Seven Abominations

I wrote this post for my other Blog/Facebook Page, "The ABCs of a Joyful Marriage," https://abcsofajoyfulmarriage.blogspot.com/2019/12/week-56-seven-abominations.html . I am gathering scriptures for a new blog on humility before the Lord, but thought I would post this one first.  Although this was written for a marriage blog, these issues can be applied to anyone, even single people as teaches us how to we act around everyone.

Seven Abominations

These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19

All of these issues can absolutely apply to marriage. Let me briefly break them down.

A proud look: How often have you acted superior to your mate in a prideful manner?  You may even have made fun of the other when you think he/she is wrong and laughed and ridiculed the other when you were proved right.  Next time you are tempted to act this way, remember how much God hates pride. Psalm 51:17 says that the Lord will never despise a broken and contrite heart. It is essential to your walk with the Lord to be humble before Him, but also vital to your marriage to be gentle with one another. Do not ever think yourself better than others (read Philippians 2:3), and that includes your spouse. As I always say, yes, the husband is the head of the home, but you are equal partners in every way. Remember to act in love the next time you have a disagreement and know that God hates pride.

A lying tongue & a false witness who speaks lies: I'm including these together because they are both reminding us to always be honest. The second part of that statement probably also has to do with making up stories about another person as well as lying about something. So do not lie to your mate, and do not lie about him or her either. Although not as harmful, even exaggerating good qualities is the same as lying. God does not want us to lie even if we are falsely trying to build up someone else's reputation.  Honesty is absolutely always the best policy.  

Hands that shed innocent blood: Murder is not the only way to shed blood. Physical abuse can also bring such harm. You do not have to put up with an abusive spouse! It is not wrong to send him/her to jail. If he/she adamantly refuses to get help, I do not believe divorce is wrong in such a case. Also, do not keep silent when someone else is the victim, related or not. God expects us to speak up for the innocent, and I will even add that this includes violence towards animals as they are also God's creation. 

A heart that devises wicked plans: Notice that one does not even have to carry out wicked plans, but just dreaming them up is an abomination to God.  The Lord knows all your thoughts and if you are considering harming someone or breaking the law, you will be held accountable for your thoughts. Matthew 5:28 says we commit adultery just by thinking about having sex with someone not our spouse.  Proverbs 23:7 says that we are what we think.  The Bible also says that whatever we sow in our hearts we will reap in our actions.  Remember that song, "Be careful little mind what you think? For the Father up above is looking down in love."  Well, sing that to yourself every time you are devising wicked thoughts. Repent, and change your thought process!

Feet that are swift in running to evil: Do not be quick to jump on the band wagon with everyone else doing wrong. That wagon is headed straight to hell!  Be swift to run away from evil. If your first instinct is to run toward the sinful things of this world, you need to repent of your ways and get back to living for Christ! Running to evil includes cheating on your mate and pornography. You do not have to participate if your spouse wants you to do something you know is sinful. It is okay to say no and encourage him/her to repent and walk away from sin.  Pray together that you will be strong enough to flee temptations in your marriage individually and as a couple.

And one who sows discord among brethren: There are so many, many ways we can sow discord. Gossip is the biggest thing that comes to my mind. Remember the above verse speaking against lying? Gossip is rarely truthful or at the most half-truths.  I cannot stand to be around a gossip as many people have harmed me and/or my precious husband with false gossip (I am including from before we knew each other as well). Again, do not talk about your spouse behind his/her back. Also, sowing discord in your home could mean simply being antagonistic and argumentative. Be kind to each other and sow peace and joy. Those are things God loves!

Is there a great revival coming?

One of the common themes pastors love to preach about is a great revival, or a great awakening.  They love to preach this message because it makes you feel good about yourself and makes you happy.  The happier the congregation, and the less convicted you feel about your sins, the more money you will place in the offering.  Even so-called holiness preachers cannot seem to get away from this message saying they believe God has told them a great revival is coming.  But is it?  Will a mass amount of people come to or return to the Lord before the end?  I will answer this by scripture, not by my theory.  However, let me quickly state that before you think this is a negative post, please read all the way through to know I am offering you a message of hope, not of doom and gloom! 

