THE DANGERS OF SEXTING

Be aware of the new technology that has opened new ways of opportunities for the adversary to devour you. Sexting can seem innocent, but it's end is spiritual cancer.

 What is Sexting? Sexting is the process of sending nude photos, sexual suggestions, or cybersex via the air ways of smart phones, androids, or computers. Its intent is to invite sexual gratification without being physical. What are the dangers of sexting?

 1. It is rebellion against God which causes sin against the body. Our bodies are to be pure and Holy before God; it is where the Holy Spirit resides.

 2. It opens an avenue for the adversary to accuse you before God and to expose you before the world and those who love you, creating embarrassment and shame; a means for the adversary to consistently condemn you.

 3. Sexting creates strongholds towards other sexual sins or sins in general; you'll come to a place where you are desensitized, no longer sensitive to the the urging of the Holy Spirit to live right before God.

 4. Sexting it's like killing two birds with one stone, where the enemy has not only one soul but two souls entangled in sin, using two people to lust for one another.

 5. Sexting cannot be undone. Once photos or videos are created and sent, they cannot be retrieved; they are left at the discretion and power of the receiver to abuse the trust between you two. The receiver can expose the graphics to their friends, family, porn sites, or use them to blackmail you.

 6. If you no longer become involved with the receiver, they can continue to view the graphics, giving themselves sexual gratification, which will then have you feeling violated.

 7. Sexting will build lust between the two involved, where real physical sex will eventually take place between the two down the road.

JUSTIFIED UNSANCTIFIED

The question is often asked, "Is it possible for a Christian to die and go to hell?"  The answer that is most often given is, "No, once you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, it is impossible for one to go to hell; just go read; John 3:16, where it says that if you believe in Christ, you will be saved."

Well, what is often missed is that there are other Bible verses that surround that one verse.  We cannot take one verse, and apply that one verse, to everything there is to Salvation. Yes, it is true that if a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they will indeed have their name written in the Book of Life. However, understand too, that the title; Christian, is only a demeaning title, given from unbelievers, to those who identified themselves as to being a Christ follower. The title; Christian, itself does not justify or save a person. Anybody can wear the title; Christian, whether they are a full fled faith believer, or one that only believes Christ for entitlements, or one that believes that Christ existed, but for less than what He is to be given entitlements.  Nonetheless, to be really considered; saved, goes beyond just the recognition that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and that He died for the sins of all mankind. There is what is also called; Sanctification.

Sanctification, is defined as: to set apart, or to declare holy, to consecrate. Once a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are added to the Book of Life; however, they are responsible for involving themselves in the sanctification of justification. The believer must live their life according to the commandments of God, just as Jesus lived His life upon the earth in submission to His Father. The act of obedience to God isn't to be taken as a way of "doing works", to get into Heaven, because there is absolutely nothing man can do in works to win God's approval outside of Jesus Christ. The sanctification of the believer shows God that you are serious about your belief in His Son, and that you are completely surrendered to allowing; Jesus Christ, to be the Lord of your life. Jesus Christ has said, "If you love me, then keep my commandments" (John 14:15).  The more a believer keeps God's commandments, the more they become conformed to who; Jesus Christ, is. God is only able to use a believer for His complete and divine purpose, once they acknowledge the fact of sanctification, and begin to seek the Will of God for their lives. Jesus has said, "I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing," (John 15:5). And what He has said to those who have bared no fruit behind accepting Him as Savior, with no sanctification, "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned" (John 15:6). Hebrews, 6:4-6 states, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." The bottom line is, many will come close to the saving grace but fail to complete the full transition through faith simply because they chose to turn back to the ways of the world, denying Jesus Christ. For whatever wave of reason may come: offense, persecution, disappointment, persuasion, influence, self-righteousness, or the lust of the flesh, some will chose to fall away from the truth. Yet, those who stand strong in the faith, enduring all trials, affirming their sincerity through obedience, will be the elect that receive their full reward of eternal life.

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FAMILY TREE

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I want to share with you the hidden treasure to finding happiness in the midst of grief and difficulties.

