The Battle of Our Souls

 The Battle of Our Souls

 The Spirit battles against the flesh

 

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.—Gal. 5:16-18

When we get saved, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and starts working to grow us and sanctify us. He teaches us and helps us. He comforts us.

This creates change in our life. It brings brokenness and correction. It brings blessings. We see God moving and it strengthens our faith.

The Enemy does not want to let us go. Satan and his demonic forces have built relationships with us. They have built tunnels through our hedge of protection, where they can attack us and keep us in bondage. They have attached themselves to our backs and our minds.

These connections are severed at salvation, but the enemy quickly works to reestablish them. They attack and draw us through our flesh, eyes, desires and pride. Consider an addict who is constantly tempted to re-use and get addicted again. That is how the temptation looks in all the various ways. It is a lure to draw us into a trap. ( 1 John 2:16)

BUT… if we are saved we now have the Holy Spirit. He does the battle for us. Notice in the verse above, the word Spirit is capitalized. That means the Holy Spirit. Not our spirit. Our job in this battle is to abide in the Lord. Our job is to Walk in the Spirit.

Do not let the battle drive us away from Christ. (John 15:3-8)

The Holy Spirit is moving and things are happening in our lives. We are being tempted to run from God. Like the Israelites wanted to return to Egypt. We want to go back to our old ways. We want to quit, because we fail and it’s hard and things are scary.

But, it is part of the spiritual battle behind the scenes to grow us and correct us and get us to a better place in life where we can serve. Like the Israelites through the desert to the promised land.

We must remember that we are fallen. We are corrupt. This is very important because it explains why we cannot save ourselves or help in the battle. God gives us His grace and we cannot help. He has saved us and is waging the battle. There is no way we can do it without making matters worse. Look at the end of verse 17 above. “You cannot do the things that you would.” No matter how hard you try to do good, you will fail. You will sin. But, it’s ok. The battle is the Lord’s, not yours. You are already victorious in Christ. We are not under the law, if we are Walking in the Spirit.

We are to Walk with the Lord in the Spirit. We abide in Him.

The verse above says that if we Walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh, and we are not under the law.

What does this mean?

Well, when we are saved the enemy will attack us and tempt us to get us to fail. He will try to re-open those pathways into our lives. The Holy Spirit will point out the temptation often times, and we might struggle to resist. We might succeed. But, the temptation will return. It’s never a one and done.

We might fail next time.

But, the battle is not ours. it is the Holy Spirit’s battle.

So, we Walk in the Spirit. Which means, we pray for help. We pray God’s Word against the attacks of the enemy. We wear the armor of God, and when we fail we confess our sin to Him, and He forgives us and cleanses us. (1 John 1:8-10, Eph 6:10-18)

It is not our battle. We are saved. We are to just abide and remain in relationship with the Lord.

That is walking in the Spirit. We stay focused on the Lord. Abiding in Him, and not letting the enemy drag us away.

The enemy is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The demons tempt us and tempt us and whisper lies into our minds, and when we sin they speak condemnation and fear into our minds. (1 Peter 5:8)

This is designed to chase us from God.

When a lion roars in the jungle it scares the young ,old and sick. It causes them to run away from the safety of the herd. Likewise, Satan seeks to drive us from God. Not to lose salvation, but to get us trapped in more sin, and keep us from turning to the Lord and confessing to Him.

Like Adam and Eve hid, when they sinned.

Like the parable of the sower. The things of this world will drive us from God. Whether good things or bad things. We are tempted to forget God or hide from Him, or turn from Him, back to our old life. (Matt. 13)

God is our only hope. He is our Rock. When we turn from Him, we are like the prodigal son who will face trouble we cannot fix until we return to God. God is our only source of Life. Abiding in Him, is walking with Him in the Spirit. (Luke 15: 11-32)

Remember, ” All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”– Romans 8:28

When we are saved, God is working in our life. The Holy Spirit is working in our life. He is with us and He is fighting the Battle. That means that all victories, all failure, all attacks, all sins, all correction, all of it, is working for our good.

It is being used to mold us into the finest soldier for the Lord.

Like silver being boiled to remove the dross, to make it pure. We face the fires of this life, and attacks of the enemy, and grace of God and it all is used by the Holy Spirit to grow us. (Mal. 3:2-4)

If we abide in Him. If we Walk in the Spirit. If we are saved.

James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.“– Jas 1:12

It doesn’t say “overcomes temptation”.