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;. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 10-12

2 Thessalonians clearly tells us that there will be a great "falling away" before the Anti-Christ comes, not a revival.  It says people will be easily deceived by the evil leader because they love unrighteousness, and have failed to follow the Truths of God.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; 1 Timothy 4:1-2

1 Timothy also states Christians will "depart from the faith" and give into the "doctrines of demons."

What are these false doctrines leading people astray?  

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude, Verse 4

This means that false teachers have perverted the Truths about holiness taught by Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and others and have twisted it to a false grace message saying we never need to repent because forgiveness is automatic.  If people believe we never need to repent, then how could a revival even be possible?  People will no longer listen to the holiness message and call all of us who preach about righteousness judgmental or legalistic.  They said the same of the aforementioned Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and others.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Believers and unbelievers alike have solidly plugged up their ears to the holiness message of daily repentance (see Luke 9:23).  If they do not think there is no need to change, then revival is not possible.

Make no mistake, God will vomit the lukewarm church out of His mouth (See Revelation 3:15-16).  Please watch this YouTube video for more insight on the subject of eternal security: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ2wHIp3hV4

With all this said, does this mean I believe a world wide revival is unlikely?  Yes, that is exactly what I am getting at.  However, I am not saying that we should assume all are lost to the Truths of the gospel message.  I am not saying we should cease praying for individual revival for our friends and family.  The word revival essentially means "an awakening," and I strongly believe we need never cease praying for those we love to have their eyes opened and ears unplugged. 

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4

I also very strongly believe that we need to focus on our own personal revival.  Even if you daily lay down your cross and repent of your sins, there is always room for growth in your walk with the Lord.  We need to pray the prayer of King David, and work at actively changing our "wicked ways."

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

Bottom line is that I am saying that the Bible predicts there will be a great falling away in the last days, not a great revival.  However, we can still have hope and pray for individuals as well as for the condition of our own souls.  I will leave this post with Psalm 51, that we can also use as a daily prayer. 

(Please watch this video by my husband speaking more on false revivals of the past:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVLaEQvyNVU&t=16s )

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest... Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee... O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:1-17 

Let the Strongholds Fall

This is a song I wrote when Mel and I were praying about the strongholds in our lives. It goes along with the video on Joshua I posted as well as the post written by my husband.

Although I have written many poems, I have not put actual music to them in about 21 years. However, when I was praying alone, the words and music just poured out of me and I wrote this in about five minutes.

Let the Strongholds Fall

Let the strongholds fall,

Let the storm be still,

Let the heavens call,

Lord, we’ll do Your will.

Let the trumpet sound,

Let the angels sing,

Let the enemy be bound,

Let Your fire rain.

Lord, we hear Your voice,

We will worship You,

And with all our hearts,

Let our praise be true.

Let Your Spirit come

Purify our hearts,

May our hands be clean

As we bow our knees.

Lord, we seek Your face,

Lord we humbly pray,

May You send us out,

Let us work Your fields

Let the strongholds fall,

Let the storm be still,

Let the heavens call,

Lord, we’ll do Your will.

Let the trumpet sound,

Let the angels sing,

Let the enemy be bound,

Let Your fire rain.

-Julie Ludeke 11/22/17

The Tearing Down of Strongholds, Written by my Husband

 

In my last video on Joshua, I mentioned this post by my  husband, so here it is: 

The Tearing Down of Strongholds, Written by my Husband, Mel

II Corinthians 10: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Many Christians feel unworthy or incapable of ministering for Christ, therefore they limit their spiritual potential. Satan's desire is to establish walls or mountains of fear or doubt in our minds to render us useless for the kingdom of God. Quite often people that we know will discourage us from pursuing a ministry that God desires to use us in. The key to being effective for God is to conquer our fears with faith, as well as to bring every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. The entire world is a mission field and a person does not need a degree in theology in order to share their faith. The other day, I was going for a walk with our dog and I stopped to visit with a man on the trail. I used the opportunity to share my faith. My wife and I have also witnessed to people in Wal-Mart, grocery stores and elsewhere. I always pray that the Lord will bring divine appointments my way. If you are willing to be used by the Lord, he will use you according to your level of faith.

