THE GRACEFUL SERVANT

#Grace & genuine love for others will shine through the believer who is solidly grounded on the #Truth of the #Gospel. We serve & can reach others so much better. Let's get it done:

DETAILS"
TEXT: 1 Timothy 4: 6-9 The graceful servant of the Lord keeps his or herself free from moral failure and also takes care of the body as well as the soul. This way, we can be accepted as "the real deal" not just by others around us, but by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in this life and the next.

THE DECK WAS STACKED - 6 ILLEGAL TRIALS IN 6 HOURS

Everything done in western courtrooms had its origins in the Bible.  The system of Justice practiced in most civilized countries of the West for almost 2000 years, came from the Book of Deuteronomy and the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20. From the swearing on the Bible to the calling of witnesses- all were given by God for our current Judeo/Christian paradigm.

Still when the religious authorities, who were persecuting Jesus for allegedly violating the same Law (Torah) that HE gave, brought Him up on the night before they killed Him, they violated every single letter of the Law they claimed to uphold! In less than 24 hours, there were, therefore, six (6) illegal trials conducting against the Messiah by evil men, bent on temporarily getting rid of the Man Who had threatened their corrupt lifestyle.

The deck was stacked against Jesus. Although He went willingly to the Cross to pay the penalty of sin for us, was nonetheless, railroad through a corrupt system. There were six illegal trials under both Jewish and Roman law:

RELIGIOUS TRIALS (BEFORE TEMPLE PRIESTS):
Illegal Religious Trial #1: TRIALS WERE ILLEGAL (AT NIGHT/NO CHARGES): Jesus was arrested at night after being betrayed by Judas and immediately taken to trial in front of a man who had no legal right to question anybody, far less some arrested by the official Temple Guard. Annas was the former high priest with no legal standing AND he was also questioning a man, under this illegal authority, who was not charged with anything.

Illegal Religious Trial #2: FALSE WITNESSES: The second trial, less than two hours after the first corrupt one in front of Annas, was before the real Jewish High Priest - Caiaphas, who was appointed by his father-in-law Annas. It is against ANY law to have false witnesses (Commandment #9). We know from John 8:6 that the religious authorities were looking for something they could use against Jesus to bring a charge against Him. Still the Gospels showed that many of their pharisee priests lied openly about Jesus' teaching even though He did so openly in the Temple for three years.

Illegal Religious Trial #3: PASSOVER: Apart from the fact that the "trials" were conducted at 2 am (night) with no charges and false witnesses, it was against the Law of the Hebrews to conduct a trial on a Feast Day! To wit, it was Passover, the most sacred of days on the Jewish Calendar and which God had instituted into perpetuity for them.  But powerful men, full of hate and acting irrationally, cared nothing about breaking the same Law they claimed to be standing up for.

SECULAR (ROMAN) TRIALS BEFORE PILATE:
Illegal Roman Trial #1:  CHARGES CHANGED: When the Temple priests brought Jesus to Pilate the first time, they had by that time "cooked the books" and changed the charge from "Blasphemy" against God to "treason" because they knew Pilate would not prosecute a religious charge which he knew or cared nothing about.
Illegal Roman Trial #2: FALSE IMPRISONMENT: Pilate violated supposedly civilized European (Roman) law when he kept Jesus under arrest, knowing he was innocent. Jesus did not absolve him of that sin, in fact He told Pilate that those who handed Him over to Pilate had the greater sin. This too will be closed one day, on Judgment Day before the Great White Throne of Judgment when death and hades will be cast into hell forever.
Illegal Roman Trial #3: KANGAROO COURT JUSTICE: This final one was the kicker. Pilate knowingly let an innocent Man be killed. He could wash his hands with all the water in all the oceans, the Blood stains will never come off as the stain was on his soul. He did the bidding of evil "religious" men to save his own temporary powerful status and lost his soul. There was no proof of anything, no evidence presented and still, Pilate allowed Jesus to be sent to the Cross to die. The thing is - He knew the Truth and put it in writing at the top of the Cross for all History to note "Jesus, King of the Jews". What Pilate meant for mocking, God used for the facts of the matter.

