The Difference between Darkness and Light

I had a very interesting message on my facebook wall the other day. As most of you know, I’ve seen and got a picture taken by the Taj. Okay…ever American tourist who has been to see this work has a picture of them “pulling up” the Taj. But this message was not about me, but about my view on religion. As the message was something of the sort “Since you’re a Christian, it is disrespectful of you to stand in front of a heathen monument.” I prayed and the Lord led me to this….

“Well actually, it's because of my Christian views that I can fully respect the Muslim work such as the Taj, the story and the religion. My view on Religion makes no difference on how I look upon work like the Taj. To call such a thing heathen would limit and restrict my views on True Biblical Christianity and make me just like every other limited, narrow minded, and blind Western Christian that doesn't view work like this as a means of grace from the True God. This does not say I think Islam is right, by no means do I think that, what I am saying is that most Western Christians have the mind set of labeling and limiting God by not showing respect and calling things as such heathen and not allowing Christ to be represented to a lost and dying world. We have too many "christians" today pointing fingers at heathen things and NOT acting like Christ about it. In view of scripture is that Christian? Paul said "I'm all things to all people. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23." Same way with Hinduism, I respect their views and to be honest most Hindus are more spiritual then most Western "christians". In India I would not touch or try to move a cow, or step in the wrong spot on a boat because I paid my respects to their thought on religion and their god(s).This in fact sets apart those who are and those who think they are Christian. Their view on world religion and their own. These are not my words but it's Biblical. I'm not speaking about universalism, because scripture is clear that Christ is the only way, but I'm speaking about allowing Christ to pour out to cause men to repent and believe the Gospel of Christ. Acts speaks about that. Paul says it's not by His words that men are saved but he knowing Christ died and rose again that gives Him the ability to speak. No doubt Muslims, Hindus, Satanist, Atheists, are all going to hell unless they repent and believe, but actually we all are, doesn't matter how you label yourself and what name you fall under. It's not my job to stand and yell at everyone to "turn or burn" but it is to speak the Gospel with humility and grace the best way I can through the power of the Holy Spirit in hopes God will gives grace to those who will believe the Truth. The fact is, scripture says people will turn to their own ways (Isaiah 53:6) and I can not help that, and to call things heathen is the right way to look at things of this world and all the workings of Satan but doesn't allow me to place myself above them on this world in anyway because once I do that, it takes the grace and mercy away from the One who gave it in the first place. But because I'm saved, it allows me to have the righteousness of Christ that all men will need on Judgment Day. But if they do not repent and truth the Savior their eternity is literally Hell. In fact I'm called to love them with all my heart and pray they will be saved from the bondage of sin and the hand of Satan. Narrow is the path that leads to Life, not narrow-mindedness and someone’s limited view on humanity. I pray this explains why I love Muslims and caused me to want a picture with the Taj.”

I’ve been thinking about un saved people and their view of Christianity. I remember not wanting to be like them, or having a judgmental attitude about the world. I didn’t want to look down upon someone who wasn’t a Christian. But once God saved me, I didn’t have that thought of myself being better than anyone else. Actually I was once an enemy of the Cross as well. I have no reason to look down upon someone just because they are not a Christian…but…but but but….I must not neglect sound Biblical truth.

Regardless of Muslims, Hindus, Witches, Agnostic, or Evolutionist. We must proclaim the truth with humility and grace. Not going out of our way to offend or make ourselves look higher than others. Like I said in the email, the only thing that matters is that you have the Righteousness of Christ. For those in Him, you do. For those who aren’t, they need to repent and believe.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 For this reason it says,
Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you."
- Ephesians 5:7-14

Christ is Supreme

Colossians 1:15-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Romans 3:23-36

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Revelation 5:9-10

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Ephenians 1:4-14

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Act 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Titus 3:3-7

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I love Jesus, but most people will not....

Matthew 7:14

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

These are some verses the Lord is using in my life...God bless. Christ is worthy!

Something New

Diagram A

















Diagram B

















So my lovely best friend was really blessed by the Life Group that happened last night over at the Blacks. Melissa with her "new look" noted that everyone was talking about blogging a lot. She enjoyed hanging out but no one seemed to notice anything "different" about her....

Note Diagram B

She called me and we were talking about who would be the first to notice the "change"

1. Cherie
2. Dreama
3. Julie
4. Mike (Hopeful but not likely)

...but it seemed like no one noticed or paid attention....what gives guys. I'm disappionted in y'all.

There is a change between Diagram A to Diagram B.

If you notice the "transformation" give call her or leave a comment. It broke her heart...(not really) and made her not love you guys anymore (sorry i lied, I'm adding to make effect)

Website

Hi there.

