Family – Jesus ~ Amazing Grace!

Seek Ye the LORD While You Can!

God means what He says and says what He means! My hermeneutics are “literal”, however, that being said…study the scriptures yourself and make up your own mind! Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit…

Time is running out!

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Throughout the Scriptures in the both the Old Testament and the New Testament, Heavenly Father is letting us know that He’s there for us, but we need to SEEK HIM! What does that mean? How do you SEEK HIM? First of all…it’s a heart thing – a soul thing and finally it’s a mind thing to search Him out. He’s not hiding from us, this isn’t a game! We must know Him in order to find Him!

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

2 Chronicles 15:2b The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

The first and best thing that you can do is to get to know him by reading your Bible. He’s provided for us in His WORD everything that we need to know about Him. He expresses to us exactly what He hates and what He loves. He leads us in the path of righteousness and guides us every step of the way…all we have to do is follow Him and listen for His voice. If we SEEK HIM FIRST and CHOOSE to PLEASE HIM we make better life choices, we will have a different attitude about everyone around us and people will say: what happened to him or her?. When you Seek and Allow God to have His Presence in your life, you’ll become forever changed and people around you will notice the change. The Holy Spirit will come to reside in you and with every breath you take, you’ll become more like Jesus – Yeshua.

Psalm 14:2 the Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Don’t you see that every morning when you wake up that this world is becoming a darker place and day by day mankind falls deeper and deeper into sin? Can’t you see that sin has become such a “normal” part of the human existence that we no longer recognize just how horrible it is and how much our Holy God – Heavenly Father hates sin? He’s held back the tide of His punishment for thousands of years! You ask WHY? The answer is simple and right to the point…because He LOVES us! Because He doesn’t want to feel the pain and anguish that He suffered when He destroyed the world and everything in it with a flood!

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Did you read that? Heavenly Father doesn’t want anyone to perish! We see how the world is doing its best to drown out the light, so we as followers of Him must PUT HIM FIRST in our LIVES! Everything we do and think must be for HIS Glory…not for ours! There are many of us who are crying out to the LORD to come and put an end to the suffering of those who Love Him and Follow Him. But can’t you see that we need to humble ourselves? That we need to fall to our knees, turn away from our wicked ways so that He will forgive OUR SINS! We need to recognize that we too are the problem!

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The previous Scripture was spoken to the Israelites, but we are now the children of God too! So if we want to clean up the United States of America or any other place in this world, we can’t expect politicians to do it, we can’t expect the New World Order to make things better, we can’t expect the local authorities to clean it up! We can’t expect the church to do it because most people think of the church as a place you go on Sunday for 90 minutes or so a week.

Acts 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

As Christians we have taken HIS NAME…the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! As the followers of Jesus – Yeshua we must recognize that God made us for His Glory and listen to and follow the instructions given to us in His Word. We must separate ourselves from what is going on in this world and ask God what He desires of us…how He would like us to serve Him. How we can Glorify Him? Nowhere in the Bible does it say that God wants us to pursue our dreams, he told us to be fruitful and fill the earth. It says that when we face judgement, we will be rewarded according to our “fruits”. ALL throughout the Bible it tells us the story of how HE pursues us, forgives us when we repent from our sins and ultimately He came to this earth to serve mankind and then died to save us from our sins.

We say we are covered in the Blood of Jesus – Yeshua, but we don’t often give the impression that this is the truth. If your neighbors were subpoenaed to testify against you in a court of law would there be enough evidence to convict you as a Christian? If not…WHY NOT? If you’re not walking in the WILL of GOD, then who’s will are your walking in? The Worlds Will? Satan is in charge of the World! Heavenly Father is Sovereign over all, but he warns us many times in His WORD that Satan is the ruler of this world: Satan is the force behind the darkness and the evil that envelopes the majority. Satan is the force behind divorce, lust, abortion, addiction and everything that goes against the WORD of GOD. Satan is out to devour and destroy us and many of us are giving him the opportunity to do so!

Jesus warns us in the Gospels as well as Revelation that the end will come, Satan and his followers are defeated and the battle will be beyond anything that we can imagine. Blood up to the horses bridles for 1600 furlongs –

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

The Scriptures tells us that NO ONE is without SIN…the preachers and followers of Jesus Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach are walking in sin too! So if we’re not LOVING GOD and our NEIGHBOR with all of our hearts, and if we are not obedient to Heavenly Father and if we’re not sharing the Gospel of Jesus – Yeshua, we are like the white washed sepulchers that Jesus – Yeshua described:

Matthew 23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.²⁸Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Those of us who spend our time pointing out that this is a sin or that is a sin…or that this person or that person is on the wrong path needs to wake up! We have to straighten our own path and clean up our own personal swamp! We need to REPENT! REPENT! REPENT! We need to PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! We need to ask forgiveness for our sins and we need to forgive those who sin against us! Then we have to give it all up to Heavenly Father.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

We need to SHARE the GOSPEL with everyone we can while there’s still time!

Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Luke 18:7-8 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,

Revelation 2:16 Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

Revelation 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:12 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Yes! Time is Running Out! Choose your side! Choose LIGHT or choose darkness! Choose Heaven or Hell! Decide now who you are going to seek guidance and approval from. No matter where you’re at in this life, if your truly seek the LORD in Faith, Trust and with a genuine willingness of heart and mind, YOU WILL FIND HIM!