Not only are there spiritual strongholds within our minds, but there are also strongholds of sin that will jeopardize our relationship with God. Many people within the churches struggle with addictions to alcohol, pornography, cigarettes etc. and deliverance seems impossible to them. But with God all things are possible, and by relying on the power of God's Holy Spirit accompanied with faith, a person can be set free from all types of bondages. Fasting, accompanied with prayer, is a powerful weapon against sinful bondages. When a person goes on a fast, they are giving something up to show God how serious they are about their prayers. Fasting is normally the giving up of food for a period of time, but it may also include giving up anything that you enjoy, in order to seek God for a breakthrough. When Christ's disciples could not cast out demons they asked Christ, why.  He replied, "This kind only comes out with prayer and fasting." Fasting is a time honored principle that will bring results to seemingly impossible situations. 

When Joshua led the armies of Israel into the promised land, they were instructed by the Lord to drive out the inhabitants of the land. When the Israelites saw Jericho it must have seemed intimidating, the walls surrounding the city were so wide that chariots rode on top. But Joshua trusted in the Lord, and he knew that his God was much bigger than those walls. God instructed the Israelites to have seven priests carry trumpets in front of the ark. The armies of Israel would follow the ark of the Lord and they would circle the city once for six days, and on the seventh day they would circle the city seven times. When the priests would do a long blast on the trumpets, the armies of Israel would give a loud shout and the walls would collapse and the armies would go in. In the same way that Joshua trusted in the Lord for victory over his enemies, we should also have faith that our God is bigger than the walls of fear, doubt, or sin, in our lives. Let us also shout in faith and bring those strongholds down!                

Joshua 6:1 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.  Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

Modern Christianity, Part 2, Written by my Husband

 

Modern Christianity, Part 2, Written by my Husband, Mel

 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. (II Thessalonians 2:3) 

How many people not only read God's Word, but study it? Many people trust their pastors or television evangelists to teach them the Bible, while their Bible gathers dust on a shelf. Many Christians are led astray by blind guides who have not been truly born again. In order to please their flocks, these blind guides tickle the ears of their flocks with man-pleasing lies, which produce spiritual death. God's Word teaches us that before the Lord's return there will be a great apostasy (falling away from Christ). Toward the bottom of this posting, I have shared dreams and words God has given me concerning the apostate church.

 The American church of today is a carnal (sinful, worldly) body, who has replaced holiness teaching, with the false grace for everything doctrine. True grace, only follows repentance and is not automatic. We should repent of our sins on a regular basis and turn from them. God does not want lip service, but obedience. There is no grace for words only, we must allow God's Spirit to transform us, this is the true meaning of being born again. Any tree who does not bear good fruit, will be cut down, and thrown into the fire. These are not the words of a legalist, they are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. The holy prophets and apostles who wrote scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit would be called legalists, or works based ministers, by today's church, if they preached today. If you don't believe that works will affect your salvation, I encourage you to read Rev chapters 2 and 3. The Lord rebuked the churches because their works were not perfect before God. The Lord Jesus threatened to remove their lampstand from it's place before God, unless they repented, and did the first works again, as well as to vomit out a lukewarm Laodicean church! James the brother of Christ, wrote that faith without works is dead.

 Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude, also taught us that holiness is a requirement for salvation. Many people believe that the sinner's prayer alone will save their souls, this is contrary to the Word of God. If the sinner's prayer is prayed with sincerity, and is preceded and followed by true repentance of sins, God will honor it. When you truly come to Christ, you have entered through the narrow gate which is Christ. This is not the end of your spiritual walk but the beginning. Once you have been born again, you start walking down the narrow road which leads to eternal life. Christ said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved. You may have been born again and spirit filled at one time, but because of your lawless deeds, you may be shut out of the Kingdom of God (Matt7:21-23). You must keep your faith, as well as your walk, unto the end to enter God's kingdom.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:13-23

Jude the brother of Christ warns us to avoid apostate ministers who lead God's sheep astray. These men and women have turned the grace of God into lewdness, as well as deny both the Father and the Son by their unsound doctrine and wicked lifestyles. Many churches have been deceived by the love of money and pleasure, as well as corrupted by the lust for power, or position. The souls of people are the church, and we don't need large fancy buildings, or gimmicks to get people through the doors. We don't need Starbucks coffee houses in our churches to attract people, or strobe lights and smoke bombs. All of this is worldly, sensual, and void of God's Spirit. Much of the modern worship services please the emotions but are an abomination to a Holy God. God takes no pleasure in our worldly rock music, or jumping up and down, or dancing the holy ghost hop. God gave me more than one dream about how this is offensive to Him. Recently, the Lord spoke to me about how worldly some of the videos were that I shared on this page. The Lord told me that just because a music minister gets on his knees and weeps doesn't justify the music. I repented and removed the videos. The Lord showed me that most of the Christian music industry is married to the apostate church.   

