August 24, 2024

A couple of weeks ago, I prayed and asked God to give me more clarity in the scriptures. I felt like there were some missing pieces. Even though I know God’s word is complete, I lack understanding because He hasn’t revealed everything to me. He still hasn’t opened my eyes to everything, but he is slowly uncovering some details and giving me the confirmation I need from other teachers or pastors for confidence in what I have read in the Bible. Yes, there are some things we will not know because they are mysteries, but most of the information that we need is already written in the Bible. I think God may start to reveal more to His followers the closer we get to tribulation. Do we want Him to reveal everything? Probably not yet; I’m sure the details will be shocking and blow our minds. However, He paces us in knowledge so we won’t be devastated by what He discloses. As a caveat, especially in the age of false teachers and prophets, do not listen to anyone giving an opinion who doesn’t provide you with scripture backing. It’s up to you to follow up on any scripture to ensure it fits with what they proclaim. Is it in context with the rest of the chapter? If not, dismiss what is said that doesn’t match up. Mistakes don’t necessarily mean they are a false teacher, but you are responsible for the verification. Be a Berean, comb through the Bible, and verify that what is being said is true. When we ask, God will answer, so make sure you don’t dismiss what he reveals to you.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14-15

August 23, 2024

What in the world is happening in 1 John 5? Is it all John’s leftover thoughts that he combined to ensure he got everything on paper? He could have probably written chapters on many of the bits of information that he included. Some verses stand alone and didn’t seem to fit but could tell an entire story. He tells us that there are two different trinities: one in heaven and one in earth. We know about the first trinity mentioned: Father, Word, and Holy Spirit, but the trinity on earth had me searching for answers. Here’s the verse and the answer I found:

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:8

The explanation I found was in the Benson Commentary. It explains that the Spirit is the Holy Spirit, the water is baptism, and the blood is The Lord's supper. All three of these bear witness to our belief in Jesus. If you haven't been baptized, making an appointment with your pastor may be a good idea. Baptism is our public profession of faith. The Baptist church is great at making sure you are baptized but lacks when it comes to communion. If your church doesn't participate in The Lord's supper, you may want to institute it at home in a solemn dedication to the Lord. With the turmoil happening, it may be a good idea to take care of these housekeeping issues. I may be jumping around in 1 John 5 for a few days, but even though it's a short chapter, it's so impactful.

August 22, 2024

We’ve all heard this verse and have probably memorized it: 

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Take it to heart. Those who confess Jesus as our savior have a power beyond what we could imagine. It’s the power of Jesus within us and surrendering to Him to cause His power to take over. You will get nowhere if you continue in your own strength. Stop striving. 

From these same scriptures, we are called to test all the spirits and those who do not confess Jesus came in the flesh, is not of God, and is an antichrist. Are these words they cannot utter? Or is it that they are insincere? I know that certain cults use the name of Jesus, but they know a different Jesus than we do and call him the brother of Satan. They use His name, but it is powerless in their hands. Maybe it’s because they don’t believe He came as God in the flesh. Whatever the case, we need a certain amount of discernment, which comes through the Holy Spirit, to test the other spirits that have gone out into this world. How do we discern who the antichrist is? Deny your flesh and allow Jesus to take over. His power will be made perfect in your weakness.

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4:3

August 21, 2024

I went down a biblical rabbit hole this morning. In First John 3, he talks about loving one another, but not the kind of love that Cain had for Able when he killed him over his jealousy of God’s love. 

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 1 John 3:12

The first part of that verse had me wandering through the scriptures in Genesis. Could some of us be the devil’s prodigy because John calls Cain “of the wicked one?” We don’t know the origin of Noah’s three daughters-in-law. Noah comes through the lineage of Seth, but where does Noah’s wife come from? Even Matthew Henry calls Cain the seed of the devil!!

“It showed that he was as the first-born of the serpent's seed; even he, the eldest son of the first man, was of the wicked one. He imitated and resembled the first wicked one, the devil.” Matthew Henry

But then this scripture from Genesis stopped me from digging any further:

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. Genesis 4:1

Any of us could be a product “of the wicked one” or “the seed of the serpent” if we follow a path of sin and fail to love one another as Christ loves the church. Through his sermon, my preacher convicted me of my slackness in praying for my church family as I should, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for him and his family. I pray for them, but not as often as I should, especially during this time when spiritual warfare is at an all-time high. I’ve beefed up my prayer routine, and you are all included. I now make it a point to war on your behalf. It’s something we should all be doing. Love one another through your prayers. By the way, if you go down a rabbit hole like I did, you will learn something new and have your biblical knowledge increased. Dig in until you find your answer. 

August 20, 2024

Is tribulation close? No one really knows. However, there are a lot of signs that make it seem we are nearing it. Our money is not going very far; the cost of groceries is insane. If something doesn’t give, people are going to start losing everything. We are hearing of war and rumors of war, earthquakes, and terrible weather. Lawlessness is abounding, even in rural areas. These things are just the beginning; it’s going to get worse. You look at what’s going on and wonder how it could get any worse; Jesus warns that it will. I’ve been digging into 1 John, and he tells us that the antichrist will come from among us, that they know the ways of Christ but didn’t take it to heart. So he’s a fake Christian, proclaiming Christ but not accepting Him. Remember, and don’t be fooled; the devil comes as a beacon of light. Being he represents the devil, don’t you think he will use the Word of God against us? He will use scripture to convince us that he is one of us to seal the deceit as the devil did when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. I believe this person will proclaim Jesus from his lying lips but not take it into his heart. He knows the truth, but the truth doesn’t compensate him or give him power and wealth. Matthew Henry calls them entertainers or professors of apostolical doctrine. You will see inconsistency in his character; he is not Christ-like. You have the Holy Spirit, so you know the truth. Listen to him and stop pushing those whispers aside. Open your heart and mind so you will see when the deceiver comes; he may already be here.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 1 John 2:19

August 19, 2024

I've had difficulty writing for the last week. The words usually flow without trouble. I don't know if it's the subject matter or if it's the season we are in. Maybe it's a little of both. It also could be that I'm sharing information that is not the usual mainstream teaching and the powers and principalities want the secrets kept hidden. Whatever the case, I feel blocked. I'm privileged that God allows me to continue teaching His Word, so I will keep praying for His guidance each day until the fog has cleared and I can utter a few words of encouragement to the saints. Cling to Jesus because things are going to get rough in this world. The enemy is stirred and looking to take as many as he can into darkness. Stay vigilant in prayer, arm yourself with God's Word, and hide it in your heart. We are the light in this dark world, so shine for all to see. 

Side note: If you use an electronic Bible like I do, ensure you have a paper backup in case the grid collapses or the internet is removed. You always want to have access to God's truth. It will also be nice to know if the prophecy is being fulfilled, and without His Word in your hand, you may not know.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

August 18, 2024

Peace is a beautiful gift from Jesus. With all the turmoil in this world, we can rest easy and know that God is our stronghold from all adversity. We can hide under His wings, and he will shield us from the enemy's snare. The angels have charge over us to protect us. We will trample the lion and dragon under our feet! Whatever fears we might have of the antichrist or other enemy seem unfounded because we will rise above them. We can count on God to command his angels concerning us so we don't stumble. There is no one else we can trust more than Him. Don't allow the enemy to steal your peace and joy. We have a good reason to be thankful; our salvation rests in Jesus.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalms 91:14-16