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Valuing Rebuke

2012-02-09T21:32:00.001-06:00

( Here is a good article I found )

Rebuke is not very easy to receive, is it? I don't like rebuke. I mean, I really don't like rebuke. However, I've been studying a little about rebuke lately, and I've seen that there are basically only two responses to rebuke. Proverbs tells us the wise man values rebuke, while the fool rejects reproof (see Proverbs 12:15 and Proverbs 10:17). As God's children, the differences are not only in wisdom versus foolishness, but in what is after the Spirit of God, and what is after the flesh. I want to walk in the way of the Spirit of God, in the way of wisdom. Studying what the Scriptures teach about esteeming reproof has opened my eyes to see more clearly how my response is really a choice. I so easily fall into the wrong choice, and have needed to go before the Lord in repentance. I'm praying that the Lord will have mercy on me to help me turn from my natural way of responding to rebuke, to responding in a way pleasing to HIM. I'm very much in the process, and what I am here sharing is an invitation to join me in the process of valuing rebuke.

Receiving, much less loving, rebuke goes completely against the grain of the natural sinfulness of our hearts. When someone has a word of rebuke for us, something rises up within us to protect our pride. It is hard to "stoop" to a rebuke because it challenges something we hold dear - SELF. A rebuke, no matter how small, comes at the idol of self and whacks at its very foundation. A rebuke seems to say to SELF, "You don't know every-thing, and in fact, here is an area you need to look into! You don't have everything as together as you think."

We have two opinions when a rebuke is given to us: we can view it as a curse, or as a blessing. As long as we're walking with God, until we learn to accept rebuke and walk in humility, we're going to keep on getting it, so we might as well learn to value rebuke!

Is a Rebuke A Curse?

If we view a rebuke as a curse, we are actually FOOLS. (Proverbs 12:1b) But that's just exactly what comes easy! We tend to want to stop up our ears and go through an emotional roller coaster. At first we feel hurt and wounded, then in despair, then angry, then set out a full-blown attack at point the finger somewhere else. We then promptly ignore the rebuke, finding some comfort in the naysaying of foolish friends and stay far, far away from the person who gave the rebuke. Oh, yes, we'll remember it every time that subject comes up and use the opportunity to steam a little more!

And all of these are characteristics of walking in the Spirit, right?! Wrong!

The Scriptures command us to WALK in the Spirit: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25) It is a command; it is something we're supposed to obey. Walking in the Spirit is not just "being" - it is a mixture of "being filled" and "walking in" - it is both being and obeying.

When we view a rebuke and its fundamental "attack" on our pride as a curse, our responses come from the flesh.

Is Rebuke A Blessing?

Full change of perspective means not only a mental change, but also an actual obedient receiving of a rebuke. Our response is the difference between being a fool and one who is wise. We would all love to be wise, wouldn't we? Here is a detailed description of how we can walk as a wise person: love rebuke. (Proverbs 9:8)

Since refusing rebuke comes from protection of self, a good bath in humility is just what we need. God has such marvelous plans for HIS Children. HE sees how needy we are. HE sees how beautifully we could fit in the purpose for which we were created if we would just give HIM ourselves to mould. It is a mercy that God Almighty is willing to shape, change, and fashion us into people after HIS own likeness, but we have to be willing to cooperate as well. We must take off our armor and allow our very hearts to be exposed to HIS discipline.

The question we need to ask is, "How much do I really want to change? How important is it to me to be fashioned into Christ's likeness?" Is it worth saying "no" to and crucifying the flesh? Is it so important and desired that you would do anything, or give up anything to become the person God wants to make you? Is there a cost too great for the privilege of walking in discipleship with God?

Responses Of The Flesh Versus
Responses Of The Spirit

One of the first fleshly responses to rebuke is self-justification. When a rebuke comes and puts a dent into our idol of self, our flesh wants to rise up and prove the error of the rebuke. Of COURSE we just couldn't be wrong! Perhaps in response to a rebuke an account will need to be given, yet our attitude should not be self-preservation, but an ardent desire to walk in righteousness - shown wrong if that is the way of truth.

But what is the response of the Spirit to rebuke? There can be no selfish motives in a response guided by the Holy Spirit. Serving self isn't what matters when we're walking in the Spirit - serving and following Christ is. our hearts should be so eager to be conformed into the likeness of Christ that we are willing to receive any help that will accomplish that purpose. "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it." (Psalms 141:5,NKJV)

Another response of the flesh is to turn and attack the person giving the rebuke. (Proverbs 9:8) Responding with attacking shows where our hearts are. If we can just make this other person look worse, then we won't look so bad. We're quite content to point out that, while this person is so intent on the miniscule speck in our eye, they really ought to deal with the log in their own eye. This attitude is part of the lie of comparing ourselves among ourselves instead of to Christ. It is a MERCY to be told "you're wrong!" It isn't a curse. Remember, if our goal is to grow in Christ and walk in HIS ways, it won't matter to us how the truth comes to us. The response of the Spirit is gratefulness for the Lord bringing to our attention our need for change. "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." (Rev. 3:19, NIV)

The flesh also responds to rebuke by feeling all hurt and wounded. Ouch! That hurts to even think about! It is so easy to take up an offense before even realizing it. But is that really a work of the Spirit? 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 goes into great detail about the differences of a worldly sorrow versus Godly sorrow. I'd encourage you to read and study this passage on your own. When we received rebuke with an attitude of "I'm hurt; that wounded me," we're still focusing on self. We're still living in a paradigm that doesn't admit to any personal need for conforming to Christ. Basically, we take the rebuke as a front to our persons, instead of a merciful felp lin the path of righteousness. Rather, we should respond as the Corinthians responded to Paul's rebuke. Paul wrote of the sorrow they experienced, but it wasn't a sorrow of the world - an in-turned sorrow - that leads to death. It was the Godly sorrow that leads to repentance.

Yet another fleshly response to reproof is ignoring counsel and rebuke. "Mockers don't love those who rebuke them, so they stay away from the wise." (Prov. 15:12, NLT) "He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray." (Proverbs 10:17) Proverbs 17:10 also speaks to the wisdom of valuing rebuke; "A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool."

A Spirit-led response to reproof takes heed. It is not interested in preserving self, but in walking in truth. Proverbs 15:31-32 again speaks of the wise person listening to life-giving reproof. Then verse 33 wraps it up with this; "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom and before honor comes humility." Humility must come first in our response to reproof.

"When thru fiery trials thy pathway shall lie

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee,

I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."

Proverbs 9:7-8 describes further differences between the foolish and the wise. "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you." The foolish way to respond is to hate the one who gave the rebuke. Self-protection can come pretty quick and desire to "get back" at whoever gave the rebuke. But the way of the Spirit is to receive a rebuke with all humility, looking at it to see if the Lord is behind it. The wise person will love the person giving the rebuke because of it! Our response should be gratefulness for that person loving us enough to say something. Certainly some rebukes are given as venom; however, we are still obligated to see if the Lord is speaking to us through that rebuke. Remember, God chose to use a donkey once to gain the attention of Balaam. HE might use an unbeliever or a stinging rebuke to get our attention. My point is, the Proverbs say that a wise man heeds rebuke and loves the person giving it. We need to be grateful and humbly listen to rebuke.

Still another response of the flesh is to take reproof and go into despair over it. This person partially sees the truth behind the reproof, but just feels too hopeless to overcome and change. Other friends are called on for "encouragement" in propping up self (I'm not so bad, am I?) This response is still looking to self to overcome instead of Christ. It is looking to flattery for self-esteem instead of plunging into the true reality of who we are AND embracing death to self that Christ might live through us.

One thing I do want to mention is that, even in valuing rebuke, not every rebuke given is from the Lord. We need to be daily walking with God so that we're sensitive enough to HIM to recognize HIM in any rebuke that comes to us. The wisdom of loving rebuke isn't in conforming to a person, but to the Lord through a rebuke. It is the humility that teaches us how to be mouldable to the Potter. It is our duty when rebuke comes our way to take it before the Lord - do we see HIM in it? Is this something HE is directing?

I pray that the next time a reproof or rebuke comes to you, you'll stop and pray about your response. The choice is up to you whether you'll respond in a say after the flesh or the way of the Spirit. Which do you yearn for more? Do you desire to uphold your image of self, or walk in the path of humility and growth? Proverbs 29:1 describes the terrible ending if we continue rejecting reproof:: "A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy." How awful to be "broken beyond remedy"! Where is the life in that? Where is the joy and beauty? If we respond to reproof in a pattern after the flesh, we'll reap hay, stubble, and wood, missing out on the curious, beautiful, refining process Yahweh would work in our hearts if we will yield.

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"When thru fiery trials thy pathway shall lie; My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee. I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine." (From Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787)

This Article, Valuing Rebuke is by Brook Wayne. Brook is the wife of Israel Wayne. They are the parents of two children. Brook delights in her calling as a wife and mother and enjoys keeping a home for her family. This article was found in Issue #40 of "An Encouraging Word" published by Wisdom's Gate copyrighted 2002 All Rights Reserved

from An Encouraging Word issue #40.
Wisdom's Gate P.O. Box 374 Covert, MI 49043

Glory to God!!

Email me anytime: verilytimes1@hotmail.com

In the Last days!!!

2012-02-08T21:06:00.000-06:00

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

2 Tim 3

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ²For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

¹⁰But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹²Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

He is able to save!!

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Carnal or spiritual?

2012-02-05T19:51:00.001-06:00

Gods word talks about two kinds of life. One leads to death (carnal) and one to life ( spiritual )

A carnal life is of mans flesh and driven by his sinful nature while a spiritual life is guided by Gods holy spirit. The book of Romans does well to explain these both to us and it is the spiritual life that God calls us to if.... we claim Him as our Lord and Savior.

Romans 8

Free from Indwelling Sin

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. ⁸So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Sonship Through the Spirit

¹²Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

From Suffering to Glory

¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²²For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

²⁶Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

³⁷Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

To find this new life we must repent and believe in the Risen Lord of Lords!

There is hope and praise His name.

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verilytimes1@hotmail.com

What are you hunting for?

2012-01-14T09:46:00.002-06:00

In my state of Wisconsin.... many men enter the woods in November and are looking for a deer/buck to bag. Some do it for meat, others do it for the prized antlers and others still for the pleasure of being out in the woods. It is a major pursuit for many and it consumes exactly who they are for much of the year. I was once rather consumed by it my self but today; other than a means to get some meat to feed your family or glorify God by enjoying His creation, it seems quite futile in so many respects.

So what is it that you are hunting for in your life?
What drives you and is the most important thing that defines who you are?

Jesus told us to "seek the kingdom of heaven first"... above all else. You cant do this unless your His child first. You can become His child by adoption when your born into Him by His spirit. ( John 3:3 )
Then if you are born of God... your goal in life (what you hunt for) is to please the Father though obedience to His Son.

It is my hope you find what your hunting for, that it is not futile and that it is eternal life in Christ!!!

Matt 6
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^[b] ⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.^[c]

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^[d]

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body

²² “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Glory to the Lord!!

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Behold His creation.....

2011-12-31T10:57:00.002-06:00

This amazing picture was sent to me by my son. He found this little fawn as he was out in the woods one spring day in central Wisconsin.

One cant help but think about the amazing creation before us every day that Gods has done though His word. Yet many in our world deny Him and refute what is Gods alone.........His GLORY!

Hear is Romans chapter 1 and it says alot about that very subject....enjoy!

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God ² which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ⁵ Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Desire to Visit Rome

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, ¹⁰ making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— ¹² that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
¹³ Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. ¹⁵ So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

The Just Live by Faith

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,^[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”^[b]

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,^[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,^[d] unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

So do you stand with God or do you stand against His ways?
Repent and believe the gospel to be saved......

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The faith and death of Polycarp

2011-11-30T21:28:00.000-06:00

Polycarp was a early saint who was sent to the Roman officials to answer for his christian faith before the year 200 AD.
He was over 80 as he stood before the official and the massive mob in the stadium.

He was told to renounce Christ and hail Caesar as a god.

Polycarp said... I am a christian and my Lord has never failed me... I will not deny Him now
The offical said "I can call for wild animals to come and take you now" unless you repent!
Polycarp said " call for them then!!!....who ever heard of repenting from that which is good"
The offical said....since wild animals dont move you.... I will burn you with fire" as the crowd yelled for his death!
Polycarp said " you threaten a fire that lasts for an hour but a judgment fire of a eternity is coming for the ungodly"

The crowd heard his reply and angrily ran to get stacks of wood. Polycarp was then placed on the pile and he said
"no need to bind me to the stake...He who gives me strength will hold me in place". He was allowed to pray then....
he was burnt alive for his faith in Christ.

His story is little known today and sadly........ his kind of life/faith is little known as well by those who "claim" Christ today.
Polycarp was a student of John who had walked wih Jesus. Those early saints had three standards to live by...

total devotion to God / Christ in ALL their ways
dedicated love to each other
living in holiness by seperating from the carnal / popular culture of their day

May believers today have the same spirit amoung us!!

It has been said before......... you cant ever fully live for Christ until ........... you ready to die for Him.

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Mark 8:35
Jesus said... For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Thanksgiving with thanksliving!!

2011-11-24T08:57:00.004-06:00

I heard a preacher say......... the best way to be thankful on this day and anyday, is to be in a state of "thank-living" unto the Lord.
What this means is rather than just state age old prayers, attend a religious service or even just saying thank you Lord for all we have; those who really desire to honor and thank God should have godly fruit / live like they are thankful by being obedient to His word in all their ways.

I knew a cop once and he used to say "the best way to thank a police officer....... is to obey the law!

God is also pleased with those who will obey, yield, deny themsleves, sacrafice and repent ( leave all sin ) to honor Him as Creator God.

Point is this... if our lips ( words ) dont make our hearts then our actions follow... they are vain and not pleasing to Him.
God wants ALL of you........ not just what you choose to offer to Him ( think on that )

I wish you all a joyous Thanksgiving and please consider a total surrender to Christ and His word today as proof of thankfulness for life and all that you have. That is the greatest form of thankfulness to Him a holy God. ( His death for all to be saved.... if they will repent and believe on Him and be made new /born again )

Glory to God forever......

email me anytime at verilytimes1@hotmail.com

It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord / Psalm 92

Holding fast.....

2011-11-21T20:49:00.002-06:00

This summer I was up near Black River Falls, Wi on a average day and before I pulled out into traffic; I noticed this bug crawling on my windshield. I snapped a shot of him to share and as I drove off and got up to speed ( 55 mph ) this amazing little bug was able to hold on to the windsheild and not be moved or blown off! That is a pretty amazing feat when you realize how small he is and how slippery the glass was have been at such speeds. So I thought this picture / situation would make for a great illistration on.... holding fast in life.

Life can often present us with hard situations where we need to be able to hold on and wait out the storm. There are always trials, battles and struggles that come into every life here on earth so; it is not how to avoid then but how to hold fast thought them that matters.

Gods word often teaches us how we can hold fast in the troubles of this life. Jesus talked about the man who built his house on sand and when the storm came... it was washed away. It could not hold fast as it was built on very shakey ground. So what is your life built on today?

Matthew 7:26
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

This scripture gives us a great clue as to how we can hold fast in life. Jesus said by "doing what He has taught us" we can remain strong.... no mater the conditions around us.

A life built on Gods word is the ultiimate way to hold fast in this worry some life. But before a person can do that, they must repent of their old life and be changed by Gods spirit. Once we are surrended to Christ fully by being born again.... we can begin to build the foundation on the rock ( Jesus ) that will enable us to hold fast as trials come our way. There is no other way to survive the trials of this life and then death without Gods judgment to come.

Please consider today what your resting on in life and how you plan to hold fast in the future that is sure to bring much tribulation to our lives. Only by trusting fully in Jesus Christ and living a life dedicated to His service will you be ready to..... hold fast!

Email me anytime: verilytimes1@hotmail.com

Romans 1:18

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who HOLD the truth in unrighteousness.

Gods holy word....

2011-11-16T23:13:00.000-06:00

Here is a interesting chapter that speaks of the last days of mankind.......
It sure does describe the days we live in today, amen?

2 Tim 3

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Glory to God

Email me anytime: verilytimes1@hotmail.com

The Real thing....

2011-11-14T06:44:00.001-06:00

What do you see in this picture?

Do you see a warm glowing fire in a wood burning stove? Well, actually it is a fake.

My wife and I bought a tiny cottage on 2 acres at the front of our farm to fix up and rent out as a weekend retreat. So we bought this little unit, which is only electric and has a fake flame/log, to add a touch of warmth to the place. It really puts out the heat but......... it is not real and only has the appearance of being a real wood stove. It may fool some people at first but they will then see it is a fake in the end!

Many places in God’s word we find talk about being real vs being fake. The Lord and Savior Jesus was the most harsh on those who were fakes or as He put it, hypocrites. The religious people of His day loved to put on the godly look outside but they were rotten to the core inside. Christ knew this and He exposed them for who they really were. ( See Matt 22 )
Mat 22:18 But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?

Since looking at one’s own spiritual condition is key to finding salvation in Christ, let us consider our own lives then. Are we real in that we are about the Lord with of our heart & lives? Do we seek His ways first over all other things and are we being obedient to follow the ways He has left for us to follow? Or are we living a life that is centered on "us" most of all and not really interested in leaving our old sinful self behind to walk in His light fully?

Jesus taught that you will know someone by their fruit ( see Matt 7 ) If a person is truly of God they will produce good/godly fruit in their life and show they are really of Him. But if they are of this world, they will produce a bad fruit that links them to the fallen sinful ways of man. Like our little fake heater, we may fool some people but in the end we will all be found out and exposed for being fake.

I raise this topic because it is very common place today in people. I myself was once just like this. I was a fake church goer who looked good on the outside but I was rotten / fake at the core. The gospel ( good news ) of Christ is able to clean out the old man and "create us a new" in His name. This can only happen when we realize our evil ways, repent ( leave our sins ) and seek His ways as the guiding factor in our lives. Then we can be real for Him and live out our purpose, the reason he created us.... to glorify Him!

Please consider these things as you daily live your life. Are you being a FAKE about your sin condition and status before God ( judgment to come ) Or are you being REAL and following after the King of Kings will all that you are? Just being good on the outside wont due nor will going to a religious building.

The ONLY thing that will please God is that you throw yourself on the cross of His Son, become born again ( John 3:3 ) and do what He has commanded us........ to be obedient and surrender our entire being to Him as His people. There is no greater joy than to serve Him and know His peace daily.

It is something to consider?

Email me anytime at: verilytimes1@hotmail.com

2Co 13:5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test!

Glory to man

2011-11-12T10:51:00.001-06:00

Some events of the past few days really got me to thinking about how this culture lifts up man in glory, that the bible is clear to teach... belongs only to God!

The one situation was about a famous man in football (who runs a college program in the sport ) was caught in a scandal and fired over child molestation issues on his staff. These men are so highly regarded by fans, parents and the school, yet they failed to protect a innocent child from being sexually abused. Why, all over football and its secular glory it brings man! How very sad....

The other event was the passing of another Veterans day.
My dad was a WWII vet and I am very grateful to those who serve our nation. Having said that, I don't believe God would have us build and go to monuments for man, stand in parade lines or lift them up so highly that they get attention/glory that is not suited for them. Gratitude and remembrance for a job well done, yes... but this type of glory, no!

If you study Gods word you will see that no where are we taught to lift up sinful man in anyway such as what is seen today. In this culture, we have sports heroes, movie heroes, war heroes, political heroes etc etc. Many say "well ... we have Easter and Christmas where God is honored ( and it is done in a carnal / pagan way ) so we can honor man too". No, this is not true at all! God is NOT to share fame/glory with anyone at all! The bible says He is a jealous God who deserves and desires the full love / attention of His people ( saved born again followers )
Many will say, oh we aren't giving man glory that is really meant for God at all in these things!

Perhaps a good example would be the husband and wife marriage bond.
The husband deserves / wants his wife's attention in ALL matters regarding her intimate love and physical affection. But what if the wife went out, flirted and just hugged / kissed other men and gave them this attention but said... oh don't worry honey, your still my husband. I just also want to give these men some attention too"! Should he be jealous? Why should he be ... she still gives him most of the love and attention right? No, the husband rightly wants ALL of her attention and love with none going to another man! So should God want His people to love Him in all ways with none going to another?

Jesus echoed the old testament and taught us to love God with ALL of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Mar 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

All your strength means to love the Lord ALL the time too.......... and not spend strength on mans glory!
Did you ever see Christ giving any glory to man at all? Oh, He mentioned some good words of certain men, but could you EVER see Jesus at a monument built for mans glory or a parade all for mans deeds? That is not His character or nature at all.

This goes back to a subject that I often write on. A man centered theology vs a Christ centered theology. If your saved into Gods family then He is all of who you are. He is indeed at your core of who you are, then though his word...we will see how we are to live, act, think and who gets / deserves the glory ......... the Creator or His creation?

In the end ... all of the glory goes to God alone!

Something to consider for those who claim His name or those who desire to please the Living Lord of the Universe with all that they are.

If your not His today... repent and believe and seek Him with all of your strength!

email me anytime at: verilytimes1@hotmail.com

Joh 12:43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Whatever is good, pure and lovely

2011-11-11T21:39:00.001-06:00

Not long ago my wife Debbie and I went camping ( we use a small tent and not a RV ) and here is a picture of our simple morning fire that we made coffee and breakfast on.

It was so nice to get away and relax with the simple/wonderful things of Gods creation. We fished a little, took a walk in the woods and collected some sticks for our fire. The world today (that man has created) is so very complicated and it is sad that very few people ever get away from it to enjoy something less, but more pure. It seems that many want more of this carnal world in their leisure time and that is just not what Gods word teaches us to strive for.

The bible tells us what we are to focus on:

Phi 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

Jesus often took time to get away. Not to go to a crowded sporting event or to go shopping at the mall for more stuff. No, He took time and sought what was of His Fathers character and nature. ( good and pure ) This will also help those who seek Him to grow in their walk / obedience to God.

If you wonder why you are stressed out or perhaps your not drawing closer to the things of God, ask yourself this; do I get away to what is pure and good or am I connected always to this world system that is not of a holy God?

Gods word (the bible) will guide us to a better life of service to Him which brings peace and joy to mans soul. Col 3:2 tells us to "set our minds on things above".

So try a simple walk, a small camp fire or just time without the noise of this current age ( media ) and set your mind on Him.

Repent and believe to be saved...... ( mans religion cannot save anyone )

Email me anytime at : verilytimes1@hotmail.com

1Pe 1:22 You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

Some things just dont make sense!

2011-09-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

Sometime when we read things, they dont really make much sense do they? This silly sign is a great example of that fact. Our world is full of such examples.

Often when people start to read the bible they say ... it just doesnt make sense to me!
Gods word must be read in spirit and not though just the flesh of sinful mans eyes.
If you truly desire to know and embrace Gods word, He will show you His truth. When we desire to repent of our sins and be obedient to His ways, over time He removes the blinders from our your eyes and we can understand His word more clearly then before. If we ask to understand and we mean it, God is the giver of good things!

Matt 7:7 Jesus said...“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. 7:8 For everyone who asks 11 receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 7:9 Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 7:11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 7:12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.

