Denying Christ with a gun pointed at you, is still denying Christ

We’re so happy to see that the renegade Palestinian kidnappers released the two Fox journalists who were held hostage. It was moving to see them finally free and embracing their spouses and colleagues in celebration. So many kidnappings within that region have resulted in such tragedy, that to see freedom gained is a time to celebrate.

I don’t know if the two reporters are Christian or not. If I did know, I would have to consider many more things when I write today. But since I don’t know, I have an opportunity to remind all of our students a very important fact:

IF YOU DENY CHRIST because a gun is pointed at you or at your loved ones, or to remove yourself from a fiery death, or to gain your release from kidnappers, or to stop persecution, or to gain advantage, or to survive in order to live another day; it doesn’t matter the reason, you are still guilty of denying Jesus Christ!

The kidnappers of the reporters held a gun to their heads and told them to read a prepared statement that announced to the world that they had converted to Islam. They complied, then after their release announced that they did not mean what they read.

End Times Christians do not have that freedom! There comes a time when every Christian must stand up strongly and faithfully declare their allegiance to Jesus Christ. In these times, it is crucial to stand firm, regardless of the threats made to you.

The world considers the reading of the kidnapper’s letters as mere propaganda; to the Christians who are forced to read that trash, it is something more. It is the denial of their allegiance to their King.

Certainly, many would argue that to survive is the important thing, for if they were dead, their witness to Jesus Christ could not continue. But in reality, a Christian’s witness to Jesus Christ is destroyed the first time He is denied. From that moment of denial, the word a Christian speaks is of no consequence; if a Christian cannot stand tall in conflict, then his faith is pretend. It is a Christian’s strong stance in times of danger to himself or his family that is the powerful witness of the One they serve and love.

It’s scary times, I know, and to imagine yourself or loved ones in this situation is sickening and terrifying. We can hope that each of us survives these end days intact, without being placed in the threat of death or persecution for our belief. The Word of God, and reality, tells us that most of us will in fact be placed in very difficult and scary positions in order to break our testimony for Jesus Christ.

It is the testimony of the martyrs and saints that spread Christianity throughout the world. It is the blood of those who stood strong in faith in Jesus Christ, and announced to the witnesses that He is King and Savior above all! It was the burning saints that looked to the Heaven for redemption, rather than the world for salvation, who cried out to their Lord in faith as they burned, rather than remove themselves from fiery death through denial of the One they loved.

When your time comes, and you are faced with that terrible choice of saving your life, reputation, family, possessions or freedom through the denial of your walk with Jesus Christ, or going to your death and facing persecution for your belief.

Shout loudly to your Savior so all can hear:

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO MY LAMB! WITH ALL MY STRENGTH, WITH ALL I AM!

Then ready yourself for your glorious reward! Any day is a good day to die, when you can go with your faith in Jesus Christ being proclaimed to the world!

Kathy L. McFarland, MDiv

“9 ¶ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled. (Revelations 6:9-11 KJV)

Special Note: Obviously I wrote this post many years ago. Please understand my point to always hold allegiance to Christ. Do NOT use the current protests of unwanted vaccines as part of this point. Uphold Christ, not necessarily your own personal belief system concerning the different happenings in these End Times. That is the real meaning of this message. NEVER DENY CHRIST!

What will they think of us on the New Earth?

As all of you dedicated Bible students know, at some point in the LORD God’s Timing and Will, the old earth and old Heaven will come to an end, and a New Earth established under the rule of Jesus Christ. Oh what a glorious life that will be when every law and judgment is righteous, and our neighbors are loving Him as much as we do!

It will be an exciting time, when all of the people who are judged worthy to continue life, began to occupy the new Earth. Sometimes, when the burdens of this life seem especially heavy, I think about that new life, when faithful people from all time periods on this earth will gather together and began forming that new and different life in the presence of the One we love.

How cool will that be? Imagine what it will be like when different century people come together and share perspectives from their place of life and growth. When the strong, 19th century frontier men and women, share their steadfast courage and adventurous nature with the 20th century manager of machines and goals…..When the 17th century founders of theological thought mix with the 20th century feel good practitioners of religious abandonment….When the Apostles who walked with Christ live next to those who barely survived the tumultuous times of the End Days…When all the different time periods of God’s people gather together to worship and praise His Grace, and to establish cities and towns, and to make ways of life and patterns of developing according to the Truths they know.

