The Desire To Seek An Eclectic Type Of Christianity

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Romans 8:14

There are those who like a specific style of music. Some prefer pop music, some like light rock. They tend to gravitate to one style or another. Now, what if someone were to tell you that they had an eclectic taste in music? What would that mean to you? Personally, it would convey to me that they like all types of music, from country to rap, from heavy metal to classical. Now think of the different ways that God uses you to advance His kingdom. Do you tend to gravitate to a specific gift or ministry, or do you have a more eclectic approach to serving the Lord? You may find yourself thinking, "If only I could have the gift of (insert spiritual gift here) or be a part of (insert church ministry here), and really make an impact on those around me. I could do great things for the Lord." 

Too often we unknowingly pigeon hole ourselves in what we're willing to do for the Lord, and therefore limit the Holy Spirit's work in our life. We're more concerned with operating in our comfort zone... in one or two areas of church service, sort of like being a physician who specializes in a particular field. You're good at it, but you refrain from going beyond the boundaries you've set for yourself, because everything outside of that is an "unknown risk." Being able to use our talents and spiritual gifts in certain areas of the church is certainly a righteous desire, and if that's where you choose to serve, praise God for you. We often forget that God is so much more than our human understanding, with all of it's limitations. Ask yourself... "What if I could have a relationship with the Lord where He could put me anywhere and in any situation... would I step out in faith for that kind of relationship?"  

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5

There are those born again believers who aren't content to limit themselves, and, by extension, limit God in their life. I've lived for more than 60 years, and I'm hoping I can remain in good health until the Rapture, because one of the things I've learned is that I shouldn't limit God... that I should expect more than what I could possibly imagine. I confess that I've desired specific spiritual gifts in the past, but what I've learned is that the closer your relationship becomes with God... the more you're submitted to Him... the more confidence you have in Him (and not your own abilities), then the more He can use you in ways you've never even imagined. That's why the righteous desire of my heart isn't for one particular gift or ministry... it's to be used by God in however He chooses to use me, in good times and bad, in comfort and discomfort, because I know His desire is to increase my prosperity, not bring me to ruin.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I have an eclectic type of Christianity, meaning that I'm open to the Lord using me wherever and however He chooses. Yes, sometimes I naively ask, "Me, Lord? You want me to do that? Go there? Do what?" But most of the time I find myself in the midst of doing something that I never expected, realizing later that the Holy Spirit drew me into a situation that I didn't even recognize was of Him at the moment. At other times, I've felt the power of the Holy Spirit working, and I just kept going with it, because I knew He was in the midst of the situation. Those are unexpectedly rewarding experiences.  

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

We can often forget that the Holy Spirit isn't looking for our abilities, but for our availability. God has used me in so many different situations where I was definitely not qualified or experienced to act on my own, and if I had limited God to working in just those things in which I was comfortable... if I had limited myself to a specialty, I never would have had the opportunity to experience so much, and that would have limited the strengthening of my faith and the growth in our relationship. 

If you're like me, you don't desire a title. Your ego doesn't desire a recognized place in a church structure. You don't need the special attention, the official church t-shirt and a badge, being seen as part of the inner circle at church, etc. No, you're humble, and your only desire is to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He deems fit for the moment. I once served as a head usher in a church, so I've had the "prestige" and authority of a position, a title and a badge, and it could all have gone to my head, but the Lord had taught me to always remain humble. I've worked in businesses (white collar and blue collar) where I needed to wear an ID, but when I walked out the door of the building, humility caused me to put that badge straight into my pocket, because I knew that my importance didn't come from a badge, but from my relationship with the Lord. In my lifetime, I've received official titles and I've received recognition by way of certificates, awards, and a plaque, but they're not displayed on my walls and I don't boast about them. They're all at the city dump...lol. I've been on local cable shows and the local news. None of that means anything to me. Why? Because my ego doesn't need them, and I haven't provided detailed information about that aspect of my life because humility won't allow me to discuss them in detail. As far as I'm concerned, displaying awards and discussing details about my television appearances would do nothing but tempt me to grow prideful again. 

My strengths are administration, organization, planning, and my uncompromising faith. My weakness is that I sometimes throw caution to the wind and just act upon impulse, which, I admit, can be a strength at times. It helps me when God says go...lol. My skills help me to create these blog articles, create tracts, and produce YouTube videos. Do I limit myself to these gifts? These talents? No. If I did, I'd be living a very limited Christian life and I'd be purposely limiting those things for which I allow God to use me. 

Here are a few example of what I'm talking about:

Example 1: Friends of mine had a marital spat, and his wife was worried because he left the house and was gone for hours (this was before cell phones were a thing). I could have chosen to sit and console her, but I offered to go out and help find him. She told me that he sometimes hung out at a particular local bar. Everyone knew the reputation of how seedy and full of corruption that bar was. I had never been in that type of environment, and I was immediately resistant to going there, but instead of shifting the responsibility to someone else, I trusted in the Lord and entered unfamiliar territory. The bar was dark, and the whole place glowed an eerie red from the neon lights. I was definitely out of my element. After I took the first few steps into the bar, I suddenly felt an invisible spiritual bubble of protection envelope me as I started walking through the bar. No one really looked up at me as I walked around the entire bar. It's as though they didn't see me. I was on a mission, and it wasn't until I left the bar that I was able to reflect on what just happened. It's something I had never felt before, and something I haven't felt since. It was one of those one-time experiences that the Holy Spirit allowed me to taste. If I had not walked into that seedy bar, I never would have experienced the powerful moving of the Holy Spirit. I stepped out in faith, and the Lord gave me an awesome, unexpected experience which I still carry with me to this day.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 56: 3-4

Example 2: I was ministering to a friend, and I noticed that the words of knowledge and wisdom coming from my lips couldn't possibly be my own. I kept ministering to him until I felt the Holy Spirit pull back, causing me to start stumbling over my words. That's when I gently ended the conversation, telling my friend that the Holy Spirit was done conveying to him what He wanted him to know. Once again, it was an experience I've only had a couple of other times, and it gave me more of a working understanding of how the Holy Spirit can work through me to convey a message to someone with whom He needs to speak. It wasn't a, "Thus saith the Lord" type of thing. The Holy Spirit spoke with Him, through me, in a normal one on one conversation that I would have with anyone (except they were His words, not mine). If I had decided to shy away from talking face to face with my friend, instead of attempting to minister to him, I never would have been the vessel though which the Holy Spirit spoke with him. 

