Could We Do It?

 

It seems the times are changing. There has been a shift. Of course, evil has always existed. The Bible is very clear on what the End Times will bring. Some wonder, are we in the End Times now? Or is there more and even worse times to come?

Some Christians say that Charlie Kirk was a martyr. Others say he wasn't. But truly he was a man that loved God and told so many people about Christ. And he went out on the road visiting many colleges to proclaim the gospel. Isn't that what the Apostle Paul did? He was thrown into prison and then was murdered for his faith.

We are all to be missionaries to a degree. Maybe not to other lands. Maybe not to do the kind of work that Charlie did. 

But how about to our families. Our friends. Our neighbors.

If we are called to give up our lives, as Christ did for us, could we be so bold to proclaim Jesus to the masses? Could we do it?

I remember a few years ago when a student shot and murdered some high school kids at his school. He asked one girl if she believed in God and when she said yes, he shot her. 

If that happened to us, (God forbid) could we be willing to take a bullet?

That to me is what a true martyr is. She took the bullet, and Charlie, though wasn't given that exact choice, took it for his faith as well.

It is something to ponder on. Because with the world getting darker, we may be asked the same kind of thing before Jesus comes back. 

Who will be willing to take it? I think we had better be ready in case it happens to us. 

Tomorrow, I will share a short story with you about some men whose own lives hung in the balance in times past. It is one of death but also one of a glorious homegoing because they gave up their lives for the cause of Christ. Their life ended on earth but they gained their home in heaven. Please come back for this. Hopefully it will inspire you as it did me.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. God be with you today and every day

No Confusion Here

 

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33

Sadly, peace and confusion can be found in many churches today. A church that teaches the truth and only the truth, they find peace there. 

Have you been to a church where people are supposed to be "drunk" in the spirit? One where they wiggle on the floor like fish? One where the whole congregation goes into fits of laughter?

If you have, I would submit to you that you are in the wrong place to worship God. For these things do not worship God. In fact, you can find many heathen organizations that practices these same things. 

God is not the author of such nonsense. Read what verse 40 of that chapter says:

40 Let all things be done decently and in order  1Corinthians 14   verse 40

And again, I say sadly, that many churches, including Pentecostal and Charismatic churches do practice these kinds of things.

Buyer beware. They are not of God. Not the one in Heaven anyway. If you attend one that does these things, I would say to you: Do Not Walk, but Run and find a good church where they don't. Because God's Word is clear on it. There is no confusion from our Creator. Only the enemy would tell you a different gospel. So please listen to the truth instead.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends.

Be blessed!

 

On the Subject of Tithing...

 

12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?   Psalm 116:12

There is a doctrine going around in some of the Charismatic Churches whereby they push the offerings and tithes making people believe that if you tithe you can "be blessed by God" and get rich. They do not care if you have $10 left in your bank account. You should give the Lord, "them" $5 and keep the other $5 for yourself. They will brag about being rich as a blessing from God when that is not a Biblical doctrine at all. There is one so-called pastor that even said the Rapture couldn't happen yet because people hadn't given enough yet. And yet he lives in a multimillion-dollar home, has airplanes and his own air strip and drives expensive cars.

The old saying I think that perhaps came from Robin Hood Days, that he takes from the rich and gives to the poor doesn't seem to apply in these churches.

No, they take from the poor (as well as anyone else they can get it from) and keeps it for themselves.

I don't have time to go into this today. I got side tracked after I began looking into this subject and it has kept me busy and I will not be able to go any further today.

However, I will post more on this subject tomorrow. What we have learned in the past about tithing may not be what you think. So please come back and check out what I will be posting about it. 

Thanks for coming by today, and I pray God's blessings on yo

False Rapture Reports

There were reports on some Youtube channels in the past few weeks about the Rapture that was supposed to happen on Sept 23 or 24th. I did not cover those. People have been predicting them for years and years, all to no avail. 

We only need to go to God's Word to find the truth about when the Rapture will occur.

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mark 13:32

Friends, that is all we get to know. That no one knows the day or hour. Not even the angels or God's Son. Only God Himself is privy to that information.

And yet-because many people do not read their Bibles and instead listen to the false teachers or prophets, they believe the lies.