Some of the myths that people seem to believe is that happiness is only for a few of God's chosen elects, or that when happiness is found, it is only for a season.  However, that does not seem to be the case. Happiness is within us all, from the man who has lost his job, to the woman who has had a miscarriage, on to the family that has lost their home, to the guilty that stands in the courthouse, to the couple that is heading for a divorce, to the patient that just discovered they have cancer. No one is exempt from God's grace of happiness.

Sharing my personal testimony... many who know me probably thought I would lose my mind behind losing custody of my two children, to their father, through a very challenging divorce in year 2006. Therefore, I will share how God helped me to find peace and happiness within it all. First, I cried out to the Lord, blaming Him for not covering my situation the way I had asked Him to in prayer.  I never thought for one moment that the tables would turn on me. I had all ready gone through two other court hearings where I had won custody of my two children between two states. Yet, on the third hearing, fate would have it, that God would allow what I thought impossible at that point. I questioned God, wondering if He had been angry with me, or moreover, just forgotten about me. I can't begin to explain the details of the pain that radiated and burned through my entire being. My mindset in confusion, my body feeling fatigued, while my bank account set there depleted, at the exhaustion of attorneys and court fees. How could God do this to me?!! I was the primary parent that cared for our children!! I was the one that remained faithful at serving God, even trained our children to fear and serve Him. I am the one in financial need of having them provided for. I am their MOTHER... why would God do this to ME??!! Somehow, when things are set to appear against us, we believe that God is actually trying to punish us, or has turned against us in an act of violence. However, God's way of doing things is to always strengthen our weaknesses. God received more glory out of allowing me to go through something that I thought I could not handle than the glory He would have received had He given me something I expected Him to do that would be comforting. God saw a greater value in helping to me to take the attention off myself, while redirecting my attention unto Him. God's grace surpasses everything. It is not confined to the rules and regulations that we set for Him. His grace takes us deeper in our spiritual walk with Him, opening our eyes to things that we would never see, if He had allowed us to continue to walk with blind faith. I saw a deeper need to trust Him, even if I had to walk through the valley of sorrow.  No amount of  troublesome has any power over His grace. I saw within myself self-centeredness, where I felt things just had to go my way, because I felt that I was too good to experience anything less than God's very best. Job 2:10 says, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  I saw where I lacked grace in being empathetic to their father's needs despite his past absence and attentiveness in their lives. I saw where God made me financially able where I thought I had a need. I saw how God placed me in a position of teaching at a local private Christian school which allowed me to be surrounded by His Word, and children almost everyday. I saw in my character where the old ways passed away, and the new creation thrived.

There is happiness to be found in Jesus Christ. There is absolutely nothing that we can suffer that Jesus Christ Himself did not suffer. Jesus suffered before we could suffer.  He suffered as an example, that we are able to live life, through our own struggles, abundantly. The grace of God carried; Jesus Christ, and that same grace carries US! I once heard that, "Life is 10% of what happens to us, and 90% of how we respond to it", which I have found to be true. We can either respond to life as life responds to us, or choose to recognize that our hope and peace, are not found in this world, but in Jesus Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Through every trial that comes at us, we can choose to allow God to use us for His purpose through it all; whether it's to sharpen our faith, to refine our character, to be a testimony to others, to see ourselves in front of His grace, where we can learn to extend grace to others, or even to confront Him concerning His promises. There is a greater value behind going through storms, than to hide under the shelter of comfort. There is a dire need for the world to know that true peace and happiness is found in our complete dependence and trust in God to work everything out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Our circumstances may not look good, but that's okay, because when you are placing your faith in God, everything always turns out for the best in the end.  Remember that our best is not always His best, but everyone will find happiness.


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknessess, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

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SHEOLS, HADES, HELL



                                                 

When we read the words: Sheol, Hades, and Hell in the Bible, we automatically join them together as having the same relationship likewise to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, these three words having totally separate meanings, and are identified by three separate accounts just as the Trinity.

We find the word Sheol in some of these Bible verses:

Psalm 89:48

What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul for the power of Sheol? Selah.

Genesis 37:35

Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, "Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son." So his father wept for him.

Genesis 44:29

'If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.'

Psalm 18:5

The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.

