There Is No Complaining In Being A Christian!

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (14.) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:" Philippians 2:13 – 14

As a believer in the Sovereign work of God, I believe that everything we do for Him is ordained. I believe God gives us talents to do things and then puts us in the position to accomplish His blessed will. These two words “murmurings” and “disputings” means not to grumble or not to debate. When we do something for the Lord or the church we ought to do it with much pleasure and satisfaction. Also, we ought to do it with confidence because we are doing it for the Lord, and we also are doing it through His powers. As a Pastor I can promise you one thing, anything I do for the Lord or the Lord’s church is a true blessing. As hard as it is sometimes working a secular job 50 – 60 hours a week and 5 ½ days a week and rarely having a total day off to do anything, I cannot recall ever complaining about my work for the Lord and His church. I consider it a true blessing to work all I can to please the Lord. I never have to worry that I will not have anything to preach because of a lack of study time. God always provides, I am not in this work alone God graciously keeps me supplied with everything I need to tend to the Lords church. There are things I could do to lessen the work load, I could stop writing articles and stop doing social media, I could stop doing our newsletter and web site. Yea, there is a lot I could do to lessen my load, but then the ministry would suffer as a whole. See, I believe everything I do God has caused it to be, I also believe He gives me the will and strength to accomplish it. Therefore, I press forward, not me but the Lord who gives me “…both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Folks, God has done so much for us, and if we are chosen to do anything for God then we have nothing to complain about. Never worry about doing it or completing it, God always finishes the work He starts in you. People who walk around complaining as Christians are acting like lost people. Jude 1:16 “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.” We all pray because we believe God will hear us and answer us, therefore we ought to have the same attitude toward working for the Lord. Folks, God promised not to put more on us than we can handle, therefore we must be happy that God is using us and press forward. Always remember it is God who saved you and that means that before the foundation of the world He chose you to be His, sent His Beloved Son to die for you, and delivered you into His loving salvation. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 - 14 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14.) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, Christians have no place to complain. If you sing then sing, if you have money then give money, if you can teach then teach, and etc. etc. etc. nothing is unaccomplished when God chooses for it to be done. Psalms 116:4 - 6 “Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. (5.) Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. (6.) The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.” If you ever wonder that you can accomplish what God wants you to do, just remember God never fails. And please remember these words, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 Be ready to do the Masters will and He will see you through without failure.

Standing Up To Satan.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

I would like to draw your attention to the subject of Satan and this world if I can. We have reached a very critical point in the world today, but more so in America. As Christians we believe the world is quickly approaching the Tribulation Period. While it is true we have no idea when the Lord will return and the Tribulation of God on this world will began, the signs all point to that coming day. It seems that America is truly worsening with the passing of each twenty-four-hour day. The political correctness of our time and the demonization of everything scripture and true must lead us to believe that this world is falling deeper into Satan’s control with the passing of every minute that ticks on the clock. God promised that the world would get worse and worse and would never correct itself, or repent and turn to God. God has total forgiveness for those who repent and turn to Him in admission and for forgiveness, but we are not going to see America do this. We see the times truly turning to things some of us never thought we would see. We have approved the murder of our unborn children, we have approved homosexual acts and marriage as though they are equal to men and women, we have reached the point where a man can act or dress as a woman and use the same restroom as our children of opposite sex. America have demonized everything Godly and everything biblical to the point that people are shamed to disgrace if they dare speak-up against these things. American is on the verge of turning Socialist which is one step from Communism. It matters not who is elected President next November, this transformation will not ever be stopped. God could stop it, but why would He, it is His predestined plan. God warned us in 1 John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” the word means not to be surprised, and we have reached that point of hate. However, it hated our Lord before it hated us, therefore we are in good company. I believe the world and America are going to worsen as time moves on. It might reach the point where there is true persecution in America as we have seen in history. Where people are killed in very horrible ways if they fail to recant Jesus Christ. As time moves on hour by hour we see the false religionist of Christianity moving farther away from the scriptures and more alignment with the hatred for God and love for Satan. Pastors selling out to the world for their love and money. So-called Christians and even some real Christians standing against God and what is biblically right. Where people are fired from their jobs for their disagreement, and others are demonized for standing for the scriptural truth. Folks, let’s face it, we live in a very hateful America. God tells us to put on the whole armor of God that we can stand the battle. Beloved, we must fight with the sword of the word and stand in the faith. God told us to continue “…doing the will of God from the heart;” Ephesians 6:6. Doing the will of God from the heart is doing it to please God because we cannot serve God and the flesh. Doing it from the heart means to put everything into it, as though we cannot fail. Beloved, do not falter because the fight, the war is too precious to the Lord our God. If we fall, if we fail, who is left to fight the good fight? Do you have your armor on? Are you ready for the wiles of the Devil? We cannot win the battle if we are not.

