Gentleness

An Attitude of Gratitude

I was thinking back on a recent article comparing how God's complete renovation in our lives is similar to the work done on the TV show Extreme Home Makeover.  If you have ever seen that show, then you know how the homeowners are often overcome with gratitude once they are presented with their new home.  There are usually tears flowing as they express amazement at the transformative work done while continuing to thank the carpenters for the work.  Why?  Because of the largeness of the gift they have been given.  They have not earned it; they only had to receive it.

It is the same for us.  When God changes your heart into a reflection of His own and grants you new life in Him by His Spirit, the natural result is gratitude (Psalm 26:7, 100:4; Jeremiah 30:19; John 2:9; II Corinthians 4:15, 9:11; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 2:7, 4:2).

However, when you have (outwardly) conformed yourself into your own image by your own soulish power, the natural result is pride. I once had a discussion with a young believer who claimed to be "proud" of her growth in the Lord.  I cautioned her to reflect on whether the sources of that "pride" were really God's work at all.  How is it possible to take pride in something over which you did not perform?  And if you performed it, then perhaps that is the indication that you need to turn it over to the Lord for Him to perform His work.  He is the Potter, after all.

All aspects of the flesh needs to be turned over to the Lord...even our own perceived "right"eousness.  If we do not, then the manifestation of this defiled fruit will show itself in our lives, including how we interact with others. A heart born of gratitude will be imbued with gentleness; a heart born from pride will filled with condescension.

Deathnosis

The Only Thing That Matters

Death brings about a peculiar reaction in people.  Folks talk about hypnosis, well I think there is such a thing as "deathnosis" (yes, it has come to the point where I am now making up words).  What is deathnosis, you ask?  It is the altered state of consciousness people enter when the topic of death comes up.  It is a fantasy-based mindset in which the realities of death and the hereafter are glossed over in favor of whatever fluffy alternative a person chooses to believe.

For example, have you ever noticed how everyone who dies is said to be in a "better place"?  If Jesus says that most people are actually traversing the broad road which leads to destruction, then what is this better place of which people speak (Matthew 7:13-14)?  In addressing the topic of death with others, it has been said to me, "Well, so-and-so is now reunited with all of the family and friends who went on before them, so I know they are okay."  Really?  What if these friends & family are in Hell?  Does it soothe their conscious and turn their time in Hell into a great celebration because they are together again with those deceased loved ones?  I have seen obituaries so doctored that I couldn't even recognize the person described. Deathnosis.

I am not saying to speak ill of the dead.  What is done is done, and there is a judge we all will face after our deaths (Hebrews 9:27).  I am saying that we must face the truth about death and the condition of life after death.  This reality is not going to change just because we don't want to accept it.  No amount of preaching the deceased into Heaven is actually going to get them there if they did not live for Christ.  Do not go through life falsely believing that your "good" works or motivations will save you...they won't.

In fact, almost nothing will get people more riled up than to refuse to glorify the dead.  They are aghast at the fact that the only thing which matters is whether a person knew Christ and were known by Him (Matthew 7:22-23).  It is inconceivable to those in the world (including many professing Christians) that God will reject those who have not given themselves as living sacrifices in obedience to Christ.

Cooperating with God's Work

In the last post, I stated, "There is nothing in salvation of which we can boast because our deliverance is of the Lord alone (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 1:3).  We cooperate with it, but it is His work completely."

Some people find this statement to be an oxymoron.  If salvation - and thereby our deliverance - is of the Lord alone, then why does it require our cooperation?  Those who struggle with this most are they who have been falsely led to believe that man has no role in salvation, has no free will, or is unconditionally eternally secure (OSAS) due to a one-time profession of faith.

How do we cooperate with God's work?  We yield over control of our vessels to Him.  That is it.

It reminds me of the television show "Extreme Home Makeover", where a team of carpenters offers to completely remodel your home.  In order to receive this offer, what is the first thing you have to do?  Get out of the way.  The crew is not there to build according to your specifications nor to equip you with the skills to build according to your own desires.  They will take on the expense of the rebuild, but you must give them complete control.  The result?  You are given a complete renovation of your house where everything is made new.

The Pride of Your Humility

Filthy Rags

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6

I am sure that everyone has heard the story of the man stuck on his roof during a flood. For the record, it goes something like:

A man was trapped in his house during a flood. He began praying to God to rescue him. He had a vision in his head of God’s hand reaching down from heaven and lifting him to safety. The water started to rise in his house. His neighbour urged him to leave and offered him a ride to safety. The man yelled back, “I am waiting for God to save me.” The neighbour drove off in his pick-up truck.

The man continued to pray and hold on to his vision. As the water began rising in his house, he had to climb up to the roof. A boat came by with some people heading for safe ground. They yelled at the man to grab a rope they were ready to throw and take him to safety. He told them that he was waiting for God to save him. They shook their heads and moved on.

The man continued to pray, believing with all his heart that he would be saved by God. The flood waters continued to rise. A helicopter flew by and a voice came over a loudspeaker offering to lower a ladder and take him off the roof. The man waved the helicopter away, shouting back that he was waiting for God to save him. The helicopter left. The flooding water came over the roof and caught him up and swept him away. He drowned.