Do you seek after Gods truth even when it is difficult to understand or do you walk away with no desire? Seek Him today, repent and believe to be saved from your sins!

email me anytime at: verilytimes1@hotmail.com

1Ti 6:19 In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

His creation

2011-09-21T22:23:00.002-05:00

With the fall season upon us I am reminded fo the beauty of Gods creation. The colors, creatures and scenes are really amazing to behold. Sadly this world & culture we live in does its very best to tell you that God is NOT responsible for what we see and enjoy daily. But dont be fooled friend. The bible teaches us that we can know He is God by His own creation. And when we know Him ( though faith and repentence ) we have a clear picture of where the creation came from, who we are and who He is........ a holy God worthy of serving. Gods word is clear on this subject

The Power of the Gospel

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 34 1:17 For the righteousness 35 of God is revealed in the gospel 36 from faith to faith, 37 just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”

The Condemnation of the Unrighteous

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people 39 who suppress the truth by their 40 unrighteousness, 41 1:19 because what can be known about God is plain to them, 42 because God has made it plain to them. 1:20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people 43 are without excuse. 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts 44 were darkened. 1:22 Although they claimed 45 to be wise, they became fools 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings 46 or birds or four-footed animals 47 or reptiles.

1:24 Therefore God gave them over 48 in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor 49 their bodies among themselves. 50 1:25 They 51 exchanged the truth of God for a lie 52 and worshiped and served the creation 53 rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

1:26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, 54 1:27 and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women 55 and were inflamed in their passions 56 for one another. Men 57 committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, 58 God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. 59 1:29 They are filled 60 with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with 61 envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, 1:30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, 1:31 senseless, covenant-breakers, 62 heartless, ruthless. 1:32 Although they fully know 63 God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, 64 they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.

From Gods own word we have two choices............

Give glory to Him for His ways, His creation and seek eternal life in Christ or go our own way which leads only to death!

Please choose Christ....... He is the only way ( John 14:6 )

email me anytime to discuss.... verilytimes1@hotmail.com

Where are the godly men to defend & cling to true biblical doctrine?

2011-09-09T19:53:00.001-05:00

Do you live in the truth or do you linger in false teachings?
As we read Gods word, we know that the Lord cares about truth over falsehoods, in all areas of faith and life. I recently had a experience that reminded me of the weakness of American christian men.

I was trying to alert both a teacher and a husband/father about their supporting Word of faith preachers, Full Quiver / Dominion Mandate theology that has warped Gods word to decieve many well intentioned families along the way. Sadly, they would not even discuss what Gods word says over the ways of these false teaching men and refuse to stand for biblical truth!
In today's very feminized world, we are seeing a real lack of strong godly men (claiming Christ) who will hold tight to His word which is our lone source of truth. ( sadly more woman are speaking out and this just isnt the role God gave them ) In this day of poor theological foundations; many in the church are giving way to unity over solid biblical doctrine. Those who stand on Gods word and look to reason or discern truth from false teaching, are being called divisive or un loving. Is that true?
As always... lets look at what Gods word says about doctrine, truth and calling out false teachings in the life of a Christ follower. ( the following article is a good read )
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Many today believe that it is wrong to expose error and to name names. Liberals have always seemed to believe this, but in recent times it has been widely espoused by evangelicals and charismatics. Now we are seeing the same fatal error being declared by those who profess to be Bible believing fundamentalists. Those who are faithful in exposing error according to the Bible are now being widely denounced, and are accused of being unloving and unkind. In this tract we intend to present the teaching of the Bible on this vital subject.
I. It Is Right To Practice Biblical Judgment

One of the most misused verses in the Bible is, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7: 1). Every Scripture verse should be read in its context, if we are to properly understand the true meaning. In vs. 2-5 of this same chapter it is evident that v. 1 is referring to hypocritical judgment. A brother who has a beam in his own eye should not be judging the brother who may have a mote in his eye. The lesson is plain, you cannot judge another for his sin if you are guilty of the same sin.

Those who cling to "Judge not, that ye be not judged, " to condemn those who expose error should read the entire chapter. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing... " (v. 15). How can we know false prophets unless we judge them by the Word of God? If we know the false prophets, how can we fail to exam the sheep of these "ravening wolves?" All through the Bible we find proof that they should be identified and exposed.

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (vs. 16,17). Did the Lord mean that we could not judge the tree (person), by the fruit of their life and doctrine? Certainly not, for you cannot know without judging. All judgment should be on the basis of Bible teaching, not according to whims or prejudices.

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment " (John 7:24). Here our Lord commands that we are to "judge righteous judgment, " which is judgment based upon the Word of God. If judgment is made upon any other basis, other than the Word of God, it is a violation of Matt. 7: 1. Webster's Dictionary says that a judge is "one who declares the law. " The faithful Christian must discern or judge on the basis of God's inspired law, the Bible.

A fornicator is described in I Cor. 5:1-13. Paul "judged" (v.3) the man even though he was absent, and he told the Church at Corinth that they were to "judge" (v. 12) those that were within. The Greek word for "judge" is the same here as in Matt. 7: 1. Paul did not violate "judge not, that ye be not judged, " in judging the man, nor in instructing the Church to judge also. All of this judgment was according to the Word of God.

A person who is able to discern between good and evil, has at least one of the major marks of spiritual maturity. "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14). The meaning of discern, "a distinguishing, a clear discrimination, discerning, judging; is translated 'discerning' in I Cor. 12: 10 of discerning spirits, judging by evidence whether they are evil or of God. " Strong also agrees that it means to judge.

Those who are unwilling or incapable of discerning or judging between good and evil are in this manner revealing either their disobedience or their immaturity.

II. It Is Right To Expose False Teachers

False teachers are free to spread their poisonous doctrines today because there is a conspiracy of silence among many Bible believers. Wolves in sheep's clothing are thus enabled to ravage the flock, thereby destroying many.

John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees (the religious leaders of his day) "a generation of Vipers" (snakes) (Matt. 3:7). Today, he would be accused of being unloving, unkind, and unchristian.

Jesus said to the religious Pharisees, "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34). To many evangelicals and some fundamentalists, this would be unacceptable language today, but it is biblical language and it came from the mouth of the Son of God.

Standing face to face with these false teachers, Jesus Christ the Son of God, called them "hypocrites", "blind guides, " "blind, " "whited sepulchres, " "serpents, " and "ye generation of vipers" (Matt. 23:23-34). Yet, we are told today that we are to fellowship with men whose doctrines are just as unscriptural as those of the Pharisees. Some who say they are Bible believing Christians insist on working with Roman Catholics and other assorted heretics. Yet, according to many, we are not supposed to rebuke them for their compromise.

Near the beginning of His ministry, "Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence, make not my Father's house an house of merchandise" (John 2:13-16). Our Saviour is presented today as one who was meek, lowly, kind, and loving, even to false teachers, but this is entirely false. When dealing with false teachers and prophets, His words were sharp and His actions plain.

Near the end of His public ministry, Christ found it necessary to cleanse the temple once again. The exposure of false doctrines and practices is a never ending job. At that time He said, "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves" (Mark I 1: 17). Is it any different today? The thieves come into the house of God, and rob God's people of the Bible and peddle their perverted Bibles instead. At the same time this den of thieves rob the people off the doctrine of separation and the doctrine of sanctification. Then you can hardly tell God's people from the people of the world. In all honesty, should not these thieves (false teachers) be exposed?
In our day these false teachers have come into the churches with their books, music, literature, movies, psychology, and seminars, and have turned the Father's house into a den of thieves. It is time that men of God stand up and expose their errors for all to see.

The Bible Admonishes Us To Expose Error

We are to TRY them. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4: 1). All doctrine and teachers are to be tried according to the Word of God. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). Every message, messenger, and method is to be judged according to the Word of God. The church at Ephesus was commended because they had "tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars " (Rev. 2:2). The church at Pergamos was rebuked because they tolerated those that held "the doctrine of Balaam, " and "the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate" (Rev. 2:14,15). It is never right to tolerate false teachers, but they are to be tried by the Word of God, and exposed. Of course those who want to disobey the Word of God will seek by every means to avoid this teaching.

We are to MARK them and AVOID them. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them " (Rom. 16:17). Those whose conduct and teaching contradicts the Word of God are to be marked and to be avoided. This requires discernment and judgment in the light of the Bible. The ecumenicalists, new evangelicals, and compromising fundamentalists will resist any effort to obey this Scripture. They cannot be marked and avoided, unless they are judged according to the Word of God.

We are to REBUKE them. "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith " (Titus 1: 13). This was written to Titus, because there Were those going from house to house and subverting whole houses with false doctrine (v. 10-16). Many popular flase teachers are subverting whole houses with their false doctrine today. ( see Full Quiver and Dominionists groups ) Are we to sit silently by, while they do this, without rebuking and admonishing people to avoid their teaching? No, the faithful servant of the Lord is to be "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers " (Titus 1:9).

We are to have NO FELLOWSHIP with them. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them " (Eph. 5:11). Reprove means to censure, condemn, find fault, rebuke, and to refute. How can we obey this Scripture unless we try them by the Word of God?

We are to WITHDRAW from them. "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us " (II Thess. 3:6). We are to withdraw from those whose doctrine and conduct does not conform to the Word of God. The context clearly shows that obedience to sound doctrine is what Paul has in mind, for he says, "if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet, count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (II Thess. 3:14-15). Paul admonished Timothy to "withdraw thyself " from those who "consent not to wholesome words ... and to the doctrine which is according to godliness " (I Tim. 6:3-5).

We are to TURN AWAY from them. Concerning the last days, he says that some will have "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. from such turn away" for such people are "never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (11 Tim. 3:5,7). How can we turn away from them if we do not identify them, and this requires that their message be compared to the Word of God. It is the business of the true preacher to: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine " (II Tim. 4:2). This is usually an unpopular and thankless task but it is the duty of the God-called man.

We are NOT to RECEIVE them into our house. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds " (11 John 10, I 1). There is no doubt about who John is speaking about, it is " Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ... " (v.9). By radio, TV, music and literature, false prophets are brought into the homes of many Christians today. Brethren, this ought not to be!

We are to REJECT HERETICS. "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject " (Titus 3: 10). We should reject those who deny redemption by the blood of Christ. There are many who deny this or some other doctrine of the Word of God. If they will not respond to being admonished, then they are to be rejected.

We are to look out for those who preach another gospel. Paul warned about those who preached "another Jesus ... another spirit ... or another gospel" (II Cor. 11:4). How can we know them unless we judge their Jesus, their spirit, and their gospel by the Word of God? Paul called such preachers "false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" (11 Cor. II: 13). He explains in v. 14-15 that these preachers are the ministers of Satan. The God-called man must be just as faithful today in exposing the ministers of Satan.

Paul warned the Galatians about those who "pervert the gospel of Christ." He also said, "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (See Gal. 1:6-9). Multitudes today are preaching a perverted gospel. Those who teach salvation by baptism, or by works, are teaching a perverted gospel. Those who preach a salvation that you can lose, are preaching a perverted gospel. The charismatics, Catholics, many evangelicals, and many fundamentalists (?) are preaching a perverted gospel. Yet, we are supposed to cooperate with them in evangelism and Christian work, according to many today. If we fail to expose these false prophets, then we have betrayed Christ and His gospel.

We are to SEPARATE from them. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no the unclean thing; and I will receive you " (II Cor. 6:17). This makes it plain. God's people are to come out of apostasy and religious error. How can any Bible believer remain in the National Council or World Council of Churches? How can they remain among compromising evangelicals and wishy-washy fundamentalists?

III. It Is Right To Name Names

Many mistakenly believe that it is wrong to expose error and to name the guilty teachers; but they are wrong according to the Bible.

Paul named Peter publicly. Peter was guilty of unscriptural practice. "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed ... But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" (Gal. 2:11-14). The whole issue revolved around salvation by the law or by grace. When the integrity and purity of the gospel is at stake, then we have no choice when it comes to the matter of exposing error and naming names.

Paul named Demas for loving the world. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (II Tim. 4:10). Those who forsake the cause of Christ for worldly living and pleasures should be named and exposed. (Christian Rock!)

Paul named Hymenaeus and Alexander. Paul told Timothy to "war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some have put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme " (I Tim. 1: 18-20). God's true servants should war a good warfare, and name those who have departed from the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Paul is not here discussing the faith of salvation but the faith as a system of doctrine. These men had made shipwreck of it and Paul exposed them and called their names.

Paul named Hymenaeus and Philetus. He told Timothy to "study" that he might be able to "rightly" divide "the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth as canker. of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some " (11 Tim. 2:15-18). False doctrine overthrows the faith of some, so those who are proclaiming it must be exposed.
Paul named Alexander the coppersmith. "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil. the Lord reward him "cording to his works: Of whom be thou ware also, for he hath greatly withstood our words " (II Tim. 4:14-15). It is clear that this is not a personality problem, but a doctrinal problem. Alexander had withstood the words and doctrine of Paul. He was an enemy to the truth. Godly pastors face the same problem every day. They stand and proclaim the truth, then their members go home and hear this truth disputed by radio and TV preachers. Often times these false prophets are sending their publications into the homes of members of true churches. Then the man of God is suppose to keep his mouth shut, according to many. Only a coward will be silent when the truth of the Bible is under attack.
John named Diotrephes. "I wrote unto the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not" (III John 9). He related how this man had prated against him "with malicious words " (v. 10). He further said, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God " (v. I 1). It is not wrong to name those whose doctrine and practice is contrary to the Word of God.

In fact, the whole Bible abounds in examples of false prophets being named and exposed. All this modem day talk about love, used as an excuse for not exposing error, is not really biblical love but is really sloppy agape.
Moses called the name of Balaam. (See Num. 22-25). Peter exposed "the way of Balaam ... who loved the wages of unrighteousness " (II Pet. 2:15). Balaam was a prophet that was in the work for money, just like some of the TV false prophets today. They beg for money and live like kings, while multitudes of innocent people send them their hard earned money. They are always building colleges, hospitals, TV network satellites, and amusement parks that have a water slide for Jesus. And then we are suppose to keep our mouth shut about these religious charlatans. How can we be silent and be true to God?
Jude exposed "the error of Balaam " (Jude I 1). John exposed "the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication " (Rev. 2:14). This gets right to the heart of the matter, concerning the doctrine of separation. Balaam never did curse Israel even though he wanted the wages that he was offered to do so. The men of Israel committed "whoredom with the daughters of Moab ... and bowed down to their gods " (Num. 25:1,2). Why did they do this? Because Balaam taught Balac how to break down the barrier of separation between the Moabites and the Israelites. We know this to be so because it is plainly stated in Rev. 2:14 and Num. 31:16. This sin resulted in 24,000 men of Israel dying under the judgment of God. (Another good example of Christian Rock)

False teachers are breaking down the barrier of separation between God's people and false religion. There is too little preaching and teaching on the doctrine of separation. Balaam breached the doctrine of personal separation by causing the men of Israel to commit fornication with the Moabite women. He breached the doctrine of ecclesiastical separation by causing the men of Israel to bow down to Baal. This brought a curse upon Israel. Until we get back to teaching the truth about personal and ecclesiastical separation, we can expect the continued widespread havoc that we have today.

It seems to be believed by many that some people are too high and mighty to be named or exposed. Men in high places, pastors of large churches, and those with great radio or TV audiences, are supposedly above criticism. Whatever they may do or say, no matter how contrary to the Bible it may be, is supposedly all right. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Nathan identified the man. There was a man in a very high place who was a secret adulterer. Surely this man who held the highest office in the land could not be rebuked by a lowly unpopular prophet. Nathan went right into the presence of David, revealed the sin in a parable form, and then told the enraged David, "Thou art the man " (II Sam. 12:7).
Hanani named king Jehoshaphat. In many ways Jehoshaphat was a good king, but he mistakenly forgot to practice religious separation. He caused his son to marry wicked king Ahab's daughter. (See II Chron. 18: 1; 21:1-6). He made an alliance with Ahab and went to the battle of Ramoth-gilead with him (II Chron. 18). Hanani "said to King Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? " (II Chron. 19:2). We have a question for those, "Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?"

Yes, it is right to expose error and to name those who are in error. It is right to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). It was once delivered and it has never been recalled for revision. We had better beware of "false teachers ... who privily shall bring in damnable heresies " (II Pet. 2: 1). Faithful messengers will warn the sheep of these heretics, and identify them by name. It is not enough to broadly hint of their identity, for the young lambs will not understand and will be destroyed by the wolves.

Gods word is so very clear and those who wont yield to it in EVERYWAY are fooling themselves. They are NOT being obedient to Gods ways. I pray the men of this nation that claim new life in Christ will shed their timid stances, lead their homes in truth and instruct, inform or rebuke the false teachers; rather than make excuses for them. In doing this God is glorified!!!

email me anytime at verilytimes1@hotmail.com

Danger in small things...

2011-09-02T20:32:00.006-05:00

One day last week I found this cute little guy near our garden. As I walked up to him he tried to make a get away... slow as porcupines move. But it didnt take long for him to show me that while he was slow, he was a ball of danger! I got a close up look at the hundreds of sharp quills ready to defend him if need be. As I took him for a ride to be set free down 32nd street (a private country road in New Lisbon, Wis) I thought how thankful I was one of our farm dogs didnt find him first and get a nose / eye full of those spiny quills! Many dangers await those who venture out into the woods and dont have the proper knowledge or wisdom to protect themselves.

This reminds me of many people who live life and dont seem to know or care what trouble awaits them from even the small things ( sin ) they toy with or do on a daily basis. Gods word teaches us that satan is like a lion seeking whom he may devour:

1Pe 5:8 / Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.

One way we can protect ourselves is by knowing what Gods word says about how to live a life pleasing to Him:

Pro 16:7 / When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he even reconciles his enemies to himself.

The bible also teaches us how to follow Gods commands and thus we can avoid dangers and trouble.

1Th 5:22 / Stay away from every form of evil.

The greatest danger you must avoid is Gods wrath!

It is our sin that separates us and makes us enemies of God; who will see His angry wrath to come! Because of those sins against the holy God, you must be judged! This you must know... even the small sins will damn your soul without Christs redeeming work.

It is not just murder or theft for you see; even swearing, lying, drunkenness, lust, idleness and greed "all" condemn us before a most holy God as one sin is too many.

Pro 11:4 / Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from mortal danger.

( righteousness means living by a set of standards...Gods standards )

Now, while no works can ever save us; the gospel good news is that Jesus Christ came to suffer on the cross for your sins and mine. If we will repent, believe and follow after Him in obedience to His word... we will not suffer that wrath. Jesus said "you must lose your life to find it". He also said you must be "born again to see Gods kingdom" and He said "narrow is the way and few find it"! Have you found a "saving faith" in Jesus Christ so you can avoid the danger of wrath to come? It has been said you will know if you have eternal NEW life in Christ, when your hungering for MORE of Gods word ( not religion ) daily and you desire Him in all areas of your life? ( anything less...your conversion is false and your are lost!)

Please be prepared for that danger to come when death takes you. Trust in Him, be made new, live for Christ till you die and His eternal life will be yours!! Dont be in great danger but be saved!
Email me anytime at verilytimes1@hotmail.com

Tit 2:11 / For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.

Learn to Discern!!

2011-08-27T22:47:00.001-05:00

So what is wrong with this picture? Can you spot the present danger?
With the many trials all around us in these perilous days, are you able to quickly discern good from evil? Gods word tells us that we must be on guard for lies and deception in all areas of our lives that can destroy us. Many people walk around believing things or doing things that they seemingly have no clue are dangerous (or untrue) for their eternal soul. Unless we compare all things against Gods holy word, we will be easy targets for those who come to decieve the masses.

Jesus told us in Matt 24 that many false teachers will come in the last days and we can indeed see them all over the media and in the modern church today. What are you following or believing that could lead you astray in your spiritual life? The only way you can know your NOT decieved is by feeding on Gods word every day and running all your current mindsets though Gods word to see if they compare to His truth? Paul tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith:

2Co 13:5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test!

Jesus said "we must worship God in Spirt and truth" ( John 4:24 )

Please consider today what you base your truth upon? Is it your opinion, mans traditions, what is popular or .......what is eternal; Gods word, the bible?

If you place your trust there you will see the message is clear. Repent and believe on Christ to be saved from Gods wrath. To ignore His truth, you will face His judgement as a product of your inability or desire to discern what is truth.

The Lord is good and worthy to be praised!!

email me anytime at verilytimes1@hotmail.com

Proverbs 27:12
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Mans greatest enemy?

2011-08-13T19:19:00.006-05:00

In today's world we have many challenges, issues and enemies to face. Politics, war, the economy, jobs and our environment seem to be on every ones mind as major troubles of the day. But are they the most important enemy we face as humans?

Recently a local man had a terrible accident that really exposes mankind's biggest issue. He was at work when this accident sadly claimed his life. ( I am sure he never thought as he showed that day for work that day, it would be his last on earth! ) This shows that death is indeed waiting for all of mankind and Gods words tells us it is due to our sin that we will one day die.

Rom 6:23 / For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom 5:12 So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned

1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

It is a fact that both the richest and the poorest men of this world will end their human life at deaths door and so it is called the "great equalizer". It is indeed mans greatest enemy!
Sadly, many believe that everyone regardless of their life lived is headed to heaven but be warned.... Gods eternal word says different!! The bible teaches us that we all have sinned and due to that sin, we are separated from Gods love. The only bridge for us from our sin to God is.... Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.”

Those who are not born again in Christ though repentance / following Him in obedience.... face Gods wrath to come which is eternal hell.

3:3 Jesus replied,⁶ “I tell you the solemn truth,⁷ unless a person is born from above,⁸ he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Col 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

But the bible has good news for those who will hear and look to the One who overcame our sin to defeat death....the Lord Jesus Christ! While our sin separates us from God; if we will repent ( have a changed view of our life ) and believe on Christ alone, we can have our sin forgiven and receive eternal life to come.

2Ti 1:10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!

You cant find this new life though mans religion, good works or just mere belief. No, we must be born again in Him ( John 3:3 ) though repentance then.... as we are made into new creations, we will willingly cast our entire life onto the cross of Christ and become obedient to His ways....not our own selfish ways and desires. It is VERY important to note.... there is no degree of sin or better sinners than others. Everyone has sinned and so will face Gods wrath ( hell ) without Jesus as Him who went to the cross in our place.

A good way to know if you really have this new life is this: are you desiring Him, His word daily, living in holiness, telling others about His truth and living to be about the things of God. This is called godly fruit. Those born of God have godly fruit all for His glory. Or........ are you just about your own life today and have only a superficial belief in Him? ( that isn't a saving faith..... )

Don't delay (considering your eternal fate) as we are not promised tomorrow are we?
Do you have a saving relationship with Christ today? Is your entire life in Him and about Him? If not...... you are in danger of Gods wrath on that day you face your greatest enemy........death!

His love is so amazing; wont you consider it today then examine your life to see if Gods wrath or forgiveness await you on that day?

Rejoice in what He has done!

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1Co 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

1Co 15:26 The last enemy to be eliminated is death.

Standing out!

2011-07-23T23:04:00.001-05:00

Our culture seems to be obsesssed with making ones self stand out. It seems people love attention and to be seen, dont you agree? Well, I would say this 20 foot foot tall orange moose stands out from his surroundings, wouldnt you? ( he is located just off highway 90 in Black River Falls, Wis )

Gods word is full of messages to those who desire to honor Christ that clearly calls us to stand out from the fallen world we live in. Not to stand out for selfish sinful reasons but to be Gods special holy people who are called by His name.... Christian.

One of my favorite verses says:
" Do not conform to this present world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
Romans 12:2

A simple question but a very important one:
Do we stand out DAILY for the Lord as faithful, holy and committed people to His cause or do we blend right in with those of this fallen world who live for their flesh, not the spirit?

No, standing out wont save you from your sins. But if you cast your life on the cross of Christ in total repentence; then he will change your heart, make you a new creation and your desire will be to stand out for His glory, not your own! You can be changed from the inside out and be given eternal life to come!!!
That is the good news of the gospel.

