Someone Touched Me

In Luke 8:46, Jesus declared, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." 

It looked like a scene out of "The Walking Dead" with one big difference, they weren't there to "pick his brain".

There was such a large crowd of people around him that he was literally being pushed from side to side. It looked like a scene out of "The Walking Dead" with one big difference, they weren't there to "pick his brain". For these people had heard that he was a miracle worker and they wanted, either to be healed of their ailments, or they had someone back home who needed to be healed.

At any rate, they may have felt, if they didn't get help right then, the chances were pretty good, that they would have to wait for the angels to stir the water, which was said only to happen once a year, at the pool of Bethesda. There was only one drawback though. You had to physically be there, in Bethesda, and jump in the pool as the angels were stirring the water, or it wouldn't work.

Maybe this is the reason they wanted to be among the first in line with this man who worked miracles. For I am sure they had heard this man need only speak the word and someone, say back home, would be healed. And as all of this was going on, the miracle worker looked up, and he said with a tone of surprise, "Someone touched me!"

Now, I'm sure those who heard him, thought, "What? Why did you say that? look around buddy! Everybody's touching you. Yet, he wasn't referring to that. For after he said, "someone touched me" he said he knew, virtue had gone out of him. (Luke 8:40-47)

When Jesus wasn't ministering, he would often go away to pray. He did this because ministering to those in need would leave him physically weak. Yes, even Jesus suffered weakness for "he was in all points like we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and weakness is not sin. In fact, God's strength is made perfect in weakness. 

This is why many times an anointed minister will find him or herself worn out after a meeting. Often they will go to a restaurant with some church people after a meeting to get a cup of coffee or a late night meal in an effort to rebuild their energy. The people of God should always minister to the minister after he has ministered. 

For it is after he or she has obeyed the Lord, when they are by themselves, the devil will often come and try to tempt or bring a spirit of discouragement.

The Illegal Alien Crisis / Our Government's Role

In answer to our government's role in dealing with the illegal alien crisis and caring for their children: We should not allow our government to do anything that we would not, first, be willing to do ourselves. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.

Novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839, in his historical play Cardinal Richelieu wrote, "The pen is mightier than the sword" and never have truer words ever been written, for yesterday, June 20th, 2018, our president was provoked by none other than U.S. Senator Chuck Shumer in a rather mocking fashion that he, the president, "could resolve the whole crisis with just a flick of a pen". And it may very well be that easy for Sen. Shumer to make such a challenge for all he needs to do is to take cues from President Obama's administration who found it all too easy to burden the backs of the American people with but a flick of a pen, i.e, "Executive Orders".

But for President Trump, who truly cares about the American people and how a flick of that sort might impact our country, economically or otherwise, I'm sure he takes no pleasure in such temptations. You can rest assured that his actions will as always, be tempered and well thought out. Which leads me to a statement made by Milton Friedman during Ronald Reagan's presidency:

Milton Friedman, was an Economist and he was also an adviser to President Reagan. He said, "When government - in pursuit of good intentions - tries to rearrange the economy, legislate morality, or help special interests, the cost come in inefficiency, lack of motivation, and loss of freedom. 

Government should be a referee, not an active player." 

President Reagan once made this statement, "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." That being said, we should understand that our president's first duty is to protect the people he serves. And If that should result in the need of walls for our borders or the shoring up of our federal immigration policies, then so be it.

Maybe we all should be reminded of President John F. Kennedy's words in his inaugural address. He said, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

Believers, Stand Fast in Liberty

Even though a large percentage of black Americans have reportedly been Democrats, there has been an awakening in recent years within their communities where many of them, mostly Christians, have now become more conservative in their views. 

I bring this up because there appears to be a concerted effort on the part of  liberal leaders, to try and stir up hurtful memories and to urge the black community to put into action whatever harbored feelings they may have for a nation that, they say, has shown nothing but prejudice and persecution over the years. 

