Unlearned Men

 Unlearned Men

 You are able in Christ

 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”—Acts 4:13

These were fishermen, laborers, carpenters, craftsmen, and other tradesmen. They were not “Learned”. They were not trained in the religious schools. They did not go to seminary or college and get a degree. They did not have a license from the government or from the Association of International Pharisees. They were not Scientists or Doctors or Lawyers.

They were just regular folk.

But, they had been with Jesus. They had spent time with Jesus and had learned from Him.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and was taught by Him.

The Holy Spirit will bring us into all truth. He will show us things to come. (John 16:13)

We have no need for any to teach us. The Holy Spirit will teach us and lead us to the people and places He wants us to learn from. (1 John 2:27)

But, there’s this worldly belief that you need to be college educated or licensed in order to serve God, or speak truth.

You don’t

Granted, you don’t want someone performing brain surgery who is not trained.

You don’t want someone building your house, who is not learned in the ways of house building.

But, you can be confident that the Lord will train you and lead you in the way He wants you to go, in order to serve Him.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”–Prov. 22:6

When we get born again, we become a child of the Lord. Will He not train us up?

You are right where God has allowed you to be.

The purpose is for you to turn to Him, serve others, and learn.

That’s it.

God is molding you into a vessel for His use. He is purging things from you and filling you with good.

We turn to Him in prayer and confession and in all our ways, and He works to direct our paths into the green pastures He promises.

Those green pastures are the places where we serve to build the Kingdom. He provides through our service.

These men were full of the Holy Spirit. They were taught by God, but they also had practical skills, and trades that they could use to live by, or serve others.

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We have to trust that God is doing what He promises He will do. So, He is training us up. He is making a place for us. He is teaching us and giving us wisdom when we ask. He is answering our prayers.

Sometimes we have to open our eyes and see that we are exactly where God wants us to be, and that He is moving in our lives.

It is happening. He is faithful. We can trust Him.

We might not be happy with our life at this time. But, what is God doing?

Turn your mind to spiritual things. Praise God. Get your mind off yourself and on to God and others. Pray that God will bring you a way to serve Him.

Which brings us to the point.

You are able in Christ. Let God guide you to where He wants you to be.

Satan might whisper into your mind, “You aren’t smart enough” or “You can’t do that.”

The enemy might use friends and family to ridicule you or keep you down with snide comments or just a complete lack of support.

The demons might use nameless faces on the internet to tell you to be quiet, you’re not a scientist. Your not a doctor. You failed high school. You’re just a soccer mom, or plumber. You can’t understand these things.

But, keep following God, and trusting God.

The enemy might say, “You don’t have a degree. You are just unlearned and ignorant”

But, with God all things are possible.

He will guide you.

Have you noticed that Satan has great colleges and universities full of money and wickedness working to train workers to help build his Kingdom of the Anti-Christ?

Do you not think that God is also training up His own workers?

And I’m not talking about colleges who claim to serve God. Satan has infiltrated many of those as well.

God trains us through His Word and by spending time with Jesus, through His Holy Spirit. In Him, we have all we need to serve others and build God’s kingdom.

Never let anyone tell you that you cannot serve God or serve others because you are not “learned”.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Phil. 4:13)

They treated Jesus the same.

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.”—Matt. 13: 54-57

The people who know you and have grown up with you will often try to keep you down or doubt your worth.

But, God does not. He has called you and will train you, even if you need to go somewhere else to do it.

And please understand that I am not talking about your job here. I’m talking about serving God and others. If God calls you to a certain job or work, you might need to get training from experts.

But, God is the expert on serving God. He is real and He is able to train you. Just believe and serve.

I’m telling you this for a reason.

Because in these last days there is deception all around. Even seminary schools have been infiltrated by the enemy, teaching false doctrine.

In China, preachers of the government licensed churches will snitch on the members of their church who show real belief in Christ. These people are jailed or killed if they preach the truth.

That is coming everywhere. So, if you are called to serve God, you need to know that you do not need a government school, or any school for God to train you.

Not only this, but there will come a day soon when all buying and selling is controlled by the Anti-Christ.

A person will not be able to pay for school or anything without getting the Mark of the Beast.

You need to know, that God can train you and use you even in these difficult times to come.

You don’t need to be trained in Satan’s system, in order to serve God.

Understand, that when the Jewish people were taken captive and hauled off to Babylon, they served God within that wicked kingdom.

We can do the same, as we get closer to those days.

But, there comes a point where we can no longer abide in wickedness.

There comes a time, when we will have to choose the lions den, or the blazing fire instead of denying Christ, or worshiping Satan, the Anti-Christ, or his Image.

You are never “Unlearned and Ignorant” in Christ.

