Monthly Archives: October 2018

October 29, 2018 · 12:20 pm

Little Things

This morning, before my mind was clogged by the things of the day, my Lord reminded me what a lieutenant once said to me while in the Coast Guard. He said “the Coast Guard wasn’t his God” at a time that we both were facing a reduction in force.

That stayed with me through the years, as it resonated so much for me. I was 18 years into being an Army Reserve Technician, (across from the U.S. Coast Guard Yard) and I really didn’t want to obligate myself to military service beyond my 20 years, yet the rules had changed and all technicians were being forced to stay in till they be 60 years of age – or forfeit their job as a technician. I had told my wife, “the Army doesn’t own me, only one person owns me, and that is Jesus Christ” while pointing up to heaven!

I have never liked the world or humanity dictating to me the direction my life should play, especially when the contract is changed mid-stream to one’s original obligation to service. To me, this is enslavement to the world, the world taking on God ship to another’s life.

Don’t get me wrong, military obligation should always be honored, especially in a time of war, and many have paid the ultimate price. Nor am I one to shirk my obligation or loyalty to my brothers in arms who may be asked to shed their own blood for the sake of others!

In fact, I forced the Army to amend my orders as to NOT be removed from the current unit which I was serving with, as they were being mobilized in support of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Although I could have avoided this mobilization, due to administrative sloppiness and sloth. So, I insisted on remaining, and I was then cut orders under Operation Enduring Freedom, and sent on my way just like the rest of the troops I was serving with the last few years.

What is interesting however, is that a little more than a year after returning home, and the second day back in my old watercraft unit, is when I had my career ending heart attack in water survival training! By the calendar, this was my 20 years of service, which I had been grumbling about within my service career the years before! I was not expected to survive the night, and like I have posted before, I had Jesus shoulder to shoulder with me when my heart stopped. They medically retired me a couple of years later as my heart would not allow for combat conditions. I remember my Dad saying, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”!

I don’t intend to be vindictive in mentioning what I was told recently: “that I had left the Lord for my love of country, more than my love for Christ” and that ” I was being chastened of God”, in given the circumstances concerning my heart… So in, “not taking any chances” with these so-called “prophetic words”, I must admit that tearfully I sought the Lord in the depths of my being, asking why he had graced me so much, and if he felt I had strayed from my love of him, to rather loving the world instead?

The deep reminder I was given this morning concerning the lieutenant’s words to me so many years ago, resonated with me again about “Americanism” being my God, Donald Trump, or all the rest. This type of thinking is not consistent in how the Lord has chosen to do a work within my life, and in fact it is exactly opposite! The grace of God has been tried and tested again in my life, especially when considering this my second trail of dealing with my heart: in removing the infected hardware, was only made possible for success by receiving the world renown surgeon (Dr.Love) who invented this laser surgery, and who said “I was a challenge for him”, while being turned away by other hospitals.

The steps of the righteous are ordained of God, and no matter how well-meaning, mere men can be deceived to what is actually taking place within another’s heart, just like with Job’s “friends” as he was put to the test by Satan.

I am reminded of the old hymnal song Amazing Grace ; ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved” – and tis grace that will lead me home. So, that’s what the Lord moved to think on  this morning, and revealing my heart towards him. It is He who is Lord of my life, not because I have earned it, but by grace alone, he has moved me in it!

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October 27, 2018 · 6:31 pm

The Staple

 

Having learned sound Bible doctrines have always kept me from falling into disrepair, even by the strongest and most eloquent teachers, who have decided knowingly, or unknowingly to vary from the sound doctrines of the faith.

Some of the Dangers of “Lordship Salvation”, and other beliefs systems.

I may be deceived (in and of myself) for a short time, yet the Holy Spirit within me is never deceived.  He will teach me experientially and practically greater truth:  even with the pitfalls or deceptions of the enemy, specifically  when dealing with other people’s Biblical understanding (which for a season) I may find comfort or even discomfort with, yet in time I am moved to an even greater understanding.

For me, this is not a four brained calculated thing at all, but rather an intuitive one, which later only reinforces my understanding of scriptural doctrines from dogmas. The reason is, it is not of my natural intellect (understanding) that I rely upon, but rather the Spirit of the Lord, “the teacher” whom Jesus promised would reveal all truth.

