Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Those who hold to this view believe that the word "hot" refers to someone who is "spiritually hot or fervent," whereas the word "cold" refers to someone who is "spiritually stagnant or dead". With this view, "lukewarm" would refer to someone who claims to be spiritually "rich" (or "hot"), but who lives like someone who is spiritually "cold." This person claims to be something that he isn't (Revelation 3:17) - and to Jesus, this is repulsive. I see this alot. And actually it makes me feel the same way Jesus feels. Its the person who comes to church on Sunday, gets their praise on and walks out the door the same as they were when they walked in. Its the person who calls on God only when things arent going their way, but then ditches Him after He moves their mountains. Its the person who ignores the conviction of the Holy Spirit and is now totally immune to Him. Its simply the person who says they are saved but doesnt live, act or talk like they are truly saved. These people can fool themselves, but they cannot fool the Lord. This is why He said: 1 John 3:10 "By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God.."
Its not living by rules but by relationship. You wouldn't sin against your mother purposely because you wouldn't want to hurt her. Why? Because you have a loving relationship with her. This is where many nonsaved people get confused. They feel like Christians live by a list of rules that say you can't have sex before marriage, cuss, or get drunk but in all actuality it is really because we don't want to, and also it would hurt the Lord. If we claim to be the children of God we should be for Him 100%. If you are not fully for him, for example if your 99% and less, He considers you a child of the devil. When I think back at the old secular rap music I used to listen to the rapper would thank God for their money and for still being alive after being shot five times, but in the next verse degrade women! That God being thanked for the money is the devil! What really gets me is obviously they believe in God if they are giving Him thanks, and in that case they must know there is a heaven and hell. All it takes is being honest with themselves and realizing what they are doing is not pleasing in the Lord's eyes. Therefore they are dooming themselves to hell. Oh, by the way, just an FYI, He doesn't want credit for that anyway! You can't give a God who refuses to look upon sin credit for your sin! Pure ignorance.
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." Lukewarm Christians tend to try negotiating with God. Too much interpretation of the Word can cause a church to become lukewarm. This is dangerous because it can become like a domino affect. A lukewarm church does their works in vain. Witnessing, missions, and any other outreach is not preaching the full gospel. Lukewarm Christians reject the fact there is a judgement day, a hell, and a devil who wants them there! It would be better for them to be pew warmers than to lead others down the wrong path.
Matthew 6:24. "No one 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.." Lukewarm Christians come to church and sweet talk the Lord with their mouths. But, like I said before, He knows their heart. He knows the intention of their actions. But throughout the days they sin out of knowledge (sin knowing their sinning). I call that sleeping with the enemy behind Gods back. Quit cheating on Him and using Him for His mercy. This verse in Matthew clearly states there is no possible way to serve Him while serving the enemy. When I say serving the enemy, think about it like this; your serving him by allowing him to use you blind. This is why he says this; Matthew 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
But keep this in mind; Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.." Pay attention to the word against. Every idol words that come out of our mouths, every action and every thought is being recorded (Revelation 21:12). The bible says onthe day of judgement before anyone is sent to hell they will agree that is where they deserve to go. How could it be any other way if our every word and action is recorded? When all your dirty laundry is laid out for all heaven and earth to see. When you are sitting in court with the judge who had been at every scene. How can you lie to a God who knows everything about you, who knows what your about to say before you say it. There is no lawyer to get you off the hook at that point. While you still have the chance Jesus can intercess to the Father for you, you just have to invite Him first.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
What an experience..
This past Sunday, I woke up at 5:30 AM wide awake. I go to the kitchen and make Caomi's bottle for when she wakes up. I went back to bed tried to fall asleep and the Lord spoke to me, "There will be no more late nights, but early mornings." I wondered, okay well why am I awake? "Pray", He said. Automatically my flesh and soul began to wrestle. By the time it was 5:55, I thought if I dont fall asleep by 6:00 I'll pray. That was the fastest five minutes. I laid there staring at the clock 56,57,58. Ok I'm not going back to sleep.This must be serious.