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

A Sheltered Life

Have you considered that even though, the pandemic is still roaring it’s way around the world, as Christians…at least for the time being…we live a sheltered life in America!

It’s true, we definitely have our share of let downs and disappointments, but in most places in America we can sleep peaceful at night and when it comes right down to it, we wake-up in the morning to a day that isn’t a whole lot different than yesterday and 10 years ago…except for now, we’re wearing masks and social distancing again because of a new strain of the Covid Virus. Our nation’s working class has faced ups and downs in unemployment and the economics of this country has been on a roller coaster ride since it’s foundation. We’ve always had a population of poor and rich and some in between…we just need to keep the faith and trust that God our Father in Heaven has a plan!

I’m not saying that we should stop paying attention to what’s going on around us or lay down and play dead to the woe’s that do exist in the “Good Ole USA”. I’m not saying that we should just live in LA-LA land and sing that old Doris Day song – Que Sera Sera (Whatever will be will be). However, we need to remember that Whatever is God’s Will …will be…

What I am saying is: let’s go to bed each night being thankful to Heavenly Father for the protection he’s afforded us today and when we are blessed to wake up each morning we need to ask him…”How would you like me to serve you and my fellowman today?” There are millions of Christians around this world who don’t know the meaning of a peaceful night of sleep or the joy of waking up to another day. 1 out of every 8 Christians in this world live in countries where persecution is the norm.

All of that being said: Let’s not forget that as sons and daughters of the first Adam, we don’t deserve any of the blessings that Heavenly Father bestows upon us. However! He LOVES us that much! He actively works to “seek and save” us!

Scriptures from KJV ~ King James Version of the Bible.

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

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Take into consideration that we have an enemy who is dangerous and his goal is to “seek and kill” he’s the power that perpetuates the virus, he’s the power behind our earthly governments, he’s the power who pursues us “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to destroy”.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

WE must remain vigilant and aware of the fact that our adversary Satan will not stop pursuing us and as Christians, we need to expect and be prepared for persecution! We need to put on the full armor of God and stand against the enemy, the thief who’s out to steal our salvation, kill our faith and destroy our trust. We need to wake up one another to these facts, we need to wake up our children, our grandchildren, they need to know that there are extremist here in America that would do us harm.

Every pulpit in America needs to be preaching the fact that we’re in a mighty battle and without the armor of God, we have no chance of winning the battle. I’m not trying to put you in a down mood and if you remember your Scriptures you also remember that Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach warned us that we can’t be followers of Him without experiencing persecution, but he also tells us to be joyful and keep our eyes on Heaven.

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

You might say…that’s a peculiar Scripture to use when talking about persecution, as it’s reminding us that God our Heavenly Father is to be feared…that is, if we give ourselves over to the enemy.

The minute, we equate such things as churches being closed because of the misplaced guidance of authorities over the virus as persecution, we’re taking away from the potency and reality of what is true persecution. I’m talking about the physical pain of wounds, hunger, sleeping in excrement and violence beyond anything anyone of us in America can imagine – even Hollywood with all of their writers wouldn’t get it right because they don’t have a clue. Then there’s the countries where there’s the death penalty just for owning a Bible or any other Christian related items. For those of us living in America and a few other places in this world, Satan is working out his plan in a more subtle manner using material things such as the movies, the internet and other means to separate us from God, WE MUST RESIST!

Persecution of the Church has been a part of Christian existence since Jesus – Yeshua walked this earth. Even Paul (Saul of Tarsus)one of the foremost Disciples of Christ, before his conversion was guilty of persecuting the church. So my question is: Who do we think we are as Christians that we are exempt from this possibility of persecution? There’s no way that I can see that America is a favored nation in the sight of God.

John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If 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.

So no matter what happens tomorrow: Read the WORD of GOD, keep your faith and trust and let’s be there for one another for when real persecution comes and we must know…it will come! Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but it’s inevitable.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Is Halloween Truly Harmless?

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

“PLEASE Allow me to paraphrase: ‘Don’t let the world force you into its mold.

As I write this blog today, I recognize that people who maintain to be “believers” are dressing themselves and their children in costumes of one sort or another. Many of these costumes are satanic and evil: witches, sorcerers, ghosts, goblins, ghouls, vampires, devils… Even the costumes that seem innocent such as Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Peter Pan, a bum, a pirate, etc are not good for you or your children. You are laying wide open a portal that will allow demonic forces to move into your and your children’s lives.

Halloween, like many other of “man” made celebrations consists of acts of evil: drunkenness, debauchery of all kinds of pagan rituals. The roots of Halloween can be traced back to over 2000 years ago to a Celtic celebration named Samhain on October 31st.

The Encyclopedia of Religion says, “Halloween, or Allhallows Eve, is a festival celebrated on 31 October, the evening prior to the Christian Feast of All Saints (All Saints’ Day). Halloween is the name for the eve of Samhain [pronounced sow-wn], a celebration marking the beginning of winter as well as the first day of the New Year within the ancient Celtic culture of the British Isles. The time of Samhain consisted of the eve of the feast and the day itself (31 October and 1 November)” (1987, p. 176, “Halloween”). “On this occasion, it was believed that a gathering of supernatural forces occurred as during no other period of the year. The eve and day of Samhain were characterized as a time when the barriers between the human and supernatural worlds were broken. Otherworldly entities, such as the souls of the dead, were able to visit earthly inhabitants, and humans could take the opportunity to penetrate the domains of the gods and supernatural creatures. “Fiery tributes and sacrifices of animals, crops, and possibly human beings were made to appease supernatural powers who controlled the fertility of the land … Samhain acknowledged the entire spectrum of nonhuman forces that roamed the earth during the period” (pp. 176-177). “Huge bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits … The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on this day, and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, black cats, fairies, and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. It was the time to placate the supernatural powers controlling the processes of nature. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favourable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th edition, Micropaedia, Vol. 4, p. 862, “Halloween”).

