I had spent a lot of time, and miles, this last few weeks on the motorcycle from Canada to Wyoming.   Much needed time to think about the State of affairs of this nation and the world.  If you know me at all,  you know one of my favorite Bible verses is John 13:19

“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.”

We need to use that Wisdom to walk in power. As a wise Christian once said “The world is not falling apart, it is falling in to place”.  We need to use that Wisdom to

strengthen our faith, that Jesus’s word is true.  With that Wisdom, comes a sense of “calming” from his words Matthew 24:6

  “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for ^]all these things must come to pass.”

We need to be in the word, “For the of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword”  We need to use this tool from the Christian tool box.

We need to be the light of this dark anti-Christian  world… Matthew 10:16

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

We need to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us so we are not Deceived and live in the truth. Proverbs 1:2-7

“So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;”

To walk in power without fear Proverbs 3:21-25

My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence,

Proverbs 14:6

A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands.

Another Tool in the Christian Tool box is the power of prayer -The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. This is the power that that we all have “IF” we are righteous and wise.

We need to understand Gods plan through his word and pray intelligently and wise, for instance, we know the time we are in. We know the state of

our once God loving country is in decline.  In the end we know that Israel stands alone and America is not there, this is Gods plan.

So a wise prayer would be,  to pray for the church  and Pastors to wake up. Pray for protection of fellow Christians-remnant. Pray for the Military under ungodly rulers.  Pray for yourself and family to have unwavering faith that we will go in the rapture of the church.  Pray that we will keep out of sin and be righteous to the Lord.

Now after reading this think…   the best payer of all, almost 2000 year old prophecy from Jesus

Powerful

Offering forgiveness to those who have hurt us is not easy. I think it is safe to say that many of us have been in a situation where we know we need to offer that forgiveness, but we hurt so badly that we feel the person receiving our forgiveness doesn’t deserve it.

Every communion Sunday when Pastor Daren reminds us of what Jesus went through to forgive us for our sins,  I can’t help but think how selfish I am when I struggle to forgive someone who has hurt me. Scripture reminds us that if we don’t forgive, we will not be forgiven by our Father. Forgiveness relieves our hearts from anger, bitterness, resentment, and hurt. Forgiving someone even when we feel they may not deserve it, is being obedient to our Lord.

Romans 12:17- Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Ephesians 4:32- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Mathew 6:14- For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Mark 11:25- And when you stand and praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Proverbs 17:9- Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Daniel 9:9- The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.

Luke 6:27- But I say to you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.

I pray we remember the image of Jesus on the cross and everything He went through to forgive us our sins even when we did not deserve it.

Blessings,

Melissa King

GOD’S GRACE IN COVID

As you all know, we have been dealing directly with the intentions of leaders using COVID to bring about a time of transition into globalism and “The Great Reset” through propaganda inducing fear that leads to voluntary submission and bowing down. All this is eerily parallel to Daniel Chapter 3 (take the time to read the account) where Nebuchadnezzar’s mandate to have people bow down and worship a golden statue of his image and the three faithful remnant followers of God that did not submit and obey him – and the Lord’s miraculous deliverance from the fiery furnace).

Now – before we tackle the vaccine issues and God’s grace regarding them…. it is of necessity to talk not of God’s grace (unmerited favor); which means nothing one does warrants God’s favor and grace – but simply His merciful, compassionate, choice to give grace that He offered to all who would believe and receive it. This defined and known makes ALL the difference in an age of COVID. How Pastor? You might be saying to yourself or out loud in alarm…. Simple.

First, to those who have been vaccinated (either willfully, fearfully, coercively, ignorantly, or thinking it is the right thing to do)…. Ultimately the choice is each person’s own responsibility , unless someone held you down or captive in some way and administered it against your will. Yet, the direction of what those “in charge” are using it to do – well, it is slowly limiting freedom and changing society, the division and same old “clean” verses “unclean” issue is at hand. The Lord’s grace is more than enough to cover…. As you know my convictions are strong and I believe that the vaccine is beginning the soon  implementational part of the mark of the beast system that is coming ahead, as found in Revelation 13; yet – there is the grace of God – and He gives grace upon grace, if one is concerned if it is too late for them because they took the vaccine (actually a therapeutic just like the flu therapeutic injections) – here are the three that I hope sets your mind, heart at soul at ease:

Acts 3:16-17  And his name–by faith in his name–has made this man strong whom you see and        know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.”

