Category Archives: Christian

Christian

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Jesus made a promise in 1 John 1:9 KJV.


If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Yet some try to confuse this clear promise.

A few days ago on television I heard a preacher say it doesn’t mean take out a piece of paper and write down all your sins, it means to acknowledge you’re a sinner and ask God for forgiveness. What’s wrong with writing down your sins and passing the paper around your church? This more closely meets the requirement – confess.

Another way to confuse the issue is to make some kind of difference between public and private sins. The Church of Christ denomination says you only need to confess your public sins. There is no such distinction in the Holy Bible. I tell you, if you do not confess all, you may die in your sins.

This is a modern day example of Matthew 23:13 KJV.

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

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Christian, Inspirational

Open Letter to Israel and the Diaspora

Accept Jesus as Messiah.

Repent and be baptized by another, by immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost or in the name of Jesus Christ.

Do not call anyone Rabbi or Master. We have one Rabbi and one Master, Jesus Christ.

Do not believe you can be saved by approaching Jehovah directly. We all need Jesus for remission of sins in the act of baptism and for forgiveness by confession.

Don’t believe that being a descendant of Abraham will save you or that you are entitled to approach God the Father directly because of your ancestry.

Pray to the Father in Jesus name. Jesus is the only intermediary between us and God. Men, do not cover your head when you pray and bring shame upon yourself.

Don’t believe Jesus’ body was stolen away by his disciples. He is our resurrected Lord.

Isaiah 12:2 KJV
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

John 3:16 KJV
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.

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Christian

Open Letter to the Catholic Church

You should not prohibit priests from marriage.

Don’t call your priests Father.

Do not pray to Mary or to Angels.

Don’t require any acts of penance for confessions.

Baptism is done by immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost or simply in the name of Jesus Christ.

Baptism should be done at an age of understanding, when the child knows who Christ is and can repent of their sins, knowing the difference between right and wrong.

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Christian

Open Letter to the Church of Christ

Unless your righteousness exceedeth singing a cappella you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Ten Commandments are still valid and should be followed.

God still does miracles today. There is no verse limiting God’s power to the Old Testament.

The Lord’s Prayer is still valid and should be prayed both publicly and privately.

You are a denomination. Though you claim lineage from Christ you are not the direct descendant or sole heir of God’s Church. You are a product of the Protestant Reformation the same as any other Christian denomination in existence today.

No distinction should be made between public and private sin. If you want your sin forgiven in accordance with 1 John 1:9, the sin must be confessed. Confession is made to another. It does not need to be publicly done, but their is no prohibition against this. However when you tell people they don’t need to confess their private sins you are essentially telling them to die in their sin.

Where it says wine in the Bible it means wine not grape juice. Both Jesus and Paul drank wine.

While many denominations including thr Church of Christ site 1 Corinthians 16:2 as a modern day commandment to give, it is not. It is better to be honest and declare your donations go to the preachers salary, church building expenses, and whatever philanthropy your church may do.

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Christian

Motives or Desire

Errant doctrine might become more obvious if we examine the motives behind it.

Rabbi – Jesus said call no man Rabbi or Father because we have one Master, that is Jesus himself. We have one Father. His name is Jehovah. Matthew 23:8-9. Why do some have a problem with this? They want to be called Rabbi and receive respect of men.

Women speaking in Church. This is very clear in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. It is a shame for women to speak in Church. Thus God has called no woman to shame herself and speak in Church. Why do some have a problem with this? Women of their own selves decide they want to ignore God’s New Testament command and speak in Church.

Wealth – Prosperity Gospel – Some preach that Jesus was rich and he wants you to be rich. Jesus was very clear in Mark 10:25 KJV
he tells us, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Why do some have a problem with this? The answer is that they themselves want your money and they want to be rich.

The obvious motivation in all these cases is the person’s own desire. They want what they want and they don’t want to listen to God.

The following verses are my response to those who follow their own desires.

1 Samuel 15:14 KJV
And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

1 Samuel 15:22 KJV
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

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Christian

No Respector of Persons

We are all familiar with the verse that says God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34

You may have heard a preacher say God is no respecter of persons, what he has done for me he will do for you. He provided me with a jet and million dollar homes, he will do the same for you. He healed me of cancer he will do the same for you. Or you may have heard God loves you exactly as much as he loves Jesus Christ.

These are inaccurate interpretations of the phrase God is no respecter of persons. Does he not love Abraham and his descendants especially? Does he not love Jesus most of all?

