What You Talkin' 'Bout Heathen?

“Whew! Taylor Swift is HOT! Man, she’s only 15 though.”
This was said by a man in his 50’s during break at my work today. Pervert? Uh, yeah. Depraved? Definitely. Saved? Not. But what is odd is that this man is an ordained “minister”, albeit from a mail-order/ internet church that divvies these “pastorates” out for 30 bucks. He actually got this bogus ordination a few years ago so he could perform a wedding ceremony at a local bar here in Paducah. He claims to be a Christian, even though he spews curse words more than anyone I have ever heard, and that is a lot…. believe me. I cringe when I hear him talk about the things of God, because he obviously knows nothing of the Holy God of the bible.

I have had a few conversations with him about true biblical Christianity. Needless to say, my words fall on deaf ears. His mind and heart are presently closed to the things of God and he is mired in a sinful life. Today I broke from my normally mild mannered speech, to a point blank “calling the kettle black” mode. Normally I do not do this at work because I am in a position that could get a lot of backlash from speaking out too loudly about Godly things. I am so glad I did, it is actually an answer to my recent prayers. I have asked the Lord to embolden me at work….. and He has answered in the last several months.

This is the latest encounter in my work place. Of recent I have had several God focused conversation with my plant manager, of all people. He claims to be a Christian as well, but his lifestyle also does not match up. Matter of fact, several people at my job profess Christ, but are as lost as anyone ever was. I have to continually be reminded that these people are doing what is natural to them, sin. They lie about being a Christian, they party with the best of them, cuss up a storm, cheat, steal from our employer by not giving a fair days work for their wages, live with their girlfriends/ boyfriends and so on. They are a prime example of the product of American Christianity.

Back to the “ordained minister”. I was emboldened to speak out against what he said about Taylor Swift. Not that a 50 year old man lusting after a 15 year old girl is any different than a 50 year old man lusting after a 50 year old woman. It is all sin. I told him that it wasn’t right to look at a girl that young to which he replied, “Yeah, but she’s showing it off, I’m looking”. There may have been some other words in there, but I’ll refrain from typing those out.

I then said “You know Jesus said that if you look at a woman with lust, you have already committed adultery in your heart”. That elicited a few stammers and he replied, “Well, every man on the planet has cheated then”. (Once again, words omitted to protect your eyes and mind). My reply to him was “That may be so, but when you stand before God on judgment day, you will not have those other men there to justify your sins, you’ll be standing there alone and you will not be able to say that everyone else did it, so it made it alright for you. You’ll have to stand there and fell the wrath of God on you”.

After I said that, using God’s Word, he clammed up and was really quiet. Romans 3:19 comes to my mind. God’s Word can and does quieten skeptics and sinners. I was shown again that I can’t rely on Jeff to change someone, but to lean on God’s Word and proclaim the Truth in and out of season. I praise God for opening my mouth in this instance and pray that He continues to use me. I am ready to go deeper and need to relinquish myself to Him. I have a hard time doing so because my self confidence is weak, but the more I pray, the more I study the Bible and the more He shows me, the more I see that it’s not up to me to do anything. I must relinquish it all to the Lord and He will have His way. I’ll just be there as a willing vessel, whatever that entails.



For those of you that would also like your “ordination”, here is a link

Merry Christmas - Proclaim His Goodness

Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


As Christmas morning approaches each year and I see more and more of the secularizing of this great Holiday I am drawn more to what Christmas is all about. We are all aware that December 25th is not the actual birthday of Jesus. Science actually tells us it was probably mid-summer, but does the date really matter? Are we to be celebrating the "day" or are we to be celebrating the Love of God that would send us His Son, that would 33 years later take His wrath upon Him for our sins? Your sins, my sins. The significance of December 25th should be it is a common day that we, as Christians, set aside to do just that, Celebrate our Lord and Saviour.

But don't forget the reason for Christ's birth in your celebrations. What better day to share the message of Christ, His Gospel, to an unsaved family member or friend? As Christians we are ambassadors for Christ in every situation and especially at Christmas time, when most of the world uses it as an excuse to throw a party and tip back a few (probably more than a few) drinks and eat a whole bunch, we have the duty to proclaim the real Reason for the season. The reason is not to party, not to eat, not to give or receive Christmas gifts, but to celebrate The Gift, Christ.

You already have an opening to the evangelical conversation. "Merry Christmas!" is the ultimate "ice breaker" as Way of the Master puts it. It is an entry, a reason to spark a conversation about things Spiritual. Share your testimony of what Christs birth, His death and His resurrection means to you. Explain Christs propitiation for us. Explain repentance and the TRUTH of the Gospel Message. Do not let this Christmas pass without sharing the greatest Gift with someone you love.

Also keep in mind that not all that profess Christ are really His. Don't let Uncle Bubby tell you that he "took care of it a long time ago" or that he's "got his ticket" or "he said that prayer" or "walked the aisle" when he was a kid. If his fruits aren't in alignment with the Word of God, he is as lost as your Christmas turkey. Share with him the TRUTH of the Word, not what man has distorted to accommodate their sins. The Word is clear that if you are fiends of the World you are and enemy of God James 4:4. Treat the professing Christian the same as any other lost person, because they are lost too, much more deceived, but just as lost. Pray that the Spirit will give you the words to say and He will. Let His will be done this day. Share Him with those you love and if by the off chance everyone in your family is a truly born again Christian, stop by a gas station and share Christ with those poor people that have to spend their Christmas Day working.

May the Lord Bless you all this day and every day!
Merry Christmas!

Oral Roberts Pioneer of The Prosperity Gospel - Dead At 91

Recent news reports state that Oral Roberts has passed away from complications of pneumonia. Roberts was known as the inventor of the prosperity, name it and claim it, “Seed of faith” message so prominent today. He was 91.

Was this man a born again believer? Who knows, except for the Lord and now Mr. Roberts? I will not labor to prove either way, yea or nay, if he was truly converted. His “gospel message” was not one of the bible, so what he personally believed was not biblical, but pandered to flesh.

I’ve never really delved into Oral Roberts and his legacy, but I do know that the American prosperity “gospel” would not be the same without his declarations many decades ago. He paved the way for the likes of Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn and even Joel Osteen to fill their deep pockets.

So, what does this mean to me? It means that Roberts just became part of the ultimate statistic, 10 in 10 will die. Was he ready? I’m not sure, but I can only speculate that if he did not turn from the message he proclaimed that he was not truly converted. His message lacked the actual Good News that Jesus Himself as well as the Apostles proclaimed.

It will be interesting to see who offers up posthumous accolades to Roberts. I am sure that those mentioned above will have some very positive words about him. I really don’t expect anyone to come out and say he was a heretic, at least not in the near future. I will leave it like it is, Roberts did not proclaim a biblical gospel but instead one that had flesh as the centerpiece instead of Christ.

I pray that Oral Roberts did recently repent of his sins and trust in God as his Savior instead of his accountant. Did he? I have no idea and will not know until I pass into eternity myself, also becoming part of the ultimate statistic.

In closing I will say that if anything does not have God as its focus, then it is sin. Plain and simple. So examine what your preacher is saying on Sunday mornings, search the scriptures John 5:39 and make sure you are not just having your ears tickled 2 Tim 4:3 with a false message of prosperity and health. A Christian is never promised either in scripture, we are offered to be the scourge of the Earth, to be persecuted for our faith 2 Tim 3:12 . Chances are if the World applauds you, then you are probably not living a biblical lifestyle which is on the wide path of destruction James 4:4, John 17:16, . Examine yourself 2 Cor. 13:5 and make sure your faith is in Christ and His Word instead of a mans.

Here is a brief history of Oral Roberts

Tiger Woods, Media Darling And A Victim Himself? What?

Okay, I’ll admit it. I was contemplating doing a blog post on Tiger Woods a day or so after the car crash story broke, but decided against it. I was going to elude to the fact that the story seemed really fishy and how everyone in the news media also seemed to be falling for the whole thing. I even did a little photo editing of a Tiger picture, giving him a black eye and swollen lip, then again I balked and did nothing.

