Thoughts ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZONPRTOFF dateof comment Look Inside Data Conditions:Order: 1|2|3| Dateof Comment 05/22/2025 Truly living for Jesus Christ gives us a freedom the world cannot grasp. But if we become lazy we will start to become lukewarm which is a dangerous place to be. Paul recognized this and warns us what we should be using our freedom for: Galatians 5:13 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Instead of looking out for just our own interests, continue to be sensitive to the needs of others. It is really exciting help those in severe need. Most do not have any hope. You can change that be doing the unexpected. Remember this freedom is not to honor you but to honor our King by our actions towards others. It greatly honors our God when you make an honorable sacrifice toward others. 05/09/2025 This verse brings out the stupid and the ignorant people. They think God is for slavery: Colossians 4:1 NLT Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. God's desire is for everyone to be free from persecution to be able to worship him. This misunderstanding is the reason why we need to read the Old Testament to learn. God hated it so much when his people where slaves in Egypt that he just about destroyed the nation when pharaoh would not let his people go. God despises slavery. Even though there were slaves mentioned in the bible, most were indentured servants. While both slaves and indentured servants are forced to work for others, the key difference is that indentured servants had a contract with a limited term, while slaves were owned for life. Indentured servitude was a voluntary arrangement, even if coerced, with the goal of repaying debts. Remember when Jacob worked 14 years for Leban just so he could marry Rachel. Jacob was just like a slave. We have laws making indentured servants illegal in the United States. The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1865, explicitly prohibits both slavery and involuntary servitude, with the exception of punishment for a duly convicted crime. While the Thirteenth Amendment allows for involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime, there are ongoing efforts to remove this exception. When you read the word you need to understand the conditions during the period the word was written. Unlike God, man is always changing his environment. Jesus Christ - The same today as he was when Paul wrote the verse. 04/23/2025 This is one of those verses that even so called Christians do not take seriously: Romans 14:11 NIV It is written: "As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God." When those students proclaimed "Jesus is Lord", they were mocked and the zero reverence that was shown to our King. "Jesus is Lord" is about as truthful a statement as you could ever make. Those serving the devil will say it is not so. Have you ever wondered what large event God is going to do to get everyone to wake up and take this verse seriously? I have a feeling this event will shake everyone to the core to get us to honor Christ the way he should be. I pray that we can get this figured out and continue to be witnesses to the ungodly before we are taken down this path. We have to live this verse before we can show others how to do it. God will be the first to tell you that even I need improvement in this area of reverence to our King. We need to recognize our shortfalls in order to make changes. "Jesus is Lord!!!" 04/03/2025 This is one of those verses that God wanted me to dig deeper on: Hebrews 12:2 (New Living Translation) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. The last part of this verse also talks about us. We should have that same joy this verse talks about when we serve our King while facing trials. Granted, I do not know my position in heaven but I do know that even the back row is going to be amazing. We owe everything to our King. I am glad "Jesus is Lord". He has earned his position by God's throne. 03/20/2025 This verse comes up quite frequently: Psalm 23:1-3 NLT The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Doesn't this sound like living in America, "I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams." Most of us experience this on a day to day basis as a privilege of living in this country. Yet we have people complaining about their 2000 square ft. homes while the homeless and much of the 3rd world countries are living in boxes and wood scrap dwellings. It may be time for us to get a new perspective of life. The interesting part is, "He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name." It sound like I am getting the best of this deal of having God lead me where I should go. Or is it the fact that we have surrendered our lives to him and have said, "God, I need you in my life." Maybe, it is our total surrender that honors his name. It could also be our thanksgiving sharing how God has changed our lives while walking along that right path. What ever the reason we need to be guided by our King. Even Jesus wants to give us rest like the verse says, "He renews my strength.": Matthew 11:29-30 NLT 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Jesus can do this because he is "Lord" 02/15/2025 The Old Testament if full of how much God hates sin and what he will do to you if you push him. As much as God hates and detests sin, his love for us was much greater. He would never have sent his Son if it was not true. 1 John 4:10 (New Living Translation) This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Let's show God how much we appreciate him by living like Christ. Our actions will never get us into heaven, but it will make God happy and may bring your neighbor to Christ by how you live. The action of what Jesus did alone is the reason that anyone has chance to see the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus is the Reason, and he is Lord! 12/03/2024 The modern day church is becoming like the church before Acts. They have become so religious they have know idea who God is. Jesus told his disciples what the old church or the religious people were going to do to him: Matthew 16:21 Jesus Predicts His Death From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. I have seen what the modern day church does to people who have sinned as though they never have sinned in their own life. President Trump is a good example of this hypocrisy. They say, "I am to good to support a man like this because he has sin in his life." Are you so naive that if God thought like you he would not be able to use anybody to accomplish his goals because of the sins we have ALL committed. Another thing to think about is the fact you hold past sins against people. When Jesus Christ forgives sin he forgets about it. Or are you too religious to forget about peoples past sins. Make note of Paul's writing. It is written: Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. As for President Trump who may not be perfect but I love everything the man stands for and would be honored to have him in my church. But I will not be swayed from the fact that "Jesus is Lord". 