Chris Bunton: Encouragement.

Showing posts with label Encouragement.. Show all posts

Sunday, October 19, 2025

The Thief On The Cross

It's a picture of us all.

The thief on the cross, spoken of in the Gospels of our Lord Jesus, stands as an extreme view of salvation in the eyes of some. The man who did what appears to be absolutely nothing, yet Jesus himself saved him declaring, “Today you shall be with me in paradise”. But, it is my belief that the thief is not an extreme example, but that he is the norm. We are all thieves on the cross; we just refuse to see it as such. (Luke 23:26-43)

     Every one of us stands condemned before God. We know this in our hearts. Whether we understand it or not, we know that something is wrong and that we need help. We desire to know the one who made us, yet we cannot. It is because we are filled with the plague of Sin from birth, which causes us to live lives apart from God. It causes us to do the things we do, that we know are wrong. Like a plague, it works in us to bring about symptoms of evil. It causes us to knowingly rebel against God, and to reject the helping hand He offers us.

     Therefore, we stand condemned, whether we think it is fair or understand it or not. We have been nailed to a cross to die like condemned criminals, dangling above the fiery pit of eternity. We are like the thief on the cross.   ( The Book Of Romans)

When Jesus was crucified, he was executed along with two thieves; one on each side of Him. This event was prophesied hundreds of years before when Isaiah said “…because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered among the transgressors” (Isa.53:12b)

So, how does this apply to us? We are all thieves on the cross. God Almighty came to Earth in the form of Jesus Christ and was crucified with us in our sin and wretchedness. He took it all upon His shoulders, and paid the price for us; so that we would not be eternally condemned. We are to suffer death in this life, but not eternal damnation.

     We see our salvation experience in the crucifixion. Jesus Christ was made sin for us. (2 Cor.5: 19-21) This is symbolized when the soldiers put a scarlet (red) robe upon him and a crown of thorns upon His head. Both are symbols for Sin. (Matt. 27: 27-38) This shows that Sin itself was crucified. Sin was judged, while sinners were set free.

     He was crucified between two thieves; One on the right and one on the left. Both of the thieves mocked Him, at first. This is how all humans are. We reject God. We reject His love and His Lordship of our lives. We choose Sin and the World system. We choose Satan, whether we know it or not. We make Lucifer our Lord, and reject the salvation that God freely offers.

     But, one of the thieves comes to the realization of who Jesus really is. The Holy Spirit spoke truth to his heart and he believed the Word given to him. The thief was mocking, but suddenly a change occurs. He saw the truth. He believed. That is faith. God called Him by His grace, and through faith the thief believed and was made righteous, at that instant. That is the same with us. We live our lives, and something happens that wakes us up. God comes to us and calls us and speaks to our hearts and we believe. We are saved at that instant.(Eph. 2:8-10)

     Next, we see the awakened thief witnessing to the unsaved thief. He tells him that Jesus is not worthy of death but the thieves are. Just like when we witness of Jesus Christ we tell people that Jesus came to die for us, the innocent for the guilty. Jesus said “If you confess me before men, I will confess you before my father” ( Matt. 10:31-33 ) This thief was confessing Jesus before men.

     Next we see the thief speak to Jesus and he says “Lord”. He confesses Jesus is The Lord. As it says in Romans 10:9-10. “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” He believed that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah and confessed Him as Lord. This is what each of us is called to do. (Acts 8:26-40)

     The thief said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The thief believed upon Jesus, and put his future hope in Him, for a better day. A hope for something greater beyond this life, and wicked world. This hope is the same hope the prophets, the great men of old, believed in. It is the same hope we have. (Heb. 11:8-16, 11:32-40)

     Jesus Himself, said “Verily I say unto you, that today, you shall be with me in paradise.” Many take this to mean that since they died that day, they went to Paradise together. This is certainly true. But, it also means that on this day, in this instant, you are saved. You will be with me in Paradise, or heaven, forever. This is the same with us. We are saved forever, the second we first believe, and confess Him as Lord.

     The thief was not baptized. He did not go to church. He did not give money to charity or churches. He did not behave himself perfectly for 80 years of his life. He did absolutely nothing, but believe in Him, Confess Him as His Lord, and witness to the lost. That’s it. That’s all that is needed for salvation. After our salvation we seek to know God’s will for our lives by studying His Word. We are baptized, take communion, and gather with other believers. We give, and show love to others, as God works in our lives. We learn of the gifts He has given us, and we use them to build His kingdom. We struggle with our old nature, letting the new man come forth as God works. We deny the world system of Satan, and build God’s kingdom.

