Fri, Aug 30th - 3:03PM

THE HOLE IN THE WALL

Eze 8:8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. 9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. 10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about. 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. 12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

Our God is a jealous God. Brothers and sisters He has warned everyone that He alone is worthy of all the honor, worship, glory and praise. He will absolutely not share His glory with another, nor give His praise to any idols. In the above verses the “respected” ancients of the house of Israel looked holy at least on the surface, but they couldn’t fool God. God saw into the secret chambers of their hearts and found it full of the worship of abominations and idols.

Today we do not need to go through the hole in the wall, because today so called “learned” men and women too, are openly worshiping abominations and idols of self. They attach bits and pieces of a perverted gospel message to justify themselves. They strut shamelessly some in oddments of clothing, with the censers of various titles and degrees in their hands crying holy holy to their idols of schools of “theology” and “divinity”. 

They think their righteousness is conferred upon them through their idols. Can you imagine brethren the gall of anybody thinking they are made holy because they paid to go to a school and received some degree or title? How revolting and insulting this is to Lord Jesus Christ.

Be certain that their open worship is mostly about music and homilies, and bits and pieces of a false and psychologized gospel message. Let us pray brothers and sisters that they will repent and that their spiritual blindness will be removed, and that the hand of God will restrain them from perverting the gospel message until they do repent.

Let us continually thank and  praise God for the multitude of righteous servant- leaders, and all Christians who preach the whole gospel message, and attribute their righteousness to faith in Jesus Christ alone. Let us pray that every Christian will rest upon scripture rightly interpreted and lived, and never rest in a man- made "theology".

Love

serola

Mon, Aug 26th - 3:16PM

Just about anybody with the money and ability to past the various tests of the seminary courses offered can get a degree of various levels in “divinity” or “theology”. A news program I was watching one day had an interview with a “Bible scholar” promoting the book he had written about Jesus Christ.

The reporter, in a shocked tone queried “how can you write a book about Jesus Christ since you are not even a Christian?!! The man replied that was true, but stated that he was qualified to do so on the basis that he had obtained a degree from a Christian seminary in “theology”, and it did not matter that he was not a Christian. 

To the reporter’s credit she said she doubted any practicing Christian would be interested in buying such a book written by a man who was not even a Christian. This is just the tip of the iceberg regarding these seminaries or schools of "divinity".  Now a multitude of unbelievers with their papers (degrees) bought from such schools are opening up many so-called  “churches” to validate and endorse lifestyles that are blasphemous and unbiblical.

They get a lot of validation and  coverage in from the media as they challenge the Bible as being “out of date” on issues of homosexuality, abortion, and other issues that the Bible condemns. They are heavily funded by many aberrant organizations that desire to normalize sin.

Furthermore their propaganda is reaching into the schools to brainwash children to increase their followers. Their so called churches indoctrinate the unwary among them as well, who actually would believe the gospel if it were preached. No doubt there are those who hear their false message with joy as it endorses their aberrant lifestyles.

This is what comes out of the hands of men who think people can be educated into the Gospel. These schools are often linked to denominations, or Bible scholars. Ain’t nobody getting into their organizations or institutions that do not come through them-as though they were God. So if somebody wants a job in the ministry, they better shell out their money, because they ain’t getting in for free. They deny the Holy Spirit as the true teacher of all Christians.

These schools are a stumbling block promoting the heresy that no man can be a pastor, and no Christian can preach the gospel unless they have a paper degree and a title out of their schools. The Bible has set forth the only true qualifications for a pastor and other church leaders as well. As for preaching the gospel, ALL Christians are commanded to witness and preach the gospel message to the world. The true church must obey God and choose leaders based on sound biblical principles to bring these false standards to an end.

Entering into the kingdom of God will not be on the basis of a person’s grade point average, years of schooling, degrees earned, or having titles of “theologian” or “Bible scholar” after their names.

Love

Serola

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Fri, Aug 23rd - 11:15AM

GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO WORSHIP HIM

THE BIBLE CONCERNING UNBELIEVERS There are those who reject Jesus Christ but still desire to join with Christians today. There is a great clamor, endless demands even, that Christians "loosen up" and fellowship with them, regardless that such persons do not believe and follow the Bible, correctly understood and lived.

