Tag Archives: loving
Whenever I encounter believers that find their comfort in the church systems we all are familiar to, an idea that seems so normal to us all; that is the idea of calling what we consider religious leaders by their “Titles”. Many believers feel it is a sign of respect to call their preachers by names such as “pastor”, “elder”, “bishop”, etc. I and most of the believers I know do NOT use these titles before our names and when ever I encounter people that do, they either attempt to correct me (YOU MUST CALL HIM PASTOR) and/or they get highly offended with the impression that I do NOT respect “leadership”. I’m going to show you guys something from God’s word that contradict this idea. I could go into history and let you guys know how and when this started but for now lets just keep it simple.
My first example is going to be from our brothers who were used to develop the examples God wants us to have on this earth (from the bible) Lets think about Paul and Peter, these two were considered pastors, elders and just leaders for the lack of a better term. How did these two refer to each other. Many of us would think they would say PASTOR Peter or ELDER Paul, but we don’t see this example in the bible do we.
2 Peter 3:15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
Galatians 2:7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
Now these scriptures are not being used by the content but I want you to notice how they refer to one another. In our days’ teaching wee are taught that we MUST put a prefix like pastor or bishop in front of their name is the respect. How come the early Christians did not get this memo? We have Peter, when referring to Paul, refers to him by his name or even better A BROTHER. Then we have Paul who refers to Peter as just Peter. I also want you to acknowledge that you most likely have never heard anyone refer to Paul, Peter, John as Pastor or Elders. Yet when we lose a highly esteemed preacher today, they always carry that prefix. (ex. If Pastor Tom who is a famous preacher around the world dies today. The rest of his life he will be remembered as Pastor Tom. Did we not think Paul or Peter was as valuable?)
I want you guys to understand why that is. These Christians understood the unity in the body of Christ. That even though some are pastors, and such, they were still equal. In fact in some cases Paul referred to himself as even less than equal than the other believers.
Ephesians 3:8a Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ..
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God
1 Tim 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.
This is the attitude that over the centuries the majority of the body has left. We have adopted the respect of the WORLD by doing it the way the world does it. You have to identify the President, Kings, Queens, Dr. and other highly esteemed characters in this fashion but this was NOT suppose to be the way of God.
The early Christians understood what Jesus meant when he said, Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:25-28 and But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Luke 22:26
Matt 23 8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
This is how the Kingdom of God is guys, even though we created a new norm for the body of Christ of 2011, it will never change the order of God’s family.
Finally, the best example I can give is that of God, Jesus Christ. The fact that we can go to God and call him by His NAMES is quite remarkable. We don’t have to say, MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD (although it’s not a bad thing) but we can simple say Elohim, Jesus, El Elyon, El Olam, Yahweh, etc. We gave us His names to be able to relate to him and does NOT require us to put a prefix before His names. Now we do that not out of respect sometimes but because of how much WE adore and love Him, but most of us will not (should not) feel less of a lover with God by going to Him with just His name.
So let’s get this straight, God doesn’t require us to put this “respectable” prefix in front of his name but we MUST do it with our “pastors”, “bishops? Paul and neither Peter felt they had the need to put this “respectable” prefix before one another’s name in their letters but we still feel we must do it with our “pastors” “bishops”. What does that say guys, Does it mean we have more respect for our earthly “leaders” than we have for God? Do we respect them more than we respect God? Something went amiss guys, over the years we have developed these traditions, traditions that seem justifiable but are actually doing more harm than good.
I pray that the body of Christ really understands this message from God to be able to see their “leaders” as a brother, a sister instead of just someone ruling over them. Let us learn to see the examples from God on how to treat one another. I know a brother and sister that taught their children to call him Brother and Sister (along with Father and Mother) but I really received what was going on here. Although they are their parents, the children are able to understand that in the body of Christ, they are brothers and sisters, that they are equal. That is a lesson that really touched me and my best friend.
Stay encouraged guys, and respect everyone in the body equally.
Love you all,
Praise Jesus!
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Lately a young lady from high school has been coming to my mind, a girl whom everyone including myself tortured with our bullying and terrible mocking. I too was picked on and often times when you join the enemies cause you can relieve the bullying toward yourself for a short time. It’s a cycle that is created within itself. Well, one of the things I’ve been able to do in the last few years as the Holy Spirit has shaped love in my heart has been to apologize and make peace with people I’ve hurt in any way. This was one of the last people I could think of from high school days but had no idea if I would ever come to see her again. I wanted to know how she was… how that type of treatment affected her to whom she has become. I only hoped one day I would get that chance.
