Month: July 2025

Words No One EVER Wants To Hear!

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Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I was once a woman who would have been told “I never knew you: depart from me” by the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, I was a very good “religious” person! I was raised in the Roman Catholic religion and followed its teachings until I turned 25. My heart was empty inside and I found no hope in my life’s circumstances. So much so, I was planning the end of my empty life. I had the sleeping pills, my mind was made up, and that was that.

But God ….

God was busy working in the background, drawing me to Him, without me even knowing it. He was orchestrating events and placing the right people in my life at precisely the right moments, guiding my heart and opening my eyes to the truth. Each small miracle and subtle sign was a chance for me to reflect on my path and reconsider my choices. He was giving me every opportunity to come to salvation before that fateful end, patiently waiting for me to recognize the love and grace He so freely offered, hoping I would turn my heart towards Him and embrace the journey of faith that awaited. I did not know it at the time, but praise the Lord He knew me and exactly what I needed.

He sent my childhood best friend, Vicky, from a thousand miles away. She didn’t know my circumstances but her desire was to see me born again. God heard her fervent prayers and during her short visit, her mission was accomplished! On April 1, 1980, I was gloriously saved and sealed by Christ’s Holy Spirit! Yes, I was sealed … blood bought by the King of kings and Lord of lords! I became a child of the King!

2 Corinthians 1:21-22  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  (22)  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:12-13  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  (13)  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Revelation 7:3-4  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (4)  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Sealed: sphragizō
sfrag-id’-zo
From G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: – (set a, set to) seal up, stop.

Exactly what does it mean to be sealed by the Holy Spirit? One must understand that in early times, a contract was sealed with a ring or stamp, a practice that holds significant importance in our understanding of how God views Christ’s redemption. This seal showed that the contract was not only final and binding but also carried the weight of authority and trust between the parties involved. It symbolized an unbreakable agreement, a pledge that was taken seriously, invoking commitment, if you will. In a similar way, being sealed by the Holy Spirit serves as a powerful affirmation of one’s faith in God, indicating that they are uniquely “marked” for eternal life with Him, eternally set apart from the world. This divine seal reassures believers that their relationship with God is secure and irrevocable, instilling hope and strength in their hearts. It signifies a deep, personal connection with the Creator, reminding them that they are cherished and loved. Additionally, this seal also serves as a reminder that nothing could break that contract… NOTHING! This assurance empowers believers to walk confidently in their faith, knowing that they are protected and guided by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of their lives.

One never knows when one’s final day on this earth will be, which is why it is important to think of the significance of the choices we make. People prepare for it by buying life insurance or making all the necessary arrangements for their funeral, making sure that their earthly affairs are settled. But what preparations are being made for their eternal destination, the one that really matters? Do not be like me prior to my salvation when I was a “good Catholic,” merely going through the motions of religious observance without understanding what salvation really means. You do not want to hear those words: “I never knew you, depart from me!” Imagine standing before the Creator, thinking you’ve done all that your religion required of you, then being filled with regret and realizing that all the good deeds performed pale in comparison to a genuine relationship with Him. At that point, there are no more solutions, no last-minute bargains, or desperate prayers that can save you. There are no more chances to change your mind and start over; nor to turn back and seek forgiveness. There will be no more opportunities to be saved, to embrace the grace that is offered to those who truly seek it. You can’t turn back; the time to act is now, for once that final moment arrives, the decision is irrevocably made, and the consequences of our choices become eternally clear.

Somewhere in the corner of man’s heart, there’s an emptiness, just as there was in mine back in 1980. Are you at that point? If you are, let me share the Scriptures that were shared with me. Have an open heart, devoid of life’s noisy traffic, and read them with anticipation. Follow this link and take time to read and absorb what God wishes to communicate with you!

You Can Trust The Truth (Re-Post)

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Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4,5

Some things in life can be trusted, while other things can’t, especially in this age of artificial intelligence. We spend our days figuring out if what we are “seeing” with our eyes is actual true or an AI image.

It’s important that we have a “paper” copy of the Bible and not just an electronic version. Why? Because as AI becomes more prevalent, it will deceive many. Read this quote by Yuval Noah Harari:

Another aspect of AI Mr Harari mentioned caused unrest among Christians. “AI can create its own ideas”, the Israeli said. He compared the development of AI with that of the printing press. “The Gutenberg printing press printed as many Bibles as it was ordered to do. But it could not write a single new page.” However, Harari said, “AI can do that. It can even write a new Bible.”

