Matthews Gospel is just as clear we find no reference to
a time when we are to cease evangelizing the lost. “Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19.
I’ve heard from some who complain that the lost have so thoroughly hardened
their hearts toward God that it’s a futile waste of time trying to evangelize
them. I know when it comes to a hardened heart and the subject of God many have
been so deeply influenced by the lie of evolution, or by the seductive
programming of the secular media, and even the many lies of most of those who
run our federal, state, and local governments, that they seem to have no mind or
heart of their own. Some of you have responded to me in the past with “they
belong to Satan and he’s not letting go, why should I continue in what is
certainly a futile effort?” If that’s your attitude toward evangelizing go back
up the page and read again about my life as a dead man walking and then think
about your attitude and what God is able to accomplish through our perseverance.
All humans while living and breathing can be converted from dead to alive.
There’s a story in our Bibles of a woman who had a problem and she went to a
judge for help. This judge had no fear of God or man. He told this woman to
scram he couldn’t be bothered with her problems. The woman wouldn’t give up; she
persisted in her attempts to find relief for her problems and continued to
petition this judge to intervene. She confronted him over and over with her
problem. Finally he relented. He had had enough. He told the woman he would help
her so he could finally be rid of her.
This story is of course a paraphrase of Luke 18. Although Jesus is speaking
about our persistence concerning our prayer life and petitioning God, we learn
that persistence is the key to open many doors. Will we meet with brick walls? I
say “most assuredly”. Here’s the reality, as we spread the Gospel to an
individual or even a group, we then move on to our next challenge. What we left
behind is the word of God planted as a seed in the minds and hearts of those
folks. Some will believe and become born again, and yes there will be those who
won’t accept the truth and they will continue in their rebellion to God. Even
though we may never know which of the folks we encounter will become believes we
can be assured that the word of God will take hold in some hearts. How do I
know? (So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return
unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper
in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11.) Again, how do I know? Because God
says so.
“Thy will be done” is a prayer most of us have committed to memory, many have
prayed this prayer from the time they were children. We pray that God’s will is
accomplished here on earth and it will be. We also know that His will is for us
to continue in His service until He brings us home, as it should be. When you
pray that prayer stand by it, it’s the right thing to do.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Every Kingdom Divided Falls - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“...every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation...” Matthew
12:25. Jesus goes on to say in that same verse “and every city or house divided
against itself shall not stand” Division is exactly what those in power are
causing to happen in America. Jesus is telling us that when a kingdom becomes a
divided kingdom and stands in opposition to it self it eventually crumbles into
dust. History proves that Jesus’ words are correct and America will be no
different as we watch this country become more and more divided.
According to Dr. Chuck Missler www.khouse.org
America has a Sunni Muslim currently usurping power as the occupier of the Oval
Office. This country is headed into a whole new realm of existence. Much of the
eligible voting citizens of America are oblivious to the very nature of the
Islamic religion. Obama claims to be a Christian and yet he never renounced his
Muslim religion. Many people when running for office will profess to be
Christian but their actions once in office prove otherwise. Most Americans see
no evil associated with the “moderate” Muslims and their religion. What most
don’t understand is that Islam and Christianity are completely antithetical.
There can never be an ecumenical existence between these two groups of people.
Here’s a little something for women to chew on. There are many women out there
who just love to show off their bodies in public. Well, under Islam’s “Sharia
law” that practice will cease. Women must be covered from head to toe.
Violations of this law will result in 100 lashes or worse. Can you just imagine
Britney Spears wearing a veil and burqa everywhere she goes? Personally I’d like
to see women cover up more but a burqa is going too far.
Islam is not a religion of peace. Too many people today don’t understand
anything about this religion and that’s because they listen to the mainstream
media and how they sugar-coat it. This thoroughly pervasive evil is the religion
of the antichrist and is bent on world domination. If you read the Koran you
will soon come to understand just how Islam is the antithesis of Christianity.
The man in the Oval Office of the United States of America may be more aware of
his role in moving this country towards the Islamic religion than you and I
might think. He is a facilitator and as far as he’s concerned all is going
according to plan. Is BHO aware of Satan’s plan to dominate the world with his
preferred religion, (Islam)? Or that we are seriously close to the introduction
of Satan’s man of the hour to the world? Hmm.
This nation must be brought to its knees in respect to its financial
institutions, its manufacturing conglomerates, and its world domination of
currency, its overall debt, and its conservatism. The only way for the enemy to
accomplish his ultimate goal of world domination is to move the US out of its
place of prominence and relegate it to a lesser position, such as that of a
third world culture. Islam is standing in the wings, so to speak, ready to be
the only religion legitimately accepted in this world and anyone who stands in
its way will be eliminated. The man in the Oval Office may be fully aware of
this satanic scheme; it seems as though he may be using his presidential powers
and every fiber of his being to accomplish Satan’s goal quickly before the
American populace catches on.
America seemed to want change at any cost. Many wanted a woman president and
thought Hilary Clinton would have made a great choice. Others were in favor of
Sarah Palin as vice-president, but are now looking forward to 2012 when she
might run for the presidency. Some were contemplating Colin Powel as a viable
candidate for president. Change is what America wanted and change we got.
The result of our desire for change got us more than we bargained for. America
voted into office what they thought would be the first African-American
president. But in all actuality, what they got is a demonic forerunner to a
system that we Christians refer to as the anti-Christ. The color of his skin is
not an issue. America elected a man who appeared upon the scene as basically an
unknown entity, yet from behind those scenes lurked an evil force that had the
ability to catapult this man systematically and stealthily like a well
orchestrated military campaign into the White House. This was nothing less than
supernaturally miraculous in nature. The problem being it was supernaturally
demonically inspired. If the enemy of mankind wasn’t behind this man he would
not have gotten to first base. He’s never supplied any true legal proof of his
right to sit in the Oval Office of the United States of America as its duly
elected president. And he had absolutely no managerial or executive experience
whatsoever. Yet, there he sits basking in his false power tossing out our new
marching orders to be followed as though he’s actually the king of the world.
You can disagree with me all you like but please don’t write me and tell me you
believe he’s a Christian or that I’m being judgmental. “For a good tree bringeth
not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For
every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor
of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his
heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil
treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of
the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the
things which I say?” Luke 6:43-46.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, many people say they are Christians
(especially those running for the office of President) and yet haven’t a clue as
to what it really means to be born again. When people place their faith, their
trust, their very existence in Jesus’ hands they do not produce evil fruit.
Besides, Jesus Himself warns us of wolves in sheep’s clothing. “Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits..." Matthew 7:15-16a. Many will say
“God puts whomever He chooses into leadership”. No, God gives us in His word
parameters to look to and warnings to beware of. He tells us to be mindful of
false prophets. Then we ignore His word and vote in the worst of the worst, it’s
our fault not God’s.
Some of you may be quite angry with me right about now and want to turn me into
the government goons so they can come and take me away from my family and place
me in one of their new government run internment camps. Rocky Balboa would say
“Go for it”. If those internment camps really do exist and that is my fate and
the end of my life, none of that will change the facts. Reading or watching
secular run, “in bed with Obama”, liberal news agency’s reports on what’s
happening in our nation will only embed the lie further into your brain and you
will find it impossible that so many can be so wrong. So you will continue to
drink from that arsenic laced cup of Kool-Aid.
Believes and non-believers alike can see the evil direction in which this county
is bound. We are being led to the slaughter by a man who claims to only be
enacting what he was placed in office to do, make changes. I’d really like to
know how many in this country actually accept this type of nonsense as a
positive instead of negative, and just how many of my fellow Americans, after
enduring seven months of this man’s idiocy, still have an outlook of positive
change for the future of the US. I’ve read recently that his approval ratings
are in the toilet. Go figure. I wonder where we’ll be as a nation after four
years of this man.
As Islam emerges onto the scene, there seems to be a worldwide delusion that
this is a peace-loving religion. Somehow they miss the fact that Muslims behead
people simply because they are non-Muslim. The world, as a whole, is going in
the way of Islam. Liberals, who, for the most part proclaim there is no God,
have no problem with this horrible false religion because they don’t understand
it and they think the Islamic god is the same as the Christian God. Since they
don’t believe He exists they accept this Islamic foolishness wholeheartedly.
Liberals ignorantly refer to the religion of Islam as peaceful which is actually
ludicrous and can only come from people who are deceived, lost, and perishing.
There seems to be a world-wide push to try and eliminate the one true God. For
instance the religion of evolution has no God and that’s been one of the main
reasons for its fervent push into our government run schools. Only by
eliminating God – the God of the Bible – from the minds of Americans and
ultimately from all nations could the evil powers-that-be create all the liberal
deep thinkers who currently claim there is no God. Have you ever noticed that
it’s only Christianity that is being eliminated from our public schools? The
religion of Islam is wholly acceptable if students wish to practice it while at
school. Of course the religion of secular humanism is required teaching,
forcefully administered to our children.
I know there are plenty of you out there that believe in the lie of evolution.
Please don’t email me with your corrections to my stance. There are some very
good sites out there for learning the truth from PhD scientists who are
creationists. They will be glad to explain all the fallacies of the religion of
evolution to you. www.icr.org and
www.answersingenesis.org are but
two that are exemplarity in their teachings.
Now that the goal of the elimination of Jesus from our public schools and from
most of other government run agencies has been all but fully achieved, Satan and
his minions of evil are aggressively pushing the Islamic religion on the
unsuspecting and deluded world populace without much resistance at all. The god
of Islam is Satan and as he pushes this evil through our land and upon our
citizenry we may soon find that any resistance to this scheme will ultimately
result in the loss of one’s head. That’s how the religion of Islam converts
those who will not be converted. They simply eliminate the source of the
opposition by separating you from the part of your body that does the thinking.
I don’t need to get into the unfavorable new policies that are coming down like
an ax upon the American people. Because of Obama you can all see for yourselves
the destruction of the American way of life. Collectively, the whole world is
watching America as though they are awaiting the new policies here to begin to
be endorsed worldwide. Satan’s evil plan is world domination through force of
course. This is not just an American phenomenon. The completely evil and
destructive sequence of events currently being espoused by our government
leaders are nothing less than the systematic destruction of America, and every
nation that isn’t already fully Muslim will be in line to be converted.
If any of my readers are at odds with me on this subject there is a place one
can go to get the precise information about this subject and ultimately
confirmation. The place I’m speaking of is God’s Holy Word of course. The Bible
tells us that all the nations that the Lord comes back to fight against and
destroy are Muslim nations. Do the research for yourself and you will find this
to be so. At some point all of the world’s nations and peoples will submit to
the anti-Christ and will be in line with him to war against Israel. “And it was
given unto him to make war with the saints, [at some point all of Israel will
recognize Jesus as their Messiah and be saved] and to overcome them: and power
was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell
upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of
life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear,
let him hear.” Revelation 13:7-9. Some Bible teachers might tell you that “all”
doesn’t really mean all nations, but in the original Greek language “all”
actually does mean just that, all.
Once again believers have nothing to fear from any of this evil. They can kill
us but they can’t touch our souls. “And shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that
he will avenge them speedily ...” Luke 18:7, 8. Those who belong to Jesus Christ
are eternally in God’s hands. All who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus
shall have everlasting life. But those who are not believers probably don’t know
it yet, but they have much to fear.
You might be thinking right now “Well what about the Rapture, I thought we would
be out of here before this all was to come down?” Here’s the rub. What I’m
writing about here is currently happening all over the world. There are
Christians in many nations around this globe being killed and for no other
reason but for their refusal to convert to the religion of Islam. So we see many
suffering and dying for the cause of Christ. And guess what? Christ’s Church is
still here. What I’m saying is America is not immune to the workings of Satan.
It’s here and we’ve elected his servant as our president.
Not only are non-believers in for the shock of their mortal lives as they are
forced into reciting the creed of every Muslim “There is no god but Allah, and
Mohammed is Allah’s messenger”, but if you refuse this invitation from the
adherents to Allah the only alternative is to be beheaded. Now if you don’t
accept the creed of the Muslim faith and you are beheaded and you’ve not placed
your faith in Jesus and committed your life to Him, then your ultimate eternal
destination will be located at the same address as all the Muslims who have
recited that creed. A lake burning with fire and brimstone is the punishment for
rejecting God’s free gift of salvation. Those who follow the religion of Islam
will undoubtedly receive what they are pursuing by associating themselves with
this evil, complete and unfettered dominion, but only over their portion of
Hell.
Please consider this carefully. Don’t recite that Muslim creed if you are
invited to do so; instead ask Jesus into your life. Say yes to Him before all
the you-know-what hits the fan.
Oh, and be careful my friends you don’t lose your heads.
God bless us all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Strongholds and Weak Folds - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds” 2 Corinthians 10:4. Strongholds are fortresses
where Satan’s demonic hoards set up their residence and attach themselves to
your life in a very personal way; the weaker the believer the easier the enemy’s
job and the more secure his stronghold. Weak believers are abundant in our
Churches today. Ultimately, if a significant enough number of weak believers
become entrenched in a congregation the entire fold may very well become an
encampment for the enemy.
Paul the Apostle knew how to fight those strongholds and it wasn’t through the
use of carnal weaponry. In Ephesians chapter 6 Paul gives us a list of the
spiritual weapons to be used as we stand against the enemy the belt of truth,
the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith,
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. It’s a war we’re in and
these are our weapons for battle. God knows exactly what we need to fight this
war and how to arm His soldiers (believers).
Weak believers might try to use persuasive words as a weapon, or manipulation,
even portraying an image of success as their spiritual weapon. These are not
weapons with which to fight a spiritual battle, these are weapons of political
diplomacy where compromise and making concessions to the enemy is championed.
Using the perception of power and human schemes and programs to set up feeble
attempts to stifle or dispose of the enemy strongholds is a recipe for failure.
Strong, capable believers are those who probe deep into their Bibles and search
and learn the scriptures and take heed of those scriptures. These are the folks
which give Satan his most fierce opposition.
“Our spiritual weapons are scorned by the world, but feared by demonic powers.
When we fight with truth, righteousness, evangelism, faith, salvation, the Word
of God, and prayer, no principality or power can stand against us.” John Trapp
The believer’s enemy has little opportunity for building strongholds when we are
fitted for battle with God’s weaponry. He’s forced to stand by and watch or flee
as believers roll out the heavy artillery belonging to the Lord. It frustrates
the enemy when believers are so well equipped. No matter what Satan throws at
us, if we are strong in our faith and secure in our biblical knowledge the
minions of evil will always retreat.
Congregations need strong, committed believers in their midst. When more
believers submit to Jesus’ authority and His precepts wholeheartedly each
Christian fold flourishes. New believers need to be equipped in this battle from
the start of their conversion. We must remember that conversion is only the
beginning, too many treat it like it’s the end, and that once they become
believers that’s good enough. Many congregations today are overly focused on new
membership, adding noses add billfolds to the fold. But neglecting a regime of
teaching new converts will undoubtedly compel the enemy to increase his
strongholds.
Pastors especially need to rally the troops and lead in the battle to proclaim
God’s word and adhere to it completely. If we aren’t really following Jesus
wholeheartedly then we aren’t empowered thoroughly. What does it mean to follow
Jesus wholeheartedly? Everything Jesus taught becomes our way of life. We don’t
argue with our Savior. His way is the only way. Partial or a less than total
commitment just won’t do for fending off the enemy or for eliminating his
strongholds.
Weak, uncommitted believers damage the folds ability to stand against the wiles
of the devil. They are a drain, if you will, on the whole congregation.
Basically, what we need to see in the body of Christ is the same thing we see in
our national sports teams, “total commitment”. A sports team works together to
accomplish their goal, and are successful only as a team. If one person is
carrying all the weight on their shoulders, that team will ultimately fail. In
the Believers case it’s a thorough and complete commitment to the cause of
Christ. All believers are in the game and carry the same weight. If some, or in
the case of many congregations today most, allow others to carry all the weight
the Christian Church weakens. Certainly we see this all around America, the true
body of Christ is diminishing.
Enemy-built strongholds thrive in weak congregations. Weak congregations are
those consisting of people who are uneducated in the truth of the Bible. They
attend church services every week but seldom, if ever. pick up their Bibles
during their away-from-church time. There are 168 hours in a week, and the vast
majority of Christians only devote 1 hour a week to God Almighty. That leaves
167 hours to weaken and get into mischief. I know what many of you will say
“Some devote 2 or 3 hours per week and more to church and to study”. Some is not
all, or even most. Most people these days place studying God’s word at the
bottom of their priority scale. Let’s be honest, if we aren’t interested in
learning what God says in His word, if we place more interest and devotion in
worldly pursuits, then how will we ever fend off the advances of the enemy? It
just isn’t going to happen.
Unpopular as this subject may be, it’s the most important focus believers must
concentrate on as they adhere themselves to God’s will. Building our walls of
protection through the word of God is imperative. It won’t happen through a
single hour in Church on Sunday mornings. God’s power to overcome the enemy’s
advances in our lives is only accessed through our faith in Him and our fervent
prayers and Bible study. Understand, my brethren, our commitment to Jesus really
means we will not deviate from His plan. We will not let anything come between
us and our devotion to Him. Then, and only then, will we be a part of the
winning team. Believers know that, as the body of Christ, we are on the winning
team which means no matter who promotes a different gospel it won’t affect us
because we’re able to differentiate the truth from a lie. As biblically
knowledgeable believers we will only adhere to the truth. But be careful my
brethren “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:” Hosea 4:6.
Jesus tells us to be watchful of deception “And He said, Take heed that ye be
not deceived...” Luke 21:8. Deception comes in many forms, such as smooth
talkers, deceptive practices, blatant liars, even well meaning but misinformed
pastors can lead to deception. Satan has designed some deceptions for the intent
of specifically corrupting the saints. “For many shall come in my name, saying,
I am Christ; and shall deceive many” Matthew 24:5. Jesus gave His disciples many
specific warnings about the deceptions to come. Many would come in His name
saying they are the Christ; history has proved that prophecy correct. Many have
been led astray by these false Christ’s, having fallen for that great deception.
We, as His followers, are admonished by Him that deceptive people abound, ready
to lead us down that slippery slope to destruction.
Believers won’t fall for that deception if we are strong in our faith and
utilizing God’s awesome power in our lives. But if we’ve allowed the enemy in to
build his strongholds then the result is a flood of deception. Remember the
deceptions are many and most of the time they are thrown in with a bit of truth,
just enough mind you to sound biblical to the uninformed ear.
It is very difficult to eliminate the enemy’s strongholds from within the body
of Christ; it doesn’t take much to weaken believers today. The body of Christ is
constantly being attacked and weakened. When the church allows evil to permeate
its fold, it permits the infusion of evil intent which is bent upon destroying
the body itself, and the cause of Christ suffers greatly.
More and more this is happening around the world because Christians aren’t
standing on God’s precepts. Either they don’t know the truth, or they don’t
believe God’s word. They don’t take the scriptures seriously, consequently they
put no stock in the warning from Jesus Himself and more strongholds are erected
in favor of the enemy. Just take a look at how the
contemplative/emergent/purpose driven agenda has infiltrated the Church. Their
main purpose is to separate the fold from the truth of God’s word. Hence, the
weakening goes forward and another of the enemy’s strongholds is erected.
Carnal thinking, when attributed to the believer, is a true stronghold where the
enemy lavishes and basks in his lair. He laughs at the believer. The enemy has
nothing but contempt for all people, but even more so for believers. He knows by
a believer’s carnal thinking that he has him, and in some cases whole
congregations, exactly where he wants them. Believers remain basically useless
for the Kingdom of God while the enemy’s strongholds become more and more
fortified. Instead of God’s word being the whole truth, other avenues (mans
precepts) are pursued in an attempt to gain a higher sense of spirituality. This
is a satanic stronghold perpetuated by deceived individuals and packaged and
sold to the church today. Example: Many believers accept the lie of evolution
and try miserably to tie that lie to God’s creative work.
I’ve noticed that some of the brethren aren’t convinced Jesus is God. It’s scary
to think there are many who call themselves Christians yet can’t seem to grasp
the truth of who Jesus really is. Some don’t believe that the Bible is really
God’s word. They aren’t convinced that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the
life, that no man comes to the Father but by Him. Over the past couple of years
as I’ve posted commentaries to the internet, many have disputed God’s truth with
me. Most who argue with me use phrases like “I think” or “I feel”, but then add
no Scripture to back up these feelings. We should all be aware that our feelings
can be one of the enemy’s strongholds and they aren’t to be trusted. Our
feelings need to conform to Scripture instead of trying to conform Scripture to
us. If we don’t believe God’s word then we are nothing more than heathens
totally lost parading around in believers clothing.
Weak believers won’t commit to Jesus’ teachings. They refuse to be placed in
with those fundamental followers of Christ who actually take the Bible literally
as the true living word of God. Thus through erroneous teachings many become
wrapped up in a delusion which proclaims the Bible to have been written by man
and it includes outdated, mythological, or even falsehoods that diminish its
other context. Other weak believers conclude the Bible to be mostly allegorical
and therefore basically useless in today’s culture.
Strongholds appear to be overwhelming as we begin to see more weak believers
infiltrating the body of Christ and infecting the Church with their learned
hypocrisy. The body of Christ can’t afford weak believers. We are coming down to
the final hour, folks, and we must remain strong. There are strongholds to
defeat, and defeat them we must. Only through a commitment to the truth of God’s
word can we regain the ground that was previously ours but has been lost to the
charlatans.
God chooses to work in the lives of believers. He uses believers to accomplish
his goal. He uses us to spread His word and to help enlighten and attract others
to the truth, and to edify one another. We, the body of Christ, are a light for
the lost world. Weak believers shine forth weak light or no light at all.
Strong, committed believers shine forth the powerful light of Christ. Which
light shines from you?
Complacency and apathy in a believer give the enemy his greatest strength. When
believers are no longer motivated to be a team player and to help motivate the
flock they become more of a detriment to the fold instead of a deterrent to the
enemy’s building of strongholds.
I must reiterate that fervent prayer and a committed regime of Bible study is
the key to avoid the formation of strongholds by the enemy. Over and over again
this has been my mantra and the theme of most of my commentaries. If, by writing
these commentaries, I can convince even a few of the brethren to read and study
their Bibles, to receive from God his gift of knowledge and wisdom which
translates into discernment, that would be worth all the effort placed in these
commentaries.
God’s word is the power we need to sustain us in these soul trying times. I
challenge every believer to study God’s word an hour or more every day or night
of the week. If that means you miss the reruns on TV, which you’ve already seen,
or you miss the ball game because you were studying your Bible it won’t really
affect the outcome of the game because you missed watching it. But, by studying
your Bible, you can help the fold where you worship strengthen its stance
against the invading enemy.
God will work his plan through every believer who will commit to saying yes to
Him. If you are protected by God’s mighty power who can stand against you?
Certainly by studying your Bibles and by living through God’s power the
strongholds of the enemy can be eliminated. The fold can and will survive.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All Scripture is from the KJV
Speaking the Truth - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come,
but woe to him through whom they do come!” Luke 17:1. Ridiculing a brother in
Christ because you believe him to be teaching erroneously by twisting scripture
is a grave accusation. Indeed, Bible teachers who take it upon themselves to
re-interpret scripture from what the word actually says are an abomination to
God. God’s word warns us over and over again about the consequences of teaching
our brothers in Christ erroneously. “It would be better for him if a millstone
were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should
offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:2.
Seriously, that’s how Christians need to take these words of our Lord, very
seriously. Studying God’s word should be a labor of love. We should always be
ready to help others obtain a more complete understanding of God’s word. But as
we study and teach God’s word, we must be careful not to twist scriptures to fit
what we want them to mean. Too often when people contact me to point out what
they perceive as errors in my interpretation of Scripture, they neglect to
include Scripture, taken in context, to support their positions. This leads to
many misunderstandings. “Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the
interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the
boldness of his face shall be changed.” Ecclesiastes 8:1
If a person disagrees with another’s interpretation of God’s word, there needs
to be discussion between the two parties. Too often, though, one or both begin
to quote Scripture out of context and without taking the original words and
meaning of God’s word into account. Every English translation of the Bible uses
words based upon common usage at the time of the translation. For instance, many
claim that there is no reference to dinosaurs in the Bible because the word does
not appear. If we look closely at various passages we find that, indeed, there
are descriptions of unusual creatures.
The book of Job describes the behemoth: Behold now behemoth, which I made with
thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his
force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar; the sinews
of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his
bones are like bars of iron. Job 40:15-18. There is much more description in the
following passages. Now, when these verses were translated in the King James
Version in 1611, nobody knew what a dinosaur was. Through the years the notion
was promoted that this described an elephant or a hippopotamus. Go back and read
the description and see if it sounds like an elephant! It wasn’t until the mid
1800’s that a dinosaur skeleton was unearthed and the word “dinosaur” was
coined. But to this day people twist God’s word to justify evolution and say
that dinosaurs are not in the Bible. This is just one way in which God’s word,
if not properly studied and taken in context, can be misunderstood.
There is a growing desire and hunger world-wide for God’s truth. Not twisted
interpretations of God’s word, but the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth. Twisting scriptures, in my view, is the same as teaching false
doctrine and needs to be avoided like the plague. As we study and learn more of
God’s word He adds to our understanding. As He sees our diligence and desire to
become more informed as to what His word reveals, He allows us a deeper
understanding of His precepts. The more a person studies God’s word, the more
discernment God gives to that person. The believer must actively pursue
knowledge and wisdom through study and prayer, always striving to receive from
God blessings of more and more discernment. “Preach the word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be
false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction.”2 Peter 2:1. I see the twisting of Scripture all the time. I see it
and hear it and am sometimes at a loss as to why it’s done. Sadly, there are
many in teaching ministries who do just that. Blatant scripture twisting is
obvious to those with a discerning eye and ear. But to those who have little
Bible knowledge just about anything will pass as biblical. “And many shall
follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil
spoken of.” 2 Peter 2:2.
Many who complain about scripture being twisted are only parroting what someone
else has told them. They haven’t actually searched the scriptures for themselves
to learn the truth. Listening to any particular Bible teacher without searching
the scriptures for yourself is to your own detriment. If a Bible teacher tells
you to trust him because he knows the scriptures and that you need not even read
or study for yourself, run from one such as this. This is how cults get started.
I’ve studied for years under the tutelage of various Bible teachers who always
quote Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so” either as they begin their teachings or at some
point during their lessons. In other words, they want their students to search
the scriptures for themselves and not just take their word for anything. I’ve
also heard numerous other teachers claim dogmatically their interpretation is
the only correct interpretation. Again, this would be someone to run from.
The internet is a great source for searching out and obtaining biblical insight.
It is also the biggest source for distributing tons of erroneous Bible
teachings, twisting of scriptures, and lies that’s ever been invented by man. Be
careful and diligent about testing the information gleaned from the internet
against the truth of God’s word. There’s also a plethora of books at Christian
book stores that teach pure lies. The emergent Church folks have moved into the
mainstream of Christendom and are utilizing Christian bookstores as well as
secular bookstores, and of course the internet, to distribute their satanic
teachings worldwide. All of which is intended to move the masses from a Christ
centered life to a god-is-in-everything type of existence. Every bit of which is
done through the twisting of scriptures. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having
their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:1, 2.
I don’t have all the answers and that’s for sure, but God’s word does. We should
be able to find the answer to all of life’s most intriguing problems not to
mention our little idiosyncrasies and quirks. God, in His infinite wisdom, has
anticipated our every question, our every whim, and our every thought. He’s made
His word available to those who want to get to know the truth, and He’s
certainly available for all those who have the desire to get to know Him
personally. God, through His Holy Spirit, has asked me to make myself available
to anyone who is seeking and needs a little clarification. But one thing I won’t
do is twist scriptures.
If I don’t have the answer right off the tip of my brain I search for the answer
throughout the scriptures until I’m sure I have the correct answer and always
through prayer. This should be every Christian’s desire. To search Scripture and
come to a deeper and truer knowledge of God’s Holy Word should be pure joy to
every Christian. We should all want a deeper understanding of God’s word so that
we’re conformed more to His likeness and not twist scriptures to justify our
lifestyles or try to conform Him to us.
Disagreements will always arise when two or more people discuss their individual
interpretations of scriptures. Because of various commentaries I’ve written, and
my endeavoring to stay true to God’s word, I have been called many names such as
hate-monger, bigot, and racist. Some exclaim that I can’t possibly be a
Christian and tell me to just shut my mouth. They say that my stance on God’s
word is the problem with church today. They want scripture twisted to justify
sinful lifestyles. I won’t do it. If you, like me, take God’s word serious and
refuse to twist scripture, then you and I can both relate to David’s words in
Pslam 56:“Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for
evil.” Psalm 56:5
When the Holy Spirit leads me to write these commentaries He directs me to the
scripture verses He wants inserted. Its Gods word that is prominent in my
commentaries and it’s His word that the commentaries are built around. I hope
that before you attack my stance, or anyone else’s for that matter, that you
will do due diligence and search God’s word and see what He says. Don’t twist
His words, but honestly see what He says. “These things speak, and exhort, and
rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15.
We all have the responsibility to keep each other on the right track. When I, or
any other commentator, writes a commentary or lesson, everyone reading must do
so with due diligence. If there is an error in the Scripture interpretation,
then respond. But be sure not to twist scripture in doing so.
In conclusion, if you disagree with me on any topic, please, as you sit down to
compose a rebuttal include the scripture verses that pertain to your perception
of my error. This way I can respond with more resources and information that
might help clear up the confusion. Another reason to add Scripture is to support
your own position, and I just might be pointed to something I’ve overlooked.
Remember we are all on the same team. We are the body of Christ. We must stand
up for Jesus Christ together and against the evil of this world. Let’s work
together, we’ve certainly worked against each other long enough.
I’ll add another passage from God’s word quoted from the Apostle Paul’s letter
to the Galatians, which, I hope, would tie this entire commentary together. “I
marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble
you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-8.
“As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto
you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:9.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture verses are from the KJV
Blessed are the Persecuted - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. Can we, as believers, actually look at
persecution as a blessing? There probably isn’t a Christian alive today who is
looking forward to a future filled with persecution with much excitement. Ours
is the kingdom of Heaven and we will be persecuted before we leave this earth.
