Thanking God

 Thanking God

 We owe Him everything

 

 

God gave us life. He gives us the things we need and the joys of this world.

When we get saved and know Him, we see that He gives us so much more. We realize that everything comes from Him and all of it works together for our good.

Our thankfulness is a reflection of our faith. Do we really believe His Word? Do we really trust Him? Do we believe He protects us and provides for us?

When we thank Him in prayer before He even moves it shows we trust Him and believe He is moving. When we thank Him after He moves and blesses us, it shows our appreciation for all He does. When we thank Him for even the tough times. The hurtful times. It shows that we trust Him, and know He is working somewhere for our good.

God has blessed me so many times in my life. He has protected me and answered prayers. He moves and does things that are just amazing. I honestly cannot recount it all. Praise God.

When Jesus cast the demons out of the Gadarene demoniac, He told the man, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”— Mark 5:19

That is what we are to do when we are thankful. We tell people what God has done for us. This leads people to want to know the Lord as well.

When we are thankful we give to others. Our giving to the Lord’s work is a sign of our thankfulness.

God sees these things and the blessings flow back and forth. You cannot out give God.

Are you truly thankful God has blessed you? Bless others also.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.––Luke 6:38

This is a promise. Giving is a response to what God has done for us. We want to bless and help others. Bitter, angry, fearful people refuse to give. But, those who love and trust will help others.

Thankfulness is spiritual warfare. When you are thankful about everything, and praise God about everything, even the bad, the devil can’t hurt you. He can’t hurt you because you just turn it into praise and thankfulness to God.

Its hard.

We forget these things. The devil distracts our mind and we forget God is good and that He is with us and we can trust Him.

When the Holy Spirit reminds us, we can thank Him and praise God for all He has done.

Thanking God and praising Him shows that we know Him and that we are walking with Him in the Spirit.

Shows who?

Shows ourselves, and others if they see.

Unsaved people do not thank God. They do not see Him moving or consider Him at all. It reminds us that we really do know Him, and are known of Him.

The enemy will try to get us to think we do not really know Him, but our praise and thankfulness show us otherwise. It’s like being convicted and confessing sins. Unsaved people don’t feel conviction or confess sin to God. They don’t seek Him at all.

We are not showing God.

Understand this.

God knows our heart. When God sees us He sees Christ, not us. Our sin is washed away. He sees Christ. He sees faith. He sees love.

This is hard to remember, but its important because we can end up on a hamster wheel where we think God is disappointed in us or that we must prove things to God, or that we must somehow behave in a certain way to help earn our salvation or keep it.

We think going to church and singing songs of praise is somehow required, and expected. So, if we don’t do it we think we have sinned and that we are in danger of eternal hell.

That is utterly false. Do not let the devil get you to believe that or let other people tell you that.

True praise and thankfulness comes from a realization of what God has done for you. Our flesh does not realize this. It comes from the Holy Spirit revealing it, and from our desire to express it when we see it.

Everywhere in the scriptures that praise and thankfulness is expressed it is done in response to what God has done or is going to do.

That is our model.

Praise and thankfulness loses its meaning if it is done as part of a routine. It becomes part of a works based doctrine.

God delights in doing good. He often blesses us even when we know we do not deserve it. It is God’s goodness, that leads us to repentance, not threats of punishment or fear. We know He is good and we know we can trust Him.

He has broken my heart with His goodness. I have sinned and not been worthy. But, He has come and blessed me in ways beyond explanation and I know I do not deserve it.

That’s His love and grace.

That leads to a flow of thankfulness and praise. That leads to correction and a response to His goodness.

This is great victory in the Lord! We see Him move and we are blessed and thank Him!

The enemy hates this, and like he did to Elijah will often bring an attack.

But, can we praise Him and thank Him through this dark time as well?

That is our faith. It grows our faith.

This is Walking in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit uses this to express the Fruit of the Spirit in us.