As you can see from the previous descriptions, this is not a celebration that a Christian should take part in… It was changed from Samhein (pronounced Sow wn) to “All Hallow’s Eve” by the Catholics to appease the pagan converts who still wanted to celebrate it and eventually it took on the name “Halloween”.

I want you to observe that he root word of this celebration is “Hallow” which means “HOLY” and only our Heavenly Father – God is HOLY!

The Bible tells us in both the Old and New Testaments of the existence of evil spirits, led by Satan the devil, whom God holds responsible for great suffering, anguish and sorrow inflicted on the human race.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Isaiah 5:20 How horrible it will be for those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn what is bitter into something sweet and what is sweet into something bitter.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

“Satan has access to the domain of darkness, but he can only occupy those areas where mankind, through sin, has allowed him.” Francis Frangipane (an author of life changing books based on Scripture).

Our Heavenly Father wants us to run the other direction from things that harm us spiritually. The backdrop of Halloween is an abomination to God! He warns us to beware of the occult: Satan is the master deceiver and he’s the author of all wickedness! People who dabble with anything that has to do with Satan, whether they believe it’s just a so called “innocent” in a costume or just an evening of “fun”…they are literally playing with fire…they’re giving themselves over to idolatry and serious spiritual dabbling.

Don’t be fooled by our modern Halloween celebrations that appear on the outside to be harmless. When we participate in practices that honored false gods and stir up the occult such as voodoo, clairvoyance, black magic, etc, we unleash satanic forces and these practices are strictly forbidden in Scripture.

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Granting the HOLY SPIRIT Sole Occupancy

This World is Temporary! We must ALL “REPENT” of our sins today, for tomorrow isn’t promised!

John3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Are you ready to be born again? Are you ready to give up your old life and live a life for Christ? Are you willing to allow the Spirit to slay the flesh? If so, are you ready to repent of your sins so that your body becomes a desirable temple for the Spirit to dwell in? The fact is that there’s no room for flesh and Spirit to dwell within you. Are you a genuine follower of Jesus Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach?

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Everyday when you wake up, do you say Thank YOU Heavenly Father for another chance to do Your Will on this earth? Do you say thank YOU Father for Your Holy Spirit which guides me in my thoughts and actions throughout my day? Do you say thank YOU for your SON who’s death on the cross was to glorify YOU and to save me and all the other sinners in this world from everlasting death?

Are you a good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23)? Do you trust the Spirit to guide you? Do you resist temptation when Satan thrusts it in your path and do you run the other direction? Do you allow the Spirit to lead you to the path of righteousness instead the path to destruction? Have you lived your life of sin so openly that the “prowling lion” which is out to destroy doesn’t even have to try because you’re an easy mark?

If you’ve pretended to be born again to the point of even fooling yourself, keep in mind that Christ who is our advocate with Heavenly Father cannot be fooled! He knows our hearts and our minds whether they think good thoughts or whether we’re thinking evil…whether we’re doing good things for our fellow man or whether we’re ignoring the plight of those around us. If you’re feeling convicted now…it’s the Holy Spirit working in your heart and mind and this is the first step in changing your behavior.

Do you even know what the difference is to live a fleshly life instead of a spiritual life? Do you handle your money, your time, and your gifts with care? Is your conversations becoming more godly? This is a tough one: Are you more willing to forgive, to love your enemy? Are you changing how you relate to your spouse, your children and your parents? Are you changing how you relate to the world as a whole?

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

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.

Once you’ve truly made a home for the Holy Spirit, you will not only feel more peace than you ever dreamed possible, but you’ll also feel alive and know that you have VICTORY in Christ.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

When the Holy Spirit lives in you, then the pleasures and unfortunately many of the people in this world can’t be a part of your life! There’s no room for God and this world in your body ~ the temple.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Important Guidelines for Life Pt. 5a

Mind Your Emotions:

Every emotion that you are feeling whether it’s sorrow, joy, fear, etc should be brought to Heavenly Father in prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It’s been determined that there’s an almost unknown number of distinct human emotions, but in this blog, I’m only going to talk about the most common emotions that we experience almost on a daily basis: sadness, joy, anticipation, trust, disgust, surprise, anger & fear.

Scriptures from the KJV – King James Version of the Bible.

SADNESS: Equated with unhappiness, loneliness, depression and melancholy…etc.

From time to time, we all experience moments or even long periods of sadness, sometimes these times will evoke a gauntlet of feelings…the ones mentioned in the heading are only a few. Because we are human and we live in this sinful world, these feelings are normal and they can and will occur at one time or another during our lives. Some people might tell you that you need to see a counselor or get psychiatric help. But I’m here to tell you that God – Our Heavenly Father can handle it if we’re willing to humble ourselves and give it to him!

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: ⁷Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

God keeps His promises! When we keep our eyes on Jesus and our faith and trust in Our Heavenly Father, we have a future that is beyond anything that we are able to comprehend!