Yesterday, I was going to the grocery store to get stuff for supper and saw a woman in the car driving the opposite direction. It was her… it was the young lady that has been haunting me for the last few months. I screamed her name and she looked at me saying, “I’m sorry but do I know you”. I said yes, it’s me Omar from high school”. I wasn’t sure what memories this would bring back for her but she actually seemed pleasantly surprised it appeared. We stopped our cars in the middle of traffic which I would normally never do but this was my chance. I was afraid she was going to have to go while all the people were beeping her but I pulled over and left my car running and ran to her car. I gave her my number and she called me right away interestingly enough. She couldn’t talk long because she was driving, so she then texted me minutes after. She couldn’t text long neither because of course she was driving … I was at the supermarket. She mentioned that she really does not like running into people from high school because it was the worse memories for her ever. I responded how was exactly what I wanted to talk to her about. I said, “I wanted to apologize for the part I played in the terrible treatment you received during high school.” I received no response back and got a little nervous. As I pulled into my driveway I received a call from this woman. She said, “Omar I just wanted to respond to your text with my voice and would rather have done it in person”. My heart began to beat fast because when you put yourself out there like this you have to take the response you get no matter what it is. The woman said, “Omar I FORGIVE YOU with the fullness of my heart”. She said, “I really thank you for your words and it really helps in my healing from that terrible past.” I began to smile and felt so wonderful, not for myself but because she said this would help her heal. We talked for a little while and had a wonderful conversation. It’s amazing because she was picked on for the same exact thing I was picked on for. For acting too white for the people of our culture. She mentioned that she always remembered I was a Christian back then, I corrected her saying PLEASE do not call me a Christian back then. If I could treat a person that way then I was far from a Christian. I was false. Finally I was free of this haunting feeling and hopefully she will be set free from that pain more and more each day. It has been almost 10 years now and it still is an open wound for her.
1 Cor 13 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I discuss this with you guys because this is how sin works guys. It much more terrible than we think … most of us only see the pleasures from it, such as sex, and other self gratifications, but we are blind to the circumstances that really come from it. The circumstances that could cause someone to be in pain for over 10 years, the circumstances that could cause someone to want to take their life.
The good part of it is that when you become a believer in Christ, and allow the Holy Spirit to mold your heart you are able to compare who you were with who you are now. If your heart conflicts with your old self, you know your on the right track.
I spoke about judging yourself instead of other people and some past post and this is how you are to do it.
Gal 5 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Be encouraged Brothers and Sisters.
Praise Jesus!
7 comments | tags: Bible, Bullying, Christian, Forgiveness, Jesus, Love, loving, Peace, Right & Wrong | posted in Bible, Christ, Christian, Church, facebook, Forgiveness, God, Gospel, Jesus, Love, Mercy
Most of you know I like to discuss LOVE of Christians which appears to be a vast contrast from where Christianity is today. One of the things that enhanced this is the terms and ideologies we have created to judge one another. Some examples are a term like “secular”, going to “church”, Saturday Worshipers vs Sunday Worshipers vs Everyday Worshipers, and there are so many others. Well, the point is we created these things to validate ourselves as Christians to become in a sense better than others. I speak about this as one who use to practice these ways. I was one of those Christians that judged others based on the music they listened to, if they went to a church building and so many other things. I mean it’s what I was taught so one could only predict that those manifestations of the judgmental would happen. Then when I learned about how the church went into a different direction from the word of God I began judging people based on that. Now I want those who are familiar with using the term “Only God can Judge me” to realize I’m not conveying that neither. Anyone who has to say that missed the point as well. What I’m talking about is those who often see judge based on our ideologies and beliefs that Jesus never gave us. Usually we think Jesus is okay with those beliefs because they often touch on something he said, but we all know what happens when we use HUMAN WISDOM to attempt to explain God. 1 Cor 2:13 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. When we do try you can bet that we will go outside of the word of God with what we belief. 1 Cor 4:6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. God never said if you listen to this phenomenon called “secular music” you would be in danger of an unfavorable judgement, God never said if you don’t go to a church building you would be in danger of an unfavorable judgement.
Let us get an understanding of how we are judge to judge with the word of God. First lets look at a few scriptures to see what Jesus has to say about this judging matter.