Proverbs 1:12

Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

Proverbs 30:16

Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, "Enough."

Sheol is a not a place of torment, likewise to Hades and Hell, but it is death itself; the grave to be exact. Whether you are a righteous or unrighteous person; you will face Sheol. Sheol is appointed to each living person; it has an appointment with us that is inevitable. Sheol is sleep or rest for the body, where the soul is separate from it, either in paradise with God or in torment in Hades. Sheol like Hades and Hell, was not intended for man. We as mankind were to live forever; however, due to the fall of Adam, the grave was given rights to every man. The great news about Sheol is that it has been defeated by the life, blood, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will not remain in the clutches of the grave if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; the righteous will rise again with both body and soul, to live upon the earth again forever.

Let us look at some Bible verses that contain the reference to the word Hades:

Revelation 20:13-14

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake fire.

Matthew 11:23

"And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day."

Luke 16:23

"In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom."

Acts 2:27

Because you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow your Holy One to undergo decay.

Matthew 16:18

"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Hades is a place of torment for the soul but not the body which is left at the grave (Sheol). It is an intermediate place for the unrighteous; a holding place of horror until the Day of the Final Judgment, where both body and soul will rejoin itself before God. Hades is where the fallen angels reside; it is only a taste of Hell, but not Hell itself. It is appointed to each man the grave (Sheol) and after the grave, there is an immediate judgment. A person will go to Hades if they did not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, nor lived a life of righteousness upon the earth. Many do not realize that accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior by mouth only, will only lead them to Hades. Jesus states that it is only those who obey His Father, that have truly accepted Him as their Lord and Savior (Romans 2:13, Matthew 7:21, 1 Peter 4:17). Upon everyone's acceptance of Christ as their Lord and Savior; their names are added to the Book of Life. However, without a genuine heart to live for Christ, a person's name is blotted out of the Book of Life, upon their arrival to the grave (Sheol). God is no FOOL, as loving and forgiving, as He may be. He gives time, and patience, to each person by the measure of their faith, to get it right with Him, before their death.

Psalm 69:28

May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not be listed with the righteous.

Deuteronomy 29:20

"The Lord shall never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the Lord and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him, and the Lord will blot out his name for under heaven."

2 Kings 14:27

The lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from heaven, but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

Hades is a place of darkness, fire, torture, profanity, screaming, yelling, stomach curling smells, rats, snakes, demons, clawing and ripping of flesh, worm infestation, high iron gates, pits, drought, thirst, desolation, remorse, separation from God, and NO HOPE. Yet, it is only temporary, awaiting its place in Hell.

Now, let's look at some Bible Verses that refer to Hell.

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Matthew 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew 10:28

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

Revelation 20:15

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:14

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Revelation 14:11

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Hell is the place or state of never ending fire and torment for both the body and soul which will have joined back together after the Final Judgment before God. After Hell, there will be no further judgment; it is an eternal state. Hell is where Satan, the fallen angels, and unrighteous people, will burn FOREVER.

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THE FINAL WILL

Galatians 4:4-5 reads "But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son born of a woman, born subject to the regulations of the Law, to purchase the freedom of those who were subject to the law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us, and be recognized as God's Sons."

When we assess the reasons why an appointed attorney recommends that we have a living will in the event of our untimely death; unquestionably, the top reason would be to protect what is most important to us, to be certain that what is most important to us, is handed down to those who are also most important to us. We wouldn't want our valuables distributed to those who are foreign to us, or who don't have our approval for being an appointed authority, or heir, for the reasons that they don't share in our same bloodline, nor have they been given our merited favor to place their hands on our goods.

Another reason for having a will is to keep arguments down on the who, what, and when, which leads us to our next reason; deciding where ones children will go upon our untimely death so that no other said, "higher authority", places them where you don't want them to go. Furthermore, having a will will prevent unnecessary delays in processing what has already been rightfully established and designated to the successor of the presuccessor. Not only will a will give inheritance, but it can be used to disinherit those who would otherwise inherit your estate, but would be the wrong hands for your assets to fall into.

