Jesus Knew Who He Was

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 335
February 28, 2016 (running a day behind)

Jesus was not unclear where he came from and where he would return...

"I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

John 16:28 ESV

RANDY: Religions like Islam want to deny Jesus was any more than a prophet.

Yet, at the very same time they deny all he ever said about himself.

They claim eyewitness testimony is less reliable than the words of Muhammed, a man who not only never met Jesus, but he could not even read, and never read the gospel accounts, and he ultimately even misidentified the Trinity in the Koran.  He claimed that Christians believed in God the Father, Son, and virgin Mary.  His misunderstanding came from meeting catholic missionaries.

Jesus, knew who he was. He knew his relationship with God. He was not unclear.

It's Supposed to be about Unity

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 334
February 27, 2016

At the end of Jesus ministry, right before he went to the cross, he prayed to God and only asked for one thing, UNITY among believers...

"I do not  ask for these only, but also for those  who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
John 17:20-23 ESV

RANDY: Why can't the modern church get this concept? Jesus wants unity, not separation. 

Modern Day Fools

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 333
February 26, 2016 (a little late)

A scripture we need to see from a different perspective...

"Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool."
Proverbs 26:1 ESV

RANDY: In the Bible, especially in Proverbs, a fool is defined as somone who does not have God's wisdom, or knowledge about God, basically a nonbeliever.

As I read this passage today, I was thinking about this upcoming election here in November.

Should the election come down to Clinton and Trump, something that looks probable, we will have 2 fools running for President, and neither one, Biblically speaking, deserves the honor.

True Christianity is and always has been defined by JESUS as a faith that produces the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Neither Clinton, nor Trump are true, born again believers in Jesus.  They are both fools, lying, cheating, and name calling their way to the top. They are not due honor.

Throwing Yourself on God's Mercy

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 332
February 25, 2016 (Running late)

Sometimes all we can do is throw ourselves on the mercy of God...

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.  Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins."

Psalm 25:16-18 ESV

RANDY: All of us sin, all of us face trials and troubles. Only God can fix everything through His loving-kindness and mercy.

Character Matters

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 331
February 24, 2016

Sometimes, no matter how many people you have supporting your ideas, people just won't believe your story, because they just don't want to believe...

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened."

Luke 24:1-12 ESV

RANDY: Some things I noticed about this scripture.

1) There were numerous women who went to the tomb of Jesus...

"Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them".

It isn't like there was only one hysterical woman who was filled with grief, imagining he was alive.  There were several women, including the Jesus and James own mother, and several others.

2) This is the only time I remember hearing about "Joanna" and yet Luke mentions her as if we would all know who she is and that even the mention of her name should lend credibility to the story.  Keep in mind, he specifically states there are several women, but then he only mentions 3 by name.

Think about when you tell a story to people about something that happened that seems fantastic of miraculous.  You yourself would mention by name any credible witnesses or details that would help your audience to be assured that your story was true. Luke is doing the same thing.

3) Peter initially doubted, but eventually after hearing this story, felt compelled to go and see for himself. This is not Peter's first hand account of what happened, so once again Luke is appealing to a known and trusted source, Peter, to help make his case.

4) Your reputation really does matter.  It is the one thing about you uniquely that will outlive your time here on this earth.  What you do in the few short years you have here, will make all the difference in how people you knew will remember you once you are long gone.

Every funeral I have attended, people want to tell the stories about the person who died.  Funny stories, sad stories, heartwarming stories. 

Live your life in such a way, that just the mention of your name instantly adds credibility to the stories about what you saw and did in your lifetime.

Some people will still doubt, but many more will go and see for themselves, and know that you lived a good and true life.

Ignoring Jesus and Other Spiritual Dangers

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 330
February 23, 2016

So many false teachings ignore this part of scripture...

"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.  And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.  The greatest among you shall be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Matthew 23:8-12 ESV

RANDY: This does not mean that you refuse to teach others, but it means not to think of yourself as better than your students. We are all students of God and Jesus.

This next part is specifically violated by tge Catholic Church everywhere. Did the just flat out not read this part of scripture?

"And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. "

Not sure how this could be more clear.

Discipleship Brings Joy

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 329
February 22, 2016 (running a day late posting this week)

I know this from firsthand experience...

"Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart."

Proverbs 29:17 ESV

RANDY: All the time, my son Anthony brings great joy to my heart because he is a man of God.

I am a lucky father.

Be a Good Example for Others

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 328
February 21, 2016 (oops late)

As Christians we are supposed to be positive examples for others to follow...

"Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Philippians 3:17-21 ESV

RANDY: Many people celebrate their sins rather than trying to turn away from them. In the end, this will lead to hell. 

We are supposed to live lives worthy of God and lead others in right ways.

Work For the Lord

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 327
February 20, 2016 (oops late)

God expects us to treat everything we do in life as if we are doing it for Him...

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality."

Colossians 3:23-25 ESV

RANDY: This is both a message about regular work and ministry work.

When was the last time you showed up at work and said, "I'm here today for God"?

Faith Joins us to God

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 326
February 19, 2016

We are all joined together by faith in Christ Jesus...

"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise."

Galatians 3:23-29 ESV

RANDY: God's chosen people are anyone who has faith in Jesus. There are no longer any other separations...

Jesus Removed The Veil

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 325
February 18, 2016

Christianity is not only the continuation of Judaism, it is the fulfillment of everything promised by God...

"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened.

For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 ESV

RANDY: God  desires for us to go beyond the rules and commandments and live is spiritual harmony with Him.  He revealed Himself in the Law of Moses, but the Law was not able to save us.

God desired for us to fully open our hearts to Him and embrace the glory He has for us through knowing Jesus. When we allow Jesus to lead our lives the veil of confusion is lifted and we are able to be raised from one level of glory to the next, over and over, as we grow closer to God.

All Have Sinned

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 324
February 17, 2016

God knows that none of us are perfect, and he us extremely merciful to us...

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Romans 3:23-26 ESV

RANDY: When it talks about God passing over former sins, I think this has 2 meanings, one historical and the other in our lives...

1) Historical meaning - the Old Testament saints had a relationship with God before Jesus had paid for their sins. They could look forward to the coming Messiah, and they could offer sacrifices to God for their sins, but neither was enough to actually save them from spiritual death. So God, chose not to judge anyone until after Jesus had come and paid "once, for all" the sins of the world.  

This is not to say that all people from before Christ are saved, or that today all people are saved. This passage clearly says the gift of salvation is received by faith. In other words, if people did not trust in God before Christ or since Christ, neither would be saved.

2) Meaning in our lives - As a child, we sin, starting very young in life. Often we commit sins at a young age without realizing that we are violating God’s laws. We may think that we are upsetting mom or dad, but until we realize that there is a God and that he even has laws, we already are violating them.

At the age we finally realize that God is real and we start to feel the real weight of our sins, we reach what the Jews called, "the age of accountability." 

Prior to this time, we committed sins, that God simply passed over.  Had we died prior to reaching an age where we could understand the reality of God, both the Jews of the Old Covenant and Jesus also taught that children would inherit the kingdom of God. In Jewish culture that age of accountability  is roughly 13 years of age.

Once we reach the age where we understand that God is real and has real laws, it then is our choice to have faith or not and thus choose to accept or reject the gift of salvation. 

God’s desire is that "all would come to know Him".  He realizes that mankind is stubborn and disobedient, and he knows many will choose to reject him. But the gift is still waiting for each person who will humble themselves and pray for forgiveness and begin the process of repentance of sins.

God bless you and help you in your walk with him...

False Charges and Lies

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 323
February 16, 2016

When those who hate you cannot find anything valid to say against you, false charges and lies will work just as well...

"Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”

Luke 23:1-4 ESV

RANDY: The priests and other religious leaders told Pilate 2 very distinct lies:

1) that Jesus forbid paying tribute to Caesar. Clearly this was a lie, Jesus said, " render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God’s".

2) that Jesus called himself a king.  When Pilate asks him this exact question, Jesus responds that Pilate has called him a king, implying that he has not called himself king, and indeed scripture never records Jesus referring to himself as king.

Despite Pilate realizing these charges are lies, ultimately he still puts Jesus to death to attempt to keep the peace with the religious athorities in Jerusalem.

False charges are Satan's stock and trade, even today...

