The Problem Is

You Think That Is Love

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:6

When someone says, "I can't live without you.  You are my everything."...

When people appear caught up in what you say, what you do, and what you are going through...

When acquaintances prefer to tell you 'smooth things' rather than hurt your feelings with the truth...

When a person gives you what you want and appears to deny you nothing...

When others pay attention to you and seem to make you the center of their world...

When folks only applaud you and never tell you that you're wrong...

You think THAT is love; but it is not.

No More Rejection

Get About the Father's Business

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians 1:6

If God can touch and move a young girl like this to PREACH with such passion, then there is surely nothing He cannot do.  I haven't seen such common sense even amongst some adults.

Many of the problems weighing down the Body of Christ have to do with a spirit of rejection. Satan makes sure that most experience rejection at an early age with the intent of crippling them for most of their lives. Yet, through Jesus Christ we no longer have to be crippled...unless we choose to be.

It is our choice to believe the lies of Satan OR to believe the truths from God our Father. I don't care what people say, what circumstances imply, or what your "feelings" tell you. Whose report will you believe?

How long will you allow yourself to grovel on the ground in self-pity as the devil kicks more dirt in your face?  Determine to hold on to the truths of God and He will not only give you the strength to stand, but to overcome the enemy.

Oh Holy Day!

As I drove through the neighborhood this week, there were lots of decorated houses.  Some still with Halloween themes, some with Fall/Thanksgiving scenes, and some with Christmas decor.

My son asked, "Which is the most important holiday?"

I replied, "I don't understand what you mean son?"

Then he elaborated, "Which holiday is most important to God?"

As I thought about it for a minute, I had to say, "None of them.  God doesn't care about these holidays.  He cares about how we live every day.  Are we obeying Him every day and living for Him every day?  These 'holidays' are created by man and for man, based on what he thinks should be commemorated."

"That's not true!" he said.  "Thanksgiving is about God and being thankful for God, so that is an important holiday."

"Where did you hear that?  At School?"  I asked him.  "Is Thanksgiving in the Bible? Is Christmas?  Is Halloween?" I told him that if he wants to know what is most important to God, then he needs to look to God's word.

I also explained how Thanksgiving came to be; that people from England came here, but the long voyage and subsequent harsh winter caused half of them to die within the first 6 months.  I shared how the Native Americans living here taught them how to live off the land and grow crops, which was essential to their survival.  So we acknowledge as the first Thanksgiving the autumn harvest feast they had as a result of those crops.  I also of course shared how European settlers later branded Native Americans as savages, drove them from their lands, and slaughtered many of them almost to the point of extinction.  Happy Turkey Day indeed!

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

"But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 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 4:17-19

I saw an interesting article today on a football player named Tim Tebow.  Now, I know nothing about this man and do not follow sports at all.  However, it seems that he is continually bringing up his relationship with Jesus Christ and giving Jesus the glory every time the opportunity is presented.  As a result, it is making some people very uncomfortable, and even angry; one being former player Jake Plummer who had the following to say:

"Tebow, regardless of whether I wish he'd just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates, I think he's a winner and I respect that about him. I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I'll like him a little better. I don't hate him because of that, I just would rather not have to hear that every single time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff."

What about all of the self-exalting grandstanding that is done by ball players?  Does any of this offend?  The pounding on the chest, the dancing in the end zone, the jumping into the stands, the showboating in the interviews...  None of the flesh on display apparently bothers Plummer, but name the name of Jesus and he sees red.

Do you see how slick the devil is?  Satan will even cater to your ego in an attempt to get you to deny Christ. "See, I like YOU Tebow.  You're a winner!  It's just this Jesus guy that is the problem.  We would all like you even more if you just stop talking about Him." 

How blatantly "in your face" the hatred for Jesus Christ has become.  By comparison, if Tebow was a Muslim giving thanks continuously to Allah, such a comment would have never been made for the sake of "religious tolerance".   And Allah is a false god!  People are more respectful these days to idols than to the True & Living God.

When it comes to Jesus, it is a small thing for him to be accursed and mocked in the streets.  Even His very name is offensive because the soul of man knows instinctively that Jesus is God.

Psychopathology at its Ultimate

Why Civilizations Decay

psychopathology: a pathological deviation from normal behavior, psychosis; the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental disorder or in social disorganization.

Nothing speaks so clearly to the fact that God alone is the Creator of all than to see what happens to man when he turns away from God.

If there is no God, then man in his most vile state should still be able to flourish from a societal perspective...but this has never happened.  It is historical fact that every culture which turns from God's ways begins a slope of moral decay which precedes its own impending death.  What is the leading predictor of this decline?  A society's views on sex.

The Bible describes fornication and homosexuality as abhorrent, abnormal, and an abomination.  Yet society says these things are normal.  Who are we to believe and how do we know that which is true?

Even if one does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the truth is evident through the lens of history.  Every time society begins to accept & promote sexual deviancy, that society begins a spiraling march towards its own death; this alone shows that such behaviors are not "normal".  

