Love Truth – Best Protection for these Last Days!

Love Truth!

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Clearly we are living in the last days, or latter days as this verse describes.

So, if there are seducing spirits, and teachings demonically designed by devils intent on wooing us away from purity, holiness, and obedience to Jesus, and eternal life, how do we protect ourselves from them?

2 Thessalonians 2: ⁷For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ⁸And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: ⁹even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ¹²that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The key that jumps out at me in these verses is ‘they received not the love of the truth’.

Seems clear to me today, that one of the ways we are protected from delusion and deception, is to receive from God, a love for the truth.

Yes, I could say much, much more on this topic, but I have noticed, that if my blogs are more than a couple hundred words, no one seems to read them.

Let’s pray:

‘Father, grant us the gift of a love for the truth. Jesus, You are the way, the truth and the life, and we desire to love You, personally, intimately, that we might know You. In this world of information overload, where indeed knowledge has increased in these last days, we choose to look to You, trusting you to deliver us from deception, delusion, seduction, and the mystery of iniquity that would deceive us, and draw us away, except for Your great power, love and grace towards us. Thank you for Your mercy, and the hearing of Your voice today Lord Jesus, through You Holy Spirit of truth! Amen!

Recycled Saints – Pathway People

As I contemplate Christmas, I think of all the C and E Christians – you know, the ones who attend church at Christmas and Easter only, and then go back into the rat race. The treadmill, running hard, raising kids, weekends at the lake, exotic vacations, another vehicle, boat, toy, but doing nothing of eternal value.

Then I got to thinking about why.

Mark 4:¹⁴The sower soweth the word.

¹⁵And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

¹⁶And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

¹⁷And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

I know, I’ve written a book on these verses, but they are true!

Heaven and earth revolve around them!

So this is what I see again this morning, so clearly.

The seed is the Word of God, the soil is the hearts of people.

People, pay lip service to God. Christmas comes, the gospel is preached. Carols are sung, and the Holy Spirit brings peace on earth wherever He can, People come to Jesus, on their terms, and God is love. His heart is kind, and He draws near to people, and Christmas becomes a season of uncommon grace, as the general population comes to God through Jesus –

Same thing happens at Easter.

Yet, the season ends, work begins, and again, for those of us who know God personally, we begin to hear Him say:

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

We sing the Christmas carols, and if someone were to ask, many would say: “Sure I’m a Christian, I love Jesus.”

Yet, they have never embraced the call to discipleship. On purpose choosing church, instead of Sunday sleep-in and brunch. It’s not the lake that is the problem, it is the heart! (Find a church AT the lake!)

Pathway people –

Mark 4:16-17 (MSG)

^16-17“And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it

People on their own path.

Jesus said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ He is the way, but they choose their own way.

They are on their own path. A worn, hard, beat down pathway….

Seems that because of hardship or passionate pursuits of their own desires, that when Jesus gently knocks again at the door of their hearts, each year, the door has become thicker, more solid, so that what was a distinct, audible knock, has now become a subliminal whisper, more easily ignored year by year…

Year after year, more and more tired, empty, hollow inside…

Discipleship? Eternity? Religion? “It doesn’t work in the real world’ they say…

So, year in, year out, they work, they laugh, they raise children, and accumulate things, planning for retirement…

Like my dad. Served 32 years in the navy. Another 8 in the cival service. Retired at 60 with 2 corvettes and a cigarette boat. Then contracted lung cancer, and died… Christmas and Easter, we were in church, and throughout the year, I repeatedly invited him to various Christian meetings (that he refused to attend).

Reminds me of the story Jesus told:

Luke 12:¹⁵And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

²¹So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Message translation

Luke 12:^16-19Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’

²⁰“Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’

²¹“That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.”

Like we used to joke in business: ‘So I said to myself, Self, this is what we are going to do!’

Self is a big problem!

If you take time to seek first Jesus, you will discover, like we all do, that Jesus is very much alive and active in the affairs of men, and instead of hearing self each day, you will begin to hear Him.

He is good, kind, and loving, and only has good planned for your life, and the lives of those around you.

Prayer, becomes like a steady soaking rain upon your soul, you heart becomes saturated with His presence, His Spirit, and His love, and slowly, the hard, crusty areas of your life become transformed by His grace, and one day you look in the mirror and see someone actually nice looking back….

Then, promises in the Bible like this one, make life worth living:

Daniel 12:3

Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn the many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

Like the Christmas card says: Wise men still seek Him!

(After Christmas too, every morning, day by day!)

May you be wise this year….

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, I want my life to count for You, for eternity. Jesus, come again into my life, and bring Your changes. Give me courage to live for You this year, every day, in Your love, and the truth of Your Word, in obedience to You Holy Spirit – Amen.”

