08/31/22 ONE PROVES THE OTHER

08/31/22 ONE PROVES THE OTHER

There is no repentance if there is no change of heart, no change of direction: no relationship if there is dishonesty, distrust.

08/31/22 SOME THINGS MUST GO TOGETHER

08/31/22 SOME THINGS MUST GO TOGETHER

Regardless the willingness and desire to reconcile, relate, restore, it will not happen until repentance replaces rebellion.

08/31/22 IMPROMPTU AND IN SERIES

08/31/22 IMPROMPTU AND IN SERIES

I often post subjects in series and impromptu. I recently addressed the tragedy of parents leading and pushing children into worldliness; children being led away from spiritual principles; children being allowed to choose the poison laced candy of life, that destroys rather than that which is spiritual, up-building and developmental.

I am not talking about force feeding children unpleasantness and stuffiness. Children and young people have more of a natural and receptive openness to God than adults have. God draws them and enables great growth, which is beneficial at the time of interaction and will prove to be immeasurably vital as they mature. Those vital years must not be corrupted or wasted on the passing fancies of Secular (anti-spiritual) relationships and occupation. The adage, "as the twig is bent, so grows the tree," is clearly applicable here. Not only are children and young people more likely to get saved at an early age, they are sensitive and open to deeper spiritual truths.

Don't miss this opportunity; it will never come again.

08/31/22 DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS

08/31/22 DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS

Feed your kids with Holy Fire, not fleshly desire; spiritual treasure, not earthly pleasure; eternity, not frivolity.

08/31/22 IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME

08/31/22 IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME

Giving our children the best in the flesh kills their desire for the things of God.

08/30/22 CHOOSING THE BEST OVER ALL OF THE REST

08/30/22 CHOOSING THE BEST OVER ALL OF THE REST

I watched a really good Christian movie several months ago (Remember The Goal). It was about a Christian high school, long distance coach and how she lead her team to victory. A really well done movie.

I watched another really good Christian movie this evening (The Perfect Race). It was a follow-up with the same coach, coaching a college team in the 800 meters. Another really well done movie.

I enjoyed the movies. But I also went through personal angst and heartbreak. I watch people run their own races in life. Sadly, though many of the "runners" are very talented, they are running the wrong races. They are training in the wrong way, they are following the wrong courses, they are teamed up with the wrong teammates.

I watch as people set before young people the wrong goals, the wrong principles, the wrong practices. I watch as young people spend their best years in pursuit of that which satisfies them for a moment, but robs them for a lifetime... and even longer. I watch as the gifts of God are wasted on the passing joys of this world. I watch as young people either reach for the tarnished crowns of human accomplishment or spend their best years and their abilities pleasing their own flesh or fulfilling the dreams of other people who are not seeking the whole will of God.

Find these two movies on YOUTUBE. Watch them. See them as a parable of life. The goal, the perfect race is totally under the authority of God. It must be seen as the call and will of God.

Seek God's truth, follow God's Spirit, commit to God's race, take advantage of God's ministering pastors. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.

Ephesians 5:14-16
(14) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
(15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
(16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

Colossians 4:5-6
(5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
(6) Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

08/30/22 SPITTING IN THE FACE OF GOD

08/30/22 SPITTING IN THE FACE OF GOD

It is one thing to not know truth; another to not follow it; yet another to spit in its face (Lk. 12:43-48; Ja. 4:17).

 Luke 12:43-48
(43)  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
(44)  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
(45)  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
(46)  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
(47)  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
(48)  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

James 4:17
(17)  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

08/30/22 ALWAYS DISTURBING

08/30/22 ALWAYS DISTURBING

One of the hardest things I deal with in life is watching life-destroying TRAIN WRECKS that could have been avoided.

08/30/22 HIS WORD IS THE STANDARD

08/30/22 HIS WORD IS THE STANDARD

Whatever God teaches or tells us individually and personally will always agree with what He has said in His word.

Whatever God teaches or tells us individually and personally will never disagree with what He has said in His word.

God's Spirit never goes against what He has revealed to the Church in His infallible word.

God's leading through preaching, teaching, counsel, is never in conflict with what He has said in His word.

God's leading, through the circumstances in our lives will never be contrary to His revealed word.

08/30/22 DON'T WASTE YOUR YEARS

08/30/22 DON'T WASTE YOUR YEARS

Y'all, of all ages, listen up.

What a shame to spend a life in pursuit of the frivolous, shallow, eternally useless things of life, God has a plan for us before we are born, yet some folks think our youthful years are to be spent in hollow pursuits, grabbing hold of whatever the world, the flesh and the devil dangles before our eyes.

08/30/22 LIFE IS NOT A TIDDLYWINK ARENA

08/30/22 LIFE IS NOT A TIDDLYWINK ARENA

Imagine being the best Tiddlywink player in the world, ever. From childhood you were always able to play the game with fierce ability. You eventually entered into wider competitions, which took you all over the world and filled your trophy case with awards and your bank account with money. You were sought after by the news media, lauded by society. As a Christian you even used your success as a platform to become known as a Christian Tiddlywink-er. But when it came down to it, you were much more of a Wink champion than a witness for Christ. But at least you became the world champion.

The world is filled with folks who pursued the trivial while letting the essential and eternal take a backseat. Some of those who pursued the trivial became champions, in music, acting, sports, business, public service, education, but their exceptionalism in the trivia was a waste of God given talents, skills, abilities, acumen.
Though some of them were known as "Christian" whatever, they were primarily the artist, more than they were the Christian.

The best years of growth, learning, development, training, energy are wasted on that which is simply fun, simply empty fun. Worse than that, it is fun that eventually robs the same person of the greatest opportunity of service to God.

Pursuing that which fades not only robs the person, robs them of their future and robs the lost, it robs the childhood of the greatest love, power, adventure, spiritual realities.

08/30/22 WHO IS MORE QUALIFIED?

08/30/22 WHO IS MORE QUALIFIED?

THIS IS REALLY WORTH TAKING TIME TO THINK ABOUT (if I do say so myself).

Don't skim over these points.
Are God's choices for you better than your own choices for you?
As a senior?
As a middle aged adult?
As a young adult?
As a teenager?
As an adolescent?
As a preadolescent?
As a child?
As a toddler?
As an infant?
Are God's choices better for your children than their own choices for themselves?

Are God's choices better for your children than your choices for them?

Legitimate studies show the following. Take heed.
The most important years of child development are from birth to three or five years of age.
The most informative years of child development are from birth to eight years of age.
The most important years of socialization are from eight to eleven years of age.
The most likely years of conversion for a person is between four and fourteen years of age (with greater likelihood between six and fourteen years of age.

I would say, according to these findings and God's revealed plan for the family, the church, the evangelizing and discipling of children and young people, parents and their children need the leadership, teaching, preaching, counsel, training, fellowship, ministry, input, influence of a Biblical pastor and church ministry. It is not a time to expose them to the worldview of a Christ-less society. Neither is it the time to let them choose what they want, as opposed to the foundation of Biblical Christianity.

Children need to be children, but they do not need to set their own carnal, temporal course for life. Neither do they need to have worldly minded, self driven parents set their course for them.

