God is Not Going to Roll Over and Play Dead

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God is Not Going to Roll Over and Play Dead

God is not going to roll over and play dead. Our society has all but declared war on Christendom. We have been slandered, threaten, shamed and forced into the four walls of our homes and churches. We have allowed the doctrine of separation of church and state to become the tool of suppression and oppression of our beliefs and our expression of them.  We have conceded our voice and position to those who thought it better for us to take a step back from society in the name of peace and tranquility. Because we were taught, it is better to live in peace with everyone. We were taught, convinced the quieting of our beliefs would make us more acceptable to society. We were convinced becoming non-confrontational would be in the best interest and image of Christianity. Is it because we may taken the verse that says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" Romans 12:18 to mean we are to suppress our beliefs?

I want you to look at what Jesus had to say about peace.

⁴⁹ “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Luke 12:49-53 Yes, we are to live in peace with everyone, if it is at all possible, but not at the cost of Christ. We are not to sacrifice Christ once again for the desire for peace. We are not to compromise the gospel for peace. We're not to intellectually, rationalize, away the truth of the word of God for the approval and acceptance of humanity.

Jesus himself said, ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. We have to come to grips with this. If you are a follower of Jesus you do not belong to this world you cannot live by the precepts of this society. You cannot abide by a doctrine that says you must be silent. You cannot abide by the doctrine of non-offensiveness for the purposes of peace. Please understand I am not advocating open resistance against a society of sin. I am saying if you are obedient to the word of God you will be offensive to those who oppose God.  If you are a follower of Jesus, you already are offensive. Just because you are numbered with the beloved, you are hated.  

God is not going to abide by the idea or doctrine of separation of church and state. He does not recognize or has He given the state the authority to silence Him. He does not acknowledge the sovereignty of any government to silence His word. We are the ones that must recognize His sovereignty about His word. We must go forward to the acknowledgment of His immutable word. Whether we like it or not God's word will never be put under a bushel.  

God is not considering compromise, he is not acknowledging the intellectual rationalization of the secularist or theologian. All who corrupt the word of God regardless of where they come from are an offense to God.  We should not be concerned with offending humanity, we should be concerned with offending God.  

Through all the mistakes the purposeful distortion of the word of God and the open intentional assault on His people His plan is unaffected. His son will return there will be a judgment day, punishment will be meted out and justice will be upheld. Every anti-God sentiment, action, distortion and defiance will not change the plan. It will not inhibit the final destination of man. God is not going to say oh I made a mistake humanity is right I am wrong you can have it your way. He is not going to roll over and acquiesce to humanities morality or supremacy. 

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Rev 21:35

God will not roll over, after the world and the heavens cease to exist God's words will still prevail.

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The Essence of Christanity

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The Essence of Christianity

We recently went on a weekend getaway to New York we were there for 3 days. I was born and raised in the South Bronx and spent the first nineteen years of my in the city.  The city is teeming with people. There are people everywhere. As we travel throughout the city, I looked for churches invariably I saw small churches. 

We visited family who still lives there.  We visited the Freedom Tower went up to the observation deck took some beautiful pictures of the city. On Sunday we went to Hillsong Church. 
It occurred to me while I was in the Manhattan Center where Hillsong is currently holding their services that New York does not have a true mega church.  The Manhattan Center's capacity depending on configuration will hold 3500 people. When we visited, it was near capacity. Hillsong New York has several services on Sunday, so the Sunday attendance is in the thousands. Yet I say there is not a true megachurch in New York City. Why do I say that? The population of New York is 8 million plus. A few thousand is not a significant number compared to the total population. It was during the service with a couple thousand people in the church I was visiting that I realized the disparity of believers as compared to the rest of the population. 

It all resulted in this question, how do we Christians reach the lost of the world. The answer is apparent. The answer is in John 3:16, Matthew 22:36-40 and 1 Corinthians 13:13. 

John 3:16  (KJV)

¹⁶ 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.

Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸ This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹ And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

The answer is love. The answer is not found in strict adherence to a particular set of rules and regulations. It is not in-laws or traditions, theology or doctrine it is in love.  If we are to reach the world we need to show them "Love." Not love as defined by man but love as established by God. 

 

Everyone wants to be loved this is the commonality that is shared by all humanity. That is how we exemplify Christ not through laws and traditions but through love. Love not as a license to sin but love as a gift of righteousness. The sinless love God expresses to us is the love we are to express to our fellow-man. 
The way to change the world does not come through political action, not through the struggle against immorality or unrighteousness it comes through love. A positive progressive movement will only come about when the passion of God's Love is unleashed through us that belong to him. If you want to see a change in this generation at this time, it will only come through love. From the spirit of love, from the God who is love, will all benevolent action spring.  We must show the world the motivation for the crucifixion. The motivation is love, not law. If we love our neighbor with the love of God, they will come to learn and love the law of God. Law without love is bondage. Love provides the liberty to obey the law. It must first be love. Always Love.  
The essence of Christianity is Love when we deviate from it we are lost. 

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Same Jesus

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Same Jesus

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  Acts 1:11 NIV

This is an unusual moment. Jesus has been resurrected for 40 days and now before his disciples and the public he is ascending into heaven.  This event is so amazing. The only time in the history of mankind we see another realm of existence interact with our physical world.

It is our hope in the concrete form of our future.  It is the actualization of the totality Christianity. It is what we live and breathe for.  The resurrection and transformation of our lives to our permanent, eternal life.  Jesus is ascending into a different life. A different existence.  