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Sadness has been equated to feelings of darkness, but keep this Scripture in your heart:

1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

JOY: Equated with happiness, contentment, pleasure and elation….etc

Once again, the feelings mentioned in the heading are only a small list. Joy is the emotion that we all look forward to! And Joy is the emotion that we are constantly seeking! Of course we want to feel this emotion, it’s the polar opposite of sadness! However, there are many ways to feed this emotion in the world that aren’t truly satisfactory and leave us seeking more ways to experience this feeling of elation.

It’s also true that “Joy” is one of the fruits of the spirit! So when we experience this feeling, we must pay attention to what has actually triggered it. If it’s from the Spirit of God our joy will last forever. If it’s because of something worldly, for example, there’s a new car in the driveway making you happy, it will be fleeting…you will soon need something else to replace and renew this feeling…which of course will lead you to the polar opposite when you feel like you need to feed your joy with something else from the world. Please don’t get me wrong…it’s okay to be happy with a new car or a new house, just don’t count it as your true joy in this life…cars get dented and houses need repairs. The JOY we receive from a relationship with Heavenly Father will last eternally!

John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:24 amongst many other verses are often used by prosperity preachers to convince us that things and stuff and money will bring us joy. I do believe that it’s true that God wants us to grow and do well in this life, but He also tells us in a parable:

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Jesus – Yeshua has a lot to say about riches…

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Mammon, biblical term for riches, often used to describe the debasing influence of material wealth. The term was used by Jesus in his famous Sermon on the Mount and also appears in The Gospel According to Luke. Medieval writers commonly interpreted it as an evil demon or god.

So when we think of growing, we need to think about growing in the faith, not necessarily growing our bank accounts. When it comes to doing well, I personally believe that it means that we will have a roof over our heads, warmth, food and clothing to cover our bodies and prayerfully enough left over to help provide these essentials for others. The fact is that the majority of those of us who live in the USA, have very few needs, but VERY MANY WANTS.

ANTICIPATION: Looking forward to, Hope, Confidence and Promise…etc.

When I think of anticipation, I immediately think of the hope that we have in Jesus Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach and the promises of God!

God’s promises are to ALL of us! Jesus – Yeshua died on the cross for ALL sinners! But mankind must accept Jesus as their Savior and the Son of God as well as repent from their sins to reap these promises. God’s promises are laid down on a foundation of unshakable HOPE!!! Without hope we have nothing because Jesus is our only HOPE.

1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

We must never lose HOPE! When we do, we are losing our faith in Jesus as well as our trust in Heavenly Father! However, keep in your mind, that not everything you hope for is the will of God and that sometimes our anticipation takes us away from our one and only true HOPE which is found in Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. ⁴To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Our faith and trust in Jesus gives us eternal life and that is where our HOPE lies…not in the things of this world. God keeps his promises and through Jesus – Yeshua he’s keeping his promise of HOPE!

TRUST: Faith, Belief, Protection and to Rely Upon…etc.

It’s not easy for humans to truly put their trust in anyone…generally speaking man has a tendency to only trust himself. My question: how does that usually work out?

Romans 12:2 ²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Sometimes we have to be knocked down to our knees over and over again before we recognize that we can only trust in God and the plans He has for us!

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Heavenly Father watches out for us all the time! To put it simply, if we allow HIM , HE has our backs! He will never forsake those who LOVE HIM, BELIEVE IN HIM and TRUST HIM!

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Psalm 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. ⁴In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

The take away from these Scriptures is that TRUST is demanded of us as followers of Jesus and believers in God.

TO BE CONTINUED: Important Guidelines for Life Pt 5b

DISGUST:

SURPRISE:

ANGER:

FEAR:

Important Guidelines for Life Part 4

Mind Your Behavior: To put it simply…behavior is how we conduct ourselves around others as well as when were alone and believe no one is watching!

However…God our Heavenly Father sees all and knows our motives – whether good or bad! When we have asked Jesus Messiah- Yeshua Ha Mashiach into our lives, through our faith and trust we can change our behavior to please God. Mark 9:23Then Jesus said to him, “‘If You can’? Everything is possible to the one who believes.”

The Bible…the Word is full of instruction as to how we are supposed to behave toward one another and toward God and how we will behave when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. The Bible often speaks of our lives producing fruit. Sometimes, we make it more difficult than it needs to be…some think that fruit and works are the same, but from my study, I believe that works are the natural outcome of the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT that propels our lives after we have repented, believed and asked Jesus into our lives.

Galations 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Love:God loves us relentlessly or He wouldn’t have allowed His SON to sacrifice His life to cover our sins. God loves us so much that He’s given us the gift of mercy which none of us deserve! He’s given us the gift of Eternal life when we believe and trust in His Son Jesus!

John 15:12-13 This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. ¹³No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.

Joy: When the Holy Spirit enters into you, you will experience everlasting Joy! We will rejoice in Scripture, we will rejoice that we are alive! We will rejoice in the Love that the Father has shown us.

Sometimes, we foolishly connect our joy to the things of this world such as new car, new house, new, new, new… When we do this, we’re treading upon the true gift of Joy which is to be found in Jesus, our Savior!

Psalm 16:11 You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant JOY; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

Peace: I’m not referring to peace such as a treaty to avoid war. When we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and that’s when for the first time, we become “WHOLE” or “COMPLETE”; this state naturally brings PEACE into our being.