However, I believe the end is near and as we draw even closer to the coming of Christ, I want to strongly encourage all my brothers and sisters, regardless of your color or ethnicity, to walk in the love of God as Christ has taught us and forgive those who may have persecuted you in the past and pray for those who may still continue to bring you ruin, injury and pain.

I have said this before but it bears repeating, "In order to be a follower of Christ, we must take up our cross, that is, we must leave some things daily at the cross of Christ in order to follow him in the power of his resurrection. Hate cannot follow the path of Christ nor can we follow the Lord with resentment in our hearts toward others. Just think for a moment how difficult it must have been for believers in Paul's day to have accepted him, formerly Saul of Tarsus, to be one of the apostles of Christ when before he had that encounter with our Lord on the road to Damascus, he used to hold the coats of his fellow Jews as they stoned believers to death. 

Think how terrible it would be today if believers hadn't accepted Paul's conversion by faith, that he had indeed become a changed man through his encounter with Christ. We would have much less truth to draw from, within the pages of the Bible for the Apostle Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament scriptures. I encourage believers everywhere, it is time for us to sing a NEW song to the Lord and say "Lord, you are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals of it: for you were slain, and you have redeemed us to God by your blood OUT OF every kindred, tongue, people, and nation;" (Revelation 5:9).

 The meaning of the word, "church" comes from the Greek word, "ecclesia", which is defined as a "calling out". The Apostle Paul supports this in his letter to the Church at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 6:17,18 where it reads, "Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." This means we are to walk away from those things that separate us from God and from other believers. For if we are sons and daughters of God, we are then brothers or sisters to those who have called upon the name of the Lord to be saved. 

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, these three words. He said, "I die daily". In other words, we are to check those things that have been found to be an obstruction or sin in our lives that would separate us from the love of God and from each other and we are to nail it squarely to the cross of Christ, for as it is written, "we are not our own". We have been redeemed. We have been "bought with a price". Now we are "new creatures in Christ Jesus. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new." 

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:16, "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more." As followers of Christ, we are to set our affections on things above not on things on the earth. In order to do that, we must cease from our labors, or those things we participate in that would acknowledge the flesh. It makes no difference what kind of flesh we have. It could be black flesh, white flesh, red, yellow, or brown flesh. 

How many of you know? flesh is just dirt and God is a Spirit and we were made in the image of God. We are spirit beings and we possess a soul which consists of our mind, our will and emotions and we live in a body. The Bible refers to our body as "an earthen vessel". In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul said, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;". There's that phrase again, "You are not your own."

Then Paul wrote in Romans, chapter 12 and verse 1,.. Let me ask you, Aren't you glad the Early Church forgave and accepted Paul? Most of the things we are referring to in this teaching were written by Paul, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He wrote, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy (another place says "mercies), to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship (another place says, "this is your reasonable service")." 

Did you get that? Your body is God's temple. Acts 17:24 reads, "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of  heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." 

It makes no difference who you are, how smart you are or what you've done. It makes no difference whether you are black or white, short or tall or, as it is written, anything else. We are God's temple. And we are told that our citizenship is now in heavenly places, "far above all principality, power, might and dominion and every name which is named, not only in this world or age but in that which is to come". And we are sitting in authority with Christ who forever is sitting at the right hand of God. Can you say "Amen"?

So, what should we say to these things? Should we just gather all the believers together and build a commune somewhere and hold the fort till Jesus comes? I believe Jesus was very specific concerning those things we were told to do before he ascended into the heavens. He told his disciples, which we are, to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". You can read it for yourselves in Mark 16:15-18. So, we have been given a commission. It has been called, the great commission in that we have a great responsibility as believers to reach out to what? "every creature" and to share with them "good tidings to the meek" and lead them to the foot of the cross of Christ "who loved them and gave himself for them". Paul tells us how to effectively do this and then he gave us examples using his own life's lessons.

