Category Archives: Inspirational

Christian, Inspirational

Around the World

I have seen several religious leaders and channels claim to hasten the day of the Lord’s return. They usually cite Matthew 24:14 KJV. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The problem is from CBN to Jim Bakker the gospel is lucky to get 5%? of their airtime. Nehemiah 9:3 KJV says,
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God.

Wouldn’t it be great if these television channels and shows that claim to spread the gospel actually did? What if they read the Holy Bible out loud for a fourth of the day?

There is another verse speaking of Jesus, John 3:30 KJV, that says, He must increase, but I must decrease.

Wouldn’t it be nice if preachers and teachers used less of their own words and more of God’s.

I know the Holy Bible can be boring. The begats can seem long winded. Nonetheless reading the Holy Bible is not only necessary, but critical. To combat laziness and disinterest, to promote knowledge – read the Bible out loud. Read it aloud in your churches. Read it out loud on television. Read it out loud everywhere and Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled.

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Christian, Inspirational

Pretty Woman

Proverbs 31:10 KJV Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

My bible app defines virtuous by note as lit. wife of valor. This definition seems at first glance to be erroneous, yet with further inspection it could be found partially accurate.

First, I believe a virtuous woman can be single. She doesn’t need to marry.

Secondly, virtuous in my opinion means chaste while valor means courageous or brave.

So how do you resolve this seemingly odd definition. A woman who is chaste is also brave. She has learned to place great value upon herself. She has through daily living developed the intelligence and personal strength to be chaste or virtuous, which is also defined by Merriam-Webster as righteous or morally excellent.

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Christian, Inspirational

Alpha Type

Appearances matter, now more than ever, especially in this time of promoted gender identity confusion.

A man should not be effeminate. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. A man should not have tattoos. Leviticus 19:28. A man should not have long hair. 1 Corinthians 11:14.

Appearances matter, but so does substance or character. A man must decide between two masters. There are no Ronin. Will it be the Devil or will it be Christ? If we choose Christ and keep his word, we can start with the small things and he will bolster us in the larger. It has been my personal experience that he has been helping me walk before him. I cut out flowery and fruit scented bath and hygiene products and have tried since then to pick products specifically designed and marketed for men. A small change, but Jesus has helped me with bigger fights such as my struggles against nicotine and a porn addiction.

I have heard many people on religious television programming talk about having a covering or the necessity of a pastoral covering. We as Christians do not seek a covering. No man is our head. We have no master except Jesus. 1 Corinthians 11:3.We stand or fall before him alone. And he is gracious to help us stand.

As they sell the prayer shawls on TV, remember it is a shame for a man to pray with his head covered. 1 Corinthians 11:4.

Take every admonition to heart and change what you can to conform to Jesus’ description of a man. A change in appearance can lead to a change of the heart and vice versa.

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Christian, Inspirational

At the Cross

You’ve read stories to your children. You’ve watched Disney movies with them. You may have even killed a few thousand bad guys together on Xbox. But have you talked to them yet about Jesus?

You do well if you have and if you’ve told them he died on the cross for our sins. It might be easier for them to understand if you told them Jesus died on the cross to show us how to live. Jesus walked perfectly before his Heavenly Father, our Father. During his walk he shed blood, sweat, and tears to teach us not to sin, to teach us the difference between right and wrong, and to do his Father’s will. He gave his life for us. He died for his teaching and for the truth, so we will strive to always do the good and avoid the bad.

May your children never be as Pontius Pilate asking what is truth. May they know it and live it. Please understand that depends largely on you, their parent and their guide.

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Christian, Inspirational

The Talk

Long before a parent needs to have “the talk” with their child they need to discuss God with them.

A father should tell his son(s) and daughter(s), we have one Father, even God in Heaven, and ask the children to call himself by his first name, rather than father or dad. Matthew 23:9 KJV.

As soon as a child can comprehend who God is, tell him or her about Jesus, the only begotten Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and lived to show us how to live by following his Holy Father, our Father.

Conversations with children should include informing them of the Ten Commandments and the statutes and precepts of the Lord. I don’t necessarily think you need to go into detail about what adultery is, but a careful conversation on adultery might make “the talk” easier at a later date.

Keep in mind “the talk” probably needs to take place earlier than you think. Kids pick up a lot from what’s on television and at school.

