Something Funny I Discovered

Two days ago, I check on somebody's comment in our blog - actually, the second time. This time, it was very encouraging specially that we are doing the effort for the Lord.

The first time was when we started this blog in Volume 1, and here was another (Volume 2). I kept saying before, "Perhaps no one is reading our blog". But, you did! Mike and I are happy about it. We are because God has heard our prayers.

I discovered, too, that in selecting the "comment" section of the setting, I clicked the one that hinders any person to make a comment except people we choose - really not a good choice. In reality, WE WANT YOU ALL TO MAKE COMMENTS, good or not-so-good. Well, I must admit it. It was the first-timer's job of trial-and-error without knowing it until a month later.

Now, friends, we know better though everyday is a good learning experience. Just then, our prayer has always been that you all will learn something from our efforts.

Happy reading!

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado with Mike Carey's participation

Jesus, The Wonderful Messiah

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

During yesterday's Adult Sunday School, my heart leaped with awesome wonder at listening to every word the pastor said about the prophecies of the Messiah fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Listening intently, I had more to be joyful about being saved by this great God and wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ. I have the more reasons to share Him now to others without being ashamed of it because He is alive, real, and is there to save you, me and many others who have placed their trust in Him. He is there so that many of us could go to heaven, if only we truthfully repent and ask Him to save us. Don't you realize that great favor He alone could provide?

Sad to say, many do not listen. They do not believe. Probably, they do not know Him at all because their beliefs are different. At least God could understand them that is why He finds a way to reach out to them. They have chances when they only care to listen. But, others who know Him choose not to believe Him. They do not care. Don't you know that it is the worst choice ever because it means hell?

Maybe we will talk about the Bible's prophecies in the Old Testament about the coming Messiah (even the Jews believe this) and their fulfillment through Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The Old Testament verse being the prophesy and the New Testament being the fulfillment. I am really praying that many of you will find the truth setting you free.

a) SEED OF A WOMAN
Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Galatians 4:4 - But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

b) SEED OF ABRAHAM
Genesis 12:3 - And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Matthew 1:1 - The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

c) SEED OF ISAAC
Genesis 17:19 - And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.
Luke 3:34 - Which was [the son] of Jacob, which was [the son] of Isaac, which was [the son] of Abraham, which was [the son] of Thara, which was [the son] of Nachor,

d) SEED OF JACOB
Numbers 24:17 - I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Matthew 1:2 - Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

e) FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH
Genesis 49:10 - The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].
Luke 3:33 - Which was [the son] of Aminadab, which was [the son] of Aram, which was [the son] of Esrom, which was [the son] of Phares, which was [the son] of Juda,

f) HEIR TO THE THRONE OF DAVID
Isaiah 9:7 - Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Luke 1:32,33 - 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

g) BORN IN BETHLEHEM
Micah 5:2 - But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.
Luke 2:4,5,7 - 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

h) BORN OF A VIRGIN
Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Luke 1:26,27,30,31 - 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name [was] Mary. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

i) DECLARED THE SON OF GOD
Psalm 2:7 - I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Matthew 3:17 - And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

j) CRUCIFIED WITH MALEFACTORS
Isaiah 53:12 - Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Matthew 15:27,28 - 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

k) TO BE RESURRECTED
Psalms 16:10; 49:15 - 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Mark 16:6,7 - 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

l) HIS ASCENSION TO GOD'S RIGHT HAND
Psalm 68:18 - Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, [for] the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell [among them].
Mark 16:19 - So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
1 Corinthians 15:4 - And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Ephesians 4:8 - Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

... and many more that this page cannot contain them. Are you not happy that you, true Christians, believed and surrendered your life to Him? Well, others not belonging to that category should do much thinking. Everlasting life has glorious heaven and very bitter hell. You can choose now while there is still time.

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado

Reference: King James Version Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers

The Joy of Children

" I have no greater joy then to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 4

Quite the Bible verse, eh people? I wonder how many of us truly are looking at the spiritual growth of our children when they are young and now, many are grown? Are they walking in the Lord's will or stagnant in their growth? Maybe they are not even saved and are born-again Christians, and on their way to hell. Oh, parents, watch out for your children when they are young. Dads, moms, grandmas, and grandpas; the grandchildren you have now may not be around much longer if you don't and won't guide them. Lead and direct them in the Word of God properly.