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Cor. 12:4-11 (underline mine)

Example 3: I was house sitting for a former pastor who had moved out of the city and was selling the house. I allowed a friend to stay overnight while I was at work, and I received a panicked call from him. He was experiencing unbelievable activity that I thought was either demonic or associated with substance abuse. The following morning, I asked him to leave the house, not knowing if it was a substance abuse problem or demonic activity. That evening, I went room by room casting out any demons that may be present in the house, sealing every window and doorway room by room. The next day, upon arriving at the side gate of the house, I felt a demon latch on to me. The demons had been cast out, but at least one of them stayed in the general area or returned. His front claws were in my shoulders, and his back claws were clutching my back. I was immediately filled with fear, so I knew it was a spirit of fear. I walked down the pathway into the back yard, but before I went up the stairs and into the house, I declared the doorframe covered in the blood of Jesus and declared that no demon could pass through it. I stepped forward, and because the demon couldn't go past the threshold, it released me. I never had an issue with demons again while house sitting. This was a powerful example of Jesus' authority over the demonic realm. Why did it return in the first place? Perhaps because it thought I'd freak out and it could gain access to the house again, and thus bring in many more demons than had been cast out to begin with. This is why it's important to read your bible and grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God and His word. I knew what to do because God trained me, through scripture and other experiences, beforehand.

"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left”' 25When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first (Luke 11:24-26).Luke 11:24-26

I've had other experiences with demons, which has taught me that they're not to be feared, because rebuking them in the name of Jesus is all you need to do. We speak the words, and Jesus does everything else. In Jesus' name, they have to flee. There's no discussion, just a quick rebuke in Jesus' name is all you need. If you're having a discussion with them, then you're doing it wrong. If I hadn't had those experiences with demons, I couldn't stand firm when we're face to face. They know that have no authority over me. I am a child of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. The Lamb of God who shed His precious blood to redeem me as His own. I've been bought and paid for. I belong to Jesus. No demon can steal me out of His hand. Praise God!!!

I've had other personal experiences and spiritual dreams that God has used to make me who I am. They haven't all been easy. In fact, I've been a broken man more than once, but the growth that came from it has been invaluable. 

So, maybe, instead of asking for specific spiritual gifts with your own goals in mind, you should humbly open yourself up to following the leading of the Holy Spirit, building that relationship, building that faith and trust, because I can guarantee you, you'll be given the opportunity to be the vessel through which the Holy Spirit will exhibit many of His gifts. I'm not saying you shouldn't pray for the righteous desire of your heart if you feel called into a particular ministry, I'm just saying that you shouldn't limit yourself to that one thing. If you limit yourself, you may find yourself missing out on a lot of great things that the Lord wants to accomplish in your life to His glory.

So step out in faith in areas to which you wouldn't normally gravitate. Lead a home bible study; hand out tracts on the street; start a Christian blog or vlog; pray face to face with others; evangelize your friends and family; utilize Christian outerwear (t-shirts, hats, tote bags, etc...) to "brand" Jesus; give to, or participate in, Christian organizations that not only help those in need, but share the word of God with them at the same time. Be open to ministering to those in need, scoot over in church and sit near someone who's sitting by themselves and introduce yourself. You never know what even the smallest gesture could lead to. Allow yourself to be used by God in different ways, and watch what He does. 

Having a goal of living an eclectic type of Christianity means opening yourself up to God's will to use you whenever, however, and wherever He needs someone to fill the gap. You'll find out that God often uses you right where you are. He has a way of creating opportunities in your own backyard (so to speak). You may be the answer God sends in response to a stranger's desperate plea, so I encourage you to answer, "Here I am, Lord, send me," the next time God asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" When you pray, don't forget to ask God to use you to fill in the gap at church, in your neighborhood, at work, or elsewhere... to use you as only He can, regardless of your own physical and intellectual talents. He knows your anxiety and fear about stepping out in faith in areas in which you're not comfortable, but the fact that, despite of all that, you still willingly offered to step into what we consider to be the unknown, is a sign of faith that God will honor, and God doesn't disappoint. He knows you'll have opposition from the enemy, who is a great influence in the lives of the unsaved, but He has already created provision for you... God has your back. He doesn't set you up for failure. We also have a set of spiritual armor to help with that, and God has our back. 

We're here fighting a war to rescue as many souls as possible and to plant as many seeds as possible before Jesus returns. That's why He's given us a spiritual armor. 

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Eph. 6:13

You have no idea what God can do through you. It's an exciting adventure built on faith, love, and trust in the Lord God Almighty. The benefits far outweigh any negative experiences you may face. An eclectic type of Christianity gives you many more opportunities for a teaching moment... one that stretches your faith and deepens your intimate relationship with Him and brings Him glory.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Don't just quote this scripture... live it out in faith!!! 

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

  

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There Are Wolves Hiding Amongst The Sheep

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

If you think there aren't any wolves among the sheep, you'd be sorely mistaken and very naïve. There are people who take utter joy in entering a church with the specific intent of sowing discord and to twist the message of the cross. They can appear as mature and knowledgeable people, or appear as innocent new believers who have a lot of questions, but beware, because these wolves are there to to shake the faith of believers and make them question God Himself, which leads to a false gospel.

Many years ago, I had an interaction with someone online. I'll call him the "wolf." He was offering up a type of Christianity, but there was something a little "off" about him. He wasn't quite speaking the truth, and he questioned everything in a way that would seem innocent, but to him, would cause doubt in someone's mind if they didn't have a firm grasp of scripture. He would voice his "confusion" about what some would consider contradictory portions of scripture (but we all know there are no contradictions in the bible). 