 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. Jude 1:4 & 16-19

Revelation 17:18 states that the harlot is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth. I believe that this is a reference to both Rome, as well as the USA  in a physical sense, as well as the Roman Catholic Church and her offspring spiritually. She is depicted as an adulterous woman clothed in purple and scarlet, scarlet is symbolic of sin, and purple is symbolic of royalty, as well as is the official color of the Roman Catholic Church. This adulterous woman sits on many waters and commits  fornication with the kings of the earth.  This is a depiction of the harlot church which rides upon the back of the beast (anti-christ, as well as his beast empire).  The biblical term Babylon is used many times within the old testament as a reference to sin and wickedness. There is also a similarity between the adulterous wife of Yahweh, mentioned in Ezekiel, and the harlot of Revelation. Just as Israel was unfaithful to God many times within the old testament, so much of the church is unfaithful to Christ today. To live in un-repented sin is to commit spiritual adultery. Mystery Babylon, is referred to as the mother of all harlots, I believe this is a reference to the Roman Catholic Church, as well as her offspring, the many protestant churches that preach a dead message of compromise (grace without repentance). God commands his children to come out of the harlot churches.

   

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18:4-5

The Lord shows me dirty brown or black birds in churches that compromise with their teaching, and lifestyle.  This is a reference to the apostate churches of the end times, known as Babylon (wickedness).

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” Revelation 18:1-3

Modern Christianity, Part 1

Modern Christianity can be taken from several angles, which is why we have decided to address multiple issues and write this blog as a team (My husband Mel wrote part 2 that I will post in a few days).

The amount of holiness Christians with the belief that our works do indeed matter and we must pursue righteousness to obtain eternity with Jesus Christ, has seriously decreased.  Yes, salvation is absolutely a free gift we do not have to earn, but we can lose our salvation and we must daily work out our salvation with fear and trembling (see Philippians 2:12) 

An article I found by George Barna (I do not know anything about him, and I am not promoting him, just quoting him https://www.barna.com/research/the-concept-of-holiness-baffles-most-americans/) says, "Holiness is a matter embraced by the Christian Church, but it is not one that many Americans adopt as a focal point of their faith development. This is partially because barely one-third of Americans (35%) contend that 'God expects you to become holy.' A larger share of the born again public believes God has called them to holiness (46%) but that portion remains a minority of the born again population."

These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, you patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:1-7

My husband and I have both written quite a bit on the importance of striving to live a holy life, so I will not dwell on that issue today. My goal is to focus on the perception, or I should say, misperception of the true Christian. For the sake of this article, I use the term "true" or "holiness" Christian meaning one who has Arminian beliefs rather than believing in the false doctrine of eternal security.  I am not attempting to be derogatory or sarcastic, but just based on what the Bible says. We are labeled as legalistic, judgmental, hateful, and narrow-minded. True Christians who stand up for their beliefs are no longer admired or respected, but just the opposite. Although my heart goes out to the  martyrs that are being persecuted in other countries, and I greatly admire them all, my focus is on what is happening in America.  

Sadly, one of the reasons most that call themselves Christians have watered down in their beliefs is that they fear persecution from the world and do not have the courage to stand up for Jesus.  In the ancient days of the Romans, the Christians initially rejected Paganism (false gods).  Yet after being tortured and executed for their faith, they decided to allow the Pagans into their churches, believing this would cause the persecution to stop.  They also believed they would be the stronger influence and would not let the false religions drag them down.  However, that was not the case, and the Christians compromised their beliefs and adopted the false gods and even used the images of false gods as the faces on their own saints.  This is also a topic that would make another good issue for another blog, but I will move on for now. However, if you are skeptical of this, do your own research and notice the similarities between the Pagan goddesses Diana & Isis and the Catholic Mary (just as one example). 