11/24/2024 The Thanksgiving holiday is next week and how many of us are really thankful. After all this current administration has been doing everything to make our lives miserable. People who look for the positive in all the crap brought up a good point. "Do you see how God has protected us from complete devastation. He only let what happened to give us a wake up call to what will happen if we let evil reign." Paul has the secret to creating thankful Christians in all situations: Colossians 2:6-7 (New Living Translation) And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 3:17 (New Living Translation) And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. God loves the thankful heart and let's practice it. This is where blessings truly come from. Thankfulness is a form of worship and it brings honor to the name of our King. Look deep even during times of suffering you will always find things to be thankful for. After all "Jesus is still Lord" 10/31/2024 These verses fits the Democrat party to a tee. The Republicans who lust for money are in the same boat. Replace Jerusalem with Washington DC and you have a true statement and a God who is just as angry today: Isaiah 28:14-22 NLT 14 Therefore, listen to this message from the Lord, you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem. 15 You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.” 16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. 17 I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away. [Look at all the flooding and hail occurring world wide.] 18 I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death, and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave. When the terrible enemy sweeps through, you will be trampled into the ground. 19 Again and again that flood will come, morning after morning, day and night, until you are carried away.” This message will bring terror to your people. 20 The bed you have made is too short to lie on. The blankets are too narrow to cover you. 21 The Lord will come as he did against the Philistines at Mount Perazim and against the Amorites at Gibeon. He will come to do a strange thing; he will come to do an unusual deed: 22 For the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, has plainly said that he is determined to crush the whole land. So scoff no more, or your punishment will be even greater. This is why it is so important to vote. Send the real bad ones packing. The rest will soon learn. We want people in government who honor the masses and hopefully God. After all this country has been under his protection for a long time. Let's put him back on the throne again. He is a natural at it. "One nation under God serving Jesus Christ." This should be our national motto. Now watch America become great again. 10/08/2024 There has been a lot of talk about Jesus returning. I too believe that it is getting close but not near as close as they think it is and I'll tell you why. Matthew talks about what will need to happen before Jesus returns. Jesus himself said that the entire world will have to hear about me before I will return. Matthew 24:14 NLT 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Why is God calling missionaries to go into the world to bring his message to the people. If everyone in the world has heard about Jesus Christ this would not be necessary. He will not return until these criteria are filled. The sad part about if Jesus would come today is all the people who have not accepted him yet and are going to hell. God is not anxious to see any one of us parish. God himself knew this day would come, that is the reason he told Joel of the greatest outpouring of his spirit in the last days. We have seen the start of it in the gang ministry but it basically dead on the world stage, but this is about to change. It will encompass the entire world, and this will happen soon. Again, Jesus will not come back until this happens. Joel wrote about this: Joel 2:28-32 NLT The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit 28 "Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. 30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible[b] day of the Lord arrives. 32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called. Another thing that God is doing is rebuilding his church which in most cases has become powerless. God is removing the lukewarm from the body. You will see those people leave. Paul talks about this with Timothy: 1 Timothy 4:1 NLT Warnings against False Teachers Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 Timothy 4:3 NLT 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. After the great outpouring Jesus will get his church that loves him. Jesus will not return until he gets his church in order. This modified church will create real problems for the devil. The last thing I noticed that Donald trump was put here for a reason, and he is going to serve two terms based on what God's prophets say. If Jesus would come today, he would have to leave Donald Trump behind to finish the job. President Trump loves Jesus and he is going with us when Christ returns. Do not let anybody tell you should not start anything because Jesus is coming soon. God may have a dream for you. God even has his own dreams that he wants us to help him to fulfill. Do not let his return sidetrack you from what our King wants