You have been trained by the living God.

And that’s all that really matters on Judgement day.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.

Cover photo by pexels/Tweesak C.

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On Father's Day

On Father's Day

Father's are under attack 

 

It’s Fathers Day and probably the sermons you will hear today, and the things posted on social media, will be attacks on Father’s. Little jabs talking about how they need to do better, and are the leaders of the household or some other form of guilt and shame.

And we wonder why men do not come to Church or turn to Christ.

The system we live in is waging war against fathers, men and even little boys.

And the church is no better.

We condemn men for their failures of addiction and leadership, but do nothing to help them succeed.

Our answer is to work harder, earn money, suck up the pain and nothing much more.

Let’s look at some realities.

The church has fought since the 1970’s to stop abortion. They have used everything in their power to stop this evil, and today we see laws changing, and hearts turning.

So, acting like the church has no power to change the system is ridiculous. They do.

We have seen churches fight for civil rights. Even today, church leaders and church communities are howling about the treatment of illegal aliens.

And yet, when it comes to speaking out for fathers, we hear crickets.

The battle against fathers, men and little boys continues.

The divorce rate is rampant, and 80% of all children go to the mothers, not fathers. But, it is still considered the fault of fathers and men, when these marriages end, or kids fail in some way.

90% of teachers are women. But, its toxic masculinity that is the problem in our culture.

Where’s the Church?

If the church can control political parties to fight abortion, and stop other things why not use that power to help fathers?

Because its easier to just preach at them on Fathers day.

There’s a meme which shows that on Mothers Day, the church pews are full, but on Fathers Day, they are not.

Why?

Because Fathers at 80% do not have custody of kids. And why would fathers, or men in general want to go get dumped on? They get that all week at work, and every where else.

Can’t they come to Christ for peace? For strength? For growth and power?

But, they get a man telling them the same stuff their wife or ex wife or mother nags them about, while offering no real help or solutions. Except, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”

The church could rise up and demand change in the family courts and in the system at large, just like they have done with other things, but they don’t.

Why?

A woman has the right to abort a child, abandon a child, put a child up for adoption, or raise a child alone. And get called a hero for any of these choices.

But, a man has the choice go into poverty to support the child for 18 years, with no say or control, or involvement, or go to Jail. That’s his choice.

A woman has shelters, and all kinds of support. Often from churches.

Men have nothing, except get a job or be a homeless dead beat.

The church demands that abortions not happen, but reject the poor. They do nothing to really help fathers provide for the children they demanded live. Christians support cutting funds to the poor constantly.

They cut medicaid, and Christians cheer. But, we always have money for more bombs.

I’m not supporting abortion, I’m rejecting the hypocrisy and encouraging support for fathers.

Our society and even the church speaks of equality, but do not really practice it.

I have talked with church leaders who have said, they want to bring mothers into the church, and do that by building up a strong children’s ministry. One of the aspects of the strong children’s ministry is safety for the kids.

That’s great. But, then they go on to say that safety for the kids includes protecting the children from contact with non-custodial fathers, who might visit them.

I’ve been told that this sort of ideology comes from national conventions of children’s church leaders, spreading it nation wide.

What?

Yeah, building up the children’s ministry by helping mothers keep kids from fathers on Sundays.

It makes me puke.

The church treats these fathers, like they are all pedophile deadbeats, full of porn addiction and abuse.

These fathers are often soldiers who fought in wars, men who are pillars in the community. Men who have jobs and have struggled through life, and love their kids.

But, they are deemed unworthy or a danger to kids, and can only see them 4 days a month.

How can you lead a family 4 days a month?

Of course, there are bad actors. But, are they bad because a court decided it, or because a mother falsely accused them?

Keeping kids from fathers is child abuse.

Do you realize that women instigate divorce in the majority of the cases, and gain all the benefits for doing so. The state doesn’t care, because they get top federal dollar for getting mothers on the child support system. That’s why dads only get 4 days a month.

Money.

We sell our children, while the church condemns fathers instead of fighting to help them. I bet if courts started taking kids from pastors, you’d hear them screaming from the pulpit for fathers rights. Maybe then, they would see the corruption and extend grace.

I wonder how many judges and lawyers sit in pews on Sunday, while condemning fathers in court on Monday for no reason.

80% of cases give full custody to the mom. Are 80% of fathers a danger to children? Really?

Those divorced mothers, take the kids into new relationships where the boyfriend or step father often kills or abuses the kids. Look at the stats. How many children are killed by mommy’s new boyfriend?

These strange men are able to have access to these children as much as they want, while the real father must abide by rules.

Meanwhile, the father gets involved with another person and has access to her kids, who she keeps from their real dad too.