John 8: 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Most people know this passage and usually use it to condemn others for judging them. It really is the same thing. Here is another scripture that makes it even more clear what Jesus was trying to say to those people. Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Let me say that again, AT WHATEVER POINT OR SITUATION YOU JUDGE THE OTHER, YOU ARE CONDEMNING YOURSELF…. WHY? BECAUSE yOU WHO PASS JUDGEMENT DO THE SAME THING. That is the point guys, we are guilty of the same thing. See we like to divide certain sins into categories of what is worse and what is excusable to us humans. To God sin is sin, so whether you deal with lying or murder, you are guilty of the SAME THING… SIN. I know our human wisdom does not understand how lying and murder could equate being guilty of the same thing but when you look at it from God’s point it makes sense why it doesn’t make sense to us. 1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”… The point that is being made is that we need to judge ourselves when we see sin now. That is what happened to me, I use to judge people on things and years later I find the SAME THING that I judged them for was and is inside of me. Again, I don’t want those who read this to think it is okay to use the phrase “ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME” because honestly you should be judging the sin inside yourself even MORE harshly than others. I don’t mean condemning yourself, I mean the realization that you have sin which leads to the realization that you need to be cleanse from sin.
So those who are keen on judging based on the bias models we are being trained to judge, I share this with you. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. Stop judging people because they listen to music you don’t feel comfortable with. I’ve even met people who feel Christian Rock is a reason to judge people because they feel it came from sinful music. This again is a way to make ourselves higher than others. In all honesty the example we were taught was to become least than others. Luke 9:48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest.” What we did was create a way to become the greatest in the eyes of other men. If I tell someone I go to a church building every Sunday and never listen to anything but gospel music then in their eyes I become what is known as an exemplary Christian. Yes there are things a follower of Christ should not be partaking in and it is absolutely okay to mention it to a brother or sister but make sure your intentions is out of love. Understand that everyone feels what they do is out of love so before you approach a person with something like that, please think about your words and pray about it. Having brothers and sisters in the body that will help you with this walk is one of the most beautiful things about this walk, so please don’t feel that a person shouldn’t even come to you about things. There is just a different in the intentions. Like the pharisees felt they were doing the right thing to judge that women for adultery but Jesus gave them the outlook of looking at themselves. Usually when I find myself in a situation where I need to speak with someone about something like this, I make sure they understand that I am guilty of the same thing.
I hope this will help members of the body who read this develop that love that we need as believers. Let us get rid of these traditions that we have developed over the years that cause us to do the complete opposite of what Jesus asked us to do. Mark 7:13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Praise Jesus
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I wanted to share one of the most amazing stories in the Torah/Bible. It’s the story of Hosea and his wife Gomer. It’s interesting how many of us never really read about this or even realized what it was about. I just found out a few years ago from a friend of mine. Let me post the story for you guys and then I’ll discuss it so it makes more sense.
Hosea 1
2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.
4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.”
6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. 7 Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the LORD their God, will save them.”
8 After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son. 9 Then the LORD said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God.
10 “Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ 11 The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.
Hosea 3
1 The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”
2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. 3 Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”
4 For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. 5 Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.
I hope you guys are seeing what this real life story is symbolic for. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute… that’s right, a prostitute, knowing that she would continue to run back to other men. Well that’s exactly what happened. She did and guess what you see ended up happening. She went back to prostitution and ended up being sold into slavery. Hosea went to find her and PAID for her freedom again, simply asking her to not go back to that life again. Now there is a huge part that people miss here. To understand this one MUST understand some of the Mosaic laws. Some of the laws declared that if a woman cheats on her husband he has the right to put her to death. That is NOT what Hosea did though… he PAID for her freedom and that is what blew her mind. That is what caused her to not go back to prostitution. She most likely was thinking when she saw Hosea that it’s over for her… “he is about to have me killed”… but to her surprise he freed her and asked her not to go back to the other men. That’s Insane!
I hope you guys are getting the reference here. It’s amazing how God worked out these events to happen to keep Israel aware of what God was going to do. It is just as amazing how God worked out those events to show US believers what he did and is doing for us now. This story is not about Gomer guys, IT IS ABOUT YOU. As harsh as it sounds, YOU ARE THE PROSTITUTE, WE ARE THE PROSTITUTE. We are the ones that continue to run back to our old lovers (sin). Although we deserve death, God did exactly what Hosea did. He got us out of slavery to sin through Christ (Himself). What did Jesus say to the woman? (Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:11) Now Jesus saying that is a whole other story I’ll explain another time being that he knows we deal with this sinful nature but I wanted to share this story with you guys.