Jesus told the disciples in advance of the gift of the Holy Spirit that they would receive after He would go to the Father:

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

Patience: God has been patient with man since Noah disembarked from the Ark. Another of His gifts that we truly don’t deserve. To think that His patience humbled Himself to actually serve and die for us! Yet as humans, we have very little patience for our fellowman; we become easily angered and intolerant of one another.

Patience is maybe one of the most difficult for us to allow the Holy Spirit’s work in us…because we are human, we allow the flesh to dictate to us when we should be listening to the Spirit.

1 Timothy 1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

So the next time that you’re feeling impatient with someone, stop, take a deep breath and think about your life and how Jesus has saved you by His extraordinary patience!

Kindness: We don’t have to look any farther than Jesus – Yeshua to see the embodiment of kindness! He was selfless because He came to serve mankind. He was compassionate and when Lazarus died, he cried tears for the pain the family and friends were experiencing. He was merciful when they were about to stone the prostitute when he told them that he without sin should cast the first stone.

Ephesians 4:31-32 All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. ³²And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Goodness: Goodness is Godliness and as Jesus told us only God is Good!

Luke 18:19 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good but One—God.

Jesus wouldn’t allow himself to be called good!

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

So when something good occurs in your life or of someone close to you…remember the following Scripture:

Faith: The Biblical definition is belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm conviction, faithfulness. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance that the Lord is working, even though we cannot see it. Faith knows that no matter what the situation, in our lives or someone else’s that the Lord is working in it.

We have all had times in our lives when our faith wavered…the loss of a job, the discordance of family, the death of a loved one…these amongst many others are can be faith shaking. Unfortunately, there are some who never recover their faith. No matter what happens in our lives, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus! Don’t lose our focus because when we do, Satan, the roaring lion is poised for attack. So no matter what happens…hang on to your faith and you will be rewarded.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.

Gentleness: The easiest way to describe gentleness is to tell you “what it isn’t”. Gentleness is NOT obstinate, hateful, harsh, unfriendly, unpleasant, thoughtless or insensitive!

Matthew 5:5 The gentle are blessed, for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 11:29-30 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. ³⁰For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Self Control: The first step to self control is your full surrender to God, our Heavenly Father! The secular world looks at self control as something that we can accomplish by physical and mental self-mastery. However, unless we have God, we are flesh driven and of the world: perpetuated by money/greed, lust, food, alcohol, drugs, shopping, sports…on and on it goes. Sadly, these are all “heart” issues. Until you give your heart fully and unconditionally to God, you will suffer from these worldly ailments. But if you have faith and trust in Jesus and study the Scriptures the temptation to follow your flesh and live in the world will fade.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

When God brought judgement upon the world during the time of Noah, He was sorry that He’d made man… Then about 2000 years ago, He sent His Son to Save us from our wickedness which is sin and death with is the wages of sin!

John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Love & Kindness

I didn’t write this, but when I read it, my heart said to share it with YOU!

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. ‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her.. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’ ‘Oh, you’re such a good boy, she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’ ‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly.. ‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice..’The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired.Let’s go now’. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.

The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. ‘How much do I owe you?’ She asked, reaching into her purse. ‘Nothing,’ I said ‘You have to make a living,’ she answered. ‘There are other passengers,’ I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly. ‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’ I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life.. I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift.

I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life. We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Thank you, my friend… Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Robert Nauck Sr.

Are You a Sinner?

Just in case you didn’t know…we are ALL sinners!

Do you believe that sitting in church on Sunday or Saturday or any time of the day or night is saving you from your sin? Then think again…sitting in the pews will not save you from your sin! Why are you there? Don’t get me wrong! I’m not saying if you’re a sinner that you shouldn’t go to church , if that were the case then all the church buildings in the world would be empty! REMEMBER! WE ARE ALL SINNERS!

Maybe you’re thinking that whatever they have will rub off on you? Well maybe, some of it could, especially if you’re honestly searching for the “TRUTH”! Jesus – Yeshua is the way the TRUTH and the life, so hopefully, the church that you decide to attend is based on the Bible; the WORD of GOD! Cause if you’re there to find a way to get rich, or to become somehow enlightened in the realm of the unknown or to become united with the universe, you’re in the wrong place! If you’re in a church that is teaching eternal Salvation through the Blood of Christ – Jesus- Yeshua, then you’ve struck “gold” and with time, learning and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you’ll have found a place to call home on this earth that will help to prepare you for a future in the “Kingdom of God”.

Now I have to ask…are you going to church out of habit? Ahhh…it’s Sunday Morning and this is what you do on Sunday morning. You’ve been getting up and going to church since you were a child. Besides, you just got a new hat or a new necktie that you want everyone to see. Or maybe, you’re going to church because there’s nothing better to do…it’s raining and the fish aren’t biting! Oh Yeah! Jesus – Yeshua was a “fisher of men”, so maybe you feel HIM calling you and you don’t know how to answer, so going to church is a starting point.

Then are there times when you’re sitting in the pews and you look around and feel like you’re not fitting in? You’re surrounded by a congregation of elderly folks…lots of widows. There may be a few families and a spattering of younger people. The music isn’t quite what you signed up for, maybe the hymns are too long of the praise music is too loud or ….on and on it goes…you feel like you’re grasping at the question: why am I here? Do you look around and wonder are they truly happy? If not, why aren’t they happy? Is sitting in church just not fulfilling to you and you can’t seem to figure out how to fill the void of emptiness? Does the Sermon end with you asking more questions than it answered?

