Are you serving a stranger?

 

I will never be a stranger to Jesus; He knows me better than even I know myself.  Yet, very sadly, no matter how much I desire to serve Him, it is very possible for Jesus to become a stranger to me.  

As you know, I listen to a lot of sermons by the late preacher David Wilkerson.  His sermon, "Love Your God to the Last Breath," (please listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2ESBOHX4SQ ) convicted me more than others I have heard these past few weeks.  All his sermons touch and challenge me, but this one made me realize that Jesus is becoming a stranger to me.  I do not always practice what I preach or reading His Word every day.  As Pastor Wilkerson says, I had no time for God, but had time for everything else. How many of you are the same way?  I can spend hours playing a computer game while my Bible sits ignored on the table.  But Jesus yearns so much for us to fellowship with Him know Him as a friend not as a stranger.

I could easily turn this blog into a finger-pointing game.  Look at all the so-called Christian artists, authors, and preachers that speak the name of Jesus, but have no clue who Jesus is? How many could not quote scripture and are living lives seeped in sin?  Yet I am not speaking about the hypocrites that proclaim "And honor" Jesus "with their lips, but their heart is far from" Him (Matthew 15:8).

I am writing today about you and me, not evangelists or other entertainers.

I heard someone say just a few days ago that she loved God, but refused to quit swearing and speaking filthy.  If we truly love God, we want to please Him, not rebel against Him.  If we truly understood who Jesus is, we would not dare to be so bold as to use His name in vain and speak of the King of Kings in jest!  He is not to be mocked! We should be on our faces before the Holy of Holies and tremble at the idea of treating Him like an equal. Like less than an equal in many cases.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself... I John 5:2-3; 18

On this side of heaven we can never fully know or understand God, but we can try.  The best way to get to know Jesus is to study His Word.  I especially love to read the gospels and the words of Jesus Christ.  I never tire of reading the same sermons over and over.  I want to read them so often that Jesus' messages of holiness and compassion become a part of me.  For example, when someone insults me, my first instinct should be turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) and not to call anyone foolish or other demeaning names (Matthew 5:22).  Jesus' words should be so ingrained in me that it becomes easier and easier to reflect His character.  I cannot do that when His Words are far from my memory like some random and seemingly insignificant conversation I had with a stranger a few weeks or months ago. No, I need to keep studying God's truths until there is no second thought on how to act toward those I struggle to forgive or show compassion toward.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth. II Timothy 2:15

My husband and have a wonderful marriage because we continue to build our relationship with great conversations.  We make the effort to never make the other a stranger. When we are apart, I cannot wait to see him again and tell him about my day at work, even the silly things. We should never stop communing with Jesus.  We are never separated from Christ as we are with people.  God is omnipresent, so we can speak to Him 24/7.  

While I am all for communing with the Lord as if He is your friend, we still need to remember to be respectful. Not all prayer times need to be on your knees, but at least once a day you should acknowledge the trinity of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Try not to allow even one aspect of God's character to be a stranger. When you pray make it a time not just of petitions or not even just a time of repenting (although confessing and repenting of your sins is vital to your relationship with Christ), but make it a time of praise.  If you are unsure of what to say, just be thankful for who Jesus is and all He has done and will do.

Do not pretend to know the Lord and call yourself a Christian when you do not even attempt to live a holy life. Going to church, giving to charity, being a kind person, none of these things count if you are going against the principles of the Bible.  If that is the case, Jesus is indeed a stranger to you if you think a Holy God will tolerate such things.
 
 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 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. Galatians 5:19-21 

 As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.  I Peter 1:14-17

Daily repent of your sins, do your utmost to walk down paths of righteousness, read your Bible daily, and spend time in humble and worshipful prayer. Those are the keys to assuring you are not serving a stranger.

“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 7:21-23

Dream of the Four Harlots and the Holy Spirit, Written by my Husband

Dream of the Four Harlots and the Holy Spirit, Written by my Husband, Mel

I recently had a dream of the four harlots and the Holy Spirit. Babylon is a biblical term that means wickedness. We read of Mystery Babylon in Rev 17 and 18. This is a reference to an adulterous or harlot church. Many people within modern day Christianity have not been taught to be filled with the Holy Spirit, or to crucify their old carnal nature. 