Flash forward a few more day, now I can’t stand it. It is not really Tiger that upsets me (any more than any other person that cheats on their spouse does anyway). It is the media once again. Kind of half listening to the news this morning at work I kept hearing Tigers name. When I then inclined my ear a little more I all that seemed to be the topic was Tiger and his “sex addiction”, how Tiger is now a victim because he has a chemical imbalance in his brain that causes him to be a sex addict. Actually it wasn’t something new to me to hear, it is called having a Y chromosome or better known as being a man.

So allow me to explain Tiger’s real problem. He is a man. That’s pretty much it, but I don’t think I can stop there and must elaborate a tad. See, men are really sexual creatures, it is a very common characteristic of men to have wandering eyes and minds. It is our nature, it can’t be denied and it is very difficult to keep in check. This is a heart issue as Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, but it is not an excuse. I too am bombarded with females that seem to be wearing Barbie clothing at the mall, at the grocery and yes, even at some churches. These women flaunt themselves and a man has to consciously divert their eyes to a different area. So this is the issue that Tiger has, he just carried it out in the physical area as well as his mind. To put it bluntly, he is a sinner. What I am not sure of is his professing spiritual beliefs.

Evidently he does not hold fast to Christian principles, which is really the main concern here. Tiger needs Christ. Just like I was in need of a Savior, my wife was in need of a Savior, my pastor was in need and every other person that has been converted was in need of a Savior. Tiger needs to be saved and he also needs to kept being saved. “What? How can you keep being saved Jeff?”. I’m glad you asked.

Salvation is not only being saved from a fiery eternity in hell. You are also being saved from a sinful life…. Daily! When God actually converts you, you will then be justified through Christ, but that begins the sanctification process in which you start becoming more like Christ and less like you. So many professing Christians seem to really be lacking in this part of the Christian life. Actually if they are not in a sanctification process, never started it, then I would say that they were never converted in the first place. A continual lifestyle of sin can only mean one thing. A disbelief in the God of the Bible, so you can’t be saved if you don’t believe in the God of scripture. When someone is born again as Jesus spoke of in John 3. So being born of the flesh we are creatures of sin and being born of the Spirit we have a new nature to seek to please God instead of ourselves. A really simple concept that is often overlooked.

How many times have you heard that someone backslid, lived in sin their whole life BUT are still saved and going to heaven. Blasphemy! That is a gross misuse of the name of Christ in calling that person a Christian. I know firsthand, because that was me from 8 years old until I was 38 years old. I lived a life of sin all the time claiming Christ as my Savior. I even prayed every night, regardless of what bed I was in or what chemical or liquid was guiding my thoughts, I could always seem to squeeze out a “God please forgive me for sinning today. I’m sorry. Please give me_____________.” I was very deceived and very wicked and very blasphemous. No, I never took God’s Name in vain as most people think it, but I did when I said that I was a Christian. Praise the Lord He took the scales off of my eyes. Not quite the Damascus Road revelation Paul had, but quite the transformation non-the-less.

So back to Tiger. Tiger does what comes natural to him, other than hitting a golf ball very well, he sins very well too. He can’t help it, it’s his nature. He was born a sinner and remains a sinner, until He repents of his sins and trusts in the God of the Bible through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to atone for his sins. Simple, yet not readily stated these days. So all the talk about a sex addiction is only partially correct, he is addicted to sin in general and sex with women other than his wife is just how he manifests his sinfulness. Other sinners have different manifestation of their sinful hearts - lying, stealing, blaspheming God’s Holy Name, pornography, drinking, drugs, and so on. It is a heart condition and my prayers go out to them, not just Tiger Woods, but all sinners that are in need of a Savior.

Just one plea to the media (not that they will ever read this, but hey> It’s worth a shot). Stop making excuses for people that live sinful lives. A sex addict is a sinner. A thief is a sinner. A cheating husband is a sinner. A bank robber is a sinner. An alcoholic is a sinner. A drug addict is a sinner. A (insert sinful lifestyle sin here) is s till a sinner. They all sin against A Holy God that will one day require payment for their sins. There are only two possibilities on that Day. 1.) You will either stand before God and try to explain away your sins and plea how many “good” things you did to try and outweigh the “bad”. or 2.) You will fall on your knees and cry for your Advocate 1 John 2:1, Christ to make your case for you. #2 is the only Way, because #1 is a eternal death sentence. Oh, and one more thing about #2, the Father has already forgiven your sins if you are truly converted, He will not hold you accountable for the sins that you fell into, because they were written on Cross and blotted out by the Blood of Christ Acts 3:19. WOW! And AMEN!

Issues? Nah, I've Got Subscriptions!

The title of this blog is not mine, but it was said about me by a good friend. We have some good banter and some of the topics that come up I have some issues with (secular music, T.V., movies, some "Christian" artists, etc.)So many, in fact, that my friend said "You don't have issues, you have subscriptions". What a great comment, I think he meant it in a light hearted, half kidding - half serious way. The more I've been thinking about that, the more I agree.

I do thank God that He has given me these "subscriptions". See, in my past I followed the world, while proclaiming to be a Christian. It was only until God took the scales off my eyes did I start to see clearly, it was His touch that not only saved me from a fiery grave, saved me from this sinful world BUT also healed me from the justifications that I made of my former false conversion.

God opened my eyes in a big way. I am a sceptic by nature, I want to know WHY something is. I have been given the gift of discernment and it does extend to people, I can usually tell if a person is lost and deceived. What I can really never tell for sure (unless I spend a lot of time with them) is if they are genuinely converted). There are only a small percentage of people that I would be willing to say were Christians, because I have seen deception run for years only to see their true self emerge (and no they didn't backslide, they were deceiving).

Sorry, this was not meant to be a blog about people, but about me. I was going to air MY dirty laundry, not others. My list of "subscriptions" is ever growing. Some are deep personal convictions and it is admittedly hard for me to not expect others to also have these same convictions. This is just, yet another, area that I need to seek God in, that I will be more dependent on Him and seek more time with Him. You will see a pattern in my list below. Most of the "subscriptions" I have are with professing believers, those that are quick to say "yeah, I'm a Christian", but in their actions prove otherwise. Personally I do not take someone at their word, but instead examine their fruit as commanded in scripture. I do not do this as a sceptic, to disprove their relationship with God, but I also cannot encourage a deceived person into an even deeper state of deception by acting as if they are a Christian. I have too much contact and lived too long as one that was deceived to be an advocate for their pathway to hell.

So here's the list (as much as I can think of at this time) - in no particular order:
"Christians" (especially musicians) that wear secular bands shirts
"Christians" That seem to only want to be in a service on Sunday mornings
Casting Crowns - not really their music, but everyone using their music as theology instead of using the Bible. (okay God does separate our sins from us as far as the East is from the West, but that's not a ticket to sin)
Lifeway Stores (and any other "Christian" outlet) that sells books like "The Shack", "Blue Like Jazz", "Velvet Elvis", "A New Kind of Christian", etc.
The American Gospel
"Christian" music magazines and websites that write about secular artists
Movies that use Christianity as a draw, but are blatantly NOT God focused - i.e. Evan Almighty, Oh, God
The "Christians" that support movies like those mentioned above
Pastors/ Evangelists that manipulate the emotions with extended altar calls, music, low grade hypnotism
The Sinners Prayer in general
Third Day supporting/ promoting U2 (Third Day is a great band, a fave, but they are very deceived about U2)
"Christians" that profess to fear God, but yet read very sinful books, watch very sinful movies, listen to anti-Christian music, look at sinful magazines, etc.
"Christians" that promote drinking alcohol, in any way - shape - or form. Especially those that say "Jesus turned water into wine" - uh, wine was very different in those times than now, if Jesus turned water into something comparable today it would be Welches Grape Juice.
Preachers/ Evangelists that drive Lexus', Bentleys, have chauffeurs (Sure, have a nice car but not one that is the budget of an African country)
Name it and claim it preachers/ the health and wealth "gospel"
The saying "Love the sinner, hate the sin" - um, that's not in the bible. Without a sinner, there would be no sin. Kinda like love the apple, hate the tree - it ain't possible
People that call others Pharisees. Do a little research on what Pharisees actually are/ were. Do not resort to calling someone this because they make a biblical statement, in context and show you that you are incorrect in something.
The rap group GRITS. More specifically the lead "rapper" Coffee. He has a very racist quality about him, seen it firsthand while attending the 2009 GMA Awards.
Professing "Christians" that say God tells them living a sinful lifestyle is o.k. or that cheapen God's grace and Christs suffering.
Those that say they have their "ticket" to heaven. Salvation is not fire insurance.
"Christian" musicians that list secular musicians as influences.
Secular artists that produce Christian themed songs (Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash, Dolly and yes, even Elvis.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Just read some of my earlier posts, but in them too you'll see a pattern about those professing to be Christians and not actually portraying it other than by their words. Oh, how could I have forgotten the heretics that kick people in the stomach to heal them (Todd Bentley), or the one's that say "Send me $25 for this miracle anointing oil straight from Israel"? These heretical charlatans really get my goat. They use God as a money magnet and prey on the elderly and sick with promises of healings and increased income. These have to be the lowest of lows that will be sharing the deepest, darkest corners of hell with Satan himself.

