Obama and False Theology

The talking heads and fair-and-balanced panels on news programs today are debating whether there is a double standard in the reporting and result of Christian-speak. The players facing off this week are Mr. Obama and Mr. Santorum.

The President gave his interpretation of the Beatitudes during last week’s national prayer breakfast. It is being reported that Obama preaches a gospel message that proves that Jesus would raise taxes.

God Established Absolute Truth

Rick Santorun, on the other hand, speaks of God who established absolutes about what is true and what is not; the same God who requires righteousness and will judge what is sinful. That gospel message is too extreme, too divisive, too exclusionary, and too dangerous for main-stream media and perhaps Main Street, USA.

The media holds up Obama’s “theology” as main stream and practical – and nice. Mr. Santorum’s position that such theology is errant creates headlines that imply Mr. Santorum should be disqualified from office because he may actually believe what he says. And so the question of whether or not a double standard exists is being debated.

Faith – Media Double-Standard or Media Agreement?

I submit that the issue of whether or not there is a double standard is not the relevant point.  As usual, the question is a red-herring intended to disguise the real conversation. What is important to consider is that Mr. Obama speaks of a different god than the one to whom Mr. Santorum prays.

Mr. Obama and the main-stream media (who actually believe in a deity) believe in a god that fits neatly into the standard they conceived of as a useful and acceptable deity. They work under the assumption that God and Jesus must believe as they do and will serve their purpose. Any god who would not agree to their terms is not a god they can get behind. So, they mold god into a graven image; an idol who is powerless and inconsistent – but is reliably obedient.

The concept of god being a helper, an assistant, a useful tool when necessary… is not unique to Mr. Obama and his fellows. It is a belief shared by many “Christians.”

Mr. Santorum believes in the God of the Bible who spoke the world into creation and made man from a tiny smear of dust. There is no reconciliation to be made between the God Who is and a god who is not. It is blasphemy to those who believe in Mr. Obama’s god to agree with what Mr. Santorum suggests.

Obama does not speak for God – God speaks for Himself

Don’t get angry or frustrated when you hear what is being said on television or on the net. The Bible told us this would happen.

Neither logic or argument will convince either Obama or Santorum that they are wrong. Discernment is becoming the daily work for those in the family of Jesus Christ.

Preach the gospel in word and deed. Witness to those who have ears open to hear and eyes that see clearly. Don’t cast the pearl of God’s grace before “swine” who will only trample it in the dirt.

Salvation – Obama and Santorum

There is no possible for way for anyone to know the status of Mr. Obama’s or Mr. Santorum’s relationship with God. One moment Saul was the mortal enemy of Jesus Christ and the next he was the Apostle Paul who penned a great share of God’s Word.

Seek truth.  Ask for faith. Look and inquire in the right place and you will find both. The place is God’s Word, not in the news or commentaries.

God speaks for Himself.

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A discussion of the difference between God/god, Jesus/jesus, Grace/grace, and Christian/christian is included in the new book I will release later this spring, Rapture and Revelation. To keep up with the progress you can find Rapture and Revelation on Facebook or subscribe to Amazing Grays Ministry updates by entering your email address in the box in the right column.

The Promises of John 14:2-3

Jesus promised you a mansion in John 14: 2 and follows in verse 3 with this promise of Rapture:

Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus will receive us but He will not rope and drag us. The link that is ours alone is the willingness to step out in faith.

Anyone who knows me is painfully aware that I come up with an analogy or illustration about every 72 seconds.  Here’s the latest.

Who do you trust to pull the Ripcord on your Rapture parachute?

The Word of God tells us that we all have a moment of choice. What we choose determines our future. Scripture cautions us to be prepared as the time is near but unknown.

For the sake of the illustration let’s assume that every person is dressed in flight suit and parachute and is packed into the belly of a huge plane that continues to gain more and more altitude. Each one of us will approach the open door that leads from the safety of the life we know to one we don’t. That door is the symbol of Rapture.

You will go out the open door of that plane. If you refuse to jump you will find yourself out the door anyway without knowing what happened. You can’t go back and you can’t stand still. You will go out into the unknown one way or another.

The difference between life and death from the fall is whether or not your parachute opens in mid air.

Your Lifeline to Eternity with Christ

Next to the doorway that separates this world from the next is a line of cords, one cord for each person on the plane. Every worthy instructor you’ve ever had told you about that cord. This is your lifeline and now you can actually reach out and touch it.

Who do you trust with your ripcord?