And all the fathers pay child support to all the other fathers and wives.

What kind of idiotic mess is this?

And all the church does is tell people divorce is bad.

Duh.

Why aren’t churches fighting to fix it?

They obviously have the power to influence elections, leaders and policy.

I see churches getting on political soap boxes all the time. Organizing marches for this cause or that cause.

What about families or fathers?

Family court could be made non-adversarial, with every case starting at 50/50 custody, no child support. It would bring peace and save lives, and pain.

But, that would stop the money machine.

That would go against the Satanic Marxist agenda to destroy fathers and families.

The war on fathers, and families is from Satan. But, most churches do not understand what is really going on. They think the problem is porn and video games, and men who don’t work. They blame fathers.

The real problem is that churches are ran by folks who have no real understanding of spiritual things.

God’s word says. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”—1 cor. 11:31-32

The saints are supposed to judge themselves and confess to the Lord, and let Him work on us to change us. The same goes for our churches and our leaders.

Our failure can be directly linked to the failure of our leaders. If a family fails because of the lack of spiritual leadership of a father, then likewise a church fails without spiritual leaders as well.

Man up, leaders.

Start working to help fathers as much as you focus on abortion, children, mothers, and missions. At least as much as you fight against porn, or social media usage. Children love and need fathers too.

Wheres the church in supporting fathers?

Stop letting the Satanic Marxist ideologies influence the Church. Stop with the philosophies of the past, which beat men down.

Start supporting fathers, men and little boys, as much as you support mothers, women and little girls. We are equal in Christ.

God is our father. Satan wages war on fathers in order to destroy the image of fathers, so he can destroy the image of God the Father. This makes God appear to be another father who cannot be trusted. The figure head for the alleged patriarchy. This works to keep people from turning to God.

The church lets this happen.

Make a decision this Fathers Day to create real change to help fathers, instead of just preaching at them.

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Cover photo by pexels 

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The Ten Virgins

 The Ten Virgins

 Do you have oil in your lamp?

 

Before we start, there are certain things we cannot prove. Bible prophecy is one of them. We can read the verses, and have beliefs and faith, but until it happens we cannot state it as fact.

Ministries have been ruined, friendships destroyed, reputations crushed, simply because of a different interpretation of Bible prophecy.

That is not what God desires.

We do not know exactly how God is going to fulfill the prophecies in His Word.  The Pharisees thought they knew and were wrong. They demanded that “out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. ” (John 7:50-53) And they missed Jesus at His first coming.

It sounds just like many prophecy Bible studies I have been to. Where folks demand that what they believe be accepted and preached.

Second, I do not believe in a Pre-tribulation rapture. My view reflects this. I will no longer argue about such things.

I think that believers will be here until Christ returns and we will be raptured when He comes. The Bible teaches that the Saints are not going to face God’s Wrath. We will not. He will protect us just like He protected the Israelites in Goshen through the plagues of Egypt in the Exodus. That is a picture of the last days.

But, to be more clear. Hell and the Lake of Fire is God’s Wrath. Not physical death. Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”—Matt. 10:28

The Bible teaches plainly that “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” —(Psa. 116:15)

God’s Wrath is Hell and the Lake of Fire. Not physical death.

Believers die every day from disease, disasters and persecution. Why would the destruction of the last days be any different?

So the “tribulation period” as they call it, is not God’s Wrath, especially when it comes to believers. He will protect us and glorify us and bring us to Paradise with Him. How is that wrath? Even if it is wrath to the non-believer, it is not wrath to His Saints.

But, to avoid conflict, let’s just say that we are going to face lots of trouble before He comes.

Many Christians are saved and know the Lord. They have a relationship with Him. But, the scriptures teach of false brethren, people who were never really saved.

The reasons for this can be many. But, there are many verses that show people who thought they knew the Lord, only to find that they really did not, and it was too late.

The parable of the Ten Virgins is one of those verses. It can be found in Matthew Chapter 25, verses 1-13.

Basically, the Lord returns and the Virgins who are supposed to be prepared for their bridegroom to come, go out to meet Him.

Jesus is the Bridegroom, and the Church is viewed as the Bride. We are made white, by being washed in His Blood. We are chaste virgins by being cleansed of all sin through Him.

Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 11: 1-3. We can find other references in scripture (Rev. 19:1-9)

The Christians see the signs and hear the trump and come out to meet Him. We do not know exactly what this is referring to. But, Christians know at the time this happens. Notice I say “Christians” not “Saints”. Because all of these people have claimed Christ, but not all know Him. They had head knowledge, and relied on their works, instead of surrendering to the Lord.

We see this because they all come out, and all are called virgins. (Which is a title given to a bride. It is not proof of her virginity, only her alleged position. The proof comes later when consummation occurs. Which in this case, never occurs with the lost.)