Let's dig deeper into the grounds of having a will... having a will will also prevent things from transpiring that is not intended for certain persons; therefore, allowing your legacy to live on through those who reflect your own values and interests. At anytime during the course that you are still living at the execution of your will, you reserve the right to change your will in the event of unforeseen circumstances that create situations where changing your will is necessary; interstate laws, states that, "without a will, a presuccessor's valuables are at a loss which could end up in the wrong hands". So, it was then, and it is now, the Law, that without a will... there is NO WAY, but with a will... THERE IS A WAY.

Romans 8:14-15 reads, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves , so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." Through the blood of Jesus Christ in which our first DNA was first created; God made it a Will that those who recognized what was important to Him, valuing His values and interests, would become the appointed beneficiaries of His estates. We were all once separated from God, left with nothing to look forward too. Although, it took only one man to lose foot, in which all men fell; one man took His entire body, to restore God's Will. Oxens, sheeps, goats, doves, and unleavened breads could not take the place of rectifying man's sin because they were not a reflection of the image of God, they could not participate in the act of righteousness prevailing over the law, nor were they of the same flesh as man.

Again Galatians 4:4-5 reads,

"But when the proper time had full come, God sent His Son born of a woman, born subject to the regulations of the Law, to purchase the freedom of those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us, and be recognized as God's Sons."

Because man is God's asset...

He had to make a Will.

Because man is what is important to God...

He had to make a Will.

Because God did not want His children going into the wrong hands...

He had to make a Will.

Because God needed to give man the power appointed authority to place hands on His goods...

He had to make a Will.

Because God had to make it clear about the WHO, WHAT, AND WHEN...

He had to make a Will.

Because God did not want any delays in His adopted Sons and Daughters receiving what is rightfully theirs...

He had to make a Will.

Because God had to disinherit Satan to all his entitlements...

He had to write it in the Will.

Because God needed His legacy to live on through those who reflected His values and interest...

He begot Jesus Christ, and those adopted through His blood, as His Will.

God needed to stop the hands of death from claiming the lives of man who were never intended to die...

So He had to make a Will.

While Jesus was alive, He changed the Will of the Law which was to keep God and Man separated forever through the fall of one man. Jesus changed the Will by living a life of righteousness that reflected the image of God, while being in the flesh of man.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SHARE WITH SOMEONE ELSE THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND TO NOT ALLOW PROCRASTINATION, DISBELIEF, AND UNWILLINGNESS, TO ACCEPT HIS DEATH, DISINHERIT THEM FROM GOD'S FINAL WILL; IT'S THE LAW!!!


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THE MEANING BEHIND THE TERM; PULPIT



Well, the pulpit isn't to glorify the pastor or any other office that stands before the people in church; although, many would wrongly find pride and fame, given the privilege to be seated at the front of the church. The word actually stands for something so much greater, which actually benefits the people. The term; Pulpit, means to "pull people from the pit". What pit you may ask? ... The Holy Bible speaks of many pits in which people are liable to fall within; some of the pits are referenced to sins which are snares that pull people into a downward spiral away from God, truth, and life. Another term for these sins is Strongholds. Strongholds do just what its name implies; hold a person down with great strength, keeping them in bondage and enslavement to itself. Another type of pit in which the Bible speaks, is the pits that are found in Hell. The Bible speaks of pits that the unsaved fall into upon entering the gates of Hell, and it speaks of pits that a person will dwell in while in Hell that he or she has dug for their own selves based on the sins that did upon the earth. Each person that willfully sins against God, actually causes their personal pit in Hell that is awaiting them, to enlarge, and grow in depth. The "Pulpit" is a metaphor for preaching the truth of God, to help pull people out of their pits in life or the one that awaits them after their physical death. This is why it is SOOOOOO important that preachers preach the truth of God's Word; THEY WILL BE GRAVELY ACCOUNTABLE for their purpose in the Pulpit. The Pulpit isn't for those who just want to be glorified behind a title or position. The Pulpit isn't for those who lust after peoples money for their livelihood. The Pulpit isn't for those who just want to do people good by doing an act of Community Service. The Pulpit isn't for those who sugar coat God's Word so that they are liked by the people. The Pulpit isn't for those who want to sit before it for entertainment purposes as one would do a television or concert, or to be acknowledged from others that they attend church, or to feel secure in being saved. The Pulpit are for those who are BOLD, BRAVE, CONFIDENT, KNOWLEGABLE, CALLED BY GOD, AND FIND URGENCY IN SHARING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOSPEL DESPITE ADVERSITY, AND AT ANY COST, TO SAVE LIVES, EVEN IF THAT MEANS LOSING THEIR OWN.

