Tag: Bible
The Bride of Christ
Today I would like to speak about the Bride of Christ as opposed to the Body of Christ. I will attempt to explain my reasoning why I believe that they are two distinctly different entities of the Church. The Body of Christ consists of all who have confessed Christ as their savior. The Bride of Christ are the ekklesia or the sold out bond-servants of Christ. Let me explain.
I do not believe there are different levels of Christianity. Some worship Christ for salvation only, and still enjoy worldly desires. They may even be oppressed in mind or have certain desire or lust they are trying, but unfortunately not able to completely overcome. They settle for a good Christian life, but with fleshy struggles. Their Bible study and prayer is sporadic and their discipleship is non- existent. The growth track they are on keeps their desire in the milk of the Word, not meat. They have not exercised their learning beyond the simplistic doctrines of the Church. They live in the elementary aspects of basic Christianity. To grow in Christ, find a mentor, get into a good Bible Study, find someone you trust to be a battle buddy to share and pray with. Most importantly read the Word! Neglecting the Word is neglecting Jesus. (John 1:1) Remember Jesus was not a man that became the Word, but the eternal Word who took on flesh and became a man. (Philippians 2:5-11) Fully God and fully man.
In Matthew 25 we have a parable of the wise and foolish virgins. The wise virgins are a type of the true Bride of Christ. They have a full supply of oil (Holy Spirit) and are ever watching for the Messiah to come back. May I ask, are you full of the Spirit, and longing to be filled every day? Their desire is to follow and please the Lord Jesus. They are aware of the time we live in, meditating on Christ and praying even if it is just a few minutes several times throughout the day. Following Paul’s admonition to pray without ceasing. The constant desire of bond-servants of God is to be pleasing to Christ and walk in submission to the Holy Spirit. They aren’t perfect, but they long to be transformed into the very image of Christ, “partakers in the divine nature of God”. (2 Peter 1:2-3),
The church is to be, sanctified, cleansed and presented to Christ without spot or blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-27)
A glorious church.
There are two priorities of the Bride, the Word and the Spirit. Worshiping in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:24) Live in the Word, and walk in His Spirit!
The Spirit and the Bride say “Come!” (Revelation 22:17)
You were born for such a time as this. Be strong and courageous for God chose us for this particular time. If He chose us, He will sustain us!
Maranatha – Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen! Rh
Blessings
Jude
Agreement
Living in Prophetic Times
Almost 1/3 of the Bible is prophetic. Meaning God told us hundreds of years what was going to happen before it did. God is not a secretive God, He wants His children to know and understand the times we live in. Discerning our times is not mystical, it is founded on the sure Word of God. Most of us know our world is in chaos and headed for judgement. But reading the Bible and understanding the times we live gives us comfort and strength to live a victorious life without fear or worry. Prophecy authenticates God’s sovereignty, brings awareness to our times, informs and equips us. Bible prophecy (the Word of God) is God’s way of telling us how much He loves us.
Too often we search for a prophet to give us a word from God. There should never be a priority put on human flesh that fails. The Bible is a sure word of prophecy. It must line up with the printed, Holy Spirit anointed scripture. Outside of that we must be careful. (read 2 Timothy 3:16-17.)
Don’t worry about anything but pray! Discern our times always through a prism of the Bible and God’s love for us. Rh
To listen to the full teaching and commentary go to my Podcast on Spotify & Podcast app or Telegram. Search Moral Conservative
Slumbering Pastors
This past weekend we had an event for all the Pastors in our country. We called it “Answer The Call.” The idea was to call the Pastors to awaken and get involved in the moral issues of the day and to speak out and stand against the blatant immorality that is permeating our society today. You know just do what Pastors are called to do. Be light and salt.” Light illuminates the darkness to expose and bring clarity. Salt is a preservative. When salt is applied to a wound or a cut, it hurts. Pastors need to speak truth. If our Pastors and churches aren’t involved in the fight, our nation will die. Immorality will reign and evil will destroy us. This is not optional, any Pastor who hides his head in the sand is not worthy to be called a man of God. Hiding behind your business and “church duties” is not acceptable. Speak up, stand up, and call out immortality and evil. That’s your job.
