Can I stay true to God and be in His will, if I live my life according to His Word but my local church is part of a denomination which is heading down the road to apostasy? It doesn't appear so. There is a gigantic cancer in the United Methodist Church and the damage, to me, is irreparable. I had hoped a return to the church of my youth would be a permanent move, but other forces are making this impossible for me.
The denomination is in a much worse state than I previously thought. There are people in leadership positions who are in open rebellion against the standards and laws of the UMC. Every four years a general conference is held where rules and laws can be changed. When this can affect change to adherence to long standing and believed Christian truths, it is a big problem.
I apply the following Scriptures to this situation: "...don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."--James 4:4-5. "...come out from them and be separate says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."-- 2 Corinthians 6:17.....to name a couple.
Although my local UM church, for the most part, appears to be sound and is made up of good Christian people, it looks the next stop in my journey is the Wesleyan Church.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Difficult Times are Upon Us
I am sick and tired of Satan using his minions and lackys to cripple the Church of Jesus Christ.
I am sick that I thought I finally found a church home in the church of my youth, but the more I read of the happenings within the denomination, I'm feeling more and more that I must once again pack it up and look elsewhere. Why is it so difficult to find a good church without much baggage? Why can't there be a thriving, orthodox church in this area? There are the blind who don't see or don't want to see the clear teaching of the Word on the issue of homosexuality:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
I am sick that I thought I finally found a church home in the church of my youth, but the more I read of the happenings within the denomination, I'm feeling more and more that I must once again pack it up and look elsewhere. Why is it so difficult to find a good church without much baggage? Why can't there be a thriving, orthodox church in this area? There are the blind who don't see or don't want to see the clear teaching of the Word on the issue of homosexuality:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:18-32
God help me to find a church where the biblical view is one of a Wesleyan perspective and there is no compromising of the Word of God.
God help me to find a church where the biblical view is one of a Wesleyan perspective and there is no compromising of the Word of God.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Is Apostasy a Real Thing?
There is one section of Scripture that has continually fascinated, frightened and puzzled me over the years, but now, I believe, I'm starting to get a grip on its teaching. The passage in question is Hebrews 6:4-6:
"For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt."
First, we should take the Scripture for what it says and not try to explain what was "actually meant". It seems pretty clear to me. I don't buy into the interpretation that "tasted" and "enlightened" mean "almost tasted" or "almost enlightened". This is someone who was/is on the inside.
Next let's look at some verses related to the concept of eternal security. John 10:28-30 says:
28" I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.[c] 30 The Father and I are one.”
I believe this to be true. The fact is no one outside of myself can separate me from the Father's love....no person, demon, angel or the devil himself. The difference, and this was the breakthrough for me is that the Lord has given us free will. Thus, if a person comes to a point in their life that they no longer believe God for Who He is and what He says, they have the ability to turn their back on the Lord and walk away. If they do, sadly, they may not and cannot return again. I am not talking about the Christian who continually falls to sin and confesses that sin. God will forgive a believer a million times if they sincerely go to Him and repent.
"For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt."
First, we should take the Scripture for what it says and not try to explain what was "actually meant". It seems pretty clear to me. I don't buy into the interpretation that "tasted" and "enlightened" mean "almost tasted" or "almost enlightened". This is someone who was/is on the inside.
Next let's look at some verses related to the concept of eternal security. John 10:28-30 says:
28" I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.[c] 30 The Father and I are one.”
I believe this to be true. The fact is no one outside of myself can separate me from the Father's love....no person, demon, angel or the devil himself. The difference, and this was the breakthrough for me is that the Lord has given us free will. Thus, if a person comes to a point in their life that they no longer believe God for Who He is and what He says, they have the ability to turn their back on the Lord and walk away. If they do, sadly, they may not and cannot return again. I am not talking about the Christian who continually falls to sin and confesses that sin. God will forgive a believer a million times if they sincerely go to Him and repent.
God's Still Working on Me
God continues to amaze me as I see Him lead me in ways I can never imagine. How could I have ever know that returning to the church of my childhood and family would make it possible for me to be offered an employment opportunity that would save me from a very difficult and increasingly miserable situation. How could my new employer know about my situation? The Lord must have been working in the background. I go into this new opportunity with some trepidation as much of what I will deal with will be new to me, but I believe my years of experience in this area of business has prepared me as well. It appears I will have the opportunity to work with former fellow workers and old friends. This part I am looking forward to with great anticipation. I will get to work more realistic hours, attend church on Wednesday evenings, eat dinner at a reasonable time and not spend so much time travelling to the job and back. The situation should be so much better than what I've experienced the past eight months. I know it won't be easy and there will be difficult times, but I look forward to my new job with excitement and interest. Once again I get to learn new things and grow. This is great for a guy who will turn, Lord willing, 65 years old later this year. To God be the glory...great things He has done!
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Random Thoughts
If I had just "stayed put" in some ways, I would have saved myself a lot of trouble over the years.
What time I have left I must find the way meant for me to take a stand and fight for biblical truth.
Even though I'm not big on denominations, the United Methodist Church is a denomination worth saving from Satan and his minions. Help me Lord to fight for it.
What time I have left I must find the way meant for me to take a stand and fight for biblical truth.
Even though I'm not big on denominations, the United Methodist Church is a denomination worth saving from Satan and his minions. Help me Lord to fight for it.
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