God Is Truth.

“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” Psalms 31:5

When the scriptures speak of God it says that He is Truth, just as you are a man or you are a woman, God is Truth. God is not a telling the truth, God is Truth by nature. Jesus said of himself in John 14:6 that He is the Truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And then we see in John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." Here in these three passages we see the Triune God is Truth. Now, by proving that God is Truth then we must understand that He cannot lie. We see in Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” that God cannot lie. People say it is not good to say that God cannot do something, but God cannot do anything against His own nature. Since Gods nature is truth then He cannot be anything else, therefore it would be impossible for God to lie. Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Now why did God drag man into it? Is God calling man a liar? Well we see in Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…” God also said it in the Psalms in Psalms 116:11 “I said in my haste, All men are liars.” I have gone to this extent of showing the difference between God and man for a reason, however there is one more point I want to bring to light before proceeding to my main point. Since God is Truth, and He cannot lie then God never, ever has a reason to change. God said back up in Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent…” now the word “repent” simply means - to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider – now why would one “think differently or reconsider” something, it would be because something changed to turn you. Maybe you are wrong, or there was a better way, or maybe you were confused, or etc. Now while all of these fit mankind, none of them fit God, therefore God has no reason to repent. If God was wrong, or repented then it would signal that He changed in some way, and God can never change. God promised Jacob and his people in Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Not that He would not change and consume Jacob but that he CANNOT CHANGE at all or in anything. Now let us put this together for our main point. Since it is proven that God is Truth, and that God cannot lie, and that God will not change, we want to link all this thought into Gods scriptures. The bible is not words from God, the scriptures are The Word Of God, and without question. In fact, the writer to the Hebrews penned these words, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 because it is the Word Of God. This book is not simply words penned by men and women but rather it was penned by inspiration which make every word, God’s word. Now, let us look at this, if the bible is Gods own word then it is as much God as His very nature. It is truth, it is eternal, it is without repentance, and therefore it will not change, EVER! To change it means there must have been a reason to repent, and God, nor His word gives room to repentance. People change it, and when they do God calls the change a lie. "Who changed the truth of God into a lie..." Romans 1:25 See, if you already have the truth and change the truth then what does that make that truth? It makes that truth a lie. God does not repent nor does God ever change, not even with time. God went on to say when they change His truth, their reason for changing it is to praise and glorify man rather than God. "...and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Romans 1:25 How is it possible for God to be “…blessed for ever.” If man changes salvation and other doctrines as something man does on his own, isn’t that to glorify the creature more than the creator? God says salvation is His work through the Holy Spirit, God says that salvation is in Jesus Christ and that glorifies His Son. In fact, God went on to say if someone says different they call God a liar. 1 John 5:10 - 11 "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11.) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." Folks, the bible is truth, it is Gods Truth and therefore it does not change with time, because it cannot. Believe it or not it makes no difference, God’s word is still Truth. It is up to the creature to change according to Gods Holy Truth and not the other way around. If you deny the truth of the bible, then you need to repent and change. The Bible cannot change, nor does the bibles doctrines change to suit peoples wishes or wants. That kind of change destroys Gods word as written.

God’s Gift Of An Everlasting Consolation

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace…Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16 – 17

