We read in the Bible that we should live, dress, act modestly, not flashy lives, not to draw attention, only as showing godliness. Do we? Does our life (including appearance) show godliness? Does our action convey that we are completely sold out to Jesus and that we are trying to live Holy lives? Or do we look worldly and show our hearts are focused on our own desires and not the Kingdom?

We read that a woman should not be decked out too much jewelry or costly cloths. Following the same line here, what about that fancy car, big screen TV, new home, etc., do they show we are sold out to Jesus and that our focus is on HIS Kingdom or is it just to please our flesh or worse, to show off to others to make them look at us?

What you may be feeling right now is not anger at me, but perhaps is CONVICTION. This is not legalism, it is about (as in Romans 12:1-2) OUR REASONABLE SERVICE.

Do you remember the end of Schindler's List where he lamented not getting and using more resources to save a few more: (the part starts at 6:20 into the following clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu5UKrxRxhk

He regretted not spending more or working harder to have more to spend to save a few more people. This is where we are today. No, it is not the Holocaust of the Jewish people, it is the loss of souls into hell! It is not about money, it is about OUR HEART! We have to be sold out to Jesus and let our lives show it. We should and act like we know Jesus, that we do not look and act like the world. Our testimony should one of a righteousness and one where people clearly know we are about the Kingdom of a God and not this world.

We can put a message on our car, but what does it mean if we break traffic laws or get angry at people when we drive... OR have our car in places it should not be at?

What about when we try to testify to people about our God and we are just as worldly in appearance as them? Is that a testimony? We have a face full of piercings, does that show them we are different, that our desires are not of this world? Some might say, well, the piercings are crosses and fish now, does that make any difference, it is still a culture the world has made and WE ARE NOT OF ANY CULTURE other than of that of the Kingdom of God! The issue here is larger than metal in your face, it is more of WHY would you want to? This is a culture of the world and you are just following after that culture. You might say, well I just like them. No you are holding out from God and allowing the enemy a foothold in your life.

I love old muscle cars. They are a lot of fun to me. Why? Well, they look a certain way to me, which was brought in by a “culture” from the past that usually feed insecurities. They are powerful machines and have a styling of power and sleekness. Typically, people notice them. Opps. There it is again, it is about what people think about them. I had a nice Trans-am a number of years ago, and every time I would come out to the car, I enjoyed the way the thing looked and I enjoyed getting in there and driving around. Was the car much different than any other? Not really, it is the “appearance” that I liked. As a matter of fact, it was hard to control if the roads got wet and you did not even think of icy roads. I had to get rid of it, it was part of a culture that I had no business in anymore.

I am not saying you cannot have nice things, but you have to make sure nice things do not have you. If you get a large screen TV because you watch a lot of Christian TV and want it larger, great! If you want it to show your friends or to watch those R rated movies look better bigger, then get rid of it. Christians do not have any business watching that junk!

While I am at it, music is another area. What are we listening to in music? Is it Godly or is it worldly? Why put pollutants in your mind and in your heart? This is yet another area we can clearly show we have changed, that we are Born Again, we listen to music that uplifts and praises our God instead of the weaknesses of mankind. Oh, that old “culture” will try to creep in on yeah, but we should be pumping in music that pulls us closer to God not further away.

What about Smoking? What kind of a testimony is that? You are trying to tell someone you are different, yet you stand there bound in addiction, where is the new life? What about the sin factor here? Don't believe they are sin? In Galatians it talks about the works of the flesh and says no one that does these things will inherit the Kingdom of God. If we do these things and do not repent and turn away from them, we will not make it. You might say, “Smoking is not in the list”, true, but addiction is, as it says “drunkenness”. If someone is going to hell for drunkenness, why not for other addictions? There are also other Scriptures about drinking and being drunk, but the point is, it is time to lay down all this stuff and get back to being that New Creature that God birthed in us.

There is one culture in the Kingdom of God, it is not about race, it is not about style, it is ALL ABOUT JESUS! How can we still live to our old desires and cultures if we are dead? Remember we are dead in Christ and risen with Him in resurrection. We ARE NOT TO LIVE FOR US anymore, but for HIM that has given us new LIFE.

Churches today have pollutants in them, they have been sown with things that are not of God and people need help. How can we help them when we are bound ourselves. It is time to kick out our old man and put on newness of life. It is time to help those that our bound, those that choose to live in doubts and disbelief, but we need to clean that out of our lives first. There are people we know and care for that are in need but we have to be clean first, we have to be completely sold out to Jesus and not to our carnality.

Jesus is coming back for a Bride without spot or blemish and that does not mean everyone will be without spot or blemish. It is time to make sure we get washed, because He is COMING SOON! We have to make sure we don't get caught living a worldly, blemished life, we need to turn and go with Him as His Bride!

I came from the computer field. When dealing with others you find three basic types of people. Those that study and know the system and technology they use, who seldom ask for help. The next group know just about nothing and are always asking for help and fully understand they know little, but are trying to learn and appreciate your help. Then there is the third group, those that know just enough to be dangerous. These are the ones repeatedly asking for help and arguing about what you tell them. They think they know everything, but in reality, they still know very little and are often the ones causing their own problems by misunderstanding the technology they are using.

