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Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. See also Luke 12:8-9 These are strong words from Jesus. I have a question-do you call yourself a Christian? If so; do you believe He means what he says in this verse? There's reasons why I'm asking. There's a lot of people on the internet with websites, Youtube and other forms of independent channels, who want to promote their videos, articles and what they have to say, and call themselves Christian. But, when you listen/watch their work-you'll find them putting images of Buddhism- people in the lotus position, doing Yoga, also Muslims in their prayer positions, and other religions into them. This is done to try to appease everybody-and still promote yourself as a Christian at the same time. This is the Rick Warren and Joel Osteen, style of Christianity- where you can do and believe anything, and still call yourself Christian. Many of these people have no problem talking about "spiritual awareness", or "enlightenment", or "transcendence" (whatever they really mean-you could go in many directions with these terms, and they know it). These are terms used by people who want to please everybody, but have no backbone. They will change their narrative when they see people turn up their noses, and their lips against them. They can't take the rejection that would come if they make a bold, open stand for Christ. These people avoid the Bible, but have learned to be excellent "orator's"- humanistic philosopher's. They are modern day "Plato's and Socrates'", and the people love them, and flock to hear them. They walk back and forth on the stage, no bible in sight, and make up a story as they go along-the crowds love it. Over the years, I've listened to people do this many times in my own life, when I was in ministry as a prayer chairman, and involved in mainstream churches. I quickly learned the art of double talk that most people have, both in and out of mainline church groups. But, the bottom line is-who is Jesus Christ to you. Many of these people will avoid answering this, and the answers you do get will reveal where they really stand, and if they are really in the faith-or not. Jesus tells of several things that will reveal a true believer in Him: 1. We will know them by their fruit-what comes out of their mouth, and what they do-on a consistant basis. Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. See also Mat 12:33-35; Jud 1:12 2. Their doctrine will be clear, and bold: Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 3. A true believer will be willing to suffer for their stand, and walk in Christ: 2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2Ti 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. There's a lot I don't know in this world. But, there's one thing I do know. Jesus is who He says He is, and God's word is all truth, and there is no lie in Him. When Jesus says he will be ashamed of me on the day of Judgment, if I am ashamed of Him in this life-I need to heed what he says. I have no desire to see a look of shame on His face, when I stand and give an account of my life to God. He's already forgiven, and covered untold numbers of my sins, which I will be eternally grateful for.
There's a verse in James, that should make an impact on your spirit: Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. What does this say to you? I'll tell you what it says to me. Jesus Christ is the only God the devils pay attention to. If this is so-Who is Jesus Christ, to you? Consider this: Thou believest that there is one God. That is very well, but can that alone save you? Even the demons believe that also. See Mat_8:29. Evil spirits confessed Christ, but this confession of faith did not save them. B.W. Johnson comm. And tremble; at the wrath of God, which they now feel, and at the thought of future torments, which they expect, Mar_5:7 and which is more than some men do; and yet these shall not be saved, their damnation is certain and inevitable, 2Pe_2:4 wherefore it follows, that a bare historical faith will not profit, and cannot save any; a man may have all faith of this kind, and be damned; and therefore it is not to be boasted of, nor trusted to. John Gill comm. So, how can anyone be saved? Peter gives the answer: Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Now, I'll ask again, to all who read this-who is Jesus Christ, to you? Make up your mind. If Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh, which He is; you need to come to grips with this truth, decide if you are going to surrender your life to Him, open your heart, and let Him in, and repent of your sins. Then, be willing to stand for him openly, and without compromise. Or, get off the fence, and stop calling yourself a Christian-when even the demons know if your lying. Get off the fence, stop calling yourself a Christian, when your mouth and your actions speak otherwise. It's time to take off the masks, and get real. Lorna Couillard One of the most influential Christian men of the seventeenth century during the Great Awakening period was John Wesley. He and his younger brother Charles founded the "Holy Club". From this, he united with George Whitfield in Britain, traveling with him during his outdoor gatherings. He went on to continue this method of meetings in the outdoors to the unreached of the colonies when