I wanted you to understand what Jesus did for us and how to use stories of Israel. See many of us don’t understand how the OLD TESTAMENT works with the New Testament. Some of us are so confused that we try to fit in what we can into our lives with the old testament. The rest that doesn’t make sense to us or works for us we leave it alone. This post is not about living Mosaic Law as many of us think we still need to do (with some of them like tithing). No need to wonder why God would allow women to be killed if they cheated on their men, no need to wonder if God wants us to live the mosaic law from this story, no need to wonder any of the things the sinful nature wants us to get into… the things that confuse us.
Praise Jesus!!!
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Brooke Fraser: Flags (Review)
Brooke Fraser, one of my favorite musicians of ever. This is a woman who gave her life to Christ but is able to captivate the ears of a diverse audience. See that’s the kind of Christian musicians I like… the ones that don’t have to have a red stamp on them (Christian label) yet be able to reach and inspire thousands/millions with their messages from Christ. This is why Paramore will be one of my top bands.
This album Flags is one of Brooke’s best music clusters to date. I mean I love pretty much every song and in fact it is one of the first albums I have heard to date that the titled track is my favorite. (that song brings tears to my eyes each time) THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST!!!! I hope you guys understand just how powerful and real that is. (Matt 20:16)
Being that I am a photographer, there is another thing that makes me respect her that much more. That is the young lady she used to do her photos for this album; Nirrimi Hakanson. That young lady is AMAZING and such an inspiration to photographers, young and old.
If you really like meaningful music with such an incredible voice… you need to get this album… no get all her albums if she is new to you. YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
Flags
You who mourn will be comforted
You who hunger will hunger no more
All the last shall be first
Of this I am sure
You who weep now will laugh again
All you lonely be lonely no more
Yes, the last will be first
Of this I’m sure
I don’t know why the innocents fall
While the monsters stand
I don’t know why the little ones thirst
But I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
1 comment | tags: Bible, Christian, Church, facebook, faith, Free, God, God's Law, Happy, Jesus, Joy, Love, loving, Omar, Omar Carter, Peace, together, unity, Word | posted in Bible, Christ, Christian, Church, facebook, Giving, God, Gospel, Happy, Jesus, Love, Mercy, Omar Carter
Today most Christians have been conditioned to judge one another based on what “church” fellowship they attend. So often when someone finds out I am a Christian, the first question asked after that is “WHAT CHURCH DO YOU ATTEND”. My response is that I am part of the SAME church as them as the BODY OF CHRIST. (Really the only thing that divided the early church as the church was the cities they were in) This fact amazes me because somehow we have convinced ourselves that the early Church had the same standard. That they didn’t value the love that each other had but focused on who was sitting in a pew every week. One who reads the New Testament would find out they are extremely mistaken.
Let’s go to scripture and find out how to know if someone is a believer (Christian) or not.
1 John 3:17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion–how can God’s love be in that person?
Here we have a simple one that simply tells us that LOVE will show us who is a Christian or not. We are given an example of what a Christian would do in a situation. I remember the days when I went to a weekly service and passed by the needy because I felt I had to use that money to pay my “tithes”. Sometimes I would tell them I wish I could help you but I only have enough money to pay my “tithes”. Did that mean I did not have God’s love in me? ABSOLUTELY!!!
The next scripture i’ll use is probably the most important way for us to know who has the Spirit of God (who is a Christian).
Gal 5 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Here we have very detailed understandings as to who is of God and who is not. What characteristics both sides of the spectrum would have. Notice one of those characteristics of those who follow the sinful nature does NOT say does not attend weekly Sunday or Saturday service. Also notice none of those characteristics of those who live by the Spirit does NOT say attends weekly service.
Another example of what will make a Believer is when Jesus tell’s his disciples what will happen when we go before judgement.
Matt 25 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Again noticed we are not being judged base on attending weekly services. By now I hope you guys are getting that it’s about LOVE. LOVE…. LOVE!! Every aspect of being a believer of Christ is LOVE. See going to a church building is SO much easier than loving other people… even those who aren’t loving toward us. We Christians over the years have created so many standards that make it mentally easier for us to consider ourselves Christians. How many times have we heard someone define their Christianity by… I PAY ALL MY TITHES, I GO TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY, ETC. Not often do we hear… I LOVE EVERYONE WHO PASSES BY, I GAVE ALL MY PRECESSION TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDY, in fact, most of us can safely say we have NEVER heard that. (I have a few times now)
Then we have those who use the “DO NOT FORSAKE THE ASSEMBLY OF GOD” (Hebrews 10:25) as a scripture to condemn and rebuke those who do not attend those weekly services. It’s funny that a scripture is being used this way even though early Christians DID NOT meet the way we do today. This is what happens when MAN’s heart tries to use scripture for their own means. It is usually does with good intentions BUT is not used with the intent it was written. That chapter in Hebrew is NOT about going to a church building what so ever. It’s much deeper than that on a historical aspect.
