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Rule Book? Who Needs It?

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all (track and field), but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain . 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things . Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown (ex. Olympic Gold Medal); but we an incorruptible (eternal glory and reward). 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I (boxing), not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Here Jesus’ apostle Paul speaks of two sports, running (track and field) and boxing. He uses them due to the widespread knowledge of them by the people. Paul uses these sports to illustrate divine truths we must grasp to successfully follow the LORD Jesus. In another place Paul uses the sport of wrestling when illustrating spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12).

Paul illustrates a spiritual truth by speaking of running in a race as an athlete according to the rules of the marathon, hurdle, or relay race. Then he says that in his walk with Christ, he makes sure he is not wasting his time only to be “castway” from the LORD in the end as Jesus promised that “many” who think they are serving Him will be (Matthew 7:21-23). If a boxer doesn’t land his punches on the chin or body of his opponent and just throws those punches into mid air, at the end he will lose.

Are your punches landing on the chin of your enemy? Or, are you spinning your wheels?

Would it be better to find out the answers to these questions before it’s too late?

Sports are not a new thing and as is the case for their predecessors, all modern sports have rules that must be followed or disqualification follows. How many times have we seen players fail to follow the rules and their play or whole body of work becomes nullified? We are all aware of recent Heisman trophies that have been taken back and various achievement awards due to violations of the rules including the use of steroids.     Can you remember seeing where a track runner steps off the track or a basketball player commits a foul or a good football play is brought back and negated due to a penalty, like offensive holding? Though it grieves us at the moment, we know that the game must be played according to the rules, right?

What’s your favorite sport? Does that sport have rules? Of course, right. And where are those rules contained? In a rule book, right?

The rule book for any sport is the script as to exactly how that game works, what qualifies and what disqualifies a team, a player, or a play. Each play is either qualified or disqualified based on whether or not the player(s) conforms to the established rules of that game.

The same is true concerning the Savior and His salvation. His rules are contained in His Rule Book. Think about it. God’s script is revealed in His Holy Scriptures and His agenda is to save you for His eternal glory. His Rule Book keeps safe and sound those who live by it (Psalms 17:4; Proverbs 30:5-6). They are assured eternal blessings while violators will be penalized and punished eternally (Revelation 1:3; 21:7-8; 22:14-15).

To those who had just believed upon Him, Jesus said “IF ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall  make you free.” (John 8:31-32) In other words, “Now that you are saved, you must continue in My Word and as you do you will be made free, otherwise you will fall away and not make it. Now that I have found and apprehended you for My glory and kingdom, you must follow My ways and hear My voice and no other.”

“Ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

It’s interesting to notice that rule books are universally accepted in every arena of life except with the Almighty. We are all glad and agree that our favorite sports have to have an established set of rules. That is, rules established which govern how the game is played. In the games we like there is always a written standard to play by so that fairness is executed. Breaking the rules of the game brings disqualification. In fact, my favorite football team played in a big game recently and a running back from the team ran in for a score/touchdown, apparently. Yet, upon reviewing the play, it was discovered that the athlete had stepped out of bounds on his way to the end zone. So, operating according to the rules of the game of football, the officials nullified that touchdown and the ball was placed back where the player stepped out of bounds. Why? –Because the rules say so. No one from either team or fan base disagreed because we all agree with and find safety and fairness in the rules establishing that game.

The Rule Book for the Game of Life

No, life’s not a game, but this is an illustration in accordance to how Paul’s used sports.

It’s interesting that when it comes to the Almighty, our very Maker, Judge, and the One whose air we now breath to keep us alive, we want to scrap, trash, change, ignore, twist, and attack His Sacred Rule Book, the Holy Bible. Many insist upon making up their own rules and playing their own way, never realizing they may be disqualifying themselves by their denial of the Rule Maker. This will end is eternal separation from the LORD in hell.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

Just why do people not want to humble themselves and walk simply according to the Word of the One they claim to have be saved by? – It’s simple – they have not surrendered to Him or are presently serving self and not the Savior. They have chosen to reign over the affairs of their own lives and oust Christ as LORD and Master. Jesus calls them His very “enemies.”

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slaythem before me.” Luke 19:27

In the sport games we like, we all trust and generally agree with the rules that establish the parameters of that game and yet, when it comes to the LORD, so many who claimed to know Him, could care less to even learn His Rule Book, much less walking accordingly.