I get up and I sense 30 minutes. I went to the spare bedroom, lay down on my back and began to pray, "I don't know what I'm suppose to be praying for, so Holy Spirit I submit to you." Tears began to flow immediately from my eyes. Why am I crying? No not crying, I began to weep uncontrollably, mourning, over what felt like a broken heart. Is my soul repenting? "Forgive me," I cry. I can't stop, I soak half a roll of toilet paper in tears. I dont think it's humanly possible to cry this much. I began to pray in the spirit, I seen myself at the feet of the Lord crying, He was standing at what looked like an altar, behind me there were countless people wearing white bowing before Him, my mom,dad, brother and sister were behind me, I was thanking him and saying "If it weren't for You they wouldn't be here." For some strange reason a man stood up from the crowd, I couldnt hear what he was saying but it looked as if he was arguing with God. Still, I have no idea what this vision meant. over time He will reveal it to me. Back to myself. I began to cry harder. How that was possible, I have the slightest idea. Next I seen my heart and His heart, together, encircling around our hearts was His crown of thorns. Nothing can get between us, whatever tries, must get past the thorns. Thank you Jesus. My phone catches my attention. The clock says 6:30. I go back to my bed, still crying. Josh asks whats wrong and I tell him what I saw, how he could understand me I have no clue, I was hysterical. We prayed about it. I couldnt fall back asleep. However it ended up being a blessed day, emotional but blessed. Church service was great, praise and worship for me was like never before. Also I received an email from a high school classmate asking for help in building faith. She said "I need help and I knew you could help me." If thats not an honor I don't know what is! And she wants to come to church with me. Halle-lujah!
I dont know how I am significant in His eyes. I dont see myself the way He sees me. I'm so greatful he looks past my faults and sees my future. I have a bubbling up inside me, I want to be radical for him. I want to do something to advance his kingom. I engage in a path that this entire world will never be able to understand. Especially to those whose spiritual eyes are closed, to them I'm crazy. I dont care though, if I'm crazy to them I'm doing the right thing in His eyes. 1 Corinthians 2:14 "But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means."
I get up and I sense 30 minutes. I went to the spare bedroom, lay down on my back and began to pray, "I don't know what I'm suppose to be praying for, so Holy Spirit I submit to you." Tears began to flow immediately from my eyes. Why am I crying? No not crying, I began to weep uncontrollably, mourning, over what felt like a broken heart. Is my soul repenting? "Forgive me," I cry. I can't stop, I soak half a roll of toilet paper in tears. I dont think it's humanly possible to cry this much. I began to pray in the spirit, I seen myself at the feet of the Lord crying, He was standing at what looked like an altar, behind me there were countless people wearing white bowing before Him, my mom,dad, brother and sister were behind me, I was thanking him and saying "If it weren't for You they wouldn't be here." For some strange reason a man stood up from the crowd, I couldnt hear what he was saying but it looked as if he was arguing with God. Still, I have no idea what this vision meant. over time He will reveal it to me. Back to myself. I began to cry harder. How that was possible, I have the slightest idea. Next I seen my heart and His heart, together, encircling around our hearts was His crown of thorns. Nothing can get between us, whatever tries, must get past the thorns. Thank you Jesus. My phone catches my attention. The clock says 6:30. I go back to my bed, still crying. Josh asks whats wrong and I tell him what I saw, how he could understand me I have no clue, I was hysterical. We prayed about it. I couldnt fall back asleep. However it ended up being a blessed day, emotional but blessed. Church service was great, praise and worship for me was like never before. Also I received an email from a high school classmate asking for help in building faith. She said "I need help and I knew you could help me." If thats not an honor I don't know what is! And she wants to come to church with me. Halle-lujah!
I dont know how I am significant in His eyes. I dont see myself the way He sees me. I'm so greatful he looks past my faults and sees my future. I have a bubbling up inside me, I want to be radical for him. I want to do something to advance his kingom. I engage in a path that this entire world will never be able to understand. Especially to those whose spiritual eyes are closed, to them I'm crazy. I dont care though, if I'm crazy to them I'm doing the right thing in His eyes. 1 Corinthians 2:14 "But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means."
Saturday, November 13, 2010
How much are you worth?
Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)
How many times are we 'down in the dumps' and feeling pretty worthless because of circumstances beyond our control or that we do have control over, however we've just had some poor choices? Life can sometimes be unbeatable, but other times it gives us a 'beatdown'.
You know exactly what I mean.
Good thing our worth isn't based on our circumstances or behavior, if it were I would have zero hope. Check out this story, it always makes me feel better!
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"Hands started going up everywhere.He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first let me do this."He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air."Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty."Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air."My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him. Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us 'as the apple of His eye.'"The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we are, but by WHOSE WE ARE!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sorry if this offends you, but its the truth.