If you are facing trouble, try thanking God and praising Him. Look for the blessing and thank Him and praise Him. Give to others and bless them. Give to the Kingdom and express your thankfulness.

Not because we earn our salvation, but because we want to be like Him. Because we are thankful and led by His Spirit to respond, and are blessed even more by it.

Turn to God. Ask Him to save you. He is real and desires to know you.

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The Demons Come Back

 The Demons Come Back

Spiritual warfare and repentance 

 

 

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

²⁵ And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

²⁶ Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.— Luke 11:24-26 (Matt 12:43-45)

This verse speaks of repentance and spiritual warfare.

You must believe that there is a spiritual war, and that we do have spiritual enemies for this verse to have its full meaning for you.

I have said it before and must say it again because it is true.

All humans are sinners. We are totally depraved. There is no good thing in us. This comes from the book of Romans.

When Adam fell. Death entered the world, and Satan took over. Also, evil entered into humanity and corrupted us. Because of this evil, we commit the sins we commit. There is something wrong with us.

Because of Adam’s sin, we have all been handed over to Satan and his forces of evil. They rule this corrupt world. They control and tempt and enslave humanity, through our depravity and sin. They use our lusts and desires to keep us in bondage.

Jesus Christ came to die and rise from the dead to set the captives free. (Luke 4:16-21)

ALL of us have been manipulated and harassed by demonic entities tempting us and directing us. Those evil thoughts and actions did not ALL come from your own mind or desire. A lot of those great ideas were given to you by demons.

That wicked thought about adultery with the co-worker, and how the world seems to move to make it a reality. Demons. The mistake you made that you cannot figure out how you made it, but now you feel like you must lie to get out of it or hide it. Demons. The desire to get drunk because it was a great day, or a bad day, or a Tuesday, or a Friday night. Demons.

We try to explain these things with psychology, and the fact is that these things do come through the mind. But, the Bible teaches that there is something outside of our vision or world, that has access to us and tempts us to sin.

We can see people who have completely fallen prey to SOMETHING. We cannot see it or explain it. We call it addiction or say they are crazy, but something is not right.

We find ourselves arguing with loved ones over silly things, and we cannot get it stopped. It just goes off the rails and pride and rage increases. We see loved ones and spouses who become totally different people, like they are possessed. We see them do things to us and others that is totally outside of what we have come to believe is their character. Demons.

There are two camps. The saved and the unsaved. The clean and unclean. The washed and unwashed. Those who are with the Lord, and those who are in the camp of Satan.

If you are not saved, you are under the control of Satan. If you have not turned to Jesus and confessed Him as your Lord, getting saved, washed and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then, you are under the banner of the devil.

There is no middle ground.

If you are with Satan then the demons have total access to you. I am no talking possession. That is rarely the case, because it is too easily noticed. But, those demons have great power in your life, and you and others do not realize it.

Take a child who is outside playing. When he gets a thought that he should be mean to the neighbors cat. A child doesn’t have the ability to understand it. So, he grabs the cat and throws it into the ditch. The cat gets wet and freaks out, and for some reason the kid laughs at this. The laughter is a good feeling.

Where did the idea come from?

A few days later he calls the dog over to play with it, but an idea comes into his head to trick the dog and beat it with a stick.

So he does.

It’s just a child. The kid doesn’t know what is going on. But demons are getting the child to open a door, so they have more access and the child loses more self control. At the same time, there is some pleasure that comes with hurting the animals.

Time goes on, and the ideas in his head tell him to kill the animals.

The kid never questions whether it’s his own thoughts or something else. He has no idea of such a thing. he just goes through life thinking it’s his own mind. He learns early to hide these things.

Eventually a kid in the neighborhood disappears.

So, this child who has been led around by demons grows up to be a serial killer.

This same process happens to all of us, but in different ways. We do not all become serial killers. But, we might become a liar, or an adulterer. We might become a thief or an addict. We are controlled by pride or lust. We have rage and become violent. Because often from a young age we have listened to ideas that have not been our own.