I'm sure more subscriptions will come up over time. Rest assured that you will not have to worry about me voicing my thoughts on them either. True Christians need to stand up for Christ, need to stop believing every word that comes out of people's mouths in fear of hurting someones feelings. I cannot stand for someone to blaspheme my Father's Name, I will call them on it. Not necessarily the blatant sinner, that professes nothing to do with God, but those that say they know God, but live contrarily. If you have not already - take a stand. Choose this day who you will serve!

Glenn Beck's Version Of Christmas

So, I never jumped on the Glenn Beck bandwagon like a lot of professing Christians have done. Sure, he may have some good moral qualities about him and have a national voice, but more than that he serves a FALSE god!

So many professing Christians are ready to throw in the towel and concede that they are following a false god as well. Oh sure, they may not readily come out and say it, but their actions and endorsements of folks like Beck speak a lot louder than any words they may utter. They have been clamoring to Beck’s aid and defending this guy for a while now. I’m sorry (actually I’m not), but a person’s moral characteristics are not worth bending God’s Word over. 1 Cor 5:11 comes to mind right now as I type.

So where is this latest Beck love coming from these days? Apparently he has a “showing” of his tale of “The Christmas Sweater” playing across the nation. One such place will be here in my city. I am sure that many professing Christians will be lining up to hear Beck’s version of Christmas. So why is this offensive to me? Is this not any different than any other person that is not truly a Christian talking about Christmas? Actually this mans Christ is a lie. So yes, there is a huge difference. The American culture has now been desensitized to Mormonism/ LDS and Glenn Beck has been a major factor in this. So many people want to stick up for him because he may say some things that resemble what they have heard on Sunday mornings sitting in a pew. Do I know what Beck says in his books, on the air, in concerts? No, and I won’t be any time soon unless it’s for research to show his heretical views of God.

I can’t tell you how upsetting it is to see people fawn over something that is straight from the pits of hell. Actually I see it every day here in the bible belt as many blaspheme God’s Name by saying they are Christians. These same people that are laying hold of Mormonism are the same one’s that were “saved” in their youth but have lived like the world ever since, the one’s that walked an aisle and were deemed saved by a popeish declaration from a preacher or evangelist, the same one’s that are partying on Saturday and falling asleep in the pews Sunday morning. 2 Thess 2:3 says there must be great falling away before the end is near. Could this be part of that? I think it is, so on second thought maybe I am getting a little too upset about this seeing how my Saviors return is eminent.

But for some reason it nags at me, things like this. I am so compelled to speak out against heretical doctrines that are rampant. Are you? Does it bother you when a co-worker tells you in one breath that they are a Christian, but in the next breath are talking about their live-in girlfriend that God brought to him to live together? Or the “evangelists” on TV that preach a prosperity gospel, that is no gospel at all, but a pathway for their pockets to become fat. Or how about those that tell you that you can have your best life now or that Christianity needs to be reinvented for this culture? The Rob Bells, Rick Warrens, Joel Osteens and Brian McLarens of this age are straight from the very pit Satan will call home for eternity.

So that’s the problem, in a round about way. Glenn beck is a puppet for the enemy and he is lulling professing believers away from any hope they may have ever had at a true relationship with the Father. What about the answer? Well, there are 2. You can preach the Word of God in season OR you can preach it out of season. Just preach it, the True Gospel of Christ. Get into the Word, get a study partner or group, go out evangelizing, pass out tracts at the line for “The Christmas Sweater”, pass out tracts and talk to people during your towns Christmas parade, talk to your loved ones about Christ, just don’t sit there and be okay with this. If you are okay with this, then my heart bleeds for your soul as well. If you do nothing then you are actually doing a lot… for the enemy. It is time for true followers of Christ to take a stand, to not is a denial of Him Mat 10:32-33, 2 Tim 2:12, Rom 16:17-20, Mar 8:38.

I’ll end with a quote from C.H. Spurgeon for those that are on the fence about any of this:

"Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that. The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the brave fireman, who cares not for the scorch or the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set its heart. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

Depravity Of Man On Display

Take a look at the headline from the Comcast news headlines above. See anything wrong with it? When I first read it I though "Wow, this lady let something she posted on Facebook get her knocked out of sick leave benefits." Although it sounded fishy, and I do not agree with her manipulation of the "system" to gain compensation and still be living it up.

Of course Comcast does not change their headlines every hour, so for half of the day when I signed in to check my email I saw that headline. Then it hit me, Comcasst's headline makes it seem that Facebook was the culprit in this. "Facebook Costs Woman Benefits". Did Facebook really do anything wrong in this? Seems like this lady claimed she was suffering from depression, even though she liked to visit male strip clubs, bars and beaches. She claims that she did these things to help her with her depression, as a therapy by her doctors recommendation. If the doctor told her to or not is not my call, but frolicking around on a beach, tossing a few back in a bar and lusting over men stripping are far from therapeutic in my book. The news headline should have read "Womans Posts On Facebook Cost Her Benefits".

This is taking place in Canada, where they have universal healtcare. So it seems that there are still corrupt claims with government ran healthcare too. I would really like to give my 2 cents worth on Obamacare right now, but I will refrain as I have no biblical basis to bash it, except I do not want to be dependent on government solely for anything, especially my health.

The real issue here is depravity. Sinfulness. This lady has joined the ranks of those that try to manipulate the system in order to get free money. This is plain and simply theft, promulgated by lies. This ladies greed has caused her to seek ways to gain by doing nothing. This is rampant in our country and has only gotten worse over the past year or two. Unemployment at 11%+? Could this be caused by the fact the government makes it so attractive? These people are drawing $500+ a week for sitting home playing video games. Now the state I live in (Kentucky, not confusion) has extended the length someone can draw to 99 weeks. Does it honestly take 2 years to find a job? I know a young man that works 3 jobs, he also has found 2 of these while working at other jobs and left 2 other jobs. So this young man has had employment at 5 different places in the past year. Why? Because he pulls his own weight and doesn't expect to get a free pass.

Issues like this just prove that man IS fallen. Given opportunity they will take handouts to their full extent and ask for more. Most of the time they will complain about the freebie they receive too. Is this theft? In a way it is, since they could make their own way and pay for their own goods. To me it shows a person's heart and where they stand in the eye's of God. They want to take and take and not do anything on their part. It does show the American view of God a swell. People just want to sit back and be blessed and do whatever they please. This is an extremely distorted view of God and His gifts. Just one more way that people want something for nothing. No repentance = no salvation. Also sadly, these are the people targeted by the chrletans on TV, the one's that spew the "name it and claim it" message. The "health and wealth" gospel, that is no gospel at all. They prey on these people with cries of "send in your seed money", or "put your downpayment on your blessing" promising these people financial gain for sending in money. Also these are the people that seek instant riches by playing the lottery, using their limited income to try to make it rich quick.

The world is getting very dark. Me complaining about people cheating the government does not solve anything. Me telling people directly that they are wrong to do these things does nothing. Only prayer and God's mercy can change these people. I ask you to cry out for those on unemployment benefits that are manipulating the system, those that draw a disability check that are fit to work, those that are on welfare to be drawn to the Father. To be saved and follow God, to see God as their sustainer not the government. Government dependence for life is so dangerous. Only God can supply what these people need. Pray for them, pray for eyes to be opened and souls saved. When people start being converted, they will gain new perspectives and will desire to work. They will desire to help others instead of looking for handouts. Pray!