Unbelievers continue to argue with the Bible, they say (in error) "surely we understand things better than the Bible due to the more modern enlightened understanding of today”. They want God's people, to join in with them and accept their unbelief that goes against the Bible.

Christians are forbidden by God to comingle the worship of Him with unbelievers. God warns us: 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Eph. 5:11 KJV).

Make no mistake, beloveds, these unbelievers are arguing with God. They have absolutely no chance of changing God's mind or the minds of God's people. In no way do we hate such persons, but Christians have the right to worship according to biblical standards.

Only those who believe, obey and are filled with the Holy Spirit can understand the scriptures. The Bible unquestionably tells us:

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 13 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:12-16 (KJV).

For this reason also we have to reject those "educators" and so called "theologians" who falsely teach that a degree from their schools makes them biblical experts. I am not against education, but this is not the biblical standard. What this does is promote the heresy of money making organizations and institutes  that are degree mills which even unbelievers can obtain, and those from occult religions to obtain and call themselves "Bible scholars".

We must humbly accept that only those indwelt by the Holy Spirit can understand scripture. No one can be "educated" into the kingdom of God by human effort. The Holy Spirit alone teaches us and opens up the scriptures, and allows us to partner with Him in helping  one another to understand and live scripture He teaches us.

The Holy Spirit also gives special gifts in regards to being a help to one another. All believers must co-operate  together with the Holy Spirit to  participate in lovingly obeying God and helping one another to live and correctly understand scripture. There is absolutely no competition in this endeavor. We must resist the efforts of those who have become "puffed up" with pride, desiring to set themselves up as so called  " Bible experts" based on man made standards. My prayer is that they would repent and GIVE GOD THE GLORY WHO ALONE IS DESERVING OF IT.

love

serola 

Thu, Aug 22nd - 11:54AM

THE PERSECUTED YOU

Persecution: G1377 diōkō pronounced dē-ō'-kō 1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away 2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal b) to pursue (in a hostile manner) 3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one a) to persecute b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something 4) without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone 5) metaph., to pursue 6) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire.

Wow!! We can see in these biblical definitions the dreadful relentlessness of those who persecute Christians in their resolve to harm believers. Brethren don’t get afraid, don’t get upset, mad with or mistrust God when persecution comes, as it certainly will. Persecution is not a curse for no one can curse what God has blessed. Perceive and know that God will be with, and bless you and me, in fact all of His people even in the midst of persecution. Feel free to look up on your own other types of persecution defined in the Bible.

Brothers and sisters, those who teach that everybody is just going to fall in love with you because you or me belongs to Christ, is teaching a false gospel that leaves a Christian weak, unprepared and weaponless in the face of persecution. Lord Jesus Christ has told every one of us beforehand why we are persecuted:

1Jo 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Jhn 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

God’s blessings on you me and all Christians in persecution: Mat 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The righteous turn to God in persecution and trials; but the wicked turn away. Persecution reveals who chooses to belong to God or not. Persecution reveals and separates the good seed from the bad. (see Mark 13:38-43; Mt. 13: 20-21).

God NEVER allows persecution to separate believers from Him or His love. We can be confident that God NEVER abandons us in our persecution. Persecution is never a sign from God that He is angry with His people. We know this because ever our Lord Jesus suffered great persecution. We can take great comfort from our God, even in persecution:

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

Love

serola

Rest easy little flock of God, for greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Mon, Aug 19th - 9:20AM

THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

Brothers and sisters persecution is one of God’s tools that He allows to strengthen His church-the people of God. There is no point in going where the Bible does not go in terms of measuring who is the most or least persecuted amongst Christians. It is true that the Bible notes some Christians have suffered or will suffer more severe persecution than others, this is God’s business alone. 

He has not set up a persecution pope to applaud or disparage Christians according to humanistic standards. These kinds of arguments which are still God’s business alone, obscures the biblical truth that God does not send the persecution, but He allows it and uses it in the lives of all believers everywhere for His glory and our good. Lord Jesus Christ tells us in His word: 2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

God does not allow persecution in a one size fits all kind of way. Persecution is normal in the lives of all Christians and specific to the needs of particular groups and/ or individual Christians. Certainly there are those who teach that Christian life is ONLY one of peace, happiness and having all of ones needs met. Others teach that Christians can pray away all persecution. Peace, happiness, and having some needs met and praying to God has its place, nevertheless persecution will still be a part of the lives of every Christian.

