Category: Scriptures

Easter – A PAGAN Celebration!

Jesus Yeshua was crucified on “PASSOVER”! He is our “Passover Lamb”

This Sunday, March 31, 2024, marks the collective celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Yeshua across the Christian world. However, a sad undertone exists within this joyous occasion—a mingling of the sacred and the profane. It is poignant that the ancient “pagan” Easter festivities, intertwined initially with the veneration of the springtime goddess Eostre in eighth-century England, have become entangled with the profound significance of our Lord and Savior’s Resurrection.

The Jewish Passover this year is on April 22, 2024. Moreover, Jesus was crucified on Passover as our Passover Lamb and His Resurrection was three days after His Crucifixion.

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The three days and nights in the belly of the whale are the only references to the time that Jesus gave us when he would rise from the dead. What more do we need than Jesus’s own words? As humanity becomes more ingrained in this world order that has been taking over planet Earth since the fall(sin) of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, humanity is becoming more resistant to the truths found in the Bible. The attitude of “go with the flow” and “do not rock the boat” are becoming predominant in our thinking.

Though historically rooted, this fusion bears the weight of centuries-old traditions deviating from Christian doctrine’s purity. As we reflect on the origins of these observances, we unveil a narrative that blends beliefs and rituals, challenging the essence of our faith.

In delving into history, we confront the unsettling truth that the resonance of pagan rites still echoes within our modern celebrations. It beckons us to reevaluate our participation, to scrutinize the rituals we engage in, and to discern the authenticity of our worship. We’ve incorporated pagan rituals from around the world in the name of evangelism. As we share Jesus Yeshua, we’ve been more concerned about feeding the body than feeding the soul, so we say oh, it’s okay to continue in your pagan customs; as long as you believe, it doesn’t matter.

However! It DOES MATTER! It doesn’t make sense for Christians to evangelize the world and then tell people it’s okay for them to continue in their pagan ways. The fundamental principle of evangelism in Christianity is to share the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ and invite others to follow Him. Evangelism involves encouraging people to turn away from practices contrary to Christian beliefs, including pagan rituals or customs. So, enabling individuals to continue in pagan practices contradicts the core message of Christianity, which emphasizes repentance (change of mind), transformation, and adherence to the teachings of Jesus

This knowledge should make us rethink how we participate and examine the traditions we follow. Easter is one of these pagan traditions. Then, we must consider whether our worship is truly genuine. This discovery encourages us to embark on a profound journey, urging us to reconsider our role in these ancient echoes, carefully examine our traditions, and find the true spirit of our faith. In understanding the past, we illuminate the path to a more profound and authentic expression of our devotion to the risen Christ.

The King James Version of the Bible was translated in 1611; by then, the idea of Easter used in the translation was already ingrained into people’s minds. However, we must correct this, as we’re all shown illumination the more we study the Scriptures. Although many say it is perfectly okay to combine Easter with the Resurrection, I reiterate that, in my opinion, this practice is wrong! I will not tell you that you will lose your salvation because if you “BELIEVE” and “TRUST” in Jesus Yeshua as the Son of God as He says He is, you are saved! However, it could deeply wound your relationship with God, creating an urgent need for reconciliation and healing between you and Him.

Once more, I’d like to express my viewpoint: When we journey alongside the Lord, immerse ourselves in His teachings, and gain enlightenment, we naturally shed remnants of paganism. It’s widely recognized that the work of Satan influences pagan practices and their associated celebrations.

Let’s not forget that Jesus Yeshua was Jewish, and the “Old Testament (Tanakh)” the WORD, points us toward Him. Additionally, Jesus has either fulfilled or will fulfill all the Feasts outlined in Leviticus by Moses. Jesus Yeshua fulfilled over 300 prophecies from the books of Moses and the Old Testament. So, why do we presume to have the authority to change the day of Jesus’s Resurrection?

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

I recognize that the following verse in Daniel pertains to the times of the “Tribulation,” and the people (saints) referenced are the Jewish people, but it does give us insight we can use into the workings of Satan. As long as he is the “prince of this world,” he will do all he can to take our eyes off of the truth, and that, in part, is why I am writing this blog. Here is the TRUTH: when we celebrate fertility with eggs, bunnies, and the spring equinox, we are NOT celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Yeshua!