Jesus’ Church has been persecuted from the outset. If we are truly His followers
then we had better get use to the idea of persecution, and soon. Yes, even in
America.
Have you noticed that the news media will put the name “Christian” on anything
they perceive to be something they can use to condemn the Church? A Christian
Evangelist who took young girls across state lines to engage in sex has, in the
media’s view, been news worthy for weeks now. A Christian drifter on the beach
in California was recently linked to killing two couples. The actual headlines
themselves are quite telling they show just how much distain the secular news
media has for all Christians. We’re hated and persecuted as the followers of
Jesus Christ and condemned right along with the sex perverts, and murderers.
American media, being mostly secular, hasn’t a clue as to what it means to be a
Christian. Through their ignorance of the truth, they seem to lump all
professing Christians together in the same bad light. That’s like saying all
Americans agree and follow Obama because he’s been elected president of the
United States, which, as most of you well know, would be a huge error.
If believers are guilty by association then, yes, I’m guilty. But my guilt lies
in being a devout follower of my Lord Jesus Christ, not with deviants who
erroneously claim a kinship in His name. For example, I and many of my brethren
claim no association with the man occupying the Oval Office. Although he claims
to be a Christian, the lack of fruit in his life would move him closer to
claiming a kinship with the aforementioned miscreants than with Christians.
There’s no one who can legitimately claim a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ and yet wholeheartedly stands against Him. That’s a notion wrought with
failure. Christians don’t persecute Christians.
If there is any way to persecute the Church or to put an unfavorable look on us,
the secular media will find it, even if they have to print half truths and
misleading facts. Hollywood is behind much of the persecution of the Church.
They assign top paid actors and directors to produce films that denigrate
Christianity. They’re like wild dogs searching out a blood scent from ten miles
away. They are relentless in their pursuit to bring down the Christian Church,
and that means each individual Christian is in the line of fire. If there is any
doubt in your mind as to the accusation I just made, step back and take a good
look at Sarah Palin’s life over the past year or so. Whether or not you agree
with her politics you must admit she’s endured far above her share of
persecution. And it’s her biblical stance on the issues that the media can’t
tolerate.
The news media and their satanic efforts of digging out corruption in the
Christian community will never succeed at bringing down the Church. These folks
will stop at nothing in their attempts to smash the Church and destroy it for
good. And they laugh at Jesus’ followers as they proceed with their persecution
of His Church. But Christians can take heart in Jesus words, “...and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18b.
Although many believers here in the states live fairly comfortable lives, many
of our brethren in foreign countries are suffering tremendous persecution
including, at times, martyrdom all because they are known to follow Jesus
Christ, period. “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew
5:12. Sounds like dome and gloom, Ron. Mark my words, people; what we once took
for granted is disappearing. There’s a new dog in town.
It’s not that difficult to see the persecution coming our way. Many of my
brethren have blinders on when it comes to viewing the US and the rest of the
world falling into perfect step with one another. Much of the rest of the world
has been building up to a confrontation with Christians for years as nations
execute our brethren, destroy our places of worship, and eliminate any and all
references to the Bible. Christians understand fully who it is these people
really hate. Just His name seems to invoke hatred.
As we get farther and farther into the current administration’s four year stint,
we’re beginning to see many signs that point to more and more animosity towards
Christians, and as I stated before, this coming from a president claiming to be
Christian. I suppose if the news media can believe a man who takes young girls
across state lines for the sole purpose of having sex with them is a Christian,
they can believe our president is one, too. Looking at all the gross, blatant,
evil denigration made against Biblical truths these days we become more
suspicious of our government and their agenda with each passing day.
The American culture is changing exactly as promised by you know who, just like
the majority of voters wanted to see happen. Along with those changes came new
restrictions aimed at the followers of Jesus Christ. Those of us who take the
word of God literally will soon find new un-Constitutional restrictions imposed
upon us which are designed to stop us from speaking Biblical truth. If we choose
to stand on God’s infallible word we will find Christian persecution at every
turn. Then again, many will just bury their heads in the sand and pretend it
doesn’t exist. That won’t do them any good, though, unless they are prepared to
renounce Christ. If not, they, along with the rest of the Church, will soon come
to understand that persecution is most certainly upon us.
“Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” 2 Corinthians 4:9.
Paul lived a life of almost continual trials after his conversion. He endured
horrible persecution, probably much more than you or I will ever have occasion
to experience in our lifetime, but then again who knows? The way in which the
persecution can come upon the Church can be almost stealth-like at first. For
example, the pulpits of our churches are to be silent when it comes to endorsing
or speaking out against those running for political office; any Church found not
following these guidelines can and will lose their tax exempt status. How would
the IRS find out about this dastardly deed? Someone in the congregation would
most certainly need to be a snitch. So, for the most part, the Church has caved
in on that front. After awhile, though, that persecution won’t be enough. Soon
orders will emerge from a hostile government telling us to stop using that
hate-filled book, the Holy Bible, when we assemble or, again, we’ll lose that
most revered and favored tax exempt status and much more. In a socialist society
there’s no room for “people of the Book”. Paul knew that only his faith in
Jesus’ power and victory could see him through his trials. The mind set
demonstrated by Paul is necessary in every believer’s life today.
Believers must keep this very important fact in mind we aren’t suffering because
of some evil deed we performed. We followers of Jesus Christ we’ll be judged for
taking His name and rightly so. We should never feel ashamed if we suffer for
Christ’s sake and in His name. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him
not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come
that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what
shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:16, 17.
The world sees Jesus not as their savior, but as an antiquated intolerant,
religious carpenter, or a myth. They see His precepts as being way too
exclusive. They blaspheme Him daily in their ignorance and their pride. They use
His name as profanity. They see His followers as foolish, non-participants of
their ideal normal society. When the world recognizes us as Jesus’ followers,
rejoice for that’s exactly how we should want to be known.
Depressing as this world may seem at times, we must remember that God triumphs
in the end, which means we also win. As believers, our lives are in God’s hands
and there is nothing to fear from this old sinful world, even though so many
shun the truth and live the lie that currently permeates the world. I’m sure
there are horror stories out there of all forms of Christian persecution of
which I’ve not even scratched the surface in this commentary. But through our
sufferings and persecutions we will see God accomplish great things. “Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner
of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11. The more we are
persecuted the more we can revel in our afflictions and bask in God’s glorious
love.
Honestly, after living 58 years in the U.S. of A, and for many of those years
living as a worldly, ignorant, self-seeking, follower of Satan, it’s extremely
refreshing now that Jesus rules and reigns in my life, to know I’m now on the
winning team. During my early years as a believer I hadn’t really noticed the
Church being persecuted. That’s because I was ignorant of the scriptures and
didn’t recognize it. Persecution has always been around knocking at the door of
the Church. Anytime we believers are forced to comply with laws or regulations
which are contrary to the word of God, whether in America or any other nation
it’s called Christian persecution.
For example, as American citizens we live in a country that murders millions of
unborn babies and has done so for years. As believers we know this evil is
contrary to the word of God, and yet, the Church has been unsuccessful at
eliminating this scourge on society. As a matter of fact, with this current
administration in place, abortion has now exploded with a new vigor. This
current usurper of the Oval Office has made it his goal to eliminate all
unwanted babies. Even those who escape the abortionist and live, he demands they
be left to die on the garbage heaps. Your president, America, using your tax
dollars to abort those innocent little ones God loves so dearly.
All laws which Congress passed or intends to pass in the future and which run
contrary to the Bible, of which Christian are forced to adhere to or suffer dire
consequeses, are Christian persecutions. Whether forced on us singularly, or
collectively as Christ’s Church, it’s still persecution. What’s more, Jesus told
us persecution and hatred, were coming. It would be extremely arrogant of
believers to think He excluded those of us living in America from this
persecution. No, my brethren, persecution of Christ’s Church is here and it’s
only going to get worse.
You may ask, “What must we do to head off this persecution?” First of all, when
Jesus says something is going to occur we would do well to heed what He says. As
His followers we will be forced to endure persecution, He says so. I don’t know
how much persecution or how severe it will be, and as far as heading it off,
there will be a future event that will cause all Christian persecution to cease,
at least temporarily. That event will be the Rapture of the Church. Those who
are left behind and come to a believing faith during the tribulation will endure
much worse persecution.
As I’ve mentioned before, the Church in American, as well as worldwide, has
already been hit with tons of persecution. Still, in many countries the Church
flourishes. Why is that? Because God says His word shall not return void.
Christian evangelism is still prominent in many third world countries. In
America though, many evangelist have turned emergent and no longer preach Jesus
Christ and Him crucified. If it’s not God’s word, then it’s not God’s will.
Anything else is void.
What believers need is to get back into a routine of wearing out our knees.
Humble ourselves before God in fervent prayer. Take it to Him every day. The
hour is late and God waits to hear from His children. Sometimes I wonder how the
world would react if believers just started humbling themselves out in the open.
Not just mouthing silent prayers but verbally spoken prayers before God and all
of His creation. I mean bowing our heads in prayer at a moment’s notice, in the
middle of a shopping mall, in an airport, or in a crowed elevator. Some might
poke fun, we might even be ridiculed (persecuted), but all would see God’s power
revealed.
We see many individuals in public with purple hair and other characteristics
that we find weird. We see men holding hands with men, and they all defy people
to mock them. Why are Christians the ones who seem to be ashamed of our beliefs?
Why can’t we be as blatant and obvious about our love for Jesus Christ?
Standing up for Jesus in all situations will bring persecution, that’s just the
facts of life. But it doesn’t need to be a frightening experience. Actually it
should bring an abundance of joy to our hearts. Our Christian brethren would be
comforted and emboldened by witnessing other believer’s steadfastness. The Holy
Spirit is sealed within every believer “...in whom also after that ye believed,
ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13, and He is
thoroughly capable of handling any and all situations.
If we trust God to supply us with compassion and love as we witness to our
neighbors shouldn’t we also trust Him to embolden us in the hour when it becomes
necessary to address our persecutors? “...that ye should earnestly contend for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” Jude 1:3b.
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:8.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
“I’m Not a Practicing Christian” - Ron Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com
Whenever I’m confronted by someone who says they are a Christian but not a
practicing Christian it really makes me cringe. I don’t know where that phrase
first came from, but after studying the Bible for years my first thoughts go to
what Jesus taught about those who think their saved. “Afterward came also the
other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily
I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:11. And also “Then shall ye begin to
say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our
streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from
me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth,
when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the
kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” Luke 13:26-28.
I recently received an email from a lady, who is a fairly new believer, who had
a complaint against a friend of hers. She’s known this friend for 30 years. When
this lady told her friend that she had become a born again believer in Christ,
the friend told her that she, too, was a Christian. For 30 years they had known
each other and had enjoyed a close relationship, but the friend had never
brought up Jesus Christ in conversation.
If we are truly born again, Jesus is our best friend and we love Him more than
anything. Is there any chance we would live thirty years as a follower of Jesus
Christ and never mention Him to others? If we are truly living the Christian’s
experience, the lost will take notice of that fact. That’s our opportunity to
discuss the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them, unless we are no longer a
practicing Christian.
If someone who at one time considered themselves a Christian but no longer has a
desire to practice Christianity (live a Christ centered life) then they will
have no desire to promote the truth of God’s word, and so the question arises
are they really born again? Are they following Jesus’ commands? “The fruit of
the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs
11:30. Certainly if anyone makes the claim “I’m not a practicing Christian” they
aren’t standing up for Jesus Christ by winning souls.
When someone admits to no longer being “a practicing Christian” it tells me they
are much more concerned with the world and with all of its tentacles than with
Christ. This concern for the worldly pleasures will result in a thorough neglect
of the truth of God’s word. They will quickly revert back to their old way of
life. They want little or nothing to do with other believers. This, in itself,
is quite telling. Think about it, just where is Jesus in their heart? And, of
course, reading their Bibles becomes non-existent.
When Christians stop associating with likeminded brethren and become embroiled
in worldly affairs and with worldly folks who have no use for God and certainly
no regard for His word, they will begin to renounce Christianity, and the
following mantra will become their phrase of choice “I’m not a practicing
Christian”. It’s offensive and discouraging to be confronted by someone making
that statement. You’re either a Christian or you’re not. “They profess that they
know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and
unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16.
Recently I came across an old friend from high school and began an email
correspondence with this person. I knew my friend had attended a Christian
elementary school until entering high school. We talked about our families and
the old days in school. Before long, my emails began to include Jesus and what
He has done in my life. As I broached the subject of Christ with my friend, I
also began sending this person my commentaries. Almost immediately I was asked
to discontinue our email exchange. Why? Because the views I now hold are quite
different than those I held as a senior in high school, some forty years ago. I
had changed and this old friend had become worldlier. The last email I received
from this person held almost exclusively these words, “I’m no longer a
practicing Christian, and I do not agree with your conservative stance on
things.” I was then asked not to email again. “He shall die without instruction;
and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.” Proverbs 5:23.
I may get a lot of email on this subject and that’s fine, but personally I see a
huge gulf between a Christian, that is a true believer and follower of Jesus
Christ, and a person who claims “I’m no longer a practicing Christian”. That
gulf may very well span the same distance as Heaven and Hell. The chasm between
these two concepts of being someone who is devoted to Jesus Christ and someone
who declines to have an association with Jesus may very well span eternity. “If
you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15. Can anyone honestly love Jesus
without keeping His commandments? “They went out from us, but they were not of
us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but
they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1
John 2:19.
To me the life of a Christian is not just something we practice but it’s a new
way of life we’ve chosen to embark on. We live our new life in Christ daily;
there are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week, and we are to be an active
follower of Jesus Christ in every waking moment. Believers don’t turn on and off
their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the hour dictates. We belong to Him. He
owns us. He gives us our marching orders and we follow His commands. Believers
can’t walk away from everything Jesus teaches and still claim to be a born again
Christian; it’s an obvious contradiction which has lead to open apostasy. (Here
come the emails). Again, the question must be broached, was that person really
ever born again?
I’m not trying to be judgmental with these observations. I am not God and I
can’t see into a person’s heart, that’s God’s domain and His alone. Yet He tells
us to look to a person for the fruit that they produce to determine their
relationship with Him. “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else
make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his
fruit.” Matthew 12:33. Jesus made this statement while speaking to the Pharisees
about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. In God’s view there is no in between.
Rejecting the message given us by the Holy Spirit is the only sin that will not
be forgiven, either in this life or the one to come. Aren’t those who are no
longer practicing Christians rejecting the message?
True born again followers of Christ no longer want to have anything to do with
that old sinful life. We are filled with remorse each time we stumble and take a
step back. Our lives as Christians are focused on our first love, our most
precious love, Jesus the Christ. Everything is second to our Lord and Savior.
Jesus wants to be where we know He should be in our lives – at the highest rung
on the ladder of our lives. The reason the Bible warns us so vividly against
apostasy and false prophets is because true conversion can only be measured by
visible fruit. “Ye shall know them by their fruits...” Matthew 7:16a.
Non-practicing Christians will find it virtually impossible to bear fruit for
the Kingdom of God because they aren’t interested in doing so. They want their
cake and to eat it too (they want to live like the world but inherit Christ’s
promises).
Those who make the claim “I’m no longer a practicing Christian” wish to remain
neutral. They are fence setters. From afar they see the path of least resistance
and are able to change their colors like a chameleon so as to not be detected as
a rival by whomever they see approaching. To be truly born again is not an easy
road. Persecution can and will come into the lives of all believers, even from
one’s own family and friends, and this, my brethren, can be daunting. But there
is no neutral ground when it comes to following Jesus. “He that is not with me
is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew
12:30. Jesus Himself tells all those who would make such a statement as “I’m no
longer a practicing Christian” they are in big trouble. Therefore one must weigh
the cost to see whether or not following Jesus is worth the final prize.
Folks such as those who claim this status of “I’m a Christian but I don’t really
want to live my life like you other Christians” can be easily manipulated by
God’s adversary. They grow in their acceptance of the worldly influence and
before long they can no longer see truth. They become adverse and blinded to the
truth. What was once preached to them at church is foolishness, and now they put
their faith and trust in what is preached to them from their television sets.
Blindness to God’s truth turns the world upside down. Black is white, up is
down, right is wrong, good is evil, love is hate, and on it goes.
I am a firm believer that once a person is born again, born from above, born
from God, that that person is forever in God’s hands. It’s God’s responsibility
to keep us that way. I can almost hear the computers being fired up and readied
to bombard me with an onslaught of emails refuting my claim. Guess what? God’s
declares it so. Of course I must agree with God. “And grieve not the holy Spirit
of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30. Paul
tells us that those who are born from above, born from God, have the Holy Spirit
of God sealed within them unto the day of redemption. That’s God claim, His
promise. Who am I do argue the point?
There’s an old movie that includes the following line “It’s not my fault, I only
read it”. Those who were listening to him read from that particular news story
tried to blame this guy for the bad news he continually read to them. In my
case, though, it’s only good news; you can’t lose your salvation if you are
truly born again, period. Here’s the rub, those who were once professing
Christians but who now recite the statement “I’m no longer a practicing
Christian” may not have the Holy Spirit sealed within them, thus they may be in
for quite the surprise as they reach their eternal destination.
There are many people, especially here in America, who claim the title of
“Christian”, yet haven’t a clue as to what that title encompasses, which in turn
makes it easy to claim a position of non-practicing Christian. They have no
comprehension of what it means to live a life devoted to Christ therefore they
have no idea the consequences of that statement and how it puts them at odds
with the Savior of the world. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23. These nine characteristics will become
evident in the life of a true believer in Christ.
How can anyone take the position “I’m no longer a practicing Christian” when
they know the truth? Perhaps they never really believed and what they heard
about Jesus was robbed from them at some point by Satan. Take a look at the
explanation Jesus gives His disciples when asked about the parable of the sower.
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are
they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their
hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which,
when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a
while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among
thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with
cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
Luke 8:5-14. In this parable Jesus is speaking about those who would make the
following statement “I’m no longer a practicing Christian”. They no longer hold
on to the hope and joy of knowing who Jesus really is.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.” John
16:1. Offended in the Greek is “skandalizō”. The complete meaning behind the
rendering of this word is: To put a stumbling block or impediment in the way,
upon which another may trip and fall, metaphorically to offend, to entice to
sin, to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to
trust and obey, to cause to fall away. Jesus taught all things to His disciples
and to us so that we “should not be offended”, fall way.
I’m continually being bashed about by my brethren for my biblical stance on
abortion, homosexuality, same sex marriage and the fact that I believe Obama is
the worst and most offensive Muslim to invade the U.S. in the last 233 years.
Those who make the statement “I’m no longer a practicing Christian” will never
feel the heat of persecution and maybe that’s why they continue to recite that
statement. Perhaps it just got too hot in the kitchen. Those who make that
offensive statement are most certainly at odds with the Creator of the universe.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Health Hazard - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this
book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues
that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of
the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life,
and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He
which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly ...” Revelation 22:18
-20.
At first glance the above admonition seems to be directly referring to the book
of Revelation. The book of Revelation is the concluding text that closes out the
entire Bible. From cover to cover, God designated the Holy Bible as a whole, a
completely integrated design. The Bible is also a book of prophecy, and in light
of that proven fact and the warning given by Jesus, anyone contemplating making
any change to any chapter or any verse would be guilty of corrupting His word.
God takes His word very seriously, much more so than man, and as such He’s
willing to protect it tenaciously. Jesus is warning all who hear the word of
prophecy in this book that adding man’s flawed concepts to His word, or
subtracting any part from His word would be a fatal mistake, both physically and
spiritually. Jesus’ warning is explicit. His word needs no adjustments no
tweaking, no additions, and no subtractions. It’s perfect as written.
When a believer reads the Bible it becomes a love search. We gain a greater
knowledge of who God is and with that new knowledge there becomes a need to
continually pursue a better grasp of God’s plan for our lives. God loves us and
He loves it when we immerse ourselves in His word. But He’s adamant about making
changes to it. No born again follower of Jesus Christ is going to intentionally
make changes to God’s perfect and inerrant word. Those who profess having a
relationship with Jesus, but in all actuality don’t, are the ones who these
scriptures are speaking to. It would be completely arrogant and foolhardy to
tamper with God’s word. Many, in the past, have ignored these warnings and
without either understanding or believing it possible, they’ve corrupted the
word of God. Where will this lead those who follow such people? Now that’s a
scary thought.
God’s Holy Spirit moved among selected men to record events in their specific
day and to give them history lessons in advance so they could record this
information for all posterity. The Holy Spirit inspired those men to place
prophecies throughout the Bible so that God’s word would gradually, over a
period of many hundreds of years, develop into one complete unit, The Holy
Bible. Keep in mind that all the chapter and verse portions of the Bible were
developed by translators, not the original writers. If you want to get a better
concept of the Bible as one complete book, consider each book in the Bible as a
chapter title, all formulated in the authors mind to be read as one book.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16.
All scripture is “God breathed”, who in their right mind would want to mess with
what God Himself has designated as true and complete?
Some will take 2 Timothy 3:16 and say when Paul wrote those words to Timothy
there was very little of the New Testament completed, let alone circulated.
Timothy, for the most part, had only the Old Testament scriptures, and thus Paul
was only referring to the Old Testament as God breathed. Since God is thoroughly
able to see the future of mankind shouldn’t we at least consider that the Holy
Spirit inspired Paul to write those words in anticipation of a still future
completed book? “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him
hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these
things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are
unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their
own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:15, 16. Even the Apostle Peter refers to Paul’s
writings as scripture comparing them to other scriptures.
There are those who won’t see Jesus’ warning pertaining to the entirety of the
Bible and will not agree with me on what I’ve stated, at least not from just
three verses extracted from the book of Revelation which I laid out in the
beginning of this commentary. As we study our Bibles we should find that there
will be two or three witnesses to prove a matter. There are other verses that
confirm this truth spattered throughout the Old and New Testaments.
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2. Does anyone dispute that what God is addressing
here is the taking away or the adding to His word? The warning, given in the
book of Revelation, is of course a warning that transcends all scripture.
Certainly we read the result of Bible tampering as a warning God takes very
seriously. God has applied His warning to all of His words. There will be a huge
price to pay for anyone who refuses to heed His warning.
What is meant by “add unto the word”? How do we do that? Here’s just one example
(of which there are many) of how some add to God’s word. Baptism as a
requirement for salvation is a heresy promoted by numerous Churches around the
world. Adding to the sufficiency of the cross is wrong. It’s bad doctrine and
it’s dangerous. How dangerous? Does plagues and having your part removed from
the book of life jar your memory?
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto,
nor diminish from it.” Deuteronomy 12:32. We find this same admonishment twice
in the book of Deuteronomy. God says what He means and means what He says. Jesus
said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15. He isn’t just
requesting we observe what He tells us, He’s telling us that if we love Him we
will keep His commandments, and He commands us to leave this book as it is
written.
These other verses that speak about adding to and subtracting from God’s word
are very telling. God, by placing them strategically so many times throughout
His word, fully expects some people to ignore His warnings. And guess what? They
do. Is it that some folks think they are smarter than God in that re-writing His
word has become their perceived destiny? Think about it this way, we change
God’s word to fit our interpretation and we teach others our interpretation
which is at odds with what God has plainly stated. Then this erroneous teaching
gets passed on and on down the line and pretty soon there’s a snowball effect
happening with loads of bad and destructive false doctrine being promoted as
truth.
“...visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth generation...” Deuteronomy 5:9. What we can take from this scripture
verse is that the sin of the father is taught to the children even unto the
third and fourth generation. The children pickup the sins the father commits and
carry them on in their generation and even pass them on to their children and so
on. In that sense we see what’s being taught by one is passed down to those he
is teaching. If someone changes God’s word and teaches these changes to others
and they in turn teach the changes to still others we see that this can lead to
generation after generation being taught false and destructive doctrines. Just
take a look at the Christian cults that have flourished for generations. They’re
all guilty of making fatal changes to God’s inerrant word.
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in
him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a
liar.” Proverbs 30:6. Doubting God’s promises as described in Revelation 22:18
and 19 will lead to perilous times for those foolish individuals who take from
or add to His word. Warnings which are purposely and openly observable abound
throughout the scriptures to keep us from harm. Over and over again we’re
admonished to listen to God and He will be our shield and make our paths
straight. If we don’t listen to God our paths will be wide and will undoubtedly
lead to destruction.
“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4. Jesus used those words in response
to Satan’s attempts to tempt Him during a 40 day fast in the wilderness. The
word of God is the key. Jesus knew it and He’s been trying to get the rest of us
to see it for years now. The Bible is perfect and believable and many do believe
it, and many hold it in the highest esteem. But many more disparage, neglect,
hate, dismiss and even change God’s word to fit their agendas. Those who treat
God’s word with contempt will regret their life and their decision to do so.
My wife and I attended a conference in Tennessee a few months ago. While we
waited for it to begin, she and I went to a coffee shop for some coffee and a
donut. Seated near us two men, who seemed to be pastors, were discussing the
Bible. We weren’t eavesdropping, but could hear the conversation clearly. One
was explaining to the other how the Bible should be re-interpreted to take in a
broader scope. He actually said “We need to take Paul’s letters and extrapolate
them forward to fit today’s society.” In other words, take the words that God
told Paul to write and change them to make the Bible conform to us rather than
us conform to the Bible. Be Careful my brethren, this approach to God’s word
will lead to a very sticky end.
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3. This
verse is an admonishment to the believer to declare the truth about what they
believe. Contend for the faith. The truth we know as God’s word is something we
must, with complete conviction, stand firm on.
Keep a watchful eye and ear out for those who have their own dubious plans to
corrupt the word of God. Through the arrogance of people such as these, many of
our brethren are being falsely led. The outcome of this type tampering can only
result in the further dumbing down of the Church.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture verses are from the KJV
Earth’s Final Days - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving
themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for
an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Jude 1:7.
There is an aggressive world-wide push to replace natural societal behavior with
that of a completely unnatural and thoroughly corrupt behavior. This push
involves a tiny community of people so consumed with lust that they go so far as
to flaunt their abhorrent behavior in the streets as they march in sanctioned
parades in cities around the world. This is a satanic agenda of monumental
proportions. As we watch Bible prophecies unfold before us, we who believe and
accept this unfolding as proof that the end is very near know that many evils
will become commonplace during the time leading up to the end. We might get a
little dizzy in our heads at the sound of the approaching hoof beats and queasy
in our stomachs as we as we see End Time prophecy come to life before our very
eyes. But for now one thing is obvious, this world is turning homosexual.
The Bible tells us that there will be unusual worldwide events happen as the end
days approach, as well as societies becoming thoroughly corrupt. India’s high
court recently reversed a 150 year old law outlawing homosexual sex. Before the
news even broke here in the US a brother emailed me from India very concerned
about this decision. What do I say to this man? “Welcome to the 21st century”?
Hardly. I encouraged him to look to the scriptures that show God’s sentiments on
this hotly debated subject. Why? Because at the end of the day, it’s God’s word
that stands strong and which believers are to look to as the only remaining
truth.
This situation in India is certainly indicative of where the world is headed,
and in many cases is already there. Most nations of this world harbor a very
vocal, aggressive, well financed, well organized, and at times militant
homosexual subculture. The homosexuals want to be recognized and legitimized as
the mainstream culture. Their language leads one to believe that they are only
interested in equal rights. This is a lie.
Lying in the underbelly of this monstrous, ungodly and very pervasive agenda is
something else, something even more sinister. The homosexual community, which is
made up of many zealots, is prepared to fight all the way to the highest courts
in every country and province where they will push their agenda of legitimacy to
the extreme, all in the name of equal rights? They have now become a force to be
reckoned with. Not because they are some kind of enormous community that dwarfs
all others on planet earth. No, what’s happening is what is normal that is
marriage between a man and a woman, is quickly becoming dismissed as intolerant
and bigoted. What God tells us is normal for a society is now going by way of
the dodo bird. Now these once normal civilized communities are accepting, even
welcoming, this lifestyle which was once perceived as wicked. Homosexuals will
soon control the media, our public and private schools, and every world
government. The world is bending over backwards to comply with the homosexual
agenda. Why is that? God tells us why in His word.
Homosexuals have now been given access to our children as young as kindergarten
and preschool so that they may corrupt their very small impressionable minds.
Through the public School system they are now teaching their way of life to
these innocent children. Their way of life includes, for the most part, sex.
That’s the driving force behind why they lead such evil and debase lives. They
are fueled by what a normal human would consider as uncontrolled lust filled
minds. Sex is the motivator and the sustainer of this lifestyle. If they were
honest they would admit that fact.
Obama, the usurper of the Oval Office, wants to be the leader of the pack when
it comes to homosexual rights. He’s used his newly acquired powers to ensure the
homosexual is given the green light in society to do as they wish in public as
well as in private. He wasn’t able to attend any National Day of Prayer meetings
but he certainly never misses an opportunity to promote the homosexual agenda.
He’s now designated June as national LGBT pride month. Obama made the following
comments at a White House reception honoring "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Pride Month":
There are unjust laws to overturn and unfair practices to stop. And though we've
made progress, there are still fellow citizens – perhaps neighbors or even
family members and loved ones – who still hold fast to worn arguments and old
attitudes, who fail to see your families like their families and who would deny
you the rights that most Americans take for granted. And I know this is painful,
and I know it can be heartbreaking.
– Barack Hussein Obama, June 29, 2009
When it comes to rights, homosexuals have all the same rights as heterosexuals.
Except one, marriage still eludes them, but it looks as though Obama will do his
level best to insure they will win on that front also.
Homosexuals want one more right than that of the heterosexual world. They want
to take away our right to verbally oppose them. They don’t want to be confronted
with God’s view on their lifestyle ever again. It’s alright to speak out against
other sins, but speak against the sin of homosexuality and there will be dire
consequences.
Right now there are an alarming number of teenaged homosexuals committing
suicide or who attempt suicide. If you read the homosexuals response to this
tragedy they claim that when society puts their stamp of approval on the
homosexual lifestyle this will all stop. Actually, society as a whole is
becoming more and more tolerant of this abomination and yet the numbers of
suicides are increasing not decreasing. If you would like to do your own
research on homosexual suicide statistics, just Google it.
