"We do not want to be eternally separated from those we love."

 

(Originally posted on July 19, 2021)

This is another blog inspired by a dream I had last night. I am not certain if this dream was from God or from my own imagination.  Either way, the dream has a message I feel I should share.   

I dreamt my husband and I ran into a man (I will call him Friend, even though he did not have a name in the dream) that had been a close friend to my late brother.  Now, let me stop right there; I have never had a brother. Therefore, if this dream was from the Lord, the "brother" in the dream may have been symbolic of my spiritual brothers and sisters.  While Friend was speaking to me, I noticed another man (I will call him Watcher) standing somewhat behind Friend and listening very closely to the conversation.  My husband often has angels in his dreams silently watching all that transpires.  I am not certain this second man represented an angel or not, but I believe he did.  Friend took a wild trip down memory lane and was telling me all about my brother's crazy ways and how funny it had been when my brother had wrecked his vehicle when he was drunk.  In fact, all Friend's memories of brother were of rules broken and all-around rebellious ways.

Watcher studied me very closely and looked at me with an expectant expression as if he wanted me to stand up for the things of God instead of silently listening to all the bad acts that had been committed by my late brother. Friend then began to complain that he and Brother had grown sick and tired of all of their family members always preaching at them.  He said it was what had ended his friendship with Brother because Brother eventually caved in, became a Christian, and gave up his ungodly habits.  Friend said he was angry with those that had taken his best friend away from him.

Again, Watcher gave me a look that let me know I was expected to speak up for the Truth.  It was then that it seemed the Holy Spirit took control of my words.  I began to boldly explain to Friend that the reason those with holiness beliefs preach so often about what the Bible says about sin is because those sins can keep them from the kingdom of God.  I pointed to my husband and said that I love him so very much and I cannot stand to be away from him for even an hour. I then said, "Imagine being separated from someone you love for all eternity. The reason we talk about the things of God is because we do not want to be eternally separated from those we love.  We cannot stand the thought of anyone going to hell. The idea of being separated from our loved ones for all eternity is what drives us to speak out and risk rejection and humiliation.  It is out of love for you and others that drives our actions to warn against the sins that can lead you to hell. Not judgmentalism, not legalism, not self-righteousness, but love. Pure love.  Now imagine that kind of love magnified greater than you can fathom.  It is how much God loves you, and He does not want to be eternally separated from you either."

By the time I had finished my speech my husband, Watcher, and Friend's eyes were all filled with tears.  I had said enough to make Friend willing to listen to more things about God and holy living. 

Are you willing to risk being separated for all eternity from those you love?  Time is very, very short.  If you are a believer, now is the time to speak out for holiness.  If you are not a Christian, now is the time to study the Bible and learn what it says about holiness. Be humble enough to allow the Holy Spirit to gently convict you of your sins, repent, and return to God.  

The Lord... is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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. Galatians 5:19-21

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:7-8

Where is the discernment? Part 1, Written by Me

Where is the discernment? 

Part 1, Written by me, Julie (Part 2 is written by my husband, Mel)

If you call yourself a Christian, you should be outraged by the false messages being taught not only behind the pulpit on Sundays, but also at "religious" conferences and concerts. Yet it seems the farther the messages being taught stray away from the True gospel of Jesus Christ, the larger the audience.  The more entertaining and outrageous the event, the larger the crowd.  The more the message of holiness is preached, the smaller the congregation.  People do not want to be changed from "glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:8) and transformed to imitate the character of Jesus Christ.  No, they want to be gods in their own might, and not acknowledge that they answer to the one and only God in Heaven!

One of the reasons discernment has left the church is because of a rebellious spirit.  People are literally plugging their ears to the wages of sin (Romans 6:23).  What is stated in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 sums up man's rebellion exactly, "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." Therefore, even when one knows the Truths of the Bible, they refuse to listen to it and walk away because they want to feel good in their sin. They ignore the discernment telling them what the preachers are teaching is wrong. Here is the real Truth, you will find more joy walking upright with the Lord than you ever will wallowing in sin with the devil.