It reminds me of what Satan did to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan, by way of the serpent, spoke with Eve, not in a threatening way, but in a subtle, sly, and intellectual way that made her question what God had actually told Adam ("Did God really say???") Satan caused her to doubt what God had said. In fact, she even added her own spin to what God had told Adam, which made her easier to manipulate because she already had a false understanding of what God had truly said. By the end of this short conversation between the snake and Eve, she was convinced that eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would be beneficial, not harmful. After eating it and not dying, she then offered it to Adam (See? You misunderstood God. Listen to the snake.), and Adam, as we all know, ate of the fruit, and thus, through him, sin entered the world and resulted in the death of their spirit and the beginning of the sin nature in mankind, and so it would be for them and all of their descendants.

Getting back on topic, I called the wolf out on a few things, and even accused him of not being genuine. He laughingly admitted that he wasn't a true Christian, and that I had caught him. He was so brazen that he even admitted that he was a member of a Christian chat room (when chat rooms were popular back in the day...lol) and said that he was portraying himself as a new naïve Christian in order to gain the trust of the Christians in the chat room, so he could ask questions that were specifically designed to cause confusion and division in the chat room, and even cause some weaker Christians to doubt their new faith in Christ. He was masquerading as a young sheep in order to keep everyone's guard down while he sowed discord and doubt among the fold.

Acts 20:29-30 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them."

After his confession, I went looking for the chat room in which he was a member. There were very few Christian chat rooms back in the day, and it didn't take me long to find the one in which he was participating (he used the same profile name that he had used in our conversation). I became a member and entered the chat room. I watched, in real time, as he asked his manipulative questions, and instigated conversations and disagreements among the other members while he sat back and watched the chat room blow up. I watched for a while, but then I started messaging each individual in the group personally, letting them know who this wolf was and what he was doing. Unfortunately, that went against the chat room rules, and I was essentially kicked out of the group. Imagine that, it was ME who was kicked out of the group for exposing a fraud. A short time later, the wolf contacted me and, with disingenuous disappointment, said that I had spoiled the whole thing for him. He confessed that it just meant that he'd have to make the effort to find another Christian group to infiltrate and disrupt. 

I walked away from the situation being taught a lesson... that not all unbelievers are loud and in your face, especially online. There are those out there who have learned subtle ways of causing disruption, discourse, and doubt; those who will shroud themselves in sheep's clothing and infiltrate the fold; those who will take their fleshly understanding of the bible and attempt to cause weaker Christians to doubt their own understanding of scripture. Wolves like to start a fire and watch while everything burns down. They take joy in it, they laugh about it, and they take great care to make sure they're not discovered so that they can keep attacking the fold. This wolf created the perfect cover... a young and inexperienced "Christian" who was confused and had a lot of questions. People don't expect you to know too much, so the questions seem natural. All wolves need to do is throw out some controversial subjects among the sheep, sprinkle in what some would consider contradictory scripture or false logic, and then stand back and watch them argue. How simple is that? It's as simple as Satan sowing doubt in Eve's mind. It only took a few words and a simple question. How easy is that? Wolves utilize this method, and that's why they're dangerous to young born again believers.

Matthew 24:24 "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

How can we spot them? Pray for discernment, continually read and study scripture, meditate on the word, and live in the spirit, being led by the Holy Spirit, so when an enemy slithers it's way into the fold, we'll be able to spot them, call them out, and warn the rest of the flock to the danger within. 

In this day and age, wolves have even more opportunity to infiltrate the church. They can infiltrate physical churches, online chat rooms, bible studies, Christian events, social media, Christian apps, etc... Infiltration can be physical or digital. Always be on guard and never ignore something that just doesn't seem right. Look for the red flags, even yellow "caution" flags, and don't ignore your instincts. If your spirit or the Holy Spirit is telling you something's just not right, stop, pray that your eyes would be opened, and be vigilant. You may just be the one God will use to save an unsuspecting believer who may be weak and susceptible to the one who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy... the one who roams as a lion, seeking whom he can destroy. Have no fear in calling out one who seems determined to sow discord among the church, but be sure to use wisdom in doing so. Always judge with a righteous judgment, never out of ignorance.

2 Peter 3:15-18 "Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

Read all of 2 Peter, Chapter 2.

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

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Evangelizing Can Be Like Preparing For A Job Interview

Many born again believers shy away from the idea of sharing the gospel message with others because they think they won't be able to answer questions that go beyond the simple message of salvation. It's common for born again believers in Christ to fear being asked questions for which we may not have the answers.

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that we're all able to share the basic salvation message. That being said, many of us may not feel equipped to answer an unexpected question out of left field... questions that many unbelievers may have. Some of us go blank when we're put under a pressure to come up with an answer. It happens in real life, so it should be no surprise when it sometimes happens when evangelizing. Some of us may think that we're not able to retain knowledge, but that can be overcome with practice and prayer. How many of us have been on a job interview and been asked, "So, tell me about yourself," and we go blank, not knowing exactly what to say? Unless you've prepared yourself to answer that question, you'll find yourself fumbling to answer the interviewer. I've learned, through experience, to write down questions the interviewer may ask, and then create a response, practicing that response over and over until I'm confident enough that I'll be able to answer the question without hesitation. Well, evangelizing is like going to a job interview. You need to be somewhat prepared, but you don't necessarily need to have all that knowledge in your head. 

So here's some advice that I'd like to share with you that will make it easier. 

• Purchase an inexpensive bible you can use specifically for evangelizing and keep it with your evangelism supplies. 
• Grab a piece of paper or use your electronic device (phone, tablet, computer, etc.) and write down some of the more difficult questions you've been asked, or that you've seen online. Examples: "Did Jesus ever call Himself God?" "Why did Jesus, when He was on the cross, ask the Father why He had forsaken Him? Didn't He know what was happening?" "Why would Jesus ask not to be tortured and crucified if that's what He came here to do?" "Wasn't Mary sinless? Pure? Without sin?" "If Jesus was fully man, wasn't he born with original sin?"
• After you've written down the questions, use online sources to find the scripture references that relate to them, and write them down as well. 
• Transfer both the questions and scripture references to the front and back of your bible. You can write them on the inside cover, use Post-Its inside the cover, have a list tucked into your bible... whatever is more convenient for you, so that you have those scripture references available to share at a moment's notice. You can even add the page number, if that makes it easier for you to find.
• Next would be to mark those scriptures inside that bible, so when you turn to the specific scripture reference, it's already marked, making easier to locate on the page. You can use whatever system you're comfortable with; underlining, highlighting, color coding, using solid or transparent post-it notes, etc... whatever you need to make it more convenient for you to find and share scripture. You can even jot down the next scripture reference next to the one you just read, so that you can seamlessly turn to the next scripture on your list without having to refer back to your notes.