Act 17:30-31  The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

God gives grace to those affected by the ignorance of leaders and God gives grace to those who react without knowing all the ins and outs. And His grace is so big that He overlooks things done without knowledge – though HE does say through Hosea “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” – though side effects may come, not knowing the true intentions of the ‘vaccinations’ mandates – God’s grace is greater than COVID and those things attached to it!! One needs to repent….

1 Corinthians 3:15-17  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but   only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Jude 1:18-23  They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Though this part of God’s grace in the moment is coming in an unexpected and difficult manner, the truth is we are the temple of God, our bodies are set apart, made holy, and the place where the Spirit of the Lord dwells…. God’s grace is that – even if we have defiled ourselves with something  with our bodies, though the body may be destroyed – God saves the soul in grace…. And since we who believe, that is in the Gospel and Jesus, get a whole new immortal incorruptible body after our departures (deaths) or are taken up to glory (raptured), as 1 Corinthians 15, 2 Corinthians 5, and 1 Thessalonians 4 states… God’s grace covers your eternal life in Christ, despite your earthly temporary life is shortened by the choices made while in the body.

1 John 5:16  If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life–to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

Ezekiel 33 tells me, as a man called by God to preach the truth of Jesus, the Gospel and His Word – prophetically and pastorally – I am a watchman called to warn of the dangers ahead for individuals and peoples and nations…. And God’s grace is being administer through us by warning about the dangers of COVID’s ulterior motives through vaccination and vaccine passports and the globalists agenda moving us away from trusting in God to worshiping and trusting in government. Note the passage from 1 John 5 above parallels warning others when sinful direction is being taken and if we pray and as God for life for them – they will be given life. So – if there be concern over ones decisions revolving around COVID – at this point in time and juncture, Biblically speaking, God’s grace is given in prayer for those concerned.

NOW, there is likewise God’s protection and grace for the unvaccinated. For those under Biblical conviction that the vaccines are directly related to the mark of the beast and consider it wrong to participate in the vaccinations due to the same convictions of vaccines being made through and tested with aborted babies and the fetal cell lines derived from them as the source of the fetal cell lines (which are more than just the COVID therapeutic injections); if one is lead by God to stand up and not bow down, obey and accept the vaccines – even if mandated and forced to do so…. Take the Grace and protection and deliverance of God, well known and true from the Daniel 3 passages that follow:

Daniel 3:8-30  Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

A mandate of outrageous proportions is decreed; just like the current mandates by executive orders and fiat are today for COVID, which many are bowing down to, if you stand like these three men – God’s Grace is supernatural protection, divine intervention and deliverance through the fires of the consequences of obeying God rather than men! His grace is so great that your standing up can turn the mandates around and give one the freedom to follow God, and even shut-up the governors and leaders as they watch God’s grace be poured out on those who trust in Him.

May God’s Grace Cover You,

May His Grace Keep You,

May His Grace Give You Peace,

May His Grace Supernaturally Protect You,

May His Grace Deliver You!!

Remember God Loves You and So Do I,

Pastor Daren Lee Barnett

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” Colossians 2:2-4

This is Paul’s warning to his holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae, and one we too must consider in the America we live in today. Who do we believe? What shall we follow? Where are the answers? Are we being deceived?

Erwin Lutzer talks extensively about the deception we face and the role propaganda plays in his book “We Will Not Be Silenced.” In Chapter 5 “Sell it as a Noble Cause,” he warns that as Christians we must be vigilant, understanding the trickery and seemingly harmless methods of propaganda.