So, do you have joy that your children walk in truth? In God's truth? In the truth that you know you can trust them when they go out into this wicked world on their own? In walking with the Lord, they will actually require much guidance from Godly people. Most of all, they will be putting their entire trust and faith in our Lord for all things.

To have joy knowing your children are walking in truth is to know they are biblically saved from the clutches of the devil, and are heaven bound. They are living the life that is pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ. Even when they backslide, they will still enter heaven although they will lose their rewards. Parents and grandparents, pray they will be led and taught by the Holy Spirit to live according to the Lord's will, and they store up treasures in heaven.

Joy in knowing your children walk in truth? Yes, by reading their Bibles more; praying more; seeking the Lord's face more; leaning towards the Lord's will for their life more; being in His will more; and doing their best to go to church as much as they can without wavering in their faith! They can do all these and so much more, so that their parents may see that in them. These children will bring much joy to their parents' hearts and souls. They give them more happiness knowing they are living for the Lord and not for men.

(c) Aug. 2009, Mike Carey

I Surrender

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give:

I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.
I surrender all.

Do we really say "I Surrender All" to Christ each day? Or is it a passing faze to us?

How I love this most convicting song as it reminds me l must surrender to our great God who has created us for His glory. I wonder how many of you, me included, adhere to the Word of God in His Bible and allow us to be subject to His will for our lives, and to Him period? No 'if's', 'ands', or 'buts'.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ died on Calvary's cross for our sins and shed His blood in our place. Do you think maybe we should not take this for granted and allow Christ our Lord to lead us to a more personal intimate relationship with Him and allow Him to be the center of our lives?

Ok, now, how do we surrender fully to our Lord God in heaven?

These are my thoughts, though others may have many more to add to. Here they are:

(1) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Prov.3:5, 6 (trust)

(2) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up. James 4:10 (humility)

(3) The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in him. Lamentations 3:24 (hope)

(4) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (submission)

(5) The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, o Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev.4:10, 11 (worship)

(6) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3 (obedience)

(7) We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (love for God)

(8) Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16 (personal holiness)

Just a few little things l saw which are Biblical and I wrote them down. Amen.

(c) Aug . 2009, Michael Carey

Sunset Beams

This poem is for our grandpas and grandmas:

Sunrise yesterday...
Sunset today...
Tomorrow will be night.

Sunrise gleams...
Sunset beams...
Night can be cold or warm.

Happy sunrise...
Serene sunset...
What a silent night.

But, life is like that...

Yesterday we're young
Today we're old
Tomorrow, everything's in God's hand.

And today, sunset still beams.

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado

Upcoming Best For You And Me

Yesterday may seem so dreary,
And today may seem so dry,
The future may seem so bleak,
Gloomy days, full of streak.

I ask the Lord why this is so,
Bad days are here, nothing's aglow.
And through His word, God says to me,
"Be not afraid, My hands hold thee."

He further says He truly cares,
In all the earth, there's nothing dear.
You and I, friend, He's still in charge;
And day by day we are recharged.

Don't worry 'cause we're here to thrive,
The roads seem rough, we still survive;
For God is there, why worry still?
Upcoming best in heaven's real.

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado

Good Uniqueness (Wonderfully Sharing Differences)

Looking back at more than 4 years of friendship and love, I have everything wonderful to say about a relationship that has gone stronger and stronger each day despite distances, cultural barriers and physical insufficiencies. I have more reasons to say this because Mike and I have gone through more than difficult situations, yet we have been successful in overcoming them. Why? Because we have God whom we make number 1 in our relationship. We are just second to Him in this love triangle.

It is not easy to love a paralytic like me especially when we are half the world apart and our only means of communication is the internet. We only see each other daily on webcam, if it would function well. The phone is the least option because I cannot talk well and he cannot understand what I am saying except when I say "I love you". Many times, we need to exert more patience to understand each other because we are culturally different. Although I can speak quite good English, language differences is still a problem. He is Canadian (white) while I am Filipino (brown). But as a form of loving endearment, we oftentimes call each other white and brown chocolates. We can even laugh at the individual uniqueness in us. These made us fall in-love in the first place.

This coined sentence seems very right for Mike and I: "It is because of so many differences that we have so much to share". It is also the right words to say to everyone in this whole, big, wide world. We can only wonderfully share our uniqueness and differences when we, too, have big, wide love for Jesus Christ in our hearts.