How easy it is for us to take scriptures like Acts 20 7 (On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.) and use it to support what we already do. Just because you use it that way doesn’t make it correct.
Now those who do go to weekly services, I don’t want you to feel like this article is against you. It is about those who feel they are superior because they go to those weekly services vs. those who go out and feed the needy, those who have home fellowships, and those who LOVE as Christ teaches.
Let us learn to grow as loving people who no longer judge one another based on silly human arguments. (1 Cor 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words) We are going to have to learn how to let go of some of the things we have been conditioned to believe in order to do this.
Love you all,
Praise Jesus
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So by now I’ve learned that there a few spectrum of views on my blog; we have the ones that are part of the system of the institutionalized church (Traditions), those who are thinking about leaving, those have left and learned to become the church and LOVE, and other. Recently I was asked the question as to who is my page targeting? Is it targeting the unbelievers? How about the youth? Is it the sinners? My answer was that I am targeting whoever happens to come across my page. That person felt I only focus on the “CHURCH” and homosexuality. While I do focus on both of those but not as much as one may say. Out of 47 articles on this blog about three of them are about homosexuality and as for the CHURCH thing, of course my blog is about the church. Everything I post will have scripture from God’s word. I don’t value my opinion or anyone else’s. Only the word of God. (Also I might add that the articles on homosexuality are usually about myself. I’ve gotten great responses from practicing homosexuals saying they really appreciate how I put myself out their like that, some even say I’ve taken their excuses away. Praise God)
The question was then asked, DO I HATE THE CHURCH? I responded, “No I do not hate the church because the Church is the body of Christ, the bride of Christ.” With that said, I LOVE THE CHURCH, I LOVE BEING PART OF THE CHURCH. The thing is I have had to redefine what the word Church means to fit the definition of the word of God. When we think of Church today we think of building with people in it. When I think of Church I think of each person who choose to deny themselves to follow the Christ. I don’t think of the 10 “church” buildings on one block as the church anymore. THIS BLOG IS ABOUT BREAKING THE DIVISION WE HAVE ESTABLISHED AS THE CHURCH. Let me say that again, THIS BLOG IS ABOUT BREAKING THE DIVISION WE HAVE ESTABLISHED AS THE CHURCH. I am interested in becoming one again and loving one another as we read in the book of Acts.
Acts 4
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
As we know divisions always tried to set themselves up in the body of Christ and in Israel. Let’s look at Paul when he found out people began creating divisions based on who they choose to FOLLOW. The first signs of divisional churches.
1 Cor 1 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
We have completely ignored this and decided we wanted our own leaders to follow anyway. Today we live in a world where the minute you tell someone your Christian, They want to know what CHURCH do you belong to? Which really means who do you follow, what man do you follow? This is NOT what God intended for the body of Christ. If you remember in Acts, the Church was so unified that they got rid of the idea of need in the body.
So now for those who judge this blog harshly because it challenges what you already believe about the Church, I ask that you read them first. It is easy for us to generalize a person based on our disagreements. Offense is what we humans hold on to not LOVE. So if my post about homosexuality offends someone it’s what they will generalize this blog about. If another person is offended by my articles about tithing, they will generalize that my blog is about tithing. You begin to realize that the viewer will interpret something the way they please. There are 47 articles on this blog at this time and they are all a broad range of topics. The most popular ones are about the traditions of today’s church and reading God’s word to find out if those traditions are biblically acceptable. So do I hate the church? ABSOLUTELY NOT but I do hate many of the traditions that nullify the word of God. Does this mean that those who go to institutionalized churches are condemned? Let it not be, meaning no. God be the judge of the hearts. I have many friends who still choose to attend them and I love them and they love me. I am one with them as the church. One then asks how do I fellowship? I meet in homes, hang out with homeless, and am usually out with believers, learning from and with them. See we have be en trained to believe that you must be in a pew Sunday or Saturday morning. Usually you aren’t really followshipping. Yes your sitting next to one another but you can’t really get to know your brother or sister. You hold hands during prayer and you leave in a few hours. I was in that type of setting for most of my life and honestly I can’t recall most of the people I’ve sat next to unless friends already. Now I learn from other believers and know who they are intimately as part of the bride.
I love you all!
Praise Jesus!