(Disclaimer: I do not think everyone on government assistance is deceptive and/ or looking for a handout. There are people that really need this assistance and help. It is sad that so many make a bad name for those that actually need these benefits.)

Carrie Prejean A Christian? Part 2.

Carrie Prejean - Spokesperson for "American Christianity"

Wow! Ms. Prejean has “some ‘splainin’ to do”. Seems like she is yet again embroiled in a media frenzy. Check out my last post on her, from back when there was the first hoopla over her, her values, her comments on gay marriage, etc.

This time it appears that Carrie has starred in a sex tape, one that she says was made when she was a teenager. Her ex-boyfriend that is planning on releasing this video is adamant that she was indeed older (which allows him to not be charged with child porn charges). Prejean, however, has been very defensive and very “in your face”. With an interview on NBC’s Today Show she was very defensive in stance. On Larry King Live she also threatened to end the interview abruptly when asked about her settlement with the Miss America Pageant. She claimed King was being “inappropriate”.

Now, from a Christian perspective I can say this in two different ways, either for whatever her standing with God is. The first is that Carrie is a Christian and that the tape was made before she was converted, that it along with all other blatant sins have been washed, that she changed direction in life toward the True risen Savior and it is a non-issue. The next is that Carrie is trying to cover this up by lying about her age, trying to get her ex to lie about her age (which would land him in jail for kiddy porn charges), trying to justify her very sinful actions. This is on top of the fact that she parades around through beauty competitions half naked.

Personally I have not seen anything that is consistent with a Christian. She is like many others that claim Christ as their Savior and Lord, but instead are just a part of the world as any other lost person. I do however take offense because of her blasphemy. She is on a public platform and evokes the precious name of God, all the time lying and being very un-Christ like in her stance and actions. If she were actually a Christian she would be handling things very differently and definitely not be lying and trying to have others lie for her to cover up her sinful lifestyle. I am actually sickened by this, as I am with all those I work with and come into contact with that openly announce “I am a Christian!” (Matt 7:22) then turn around and live very differently. With Prejean it happens to be on a public forum and millions of people are saying, “Well, if she’s a Christian, then so am I. We all sin and are under grace, so we’ll just keep on sinning and keep on receiving forgiveness”. Not! (Romans 6:1-14) I have searched for her testimony online and I cannot find it. Wouldn’t a Christian want to proclaim their testimony to the world? There are, however, many racy photos that seem to pop up every time I search for her doing research for my posts about her here. If anyone has seen or heard of her conversion testimony PLEASE point me toward it. From what I have gathered, she thinks she became a Christian during childhood.

The most damnable lie of American Christianity is in public view here. “Just say a prayer and you’ll go to heaven. God accepts you as you are and doesn’t expect you to change.” Where do these heretics get this? Although God does accept you as you are, He will not leave you in that same state. If He starts a work in you He will finish it. The lies that spew from preachers and evangelists today are sending countless millions to a fiery grave. “Come on, come on. You know you want to walk the aisle. You know that you want to be delivered from your addictions, your marriage problems, and your money issues. Just come on down the aisle and sign this card. Make your decision.” All non-biblical pulls on a person’s situation, not a call to sinners to Repent! I call it “situational decisionism”. Someone else may have coined the term, but I never heard it before. I have seen it many times, even within my family. It is very dangerous, especially combined with a public figure such as Carrie Prejean that is banking in on her “Christianity” and misleading thousands, if not millions, of people that once made a mental decision because of their situation at any given moment.

What it boils down to is a need for true repentance, a true yearning for Christ and a willingness to forsake all and follow Him. If someone has not done this, then they are not saved. They are still living on a path of destruction, but are worse off because they are pointing to a decision for their salvation instead of looking to Christ. Their hope lies in a prayer, a walk down an aisle, a word from an evangelist or preacher, tears shed at a “revival” or any other countless things or circumstances… but not in Christ. If Christ is not the focus of your salvation then you are not saved. You are deceived. Of course you don’t want to go to hell, who would? Of course you want to go to heaven, who wouldn’t knowing what the alternative is? Of course you are a good person in the eyes of the world, but how good are you compared to Christ?

God promised that if you seek Him, you will find Him (Matt. 7:7). If you are seeking Him it is because He is pursuing you, you are being drawn to Him (John 6:44). Do not resist, do not heed the call of salvation. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Light To A Dark World

I have been thinking a lot about light and darkness. This started to be really interesting to me a few days ago. 1 John 1:5 says “God is light and in Him is no darkness: . Wow! Have you ever been in a room that was totally devoid of light? I have and it is really unsettling. You lose orientation, you wouldn’t be able to find anything without fumbling around first, you would have to walk around by feeling for things, you would in affect be lost… in a dark room… waiting for alight to be turned on.

What does it take to lose this darkness? Light of course, even the faintest glow negates the darkness. If you were in the darkest region of the planet, at night, cloud covered, no moon or stars, no artificial light, nothing, zilch, nada. Total blackness, you couldn’t see your hand if you stuck it in front of your face. Then someone 20 miles away turned on a flashlight and pointed it toward you, what would that in essence do? It removes the darkness. Not much, and not in your general vicinity, but you can no longer say that it is dark.

Same situation but you are the one with the flashlight (or lantern, torch, match,etc.) When you engage the light what happens? You are flooded with light because of your proximity to the light, it could be the same light that you saw from 20 miles away, but you are now immersed in the light, it lights up all that’s around you, you can see again, you can do things again, you have been given sight. What’s more, the person that is 20 miles away without light can see your light shining at a distance.

These thoughts have been running around in my head, like I said, for a few days. It reminds me that God is Light and when we are in close proximity to Him we are engulfed in His Light. It is nothing that we produce ourselves, but only reflect His Light. It also brings to memory Proverbs 4:18-19 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. How descriptive is that?

Also, when God first shined His light on you can you remember how bright it was? It illuminated everything around you, but sadly as time continued, the light seemed to dim. Everything started to get dimmer, you may have even started to squint a little to try to make things out. Did the Light really get dim though? Or were your eyes just shutting the light out, or did you put on dark sunglasses that hid the light? Oh, it was always there and it was always just as bright, it was our proximity that was the issue, not the brightness of the Light.

So how does the Light regain its brightness again? You have to get close to the source again. You can’t be 20 miles from a light source and be effected much by it, you have to get as close as possible. So close you can feel the warmth radiating from it, so that it envelops you. The Light is always there; it is you that moves around.

If you are seeing things dimly now, I say that it is simple to be lit again. Just return to the Source. I’ll remind you of Luke 11:33 – No one that has received Light will hide it; they will hold it high and shine it so everyone around them can see. Are you shining your light? Are you reflecting God’s Light? Have you ever been in the Light in the first place? I pray that He will illuminate Himself and His Word in your life.

The New Jesus Movie

Just wanted to take a short moment to let everyone know about this great ministry opportunity. We all have the chance to be part of the new Jesus movie, as producers. Well, not actually make the movie, but be able to give $10 towards the making of this movie.

Please check out the video below and the New Jesus Movie website for information. The producer of this movie is to be a Word for Word adaption of the Book of John, the vision of Bruce Marchiano. If Marchiano's name sounds familiar it is because he played Jesus in movie version of The Gospel of Matthew, which was also a Word for Word movie version of the Book of Matthew.

This is a great opportunity to make a high quality movie that will gain much attention and could be a tool used of God to save countless souls. The producers are not out to have a large box office, but rather have this movie on millions of iPods, computers and streaming across the internet. Monetary gains are not the goal, but the precious souls of the lost and the edification of Gods people.

Please prayerfully consider being a part of this wonderful ministry.


Frequently Asked Questions

Why another Jesus film?
Many great Jesus films have been produced over the years, and God has used them all for His glory. There are several focuses that make Jesus… No Greater Love unique and vital. To list only a few, our vision is to bring the Gospel story to film afresh using the latest cutting edge, big screen technology - to truly create a Jesus movie for a new generation of highly sophisticated film-goers.

Also, where Jesus films generally focus on the gospel events, Jesus… No Greater Love focuses on a revelation of "The Man" - his heart and person, impassioned, joyous, relevant, brimming with kingdom authority, driven "on a mission of redemptive love" - the Jesus of Scripture.

Who will be the Producer and Director?

