NEW BLOG POSTS - EVERYONE'S A "CRITIC"

I have decided my blog will be mostly the following:

1.  Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2.  The Word of God
3.  Inspiration
4.  Prayers
5.  Hebrew Word of the Day
6.  Sermon by reputable Pastors
7.  Critiquing Movies

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EVERYONE'S A CRITIC
By: Brenda Alexander

"A Dog's Purpose"

This is a secular with a very positive message and well worth watching.  It does involve the idea that dogs are reincarnated but it does not apply to humans, is not even a blip on the radar as far as the main message is concerned but it may be a good way to start a dialogue with children who may wonder if this is what happens after we die and use it to explain what DOES happen to humans.  The truth is, the Bible gives us hints on His furry creations and we do know there will be animals on the New Earth after His return.  I think it is a gateway to put children's fears to rest on the loss of their furry family without it going against the Word of God in any way.  We can say we don't know exactly because the Bible is not written for His other creations but man alone.  I'm very sensitive to innuendos in movies and how they use subliminal messages but I assure you that this is not the case in this movie.  It does not have an anti-God message in it.  It's not faith-based exactly but the message it gives is pretty much what Jesus Christ told us to do.

The basic premise is that this dog named Bailey is assigned to a boy named Ethan.  He lives a very long life and when he passes, he is immediately reborn.  He's confused, this time he's a girl but no transgender messaging at all.  It's just a funny moment in the movie.  He remembers his life with Ethan and he is looking for meaning in his life.  He's a pet, then a canine police dog (this life may be hard for the smaller children so divert their attention) and it does show how cruel life can be.  Not all of his lives are perfect and there is some inhumanity at times.  Of course no animal was really harmed but the message that it gives applies to humans...

Live, love, save someone, be loyal, forgiving, faithful and trust in things you can't see to take care of your needs.  It's filmed entirely from the dog's point of view.  Is it sad?  At times, yes but the ending is fantastic.  Anything more will spoil it for you.  It's also the cleanest movie ever, so much so that you could use it in a sterile operating room, lol.  I'd say it's best for 8 to 188 but some younger children could handle it.  It is also about the way the Bible tells us to treat animals and each other -- humanely but not all do.  It's a story of life as it is.  As far as secular movies are concerned, this one is by far the best I've seen since the movie Hachi.  I'd give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.  I'd also disregard the people who boycott this movie as there is absolutely no shred of truth in what PETA claims.  If you want to read the real critical reviews (people no more qualified than I am but are biased) before watching, be sure to watch the ones on YouTube who say basically what I say.  NO animal was abused or harmed in any way although it shows the inhumanity of some people.  These are well trained animals that are playing a part like any other actor.  It teaches empathy and compassion and the sad facts of life.  

Grab everything you need and make sure all go potty before you start the movie as you won't want to pause it.  "A Dog's Purpose" is a wonderful movie and tomorrow I will have my very own copy.  Oh, and other than the boys and man (Randy Quaid) who play Ethan, there's very little human input.  Just be sure to have some tissues as even my husband shed more tears over this movie than all movies combined.  Many of those tears are of joy but some aren't and you know this going in.  However, tears turn to joy almost in the twinkle of an eye.

You can watch this movie with a clear conscience and maybe inspire you to rescue something or maybe even someone.  God bless and enjoy!

CHANGE OF MIND...AGAIN!

To my brethren in Christ Jesus!

Once again, I made a hasty, albeit at the time what I thought to be best for ME, decision that I have changed my mind about BUT I need your patience, understanding and forgiveness.  I said earlier I was going to drop my groups due to being overwhelmed, tired of this and that and being a tad bit judgmental and not righteously either.  

Now, that doesn't mean I didn't MEAN some of what I said but I could and should have worded it much better than I did.  I did not remove the huge boards in my eyes first but I sure tried to remove the speck out of yours and I am so very sorry.  When I went to leave my communities, I found I couldn't find but one I wanted to leave.  No page is perfect and I'd really like to see us have more discussions and real dialogues to support and encourage each other in our faith and, most importantly, in sharing the right Gospel and right Christ Jesus.  We also need to be bold, joyful but not afraid to stand up for the truth of God's Word.  