he returned to America. He traveled extensively, covering thousands of miles every year, preaching anywhere people would gather to hear him. This was his answer to the many churches that would ban him, and not allow him to preach in their pulpits. He is an inspiration to many street preachers today, who use the same approach he did in those early years of the birth of the country. From Wikipedia- "John Wesley - born June 28, 1703-died March 2, 1791 (age 87) was an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist, who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. The societies he founded became the dominant form of the independent Methodist movement that continues to this day. Educated at Charterhouse and Christ Church, Oxford, Wesley was elected a fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1726 and ordained as an Anglican priest two years later. He led the "Holy Club", a society formed for the purpose of the study and the pursuit of a devout Christian life; it had been founded by his brother Charles and counted George Whitefield among its members. After an unsuccessful ministry of two years, serving at Christ Church, in the Georgia colony of Savannah, he returned to London and joined a religious society led by Moravian Christians. On 24 May 1738, he experienced what has come to be called his evangelical conversion, when he felt his "heart strangely warmed". He subsequently left the Moravians and began his own ministry. A key step in the development of Wesley's ministry was, like Whitefield, to travel and preach outdoors. In contrast to Whitefield's Calvinism, Wesley embraced Arminian doctrines. Moving across Great Britain and Ireland, he helped form and organize small Christian groups that developed intensive and personal accountability, discipleship, and religious instruction. He appointed itinerant, un-ordained evangelists – both women and men – to care for these groups of people. Under Wesley's direction, Methodists became leaders in many social issues of the day, including the abolition of slavery and prison reform. Although he was not a systematic theologian, Wesley argued for the notion of Christian perfection and against Calvinism—and, in particular, against its doctrine of predestination. His evangelicalism, firmly grounded in sacramental theology, maintained that means of grace sometimes had a role in sanctification of the believer; however, he taught that it was by faith a believer was transformed into the likeness of Christ. He held that, in this life, Christians could achieve a state where the love of God "reigned supreme in their hearts", giving them not only outward but inward holiness. Wesley's teachings, collectively known as Wesleyan theology, continue to inform the doctrine of Methodist churches. Throughout his life, Wesley remained within the established Church of England, insisting that the Methodist movement lay well within its tradition. In his early ministry years, Wesley was barred from preaching in many parish churches and the Methodists were persecuted. He changed his approach, and went to the out of doors, meeting in fields, public areas in villages, and street corners, and people came from surrounding areas to hear him, as word of mouth spread the times he planned to preach." The extent of John Wesley's ministry, and his influence can't be fully grasped in this short excerpt, but links have been added below of articles and videos of biographies which give deeper details of his achievements, struggles, dedication to Christ, and his untiring service during his entire life.
His moral imprint on the founding of America is deep. In this day I live in, it is a sad commentary of what America has become. Lorna Couillard The Life of John Wesley- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCKzOhUaG94 John Wesley and His Ministry (biography) - J. C. Ryle / Audio Book- https://youtu.be/a6usQiHzD_0 Founder of Methodism and Missionary to America, 1736-1737 https://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/wesley/wesley.htm John Wesley- https://biography.yourdictionary.com/john-wesley Comment: I've gotten some feedback about using Wikipedia-that its not reputable, and not a good source of information that can be trusted. I know it isn't, and I rarely use it for anything. But, even Wikipedia has to hold to at least the basic principles of research and information-and what they have posted about John Wesley in the section I used is accurate enough to prove it's true-it can be found in other sources to back it up-including the links to this blog-if anybody wants to take the time to listen to them, and read them. |
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God's blessings You may find useful information here; Go to the resource page, you will find many videos and links The NightWatchman
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me,
saith the LORD. Isa 54:17 Rev 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. The Victory of Our Faith
For whatsoever
is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1Jn 5:4-5 But they that wait
upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isa 40:31 Our Warfare
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2Cor 10:3-5 The Whole Armor
of God Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:10-18 Archives
May 2026
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