Paul said he "became all things to all men that he might save some". He said, "to the weak, he became weak that he might save the weak". In other places, we see Paul using his Roman citizenship or the fact that he was raised among the Greeks. He was also a Jew of Jews and before his encounter with Christ, he was well thought of by his Jewish peers. In other words, God's grace is sufficient to reach to the uttermost or to the gutter-most and this is the reason Jesus has not yet returned for us for our God "is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 

The world will know we are followers of Christ by the love we have for the world and each other. By the grace of God, I am going to show the world the love of God and tell them of the love of God and also love you as Christ loves you regardless of who you are or what you've done because that's what God's children do. We love as God loves for "God is love". Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:13, "now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

I have seen people who claimed to be people of faith yet they would not give me or anyone else the time of day. There is no room for prejudice or hate in God's temple. Remember? You are God's temple. "You can have faith to remove mountains", the bible says, "but if you do not have love, you are nothing". 

But if you have love, you are filled with the Spirit of God as expressed in a life of faith, hope and love. Do you know? it takes a lot of faith to love like God loves. Love is the 100 fold fullness of God. Listen, don't just settle for 30 or 60 fold. Let's go all the way. 

Jesus said in a prayer, "we are in this world but we are not of it". We are ambassadors for Christ and we are a city set on a hill that cannot be hid for "we are children of light and of the day. We are not of night nor of the way of darkness". We are born of the Spirit so let's walk in the spirit and by doing that, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. What did Paul say? "We know no man after the flesh". Jesus asked, "Who is my mother or my brother?" In other words, he was asking, "Who  is my family?" Not that Mary, James and the rest were not his family but rather, he was putting the things of this earth in their proper perspective.  These people were his earthly family or his family after the flesh. But Jesus then began to talk about his eternal family when he said, "My mother and my brothers are these which hear the word of God, and do it."

Let's remember to keep the things of this earth in perspective. 

Let's remember to keep our affections set on heavenly things and not on those things which serve to only promote the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. If we will only "seek God's kingdom first and his righteousness, then all the things the nations of the world seek after will be given to you as well.''

Always remember, that as a child of God, your steps are ordered by the Lord and though you may slip and stumble, you will not be utterly cast down. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13,14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching for those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Then he tells us in Galatians 5:1 to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Jesus has set you free and he has made you a brand new creation. Let's stand in that! No more slavery to sin, no more unhealthy entanglements to the flesh and no more beggarly things that would keep us from God's best in our lives for Him. For we are free and whom the Son has made free, he is free indeed.

LOOKING ( Terry Novay )

ALL YOU NEED IS JESUS (transcript/re-edited)

This message is not for those who have it all together doctrinally and are enjoying God's blessings for being right. Nor am I trying to answer any questions for you who's questions speak much louder than the answers you have been receiving over the years. But it is my privilege to introduce you to the one who is willing, able and ready to answer any question or meet any need you might have.

In Job 38:1,2, it reads, "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?"

There are those within the Christian faith whose counsel has been darkened concerning the new testament teachings of grace and faith and concerning the spiritual rites, if you will, of the Church such as water baptism and communion, and also our "spiritual works of service to God" such as fellowship, witnessing and giving, as well as, giving to the ministry. 

Let's take "giving to the ministry" for example. Many have questioned as to how we are to give of our "carnal things" (1 Cor. 9:11) as a spiritual work of service to God and his church when it doesn't seem to be clearly laid out for us by the Apostles in the new testament scriptures. After all, didn't God do away with the old covenant? So why are we still tithing according to Malachi 3 where it reads, 

"10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." and in verse 11, "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of host." 

We all like that portion of scripture, not because it tells us to bring all the tithes into the storehouse but because of the promise that is attached to it, and that is, he would "rebuke the devourer". So we have those who claim to understand God's word much clearer, who, to the satisfaction of most, have weaved for us an old testament ordinance with our new testament theme which is "by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is a gift of God... 'not of works'". They basically teach, "Come to Christ and you will have eternal life but you must pay your tithes if you want God to rebuke the devourer.

