Are you ever angry about the injustices, lies and deceit in our government, our schools, our churches and in our legal systems?  Many people are more angry than ever since the 2020 presidential elections.

How you handled and express that anger can be productive or destructive in your life, both now and for years to come.

Here is an important sermon on WRATH / ANGER, one of the “7 Deadly Sins”, by pastor Trent Casto, Naples Covenant Church, Naples, Florida,  This sermon tells us what the Bible says about anger, how we should handle anger and the effects of mishandled anger on our life . 

There is a second video of an interview by John Stossel of Jordan B. Peterson, a Canadian professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, a clinical psychologist, and a wildly popular lecturer on cultural and political issues.  Dr. Peterson comments on the matter of personal responsibility, the benefits having a “dangerous personality” and how to use anger productively.

These can be very, very useful in our daily lives.  Compare, Contrast and learn!

(If you don’t want to watch the entire sermon, go to 10:00 minutes through 12:00 minutes for the “meat”.  But the entire sermon is well worth the listen)

(This is a short interview and worth every minute)

We have been in a centuries old period of struggle between Good and evil known in the Bible as the “days of distress” or the “tribulation period” as the Bible rightly calls it.  Now, it appears we are at a moment of convergence of events which could well usher in a period called the Great Tribulation, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

How we conduct ourselves during this momentous time will make “all the difference in the world”, and beyond!  Let’s get it right.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Countdown Has Begun

Concurrence

Daniel 12:4  “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

 Daniel 12:4 seems to say that as knowledge increases in these Last Days, people will live their lives in a frenzied and frantic hurry.

We can obtain volumes of information in an instant, we can fly at or near the speed-of-sound getting where we are going in an instant.  Life is all about getting what we want, and getting it right now!

Even in our churches, we are told to “say this little prayer, invite Jesus into your heart”, and PRESTO!  You are now a Christian.

But, is this how it works?

God’s will for you life is to save you by His grace and through your faith in Christ Jesus.

God’s Will for your life is to see you grow and mature in His grace and to become holy as He is holy.

God’s Will for your life is for you to have in you the same attitude which is in Christ Jesus.

Jesus’ Will for your life is for you to do the works He is doing and greater works than those, because He has gone to the Father.

All of these things, and more, are accomplished over time, through the processes of trusting God, obeying His Will and sanctification, the process of making or becoming holy, set apart,  consecrated for God’s use.  But, work won’t be completed instantly.

Interestingly, the majority of the references to “in an instant” in the Bible are about pride, destruction or the “rapture”:

Luke 4:5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

Proverbs 6:15   But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

Jeremiah 4:20  Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.

 1 Corinthians 15:52  in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

There is nothing instant about obtaining Holiness, developing a  Godly character, being made into the image of Christ or even working out one’s salvation, which we must “work out with fear and trembling”.

Which brings me to the point:  To obtain the Character and the Promises of God we must trust the Processes of God.

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life. (Please, read that again).

God’s Will for my life doesn’t just kick in when things get tough or when I need something. God’s Will for my life is a constant.

https://whitestone2020.com/knowing-gods-will/

There are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:

• 1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

• Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

• 1Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you want to the see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these four verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.

• DO RIGHT.

• RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT

• ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
  

• IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Interesting, huh? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

Think about it.  In fact, dwell on these things, and you’ll never be the same again.  SELAH!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

COME FOR A VISIT?

A friend has recently moved to another city and is looking for a Church.  He tells me that a couple of folks, from a Church he and his wife had visited, called and asked if they could drop by for a visit.  They had come from their own area to visit my friend in their city.  MAN, THAT IS ‘OLD SCHOOL’, but a nice touch!

Now-a-days, most churches tell their members just to invite your friends TO CHURCH.  We are being told that visiting folks in their homes just doesn’t work anymore – actually very little is being said about ‘going out and visiting’.  We are told we can hand out invitation cards, invite people to a church play or some entertainment event at church or any score of other ‘unique and modern methods’.

So, I did a search in the Bible to see how the early Church had such explosive growth and I could not find even ONE example of people inviting people to a church.  No, not even one example.

But, here is what I found, instead:

Matthew 11:1  “When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.”

Matthew 10:11  “And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city.  As you enter the house, give it your greeting.  If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

Matthew 9:35  Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Matthew 11:1  When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Mark 6:56  Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.

Luke 4:43  But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 5:12  While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Acts 8:40  But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

Mark 2:15  “And it happened that Jesus was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating with tax collectors and sinners?”

 Now, let’s see if I got this right.  The Bible and Jesus say to…

1.  GO OUT to their cities and villages

2.  Preach and teach the Gospel, tell them about Jesus

3.  Pray for the sick; heal every manner of sickness and disease

4.  Invite them to your home for dinner and discussions

*No mention of inviting people to church to get saved or to hear a sermon.  None.

So, how did we get from “there” to “here”?

People began using church buildings around 300 AD because Emperor Constantine built one for convenience, organization, and control.  He built it because he became a Christian, so the story goes.  But, as an Emperor, he also built it as a public display and a monument and constructed it to maintain order, show grandeur and to intimidate the audience by these things.  (Go into one and see).

                      

Want to know what I think?  We have been conditioned.

There is a book, PAGAN CHRISTIANITY, (a book by Frank Viola & George Barna).  The following is a review by Geoffrey W Sutton, Evangel University)

“Despite the bold title, the authors do not advocate the overthrow of existing church communities. They are not out to inspire rebellion. Rather, they want us to be aware of the humanly devised traditions that have come to mean church for so many contemporary believers. Once alerted to these issues, believers are encouraged to either leave quietly and find a New Testament church or live peacefully in their present faith community.

“The next time you go to church, you might wonder when people began going to church.  Given the extant information, it seems church buildings did not appear until about the year 300 AD.  For more than two centuries, Christians worshiped in small groups.

“In time, the church as an organized religion began the construction of sacred buildings with special physical (pulpit, pews, balconies) and cultural trappings (special priests, choirs, incense).

“Aside from the unchristian origins of these developments, the authors punctuate their criticism by noting the high cost of such religious overhead. They estimated the value of church real estate as over $230 billion (that was before the financial crisis of 2008). Mortgages and maintenance requires a substantial portion of the $50 to $60 billion churches garner from tithes and offerings.  What makes their critique of the traditional Sunday morning worship sequence interesting is their review of the origins of the familiar service outline.

“Aside from the pagan origins, they note the missed opportunity for spiritual transformation that could occur in a more active and participative format.

“The next pillar to fall is the holy sermon, which has its roots in Greek oratory. They note the limited examples of speeches in the Old Testament and New Testament before suggesting how the contemporary sermon hinders growth.  They also point to research on the ineffectiveness of sermons.

“Where did the pastor come from?”.  Not surprisingly, the notion of a professional clergy caste does not come from scripture. The authors advocate the priesthood of all believers and demonstrate the problems inherent in a pastor-driven church. Not only do pastors and their families suffer from the stress created by the contemporary position but talented believers also suffer from inhibited spiritual growth.

“Although the authors present some meritorious arguments for reforming church leadership, they do not suggest much in the way of developing capable leaders. Perhaps this must wait for a sequel.

“For those who still hold to fundamentalist teaching about tithing, the chapter explaining the unchristian origins of the ancient Israelite income tax may prove enlightening. The authors not only expose this common misinterpretation of scripture but also go further to challenge the use of donations to support a paid clergy, which are beholden to their large donors. Instead, believers unburdened by such unnecessary personnel expenses, can freely give to those in need without fear of obligation or manipulation.”

So, what’s my point?

Well, survey’s and studies show church in America is in decline(s).  Decline in membership, decline in regular attendance, decline in income (tithes and offerings), decline in morals and ethics, decline from the Bible’s clear message.

The church is following and has become like the pagan culture in America, and it’s the same for the rest of the world.  America and the rest of the world are lost in a moral and spiritual nosedive.  It’s urgent for Christians to get back to Christ and the Bible.

Just a reminder, that we are alien to this world.  Sojourners, on mission from God to be The Church, the Body of Christ on earth, organic, on the move, lifting up Jesus, calling sinners home.  The “Final Harvest” is begun.

Please, let’s all pray for America and for the Church to repent and turn to God, that our land may be healed and restored.

https://whitestone2020.com/the-false-church-emerges/

https://whitestone2020.com/has-the-great-apostasy-begun/

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  I know that not ALL churches are falling into Apostasy, but the majority have fallen.  https://whitestone2020.com/2021/02/10/deception-within-the-church/

 

A Paradox:  A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true; A person, thing, or situation that exhibits inexplicable or contradictory aspects; A statement that is self-contradictory or logically untenable, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.

God gave this world a second chance after He destroyed it with The Great Deluge (a.k.a., Noah’s flood).  God judged and destroyed everything on the earth because He was sorry He had made mankind as everyone had become wicked, doing evil all the time.