Glory to the One who alone can redeem us from our sins.....

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Mat 13:49 It will be this way at the end of the age. Angels will come and separate the evil from the righteous

Is Your Life a Daily Grind?

2011-07-02T22:35:00.001-05:00

I often drive past this tiny coffee house in Tomah Wisconsin. It has a catchy name as you can see.

The name got me to thinking of how many people I know that view life as that.... a daily grind!
I have to admit there are times when work stress or situations can get to a man's peace and cause one to look at what we do for a living as a real hassle. Because we must work, we will encounter these times. So how do we deal with them in a healthy way that makes our life full and lasting?

As usual the bible offers us the answers we need. Gods word teaches us that life outside of Christ is not really a full life at all. You will find yourself struggling to find purpose and to recieve lasting joy. But when we surrender to God and serve Him though Jesus Christ........ we no longer work for man but we are doing ALL things unto God for His glory. I can tell you this certainly makes work and life so much better and the daily grind changes into a joyous service to Him the Creator God. See I dont work for a living at my company or for my boss; I do it unto the Lord first, as His word tells us.

Phil 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 2:15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world2:16 by holding on tothe word of life so that on the day of Christ, I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

Rom 8:31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Phi 4:13 I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

So take stock of your life and consider Gods word to you. Are you in a daily grind or do you have the joy of the Lord in all things? If you dont have Christ today.......... seek Him in His word, the bible. When you are ready to serve Him alone, repent and believe and find a new glorious life!
Life outside of the love and truth of God is a vast waste land and a fleeting thing at that. Come to the Lord while He may be found.

His love is amazing!!

Email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Num 14:21 But truly, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.

Behold the Lamb of God

2011-06-29T21:16:00.004-05:00

This wonderful sign sits at the front of our long farm drive way. (we are blessed to also have the most amazing wildflowers in our area ) Behold is a word you dont hear much of anymore yet mankind does behold so much. Sadly, we most often lift up the very temporal things of this world that are fading away just like those little yellow flowers as fall/winter approaches. Most people are driven by love of money, selfish needs, materialism and carnal desires of the lustful flesh that the bible teaches us is sin that leads to death.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was the Lamb of God who paid for the sins of those who will seek after Him. He is indeed something wonderful to behold as no one in history holds a candle to His place in the universe! ( Creator ) He is eternal, all mighty, the Alpha, Omega and is alone worthy of our praise and adoration. In the image of Him and as His created beings, man is made to worship something. Ask yourself, what do you hold most dear and focus on in this life above all else? ( there lies your god )

If you are ever looking for real purpose; Gods holy word has one for you and it is to "give God glory"!
Jesus did it in His life on earth and if we claim we have Gods grace/eternal life, it should be our goal as well in all that we do.

Can you see the truth, glory and power of the Lord? Embrace Him though faith and repentance and you too shall be changed and made new.

Behold the power of the Lord..........

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2Co 6:2 For he says, “I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!

Keeping Gods Commands

2011-06-28T22:14:00.001-05:00

1 John 2:3
Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments. 2:4 The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. 2:5 But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. 2:6 The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.

2:7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have already heard. 2:8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 2:9 The one who says he is in the light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness. 2:10 The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 2:11 But the one who hates his fellow Christian is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Words of Reassurance

2:12 I am writing to you, little children, that your sins have been forgiven because of his name. 2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, that you have conquered the evil one. 2:14 I have written to you, children, that you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young people, that you are strong, and the word of God resides in you, and you have conquered the evil one.

2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 2:16 because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. 2:17 And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.

Gods word is truth!!

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Homosexual Marriage and our Cultures Decline

2011-06-25T23:08:00.003-05:00

Have you noticed the major decline of our American culture these days? Our government is totally out of control/corrupt, our prisons are full of lost fatherless men, we have turned lust into entertainment; while our children are swept away in a sea of secular education and paganism. Not only do we have greed, materialism, selfishness and sexual obsession raging ......... we also now have perversion being labeled as normal!

This week the state of New York has decided to make homosexual marriage legal along with five other states. While many are saying it is about rights, freedom and love; only a person who does not know Gods holy word could ever come to that conclusion. The fact is homosexual sin is not any greater a sin then adultery or stealing but.... we are seeing a shift of morality in our day and the bible speaks to us about such things:

Isa 5:20 Those who call evil good and good evil are as good as dead, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.

Mat 12:35 The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury.

God made woman for a man and that cannot be altered. Dont buy the lie people are born this way.
What is true is we are born into our sin and lost unless we recieve Gods truth as our own.
Even in our past, mankind had slipped into gross sexual perversion and God acted to destroy entire cities. ( see Sodom ) Today we are under Gods grace but dont be fooled...the Lord wont be mocked. We will indeed reap what we have sown in our land! The Lord has made the world with order and purpose and homosexual marriage ( any sexual sin ) does NOT serve His purpose and it will be judged. In fact; the day is coming when God will judge all sin. (hell is its reward) We cannot be saved if we are happily living "in our sins". But if we reject them and come out of it into His glorious light..... He is faihtful to grant us grace in Christ.

If only people knew the great love God has for them and what he did for them? You see, He sent His only Son to pay for their sin debt upon the cruel Roman cross. Though repentance and faith we can be forgiven and find eternal life to come. While it may be too late to save this VERY lost culture, you can save yourself by giving up your own way/will then surrendering to Christ with all that you are!

Please dont be swept up into the lies, cultural norms and deception of the day. Wont you reject your fallen lifestyle of rebellion against God and seek the Lord while He may be found?

He is patient and willing to forgive....... but wrath will come in His time.

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Pro 11:27 The one who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but the one who searches for evil – it will come to him.

Seven in Heaven Way

2011-06-23T22:32:00.002-05:00

Have you heard? There is a big controversy brewing in New York these days. It seems the city has named a street near a firehouse that lost 7 of its fireman on 9/11... "Seven in Heaven Way".
Apparently atheist groups are upset and crying separation of church and state.

While there is nothing new about atheists being upset; I would like to address the fallacy that people are claiming these 7 firemen ( who died on duty ) are indeed all in heaven! While I didn't know these men or what they believed....... to make the statement "they are all in heaven" is not for any man to do. The question to ask is this: what gives a man entry into Gods kingdom after death anyway?

The bible makes very clear who will be in heaven. It isn't earthly heroes, nice old Grampa's or those who tried to be good. No, Jesus told us the way in the book of John:

John 3:3 "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus also said " I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except though me" John 14;6

Please understand this: unless a man is born again by the spirit of God ( repented and made new in Christ ) he will NOT see Gods heaven. If your still in your sins and have not come to Christ, hell is what awaits a man. While the idea of lifting up some men who were brave in this life is noble to some, it does not give God glory by ignoring how He has granted mankind His grace ( though Jesus death on the cross alone ) There is but one way!!!

Consider today who is the REAL hero? It is the Lamb of God who takes away our sin but; we must submit to Him as Lord and Savior in this life and die to ourselves.

Do you want to see heaven........ see Jesus today and He alone can give you eternal life to come!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Psa 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loyal love endures!

Danger Awaits....

2011-06-21T22:19:00.004-05:00

As we live out our daily lives, we are always encountering dangers all around us. I guess risk is a part of being alive isnt? Recently I was reminded how very close we all come to many dangerous accidents. Example; have you ever noticed how we all drive cars and pass right by others (thousands of times a day) with only a foot or two between safety and......... a fatal head on crash? The fact is often we dont see, think about or even realize these dangers that do threaten us.

On that subject, I found this sign on one of the roads I travel on monthly to be quite interesting so I wanted to share it with you.

There is a military base ( Fort McCoy ) that I often pass by in my travels. I knew about this firing range and have heard the guns firing at times but I never realized that as I am driving this main cross road, live shells are passing right over my head! Just one of many other dangers in my daily life.

So what is a danger in your life I ask? Have you ever considered them? While we cant do anything about certain risks, have you considered the "greatest danger" you face and dealt with it ? What is the greatest danger to man? That would be the fact that mankind is an ENEMY of God due to sin. Unless your born again in Christ and serving Him in obedience / holiness, you are in danger of Gods judgment ( hell ) when you pass from this life. The bible warns us about this grave danger:

Jesus said in Mat 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Sadly, most people wont talk about this danger of judgment but it is indeed very real. If your afraid of anything, it should be falling into the hands of an angry God.

Jer 10:10 The Lord is the only true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King. When he shows his anger the earth shakes. None of the nations can stand up to his fury.

The gospel of Christ is good news and it tells of Gods plan for you to escape what you deserve by repenting and trusting on Him for your salvation. Are you ready to remove this great danger from your life and become a child of the living God? Or are you like so many who put on their seat belt, quit smoking or lose some weight to reduce risk but; deny the true God of the Universe and continue to live in rebellion against His ways bringin themselves wrath / judgment?

Please consider the danger you are in and come to the Lord ( be born again ) while there is yet time!!

Rejoice in what He has done.....

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Romans 10
Brothers and sisters, 1 my heart’s desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites 2 is for their salvation. 10:2 For I can testify that they are zealous for God, 3 but their zeal is not in line with the truth. 4 10:3 For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes.

Of Sheep and Goats

2011-06-15T22:12:00.003-05:00

I recently took this photo near Arcadia, Wisconsin.......... what a beautiful sight it was!!
In holy scripture, we are shown that Gods people are often called His sheep and the lost people of the world are called... goats. Consider this scripture below and then examine yourself to see which one you are today?
Matt 25:31 “When 32 the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 25:32 All 33 the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 25:33 He 34 will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 25:34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 25:36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 25:37 Then the righteous will answer him, 35 ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 25:38 When 36 did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? 25:39 When 37 did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 25:40 And the king will answer them, 38 ‘I tell you the truth, 39 just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters 40 of mine, you did it for me.’

25:41 “Then he will say 41 to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 25:42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 25:44 Then they too will answer, 42 ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ 25:45 Then he will answer them, 43 ‘I tell you the truth, 44 just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ 25:46 And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Repent and believe to become one of His holy and saved flock.....

Let Gods word & truth be proclaimed!!

email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

The godly Man....

2011-06-11T22:06:00.002-05:00

By Thomas Watson

"O how love I your law." (Psa. 119:97)
Part A: Godly Man Loves the Word Written

It is said the Scriptures are like a garden set with ornaments and flowers. A godly man delights to walk in this garden and sweetly solace himself. He loves every branch and part of the Word:

1. He loves the counselling part of the Word, as it is a directory and rule of life. The Word is the direction sign which points us to our duty. It contains in it things to be believed and practiced. A godly man loves the directions of the Word.
2. He loves the threatening part of the Word. The Scripture is like the Garden of Eden: as it has a tree of life in it, so it has a flaming sword at its gates. This is the threatening of the Word. It flashes fire in the face of every person who goes on obstinately in wickedness. "God will wound the head of His enemies, the hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses." (Psa. 68:21). The Word gives no indulgence to evil. It will not let a man halt half-way between God and sin. The true mother would not let the child be divided (I Kings 3:26), and God will not have the heart divided. The Word thunders out threats against the very appearance of evil. It is like that flying scroll full of curses (Zech. 5:1).

A godly man loves the menaces of the Word. He knows there is love in every threat. God would not have us perish; he therefore mercifully threatens us, so that he may scare us from sin. God's threats are like the buoy, which shows the rocks in the sea and threatens death to such as come near. The threat is a curbing bit to check us, so that we may not run in full career to hell. There is mercy in every threat.
3. He loves the consolatory part of the Word - the promises. He goes feeding on these as Samson went on his way eating the honeycomb (Judges 14:8,9). The promises are all marrow and sweetness. They are reviving to us when we are fainting; they are the conduits of the water of life. "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." (Psa. 94:19). The promises were David's harp to drive away sad thoughts; they were the breast which gave him the milk of divine consolation.

A godly man shows his love to the Word written:

(a) By diligently reading it. The noble Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11). Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:12). The Word is our Magna Carta for heaven; we should be daily reading over this charter. The Word shows what is truth and what is error. It is the field where the pearl of price is hidden. How we should dig for this pearl! A godly man's heart is the library to hold the Word of God; it dwells richly in him (Col. 3:16). It is reported of Melanchthon that when he was young, he always carried the Bible with him and read it greedily. The Word has a double work: to teach us and to judge us. Those who will not be taught by the Word shall be judged by the Word. Oh, let us make ourselves familiar with the Scripture! What if it should be as in the times of Diocletian, who commanded by proclamation that the Bible be burned? Or as in Queen Mary's days, when it spelled death to have a Bible in English? By diligent conversing with Scripture, we may carry a Bible in our heads.

(b) By frequently meditating on it: "It is my meditation all the day" (Psa. 119:97). A pious soul meditates on the truth and holiness of the Word. He not only has a few transient thoughts, but leaves his mind steeping in the Scripture. By meditation, he sucks from this sweet flower and ruminates on holy truths in his mind.

(c) By delighting in it. It is his recreation: "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." (Jer 15:16) Never did a man take such delight in a dish that he loved as the prophet did in the Word. And indeed, how can a saint choose but take great pleasure in the Word? All that he ever hopes to be worth is contained in it. Does not a son take pleasure in reading his father's will and testament, in which he bequeaths his estate to him?

(d) By hiding it: "Your word I have hidden in my heart" (Psa 119:11) - as one hides a treasure so that it should not be stolen. The Word is the jewel; the heart is the cabinet where it must be locked up. Many hide the Word in their memory, but not in their heart. And why would David enclose the Word in his heart? "That I might not sin against you." As a man would carry an antidote about him when he comes near an infected place, so a godly man carries the Word in his heart as a spiritual antidote to preserve him from the infection of sin. Why have so many been poisoned with error, others with moral vice, but because they have not hidden the Word as a holy antidote in their heart?

(e) By defending it. A wise man will not let his land be taken from him but will defend his title. David looked upon the Word as his land of inheritance: "Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart." (Psa 119:111) And do you think he will let his inheritance be wrested out of his hands? A godly man will not only dispute for the Word but die for it: "I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God." (Rev 6:9)

(f) By preferring it above things most precious: (1) Above food: "I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food." (Job. 23:12). (2) Above riches: "The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver." (Psa. 119:72). (3) Above worldly honour. Memorable is the story of King Edward the Sixth. On the day of his coronation, when they presented three swords before him, signifying to him that he was monarch of three kingdoms, the king said, "There is still one sword missing." On being asked what that was, he answered, "The Holy Bible, which is the 'sword of the Spirit' and is to be preferred before these ensigns of royalty."

(f) By talking about it: "My tongue shall speak of your word." (Psa. 119:172). As a covetous man talks of his rich purchase, so a godly man speaks of the Word. What a treasure it is, how full of beauty and sweetness! Those whose mouths the devil has gagged, who never speak of God's Word, indicate that they never reaped any good from it.
(g) By conforming to it. The Word is his compass, by which he sets his life, the balance in which he weighs his actions. He copies out the Word in his daily walk: "I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). St Paul kept the doctrine of faith, and lived the life of faith.

Question: Why is a godly man a lover of the Word?
Answer: Because of the excellence of the Word.

1. The Word written is our pillar of fire to guide us. It shows us what rocks we are to avoid; it is the map by which we sail to the new Jerusalem.

2. The Word is a spiritual mirror through which we may see our own hearts. The mirror of nature, which the heathen had, revealed spots in their lives, but this mirror reveals spots in the imagination; that mirror revealed the spots of their unrighteousness, this reveals the spots of our righteousness. "When the commandment came, sin revived, and I died" (Rom. 7:9). When the Word came like a mirror, all my opinion of self-righteousness died.

3. The Word of God is a sovereign comfort in distress. While we follow this cloud, the rock follows us. "This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life." (Psa. 119:50). Christ is the fountain of living water, the Word is the golden pipe through which it runs. What can revive at the hour of death but the word of life (Phil. 2:16)?

Part B: A Godly Man Loves the Word, Because of the Efficacy it has had upon Him

A godly man loves the Word preached, which is a commentary upon the Word written. This day-star has risen in his heart, and ushered in the Sun of righteousness. The Scriptures are the sovereign oils and balsams; the preaching of the Word is the pouring of them out. The Scriptures are the precious spices; the preaching of the Word is the beating of these spices, which causes a wonderful fragrance and delight. The Word preached is "the rod of God's strength" (Psa. 11O:2) and "the breath of his lips" (Isa. 11:4). What was once said of the city of Thebes, that it was built by the sound of Amphius' harp, is much more true of soul conversion. It is built by the sound of the gospel harp. Therefore the preaching of the Word is called "the power of God to salvation" (Rom 1:16). By this, Christ is said (now) to speak to us from heaven (Heb. 12:25). This ministry of the Word is to be preferred before the ministry of angels.

A godly man loves the Word preached, partly from the good he has found by it - he has felt the dew fall with this manna - and partly because of God's institution. The Lord has appointed this ordinance to save him. The king's image makes the coin current. The stamp of divine authority on the Word preached makes it an instrument conducive to men's salvation.
Application: Let us test by this characteristic whether we are godly: Are we lovers of the Word?

1. Do we love the Word written? What sums of money the martyrs gave for a few pages of the Bible! Do we make the Word our bosom friend? As Moses often had 'the rod of God' in his hand, so we should have 'the Book of God' in our hand. When we want direction, do we consult this sacred oracle? When we find corruptions strong, do we make use of this "sword of the Spirit" to hew them down? When we are disconsolate, do we go to this bottle of the water of life for comfort? Then we are lovers of the Word! But alas, how can they who are seldom conversant with the Scriptures say they love them? Their eyes begin to be sore when they look at a Bible. The two testaments are hung up like rusty armour which is seldom or never made use of. The Lord wrote the law with his own finger, but though God took pains to write, men will not take pains to read. They would rather look at a deck of cards than at a Bible.
2. Do we love the Word preached? Do we prize it in our judgments? Do we receive it into our hearts? Do we fear the loss of the Word preached more than the loss of peace and trade? Is it the removal of the ark that troubles us?
Again, do we attend to the Word with reverential devotion? When the judge is giving his charge from the bench, all attend. When the Word is preached, the great God is giving us his charge. Do we listen to it as to a matter of life and death? This is a good sign that we love the Word.

Again, do we love the holiness of the Word (Psa. 119:140)? The Word is preached to beat down sin and advance holiness. Do we love it for its spirituality and purity? Many love the Word preached only for its eloquence and notion. They come to a sermon as to a performance (Ezek. 33:31,32) or as to a garden to pick flowers, but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts bettered. These are like a foolish woman who paints her face but neglects her health.
Again, do we love the convictions of the Word? Do we love the Word when it comes home to our conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? It is the minister's duty sometimes to reprove. He who can speak smooth words in the pulpit, but does not know how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine hilt but without an edge. "Rebuke them sharply" (Titus 2:15). Dip the nail in oil, reprove in love, but strike the nail home. Now Christian, when the Word touches on your sin and says, "You are the man", do you love the reproof? Can you bless God that "the sword of the Spirit" has divided between you and your lusts? This is indeed a sign of grace and shows that you are a lover of the Word.
A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the Word, but not the reproofs: "They hate the one who rebukes in the gate." (Amos 5:1O). "Their eyes flash with fire!" Like venomous creatures that at the least touch spit poison, "When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth." (Acts 7:54). When Stephen touched them to the quick, they were mad and could not endure it.

Question: How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the Word?
Answer 1: When we desire to sit under a heart-searching ministry. Who cares for medicines that will not work? A godly man does not choose to sit under a ministry that will not work upon his conscience.

Answer 2: When we pray that the Word may meet with our sins. If there is any traitorous lust in our heart, we would have it found out and executed. We do not want sin covered, but cured. We can open our breast to the bullet of the Word and say, "Lord, smite this sin."
Answer 3: When we are thankful for a reproof: "Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked." (Psa. 141:5). David was glad of a reproof. Suppose a man were in the mouth of a lion, and another should shoot the lion and save the man, would he not be thankful? So, when we are in the mouth of sin, as of a lion, and the minister by a reproof shoots this sin to death, shall we not be thankful? A gracious soul rejoices when the sharp lance of the Word has pierced his abscess. He wears a reproof like a jewel on his ear: "Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an obedient ear." (Prov. 25:12).

What Gate Will You Enter Though?

2011-06-08T22:35:00.001-05:00

Not far from my farm is this impressive looking set of gates. Everytime I drive them, they make me think of the gate Jesus spoke of when he instructed us that there was a narrow gate that leads to life ( Him )

Mat 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

I have a simple question for you today? What gate are you planning on entering eternal life though?

Jesus told us there was one ( John 14;6 / Him ) and that many would try and fail to enter it!

Luk 13:24 “Exert every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

Please be warned!!! While the world will try to tell you there are many gates that lead to heaven ( religion, good works, best of mans intentions etc )....... there is but one! The path to hell is wide indeed and most are on that road to destruction.

You must come though Christ and that means you have totally surrendered your entire being to Him in repentence and have been born again by His spirit. ( John 3: 3)

Today... consider is Jesus your gate to eternal life? If you think He is; are you a new creation in Him and living a life worthy of a person who has been adopted by a holy God? If not, are you today ready to repent and believe on Him who took your sin at the cross and live a life dedicated to give Him glory in all things?

So I ask........what gate will you enter though? There is but one!!!!

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Luk 13:3 No, I tell you! But unless you repent, you will all perish as well!

What Are You Capable Of?

2011-06-06T22:23:00.002-05:00

What can be said about the immoral era we live in today? Another politician has been caught in a scandal that involves adultery, lust and gross sexual misconduct. I wont go into the details but only will say this; the bible teaches us that when a man allows his fallen sinful ways to lead his path, the end is always destruction. We do reap what we sow dont we?

Gal 6:7 Do not be decieved. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what they do sow.

Many people are saying; well, he had it coming or how could he ever do such and terrible thing as that?
It is always so easy to look at any other person who has been caught in their sin and point your own sin soiled finger at them in disgust. ( remember Jesus and the lady about to be stoned? )
May I remind that all of mankind has the potential to do evil. The bible tells us we ALL have sinned and fall short of Gods glory ( Romans 3: 23 )
The fact is this man was caught at it while many go on in their darkness and are not yet found out. ( viewing porn, cheating, lying, stealing....whatever ) But God sees everything doesnt He?

This man had to stand before the world and admit his sins. Consider what you will say as you stand before God one day soon? Yes, it is a humbling thing to take stock of your life/sins and realize that you (nor I) are any better than anyone else. God views all of mankind though His perfect lens and everyone outside of Christ, is facing a wrath and just judgement to come; well deserved for the sins we committed ( publically caught or not ) We all are capable of such sins anyday of our fallen lives arent we? Remember........ you dont have to actually do the sin but only embrace it in your heart or mind to be guilty! ( that truth hurts huh, I know :) )

So how can one escape that anger of God to come? Repent ( turn from sin ) and believe in the One He sent to cover our sins at the cross.... Christ the Lord. Trade your carnal sin driven life for a new one and be born again in Jesus.
( John 3: 3 )

As Jesus said, you have to lose your life to ever find it. Lose it in Him and find eternal life today.

Mat 16:25 , For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Let the life of those who are famously caught in sin be a lesson to us all. We must forget our own secret dark ways and seek the Lords light or there can be no hope for the future. Please be warned; only a fiery eternity remains for those who are the enemies of God and revel in their sins!

Consider this today and seek the Lord while He may be found.