Although people can ask some tough or unexpected questions, you can have some of those answers at your fingertips by doing a little prep work. You won't have the answers to every question, and that's okay, but you'll be better prepared to field a lot of the more common questions people may throw at you, and that'll make you more confident to share the message of salvation with those who haven't heard it before. You may be surprised to find out how many people have rejected or questioned the existence of God without truly hearing what salvation really means.

Remember, though, that sharing Jesus begins with living an obedient, godly life. Many people will look to you as a living example of Christianity. Your own life is an important part of your witness. Too many people live a life outside of the will of God, presenting a false or hypocritical example of what a true born again believer should be, and people often judge Christianity by our behavior. They're not looking at the "church face" Christians wear for a couple of hours on Sunday at church. They're looking at the "real life" example of who you really are the other 166 hours of the week, at home, out in public, at work, etc... So start with being a reflection of Jesus no matter where you are.

There are more ways to prep for evangelism, but I hope I've given you a few helpful tips to make it easier to share God's word in a world of lost souls. I encourage you to get that bible prepped, assemble your tracts, put on that Christian t-shirt and/or hat, grab your signs, or do whatever it is that you do to share Jesus, and get out there. You'll find that the more you talk with people about Jesus, the better you'll get at it, and the more knowledge you'll be able to retain without using your notes. Read the word. Memorize a scripture or two every week. Pray. Remember, God doesn't call those who are already equipped, He equips those whom He calls. God has given us the responsibility of sharing His word, so He won't leave us high and dry. He's sent His Holy Spirit to teach and guide us into all knowledge, and to bring to mind those things that we've read and learned. We just need to let the Holy Spirit have His way in this area of our life, and the best way we can do that is to flex our spiritual muscles by going out there and sharing the word of God with the lost. 

We're not all children of God. That description is reserved only for those who are born again believers. Let's be the living vessels through which God can work to take back those who the enemy has drawn away from Him. Let us work together to make sure that there will be fewer people who will stand before the Lord and say, "I never knew." Every soul saved is one taken out of the grasp of the enemy. 

"And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4'What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.'" Luke 15:3-7 

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:8-10 

 

*words were underlined by me

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

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Journal Entry: What Just Happened?

Alan sat on a chair in the corner of his bedroom. The room was dark, his blinds and curtains were drawn closed. He wanted to hide himself away from the world that lay beyond the four walls of that room. What he had witnessed in the past few days was enough to make him bury his head in his hands and wish that what he was experiencing was a dream. It HAD to be a dream! He retrieved his journal from the floor and turned to the entries he had made over the past few days. He began reading his own words, hoping to find something that would help him make sense of everything that was happening. 

Wednesday: What just happened? What happened to everyone? Where did they go? There was no warning, there were no signs, nothing. In an instant, my whole world has turned upside down! So many people have disappeared! Millions at least! Maybe more! Right now, I only know what's happening here in the US. Some people are calling it the rapture, but how could that be when there are so many Christians still around? I'm watching religious leaders on the news saying it can't be the rapture because they're still here. I'm so confused. Isn't the rapture just a religious fairytale to scare and control people? To traumatize little children? As if that's not bad enough, there are some equally insane theories being tossed around right now, like alien abductions, a crossover to an alternate universe, Gaia shedding human life to save herself, etc... How insane do you have to be to believe that stuff?! I didn't even attempt to go into work today because too many of the roads are impassible, and the highway is closed because of all the pileups. I don't even know if I have a job. So many things have been affected by the disappearances. Just to cover myself, I tried calling out today, but communications seem to still be down, so I could get fired for a no call/no show, but with what's happening right now, that's the least of my worries. 

Thursday: I tried contacting Jen and Brian by sending texts and making phone calls all day yesterday, but everything's jammed up or, in many instances, cell phone service is non-existent, so it's difficult to call or text anyone. If Jen's gone, I don't know what I'll do. She's my only family. Please, please still be there, Jen. Please don't leave me all alone. I love you! I need you!

I couldn't stand losing communication with Jen, so I got in my car this afternoon and although many of the roads were obstructed with damaged vehicles, downed poles, or blocked by emergency or law enforcement vehicles, I was able to work my way around the city. On the way, I saw mobs of people looting a convenience store and gas station, but I was too focused on getting to Jen's house to pay attention. I finally arrived at their house and saw Jen's and Brian's cars in the driveway, so a spark of hope made my heart leap, but after I rang the doorbell, knocked on the door, then banged on their door with no response, my heart sank. I was able to get into the house, and that's when I began to panic. I called out their names, but no one responded. They weren't there, but strangely enough, their clothing was left in odd places. Jen's and the girls' clothing was on the couch and the television was still on. Jen's phone lay on the floor. I began looking for Brian, but I found his clothes on the chair and floor at the kitchen table. On the table was a bottle of water and an open bible. I asked myself if the disappearances could have actually be caused by the rapture. It seemed like I was grasping at straws, but where I found their clothes made my head spin with questions and doubt. All I really knew was that my greatest fear appeared to have been realized. My only sister was gone as were Brian and the girls, which means I'm all alone. I don't think I'll ever recover from this. I'm grieved to the point of despair. 

It's late, but the latest news is that, long story short, the UN wants to control everything worldwide. They're saying there's a contingency plan in place for just such a worldwide emergency, but I've learned that when those in power start talking about peace and safety, that usually means there's going to be a power grab. Are they part of what's happened? Did they cause, or know who caused, the disappearances? It's very unsettling. I didn't recognize the UN representative that was speaking, but he was dressed sharp and seemed to be a calming influence on many of the people who were listening to him. Still... there's something about him that I don't like. I can't put my finger on it, but it's there.