19 comments | tags: 10 virgins, Argue, Bible, Black Church, Christ, Christian, Church, Deception, Divison, Doctrine, facebook, faith, Fight, Free, gay, God, God's Law, Happy, Homosexuality, Jesus, Joy, Lie, Love, loving, Lying, Money, movie, Paul, Peace, Pleasure, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Satanist, Sin, teachings, together, unity, Wealth, Word | posted in Baptism, Bible, Black Church, Christ, Christian, Church, Deception, Ex Gay, Ex Homosexual, facebook, False, Forgiveness, Free, gay, Giving, God, God's Law, Gospel, Happy, Homeless, Homosexuality, Jesus, Love, Mercy, molestation, Money, Omar, Omar Carter, Paul, Peace, Pleasure, Preach, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Satanist, Sin, Tithe, Word
Hopefully you guys have read my article about getting a new world order. (http://goo.gl/yW9T) I’m not the type of person to really focus on that type of conspiracy type thinking which is why there aren’t many post about it on my blog. What I have noticed from that blog is that there is a serious attack on Christianity by the Media (world). It is to be expected and it absolutely will get worse. As we hide in our building (insto churches) we are missing what is really going on out there. Many of us Christians enjoy the news because we feel we need to know what is going on out there. As if the news is covering what is really going on out there. I remember in college I had a professor who was suppose to be teaching us psychology but used his classes as a platform to educate us on what is really going on. He showed us a documentary about the media (namely the news) and how they work. Many of the people in that documentary have disappeared after doing it. (consequence, I think not). We this article is about the attack on Christianity. As most of us know there is a movement to “equal rights” for homosexuals. Thats fine and dandy but the strategy that the media is taking absolutely appears to be from the teachings of Alice Bailey.
2. Break the Traditional Judaeo-Christian Family Concept. Break communication between parents and children so that parents can’t pass on spiritual values to their children. Do this by pushing excessive child rights.
4. Since sex is the greatest expression of man’s enjoyment of life, man must be free to express sex in ALL its forms. Homosexuality, orgies, even bestiality are desirable so long as no one is being abused or harmed.
As you see, her teaching is to get rid of the Christian idea that follows God’s word but create a new version of Christianity. This is absolutely happening. I remember at work when I was accused of being a homophobe because I posted a scripture about homosexuality on my facebook wall. This one girl said she doesn’t know if God is right about homosexuality. This is a “Christian” now. Christians are just as confused as ever because of media.
Lately the media has been focusing on suicide of homosexual youth. Labeling it hate crimes when so far none of them were because of hate crimes on homosexuality but more of stupidness of other youth. Now some youth that were acting stupid will be labeled as bigots for the rest of their lives.
Now I go on youtube and they are promoting a channel to gay youth called “It’s Going To Get Better”. Which is fine as well but why is it they do things so drastic for homosexuals but not for other types of issues in this world. How about the homeless, where is the “Its Going to Get Better For Them”? What about the people in Iraq, mentally challenged children, and I can continue. Media only focuses on what they want for reasons beyond what we are told.
For the past few years the main false Christian movement media has focused on is that of Westboro Baptist Church. They will continue to focus on them because it paints the picture of Christians that they want to show. This will and is creating a prejudice that many people will think is warranted. Now when I comment on any video on youtube I get hate messages from people. I can simply say I love this song and I get thinks like get out of here you homophobe. Why? because my name is OCHRISTFOLLOWER.
So two things are happening… The world is being conditioned to HATE Christians and those who want to be accepted by the world and keep the Christian name are conditioned to think God is wrong about certain things. That brings us to another one of Alice Bailey’s teachings.
10.Get the church to endorse every one of these nine strategies. Get the church to accept these principles and to say they’re OK (then legal ground is given for these values to get a foothold).
Now we will soon truly understand what Babylon is. Why God has to tell us to COME OUT OF BABYLON. It’s either you accept God’s truth or you accept the false church beliefs. Eventually it will become law to accept Babylon’s teachings opposed to Christ teachings. Although they will say its Christ teachings. I was just in Texas and they have billboards saying things like Jesus was OK with the homosexual lifestyle.
Media is powerful and can change the views of people. I limit my viewing of it and I never watch the news. I can see whats going on every time I see it. For those who do watch it, I want you guys to recognize what you see happening.
Mark 13:13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
John 15:21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
So true Christians will be hated if they stand firm on Christ teachings. If the bible says homosexuality is not the way of God then we are to stand firm on it no matter what. Those who accept another teaching about the subject that isn’t from the word of God is not of God. Doesn’t mean we throw hate at people …we are to love but we are to stand firm.