It means endures or remains with God in the temptation. Enduring means to Walk in the Spirit. The Bible does not contradict itself. So, we compare this verse with Walking in the Spirit.

James goes on “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

The enemy tempts our flesh. He tempts our minds. He seeks out the things that he knows are already there because he has known us from birth. He and his demons have worked to create and build those lusts in us. Those are the tunnels and attachments spoken of earlier.

All of us have sins that we are more apt to commit than others. Some people are drawn to theft. Some people are drawn to sex. Some are drawn to violence. Some have many things mixed.

The enemy works to draw us away from God through these means. Not for a loss of salvation, but to keep us down and unable to fight the fight of faith.

Notice the steps James gives for sin and death. We decide to do it. Then, we do it. Then, it leads to death.

But, When we walk in the Spirit sin is not FULFILLED and we are not under the Law. (See the verse at the top)

This path to death is never fulfilled. If we sin, we confess it and we are forgiven and washed clean.

That is part of Walking in the Spirit. That is how we abide in Him and not run away because we believe the lies that God is mad at us or can never forgive us. We instead turn to Him. We confess it to Him. We make no promises, because we cannot keep them. We give it to Him in truth.

The Holy Spirit fights the fight. We turn and confess, and keep turning and confessing. We pray and wear the armor, and speak the Word. And we discover over time that we are no longer doing the things we once did. We discover we have been blessed and God fought the battle for us while we just endured and remained in Him.

We are called to be soldiers bringing light into the dark world. We cannot do that if we are constantly worried about our sins or trying to resist temptation. It is not our battle. It is His.

We just abide in Him. Walk with Him. Love others and serve Him.

That’s a big battle in itself.

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Why Do We Study Prophecy?

 Why Do We Study Prophecy?

 So, we know the seasons.

 

The Bible is 30% prophecy, as some have stated. But, when you consider that the whole thing is about Jesus Christ, and that all the stories and pictures speak of Him, His First Coming and Second Coming, I think its more like 100%.

God has called all believers to be prepared, serve the Kingdom and occupy this world till His Second Coming. We follow the Great Commission telling others about Jesus, and the Gospel. We teach the things Jesus has said, and we love God and others in this work.

When we get saved, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us.

Jesus said,

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.“— John 16:13

That means the Holy Spirit in us will guide us into ALL truth regarding spiritual things, God’s Word and life. He is the voice of the Lord and will repeat the the things the Lord says. He will also shew us things to come. That means prophecy.

If you are saved you have the Holy Spirit and He will open your eyes to things. He will teach you and lead you to teachers. He will bring the Word to life.

He has gifted some saints to have the gift of prophecy. Now, this does not always mean that they give prophetic utterances. But, that they see things. They see what the Spirit is showing them, and are called to tell others.

Why?

Why does this matter? Why is it needed?

Because Satan is the deceiver.

We are in a spiritual war, and in war deception is dangerous. But, one of the methods of defeating deception is proper communication.

We communicate with God through prayer. We communicate with each other through preaching the Gospel, teaching the Word, keeping sound doctrine, and knowing what the mission is and where we are going. Which is prophecy.

Remember, prophecy is not prophecy to God. God is outside of time. His days are as a thousand years. So when He created everything it was only 6 days ago. Jesus died and rose two days ago, to God. He already knows how it ends and He knows everything that will happen. (2 Peter 3:8)

Prophecy is for our benefit. It let’s us see God’s Work. It lets us see the workings of the enemy. Because Satan has done the same things over and over since the Fall.

It helps us to encourage each other, with the promise of His coming.

It helps us to be prepared and not deceived.

It builds our faith as we see God’s Word coming to life and His promises being fulfilled.

It helps us to endure and abide in these last days of deception.

When we know what’s going to happen, we know the truth when Satan and his human slaves lie to us.

We know Satan, the spirit of antichrist, fallen angels, demons and unclean spirits are using their human slaves to build the New World Order Kingdom of the Anti-Christ.

So, when we see globalism spreading. When we see certain ideologies and technologies coming into being we can know that Jesus is coming soon. We can be encouraged.

There will come a time when things get harder and harder for the Saints. Prophecy will help be a source of encouragement. There will be a time when people in the church who have been on the fence; Wavering between two opinions, Double minded, will be tempted to leave Christ and join the Apostate Church of the False Prophet.

Prophecy will be a sign for them to know God’s Word is true, and to finally accept Jesus for real. They have seen signs of the Lord and tasted the good Word. They have been enlightened and seen the Holy Spirit working. But have never really confessed Jesus as their Lord. They just thought going to church was enough.