Propaganda (n):information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

One example Lutzer uses is how in 1926 tobacco companies were able to persuade women to start smoking in public by labeling cigarettes as women’s “Torches of Freedom” during the fight for equality. While it was once frowned upon for women to smoke in public, the tobacco company doubled their sales simply by saying, “look how great you are for smoking in public- expressing your freedom.” You see, there was no mention of the negative effects of this, only the good. In fact, there was little knowledge of the detriment tobacco would be to one’s health later in life. But women started smoking, and the tobacco companies accomplished exactly what they wanted- all through propaganda.

When I read this example from Lutzer, my mind instantly went to all that we are facing in America today. Who or what can we trust? We are being incentivized for just about everything, and we are given little time to research for ourselves before being forced to make decisions (and those who do share credible research are canceled). I find it hard to rest some days, and my mind is constantly trying to gain more knowledge. Wisdom seems out of reach, and a complete understanding of anything seems impossible. But worry set aside, a deep breath and prayer always seems to be my calming place. You see, Paul’s words here are not “old news;” we have ALL the answers that we need. BUT we must utilize the resources we have been given.

1. God’s Word
2. Prayer
3. God’s People

When we stay rooted in these three areas, we stand a chance to spy the false works of propaganda. In the same way, however, when we waiver, try to twist God’s Word, or follow false prophets {teaching}, we will be those women who thought how great they were doing and later paid the consequences through their health (and in our case- salvation).

We must be the watchmen on the wall, sounding the alarms, and not afraid to be “canceled.” God and His Word are the same now as they ever were, and neither will ever change. “For though I am absent from you in body {this is Paul speaking}, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” Colossians 2:5.

Let the Lord go before you in all you do. Pray, study, & follow.

-LaNay Hervey, Spiritual Ministry Team 

Do you know why Jesus spoke in parables? Do You know the purpose Jesus’ of parables? His chosen disciples (back when Jesus was on earth) wondered the same thing…. They asked him: “”Why do you speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10)

Jesus answered them alright, but the answer is not an easy one to accept, because it reveals a lot more than just His spiritual lesson; it reveals that some do not really do want to hear or see the truth about themselves or about what Jesus is saying in the parable.

Jesus answered them saying: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Matthew 13:11-13)

Notice, first – that Jesus reassures the disciples that they have been picked, chosen and given the secrets of heaven; and others are not. Now, this may grate against the free will ideal you have and that I have; but since Jesus flat out says of those who answered His call to come and follow, they are special and precious and given what others are not….

Second – it may be hard to reconcile the thoughts of those who have faith and gift and grace that more will be given (grace upon grace that is) – Jesus says those who get it, understand, want to understand and ask Him for the meaning of the lessons of the parables… they will get so much they will have more and more spilling out of them; but those who do not want tog et it, think they already got it, and do not inquire of the Lord to understand the lessons He is speaking in parables – well, what little they think they’ve got gets taken away….

Third –  Jesus explains the exact, no pulling punches, straightforward reason He is not being straight forward in His spiritual stories and lessons…. it is so those who care to know and those God wants to know will know; but those who do not care to really know and do not want to know God’s reasons and lessons will not know. Parables are the tool of Jesus to discern and delineate those who are really interested in God and those who are not….

Apply this to ourselves, and it makes me – well, just a bit more on the “fear of the Lord” side… if I do not get what Jesus is saying and do not inquire of Him to understand what He is saying (all we have to do is ask like the disciples did), then I am probably not the real deal disciple that I think I am and do not have what I think I have….

Parables have one intended meaning. The Lord expresses them in a way only that the Holy Spirit can reveal its intentions – to those who are given, by God, the Kingdom’s lessons and applications.

The fact that Jesus says the following: “Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown gross, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Matthew 13:14-15)… well – it reveals that some people’s hearts – spiritually speaking – intentionally  by themselves are rendered calloused, stupefied, fattened, thickened…. In simple words, hardened in heart towards spiritual things.

How about you? How well do you understand the parables of Jesus? Do you hear and understand, see and perceive or do you listen and get lost, see and not sense? How hardened in your heart are you that spiritual things just do not pierce it or cannot be pumped through it?