Praise Jesus
OC
3 comments | tags: 10 virgins, Argue, Bible, Black Church, Children, Christ, Christian, Church, Deception, Divison, Doctrine, facebook, faith, Fight, Free, gay, God, God's Law, Happy, Homosexuality, Jesus, Joy, Lie, Love, loving, Lying, molestation, Money, movie, Omar, Paul, Peace, Pleasure, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Satanist, Sin, sleep, teachings, together, unity, Wealth, Word | posted in Baptism, Bible, Black Church, Christ, Christian, Christian Rock, Church, Country, Deception, Ex Gay, Ex Homosexual, facebook, False, Forgiveness, Free, gay, Giving, God, God's Law, Gospel, Grace, Happy, Homeless, Homosexuality, Jesus, Love, Mercy, molestation, Money, Omar, Omar Carter, Paul, Peace, Pleasure, Preach, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Rock, Satanist, Sin, Tithe, Word
I want to tell you guys a story!
Mark 6
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37But he answered, “YOU give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
38“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
39Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42They all ate and were satisfied, 43and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
Now many of you guys know this story but there was something many of us may have missed. Did you notice how the apostles responded to the need? They said to Jesus, “DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT WILL COST?”. This is the mindset of the man that serves money. It’s not always about someone saying “I WANT TO BE RICH” but the power of Mammon (Money) becomes our god to the point we become worrisome and fearful when we don’t have it. Jesus did something very interesting… He showed us how to take care of the need without the fear of not having money. Not only was this story about a miracle to show that Jesus is God but it was just as equally about seeing how the Kingdom of God works. How to not worry about money to serve the people in need.
One thing I get from “Christians” today is a sneering response to the fact that I teach that MONEY IS A ENEMY TO GOD. They mock me and say I’m crazy because God knows we NEED money to help people. In-fact God WANTS us to make more and more money so that we can help more and more people. Well you know what… I’m going to show you exactly what they did to Jesus when he spoke about His heart toward Money.
Luke 16
13“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were SNEERING (MOCKING) at Jesus. 15He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.
So it shows that the same “Christians” who mock and sneer at me when I teach this understanding are guilty of the same thing they did to Jesus. In-fact they are sneering at Jesus as well.
I ask that you guys really examine your heart about situations; remembering the heart is deceitful beyond cure. (Jeremiah 17:9)
“What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”
Praise Jesus!
OC
3 comments | tags: Bible, Black Church, Christ, Christian, Church, Deception, Divison, Doctrine, facebook, faith, Free, God, God's Law, Happy, Jesus, Joy, Lie, Love, loving, Lying, Money, Omar, Paul, Peace, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Satanist, Sin, sleep, teachings, together, Wealth, Word | posted in Baptism, Bible, Black Church, Christ, Christian, Church, Deception, facebook, False, Forgiveness, Free, Giving, God, God's Law, Gospel, Grace, Happy, Homeless, Jesus, Love, Mercy, Omar, Omar Carter, Paul, Peace, Preach, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Satanist, Sin, Tithe, Word
Today’s society is teaching this idea of acceptance of one self. Right now the movement is pushing for the homosexual lifestyle which will support the notion of practicing it. Even today’s Christians are beginning to be conflicted with this concept because of how vast the media induces this idea. Well this article is not about the world’s view, they can do what they like. If they want to support being whatever a person wants to do then OK… it’s the nature of the world (As long as its socially acceptable for them). This article is about Jesus teachings, does Jesus teach us to Accept Who We Are in the sinful aspect of it. If the area of the sinful nature you are facing is homosexuality, lying, fornication or anything else that is becoming socially normal in today’s age; are we to accept that as being who we are?
We lets start with Jesus words and exactly what it means:
Mark 8:34-35 (NIV) Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
- Bible Knowledge Commentary: “When the Roman Empire crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was often forced to carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site, carrying his cross through the heart of the city.”
Luke 9:23-24 (NIV) Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lost it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
- NIV Study Notes: “The picture is of a man, already condemned, required to carry the beam of his own cross to the place of execution. Disciples from Galilee knew what this meant, for hundreds of men had been executed by this means in their region.”
