WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING ! – Can you hear His still small voice?

Posted by on November 24, 2010  |  No Comments

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. ⁶ By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷ By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:9-10

Having been raised with God’s Word and considering things that have already occurred, currently happening and about to occur; it is not possible to remain silent, but declare God’s immense love and compassion on man and His generous offer of forgiveness to any who would ask and seek to do His will.

This earth is consumed with self. Everywhere we look, we are constantly invited to indulge self. Only a trip to a location where all we can see is the great creations of God seems to put us in touch with Him.  Yet there are still those who will look at such vast beauty and declare; “It just happens!”  What an odd thought. What a sad way to think of life. When we remove God’s love and personal touch to our existence, the meaning of life is sadly diminished and reduced to a harsh and meaningless theory.

As our own relationships and existance in life tells us; love cannot be forced. Jesus walked this earth telling of His love and purpose. Even performing miracles. But still they would not believe. Still they found it necessary to kill this bearer of good news.  Not an evil doer. Not guilty of any crime. Simply declaring love and forgiveness. Telling of a place where His father dwelt and the mansions and beauty being prepared for those who would believe, seek forgiveness and vow to live a life dedicated to holiness like that of our Savior.

Seems so simple doesn’t it? The Bible was then provided as a guide to those who would believe even after the departure of  Christ. Details all in conjunction with one another. One never contracting another. Yet today, everything we are warned about from His Word is unfolding right before our eyes.

Nations against nations. Unthinkable acts of violence. Father and mothers killing their children and children killing their fathers and mothers. False prophets declaring unbilical beliefs. Self indulgence taking the place of respect and honor to God.  Rulers blaspheming God. The list goes on.  It doesn’t take an education any higher than that of a fourth or fith grader to see what is clearly painted before our eyes.

A Pope declares and condones the use of condoms for homosexuals, yet doesn’t allow them for heterosexuals.  Pastors of God’s Holy Word declare ordained sin in God’s house of worship. Films are being made to advance the presence of a gay agenda in the church that will rival the Word of God.

The blatancy and blasphemous behavior grows from one day to the next. It’s becoming less and less likely for someone to hear the still small voice over the roar of the lion.

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. ^?3? He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come (Matthew 22:2-3)

Do you hear Him? Is He calling you? Do you know how loved you are and how many are praying for you? These are acts of selflessness. There are those reaching out to you because they care. They do not want witness your eternal loss.  These are not people saying they are better than you. These are people who want to see you come to the cross and kneel with them daily seeking God’s forgiveness and guidance to continually turn and reach out to others with a voice of hope.  A voice that Jesus commissions us to deliver to those seemingly lost in this world of confusion great struggling.

Pray this prayer right now while He is speaking to you.   Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I have lost my way, but you have promised to show me the way. I believe you. Come into my heart right now and please forgive me for my sins. I want to do your will, not my will. I thank you so very much Jesus! Amen

Want more help or guidance? Not sure what to do next? write me at knowgreaterlove@comcast.net

God bless you!

To God Be The Glory – Healing In Jesus

Posted by on November 19, 2010  |  4 Comments

I am a sin scarred soul. By Biblical standards, I should have been stoned to death years ago. The magnitude of my sins and the lack of honor and respect for my maker were at the epitome of self arrogance.  I lived and breathed for physical attention. Sex, holding someone, craving their attention and smothering myself in self indulgence.

Why? Why would a guy raised on God’s Word and taught about the Glory Of God, so much as spit in his maker’s face. Didn’t I know how undeserving I was and how it is God who deserves my honor,  praise and attention?  I made it all about me? Was that justified? Sin has no justification, but I interpreted my circumstances and injustices in life into being deserving of WHATEVER I WANTED. Any degree of serving self, whether it be a singular adulterous encounter or thousands of anonymous encounters of same sex for the sake of pleasuring and glorifying self, is dishonorable in the sight of God. Sharing one piece of juicy gossip or gossiping all the time , is all counted equal in God’s eyes.

Whether Christian or not, so many point to the magnitude of someone elses indiscrepancies in order to either justify or diminish their own. I am more than certain that I have been guilty of this many many times over in my life.

So what made me choose to be different? What made me stop seeking the ultimate earthly committed relationship with another man? What made me stop serving myself in search of what felt good and gave me earthly pleasure, purpose and commitment to another?