Children are the greatest gifts we have and we should do EVERYTHING in our power to provide them with the very best that God, His word, His salvation, His Spirit have to offer them.

Sadly, most of the people who will read this article have already wasted the major part of a young person's life by cutting out or limiting the most important facets afforded by God.

08/29/22 THE LIE, IN THREE PARTS

08/29/22 THE LIE, IN THREE PARTS

The lie is, Christians must continue to sin, they cannot be delivered from desire to sin, and sin does not damn the soul.

08/29/22

08/29/22 TODAY'S FALSE WITNESS

NOT shocking: Today's "Christian leaders" teach the New Testament does not apply to Christians.

Satan loves sin.

08/29/22 GOD'S GRACIOUS SALVATION

08/29/22 GOD'S GRACIOUS SALVATION

GOD'S GRACE:

Saves sinners from their sins;

Delivers believers from sinful nature;

Enables followers to resist all temptation.

08/29/22 GUTTERMOST TO UTTERMOST

08/29/22 GUTTERMOST TO UTTERMOST

You are not saved to the UTTERMOST, if God can't or won't save you from the guttermost (He. 7:25; 1 Co. 5:17; 1 Jn. 1:7).

08/29/22 SO GREAT SALVATION

08/29/22 SO GREAT SALVATION

It's not really, "so great salvation," if it does not save believers from the Penalty, the Pollution and the Power of sin, here and now.

08/29/22 THERE IS A REASON FOR THEIR ERROR

08/29/22 THERE IS A REASON FOR THEIR ERROR

When folks tell you God does not call and enable believers to Biblical perfection, they are lying to you, in order to mislead you.

08/29/22 DIFFERENT gOD, DIFFERENT SALVATION

08/29/22 DIFFERENT gOD, DIFFERENT SALVATION

The best that the god of sinning religion can do is just ignore your sin because He can't or won't save you from sin and sinning.

08/29/22 BIBLICAL ELECTION

08/29/22 BIBLICAL ELECTION

God elects (chooses) who will be saved.

He chooses those who choose to believe, repent, confess, follow Jesus.

Biblical!

08/28/22 IT MAY NOT MEAN WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS

08/28/22 IT MAY NOT MEAN WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS

Be careful: some phrases sound right, but they aren't necessarily true, such as "saved by grace alone." What about God, faith, atonement, resurrection? Are we saved without God, faith, atonement, resurrection? Of course not. Therefore the phrase cannot be an all inclusive truth. Therefore we need to understand the danger of such a phrase.

The phrase, "saved by grace alone" is a backdoor way of saying that works of righteousness by faith are actually works of the flesh and works of the devil. Not only does the phrase point out the danger of adding human effort or human invention to grace, it leads people to the false conclusion that good works are opposed to grace, when in reality, good works are the proof of saving grace.

The appeal to, "saved by grace alone," is also used to promote the fallacious idea that salvation has only a Divine side, in other words it is used to promote that there is no human side to salvation. Those folks do not believe that faith, repentance, confession and submission have anything to do with our salvation. Those misinformed folks then think that we are saved by a unilateral, unconditional, limited, irreversible divine salvation, BY GRACE ALONE.

NO ONE IS SAVED BY GOOD WORKS, true, but salvation that does not produce good works is not the salvation of God. After all, salvation is salvation from sin, from unrighteousness, from lawlessness, from disobeying the known will of God, from transgression, from doubt, from submission to darkness, submission to the devil, submission to the world, submission to the flesh.

In a well defined, explained way, the phrase may be true, but without those explanations, the phrase confuses the mind, blurs the truth and contradicts the salvific work of God.

Denying the phrase, "we are saved by grace alone" is not the same as asserting that "we are saved by grace and works," or, "we are saved by works of the flesh," or, "we are saved by any human invention."

We are not saved by grace without faith, we are not saved by grace without repentance, we are not saved by grace without confession, we are not saved by grace without submission.

We are not saved by faith without grace. We are not saved by repentance or confession or submission without grace.

We believe, confess, repent, submit because of God's grace, but God does not save anyone one who refuses to believe, confess, repent, submit.

Grace that does not believe, confess, repent and submit is not the grace of God.

08/28/22 IT IS NOT SALVATION

08/28/22 IT IS NOT SALVATION

No way is unilateral, unconditional, irreversible, limited, "divine" salvation loving, just, Biblical, reasonable or like God.

08/28/22 UNTAUGHT, FALSELY TAUGHT, TAUGHT

08/28/22 UNTAUGHT, FALSELY TAUGHT, TAUGHT

As a young, untaught believer, I thought that it was Biblical for a Christian to resist the evil government (Far East Communism at that time) with a Bible in one hand and an M-16 in the other. As I said, I was young and Biblically ignorant. In fact, I did not come to the Biblical truth of Christian non-violence until a couple of years after Bible College.

NOTICE, the Bible does teach that God gave the sword of steel to the State to protect the righteous and punish the wicked (through military and civil forces). But the State and the Church are TWO DIFFERENT AND SEPARATE realities. God clearly tells us in the New Testament that Christ followers are not violent, yet the false doctrines of the Roman and Reformed movements have corrupted and twisted the message of the Bible.

Today it is almost impossible to get churchmen to see and accept God's truth concerning the nature and the mission of believers. Today most western churchmen believe that the Church and the State are united in their service to God.

It is time to follow the word of God and abandon the false doctrines of man-made religions.

 

08/28/22 VIOLENT RELIGION RUN RAMPANT

08/28/22 VIOLENT RELIGION RUN RAMPANT

There is a religion in America that indoctrinates and forces folks, especially children, to renounce and denounce Jesus Christ and the Bible. This religion also destroys American moral foundation, family values, all inalienable rights, law and order, belief in scientific and historical facts family relationships, human dignity, justice, safety, property, material wealth, health and even life. This ancient and all-encompassing religion of intimidation, violence, degradation, confusion, oppression is the STATE, when the State denies and asserts itself against Christ and His word.

The really strange thing about this development of evil power is that most people who call themselves Christians have willingly sacrificed these treasures, and though they have boasted in their faith and threatened to use force in resistance to State intrusion, they have eagerly sent their children to the slaughterhouse. They have allowed the State to rob, rape, torture and even kill.

The answer is not human violence, though God sometimes uses violent people to stand against oppressors. The problem is not that Christians have not taken up arms (but neither have the gun toting good old boys who boast in their patriotism) but the problem is that Christians have not taken up their crosses and followed Christ. God does more through the Sword of the Spirit than He does through the sword of steel.

Isn't it strange how the American "Christian" ranks have been aggressively surrendering and sacrificing their Faith, Families, Freedoms for 75 years, but the thing that upsets them the most is the threat to their Finances? It is because the last couple of American generations have loved money, pleasure, societal accolades, State handouts and State approval more than they have loved God.

Once the intruder has violated the homeowner and abused all of his family, then why should the homeowner be upset that the intruder confiscates all of his money and food goods to give to the lazy, godless, violent thugs that want to rob and rape you and your family?

08/27/22 IT TAKES GRACE, TWICE

08/27/22 IT TAKES GRACE, TWICE

God's grace saves the sinner from his sinful life.
God's grace delivers the believer from his sinful nature

08/27/22 FREE WILL IS, BUT IT IS NOT THE PROBLEM

08/27/22 FREE WILL IS, BUT IT IS NOT THE PROBLEM

The power of free will is evident even in the very young.

