The Burden of Proof

I am often amazed that some people believe in the possibility of intelligent life on other planets, but they cannot believe in the probability of a Divine designer. They won’t believe in God simply because, they cannot prove that God does exist by the scientific method. However, they’ll entertain the idea of a meta-physically infinite universe (which is philosophically impossible), a race of human’s that evolved into a superior people (which is the epitome of racism if you think about it), and the ultimate destruction of the earth. The first two cannot be proved-just like they cannot prove the existence of God. The third is in biblical agreement. The burden of proof is not on the believer, the burden of proof is on the unbeliever…#infiniteuniverse #evolution #destructionoftheearth

American Ideals

August 1, 2012 was a great day in America. People across the country supported “Freedom of Speech.” Although unpopular, the owner of the fast food chain “Chick-fil-A” gave his opinion on a Christian radio station in which he express that he believed that marriage was between a man and a woman. Various groups including left wing politicians express their disapproval of said opinion and called for a nationwide boycott. However, Americans across the nation rallied up and expressed their support. The lines were incredibly long, and men and women brought their children in an open support to this American fast food chain (which by the way has created more jobs than Obama). The controversy has to do with the misunderstanding of the situation. It appears that some groups (including some so-called Christians) are making this issue about Christianity vs. Homosexuals. I read an article in which a Christian stated that he wasn’t going to eat there (today) because it wasn’t turning the cheek as Jesus would have done. Another Christian who stated that he was standing up for what is right; expressed his outrage because Christians were expressing hatred, being judgmental, and gossiping. (If anything he was the one judging all Christians; he was the one being self-righteous!) The truth is that the Chick-fil-A rallies were about a man expressing his opinion on marriage; his opinion on marriage happens to be a time tested position and world view-the same view that Barak Hussein Obama expressed as recently as 2008 (He recently stated that his view on marriage has since “evolved.”) The people who went out and showed their support were not bigots, they were not hateful; they were Americans who believe in Freedom of Speech, Americans who hold on to American ideals and family values, that was what the rallies were about.

  God bless America!

A Revelation A Day Will Keep the Questioning Away

I was born into the Pentecostal church. I grew up hearing the voice of my pastor preaching the truth of repentance, Jesus name baptism, and the necessity of the Holy Ghost. I look back on my life and the number of messages that I have heard preached about having an everyday relationship with God is countless. I am unable to count how many messages resulted in letting me know that receiving the Holy Ghost is not a one time thing and that "once saved always saved" is a lie straight from Satan. I have been told countless times that I am to "die daily", giving my whole self to God daily and repenting daily for all my sins even after baptism.

I completely agree with all of these teachings. But there is something that has been happening to me lately when I read the word of God that I haven't heard preached so much in my youth. Yes the man that I now call my pastor preaches on this subject often and I never get tired of hearing it. However, growing up under other leadership I did not always hear this message. Maybe they thought that we knew, that the sunday school teacher hit the subject enough, or that I would have learned it in a bible study. Even in the early days of my willingness to do the work of God I would stumble over my unsure choice of words as I would try to describe this subject to an individual that would ask me what I believed.

What is the subject?

It should be an easy explanation for a pentecostal. After all, it is the core of our belief.

Up until a few years ago I could not put two scriptures together to explain that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, that is without the help of a bible study chart. This is embarrassing, but true.

Lately it seems that almost every time I pick up my bible to read I stumble across another set of scriptures that work with scripture that I had read days prior to confirm my core belief...Jesus Christ is the one and only living God!

I have decided to write this post to let everyone know that just as important as it is to pray, repent, and speak in tongues daily, it is also important to not just read the word of God daily, but let His word speak to you daily. Let God reveal himself to you daily. We should be experiencing revelation of his oneness over and over and over again. Just as not praying daily would make us fall into sin so would not letting God reveal himself daily make us begin to question.

Don't just question. Pray and read your bible. Let God speak to you through His word. Let Him reveal himself to you.

For me today, it was reading Luke 24:44-49. Jesus is speaking of scripture being fulfilled. He later states,


“...I send the promise of my Father upon you: but terry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”


"From on high" and "the promise of my Father". It is clear that Jesus is speaking of the comforter mention in John 14:16 and the Holy Ghost which is poured out on the day of pentecost in Acts chapter 2.

If we look back at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 we read the words of Jesus as he says, 

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

The power and promise that Jesus is referring to in Luke 24:44-49 is his very own power and his Spirit which is the Holy Ghost. The very same Holy Ghost that, as we are told in John 3:3-5, must be living within us in order for us to enter the kingdom of God. 

Now, If I was a new believer, or maybe not a believer at all, I may need a little more then that. But with what I have studied combined what I have learned from the preaching of my pastor, this is a nice little revelation of my God to me. Thank you Jesus!

Transparency

I get a kick out of people who like to advertise their modesty, and righteousness on social networks. They’ll look down on others who don’t live up to certain standards, and in some cases even demonize them. Can I be frank? We could care less about your modesty and self-righteousness, especially when you contradict yourself on the same social network. You can post about modesty all you want, but when everything coming out of your mouth is immodest, all we see is a hypocrite.