When you read in the Bible that it says “FEAR GOD” do you tremble? The Apostle Paul actually tells us that we should tremble at the POWER and the GLORY of our “Father in Heaven”. Maybe when you think about your sin, you’re afraid that you’re not forgiven, and because of this fear you’re not at peace?

You might be surprised to learn that Jesus – Yeshua asked questions too…not quite the same questions you are asking, but HIS questions were to wake us up so that we don’t sit in the pews and wonder why we are there.

Scriptures from the TLV ~ Tree of Live Version of the Bible

Could it be that you’re expecting more from the building, the preacher and the congregation than they are capable of giving? Now’s when you face yourself and ask yourself all the hard questions? Who is Jesus Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach? One of the first questions Jesus – Yeshua asked his disciples is “Who do you say I am?” Jesus poses the question in 3 books of the Gospel. It must have been very intense questioning for Matthew, Mark and Luke to remember it and then to write it down.

Matthew 16:13-16 When Yeshua came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴They answered, “Some say John the Immerser, others say Elijah, and still others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” ¹⁵He said, “But who do you say I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Mark 8:27-29 Now Yeshua and His disciples went out to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” ²⁸They told Him, “John the Immerser; and others Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” ²⁹Then He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!”

Luke 9:18-20 Once when Yeshua was praying alone and His disciples were near, He put a question to them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” ¹⁹They replied, “John the Immerser, but others Elijah, and others that some prophet from among the ancients has arisen.” ²⁰Then He said to them, “But who do you that say I am?” Then Peter answered and said, “The Messiah of God.”

Peter’s answer was the one that Jesus was looking for at that moment, however, throughout the Scriptures, we soon learn that Jesus – Yeshua is ALL – Everything! HE is in the FATHER and the FATHER IS IN HIM!

If you don’t know exactly who Jesus – Yeshua is, then you will always have more questions than answers. There’s only one way to get the answers and that’s to not only read, but study your Bible! Everything you need to know from the beginning to the end of time is written down for us. There’s Love and War, there’s Love and Hate, theirs Love of money and the price people pay for greed. There’s Love between men and women and their children. There’s poetry, songs, guidance, and prophecy. There’s pain, loss and despair. There’s miracles and the supernatural. There’s so many facets of the Bible that once you’ve picked it up, you don’t want to put it down and then when you finally find yourself reading the Gospels and the “New Testament”, all of the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Suddenly your recognize that the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed and the New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed! You will soon learn that from the very first words of the Book of Genesis, Heavenly Father gives us the WORD (HIS SON JESUS – YESHUA) to tell us what He has is store for those who believe in HIS SON, who came to this world to save us from our sins by dying a horrible death on the cross and to rise again on the 3rd day to eternal life. If you repent from your sin and believe he died for you and then you are baptized the Holy Spirit will come to live in you and YOU WILL BE CHANGED.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This is why we sinners sit together in church on Sunday or Saturday or any day of the week! This is where we go to share our faith and to gain strength from one another. This is how we become the body of the Christ – Jesus – Yeshua. This is where we begin to find the direction that Heavenly Father wants to lead us in, whether we become evangelists, teachers, preachers, etc…as followers of Christ, we take the first steps of honoring Yeshua by becoming HIS disciples. This is where we go when we are truly caught in the net of the one and only FISHER of MAN!

Matthew 4:19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

The Butterfly is God’s Design

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Much to my disappointment Butterflies are not actually found in Scripture. I’ve been fascinated by them since I was a little girl and I called them “flutterbys”. When I went to school and one of our science projects was watching as a caterpillar spun its’ cocoon, I’ll never forget the awe I felt when the cocoon opened and a butterfly emerged! I realize now that I was given the gift to observe just a tiny part of God’s natural creation. All around us is the display of the glory and splendor of our creator, but most would admit that the Butterfly is uniquely amazing. It’s no small wonder that today, pastors and others who love God use a butterfly to provide a beautiful picture of spiritual transformation. The metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly has striking parallels to Christian conversion, resurrection, and transfiguration.

Although the caterpillar doesn’t die in the cocoon before his transformation. Unlike Jesus Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach who died for our sins and was resurrected from the dead; it’s a symbolism of how we are to leave our sinful flesh behind and how we become beautiful in the sight of Heavenly Father when the Holy Spirit enters into us and gently changes us into the image of His Son.

Romans 1:20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.

Thank you to sixdays.org for the following beautiful article written about Blue Butterflies.

The Morpho is a butterfly from South America that has some incredible design features. All butterflies have features that are impossible for evolutionists to explain, but the special blue color of the Morpho is extra special.Morpho Peleides Chrysalis

A butterfly starts its life as a caterpillar. When fully grown the caterpillar then for some reason attaches itself to a branch hanging upside down, covers itself with a chrysalis (protective covering), dissolves its body and all of its internal organs, rearranges the millions of cells into new structures, and then emerges from the chrysalis as a butterfly.

Some differences between a caterpillar and butterfly:

Caterpillar	Butterfly
16 legs	6 legs
10 segments	3 segments
12 simple eyes	2 compound eyes
Eats plants	Drinks juice
Mouth	Feeding tube
Walks	Flies
Infertile	Reproductive organs

The ability to fly is no small task. An airplane uses the simple principal of lift to fly but a butterfly uses much more complex methods including wake capture, vortices at the wing edge, rotational mechanisms and ‘clap-and-fling’ mechanisms. No one has ever observed a non-flying creature develop the ability to fly, but if evolution is true then flight would have happened accidentally four times (in insects, birds, bats, and pterosaurs).

