Book of Genesis, Chapter 4

 Chapter 4

Cain and Abel

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering, he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;

    you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:

I have killed a man for wounding me,

    a young man for striking me.

24 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold,

    then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold.”

25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.

Raising Children, Witchcraft

 Yes. Witchcraft is real. 

Welcome, today. Today we continue our series, “Raise Kids in Today’s Reality.” I’m going to let you know right off the bat that this will be heavy in the Word of God. A lot of Bible verses will be shared. Why? Because most do not believe that witchcraft is real. From “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” to “Harry Potter” witchcraft is portrayed as real, fun, and exciting. Other shows like “Medium,” Physic Detectives,” and “Millennium,” portray people with psychic abilities that use their “gifts” to help people. I know, they also had a show that made the devil look like a good guy. I get entertainment. I also understand that if you do not warn your children that witchcraft is very real and God warns us to stay away from it, they may get sucked right into a tool of the devil.

“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:31

They are not your friend. They are not there to help you. They are not going to connect you to long-lost loved ones or tell you about your future. Is God serious about this?

“If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.” Leviticus 20:6

Yes, God is serious. I want you to think about this for a second. I am my children’s father. I love them and I warn them about things that may cause them harm. Am I going to warn them about the giant people eater that will come and eat them if they do not honor it in some way? No. Why? Because it is not real. It does not exist. I’m not going to waste my time warning my children about something that does not exist. God is not warning us about these things because they are made-up nonsense. No, He is warning us because they are real.

Look what the Word declares in the coming age.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Revelation 22:14-15

Those who practice these things will not enter the Kingdom. They will not receive the gift of salvation. Any doubt?

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Look at this warning we receive in Isaiah.

“And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” Isaiah 8:19

Let’s talk about that for a second. Is that “spirit” Grandma? Is it your long-lost Mom looking out for you? Is Grandpa Joe trying to tell you something? The short answer is no. Ghosts are real, but they are not our dead loved ones.

Look what the Word says about people when they die.

“As the cloud fades and vanishes,
so he who goes down to Sheol does not come up;
he returns no more to his house,
nor does his place know him anymore.” Job 7:9-10

And here.

“When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day, his plans perish.” Psalm 146:4

Here,

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:8

Look what Jesus said to the thief that was crucified with Him.

“And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

I understand some will try to argue this point and attempt to make it seem like a contradiction. If Jesus was buried and rose after three days and then many days later ascended to heaven, how could He have been in paradise with the thief? The answer is both simple and difficult for some to understand. After Christ died, it was His body that was buried in the tomb. However, Jesus’s spirit was not in the tomb. Jesus’s spirit was in the Father’s presence. After three days He returned and took up His body again. He raised it from the dead by entering into it one more time. Only God can do that.

Also, look at this other example of the dead appearing to be alive. At the transfiguration.

“And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” Luke 9:29-32

It seems pretty clear that once we die, we go to the grave. Now if you chose to believe “absent the body and present with the Lord,” as it appears to be the case to me, or if you choose to believe that the dead sleep until Jesus returns, either way, you are not running around haunting people.

Evil spirits in this world are the fallen angels who followed Satan in rebellion against God. Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light, yes they can and do disguise themselves as lost loved ones and if they find an open door, they can and will possess you.

Wicca is a growing religion. Last I checked it was even surpassing Christianity. What is Wicca? It is what you think it is. Witchcraft where you become a real practicing Witch. If you google it you will see the very first entry is “52 spells for beginners.” I actually took the test on one site, in preparation for this message and found out that I’m a “witch” with many “natural abilities.” I have a “deep connection to the spirit realm.” I hope so.

I am connected to God through the Holy Spirit, through my faith in Jesus. Not that I was born a witch and have all this power. However, I will admit, it was a bit entertaining taking the test. I can totally see how someone who may be depressed, or hurting could get sucked into it.

True story, I met a witch. A couple of years ago, we went to NJ and NY on vacation. While in upstate NY we met a witch. She was a very nice and loving lady whole loved Maya. She invited us, and the rest of the campsite to a night fire with food and drink and games for the kids. We went. It was a lot of fun until she started a ceremony. It did not take long to understand it was a witchcraft ceremony. She made this statement that really caught my attention. “I believe in the great mother and Jesus.” Wait, huh?

We stayed so that we did not offend those there. We enjoyed the food and watching Maya play with her new friend, Maya. Then we headed back to our campsite where I explained what we just witnessed and the fact that this is not ok.

The next day, I tried talking with this lady who said she did believe in the Bible until she “Realized that I am gay and the bible is not for me.” So she found a religion that “Suited me and is something I can believe in.”

