Tag: Jesus

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Please stop being an over-the-top Christian, it does not represent Jesus in a good light

As a Christ follower I am a bit up in arms over the display of harsh Christianity that took place outside of Nationwide Arena in Columbus Ohio, Friday night. As fans were waiting for the doors to open to see Iron Maiden, they were yelled at they were going to hell for seeing the band. That is not Christ-like at all.

Holy Bible on a wooden table under a dusk sun light.

It is not in the bible: There is not one book, verse or translation that says that listening to music of any kind will condemn a person to hell. That is simply not true. It is baring false witness however. Which simply does not represent Jesus well.

Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden during Iron Maiden in Concert at Long Beach Arena on August 25, 2003 at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California, United States. (Photo by Annamaria DiSanto/WireImage)

The fact is Iron Maiden has Christian themes in some songs: Is Iron Maiden a Christian band? No. Drummer Nicko McBrain is a 20 year Christ Follower. Songs like ‘Hallowed By Thy Name” and a few others point to God. Again the band is not a Christian band. When the album “The Number of the Beast” came out these same harsh Christians took aim. The album speaks of poor choices and how Satan can influence. Yet, “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” we hear a person who is in prison, on death row who winds up before God. A redemption moment for sure.

How are these harsh Christians showing and leading people to Jesus? This is THE question. Did Jesus and/or any of his disciples or any followers stand and yell at people they were going to hell? I read through the bible every year, I have never come across a book or verse where yelling took place. As a Christ follower we are called to be salt and light be the seasoning people want. Shine the light of Jesus that is in you so others are drawn to it. Yelling people are going to hell drives people away from Jesus which is the opposite of what we are called to do.

Christians need to be better. Starting with me, I would not ask anyone to do something I was not willing to. I am willing to be salt, I am willing to be light. Join me.

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Coffee with Satan

Followers of Jesus have some things right and some things wrong. Put all of your faith in Him, trust when you can’t see how something is possible and the list goes on. Yet, there seems to be something lacking in the Christian realm how to deal with Satan. The Book of Ephesians offers us the Armor of God, which certainly has it’s place in aiding against the devil. By and large the followers of Christ only want to talk with and to Him. I think that’s wrong.

Copyright has expired on this artwork. From my own archives, digitally restored.
Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

I like coffee. In fact I have 2 cups to start my days. I have made coffee and talked with Satan. That’s right you read this correctly. I talk at times with Satan. You know who else did? God (spoke directly to him in heaven no less in the Book of Job) and Jesus who just so happened to be tested by Satan in the Book of Matthew chapter 4.

If we are called to be more like Jesus and less like, well ourselves shouldn’t we actually apply the things both God and Jesus have modeled? This is not “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” meeting. This is a one on one let’s chat meeting.

Depending on what is happening in your life, grab a cup of coffee and let Satan know what you think. I believe it is best to use the calmness and direct conversation that Jesus had with him route.

Jesus, used, wait for it……… the word of God to defuse what Satan was offering Him. Jesus never raised his voice or said something he did not mean. The bottom line and I believe the way to unarm the devil is the last things Jesus said to him in the Matthew 4: 1-11 passage.

10 Then Jesus said to him, [b]“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

It goes on to tell us that, brace for it……… Satan left Jesus and some angels came and helped Jesus. Jesus did not hide from Satan, nor did He run, nor was he confrontational. No, Jesus was just calculated.

Trust the Holy Spirit of God to lead you through conversations with Satan, but do not avoid them any longer.

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Is this the end times

Embed from Getty Images I am a christian. I do not pretend not to be. I am not ashamed of the gospel. Yet, with everything going on right now the question that I see more and more and a question I am often asked is this the end times as in the one written in the bible?

On April 2, 2020 the New York Times ran a story entitled “The Apocalypse as an “Unveiling”: What Religion Teaches Us About the End Times.” It seems people feel a shift and understand this time we may be headed for a biblical ending.

I recently reached out to a dear friend a person who I both enjoy listening to but have also learned a great deal from, Joe Nungesser. Joe and I have been friends for years. I had the pleasure of spending time with him in Israel, a place we both really want to go back to.

I believe Joe and I are on the same page. First and foremost we have been in the end times since Jesus ascended to Heaven. That said there is a chain of events Jesus and the bible tells us must take place before the end is upon mankind.

Let’s take a look at some prophecies that must take place. In the Books or Mark, Luke and Matthew they all say near the end earthquakes will increase. So far in 2020 the world has seen 3,110 earthquakes.