I didn't pay much attention to all of the ridiculous claims this time around, but in the past I have seen accounts of people quitting their jobs, selling their homes, gone on spending sprees while they still believe they can and then the day of the supposed Rapture comes and what happens?

Absolutely Nothing.

And those people now have no job, no homes and some have no bank accounts. Or worse. 

Who is to blame for such hypocrisy when this happens?

The devil? Surely, he is at the very beginning of it. An idea passed on to those that he could use to preach a different gospel. (Galatians 1:8)

The pastor or false teacher that preaches a different gospel?

Or can it be placed on the shoulders of the people that listens to the false teacher and does not go to God's Word for himself?

That last answer is actually the key. And if we find in God's Word what it really says about this subject or any other subject of any kind, we should run and not walk from those that are there to lie to us. 

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Mathew 24:11

It is as simple as that. There are many false teachers and prophets in our world that are out there-sent by the devil yes,- to deceive us because Jesus said so. It's His Word that we take. Not theirs. But it's up to us to make sure we are getting it straight from His Word and not just take what someone is telling us. 

I don't know how much fall-out there has been this time around but I do know in times past, when this has happened to people, some have turned from God because they didn't know the truth.

We need truth in this world, Friends. Because there is so much that isn't true. Evil is rampart and sadly its allowed to be just as God's Word tells us.

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Our God is a good God. He gave His Best for us. But to also know His Best for us in our daily lives, makes us responsible to make sure what we believe, is from Him and not from the devil, passed on to men and women that are teaching false doctrine. A different gospel.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Take care and be blessed by God our Creator!

Real Purpose

 

It's true. Life has real purpose when Jesus lives in us. I have been a Christian for many years.

Don't get me wrong, I haven't always lived like it. I have tried and sometimes miserably failed.

But Jesus still loves me, fallen human that I am. 

He has never left me. Never failed me. And I wake up every day thanking Him for what He has done over the years of my life.

If you need some scripture to read today to help you navigate the rest of your day-well I have some for you below. Read them, but take them with you and know that God loves you!

 Jeremiah 29:11-13    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Psalm 34:8 ~ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ~ So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

 Isaiah 26 :3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 

Do you need some peace in your life? I think we all do at this time in our lives. And what better place to find it in God's Word? Trust Him today and He will give you peace like no other that you can get on earth! 

                           Thanks for coming by today, Friends. God bless You and Yours!

The World Was Watching

 

Yesterday the world watched the Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk. My family was visiting me and so I did not watch any of it until today. And the news about it would be unbelievable if we did not believe in God.

I was a teen when John F Kennedy was murdered. I can remember how I would complain about his death and funeral had been the focus on tv for 3 whole days. Nothing else. Of course, back then we had 3 tv stations and PBS was not yet available. 

Its funny how times have changed. Now an important person has ceased to exist in this earth by an assassin's bullet and though God could have saved his life, He called him home. 

And how much tv, and the internet have gleaned over the past couple of weeks that he has been gone.

Its funny how Christians and the Right are lied about because we want justice and by our words, we want violence.

And its funny because we ask, " Where is the proof of what they are saying?"

Its funny because the answer to that is, "There is no proof"

And isn't it funny that even all the rhetoric about people that have been accused of violence, there was none from them during the Memorial. Humm. Interesting, isn't it?

Heaven gained a real man of God on September 10, 2025

And here on earth? A wife lost a wonderful husband. Two innocent children lost their father. Close friends lost a great friend. Many young people lost their mentor. Many would be young people would never know him.  (Thank God though we will see him again)

Why? Because some people didn't like the messages he was sending and stood bravely for.

All while the World Was Watching. 

And who else might have been watching?

No doubt God and the angels in heaven.

They weren't surprised at what craziness was happing here on earth.

And look what has happened.

The sleeping giant in this country has been waking up for sometime.

And it continued with the death of Charlie Kirk.

But make no mistake. The evil will continue until Jesus comes back

But we should never forget what Genesis 50:20 says:

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people

And so, while we wait for Jesus to come back, we pray for those that oppose the message of  Christ's  love and forgiveness. Not thru violence, but through prayer. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends.

God bless you and yours!

 

Tattoos' Yay or Nay?

 

Last evening I was scrolling YouTube channels for something to watch. And I happened on a channel with a woman talking about her video of the day. 