In other words, it is not simply a doctrinal position which I may hold but rather a reliance upon the Lord himself, just like a small child.

Recently, I have known some brethren who hold to the same passages in the scriptures I also hold to, and claiming to be following the leading’s of only the Holy Spirit; yet our (spiritual) positioning seems to be in direct conflict, even while hurling condemnation at the opposing faction!

I am a retired soldier, and my personality is such that I am used to people shooting arrows at me, but what I cannot abide is disgruntled brethren redirecting their fire upon an innocent person, who may happen to agree with me! I have been told things like “ I don’t do accusations, as that wouldn’t be Godly”: or that “I am the one” who crushes the “tender shoot” ( the young believer) so on and so forth, in customizing the scriptures to fit into their own belief system, thus justifying themselves and excluding those who take issue with them.

That type of behavior is neither spiritual nor scriptural, but is rather manipulative and extremely dangerous, to both those who engage in it, as well as to people that are taught such deceptive reasoning. Imagine those who claim such a superior walk in the Lord Jesus Christ, in attacking those who may agree with me (even if I was wrong in my doctrine) as having left the Lord, or siding with “The Enemy” (Satan)! Do not children stumble and fall? Do not children misunderstand the bigger world which is around them? The answer of course is that children are not held to account like an adult, nor disowned for what they do not understand!

These type of attacks are only valid however, provided I have been guilty of misleading or corrupting them (the tender shoots) in some manner, who are “unspotted and innocent” so to speak in the eyes of God: which I don’t believe I have done in the least. Anyone in leadership who would assert such a position against another, should make darn sure it is by the direction of the Lord, and not on behalf of themselves that they do so; especially if the one they are condemning is seen as blameless by the Lord, in holding such an opposing position! Even David would not attack Saul who was later out to kill him, as he was God’s anointed for a season – even though David was unquestionably in the right and to be the next King, David would not move in attacking Saul.

The late Dr. Gross, (who taught me in street ministry while still in my youth) would tell us “don’t believe anything I tell you, go back to the Lord and check it out yourselves”. This is because anyone with a more convincing manner or intellect or speech, can easily fool the flesh into believing what they wish them to believe! Yet the Lord’s Holy Spirit within his people, will not be deceived by “false teachers” as He is “fool-proof” even though we are not.

I have learned a new level of deception in all this, sound Bible doctrines being used to paint ones position in Christ as righteous, while condemning those who will not be taken-in by such powerful delusions of self and others. This is most tragic (I can’t think of anything worse) as being deceived at this level and deceiving others, yet it appears to me to be most common to those who think themselves above reproach! I had even shared with the elder, that the most powerful forms of witchcraft are those which use the scriptures (as in Hebrew style witchcraft) that I had learned from the late Dr. Gross, who in my opinion was the most transcendent Man of God I have ever met, or probably I will ever know… although he too was fallible within his own understanding.

Having said all these things, I still love these judgmental brothers – not because it is a commandment of Jesus, but rather as it is but a second nature in having Christ within me, that I do so. I have said I will pray for them, and I will as long as I am led to do so within my spirit.

 

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October 24, 2018 · 7:23 pm

Doubt: Finding the Way through Darkness

Published on Apr 8, 2018

A message on the powerful teaching concerning the apostle Thomas and his doubt at the resurrection of Christ. Insights on the importance of doubts and the results of working through them.

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October 24, 2018 · 3:43 pm

Grace

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October 23, 2018 · 7:13 pm

By Grace You’re Saved

Apologies for my errors in judgment.

Elders can see if someone is headed down the wrong path.
Yet ultimately, it is the Lord who allows and orchestrates events for his sheep to learn and grow, and not mere men.

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October 20, 2018 · 5:30 pm

Spiritual or Soulical

Elders should be able to discern the difference in a brother or sister of the Lord, whereas a younger member of the body of Christ, is still yet unable to do so. This is partly because so few elders exist nowadays who have the understanding of the different mindsets of reputable doctrines, (which we use to communicate in following Christ with others). And Satan uses these doctrinal divides, often destroying the unity of the body. Unfortunately most churches don’t understand the difference between the soul (emotional reasoning), the human spirit, and the Holy Spirit’s place and functions: which causes problems and unneeded divisions amongst the body.