False teachings about persecution instills fear and a lack of trust in God and obscures the great benefits of it through God. The correct spiritual attitude then for all Christians is that it is an expected and normal part of all of our lives. We can trust that the persecution is allowed by God and specifically tailored to our needs by God, to test, strengthen and grow us. We have God’s absolute assurance that He will work it out for His glory and our good. We gain experience and patience under fire, and like good soldiers of Christ, strengthen, help and comfort other believers undergoing their various trials.

Love

Serola

Jhn 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Tue, Aug 13th - 12:23PM

Brothers and sisters, my pastor seemed to sense when we all got comfortable, earlier I recounted how he got the whole church up and into the streets to witness. Prior to this I freely admit I had comfort zones and loved to come to church and take my seat to enjoy music and a sermon. But this pastor was full of surprises, he didn’t mind shaking things up. 

It seems that just as we were letting out sighs of relief in taking our favorite seats, he shouted: “Get up and minister to the needs of one another right now!” I know I wasn’t the only one thinking what is going on? I looked around at the men in their nice suits and ties, the ladies carefully dressed and coiffed, thinking I don’t know all these people, they look O.K. to me. They don’t look like they need anything.

Seeing out hesitance he shouted yet again: “Gather yourselves into groups and minister to your brothers and sisters”. I recall how shy we all were as we looked around our circles. Then we started to share our needs with one another and pray and comfort one another. Soon the room filled with men and women crying; the men not caring that their nice shirts got tear stained, or the women that their careful makeup was running. Our fervent prayers for one another filled the room rising up in intercessions before our High Priest Lord Jesus Christ.

That day we looked at one another with new eyes, no longer seeing strangers who looked O.K by how they were dressed, but as family, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and children of God. From that day on I never again saw another Christian anywhere in the world as a stranger, but as family, as I am sure we all did. Fellowship broke out like a flood, and we became a true family sharing our lives in gathering together, and afterwards in our homes.

The next thing that pastor did was teach the whole church the scriptures to ensure we were all on the same page about the Gospel message. He refused to hire people, and helped and encouraged every one of us to develop our gifts through the Holy Spirit to help one another. From then on certainly sermons continued, and the singing of hymns, but never without taking time to minister to the needs of the whole church, also with practical provision when needed.

I came to love Lord Jesus for myself, and know who He made me in Him. I came to love my pastor, to support and appreciate His work in the Lord. I came to love serving my brethren, not just looking to get nor to enable. I came to know the power of God’s love and His desire that all men be saved. I came to understand that my life is to be shared and not lived selfishly to fulfill just my own needs and plans. My prayer is that the eyes of every Christian would be opened to always see family and never strangers. This we will certainly do through Christ Jesus who loves us and gave Himself for us. Let us freely give ourselves to Him and one another.

Love

Serola

Fri, Aug 9th - 7:28AM

STARVING IN THE LAND OF PLENTY

Dear friends of Jesus, it is common for some to think that starvation exists only in third world countries. Yet it is well documented that were it not for the compassion of Christians and also food pantries, food stamps etc. there would be people so malnourished they would die even in wealthy countries including America.

On another level the causes of certain types of malnourishment is well explored and relates to our choices. It can be caused by choosing to  eat too little of the right kinds of food and too much of the wrong kinds of food that are merely empty calories. The wrong kinds of foods fill the belly, give a false since of fulfillment, but cannot help the body to survive, and often result in disease and even death. Interestingly, empty calorie junkies can "appear" to look healthy for a time, but ultimately decline in health.

The Bible addresses a more tragic and urgent form of starvation- deadly SPIRITUAL STARVATION, and offers its ONLY CURE:

Jhn 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

If anyone believes that Jesus Christ shed His blood and died on the cross for their sins and raised again that person, all such persons will be saved. Christ died for all mankind and His Salvation is freely given to ALL. Whomsoever will come to Him He will in no wise cast out.