Just remember – to understand, to sense, to get it…. when it comes to what Jesus says in parables do what the disciples did – ask; remember Jesus said:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear”… 24  “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4:21-25)

Remember – God Loves You and So Do I,

Pastor Daren

How Strong is  Your Faith

Covid has created many changes in our world. Many people have been afraid to leave their homes, to eat out at a restaurant, or even to attend church. God does not want us to live a life that is controlled by fear. Many peoples’ faith has been challenged and shaken. We are not to forsake fathering together for worship. We draw strength from each other as we study and share with each other.

In Hebrews we read… “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”… “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible”… “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that  He rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Believing that God exists is only the beginning, The Bible tells us that even the demons believe in God and they tremble. God will not settle for mere acknowledgment of His existence. He wants a personal dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life. Those who seek God will find that they are rewarded with His intimate presence.

James 2:14-17 says “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts, If our lives remain unchanged, we don’t truly believe the truths we claim to believe. We cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying God. But such actions show that our commitment to God is real. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of our faith in Christ.

It seems that in today’s world believers are being judged and accused when we stand up against things like abortion and homosexuality. As you obey God don’t be surprised if others regard you as “different.” Your obedience makes their disobedience stand out. Noah experienced rejection because he was different from his neighbors. God commanded him to build a huge boat in the middle of dray land, and although God’s command seemed foolish, Noah obeyed, As a result he and his family were saved through the flood.

One of the evidences of a Spirit filled life is faith. The just shall live by faith. Abraham was willing to give up his son when God commanded him to do so. God did not let Abraham take Isaac’s live because God had given the command in order to test Abraham’s faith. Instead of taking Abraham’s son, God gave Abraham a whole nation of descendants through Isaac. If you are afraid to trust God with your most prized possession, dream, or person, pay attention to Abraham’s example. Because he received back more than he could have imagined.

Moses’ parents trusted God to protect their son’s life. They were not merely proud parents, they were believers who had faith that God would care for him. As a parent have you trusted God enough to take care of your children? God has a plan for every person, and your important task is to pray for your children and prepare them to do the work God has planned for them to do. Faith allows us to entrust even our children to God.

Satan is alive and prowling about looking to see who he can devour. We need to put on the whole armor of God that we may resist his temptations and be strong enough to stand up against him. It is important that we read and study God’s Word so that we will recognize the false prophets who are misleading the people. We need to pray for wisdom and discernment so that we will know the truth and not be misguided by the false news.

In Mathew 17 the disciples were unable to drive out a demon that had possessed a young boy. They asked Jesus why. He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Even small or undeveloped faith would have been sufficient. Perhaps the disciples had tried to drive out the demons with their own ability rather than God’s. There is great power in even a little faith when God is with us. If we feel weak or powerless as Christians, we should examine our faith, making sure we are trusting not in our own abilities to produce results, but In God’s abilities.

Nany Jones, Spiritual Ministry Team Member

Revelation 21:1-8

¹  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ²  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. ⁴  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” ⁵  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ⁶  And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”

A lot of people, among the ‘church” crowd hang onto these words from the unveiling (what the word revelation means)… Rightfully so to!! John is given a prophetic glimpse of what God’s blueprint for our future together with Him, those who have called on Jesus’ name, believed in Jesus’ bloodshed and death as the sacrifice for mankind’s sins; plus His resurrection from death to life, of which upon faith we are then justified through believing… The questions though, that have always plagued me since I first read this passage are:

How many are actually saved that are in or go to church?

How many are looking forward to heaven that don’t have the Lord of heaven?

How many long for the Lord’s return, but don’t live at all for the Lord in their faith?

How many are not prepared as a bride (Christians) for her husband (Christ)?