The correct interpretation is seen in James 2:2-3 KJV For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; [3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

It is this partiality that Paul refers too. God is no respecter of persons. In that day, whether Jew or Gentile, president, king, senator, factory worker, McDonald’s employee, prince or pauper he will judge all fairly based upon their faith and works.

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Christian

To TV or Not TV

Yesterday on the Sabbath, September 2, 2023 I watched college football again.

In my self examination of watching college football on the Sabbath, I think the answer is yes, it is causing the stranger that is within your gates to work. The players aren’t paid and it’s considered a game, but the production crew or those working for the television station do work and are paid. Further revelation means this can be extended to all television channels that employ people on the Sabbath. As far as I know that is all of them.

So what’s the answer? Close your gates and turn off the TV on the Sabbath?

I suppose I could make it a movie day and watch DVDs. We are taught by Jesus we can do good on the Sabbath. Maybe volunteer somewhere?

I think it might be hard for me to give up college football. I don’t have DVR, I have Roku, so recording it isn’t an option.

9/9/23, 9/16/23, and 9/23/23 Watched television and football throughout the day.

9/30/23 Watched television and football again, a few cleanups, and not observing the Feast of Tabernacles.

10/7/23 Used my phone for sweepstakes, watched television and football.

I am going to allow myself television and college football on the Sabbath for the foreseeable future. It may be the wrong choice. If you have any suggestions or input on the subject please feel free to comment.

Continued in my post Sabbath Log.

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Christian

Sabbath Log

I recently asked for prayers to live the Sabbath more faithfully, so I thought I would start a log to show how I’m doing.

8/19/23 Cleaned the kitty litter as usual, fed the cats wetfood for breakfast, I emptied the dehumidifier, cleaned up two cat messes

Planning to do better. I will plan to fill cat food and water on Friday afternoon before dark. I will also clean the kitty litter at the same time and then leave it till Saturday after dark.

I think the cats can go without wet food one day a week, so I will plan on skipping Saturday morning breakfast for the cats.

Messes can wait till Saturday after dark.

There is a reason they call Friday the Day of Preparation.

Overall I think I did better and I thank you for your prayers. How did I do better? I didn’t go anywhere. I bought canned food earlier in the week and microwaved soup for lunch and dinner. I think I will try to have either pre-made sandwiches or canned food in the future.

8/26/23 I picked up some crumbs and cat hair, but otherwise a little preparation on Friday afternoon helped greatly. I refilled the cats’ food and water and cleaned the kitty litter on Friday and I had canned food for lunch and dinner on Saturday along with some chips and pretzels. I did watch Notre Dame football and am wondering if that counts as causing the stranger to work. I know the college kids don’t get paid, but the production crew does.

10/14/2023 Had a willful setback. I still watched television and football. However, I also ran some laundry, bought lotto at the gas station and an iced coffee and pumpkin/cream pie at McDonald’s. Even though I cleaned the kitty litter yesterday, I just cleaned it again because I thought it needed it.

10/21/2023 Went to McDonald’s this morning, watched television and football, picked up a mess, took trash out, and bought lotto this afternoon.

10/28/2023 Went to McDonald’s, the pharmacy, and the gas station. I also watched television and football.

11/04/2023 Went to McDonald’s, the gas station, Dollar General, and Family Dollar. I also watched football and television.

11/11/2023 Went to McDonald’s and the gas station. Did daily sweepstakes on my phone. Watched television and college football.

11/18/2023 Did daily sweeps, watched TV and football. Also went to McDonald’s and the gas station.

11/25/2023 Did sweeps on my phone, watched TV and football. Went to gas station, McDonald’s, and Piggly Wiggly.

12/02/23 Went to McDonald’s twice, the gas station, and watched football and television.

12/09/23 Did much better. I only watched tv.

12/23/23 I did some online sweepstakes this morning, watched tv, and I plan on watching the NFL games.

1/13/24 After a few better observed Sabbaths, I went to the gas station, Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General today.

1/20/24 Shaved, showered, did a load of laundry, cleaned up some cat messes, cleaned downstairs kitty litter, and did some sweepstakes online.

2/03/24 Did some stuff on my phone – emails and PCH (Publisher’s Clearing House) did a load of laundry, and scooped the kitty litter.

2/17/24 Did my daily sweeps on my phone. Texted my mom. Took a shirt out of the dryer. After sunset, but before dark I cleaned up the kitty litter and picked up a few things to throw in the trash.

2/24/24 Did my daily sweeps, checked my email a few times, and went on X. Texted my mom using my own words.