We think the ideas or thoughts are our own. But, the ideas come from outside. Eventually we might help the demons, and make it easier to be manipulated or controlled, but there are demonic entities who tempt us and have power over us. ALL of us.

We can see in Genesis chapter three that God tells the Serpent/Dragon that he will eat dust. Then, two verses later God calls man, Dust.

Part of the curse, is that we have been handed over to Satan. Adam opened the door for Satan to enter, and God let him have us.

The hope being that we will wake up and realize something is wrong and turn to the Lord for salvation, when He calls us.

Now, all of this has been written to show that there are demons and they have power. They do attack us, harass us and manipulate us.

When a person gets saved, we are washed clean, and all those connections to the enemy are broken by Jesus Christ.

We are set free.

The truth shall make you free.

We are saved.

We now have the power to resist things the devil brings to us in temptation.

We have the Holy Spirit who comes in to us and dwells with us and teaches us.

We have a desire to know the Word and to learn of Him.

But, we still sin. It’s a fact.

We have been set free spiritually, but there are still things we struggle with. That is part of our sanctification and growth in Christ. He keeps working to renew our mind. To grow us. to correct us and pull us out of the miry pit.

BUT… we are already saved, the minute we asked Him and put our trust in Him and confessed Him as our Lord.

The demons work to get the saint to sin, in order to get those doors open again and let them have access to us again, like before we were saved. They do this to keep us distracted and not serving the Lord.

If you are saved,then you are saved. You cannot lose it, but the demons will make you think you have.

Understand that when the Lord sets us free we are clean, swept and garnished. The demons are gone. The torment and all the stuff is gone. But, they come back and try to get access to us again. If we open the door, it will come in and bring seven others with it.

We all open doors, because we do not realize what we are doing. When we are saved we are clean, but the enemy comes back, again and again, and if we let him in we are worse than before.

But, we are still saved.

A good picture of this is the addict who quits drugs and then starts using again. They are worse than they were before.

 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

⁵ And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

⁶ If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.— Heb. 6:4-6

Many saints want to use this verse as proof that we can lose our salvation. But, the verse does not say salvation. It says “repentance”.

It means that we have opened those doors and let the demons back in and we are worse than before. Our struggle is worse than before. Our state of repentance is harder than it was, because the demons have more access, and we must fight to resist the temptations.

BUT… with God ALL things are possible.

The answer to this problem is to turn to the Lord.

The demons will try to get you or someone else to run from God and hide. To give up walking with the Lord, or trying.

See? Refusing to turn to the Lord and asking Him to forgive you is the worst thing you or anyone can do. Turn to Him and keep Walking in the Spirit.

The demons will come back and keep trying. But, just keep turning to the Lord, and confessing sin. (1 John 1:8-10)

James says, Submit to the Lord, resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Since we are saved, we have been set free. Even though we are tempted or harassed or manipulated, by demons and our flesh we have the power to resist.

We resist by turning to the Lord and drawing closer to Him. We give ourselves to Him.

Let’s say you are saved. But, you are tempted to commit a sin and you do it. You are led into the house of adultery and you run full throttle in. You are just full of it.

But, after it’s done a feeling of dread and self-loathing falls upon you. You hate yourself. You have betrayed Jesus who saved you.

The demons led you in and then use it to destroy you. They get you to feel shame and guilt and hatred and fear. They get you to hide like Adam and Eve hid from the Lord. They tell you that God forsakes you. They try to get you to not turn to the Lord.

But, God calls you. He knows what happened and the Holy Spirit calls you to turn to Him to be cleansed and restored.

God does not cast you out, He saves and fixes. He corrects. He breaks and remolds.

The minute you turn to Him He comes running.

In the Garden, we see God cast Adam and Eve out. But, we see that He did not leave them there or forsake them. He comes to us and walks with us and restores and saves us. That is the story of history. He brings us back to Himself.