God provided a miracle upon my arrival on this planet. The beginnings were of hatred from my natural mother. Pain and emotional and physical abuse. This is far too common on our sin filled planet today. But God opened the way for adoption by God fearing parents. He then provided the education of Jesus and His love through my parents and through the continual direction to His Word and communicating with Him.

My physical and emotional adaptation to society had been damaged from God’s original plan for us. Because of our sinful nature, I was considered an eye sore to the church and to society at large. I then began to follow my own prescribed ways of dealing with that pain and ostracization from society.  I began to depart from the truth I knew and read about in His Word, and began to seek solace in providing myself with feel good fixes.  It was all about me. Why shouldn’t it be?  I had earned the right to do whatever I wanted hadn’t I?

Buzzer!  Buzzer! Buzzer!   No? Why not? Aren’t we suppose to protect and look out for ourselves?  Well I certainly thought so. I want to huge extremes fixing and messing with and putting band-aids on the pain that had unjustly been inflicted on my life by class mates, the church, “normal” people, my natural mother, etc.  I lost sight of the pure, true, and healing message of Jesus. I was doing things my way.

Oh… yeah… What made me stop?

God had answered all my incidental prayers while openly sinning. He kept me healthy. He preserved my life. He kept me HIV-. After nearly forty years of worldly play and openly disobeying God, I sat one morning in front of my computer. I again, as I had for a few years now, contemplated the fact that every one of my gay friends who my life had revolved around, were now dead. Here I sat, healthy as could be…. OK … maybe I could be more healthy… but you get the idea.   Then God said…

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Well… yes I could finally hear God speaking to me through avenues that he opened up right on front of me on my computer screen.  He led me to Gladventist.org and let me know that even after all that magnitude of sin I had thrown in the face of God, He still loved me. He had not given up and now He was inviting me to accept His way instead of continuing in mine.  Tears ran down my face. My heart began to feel His calling and recognize how disobedient I had been. How I had been a stumbling block to thousands. By my professing to be just how you want to feel, I clouded the truth that that person should have been coming in contact with.  I had told married men, straight men and gay men that they had the right to follow what felt natural and then engaged in unholy acts to seal the observation.

Suddenly, I was on my knees at the foot of my bed. Could God love and forgive someone who had done all that?   Luke 7:47-48 “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Transformation = Healing

My prayer to God was for forgiveness, not please forgive me and make me straight. I prayed that God would lead and guide me and help me do His Will instead of  continuing in my own.  I recognized my sin. I confessed it. I professed His forgiveness and truth and was baptized and became a brand new child of God.  Immediately Christ wiped my sins out and provided me with a new life in Him.  One to be led by Him as long as I continue to give my life over to Him, instead of self.

The scars of sin are with me. Choices I made for years creep into my developed thinking over all this time. Temptation knocks on the flesh and mind. And God’s Word has told me that this is to be expected all during this life, but will be removed when He comes to take me home. He advise me to continue to give my thoughts and temptations over to Him to be victorious for me, until He comes to get me.  Wow!  That is awesome. In reality a little tough sometimes because our feelings scream and yell at us and try to drown out what we know is truth and try to cause us to act accordingly. But I keep my communication with Christ very very close and give Him my trials and burdens. He has not let me down once.

I have not fallen in any sexual sin, since I gave and continue to give my mind and body over to Christ. Now to some… this would truly come across as arrogant. To me…. THIS IS HEALING! I don’t ask this of people. I try to direct people to this possibility, but it is Jesus that asks us to abide in Him so that He can abide in us. He will keep us from all sin, if we will just let Him.  But we are sinners with a sinful nature. We make wrong choices. And even in the observance of that, He says, if you are earnest in your sorrow and confession, I continue to forgive you.

He knows the uniqueness of each of us. He knows that some may learn quickly and that others may fall to their selfish desires until they clearly see what God is trying to teach them.

God washed me clean. I am not straight. I am not gay, nor would I use such an earthly term after being reborn in Christ to identify my new status in Jesus. I am a Child Of God. Washed and cleansed in His blood.  My orientation is no longer earthly except to the cross that was perched on Mt Calvary where Jesus bore everyone of my indiscrepancies. Every one of my sins. Every one of your sins.

I die to self daily! Yes.. Paul was very right and his teachings are from Christ and are the remedies to our messed up minds and bodies. We are not safe for a moment without the claiming of Jesus, His power and His blood that He shed for you and me.