You Love Me Anyway

I heard this song today for the first time and was so touched by the words that I thought it might be a blessing to others.

The question was raised as my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn’t mean much, but it lingers still
In the corners of my mind

Still you call me to walk on the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future’s so far my heart is so frail
I think I’d rather stay inside

But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
Yes You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me

Do We REALLY Believe

That Jesus is THE Answer?

So much time is spent discussing any number of topics in Christianity.  Yet, most of the books in the Christian section of the bookstore can be replaced with one word.  Even though we may say we believe it, do we really believe that Jesus is the answer?

What is the answer to a troubled marriage? Jesus.

What is the answer to lack of finances?  Jesus.

What is the answer to children gone astray?  Jesus.

What is the answer to sin?  Jesus.

What is the answer to sickness?  Jesus.

Omega Ministries Fellowship Meetings

Omega Church & Ministries Center is having a set of meetings in Atlanta, GA from January 6th -8th, 2012.

The meetings will facilitate fellowship amongst those who interact with the ministry as well as equip such persons to minister themselves as part of a worldwide outreach. 

Dates:   January 6-8, 2012
Location:  Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Marriott Hotel, 1 Hartsfield Centre Pkwy., Atlanta, Georgia 30354
Cost:   $100.00/person over 17 years old.  Food will also be provided on Friday night & Saturday evening.

For those coming from out of town, a rate of $89/night has been secured for the two nights.   You may make your reservation by calling the hotel at 404-209-9999 (1-888-391-8724).

For more details, please see the attached document.   You may register by going to the Omega Ministries website.

Come BACK to the Father's Love

Do you find it hard to receive the love of God?   Do you condemn yourself because of past sins and count yourself unworthy to be loved by Him?  Are you performing many "good works", but still doubting that Jesus died for you as a personal expression of the Father's love specifically for you?

Don't let this day go one moment further without understanding that God loves you.

It is not a selfish love, which is based on what you can do for Him.

It is not a soulish love that has to be worked up in the flesh.

It is not a deceitful love which pretends that you are just fine in your sin.

It is not a fleeting love, which is here one moment and gone the next.

STILL Alive

And STILL Changing Lives

Hallelujah!!!

The REAL 99%

Image made by Dr. Anthony Bradley

Who Minds Earthly Things?

"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

Dr. Anthony Bradley's recent social commentary contrasting the "99%" of the Occupy movement with those impoverished in Africa has created somewhat of a stir.

The juxtaposition I suppose is to bring to mind how even the poorest in America often live better than many in other parts of the world.  It also reveals how a lifestyle of privilege and entitlement (comparatively) can skew one's perception of reality, justice, and oppression.

However, there is another "99%" which has much more eternal weight and which should be the primary focus of the people of God.

That is the 99% of those who do not know Jesus Christ.

You MUST Be Strong!

God is Calling You to Rebuild the Walls

Too many Christians are struggling with an attitude of defeat in their Christian walk, unable to gain the victory over the enemy in areas where Jesus tells us that we have already been given the victory!

The following message is from Min. Eric Ludy entitled. "A Man of White Knuckles".

He is speaking about the prophet Nehemiah and how the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem reflects the rebuilding many Christians must still do to shore up the temple of their bodies.  That sermon is followed by an examination of the Hebrew war cry "Rak Chazak".

If you listen and really take heed to this message, it will change your life.

• Only a moment of yielding to the flesh can result in dullness & weakness of the spirit.
• You cannot afford to accept dimnishment of your spiritual life.  If you ever feel that dimness of your spiritual heart, you grip your sword harder and refuse to let go until it passes.
• The enemy is monitoring your soul, looking for a breach in the wall in which to take advantage of it.
• Your body is the temple of the Lord, but if there is not a wall built up around your temple (as in Nehemiah), the enemy will make your temple miserable.
• If you are still vulnerable to the enemy in areas of sin in spite of having a relationship with God, it is because there is a breach in your soul which needs to be fixed.

Teach Me to be a Witness

Dear Lord,

Teach me what it means to be a witness to your love, your truth, and your glory.  Let every aspect of my life be given in service to you, for you to do with as you please.

Let me not look to myself in doing this work, but may my eyes remain primarily & continually on you; knowing that you are faithful to complete it.  Give me the mind of Christ so that my ears, heart, and mind are always open to receive from you.

Help me to discern between when You are moving me versus when it is the flesh or unclean spirits of this world.  Please keep me from inordinate soul ties which seek to bring me into bondage to others' expectations, doubts, lusts, or sins.

Make me whole in every way so that I can be wholly/holy dedicated to you. 

Jesus, keep me mindful that:

The Future of Christianity?

"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to REPENT: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." Acts 17:26-31

My children attend a Christian school...and these days that has less and less meaning.  A few of the students went to visit Berea College last month, which claims to have a wonderful Christ-based program.  Not only that, but they are able to provide full scholarships for their students, making their college education tuition-free.  The students spoke so highly of their visit, that I added this to the list of colleges we are considering for our own children.