Daniel 7:25 (KJV) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time

Irenaeus recounts that Polycarp, born between 69 and 70 AD to Christian parents, supposedly learned about Jesus directly from the Apostles and became a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. He later assumed the role of Bishop of the church in Smyrna. Polycarp actively worked to discourage Christians from participating in the Pagan Rome Celebrations, facing numerous challenges. Many of these pagan traditions, which continue to influence our Christian practices, are deemed falsehoods perpetuated by Satan.

Revelation 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Modern theologians suggest that because the word “angel” in the Bible translates to “messenger,” Jesus’s references to angels in the Book of Revelation in His letters to the churches may allude to the bishops or ministers of the congregations in these regions. Therefore, the fact that Polycarp was doing his best to “change the minds” of these Christians should wake us up to the fact that Satan has his claws in our church and our traditions.

In navigating the intricate relationship between Christianity and pagan influences, the concept of discernment emerges as a guiding principle for believers. Discernment, rooted in scriptural wisdom, empowers Christians to distinguish between what aligns with Christ’s teachings and what deviates from His truth.

Scripture exhorts believers to exercise discernment in all aspects of life, particularly in matters of faith and worship.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

This verse underscores the necessity for spiritual maturity cultivated through discernment, enabling Christians to recognize and reject falsehoods that seek to infiltrate their beliefs.

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

These verses urges believers to trust in the Lord with all their hearts and lean not on their own understanding, but to acknowledge Him in all their ways. This acknowledgment encompasses the application of discernment, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom to discern truth from deception.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Paul instructs believers to “test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” Here, Paul emphasizes the imperative of discernment, urging Christians to scrutinize every belief and practice against the standard of God’s word, holding fast to that which is righteous and rejecting that which is contrary to His truth.

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James assures believers that if they lack wisdom, they need only ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. This divine wisdom enables believers to navigate the world’s complexities with clarity and insight, distinguishing between the sacred and the profane.

In light of these scriptural cautions, Christians are called to approach their faith with discerning hearts and minds, diligently scrutinizing the traditions and practices they uphold. By grounding themselves in the truth of God’s word and seeking His wisdom through prayer, believers can safeguard against the infiltration of pagan influences into their worship and maintain the purity of their devotion to Christ.

Therefore, in the context of Easter celebrations and the encroachment of pagan customs, Christians must exercise discernment, carefully evaluating the origins and implications of their observances. By aligning their practices with the timeless truths of Scripture and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can uphold the sanctity of their faith and honor the resurrection of Jesus Christ without compromise.

For more information, please read these blogs:

Thank You God for Resurrection Day!
Friday – Sunday Adds up to 3 days & 3 nights?

God means what He says and says what He means! My hermeneutics are “literal.” Take the initiative to study the scriptures yourself and make your own decisions! Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Unto Us a Child is Born (Isaiah 9:6)

Man chose the date for us to celebrate His birthday!

Since it isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Bible, the actual date of the birth of Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua HaMashiach. In all actuality, a day was appointed by man as the birth date of Jesus. Early Christians had addressed the discussion of a date for His birth, but it was never decided upon. By 336 AD, the emperor Constantine established December 25th as the date Christians celebrate Christ’s birth. We take this date for granted, not because we know it’s the actual date, but because December 25th has been ingrained into our Christian minds and traditions. Not all people recognize that the exact date of His birth is somewhat of a mystery. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t celebrate the birth of our Savior; however, every day, we should celebrate His birth date, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and especially the fact that “HE LIVES”!

A few facts in the Bible could give us a clue to His birthday, but nothing concrete to point to a specific date. Possibly, He was born during the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, a “seven” day holy celebration commanded by God in the Torah. It begins on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It’s interesting to note that Tishrei is also the 7th month of the Hebrew calendar, and the number “seven” has the same consonants as the Hebrew word for completeness or wholeness. Also, Sukkot or Tabernacles celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from the hands of the Egyptians. Contrast this with the fact that Jesus-Yeshua came to deliver us from the penalty of sin. Remember that when Jesus left behind HIS GLORY and the Heavenly Places to come to this Earth, he put on human flesh- the eternal deity who came to this Earth to “Tabernacle” with humanity.

When the Angel spoke to Joseph in a dream he was told this:

Matthew 1:18-23  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

This essentially says that when Jesus is born, he’s now tabernacling with man.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the intransitive verb tabernacling means to take up a temporary residence, especially to inhabit a physical body.

Jesus-Yeshua celebrated all of the Jewish feasts, as was His custom. He also attended the Synagogue on Sabbath (the 7th day of the week).