To God Be The Glory,  I am healing….    Invite Him to Heal you too. He will never let you down. He is our almighty God. He is an AWESOME  God!

You’re continued prayers are so very much appreciated as I share the truth and power of Jesus with others and continue to recommit my own life to Him daily.

The Truth About Arrogance – Testimony/Purpose recap

Posted by on November 18, 2010  |  2 Comments

A recent discussion at Spectrum magazine as a result of a Sermon given by Bruce Manners at Avondale College , about considering the admission of practicing homosexuals to church membership, brought about disturbing revelations by individuals and their responses to the meaning of scripture.

My observations were continuously referred to as arrogant. It was not my knowing intention to present that way in the least, I began to do a little self examination and determine why such an observation would be made.

The result inspired me to re-clarify my testimony and purpose as I believe God has directed.

I was rejected at birth by a mother who only wanted to give birth to a girl. Before I was two years old, she had broken my arm in two different places. It would take quite the scientist or psychologist to convince me that I chose to be gay.

This was only one incidence of what has set the playing field for millions of those who have not fit the mold of “normal” society.  As a result I was already conditioned to seek the warmth and security found in the masculinity and strength of men. I began to make choices on my own, based on my feelings. Justified feelings …I was sure.

But what I did not consider at such a young age, (because of the lack of understanding and knowledge to know how to advise) was the fact that because I was already born into a sinful nature, God’s Word would be the only source and guide to focus on Him and His plan for me.  Seven thousand years of sin had set the stage for my arrival. And even in this sin stained world, God is still showing Satan that because we are given the power of choice, even in this horrid state of affairs; children of God will choose to serve Him over their natural inclinations bent to further deception by the evil one.

It took nearly forty years of my insistence that I had the right to live according to how I felt and what was most comfortable for me, before I would listen to and acknowledge the truth as clearly provided in God’s Holy Word.  But because of much prayer by those who love me and because I had not completely hardened my heart to the voice of Jesus through His Holy Spirit, I am able to share my testimony of responding to God’s truth today.

God is truth! He has provided us with His Word of Truth. When we humble ourselves before Him and seek the Holy Spirit to guide us, He will not deny our request.  It was through such an experience that He revealed my arrogance and denial of His Word and brought me to my knees with repentance and asking for forgiveness.

Is it now arrogant to declare God’s truth?  Arrogance is what got Lucifer cast out of Heaven. From His Word, one does not say this might be truth. From His Word, He has given us the light to declare His unobstructed Truth.  Is it wrong for me to point others to consider how they have been deceived?  Well I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be a lonely voice in an Adventist forum, defending Christ and belief in Him, against those claiming to be Adventists yet not believing in the gift of truth He provided us through His Divine Word.

So at the balking and questioning of truth, I found myself saying, “If you,” and “You don’t,” and questioning those who say God’s Word is not infallible. As a witness to His truth and not turning or twisting scripture in any way, I somehow became viewed as arrogant.   This occurs where others are declaring error in God’s Word. This occurs where there is an insistence of living according to what self thinks is good or simply living by the Golden Rule. This occurs where upon request, no one can provide Biblical foundation for their right to live in opposition to what is taught.  This occurs where there is nothing in God’s Word that gives instruction on or and example of  an honorable homosexual relationship.

It struck me that truth is not always a warm fuzzy feeling ; but an acknowledgement that a choice must be made based on conviction. We have to choose between truth and feeling many times over in our lives. If we live by feelings alone, we can end up in a heap of a mess. As is the case with the majority of the world due to Satan’s strong deceptions through feeling rather than fact.

Then arrogance surfaces. We get in God’s face and resist and declare and act up out of our distored thinking. All the while, God points to His Word and must think us dense for not giving the ruler of the universe the courtesy of accepting truth and accepting the power He offers us to do His will instead of our own.

For so very long, gays and homosexuals have suffered incredible pain, some resulting in suicide. The church, ( a body of sinners continually studying truth) recognizing this sin against God’s original plan, alienated this hurting body of sinners and made it the crowning sin. The untouchables. Satan had been busy creating division and pharisee like behavior among those claiming to know Him who forgives ALL sin.

