As the beheadings, bombings, shootings and slaughters of all kinds continue upon our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle East and elsewhere, many Christians in the West see these things headed our way so they’re now wondering if we’ve entered the period known in the Book of Revelation as the Great Tribulation. Others say we have entered it, quoting Scriptures to support their belief. That’s the natural thing to do, otherwise there’s nothing to support one’s argument. But what also should be the natural thing to do is check and see if the quoted Scriptures are in correct context. Continue reading “If you’re in Christ you’re an Overcomer”
The Book of Proverbs
“Every one, though born of God in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees.” – John Wesley. Amen! I pray this statement encourages Christians among us who feel they’ve taken one step forward in God and three steps back. We can all feel that way; the devil will make sure of it! It won’t feel like it’s the devil though, it’ll feel like it’s God telling us. That’s why it’s crucially important for us to know the mind of God versus the mind of the devil, no matter where we are on God’s spiritual pathway. If you’re on the pathway, God is on it walking with you, don’t doubt it for a moment. Continue reading “The Book of Proverbs”
Get Released from Hatred
A common question, “Why is there so much hatred in the world?” A common statement, “I’ve never seen hatred on a scale such as this.” The Bible alone gives the answer and the explanation. The scale of hatred such as we’re seeing it, is one of the evidences that we’re living in the end times. It takes a while, but hatred is what happens when the laws of God get tossed aside. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself Matthew 22:37-39. Continue reading “Get Released from Hatred”
False Concepts of God
Praise God for the Old Testament Prophets, John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles. In spite of how each may have felt, they didn’t hesitate to tell it how it is! Nowhere in Scripture do we see them playing games with words; no watering down, no softly, softly approach, no attempts to appease, no apologies for speaking or doing the hard things. On the contrary, with love in their hearts for God, truth and the people, they faithfully proclaimed the messages assigned to them leaving their hearers with no excuses for holding false concepts as to the true nature and character of God. Continue reading “False Concepts of God”
That’s madness! That’s blindness! That’s confusion of heart!
“Those who walk by sight, and not by faith, are in danger of losing reason itself…….” Matthew Henry. He was referring to God’s promised curses for disobedience should the Jewish people take that path instead of the path of obedience, which promised great blessings. Had the Jews taken the latter path and made every endeavor under God’s power to maintain obedience, not only would the nation of Israel be different totally today, but so would every nation of upon the earth! Instead of Satan’s kingdom ruling on earth, God’s kingdom would be ruling and we Christians would not be praying, Continue reading “That’s madness! That’s blindness! That’s confusion of heart!”
Bring back the Fire and Brimstone Preachers!
“No fear of God! That’s the problem with the church today, brother.” So said the church man to me about 30 years ago. He expressed the word fear in the context of Christians giving little thought to the possibility of God’s judgment coming upon them for their on-going, non-confessed sinful attitudes and behavior, now that they’re, “in the Lord.” A couple of years later he too gave evidence he was among those having no fear of God. But at the time, he was correct in what he said and he would be correct if he told me the same thing today regardless of whether he’s back living for God or still living in sin. Continue reading “Bring back the Fire and Brimstone Preachers!”
Hot for God but Feeling Dispirited?
Recently a newly born-again Christian shared with me his delight at discovering a couple of preachers on the Internet. “They make the word of God come alive,” he said. Sadly though, when he mentioned this to a few people in his local church who he thought were Bible Christians, their responses left him feeling dispirited. “Welcome to the church world,” I replied. Fortunately he has learned early what some of us learned late; not everybody in church gets excited about the word coming alive. The sooner that’s understood, the less shocking it will be down the track; and the less dispiriting! Continue reading “Hot for God but Feeling Dispirited?”
They Tossed Away the Foundation
Here in Melbourne, Australia, home invasions, car hijackings, armed robberies plus riots at public events are almost daily occurrences it seems. They are certainly every-weekend occurrences and the powers that be are powerless to stop them. And although the politically correct among the powers seem super reluctant to identify the nationalities of the culprits, very rare but courageous members of the news media are frequently identifying them as African, Pacific Island or Middle Eastern youths. Says one member of the public, “Ah, the joys of multiculturalism!” Continue reading “They Tossed Away the Foundation”
Seeing the Sin in My Self-righteousness
“It’s one thing to see the sin in your sin but it’s something else to see the sin in your self-righteousness.” – John MacArthur. “Amen,” is my response to his statement. Unless I see the sin in my self-righteousness I should not expect to be a very effective witness for the Lord Jesus to the unbelieving world. ‘Sanctimonious’ ‘complacent’ ‘smug’ ‘self-satisfied’ ‘holier than thou’ – all have the same meaning, all are a turn-off for God, yes, but all are a turn-off for unbelievers too. Churches caught up in church-growth techniques might give this sin serious consideration. Deliverance from it will bring true growth. Continue reading “Seeing the Sin in My Self-righteousness”
A Discerning Church
In reference to the rise of anti-Semitism across the globe, the concerned man of God said to his YouTube audience, “Time to step up for righteousness. Too many Christians have lost their discernment.” Whilst that’s true, perhaps it’s just as accurate to say too many Christians have not as yet had any discernment to lose! Like the Hebrew Christian church of old, they are spiritual babies unskilled in the word of righteousness Hebrews 5:12-14. That being the case, they have no ability to discern. Spiritual babies pay a high price for remaining such when there’s a devil like Satan around. Continue reading “A Discerning Church”