Free will is not the problem; self will is the problem.

08/27/22 NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL

08/27/22 NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL

It is sad when the young refuse food, guidance protection or instruction.

Tragedy is close behind.

08/26/22 DOCTRINAL DISTINCTIVES

08/26/22 DOCTRINAL DISTINCTIVES

We have seen a rapid rejection of several basic beliefs in Christianity recently. Of course there has been a falling away from truth taking place for a long time.

I realize some of you don't agree with some of the things I believe and teach. Let me mention a few thoughts about this.

My doctrinal distinctives are not personally developed.
My doctrinal distinctives are part of the Biblical revelation.
My doctrinal distinctives are part of Church history and Church tradition, over the last two thousand years.
My doctrinal distinctives are accepted by a large segment of the Church.
My doctrinal distinctives are adhered to by believers with various levels of academic accomplishment, from various camps within the Church.
My doctrinal distinctives are not in conflict with any of the essential doctrines of the Bible.
My doctrinal distinctives are not peculiar to me, though they are not held by all Christians. In fact some of these distinctives are held by large groups of Christians. Some of you will find it hard to believe that some of these "distinctives" are actually not believed by all Christians.

Here are some of my doctrinal distinctives. Read them and ask yourself if you agree with my position or not. If not, ask yourself why not. You could also go to other people and ask for their opinion. Then if you don't agree with me, but you are interested to know why I believe these things, you can ask me. I will be glad to try and answer your questions. If all you want to do is argue with me, then I am not interested in just arguing.

Male leadership in the home and in the church.
The atonement of Christ was made for all who freely choose to believe.
God enables everyone to believe on Christ.
Christ is God, and Christ as God raised Himself from the dead.
Jesus died for everyone and has actually saved everyone before their birth, but because of personal sins after they are born, all men have been separated from God and can only be restored to a right relationship through faith, confession, repentance and following Christ.
Those who are born of God do not sin.
If a believer turns back to live in sin, they need to renew their faith relationship with God.
God delivers the faithful follower from all sin, cleansing the heart and filling the believer with perfect love.
Love is the fulfilling of the law.
God requires and enables believers to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength.
God enables us to keep His commandments and do that which is pleasing in His sight.
God has given the sword of steel to the State to protect the righteous and punish the wicked.
God calls and enables believers to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless them that curse us and pray for them who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We are saved by grace through faith unto good works.
God has called us to suffer for our faith, to die for our faith to share our faith and to live by our faith.
No one should believe anything that anyone teaches, if it is not Biblical.

I am called to give my life rather than to take another person's life.
The church has only one Lord and we, as Christians, are to obey God, rather than man, when the rule of man is contradictory to the rule of God.
There are other distinctives, but this will suffice for now.

In my Christian walk, I have come to realize that some of the things I had been taught, by well meaning Christians, were not Biblical. It hurt me to find out that I had been in error, It hurt me to find out that my beloved mentors had been wrong. It was disturbing to think that I would need to turn from some of my beliefs. HOWEVER, being Biblical was more important than being loyal to false teachings.

I did not just blindly accept human instruction. I studied the word, I studied the information concerning the original language, I studied doctrinal history of the Church, the traditions of the Church. With the word as the standard I based my beliefs.

It is easy to simply discount any information, which does not agree with what we have been taught. However, anyone can make a mistake, including those who are in my spiritual heritage. And anything or anyone after the Apostles are subject to error, regardless how far back in history we trace them.

Who knows, maybe I have learned something that you would be glad to learn. Whatever I will tell you will be found in your Bible, then you can decide if what I believe about it is consistent.

08/26/22 LOOKING BEYOND THE NATURAL

08/26/22 LOOKING BEYOND THE NATURAL

Pastors should be vitally interested in all of the issues of life in their congregation. So too, should congregants be attentive to the counsel, teaching, preaching, training, warnings that God gives to the pastor for all ages and situations within that local body of believers in leading them, AND SO MUCH MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPEARING.

08/26/22 PILGRIM'S SHEPHERDS

08/26/22 PILGRIM'S SHEPHERDS

Reviewing Pilgrim's Progress recently and was reminded that Bunyan included thoughts concerning the helpfulness of "shepherds," though Bunyan did not have a very positive experience with either ministers or churches. However, Scripture does point out the importance and place, which God gave to them for the purpose of advancing the journey of Christian travelers.

The names of the four shepherds in Bunyan's book are KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, WATCHFUL and SINCERE.

Sadly,the ministry of our day, along with the local churches of our day also lacks deeply spiritually dedicated, knowledgeable, experienced and sincere shepherds. Make it your aim to find God's shepherds for you life, and then follow their instructions.

08/26/22 BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED

08/26/22 BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED

Godly leadership is more than isolated "spiritual" matters. It is about LIFE because life is SPIRITUAL in THIS PRESENT WORLD.

Compartmentalized salvation is not salvation, it is religion.

Jesus is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.

The world tells us there is the spiritual and the secular side of our lives. WRONG, Secular is life without the spiritual (without God and His word, specifically). We must make certain that the "spiritual" is CHRISTIAN or it will be pagan. (more properly called "spritism" or "spiritualism.)"

As I mentioned in a previous post, God's leading includes these three ways:
Absolute revelation (the Bible),
Personal enlightenment and leading (the Holy Spirit),
Spiritual instruction (pastor, saints).

Being saturated with Christian, Biblical truth is even more essential in these day, as we are instructed in Hebrews:
Hebrews 10:23-31
(23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
(24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 13:7
(7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Hebrews 13:17
(17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Remember,
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

08/26/22 THREE DIVINE GUIDES

08/26/22 THREE DIVINE GUIDES

Absolute revelation (the Bible), personal enlightenment and leading (the Holy Spirit), spiritual instruction (pastor, saints).

08/26/22 UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNS

08/26/22 UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNS

We should NOT BE sign FOLLOWERS, neither should we IGNORE SIGNS GOD GIVES us. Signs should HELP, NOT DOMINATE us.

08/25/22 WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED

08/25/22 WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED

On one side are The Carnally Minded (the sinners), on the other side are the Spiritually Minded (the Spirit filled believers), and in between (but on the salvation side) are the Double Minded (believers with the Carnal Mind and the Mind of Christ, believers that have the Old Man and the New Man).

The problem with not being spiritually minded is a divided focus, a continued corruption that effects the inner man (reason, desires, emotions, conscience and will). A believer cannot give full attention, total dedication, single minded dedication to Jesus.

This impacts the whole self and direction of the individual. Basic salvation empowers the carnal believer to live in obedience to God and His rule, but it does not purify the heart. The Double Minded, the Carnal, the Un-Sanctified believer never reaches full potential. Not only is the Un-Sanctified believer stunted in his growth and service to God, he stands in the present danger of falling away from God suddenly, resulting in he eternal separation from God.

Remember, God says to be carnally minded is death.