God is certainly and literally going to make a New City, New Earth and a New Heaven – perfect and unblemished, where no sin has touched any part of the New Creation (which we know is what matters)… Yet – I cannot shake the reality of the inhabitants; after all the Bible teaches us that “we are a city on a hill”, “we are the temple of God”, “we are being built together into a dwelling place for God”, “we are like living stones being built into a spiritual house”…

In the building up, preparation and the adorning of bride – all things are put into place in a brides life to be ready for married life, practices, plans, purposes are all geared toward that day when two become one and dwell together until “in death they do part”… in this case NO MORE DEATH means a forever covenant of two as one, husband and wife, Christians and Christ… where the effects of sin are no longer present… yet, that is reserved for those who are in Christ, betrothed to Christ, preparing for Christ’s return for them… it is not for those who take no step of faith and do not act on that faith… seeing real change in the their life in preparation for being join with Jesus forever…

Have you ever met a bride in love who did not want to be prepared and ready for her wedding day – excited, delighted and determined to be the best wife ever? Have you ever seen a husband that did not want to prepare for and be ready –  ecstatic, dramatic and dedicated to being the best husband ever? So, it is with Jesus (the husband); so, it should be with believers (the church – the bride)…

That is why the Lord has John follow up the Revelation with those whose who say but don’t do, those who claim faith but live in fear… believers that live in disbelief…

^7a  The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. ⁸  But as for the…

cowardly (deilos: timid, dread, fearful),

the faithless (apistos: disbelieving),

the detestable (bdelussō: literally to stink, be disgusted, abominable, detest – especially of idolatry),

as for murderers (phoneus: killer, always of criminal or at least intentional homicide),

the sexually immoral (pornos: male / female prostitute, pornography producer, participant and partaker, fornicator),

sorcerers (pharmakeus: a drug, spell giving potion, druggist or poisoner, magician),

idolaters (eidōlolatrēs: image servant or worshipper),

and all liars (pseudēs: untrue, erroneous, deceitful, wicked, false person / people),

How many ‘Christians’ in ‘church’ have the afore mentioned in their lives, not preparing for the Lord’s coming?

How many practices the afore mentioned that reveal they are not heeding what Jesus, His Word and the warning He gives?

You see, the World and Satan are using all these things as we live in prophetic times – where every headline that cries COVID, CORRUPTION, ANTI-CHRIST, MARK OF THE BEAST, INFLATION, VACCINE, VACCINE PASSPORTS, MASKS, CAN’T BUY or SELL, TRANSGENDER, W.E.F., GREEN NEW DEAL, LGBTQIA, ABORTION, E.S.G.’s, SOCIALISM, DEFUND the POLICE, PALESTINE, B.L.M. etc… etc… etc… to keep us in the Satan’s system and the world’s ways… the most recent research from George Barna tell us that less only 6% of Americans hold to a Biblical worldview, while 2/3^rds of Americans profess to be ‘Christians’. (https://www.christianpost.com/us/only-6-of-americans-have-a-biblical-worldview-survey.html)

^7b their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

These are Jesus’ words about those who do not prepare for His coming and His making ALL things new… No wonder, so much is said by in the Bible, by the Law, the Prophets, the Apostles and of course God Himself about the need to be in covenant relationship with the Risen Savior, born again by the Spirit, through faith – that is true belief in the Gospel that is Jesus!! Simply – Jesus died and rose again, He went to the cross to shed His blood for the remission of our sins, He came back to life to offer us new life in His victory over death and sin… and the ONLY WAY to conquer the world, is to have the One who has overcome the world – that is Jesus, and the only way to have Jesus is by God’s grace through faith!!

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God

Heb 10:19-25  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:37-39  For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Discerning the Days Ahead,

Readying the Remnant for the Rapture,

Remember, God Loves You and So Do I,

Pastor Daren

Before you read this article, take the time to get your Bible and open to Book of Romans in the New Testament, and take the time necessary to read Chapter 14… it is of utmost importance to be knowledgeable of the passage to understand the principles and context to be able to apply it to your life properly today. I trust you will find it enlightening as well as convicting, encouraging as well as correcting, engaging as well as connecting… NOW, that you have read it, ask the Lord to help you understand what His intentions are in having the Spirit inspire Paul to write the Roman Christians, and proceed

Romans 14:1-3  Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of arguing over differences of opinion. One person believes that he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. The person who eats any kind of food must not ridicule the person who does not eat them, and the person who does not eat certain foods must not criticize the person who eats them, for God has accepted him.