What makes the blue color of the Morpho special?

Morpho Butterfly Morpho Butterfly Scales 20,000x Magnification

There is no blue color.

The picture you are looking at has blue in it but the butterfly does not. Researchers have found that this butterfly has no blue pigment on its wings. If you use a electron microscope and look at the wings of a Morpho you will notice thousands of rows of cones on every scale. These cones have ridges on them that are spaced 0.00022 mm apart. That is 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. These rows are so straight that the maximum distance they go out of line are 0.00002 mm. No machine humans have ever made have this type of accuracy!

If two people hold a rope and shake the end up and down you will notice some of the waves cancel each other out. The ridges on this butterfly do the same thing with light. The ridges are spaced exactly far enough apart to reflect the blue light but cancel out the other colors. Evolution has no way to create beautiful structures just for looks. These wings were created to show the handy work of God.

The metamorphosis and the complex surface of these wings would not be possible unless God designed the DNA. The DNA of a butterfly contains more information than any computer program ever written. Information always comes from an intelligent source, and cannot be produced by time and chance.

Evolution could never produce this incredible detail just for looks. Butterflies were created by our God, Creator, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16-25

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

External Links:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v15/i1/butterflies.asp

http://www.icr.org/article/blue-t-ful-beetles-birds-n-butterflies/

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/itbwi/preliminary-remarks-concept-information

http://sixdays.org/design (YouTube)

7 Real Examples That Prove Hollywood Hates God

Now that the Covid restrictions are being lifted, are you full of anticipation to head to the theater to see the next big blockbuster movie?

If you really care about your personal walk with God and fear what your children are exposed to in this world and especially the world portrayed by Hollywood, I suggest you take the time to read this article and rethink your relationship with the movies. If nothing else, this time of hiddenness from the world should have given you the opportunity to reassess your life and your commitment to Heavenly Father and to allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and for you to become more like Jesus Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach.

When you’re watching a movie, you need to ask yourself this question, is this a movie that I would invite Jesus to sit and watch with me? Would He grab a bag of popcorn and get excited or laugh at the scenes that are on the screen or would He cry in despair at the pain, the sex, the hate, the language, the foolishness and the hideousness of what we, so called, Christians are entertained by?

I used to watch thriller movies and would feel joyful when the bad guy or gal was caught and punished…then it dawned on me that I was being entertained by death, hate and feeling elation when the perpetrator was paying for the crime committed. When the realization hit me that I was getting enjoyment from the entire scenario, I was done with Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and many other “so called” harmless fiction portrayals of the murder mystery. I realized that this sort of entertainment hurt my relationship with my Lord and Savior.

As Christians, if we are to be entertained by movies, we need to search out movies that portray selfless love and compassion for our fellow man; movies that use the principles taught in the Holy Word of God. We need to stay away from movies that portray greed, lust and hate, etc. The exposure to this type of entertainment can only cause a tear in your relationship with our Heavenly Father.

MOVIE CAPITOL of the WORLD!

I very seldom blog articles written by other Christians, but today I was led to this article written by Ray Comfort of livingwaters.com

May 25, 2021 Ray Comfort Founder & CEO, Living Waters

After the Columbine school massacre of thirteen people, Leonardo DiCaprio solemnly vowed never to star in another violent movie. Just after the violent murders, the U.K. Mirror reported:

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has renounced violent films after one of his early movies was linked to the Columbine school massacre. The actor has told aides he no longer wants to be considered for parts in any productions featuring death and destruction. The ‘Titanic’ star has been caught up in the wave of revulsion sweeping America after the slaughter of 12 pupils and a teacher at the school in the Denver suburb of Littleton. In the 1995 drama ‘The Basketball Diaries,’ DiCaprio played a teenage heroin addict who gunned down his teacher and classmates. His twisted screen character wore a full-length trench coat—just like those worn by Trenchcoat Mafia murderers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who carried out the classroom killings two weeks ago. The parents of three pupils shot dead in 1997 in a school in Kentucky have already sued the makers of ‘The Basketball Diaries’ for $100 million. The families of the 13 Columbine victims are expected to follow suit, insisting the film inspired teenage misfits Harris and Klebold to mount their terrible attack. Worried British video distributors had the entire classroom killing sequence cut from the film rather than risk sparking copycat murders in the U.K.¹

Susan Sarandon warned:

Movies are important; and they’re dangerous because we’re the keepers of the dreams. You go into a little dark room and become incredibly vulnerable. On the one hand, all your perspectives can be challenged. You can feel something you couldn’t feel normally. [They] can encourage you to be the protagonist in your own life. On the other hand, [they] can completely misshape you.²

So why then hasn’t Hollywood stopped making violent movies? Director Francis Ford Coppola reveals why:

I made the most vulgar, entertaining, actionful, sense-a-ramic, give them a thrill every five minutes, sex, violence, humor, because I want people to come see it.³

After Columbine, Hollywood didn’t change its agenda of violence, even in the face of these massive lawsuits. It has the world’s best lawyers and the money to defend itself. It knows that we are vulnerable, but it also knows that we will pay up at the box office.