Look at the big picture. God does not leave us in sin or failure, He comes to save us and set us free every time. Like a sheep gone astray, who gets caught in the brambles. Or like Israel, in the Book of Judges who fell away over and over, but when they turn to Him He comes and delivers them.

God saved us the minute we turned to Him. But, there is a lifetime of struggle and battles as we grow and He sanctifies us and heals us and breaks us again and again to mold us into the likeness of His son, Jesus Christ.

Not by our works but by His.

He gets the glory.

The struggles you are facing are normal and are the result of the demonic forces arrayed against us.

Turn to the Lord. Draw closer to Him.

He is the answer.

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Picture by pexels.

Do Not Be Like Them

 

Do Not Be Like Them

Do We Follow Evil Authority?

 

 There’s a Christian concept that I have struggled with over the years.

It is the idea that believers are supposed to bow down to Authority. No matter how evil it is.

The concept comes from this verse,

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”—Romans 13:1-7

The idea being that God is all powerful, so He can choose who He wants to lead and has chosen this evil leader. So we as Christians must follow the leader. We must pay what we owe in taxes. We give them respect.

We continue to do good, because even an evil ruler would have a hard time punishing someone who is doing good.

The bottom line is that we are actually serving God, and answer to Him, not the evil ruler.

That’s the basic concept.

This doctrine has led to Christians following evil dictators, Nazis, and Communists and other wicked rulers. It has led to Christians allowing the most vile and evil things to occur, and even seem to endorse them. It has led to Christians supporting laws that are evil, such as slavery and genocide. All perfectly legal at the time. Even today Christians support laws that destroy peoples lives. All because it’s “The Law”.

This concept has led to Pastors, who betray church members and send them off to death camps. Right now, in countries like China, Pastors will report members who preach the true Gospel.

It has led to churches where Jesus Christ is only viewed as a good teacher, not as Lord. Because the leaders are snitches and the congregation is too afraid to speak out. They cannot get a license to be a church if they do not support the state sanctioned version of the church. This sort of thing is coming world wide.

According to the scriptures, there will be a last days persecution.

After or during the the time when the four horsemen are galloping around, Christians world wide will be blamed and killed. The Anti-Christ will rise up and make war with the Saints and kill them. (Revelation 6:1-11, Revelation 13:7, Daniel 7:25)

Terrible things have happened in history and will happen again.

So, it behooves a believer to understand some things about this doctrine.

You cannot base a doctrine on one verse, or one segment. But you must base doctrine on the entirety of scripture. Being led by the Holy Spirit to make wise loving decisions on things.

It’s my belief that God created the concept of authority. It’s from God. But, authority is supposed to rule with love and wisdom. Since it’s from God.

God gives them the chance to do good and succeed, but they fail to various degrees. Government is full of humans, and they sin. They fail, they get it it wrong. They have free will. They choose to do evil, despite the fact that God gave them power so they could do good. It proves that humans are fallen, and even when we have the power to do good, we choose to do evil. Evil rulers prove that we need God to rule. Whether it’s our own lives or the lives of others.

Realize, that oftentimes a people will get the leaders they deserve. You cannot get a good leader from an evil people. Because the leaders come from the people. Ever since the day the child was born, they have been influenced by the culture. They are tainted. It takes a great person (or God in them, or with them.) to overcome the culture and to do good despite the evil. Remember that evil becomes good and good becomes evil, in a fallen culture.

As believers we are in this world and are called to serve God in it. No matter how evil a ruler is, we are called to serve God, in love.

We can gain great spiritual blessings in persecutions from evil. Jesus said we are blessed. (Matt. 5:11-12)

But, how do we live under wicked rulers?

One of the verses I stand on is …… “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”—(Matthew 23:1-3)

When you are faced with evil rulers, we are called to obey them, but not to be evil like them. That means we reject the evil. We reject the lies and false. But, still obey their authority.