In the meantime…not a surprise, Satan was busy at work planting pride and arrogance in those deciding to give into their feelings and ignoring God’s warnings and guidance.  Now a magnitude of sinners are saying…look… there are so many of us. If there are this many, we can’t be wrong. This pains our creator. Only His love and patience holds back the angels in the four corners of the earth about to let the final events of this great controversy unravel. 

It is in this culmination of pride and declaration of truth that God says there will be those who will let go of their feelings and reach out in faith. The rest will be consumed by their self assuredness and self-indulgence, proclaiming their own goodness which is as filthy rags to Christ.

Arrogance is clearly defined when God provides all truth, salvation, saving grace and we so much as spit in His face and say “no…my way is better.” This unsubstantiated resistance is what is the epitome of arrogance.

But….. Yeah…. This is the good news!!!  When the church body; leaders, pastors and congregational members, recognize themselves as sinners and ditch the pride and haughtiness that has been resident, they can let Christ use them to reach out to those who have not been included. Those who have not been understood. Those who have been wrought with pain and self loathing. And to those who have become stubborn and arrogant in their declaration to live as they feel without any discipline or governing authority.

Our misunderstanding has materialized in confusion and intolerance of each others sins. But Jesus points the way. He clearly defines sin and then points everyone of us to the cross. He does not ask us to compare one another’s sins and look for equality in going against His will. He asks all of us to declare all sin as an enemy of  Christ and to come together and proclaim His truth and live in His light.

That light is the light that shines the way on the narrow path to heaven. Sometimes dim and treacherous. But He, at those times, carries us in our helplessness as we grow in our trust and faith in Him.

My life was full of everything I wanted to do and much of what I had no business doing or never should have done. But today is a new day in Him and He is using me as a warning in front of the detour. This is not meant to be arrogant, but to one who resists, it will be easy to declare it as such. It is for those souls I pray that they do not become hardened, but that they become humble and accept the forgiveness and the power and love of Jesus Christ.

Since the church has not been understanding and seemingly forgiving of those they have considered a blight on nature, God has impressed me to minister to them with my experience and understanding of the pain and the life patterns of gays and homosexuals. In bringing clarification and education to those who have not experienced this life, it is my hope that they will see and value each and every individual as a child of Christ.

The ministry in churches can then recognize those seeking truth, healing and a desire to do God’s will. Not an insistence of doing what is dishonorable to God, but recognizing the soul that is truly searching for truth. 

This will take time and an adaption process that requests us not to see either individual as threatening. God’s guidance must be sought. Prayer and discussion together will be crucial. 

The homosexual will be searching for a life of purity. Hearing God’s instruction on celibacy or seeking guidance to a relationship ordained and honored by Him. We don’t call each other to celibacy. It is God’s Word that makes His will perfectly clear.

Bending God’s Word for the sake of certain allowances to openly sin, must still be recognized by God’s leaders and it is their responsibility to hold true these faiths. The faiths as declared by God Himself.

Self is our biggest fear. Self gets in the way. Self naturally fights against truth and God’s plan. A sinful nature naturally resists all that is pure in Jesus Christ.  This is what makes the life of ANY sinner a challenge. But it is the promises of Jesus Christ that is available to everyone of us.

The choice is ours.

Arrogance is declaring “My Way” instead of  “Christ’s Way.”

Improper english, but you will get the point.  “We are way more educated beyond our level of obedience.”

If you want to introduce healing, education and the extension of God’s saving grace to your church body or Christian organization, please contact me via the contact tab from the main menu.

A Sexual Identity in Christ? – losing focus

Posted by on November 16, 2010  |  4 Comments

John 1:12 I am God’s child.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Gay Christian, homosexual orientation,  Gay Adventist, Bi-Sexual Adventist, Straight Adventist, Same-Sex Attracted Adventist, Heterosexual Christian, a food addicted Christian, a Pedophile attracted Christian , errrrrck!!!!!!   Who?  Well if I were oriented to pedophilia, wouldn’t that be how I would label myself?

I am continually amazed at the labeling of who we are in Christ. As I read God’s word, no where do I see people identifying as the type of sinner they are in Him.  But today, as disciples of Christ reaching out to the world, it seems that some do not want to abandon their worldly identity in accepting Christ as their Savior and Master.

Why as a converted soul, would someone continue to identify themselves with worldly terminology.  Gay has many interpretations. But all of the interpretations indicate a profound attraction to the same sex. A differenciating from God’s intended creation of man. A sin identity.