VERDICT OF ALL SIX ILLEGAL TRIALS: GUILTY 
Even the verdict was illegal (apart from Pilate's) for the following reasons:
- The Law said the Sanhedrin council should have been polled (like a real jury). This did not happen.
- The Law said that Jesus was supposed to have a defense counsel. None was allowed.
- The Law said there should have been 24 hours before any verdict and sentence and that if the sentence was execution, there was to be a period of waiting of three (3) days before execution, so that the Sanhedrin- the Jewish religious "supreme court" could pray and fast to see if they made the right decision! NONE OF THIS WAS DONE!

Jesus was rushed through this ENTIRE six trial process in less than six hours and was executed by the priests and Pilate in less than 12 hours. But He turned those three (3) days of waiting upside down on its head. He rose from the Dead on the Third Day and has been turning this world upside down for almost 2000 years now!!! As for these illegal trials, all of this will be addressed in God's Courtroom on Judgment Day when the Chief Judge of the Universe will be the same Jesus Whom they did all this to, on that fateful day for Mankind, on Passover, 33 AD.

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT.

GOSPEL REFERENCES FOR THE SIX ILLEGAL TRIALS OF CHRIST:

"Judge"	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1.     Annas	Matt 26:57-58	Mark 14:53-54	Luke 22:54-55	John 18:12-23
2. Caiaphas	Matt 26:59-75	Mark 14:55-65	Luke 22:56-65	John 18:24
3. Sanhedrin	Matt 27:1	Mark 15:1	Luke 22:66-71
4.     Pilate	Matt 27:2-14	Mark 15:2-5	Luke 23:1-6	John 18:28-38
5.     Herod			Luke 23:7-12
6.     Pilate	Matt 27:15-26	Mark 15:6-15	Luke 23:13-25	John 18:39/19:16

Credits Here
Photo Credit: Google

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 3 (CONTEND)

VERSE: Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3).

TRUTH: When the half-brother of the Lord Jesus (Mary had six children after Jesus was born to her) Jude wrote the Epistle of Jude, the fledgling Church of Christ was already been infiltrated by those who would seek to corrupt it away from the Message of the True Gospel. Nothing has changed in 2000 years. Now, more than ever, we are called to stand for what we believe. The word "CONTEND" is not a pro-active and pro-defense (or apologetic) word. Now more than ever, the Christian - you and I - must not only oppose what is an obvious lie about God but we must do so with the following:
- Total commitment to Christ
- Knowledge of the Bible 
- The proper application of that Knowledge
- Love

 (Graphic Credit Here)

WORLDWIDE PRESS RELEASE - BARAK TV RENAMED "UNSHACKLED TV"

Illinois, USA- June 2015- 

Dr. Tim Henderson,
CEO UNSHACKLED TV

"Barak TV" announces organizational changes and growth to better align with the explosive growth the Judeo-Christian Network has experienced.  CEO of barak, Dr. Tim Henderson, was quoted as saying “barak TV is proud of the content being aired and the top Christian Talent and Artists that have decided to partner with barak TV in offering entertaining, good and solid Judeo-Christian broadcasting via its website and ROKU channel. 

"The growth has been dynamic and as the Network continues to reach people in the global arena thousands of confessions of faith have been received along with reports of church growth as the Network exalts Jesus and professes the Word of God as 100% correct, inerrant and infallible. I am delighted to announce that following extensive consumer tests and a 98% approval rating barak TV has a new name. 

"In order to continue and enter more global markets as the Network continues its growth the new name is now UNSHACKLED TV. During the next couple weeks the only difference to our viewing audience is that mediums they utilize to view Unshackled TV will have a name change. Additionally, as the on-demand is the source our viewers and consumers have clearly communicated they view Unshackled TV enhancements are being made to the on-demand and our outlets and vehicles are expanding. So look for great changes to our ROKU channel, our website and announcements of other mediums to watch Unshackled TV. “Unshackled” features Christian movies, cartoons, Outstanding Church sermons and Worship Services and top-rated shows and its program schedule is rapidly increasing to meet the Judeo-Christian audience demands. Unshackled TV is already a global sensation. (New UNSHACKLED TV website coming soon).

PLEASE NOTE:

PLUMBLINE REMAINS ON "UNSHACKLED TV" FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE... thank you, Bernie Lutchman

"Unshackled is pleased to announce the following additions to its growing weekly list of Churches that have signed agreements and will be airing on Unshackled TV. From Hanover Park, IL, Evangel Church will soon be airing on Unshackled TV. Lead Pastor Ron Heitman has entered into agreement with Unshackled TV to broadcast weekly. CEO, Tim Henderson has stated, “I am thrilled to have such an amazing Lead Pastor and mighty man of God, along with a church that loves, embraces cultural diversity and teaches truth bringing hope to the Nations airing on Unshackled TV. This is a gain for the Kingdom and those around the World viewing Unshackled TV and we are thrilled”. For information about Evangel Church and for those in the Hanover Park area you may visit their website at evangelchurch.cc. 

"From Shelbyville, IL, Shelbyville First Assembly of God and Pastor Don Jefferies has entered into agreement with Unshackled TV. “The heart to reach the lost that exudes from this Pastor, his board and the church is evident in what they do, their talk and their mission, said CEO Tim Henderson. We are thrilled to add such a missional church to our network and broadcast their messages to the World.” For information or to visit Shelbyville First Assembly of God visit their website at firstag62565.org. 

"Unshackled TV enters into an affinity partnership with The Day of The Lord Global Ministries and Rev. Sue Buttry. This partnership will expose Unshackled TV to adherents to the ministry, a global denomination, and teaching from Rev. Sue Buttry, the ministries Executive Director, which we anticipate to be airing sometime in the Fall. We are thrilled to add another and such a wonderful affinity partner to our family of partners with common and missional goals throughout the World. Rev. Sue Buttry is a gifted teacher and leader and we are excited with this new partner and anticipate a long and rewarding relationship in these final moments of the end of days”.

Kristin Mueller, COO Unshackled TV

"Unshackled also announced a recent key appointment with the global expansion. Kristin Mueller has been named COO for Unshackled TV. Kristin joins the team with a wealth of knowledge in Leadership and corporate operations and has hit the ground running. We needed a leader like Kristin who is able to manage the day to day operations and balance strategy and the great demands of a rapidly expanding global enterprise. We welcome Kristin to the Unshackled family with deep respect, excitement and appreciation. 

“We want to thank our viewers for their patience as we transition to our new name and brand and assure them they will be able to access our programming as we transition with updates being announced real time”.

A REAL BUCKET LIST

LIST OF BIBLE PRAYER METHODS

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-6)

A significant number of people in the west (and presumably anywhere) have something called a “bucket list”. The term even made the Webster’s dictionary and literally means “a list of things one wishes to do before dying (or “kick the bucket”). There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of that unless it consumes your thinking, planning, family and walk with Jesus. To tell you the truth, the ultimate bucket list top item is – Eternity with Jesus Christ. That is one thrill that never expires, unlike the passing pleasures of parachuting or parasailing or purple Porches.  Most of our brethren in other lands are unable to seek (and find) that kind of excitement as almost every waking moment is consumed with attempting to breathe and get one step ahead of their persecutors, or even a morsel to eat.While there is nothing wrong with wishing you could drive a fast red Corvette or a scale half the front-range of the Rockies, most people may never get around to that sort of thing. 

What Christ is actually calling His followers/disciples and those who are on life’s journey with Him,  is something more rewarding, permanent, helpful and fruitful that these things. This mission of excellence, peace, joy and contentment can only be found through communication – with our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul knew how to live as Christ taught us in the greatest sermon ever given – the Sermon On The Mount.  While we must certainly plan, save and prepare for the future, may we never lose sight of today. Today – now – is where we currently live. As the old saying goes “wherever you go – there you are”.