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October 12, 2018 · 8:04 pm

You can do Nothing!

Beware the monster you kill… because you too will become that monster!  [Friedrich Nietzsche].

I never thought that being a follower of Jesus Christ that I would ever be quoting Nietzsche…

But I now see this is what happens when we operate in the flesh, under our own steam, especially while applying the letter of the law (and not Christ) to others!

The one who doesn’t think himself guilty of this, merely deceives himself, and like a good lawyer or salesman deceives others around him.

One thing that most human beings are lacking in, is in extending grace to others – like our Lord did for us. I have beaten up on my own ghosts’ for years, believing it was the Lord who was showing me greater truth of why I am who I had become. Armed with the new truth I perceived in dealing with sociopaths, I then dove into others head first to slay who I perceived they were.

Although this was not my nature, I started noticing I tended to morph into those who I have been the victim of. It starts with the ones closest to you, and will move forward, unless you apply the brakes! Those who think that they are above reproach, will never concede to applying the brakes, as the pride of life, and often their own sense of justice, (legalism) only drives them further into a self-righteous fury!

Yet this IS NOT the way of the Lord, who is gentle, forgiving, and full of grace. No, not Mary, but rather our heavenly Father, who has graced us before the foundation of the earth in sending his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as our atonement for sin.

Grace, grace, grace, I say, which no man can boast upon! As much as I may wish Jesus be Lord of my life above all else, I am powerless in attempting any type of change within myself! Did you get that? Powerless in orchestrating any type of change, no matter how hard I may want to obtain it!

I have learned some fantastic (Armenian type) Bible passages about choosing to follow the “narrow way” these past dozen years, and that is a good thing in wishing to be firmly rooted in Christ, yet the danger comes in with the wrong type of judging of others hearts occurs, and should the tide turn by others, it may be you who is swept from such a rigid foundation of stone!

The problem is when that rigid stone foundation is confused with being The Rock, who is Only Jesus Christ, or Lord, Savior, and ultimate judge. Whoa be it unto men, who try to walk in those shoes:  for only heretical hypocrisy, apostasy, and perhaps hell awaits them, and at the very best, the judgment of a teacher who taught many in error, or worse as a false prophet.

In my view, only a fool would seek such a spiritual position of authority and responsibility. But I digress, the point is to be humble and unassuming to another’s status which is strictly amongst him, and the Lord God of Israel.

Like the Galatians we must be careful not to fall into our own heretical forms of worship and celebrations, but at the same time we must be diligent to not overstep our own understanding and authority in the judgment of others – especially in being graced so much ourselves!!

Yes we must maintain good order amongst the brethren, but be wise in taking command and control over those whom the Lord has graced.

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October 10, 2018 · 10:40 am

Matthew 7: 1-20 & False Prophets

By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them – Bob Wilkin & Zane Hodges – Matthew 7:15-20

Published on Jul 5, 2012

Bob Wilkin & Zane Hodges discuss Matthew 7:15-20 – and explain what “By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them” means. Grace Evangelical Society – GES Website: http://www.faithalone.org

 

This top video continues wear I left off in

Matthew 7: 1-15 in the video called Be Careful >

Published on Oct 6, 2018

 

 

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Cognitive Bias

It is unfortunate, but some of the smartest people I have known suffer from this disorder.

Oftentimes this type of “disorder” doesn’t permit an apology,

yet rather expects them instead.😥

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

 

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October 4, 2018 · 1:03 pm
October 1, 2018 · 2:56 pm

It is the premise which is flawed!

I understand now that most people who start with Christ will take the broad road away from him, primarily because they don’t have a love for him (or the truth) nearly enough to remain faithful, ( that they might be saved)  and then many more are found pondering just what “type of ground” the seed has fallen upon.

I believe that is a fair question, and one we must all struggle with in being the Lord Jesus Christ disciple. It is irrelevant to me “if they were truly saved to begin with”, or if they have “failed to enter into full sanctification, in being transformed into Christs image”.