Yet, when the rich young ruler asked Jesus what he would have to do in order to have eternal life, Jesus told him to sell all he had, give the sum of it to the poor, and come and follow him. Even for those who are satisfied with tithing, it still brings many to question within their hearts as to what they are to do with the rest of the old testament. 

Lately, I have seen different ones within the Christian faith who are leaning toward Christian Judaism. I can appreciate the allure, and it would have made the Apostle Peter really pleased at one point to see this merge into Judaism. And the Apostle Paul said he would be all things to all men in order to win some to the Lord but is this really the way to deal with the lack of clear counsel concerning old testament ordinances and spiritual works of service to God within the new testament church? After all, God's dealings with the Jewish people is different, is it not? So, why are we trying to be Jewish as long as salvation has come to the Gentiles as well?

And here out of this whirlwind of doubt, our Lord is speaking and He is not pleased with those of us who have darkened the counsel of God by the multitude of words. Yet, Hosea 4:6 reads, "My people are destroyed (or they perish) for a lack of knowledge". So, what do we do? We drive hundreds of miles each year attending seminars trying to obtain knowledge. However, God's word speaks of those within the church who are unfortunately "ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth". The Lord says it all in three words: Words without knowledge. And I know some of you are like that robot right now, with his arms flailing wildly in the air, and you're thinking, "this does not compute" for you have gone to great lengths to obtain just that, spiritual knowledge.

After all, "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" does it not? Yes, faith does come by hearing but by hearing that inner voice of God and that comes through a personal relationship where God is speaking and we are hearing and obeying His word.

And yes, the word says, "how will we believe unless we hear and how will we hear without a preacher?" We need preachers. We need preachers who will preach the uncompromised, whole counsel of God. What we don't need are those who darken the counsel of God 

for their own means. The letter kills, the Bible says, but the Spirit gives life. I think it's regrettable that there are so many who feel the need to attend seminar after seminar in order to obtain knowledge.

Yes, we need the fellowship of other believers. Yes, we need to hear what God is saying through other ministries to the church. What we don't need is to go to all those lengths just to hear what God is personally speaking to us. If you read the book of Job, you will see that Job went to great lengths to get counsel and to get understanding, because he was drowning. His wife and kids just died. His crops failed and his livestock got sick and died as well and he needed some help and he didn't care where he got it or what it costs him to get that help. The only thing was though, all that effort was for nought. Instead of things getting better, he got sick and came close to dying and he was more broke than ever. The Lord told Job, "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" Here, after Job had finally exhausted all his resources and was near death's door, he finally heard from God. 

And like Job, there are those of us who have done the very same things Job did. Through so much getting of knowledge, and through the multitude of words, we have allowed the counsel of God to become darkened by the very words that were meant to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. And the gospel that was supposed to be the power of God unto your salvation became hidden from you. In whom as it reads in 2 Corinthians 4:4, "the god of this world has blinded the minds which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them".

In Matthew 15:14, Jesus said, "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Now, it's usually right about now that I would say, "I know you're probably asking yourself, "who does this guy think he is? All I can say to that is, "let God be true and every man a liar. No, his word didn't say, "lawyer", he said "liar" because a lawyer would argue the point. It is not my intention to provoke you to anger. However, we really need to get mad. At who? At the devil. For Jesus said, "the thief comes not but for to steal, to kill and to destroy; but I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly". 

Who came? Jesus came. What? not Charisma Magazine's number one apostle/prophet of the year? They didn't come? No! It says Jesus came. He says, I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly. We are speaking of the one who in 1 Corinthians 1:30 it is said that "he is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption". He was speaking to the church in the book of Revelation when he said, "I am he that liveth, and was dead, I am alive for ever more... and have the keys of hell and death." 

Who has the keys? Brother So and so? No! Why would you want to go to some seminar to get the keys when the very Son of God who took the keys of hell and death and has conquerored death has come to your heart's door and is with you right now. You can try and look up your favorite preacher's phone number if you want to. But don't be surprised if it's unlisted. And even if it isn't unlisted and you do get through, try inviting him or her to your home to eat at your table so they can answer the questions that have been plaguing you over the years. Even if they did try to make themselves available like that, you would probably have to wait in a very long line for a very long time.

But Jesus, who has a name greater than any other name that is named in heaven and earth is saying right now, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me." In other words, if you need wisdom, he is right there to give you wisdom. If you need righteousness, sanctification or redemption. He is right there ready to give you the things you need. 

His word says, "as many as received him, in John, chapter one, to them gave he power to become the sons of God". And in I John 2:26, it reads, "These things I have written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which you have received of him, speaking of Jesus, abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, ye shall abide in him." 

And in verse 28, it reads, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming". That word "ashamed" brings another scripture to mind... "2 Timothy 2:15 which reads, "study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,..." You mean, I can do that? You mean I can rightly divide the word of truth? You mean, I don't need the pope or the priest to tell me what God's word says? or I don't need Pa Pa So-and-so and Prophet What's his name? You mean all I need is Jesus to teach me all things? That's what he says, "All you need is Jesus".

He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me". Hallelujah! And he has given us counsel and he has given us his word to live a godly and blessed life. And it's called the Holy Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 tells us that "all scripture, the whole counsel, the testaments, old and new, every chapter, every verse and every line are "given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that you may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work"... Yes, all you need is Jesus. but that's not to say we don't need preachers. 

When Jesus ascended on high, the Bible says, he gave gifts unto men. And those gifts are called "gift ministries" which many of us know as the five fold ministry. And that is the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, pastors and teachers. And someone might say, "Yeah, but you read that scripture that said we don't need any man to teach us! Read I John 2:26 again. it reads, "These things I have written unto you concerning, here it is, THEM THAT SEDUCE YOU".

In other words,If you can't find the truth, the Lord is saying, "Don't worry! the anointing will teach you all things and he is the Spirit of truth". Can you say, Amen? But this verse is not an excuse for you to stay out of fellowship with the God's people. Do I need to say that again? This verse is not an excuse for us to stay out of fellowship with God's people. And if you're more spiritual than anyone else where you live, maybe you ought to open your home and start a fellowship of your own. But the Bible says we need to assemble ourselves in spiritual fellowship and all the more as we see the day approaching. You need the people of God and the people of God need you. And we still need the five-fold ministry.

They are a part of the government of God, until what? until we all come in the unity of faith, unto a perfect man. His word says, when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. And I know there are those of you that don't believe tongues and miracles and things like that are for today. Because you believe that which is perfect is already come. Well, if you follow that line of thinking, you preachers who preach that, ought to just go home and sell insurance or retire or whatever you did before you were called because that which is perfect has come, they won't need you either.

But that's not what the scripture is saying. "That which is perfect" is speaking of the body of Christ, the saints of God coming into a place of maturity in Christ. Paul said "when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. I don't know about you, but we're not there yet. Paul said, "As long as there is envying and strife among you, we have yet to reach a place of maturity". Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Jesus is all we need to learn and to grow in God. After all, he was the word made flesh and he dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. If you need grace, if you need truth, Jesus is right there with you to give you grace and to give you truth. In Job 32:7,8, Elihu said, "Days should speak and multitude of years should teach wisdom." Thank God for men and women of God who have years on us, and they have experience on us and they have that time with the Lord on us. But someone also said, "There's no fool like an old fool". 

But when we are at a place where evil men and seducers are waxing worse, as the Bible says will happen in the last days, verse eight reads, "there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding". Nobody knows you like you and Jesus in you. And he is speaking if you will only listen. No longer will you have to hear dark counsel. You know why? For He is the Wonderful, Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Bible says, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. God Bless You! is my prayer.