"Gay Affirming Pastor" Jay Bakker feels God has now changed His mind about
homosexuality “The more I follow grace, the more I'm drawn to him [God], the
more I'm willing to stand up for people being persecuted," said Bakker. "It
sounds so churchy, but I felt like God spoke to my heart and said
'[homosexuality] is not a sin.”
From an article by Lighthouse Trails-
www.lighthousetrails.com
If God spoke to this man’s heart and told him homosexuality is not a sin then He
just contradicted His very word and has now changed His mind as to what
homosexuality really is. But we should all know by what we are taught in God’s
word that that just isn’t possible. It wasn’t God speaking to this Gay affirming
pastor’s heart. It was God’s adversary, Satan.
Of course if you don’t believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God then you
will probably just write this commentary off as another homophobic spouting off.
If, on the other hand, you do believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant
word of God then keep reading. We’ll begin by taking a look at what the Bible
tells us God did to Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities of the plains.
“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that
Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of
the earth shall be blessed in him?” Genesis 18:17, 18. Abraham was a man of God
and God wasn’t inclined to keep what He was about to do from Abraham, even the
destruction of these two cities. “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom
and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;” Genesis 18:20.
Just what was this grievous offense Sodom and Gomorrah had committed in God’s
eyes?
“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom:
and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face
toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into
your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise
up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the
street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him,
and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened
bread, and they did eat. ‘...the men of the city, even the men of Sodom,
compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every
quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which
came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.”
Genesis 19:1-5. We’re told that all the men, young and old, from the city came
and surrounded Lot’s house demanding he bring his two visitors out. Why? Were
they being hospitable? Were they just being good neighbors welcoming the
strangers to their city? Not hardly.
To fully understand what the men of Sodom had on their minds we must understand
the following phrase “that we may know them”. Earlier in the book of Genesis
we’re told Adam “knew” his wife and she bore more children. The Hebrew word is
“yada” and one of the uses for this word is to know a person carnally. The men
of Sodom wanted to have homosexual sex with these two strangers visiting Lot.
These two cities and even the sounding plains were replete with homosexuality,
to the point that God could no longer allow this all encompassing evil to
continue.
Homosexuality is clearly connected to the men of Sodom. The Bible declares it to
be sin. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their
women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise
also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one
toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in
themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.” Romans 1:26, 27.
Side Note:
The sin of the men of Sodom is plainly connected to their homosexuality. There
is no doubt the Bible declares homosexual conduct is sin (Romans 1:26-28).
The Bible condemns homosexuality in the same context as it condemns incest and
bestiality (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). If we ignore the word of God at the point
of homosexual conduct, then we have no standing to say any of the other three
sins are sin.
Homosexual advocates have an interest in saying homosexuals are exactly like
everyone else, except they love people of their own sex. But when the conduct of
homosexuals is observed, this is not the case.
We can bring out statistics on the number of partners homosexuals have: 43% of
homosexuals say they have had 500 or more sexual partners in their lifetime.
Only 1% of homosexuals say they have had four or less sexual partners in their
lifetime. According to the United States Department of Health and Human
Services, 77% of homosexuals say they have met sexual partners in a city park,
62% in a homosexual bar, 61% in a theater, 31% in a public restroom. Only 28% of
homosexuals said they had known their partners for at least a week before
participating in homosexual sex.
Undoubtedly, one of the reasons why males pursue and give in to homosexual
desires is because they want to immerse themselves in a lifestyle of dangerous
sex with no inhibitions or obstacles, and sense that sex with other men is an
easier path to this. No wonder Paul connects “burning lust” and a debased mind
with male homosexuality in Romans 1:27-28.
Homosexuals also have an interest in saying that up to 10% of the population is
homosexual. But the most reliable statistics show only 2.3% of men in their 20’s
and 30’s report ever having had a homosexual experience. Only 1.1% reported
being exclusively homosexual. These low figures agree with several other recent
surveys and surveys done in Britain and France.
Homosexuals also have an interest in saying they were “born that way.” All
attempts thus far to prove this have been based more on wishful thinking than
solid biological research, but if it is found to be the case, so what? The Bible
teaches we are all born with a predisposition to sin. It shouldn’t surprise us
that some 2% of the population finds this predisposition expressed in homosexual
desire.
Homosexuals also have an interest in defining themselves as “gay,” a word that
used to mean “happy” or “carefree,” but it is a poor description of a lifestyle
that has such a high rate of death, disease, and suicide.
David Guzik - www.enduringword.com
Even though many won’t take the Bible seriously or literally God does.
Homosexuality is condemned by God. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with
womankind: it is abomination. If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a
woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to
death; their blood shall be upon them,” Leviticus 18:22, 20:13. This is what
Obama was talking about when he addressed those homosexuals gathered at the
White House, “who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes.” That’s
Obama’s attitude when it comes to the word of God, and he professes to be a
Christian.
If the word of God is ignored by any nation, God will, at some point, remove his
blessings from that land. The more homosexuality is condoned, the more the Bible
is ignored. Ergo there go God’s blessings.
Was all the above information necessary just to get to my point? I believe so.
Jesus tells us that the society living in the last days just before His return
will be as perverse as those societies that both Noah and Lot experienced.
Homosexuals will be and are being fully appeased and placated and earth will
become much more frightening and nightmarish to all who oppose them. All
civilizations on earth will ultimately accept the homosexual lifestyle as
completely normal. Paul tells us in the book of Romans chapter 1 that God’s
judgment is pronounced on all who practice, what’s become commonly referred in
our day, as the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle, as well as all those who condone it
and embrace it as normal.
That’s how it was all over the planet in Noah’s day which is why God sent the
flood. Their sin was so heinous that God had no choice but to eliminate all who
had corrupted themselves with this immorality. Only Noah’s genes remained
untainted by this corruption, thus God spared him and his family as He saw them
safely through the flood. Many have come to believe that through all the begats
in the Bible and the longevity experienced by the folks before the flood that
there were as many people on earth in Noah’s day as what we see currently on
earth. God protected Noah and his family as He flooded the earth and eliminated
a mass of fully corrupted individuals.
God’s will is that everyone would repent and turn from their evil ways, but not
everyone will comply with His will. A huge portion of society will continue in
their rebellion against Him. That rebellion will be their undoing, and it will
be their choice.
God hates all sin, but clearly His wrath has been revealed against the sin of
homosexuality most intensely in that He flooded the earth to completely
eliminate it from planet earth and at another point He wiped out a whole region
of earth that was consumed with it. In God’s eyes it’s a very grievous sin
indeed. God tells us in His word that there is going to come a time when He will
lose His patience (longsuffering) with the rebellious, but before He does He’ll
remove those who belong to Him. In Lot’s case for, example, two angles came and
removed Lot and his family just before God in His wrath destroyed the evil
presence in that region.
In the case of the Church Jesus Himself will remove all those who belong to Him.
That time is almost upon us. Then God’s wrath will once again be manifest on
earth. In the meantime, as the Church sits back on its haunches and refuses to
get involved in this political correctness gone completely amuck mindset, any
and all evil will prevail. As we sit around wondering just how much persecution
the Church will be forced to endure, before Christ returns for His own, keep in
mind we did little to stop it.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Mustard Seeds and Mega-Churches - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I
resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into
his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged
in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of
God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened.” Luke 13:18-21
It’s important to see that Jesus, speaking of what the Kingdom of God is like,
follows up the large tree and birds of the air parable above with a lesson on
leaven. First of all mustard seeds don’t morph into huge trees, they only grow
as small bushes. In this parable Jesus is exaggerating the growth of the mustard
seed to instill in the reader a reality of massive proportions.
Many see this parable as an explanation of the ever expanding influence of the
Church around the world. Some actually preach that the Church will be the all
encompassing world influence before the end. But in these same verses Jesus
tells us the birds of the air are nested in its branches. In Jesus’ parables,
the birds of the air consistently refer to an evil presence, and this evil
presence has made their homes in the branches of this huge tree. Certainly we
see Jesus referring to something much more sinister in this parable. After all,
He commanded us to spread the Gospel around the world, and in that respect His
Gospel has been and is being expanded worldwide. What do all the birds of the
air and the leaven have to do with the Kingdom of God? Is there something evil
lurking in the Church?
Considering the concept of leaven, which is a reference to sin, Jesus has just
given us a glimpse of what He saw happening as the enormity of His church became
manifest. The birds of the air and the leaven refer to the corruption of His
Church. False religions have been around and flourishing since the tower of
Babel. As the Church became established it has been bombarded with false
teachings to lure people away from the truth. The birds of the air are
infiltrators adding infusions of false teachings to the body of Christ’s Church.
Our Lord is providing us with a picture of something very disturbing coming upon
the body, His very Church, in the last days.
It began with just a small amount of untruth. An insignificant amount of leaven
added to the dough and after a while it encompasses the entire mix. Sound
doctrine becomes flawed as tiny bits of erroneous teachings begin to spread
through the Church. Eventually major doctrinal flaws develop. Consequently these
flaws begin to become established as truth all co-habituating in the Church.
The woman has three measures of meal which was a normal grain offering to God in
those days. She hides leaven within the grain offering thereby corrupting the
whole offering. Many congregations nowadays attempt to place on the altar of God
totally corrupt offerings. God doesn’t accept corrupt offerings but He will
accept a change of heart and a return to the truth of His word.
Leaders and others in the Church who have been taught through corrupt sources,
such as their liberal professors in seminaries, that the Bible is in error try
almost with abandon to ingratiate themselves to their flocks so they may teach
as experts on the fallacies of the Bible. They will use allegory or twist words,
even go as far as to say the Bible has never really been the inerrant word of
God. In this way these false teachers can substitute their message for the
truth. Their message will be one of deceit, completely untrustworthy, but it
will sound as though it were doctrinal, even biblical. Jesus saw His Church
growing into a massive gathering of believers, but becoming corrupted from
within. As sad as this reality seems, Jesus tells us it will happen and it is.
Many heresies permeate our Churches today and it’s hard to completely identify
them and expose them before they’ve actually gained a strong foothold and
accomplished their evil goal. It’s Satan’s agenda to corrupt from within and to
lead astray whole congregations. Many falsehoods have crept in unawares and like
leaven have now corrupted to a point that many of these once sound doctrinal
congregations may be un-salvageable.
You’ve all heard the old adage “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”. Satan has
joined the Church. Why? It’s much easier for Satan and his minions of evil to
instill their corrupt ideas into an established community of believers who won’t
study their Bibles. Especially since many now believe the Bible to be erroneous.
All Christian cults began with a smidgen of truth. They continue because they’ve
convinced masses of people they’re right and the Bible is wrong.
Satan, for the most part, was hitting a brick wall in his deceptive practices
against the established Church until he joined it. Just like the leaven in the
above verse, little by little these satanic lies spread among the saints. It’s
not difficult to recognize those who have been deceived by his lies. Those who
are deceived and leading congregations are the ones taking Satan’s lies to the
next level. These are folks who are well trusted by the flock, and thus they are
doing Satan’s biding and leading whole congregations down that slippery slope to
destruction.
How is it this possible to deceive from within you might ask? It’s really quite
simple in these days of self importance and time limitations and constraints.
Satan knows many won’t take time out of their busy schedules to read their
Bibles. How many will spend a few hours watching an ungodly movie and then turn
right around and say they have no time to study their Bibles? Satan knows of the
apathetic attitude towards God’s word because he has been the major source
leading to that apathy. Satan’s influence in the Church is apparent. The Bible
which was once revered and looked upon as God’s truth and sought after, has now,
become to many as just an old, antiquated, mythological nuisance. Through
Satan’s leadership some have even re-written the Bible so it will adhere to his
agenda. He’ll use any means to show the Bible to be of little or no consequence
spiritually or truthfully. Many have fallen for his deception and many more
continue to allow themselves to be led in that direction.
As we watch the growth of the mega-church we can see, in many cases, a shift
away from being a Christ centered community of believers to a worldly outreach
center. Just like the exaggerated results of a mustard seed in the above
Scripture verse, we watch the growth of the mega-church with astonishment.
Corruption is there as those with discernment watch the “birds of the air” –
Satan’s minions of evil – landing in those branches spreading their evil
influence throughout.
Why are so many weekend Christians attracted to these mega-churches? Could it be
because they offer so much in the way of worldly pleasures? Coffee shops, book
stores, bowling alleys, really, the list goes on and on. Is Christ the
attraction or has He been relegated to a back room where no one really needs to
be bothered by Him? Are these weekenders attending so they can return home with
the knowledge they paid tribute to their god and his huge new pleasure dome?
There are many pastors, some from the mega-church and some not, who have a
skewed view of the Bible. In some cases we see these pastors teaching
non-biblical self-reliance and prosperity gospels, writing books and becoming
themselves more popular to their congregations than Jesus Himself. Is it the
Gospel and Christ that’s being promoted, or is it the pastor who is promoting
himself? Many are only tickling the ears of their parishioners to the exclusion
of the core teachings found in the Bible. What’s worse, this is exactly what
many weekend Christians want to hear. “For the turning away of the simple shall
slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” Proverbs 1:32.
Convicting messages from pastors are also on the way out these days, and feel
good messages are in. Passive messages from pastors that will bring people back
to fill pews week in and week out are the current rage, whether or not these
folks receive any edifying truths is certainly in question. Church growth at any
cost now seems to be the norm. God loves us, no debate there, but neglecting
core Christian issues is not preaching the whole truth.
If we need to supply people with creative nuances within our church buildings to
draw them in, then we’ve traded the truth of the Gospel for a lie. We’re never
told to entertain the masses to achieve high number results, we’re to preach and
teach Christ and His doctrine. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the key teaching
that will lead a soul to God. We are to pray the Holy Spirit’s conviction upon
hearts of the lost people as they sit in those pews.
Jesus tells us that many will hear the message (receive an invitation to the
feast) but will come up with many excuses as to why they can’t commit. In
Churches where the Gospel message is made fluff and of no significance, many
will never come to understand that becoming a born again believer in Christ is a
life change and a full life commitment to the One who paid the price “In full”
for our salvation and who now owns us.
Jesus tells us in Luke’s Gospel to count the cost before deciding to commit our
lives to Him. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down
first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest
haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that
behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able
to finish. Luke 14:28-30. If this message never gets preached many will never
come to a full understand of just what it means to “If any man come to me, and
hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and
sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever
doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke
14:26-27. Hate is a harsh word used here by our Lord. No, He’s not telling us to
hate anyone. Jesus is telling us to be prepared for the cost of following Him.
Many, even in our own families will believe we hate them because we put Jesus
first before anyone else. Is this a part of the teachings in those feel good,
Church growth centered congregations?
Brood of vipers, serpents, (Mat 12:34, 23:33), woe to you hypocrites, (Mat 6:2,
5, 16, 15:7, 16:3, 22:18, 23:14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29, 24:51, Mar 7:6, Luke 11:44,
12:46), blind Pharisees, (Jhn 9:40), fools, (Mat 23:17, 23:19, Luke 11:40,
24:25), did Jesus pull any punches when He addressed the Pharisees in the midst
of the crowds with those words? Most pastors, when addressing their
congregations, would not go near those terms today avoiding them like the
plague. By using the words “brood of vipers” and “serpents”, Jesus was referring
to those whom he was addressing as “the children of Satan”. By using the word
“hypocrite”, it would be the same as referring to someone today as “two faced”.
Would it not be appropriate for us to teach and preach as Jesus taught using the
same methods as He? Many pastors today could take a lesson from Jesus on how He
built His ministry. What truths did He use to convict the hearts of those who
listened to Him and followed Him all around Galilee? Can we not assume that, not
just occasionally but constantly, we must proclaim the whole truth of God’s
word, just as Jesus did? “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh
knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6. Pastors should be speaking to the
heart of every lost soul that sits before them.
Granted, Jesus performed many miracles and through the public viewing of most of
those healings He established His ministry. But it was His words that actually
brought the people to Him and left them in wonderment. We have those words
written within the pages of our Bibles. He wants us to learn His words and to
teach others those words. We aren’t to proclaim a new message to the masses. We
stand on the truth of the Gospel. We believers are admonished to spread the
message, His message which is the truth. That’s our job and it’s been our job
for almost two-thousand years now. It’s never changing, it’s ever powerful, and
it’s more than adequate for producing the miraculous.
Jesus Christ spoke the truth no matter to whom He spoke or what He encountered.
Everywhere He went He had to confront obstacles such as doubt, hatred, even
attempted murder, and He always used truth to establish His footing. He never
relied on entertainment to pull in a crowd, as a matter of fact Jesus, for the
most part, tried to distract those viewing the miracles He preformed, even
telling those who were involved to keep silent about them. Most who heard Him
speak loved His words which were and still are the core of His ministry. Those
same words should be the core of our ministries also.
As I watch in astonishment where the Church heading today, I must ask the
question: Isn’t it about time for some old time Gospel preaching? A little
hellfire and brimstone Jonathan Edwards’s style couldn’t hurt in these times of
political correctness where everything has been watered down through the
delivery of milk to the parishioners instead of meat. Think about it.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
His Name, Our Hearts - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
There are many people today who claim they have a relationship with Jesus Christ
and are basking in what they perceive to be their salvation security. They feel
they are secure in knowing their eternal salvation is in Heaven just by saying
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but if you press them they may actually confess
something else, something very disturbing. Listen carefully and you might just
hear them say “I don’t actually believe Jesus Christ is God”. Are they really
saved if they don’t believe Jesus is God? “For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Does that verse actually say we must
believe Jesus is the Son of God or does it say we must believe in Him? The Greek
word for believe is “pisteuō” The following are all of the words my concordance
gives as the English equivalent to this Greek word: believe, commit unto, commit
to (one's) trust, be committed unto, be put in trust with.
When anyone says yes to Jesus Christ, they’re saying, “yes this sinner
believes”. They’re saying, “Lord Jesus, I believe you paid the price for my
sins, that you died for me on that cross, and that you were buried, but rose
from the grave after three days just as the scriptures state. I believe who you
are and what you did for me, and I’m sorry you had to die that horrible death to
save your creation”. Surely this should be the response to the calling of the
Holy Spirit as another sinner becomes truly born again. “He that believeth on
him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he
hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18.
What’s in a name?
Jesus explains unequivocally that he who does not believe is condemned already.
Why? Because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. We
believe He is the Son of God, that’s true, but a complete understanding comes
only after we confess that we believe He died on the cross for us and rose again
on the third day. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his
name.” John 20:31. Through His name we might have life.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall
be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6. God gave
us His only begotten Son and He shall be called what? Wonderful – Counsellor –
The mighty God – The everlasting Father – The Prince of Peace. So, what’s in a
name?
What does Jesus mean by His statement “hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God”? John 3:18b. Here’s what it means to believe in the “name”.
His name defines His authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence,
etc. His “Name” represents “the title and dignity” of our Lord. “Far above all
principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” Ephesians 1:21 and
also “... as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name ...” Hebrews
1:4. That’s what He means when He tells us to believe in His name. But is that
all of what He means when He says “whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life”? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him.” John 3:36.
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on
him whom he hath sent.” John 6:28, 29. Recognize that phrase “believe on Him” in
the above two verses? That phrase is also in John 3:18. We must understand the
meaning behind those verses. The original Greek used here actually signifies
continual and unbroken succession, until the end. As we can clearly see there is
more to the Greek word “pisteuō” translated into English as “believe” than our
English rendering conjures up.
“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto
him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord,
that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him,
and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he
worshipped him. John 9:36–38. Jesus had just healed a man and then asks him
whether or not he believed on Him. By the way, if Jesus weren’t God why would He
allow the man to worship Him? We are only to worship God.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans
10:9. Paul is telling us we must believe in our hearts. What’s he mean by that?
“Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament words gives us this explanation
for the word heart: Our hearts are the seat of physical life. The heart also
denotes the seat of our moral nature and spiritual life; it’s the seat of grief,
joy, desires, affections, perceptions, thoughts, understanding, reasoning
powers, imagination, conscience, intentions, purpose, will, and faith.” There is
so much more to believing than what comes across from reading the English word
“believe”.
What do people believe in? Let’s take evolution for example. Many believe in
evolution because that’s what they are taught in public school. Even though
there is absolutely no proof of that fairy tale? Students believe their teachers
and grow up and teach their children the same. They might just as well say they
believe in the tooth fairy since there is actually more proof of a tooth fairy
then there is for evolution. It’s easy to say we believe in something without
actually placing our faith and trust in that something. To believe in Jesus
means we place our absolute and total trust in Him. This is at the core of what
it means to believe in Jesus Christ which is what we plainly see from the
original Greek renderings. To admit that Jesus is the Son of God stems from
believing everything else about Him including the fact that He is God. Even the
Pharisees of Jesus’ time knew, without a doubt, that Jesus, when admitting He
was the Son of God, was actually saying He is God. That’s why they always tried
to kill Him. It was blasphemy for anyone to say they were God except God.
It’s really only been since moving to the Mid-West portion of the United States
with my wife and daughter that I’ve encountered folks who profess to be
Christians and yet openly admit they don’t believe Jesus Christ is God after
admitting He’s the Son of God. To tell you the truth I’m literally shocked each
time this occurs. Why? Because I’ve only been confronted by this anomaly in
Christian Church services. I’ve even encountered pastors who tell me they aren’t
sure Jesus is God or that He is the only way to Heaven. One pastor actually told
me we can’t be dogmatic about whether Jesus is actually God or not. Folks, if
Jesus Christ, the Old Testament prophesied Messiah, who came into this world and
died on a cross as our kinsmen redeemer, who took upon Himself the sin of the
world isn’t God, then I must tell you flat out that there’s not one person
saved, past, present, or future, and our Christian faith is only a vain pretence
and we have no assurance of eternal salvation.
“Depend upon it, my hearer, you never will go to heaven unless you are prepared
to worship Jesus Christ as God. They are all doing it there (in Heaven)” Charles
Spurgeon
Only a perfect God could possibly have sacrificed Himself for His Creation as
Jesus did. Then this perfect God raised Himself again from the dead. These are
two of the main beliefs we as believers must have if we are to be called by His
name. If you believe Jesus died on a cross two thousand years ago for your sins
and yet you don’t believe He’s God, then you believe in human sacrifice. No
human sacrifice could possibly suffice as the propitiation for the sins of
mankind.
“Well I believe Jesus is the Son of God, but I don’t believe He’s God.” That
very statement is a damnable heresy. It isn’t enough to simply say Jesus the
Christ is God’s Son but believe He’s some sort of lesser god or no God at all.
How can we possibly believe everything He did and not believe He’s God? After
all we believe in the virgin birth, we believe He had an earthly ministry, we
believe He changed water into wine, He healed the sick, cast out demons, raised
the dead, gave sight to the blind, walked on water, made the lame to walk, and
fed thousands with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. We believe
He went willingly to the cross, that He died on that cross, and that He told one
of the thieves hanging next to Him that he would, that very day, be with Him in
Paradise. We believe He spent three days in the grave and rose from the dead on
the third day all according to the scriptures. Isn’t that what Christians
believe? And much more? How can Jesus the Christ not be God Almighty?
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name (there’s that
phrase again) of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and
that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.’ ‘And we know that the Son of
God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is
true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the
true God, and eternal life,” 1 John 5:13 and 20. Jesus is the true God and
eternal life.
In a Bible study class I attend there’s a man who professes to be a Christians
yet he doesn’t believe Jesus is God. He was asked what he does with the
scripture verses where Jesus said “when you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father”
and also “I and the Father are one”. He said he had never heard those verses
before. Then I asked this professing Christian man if he believed the Bible is
the inerrant word of God. He said ‘No. Man has corrupted it over the years”.
This man obviously needs a lot of help, but it’s interesting that he’s been
attending a Christian Church for years. What’s he come away with in all the
teachings that he’s attended? “I don’t believe Jesus is God”.
Is this man, along with his apparent complete lack of biblical knowledge,
indicative of many in our churches today? Possibly. There is a huge void where
the word of God is concerned. I’m at a loss to understand the reasoning behind
such a lack of biblical knowledge in these final days especially since there is
so many different teaching aids available for those seeking the truth. Aha,
there it is, the key words here are “seeking the truth.”
What is the purpose of attending church services if you don’t believe the book
the pastor is teaching from? Why attend a Christian Bible study class if you
don’t believe in the book you’re supposedly studying from? What’s the point of
calling yourself a Christian if you believe the One who is called the Christ was
only a nice guy or a good teacher? If necessary, would you lay down your life
for this good teacher?
Some of the most obvious scriptures proclaiming Jesus’ deity are in John’s
Gospel. Jesus refers to Himself as the I AM in the Gospel of John chapter 8,
verse 58. He’s claiming to be God Almighty. John refers to Jesus as the Creator
of the world “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing
made that was made.” John 1:3. Paul does the same thing in Colossians 16 and 17.
Jesus Christ is the Creator God who created this Universe.
The verse that is most often overlooked when we seek to point out to those who
doubt the deity of Jesus Christ is, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall
die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your
sins.” John 8:24. Jesus is stating emphatically that He is God; By making the
statement “I AM” Jesus is claiming to be the voice which spoke to Moses from the
burning bush in Exodus 3:14. In the original Greek language the he in the above
verse is not present. I AM is in the original language and it’s “egō eimi” in
the Greek but there’s no “he” to be found in that verse in the Greek. The phrase
which follows stating “you shall die in your sins” is the Greek word
“apothnēskō” and is speaking of eternal death, to be subject to eternal misery
in hell. This is a scathing indictment for all those who can’t seem to get their
minds around the fact that Jesus is God.
If you’re one of those individuals getting your biblical knowledge from the
discovery channel you might want to actually pick up your Bible and read it for
yourself. Stop listening and parroting what you hear from the secular
establishment about the fallacy of the Holy Bible and start believing. The truth
of the matter is the Bible is the inerrant word of God. Jesus is God, and the
Bible states that fact more times than I have room for here in this commentary.
I could write a book on the fact that Jesus is God using both Old and New
Testament scriptures but for now this commentary will have to suffice. The first
five words in the book of Revelation tell us whose revelation it is. This is
Jesus the Christ speaking as John wrote it down. “I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is
to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8.
Not to discount the rest of the verse, but did you get those last two words “the
Almighty”? The Greek word used here is “pantokratōr” and can be translated into
English as Omnipotent and when it’s used it refers only to God.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form
of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath
highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11.
If you’ve been wrestling with this idea of whether or not Jesus Christ is God
you had better make up your mind in a hurry. Life, as we’ve grown accustomed to,
is drawing to a close. There’s an evil dawn on the horizon, and the rapture of
Christ’s Church is imminent. We must all choose to place our faith, trust and
our entire lives in Jesus’ hands because Jesus is God.
God bless you all.
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Where’s Your Home, Christian? - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
With all the talk of last days, Jesus coming to retrieve His bride, and all the
saber rattling bombarding us daily, those who believe in Bible prophecy realize
we as a church are actually coming down to the wire. In fact we are getting so
close to what many of us have been patiently, and in some cases impatiently,
waiting for that the excitement is almost to a fever pitch. There are no limits
it seems to written commentaries on the subject of end time’s prophecy. Some
people get so keyed up they find it difficult to concentrate and they get
consumed with the inevitability of the imminent rapture of the Church to the
exclusion of all else. Yet others belonging to the same fold of Christianity pay
all this prophecy stuff little mind.
For those of us who actually believe in Bible prophecy, we see the universal
church being prepared for a great event. A huge departure of believers is on the
near horizon. Believers who’ve fixed their sights on their home in Heaven are
seriously anticipating that snatching away of the saints. We are going home!
Praise God.
On the other hand the question begs to be asked. Christian, where’s your home?
I’m sure we’ve all heard the quip, “Home is where the heart is”
but how many of us can actually say Heaven is where my heart is? Are Christians
truly excited about going home? If so, why is it so many of God’s children are
seemingly clinging to planet earth like a tree that has grown roots a mile deep?
Believers and non-believers alike have lived on planet earth for the last six
thousand or so years and this has been the only home we’ve known. Good or bad,
happy or sad, angry or glad this is where we have grown and flourished and this
is where many have died and more will die.
We’ve become familiar with, even dependent on, our surroundings. For the most
part, we’re patriots of our particular country of origin. But sometimes
patriotism to country gets in the way of believers devotion to their God and
Savoir Jesus Christ.
I must say I am somewhat dismayed by what I see happening around this nation.
Not because of all the repulsive things I see coming about through our
government’s leaders, we are to expect persecutions and trials coming from the
world. What really concerns me is what I see taking place in the lives of many
of my brethren.
For some time now, the United States of America has been a nation bent on giving
God the boot, no new revelation there. It’s also being said that America is no
longer a Christian nation, others say it never was.
There was a point in America’s history when many of the government leaders were
indeed Christian. Sadly that is no longer the case.
Whether America is considered a Christian nation or not is irrelevant.
Believers shouldn’t be looking at America or any other country as their home. We
know through studying God’s word where our long term residential care home is
and it isn’t on planet earth.
That’s something else that has bothered me for quite some time now; I’m speaking
of Bible illiteracy. Along with biblical illiteracy goes a lack of discernment.
Just because Christians are seemingly in the majority in this nation doesn’t
mean the majority of those Christians have any biblical discernment, or if they
do from what I’ve seen, it’s precious little. After all, as a nation made up of
a supposedly Christian majority we’ve now allowed ourselves to be placed under
the control of a fully secular humanistic government that gives no more
consideration to the God of the Bible than does a worm. How is that possible
with a 70% majority of Christians? Failure to know and understand God’s word for
one thing, and apathy and greed for another.
Believers should not be holding onto this country, or this world for that
matter, as though it were their final destination. If we read, study, and
believe the scriptures we are fully aware of something greater existing on our
horizon. I’m sure many will agree with me when I say planet earth is, at times,
a very beautiful place. There are numerous reasons why we enjoy our earthly
existence. After all God wants us to enjoy this life and each other for that
matter. But even before the fall of man God has had another plan for humanity
and it isn’t going to involve what we currently see in our surroundings.