This “Greatest of all Resets” was intended to give one righteous man and his family the task of repopulating the earth.  However, since “the heart of man is wicked” it has only been a matter of time before man’s deeds, again, became evil.

God’s intention and work of judging wickedness and removing evil from the earth and from the heart of man has not changed, however.  Jesus and His Word tell us that we as Christians are in this world to influence this world for God and His purposes, we are not to be part of this world.

Jesus went on to explain that we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and that our light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus also warns that if it seems like the world hates you, just remember that it hated Jesus first.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are not part of the world because Jesus chose you to come out of the world, and, that is why this world will hate you.

Finally, do you remember that Jesus told us, a slave is not greater than the master.  So,  since they persecuted Him, naturally they will persecute you.

If those of the world had listened to Jesus, then, they would listen to you, too.  But, they won’t listen to you because of Jesus; and, they reject the One who sent Him.”  (Paraphrase John 15:18-21)

AND, WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?

1. Jesus says, in Matthew 10:16

(a)  “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves.

WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?

(b)  Matthew 10:17 tells us, “But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; Verse 18.  And you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. Verse 19.  But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour.  Verse 20.  For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.

2. Matthew 10:1, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and

WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?

(a)  gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

(b) Verse 7.  And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

(c)  Verse 8.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

(d)  Verse 9.  Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, Verse 10.  or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support.

(e)  Verse 11.  And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. Verse 12.  As you enter the house, give it your greeting. Verse 13.  If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?

(f)  Matthew 10:14 tells us, “And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Verse 15.  Truly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.”

 WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?

3. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Verse 19.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Verse 20. teaching them to follow all that I commanded you;

WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?

…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Since this is so, why are so many ‘Christians’ drawing near to the world, following and adopting their methods?  (You and I need to answer this question).

Follow this link  to “Got Questions” But Not of This World.

The day of His return is drawing near.  We can not be standing idly by, watching and waiting.  We have been called and sent to GO and to DO!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Click this link to go to “Not of This World, Part 2”

Scripture references:

John 17:11 ¶  “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.

12  “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

13  “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.

14  “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15  “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.

16  “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 ¶  “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

18  “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

19  “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

20 ¶  “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

21  that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22  “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;

23  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

John 15:18 ¶  “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

19  “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

20  “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

21  “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

 

The title sounds ominous, doesn’t it?  It is a warning!

The message and ministry of the Western Postmodern church has become blurred.  Let’s look back, so we can look forward.

AD 1  –  The Church of Jesus Christ, the Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth.  At that time, the Church was a Movement.

Jesus said to make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.

The penalty for becoming a Christian was often death. Still, the Church grew exponentially.

AD 49  –  The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. The Church grew and size and influence.

AD 313  –  The Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence. It became an institution.

AD 380  –  The Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture.

AD 1607  –  The Church reaches America.

AD 1681  –  The Church became corporate. It had become a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.

Now, There are so many ‘church leaders’ who lust for attention and authority that they will embrace cult-like church environments to obtain their cravings.  Thereby, the spread of the Gospel is stunted by the very ones called to spread it.

Likewise, there are many pastors who crave success to the extent they demand obedience to their programs in order to obtain their quest.  They mistakenly believe that “If we build it, they will come”.  And many pastors demand allegiance to the man-made order in their church polity and programs for their own satisfaction and peace and quiet.  And the Gospel is held hostage by those few.

But, here is how Jesus describes the work of the Gospel:

Jesus refers to His ministry as “The Threshing Floor”.  Luke 3:17  “His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”  A messy and often violent place. 

Hardly like the, “seeker friendly” postmodern church.

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This was written to Jesus’ disciples then and now, for all the ages.  This is written to you and to me.

Jesus did not say “Go, to church therefore, and listen to a sermon, sing some songs, make some coffee, greet people at the doors, hand out bulletins, invite your friends to church, and leave the work of the Gospel to a sermon.”

Read these following verses and ask yourself what they are telling each Christian to do:

1 Peter 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE,

AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 7This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,

“A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,

THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” 8 and,

“A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.

9 But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

This is written to and for all Christians for all the ages.  It does not say you are being appointed as an altar prayer team or to the church security team or hospitality team.  You are living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

You are not a member of a 501(c)(3) religious organization or a church subcommittee.  But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 2 Timothy 4:1 I  solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.

This was written to Timothy as a minister of the Gospel as the template for all who would follow Jesus.  We are not called to speak strange messages (glossalia) to the congregation  or to become fund raisers or busy ourselves with entertaining the congregation to the abandonment of preaching the word.

