How Committed Are You?

Would you give up pursuing your own happiness (sexual, financial, material and career ambitions) for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Don’t lie! Many of you would like to think that you could give up your own ambitions for the sake of God but the truth of the matter is that your spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak.

You may think that this question is unfair but it is intended to make us examine our commitment to God and His Word.

Many, upon self-examination, are disqualified to respond to the question. We are disqualified whenever we insist upon practicing our religion rather than keeping God’s commandments. We are disqualified whenever we practice the pursuit of sexual fulfillment outside of the boundaries of holy matrimony. We are disqualified whenever we practice the pursuit of our own financial wellbeing at the expense of others. We are disqualified whenever we practice ignoring the needs of others when it is in our power to give assistance. We are disqualified whenever we have too much wealth while someone else has too little and we refuse to share.

The Bible Challenges and Instruct us to imitate Christ’s unselfish humility.

In the book of Philippians 2:1-8 we find Paul giving apostolic instructions to the church a Philippi to “have the mind of Christ. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. But rather, in humility, value others above yourselves. Imitate Christ by looking to the interests of others.” This is the challenge of every Christian.

Regardless of the countless millions who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, not many are committed to imitating Jesus Christ’s selfless humility.

How committed are you?

REPENT!

"No One Should Be Shocked"

No one should be shocked by what is posted on social network sites. Verbal vulgarities, pictorial nudity, allusions to sexual acts of perversion and immorality are common on today’s social networks. That is one reason so many religious groups have campaigned against them.

Nevertheless, it raises concern when so-called-Children of God are the ones who are posting these obscene materials. It makes one wonder about the integrity and sincerity of their salvation (Ephesians 5:3).

Many say that they are children of God and follow His Commands but their behavior nullifies their profession of faith.

Christians who are preoccupied with sexuality and sensuality have chosen their god and have denied the One True God—Jesus Christ. (Ezekiel 5:11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 8:5-8)

Being a Christian is not a 9 to 5 job. You don’t get to take time off from being holy no more than God gets to take time off from being God. It is a lifetime experience. It is who we are as God’s Children; if indeed we are His children. (Romans 8:9)

Stop fronting and be who you are.

If you belong to God, Act like it. If you belong to Satan, never mind. This message really was not for you anyway.
Bishop

THERE IS ONLY...

(Edited from Al Shannon’s Post in “Biblical Proof”)

Christians only have ONE authority, and that is Jesus Christ. He has the right to order and command. He said: All authority was given to him both in heaven and in earth. (Matt. 28:18).

God has the right to tell us what to do by virtue of the fact that he created us and not we ourselves. (Ps 100:3) When man tries to become his own authority, then he is acting according to the same evil desires with which Satan tempted Eve. Eve rejected God’s authority when she entertained a second opinion. When we seek ways to circumvent God’s laws we are committing the same sin Eve committed.

Authority Needed In Life

Authority is necessary in all aspects of life. Without it, there can only be anarchy and chaos. Without authority in the home, children will never learn the discipline needed to function in civilized society. Without authority in school, no one will receive a proper education. Businesses can’t exist without someone in charge because eventually no one will be productive. Without moral authority in governments, people will turn to wickedness like abortion, homosexuality, and adultery. Authority is needed everywhere. This is something that most people freely recognize. Someone has to be able to call the shots, and say the buck stops here.

Authority Needed in Religion

The need for authority is especially seen in the religious world. The existence of hundreds of denominations reveal this. The many divisions that exist, even among God’s people, testify of the need for authority. Divisions and denominations exist because people, at sometime, did not listen, and submit to the authority of God. Instead, they became their own authority, and acted in lawlessness.

“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25

The nature of man requires authority. Man can’t even direct his own steps. (Jer. 10:23). Some deny that we need authority for all that we say, and do. When people act or teach something without God’s authority, then they must look to one of two things: (1) Themselves or (2) Others. Yet, the Bible condemns looking to men as the source of authority (Jer. 10:23; Col. 2:20-22; Matt. 15:7-9; Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 4:6). Without God’s authority, we only have man’s worthless opinion, which changes like the wind, shifting to and fro.