All the virgins have lamps, but they do not all have oil.

The five wise virgins with oil, tell the foolish virgins to go buy oil.

Some people believe that the oil is the Holy Spirit, but it plainly shows in Acts 8:8-24 that the Holy Spirit cannot be purchased. Also, Jesus says the Holy Spirit is given to those who ask. It’s not bought. (Luke 11:13)

The oil, is faith. 

Now, you must take this in context. First, all people are given a measure of faith so they can be saved. (Romans 12:3) 

It is believed by some, that people do not have faith until they get it from God, or hear the Word…”Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)  This verse is referring to faith in Jesus Christ. You cannot believe in Christ until you have been told of Him. Our faith is also strengthened by hearing and believing God’s Word.

All humans have faith. When you sit down in a chair you have faith it will support you. That is faith. “It is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

All humans have faith, but faith does not save you. You must put your faith in the right place. Which is Jesus Christ. 

He calls you. This is Grace. This is hearing the Word. Jesus is the Word. (Romans 10:17, John 1)  Then, you turn to Him (Repent) and give yourself to Him. Confessing Jesus is The Lord. (Romans 10:9-10)

This is salvation. This must be understood to understand the parable of the 10 virgins.

First understand that 5 virgins are wise and 5 are fools.  Fools are always people who do not believe in God. The 5 foolish virgins have no faith in God. They have not put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. They have a measure of faith, but not in Christ. They have learned things at church, but never really knew Him.

All the virgins slept while the bridegroom tarried. That is our current situation, We are waiting for Him.

When He comes, the fools are told to go purchase oil.  How do you purchase faith?  You give yourself to Jesus Christ. You are bought with a price. You buy a pearl of great price. You purchase your salvation by giving yourself to the Lord. Then, as you grow in Christ your faith grows as well.  So, as time goes on you have more oil in your lamp.

So, understand that these foolish virgins are in the Church. But, they were never saved. They are there for business or politics, or tradition, or any number of reasons, but they never gave themselves to Christ and are not saved. Their faith never grew from basic human faith. They never were born again. They never became spiritually alive and set free from Sin and Satan in Christ.

So, as the day of Christ’s return draws near, the times of trouble will get worse and worse. Persecution and tribulations will arise and these foolish virgins will not have the faith to endure, because they never knew Him. They are like the seed among the thorns. They are as tares among the wheat. They are like the man wearing soiled clothes at the wedding. They are like the man who has his talents in a napkin. Thieves and robbers who tried to climb up to heaven another way, instead of through Christ.

They will fall away and form the Apostate Church. They will think they are saved, and will think they do God’s service when they kill the real believers.

We can see the beginnings of this today as political opinions sway churches on both sides.

Then, when Christ returns, they will learn that they never had oil. They were never saved, They never knew Him.

And He will confess that he never knew them, “Depart…”   He will say.  “But, Lord did we not do wonderful WORKS?”   He will say “I never knew you” (Matt 7:20-25)

Don’t be a foolish virgin who thinks they are saved by works. Give yourself to Christ alone, and know Him as Lord. Let your walk with Him grow your faith, and fill your lamp with oil, so you will shine His light for all to see.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.

 Cover photo by pexels. Edited by the writer.

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Born Again

 Born Again

You must be born again 

 

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John Chapter 3)

We must be born again, because our natural self has a corrupted nature which comes from Adam’s fall in the Garden.

We sin, because of this corrupted nature. (Book of Romans)

We are subject to Death because of this corrupted nature. (Book of Romans)

When we commit that first sin, like Adam. When we are tempted by Satan and fall, we also become slaves of the Enemy and destined for Hell.

This is why Jesus was subject to death, but not a slave to Satan or destined for Hell. Because He never sinned. His fleshly body was subject to death, like us, but His soul and Spirit was not corrupted by His own sin, because He never sinned. He was God in the flesh.

What is Hell?

Hell was created for Satan and His Angels, it is a holding place for evil; and all things filthy and corrupted.

God cannot allow that corruption into Paradise or eternity. Or else it will spread again and all of eternity will be as bad as this world, and this life. So, it must be washed, redeemed or saved to be allowed to make it in.

Remember

God destroyed the Earth with a Flood, and 8 souls survived.

And that Plague of Sin survived in them, and corrupted the Earth again.

It will be destroyed with fire next time.

And this is why we must be born again.

It washes our souls and spirits in the Blood of Jesus, to make us white as snow.

We still sin. We still have a corrupted nature in the flesh.

But, we have a living spirit.

We have a soul that is being renewed.

We have become a clean vessel where the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us.