Here’s my question to you during this time of celebration that we as Christians are famous for saying: “Jesus is the reason for the season”. Did you invite Him to His party? Or was He just an excuse to get together and have a party without Him? It’s fantastic to be with family, exchange gifts, and express love and affection. However, if we’re going to dedicate a season and a specific day to our LORD and SAVIOR, then we need to make sure that we invite HIM to the celebration. Can you imagine what it would be like if you realized your friends had gotten together to celebrate your birthday and didn’t invite you?


If it’s all about shopping, the lights in and on the houses, decorating the trees, the wreaths, and the shopping trips to see Santa Claus, you need to ask yourself, what am I celebrating? Have you allowed Santa, the reindeer, and snowmen to dominate your Christmas decor? Do you participate in every secular activity, such as gingerbread houses, stockings, and so on? Do you leave milk and cookies out for Santa’s visit? Is the Christmas parade you look forward to honoring Jesus, or does it honor the world? Traditions are great for any family, but when the traditions outweigh the true “reason for the season,” you should think again and make room for the invitation to the Savior to His party. If it’s not really for the celebration of Jesus’s birth, then we need to call it a winter festival or some other secular name.

If this blog makes you think and you see that you’ve left Jesus out of your celebration, it may not be too late. If the Lord doesn’t come to take us home with Him before the next Christmas Season, you have time to invite Jesus-Yeshua to His birthday party next year.

 

Luke 2: 1-7 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Take This to Heart

“Christ uncrowned himself,” William Dyer wrote, “to crown us, and put off his robes to put on our rags.”

SAVED by MERCY ~ SAVED by GRACE

NOT by Our OWN Righteousness!

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Scriptures taken from the KJV (King James Version of the Bible).

Believing is putting your trust in God and having confidence that he will fulfill his promises…GOD DOES NOT LIE!

Numbers 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Jesus is Yeshua (Yeshua means SALVATION in the HEBREW language) JESUS is the WORD! He is God!

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Throughout the New Testament, we can find instances where even the disciples or followers of Jesus struggled to fully recognize or understand his identity as the Messiah. Their difficulty stemmed from expecting a military and political leader—a King to overthrow the Romans—instead of recognizing Jesus as a humble servant, who is also the Son of God. For example, Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ but still had incomplete understanding. Even after witnessing miracles, some disciples didn’t comprehend Jesus’ resurrection until later. These examples underscore that recognizing Jesus as the Messiah often demands relinquishing preconceived notions and embracing spiritual truths.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

Thomas, a devoted disciple of Jesus, required tangible proof by seeing and feeling the wounds of the crucifixion to overcome his disbelief in Jesus as the risen Son of God.

John 20:27-29 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

When a person embraces faith, they undergo a spiritual rebirth, experiencing regeneration at their core. This transformative process is the essence of becoming a believer. It’s akin to being born anew into a life of spiritual understanding and connection with God. The concept of losing salvation becomes akin to being spiritually “unborn” or unregenerated, which would necessitate a departure from faith—a ceasing to believe.

Authentic belief, fueled by the presence of the Holy Spirit, is resilient and enduring. Once one truly believes, their conviction is steadfast because the Holy Spirit becomes an abiding presence within them. The Bible’s teachings provide no indication that this profound transformation of rebirth can be undone or revoked.

Genuine faith in Jesus-Yeshua not only instills belief but also fills the believer with a profound sense of hope—a hope that transcends earthly uncertainties and anchors the soul in the unwavering promises of God. It is this hope that serves as the guiding light along the Christian journey, illuminating the path with assurance and trust in the faithfulness of God’s Word.

John 3:15-16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Nowhere in the Scriptures does it state that salvation hinges on walking aisles, church memberships, tithes, or public displays of emotion. It’s a simple yet profound message: believe. This theme reverberates throughout the Bible, with over 150 passages emphasizing the power of belief. Look at Abraham—he found favor with God because he believed, long before Jesus walked the earth. Despite Abraham’s flaws, including deceit and impatience, God’s love for him never wavered, and His promise endured. This serves as a compelling reminder that salvation is rooted in faith, not in outward actions or appearances.

Paul asks two very fundamental questions:

Romans 8:33-34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

To put it to you as simply as possible…Who will bring any charge against those whom are believers?

This statement reflects Paul’s understanding of the security and assurance that believers have in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes that those who are justified by God, meaning those who have been declared righteous through faith in Jesus, are protected from accusations or condemnation.