I also have a confession to make and ask forgiveness for.  When I started this blog, I genuinely thought I was doing it for the right reasons and intentions but we know the saying that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions."  However, while I may have been rightly motivated, I was poorly equipped.  I got saved young in life and never left the faith but was a prodigal daughter.  I had been deceived by 2 very dangerous cults and I made so many errors.  Looking back at what I shared, it appears as if I was either schizophrenic or had multiple personalities, lol.  Not trying to avoid responsibility at all but I was lonely, bored and I needed something to make me "feel" as if I was doing God's will.  Who knows, maybe I was because through those errors, I learned so much about Him and how to effectively share the Gospel.  

The fact is, I was being "religious" and self-righteous without meaning to but that means nothing.  I guess I was trying to work myself into Heaven and it was a lesson I needed to learn.  While I was being pious and very uptight and in some ways made myself isolated and also isolated for real by circumstances, you guys were out living your faith.  I was so wound up I became agoraphobic (fear of leaving your home) to a small degree but over this past year, I have slowly come out of it, but I still struggle some days, but I'm learning to not only spread my faith and the Gospel of Christ Jesus, I've been out living out my faith.  I needed this time to grow in grace, the Word and to fight for my faith.  It's been up and down, filled with trials and tribulations (the worst being doubts) but God is not slack and the good work He began in my life will continue until He calls me home.  I'm that wretch in the song (sorry I stole your line, Todd Friel) but He continues to bless me daily and in the most amazing ways imaginable.  

Now, this wealth, health and prosperity Gospel is invading the Body of Christ like cancer, He does bless us in many ways, even financially at times.  Twice $20 was put in our bank account that no one knows how it got there, including the bank but I do.  I know it had nothing to do with anything I did or didn't do.  It was all to His good pleasure and grace.  If I learned nothing else, He loves giving His children gifts.  I definitely know it had nothing to do with how much money I gave because we had very, very little to give but how much, how often, to who is between me and Him.  We are not under tithing no matter what your pastor says but we are to give but in certain ways.  

One is to never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.  In other words, don't tell people what you give or don't give.  If so, you may be a stumbling block to your brothers and sisters.  There are many ways to give and money is just one of them and probably the least of them.  After all, Jesus said money is the root of all evil.  If I give (not your business, lol), I would never put my name on an envelope and put it in a collection plate.  Many churches do this and encourage it (to make you give more than you really can) to get a tax break.  I'd also never attend a church where giving 10% is required in order to be a member and many churches do that.  If so, you are in a toxic church where the pastor is using it as a means of control.  Never trust any man that promises you a 7-fold (or any amount) return of what you give by God (who is he to say how God will bless you for God speaks for Himself) or that your credit card balance will be removed if you sow a "money" seed.  This "seeds of money" Gospel is either deeply hidden to me or it is not Biblical.  If I am wrong, I want scripture to back it up and don't give me 20 or 30 unrelated verses to confuse me because then I know they are lying for "God is not the author of confusion but of peace).  

You know, that's a good rule of thumb when listening to or attending a new church or pastor.  If you're a newborn, sure you'll be confused at first but as you grow (and if you're not growing, then you are under poor leadership) if you are still confused, I'd probably find another church or seek Spiritual advice from a born-again believer, especially one in a leadership role and has a good reputation.  Also, be really grounded in the Word and be not afraid to use the internet to help you but make sure that the sites you go to are reputable and share the RIGHT Gospel.  Do NOT watch random YouTubers but rather find 2-3 pastors that are basically right (we all fall short, even pastors get things wrong) and 2-3 reputable Biblical sites (I'll share some great ones at the end).  I'd also stay away from people who date set the rapture or 2nd Coming.  I know many of us feel like we are in the end times and we may be, I don't know but some days I'm positive, others I feel as if we've been extended mercy and grace, but those who spread nothing but we are there now is not a good idea.  The reason is that we should live as if we are every day of our life but we should never tell anyone for any reason that we are for sure in the end times because if you do date set and that day comes and goes, you will lose credibility and you don't realize how bad it hurts the Body of Christ.  We are so irrelevant to most of the world as it is and it makes us look like fools.  I'm sorry if that offends you but I'm not hear to make you feel good, I'm here to tell you the truth.  Oh, and when I say "you," I am not referring to any of you but to those out there who do this.  It's fine if you want to date set but leave the flock alone.  Keep it to yourself and your loved ones who know you don't have a clue but trust you anyway, lol.  I believe they're genuinely saved, love our Lord Jesus Christ with all their hearts and are so sincere but are just as sincerely wrong.  I made the mistake of going from rededication of my life to Him to end times prophecy and I can assure you that even if you've considered yourself a Christian your whole life, unless you've studied that beautiful Book and know how to rightly divide it, that is about the biggest mistake you can make.  Prophecy is not what you think it is.  It is not a crystal ball to see into the future...well, not exactly.  Also you must learn some of the Jewish customs or that period in history, especially how they were married, the Holy days and the Temple/priesthood.  It is vital to unlocking prophecy, especially Revelation.  

I doubt many have read this far but for those who do, this is as always, my opinion, what I see and hear from believers and non-believers.  We must stay relevant in order to be effective and we have to be the light and salt.  Think like this about being the light of the world and salt of the earth.  What happens when you go from being in total darkness into a bright light?  Think of someone shining a flashlight in your eyes.  It's blinding for a few minutes and a bit scary.  It hurts your eyes but shortly after that, you're grateful for that light so you can find your way, even if you're still blurry and stub your toes now and again but the person you share your light with is grateful for that light.  That LIGHT is Christ Jesus.  

Salt is one, vital to life.  You must have a certain amount of salt in your diet to live.  If you over-salt the food, it's inedible.  In other words, take it as slow as needed to lead others to the Word of God so that the Holy Spirit can convict them of sin.  Salt tastes good but have you ever gotten salt into an open wound?  It HURTS but you find it helps the healing process quite well.  It's abrasive but good for you, especially in the right amount.  You can turn people away from God if you try to beat it into their heads.  Yeah, I tried it that way and got nowhere but when I let God handle it, in His time, He came through.  In fact, in prayer I could almost say I heard Him literally tell me to SHUT UP AND LET HIM HANDLE DAVID, AS I WAS MESSING HIM UP, lol.  I didn't hear those words audibly but yet I knew that's what He was telling me.  Now that I'm seeing real Spiritual growth in my husband once I stopped (well, I wasn't led to totally be silent but to tone it down a whole lot) so I got blessed to see the Holy Spirit in action.  BTW, once He began, it was like rapid fire fast.  Never rush God and do not hinder the Gospel or make the Church look foolish.  People already worship self, money and the government as a "god," especially the "god of science."  Not everyone can effectively share the Gospel but we all have a role in it, even if it's just a minor support role, such as sweeping the Church.  Just do what you are good at and let God control what you become and what He needs you to do.  If you're shy or can't get to a physical church, there's some great online ministries and you can start a free blog.  That's a great way for those with social anxiety or who live in secluded areas.  Even monetary support of missionaries is just as important as actually being the "voice" because when someone accepts Christ as their personal Savior by being rightly born again, we all rejoice and are victorious.  We have a newborn baby brother or sister and we can pray it's multiple births.  Once again, Jesus Christ overcame satan and death.  Don't you love we know the ending of the book and don't have to guess like some others do?  I simply don't know how not to believe.

Well, I think it's time for me to shut up.  Again, I ask your forgiveness and patience.  I won't participate much until I get my blog cleaned up of the errors because I'm afraid someone will see it in a search engine and be deceived by my immaturity.  That's my priority for my online time.  God is first, my husband and dogs come next so I'll share when I can but expect a different me.  I am going to be bold, light and salt.  If it offends, it may be conviction or I may be wrong.  If you think I am, let's talk about it.  So, let's make a difference and equip each other to do our Great Commission.  Let's be open to new ideas and thoughts (unless it is a salvation issue or heresy) but like Justin Peters says, "the Bible has one literal meaning but has MULTIPLE applications."  Also, sometimes we're just plain wrong.  I am on everything but the Gospel.  

Thanks for your patience and understanding.  I'll do a few blog posts 5 days per week, sometimes 6/7 but let me get my blog settled and then I'll participate in your communities as soon as possible.  It will not be every day.  I've missed so much but I had to get out of all "denominations" and return to my first Love.  I'm not sure if I'm qualified now but God is and I surrender my blog to His control.  I'll not share anything new without screening it first.  I've also got some correcting to do and some questions I want clear answers to or else I will ignore their posts.  I expect you to do the same with me.  As long as you're not involved in a cult or cult-like church, I welcome correction but never correct anyone unless you can back up what you say with clear scripture.  Okay, I'm outta here.  Have a beautiful, blessed, safe and happy week.  We can't lose anymore Christians to death by making bad decisions.  Help me to quit smoking for good.  Anyone want to be my no-more buddy?  Yes, I have a big vice.  Also addicted to Coke...well, actually Pepsi but I love the reaction I get when I say coke, lol.  We are allowed to laugh.  

10 MARKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (THANKS FOR THE SHARE, JUSTIN PETERS)

BY J. C. RYLE

What then are these general effects which the Spirit always produces on those who

really have Him? What are the marks of His presence in the soul? This is the question which now remains to be considered. Let us try to set down these marks in order.

1. All who have the Spirit are quickened by Him, and made spiritually ALIVE. He is called in Scripture, "The Spirit of life." (Rom. 8:3.) "It is the Spirit," says our Lord Jesus Christ, "who quickens." (John 6:63.) We are all by nature dead in trespasses and sins. We have neither feeling nor interest about true religion. We have neither faith, nor hope, nor fear, nor love. Our hearts are in a state of torpor; they are compared in Scripture to a stone. We may be alive about money, learning, politics, or pleasure—but we are dead towards God. All this is changed when the Spirit comes into the heart. He raises us from this state of death, and makes us new creatures. He awakens the conscience, and inclines the will towards God. He causes old things to pass away, and all things to become new. He gives us a new heart; He makes us put off the old man, and put on the new. He blows the trumpet in the ear of our slumbering faculties, and sends us forth to walk the world as if we were new beings.

How unlike was Lazarus shut up in the silent tomb, to Lazarus coming forth at our Lord's command! How unlike was Jairus' daughter lying cold on her bed amidst weeping friends, to Jairus' daughter rising and speaking to her mother as she was accustomed to do! Just as unlike is the man in whom the Spirit dwells to what he was before the Spirit came into him.

I appeal to every thinking reader. Can he whose heart is manifestly full of everything but God--hard, cold, and insensible—can he be said to "have the Spirit"? Judge for yourself.

2. All who have the Spirit are taught by Him. He is called in Scripture, "The Spirit of wisdom and revelation." (Eph. 1:17.) It was the promise of the Lord Jesus, "He shall teach you all things." "He shall guide you into all truth." (John 14:26; 16:13.) We are all by nature ignorant of spiritual truth. "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God—they are foolishness to him." (1 Cor. 2:14.) Our eyes are blinded. We neither know God, nor Christ, nor ourselves, nor the world, nor sin, nor heaven, nor hell, as we ought. We see everything under false colors. The Spirit alters entirely this state of things. He opens the eyes of our understandings. He illumines us; He calls us out of darkness into marvelous light. He takes away the veil. He shines into our hearts, and makes us see things as they really are! No wonder that all true Christians are so remarkably agreed upon the essentials of true religion! The reason is that they have all learned in one school—the school of the Holy Spirit. No wonder that true Christians can understand each other at once, and find common ground of fellowship! They have been taught the same language, by One whose lessons are never forgotten.

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can he who is ignorant of the leading doctrines of the Gospel, and blind to his own state—can he be said to "have the Spirit "? Judge for yourself

3. All who have the Spirit are led by Him to the SCRIPTURES. This is the instrument by which He specially works on the soul. The Word is called "the sword of the Spirit." Those who are born again are said to be "born by the Word." (Eph. 6:17; 1 Peter 1:23.) All Scripture was written under His inspiration—He never teaches anything which is not therein written. He causes the man in whom He dwells to "delight in the law of the Lord." (Psalm 1:2.) Just as the infant desires the milk which nature has provided for it, and refuses all other food--so does the soul which has the Spirit desire the sincere milk of the Word. Just as the Israelites fed on the manna in the wilderness, so are the children of God taught by the Holy Spirit to feed on the contents of the Bible.

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can he who never reads the Bible, or only reads it formally—can he be said to have the Spirit? Judge for yourself.

4. All who have the Spirit are convinced by Him of SIN. This is an especial office which the Lord Jesus promised He should fulfill. "When He has come, He shall reprove the world of sin." (John 16:8.) He alone can open a man's eyes to the real extent of his guilt and corruption before God. He always does this when He comes into the soul. He puts us in our right place. He shows us the vileness of our own hearts, and makes us cry with the publican, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" He pulls down those proud, self-righteous, self-justifying notions with which we are all born, and makes us feel as we ought to feel, "I am a sinful man, and I deserve to be in hell!" Ministers may alarm us for a little season; sickness may break the ice on our hearts; but the ice will soon freeze again if it is not thawed by the breath of the Spirit! Convictions not wrought by Him will pass away like the morning dew.

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can the man who never feels the burden of his sins, and knows not what it is to be humbled by the thought of them—can he have the Spirit? Judge for yourself.

5. All who have the Spirit are led by Him to CHRIST for salvation. It is one special part of His office to "testify of Christ," to "take of the things of Christ, and to show them to us." (John 15:26; 16:15.) By nature we all think to work our own way to heaven—we fancy in our blindness that we can make our peace with God. From this miserable blindness the Spirit delivers us. He shows us that in ourselves we are lost and hopeless, and that Christ is the only door by which we can enter heaven and be saved. He teaches us that nothing but the blood of Jesus can atone for sin, and that through His mediation alone God can be just and the justifier of the ungodly. He reveals to us the exquisite fitness and suitableness to our souls of Christ's salvation. He unfolds to us the beauty of the glorious doctrine of justification by simple faith. He sheds abroad in our hearts that mighty love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Just as the dove flies to the well-known cleft of the rock, so does the soul of him who has the Spirit flee to Christ and rest on Him. (Rom. 5:5.)

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can he who knows nothing of faith in Christ, be said to have the Spirit? Judge for yourself.

6. All who have the Spirit are by Him made HOLY. He is" the Spirit of holiness." (Rom. 1:4.) When He dwells in people, He makes them follow after love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, faith, patience, temperance." He makes it natural to them, through their new "Divine nature," to count all God's precepts concerning all things to be right, and to "hate every false way." (2 Pet 1:4; Ps. 119:128.) Sin is no more pleasant to them—it is their sorrow when tempted by it; it is their shame when they are overtaken by it. Their desire is to be free from it altogether. Their happiest times are when they are enabled to walk most closely with God—their saddest times are when they are furthest off from Him.

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can those who do not even pretend to live strictly according to God's will, be said to have the Spirit? Judge for yourself.

7. All who have the Spirit are SPIRITUALLY MINDED. To use the words of the Apostle Paul, "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." (Rom. 8:5.) The general tone, tenor, and bias of their minds is in favor of spiritual things. They do not serve God by fits and starts—but habitually. They may be drawn aside by strong temptations; but the general tendency of their lives, ways, tastes, thoughts and habits, is spiritual. You see it in the way they spend their leisure time, the company they love to keep, and their conduct in their own homes. And all is the result of the spiritual nature implanted in them by the Holy Spirit. Just as the caterpillar when it becomes a butterfly can no longer be content to crawl on earth—but will fly upwards and use its wings, so will the affections of the man who has the Spirit be ever reaching upwards toward God.

