Tag: heaven

THE CROSS

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THE CROSS

By Rick Mathes

One Christmas years ago the men at our Fort Good Shepherd Ranch wanted to decorate our “Cross on the Landing” on the Meramec River with blinking lights and tinsel garland for Christmas. I about had a stroke! “I this was an electric chair our Lord was murdered in would you do the same?” I yelled at them. I couldn’t believe that the Cross was just an icon to use for decoration while it was the turning point of the world’s future, greater than the creation!

What has happened is that current Christianity has moved away from the standards of the New Testament and Holy intentions of the founding fathers. Jesus commanded us to pick up our cross and follow Him. In fact He said that if we don’t we are not worthy to follow Him. I can think of three ways this can be interpreted, take your choice or some combination thereof.

First, when we become a Christian, make Him our Lord and change our evil ways, old friends and even some family are not going to believe us. Those who are unbelievers are going to do all they can to trip us up and mock our faith for our faults and temporary slips. They will be encouraging maybe in words but while they go about their normal daily sinning, they really wish we would fall and join them.

Secondly, we can label the cross we bear as the “consequence of our sins.” Broken marriages, fractures families, felony record, AIDS, and much more are all directly attributable to the sin we wallowed in much like a cesspool bubbling up from Hades. We can’t blame anyone but ourselves for the casualty of our sinfulness. Suicide was certainly an option many of us thought seriously about but going to Hell is so final. There isn’t a “Plan B.” in Hell. So for those of us saved by Jesus understand that we can still pick up the pieces and press on!

Lastly, I know what Jesus really intended by that statement, “Take up your cross and follow me.” He meant for us to take up that death-stake, crawl up on that cross and dies to our sins, every day. It is only in doing so that we can rise with Him to a resurrection of a new life in Him and in glory forever.

Don’t wait until you die. Die to sin and live to Him now because if you are His your eternal life has begun today! We mut endure the cross and despise its shame for the joy that is set before us.

PRESS ON!

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SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR

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SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR

By Rick Mathes

Did you know that if a baby was born the moment Jesus died and lived for seventy years and then a baby was born and lived seventy years and on and on; if you laid the bodies our end to end you would find the we are less than 30 bodies away from the Cross! Think about that the next time you are in a room with 30 people. It wasn’t that long ago!

Albert Einstein proved that light bends time. If that I true and you followed the curve of that time-line, it would meet itself and be a circle. That means time is constant and doesn’t change. The “I AM the I AM” is making a lot more sense to me. Time doesn’t exist for Jesus. It is one long continuum. Imagine that; I can’t.

I believe we are a hairs-breath away from the person of God. Our five senses as so dull that even an eagle can see better that we can and a dog has better ears that we have. We really are sadly inept to sense the presence of our Lord. We are so close and yet so far away.

I’ve even imagined alternate universes all occurring at the same time. Or imagined that our galaxy was just a speck of dust on the arm of the Lord’s throne. Or how about this one: that a molecule has a thousand universes in it, inhabited by a thousand Adams from many ages. Thinking out of the box is fun for me. I really enjoy asking “What if?”

However, all praise the glory be to Jesus, I keep my feet on the ground by keeping my nose in God’s Holy Word. It’ the only thing that brings any reason or sense to this world gone insane where evil is good and good is bad.

Thank you Jesus for assigning your buddy the Holy Spirit to keep o the right track to glory. I may not know all the answers to all my questions but I have learned from the Word has kept me healthy, happy, and content with my assurance of salvation.

I really believe God and what I believe to be time and space will never be understandable to me but at least I can think in concepts of infinity and laugh at a joke: the very things that separate me from the animal kingdom.

PRESS ON!

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RICK IS A HAMMER

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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

 

Press ON!

Rick Mathes

 

www.MissionGateMinistry.org

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PREACHERMAN

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PREACHERMAN

By Rick Mathes

The gates of hell have unleashed counterfeit preachers that have graduated from our finest seminaries. They have gravitated to an estimated seven out of ten pulpits, from small country churches to large mega-churches where thousands are lied to. No lies of commission, commission or permission. A mass of our earth’s population will be destroyed by the conflagration of flames St. Peter has prophesied.

How can we know the minister we learn from speaks fresh from the throne of Jesus? What test can we put them to so as to be certain we are being taught by God? We will never know until our Lord returns but I do have a few guidelines that I go by.

My minister must have holiness of character. Even a minister occasionally worldly is an indication that his integrity is soiled and what you get may be what you see. Any minister that winks at sin does not hate sin and thus does not love the Savior. Look closely for Christ-likeness!

He must have a high degree of spiritual life in his family as well as in darkness it is in light. I would be suspect if he is inclined to abuse any of the seven deadly sins or violate the Ten Commandments. I know we’re all human but this minister of yours cannot just be called he must be chosen to be the Lord’s ambassador. When you get to know your minister do you get to know Jesus? If not, tread carefully.

He must live out the faith he professes. If he doesn’t walk is he should be restrained from talking it. I would rather see the sermon than hear it. His true self should mirror Christ with his most earnest effort. We are able not to sin and he should be the highest example for you to emulate.

Now I’m not trying to make your minister some kind of super human being. I just expect that he should be fully committed to Christ in the simplicity of his heart. Look deeply into his soul and discern if he has complete surrender to God. He must example what he preached and encourage how to rise to our Lord expectation of your fleshly levels of mediocrity.

To be holy we must be wholly God’s and our minister must lead the way.

PRESS ON!

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I’M NOT READY YET

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I’M NOT READY YET

By Rick Mathes

Walking down a metal cat-walk past prison cells of convicts is an awesome experience that is novel and exhilarating every time. There is an electrifying adventure about it that cannot be adequately described. You never know which prisoner will reach out for Jesus and be saved. It is thrilling to look a prisoner in the eyes with love and encourage him to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. I can imagine that this feeling has similarities to a hunter in the midst of perilous jungles seeking the prey and being sought by the predator. The spiritual combat is indescribable in this heart of hell, called a cell-block. A locus, a concentration of evil. Satan’s turf.

It was in this sense of spiritual adventurism that I was followed by a blue uniformed guide to the prison chapel. We approached the stairwell, serpentine corridors and vacated court yards. Each lower floor level became darker, dirtier and more austere until we leveled off on a dingy walkway with the strongest aroma of stench I have ever smelled!

This was the dungeon within the dungeon for detention of the most evil offenders. A dimly illuminated community of “slickers.” A slicker is an incommodious drab cell with bricked-in windows, no cot, sink or toilet. Nothing but the pollution of an endless number of previous residents. No attempt whatsoever had been made to clean up. A hole in the floor dropped directly into the cesspool that was rumored to back up regularly in these cells. This was the home for those who were ill-suited to live with the other residents. Rejected by their own kind! The odor caused me to gag and gasp for air.

The officer was determined to hustle me out of this, “No Visitor” area. His stride picked up and I was close on his heels escaping this restricted zone. The wall shackles dated back to before the Civil War era of slavery. The men were strangely hushed, either seated on the floor or standing up with a drugged glaze in their eyes. No sound. Silence. No radio, televisions or even idle chatter. A thick dark cloud of oppression; Satan was there.

One of these pathetic captives caught my attention. What I saw and what he said to me has everlastingly cemented itself in my memory as though it just happened yesterday.

He was crouched like a creature on the cement floor. If you looked closely you could see the filth he sat in undulate with the vermin that lived in it. He wore only his grossly stained underwear and his hair was standing out in a frightful, wild fashion. He eyes were bulging and yellow. His fingernails long and his toenails curling under. His matted beard barely hid his rotted teeth and infected mouth.

I spoke out, “You need to accept Jesus Christ as both your Saviour and Lord!” He didn’t arouse. I cried out another time, “Jesus is your only salvation. It’s time to repent and receive Jesus!” He turned and looked me full in the face but gave no indication of reply. Finally, the guard angrily took my arm to keep me moving. I shouted behind me, “Why won’t you do this?” I will never forget his heart wrenching reply. “I’m not ready to give it all up yet.”

I was horrified as he left my sight but not my spirit. I still mourn over those who still repeat those words, “I’m not ready to give it all up yet.”

PRESS ON!

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I FOUND HIM IN HELL

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I FOUND HIM IN HELL

By Rick Mathes

Mr. Carnal was a professing Christian that lived an exemplary life. He was a deacon in his church and taught Sunday school Bible study. All the congregation looked up to him and the pattern he set for others to follow. On the outside, the side all could see, he was the husband and father that all the women wished that their man would become. Unknown to everyone was the real truth that on the inside he confessed that Jesus is Lord but never became obedient to His lordship. He was living a lie that finally caught up with him in a sudden and unexpected death!

He died and went straight to hell.

As he looked out over the glowing lake of liquid flames, the abhorrence and inexpressible torture he witnessed was more than his damned soul could bear. As far as he could see was a holocaust of screaming human beings thrashing about in the white blistering conflagration, begging to die and escape this deathless tribulation.

Silently, Satan himself slithered up and rasped, “I have you!” He responded, “I know. I never confessed Jesus AS my Lord,” and began to sob. Through tears he pleaded, “I beg you, give me 24 hours more before you throw me into that lake of fire.” Satan smiled a toothless smirk and growled, “Granted!”