Bruce Marchiano is our current writer/producer. Once funding is underway we will begin interviewing prospective directors as well as co-producer(s) to solidify the team.

What happens if you meet your film budget of $45 million and donations continue to come in?
We sure hope this happens. All money received beyond the $45 million will be used to release the film in different languages and to distribute these new versions around the world. We want to present the Gospel to as many people as possible. To meet this goal, we will sustain our fund raising efforts year after year so that we can continue translating the film into new languages.

What Bible translation will be used for your word-for-word film?
We are currently in negotiations with two different translation rights holders and will make this determination before end 2009.

Will Bruce Marchiano be playing the role of Jesus like he did in Matthew?
We are hoping Bruce will reprise the role of Jesus, but as in all kingdom endeavors, ours is not to presume anything. Thus we are intensely seeking God along with Bruce, keeping our hearts open for any fresh direction He might want us to pursue. We are counting on the Lord's clear leadership here, as we are with all critical decisions.

Why the book of John when there already is a film on the book of John?
There are depths, multi-layers and prophetic dynamics of John's gospel that have yet to be explored on film. As does John's written gospel, Jesus… No Greater Love literally begins "In the beginning," unpacking the revelation of Jesus in the Law and the Prophets of the Torah, presenting Jesus as more than a man who teaches and heals, but the living reality of the living God, I AM in human flesh, as prophesied for centuries and now fulfilled. This film uniquely presents Jesus in the fullness of "yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

Why film a word-for-word version rather than a dramatic script?

We believe that the power of God’s Word, portrayed by the right cast and masterfully filmed, will be immeasurably more powerful and impactful than any dramatization to date. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). There is really no need to improve on what God Himself has written by adding story elements and/or fictionalizing. Demonstrating this distinction between man’s voice and the authoritative voice of God is vitally important to sharing the Gospel with a postmodern generation wondering if absolute truth exists and who, if anyone, has the authority to share it. We will not alter the words God has given, and we will trust His promises about the power of those words.

What if you do not raise enough money by your deadline?
To effectively produce the film, we must receive substantial donations within specified time frames. If we do not, by targeted dates, receive benchmark levels of donations, we will be forced to make difficult decisions regarding whether to continue the project. Our first critical target date for raising funds is March 1, 2010. If targets are missed and the decision is made, that we will not be able to complete the project, we will distribute the excess donations to a few selected ministries that are spreading the Gospel in creative ways. With this arrangement in mind, you can be sure that your contribution will be used to promote the Gospel, regardless of whether the film is successfully produced.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

In the United States, a resounding "Yes!" Marchiano Ministries is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. All donations to the New Jesus Movie are tax deductible to the limits allowed by law.

Have a question not answered above?
Send it to us at info@newjesusmovie.com.

Church Split Over Alcohol? Not A Trick Question

A church in my general area has been embroiled in a debate lately. Seems that a vote to sell alcohol in the county this church is located was really being pressed for by some residents. To do this a certain amount of names on a petition were needed. Not much of a story here and you might be asking “Jeff, why is this a church issue?” The issue became a church issue, when some of its members voice their beliefs that alcohol should be sold in their county and that they were going to sign this petition.

This church has within their Church Covenant the following wording as far as what they will and will not do as a body “to abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drinks as a beverage”. In my opinion, these members that chose to promote this petition have gone against this part of their churches covenant. Apparently these people had been voicing their opinion FOR alcohol sales which garnered the attention of the church elders. These folks were visited, reminded of the church covenant they agreed to upon being made members of the church, given another copy of the covenant and informed that if they were to promote the sale of alcohol they would be removed as members from the church. These 20 or so people decided that their “personal freedoms” were greater than their covenant with this body of believers. They were not “kicked out” as some news agencies reported, as they were welcome to come back any time and would be allowed to be reinstated as members if they apologized.

The debate is happening on the West Kentucky Star website (since posting this blog the WKStar website has removed all comments to this story). I have chimed in some throughout and offer you the same freedom to do so. There are a lot of people commenting that claim to be Christians, but seem to have forgotten that “personal liberties” are non existent when a person is converted. The new creation seems to be a foreign term to them. Of course there are atheists commenting as well and people saying this church has no right to discipline these people. After all, they can choose to drink of they want to, they can do on their own time, what they choose to do and no body better say anything about. If you don’t like it, lump it, hmph! Of course, any true Christian would know that they lost their “personal freedom” upon conversion, they were bought with a price, they are now a doulos, a slave to the Lord, they have forsaken everything and follow Christ, they seek holiness and shun this world and the evil of it….. including alcohol.

I have wanted to comment a lot of things so badly on the West KY Star site, but was restrained in doing so. I did comment some, and what I did comment was bible. I do extend my personal invitation to go there yourself. The story is also on the local NBC affiliate here – seems like more of the same comments there the “judge not” phrase is being thrown around a lot as well as name calling and much more. What would your church do? Would the members of your church even be in this predicament? Does your church practice church discipline?

All in all everyone involved with situation is in need of prayer. I would suggest praying for wisdom, love, repentance and a deeper understanding of what a covenant is and what forgiveness entails. Many bridges have been burned at that church, many hearts broken and many families torn, but God can mend any of those with just a Word. Pray that there is restoration.

Also on a personal note, I would like to thank you for being patient through my sabbatical. I have been pampering my wife through her healing process. God has been really gracious to us over the past 6 weeks or so. Our church family has been very, very wonderful as well, with many of them preparing dinner for us over the past 2 ½ weeks. They have all been such a blessing and we love each of them greatly. We thank God for them and for allowing us to become part of a real church family.

Blogging again shortly

Hi all! I am sorry I have not update/ posted anything new in a little while. My wife just had some pretty major surgery and is still in the hospital... which means that I have been in the hospital too.

Her surgery was quite a surprise and was more extensive than they though after they got inside. I plan on writing a post on this soon, so please bare with me just a little longer. God has definitely been glorified through this trial. I have learned what Philippians 4:6-7 says. Even after reading that passage hundreds of times, God finally made it alive to me and I truly thanked Him for everything through this.

God has been very gracious to us through this and even before in our marriage. We have grown so much as a couple in the past several months and then this comes and draws us closer to God and in turn closer to one another. That is what marriage is all about, it is the earthly example of our relationship with Christ. We are His bride, just as Chandra is my bride. I still need Him to help me love her the way I should, but He isn't finished with me yet and I praise Him for that too! I have learned trust and faith first hand and give Him the glory for the miracles He has done physically to my wife and spiritually for both of us.

God is good and He deserves more praise than we could ever muster up.

Issue on the homefront

Just sitting here in the hospital with my wife. She has been having some health issues lately, being admitted to the hospital from last Thursday until Monday evening. This morning back to the hospital for a arteriogram of an artery in her abdomen. She must now lie flat for 6 hours, which we are now a little over half way through.

She is now facing a major surgery to repair a “kink” in a major artery in her midsection. So I ask for your prayers that the Lord will see her through these next few weeks, with the surgery coming up on Sept. 15th. Please pray specifically that her nerves will be calmed as she (we) put our faith in God to see her safely through this surgery and the recovery phase. She is a strong person, but facing this type of surgery is enough to rattle anyone.

But, as I sit here in the chair watching her cat-nap I am reminded what the Lord has brought us through over the past few years. I have seen some very great times and some very bad times, but through it all God has proven Himself to be the Rock He promised to be. I have had to lean on Him through a very trying time with my son, a rocky part of my marriage that could have been very bad, the death of my dad and a lot of smaller things. If you read back through my older postings you will see some of the places I have been, that my family have encountered and how the Lord has been there to carry us through. Oh, how I praise Him.

God has also blessed us with a wonderful church family that has been through most of the things I mentioned right with us, carrying the burdens and lifting them to the Lord in prayer. He was so gracious to lead us to Oak Grove Baptist Church through a series of eye opening encounters with His Word. I stand in awe as I look back and see the path He chose for us. Granted when traveling down those paths I often stood by and said “what is this all about?” questioning the Father. How bad is that? I questioned the Creator of the universe about why I would be going through issues. I have been learning to just wait on Him and stop trying to fix things on my own. 2 years ago I would have been freaking out looking at my wife in a hospital bed with a major surgery on the horizon, but I can say that I know that He is in control. I am being still and waiting on Him. What other choice do I have?