Parents, we all remember those countless nights of being woke up by a newborn baby's cries, well after a year I still do! Anyways, I remember one night of repeatedly getting up with Caomi. I was tired, frustrated, on the verge of crying. The only thing I knew to do was pray. I prayed for my crying baby girl for about 10 minutes, I remember very vivdly I prayed "Lord bless her with things only You can give her." Immediately the Lord spoke to me and said, "She is already well blessed. Because of you and Josh she will know Me." I began to sob. What an honor.
I read a book called Secrets from Beyond the Grave by Perry Stone, a well known author and evangelist. In his book he speaks frequently of "out of body experiences". In one he interviewed a man who had a massive heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital and immediately underwent open heart surgery. He died on the table. He recalls falling down a dark tunnel and wondering to himself, if I have died why am I going down, I should be going up...to Heaven. He landed in a dark field with no grass or trees. He was surrounded by hundreds of other people, but they all had blank faces. He sees a large angelic creature in the distance, the creature shouts, "If you are seeking rest and peace come to me!" Drawn like a "magnet to metal" the crowd shoves their way to this supernatural being. The people were grabbed and tossed into pits of fire by other angelic creatures. He describes seeing this place as one large massive pit surrounded by other small pits of individuals, painful screaming from both male and female, the smell of burning flesh and sulfur; gasping for a single breath, heat so strong he didnt understand how he was able to survive it. The point I'm trying to get to is not that hell is a freightening place (which it is) but this part; " I saw teenagers in these pits, and they would reach down into the fiery flames and pull up another being I assume it was their parent, and they would shake them and blame them screaming 'It's all your fault I'm here!' " Obviously the man was revived on the table to be able to share this story. Whether you believe in out od body experiences or not is up to you, but keep in mind there are out of body experiences in the bible. Still, imagine being that parent ripped up out of the flames to be blamed for not teaching your child about salvation is you.
I believe on judgement day parents will be judged according to the ways of their child. Were you a good role model? Are you promoting sin? Is your child on his/her way to heaven or hell? If you beleive in the bible, and if you love your child the way you say you do why aren't you concerned about their eternal life? I am 100% concerned with my childs eternal life. I will do everything in my power to raise her up as a woman of God. If she strays away I know my prayers didn't go unheard and I know the blood of Jesus covers her. I once heard a story of a 14 YEAR OLD boy who overdosed on heroin, marajuana, pills and alcohol. He was rushed to the hospital and revived. We all know he should have been dead having done that many drugs. But he had a praying mother. Now this 14 year old boy is a grown man sharing his testimony of salvation. He says when he died that night he fell down the same spiraling tunnel, however he was taken to a cell and tortured and mocked by demons. They were telling him "We tricked you and got you hooked on drugs so we could kill you. Your hopelessly lost now!" Terrified, the most glorious thing occured, two golden hands, the hands of God, reached down into his cell. The evil spirits argued with God, "No this soul is ours, you can't have it!" God placed the boy back in his fleshly body and said, "Because of your mothers prayers I have spared you, you are called by Me." OH PRAISE GOD! He is so good! PRAYING WORKS!
If there is only one thing I could have Caomi remember when she leaves me to go out on her own, it will be that I want her to know of Jesus. Not success, not finding true love, everything on this earth, everything in this life is temporary. I refuse to stand in judgement and have my daughter condemned to hell on behalf of my poor choices while raising her.
I remember last summer I had a 7 year old I was babysitting. Everyone knows that age is irritating! While all the kids were taking a nap I decided to go outside to tan, listen to my music and just pray. I was praying, "Lord, I dont see how You are using me, what am I doing that's pleasing to you?" Just at that moment the little girl walks oustide, I think great cant I get 5 minutes of alone time? She sits in the chair beside me, rolls her sleeves up, lays back, puts her arms up, and says, "Look, I'm laying out just like you." Right away the Lord spoke to me and said, "She watches everything you do, she looks up to you and wants to be just like you." If that's not an attitude adjustment I dont know what is! But this is just like children, they want to grow up to be just like you! You are their role model! I never again will think just because I'm not preaching or traveling doing missions doesnt mean I'm not being used.
It's never too late to change how you parent. Eternity is what matters. No body thinks about this, we're all so busy being consumed in our day to day lives we don't pay attention to "I'm not promised tomorrow." Where would you go? Up or down? What about your children? More than likely their going where you are. Only you can change it. Does your child know Jesus? But not just know of Him, does he/she have a relationship with Him? Whats does it take to get to heaven? Obey His commandments, believe in His word, Begin a relationship with Him.