Both teachers and your instruction manual tell you that this cord will open your chute at the exact time needed to make the journey safely.  All you need to do is take it in your hand and clip it to a ripcord ring on your parachute.  There are two rings on your parachute… one tiny one for the cord hanging before you and a bigger one that you think might open your parachute if you decide not to tie yourself to this airplane.

You have the parachute. You have the cord. You know how it works. You know you’re going out the door. You know the choice is yours – are you willing to make the irrevocable decision to snap that cord to your parachute or not?

Hanging in the balance…

Once you make a hard connection from parachute to cord – what if it doesn’t open your chute? What if that cord prevents you from falling to a place where you can safely open you chute? What if doesn’t open your chute but chains you to the plane instead, banging and pitching your body against the fuselage? Is the cord really safe or would it be better to grab the larger ripcord  ring and control your own destiny?

The question before you is one of faith. Do you have more faith in Jesus Christ and the Word of God or in you own ability and wisdom? Will you snap the cord to your chute and jump or just wing it on your own? Making the wrong choice leads to death; the right choice leads to life.

God provided the plane, the parachute, and the cord. The finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross makes us able to freely snap the cord to our parachute. That message has never wavered. You will arrive at that moment and face a leap into the unknown.

God’s Truth or the Lie of False Teachers

God made every provision for your journey home to occupy that mansion. That is true. But there are false teachers who tell you that God will never let you out that door into space without being properly hooked up. That is a lie.

The cord is within your reach. Your hand is the only hand that can snap it to your parachute.

Will you be Raptured? The choice is simple and it is entirely yours. Who will you trust with the ripcord on your Rapture parachute?

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This is an illustration, not an exhaustive message of either Rapture or salvation. But the truth remains… God will make you ABLE no matter what – but He will never make you WILLING. The choice is yours.

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Bo helps me deliver a message.

To be perfectly honest, this was the first time we spoke during an actual church service. We’ve been to churches, taken Bo to church with us, spoken to church groups, and done round pen programs at church arenas – but never on Sunday morning.

While the foundational pillars of our message never change, I still spent quite a bit of time preparing to deliver a message suitable for the occasion.

Reworking the Message

Several times during prayer and at least once in the middle of the night, I reached for pen and paper and drew up yet another new outline for the talk. Most of you who struggle to bring only spirit-directed messages know that regardless of how much you prep sometimes the Holy Spirit changes everything right before you begin.

Brazos Trails was another example of the Spirit at work. As I sat in the third row waiting to go up front I realized my hands were cold and my mind was a blank. The wireless mic was ready but I didn’t have one outline left in my head. I told the Lord, “I am willing, just make me able.”

My mind went blank

As I wordlessly prayed for assistance I was reminded of the purpose of Amazing Grays Ministry. We are to be fertilizer to the church of Jesus Christ on earth. Our message is always one of faith that overcomes fear through Christ.

Remember, I spent decades as a horse breeder and trainer and I live in a barn. I have moved countless tons of fertilizer from horse stalls to the manure spreader over the years and will do it all over again today.

My husband and I are well-acquainted with fertilizer. When it is applied properly it produces fruit in sweet abundance. When used improperly it just stinks.

Messages of faith over fear.

Two Scriptures Tell the Whole Story

That little reminder put me back on track just before I stood up to go forward. The program was simple and based on the bookmark we use as a business card. I knew the bookmark would come in handy and we made them available to everyone. Why take notes when the scriptures are on the bookmark?

• The scripture on the front is 2 Corinthians 5:17, the wonderful gift of being a new creation in Jesus Christ.
• The scripture on the back of the bookmark is John 16:33, the promise that while we will have tribulation in the work, Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

After the service I spoke with two people who didn’t attend Brazos Trails but were led to visit last Sunday. Both had read or were reading Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace. When they saw me they knew why they were there.

If you have the opportunity, visit Brazos Trails Cowboy Church in Weatherford, Texas. It is vibrant, has a great arena program, and the Spirit of God is at work – and we were blessed by the experience.

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Barb and Roger

If you grew up in the 50′s or 60′s like I did you know how different the world is today. The transition from personal responsibility to  the idolization of the individual has had a negative affect on most parent-child relationships. Barb’s story is a trip down memory lane.

Personal Accountability and Memory Lane

Of course, the root cause is the present lack of accountability to God.

Visit Barb’s post to enjoy this great story and lesson about the gift faithful (and creative) parents teach their daughter and son when she pitches the head of lettuce at his head with unexpected consequences.

Growing up Accountable

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Atheists don't realize they work for Satan.

The Bible records a number of general messages of hope for Christians. One of my favorites is John 16:33 -

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

There is little doubt that we are moving ahead with increasing speed toward the day of Rapture. What one might wonder is just how much of the depravity, lies, and evil the church of Christ will have to endure before being called home.

