Some Thoughts on January 1, 2010

Introduction: I didn’t want to stay up on New Year’s Eve, but e-mail ministering kept me on the
computer over an hour longer than I desired. Then the block neighbors’ fireworks and my wife’s
movements (as she was seeking for a comfortable position for her left leg and upset stomach)
kept me awake until at least 1:30 AM. I did do some intercessory praying. The next morning
starting about 8:00 AM, I showered, dressed and made 28 roll-ups, and ate 34 of the just
mentioned. I then did a little in my current Bible project about untruthfulness. I proceeded to
check some of the news websites I regularly look at for my “watchman on the wall” ministry.
After lunch of 4 more roll-ups, I took a nap. Then just before dinner, Dolo received a phone
conversation from a friend about how we could hear the preacher who had re-baptized her at the
end of the 3-week Holland Campmeeting. The topic of the sermon done before the dinner was
about the importance of the Bible and that only the KJV Bible should be studied. The next
message we heard was about the coming of the Protestants and Catholics united and the Sunday
Law. Then there was an intro about a coming message about the wrongness of modern music,
especially in our churches. The third message was about “mystery” in the Bible and done by a
different speaker. But I became concerned about the lack of any real Bible teaching especially
for spiritual growth. I was also reminded of some of my long time concerns of Christian
preaching. So I went to my two collections of statements I have used in my Internet ministry.
Please consider the following:

***Our world is getting worse and worse because more and more are forsaking God and the Ten
Commandments and the Gospel. So true Christians need to unite in sharing God's wonderful
truths more and more instead of misunderstanding and fighting against each other. Right now
the Christian army is not doing very well because of wrong divisions due to selfishness and
arrogance about denominational distinctives and spiritual theories. Someone said that it is the
only army that wounds and kills its own. This happens so much in churches and in marriages.
Such are tragedies. They may not cause physical death, but they cause a lot of spiritual deaths. I
am 62 years old and I have grieved many times because of such (witnessing others being hurt
and being a victim). But why is such happening. A major reason is because the Jesus Christ and
New Testament commandments are not being taught and discussed in 99% of the Christian
churches and home groups. How can we become more Christ-like without such information?
Most preachers don't want to share such because especially the commandments would drive
away their followers. But a major theme in the Bible is confession and repentance towards
righteousness which is God-pleasing. Ephesians and Philippians indicate what should be the
purposes for true Christians. What do you think those are?

***About church, I believe that most churches are doing mostly what displeases God: they are
not doing what Philippians 2:1-16, Ephesians 4-5, and Titus 2 indicate. But even the bad
churches could at least provide ministry opportunities. I prefer have opportunities of Bible study
discussion, in Sabbath or Sunday School adult classes or/and home groups. I learn more from
such. Also some are using the Internet to have worship, prayer, and Bible study at least once a
week. And I know of some who are learning more about God’s Word via the Internet websites
which have sermons archived in them.

***I mostly go to church to minister to others. Most churches I have been to didn't have Bible
teaching pastors and elders. Jesus Christ was not emphasized either and probably He and
Apostle Paul would not be welcome. I have not seen a Philippians 2:1-5, Ephesians 4:11-16, and
Titus 2 church yet. The best Bible teaching I received was in USA Baptist and Bible churches
and some home groups. The best worship I experienced was in some charismatic churches and a
Wednesday Church of Christ home group meeting. But remember the first Christians did not
build or rent for church buildings. They went house to house for fellowship and spiritual learning
and witnessing. God hates religion and the following in our churches:
R -- ritual
E -- earnestness for superficiality... See More
L -- legalistic
I -- ignorant of a lot of what is God-pleasing
G -- going on with un-Biblical tradition
I -- “I” problem especially in pride and selfishness
O -- obnoxious
N -- nasty, hypocritical, and condemnatory like the Pharisees of old

***What was the Salvation good news (Gospel) preached before Jesus Christ went to die for the
sins of humankind? I have never heard that taught or preached. After the Resurrection of Christ,
the Gospel was added to of course as indicated in the teachings in the Epistles.

***And after rebirth Salvation, when unselfishness increases as we heed to Holy Spirit and Bible
urgings for changes towards Christ-like thinking and righteousness, we become better adopted
children of God. Repentance is not just done before the rebirth experience. Sanctification is not
automatic as many preach; it takes daily commitments by each of us.

***I am spending more time doing intercessory prayer for the Christian leaders and their
followers to live more Biblically and carefully share God's truths more. Most Christian churches
are so far away from Ephesians 4:11-16 and Titus 2 and Philippians 2:1-1-16. Why do we have
such bad political leaders now? Why is abortion, crime, lying, killing, illegal immigration,
divorces, and other immorality so common? How many Christian church goers are doing
anything for the Great Commission? Why are so many of them just religious and apathetic? Why
are so many loving the famous preachers who are not using or teaching the New Testament
properly? But most of my time is being used for encouraging seekers wanting to love God and
the Bible more and to become better examples of Christ-likeness in relation to others.