(Hebrews 5: 11-14) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing... and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

I realize that some people may be new to Christianity and mere babes in the ways of the Lord.  They are still on spiritual milk and have not yet progressed to the meat of understanding the deeper things beyond the basic gospel message.  2 Timothy 2:5 means that we are to do our own studying so we can learn to understand right from wrong, not let someone else tell us their version of right and wrong: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The more we study the Bible, the more the Holy Spirit will make it clear what the false teachers are saying does not align with the holy Word of God.

(Matthew 7:15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

(Jude, Verse 4) 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.

It is so very true that there are more false teachers than honest ones.  They are intentionally deceiving the masses.  It is an active choice to be wolves and preach a false grace message. The reasons clearly have to do with fame and fortune.  If they tell you the Truth, that you need to repent of your sins, then their offering plates and their church pews would be nearly empty.  However, you and I are not responsible for what other people teach, we are responsible for how we respond. Apart from reading your Bible, every time, and we mean each and every time you attend a church service, a Bible study, a concert, or a conference, you need to pray that the Holy Spirit will give you His discernment to recognize what is false and what is from the Lord. Ask for a supernatural check in your spirit.  If you experience physical symptoms you know are not natural: a tightness in your chest, a headache, nausea, tingling in your hands, earache, etc. these may be signs God is speaking to you to leave the meeting. Sometimes it is a strong feeling to go now! Don't stick around because your family or friends may make fun of you for saying God is speaking to your heart and you need to leave.  They are not the ones you will stand before on judgement day, God is, and He will honor you when you take a stand.   

(Ezekiel 4:23) And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 

It is good that there seems to be a desire to worship God and there are many "worship" groups to choose from.  It all looks good to see the leaders on stage raising their hands before God and singing pretty words.  Yet, it you allow the Holy Spirit to give you discernment you will see this is often false fire offered before God. These concerts are more about emotionalism to make you feel good so you will spend money. The lyrics of the songs are often shallow and even more often theologically incorrect.  John 4:24 says, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."  How many are in a spirit of truly examining their hearts and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to them? Or are they just trying to look holy by raising their hands? True worship means being vulnerable to God and allowing Him to convict your heart, not just singing a pretty song (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) If you do your research, you will easily discover that the majority of popular "Christian" singing groups are not living Godly lives.  They are sexually immoral, even rapists, drink, smoke, dress provocative, etc.  They are not trying to bring glory to God, but to self.  And if you listen to the Holy Spirit's voice, you can feel their "praise" to God is hitting the ceiling versus listening to true gospel music where you can feel the power of God stir you to yearning to change for Him and grow in His love.   

There was a woman in a documentary we watched that claimed she had an experience where Jesus climbed into bed with her and played with her hair and told her she did not ever need to worry about her sins because He understood her! This is not only utterly depraved to say Jesus would ever act like your boyfriend, but also theologically incorrect. What did Jesus Christ say in Luke 5:32? "I came to call the... sinners to repentance." And in 1 John 1:9 says, "IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Jesus will never say, "You are only human, so it is okay to sin."  There should have been an outcry of discernment from those who say they follow Christ instead of promoting this woman's false story.

(Romans 6:1-2 & 6) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

In the same documentary, another woman, also a prominent leader, was shown in several clips repeating the same story so it can be assumed she toured many places with this false testimony.  She said she saw The Holy Spirit as "the genie from [the Disney movie] Aladdin." That He is "blue, silly, and funny."  First, a Christian with discernment and an obedient heart to God should never support Disney.  Almost everything associated with Disney is linked to witchcraft, including the genie who is based off of Arabic folklore that says he is a "magical spirit."  God hates witchcraft, so how dare she link the Holy Spirit with satanism.  Second, the Holy Spirit is not "silly or funny." 1 Corinthians 14:33 says that "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace."  Where is the discernment? Why didn't people walk out of her conferences in huge numbers. Did they never read their Bibles where it says in Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." And also in Luke 12:10, "Unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven."?  

Again, please pray for supernatural discernment from God, and obey when He tells you to run away from anyone not preaching the Word of God! As 1 Corinthians 2 tells us, we are to rely only on Holy Spirit of God and never on men!  