We only know what we’ve seen and we have all seen a beautiful flower or a fiery
sunset. Unless we have been walking around with blinders on we have also seen
much of what we would certainly consider the opposite of beauty. The Bible
doesn’t give us a clear picture of everything we will see in Heaven. Even Paul
was given a look into Heaven yet he would not describe it. On the other hand the
Bible does tell us about what won’t be there.
Most people on this planet would love to see the end to war, famine, hatred, all
forms of evil, and have everything opposed to our well being eliminated from our
environment. The Bible tells us none of that will be in Heaven. All evil,
malice, strife, hated, envy, sickness, sadness, wealth and poverty will be
completely forgotten the moment we enter that realm. So why do so many of my
brethren hold onto this earthly existence as though Heaven doesn’t even exist?
Could it be that the riches of this life are so controlling that even believers
can’t resist their attraction? “But they that will be rich fall into temptation
and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in
destruction and perdition.” 1 Timothy 6:9.
Christians love it when they can recite the following quote to another believer
or even to non-believers for that matter, “I’m living in this world but I’m not
of the world. I’m only a sojourner here. I’m one of God’s ambassadors and soon
He’ll call me home.” Sadly, more and more we see that many Christians today have
the same mindset as their worldly counterparts. Greed, lust, and fear are
evident in the lifestyles of many of my brethren and it’s becoming clear many of
America’s seventy or so percent Christians are not just in the world but of the
world. “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have
nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” James 5:5.
Among Jesus’ earliest followers there were some who were wealthy, Zaccheus,
Joseph of Arimathea, Barnabas, but they we not ruled by wealth. Today there are
many Christians that have obtained great wealth, yet we’re presented with
sufficient evidence of just where the pursuit of wealth can lead, especially
when we allow that pursuit to motivate our lives. Sin can and will avail itself
when Christians become consumed with attaining wealth. The key word here is
consumed. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows.”
1 Timothy 6:10. And wealth can create a significant obstacle to the Kingdom of
God. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man
shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is
easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:23-24.
Ask yourself this question: If when tomorrow comes I‘ve lost everything I have
will I trust God to supply my needs? Or, will I worry and fret and scheme and
connive to get back what I’ve lost? It’s easy to say I’ll trust God when we
haven’t really lost anything yet, but what if it really happens. What if you
really did lose your home, your car, your bank account, all your earthly
possessions, and lastly, your spouse walks out on you? That scenario sounds like
Job’s situation, doesn’t it?
What did Job do? And how did God reward Job later on? If you haven’t done so
already, read the book of Job, the answers to those two questions are in plain
view.
We hold onto worldly materialism way too tightly. I know we need things and I
know most, in this country at least, are prosperous and many are thriving.
Knowing all this, sometimes I wonder how many Christians are really looking
forward to the rapture of the Church. How many of my brethren will need to be
dragged, kicking and screaming all the way to Heaven when the rapture happens?
Remember Jesus’ admonition to the young wealthy man who wanted to gain eternal
life? “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and
follow me.” Matthew 19:21. Where did that young man’s treasure get him? “But
when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great
possessions.” Matthew 19:22. His riches had too strong of a hold on him and he
was unable to see any benefit in knowing and following Jesus Christ.
“I just bought a new and very expensive BMW, awesome car.” “Have you seen my new
Harley? Wow what a ride.” “We we’re finally able to buy our new ‘dream home’.”
The bank account is fat, the garage has two new cars sitting all waxed and ready
for cruising, the lawn is manicured, the new giant flat screen TV is installed
on the wall and you’ve just invested in a surround sound system for your home,
you’ll never need to go to the theater again. “Yes sir, now this is Heaven.” And
all is well in suburbia. Heaven? Dream home? Earthly materialism? Ask yourself
Christian, where is my home, really. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and
steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do
not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:19-20.
It seems in many cases Jesus’ words go unheeded. “For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also” Matthew 6:21. How many believers are storing up
treasure here on earth just like the heathen?
Sadly, it seems many see no benefit in moving on to Heaven, they seek after
earthly rewards and have stored nothing up for their eternal home.
It seems as if many of my brethren are looking for some specific sign or Jesus’
glorious appearing before they’ll begin to get ready for the great escape, but
what they don’t seem to realize is there will be no sign given. There will be a
great disappearance of believers at some point, but that isn’t a sign for
believers, it’s a sign for non-believers. We are witnessing many events falling
into place that lead us to believe we are very near the end, and it’s exciting
to watch.
These events fuel our anticipation of what’s coming. But for the most part the
signs Jesus’ disciples asked Him to reveal to them are concerning the end of
days just before His Second Advent. They aren’t really signs for determining a
time for the rapture of the church.
We are admonished to be ready for the rapture. Jesus is coming as a thief in the
night. That’s not speaking of His second coming, that’s telling us the rapture
of His Church is imminent. As I visit various prophecy websites this question
inevitably pops up. “Are you ready?” I honestly don’t believe many of my
brethren are ready and we know the lost aren’t.
Central to the Christian faith is the knowledge that we, as born again
believers, are set apart from the world. We belong to Jesus Christ. That really
does place a huge responsibility upon us. We aren’t to conform to the world so
why do we? Jesus tells us over and over again what happens to those who become
consumed with the cares of this world. Pride, greed, fear, covetousness, lust
are ever recurring themes throughout the entire Bible, all of which stem from
losing our focus on Jesus and replacing that focus with a materialistic world
view.
The more we have the more we want. Instead of seeing Heaven as our real home
where we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ we become enamored with all we
can accumulate. This accumulation of materialism becomes the love of our lives
and our god. There is a direct correlation between where your treasure is and
where your heart is. If you regard your material possessions as your treasure
then your heart is set here on this earth, and that my friend is a far shot from
Heaven.
We should look at Heaven as the believer’s “Dream home”. Jesus tells us there
are many mansions in Heaven and He has prepared a place for each of us. “In My
Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go
to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2. Heaven will be far superior than even
the most luxurious of mansions here on earth. But that’s not why we look to
Heaven. We look to Heaven because Jesus is there.
There’s an old adage that says “To be too Heavenly minded is to be no earthly
good” this is nonsense. Being too worldly minded is exactly the problem today
with many a Christian, they have no sense of Heaven whatsoever. This little
adage may well be part of the problem. Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, speaks
of Heaven 69 times He wants us to be Heavenly minded, there is no possible way
to be too Heavenly minded.
I was born here and if the Lord tarries I’ll die here, but I am certainly not
remaining here. The dwelling I call a house and this country that has me
registered as a citizen even this planet that gravitationally holds my body here
is not my home.
Where is your home, Christian?
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Thief on the Cross - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in
paradise.” Luke 23:42, 43. As Jesus hung on the cross, dying for the sin of the
world, two criminals hung on either side of Him. Condemned for their crimes,
they too would die that day. But one of them ultimately recognized who Jesus
was. It was that criminal who called Him “Lord”. The Greek word for Lord Is
“Kyrios” which is a title given to God, the Messiah. And with his own mouth, one
of these thieves professed that Jesus is God.
In the above verse the word for kingdom comes from the Greek word “basileia” It
is primarily an abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion, and
it is used especially of the Kingdom of God and of Christ. The thief addressed
Jesus by using the word “basileia” which pointed to Jesus’ right or authority to
rule over a kingdom. It refers to the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant
Messiah.
So this thief through one little statement spoken from the most terrible place
possible – hanging on his cross – was given permission by God Himself to enter
paradise that very day with the King of Kings. Most Bible scholars agree that,
for the most part, those criminals who earned the “privilege” of dying that
horrible death, by crucifixion, were suspended there for days before finally
dying. Jesus told that believing thief that that very day he would be with the
Lord in paradise. How could Jesus have known that He and this thief would die
that very day? Jesus is fully God, and as such He knows all things. He knew He
would die that very day because He arranged all the events associated with His
crucifixion. He also knew that one of the men hanging next to Him would believe
and be saved that day, and that this man would also die in a matter of hours.
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me
in paradise.” Luke 23:43. Some believe that Jesus was speaking figuratively; not
actually meaning the thief would be with Him that very day but that he would be
joining Jesus in Heaven at some point in time. Those who believe in soul sleep
interpret the “to day” that Jesus spoke of as being in this period of time, the
Christian era.
The Greek rendering of the phrase “to day” means just that. The Greek word is “sēmeron”,
and it means this very day, or what has happened today. The Greek word for “I
say” is legō, which in this instance is rendered as a command. Clearly Jesus
pronounced a command that the thief would be with Him that very day in Paradise.
We know from the scriptures that Jesus, before His resurrection, went to where
the believers of the past were waiting and “... led captivity captive...”
Ephesians 4:8. He removed everyone who was in Paradise, and took them to Heaven.
This puts the kibosh on soul sleep; there are other verses that also point to
the whole idea of soul sleep as being unbiblical. Such as, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8;
Philippians 1:23, but I digress.
As Jesus hung on that cross He was mocked and reviled by the crowd gathered at
the cross, as well as the two criminals who were being crucified with Him. “The
thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.”
Matthew 27:44. But something changed the mind of one of those thieves, and in
his heart he became a believer. It’s amazing just how quickly that change took
place. “But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God,
seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive
the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” Luke
23:40-41. That thief knew he and his companion deserved the punishment they were
receiving. Interestingly, one criminal confessed with his mouth and believed in
his heart that Jesus was Lord, which is exactly what Paul tells us in the Book
of Romans how one is saved. “For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans
10:10.
The man’s partial statement “Lord, remember me” was a profession of faith and it
was the catalyst that moved him from being condemned to being saved. Yet it
still remains that this saved sinner was being punished for the crime he
committed against society. Two men, found equally guilty by the ruler in that
land, were separated that day by the cross of Christ, separated by the One who
was found guiltless yet condemned by that very same Roman ruler. Today they
remain eternally separated by a simple faith which leads to the cross and a lack
of faith that moves people to reject their Messiah.
Clearly we can see this once lost and condemned man becoming transformed before
our very eyes by going through a change of heart and a transformation of his
mind right there on that cross. This same change can happen to anyone today. We
see many who have hardened their hearts against God and His Christ these days
and we think to ourselves “How can these lost people who seem to be so far
removed from God ever come to an understanding of who God is? How can they ever
come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Wouldn’t we be wasting our time
trying to confront them with the truth of the Gospel?” Have you ever heard that
old adage, “There but for the grace of God go I”? It’s only hopeless when that
lost person dies in unbelief.
Two men, nailed to their own personal cross both suffering in pain and agony
right along with Jesus. In this moment in time their eternity was in the balance
since both would soon expire and be transported to the destination of their
choice. There they were hanging and dying right next to the very Creator of the
universe. Yet only one would recognize Jesus and confess before the world just
who Jesus was. If these two criminals were Jews then they had just been put to
death without being able to atone for their sin against God through the usual
means, the Jewish Law of sacrifice. That opportunity was lost forever. One saw
the Hope we all have in Christ and the other remained in his blindness.
Two very similar criminals made completely opposite choices, those two men had
completely different mind sets. Both men had the same opportunity to avoid Hell
that day. One ultimately made the correct choice. That’s a fact that should
provide ample reason for believers today to pause and reconsider their drive to
spread the Gospel. Those two men were hanging awaiting deaths door to slam shut,
one became a believer before it was too late. We, as followers of Jesus Christ,
need to spread the Gospel message to the lost as much as possible before it’s
too late.
Everyone alive today is sitting at deaths door. Our lives could be snuffed out
in a simple heart beat. Since man can’t see the future he can’t see his last
moment on earth before it appears. There comes a point in time when all the good
intentions for spreading the Gospel fall short if the believer lacks commitment.
Most people today believe they have plenty of time to make a decision for
Christ, never really coming to the understanding that delaying that decision for
Christ automatically condemns them to Hell. If they die in that lost state of
mind they are condemned for eternity. The message of the cross is powerful and
can and will bear much fruit if it is spread by Jesus’ followers as He
commanded.
Remember Jesus’ words in the parable of the sower? The last ground mentioned by
Jesus was good ground. “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth
fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold” Matthew 13:8. We
all like to think that we are the good ground spoken of by Jesus in this
parable, but are we living up to what Jesus meant by bearing much fruit even
thirtyfold?
I know, by some of the emails I’ve received in the past that there are believers
out there who refuse to witness to the lost, erroneously assuming there’s
nothing further to be accomplished. Their attitude in many cases is that the
hearts of the rest of humanity are left hard and cold, and are completely
unreachable for Christ. Obviously there are some who believe the Holy Spirit has
been removed from planet earth. After all it’s the Holy Spirit who convicts a
person and leads them to Jesus. If God’s Holy Spirit is not here to do His job
what can believers expect to accomplish?
In the beginning of this amazing, wonderful movement called Christianity, God
placed on man an awesome responsibility, and that was to spread the Gospel to
all creatures. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. That responsibility hasn’t changed in the
last two thousand years. We must continue to, as Paul says, fight the good
fight; we must remain active in our Father’s business, and be fully aware that
the forces of evil will continue to buffet us at every turn.
Preaching the Gospel of Christ may seem difficult at times, even useless. The
message of the cross, in many cases seems to be falling on deaf ears. Remember
my brethren we are only seed planters and after planting we move on. We aren’t
told in the scriptures to hang around watching that seed grow. We may not
witness the fruit produced by that seed. But God promises it will produce fruit,
some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
My brethren, another of Satan’s deceptions is to convince the Church to become
complacent even apathetic. Along with all the other lies and deceptions
infiltrating our churches today, one of the most far reaching is that the Holy
Spirit has been removed. The Bible, the inerrant word of God, contains the very
scriptures that Jesus quoted while here on earth, and they are non-negotiable.
Nothing changes in God’s word. People change, yes, and become more “enlightened”
in areas of worldly knowledge and through this kind of knowledge they are
inclined to move away from any belief in God and His word. We don’t need to
re-create or re-design the Gospel of Christ. It’s worked for almost two thousand
years now and it will continue to be a beacon of light until Jesus returns.
Nowhere in the scriptures are we told to avoid the lost and discontinue
witnessing.
Jesus, being fully God, died on that cross, a most excruciating form of torture,
and He did so to take away the sin of the entire world. He followed His Father’s
instructions to the letter. Shouldn’t we, who are called by His name, continue
following His commandments to the letter? At any rate it’s a command from God,
not, as many would like to believe, a request.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
“In Christ” - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed
away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Remember when you
first accepted the truth of the Gospel and invited Jesus Christ into your life?
You were changed at the instant you first believed. Old things, things you
weren’t very happy with in your life, were deleted (passed away). Why then do
you dwell on those things God has tossed away? Why do many believers go back to
what influenced them and moved them towards evil desires?
That’s how Satan works. He knew you before you were a new creation, and he
thoroughly enjoys watching you squirm as he reminds you of your past. But it
doesn’t need to be like that. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus...” Romans 8:1. What does Paul mean when he refers to
those who are “in Christ Jesus”? There is a spiritual union between Christ and
believers. We are “In Christ” by faith, and Christ is in us by His Holy Spirit.
Condemnation only comes from Satan or his minions of evil, never from the Holy
Spirit. But oh how we moan and groan as we’re reminded of our past failures. We
have been changed in God’s eyes and He now sees us through His beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ. If that’s how God sees us then it makes sense that Satan would
have his work cut out for himself trying to get us to look back at what we once
were. Sadly, many believers today allow Satan to have his way with them. Not
only by looking back but going back to what we know is not of God.
Satan has no authority over the heart, soul, mind, or spirit of a believer. He
can’t touch who we are unless we allow him access through what we allow to enter
our minds. The actions of many Christians today prove he has been allowed access
to their hearts. In other words, every time we, for even just a moment, take our
eyes off Jesus, Satan is there to move us further away from God and His truths
until we either realize what he’s doing and make a beeline back to God, or we
fall flat on our face having given in to the flesh once again.
Satan’s influences in this world are quite pervasive. It’s very difficult to
live in this world and not be conformed to it. As believers it’s even more
troublesome trying to get through life untouched by Satan’s influences. “Wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2. Satan is the prince of the power of the air and as
such he controls the minds and the actions of many who have influence over us.
Satan has his hand in our government, our news media, our movies and television
programming, and sports that so many are completely addicted to. Satan’s
influence in this world should be a daily reminder to believers of just how
depraved this world is, and how we were once a part of that depravity.
Going to church on Sunday and Wednesday will help keep us focused on God, but it
isn’t enough to completely stave off Satan’s influential attacks. We fellowship
on those days and for a while all outside influence seems to melt away while we
are worshipping God and our minds are being renewed and refreshed. Then we step
back out into the world, and many of my brethren no more than reach their
couches than they grab the remote and voilà the church’s influence wanes and
Satan begins to take control and project his messages into their minds.
In most secular homes where there is little or no godly influence, we can expect
the average individual’s mind to be filled with what’s spewed from the airwaves
and cable and have little regard to how all that filth might be affecting their
outlook on life. But for those who are “In Christ” it’s more than a little
disheartening that they too would allow their minds to be opened to such a huge
evil influence as TV. Many of my brethren are shocked when I tell them that my
family and I exist without television programming in our home.
“In Christ” means that we are different than those who don’t believe, it means
we do everything we can to eliminate the evil that can corrupt our minds as well
as the minds of our loved ones. Satan will attack us through whatever means
possible and his influence over the media and entertainment industry is obvious.
If we are truly “In Christ” then we are a new creation, and as such we are not
of the world any longer but we are of God. Everything we do and every decision
we make should be as though God were making the decision with us. How many times
a day do we mindlessly allow Satan to have his way with our minds?
Why are there so many problems in my life? Why can’t I have a good solid loving
relationship with my partner? If we live together aren’t we married in God’s
eyes? Why do I need to be married to have sex with the boy I love? Why can’t I
view pornography, I’m not hurting anyone, and how can it be a sin if it is only
something my eyes are seeing? Why can’t I get a divorce, if I don’t love my wife
any more I should be able to seek and find happiness with someone who will love
me and fulfill me, shouldn’t I? These and many other questions come to me via
the email inbox on my computer. Again, I must ask you, the reader, what does
Paul mean when he makes the statement “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is
a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Ask yourself are all things new with me or am I still
of the world?
Are you allowing Satan to bring to the forefront of your mind all the past sins
you were involved in so he can bring you to a point of despair? If so, you’re
allowing Satan to win and you will lose the joy God has given you through Jesus
Christ our Lord. I’m not saying you’ll lose your salvation, but you will be
miserable as you allow Satan’s attacks to numb your mind to his evil influences.
When we first believe we’re excited even energetic and become like a magnet
drawing others to us. Even those who don’t believe see a difference in us. Then
we get a little further in our walk with Jesus and many times we become
complacent and can even become a little discouraged. Eventually many turn back,
they’re back in the world again and begin to take up where they left off doing
many of the things they did before they were saved. I’m not using a wide brush
here saying this happens to every born again believer, but it does happen to
many who are professing Christians and the question is why? Why do so many
professing Christians allow themselves to be influenced in such a way that they
would return to a life that they once wanted out of?
In the parable of the sower, Jesus points out four different soils, but here I’m
only going to address the first of the four. Where did some of the first seeds
fall? “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came
and devoured them up:” Matthew 13:4. In Luke’s Gospel we are given a clear look
at what’s behind this parable. “Those by the way side are they that hear; then
cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should
believe and be saved.” Luke 8:12. Interestingly, Jesus is telling us that this
group of people heard the word of God preached and it actually entered their
hearts. A question I get all the time is “Can a Christian lose their salvation”?
The answer to that question is an emphatic no. Those mentioned above who heard
the word but allowed Satan to remove it from their hearts may actually think
they are saved. But Jesus says “lest they should believe and be saved.” There is
no salvation for them to lose. They never had it.
Could this be the reason so many who’ve professed to being Christian and seemed
at times to be following Jesus turned back to what they gave up after they first
heard the word? We can’t be “In Christ” and of the world at the same time. That
would be a contradiction in terms. We can’t worship God one or two hours per
week, and then arbitrarily turn off our Christianity so we can assimilate into
the world system, and then back to Jesus on Sunday again. Jesus doesn’t want
that kind of follower. Jesus bought and paid for us with His blood and He owns
every part of us which gives Him the right to all our time for all our remaining
life, not just our Sunday morning worship time. We must make up our minds to
which of these we will serve: the Lord Jesus or Satan. Allowing our minds to be
filled with perverse influences is not following Jesus’ commands. Allowing Satan
to creep in and remind us of all our past failures is also a failure to follow
Jesus exclusively.
Most parents love and protect their children at all costs, and rightfully so.
Then they turn right around and allow them access to the TV, and the internet
(unsupervised), music with all its satanic messages, and worst of all is the
humanistic secular government run public school system and then they wonder
where they went wrong with their children. “Why are my children so rebellious? I
don’t understand why they started experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Why did
my daughter get pregnant at such a young age and she’s only seen the boy once.
After all, I sent them to Church every Sunday.”
Stop asking yourselves these questions. If you’re born again you know the answer
to these questions. We only have ourselves to blame, and not God, for the lack
of discernment involved in our daily decisions; we can’t let down our guard for
a moment. I can’t stress enough that allowing our minds to be filled with
satanic sewage will only result in a journey away from God.
Loving Jesus means keeping His commandments, and keeping His commandments will
entail leaving behind all the worldly satanic influences which cause what I call
“satanic cancer” to grow in our bodies. Anything that Satan has his hands into
is not for the born again believer in Christ.
Recently I received an email from a person who took exception to a statement
regarding watching soap operas which I made in my last commentary. They wrote “I
don't agree with your soap opera example because those women were adults and
because they watch the soap does not mean they allowed their children or grand
children to watch the soaps. I know soap operas have gotten worse since the day
that my grandmother watched them but I think your wording was a little strong.”
Interestingly, in this person’s opinion, its fine for adults to allow this filth
into their minds as long as we adults don’t allow our children to watch this
filth. In other words it’s okay to corrupt the minds of adults but not children.
Not only do these shows, and others like them, promote an immoral lifestyle, but
they erode our moral convictions and little by little Satan is able to chip away
at what was once a taboo to society. Eventually this erosion results in a
collapse of all barriers that once held a moral society together, thus
immorality becomes the norm.
You may think that shows that denote immorality are harmless for adults to
watch, and even though I strongly disagree, let’s take a look at another
scenario. What you may not see is what’s behind this seemingly harmless choice.
For example, what else gets promoted when you watch TV? Commercials. What’s
behind these commercials? In many cases a deeper and more pervasive evil.
For example, you say you don’t promote the homosexual agenda, as a matter of
fact this base lifestyle sickens you, and you know it’s an abomination to God.
Well many of the products that you promote by watching T V commercials openly
promote this evil satanic agenda. You and all the born again believers “In
Christ” who continue watching TV, are unwittingly promoting the homosexual
agenda. The only way to stop such promotions is to eliminate the source of the
exposure. There are over one hundred major corporations that are heavily into
the support of the homosexual agenda and they all vie for you dollars through TV
commercials. Again, most of the choices we as believers “In Christ” must make on
a daily bases are moral choices.
I know my suggestions, for the most part, will fall on deaf ears. But if I may,
I’ll put forth these final questions. Are you “In Christ”? Truly “In Christ”? If
so, do you love Jesus more than Satan? Is Jesus truly your Lord, your Savior,
your God? Are you putting Him first in your life as you surf the TV channels, or
the internet for that matter?
There is only one answer, only one response to these questions. “Yes Lord Jesus,
you are first in my life. Get thee behind me Satan.” You and I must make a
choice here, I’ve made mine. The TV was turned off in the Graham home ten years
ago. Do we miss it? NOT ONE BIT. But you must decide for yourselves who you wish
to serve. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day
whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the
other side of the flood ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Learned Behavior - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be
rooted out of it,” Proverbs 2:21, 22.
Remember when you were growing up and you misbehaved? One or both of your
parents would tell you to behave yourself. As you grew bodily and
intellectually, your behavior actually took on characteristics belonging to your
parents. We learn from our parents and we pass along our learning to our
children. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy
getting get understanding,” Proverbs 4:7.
If children grow up in a home that is full of iniquity they will pick up such
behavioral traits themselves. Parents have so much influence on their children’s
behavior that if the parents were to actually live the Christian lifestyle,
their children would most appropriately emulate that lifestyle; the opposite is
also true. If our lifestyle is focused on debauchery, our children’s behavior
will ultimately reflect the same.
A Christian child growing up in today’s society needs to have continual
correction in order for them to hold fast to Christian values. Our minds, and
our children’s minds are bombarded daily by the words and actions of people who
live contrary to God’s will, and this can be overwhelming. Bringing up a child
in a morally upstanding home environment will always necessitate some form of
mind modifications because of outside evil and immoral influences. Mind
modification sounds awful, but it is practiced throughout our society. TV and
movies promote the greatest of these manipulating practices, followed closely by
our government run public school system.
Everything goes back to a learned behavior. Beginning with a young mind, for
example, erroneous influences can create barriers to truth. Children learn a
form of truth from their parents, and accuracy of truth hinges on those parents’
presuppositions. Children parrot their parent’s views. For example, my daughter
has a friend who hates Chevrolets. Why? Because her dad hates Chevrolets! This
young girl has never owned a Chevrolet so has no experience with car ownership
of any kind, but she parrots her father’s views.
I can give many examples of leaned behavior such as drinking alcoholic
beverages, smoking cigarettes, immorality in the home (such as adultery or
watching TV shows which promote an immoral behavior), and of course physical and
mental child abuse. All this becomes embedded in a child’s mind to a point that
they see nothing wrong in such behavior and it becomes a part of their lifestyle
when they become adults. Of course then it becomes a domino effect passing this
behavior on to each generation.
If a child is brought up in the admonition of the Lord through a regime of daily
Bible reading, and with a dad and mom who are devoted to the Lord Jesus as well
as to each other, in all likelihood that child will carry that pattern into
their adult life, and pass it on to their children. “Train up a child in the way
he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. If
on the other hand there are deviations from such a lifestyle, these deviations
will soon be picked up by our children. Consequently over generations this
systematic departure from the truth becomes expanded upon, finally resulting in
a learned behavior that is at odds with the truth of God’s word. “The wise shall
inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools,” Proverbs 3:35.
When a society deviates from God’s word, the result is a people steeped in
immorality. It’s a learned behavior that spreads like a cancer, affecting
everyone in its path. Destructive lifestyles are caustic to a moral society, and
when immorality is not condemned the result will be the eventual demise of that
once moral society. If parents won’t stand for decency in a society, their
children will not learn to be morally decent and will pass their lack of
morality on to the next generation of children. Ultimately this will lead to the
complete breakdown of the moral structure of any civilization. “The way of the
wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble,” Proverbs 4:19.
The following poll was conducted by the Barna Research Group and gleaned from a
WorldNetDaily.com article that shows definite signs of learned behavior.
“The pollsters asked adults if, in the previous week, they had viewed
pornography, used profanity in public, gambled, gossiped, engaged in sexual
intercourse with someone to whom they were not married, retaliated against
someone, got drunk or lied. A majority of the respondents acknowledged engaging
in at least one of those eight behaviors.
Here are the specific results:
28 percent admitted to using profanity in public;
20 percent admitted gambling, including the purchase of a lottery ticket;
19 percent admitted to intentional exposure to pornographic images;
12 percent admitted getting drunk;
11 percent admitted lying;
9 percent said they had sexual intercourse with someone other than their spouse;
8 percent said they had retaliated against someone.
While only 1 percent of married adults acknowledged having sex with someone
other than their spouse, 21 percent of single adults said they had sex with
someone in the previous week. In fact, reported the Barna Group, those under 25
were more than twice as likely to engage in these activities.
"Their choices made even the Baby Boomers – never regarded as a paragon of
traditional morality – look like moral pillars in comparison," the study
concluded.
Among the under-25 group:
64 percent admitted using profanity in public;
38 percent engaged in sex outside marriage;
37 percent lied;
25 percent gossiped;
26 percent used pornography;
33 percent engaged in acts of retaliation.”
What can we expect from a society that continually glorifies wicked and depraved
people and shuns that which is righteous? Of course the result will be a
complete collapse of the moral structure of a society. When evil prevails in a
nation it will always lead to even more depravity. Every society that allows a
cesspool of filth to permeate the minds of the young people will undoubtedly
reap what they’ve sown. “The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to
famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked,” Proverbs 10:3.
Sitting in my doctors waiting room the other day, I overheard a few of the
ladies who were also waiting to see the doctor discussing with the receptionist
all the daily soap operas they miss because they work all day, and how they tape
them so they can view them at a later time slot. Interestingly, living in a
small town as I do, I know all these fine ladies are professing Christians. TV
soap operas are pure filth and yet these women have no problem watching such
filth. Learned behavior passed on from generation to generation. Harmless you
say? Destructive I say.
Habitual bad behavior of children comes, in some cases, from observing those
people they most respect, such as parents, grandparents, school teachers, even
U.S. Presidents. The worst perpetrators of this morally wrong behavior are the
hero’s of this current generation: actors, actresses, singers, and professional
ball players with minds so depraved, that in any society that practices God’s
precepts for morality they would be locked away. These are the folks who
encourage a destructive lifestyle, a behavior that promotes every vile and gross
iniquity known to man, and yet it seems the world can’t get enough. These so
called heroes are championed by the media who are used by Satan to feed this
trash to a hungry public who are looking everywhere for fulfillment, except to
Christ. “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall
be to the workers of iniquity,” Proverbs 10:29.
Have you ever stopped to realize that the easing of societal taboos is something
that happens quietly at first, under the radar so to speak? As folks become numb
to each new broken taboo, another one is attacked and soon falls. Before anyone
knows what’s happened, all of society’s taboos are gone, leaving a complete and
total breakdown of morals. Each generation that follows becomes more immoral but
unaware that they are in a depraved state because this immorality has become
commonplace. All of which can be attributed to learned behavior.
The Bible is being shunned or mistranslated to accommodate those with evil
agendas. Yet in this frequently mistranslated and disparaged book all the
immorality and evil vileness we see happening today was prophesied 2,000 years
ago. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers,
without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but
denying its power. And from such people turn away! ” 2 Timothy 3:2-5.