I wonder if there will be different cities for the 14th century explorers and artists, and others for the 20th century advanced race. Will some gatherings of people have a slower life pacing, than others? Common sense suggests that groups will gather among like kinds, and known by the traits that differ from other groups; that’s human nature, isn’t it?

What will our 20th century End Times people be known for? Will they marvel at our intelligence, and our mechanical skills, our abilities to multi-task, to drive at speeds unknown by most of the human race until now? Will the people of old seek us out to learn new things, or will they kindly walk past us in search of slower and more predictable people? Will they find our learned actions vulgar in spite of our righteousness? Will they try to emulate us, or try to teach us their ways of life?

What habits have we formed as a result of living today, that will one day identify us to others. Will our men be thought effeminate, and our women aggressive and unbecomingly bold? Will our animated actions picked up from our televisions and the jerks and poses of our hip hop culture, translate to be tagged a people with exaggerated and untrustworthy affects?

Will we slow down to the pace of most other century people, or will they strive to speed up and learn the things of technology and knowledge? Will they share their skills of plowing with us, as we share our language of computers with them? Will they stick with riding the horse, as we zip around in the newest developments, or will we all choose to walk where we have to go?

Will our contact with the people of God from all times, stir us to greater heights of worship and praise? Will our lives have more even more meaning when the rich tapestry of His Creation gathers together in His Presence and shares the things each knows?

I don’t know.

But I do know one thing. The day when the New Earth is established and the New Jerusalem with Jesus Christ on His Throne governs with righteousness for all to see, will be one of the most glorious and hoped for events I have ever thought about in anticipation. As I am meeting my brothers and sisters in Christ from all times and places, I am certain that we all will play an important role in each of our lives, as we began our new life walking in the Way and Will of the LORD God. I can hardly wait!

Kathy L. McFarland, MDiv

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:1-8 AV)

The Six Measures of Faith


A person does not get faith by himself. The LORD God decides how much faith a person will have, and deals it to each man accordingly.

His measure focuses on six areas to determine how much faith to give you after you are called forward by Him.

He examines you to determine your ability to:

1) Be a living sacrifice
2) Be holy
3) Be acceptable of God
4) Be non-conforming to this world
5) Be able to transform yourself by the renewing of your mind
6) Be able to prove what is the good, acceptable, perfect will of God

1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:1-3 AV)

Reasonable service to the LORD God, means the reasonable amount of worship that the LORD God expects from one of his people. This reasonable service consists of three of the measured areas:

1) Be a living sacrifice
2) Be holy
3) Be acceptable of God

Worshipping the LORD God means you must be a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice means that you give up your will, and allow the Will of the LORD God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to perform works through you. Worshipping the LORD God also requires you to be holy and acceptable to Him. These areas are measured by the LORD God from his expectation that these three areas are reasonable requirements that should be met.

The LORD God uses the other three measurements for determining the amount of faith you will receive. These three measurements are not under the “reasonable service” standard. They are not required for faith to be given by the LORD God, but they are important measurements to test for your ability to handle faith. People given large amounts of faith will possess these other three abilities, and people of little faith will not. These three measurements are

4) Be non-conforming to this world
5) Be able to transform yourself by the renewing of your mind
6) Be able to prove what is the good, acceptable, perfect will of God

The six measurements that the LORD God uses to determine the meting out of faith are not works, but spiritual necessities for faith.

Understand this well. Anytime that you are doing any of these six things, you are doing them as a matter of spiritual necessity. They are not works and they will not be rewarded as works. These six measurements are used by the LORD God to give you faith. He determines the measurements, and He determines the standards, and in His Grace, He decides how much faith you will have.

The LORD God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will not think you are great for letting Them use your body. It is expected of you. It is a spiritual standard required of you by the LORD God. However, if they use your body, and works result, you will receive reward from those works. So, being a living sacrifice is your spirituality which leads to faith. What your body does as a living sacrifice is works

When you see some with great faith, and some with little faith, recognize that their faith is given to each individual by the LORD God after a careful and exacting measurement in six areas to determine the amount of faith that they can handle. To increase the amount of faith that is rewarded to you, attention must be paid to those six attributes, all of which are dependent upon a steady and forward walk with Jesus Christ, study of His Word, and a dedicated focus on the Things of God.