Seeing God’s Prophetic Word fulfilled will wake some up. But, will drive others into the arms of the enemy. They never knew the Lord. They have no oil of faith in their lamps. The light of the Spirit does not shine in them.

It is the great falling away. The tares and wheat. The scriptures speak in many places about these “False Brethren”. They will betray the saints unto death.

Prophecy is an attempt by the Lord to save them, and show the saints what season it is.

The time is drawing near. Satan uses all sides. Right wing. Left Wing. Churches. Ministries, Government, Non-profits, Protestors, everything. He uses all tragedies and victories to push his agenda. To build his kingdom.

His kingdom seeks to make him like God, with more and more control and power. He wants worshipers and followers. He twists the minds of his slaves. We are seeing some of this. With lies in the media, and leaders calling good evil, and evil good. With AI and deep fakes, the age of deception is upon us. The enemy will go to all lengths to build his kingdom.

Seeing what we see today and where we are going is why we study prophecy and learn of it. It keeps us from joining the forces of the enemy. It is impossible to avoid all occurrences of helping the enemy. We vote. We pay taxes. We sit back while evil occurs, or we get involved and create more evil.

All of it is used by the enemy to build his kingdom.

Except, the preaching of the Gospel.

The enemy will seek to stifle the free speech which allows the Gospel to be spread.

We wage war by loving others and telling them about Jesus. Even evil governments are not an enemy to the good works of helping others. Satan himself pretends to be an angel of light. Helping the masses and giving them things, in order to enslave them and keep them from turning to God.

But, we know and have been told of these things before hand. We know where we are headed and should be prepared.

The Lord is coming quickly.

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What Is Godliness

 What Is Godliness

Can we be like God? 

 

 

Godliness, in a nut shell, is being like God.

Now this explanation can bring up some problems, because who can be like God?

No one.

But, it’s about trying to be like Jesus. He is God.

It’s about trying to be like our heavenly father.

Jesus is an image of our heavenly father. (John 8:12-59)

We can see His traits and know Him, through Christ.

It’s not about being omnipresent or ruling over everything.

It’s not about hellfire and brimstone.

But, it’s about His character.

Jesus said, ” He let’s the sun rise on the evil and the good.” ( Matthew 5:45)

He is good, and does good things.  He doesn’t destroy people every time they fail. He is long suffering.

He is kind. He seeks a relationship. He seeks to teach and to grow us.

God is Love.

He cares about His creation. He cares for the sparrow.

Jesus said, “what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?” (Matthew 7:7-12)

Godliness is not about obeying rules. It’s about character. It’s about doing the loving thing. The fatherly thing, and thereby obeying the rules as a by product.

God provided for Adam and Eve’s needs in the Garden. They had everything they needed. 

Even when they fell, God showed up and set them on the right path.

He told them, “on the day you eat of it you will surely die.” ( Genesis 2:17)

But, made His days, a thousand years long. (2 Peter 3:8)

Adam lived 930 years. He died on that day.(Gen. 5:3-5)

And when he died he went to Paradise above.

Clothed in those skins God gave Him. Like God gives us Jesus.

God is good.

That is Godliness.

To know Him and be like Him.

It is to comfort those in need. 

To give a drink of water. 

To cloth the naked. 

When He returns He will ask

“What did you do with the least of these?” Matthew 25:31-46)

What are you doing?

When we turn to Him and Confess Him as Lord. 

When we are saved and Know Him. 

When we walk with Him, like Adam in the coolness of the day. 

We will desire to be like Him. 

And He will work in us and through us to mold us into His likeness. (Romans 8:28-39)

In everything ask yourself, “What Would Jesus Do?”  WWJD.

That is Godliness. 

We cannot do it without His Spirit in us. We cannot do it without His salvation and sanctification.

Love people and be good to people. 

That is Godliness.

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The Coming Persecution

 The Coming Persecution

A Look at Mathew 24 

 

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.“—Matt. 24:9-13

The Lord tells us here that there will be great persecution of the Saints, at some point in the last days before His return.

I do not use the term, “believers” or “Christians” here. I use “Saints” to separate those who are saved and know the Lord, from those who are not. I do this because it seems that scripture teaches that there are many who claim to be Christians or think they are believers, but find out they are not. They betray the saints. They sell their fellow Christians into bondage.

The saints are really saved and know Him. They will stay with Him till the end, despite everything the devil throws at them. Not because of their own will or power, but because God will protect them, strengthen them and keep them.

