Category: Evangelical Christian

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father but through Me.”

Is Jesus a liar, lunatic or Lord? (You must answer this question to press on!)

CROSS PURPOSES

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CROSS PURPOSES

By Rick Mathes

Luke 23:33 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

Two thousand plus years later and we are still marveling over the Cross that became our Lord’s throne as He gave His all for all of His. That same Cross attracts and repels and our world hasn’t been the same since. It is a place for the hopeless to receive mercy which for the lost world just doesn’t make sense. They can be so near their salvation and yet be so far; a real enigma.

You have to admit that His crucifixion was a strange event. Come on, God was nailed t a tree and died? How could such a thing happen? Why would you want a dead god? Well glory to Him, He rose from the dead and that makes it all make sense, like Josh McDowell wrote in “The Evidence Deserves a Verdict.” But no, who wants facts that oppose their preconceived conclusion? Only those He causes to understand will ever receive the Holy Spirit and accept this atonement and guarantee of our eternal life.

It was all unequaled suffering that is not known in our day. We just don’t understand the horror our Lord suffered mentally in the garden and physically on the death stake.

His sacrifice met the just standard Father God has set for the forgiveness of sin. He could not have put the bar any higher. The death of His own Son was the ultimate display of His love for His created.

It was the forgiven thief that was the first to welcome our returning Lord to His throne. Our Savior took three days to set the captives free but the thief couldn’t wait. He said, “Today you will be in paradise.”

This was a totally peerless example of God’s justice, forgiveness and love. There has never been an equal nor will there ever be. Just imagine: He died deader than a door-nail and raised Himself up to life! A dead corpse decided on His own to come back to life. This has got to leave you breathless and in complete submission to His Lordship and your hope of eternal life in the New Jerusalem.

COREM DEO BEFORE GOD

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CORUM DEO – BEFORE GOD

By Rick Mathes

Hebrews 10:1 (NASB77) Heb 10:1 (NASB77)  For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.

Every instance in the Bible when someone came into the presence of God, their face hit the ground and they were horrified by how sinful they were in the face of God. It was a terrifying experience unlike the entertainment franchises with a cross on the roof we call churches. The majority of professing Christians are ignorant to what true worship really is: coming into the personal presence of God (in His face).

They are hindered by unbelief. Oh they may agree to the Westminster Confession of Fatih and have the right answers to the right questions but they stop short of believing that we must be Holy or we will never enter heaven. We form our own religion that suits our beliefs as far as we allow our heart to reach. Close but no cigar!

If this sounds like you, be honest: you have unconfessed sin that the Holy Spirit has been hounding you with. You have invented your own god who doesn’t really care about your minor sins. Your god is only interested in the big sins! How absurd. A Holy God demands nothing less than holiness.

Harboring what you believe to be a benign sin is a completely wrong attitude. It was sin that killed God’s only Son. All sin is lethal and you and I must be 100% sinless or we will never enter the glory-land. Well, you know well as I do that it is impossible. The only way to the Father is through the Son so face it. Anything you believe otherwise, no matter how small or insignificant you may thinkit is to be, if it is not wholly Jesus, it is wholly and fatally wrong: No sin period!

So if you keep placing your priorities around the edges, it won’t due. You are only fooling yourself unless you make your only goal in life the pursuit of holiness. Don’t hold anything back no matter how insignificant you may believe the sin to be.

You are advancing into the face of the enemy and Lucifer can be a formidable enemy. He only needs to would you with a small sin to cause a fatal blow. Stand boldly before God and don’t hold anything back. You’ve been warned!`

CORRUPTION

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CORRUPTION

By Rick Mathes

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Corruptions on every front occur in the world and the church before our very eyes and we let them happen; everyone, whether in politics or in the pulpit is afraid to speak the truth because truth has been corrupted beyond recognition.

In either circle it begins by following humanist leaders. We call them liberals but the fact remains that they are conservatives with masks on. They are not just “Joe six-packs” in taverns or legislators in government; they are also graduates of seminaries.

They favor earthly, carnal, self-centered wisdom no matter how it’s packaged or marketed. I live in the real world but my heart is in the heavenlies. I see and you do too the nonsense that is offered as good-sense.

You can’t help but flounder in the flesh of relativism. It’s like throwing darts at a moving and changing target. There is no objective bull’s eye there is only bull s—t.