I dreamed that there were four young adult girls wearing ankle length night gowns. They were running around in many directions and then each one stood still next to a gas pump. Four gas pumps with four girls. I woke from the dream as the Lord spoke the word Babylon to me four times. The interpretation is that the young girls were playing the harlot. They were running around in many directions, being tossed to and fro by many false doctrines of men. They were wearing night gowns meaning they were asleep to spiritual issues like holiness. 

The church is the bride of Christ; however, many are not faithful to Christ. They have not allowed God's Holy Spirit to teach them to walk and bear good fruit. Mystery Babylon is the end time apostasy (Great Falling Away). When the church is indistinguishable from the sinful world they are not set apart. The gas pumps within the dream were symbolic of the need for Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit which empowers them to live an overcoming life. The young harlot brides stopped running around playing the harlot, and stood Still, next to the gas pumps in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is essential for all believers. There are believers saved by Grace, who are Not filled with the Holy Spirit; however, it is God's will that they experience the fullness of his Spirit.

Come as you are to Christ, but don't stay that way. It is true that we are justified, saved, and sanctified by faith alone. Christ's finished work upon the cross paid our debts in full and his shed blood sanctified us and removed our shame and guilt! However, faith must be accompanied with repentance to be sincere. You must be born again to inherit eternal life with Christ.

Repentance means that you are not only sorry for your sins, but you are turning from your old sinful ways and pursuing God's ways (righteousness)! Without holiness no man shall see the Father. A dead, or lukewarm, church will be vomited out of God's mouth according to His Word. You cannot overcome your old nature, or bear good fruit, apart from God's Spirit. It is only possible to live an overcoming, or holy life, by surrendering your will to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out. God gives us Grace to grow in Him. We come to Him as babes on milk and learn to walk by his Spirit. 

 You must abide in the vine (Jesus Christ). Scripture teaches us that to abide in Christ is to have love in our hearts toward God and others. To truly know Christ is to love one another and forgive others their trespasses, as Christ has forgiven us. We must give others grace to live in His grace. To walk in the Spirit is to live in God's freedom and no longer to be a slave to sin. Are you a new creation in Christ? Are you born again?

Hebrews 12:12-16 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Hebrews 13:20-21Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 5:15-26 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 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. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Pedophilia in Hollywood

 

Because I just posted my video on Matthew 18, I thought I would also reshare this blog I wrote:

Pedophilia in Hollywood

It is all over the Internet that Hollywood is full of pedophiles. Why is this a surprise to anyone?  Have you not been watching the movies and television shows full of underage girls dressed provocative and even simulating sex?  Who do you think writes the scripts for these movies?  Who do you think the adult actors are abusing the children all for the sake of entertainment? Yes, I meant "abusing." If these actions were performed outside of Hollywood, they would be in jail for their actions! These children sometimes are seen kissing (or worse) adult actors.  I’m not talking about the adult actors that look like teenagers, but actual minors under the age of 18; sometimes way under the age of 18!

No one has stood up for the children dressing and acting sexual and yet people are shocked that the adults coaching the kids to act in such a disturbing fashion are being revealed as pedophiles? Just because one has not gone to a secret island to harm a child does not mean he/she is innocent. How many shows have you seen where young girls are exploited all for the sake of selling movie tickets.  The parents allowing their children to dress at least half naked and/or simulate sex acts, are not blameless. It is a parent’s job to protect their children from all kinds of harm including pedophiles.  Do you really think those creeps stay away from the theatres and/or only watch shows with adult actors? Or do you think they specifically choose the movies with the oversexualized child actors? Do you think these same people full of perversion are failing to leer at your proactively dressed child because they (or you) want to emulate Hollywood?  I will say it again, parents need to protect their children, which includes making better choices on how they dress and act around adults! It is not as if all pedophiles have a large "P" on their forehead. You do not know who is happily titillated that you dressed your child in so little clothing! Or have him/her dancing to secular music and post the very adult movements all over social media. You know I am not talking about innocent kids' dances such as "I'm a Little Tea Pot." Kids 2 years and younger are paraded all over social media dancing to proactive song lyrics and imitating the sexual movements while the adults laugh. God is not laughing! In fact, He weeps for this loss of innocence. Make no mistake, all violators of children will be held accountable!