“That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Eph 4:14-16

Humanism teaches us that we do not need God to tell us what to do. However, if one person can appeal to himself or another man for authority, then why can’t another person do the same? Who is to say who is right or wrong? When men contradict each other, how will the issues and questions be settled? Where else can we appeal? Without God, confusion and every evil thing will exist in society. Only division and evil will result. There is no way for us to be united based on the authority of man. Only God’s Word can unite us, and keep us united with the same mind and judgment. 1 Cor 1:10

Sadly, some are insisting that the pleas for authority are legalistic, and unnecessary. “The church must change with the times,” they say. Actually, all who believe and espouse such nonsense are not rejecting us, but rejecting Christ’s authority, and His Word. (Matt. 28:18; Jn. 12:48).

“And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” 1 Sam 8:7

A standard of right and wrong is essential to mankind. Our Standard must be the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 10:14-16). Without the inspired Word of God, we can’t know God’s will. This is why it is vital for us to seek for a genuine Holy Spirit filled, God sent man-of-God who is appointed by God to teach and preach out of the revelation of Holy Spirit and not out of religion’s pre-translated text. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11).

Mock it if you want, reject it if you will, but only God’s Word comes with the Spirit and power of God.

“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor 2:4-5)

Nadab and Abihu Rejected God’s Authority

Many examples given to us in the Old Testament testify to the need for acting with authority (Rom. 15:4). Nadab and Abihu were condemned to death because they acted in the silence of God. (Lev. 10:1-3). They used a strange fire which the Lord “had not commanded them”. Perhaps they thought that they did not need authority. Many strange fires burn on the Alter of Christianity today that God did not authorize. Unless they repent, they too shall perish.

Jesus’ Authority

The Pharisees questioned Jesus authority, and asked Jesus about his teaching and works: “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus didn’t say, “I don’t need any authority. You’re just being a legalistic!” Jesus ultimately refused to answer them because they refused to admit that John the Baptist preached with God’s Authority. This also reveals that authority only has two sources: God or man. (Matt. 21:23-27)

Jesus came with the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, and forgive sins. Even they knew that no one could do such without God’s authority and power to do so. Yet, they said, this man has a devil which gives him such authority. (Mt 12:23-28)

Jesus eventually told them that he received his authority, and power from His heavenly Father. But rejected this and crucified our Lord between two thieves. When we reject God’s Word and it’s authority, we are rejecting Christ. (Jn 12:48)

Apostles Authority

All Christians are to follow the Apostles’ doctrine which is One with the doctrine of Christ. (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 11:1) The apostles likewise taught the need for acting with authority from God. We are to the endeavor for unity (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 1:10). The only way for unity to be maintained is through respect for God’s authority. We must all follow the same standard and abide by it (Phil. 3:16). True disciples of Jesus Christ abide in his word (Jn. 8:31,32). We must remain within the confines of the revealed Word of God (1 Cor. 4:6). To go beyond the teachings of Christ and His Apostles is a total disrespect for The Lord and will bring destruction on whomever seeks to change God’s law. (2 John 9, Rev. 22:18-19).

Conclusion: The Church is to be subject to Christ who is the head in everything (Eph.5:23,24). Without question, the Scriptures teach us the need for acting with authority in all that we do and teach. Let us never complain at God’s commands. Let us not mock God’s preached and revealed Word. Instead, let us bring honor, and glory to God by our full submission to his will. Let us remember we are the created and not the creator. (Ps 100:3) Let us always remember: Christ is the “author and finisher of our Faith and the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb. 5:9; Heb 12:2). Let us never forget, God always has the Last Word.  His Word is everlasting and waiting to Judge us all. (John 12:48)

^“4 There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

ONE AUTHORITY!

"Life Hurts but God Heals!"

“Stop Tolerating the Clowns and Seek for the Crown”

Something is disturbing me.