Kathy L. McFarland, MDiv

Dancing and Leaping for the Holy Presence of God

Something was very different this Christmas. My family gathered around the piano to sing our traditional Christmas songs of joy and praise in celebration of our Christ’s birth; but this year familiar faces were gone. We were smaller in number than we had been in last year. A few of our missing family members chose to walk the paths of the world, and were separated by their choices from participating in our spiritual celebration. One went even further down the path of destruction, and embraced the wicked ways of a life in darkness. So our numbers were down, and our voices leaner and strained as we struggled to carry on with our praises to God, in the midst of loss and pain.

Suddenly, in the middle of one of the songs rejoicing at Christ’s birth, I felt the surge of His Holy Spirit move through our family congregation. Our music stopped instantaneously, as each of us literally absorbed His comfort and love, as He moved within us to heal the pains of loss.

It was one of those moments when time stands still. It was silent. There was no music, there was no talking, there was no praying nor was there any of the familiar outbursts of joy that we commonly displayed in His Presence. We were too pained and scarred, desperately needing of His Touch, as each of us became enveloped in His Presence, without thought of our own or each other’s time or place.

What a wonderful Touch it was. What a wonderful Christmas gift we received that day. Just as Christian’s burdens dropped from his shoulders in Pilgrims progress, our burdens of pain were removed and replaced with an even greater love than we had experienced before. With His healing presence, He brought a new and deeper understanding of Christmas Praise.

Back in the day, the Ark of the LORD God, the vessel that the actual presence of the LORD God inhabited had been removed from the Tabernacle in Jerusalem by forces against Israel. Eventually, King David was determined to bring the Ark back to the place it belonged inside Jerusalem.

When the opportunity and time was right, He took his priests and prepared them to deliver the most Holy Ark. As they moved the Ark, the oxen that pulled the cart shook, and the Ark began to fall. Uzzah, one of the cart drivers, and a very holy and faithful man, reached out to catch the Ark before it fell. The LORD God became very angry at Uzzah for touching the Holy Ark, and He smote him immediately, causing his death.

David was very upset and angry that the LORD God would punish Uzzah so severely when he was just trying to help. David could not figure out how to prevent the same thing from happening again, so he stopped the movement of the Ark, and left it in a house along the way.

After leaving it at the house of Obededom, he saw that great blessings of the LORD God were being bestowed upon Obededom. These blessings were so much greater than the risk of moving the Ark to Jerusalem, that David chose to try the task once again.

This time, as the Ark was moved, King David went before it, dancing and leaping for the LORD God. He put on the simplest of garments, and danced with a joy, and sang with a praise that could be heard by all. He danced and shouted and trumpeted with all his might, announcing to all the the Holy Presence of the LORD God, and His Holy Ark were entering the city of Jerusalem. There was no doubt left in any mind, that the holiest presence was arriving in the place He Willed.

And so the King of Israel danced. He was seen to be dancing in the most unroyal way by a very royal daughter of a former King. She chastised David, reminded him of his position, and reprimanded him for his unkingly-like dance through the streets of Jerusalem. His reply left no doubt to his position.

David would dance and leap and shout and sing and joyfully announce the presence of the LORD Godin the midst of human error and human frailties. There was no doubt to the LORD God in Heaven that David knew the holiness of His Presence. There was no doubt to the people of the world that watched the movement of God, that His Holiness was moving among them.

Our Christmas gathering, and our Christmas songs took on a deeper meaning. We were announcing the arrival of our precious and holy Jesus Christ. We began dancing and leaping and praising God, shouting and blowing our trumpets of His Arrival! It mattered not who was with us, nor how others interpreted our celebration. We were announcing our joy of Christ’s birth, and our anticipation of His return, as the Holiness of the LORD God moved among our gathering.

My feet are still dancing! Praise be to God!

Kathy L. McFarland, MDiv

Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. 3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. 5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? 10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.
12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. (2 Samuel 6:1–17)

Who is Jesus Christ Really?

Your question is deep and probing, and the answer to it has been debated among scholars, misunderstood among preachers, and confusing to the faithful. Some believe that the LORD God Himself came down from Heaven and inserted His complete self into flesh. Others believe that a portion of the LORD God, a portion of Jesus Christ, and a portion of the Holy Spirit join together to make a complete LORD God. Many believe that Jesus is God and the LORD God is a greater God. In a manner of speaking, these schools of thought are correct to a point, and most of these beliefs are harmless to the Faithful and do not prevent them from growing to the places that God wills.