Doctrinal Debates based upon the Bible on this issue seem to be questioned by each new generation of believers, and I think that is a good thing! 1 John 4 tells us to test the spirit’s” in knowing who confesses Jesus Christ is Lord (within them) and not just “simple beliefism” they have been taught up and coerced into believing by the power of mere men.

“All that the Father gives to me will come” Jesus said, so  all works of men in the flesh preaching are irrelevant to me.

At this point of the article, I have experienced great division amongst brethren, one feels its by their actions in choosing to follow Christ above all else, (once they have been graced) and that they must be ultimately justified in the faith by choosing the “narrow road” which leads to life everlasting: and yet others feel that it is by grace alone that the Lord is the keeper of their souls, contingent that their hearts are right with the Lord, despite their many shortfalls.

In other word by Grace alone they will start and end with Christ, (which is what I tend to believe given that men are fallible). Yet others may feel that you cannot make excuses for failing to follow Christ.

I think this is a fair assessment of what I’m struggling to express.

Here is a PDF on this subject matter, and although it is not as good as I would like, it still gives a fairly good overview of this theology and its shortfalls … Satan Exposed

 

Recently I have been accused of loving the world more than my Lord, and when challenging that viewpoint, that I am in rebellion against the Lord. Whereas, I see this as passing the wrong type of judgment, specifically the condemnation and chastening of God part. In broad terms, it is in loving America, and supporting the President. This is seen as divisive and carnal, when the higher prize should always be the kingdom of heaven.

Yet from my perspective, this is a judgment of some people who feel I love Trump, and traditional Americanism, more than Jesus Christ himself! Forgive my crudeness, but I have to throw the bullshit flag on that one! Also these men don’t see they have done anything wrong with such condemnation, as they think themselves spiritual and their thought processes above reproach!

Honestly, I really wish I could be so sure of my walk in the Lord that I had no conviction of ever being in sin within my personal walk. Than to top it off, I am told many don’t like conversing with me because of my sharp tong, and pointed responses. I suspect this has more to do with being called a “Trump Worshiper” or not taking any guff when someone threatens to physically assault me online, as I dared and tried to correct them in a rant. Of course this can all be turned on its head when people try and discard or discredit you, (like the video I recently made) by subverting what you have said and done, into their own contexts, for their own purposes!

Besides all this, I can remember the Lord once told me working in a barge before I was married, that he was going to give me “the gift of the sword, but be careful how I used it or I would cut myself to ribbons”! Perhaps this is the out working of that prophecy to me?

Anyway, what is even stranger to me is how I have now become an “enemy of the Cross” to people I believe are deceived into believing a form of Lordship Salvation, and where I have been forced to break all ties to what “I now see” as a heresy.

This has become so evident now, that I am accused of being chastened of God (for my hardness of heart, I suspect) in having a heart condition in which my immune system has fault off infection to my heart for perhaps 14 years on my implantable defibrillator! To me, this shows the Grace of God to me, especially when given the top surgeon in the world, who took my case on as a challenge! Blessings to this man, who had the hoot spa and expertise in saving my life! Yet, although I am really hurt by the chastening accusation, I am grateful enough that these brethren have at least recognized me in being of the Lord’s workmanship!

I could go on and on showing different scriptures in this area, but I now must take solace, and trust the Lord given my fallibility and for what I cannot see, in being utterly dependent on grace, as there is no good within me, (naturally) and is what I was told of the Lord in Spirit the first time I nearly drowned: “You Can Do Nothing”!!!  And with that, I leave you with these scriptures…

 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone boast.” (Ephesians 2:8)

“… who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” (Romans 11:6)

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men …” (Titus 2:11)

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:11)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

“… that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7)

“… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus …” (Romans 3:23-24)

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace …” (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence …” (Ephesians 1:7-8)

“For if by the one man’s offense, many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.” (Romans 5:15)

“… having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6)

“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20)

“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

 

And may the Lord show grace to my accusers, like JOB showed grace to his accusers, Amen, and thanks for taking the time to read my viewpoint within this struggling chapter of my life.

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