We invited over 80 Pastors to our brunch last Saturday, and only 14 pastors even bothered to show up. Our total of leaders and Pastors was a meager 41. Unfortunate, but true to form. I have tried for five years to sound the alarm as a watchmen on the wall, but to no avail. My heart is heavy! Well is it spoken of these AWOL Pastors who are woke and asleep. Isaiah well prophesied of them in Chapter 56:10 “His watchmen are blind, (can’t see), they are all ignorant (no knowledge), they are dumb dogs, they cannot bark (no voice), sleeping lying down loving to slumber (dreamers yet no Godly vision). Todays Pastors and parishioners would rather be prophesied to about great mysteries than to apply the word to our present evil. They scream tell us good things, we want our best life now!! We don’t want correction, we want prosperity. It’s a sad day for the church sitting in comfortable pews eating and drinking of God’s good pleasure without concern for the evil that permeates our culture.
It’s a culture war and the Pastors are mostly AWOL. God forgive us.
This may seem harsh, but it needs to be said. We are losing a war that should be won. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. However if the kingdom of darkness is not challenged, it will grow stronger day by day. I refuse to quit. The solution is to pray for your Pastor, speak to him and let him know the church needs to hear about what is happening in the world. If that doesn’t work, maybe a new church is the answer. Rh
OK Judge Threatens Christian Preacher with Arrest for Using Bible Verses in an Online Protest
An online Christian preacher has been ordered by a Washington County judge in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to stay silent on social media for five years after he expressed his moral and religious concerns in posts about a church that endorses same-sex marriage and a public drag queen performance in front of children.
A team of attorneys with The Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit civil liberties organization, has stepped in to help Rich Penkoski. They’re asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn the five-year restraining order against him, denouncing it as excessive and a clear violation of the pastor’s First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion.
Penkoski leads the Tennessee-based online ministry Warriors for Christ. Reported by Steve Warren CBN News
We better know what we believe and how to stand for what we believe. Christian persecution is ramping up. Rh
Contending for the Faith Part 4
I have been a Bible student for over 45 years, many of those if not all have been in teaching the Word of God. Over the years I have seen different fads and movements of God proclaimed as the next greatest. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed and we got back to what works best, and that is humility before God and a sincere desire to study and obey the Word.
I have two concerns that I may later elaborate on but one is the new idea that we rely so heavily on the Prophetic. I believe in the Word of God, and every “word” from God must line up with His Word. If it doesn’t it’s false, and if it doesn’t come true it’s false. Case closed. That’s the way it is.
We have become so lazy in this world with all the instant information, that we don’t or won’t seek out the answer in the Bible. We had rather take a quick fix from a “Prophet.” Nothing says Christian more than a dog eared Bible that is about to fall apart.
Final word of warning. Get in a Church or fellowship. Where the whole Bible is taught. It is important that each follower reads and knows the Word of God. Ask questions and contend for the faith! Rh
2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reroof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man or woman of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Contending For The Faith – Part 3
Pastors and churches have become very proficient in getting people “saved,” but not very good at getting them discipled. Preachers know how to pull at the heart strings to get people emotionally connected enough to confess Christ, raise your hand, pray a sinner’s prayer. Don’t misunderstand, there is nothing at all wrong with that. In fact every person has a starting point and that is it.
The Word in Matthew 28:19 tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples.” Hardest part of church life is being taught the Word. Teaching involves letting people know right from wrong in behavior and conduct. Teaching and instructing new converts may seem boring and not as exciting or glamorous as the jump and praise of a worship time, but is needed even more.
New converts may not know much of church culture and little of how to study and pray, WE as the church need to get on the ball and learn how to instruct and disciple newbies. Grab someone and be a mentor. Study after Church study shows us that few people in the pews truly understand what it means to have a Biblical World View. Each one teach one. We are all called to be one on one teachers! Take someone under your wing and be responsible for them.
Knowing right from wrong is not hard, but don’t settle for almost right. In this day and age we need clarity and a firm footing to survive the present evil day. Rh
Christian Conservative Coalition 