God warns His people against making "his son or his daughter pass through the fire." Human sacrifice,” in modern terms, this as equal to Abortion. Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means."Observer of Times,” same as astrology or stargazing. It is another form of divination. This also includes horoscopes or anything that takes the place of God's direction in your life. An enchanter, a magician; or a sorcerer. One who casts spells; or bewitches. A Witch is a person who practices magic. One who deals with demonic spirits. It does not matter if they practice “black” or “white” magic. There is no such thing as good magic.

A charmer is someone who can put a spell on someone or change things by the use of magic. A consulter with familiar spirits. A Medium who believes, or wants you to believe, they are contacting the dead. A wizard. A male witch, a sorcerer, a magician, or a conjurer. One who uses magic to have control over another person; also someone who uses magic to change nature. A necromancer. A person who claims they have spoken with those who have died already. Contact is made for magical and fortune-telling purposes.

The supernatural is REAL. Witches are REAL. Wizards, mediums, and psychics are REAL. Oh, of course, I would be willing to bet you that for every real one, there are a hundred phonies. Scam artists just trying to milk you out of your money. But there are REAL ones. However, that is NOT Grandma you are talking to. Especially if Grandma was a child of God when she passed.

Again, just like you would not waste your time warning your Children against things that are not real, things that cannot hurt them, your Heavenly Father will not warn you against things that are not real, things that cannot hurt you. He teaches us, His children these things, and we should be teaching our the same.

Without Jesus, they may find these things very seductive and fall into traps. Teach them to pray this prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Genesis, Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

The Fall

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,

    cursed are you above all livestock

    and above all beasts of the field;

on your belly you shall go,

    and dust you shall eat

    all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,

    and between your offspring  and her offspring;

he shall bruise your head,

    and you shall bruise his heel.”

16 To the woman he said,

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;

    in pain you shall bring forth children.

Your desire shall be contrary to your husband,

    but he shall rule over you.”

17 And to Adam he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife

    and have eaten of the tree

of which I commanded you,

    ‘You shall not eat of it,’

cursed is the ground because of you;

    in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;

    and you shall eat the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face

    you shall eat bread,

till you return to the ground,

    for out of it you were taken;

for you are dust,

    and to dust you shall return.”

20 The man called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother of all living. 21 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reaches out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eats, and live forever—” 23, therefore, the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden, he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

Raising Children, Money

 We are dealing with money.

“Money? Oh, man. I stumbled into the wrong message. I don't want to hear some preacher tell me how to spend my money. Just wait, he is going to tell us that we have to give it to him and all that nonsense. Oh yeah, I will go out and work hard only to come to church and give it to him. Who is he, or any preacher to tell me how to handle money?”

I have heard all these. I have said some of them. I understand. Once some people hear the word money, these are some of the things they think about. Ever wonder why that is? That is world thinking.

"You better make money to survive."
"You have to work harder to make more money to be comfortable."
"He who dies with the most toys wins."
"Your money is your money. Do with it whatever you chose."
"You better store up as much as you can. When you retire and you will need this money."

Then you have very clear examples of preachers abusing the tithes and offerings that their faithful congregation does bring in. I remember seeing a Pastor of a church I once attended at a gas station. He was filling up his Sports car while yelling at someone on his phone. The church was so large that I do not believe he even knew I attended there. It later came out he was taking a large salary weekly. Not just him, but his wife and brothers as well. Then he preached a message that we should be tithing more than we pay in our mortgage to prove we are putting God first in our lives. Yeah. OK. We left that church.

I understand people being hesitant and even resistant to the concept of tithes and offerings. But we will be talking about much more than just that, so please stay tuned in. I promise I am not going to tell you to tithe more than you pay in your mortgage.

Let’s take these from the most common to the least. “You better make money to survive.” Well, that is because we, not God, set up the financial system we have today. We, mankind, said this shiny rock is worth this much and this piece of paper is worth this much, and you have to pay this much for this and that. Imagine when someone looked at a spitball in a clam and said, “That is valuable.” You get the point. We did this so God has to operate in this system as long as we are in this system.

Use to be if you had cows, and your neighbors had chickens, you want eggs, and you traded with your neighbor for milk. When the Bible talks about how rich Abraham was it says this.

“So he said, “I am Abraham's servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels, and donkeys.” Genesis 24:34-35

We read often how the fruits of the land and livestock and land, and such were the measure of wealth. Yes, there was gold and silver and gems and such back then, but only the really wealthy had such. Just as a side note, we first read about them here.