Friday: What's happening?! It's like I exist in someone else's dream with no control over what's going to happen next. I neglected to mention yesterday that Jen had told me that if anything were to happen to her and her family... if they, along with millions of other people worldwide, were to suddenly disappear, I needed to access a small zippered case that contains important information for me, and that it's located in the furthest kitchen cabinet. Before I left her house yesterday, I found it and brought it home with me. It had something written on the top of it, but I didn't bother to read it. I just wanted to get back home as quickly as possible. 

I haven't slept well. I've only had short catnaps since Wednesday. I've been too busy watching the news nonstop, trying to keep my mind busy with trying to piece this all together to make some sort of sense out of it all. I still have electricity and the satellite dish is still picking up a signal, so I guess I'm better off than a lot of other people. By now, I've learned that billions of people, mostly children, had suddenly vanished... disappeared, and it happened worldwide at the same moment. Things have gone downhill in record time. Every news report seems to numb me even further as more and more negative information is released. The disappearances of so many people and the related injuries and damages has overwhelmed emergency services, government services, and municipal services. Roads and highways remain blocked by pileups caused by vehicles that, in an instant, became driverless when the drivers disappeared, but they're working nonstop to clear the interstate highways. Parents are inconsolable after having experienced the disappearance of their children from their beds, cribs, yard, schools, and daycares. Children even disappeared from their mother's womb! Grieving parents haven't bothered going to work, which has made society almost come to a standstill. Emergency services, social services, law enforcement, utilities, communications, etc... are severely understaffed. Airports are on lockdown and all flights had been cancelled since day one. Everything except military aircraft has been grounded.

The videos have been the worst. Those horrible videos that are being funneled into everyone's living room and being played on every electronic device. They're displaying the worst behavior in people and revealing the evil that exists in this world. People, with no clue to what had happened after people disappeared, gave way to their unrestrained survival instinct. Grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, banks, convenience stores, etc... were, and are now being, stripped of everything of use or value, shattering communities nationwide. Normalcy is in it's death throws, and a new reality is settling in. Because of the recent civil unrest, many countries, including the US, have declared Martial Law. We're literally in lockdown in our own homes for the time being. Due to the severity of the situation, the reduced numbers in law enforcement, and the limited space in local jails or prisons, the authorities and the military have decided that the only way to effectively and quickly quell violent uprisings and riots is the use of deadly force. After a few incidences of deadly force, the number of violent riots and protests has been reduced significantly. Who would have thought that this was our future... our new normal? I'm living in a military state on lockdown. Oh, how I wish I could go back a few days and live there forever. It was so different only a few short days ago. Jen tried warning me, but I didn't listen. I can barely remember what she said. I'm sorry Jen... I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you. You were so insistent, but I didn't want to hear it.

Saturday: I've finally had some sleep, and I'm taking a break from the news. Last night I saw a report of a couple of religious guys who showed up in Israel and their mere presence is causing everyone there to freak out. Who preaches Jesus to the Jews? I was falling asleep at the time of the report, so I didn't hear much of what they were saying. I'm wondering if this will turn into anything serious. I need some quiet time to process everything I've read, heard, watched and gone through, and I need to deal with my grief. 

I'm now looking at the zippered case that I grabbed from Jen's house. The writing on the top says, "After Rapture Kit (ARK)." I don't know whether to open it or just shove it in a drawer. What could it possibly contain that it would alter my entire life? Jen and Brian had their personal beliefs, and I have mine. What could she possibly have to say that would even make me give up my own personal perspective on life? Then again, they're gone and I'm still here. What could they have known that I don't?

That's where the journal entries ended. He put the journal down and pondered what was to come next. After much thinking, he knew what his next move would have to be. For the first time, he did something he never thought he would do... he prayed. "If there's something you want me to see, to understand, please show me. I'm just a stupid man, so it needs to be super simple." His heart was already changing, repenting, being given it's dose of faith. He just didn't know that. The next day something extraordinary occurred. He talks about it in the next journal entry. In that entry, he wrote...

Sunday: I opened the container a short while ago. There was a note inside from Jen. I won't transcribe it verbatim. Instead, I'll tuck it here in the journal. Part of what she wrote was that she, Brian, and the children want me to be with them, and that she hopes that I'll take the information she left for me seriously. She says she's been praying for me, and that she looks forward to seeing me again, but that all hinges on what I ultimately decide to do with the information she left for me. I will say that her words brought tears to my eyes, and I wept quietly. I haven't accessed the contents of the container yet, but I will. I just need to collect myself.

I had a life altering experience this evening! It's even bigger than the rapture! Yes, I now believe the disappearances was a result of the rapture. It's like I've been asleep and just woke up. I can see things that I never saw before and I can understand things that I could never comprehend before. After watching the DVD's, listening to the music CD's, reading the tracts, and reading the booklet Jen put together for me, I've come to understand and believe that Jesus is real. I believe that He is God. I believe that He left His throne in heaven to be born a lowly human in order to be the perfect example for us to follow and to be a sacrifice for all of us. I believe He lived a sinless life, was unjustly accused and convicted. I believe He was crucified and shed His innocent blood for me and that He took the full brunt of the punishment that was meant for me, and in doing so, secured my place in the kingdom of heaven forever. How much greater is that than the Rapture!? 

The booklet she left me warned me about what is to come, and that everything happening right now was prophesied long ago. There are a lot of terrible things that are about to happen over the next seven years, and I may not live through it, but whatever comes my way, I have Jesus as my Lord and as my Savior, and I have to believe what Jen said to me in the letter she wrote to me... that I was made for this day and this time in history, and what I do with my life is my legacy, my testimony, and I need to redeem the time and do what I can to share Jesus with other people. I'm so excited to know that Jen, Brian, and the girls are safe in heaven, and that I'll see them return with Jesus at the end of the Tribulation, or sooner if it's God's will. I'm so new to this, but I'm a quick study. Jen says there will be other new Christians during this time, so I need to hook up with them. I'm going to visit a few local churches to see if that's where they're hanging out. I can hardly wait to see what I have to share in my journal tomorrow!!!