You might wonder what the words “everlasting consolation” means, we will return to those two words shortly. I would like to draw your attention to things happening in the world. There is a persecution of Christians and Gods word in America today. So many are against Christians; we have been demonized by almost everyone for our belief in God’s word. I remember not too long ago, and maybe today you would see signs in business which read “we have the right to refuse service to anyone” but today that right is gone. We saw this example a few days ago when Georgia’s Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed “The Religious Exemption bill” a bill that would protect people of Christian faith from violating sincerely held Christian beliefs. The Governor cowed down to Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL who had no right to get involved in the States business. Why shouldn’t Pastors and Christians be protected? I know this, Mr. Goodell will account to Jesus Christ for his conduct along with Gov. Nathan Deal. This I do know also, Texas has this act already passed and it is law, and Mr. NFL you can keep your Super Bowl, Texas Isn’t going to cow down to you and your money. We have a God fearing Governor in Greg Abbott who will never give in to Mr. NFL or any other money pushing organization. So to the God fearing Christians in Georgia or any other of the States with weak godless Governor’s like Nathan Deal you are welcome to come to Texas. It is my fear that Christians are fearing the government so much they are afraid to speak; I pray I am wrong. We need to remember that while people like Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bruce Springsteen, or any other thug who wants to take the rights of Christians away for the rights of Gays, (who still are still an abomination to God” will account to God. Leviticus 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” No matter how right the world makes it, it will never be right with God. Now, please understand it is not my condemnation of Gay people, I am not their judge and therefore I pray for them. But God still sits on the throne and He will never change. As a Pastor I personally welcome all people to the Church for worship. However, please understand what God says about your life style. People ought to be protected, even Christians, therefore do not force Christians to be acceptant of anyone or any act that God calls an abomination. However, with this all being said let us now define “everlasting consolation”. It means that as Christians God has given to us an everlasting “comfort – or solace” through Jesus Christ. It is a comfort to know that God is Sovereign and all His will is always done. People like Commissioner Roger Goodell, Gov. Nathan Deal, or even the Bruce Springsteen’s of the world can persecute Christians all they want but God is still in charge and it is His Blessed Son Jesus Christ whom they will pay account to one day. What these people ignorantly do not understand is that they are condemning one group of people for another. Christians ought to have a right to bake or not bake a cake for whomever they choose, just like Gay people ought to have a right to shop or don’t shop wherever they choose. Christian, God is our protector and our comfort is in Him, therefore let us not give in to these people, let us standfirm on God’s word and not give into the pressures of the world. We need to understand that the world is not going to get better for Christians, it will only get worse and worse. When “money people” like the NFL start to stick their nose into other people’s business then it only worsens the problem. God said, “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.” 1 Timothy 6:10 but as Christians our peace is in Jesus Christ.

“Take Heed”

"And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:" Mark 13:5

When we think at these words “take heed” we want to look at the true meaning, but also heeding the true warning that Jesus is talking about here. It is so important that Christians, church members, and churches as a whole pay close attention to what the Lord is warning us of. If we give it a little thought we see the world as it truly is, evil and deceptive. It is so easy for real believing Christians to find themselves leaning toward allurements, and these allurements are designed by Satan to draw you away from the truth and the local churches. God has designed each and every church in a special way, and with a pacific goal. God saves every sinner and selects them to a pacific church. The Lord refers to the church as a body, in fact He calls it the “Body of Christ”. With this being said it should tell us how important we all are to the “Body of Christ” which is each independent body of believers, called out and assembled together by him. I cannot answer to why God selects to do as He does, but He does as He chooses. With this all being said it is important that we all understand how needed we are in the Lords church. God demanded that we study to show ourselves approved to God. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 because we are “workman” (either teachers or labors) in the Lords churches. We cannot be good workers if we are not studding the scriptures as a unified body of believers. You have Pastors and teachers to teach you, it is up to you to learn and that is only done by paying attention and learning. Never be ashamed to ask someone for help, teachers and pastors are there to further your biblical education and helping you to “show yourself approved to God”. We are to get to the point in our studies to where we can “… rightly dividing the word of truth.” God will never lead you astray from the truth, man can and will but God never will. The Bible is God’s word, while man may have pinned it God authored it. Therefore, always believe the scriptures, because they are truth as God is Truth. John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” No matter what man says (even your own pastors or teachers) always believe the scriptures until your thinking is absolutely proven wrong by scriptures. I said all of this to reach this point. The only way one can “take heed” is if they know some scriptural truth. Beloved, only God is true and right, man will lead you astray if you are not taking heed. Remember God uses the weak things in this world to accomplish His glory, therefore His men are not perfect. God chooses men to be pastors, teachers, and leaders that may not have the best of education, they may not have large educations, they may not be the best looking fellows, and they may mispronounce biblical words, but in truth they may be the very best. As Christians we follow truth and not men, for following men will only hurt you. The more truth you understand, the more you can properly serve God, and less likely you are to be deceived. The words “take heed” means to beware, to beware that you are not deceived by Satan or his teachers of deception. Making the scriptures or doctrine of it watered down does not improve it, it simply weakens it. We live in a time when deception is everywhere and they are deceiving many. We must all beware that we are not deceived. Let us remember Satan and his deception is not always easily spotted because it appears as truth, and in beauty. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14 Sometimes it is hard to decipher truth from error but this is why we study the word. Take heed beloved, sometimes things are not as they seem, sometimes it is not God, but a deceiver of Satan appearing as light. Truth is the bible because it is God. John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”