You see, rules are a blessing. Keeping them is certain to keep us safe, sound, and secure in the end.

Soon, you and I shall stand before Him to give account of every thought, motive, and action done in this life. We will each give account to the ultimate Law Giver as to whether or not we obeyed what He said in His Word. Those who ignore and do not do things His way – by His Rule Book – have this to look forward to:

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away ; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened : and another book was opened , which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

You see, God’s Rule Book is the only eternal Book of Rules for life and blessing (2 Peter 1:3-4). His Rule Book reveals the One Savior whereby the individual can play by the rules He has established and not be disqualified in the end. His blessings and promises are all there to be received by His children. All that we need and desire is found therein.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divinenature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

Saved or Sorry?

At the end of a whole game, no one wants to find out that they have been disqualified due to not following the standards set forth in the rule book, right? This is why it makes no sense and is deadly to assume one is following God’s Rule Book if that person does not even study and know the Word. Many think they are following the LORD and believe they will be accepted into Heaven in the end and miss the eternal, conscious misery and suffering of hell. But Jesus foretold of them. He said that “many,” not a few, will be shocked in the end to be told that they are rebels who refused to get to truly know Him in their earthly lives. “Many” will be misled by “false prophets” who preach a “broad way” or wide acceptance instead of what the only Savior taught – “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.” Then He tells us who and who is not building their eternal futures upon the rules of the game. This determines who is safe and who will be eternally sorry. Whatever you do, listen closely to these words from the Son of God:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits . Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down , and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended , and the floods came , and the winds blew , and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended , and the floods came, and the winds blew , and beat upon that house; and it fell : and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:13-29

Whose rule book are you following? God’s, or your own?

Warning:

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

The prayers of the rebellious are not answered. Rebels don’t like rules because they are lawless, full of pride, deliberate unbelief, and self-righteousness. The lake of fire awaits.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (Word), even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9

One thing’s for certain – with no exception – ALL who know and follow Jesus Christ, count His Word as highest authority and refuse to put their worship and honor toward mere men or ministries (Ezekiel 14:3; Zechariah 11:17; John 5:41-44; 8:47; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5; 8:5). Any person who thinks they are saved and isn’t following Christ according to the written Word of God, is deluded and the LORD is calling them to repent and be saved.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105

Whether we like it or not, when we get pulled over by a policeman and we say to the officer “But I didn’t know the speed limit,” he says “that’s no excuse and it’s your responsibility to know the speed limit.” We then get a ticket. Right? The Bible says “And if a man also strive for masteries (to win), yet is he notcrowned (qualified)except he strivelawfully (according to the rules).” (2 Timothy 2:5) God has guidelines and those who ignore or refuse to learn them are doomed (Jonah 2:8).

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” Jonah 2:8

God forbid that we get to the end of our lives, which could be today, and discover the horrific truth that we did not truly follow Christ according to His Word but rather other notions, philosophies of mere men, and wolves who misled us!

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psalms 127:

Want to do things the right way and be ready to meet your Maker and eternal Judge? Go here.

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Abiding

The Blessing of Being Born of God, Born Again [podcast]


QUESTION:

“What does it mean to be ‘born again’?”

REPLY:

Great question. I am praying for you now. Born again is the same as regeneration we see in Titus 3:5-7. When the sinner (ALL of us) comes to God humbly, in repentance, turning his life to the LORD, and putting all of his faith now in Jesus Christ alone, God does a miracle in the person’s life—a change on the inside that is unmistakable and transforms that persons nature and life forever. From that moment onward, Christ reigns in that person’s life, filling him with love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). The LORD works from the inside out. First He saves, washes our sins away, and then dwells in that newly saved, born again temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

To be born again you have to go to God directly…. admitting you have sinned against Him, and receive Jesus into your life. It has to be personal. Religions are designed to keep you from God while claiming to be the way to God. Beware.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2nd birth).” John 3:7

“The birth for which Christ contends is from above—by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Every man must have two births, one from heaven, the other from earth—one of his body, the other of his soul: without the first he cannot see nor enjoy this world, without the last he can not see nor enjoy the kingdom of God. As there is an absolute necessity that a child should be born into the world, that he may see its light, contemplate its glories, and enjoy its good, so there is an absolute necessity that the soul should be brought out of its state of darkness and sin, through the light and power of the grace of Christ, that it may be able to see, or to discern, the glories and excellencies of the kingdom of Christ here, and be prepared for the enjoyment of the kingdom of glory hereafter. The Jews had some general notion of the new birth; but, like many among Christians, they put the acts of proselytism, baptism, etc., in the place of the Holy Spirit and his influence: they acknowledged that a man must be born again; but they made that new birth to consist in profession, confession, and external washing.