Paul’s assertion echoes the broader theme of God’s grace and sovereignty in salvation. He argues throughout the book of Romans that salvation comes not through human effort or merit but through God’s unmerited favor, or grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, since it is God who justifies believers, no one can successfully bring charges against them or condemn them.

This statement also reflects Paul’s affirmation that because Jesus died for believers’ sins and was raised to life, he now intercedes for them before God, ensuring their continued justification and protection from condemnation. Paul’s statement in Romans underscores the security and confidence that believers can have in their salvation through Jesus Christ. It reassures them that no accusation or condemnation can stand against them because they are justified by God’s grace and Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

God means what He says and says what He means! My hermeneutics are “literal.” Take the initiative to study the scriptures yourself and make your own decisions! Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Pick Up Your “SWORD”!

When are you going to start using your “SWORD”?

Did I get your attention?

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Revelation 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Without the “SWORD of the SPIRIT”, how can you discern the WILL of GOD? The WORD of GOD is fully understandable if you “Trust in Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua HaMashiach”. The Holy Spirit comes to live in you and you become the Temple of God!

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Galatians 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

When you ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding, He will show you the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE!

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.

So when you have Jesus – Yeshua…you have it ALL! You are a bearer of the Sword of God because the Spirit of Jesus lives in you…

It’s Only Going to Get Worse!

Choose Jesus – Yeshua while there’s still time!

If you haven’t read Revelation, I implore you to do so right now! It’s the only book in the Bible that tells us that you will be blessed for reading it.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Those of us who have “faith alone in Christ alone” have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us and we are expected to obey the command given by Jesus to communicate to everyone around us the Gospel, we must fulfill the “Great Commission”. For time is getting short…

ALL four of the Gospels as well as the Book of Acts, Jesus gives us the command to share the Gospel with the world.

Matthew 28:16–20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15–16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke 24:44–49 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48 And ye are witnesses of these things.49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The Apostle John records what Jesus said on the day of the Resurrection.

John 20:19–23 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Just before the Ascension of Christ to Heaven, Luke records this message from Jesus – Yeshua.

Acts 1:6–8 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus has made it perfectly clear that we have been called to share the Gospel with the world! My position is this: I believe in a Pre-tribulation rapture, but I don’t want my fellowman to experience even a second of the “Tribulation”…for just as in the days of Noah, those who don’t have “faith alone in Christ alone” will suffer the consequences. When Jesus comes to take possession of the Earth and set up his 1000 year Kingdom, only the raptured believers and believers who survive the Tribulation will live and reign with Christ.

Matthew 24:37-39 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Sadly, in spite of all the warnings given throughout the entire Bible and especially spoken of by Jesus – Yeshua in the Gospels and Revelation, the world will be both surprised and shocked when Jesus comes again!

Warning others of the imminent end of the world and the consequences of sin isn’t just a “New Testament” calling. The Prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel to name a few) of the “Old Testament” also warn of the end times.

Isaiah foretold the birth of the Savior Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach

“Faith Alone in Christ Alone”

Evangelism is the communication of the gospel message that includes a call to Salvation at the Cross by the blood of Jesus.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It includes an explanation of God’s remedy for sin—the gospel

Acts 8:29-35 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so He does not open His mouth. 33 In His humiliation justice was denied Him.
Who will describe His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.

God’s Righteousness through Faith

Romans 3:21-26 But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed—attested by the Law and the Prophets 22 —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. 26 God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Acts 17:29-31 29 Being God’s offspring then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Romans 1:17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

Romans 10:9-13 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, 12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

The “Great Commission is for us to share the Gospel with everyone we meet, so in a way we plant seeds of faith! GOD MAKES them GROW!

The principle of Evangelism is to bring our fellow man to faith in Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. We must not be complacent…sometimes I think that Americans are the most complacent people on earth. We need to wake up as the day will come when His mercy will end, so we must not take His mercy for granted, share the Gospel while there’s still time.

John 16:8 When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:

There are many living on this earth, in this country and even in your town that don’t know Jesus. They don’t realize that they’re dead in their sins, because they don’t recognize what sin is.  They may have heard of someone named Jesus, but they have no idea of what He did for mankind or the consequences of their thoughts and actions, because they’ve never heard the Good News. 

Do YOU ask yourself: “Am I truly a Christian”?