     We are all thieves on the cross. We are wretched sinners, just one step from death and destruction. The only thing saving us is Jesus Christ. Believe it, and Tell others.

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Photo by the author.

Sunday, October 12, 2025

God's Goodness

He Does Not Leave Us Alone In Darkness

Sunday, September 28, 2025

I Am Legion

I Am Legion

You are never too far gone.

In the books of Luke, Mark, and Matthew we see the story of the Gadarene Demoniac. (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39, Matt. 8:28-34)

He had an unclean spirit, which called itself “Legion” because there were many of the demons inhabiting this man.

He lived in the tombs, crying out and running around naked. He attacked people. His family and friends had done everything they could to “Fix” him.

They even tried to hold him down with chains and lock him up, but he broke the chains and nothing could contain this man.

Often the Bible will give us a worst case scenario in order to show us that if God can help this guy with this terrible situation He can help me too.

Many of us have people we know or family members who are totally off the hook. Maybe even you are the one who refuses to live a normal life. Maybe addicted to drugs and alcohol. Maybe you’ve gone off the deep end over some terrible tragedy in your past.

We sometimes open doors into our lives that let demons come in and take root. They give us great ideas that end up in destruction and pain for ourselves and others.

This demoniac seems to be possibly mentally ill, but was he born that way? Did it get worse as he gave himself over to more and more.

Demons have no problem with attacking babies. As children we often do things innocently, which can open doors that lead to a life time of habits or oppression. Things can be done to us, that causes us to open those doors. Consider the serial killer who was abused as a child. Consider the kid who tortures animals.

This guy didn’t care what he looked like. He didn’t care what people thought of him. He didn’t care where he slept. He wanted to do his own thing regardless of what his loved ones thought or tried to get him to do.

He could have been a drunk who refused to live right. Maybe he was like the guy in the prodigal son story. He took his money and went and lived a crazy life, then fell on hard times. (Luke 15:11-32)

But, where the prodigal son heard the call of God and woke up. This guy refused to listen and continued to get worse, and let the demons lead him into even more evil till they had total control.

But even though this guy was really messed up, Jesus came to him.

We see that Jesus took a boat to the other side and all He did there was heal this man, and then He left.

He came for no other purpose but to save this man’s soul and life. He left the others and went for a man who could do nothing to save himself. A man that others feared and even hated. A man full of demons and a background of wickedness.

Then, through a drunken haze, full of crazy thoughts this man saw Jesus and ran to Him. Jesus was his only hope.

And what did Jesus do?

Did He preach a sermon and shame the man?

Did he give a dissertation on the sinful ways of man and sexual immorality?

Did he preach about going to church?

No.

He cast out the demons. He healed the man and saved his soul forever.

You don’t think the man understood what sin was or how sinful he was?

He lived it and saw what it did to him, he didn’t need to be beat down by guilt and shame.

What else did Jesus do?

He allowed the demons to go into the swine as they requested. He showed them mercy as well.

The swine went and drown themselves in the sea rather than have the demons in them. Swine are smarter than humans.

Because of this, the keepers of the swine demanded that Jesus leave their homeland because He had cost them their livelihood.

They cared nothing about the man Jesus had healed and saved.

We often encounter people who care more about money and profit than they do other human beings. They will let people suffer, die and go to hell because it might cost too much.

How many churches have driven out and ruined people who came to them. Because it was too much trouble or too much money to help?

How many churches could open a basement for addiction recovery or visit people in jail, or help poor families down the road? But, instead think that sitting around singing songs is holiness. They rely on traditions of men instead of the Holy Spirit.

What did Jesus tell the demoniac after he was healed?

Did he tell Him, “Go and tell all your friends to quit sinning?”

No.

Jesus told him to go and tell his friends about the good things God had done for him.

Jesus sent him to give his testimony.

To tell others about how Jesus had showed up, and healed him and saved him and gave him his right mind back, and filled him with a purpose and a hope.

Have you told others about the good things God has done for you? have you told people about Jesus and how to be saved?

Jesus said “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.”—Luke 12:8-9

In these last days, we shall over come those demons by the power of our testimony and the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12:11)

Jesus comes to us and calls us, no matter where we are or how bad. Just ask Him. He will lift us up out of the sewer and set our feet upon the solid Rock of Himself.

Just like He did for the demoniac.

Cover photo by pexels/Francesco Ungaro

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Let Us Be Content

Let Us Be Content

Always more. More, More, More.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”— Heb. 13:5-6

We live in a world that constantly seeks to get us to spend more, buy more, have more, get better, more, more, more.

