Saturday Song: Dion, Abraham, Martin, and John

Everybody keeps proclaiming the words "peace on Earth" but our world still is in turmoil. We have jihadi warriors attacking innocent civilians and military personnel on a daily basis. Ghettos are filled with violence. Countries such as North Korea threaten to wage war on other lands. And governments still promise us a wonderful life while overtaxing us.

Times were frightening forty-nine years ago when this song was a new hit on the radio. It certainly seems that the good people die young while dictators live on into old age.

Hear Dion's tribute to Abraham, Martin, and John here.

But in the midst of all this turmoil, we have wonderful promises in the Bible. Revelation 7:17 (KJV) declairs, "For the Lamb (meaning Jesus) which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Likewise, Revelation 21:4 (KJV) proclaims, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

I so look forward to that world and I hope you'll be there too.

What do you think of this song and what I wrote. Please drop me a line below. But if you'd rather not comment, have a blessed new year.

Why Witness to Witnesses?

In the audio series called Jehovah's Witnesses: The Door to a Different Kingdom, produced by Hope for the Heart, an ex-Witness spoke about the need to evangelize those couples who knock on your door on a Saturday morning. As with worldly people, these folks also need to hear the gospel that freed us.

As James 2:8 (KJV) admonishes us, "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,' ye do well:"

But some believers are reluctant to even talk with Jehovah's Witnesses because those folks are trained to twist the scriptures and befuddle us who worship Christ. Even so, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) that we must, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

And as he also admonished in 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV),, we must,  "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

And remember too that what we believe is from God himself, not some human authority such as their Watchtower Society. Jesus prayed in John 17:17 KJV), "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

Remember likewise what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV). "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Let's then be like Paul who wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV), "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

I'll be writing about this glorious gospel and how it frees people from eternal damnation in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I remember what the Lord said in Ezekiel 3:18 (KJV), "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."

Pie-In-The-Sky My Eye!

One objection I often hear from non Christians is that we who believe in Christ teach a pie-in-the-sky religion. It does nothing good for us now and it only makes its adherents miserable. We know differently but they don't. Therefore, I want to point out a few scriptures to refute their assertions.

As adopted children in Christ's spiritual family, we are provided with what we need in this world. Look at what the Bible in Basic English says about this matter in Mark 10:28 to 30. "Peter said to him, 'See, we have given up everything, and come after you.' Jesus said, 'Truly I say to you, There is no man who has given up house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or land, because of me and the good news, Who will not get a hundred times as much now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and land--though with great troubles; and, in the world to come, eternal life.'"

But what about Christians who have families and haven't left home? The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19 (KJV) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Since this is so, why are some believers dirt poor? This isn't because of a lack of faith, as most charismatic preachers claim, but God always gives us what we need, not what we think we need. As Jesus said to the crowd in his Sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:11 (KJV) "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

I once believed that the heavenly Father was stingy because he wouldn't give me 20/20 vision. I wanted it so I could give him glory and so I could find a job easier. Now I know that he gave me much more spiritually and even physically than I could have imagined back then.  May he do the same for you.

I'll be writing more on this topic in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many people assume that the good things they've done and the nice people they've been will turn God's head. When Judgement Day does come, they'll be in for a terrible shock. May you NOT be one of them.

Saturday Song: Christina, "Things Fall Apart"

Here's a song you most likely won't hear blaring from shopping mall public address systems or on every radio station you tune in. It's about a woman who feels jaded about all the manic, holiday celebrations. She remembers how Christmas used to be a magical time but it's become one huge bore.

Here the song here.

I think it's a shame that the wondrus birth of Christ is blotted out by all the secular celebrations. People get too drunk and talk too loudly, all the while thinking they're having a good time.

Even with Christians, the Christmas Eve service is only for an hour. Then everybody drinks apple cider and talks about everything else but the Messiah.

Most people don't realize that Christ's coming to our world was forecast from the beginning. When God pronounced judgement on Satan in Genesis 3:15 (KJV) he said, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

In order for that to happen, Jesus had to be born. Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) reads, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." That name means "God with us."

So, I hope you liked the song and what I wrote. Please leave me a comment below. But if you'd rather not do that, have a blessed and restful Christmas.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Knowing Christ

The sad fact about many who call themselves Christians is that they don't know Jesus. In fact, they're like the rest of the world who only know about Christ. To them, he was a good teacher or moral leader who was born in Bethlehem and died on a Roman cross. They don't know him personally like those of us who have yielded to his will.

Jehovah's Witnesses are in the first category. They don't have a personal relationship with the lover of their souls. This is why this statement by the Apostle Paul seems puzzling to those who aren't born again. Philippians 3:10 (KJV) reads, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"

Knowing somebody is different than just knowing about them. For example, I love the music of Lenny Kravitz and I know some facts about him. But I can't claim to know him, much as I'd dearly love to be his personal friend.