If you answer “YES” to the following questions you are a Christian!

  1. Do YOU BELIEVE that Jesus is the “Son of God”?
  2. Do YOU BELIEVE that He came into the world and lived a sinless life?
  3. Do YOU BELIEVE that He died on the cross for your sins?
  4. Do YOU BELIEVE that He rose from the dead?
  5. Do YOU BELIEVE Jesus – Yeshua is Your LORD and SAVIOR?
  6. Do YOU BELIEVE Jesus – Yeshua is WHO HE SAYS HE IS

JOHN 3:16

The “moment” YOU BELIEVE, you are saved by the “Grace of God”. There’s nothing you can do to add to or take away from Heavenly Father’s “FREE gift of GRACE”!

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Believing and trust are synonymous. When you put your “trust” in Jesus-Yeshua. You become a “new man or woman” in Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells within you! So ask and allow the Holy Spirit to work inside you so that you can serve our Lord and SAVIOR- Jesus Yeshua with all your heart, mind and soul. Recognize that “all” are made in the image of God and that there’s only one race on this planet…The Human Race. When times get tough, keep in mind that the Lord disciplines you because HE LOVES YOU! You may have to get knocked down in this life so that you learn to “look up”! There’s nothing too big for Jesus-Yeshua to handle…so believe and trust in Him and you will be saved!

Is it a Matter of Salvation?

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…

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

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

The first verses in the first chapter of the Gospel of John makes it perfectly clear the identity of Christ – Jesus Messiah – Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Hebrew). If you had any question in your mind before now…these Scriptures answer the question.

Do you believe in millions and billions of years and have you convinced yourself that it’s okay as long as you believe that Jesus – Yeshua is the Son of God? I’ve been told that it’s not a matter of SALVATION…make up your own mind.

The belief in millions and billions of years spawned the belief of evolution! When you believe that the dinosaurs died millions of years ago, what does that do to the reason why mankind and all of creation face death as a consequence of Adam’s sin against God? What does that do to the Scripture in Genesis that says “in the beginning God created man in HIS IMAGE? When Adam and Eve believed the serpent over the WORD of GOD they broke HIS trust and disobeyed HIM! Now I ask you to read John 1:1 again and if you haven’t thought about it before now, maybe now is the time to rethink your position on millions and billions of years as well as evolution.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I ask you – WHO do you actually believe in if you don’t believe HIS WORD? The belief in millions and billions of years and evolution are the Secular PAGAN Religion of the era that we live in. Can’t you see that the conception of this belief which began in the early 1700’s and continues to grow momentum day by day in the 21st century is destroying the foundation laid down for us in Genesis?

Psalm 11:3 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Can’t you see that this is Satan’s last ditch effort to pull us away from Jesus who summed it up in one verse, John 14:6 “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.” Isn’t Satan saying again…God didn’t really mean what He says? This secular – science motivated pagan religion is being indoctrinated into our children’s minds from the time they’re 2 or 3 years old and it’s only becoming worse as they get older and have access to the technological and mainstream medias or what is referred to as SCREEN-TIME. When we believe in Secular Science rather than the infallible WORD of GOD aren’t we calling God and Jesus Liars? I ask you – WHO do you actually believe in if you don’t believe HIS WORD entirely? Do you think the Bible is a buffet where you can pick and choose whatever you like and then make it fit into your idea of God and Jesus? He’s been specific right from the beginning! He doesn’t leave one jot or tittle for us to figure out, he speaks to us plainly and we don’t need an interpreter, we only need the HOLY SPIRIT to guide us and help us understand HIS WORD.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Did you hear that…GOD’S WORD will be turned into FABLES? That is what I call the indoctrination of Secular Paganism Religion (so called science) into the church. When we don’t believe HIS WORD, are we truly loving Him as Jesus instructed?

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

If you spend anytime at all reading the Old Testament – Tanakh (Hebrew), you will see that every time, the Israelites chose to follow and invite the pagan religions into God’s WORD, they didn’t fair well at all! They stirred His wrath to the point of death!

Today’s world scoff’s at the idea of a 6,000 year old earth being created in 6 days by THE WORD. Our children have been indoctrinated by the merging of this Pagan Religion into the secular schools as well as the Christian Schools. From the first day of kindergarten until they graduate from secular college and even in our Christian schools and seminaries our children have been told that the history of the Bible is wrong and that the secular historical science is correct. According to Lifeway Research, around 1/3 of Pastors have incorporated into their Bible teaching the doctrine of millions and billions of years proclaimed by the secular scientists.