He is showing us what the future holds for us.  In this amazing moment, he leaves the audience captive. So much so that angels in human form have to address them and tell them what has happened. They pronounce or define what they have just seen. These two witnesses give humanity a hope that is not equaled anywhere in the world. He will return in the same way he left.  

Christ will return. It is what separates Christianity from any other belief system in the world.  The subject of our hope and faith is actually coming back for us. He will return. This moment this occurrence is beyond the imaginings of anyone.  The risen savior of humanity has ascended to His home from where He came. He left us with a promise of His return and our reuniting with Him.  

The really amazing thing is this we, those who believe in Him are the only ones with this hope. The rest of the world is hoping in what? There is no substance for their hope.  We have the substance of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. We have the testimony of many an eyewitness. We have the fulfillment of prophecy. We have the witness of the Holy Spirit in us. We have a hope and faith In the one that defeated and conquered the grave. 

".......This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 NIV

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Are You Ready?

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Are You Ready?

 

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

 

Are you ready? Can you give an answer to any man who asks you the question why do you believe? If you do not have an answer, you do not believe. The answer is not a long dissertation or a doctoral thesis. It is a simple statement like this one.

 

16 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

 

Christianity is based on this verse. It's not complicated. It is not a mystery; it does not need immense intelligence to understand. God did all He did because He loves you. Your statement does not have to be new or unique. It does not have to be revelational to the world. But it does have to be the cornerstone of your belief system. It is the one thing that cannot change. For me, I believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead.  Not figuratively or metaphorically just as it says in the bible. I believe it happened. For me, everything else flows from the resurrection.

 

Are you Ready?

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The Spirit of God

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The Spirit of God

 

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

This exhortation, suggestion command is very difficult to follow.  Primarily because we have delegated the spirit of God to a vague window of existence.  We acknowledge His existence, but we deny His involvement.  We know that He existed before the world began because the Bible in Genesis has him hovering over the earth. Genesis 1:2 We know we were promised the Holy Spirit by Christ.  Acts 1:4 We know that He lives in us. 1 John 4:4 I could go on and on with biblical reference about the person and the work of the holy spirit. But would it make a difference? To be lead by the spirit of God and to walk in the Spirit of God requires more that acknowledgment and acceptance. It requires obedience and submission.  Without the outpouring of the Spirit of God Christianity may have died on the cross with Christ. This is why Christianity is under attack now. Because we have denied the power of God through the Holy Spirit of God. Without the Holy Spirit alive and influential in our lives all we do is thrash about. Without any ability to influence the world around us.

6 Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:5-7 

A Spiritless Christianity is a powerless Christianity. 

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Walk in Him

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Walk in Him

⁶ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:6-8 

For centuries, societies, governments, and rulers have tried to pollute, distort, abuse and supplant the gospel of Christ.  Today there are people in and out of Christianity that are in the process of devaluating, and demeaning Christianity. They have attempted to redefine some of the basic tenets of Christianity to justify their sin, they have called evil good. But as is often the case the word of God is ahead of humanity warning us not to fall prey to these insidious delusions. God word is as God himself it will not bend, change or be subjugated by humanity. God's word will never change nor his precepts usurped.

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Just Rewards

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Just Rewards

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

You faith will be tested, your beliefs will be challenged. You may be persecuted and murdered, but if you persist and your love of God is steadfast you will receive your crown of eternal life.

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She Will be Well

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She Will be Well

50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well." Luke 8:50

The only prerequisite is belief. All that God asks is that we believe.

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Four Kinds of People

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Four Kinds of People

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14  And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15  As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.  Luke 8:11-15

Are you the one that has had the word stolen from them? Are you the one that crumbles under pressure? Are you the one that is too concerned with the cares of today? Are you the one that will bear abundant fruit?

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Desires of The Heart

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Desires of The Heart

 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

Full Definition of delight

1. 1 :  a high degree of gratification :  joy; also :  extreme satisfaction
2. 2 :  something that gives great pleasure <her performance was a delight>
3. 3 archaic :  the power of affording pleasure

If you will delight yourself with God, He will delight Himself with you and give you the desire, of your heart because He loves you.

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There Is No Place Like Home

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There Is No Place Like Home

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10 NIV

It is simply better to be with God than it is to be anywhere else.

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An Inheritance in Heaven

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An Inheritance in Heaven

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, Ephesians 1:3-4

This is what we have received, it is already done and reserved for you and me.

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Far More Abundantly

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Far More Abundantly

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  Ephesians 3:20

He can do more than we can ask or imagine. Limited by the power in us. Are we allowing the spirit of God in us free reign to work through us so that we can have more than we ask or think?

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Follow Direction

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Follow Direction

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. Matthew 21:6 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (ESV)

We Christians are commanded to love one another.  To love is the direction we are to follow.

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The Father's Love

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The Father's Love

27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:26-27 (NIV)

God loves us because we recognize and  love His son.

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The Lord Is My Name

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The Lord Is My Name

I am the Lord; that is my name;

my glory I give to no other. Isaiah 42:8   

Our God stands alone high above any other, no one will share in His glory. Every knee shall bow.

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The Lord Has Spoken

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The Lord Has Spoken

he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. Isaiah 2:25:8

The victory of God is eternal with eternal rewards.

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Futility

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Futility   
      
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.    1 Corinthians 15:17 ESV   
       
Without the resurrection, we are without hope. For the works of man will never lead to freedom.

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By What Authority

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By What Authority

Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. And as he was walking through the temple, the chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses came over to him. 28 They asked, “What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?” Mark 11: 27-28

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

God gave Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth. By what authority do you defy Him or deny Him?

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Study

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Study

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15  (KJV)

We need to know the word of God so that we can know when deception is offered as truth.

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