What does this mean? How does it work? 

Well, you need to be Spirit led, and refuse to do anything that is evil. Even suffering punishment because of it.

This applies to all levels of authority.

History shows us that persecution actually comes from the people around us. Even our own Pastors and brethren. As stated before, the churches throughout history have been full of people who will snitch on you and have you killed.

Scriptures show that there are false brethren. (2 Cor. 11:23-28, Gal. 2:1-5)

People who claim to know Christ but do not.

Our churches are full of them. Persecution helps to weed them out. It’s hard to claim to know Jesus when they kill you for it. So false brethren, twist your church to where you can still be a part of it, but not really serve Christ. It’s happening more and more. A place of entertainment and good moral teaching… Like the state supported churches in China, while the real believers are underground and persecuted.

There will be false teachers. False prophets and preachers or pastors.

We are warned of this, in these last days. 

Jesus said to beware the false teachings of the Pharisees.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the leaders. Understand that nobody listens to the weird guy in the basement. False teaching and false doctrine comes from people in authority. …( Matthew 16:6-12)

He said, “By their fruits ye shall know them…”—(Matthew 7:15-20)

What fruits? What false teachings?

False teachings has two aspects. Either they are teaching a works based doctrine. Or reject the divinity of Christ. Or a mixture of both.

They teach good morals and the law. Or that Jesus Christ was just a good man, or teacher, or never really mention Him. They also reject the Holy Spirit or never speak of Him. Believers, have the Spirit, and are led by Him.

You are not saved by Works. Only Christ alone, and He is Lord. When we are saved we are filled with the Spirit and are changed by Him and led by Him.

The fruits, are the fruits of the Spirit…”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”—(Gal. 5:22-23)

Fruits are not sin. All humans sin. But, not all humans, have the Holy Spirit, who brings those fruits out in us.

If they aren’t serving in love, joy and peace, you might want to question their fruits.  

How do they treat you and others? Do they love you? Do they show it? Have they driven good people from your church?

We are called to forgive, but not to support evil.

Paul says there is no fellowship with demons or Belial. No agreement with the sons of deception. (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

So, when a leader, or false brethren or pastor has worked to destroy your life, their fruits reveal them. When people are driven from the church do you believe “They didn’t really love Jesus?” or do you believe that maybe the leadership didn’t love them? Both are possible.

We might need to obey them, because they hold authority, but we are not supposed to be like them. We are not to partake of their false doctrines. We are not to have fellowship with them. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

If they have done us wrong. We should go to them if the Spirit leads. Then, take them to 2 or 3 others. Then before the church.–(Matt. 18:15-17)

Then if they don’t stop. Treat them as a heathen and publican.

Forgive them. Love them. Pray for them, but do not fellowship with them. Do not let them drag you into their evil.

We are not talking about sins. But, fruits. If you focus on sins, you will reject certain sins while ignoring others. You will drive out one sinner while accepting another. You will reject the person who got pregnant out of wedlock, while accepting the person so full of pride they cannot admit they are wrong. You will reject the divorced person, while loving the Gossip. You will reject the addict while loving the glutton, because they can cook great fried chicken. So focus on love, not sins. Love them, and help them to love you.

God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us into all truth. We have the Word, but the Spirit helps us to apply it in wisdom and love.

We are going to need to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit in these last days. As brother turns on brother and delivers them unto death. The deception will be so bad that only the Holy Spirit will be able to guide us through. Do you plan to obey the Anti-Christ because he is in authority? You best learn how to follow the Spirit today, or you will be full of confusion on that day.

The time draws near and believers need to draw closer to God. Our faith is grown the more we trust God. We need to make sure we have the oil of faith in our lamps.

He is coming. But, not when they tell you.