He is a mighty fortress

email me anytime at; verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Be Not Afraid

2011-05-30T21:10:00.003-05:00

Recently we started another garden on the farm ( we call it the "north plot" ) and I placed a scarecrow in it pictured below. The purpose of this strange looking addition is to chase off any unwanted visitors to the plot that may have the intent of enjoying some of our crops as a snack. It basically works on fear. They see this odd thing standing there; then as the wind moves the arms/legs....they head for the hills!

That fear mindset got me thinking about the world we live in today. It is indeed a fear filled place and many people live in the great unrest of that emotion as they ponder the unknown future to come. I have seen many people ( who are not born again in Christ ) be buffered about as the trials and events of this world / life unfold. Sadly without the Rock to stand on ( Christ ) they often have to run or just live in fear with no real hope before them! Many turn to drinking, cigarettes, hobbies or entertainment to take their mind off of the fear. There is a better way.........

The bible teaches us alot about fear. Indeed we should have a healthy fear/respect for the Lord of the universe.
Psa 33:8 Let the whole earth fear the Lord! Let all who live in the world stand in awe of him!

But the fact is we are not to live in fear if; we know Him as He... our Father will care are for us.

2Ti 1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control

It is quite obvious to mankind that the world is headed for great tribulation in the near future. And honestly, we all know we are dying as well. Death awaits us all. So how does one overcome the fear of knowing these things to still live in peace and joy?
It can only come when you surrender your own life and give everything to Him. You must repent and believe on Jesus and then God does a mighty work in us. He changes our heart, perspective, wants, needs and our future. He forgives our sin debt and makes us His child. How can you know if you have this new life you ask? A good test may be are you trusting in Him for EVERYTHING or are you just religious or counting on your own goodness to over come the fear? Please know that wont get to to heaven. ( John 3: 3)

The emotion we are talking about is put their by God to warn us about hell. If you choose to live for yourself and not Him alone, that is indeed your future to come. May I make a suggestion?
The next time you feel fearful.... stop and consider who your trusting in for that situation? If it isnt Christ, then you must turn to Him as He is able to give you life like you have never known before.

John 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

John 6:48 I am the bread of life.

Please dont be like the deer or rabbits around our farm and let fear guide your every step. Set your heart and mind on God and He will direct your path in all your ways!

He is good.......amen?

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Men and Women ... Do You Know your Godly Place?

2011-05-27T21:25:00.003-05:00

With the coming 2012 presidential election, we again see the results of a nation who has left Gods truth and the terrible ramifications of it. It is no secret that our culture has been corrupted by the feminist movement that has furthered the cause of abortion, homosexuality, divorce and woman in the work force. Due to this, we now see a increasing number of woman who are being considered as candidates for the President of the United States. If you follow the ways of man, then you may see nothing wrong with the scenario of a woman in authority over men. But if you understand or care about what Gods word has to say, you will see clearly God has a better plan for ladies who desire to honor Him.

According to Scripture, the woman was created to be man’s assistant in his dominion task (Gen. 2:18), to function under his headship (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22-23), to be a mother and nurturer of children (1 Tim. 2:15; 5:10, 14), and to manage her home (1 Tim. 5:14). These “monumental” tasks require married women to be “keepers at home” (Titus 2:5), i.e., they are to stay at home to give their full time and attention to the enormously important roles that God has given to them. It is very clear isnt it?

The fact that our culture would applaud any woman for leaving her home and the care of her children to seek a career or run for office proves how lost we are as a nation. And as my title of this blog states: "Do We Know Our Place? Sadly, if only men today would live out their God given role, ladies would not need to be in authority and they would not want to be president, police officers or business leaders.

I often tell people we could solve most all economic woes if we followed Gods simple directions. How they ask? Well, ladies should leave their jobs, down scale their material lives, stay home to care for children and the elderly. We could then close the very corrupt public schools as they could home school their children in Gods ways. The men could then have plenty of jobs and be true leaders while the ladies took care of their role that God has assigned them. This is the Lords design.

I understand this won't happen as so many dont know the Lord and clearly don't want His plan for their lives. How sad. They are in the end.... ME centered.... not CHRIST centered. If you disagree with these concepts, well your argument is with God and His holy word & design, not this lowly christian man.

Simply put... our nation and world would be a more godly place if men and women just knew their place and embraced what the Lord has created for them since the beginning of time. We have lost our way as a nation and only Christs truth will guide us back again.

Men........ it is time to step up and be who God called you to be. Leaders, providers and protectors of your family and homes. Ladies, the Lord made you to be keepers at home and to live out your special calling all for His glory. Repent and believe in Him for a new life to come....

His word is wisdom to live by.

email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

Terror in a Storm and Gods Judgment.....

2011-05-24T22:33:00.000-05:00

Our Nation has been hit with terrible deadly tornadoes this spring and several have passed by our farm (just to the north) within the last few weeks! What is it that makes a storm so fearful to mankind? Is it the powerful force that can wipe away everything man has built in its path? Or is it the death that it can and does bring in its wake so often? Many eye witnesses speak of the deafening noise / roar of the mighty wind that makes people cry, hide and tremble in its path. Whenever I see such devastation; I myself think of the power of the Lord.
While these storms are a force to be reckoned with indeed, compared to the judgement of the Holy Creator God to come, they are nothing at all. His force does not last a few seconds but for eternity. His power doesnt just sweep away physical things but it casts a path of spiritual judgment upon all those who have opposed His ways in this life by sinning against Him. If we fret over physical death and destruction, how much more should we fear the eternal punishment to come? Jesus warned us not to gain the world, then lose our soul.( Mark 8:36 )

All of mankind stands at the brink of this fierce judgment to come but there is good news my friend!
Jesus Christ bore our sin/punishment if only we will repent and believe on Him. He is our shelter from the coming storm. Are you safe in Him today or are you at great risk for the storm brewing on the horizon of your life?

Trust in what the Lord has done and seek Him with all that you are today. Then you can know His peace and be spared from His righteous judgment we so deserve and cannot hide from.

Holy is the Lord

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1Ch 16:14 He is the Lord our God; He carries out judgment throughout the earth.

Do Not Trust In Mans Flawed Religion

2011-05-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

The following is a article that reports another confessing Christain religious organization now bowing to the homosexual tread of our time:
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted on Tuesday to amend the church's constitution to allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained in the church as ministers, elders, deacons, and church officers, ending 33 years of debate about the issue and reversing a 2009 vote after 19 of the church's 173 voting members, known as presbyteries, switched their votes.
The move comes as recent polls suggest 56 percent of American voters now support same-sex marriage equality and amidst widespread and increasing acceptance of homosexuality. According to PCUSA.org, the church includes more than 11.000 congregations, 2.3 million members in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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Dont be fooled..... Gods word is clear on the sin of homosexuality ( Romans 1 ) and God hates all sin. The fact that another modern church body is approving of it only means they are NOT bearing the fruit of people truly saved in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul clearly taught us that we are to avoid all sin and live holy lives unto the Lord. ( Eph 5 ) If we begin to condone and encourage sin in our body and our culture; we cannot do what we were left here to do.... glorify the Lord! Only by clinging to the word of God can we know what pleases Him and how we can live as His followers.

New life is found only in the truth of Jesus and when we leave that behind, we are now in the bondage of our own making that only leads to death!

He is holy and worthy to be praised!!

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Eze 33:18 When a righteous man turns from his godliness and commits iniquity, he will die for it.

Your Value is in His Hands

2011-05-05T21:39:00.001-05:00

( this was taken from worthyemail.com )

Luke 12:6-7 Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of yourhead are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows".

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of two hundred, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands immediately started going up.
"I am going to give this $20 bill to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground, spit on it and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Still want it now?" Surprisingly, hands still didn't go down.
"My friends, I think we've all learned a valuable lesson here. No matter what I did to this money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was worth twenty whole dollars no matter what I did to it."

"Often in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, spit upon and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We can feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what has happened, those who live for and trust in Christ will never lose value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, we are still priceless. The worth of our lives does not come in who we are but by whose we are! Let's give our lives back to the Lord today, our disappointments, our suffering, our feelings of worthlessness. Lets strive to please Him with holy lives lived as He is the God of healing. He has made us clean though the cross and worthy of our calling in Him! And there's so much work to be done!!

If your life is not in Christ and you perish without being born again in Him, your life will indeed have been in vain and of what value is that I ask?

Repent and believe on the One who is worthy to be praised.....Christ Jesus!

Email me anytime: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Bin Ladens Death, His Eternal Fate and Yours?

2011-05-04T21:28:00.003-05:00

The world is a buzz about the proclaimed death of the evil terrorist Osama Bin Laden.
While I have little to say about the events of the last few days in the middle east; I do find it amazing hearing the reactions of so many American people regarding his death and then, his eternal fate.
Because he was famous for evil and he had a hand in the deaths of so many people, I have heard many (who never speak of faith) say, "he is surely going right to hell". A New York newspaper even had a front page headline that said " Rot in Hell" with the terrorists picture on it. It is very understandable the anger and rage for a man who had his views and actions the last several decades.
But having said that; we must always keep a biblical view of the world and our lives if we desire to please God and know His truth. While this won't be very popular it must be said; you nor I are any better standing before a holy God on judgement day than this man that the world so hated. Now he may have killed many others but the Lords word is very clear. God doesn't grade on a sin curve! The bible says:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
Romans 3;23

" the wages of sin is death"
Romans 6;23

This means if you broke one law of God ( and we all have ) you will face the same fate as a evil terrorist, a drunk, a liar or an atheist which is separation from God in hell for eternity. Think about that for a moment will you? Unless you're in Christ Jesus today you are a outlaw / enemy of God and He will kill you and then bring you to justice one day soon! You are no better off "just because" your not evil in your own eyes. If you think your good......the bible also says "all of our good works are as filthy rags to God".

So that is the bad news! You may indeed share that "hot place" next to Mr Bin Laden or Hitler!
But the gospel good news is that Christ paid the price for all our sins ( and mine ) on the cross and if we desire to apply that forgiveness to our lives; we must come to Him in repentence and follow after Him as our Lord / Savior with all that we are. Then by being born again in Jesus we are given ( we can't earn it ) a pardon from our sin crimes as He makes us into new creations all for His glory.

While justice was served perhaps; I take no glory in any evil man perishing and facing a angry Almighty God, no matter what he has done! I also don't want you to stand before God and "hear away from me into outer darkness!!! Religion or mere belief won't save you .... you must be born again ( John 3;3)
Won't you consider your standing before God as a outlaw sinner today while there is yet time?
He is Holy Holy Holy and so you need the Risen Christ to represent your case....... repent and believe today!

Email me to chat or to share in bible study / fellowship
verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Heb 10:27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume God’s enemies.

No, the roman catholic pope cant make people saints!!

2011-04-30T09:03:00.002-05:00

This article below was taken from another christian website.
It clearly explains how anyone who is born again in Christ does indeed become a saint. Please know we dont have to look to the false ways of mans vain religion or traditions to be approved of God.......thanks to Jesus Christ's work on the cross!

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As a former Roman Catholic, I did not realize until I was born again of the Spirit that the biblical way of becoming a saint is diametrically opposed to the Roman Catholic way of becoming a saint. The present Pope Benedict recently beatified the previous Pope John Paul II which puts him on the fast road to “Catholic Sainthood.”

Benedict put John Paul on the fast track to possible sainthood just weeks after he died, waiving the typical five-year waiting period before the process could begin. But he insisted that the investigation into John Paul’s life be thorough to avoid any doubts about his virtues.

The beatification will nevertheless be the fastest on record, coming a little more than six years after his death and beating out Mother Teresa‘s then-record beatification in 2003 by a few days.
It won’t be long before you will have millions of Roman Catholics praying to the late Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. Most people do not realize that this is purely Roman Catholic tradition at work here, because it has nothing to do at all with how a person becomes a Saint in the sight of Almighty God. Any person who repents and puts their faith in Jesus Christ qualifies to be called a “saint” in the sight of God. In fact it is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for a man or woman to make a “saint” in the sight of God. A person becomes a citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20), and a “saint” when they experience the new birth, and that is why Jesus stressed the importance of being “born again” to the Jewish ruler Nicodemus. (John 3:1-8) It all has to do with being a New Creation in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) The Pope has no more power to make a person a “saint” than they have to turn a “Communion Wafer” into Jesus Christ in their Roman Catholic Mass.

In the Bible we learn that the term “saint” is applied to living believers in Jesus Christ. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote the following:
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be SAINTS, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)
We can see how Paul assigned the title “SAINT” to “… all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord …”
Paul wrote this to the church at Ephesus:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the SAINTS which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:1-3)
Once again Paul is referring to living believers in Jesus Christ. Paul writes “… to the SAINTS which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus…” Paul was simply referring to people who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ and continued to follow Him.
We must not forget that Paul was once a severe persecutor of Christians ” …breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord…” (Acts 9:1) until the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to him out of heaven. (Acts 9:1-6)
This Jewish apostle of Jesus Christ, by his own admission, consented unto the death of Stephen who was a faithful man of God. (Acts 8:1, 22:20) We can therefore justly say that Paul was an accomplice to his murder. So now we have a former murderer preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and writing letters to other believers whom he refers to as “SAINTS.”
The point that I am making is that every person in this world has the opportunity to become a true “SAINT” of God, by repenting and believing the Gospel. (Mark 1:15) That is true biblical faith.
The true story about Paul should be an encouragement to all of us that our God is truly a God of love and mercy.
A person cannot truly come to Christ and become a “SAINT” until they see that their sin separates them from a holy and righteous God.
The Bible makes it clear that there are “none righteous” (Romans 3:10) and every single one of us falls short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) That is the very reason why we need a Saviour and that is the very reason why Jesus Christ came to this earth. That is the very reason why Jesus Christ went to the cross and shed His perfect sinless blood for people like us. (Romans 5:8-9)
The Jewish apostle Paul wrote this many years after he came to Jesus Christ:

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Considering the fact that the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church are preaching “another gospel” that is not the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, they need to repent and believe the only true Gospel that can save their souls. There is a curse on ALL false gospels and that includes the Gospel of Rome:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)

The apostle Paul is a prime example of a person who was once on the “highway to Hell” being shown the awesome mercy of God, and becoming a “saint” instantly when he was converted. Paul the murderer became a Christian “saint” when he was converted on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9) Paul was able to preach the Gospel with such power because he was amazed at the very GRACE of God that saved a WRETCH like him! Listen to what he wrote here:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17)

The Gospel invitation has been going forth with power now for centuries. It is an invitation to be SAVED! There will be former drug addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes walking the streets of gold in heaven, while many billions of precious, religious people will not be there simply because they trusted in their own false gospel, which was taught to them. In fact the gentle, beautiful Lord Jesus Christ himself spoke about “harlots and publicans” entering the Kingdom of God before the “religious” people! (Matthew 21:31-32) There are thousands of “false gospels” out there, and the “Gospel of Rome” is numbered among them. The Lord is offering mercy to ALL people in the world, I encourage YOU to search the scriptures (Bible) for yourself (Acts 17:11) and see that YOU are included in this offer. It is ALL by FAITH!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be SAVED. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED. (Romans 10:10-13)
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there SALVATION in any other: for there is NONE OTHER NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be SAVED. (Acts 4:10-12)

Email me anytime for bible study, fellowship or just to chat: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

The Wolves in Sheeps Clothing are Everywhere!

2011-04-29T21:23:00.001-05:00

The bible warns us that there will be false teachers that are among the very body of Christ. We see this almost everywhere these days as paid holy men move to teach messages and doctrine that are not of Gods way or word. Many of these false teachers are leading people into a social gospel or a false message of "feel good salvation" that is not biblical at all. We are to test all spirits and compare what anyone tells us to the word of God; before we place out trust there. Gods word is truth and must be defended and upheld so He can be glorified in us.
Beware of those who proclaim the truth lest you be swept away in lies and miss the message of "repent and believe in Christ" for the forgiveness of your sins unto eternal life. Follow hard after the Lord with all that you are and hide his word in your heart and then you cannot be decieved!!

2 Peter 2:1
[ False Teachers and Their Destruction ] But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Matthew 7:15
[ True and False Prophets ] Jesus said.. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Please contact me for bible study, fellowship or questions: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Are You One of Gods People?

2011-04-28T22:38:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 2:1 So get rid of 1 all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2:2 And 2 yearn 3 like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, 4 so that by it you may grow up to 5 salvation, 6 2:3 if you have experienced 7 the Lord’s kindness.

A Living Stone, a Chosen People

2:4 So as you come to him, 9 a living stone rejected by men but 10 chosen and priceless 11 in God’s sight, 2:5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer 12 spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 2:6 For it says 13 in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, 14 and whoever believes 15 in him 16 will never 17 be put to shame.” 18 2:7 So you who believe see 19 his value, 20 but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the 21 cornerstone, 22 2:8 and a stumbling-stone 23 and a rock to trip over. 24 They stumble 25 because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 26 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues 27 of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 2:10 You 28 once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, 29 but now you have received mercy.

2:11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, 2:12 and maintain good conduct 30 among the non-Christians, 31 so that though 32 they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.

If your interested in bible study or have questions please email me anytime:
verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Holy is the Lord........

His Blood Spilled....must be Applied!

2011-04-22T15:51:00.003-05:00

It is the time when much of the world celebrates Christ's death and resurrection. Many have a belief in the death and resurrection of Christ but they haven't applied it to their life for the forgiveness of their sins?
Another way to say it is, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Perhaps you are wondering what I am talking about. Just what exactly is this being washed in His blood anyway? What is it to be "washed in the blood of the Lamb"?
Back in Old Testament times, lambs were often sacrificed as commanded by God in the Bible. God required this shedding of the blood of lambs as a covering for sin.
Although the blood of a lamb could cover sin, such blood could never actually take sin away. A lamb is not a man. Only a man could die for a man. Only a sinless man could die for a sinful man.

Jesus was sent to live as a man on the Earth. He was sent to die on a cross and shed His blood there on that cross. His death on the cross was God's answer to man's sin problem. Jesus was both God and man. Jesus was sinless, and so Jesus could die for sinful people, for people just like you and I. The blood of Jesus was shed on the cross to take away your sins.

Perhaps you do not think of yourself as a "sinner". After all, you are not as bad as "those people". Sure, you can always find someone who is a worse sinner than yourself. This is not the point. The point is that, because you have sinned, you are a sinner. A murderer is still a murderer even if only one murder was committed. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)

The fact is that you & I have committed many, many sins, and not just one sin. You have lied. You have stolen things that belonged to someone else. You have loved money more than God. You have had lust in your heart, hate in your heart, and many other sins in your heart as well.

God sees your heart. Therefore, God knows that you are very much a sinner. God has written down all of your sins in His books in Heaven. Your sins will all be read out to you one day at the Last Judgment. You will then be cast down into Hell as punishment for those sins. "For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)

You must have your sins washed in His blood, in the blood of Jesus, or else you will go to Hell when you die. Jesus rose from the grave after His death and then ascended up into Heaven. Jesus brought His blood with Him into Heaven. His blood can cover your sins, the sins of yours which God wrote down in His books. With the blood of Jesus covering your sins, God will never again see your sins and you will not have to go to Hell. Instead, you will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus.

If you have not yet had your sins washed in His blood, then you do not have anything to cover your sins, to hide your sins from a Righteous and Holy God. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away your sins. Religion or mere belief cannot save anyone! So how does one apply His blood to their life? Just like the Jewish people that had to not only believe but also apply the blood over their doors in Egypt; today we must place our faith in Christ and apply His blood to our lives though repentence and lives lived for Him fully.

By surrendering your life to Christ in total repentance, becoming born again and following Jesus in faith / obedience with all that you are....we now apply His blood! Unless you follow this biblical path...nothing can save you from your fate of death and eternal separation from God.

Jesus said in John 3;3 “you must be born again to ever see the kingdom of God”. Please know that washing yourself in His blood and then applying it to your life is Gods will; lest you shall perish without Him.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!!

Email me anytime for discussion, bible study or fellowship at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Have You Considered ...The Supremacy of Christ

2011-04-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

Col 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,

1:16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.

1:17 He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him.

1:18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.

1:19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son
1:20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross – through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Give thanks for what He has done!

Email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Are you interested in chatting, fellowship or bible study? Just let me know........

Around We Go but.... We Get Nowhere!!

2011-04-10T14:57:00.002-05:00

Most everyone remembers the merry go round as a kid. You jump on it and around and around you go but you dont really get anywhere......... but very dizzy!

Since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, I have noticed the worlds systems are alot like that childs play toy of old. Man in his pride has set up rules, laws and governmental control and while it goes on and on; it doesnt get us anywhere but further into debt, trouble and dispair. The elections in 2008 promised "hope and change" but it only brought more chaos to our land. With another U.S. presidential election looming in 2012; we again have many saying "if only we get a new leader it can all turn around for the good".

Sadly it seems we have been saying this for all of history and the fact is man just sinks further into his carnal sinful state because he is outside of Gods ways which alone lead to true freedom. Today we see unrest / massive debt piling up everywhere and not one person has a answer to solve it! We are very much like a child on the merry go round thinking; we will get somewhere when we are infact, going nowhere good at all. Why is this happening.......... mans sin!

Pro 10:28 The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled.

So what is the answer you ask? The bible clearly tells us unless we repent / surrender all to the Son of God and live our lives in the light of His holy word, we will be lost forever. With all of mans technology and education... he still has one major problem looming large and he knows it....DEATH! The good news is this: Christ paid for our sin debt in full and only He can redeem us for His own good purpose if; we will repent and believe in Him in obedience. To do this we must be born again reject the worlds ways, seek the Lords and be made new in our thinking/mind.

Romans 12:2 / Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

When we surrender to Gods way we can know that our future is then taken off the worlds merry go round and put on a fast track to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Are you ready to abandon what you have trusted in ( mans way) and follow Christ by walking in His light? I encourage you to turn off the TV and stop reading the newspaper. Turn your attention to the word of God ( the bible ) and find real hope that leads to life, not going round in circles with no hope but only "death assured" to come!

Glory to the Lamb of God....

If your interested in biblical fellowship/ bible study email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Rom 10:3 For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Made to Worship Someone or Something!

2011-04-03T22:24:00.002-05:00

Have you ever considered that mankind was made by his Creator to be a creature drawn to worship?
Obviously, we were made to worship the Living God as He programmed us that way. It helps us to live correctly, view our life and the incredible earth around us in the proper moral/spiritual manner. He the Father; gave us so much beauty.......... how can we not cast our worship upon Him alone?

So what happens when a person doesnt turn his worship upon the Creator God of the universe?

Well, look around you and see the result of this rebellious nature of mankind. In our society we see people who openly strive and live for money, sports, drugs, sex, fame, entertainment and power. Many people look up to political figures, sports or movie stars in a sick form of idol worship as well. And we cant forget false religion that seems to steal much of the worship in foolish mankind today. Perhaps worse yet... many seem to place themselves and their fleshly desires in such a high place of importance; it too is a form of idol worship. Oh they will say, well I dont worship those things! But if something is the driving force in your life and most all of your effort/happiness is spent in its pursuit, it is worship indeed. You were made to seek after worship and you will do it!
Sadly, any of these things can lead a man down a road of destruction and eternal doom. That is why a full and complete life is only found when we make Christ the center of our attenton / worship. In Jesus our Lord, we find meaning as His created bond servants and only there can we be redeemed for His good work; leading to eternal life with Him. As Peter once said; "where else can we go Lord as you hold the keys to death and hell"?

So what do you worship in your life? It is what you spend most of your time on really!
The bible tells us true life is found in a relationship with Christ and that in order to worship Him we must do it in spirit and truth:

John 4:24 / God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

God indeed seeks those who will worship Him willingly:

Joh 4:23 / But a time is coming – and now is here – when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers.