08/25/22 IT TAKES TOTAL SUBMISSION TO THE MIND OF GOD

08/25/22 IT TAKES TOTAL SUBMISSION TO THE MIND OF GOD

I don't think many folks take the truths of 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 seriously enough, which is to say, few folks will know what it means, because they either don't understand what it says or they don't believe what it says.

Just for instance, you do know that verses 9-10 DO refer to spiritually minded believers HERE AND NOW, rather than people in heaven. But it goes further than this.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

08/25/22 IT IS A CHALLENGE TO ADJUST TO A NEW SYSTEM

08/25/22 IT IS A CHALLENGE TO ADJUST TO A NEW SYSTEM

The move from Philadelphia to Laodicea is essential, but not for the faint of heart or lazy minded.
If you don't understand this, then it is about time you find out about it, because it probably applies to you.

Revelation 3:7-22
Philadelphia
(7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
[8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
(9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
(10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
(11) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
(12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
(13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Laodicea
(14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
(15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
(16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
(17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
(18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
(19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
(20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
(21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
(22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

08/25/22 TIPS FOR LIVING IN LAODICEA

08/25/22 TIPS FOR LIVING IN LAODICEA

It is one thing to deliberately support evil.
It is another thing for a thief to steal your money and use it for evil.
It is yet another to voluntarily participate in evil for personal advantage or financial gain.
We can't help that taxation, so-called (but in truth, legalized robbery), steals from us by force.
Legitimate taxation is one thing, but extortion is not taxation. (At least that was the view of Jesus Mark 12:13-17. Read this very carefully).
But the wise person, the righteous person limits his losses, the "spoiling" of his goods by organized crime, for evil purposes at his own personal cost.
Otherwise we are guilty for profiting from wickedness.

Persecution and suffering are part of righteous living.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Sometimes we deliberately lose personal advantage in order to do good or to not do evil.
Hebrews10:3
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

08/25/22 NO SMALL MINISTRY

08/25/22 NO SMALL MINISTRY

I walked around my property as I reflected on God's plan concerning TNH ministry. 

Praying, obeying, and staying the course when obstacles arise. Even small ministries have battles to fight.

If your endeavor is unimportant, the enemy won't attack you.

Remember, "Little Is Much When God Is In It."
Remember too, God wants us In The Way, He does not want us in the way.

So when it comes to following God, get in, get out or get run over.

Charge.

08/24/22 PSALM 1 and SINSANITY

08/24/22 PSALM 1 and SINSANITY

SINSANITY, the insanity that starts with sssss, as in the hisssss of a sssserpent, known as sssssatan. 

Psalm 1 is a Divine snapshot of the lost and the righteous, giving us a short overview of the human condition (and a short intro to the entire book of Psalms), pointing out that there are two conditions for man, sinful and righteous.  

Psalms 1:1-6
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
(4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
(5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
(6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

Palm 1 SECTION BY SECTION.
Psalm 1:1 In the sinful condition there are three postures (levels) of commitment to wickedness, each one separates man from God and each one is stronger than the previous. The imagery is WALKING, STANDING and SITTING and the influences are THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY (passive but receptive listening to non-Christian advice), THE WAY OF SINNERS (deliberately following non-Christian paths) and THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL (the obstinate and mocking rejection of Christian truth).

1- Listening to the viewpoint of the unsaved; doubting the truth of God's word; following the example of the ungodly.
2- Accepting the life of rebellion; rejecting God's deliverance from sin; following the path of disobedience.
3- Reveling in the life of sin; scorning God, His message, His people;
openly promoting blasphemous beliefs and living.
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:2-3 (behavior and condition of the righteous)
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Psalm 1:4-5 (the behavior, condition and Divine judgement of the wicked)
(4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
(5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 

Psalm 1:6 (the result of choosing the way of righteousness and the way of sin)
(6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

08/23/22 AGAIN, SINSANITY

08/23/22 AGAIN, SINSANITY

I have had some health issues along the way, including the present time. As I am recuperating I came across pictures of Bidens choice for Seretary of Heath and Human Services, a Harvard grad, a Pediatrician, Pennsylvania's Health General, and he says he is a female. Just goes to show that in America you can grow up to be anything you want to be. Martha assures me I did not hallucinate these photos. Still, I know I am not as sick as I could be and I definitely have no plans to see a Pediatrcian in DC. I mean, come on, I am 75 years old. Not only are people living in an alternative reality, they want to pull you in there with them. Oh, that reminds me, the snatching of children in broad daylight is on the rise: WATCH OUT FOR YOUR CHILDREN. This reminds me, have you seen some of th plans for the coming METAVERSE? Whoa Nelly. And people still doubt the reliability of the Bible's view of the end times. And they still think Christians are strange. I am on some meds, but I'm not tripping dudes and dudetts (or whatever kind of penguin you are).

I meant to add, i would vote for this Biden appointee to be the first man to have a baby. That will really add to his alternative reality status.

And the extension of this insanity only starts with the rich and ridiculous but then it spills over into the grass roots of society. Our world is buying into all of this insinity (correctly spelled) because our world has refused Divine truth.

08/23/22 GOD IS SOVEREIGN

08/23/22 GOD IS SOVEREIGN

God is sovereign.
The Bible only makes sense if God decreed human ability to trust and obey.

08/22/22 A BAD DEAL FOR EVERYONE

08/22/22 A BAD DEAL FOR EVERYONE

I REALLY ENCOURAGE PASTORS AND CHURCH FOLKS TO READ MY ARTICLE. YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO HEAR THIS FROM VERY MANY PEOPLE.

Texas Democrat, Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson spear headed State licensing of US Churches in 1954 (subjugating free churches to destructive State authority through financial promises; ten years later, Democrat President Lyndon Baines Johnson enslaved (what he called N word) in 1965 for decades with welfare promises.
There goes Pastor DLG again, mixing politics with religion.

OH REALLY., God said that the love of money is the root of all evil. Look at the evil accomplished by the State bribing pastors and churches and look at the evil accomplished by buying the souls and morals of the American Black community. 

1 Timothy 6:10
(10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The cost to American morality, spirituality, freedom, exceptionalism, family is inestimable because of churches selling their birthright and abandoning the Lordship of Christ, which has resulted in rejecting Biblical Christianity and moral principles, in Biblical terms ERRING FROM THE FAITH.

Likewise, the cost to the Black community, which sold its soul for a mess of pottage and have been casting their lot with anti-family, anti-faith, anti-freedom Democratic Party, advancing welfare and destroying family life among Black Americans, promoting warped social policies and destructive ideas concerning family unity, and family composition, work ethic, racial relations, in Biblical terms PIERCED THROUGH WITH MANY SORROWS. 

America has erred from the faith and has been pierced through with innumerable sorrows because it has traded the treasures of God for the trinkets of the devil.

It took love and courage for those secret believers to step forward. It also took loving and tender care for the women who intended to prepare His body.

The disciples were in shock and disarray, not knowing what to do after His death and burial. After all, they were the ones who would need to give answers.It was not until the women brought them the message that He was raised from the dead that the disciples took action.

There were those who had a love for Jesus, but did not have the expectation of resurrection. It is commendable that Nicodemus and Joseph or Arimathaea were willing to identify with Christ and provide the dignity of a burial place. It is also a great observation concerning their station in life, as public figures.