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photo by the author 

All Things

 All Things

All Means All

 

 

Speak the truth of God’s Word into your life. Believe Him. Trust Him, learn of Him and know He is with you where ever you go. Make Him the focus of your life and grow in relationship with Him.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”—Phil. 4:13

Believe it. Speak it to yourself in faith.

When you are facing something that is causing you to fear, or doubt. Turn to God. Trust Him and speak the truth into your life. Tell yourself out loud.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

He is with you. He is working in you and through you if you know Him.

If you are trying to accomplish something; know that he is with you. Trust the Word.

Are you concerned with having your needs met? Trust God. Stand on the Word. Speak this verse to yourself and believe it.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’—Phil. 4:19

What does it say? Does it say “Some”? No it says “All”. God will take care of you. Say it. and trust Him.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”— Rom. 10:17

Speak the Word of God out loud to yourself and others. Believe it.

Say

“My God shall supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Say it out loud and trust it. It is a fact.

Speaking the Word out loud builds faith.

Is something making you think you lost your salvation? Turn to God and ask Him to save you through Jesus Christ and speak these words over your fear.

 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.:—John 6:37

If you know Jesus, He will not cast you out. You might stumble. You might drift away, but He is with you still. Just turn to Him and ask.

“I am in Christ, and He will not cast me out.” Say it and believe it.

“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”—John 6:39

If we know Him, we will be with Him on that day.

Are you confused? Are demons whispering into your mind trying to get you to think God is out to get you?

Trust God.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”—Rom. 8:28

Say it out loud.

“All things work together for my good. I love God and He has called me to Him and His purpose for my life. He is with me.”

Believe it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Your faith expands when you hear God’s truth and you trust Him.

It’s sort of like stirring yourself up, except that it is spirit. His words are spirit and truth. They impact your soul and spirit and the things beyond the veil. They build up faith, and when you see Him move, your faith grows as well.

Are you facing something you cannot overcome, like addiction or some task?

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”—Rom. 8:37

Say it.

“I am a conqueror in Jesus name. I will overcome through Him.”

Speak it and believe it.

Do not let the devil, beat you down with fear and doubt. Stand on God’s Word. Believe His promises and speak them into your life and the life of others.

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.

But, Jesus came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

“I have an abundant life in Jesus name. He has saved me and is blessing me.”

If the enemy can get you to stop trusting God, then you have no where to turn. You can believe the Word.

Even if God is causing you problems or allowing it. It is for your good, and you can trust Him. Pray the Word. Speak the promises.

Stand on it.

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Photo by pexels 

On Father's Day

 On Father's Day

There is a war against fathers 

 

 

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 

Not As The World Gives

 Not As The World Gives

God is not like this world. 

 

Jesus said. "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."---John 14:27  (John 14:1-31--in context)

When God calls us, and we turn to Him, confessing Jesus is the Lord, asking Him to save us and putting our faith in Him.

 
He saves us, and fills us with His Holy Spirit, washing us clean.

This brings us peace. Not our peace. But HIS peace. This must be understood. Because we do not nor cannot maintain this Peace ourselves. He does it as we continue to turn to Him and grow in Him, and know Him. The Word He gives us is Jesus. The Word He gives us are His Promises.

The second part of the verse is what I want to focus on.

"Not as the world giveth, give I unto you"

Because God doesn't give as the world gives. (You've lived in this world long enough to know how this world and the people of it give.)

When God gives, it's free to you. He paid for it.

It's a gift not a loan. There is no interest and it doesn't have to be repaid.

He doesn't take it away from us if we fail.

He doesn't use it against us.

He doesn't use it to guilt trip us.

He doesn't hold it over our head.

He doesn't give us something cheap and shoddy.

He doesn't give us a hand me down.

He loves us. He understands us. He works with us. He knows us, if we choose to know Him.

 

He fixes us and helps to grow us. He doesn't cast us aside.

He is with us always even till the end of the world.

And that's why we have the peace that defies all understanding. (Phil. 4:6-7)

Praise Jesus.