Matthew 10:23 addresses that very issue:

“When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

Stay focused. Stay steady. Fear not. Before we are run into a corner with no avenue of escape left… we will be gone.

Have a blessed day.

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Knocking at the wrong door.

Calling the “Flock” to come in.

Recently we went out to the horse side of our barn (we live on the other side) and called the six horses in for the day. Every day is the same, they come in through the gate inside the barn and walk to their rooms. The open layout of our barn makes it possible to see every spot in the barn no matter where you’re standing. There are no full stall walls or separations that might confuse my poor horses.

At the south end of the barn breezeway is a gate that opens to the pasture. Our horses can look inside and be close to us anytime they want, but they do not come in to the barn through that gate.

There is an order of appearance each morning; first Asti, then Bo, then Swizzle, then Shiner, Cooper and Ace. Sometimes Bo makes it in before Asti, but this is the usual routine.

One little lost ‘lamb”

On this particular day Ace didn’t come to the barn gate. Instead, he hung his head over the breezeway gate and gave us the “Please let me in, don’t forget about me!” look. I told Ace to come around. He just tried to stretch his head and neck further over the gate at the end of the breezeway. When he made no move to come around I closed the breezeway door on him so he couldn’t see  me and I couldn’t see him.

The horse's rooms in our barn.

Had Ace lost his mind? He “desperately” wanted to come in and have breakfast. Yet he didn’t go to the gate. I didn’t want to go back into our side of the barn with Ace still outside so I went to the inside gate and called Ace. I walked another 20 feet and called again. Ace finally came around and went in.

You can’t fool God

Guess what happened the next morning? You got it. Ace didn’t come in again; choosing instead to look over the breezeway gate begging for me to open it. I told him to come around and closed the overhead door. The battle for power was on. Ace got a lick in on me the day before when I gave in to his little ploy. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.

Ace was knocking on the door begging to come in – but it was the wrong door.

Jesus tells us that if we knock the door will open. Did you ever consider whether or not you were knocking on the right door?

There is only One Door – Jesus Christ

Ace thought it far more convenient to come in through the door nearest to where he was; the most convenient door. He knew I could open the breezeway gate if I wanted to and he was making a pathetic little power-play to see if I would give in.

But, in my barn the horses come in through the smaller inside gate. That is the only gate I will open and they know it. Horses are better people trainers than humans are horse trainers. God, however, will never be “schooled” by one of us.

God told us which gate He would open. He told us it would be very narrow. He told us it is the only gate that will allow us to enter.

The lost lamb comes home

Once Ace realized that there would only be one open gate, what did he do? He used his own horse power to walk around and in through the open gate. He knew where it was, he just wanted to come in the easy way.

No matter how pathetic your plea, or how much God loves you, there is only one open door. He told you where it is. Will you come in?

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A world in decline.

God, Family, Country – Redefined

God used to be a universal concept. One could safely assume that a reference to God was to the God of the Bible. Today’s god is the individual, the idolization of humans, and the worship of the created, not the Creator.

Family used to mean Mom, Dad, and their biological or adopted children. The further back you go the more extensive the definition of family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all fell within the scope of the ‘family.’ A family today is defined by each little god since each one is free to define what ‘family’ means for them regardless of legal or genetic ties. Many marriage licenses are replacing the identifiers Bride and Groom with Person A and Person B.

A Nation in Decline

As the emphasis changes from God to god, and traditional family to ‘roommates of the moment’ there is a similar transition in the concept of ‘country.’ Soldiers and elected officials used to pledge themselves to protect and defend the Constitution. Our President and at least one of our Supreme Court Justices believe the Constitution is a hindrance rather than a foundation.

Now ‘country’ has no secure border, no unification in the definition of citizen, and is losing what little unity remains as the three branches of government operate like they do at Burger King, “Have it your way.”

“I, Me, Mine” – A powerless trinity

The Trinity of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit is unchanged. Regardless of what any little god chooses to believe, the truth that was is the truth that remains. The emphasis and worship of “I, Me, and Mine” has no power except to separate each little god from the God of the Bible, the only God.

The only name with power is the name of Jesus Christ, not the label of “christian.” That same Power is returning soon. The King is coming and the time is near.

Persevere to the end and escape the tribulation that will come to all the little gods of this world.

But concerning the time and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

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Read more about the national decline in, Cultural Isolation is Separating America – Where are you in the divide?

Why replay a victory?