In fact, early on in our beginnings, this very question of a Triune God, surfaced time after time in our studies and caused us to focus on defining and teaching about Jesus Christ in a way that our student’s human minds can grasp and that was supported completely through the Word of God.

It was that direct focus to the Word of God that opened up our understanding to a place that many things became clear. As the Holy Spirit led us from one understanding to the next, many of our Guided Bible Studies were derived from this one question. The answer centers around one verse in the Bible; but, there are many, many verses that support our place of understanding.

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

Jesus Christ is the Word of God. When the holy, all powerful, all knowing LORD God spoke His Will at the start of His Creation, Jesus Christ was begotten. As a result, he received the essence of His Father, which was imputed throughout his being.

Jesus was with His Father at the creation of this world, and assisted in all things created. He is greatly loved by the LORD God, and His Glory shined brightly throughout the Heavens as he accomplished the Things of God.

To effect these Things, in the order and pattern that God had planned from the start, Jesus Christ was given human form in order that he might die, and through his experience and conquering of death through glorious resurrection, bring God’s people salvation and redemption and life eternal.

As a result of Jesus Christ’s dedicated walk and faithful accomplishment of every task given to him by His Father, He was given even greater authority and responsibilities following his Resurrection. Jesus now sits at the right hand of his Father in Heaven, and welds His power of Judgment, which will be executed completely and fully in the great Day of Judgment to come.

He has the essence and the power of the LORD God, and is glorified as well. Though he is not the LORD God in completeness, he completes the LORD God, and has been given the Things of God to accomplish His Will. His power and existence is derived from the LORD God, and without the LORD God, he would not exist. Without Jesus Christ, we would not exist.

On a personal note: Jesus Christ is my Savior, my King, my Priest, my Lord, my Intercessor, and my Love. It is only on the personal level that one can understand and know the deep things of his existence and there is only one place you can learn about Him.

The Word of God. The Bible. Just as the LORD God spoke and Christ was begotten, the Word of God IS Jesus Christ. When you read the Word, you are reading Jesus, learning of Him from the same essence that created Him. It is that Holy Word of God that truly reflects and explains the completeness of Jesus Christ which would be an impossible task by mere man’s words, but accomplished completely through His!

Kathy L. McFarland, MDiv

Heaven will Dissolve with Fire!

One of the biggest tricks that Satan has established in the world is to confuse the Word of God, and allow the common men of the the world to define Heaven. Satan did this in an effort to prevent people from ever feeling the need to walk toward the LORD God, bow their knee, accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, or be baptized in Christ and the Holy Spirit

The trick is perpetuated on unsuspecting worldly people, by making them believe that Heaven is for everyone that is good, and that it will be the dwelling place of all good people for eternty. Heaven is falsely purported to be the final place where all of your wishes are granted to you, and Christianity is defined as one who is “good enough to get to Heaven”.

Heaven nor Christianity is not what the world believes it to be.

Heaven is the current home to the LORD God and all of His Spirits, Jesus Christ, the resurrected faithful Christians, and angels. Heaven is not going to last forever. There is going to be a new Heaven established when the New Earth is established. The current Heaven will dissolve with fire and come to an end, as things are reordered and renewed, and those who oppose the LORD God’s rule are brought to justice.

Faithful Christians that have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, and have been baptized in the Baptism of Redemption, and have received of the Holy Spirit, and faithfully Walk the walk of Christ, are promised to NEVER DIE again! For this specific group of believers, and because of the resurrection of our Christ, our souls leave our body upon our death, and are immediately transported to Heaven, where new bodies are given us. We are in Heaven for one purpose…to rest for a while….to recuperate and prepare for our new lives on the New Earth, that will be ruled by our Christ.

Not all Christians even get the opportunity to go to Heaven for this rest. If a Christian has not walked the specific walk layed out in God’s Word, and has not received the Baptism of Redemption, then he will not go to Heaven temporarily, but will sleep in his grave for a while. When the Lord Jesus Christ resurrects all of the dead in their grave on the Day of Rapture, just before the raising of the live Christians to Him. These Christians will receive salvation because of their belief, and join the other faithful Christians in Heaven, to later go on and assume their positions on the New Earth.

I would garner a guess, however, that those Christians who had the opportunity to follow the Word of God while alive, but made no effort to comply completely, will be likely destined to more lowly positions upon the New Earth.