Is sin in the orientation? Well the label of the orientation describes the type of sin one is tempted with. By claiming the orientation, the emphasis is certainly not on claiming Christ.

In Christ we are a new body. We are identified as children of His. Children being drawn to holiness and to His original plan for us. If I “claim” a homosexual orientation, I limit God’s healing in me.  We are each unique to Christ. We are all believers who are seeking God’s plan for us. So to place myself under a worldly label, I am limiting my growth in Christ.  I personally think it is a little dangerous for us to lock ourselves into a label.

For many  many years, study of the Bible and its history has confirmed the sin of homosexuality. As the world is  now 7,000 years into sin and the influence and diluting factor of Satan, we have allowed modern society to derive different terminology for Biblical transgressions. Being a player, a swinger, gay, or various other terms that are offshoots from adulterer, homosexual, fornicator, etc.

Satan will stop at nothing to divert our focus from our Holy Righteous Redeemer. By segregating ourselves within the church, we maintain division.  Christians equate gay and homosexuality. There is no reason that they should not.  To educate them that one may want to continue to claim the title that wrought sin in their life, while no longer practicing that sin has got to be mind boggling and a factor that seems to indicate that the person is not completely converted.

Non gays do not identify in the church as a heterosexual Christian or a straight Christian or an Adulterating Christian.  If I don’t get it. I can only imagine what some who try to be accepting of various modernizations are thinking. They might ask if they are somehow compromising with Christ or simply falling victim to Satan and his many ploys.

Dear brother and sister in Christ let Jesus convict your heart. Let Him create in you a new body. One that is wholly His and not classified with a worldly label.  Jesus provided His well documented intention for sex. But no where has He instructed us to separate ourselves by our sexual preference while serving Him. We are a body of believers. We are all sinners.  We should all claim the newness in Him each day. Guiding and directing. Healing and leading us. Drawing us to His holiness.

I pray that we don’t fence God in. I don’t anticipate from how I feel, even after conversion, that I will fall in love with a member of the opposite sex. But I have no idea what God has in store for me. I am not going to limit His ability by identifying as a Gay Adventist, which immediately tells anyone of the opposite sex that I just wont go there.  That is truly a limitation of the power that only Jesus Christ possesses.

Rejoice in Him today as a child of God!

God Is Good – All the time!

Posted by on November 13, 2010  |  No Comments

Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!

God is a mastermind of planning and preparation. A glance outside at any conceivable moment, reveals His Almighty power. Whether it is a dark rainy day, a view through the Hubble telescope of our magnificent solar system, or simply two fingers over an artery on your arm feeling the pulse of life; God is

A M A Z I N G !

It has been a week of trust and testing. One of relying on God and listening to Him.  His power and healing are in question in a heated debate on Spectrum Magazine over the admission of practicing homosexuals to church membership.  In this debate argument for admission and declaration that gay sex is okay, is this.  The Bible is not infallible. All the texts in God’s Word condemning homosexuality, had nothing to do with our lives today. They were all about something specific to the time in which the Bible was written. God does not require self-denial. It is only important to live by the Golden Rule. (which by the way is found in God’s Word.)

So for those who are adamant about remaining in life unchanged, it becomes clear that one can just pick and choose whatever verses strike you as inspiring or fit your life, rather than following God’s Word and request of our obedience.  Statements are made against the church and its doctrines and fundamental beliefs, but gays are trying to beat the door down to get inside and claim membership. Not seeking help, but simply to declare that they have a right to belong to an organization  that clearly live in opposition to the beliefs of homosexuals.  Doubt is stated in this forum about God’s power and ability to bring healing to the homosexual.  As the church was guilty of making homosexuality the crowning sin, homosexuals would now like to point out to the church that their sins are the crowning sins. Do you see how Satan wins either way? Do you see how no one mentions anything about Satan and His deceptive evils. No one makes mention of what kind of sin begins to suffocate God’s existence through His people.  All the posting from this camp takes a live and let live attitude. There is no call to righteousness or honor to God.   The discussion, with its anti Bible declarations, is an overt display of Satan at work.

The church ignorantly, has been insensitive to gays and homosexuals for decades. Shame on the church. But as the church begins to wake up and recognize the need to understand, help and draw these hurting souls to Christ, the gays and homosexuals take a knee jerk reaction by declaring that they don’t need any help. They don’t need God. They don’t want to learn about His truth and healing. They simply want inside to proudly declare their right to be present and flaunt what they have for so long felt the need to keep private.  Private, because of God’s clear direction to abandon this lifestyle.