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 8:6-7

The writers, producers, adult actors, are not blameless.  How many do you think intentionally choose roles where they are paid to act with half naked children and maybe even get to hug and/or kiss that child? Neither are those who watch these shows blameless, and perhaps need to do some serious repenting on their knees after he/she realizes he/she was also titillated. Be honest with yourselves now, God knows what is in your heart! Even if you are not so, but just watching makes you uncomfortable, then why keep watching? (Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8 - Therefore the opposite is true. If not pure, TURN IT OFF!)

Just because it is labeled as entertainment, or even put in cartoon form, that does not make it any less immoral than illegal child pornography or any less harmful to a child’s psyche than those not being paid to act and dress shamelessly on camera. Just because the children are part of the Hollywood system does not make them any less of a victim.  They are coerced, brainwashed, and even given drugs and alcohol to act in lustful ways.  I’m not making this up, do your research. It has been a known fact for quite a long time that child actors are given alcohol/drugs and even expected to attend adult parties where they are violated by well-known adults.  Just because they are famous it does not make it okay to wink and nod and turn a blind eye.  God is no respecter of people, and He does not care who you are when you commit a heinous sin against anyone innocent. 

I will plead with you again, give up Hollywood!  Even if you do not do it for Jesus' sake, do it for the sake of innocence being stolen from children. Movies and television shows are full of corrupt people intentionally harming children.  Do you really need another reason to turn off the TV and quit buying movie tickets or streaming them over your Internet? What if it was your child being exploited?  Would you still watch what you are watching?  Would you watch it if Jesus was sitting beside you?    

Spiritual Warfare, Written by my Husband

  

Spiritual Warfare

Written by my Husband, Mel

You defeat Satan through the blood of Christ, faith, and the Word. Satan quite often will remind Christians of their past sins in order to make you feel unworthy and defeated. Many feel they need to keep repenting over and over for past mistakes. The truth is that our debts were paid in full by the finished work of the Son of God upon the cross. Christ died for all of your sins, not just some of them. The blood of Christ has covered, as well as removed your sins. Since you are washed clean in the blood of Christ, you need to forgive yourself and press forward in Christ. Don't allow Satan to defeat you through his condemnation. If you walk in the Spirit, there is no condemnation. If you walk in the old nature (flesh) you may experience the conviction of the Holy Spirit which leads to repentance. (Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We are also told in God's Word, to take the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Eph 6:16). Fear is the opposite of faith and fear can quite often empower Satan’s attacks against us. That is why faith is vital for our protection against the many on slots and snares of the evil one. In battle, the shield repelled the blows of the enemy's weapons, and the same is also true in spiritual warfare, it is the shield of faith that stops the attacks. If we have faith that our Lord is bigger, as well as stronger than any of our enemies, then our prayers will be answered, and victory will be the result. Faith is the key for many breakthroughs in the Christian walk. Healings, deliverance from demonic activity, as well as everyday life situations, require faith to get results.

 We are also instructed to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, to fight the enemy (Eph 6:17). If you are submitted to God by walking in the Spirit, you have the authority to rebuke the enemy in your life. If you are experiencing any form of spiritual warfare in your life, command the enemy to be gone in the name of Jesus Christ. If you have faith and are submitted to God, he must leave. However, fear of the enemy, or doubt, will prevent deliverance. It is important to pray, as well as quote scriptures in faith to get results.

It is very important for the Christian to understand spiritual warfare, since we have an adversary seeking our destruction. God’s Word tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan is also referred to as, the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. One of Satan’s tactics is to stir people up in anger towards God. Many people blame God for the problems that they experience in this life, and they are oblivious to the fact, that there are two opposing kingdoms at work in the earth. Ephesians 6:12 states that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 The truth is that we live in a war zone, and the battle is over the souls of men. If you belong to Christ, then you are in the Lord’s army, and Satan’s kingdom has declared all-out war against you. However, the good news is, greater is he that is within you than he that is in the world, and if you are truly saved, you will inherit eternal life. If you have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, then you have the power to live an overcoming life, as well as the authority to put the devil to flight. In these last days, it is crucial that all Christians receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, in order to be able to stand firm in Christ, against the many snares of the devil.

(James 4:7) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 

(Ephesians 6:10-18) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints