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!)

BLACK AND WHITE

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

solitary

BLACK AND WHITE

By Rick Mathes

Two years of preaching and teaching every Friday night at this prison had developed a dependable and capable fellowship of believers. A small turnout was seventy attending, out of an inmate population of several hundred prisoners. Any praise band or female volunteers would swell the chapel attendance but I resisted that because I was resolved to disciple these inmates and solidly ground them in the Gospel according to Jesus Christ, without distraction.

I have memories of many exhilarating services where the altar was frequently flooded with repenting sinners. However, one particular evening stands out above the rest.

It was a chilly nightfall and more prisoners than usual had shown up. It seemed that they were up, positive and ready to worship and praise the Lord.

We began with a thoughtful prayer, sang a few old time hymns and as usual asked for testimonies before I got into God’s Word. It was at this time in the service that a big muscular inmate with a callous expression stood straight up. He was one of those athletes who pumps iron all day long and everyone fears his strength. He got up in the center of the men and spoke is a coarse gravel voice, “Hey Mr. Preacher man! I got something to say!” I relied in humor, “Anyone your size can say anything he wants! And take your time sir.”

Everyone had a good laugh at my feigned timidity and when the clamor had died down he continued, “I’m a two time loser. If I mess up again they are going to give me a life sentence. I’ve been a violent man all my life and it’s my fists and uncontrollable anger that has put me in the joint every time. I want to thank you for leading me to Christ last week but I’ve got to tell you about this crazy thing that happened to me the day after I gave my heart to Jesus for real.”

“Remember, you said that the Holy Spirit would come upon me, that I was a new creation? Well, the very next day I was in the day-room, just killing time and this big black dude come in and gets right in my face with an attitude. He was making fun of me being a Christian. He was doing this right in front of everyone. Well, Rick, to tell you the truth, I have killed men with my bare hands for less than that!”

“He kept on and on and all of a sudden, Bam! I was knocked to the floor. He blindsided me with a great left hook sucker punch. Down I went but I jumped right back up on my feet. It was then that something real strange happened to me.”

“My arms dropped to my sides, my hands went limp and ice water flowed through my veins and my mouth said, ‘Forgive me brother if I have offended you.’ I couldn’t believe it! He couldn’t either. He was all set to go at it but this took the fight out of him. He turned around and walked off real fast.”

“About four hours later, he came to my cell and said he was sorry that he had picked a fight. We talked for a while and I told him that I was born again and that Jesus now lived through me. We got on our knees and he gave his heart to Jesus.”

At that moment, the black guy got to his feet. They both walked toward each other, hugged and wept for joy in front of everyone. A hush went over the inmates and one by one they headed for the altar. I led them all in the sinners prayer and I hadn’t even preached yet!

Jesus had become Saviour and Lord to these two brand new evangelists and the witness of their salvation was winning souls to Christ. I learned from this experience that men would rather see a sermon than hear one.

 

BEFORE AND AFTER

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

BEFORE – AFTER

By Rick Mathes

The following is a good overview of an unbeliever. I know it describes my thinking until I received my Lord’s invitation to be saved and accepted it. It might sound like you.

  1. I will not give up my sins.
  2. I will not worship an invisible God.
  3. I will not attend a place of phony worship.
  4. I really have no love for the man Jesus,
  5. I will not pray in public.
  6. I will not do a morning-evening devotional.
  7. I will not pray in the air to an invisible God.
  8. I really don’t believe anyone is really saved.
  9. I will not tithe or make donations to this nonsense.
  10. I don’t believe He rose from the dead.
  11. I will not be a hypocrite and fake it.
  12. I don’t believe in sin, death and the devil.

I don’t believe the Bible, it was just written by men. The downside of our pilgrimage on planet earth is that Satan’s kingdom is thriving and for all intents and purposes succeeding to twist the Christian truths with alternative thinking contrary to God’s purposes. The history channel’s Ancient Aliens, UFO’s, visitors from other planets, Nostradamus, the list goes on and one to prove every celestial appearance by provable and repeatable science.