***It is too bad that most Christian leadership just wants to control others and keep doing the old
forms of ministry which are not like what the original Christian churches did. Our Internet
ministries and the home Bible study groups are much closer to the latter-- emphasizing the only
thing guaranteed not to come back void. And what do Philippians 2:1-16, Ephesians 4:1-16,
Romans 8 & 12, and Hebrews 10:19-25 mean in regards to churches and ministries. I believe that
most of the pastors and famous preachers are not teaching what pleases and displeases God or
using the Scriptures properly. I do a lot of praying for all of the leaders.

***I am tired of so many preachers emphasizing and misusing the Old Testament stories and
Proverbs. The latter are easy to manipulate or twist for teaching psychological changes of
thinking and doing. I think that such preachers are afraid of discouraging their followers with
the exhortations and commandments of Jesus Christ and in the Epistles. The Epistle of the
Apostle Paul to the Galatians indicates why we should want to be New Testament Christians
instead of Old Testament Christians. I did not say not to read or learn from the Old Testament,
because the whole Bible is for our learning and improvement. The Ten Commandments are still
for today and Proverbs 3:5-6 is the best way to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Then there are those preachers who focus on denominational distinctives and prophecy theories.
The former is wrong because of what Ephesians 4:1-16 indicates about proper unity. And
emphasizing End Times prophecy theories goes against a major theme (emphasis) of the Bible
which indicates that our focus should be on using the time that God allows us to have for
repenting from bad habits and sins towards doing what the Bible and Holy Spirit urge in
becoming more Christ-like. The main lesson from the C. S. Lewis book “Screwtape Letters” I
learned was that the spiritual enemy wants Christians to dwell on the past (because of bitterness,
resentment, and unforgiveness) or dwell on the hopes for the future instead of focusing on doing
the best with the current day's what should be precious time. Jesus Christ is coming back of a
purified Bride. The spiritual enemy is doing all they can to delay that by tempting Christians to
live as if they are still under the Old Testament legalism which the Pharisees promoted and
required of the Jews. Believing in Jesus Christ sets us free from such. The Bible and the Holy
Spirit are the best guides and counselors for whoever trusts God and wants to do the predestined
unselfish good works He has planned for each of His adopted children to live.

Most preachers do not teach the proper truths about Satan and spiritual warfare. Satan and God
get blamed for too much. Many blame either because of their own mistakes and sins. Comic
Flip Wilson was very wrong when he said "the Devil made me do it." Also, Satan is not
everywhere and all knowing. He relies on his army which include the fallen angels (demons)
and human beings. Ephesians 2:2 indicates that Satan is the " the prince of the power of the air",
but that does not mean that he causes all weather related tragedies. God can use weather for His
judgments. Also, not all sicknesses and other health challenges are caused by Satan or members
of his army. Like accidents resulting in broken bones. Most kidney stones are because of too
much calcium in one's diet. Did you know that Satan apparently did not focus on the Apostle
Paul? 2 Corinthians 12:7 "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason,
to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan
to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!" Emily said: “I do believe that there are evil
spirits (demons) at every turn, just waiting to make people stumble or fall away, to discourage
them, to make them doubt their beliefs, or/and to cause them to listen to all the man-made
doctrines and rules instead of reading their Bible and finding out what God has to say about
things. Also, often times they cause people to get too wrapped up in worldly things and personal
happenings, and so they don't take time to find out what God tells them to do about these things.”

***But I have other spiritual concerns: Most preachers create spiritual theories hoping to
become famous and rich sometime. And why do so many feel they need to yell and be dramatic?
The wrong preaching has caused a lot of disappointment, false accusations about individuals not
having enough faith depression, grief, anger, etc. But God did not intend that Christianity would
be pastor/preacher centered. He did not really want humankind to have kings and presidents. He
wanted us just to trust Him, but most professing Christians only trust their pastors or/and favorite
TV celebrities.

***The spiritual enemy's main weapon against us is untruthfulness via lying and deceit. That is
why the Philippians 4:8 has truth as first thing to think on and the first piece of spiritual armor
listed in Ephesians 6 represents truth. Some of the following words in those two lists could have
been the first one instead of truth with good reasons. I have never heard a preacher proclaim two
major emphases in the Bible are truthfulness vs. untruthfulness and repentance towards Christ-
like righteousness and compassion. Most just emphasize God's grace and love.

***I don't know of any popular Christian preachers plainly teaching the New Testament as
Ephesians 4:11-16 indicates. Pastor Charles Stanley is probably the closest to such. The other
famous preachers I have seen on TV are those who are either misusing Bible verses for their
spiritual theories or psychology advice. My free Bible study tools are for what Jude says:
“20 But you, beloved,
build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith
[make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher],
praying in the Holy Spirit;
21 guard {and} keep yourselves in the love of God;
expect {and} patiently wait for the mercy
of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--
[Who will bring you] unto life eternal.