When he reached heaven and asked, “God, why did you not save me? I believed in you with all my heart. Why did you let me drown?” God replied, “I sent you a pick-up truck, a boat and a helicopter and you refused all of them. What else could I possibly do for you?”

Sometimes we expect God to do grandiose things (and often He does), but this expectation can blind us the every day, practical ways in which God seeks to interact with us.  Here is the newsflash: God is practical!  I learned this lesson once in relation to money.

Preparation for the Promised Land

"Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them." Joshua 1:1-6

The Omega Church & Ministries Center is having its next fellowship January 3rd - 5th, 2014.  It is entitled, "Preparation for the Promised Land".

This past week, a brother sent me the video below which he made from the last conference.  This brought such joy as I reminisced about the fun & fellowship we experienced this past August.  I look forward to this time in January and would like to invite you all to join.  As you will notice in the video, we get lots of participants from across the nation.  There are even international brothers and sisters who attend.

Turning Away The Ears

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." II Timothy 4:3-4

This morning, I listened to an interview from a lawyer handling a U.S. Supreme Court case on prayer.  The case involves two women fighting against prayers being made before town council meetings in Greece, NY.  It is not exactly prayer which is the issue, but "Christian" prayer.  As their attorney Douglas Laycock stated, "This case is about Christians aggressively imposing themselves on their fellow citizens with the power of government."

While I really don't care what the Supreme Court decides in this case (and please don't comment about why I should), it is interesting how acceptable it has become to be openly hostile to Christianity.  We are not talking about people who are primarily fighting for equal representation for all religions; we are speaking about people who openly hate Christianity...and the God Christians serve.  Say what you want...pray how you want, but do not name the name of Jesus Christ.  If you ever had a doubt before, know that this antagonism is very personal.

I find it also telling that this argument against Christianity is coming from Greece.  Symbolically, the Grecian mindset has always been antagonistic to Christianity. Greek philosophy is based primarily in humanism; where man - his thoughts, desires, and will - is the supreme standard.  According to this thought, man is the center of everything; man is his own god. 

I Love the Lord

I woke up with this song on my heart.  Even if it is the middle of the night, if the Lord wakes you with His praises on your lips, then praise Him.  He is worthy.  He is faithful.  He hears your cries.

Psalm 116

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Religious, Not Spiritual

The following message is from Pastor Zac Poonen.
-----

Three Examples of Men Who Were Religious but Not Spiritual 

Jude speaks in his epistle of three people who were religious, but not spiritual - Cain, Balaam and Korah (Jude 11). Let us consider them one by one.

1. CAIN

Cain was not a godless man. He was a deeply religious man who believed in offering sacrifices to God (Gen. 4:3). Abel also offered sacrifices to God. But the difference between the two sacrifices and between Cain and Abel was the difference between hell and heaven, the difference between religiosity and spirituality. Cain and Abel symbolise two ways in which people have trodden - the way of religiosity and the way of spirituality. Cain is a type of those who offer external things to God - money, services, time, etc. Abel, on the other hand, symbolically laid himself on the altar when he killed the lamb and laid it on the altar.

Religious people can give gifts, pray, and do many good works - but they do not understand what it is to offer themselves. They may pay their tithes exactly, but they will not put their self to death in the moments of temptation. That is the difference between the old and the new covenants. You could enter the old covenant without dying to self. But it is impossible to enter the new covenant without dying to self. Jesus did not come to offer tithes, but to give Himself as an offering acceptable and well-pleasing to God. Cain and Abel symbolise the broad and narrow ways of approaching God - the way of religiosity and the way of true spirituality. You can be a servant without death to self. But you cannot be a son without it.

I Found the Answer

Verse 1
I was weak and weary, I had gone astray,
walking in the darkness, I could not find my way.
Then a light came shining to lead me from despair,
made all my sins forgiven, and I was free from care.

Chorus
I found the answer, I learned to pray,
oh with faith to guide me, I've found the way.
The sun is shining for me each day,
I found the answer, and I learned to pray.

From the Mouths of Babes

"And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" Matthew 21:16

Lord, I pray for young Jayna who is featured in this video below.  I pray for all young people, who have been blessed by You with undeniable gifts.  Let them understand that the gifts of the Lord are given without repentance...but that they are given for Your glory alone (Romans 11:29; Matthew 25:14-30).  It does not take long for Satan to try and put out the light in our young people or to send the world (including religion) to try and pervert/misuse their talents.  Please give these younger generations Godly wisdom Lord, so that even as the world may try to lift them up in pride for Satan's purposes, that they will remain in humble appreciation of the Master who has so blessed them.

Father, even the most precious gift is but a ring in a pig's snout if it is misappropriated for our own use instead of Yours (Proverbs 11:22).  It is time Jesus for a Godly heritage in the Lord to be seen in the earth, and quite honestly Lord, I am sick of the "church" pimping our young people.  I am not speaking God about this particular young lady, but in general.  The church should not be our ticket into the world as exemplified by many "Christian" artists today.  Lord, I am asking for a Godly standard to be seen, for pure praise to come forth, for coming generations to be saved and not turned out to be abused by the world.  I am asking for Your hand of protection and the Holy Spirit of power to rest on these young ones to lead and guide them in these evil days.