The next day, Alan was traveling to a local church. He turned down a street blocked by a violent mob. They attacked his car and pulled him out, assaulting him and, after finding his bible, mocked him for his faith in Jesus. They laughed and taunted him, while he slowly succumbed to his injuries. No one called emergency services, and as Alan lay there, listening to the laughter and taunts of the mob, he saw a glow of light. That's when the mob's voices faded into the background, and Alan heard a gentle but strong voice calling his name. A sudden peace filled him, and he smiled. He no longer fought to hold on to his life as he gave himself up, to be ushered into the presence of Jesus, and to see his sister once again. It's not a sad ending to a sad story, it's a story of last minute redemption, and the most joyous ending anyone could ever hope for... entering into the presence of Jesus, and rejoicing with his new found brothers and sisters in heaven forever!!! 

Remember, none of us are guaranteed a long life. Some of us have a very narrow window of opportunity before our time here on earth is over. Make most of your time here. Seek Jesus while He may be found. Live your life for the Lord and grow your testimony. Make every day count, and do it all for Jesus!!!

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

Halloween: Are Christians Sending Mixed Messages?

Halloween... it's one of those holidays that divide Christians every year. Should we be trying to redeem the day, or should it be avoided altogether? Here's a quick blog article on my humble opinions on the matter.

My history: When my children were young, I confess that I compromised on Halloween. I didn't give out candy, but I allowed my children to dress up and participate in Halloween as long as they weren't dressed as anything that could be considered "evil." I even begrudgingly participated in dressing up for work. Eventually, I reached the point where I felt convicted for putting my children's feelings, and my co-workers' pleads for participation, before the Lord, so that's when I cancelled any future participation in the day altogether.

Fast forward to today: I see Christians using the day to hand out tracts at their door. They say, "What better day to share the gospel than on a day when you get people coming to you and not the other way around? They come right to your door." That's certainly the easiest way to share the gospel, but I can't help but think that it's hypocritical, and here's why.

• We're to separate ourselves from the darkness and lawlessness of this world, not participate in it.

14"Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17'Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,' says the Lord. 'AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18'And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' Says the Lord Almighty." (2Cor. 6:14-18)

• Christians are actually making friends with the world by joyously and willingly participating in Halloween. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4) 

• As Christians, we're held to a higher standard than the rest of the world. We're priests and ambassadors of Christ. We live by a different set of rules. This world is not our own, and we're instructed not to participate in it's sinfulness, so why do we throw all that out the window in order to celebrate Halloween. Admit it or not, many Christians compromise on that day, and participate, at the very least, by giving out treats. Yes, that includes a tract, but that's like going to a bar, handing out tracts, and then giving everyone a coupon for a free drink. We wouldn't do that, right? So why in this instance? 

• Some people may use Romans 14:5 to justify their participation in Halloween ("One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."), but can you honestly say that the Lord was referring to participation in pagan and demonic holidays? Are you saying that Jesus is okay with your participation in Halloween because YOU esteem it above other days? Would God bless your participation in celebrations of false gods because you esteemed them as important days, because you're celebrating Satan on Halloween just by your participation, whether you want to admit it or not. I ask that you meditate on that for a moment. 

• Participating in Halloween sends a mixed message to those with whom you are attempting to share the gospel. Just as I don't believe in using worldly tactics to get people in the church and keep them there (it just creates a compromised church), I also believe that mixing Christianity with paganism is a bad choice. There's not one example in the bible of Christians celebrating a pagan holiday in an effort to share the salvation message. In fact, God is very specific in calling out pagan practices as an abomination and commands that we not participate. He also never "redeemed" or reused anything that came from paganism and idol worship, because it's a cheap counterfeit of what God has established. There are those things that belong to the enemy and those that belong to God. The two aren't reconcilable, nor are they interchangeable. 

• Keeping in the theme of Christians trying to "redeem" pagan symbols and practices, by participating in the giving of treats at your door, Christians are actually reinforcing the continued participation in this holiday. Christians, in an attempt to share the gospel, are actually teaching children that it's perfectly acceptable to participate in Halloween. They are helping to build memories and form deeper connections to this holiday through nostalgia. Do we really want to contribute to anyone's continued and deepening participation in this day? We can't say, "Well, if they become Christians, they won't participate in Halloween," because YOU'RE still participating in it.

• In this day of childhood obesity and diabetes, should we really be contributing to that by handing out sugar-filled treats? How can we say, "I love you, and I care about your eternal salvation, but here... have some sugar." We're not contributing to the health and physical welfare of children by giving them the very things that poison their body. God says that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so by handing out sugary treats, Christians are negatively affecting the health of these children and causing them harm. You can say, "What's a few more pieces of candy going to hurt?" The degree to which they are affected isn't relevant. It's like saying, "I lie, but they're little white lies. They don't amount to anything significant." A little white lie is still a lie, it's a sin, and we're held accountable for it before the Lord.

• Participating in Halloween sends a message of hypocrisy in the church. "Trunk or Treat," relabeled and rebranded "Harvest Festivals," etc... it all reeks of hypocrisy. It's telling people that Christians can still participate in pagan and demonic activities as long as it's rebranded and held on a day surrounding the official celebration. No wonder why so many people say that the church is filled with hypocritical people. I've learned that there are some Christians who will go to great length to justify their own sin. They deceive themselves, saying, "God knows my heart." Yeah, He knows your heart, and He knows you're trying to justify your sin and perform an end run around what He's commanded of you. Christians can fool themselves, but they can't fool God. He sees the intent of the mind and heart. Question: Has any church actually grown because of their rebranded Halloween events, or are people only coming to the events to fulfill their fleshly desires for free candy, costume contests, and fun games? Are they getting saved, or are they going home just as lost as they were when they walked in the front door of the church?