I want you to understand that I am not giving you a prophecy. I am just pointing out what the scriptures seem to teach on this subject.

It appears that there will be tough times to come, and that the persecutions will begin after that tough time.

It seems that the tough times, will be the four horsemen of the seal judgements. (Rev. 6)

Jesus says:

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

 All these are the beginning of sorrows.“— Matt. 24:7-8

This matches the four horsemen, who bring deception, conflict, economic collapse, and wide spread death.

Many teach that the white horse, is the Anti-Christ. I do not believe that to be the case. COVID showed me that the white horse could be some kind of deception. It might even be another alleged “Global Pandemic”, which leads to nations and kingdoms fighting. This leads to economic collapse and vast levels of death.

The first time nations submitted. The second time, many will not.

That is just an example of a possibility.

But after this comes the persecution. In Revelation it is the 5th seal. After the four horsemen has created havoc. It is quite possible that Christians are blamed for what occurs during the ride of the horsemen (Matt. 24: 9-13, Rev. 6:9-11)

When we read Matthew 24, we see that this persecution leads to the greatest preaching of the Gospel in the history of the World.

Persecution has always worked to spread the Gospel. (Matt. 24:14, Rev. 7)

This persecution and killing of the saints will also lead to the great falling away as false brethren leave the church and reject Christ, in order to avoid persecution.

This persecution will also lead to the rise of the Anti-Christ, as the saints are overcome, and the Holy Spirit or restrainer in them is taken out of the way through this persecution. (2 Thess. 2, Rev. 13:7, Daniel 7:21, 25)

According to the scriptures, the Abomination of Desolation will occur at this time. Which is the Anti-Christ sitting in God’s temple in Jerusalem and declaring Himself God. (Matt 24:15, Dan. 9:24-27, 2 Thess. 2)

This is when all hell breaks lose.

My focus is on the coming persecution, because it is what will impact the Saints during these last days.

Revelation, Daniel, and many other places give more details of what will occur. We can see that there will be a temple built in Jerusalem, which the Anti-Christ will sit in. We see that the Anti-Christ will make war with the Saints and over come them. We see that the saints will be removed, giving freedom to the Anti-Christ to do his work. We know he will institute the Mark of the Beast and control all buying and selling.

We do not know the exact timing of these things or the exact order. But, we do know it will happen.

My purpose is to prepare the Saints for the persecution to come. The second cleansing of the temple.

When Jesus was on the Earth the first time He chased out the money changers twice. Once at the beginning of his ministry in the Gospel of John and once at the end, after the triumphal entry in Matthew. (John 2:13-17, Matt. 21:12-13)

I think this is showing the persecutions at the beginning of the church and in these last days.

This coming persecution will drive out all those who are not really saved. Those who use the church for money or power or position. Those who have never really known Him or had a relationship with Him. Those who have not grown. They have no oil of faith in their lamps, because they never really believed.

Turn to the Lord. Do not trust the pre-tribulation rapture lie. There will come a time when the deception, will be so bad that it will be impossible to turn to Him. There will be strong delusion. There will be persecution and death.

If you cannot turn to the Lord in the good times, how will you do it in the bad? (Luke 23:29-31)

There will be a global religion from the false prophet which the entire world will flock to. It will be perfect and answer every question, even science will agree. Christians will join this church in droves to escape persecution and tribulation. This is the Great Falling Away and they will reject Jesus Christ as the Lord. (2 Thess. 2)

Jesus said,

“ Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.“— Matt 24:32-36

Do not believe false teachers or prophets who try to claim when the Lord is coming or tell you He is in the desert or He is over there. This includes people who teach pre-tribulation rapture.

The Lord will come when He comes, and it will be quick and a surprise. But, there is no indication that He will come twice. Once to get His Church and once to set up His Kingdom. He only returns once, and that is in glory, and all eyes shall see Him. (Rev. 1:7, Matthew 24:29-31, Matthew 25,)

The false teaching of the pre-trib rapture will lead to many falling away, when the Anti-Christ rises and the persecutions begin.

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Why would a Christian say “My Lord delays His coming?” Because they never really knew the Lord and believed the Lord would come and get them before tribulation and the Anti-Christ. So, the only answer for them will be that He is “Delaying”.

 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

This will lead them to betray the saints and to turn them in to the authorities, delivering them to death.

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“–Math 24:48-51 (compare to the parable of the foolish virgins and all the parables of Matthew 25)

The coming persecution will weed out the people who do not know Him. The people who do not have the Holy Spirit.