Okay – so maybe if you wrestle with heartburn from eating chocolate or coffee keeps you up at night – if you consume either of these too late in the day… you might have some doubts from eating something…. BUT, you and I both know that is NOT what Apostle Paul is referring to.

Paul is actually dealing with a problem, within the Church, of differences of conviction and opinion, about what people participate and partake in. An attitude of judgment and superiority had arose from those fickle folks that presume – that those who take part in things they deem bad are spiritually inferior Christians and are sinning; likewise those individuals – free ones – that recognize that those things are neither bad nor good, but things that can be enjoyed in the freedom of Christ, they also got an attitude toward the persnickety and particular people.

In fact – the free ones were “ridiculing” the fickle ones, and the fickle ones were “criticizing” the free ones… it was a battle of the religious opinions and personal preferences. Now – to clear up exactly what was going on, let’s look at the terms a little closer:

ridicule =          contemptible, despise, least esteemed, set at nought.

criticizing =      distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: – avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think

It is interesting, that the Holy Spirit has Paul specify “criticizing” – even using the same word, taking to task the fickle ones, stating they have “weak in faith” … and that are considering the free ones, judging them literally as “damnable” (see the definition of criticizing again)… That does not let the free ones of the hook for looking down on the fickle one’s weak faith… NO – rather, it means to not cause them to stumble – to be sure not cause them to act outside their faith level… Paul is saying that God considers both His servants – and the grace the free ones exhibit should lead them to give grace to the weak, and the fickle weak should let the Lord determine the judgment of the free ones – even HE will make them to stand, despite the fickle’ s criticizing of the free.

Romans 14:4  Who are you to criticize someone else’s servant? He stands or falls before his own Lord—and stand he will, because the Lord makes him stand. 

Today, though between some Christian groups, certain foods are an issue that causes some conflict…. There are other issues of far greater importance that are causing the same attitudes today. Everyone is tired of hearing about them, but they certainly are causing quite a conundrum and are continuing to present the same fickle weak in faith verses the free in faith fight. You probably guessed it – masking, social distancing and vaccinations – all because of the dreaded COVID-19. Well, at least the virus is getting the blame, but it is revealing the real blame should be placed on our own hearts and minds as the sinful problem.

I guess – one would not have to talk about it if the truth was embraced, and the political agenda were not attached to the COVID-19…. but, that is not the case is it. The truth is fickle fear instead of free faith seems to be winning this whole thing. Practically speaking, eating and consuming and injecting are all things put into the body and partaken in… and all of it end up in the blood stream – the sugars, proteins, nutrients digested and put within the blood for energy, as well as the masking is to keep people from breathing in or swallowing – consuming – the “unclean” virus and thus getting into he body, and even the injecting goes directly into the body and blood… so you see the practical application of Romans 14 is of the same necessity today, as then! Simply, the truth is – In faith we are free! Un-condemned! While some despise those who prefer to partake of these COVID-19 rituals to feel and remain clean; even more judge those who prefer not to partake in them – knowing they are free and clean without them… and this is not just those outside the church; it is within.

WHY THEN DO SO MANY CAVE UNDER PRESSURE AGAINST THEIR OWN MINDS AND CONSCIENCES, BEFORE GOD AND PARTAKE IN WHAT OTHERS IMPOSE? WHY DO SO MANY NOT PARTAKE WHEN AGAINST THEIR OWN MINDS AND CONSCIENCES KNOW THE IMPOSITIONS ARE MEANINGLESS?

Romans 14:5  One person decides in favor of one day over another, while another person decides that all days are the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.

Romans 14:7-8  For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. If we live, we live to honor the Lord; and if we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 

It is simply fickle fear over free faith – the fearfulness overcomes the faithfulness… and sadly, the condition of the duplicit and double-minded is sinful state of existence while attempting to maintain the mirage of conviction… Paul addressed that in the first century; and the answers need for the twenty-first century are on the Holy Spirit inspired line that follows:

Romans 14:23  But the person who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not act in faith; and anything that is not done in faith is sin. 

Praying All of Us Do Everything in Faith, Fully Convinced in the Freedom Found Alone in Christ’s Grace,                                       

“If Tomorrow Never Comes….” This Garth Brooks song expresses a man’s love of his wife that remains to be shared in contemplation – of “will she know how much I loved her, will the love I gave her in the past be enough to last….”