Christianity is not a blind leap of faith nor man’s invention to explain the unexplainable. But unbelief is the easy, most comfortable way out. Jesus was spot-on when He published in His Word, “My people perish for lack of knowledge. ”God blessed me to my earliest remembrance as a youth to question “Why?” and “What is truth?”

Those two questions have hounded me all of my life even to this moment. I can tell you before God and man, with all the honesty, logic and secular investigation I am capable of, Jesus rose from the dean of His own volition and in His perfect timing!

This is the hinge that will take you from the before to the after if ony you will make it a priority in your studies. You won’t have a second chance. We only pass this way once. There is no room for error!Before or after, it’s your decision!

BE REASONABLE

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

BE REASONABLE

By Rick Mathes

Greg Albrecht: “In the latter half of the 20th century the politically correct view that all lifestyles, behaviors are equally valid gained acceptance and came to be known as postmodernism. If we accept this, we must conclude that there is no objective truth and that each of us are lfet to subjectively decide moral trust” and everyone did as they thought right.”

Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Jesus didn’t waste His breath on him and neither should we. It is so ignorant. Consider that when a dummy says, “There’s no such thing as an objective truth,” what he just said then was relative! Stupidity trumps stupidity.

An indisputable fact is true no matter what you think is. There’s the law of non-contradiction which stats that two diametrically opposed facts cannot both be true. Duhhh!

It takes a wise man to humble himself and keep his rationale modest and simple. Satan makes it so enticing to muddy the waters and confuse the issues in circular reasoning. It’s a dog returning to its vomit.

The liberalism of the majority confirm that flattering and complimenting religious doctrines win the day with the wishy-washy sassiest that don’t man up and have an objective answer for when they profess to be their faith.

Where are the wholesome, uncorrupted and refined apologists who have a fundamental evangelistic doctrine that will depend on their faith and fight for the true doctrine: the truth?

What is sound? Try Bible only, Jesus only, Faith only, and Grace only. Now that’s reasonable.

BASIC TRAINING

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

BASIC TRAINING

By Rick Mathes

This worst case training is a professing Christian who lives for Satan! I would like to see the sermon more than I want to hear it. Words are cheap and deceiving because unbelievers don’t understand the true definitions of our vocabulary such as what a real Christian is.

You should know by now if you have followed my writings at all that my bottom line is Jesus only, Bible only, Grace only and Faith only. So it is very important for an ambassador of Jesus to represent Him. In other words, as you get to know a Christian you should get to know Jesus.

For me there have been four areas that I have had to work at so as not to shame my Lord.

Being zealous for doing God’s will is sure a blessed gift but it must be tempered with patience. It is better to do less well. The devil’s most effective weapon to stop or at least slow down a mighty work for the Lord is to get us too far ahead of God’s will so that problems arise and energy fails. Or he will get you way behind where you should be by persuading you that you can do this tomorrow and tomorrow never comes without an admonition that there is plenty of time: just don’t do it now.

When you finally get past your hurry you need to have the courage to press on. The evil one will put up all kind of scary circumstances in front of you to persuade you that your efforts are dangerous and futile.

It takes a Holy faith in Jesus to knock Satan on his butt and push on through to success you know is a certainty because God’s Words says so. If the bible says it, I believe it and that settle it! The small steps soon become giant steps as you crawl to walk to run.

You will so learn that our Lord teaches through trials. What good is untested faith? A true soldier of the Lord completes his basic training and experiences a rush of happiness. What a thrill to overcome all of hell’s road-blocks and press on in faith to the finish line. Let happiness, true happiness fill your mind, heart and soul. Did you know Jesus loves you?

SEND ME!

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Light

Greetings in the Spirit of our Lord!

Mission Gate has been turning lives from crime to Christ in your community since 1985. I received Chuck Colson’s blessing, Dr. Holcomb ordained me at Mid-Rivers Baptist Church in St. Charles MO and Sen. Talent and his wife incorporated us April 1st.

Since then 10’s of thousands of families have been restored before the throne of grace. Over 140 churches are involved with our prison ministry or Christmas Angel Mission.