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can those whose minds are wholly intent on the things of this world be said to have the Spirit? Judge for yourself.

8. All who have the Spirit feel a CONFLICT within them, between the old nature and the new. The words of Paul are true, more or less, of all the children of God, "The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh--so that you cannot do the things that you would." (Gal. 5:17.) They feel a holy principle within their bosoms, which makes them delight in the law of God—but they feel another principle within, striving hard for the mastery, and struggling to drag them downwards and backwards. Some feel this conflict more than others—but all who have the Spirit are acquainted with it; and it is a token for good. It is a proof that the 'strong man armed' no longer reigns within, as he once did, with undisputed sway. The presence of the Holy Spirit may be known by inward warfare as well as by inward peace. He who has been taught to rest and hope in Christ, will always be one who fights and wars with sin.

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can he who knows nothing of inward conflict, and is a servant to sin, the world, and his own self-will, can he be said to have the Spirit? Judge for yourself.

9. All who have the Spirit LOVE others who have the Spirit. It is written of them by John, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren." (1 John 3:14.) The more they see of the Holy Spirit in anyone, the more dear he is to them. They regard him as a member of the same family, a child of the same Father, a subject of the same King, and a fellow-traveler with themselves in a foreign country towards the same father-land. It is the glory of the Spirit to bring back something of that brotherly love, which sin has so miserably chased out of the world. He makes people love one another for reasons which to the natural man are foolishness—for the sake of a common Savior, a common faith, a common service on earth, and the hope of a common home. He raises up friendships independent of blood, marriage, interest, business, or any worldly motive. He unites people by making them feel they are united to one great center, Jesus Christ.

I appeal again to every thinking reader. Can he who finds no pleasure in the company of spiritually-minded people, or even sneers at them as saints—can he be said to have the Spirit? Judge for yourself.

10. Finally, all who have the Spirit are taught by Him to PRAY. He is called in Scripture, "The Spirit of grace and supplication." (Zech. 12:10.) The elect of God are said to "cry to Him night and day." (Luke 18:7.) They cannot help it—their prayers may be poor, and weak, and wandering—but pray they must; something within them tells them they must speak with God and lay their needs before Him. Just as the infant will cry when it feels pain or hunger, because it is its nature, so will the new nature implanted by the Holy Spirit oblige a man to pray. He has the Spirit of adoption, and he must cry, "Abba, Father." (Gal. 4:6.)

Once more I appeal to every thinking reader. Can the man who never prays at all, or is content with saying a few formal heartless words, can he be said to have the Spirit? For the last time I say, Judge for yourself.

Such are the marks and signs by which I believe the presence of the Holy Spirit in a man may be discerned. I have set them down fairly as they appear to me to be laid before us in the Scriptures. I have endeavored to exaggerate nothing, and to keep back nothing. I believe there are no true Christians in whom these marks may not be found. Some of them, no doubt, stand out more prominently in some, and others in others. My own experience is distinct and decided—that I never saw a truly godly person, even of the poorest and humblest classes, in whom, on close observation, these marks might not be discovered.

I believe that marks such as these are the only safe evidence that we are traveling in the way that leads to everlasting life. I charge everyone who desires to make his calling and election sure, to see that these marks are his own. There are high-flying professors of religion, I know, who despise the mention of "marks," and call them "legal." I care nothing for their being called legal, so long as I am satisfied they are scriptural. And, with the Bible before me, I give my opinion confidently, that he who is without these marks is without the Spirit of God.

Show me a man who has these marks, and I acknowledge him as a child of God. He may be poor and lowly in this world; he may be vile in his own eyes, and often doubt of his own salvation. But he has that within him which only comes from above, and will never be destroyed, even the work of the Holy Spirit. God is his, Christ is his. His name is already written in the book of life, and before long heaven will be his own.

Show me a man in whom these marks are not to be found, and I dare not acknowledge him to be a true Christian. I dare not as an honest man; I dare not as a lover of his soul; I dare not as a reader of the Bible. He may make a great religious profession; he may be learned, high in the world, and moral in his life. It is all nothing if he has not the Holy Spirit. He is without God, without Christ, without solid hope, and, unless he changes, will at length be without heaven.

And now let me finish this paper by a few PRACTICAL REMARKS which arise naturally out of the matter which it contains.

(a) Would you know, first of all, what is your own immediate duty? Listen, and I will tell you.

You ought to examine yourself calmly about the subject which I have been trying to set before you. You ought to ask yourself seriously how the doctrine of the Holy Spirit affects your soul. Look away, I beseech you, for a few minutes, to higher things than the things of earth, and more important things than the things of time. Bear with me, while I ask you a plain question. I ask it solemnly and affectionately, as one who desires your salvation—Have you the Spirit?

Remember, I do not ask whether you think all I have been saying is true, and right, and good. I ask whether you yourself, who are reading these lines--have within you the Holy Spirit?

Remember, I do not ask whether you believe that the Holy Spirit is given to the Church of Christ, and that all who belong to the Church are within reach of His operations. I ask whether you yourself have the Spirit in your own heart?

Remember, I do not ask whether you sometimes feel strivings of conscience, and good desires flitting about within you. I ask whether you have really experienced the quickening and reviving work of the Spirit upon your heart?

Remember, I do not ask you to tell me the day or month when the Spirit began His work in you. It is enough for me if fruit trees bear fruit, without inquiring the precise time when they were planted. But I do ask--Are you bringing forth any fruits of the Spirit?

Remember, I do not ask whether you are a perfect person, and never feel anything evil within. But I do ask, gravely and seriously, whether you have about your heart and life the marks of the Spirit?

I hope you will not tell me you do not know what the marks of the Spirit are. I have described them plainly. I now repeat them briefly, and press them on your attention.

1. The Spirit quickens men's hearts.

2. The Spirit teaches men's minds.

3. The Spirit leads to the Word.

4. The Spirit convinces of sin.

5. The Spirit draws to Christ.

6. The Spirit sanctifies.

7. The Spirit makes people spiritually minded.

8. The Spirit produces inward conflict.

9. The Spirit makes people love the brethren.

10. The Spirit teaches to pray.

These are the great marks of the Holy Spirit's presence. Put the question to your conscience like a man—Has the Spirit done anything of this kind for your soul?

I charge you not to let many days pass away without trying to answer my question. I summon you, as a faithful watchman knocking at the door of your heart, to bring the matter to an outcome. We live in an old, worn-out, sin-laden world. Who can tell what "a day may bring forth?" Who shall live to see another year? Have you the Spirit? (Prov. 27:1.)

From Having the Spirit by J. C. Ryle

GOOGLE AND WARNINGS TO GROUP/BLOG OWNERS

Hi Everyone,

I have to leave Google and anything associated with it except for a few things.  For those who don't know, Google is big on this One World Order and it keeps a record of everything you do, every site you visit, every post/comment you make.  It's very anti-God and especially anti-Christian.  I am buying a website soon and will be using that only.  I'm also leaving all but about 10 of my Google groups.  I've struggled with this for too long and I'm really just not comfortable anymore.  Please do not take offense at me leaving your groups but I also am now in a home church, my husband is finally attending more than I am and we have decided to limit our online time when we are together and be a family.  

May I make a suggestion to you who have their own groups on Google Plus without offending you?  One reason I'm leaving is I see the same pictures on almost every group I'm on but very little dialogue.  I think it would serve you and the Body of Christ better if we spent our time talking and not just sharing a scripture.  Of course it's perfectly awesome to do that but instead of just that, let's talk, ask questions, help new babes in Christ and go about the business of the spreading Jesus Christ to the lost.  I'd also warn any newcomers to limit their joining groups to no more than 10 good ones because I see a lot of false doctrine spread on pages and it can be very confusing to those not grounded in the Word of God and how one must be saved.  Any group that spreads a false gospel is breaking the heart of Jesus Christ.  We are solely under grace and not the law.  