If you don’t have a paper copy of the Bible, I suggest you get an older version before all of the paper copies are extinct. We must seek truth and not just “someone’s idea of truth”! No wonder David was the apple of God’s eye. He did not seek man’s way to truth. He did not seek after men to solve his problems like many do. Instead, David knew that the same God of his salvation would be able to show him the way, teach him through His Word and lead him to truths. And because of this secure knowledge that David had, he would wait on God all day to get his answer.

Are we as confident as David? Do we wait on the Lord to answer our questions or work in our every-day problems? Or do we walk ahead of the Lord and try to fix things on our own? I know I have been guilty of doing just that and my solution was not the best solution. However, God’s solution is always the best solution. Why do we think we can do better than God can? His timing is not always our timing and so we run out of patience with His plans. This is yet another “trust” factor. Do we not trust Him enough to take care of things for us? If we did, we would not be so quick to try to do the work for Him. He knows the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10) so of course, His outcome will be perfect!

This is why it’s so important to know the Word and to rely on it in times of doubt. When I solely lean on the Word to build me and encourage me, I find that I am not so quick to jump the gun and run to trouble, as I learn to trust in His timing. The Lord gives peace to those who seek His guidance and His will, and He offers strength in moments of uncertainty and fear. Even if our answer is to wait on Him, there’s a calm assurance that He is working it out for our benefit. What a joy it is to be a Christian, living in the light of His love and grace! I don’t know how the unsaved do it! I really don’t! It must be incredibly challenging to face life’s trials without the comfort of His presence and the wisdom found in His Word.

My Hope Is Built

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

Overwhelming Fear

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Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Fear grips each and every one of us at some point in our lives. It is inevitable and can be overwhelming, often creeping in during moments of weakness. That fear, however, only rears its ugly head because we do not know the outcome of what lies ahead. But Someone does! When you are in a relationship with the Almighty, you can rest assured that He knows the outcome because He transcends time and space. He doesn’t have a beginning or an end; He exists beyond our finite view of existence. Therefore, He can see what will come of your fearful situation. This divine foresight provides a sense of comfort, reminding us that we are never truly alone in our struggles. We can lean on His wisdom and trust that whatever happens, there is a purpose to our experiences, even the challenging ones. In times of distress, it is vitally important to remember that His presence can be a guiding light shining in those shadows of fear, leading us to hope and assurance.

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Since He knows how your situation is going to end, and He only wants what is best for you, you can rest assured that you have no reason to fear. The enemy wants you to fear, as fear can cloud your judgment and lead you away from the truth. He doesn’t want you to seek the Lord because he wants to keep you deep in fear, trapping you in a cycle of doubt and anxiety that prevents you from experiencing the true peace that God can give. The devil desires you to attempt to find peace in anything but the Lord, directing your attention towards deceivingly false security. He will even provide temporary peace, luring you into a false sense of comfort, but it will never be complete peace. Only God can provide that! In His presence, you will find a peace that goes beyond your understanding, a peace that not only calms your heart but also strengthens your spirit, allowing you to face those challenges that come your way with unwavering faith and confidence.

If you are born again, you can easily find complete peace by reading your Bible and trusting God to open your eyes to verses that you need for the moment. If you are not born again, you won’t be able to find true peace … no matter what direction you take, you won’t find it. Please go to this link and read the Bible verses which can lead you to true peace! I pray you find rest for your soul there.

Give Thanks (Re-Post)

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O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. (1Ch 16:34) Thank You Lord for our men and women serving our country to defend our freedoms. They give so much and yet we Christians fail to pray for them faithfully. Forgive our ungrateful hearts. May we strive to remember them daily and place them in Your care. Encourage them while they are away from their families. Place a Christian in their path who will share with them the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ so they, too, may experience true thankfulness for a gift so great.

O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. (Psa 105:1) Thank You Lord for my salvation! This has been the one most important life changing events in my life. My path no longer heads down the road of destruction but toward my heavenly home!