There are those who will claim that these verses refer to believers who will rise up after the pre-trib rapture. Do not trust this view. Do not let anyone trust this view.

There is a time coming when strong delusion and deception will keep people from being saved. There will come a time when as in the days of Noah, and Lot, the door will be shut and those outside, will be struck blind. They will not be able to find the door or get saved.

Do not wait. Turn to the Lord now.

The coming persecution will be the time when the Gospel will be spread, greater than any time. It will be a last chance to receive the Lord. But, it will also be a witness. A final witness to those who have rejected. (Matt. 24:14)

Jesus speaks of it,

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.“–Math. 10:16-22

The Saint’s own children, educated in Luciferian controlled schools and colleges; taught to hate Christ and all things Christian will turn their own parents in to be killed during the persecution to come.

Your own family will betray you. Your pastor, and even your friends, will turn you in to be killed.

The Saints will move from place to place to survive, spreading the Gospel and worshiping in hiding. Destitute; unable to buy or sell because of the Mark of the Beast. (Matthew 10)

Those who abide to the end shall be saved.

This persecution is coming. Look at the hate of this present day. It will only grow until the forces of hate and murder are unleashed. Satan and his demons are building the system, and preparing their slaves.

Do not be deceived. Do not wait. Turn to the Lord today, and let Him grow you and build your faith.

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How Do I Turn To God?

 How Do I Turn To God?

 What does that look like?

 

 

It’s so simple anyone can do it. That is how God designed it.

I’m going to avoid magical theological words and just give it straight.

As we go through life things happen to us. Good things and bad.

We have excitement over good things. We celebrate victories and enjoy time with family or friends.

We also suffer through hard times. Terrible tragedies, that destroy our lives or lead us into dark places.

If it’s good, we might feel led to thank God.

If it’s bad, we might feel led to call out to God for help.

No matter what it is, if we feel or think about God at all, it is because He is calling us.

Humans in our natural flesh filled state do not seek God. We seek food, sex, money and freedom from pain. We do not seek spiritual things. (Rom. 3:10-18)

So if we start to wonder about God, or get interested in spiritual things, or find ourselves in trouble, and God is our only hope. He is calling us. You might hear a preacher preaching and it speaks to you. You might read a Gospel Tract and it opens your eyes. If you are reading this, God brought you here to read it. He is calling you.

It’s like when Jesus called to the disciples. He just said “Follow me” and they turned and followed Him

When you realize God is calling you. Just pray and talk to Him plain. He knows you and loves you. (Rom. 1:6, Rom. 8:30, Rom. 9:24, 1 Cor. 1:9)

Just ask Him to save you. (Matt. 7:7, Acts 2:38, John 5:24, Acts 2:21, Acts 16:30-31)

“Lord, please save me and help me. I make Jesus the Lord of my life and I believe in Him. Please change me and show me what to do. For it’s in Jesus name I pray. Amen.” (Rom 10:9-10)

These aren’t magic words. Try the best you can to mean them. He is real and He is listening and He will move. Trust Him.

Believe He hears you. Watch Him move.

The same guidance you got that led you to pray will guide you in other ways. You’ll be led to start reading your Bible. You will be led to certain people or church. You will see your life changing. Things will be removed and other things brought into your life.

Keep believing and keep praying. Turn to God in everything. It’s not just one prayer. It becomes a relationship. He becomes your life.

This is salvation. God has saved you, if you turned to Him and called out to Him. The Holy Spirit will come to dwell in you, and change you and grow you. He will lead you in Sanctification. (Acts 2:38, John 14:26, Luke 11:13)

That is the work God does on us throughout our life.

You have to understand. We are saved the instant we turn to Him and ask. But because of the fall and our own sins, we are so corrupt, that it takes time to fix us in this life. God does it in the proper way so it does not ruin us. He is a master builder. He is The Great Physician, and He is healing us. (Gal. 5:16-18, Prov. 3:11-12)

Read the Word of God, and believe it. No matter how crazy it makes you look to the world, friends, family or co-workers. Believe the Word. God takes this belief and makes us righteous. Nothing else can happen if we do not first believe. Nothing. We can hear the call and turn to Him, but if we do not believe what He tells us it will die on the vine. (Rom. 4:3, Matt. 13, )

Our belief or faith leads us to seek more of Him and to serve Him, as the Holy Spirit leads us. We learn that we should love God and others. We learn about baptism and communion. We learn about giving and helping others. We desire to tell people about Jesus, so they can be saved. We want other people to experience the great things God has done for us. (Mark 5:1-20, Matt. 10:32-33, Mark 16:15-20)

We pray to the Lord in Jesus name, and bring everything to Him. We see Him move in our lives and our faith grows with the relationship. (John 14:13-14, Prov. 3:5-6)

We find our life is changing. We find that we are changing. The things we used to struggle with are gone, and we have new things we struggle with. We have stories of how God has helped us and those stories encourage us and others.