“A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there.” Genesis 2:10-12

However, for the most part, most people dealt with the things of the land and their trades. All the way up to the last book in the old testament, this was the common practice. Giving to the poor was actually feeding them. Clothing them. Giving them things they need to survive. Tithes were actually animals, food, and clothing. Today? You really cannot pay the electric company with eggs. You would have a hard time paying your TV bill with a gallon of milk.

“See? We have to worry about those things. We have to work to survive.” Well?

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:25-34

Did you know that you should be working for others, to begin with? It’s not about you. Look here.

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Ephesians 4:28

Read that again. “So that.” Say So that. “So that, he may have something,” Say money. “Something to share with anyone in need.” Why should we be working? “So that” we can have an abundance and retire? No. “So that” we can use it to do the work of the Father. This is why God commands us to tithe. Not so the Pastor can get rich. “But I’m not a thief. This does not apply to me." Are you sure?

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:8-10

This is why Jesus tells us to store our treasures in Heaven.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

There is nothing wrong with working hard. There is nothing wrong with reaping the rewards. The Word declares this in Luke 10:7,1 Timothy 5:18, Matthew 10:10, and Leviticus 19:13 “The laborer is worthy of his reward” However, be careful that you are working for the right reasons.

God can and will bless you. Look what Jesus told Peter when Peter said that he and the others with Jesus have left everything to follow Him. Jesus said this.

“Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30

The world will teach our kids, “You go get a job. Work hard, pay bills, and save up enough to retire. All is good.” Is that really life? Working 40-plus hours a day for someone else, just to pay out most of your paycheck to another at the end of the week? Jesus said this.

“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

He tells us the truth that tomorrow is not guaranteed. When we die, who’s stuff that we have accumulated? Who’s stuff with that be? I have known people, and the world will tell you that this is a good thing, I have known people that spend most of their lives working. They sleep like 4 hours a day, They work hours and days on end. Then they fail to wake up one day. Or they drop because their body just gives out. They spend their life trying to stay one step ahead of the grave, sadly, that is what puts them in it. Now their children, who have never worked a day in their life do whatever they want because they now have their dead parent's inheritance. Some become famous just because they are rich and do whatever they want and others envy them and watch their every move.

Money is a tool. That is all it is. It is a tool that we need to use to operate in this physical realm. We must teach our children this fact. Money is really nothing. In the end, it means nothing. The rich man and the poor man both die in the end. What is truly important is their 401 E, not their 401 K. What is important is how much they have in their eternal bank account. Not how much they have in their earthly bank account when they leave. You can’t take it with ya.

“And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

Teach your children this very important fact.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money, people will lie, cheat, and steal. People will murder. People will do many evil things, all in pursuit of more and more money. The world makes it seem so easy too. Make a video, sing a song, do a dance in your underwear, and put it out there for all to see. You may be the next “Big thing,” and make a bunch of money. Money for nothing. Just sell yourself.

Do you really want your kids selling themselves? The world will tell them there is nothing wrong with that.”Who cares if pedophiles are looking at you? They do not know where you live. Dance little girl dance. Dance around little boy. Sell yourself and get people to ‘follow’ you and you will never have to really work a day in your life.

Teach your children that money is a tool. God, as with all things, has a better way for you to use it. Teach them it is God who gives them whatever skills they have. It is God who gets them the job, to begin with. It is God that meets their daily needs. It is God who commands a tithe. He commands you to give a little back so the local church can do what it is supposed to be doing. “Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, setting the captives free.”

Ever think about that? You may not be going down to the inner city and feeding the hungry. You may not be going into the woods and bringing clothes, blankets, and such to the homeless. But your church is. All that takes money. God does not require you to give all you have. All He requires is 10 percent. Teach your children that this is required. Anything more than that is love offerings and God will bless them for it.

Of course with this and all things, it all starts with Jesus. Teach them to pray this prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Genesis, Chapter 2

 Chapter 2

The Seventh Day, God Rests

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

The Creation of Man and Woman

4 These are the generations

of the heavens and the earth when they were created,

in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,

“This, at last, is bone of my bones

    and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

    because she was taken out of Man.”

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Raising Children, the Idol of Self

The Idol of Self. 

This is growing and one that is the most seductive idol. The idol of self. You need nothing and no one. You are not only enough, but you are the best. Most important. You are a “god.” Sound familiar?

“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of the assembly
in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the far reaches of the pit.
Those who see you will stare at you
and ponder over you:
‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
who shook kingdoms,
who made the world like a desert
and overthrew its cities,
who did not let his prisoners go home?’ Isaiah 14:12-17

“You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Lucifer, as he was known then, wanted to be the most important. He wanted people to bow down in front of him. Worship him. Look what he said to Jesus.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8-9

This is what he tempted Adam and Eve with.