us to do for him now. We need to be diligent because we are nearing the last days. Paul had more to say to Timothy about this: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT The Dangers of the Last Days 3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 09/21/2024 This was a quote made by a black man on TikTok If Jesus Christ would come to America in this day and this age with the purpose of sacrificing himself for our sins, which party do you think would kill him because his views did not align with their ways. When you can figure this out you will then know which party to vote for. Believe me he is not crazy. Just think what they are doing to President Trump who is not perfect. Imagine what they would do to Jesus Christ the author of perfection. Jesus would not be silent today either. They already are calling God's word hate speech and they are trying to edit those things out in the existing translations. It's good to have an old standby copy of the written word to check for these modifications if you go online. I love the power of online searches, and I will check time to time to make sure those sites stay honest. 08/24/2024 The king of Saudi Arabia created a big golf course in the middle of the desert. It was impressive seeing this huge green area in the middle of a desert where nothing can grow. The Saudi king invited a bunch of celebrities to view his impressive work of engineering. Included in that list was Arnold Palmer. As the party progressed the Saudi king asked Arnold what he would like. He said, "Ask me anything and I will grant it." Arnold Palmer was caught off guard and wasn't sure what to say. He did not want to offend the king in any way. After thinking for a while he finally asked, "Just give me a club." The Saudi king said, "Your request will be granted." After the everything was all over Arnold Palmer went home. Time had passed and nothing came about what happened during the event with the king. The king kept his promise. One day when Arnold Palmer went home to get the mail and there was a certified envelope from the king of Saudi Arabia. Arnold said to himself, "It's definitely not a golf club." But when he opened it up, he discovered that it was good for a beautiful 500-acre Club. Isn't it interesting when we think of what a club is and what a king thinks a club is. Maybe we should be thinking more like what a king does. I know that my King thinks like this: Romans 8:32 (New Living Translation) Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Isn't this quite a promise. We serve a big God, and we need to think bigger. Only our motives can destroy what big things God has for us. 08/05/2024 There is more to the story of the demon possessed man in the cemetery than what meets the eye: Mark 5:1-2 5 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This is interesting in itself. Usually when my buddy goes out on the streets, we pray that the demonic influences run whenever the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned. The enemy flees from us which we have witnessed. But this man came towards Jesus. Were the demons curious or was the Holy Spirit drawing the man to Jesus? Mark 5:3-8 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. 6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” The demons had a lot of respect for Jesus and God like addressing him "Son of the Most High God". Jesus had amazing respect for his Father and the enemy knew this hoping that he would lessen the pain if he used the phrase "In the name of God". Mark 5:9-10 9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. What is this distance place? I am sure evil is present in the entire world. You can't get much further than that not unless they were afraid that Jesus was going to send them directly to the Lake of Fire right away. Mark 5:9-10 11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.” 13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. If Jesus gave the demon's permission to enter the pigs just because they asked, why would he not do requests for his children too. Granted if you ask for a Ferrari instead of a new car, he may not listen to you. What are your motives for wanting that Ferrari? Did you ever wonder what happened to the demons after the pig's drowned? Did they perish too? I have always wondered what Satan does to his minions when they fail. Mark 5:14-17 14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. When we have our mind on worldly things this is what happens. We see the money that was lost when the pigs were drowned because we do not understand the spiritual thing that just happened. Fear drives God away from us. Mark 5:18-20 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. So many people think that in order to serve God that you need to become a missionary. Then why did he tell the man “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” I know that many of you have testimonies that God wants you to share right where you are. Notice that his home was in the "Ten Towns" and he began witnessing to those who told Jesus to go. Jesus eventually came back to this place and this man's testimonies changed the community: Mark 7:31-37 31 Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. 32 A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. 33 Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” 35 Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! 36 Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. 37 They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” The people began to want Jesus after they heard his testimony of this one man. The motto of this story is Jesus will do things for us if we ask him with proper motives. Second, our testimonies will bring people into the fold of Jesus Christ when we honor his name. 07/03/2024 They say, "government is not the answer but Jesus Christ is" is a very true statement, but a government who does not know Jesus is a disgrace to the world. Proverbs 14:34 NLT Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Ignoring what is going on in our government will eventually result in our persecution. We all need to stand agianst the evil in what is going on today. 