HOW DEEP IS YOUR PIT??? ARE YOU IN A PIT??? IS YOUR CHURCH LEADER PULLING YOU AND OTHERS OUT OF YOUR PIT/S???

Matthew 15:14

"Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit".

Proverbs 26:27
He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

Revelation 9:2
He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.

Psalm 35:7-8
For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.

Psalm 7:15
He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And has fallen into a hole which he made.

Psalm 94:13
That you may grant him relief from the days of adversity, Until a pit is dug for the wicked.

Isaiah 24:17-18
Terror and pit and snare Confront you, O inhabitant of the earth.

Job 33:18
He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol.

Proverbs 1:12
Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

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BREAKING FREE FROM STRONGHOLDS

 

It is true that the Holy Spirit, that dwells within believers; yearns with intense envy and jealousy for our souls, all the time. However, the most recognizable time of longing is when we are confronted with temptations. We are all subject to fail at conquering some of the fiery darts that WILL come at us daily. When we fail, we are often chastised by the adversary, in our minds, that we are not capable of pleasing God, enduring in strength, renewed in our thoughts and actions, saved, and truly in love with God. We begin to feel that the task of remaining faithful and loyal to God surpasses our ability. Which leaves the question, "What is blocking me from breaking free from what seems like a never ending cycle?"

Let's begin to understand that when you war against temptations; you are not in the battle alone. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, "No temptation has seized you which is not common to man. God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. When you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." Most of us, will be confronted by temptations, believing that we alone can deny access to any and all forbidden activities that come our way. However, the word of God says that there is way that seems right unto men, but instead it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). We have been given the Holy Spirit within us to remind of us the ways of conquering sin. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our subconscious guiding us away from those things that present themselves harmful to us. Even if we are not practiced in knowing the scriptures, the Holy Spirit still urges us to separate ourselves from what is considerably harmful to our souls and bodies. We have the ability to either adhere to the Holy Spirit or to suppress the voice of the Holy Spirit by choosing to listen or choosing to ignore the forewarning. Our choice in hearing or remaining deaf, determines whether we will be successful at overcoming or falling prey to the enslavement of whatever that sin may be. The book of James, reminds us, that when we are tempted by sin, that is not the time to be complacent, lazy, lighthearted, in denial, to be at ease, joking around, jolly, unconcerned, comfortable, or teasing. Temptations are grievous, and should be handled; accordingly, with self-discipline, self-control, and assertive warfare. Temptations strike us all suddenly and unaware, "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position" (2 Peter 3:17). We should continually, on a daily basis, be reminded: that Christ is returning at any moment, that we are not to meditate on impure images or fantasies in our minds, that we are to cast our eyes away from lingering on anything that arouses temptations within us, not giving into seducing spirits. Proverbs 1:10 tells us, "My son (daughter), do not be enticed by sinners, do not give in to them. Enticements includes: stealing, murder, gossiping, fornicating, adultery, perverse language, cheating, gluttony and greed, anger, revenge, substance abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, showing impartiality and favoritism, judging, lasciviousness, vandalizing, and so more.

God gives us more and more grace, because He loves us, and has faith in us, although, we often lack faith in Him. Therefore, His undying love should not be held in contempt, but attract and pull you back to Him. God never turns away from us when we fall to sin. However, we turn from God when we fail to do what is expected of us. When we do turn away from Him, God is unable to extend His grace to us, because we have blocked access to Him reaching our souls. Thus, strongholds take place in our lives. We become committed to the enslavement of whatever sin is enticing us; what is of the world, and against God. God does not accept divided loyalty from us. We are either His child, or friends with the world, but we cannot be both. We need God in our lives, directing us in all our ways, because we are not able to control our desires completely, and always, without Him.

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