It's not the video I am remarking on in this post. It was her appearance.

She's probably in her early 40s, I am not sure. But she is very pretty pink short sleeved shirt on, and her hair and makeup looked well done.

 However, her arms from the top of her shirt and on down was covered in tattoos.

Please do not think I am judging her for that. What people do with piercings and tattoos are up to everyone and I am not going to put anyone down for them. Three of my 4 kids have tattoos, and I have never said a word to them. (They got them as adults)

However, it got me to wondering what the Bible has to say about tattoos. Because in the past I had read something about them in the Old Testament. So again, I went on a quest to find out.

 Tattoos are more popular than ever in many parts of the world. The number of people with tattoos has increased dramatically in recent years. Tattoos are not just for delinquents or rebels anymore. The edginess of rebellion historically associated with tattoos is starting to wear off.

The New Testament does not say anything about whether or not a believer in Jesus Christ should get a tattoo. Therefore, we cannot say that getting a tattoo is a sin. Because of Scripture’s silence, getting inked falls under the category of a “gray area,” and believers should follow their convictions in the matter, respecting those who may have different convictions.

Here are some general biblical principles that may apply to getting a tattoo:

◦ Children are to honor and obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1–2). For a minor to get a tattoo in violation of his or her parents’ wishes is biblically unsupportable. Tattoos born of rebellion are sinful.

◦ “Outward adornment” is not as important as the development of the “inner self” and should not be the focus of a Christian (1 Peter 3:3–4). A person who desires a tattoo to garner attention or draw admiration has a vain, sinful focus on self.

◦ God sees the heart, and our motivation for anything we do should be to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Motivations for getting a tattoo such as “to fit in,” “to stand out,” etc., fall short of the glory of God. The tattoo itself may not be a sin, but the motivation in getting it might be.

◦ Our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. The believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). How much modification of that temple is appropriate? Is there a line that should not be crossed? Is there a point at which the proliferation of tattoos on one body ceases to be art and starts becoming sinful mutilation? This should be a matter of individual reflection and honest prayer.

◦ We are Christ’s ambassadors, delivering God’s message to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). What message does the tattoo send, and will it aid or detract from representing Christ and sharing the gospel?

◦ Whatever does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23), so the person getting the tattoo should be fully convinced that it is God’s will for him or her.

We cannot leave the discussion of tattoos without looking at the Old Testament law that prohibited tattoos: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). The reason for the prohibition of tattoos in this passage is not stated, but it is likely that tattooing was a pagan practice connected with idolatry and superstition. It was probably common for the pagans to mark their skin with the name of a false god or with a symbol honoring some idol. God demanded that His children be different. As He reminded them in the same verse, “I am the LORD.” The Israelites belonged to Him; they were His workmanship, and they should not bear the name of a false god on their bodies. While New Testament believers are not under the Mosaic Law, we can take from this command the principle that, if a Christian chooses to get a tattoo, it should never be for superstitious reasons or to promote worldly philosophy. The bottom line is that getting a tattoo is not a sin, per se. It is a matter of Christian freedom and should be guided by biblical principles and rooted in love. 

(source: gotquestions.org)

So, I am in agreement with what is said here. It is an individual choice and is not sin if not done in rebellion. But I do think they make the skin look dirty as it did on the young woman yesterday. It really kind of spoiled her otherwise pretty appearance.  But that is my own opinion on it. I know that many people do use them as a way of expressing things that have happened or is important in their lives. And maybe because of something they had experienced during their young life. So, who am I to say against what they do? 

It isn't for me to say for anyone else. And it's just not for me.

Thanks for coming by today. Have a blessed day in Jesus!

Cross Wall Hangings and more.. (Part 2)

 

Hello Friends. I am so sorry that I did not get here yesterday for the second part of these posts. It turned out that not only did I have company but wasn't feeling all that well. So I sincerely apologize.

However, today I am back to normal and want to conclude what I started the other day on the various items in our homes that have to do somewhat with our faith.

Below is the article I found on gotquestions.org and then I will tell you what I have decided about the items I have in my home.