A Precious Word of Encouragement

The following was sent to me by a Sister in the Lord and I wanted to share it with you all.
____________

Be encouraged.

I am reminded of the end of a poem entitled Footprints In The Sand which says:

"You promised me Lord,
    that if I followed you,
      you would walk with me always.
         But I have noticed that during
           the most trying periods of my life
              there have only been one
                 set of footprints in the sand.
                   Why, when I needed you most,
                      you have not been there for me?"

                                 The Lord replied,
                          "The times when you have
                  seen only one set of footprints,
          is when I carried you".

When Jesus was hanging on the cross still clinging to life, His ultimate reason for coming to earth had not been fulfilled. But when he gave up the ghost, was buried and got up out of the grave three days later, our avenue of escape was created.  I call that a ULTIMATE BREAKTHROUGH (The veil was not just penetrated, but it was torn from top to bottom).

Labor Day

The Birthing Position 

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Romans 8:19-23

I am not one for holidays typically.  They come and go without much notice or fanfare.  However, this Labor Day did in fact hold meaning for me. For one, it is the day I completed a book which I had been collaborating with my pastor to produce.  It is a project we have been working on for almost a year and it certainly has been a 'labor or love' unto the Lord.

Secondly, the book itself addresses the purpose of the Gospel and the objective of salvation in having the nature of Christ formed within us (which I must say with a heavy heart most professing Christians do not understand).  This process is also described in Scripture with the analogy of giving birth.

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." Galatians 4:19

Every believer - indeed the Body of Christ as a whole - is to be travailing together so that Christ is formed spiritually within us and manifesting out from us so that those in the world may see Christ.

I Give Up!

I have been contacted by a number of people this year who have said in essence, "I give up! I cannot be a Christian. This is too hard. I can feel my heart growing harder towards God. Those who claimed to be saved have shown themselves to be hypocrites and have let me down. This whole faith thing cannot be real. I just thought Jesus would be different."  I received another of those messages tonight.

These statements remind me of a dream the Lord gave me years ago, about which I began to write a book entitled, "Why Adam Cannot Be Saved". It is like I am watching this dream come to life before my eyes, which confirms for me that I need to complete that writing. However, I am just tonight finishing another book with my pastor called "The Organic Gospel"; and that too is very fitting.

Don't get me wrong.  I completely understand that each individual must make their own choices in life.  I also know that there will be (and is currently) a great apostasy as people turn away from God and go back to the world.  Yet, a big part of the issue I believe is that people have no idea what it means to be saved.

The Help

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." I Corinthians 12:28

It is interesting how we see ourselves, including after salvation.  Even our perceptions of who we are and what God can do through us must be cast down (II Corinthians 10:5).  Our image of ourselves, our past, our experiences, our weaknesses, our inabilities, our shortcomings, our comfort zones...must all be brought to naught and made new in Christ in order to move forward in Him. 

I have long thought that my calling in the Lord was to be in the ministry of "helps".  It seemed to be what I was good at: helping others.  Someone needed help finding a job?  I could help.  Someone needed help with a particular writing?  I could help.  Someone needed a website created?  I could help.  Adults needed for children's church?  I could help.  A performance by the dance ministry was desired?  I could help.

I was always happy to help others as it gave me a sense of purpose.  I was being fruitful in the things of the Lord.  After all, God has given us all talents for the benefit of the Body of Christ.  Yet, there may come a time when God expects you to use your talents directly and not just lend them to others for the work He has called them to do.  What about the work He has called you to do?

In the parable of the talents, each person had individual responsibility for investing the talents God had given them and bringing about their own resulting increase to the Kingdom.  God gives "to every man according to his several ability" and each was held individually accountable.  It was not enough for the servants to just give their talents to others to invest (Matthew 25:14-30).  Similarly, we must prove our own selves faithful with what God has entrusted to us.

The Lord is My Help

No matter what happens today...no matter what you face in the coming weeks...no matter what comes to pass over the rest of the year until the end of your days...you can trust in the Lord.  Don't be dismayed by temporary trials or light & momentary afflictions (II Corinthians 4:17).  What you see now is not the same as what will be.  No matter how stressful it is to our flesh, any present suffering is not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed IN us (Romans 8:18).

God is revealing His glory IN US, and it is the glory of the risen Savior.  This is what it means to be saved.  It is not simply intellectually believing that Jesus died for your sins.  Even the demons know this (James 2:19).  It is having the very nature of Jesus Christ developed in you as you are transformed into His image (Romans 8:29).

People say that the pains of labor are quickly forgotten once the child for whom we have labored is birthed (John 16:21).  So too we may travail in birth pains now as the work of the Lord is being wrought in us (Galatians 4:19).  Yet, consider the end of the matter.  We shall be as He is (John 14:12; I John 3:2). 