I suppose the question is, "Do Christians love the world more than Jesus?" You can't have one foot in the world and one foot in heaven, and in my personal opinion, that's exactly what you have when you participate in a pagan and demonic holiday and deceive yourself into believing that it's fine. Scripture says, 15"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:15-17)

There is nothing you can do on Halloween that you can't do any other day of the year. The only difference is that instead of them coming to you, you need to make the effort to go out into your community and witness to the lost face to face, or to at least leave tracts in places where people will find them (the possibilities are limitless). I know Halloween is convenient, but we're told to go out in the world to evangelize, not wait for them to come to us. 

I encourage you to leave Halloween behind and grab a friend or family member and go to the beach, park, campground, community event, busy intersection, etc... and evangelize. By doing that, you're not limiting yourself to a "one day a year" opportunity to share the salvation message, and you'll be fulfilling the great commission in ways that you never thought possible.

Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Thank you, and God bless!!!

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

Get Off The Bench And Back Into The Game!!!

I've had a few days to reflect after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I definitely didn't want to post a knee-jerk reaction. Instead, I wanted to watch as things unfolded and witness how the world was going to respond to this hate-filled act. I've read some of the vitriol online from those who not only take pleasure in his death, but who have extended their hate towards his young family and, for that matter, towards Christians and conservatives. I've limited my exposure to those malicious posts, because with each cruel comment read or heard, an opportunity arises for the enemy to affect me negatively. 

Here's the thing that surprises a lot of people... evil and hate exist in the world. It's always been with us. Many have been shaken out of their complacency and are finally waking up to that fact. Read your bible. Evil has been around since the introduction of sin in the Garden of Eden. It's all around us where we live, and worldwide. How are some born again believers just seeing it now? Christians have often said that we're in a spiritual war against evil, and this very act against Charlie Kirk is what we mean.

Christians, especially, should be more aware of the spiritual battle going on in this world than unbelievers, who are spiritually blind to that fact. They can see evil, but they're unaware of the spiritual aspects and consequences of the war that continually takes place in the spiritual realm 24/7. Hopefully, we, as born again believers, aren't unaware of the spiritual battle being waged on our behalf, and on the behalf of those who are still lost in their sin, but are most Christians aware to what extent that battle rages? If the enemy isn't blinding the unsaved and using the desires of the flesh to steer them away from God every moment of the day, then the enemy is desperately attempting to destroy our relationship with God. If he's not battling us, then he's battling the angels being sent by God. Satan is overjoyed when someone like Charlie is murdered. He rejoices over every child killed in the womb. He laughs at child abuse, spousal abuse, rape, murder, and substance abuse. He finds it enjoyable to hear the venomous words that spread hate. He wrings his hands with delight when spouses are at odds or when one of them commits adultery. Satan is evil personified. What we find disgusting and nauseating, he finds delightful and delicious. I don't think most people have take the time to actually meditate on how evil Satan really is and how much he enjoys the anti-Christ behavior of humans in this world. He is filled with anger and hate towards God, and his vengeance is his motivation to destroy all that is good. He is the father of lies, and a father to all who are unsaved. He has set himself up as the "god" of this world... a sad misrepresentation and counterfeit of our Heavenly Father.

As far as Charlie Kirk's assassination, Satan mistakenly thought it would negatively affect the forward momentum of God and the continued transformation of the lives of people who would have otherwise never even considered a relationship with God, but just as it's happened in the past, something like this often ignites a fire inside of people. Even now, after all this time and after all that's happened since his original rebellion against God, Satan still makes mistakes in judgment, and this was a big one. He asked permission to take out someone that meant so much to so many people, and God let it happen, because He knew what the end result would be. We're seeing the beginnings of it now... worldwide! Suddenly, people are saying, "They went too far, this time." It's energized his base as well as all born again believers worldwide, and God's going to use us to bring more sheep into the fold. I'm positive God is using this tragic event to focus people's eyes on Him, so that they can finally have those scales fall from their eyes and see clearly that Jesus is their God... their Savior... their Messiah. 

If you're a born again believer who's been sleeping, it's time to wake up! If you've been sitting out the game, get off the bench and get back into the game! If you reached the point where you gave up, I encourage you to grab your armor, put it back on, and hoof it, double time, to the front lines. Don't let others fight the fight alone. When you became a born again believer, you entered a blood covenant to fight the good fight, so get in there, stand alongside your brothers and sisters who have been battling valiantly, push forward against the gates of hell, and save as many people as you can along the way. Satan wants to draw as many people away from Jesus as he can. Fight for each and every one of them! Don't go to heaven thinking, "I could have done a lot more." 

If you're not able to get out into the community because of health issues, then think about financially supporting a group that performs outreach to your community or worldwide. If you're not able to provide financial support, then pray, pray, pray, and share the salvation message to anyone you meet. Remember: The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) accomplishes much. The battle starts on our knees.

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8)

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

Dealing With Hateful Online Comments

If you've been online for as many years as I have (since 1999) and you've been part of any social media site, or if you've shared the salvation message of Jesus in public, you've come to realize that not everyone will agree with what you may say. Early on, I used to fight to win online arguments, but through years of experience, I've found this to be a futile endeavor. I'm in no way an expert, but as a born again believer in Christ, I've developed ways of dealing with individuals online who give me a difficult time. These are tips you can also use when speaking with someone face to face as well. You undoubtedly have a different set of personality traits that would lead you to handling some things in a different way, but this is what works for me personally.