Yeah, Lord Jesus makes it quite clear, His bread gives life,  the manna of the Old Covenant brings the curse and death, The Old Covanent was set up by God to point the way to His Son Jesus Christ:

Jhn 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Understand brethren, It is God Himself that teaches everyman, they got to come through Jesus Christ His Son to get to the Father. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS;

No one has to starve spiritually, and if they CHOOSE TO DO SO,  have no one to blame but themselves. Salvation is  God's land of plenty forgiveness and mercy through His Son Jesus Christ. Believe on the Son of God and be saved RIGHT NOW WITHOUT DELAY, WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME. 

If anyone CHOOSES TO reject Jesus Christ, they are signing their own death warrant and choosing spiritual death over the only source of eternal life. All those who CHOOSE TO reject Jesus Christ will not only spiritually starve in this life,  but will one day  physically die and be separated forever from God to spend all eternity burning in hell prepared for the devil, his angels and all unbelievers.

love

serola

love-because it never fails, works no harm to its neighbors, enables us to love God and one  another, even our enemies and all men, abides forever, and is God Himself in all His people, through His Son Lord Jesus Christ.

Sat, Aug 3rd - 5:20AM

Sam and Ann looked forward to the family gathering together for a celebration. Ann cooked all the things that the family enjoyed, and Sam was careful to mow the lawn and freshen up the garden. Ann set out her best dinnerware, and made sure the couches and chairs were clean with fresh plumped up cushions. On the back deck they set out comfortable tables and chairs, where the family would sit out afterwards to company together.

The house was filled with the odors of the delicious foods that had been prepared. The day arrived, that Sam and Ann had so looked forward to. The family rushed into the house. Without one word of greeting to Sam and Ann, the family gushed with joy over how comfortable the furniture was to sit on. They quickly rushed to the food and gobbled everything down with enthusiasm as they remarked how good it tasted. Afterwards they made their way to the back deck to relax and sip the lemonade and iced tea prepared for them. After a while the family left, remarking how nice the house looked and what a good time they had, leaving a brief thanks to frustrated sam and Ann as they passed by quickly on the way out.

Brothers and sisters, we know without a doubt that Sam and Ann was not pleased one bit by the behavior of their family. It comes as no surprise that they felt used, disrespected and unappreciated. The whole purpose of their efforts was to show that they loved their family, and desired that in gathering, that the family would enjoy one another and even be comforted together.

The family cheated itself out of the comfort, joy and strength that arise out of being united together with one’s own family in love. Compounding all this is that the family did not see itself as family-their focus was external, seeing things as more important than family.

Christians have the good Shepherd, who continually gathers His flock together. It can be no surprise that He feels dishonored and displeased when His family thinks more of the sheep barn than on the Shepherd. Any Christian who fails to see he or she united with God and His family dishonor Christ and cheat themselves out of the comforting love and strength that comes from gathering together with God and His family.

Brethren, let us partner in prayer continually that spiritual blindness will be removed from anybeliever so that they will see their true identity in God and His family. I pray that whenever the spotlight is on those leaders leading public protest or in the public eye, that they will say: “yes we need to stop violence in our community. Yes we need more parental and community involvement in improving our community. Yes we could do with more protection of the law. Yes we need to strengthen families and teach our kids right from wrong. Yes we need to reduce criminal recidivism, and do all we can to prevent people from becoming criminals. Yes we need jobs that pay a living wage so that we can support families and business. Yes we need to teach people to do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay". 

"However, we are Christians and we declare that Jesus Christ is the only real, true and lasting solution, for all mankind, because only He can change hearts. Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the whole world, if anyone believes on Him as Saviour, they will be saved and become Christians. Anyone who rejects Him will burn in hell for all eternity”. The Gospel is the real answer that the world needs for all time and its only final solution.

I pray that when any Christian is asked where their church is located they will boldly say, it is true that we gather together to worship in buildings,  but the true church is the people of God for whom He will return one day. He is never coming back for any building, no matter how grand or how long it has been around. Let us not fail to take the opportunity to give the Gospel message at all times. I pray we will work together to help one another relate as family united under one Shepherd out of love for God and one another.

The false religion of man seeks to draw the hearts of people into buildings and or things and to turn people’s hearts away from God. The truth that may seem shocking to some is that no matter how religious a brick and mortar church may seem and no matter how long it has been around, anything overtly or covertly that rejects the whole of the New Covenant is a cult. The leaders of such places are wizards and shamans seeking to seduce people away from God to idolatry. They are greedy for money, evil and thrive on the cult of their own personality.

Love

serola