With an ever changing truth we give little or no thought for future judgment because what is there to judge? When there is no right there is no wrong and the lie becomes the truth. The Word of God warned us and the fulfillment is upon us. Why fear a judge of no laws or punishment. Muslims call it “kismet.”

The spiritual leaders flatter themselves by the attendance and wealth of their churches. All of hell has put its weight on their eyes to look outward instead of upward.

When you aren’t eye to eye with Jesus you are well on your way to sink to the depths of Satan’s evil abyss of fire. Faithfulness to Christ is measured by three words: repent, submit and obey If you will do these corruption wherever you feet are planted will flee.

Otherwise you are fragmenting the Body of Christ. You have corrupted to the point where you are not the solution, you are the problem. Guess what happens when you spit into the sky; it falls back on you.

CONQUERERS

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CONQUERERS

By Rick Mathes

Romans 8:37 (NASB77) 37  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

C.H. Spurgeon: Jesus is the representative man for His people. The head has triumphed and the members share in the victory. While a man’s head is above the water you cannot drown his body.

All the hope of ministry lies in the

Spirit of God operating on the spirits of men.

Jess disciples in His absence. The Holy Spirit then is all the Christ we need until His return. We pay so little attention to the Spirit of God that maybe now, in this devotional, we can give credit where credit is due.

Can you even imagine they removed the head of a trained monkey and attached it to a headless body of another monkey and it retained all its knowledge and training! A surgeon removed the heart from a patient and put it into a pan and then returned and put the silent heart into the man again and it began to throb with life. Where is life if all our body parts can be replaced? In Christ!

This inner vitality from Him makes us “able not to sin.” We have put out the flames of hell and have been resurrected from the dead. There was a time we walked around looking for a place to be buried but we were cowards to take our life. Now we cherish the Lord because His is the way, the truth and the life. We can defeat the most evil demons of hell and not even fear Lucifer himself because we win!

Sin cannot have dominance over us any more than darkness can put out light. All of hell, all sin, all demons and Lucifer himself is nothing more than an itch on God’s nose! So why are you surrendering to the losers?

Finally, we have a Commander-in-Chief that leads us to certain victory. We join Him as family, His family and full heirs to His estate. It is this eternal Glory in His Kingdom that we pledge our life, liberty and fortunes.

It all begins at the beginning: we are more than conquerors because we put on the full armor of God and fight our battles on our knees in prayer. Imagine that! We have His ear, His full attention anytime we need Him. What more assurance do we need that the battle is ours?

 

CONFESS AND REPENT

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 CONFESS REPENT

By Rick Mathes

Matthew 3:2 ” Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Many will confess but very few truly repent and it is very important that you do so. Every time you wantonly sin Satan writes that sin on the caulk-board in heaven and every time you repent, the Holy Spirit erases the sin out of sight. Sanctification’s objective is to keep the blackboard clean but just confession won’t do it.

  • Confession sin is worrying about the punishment that is the consequence of sin.
  • Repentance is worrying about the sin whose consequence is punishment.
  • Conversion is a change of action after you have had a true change of mind.
  1. The first sermon John the Baptist preached was “Repent!”
  2. The first sermon Jesus preached was “Repent!”
  3. The first sermon Peter preached was “Repent!”
  4. The first sermon Paul preached was “Repent!”

Are you getting the message?

Repentance is simply a turning toward Jesus. I never quit drinking. It quit me. When you are looking upon Him, the devil has no entry level. I love Jesus more than the sin and you should too.

When you turn to God you have put your back to Father Lucifer. The devil does not like your disrespect of the “Angel of light.” You have declared war on hell and I can guarantee all of his fallen angels are going to break loose on you like a swarm of angry hornets. You can expect violence and deceit unimagined from the most unlikely people!

Reverend Lucifer is too slick to make him obvious. He would rather turn your heart back to him from the pulpit of your favorite churches. If your minister doesn’t preach repent, submit and obey you have been sitting under the evil one. You have become a Satanist because you won’t turn from the sin the Holy Spirit has been convicting you of.

You refuse to turn from sin to the Savior and cause the very angels of heaven weep for you as the Good Shepherd laments one lost lamb.

The fruit of true salvation is good works. You were created in the image and likeness of Jesus and all he did while he was on planet earth and served those who were His. Repent and do likewise so that all will know that you have had a conversion experience and are now walking you talk!