Giving a Warning

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 322
February 15, 2016

Sometimes issuing warnings can keep you safe from harm...

"And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away."

Mark 12:12 ESV

RANDY: Often when people perceive scripture applies to them, even when it is hard to listen to, they will be convicted to their core and not harm the messenger.

A Widely Misused and Misquoted Scripture

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 321
February 14, 2016

This piece of scripture is used by loads of people to FALSELY defend the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture of the church....

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV

RANDY : Paul is writing to a people who fear death. He is trying to assure them that God has not forgotten about the dead saints when he comes to judge the world.

This is not a description of two events, because Paul has already told us, "that to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord", so naturally the dead are already with Jesus when he comes to judge the earth.

Let's look at Jesus description of the exact same event...

"Immediately after  the tribulation of those days  the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and  the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

Matthew 24:29-31 ESV

RANDY: This literally could not possibly be more clear. Same Jesus, same appearing in the clouds, sending out his angels to get the same exact saints, at the same exact trumpet call, oh and by the way...AFTER THE TRIBULATION.

There is no "hidden return of Jesus". This is a false doctrine that has its roots in the 1700s and no further back in church history.

It is an escapist doctrine that says you really do not need to be prepared to suffer and die for your faith.

Well, try telling that to Christians in Syria who are having chemical weapons used against them; Christians in Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere who are being beheaded by ISIS; Christians in Nigeria who are being hacked apart with machetes and blown apart with AK-47 fire; Christians in North Korea who are having their entire families hunted down and imprisoned, enslaved, or murdered by their own government; Christians in California who are being shot in the head by Islamic gunmen just because they are Christian.

The idea that Christians should hope to avoid suffering and even death because of their faith is TOTAL FICTION created as a lie by Satan.

Jesus said, "Then  they will deliver you up  to tribulation and  put you to death, and  you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Matthew 24:9-13

Sure we are not children of wrath (wrath is by definition the punishment of God upon people and effects their souls), but Jesus said clearly, "in this life you will face tribulation  (tribulation is by definition the things man does to man affects only our bodies).

We are not to fear those who can only kill the body (tribulation), but we are to fear him who after killing the body can throw the soul into hell (wrath).

STOP BELIEVING THE LIES OF SATAN. Listen to Jesus instead.

You Will Be Judged by the Same Measure You Judge Others

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 320
February 13, 2016

God has always shown mercy towards those who accidentally violate His commandments...

"Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood.

He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past. And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time.

Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’”

Joshua 20:1-6 ESV

RANDY: God does not intend to have a harsh punishment for those who accidentally cause even the death of another person.  The condition of this is the intention of the person who causes the death. If they did not mean to kill the person they struck, they will not suffer the same fate as an intentional murderer.

This makes me think about the DUI homicide trial I testified in a couple years ago. The driver accidentally killed a person in the other car when the wreck occurred.

However, an overzealous district attorney chose to pursue 1st degree murder charges rather than a lesser charge, as should have been warranted. Based on a weird technicality in the law, he was able to push this through and the drunk driver was convicted of 1st degree murder and was given 35 to life.

Even the judge in the trial said this was a miscarriage of justice. Our nation is so far away from God’s heart, I wonder what he thinks as he looks down upon us these days.

I fear we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction. Jesus said we would be judged by the same measure we judge others.

If we are unwilling to lessen an accidental homicide punishment to a lesser charge than intentional murder, I wonder if God will forgive our nation for any of the accidental evils we commit? I fear we already know the answer to this...

This is Just Bad, Period

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 319
February 12, 2016

Sometimes scripture just records a horrible event, not because it makes anyone look good, but because it truly happened...

"As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.”

And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man do not do this outrageous thing.”

But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, until it was light.

  And her master rose up in the morning, and when he opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, behold, there was his concubine lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold. He said to her, “Get up, let us be going.” But there was no answer.

Then he put her on the donkey, and the man rose up and went away to his home. And when he entered his house, he took a knife, and taking hold of his concubine he divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel.

And all who saw it said, “Such a thing has never happened or been seen from the day that the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, take counsel, and speak.”

Judges 19:22-30 ESV

RANDY: There is nothing good in this story. 1st a Levite (a priest) had a legal mistress. The very fact that this even happened showed how unGodly Israel had become (this is explained in the first 21 verses of this chapter). Marriage was always supposed to be one man and one woman.