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

Look what society tells our kids. “There is no god.” “You only live once.” “You are special and you are in control of your future.” “Look out for number one.” If you put yourself out there, social media and such, you could be the next big thing.” “The next “influencer with thousands of followers.” Sound familiar?

Look at social media for a second. There are those on social media that make $30,000.00 a day for a 10-minute video. Some make so much money and have so many followers that they make videos where they give money away. Is there anything wrong with them giving money away to those who need it? No. Not really. But why are they? Think about it. Look at what Jesus said here.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

Social media has become a source of child abuse. We actually have parents out there that are letting their underage daughters, some very underage daughters, dance in bathing suits, underwear, and in some cases, nothing, showing little bits of themselves for the pedophiles out there to watch. Why? The more views, the more followers, and the more they could make money. We use to call nude or semi-nude pictures and videos of little girls, child porn. It used to be a crime. That no longer seems to be the case. Some of those happy little faces doing their dance are doing so because they are being forced to. There have been reports that in other countries, there are compounds full of young girls that are forced to make videos.

Even if we do not go to the extreme, just think about things like FB. Yeah, I know. I have one. I post these messages on it. I share pics, and I share life moments. I look forward to waking up and seeing how many people “liked” my posts. Where is the line though? Social Media is a tool. It can be used for good or other things. You can get information and or you can get porn. You can stay connected to family and friends, or you can try to become an online “god.” Be careful my friends. If social media becomes more important to you than praying, reading the Word of God, or actually doing things, you may want to take a closer look at what you are doing and your motives for doing it.

Remember, you are a child of God. A follower of Jesus. Not only did Jesus, AKA God, go to be baptized by John the Baptist, wash His disciple's feet, teaching them that He Himself came to serve us, but He also went to the cross without even a thought of stopping it, which He could have easily done. At any time.

Think about this also. Even back in the day, people were worried about followers and being great. When Jesus was asked, "Who will be the greatest in Heaven?" He answered this way.

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:2-6

Jesus also told us this.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

And here?

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:13-16

It is not about you. It never was. It never will be. It is about serving others. It is in the very service to others, that God can equip you and bless you. It is not about you. You cannot say you serve God if you are not serving others. Look here.

"But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

Again, Jesus is using Himself, God, as an example. One of the things we, as children of God, should be doing is imitating Jesus. Jesus even told us that we would do even more than He did. Look at John 14:12–14

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

What did Jesus do? Teach, preach, and show the way. He came to serve us. He came to serve us to the point of His own torture, abuse, and death. What have you done for your fellow man lately? We have not reached the point of torture and death in this country. Yet. People are being tortured and killed because of the name of Jesus all over the world. Yet they keep spreading the Word. Are you? Or are you worried about losing “followers” if you post something like the real meaning of the Rainbow? Are you worried about offending someone with the truth?

 
Think about this, if you are, then are you not choosing to put yourself before God? Think about that for a second. If you are fearful, that you will lose followers, friends, and or even family, because of your faith in God, then are you not choosing yourself to be more important than God? Jesus put it this way.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16:24-28

Again, folks, it is ok to be on social media. It is a tool and can be a great way to stay in touch with family and friends. It can be a good way to spread the Gospel. However, be very careful that it does not become an avenue to sin. Either by viewing things you should not, or attempting to use it as a tool to commit the original sin. Pride and self-promotion. Remember another warning from Jesus. He said this.

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

Put the “Idol of Self” away from you and do not seek it out again. Accept Jesus, and raise your kids on His Word. Teach them it is not ok. It is not fun. It is not something to try to achieve. It is based on the original sin and is dangerous to the point of death. Jesus should be the only one you know who has millions of followers. Besides, if you do have followers, where are you leading them? Hopefully to Jesus.

Lead your children in this prayer when they reach the age of accountability. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Genesis, Chapter 1

 Chapter 1

The Creation of the World

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,

    in the image of God, he created him;

    male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Raising Children, Marriage

 Is God’s plan for Marriage old fashion? 

Is it outdated? Or is it important? Does it matter what we, or allow others, to teach our children about Marriage? Let’s go to the Word.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

This was created by God, right after He created woman. Jesus, Himself repeated this here.

“And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Matthew 19:3-6

Even back then they did not really like this answer. They continued to ask Jesus about this.

“They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a divorce certificate and send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Matthew 19:7-9

Men? God created you. He created women to be your other half, truly, your other half. Jesus even said, “So they are no longer two but one flesh.” This is why God created Commandment number seven

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

This is God’s plan for Marriage. One man, one woman, made for each other, to come together, as one. They are to have children. Yes, this is God’s plan as well. To Adam and Eve?