2 Peter 3-7 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

“YOM” is a DAY in the Beginning

I’m now going to address the subject of a “young earth”…from my investigation and study of YOM used in the Hebrew Bible means a literal day! I recognize that there are some out there who in their zeal to promote millions and billions of years as well as evolution within the Biblical timeline will argue otherwise. However, MY ZEAL lies in the WORD of GOD and I don’t find anyplace where there’s room in the Biblical text for an “old earth”.

GENESIS

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

***it’s obvious from the text that Genesis 1:5 is talking about a 24 hour day…He calls it day and night, He calls it evening and morning and He numbers it “1”.

8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

***In Genesis 1:8 God numbers it day “2” and qualifies it with evening and morning (the Hebrew day started at sunset and still does today).

13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.

***in Genesis 1:13, God once again numbers the day “3” and references evening and morning.

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

***One of the arguments I hear is that there had to be light from the sun at the very beginning and I’m here to say that the WORD is light and He has no need of a sun. The sun is for our benefit…not HIS! Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

***In Genesis 1:19, God uses the exact same pattern as days 2 & 3. I believe this is because, he’s already explained to us in Genesis 5 exactly what he means by day.

23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

***Genesis 1:23 is the number of day “5” in the exact pattern as days 2,3,4.

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

***SAME PATTERN

Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

As you can see with Genesis 1:31 God is consistent and doesn’t change His pattern. Another argument is from the misinterpretation of 2 Peter 3:8 which says a day is a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. Peter is saying that GOD is outside of time and if you think about it, the two statements cancel themselves. But for arguments sake, lets say a day is a 1000 years…this would still make the earth at most only 13,000 years old which is a far cry from millions and billions. It also says God rested on the 7th day, do you really believe that GOD made a day of rest to last a 1000 years? First of all, HE doesn’t need rest, He made the day of rest HOLY as a model for man to follow…another sign of our obedience to HIM that because he made a day HOLY and gave it to us as a gift so that we could rest from our work is just one more example of how loving and patient our GOD is!

If you read on into Genesis 2 and when you come to verse 4, the WORD tells us “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,”

The only place in the Bible where people have an issue with the meaning of the word DAY (YOM) is in the 1st Chapter of the book of Genesis. Yôm is used over 2,300 times in the Old Testament (making it the most common noun in the Old Testament) (apologeticspress.org), more than 100 of these times, the words evening and morning go along with the usage. Anyplace else in Scripture, when yôm is joined with a number, it references an actual 24 hour day! Nobody questions the meaning of yôm (Hebrew for day) in similarly structured passages in the rest of the Bible. Everywhere else in the Old Testament, when the Hebrew word for “day” (יוםֹ, yom) appears with “evening” or “morning” or is modified by a number (e.g., “sixth day” or “five days”), it always means a 24-hour day. (answersingenesis.com)

Now if you’re asking “How important is this?” I can only tell you how important it is to me! When I asked you at the beginning of this blog “WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?” Recall how Adam and Eve fell for the lies of the serpent. Satan, our enemy, who is alive and well and doing his best to destroy mankind.

Genesis 3:1-4 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Here’s the question: Did GOD really say that in 6 days he created the Heavens and the Earth and on the 7th day he rested?

When man adds millions and billions of years from the secular world to the Bible, he’s rewriting the WORD of GOD!  We have been warned not to take away from or add to His WORD.  Who and what you believe makes a difference in whether or not you’re following GOD’S book written by The WORD or Man’s Book written by Satan!

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Spiritual Warfare

Important Guidelines for Life Pt. 5a

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…

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. 7 And 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: 7 Casting 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. 6 In 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. 4 To 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 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.

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. 4 In 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:

Four Books Written by the Apostle John

Of the 66 books that are in the Bible, the Books of John are my favorite to read as they share what we need to know about our Savior, especially if you’re a new Christian. I’m posting this blog today for a new and dear friend. Blessings in Christ to anyone who listens to the Word of our Heavenly Father. I pray that the Holy spirit guides you as you listen to the Word.

I have not included the Book of Revelation which was also written by the Apostle John, because if your a new Christian you need to start out slow with milk and the Revelation is meat. There’s more than one reason why it’s the last book of the New Testament of the Holy Bible. You will need to read and understand the rest of the Bible before you are ready to read and understand the Revelation of John.