 2 Timothy 4:5 But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

The Church bulletin says we need parking lot attendants, janitors, kid’s choir helpers, nursery attendants, greeters, kitchen workers, bus drivers, etc., and we do need them to run the organization.  And the Bible says, But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

 2 Peter 1:3  For His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust. 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://whitestone2020.com/the-false-church-emerges/

https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/18/church-or-cult/

I have just read a post by a psychologist discussing ‘attachment based therapy’ which essentially has to do with the ‘epidemiological categories of attachment’ including the identification of the attachment styles such as being secure, anxious, ambivalent and disorganized/disoriented) with an analysis and understanding of how dysfunctional attachments are acted out in adult life.

In other words, trauma suffered in early life can and does cause stress, anxiety, disorganized and disoriented thinking and behavior, etc., later in life.  So, many of us suffer low self-esteem anxieties, self condemnation, shame, guilt and self loathing.

Well, doctor psychologist, the Bible is about 2,000 years ahead of you on this one!

GOOD NEWS, INDEED

There is now, no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do:  He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have, and in that Body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

PEACE & LIFE

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.  But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

As a Christian – a follower of Jesus – you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)  And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (paraphrase of Romans 8:1-14)

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

How can this be possible?  How can you attain to a healthy and optimistic outlook in life, full of purpose and hope?

Listen, friends and loved ones, there is a way.  The simple answer is “through Jesus Christ”.  But, there is surrender that must take place.  Then there is the process of following Him and being changed, transformed into His likeness.  It takes time, and you must cooperate, even pursue Him and this greatest gift, with all diligence.  Then it will happen!

And, Strange as it may seem, there exists a Power that is able to transform your life so thoroughly, so radically, so completely, that when the process is completed your own friends would hardly recognize you, and, in fact, you would scarcely be able to recognize yourself.

You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”

You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different.

This intensely real Power, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and begin to solve your problems, smooth out your difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity.

It has the ability to lift you out of an invalid’s bed and make you sound and well. 

It can free you to go and shape your life as it should be.  “It can throw open the prison door and liberate the captive.

It has a healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.

This Power can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.

It can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.

It can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in books.

It can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.

It can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.

 

This Power, as it is rightly called, is the Gospel of Jesus implanted in the heart and mind of a fully surrendered, completely devoted disciple of Jesus.

 

So, I say, TAKE THE LEAP!  You have everything to gain!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://whitestone2020.com/separated-from-god/

 

https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/09/taking-the-leap/

1 John 2:15  “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

The word for “love” here, is “Agape”.  This word says, do not “Agape” this world or the things in the world. (i.e., do not love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem.) “Agape-love” is the type of love God shows us.  It is reserved for loved ones, those who are most dear to us and affect our minds, will and emotions, those we can barely live without.

If we “Agape” the world then you can be sure, the love of God is not in you.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

First, let’s deal with the (1) ‘desires of the flesh’, the (2) the lust of the eyes and (3) the pride of life. Christians have always been, and will always be, lured by the same three temptations Eve and Jesus experienced. Satan doesn’t change his methods; he doesn’t have to because they continue to be successful. He tempts us with

(1)  The lust of the flesh—sexual gratification, gluttony, excessive alcohol consumption, and drugs, both legal and illegal, as well as the “deeds of the flesh” about which Paul warned the Galatians, “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 5:19-21).

(2)  The lust of the eyes — the endless accumulation of “stuff” with which we fill our homes and garages and the insatiable desire for more, better, and newer possessions, which ensnares us and hardens our hearts to the things of God.

(3)  The pride of life — the very sin that resulted in Satan’s expulsion from heaven. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God (Isaiah 14:12-15). The arrogant boasting which constitutes the pride of life motivates the other two lusts as it seeks to elevate itself above all others and fulfill all personal desires.

The pride of life is the root cause of is the root cause of strife in families, churches, and nations. It exalts the self in direct contradiction to Jesus’ statement that those who would follow Him must take up their cross (an instrument of death) and deny themselves.

The pride of life stands in our way if we truly seek to be servants of God. It is the arrogance that separates us from others and limits our effectiveness in the kingdom. The pride of life “comes not from the Father, but from the world.” And, as such, it is passing away with the world, but those who resist and overcome the temptation of the pride of life do the will of God, and “the man who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

To honestly and accurately answer this question, have to ask yourself what is most important in your own life?  In other words, what do you emphasize or demand for yourself?  Where do you spend the majority of your time, effort and money?  Do you get your ‘goosebumps’, that is, your greatest pleasures, from beautiful material things and from sensual pleasures?

Are you deeply concerned about what you own or how you look?  Do you spend excessive time climbing the ladder of success?  Are you concerned when people don’t pay attention to you or don’t meet your expectations?  Do you, even unwittingly, give to others with the expectation of getting something back?  As simple and normal as this sounds, the Bible says that these things are not from God, but are from the world.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

The Bible says we are to give without expecting anything in return.  We, as God’s Children, do good things from the treasures of our heart.  It is God Who repays us. (Proverbs 24:12)

Furthermore, the Bible reminds us that God looks on the inside of a person – our attitude, our intentions, our desires – not on the outside. (Samuel 16:7)  This is our standard.

These verses tell us that the world is passing away and if our attention in on the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life, what we have and what we have done in this life will vanish, it will be burned up like worthless “wood, hay and stubble”.

However, the Bible also tells us that “whoever does the will of God abides forever”.

All of us are affected by the attraction of the world’s pleasures in some way.  Please, let’s pray for one another that we do not stumble and will be found as faithful servants.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Matthew 19:23  “And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.””

Additional resources:

KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD.

EXPERIENCING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

An Aesop’s children’s story tells of an ant and a grasshopper. The ant is working away throughout the summer collecting his food and building his shelter in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. The Grasshopper on the other hand enjoys his summer months by “sitting on a blade of grass fiddling and singing to the sun”.  The ant is prepared and has what he needs to survive a long and cold winter, but the grasshopper played his time away during the summer and is left out in the cold to die, starving and without shelter. (the entire fable: THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT).

This fable has a good moral about working hard and preparing for the future.  It reminds me of what a pastor said once, “Don’t wait until trouble finds you to begin to search for God because then it might be too late.  Keep your relationship with God current, so you know He is always near,”

The Bible warns Christians to be prepared for a coming day

Mattehw 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet-call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

But, most Christians hold the belief that making a one-time confession of faith (with little-to-no follow through, I might add) is sufficient to save them from the coming wrath.  The fact is that the time is very close and most are not prepared for what is coming.

Please watch this short video excerpt before I close this post about how we can be ready for anything that may come upon us:

Host and historian Ronnie Cohen plus several prophecy experts including Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum go on an epic journey to uncover the secrets behind Middle Eastern Bible prophecy and the shocking statistical evidence that proves there is much more going on regarding past prophetic fulfillment than mere chance.

Shocking new research also reveals that prophetic events foretelling frightening social changes that will usher in a new period of global hardship, tribulation and widespread death may be more plausible than many believe. No matter your belief system, the findings presented within The final Prophecies are as eye-opening as they are frightening. The ultimate conclusion may change your view of prophecy forever and redefine how much time we truly have left on this world!

Historian Ronnie Cohen and others examine biblical prophecies and tie them into possible evidence that Earth’s days are numbered. Director: Brent Miller Jr.  (Go here for the full length movie:  https://youtu.be/6-qHgpz_qOs)

Are you still “fiddling around” with pursuing the pleasures of this world?

If so, what should we be doing to get ready?

https://whitestone2020.com/what-does-it-mean-to-get-ready/

https://whitestone2020.com/2020/08/27/get-ready-stay-ready/

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Matthew20:25 “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Many times the distinction between being someone’s ‘doormat’ and being ‘the doorman’ to assist others along their way, is very narrow. Even once the distinction is made, the desire to do it can be even more of a challenge.

However, Jesus warns us to “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Showing Grace, mercy and compassion, in our Secular-Humanist world, can sometimes be mistaken for weakness. But, God’s Grace is unmistakable.

Listen to a few minutes of this introduction to a sermon by Pastor Trent Casto, senior pastor of Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida, as he recounts a picture of GRACE from the story and play “Les Mis” and relates that to the Truth of Scriptures. You will be moved. (with permission)

So, is it “Doormat” or “Doorman”?  Either way, it takes great courage to follow Jesus and to be like Him, but, God repeatedly tells us to “Be strong and very courageous”, and then we will have good success!

Let’s join God and make this happen!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Philippians 2: 5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature ^a God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature ^b of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ”
Romans 10:17

“Well, well, well. Whadda’ ya’ know”
IT’S A DEEP SUBJECT

I hear many Christians and conservative say that some political figure or that political party is going to save us. “It isn’t over yet”, they say.  “Keep praying that “so-and-so” prevails”, they say.

