Following religion instead of God

 The Holy Bible warns about phony religions, fake prophets, and false gods popping up and leading Christians away from the truth.  Too often and in too many places, it has been considered politically or socially correct to allow these counterfeit religions (who offer only dead prophets, bogus idols, and false teachings from the devil/satan) to speak freely and loudly.  This comes from an evil place to try  to convert people to a religion founded on lies or hate.  Let it be clear that any religion that teaches sacrificing babies, raping women and children, burning property, or killing anyone who disagrees with their hateful message is not from God. God is love, but  we are also warned He is jealous and can become angry with nations when His people are deceived into pulling away from Him.  Only satan/devil and his demons/minions push hate, lawlessness, violence, evil, and phony religions.  Satan wishes to trap many people in Hell.  Whereas, God does not want people to go there.

But there were also false prophets among the people, 

just as there will be false teachers among you. 

They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, 

even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them

bringing swift destruction on themselves.

- 2 Peter 2:1 (NIV)

The truth is there is one loving God which is our Father in Heaven.  He gave His son Jesus Christ to die and absolve those that believe from sin.  God did this to provide a path to Heaven for any of mankind who whould believe and faithfully follow.  He also sent the Holy Spirit after Christ to lead and guide faithful believers to more closely know Him, feel His love for them, and show them His will.   Jesus emphasized God's love when He pointed out that God should be first in Christians' life per the Ten Commandments, then love and respect for other people and follow related laws was the way  to show they are part of that loveing God's plan.  Jesus, the prophets from the Bible, and the apostles warn Christians that false gods, fake prophets and phony religions will come to try to lead them away to following false gods.  Do not let that happen by staying faithful in prayer, reading the Bible, and attending a church that teaches the full gospel truth of the Bible.

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. 

Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

- Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

The Only Way to Heaven

This 3 minute video has reemerged recently on X and Facebook.  It has to be posted here because there is so much Biblical truth in it presented in an easy-to-understand way. So many people wrongly think they can get into Heaven based on occasional good works and perceived "righteousness", rather than by praying a simple salvation prayer of faith and then doing their best to live like Jesus.  

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.

From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

- John 14:6-7 (NIV)

One Day There Will Be Healing

Churches are once again open for services, yet a few Christians have not returned to their congregation.  Some are still afraid for their health or that the evil ones will continue to cause trouble between people of faith and those with little hope in their lives.  Let us remember that no matter what is going on in the world around us, God is still in charge!  He helps us walk through today and promises us a better tomorrow!  So get back to worship, fellowship, and Gods unfailing presence in whatever way is possible (in person or live-stream).  Find encouragement with the Cochren and Company song in video below?

"So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. 

He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. 

Then each will receive recognition from God.." - 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NET)

Continue to pray for healing in our nation and the rest of the world  Pray for our government leaders that they may make the right decisions.  Pray for our business leaders that they make the right decisions for their companies and employees.  Pray for our church leaders that they can get back to being the type of pastors  and shepherds they were called to be.  Thank you again for your support of this blog and your church.

Which Direction to Go? Heaven or Hell?

Ever hear anyone say "Everyone wants to go to heaven but NO one wants to die" or same sentence with the last word replaced with "go to hell?" Unfortunately people do not get the choice of not dying, they only get to choose where they end up.  What are the options after physical death?  The places to go for eternity are heaven or hell.  The choice is life in heaven or torment in hell.  

It does not matter if you believe in joys of heaven, but not the reality of hell, the Bible speaks of both.  While He walked on earth, Jesus actually talked more about hell than he did of heaven.  Why?  Christ does not want anyone to go to hell so He warned about the devil's evil plans, and the finality of hell.  Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice made to save mankind from hell.  

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, 

and it shall be called The way of holiness; 

the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: 

the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein."- Isaiah 35:8 

Learn more about the Bible scriptures that talk about heaven and hell by studying the 3 video series "Life, Death, Heaven, Hell - Any Questions."  Links to video lessons and noted scripture references  are provided below.  Although there are more scriptures on these topics, those below are a good selection.