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matt. 12:34)

Response to a Trinitarian

" The term "Trinity" does not appear in scripture, however the concept of God in
three distinct yet co-existing persons of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit are revealed throughout the Bible. The Fourth Lateran Council of the Church stated that the the three "persons" or "aspects" of God are all fully present and fully equal. The "Name of the Trinity" is just that: the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Now there's an explanation from a person raised Southern Baptist, who spent 20 years as a Methodist and who converted to Catholicism 13 years ago."
First and foremost our position to reject the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not because the word Trinity is unbiblical, but because the biblical position on the nature of the godhead is that of the Oneness view. While there may be room in scripture for the concept of “Composite Unity,” said concept does not contradict the Oneness position. One of the greatest problems with the Trinitarian concept (among many) revolve around the portion of “co-existence,” and “co-eternal.” Both of these portions of the Trinitarian concept lead to some form (In one way or another) of the doctrine of “Eternal Sonship,” which has been scholastically rejected (With some exceptions like Calvinism). For example the word “with” in John 1:1 (according to Trinitarian scholars), demands that a second person be included into this verse; “with” meaning face to face. While this may be true in the English language, it must be considered that concepts are attempting to explain the nature of God with human terms which are subject to error (unlike the scriptures which are infallible). Furthermore, to take the position that the word “with” demands a second person, then ultimately the person taking said position is placing another person in eternity (due to the context of the verse), that is eternal sonship.
Co-equal persons that have society within themselves leads to further problems such as: None of them can be “the Almighty.” If they are co-existing, did God the Son cease to exist for three days, after the crucifixion? God the Son speaks of a demi-God, or Jehovah Jr. The son of God speaks of the humanity of Jesus Christ. There is an amazing amount of difference in these two terms (besides God the Son, being contrary to scriptural doctrine). It is also interesting to note that the doctrine of the Trinity has evolved into a concept that it wasn’t originally intended to. When
speaking of the original concept and language of said concept, it had a whole different meaning. To clarify however, the definition and or name given for Trinity “The "Name of the Trinity" is just that: the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.” This also is inaccurate at best; Trinity is the name of a concept coined by Tertullian (in Tertullian’s written work
entitled Against Praxeas) before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
In conclusion the Trinitarian concept separates and divides the person of God, as oppose to the Oneness view that God is united, God is unique, God is One, God is Almighty.

Mary's Mother

Year after year, I read the Christmas story. And every year I wonder the same thing, what was so unique and special about Mary, that she was chosen above every other girl? The bible tells us in Luke chapter 1 verse 28, “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Mary, was “highly favoured” and “blessed…among women.” Many scholars have concluded that Mary was also quite young, another astonishing thought considering what she was about to go through.

As a little girl, I would dream of what it would be like if an angel appeared in front of me with a message from God. My great-grandmother had several encounters with angels, so I grew up knowing that it was entirely possible. But alas, it never happened. As I became a young woman, and the whole Christmas story took on a new meaning when I realized what Mary actually went through, I had a new appreciation for her. Here she was, engaged to be married; young, innocent, naïve, and those are only a few of the words that come to mind. Imagine her surprise, when suddenly an angel appears and tells her she has been chosen to bring forth God’s son. Do you think this may have disrupted her plans a little? However, notice her response, and this is where I am going with this, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Wow! The bible does not say much about her upbringing, but I want to imagine a little, want to join me?

Mary’s response to the angel speaks volumes to me about her parents, in particular, her mother. I want to go back a few years, to when Mary was a little girl. What did her mother do to prepare her for such a moment? Did she arrive there on her own? I highly doubt it. Mary’s purpose in life was to be a servant, not just a servant to a random master, but to THE MASTER. Somewhere between the toddler years, the potty –training, schooling, emotional roller coaster of the pre-teen and teenage years, Mary’s mother groomed her, taught her and cultivated in her the art of being a servant to the Most High. She devoted time and energy to create in her little girl not only a love but also a respect for God and His kingdom. Their bedtime prayers probably did not stop at “Now I lay me down to sleep”, in fact, they likely prayed morning, noon and night. Did Mary’s mother somehow know her daughter would be chosen for the highest honor ever given to a woman? No, she probably did not. But yet, day after day, she trained and groomed, spent countless hours teaching, many sleepless nights in prayer and hours upon hours working side by side with Mary, raising her up to be God’s anointed. And when that moment came, Mary received her anointing with dignity and grace, giving ALL glory to God.

Now, I know this is all hypothetical, but it made me stop and think about my own children. What am I doing to prepare them for their anointing? Will they know? Will they be able to respond like Mary, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word?” Would they be able to accept God’s will for their life over their own plans? Not only accept His will, but also do it with dignity and grace, knowing beyond any doubt His way is the best way. I know there will never be another Mary, but I do know that my four children can be a conduit for the Holy Ghost to this generation. They may never have fame or fortune, to which I am not concerned, but Lord let me teach them to be servants ever ready to do Your will.