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28

To Noah?

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” Genesis 9:1

Abraham?

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:2–3

We are told over and over again, children are a blessing from God, and yes, it takes both the father and the mother to raise them right. He tells us things like

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” Ephesians 5:22-33

We read this about God’s marriage plan.

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Hebrews 13:4

To our children?

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

This is why God gave us Commandment number five.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

Does this mean that children must allow themselves to be abused? God forbid. Does it mean that parents can abuse their children? Of course not. Can the husband abuse the wife? No. Husbands should be loving their wives as Christ loved the church, which means what? He died for us. Parents should be raising their children in the ways of the Lord. Teaching them what God says. This is simply God’s plan for marriage. One man, one woman, together for life. Having children and it becomes the children’s responsibility to care for the parents in old age if needed. You must teach them that this is God’s plan for marriage and that ANYTHING else is false and against God. Let’s look at some of the world views of marriage today.

Marriage is not needed nor should you worry about it.

Homosexual Marriage. Male and male. Female and female.

Marrying multiple people together.

Marrying oneself. Yes, that is a growing thing. Which goes right along with the Idol of “Self.”

Marrying animals. Not kidding. Look it up.

Here is the problem. Once you reject God’s plan, you open the door to insanity and sin to flood in. If you are going to justify the sin of gay marriage, then who are you to judge if someone wants to marry themselves? Who are you to judge if someone wants to marry their pet? You get the point.

If you say you are a child of God, and you believe what His word declares, then you MUST pass on this information to your children. True education should always be from the home. Parents, you are raising your children. They will go out into the world and learn things about the world. They must have a strong foundation so that they are not led astray. So that they will not be led into sins.

The world is very good at taking young skulls full of mush and hungry for knowledge and passing on its own agendas. The world is VERY good at passing off sin as love and attempting to encourage your acceptance through the guise of compassion.

Marriage is a great example of this. “So what if John and Paul want to get married? Who cares if Suzy and Jenny get married? They are just looking for the same thing you are. It will not affect you or your marriage. How dare you deny them love and the security of marriage. Besides all that, I do not believe that a loving god would deny them this. It is the law of the land as well. Keep your religion to yourself and let them live and be happy.”

What about self-marriage? “Well, same thing. It has nothing to do with you. Who cares? It may be a bit weird but hey, to each their own.” Multiple partners? “Who cares? Consenting adults should be able to do whatever.” Pets? “Ok now that is just ridiculous and I do not even believe this is a thing.” It is, look it up. “No no no. I really do not care what you think. This has nothing to do with anything. People should have the right to be whatever they want and do whatever they want. You are just using an extreme to prove your hate-filled, homophobic, chauvinistic, racist self.”

See how this works? If your children are going out into the world, these are the things they are being taught. These are the things that some of their friends who do not come from a faith-based household have come to believe. These are the things that made up today's “reality.” Protect your children. Teach them God’s plan for a family. In the long run, they will be blessed and so much happier.

You need to start with Jesus of course. You need to ask Jesus into your life, then say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Lead your children in this prayer when they reach the age of accountability. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Starting at the Beginning

 Coming right up? 

Let's go back to the start. Have you ever really read through the beginning. Where did we come from? Was the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all there at the beginning? Who were our first fathers? Was there a flood? When did we start speaking different languages? Where did the tithe come from?

If you have never read through the Book of Genesis, here is your chance. Starting next Wednesday, we will be going a chapter per week and as with the rest, it is simply the Word of God and you.

Try this, When you read things like this,

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

Take a second and think about that. See what it actually says. So in the beginning, was God, and the "Spirit" of God, walked on the water. Who is the Spirit of God? Jesus tells us.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

Also here.

"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me." John 15:26

So we see that in the beginning, God, and the Holy Spirit were there. Then when you read on.

"And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." Genesis 1:3

over and over we see "God said." We see that the universe and all in it were created by the Word of God. Who is the living Word of God?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was at the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." John 1:1-3

A little bit later we read this.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

You see? If you just read Genesis 1:1-3 without much thought and or prayer and asking God to show you the truth in His word, you may very well miss the fact that we can clearly see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, were all here from the beginning and only manifested to us at differing times.

Another place where you see this is here in Genesis 1:26

"Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

 “Let us make man in our image," Ever wonder, who is God talking to?

Join us as we go through the entire Book Of Genesis. Prayerfully read and follow along. Allow this to be some quality time between you and God. You may be surprised at how it will change your life.

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!