I must learn to apply this to all areas of my life, not just the major issues. He is in control and I need to acknowledge that daily, even the “good days”. I pray that He will get the glory for what is happening right now in my life, my wife’s situation and beyond.

Broad Is The Way.....

"Show me the fruits of your ministry and if they so far exceed mine as to give me evidence that you have found a more excellent way, I will adopt your views." Charles Finney – Memoirs.
Okay, so I’ve been at words with a somewhat famous evangelist on Facebook. He has seen fit to announce to the world that people are saved and after seeing this for several weeks I decided to comment on a posting of his.

His name is Randy Hogue and I remembered him as a child at the church that I attended then, and then again later in my adult life. I asked to be his friend on there and told him a little of who I was, where I lived, about Southland Baptist Temple, etc. He actually gave me his phone number and asked me to call him. I would later, during the conversation that ensued, find out his real motive for asking me to call. He seemed to have a free weekend and asked me to speak to my pastor about having him come that weekend. I did mention him to my pastor and he knew who he was. I admit that I was a little put off by his sales pitch to come to my church, but the days that have followed have been even more of a put off.
His postings include – (all of these are copy/ pasted so don’t harp on me for spelling issues) “ R u ready 4 this? 65 people prayed 2 receive Jesus Christ tonite at Beth Haven BC in Kilpatrick AL. to God bd Glory!”

Followed by -
”17(12 adults,5teens) accepted Christ this AM at Eternal Life BC in ooresville,IN. To God b d Glory”
Then I don’t know what set my fuse to the end, but I finally had it and commented on this one – “ 7 saved tonite in Mooresville IN

With that posting I commented - : By saved I pray that these people repented of their sins, turned from their God hating lifestyle and mindset, turned to the One True God of scripture, trusted in Christs atoning work for their sins, had a supernatural re-birth that they couldn't change if they wanted to, are showing fruit of their conversion (otherwise you couldn't know they were ... saved by them just repeating a prayer). If they were truly saved, then time will be evidence, the work that God began - He will finish. People must understand that jumping through a few hoops is not salvation - Do you want to go to hell? No. Do you want to go to heaven? Yes. Are you a sinner? Yes. (even satan knows he is a sinner) Repeat after me.. This has NO scriptural basis. Confess with your mouth does not mean to pray a prayer. The modern gospel is very different than what the Apostles preached - 2 words - man centered. If a person wants to go to heaven just because the alternative stinks, then it is not God centered.

Nothing unbiblical in my posting, maybe a little to the point (but facebook only gives you so many letters to post something). Others commented also on his/ my posting, the most disturbing by a young lady that said someone could go on to commit some very serious sins and still be a child of God. The ones she named would be very difficult for a follower of Christ to commit, she even said that they could even live like an unbeliever and still be saved. Another person commented and called me a Pharisee, the typical jab that those that think they are converted use to justify their sinful life, even though it doesn’t match scripture as a true convert.

Mr. Hogue did send me an apology that read:
“ Thank u Jeff for sharing. God bless u my friend. I'm sorry if my reports offend u. I'm just trying to reach some people for Christ.

I then sent him another message telling him of my testimony, my false conversion, that I placed my faith in a man’s declaration and my sincerity as an 8 year old for my salvation. That for 30 years I based my salvation on saying a prayer as an 8 year old, even though I didn’t know what sin was at that time. I was really honest with him and tried to convey how dangerous it is for a preacher or evangelist to declare someone saved. How that person will take his words and trust in them instead of trusting in Christ. Nothing unbiblical again, nothing done out of malice, but in a spirit of love, to try and convey the dangers of his declarations.

The next I heard was his posting tonight. This was a direct slam to me, and was not done in a spirit of love. It actually is quite blasphemous as he invoked Gods name in a tirade based on my comments to his post, a spiteful “ 14 more got saved tonite & repented of sin, turned from their God hating lifestyle& mindset trusting Christ alone 4 atonement of sin. Ok?

I was actually going to let it rest after his apology, but that shows me that his apology was as about as heartfelt as him declaring people saved. His website boasts that over 35,000 people have been saved at his meetings. I would like to openly ask how many of those are still in the faith? How many are continuing the steps of Christ likeness? How many even attend church now/ still? And finally, how many never had a change, continued on their path of sinfulness, never stepped foot in a church again, can’t stand the things of God, do not read the Word and care nothing more than having their “ticket” to heaven?

I am not saying that some of these souls were not saved, but I would say that they were saved in spite of his message and not because of it. I have heard it, and it is powerful. It does invoke strong emotions as he tells of his childhood and how he and his mom were abused, how he was delivered from drugs and how he now deems people saved. It is a form of hypnotism as he works people into a heightened emotional state, then goes for the jugular with a “if you want to be delivered as I was, just come forward and say this magic prayer”. By the time he has his altar call, he has the audience eating from his hand, they would do anything he asked.

A litmus test for me is, can you take a sermon/ message to a remote village in Africa and get the same effect? Can Randy Hogue go to Africa and tell how he was abused as a child and get 65 tribesmen saved? Or would they think “Big deal, we live a life of abuse, fight for our food, make our clothes from animal pelts and you want us to feel emotional about your former situation?” The Gospel MUST be proclaimed as the apostles and Christ Himself did. Anything else and the person is accursed.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

This mans gospel is a wide gate and many are going through it. It is evidenced by those that posted against me. I said nothing unscriptural, and the lambasted me. I actually expected it, but did not expect his apology, followed by his spiteful comments this evening. I am praying for this man, as a nerve has been touched. He is upset, because his conscience is working. That is good, but he has a lot of years riding on his messages. The 35,000+ people he popishly declared saved may think twice if he says that he’s been wrong all these years. That would be a good thing on many levels, first it would show that he realizes his methods are that of a salesman, second people will think twice about their decisionism without changes and most importantly God will be glorified that His name will not be blasphemed as one more person stops trying to help Him save people.

It’s simple – proclaim the Word of God. Proclaim His Gospel. Do not lead people through hoops, do not get emotional or situational decisions out of people by telling them a story that would make even a devout atheist feel something tingle in his innards. Just proclaim the gospel and let God do the rest. Numbers mean nothing, except inflating an ego and making your resume’ look better (to some). Preach the Word, and nothing else.

Why RTM? Watch This Video And See

Please take a few moments to watch the video below. It shows the reason for Real Truth Matters, as countless millions are taught a false gospel message. I was in the situation as these four dear people were and the Lord allowed me too, to see the His TRUTH.

Also take a moment to look at the newly redesigned Real Truth Matters website. Click on the conference banner on the homepage to see another video with information about this years conference. Also if you are planning on attanding, please sign up through the website form as well, seating is limited.

Can the Gospel be Saved? from Real Truth Matters on Vimeo.

Praise God For The Furnace

I just read over once again an excerpt from A.W. Tozer's book "The Root of Righteousness" (chapter 39) called "Thank God For The Furnace". I have posted below the manuscript for this and am sure that if you too read it you will be blessed. It needs no explanation - just a few minutes to read and a lifetime to digest.

I have read Tozers "Attributes of God" book and will be adding this book to my stack shortly. May this be a blessing to you.

Praise God For The Furnace
It was the enraptured Rutherford who could shout in the midst of serious and painful trials, "Praise God for the hammer, the file and the furnace."

The hammer is a useful tool, but the nail, if it had feeling and intelligence, could present another side of the story. For the nail knows the hammer only as an opponent, a brutal, merciless enemy who lives to pound it into submission, to beat it down out of sight and clinch it into place. That is the nail's view of the hammer, and it is accurate except for one thing: The nail forgets that both it and the hammer are servants of the same workman. Let the nail but remember that the hammer is held by the workman and all resentment toward it will disappear. The carpenter decides whose head will be beaten next and what hammer shall be used in the beating. That is his sovereign right. When the nail has surrendered to the will of the workman and has gotten a little glimpse of his benign plans for its future it will yield to the hammer without complaint.

The file is more painful still, for its business is to bite into the soft metal, scraping and eating away the edges till it has shaped the metal to its will. Yet the file has, in truth, no real will in the matter, but serves another master as the metal also does. It is the master and not the file that decides how much shall be eaten away, what shape the metal shall take, and how long the painful filing shall continue. Let the metal accept the will of the master and it will not try to dictate when or how it shall be filed.