The Effects of Hollywood

Fans shape their bodies and souls to be like those whom they love. They want to talk like them, dress like them, look like them, and some will even kill like them. The little girl who imitates the way Britney Spears looks, dresses, and sings really does think Britney is like her on-screen image. She and millions of others don’t separate the image from the real person. It’s a mystery to them why their idol divorces her husband, puts herself into a treatment center, and shaves her head.

An actor can even have a mesmerizing influence over much of their adoring public. The fans have faith in their idol; they believe what is said about God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible. If the actor says that he protects his kids from the Bible or that he hates God, they don’t separate the idol from the actor.

Hollywood vs. Christianity

Look at these few examples (among many) of Hollywood’s distain for the God of the Bible:

In The Mosquito Coast,⁴ starring Harrison Ford and River Phoenix, a weirdo calling people “brother” passes Harrison Ford and some kids a Bible, and he says, “There you are. I’ve got a gift for you. It’s the latest—The Blue Jeans Bible.” Harrison Ford takes it and says, “Look at this, kids. It’s just what I’ve been warning you about.”⁵

“Hollywood is fostering a growing hostility toward Christians and influencing an entire generation.” Share on twitter Share on facebook

In Dogma,⁶ a comedy starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the comedy gets a little serious when Matt Damon says:

Now the carpenter, which is an obvious reference to Jesus Christ, who was raised a carpenter’s son, he represents the Western religions…. Organized religion destroys who we are by inhibiting our actions…by inhibiting our decisions, out of, out of fear of some, some intangible parent figure who, who shakes a finger at us from thousands of years ago and says, and says, “Do it. Do it, and I’ll f—–’ spank you.”⁷

Robin Williams in Patch Adams looks to the heavens and says:

You created man. Man suffers enormous amounts of pain. Man dies. Maybe you should have had a few more brainstorming sessions prior to creation. You rested on the seventh day. Maybe you should’ve spent that day on compassion. You know what? You are not worth it.

In The Simpsons,⁸ one of the kids is asked to thank God for a meal. He says, “Dear God. We paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothin’.”

Hollywood is fostering a growing hostility toward Christians and influencing an entire generation. See if you can spot the common thread running through modern movies:

George Clooney⁹ asks a man in a cheap suit (with a large patch over one eye), “What kind of work do you do?” The man enthusiastically answers, “Sales, Mr. McGill, sales! And what do I sell? The truth, every blessed word of it—Genesis right on down to Revelation. That’s right, the Word of God, which, let me tell you, there is d-mn good money in during times of woe and want.”
A devious-looking weirdo dressed in white—with long blond hair and a large cross around his neck—is preaching on a sidewalk. A sane-looking and mystified Jodi Foster slowly walks by and looks at him as he chants a slow and horrible-sounding “Praise God, praise the Lord, praise God.” Like a salivating wolf, the weirdo then drips with lust as he looks at her.

Michael Medved, film critic and author of Hollywood vs. America, said:

But the attitude you have from Hollywood—where every time someone in today’s world is portrayed as some kind of religious believer, that person is viewed as some kind of a crook, or deviant, or weirdo, or an ugly person, or something is wrong with him or her—it’s poisonous.¹⁰

Reality Check

We cannot deny the strong influence that Hollywood has had on us as a culture and as individuals. Hollywood is a powerhouse that doesn’t just influence how we view the world around us but also how we function within it.

As Wheel of Fortune’s host, Pat Sajak,¹¹ who has been working in Hollywood for more than thirty years, said:

To quote Mr. [Rob] Reiner,¹² “Movies are basically advertising cigarettes to kids.” No knock on Rob. In fact, I agree with him. But why is smoking open to censorship and not these other issues? And what happened to Hollywood’s argument that movies and TV shows don’t cause bad behavior, they just reflect it?….The answer is, there is no answer. It’s just Hollywood being Hollywood. It’s monumental hypocrisy. Kids can’t pick up bad habits from what they watch…oh, except for smoking.

Footnotes:

Actor’s pledge after Columbine killings
https://www.quotes.net/mquote/1084189
http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0108/apocalypse.htm
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/m/mosquito-coast-script-transcript-ford.html
Six nominations, including “Independent Spirit Award.”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120655/
The Simpsons is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Network. Thank God, It’s Doomsday typifies the screenwriter’s message. God is the almighty ruler of the Universe. He once attempted to flood Springfield (the Simpsons’ hometown) but was stopped when Reverend Lovejoy showed that God was the path to good. He also once chose to end the world. This time, he was stopped by Homer Simpson, who requested him to turn back time and leave the apocalypse off for a few years. God has two aides, Colonel Sanders and Buddha, although he is seen with Jesus in Heaven.
For George Clooney’s beliefs, see What Hollywood Believes by Ray Comfort
Hollywood Unmasked—www.Goodfight.org
Host of Wheel of Fortune, television production company owner, radio station owner (Annapolis, MD), music publisher, board member of the American Cinema Foundation
As the son of multi-talented comedic genius Carl Reiner (Your Show of Shows), Rob Reiner instantly outgrew his father’s legacy to establish himself as an independent force in multiple facets of the entertainment industry.

Ray Comfort is the Founder and CEO of Living Waters and the bestselling author of more than 90 books, including God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life, How to Know God Exists, and The Evidence Bible. He cohosts the award-winning television program Way of the Master, airing in every country in the world, and is an Executive Producer of “180,” “Evolution vs. God,” “Audacity,” and other films. He is married to Sue and has three grown children, and hasn’t left the house without gospel tracts for decades.