The new birth which is here spoken of comprehends, not only what is termed justification or pardon, but also sanctification or holiness. Sin must be pardoned, and the impurity of the heart washed away before any soul can possibly enter into the kingdom of God. As this new birth implies the renewing of the whole soul in righteousness and true holiness, it is not a matter that may be dispensed with: heaven is a place of holiness, and nothing but what is like itself can ever enter into it.” Adam Clarke

“I can remember after getting saved my friends and my family immediately saying What happened to her?’ There was an immediate and complete change in me. God cleaned me from the inside out. I was made brand new and people noticed. My family asked ‘What has happened to her?’ Does anyone know? Yes! Jesus happened to me! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER TO GOD TO BE SAVED, TO BE FORGIVEN

Are You Ready to be Saved? Okay here’s a prayer to be God’s child. You have to admit the obvious, that you have sinned against God and turn to Him fully, turn your life over to Him who made you, and confess Jesus Christ as the new LORD and Savior of your life. Pray this …

Your Prayer to God … You must honestly admit your sins and receive Christ… Apply His holy blood to your life so that you may be saved, forgiven, and live eternally with Him. You must completely turn your life over to Him in repentance and faith. Now, pray the following prayer to God with all that is within you, from your heart and out loud:….

Dear heavenly Father, right now, if never before, I come to You as a broken and sinful person. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die in my place for my sins. Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to die and rise again to rescue me from sin and eternal hell and to save me for Your eternal glory. Right this moment, if never before, I receive You LORD Jesus. Come in and take over my whole life. I am all Yours and You are all mine. I love You Jesus and I will follow You from this moment forward till I am with You in Heaven forever! Please use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.


How do we know someone is “born of God”?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; … Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 20

First off, if you are born again you are changed from the inside out … you desire to do God’s will now…. and are learning the need for the cross, the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-25).

Let us remember that the biblical words “born again” (John 3:3, 7),  “born of God” (1 John 4:7), “regeneration,” and being a “new creature” in Christ go hand in hand or we can say, are synonymous.

“Born of God” appears 6 times in God’s Word and are all found in the book of 1 John:

1 John 3:9
Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD.

Those who are “born of God” do not live in sin. They repent or return (turn back) to the LORD, confessing all sin. If not they will “fall away” and be outside of Christ (Luke 8:13). See Can a Born Again Man be Un-Born Again? [podcast]


1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God.

Those who are “born of God” walk in His love toward others.


1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Those who repent and believe upon Christ are “born of God” and they love all other of Christ’s saints.


1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is BORN OF GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Those who are “born of God” overcome this fallen world. By present and perpetual faith, they “overcometh the world.”


1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Those “born of God” do not live in sin. Rather, they “keepeth” themselves from sin and therefore Satan. This is accomplished by what we read in 1 John 1 and 2—which spells out the walk of the true disciple of Jesus.

MAY GOD bless each disciple of Jesus today to abide in Christ by walking crucified and raised up by Him today (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). May “the fruit of the Spirit”—the “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” be abundantly produced in the life of every saint of Jesus! May it be 100 fold LORD! Read John 15. If you have been drawn in by Christ (John 6:44; 12:32), have repented (Luke 13:3), have received Christ (John 1:12), and are born again (John 3:3), you are bought by the precious blood of the LORD Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:17-18).

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You found and saved me into Your eternal kingdom by way of the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I stop this life here and now, and I give You praise. I love You LORD Jesus. I am no longer my own but Yours. I am crucified with Christ. Please work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. I am all Yours LORD and I know You are all mine! Please fill this vessel with Your Holy Ghost afresh, and please use me. In Jesus’ name, amen Master Jesus!