Also my collection at 4b Sanctification and Consecration-- [Link]

***There are two ways to read the Bible: for selfish reasons and for unselfish reasons. Most
professing Christians do only the former way. I do all I can to encourage others to do the latter
way for making good changes in their ways of thinking and doing. God's truths and ways are
wonderful and result in wonderful feelings of divine peace and divine joy. During a sermon on
Romans 5:1-5, eight ways of relating to the Bible came to my mind. So the ways one should
relate to the Bible are 1.) Read, 2.) Study, 3.) Meditate, 4.) Memorize, 5.) Discuss it, 6.) Counsel
with it, 7.) Prepare a Bible study tool or teach it. Frequently living it should be done everyday by
Christians, but at least one of the others should be done too, preferable several.

Reading and study of the Bible should never be done when an individual is not thinking as
Proverbs 3:5-6 says. In other words, reading just to read or just because someone else says so
will usually not have lasting results. To me a key is thinking as Proverbs 3:5-8 commands, and
then an individual can become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, Who Jesus said in John 14-16 would
be a believer’s convictor, comforter, teacher, and guide. The following is my translation of those
important verses:
Trust in the Lord
with all my heart,
and lean not on my own understanding
or past experiences.
In all my ways acknowledge
(be thankful for) Him,
and He (via the Holy Spirit) shall direct
my thinking and doing.

***I mainly want to avoid sinning so that I can keep in communication with God. Any time we
think selfishly or do sin, the connection with God is broken. Then we must confess and repent
and live Proverbs 3:5-6 again. Romans 8 indicates two ways of living. And our top priority is
indicated in Philippians 2-3-- knowing Jesus Christ more and more. John 10:28-30 “My sheep
hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life; and
they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, Who gave
them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and my
Father are one.”

***God causes revival when humans do intercessory prayer and righteousness (especially
unselfishness). Many think that revival is having an evangelist or a well-known preacher or
prophecy expert or “faith healer” for a series of church, tent, or other building meetings. Bu such
is not revival according to God. You can have personal revival every day if you “talk to God”
about good changes you want to make in your life and desire Bible and Holy Spirit help to do
such. I even get revival almost every time I do a private Bible study.

***There is great persecution happening in Third World countries which is being ignored by
most “Christians” and apparently all politicians. Until 1999, I believed in the pre-trib rapture
theory. Now I think that when things really get rough for USA and European “Christians”, most
of them will get angry at their preachers for not telling them the truth. Only Christians who
know God's promises and commandments well enough will keep faithful to true Christianity and
be ready for the return of Jesus Christ. Spiritual apathy is increasing in the Western world
countries and most professing Christians are not relating to God as their best friend and are not
doing the urgings of the Holy Spirit. If they were, as most Christians in the Third World
countries where there is severe persecution against Christians, there would be wonderful revival
in the USA and Europe. But only a small number are standing up against what God hates. And
a small percentage of Christians are doing Christ-like compassion.

***I do share about the Two Great Commandments whenever I can. I usually use a spiritual
telescope (that can hear too and is a means of talking with someone too) illustration, pointing
such up for the first Commandment and when the Holy Spirit gives instructions to say and do, it
is pointed horizontally. Did you realize that the big Ten are directly related to the Great Two?
The first four are for the first Great Commandment and the last six for the second Great
Commandment. All of the commandments in the Bible can be put in either of the two
categories. Many preachers say that Christians don't need to care about any of the
commandments because they claim they were all nailed to the Cross and Christians are only
living in God's grace. Jesus Christ and the New Testament believers only had the Old Testament
to go by and later some of the Epistles. The Bible says that the ordinances were nailed to the
Cross and these include the commandments that were made only for the Israelites. The Sermon
of the Mount and the Epistles of Paul indicate that more righteousness is required from the
Christians than the Israelites. For example, the Sermon of the Mount is almost all
commandments and Romans 1-5 emphasize God's grace and plan for Salvation from spiritual
death, but the rest of the book (which was used in 1700s USA law schools) has many
commandments. They should have unselfish motives for being righteous and compassionate,
which explains why Jesus commanded us to have righteousness that exceeds that of the
Pharisees. Also, most of the commandments in the New Testament have to do with thinking not
doing which is opposite of the Old Testament commandment, ordinances, and rules. Why do so
many people declare Christians and Christian denominations hypocritical? Could it be that most
professing Christians are not obeying what Jesus Christ said, “If you love Me, you will keep My
commandments.” Such obedience is not legalism. The latter is when spiritual leaders and
spouses practically force others to obey them or certain verses in the Bible. If we are so thankful
for Salvation and how God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit have helped us to live
better lives, then we will want to do whatever the Holy Spirit and the Bible urges as we strive to
be more Christ-like and less selfish every day.

***I have had several personal revivals in private study and group discussion about 2
Corinthians 3-4. Those chapters along with Galatians clearly indicate the main differences
between Old Testament and New Testament living. And Romans 14:17 says that the Kingdom
of God for today “is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” As the moon reflects the
sunlight, Christians should be reflecting Christ-likeness. That is why I have encouraged
hundreds via e-mails and blog site communications, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 2:1-5, and Jude
20-23 living.