COMMUNION

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COMMUNION

By Rick Mathes

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;

Sharing the bread and wine in remembrance of Him is the privilege of the believer. Non-believers or those seeped in willful and unrepentant sin are not welcome at the table. No, we aren’t actually eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Ask the Apostles who were there if they did. No, it’s just a symbol on the outside of what has happened on the inside. We become one with Him when we are born again. It is at this point of communion that we reaffirm that we are not ours anymore. We surrender all as we remember Him and His sacrifice for us: a very special commemoration.

In sharing the elements as fellow Christians in good standing, we confess our sins and our allegiance to the King. When the Body of Christ comes together in corporate worship we declare to the world our unity regardless of denominations. Our doctrinal differences or distinctives melt into thin air as the Holy Spirit blesses all that confess Jesus as Lord equally.

Our being in one accord is clearly communicated to all who will look. The talk is real when the walk confirms it and that is certainly the case as we all remember Him for who He is and who we should be in Him. Our actions speak louder than words. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the gospel and use words when necessary.”

As we commune as one in Him, the Holy Spirit seals us until Jesus returns and breaks the seal. He, only He, the Lamb of God is qualified to break the seal so that the Groom may be united with the Bride (The Church).

This amounts then, in its totality as a consecration of us for Him. Roman Catholic priests have their thumb and two fingers consecrated, declared without sin, so as to touch the host (Body of Christ) they believe is truly His flesh. I suggest that a true biblical communion results in the Holy Spirit consecrating not just our fingers but our whole being so that we will be pure and holy in His sight.

COMMANDS

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COMMANDS

By Rick Mathes

1 Corinthians 7:19 (NASB77) 19   Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.

God so loved the world that He didn’t send a committee! He sent His only beloved Son, and when Jesus speaks, we listen and respond, “Yes Sir!” Our Lord isn’t into arm-wrestling with us over His will in our lives. We are to simply believe and obey Him. Even a slight hint a what will please our King is an imperative command, more than that, a demand we must hasten to obey.

What is lacking is both the church and the state is fear of God. If you are an unbeliever, fear of eternal dying in the flames of hell should deter you from ignoring His every wish. And fear of offending Him or hurting your feelings shold be a constant reminder to us to fear His displeasure. There is no need for a believer to fear God’s wrath: praise the Lord! But if you deny Him He will forsake you and Satan will have His way with you forever.

When the faith is set out before you and His biblical commands are clear, you walk in all His ways not yours. Once experienced however, His way becomes your preferred way because it is paved in peace, happiness, and the security that His will in heaven is being effected through you on earth. As His golden vessel or clay potty, you have obeyed Him.

What else can follow then but your love for Him, heart and soul? Bless the Lord, Oh my soul with all that is within me! Feelings and facts fall into place as He would have them because you believe and obey His wishes to the last drop of blood He shared for you. Really, all is in harmony when heaven and earth are tuned to the same key and you orchestrate as called and chosen.

Nothing is held back as you advance in rank and responsibility. The war is on and the evil one’s days are shortened as the time grows near so nothing less than complete obedience will do.

It’s so simple but keeping His commandments is the hardest thing you will ever be asked by the Lord to do. It’s impossible to obey His commandments to the letter of the law but it was accomplished in Him and it’s His righteousness that is placed on us and that’s why we can’t help but shout from the roof-tops, “My Daddy is the Commander-in-Chief of the universe!”

Believe and obey, there’s no other way…..

 

COMFORTER

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COMFORTER

By Rick Mathes

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Islam teaches that Jesus sent Mohammed to be our counselor and teacher not the Holy Spirit. Talk about scripture twisting, they also claim that Abraham was to sacrifice Ishmael not Isaac. How out-there can one get. Yet, most people you ask haven’t a clue what or who the Holy Spirit is and what His involvement is in our lives to this moment! I won’t even begin to suggest to you that I am the final word on this issue but I have made a few observations the teachings of the Bible that makes the Holy Spirit a critical component of my life in Him.

The Paraclete is definable to the extent that we understand Him to be equal to the Father and Son. Now I have read many books and articles trying to explain that the three independent personalities are one person and none of them make any sense! But just because I don’t understand it doesn’t mean God doesn’t know it. I just accept the Trinity by faith in the Word that says it is so. I like the analogy that the Father is the sun, the Son is  the illumination and the Holy Spirit is the warmth between them. Or how about one times one times one equals One?