God works to break us and correct us and change us as we confess our sins to him and let Him cleanse us. We walk in the spirit as we confess our sin and work these things out. He heals us of our trauma and destroyed lives. He brings us new hope and abundant life.

All of this is part of knowing Him. Knowing Him is the most important thing in our life. That relationship is really all that matters. He becomes our first love. (Mark 12:30-31, Matt. 10:37)

That doesn’t mean we don’t get angry, or hurt or question, or say things we shouldn’t. But, we turn back to Him. All relationships have friction. As He helps us get lined up with what He desires for us, we will face friction. We will endure trouble. We will face an enemy who seeks to drive us from God. (1 Pet. 5:8)

But, we abide. We keep turning to Him and letting Him grow us. We seek to build the Kingdom and get others saved. We let God work through us and love others and love Him.

It seems hard. But, its not because He is with us the whole way, and actually does it all Himself, if we let Him. (Heb. 13:5)

Just turn to God and ask. He will save you, grow you, teach you and open your eyes to things you never knew.

Then, you will be with Him forever.

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The Gathering

 The Gathering

What is it? 

 

Let us rightly divide 2 Thessalonians 2, and come to some conclusions about the near future.

This book was written by the Apostle Paul. He is speaking of the last days, which we are in. I’m using the KJV.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,” 2 Thess. 2:1

Gathering together unto Him?

What is it?

He is speaking of the rapture. He is speaking of the spirits/souls of all the saints from all time, being gathered together to Him, in the twinkling of an eye.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”— 1 Thess. 4:16-17

And again

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”— 1 Cor. 15:50-52

The rapture is where all saints. All real believers are changed into spiritual bodies. It is called “The Gathering Together”. The Lord gathers us together with Him. (1 Cor. 15:35-49)

Now we look at the next verses in 2 Thessalonians 2.

“That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Paul is saying that times will be tough, there will be deception, but rest assured the day of Christ’s return is at hand. It is imminent. His return, not a pre-tribulation rapture lie. Not this idea that He will sneak us away and we will wait in heaven for seven years, then come back. But, His actual return as promised.

³ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

This verse plainly states that the Gathering Together or Rapture will not occur until there is a Falling Away and the Anti-Christ is revealed. The Anti-Christ will wage war on the saints. The Word plainly states it. This is not some “tribulation saints” it is all of Christianity. It is the real saints. the real believers. (Rev. 13:7, Daniel 7:21, Daniel 7:25)

There will be terrible persecution in these last days against Christians. This persecution will cause many who have been in church but never really known Christ to fall away. They will want to avoid persecution and suffering. They will reject the Lord, and form the Apostate Church. This church will follow the False Prophet, and the New Religion he will create. (Rev. 6:9-11, Rev. 13)

Real believers will not accept the Mark of the Beast. They will not reject Christ. They will suffer and starve and be rounded up and killed. Just like the saints of the first church. Jesus cleansed the Temple twice during His earthly ministry. That is a picture of the early persecutions and the latter. Where all the chaff is removed. Where all the false ones are revealed and leave the body of the church. Because they never really believed or knew Him. They were just in church for tradition, fear, appearances or some other reason. But, they were never really saved. (Rev. 13)

The next verse in 2 Thessalonians,

⁴ Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

We see here that the Temple will be built at this time, before the Gathering together (Rapture). Before the return of Jesus. The Anti-Christ will sit in the Temple and call Himself God.

And the false prophet will teach that the Anti-Christ is God. It will be taught that He is the Messiah. That he is the latest of many souls who have come throughout history from beyond to lead us into the next step of our evolution. That we are being led by the Spirit to “be as gods” through evolution. The same lies Satan told Adam and Eve. (Rev. 13, Gen. 3)

As the Word says, there have been many anti-christs. “Instead of” Christs. False Christs. There is a spirit of antichrist from Satan who has worked to help build the Anti-Christ’s Global Kingdom since the Fall of Man. That spirit has used many people to move us along. The False Prophet will claim this is a good thing, from beyond and is part of our evolutionary process. But, it is not. (1 John 2:18, 1 John 4)

Next we see in 2 Thessalonians 2

“⁵ Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

⁶ And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

⁷ For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

⁸ And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”

In these verses it speaks of the Restrainer. Someone who restrains the Anti-Christ.