Philippi was a Roman city founded by Philip – father of Alexander the Great and like most of the ancient world, was full of idolatry and worldly conduct – not unlike the wealthy nations today’s world.  Like everywhere else, the brand new Christian church was under some form of persecution and for the most part, met in private homes. In most of the current persecuted church, meetings to glorify King Jesus and fellowship in His Mighty Name, are still done in homes and basements. The Apostle loved these Philippians and one can feel this love and heart for his (and our) brethren in the opening verses of Philippians 1. The opening greetings are always ignored by most preachers and/or bible readers. However, they tell us a lot about the kind of relationship the God-inspired author has with those, to whom, he writes.

Look at what Paul says here in essence, in love and with a kind heart – even as he writes this Scripture to the brethren in Philippi:
-    I think of you and give thanks to God (verse 3). When we think of others in our families, fellowships and far away countries, our immediate task is to pray for them as the Lord brings them to mind. We pray for them by thanking the Father for their faithfulness to the Gospel and the Truth. We pray for them by thanking the Lord as well for their perseverance and standing strong in the face of fire. We pray for the Father for a special dispensation of Grace, Mercy and Compassion to get through their next few hours, days and weeks ahead.

-     You are always in my prayers (verse 4a). As we pray for all the things mentioned above, we never cease praying …or as Paul says in Thessalonians 5 “pray without ceasing”.

-     I intercede enthusiastically and with great joy (verse 4b). It takes a special man to pray with passion and joy for others while in a Roman prison. Therefore, it should be a special privilege for us, with the freedom to worship and practice Christianity, to press in and lift up someone else with a smile in our eyes and a praise in our hearts.

-   For your fellowship in the Gospel from Day One (verse 5). There is a reason the Lord said in His Word that His people should not neglect the “fellowship of the saints”. In a world, where podcasts, live streaming and just plain laziness have removed the urgency AND necessity of getting dressed to walk into a church building to praise God with fellow believers. Hebrews 10:25 tells us to not forsake “our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”.

Hebrews 10:25 mentioned “the Day drawing near”. Philippians 1:6 brings the encouragement in anticipation of that “Day”!  Verse 6 gives us the best evidence of fruits of a real “bucket list” – He says “Being confident of this very thing that He Who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the Day of Jesus Christ”. That Day is coming closer with each breath, Within 50 years, each of us will be standing with or before Jesus, either through the natural process of passing from this life to the next, or via the Rapture and Return of Jesus Christ.  

Therefore, draw near to these facts in this REAL "Bucket List":
1. Be full of Faith and fellowship with, because of and having Faith (con- with, fide – faith: confident).
2. This very thing – the certainty of your salvation and maturity into a joyful saint is underwritten by the Precious Blood of Jesus. This is your ironclad guarantee.
3. He (Jesus) started, authored, perfected and executed this amazing divine plan and He never goes back on His Word and His promises. What He says, He does.  We can never lose our salvation unless we never had it to begin with. So rest in this Truth regardless of circumstances and rely on this with supreme confidence.
4. The Author of Life will complete His Master Plan….until He comes. This includes our sanctification built on obedience and submission, buttressed by the discipline of prayer and supplication.
5. Be prepared, because even though certain events have to occur before the Return of Jesus Christ (as noted in Revelation 19:11-16), our Day of Jesus Christ could occur at any time, since no one knows the day or hour when He shall call us home. So then, let us be fully assured of the solid payment forward we have made by investing Biblical truth in the life (or lives) of another and may we always be fully confident of our future home with our Lord and Savior, Who once told us, that He will never leave or forsake us.

(Free Downloadable Image Courtesy Pinterest)

TEN DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: OCTOBER 24-NOVEMBER 2, 2014, Day 1

For the next ten days, (October 24 - November 2, 2014) we will be praying for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. (The actual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - IDOP - is on November 9, but many begin observing it from November 2-9). Many in the US are being awakened to the persecution of the people of God, due to the sermons of Houston, Texas pastors being demanded in court documents or ordained ministers in Idaho threatened with fines etc. if they do not perform a certain type of wedding. This is mild in comparison to what is taking place around the world, in both atheist countries (like North Korea) and the islamic countries across the Middle East and India.

Before the current persecution of Christians, who have lived outside Baghdad, Iraq and Syria for almost 2000 years, almost 163,000 (according to the British Broadcasting Service and others) are persecuted/martyred each year for being followers of the Son of the One True God - JESUS CHRIST. This is an average of a Christian being persecuted every four minutes or so. As the weeks and months go by, this number is set to increase.

According to OPEN DOORS, which produces the World Wide Watch list annually, North Korea heads up the list of countries with the dubious honor where the Lord is not welcome, in a violent way. Each year, Christians observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). This year, it falls on Sunday November 2. So for the next ten days, we offer a series of encouraging prayers, articles and encouraging posts, from different writers, leading up to that day. This day - November 2 - also sees a collection of some of America's top Bible teachers and ministers, led by the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson, Pastor Mike Huckabee and others for a nation-wide simulcast at 7 pm EST for a Rally to make a stand for the Gospel and Religious Freedom. We pray for that event as well. Therefore.....

OUR MOST HEAVENLY AND GRACIOUS FATHER, WE COME TO YOU IN THE MIGHTY AND POWERFUL NAME OF OUR GREAT LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST - REVILED AND PERSECUTED BY MEN, YET HE HUMBLED HIMSELF EVEN TO THE CROSS AND PAID THE DEBT FOR ALL MANKIND, FOR ALL TIME, THAT WE MAY BE RECONCILED TO THEE. 

FATHER, EVERLASTING FATHER, MOST MERCIFUL GOD IN HEAVEN, WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US, AND GIVEN IT ALL FOR THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF THY NAME. FROM STEPHEN TO PETER, PAUL AND THOMAS TO POLYCARP AND THE SAINTS IN THE ROMAN COLOSSEUMS AND THROUGHOUT TWO MILENNIA UNTIL TODAY, WE THANK THEE THAT MANY HAVE COUNTED THE COST OF GIVING ALL FOR THY HOLY NAME, AND HAVE NOW FOUND THE PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING. 

TODAY, OH GOD, WE PRAY MOST URGENTLY FOR THY CHILDREN WHO ARE BRUTALIZED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW YOU IN THE DESERTS OF IRAQ AND SYRIA. LORD WE PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES RIPPED APART. WE PRAY FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN FORCED TO PERFORM HORRIBLE UNSPEAKABLE THINGS. WE PRAY FOR MEN WHO ARE LOSING THEIR LIVES FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL. WE PRAY COMFORT FOR THE CAST-ASIDE; MERCY FOR THE MULTITUDES THERE; PROVISION FOR THE POWERLESS; PROTECTION FOR THE PERSECUTED AND PEACE FOR THE BROKEN-HEARTED.

FATHER, YOU SENT YOUR SON THAT ALL THE WORLD MAY BE SAVED. YOU ALSO SENT HIM TO SET THE CAPTIVES FREE AND BIND UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED. LORD WE PRAY THAT HEALING ON YOUR BODY TODAY AND FOR THE DAYS TO COME. WE PRAY THAT IRAQI AND OTHER CHRISTIANS WILL FIND THE STRENGTH (PHIL 4:13) TO PERSEVERE THROUGH THIS MADNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND IF NOT, THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE THEM TRIUMPHANTLY AS YOU RECEIVED STEPHEN IN THE BOOK OF ACTS. 

LORD, WE CONTINUE TO LIFT UP OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND THEIR LOVELY CHILDREN, AND WE ALSO PRAY FOR THE CONVERSION TO CHRIST OF THEIR PERSECUTORS, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THIS OUTRAGE, IN JESUS POWERFUL NAME AND PRESENCE, AMEN.

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BRINGING UP DAUGHTER

"To her, the name of father, was another name for love..."

                                                                      Fanny Fern

Part 3 of 'THE FAMILY SERIES"

When I first started this series of family, earlier this week, I knew it would be easy to write about something I knew about - boys. As a father and a follower of Jesus Christ, I know what He expects of men. Therefore it is easy to pass that on to younger men or just people in general. Yesterday's blog got some major feedback from significant folks who blessed these efforts and provided more encouragement to proceed.


Raising and leaving a Legacy through a teenage daughter (through the eyes of this father) is another story. From time to time on this week, I could not help but analyze how to approach this, in a meaningful way....and came up with no major revelation!


Any mom, from across America, Canada, Australia, Finland or South Africa (where this blog is read) can do a better job than I could, explaining my own daughter Sarah. In fact, what I am noticing more and more on the internet or social media etc. is that the most popular blogs and websites, for families, are run by moms!

I have yet to come across any site run by a dad dedicated to raising girls. In my case, while I wish I had two or more daughters to raise, the one teenager we have at home now is quite a handful. At the same time, what a joy she is! What I have noticed, for the most part of daily life, no matter how the day went, at the end of each day, our daughter goes through this wonderful routine of hugs and kisses before bed with both my wife and I. This underscores not just our love as a family, but the impact we would appear to be having on her as parents.


Spending time with Sarah is uniquely different from the boys...and as it should be! I have been doing more, going on more shopping dates or movie dates with her, since our two sons got older and part-time jobs to pay for their car maintenance! Since way before Christmas, we have gone to fashion shows; teenage stores in the mall; fancy yogurt shops with her BFF's and the one that shocked me the most - the best World War II movie I ever saw - REDTAILS! In fact, I would not have even gone to see that movie if she didn't bug me to take her on opening night. Sure enough, she was one of the very few girls there in a large theater packed with men and a few wives!


Of course, all of the physical issues of growing from my baby 8 year old to preteen to teenager, are handled by Vicki, but developing this once in a lifetime relationship with my daughter has become one of the most exciting things of this past year! She is loyal and very strong-willed.  Just like her brothers, she was saved as a young child. Unlike most adults, who claim to be saved, she can remember when it happened and can discuss the Gospel in real terms. Just this past week, I was explaining what  Cessationism is, after she revealed a certain incident that happened in a class last weekend.


To me, this is an overflow of walking with the Lord and growing children up in the church, the correct way. The incorrect way leads to rebellion against God and Christ by pastor's kids (PK's) who long to bust free, because their parents have to appear a certain way, all the time. What we have raised our own children to do, with fine-tuning (depending on the kid), is to think for themselves and never force them to attend this or that extra-church event. What we have since discovered is each of them are now stepping up to read Scripture aloud or sing a gospel song or discuss the error of baptismal regeneration!


I like what John Gregory Brown said here "There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself".

My wife and I are not wealthy people but what we are is rich in love and the sense of the Christian family. We would never trade that for anything in this dying world. In practice, ours is a faith which reaches out by its love, but nevertheless, is grounded in Truth. We believe telling people the Truth is  love. What we're doing here is allowing God's little daughter, whom He placed in our care, to blossom into one day, the woman I may be forced to give away down a wedding aisle! But that too, will be a legacy.

Because of the time spent walking, talking, praying with and in discipleship with her, neither my wife nor I ever felt the need to read any book about "Bringing up Daughters". For discipline, grounding her from her friends is all that's needed to alter a certain shortcoming.

During my difficulty of two surgeries, about 3 years ago, when I was laid up for a total of 8 weeks, my favorite nurse was my then 11 year old Sarah! Still, I know both her and her mom have these long drawn out discussions. When these things happen, I turn immediately around and leave the room! This is the way it will be until Sarah is in her 20's and sees things a little differently.

There really is no advise to give anyone about raising a daughter! I will leave that to all the dear women who raise 2,3 or even 4 daughters and still keep smiling and driving that mini-van around to soccer or volleyball practice! In this celebration of family this shortened week, it is an honor to celebrate the life of our only daughter....who is now bringing us more joy. Just a few days ago, I was back in the Indoor Soccer rink for the first time in over 7 years, as yet another kid took up indoor soccer! It felt great to be back with that kid-like enthusiasm and joy we get from cheering on a loved one!

In conclusion, when I lay on my dying bed and look at our kids, I would want to be as completely satisfied as I am right now, that I represented my Father in Heaven, to my little Sarah, by being her father here on earth. That will be, most certainly, the greatest legacy any person can hand off to the next generation!

In Jesus' Name, amen.

SOFT PREACHING WEAKENING CHRISTIANITY IN THE U.S.