To be a Chrisitian and elgible for a time in Heaven requires a strict and narrow walk in accordance with the Word of God, and with Jesus Christ as your Master and King. Anything less will lead you to your grave for awhile, with promise of facing Jesus Christ on Judgment Day and explaining why you called Him Savior, but failed to honor the Word of God.

Kathy L. McFarland, MDiv.

“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. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. “11 ¶ [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:9-14 KJV)

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1 KJV)

Why should Christians focus on Word of God, rather than being led solely by the Holy Spirit?

As all things are among Christian brothers and sisters, I was dealing with this exact topic recently in a very painful way. We were forced to meet once again with some people who spitefully use us, who desire our downfall at the least, and admittedly plan for the news of our death gleefully. Needless to say, this meeting is not one we cherish in our walk with Christ, and not one we would even wish on our worst enemies. But yet, we go, over and over, because our precious Jesus Christ has instructed us to do just that.

We talked about if we could ever stop this torturous meeting arranged by people who have such a hatred of us because we love Jesus Christ. We concluded that our actions and our walk identify us as Christians. If we did not live Christ’s Word in the rough times, as well as the easy times, then we would become worse than the most worldly wicked, and betraying our dedication to our Lord.

Your point of Christians quoting the Word of God, but living the ways of darkness was right on. So many Christians are thumping their Bibles, and walking the way of the world. So many know the words, but don’t have the Spirit to guide them. Many gain their stature and their strength from the Word to implement their own agendas.

In fact, every Christian I have ever met has fallen short of Christ’s teachings.

We believe that the Word of God is the Words to us from Jesus Christ. When we hold the Word of God, when we read His Words, it is as True as if Jesus Christ was speaking the Words directly to us.

We have seen these Words twisted and wrongly used by pretend Christians. We have seen pure Christian souls dirtied with the leaven of greed and false teachings.

If we know the Word of God, but fail to embrace and live the Spirit, then our walk with Christ is a lie.

Your stance, however, that studying the Word of God is causing unfavorable eternal consequences for those who study their Bibles, or your suggestion to focus study of the four Gospels only, without regard to the complete Word of God, is wrong.

Please consider this. If you had not known the Word of God, if you had not had access to the Word of God, then you might not have found the Truth of living and walking in the Spirit. Certainly God would have sent His Spirit to guide you toward Him, but so would have the demons of wickedness to guide you away.

I truly do not know how one can know who to listen to with confidence about Jesus Christ today. And if you can’t listen about Jesus Christ from anyone, and it is wrong as you suggest to study the Bible, then I fear you are preventing many people from considering a spiritual life led by Him.

I understand the spirit of your point, because we have the same point.

Every study we have ever done displays the Scripture, and allows the students to know and discern the Truth as led by the Spirit. That’s our whole point, and why we struggle daily to get people to open their Bibles.

Many of our confused brothers and sisters in Christ have been so brainwashed and so tricked by false teachers and false prophets, by greed and power, by laziness and educational arrogance, that they are going to be lost. If the foundation of Jesus Christ is not built on the Truth of His Word, then it is going to fall.

Please remember that young Christians do not have that basic knowledge, because of the ways of the world today, and they have no way of knowing, unless someone leads them in the name of Christ. If they have studied the Word of God, they’re gonna know who to listen to, and how they should really act, to bring glory to His Name.

We don’t tickle and we don’t scratch

A confused Christian and I have been corresponding recently concerning his spiritual backsliding. Time after time, this Christian moves two steps forward, gets tempted by the lusts and greeds of worldly things, and falls three steps back. Over the years, when he has fallen off the path, he’ll get in touch, and we get him to focus once again on the Word of God. Once a person removes their self focus, and worldly focus, and puts it back on the spiritual things of God, then spiritual restoration can begin

I received a letter from him suggesting that I was “legalistic” in my interpretation of his sins. He believes that what he does might be a sin for others, but not for him, because it makes him feel good, therefore it must be good. If it makes him happy, then it can’t be a sin. He is so very wrong, and you can be assured that I told him so with the Word of God coming through loud and clear.

Preachers, Pastors, Priests, Teachers of the Word of God, Mature Christians, Parents, Friends, Christian Brothers and Sisters should always correct, reprove, and instruct their loved ones if they are doing something that could cause the loss of their spiritual growth toward God. Failure to do so, is a lack of love and an act of cowardice.