It’s not easy to escape “learned behaviors”, especially those which contradict
God’s word, but it is possible. There is always a way out of every evil
behavioral situation. The Holy Spirit is always at work in each person’s life,
as is the devil. Satan will try to thwart any and all efforts put forth by the
Holy Spirit. It is a constant battle. Ultimately Satan loses the battle, but not
before he convinces a huge majority of every culture and people to follow evil
instead of God.
If you love Jesus and make manifest your love for Him in your life, your
children will learn from your behavior. Ultimately they will become more
knowledgeable of who Jesus is, what He should mean to them, and what He expects
of them. Learned behavior can lead either to righteousness or evil, but it
depends on each of us as parents and how our lifestyles promote Jesus Christ.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,”
Proverbs 3:5, 6. If we consistently follow this advice, so might our children.
If not, well.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scriptures are from the KJV
Two Kinds of People - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“There are only two kinds of people in the end. Those who say to God ‘Thy will
be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘Thy will be done” C S Lewis.
Being given the ability to choose between God and His adversary is the greatest
of choices God could have bestowed upon mankind. And it all comes down to where
we wish to spend eternity. Is there anything that is more important than our
eternal destiny? I say no but many will say yes there are things more important
than thinking about what comes after this life. The reason for this attitude
among the perishing is one of unbelief. Many just won’t believe there’s life
after planet earth, hence, two kinds of people.
C S Lewis had it right. More recently I, too, have written of the magnitude of a
sincere and informed eternal decision. But more importantly Jesus speaks of this
subject quite forcefully in His word “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide
is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there
be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14. “Hodos” is
the Greek word for way and can also be translated path, road, or highway.
Highways are, for the most part, broad and can accommodate a huge throng of
people. Jesus says many will travel that broad highway and be destroyed. Many
will seek after destruction because they just find it too difficult to accept or
believe that any other path exists. Many will seek after the lusts and desires
of this life, never coming to the realization that these things are all
temporary.
This lost generation looks at believers and says “We don’t want to be like them,
we don’t want to miss out on all the thrilling and fantastic adventures that
these Christians can’t even appreciate because of their religion”. “We want
what’s coming to us”, many will say, “I deserve it”, (sadly, if they stay in
that frame of mind they will soon realize they got exactly what they’ve asked
for). God says, “Thy will be done”.
As believers in Christ we can enjoy this life God has blessed us with. We can
have relationships with folks who, for the most part, think as we do and this
places us in a position of fellowship that is never understood by those who are
perishing. Everyone has a need for fulfillment and as such Christians turn to
Christ, we say to God “Thy will be done.”
The lost, on the other hand, have a big empty void inside them. There’s a place
for God in us all but those who refuse to allow God His place in them are at a
loss to understand why they can not be filled. They struggle continually, in
vain, to fill that emptiness by giving in to the lust of their hearts. Every
decision is pretty much a moral decision these days, and yet the ones who are
perishing can’t or won’t see it that way. It’s all about how much pleasure they
can derive out of any and all situations. All the sinful pleasures that
unbelievers strive to be ingulfed in are only going to turn out to be a fleeting
pleasure at best. Adhereing to the carnal lusts of the heart will always result
in pursing more and new pleasures but never actually achieving fulfillment.
What those who are perishing can’t seem to grasp is that all Christians sin.
Oops, here come the emails. Those who place their faith and trust in Jesus
Christ don’t suddenly become perfect people, but the lost think that’s exactly
what happens. Then when they witness a believer stumble, as we all do, all they
can see is a hypocrite. We’re not perfect, not by, any stretch of the
imagination, but we are forgiven.
At some point, many who are perishing because of their unbelief begin to seek
after a more fulfilling “spiritual” life. Satan loves to lead these unguided
seekers to something that sounds like it might have come from God but actually
comes from Satan himself. Many will be lead to their own demise by listening to
others with an agenda that is in direct opposition to God. Many will fall in
step with leaders, supposedly Bible teachers, who through their own deceitful
interest teach lies. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15.
The problem is, many people as they seek after some form of spirituality, remain
ignorant of God’s word. Therefore it’s impossible for them to heed Jesus’ words
to “beware of false prophets.” This in turn gives these cunningly false prophets
a license to deceive the masses. These ravening wolves have an agenda, and it
isn’t to teach from God’s word. A huge deception I see currently affecting many
people’s spirituality is the onslaught of self help books. Many of these books
can actually take on a Christian look and feel yet be quite contradictory to
God’s word.
I’ve seen and heard of some extremely heretical practices occurring in Churches
across this county. As Christians we are to be focused on Jesus Christ, we
aren’t to take our eyes off Him. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “... No
man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom
of God.” Luke 9:62. If we take our eyes off Jesus Christ we will turn away from
Him and get caught up in things that will lead us astray.
Yet we see many pastors and others who once taught from the Bible turning to
alternative sources for teaching and using these alternatives to lead people
away from the word of God. Using these alternative sources they corrupt the
lives of others, and there are some pastors who actually use these very
heretical alternatives for preaching from the pulpit. Rick Warren’s now famous
book, “The Purpose Driven Life” as well as Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Church”
and the study materials that accompany these teachings are all distractions to
move people away from the word of God.
In my home town of 4800 people and about 100 churches there’s at least one
church that has gone bonkers over the “The Shack” written by William P. Young.
They’ve gone as far as to erect a small structure in front of their regular
assembly building depicting “The Shack”. They’re promoting a book of fiction
that depicts God as a character that is completely contrary to the God of the
Bible. When we begin to incorporate props such as this for teaching in our
Christian Churches we begin to move away from God and closer to where Satan
would have us. There are many other distractions being presented with a
Christian look and feel but they are all deceptions. Tell me, if you can, what’s
wrong with teaching exclusively from God’s inerrant word?
More and more we see these erroneous teachings invading our once revered
sanctuaries and we know this is going to continue and become even more
pervasive. Every single denomination and non-denomination is being attacked by
some sort of false teaching and false doctrines and as such they will continue
to move further and further away from a foundation built on Jesus Christ.
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there
come a falling away first...” 2 Thessalonians 2:3a In Paul’s admonition to the
Thessalonians he makes it clear that before Christ’s return there must first
come a falling away, and scholars are divided on whether Paul is referring to
the falling away by believers or a world wide rebellion to God. All we need to
do is look at what’s happening in many of our Christian Churches today to see
what Paul meant.
Unfortunately, one of my favorite Christian organizations which began back in
the late 60’s and early 70’s and which God used mightily to create a huge
movement, leading many to Jesus, is Calvary Chapel. It, too, is being attacked
from every angle and now heading full steam towards the emergent/contemplative
purpose driven agenda and kingdom now affiliation. Believe it or not there is
only one purpose behind all these distractions and disruptions, and that is to
eliminate the true Church and replace it with the apostate Church of the last
days.
“Nearly every evangelical denomination and organization of any size in North
America is going in this same direction as [the Calvary Chapel organization] to
one degree or another.” Lighthouse Trails
Two separate paths and two different types of people. Different only by the
choice they make. That choice will either lead them to an eternity with Jesus
Christ in Heaven, or an eternity in a burning Lake of Fire. As different as the
two people groups seem they are all equally known by God. God knows which path
each person will ultimately take and He’s known it from before the creation of
the world.
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord
as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8. In this
verse Peter is giving us a lesson in how God views eternity, and the fact that
God is eternal. God is not restrained by time or space but He can see the
beginning and the end of all things at the same exact moment. He already knows
what decision you and I will make in regards to our eternal destiny. That’s how
Jesus can say “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat”. Matthew 7:13b. If you’re reading this commentary and
you’ve not made that most important decision of your life to follow Jesus
Christ, there’s still time, albeit precious little, so choose wisely.
It’s appropriate that Jesus refers to His followers as sheep. Sheep have the
propensity to follow rather than lead and sadly many will follow doctrines which
consist of what man has derived from his own mind, most of which are at odds
with the scriptures. In these “last days” there will be great multitudes that
follow erroneous teachings and they are completely unaware of the fact that they
are being led down the most destructive of highways. This truth isn’t something
we will need to be looking for as occurring in the distant future, oh, no my
friends it’s happening right now. This world of ours is heavily into following
extremely deceitful and blatant liars.
Jesus said “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14. Jesus is that straight
gate and narrow way referred to in the scripture verse above. There is no other
Way in which one may enter Heaven. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.
First and foremost, we must believe Jesus is who He said He is or there is no
hope for salvation and no foundation for our Christian faith “Jesus said unto
them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58. In
the very next verse the Pharisees provide us with their understanding of Jesus’
words. “Then took they up stones to cast at him:” John 8:59a. You see, in the
minds of the Jews who had just heard Jesus’ proclamation, He had blasphemed God
by making Himself out to be God. Jesus had just committed the offence (in the
eyes of the Pharisees) that would lead to His death. If you don’t understand
what Jesus meant by saying “I Am”, He was referring to the voice that spoke to
Moses from the burning bush in Exodus chapter 14. Jesus was that voice. Jesus is
God and the Pharisees recognized Jesus was making that claim. They didn’t
believe it of course, but they do now.
Again, two very distinct paths are available to the people of planet earth. All
earth’s peoples have a choice to make. We are all God’s creation and we were all
created in His image, more importantly God has no favorites when it comes to our
salvation. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. God would love for all men
to seek Him and come to repentance before it’s too late. Unfortunately,
according to God’s own words, that’s not going to happen. Many will follow the
wrong path.
None of us are pushed on to that broad highway that leads to destruction, but
many people will be led there. Jesus says many will follow it because they
choose to follow it. Few will make the alternative choice. How disturbing is
that revelation? We can choose to believe what Jesus says or we can ignore Him
and continue down the wrong path, but we can’t have it both ways. If we never
consciously make the choice to follow Jesus, then we have made our choice.
Following a liar just because he or she gives persuasive and articulate speeches
using words that sound like something God might say will not suffice as an
excuse as to why you were lead astray as you stand before the White Throne
Judgment Seat of God. If you’re following a man or woman who claims to have the
answers and know the correct path to God, yet they deny the deity of Jesus
Christ, you’re going to be in for a huge surprise as you stand before the King
of Kings weeping as you realize that during your life on earth you had
continually followed the father of all lies instead of learning the truth. God’s
truth is obvious and those who don’t accept it are without excuse.
Here’s the answer to this problem of being deceived or misled. Grab your Bible
and open it to the book of Genesis and begin to read and study like you’ve never
done before (and many haven’t). When you get to the last page of the Book of
Revelation begin again. Since our eternal destiny is a life or death situation,
continue this new study practice for the rest of your life. If you are familiar
with God’s word it will be very difficult, probably even impossible, to be led
astray by those who want to teach doctrines of men and those who have their own
agendas apart from God.
This concept of getting people to read everything that comes along, all the
while neglecting the one book they should have practically memorized by now, is
satanic. This evil is inspired by Satan and it’s working quite well. I’ve read
that there are currently about 3,000 new books being published every day. That
statistic, if true, is extraordinary to say the least, yet there has never been
another book so popular in its sales that it holds the record for books sold to
date, or as neglected once purchased, I’m speaking of the Holy Bible, God’s
inerrant word.
You say you want to hear from God? Read your Bibles. God will speak to you from
every page. You may wish to ignore the admonition I’ve written on this page,
which, of course will be to your own detriment. As we get close to the time of
Jesus’ Second Advent, Satan is working exponentially to lead as many as possible
down that destructive highway.
Thy will or my will be done. Your choice.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Secular Hostility? Well not Exactly - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
There is a hostility growing which is aimed at Bible believing Christians. I’m
speaking of those of us born again believers who actually take the word of God
seriously and literally. We are being singled out and maligned by some of the
most surprising sources. We would expect this hostility to come from our
adversary, Satan, and all those who gleefully follow him. Satanic hostility is
certainly occurring at an alarming rate of speed. But what Bible believing
Christians should not be enduring in any form is the astonishingly clear
hostility coming from folks who also profess to be Christian.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 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. 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.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know
not him that sent me.” John 15:18-21.
Jesus Himself tells us to expect hostility (persecution) from the world and
indeed we shall. But from those who actually profess to be our brothers and
sisters in Christ? Doesn’t this fact alone prove that every person who professes
to follow Jesus isn’t necessarily born again but may actually be following His
nemesis? It seems there are some who say they are Christian yet do everything
they can to persecute those of us who study and believe Bible prophecy. Why?
“because they know not him that sent me”. John 15:21b.
Rick Warren wrote a book a few years back that I’m sure most readers of my
commentaries have either read or are at least familiar with. It’s entitled “The
Purpose Driven Life”. In it Warren proceeds to tell us that those who study
Bible prophecy are not fit for the kingdom of God.
The Bible contains so much prophecy that one could say it’s basically a book of
prophecy; and that fact is what distinguishes it from other religious books and
from other religions for that matter. God, through His word, is giving us a
history lesson in advance which is percisely how He authenticates His word. When
we read and study our Bibles there is no possible way to avoid studying Bible
prophecy, unless of course one were to completely allegorize the Bible, which
would also be completely erronious.
The following is an excerpt from a Lighthouse Trails memo I recently received.
By quoting Jesus out of context, Warren says, "Anyone who lets himself be
distracted [by studying Bible prophecy] from the work I plan for him is not fit
for the kingdom of God" (Living Bible). But Jesus was not referring to His
return when He made that statement, which in the King James Version says: "No
man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom
of God" (Luke 9:62). The Purpose Driven kingdom of God leaves no room for Bible
prophecy, and in fact, condemns those who study it. The apostle Peter, inspired
by the Holy Spirit, had a different view. He writes: "We have also a more sure
word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your
hearts." (II Peter 1:19)
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62. Anyone who studies their Bible
regularly knows what Jesus meant by the above statement. We aren’t to take our
eyes off Jesus once we are saved because we will invariably waver and slide off
the path He’s set for us.
He isn’t saying that studying His prophetic word would disqualify us from our
usefulness as witnesses for His Kingdom, or that we would be unfit for entering
His Kingdom.
Those who agree with Warren and his statements above are just as flawed as those
who follow Warren’s friend Brian McLaren. “We are of God: he that knoweth God
heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1John 4:6.
There most certainly abounds a spirit of error in the Church today and those
who’ve been given a spirit of discernment recognize it as such.
Another excerpt from Lighthouse Trails Publishing:
In an April 2009 article in Sojourner's magazine by emerging church leader,
Brian McLaren, McLaren clearly has targeted Christians. But not just any
Christians. McLaren is talking about Christians who believe Jesus Christ is
coming back again, suggesting that these types of Christians are the reason
there is no peace in the Middle East. He says what these end-time believing
Christians are doing is "terrible,"
"deadly," and "distorted."
McLaren says that he grew up with a dispensational view (the belief that Jesus
Christ will return and establish his kingdom on earth) but has come to realize
this view is "morally and ethically harmful." He likens this belief system to
racism in the 50s and 60s and says:
These doctrinal formulations often use a bogus end-of-the-world scenario to
create a kind of death-wish for World War III, which--unless it is confronted
more robustly by the rest of us--could too easily create a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
“Beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way
of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by
the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and
Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?”
II Peter 3:1-4. Can there be any doubt of the above prophetic scriptures being
fulfilled by the very statements made by these leading Christian men, Warren and
McLaren?
McLaren makes it clear that those of us who believe Jesus is to return to
establish His Kingdom on earth, like Jesus says He will, need to be confronted
robustly by, in his words “the rest of us”. Just who are those who need to
confront true Bible believing Christians? And what does he mean by robustly?
McLaren’s statement “The rest of us” is speaking of those who profess a
Christian faith but who don’t actually believe in the deity of Jesus Christ.
Without a doubt they’re going to have a problem with those of us who believe
Jesus Christ is God Almighty. According to McLaren, those who believe in Bible
prophecy will be confronted, and he emphasizes this with the adverb “robustly”.
If we look up the synonyms for robustly we get the words strongly, vigorously,
forcefully. So McLaren perceives Bible believing Christians as needing an
adjustment to their thinking, at the minimum that adjustment must come
forcefully to confront our bogus, terrible, distorted, and deadly beliefs.
Somewhere in all of his ranting I’ve missed the part about loving God with all
our heart, soul and mind, and of course loving our neighbor as our self is
missing as well.
Imagine, if you will, our current government’s leaders with their behavior
towards us (Bible believing Christians) already at a position of diminished
favorability, and now believing that a growing number of those who profess to be
Christian (but aren’t) feel we need to be forcefully confronted. What will be
the outcome of a fully socialistic government’s attitude towards a large segment
of its citizenry who refuse to toe that socialist government’s secular line?
Christians who actually follow the Bible and live their lives according to God’s
word are already referred to by our current administrations leaders as rightwing
extremists/terrorists. Now, by and through the statements made by McLaren and
Warren, these same officials have been given a green light as to how to deal
with all this rightwing dissention.
My brethren, as we traverse this most destructive course established by the
policies of our current leaders in government, the prophecy of the Church of
Philadelphia in the third chapter of the book of Revelation is seen on the
horizon. “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and
hast not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8.
Little strength, that’s the clue to the future position of the true believing
Church, just before Jesus takes us home.
As truly born again believers who follow the word of God unabashedly, it’s my
opinion that if you’re reading this commentary and you’re one of those under the
government’s new designation as rightwing extremist/terrorists, you better have
your prayer life well in hand.
Jesus is our comfort and our refuge, we know that. No one can take that fact
away from us. Prayer is our direct line to God and we must be in constant
prayer. Our relationship to God is of utmost importance in these very trying
times.
Remember this, those who are perishing cannot say or do anything that will
destroy a Christian who believes God’s word. We belong to Jesus Christ, God
Almighty, there’s nothing for us to fear from His creation.
Yet I see fear has set in on many of my brethren. Be careful my brothers and
sisters, doubt comes after fear. Circumstances surround us which at times seem
impossible to overcome. Our power to “overcome” comes from God and there is no
circumstance and no entity that will overcome God.
“There are many Christians today who seem to think the boat is going down! I am
tired of the wailing of some of my friends who take that view. The boat cannot
go down. Jesus is on board.” G. Campbell Morgan
“See that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the
end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6. When Jesus says “..all these things must come to
pass…”, He is referring to events which we see happen right before our eyes.
Many Christians are spiritually blind and refuse to acknowledge what obviously
points to the signs of the last days before Christ’s return. A blind person
could recognize the signs, but for many of those who have perfect vision the
signs seem to be invisible. As Jesus states in Matthew 24:6 “The end is not
yet”, but with what we currently see happening all around us the end could be
very close.
Something very interesting and completely relatable to our current times is what
Jesus told His disciples in John chapter 9, “I must work the works of him that
sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” John 9:4. The
Greek word Oudeis translated into English can be rendered as no man, nothing,
any man. In other words Jesus is telling us there is coming a time when we won’t
be able to do the work God has given us to do. I believe we are getting
extremely close to the time Jesus is speaking about, especially living in a
country run by a secular socialistic government bent on eliminating Christianity
from its midst.
The night is coming, darkness is falling all around us. Many of our own
professing brethren seem bent on our demise. Will we stand firm on our belief in
Bible prophecy? Will we stand up for the true Jesus of the Bible in the face of
all adversity? Will we declare His message with boldness ‘til the end? Standing
up for Jesus, in my estimation, might well become a painful experience. In
totalitarian countries around the world, standing up for Jesus is already a life
threatening occurrence. I know there are many who will say that standing up for
Jesus will never become life threatening here in the land of the free and the
home of the brave. We shall see.
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast...Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in
every good word and work” II Thessalonians 2:15, 17.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Rebels without a Cause - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the
earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD,
and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast
away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord
shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex
them in his sore displeasure.”
Psalm 2:1-5. What has changed since this Psalm was penned? The Heathen
continually rage and rebel against the one and only true God.
This is a very important Psalm and quite relevant for our current generation.
People have no reason to rage against God yet we see this interesting concept
currently embracing the entire world in one form or another. This rage is
pointedly focused on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We who have placed
our faith and trust in Jesus Christ know there is no other God. How often do we
hear of the heathen raging against the god of Islam? Who rages against the
Buddhists god, or the Hindus god, or the god of the New Age folks? Only the one
true God, the God of the Holy Bible, God Almighty draws the rage of the heathen.
What possible benefit can be derived from raging against God? It’s sheer vanity
this rage against God. It’s useless, it won’t achieve a thing.
Furthermore the heathen it seems must always become a horde to stand against
God. Apparently they assume that if they become a big enough mob they can
withstand God’s Holy judgment. They can put God away by the sheer size and force
behind them. How can people be so foolish as to believe such a thing?
The heathen kings and rulers stand in opposition to the Lord and His Anointed.
In other words they’re raging against God the Father and God the Son. We know
that there is a huge movement afoot to eliminate Christianity from the public
sphere and seemingly from the whole world.
They may soon get their wish, but it won’t be through their vile raging.
The elimination of Christ’s Church from planet earth is on the horizon although
the heathen are clueless to God’s plan for His Church (the Rapture). It’s God’s
power that will prevail. This vain raging against the Lord by those who are
perishing is beyond insanity.
Anyone who thinks they will be better off without God is living their life as a
fool. If God were to walk away from mankind, mankind would cease to exist,
instantaneously. How foolish can men be? The heathen feel they are under some
sort of bondage because they know God exists, and they believe His laws to be a
burdensome stone, too many restrictions, the heathen don’t like it. Yet without
God and His laws and precepts they wouldn’t be able to stand the bondage that
would be placed on them by their fellow man. For further confirmation of this
just keep watching what’s happening to the US as Obama and company converts this
country into a socialistic, possibly even, a communistic state. The burden will
be too great for the average American to bear.
“To a graceless neck the yoke of Christ is intolerable, but to the saved sinner
it is easy and light . . . We may judge ourselves by this, do we love that yoke,
or do we wish to cast it from us?”
Charles Spurgeon
“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh...” Psalm 2:4a. The heathen plot
against God and what is God’s reaction to this foolish opposition?
He laughs from His throne in Heaven. He sits on His throne in perfect peace. I
can just hear God’s reaction to all this foolishness now, “You have chosen
unwisely, Oh foolish man, who rages against his Creator?”
“God does not tremble. He does not hide behind a vast celestial rampart,
counting the enemy and calculating whether or not he has sufficient force to
counter this new challenge to his kingdom. He does not even rise from where he
is sitting. He simply 'laughs' at these great imbeciles.”
James Montgomery Boice
What do the heathen think God does as they hurl their rage against Him?
Do they suppose He trembles at their railings? Do they suppose they will foil
God’s plan for mankind? How absurd, how completely preposterous for man to rage
or even attempt to stand against the one true God. God, knowing the fate of
these rebellious heathen, takes no pleasure as He watches them rage against Him
to their ultimate demise.
The Atheist’s are currently grouping together around the world in an attempt to
force God out of the minds of the youth in all of academia.
If God were actually a falsehood in their minds, if they hate God so much that
they rage against Him, then the question must be asked, “Why stage such a
rebellion against something that doesn’t exist?” It doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to see that the Atheist’s mind set is flawed. So they rage on.
“...the Lord shall have them in derision.” Psalm 2:4b. God’s opponents will be
frustrated and trodden down. He will mock, ridicule, and laugh to scorn the
heathen who continually rage and rebel against Him. What can the heathen
possibly expect to accomplish through all this foolish raging? How can anyone
believe they can foil God’s plans?
“He speaks to them in His wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure”
Psalm 2:5. God has every right to distress the heathen and to show them His
great displeasure. But God will always allow man ample opportunity to change his
mind and repent. God is full of grace and He is longsuffering and is not willing
that any should perish. But many will perish because of their hardened hearts.
The heathen, in their opposition against God, are actually growing more and more
distant from Him through all their raging. We mustn’t think for a moment that
God, through His wrath, won’t ultimately act on their stubbiness. He’ll pull no
punches at the end. Oh how the Heathen will regret the choice they’ve made for
their eternal existence.
“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6. God has set
(established) a King for all people. He wants these foolish, raging kings and
rulers of nations to completely understand that He has established His King once
and for all. He wants these kings and rulers to know that His King is far
greater than they. Kings and rulers of nations oppose the one true God but have
no problem at all accepting all the false gods created out of man’s minuscule
brains.
“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this
day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine
inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt
break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's
vessel.” Psalm 2:7-9. Here we see the Son of God (Jesus the Christ) being
recognized by God the Father as His anointed. God has begotten, this day, His
Son. Jesus was not created, but begotten. And what does God the Father give His
only begotten Son? His inheritance. The heathen and all nations are committed to
the Son as an inheritance and the Lord Jesus Christ will rule over and be judge
over all people of all nations. “...The kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 11:15.
It is simply astonishing to me that so many people can have such a hardened
heart, that they are so thoroughly banded together with a most stubborn rage
against their creator, that they will end their lives actually hating God. They
not only refuse to see the truth but take great pleasure denying it. The heathen
are continually kicking against the goad. What kind of a sick created being
would continually work at molding minds in direct opposition to God Almighty?
There’s one who fell from grace before the creation of this world and is
currently doing everything he can to convince a stubborn and stiff necked people
they can all become as gods. Satan uses the same lie today to lead people astray
as he did in the Garden of Eden to deceive Eve. Many still fall for it.
Every nation on the face of this planet has their fair share of heathens who
continually rage and rebel against God. Why? What is there to gain from such
rebellious actions? Our gain is in Christ, our hope is in Christ, and our very
lives are upheld by Jesus Christ. Nations rage against God’s anointed and for
the most part they never come to a realization that Jesus is for all intents and
purposes their blanket of security. How utterly foolish can people be? Jesus
will break them apart and destroy their lives like smashing clay pots, simply by
His appearing. The first time Jesus came into this world He came as a suffering
servant, the next time He sets foot on planet earth He will come as a conquering
hero. His Second coming will not be pretty but it will be awesome.
What does God want from these heathen? Simply put, He wants a relationship with
them, each of them, individually. He wants them to acknowledge Him for who He
is. There is a horrible consequence in rebelling against God. God does not wish
for anyone to experience the awful end that awaits the foolish Christ rejecting
world of raging heathens. As the heathen rage and rebel, God does everything He
can to convince them of the futility of their actions; sooner or later there
will be finality to those actions. The finality is they’ve either repented of
their rebellion or they’ve completely given themselves over to the enemy and
they are perishing.
Forgiveness is available from God to everyone who asks; there is no hesitation
or shortage of grace on His part as hearts are softened and people repent of
their evil ways. Our part is to come to Jesus with humility and loving
submission, and to receive the forgiveness He offers by faith. Those who place
their trust in God’s Son, Jesus the Christ, for their salvation are blessed for
all eternity; those who continue to the end in their rebellious rage are without
excuse. Where do you stand?
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
There are Pestilences and then there are Pestilences
- Ron Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com
A scripture verse that gets quoted more often these days than almost all others
is from the Gospel of Matthew. “For nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew
24:7-8. Most Bible teachers point to these verses as prophetic in that they as
well as the rest of Matthew 24 will take place during the tribulation period. I
tend to agree with them on that interpretation but we can certainly see all
these things currently approaching, similarly to a woman in travail. Birth pangs
are growing very intense.
Swine flu hysteria is running amuck. We read about it everywhere on the
internet, in the newspaper, and I imagine it’s all over the TV news networks.
This swine flu is mutating into a major problem, but just a few days ago it was
nothing. How bad is it? There are different scenarios being floated by various
worldwide organizations. Mr. Obama says “There’s no cause for alarm”. The World
Health Organization has elevated the alert to a phase 4 pandemic. The UN is
warning of a global pandemic. The blame game has begun. Terrorists are being
blamed for a biological planned attack on the U.S. There was a Republican
running the department of Health and Human Services up until 28th of April when
Congress affirmed the new secretary and as such Republicans are being blamed.
There is a lot of excitement about a few outbreaks of this swine flu in the U.S.
In Mexico 150 people have died from the outbreak. As I write this commentary
swine flu has now spread to at least five other nations besides Mexico and the
US. So is it a pandemic? If so how do we cope with such an outbreak? Personally
I’ll need to see a whole lot more evidence come to the surface before I start to
get overly concerned. But whether or not there is a pandemic at hand isn’t
really what I am writing about today. The real scare, as I’ve outlined below, is
currently being quietly removed from the public eye. Out of sight out of mind.
Old news, but still the major outbreak of the worst kind of pestilence is at
hand. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be much outrage associated with it. No
one seems to even think about this disease any more, yet it has taken millions
of lives over the past twenty-five years or so. HIV/AIDS is a much more serious
disease and yet we hardly hear about it these days. Why is that? It’s
transferred sexually and yet promiscuous sexual intercourse is not only promoted
in every aspect of our lives but actually encouraged among our young children.
Abstinence is being disparaged.
“AIDS was first identified in the USA in 1981. The epidemic has now spread to
every part of the USA and to all sectors of society. It is thought that more
than one million people are living with HIV in the USA and that more than half a
million have died after developing AIDS.
People living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 33.0 million
Adults living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 30.8 million
Women living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 15.5 million
Children living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 2.0 million
People newly infected with HIV in 2007 2.7 million
Children newly infected with HIV in 2007 0.37 million
AIDS deaths in 2007 2.0 million
Child AIDS deaths in 2007 0.27 million
The latest statistics on the world epidemic of AIDS & HIV were published by
UNAIDS/WHO in July 2008, and refer to the end of 2007.
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
Africa has 11.6 million AIDS orphans.
At the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV
worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections
worldwide.”
This information was obtained through the internet website AVERT.org.
Where’s the panic when it comes to this worldwide epidemic? The above statistics
are as of December 2007 but the report also stated that the amount of deaths for
2008 ran about the same as 2007, that’s 2 million people dying every year from
Aids? Where’s the outrage when we know for a fact how it’s spread?