If you don't have a good home church or you can't get out, I recommend the 2 following ministries and that is...

Grace Ambassadors
J. Vernon McGee (he has passed but his doctrine/sermons are awesome, especially his through the Bible series)

I am going to be spending most of my time editing and redoing my blog over the next month.  I was too immature in God's Word, too weak in the faith and I shared many errors on it.  I will not be a part in spreading false prophets, doctrines, and another Jesus Christ.  

I fear the church (not the Body) is failing America today.  Too much compromising, too many liars, too much of a lot of things and not enough of getting people to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  That is all we are called to do specifically.  

I also warn against even spreading date-setters of the rapture, the age of the earth, flat earth, and ANYTHING you cannot back up by the clear written word of God.  His Word NEVER changes and if it was preached by Dr. McGee in 1969, it's just as relevant today.  Also, this "we're in the end times" is something we actually do not know.  God knows but we don't and so it's not helpful.  It profits us nothing.  Date setting is dangerous because if you scare someone that the rapture is going to happen on any given day and it doesn't, they get saved out of fear, is that real salvation?  What is going to happen to their faith (as it is very weak and tenuous) when that day goes by and it doesn't happen?  Preach the Gospel and if you want to tell the God's honest truth, not one single person is promised a tomorrow.  If you want to "date set" then go with that.  

One last thing about this doctrine of "once saved, always saved," is that I do believe that BUT one has to be saved and many are falsely saved.  They say the very unBiblical "Sinner's Prayer," believe they are now saved and go on and live as they always did.  We know nothing we do or do not do is going to save us.  Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ and believing the death/burial/resurrection with all your heart, confessing with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord God and Savior is going to do that.  Now, some will say that James is saying that works helps save us but that is a very misunderstood verse.  I've read many commentaries on this and the most respected of them say that the verse "faith without works is dead faith," is that James is saying that by being truly saved, you will produce good works (we're not talking the law here) and if you don't, you weren't saved.  

What does he mean by good works?   Well, I believe it's the fruit of the Spirit that he is referring to here which includes patience, endurance, love, gentleness, meekness, etc.  Giving money is good works but only if you give with the right motives.  Why do you give?  Do you tell people how much you gave?  Do you put your supposed "tithes" in an envelope with your name and address so you can write it off on your taxes or to show off to the congregation how much you give?  Do you give a few dollars to the homeless man without judgment or do you "assume" it's for drugs or alcohol?  Even if they do those things, do they not still need to eat?  God is looking at what you do and by that you will be judged, not what that person does with the money unless of course you are knowingly enabling them.  I'm going to do a blog post on this next.

So, I've not strayed from the faith and I sure haven't intentionally ignored anybody but I had a lot of things I had to do for myself before I can help anyone else Spiritually.  This is NOT about me but if I myself am not sure and grounded, I'm useless to the true Church.  My sole purpose is to edify, encourage, teach, help, lead, minister to the needs of others and to lead others to Jesus Christ and correct others when they are wrong.  I had to remove the boards out of my eyes first and there's a lot of leftover shards before I can even think to remove the speck out of others.  

Please forgive me if I leave your group but it's a big problem for me.  I am so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the notifications that I simply avoid all of it.  It was also taking the place of true fellowship and that's what we need.  We have every scripture at the tip of our fingers but we don't have anyone to talk to.  So, my group will be a Bible study and if no one wants to do it, they're free to leave but either we truly worship God by equipping each other with truth of God's Word or what are we doing?  There's just too much picture sharing and not enough of what I need.  I have to make some tough choices here.  

So, let's get on with sharing the Bible and helping others grow Spiritually.  For those who do, thank you and I love you all and God bless.