The action of these people were loving and commendable, but they were also the actions of individuals. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were personal actors not politically motivated. As you pointed out, they put themselves in legal, political and religious jeopardy by stepping up. The State had falsely accused, tried, executed, sealed and set a guard to make sure Jesus would not be declared alive.

It was the announcement and the encounter with the resurrected Christ that produced resurrection faith in the 500 believers mentioned in Acts.

I believe the problem today with believers and churches not stepping up to the ungodly State has more to do with being uninformed than being secret believers. Pastors have not understood or they did not care that the 501c3 actually is an attack on the Lordship of Christ and the faith level of the church.

As the Scripture says, when the righteous lead the people rejoice. But of course this has to do with personal righteousness, not political movements. As in the early days of the church, it is coming to a point where believers will not find a place in the social strata (medicine, education, sports, politics, policing, jurisprudence) because of official prohibitions and pressures. We are brought back to the directive, "come out from among them and be separate," and the principle that light and dark cannot walk together.

I appreciate the good that is accomplished by political and legal action, but Christians must come to know and then follow through with the conviction that we do the will of God, regardless the price. Christians need to be aware that State opposition, intrusion, persecution and overthrow is already taking place. The longer we ignore it the worse things will be for believers, the church and (as we have seen in extreme form in the last couple of decades), the world around us is moving further from the possibility of salvation than ever before. The western church has failed miserably in the realm of love, conviction, knowledge, understanding, commitment, and sacrifice.

The Apostles believed they were on the cusp of the last days, how much more obviously oppressive is our world today, including and especially the western world?

08/22/22 IT IS NOT A MONSTER

08/22/22 IT IS NOT A MONSTER

The true Church is not a two headed monster.

Christ is the only Head of the Church.

Neither the Pope nor the State is Its head.

08/22/22 THEY WANT CHRIST TO BOW TO THE STATE

08/22/22 THEY WANT CHRIST TO BOW TO THE STATE

In a 501c3 church, Christ is the Head of that church, provided Christ yields to the rule of the State.

Think about that.

08/22/22 KNOWING THE HEAD OF YOUR CHURCH

08/22/22 KNOWING THE HEAD OF YOUR CHURCH

It is not a matter that 501c3 WILL CONTROL CHURCHES, it already does.

The State is the "head" of a 501c3 "church."

08/22/22 THERE IS NO GOOD REASON

08/22/22 THERE IS NO GOOD REASON

Prior to 1954, Christian churches were automatically untaxable, then LBJ devised "tax exempt status" to control churches.

YEP.

There are two reasons that churches are attached to a 501c3: they are either ignorant of their devilish alliance or they love money more than they love God.

Ignorance can be solved by education.
Love of money can be solved by salvation.

Either way, repudiation of that unholy alliance must take place.
Renounce it and denounce it.

If the contributors stop giving, then you know who has not given their hearts to Jesus.
Let them cling to their filthy lucre.
Trust God, not mammon.
Live by faith not by fear.There is no reason to wait for greater oppression from the State; folks just need to open their eyes to the reality of the fact they have allowed the State to usurp the authority of their church.

If this sounds extreme, then it is time to find out what it means to have only one Lord over the church. Sadly there is so little understanding of Biblical ecclesiology that even pastors don't understand the conflict, and going to the popular teachers and theologues are usually useless, since they have also been formed by second hand Bible training, instead of actually studying the Bible for what it says, linguistically, culturally, historically, doctrinally.

Christ is God and He is the primary expression of God in the New Testament. Therefore, in whatever way Christ relates to His Church, it is true that the Godhead relates to the Church. God the Father. Son and Holy Spirit are One and they, as three Persons, are of one mind and purpose. Therefore, when we speak of Christ as the Head of the Church we are saying that God is the Head of the Church. While some truths are specific to Christ, and the whole work of salvation is shared by the whole Godhead.
The Church (the Bride) has only one Bride Groom, Christ of the Bible.
The Church (the Body) has only one Head, Christ of the Bible.
The Church (the Building) has only one Cornerstone, Christ of the Bible.

No one conquered death and hell for the Church except Jesus Christ.
No one founded the Church except Jesus Christ..
No one gives life to the Church except Jesus Christ.
No one builds the Church except Jesus Christ.
No one sanctifies the Church except Jesus Christ.
No one leads and guides the Church except Jesus Christ.
No one owns the Church except Jesus Christ.
No one intercedes for the Church except Jesus Christ.
No one is coming back for His Church except Jesus Christ.
No one will reign over the world, with the accompaniment of the Church, except Jesus Christ.
No one will sit in judgment of fallen angels and lost mankind, except Jesus Christ, attended by His Church.

No one is the Head of the Church, except Jesus Christ.

08/22/22 DO NOT TRUST IN HORSES

08/22/22 DO NOT TRUST IN HORSES

God warns us not to trust in horses or chariots or the arm of flesh, but in the Name of our Lord God.

08/22/22 UP TO DATE NEWS

08/22/22 UP TO DATE NEWS

Scripture says international and regional armed conflict (World War and Civil War) will rage in last days.

At our door now?

08/22/22 A PACT WITH THE DEVIL

08/22/22 A PACT WITH THE DEVIL

A 501c3 is an agreement with the State that they will not tax your ministry if you submit to their control.

It is denial of the Headship of Christ over His Church. Jesus will not share His position with anyone. The State has been a false God since Babel. The State (one world government) is part of the end times enemy of Christ, along with the one world religion and one world economy. In fact, bowing to the a State is a worship of money. Churches want the tax exemption more than they want Christ as Lord.

08/22/22 WHO IS YOUR MASTER?

08/22/22 WHO IS YOUR MASTER?

Hey, y'all preachers with a 501c3, you do realize that you have given lordship of your ministry to the State, right?

08/22/22 THE LIE AND THE TRUTH

08/22/22 THE LIE AND THE TRUTH

Two Biblical principles:
The Lie and The Truth.

Basically:
The Lie is that you are God;
The Truth is that Jesus is God.

08/22/22 INTENTIONAL COLLAPSE IS COMING

08/22/22 INTENTIONAL COLLAPSE IS COMING

The same Administration and Justice Department and US Intelligence Agencies that spent SIX years falsely accusing President Trump of Russian collusion, repeated attempts to impeach President Trump, accusing parents of being Domestic Terrorists, tampering with voters laws, falsely accusing US Justice nominees, setting up a kidnapping attempt of a Democratic Governor, falsifying evidence to charge conservatives with Insurrection, faking Conspiracy charges against President Trump, while lying and covering up for actual crimes by the Biden and Clinton and Obama families and Administrations, promoting, funding, covering up actual terrorism and overthrow of civil and local Government bodies. This is just the surface as the Left promotes violence against US Justices and Congress people, as well as US Citizens.

MY POINT? This same group has been advancing violent actions against conservatism and even Christians, shock is preparing the way for a Civil War. You laugh. Maybe you should listen carefully to the language of Left wing groups like BLM, Socialists, University leaders, party leaders.

I have not even mentioned the increasing attacks on family life, moral standards, freedoms, faith. It is the Left that promotes and gets away wit social upheaval and is the conservatives who are being targeted as enemies of the State. AND YOU DON'T THINK THAT THIS CAN GO COMPLETELY OFF THE RAILS?