2020 was the year Christians voted for demonic candidates when we had those who were a lot closer to what God wanted. You need to check out how your representitive votes on bills that oppose God. I have checked and there are many representatives who voted for God. I even bet you already know which political party opposes God the most. Make America Great Again with Jesus in control of our leaders lives. I guarantee this is what our King wants also. Godliness makes a nation great. The current administration has no use for godliness and it shows. When America was founded we were one nation under God. I want America to be restored to this status because my King will honor this nation again if we honor his great name to the world. 05/20/2024 This world likes to kick old people out to pasture. It is true that it is difficult for the older to perform strenuous tasks. That is why you never see someone playing pro football at 50 years old. It is the same in the job world where they want those over 60 to retire because of possible medical issues and higher wages. This is a big mistake because God has given the older generation of his children wisdom: Proverbs 20:29 NLT The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. Psalm 92:14 NLT Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. Joel 2:28 NLT The Lord’s Promise of His Spirit “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. All of these verses show that old people are valuable to God. God is actually using me more now in my older years then when I was young. God said, "Bless my children in the ghetto." Because of this his children there know how to worship God amazingly. Many churches should learn from them how to worship from the heart. God also said, "Make my people in law enforcement and fire laugh. While you are at it, make my college students laugh also." This is all proof that we are never too old to benefit our King. I am planning on staying on this path until my King leads me down a different one. All I know is that if that happens his other children will be blessed. It is a result just because of the love our King has for his kids. Here are some thoughts to close with: Romans 15:5-6 (New International Version) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is an amazing promise: Hebrews 6:10 (New Living Translation) For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 05/15/2024 There never has been as much uncertainty as there is now. Stupidity is rampant and God is low on the totem pole of today's culture. God has something to say to you if you are worried about what kind of world you and your children will be left with. Psalm 103:17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children. [Proof even our children are covered. Bring them up in the ways of Christ and release them to our King.] The last time I checked God was still on the throne and Jesus was there mediating for us. I like what Jesus prayed over those who are obedient: John 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. Never forget about the original verse on fear: Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. David saw how God never left his presence: Psalm 34:7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Psalm 118:6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Make sure you have not lost your love for the things of God. This brings fear: 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. It does require faith when you read these verses that God will make things happen according to the events that he has planned. Remember this verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight. [Strong faith brings hope into our journey on earth. When faith dies so does hope.] Sight can deceive what is actually happening. CGI is everywhere making us feel fake is real bringing fear into our lives. Studying who God is will reveal what is fake in our lives. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is key to winning the battle and that he has got this situation under his control. I hear that God laughs at the dumb stuff the enemy pulls. This tells me he has no worry about overcoming anything the enemy may come up with. Even though we go through trials our King has not only protected us, but our children are also under his protection. Trust him and continue working towards a Christ like life. 04/17/2024 There is not a lot that is said in the bible about debt. These are the only two verses that I could really find that related to debt. Proverbs 22:7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. Romans 13:8 (New Living Translation) Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. There is a lot to be said to not owing anything to anyone. Since there are no payments coming up there is nothing to spend your money on but on future things that may come up. The ministry I have in the ghetto would be really tough or next to impossible if I had payments that I would have to make on things. The next best thing to not owing money to anybody is the ability to say "no". It is amazing how fast your money builds up when you say "no" to almost everything. Time will prove that you did not need or really want that. Why else do we have garage sales. Eventually there are things that you can justify buying and have fun with it. I will spend money on those things, but I am never going to be pushed into getting anything because someone else has it. Contentment is one of the greatest gifts that God can give us. Contentment can bring peace. Never be so content that you become lazy. It is good to earn money to bless others and have a drive to keep the things operating that our God blessed us with. America is one blessed nation. Our poor people are wealthier than 80% of the world. The covenant that our founding fathers made with God and the fact we give more than any other nation is why we are so blessed. Malechi 3:10 works for nations too. 04/15/2024 This is definitely one of the most powerful verses in the bible. If you are living in the world you will struggle with this because of your fear of what others may think of you. But if your heart is truly in God's Kingdom you will be excited to do everything it says: Romans 10:9-10 (New Living Translation) If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Yep, you will be wanting to bring up the goodness of Jesus Christ in every conversation you have so people will know where you stand. And you will not care what others may think. Make sure you never take love out of the equation. This is what makes us different from other religions that bore hatred if you are not one of them. Pay attention to the word "openly". Paul used it twice. 