So is the would of the Church. There are those that know little and understand they need help who listen to what you tell them. Then there are those that know a great deal and you can reason with them as long as you have Scripture to back up your point. Then there are those that know just enough to be dangerous…

This last group often believe they know everything about God and feel that they are led by Him in everything they do.  Seldom do they listen to others who know better on issues they do not want to change. They have not even read through the Bible one time, but feel they know what God wants and how to live their life. They say things are right when they are in error, at times even when you show them Scripture they refuse because they think they know better and may say the Scripture does not apply for some reason or another. They are quick to point out the sins of everyone, while condoning other sins without knowing it. They have little knowledge of God, but never spend the time to learn more about Him from His Word.

When people remain in this lack of knowledge they are ripe for the enemy to attack them and to heap others to teach them with false doctrines leading them to destruction without even knowing it. The enemy has many false teachers out there just waiting for these people, they will tell them just what they want to hear, to steal, kill and destroy  them while they profess themselves to be wise.

Often these people compound the problem when they start listening to others who know as little about the Word as they do. They get in a group and pat each other on the back making up their own doctrine as they go along, after all, since neither of them know the full council of God, they do not have any reference of what is really right and wrong based on the Word.

Typically, this type of believers go by feelings, if they FEEL something is right or wrong, they follow it and put more value in feelings than the Word since they do not know the Word or at least not the full Word.  They are tossed back and forth and never seem to remain in the victory, they have no real roots and have a hard time standing when the enemy consumes them. At the end of the day, they claim they do not understand WHY GOD is not working in their lives as they think He should.

Perhaps you know a few like this.  What can you do?  The ONLY thing I know is to feed in the try Word of God when possible, encourage them to read their Bibles, give correction when you can and above all things pray for them.  Only God through His Holy Spirit can open their eyes to their errors.  Perhaps with enough encouragement, they will get excited about studying the Word and find the truth.

Maybe you have read this and feel you might be this type of person, what can you do?  First, repent to God and tell Him you are sorry for esteeming His Holy Word of such little value and ask that He give you more desire for His Word and to open it up to you.  Once you push in they Word will come to life and you will find it exciting to learn and to share with others.

Next, examine carefully those you are around and those to whom you listen.  Do they know the Word?  Have they really read it through, ever?  If so, they should be more than willing to give you clear Scriptures for everything they try to tell you if it is about God or doctrines.  Be VERY careful to whom you listen, just because they are behind a pulpit or they seem to know something, it does not mean they really do or that they are not there to deceive.  Remember:

2Co 11:13-15  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2Ti 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Ti 3:1-7  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For everyone we need to remember and live:

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We all need to know the Word of God and the FULL Word, not just the little bit we get here and there.  You surely would not take your car to someone who learned just a little here and there!  How much more important is your walk with God?

In my last post I referred to a storm that I see coming, where there is a huge tidal wave of sorrow heading towards believers if they do not wake up. 

Simply put, I feel that the fence is being torn down.. What fence?  The one that many people are sitting on between the spiritual and the carnal.  The enemy is forcing people off the fence and putting their back against a wall, they will either go carnal and be lost in sorrows or they will embrace the spiritual and show the supernatural power of God.

Rom 8:4-8  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who WALK NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.   Because the carnal mind is ENMITY AGAINST God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh CANNOT please God.

If this is the case and we are moving into a place where people will have to decide what they will follow, the carnal or the spiritual, then it is something people need to wake up to before it reaches them.  It is better to prepare for a battle than just wait until it hits you.  There are others around you that are in that battle and need you help, but you always seem to have an excuse.  The time of excuses are ending!

This is not about the economy, it is not about politics and the fate of the USA, it is not about the sin that is all around us which is filling the churches, it is simply that people are going to be sifted.  People will be hit with things in their life or their close families where God is the only solution and they will need to be a place to hear from God, not just think they did, they will need the power of God flowing through them.  The power Scriptures will have to be real in their minds and hearts.  They will have to be mature Christians to help all those that will be in need.

It is time for scriptures like:

Mar 11:22-24  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mat 21:21-22  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mat 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Luk 17:6  And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Joh 14:12-14  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

1Jn 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Mar 16:17-18  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

It is time for the power of God to be manifest through us.  There are many promises of God in Scripture and we need to be in the place to receive them for ourselves or for those that are in need.  There passages are not in the Bible for fluff, they are true and we need to expect to see them manifest.

We are to walk in power, but at the moment it appears much of the church world is either bound in sin or living so close the world they have become powerless and ineffective.  Many people are living under a sign “Ichabod”  which means “The Glory is departed”.  WHERE IS THE POWER in the churches? 

It is time to WAKE UP!  If you do not, you may find yourself in a position not understanding what has come upon you or someone you love and be unprepared nor help from others, you are alone trying to see the power fall.  We NEED IT NOW!

It can start anywhere!  We need seeker meetings where people get together, worship God and seek His face in prayer, praise and worship.  Of course, those attending the seeker meetings need to be those that have turned from their sins, realized their unbelief and their need for God to move in their live.  God has not died or gone somewhere, He is always just a call away if we just get the right number.  People it is time to turn to God and seek His face before it is too late and we suffer loss!

What is so hard?  Just have love fests for Jesus in a group of believers who want more of God.  Sounds like a great time to me! 

This is not a time for sadness or sorrow if you will only move towards God.  It is an EXCITING time and it is for EVERYONE!  Yes, you can have the power of God flowing through you to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, etc.  YOUI CAN have that if you wish to spend some time with God..

WE NEED SEEKER MEETINGS!  Time to see God as a consuming fire and pray for that fire to consume us that He may live THROUGH us!