Consider this day what or who you worship and where it will lead you? Only One will lead to forgiveness and eternal life to come. All the rest will only end in sin and death! ( Romans 6:23 )

Rejoice in that God has made a way! ( if we recieve it in obedience ) His name is Jesus Christ...

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

1Sa 15:25 / Now please forgive my sin! Go back with me so I can worship the Lord.”

April 1st is Here!!

2011-04-01T06:58:00.000-05:00

How time flies by and today we find ourselves at April 1st already!
Did you know that Gods holy word speaks to this day?

Rom 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Pro 17:21 Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.

Pro 18:6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.

Pro 26:3 A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

Pro 3:35 The wise inherit honor, but he holds fools up to public contempt.

Pro 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly.

Pro 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.

Pro 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools.

Pro 20:3 It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.

Pro 30:22 under a servant who becomes king, under a fool who is stuffed with food,

Pro 12:16 A fool’s annoyance is known at once, but the prudent overlooks an insult.

Pro 18:7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.

Job 12:17 He leads counselors away stripped and makes judges into fools.

Pro 10:21 The teaching of the righteous feeds many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.

Ecc 4:5 The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.

Pro 17:24 Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth.

Pro 27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but vexation by a fool is more burdensome than the two of them.

Ecc 5:3 Just as dreams come when there are many cares, so the rash vow of a fool occurs when there are many words.

Psa 107:17 They acted like fools in their rebellious ways, and suffered because of their sins.

Pro 10:8 The wise person accepts instructions, but the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.

Pro 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

Ecc 10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

Pro 13:20 The one who associates with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Pro 17:10 A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.

Pro 24:7 Wisdom is unattainable for a fool; in court he does not open his mouth.

Wise men still seek the TRUTH of Gods word........

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Satan is at Work!

2011-03-26T08:31:00.000-05:00

( taken from Building a Biblical Worldview by Brannon Howse )

The question is: What does Satan desire to do to every person?

Answer: 1 Peter 5:8

“ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary

the devil walks about like a roaring lion,

seeking whom he may devour.”

Further explanation:

An essay entitled “If I Were the Devil,” which has been attributed to radio newsman Paul Harvey,

reveals just how successful Satan has been at devouring so much in America:

If I were the devil, I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world; I would delude

their minds into thinking that they had come from man’s effort, instead of God’s blessings;…

I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue;…

I would make it legal to kill unborn babies; I would make it socially acceptable to take

one’s own life, and invent machines to make it convenient;…I would take God out of the schools, where

even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit;…I would get control of the media, so that

every night I could pollute the mind of every family member with my agenda; I would attack the family,

the backbone of any nation I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family

crumbles, so does the nation;… I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that

their lifestyles should be accepted;… I would persuade people that the Church is irrelevant and out of

date, and the Bible is for the naive; I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that

prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional; Hmmm.… I guess if I were the

devil, I’d leave things pretty much the way they are.

Are you caught in the devils world system or..... are you living for Christ in the light of his holy

word/truth?

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Signs of the Last Days / Many believe We Are in Them?

2011-03-21T21:50:00.001-05:00

( article taken from: Contender Ministires )

The Bible gives many examples of signs that should warn us of the coming end of the age. Six such signs are given by Jesus, two characteristics are given by Paul, and eleven other occurrences are given by the prophets to occur prior to or soon after the end of the age. While we are also told we will not know the time of the End, God obviously wanted us to know when that time was getting closer. As the Christian church is increasingly drawn into the interfaith movement, and as more and more churches go into isolation, preparing to sleep through the growing attacks on their faith, perhaps God knew it would take a few signs to wake us up and remind us that we have work to do.
Unfortunately, many Christians take the verses that tell us we won't know the time of His coming to mean they should ignore any and all scripture that might warn us of this time of tribulation. Others have fallen into the trap of fearing being labeled a "conspiracy theorist" should they display an interest in the Biblical prophecies about our future on Earth. My philosophy is simple. God included it in the Bible and, since God is all knowing, we should trust that it is something we should know and study along with the rest of His Word.
It is increasingly obvious that the time of our Lord's coming is drawing near. Prophecy is being fulfilled daily, and at a faster pace than ever before. The beginning of birth pains and the signs of the times should have the same effect on all of us. It should motivate us to save as many souls as we can in the time that we have left. The Great Commission tells us to be disciples to all nations, bringing the message of salvation through Christ to all people. If the Church is raptured before the tribulation, it is important that we leave behind an explanation for the trials and judgments those left behind will face. How else will they recognize the deception of the anti-Christ and seek instead the truth of the Bible? If we are to endure the tribulation along side them, we will need to be prepared to not only share the message of salvation, but share with them the reasons for God's judgment and hold it up as further proof of their need to be saved.

Below is a study of the prophetic signs God gave us as a warning of the approaching end of the age. Many of them are being fulfilled now and many will be fulfilled in the near future. I would encourage you to study prophecy, know what is coming and be prepared to share it with others.
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SIX SIGNS GIVEN BY JESUS TO INDICATE HIS COMING AND THE END OF THE AGE

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In Matthew24:3 Jesus was asked, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" Jesus told his apostles to look for the following signs prior to his second coming and the end of the age.

1 FALSE PROPHETS AND CHRISTS
Matthew 24:5 "For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will mislead many."
Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many."

In the last several years many have claimed to be the Messiah. Jim Jones and David Koresh are examples of these false christs as well as countless others who are not as newsworthy. These false prophets are a prelude to the ultimate false christ, the antichrist. Many New Age groups, some even NGO's working for the United Nations, are anxiously awaiting the antichrist, preparing the way for his acceptance as the head of the hierarchy of gods and the one who will usher in world peace.

2. WARS
Matthew 24:6 "And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end."

Rumors of wars in all areas of the world now occur frequently thanks to instant media coverage and the availability of a multitude of 24-hour news sources.
Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."

More people have been killed in warfare in this century than at any other time in history. As the death toll rises in the Middle East, more and more countries work feverishly to develop devastating weapons of mass destruction. Add to that the expanding threat of terrorism and unpredictable dictators such as Saddam Hussein, and the potential for the outbreak of war exists in nations, kingdoms and places across the globe.
3. FAMINES

Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."

As white, Christian farmers are driven out of Zimbabwe in increasing numbers, and foreigners move in to replace life-sustaining crops with poppies that now supply 25% of the worlds drugs, famine spreads across the African continent. The undernourished are not limited to Africa, however. A large portion of the worlds 5 billion people suffers from a shortage of food.
4. EARTHQUAKES

Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."
The number and intensity of earthquakes this century is at a level higher than any other time in history. A staggering number of seismic events occur around the world daily. The earthquake seismic monitor IRIS shows all major earthquakes for the last year. Indicated by yellow and red circles, the seismic events of the last 15 days provides strong evidence of the fulfillment of Matthew 24:7 in our day. By contrast, in the years from 1890 to 1900 there was only one major earthquake in the world.
5. TRIBULATIONS

Matthew 24:8-9 "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name."

Christians are under attack throughout the world today. In the United States Christians still enjoy freedom to worship God without suffering much more than ridicule, hatred, or discrimination at work and school. However in many other countries such as China, Sudan, Africa, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Russia, and many Muslim nations, Christian suffer much greater persecution and often times death for their faith. During the tribulation this suffering will be worldwide and will continue even to the point of martyrdom. These first 5 signs will increase in intensity and severity as the tribulation approaches, much like the birth pangs or contractions of a pregnant woman worsen as the delivery time approaches.

6. THE GOSPEL WILL BE PREACHED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come."

This prophecy has already been fulfilled through television, radio, missionaries, the translation of the Bible into many languages, and the internet. People all over the world now hear the message of Christ from missionaries who have the means to travel the globe, and via technology that allows us to communicate with people on the other side of the world right from our own homes, churches and offices.
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TWO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE END OF THE AGE FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL
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1. GODLESSNESS IN THE LAST DAYS

II Timothy 3:1-5,7 "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
For anyone who has watched television, read a newspaper, lost a retirement to corporate greed and corruption, or just walked outside their front door, it is obvious this prophecy has been fulfilled by our generation. Our leaders are often corrupt; our cities are filled with crime, brutality, and neon signs proclaiming our sinful, godless nature. The New Age Movement brings in increasing numbers of mystics who claim to be the enlightened ones. They are some of the most educated and influential people in our societies, and yet the most lacking in real truth.
2. APOSTASY (FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH)
I Timothy 4:1-3 "But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. By means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth."
Churches today are becoming more and more ecumenical, embracing the New Age interfaith agenda, and denying Christ as the only way to salvation. Giving in to the politically correct media and a corrupt society, they have embrace homosexuality as an acceptable alternate lifestyle and preach tolerance and compromise in place of God's truth for the salvation of the world. The environmentalist movement within the New Age movement lures them into a worship of mother earth, belief in past lives, reincarnation, and Karma while demonizing all those who would eat the meat God gave us as nourishment for our bodies.
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ELEVEN FULFILLMENTS OF BIBLE PROPHECY REQUIRED FOR THE END OF THE AGE
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1. EXISTENCE OF A 200,000,000 MAN ARMY IN THE EAST
Revelation 9:16 "And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them."
An army of that size had never existed until China's army reached that number in the 1960's.
2. REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (EUROPEAN COMMUNITY)
Daniel 2:32-33 "The head of the statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay."
Daniel 2:40-43 "Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have the toughness of iron, and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. And in that you saw the iron mixed with clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery."
The fourth kingdom of iron is the Roman empire according to Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The two legs are the division of the Roman empire into an eastern portion called the Byzantine empire which ended in the 1400's and a western portion based in Rome which ended in the 400's. The nations of Europe since the Roman empire dissolved have never adhered or formed one empire but continue as separate nations, however, the European Union now has 15 Member States and is preparing for the accession of 13 eastern and southern European countries.
3. RETURN OF THE ONE PURE LANGUAGE, HEBREW, TO ISRAEL
Zephaniah 3:9 "For then I will return to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent."
Prior to the restoration of Israel in 1948, Hebrew was a dead language. Now Hebrew is spoken throughout Israel.

4. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE, RESTORATION OF TEMPLE WORSHIP AND ANIMAL SACRIFICES IN JERUSALEM
For several end time prophecies to be fulfilled, the temple will have to be rebuilt.
Revelation 11:2 "Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the oly city for forty-two months."
Daniel 9:27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolation, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."
Daniel 9:26 "Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary."
Some archeologists believe that the temple mount is actually 340 feet south of the Dome of the Rock site, putting the Dome of the Rock within the Court of the Gentiles. This may be the court outside the temple that is left out.
There are many groups already working on preparations for the new temple. The blueprints are already done, the temple garments have been made, and there have already been attempts to lay the cornerstone of the temple. The only thing standing in the way of the construction of the new temple is Islam's third holiest site, the Dome of the Rock and government support for such an undertaking. Some possible scenarios for the rebuilding of the temple are as follows:
1. The persuasion and performing of miracles by the Antichrist and False Prophet convinces the Islamic world to approve the rebuilding.

2. The United Nations will negotiate the rebuilding of the temple following a war with the armies from the North (Russia and Islamic forces). This assumes that the war with the armies from the North is not the battle of Armageddon as some feel and that this attack occurs before the rapture or tribulation period begins. The supernatural destruction of the Russian army and Islamic forces will cause an outpouring of Christian worship and zeal amongst the Jewish people who will reconstruct the temple.

3. It is determined that the site of the first two temples is actually south of the Dome of the Rock, and the court of the gentiles (Dome of the Rock) will be left out of the 3rd temple.

A group in Israel called the Temple Mount Faithful have obtained most of the clothing, instruments and other equipment required for temple worship and are actively preparing for the laying of the third temple's cornerstone.

5. APPEARANCE OF THE RED HEIFER AFTER 2000 YEARS
Numbers 19:2-7 "This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed. "You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, and it shall be brought outside the camp and be slaughtered in his presence. Next Eleazar the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle some of its blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. "Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight; its hide and its flesh and its blood, with its refuse, shall be burned. "The priest shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward come into the camp, but the priest shall be unclean until evening."
A red heifer will be required to be used in the process of purification described in the book of Numbers. In May 1997 the first Red Heifer was born in 2000 years. Another red Heifer was born in Israel in March of 2002.

6. INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND TRAVEL
Daniel 12:4 "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."
A preacher was was quoted as saying, "ninety percent of all the engineers and scientists who have ever lived are alive today." Air travel, space travel, DNA research and human cloning are all examples of the rapid increase in knowledge in our generation.
7. RETURN OF THE ETHIOPIAN JEWS TO ISRAEL

Zephaniah 3:10-11 "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones, will bring My offerings. In that day you will feel no shame because of all your deeds by which you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from your midst your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain."

In 1984, Operation Moses saw the airlift of 15,000 Jews who had already fled to refugee camps in Sudan to escape starvation. In 1991, Operation Solomon flew 20,000 Jews to Israel from Ethiopia itself. A further airlift began in June of 1999, aimed at transporting the last 3,000 members of the Quara Jewish community from northeastern Ethiopia to Israel.

8. THE RISE OF RUSSIA
Ezekiel 38:2,4,8 "Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords. After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them."
In order for some end time events to occur Russia will have to be a strong nation with a strong military.

9. RETURN OF RUSSIAN JEWS TO ISRAEL
Jeremiah 23:7-8 "Therefore behold, the days are coming declares the Lord, when they will no longer say, as the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, but as the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I have driven them. Then they will live on their own soil."
In the 1970's and 1980's there was a mass exodus of Russian Jews out of Communist Russia. In 1999 the Associated Press reported a dramatic increase in the number of Jewish immigrants from Russia, bringing the largest number of Russian Jews to Israel since the early 1990's.

10. TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MARK OF THE BEAST
Revelation 13:16-17 "And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name."
On May 10, three members of a family in Florida became the first people to receive the biochip implant. Each device, made of silicon and called a VeriChip, is a small radio transmitter about the size of a piece of rice that is injected under a person's skin. It transmits a unique personal ID number whenever it is within a few feet of a special receiver unit. VeriChip's maker describes it as "a miniaturized, implantable, radio frequency identification device (RFID) that can be used in a variety of security, emergency and healthcare applications."
Is the biochip the mark of the beast to be used by the antichrist? We can't really know. What is significant is that people are being softened to the idea of a mark or an implant as a means of maintaining security, providing medical information, and regulating a more interdependent world. As attitudes change, fears subside, and people are convinced of the need for such a mark, the true mark of the beast will be easily introduced to the world by the antichrist.
11. PLANS FOR THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT
The United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Criminal Court, UN peacekeeping/police force, numerous UN NGO's, and other agencies are preliminary steps to the formation of a one world government. We now have the communications technology, transportation, and the pro-globalization media necessary to usher in the one world government headed by the antichrist. The increasing terrorist threat and the middle east conflict will only speed up the formation of this governing body as fear and promises of better security make more people willing to give up their national sovereignty for global governance.

12. INSTANT COMMUNICATION AROUND THE WORLD
Revelation 11:3, 7-10 "And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophecy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth."
Television and the 24-hour news networks make it possible for people around the world to see the dead prophets and rejoice at their deaths.

Luke 21:28 "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Luke 21:32 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place."

Are you ready for the Lords return?
If not, repent and believe.........!!

Email me at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Tribulation to Come!

2011-03-20T22:58:00.001-05:00

Recently, we all watched the horror of the earthquake / tsunami in Japan that devistated so many lives!
The picture here shows many Japanese residents waiting in line at a food store to get only rice and dried noodles. It isnt hard to imagine this type of desperate situation coming to America as well.
With most major US cities only having a two day food supply, a terrorist attack or national disaster would bring such lines and panic here indeed.
The bible warns of a coming time when there will be much tribulation and unrest around the globe. Many feel we are seeing this happening today. Jesus Christ spoke of such things in Matt 24 when he said:
"For then there will be great suffering²⁹ unlike anything that has happened³⁰ from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. 24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short".

It would seem there is wisdom to be exercised by being "somewhat" prepared for the days ahead as the world continues in its great chaos. Having some needed things stored up for a emergency is wise like water, food and medical supplys.
But the greatest preparation one can make is having your soul safe in the hands of the Lord and Savior of the world. This will ensure you are forgiven and destined for heaven, regardless of your fate here on earth. God has promised provision for His people in all circumstances. Are you one of His people?

If you have been born again, then you can rest in Him. But if your outside of His gospel provision, you are lost and in great danger! The bible teaches us to repent, believe in Christ then follow in obedience for the forgivness of our sins. So you may want to take some time to prepare for what may be coming soon to this earth. Then please, take "much" time and consider your spiritual condition and need for the King if Kings returning one day in glory. Those who live for Him are looking for His return in great excitement while those who dont ...... surely live in fear of the judgement to come for their sins. Seek Him while there is time....... it may be too late for this earth, but there is always hope for you found in Him alone.

Come soon Lord Jesus!!

email me at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Psa 68:10 for you live among them. You sustain the oppressed with your good blessings, O God

Obedience to His word!

2011-03-16T21:16:00.001-05:00

This picture that I saw in front of a small town meeting place really says it all. If we are in Christ we will desire to keep His commands found in the bible. If we are not, well we arent in Him.
Then it is time to repent and believe so you can be saved! Those in Him desire to be obedient.

Trust in Him alone....

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

A World of Foolishness

2011-03-12T10:58:00.001-06:00

Have you ever noticed the foolishness of this world?
We live in a world full of folly as mankind continues to seek his own way that just does not work in the long run! How long will society, governments and indiviguals keep trying to make things right by their own sinful ways when it always turns out the same; corrupted, fallen and broken!

Gods word tells us about the most important event in history, Christs death on the cross and His resurrection; yet many today look upon it as foolishness. The bible tells us this:

"the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but it is the power of God to those of us being saved". ( 1 corth 1;18 )

How do you view the cross? Is it foolishness to you and so your going to perish or is it the power of God for your salvation and mine?

I encourage you to seek the truth in Gods word and discover His wisdom that will destroy the foolishness of this present world. Only His truth leads to eternal life. Mans rebellion leads to death and hell.

God be praised!!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Are You Seeing the Dangerous Signs?

2011-03-07T21:36:00.000-06:00

If you were out driving and you came across this sign, it could mean real potential trouble so would you ignore it? Obviously we all need to pay attention to the signs we come across in our daily lives lest we find ourselves in grave danger.
There are many signs of the times raging across the globe today and sadly many people are ingnoring these warning signs. We are heading further into trouble for all of mankind and most cant see the truth.

Jesus warned us in Matt 24 that there would be terrible times in the last days and great tribulation will come upon the earth. We will see wars, unrest, famines and disease too. In the book of 2 Tim 3 we are warned that in these last days men will become greedy, self loving and haters of what is good. These are indeed stark warnings for us to take heed and not neglect, lest we be fools!
Are you taking heed of the warning signs around you? Do you have your heart and mind set on what is eternal ( Christ Jesus ) or are you tossed about by the ever changing ways of this culture and fallen man? Please consider these verses and then take stock of where your hope has been place. If it is in Christ, draw closer to Him for the days ahead are filled with evil. If you dont know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today, repent and believe on Him today as He is the only hope for mankind as we get ever closer to the great tribulation to come! He will return for His own oneday soon.......... but will you be one of them?

Only eternal judgment awaits those who have rejected the King of Kings!

Matt 24:21 For then there will be great suffering²⁹ unlike anything that has happened³⁰ from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. 24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

2 Tim 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult¹ times will come. 3:2 For people² will be lovers of themselves,³ lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. 3:5 They will maintain the outward appearance⁴ of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.⁵

Be hold He will come in the clouds.......

email me anytime: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

What is Fellowship?

2011-03-06T10:50:00.001-06:00

The bible talks about fellowship both with the Lord and with other believers. True fellowship is when we meet with those who share the love of Christ and He is at the center in all of the communication!
( not hanging out with church folks and talking about football or whats on TV... thats not biblical fellowship )

Praise God...I had that joy just yesterday. I met some fellow believers and we stood in the cold and talked about the joy of knowing the Lord for over an hour. I was thrilled to meet them and see the love of God in their eyes and words. Sadly, it does not happen often enough in this hetic truth lacking world we live in!

May we all strive to have such fellowship daily that truly honors the Father in heaven!

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Act 2:42 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

1Jo 1:3 What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us (and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ).

1Jo 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth.

2Co 6:14 Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

May ythe God of peace and joy fill your days and life.

Email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

A Homeless Man, God's Blessing and You

2011-02-27T11:31:00.001-06:00

Not that long ago, I drove by and saw a homeless man on a corner holding up this sign. I stopped and we talked about his life, situation and his travels over lunch. He was trying to get somewhere ( St Louis ) and was asking people to help him in that venture. In talking with him I learned that he had a good knowledge of God and His holy word as well. I asked if he had ever committed to Christ and he said... no. I encouraged him to do so! Thankfully I was able to encourage him with the gospel of Christ, give him a new bible and even help him on his way to St.Louis. As we parted, we prayed together and he was on his way via that bus ride and he said... God bless you sir, many times!

I was both happy that I was able to meet this man and encourage him in Jesus but still said in that I realized........ he did not really want Gods help in ALL of his life. He only wanted what he thought he needed at the moment. He wasnt ready to leave his sin and follow Christ today. What he really needed to clean up his life was full surrender to Christ and obedience to Gods ways and word. He had a "lost heart" situation!

You dont have to be homeless to be in that "lost heart" situation. I used to be that man and I see many today who do the same thing. Oh they want God to bless them and our nation but........... do you want all of what Gods commands for your life to guide them? No most dont! The Lord calls us to repent and believe on His Son for the forgivness of our sins. Then He will ransform us into brand new creations to glorify Him in ALL things. He can then work in us and though us; to bless / reach others with His saving truth. But if we are NOT willing to surrender everything to Him ......... our hearts will be left right where we started......very lost!

Consider the lesson of the traveling homeless man today. He needed many things to change his sad situation but what he needed most to start him on the journey to salvation was......... fully committing his heart and life to Jesus Christ. But he could not have that because....... he would not give it all to Jesus that day!

How about you? Are you traveling though life lost without Christ? You arent really any better in Gods view than the homeless man are you? Is your heart still lost in sin or.... have you been found by the grace and guiding love of the Savior of the world? Repent and believe or perish........

Email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemil.com

A Life Pleasing to God

1 Thess 4:1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, 1 we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how 2 you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) 3 that you do so more and more. 4:2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 4:3 For this is God’s will: that you become holy, 4 that you keep away from sexual immorality, 4:4 that each of you know how to possess his own body 5 in holiness and honor, 4:5 not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God. 4:6 In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, 6 because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, 7 as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly. 4:7 For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. 4:8 Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority 8 but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Sinful Man, Unions and Greed!!

2011-02-23T21:59:00.001-06:00

There is so much going on in the state of Wisconsin these days regarding unions, workers rights and the government. While there are no easy answers to such complex problems, one can see the real issues at play that work to create them in the first place. It is mans sinfulness and greed!

The bible tells us that mans heart is pride filled, selfish and greedy at its core. This really shows up when people march and picket to demand their rights / more of what they want or deserve in pay, benefits or retirement perks.
People easily become angry, intense and sometimes violent as well in the quest for.... their rights!!
In 1Tim 6:10 the bible states:
For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

Our culture has become very materialistic by nature. Today unions & governement work to feed off of this as they try for more power and money to use as influence in their own political circles. As we can see the fruit of such things is chaos and destruction!