This has been rightly understood to be the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the real believers. The Saints of the real church of Jesus Christ.

But, the false belief has been that the Holy Spirit will be removed in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, when all the saints have been removed with Him as well.

But, that is clearly not correct.

The Holy Spirit will be “taken out of the way”, because the Anti-Christ will have waged war against the Saints and overcome them. All the Saints, will be dead, locked up, underground, in hiding, and destroyed.

God allows this. Just like he did to the early church. Remember, persecution is not a bad thing for the believer. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”—Psa. 116:15

The removal of the Saints does not reveal the Anti-Christ. The removal of the Holy Spirit does not reveal the Anti-Christ. The Holy Spirit is not removed. He dwells in His people, but the influence He has at this time will have been taken out of the way with the saints, because they will have been killed or in hiding.

The saints and Holy Spirit being taken out of the way doesn’t reveal the Anti-Christ, because He will already be on the scene. But it reveals “That Wicked”.

It reveals that the man who is the “Anti-Christ”. The man the world has accepted and worshiped. The man who is considered a savior from all the troubles and problems that come from the seal and trumpet judgements, is not really a Christ. But is Satan in the flesh.

And all hell breaks loose. (Rev. 12:7-12)

Next we see in the verses of 2 Thessalonians,

 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Deception will be bad. With AI, and all powers and news and preachers, and doctors and scientists, and politicians and experts, and movies and music; backing Him up. The lies will be every where. We can see it today, but it will be worse.

As the Lord says “ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matt 24:24)

There will be no truth. If you do not already know the truth. If you do not already know Jesus Christ, and the truth of God’s Word and promises. You will not be able to break through the deceptions, to see truth.

There will be strong delusion that prevent those on the Earth from being saved, because they cannot see the truth. The Anti-Christ and the forces with Him. The spirit of anti-christ, Satan, the fallen angels and demons of hell, will even use the things of God to bring this deception.

And God will allow it. There are things in place that God has sent, which will be used to help with the delusion.

His Saints and the Holy Spirit with them will have been overcome and taken out of the way. The truth has been twisted in every way possible. There will be no one to refute the lies, or resist the enemy.

God has given the Gospel to everyone on Earth. They have heard and know. But, have chosen to reject. They hold the truth of who Jesus Christ is, in unrighteousness. They hold the truth of Jesus Christ and have chosen to not be washed by it. They have chosen to not believe it and be made righteous and be saved. They refuse to confess Him as Lord, and have chosen Satan. (Matt. 24:14)

As the Lord says

¹ For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. —Matt. 24:21-22

Because the Lord returns, and ends the horror.

“²⁹ Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

³¹ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”—Matt. 24:29-31

The Gathering Together, as spoken of in 2 Thessalonians.

 “Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;

² Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.

³ Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”—Zeph. 2:1-3

We are hid in Christ. We are hid in the cleft of the Rock. We are hid in the Ark. We are washed clean in the Blood.

If we know Him. If we turn to Him and Confess Him as Lord before He comes. Before we are so deceived and twisted that we cannot see truth. (Rom. 10:9-10, Rom 14:11-12)

Be not one of those who turn to the Anti-Christ, and join the Apostate Church. The temptation for Christians in those days will be severe. They will lose everything, even life unless they turn from Christ. But, those who really know Him will be able to endure.

“³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

³⁷ For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

³⁹ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”— Heb. 10:35-39.

As the Lord says

“⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” —Matt. 24:9-13

Many false brethren will turn and join the Apostate Church and will help the Anti-Christ kill and overcome the Saints. We endure, not by our works, but by abiding in Him. We abide in Him, by knowing Him. By confessing him as Lord. By the relationship we have with Him.

As the end of 2 Thessalonians 2 says,

“ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

¹⁴ Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

¹⁷ Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

Behold He comes quickly.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

(This has been an interpretation of what is to come. Like most prophecy we cannot put our foot down and say “Thus sayeth the Lord”. I am not doing that. I could be wrong. But, through time and study, I believe I have been led to this conclusion of what will occur. we shall see.

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The God Who Answers

 The God Who Answers

 He is there and will answer.

 

 

We live our lives in this world, where we seem to have no control. Where we look every where for answers. Everything seems hard and we have sorrow, working our selves to death.

We seek answers from gods, idols and wisemen. We seek answers from deep within ourselves. We seek solutions from doctors,sorcerers, experts, scientists and alchemists. We seek to join pop culture and the knowledge of our world. But we continue to flounder in the dark.