When God first gave His Law to mankind, He began with a statement of who He is: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt” (Exodus 20:2) with a warning that Israel was to have no other God but Him. He immediately followed that by forbidding the making of any image of anything “in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters below” (Exodus 20:4) for the purpose of worshiping or bowing down to it. The fascinating thing about the history of the Jewish people is that they disobeyed this commandment more than any other. Again and again, they made idols to represent gods and worshiped them; beginning with the creation of the golden calf during the very time God was writing out the Ten Commandments for Moses (Exodus 32)! Idol worship not only drew the Israelites away from the true and living God, it led to all manner of other sins including temple prostitution, orgies, and even the sacrifice of children.

Of course, simply having a picture of Jesus hanging in a home or church does not mean people are practicing idolatry. It is possible that a portrait of Jesus or a crucifix can become an object of worship, in which case the worshiper is at fault. But there is nothing in the New Testament that would specifically forbid a Christian from having a picture of Jesus. Such an image could well be a reminder to pray, to refocus on the Lord, or to follow in Christ’s footsteps. But believers should know that the Lord cannot be reduced to a two-dimensional image and that prayer or adoration is not to be offered to a picture. A picture will never be a complete image of God or accurately display His glory, and should never be a substitute for how we view God or deepen our knowledge of Him. And, of course, even the most beautiful representation of Jesus Christ is nothing more than one artist’s conception of what the Lord looked like.

As it is, we don’t know what Jesus looked like. If the details of His physical appearance were important for us to know, Matthew, Peter, and John would certainly have given us an accurate description, as would Jesus’ own brothers, James and Jude. Yet these New Testament writers offer no details about Jesus’ physical attributes. We are left to our imaginations.

We certainly don’t need a picture to display the nature of our Lord and Savior. We have only to look at His creation, as we are reminded in Psalm 19:1–2: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” In addition, our very existence as the redeemed of the Lord, sanctified and made righteous by His blood shed on the cross, should have Him always before us.

The Bible, the very Word of God, is also filled with non-physical descriptions of Christ that capture our imaginations and thrill our souls. He is the light of the world (John 1:5); the bread of life (John 6:32–33); the living water that quenches the thirst of our souls (John 4:14); the high priest who intercedes for us with the Father (Hebrews 2:17); the good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11, 14); the spotless Lamb of God (Revelation 13:8); the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); the way, the truth, the life (John 14:6); and the very image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Such a Savior is more beautiful to us than any piece of paper hanging on the wall.

In her book Gold Cord, missionary Amy Carmichael tells of Preena, a young Indian girl who became a Christian and lived in Miss Carmichael’s orphanage. Preena had never seen a picture of Jesus; instead, Miss Carmichael prayed for the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to each of the girls, “for who but the Divine can show the Divine?” One day, Preena was sent a package from abroad. She opened it eagerly and pulled out a picture of Jesus. Preena innocently asked who it was, and when she was told that it was Jesus, she burst into tears. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Why are you crying?” Little Preena’s reply says it all: “I thought He was far more beautiful than that” (page 151).

💗💗💗

I have decided that I will not be taking down the crosses or pictures of Jesus that are on my walls. Nor will I get rid of my cross-jewelry pieces.
I agree with this teaching above. By having them, I do not practice idolatry. And I believe that would be sin, if I did.  They are not gods to me. I fully understand that pictures of Jesus are not really him. I do not pray to that picture. 
The little girl in the last paragraph there had it right.
Jesus is far more beautiful to me than any picture someone can paint or draw. 
However, I do know that there have been Catholics in my family that have carried a crucifix and think somehow that is going to save them from whatever. A cousin once told me I needed to apply oil to my doors after a rebellious teen had been in my home for a time and had left. But it is my belief that this isn't necessary because that is what Jesus came for. So that the Old Testament of applying blood to the doors could be done away with when Jesus gave His blood for us.
Do I still pray for that girl? You batcha. She came from a very destructive and sad family life. 
But the need for oil on the doors of our homes for me is unneccsary.
That being said, if you believe differently, that is between you and God. 
At any rate, these are the conclusions I have come to in my life and you may feel differently. I am just here to discuss them. We are free in Jesus for such things.
The most important question of all, of course is
Do you know Jesus?
Because that is the one that will either put us on the path to heaven or the path to hell. 
Thanks for coming today, Friends.

God bless!