Then they went to a town of the Israelites to stay the night and none of the Israelites invited the priest to stay in the house. Instead he was invited in by a non-Jewish gentile. This showed how dishonorable the people of the town were, not welcoming fellow Israelites.

Then some homosexual men from the town come to the house and want to rape the priest. Instead of defending the priest at the risk of his life, both the gentile and the priest agree to throw the mistress to the crowd, who then proceed to rape her to death.

In the morning when they find her dead body, finally the priest has a moment of clarity and realizes the evil of the entire situation, he hacked apart his mistress into 12 parts and sent one of the parts to each of the 12 tribes of Israel to proclaim the wickedness of both that town and Israel in general.

This story is mentioned a few times later in the Bible in much the same way as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Some of the stories in scripture are not there to encourage imitation or to be uplifting. Sometimes the stories are just reminders of how bad sinfulness can get when we ignore God in our lives.

Our nation presently reminds me of this story. I read far too many stories about horrible acts like this committed right here in the USA every day.

We live in wicked times.

Sing A New Song

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 318
February 11, 2016

God loves NEW SONGS with LOUD INSTRUMENTS and SHOUTS...

Shout for joy in the Lord , O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.  Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!  Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts."

Psalm 33:1-3 ESV

RANDY: If this same Psalm were written today it would substitute electric guitar for "lyre".  When was the last time you heard anyone play a lyre? Do you even know what one is?

God expects EVERY generation to sing new songs to Him.  If you are stuck in the past, break free and worship God with songs from today.  God loves hearing praises from a joyful heart.

Oh, and by the way, God loves songs accompanied by instruments.  Scripture says this very fact dozens of times and it NEVER once says not to use instruments.

Friends and Family

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 317
February 10, 2016

Sometimes we forget who we can truly count on....

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17 ESV

RANDY: Friends, true friends, always care about us. 

Family, sticks together, even in really hard times

A God of Mercy

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 316
February 9, 2016

God is merciful to those who listen to and obey His commandments and prophets...

"To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets."

Daniel 9:9-10 ESV

RANDY: It amazes me, with all the warnings in scripture, that a country such as the United States has any question why God has removed His blessing from this  land.

Our national and state governments violate nearly every one of the 10 commandments every day, and no one in authority seems to listen to God's leading through His word, anymore.

God has told us how to fix this situation and restore His mercy upon our land.  We must humble ourselves, pray, repent, listen, and obey.

God has spoken...

The False Church

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 315
February 8, 2016

When the church actively rebels against God and encourages the people to sin, He will destroy all their false teachings, false idols, and false alters of worship...

"Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the Lord , because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. 

Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they have become to him altars for sinning.  Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing. 

As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the Lord does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt. 

For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces, and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; so I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour her strongholds."

Hosea 8:1, 11-14 ESV

RANDY: The American church has sold out the commandments of God and has created a liberal social gospel that is devoid of God at all. God is not pleased with us.

Compassion

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 314
February 7, 2016

God is calling on his people to show compassion...

"And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.

They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts."

Zechariah 7:8-12 ESV

RANDY: 2 things -

1) God calls on believers to be judgmental, but to do so with righteousness, kindness, and mercy.

2) Refusing to honor God's requests angers him and leads to judgment.

Are we living as God commands or are we like the Israelites in this scripture.

Identifying False Prophets

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 313
February 6, 2016

What is a false prophet?...

"Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading."

Lamentations 2:14 ESV

RANDY: By definition, a prophet is anyone who proclaims the word of God, or speaks for God. Therefore a pastor is by definition a prophet.

False prophets fail to point out the sins of their congregation. False prophets teach things about "your" own personal future that are false and misleading.

Therefore anyone who is preaching a soft seeker sensitive (sin free) gospel is by definition a false prophet.

Anyone who claims God wants you to be rich, or always in good health, or happy all the time, is by definition a false prophet.

Anyone who promotes sexual sins such as acceptance of homosexuality, pre-marital sex, or teaches that sex is ok in any way except a man and his wife, is by definition a false prophet.