Surrounded (Fight My Battles) - Josh Baldwin

OSHO: Jesus Never Died on the Cross ...

It's amazing how wise a man can look in a dress and a skull cap. 

But just give him a few minutes. I heard someone say, It's better to just sit there and let people think you're all beauty and no brains then to open your mouth and let them know you're all beauty and no brains. This is what happens when you step out from beyond the bounds of the Bible, the inspired word of God and you only believe those things that sound good and right to your own carnal mind.

Proverbs 14:12 reads, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Listen, you will never know the truth until you resolve within yourself that God alone is truth. 

There are those who say the word of God makes absolutely no sense and that it just doesn't "add up". I'll let you in on a little secret. 

The word of God was never supposed to add up nor was it ever meant to make sense to the carnal mind. The word of God is not a list of do's and don'ts or principles by which we live in order to obtain a blessed and an over-abundant life but the word of God is Spirit and it is life. 

And in order to obtain this substance, this extract if you will, of Spirit and life, you must be able to discern the things which are Spirit and recognize those things which are life. And the only way to do that is to have the Spirit of truth in your everyday life to guide you.

Man's wisdom no matter how wise that may be is nothing in comparison to God's wisdom. The man in this video may look wise to some of you but something he said in the very first couple of minutes makes me to know the truth. I couldn't help but detect an air of scorn in his voice as he made every effort to set every believer straight. 

He made a statement that Jesus "never" died on the cross. Well, that couldn't be more convenient for him to try and kill off the faith of all those from across the terrestrial globe who have put their trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and our hope for eternal life.


First of all, how could he possibly know that, outside of living during the time of Christ and having been there at the foot of that cross to intermittently check the pulse of the bleeding Lamb of God? 

And because he is not a believer nor does he live by the word of God, his only other recourse is to use the information readily available to  him, and that is, those things that in all logic would "add up" to make his assumptions. And, of course, that is just what he did. And because this man does not believe in the finished work of the cross, this makes him by default, an enemy of the cross.

 His sins are not forgiven for he does not yet believe that Jesus died for his sins on that hill called Calvary.

Sex Dolls for Pedophile offenders

How low can we as the people of earth go? Now they are creating sex dolls in the image of little children. They say the reason behind this is because it is supposed to help curb the urge or appetite of the pedophiles. Instead of abusing children, they can just abuse these dolls instead. I don't know about you but to me, this is sickening! Listen! As long as the pedophile is acting on his or her own fantasies, with real children or no, it is only going to strengthen that urge not curb it. I don't care what today's psychologists say. This kind of behavior is not natural. Just think of all the lives of those children who have been subjected to or will be subjected to this type of activity. As far as I am concerned, the pedophile cannot be rehabilitated. I believe the following scripture tells us why: Romans 1:25-26 reads, 

"…They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. ²⁶ Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones."  You see, it's not merely a matter of experimentation. It's not something you just get involved with over a dare or a bet. But it's a matter of choice, exchanging natural relations for unnatural ones. Another translation says it this way in verse 26... "Therefore God handed them over to "disgraceful diseases", and their females changed their natural need and became accustomed to that which is unnatural." Listen, there is no cure for this kind of disease short of one giving his or her heart and life to God. And the only reason I say that is because that's what salvation through Christ is all about, changing one's desires or affections for godly desires by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I didn't automatically become perfect but I wanted to be because the Holy Spirit began to change my less than honorable desires for good and honorable desires. In other words, he changed "my want to". I did a lot of things earlier in my life that I'm not really proud of and I could still do them today if I wanted to, but you see? I don't want to do those things anymore because my desires have changed. I have been made a new creation, old things are passed away and all things are become new. The Apostle Paul said it this way in Colossians, chapter 3:1-3, "If you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." 