The time has arrived when young or weak Christians are refusing to endure sound doctrine, but rather are going after their own lusts. Instead of searching for the True Will of the LORD God, they make up their own beliefs, and find teachers that let them off easy by preaching the very things they want to hear. This condition is called “itchy ears”. They don’t want to hear the truth, they just want to hear what they choose, and find a teacher to scratch their itch for their pleasure.

All of the Teachers of the Word of God with Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. take the responsibility of saying it like it is, as well as we can in accordance with His Word. We don’t tickle or itch the ears. We don’t call our dedication to the Word of God legalism or constructive criticism. We call it making full proof of our ministry. We call it loving our brothers and sisters in Christ enough to help them stay focused on the things that are important to their spiritual growth. We believe that it is a strong and courageous Christian that is able to stand against the tide of popular liberalism, and declare consistently the Word and Will of God.

With what standard do you measure? Who in this life is your treasure? By what focus do you judge me?

Let me always be with a congregation of believers who measure me with the Word of God, who have the treasure of Jesus Christ, who focus on their love for me and each other to reprove, correct, instruct, preach, exhort, uphold, teach the Word of God, so we might help each other become perfect, righteous and throughly furnished unto all good works.

As long as we are using the Word of God, and not the doctrines of men…it’s all good!

Kathy L McFarland, MDiv.

Becker Bible Ministries, Inc.


16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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 longsuffering 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. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 3:16–4:5 KJV 1900)

Matthew 11:28-30 reflection

Oft neglected yoke of Christ, which requires learning the things of Him, to serve Him as obligated to all His followers. It ain’t heavy; His burden is light. (Mt 11:28-30)

Trans Ams and Babes in Christ

TransAmCheck out this ride!  I was riding high!  I had a killer job, a good paycheck, and was able to buy my first car.  I cannot even explain to you how pretty and very, very fast it was. I won’t bore you with the under hood stats; but, it would hit sixty in under three seconds.  Much under it! Though I grew up driving the Kansas straight highways, where 100 mph was common to me, navigating the streets of Spokane were a bit different.  Every stoplight in town became life threatening to everyone in my path. I could drive fast on the freeway, but, the car was too powerful for me to handle.  No matter how hard I tried to anticipate the lights, I would always screech to a stop.  Then on the green, I would leave all cars behind me, and usually some rubber.  I didn’t want to admit to my family that the car was too much for me to handle.  But it was.  I was not yet skilled enough in perfect clutch control or the fine muscle uses of the accelerator. I drove to the dealership after having it only a few months, and was looking at a van that was more practical for my growing family.  As I was looking, I saw my Trans Am leave the lot. I found an old boring van and the dealer was really happy, since he had already sold the Trans Am to someone that had seen it drive into the lot, even before I signed the papers!!!  Oh it was a beautiful car!

As a Christian leader today, I have the crucial responsibility to measure Bible teachings to the appropriate level for each student. If I teach a babe in Christ (a brand new Christian with only folk training) a lesson meant for a mature Christian, two things can happen.  The first would be the total failure of learning that Scripture since it was not based on foundational learning. The second problem can lead to young Christians reading a great deal of magical spirituality and misrepresent the Word of God.  Just like my fast car,  tragedy is just around the corner. That misunderstanding can lead to false teachings and possibly a loss of salvation. Scripture says:

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Some churches that are especially far away from Christ’s teachings often ignore the babes, or promote the babes way past their understanding, which leads to those churches getting worse and worse in the presentation of the Gospel of Christ.  Most of the famous television ministries play to the babes and promise riches and power to come to them if only they send payment. So, the babes in Christ are taken advantage of and suffer greatly.

But, more and more, the babes in Christ just sit in a pew or send spiritual messages to each other on the Internet, and think this is all they must do to be right with Christ.  That is error.  Strong Christian leaders must try to teach every Christian that comes to them, including the babes. We must analyze spiritual growth correctly, and insure a foundation of Christ is laid.  Then, we must go on to teach the Christian more advanced things of the Word of God which one day can lead to the revelation of the mysteries and supernatural doings of the LORD God.  But, that is a long journey for a student of God’s, and it can never be hustled.  My car was too much for me to handle at that point in my life; give it to me now, and I would perfectly operate the vehicle.  The Word of God is even more powerful, and in the right hands, the LORD God can be known by many. However, those that study the Word of God must be given stair steps of training, with brick upon brick laid to the foundation, so the believer can eventually be fully equipped with the Word of God.