Like Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

We are saved by Grace through faith. (Eph. 2)

We confess Jesus is our Lord. (Romans 10:9-10)

We ask God to save us and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, and we get baptized as our first act of faith. (Acts 2:38)

Baptism is a picture of us dying to our old corrupted self, and rising again with Christ. We die to the flesh. We die to this world and the corruption. We die with Christ.

We are then made alive again in Him. (Rom. 6:11)

He is the living water. Whosoever shall drink of Him shall never thirst again. (John 4)

Our born again experience mirrors new birth.

A woman having a baby is in travail. She is hurting. She is having contractions. They get closer and closer together.

Likewise, we see our lives going out of control. Trouble here, trouble there, nothing seems to go right. We cannot fix it. Everything is wrong.

We are beaten down. Life just won’t work any more.

We don’t know what to do.

But, we hear His voice in the darkness. We know He calls us, and we turn to Him.

We ask Him to save us, and He does.

He will save you if you ask Him. He will bring you through your troubles and safely to the other side.

When we turn to Him, He saves us and we are born again. A new creature. No longer subject to Hell. No longer a slave of Lucifer. Clean forever in Christ.

The angels rejoice. Our family waiting for us in Paradise; those generations of the saved, rejoice also. ( Luke 15:10)

This is the process for all new life.

Likewise, the new creation of the heavens and the earth at His return must go through the birthing process in these last days.

Like a woman in travail, the troubles will get closer and closer together. It will get worse and worse. (1 Thess. 5:3)

Till the Lord bursts through the sky with his saints, at His glorious appearing.

We must be born again, to enter Paradise.

Just turn to Him and ask.

Like the thief on the cross. (Luke 23:40-43)

We are broken, corrupted and dangling above death and hell.

We cannot do right.

We need Him.

He is there suffering with you.

Just ask Him. (Acts 2:21)

Lord, please save me.

And let Him, do the work.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.

Cover photo by pexels/Craig Adderley, Edited by the author

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Thankfulness Reflects Our Faith

 Thankfulness Reflects Our Faith

 Do we believe God provides?

 

 

 

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”— Phil 4:6-7

As we walk with God, having a relationship with Him; we will grow in spirit. Our own selves will become less and He will become more. We realize our own weaknesses and lean on Him more and more.

This is the growth of our faith. We start to transition from flesh to spirit.

Notice in this verse the first phrase. “Be careful for nothing.”

In our flesh we have fear, doubt, worries and concerns. We see with our fleshly eyes and we are impacted by it. Like when Peter walked on water and took his eyes of Christ, because He was distracted by the wind and the waves.

In essence, it is a lack of trust in God. Because if we saw God standing next to us in awesome power, would we be concerned about anything? No. But, the enemy and our flesh distracts us and causes us to doubt or worry.

God has not given us a spirit of fear. It’s from the devil. (2 Tim 1:7)

God gives us power, love and a sound mind through the Holy Spirit.

Through Him we have access to the throne. He intercedes for us. He translates our prayer into the proper format for power. His love is in us. His truth and wisdom gives us a sound mind.

When we pray we trust Him. We put our faith in Him. We believe that He hears us and will respond. We believe it.

The next phrase says, “But in everything”, That means everything. There is nothing too small for God. There is nothing we need to hide from God, even if we could. We can trust Him.

We can boldly come to His throne in prayer.

Jesus said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”— (John 14:13-14)

We can believe Him. We can believe His Word.

We pray in His name, under His authority and righteousness. Not our own.

As we grow closer in relationship with Him. We learn His character and His will. We grow less concerned for frivolous things, and trying to put on a front.

So, our prayer takes on a different flavor. We pray what He desires, and we are happy with what He brings us.

Not saying that life is a bed of roses. But, we have God with us, and that is really all that matters in the end.

We pray and cry out to God. We make our requests, and we do it with thanksgiving.

Because if you thank God for what he is going to do in the future, you are manifesting faith in Him and His Word. We trust His promises, so we thank Him ahead of time. It’s the faith that fuels the prayer to the Lord. He responds to our faith.

This faith and thankfulness works to bring peace. Because we have to go back to the original consideration.

Do we really believe?

It’s not easy.

But, when we pray and trust God, and thank Him for what he is about to do, we are exercising faith in the Lord that He moves, and this knowledge brings us peace.

He brings us peace through His Holy Spirit.

That peace is an abiding peace.

I don’t want the devil to use what I’m saying as a tool to beat you. We will have concern in life. We will have fear. But, Jesus is with us and He has overcome. (John 16:33)

Don’t let the enemy think that because you have worries or concerns that God is not with you. Have faith and turn it around to wage war on the enemy, who seeks to distract you and keep you from serving and walking with the Lord.