I read a book called Secrets from Beyond the Grave by Perry Stone, a well known author and evangelist. In his book he speaks frequently of "out of body experiences". In one he interviewed a man who had a massive heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital and immediately underwent open heart surgery. He died on the table. He recalls falling down a dark tunnel and wondering to himself, if I have died why am I going down, I should be going up...to Heaven. He landed in a dark field with no grass or trees. He was surrounded by hundreds of other people, but they all had blank faces. He sees a large angelic creature in the distance, the creature shouts, "If you are seeking rest and peace come to me!" Drawn like a "magnet to metal" the crowd shoves their way to this supernatural being. The people were grabbed and tossed into pits of fire by other angelic creatures. He describes seeing this place as one large massive pit surrounded by other small pits of individuals, painful screaming from both male and female, the smell of burning flesh and sulfur; gasping for a single breath, heat so strong he didnt understand how he was able to survive it. The point I'm trying to get to is not that hell is a freightening place (which it is) but this part; " I saw teenagers in these pits, and they would reach down into the fiery flames and pull up another being I assume it was their parent, and they would shake them and blame them screaming 'It's all your fault I'm here!' " Obviously the man was revived on the table to be able to share this story. Whether you believe in out od body experiences or not is up to you, but keep in mind there are out of body experiences in the bible. Still, imagine being that parent ripped up out of the flames to be blamed for not teaching your child about salvation is you.
I believe on judgement day parents will be judged according to the ways of their child. Were you a good role model? Are you promoting sin? Is your child on his/her way to heaven or hell? If you beleive in the bible, and if you love your child the way you say you do why aren't you concerned about their eternal life? I am 100% concerned with my childs eternal life. I will do everything in my power to raise her up as a woman of God. If she strays away I know my prayers didn't go unheard and I know the blood of Jesus covers her. I once heard a story of a 14 YEAR OLD boy who overdosed on heroin, marajuana, pills and alcohol. He was rushed to the hospital and revived. We all know he should have been dead having done that many drugs. But he had a praying mother. Now this 14 year old boy is a grown man sharing his testimony of salvation. He says when he died that night he fell down the same spiraling tunnel, however he was taken to a cell and tortured and mocked by demons. They were telling him "We tricked you and got you hooked on drugs so we could kill you. Your hopelessly lost now!" Terrified, the most glorious thing occured, two golden hands, the hands of God, reached down into his cell. The evil spirits argued with God, "No this soul is ours, you can't have it!" God placed the boy back in his fleshly body and said, "Because of your mothers prayers I have spared you, you are called by Me." OH PRAISE GOD! He is so good! PRAYING WORKS!
If there is only one thing I could have Caomi remember when she leaves me to go out on her own, it will be that I want her to know of Jesus. Not success, not finding true love, everything on this earth, everything in this life is temporary. I refuse to stand in judgement and have my daughter condemned to hell on behalf of my poor choices while raising her.
I remember last summer I had a 7 year old I was babysitting. Everyone knows that age is irritating! While all the kids were taking a nap I decided to go outside to tan, listen to my music and just pray. I was praying, "Lord, I dont see how You are using me, what am I doing that's pleasing to you?" Just at that moment the little girl walks oustide, I think great cant I get 5 minutes of alone time? She sits in the chair beside me, rolls her sleeves up, lays back, puts her arms up, and says, "Look, I'm laying out just like you." Right away the Lord spoke to me and said, "She watches everything you do, she looks up to you and wants to be just like you." If that's not an attitude adjustment I dont know what is! But this is just like children, they want to grow up to be just like you! You are their role model! I never again will think just because I'm not preaching or traveling doing missions doesnt mean I'm not being used.
It's never too late to change how you parent. Eternity is what matters. No body thinks about this, we're all so busy being consumed in our day to day lives we don't pay attention to "I'm not promised tomorrow." Where would you go? Up or down? What about your children? More than likely their going where you are. Only you can change it. Does your child know Jesus? But not just know of Him, does he/she have a relationship with Him? Whats does it take to get to heaven? Obey His commandments, believe in His word, Begin a relationship with Him.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A New Creature in Christ
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! " 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Borderline athiest to Christian, that's me. Or so I thought I was Athiest. How could I be Athiest when hearing the Word of God or about Jesus' crucifixion brought tears to my eyes? The Holy Spirit's power of conviction came upon me about everytime I stepped into a church. Conviction is not a good feeling. Therefore, I wouldnt go back! Plus those crazy penetocostals would scare me right out the door before I got the Word anyway! Oh the devil is such a liar!
