God

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Many Messages

One thing that confuses many people are the mixed messages they get from those that supposedly believe the same group – Christians.

Different denominations, doctrines, and belief’s confuse a lost world, especially when each church quotes from the same book.

One group says baptism is essential to salvation and another group says it isn’t. There are the gifts of the Spirit and whether they exist today or have fulfilled their purpose. Is salvation eternal or can it be lost again. Is there only one chance of salvation in this life or do you get another opportunity after death.
Is the rapture a true event and if it is does it happen before the tribulation, during it, or after it?

No matter what you believe you can find someone that will agree with you.

This is not a unique situation. It is something that the early church had to deal with.

Paul wrote to Timothy saying,

And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 2 Tim 2:17-18

To the Galatians he wrote,

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. Gal 1:6-7

What we don’t have is an Apostle Paul to explain things today. Even if there were there would still be false messages from others that change the message.

I don’t have that answer to all the Christian denominations except to say read the Bible for yourself. Study the message for yourself. Pray about it for yourself.

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Rom 12:18

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Jesus everyday!

It’s Wednesday once again. I’ve prepared for the Bible study and prayer meeting for tonight.

I don’t know where or when the Wednesday evening church meeting came from. Continue reading →

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Let’s get stoned (part 3)

“Hey, he was just exercising his first amendment rights! Lay off!”
“I support stone control! There are too many stones in the hands of our youth!”
“It’s an act of hate against those peaceful loving Philistines.” Continue reading →

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Let’s get stoned (part 2)

God threw the stone of Commandments and you broke them. We all did. Because of that another stone should be rightfully thrown at all of us – the stone of condemnation.

This stone is meant to punish and kill. Continue reading →

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Excuse me – Part 5

The father invited everyone to the wedding of his son. The time arrived for everyone to come and enjoy the celebration

But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. Matt 22:5

This is exactly what happens to Father – people make light of Him, His ways, His people, and His church.

They don’t view living a Christian life of sanctification as important. Church is not a serious matter; prayer, fasting, tithing, fellowship, and witnessing are all optional to many.

Some of the biggest excuses I hear when it comes to anti-Christian living is “God is love”, “Jesus loves everyone”, and “God will forgive me for my sin.”
All true but not an excuse to sin or live contrary to scripture.

The Roman church thought much the same thing and it prompted Paul to say,

Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Rom 6:1-2

Christianity cannot be taken lightly or easily excused. If you are a Christian, then it is important that you live as Christ would live.

Don’t use Christ as an excuse to do evil but live for Christ and overcome evil.

Abba, I have no excuse for my sin and yet You have excused it by the blood of Jesus. I don’t take that lightly. YES&AMEN

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Excuse me – Part 4

Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ Luke 14:20

What a lame excuse this is. I always thought a spouse would be a good reason to go to church but I guess some could use love as an excuse. Continue reading →

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Excuse me – part 1

Excuses are a part of everyday life. You may make one to someone else and they may make one to you.

Every teacher has heard excuses for why assignments were not done and homework not turned in. And just so you will know, the dog doesn’t really like to eat homework.

God hears excuses all the time as in the case of a parable that Jesus told.

It seems a man invited his friends to a great supper. He went to the time an expense to prepare and cook for them. It was probably a very impressive spread.

When everything was ready the man called his friends to come and eat. I don’t know about you but if someone invites me to supper – I’m there! But that’s not what happened in this story.

But they all with one accord began to make excuses. Luke 14:18

Though each man had his own excuse, they all made them together. I’m already suspicious about the truthfulness of each reason for not going to the supper. I have discovered that many excuses are just lies.

Don’t get me wrong. I know there can be legitimate excuses. I recently was asked to do a funeral but I turned it down.

It seems the daughter of the man that died thought we were really close friends. I explained I haven’t seen him in at least 40 years and that I didn’t remember him in high school at all. That most of my memories of him were from elementary school – around 50 years ago.
It was the truth and she understood.

But how can someone make an excuse to the Almighty?
Find out through the next series of Morning Thoughts.

Abba, I made many excuses to not be saved but I am glad I quit and accepted your gift of love, grace, and forgiveness. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN