Maranatha - Awaiting Christ's Return

1 Cor. 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Month: January 2023 Page 1 of 2

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 8 – All Liars

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On January 30, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader! Have you ever given thought to that phrase “It was just a little white lie”? What is the operative word here? It is the word “lie”! There isn’t anything little about it nor is there anything “white” about it. A lie is a lie, amen?

If you’re a Catholic reading this blog today, then you’ve learned that lying can be a venial sin and sometimes a mortal sin. To the Catholic, a venial sin is one of the lesser sins (a white lie). A mortal sin is a grave sin (i.e., lying in a court of law). God is not a God of confusion! (1 Cor. 14:33) God also states in His Word that if you live by the Ten Commandments and sin any one of those commands, you’re guilty of them all. (James 2:10-11) So if you lie, you’re guilty of every single one of the Ten Commandments. I’m not trying to pick on Catholics here – I am merely making a point about categorizing sins and that James tells us that this is not the case.

I don’t know one person in my life who has not lied at some point or another, including those little white lies. This sin was one of the first ones of which the Lord convicted me. Back in my career, I answered my boss’s phone and he told me to tell the caller he wasn’t there because he was in the middle of something. I couldn’t do it! I couldn’t lie! I told the caller that my boss was not available to take the call, which was the truth. My boss was upset with me when I told him I would do most anything in my support for him but I couldn’t lie for him. I hoped that this memory would influence him about salvation later on in his life. The Bible teaches that all liars will be judged! That pretty much includes every human being that has ever lived, don’t you think?

(Rev 21:27)  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

(Rev 22:15)  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

People today have no problem speaking lies. We see some in our government that speak blatant lies and are not ashamed of it. People don’t think twice about calling in sick just to have a day off. Others lie on their resume. But the fact of the matter is, what does God think about lying? We see in today’s verses that ALL liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire. Does that surprise you? Would God judge a person to Hell because of lying? The bottom line is that if one is not born again, he/she will be judged by those Ten Commandments, the Law. Since sin cannot enter into Heaven, anyone who has broken any of the Ten Commandments will not enter. That means every human being will go to Hell. That is the whole reason why Jesus (God in the flesh) came to earth to take our punishment (John 3:16).

When a person is born-again, he becomes a new creation! (2 Cor. 5:17) The old sinful nature of this new believer is in his rear-view mirror. His sins have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:9) Now the new believer has a desire to live for the Lord and he falls under conviction when he sins. The Holy Spirit is known as the Spirit of truth and it is His job to guide us into all truth. (John 16:13) He is the living Spirit of Jesus Christ residing in our heart and guides us to all righteousness! (John 16:7-8) As we learn the truth and the will of God for our lives, we don’t become sinless but we DO sin less and continue to do so as we grow in Christ! Our old lives continue to change and our new life in Christ grows sweeter and sweeter! That, my friend, is the Holy Spirit’s job in our lives! If you are continuing to lie and don’t feel guilty about it, you’re either not saved or you are deliberately ignoring God’s Word. The born again believer won’t be judged at his death but he will receive “discipline” from God here on earth. The Bible is very clear about this. Those who are not “disciplined” here on earth are not considered to be sons of God.

Heb 12:6-8  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

God will fulfill everything in His Word! (Eccl. 3:14) Remember, Friend, lying is no small matter because it will send you to Hell if you do not repent and accept Christ as your Saviour! God wants you to be saved and has given you opportunities to do so. (2 Peter 3:9) But there will come a time when it will be too late for you. If you decide you want to continue in your sin over a relationship with God, you will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 7 – Idolatry

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On January 27, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader! What have your thoughts been on the series thus far? Have you learned something new? My prayer is that it will teach the severity and repercussions of these sins to an unbelieving world. I also pray that if anyone who is a believer would repent if he/she is guilty of any one of these sins! Time is short! We are in the end times and the Rapture could happen any time now. You don’t want to enter the Tribulation period if you are not saved!

Today’s sin that will keep one from going to Heaven may seem strange to some but idolatry is something that happens in the U.S. more than one would think. When I was a new believer, I thought idolatry meant bowing to a statue or god of some sort. But as I grew in the Lord, I discovered it was much more than that. Idolatry revolves around anything that takes the place of God in your life. So let’s break down the word and see what is involved in this sin.

IDOL’ATER, n. [L. idololatra. See Idolatry.] / IDOL-ATRUS / IDOL-ATRY

  1. A worshiper of idols; one who pays divine honors to images, statues, or representations of any thing made by hands; one who worships as a deity that which is not God; a pagan.
  2. Idolatrous: Consisting in or partaking of an excessive attachment or reverence; as an idolatrous veneration for antiquity.
  3. Idolatry: The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God. Idolatry is of two kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, etc. made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies,the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals. Excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on adoration.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

One thinks that an idolater is from Old Testament times and that the Israelites turned to the enemies’ idols to worship them. But Friend, idolatry has continued through the New Testament and is practiced today, even in so-called “Christian” churches. Growing up, we had pictures and statues of both Jesus and Mary in our homes. When we said the rosary, we kneeled before the picture of Mary and recited the rosary as a family. We never kneeled before the statue of Jesus, come to think of it. The church we attended had many statues, both of Jesus and Mary, as well as others. We were taught that they we were not “worshiping” the statue itself but that it was a visual aid and we were merely venerating her. Visual aid or not, we were praying TO Mary to intercede to God for us.

As the Law commanded, Mary had to take a sacrifice to the temple after she gave birth. (Luke 2:24). If she was sinless, why the need for offering a sacrifice? As well, Mary sang praise to the Lord in Luke 1:47 and called Him God her SAVIOUR! You don’t need Saviour if you are sinless. There is no where in Scripture that says Mary was born without sin. This is a “dogma” that the Catholic church adopted by Pope Pius IX in 1854. Friend, one cannot take a portion of Scripture and create a dogma, even if it’s the pope that adopted it. According to Catholic tradition, praying the rosary helps Catholics to center their hearts on Christ as Mary did. However, stop and think about it, why do you have to go through Mary in order to center your heart on Jesus? When you have to go through someone to get to another, it is called mediation. That person you go through is known as a mediator. Therefore, the Mediator “mediates” between God and man. The Bible says:

1 Tim 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Friend, ONLY Jesus can be the Mediator between God and us! This verse says that there is ONE GOD and ONE mediator, which is Christ Jesus. Not Mary! Catholics have placed Mary on a pedestal of sorts and she has become the object of their adoration and affection. This is idolatry at its best. The only One who deserves adoration is God! Catholics say they don’t adore Mary but they venerate her (meaning they honor her, are in awe of her) and assign her a sacredness in their lives. If she is not adored, why pray to her? Catholics believe that they pray to Mary so she can intercede for them to God. The Catholic hierarchies have made her to be the intercessor. It is the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ that makes intercession, not Mary. Again, it is a dogma that contradicts Scripture:

(Rom 8:26)  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

(Rom 8:27)  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(Rom 8:34)  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

(Heb 7:25)  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

The lack of biblical research on the part of the “religious” leads them to error. It is God’s Word that we will be judged by, not what the pope says. Jesus said in John 12:48, He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. Jesus Christ is the spoken Word of God and the Bible is the written Word of God. Act 5:29: Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The whole point of idolatry lies in the condition of the heart. We are to worship God alone – no one else. We are not to elevate anyone to the point of worshiping them or venerating them above Him. Nor should we put anything above God alone! But does it end there? You can say you have never kneeled before a statue but have you put something or someone above God? This alone can be quite convicting. God has never accepted anything that replaces Him or even placed on the same level as Him. If Mary were to be worshiped, then all the verses below make God a liar. He’s a jealous God – why would He say that and then allow someone else to be venerated or have His names? (i.e. Mediator, Intercessor, Holy)

Exod 20:5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Exod 34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Deut 4:24  For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Deut 5:9  Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,

Deu 6:15  (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Jos 24:19  And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

Nah 1:2  God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

As we can see, God won’t stand for anything to be equal to or above Him. In fact, Jealous is one of His names! Why would you want to place anything in your life that is more important than Him? Do you spend more time on your cellphone than you do in your Bible? Do you spend more time with watching the TV? God calls these things idols and we are guilty of idolatry if we place them before Him. Anything that captures your attention more than you give to the Lord has become an idol in your life; this includes people. If you put your job, your children or your spouse ahead of God, they have become your idol. What keeps you from God? God will sometimes “cut” idols from a believer’s life so be careful who you put ahead of Him. You can lose your job; you can lose a child; you can lose your spouse! But you will never lose the Lord once you are born again. He has you sealed till they day you go to Heaven! (Eph. 4:30) Don’t wait for earthly judgment from God. Be obedient now and receiving His blessings!

We can see that idolatry does in fact exist today in unusual forms: the worship of Satan – the Buddha statue – Shiva, the Destroyer is one Hinduism’s 330 million gods! The Bible speaks of these:

Psa 115:1-8  Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.  (2)  Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?  (3)  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.  (4)  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.  (5)  They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:  (6)  They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:  (7)  They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.  (8)  They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

Since idolatry will send someone to the Lake of Fire, one must take notice and study the matter out. True born-again Christians cannot go to Hell but they can be disobedient out of ignorance, and sometimes willfully. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us to grow closer to God through His Word. He wants to be your God and to put Him first!

(Psa 81:10)  I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

(Isa 43:3)  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

(Isa 48:17)  Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

(Isa 51:15)  But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.

(Hos 13:4)  Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

God will fulfill everything in His Word! (Ecc. 3:14) There will come a time when it will be too late for you to give up your gods to serve the One True God. If you decide you want to put your “religion” over a relationship with God, you will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 6 – Sorcery/Witchcraft

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On January 25, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Good morning, Reader! It’s a cold sunny day and I love how the sun’s warmth through a window disguises the actual temperature outside. It IS deceiving and one may go outside without a jacket only to turn right around to put one on! This may be a simple analogy of deception but it gets the point across. It appears to be nice but it’s actually not! As we look at today’s sin, we see that it is one that will send a person to Hell and the Lake of Fire. This sin is full of deception. It’s disguised as “good” but it will deceive even Christians!

The definition of sorcerers in the Old Testament is what one would think it means:

H3784
כָּשַׁף
kâshaph
kaw-shaf’
A primitive root; properly to whisper a spell, that is, to inchant or practise magic: – sorcerer, (use) witch (-craft).

The word “sorcerers” appears only twice in the New Testament: Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 22:15. The Greek word used for sorcerers here is not necessarily dealing with only witchcraft and sorcery. It is the Greek word “pharmakeus.” It actually means something a little different:

G5332
φαρμακεύς
pharmakeus
far-mak-yoos’
From φάρμακον pharmakon (a drug, that is, spell giving potion); a druggist (“pharmacist”) or poisoner, that is, (by extension) a magician: – sorcerer.

Pharmakeus is where the English word “pharmacy” comes from. I find it interesting that it is used only twice in the New Testament and both times it is found in the Book of Revelation; this Book reveals the end times! We have seen drugs destroy lives of users and those closest to them. Witchcraft uses drugs in its casting of spells, etc. These things are not from the Lord, Reader. We can also see scientists who delve into areas that are demonic – such as doing a surgery on a person to change their gender! It takes drugs to make the transition and definitely falls into this category! God condemns this, witchcraft and sorcery and always has. Have you heard of the “principle of first mentions” in the Bible?

The law (or principle or rule) of first mention is a guideline that some people use for studying Scripture. The law of first mention says that, to understand a particular word or doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word or doctrine is revealed and study that passage. The reasoning is that the Bible’s first mention of a concept is the simplest and clearest presentation; doctrines are then more fully developed on that foundation. So, to fully understand an important and complex theological concept, Bible students are advised to start with its “first mention.”

https://www.gotquestions.org/law-of-first-mention.html

The first time witchcraft is mentioned in the Bible is in 1 Samuel 15:23. Saul’s repeated disobedience to God’s commands progressively worsened throughout his reign. When he disobeyed God, his reaction was to put the blame on others. The prophet and priest, Samuel, told Saul:

1 Sam 15:22-23  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  (23)  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

The sin of witchcraft is rebellion against God, plain and simple. Just what does witchcraft involve? There are many categories to witchcraft: off the bat, I can think of tarot cards and fortune telling, communicating with the dead, casting spells, etc. But there are also nuances of these that have crept into society of which we must be leery, especially as born-again believers. Those popular today involve teachings from New Age, Paganism, Native American and Middle Eastern Indian cultures. Adopting their teachings to Christianity is no worse than adopting false doctrine into our churches. Catholicism says it’s OK to worship Mary and kiss her feet. However, Matthew 4:9-10 and Revelation 22:8 say that we are to worship the Lord God only, and that includes bowing to Him.

One of the up and coming things that “Christians” are partaking in is something called smudging. It is done to “purify” a house to remove bad energy or evil spirits from it. One takes a smudge stick (made up of a bundle of herbs like sage, cedar, etc.) and lights it with a candle. Then the person moves around the entire house waiving it in the air ritually cleansing the house to remove negative “energy.” The person moves clockwise and then exits the door and extinguishes to stick. This is paganism and Christians should have no part of it. The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 that the Lord keeps us from evil so why do we need smudging? He keeps us from all harm and watches over the believer’s comings and goings FOREVER. (Psalm 121:7-8)

The devil is a liar and the father of lies! (John 8:44) He will deceive the world into thinking that God does not have power here on earth but that he (the devil) does! You may not think of it in those terms but heeding to this type of “spiritualism” is not of God. You are doubting God’s ability to take care of you. The devil has no power over believers and we should not be delving into areas that are pagan in nature. We cannot be a light to the world if we are doing the same things they are doing! Now I’m not saying that it is wrong for us to pray over every area of our homes. We should be dedicating our homes to the Lord and asking His blessings upon it. We should be praying for His protection over anything evil that is innocently brought into the home and asking His guidance to open our eyes to remove it. But, Friend, we are not to expose our homes and families to pagan rituals! Be careful and ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance into anything that will “open” you, your home or family to evil influences. A believer cannot be possessed by the devil because the Holy Spirit dwells within us. But the devil can and will deceive you. That is his main priority! It started in the Garden of Eden and continues today! (Matthew 24:5, Matthew 24:11, Mark 13:6) Don’t be one of them. He will deceive even more in the end times and will deceive even the born-again believers. (Matt 24:24)

Do your research, Reader! My sister delved into transcendental meditation and recited the mantras taught to her. She experienced demonic visions which scared her to death! She immediately stopped! She was not born-again and opened herself up to much evil influences in doing so. Be careful not to adopt Eastern religious doctrines like yoga. Yoga is a spiritual practice that is connected to the worship of Hindu gods. However, in the West, it has been used in exercise and to help manage stress. Christians cannot “tweak” yoga in order to make it more spiritual.

Yoga revolves around “self first” and Christianity is all about God and self last. There are churches that have “holy yoga” and they have “Christianized” it but they are mimicking a false religion! Why would they want to do this!! When we are born-again, we receive and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. We have direct communication with God! So why do we need to practice some form of pagan ritual in order to get closer to God? You are already close to God because you are a child of God and a member of His family once you are saved! (Eph. 1:5, Eph. 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 1:21-22, Rom. 8:9, 2 Tim. 2:19) God is the One who renews us day by day (2 Cor. 4:16). We don’t need any form of ritual to do that for us! But you can only claim this if you are born again!

God made it perfectly clear that Israel should not bring in practices from nations they conquered. He said this because He wanted to protect them from this very thing!

Deut 18:9-14  When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.  (10)  There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,  (11)  Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  (12)  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.  (13)  Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.  (14)  For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Smudging has nothing to do with burning a candle or diffusing to make your home smell nice. Smudging goes deeper than that. The purpose of smudging is to remove negative energy/forces. This is totally based on pagan rituals. A Christian should do research before trying something new. We have so much knowledge at our fingertips but our Bibles should be our first stop in our research. Then if you don’t find what you’re looking for, do a quick search on the internet. Wikipedia gives a great description of smudging here. I have a friend with whom I’ve been sharing the Lord whose sister does smudging. The stories she tells me are creepy and this has forced me to study this matter out so I can be a light to my friend. Don’t be deceived Christian!

There are so many more types of sorcery that Christians should stay away from but this post would go on and on! But the best counsel I can give believers is to do your research before you try something new or that is popular within your circle of friends. Just because they do it doesn’t mean it’s right. To you who are reading this post and have not receive Christ as your Saviour, please know that this sin is directly related to Satan and he will do everything he can to cause you to think it’s of God. It is NOT!

With God, 99% obedience is 100% disobedience! Gary Hamrick

I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 5 – Sexually Immoral/Impure

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On January 23, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader! I really dislike the word we are covering today. But it is so prevalent in our society. Just because we do not use that word anymore, it doesn’t mean that its definition no longer exists. In fact, it is most definitely alive in these end times. So let’s dig into the word and pick it apart so we can better understand what is involved with this in.

The Greek word for whoremonger is “pornos,” which is where we get the word pornography:

πόρνος
pornos
por’-nos
From πέρνημι pernēmi (to sell; akin to the base of G4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal), that is, (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine): – fornicator, whoremonger.

Strong’s Concordance

Just what is a whoremonger in today’s English? Its meaning involves every area of lust, sex and pornography. Although Noah Webster defines these as unlawful, most sexual sin is either legal or on its way to becoming legal in most places around the world! Looking at the direction the U.S. is taking as of late, it won’t belong before our beloved Country is totally depraved. The definition reveals:

  1. Given to the unlawful indulgence of lust; addicted to fornication or adultery; dissolute (lewd, debauched); lustful; libidinous (Having or exhibiting lustful desires; lascivious). Ezek 23.
  2. Proceeding from unlawful lust; as lewd actions.
  3. Wicked; vile; profligate (a wretch who has lost all regard to good principles,virtue or decency); licentious (unrestrained by law or morality; loose). Acts 27.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Although most are allowed in our world, they should not be so in our churches. What has always been a sin should remain a sin according to the Scriptures. God doesn’t change His mind. (Mal. 3:6-7) What God considers sin in the Old Testament is still sin today! His moral laws never change because God never changes. (Heb. 13:8) A “whoremonger” therefore, always refers to someone who cannot control his/her sexual appetite and lacks moral values.

What makes these sins worse is that they are not committed alone! It’s no wonder that the word “pornography” comes from this Greek word! God knew what He was saying when He directed man to pen the Scriptures. You may not personally partake in these sins but if you support and befriend those who do, your silence betrays your heart. Your silence betrays your relationship with God. You cannot love the Lord and yet support anything but marriage between a man and a woman. You cannot love the Lord and take your children to the library to hear a book read by a transvestite. You cannot love the Lord and support a restaurant that has “open mic night” with transvestites. Friend, God wants us to be different from the world. A good rule of thumb is:

If the world enjoys it, you should not! If the world supports it, you should not!

Some things are obvious to Christians, but what about living together before marriage? What about having sex before marriage? What about having an affair while you’re married? All these are included in the definition of whoremonger! Prostitutes and pimps are also included. Looking at pornographic material is included as well. Watching TV shows and movies that promote these things make you guilty as well, Christian! I stand amazed at how many Christians admit to watching movies that promote sex before marriage and are not under conviction for watching such things! (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

The Corinthians were not the only worldly church. The Laodicean church is alive and well in these end times and it is evident in its members. We have Christians promoting such things without regard to the lack of “light” they are shedding on a God-forsaken world! They do not take a stand for what is good and moral but, for the sake of “inclusion,” they adopt the mantra “don’t judge others”! If you don’t speak out, who will? Only YOU have that ability within your circle of family and friends! (Rom. 10:14) You may not be a preacher by trade, but you have the responsibility to speak the Gospel to everyone within your reach! We all do! (Mark 16:15) After salvation, the Holy Spirit will work in the believer’s heart toward righteous living. Don’t be a deterrent to the unbelievers but be a LIGHT! (Matt. 5:14) Also be salt to the unbelievers so that they can thirst for God’s Word! (Matt. 5:13) Don’t be the salt that has lost its flavor.

Don’t give in to what was once called sin “back in the day,” but is now permissible in today’s morally corrupt society! Some countries have legalized prostitution but it doesn’t remove the fact that it is still sin! Any type of sexually immoral sin is part of whoremonger. The world has been conditioned by Satan to accept them – especially young people. They have not grown up in the church and have not learned what God’s Word has to say about these sins. Their minds are deceived by the god of this world and they have been taught to do what feels good to them. Friend, please, I beg you, changing boys to girls and girls to boys is considered whoremongering! It is madness and the devil is at the root of all of it! Shame on parents who allow these things in their homes!

Again, even if you haven’t personally committed these sins, you are guilty of them because of your silence. Take a stand for God and speak out! It will most certainly cost you but your eternal reward will be great! (Matt. 5:11-12)

There will come a time when it will be too late. You will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 4 – Murderers

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On January 20, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader. I hope you find this series insightful! I’m not trying to judge anyone but to shed some light on what God’s Word has to say. It is Jesus who will do the judging. (2 Cor. 5:10) It is not my place to judge you; however, I can look at a person’s life and see whether their actions are of God or of the god of this world.

I can almost “hear” what some of you are thinking about today’s sin that will keep one out of Heaven. Of COURSE murderers won’t be in Heaven. But is murder necessarily only applicable to the taking of life as written on police reports?

According to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the definition is a bit more in depth:

  1. The act of unlawfully killing a human being with premeditated malice, by a person of sound mind. To constitute murder in law, the person killing another must be of sound mind or in possession of his reason, and the act must be done with malice prepense, aforethought or premeditated; but malice may be implied, as well as express.
  2. An outcry, when life is in danger.

You may say that you have never murdered anyone but Jesus took it one step further. Being a Christian is more than just the putting away of actual sin from one’s life. It involves the intents of the heart! For example, When Jesus said:

Mat 5:21-22  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  (22)  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

1 Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Take notice of the intent of the heart in the above verses. Although the last verse is about adultery, it brings the point home. There is a lot of hate today – liberal Christians against conservative Christians, the political left against the political right, etc. Hatred is evidenced in the streets of America as the media encourages this hatred! You see and hear the devil’s influence loud and clear!

What Jesus is saying here is that if you entertain the thought of sin in your mind, you have already committed the sin in your heart. Jesus was all about the condition of the heart. You may not speak a single sinful word in your entire life, but if you entertained sin in your heart, you are guilty of that sin nonetheless; in fact, you are guilty of committing ALL the sins according to James 2:10! If you do not speak out to those who actually do those sins, you are guilty as well. You cannot be silent, Friend. Silence is interpreted as being in agreement with that sin. Silence, when it involves sin, makes you just as guilty.

Eze 33:8  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Do you really want that person’s blood on your hands? Let’s look at the murderous act of abortion. According to National Institute of Health, a baby’s heart begins to beat and pump blood at the end of four weeks of gestation in the mother’s womb. Let’s forget about whether or not abortion is legal or whether or not you agree that abortion is murder. Let’s look at the scientific facts about the formation of that fetus. The Bible says:

Lev 17:11a  For the life of the flesh is in the blood:

The Bible says that once that fetus’ heart begins to pump blood, the fetus is alive because life is in the blood. Forget what man says. Man’s heart is evil but God will have the last word when it comes to this topic. You can say that abortion is not evil but God says otherwise. It is not those pro-abortion people who will stand up for you at the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. You will be accountable for your words and your actions (or lack of them), not the pro-abortion people.

Jer 17:9-10  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  (10)  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Just because something is lawful does not mean that it is right! Ignorance on your part doesn’t have any weight when judgment day comes. You may say that you wouldn’t personally have an abortion; but if you voted to legalize abortion because you feel it’s a woman’s body and she should be able to choose an abortion, you have become guilty of that very murder. What you’ve done in secret will be made public and what you’ve done in the dark will be brought to light when you come before God at judgment.

Luk 12:2-3  For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.  (3)  Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

It doesn’t matter in the least what the government or Supreme Court say is legal. It doesn’t matter what your friends say. What matters is what the Supreme Lord God Almighty says on a matter. He didn’t leave us ignorant, Friend. He has left us the Bible so we can learn what His will is for us. There is no excuse in the world that will keep a person out of Hell when that person has had access to the Bible his entire life! No spouse, no parent, no Priest, no Rabbi, or no Pastor will be responsible for you going to Hell. Yes, they may have swayed your beliefs, but in the end, the responsibility will fall solely on you. It’s no one’s fault but your own if you don’t read the Bible.

Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Just because you agree with a certain philosophy doesn’t mean it’s correct. God has put a desire in man’s heart to know Him. What you do with that is up to you! The Apostle Paul laid it out clearly when he wrote the Book of Romans.

Rom 1:18-22  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  (19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  (20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world 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 that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (22)  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

God writes His law on the heart of man; this is called a conscience. Friend, the world may agree on abortion being the “right of women,” but what is important is what God says in His Word. Murder is forgivable – Jesus shed His own blood – He gave His own life for you so you could be forgiven of that sin. But one sin is unforgivable and that is rejecting the gift He died to give to you. (Matthew 12:31) Rejecting the Bible, God’s Word, is blaspheming the Holy Spirit, who wrote the contents of the Bible as He moved through those men who penned it.

(2 Peter 1:21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(Joh 14:17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

(Joh 17:17)  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

(Mar 3:28-29)  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: (29)  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

There will come a time when it will be too late. You will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 3 – The Abominable

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On January 18, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader! The next few types of people who won’t be able to go to Heaven (unless they become born again) seem to be obvious but when we dive in to what exactly is involved in each one, we find that our assumption is not quite accurate. Today’s category revolves around the abominable. So what does this actually mean?

ABOM’INABLE, a. [See Abominate.]

  1. Very hateful; detestable; lothesome.
  2. This word is applicable to whatever is odious to the mind or offensive to the senses.
  3. Unclean.

O’DIOUS, a. [L. odiosus, from odi, I hated, Eng. hate.]

  1. Hateful; deserving hatred. It expresses something less than detestable and abominable; as an odious name; odious vice.
    All wickedness is odious.
  2. Offensive to the senses; disgusting; as an odious sight; an odious smell.
  3. Causing hate; invidious; as, to utter odious truth.
  4. Exposed to hatred.
    He rendered himself odious to the parliament.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Let those two definitions sink in just a bit. Do you see today’s woke generation in them? Do you see the hatred being spewed by liberalism causing division? Do you see the LGBTQ agenda permeating our society and being exposed to our precious children? Transvestite men are seen dancing in front of children and gyrating! I simply cannot believe how quickly our Country has gone downhill in the past ten years alone! Abominable is usually used to refer to man’s personal sins but we can see it in the world’s agenda as well. I think of the efforts of the liberals to vaccinate the entire world. I think of their current efforts in removing gas stoves from homes or creating 15-minute communities! These are all abominable efforts to control the population.

But as we continue, we see what God considers abominable. One need only to do a Bible search on the word abomination and would find there are 69 verses and what God has to say about it. It doesn’t matter what man thinks, friend, it is what God thinks. The Old Testament consists of three categories to the Mosaic laws: the Moral, Civil and Ceremonial laws.

  1. The Moral Laws are commands from God which reveal His nature and will for how we should live. This applied in the Old Testament and still applies to us today. One of the examples of God’s Moral Law is the Ten Commandments. We don’t obey them in order to be saved but we obey them so that we please God!
  2. Civil Laws in the Old Testament are very different than those we have today. They guided man’s conduct. A good example was when a farmer harvested his crop, he was told to leave some on the outskirts of his fields so that the poor and strangers passing by would have have something to eat. Another example was that Israel should not eat certain types of foods.
  3. The Ceremonial Laws pointed TO Jesus Christ and are no longer needed after Jesus died and resurrected because He fulfilled each of those laws. Christians are not bound to keep these Ceremonial Laws but we most certainly can glean and learn from them.

So what does God deem an abomination? God wants His people to be “separate” from the world because the world will contaminate them in all aspects of their lives. (Deut. 14:2, Ps. 135:4) Many revolved around moral laws like worshiping other gods or having statues (graven images) in your home. (Deut. 7:25-26) Another abomination is homosexuality and other sexually deviant acts. (Lev. 18:22, Lev. 20:13) I have personally been told that these are found in the Old Testament and are not pertinent for today. Romans 1:24-28 clearly state that homosexuality is still sin in God’s eyes and God will give them over to reprobate minds. God’s moral laws never end, Reader. No change of government or geographical location will put an end to God’s moral laws.

Pro 6:16-19  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  (17)  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  (18)  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  (19)  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

So we see in the verses above that there are seven things God also considers an abomination: pride, lying, killing the innocent (abortion of an innocent baby fits this category), those who plot evil (Illuminati, corrupt governments) and those who are eager to carry out that evil, false witnesses (perjury), and lastly those that cause division among the brethren. (This last one is categorized with murderers!) We can just look around us daily and see these sins being committed!

Therefore my friend, the abominable is anyone who is guilty of one (or more) of these. The two that are “in our face” today are sexual immorality and the murder of innocent babies in the womb. These two areas were considered horrid sin in the early 20th Century and those who committed them hid their sin so no one would find out. Today, it’s touted and there is no shamefacedness at all. Man used to agree with God’s moral laws and included them in their civil laws as well. But now, men’s hearts have grown cold toward the things of God and have allowed evil corruption in their lives and governments. These two laws in particular have been completely turned upside down and sexual immorality is now boldly proclaimed and anyone who speaks against them are intolerant and can be arrested for hate speech. God denounces those who call evil good and good evil!

Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

One might say that they were raised in this era and do not know that these things are wrong. God gave every man a conscience and whether you believe the Bible or not, you are held responsible for deciphering between good and evil because of that conscience. If you do not find anything wrong with abortion or homosexuality, your conscience has been seared. You have listened to seducing spirits and the doctrines of Satan!

1Ti 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Stop following the crowd – stop standing with the majority and listen to God’s Word! The way to Heaven is not a wide, crooked way! The way to Heaven is a narrow road, but it is straight as an arrow because God’s Word points the way to Him. But the way to Hell is very wide and many go down that path, unfortunately.

Mat 7:13-16  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

If you don’t believe, then you are condemned already according to Jesus. (John 3:18) There will come a time when it will be too late. You will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 2 – You Don’t Believe

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On January 16, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader! As we continue this series on reasons why people don’t want to accept Christ as their Saviour, we find that they just do not believe! There are so many today that just don’t believe that Christ is God.

ἄπιστος
apistos
ap’-is-tos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4103; (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing): – that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever (-ing).

Strong’s Concordance

There have always been unbelievers in the world, but more so now that we are in the end times. Friend, our world has been turned upside down! Men wanting to be women; women wanting to be men; doctors mutilating healthy children and young people! Parents guiding their sons to receive puberty blockers so they can become girls and vice versa! Disgusting transvestites gyrating in front of innocent young school kids; there was even a Christmas show performed by these depraved men(?) showing the birth of Jesus as He was coming out of the birth canal IN FRONT OF CHILDREN! This is utter lunacy! Women who support abortion are shown picketing with signs that say “I’d rather be a murderer than a mother”! What is wrong with people? The answer is pure and simple: it is called SIN!

The Rev. Amelia Fulbright preaches sermons about abortion several times a year to her Texas congregation.

But unlike most pastors, instead of advocating for the lives of unborn babies, she encourages Christians to support abortion.

Fulbright said she supports abortion because she believes women’s bodies are “sacred.”

“I believe so deeply in the dignity of every person, that our bodies are so sacred,” she said. “I just feel like I have no choice but to speak.”

But Fulbright does not believe in the dignity of babies in the womb.

https://www.lifenews.com/2021/11/15/christian-pastor-its-okay-to-kill-babies-in-abortion-because-womens-bodies-are-sacred/

Tit 1:15b  but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Their conscience is defiled and wicked! They turn what was once innocent and good into something evil! They take what is pure and holy and turn it into a horrid disguting thing! The sanctity of marriage has been corrupted… the sanctity of the womb has been corrupted… the sanctity of the creation of a man and a woman has been corrupted. Louis Armstrong’s beautiful song, “What a Wonderful World,” has been replaced with wickedness – a “woke” society which reveals the demise of our society.

1Ti 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

The unbelievers will have their part in the Lake of Fire according to God’s Word! You cannot mock God and expect Him to disregard your mockery, turn away or wink at it.

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

If you are an unbeliever, please, I beg you, it’s not too late to repent!! God wants you to repent and to find peace and salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

There will come a time when it will be too late. When that time comes, you won’t be able to repent as you will have been turned over to a reprobate mind. It will be too late for you at that point! God doesn’t want this for you. He has provided a way for you; you don’t have to live like this! But if you insist on being stubborn in your unbelief, He will give up!

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

This is a very sad and frightful ending for anyone! You will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire with no opportunity to turn back the clock. You will remember each chance you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven.

Jesus said: Rev 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 

Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? Day 1 – You’re Afraid

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On January 13, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Good morning, Reader! I am excited about writing this series because there are certain categories of people who won’t be able to enter Heaven. I have met people who fall under each of these categories listed above. The verse lists eight types of people who will go straight to Hell unless that person repents. I beg you to take each category and examine yourself to see if you fall in any of these! It is best to examine yourself now before it’s too late. You may have heard your need to get saved multiple times, but there will come a time where God says, “That’s it”! Your heart will be hardened because of your stubbornness and you will no longer have the opportunity. Don’t get to that point. Submit to the Holy Spirit and get saved. (John 3:3, John 3:7)

Today’s post will start with that first category, which is “the fearful.” According to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the word fearful is described as:

  1. Affected by fear; afraid. I am fearful of the consequences of rash conduct. Hence,
  2. Timid; timorous; wanting courage.
    What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? Deut. 20.

What makes one afraid to get saved, you may wonder? What is there to fear? When a person is born again, the old person starts to disappear and the new person starts to shine with the light of God. (Col. 3:9-10) This list describes what happened to me when I was born again:

  • My thoughts and my heart were focused around Jesus. My mind was renewed! It was a true miracle that my thoughts were no longer dwelling on ungodly things but my thoughts were excited to learn more about Jesus Christ!
  • My life absolutely changed. (2 Cor. 5:17) My heart was new and the weight of my sin on my shoulders was removed – it was as though someone had taken 100 pounds off my shoulders!
  • My family and friends saw a change; some were OK with it and some definitely were not. There is a “cost” to being a Christian. Jesus told us about this in Luke 14:25-33. Jesus wasn’t telling us to hate our families; He was saying that our love for Him should appear to be so great that it makes our love for our families seem as hate. You cannot serve two masters. Matt. 6:24 talks about loving God and money – man will love one or the other. It’s impossible to do both. However, our treasure should be the kind of heavenly treasure, winning souls for Christ; we should not be wrapped up with the cares of this world and leave souls to die and go to Hell.
  • I lost some friends because I was no longer interested in participating in things that would hurt the Lord; i.e. cursing, drinking, etc.
  • I had conflict with my family members. My husband hated what I had become and he purposely tried to cause me to sin to make himself feel better. My sister didn’t want to hear about salvation; as a result, our relationship was different. My mother was terribly upset that I would no longer partake in the religion I grew up in because it went against God’s Word. My husband’s entire family resented what I had become.
  • I took a stand against things I knew to be wrong according to the Bible. I could not stand silent when it came to anyone speaking against the Lord.
  • Most of these things were automatically changed when I was first saved; other things came later as the Holy Spirit taught me through the Bible.

As you read through the results of my salvation listed above, ask yourself: Is spending an eternity in the Lake of Fire worth any one of those? (If you haven’t read my last post on Hell, take a moment to read it now.) Each bullet above when read by itself is not too bad but when you read all six, you may think that it’s too burdensome for you. But all six did not happen all at once. Think about it for a moment… any of those will be over once you die. However, because of your fear, you will suffer horribly for all eternity. Is it worth it? Let’s say you live to be 75, what a price you will pay for all eternity (which is endless and a lot more than 75 years) just because you were afraid of what your friends and family would think! It’s not a small price at all.

You are not alone in your decision to ignore God’s prompting for salvation. Your family will never see the love of God working through you to lead them to be saved as well. You will not have the opportunity to share with others what God has done for you because of His salvation! It will be because of your fear that they will go to Hell as well! Your lack of courage will result in condemning them to Hell as well! Doesn’t that bother you?

Do you really want to see your family members and friends go to Hell? It IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to win them to Christ, whether you realize that or not. (Heb. 2:3) By saying no to so great salvation, you are literally telling God that your friends and family mean more to you than Him. Your family and friends have become an idol of sorts in your life. You are placing them before God. You are literally telling God that you don’t care that Christ came to earth to die especially for your sins – He nailed your sins on that cross! Your fear, however, is telling Him that you don’t care. (Col. 2:14) You are thumbing your nose at God and saying you would rather go to Hell than spend all eternity with Him. You may be saying to yourself that you aren’t saying those exact words to God. But this is exactly what you are telling Him with your actions. Actions speak louder than words! (Matt. 15:8)

Fearing what others say is cowardly. Noah Webster’s definition above says in #2 that you are lacking courage; so Friend, you are indeed a coward. I wouldn’t want to be considered this. Someone I know told me: “God will understand – He knows my heart.” Do you think this? God will not understand. God has given you every opportunity to hear the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ and how He paid the price for your sins (including that fear of yours). Anyone who rejects Jesus will not make it into Heaven. You may think to yourself that you are not rejecting Jesus because you believe in Him. (James 2:19) The devils believe and they tremble! But your current belief is superficial. That belief is not deeply rooted in your heart. When a person is truly born-again, the heart changes and a love for your Saviour develops! He is no longer a statue or image on a wall. He becomes personal to you!

Think about it! The Father sent His Son to die for you! Why would God allow you into Heaven when you are a sinner who did not want His Son’s precious gift of salvation? God is holy and cannot allow even one sin in His presence in Heaven. He said in 1 Peter 1:16 that we must be holy as He is holy. We cannot be holy unless we accept Christ’s work on the cross; His blood covers our sin! (1 John 1:7, 1 John 1:9, Titus 3:5)

Notice the latter part of Revelation 21:8:

“But the fearful … shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

If you die without Christ as your Saviour, you will go to Hell. At the end of the Millennium, all those who went to Hell will come before Jesus Christ Himself. At this point, they are exiting the burning location of Hell only to enter into another one, the Lake of Fire. This will be for all eternity, burning, screaming, forever remembering that you let fear stand in your way; forever remembering that you could have witnessed to your children and grandchildren and turned them to the Lord. Now they will also be in this Lake of Fire because of your fear! What a price to pay for your neglect to respond to God’s Word! Is it worth it? Why would you do that to your family just because you’re afraid?

Your fear is one breath away from eternity with Christ or an eternity with Satan and his minions. You may think you’re a good person but there are a lot of good people in the world who do not love God. You will be categorized with them when everything is said and done at your judgment before Jesus. He will open the books of your life and lay out before you everything you have done and not done. (Luke 12:2-3) What will you say to Him when He asks you why you didn’t accept salvation each time someone told you about Him? He will reveal to you every single time you were witnessed to by a faithful believer! I dare say you will be regretting your fear at that moment. There will be no more excuses when that meeting with Jesus occurs. He will reveal every sin you committed that could have been forgiven had you been born again!

Don’t let another day slip away, Reader! God will work out every issue that prevents you from salvation! He did for me! Friends and family may stop coming around because of your love for Jesus. The light that Jesus gives us is hated by those who belong to the devil. Yes, you read that right. Fear is of the devil. He does not want you coming to a saving knowledge. You are either the devil’s child or a child of God. The Bible says:

Mat 13:37-38  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;  (38)  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Joh 8:42-44  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.  (43)  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.  (44)  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1 Jn 3:10  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

You may consider yourself a good person, but if you choose the world (which includes friends and family) over the Lord Jesus, no amount of good deeds or “right” living will get you into Heaven. (Eph. 2:8-9) Mother Teresa was a “good person” but she knew that her Catholic beliefs were insufficient. She had no peace even though her works were great.

She wrote of a strong feeling of God’s “absence” in her life. In a letter to Reverend Michael Van Der Peet in September 1979, Mother Teresa wrote, “Jesus has a very special love for you. [But] as for me – the silence and the emptiness is so great – that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear.”

It’s not good deeds or a humble life that will get you to Heaven. Jesus speaks to His children through the Bible. He guides the way and helps us with all our fears. Won’t you accept Christ as your Saviour today? If friends and family members control your life so much that you would allow them to send you to Hell, then these relationships need to be set aside. No one should have that much control over you. Nothing and no one is worth going to Hell, my Friend.

There will come a time when it will be too late. You will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

What’s Stopping You From Salvation? – Table of Contents

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On January 11, 2023

In Devotionals, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

This series revolves around the different reasons people give for not getting saved. The Bible says in Rev 21:7-8  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  (8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Take each word in and examine yourself to see if you fall in any of these categories!

1 – Hell2 – You’re Afraid3 – You Don’t Believe
4 – The Abominable5 – Murderers6 – Sexually Immoral
7 – Sorcery8 – Idolatry9 – Liars
10 – Adulterers11 – Fornication12 – Uncleanness
13 – Lasciviousness14 – Hatred15 – Variance
16 – Emulations17 – Wrath18 Strife
19 – Heresies20 – There are None Righteous

Hell – What Is It and What Should I know About It?

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On January 11, 2023

In Devotionals, Miscellaneous, What's Stopping You From Salvation?

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Good morning, Reader! I will be starting a new series dealing with the topic of what excuses people use for not accepting Christ. But before I can start on that series, I feel it’s necessary to explain just what Hell and the Lake of Fire really are and why it’s so important to prevent yourself from going there! Please take a moment and let’s study the matter out together.

What is This Place Called Hell?

Hell is the place where the unsaved go after they die but it is not the place where they will spend eternity. Some refer to hell as the lake of fire but it is not. The lake of fire is the final punishment of all those who were released from hell to be judged at the Great White Throne judgment. (Matt. 22:13, Rev. 20:15) It is not a place where you go to “party with your friends.” There is no joy in hell. It is a place designed for punishment. It is not like prison where you will be provided with three meals a day, television and gym privileges. It is a place originally prepared for Satan and his fallen angels. (Matt. 25:41) But because man with his own evil deeds did not repent, he also will be cast there along with the devil and his demons.

Hell is outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt. 25:30, Mk. 9:47-48) Those in hell are separated from Christ, who is the Light! They will long to “take back” their rebellious lives and sin; longing to reverse their error in not accepting the Lord’s precious salvation! They will be endlessly crying over their circumstances; they will have inexpressible, irreversible and unending pain! If you’ve burned yourself, even the slightest, you know how painful a burn can be. This will be all over your body – not one spot left untouched.

In hell, the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. This old English term, “worm,” is defined as:

  • Remorse; that which incessantly gnaws the conscience; that which torments.
    Where their worm dieth not. Mark 9.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

In other words, one just doesn’t fall asleep when he dies. It is clear that the dead in hell will have memories and they will eternally regret not having accepted Christ’s salvation. (Rev. 14:10-11) Each lost soul will remember those times when someone tried to tell them about the Lord and the need for salvation. This soul will be tortured with regret for all eternity. Each soul will remember his family and will beg to have someone go warn them about what awaits them if they don’t repent of their sin. (Luke 16:19-31, specifically Luke 16:27-31)

Hell is a place of torment, not only mentally as we read above, but physically. Think of the worst pain you’ve ever had and imagine it never going away but staying with you for all eternity. (Matt. 25:41, 46) It’s difficult to imagine in our finite minds just how long eternity is. But do you really want to find out in this way? The Apostle James said in James 4:14 that life is a vapor – it lasts but for a moment and then vanishes. When one thinks about eternity past, present and future, our life is just that. Why would a person prefer to live with their sins in this lifetime (which is very short in comparison to eternity), and trade that life in for eternal punishment???

Who Will Go to Hell?

The Bible is very clear about salvation and what will happen to those who refuse to accept it. Everyone not found written in the Book of Life will be in hell. (Rev. 20:15) The Apostle Paul wrote in Phil. 4:3 that his fellow laborers’ names are in the book of life. Therefore, it stands to reason that anyone who is born-again will have his name in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27) But those whose names are not found in the book of life will be judged according to their works which are recorded in books as well (Rev. 20:12). These are not works that gain one entrance into heaven. These are sins recorded that will keep you out of heaven; sins that you refused to repent of and these will be exposed at the Great White Throne Judgment. You will not be able to make excuses at this point. It will be too late.

Anyone who did not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ will go to hell. (2 Thess. 1:8-9) It may astonish you but the fact that you’re delaying salvation reveals that you are willfully rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your delay only goes to show what you think about eternity.

Anyone who doesn’t know God will go to hell. One can “know about” Jesus and yet not know Him personally. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) You may say you know God because you are of a certain religion. I was raised Catholic and I knew about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. But I did not know them personally. You thought you knew your spouse when you first got married, but now that you’ve been married a few years, you really know your spouse. It’s no different with the Lord. The unsaved have heard His name and have used it in cursing. But they really don’t know Him at all.

The unjust will go to hell. The Apostle Peter makes it clear that if God can cast the devil and the fallen angels into hell, He will also cast those who did not accept His Son as Saviour. (2 Peter 2:4-9) The word unjust is anyone who acts contrary to the divine law. The just live by faith. (Hab. 2:4, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38) The unjust do not live by faith. They live according to the god of this world who has blinded them. (2 Cor. 4:4)

All the ungodly will be in hell. Much like the unjust, these are people who do ungodly things. Anything that goes against the Scriptures is considered ungodly. We see so much of this now. As well, anyone who did not accept Christ will be punished. Who are the ungodly? Revelation 21:8 outlines it beautifully!

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Notice the first two listed as well as the last one. People have a tendency to categorize sin: the not so bad and the really bad. However, James 2:10 tells us that if you lied, you are guilty of all sins. Even one sin will keep you out of Heaven. That is the whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth and dying for our sins! (Col. 2:14) He knew we couldn’t go a day without sinning. However, once we are born-again and are forgiven of all of our sins, we have the power to say no to sin! So if you are fearful (afraid to receive salvation) because of what your family may think, you will go to hell. If you don’t believe in Jesus Christ, you will go to hell. If you lie, you will go to hell! The other sins listed are obvious ones and those who do such sins will go to hell.

But there is hope, my friend. Hell is not a laughing matter. You have no idea when you will die. No one knows. You could be in a car accident going home from work and be killed. You could have a heart attack and be gone in a split second! I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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