• Video 1 - Ecclesiastes 3:11, Deuteronomy 30:19
• Video 2 - Psalm 23:4, Deuteronomy 29:29 & 30:19, 116:15, 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Philippians 1:21-33, John 11:35, Luke 16:19-25
• Video 3 - 2 Corinthians 5:7-8, Psalm 116:15, 2 Peter 3:1 & 8-9, Philippians 3:13, Hebrews 12:1, Ephesians 1: 16-20 & 3:14-19. Luke 10: 2 & 17:6, Matthew 13:29-30 

Looking for a simplified explanation of how salvation through Jesus brings heaven (God) and earth (man) together?  Check out short animation "Heaven and Earth" from the Bible Project. 

God So Loved... John 3:16 Proves It

The Bible tells us that "God is love."  But does that really mean God loves us?  How can He love people who do not always do the right thing or openly commit sin?  How can God love people who do not know Him or those who appear to turn their back on Him?  Sin separates mankind from God.  That separation meant we all were destined for eternity in hell instead of in heaven.  However God so muchly loved the men and women He created that He planned a way for them to change their destiny and be saved.  That salvation plan was/IS through Jesus Christ.  

"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." - John 3:16 (KJV)

God proved His love for mankind by Jesus Christ dying for our sins on the cross.  Jesus, the son of God, proved His love for us by willingly going to the cross for the freedom of our souls.  The death for mankind's sin on the cross was the ultimate signal of love everlasting.  Once you believe in Christ, accept His love, and pray for salvation - you are forgiven, no longer a lost child, and reunited with God.  Your personal sins are forgiven and eternal life in heaven for you has been promised.  As Christ was resurrected and returned to heaven, so will you be with God the Father too.

Salvation by Faith, Not Works

Some religions teach that you must be good and do good deeds in order to be saved from eternal damnation in hell or move onto a better future life.  In other words, being good or doing good is the main way to get into heaven.  This belief probably comes from studying the Old Testament laws and guidelines of the covenant with God.  However, this is not what is reflected in the New Testament.   If doing good is all that is required, then Jesus did not need to come to earth, train disciples, and die on the cross.  Jesus Christ is the new covenant between God and humans, through Him we have a new kind of relationship with God.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

Grace is God's unbounding love that he gives freely to us.  He created us so that He could share and show that love.  It is because of that grace that He sent Christ, God's son to die for our sins.  Salvation from our sins comes through believing in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins and accepting His redemption to gain eternal life with Him.  It is by our faith that we gain our way into Heaven, not by anything else that we may do while on earth.  Being good, showing goodness, and doing good are a reflection of Christian living.  However, we should be doing good deeds because we are faithful Christians following Christ's example.

Is There a Hell?

How can anyone believe there is a heaven but not a hell.  How can they believe in place where the good and forgiven go, yet not think there is a place for evil ones and sinners?  How can someone say they belief the Bible is the word of God and true, yet still choose to ignore the existence of hell?

"They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed 

upon them: and they perished from among the congregation." - Numbers 16:33 (NIV)

Perhaps the confusion comes from the fact that heaven is mentioned more than the various words for hell in the Bible.  In the King James Version, words for heaven occur 582, whereas hell is written only 54 times.   In the old testament, the Hebrew word is Sheol which means a place of darkness for the dead; also known as pit, grave, or hell.  In the new testament, the Greek words were Gehenna, Hades,
or Tartarus meaning the  underworld of the dead, place of torment., or lake of fire.

"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." - Matthew 10:28 (NIV)

Does that mean that only 10% of people  will go end up going to hell?  NO, the number going to hell may be greater, since the Devil (aka Satan, Lucifer) and his servants campaign more loudly, aggressively, and deceitfully.  God gave mankind free will in the beginning, which means men/women  choose heaven or hell for themselves.  The fallen angels and the devil were not given a choice, God sent them to hell for their disobedience.  Now the devil seeks for others to join them there, so be aware of what voice maybe whispering in your ear or thoughts you may let cross your mind.

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, 

where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night 

for ever and ever." - Revelation 20:10 (NIV)

Perhaps heaven appears 10X more than hell, because God wants all mankind to be with him in heaven, that is why he sent his only son (Jesus Christ) to die for our sins and grant us forgiveness of our sin.  God waits patiently and quietly for everyone and anyone to come to Him.