So what do we do?  We remind ourselves of his promises. We speak them aloud to hear them and drive the enemy away. We remind our selves of the great things God has done for us. We thank and praise Him for it. This brings peace as the Holy Spirit works in us.

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Photo by the author 

Does God Feel Distant?

 Does God Feel Distant?

He is with you, believe it. 

 

 

There are times in our lives when we feel that God has abandoned us. It seems that He doesn’t hear and we don’t feel His presence or see His movements in our lives.

I have experienced the same.

God has opened my eyes to the reality of it, and I have listened to Him and grown in Him.

The matter is an issue of faith.

I want you to read this verse.

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”—Matt. 12:36

Now a lot of preachers want to use this verse to impose fear.

But, I want you to see that Jesus is telling us that God hears every word. God is so close to us and so interested in us, that every word we say will be shown back to us when we see Him.

If you are saved and know Him, then this is not a scary thing. It spurs us to greater things.

So, read this verse and believe it. Believe it like God is standing before you telling it to you.

We are made righteous and our faith comes when we believe the Word God has given us. (Rom.10:17, Rom. 4:3)

So, when we think God is not listening or doesn’t hear, we can stand on this verse and say.

“No! God hears every idle word!” And believe it.

It’s not like sending a text message to a friend and we don’t hear back. So, we think “Did he get the text?”

God got it. We can KNOW he got it, because of this verse. We put our faith in it and Him.

Daniel prayed and heard nothing back. Till finally an angel came and said. We got your prayer the minute you started praying. And I came to answer but had to fight through the Enemy to get here. (Dan. 10:1-21)

Trust God. Trust His Word.

Our relationship with God is based upon faith. Our faith grows when we trust his Word and stand on it, and see Him move in our lives

Satan is working to keep you from trusting Him. To keep you from knowing Him. He seeks to destroy you and keep your faith weak. To keep you from the battlefield.

This why we cannot trust our feelings. We are flesh. We have a corrupted nature. We live in a world that is full of distraction, and we have an enemy trying to destroy us.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”—Prov. 3:5-6

When everything tells us God has abandoned us and is not listening. When the enemy whispers into our mind that we sin too much for God, or that God has left us or even that He is testing us.

We can stand on the promises of God. We can rely on His Word and the things He has done for us in the past. That is our testimony. (Rev. 12:11)

So we say “No! I trust in the Lord. I’m leaning on Him and the Word says He will direct my paths!”

Believe it. Faith is the oil for our lamps.  (Matt. 25: 1-13)

Why do I say that you must say it out loud?

Have you seen movies where two armies oppose each other and a general rides on a horse in front of his men and gives them great words of encouragement?

He is building faith. He is building encouragement. He is trying to drive out fear and stir up morale for the coming battle.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” —(Rom. 10:17)

When we speak the Word, we also hear the Word and it stirs up our faith in us if we are willing to believe it. Speaking the Word causes things to happen in reality. God says “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”—(Isa 55:11)

God’s Word says “I will never leave you nor forsake you”—Heb. 13:5

He is with us. Believe it. Say it to yourself.

“God will never leave me nor forsake me.”

Believe it. Drive the fear and doubt away.

Will the Shepherd abandon the Sheep? ( Psalm 23)

No. He leads us to still waters. He protects us with his rod. His staff comforts us.

Because He is with us. We believe it and know it. He is here.

Do you know the Shepherd?

None of this matters if you’ve never turned to Him and asked Him to save you. It’s the same faith. He calls us and we realize that we need Him.

Then, we hear the Word He gives us and we believe it and turn to Him. Asking Him to save us. Then, He washes us clean in the Blood of Jesus Christ and we are saved and begin to grow in Him. Just ask Him to save you. (Rom.10:9-10)

This world is tough. But, the toughness of this world is designed to cause us to turn to Him. Because He is our only Hope.

He is with us.

Believe it. No matter what things look like.

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photo by pexels.