Jesus told a Samaritan woman who had five husbands and the one she was living with was not her husband (found in John, chapter four), "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Jesus is talking about changing our want tos. We need to let God change our "want tos" and begin to drink from the water of life that only he can give, and that comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He said in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me." 

So this subject begs the question, "Can individuals like pedophiles change their ways? Can they be rehabilitated? Can they return to what the Bible refers to as "natural" affection?" Only God knows that answer for sure. But Jesus said this in Matthew 19 and verse 26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 

Maybe you know someone who is struggling with pedophilia, or maybe it's drugs or some other form of addiction, Be a friend and tell them to give their life to Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit make them a new creation. Another place says, a "new species". After all, that's why God sent His only Son to earth. He sent him to earth to set the captives free and whoever the Son sets free, he is surely free indeed.

Sexual Behavior at Work

The answer I have here is not what I would necessarily give to followers of Christ but this is in reply to those who are of this world who are having trouble understanding normal sexuality and have problems dealing with those of the opposite sex. Sexual immorality and inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace goes back to a time when men and women first started working together. Women didn't complain as much about those kinds of things when they were stay at home moms. All we had was a spattering of rumors concerning sexual promiscuity and the postman, milkman or the occasional door to door salesman.

The fact is, anytime men and women get together in any variety of settings, whether it be in the secular workplace to the sacred halls of the church, men and women are going to do what comes to them naturally. It is purely instinctual and as they say, life is a dance. It is natural for there to be some level of physical "excitement" in the workplace between sexes. But up until recently, it has usually been initiated by men. Let's face it, men are dogs. I can say that because I am one, a man that is. Some dogs are well behaved and other dogs look for a leg.

And women? Men have yet to figure women out since the dawn of time so this puts a lot of power in the hands of women. For you women who haven't found your power yet, read Proverbs 31. Over the years, women have had to learn to say "no" in the workplace to the advances of men because that's what men, by nature, do best. They advance. They advance in business, they advance in war and they advance in relationships, sexually or otherwise.

Ladies, if you are not being advanced on, count it a gift, and instead of wondering what's wrong with you, use this to your advan-tage. My advice to men who have difficulty with controlling their natural instincts to advance is to learn there are boundaries in life. For you men who haven't learned about boundaries yet, read Proverbs 1-31, or maybe it would be better for you to just find a job where women are least likely to work.

My advice to women who have difficulty with the advances of men is, find a job where men are least likely to work, perhaps in a women's underwear department, or start your own business, but better yet, find your power to say "no" or just roll up a newspaper and hit that dog on the nose.

CHURCH, WHAT ARE YOU?

by Rand K. Walden

Q. Are you a 501(c)3 recognized entity? A. Why, yes. Q. Who are you recognized by? A. The government of the United States. Q. Let me qualify what you're telling me here. You are telling me that you are recognized by this world system. Is that correct? A. I get where you're going with this but God told us to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. Q. Yeah? A. That's what He said. Q. That was for taxes right? A. Yes. Q. And you're a faith ministry, right? A. Of course. Q. Then why don't you go get some coins out of a fishes mouth and pay your taxes?

After all, that's what Jesus did. That's what he told his disciples to do, didn't he? 

Q. Are'nt you a disciple of Christ? A. (aggravated silence) Q.Then why do you submit yourself to this world system? The only reason Jesus told his disciples to pay their taxes is so the world, who was watching them, would not get offended. Jesus told his disciples that he would make them fishers of men but he didn't tell em to go fishing for coins out of the mouths of men, did he? 

A. It takes money to win the lost. Don't you know that? Q. No, the Bible doesn't tell me that. It tells me to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature but It doesn't tell us to take up offerings to do that, does it? This is what Jesus told his disciples on one occasion when he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. He said "Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor SCRIP, neither bread, neither money;... (What? No money?)... neither have two coats apiece." ( Luke 9:2-3 ) 

Why would he tell his disciples to take no money if it took money to win the lost? 

