What the Devil Doesn't Want You to Know

I've been reflecting on "things" lately and have decided that there are several things that you have either been lied to about or, perhaps, had hidden from you.

Satan is a liar and never wants the truth or the TRUTH proclaimed. 

So, without further ado, here are some things that the devil doesn't want you to know.  (in no particular order)

• Satan is real.
• God exists and is in control.
• Hell is real.
• There is absolute right and wrong.
• Truth is not relative.
• Homosexuality is sin.
• So is gossip.
• Islam is not really a religion; it is an ideology.
• Allah is not the same as God.
• Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven.
• Being good doesn't get you to Heaven.
• You don't ALWAYS have to say what's on your mind.
• God really does hate sin.
• It really is possible to hate the sin, but love the sinner.
• Being conservative doesn't make you righteous.
• Being liberal doesn't make you unrighteous.
• It is EVERY Christian's responsibility to share the Gospel.
• And to give their time and money to Kingdom work.
• Legalism is one of Satan's favorite playthings for Christians.
• So is bitterness, grudges, and immorality.
• A TRUE Christian cannot lose his salvation.
• Evolution is STILL a theory; not a fact.
• Abortion may be a choice (according to the government) but it is a sin according to God.
• Not everyone is going to be saved; many will go to Hell.
• Being "politically correct" is generally not compatible with God or His Word.
• It isn't a sin to question God.
• A dead relative, a saint, nor Mary can hear your prayers.
• Dead relatives are not your "guardian angels."
• Native American religious ceremonies are pagan ceremonies.
• Religion doesn't get you closer to God; a relationship with Jesus does.
• Lighting candles, burning incense, and repeating prayers mean nothing to God.
• Being part of a certain denomination means nothing to God.
• A man cannot proclaim "Ichabod" on a church; that's God's job.
• Just because you don't understand something about God doesn't make it valid or invalid.
• Mormons are not Christians.
• Jehovah's Witnesses is a cult.
• Salvation is a gift; you can do nothing to earn it or to keep it.
• Generally, the Devil doesn't make you do anything; you do it yourself.

This list is no way near exhaustive. If you don't understand why I added something, just ask!  If you can think of one to add, feel free in the comments.  

Scripture Abuse

Do you abuse Scripture? Think about it. I would describe or define Scripture abuse as "using or twisting Scripture to meet your own needs or justify sin."

Some Scripture abuse happens innocently or even accidentally. Unintentional Scripture abuse comes from not knowing or understanding the Word of God. Think of Psalm 119:11 which says, "Your word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against You." (NASB) To first treasure something in your heart you must first HAVE it in your heart. Merriam-Webster defines the verb "treasure" as:

1 : to collect and store up (something of value) for future use
2 : to hold or keep as precious : cherish, prize.

I like both definitions of treasure for God's word. If you don't know God's word well enough, you can be deceived by anyone, anywhere, anytime. In fact, I think Scripture abuse is a by-product of the end times. Matthew 24:11 says "Many false prophets will arise and mislead many." One of the ways they will mislead is to twist Scripture.

Right now it is not politically correct to speak out against sin that has been considered acceptable by our society. This includes homosexuality, so-called "same-sex marriage", abortion, divorce, adultery, drunkenness, idolatry, sorcery, fornication, and the list goes on. However, the Bible is clear that these things are indeed sin and will be rewarded with the wages that sin brings: DEATH.

It isn't popular to condemn what society approves. You are labeled everything from "fundamentalist" to "hate-monger". Lets be very clear about this; I am not preaching hate. I am preaching, however, that God hates sin and cannot/will not tolerate it. When folks think that they are "getting by" with something and God doesn't care, they don't realize that they really will have to pay for their sins one day.

I thank God that He has chosen to reveal to me the wonders of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. I am no better than anyone, but the blood of Christ makes me holy and acceptable to God. This free gift of God is available to all who will accept it. But make no mistake; He will not tolerate your sin. He will show it to you and He will give you strength to change. But repentance must be done.

Know Scripture. Know God. Know true peace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Long Awaited Post on Michael Jackson

There has been so much media hype surrounding the death of Michael Jackson, that I really didn't want to weigh in on the subject, just to add to it, but I can wait no longer.

He was a man. He lived. He died. Now he will face judgment, just like everyone else. If, indeed, he did accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior a week before he passed into eternity, then he is covered by the blood of Jesus and will live with God forever in Heaven.

If he did not (of which I am not his judge) then he will face judgment without an advocate and will spend eternity out of the presence of God in a real place called Hell.

His money, his fame, his earthly success mean nothing at the judgment seat of God.

What about you? If you were to die today, would YOU be covered by the blood of Jesus, or are you planning on your earthly deeds to "get you through"?

You can have eternal life through Jesus Christ. Click on the tap at the top right "Do You Know Jesus" for more information, or email me.

Funerals, Deceit, & Heresy

I just returned from a graveside funeral for an old saint in our church. She died 2 days before she turned 92. She has been in very poor health in a nursing home for quite some time. But, of course, now she walks the streets of gold!

By all accounts, this is one of whom it can be said, "she was a faithful servant". She taught Sunday School for more than 50 years. She taught Royal Ambassadors and Girls in Action. She was an ardent supporter of Vacation Bible School.

Yet she carried a terrible, heart-breaking burden.

She had a grave-side service because her family's church would not allow her to have a church service in their facility. They did not use our church facility because they do not recognize us as a worthy church. The strange thing is, however, they asked our associate pastor to perform the service, knowing that it was going to be a Baptist service.

All of her children, somehow, are Jehovah Witnesses.

How can a woman, who served the church faithfully since salvation at age 9, have all of her children abandon the Truth to follow a cult full of half-truths and heresy? It is a good thing that you are not judged on the actions/faith of others.

At the proper moment, people were encouraged to speak on behalf of the departed. All, without fail, spoke of her devotion to God, and to her children. Yet all of her family members told her that they would see her again on "the Paradise Earth".

Boy! Have they been deceived! The JW teaching says that only 144,000 people will be born again and reside in Heaven. The rest of them will have resurrected bodies and live on a resurrected earth. It is entirely too bad that they don't understand Scripture. The Bible says that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and that He will come and get us when it is all ready. (John 14:1-4) It doesn't say that some of us will be left behind on this earth. It says that those who believe in Him will abide with Him in Heaven.

As I stood there listening to the families ramble on about "Paradise Earth" over and over, I truly felt sorry for them. They missed it entirely. They have a hope, but it is a false hope. They don't know the true Jesus.

Sin is like that. It gives false hope. I would hope that the men who dreamed up Jehovah Witnesses didn't deceive intentionally, but it sure seems to be that way. Of course, the great deceiver got a hold of them in the first place. It comes from not knowing God and what God says.