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 106:1) Thank You Lord for my wonderful husband! You had him picked for me even before my salvation and allowed me to marry the most wonderful man I know.

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 107:1) Thank You Lord for the two sons You have given us. If I could pick two sons from a line up of all sons, I would pick these two. I pray You use them for Your honor and glory.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 118:1) Thank You Lord for always being with me and encouraging me along the way.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 118:29) Thank You Lord for sending lost souls our way!

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 136:1) Thank You Lord for my spiritual mother, Vicky. Without her I would not be writing today. Thank You for a friendship that started when I was 3 years old and still continues. Thank You for giving us a friendship that goes beyond just being friends but being spiritual sisters as well.

O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 136:2) Your work is evident in all that we see and we glorify Your name for providing for us! Thank You for Your hand of protection during the hard times in our lives.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 136:3) Thank You Lord for using the Internet for good despite what ole slew foot tries to do. Thank You Lord for the on-line Christian friends made and the encouragement the brethren can have through it.

O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 136:26) Thank You Lord for allowing us to live in these wonderful end times. What exciting times they are indeed! We are grateful that we can see your Word’s prophecies being fulfilled before our very eyes. We know that Your return can be at any moment. May we be found worthy!

If you happened to stumble upon this post, I pray that you know for sure that you will go to Heaven when you die. If you are not 100% sure, please follow this link and read the Scriptures that will explain how to be saved and know it!

PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW
by Thomas Ken (1674)

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

My Cross, My Trial (Re-post)

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Psalm 100:4-5, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (4) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (5)”

As I read these two verses this morning, the first thing that struck me was that we are to enter the Lord’s presence not only with a thankful heart but we must put action to that thankfulness by saying so and blessing Him. We have so much to be thankful for, my friend!

If you are one who looks at the world with a pessimistic viewpoint, you won’t be able to see why you should be thankful. In fact, you’re reading this and saying, “Yeh, RIGHT! Easy for you to say! You don’t know what I’m going through!” Do you truly believe that you are the only one going through trials? Every believer has a cross to bear. Every last one of us has something they are going through. What makes you think that your trial is greater than someone else’s? Everyone is allowed the wonderful opportunity to deny himself and follow the Lord. In so doing, they “pick up their cross” [whatever the trial(s) of their life will be] and follow the Lord. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 Notice the word daily? It’s not a one-time thing, my friend. Each day has its challenges and each day we must choose to take that challenge and follow Christ and His will for us.

I doubt very much any of us can say that we have been tried as much as, or even as close to, Job. If you haven’t spent time in the Book of Job, you should. You would glean so much and it would help you through your trials – especially if you are that pessimist. I know from my own experiences that each trial the Lord has allowed me to go through has built my faith in Him. The more my faith is built, the more I trust Him to take care of these trials. With that comes comfort – what’s in my heart will show on my face. The pessimist’s face reflects how he handles each trial – it’s written all over his face. He does not stop worrying or complaining. He does not spend the extra time in the Word that he so desperately needs. He does not rejoice in the midst of the trial to encourage himself. This was true of Job when his friends came to see him. They didn’t recognize him. Now I can’t say as I blame Job because the trials he went through were enormously overwhelming. However, we still have something to learn from this.

Our trials are also a testimony to believers and unbelievers alike. They can see where our trust lies through our actions. Our trials also reveal who our true friends are – we saw this so evident in Job’s own life. These friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu) didn’t lift Job up in his time of need. We must remember that our friends are sinners like we are and will fail us from time-to-time. We must remember that we have a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother and that is Jesus Christ. (Prov. 18:24) He will NEVER fail us. Be careful as to whose counsel you get when you are in the midst of a trial. Be sure that all counsel aligns with the Word before you act on anything. I’ve learned this through experience. We are not thinking at our best when we are in the midst of trial. It is best to wait on the Lord and let Him show us what He wants us to do. (Is. 40:31) The Lord is faithful and will show you what to do, whether through the Word, the counsel of your spouse, or your Pastor, etc. HE will encourage you!