Mat 10:38 (NIV) … anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
By no surprise, Jesus teachings are exactly contrary to what is being influenced today. Jesus tells us to DENY OURSELVES. That means the goals we have for ourselves in this life, the sin in our lives that we enjoy and feel is apart of us. For example, if a person deals with the sin of being attracted to the same-sex and have practiced it to the point they decide to follow Christ. Christ makes the difficult request that that person denies that part of himself to follow him. (Personal example) Another example because I don’t want those who practice that lifestyle think this is targeting them. I’ll go even more personal with this one. A person wants to be a singer and make lots of money doing it. Once that person finds Christ, the same request is asked of them, to lay down your life (goals and dreams) and follow Him. Doesn’t sound so intriguing to our sinful natures does it? For so long we ignored these words of Christ and supported the idea that we can focus on our dreams and follow Christ. Many times we attempt to make a bargain with God and follow after the same dream but try to make it Christian oriented. (Pop Singer to Gospel Singer) If this gospel, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ was taught today by more people, it definitely wouldn’t make Christianity seem as appealing as it does, but this is how it is guys. You can continue in this life and think you are living a life after Christ while following your own self but you will be up for a real surprise. This is a lie from Babylon… the great whore. (Excuse my French)
This was a revelation that I too had a hard time understanding. I really thought I was following Christ but realized later I was actually depending on my own dreams and trying to make it Christian oriented. I wanted to be a singer and then gospel singer after finding Christ. I felt I could now turn MY DREAM into God’s dream for me. At the same time I saw the wealth that came from that dream, I saw the recognition that came from that dream. I hadn’t truly denied myself yet. This same concept goes for sin guys because it is the sinful nature that controls our desires for those dreams. It’s all the same. So we have the world tells us to BE WHO YOU ARE, ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE, BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE, and even if your Christian the world would only say BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE IF YOU ACCEPT WHAT WE SAY IS RIGHT. I remember having a conversation with a co-worker because she didn’t like that I post teachings for the bible about homosexuality. It wasn’t exactly a problem with her but she just wasn’t sure anymore if God was right about it. This is how Babylon’s wisdom gets imprinted into our heads. Now even those who claim to follow Christ don’t believe in Christ wisdom (which is God’s wisdom).
So now, what happens when a Christian says they are DENYING the sinful nature (like homosexuality), the world calls that person a homophobe (hateful words about hate - Contradiction) and causes everyone to mock and snare at them. They say things like, “He’s being fake” or “He’s living a lie”, when the real lie is a person who thinks they can practice sin and be a Christian. It only shows that the mindset is based on a SELF mindset. Self meaning, This is my life and I’m going to do what I please. (The goal of a Satanist)
What happens when something that is not socially acceptable relies on Babylon’s wisdom? This mindset of accept who you are? What happens when a person who has had murderous thoughts finally accepts who they are? What happens when that fornicator accepts who they are and finds out news that destroys their lives? What happens when that person who is attracted to children accepts who they are or that person attracted to animals? We stone them!!! See the world has a mindset that is set up for failure. It’s a contradiction and hypocrisy and they know it is. This is why the rebuttal has been created saying ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE AS LONG AS IT DOESN’T HURT ANYONE ELSE. Please do not be deceived by Babylon’s wisdom guys. I’ve told you this before from the word of God… it is NOT easy to follow Christ resulting in salvation. (1 Peter 4:18a And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved…) You will never have a relationship with Christ until you DENY WHO YOU ARE. Who are we? We are human beings that understand sin and not the ways of God. (Ephesians 2:3 Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.)
So I’ll be more personal. Me? I’m denying homosexuality, lying, masturbation, fornication, disrespect, idolatry (money); the Holy Spirit continues to show me more sins from the sinful nature that I must recognize and denied. He who endures until the END shall be saved.
Be free guys… come out of her and be free. Christians, come out of her so that you do not share in the same destruction. (Rev 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;)
Praise Jesus!
OC
Related Article: Homosexual Birth! Possible or Impossible?
1 comment | tags: 10 virgins, Argue, Bible, Black Church, Children, Christ, Christian, Church, Deception, Divison, Doctrine, facebook, faith, Fight, Free, gay, God, God's Law, Happy, Homosexuality, Jesus, Joy, kids, Lady Gaga, Lie, Love, loving, Lying, molestation, Money, movie, Omar, Paul, Peace, Pleasure, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Satanist, Sin, sleep, teachings, together, unity, Wealth, Word | posted in Baptism, Bible, Christ, Christian, Christian Rock, Church, Country, Deception, Ex Gay, Ex Homosexual, facebook, False, Forgiveness, Free, gay, Giving, God, God's Law, Gospel, Grace, Happy, Homeless, Homosexuality, Jesus, Love, Mercy, molestation, Money, Music, Omar, Omar Carter, Paul, Peace, Pleasure, Preach, Prosperity Gospel, Riches, Right & Wrong, Rock, Satanist, Sin, Tithe, Word