My point is that the ancient Christians chose to conform to the world and exchanged the truth for a lie just to be popular.  Today's Christians have done the same thing. They care more about being liked than living a life of holiness and standing up for their beliefs.  You no longer see congregations in modern churches weeping at the altar repenting of their sins because they believe there is grace for all sins.  The modern church members no longer dress as if church is a special occasion, but come in shorts (men and women), mini skirts, low cut tops, and  other provocative clothing.  Even the pastors dress in blue jeans (sometimes ripped) and T-shirts.  They all want to look like the world and in turn treat church irreverently as if going to the mall. Why not, when churches now have book stores and coffee shops.  Didn't Jesus warn against turning the church into a marketplace? 

I am continually saddened by people who call themselves Christians then say homosexuality is okay, admire witchcraft/the new age movement, watch television/movies, drink alcohol, dress provocatively, tell dirty jokes, etc., all to fit in with their buddies.  Wake up!  If these people were really your friends, you would not need to compromise your beliefs to stay friends!  True friendship is as true Christianity, you are loved in spite of your differences. We can agree to disagree. 

My favorite modern day pastor is Pastor Carter Conlon (he was hand-picked by the late David Wilkerson to be his predecessor).  He put it excellently when he sated something along the lines of, "If we hated you we wouldn't preach to you and try to save you from hell.  It is out of love for you that we preach the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (This is paraphrasing as I do have an exact quote.) 

True Christians are seen as hatemongers.  Just because I do not support LGBTQ, that does not mean I hate the people involved.  My heart grieves for them and I have great compassion for their souls.  The old saying, "Love the sinner, hate the sin," applies.  Hating the sin does not mean I hate the person.  98.9% of our friends have different beliefs from us.  We do not stop being their friends, nor do look down on them. We love them and cherish their friendships.  With that said, it is also a shame that the more liberal Christians no longer accept the holiness Christians as if we are not all striving to serve the Lord.  But are we?  Do the modern day Christians really care about serving Christ or serving themselves? Donating time or money to a worthy cause is more than it takes to please the Lord; it takes a lifestyle of holiness and striving to put down sin.  It takes repentance and the casting away of habitual sin, not just throwing money in the offering.  

 If you want to be truthful, you can admit that true Christians are looked at with a lot less tolerance than the LGBTQ community, or any other group that goes against the principles of Jesus Christ. Shortly after we moved to Washington, there was a report on the radio about a street preacher in Seattle being beaten up when he protested gay rights.  This was not an isolated incident. It has become more and more frequent for a Christian to be harmed for speaking the truth more than ever before. True Christians are not beating up nonbelievers and yet we are seen as the ones filled with hate?

Even those that call themselves Christians look down on true Christianity and say we are being legalistic and judgmental. Legalism is what Jesus Christ spoke out against.  Read the gospels!  The Pharisees were so steeped in manmade laws that they were mistreating one another and not focusing on a relationship with God! True Christianity is not about manmade traditions, it is about focusing on the lessons and words of Jesus Christ and striving to live like Him and treating others with love! It is not tolerating sin, but loving the sinner by showing good works to all. 

To claim the title, "Christian" is to say you are a follower of Jesus Christ.  Yet to truly be a follower and be all the title suggests, you must do your best to refrain from sin (see I Peter 2:21-22).  When you call holiness Christian (who are quoting the Holy Word of God) judgmental, you are, in essence, calling Jesus Christ and all the writers of the Bible judgmental as well! 

As the world becomes more and more liberal, the holiness Christian becomes more and more hated.  And I no not use the term "hate" lightly.  The Bible says we will be hated and persecuted for our faith, and this is nothing new.  However, there was a time when non-believers were more tolerant of us.  I fear it will eventually be so bad that just saying the name of Jesus (other than as a curse word) will get one beaten up. 

We all know the day is coming when true Christians will be thrown into jail and certain types of churches will be banned.  In order to stay safe, we will have to hide our faith.  Whenever I think of such things, it both saddens and frightens me.  However, I am not here to scare you. But I do want to wake you up to what modern Christianity has become and will eventually become a huge taboo. 