We are pushed to accumulate more and more debt.

It’s the culture of More

We feel like responsible people because we pay our debts (maybe), but we do not see the trap we are in.

Paul tells Timothy,

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”—1 Tim. 6:6-12

Godliness, is to treat people in the same way you would want God to treat you. Think about that for a moment. We get saved and the Holy Spirit grows us, and shows us how to treat others, by how God has treated us.

This helps grow our contentment as we learn to trust God and love others.

The Devil uses this world and our fleshly natures to get us to covet and lust over the things of this world. Things we cannot take with us. Things that rot and rust and require payments, and maintenance.

Things that require us to sell ourselves into slavery to maintain.

Things we don’t even really own. The bank, insurance companies and the government really own it.

We pay for houses we barely see because we are working all the time to pay for it.

These are some of the miseries Paul warns Timothy of.

Our mind becomes focused on Mammon instead of God. We cannot serve two masters. Who are we really serving? Do we plan to serve God when we retire?

Understand that the love of money is the ROOT of all evil.

What does a plants roots do? It feeds the plant.

Likewise, we develop a love of money, in order to pay for our lusts and greed. We might claim we don’t love money. But, let’s be honest.

We know that more money would solve our problems. But, when we look at the verse from Hebrews above, we see that God will never leave us nor forsake us. He is the solution to our troubles, not more money.

It’s a trap.

Consider an addict. He gets high and loves it. Then, he wants more. So, he seeks more.

And he finds more and more.

Now, he cannot help but have more. He is hooked.

He makes excuses, like it helps him do better work. It helps him deal with things.

Eventually, he finds himself willing to do evil things for the addiction.

He or she might say, “It’s just business.” or “It’s part of the job” or “It’s what the boss wants.”

Do we do the same thing with our jobs, and money? Are we willing to do bad things to keep our job or business running? Do we love money or God?

The fact is that we live in a country and world that requires us to have money to survive. God knows this.

God knows that we need money to provide for our families.

God knows that we live in a culture that requires certain things or you will be treated like a bum or even have legal issues.

If you don’t have a home and the basic things, you could have your children taken and charged with a crime.

If you don’t have a license or car, you can’t work in many places.

If you do not have a phone or computer access and internet you cannot even look for a job.

If you don’t have tools or clothes you can’t work.

There is nothing I have found in scripture that calls us to poverty. God, will take care of us and we are to be content with His provision. Not looking at the neighbors new car, or pontoon boat. Not looking at the giant house we don’t need.

As saints, we dial back those desires and focus on other things. We build up treasures in heaven by giving and helping others instead of accumulating things we can’t take with us when we die.

When we let God provide and be content, we will see Him move to help us when we are in need and our faith will grow.

When we are content it provides peace and time, that we can devote to other things.

Imagine being content and living within your means as a young person.

When you get older you have everything paid off, and have time to live life. You can spend time with the kids and grand kids, without trying to get time off from a job you have slaved away at for decades now to pay your debts.

Being content grows wealth over time, it also saves your kids from trouble when you pass.

Being content is freedom.

No one can use the things of this world against you, because it doesn’t matter to you. You know God will provide and you’ll be like Paul,

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”—Phil. 4:11

This is not a condemnation of wealth. I know wealthy people who are content. They have not always been rich, but they made some good choices, and avoided some pitfalls. Now they have wealth. They live godly and are content. They serve God and help people.

Honestly, when you are poor, you can barely do squat. The scriptures do not call us to be in poverty but to be poor in spirit and content.

God is with us and will take care of us and bless us. It’s a fact. Follow His Spirit.

The Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head. He trusted God’s provision completely. (Matt. 8:20)

This world is not our home. Our home is in Paradise with Christ. We brought nothing in to this world and we can take nothing with us, except people and the treasures we accumulate through His Spirit. (Matt. 6 :19-21)

When these last days get worse, there will be economic collapses and destruction. (James 5:1-8, Rev. 6:5-6, Rev. Chap 18)

Trusting the Lord, faith and contentment will help get you through these times. God will take care of you.

When the Mark of the Beast comes, there will be a choice people will have to make. Take the Mark to keep my job? Keep my home? Keep my life?

Consider this. If you cannot practice self control in the good times, how can you in the bad? If you cannot resist more and more debt. Or more and more things. How are you going to resist the temptation to deny Christ and get the Mark?

The Anti-Christ might promise to pay your debts and student loans, if you just get the Mark. He might create a new economic system that solves all kinds of problems, if you just get the Mark.