03/31/2024 There is an island country south of the United States that consists of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. To the naked eye, the people seem to be the same no matter which side you are on. But you will find out that one country speaks predominantly French, and the other is predominantly Spanish. Now why is that? It is because what each country was exposed to. They were ruled by governments that was their native language. Their cultures were formed around their environments. The spiritual world is no different than what goes on in this nation. In the spirit world there is God's kingdom and there is Satan's kingdom. If you spend all your time in God's kingdom your views and what you think will be based upon God's Kingdom principles. On the other hand, if you spend all your time in Satan's kingdom you will begin to think and act like he does. One thing that people like about Satan's kingdom is the darkness. It is easy to hide our sins from others. We are given the illusion that we are actually getting away with it. There is a curse for trying it: Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! Now on the other hand God's Kingdom represents light and: Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. It is extremely difficult to get away with things while the light is shining because we are so visible to everybody. I had one pastor who once said to me when he fell in love with his wife Vicki, he made a commitment to each other that they would only do things together out in public to alleviate the temptation. Another thing about God's Kingdom is the light itself. Because Jesus has asked us to bring his message to all the world. Our light that we are accustomed to will shine into Satan's kingdom: John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. We will expose all the sin that is going under the cover of darkness. They will probably hate us for that: John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. God is fed up with us trying to live in both kingdoms. Some pretty stupid things occur when we live in both Kingdoms. Some of the ideas I have witnessed in the church is living together outside of marriage, homosexual pastors, Christians voting for demonic platforms, and too many other things to list. God is ready to burn the fence (which belongs to Satan). We better pick our side: Acts 17:30 New Living Translation 30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. The enemy tries to convince us his side is the best because God is boring. I have witnessed a beautiful relationship of gangs, homeless, hungry people in the ghetto, and law enforcement. All these people are better off today because my King asked me to do this. I love to increase people's relationship with God with the comments and humor videos. One thing you need to know about boring is that I hate writing with a passion. Only God can take something that is boring and make it into something enjoyable. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he has made something boring like writing into something that is exciting. He will do this for you also. There is no excuse for not enjoying God's side of the fence. 03/24/2024 The sheiks of Saudi Arabia are interesting people. They have so much money that there is nothing that they cannot buy. They have the fanciest cars money can buy. They also can pay to have people build buildings that no one in any other part of the world can afford to have built. What I really liked is when the PGA extremists were going to not allow President Trumps golf courses to be part of it. Because the Saudi's, who love President Trump, had more money than they did, were going to destroy the PGA. The extremists stopped their nonsense immediately. This is one time I liked people who have lots of money and power. What would it be like though if the Saudis would put all that money and power aside and work and live with the people in their country. I know that you are saying that would never happen in a million years. But think about this, Jesus Christ actually did that for us. He gave all that up just because he loved us enough that he did not want any of us to go to hell. Paul talked about this in Colossians: Colossians 1:15-20 NIV The Supremacy of the Son of God 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Verse 16 says, "all things have been created through him and for him". Satan is like the party in our government that taxes us to death then gives it back to us if we "worship" no scratch that "Vote" for them. He tried to give Jesus what he already owned: Matthew 4:8-10 NIV 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ I liked how Jesus said, "it is written". That was like telling Satan you need to pay attention to what God declares and only a fool would challenge God's written word. Even though the word fool was not directed at Satan, he knew exactly what Jesus was talking about. Like the description says, "The Son is the image of the invisible God", it was like Satan asking God to worship him. I am sure that made him feel real stupid and even more mad. Wow! There is a lot to be said in the rest of the verse: "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." It looks like our existence is in our Lords hands. "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." - After Jesus ascended to the father he set a whole bunch of things in motion. Even though he is with the Father he can easily be the head of the church. This means he is always nearby too. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." - This what the Old Testament was talking about, and Jesus finished it. Just think about the phrase "making peace through his blood." This peace could never have been matched by animal sacrifices. For a final note: Romans 6:23 (New Living Translation) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