Idol worship is at an all time high. Technology has increased just as is written in the book of Daniel. Sickness, famine, pandemic. It is here. I am not a fear monger. I am a follower of Jesus. But life is not 75 degree day eating ice cream on the front porch all the time.

1 John 5:19 “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” “How you are fallen from heaven,O [a]Lucifer, son of th morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!” Isiah 14:12.

“By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within,
And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.” Ezekiel 28:16.

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they [a]did not prevail, nor was a place found for [b]them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.

Satan must go to Jesus to attack a person. Jesus said “all authority in heaven and earth is given to me.” But, to craft a plan to drive people away from God is what fuels his fire. He uses, politics, religion, people, principalities and other  measures.

It is times to wake up! The time is now, to turn to Jesus and repent. Do not wait until it is to late or put it off until later.

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Being the calm in peoples worry and stress

Embed from Getty Images “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

In uncertain times such as the current times, there is enough worry and stress going around it is almost contagious. There is real fear, worry and stress globally, Christ followers absolutely should not be overcome by worldly issues.

What are ways we can breathe peace into people lives while being quarantined, and in an age of social distancing? First and foremost hold onto God’s promises! He is faithful. That is what we need to bring to people.

Meet the people where they are. A good way to do this is by admitting to them that you are dealing with the same issues they are. When we put ourselves in the same boats with others it begins to  deescalate some of the absences of peace.

Be quick to let them know you are trusting the Lord through all of the uncertainty. Offer them a word from God, something like: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take this suffering away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Encourage people to invite Jesus to walk with them in the fear, worry and stress. The mind is a dangerous place to be at times. Turning the T.V. and news off can also be helpful.

Pray with them perhaps pray a bible verse over them, like “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Reflect Jesus, this what Christ followers are asked to do. When we do through the power of the Holy Spirit people are set free.

 

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As stimulus checks arrive, why not give to those in need

Embed from Getty Images “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”, 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8.

Food pantries are running low, the need is great. As more people have and will file for unemployment the need grows, while pantries continue to run on fumes.

As the leader of my house, I made the decision that my family will be giving a generous donation to a food pantry with a portion of our stimulus check. First and foremost the Lord has provided, it is not ours to keep.

1 Timothy 3: 5 tells us “For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” I can manage my house all glory to God. I provide and the Lord is pleased. So you might ask yourself where does the “how will he care for God’s church” come into play?

We have been blessed to be part of two church congregations with extensive histories. I feel that in order to honor current members and just if not more importantly past members then we need to strive to be Christ to everyone, so we do not damage the legacy that has been set before us.

Again, giving is a way to provide like Jesus, I can pray and ask God to multiply our offering and He will. My heart breaks thinking about people being at the point they can no longer provide for their household. So anyway I can honor Jesus I am going to. The fact that it blesses people is what it is all about.

Please consider giving and helping. I leave you with this ” Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3: 27.

 

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The world is full of gripping fear and chaos, there is hope

Embed from Getty Images Unless you live under a shoe or do not watch, listen to or ignore the news. Unless you have not been to the grocery store, odds are very good you know what is happening in the world. A pandemic of epic proportions is and has swept the globe. Leaving fearful people everywhere. So how do we find peace?

The answer in short is Jesus. Jesus is the calm and peace the world needs. I am not going to add fear and panic on top of fear and panic. The Bible does talk about the end of the age and the return of Jesus to this earth. Let’s take a look at the facts.

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” Joel 2:28, This is what God promises before he even thinks about coming again. That he will send his Holy Spirit to open peoples eyes and wake them spiritually. In my opinion that is what is happening now.

Jesus who came as the sacrificial Lamb of God, in order to both allow us to go before a Holy God as sinful people and open the doors of Heaven wide for all. When he comes again He is coming as judge and jury.

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will cry on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Revelation 1:7, this is peace filled. To see God is all His glory coming. Unless you have rejected Him or not even thought about Him.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24:36 “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44.

I submit that this is a good time to take Jesus at His word. I have been blessed to have visited Israel. I walked the same places Jesus walked. I have little doubt that what is happening right now is God is demanding the attention of the world.

God and God alone will bring you the peace that is absent from your life. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you: not as the world gives,  let not your heart be troubled, do not let it be afraid.” John 14:27.

I offer you this, a way to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior: “If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.  Romans 10:9-10. Pretty easy.

I think it is time to look in the mirror and do some soul searching. Be blessed.