Category: Bible

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Do you think that you may be dying?

Man praying

Right before death comes to people in natural ways, the body begins a deterioration, and the mind comprehends the possibility that the downhill decline is leading to death. Strong spiritual Christian leaders can often perceive the “preparation” of the soul for the death or resurrection process that occurs at the same time life begins to slow down and the body declines. While always a sad part of life when we lose those we love and like, there is a joyous ending when we watch saved Christians pass away. We know we will see them again, and we know they are in the presence of Jesus and in the place of Heaven that heals, comforts, and restores them to their truest selves. But, sadly, we also mourn the loss of those that we think unsaved, because of the wasted life of things that might have been available to them if they had only made the choice of Christ.

My early Methodist upbringing often focused upon the Scripture verse that says the “last are first and the first last:”

“Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:28-30)

The Methodist unsaved, especially the men, took advantage of this declaration of Christ, by committing to themselves to ask for salvation from Christ at the very last moment. They resolved to live the life they chose until the very last minute of their lives on the earth.  At that moment, they reasoned, they would give a shout out to the Lord Jesus Christ to save them, and they were guaranteed a spot in Heaven.  I kid you not; many men I knew that went to after church events with their wives, and I heard this claim to Methodist salvation at the last moment of life many, many times. Sadly, I watched these same men in dying process and attended their funerals. I observed in almost all cases, by the time they should have been shouting out to the Lord for that hoped for salvation, they were instead in a coma, feeble, or mentally changed to the point they were unable to publicly declare or privately ask for the salvation to occur.

Last month, I attended a big event with a great deal of people. I saw three, maybe four people that have begun the process of preparation to die. I do not know any of their faiths, do not know whether they follow Christ as their Savior, and do not know if they have accepted Him and received salvation in their private lives. However, just in case they have not done this, I thought it prudent to offer the steps to salvation:

Step 1: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

There are NO more steps. It is not very complicated. Of course, to make that statement, you must first believe that no matter how much good you have done on this earth, you still are sinful, and need the salvation of the Lord to go to Heaven. However, if you believe Scripture, then Romans 10:9 tells you exactly what you need to do.

If you need someone to confess that belief to quietly, because maybe you are fearful of scaring your loved ones in these last days of your life, speak with a trusted Christian leader. I am available for the simple confession of faith of Jesus Christ and certainty of His Resurrection  anytime, day or night. Just do it if you have not been saved. Grab hold of your hope of Resurrection and surety of faith by claiming it before you die; once you die, it is over, and you do not have any other opportunity for salvation.

The men and women I saw prepared for beginning the process of dying were some of the neatest people I met that day. I hope that they already have a strong faith professed in Christ, and are fully participating in representing the Kingdom of God. However, I suspect a few remain unsaved. It is time folks. Confess Christ and your sure belief in Him and the Father God who is your Creator. My phone number is (208)486-6150 and I will help receive your confession of faith, anytime, day, or night.

God bless all believers in Him. When you soon stand in the presence of Christ, please remember me to Him, and speak good things on my behalf. That would be really cool!

 

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Our Rewards Come Later with Jesus

Prosperity

Have you seen and heard the fancy pancy Christians that claim great reward and prosperity available to all that pray a certain prayer, belong to a certain religion, or claim reward in order to receive it? It is a lie. God will not give you reward and prosperity for your accomplishments or wishes in this life. It is not going to happen.

So how do we address those Christian leaders that claim such lies?  We call them false prophets and false teachers, and we get away from their mumble jumbo as fast as possible.  Your righteousness, holiness, and life after death depends upon your choice of Christian leadership to follow.  Don’t be tricked!

I have created a “False Teacher” (https://biblestudydata.com/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=127) and a “False Prophet” (https://biblestudydata.com/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=128) checklist to aid seeking unchurched Christians to find their leader that will shepherd them in the way of Christ and to prevent falling into the hands of the devil.

I know the popular messages on facebook from misguided Christians that encourage prosperity coming to them through prayer.  Don’t waste your time.  The Bible tells us differently:

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)

The rewards of God come afterwards, when your life on this earth is ended and your works are completed. They never come to you when your works directed by God are unfinished. Reward never comes to any Christian for the stuff they do on this earth, until it is given by Jesus to you in His coming Judgment of your works:

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as holy fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

The works I’m doing on this earth that are guided by God, the works you are doing on this earth that are guided by God, will be judged later, after our works are created and our lives are over on this earth. If any pretend Christian leader dares to tell you otherwise, tell him or her “Satan, get thee behind me!” and run like Hell is close at hand!

Now, don’t ever doubt the grace-filled Providences of the LORD God when you are given exactly what you need to accomplish His Works.  When you are doing His extended works, He provides the tools, materials, and strength to accomplish it fully; He even sends people to help you with your job.  If you run into a situation that you need more help, supplies, strength, or any other material need, your prayers to Him will alert your situation. He will then evaluate and provide the best solutions for your task at hand.  Immediately.  Supernaturally.  Happens often in my life and many other Christian leaders lives as we do the things He wills.  I’ve seen it happen in common Christian’s lives also, so it is not just restricted to the officers and leaders of His Kingdom.

Don’t expect prosperity or reward on earth.  Money and materials coming your way from God’s Hands are restricted to the use towards His tasks, to the penny.  Misspending and misappropriating His things can even result in death coming to you, should you misuse them in deliberate ways:

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Acts 5:1-11)

Do you see what I am saying? When you are doing works for the LORD God, take great care and consideration of all resources that come your way to the job He has given you.  The natural life gifts of shelter, food, and livelihood that come to you from our Lord that is taking care of His flock, is much different for the materials and gains received from the LORD God for completion of works.  In the first case of natural life gifts, praise the Lord often; it is nothing you did that merited such a gift!  In the case of resources coming your way for the completion of His works, use them wisely! And, in the case of reward that will come to you and bring you exceedingly great prosperity, look for it when you are in the presence of the Lord and He rewards you for a job well done!