As for the furnace, it is the worst of all. Ruthless and savage, it leaps at every combustible thing that enters it and never relaxes its fury till it has reduced it all to shapeless ashes. All that refuses to burn is melted to a mass of helpless matter, without will or purpose of its own. When everything is melted that will melt and all is burned that will burn, then and not till then the furnace calms down and rests from its destructive fury.

With all this known to him, how could Rutherford find it in his heart to praise God for the hammer, the file and the furnace? The answer is simply that he loved the Master of the hammer, he adored the Workman who wielded the file, he worshiped the Lord who heated the furnace for the everlasting blessing of His children. He had felt the hammer till its rough beatings no longer hurt; he had endured the file till he had come actually to enjoy its bitings; he had walked with God in the furnace so long that it had become as his natural habitat. That does not overstate the facts. His letters reveal as much.

Such doctrine as this does not find much sympathy among Christians in these soft and carnal days. We tend to think of Christianity as a painless system by which we can escape the penalty of past sins and attain to heaven at last. The flaming desire to be rid of every unholy thing and to put on the likeness of Christ at any cost is not often found among us. We expect to enter the everlasting kingdom of our Father and to sit down around the table with sages, saints and martyrs; and through the grace of God, maybe we shall; yes, maybe we shall. But for the most of us it could prove at first an embarrassing experience. Ours might be the silence of the untried soldier in the presence of the battle-hardened heroes who have fought the fight and won the victory and who have scars to prove that they were present when the battle was joined.

The devil, things and people being what they are, it is necessary for God to use the hammer, the file and the furnace in His holy work of preparing a saint for true sainthood. It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.

Without doubt we of this generation have become too soft to scale great spiritual heights. Salvation has come to mean deliverance from unpleasant things. Our hymns and sermons create for us a religion of consolation and pleasantness. We overlook the pace of the thorns, the cross and the blood. We ignore the function of the hammer and the file.

Strange as it may sound, it is yet true that much of the suffering we are called upon to endure on the highway of holiness is an inward suffering for which scarcely an external cause can be found. For our journey is an inward journey, and our real foes are invisible to the eyes of men. Attacks of darkness, of despondency, of acute self-depreciation may be endured without any change in our outward circumstances. Only the enemy and God and the hard-pressed Christian know what has taken place. The inward suffering has been great and a mighty work of purification has been accomplished, but the heart [knows] its own sorrow and no one else can share it. God has cleansed His child in the only way He can, circumstance being what they are. Thank God for the furnace.

The Purity Of What You Consume

I was out mowing my yard, thinking about a big glass of ice water as the sweat was dripping from my brow. I knew that the water I had was clean, I knew it was pure and I knew it was good. Good not only in taste, but also good for my body. I knew that it would refresh and quench me. I also started to think about our need for water, that our bodies are in fact 60-70% water and we must replenish that when we lose some from our bodies.

I then started to think of the purity of water that we consume. Does our bodies need unpolluted water? Yes, I think that goes without saying. If we drink polluted water we will in fact have adverse reactions to it. In some worst-case scenarios one can even die from toxins in water. So pure water is essential for life, not just human life, but all life.

Now take a look at the picture above. I labeled the 2 glasses #1 and #2 for clarity (no pun intended). They both look pure, why they may even taste the same at first. If you give it a moment to make it through your body, maybe even a day or so, you would soon find out that glass # 2 had a single drop of pure botulism toxin, one of the deadliest known substances in the world. If you knew that, would you still drink it?

It still looks the same, it still is very palatable, it still quenches your thirst but most importantly it will now kill you. An excruciating death would ensue and with just a single teaspoon being lethal enough to kill 1.2 billion people. Yes, Billion with a B But it looks as pure as the other glass.

“So Jeff, are you saying that we need to all get chemistry degrees and carry around the correct items to assure that we are drinking pure water?”

That's not my point. I would like you to turn this to the spiritual realm. Look at all of the preaching going on in the world today. I would like for you to listen to your preacher, the guy on T.V., the person on the radio and whoever else or wherever else you are partaking in things of a spiritual nature. Now take those sermons, TV show and messages you are reading and put them under the microscope of God’s Word, see if they are poisoned by man’s words and agendas. Are you receiving a message that is 99% pure and 1% poison? Does your preacher say all the right things, align with the bible in 9 of his 10 points, but turn to a man centered theology to increase his numbers and lessen his empty pews? Is there something not quite right with the TV preacher, when he tells you that you have to send him “seed money” in order to be blessed by God? Those are drops of botulism in his message and it will cause spiritual death as it seeps through your mind.

Personally I try to discern what goes into my body, albeit I often come up short on the amount that I consume, I am fairly conscience of what goes in. Also, and more importantly, I am aware of what goes into my ears and my mind at an even more heightened state. God has been good to me and allowed me to see how putrid a false message can be, how it corrupted my theology and how it caused me to be spiritually dead for 2/3 of my life. The Lord was merciful to me and allowed me to taste of His Pure Word and let me see how nourishing It is, how It gives life and feeds my spirit. He gave me a taste for His Word that can now discern impurities in a poisoned message. Praise Him for that, because He would have been just as good if He would have allowed me to die in my ignorance. He did not have to save a wretch like me, but loved me instead and showed mercy on me.

Have you been shown that mercy? The mercy that only the Father can give, through His Son Jesus Christ? Has the Holy Spirit worked on you, leading you toward the Savior? Are you still held captive by silly words? Are your ears being tickled with a false message that tastes oh so good, but is poisoning you with each drop that enters your body? Are you deceived into drinking from a glass that holds hell and destruction, a message that sounds so much like the truth but is actually a lie from Satan that has you deceived?

I pray that you seek God through His Word. Seek Him and you will find Him. That is promised in Jeremiah 29:13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. Search His Word and make sure the things going into your body aren’t poison.

One last thought is on Botox. This is derived from the botulism poison and is used to make ones appearance different from what it actually is. It paralyzes the nerves in a persons face and makes the wrinkles not as noticeable, making them appear younger. For some reason this is desirable to some people, but is also very deadly. People are paying a lot of money to be poisoned….. on purpose. Whatsupwitdat? But if you in turn look at most churches the same holds true there too. People are paying to be poisoned by impure messages. Things like “A Purpose Driven Life”, Joel Osteen’s “Your Best Life Now” and books like “Velvet Elvis” and “The Shack” have all topped the best sellers list, but are in fact poison in diluted form. Products use the guise of being Christian literature, but are full of just enough truth to send a person to hell.

Pray for discernment, pray for Truth, pray for God to save you. Repent of your sinful life and turn to God. He does love you, but He is also Holy and can not stand the sight of your sin. He must judge in righteousness and He will send the unjust to hell. I pray that you seek His Word and His forgiveness.

Independence Day 2009

I've set back today and heard the accolades for the USA. It is the greatest nation in many ways, but in the biggest way it falls very short.

What way is that? The downward spiral away from God. Is this the great falling away that is spoken of in 2 Thes. 2:3? There does seem to be many falling away from the Faith, actually a lot more than you may think. I say this because so many are being deceived by a different gospel (Gal. 1:6-8) and a different Jesus is being proclaimed (2 Co. 11:4). I am not talking about the LDS or the JWs either. I am talking about most professing evangelical churches in our nation.

These churches (and I use the term very loosely) have created a god that is similar to the God of the bible, but oh so dangerous. See it has just enough truth in it, mixed with lies to be sending countless millions to hell. Satan is very crafty and has indeed counterfeited the Gospel with a very dangerous one. Many people raised in churches now think that they are all right because they made a single profession of faith and never truly repented of their sins. They do not know that repentance is actually turning from your sinful life and toward Jesus and never looking back(Luke 9:62). Turning from the sins that you covet and toward the God that you hate. This idea seems so radical now, but was the true biblical gospel up until less than a century ago, when numbers started to matter more than actual conversion, becoming a new creation through the redeeming power and love of Christ.