3/02/24 Did my daily sweeps, checked email throughout the day, and texted my mom using my own words.

3/09/24 Did daily sweeps on my phone and cleaned up some kitty messes. I don’t know if anyone has read this far, but I feel like I’m doing somewhat better. I fought the urge to go to McDonald’s and the gas station. I need to keep in mind that as so often is the case, it can wait till tomorrow.

3/16/24 Did daily sweeps on my phone.

3/23/24 Did daily sweeps on my phone and sent a few texts using my own words.

3/30/24 Did my daily phone sweepstakes and sent some texts. I also took some trash to the dump.

4/06, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/05 Still doing daily sweeps on my phone. On 5/05 picked up some messes. These things could wait till after dark, but I have had poor impulse control regarding them. They seem minor, but in my opinion have prohibited living a perfect Sabbath.

5/11/24 Carried out trash, bought lotto, bought a burger and fries, and cleaned up a kitty mess.

5/18/24 Cleaned cat mess, emptied dehumidifier twice, carried out trash, and bought lotto. Went to Burger King for lunch and got an iced coffee at McDonald’s.

5/25/24 Picked up a few things, did a few things on my phone.

6/01/24 Did a few things on my phone. Went out and got the mail. Handed the postman an incorrectly addressed letter as he drove by when I was at the mailbox.

6/08/24 Picked up a few things, adjusted my mattress, went out and got the mail.

7/06/24 After a few better Sabbaths, on this one I went to the gas station, picked up a few things, arranged my mattress, emptied the dehumidifier, and did some things on my phone.

7/13/24 Picked up kitty mess, did daily sweeps and email on my phone, adjusted my mattress and made my bed.

7/20/24 Picked up a few kitty messes, did daily sweeps and email, adjusted mattress, went to gas station and bought lotto.

7/27/24 Did my daily sweeps and email, cleaned a cat mess, bought lottery at the gas station, bought a pizza, went to an ATM.

8/03/24 Cleaned kitty litter and a small mess, adjusted mattress, emptied dehumidifier, got a ride to pick up my car, went to Piggly Wiggly, went to gas station for lotto, did my daily sweeps and email. Went to hardware store, Walmart, and Taco Bell. Admittedly, not my best lived Sabbath.

8/10/24 Did daily sweeps and email, adjusted mattress, checked snail mail.

8/17/24 Cleaned two cat messes, adjusted mattress – for some reason it slides to the left while I sleep, went to McDonald’s for an iced coffee, went to gas station for lotto, and did daily sweeps and email.

8/24/24 Cleaned cat messes and kitty litter, adjusted mattress and Christmas tree(out for testing or very early celebration), emptied dehumidifier, picked up some cat hair, got mail, went to gas station for lottery tickets, did daily sweeps and email. Basically I did what I wanted too which exemplified disobedience and poor impulse control.

8/31/24 Filled water pitcher, adjusted mattress, did daily sweeps and email, went and got U.S. mail.

9/07/24 It’s been about a year since my first post on this log. Overall I’m not sure if I’ve improved much. You would think it would be easy to do nothing – yet I have difficulty with it. Did daily sweeps and email, bought lotto at the gas station and an iced coffee at McDonald’s, checked US mail, filled up water pitcher and watched football.

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Christian

My Sin

The Lord has helped me to quit looking at porn. He has also helped me to quit smoking. However, I have not been keeping the Sabbath as I should. If you happen to be reading this, your prayers to do better are appreciated.

Exodus 20:8-11 KJV
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Isaiah 58:13-14 KJV
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: [14] Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

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Inescapable Synonyms

In this age of cancel culture, people are trying to redefine biblical words in order to make them undesirable or just weaken their true meaning. Definitions matter. If evil can change fear of the Lord to respect and awe of the Lord and confess your sins to simply acknowledge them the Devil is making serious strides in spreading misinformation and misunderstanding. What’s the truth?

  • Religion is another word for Duty
  • Legalism is another word for Obedience
  • Fear is another word for Terror. Terrible is a correct adjective used to describe God
  • Holy is another word for Righteous
  • Righteous is another word for Obedient
  • Love is another word for Caring
  • Caring is another word for Affection
  • Placing conditions on love and affection is natural and appropriate.

Before you believe those that say this word means such and such according to recent studies of Greek or Hebrew, learn what it means in English. If you have doubts on the meaning of a word check your Dictionary and Thesaurus before they too get changed and a new and so called better version comes out.

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