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Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!

A Christmas Prayer by Max Lucado

A Christmas Prayer By Max Lucado…

Dear Jesus,

It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.…
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows.

To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,

Your Children

Teach us to number our days….

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12.

Redeem your time!

I guess I could subtitle this article as ‘How to make an Eternal Impact with your Life!’

Is Jesus Lord of your time?

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Today we are going to talk about the Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. We see here that making Him Lord, is a condition for salvation. If Jesus is the Lord, He must be our Lord. If His is our Lord, we must do what He says.

Previously, I have talked about the Lordship of Jesus in our personal lives. We saw how the first commandment, commanding us to love God, precedes service. We talked about seeking first the kingdom of God, before doing anything else. Making Jesus our personal Lord. We ended with ACTS, as a simple method of placing Him first. What does ACTS stand for?

ACTS

Adoration: Praise and Worship

Confession – Confess God’s Word back to Him, expecting Him to perform it in your life.

Thanksgiving – Thank Him for your life, your family, His Word, for answered prayer, for this church.

Supplication – Ask Him for those things you need that day. Wisdom, strength, courage to make changes in your life, to talk to others about Him. For your daily needs.

Again, this is not a legalistic formula, the question is simply one of the heart: Are we seeking first Jesus and His will for our lives, today?

Okay, today we are going to look at another aspect of Jesus Lordship. Today we are going to see from the Word of God if Jesus is Lord of our time.

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Do you realize that this age, the church age, is the greatest season any person serving God has ever seen upon the earth?

God is not just for us, but lives in us. Our bodies have become His temple. When He decides to act in the earth, He has obligated Himself to work through one of us!

Daniel 11:32 (AMP)

³²And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].

That would be you and I!

Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Jesus has redeemed us, is redeeming us, and will redeem us. At the cross, He said “It is finished.”

Yet Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

He is redeeming us. Changing us, molding and making us into His image and likeness.

Soon, whether by way of the grave or with the triumphant shout of an archangel, we will see Him face to face.

He will redeem us.

Yet in this verse it clearly states that we are to redeem our time.

It has been said that the average Canadian spends 2-1/2 hours each day watching Television. Probably, here in the United States it is greater, because of the internet, and the availability of programming.

80% of Hollywood executives think there is a link between TV violence and real-life violence.

– 91% of children say they feel upset or scared by violence on television.

– 12 medical studies since 1985 link excessive television-watching to increasing rates of obesity.

– 202 junk food ads are generally aired during four hours of Saturday morning programming.

– TV-Free America

– 200,000 – the number of violent acts the average American child sees on TV by age 18; 16,000 – the number of murders witnessed by children on television by age 18.

– 10% of youth violence is directly attributable to TV viewing.

– 73% of Americans believe TV and movies are responsible for juvenile crime.

– TV-Free America

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….

2-1/2 hours per day. That is 912.5 hours, or 38 days every year, laying there in front of the TV! There are only twelve months in every year. That means that Canadians spend over one month of every year, feeding their flesh.

Sure it gets cold outside, but there are tons of winter activities that are fun, good fitness, and free!

This message was originally preached while we pastored five years in Canada. Where temperatures often hit -30C, where there was often two feet of snow on the ground. Yet, here, in Tulsa, clearly people still spend hours in front of the screen, and this time could surely be spent more profitably for the kingdom of God.

Now, if every Canadian were watching two and half hours a day of good anointed television ministry, what a difference we would see.

For it is written: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We had this verse framed on our wall for many years…It is still true, 25 years later!

If what you are watching is not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report (the news is not generally a good report), full of virtue (not lies), does not cause you to praise God, do not watch it.

It is not bringing life to you, but is taking life from you.

Even one of our favorite family activities, Facebook, can quickly become an electronic tabloid, broadcasting what satan is doing in the earth, instead of glorifying God. Yes, our Social Media need to bow to the Lordship of Jesus!

Psalm 101:3(KJV)

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me

It is sucking the anointing, joy, fruitfulness,presence and prosperity of God out of you, like a giant leech.

Killing your dreams, desires, vitality and polluting your mind.

Kill it, before it kills you!

I asked my congregation at one point, for all of us to take a television fast. To spend our daily TV time in the Word, job hunting, volunteering, taking a course, reading our Bible (what a concept), or telling someone about Jesus.

If you seek Him first, and 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

So, you have made Jesus your Lord, you are praying every morning, seeking Him, craving Him, diligently reading His Word and seeking to do what it says. Your due time is coming. He will exalt you.

Now, we need to do something. You must act. Now!

Faith is an act!

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” – Eccl. 11:4 (NLT)

Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

NOW faith is, and His name is I AM! Our ever-present help in time of need!