Jesus explained how he knew his heavenly Father whereas those Pharisees he argued with only knew about him. John 7:29 (KJV) quotes him as saying, "But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me."

We can also discern those people who really know the Lord through the way they obey him out of their love for him. As Jesus said in John 8:55 (KJV), "Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying."

As sincere as they are, Jehovah's Witnesses are much like the Pharisees. Jesus condemned those sort of legalists when he said in Matthew 23:27 (KJV) "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

I'll be writing more about this personal relationship in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven. People need to understand that it isn't what you know that matters for eternity but WHO you know.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Works

One mark of a cult is the use of fear to keep members in line. In the case of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, they use the fear of members losing their salvation and being annihilated during Armageddon.

But we can easily find in the Bible that we need not worry about God abandoning us if we don't work hard enough to please him or some human institution. Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) reminds us to, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'"

But some folks will mention Hebrews 6:4 to 6 which says, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."?

The writer of Hebrews referred in that passage to those who weren't serious about their faith in Christ. These are those who were mentioned in 1 John 2:19 (KJV) which says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

We need not worry about losing our salvation if we truly repented and yielded our lives to Jesus. Ephesians 1:13 (KJV)reminds us that Christ, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

I could list many more verses which show that we can't be snatched out of Christ's hand but I'll save them for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Along with those who have a false assurance of eternal life, some live under the burden of fear that they won't be in paradise. I want people to be sure of their place in heaven.

Saturday Song: George Harrison, Isn't It A Pity

Here's another song which resonated with rock music fans like me. It really is a pity how people mistreat others. What many call love is really lust. And relying on feelings is unwise since they are effemeral.

Hear George Harrison's song here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_ZRatLl1o

We Christians have an advantage over the bewildered and weary people of this world. Our Bible has wonderful promises and we also feel the comfort mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV) which says, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

And as Jesus promised his disciples, as well as us, in Matthew 28:20 (KJV), "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

So, does this song stir memories? What do you think of what I wrote here? Please let me know below. But if you'd rather not write anything, have a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Jehovah's Witnesses and False Resurrection

Having dealt with the Jehovah's Witness doctrine of Christ's resurrection, their second president claimed that a limited one would happen but it never did.

Joseph Rutherford claimed that the Old Testament people, mentioned in Hebrews 11:1-40, would be resurrected before Armageddon. According to two articles from the Christian Research Institute, Beth-Sarim and Beth-Shan and the Return of the Princes, These ancient saints would need lodging in southern California.

The Watchtower Society purchased land and two houses were built upon it. Beth-Sarim, meaning house of the princes, and Beth-Shan, house of security, were constructed during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The articles also stated that Joseph Rutherford lost the use of one lung due to severe pneumonia. His doctor urged him to move to a dryer and warmer climate. This was the Watchtower Society's justification for him to move to Beth-Sarim and live there as his winter residence.

But the Bible says nothing about any sort of pre-Armageddon resurrection. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV), "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"

Some folks might object that Matthew 27:52 (KJV) is a pre-Armageddon resurrection. The Verse says, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," In the context of the chapter, this was at Christ's crucifixion, not two-thousand years later.

And as we see in Hebrews chapter eleven, the Old Testament saints are considered as being saved by their faith in the Messiah. Romans 4:9 (KJV) says, "Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."

The Bible is clear about there only being one resurrection for humanity. As Jesus said in John 5:29 (KJV), "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

Some Christians assume that this means two resurrections but Matthew 25:32 (KJV) disproves that. "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:" Both the righteous and wicked have to be resurrected in order for them to be sorted out.

So much more needs to be written on this topic but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Just like entering the correct password in a web site's text box, we can only be saved by repenting of our sins and placing our wholehearted trust in Jesus. God provides us no other method of being saved.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Society

As with other cults, the Jehovah's Witnesses are taught not to trust non cult members and to have little to do with outsiders. This is ordered by the Watchtower Society to prevent what they consider contamination by independent thinking.

But we see in Scripture that we are to be in this world but not of it. Jesus prayed in John 17:14 and 15 (BBE), "I have given your word to them; and they are hated by the world, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. My prayer is not that you will take them out of the world, but that you will keep them from the Evil One."

But some might quote the Apostle Paul's admonition in 2 Timothy 2:4 (KJV) which says, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." All Paul was saying was that we mustn't be caught up in worldly pursuits at the expense of our relationship with Christ.

Furthermore, we are called to be good citizens. As 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (KJV) states, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;" This doesn't mean we shouldn't be involved with society but we mustn't be rabble rousers.

Furthermore, we're exhorted in 1 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) to pray, "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

And as for military service, it's no sin to defend our land. As Psalms 82:3 (KJV) exhorts, "Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy." These are the ones who suffer most from war and tyrannical governments.

Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden to enjoy pastimes such as music, playing cards, and the like. The Watchtower Society says that those things are sinful. But Paul wrote in Colossians 2:20-23 that,  "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

Neither is it sinful to observe or not observe holidays. As Paul wrote in Romans 14:5 (KJV), "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

There is so much more I could write here but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People tend to think that doing or avoiding activities is what saves them. Only a personal surrender to Christ and repentance of sin will gain folks access to eternal life. There's no other way of salvation provided to us.

Saturday Song: Simon and Garfunkel, "I Am a Rock

I certainly relate to this song. Because I wasn't close with most of my family members, I don't bother with celebrations as others do. In fact, I resent all the bother associated with holidays, especially Christmas.

As a result of this, some people wonder if I'm a Jehovah's Witness. I most certainly am not. Even so, it's the sense of obligation which upsets me. People often go to ridiculous lengths. They get so involved with shopping for that "perfect" gift that they come home angry. People spend a lot on Christmas cards. Then they have to buy stocking stuffers in addition to the presents. Baking and cooking for relatives keeps folks too busy to relax.

Whatever happened to relaxation and enjoying the company of friends? The Christmas rat race takes away so much joy. Then the bills come in at the end of January, ruining more happiness. There are times when I wish I could be left alone, like the man in the song.

Hear "I Am a Rock" here.

People also eat too much at this time of year. They also invite their own friends rather than the poor and disabled folks among them. As Jesus noted in Luke 6:32-34 (KJV), "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. "And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again."

I personally would rather stay home and relax but others feel isolated while everybody else is celebrating. My living room is filled with many wonderful movies which I haven't even seen yet. I also love petting my beloved bunny, Deborah and she enjoys being petted.

So, what's your opinion of the song and what I wrote? Please leave me a comment. I also hope you will have a joyful and restful Christmas.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Christ's Resurrection

I suppose it's the wrong time of year to be posting about the resurrection but understanding this is crucial for our salvation. After all, Christ's birth wouldn't benefit anybody if he hadn't also lived a sinless life, been the spotless sacrificial lamb on the cross, and rose bodily as he promised.

The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign of his authority so he spoke of the temple as being a metaphor for his body. In John 2:19 (KJV), it's written, "Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'"

But the religious leaders misunderstood Jesus' analogy and threw his claim back in his face. As Matthew 27:40 (KJV) records them mocking, "And saying, 'Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.'"

And what about the false accusation concocted by the Pharisees that the disciples stole the body of Christ? As Matthew 28:13 (KJV) plainly quotes those religious leaders advising the soldiers, "Saying, 'Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.'" How can anybody steal a spirit or gasses, as some Witnesses claim Christ's body became?

If Jesus rose as a spirit being and only manifested a physical body for the sake of his disciples, why does the Bible say we'll have physical bodies at the resurrection? The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:54 (KJV), "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." Immortality is for physical bodies since our spirits are already immortal.

And what of what Romans 8:11 (KJV) plainly states? "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

I could provide many more examples of Christ's physical resurrection but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? As 1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)reminds us, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Jehovah's Witnesses and the Holy Spirit

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which runs the lives of Jehovah's Witness members, also teaches incorrectly about the Holy Spirit. They claim that he's really an impersonal force emanating from Jehovah. Neither do they believe that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead.

We can easily see from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is an individual by the use of personal pronouns. John 16:13 (KJV) records Jesus saying, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come

Additionally, an impersonal force can't be grieved. Look at what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:30 (KJV). "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

And can an impersonal force talk? Check out what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV). "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

We have solid proof that the Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead in Acts 5:4 (KJV). A man named Ananias and his wife said they sold their property and were giving ALL the money to the church. But they agreed beforehand to keep part of the amount for themselves. That's why Peter said to them, "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

The Watchtower Society and all who follow their errors are in for dire chastisement, according to Hebrews 10:29 (KJV). "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

Even so, we mustn't reject those individuals since they've been deceived. Instead, we must show them how wonderful salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ's atonement alone is. Cults keep their victims running on the treadmill of works and the fear that they won't do enough to be saved. They don't understand that Christ has done it all for us through his death and resurrection.

I'll be writing more about this treadmill of works in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Instead of trying to become righteous on our own, which won't please God, Christ gives his righteousness to cover us with.

Saturday Song: Billy J Kramer, Trains And Boats And Planes

This song reminds me of being in Jericho Hill School for the Deaf and Blind. When I heard it on my little transistor radio, I identified with it immediately. How I longed to be home with my family whenever I saw a plane fly over the dorm.

Listen to the song here.

In a way, we who follow Jesus Christ are stranded in this world. Our true home is with him but we have work and lessons to learn here.

The Apostle Paul summed up the yearning we all have in Philippians 1:23 (KJV)  "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:"

But just as Paul still had plenty of church-planting and preaching work to do, so we have our tasks from the Lord. As Paul admonished his spiritual son in 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV), "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

I hope you'll leave me a comment about the song and what I wrote here. But if you'd rather not do so, have a pleasant weekend.