Now is not the time to draw back.  Now is not the time to seek comfort for your flesh.  Now is not the time to give up because the way seems too hard...to the flesh.  If we faint in the day of adversity, it is because our strength is small...and our strength fails due to sin (Proverbs 24:10; Psalm 31:10).  Ask the Lord to renew your strength as you deny your flesh. When we are weak [in the flesh], we find our strength [in the spirit] in Him (II Corinthians 12:10).  Press in all the more to the Lord [prayer, fasting, study, praise] and find your refuge in Him.  He is a strong tower & a mighty Deliverer.  Let God have His perfect work done in you so that you may be complete, wanting nothing (James 1:4).

All Things Being Equal

Degeneration vs. Regeneration

I recently saw the graphic to the right, which has become a recurring theme in the world.  "Inside we're all the same", it claims.

Notice that on the image, you have the misappropriated rainbow symbol that the homosexual community uses to promote its cause.  I say misappropriated because the rainbow is a covenant sign that God made with Noah to never destroy all flesh again...with a flood (Genesis 9:9-17).

The flood in Noah's day was God's judgment against the pervading sin of man.  The sons of God (who were fallen angels) lusted after the daughters of men and mated with them (Genesis 6:4).  The children resulting from these unions are a hybrid creation referred to as the nephilim (meaning fallen ones), or what the Bible calls "giants".  Immediately after this perversion, we see its influence as the Scriptures say that, "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5).

The reality of that time seems almost impossible to consider; EVERY imagination and thought of man's heart was ONLY evil CONTINUALLY?   There was not even one good intent of the heart...ever?  Yet, when we look around us today, we can see mankind coming to the same place now.  The debauchery, unrestrained lust, sociopathic tendencies, and hatred for all things good which we see on a daily basis are unfathomable. One needs to only look at the news, or just look around you, to see that something has gotten hold of man and made him less than human.

Sweet Nothings

Babylon's Open Arms

"Sweet Nothings" is an interesting phrase.  It is often used in reference to something that is meant to be endearing, but is actually very shallow.  Sweet nothings are said for the purpose of making us feel good, but the words have no substance behind them; they are meaningless. It is in essence a flattering, heart-warming lie.

In the video below, a young woman presents a message which is filled with sweet nothings.  Her words (and the accompanying "Christian" music) are designed to pull on the emotions, but have no basis in truth.   Yet, what she presents has fast become the rule of thumb for most churches and the prevailing doctrine of many professing believers.  The problem is, while it may sound good, it is a doctrine of devils.

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding...To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead." Proverbs 2:1-2, 16-18

"My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother...For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life." Proverbs 6:20, 23-26

"My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye...That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words...And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner...With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him...Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death." Proverbs 7:1-2, 5, 10-12, 21, 27

Who is the strange woman referred to in these texts?  It is not the woman in the video below, it is the religious harlot named Babylon.  I did not post the full texts of these chapters so as to not make the article too long, though there is more to be understood from just what is posted here.  However, notice how this woman is described.

Beware of Christian Music

This morning, I awoke with a particular song on my heart, so I wanted to post it here.  When this song is sung in our church, there is such reverence for the Lord.  There is not a lot of loud musical accompaniment, but an almost hushed tone occurs and the song becomes like a prayer.  It is truly a cry from the heart as the sincerity of it ushers in God's presence.

However, I have scoured Youtube and can find nothing like it.  Yes, there are many versions of the song there, but none really reflected the worship that I have seen when sung in our services.  What I have posted below is the closest I could fine.

Yet, that search leads to the title of this post.  There was one version of this song by Michael W. Smith that I almost posted.  It seemed to have a quietness about it that I wasn't seeing in a lot of the other versions.  Although I am not a Michael W. Smith fan, I thought it was harmless enough.

However, after I embedded that video in this post, the Lord would not let me hit the "Publish" button.  Every time I started to post it, I had a very strong resistance in my spirit about it.  I didn't understand why.

I must have replayed that video about 4 times trying to understand what was wrong with it, but I couldn't see anything.  Then I thought, "Well, maybe I should not be posting this song."  Yet the Lord replied, "I didn't say that."  So I asked, "Then Lord, what is the issue?"  That is when God led me to the following page: Michael W Smith: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing.

UPDATE:  Bro. HannielOnline has shared that the above linked article is apparently a snippet of a larger piece that may be found here for those wanting to look into this further:  Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

God Will Not Recognize a Bastard

Sometimes, the things God says seem harsh.  In my studies this morning, He said to me, "I will not recognize a bastard" and then He told me to make that the title of a post.  I said, "REALLY God?  You want me to put that as the title of a post???"  I thought, "Man, that is kind of raw."  Yet His thoughts and ways are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:9).

This type of word from God just does not mix with the tolerant, accepting, non-confrontational, nonjudgmental type of [false] God presented in most churches these days.  Yet, there is goodness AND severity in God (Romans 11:12).