Our sins are washed away in the Blood of Jesus, there is no reason to fear. God is with us, if you know Him. It is HIS peace. Not our peace. (John 14:27)

His peace, which defies all our fleshly understanding will keep us with Him forever.

And we praise Him, and thank Him. Because of who He is and what He has done, and what we know He will do, because He promises.

Not that we should expect anything from God. He is not required to do anything. But, His character and promises give us faith, that He will move. It is who He is, and when we know Him, we can see it.

Praise Jesus

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.

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Work Out Your Own Salvation

 Work Out Your Own Salvation

What does it mean? 

 

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”—Phil. 2:12-13

There are those who enjoy using this verse as a tool to push a works based doctrine. They claim that works are required in our salvation. Works, are a sign of our faith, between you and God. Works do not save us. This can clearly be seen in the very next verse. It is God who does the work.

As James said, “Faith without works is dead.” Our works show that we believe. Show who? Are we trained apes that perform for people? No. It shows God and ourselves that we believe. It helps build our faith as we actively follow the Holy Spirit and do the things God calls us to do. Our faith grows and is alive as we see ourselves following God. (Jas. 2:24)

The fact is that we are saved by GRACE, not by faith or works. This is very important to understand. It is nothing we do. Even faith is a work, when compared to grace. Any work on our part rejects God’s Grace. If we think we are helping God or paying God back, or obeying Him because of grace, we are rejecting His grace. If I give you something, and you do something or pay for it, you have ruined my free gift. See? When you try to do something nice for someone and they demand that you let them pay you back, this is what we try to do with God and His Grace. When we do it, we are rejecting His free gift, and trying to save ourselves through our own righteousness.(Eph. 2:8-10, Rom. 11:6)

So what does it mean to work out our own salvation?

Well, first it means that it is each person’s responsibility to hear God’s call and turn to Him for salvation. It is also each persons responsibility to make sure they are really saved. Hence, the fear and trembling. (Romans 10:9-10)

We must realize that each of us are born with certain problems in our DNA. This is our corrupted nature from Adam. You can often see it in family traits. Things that are in our flesh and we struggle with. Sometimes, these are mixed with our environment as kids. I don’t want to call it sin, because it doesn’t start out as sin, until you sin in it, or because of it.

 Take anger as an example. Some people are born, with quick tempers. But, it’s not a sin, until it causes you to sin. Then, you must deal with the consequences. Addiction is another example; people are born with a proclivity to addiction. They become addicts faster or easier. This is something that leads to more sin and struggle.

These are just a couple of examples. The point is that we are all born with these failings in our DNA, and we are raised in families or environments which impact us. These things lead us to grow up a certain way. It opens doors for the devil to influence our life. It creates who we are.

This is a product of our fallen world, our sin, and the demons who rule it. God does not make junk. But, this world does impact us. (2 Cor. 4:4)

Then, we meet Jesus.

We hear a sermon or a tract, or a friend tells us about Christ.

We are saved. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. We are set free. Our sins are forever gone.

Then comes Monday morning and the world attacks us, along with the devil. We discover that we have power over some things in our lives, that we never had before. But, we also learn that there are still fleshly things we must struggle with.

As we walk with God in the Spirit we have things that will tempt our flesh. We have spiritual enemies seeking to devour us. We will fail. But, we are overcomers through Him. We will sin. But, we are forgiven and confess them to the Lord.

This walk is working out our own salvation, with God. We are saved by His grace. But, we walk in this world.

Let’s take two people. One is born into a nice Christian family. They have everything going for them and they get saved. Now take another person born in poverty, addicted to drugs, prison and all kinds of sin, and they get saved.

Both are saved. Both are equal. Both have problems. But, both did not start out in the same place.

Their journey with God is different. Not better or worse, but different. They have different struggles. They have different sins that they are impacted by. They have different demons.

They work out their own salvation on their own journey with God. They walk through different valleys and over different mountains with Him.

An addict who gets saved, struggles with that issue, while another believer might struggle with anger. Another might struggle with gossip, while another battles anxiety.

The devil attacks our flesh and tempts us any way he can to get our focus off of God, and serving Him. It’s a war. The devil wins by keeping us from sharing the Gospel, building the Kingdom, and bringing light into darkness.

All of this is working out our own salvation, within God’s Grace, as we walk with Him. It’s our sanctification through our relationship with Him.

Do not let the works based doctrines of some beat you down. Just turn to God and keep turning to Him. That is relationship, as we rely totally on Him. Not ourselves.

Praise Jesus.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.

Cover photo by Pexels/Kampus Productions

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I Die Daily

 I Die Daily

Our Daily Sacrifice 

 

There’s a verse in the Scriptures which says, “I die daily”. (1 Cor. 15:31)

It is a small quote, within the context of a larger concept, but it’s a powerful tool for life improvement and spiritual growth.