I’ve discerned that a significant number of pastors are plagiarizing other pastor’s materials. They don’t have an original revelation or thought from the Lord so they borrow and steal the revelations of others without giving credit to the original prophet. Some have used their seminary professor’s opinions, Bible annotations and Bible footnotes exclusively to form their sermons. Instead of these things being tools for information, they’ve become resources for revelation. This is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. But it can become a bad thing. If that is all a pastor is depending upon, he then is only regurgitating the predigested rhetoric of another without any real personal substance, insights or revelation of his own. He does not hear from God. He is always borrowing from other men more gifted than himself; reciting old news, rearranging old thoughts and offering leftovers platitudes and Sound Bits to his congregation.

This is what a lot of folks are stuck with for a pastor—a motivational speaker posing as a preacher, pretending to have heard from the Lord when in actuality all they’ve heard is another man’s sermon.

They are fakers and imitators; gifted entertainer and impersonators. They wouldn’t know what an original thought or divine revelation looked like. They are “wannabes.” They want to be more than they are and something that they are not. Pastoring is an occupation to them and not a divine calling. Their faith is in the gifts of others or in their own education and not in God’s divine revelation. They are cowards also. Unless somebody else has said it first and unless their congregation approves of it, they will never preach a condemning message or a message that challenges long-held, yet incorrect beliefs. They are clowns on a stage–performing the scripted play.

Stop putting up with these pulpit playwrights and plagiarists. Seek for a real man of God who genuinely is saved according God’s Divine Plan of Salvation and who genuinely hears from God and deliver God’s Word as the Lord directs. Seek for a man who speaks with the voice of God (Ezekiel 33:7-9).

Stop tolerating the clowns and seek for the Crown.

Repent!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Can I See God When I Look At You?

If you allow the world to set your moral compass,

If you allow the world to form your opinions,

If you allow the world to define what a Christian should be,

If you allow the world to dictate what is morally acceptable,

If you allow the world to determine what is holy,
If you allow the world to shape you into its own image,

Be it known that you are conforming to the image of the god of this world—Satan.

2 Corinthians 4:4 and 1 John 5:19 clearly tells us that the whole world is under the control of the devil.

James 4:4 calls those of us who have conformed to the image of the world (in worship, clothing, speech, thought or sexual immorality) adulterers and enemies of God.

It doesn’t matter what your political rank is. It doesn’t matter what your religious distinction may be. It doesn’t matter about your financial or social status. It doesn’t matter if you are a preacher, teacher, songwriter, gospel singer, comedian, televangelist, rapper, movie star or celebrity. If you have conformed to the image, sexual perversions, immoral views and anti-Christians thoughts of the world, you are in the image of Satan and are declared to be an enemy of God.

God instructs us in Romans 12:2 that we should “not conform to this world…”

It is getting harder and harder everyday to distinguish between the saints and the ain’ts.

Through one of the most powerful tools of Satan, the communication air ways—television, internet and music, many have been deceived and influenced to take on the image of the world (Ephesians 2:2-3). Christianity has been commercialized, preaching has been glamorized and the pastor and the church has been idolized. Churches are imitating the style, dance, music and language of the world. Some so-called Christians are conforming to the popular social trend of the day—homosexuality, same-sex marriage, secular music tones and lyrics, disrespectful and provocative clothing, etc. Many churches have abandoned God’s divine order of gender role assignment in the church in favor of a social agenda of sexual equality—effectively calling God’s way evil.

Beware!!! There is a way that appears to be right, feels right, sounds right and looks right but in the end it leads to eternal death and damnation. (Proverbs 14:12)

Only God’s way leads to Eternal Life.

Only by being renewed through the transformation that come through obedience to God’s ordained plan of salvation—Repenting, Washing at Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and being born anew of His Holy Spirit—Can anyone hope to be saved and begin to resemble Christ.

Can I See God When I Look At You?

REPENT!

——————————————————————–

For more information, please request the CD entitled “Stop getting drunk on Junk.”

SCHEDULED TO BE POSTED TOMORROW

ON THE O.W. PRINCE MINISTRIES