Yes, let’s get into a whole new pandemic so we can all take our minds off the
real culprits involved in spreading death. Let’s legalize same sex marriage so
we can all feel better about these sick, debased individuals who are seemingly
incapable of recognizing what they are doing to spread disease like there’s no
tomorrow. Who cares about the consequences associated with this completely
debouched lifestyle? Let them be married, let them be legitimized. Let’s pass
hate crimes bills so no one can ever say one word against such a lifestyle
without feeling the wrath of the law. Let that obscene lifestyle be promoted
throughout our public school system as a loving and caring lifestyle of people
who were supposedly born different. This is a huge lie being perpetrated on a
Christ rejecting, willingly ignorant and foolish society.
Pestilence, yes there will be pestilence in the last days in divers places. All
around the world there will be pestilences but let’s at least place the blame in
the laps of the biggest pestilence producing group of individuals of human
history. The homosexual community is responsible for this judgment. Why? Because
they refuse to believe the word of God when it plainly states the following.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; ... Wherefore God
also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to
dishonour their own bodies between themselves: ... For this cause God gave them
up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into
that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use
of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that
which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error
which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in [their]
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are
not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers,
without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of
God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the
same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:18, 24, 26-32.
But as Mr. Obama declared in one of his campaign speeches “Nobody should be
concerned with a few obscure Bible verses”. Obama’s very poignant statement will
go down in infamy as our government implodes from within.
This newly professed pandemic may be a new judgment from God, but certainly
we’ve been under judgment for some years now and it hasn’t even made a dent in
our attitudes towards God. If anything we as a society have actually moved
further away from God. So perhaps we are in for a new round of judgments; once
again God’s focus may well be on getting our attention before it’s too late.
Perhaps this time Lord.
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Silence of the Lambs - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
As we’re reading and studying our Bibles and hopefully taking God’s word
seriously, we become empowered by the Holy Spirit to pass on our knowledge to
others. As we learn our purpose in God’s plan we should become bolder with His
message. And this new boldness of ours is contagious as we reach out to the
lost. We teach others what we really believe about Jesus and we help them to see
the truth, the truth about the transforming power of God. But along with our new
God given purpose comes a not so pleasant consequence.
Believers, true believers that is, become a target for the enemy. Satan places a
huge bull’s eye on those who are actually upholding God’s inerrant word and
preaching the Gospel, and then directs his followers to attack and destroy those
targets. This satanic attack will not diminish until Jesus removes His Church
from planet earth. If you are one of those who actively follow Jesus’ command to
spread the Gospel, you are currently wearing that target everywhere you go.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. Many
times in the Bible believers are referred to as sheep or lambs. Jesus referred
to those who follow Him as His sheep. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11. Even though Jesus refers to Himself
as the good shepherd He still sends His flock out among the wolves. “...behold,
I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3.
Who are the wolves Jesus speaks about? Satan’s followers, all unbelievers. You
may think I’m crass in my assessment of unbelievers, but you must understand
what Jesus Himself tells us about unbelievers. In the book of Matthew Jesus
said, “He that is not with me is against me...” Matthew 12:30. Who is against
Jesus? Satan. So if you’re not with Jesus then you’re with Satan. If you have a
problem with this Biblical assessment of all unbelievers, your problem is
actually with the author and finisher of my faith, not me.
Recently in the news there’s been talk of pro-life adherents and those who are
opposed to same sex marriages, as well as prophecy buffs and people who don’t
care for the current government administration, as being considered potential
rightwing terrorists. Many of the folks in this category are born again
believers in Christ. As our government moves even further into a posture of
enacting new legislation designed for the eventual elimination of all opposition
to the current regime more and more of these kinds of verbal attacks will occur
to the ultimate goal of the silencing of the lambs.
This is just one more attempt by Satan to accomplish his agenda. His strategy is
to eradicate all opposition to his lies. If Satan can keep believers quiet when
it comes to witnessing it cuts down on his loses. By loses I mean when believers
witness to someone and the Holy Spirit moves in that person’s life and they
become born again, Satan loses one more soul. That fact ultimately results in
even more pressure coming to bear on Satan’s followers consequently they will
press in even harder on the lambs of Christ.
In all the history of the Church, Satan’s attacks have not stopped. His
maligning and horrible attacks on Christ’s church are recorded throughout
history. We must remember that even though there have been numerous endeavors to
silence the lambs of Christ all those satanic attempts have ended up as dismal
failures. That’s because Satan is a dismal failure. He’s not god, he’s not even
a god, he’s a fallen angel bent on destroying humankind.
“All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not
hear them.” John 10:8. We belong to Jesus Christ not Satan, and we don’t listen
to Satan or his minions of evil. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and
am known of mine.” John 10:14. Believers in Christ are attentive only to our
Lords voice and we follow Him and Him alone. Satan has no authority or power
over believers; we became the property of Jesus Christ at our conversion. Satan
still wields all authority over nonbelievers and they foolishly continue to
follow him. That’s a truth that’s quite evident in our society today.
The freedoms we once enjoyed are eroding quickly. Whether it began on President
Bush’s watch or President Clinton’s or even prior administrations isn’t really
the question. It was bound to happen because this world is under Satan’s watch.
Many people email me saying the Republicans are just as responsible for the
current situation as Democrats. No argument here. Many believe Bush was the
instigator of all we see that has recently changed the world for the worse. Was
Bush responsible for all the immorality currently being promoted from within
this country and distributed worldwide? Hardly, that is Satan’s accomplishment.
I’m not disagreeing with anyone about when it started only by whom it was
started. Here’s a clue, it wasn’t a man. Understand, though, that men propagate
this supernatural being’s agenda to their own ends – for their own selfish lusts
and desires and to their own demise.
Who’s currently pushing for the total collapse of our present way of life here
in America? We know Satan’s agenda is to silence the body of Christ, to force us
into submission, and to cause a change in us that will mold us into zombies such
as the unbelievers who currently follow him. Without men who are under his
control, Satan could not move even one inch forward. Satan places evil thoughts
in men’s minds but men act on those evils because men’s hearts are wicked. “The
heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Jeremiah 17:9.
A born again believer, born from God, in Christ, will never go so far as to
disparage God’s word, and be so ashamed of his or her salvation that they would
have nothing at all to do with the cross of Christ. Just because someone claims
to be a Christian doesn’t mean they are born again. Many so called Christians
don’t even know what it means to be born again. We must look at their fruit, the
fruit of their lives in Christ. “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Matthew 7:20. If their fruit points to silencing the lambs of Christ that would
be a good indication that that person isn’t concerned with bearing good fruit
and the love of God is not in him. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not
his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4.
The silencing of the lambs of God is currently well underway by our current
President. No one can legitimately dispute that claim. Especially, in light of
the statements made by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet
Napolitano referring to all those individuals who oppose even one aspect of the
current administrations agenda as being possible rightwing terrorist. Can there
be any doubt that there is a push on to silence Jesus’ lambs? Believers have the
truth but those who are perishing can’t stand to hear the truth so they will
stop at nothing to silence the lambs. They will even create laws to force
Christ’s lambs into submission. It’s happening even as you’re reading this
commentary. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil: for thou art with me; ...” Psalm 23:4.
Some say I spend too much time lambasting our current government administration
and not enough time promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve written hundreds
of commentaries over the past three years with the intent of spreading the
Gospel, and yet less than 5% of which have had anything whatsoever to do with
confronting the evil behind our current or past government leadership. I believe
it is the calling of all those who have the gift of discernment to get the truth
out as watchmen on the wall.
Everyone who has the eyes of discernment can see what’s happening in our land.
There is a supernatural force at work here moving at seemingly breakneck speed
to force the lambs of Christ into silence. If you are one of those with this God
given ability you should be shouting this travesty from the rooftops. This is
not just a US phenomenon. All of you that email me from outside the US, from
South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Germany, Spain, South America, and
Canada, wherever you’re from, this satanic agenda of silencing the lambs of
Christ is either coming your way or you’re already well aware of it. “You are of
God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is
greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.
Just by writing about the truth of the Gospel has the distinct possibility of
positioning Christians on a US government list of rightwing extremism, and
therefore a potential threat to the stability of our government. Mark my words
it won’t be long before all preaching of the truth will be outlawed because it
is currently being perceived as “hate speech”. Thus we see a continual satanic
drive on for the silencing of the lambs.
Paul said, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard,
and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:9.
How much clearer could it be? We are to preach the Gospel as Paul did in his
lifetime but there will be consequences associated with that preaching. Paul
faced numerous attempts on his life yet persevered until the end. God’s peace
shall be with us as we proclaim His message unabashed. This boldness will no
doubt infuriate our enemies and cause a great amount of scorn from those who
follow Satan. Indeed our well being may be in jeopardy as we continue in God’s
will.
My desire is not to come off as arrogant or prideful or even condescending, but
to help block the onslaught of determined foes attempting to silence the lambs
of Christ. As I read about the various scenarios currently being promoted by the
current administration to accomplish their satanic task I must continue to try
and build a wall of faith among the believers that won’t be breached by the
enemy’s fear mongers. As the new laws in this land are passed to silence the
lambs – fear will be the biggest factor.
Lies abound and the enemy has many on his side to help him achieve his desired
goals. We believers will continue to be pressed from every side as we remain
faithful in our Christian walk. These fear mongers are quite wrong when they say
we conspire to overthrow our own government. We do not need to overthrow any of
earth’s governments because One is coming who will sit on the throne of David.
He shall rule and reign with power and great glory and the entire world will
worship Him. There’s nothing this current group of foolish followers of Satan
can accomplish which will have any lasting results on silencing the lambs. Jesus
Christ will overthrow all this world’s evil governments at His very appearing.
“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and
every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11.
We do preach, though, that a new government is on the way who’s King will not
take sides as to who is His favorite but He will be King over all inhabitants of
earth and there will be no opposition to His Kingship. Satan knows this as fact
and is working feverishly to accomplish his goal before his time is up. Praise
be to God, for we know Satan has already been defeated. Defeated at the cross of
Christ.
These simple words that I’ve typed here could, without a doubt, get me placed on
my governments list of subversives, those of a rightwing terrorist persuasion.
If so, so be it. My King is and always will be King and I need not fear those
who are perishing. My voice shall not be quenched nor shall that of my true
brethren. We will hold fast to the faith and occupy ‘til He comes. My fellow
lambs, be ye not silenced.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture use is from the KJV
Christians, Conspiracies, Faith and Love - Ron
Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com
“...but the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4.
Conspiracy theories abound and are being thrown at us from every angle. Recently
I was provided with a link to a two hour video that if true would probably scare
the most hardened atheist. The video begins by proclaiming that all our past
presidents had been puppets clear back to, but excluding, John F. Kennedy. This
recent conspiracy points to multi-billionaires, the bankers of the world, as the
ones holding the puppet strings of our government leaders. It seems, according
to this theory, these greedy fiends are the ones behind the push to a one world
government. These theorists say there are concentration camps being built all
over the US to imprison those who know the truth. They are constructed and will
be utilized to keep the nonconformist silent while these evil and maniacal men
and women pour out their treachery on the rest of unsuspecting mankind. Is this
truth or fiction?
Conspiracy theorists have been around forever it seems, and they always appear
when times get tough. Our economy is in the tank and our government leaders seem
bent on replacing the US Constitution with some other form of government; no one
really seems to be able to put their finger on just what form of government
that’s going to be, whether it’s new designation will be that of a socialistic
or communistic form of government is yet to be seen. To the theorists, the
American republic we once knew and loved is all but washed up.
Certainly we can clearly see there’s a movement afoot to eliminate our US
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. We see them both being
trampled and trashed more and more every day. Worst of all, in my mind, is
what’s happening to the Christian Church in America. The signs are so painfully
obvious yet biblical. Clearly, the apostasy of the Church is nigh at hand. Yes,
absolutely something evil this way comes. Those who have no faith in God have no
hope for anything better. But the true born again believer, those who are “in
Christ” are justified and thus living in faith, right?
My brethren, do yourselves a huge favor and stop listening to men or women who
have their own agendas apart from God’s. Whether they be our government leaders
or conspiracy theorists, or even some of our church leaders, stop this lunacy
and let’s remember what God told Habakkuk “The Just shall live by his faith”.
Our faith is in Jesus Christ and also our trust. Many of these conspiracy
theories seem to be in line with Bible prophecy, so where better to turn than to
God and His word for the details? I’m not saying that these conspiracies can’t
be true, but that we should approach each new theory through the lens of
scripture always remembering in whom we’ve placed our faith and trust.
God gave us His word to study, to immerse ourselves in, and to obtain the truth.
God is truth and He puts more emphases on the truth of His word than on His very
name. That’s why it is so important that we live by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God. “...that he might make thee know that man doth not live
by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD
doth man live.” Deuteronomy 8:3. Even when our Lord was being tempted in the
wilderness for forty days it was God’s word that He always fell back on as He
rebuked the Devil.
Aren’t Christians being tempted each day? Where should we turn if not to the
Lord? Will we see the times we live in worsen? Probably. If we are worrying and
fretting now while we are still living in abundance, what’s going to happen to
our faith and our witness as we see the US crumble around us? The Just shall
live by faith. Who are the just? If you are a born again believer you are
justified and you now live by faith.
The Bible is a history lesson, and it has taught us plenty about mankind’s past
history, and interestingly we are also given a look at the future history of all
mankind. We call the future history prophecy. Prophecy is all through the Bible;
God uses prophecy to authenticate His word. Whether we are inundated with
conspiracy theories or evil ungodly people pushing to realign this planet as a
one world government everything has been written down for us before hand so we
wouldn’t be surprised. My point is, God will not allow anything to happen in
this world that doesn’t conform to His plan, His will for the future of mankind.
Sincerely studying the Bible will probably become the national pastime of most
born again believers as we traverse these last of days on planet earth. Staying
in fellowship and prayer are basics that should never be neglected. Building
strong relationships with our brethren will bring huge blessings and benefits to
both us and them. God wants us to come together as His children and unite in our
common faith. That faith is in Jesus Christ His Son.
There are going to be many aspects of the end times that we disagree on, this is
painfully evident, but those disagreements don’t need to tear us apart. Satan
loves to get Christians bickering amongst ourselves. My brethren this should not
be so. The just are living by faith in Christ and that fact alone becomes our
uniting tie that binds us together. We are going to need that binding more and
more as we watch these last days drawing to a close.
When will the Church be raptured? No one knows. The heat of persecution is
already upon us though, and most believers are already feeling it. What am I
speaking about? Take a look at how the ungodly have infiltrated our government
and its programs. These people are now pushing their evil attitudes and agendas
to replace what was once a free country with new radical socialism. The left and
centrist of this country are the antagonists that will stop at nothing to
eradicate Christians and our beliefs from being a part of their new enlightened
society.
Our faith and our God given rights to oppose anything that is contrary to God’s
laws are being systematically discouraged and even eliminated from the American
scene. Oh, and of course our newly elected president has some wonderful new
agendas that he’s seeing fit to push down the throats of the spiritually blind
populace. Please consider that anyone who is opposed to God’s laws will be the
ones ratcheting up the heat of persecution upon the Christian community. Again
we turn to the book of Habakkuk for God’s response to all this evil. “The just
shall live by his faith”. God makes it easy to understand, we are His and we are
justified in His sight. Therefore, we shall live out our lives here on earth by
faith.
Will America take her place among the trash heaps of discarded past
civilizations that refused to humble themselves or to show any respect or
reverence for their Creator God? Time will tell. I’ve heard it said that if God
doesn’t judge America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. Wow, God
really let Sodom and Gomorrah have it. Just what kind of judgment might He have
in store for a country that began so strong in the Christian faith and yet has
now done a 180 degree turn and is currently engulfed in unholy, godless, evil,
activities, so perverse that even Sodom would blush? Since God knows the future
of all events, there’s no doubt His plan for America’s judgment is already set.
Christians need not fear God’s fierce wrath, many other Americans should.
My brethren, we have a wonderful Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. He came into
this world to save us from our sin and to give us life more abundantly. That
said, why do we worry so about the future? If we believe that God is in control
then whatever happens to America, or the world for that matter, is up to God.
All our faithless worries are an abomination since believers are the just who
shall live by faith.
First and foremost our focus in these last days, as always, should be on our
Lord Jesus and secondly on the lost, not on conspiracy theories. Believers know
the final outcome of all this evil that abounds, but what of those who are still
living without Jesus? What must be going through their minds as they witness the
systematic destruction of our once favored way of life? Some, when they hear the
truth, will turn from their wicked ways, but what if no one tells them the
truth? When a family member or even a friend dies the last thing any of us will
want to hear ourselves saying is, “Why didn’t I tell you, before it’s was too
late”?
Are you one of the just that shall live by his faith? I know there are many road
blocks impeding our movements as we try to adhere to our Saviour’s will. By
faith we don’t allow Satan to instill fear in us. By faith we won’t allow him to
establish a wall of separation between us and the lost. By faith we will allow
the Holy Spirit to lead us in all our endeavors. Worrying about what kind of
evil reaction might follow our presentation of the Gospel will be nonexistent to
those who are justified and living by faith. God will take care of the evil
things of this world as long as we are presenting the good news of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.
There’s a song that I really enjoy singing, and the chorus goes like this, “And
they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes they’ll know we
are Christians by our love”. How many lost people have seen your love today
Christian?
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Surprise! - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“And God said... let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the
fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every
creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26. What happened? When
did man lose this God ordained dominion over all the earth? When and where did
Satan advance to the position of ruler having gained all the power and dominion
over all this earth?
At one time, Adam had in his possession the title deed to planet earth. God gave
it to him. He held title to some of the nicest property in the universe.
Initially Adam was sole owner, but all mankind would have eventually enjoyed an
equal share in planet earth if not for Adam’s one little slip up. By rebelling
against God, Adam and Eve signed over that title deed to Satan and Satan would
hold title (dominion) to planet earth for literally thousands of years. As a
matter of fact it’s still in his possession.
“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the
kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this
power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me;
and to whomsoever I will I give it,” Luke 4:5, 6. In the above verses, Satan
claimed that authority over the earth’s kingdoms was delivered to him, and Jesus
didn’t challenge that statement. Here’s a guarantee, Satan will never give even
a portion of that power to anyone who won’t worship him. Jesus would never
worship Satan, but ungodly men who are hungry for power will sell their souls
for a chance to gain that power, and they have.
Satan is the ruler of this world and the prince of the power of the air and has
been so, by popular election of mankind, since the days of Adam. “Wherein in
time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2. Planet earth is a property currently governed by
Satan’s supernatural minions of evil and they hate mankind. Most of mankind has
been blinded to this truth since the first rebellion against God.
Since Satan possesses the glory of the kingdoms of this world, and can give it
to whomsoever he wills, it should not surprise us to see the ungodly in
positions of power in every nation. Is there any wonder that Americans have
elected a man completely opposed to God to represent them? Most people follow
Satan, not God, and that’s a sad fact.
Should we then be shocked and surprised when ungodly men are thrust into the
public eye, men without any governing experience to speak of, and then to be
elected by a majority vote to hold the highest office of our land? Can there be
any doubt as to the supernatural force behind such a phenomena? Take a trip
around the globe and try and find men of godly stature upholding God’s truths
while running their countries. How many did you find? Are you surprised yet?
As believers we are in a daily battle with Satan and his minions of evil. Before
we became a new creation in Christ there was no battle, no stumbling blocks,
Satan owned us and that was that. After becoming born again this life became
much tougher. What really makes this life difficult for believers to deal with
is that we aren’t blind to God’s truth anymore. It has now become our
responsibility to pass on this truth – the truth of the Gospel – to those who
are still wearing blinders. But the opposition is fierce.
In our previous existence as unbelievers we couldn’t see Satan’s handiwork. Now
that we are believers we see his evil in everything from the men and women
running our federal government to even the small city government officials.
Those who are deceived can’t see what’s happening in this country and the
majority in this country are themselves satanically deceived. True believers,
those who actually live a life devoted to Christ, have no doubt about what’s
going on. Satan is ruler of this age, and has been for the last six thousand
years, although, time’s running out and Satan knows it.
Satan’s lie remains unchanged, although presented differently in today’s
vernacular. There really is no difference in what Eve heard from the serpent in
the Garden of Eden, “Did God really say” and “Thou shalt not surely die” or the
lie that is heard today all over the world. “Is there really a God, and if there
is, would a loving God really send good people to Hell just because they aren’t
Christians?” Satan never changes his tired old lies; it’s just that he always
has a new parade of people traveling through this world that he can corrupt with
those lies, always working at expanding his base of followers.
Speaking of followers, only through supernatural power is a man able to achieve
what Obama has achieved in so short a span of time. For the most part this man
was unheard of a short while ago and now reigns as quasi-king of the world.
That’s scary folks. Many people see me as a racist and a bigot because I’m not
following Obama. They can call me what they will, it won’t change the fact of
who Obama is and who’s behind him. Nor will it change my mind about how the
majority of folks in this country, as well as other nations around the world,
are so completely deceived that the truth has become a lie, right has become
wrong, good has become bad, up has become down, and light has become dark. Evil
is evil folks, no matter how we dress it up.
At this point the emails will come flooding in telling me “Well Bush was just as
bad” or “McCain would have been worse”. Those folks, having been motivated by
satanic deceptions, now see a need to deflect any perception of evil from Obama
and lay it at the doorstep of someone else. Have you ever noticed that nothing
that is perceived to be evil ever sticks to this man?
Obama, through his proclamation of change has done what the devil is so good at
doing; he’s tempted the masses with something better, a better life, and a more
prosperous future. His idea of change is to do a makeover on the face of
America. The jury is still out on what face he’s trying to put on America, but
it’s beginning to look a lot like a Muslim face. Here’s a quote from that
dressed up occupier of the office of President of the United States. “The
Islamic faith has done so much over the centuries to make my country better.”
That is a quote from your president America. Are you surprised yet?
Politicians come and go, and at this point in time in this country we are
strapped with some of the most ungodly politicians ever to walk the halls of
congress or sit in the office of the President. Personally, I’m not surprised.
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that
they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me,
that I should not reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:7. Something we would all do well
to remember is how much Israel wanted a King. Even after Samuel told them all
the evil things a king would demand of them they refused to listen.
“Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said,
Nay; but we will have a king over us; 1 Samuel 8:19. Israel demanded from God a
king and because God wouldn’t violate the national will of the people He gave
them what they wanted. They were attracted to Saul because of his outside
appearance. But inside, Saul was not near as attractive, not so godly a man.
Israel made a huge mistake in seeking Saul as king. God wanted to be their King
but He was out voted.
A few thousand years later history repeats itself. America was once a nation
where God was King, but He has now been voted out. America is now looking to a
man and his outside appearance and listening to his articulate speech for their
deliverance. America has voted into office a new king who is as poor of a king
as Israel’s Saul ever was. If we can’t learn from history we are doomed to
repeat it, so the old adage goes. So, now that America has made her choice, God
will not violate her national will. We are now strapped with a man for at least
the next four years who will be the vehicle in which America rides out her final
assent into oblivion. Surprised yet?
It’s painfully obvious that godly leaders aren’t going to surface any time soon.
All we can do to fight the scourge on the land is to be in continual prayer and
remember who wins in the end. At any rate, this world shouldn’t be all that
attractive to us. The word of God sufficed for Jesus to fend off Satan in the
wilderness, and that same word of God is completely sufficient for us as well.
Satan may be the prince of this world but true believers in Christ are not of
this world and we have a King who is God and He rules and reigns over us with
love and compassion. Knowing we have a Heavenly home waiting for us should keep
us going even in the face of such evil adversity.
I pray that God will extract His Church before we undergo many more surprises,
such as an excessive amount of persecution. I fear for the brethren that we will
all see and feel a hefty dose of isolation from the Obama government before the
caught up. Brethren, keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.
God help us all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture is from the KJV
Confronting Unbelief - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God
without effect?” Romans 3:3. Although Paul was questioning rhetorically, and his
focus was on the Jews, we can reflect on his question and apply it to today’s
unbelieving world. What if some refuse to believe in God? Does their unbelief
nullify the believer’s faith in God? Paul goes on to say “Certainly not” God is
truth, men are liars.
As Christians, we will undoubtedly encounter unbelief unless we are living with
our heads in the sand or under a rock somewhere. The work place for instance can
be a harbinger of unbelief. Our fellow employees, our bosses, the owners of
companies, and even the suppliers of goods to those companies can all give
battle against your faith in Christ.
“I have to say, with Paul, ‘What if some did not believe?’ It is no new thing;
for there have always been some who have rejected the revelation of God. What
then? You and I had better go on believing, and testing for ourselves, and
proving the faithfulness of God, and living upon Christ our Lord, even though we
see another set of doubters, and another, and yet another ad infinitum. The
gospel is no failure, as many of us know.”
Charles Spurgeon
What Spurgeon is saying is that no matter how many times we’re confronted with
unbelief we have to make a stand. We are to focus on God’s word and hold firm to
our faith. We are to go forward acknowledging our strength is in Jesus and we
trust Him to get us through. Whether or not these doubters be offensive and
blasphemous, Jesus fights those battles for us.
Those people who are caught up in the deception of unbelief and who actually
belittle and mock us, in all actuality are our mission field. The thief on the
cross hanging next to Jesus, who at first ridiculed Jesus as did many others who
were present at Christ’s crucifixion, eventually had a change of heart. “Then he
said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42.
Jesus recognized that change and as soon as the man asked Jesus to remember him
Jesus responded affirmatively. “And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you,
today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43. That one time mocker of our
Lord is now in Heaven serving God. Jesus encountered much unbelief, people with
their eyes closed and their hearts cold as ice. But what a great example He
gives us in this story of the thief on the cross, a man who moments earlier was
destined for hell.
Jesus tells us over and over again that many will reject Him and His message,
and take the wide road that leads to destruction. “Enter by the narrow gate; for
wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are
many who go in by it.” Matthew 7:13.
All those walking dead and completely deceived individuals living a life of full
blown unbelief, to us seem to be steadfast in their rebellion against God. They
can have a change of heart, though; anyone can change. Only God knows who will
accept the prodding of the Holy Spirit. That change of heart might even come
from one word spoken from someone like you or me out of a love filled heart for
the lost.
Unbelief needs to be confronted no matter what the circumstances. Charles
Spurgeon wrote the following example “An army chaplain once said to the Duke of
Wellington, ‘Do you think that it is of any use our taking the gospel to the
hill tribes in India? Will they ever receive it?’ The duke replied, ‘What are
your marching orders?’” The Duke of Wellington was a military man who knew the
necessity of following commands, and his response to that chaplain must give us
all pause to remember our Saviors final command. “Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19.
In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13 we’re told Jesus went into His own country
and while preaching there was confronted with much unbelief. This unbelief was
painfully obvious to Him. “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto
them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own
house.” Matthew 13:57. Jesus’ very own countrymen were offended in Him. The
Greek word for offended actually means “to cause a person to begin to distrust
and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey”. Because of their unbelief His
countrymen lost out on much. “And he did not many mighty works there because of
their unbelief.” Matthew 13:58. Unbelief hinders and even impedes God’s
wonderful blessings.
Mark, explaining the same set of circumstances in his Gospel, says Jesus
marveled at their unbelief. Indeed it must be amazing to God to watch our
unbelief. With all the evidence of His creation confronting us daily I can see
God standing by our side as we wallow in unbelief, shaking His head and
muttering the word “Morons”. Certainly God’s exasperation with the unbelief in
this world must be hurtful to our Creator.
Besides all the unbelief Jesus confronted, Paul, Peter, John and the rest all
had their mockers and revilers as they attempted to spread the Gospel. The Old
Testament prophets as well had their doubters. There will come a time when we
will need to shake the dust off our shoes so to speak, and move on. We should
never get discouraged with spreading the Gospel, because as we move on, the Holy
Spirit stays behind and does a work on that individual that we can’t see. We may
never witness the fruit of our labors as we endeavor to confront unbelief. That
doesn’t mean fruit doesn’t appear.
Believers must always be on guard against unbelief. There are many who are
steeped in unbelief and as such they have buried themselves in sin. And they
don’t want their sin exposed, or even spoken about as sin. We get bombarded
almost daily with doubt about what we believe. Doubt is a lead-in to unbelief
even among believers. Doubt is expressed by many, even evangelical Christians.
There are those who teach the word, spreading their own unbelief over the
airwaves as they proclaim many falsehoods that should actually be shunned. There
are still those professing Christians who are opposed to me writing these
commentaries and through some very articulate speech actually condemn me for my
interpretation of scripture. I’m continually confronted with scripture verses
taken out of context to promote someone else’s agenda. This also is a form of
unbelief.
Many Christians teach there won’t be a rapture of Christ’s Church, or that we
are living in Christ’s millennial reign now. Some say the millennium is only an
allegory and that it’s not something that is going to happen in the future. They
say Jesus isn’t coming to earth to rule and reign for 1000 years because He is
ruling and reigning now in our hearts. There are many foolish people spreading
this type of nonsense perhaps thinking they are being a light, but in all
actuality their minds are deceived and they are deceiving the minds of their
listeners. A little seed of doubt instilled in a person’s mind and voila, before
you know it full blown unbelief.
Unbelief can lead to a denial of the truth of the scriptures and ultimately even
to the denial of the deity of Jesus Christ. God hates unbelief because we are
given the truth through the obviousness of His creation and through reading and
hearing His word which is truth. God’s word is disparaged continually which is
no different than calling God a liar.
So how should believers continue in the face of such unbelief? With
steadfastness, and through the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. “I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13. It’s never our
strength that leads us to witness, nor is it even our idea. It’s always the Holy
Spirit’s prodding to get us into a position to confront unbelief. As believers,
witnessing/evangelism is our responsibility and there should come a time when we
look at the task Jesus has set before us with much anticipation.
Unbelief is sin, there’s no question about that, and it’s an inexcusable sin if
that person dies in that state of rebellion. This rebellion is spreading like
wildfire around the world and at times there seems to be little or no reason for
it. If we allow the doubt and unbelief that’s permeating this world to creep
into our Christian witness, sooner or later we’ll begin to look at this godless
generation as being so far gone that there is no possibility of turning it
around. We will convince ourselves that the Holy Spirit is done and there’s
nothing else for us to do but wait on the Lord’s up call.