My trials have always confirmed my faith in the Lord. After reading Job, I see that God restored his earthly possessions, his health, gave him more children and God even restored his marriage. Job was struck from all sides yet look how blessed he was of God because he depended on his foundation, his faith. How much more should we? Are we tried more than he was? I don’t think so. Are we tried more than those precious saints accounted in Fox’s Book of Martyrs? I don’t think so. Yes, some of you are struggling with physical problems that seem to overwhelm you. But your trial is no greater than the dear woman who has gotten saved and yet her dear husband remains unsaved. I’ve been down that road and would never wish this on anyone. Yes, they are two different types of trials, but trials none-the-less. Each person feels as though their trial is the greater. Each person feels as though they are at the end of their rope. Don’t belittle someone’s trial to make yours appear greater. If you are doing this, you are focused on yourself, my friend, and not on the will of God.

Remember, your “cross” (your trial) is yours! It’s not more than you can handle because that would make God a cruel God and we know that He is a faithful God. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13) Only you can glorify God through this trial – no one else. Do you take this trial as an opportunity to bring glory to God or to wallow in self pity? Do you take this trial as an opportunity to grow in your faith or do you run from it and smear God’s precious name in the mud? The choice is yours.

Dear Lord…
Help me to always remember
What You have done for me
Each time a trial comes forward
May I be found on bended knee

Only God Can Save

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The world’s view of salvation has taken a turn. When I first got saved, it was easy to talk about Christ and His gift of salvation. We would go door-to-door, spreading the Word, and perhaps one out of ten people would shut the door on us. In those days, the conversations often sparked curiosity, leading to discussions about faith and belief. However, in some countries today, openly discussing faith or evangelizing is extremely dangerous, with believers facing severe persecution for their convictions. The atmosphere has shifted dramatically, making it perilous to share such profound truths. Alarmingly, the United States is heading in that direction as well, where tolerance has shifted, and the freedom to express one’s faith openly is increasingly challenged. This shift leaves believers in Jesus Christ wondering about the future of sharing our faith in a world where open dialogue may soon become a relic of the past.

Furthermore, it has become ever more popular to seek spiritual satisfaction in man-made religions. For example, when have you ever seen more interest in the occult than we do now? Occultism is found in various forms: television, rock concerts, music, artificial intelligence, and even in trending social media discussions. Many people are drawn to these experiences in search of something deeper, yet they often overlook the emptiness that accompanies them. There is no salvation in these things; they merely offer a fleeting thrill that quickly fades away. These other religions do not provide total peace from sin, nor do they offer a genuine sense of fulfillment or purpose in life. They cannot provide peace because they do not lead a person to repentance, which is essential for spiritual transformation. Jesus said in John 3:3 that ye must be born again. True contentment and hope can only be found in a sincere relationship with the Creator, Jesus Christ Himself. There is only One who can provide salvation, and that is God through His Son, Jesus Christ! In Him lies the promise of redemption and everlasting peace that surpasses all understanding.

Mark 10:26-27  And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?  (27)  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Genesis 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Some may say that I am being too narrow-minded. I am not the one who said this, but Jesus said it. Jesus, God in the flesh, came to earth in order to become the sacrificial Lamb of God. His blood was shed for the sins of man because man could not achieve salvation by his own efforts. None of us can. Our attempts to reach perfection often lead us to frustration, as we inevitably encounter our limitations and weaknesses. This is where the beauty of grace comes into play—through faith, we can access the forgiveness and love that Christ offers. If you are interested in being saved, please follow this link and it will guide you through the Scriptures. It is an invitation for you to have a personal relationship with Him, transforming your life in ways that you may have never thought possible. I pray they minister to your heart!

Great Peace – Re-Post

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Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psa 119:165)

The structure of this verse is so wonderful when one takes a few minutes to meditate on it. In so doing, we receive a blessing beyond words. The Lord God tells us that we will receive abundant peace if we love His law (the Word) and nothing will be a stumbling block or an enticement to us. Strong’s defines the word “offend” as:

H4383
מכשׁל מכשׁול
mikshôl mikshôl
mik-shole’, mik-shole’
Masculine from H3782; a stumblingblock, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple): – caused to fall, offence, X [no-] thing offered, ruin, stumbling-block.

Have there been things in life which have been a stumbling block or an enticement to you? Are you quickly able to discern what should be done? The amount of spiritual discernment one has is equivalent to the amount of time spent in the Word. The more you are in the Word of God, the less you will be coming face-to-face with stumbling blocks and enticements in your own life.