We often wake up in the middle of the night, or in the morning, full of anxiety. Our mind races after problems, troubles, worries, plans, goals, mistakes, and depression.

But, if every morning we make the simple act of “dying” a reality, then none of these things matter.

Let me explain. This is not real death, although, in a way it is. When we say ” I die to self today.” And we believe it and accept it, a transformation occurs in our mind.

When we announce to ourself. “I die to self today. I am going to live for God and others.” Our focus moves from ourself to God and others.

We then live that day focused on serving God and others.

How can you serve God and others?

You serve God by being a vessel for Him to do His work through, to save and help others.

Our will. Our selfishness. Our sin, prevents that.

So, where are your hurts at? What has God brought you through? Drug addiction? Health issues? Divorce? Job loss? Prison? Homelessness? Death of a loved one? Suicidal thoughts?

These things are an indication of where we can let God work through us to help others.

When we die daily, we open ourselves up to see the hurt in others. We are not looking at ourselves, but outwards.

By doing this, it also works to heal us of what we struggle with. 

 We are what we think about all day long.

If our thoughts are always on depression, trouble, suicide, drug use, fear, desire, loss or anything else that hurts us, then it becomes magnified, or can manifest into our lives even more.

Dying daily can get our head out of those things.

I am not saying it’s easy. But, if you make a habit of dying daily to self, and speaking positive things to yourself, it can make a huge difference in your life.

In Christian concepts, we turn to God and give ourselves to Him. By doing this we die with Jesus Christ, and are buried with Him, and rise from the dead with Him.

When we believe this, and put our faith in Christ, confessing that Jesus is the Lord, it cleanses us and we are reborn.

Think about it. When we die, nothing can hurt us. Nothing can be against us. Because we are dead.

Imagine the freedom that brings. All the pain, all the rules, and all the evil of this life does not really hurt us.

We are not of this world, and the suffering here ends in death.

Dying daily is a powerful tool for life improvement, it will transform you. Giving yourself to Christ will transform you in ways you can only hope for.

(1 Cor. 15:31)

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.

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Who Is A Liar?

 Who Is A Liar?

It's not what you think. 

 

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”—Rev. 21:7-8

This is a haunting verse at the very end of the Bible.

Let’s rightly divide the word. (2 Tim. 2:15)

First, we must look at the first verse because it basically cancels out the rest. If you really turn to God because you hear His call and Confess Jesus as your Lord. You are saved.

“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”—1 John 5:5

That’s what it says.

After salvation, God will work in our lives to change us and sanctify us if we have really turned to Him. Our faith will grow, if we are really with Him.

But, “the fearful and unbelieving” in the verse are those who have been too afraid to give up their life and turn to Christ. People who are too afraid of what people might think. Afraid to lose business and friends or family.

The unbelieving are those who refuse to put their faith in the Lord. They hear the call and refused.

Next we see a list of sinful actions, all of which God warns us about in the Word. But, all of which are sins that keep us from turning to God.

“abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,”

All these can be saved if they turn to God and confess Jesus as Lord. But, these sins make it extra hard for a person to break free.

An abominable lifestyle is hard to stop.

A murderer has refused to forgive. And instead chose to kill. Remember Jesus said, “ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”—Matt. 6:14-15

This is talking about actual murder and murder in the heart. What we would call 1st degree murder. It’s also talking about people who have absolutely no regard for the lives of others at all.

A whoremonger is a pimp. A person who is a sex trafficker and exploits other people to survive, and for profit. It’s difficult to get out of this life. Like the Abominable there is a demonic presence in this type of thing.

The Sorcerer and Idolater have basically turned to other Gods for help and salvation. They have not turned to Christ. They have never had a relationship with Him.

That brings us to “Liars”.

This terrifies us because we have all lied. We have all told lies in our lives. Whether we want to admit it or not. We try to justify it. We try to make it “White Lies”. We lie because of fear. We lie to save ourselves and others. We share things we have not seen or proven.

We lie.

But, God clarifies in His Word who is a liar.

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”—1 John 2:22

So again, God tells us that the only people who are liars are those who have rejected Christ.

Why?

Because if you have accepted Christ, then your sin is washed away and you are hid in Him.

You do not sin because your sins are no longer held to your account. It’s not about what you do, it’s about your position in Christ.

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”— 1 John 3:9

In chapter one, John tells us to confess our sins. (1 John 1:8-10)

In chapter three, he tells us that those in Christ do not sin. These two ideas do not work together, unless he is talking about something else.