Jesus taught us that unless you lose your life in Him you will never find it fully! True happiness or contentment wont be found in more pay or greater job security. No union will satisfy mans need. Only when we focus on God and His ways not our own can we ever hope to please Him; then live in peace all of our days! This can only happen when we surrender our will, repent and find new life in Jesus. We are then born again in Him being regenerated in our heart and mind. Mankind wont find peace or what he seeks until he sees Gods truth fully.

Below is a good sermon that illustrates the role of faith and working relations in the world today:

http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1951_SpiritFilled-Labor-Relations?q=greed

Please consider what you are willing to march and fight for today? Is it more of what can never last or; would you consider dying to self to gain less now but so much more that has eternal rewards to come?

Consider this today wont you and trade your old worn out life for a brand new one in Christ?

email me at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Eph 5:3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

The Gospel Chicken

2011-02-20T20:51:00.003-06:00

Every person that has a born again / saving faith in the God of the bible should surround himself with things that help him grow and build up that faith in Christ. Nothing is more important than this.

In Col 3;2 the bibles states "we should set our minds on things above"

So it makes great sense to have things in our daily lives that remind us of that saving faith in God above.

Well, my wife and I have a flock of chickens on the farm that provide us wonderful healthy eggs every day. When we bought 50 chicks last fall and were raising them up, I noticed one of them was very different? As they grew, all of them looked like hens except this one larger chick that turned out to be a beautiful rooster. He was placed in with our hens by mistake!

Honestly, I had no intentions of keeping him and he was destined for the wifes stew pot until............. he started to crow every morning and evening. We kind of liked hearing that in the barn yard and he has a home for now. In fact...a great bonus is that every time our rooster crows, he reminds me of the story of Peter and Jesus. Peter was not going to deny Jesus but he did, the rooster crowed and convicted him of his great sin. I can sure relate with Peter, can you?

Mat 26:34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Since it is important that we never deny Jesus our Savior, I am reminded every time I hear our rooster crow ( which is about 6 times a day ) how important my faith in Christ is to me. It is funny but a animal has helped me to embrace the gospel of Christ in a very small but important way. How.... well it daily reminds of Christ, who I am and who I represent to this lost world we live in. We are to be bold, obedient witnesses and never turn away from Christ. I am thankful for this simple reminder and I am always looking for others ways to keep myself on track for the Lord. See we are to be consumed with the things of God not the things of this world!

While it is true that prayer, worship, bible study, fellowship, a holy life and proclaiming the gospel are the foundations of our faith, what smaller things do you do to remind yourself of your faith daily? Some people hang up bible scriptures and others have gospel magnets on their fridge. Well, we have a "gospel chicken"........ daily reminding me of the goodness of our God.

If you dont know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, I encourage you to click on the "How to be Saved" link on the blog and discover Gods amazing grace for yourself.

He is mighty and able to save!!!

Email me anytime at: veriltytimes@worthyemail.com

Mat 26:75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Mat 10:33 But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.

Evil is on Track in the World!

2011-02-19T11:09:00.001-06:00

Just look at the world today and many are wondering....... what is going on?

Man is indeed on TRACK for much destruction to come!
There are forces at work that cant be changed by a new leader, a different party or more laws!
It is evil vs good.... just as the bible warns us about.

Watch this short video that clearly shows how god-less evil is being planned and at the highest levels our our government too:

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-tube/video.php?videoid=4368

Yes, our own top leaders have adopted strategies from a socialist book that was deticated to.... satan!

While we cant stop this evil with laws, we can fight it with the truth of Gods word.
Are you focused on Gods word or some political hope for the future? If you know Christ we are commanded to proclaim the truth! If you dont know Jesus........ your not on the right track for eternal life are you?
Only if you surrender your life to Christ and become born again can you have any HOPE for the future.
We might indeed live to see a evil ruler control the globe ( the antichrist ) or we may just live long enough to see... our own death due to our sin! Either way you will be lost without Christ, who came to take away your sins; if you will let Him become Savior and Lord of your life!

Repent and believe to be saved.......

email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Pro 12:19 The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment.

Hope that Abounds.....

2011-02-17T06:53:00.000-06:00

May Gods word give you hope..........

Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rom 8:24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?

Pro 10:28 The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled.

1Co 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Psa 119:147 I am up before dawn crying for help. I find hope in your word.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.

Col 1:5 Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel

The only way we can apply Gods hope to our lives is to fully surrender to Christ and become born again in Him!

Wont you repent and believe today?

email me anytime: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Love

2011-02-14T21:53:00.000-06:00

To many people, this day is a time to celebrate love. The type of love the world knows is nothing like the perfect love that God has shown us though the gift of His Son for our sins. We can indeed learn of this great love though the truth of the bible, Gods holy word.

What a perfect day to share His love from the holy scriptures:

***************************************************************************
1Jo 4:10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Joh 14:21 The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

Eph 5:28 In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Jos 23:11 Watch yourselves carefully! Love the Lord your God!

Joh 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

Joh 15:17 This I command you – to love one another.

Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

1Th 4:9 Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

1Jo 3:14 We know that we have crossed over from death to life because we love our fellow Christians. The one who does not love remains in death.

Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.

1Jo 4:21 And the commandment we have from him is this: that the one who loves God should love his fellow Christian too.

Mar 12:33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Psa 116:1 I love the Lord because he heard my plea for mercy,

Mat 19:19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

2Th 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ.

2Th 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ.

Gods love is so amazing!!

email me anytime: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

The Burn Pile of Life......

2011-02-13T21:36:00.000-06:00

I saw this burn pile at a customers business about to be put to flames.
It reminded me of the scripture my wife and I had just read.
In it Jesus stated that those who are in Him will bear fruit. Those who are not producing good fruit are like a bad tree that is tossed in the fire and burned up!

Something to consider indeed as we live out our lives. What fruit are we bearing?

A Tree and Its Fruit

Matt 7 Jesus said: You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

His word is true!

email me at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Dont Be Politically Correct!

2011-02-11T22:45:00.004-06:00

It seems our world has gone crazy with the urge to make sure that everything said and done is "politically correct" thus, non offensive to anyone! I just heard the story about a politician who made a comment about a group of people and he has been attacked for it in the media. It was a simple comment but he is being railed over it due to a PC world view! I am not promoting lies to be spread about any group, but this "over" sensitivity has a great cost indeed and that is this; the loss of real truth in our culture. We can see it in the masses of people who today are afraid to speak truth and call the evils we face today ( the radical muslim faith ) for what it is ...evil! This is both a dangerous and un-biblical as well and will lead to destruction.

Thankfully....... Jesus spoke truth to us and He was NOT politically correct minded at all.

Joh 8:32 Jesus said "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

In fact, He spoke about the issues that cut very deep into mans heart and soul. Today believers are often told by the world to not offend anyone or to keep silent about the things that cause others to feel bad about themselves. Why.... because man loves is own way ( sin ) and does not want to carry the extra guilt around that comes from denying Gods truth for a lie. We are called to be obedient to the word of God and to stand against these PC times. The solution... proclaim the goods news of Christ to all, no matter the cost!

If people would only listen long enough to hear all of the "goods news". Jesus came to rescue mankind from their sin if we will only repent and follow after Him to a new life! ( born again ) So how can we who are saved, keep silent with such amazing news to share? Please... if your in Him then fight back the urge to live a PC life and be lost in the lies of this age. Living that way is uneasy as it always changes with the culture and will not lead you to the truth of eternal life to come. It is far better to know and then speak the truth in love, even if it offends someone than to let them be ignorant about their sins and fate .... which is hell!

Mankind is very lost in the grips of a battle with evil and the PC movement is helping the enemy. The only way out is to confront it with Gods truth and this cannot be done in a PC way. We need the Savior Jesus Christ who alone can change and cleanse us of the sin that seperates us from our God.

So forget about being "politically correct" and just be made RIGHT with God today! (repent and believe)

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

2Ti 4:4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.

Act 14:7 There they continued to proclaim the good news.

Prove your Birth?

2011-02-09T06:47:00.006-06:00

In the last presidential election and even today, there is a controversy over where the President was actually born? Many people want to see the proof of it so they can know for sure!

In the bible, Jesus talked about a persons birth as well. He pointed out the need be reborn to ever see the kingdom of God. He stated that:

Joh 3:7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above

This is a spiritual rebirth when we come to faith in Christ ( not water baptism or religion ) and it totally changes who we are as a person. We no longer desire to live in our sin but, we long to be the adopted child of God. Because of this, we then try to look more and more like our Father in heaven who is Holy.

2Co 5:17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come.

We are made new by this rebirth! Today many claim to be born again in Christ and the bible speaks to them as well. It states those who are in Him will show the fruit of Gods own:

Jesus said
Mat 3:8 Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance

So the question is this? If we are born in Christ... are we proving that by how we are living daily?

2Pe 3:11 Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness.

How we live is our PROOF of who we are born of......amen? We are either the lost worlds or born into Gods family by faith.

If we are changed on the inside, it will show on our outside as well!!

If your not in Christ today, consider that He is the only way and that you must be born again for eternal life.
Please see the "how to be saved " link on my site for the biblical path to salvation.
Then..... repent and believe today!!

He is the One who took away our sins at the cross..... if we will just recieve Him by faith. ( then our actions will follow that faith with fruit )

email me at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Behold the word of God!!!

2011-02-07T10:53:00.000-06:00

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. - 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

May your day be filled with His truth and love!!!!

The Superbowl or a "Super" Call to Holiness?

2011-01-30T18:34:00.037-06:00

*Please read the begining of this story at the end of this thread....
Also, you can email me at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Saturday / reason #7...why a believing christian should avoid the Superbowl and all that comes with it!

It is bulit on immorality,it is quite worthless and we are to be seperate!

The sport of football in itself is not a sinful thing in regards to being just a game? If one was to toss a ball around with his son or friends, it is a great way to get exercise indeed. The issue of todays pro sports is not the game itself but "what" has built the industry into what it is today and the control it has on its fans?

In order to grow so large, the pro sports people have merged themselves with the corporate world for marketing and fund raising purposes. How can a team build huge stadiums and pay huge salaries you ask? They sell ads to market various goods to fans watching. What are they marketing....oh many things but sex and alcohol is a staple indeed. Families will sit and be influenced by soft porn and beer ads, this is not of God who says keep your eyes from ALL impurity.

Did you know that some $8 billion dollars is gambled away on this game alone? If this does not promote greed and materialism, what does I ask?

Did you know that 300 million gallons of beer will be consumed and we all know drunken-ness is a sin unto the Lord. Studies show that small children are drawn to the beer ads as their favorites as they aim at your children to buy their alcohol products as soon as they can.
Did you also know that the area around the Superbowl will be invaded by prositiutes that the FBI states has thousands of under aged childred making a premuim for their pimps during the game weekend? Who is using these under age sex workers.... loyal fans of the sport no doubt who go there to see the big game in fun!
Now what is the game itself built on? The "greed" to win.... this is called idolatry alone in the bible.

Eph 5:3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

Violence is at the core here as we cheer when men are hit hard and knocked to the ground. Not for defending their families from harm but for entertainment alone! On to team "pride" we go as it is another huge issue .. the bible says that pride is very sinful/harmful to man and the Lords name.

Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

How about giving so much honor / glory to man? All honor & glory goes to God in the life of those who claim to be born agan in Him. Next, the bible calls all believers to redeem ( use it with wisdom) their time and not waste what God has given us in worthless worldly things. Spending the untold hours of time viewing "carnal" football over a 6 month season... is not consistant with the nature of a godly man or woman. Laslty, the word church means called out ones and so we are to be seperated form the immoral ways of the world. On this day.. when all the carnal flesh desiring world is watching...we His holy people should be about other things that glorify God and not involved in mans fun or entertainment of this lost world.
In the end, the better question to ask oneself who claims Christ is this:

What is "right" about partaking in what the world does for mass enertainment and fun?
And does this bring you closer to God?

Jon 2:8 Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs.

If not, then you have a course of action to take to better serve and please God.

Repent and Believe.........

Friday / Reason #6....why a believing christian should avoid the Superbowl and all that comes with it!

"It feeds the carnal flesh of mankind"

What is the superbowl all about? Well since it has nothing to do with the purity, holiness and lasting truthes of Gods word, it is then all about mans carnal side. The game itself is designed to feed mans sinful flesh! It is indeed violent, pride filled, man honoring and boastful! The event is built upon money from the sales of idol marked goods, gross seuxal immorality and mass alcohol consumption. What does Gods word say about how the believer is to handle the flesh that we are cursed with as men? Paul teaches us to what......... indulge the flesh? Oh no, he said crucify it and reign it in for the glory of God;

Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Here are verses that talked about our flesh:

1Co 3:1 So, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ

Rom 8:8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1Co 5:5 turn this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Scripture is so clear that the flesh leads us astray and not to anything that pleases our Holy God.
So the question is WHY would a born again believer want to partake in that which is totally of the flesh?
Could it be you really do enjoy feeding your flesh? I know this: I have to battle mine daily, lest I become ensnaired in it as I once was. But if we claim His salvation...... we are to "crucify" our flesh and that means........dont feed it with images of mans spectacle ....... but starve it to death!! Feed on the things of God and grow in holiness for His glory!

Thursday / Reason #5....why a believing christian should avoid the Superbowl and all that comes with it!

Enjoying this worlds fallen ways is a bad witness to the lost and other believers

The super bowl is billed as one of the largest "sporting events" of the year. The world is watching they say. Sadly it has so much to offer the person who enjoys all kinds of experiences, though most go against Gods nature. But as we walk thought this world we must discern; what is it that pleases God and what does not? Will it honor our God if the world see's us indulging in its carnal whims? I think not!
Again, we can go to holy His word to tell us and we dont have to guess. If we are His we are part of His body the church, we must act accordingly. That word church means "called out & seperated ones". How are we seperate? By the way we live and what we do / desire from this fallen world. The bible goes on to tell us that we should not love the things of this world or be friends with that world.

1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him

Joh 17:16 They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world

Joh 15:19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.

The word of God instructs us to not be friends with the world or we may become Gods enemy.

Jam 4:4 do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy

This is all for calling us out of this world so we can be holy and seperate for His good purpose. We are to be very different so we can show others that God has changed our once sinful lives and this will draw those who see, their own lostness. We are to witness His love to them but not be just like them. The church has failed in teaching this to our current generation it seems. Partaking in the huge secular event that the world loves and desires is NOT how we set ourselves apart but that is how we join in their folly. Please consider these things if you want your life to be marked by His righteousness, lest we look like the world and ruin our witness for His cause! Remember our God is watching on too..........and He is no pleased with the "mingling of the world" with his saved ones he bought at the cross of Christ!

Wednesday / reason #4 ...why a believing christian should avoid the Superbowl and all the that comes with it!

Be ye holy...
Is the conduct of a born again believer in all things, important to God? Should we avoid those things that are not worthy of His nature? The answer is yes!! The worlds form of entertainment ( the superbowl ) laced with un holy images and actions; is just NOT becoming of a holy life, if we follow Jesus with all that we are!
Anyone who has spent anytime reading Gods word, will know that the word "holiness" is often refered to for both the nature of God and those who He has saved though the blood of Christ. What does holy mean? To be devoted to the service of God

Now we know God is holy in fact the bible says, "He is HOLY HOLY HOLY"! In the language of that day, saying things twice was making a very stern point. But saying it three times was the boldest of proclamation and it was only done once to state His Holy nature. Lets look at some scriptures:

1 Peter 1:13-16, Peter writes to believers, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy. ( ALL our behavior it says... not 90% of the time but all the time! )

Isa 6:3 says: They called out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord who commands armies! His majestic splendor fills the entire earth!”

Lev 20:7 “‘You must sanctify yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God

It is very clear from the bibles teachings how believers should conduct themselves. We are not allowed to take breaks from our quest to please Him. We are called to not touch or view anything unholy. Read on:

1Pe 1:15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct.

Now ask yourself this.... is sitting and partaking of the carnal superbowl that has nothing to do with holiness but has everything to do with mans unholy ways; drawing you closer to God or further away?
Need we say more? Come out of the worlds ways and be set apart for His good purpose Christian, lest you defile the HOLY Lord we serve every minute of everyday! Yes, even on Superbowl Sunday!

Tuesday / Reason #3... why a believing Christian should avoid the Superbowl" and all that comes with it!

The Holy Spirit is in you

If you have really committed your life to Christ His spirit is within you. Gods word instructs us how to live our lives; those who have found new life in God though Christ. His word is our example of how to live in this current evil day. Note: His spirit dwells within the believer so where we go and what we do, we take the Holy spirit with us as well. What we see... He will see with us and we are to NOT grieve Him.

Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption

Gods word tells us much about what to avoid:

Psalm 119:37 says, "Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! Revive me with your word!"

Proverbs 16:17 says "The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life".
1Th 5:22 Stay away from every form of evil.

A event like the superbowl is built upon godless man and his carnal evil desires. It has many negative social aspects which I will cover in future days. As we learned from Paul in Eph 5; greed, impurity and a immoral life makes one a idolater. In the end, pro sports doesn lift up our Risen Lord in holiness, so indeed it is worthless and should be avoided by His own, lest we grieve Him.

Monday / Reason #2.... why a believing Christian should avoid the Superbowl" and all that comes with it!

Do not conform to the worlds ways

There is a theme that runs though the New Testament and it calls out to those who claim salvation in Christ. It is the call to be IN the world to proclaim the gospel; but to not be OF the world! Can you think of anything that represents the fallen worlds ways more than the man honoring spectacle of this largest sporting event? Every vile ailment of our society is tied to the Superbowl itself! ( drunkenness, immoral sexual images, greed to win, glory & honor to man, violence, pride, lust of the flesh....just to name a few )

Romans 12;2: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God".

This verse tells the believer to NOT conform to what the world does, it calls us to be transformed in our thinking with a renewed mind for God ( have you been renewed? ) so that we can rightly see what is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE to the Lord. Knowing the Lord is a holy holy God, is this event filled with carnal, violent images/desires, acceptable for those who wish to honor our King? How can we know being involved in this event is NOT the will of God? Because He has told us in His word:

Eph 5:5
"you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God".
Since there is nothing pure about pro sport events, we can know it is thus "impure" for the believer who claims Christ. If we are not on guard for impurity in our lives, it means we are not regenerated in our mind and we will fall into that which is not worthy or shames His mighty name no matter how fun it may seem to our fallen flesh! Reject the worlds ways and its impure entertainment, all for His glory.

Sunday / Reason #1.... why a believing Christian should avoid the Superbowl" and all that comes with it!

Run from idolatry

Pro sports in America has become idolatry to the masses. It is more than a game today. It is sex pushing, alcohol, greed, pride, glory to man, carnal, flesh feeding and yes.... idolness. Nothing about it is glorifying to a holy God.
The bible clearly states:
"You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3)
So what is idolatry: the worship of false gods or... the extreme / excessive admiration or love shown for somebody or something....

It is not just the worship of a statue but anything that takes more of our love, time and attention than God Himself! Please ask yourself christian: have you allowed your love for sports/ entertainment to over take your words, thoughts, time and heart over the things of a most Holy Lord? A false god in your life is anything that gets more attention, desire and emotion than the One who redeemed us with His blood!

Many professing believers talk much more about football than the goodness of God. In fact, even mis guided pastors are involved in feeding this vain waste of time to their very body of believers. But our Lord requires that we give ALL of ourselves to Him and His cause so this is a warning sign indeed. Those sin filled stadiums and broadcasts are for the unregenerated heathen and pagan to gather/watch, not for those who have been made "righteous" new creations in Him; unless your there to hand out gospel tracts. We are to avoid any apperance of idolatry in ALL things, if we claim Him............amen?

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The Superbowl...is not super?

It is almost time for the "big game" and so I ask this question: should a follower of Christ even be involved in this secular godless event?

Fact is the life of a biblical christian is one that calls us to sacrafice, obedience and holiness in the name of our Savior and Lord. We often have to discern what we will and will not be part of if we aim to honor our God. If we are in Him, our lives are no longer our own but ALL for His glory...amen?
Since I live in Wisconsin, I am smack in the middle of football fanatic territory these days! The state has gone wild with this worldly event so with just 7 days before kick off; I thought I would do a week long / daily post (using Gods word) on the 7 top reasons:

"a believing Christian should avoid the Superbowl" and all that comes with it!

I do this in order to remind us that God is to be glorified always, not to ruin anyones fun. In fact, if your not in Christ..... go witness the idolatry and pride spectacle to come; though I wish you would repent. This series is aimed at those who "claim salvation" in the most High Holy One, Jesus Christ. If even one of these reasons hits home, it has to be dealt with if we take our faith most serious. Once you see all 7 biblical reasons... then you can discern if this event is worthy of a person who has been set apart for Gods holy purpose and glory? If your angry with this message......you may just love your sin!

Spiritual Junk Food vs Gods Word

2011-01-28T06:56:00.006-06:00

Many enjoy the occasional junk food that is less than "healthy" for our bodies. If we were to have a steady diet of that type of food our health would indeed be at risk and this would not be wise at all.
When we consider feeding our soul, we must be even more careful what we feed upon as it has eternal implications. Sadly, many today are feeding on mostly all "spiritual junk food"!
I ran across a article about Rick Warrens church in California who is promoting a thing called the Daniel diet. Warren has long ago left biblical teaching and now they are even using a "diet plan" as a main teaching series that is gospel less. That is bad enough but; he has also brought in three different man to lead it who are wolves in sheeps garb. Amazingly they all have new age and occult practices in their past teachings! ( tantric sex, yoga, chanting, meditation etc / see the article on the worldviewweekend site on my blog list that documents it all ) They are proclaiming a false message with little truth/salvation
and sweeping millions away with them in the process. Warrens church is linked to 500,000 others in the USA as he is a leader in the emerging false church growth arena.

Mat 7:15
Jesus said “Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves"

The point is this really:
When we follow anything besides what Gods word has proclaimed, we risk our eternal spiritual health. We must be very cautious to stay on a diet of His holy word and not be tempted by the many false teachers today who begin to mislead with teachings that cant save but will damn us before God.
The occasional bag of chips wont cost you your soul but; if you are pulled into sampling the soul killing junk food of these types ( Warren, Oprah, Glen Beck etc ) you may be swayed by them and you will be lost in the process! So many today are falling victim .... dont be one of them .... please!!

Mat 24:11
Jesus said; And many false prophets will appear and deceive many.

The bible is clear.......... salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone and that comes though repentence / faith in His name when we are born again. This spiritual junk food that may seem new, fun and easy at first, will have a huge effect on your ability to see clearly and follow the only way to the Father..... our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can cleanse you of your sins and grant you eternal life to come.
What are you feeding on today I ask?

Reject the false teachings of the day and walk in the light of Gods holy word!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Joh 8:32
Jesus said; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free

A Watered Down Gospel Cant Save You!

2011-01-25T06:43:00.005-06:00

2Co 13:4
For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you.

The Gospel ( good news ) of Christ is indeed the power of God unto salvation. It is the only way by which a man can be found right with God and granted eternal life. It is a great hope that expresses the love and grace of our heavenly Father towards all who will recieve the Savior. There are three main enemies of the gospel of Christ: satan, man made religion and our own sinful desires.

This is why is it key that we "rightly" understand how that message of salvation can be made ours? It does not come by mere belief in ones heart, church attendence, good intentions or just making up our own path to God that fits our desires for faith and...the things of this life! It can only come if we take the single path God has made to a sinful fallen mankind.........to repent and believe on Him.
To repent... is to have a new view of all sin and turn from it so we now desire His holiness. To believe... means to cast ourselves on the cross of Christ and be made into new "born again" creations made to serve Him in ALL that we do. He now is our life!!!!