In my study this morning I read Paul’s second letter to Timothy. When I started my regular work there was an email asking writers to submit articles about how to turn back the aging clock. I wrote a post on Simple truth – Simple faith about the fight against wrinkles and gravity. It melded perfectly with Paul’s message to Timothy.

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”  -  2 Timothy 4:7

Our body bears visible evidence of the battles fought and won over the years. It is the soul that binds body and spirit together and the scars of your rigorous race are just as eternally etched on what is not visible.

The end is in sight. The King is coming. The race is nearly over. Victory is but a heartbeat away.

God doesn’t expect us to cross the finish line looking as fresh as we did at the beginning. Paul told Timothy he was poured out wine and that the time of his departure was at hand.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, and ministers are also to be poured out wine for their children, grandchildren, students, and fellows.

Poured Out and Used Up

God expects us to arrive at the finish line in a threadbare suit of clothes, not dressed in a perfectly fitted and ironed designer outfit without any wrinkles, stains, or signs of use.

Do you hanker after a more youthful appearance? Would you replay your life if the opportunity existed? Don’t worry about wrinkles and gravity.

The finish line is closer than you think. How can you help someone else cross it with you?

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Linked to this article:

LynnBaber.net:  Pursuing youth – Would you really turn back the aging clock if you could?

AmazingGraysMinistry.com: Walking with Jesus – A suit of clothes

Learn wisdom from the simple.

^” For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;  and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are”

1 Corinthians 1:26-28

God is simple. Nature is simple. Little children are simple. Horses and dogs are simple. Paul’s message reminds us to observe and learn from such simple ones that we too may learn the truth of His creation and His Word.

Go out and thank a horse today!

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Portrait of the A-political Christian

Mr. Obama is selling a false message. His lie is revealed to Christians in the 14th chapter of Matthew.

The Lie of Separation of Church and State

It shouldn’t be news to anyone that the separation of church and state is a false teaching adopted by non-believers (or duped believers) for the purpose of nullifying the power of God’s Word on the conduct of United States citizens.

A liberal and purely secular judicial system established such separation as a constitutional fact when it is not. If you aren’t aware of the particulars, send me a note and I’ll steer you to enough links to settle the matter.

How should Christians behave politically? Should you remain separate in a bid to be in the right constitutionally or should you be  more of an activist?

You have two choices, you may be obedient to God or acceptable to the world. That’s it. There is no middle ground.

It’s Time to Pick Sides – God or Not God

On March 11, 2011 I began making this declarative statement; “This is the End Time.”  Does anyone really disagree?

There is no more time on the clock. God expects your answer now. I don’t know the day and time of the Rapture, but I do know that this is the time to be ready and looking up in expectation. Failure to be ready NOW is to be left behind with what you freely chose- the world.

Failure to participate in the political process that affects your family and your brethren is to hide your head in the sand. Such a stance accomplishes nothing more than leaving your backside exposed.

No Matter What He Thinks, President Obama is not Jesus Christ

Will that statement be criticized? I expect so, but that cannot be my concern. I did not use this heading to sensationalize anything, but to correct a foundational political error being made by Christians.

Let me make one comparison that I hope will convey the message properly.

The 14th chapter of Matthew tells how Jesus fed five thousand men, their women and their children, with only five loaves and two fish brought by someone who came to the event prepared.  Jesus took what was offered, blessed it, and shared with all who hungered. Once everyone was filled there remained an abundance that exceeded what was there at the first.

President Obama and his fellows believe they can take from those who have much and distribute it to all. Not only do they swear to the lie that all will be filled, but that much will still remain.

The Heart and Spirit of Barack Obama

As a Christian, do you believe the lie? Don’t. President Obama cannot take from some, bless the spoils, and miraculously make enough for all to have plenty.

Is Barack Obama a good man? Is he deliberately lying or honestly deluded? Is Barack Obama a Christian? I don’t know the answer to any of those questions. I don’t need to know the answer and neither do you.

Any Christian who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and believes the Bible to be the inspired Word of God has no stake in the condition of President Obama’s heart or spirit. Your only loyalty is to the person of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified for you.

Will you choose Christ?

Will you choose the Christ who called you to be His or politicians who falsely declare “truth” to the masses in hopes of retaining power?

President Obama will lecture, berate, cajole, and promise, but he can deliver nothing more than what he first takes from someone else. So will other politicians, preachers, teachers, and leaders. Only if you are entrenched in the truth of Christ revealed by the Holy Spirit will you be able to discern the truth from the lie.

• In what universe would God observe the work of an abortionist with a smile?

• On what planet would God bless the “Christian” marriage of a same sex couple with His presence?

This is the day. You must decide. Will you choose God or Not God. There is no middle ground.

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