God bless us friends!

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado

If Jesus Would Not Come Back

• Churches would continue to backslide, bring in Godless worldly music and continue to be liberal-minded.
• Churches would remain prayerless.
• Liquor stores, gambling houses, theatres, prostitution rings, pornography dens, and other wicked places would keep on graving and promoting their filth.
• Cursing, blasphemy, and swearing would drastically increase.
• There would be more social gatherings and devil’s music in church.
• Women would put more paints on their faces and wear less clothes.
• More men and women would smoke more.
• Parents would consume and add to their collections of dirty magazines, playing cards, and filthy literatures in their homes.
• There would be more flirting and more sex among young people, and teenagers.
• Everyone would do less for the Lord, and expect God to do more for them.
• We would continue to get more stubborn, rebellious, prideful, hard-hearted, and full of more resentment, hate and bitterness.
• People would become more vocal in expressing their uncalled opinions, and would gossip and slander more.
• All ministers would continue even more to tear apart what God has called them to do – preach the Word - God’s Bible, the KJB. Instead, they would rip his Word apart and proclaim theological superiority by claiming other “books” as easier to read and understand.
• More TV sets and computers would be turned on to get satisfaction than to read the word of God.
• More lenders would chase the borrowers into submission not caring whether they are able to give back to them or not. More debts would incur.
• More people would stop giving tithes and offerings expecting God to bless them.
• Those living in adultery would live more in adultery, not batting an eye or giving it no thought of its evil consequences.
• The fridges of people would be filled more with the devil’s sewer water, wine, beer, hard liquors and all drinks that defile the body.
• More sodomites would be coming out of their closets instead of staying-in and cleaning themselves.
• Everyone will do more and more what is right in their own eyes with no thought in doing it.

So, friends, it is just right that Jesus Christ will come back soon so that many people will be aware, afraid and convicted, repent, accept Him as personal Savior and Lord, and change for the better.

What do you think?

(c) July 2009, Michael Carey

What Is A Born-Again Christian?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

I asked my sister's housemaid just this morning on what is a born-again Christian. She uttered shyly, "When you had me accept Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord?" "Yes!" I said. "When was it, Mayet?" I asked further. "March, 2009", she said then with assurance and with almost tears in her eyes. She was sure because she knew it was her gate pass to heaven. I knew, too, because I witnessed her cry after we said the prayer of salvation. We, two, were left in the house that day and I thought it as opportune time to share Jesus to her.

To you, friends, who is a born-again Christian? Although many of you know the answer, I have to answer it for the sake of those who do not know.

A born-again Christian is someone who truly and wholeheartedly repents all his sins and accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He is, therefore, a new creature. He is assured, then, of going to heaven. It is a very simple act of humility before Jesus Christ while lifting Him up on high as Lord and Savior. It is a prayer of submission to God. It does not have to be a spectacular scene in public to boast himself. He can even do it in his bedroom alone and nobody can see.

But, many failed or prideful enough to do this act of humility. "Why should I?" they always say. They know Christ already and pray to Him. There is no need for personal acceptance. Wrong, friend! Knowing Christ is not the same as accepting Him. Satan even recognizes Him well, trembles at His name and flee. There is a big difference between knowing and accepting. It is likened into not accepting the gift given to you and you know fully well that it is for you in contrast with accepting it because you know it is yours.

It is a sad thing to learn that others do not even care to listen to somebody talking about salvation. For them it is waste of time, a trash. They said they have other more special things to do. Which is more important, those other things man just do in this temporary earth that will vanish soon and be replaced or that true relationship as sons and daughters of the Most High God with heaven-bound assurance? You know which of those are very important.

Friends, you do not have to be super-heroic and extra-clean to humble yourself before Christ to let Him come into your life as your personal Savior and Lord. Just be your sinful self accepting that you cannot do anything without Him. Truly repent and ask Him to be your personal Savior and Lord. With His help, you can be a better person. You, with Him, can do it little by little everyday until He will bring you home. He knows you are a man (or a woman) and, therefore, frail. You do not have to struggle. Do it, friend, before it is too late.

Happy reading!