I would like to speak to you fellowship with 9 minutes of introduction, 9 minutes of a video and the 9 minutes of Q & A. My goal is to recruit one ambassador from your church to keep informed about what we have in resources to your church should you need us. And of course we need prayers, volunteer time and financial support.

Please contact me on my cell 314-602-0117 or go to www.MissionGateMinistry.org.

Press ON

Rick Mathes

Turning lives from crime to Christ!

HANNAH’S RANCH

http://youtu.be/4mzv6XXHPPU

FORT GOOD SHEPHERD RANCH

 

For further information go to:

www.MissionGateMinistry.org

www.RickMathes.org

BARNEY THE BEAR

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

BARNEY THE BEAR

By Rick Mathes

Many years ago the City Council of a large metropolitan city was researching diverse options that would stretch out a hand of brotherhood to the impoverished shanty town across the railroad tracks. They were seeking some benevolent gesture they could make that would give them positive public relations.

One day a Councilman spoke up and suggested, “Let’s help them start a free public zoo. Everyone loves animals!” The proposal was passed unanimously and it was voted to donated a cub bear to begin it with.

A ten by thirty foot cage was constructed and a cub named “Barney” was delivered to a neighborhood that had much crime and brutality. And the people responded by being mean and heartless as their displaced aggression took focus on Barney.

They would poke fun at Barney and flick lit cigarettes at him. He growled his first mean growl, snarled his teeth and paced six steps to the right, and then six steps to the left. Months dragged by and Barney began growing larger and meaner. The town’s hoodlums had already set him on fire twice and some men kids had poked out one of his eyes. He was a prisoner in a cage. They were doing horrendous things to him. He couldn’t escape his captivity. Barney was the victim of society and totally at their mercy. He didn’t know hatred, distress or brutality until it was inflicted upon him.

So, he paced six steps to the right and then six steps to the left, growled and then paced six steps to the right, and the six steps to the left, then six steps ….. He was incarcerated with no means of escape. No future. No hope. No one who cared!

One day an anonymous phone call to the city’s news-desk alerted a reported of the atrocities big, mean and ugly Barney was suffering. Intolerable! The feature story was run front page and the public was outraged that someone had fed him meat mixed with ground glass! Unanimously they decided to rescue Barney and transport him to their multi-million dollar zoo that had acres for bears and the tender loving care of dedicated attendants.

The truck was dispatched and the cage with Barney in it was brought back to the City Zoo and lowered down into an absolute dream come true, “Bear Heaven.” It had everything and anything a bear could ever dream of. Rolling hills, cold, clear streams, spring fed lakes teaming with delicious fish and the companionship of loving, bear hugging and joyful fellow bears welcoming their new friend Barney.

All this attention had made Barney fearful and angry as he paced the only home he had ever known; six paces to the right, and six paces to the left, then six paces to the …..

Very carefully, they slid up and opened the gate to his life-long prison of bars. Open at last! His way of escape was finally staring him right in the face! He nervously stuck his head out and looked over the breathtaking beauty of the new life that was open to him. And guess what he did? You guessed it; six paces to the right, then six paces to the left, and …. He wouldn’t take that first step to freedom.

Perplexed, the attendants hurried off to prepare the most delectable and delicious bear food that money could buy and a chef could prepare. This banquet was laid out before him just outside the gate to his cage. All he had ever eaten was foul garbage. The irresistible aroma filled the air as he lifted his snout, sniffed and salivated in extreme hunger. His eyes scanned the full array of any delicacy a starving bear could ever imagine. Guess what he did? You guessed it; he paced six steps to the right, then six steps to the left, and then…. He still would not be enticed to leave his old life behind.

Freedom was staring him right in the face. The gate was wide open but he stubbornly refused to leave the life he had led. He was hardened and institutionalized; an incorrigible that just knew society would reject him. There just had to be a catch. A whole banquet of life giving food lay before him and yet he rejected even the multitude who had eaten the same food and had been nourished and saved.