Imagine being the Creator of all and yet the creation made originally in your image becomes marred and eternally separated from you through sin.  To rescue them from themselves, you send your Son to give His life for them - being viciously tortured & dishonored - so that they may be reconciled to you and saved from the wages of sin.  Would you take the rejection of that sacrifice of love lightly?  Would it be a "small thing" for people to then still reject you so that they could stay in sin?  I figure that God is entitled to be as raw as He wants to be.  He will not pull punches nor will He mince words.  His desire for our reconciliation with Him is the motivator and it is just that serious.  He loves us enough to tell us the cold, hard truth. 

Works of Darkness

I received the following newsletter from Bro. David Wilkerson's ministry this morning.  There seems to be a consistent theme God is communicating to His people in this hour.  I pray we all take it to heart.

God is extending His hand as foretold in the letters to the Churches in Revelation.  The main theme?  Repent!

Don't be swayed by doctrines of demons put forth to shipwreck your faith.  Don't think that God will simply overlook wilfull sin; don't think such things will remain hidden.  Jesus brings all hidden things done in darkness to light (I Corinthians 4:5).  Don't think your church activity and "good works" will save you (Matthew 7:21-23). Don't believe that your previous diligence will protect you from your current malaise.

Jesus is the author of salvation for those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).  Yet, even now there is a gentleman continuing to submit comments about how we don't have to obey God to be saved.  How that is a "works" salvation when God says that it is a free gift and not of works.  How we are eternally saved unconditionally.  The Scripture is plain. It is staring him right in the face.  Yet, he still cannot see the truths of God.  Why?  Because he is in sin.  And this man is not alone.

The Father that dwelleth in me, HE doeth the works

A Time of Revealing

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." John 14:10

I have been getting a lot of emails about professing Christians falling into apostasy in droves now - from denying the authority of God's word, claiming there is no need for Christians to repent, and even validating all types of immorality & fornication as acceptable. This is a sign of a reprobate mind.  Jesus said this would occur.

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Revelation 2:20

Jesus said that the last days church would have to contend with the spirit of Jezebel who teaches and seduces God's servants to commit fornication and ingest idolatry.  When you see professing Christians (male or female) maligning the Lord, justifying idolatry & and encouraging all forms of illicit behavior - you are looking at the spirit of Jezebel at work.

In spite of what people proclaim verbally, what is truly in the heart is being made manifest.  All these years, folks have been sitting next to you in Church...Amening your posts on Facebook...lifting up hands in praise & worship....and talking about how gooood the Lawd is.  Yet behind the scenes they are still revelling in sin.  They are not only still slaves to sin, they have no desire to be free from it.  They love sin and have only used the Lord Jesus Christ as a cloak to cover their unrighteousness.  They are not born again.

SURELY Your Salavation is Coming!

Here is another beautiful song by Esther Mui at Scripture Songs for Worship.  Something about this particular Scripture just stuck our for me this morning.

I thank God for those such as Esther who minister to God's people at this time.  God has given us special gifts & talents to use for the purpose of telling others about His glory.  We should each be able to minister to those around us in some way, for we each have a role in helping to build up the Body of Christ (Romans 12:4-16; I Corinthians 12:4-31).

What role has God assigned you?  How do you contribute to the edifying of your fellow brothers and sisters?  If you don't know what gifts God has given you to share, then ask Him.  He will show you.  Do not take these talents for granted. Don't get overwhelmed and distracted by the cares of this life.  It is times such as these when the pressures from the enemy seem their most heavy, but it is times such as these that the praises of the Lord show themselves mighty to deliver.

"When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126:1-6

"And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him." Ezekiel 21:25-27

Redeem the Times

Days of Confirmation

"And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30

It should be no big news that the Defense of Marriage Act was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.  What are people up in arms about?

Have you not seen what has been happening across the landscape?  Have you not heard the warnings from God's church regarding where we are headed as a society?  Have you not read the Scriptures?  Do you believe them?

For decades now, the world has been desensitized to homosexuality; in the music, movies, TV shows, in the [Harlot] CHURCHES...  Yet, these things must be.  It is written. This is not a catastrophic day for the Church.  It is a day of confirmation. Every single thing that the Lord said will happen, will happen.

Over the years of having this blog, many have contacted me about why I speak often about the sin of homosexuality.  Some have been offended when I speak of the need to divest ourselves of the sodomite nature.  I would only ask these one thing, "Do you see now?"  If not, then I fear that this perverse spirit has already taken hold of you.

The Color Purple and Other Feminist Lies

Feminists Kill Children

A disturbing article was shared with me recently:  How My Mother's Fanatical Views Tore Us Apart by Rebecca Walker.  I couldn't even finish the article initially without becoming overwhelmingly heartsick (and physically sick) at the devastation feminism has done; both to the author of that article, women in general, and society as a whole.

Many will look at the picture of the woman on the right and consider her to be a revolutionary.  An insightful & inspirational poet.  A trailblazer for women's rights.  This is certainly how my college portrayed her.  Not only had she attended my alma mater, but Spelman College listed many of Dr. Alice Walker's works as required reading.  Her ideologies permeated the curriculum and attitude of that women's only institution.  Our minds were being molded, but molded to be what?