RESIGN YOURSELF TO THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO WIN THE ARGUMENT

Your goal shouldn't be to win an argument. Your goal should be to share the salvation message, your biblical knowledge, and to share facts in the hopes of having a rational discussion with others. There are those who don't have that same mindset. Many people don't want to open their mind to other viewpoints or they're just looking for an argument. They'll refuse to give up any ground, even when you've given them all the facts. You can take a picture of the sky to prove that it's blue, and they'll still say it's green. They're just plain stubborn and refuse to listen to reason. They could also be trolls, who want to take the opposite viewpoint just to give you a difficult time as they try to stir up strife. These are the people on which you don't want to waste your time. The moment someone becomes combative and refuses to listen to what you have to say, the minute you realize that their ears, mind, and heart are closed to what you have to share, the minute they're more interested in their own viewpoint and have become deaf to what you're trying to share, the conversation should end. There's no use in investing time and effort to type out your entire side of the conversation if they're just going to ignore everything you've written and stick to their guns, even when scripture and logic shows otherwise. There comes a time when you just need to stop casting pearls or need to shake the dust from your feet. Many times, I'll end the conversation with, "We'll just have to agree to disagree," or "We're just talking in circles, so I'll give you the last word." Once you've said that, you've taken the power out of their hands because you've, effectively, ended the discussion. Don't even wait for their online response, because if you do, they're probably going to goad you into responding again. Just move on and don't let the enemy get a foothold. 

IF POSSIBLE, LIVE PEACEFULLY WITH EVERYONE.

It says in Roman 12:18, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Very rarely will negative feedback or comments get my dander up. I can usually read them, shrug them off, chuckle about them, smile, and respond in a way that doesn't feed into, or fuel, their hateful or combative rhetoric. I've been called every name in the book. I've heard it all. How do I handle it? I try to calmly explain my side a little more clearly, using logic and, depending on the situation, scripture. If they continue to attack me, I dodge it and respond with more God given wisdom and knowledge. Most will get tired of not getting anywhere with their attacks, and they'll just give up. They'll figure out that it's better to give up than to continually be proven wrong.

Another way to deal with negative, hateful, and vulgar comments is to just respond with humor. If they can see that they're not getting you upset, they'll leave. I'll respond with a facetious comment, causing them to look a little foolish without actually attacking them. A few good facetious comments along with some "LOL's" and laughing emojis and they tend to move along because they don't want to look like a fool in front of anyone in the comment section. If they're on my YouTube channel, I'll say something like, "Thanks for watching the video and for leaving your comments. When you leave comments, it boosts my stats." They usually leave right after that. If not, I won't even address the topic of their next negative comment. I'll just say something like, "Another comment! Ding! My stats just went up. Thank you so much for helping me out! Keep them going!!!" They're usually gone by that point.

DON'T GET DISTRACTED AND BECOME A CONSTANT TARGET BY LOSING CONTROL

Many people, once they realize that their not winning the argument, will attempt to change the subject ("Well what about this... what about that?"). I always try stay on topic and bring it to some sort of conclusion before we move on to something else. I say something like, "I'll address that in a moment, but just to finish clarifying what we were talking about..." If you allow them to steer the conversation, nothing will get resolved and you'll just be a constant target for whatever they want to throw at you until they find something that sticks. Resolve issues one at a time in order to avoid confusion. If not, by the end of the conversation, not one issue will have been thoroughly discussed and/or resolved, ending with nothing actually being accomplished.

AVOID THE BOOK WRITERS

With online social media, there are those who will try to overwhelm the comment section with what seems like a chapter from a book. Their comment is so long, and the scripture they're sharing is so disjointed and cherry picked, that there's no way you can adequately respond in the limited space of a comment section. It reminds me of a meme I once created...

Trust me. Don't take the time to write your own book explaining point by point how what they just said was scripturally inaccurate, because they're so convinced that they're right, that they'll reject anything you have to say in response to them if it contradicts what they've written. They'll just write another chapter to let you know how wrong you are, and it'll be filled with more misquoted and cherry picked scripture. So, in the end, all that time and effort that you put into responding to their initial comment would have been for naught, because they either didn't read it, or they ignored it. That's why I refuse to read anyone's comment if it's more than a couple of paragraphs containing multiple points, because there's no way to adequately respond to that kind of comment without putting a lot of time and effort into it.

NEVER ATTACK THE OTHER PERSON

If you can remember not to take things personally, then this shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish. Just try to remember that they're likely coming from a position of ignorance of the issue or of God's word. The quickest way for a discussion to devolve is to attack the other person. The discussion then turns into a personal argument, and then it turns into chaos. Your attacks then make you the aggressor in everyone else's eyes, and you'll just end up looking like a fool if your attacks are proven false. It's okay to have an offensive stance, but that's not an excuse to purposely hurt other people. People are already going to get their feelings hurt by the truth. We don't need to add anything else to that negative experience that's going to just make things worse. Remember, our fight isn't against flesh and blood. The unsaved are being influenced by the enemy, and they're living in the flesh, without a resurrected, born again spirit. What you see clearly, they can't yet understand. That being said, I confess that I've taken some things personally and regretted my responses afterwards. That leads me to my next point...

LEARN FROM YOUR FAILURES

When you fail, and you will fail, learn from the experience. Your words won't always be the right ones. You'll say things with an attitude that you'll regret. You won't always have an answer for someone who poses a difficult question or idea. It's easy for me to say don't sweat it, but... don't. It's all part of the learning process. You can't take back words when you're in a face to face discussion, but at least online you can fix a mistake by just deleting what you've said. When you see an area of weakness on your part, then focus on that issue in your next bible study, so that God can increase your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of Him and His word, and so you can be ready to provide a more knowledgeable response the next time the subject comes up in conversation. 

REMAIN HUMBLE... YOU MAY BE WRONG

Many times we're convinced that what we believe is 100% correct. We'll argue a point until the other person brings up a fact or a scripture that changes everything. Suddenly, those long held beliefs are blown away and truth wins out. We have to always be ready to be proven wrong. In fact, I don't mind being proven wrong. Why? Because I don't want to live my life believing something is the truth when it's a lie. I don't mind having my bubble popped, so-to-speak. That's how I've come to realize that a lot of church tradition is just that... manmade tradition passed down from generation to generation within the church. We can't ask others to listen and think about what we have to say if we're not willing to show them the same consideration. We're not always right! So my advice is to remain humble, because it's the humble that are open to loving correction and rebuke through the Holy Spirit. If that happens, then don't be too prideful to admit to the other person that you understand where they're coming from, and that they've given you something to think about. Then go do some hardcore bible study...lol. 

I hope this has given you some food for thought and that you'll walk away with one or two tips that you can use in your own online and real life encounters with the church and the unsaved. 

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

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