Robert and I started a website.

www.lovejesushatesin.com

I'm keeping the blog to be able to leave comments and read. I'm not leaving!

I'll also be posting thoughts on both pages.

Persecution

"Those who try to catch the wind burn church buildings in Nigeria, but cannot burn what they cannot see. They weld doors shut in China, trying to keep Christians inside. They nail church doors shut in Indonesia, trying to keep Christians outside. They shooot Christians in Colorado in an act of hatred. Enemies of the gospel try to catch the wind using every kind of weapon to attack Christians - gasoline, welding torches, nails, bullets, or even the secular news media - but they can never succeed. God opens doors which no one can shut (Revelation 3:8). Let us ride His resurrection wind, graciouly lifting up our Savior. Just as He caught us, He will catch some of them!"
- Tom White, Director for The Voice of the Martyrs, excerpt from The Voice of the Martyrs: Pakistan His Stones Cry Out

Latly, I've been reading the book Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand, and the Lord is really showing me the reality of the intense persecution that goes on in many countries all around the world. I find it hard to accept someone slamming a door in my face, not to mention hanging upside down in a ice box until almost dead. The book shows how the Pastor went through extreme torture just because he would not stop preaching the Gospel. Throughout the first couple of chapters he points out that persecution is still happening, probably more than ever. The statement is still true "It didn't end in Rome".....

I've been asking myself a few questions...

1. Why isn't there intense persecution in America?
2. Is persecution going to come to America?
3. What produces persecution?
4. Who will last if persecution comes?

I think here is the answer...

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

*Why isn't there...not living like Christ
Is persecution comiing....if we live like Christ
What produces it.....living like Christ
Who will last......those who live like Christ.

We're not Gospel hardened, but Gospel ignorant! -Paul Washer


*just thoughts

This Brother

This brother by Gods grace has had a huge impact on my life. I'm not by any means putting man before God. But I would just like to mention him and encourage you to listen to his sermons.

I was born again for about 2 months before I first heard of Paul Washer. Like many others the first sermon I heard was "The Shocking Youth Message" or as some call it "Modern American Christianity" and the Lord has used that to move me into a different mind set towards Christianity in America. The "radical" type. Or as he puts it the true Christianity. At first I couldn't listen to the sermon all the way through due to the fact that I felt he was speaking directly to me. That is my testimony, saying a prayer, asking Jesus to come into you heart and then you're set to go to Heaven. But after I was truly converted, I knew that there had to be something deeper than just "asking Jesus to come into your heart". Brother Washer explained that in that sermon, and the Lord has used it.

His name is not famous, unlike some preachers in America. Most Christians have not heard of him. Some Christians don't like him. But the more I look at websites, news articles, sermon forums, and Christians blogs I see his name come up. In my group of people I hang around, his name is top on our lists. The brothers and sisters I speak to, I encourage them to listen to his sermons. Not to make him famous, not to boast, but to challenge them with preaching and teaching with sound doctrine.

In the coming weeks I will be putting his sermon links on the blog.
for more information about his ministry go to www.heartcrymissionary.com

Are we not moved?

This question came up last Wednesday. Sitting on the side of the road in a section of town where the houses aren't even 6 feet from each other, you would think that there would be people looking up at the lunar eclipse. It struck me funny that as I stood across the street I could see multiple TVs on. Now don't get the idea that I'm bashing TV or trying to be all super spiritual, but here is something that will not happen until 2010. I can understand that some people can't go outside, kids need to get in bed, and all the everynight events that have to happen, but how many times in your life do you see things like this happen? How come we are more entertained by hollywood and TV shows and not moved by the things of God? Or even if there not Christians, why wouldn't you come outside to see it? I don't know if it is just me, but i'm entertained by stars. I may have to much time on my hands but I truly love looking at stars. Gazing at a black sky, fulled with little drops of light makes me feel so small and helpless. Also, the sky is the only form of entertainment I have due to the fact I have no TV, DVD player, etc. But beside that point, I know I would be outside trying to find the moon.

Are we more moved by watching someone stuck on an island, someone make of fool of themselves, someone spin around a floor, someone walk across a stage, then watching the moon turn red? Once again, I'm not saying TV is bad, nor am I judging anyone for watching TV. Please don't get that idea because I know someone people will think I'm saying that I'm more spiritual than they are because I watch a stinkin lunar eclipse. No, I'm saying that we are more shocked and awed over some girl getting kicked off a TV show then watching God yes God Himself turn the sky into a spectacle.

Sorry, I had to vent.

Also I have to make a pitch:

If you haven't read Revolution in World Missions pick up a copy from Cornerstone Church or check out the website www.gfa.org

Another good one is The Road to Reality!