08/21/22 GOING DEEPER

08/21/22 GOING DEEPER

PLEASE READ THIS

If you are a Christian young person and your goal is playing or singing, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is playing sports, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is building a strong business, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is medical work, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is public safety, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is public service, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is education, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is family life, you are short sighted.
If you are a Christian young person and your goal is church ministry, you are short sighted.

The above aspirations are good, but they are not good enough. Even being a... (fill in the blank; musician, doctor, educator, spouse, parent, athlete, minister, lawyer etc.)... who is a Christian is being short sighted.

We should seek to be Christian FIRST and everything else in our lives should be the add-ons, determined by the ruling value of loving and trusting Jesus. Being a Christian who is a... (fill in the blank; musician, doctor, educator, spouse, parent, athlete, minister, lawyer etc.)... is the way you should think. Being Christian should be our defining realty and everything else is subject to our love, faith, witness, relationship with Christ.

So, when should a young person start thinking about their commitment to Christ, the depth of their commitment to Christ, the extent of their commitment to Christ? Yesterday. If the Holy Spirit has not shown up at your bedside, as He did with Samuel, then you need to do what God says: Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation. Seek Him as gold, silver, precious stones, rare treasure. Redeem the time because the days are evil and time is fleeting.

BY THE WAY, if you are a parent, then you need to read this to your children. Take time and make this a serious admonition with them. Tell them how you should have been more serious, more consistent, more focused in your youth. Tell them that you will be there to encourage them.

If your children are grown, but not totally dedicated to Christ then you need to have this talk with them. It is late, but not too late to do what can be done. I understand if they refuse to listen or talk. But it is an opportunity that you don't want to miss, if you can help it.

08/21/22 KNOW WHAT YOU ARE REJECTING

08/21/22 KNOW WHAT YOU ARE REJECTING

Questions about Salvation from sin is normal but rejecting salvation from sin without seeking God's truth is foolish.

08/21/22 JESUS SAVES FROM SIN

08/21/22 JESUS SAVES FROM SIN

If your "Jesus" doesn't save from your sin, you have the wrong Jesus.

If you're not saved from sin, you're not saved.

08/21/22 BEWARE FALSE TEACHERS

08/21/22 BEWARE FALSE TEACHERS

I discussed Matthew 1:21 with a popular teacher of Sinning Religion. He said Jesus saves us from guilt, not sin.

08/21/22 SLITTING THEIR OWN THROAT

08/21/22 SLITTING THEIR OWN THROAT

This next generation will suffer great loss for ignoring, then burying vital untapped, irretrievable wisdom.

08/21/22 ENDURANCE IN PLACE OF ENJOYMENT

08/21/22 ENDURANCE IN PLACE OF ENJOYMENT

Steps I don't enjoy, I can gratefully endure, knowing that He works all things together for His glory and our good.

08/21/22 PRECIOUS TIME

08/21/22 PRECIOUS TIME

I rejoice in the many hours studying God's word daily, but I also enjoy sitting up late with God and His word.

08/20/22 THEY SPREAD THE DARKNESS

08/20/22 THEY SPREAD THE DARKNESS

THOUGH WE ARE WARNED OF A GREAT DELUSION AND FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH, I am still totally amazed how many admired "Bible teachers" spend great portions of their time teaching that God does not save from all sin in this present evil age and how much time they spend excusing the sinful behavior of supposed Christians.

And then I am amazed at the numbers of people who are led into the darkness of these false teachers. But, then again, the Bible tells us that toward the end of time there would be an upsurge in false teachers, false doctrines and the falling away of those who profess salvation.

08/20/22 STILL TRUE

08/20/22 STILL TRUE

Can you imagine ANY, even ONE Christian who denies that Jesus delivers from ANY or EVEN ONE SIN? That person does not believe in the Jesus of the Bible or in the Salvation of God.

A YEAR EARLIER
If Jesus ever delivered even one person from any one sin, Jesus is able and willing to deliver everyone from all the sins in their lives.

08/20/22 TREASURES IGNORED

08/20/22 TREASURES IGNORED

I have tons of truth to talk about but there are not very many people who want to hear the "hard sayings" of an old man.

08/20/22 A CALL BACK TO MANHOOD

08/20/22 A CALL BACK TO MANHOOD

As men have turned from basic principles of manhood, Darkness has ramped up the attack on family, faith and freedom:
God decided that men should provide for the family.
God decided that men should protect the family.
God decided that men should lead their families.
God decided that men should lead in faith.

This is not an attack on womanhood. God has designed women for work and station that is different from men. God did not design women to become men or to take the place of men.

There are occasions when men are not able to fulfill their responsibilities, at which time women must step in to do the work of a man. Likewise, there are times when men need to fill the gap that is more fitting for women. However, these are the exceptions to the rule.

Churches have made major mistakes by excusing men from their responsibilities and turning leadership of family and faith over to women.

When a generation of men started letting women take leadership of church and home, it was an overthrow of God's plan. Do not be surprised that decades of female-led ministry will result in a family and church becoming "women's work." When youth are neglected today there will be fewer workers in the church tomorrow. When boys are not involved in spiritual pursuits because they are following unfaithful men, then there will be a family, church and society that is deformed and disabled.

It is not enough that men fill a figurehead position of leadership. They must be aggressively committed to family, faith, provision, protection.

The emasculating of society has wimpified men. They are no longer intent on providing for and protecting their families. Boys and young men are focused on defeating cyber challenges, virtual enemies and building virtual wealth, kingdoms, relationships than they are in living real life. They like the idea of getting more lives or opportunities with the pressing of a button than they like the idea of facing actual difficulties, suffering actual losses and actual defeat.

People today are being influenced by a society that is aligned with Secular Humanism and Androgynous community more than by God's plan of a distinctly male and female society.

It is not sufficient that men are figurehead leaders of family or faith. We need men who lead, unflinchingly, in love and in truth. Men who are not dominated by bossy or manipulating wives or other women.

I think it is too late to save our society (I hope I am wrong), but it is not to late for the few males who surrender to Jesus, who give their all in following the Master. It will take a while to get free of the godless wake pulled by a Bible rejecting culture. But it must be done.

COME OUT FROM AMONG THE GODLESS AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD.

08/19/22 SPIRITUAL MOUNTAINS

08/19/22 SPIRITUAL MOUNTAINS

This came from a service we had over three years ago. It focuses on Biblical Mountains and their spiritual significance.

01/21/19 WE ARE TRAVELERS
I asked the congregation (mostly our children and youth) to name the various terrains they would encounter if they traveled from Cedar Island, North Carolina to Long Beach, California.

They told me:
Bodies of Water (oceans, rivers, lakes).
Mountains (Allegheny, Appalachian, Blue Ridge, Great Smokey, Arizona Mountains, Rocky Mountains) and Mountain Peaks (Mount Mitchell, Mount Whitney), and Canyons (Big Bend, Grand Canyon).
Forests (Pisgah National Forest, Redwood Forest, Arizona Forests).
Plains (Great Plains).
Desert (Mojave Desert).
Valleys (Death Valley).

I then pointed out that we find these same kinds of terrain in the Bible. I also pointed out that these terrains represent various difficulties and obstacles we face in our Christian experience.