He hesitated and then began trudging along the steamy shoreline while flames licked at his exposed carcass. Reaching down from time to time to hoist up to eye level one wretched body after another, he looked them full in the face and cursed with all his pent up venom of loathing. Again and again he would choose and grip an anguished cadaver to curse as he eventually found his way around the smoking abyss, counterclockwise to where he began his twenty-four tedious hours before. He was totally spent and lacking the strength left to stand in front of the immoral one who had patiently waited for his prey to return.

As he collapsed on that smoldering shore, Lucifer quietly approached and hissed, “Your time is up! But before I cast your body and soul into the black inferno, I must ask you just one last question. Why were you doing that?”

The condemned looked up and gasped, “I was looking for that preacher that told me I was saved!”

Satan’s twisted features gleamed with pride as he snarled, “That was me who told you that you were saved!”

DUST TO GLORY

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DUST TO GLORY

By Rick Mathes

It’s hard to get into the head of an unbeliever. It just doesn’t make any sense why someone would refuse our Lord’s salvation from eternal dying in flames. It’s even harder to penetrate the souls of those that don’t care nor even want to think about what starts when their heart stops. It’s so frustrating!

The experience of being saved involves three areas: intellectual, volitional and emotional. One might be the entry level for the other three but all must come together for a genuine experience.

God can be recognized in two forms essentially: His form and His essence. His form rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and can now be found in the Holy Spirit He sent to take His place in our lives until His return. The essence is in the Word of God we call our Holy Bible. The Logos explodes off of the pages as the living witness to a living God.

The Bible teaches us about God, our own soul and human destiny. It is a life-raft in a sea of apathy and neglect. Just think of the genius of God in picking out the color of blue for our sky as well as a nose on your face to smell. Did you ever study the optics of just your eyeball? Evolution, phooey! His mind is unknowable except what He had to say to us in His Word.

Jesus walked in the same dust we do. Let’s at least agree that His friends are our friends and His enemies are our enemies. God grant us the wisdom to now the difference. Thank you Bill W. and Dr. Bob!

Look at His way of managing both the good and bad that crossed His paths as they cross ours. How did He handle those difficult circumstances and how did He show His love?

Take a closer look at what He rejected rather than what He accepted. When you know the truth through and through the false stands out like a stubbed toe. It makes you automatically say, “Ouch!” and avoid it.

He commanded that we pick up our cross to be worthy to follow Him and in dying to your self we walk in His life and make His future ours. Why gaze backwards at the dust when you can look upward to His glory.

PRESS ON!

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YA GOTTA HEAR THESE!

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The Thief

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-45.mp3

You Must Be Born Again Again.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-44.mp3

The Great Pretenders

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-43.mp3

Gerald Boyd

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-42.mp3

Goal of my soul

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Ministry-41.mp3

What if Jesus came to your house?

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-40.mp3

Iron Sharpens Iron

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-39.mp3

Hit Man Ken 1

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-37.mp3

Hit Man Ken 2

http://traffic.libsyn.com/missiongate/Mission-Gate-Podcast-38.mp3

BORN TO DIE

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For Me

BORN TO DIE

By Rick Mathes

The moment our baby Jesus took His first breath, He began a life of dying. Although sinless, He experienced all the devil’s little stabs to stop our walk through this valley of death. The good news for we who are elect is that as we walk through this life of demonic landmines, is that we walk in the shadow of death. If there is a shadow, then we must be walking in the Light!

From our own sinful experience our minds are continually racked and disturbed with family and social ills. It seems that we are hit with one after another grenades of unrest. Hell’s war on us is relentless. Our goods disappear before our very eyes. Such are the wages of sin.

Meaningless, everything we accumulate will be left to those who don’t deserve it only to, in time, decompose to dust and rubble. There’s no U Hall going to be attached to your hearse. Everything, all the trinkets, bells and whistles of hell are all meaningless.

Even our own progeny, our children and friends will sicken and die. You can always count on death and taxes. Think of all the family, friends and acquaintances that have passed before your eyes, slowly headed for the inevitable grace: dust to dust, for future blooming.

It just seems as though our crosses are continual. One sin dies after another as we pursue holiness and nail their sins to the cross. Our Lord said that we are to lift up our own death stake or we are not worthy to follow Him. We are seldom at ease.

Behind every glittering toy lurks a demon laughing at how weak your faith is. If we are in the image and likeness of God then as He would, we need to pass through this world of hell’s deadly playthings for the substance of eternity of glory.

We have been born to sorrow, to sweat, toil and fail because of Adam’s error. But we have been reborn to heaven’s gates because Jesus took our cross for us. Praise be to Jesus!