However, we must remember that there is "another Jesus, another gospel, and another spirit" which seeks to deceive people and lead them away from the True & Living God (II Corinthians 11:4).  Anyone can claim to be a servant of Jesus Christ, but to which "Jesus" are they referring, and how do we know?

Blind Faith & Heart

Focus on Jesus!

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." Proverbs 24:10

Sometimes, we reach a point where all we have left is blind faith and heart.

Blind faith because we are so focused that all we see is our goal, and everything else fades to the background (Matthew 6:22).

Heart because our flesh may tell us that we cannot proceed, but the spirit is willing and urging us to go further still (Matthew 26:41).

When our eyes tell us that the giants who oppose us are stronger than we are; when our flesh tells us that we have given all we have and there is nothing more to give; make your eye single and set your face like a flint to move forward for God has already given you the land. 

Your deliverance is nigh, if you but keep the faith.

We Are Legion

Unifying the World

"For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many." Mark 5:8-9

Since I last wrote about "Occupy", it has become a global phenomenon.  Increasingly, there has been news of violent and perverse activities being associated with this movement.  There are reports of everything from molestation, public acts of indecency, assault, and destruction of property.

Those who reject Christ do not believe that He is soon
returning to judge the world, but that this time
represents a "new beginning" without consideration
of a Sovereign, Omnipotent God (Psalms 2:1-3).

In the past week, "Occupy D.C." is accused of knocking down an elderly man and pushing an elderly woman down a flight of stairs. "Occupy San Diego" defaced food carts - one splattered with blood & urine - when the vendors stopped handing out free food to the protestors.  Such acts of self-centered entitlement with a complete disregard for the well-being of others illustrates the mindset of anarchists.

anarchist: a person who advocates the abolition of government and a social system based on voluntary cooperation.

The anarchist doesn't want anyone telling him what to do.  He only desires to do what he "wants to" or "feels like" doing.  He therefore rejects any authority outside of his own will.  It matters not what type of authority or government it is; he despises anything that puts restraint on the old, carnal nature.

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities."  II Peter 2:9-10

The Bloodline of the Beast

The following message from Pastor Mike Hoggard is entitled "The Bloodline of the Beast".  

• We are seeing the apostasy taking place right before our eyes
• What it means for Satan to be subtle and how mass marketing is being used to teach occult doctrines.
• The seed of the woman (Jesus Christ), the seed of the serpent (the Man of Sin), and the esoteric doctrine of a divine bloodline.
• The idea of Kundalini is that there is a serpent at the base of your spine which wants to ascend the "tree" or spine of man, touching the pineal gland to give illumination that man is god.
• The new age (and other occult movements) believe that we must be born again, but they promote a 'birth' based in the corruptible seed of man's will power or mind.
  

Subliminal Subversion

In the following video, Pastor Mike Hoggard addresses the following:

• How the subconscious mind works to pick up subliminal messages (also called perception without awareness).
• How a number of subliminal messages in mass media address the ideal of "as above so below" which speaks to man becoming a god in his own right; often involving a yielding to or collaboration with a higher/alien race.
• What the letters "INRI" - which are often featured above an image depicting the crucifixion of Christ  - really represent.
• Why born-again man needs to be crucified with Christ.
  

Woe, Woe, Woe, Woe Feelings

Get OUT of Your Feelings!

It is not uncommon when correcting my children or telling them to do something that they will start telling me about their 'feelings'.  One of my more common responses is, "It is not about how you 'feel'." They must learn to move beyond their 'feelings'.

This is something even many adults don't understand because it goes directly against the philosophy of this world.  The world will tell you that 'feelings' convey deep spiritual truths about your condition which should be explored, evaluated, and heeded.  This is a deception.  Oftentimes, your feelings can be deceitful and work against your own well-being.

If I give in to the fact that I don't 'feel' like going to work, then I may very well may find myself out of a job.  If I don't 'feel' like cleaning the house, then it is likely we will be living in a pig's pen.  If I don't 'feel' like cooking, then my family may develop a substandard diet potentially causing obesity or poor health.  If I don't 'feel' like praying then I may find myself unaware of God's will for me that day.  If I don't 'feel' like studying the word, then I might find myself drifting away from the Lord and back into the flesh.  If we went by what we 'feel' then we probably wouldn't do 95% of what God wants us to do.

Yet, there are professing Christians who literally wallow in their feelings.  One minute they are up, they next they are down.  One moment they are hopeful, the next they are pessimistic.  Now they are emboldened for the Lord, but later they are filled with fear.  Not one time do they stop to think about the inspiration behind their feelings.  Instead they simply give in to their 'feelings' and conform their reality to them.

As a result, they live as if on an emotional roller coaster...and they expect you to go along for the ride!  Not me.  I'm not going to cater to someone's soulish, carnal (and maybe demonic) 'feelings'.  So don't come to me with your 'feelings' unless you have first considered how those feelings line up with the Spirit of God. Some might say, "That is cold."  I say that it is necessary, and it is how I approach even my own 'feelings'.