Clearly he is saying “We do not sin in the eyes of God. Because we are saved.” He is not saying we do not commit sins. That wouldn’t go with the need to confess our sins to God.

We are saved. We confess our sins to wash our feet.

John wrote Revelation and First John. When he says “All Liars” in Revelation 21:7-8 he is speaking of those who have rejected Christ. The Holy Spirit ties these together.

The only reason anyone is condemned is because they reject Christ. They have never been cleansed of Sin.

That’s it.

Jesus said, “ Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” —Matt. 10:32-33

Do you know Him? Have you confessed Him?

Turn to the Lord and let Him save you and grow you.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois

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Sin vs. Love

 Sin vs. Love

 We are set free, in order to serve.

 

The Bible plainly shows in Matthew 25, what Christ will ask when He returns.

He doesn’t ask, “Did you watch porn?”

He doesn’t ask “Did you have sex before marriage, or did you have an abortion”

He doesn’t ask “Did you vote right, or did you go to church or did you obey leaders and pay what you owe?”

Nope.

He asks if you visited prisoners? Did you help the poor? Did you clothe the naked? Did you give a cool drink to the thirsty? Did you love your neighbor? Did you love at all? Did you show kindness and compassion? Did you reconcile people to God? Did you use your gifts to save souls, spread the Kingdom and help others?

I can hear you squirming in your seat dying to say…”yeah…but”

No.

Jesus died for our sins and rose for our justification. If you are saved then you are in Him and are dead to sins.  It is not held against you. Do the dead sin? No. Paul explains this in Romans.

That means that you have power over it. But, it also means that it is irrelevant to your eternity. You are washed. You are hid in Christ.  Our focus is serving God and growing the Kingdom. Not, in worrying about whether we look like good Christians, but by being good Christians through service. (Col. 3:1-3)

You confess your sins and God forgives you, and works to help you overcome. This is foot washing. God cleanses us of all sin when we confess Him as Lord. But, we get dirty as we walk in this world. Like Jesus said, we have no need but to wash our feet. We do this by confessing our sins to Him. Likewise, when we confess our sins to each other and pray for each other, we wash each others feet. As James said. (1 John 1:1-10, John 13: 4-15, James 5:16, Rom. 10:9-10)

 We are saved, and washed and hid in Christ. Our sins are gone. They are washed away. We are white as snow.

But, the things we do can open doors to the enemy to destroy us and ruin our lives. We can let demonic forces have more access to our lives. Even though we are eternally saved and forgiven. Our life in this world can be miserable because we do not confess our sins and let God work in our lives. Those sins can grow until they destroy us, if we do not let God deal with them. They can become strongholds of demonic activity in our lives. Things that can impact those around us and generations down the road.

But remember, all things work together for our good. God can use that destruction or trouble to help us. God will use it to grow us. He is not trying to hurt us but give a hope and a future. We are saved. We are in Christ, if you know Him. He chastises those He loves. The destruction or rock bottom, works to wake us up and set us free. (Romans 8: 28, Jere 29:11, Heb. 12:6)

And we still are saved forever.

God deals with our sin so we can serve the Kingdom. Knowing God and serving Him is our purpose. That’s our focus. Not our life, but His.

We are being sanctified, and through the sanctification, we endure hardness as we serve. We endure temptation and overcome through the Holy Spirit and service to the Kingdom. (2 Tim. 2:3, James 1:12)

Our willingness to have a relationship with Christ and let the Holy Spirit, love through us is what we are called to do. (Eph 2:8-10)

Our service and our love is a reflection of our relationship with God.

When you read Matthew 25. It’s obvious that the people thought they were saved. But, they never knew the King, so they never did the compassionate loving things God desired. They never grew in faith as the Lord worked in them and on them. They never had a relationship with Him. They thought their works saved them, instead of being saved to do good works. They worried about sin, like pharisees, even though they were dead to sin. Satan will get us focused on quitting sinning and being moral, because that keeps us from getting people saved, or fighting the evil in this world. (Eph 2:8-10, Matt. 7:21-23)

They never knew Him.

It’s not about works. It’s about who you know and who you have a relationship with. And that relationship will get us to serve Him, as He sanctifies us.

Let God take care of your sins. Focus on serving and loving others. Focus on the relationship with God.

And you will find that those sins you worry about, get less and less. We grow. We build faith. We build our relationship with God. We overcome the sin that so easily besets us. By following the Holy Spirit and doing the service God calls us to do. Not by works, but by His power.

Love covers a multitude of sins. God is love, and He works to drive those things out of us through Love. As we love God, serving Him and having that relationship with Him, and serving others. Loving them. (1 Peter 4:7-8)

We find ourselves growing free, to match the spiritual truth that we are already free in Christ. 

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