The best way to see if we truly do have it right is to examine our faith ( which Paul tells us to do ) and see if ours is man centered or Christ centered faith? Many religious bodies today teach a watered down

man centered gospel that caters to all of our fleshly needs and leaves out the vast truth of what a believer looks likes and how they should act once saved. Only when Christ is at the center of ALL that we do and all that we are is our gospel correct, biblical and then able to save us from our fallen depraved state! When we desire to seek out and destroy all sin in our lives for His glory.......... we are now walking in His truth. Someone once said "unless you have a new relationship with your sin, you cant have a relationship with God". How very true!

Matt 3; 8
Jesus said: "Therefore bear fruits, worthy of repentance"

Yes indeed.... the gospel is great news and His love is a never ending pool of grace but; the source of that living water is Jesus Christ. Unless your lost fully in and about Him......... your just lost!

Please study your bible and discover the only "right" path that will lead you to His truth and salvation.
Mans modern "watered down gospel".........it just wont do. Jesus did say, narrow is the path few will find it!

Please seek and find it today while there is yet time.............."He is mighty to save"

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

2Co 6:7
by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left

Lighten the Load

2011-01-21T22:15:00.001-06:00

It has been a snowy winter in the northwoods of Wisconsin which means lots of the white stuff to deal with. Recently I had to go around to our barns and remove the amount of snow that had built up on the roofs just to avoid any possibility of collaspe issues. When too much pressure builds up ... there can be great damage indeed.
The stresses of todays lifestyle can do that to us as well if we are not very careful. There are so many challenges, pressures and issues in todays hectic world that many people are over stressed, ready to break under the weight. Along with delivering us from our sins that cause their own heavy weight, the gospel ( good news ) of Jesus Christ has a lifting effect that brings great relief to those who trust in Him for their joy and peace. This is emparted when we come to Him in faith / repentence and trust fully in His grace. He alone can be trusted to relieve us from our daily burdens and bring new life to once troubled souls.
What are you trusting in today that can remove the stress you bear and cause you to not worry or lose your joy? Nothing else will do until you cast all your cares on Him and know that He is able to care for us with great love and a vast amounts of mercy from heaven.

1Pe 5:7
by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

The only way to find this spiritual relief and lighten your stress load is to surrender to Christ to be guided by His word and spirit in your daily life. It is part of His mighty plan that we are born again in Him to find new life and freedom from all the things that will destroy our peace and joy; .... which is the very cares/weight of this world that is passing away!

Wont you trust in Him today?

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthtyemail.com

Mat 6:27
And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?

Mat 6:34
So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own

Sports Idolatry and the Christian

2011-01-19T21:55:00.006-06:00

With the football playoffs in full swing and all the worldly talk of "favorite local teams" and their coming or past glory.... it seemed like a great time to remind ourselves of just what idolatry is for the true believer? Here is a internet article that clearly shows Christians should indeed avoid modern day Pro sports based on what they have become!

I John 5:21 says, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

Professional and collegiate sports are a god of this world. They are worshiped, loved, praised and talked about constantly. They are even a source of gambling for many. Satan uses sports very effectively to take men's minds off eternity and their need of a Saviour. Also, sports are used by the state of their country and off communism and its wicked and vile crimes.

Sports have become the idol of many professing Christians. Churches have become social centers where sports are one of the main conversational pieces. Children grow up with sports heroes as their champions. Many even desire to be like their idol and grow up to be famous and great. Many church members know more about some sport, team or man than they do about Jesus Christ and his word. This is idolatry!

Webster's dictionary defines an "idol" as any object of ardent or excessive devotion. It is a shame that so many professing Christians bow to the shrine of sports.

Idolatry is a wicked sin of the flesh, and God is a jealous God who does not want his children to have any other gods. He demands our all; all our love, strength and worship. If sports are your idol, then you will be chastised by God, if you are his child.

When children play sports as a game of fun, it is harmless and clean exercise. But when it reaches the professional, or hate competition, or the pride of life level, then it is wrong.

Sports are sins which ought to be exposed for what they are--darkness. They are works of Satan, and a Christian should have no part in or with it. The reason this sin is rarely rebuked is because there are very few preachers left. God's preachers should preach against sin, warning God's children to put off the works of darkness. Also, God's preachers should preach the "do" doctrine, the putting on of Christ and the whole armor of God. Instead of preachers today, there is an abundant supply of teachers who are busy scratching the itching ears of people who will not endure sound doctrine.

Sports are sins of vanity. They are a waste of time; they profit nothing concerning eternity. Christians are commanded to redeem the time and to serve God each moment.

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."-Ephesians 5:16

Also, sports are the sins of the pride of life with man being exalted. Sports exalt man's ability and the arm of his flesh. They are very pleasing to the flesh of man (the old man whom the Christian is commanded to put off.)

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts."-Ephesians 4:22

The lust of the flesh is aroused by sports, for the bodies of the players and cheerleaders are usually exposed. Basketball uniforms, tennis outfits, cheerleaders outfits, gym shorts, wrestlers garments, weight lifting garment, swimsuits, etc. are all part of the indecent garments that are worn. These ungodly garments have no place in the Christian's wardrobe.

Furthermore, sports are the sins of fellowshipping with darkness and unrighteousness. The players are usually guilty of many vile sins. The bands play ungodly music. The stands are filled with tobacco smoke, cussing, beer, gluttony, indecency, thievery, drunkenness, drugs and almost every vile thing that can be named. The fans are worked up into a barbaric frenzy in ardent devotion to their gods. How can a Christian have fellowship with such darkness?

The liquor industry uses sports for their advertisements. They ought to be forced to show the truth. The end result of alcohol (beer, wine, etc.) is not a he-man but a drunkard and a broken home, etc.

Also, Satan uses sports to attack the soul of the Christian. He has sports performed on Sunday. Sports are one of his many foul tools to pluck the word out of the hearts of the hearers. Prayer and Bible study are replaced by the worship of sports. Many souls lost in sin are left without a warning as a result.

Oh, that preachers would cry out against this strange god. Professing Christian, if you bow to this idol, then examine yourself whether you are in the faith. If you are truly saved, count the cost and judge yourself now so that you will not be judged.

"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." -I Corinthians 11:31

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."-Romans 13:12-14

( taken from Obeying the Truth )

Email me anytime to discuss: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Holy is the Lord!

Do We Have an Eye to See?

2011-01-19T06:54:00.002-06:00

If you are so blessed to get to drive around the countryside, you will get to see lots of interesting things. This giant eye ball ( I am guessing it is about 40 feet high ) sits just off the highway outside of Sparta, Wis. One cant help but think of "seeing" as you drive by this very odd site!

God has given man amazing abilities to percieve his surroundings by miracle the gift of site. So what is it that we see, that is most important I ask? While the planet is filled with amazing beauty to behold; can I offer that the most valuable things we need to SEE are not involved with our physical eyes?

Joh 12:45
Jesus said, and the one who sees me sees the one who sent me.

As spiritual beings we will live on far past our ability for physical sight. So what is it that lies beyond limited that site that we really need to grasp? There are many things but the two below are key:

1) The Lord of the universe has shown His "love" for all of mankind when He sent Christ to earth to die & pay for mans sin, a debt we could NEVER hope to pay on our own!
2) God has also sent amazing "grace" to us when we trust in Jesus for our redemption in this life due to our sin. It is that grace that withholds the awesome judgment that we do surely deserve.

Do you see and value those things in your life today?
Indeed..." love and grace " abound from the Father in heaven if, we have eyes to see it clearly. That ability to see it can only come though His holy word ( the bible ) and by His spirt as well. What an incredible thing it is to see & know that God, who reigns over everything, has made a way for fallen mankind to know His goodness!!

Mar 12:11
This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’

This love and grace is applied to our lives when we come to Christ in humble repentence and receive Him as our Lord and Savior in faith. It is my prayer that you have that today. Do you? If you do, you too can see a whole new world before you that has the promise of Him who is able to keep us, if we trust in Him alone! If you need Christ and His rebirth today..... seek Him and he will reveal Himself to you. Only eternal judgment awaits those who are outside of Jesus Christ!

"I have seen the light and He is very good "!!

Email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Psa 115:5
They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.

Luk 2:30
For my eyes have seen your salvation

Let The Warning Go Out!

2011-01-13T22:39:00.000-06:00

Most every town has one of these sirens that annouce trouble in a emergency.

The sole job of that alarm on the high pole is to sound off and alert people to coming danger.

In comparison, the one who is a true follower of Jesus Christ is commanded to alert and warn those around them of the danger. What danger is that?........ Gods coming judgment for their sin!

We know that death awaits all of mankind due to the sin the we are born with and the wrong choices we make though out life. Since the Lord is a holy God and cannot allow sin in His presence; man has a real emergency situation once he passes from this life to the next. How can he a sinful being stand before a holy and just Almighty God? The "good news" to proclaim is that Jesus Christ paid our debt if we will only put our faith in Him and repent ( leave our sin ) and seek after Him.

The alarm that believers should be sounding to the lost while there is yet time; is a call to repent and believe for the kingdom of God is at hand. We should not go though this life silent, consumed with worldly things or having no concern for those who are persishing without the Lord. Our commission is to proclaim the truth and make disciples that glorify our Father in heaven.

Just as if a warning siren went off in your town....... please take heed to the warning of gospel message. Prepare to meet they God ( Amos 4;12 ) and be ready to stand before Him where either eternal life with Him or seperation in hell will be granted.

It was amazing love that took Jesus to the cross for our sins, it is grace that now holds back His wrath and it will be His judgment that will release souls to their eternal resting place.......... are you ready?

You will be lost unless you recieve Christ and are born again in Him.
Please heed this warning alarm and get right with the Lord today!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Eze 33:9

But if you warn the wicked man to change his behavior, and he refuses to change, he will die for his iniquity, but you have saved your own life

Col 3:6

Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience

Excuses for NOT serving Christ.......

2011-01-09T20:54:00.002-06:00

Since we know the bible is Gods holy word and it can indeed be trusted, we can look to it for answers to all of lifes questions, trials and issues. The life of a born again believer in Christ is not a easy one as it entails repentence, self denial, obedience, discipline and a daily devotion to our Savior. The reward for the one who does serve Him is forgiveness, eternal life, peace, purpose and joy. So why would someone not want to surrender/serve God knowing all He has done for us? There are many reasons why people do not come to Christ and the excuses are endless it seems!

Recently I heard of a posted comment on the internet where someone stated:
"people are turning away from Christ because some of His followers"! It seems they were proclaiming the truth regarding sin and biblical theology firmly; not waffling to the acceptance of sins like the perversion of homosexuality. I found this statement to be totally foolish! Just you ask yourself this:

Do you know of any parent who was ever turned away from loving / raising their children because another parent they knew of was just to radical? Or how about a husband being driven away from cherishing his wife because another man he knew had some very strong views about the union of marriage. No, it is ridiculous indeed as the parent or husband who loves will continue on in that love and committment regardless of what others may say. Nothing a person could say can drive anyone away from Christ... if they truly desire Him and His truth as the King of Kings. Could it all just be more excuses? I believe it is and Gods word has the answer!

So what really keeps people away from the Savior? If we look to the bible we see that it is their love of "sin" that keeps most people away from coming to Jesus. Everyone knows the famous verse John 3:16 but just beyond that verse it clearly states why people didnt recieve His light.........

John 3:19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.

The Book of 2 Timothy discribes these type of people who would look for excuses to not serve God:

2 Tim 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days difficulttimes will come. For peoplewill be lovers of themselves,lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.They will maintain the outward appearanceof religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

So the real reason people refuse the light ( Jesus ) is due to their love for their sins. The only way you can come to Christ is to see the evil ways you have followed and now you desire to be made new by His blood. Then you must repent of your sinful ways and seek after Christ for a brand new life.

Missionary Paul Washer once said: ... "you cant have a new relationship with God unless you have a new relationship with sin"

Dont make any more excuses for not coming to Christ........ Jesus said you have... NONE!
Please dont be blinded by your sin that only lasts a short season! Dont refuse the greatest gift ever offered........ or you will be lost forever!

"repent and believe on Him to be saved"

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Joh 15:22
Jesus said, If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin.

Isa 5:20
Those who call evil good and good evil are as good as dead, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter.

Can the Truth Coexist with Falsehood?

2011-01-09T09:19:00.003-06:00

Have you ever seen this symbol on a car bumper? It is the result of a movement today to try and unite the faiths of the world together. ( Christianity, Jewish and Muslim )

While that may seem a worthy goal to man, if we look to Gods word we see that can never be possible. Many of todays religous organizations ( including the roman catholics ) are asking people of various faiths to find common ground. But Jesus Christ taught us clearly that the truth of His word and light can never be mingled with those who deny who He is and walk in darkness! This would be like asking those at PETA to find common ground with the American beef producers. By their very beliefs they are at odds and cannot be reconciled unless someone compromises those beliefs!

A better solution to the issue of world peace and unity is to have everyone put themselves under the authority of the King of Kings and follow His ways alone. Unless that happens......... peace and unity wont ever come to earth until He returns in glory one day soon!!

For the born again believer in Christ all that matters is His truth, glory and honor. That honor cannot be given if we deny the seperation that must exist between those continue to reject Him. We should indeed love them as we reach out to them with the gospel but we can NOT ever compromise the truth just to seek peace or common ground that is not pleasing to God. Jesus told us.. He came to divide people and we can clearly see that alive yet today based on peoples hearts and the false religion we see around the globe.

Luk 12:53

They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

It is only the cross of Christ that what will save all people from their sins........no human attempt for peace based on false religion or mans vain attempts at unity though compromise will be fruitful.

Reject what is false and cling to the truth of God found only in Christ Jesus....Savior of the world!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Mat 10:34

Jesus said “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword".

Biblical Judging....Do We Have it Right?

2011-01-08T09:38:00.001-06:00

( this article taken from another site/author )

One of the few teachings of Jesus which enjoys popularity today is "Judge not, that you will not be judged." The usual interpretation, however, seems to contradict everything else that Jesus said. And taken to the extreme, it would make human life impossible.

Even vision is impossible without judgment. A newborn baby sees only pieces of light and darkness until it learns to judge which shapes are worthy of its attention and which to ignore as mere background. This judgment is the beginning of meaningful vision.

We must do the same with spiritual things if we are not to become blind leaders of the blind. And we have judged the teachings of Jesus to be superior to anything else.

But what about his "Judge not" teaching? Bear in mind that punctuation was added to the original Bible. Jesus said, "Judge not that you will not be judged." (no comma) He seems to be saying, "Don't think that you will not be judged." It certainly fits with the next bit: "For you will be judged by the same standards that you have used in judging others." (Matthew 7:1-2)

It is not judging that is wrong; but rather judging by false standards. In John 7:24 Jesus says, "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment," i.e. "thou shalt judge!"

There are scores of references to judgment and judging in the Bible. Almost all see judgment as good, and a lack of judgment as bad. In fact, the word hypocrite comes from two Greek words that mean with too little judgment.

The world in general, and the church in particular, is in the mess it is in today because of a lack of judgment. "Judge not" has become the cornerstone of an amoral world and a hypocritical church.

Chaos results if every makes up their own rules according to their own opinions.

Two plus two equals four. That's the truth. And if truth exists in little matters, it must exist in big matters as well. Truth will expose the lies.

Jesus said his teachings will judge us in the last days (John 12:48). He says his teachings are the cornerstone on which our faith must be built if it is to survive (Matthew 7:24-25). He says church leaders have left his teachings out of their theology (Luke 12:17). And he says if we don't let his teachings judge us in this life, they will grind us to powder in the life to come (Luke 12:18).

Yes, we have passed judgment on the church. But we have done so on the basis of the teachings of Jesus, and not on emotional scare tactics or traditional measures of respectability (the bases on which people most often condemn us).

Let Jesus and his teachings be the final judge of us all. Because like it or not, they will be!

email ne anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Joh 7:24

Do not judge according to external appearance, but judge with proper judgment.”

The Herd Mentallity Can Be Fatal For People!

2011-01-07T06:55:00.000-06:00

The American bison or buffalo are amazing mighty creatures. They have a built in instinct to stay together in their herd for safety to the point that you can actually run them all right off a cliff. They will just move, following each other ( thinking they are safe ) right to their own destruction!
Jesus told us "narrow is the way and few will find eternal life". As I look around these days, perhaps people in the the modern American church systems are doing the very same thing as the buffalo. So many following their crowds or congregations thinking they are safe yet; they dont even know the great danger ahead..... dying without true biblical salvation in Christ. Man made religion cant save you!!!

Mat 7:13

Jesus said: “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

I would encourage you to NOT just follow what is being taught today unless Gods word proclaims it as well. Dont just join in with all the people who are blindly sitting in large groups/communities thinking they are safe when in fact... you are not! Destruction awaits those who are not in truth!
The way is indeed narrow and only those who will repent, trust in Christ and be born again into a new creation will ever see heaven! Many cliffs ( lies ) are out there being taught to the masses in great numbers. Please dont stay in a place where the truth has been left behind unto death; but come out of them church ( church means called out ones ) and walk in the eternal light of Christ for life! Stop marching in vain tradtions of men; throw yourself on the cross of Christ for salvation and see the truth the will set you free.

Come soon Lord Jesus!!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

1Co 1:18

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The Weight of the Law

2011-01-05T07:14:00.001-06:00

Did you know that in 2010 the total number of new laws in the United States was over 30,000?
And that is just NEW laws! The heavy weight and scope of these laws threaten to stifle businesses, economic growth and personal freedoms as well.

God also has laid down physical/spiritual laws for mankind to follow. As we see with the nation of Israel, the burden for them was indeed severe! They could not live up to the standard or ways of God and it seemed futile. They were often found gulity before the Creator of the universe totally crushed by the weight of His holy law.

But then.... God sent His Son into this world to be the Holy One to carry that weight of the law for all who would seek after Him. At the cross, Jesus Christ paid our sinner debt for breaking Gods law before us. The way you get to be freed from the laws curse that convicts us all; is by repenting of your sin, placing your faith in Christ and then following His ways to a new life!
Friend...you nor I have kept His perfect law and we can never pay our HUGE fine so please...surrended to Him that has covered your debt in full at the cross! If we dont... the righteous penalty is a eternity seperated from God in a place held for all law breakers and spiritual debtors called hell.
The good news is He has released us from the crushing weight of the law we never upheld, if only we seek after Him!

Praise the Lamb of God who was worthy and has fufilled the law for His people!

email me anytime at; verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Rom 2:12

For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law

Rom 2:13

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous

Gal 5:18

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law

Have you died yet??

2011-01-03T07:02:00.002-06:00

Col 3:2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ (who is your 1 life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Rejoice in what He has done!

Is the Son Rising or Setting?

2011-01-01T18:39:00.001-06:00

I took this beautiful shot recently and I wonder.......can you tell if the sun is rising or setting in this picture?

While the sun has a very important affect on all of our lives daily, nothing is more important than knowing the Son of God. So can I ask you another very important question?

Is the Son; Christ Jesus... rising or setting in your life today? Have you repented of your sins and set your sights on the things above in faith lifitng up His name or are you still living for the things of the fallen world and your belief in God is infact, fading? The best way to tell is to examine your life to see if you are in the faith or not? Ask yourself; would the people who know you best say that Jesus is your all and everything or would they say you love and speak of something else much more often? Out of the heart, the mouth does speak...amen?

I hope you consider this? Jesus once said "we must love God with all your heart soul and mind". Look around you and listen ...what people love most they will talk about, spend time on and even share it with others most often. Those who have put God first in their lives, have the godly fruit to prove it without question!

Mat 22:37

Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

So please dont let the Son set on your life....but repent and believe in His death for your sins, then follow His commandments to see your peace and eternal joy rise. Then rest in the glow of Him!!!

The Son shall set you free!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthymeail.com

Mat 3:8

Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance,

Hot, Cold or Lukewarm?

2010-12-30T21:55:00.001-06:00

It is winter time in Wisconsin and we seem to be always adjusting the temperature on something this time of year. It is either the old wood stove, a tea pot, the car heater or layers of clothing we wear to stay warm. Comfort is what we seek in adjusting those items for temperature but when it comes to spiritual things; the stakes are much higher indeed.

The bible tells us that God is not happy with those who are lukewarm in their faith walk with Him. Jesus said clearly......... if you are luke warm, He will spew you out of His mouth! What could be a more bold warning to us that we must seek His ways then remain in Him, by his spirit being on fire for His cause or we are not pleasing to Him. Christ came to show us the way and died to make us holy in Gods sight. The least we can do if we claim His mighty name is to burn in our hearts for the things of God and not for the things of this world that will cause us to sin, become weak and cold in our love for God.

Rev 3:16

So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!

The best way to crank up the heat in your faith life is to; repent of lingering sins, get into His holy word to grow your faith and proclaim the gospel to those around you. Then you will surely hear "well done good and faithful servant" and not.......... "away from me I never knew you"!

Gods fire burns deep in the hearts of the redeemed.....

email me anytime at ; verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Heb 12:29

For our God is indeed a devouring fire

Luk 12:49

“I have come to bring fire on the earth – and how I wish it were already kindled!

White as Snow or Stained with Sin?

2010-12-27T23:25:00.001-06:00

Not long ago I was driving in the country side as the gentle snow was falling around me. I couldnt help but notice the most amazing pure white back ground all over the entire landscape. Then all of a sudden it went from a thing of great beauty to real ugliness! The pure white field of snow had been defiled by the farmers need to clean out his cow barn and spread the waste manure onto his field. What a ugly sight it was and it would remain that way until a layer of pure white snow would come to cover it again!

This may be a strange sermon analogy but not if you live in dairy country! And such was my life before I knew my Lord and Savior. My own fields of pure white were ruined by the stains of my many sins covering all you could see. I was hopeless and totally lost without a chance of redemption; until I found the cross! This is why we need the gospel .... we cannot save ourselves. God requires only the pure and holy to dwell near Him and His throne. Jesus Christ came to wash us clean and to cover our sins with His life saving blood from the cross of Calvary. He alone makes us white as snow once again and so we need to cling to Him, not our goodness or religion to be saved. The song says "there is power in the blood" and another asks "have you been washed in the blood"?

Those are great questions to ask ourselves daily? We can only know and serve God by daily repentence and staying focused on who He is ( holy ) and who we are ( fallen sinners ) in need of His touch and grace. Then by His spirit, we are able to avoid "living in sin" and produce good fruit worthy of one who claims the King of Kings!

While we are not perfect, our goal should be to keep our lives from the ugliness of sin and walk in His light daily as obedient servants to Him. You can rest in knowing that He alone can cleanse us and make us holy in His Fathers sight.

Are you trusting in His blood alone for your salvation today? If not...seek after Him, repent and be made new....... pure as the whitest snow!

Praise the Lamb of God!

email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Jer 2:22

You can try to wash away your guilt with a strong detergent. You can use as much soap as you want. But the stain of your guilt is still there for me to see,”says the Lord God.

1Jo 1:9

But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

2Co 7:1

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish 3 holiness out of reverence for God

Christmas 2010 ...Dont Miss The Greatest Gift Ever Given!

2010-12-25T11:05:00.003-06:00

It is Christmas day and most of the world, is focused on material gifts, food, trees, lights, children smiling, religious rituals and family gatherings as a tradition in their time. How does the message of Jesus life fit into this tradition of men? Then recently I recieved a card that said.... enjoy the spirit of the season! It struck me clearly just then that sadly; most people are missing the entire point of Christs coming to earth!