To make it even more complicated and disturbing, God has reached the hearts of those who have lived according to their own will and against the Word of God.  Standing up to the church with this testimony and to those who have felt alienated by the church, takes power, strength and courage only provided by God and His Holy Spirit.

The church is gun shy and isn’t sure that it want’s your testimony, because even they are in disbelief of God’s power or how He is utilizing that power. They want to make sure that God is doing what they expect. Such as turning a gay –  straight. Instead of leaving all in the care of God, the church out of ignorance, has the impression that we should all be carbon copy Christians.  That is not how God operates.

The gay community then claims that you have become a traitor and that you are claiming healing and a cure that God is simply not capable of bringing to fruition. So the fiery arrows come from both sides.  One begins to feel like a martyr. Satan’s laughter can be heard by the soul genuinely converted by the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.

Many of the gays and homosexuals who have been converted and slipped quietly back inside the church doors, watch and are struck with an amazement that these returning souls to Christ can stand up to the skepticism and ridicule.  But isn’t this what God asks from each and everyone of us? Doesn’t He ask us to be willing to fight for  His truth under fire? To declare the joy and privilege it is to stand up for the truth and magnificence of our Creator?  To be willing to die for the one who died for us.

I am joyful today. Jesus has hung on to me since birth. He knew what pain and misery lay in front of me during my life. He knew what reward would be at the end of  it. He knew He could count on this soul to stand for Him under fire and attest to His healing, His power and His willingness to forgive those who once lived in opposition to His perfect plan. He knew He could win the great controversy over Satan and His claim of power over the people on this earth. He knew that deep in the hearts of many, they would recognize the healing offered by God. They would recognize the need to continually turn their sinful lives over to their maker in order to forge through the deceit laid in their pathway.

Yet is is the observation of such individuals that men of God, pastors and leaders who seemed long commited to do God’s will, will turn thier back on God’s truth and gain the love and recognition of those on a plight to satisfy their own selfish carnal desires instead of being willing to bring it all and lay it at the foot of the cross of Jesus.

The agony and pain on the face of Jesus can be seen.  The blood pours out. The precious blood of the lamb of God. He hangs there, His heart breaking because of the millions who choose not to believe but to flaunt themselves before Him saying, “my way is better God!”  So it was … when Lucifer was cast out of heaven. So it will be when all those who have sided with Him, try to come up against the Creator and lover of man…seeking to eliminate Him from their existence.

Today … take time to reflect on the nature of Christ and the sinful nature of man and choose the Hope that only Christ can offer.

He loves. He forgives. He Redeems!

Does God Offend?

Posted by on November 10, 2010  |  No Comments

It is sometimes difficult to represent Christ and His truth and not offend.  Sometimes my blunt or straight forwardness comes across harsh. Developing tact is something I strive to achieve while still conveying the importance of a fact or truth that may never be pleasantly received.  The recent discussion on Spectrum is an example of this.  This site is a denominational magazine for Adventists .. or for whomever happens onto it I guess.

But the main traffic is probably those from the Adventist denomination. Having been raised Adventist and being one today, it is strikingly evident that it is nearly impossible to read a comment and think of the author as true to the faith. Or to the Word of God for that matter.  The Bible’s authenticity is frequently questioned. Sins that were once sins are not considered just another aspect of living. One in which consideration to living according to the Word of God is growing faint.

I never expected to see this unfold before me in my lifetime.  As a child, I had wanted guidance and help because my desires for men did not match what God’s instruction is. But today, instead of wanting help, people are coming forward and so much as calling God a liar… or at least bending His Word to not include any change to the way they live their lives.

I ran across this quote in the Desire of Ages by Ellen White. Page 630, second paragraph.  “Others are offended because the principles of truth cut directly across their practice. Many stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Those who apostatize in time of trial will, to secure their own safety, bear false witness, and betray their brethren. Christ has warned us of this, that we may not be surprised at the unnatural, cruel course of those who reject the light.”

It is difficult to try and pave the way for those who have been hurt, alienated and rejected when they make a stand for deception.  This is the very thing that scares many pastors from breaching the topic of homosexuality. And to make it even more confusing and controversial, some pastors are suggesting that practicing homosexuals be considered for membership.