WATCH THIS SHORT 5 MINUTE VIDEO HERE AND WEEP FOR OUR YOUTH 
It is amazing to me that most churches would ignore or stay clear from the most fiery and honest evangelists in America - Paul Washer. But if you ever hear him preach, you will know why! He strips bare the lie of modern evangelism and the modern church movement. He was never invited to speak to the Baptist Youth again, after a 2002 Alabama Baptist Youth convention where he spoke Truth to the Laodecian church of today and its "converts"!

Paul had an amazing gift and anointing from God to speak the Truth of the Pure Gospel that only very few men and women preach these days. The closest teachers of the Gospel to Pastor Washer are Ray Comfort, Mark Keiler (Word Pictures), Drs. Steven Davey, John MacArthur and Johnny Hunt.

SINNER'S PRAYER
As a street preacher/evangelist myself, I was once caught up in the cheap evangelism these men accurately rail against. Namely..."Jesus died for your sins. Trust in the Work on the Cross and if you did, pray this salvation prayer with me!" I have done that and thought I brought people to the Lord! Now I know better, my friends!

What I had done is plant the seeds of the Gospel, but unless the Lord had prepared their hearts to receive the Gospel, all I did was plant the seed and even given false assurance that a prayer has saved them!
Now I know, from the prompting of Holy Ghost, that some of those I have witnessed to, taught one on one with and prayed with, HAVE been saved.

However, in hindsight, I think this represents less than 50% of those I originally thought were saved because I prayed a prayer with them! I pray the Lord takes over where I left off and leads them into a real relationship with Him!
If I, a mere humble man who has never been trained in a seminary, can realize this Truth, why can't those conservative preachers of the Gospel in American churches these days?

Why do they persist in offering up just enough of a vaccine of the Gospel, to say they are preaching Truth, and then ask people to pray with them at the end of the sermon, only to allow them to leave and go home with a smile and pat on the back to a potroast lunch at home? Why?!!

FALSE CONVERTS
What American Christianity has done is create a full roster of false "converts" who are heading for certain hell, unless someone gets a hold of them and their hearts with the Truth! It will take more than a short blog here to get to the root of the problem and provide answers, but stay with us here and maybe we can pull some back from the precipice!
What American Christianity has done is create a fool's gold of false baptisms to report to Head Office about how 'good our church' is doing, so we would look good at the next convention or to the future members.

Do not be angry with me, my friends. Here is what Jesus Himself says in Matthew 7:21(NKJV) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven".This is serious business. This is not fun and games or fad-driven spirituality. This is Jesus speaking in stark terms. This is the Truth. Search your own heart. Are you a child of His? If not, call out to Him NOW!
Are your sins forgiven?
Do you have the inner peace and joy of knowing that they are? 
If not, what is holding you back? There is no second chance once this mortal life is over. Repent and put your Trust in the Savior. 
Accept Him fully as YOUR Lord, because He is. If He is NOT your Lord now, then you are still not letting go of self. It is about Him and not us. 
Won't you consider this now?

It's time to get back to the TRUE preaching of the Word...the kind of power preaching which led to the salvation of 500 in 1741 when Jonathan Edwards preached the greatest sermon ever in America - SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD.
It is also time to go back to preaching the TRUE GOSPEL of Christ about the Total Depravity of Man, Repentance, Believing the Gospel and Putting Your Trust and Faith in Jesus - as Lord and Savior!
It is time for church leaders to stop playing games and worrying about buildings or numbers and start concerning themselves about the Temples of the Holy Spirit - the humans sitting in their pews.
It is time for also for those of us, sitting in those pews, to search our hearts daily and check to see if we are even saved and called by His Name!
It is just plain old time - to speak the Truth in love, with boldness and fearlessly.
It is finally time to realize that this message will offend some weak and all fake Christians. It is up to us to explain and touch their hearts with the Gospel, the True Gospel and not what's spouted week after week to inoculate the frozen chosen, until they come back for their booster shots the next week. 

In Jesus' Name, amen.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: VIDEO - WHY PAUL WASHER SAID WHAT HE SAID IN THE VIDEO CLIP OF HIS MESSAGE ABOVE