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado

Grace, Faith and Salvation: All In One

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

When I opened my Facebook account in the internet this morning, I was met by someone's question on "wall" asking me, "So, Luisa, what do you believe? Saved unconditionally by grace or on the condition of your faith?" Perhaps he was testing my faith and the belief through which I stood - meaning, doctrine. Honestly, my doctrine is the King James Bible. I know he was a Christian. He may even be a pastor. Maybe it was his own way of telling all people who could read it what salvation means - through question and answer. I could even so much relate him to our church pastor who would ask a professing Christian where he is in faith. Is he a deep-seated Christian? Does he need to understand more? Or, is he just pretending to be one?

Before anything else, let me share to you the meaning of grace, faith and salvation. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, grace is unmerited heavenly assistance (or gift), while salvation is saving a person from sin. Hebrews 11:1 says about faith as "... the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Going back to Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by the grace (unmerited heavenly gift) of God through faith (substance and evidence of hoped-for and unseen things respectively) in Jesus Christ. Salvation, therefore, is not done by ourselves, by our good works, by our powers, by our influences, nor by our bribes. It is a gift from God, otherwise we might boast before Him and men.

In heaven one day, people saved by the grace of Jesus Christ through faith will give Him all the glory, praise, honor, thanksgiving and adoration for the salvation He alone so freely offered to them whom He chooses. Then, let me ask you, friends. Have you accepted the salvation of Jesus Christ wholeheartedly? If not, then please say the prayer of salvation on the left side of this blog with true repentance and acceptance. It is your choice now or tomorrow may be too late.

By the way, good works come naturally to God's saved people. It should be because we are already new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). We may be not be perfect, but God will always be there to guide us.

Happy reading!

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado

Trust And Obey Still

Trusting and obeying God is very difficult when we are too much preoccupied with our own selves, and even with others other than Him. God does not say we cannot anymore do anything else, but that He wants us to trust and obey Him in everything we do. This means obeying God by doing what is honest, true, right and Godly that even in so doing, we sacrifice a lot of our worldly needs and wants. It also means trusting Him to spare us from the dangers of doing anything that could hinder us from obeying Him, whether great or small.

Now, friends, if doing one of the many commandments of God is always difficult and a struggle, then how can we do all the things He ask of us? How can we trust and obey Him when love for Him is lacking in our hearts? Remember always that He loves us first. He died for us. He gives us a chance to life eternal with Him in heaven. He is always a forgiving God if we honestly repent or ask His forgiveness. We may not be perfect in loving Him back, nor fully trust and obey Him in His will; but, we just love, trust and obey Him still. If we fail in some ways or another, that does not mean we do not have a chance anymore, well --- unless we are already dead and in life, Jesus Christ was never a Savior to us.

For as long are we are still here on earth, we face difficulties always that may question our faith. If we really love Him and this is the only chance left of us, trust and obey Him still. Remember again, that we are already saved by the grace of God through faith, and we have the assurance of heaven. We must never quit while we are still alive because that is what Christ wants of us.

Friends, just go on trusting and obeying Him.

(c) August 2009, Luisa Mercado

Writings of David J. Steward (Recent Articles)

Think Of These Things

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

We are living in the perilous times foretold in 2nd Timothy 3:1-7. America is not going to hell, it has gone to hell. It's bad enough that people crave the daily newspaper which is saturated with death, scandal, violence and filth; but that's not enough, they want to go buy movies that feature death, scandal, violence and every filthy sin imaginable. But that's not enough, they want to watch reality crime shows on TV that feature blood-stained walls, mass-murderers, sickos and psychos. The majority of American society cries out for more blood and guts, more sexual sins, more corruption, give us more, more, more. It is heathendom.

The Bible instructs us in Philippians 4:8 as born-again believers to think about things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, good news, things of virtue and praise. The Word of God tells us to... THINK ON THESE THINGS. Something is wrong with a person who looks forward to reading all the daily scuttlebutt and crime in the daily newspaper. Such people tend to be very self-righteous and hypocritical towards others who sin. If you want to learn more about the filthiest sinner and the most rotten person you can find, go look in the mirror.

American society is enamored with crime, bad news, perversion, sick-minded people and every sort of sin imaginable. It is evil. There is something spiritually and mentally wrong with a person who loves to read and hear about the misfortune of others. I realize that bad news is sort of like a train-wreck... you try not to look, but curiosity causes you to look anyway. Tragically, many Americans have become infatuated with bad news, crime and scandal. They love it. This is unhealthy for an individual, as well as for the home and society. It would be a wonderful thing if America could go back to a more simpler time when television and movies didn't exist. We ought not desire to see crime, bloodshed, violence, and every sin conceivable on the television screen. That is what the Devil's children desire.