Here are several different mountains of importance in the Bible. I tell the names and the significant events associated with those mountains, and how we as Christians have moments or periods in our spiritual growth and journey. This list is more extensive than what I shared in service.

This is not intended as a blueprint or schedule of events in the Christian life. While each of these scenarios are part of the Christian life, they are not independent of one another. In fact, some of these events part of a common event taking place at the same time.

Though the Bible Mountains in this article have some connection to the principles I am addressing, either by name or history, this is primarily an arbitrary literary device that will help us grasp the message. Hopefully this articles will challenge us to move upward and onward in our faith, while learning Biblical facts at the same time. Remember, mountains stand between a traveler and his destination and mountains require great stamina and determination to overcome, but mountains also take us to higher heights.

#1 Mount Sinai: Mount of Conviction.
Biblical account when God gave the Ten Commandments, the Law to Moses and Israel.
We all come to a time when we are confronted with the moral laws of God and find ourselves as law breakers, in need of salvation.

#2 Mount Calvary: Mount of Conversion.
Biblical account of Jesus death on the cross for the sins of the world.
In order to be saved, we must all come to a point that we surrender and commit ourselves to the call of God.

#3 Mount Tabor: Mount of Confession.
Biblical account of Peter Confessing that Jesus was the Christ.
Believers must be convinced by the Father that Jesus the promised Messiah and we must confess Him as our Savior.

#4 Mount Horeb: (related to Sinai): Mount of Commitment.
Biblical account when Moses encountered and committed himself to God at the burning bush.
Believers must decide they are going to be committed to the will of God.

#5 Mount Hermon: Mount of Confirmation (Transfiguration).
Biblical account of Peter, James and John witnessing the Transfiguration of Christ.
Believers need to see Jesus High and Lifted up and to see Jesus in His Glory and Transcendence. Jesus is more than a great man, great teacher, miracle worker, reformer. He is God with us.

#6 Mounts Gerizim and Ebal: Mounts of Cursing and Blessing.
Biblical account of Moses presenting Israel with the option of either Blessing or Cursing, after entering the Promised Land.
Christians need to understand that following Christ is a life of choices to either receive the Blessing of God or incur the Curse of God. We are not saved by our good works, but if we are saved we will demonstrate it by our good works. Salvation is salvation from sin. If we are saved, we are walking in the way of blessing, not in the way of sin and judgment.

#7 Mount of "Beatitudes": Mount of Christian Living.
Biblical record of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I call the sermon the State of the Kingdom Address.
Christians need to know the standards God has set before His children, His subjects, so that we might live by the higher standard of Grace than the standard of law.

#8 Mount Moriah: Mount of Consecration.
Biblical account of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac.
Believers are expected by God, to trust God with our all and surrender everything to God's will.

#9 Mount Carmel: Mount of Confrontation.
Biblical account of Elijah contesting the pagan priests, to see whose God could and would answer prayer.
Believers are expected to trust God without limit, in all situations. Our faith in God will be tested and put on display constantly.

#10 High Mount: Mount of Conflict.
Biblical account of Jesus going into the high mountain and being offered the kingdoms of the world by Satan.
Christians go through times, seasons of extreme trial, but like Jesus, we can defeat the enemy with faith and God's word.

#11 Mount Lebanon: Mount of Construction.
Biblical location where the lumber for the rebuilding of the Temple came.
Christians are part of the building of God and we are co-workers in the building of the Church of God. We are involved in raising the Gates of Praise and the Walls of Salvation.

#12 Mount Ararat: Mount of Clean Start (New Beginnings).
Biblical location of Noah's Ark and the family who had been rescued from the world wide flood, to start a new human society.
Christians sometimes fall away and they need a clean start, a new beginning.

#13 Mount Zion: Mount of Community.
Biblically it is associated with the City and People of God. In the Old Testament it was The City of David, Jerusalem and even Israel. In the New Testament it is associated with the Church or Kingdom of God or the gathered believers in heaven. During the Church age, it has been used metaphorically as the Church on earth i.e. the song, The Old Ship of Zion.
Believers should see themselves as a part of the city, kingdom, nation, people of God, headed for an eternal fellowship of God's people.

#14 Mount Olivet: Mount of Christ Coming in Glory.
Biblical location where Jesus taught the disciples about His Second Coming and it will be the place Jesus actually returns.
Christians must keep the blessed hope before them and be ready to meet the Lord in either death or the rapture, at any time.

#15 Mount Nebo: Mount of Coming Rest.
Biblical location where Moses looked into the Promised Land.
Christians should be leaving their past behind them and moving toward the next step in their journey with Christ, new believers in Christ should be anticipating the life of holiness in the Promised Land of Entire Sanctification, and we should be looking beyond the horizon of this world into the eternal day with Christ.

#16 Mount "Hebron": Mount of Caleb.
Biblical record of Caleb, in his old age, still wanting to take a mountain being held by the enemy.

Christians should never get tired of taking new territory for Jesus.

08/19/22 ONE HUNGRY MAN OFFERING BREAD TO A HUNGRY WORLD

08/19/22 ONE HUNGRY MAN OFFERING BREAD TO A HUNGRY WORLD

I was in a ZOOM meeting yesterday, with a Christian in a foreign country, about possible ministry involvement with folks from their country.

I have ministered to folks on the foreign field through personal mission endeavors in Norway, Holland, England, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and through my pastoral ministry, locally and remotely in North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, including the time I led a Bible and Ministry Training Institute for ministry and local church workers.

I followed my ZOOM meeting yesterday with an email today. Here is a part of that email. I share it with you because I am doing all I can to minister to people in teaching and training. students and lay ministry, locally and remotely. Of course, my work is ministry, not industry. I do what I do because I am called of God. It is not about money, it is about ministry. I realize not many folks will be interested, but if you are, please get in touch with me.

A portion of my email.
...If I can ever be of any service to you and/or your husband in Biblical or ministry training, I am available. I would be glad to meet with you on ZOOM to teach and answer questions about Bible, faith and practical Christian living. This is what I have been doing for more than 50 years as part of my pastoral call. I do my ministry as a service to God and His people, without cost. I just want to help others in their walk and service to God.
Again, thank you for meeting with me yesterday; it was informative and encouraging.

Upward and Onward,
Pastor David L. Gould

08/18/22 COVER YOUR OWN BASE

08/18/22 COVER YOUR OWN BASE

No matter what, you better raise 'em right.

They may go as wrong as they can, but don't let it be because you wimped out on Jesus.

08/18/22 CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON, CAREFULLY

08/18/22 CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON, CAREFULLY

How do you say thanks to those who have screamed 2nd Amendment, while empowering a perverted nation to destroy US families?

At least I am consistent. I never claimed I would use violence to defend faith, family, freedom, fortune. I have been faithful to proclaiming the Lordship of Christ, the truth of the Bible, the sanctity of marriage in a society that has sold everything out to Darkness. I have put my life, my freedom and my family on the line for God's agenda. I have done this for my own and for y'alls loved ones.

If you are looking for someone to stand for you and your family in this reign of terror that has begun, you better align with folks who trust and follow Christ fully, and wield the Sword of the Spirit rather than those who boast in chariots while bowing to the most anti-Bible society and leadership that this country has ever known.