For anyone who knew me over a year ago would say I've turned my life 180 degrees. I used to look foward to the weekends to party and become one in a crowd of many who was so far away from God I could feel the flames of hell beneath my feet. I knew before I signed up being a Christian wasnt necessarily the most "popular" thing. However the Lord said he's "..a friend who sticks closer than a brother," Proverbs 18:24. I praise Him because after many friends have been strained from my life I feel no social void.
When I became saved, it was a rather radical experience. Everything that was seperating me from God became my past that very day, the language I used, the music I listened to, drinking/partying, Josh started sleeping on the couch until we got married, I even sacrificed a wedding, what a girl dreams about, to get to Jesus. When I handed my life over to the Lord, I didnt "give up" the neck deep sin I was living in, I felt as if it literally fell off of my body and the pleasure was simply taken out of it. It is true when The Lord says "Come onto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble. You will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30, because that is exactly what happened to me. The heaviness of sin was like a 20 pound millstone tied around my neck dragging me into a bottomless pit. Just in time the Lord reached down and saved me from the pits of hell. I had unremarkable joy, and peace, something I have never felt before. I felt light as a feather, I had no more shame, concern, sadness, but pure joy.
This is not to say I'm perfect, by no means, we all fall short of the glory of God, there are some things im still working on, together with God, through countless prayer, and learning from Him I will continue on my strive to win this race. Yes, I am tempted, but I consider that a blessing, why would satan tempt me if I had no call on my life? Ha that's another blog I will do :)
Borderline athiest to Christian, that's me. Or so I thought I was Athiest. How could I be Athiest when hearing the Word of God or about Jesus' crucifixion brought tears to my eyes? The Holy Spirit's power of conviction came upon me about everytime I stepped into a church. Conviction is not a good feeling. Therefore, I wouldnt go back! Plus those crazy penetocostals would scare me right out the door before I got the Word anyway! Oh the devil is such a liar!
For anyone who knew me over a year ago would say I've turned my life 180 degrees. I used to look foward to the weekends to party and become one in a crowd of many who was so far away from God I could feel the flames of hell beneath my feet. I knew before I signed up being a Christian wasnt necessarily the most "popular" thing. However the Lord said he's "..a friend who sticks closer than a brother," Proverbs 18:24. I praise Him because after many friends have been strained from my life I feel no social void.
When I became saved, it was a rather radical experience. Everything that was seperating me from God became my past that very day, the language I used, the music I listened to, drinking/partying, Josh started sleeping on the couch until we got married, I even sacrificed a wedding, what a girl dreams about, to get to Jesus. When I handed my life over to the Lord, I didnt "give up" the neck deep sin I was living in, I felt as if it literally fell off of my body and the pleasure was simply taken out of it. It is true when The Lord says "Come onto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble. You will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30, because that is exactly what happened to me. The heaviness of sin was like a 20 pound millstone tied around my neck dragging me into a bottomless pit. Just in time the Lord reached down and saved me from the pits of hell. I had unremarkable joy, and peace, something I have never felt before. I felt light as a feather, I had no more shame, concern, sadness, but pure joy.
This is not to say I'm perfect, by no means, we all fall short of the glory of God, there are some things im still working on, together with God, through countless prayer, and learning from Him I will continue on my strive to win this race. Yes, I am tempted, but I consider that a blessing, why would satan tempt me if I had no call on my life? Ha that's another blog I will do :)
What are you worth?
Have you ever watched The Antique Road Show? That's the television show where people dig old things out of their garage and attic and take them in to be appraised. The expert will dust it off, look it over, and shock them by announcing that they have something worth thousands of dollars.
Suppose someone got your soul and thought, "That might be worth something. I'll take it to an auction and see what I can get."God and Satan are the bidders and Satan opens the bidding. "I'll give two cents," he says. "That's about what that soul is worth."
"Oh no," God replies. "I won't let you have it for that." And He increases the bid.
Satan can't stand to lose, so he raises the bid again, but God still outbids him. This goes on until, at last, Satan announces, "All right! I'll give the world. It's mine and I'll give it all for that soul."
Before God can answer, Jesus speaks up. "I'll top that bid," He says. "I'll give my life!"
And God let His son pay that price to win the auction. That's what you are worth to God.
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