It all boils down to what your priorities are. Do you spend ten minutes in the morning doing a devotional and call that your time with the Lord? How would you like to have only ten minues of time with your spouse or your children? Would that be enough? Of course not. How much time do you spend on the internet? Is it more than the time you spent with the Lord? I’ve been in this situation and so I speak from experience. So I ask you:

Do you spend time on the internet and neglect your husband?
Do you spend time on the internet and leave your children to the television?
Is your house a disaster while you are surfing?

If so, the internet has enticed you and has become a stumbling block. There is no peace in that. Instead, you work frantically to get caught up on your chores – you’re bushed when hubby comes home so he gets what’s left over of your personality – you rush to get dinner ready – your kids are hyper because they’ve been sitting in front of the idiot box for too long and you wonder why they are uncontrollable. Priorities – priorities – priorities.

How different your day would have been if you had reversed the roles and spent more time in the Word, then your hubby, then your children, then your chores, and finally a few minutes for the internet, if any time is left. There is much to glean on the internet, however, it is a huge time waster.

So, how can we receive the abundant peace the Lord promises in Ps. 119:165? We must love His law. You cannot love what you have merely scanned over for a few minutes a day. Don’t believe me? Think of your favorite book – how many times have you read it over? You must have read it more than once because you say it is your favorite. I remember reading The Diary of Anne Frank over and over to the point where I knew what page to find a certain passage! I loved this book – and still do. However, do I love God’s Word more?

Although we have repented and received Christ as our Saviour, it cannot end there. Ten minutes a day in His Word won’t be enough to get you to the point where you “love God’s law”! Loving God’s law doesn’t come with hours of reading either. Loving God’s law is obeying it. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22b) You can read the Word all day long but if you don’t obey it, your reading is in vain, my friend.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psa 119:165) The bottom line is if you love God’s Word by obeying it, He will give you abundant peace to the point where nothing will be a stumbling block or enticement to you. Nothing? That’s what this verse says. Nothing! However, you can only claim this if you love His law and obey it!

Are you being enticed today? Are there stumbling blocks in your life? The more you’re in the Word, the less you’ll have them. It’s a wonderful cure!

BLEST ARE THE UNDEFILED IN HEART
by Isaac Watts

Blest are the undefiled in heart,
Whose ways are right and clean;
Who never from Thy law depart,
But fly from every sin.

Blest are the men that keep Thy Word,
And practice Thy commands;
With their whole heart they seek the Lord,
And serve thee with their hands.

Great is their peace who love Thy law;
How firm their souls abide!
Nor can a bold temptation draw
Their steady feet aside.

Profit for Prophet?

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Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

It’s so disturbing to see what kind of preachers are leading people astray today! My heart aches because God’s Word has become the laughing stock of the world. Unsaved people will not research the Bible to find truth. Instead, today’s world watches Reels, YouTube videos, etc. to get their “doctrine.” The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that this would be a sign of the end times:

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

When did it become OK for a preacher to milk his congregation, online widows, and the poor with smooth talking words about “sowing seed”? One need only do a simple Google search to find out which preachers make the most money. These so-called preachers are millionaires, just to name a few:

  • Kenneth Copeland
  • David Oyedepo
  • T.D. Jakes
  • Joel Osteen
  • Alph Lukau
  • Edir Macedo
  • Rick Warren
  • Credflo Dollar
  • Andy Stanley
  • Benny Hinn

What do all these “prophets” have in common? They preach a prosperity gospel. They take a few Bible verses, and combine them together to form a totally different gospel! They are no different than the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They are “prophets for profit”! But what does the Bible say about riches?

Proverbs 30:7-9  Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:  (8)  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  (9)  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Matthew 6:19-24  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  (22)  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!  (24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Mark 10:17-25  And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?  (18)  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.  (19)  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.  (20)  And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.  (21)  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.  (22)  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.  (23)  And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!  (24)  And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  (25)  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Luke 12:13-15  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.  (14)  And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?  (15)  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

1 Timothy 6:3-5  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  (4)  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,  (5)  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

What is the point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it not to bring the lost to repentance and salvation? The oiliness and slickness of preachers pushing prosperity is not at all what the Bible teaches. Be careful who you follow! Let the Bible be your guide to knowledge.