What can I say with certainty is that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. He brings the warmth of the Son into your heart and being. He embraces us with the confidence that everything is going to be ok. It’s a real blessed assurance not a counterfeit that the devil cooked up. You can’t touch the flames without pain and where there is smoke, there is fire. But when the dove lights on your head, the peace that surpasses understanding washes your soul and enlightens your heart with an appreciated confidence that strengthens your resolve to press on.

The Comforter provides comfort to the comforted!

This is a real life experience with the Holy Spirit that is felt, actuated and confirmed by the Word of God and the lives of the spirits submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. The unbelieving doctor said, “Can you see, smell, taste, hear, taste or feel the Holy Spirit?” The Christian answered, “I can feel Him.” “That makes it 4 against and one for. As a doctor of medical science, I won’t accept that as fact.” The Christian countered, “Can you see, smell, hear, taste or feel pain?” The Doctor admitted he could feel pain. The Christian countered, “Then it’s a fact the Holy Spirit is as real to me as pain is to you. I pray you believe and the pain will pass!”

COME TO ME

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COME TO ME

By Rick Mathes

John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ” If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.

Jesus Christ is God, is alive and is coming back. Now this is reason enough for me to come to Him when I am a quart low. He and He alone have the Living Water in His essence, the Word and in His form, His person. So all I need to do is study His Word, pray and meditate and I will be refreshed and preserved to another day.

There is no other name in heaven, earth or below to call on. All others smolder and smell from the flames of the abyss: demons with masks on. Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life. Now I must admit to you that I still struggle with a concept being a person. I will discuss this issue in another devotional. This much I do know, there is no other Savior but Jesus Christ.

When I go to His Word, the Holy Spirit makes the verses come alive. I can almost feel a heartbeat just laying my hands on the Gospels. His Word becomes even more powerful when I read His actual words. Did you know that if you just read the “red parts” (His quoted words) it will only take you three hours?

The main thing you find is wisdom that surpasses Plato and Aristotle. In fact philosophers are fools who ask other fools foolish questions and get foolish answers that they pass on to other fools! Logos is wisdom, Sophia.

The Rhema is the power of the Word that only a believer can understand. It’s when the Word leaps off the pages and does a broadside on your mind and heart. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to take His place until His return. When was the last time you “shot up” the Holy Ghost and mainline all He is?

The Father is the lover, the Son is the loved and the Holy Spirit is that love between them. When you find the Son, you have the fullness of the Godhead. This will endow in you a symphony of our Triune God and all the heart-break we caused Him during our journey to the cross.

The Comforter surely is as He assures us that everything is going to be all right. There is a sense of relief in knowing that we have received a full-pardon When then reality of this really sinks in,you have found Him!

COME OUT

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COME OUT

By Rick Mathes

John 11:40 (NASB77) 40 Jesus •said to her, ” Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

He said, “I AM the resurrection. Do you believe this?” It’s an important question to ask your-self and answer honestly. Your faith and future depend on what you really, down deep believe. You can’t fake or con your way past the devil. Both Satan and Jesus know the true answer.

So you need to take an honest appraisal of yourself if you want to step away from death and move toward life everlasting, so ask yourself:

Are you a questioning believer? It is good to be the “devil’s advocate” that is, to challenge the Word of God to see what the truth really is. I went into the Bible to prove to my wife once and for all that Jesus did not raise form the dead anymore that Lazarus did at His word. Well He did and I believe but learning that truth has not stopped me 30 years later from questioning the Word and mining it for proofs.

Are you an anxious seeker? Anxiety is manufactured fear. Ninety percent of what you fear isn’t going to happen and the other ten percent is unavoidable It is good to fear the Lord, that is to fear offending Him but if you are a believer, you never need to fear His wrath.

Are you a suffering believer? He took the cross for you. What can man do to you to separate you from the love of God? Nothing! How deep is your love? You don’t really appreciate His mercy when you are on top of the world. Did you ever notice that you are closest to Christ when your knees are closest to the ground in prayer?

Step out of your grave of death and don’t be a discouraged worker for the Lord. We are only under assault by the demons for a season. All the Lord asks of us is to keep the faith, fight the good fight and finish the race. Don’t give up, maybe for the first time.

And lastly, you might be a dying Christian. Well praise the Lord you are close to meeting your Maker! Take heart. What greater thrill could there be but to sing, “Nearer my God to Thee” and really mean it. Come out and confess you believe today, there may not be a tomorrow.