Confession alone will not bring godly success, we must do what we confess. We need to begin the do’s of the gospel.

The most important thing we can do is to share the gospel. Only the gospel has the power to turn men from darkness to light. To separate them from hell to turn towards heaven.

In Reinhard Bonnke’s book ‘Time is running out” he makes this statement:

“If 10,000 people live near your church, according to statistics, four of them die every week. Is it satisfactory then, if only one of the 10,000 is saved every month, or even every week? I find it is impossible to exaggerate the urgency of sharing the gospel! The greatest work on earth is to preach the good news, and the greatest need in the world is the need of the gospel.”

We believe in healing around here, but Jesus taught, preached and healed.

If you want some simple ways to share the gospel, you are reading this on-line. Here are some articles I wrote to allow you to simply cut and paste these links, to share eternal life, the power of God in speaking in other tongues, or the message of divine healing. You must know someone on-line, you can share one of these with, NOW!

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/is-speaking-in-other-tongues-of-god/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/be-healed-jesus-wants-you-strong/

First of all he went.

Perhaps all God would have you do today is cut and paste one of these articles, or one of the links above to one of your friends, that you know needs eternal life…

Honestly, are you comfortable with them going to hell?

This can affect your finances, as you get involved in God’s work, He gets involved in your business.

Deuteronomy 8: (KJV)

¹⁸But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day

Acts 1:(KJV)

⁸But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We believe in financial prosperity around here, yet the power to get wealth is ‘to be my witnesses.’ In the earth.

We must use our time to win souls for eternity.

This life is but a dressing room for eternity.

People we know are going to die. We could of shown them the love of Jesus, fed them clothed them, served them, given them money, even healed them, yet if they are not born-again they will go to hell. Hell is not some theological concept but a very real place.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

We are called with a purpose. We are redeemed. Yet, there is a time to grow up, and recognize our responsibility to the family business. Our Father in heaven is in the redemption business. Everything we are or hope to be must revolve around that.

I heard a minister state that the secret of successful people is in their daily routine. Stephen Covey, a leadership expert talks about 7 Habits of Sucessful People. The secret of your success is in your daily routine, the daily disciplines that create incredible realities over time.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12.

Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

God uses people according to their ability.

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Yet abilities can change. You take a night course to improve your ability. Take a college course, or take a course on-line through one of the great Bible schools in the earth:

http://www.vbctulsa.com/

http://www.rbtc.org/

http://www.elim.edu/

You deliberately find someone gifted in a certain area, and ask them to teach you what you need in that area. When I ran our construction companies, I deliberately cultivated relationships with skilled mentors.

Do like me, endeavor to read a new book every week…All that college taught me is how to learn, to research, to grow…face the truth: we are all students for life!

What is you daily schedule? Do you just get up and let things happen? Or do you deliberately decide that this week is going to be different, that you are going to make changes for the better.

Are you seeking First Jesus and His Kingdom? Nothing else works unless He is our personal Lord!

There are several great books written on the power of daily disciplines. May I recommend just two? ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olsen, and ‘The Compound Effect’ by Darren Hardy. I do not know if these guys know Jesus, but they have sure figured out the secrets of daily disciplines that produce success!

In summation:

Win souls!

Get involved with something that actually presents the gospel to an unsaved person.

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise

Think Harvest thoughts! I have learned that everything in the kingdom of God revolves around the harvest. If you are spending your life reaching people with the love of God and the gospel, you will see the presence and power of God daily, and your life will be blessed of heaven.

Improve yourself. Apply for a better job. Take a night course. Improve your ability. If you want a change, you need to make a change. The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. If you don’t take time to develop yourself, your neighbor is in trouble!

Don’t know how to start? PRAY!

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come..

God will show us things to come! You have specific, unique fingerprints – and a specific, unique destiny and calling upon your life. As you seek Jesus, He will lead and guide you, to maximize your impact in this life, for eternity – yet, always remember, that He walks with you in the journey, His joy is relationship – He is drawing you to Himself, in the incredible pilgrimage of life, and life more abundantly – you were never designed to be alone, nor to do life alone.

John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Question: What are you going to do with your time tomorrow? How are you going to use it to affect eternal result and reward?

Let’s pray:

‘Father, teach me to number my days right. Make my life count for eternity! Use me today to make a difference in someone’s life. Deliver me from time-wasters! I ask, knowing I am heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!’

If you enjoy my thoughts on leadership, from a Biblical perspective, read my book:

http://www.amazon.com/Parable-Sower-Kingdom/dp/1491207825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418750194&sr=8-1&keywords=parable+of+the+sower+a+kingdom+parable

Or, If you are a Christian Leader, here are some articles that I will use in my next book: Feel free to preach, teach or use them as you see fit:

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/leadership-bullets/

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

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