Yes, I believe this tide of oppression is intended to wipe out all semblance of love, faith and hope and that means the grass roots of this country. Whimpering, boisterous, saber rattlers haven't stood up for you so far, and they won't.

But the arm of flesh will not save anyone, anyway. It is the Gospel, not guns we should be trusting; it is the Bible, not bullets, it is the Sword of the Spirit, not the sword of steel. LOOK at the sewage and disease the 2nd AMENDMENT CROWD has silently allowed to flood the streets of America.

And, by the way, I have always supported the 2nd Amendment and I believe that the State is responsible for punishing the wicked and protecting the righteous and that God has given the power of the sword to Government, to protect its citizens from evil aggressors, foreign and domestic. But this is not what has happened. When society refuses to be faithful to their families and friends against perverts and violent oppressors, then that society has become part of the God hating enemies of the people.

I am not saying that we can save our country. But there is a pollution that is drowning our children and ultimately washing them into eternity without God. Only those who are willing to be saved, will be saved. But if men continue to be wimps and churches continue to appease darkness, your children and grandchildren will be totally twisted in this life and lost forever in the world to come.

08/18/22 IT WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING

08/18/22 IT WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING

If your eternal destiny is unilaterally unconditionally, unalterably, decreed, then you can't make your election sure.

08/17/22 WALKING AND TALKING ELECTION

08/17/22 WALKING AND TALKING ELECTION

Those who are most vocal about The Elect are usually the least interested in making their election sure.

08/17/22 DIVINE EXCITEMENT EXPLAINED

08/17/22 DIVINE EXCITEMENT EXPLAINED

Some folks have nearly no excitement.
Some folks get excited in dribs and drabs about various things.
Some folks get wildly excited over nearly nothing.
Some folks have a variety of things, which keep them excited.
Some folks have a driving excitement about a few specific concerns.
Some folks catch a vision of that which inflames the mind of God and they grasp onto that vision, as if life itself depended on it, which it does.

If our excitement is either constant or passing, about the affairs of this life, whether great or small, we are seeking to fill our emptiness with futility.

Consider the real value of dreaming the dreams of God, of catching the vision of God 

Where there is no vision the people perish.
Where there is no vision, the people are scattered as sheep without a shepherd.
Where there is no vision, the people are careless.
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.
Where there is no vision, the people are unprotected.

Excitement for the passing affairs of life are transient. But a vision from God is related to the eternal and it endures hard times, resistance, losses, impossibility, because it agrees with Divine design.

08/17/22 AN ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

08/17/22 AN ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

If this world excites you more than God does, you need an altitude adjustment (you need to move up higher).

08/17/22 DIVINE EXCITEMENT

08/17/22 DIVINE EXCITEMENT

Excitement is the emotion related to natural stimuli.
Vision includes the emotion related to Divine enlightenment.

08/15/22 Still applicable to people today.

08/15/22 Still applicable to people today.

Deuteronomy 11:16
(16) Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

Notice:
Take heed to yourself.
Make certain your heart (inner man) will not be deceived (beguiled, led astray),
Or, turn aside from the true and living God,
To serve other gods,
And worship other gods.

All of these are clear, New Testament directives from God.

Otherwise the New Testament would say,
"There is no need to take heed or be concerned about making your election certain, and it is not possible for you to be deceived into turning away from God, to serve other gods, or worship other gods.

08/15/22 GOD'S WORDS AND ACTIONS ARE CONSISTENT

08/15/22 GOD'S WORDS AND ACTIONS ARE CONSISTENT

When God promises blessing, but sends judgement it is because His conditions for blessing have not been met.

God does not lie.

If God promises judgment for resistance, rejection, rebellion but the person repents, trusts and follows Jesus, that person escapes judgment.

God does not lie.

08/15/22 WE SHOULD SEE WHAT GOD SEES

08/15/22 WE SHOULD SEE WHAT GOD SEES

Seeing God's view (vision) includes the human chaotic conditions, God's intended deliverance, God's steps to reaching deliverance.

08/15/22 GOD'S VISION MOTIVATES TO ACTION

08/15/22 GOD'S VISION MOTIVATES TO ACTION

A legitimate vision from God (seeing what God sees) can be very dark or encouraging.

Either way, it should motivate you.

08/14/22 "BE NOT..."

08/14/22 "BE NOT..."

Some Biblical, "Be Not," directives. This is not intended to be an in depth study. If we reflect on these instructions we can benefit greatly. This is not a complete list of KJV passages that use this phrase, but the list is applicable to all of God's children. Some of the principles are repeated in several more passages (such as be not deceived and be not afraid). 

Deuteronomy 11:16
(16) Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; 

Deuteronomy 12:30
(30) Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 

Deuteronomy 17:19-20
(19) And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
(20) That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. 

Deuteronomy 20:1
(1) When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 

Joshua 1:9
(9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Judges 18:9
(9) And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land. 

2 Chronicles 29:10-11
(10) Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
(11) My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense. 

2 Chronicles 30:7-8
(7) And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
[8] Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. 

Proverbs 3:7
(7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 

Proverbs 3:25
(25) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 

Proverbs 22:26
(26) Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 

Proverbs 23:2-4
(2) And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
(3) Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
(4) Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 

Proverbs 23:20
(20) Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 

Proverbs 24:1-2
(1) Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
(2) For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 

Proverbs 24:28
(28) Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. 

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
(1) Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
(2) Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 

Ecclesiastes 7:9
(9) Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 

Ecclesiastes 7:16-17
(16) Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
(17) Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 

Ecclesiastes 8:2-3
(2) I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
(3) Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 

Isaiah 41:10
(10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

Ezekiel 2:6-8
(6) And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
(7) And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
[8] But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 

Matthew 6:7-8
(7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
[8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

Matthew 6:16-18
(16) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(17) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
(18) That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 

Matthew 14:26-27
(26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
(27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 

Matthew 24:5-8
(5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
(6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
[8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. 

Mark 5:36
(36) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 

Luke 11:34-36
(34) The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
(35) Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
(36) If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. 

Luke 12:4-5
(4) And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
(5) But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 

John 20:27
(27) Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Romans 11:18-21
(18) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
(19) Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
(20) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
(21) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Romans 12:1-2
(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:16
(16) Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Romans 12:19-21
(19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
(20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
(21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
(9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
(10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
(11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 7:23
(23) Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34
(33) Be not deceived: evil communications (evil companions) corrupt good manners.
(34) Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Galatians 5:1
(1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:14-15
(14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(15) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Galatians 6:7
(7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Ephesians 5:6-8
(6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
(7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 

Ephesians 5:18
(18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Colossians 1:22-23
(22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
(23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Colossians 3:19
(19) Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

2 Thessalonians 2:2
(2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 

2 Thessalonians 3:13-15
(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 

1 Timothy 6:17-19
(17) Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
(18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
(19) Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

2 Timothy 1:8
[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 

Titus 2:3-5
(3) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
(4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
(5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Hebrews 6:11-12
(11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
(12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 13:2
(2) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:8-9
[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
(9) Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

James 3:1
(1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 

1 Peter 3:14
(14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

2 Peter 3:9
(9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.