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Showing posts from June, 2017

The Forgiveness of God

Often people allow guilt and self condemnation to hinder them from approaching Christ for forgiveness of their sins. I have heard people say, "I have gone to far, He can't forgive me," or "I have done the One thing he can't forgive." These are lies from the devil. Jesus Christ can and will forgive any sin, no matter how dark it is, " If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness ." (1 John 1:8-9). That's the promise, and no thought in your head or demon can change God's mind, He died for your sins on the cross and is ready to forgive you when you confess those sins and take Him as Lord of your Life and believe in Him for salvation. Once you do that all sin now falls into two categories, stumbling and practicing sin . Stumbling is that you know its a sin, you feel conviction (a type of g...

The Coming Food Crisis

The Organic phase has taken its toll. For almost ten years, people have been told how evil preservatives are, and how holy the Organic, GMO free food is. Major companies have bitten into the Organic Apple, the latest being Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs . The Organic machine at a glance seems to be great for mankind. We get fresh vegetables, fresh meats, and no color dyes or pesticides or preservatives to cause our allergies. Or so it seems. The statistics of people with allergies, even those who never had any have tripled since Organic foods were introduced into the market. Zyrtec , and other prescription drugs are going like clockwork on commercials. Everyone is blaming the persvatives and pesticides in the foods, and yet for over fifty plus years we never heard the Silent Generation or the Baby Boomers complain about their Coke Cola or any of preservatives in their foods, there was no allergy epidemic then. So could it be other way around, that the Organic Food mania is actually the root ca...

Digitizing Our Faith

My reaction to the fully functioning robot-pastor that blesses people in Germany was probably similar to other brothers and sisters, one of disbelief and laughter. But upon some retrospection, I realize this robo-pastor is actually a parable, a symbol of how the digital age has taken over our faith. Today most people access their Bible through their smartphone, tablet, laptop, computer, and other device. Many believers are now watching sermons online, examples being Elevation Church headed Stephen Furtick and Joyce Meyer Ministries. Today, many people serf the internet when they have spiritual problems or to investigate something regarding the faith (I did recently). There is nothing inheritantly wrong with benefits technology has given us. For one this blog doesn't function or exist without the digital age, so do not take this as bash media and the cyber world session or post. Rather what is concerning is that this change in our behavior has lead to more insular spiritually. To...

Jesus Cleanes the Temple

One of the most dramatic parts of Jesus' ministry before His Crucifixion was the Cleansing of the Temple. The scene of our Lord in a rage, throwing tables, freeing doves, making a whip and removing the money changers and consumers. It is a moment of sheer outage by the Alpha and Omega, and for many this scene boils down to money, " It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers ." (Matthew 21:13). Indeed, Christ is upset that the Temple has turned into a trading post, but the reason for this is much deeper. It is Satan, the fallen one who invented trade, " as the mighty angelic guardian Your rich commerce [trade] led you to violence" (Ezekiel 28:14.16) and it is for this reason Jesus said, " No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mone...

The Apocalypse and After

The Apocalypse for us Christians is perhaps the most misunderstood event in the Bible. Most of us have been subjected to the "Left Behind" series and have read the plagues, death toll, catastrophes, and destruction that will rain down on the earth, making it look like Mad Max or the Book of Eli. The truth is this is the painting for the Wicked. If you read when angel causes the sun to scorch the earth, it is aimed at the wicked, " The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him . " (Revelation 16:8-9). Our eyes as Emmanuel's Bride is not to be on the terrible events, such as rise of Antichrist and his persecution (Revelation 13:1-7) but rather the Return of Christ. The Apocalypse is a Greek word for "Unveiling," which to scholars may seem obvious, the u...

When The Church Truly Began

It has become common belief to most theologians, especially those in Eastern Orthodox and Catholic circles, that the Church began at Pentecost, " The Traditional view of the origin of the Christian Church is that it began at Pentecost ." (Tried By Fire, Chapter One: Missionary Activity and Persecution of the Disciples, William J. Bennett). Such a concept of the Church beginning at Pentecost is bizarre to me because Jesus Christ Himself used the term Church long before Pentecost, " And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church , and the gates of Hades will not overcome it ." (Matthew 16:18). Many Catholic scholars and ecclesia believe that Peter or Cephas which means rock in Aramaic and is Simon (Jesus' Disciple) is whom Jesus is referring to, but in actuality Jesus is saying the Church will be built on this revelation, " But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “ You are the Christ, the...

Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunting has always been a thrill. For the gold diggers of old it was real, for most of us an amusement. As  a child I remember the excitement over treasure hunts and maps that lead to an X that "marks" the spot. Even Billy Crystal with his widely successful City Slickers II , featured Crystal and Jack Palace and their posy seeking a treasure chest. The Count of Monte Cristo is about Edmund Dontess find the treasure of Sparda and using it to get revenge in Alexander Dumas masterpiece novel which has been adapted to film many times. The thrill of gold waylaid Christopher Columbus , who in his journal wrote that the Lord had told Him to map the New World and do what eventually his replacement Magellan did. Columbus' lust for gold cost him his calling in Christ, and enslaved many native Americans whom he called Indians, thinking He had landed in India. The quest for gold has driven men during "Gold Rush" mad, and killed hundreds if not thousands of peopl...