False prophets are easy to spot. They say things that disagree with clear cut sins or other warnings in the Bible. They condone behaviour that scripture consistently declares to be against the will of God. False prophets are always using mental and linguistic gymnastics to justify why they do or say what they stand for.

True prophets can read you ANY PART of God's word and explain why it is true and important.

Now you know how to tell them apart...

The Time Is Drawing Near

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 312
February 5, 2016

Our nation that once walked very close with God has turned its back on Him.  God is not willing to be mocked for long, our chance to repent as a nation is drawing to a close, and then the judgment will come...

"“Thus says the Lord God : This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. And she has rebelled against my rules by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries all around her; for they have rejected my rules and have not walked in my statutes.

Therefore thus says the Lord God : Because you are more turbulent than the nations that are all around you, and have not walked in my statutes or obeyed my rules, and have not even acted according to the rules of the nations that are all around you, therefore thus says the Lord God : Behold, I, even I, am against you. And I will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. And because of all your abominations I will do with you what I have never yet done, and the like of which I will never do again.

Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers. And I will execute judgments on you, and any of you who survive I will scatter to all the winds. Therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God , surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will withdraw. My eye will not spare, and I will have no pity.

A third part of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; a third part shall fall by the sword all around you; and a third part I will scatter to all the winds and will unsheathe the sword after them. 

“Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will vent my fury upon them and satisfy myself. And they shall know that I am the Lord —that I have spoken in my jealousy—when I spend my fury upon them.

Moreover, I will make you a desolation and an object of reproach among the nations all around you and in the sight of all who pass by. You shall be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations all around you, when I execute judgments on you in anger and fury, and with furious rebukes—I am the Lord ; I have spoken—"

Ezekiel 5:5-15 ESV

RANDY: God is especially harsh on dealing with His people who know better and yet still willingly practice sinful abominations. 

We as a nation have shed the innocent blood of over 57 million unborn babies.  We have embraced sexual immorality as a way of life, from pre-marital sex, to adultry, to homosexuality, and now there is even a push to normalize perversions such as pedophilia and multiple marriages, including multiple same-sex partners. 

We have institutional coveting and theft in our taxation system. We promote dishonoring our parents, elders, teachers, and leaders at every level of education in our nation.

Nothing is sacred anymore. 

As a nation, not one single shred of decency remains in the United States.  Other nations that worship false Gods and idols are even appalled at the decadence and immorality we openly embrace.

God will judge us, VERY SOON, unless we repent, from the President on down to the common man on the street.

We are Nineveh, and God has once again sent Jonah to warn us to repent or be destroyed. If you cannot see the writing on the wall, it is because you are choosing to be blind. 

Asking For Help

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 311
February 4, 2016

Sometimes you just have to ask for what you need...

"When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful."

Titus 3:12-14 ESV

RANDY: A lot of ministry is really just organizing what needs to happen and reminding people to continue in the things they already know they should be doing.

Who Should We Be Voting For This Year?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 310
February 3, 2016

What if we elected officials based SOLELY on their obedience to the God of the Bible?...

"The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel.

Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord . And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah."

2 Chronicles 17:3-6 ESV

RANDY: It is sad that instead of the character of a person, we instead tend to vote based on the political promises a candidate makes to us, and the selfish gains we personally hope to have, rather than the good of our nation and the world.

If we voted on character, I know God would bless our nation again, and it would be impossible for weapons formed against us to prosper.

Just saying...

Do You Actually Trust God?

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 309
February 2, 2016

Is it possible in reality to rely on God to meet your needs and keep you safe?...

"Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.

For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.”

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty."

Ezra 8:21-23 ESV

RANDY: If you truly believe in God and do not doubt, he will meet your needs and keep you from your enemies.

Now does this mean he will always keep you from harm?  No, at least not physical harm.

God will always keep us from spiritual harm as long as we trust in him.  Satan has no power over our spirits, even though he can affect out physical bodies.

Don't Be Surprised...

Let's Get Real - Scripture Day 308
February 1, 2016

Don't be surprised when people use your faith in God against you, especially if you give them nothing else to find fault with...

"Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

Daniel 6:3-5 ESV

RANDY: People who hate God's ways and people will try anything to pin some wrong thought or belief on people of faith. It has been going on for 3,000 years.