No where in the Bible does it tell us to be a 501(c)3 entity or to be recognized by this world system. Jesus wasn't recognized by the world system of his day. I take that back. The religious called him a devil but they didn't recognize him as the Son of God. John 1 says "he came to his own but his own received him not". 

In John 17:14, Jesus was praying to the Father and he said, "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." So you see, we are not supposed to be apart of this world or this world's system. Jesus said, "they are in this world but they are not a part of this world". I have said this before but I will say it again and again until it begins to sink in:

God's Church is not a move, movement or a denomination. It is not a "not for profit" organization. But it is the many membered body of Christ.

LGBT and the Colors of the Rainbow

by Rand K Walden

When I see the letters "LGBT" in the colors of the rainbow, I do not get offended for they belong to me for I am a believer. Those colors represent the rainbow which God gave to Noah who was a heterosexual, a believer and a preacher of righteousness. Those colors declare to me as they did to Noah, the faithfulness of God and that He will never go back on his promises. The letters "LGBT" stand for the greatest decree of faith that could ever come out of a believer's mouth, and that is, "Let God Be True! and every man a liar."(Romans 3:4) In other words, it doesn't matter what science says or how many degrees you have behind your name. God's word is final. The greatest slap in the face of God is any other definition. 

To the homosexual, "LGBT" means, "If there is a God, He mistakenly put my female spirit inside a man's body or my male spirit inside a woman's body. But the Bible says in Mark 12:25, "When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." That means the spirit of man or a woman has no gender outside the body but we are as the angels in heaven. I have great respect for those men and women of God who are not married because they have given themselves to Him and the ministry 100%. They recognize their "life choice" as a gift from God. I am telling you, there is no greater devotion to God than that. And I say this because there are those who are supposed to be Christians who have ridiculed different ones in the past for making that choice. But regarding those who would come together with others who are of the same sex, to do those things that are not natural, there is no greater sin in the eyes of God and man. 

Quite a few years ago, I had a friend who had some confusion in the area of his identity. We never really talked about it at great length but he told me that he was abused sexually by his uncle when he was very young and this abuse continued throughout his childhood. He dealt with it by losing himself in his studies (he had a very high IQ) and he continued his education and eventually he

earned his doctorate. He was an accomplished musician and he played the piano for the church my dad was pastoring. I was single at the time and I was just starting in the ministry and when I wasn't ministering elsewhere, I helped my father in his church and my friend and I would occasionally go to Denny's for coffee after church and we would talk about the things of God. Soon he gave his life to Christ and he was baptized in the Holy Ghost. It wasn't too long after that, he felt the call of God on his life to be a minister and he began to teach the word of God and he had such a powerful prophetic anointing on his life. 

God began to use him in such a wonderful way but after a few years I met Bettie, my future wife and we got married and moved away. A couple of years or so after we left the area, my friend met a young lady and they married but she left him after only a year of marriage. He then started going to a non-denominational church where he became friends with the pastor there who had some strange and not so biblical ideas about the single life and the subject of self-gratification. I remember talking to my friend on the phone about this and he was pretty defensive so we stopped talking about it and it wasn't very long after that, my friend started slipping back into the world from which he came. 

He now lives in Seattle, Washington and he teaches at a university there and the last I heard, he was living a homosexual lifestyle. So, forgive me if all this seems to be a little personal or I appear to be less than tolerant. But nowhere in the Bible does it say that I am supposed to be tolerant of sin. We are to love the sinner but hate the sin and we are supposed to flee the very appearance of evil. 

Listen, homosexuality is not a life choice and if you are a homosexual, you were not born that way. But if you continue down this path, you will most certainly die that way. Let God be true in your life and come to Jesus just as you are and give him your heart for today is the day of salvation. He can save you and he can heal you and give you a hope and a future if you will only let him. God bless you!