Note: Christ never asked us to celebrate His birth or focus on Him as a cute lil baby. In fact, this holiday is a invention of religious/pagan men in the past and not truly of God at all! Christ called us to turn from sin, become born again and follow Him with all that we are, then proclaim His gospel to all around us. His mission was to point the way to the Father then "die for the sins of mankind" ( yours and mine ) not to bring a false season of annual cheer built on mans mere feelings!! Something to consider indeed???

Please, please .... dont get so caught up in the trappings of the secular day and miss what God has done!
Many people know this famous verse ( John 3;16 ) but you must read on............

John 3:16
For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and onlySon, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but that the world should be saved through him. The one who believes in him is not condemned.The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and onlySon of God. Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.

So are you walking in that light on this day? Nothing honors God unless we embrace His Son above all else. Will you recieve His free gift today and be made new in His mighty name!

Repent and believe.......

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

A joyous CHRIST centered everyday to you and yours!!

The Coming Perfect Storm on Earth

2010-12-23T22:57:00.002-06:00

There is a feeling all around as you talk to people that the world is on the brink of something big and potentially very ominous! There is indeed a perfect storm brewing around the globe today.
This storm to come has various components:
*political unrest that is unparalled in history & the world is talking about a New World Order to come!
* Financial ruin is on the horizon for America and much of the world in the very near future
*A rising one world false spiritual movement that has creeped into all aspects of daily... life even the church.
* Technology that will enable those to enslave mankind with modern day tools
* A world turning away from the things of God to sexual sin/worshipping the mother earth
* The Church falling away from His word / into compromise and unity with the world

Most people dont really see this storm coming because they are not looking with discerning eyes or the wisdom of God to see clearly. Todays society is far too caught up in the culture with all the many things to do, see and experience to even notice that the tide of mans time / control on the earth is slipping into a darkness that will over come him. The world today is so much smaller due to computer technology and the ever changing global economies. Events that happen in a remote part of the earth are now seen by the entire globe in minutes due to the internet and its amazing power.
The bible infact predicted all this would happen ( every eye will see events ) as well as terrible tribulation to come on the earth as evil rises and world wars will over take the planet eventually. A evil ruler, the antichrist will enslave mankind and much death/disease will over take the land. Jesus Christ tells us about such times in Matt 24 where it details the perilous days before His second coming. Indeed the terrible future events will be seen and experienced by all the earth and there is no doubt that the globe is being set up for major catastrophe to come. Much of mankind will die and the suffering will be intense; all part of Gods judgement due to our sin. In the end... Christ will be victorious and defeat the evil we see growing around us. The book of 2 Timothy chapter 3 describes the state of mans heart in those last days as well. The future holds little promise for mankind on his own wihtout the truth of God!

But the "good news" is that Christ will return to earth and all of those who have placed their trust in Him will be saved, even though they may have to face death first. No, we cannot stop what is about to come on earth but we can save ourselves and others from the approaching storm. Step back from your everyday life and consider this coming future? What will you do when the storm does finally arrive and it indeed will? Who will you turn to for safety or deliverence? There is only one safe eternal hiding place and it is in the arms of the Savior of the world.

Dont be fooled into thinking this wont come in your lifetime. The sky is getting much darker. At the very least, your own death will find you in this lifetime...amen? You need the Lord to cover your sins or you will be lost!

Matt 24:3 As 7 he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things 8 happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 24:4 Jesus answered them, 9 “Watch out 10 that no one misleads you. 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ 11 and they will mislead many. 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. 12 24:7 For nation will rise up in arms 13 against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines 14 and earthquakes 15 in various places. 24:8 All 16 these things are the beginning of birth pains.

Persecution of Disciples

24:9 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations 17 because of my name. 18 24:10 Then many will be led into sin, 19 and they will betray one another and hate one another. 24:11 And many false prophets will appear and deceive 20 many, 24:12 and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. 24:13 But the person who endures to the end will be saved. 21 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, 22 and then the end will come.

The Abomination of Desolation

24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation 23 – spoken about by Daniel the prophet – standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 24:16 then those in Judea must flee 24 to the mountains. 24:17 The one on the roof 25 must not come down 26 to take anything out of his house, 24:18 and the one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 24:19 Woe 27 to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! 24:20 Pray 28 that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 24:21 For then there will be great suffering 29 unlike anything that has happened 30 from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. 24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 24:23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ 31 or ‘There he is!’ do not believe him. 24:24 For false messiahs 32 and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 24:25 Remember, 33 I have told you ahead of time. 24:26 So then, if someone 34 says to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ 35 do not go out, or ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe him. 24:27 For just like the lightning 36 comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 24:28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures 37 will gather. 38

The Arrival of the Son of Man

24:29 “Immediately 39 after the suffering 40 of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. 41 24:30 Then 42 the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 43 and 44 all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They 45 will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven 46 with power and great glory. 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven 47 to the other.

The Last Days

2 Tim 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult¹ times will come. 3:2 For people² will be lovers of themselves,³ lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. 3:5 They will maintain the outward appearance⁴ of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

There is but one protection from the coming storm and His name is the Prince of Peace...Christ Jesus

Repent and believe today!!

Email me anytime at ; verilytimes@worthyemail.com

False Teachers in Our Midst

2010-12-20T05:46:00.001-06:00

If there ever was a time to be on guard for the wolves in sheeps clothing that will mislead the flock, it is surely today! We recently had a situation with a claimed believer who was allowing the likes of some TV charlatan preachers into their home and clinging to their false teachings. We cannot allow these things to go unchallenged if we love the truth of our Lord! We brought it to their attention and are waiting for the out come today?

It was just the same back in the New Testament days and no books of the bible deal with it better than 2 Peter and the small book of Jude. We would all be wise to stay in tune to Gods holy word so we can know when to tune out those who bring only part of Gods truth for gain & false motives in todays world.

It is said that experts in our government that try to stop the money counterfeiters dont know all the fakes but: by studying the "real thing" they can spot the fakes a mile away!!

Have you hidden Gods word in your heart and mind? Can you spot the phonies who defame the Lords name and sweep peoples souls away like pebbles on the floor with their lies or twisted scriptures? Are you ready to defend His truth using the sword He has given us in the bible? Study to show thy self approved lest you be fooled by the liars of this day!

If you dont know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior read the book of John and seek Him today for the salvation of your soul. Repent and believe.......

2 Peter 2:1
But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves.

Jude
Woe to them! For they have traveled down Cain’s path, and because of greed have abandoned themselves to Balaam’s error; hence, they will certainly perish in Korah’s rebellion. These men are dangerous reefs at your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit – twice dead, uprooted; wild sea waves, spewing out the foam of their shame; wayward stars for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness have been reserved.

Gods truth shall remain!!

Email me anytime at ; verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Thought of the Day

2010-12-16T06:47:00.002-06:00

No man can ever be fully "fixed" on God till......
he is fully "broken" at the cross of Christ!

email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

The Tool of Discernment

2010-12-15T07:06:00.005-06:00

I was at a store not long ago and they have a very interesting display of very old vintage tools. As you can see they were of all shapes/sizes and they had many different uses. One was a rope maker, the next was a gear puller while another was a grain plug screw. How amazing that all of these strange looking devices have very unique purposes.

If you're a believer in the word of the living God, you can also read about tools that need to be put to use in His service. One of the greatest but perhaps least used today is discernment! To put it simply, discernment is just a filter that we can use to strain out all in life that is not the will of our Lord. With all of the idolatry, filth and lies abounding today, it is in great demand as a powerful tool in the hands of the Christ follower. But unless we use it, how can it be effective to keep us on the narrow path? Could it be that many in modern religious organizations and people in their lives are NOT using this tool? Surely they will get caught up in error and the things of this world more often than not, I am afraid? It seems their filter is either not in use or they have punched holes in it to let even more garbage pass though it. This is not of God!!! If I look around at most who claim Christ today ...it must be considered as a potential major pitfall indeed? We are to have eyes that see............ amen?

Job 6:30
Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern all evil things?

I would challenge all my fellow born again believers out there to take everything in their hearts / daily lives and run it thought their "discernment filter" to see if it stands up against the Bibles wisdom. Only then can we fully walk in His light in a pleasing manner worthy of our great King!

If you dont know Jesus as your Lord and Savior......you have no filter at all.
I would beg you to examine yourself as well. You will see that nothing good dwells in you and without Christ, your nothing but a empty vessel with no real purpose and a eternity of regret to come.

Come to Him and be made whole and full!!! Repent and believe today while there is yet time.

He is mighty to save.

Email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Pro 17:24
Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth

1Co 2:15
The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one

Love That Shows and Consumes

2010-12-14T06:32:00.001-06:00

Matt 22:34
Now when the Phariseesheard that he had silenced the Sadducees,they assembled together. And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesussaid to him,
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment".

When you love something with ALL that you are.... it SHOWS to those who are around you?
It also will CONSUME who we are from the inside to the outside ( thoughts and deeds )

What are we loving today and showing to the world and what is it that consumes us daily?

Email me anytime at verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Do you need a new heart to then love God with all that you are? ..... Repent and believe

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

2010-12-12T19:03:00.002-06:00

We all have heard the saying that "birds of a feather flock together". Last Friday as I was driving home I saw these birds all huddled together on the power lines. I pulled over to take the picture and indeed....all these birds were infact the same species. Creatures who are alike surely do stick together and often avoid those who are different than themsleves.

This is also true of people as well. They will often choose to hang around with those who are just like them and avoid those who are different. Recently a friend sent us a email to tell us that her and others we know dont believe the bible the way we do. This difference ( honoring God vs living for self & sin ) causes a division between peoples who are just not alike. Gods word covers this and tells the Christ follower to reach out in love to those who are different ( not born again ) with the hope of the saving gospel but; we are NOT to form close bonds (or flock closely) with them you might say. It is mutual as they dont choose to hang around Christ seekers either. Why? Because they long to talk about the Savior while others choose to involve themselves with the things of this world. The bible says "what does light have to do with darkness"? If you live in Gods light... you are to avoid getting too close or involved with to those who choose darkness. Jesus was our great example; He indeed reached out to the lost sinners around Him but the only close fellowship He had was with His 12 disciples.

Being aware of this helps the believer to protect themselves from being drawn into the worlds ways by those who are of this world and not of God. How do we know that they love the world more than they love God? By their fruit of course! Anyone who wont talk about Gods truth or share the message of Gods word with others who cherish it is clealry not walking in His spirit. Because of this difference we can understand that we are called to not conform to this world be be transformed by a renewing of the mind ( Romans 12 ;2 ) The people of this world and even those who claim religion truly lack this regeneration in Christ!

So it seems a good gauge of your own spiritual life is to consider who do you flock with? Do you long to sit and talk with fellow believers about Gods amazing grace or do you choose those who want to indulge in this world for their daily pleasures?

Come out from the lost and see how good the Lord is. Repent and believe..... to be saved!

God is Light,

Jim

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Joh 3:20

For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed.

1Jo 2:10

The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him

1Jo 2:9

The one who says he is in the light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness.

Plowing of Hard Ground

2010-12-10T22:07:00.000-06:00

The bible talks about truth as a seed being planted in the ground. As I share the truth of the gospel of Christ with the lost around me, I am amazed over and over how hard peoples hearts are towards Gods truth! So many reject it as their hearts are hardened by their sin and rebellion. Oneday I was watching a farmer plow his field and I realized that the proclaiming of the gospel to these hardened people is indeed the "plowing of hard ground"! The scriptures below talk about the types of ground that seeds of truth can fall onto which really points to the type of person who will or will not recieve His truth.

Matt 13:18 “So listen to the parable of the sower: 13:19 When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one 25 comes and snatches what was sown in his heart; 26 this is the seed sown along the path. 13:20 The 27 seed sown on rocky ground 28 is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 13:21 But he has no root in himself and does not endure; 29 when 30 trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. 13:22 The 31 seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth 32 choke the word, 33 so it produces nothing. 13:23 But as for the seed sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands. He bears fruit, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.”

We need to ask ourselves... what type of ground resides within our hearts? Will Gods truth grow in you to a saving faith in Christ or will the weeds of this life be allowed to over take all that is good which will only lead to death and hell? If you do proclaim Gods truth to those around you....keep plowing that hard ground! But if you only hear the gospel yet never act to make it grow within you, repent and believe before it is too late.

He is justice, love, grace and wrath to come!!

Email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

The Real Christmas Story

2010-12-09T22:56:00.002-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdkrvP_6D_U&feature=related

Who is Our Family?

2010-12-07T21:22:00.001-06:00

The word family can mean different things to different people but most of our worlds society would consider family as the people they are physically/blood related too. It seems the original family unit has been strained beyond belief these days. But at this time of year, many families will still try to gather and have some type of togetherness. The tradition it seems is to have a "Christmas gathering" as a family unit even though they have forgotten Jesus Christ altogether. ( but that is for another post someday ) Often in these gatherings there is tension or issues but as they say; family is family and we cant pick relations .......... or can we?

As one reads the Lords holy scriptures the view of the family is very different from the modern view described above. The family of God is the main biblical focus, not blood relations. So knowing who makes up that unit is very important indeed. Regardless of what many people tell you, we are NOT all children of God. The only way we can become a member of Gods family is though the process of adoption ( repenting and being born again ) into His holy kingdom. If your not a new creation in Christ, sadly you are still a child of this fallen world. Only those who do the will of the Father are truly His own. We know this by one great example of Jesus. He was once told His mother and brothers were outside and He said, "who is my mother and my brother? Here are my mother and my brothers. For those who do the will of the Father are my mother and brother". ( Matt 12:46 ) Jesus also said that "He came to seperate mothers from daughters and fathers from sons". ( Luke 12:53 ) He surely did not put blood relations first in view of honoring His Father in heaven rightly.

Clearly we can see that those who are spiritually in Christ Jesus are really the relations that should matter to us who are born into Christ. Often your unsaved family will persecute you the most if your serve the Lord. So if we have a brother or parent who claims but ignores the Savior over their sin, there is little fellowship to be had there. Paul says "dont even eat with such people". The bible also says "what does light have to do with darkness" and this act of seperation really serves to protect one as they follow Jesus. You see, a worldy family will often just pull you back into the sins of this life and that is not of God.

As we take time ponder the beauty of this Christmas season and what the Savior has done; let us also focus on who we have around us that we consider "true family". Is it Aunt Jane who smokes too much and loves the casino that you claim or do you show godly love for your true brotheren who indeed share the light of the world with you? Indeed we should pray for and witness too those who have yet to come to Christ but we should strive to fellowship with only those who co labor with us in service to the King of Kings. That is where our true eternal family resides..............amen!

He is my heavenly Father who I adore!

Jim

email me at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

All your works shall praise you O Lord and your saints bless you
Psalm 145:10

The Fire Within

2010-12-06T21:57:00.000-06:00

I was sitting by our fireplace not long ago contemplating just how very blessed we are. There is nothing like starting a warming fire when the chill of winter has set into the landscape. We do have to often stoke the flames/coals to make sure that they grow and perform the task of heating up our home. That old fireplace of ours would be quite useless unless it had a blazing hot fire within it. Have you ever seen those fake fireplaces you can buy that look good on the outside but they have nothing going on inside them? People can be that way too.

Example: the life of a person who claims faith in Jesus Christ. Unless that faith is true and burning hot for God and His ways, it is useless to the Lord. Jesus made a clear warning to all who may claim faith in Him.

In Rev 3:16 ........

So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!

That is a wake up call to us all!!!

At this time of year when so many have their hearts warmed by holiday glow..... it is very wise that we check our own fire within; that fuels our professed faith. As we can see from scripture.....one cannot afford to be lukewarm or God will surely cast us out. How does one fan the flames of faith? First, by coming to Christ in full repentence for our many sins. Then by feasting on the word of God, which will help us burn for His cause as we live holy lives in His name.

If you have a fireplace at your home, you are blessed. If you have a burning fire for the Lords truth that leads your way...you are eternally blessed. But if you have a flickering flame of faith inside ...your in serious trouble on judgement day!

He is faithful to all who will humble themselves and seek His Holy fire.

God be praised!
Jim

email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

God or games?

2010-12-04T21:59:00.002-06:00

Do you cherish God or lifes games? A fellow co-worker recently told me a story about his going to watch a Minnesota Twins baseball game. As they walked near to the stadium a faithful man was street preaching and proclaiming the gospel truth of Gods word to those passing by. My co worker said that almost everyone mocked the man even though everything he said was right out of Gods word... the Holy Bible. They had a trivial game (pleasure) on their minds and had no time for the eternal truth of the Living God. This is a great example of how most people today are just too self indulged with pleasure seeking to stop and embrace the message that God has proclaimed in His word.

What are your days filled with?

Christs death and resurrection for our sins is the most important message to hear. These scriptures put it all in perspective...........

1Ti 5:6

But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while he lives.

Luk 8:14

As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Mar 4:23

If anyone has ears to hear, he had better listen!

Jer 5:21

Tell them: ‘Hear this, you foolish people who have no understanding, who have eyes but do not discern, who have ears but do not perceive:

Joh 8:34

Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin

Isa 30:1

“The rebellious children are as good as dead,” says the Lord, “those who make plans without consulting me, who form alliances without consulting my Spirit, 4 and thereby compound their sin

Please stop and hear!!! The time is now to focus on His truth and leave behind all of lifes games & trivial matters for a faith that can save your soul.

Repent and believe in Him to be saved!

Email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Behold His glory!

Have You Gone to The Dogs?

2010-12-01T21:37:00.001-06:00

One cant help but notice that in our nation today so many people are taking their relationships with pet animals ( mostly dogs ) to a most extreme level! Let me first say... I too own several outside dogs that I enjoy and take good care of myself. They are watch dogs on the farm and they are viewed as just what they are... animals. They are indeed unique creatures that God created and we have used in our service. But the fact is they cant love you and dont have deep emotions or a soul as humans do. What I am speaking about are those people who live with dogs inside their own homes and have elevated them to the family status. These pets today often go for car rides, get special diet dog food, they may wear cloths, get pricey trims / bathes, recieve expensive surgeries when needed and often even sleep with humans in bed! It is alarming to see the amount of money Amercians spend on pets ( $$ multi billions ) and the amount of attention / love they recieve from their human masters as well. It has attained a "sickening" level. If you think I am off base just Goggle pet blessings and even dog communion services now being held at some religious places! To add to the mass mental illness of this situation..... we actually have places where people work hard to save and shelter unwanted pets... yet we also have places where ladies can go to slaughter their unborn babies at will. If I opened a puppy killing center in my town........ the masses would come to try and stop me. This is humanism at its best and it steals from Gods glory and thus is so very wrong!!! Most over the top pet lovers use the animal to make themselves feel more loved and gain importance/worth. This is a false foundation indeed. We have family members who claim Christ but they obviously love their dogs more than God by the fruit of their life that we clearly can see. Your dog may be cute to you but quite frankly...they are eaten in other countries that are simply not seduced into pet worship as America is these days!

1Jo 5:21
Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

The pagans of old often lifted up animals in their worship and it is easy to see many today making idols of animals once again. If you think that is a crazy statement and you yourself have a house pet; ask yourself this? Who gets more tenderness, love, praise, attention, care, adoration and TIME in your home.... the dog or God Almighty?
The bible (Gods holy) word is clear that a idol is ANYTHING we put before God Himself. I am here to say in our land many things are placed before the Lord...and pets is another on of them. We need to repent from this pagan practice, put animals where they belong and lift God up to where He alone belongs, first in our lives! Your dog only wants food from you while God desires / deserves all of your love and obedience all the days of your life; if you claim to know and love Him with a saving faith love.
Stop the foolish idolatry and come to the truth found only in Christ Jesus. ( repent and believe to be saved )

email me anytime at : verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Psa 106:36
They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them

Restoration

2010-11-26T21:57:00.004-06:00

Have you ever driven by a junk yard and thought; all those cars used to be someones very valuable property? Now look at them; sitting their all smashed up and taken apart? The chances of any of them ever being fully restored to their former condition is hopeless.They will just sit there until one day the scrap truck takes them or they will rust away! What is their hope of restoration?

Restoration....... is the process of returning something to what it once was.

The history of man is a good example of restoration in that once we were fully united with God till our sin seperated us. So where do we end up now in this condition? In a massive spiritual junk yard called hell! The heap of humanity is headed to their own place of broken down souls where there is no hope to be restored. Death will find you and your future is certain to be eternally seperated from God, all of this due to our sin.

Now you must know this! Your restoration is indeed possible if you are willing to take hold of the Savior Christ Jesus who will redeem and make us into a new creation for His glory. The price is free but; it will cost you your own life here which will now be lived fully for Him and His purpose and glory.

This truly is "good news" for a dying world. So have you been restored unto God? Have you repented and trusted fully in Christ who alone can regenerate your life though his blood? No reason to stay where you are lost.... unless you love your sin more than God who made you?? Without coming to Christ what is your hope of restoration I ask? You may be roman catholic, lutheran or baptist.......it doesnt matter. Mans form of religion cannot make you right with God. Only by embracing His plan of salvation do you have any hope for the future in Him. ( repent, be born again and seek after Christ in life and follow Him alone... till death )

Dont remain broken down in your transgressions. Come to the Lord and let His grace cover you today.

Restoration awaits those who seek Him with all their heart and mind!

email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

1Pe 5:10
And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you

How are you Thankful?

2010-11-25T20:29:00.000-06:00

It is that time of year again…….. Thanksgiving Day! While most all of our culture views it as a time to eat lots of food, watch football then go shopping; the early Americans started it and used it as a time to be “thankful to God for His goodness”. It is very clear our nation was founded on Christian principles especially when you read the statements by George Washington regarding this holiday. He clearly proclaimed "we should be thankful to God Almighty on this day and always"!

So how is it that a person “lives out” their thankfulness? Let’s say a fireman saved your entire family from a deadly blaze. Would you thank him in words but then drive though his town carelessly setting fires? Or would you do everything in your power to honor him rightly? Most all people would indeed honor his deed in thankfulness by following the law and not dishonoring what he boldly stands for.

Many people will say; we have so much to be thankful for to God! So how is it that you show the Lord your thankfulness for ALL He has done? Do you live in a manner that just gives Him "lip service" thank you's and then you live anyway you desire? Or do you honor Him by being “obedient” to the laws He has set before us? Do you even study, know and love His word?

The bible is quite clear that if you claim faith and to be thankful to God / desire His blessings; then your life will be marked by His word, ways and truth each day that you live. If you are really thankful to God, do you honor and care about what He stands for? Do you reject your own sin and the ways of this fallen world or do you only toss the Lord a scrap of thanksgiving then indulge in the things that feed your carnal lust filled nature as your main course in life? (did you know that your sin makes you ugly and filthy before a holy God ) Those who are really thankful to God will be marked by godly lives, fully lived out in obedience to His word and Son Jesus Christ. That is their entire life goal ( His glory ) and not just a Sunday morning visit between cooking shows, your hobbies and sporting events! Perhaps the reason you are not living that way is because you have never been born again in Christ!

Please… forget religion or your own ideas or path to God. You can only come though Jesus. ( John 14:6 ) Unless you repent and trust in Him fully for your salvation… you are lost / in danger of eternal separation from Him. Consider all that He has done for mankind ( His creation then death to buy your freedom ) and come to the Savior this day in humble thankfulness shown though a broken life seeking His way not your own! On this Thanksgiving Day 2010, I am so grateful for His victory over death that gave me ( sinner now saved ) eternal life to come and joy on earth in His service!

( please see the video link on death/victory ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsMAvZFzylc&feature=related

Glory to the Lamb that was slain!

Email me anytime at: verilytimes@worthyemail.com

Psa 106:1 Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercies endure forever.