So taking a stand for truth becomes a real challenge.  Standing up to the church and declaring that God loves every sinner and to reflect His love to all. Then confronting those who have no intention of changing their lifestyle or considering that God does not condone homosexuality even when His Word is so clear.

This reaffirms the need for a deeper and more personal relationship with Jesus.  So many do not seem to recognize the importance of this necessary closeness with Christ. When we question His Word, yet still want to sit in His house of worship, what does that say? Is that not the devil at work in our midst?

Speaking up for Christ and not offending seems nearly impossible. Today after my remarks on Spectrum and the responses given, I wonder how God would have changed my comments. I wonder what I could have said that would have been more Christlike and had more drawing power.

I feel like I failed Him.  But I know he knows my heart. I wish I could help others realize that His love and acknowledging His truth are what will provide us with His blessed assurance.   I think it will become more common as we move forward to be objected and  ridiculed for standing firmly on the Word of God.

I apprecieate your prayers and am always in need of them.

Falling In Love

Posted by on November 6, 2010  |  2 Comments

For many, it’s instant!  For others it’s a process of continual visits and communication. The right words. The endearing gaze into each others eyes. The sense that this just simply seems meant to be. Then comes that element of something missing when there is the shortest separation. The longing and the contemplation of significant time that has been spent together and what it meant.

As the relationship develops, so does the element of trust. There comes a time when you would do anything for each other, even if it endangered your life. You stick up for and defend one another. Verbally!  You vow that nothing will become between you and as this relationship gets serious, often plans for marriage develop. A bond of significance that vows that nothing will ever come between you.

More importantly, such a relationship is key to developing the bond between ourselves and our Redeemer.  There is a courtship, that if it does not take place, will never generate the commitment of taking a stand and declaring love and defense for what has become an inseparable union.

Oddly, many seem to be in a quandry over how such a bond seems to be missing in their personal relationship with Christ.  If we don’t take time to get to know our Savior, we cannot expect to arrive at this inseparable bond.  Our Redeemer has laid out some pretty clear instructions about how we attain this relationship. But if we don’t follow the guidance, our lives can easily be in peril.

Here are a few simple clues Christ has given us.

John 14:15  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

John 15: 7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”

John 3:30 He must become greater. I must become less.

Phillipians 4:13 “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Luke 10:27 “”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

These are all New Testament texts. So for those who declare themselves as New Testament Christians, here in lies the same advice and requirements that Christ outlined in the Old Testament.

Throughout the entire Bible God seeks to engage us into a one on one relationship with Him.  You have heard me say it many times before, but I will repeat myself. Getting to the point where we are totally reliant and dependant on Christ, knowing that He will help us in every situation that confronts our lives, does not come from a quick prayer in the morning and another at night. Sadly some professing the Christian faith haven’t even given Christ this much of their time. Time that is not ours to begin with. Each precious moment of living breath we are given, is from our loving heavenly father.

Take time to contemplate a love relationship with Jesus Christ. Consider what you are or are not doing that is preventing such a relationship from existing.  Unlike some earthly relationships, we know that everything God shows and teaches us is absolute truth. Many of these truths are to generate changes in how we live and what we may have believed. Change is difficult for many. God’s truths are not always falling easy on our ears, because His truth continually reveals our imperfections.

He knows this. His expectation of us is not perfection. He is perfect for us. But He wants us to do everything possible to live in accordance to His will for us. This involves dying to self. Letting go of passions and desires that Jesus never placed His blessing on.  If we hear Him speak to us about some of our ungodly behaviors and yet resist His commands and advice to us, our hearts begin to harden to truth and our self made truths begin to become more important than doing the will of God.  This has terminal danger marked all over it.

Today we are drenched in a world of self absorption . Many many people, some claiming a Christian faith, go to great lengths to defend their firm belief in their ungodly behaviors.  After some short consideration, anyone should be able to see what extreme danger there is in believing in self, rather than in Him who gave us life.

God doesnt’ try to trick us. He calls us out of a world of trickery. Tricks are the tools of the one cast out of heaven because he believed his way is better. His sole purpose is to confuse and deceive.

Jesus clearly tells us in no uncertain terms, that He is the Way, The Truth and The Light.   How could we possibly want to hang onto the lies so cleverly designed to seal our fate rather than grasp the truth that redirects our destiny?