Night had fallen and the City Zoo attendants knew that desperate measures had to be taken. They knew that this new home was Barney’s only salvation so they risked their relationship with him and determined that they must use a confrontational means of reaching him. So they found a torch and set it aflame! Poking it into the cage and threatening Barney with consuming fire was all it took. He felt the approaching flames and bolted through the one and only gate of salvation! Terrified but free of his prison at last!

Even though the banquet of the Word is laid before criminals, it sometimes takes fire and brimstone to bring them to the foot of the Cross.

A GUEST COLUMN

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

 

GUEST COLUMN

By Dr. D. James Kennedy

As early as the seventh century, Muslim forces led campaigns to spread Islam across the Middle East. At one time the Islamic Empire eclipsed that of the Roman Empire. However, attempts by Muslim forces to push their way into Christian Europe were stymied by the famous 732 a.d. Battle of Tours in France. Charles Martel, popularly known as “Charles the Hammer,” led this battle against the Muslim armies and is largely credited for preventing Europe from succumbing to Islam’s control.

Today, militant Islamists are back and willing to lay down their lives to destroy both Europe and America. The President of Iran has promised that, “The wave of the Islamic revolution will soon reach the entire world.

Now is not the time to cut and run. Now is not the time for retreat. We need patriots and Christians like “Charles the Hammer,” to rise up and oppose those who would destroy this country.

Rick Mathes, minister of Mission Gate Prison Ministry in Missouri is a real Christian patriot standing up for the truth. Several years ago Mathes participated in a training session in which Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim clerics explained their respective beliefs to inmates.

Afterwards, during a question and answer period, Mathes asked the Muslim Imam this questions: “I understand that most Imams and clerics of the Islamic faith have declared a holy jihad (this is a holy war) against the infidels of the world and that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured a place in heaven. If that’s the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel? As Mathes recounts, the Imam answered immediately: “A non-believer.”

“So let me make sure I have this straight,” Mathes said. “All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith, so that they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?” the Imam sheepishly answered, “Yes.”

Mathes, not surprisingly, told the Imam he had a problem with being his friend when he, his  fellow  clerics and followers, wanted to kill him.

“Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to Heaven, or my Jesus, who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven, and He wants you to be there with me?”

Mathes asked. The Imam offered no answer.

There needs to be more champions like Mathes who are willing to stand against those who spread deceptive teachings. I believe such patriots exist. I also believe that America is not going to cut and run. I believe that we are going to take our stand and defeat the plans of the unrighteous. The future of our nation depends on it.

RECEIVE MY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER UPDATE

http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=inltytcab&p=oi&m=1102322445736

ARE YOU CHOSEN?

Tagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
The TRUTH will prevail!
The TRUTH will prevail!

ARE YOU CHOSEN?

By Rick Mathes

When you take that first step for the Lord, believe me, there’s no turning back. You have declared war on Father Lucifer and his national headquarters in Rome. He knows his time is limited so he and his priests are working themselves up into a frenzy to take you down no matter what they have to do within the Lord’s permitted bounds. Now or never, you must do spiritual push-ups and be ever alert to the unceasing barrage of flaming arrows from that bogus nation of demons.

Your first fortification or live of defense is your state of mind. You need to abandon all the plans you had for yourself and your family to be available for whatever He wants and wherever He wants you. This takes a tough discipline to be an anvil that is the cause of many broken hammers because Satan will hammer your efforts even with professing Christians. It’s a commitment that cannot be broken, no matter what, even death, you must press on!

You must have excellent principles of faith so tight there isn’t any crack in your integrity or character for the devil to slip on through. Just imagine a rabid, junk-yard dog gnashing his teeth a hairs-breath away from your carotid artery! He just needs you to blink with your defense and it’s all over. Think of yourself soaked in lighter-fluid and the devil is just a little lit match. It doesn’t take but one mistake to destroy a lifetime of achievement. Strengthen your courage to preach the truth and be totally convicted that there isn’t any plan B: Bible only, Jesus only, Grace only and Faith only. Calvinism is the gospel according to Jesus.