If you have stumbled upon this post and desire to know more about salvation, please follow this link and it will list Bible verses that will guide you!

The Spirit of Antichrist

On By KateIn Devotionals, Thoughtful ThreadsLeave a comment

1 John 4:2-6  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  (3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  (4)  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  (5)  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.  (6)  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

If there was a spirit of antichrist in the Apostle John’s day, how much worse is it today? Not everything you see and hear today is of the Lord! There are many false prophets today saying God told them, or God told them that. But hath God said? The devil asked Eve this same question, but he surely was not trying to guide Eve into doing what was right. The devil was guiding Eve to sin! Verse 4 is quoted by many Christians and interpret it to mean that God is greater than the enemy. This is true, but in the context of verses 1-6, it means that we don’t have to be deceived by the spirit of antichrist because God is greater and He will guide us!

1 John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Born-again believers possess the Holy Spirit of God. He wants us to check with Him whether what we are seeing or hearing is truly of Him and guides us through the voices and influences that surround us. God, in His infinite wisdom, bestows upon us discernment in our spirit, enabling us to discern truth from deception. This wisdom acts as a compass and directs us toward righteousness, and away from confusion. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, always ready to teach our hearts and minds, leading us closer to an understanding of His Word and His will for our lives.

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Acts 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

We are well equipped with God’s Word. We need nothing else to guide and direct us. The only thing we have to do is to pick up our Bibles and read for ourselves. Are you well equipped? If you are not born again, you cannot possibly understand the Bible. If you would like to be born again, follow this link and it will guide you through the Scriptures showing you how to be saved.

I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes (Re-Post)

On By KateIn VariousLeave a comment

Psalm 121:1-8, “[A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.(1) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.(2) He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.(3) Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (4) The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.(5) The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.(6) The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.(7) The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (8 )

We have all been through trials, haven’t we? How we deal with those trials all depends on how we prepare for them and how we handle ourselves during the trial. When you prepare for a long trip, what do you do? You make sure you have a full tank of gas, you check your tires and all the fluids in your car. Shouldn’t we be preparing for our spiritual walk in the same manner? Shouldn’t we be fueling ourselves with the Word of God and putting on the full armour of God so we can be sheltered by the Lord during our trials? Why do we make it difficult on ourselves by not doing so?

I am particularly fond of Psalm 121. I have run to this Psalm many a times. I have especially run to it as of late to find solace and my Lord’s love there because of a major trial I’m going through. This time, however, the Psalm meant more to me than it has ever meant. I noticed the different points the Psalmist had made:

1. I have to make a conscious effort to seek my help. God won’t force Himself upon me. But when I seek Him, He is there!

2. I have to recognize where my help comes from. I don’t rest in the counsel of my spouse or my friends, but I know that God is the One who will take care of my trial.

3. I realize that my Shepherd won’t allow me to falter. The more I am in the Word, the more my faith is built. Verses come to mind as I need them for encouragement. Each step is guided by my Shepherd.

4. I realize that my Shepherd never sleeps! Praise the Lord! This verse alone brings me to tears. Nothing happens that He’s not aware of. Nothing! My Shepherd is ever watching over me!

5. I have come to know that my Shepherd will keep me safe.The Lord keeps me – watches over me – provides me with shade when fiery trials are present. That shade is found when I sit quietly reading my Bible and soaking in what He has for me.

6. I trust that my Saviour will keep me from ole slewfoot and preserve my salvation. I know that everything that happens to me has been allowed in my life for my benefit so I can grow in my faith. There is great comfort knowing that my eternal security can never be removed because God is the One that preserves my soul, not me.

7. I know that my Shepherd will guide my path forever more. When I am in the Word, feeding my soul, my Shepherd can keep me from taking the wrong path in life. I cannot claim this if I am not in the Word. NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105) and Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psa 119:11)

I must seek for my help and know where that help comes from; I must recognize that this Help will keep me safe when I abide in Him; and lastly, my Help preserves my soul – which cannot be said of any other help this world has to offer. Why not go to the Expert? Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness in my life. Teach me what I must learn from each trial.

Dear God…
I cherish my time in Your Word
That peace and comfort there lie
I keep my eyes fixed on those hills
Where my Helper comes from on High