As a child I remember reading Dr. Walker's book The Color Purple, and later watching the movie featuring Oprah Winfrey.  My favorite scene was Shug being drawn away from what I now know was a lesbian serenade with Celie to singing "God's Trying to Tell You Something" in a church reunion with her minister father (ironic to say the least).  I also remember somewhat of an uproar coming from African-American men, describing the book as "anti-man".  Each man in the movie was either a fornicator, abuser, adulterer, liar, weakling, or self-centered scoundrel.  I didn't understand their issue at the time. I didn't realize that there were no positive portrayals of men in the movie...nor did I get why such even mattered.  I didn't pick up on the lesbian innuendos between Celie and Shug, nor understand that this relationship was the glue to the whole story. 

Alien Nation

Think It Not Strange...

"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God....These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Hebrews 11:10, 13-16

One of the more prevalent falsehoods in Christianity today is that Christians should be a "nice" people working to make the world a "nice" place.  How do we do that?  By preaching how God loves all people no matter their beliefs or lifestyles.  By downplaying the word of God so that we do not make people feel uncomfortable or estranged from God in talking about sin.  Present day Christianity would have the Christian striving to "be nice", "act nice", and "make nice" with the world.  Yet, this message is in direct conflict with the Scriptures.  

Back in the day, you would often hear Christians say, "This world is not my home."  This statement was an acknowledgement that we are ambassadors in the earth (II Corinthians 5:20).  That means our citizenship (identity, duties, authority, etc.) comes from above, and not here below.

ambassador: a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative 

We are to be representatives of God - having been first equipped, empowered, and sent by Him - to those here in the earth.

Consider the text above in Hebrews Chapter 11.  The cloud of witnesses who went on before us had something in common: they were seeking a city not of this world.  They recognized that citizenship in this Heavenly place meant that they no longer belonged to this world, but were strangers to it.  Not only does faith in Jesus Christ prevent us from fitting into this world, but it is precisely this "not fitting in" which makes it possible for us to represent Him!

Man Up

"And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him." Joshua 6:5

Omega Church & Ministries Center has issued a clarion call to all men: Man up!  What does that mean?  It is time for men to stand up and take their rightful places in the home, in the church, in the community, and in this world at large.  While the beliefs supporting this proclamation are listed below, you can read the entire "Man Up Manifesto" here.

Consider Joshua 6:5.  Once the trumpet sounded - once the call came forth - the walls of the enemy came down flat and the men walked up straight.  This is my prayer for the men of the Church, that every weight, hindrance, and bondage would be removed in the name of Jesus so that they may walk upright and straight in the calling & power given them of the Lord. 

The call has been given.  Who will answer?  Who will rise up and have their crooked paths made straight before the Lord?  The choice is yours to make.  Don't be found MIA (missing in action).

Wednesday Bible Study

You can tune in to Bible Study sessions being broadcast over the Internet by Omega Church & Ministries Center:

Wednesdays
7:30 pm EST

To join the Bible Studies, simply go to: http://new.livestream.com/accounts/2720052.

A Burning Heart

The following message is from Min. Leonard Ravenhill.  May you each be blessed with a heart burning for the Lord in listening to this sermon.

•  The prophet by the very nature of his calling is a tragic figure.  He has a fierce loyalty to God and a burning heart of compassion for the lost world.
• Holiness is the most needed thing in the church today.
• Jesus undid all that Adam did.  He is the last Adam!
• All that people know in the churches now is that they have had their sins forgiven, but they have been submitting to inward sin for years.  That is not the message of salvation.  Forgiveness is not salvation!
• They preach to sinners in their sin, "You know the Lord loves you just as you are?"  Well, then, why change?  Yet the Psalms says that God is angry with the wicked every day.
• Religious people like to say, "God loves you, but hates your sin."  That is bunk.  God hates you for committing the sin.  Is God going to take your sins at the judgment and judge them, but leave you alone?  The Scripture says that the man who has failed God, he will suffer loss, not his sins.
• Jesus came to save us now from sin. A man living in defeat to sin cannot tell another how to be saved.  We must be saved from lust, fear, doubt, pride, etc.  Christianity is not a sinning religion, but a victorious one.

Godly Mother

The following article is from Pastor Zac Poonen, entitled "The Amazing Faith of a Godly Mother".

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We read in 2 Kings 4:8-37 of a woman - a prominent, rich, wealthy and influential woman – who was also blessed by Elisha’s ministry. God does not choose only the poor and the illiterate and the uneducated to bless. He has no partiality. He chose an illiterate Peter, but He also chose a highly educated Paul. Peter did not know much of the Scriptures, but Paul was a scholar in the Scriptures. There were some rich women who supported Jesus and His disciples financially, and Jesus accepted their large gifts, because they were godly women (Lk.8:3).

Here was a wealthy woman who decided to support Elisha. She was a godly woman too, because when she saw this man visiting them occasionally, she said to her husband, “I perceive this is a holy man of God.” How did she recognize Elisha as a holy man of God without even listening to a single sermon of his? She just observed the way he conducted himself at the dining table. What an example for us! It is the little things that identify a godly man - the way he sits and talks to people, the way he eats his food and the way he conducts himself in ordinary matters. We don’t have to listen to his sermons.