When your child is ready, let them repent of their sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Mark 16:16

Only by frequent conversations with your children will they be able to make it to Heaven. Remember that children key off what they see. If you live righteously you can teach your children to live likewise!

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Christian, Inspirational

Context is Key II

I have heard it said that the Ten Commandments were Mosaic law (given to Moses in the Old Testament) and we no longer need to follow them since we are now under the New Testament.

I have heard it said we don’t need to follow the laws and precepts of Corinthians because Paul wrote them only to the Church of Corinth.

I have heard people claim promises throughout the Old Testament which were specific only to Israel at a specific time.

Context does matter. Discernment and rightly dividing the word of God requires us to first look at the Holy Bible as a whole. It was written for us. It is directed at the modern day reader. Things written to others in times past are lively and directed at us today.

1 John 2:7 KJV
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Is not the law that which we have heard from the beginning, whether by faithful preaching or by our own reading of the Bible?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

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Christian, Inspirational

Defining Behavior

People define God’s law as they see fit. Instead of stretching definitions to suit our own benefit, what if we strictly defined the law in accordance with God’s original intent.

Exodus 20:13 KJV Thou shalt not kill. Seems clear enough, but man changes it to thou shalt not murder. We search out excuses. It’s okay in war, it’s okay in self defense, it’s okay if someone breaks into your home, it might be okay if adultery was involved, maybe there are extenuating circumstances, maybe it’s only manslaughter.

Exodus 20:9-10 KJV …thou shalt not do any work,… Yet, man says it’s not work if it was necessary. It’s not work if you wanted to do it. Even if it was work, surely God won’t hold it against me.

If you’ve never read Corinthians you may skip this paragraph. For those of you desirous of learning and keeping the law, keep reading. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 seems pretty clear. The only question is what is Church. Is it a building? Is it a time? Is it a combination of the two? Is it whenever and wherever two or more are gathered together in Christ’s name? This like all of God’s law depends on the heart of the listener.

When you read or hear the law seek understanding. When you have understanding seek strength. When you find yourself seeking excuses – you should know you are definitely walking in the wrong direction.

When you realize your walking in the wrong direction, there remains 1 John 1:9. Turn and define (live) the law favorably within God’s original intent. Why? Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14 KJV

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Christian, Inspirational

Of Bondage and Baptism

I believe baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost is necessary for salvation. Mark 16:16.

So how do those imprisoned whether man or angel get baptized? They must ask. Ask their jailer. Ask the warden. Ask.

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Christian, Inspirational

Even Demons Dare to Dream

Have you ever wondered, can I make it to Heaven? Even fallen angels wonder the same thing.

The truth is only three beings have their final judgment now. They are going to be damned to Hell forever. One is the Devil. The other two may not know their final judgment yet, they may not even be alive. They are two individuals found in the book of Revelation, the Anti-Christ and the false prophet. Revelation 20:10

Because of God’s great mercy even demons might make it back to Heaven. 2 Peter 2:4 tells us that demons haven’t received their final judgment yet.

A continuing hope in Christ is key for both them and us. If they have opportunity then like us they should be baptized (Mark 16:16) and confess their sins (1 John 1:9). It might be easy to lose hope in chains and darkness, but to both demons and men I say remember. Remember only three in the Holy Bible have already been judged, therefore to the rest of us – hope remains.

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

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Christian, Inspirational

One for You and One for Me

There is only one law of God. It does need to be correctly discerned, but most do not rightly divide the word of God, they simply divide.

They say the Ten Commandments is under Mosaic law or under the Old Testament. They say the laws in Corinthians were only for the Corinthians. Do they not know the Holy Bible was written to you and to me?

There have been changes to the law which should be noted by every Christian. Animal sacrifice for sin came to an end at the death and resurrection of Christ. He is the ultimate sacrifice for sin and now there can be none other. The dietary code of the Old Testament came to an end with Peter’s dream opening Christianity to the gentiles. God cleansed all animals to be eaten with thanksgiving.

Whatever law or precept you find in the Old or New Testament is good and most likely meant to be followed. There is one law. It applies equally to you and to me.

You might ask yourself a few questions when reading the law. Do I love the Lord enough to keep it? Why does God want me to keep it? Why was it written in the Bible, in any particular part or chapter? Knowing the law do I feel guilty if I break it? What blessings come with obedience?

It doesn’t hurt to ask questions. The truth will not be offended and there are eternal blessings in the answers.

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