As born-again Christians, we are supposed to preoccupy our minds with better things the Bible teaches. We need to focus and meditate upon things that are lovely, pure, of good report, virtuous and things of praise. The Word of God is certainly something that we need to think about continually. Psalm 1:2, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." It is no coincidence that television, movies and the newsmedia are saturated with crime, sexual sins, violence, and all manner of evil. Satan wants to corrupt society. Satan wants to undermine your home. Satan wants you to live in fear of walking down the street. Satan wants you to distrust your neighbor. It is a shame what America has become. So many people in society have become distrustful of everyone because of all the bad reports, crime, and evils things that they hear on the news. The truth is that only a very small handful of people are committing these crimes out of a nation of 300,000,000 people. The newsmedia love to create fear, panic and paranoia in society.

As believers, we ought to turn the television off and only read a limited amount of news from trusted Christian sources. We don't need to know all the gory details of every crime being committed in the world. Many people enjoy hearing of such things, which is a reflection of their evil heart. Christians should despise blood and guts type of horror movies. It's not good for the soul to see such things. The eyes are the window to the soul. There are many hobbies, subjects, activities and things in this world which are pleasant and peaceful, which are of good report and pure, which are acceptable to God to dwell upon. However, it is counterproductive to anyone, especially children, to view crime after crime on television. The TV desensitizes society to the awfulness of sin; whereas the Apostle Paul stated that "sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful" (Romans 7:13). The Word of God shows us the awfulness of sin. This is why the Bible has been banned from all public schools since 1963, because the Bible makes children aware of the awfulness of sin. Without the Bible, children readily accept abortion, fornication and homosexuality as acceptable lifestyles; but God's Word condemn such practices as sinful.

I would encourage anyone reading this article to seriously consider how much bad news, crime-filled movies and horrible things you watch on television or the internet. The Bible says that God wants all of us to think on things that are lovely, things that are pure, things that are of good report, et cetera. Sadly, most people think and talk about other people in a negative manner. Gossip is a sport, a cheap form of entertainment, to many people. It is sin. Why don't you talk about yourself, how rotten of a person you really are, and tell everyone that you love to gossip and destroy other people's names. Gossip is evil, rooted in self-righteous hypocrisy. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." God is going to judge mankind even for the words they have spoken. No good work or evil work will be left unnoticed. We will give account to God for everything.

THINK ON THESE THINGS! Remember that phrase. God wants us to have clean, pure and virtuous minds. God wants us to think about good things, lovely things (not lustful thoughts), pure things, things that are honest, et cetera. The newsmedia are a bunch of liars. I don't watch much mainstream news because of all the lying propaganda. I hardly ever watch TV, because I choose to control what I think about. I would rather think about God's creation, spend some time in nature, ponder the Scriptures, play a musical instrument, cook a good recipe, do some gardening, build something, et cetera.

Someone recently said to me, "I wish I had all the talents you have." I told them that I'm not really talented, I just applied myself to learn different things. Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. I taught myself to play steel guitar. I've been playing for 17-years. I started playing acoustic guitar 27 years ago. I play some banjo, harmonica, et cetera. I taught myself to cook. I remember the first time I tried to caramelize sugar and it turned black and I lifted the entire pan with the spoon glued in the burnt sugar. I learned by trial and error. Now I can make great homemade flan. I taught myself to make a website and built this ministry slowly by God's grace. I didn't know what I was doing when I started, but I had DESIRE. All the talent in the world means nothing if a person doesn't have desire. I'm not very talented, but I applied myself to certain areas and became good at them. A person can become good at just about anything if they do it long enough, even destroying other people's lives which some people are experts at. I've used my God-given abilities for good to help others. I've missed a lot of TV, thankfully. I spent my time doing something constructive. As far as I'm concerned, television is the biggest waste of time in the world.

We all have one life to live and then we must stand before God to give account (Hebrews 9:27). We all have 86,400 seconds in a given day. What we do with that time is up to us. Your mind is what you make it. Garbage in = Garbage out. I choose to use my time for God, for good, for things that are lovely (like music), for things that are pure (like teaching the Word of God), for things that are of good report (soulwinning), et cetera. I don't want to fill my mind with television's death, killings, filth and worldliness. You don't need talent, you just need to find an area of interest and apply yourself. THINK ON THESE THINGS!