I also want to encourage you not to water down your beliefs.  Read the gospels of Jesus Christ to know what is right and wrong and quit compromising to be popular!

There is so much more I can say on this subject, but I feel horribly inadequate to expound farther.  I will end by pointing you to the late prophet David Wilkerson who said, "I see an hour of persecution coming such as mankind has never before witnessed. This will be a persecution of true Jesus believers that will soon arise like a many–headed monster out of the sea" He also predicted, "An antichrist spirit will enter the hearts of certain men in high places in government and in the judicial system, causing these officials to engage in legal maneuvers designed to harass independent churches, missionaries and ministers."

If you ignore every blog I have ever written that is okay, but please do not ignore this message from David Wilkerson.  Please, please watch his video.  If that doesn't open your eyes, nothing will: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_R9I-qQEbs 

The Wrestling Match, Written by my Husband

The Wrestling Match, Written by my Husband Mel

Gal 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

We are all participants in a wrestling match. For our fleshly nature is contrary to God’s Spirit, and the two natures are in opposition to one another. Our flesh wars against God’s Spirit, and must be brought into subjection to God’s will. Many people say that we are only human and God understands, as well as, tolerates our carnal nature. This false belief is a lie and is contrary to God’s Word. God’s Holy Spirit is more powerful than sin and He has equipped us with the power to live a holy life, separated from the world. The battleground is our mind and our will is all that stands in the way from totally surrendering to Christ. If we purpose in our heart to love God more than the world, and are willing to yield our minds to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, then God will transform us into a new creation. All things are possible with God, if you will surrender  your will to his.

 Christ said, that if you love him you will keep his commandments. Paul said, that if you continue in sin you do not know the Father or the Son. No one is perfect by any means, for we have all sinned and fallen short of his glory. Paul is speaking of habitual sins, also known as bondages. A sinful lifestyle will lead you down the broad road to Hell. Christ made atonement upon the cross for sins committed in ignorance, as well as, for sins that are repented of. Grace is not automatic, grace follows repentance only. Repentance means that we are sorry for our sins and are turning away from them. If we stumble and fall, we should not get discouraged. We should get back up, dust ourselves off, and press forward in Christ. There is grace to help us overcome our fleshly nature. God does not expect a new believer to grow up overnight. God gives us time to grow in him. We enter the Kingdom of Heaven as babes on milk, but we are expected to grow up to strong meat in time. God is calling His children to bear much good fruit for His Kingdom. Galatians 5, lists the works of the flesh, as well as, the fruit of the Spirit. The works of the sinful nature will bar a person from entrance to God’s Kingdom. Gal 5:19-21 states that those who practice these sins, will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Christ said, that any tree that does not bear good fruit, will be cut down and thrown into the fire. God’s Word, states that some will produce thirty, sixty, and one hundred fold fruit. As we grow in Christ, we will produce different levels of fruit, but we must produce good fruit if we are truly born again. To be born again, is to become a new creation in Christ, through submission to the working of God’s Spirit.

Many years ago, I worked as a security guard in a large office building. I had a conflict with the cleaning crew over security issues. This conflict caused me to have a great amount of bitterness toward these people. The Lord gave me a dream about the bitterness that I was contending with. I dreamed that I was walking through a building and the lights went out. Later the lights came back on. The angel of the Lord walked up to me and said, “You could have been injured, or killed, when the lights were out.” I was told to remain plugged in to the power source, which is the Holy Spirit. I was then seated at a large banquet table, with candles and good food. The lady, who was the supervisor of the cleaning crew approached me and looked very irritated. I was eating a red pepper, which is symbolic of anger. I spoke to her with kindness and forgave her. I understood that when we have bitterness, or hatred, toward others, we are walking in darkness rather than light. Bitterness, or hatred, will cut you off from God, as well as, his protection. God cannot look upon sin, it will cut you off from His provision, until you repent. Ephesians 5, tells us to be imitators of God, and to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us. Ephesians 5, also tells us that no unclean person has any inheritance in the Kingdom of God. That is why it is crucial, that we allow God’s Spirit to purify us, and separate us, from the sinful world. Without holiness, no man shall see the Father. We are told to walk in the light, bearing the fruit of God’s Spirit, as well as, to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."