(1 Corinthians 2:5 & 12-15) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Where is the discernment? Part 2, Written by my Husband

Where is the discernment? 

Part 2, Written by my Husband, Mel 

There are also many counterfeit revivals going on, where God’s Holy Spirit has been replaced by demonic manifestations. People are laughing uncontrollably, as well as making different animal sounds. They are hissing like snakes, mooing like cows, roaring like lions, howling like wolves, as well as barking like dogs. These same manifestations occur within Kundalini Hinduism, as well as other forms of occultism. In a congregation in Boston, the pastor crawled on his hands and knees like a dog, barking, and his wife led him around on a leash fastened to a dog collar around his neck. The wife then said, “Where he leads, I will follow!”

People also claim to be drunk in the spirit; they display symptoms of physical drunkenness. After leaving one of these revivals in Florida, numerous people were pulled over by law enforcement officers for drunk driving. They all passed their breathalyzer tests, because they were made drunk by an unholy spirit. God’s Word is clear that God hates drunkenness, and no drunkard will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Satan is the lawless one, and he is making a mockery of God, within these revivals. After leaving this flesh fest, people were also seen displaying drunk behavior in local restaurants. They were falling on the floor in the restaurants, laughing hysterically. God is a God of order, and not foolishness. God will not make a person drive drunk or embarrass them in public. Where is the discernment? Why can’t Christians see that an unholy demonic spirit, is at work in their churches?

There are many counterfeit revivals producing demonic manifestations occurring worldwide. The Toronto blessing, Pensacola outpouring, Lakeland revival, Kansas City IHOP, Bethel Church in Redding Ca, Hillsong church etc. are but a few examples. False Ministeries to avoid, Rodney Howard Brown, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis, Joyce Meyers, Paula White, as well as all other prosperity gospel preachers, and those that teach the unconditional eternal security doctrine.

In some, so-called Christian rock concerts, many of the young people are going into trances, where they display tribal dancing. These are but a few of the demonic manifestations going on worldwide. The late pastor David Wilkerson warned the church about this invasion of demonic activity, as well as the need to return to holiness preaching, but most will not listen. It is time for the church to start using discernment and realize that something has gone wrong. God is withdrawing his Spirit from many churches, because they will not endure sound doctrine. If the churches will return to teaching and living in holiness once again, then maybe God’s Spirit will return!

Many of the leaders of these false revivals have been caught in adultery, as well as homosexual relations. I believe that in many cases physical perversion is a manifestation of spiritual perversion. A false prophet from Florida who led a well-known revival, has a tattoo of a Japanese goddess on his arm. He claims that this goddess is really an angel by the name of Emma who accompanies him during his kicking sessions at his so-called revival. He claims that Emma has instructed him to hit or kick people in need of healing, as an act of obedience. The revival was shut down when it was revealed that he was having an affair during the entire time of this revival. This wolf in sheep’s clothing, divorced his wife and married his mistress. Now he is back at it again. A false prophet from Kansas City, claims that this same angel Emma came floating into his church to usher in their false revival. His church later removed him from his ministry position due to sexual misconduct with church members. Another false prophet from his church admitted to being a practicing homosexual. I could go on and on with examples of how perverted these revivalists are, but this should suffice.

Many of the television evangelists, as well as mega-church leaders, have also had their share of scandals. A well-known television evangelist, who wears a white suite, and has a healing ministry, has much darkness surrounding him. Channel six news from Orlando featured an expose on this minister. They showed on film a group of men sitting at a table together, and the evangelist handed a bong to his lead singer, as well as another man at the table. Both of these men smoked the bong. One of the men who smoked the bong, died later from a heroin overdose. While this married evangelist was in Rome, he was filmed walking and holding hands with a female television evangelist, who was wearing very short shorts. They both admitted to a friendship when the pictures were released but denied their obvious affair. In spite of this wickedness, their supporters chose to forgive them. If Christians would wake up and stop supporting these apostate ministers, they would shut them down overnight. God’s anointing is not on these reprobates, who use God for dishonest gain. Hell will be full of those who fleece the flock.