Who is the Real Beast?

"So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee." Psalm 73:22

The Bible says that in the last days, men will be without "natural affection" (II Timothy 3:3). It is only natural to have love & affection for that which has come from your own loins and is part of you, your offspring.  How much more unnatural can one get than to condone & champion the right to kill your own children? 

In these days, people have more affinity for the "beasts of the field" than for their own humankind because man's vile lusts have degraded him to the point where he identifies more with beasts than with those who were created to bear the image of Almighty God.  Support for abortion in any way is simply the evidence that man has devolved into that which is lower than a beast.

"I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts." Ecclesiastes 3:18

Why It Really Has NOTHING To Do with "Equal Rights"

A number of people - even those who claim to be Christians - say that they support the legalization of homosexual marriage because they simply want to protect "equal rights" for all.  However, these same persons are decidedly quiet about espousing the "equal rights" of others, showing their professed noble intent to be nothing more than mere hypocrisy.

If such persons are so concerned about "equal rights", then why are they not fighting for the rights of felons to work anywhere they choose?  Felons can be automatically disqualified from employment opportunities due to these previous convictions.  Various state laws also limit where they can be hired, such as excluding them from the health care or education industries, preventing them from obtaining professional licenses, or from being hired in public employment.  Why are these persons supporting homosexual marriage not up in arms about such employment discrimination?  Why are they not concerned about these person's "equal rights"?

Beleavers

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same
is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy
receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself,
but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or
persecution ariseth because of the word,
by and by he is offended. " Matthew 13:20-21

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46

You cannot be a believer in Christ Jesus unless the word of God is the standard of truth in your life.  If there is any wavering about this in your mind, then you have given the enemy a huge advantage to snuff out your spiritual life.  The word of God is the actual sustenance our spirits need in order to grow and mature in the faith (Hebrews 5:12).

Many professing Christians are actually not believers at all.  Rather, they are beleavers.  I call them beleavers because they 'be leaving' the Lord at the drop of a hat.  They have not committed to give their life to Jesus.  They are not willing to stand with Him against that which is evil.  They use Jesus like window dressing to pretty up the outward appearance of their lives, but leave the doctrine of Christ and deny Him at the slightest sign of pressure or conflict.

beleave:  to cause or allow to remain behind, to leave something behind; to abandon

A lot of time is wasted talking to and trying to reason with beleavers.  They spend most of their time disputing the word of God and explaining why it does not mean what it says...and then they'll get mad at you when you point them to the Scriptures.

"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

Truth vs. Unity

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34

This was posted on the blog before, but some things bear repeating.

Summary of the Sabbath and the Christian

"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator." Galatians 3:19

We have spoken many times about the law and the Sabbath, breaking down the Scriptures to disprove many common errors such as:

• The fulfilling of the law in Christ only included the moral and ceremonial law and not the Ten Commandments
• Jesus said the law would be in place until Heaven and Earth passed away 
•  Sunday worship is the mark of the beast
• The law has no purpose today
• The purpose of Jesus' sacrifice was to get us to obey the Ten Commandments
•  The law is not fulfilled in Christ
• Christians are still under the law
• Without the old covenant law, Christians would be lawless
• The admonition to keep God's commandments in the New Testament is a reference to keeping the law.
• The Sabbath law has been in place and binding for man since the beginning in the Garden of Eden

Saints, Hold On!

I was reading this week how a swarm of locusts - of reportedly biblical proportions - has struck Egypt.  Immediately I thought of how God sent the plague of locusts against Egypt when He was commanding Pharaoh to let His people go.  It simply was one more confirmation for me about how we are in the last days.  God is in the process of culling His people from out of the world (via sanctification unto holiness) for His end time work.  The world has been used to forge the character of Jesus Christ within His people (Galatians 4:19), but in the end it will be thrown away like afterbirth as God prepares to usher in a new Heaven and a new Earth after Jesus' second coming.

Yet, this locust plague is different...and appropriately so.  This particular swarm has crossed over Egypt and spread into Israel itself.  The very ones whom God delivered from Egypt with the help of a plague of locusts are now being themselves hit with the same plague.  I say this is appropriate because Egypt - often symbolizing the world in Scripture - has invaded the church.  Much of what calls itself the church is carnal and so enthralled with the world that there is virtually no difference between the two.  There is no evidence of the new birth and the life of Christ within much of the churchworld because many professing Christians are feeding on the world instead of the word of God.  Their desires therefore mirror the desires of those in the world, although God has called us to "Be ye holy." (Leviticus 20:7; I Peter 1:15-16)

It's Just That Simple

Some have been wondering why there have not been many posts lately.  I have always stated that if the Lord is not giving me something to say, then I will say nothing.  When I post, it is because I am led to post.  When I don't, it is because God has not given me what to say. If I never post here again, that is truly fine with me. 