Confronting doubt and unbelief can be a daunting task, especially if one is
unprepared. I’ve learned that when you’re least expecting it, a question will be
hurled at you, and it usually comes from someone who is purposely trying to trip
you up, make you stumble, and if possible get you to doubt God’s word. More
often than not, the questioner isn’t even concerned with the answer. But if the
correct answer is given that person might just walk away with a different
outlook about God.
So how do we become prepared to give the correct answer? All the answers God
wants us to use in these situations are in the Bible. A systematic study of His
word will supply us with a plethora of knowledge above and beyond what any
unsuspecting doubter will be able to contend with. Remember, to study the verses
in context and with understanding of who is being addressed (i.e. a Pharisee or
a forgiven sinner) and with a good concordance to see the meaning from the
original languages. Doubters/unbelievers many times take delight in presenting
us with a question which can make a Christians cringe and squirm in their seats.
A question that almost always arises from these doubters, out of ignorance as
well as unbelief, is this, “Where did Cain get his wife”? Diligent studying
brings about God’s response to questions like these. The answer to that question
is in your Bible. The first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, will
enlighten you if you’re still searching for the answer.
In these last days before Jesus’ return, unbelief will increase substantially
(it’s quite pervasive now). Unbelievers and doubters will continually present us
with questions, some seriously searching for the truth but others who just
delight in confrontation. To the unprepared some of these questions will seem to
be impossible to answer, but that’s only because of a lack of knowledge of God’s
word. There are many wonderful truths in the Bible just waiting to be
discovered. As we discover these truths and our knowledge increases we are
better prepared for confrontation. Get out your Bibles, a confrontation with
unbelief is headed your way.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture verses are from the KJV
The Flourishing Laodicean Church - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“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:” Revelation 3:17. The book of Revelation reveals to us who
Christ is – He is Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Almighty. He
wears this name on His vesture, King of kings and Lord of lords. The Revelation
of Jesus Christ also tells of His church and its condition through the ages. In
chapters two and three Jesus addresses seven different Churches and sends them a
report card of sorts. These churches existed at the time John received the
Revelation; these letters give the condition of each church. They also give a
prophecy of what Christ’s Church would go through.
Below is a Prophetic Profile of the Seven Churches Jesus is addressing:
1. Ephesus – The Apostolic Church
2. Smyrna – The Persecuted Church
3. Pergamos – The Married Church
4. Thyatira – The Medieval Church
5. Sardis – The Denominational Church
6. Philadelphia – The Missionary Church
7. Laodicea – The Apostate Church
Two of the churches received a good report, but the other five were failing in
some areas and Jesus warned them to shape up. The last Church Jesus addressed
was the Church at Laodicea in which He hands over the most scathing of
indictments and tells them they’d do well to heed His words.
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or
hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue
thee out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16. Jesus refers to the Laodicean Church
as being lukewarm. This Church is concerned with the materialistic riches of
this world and not God. It’s all about them and their well being. They are quite
in tune with their own feelings and believe themselves to be very spiritual as
well, but the spirituality they embrace is not of God. The Laodiceans put their
faith and trust in prosperity, outward luxury, and physical health. They are in
need of nothing, especially Jesus.
When Jesus refers to the Laodicean Church as being lukewarm He’s not saying
they’ve almost made it to where He expects them to be. Jesus’ reference to hot
means to be on fire for Him and cold is compared to being refreshed with a cold
drink of water on a hot parched day. “So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16.
Lukewarm being so distasteful to the Lord Jesus that He cannot even swallow it,
all He can do is spit it back out of His mouth. My brethren, you don’t want to
be in that lukewarm state of affairs when Jesus raptures His Church.
What Jesus is telling this Church is that they are spiritually naked, basically
dead. The Church of Laodicea is not currently Heaven bound. The worst part is
they don’t realize how utterly distasteful they are to God. They truly believe
they’re in great shape and in line with what God expects of them. That’s what
makes it difficult to witness to these folks. In their minds their relationship
to God is faultless. But take another look at what God says about them. They are
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. In the mind of God
there’s no difference between the folks of the Laodicean church, as described
above, and those who are perishing through unbelief.
“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.” Revelation
3:20. The Laodicean Church has shut Christ out, yet He still wants to come in.
He is standing on the outside knocking, and even if one man will open the door
for Him, He’ll come in and sup (join in spiritual union) with that individual.
Sadly though, the door of that Laodicean Church remains closed to their true
Messiah.
America is replete with Laodicean Christians, and these folks will follow anyone
who tickles their ears with soft, persuasive, and appealing words. Jesus Christ
is not the foundation in those Churches. Heaven forbid that Christians should
look to Christ as the author and finisher of their faith and place Him in the
middle of every aspect of their lives. “Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God.” Hebrews 12:2. As followers of Jesus Christ no matter where we are, at
Church, home, work or play our faith is paramount and Jesus is always the center
of our lives.
A major factor at play with this end times apostate Church is their undying
support of what the Bible plainly refers to as abominations. They’re upside
down, as these folks now call evil good and good evil. The reason I know the
Laodicean Church is alive and well is by the many emails I receive from folks
complaining about their Church leaders who’ve capitulated to Obama’s socialistic
agendas. It’s staggering when I realize that professing Christians can be so
completely deceived as to follow such blatant evil. One of these days in the not
so distant future, our government will be fully entrenched in interfering with
even the content of the Gospel message.
Most Churches in America have bowed the knee to Baal, and it has now become more
important for the Church to retain their coveted tax exempt status than to speak
out against a tyrannical repressive government. In order to remain tax exempt,
churches have surrendered rights. They can be tax-exempt if they remain
politically correct and allow the government to police what can and cannot be
said from the pulpit. Of course we know this is to be expected as we’re watching
the establishment of the apostate Church in America and around the globe.
Think about it, the government of the United States currently interferes with
our Christian churches by demanding our pastors refrain from endorsing a
political candidate when addressing their congregations. This is just the
beginning of their interference. We only need to look to China to see where
America’s Christian churches are headed. China fully regulates the content of
sermons preached in their government supervised quasi-Christian churches.
America’s not quite there yet, but we’re getting close. As I’ve said before, the
only church remaining in the last days unimpeded will be the apostate Church,
from which a socialist government will have nothing to fear.
On a marquee in front of a Church I passed one day were the following words,
“The cornerstone of the Christian church is truth not tolerance”. There’s a good
possibility that Church is not of Laodicean fame.
Were the Apostles Peter and John known for their political correctness? These
two men had been brought before Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John,
and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest for
preaching about Jesus and for performing a miraculous healing in His name. Peter
and John listened patiently as Annas and the others told them that they were
forbidden to preach Jesus in public. Peter and John’s response to these foolish
men was quite blunt but precisely to the point. “... Whether it be right in the
sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye,” Acts 4:19. Who
are we hearkening unto these days?
Christians are told to submit to the governing authorities because they are
appointed by God and they serve a purpose in His plan (Romans 13:1), although,
sometimes it is to judge the people or to ripen the nation for judgment. Since
governments derive their authority from God, we are bound to obey them – unless,
of course, they order us to do something in contradiction to God’s law. The
murder of unborn babies in the womb and the condoning of a homosexual lifestyle
contradict God’s laws. We are to hearken unto God not man (Acts 4:19). If the
state’s rulers are God’s ministers (servants), they should remember that they
serve the people, and they are not gods. Christian obedience to the state is
never blind – it obeys with the eyes of conscience wide open. Know God’s word,
His commands and precepts and don’t be deceived.
Children many times follow other children without even a second thought, but now
that we are older and able to think and discern for ourselves we should know
better than to follow anyone opposed to God. “When I was a child, I spake as a
child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I
put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11. It’s childish to follow someone
the way a puppy tags along after a small boy.
Be he eloquent of speech, or persuasive of words, whether he’s charismatic and
charming, and though his stature be as a Greek god, he still needs to be viewed
through the filter of Scripture. And we never use scripture to promote our
preconceived ideas or agendas. Remember the one barrier to truth is the idea we
already have it.
We don’t follow after vain, puffed up, arrogant, flamboyant, suave and
articulate speaking men or women. We follow Christ and His commandments. As born
again believers we stand up for Jesus our God and we proclaim His message until
He comes. Nothing else matters, nothing of this world can compare to what awaits
believers on the other side.
If you’re on the cusp and just about ready to head down Laodicea road, you’ve
given up on the scriptures because you just don’t agree with them anymore
“They’re out dated, they don’t fit in our new world society” or perhaps your
above learning anything new when it comes to the never changing word of God “I
know the scriptures better than you do”, then remember this “But the natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1
Corinthians 2:14. Only born again believers are given the ability to grasp what
the scriptures are proclaiming while the non-believer remains in darkness. That
same darkness surrounds the Laodicean Church.
These apostate churches, have thrown away their first love, Jesus the Christ,
and replaced Him with a naked spirituality. They’ve given up the battle and have
lain down in the camp of the enemy. The cause of Christ has been hurt far more
by people who profess to be knowledgeable Christians, and yet through their very
ignorance of the scriptures do more harm than those who ignorantly and
arrogantly proclaim there is no God.
Where’s Satan in all this? He’s done his part he’s succeeded in moving the once
Christian Church into the land of Laodicea. Satan has moved on to greener
pastures so to speak, to undermine Churches on other continents where
Christianity is still flourishing and not dead. His greatest conquest has been
America’s Christian Churches. Oh sure he left some of his minions of evil here
to supervise the remaining slide to Laodicea, but for all intents and purposes
he’s accomplished his mission. America’s once Christian Churches have largely
been moved into a new arena of spiritual apathy.
Satan was defeated long ago, at the cross, long before he began his work
corrupting the Christian Churches in America. Jesus did that through His death,
burial, and resurrection. But the Church allowed Satan a stronghold, a footing
as it were, so he could advance his agenda to the uttermost extreme. He and his
minions of evil have now become more prosperous than ever before.
So what motivates believers nowadays to keep the faith? Is it the love we have
for Jesus that keeps us going in the face of all adversity? It should be. But
where does that adversity come from if Satan’s mission is mostly complete?
Sadly, Christians today are finding their very own brethren to be their biggest
stumbling blocks.
I continually receive emails from professing Christians that disparage God’s
word. I’ll point out the chapter and verse but no matter what God’s word
proclaims they still disagree. Who are they disagreeing with? It seems we can no
longer agree on what is right and what is wrong. Any mention of sin has been
banned from the pulpits of these apostate Churches. Abortion, homosexuality,
pornography, divorce are accepted in the minds of many professing Christians
today, and if those four abominations aren’t enough to turn God’s stomach, we
are quickly becoming a nation that curses Israel. That Brethren, is the
scariest.
The Church at Laodicea is a body of professing believers who aren’t really
followers of Christ. They’ve stopped holding the entirety of God’s word as
authority. Those congregational attendees who fall into that category will not
be included in the rapture of Christ’s Church. Sadly they’ve eliminated Jesus as
the foundation of their faith. People, that’s not judging. If Jesus said He
would spew them out of His mouth what makes us think He’ll allow them into His
Heavenly Kingdom in that state?
Yes my friends, the Laodicean Church is flourishing in the United States of
America and around the world for that matter. These thriving congregations will
soon be into full apostasy. This is the prophetic course set for the Church
according to the scriptures. They will be the only remaining Church in the last
days before Christ’s return. Yet Jesus still loves them, and considers them His
friends “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent.” Revelation 3:19.
If you feel you’re involved in a Church that is Laodicea bound, it’s time to
make a change in your Christian walk.
God bless,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture verses are from the KJV
Take up your Cross - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“...Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow me.” Mark 8:34. Do Christians living today fully understand what
Jesus is saying? We’ve sanitized the cross to the point that it has now taken on
a revered look. The cross is now a nice clean and shinny symbol, but symbol of
what? In the days when Jesus told all who were sitting around Him, including His
disciples, they needed to pick up their crosses, He was telling them they might
well be put to death just as He would soon die on that cross if they were truly
going to follow Him. The cross was a harsh instrument of death; it had no other
purpose.
The Romans weren’t the ones who invented the torture of the cross, but they did
perfect it. All those living in the times when the cross was used as a source of
execution understood the severity of the inhumane torture inflicted upon the
cross. No one in those days wanted to be reminded of what the cross represented.
Today jewelry stores are full of silver and gold crosses displayed in glass
cases, their beauty enhanced with added lighting showing their brilliance, some
studded with rubies and diamonds. In Jesus’ day the cross was despised, it was
feared, it resulted in a most horrible and agonizing death. If you hang one
around your neck or from your ears it becomes a beautiful and adored piece of
flattery, but it was a far different symbol in the days of our Saviors death.
“Every Christian must be a Crucian, and do somewhat more than those monks that
made themselves wooden crosses, and carried them on their back continually,
making all the world laugh at them.” Martin Luther
Jesus is speaking about each individual picking up their very own cross and
following Him down that dusty, dirty road of persecution and tribulation. That’s
a road most Christians actually shun. In today’s vernacular Jesus is saying the
road you will travel, if you are going to follow Him, is likened to the hall
leading to the execution chamber.
Many Christians all across this globe are being put to death because they’ve
picked up their crosses and never put them down. Here in America we still enjoy
the freedom to worship openly, although Christianity in this nation is being
attacked from all sides. There will come a time when Christianity will be of
little or no significance in this country. You don’t believe it? Stay silent and
wait and see.
Those who follow Jesus are denying their humanistic instincts and by picking up
their crosses, they know they must completely submit to Jesus’ will. When we
deny our self and surrender to Jesus we resolve to obey Him. Obeying Jesus has
never been a very self promoting idea, and too many people today are of the
mindset of “it’s all about me”. Instead, we should be doing everything according
to what Jesus has commanded and everything we do should point to Him. Let God be
glorified in all we do and say.
“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be
rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed,
and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31. Jesus went on to say, “Take up your
cross and follow me”; of course Jesus knew exactly what He was telling his
listeners. Did they fully grasp the severity of what Jesus expected of them? If
they understood Jesus was to suffer many things, even be killed, then they most
certainly would have known their fate could be the same as His. Isn’t He also
telling us (this current generation of believers) that as we take up our crosses
we too will most surely experience persecution? I say it is. “...and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20. We can take
comfort in Jesus’ final words from the Gospel of Matthew.
Those who Jesus spoke with were to understand that by following Him they would
be putting themselves in harm’s way. It was a certainty that they had to resolve
in their own minds before stepping out to follow Him. There was a sacrifice to
be made in order to follow Jesus. Many turned away and went back home unable to
make the commitment to follow Him as the cost was too great. How will those of
us who profess to follow Jesus Christ today contend with such persecutions? You
best get prepared folks, its coming.
There is only one way, one path that will allow us to obtain true life, and that
is by dying to this earthly life. Jesus said “...whosoever shall lose his life
for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35. We can’t gain
resurrection life without dying first. Many will not give up the riches and
pleasures of this life, as fleeting as they are, to even think about following
Jesus. The pull of a soft, exciting, unencumbered, materialistic, self-made
lifestyle is so great that one may actually gain the whole world but lose their
soul in the process. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36. No pain, no gain. All who follow
Jesus, and I mean truly follow Him, will experience pain/persecution. If you’re
born again, and sitting on the sidelines just enjoying life without a care for
the lost or with what’s happening around you, then relax persecution probably
won’t come your way.
People who live according to Jesus’ teachings and actually take up their cross
have a much easier time with the actions and circumstances that confront them
even though the days be filled with evil. Those who are at peace with their
salvation and who revel in their security find contentment easily obtainable.
Praise God! These days we live in can be brutal and seemingly hopeless at times.
But take heart “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall
take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof.” Matthew 6:34.
When our life’s pursuit is the perfect mold which is Jesus Christ, our minds
become transformed. We will never reach perfection–the perfection of
Christ–while we live in the flesh. But by striving for that perfection and
adhering to God’s will–as we become others centered–we can become more content
and much closer to understanding who God is and what His plan is for our lives.
In the prayer Jesus taught His disciples, He’s teaching all of us to pray for
the following, “...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10b.
God’s will is for us to take up our cross and follow Him; to do His will while
we are able no matter what roadblocks are placed in our path.
Picking up that cross every day of our lives means we will be associating
ourselves with Jesus of Nazareth. While living here on earth, Jesus was despised
and hated by many and finally put to death for His crime of proclaiming to be
equal to God. He was crucified for loving His followers and even for loving
those who hated Him. Those who hated Him then are no different than those who
hate Him today, and that same hatred for Jesus is put upon all who follow Him.
If you and I will not flinch, if we will remain true to our Savior and not be
ashamed of Him, then when He returns in His glory we shall share in that glory.
But if we live according to the world and the world sees us as being of no
significant difference then aren’t we showing the world that we are ashamed of
Jesus the Christ? Shouldn’t we then suffer the consequences of that professed
shame? Jesus said “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous
and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes
in the glory of His Father with the holy angels,” Mark 8:38 Aren’t we living in
one of the most adulterous and sinful generations of all time? Shouldn’t we
believers, having taken up our crosses, long to hear the words “Well done, thou
good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew
25:21.
The cross is nothing to be ashamed of; it’s in the Christian’s heart as a symbol
of death’s defeat. Jesus defeated death by dying on that cross. But when Jesus
speaks of picking up our cross and following Him He isn’t telling us to go down
to our local jewelry store and purchase a necklace with a gold or silver cross
hung from it. Nor is He admonishing us to mark up our bodies with a tattoo of a
cross. When we finally make up our mind to follow Jesus in what He’s
accomplished regarding our salvation we must decide once and for all that He
reigns and it’s His will that will be done from that point on. And that we will
not shy away from our assigned tasks. That’s taking up your cross.
Side Note:
I personally have no problem with folks purchasing crosses as an affirmation of
who they are and whom it is they follow. Just remember, Jesus wants our hearts
to reflect Him not a piece of jewelry, that isn’t picking up ones cross.
Nowhere in the scriptures are Christians told that once we take up that cross
life is going to be easy. There is a sinister element that is very prevalent on
the scene today just as it has been for all the centuries following Jesus’
ascension. Believers in the one true God, Jesus Christ, will have evil
accusations hurled at them as if they were a scourge on the land, history proves
that.
There are many accusations promoted through the major media and whether they be
true or false are always promoted for the sole purpose of tearing down the
Christian faith. When we hear news pundits referring to Christians as terrorists
or classifying us in any number of other disparaging ways, then it’s time to
rejoice. True cross bearers can take solace in the very fact that these folks
refer to the Christian faith as being responsible for all the past and future
problems in the world. Why? Well because that proves Jesus’ words “If the world
hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you,” John 15:18. If the
world hates you because they hate Jesus Christ, then you are in excellent
company, and you’ve done what Jesus told you to do, you’ve taken up your cross
and followed Him. On the other hand if the world loves you, you must be of the
world and not of Christ. Where’s your cross?
Have you ever noticed that when someone wants to take a swipe at Christianity
they consistently bring up the crusades or a Catholic Priest who’s molested
someone, perhaps even a leading evangelical that turned to homosexuality? No
true born again cross bearer would have associated themselves with those who
were butchering people in Christ’s name, and as for the others I mentioned,
isn’t it possible that they never really understood what it meant to daily take
up ones cross. Jesus said many would come in His name to deceive and He was
right. There are plenty of folks who masquerade as Christians for their own
personal gain. This has been the case since Jesus’ ascension.
Let’s be clear on the subject of the cross. We, that is, those who are actually
taking up their crosses, are going to be persecuted. If you’ve done as Jesus
willed you to do and you’ve taken up your cross daily, there is no doubt that
you will feel the heat of hate or some other persecution. Look around at the
evil that is already coming down on the brethren and you must admit that the
Christian life you’ve embarked on is not always going to be a bed of roses.
Taking up one’s cross may very well become much more intense and dangerous here
in America, just like it is in many other parts of the world. It will become
more and more difficult to unabashedly remain a Christian in these last days,
especially as we witness Christ-haters promoting every evil imaginable, trying
to indoctrinate us with their sick lifestyles, and basically force feeding their
wicked agendas upon every cross bearer.
The silver lining to taking up your cross is that you will spend eternity in
glorious Heaven with our awesome God. If we must endure persecution to obtain
that end, so be it.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scriptures are from the KJV
------------------------------------------------------------------
“My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I have been
overwhelmed by the responses to my commentary entitled “Judge Not”. Your kind
words of support and encouragement have been far and above what I would have
ever thought possible. I’ve read them all and they have given me such hope. I
now realize there are many people out there that agree with me about Obama and
his new government. Thank you all. I pray that God is glorified by all I write.
I would like to encourage each of you to keep praying for this nation and for
its leaders that they might begin to do God’s will instead of the opposite.”
God bless,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Judge Not - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
I receive numerous emails from folks condemning me for my strong stance against
Obama’s agendas. Most of these emails I just ignore. The words that are
contained in these emails, along with the all capital “shouting”, tells me that
they are already so infuriated with me that if we were in the same room I’m
certain they would try to do me harm. And all but one so far have been from
professing Christians. What a wonderful world we live in. Over and over again
I’m given the scripture verse that says “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
Matthew 7:1. Excuse me, but Jesus also gives the following admonition: “Do not
judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24.
That one they conveniently omit.
The Greek word for judge is “krino” and it means “to call into question”. This
is what Jesus means when He says “judge with righteous judgment”. We are to call
into question the unbiblical actions of individuals and discern for ourselves
whether or not to follow such a person or persons. This is something that is
sorely lacking in the Christian community and mindset today. Everyone is afraid
of being accused of judging others. When that verse is used it is always in
relationship to someone condemning someone else. Christians aren’t to condemn
but we are to judge/call into question the actions of others and use biblical
discernment to do so.
If we look at the world through the lens of the Bible we can navigate much more
responsibly our lives here on earth. Using God’s word as our guide through life
isn’t something I take lightly.
Here’s the truth of the matter, if you are an Obama supporter you are also a
supporter of abortion. If you are an Obama supporter you are a full-fledged
supporter of the homosexual movement in this country. Sending me emails claiming
I am judgmental and a bigot isn’t going to change the fact that you agree with
Obama and you support his agendas. Whether or not you agree with my stance is
inconsequential, it’s God’s stance on the issues that concerns me and that is
where I take my stand using biblical discernment.
God’s Stance on Abortion
“I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.”
Psalm 22:10.
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his
reward.” Psalm 127:3.
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.”
Psalm 139:13.
“Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb...” Isaiah
44:2.
“Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath
called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my
name.” Isaiah 49:1.
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on
the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Isaiah
49:15.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out
of the womb I sanctified thee...” Jeremiah 1:5.
“Thou shalt not kill” Exodus 20:13. The word “Kill” here means a pre-meditated
act such as abortion.
We Americans have now placed into the Oval Office a man who is giving us
everything he said he would. His first action as president was to re-enable
abortion on demand; he’s now attempting to repeal all laws across this nation
both, State and Federal, which put any restrictions on the abortion fanatics and
their evil agendas, and completely destroying the laws that were so fearlessly
fought for over the past eight years. Obama is now going full steam ahead with
his plan.
God’s Stance on Homosexuality
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither
shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any
woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Defile not ye
yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled
which I cast out before you: Leviticus 18:22-24
“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own
hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: ... For this cause God
gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural
use into that which is against nature: ... And likewise also the men, leaving
the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with
men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence
of their error which was meet.” Romans 1:24, 26, 27. Too many professing
Christians consider these verses to be obsolete, although we are told by the
writer of the book of Hebrews that “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day,
and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. In other words, Jesus never changes and He never
changes His mind about how these scripture verses are to be interpreted even by
our current generation. So for those of you who believe these verses to be
obsolete, you better think again.
Obama seems bound and determined to aggressively promote homosexuals and their
lifestyle and he’s doing so to the fullest extent of his abilities and from the
most privileged office in the land. Because of Obama, the homosexual agenda has
been advanced to new heights, the likes of which were unheard of in the previous
administrations.
My stance on both abortion and homosexuality are biblical. I don’t stand on my
feelings but on God’s words. When I discuss Obama with my readership I always
quote Scripture verses to show the authority by which I write these
commentaries. God’s word is the final authority. If you disagree with the
scripture verses in the Bible you need to take that up with God, He put them
there not I. When those readers lash out at me they are only proving they are
against God. These new friends of mine never seem to be able to supply scripture
verses that would place me at odds with the word of God.
God’s Stance on the Wicked
“The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but He loveth him that
followeth after righteousness.” Proverbs 15:9. God hates wickedness and He
considers homosexuality wickedness.
“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both
are abomination to the LORD.” Proverbs 17:15. For those who try and condone this
wickedness God has a message for you, you are an abomination to Him.
“An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way
is abomination to the wicked.” Proverbs 29:27. Those of you who condemn me
because of my stance against these abominations are proving the Bible’s
accuracy.
Some have called me a bigot because Obama has dark skin and they say that’s why
I stand against him. Actually I don’t really care what a person’s skin tone is;
it’s their heart and attitude towards God’s word that I’m concerned with. Do
they take His word seriously and literally, or do they consider God’s word to be
full of obsolete verses and myths. I will always stand up for my Savior and Lord
and it doesn’t matter to me if people want to condemn my biblical stance, that
stance won’t change. God’s truth is the only measuring line for our lives and
nothing else comes close, therefore nothing else matters.
Many in this country voted for Obama because they didn’t like the alternative.
Biblically speaking, though, voting for Obama was the same as slapping God in
the face. God gave us an alternative to an abortion activist and a homosexuality
promoter, but America refused His alternative and voted into office God’s
nemesis. Those of you who email me and call me names such as homophobic and
bigot and then misquote scripture are only lashing out at what you don’t
understand about God’s word. You are actually angry at God because His word is
concise and without error and you don’t like that. Especially you don’t want
anyone quoting scripture verses that clearly stand against your views. Many
would rather live in darkness than come out into the light. “But if our gospel
be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath
blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them,” 2
Corinthians 4:3, 4.
Our economy:
Global government, global economy, and global ecumenicalism are all catch
phrases being tossed around these days. We know it wasn’t Obama who started this
steam roller effect of the downfall of the American economy, but it seems to be
his intent to cause that steam roller to be converted into light speed. Warren
Buffet made a statement the other day that the American economy is in freefall
mode. Wow, that from one of the savviest traders on Wall Street; a statement
like that coming from a man who probably stands to lose more of his personal
wealth than any other human being on this planet. That statement comes after the
biggest bank “bail out” debacles ever to hit this continent. Buffet believes
there is no let up in sight for the freefall of this economy. Hmm
As we head into the next four years of an Obama presidency we will see and feel
the temperature rising under our seats. The stage is being set for the grand
unveiling of the New World Order. Our Bibles speak of this phenomenon happening
in the very last days before Christ’s return.
I feel a kind of peace as I watch the current worldwide events unfolding and
know that they are completely biblical and that they were indeed foretold by the
prophets thousands of years ago. We’ve read about the end times by now and the
events that are to happen and we’ve been taught many different scenarios on how
those events would unfold, but to actually witness the physical unveiling of the
word of God before our eyes has a peaceful yet eerie feeling, like something
huge is about to happen.
For those who think I’m picking on our new president unjustifiably, get out your
Bibles and blow off all those layers of dust, then study the scriptures I’ve
placed in this commentary for yourselves. Become Bereans, look up Acts 17:11 and
place that verse at the forefront of your studies. I’ve heard many professing
Christians claiming they are sure God placed Obama in that office, and because
they believe he is ordained by God he must have been placed there to bring
America out of these terrible times we seem to be stuck in. In a culture and
society bent on the total rejection of Christ, and where God is outlawed from
every aspect of our government, why would God ordain a man whose main goal as
president is the godless agendas I’ve mentioned? Perhaps God is trying to get
our attention before His hammer falls?
At any rate I’m not the person following Satan’s agenda for the world. I’m not
the one sitting in that Oval Office promoting the vilest of atrocities ever
hurled against the unborn. By signing into law an executive order repealing all
restrictions on stem cell research, and by opening up the financing of abortions
worldwide Obama is certainly following Satan’s agenda for mankind.
Honestly, apart from his homosexual agenda which he is pushing forward with the
full force of the US government behind him, the man seems obsessed with the
destruction of the unborn and all for the advancement of embryonic stem cell
research? Research that for years has been known to be nothing more than a
complete failure; to those researchers it’s all about the money honey. Friends,
there’s something more sinister behind all this than meets the eye.
Did God allow Obama to become president of this once great nation? Yes. How do I
know that? Because Obama now sits in the highest office this nation has to
offer. Did God allow Obama to occupy that office for the good of this nation?
Let me reiterate, here we sit doing all we can as a nation to give God the boot
and you still need to ask that question?
On the statue of Liberty, the words etched into that grand lady’s base are
these, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe
free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless,
tempest-tossed, to me: “I lift my lamp beside the golden door”.
I see an addendum to those words coming very soon “But our golden doors are shut
to your Christian God, America only worships at the altar of Baal.”
God help us,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture verse are from the KJV
Upholding the Universe - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and
upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our
sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:3. The key
word in this verse is “upholding”. The Greek word used here is “phero” and it
means, in the context of the above verse, that Christ is the preserver of the
universe. Webster’s online dictionary explains the meaning of preserve as, again
in the above context, “to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction”. Jesus is
the One true God who is currently upholding (preserving us from destruction) His
creation with the power of His word.
Secular scientists have their own explanations as to what holds everything
together. An atom, for example, has a neutron that is surrounded by electrons,
but what holds them in place? I’ve heard it stated by a popular Bible teacher
that secular scientists call this attraction to the neutron “cosmic glue”, for
lack of a better term. Certainly these secular scientists don’t attribute this
“cosmic glue” to God in any way. But the Bible is clear; God upholds all things
through the power of His word. He alone keeps everything we know and see, fixed
in place, and performing unencumbered, “normal” if you will.
“You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all
their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.” Nehemiah 9:6. Over
and over again we are told God preserves everything; there is nothing that He is
not upholding. God controls, He preserves, He performs great and miraculous
things, and when we see such greatness happen it is easy to believe that He is
in control. God made all things and He will even allow evil, which is currently
so prevalent in this world, so that He may ultimately establish His end. God
will be glorified.