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Articles

Ministry Today at the Local Market in Mexico [podcast]


From brother Juan:

“Glory to God, brother! We know that the Word of God is not imprisoned. Jeremiah was in the prison courtyard, and God said, ‘Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.’ And we know that the word of God never returns empty; it always fulfills its purpose, brother. So we fully trust that God will do the work to expand His kingdom for His honor and glory. To Him be all the honor, brother. Blessings.” Juan






“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

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Apostasy

Jesus Calling Devotional Exposed: 10 Things You Might Not Know

“I know so many who are so deceived by this book!! The author is a woman and she makes Jesus sound like your boyfriend who is so in love with you he can’t bare a minute without you! It is sickening! Plus she says the Bible was not enough for her. She needed more. This author died and if she did repent of her blasphemy against a holy God she is burning in hell as we speak. There are not two Jesus’s! This book presents a weak, tolerant of all your sin, pathetic, spineless ‘Jesus.’ This false ‘Jesus’ just sits in heaven google-eyed over you and how much He can’t live one minute without you in His presence! This is opposite of the fierce Christ who calls out sin and hypocrisy, who took a whip to the money changers and flipped over tables in righteous anger! Mathew 23 shows us some of the most severe rebukes in all the New Testament. This is the Jesus true disciples chose to follow! May this new documentary open the eyes of many so-called Christians to how demonic and evil this book is.” Karen Cochran

 

BEWARE of the Jesus Calling devotional book which is written by a full blown heretic, Sarah Young. This book continually assures things to lost souls (catholics, etc.) reserved only for the true Christian. It promises salvation, assurance, grace, mercy, the glory of God, etc to lost hell bound idolatrous sinners. Like antichrist Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life book, Jesus Calling never calls sinners to repent which is a Gospel essential and without which God will never save any soul from sin and hell (Luke 13:3, 5). You will never hear Jesus’ born again commanded or command to repent in this heretical devotional book title Jesus Calling. This monstrosity simply confirms sinners in their sin, sealing their doom in the lake of fire (Jeremiah 23:17; Lamentations 2:14, etc.).

Sarah Young is just another self-willed false prophet who does “ministry” her way, not God’s, in order to sell books and to mislead eternal souls into eternal damnation.

The blessings of God in Christ’s salvation are reserved only for those born again “in Christ,” and never for hell bound religious idolaters (John 15:7; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Peter 1:1-4, etc.). 


Stacy Strother writes:

Her subtly, deceptive, doctrinally corrupt fairy tale version of what she calls bible studies for all the different ages of people, including children’s bible studies, teen and other, are found in the book stores—shelves filled full.

She is deceived, a false witness, False bible teacher, and has not heard from our Jesus—the Christ, Son of the living God, of which, is the very Word of God.

She hears from demons. Period! She needs to REPENT, and be born again! Please Lord Jesus, help her see her own demise!”

About That Jesus Calling – 10 Things You Might Not Know

ARE you seeking to experience God OR to KNOW HIM? (John 17:3)

“People want a word from God instead of the Word OF God.” Warren Smith

by Lighthouse Trails Editors

1. Did you know that Sarah Young says she had been inspired by the “Jesus” of a book called God Calling?

2. Did you know that Christian publisher Harvest House’s book The Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs says that God Calling is an example of a channeled New Age book “replete with denials of biblical teaching”?1

3. Did you know that the “Jesus” of God Calling teaches that God is “in” everyone?

4. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling contradicts the Jesus of the Bible?

5. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling rejects the Jesus of the Bible’s warnings about the future and tells us to “laugh” at the future?

6. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling frequently flatters his followers, which contrasts the way Jesus Christ spoke to people?

7. Did you know that Sarah Young’s “Jesus” revises the night that Jesus Christ was born and calls it a “dark night” in a “filthy stable” in “appalling conditions” even though the Bible says the shepherds rejoiced in all that they had seen that night? 2

8. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling revises the accounts of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph of the Bible?

9. Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling encourages his followers to practice contemplative “listening” prayer and to have a “buffer zone of silence” with no warning about seducing spirits?3

10.  Did you know that the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling emphasizes New Age terms and concepts throughout the book?

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailThe 10 points above have been taken from Warren B. Smith’s new book, “Another Jesus” Calling. This book provides valuable information that can help you warn your family and friends how the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling contradicts the biblical Jesus.

 Notes:

1. John Ankerberg & John Weldon, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1996), p. 103.

2. Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, p. 376.

3. Jesus Calling, June 15th entry

FEEDBACK:

“Solid Biblical refutation of the “New Age ” nonsense passing itself off as the latest thing God is doing. In our area a number of Churches have embraced this and other similar material with no discernment to the un-biblical nature of this drivel. Thank God for Warren B. Smith and others who provide an inestimable service to the Body of Christ as “watchmen on the wall.” Pastor Tom, West Harrison NY”

More Wolves Exposed!

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