The following video was shared with me, and I felt it kind of summed up my thoughts in this area.  It is a short documentary about the ministry of a woman referred to as "The Preacher Lady of Riverdale, GA".   At one point in the video, the minister, Mary James, is speaking to a man in his car, asking him if he is saved.  He replies, "Nah, I ain't saved baby."  Now, I have to admit that this put me off.  Not that he called her baby, but that she didn't correct him.  How can you have a sober conversation with someone about the Lord when they are calling you "Baby"?

Folks, saving souls is serious business.  The things of God command respect & honor because He is holy.  If we do not understand this, then how can we expect anyone to take us - or God - seriously?  I honestly cannot picture the Apostles ignoring someone calling them, "Pimp" or "Dog" while they are trying to lead them to Christ.  Nonetheless, she asks the young man to repeat after her as she proceeds to recite a sinner's prayer, which he does.  Then she says, "It's just that simple.  Welcome to the family of God."

Those Who Wait Upon the Lord

A song from Esther Mui based upon Isaiah 40:25-31.

"To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. 

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. 

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

The Maestro of Music

A woman I know recently took her children to see the Justin Bieber concert.  I personally know nothing about him and could not name even one song he sings.  My pastor has mentioned in previous sermons how he has a fingernail polish line, but beyond that I am clueless.

Nonetheless, the woman shared some pictures she took at the concert and one really stood out at me.  It was an image of Justin Bieber floating above the crowd wearing angel's wings.  While that in and of itself may not be particularly interesting, what the wings were made of was: the wings are made of music.

If you look closely at the construction of the wings, you can see that they are made of piano keys, drum cymbals, speakers, guitars...  Bieber is literally presented as the angel of music, who we know was Lucifer.

"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created." Ezekiel 28:13

For THERE the LORD Commanded the Blessing

Omega Spring Gathering 

"[A Song of degrees of David.] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." Psalm 133:1-2

It is something very special to have God's people dwelling together in unity.  As was shared in a previous post, a number of God's promises are only realized when the saints come together in one mind and purpose (unity).

To quote Min. David Pawson, "God doesn't want to just fill individuals with His Spirit, but His Body, His family."  This is the imagery we see in Psalm 133, where God's anointing covers the whole Body and all of Zion.  It is in such a setting of unity that our Lord commands His blessings to come forth.

100% Wrong?

We recently spoke about discerning the difference between the true and false church. Today, I received the following message from Pastor Zac Poonen and felt it was appropriate to share.

Pastor Poonen has often said that the opinion of man - whether good or bad - is fit for nothing but the trash can, and I couldn't agree more.  In these evil days where many name the name of Jesus, but very few it seems are true believers in His words - seek to have the mind of Christ.  Seek to hear as God hears and see as He sees.  Don't be led by emotions, charisma, or even fear.  Neither be concerned about what others think of you.  Simply follow as God leads and let Him take care of the rest.

With apostasy increasing all around us, it is going to be more important than ever before that you know (and submit to) the truth for yourselves.  As you do, you will know those who are of the Lord and those who are not by His Spirit.  The righteous are not identified by the loudest talkers or the biggest crowds, but those transformed to bear the life & power of the Son of God within.

May we all be counted in that number by God's grace.
____

The Opinion That 99% of Our Fellow-Believers Have About Us Can Be 100% Wrong
by Zac Poonen

In Rev 3:1 we read; and to the angel of the church in Sardis write; He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says this; ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.'

The messenger in Sardis was one who had built up a tremendous reputation before others as a spiritual man. But the Lord’s opinion of him was the exact opposite of that of his fellow-believers in Sardis. This shows how carnal and gullible most believers in Sardis were.

More than 90% of believers are unable to differentiate between a carnal preacher and a spiritual one. And more than 99% of believers are unable to distinguish between human-soul-power and Holy-Spirit-power.

The Power of a Selfless Life

Jesus, Either a Fence or Offense

You can walk peacefully with many brothers and sisters - and even with those in the world - until the topic of sin comes up.  This is why Jesus is a rock of offense to so many (Romans 9:33; I Peter 2:7-8), even to some who claim to serve Him.  They don't want sin exposed. 

"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. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin." John 15:20-22

Jesus' existence necessitates dealing with sin for such is why He came, to pay for the sin of the world and pave the way for our victory over it.  His very presence removes any cloak man might seek for sin.  For the believer, that is good news!   In fact, as believers walk with God, He will point out more and more within us which is not pleasing to Him as we are perfected in Him.  It is a continual walk of faith, but also of repentance. We must be sure not to be offended by this for that offense is the evidence of things contrary to God within our hearts.

All Things That Ever I Did

The Beauty of Jacob's Well

"Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. 

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" John 4:5-29

I have been getting a number of comments lately questioning whether Christians are supposed to address sin or error.  Some say it is not "loving" to do so, and we have talked about that in the past.  However, recently it was said that Jesus never pointed out people's sin; that Christians are only supposed to talk about the sin of believers...and some say we should not even address that!  It was also suggested that pointing out sin to sinners is akin to casting pearls before swine.  I have found none of these assertions to be Scriptural and believe the story of the woman at the well is quite relevant to these assertions.