Now brace yourself for good results. Don’t let His successes go to your head. Remember it was pride that dropped Lucifer into hell like a rock and it is pride that you didn’t fail. You tried and the Lord said, “Not now.” Keep your armor on and your sword (The Word) up and ready at all times in season and out of season: when you expect combat an even when you expect peace.

Remember, father Lucifer is the father of lies and his home office in Rome will do all they can to coerce your obedience to them not Jesus. Nothing less than obedience to Jesus will do. Are you ready togie out the gospel no matter what? Are you ready to die for it!

AN OPEN CONFESSION

Tagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

thCA0O3W4W

AN OPEN CONFESSION

By Rick Mathes

Permit us both to look into a mirror and see ourselves as we really are.

I truly do know my most secret sins and confess I just get into a blind denial and when the sin surfaces I have no strong defense. I willfully offend my Lord and I know what I am doing when I commit the grievous sin.

I have repeatedly offended Jesus without a true effort of repentance. Confessing just means I got caught. I never really hate the sin for what it did to Jesus, never to do again. I leave the option to sin open.

I have made my best friends those that permit my favorite sins to thrive. Birds of a feather truly flock together. It seems there is less conviction of wrong doing when the sin is committed by the greater numbers.

I am absolutely in the opponent’s corner glaring at my Lord every time I stifle the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Truth is, it is easier not to sin rather than sin but I am obstinate to the bone. Don’t ell me what to do!

I really am prepared to meet the devil and fight it out with him. I have done more good than bad and I know my good will conquer his bad. How much worse can it get? I’m already living in hell! What’s new?

I can’t escape the evil that consumes me. I am wretched, lost and without hope. The truth is, nobody cares. Life is just a façade, a tragic comedy of naked apes pretending they are civilized. Satan is king and I know what side I’m on and I don’t have a clue on how to be set free.

I am a traitor to God. His Son became man, died in my place and I went through the motions of being born again to please those bleeding heart do gooders who kept dragging me off to church. What fools!

I am a slave to sin and evil and there’s nothing I even now want to do about it. I consigned my fate and really the flames will be a relief from the horrors that are exploding inside me now.

I cannot endure the wrath to come!

Dear Jesus, I confess my sin, fall on your mercy and beg you to save this poor excuse of humanity. I accept your grace as unworthy as I am and step into your glory, justified and sanctified in your sacrifice of blood and I will forever praise your Holy Name! I’ve been redeemed…..

ALL ABOUT HIM

Leave a comment

Smile

ALL ABOUT HIM

By Rick Mathes

Jesus I the center of every believers universe. The world revolves around Him not you. Your perspective on all things such as your family is His, you job is His, everything is for His glory and honor. In short, it’s not all about you.

His wisdom gives us our direction otherwise we would zig-zag our way to hell. We need Him to lead the way so that we, His sheep, can follow.

His knowledge is our instruction: The text book of heaven, the Holy Word of God, has all the answers to any question we may have. It doesn’t inform us about everything our minds may search but it has all the information we need to survive our pilgrimage on planet earth.

His power for our protection: My Daddy can whip your daddy. My Daddy is King of the universe. Satan is nothing but a bed wetting, thumb sucking, punk in the Name of Jesus! He’s no more than a pimple on God’s butt.

His justice is our constitution: Our backbone is “In God we trust!” even though it seems that He has all but left our country. If He has, it will only be for a short season and I don’t blame Him.

His love is our comfort: I didn’t have a clue what love was until I met Jesus. How deep is your love for Him? The more you know and love Him the more you hate your sin. Our sin killed God’s only Son and He has not forgot.

His mercy is our peace: Did you ever have everything go wrong all at the same time and still have a Holy Ghost revival on the inside? You know what I mean. No one can explain the movement of the Holy Spirit on your soul as you love others as you love yourself.

Why do we ask for that which is already given? All we need to do is receive Him, all of Him and in that day stand before Him and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Christ is our Joseph. He is our protector, deliverer over all in all.

It’s all about Him!