If a person now tells someone that they need to repent and be born again, become a new creation and shun the sinful lives they are leading, they are deemed as wackos, cults or modern Pharisees. The scripture is immediately quoted "Judge not least ye be judged" (Matt 7:1). This verse is probably the most taken out of context in the bible. Just keep reading through Matt 7 and you will see that judgment is to happen. How could you know not to cast your pearls before swine if you have not discerned that they were swine in the first place.

The U.S. has created a brand of Christianity that is man centered, which makes it false. Any message that says a man must first do something to gain eternal life is no different than any other pagan religion out there. "Say this prayer and ask Jesus into your heart"? Where is that in the bible? That is a works based theology that is not biblical, but man centered.

So what can we do? We can pray for our leaders, that they will come to a true repentant faith in the God of the bible. When and if they do, then there will be a marked change in our country.

Do pray for the country and its leaders. Not just the political, but the supposed spiritual leaders as well. This goes for the Osteens, Warrens and Hinns. The ones that have a huge following because they make earthly promises for God and skew scripture to fit their agenda. Pray also for the true followers of Christ that preach the truth and stand for the True God of Scripture.

Now Your iPhone Is A Missionary, Preacher and Evangelist

I just did a search for “Christian iphone apps” and found out that there is actually a Christianiphoneapps.com. Who would’ve thunk it?

But anyways, one app caught my eye amongst all the Bibles and devotionals being shown. It was called, simply, iChristian. How original. So I took a gander at it in iTunes and was disturbed, but not really surprised at what it was. It is actually the same as most sermons across the USA on a daily basis.

Seems the app takes you pretty much through the 4 spiritual laws and has “THE” prayer listed in which you can say to become a Christian, er uh, American christian (small “c” because they only profess Christ with their lips on a single occasion and then live the same life as before, no changes, no repentance, no living for Christ. So they are following a false christ).

The app description touts that it contains “the minimal of required information to become a Christian”, but yet there is nothing of biblical repentance and denying everything and following Christ. Fully. In every facet. Forever. You can even register yourself as a Christian after you say the prayer. I think they will also give you a certificate proving that you are now a christian. So much for the fruits of the Spirit and actually living a repentant life, as the signs that the bible says will tell that a person has been truly converted.

This is just the next step in our culture to further blaspheme the Word of God. It takes certain verses (as most churches do) and uses them to make their point, which is actually teaching a false Christ. I was deceived for many years and sadly my wife and oldest son was too. Thankfully the Lord opened my eyes at a pivotal time in my walk with Him and soundly saved me, not through any prayer I said, but out of His loving grace for me. WOW! I still stand amazed that the Lord would save me, a person that claimed to know Him and yet defiled His precious name on a daily basis. How great is our God!

Michael Jackson Dead At Age 50

It has just been reported that Michael Jackson has died, ending a very controversial life. He has joined the ultimate statistic…. 1 out of 1 will die. He did not know that he was going to die at a young age of 50. He was actually planning a comeback tour that would have been very elaborate and probably very costly. But what about his soul? That is the most precious thing he had. In fact if Jackson did not repent of his sins he is now burning in the lake of fire.

It reminds me of the rich young ruler (king of pop). He had all the earthly desires he ever wanted, quite arguably at one point, one of the richest entertainers. He was successful by the terms of the world. But all of that doesn’t matter now. He is gone from this earth and all of his possessions have been left here, along with his lifeless body. His soul lives on, but where? As I said, if he had not repented before his death he is now in hell and has no chance to reconcile to the Lord.

So what about you? Have you repented of your sinful life, turned to the God that you hated? Have you acknowledged that Christ is Lord and laid down your own life in order that Christ may live through you? That’s the most important thing in a persons existence. Has God done such a work in you that your sins are now hated by you? Or are you your own god? Have you created a god that conforms to your ideas instead of you fitting His? Does your god turn a blind eye to sins? Does your god not care that your lifestyle doesn’t match what the Bible says it should? Or is your God the God of scripture that gave His Son on a cross for your sins and demands that you count yourself as dead so that He can live?

I beg you to seek the True God of the Bible. Not the watered down god prominently preached at most churches every Sunday morning. Be not deceived, God will not be mocked. He is Holy and we are commanded to be Holy as well. He is righteous; He is also just and must punish sin. Do not think of God as only love, that is only one facet of His Glory. Cry out to Him to show you Himself, cry out to begin a walk with Him to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. There is nothing that you can do to save yourself, no prayer, no walk down an aisle, not baptism, not a profession of faith. Only Chrsit the Lord can save you and all we can do is repent and believe in Him. Be aware that repentance is not sorrow. Sorrow is a part of repenting, but true repentance is turning from your sins. How? If God truly saves you will be a new creation and you will walk by His statutes, you will conform to the likeness of Christ, you will love His Word, you will love His people and you definitely won’t be the same.

I pray that Michael Jackson was saved. I will not cast judgment on him, but will say that he is like everyone else. He was a sinner and the wrath of God was on his head and unless he repented and turned from sin and to God, he is in hell.

The Ugly Duckling Syndrome or Always Chosen last

Just sitting here thinking back to my youth…. On the playground…… kickball, basketball, baseball, football, any other sport going on…. Thinking about how it was being the last one picked for a team or being the odd person out and not being picked at all. Things like that follow a person through their whole life and help shape them into the person they become.

Some people strive to become better at a chosen sport or activity in order that they will then not be left out or be embarrassed by being the last one chosen. Is there anything wrong with that? I guess it depends on the reasoning behind it. Do they want to fit in because they desire what someone else has, in this case a relationship with other people. Or are they actually trying to better themselves? In most cases it is probably to fit in, to not be left out, to not be ridiculed, to be liked, etc.

If it is to fit in then they are in affect trying to be something they aren’t in order to gain favor with a particular person or group of people. Is that a good thing? I would say not. My reasoning, because they would then be living a lie and emulating the others instead of being their own person.

So how does this have to do with Christianity, or better yet the church? Glad you asked. So many times people get side tracked into areas where they are trying to serve someone other than God. This could be a great mission, if it weren’t for the motives behind it. I have seen many people do things they did not want to do in order to make themselves look better, make someone else happy or not get a bad reputation for doing them. All of which are wrong reasons for doing anything within a Christian body of believers.

1 Cor. 3:11-15 lays this out for us. Any works that are not built upon Christ will be burned up. That means that if you do anything for selfish motivations, the Lord will disregard them. So all the people that are serving ministries out of duty, out of a desire to be noticed, out of a desire to make themselves shine, then they are doing it in vain. But going in the other direction a person may not be as capable of doing something in the most popular manner, but have a desire to please the Lord and no one else. They may not know the correct words to say, the right buttons to push or may not do things the way some people would have them done, but they are serving the Lord and not a selfish desire.

These are the humble and weak that follow the Lord with an inward zeal to glorify Him. They are the ones that are most often time left on the sidelines because they do not fit in, or chosen last because their skills may be lacking in some areas. These weaker vessels need to be discipled instead of cast off as useless, or shunned because they may be different than everyone else. After all, aren’t all Christians the outcasts of the world? Shouldn’t the outcasts of the world be pulling together instead of apart?

Let me remind you what the Word of God says:
1 Corinthians 12:20-26 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Wow! That is exactly what the church does not do. Instead these weaker parts are cast by the wayside. They look in at what the others are doing in their little cliques and wonder why they are on the outside when all they want to do is work with the other hand, the other eye, the foot, the little finger or the mouth and glorify God, build the Lords kingdom and be a member of the body instead of being a cast off. After all would you cut your feet off because your belly was big, because your feet did not run around enough to burn enough calories for weight loss? Or would you nurture your feet and see how they could work with the whole body toward the same goal?

So next time think about the “little people” that are looking into your circle of friends and invite them in. These people could be the missing puzzle piece… er uh, body part that could complete the goal that has been set forth. Even if their skills may be lacking, they may be a little slower than you or they may need some coaching (discipleship) they may be the body part that God wants to use to His glory.

Also don’t forget he story of the ugly duckling. Not a biblical story per se, but goes right along with the 1Cor.12 quote above. The “duckling” was seen as ugly because it did not fit in, there fore shunned by its brothers and sisters. Only until they saw the “duckling” in its true state as a beautiful swan could they appreciate it in how its beauty glorified Gods work. The same could be as the outcast duckling in your church, they could be waiting for the Lord to show you His glory through them and when He does….. it will be more beautiful than you could ever imagine.