Well. You tried. But, politics and government haven’t worked to make our world a better or safer place in which to live.  And, no one is saved by a person nor a political system.

And, well, we have tried social engineering. That may have improved the standard of living for some, but it hasn’t improved the morality of people toward one another.

Education has been the pathway to knowledge and advances in technology, but, well, education alone isn’t enough to make our world a safer and better place to live.

Advances in medicine and science have done nothing to reign in the evil emanating from the heart of mankind. They have not stemmed the violence, the evil and wickedness of men and women. We are dying from new diseases and killing each other at an alarming rate. It seems America and the entire world is spiraling out of control.

WELL, NOW, WE ARE AT THE PRECIPICE. HERE IS WHAT IS AT HAND: THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD IS BEING SWALLOWED UP BY THE ONE-WORLD GLOBALIST MOVEMENT. GOD HAD GIVEN US A SMALL RESPITE OF TIME. BUT, WE SQUANDERED THAT GIFT. NOW WE MUST PREPARE FOR WHAT IS UPON US.

God has given us the solution we need, through His Word and by His Son – and it is NOT in a religion.

I mentioned to a friend, recently, that I believe Jesus was trying to tell us something. My friend looked at me with a quizzical look, almost as if to say, “What? Of course He was trying to tell us a lot of things!” But, before my friend could say anything, I went on to say, “But, I don’t think we have understood what He is trying to tell us”. My friend was speechless.

I read something recently that goes like this:

“Strange as it may seem, there exists a Power that is able to transform your life so thoroughly, so radically, so completely, that when the process is completed your own friends would hardly recognize you, and, in fact, you would scarcely be able to recognize yourself.

“You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”

“You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different.

“This intensely real Power, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and begin to solve your problems, smooth out your difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity.

“It has the ability to lift you out of an invalid’s bed and make you sound and well.

“It can free you to go and shape your life as it should be.

“It can throw open the prison door and liberate the captive.

“It has a healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.

“This Power can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.

“It can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.

“It can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in books.

“It can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.

“It can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.

This Power, as it is rightly called, is the Gospel of Jesus implanted in the heart and mind of a fully surrendered, completely devoted disciple of Jesus.

To our credit, we, as Christians, have tried, and we continue to try. We may have become accustomed to, or committed to, (or even in some cases, addicted to), reading the Bible and praying to God. But, the things we read about in the Bible, seem to elude us in our daily lives. This has to change, and it has to change quickly! Time is short as it has always been. And we can make the change, IF WE CHANGE HOW WE THINK – REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND! (We better change because it appears we may be ‘at the end of our rope’, as the saying goes.)

I am studying and practicing, for myself.  Sharing this with you, helps me (the teacher learns most) and I hope and pray it might help you along your way also.  I am working through the Gospel of Matthew with an emphasis on the application of The Spiritual.

Reading and studying are only the first steps. The “DOING” of a Spiritual application is what brings change. Please pray first and ask that the eyes of your heart be opened to the Spirit of God; then, study and ask the Holy Spirit (Whose groaning are too deep for words), enlighten your mind and heart; then, GO and DO, first in the Spiritual and then stand firm in the natural. You will overcome and endure to the end – Victorious in Him!

Matthew 3:1,2,3
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/05/a-prophecy-for-today/

Matthew 3:4
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/06/poverty-the-kingdom-of-heaven/

Matthew 3:7
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/07/a-brood-of-vipers/

Matthew 3:8
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/09/escape-the-coming-wrath/

Matthew 3:10
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/02/the-axe-is-laid-a-prophetic-word/

Matthew 3:11
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/11/the-holy-spirit-and-fire/

Matthew 3:12
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/11/his-winnowing-fork/

Matthew 4:2
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/20/yours-is-the-kingdom-of-heaven/

Matthew 4:3
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/29/if-you-are-who-you-say-you-are/

Matthew 4:4
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/10/30/it-is-written/

Matthew 4:5,6,7
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/11/06/when-you-reach-the-pinnacle/

Matthew 4:8
https://whitestone2020.com/2020/11/07/all-of-this-can-be-yours/

Matthew 5:13
https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/04/being-jesus-disciple/

Matthew 5:14
https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/07/the-law-of-being/

Matthew 5:15,16
https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/08/the-light-shines/

Matthew 5:17,18
https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/08/satisfaction/

May God Bless us all on this final journey.  May we Overcome by the word of our testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb.  Amen & amen.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young