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Religion Is The Worst Thing That Ever Happened

(Posted with Author's permission)

Religion is the worst thing that ever happened to this world. Tons and tons of books about the religions of the world have been printed. The figure is beyond count. Many religious people are totally blinded by the good deeds system. They have no concept of the doctrine of the total depravity of man (that all men are corrupt, evil, sinful and unable to please God in their own human efforts). They think of “total depravity” in terms of people who lie around in the gutter. Actually, those individuals who lie around in the gutters might be respectable compared to some religious people.

The sins of religious people are amongst the most awful sins of all. The sin of pride for example is fantastic. The sin of legalism is the system of trying to impress God with something you can do, rather than be impressed with what God has done through Jesus Christ.

Let’s consider a religious person talked about in the Bible. His name was Nicodemus. He was a very well educated man. He was a Pharisee (religious leader). Nicodemus was a very proud, vain, legalistic and hypocritical man. He came to Jesus at night, for Nicodemus was a very busy man. No doubt, he hoped to impress Jesus with his flattery. He addressed Jesus as “Rabbi” (an official title of honor). To Nicodemus, Jesus was a teacher, nothing more. Though Nicodemus had a body and a soul, his spirit was dead. He had no ability to fellowship with God, because he was “spiritually dead”. He had never been born spiritually.

If you are to be “born from above” or “born-again”, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. This is such a wonderful truth that is taught in the Bible. Many people, far beyond count, just don’t believe upon the Son of God. They believe in a God; maybe a god of wood, of stone, of metal, of spirit, of knowledge, of power, of nature, etc., etc., etc. Religion by the ton, of every sort, of every kind. Religion, religion and more religion. People have all kinds of ideas what God should be like. If they can’t find a god that is already made for them, they will make a new god to their liking. It is very difficult for some people to realize they are sinners, they feel they are very good people. Many don’t believe in a god, of any kind. They do not believe that there is anything beyond the grave. In short; many believe we are born, live and we die, the end!

However, so many questions about life are with us all the days of our life and they must be answered one way or another. In this life, a time comes when we must settle in our hearts whether or not a God does exist. Is there life after death? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? What is the purpose of life? Does God really give us eternal life? Will God actually punish people in hell? Is God, if there is a God, telling me the truth? Look at the world today and the destruction sin causes! Will the wicked really be turned into hell? WE ALL HAVE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AND MANY MORE because they need to be answered. No person can escape having to decide the answer to these questions; no one, it’s a part of life! You may decide you want nothing to do with God at all, but THEN THAT IS YOUR DECISION. See, you have to decide! Many religions will offer you answers to these questions, but the answers are not found in religion. The answers are found in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son!

Miracles are happening today, just as in the time of our Lord Jesus. You may have not thought about this before, but it takes a miracle to become a child of God. Salvation is a supernatural act of God in response to our child-like faith in Christ alone. When we reach that point in life where God has drawn us to make that decision to either accept or reject His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin, a miracle will or will not take place; depending on what we do with Jesus. Whether we reject or accept the Son of God as our Savior is totally up to each of us. If we reject Christ, no miracle of the new birth takes place.

On the other hand; if we accept Christ as our Savior, admitting that we are sinners and that we do want Christ to come into our hearts, our sins will be forgiven immediately. The new birth takes place immediately...not partially over time, not in steps; but instantly the very second we accept Jesus as Savior. We then belong to God, we are adopted into His family. A miracle has taken place and according to the Scriptures, there is no power, no person, or anything in this universe that can separate us from the love of God; which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35). The question of accepting or rejecting Christ must be settled in your heart. Whether you are a church-goer, give lots of money to charities, and do all kinds of religious works, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is—ARE YOU A BORN AGAIN CHILD OF GOD? No amount of religion or outward self-righteousness can help you on judgment day. Salvation is not found in a religion; but in a person, Jesus Christ. It’s simple! You are a sinner in need of a Savior. Stop trying to save yourself and decide to rely upon Jesus. Only Jesus paid for your sins, so only He alone can save! From your heart, simply ask Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Savior. Decide to rely upon Him alone to save your soul, because of the precious blood that He shed for you (1st Peter 1:18,19).

There's so much Corruption in the World, why Criticize Religion? | Accepting Different Religions?

"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." —Romans 10:3,4

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