Many Christians are afraid of supernatural experiences because of the demonic manifestations. However, we need to allow God’s true gifts to be in operation within the church. It is not good to quench God’s Spirit, or to be afraid of it. For God does give visions, dreams, work miracles, heal the sick etc. (1 Corinthians 12). It is crucial that we pray over experiences, as well as use sound judgment. The reason for this unholy spirit which has invaded the church is a false grace message that promotes loose living, as well as other false doctrines. God gives Grace to those who repent and walk in the light, but NOT to those who love darkness.

Do you accept or reject the love of Jesus?

 If you ever went to church, chances are you have heard and even memorized John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  This is God's love in a teeny tiny nutshell.  God loves us, Jesus loves us, and even the Holy Spirit Loves us.  If you really stop and think this over, it should overwhelm, awe, and inspire you.  The love of the blessed trinity toward us cannot be measured and cannot even fully be explained enough for our finite minds to grasp.

God giving up His beloved Son was a huge sacrifice because He knew how much His Son would suffer when Jesus gave up His peaceful life in paradise.  Would any of us willingly give our child or loved one  over to be brutally beaten and murdered just to save someone else?  For me the person I love most in this world is my husband, Mel, and I selfishly would not give him up.  What makes this even more of a beautiful gift is that God knew His gracious son would be mocked in His ministry not only while He walked the earth but every single day before and after.  Few would believe and receive such an amazing gift.  Yet, even in this foreknowledge, the Father and Son still gave us the death on the cross to save all who would receive it, even though few will (Matthew 22:14 & Romans 9:27).  Salvation is a free gift willingly offered at a bloody price, but we must actively choose to accept it in order to obtain it and we must strive to live holy lives in order not to lose our salvation and fall away from Christ (Luke 8:13, II Thessalonians 2:3, II Peter 3:17, Revelation chapters 2 and 3, to name just a few verses).

Philippians 2 paints us a beautiful picture of Jesus' love for us: 

Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2: 5-8

Even though Jesus allowed Himself to be tortured to death just to save our souls from hell, this un-matchless gift has rarely been fully understood.  And worse yet, has rarely been reciprocated.  Isaiah 53 explains it so perfectly:

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:3 & 6

Yes, we say we love Jesus, we sing pretty songs and call ourselves Christians, we even go to church or stream it online.  We practice good works and treat one another with kindness in the name of Jesus, but showing our love for Jesus is so much more that that. 

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

Yes, faith without works is dead (read James chapter 2), but we still need to honor the Lord with morality as well as kindness toward others or our our hearts will be considered far from Jesus. 

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." Mark 7:6

We say we love the Lord, but we refuse to follow down the paths of righteousness.  No one is capable of being perfect, but few even strive for holiness anymore.  Those who preach holiness are called judgmental and legalistic, even though we preach our messages from Jesus' own words (and from the Books of the Bible directly inspired by the Holy Spirit). 

He that saith, "I know him," and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

How can we say we love Jesus when we refuse to do what is right?  According to Mark, 1 John and other verses, we are all hypocrites and liars when we actively rebel against the laws of Jesus Christ.

When we can read the list of actions that will keep us out of the Kingdom of God* but pick and choose what we will and will not obey, we are rejecting the most beautiful gift we have ever been given (*these lists will be at the end of this post).  

Let's face it, we have all been there and nobody likes to love and not be loved in return.  Yet whether that person is the object of infatuation or a family member, the feeling of rejection cannot even come close to comparing how God must feel when we willingly slap Him in the face by saying we will not humble ourselves and bow our will to His own.  If you say you love your spouse you would never, ever cheat on him/her.  Yet when we say we love Jesus but we let our souls rot in front of ungodly television shows, go to bars, watch pornography, lie, cheat, steal, etc., then our love is every bit as tainted as the person who actively cheats on their spouse.

Today is the day to choose to accept the love of the Lord by honoring Him with your life style.  It is never too late to give your life to Christ and ask for forgiveness of your sins either for the first time or to rededicate your life to the Lord and repeat your first works of salvation (see Revelation 2:5).  

For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15    

Jesus is waiting with arms open wide, please won't you accept His precious gift of salvation and eternal life?

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. Galatians 5:19-21

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8