When times are just beginning to get hard and the trials heavy, we are more
inclined to believe that God is in control. If times continue to be hard, then
we begin to look for someone to blame for all the misery, and many times that
blame gets placed squarely back on God’s shoulders. Rather than blaming God when
trials and tribulations happen, we need to believe even more that God is still
in control, that He is upholding all things and will continue to do so until
He’s ready to let loose. It’s not blame that He seeks in response to all the
grace and love He showers down upon us. No, it’s our acknowledgement that we are
completely under His upholding and reliant upon Him that He wants.
America is certainly sitting on the precipice of God’s judgment. No one knows
just what that judgment will entail or how God will bring it about. Personally,
and this is just my opinion, it appears to me that God has already set in motion
this nation’s judgment. Hard times are here. The economy is in the tank. Not
only in America are we going through a recession, but look around the world. Is
there even one nation that isn’t suffering right now?
As Christians, knowing that God’s judgment is coming or that it is upon us, we
must never stop glorifying God. Through all the trials, tribulations, and
groaning we encounter, God remains upholding all things. Paul tells us, “For we
know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until
now.” Romans 8:22. There should be nothing that surprises us about our current
situation. Bible prophecy is clear and unfolding and becoming more and more
obvious. Something very different and exciting is going on. There is a feeling
of urgency in the air. The end times are here and God’s will is being
accomplished.
America is the purveyor of much evil in this world. We the people of the U.S.
might well receive the brunt of God’s judgment. There are still plenty of
terrorists that hate us and they would love for America to let down her defenses
so they can gain a foothold here. Personally, I believe that all they need to do
is sit back and watch the U.S. implode from within. If ye will not hear, and if
ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of
hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea,
I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart,” Malachi 2:2.
God will even curse our blessings, now that’s scary. Why? Because every day we
live and every breath we take is a blessing. Blessings are so plentiful that to
think of them being cursed conjures up a multitude of frightening scenarios.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs
14:34
This country is on its way to total destruction. Is it any wonder Bible scholars
can’t find America in Bible prophecy? We’re not there because we’ve become of
little or no significance. Right before our very eyes our government leaders are
leading this nation into economic ruin. It reminds me of the dumb happy frog
being slowly boiled alive and he doesn’t even realize it. Only in our case we
know it, we see it, and we feel it, and we have every chance to jump out of the
pan, but will we? The frog was boiled because he wouldn’t move. He got
complacent. Very soon now the Church will be raptured but those who remain in
this country will be like the captain of a ship that is sinking, they’ll go down
with it.
Remember how the Bible explains the cleansing of Sodom and Gomorrah?
Interestingly, many people miss the fact that God’s judgment fell not only on
Sodom and Gomorrah but also on the surrounding cities of the plains. “And that
the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown,
nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and
Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his
wrath:” Deuteronomy 29:23. Could this be a picture type as we gaze out upon the
entire world?
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrah , and the cities about them in like manner, giving
themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for
an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire,” Jude 1:7. America needs to
take a closer look at God’s judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah. Is it possible
that God might judge America in similar fashion? America is guilty of the exact
same things as Sodom and Gomorrah, and when it comes to our current world
situation aren’t we simply looking at Sodom and Gomorrah in a broader scope?
“... both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” 2 Peter
3:10. Could the signs be clearer, speaking of the calamities we see approaching?
God still holds us in His mighty hand, but how much longer before He loosens His
grip enough to bring in the total destruction recorded in the Bible? Speaking
about my little part of the world (America), God’s grip is waning, that’s for
sure. Americans have become quite smug in their outlook on the future. I see
this country in the worst economic crises in my lifetime (and that’s 57 years)
and yet there is very little mention of the fact that we have blown it in God’s
eyes and things are beginning to fall apart. I know there are many who don’t
give glory to God for all we have, but at some point in a person’s life you’d
think there would be some thought of why we have enjoyed the fruits of this land
for a season and why they are now being systematically stripped away. This
includes our God given rights that are now for all intents and purposes being
subjugated.
Sadly, in this country and around the globe the eyes of most of its citizens
have been closed and their hearts are cold and hard. “There is no God” is the
battle cry throughout the world. They would have us believe we evolved from pond
scum and we’re held together by cosmic glue. At some point in the not too
distant future they who have no use for God and proclaim that cry will realize
they are absolutely correct as they languish in Hell for an eternity, because
God will comply with their wishes and abandon them and they will remember
forever their final cry, “There is no God!”
It’s not too late. There is still time although precious little. Jesus is still
in control and upholding all things by the power of His word. If you’re reading
this commentary and you’re not born again then there is a reason you’re reading
it. The Holy Spirit is convicting you and pleading with you to repent of your
sins and place Jesus at the forefront of your life. If you’re ready to commit
yourself into Jesus’ hands then just repeat this simple prayer,
“Lord Jesus, I believe you died for me and were buried and rose again on the
third day all according to the scriptures. I believe you took my sins past,
present and future and nailed them to that cross. I’m sorry for my sins Lord
Jesus and I ask you now to come into my life and cleanse me from all
unrighteousness. Amen!” If you really believe what you just prayed you’re now a
born again believer, and you are in Christ, praise God.
Lastly my dear brethren, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will
uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
All scripture use is from the KJV of the Bible
From Generation to Generation - Ron Graham -
twotug@embarqmail.com
“Every generation since Jesus died on the cross has been sure of Christ’s return
during their lifetime.” It may very well be true that each generation
anticipated Jesus’ return, and well so. However, anticipation and hope alone
aren’t what will facilitate Jesus’ soon return to earth. According to the
prophetic scriptures, Jesus would only return after certain events unfolded.
In centuries past, those who diligently studied Scriptures should have
understood that the signs (the events) which were to precede Christ’s return
weren’t in place yet. It would have been a mistake to anticipate Jesus’ return
during any other generation than this, our current generation.
Past generations of Christians may have believed their own generation to be the
one in which Jesus was to return, but by so doing they had to twist Scripture.
The signs that the prophets of the Old Testament spoke of and the signs Jesus
Christ spoke of, as well as many of the writers of the New Testament, pointed to
His Second Advent as being fulfilled at a much later date than when they wrote
those prophecies.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of
the end:” Daniel 12:4. Basically the book was sealed until the time of the end.
This generation is seeing those signs come to pass. The knowledge to understand
the prophecies has been delivered to the faithful by way of God’s Holy Spirit.
Until 1948 most Bible teachers were searching for alternative interpretations of
the scriptures that contained the signs of the last days. Why? Because many saw
no possibility of Israel ever being a nation re-established and living in the
land God promised them. During WWII when so many Jews were slaughtered during
the Holocaust, besides being a horrible tragedy and a very significant blight on
the humanity of mankind, it must have been terribly disappointing for prophecy
buffs of the time. Six million Jews had just been horribly eliminated from the
face of this earth so how could God’s chosen people ever be expected to become a
nation once again?
Today we can look at Scriptures which foretold of Israel being back in their
God–given land and see that prophecy was fulfilled exactly as God said. Israel
is a well established nation powerful, self-governed, with an entrenched
foothold in the land God gave them. But for those Christian denominations who
hold to the erroneous doctrine of replacement theology, this absolutely proven
prophecy is looked upon as a non-event. That’s just blindness.
“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all
countries, and will bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24.
“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among
the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring
them into their own land,” Ezekiel 37:21. “And it shall come to pass in that
day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the
remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and
from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath,
and from the islands of the sea.” Isaiah 11:11. This verse tells us there will
be a re-gathering and return of the Jews back to the covenant land God
established specifically for the Jewish people. Clearly God’s end time plans
were predicated on Israel returning to their promised land.
Those individuals in past generations who diligently studied their Bibles knew
beyond the shadow of a doubt that until Israel was an established nation once
again and dwelling in the land God promised them there could be no Second
Advent. The Bible is clear as to the signs we are to look for and yet many
refuse to seek a clear understanding. Jesus is our sign giver. The Old Testament
prophets, through the inspiration of God wrote down earth’s future history and
God preserved those words for all the future generations.
Along with Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, we have all the Minor Prophets who,
even though they are referred to as minor, contributed major prophetic insight
into the last day’s events. “And I will bring again the captivity of my people
of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they
shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens,
and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall
no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD
thy God.” Amos 9:14-15. This is just one of the numerous end time prophecies
that are recorded in the books of the so called Minor Prophets. Actually minor
only means shorter in length, not subordinate at all in regards to importance.
Prophecy has been placed in the Bible by God to bring us to a deeper
understanding of just what the future history of the world holds. Not only do we
discern that God’s word is true, but from prophecy, both fulfilled and not yet
fulfilled, we recognize the End Times are yet to come. Yes, we are living in the
End Times and have been since Jesus died on that cross, but our current
generation is the generation that is living in the very last days of the End
Times.
Even though we can’t help being concerned about Israel and the fact that they
are surrounded by their enemies – enemies bent on their total destruction – God
has promised Israel that they will never again be pulled out of their land.
God’s mighty hand is covering Israel and that’s a fact we witness every day.
Their enemies will never be successful in their attempts to wipe Israel off the
map.
It should come as no surprise that even though the Hamas terrorists lob rocket
after rocket into Israel, year in and year out, the destruction of property and
the taking of innocent Israelis lives is quite minimal. The taking of an
innocent life is tragic under any circumstance, but the very fact that Hamas has
launched literally thousands of rockets into the land where God’s people dwell
with hardly any effect should give all people pause. We must come to the
conclusion that God’s people are divinely protected and established where God
wants them.
The Old Testament contains many prophecies which foretold of Jesus’ first
advent. They were recorded many, many years before His birth. These prophecies
were missed by the Scribes and Pharisees. For instance in the Book of Genesis we
were given the first words concerning the Coming of Christ. Speaking to the
serpent, God said, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and
between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise
His heel.” Genesis 3:15. Note that the Coming One was to be of the woman’s seed,
which described the miraculous virgin birth of our Lord. This was written down
thousands of years before He was born.
In order to deny the undeniable prophecies recorded in scripture, we must
allegorize at least one third of the Bible. On the other hand, if we take the
Bible seriously and allow the word of God to speak to us we can come to an
informed and correct conclusion of what will transpire as we move ever closer to
Christ’s return and before that, the snatching away of His Church.
We Christians have, for the most part, no problem believing in the virgin birth
or the fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which was all foretold of in the
Old Testament. However, when it comes down to understanding prophecy that is
directly pointing to the end of days here on earth and Jesus’ Second Advent
that’s just too weak, too hard to grasp, it’s all allegories, those scriptures
have nothing to do with our future. Here’s a news flash for those who think that
way, God authenticates His word by giving us history lessons in advance.
Fulfilled prophecy is obvious and yet dismissed by many Christian as
inconsequential.
The Bible is replete with prophecies both fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled, all
establishing the undeniable fact that there will be a Rapture of Christ’s Church
and that the saints (believers) will return with our Lord in His glory at the
end of the Tribulation. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests
of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation
20:6.
Why is it so difficult for some to gain an understanding of the end times
through prophecy? Because many Christians today refuse to study their Bibles at
all let alone Bible prophecy. They are completely reliant on their pastors, many
of whom don’t believe in biblical prophecy. Therefore they parrot what they hear
and neglect Bible prophecy altogether.
Paul the Apostle spoke of future events. Paul didn’t know when the events he
taught about would occur anymore than we do today. But over the past
two-thousand years we can see many prophetic signs that have been fulfilled, and
this generation is witnessing the speedy culmination of prophetic signs
exploding on the scene.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his
servants things which must shortly come to pass,” Revelation 1:1. This may very
well be the verse that has tripped up generations of believers in the past. Just
reading the English version of the above verse gives us the impression these
things referred to here by Jesus would shortly, or soon, come to pass. By
carefully analyzing the original language, we can more clearly understand this
verse and what it actually is saying. It’s the English word “shortly” that’s the
culprit. Translated from the Greek word “tachos”, its intent isn’t to infer
something happening very soon, but is to show quickness or speed. Our English
word tachometer is derived from this Greek word. Jesus is going to open the eyes
of His servants who study His word to understand the signs of the end times, and
when these signs begin to come about they will happen rapidly and speedily.
Precisely what we see happening today.
Jesus Christ will return soon for His Church and that’s something the enemy
doesn’t want people to believe, let alone dwell on. Satan knows the Rapture will
happen and if he can keep the focus of the Church on the worldly things which
entrap God’s people and re-direct their thoughts and efforts, then Christians
will spend much less time, if any at all, thinking about or promoting our
Heavenly destination. Our enemy would like to see the Church become just another
secular social club totally devoid of God’s truth, especially prophecy.
There are many alternative views floating around for Christians to choose from.
Many of which disparage Bible prophecy. Amillennialism, Preterism, Kingdom now,
or Dominionism, it really is confusing and some of these views are difficult to
understand. When we just allow others to influence us with their interpretations
instead of searching the scriptures for ourselves we may find ourselves
following a view that is basically unscriptural.
Many believers put little, if any, reliance in the Rapture view even though Paul
taught that Christ’s Church would be raptured before the Wrath of God was to
come on this Christ-rejecting world.
Side Note:
Christians have been listening to false teachers who’ve exchanged God’s word for
a lie for years. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:13. This manipulation
of the saints by deceitful workers has moved Christians into a pattern of
resorting back to worldly ideas and concepts. About 90% of all Christians no
longer hold a Christian world view. They look, sound, and act just like the
earth dwellers (non-believers) of this planet, opposed to true, born again
believers, who are just sojourners here. That leaves only a remnant of
Christians with a genuine Christian world view.
Prophecy is being fulfilled right in front of our eyes; signs are coming to
pass. The end of all time is upon us. Secular scientists also speculate the end
of planet earth will come, but not for another billion years or so. God says
that event will be much sooner, in fact Bible prophecy tells us it’s at the
door.
Still, one question remains. When we take God’s word seriously and truthfully
where does that leave the unbeliever? The unbeliever is already condemned. So
they will only be affected by the Rapture in an adverse way. When the “caught
up” happens they will be left on planet earth scratching their heads in
bewilderment at the instantaneous disappearance of millions. Will any of your
family or friends be stuck in that mode of bewilderment?
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Rejecting God’s Final
Messenger - Ron Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com
“A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place
for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into
a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he
might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught
him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another
servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him
away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and
many others; beating some, and killing some.” Mark 12:1 - 5.
God, in His infinite wisdom sent messenger after messenger to intercede in the
lives of His people, to bring to the people His rules and precepts, His laws,
and even His judgments. Over and over again they were rejected. His messengers
were beaten, and even killed because of the hardness of men’s hearts. People
couldn’t allow some invisible God to give them commands. Men wanted to be their
own gods. “Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last
unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among
themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall
be ours.” Mark 12:6 - 7.
Our nation is facing the worst economic recession, or depression, in years; its
being said that America is experiencing a crisis of historical magnitude.
Americans have lived with the mindset of “Get it while you can” or “Gain
everything you can today, for tomorrow we die, and after that, nothing”. But
now, as our country struggles to stay afloat, many are losing jobs as well as
homes, autos, retirement securities….the list goes on and on.
With what most pundits are touting as the reasons behind this most destructive
economic era one would think they’ve got it all figured out and the fix is in.
In general they say it’s the banking and housing markets that are the culprits.
Actually, as you might have guessed by now, I have a different view of what ails
this nation. We’ll never hear any of the secular news agencies come within a
millimeter of what is really happening to this country. America is and has been
rejecting the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for years now. Rejection of God,
as the husbandman found out in Jesus’ parable above, will bring swift
retribution.
Rejection can be an awful feeling. At some point in our lives we’ve probably all
felt the sting of rejection. Mostly we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off,
and keep going. What about God? How do you think He feels when His creation
rejects Him? He’s offered us His Son as a sin sacrifice, a free gift if you
will, and for the most part He’s been rejected. Do you think God ever gets over
the sting of rejection? Do you think He enjoys watching while this Christ
rejecting world falls deeper and deeper into the realm of unbelief?
Where is Jesus today in the minds of many Americans? Absent! Oh no, Jesus isn’t
AWOL not at all, He’s been given the boot. America no longer wants or needs
Jesus. America can get along just fine without God, thank you very much. America
has progressed past the point where she needs to rely on some kind of crutch to
see her grow and prosper. American’s have become quite self-sufficient. And in
terms of all our needs being met, we now have our huge wonderful government to
supply everything we need. No need to pray for God’s intervention in our lives.
We have Obama. He’ll see us through all of these crises now appearing on the
scene. “Ron you’re being a little Sarcastic.” A little?
Someday the people of America are going to wake up to the fact that they have
placed their faith and trust in nothing more than a mere man. No mere man can be
a “Savior” to the people of any nation. No mere man can be called the “One”. No
mere man can be called a “Messiah”. These titles the One, the Messiah, the
Christ, and Savior have always been and always will be God’s. “And they took
him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.” Mark 12:8.
No man being voted into office by a simple majority of folks can or should ever
make claim to the title of messiah just because some misguided individuals have
placed it upon him. But we currently have a man who is enjoying his reign as
king of our land. This man currently sits in the office of the president of the
United States. He never denies the title of savior or messiah whenever it is
placed upon him. He never rebukes those who attempt to crown him with those
titles. Wouldn’t you call that a rejection of the truth, the truth of who really
is entitled to claim the exalted position of Messiah?
Seriously folks would a born again believer in Christ ever allow those titles to
be placed on him, or her for that matter, without even the teensiest rebuke
forthcoming? I’ll answer that question myself, No!
How long will God protect a nation that continually rejects Him? If we feel some
little stinging twinge whenever we’re rejected, wouldn’t God be in constant
severe pain by all the rejection that goes on every single day in this land of
ours? Especially when others take on His name and try to promote themselves as
the “One” who can save mankind from all the ills that have befallen them. Mr.
Obama says, “Only the government can save us” and this from a professing
Christian?
Jesus never promises to keep His followers from the trials of this life. As a
matter of fact He promises us we will be put through some pretty tough times. He
also promises to see us through them, to never leave us or forsake us. Certainly
a claim no mere man can legitimately make.
America is headed for a great fall. This country isn’t going to survive in its
current state of rebellion to God. We have been given more chances and more
blessings than any other nation on the face of this earth. We here in America
are the wealthiest people of all the nations of the world; we have been blessed
beyond compare. There is only one reason those blessings are seemingly being
removed, and that’s because we’ve removed the One who has done all the blessing.
“To whomsoever much is given much is required.” Luke 12:48. Secular analysts
really don’t have a clue.
God’s Son was and is earth’s Final Messenger. There would be no other. Either
they would accept the message of the Son, or face certain judgment. “If you do
not hear the well beloved Son of God, you have refused your last hope. He is
God’s ultimatum. Nothing remains when Christ is refused. No one else can be
sent; heaven itself contains no further messenger. If Christ be rejected, hope
is rejected.” Charles Spurgeon
At one time the United States of America was a Christian nation. Many will
disagree with me, but that’s only because they no longer want to face the truth
regarding the foundation of our nation’s morals and laws. There is something
terrible surfacing in America and at an alarming speed; all Christians can watch
for themselves as it raises its ugly head. It’s called hatred, and it’s pointed
specifically at Christians. Don’t believe me? Go read a few secular blogs on the
internet. Listen to major news networks. Look at our own government and see for
yourself how hatred of Christians is increasing. Look at the reaction last year
from those “tolerant homosexuals” in California who only want to be treated as
equals in a normal society. They only want their evil and sick lifestyle
legitimized, that’s all.
In Jesus’ day, those who supposedly had studied the scriptures hated Him and
despised Him and treated Him as a criminal. Today there are many who hate Him
and despise Him who’ve never even cracked open a Bible. If He were to present
Himself to them today in the flesh they would treat Him as a criminal and they
would kill Him all over again. There is only one way to understand this hatred,
it is satanic.
Satan has a huge influence on this nation and on all nations of this world
because he is the prince of this world. People follow him now just as they
always have, knowingly or not. His influence is far reaching, even to the White
House and the US president.
Our nation is under extreme satanic attack. God will not protect those who turn
against Him. He will allow us to reap what we sow. In this case Satan has sown
into the minds of many Americans that the man in the Oval Office is our new
messiah. Obama will save the American people from the economic mess, the
terrorism that’s on the minds of most Americans, global warming/climate change,
and of course the horrible problem with over population. He has a “perfect”
satanic cure for that one, and it’s called abortion. Have you ever noticed that
nothing bad or evil ever sticks to this guy? Hmm.
What came out during the presidential campaign would have eliminated anyone from
contending for the prize of the presidency. But nothing stuck to Obama. All of
his evil associations with unrepentant terrorists, a pastor who hates America
and all white people, and how he basically thumbed his nose at the Constitution
of the United States of America when he refused to permit the American people to
view his original birth certificate. In my state of Missouri we can’t even renew
our driver’s licenses without a birth certificate, but even though there is a
cloud on this man’s origin of birth he can still become president. Sounds to me
like we should be calling him king Obama.
The people are enamored by Obama, but did you ever wonder why? What did Obama
have that the other candidates lacked? There are powers and principalities
behind this man that the normal American can’t possibly discern, especially
those who are without faith in God. A recent news article stated that at the
time of Obama’s inauguration 80% of Americans polled were behind him, but that
number has dropped to 65% today, at the writing of this commentary. Obama hasn’t
even been in office a month. The lad doesn’t seem to be holding up well at all.
Of course a king will just have those who appose him eliminated without a second
thought.
God ordains the leaders of nations, but when the people of any nation reject
Him, He may very well give those evil people exactly what they’ve asked for.
Whether or not that leader brings his people to prosperity and safety or
delivers them into a fiery furnace is up to that leader. It’s his responsibility
to follow God’s will, but if he doesn’t take God’s word seriously or even
believe in God’s inerrant word then how can God’s will for those people and that
land ever be accomplished through such a man?
Doom and gloom protagonists are always looked upon as scare mongers. Well so be
it, forewarned is forearmed. Here we are on the cusp of the finale to earth’s
last days, and on the horizon Christians will be facing some major persecutions.
There is only one way to effectively combat the tide of hatred that’s beginning
to be directed at believers, and that is for all those who are called by His
name to turn away from the evil of our ways and pray that God will not remove
His hand of protection and grace from upon this once great nation of ours. “If
my people, which are called by my name,(Christians that’s you and me) shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked
ways(that’s us, we’re all sinners); then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. Pray people,
pray without ceasing. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much.” James 5:16. My pastor says instead of billions of bailout dollars being
spent we should send up billions of prayers. Let’s try that, and let’s try it
now before it’s too late.
The Final Messenger has come and gone, but He promised He would return for His
Church. Multitudes have rejected Him. Don’t be one of those who’ve trampled on
God’s only begotten Son. Don’t be one of those who, through their own folly have
rejected God’s free gift of salvation. Jesus is patiently waiting and calling
you. Don’t put God through any more painful rejection by refusing to heed the
words of His Final Messenger. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.” John 3:16. Those are the words of the Final Messenger.
America as a nation has rejected their Final Messenger. “What shall therefore
the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will
give the vineyard unto others.” Mark 12:9.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
The Rapture vs. Witnessing
The end times are approaching and the signs spoken of by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 are spilling out continually onto the scene today and are pointing dramatically to Christ’s soon return. Believers can see the signs if they are alert and watching. As Dr. Chuck Missler puts it “We must be well versed in the scriptures to accurately ascertain the time of the signs”. There is a preordained time that the signs are going to appear, and what we see happening all around us are the birth pangs that are so aptly spoken of in the scriptures.
I for one can’t imagine this world going on the way it has in the past. Signs that point to the end time when Jesus will return aren’t just subtlety appearing on the scene, they are exploding with a fierceness that’s unparalleled in mans history. We can watch this explosion on our television sets, radios, internet, newspapers, and from every other direction one can imagine. This was not the case even ten years ago; the birth pangs have arrived.
So just what are our options as believers now that we are beginning to witness a plethora of recurring signs which we are assured will occur just before Jesus return? We have many options. They include such things as witnessing fervently to our family and friends. Being in constant prayer is an admonishment from the Apostle Paul, maintaining a close relationship with our Church family. Create and maintain an atmosphere of love and support for those who are shut-ins and especially provide for those who lack provisions.
In these last days all Christians should be intent on always keeping abreast of whatever intrusions the enemy might devise against the brethren. In these last days Satan is going to hit hard against anyone who promotes the name of Jesus and diligently proclaims His message. The last thing any Christian will want is to be caught alone and off guard when the evil comes down, and it is coming. Solitude creates evil bedfellows. Continue in fellowship, the breaking of bread together, encouraging one another.
None of us know when Jesus is going to remove His Church from the wickedness this world offers. It could be within the next few days, weeks, or even years. I know what you’re going to say, “Well, if we are seeing the time of the signs as you’ve suggested could the Rapture of the Church still be years away”? Yes, but everything is lining up perfectly (prophetically speaking that is) and this gives us tremendous optimism that our remaining days here on earth are indeed few.
Here’s the rub. Believing the truth of the Rapture view and believing that the time for the Rapture is near has led some to become complacent in their duty to Christ. Believers should not ease up on witnessing. Complacency is of the devil, he would love it if those who are born again would all just sit back and relax and wait on the Rapture. In the meantime Satan will be hard at work convincing the lost that they are in good shape and not to worry or take seriously what those wacky Christians are promoting.
Satan knows the Rapture will occur at some point in time, but similarly to believers he hasn’t any idea of the exact moment when this will happen. God has kept it a mystery. More intense persecution of Christians on his part will become commonplace in the near future, which will attest to very fact that the Rapture is close at hand.
As believers we must combat the lies put forth by Satan and those who follow him. Jesus, at one point, speaking directly to the Apostle Peter said, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men”. Matthew 16:23. Whenever we hear someone spouting off against believers, and most importantly against our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can know without a doubt that we are hearing Satan speak. I can tell you this, the Holy Spirit has a louder voice and can drown out Satan at every turn if Christians will only speak up.
Faithfulness is adhering to Jesus’ strict set of commandments in every aspect of our lives. As believers we all have our own miniature world to evangelize. You are a Christian and that means that no matter where you go you are to spread the Gospel of Christ. If you are out on a business trip to another state that doesn’t mean you leave your Christianity at home. When you’re on vacation or you’re just out watering the lawn, remember your Christianity. Our lives should reflect our faith in Christ. We never know when God’s going to ask us to step out in faith and talk to someone about their salvation.
You may feel you’re without sufficient resources or knowledge to speak to others about your faith. If this is the case, you’ve probably been neglecting a regular Bible study routine. Our boldness to witness is provided by the Holy Spirit through prayer and study. You receive more boldness as you become more familiar with God’s word. If you’re willing, know this, the Holy Spirit will move you into position to confront the next person that you encounter with the Gospel of Christ. If you’re not willing then you’re not following Christ’s commandments. “If ye love me, keep my commandments”. John 14:15. Do you love Him or are you just play acting?
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was the most important event in history, and now we are rapidly approaching the second most important event in history, in the believer’s life, and that is the Rapture. Christians must step out in faith to follow Jesus’ commandment to spread His Gospel to the entire world. There is no doubt of the many extreme measures which will be coming against His Church. I believe some huge obstacles will be thrust directly into the lives of those Christians who are faithfully following through with Christ’s commandments. Satan isn’t just going to sit idly by whilst we take away his followers. Not at all, and you can take stock in the fact that you will be battered and bruised by his minions of evil. Like Paul, as he was being pummeled by the enemy over and over again, you too will feel the heat of battle.
Witnessing can be one of the most daunting tasks for believers especially now days when it seems people are so repulsed by and demonstrate such violent tendencies toward our Christian faith. Nevertheless we aren’t to shirk from our duty and keep silent. Paul was persecuted by a “thorn in the flesh” but still continued evangelizing. He prayed for relief, but didn’t let this “thorn” stop him. As you face the barriers that Satan has in store for you, you too can be comforted by Jesus’ words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness,” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Non-believes are blind to the truth, they aren’t able to understand the consequences surrounding their decision to reject Jesus until those blinders come off. You and I can help remove those blinders.
God will be glorified by our witnessing efforts because He is certainly able to equip us with all we need to complete our task. If we use the strength of Christ as we confront the lost, the enemy won’t be much of a hindrance, but relying on our own strength will be our Achilles heel.
If we allow the current events we see going on around the world to affect our witness in that we become silent, we are allowing the enemy to get the upper hand. Can you just imagine what would have been the outcome of the Apostle’s ministry if they had simply gone about their pre-Jesus routine after the Lord had ascended into Heaven instead of spreading the good news of His Gospel as they were commanded to do? No Gospel proclaimed throughout the world, no Christian movement, and no Christian Church, just a world of lost sinners vying for whatever scraps of meaningless existence that could be grasped.
Today Christians are standing in the sandals of the disciples of yesterday. It’s our responsibility to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to all nations. We must not retreat from our assigned task. Think about this, someday we’ll stand before Jesus Christ face to face. How can we possibly explain to our Savior our apathy? “I was too sacred”, “I didn’t trust You to protect me”, “My faith was too small”, “I didn’t care about others just myself”. Which of those excuses will you use?
Certainly the Rapture of the Church is nigh, and we rejoice in knowing that soon we will be taken up to be forever with our Lord Jesus. We read and study our Bibles and those commentaries posted on various websites that all proclaim the end is in sight. Every day we grow more and more assured of what we believe about the times of the signs because of what we see happening around us. But if the majority of Christian believers continue in their stubborn refusal to spread the Gospel of Christ many of their family members and friends will be left behind to fend off the wiles of the devil without the help of the restrainer which is the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is removed hell will break lose on earth.
If your family is anything like mine, you have some relatives who, in their current state of mind, aren’t going to spend eternity with Jesus. They remain in unbelief. You’re okay though, you’re doing just fine. If that is your attitude you may very well be living in a false sense of security. As Charles Spurgeon puts it “If you have no heart for the lost you may not be saved yourself”, and you may find yourself spending eternity with your unbelieving family members after all.
Don’t let the ever nearing Rapture of the Church keep you from your assigned task. We should be witnessing now more fervently then ever before. Christians are to be salt and light to a lost world, but if that salt loses its saltiness then it’s absolutely worthless. Are you absolutely worthless? Say NO!
God bless you all,
Ron Graham