I personally have wrestled through this sentiment…. Yes, for my own wife, children, family and our congregation – but also for those I have come into contact with from the communities I have been a part of. However, I am not simply self-reflecting on my own inevitable death and departure from this world; I am thinking from a raptured remnant perspective.

God has given all of us, born again believers, alive at this point and time the opportunity to consider “If Tomorrow Never Comes”… OH – we know that one day that will be true, and eternity will be the forever tomorrow we will be stepping into as we leave behind those who we have been called to share the gospel with, to warn of what is coming for those who reject Christ…

NO, there is not much time left – as much as I hope there would be, things are falling into prophetic place in such a pace that the urgency, the necessity, has never been more important. What IF you knew you did not have tomorrow? What if you knew what was next? WELL – you and I do know! Tomorrow is only for those who have reckoned with Rise Lord – that is Jesus!! Where they have trusted and believed in Jesus’ substitute punishment and death – the penalty mankind’s sin laid all upon Him, the death wages paid for your sins and mine…. And since Jesus rose from the grave, since HE conquered the power of death, since Jesus is alive – all who call on His name to be saved, all who believe that He died and rose again will be saved and in exchange for your sins, He offers you His righteous standing before God from atonement with His blood for our salvation…

Now, rest assured – it is on our watch – it is our obligation and duty to share the Gospel Today, to take what the Bible says – what the prophetic Word of God has declared for tomorrow and apply it today – as “NOW is the day of salvation…” for IF today is the day – tomorrow is too late!

If tomorrow never comes…

The remnant will be gone, departed from today

The hearts of those that hardened now, during tribulation will have to bow

It is up to you and me – to share the truth that sets them free

Before tomorrow never comes…

Yet, for those who would believe, those who could and would receive

Jesus offers tomorrow yet today, with a love for sinners to be saved

Rescuing you from being sin’s slave

Before tomorrow never comes…

Raptured away in flash –

we are headed for the sky – we will never die

After tomorrow never comes…

Remember to speak and share today – before it’s too late

Warn the world of what awaits, so they can see heaven’s gates

In Case tomorrow never comes…

If tomorrow never comes…

Will they know Jesus’ love will never pass, that it is His loves that will last?

When tomorrow never comes…

Change In the Air

As I sit down to write my thesis it is quiet in the house, the wind is still… there is “change in the air!” We wait for the spring rain as we wait for “skies of Blue, Red Roses, Too.”  We here in this part of the country are fortunate to have four seasons of change. A time to plant and a time of harvest, a time to plow and a time to rest. But wait, do we really have a time to rest? No, our world has become so affected by change. Our government, our schools, our society, even our places of worship have all changed. “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” Why are there empty pews? Why do we see empty churches, or a church with only a few cars parked in the parking area? People say “It is going to get better,” or “Oh, it has to get better.”

My friends, may I ask you, what does our Bible say is going to take place as time draws closer for Christ’s return? Our community does not understand the change that is taking place, nor do they want to! It’s eat, drink, and be merry, Let the good times roll!

I ask myself, am I wearing holes in the knees of my jeans praying for my family and friends who do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior? Do I wear a smile or a frown when I am out in the work place? I once had an elderly lady in church tell me, “It is not proper to always have a smile on your face in church.” Then she smiled and giggled and gave me a big hug. It made me feel so good! My brothers and sisters, we need to spread more agape, not only to each other, but especially to those on the outside.

My friends, I used to watch old western movies on TV, and even some of my old school books, portrayed the preacher with a bible in one hand and a gun in the other, or at least he wore one on his hip. I am so thankful we have Pastor Daren and his family here with us at FBC. I am thankful for his compassion, love, and concern for his church family and community. So my friends, there is always going to be “change in the air.” I ask myself, how am I going to deal with it, am I strong enough to handle change? Are you? Keep a smile on your face and remember, “I am just an old simmer, saved by grace.”

Steve Jones

Spiritual Ministry Team