In the Bible, there’s a story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings Chapter 18)

Evil had taken over the land. The government was corrupt. The religion had become corrupt and wicked. There was drought and famine in the land and all the people were corrupted as well.

But God called Elijah to challenge the enemy. And Elijah went. He told the prophets of Baal.

“Let us pray over the alter of sacrifice and the God who sends fire is the real true God.”

The prophets of Baal cried out to their god. They tried everything they could but nothing happened.

Then Elijah told them to pour water on the altar. Then more water. Then Elijah prayed, and fire fell from heaven consuming the sacrifice, altar and even the water.

The Lord, is the one true God, and He is the one who answers.

Our lives are broken and we’ve tried everything; and nothing has helped. Everything has failed. We mess up again and again and it just seems to get worse.

God is calling you to turn to Him and ask Him for help. You’ve tried everything else, why not God?

It doesn’t matter how evil, how corrupt, or how much water you have poured on the troubles of your life. God will come as a consuming fire and save you. Then, He will change your life, if you give yourself to Him. (Acts 2:21 KJV)

Just call on Him. He is waiting. He is seeking you. Just ask Him to save you and confess that Jesus is the Lord, and you want Him to be your Lord. (Romans 10:9-10 KJV)

Believe in Him. Learn of Him, and trust Him and His promises.

The Word says that He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)

He is with us always even until the end of the earth. (Matt. 28:20)

And if God is with us, then who can hurt us? Who can remove us from His hand? Who can get Him to stop loving us?

No one.

God hears our every word and thought. Believe it.

He hears your prayers and is moving. Trust Him.

No matter what happens, He is seeking our good. (Rom. 8:28)

Remind yourself of this.

Do not let the enemy get you to think God doesn’t care or is not listening or is punishing you.

God is with you.

Trust Him.

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The Thief On The Cross

 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. ¹⁰ For 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. 

God's Goodness

 

God's Goodness

He Does Not Leave Us Alone In Darkness

 

 There are times in my walk with God, when I am just beat down.

Times when I feel like nobody hears what I’m saying. Times when nothing seems to work and everything is against me.

It’s during these times, that I just want to quit. Quit everything.

But, then God comes.

He shows up and speaks.

It might be a word of encouragement. A person who pops up out of the blue and says, “What you said, helped me.”

It might be a verse of scripture that comes to life in me.

It could be a blessing, or an answered prayer, like cool drink on a hot day.

Things that let me know I’m not wasting my time. That I’m where God wants me to be, and is using me.

And that’s God.

Paul said, …”that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

And it is.

If God was a hateful, judging monster, nobody would turn to Him.

But, He is not. 

He works with us in this corrupted world, and in our weakness and failures to provide light and love at the exact moment to help us go forward a little more.

He told Abraham, “come unto a place that I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1)

And Abraham trusted God. He believed His Word, and he went. Not knowing exactly where.

But, I’m sure that God gave him blessings and encouragement and light. Just when Abraham needed it.

And it built faith. 

We are saved by God’s Grace, through faith. And even our faith is grown by God.

There is no such thing as blind faith with God. He prepares us. He walks with us, and encourages us.

He appears and brings the sweet blessings of His presence into our lives. We know He is there. We can almost touch Him.

And that peace comes. The peace that defies all understanding.

“ 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."..(Romans 8:28)

If you know God, you were called. He desires to commune with you. He seeks to have a relationship with you.

He brings goodness into our lives, in the midst of the darkness and it’s at those times that real praise and real worship spring forth. Not because we desire it. But, because He creates it in us.

And it’s then. In His presence. and in the light of His goodness and love, that I see how wretched I am.

I see the awful things I’ve said. The mean things I’ve thought. The unkindness I’ve displayed.

And I see that I don’t deserve good things. I don’t deserve love.

But, God comes anyway. 

He loves me anyway, and it makes me want to do better for Him. It makes me want to be like Him, and serve Him. It makes me want to love others and drive back the darkness of this world so others, can experience that love, joy, goodness and peace which comes from Him.

It’s not rules, and hell fire preaching, and accountability from men that drives me to God.

It is God Himself and His awesome goodness.

The One who came down to pull me from the pit of death.

Am I reflecting Him?

Am I a vessel for His goodness and love?

I fail.

But, in my failure and weakness He still comes and pours out His Grace.

Taste and see that the Lord is Good.

He is the greatest thing.

There is nothing to compare.

He calls you to know him.

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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.

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