Learn to have self-control and resist the culture of More. Success does not mean more stuff. Ambition does not mean more debt. You can do more and still be content.

Contentment in all things will serve you greatly in tough times.

The Lord is with us and will protect us. We can trust Him.

Cover photo by Pexels

Sunday, July 20, 2025

What Is Jesus Worth?

The Workers are worthy

I have been in church and heard a lot of sermons. I’ve listened to preachers on the radio and TV for decades, and I can say that I have heard many sermons about how the employee needs to work harder.

“Work as unto the Lord! Work as though Jesus is watching you!”

Is the basic flavor of all these sermons.

“Don’t complain about your job. Be thankful you have one. Some people have nothing.”

“The Bible teaches you that you should obey authority. That includes your boss…”

That’s the gist of thousands of sermons.

But I have never heard a sermon telling employers how to treat workers.

Are there no Christian employers?

We know there are because they let us know.

They have a fish symbol on their business cards. They let employees have Sunday off…etc.

But let’s flip the script.

What if Jesus was your employee? How much is Jesus Worth?

Minimum wage? One sick day with a doctor’s excuse?

Would you complain that no one wants to work if Jesus showed up every day?

Consider where Jesus said “What you’ve done unto the least of these my brethren you’ve done unto me”.

Could it refer to your employees? Are they not poor? Are they not “The least of these”?”

What about that big house and new car? All bought by the cheap labor of Jesus at your store, or construction site.

How much money should we horde off the whip scarred back of Jesus?

Jesus+profits= new bass boat.

How much is Jesus Worth?

Minimum wage? Unpaid sick days? Can Jesus take his sick kid to the doctor? Can Jesus spend time with his wife and new born baby? Can Jesus not get sexually harassed today? Can Jesus get a mental health day? Can Jesus get insurance or maybe a vision plan? Can Jesus get stuck in traffic and show up late today? Should Jesus get ripped off on overtime? Should Jesus get fired for no real reason?

Just asking.

And I’m referring to Jesus the Lord. Not Jesus from Mexico City who cuts your massive lawn.

What is Jesus worth?

But, let’s go further because this is actually a very important subject.

Why do you think that sermons on how employers should treat employees are rare?

I think it’s because most churches employ people. The pastors are not going to preach about how they should treat their own employees.

Likewise, churches are full of business owners who pay tithes and don’t want to hear sermons that hit them in the wallet.

So basically its the love of money. It’s choosing to serve Mammon over God.

Too harsh?

Consider the book of Philemon.

Philemon was a rich Christian who owned slaves. One of his slaves named Onesimus escaped, and ran into Paul. Who led him to know Christ.

Paul writes the church where Philemon attends and tells Philemon about it.

Paul talks Onesimus into returning home. And he tells Philemon “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;”

He took all of the burden upon Himself. He stood in intercession for Onesimus, against an employer or slave master.

Now consider Christ. Consider that Paul did this in obedience to Christ, and as a picture of what Jesus does for us. Do bosses consider that Jesus died for the employee too and they should be forgiven and treated with love? Treated like they would treat Jesus or a friend?

So, let’s look at what the future holds for all this greed. James tells us,

“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.”— James 5:1-6

I consider that James is speaking of two events.

One is in relation to the last days, when money will become worthless in response to the Black Horse of Revelation, which I think will be a global economic collapse. (Revelation Chapter 6)

The other is much more terrifying, because it relates to the return of Christ. When he says “What you’ve done to the least of these you’ve done to me.” and sends the goats off into hell. (Matt. 25: 31-46)

If you are a Christian employer or boss and you do not bless your employees and treat them properly, you might want to check your salvation papers.

There will be huge amounts of “Christians” who find out they were never really saved on Judgement day.

No oil in their lamp. Talents buried in the sand. Goats heading into darkness.

Works do not save us. But when we know Christ we begin to do things differently.

“But, I’ll go broke!” You might say.

Pray about it.

Jesus says,

“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

You cannot out give God. You can give more to your employees, and there will be a return.

Jesus said,

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”— Matt. 6:33

When we put God first, He will take care of us.

Trust God. Love and bless your employees. Treat them better and watch what happens. You are free to do better than what the norm is. You can do better than what the law requires.

God sees what you do, and He hears their cries for justice.

Cover photo by author.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

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.

Cover photo by pexels

Sunday, June 8, 2025

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.

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

Cover photo by pexels. Edited by the writer.

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Sunday, May 25, 2025

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

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

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Sunday, May 18, 2025

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.

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

Cover photo by Pexels/Kampus Productions

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