I Never Knew You

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23

Years ago when reading the above text, I skimmed over it thinking I already understood it.  However, God told me that I did not really understand and made me read it again. 

I thought God was speaking of knowing someone in a worldly sense, i.e. I know Melissa down at the grocery store.  Yet, the knowing here is something much more deep and intimate.  God is speaking of knowing us as a man knows His wife.

The big mystery of the ages is simply that God desires to have intimate communion with us.  He wants to have fellowship with us on an individual and personal level so that we truly become one with Him as we are transformed by His Spirit.  It is in His presence that we are revived and fulfilled.  This requires that we spend quiet time alone with Him.  Yet, that can be a very unnatural process for the flesh because it is the antithesis of what the flesh gravitates to.  Hearing that still, small voice often requires us to be still and small. 

Man's instinct is often to make things so complicated.  As a result, it is easy to get drawn into a performance-based relationship with God.  By performance-based, I mean that we subconsciously begin to look for something we can "do" or "know" which will make us acceptable to God.  We have been trained all of our lives to believe that rewards come as a result of performance, so there is just an innate urge to DO something.

This performance mindset can come across in many ways, but usually winds up being manifested as legalism and bondage.  Being in Jesus Christ becomes about the name I call Him, the day I worship, the clothes I wear, the knowledge I attain, the food I eat (or don't eat), the fellowship I attend (or don't attend), the missions I undertake, the offerings I make...

God is not interested in our acts of piety and righteousness.  They are all to Him as filthy rags.  In Matthew's text, Jesus describes those who have been running around doing many things, but have neglected that intimate time with Him.  They are indeed performing many good works, but have not entered into the relationship God seeks.

The Father introduced Himself to Moses as "I Am that I Am".  What a way to name yourself!  God just exists; He simply is.  And when we are in Him, we become the same.  We just are.  In Him we live, move and have our being.  In Christ, we are freed from having to earn God's approval or perform for His pleasure.  We simply rest in Him and let Him work through us.  Although this is a simple truth, it is often one of the hardest for man to grasp.

Do you know why there is liberty in Christ?  Because we are free to be who He has created us to be!   Freedom because it is not about what we can do or what we know, but about who He is and what He is doing within us. We cannot initiate that work or even complete it. THAT is freedom, because there is no more performance.

No longer is there a division between us and God; no longer must we have a man go in to God on our behalf.  The veil has been rent and we are able to approach the throne of grace with boldness.  We do not have to live up to any man's expectations of who we should be.  We only need to avail ourselves of our Heavenly Father, who has already made us accepted in the Beloved!

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. 

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

Mary sat at Jesus' feet, and that was the good part which was needful.

How many times are we tempted to run around "doing" for Jesus, when what He truly desires is for us to sit at His feet and learn of Him?  I am not speaking of being a lackluster believer with no works as evidence of faith.  I am talking about putting first things first and having our priorities in order.  Then, when works are being done, it is not us "doing", but God working through us.  It may sound like splitting hairs, but there is truly a big difference between the two.

When our communion with God begins to be defined solely by what we do for Him, then we miss that which is needful.  Don't neglect the good part.

Put Your Family on the Altar

Time is Short.  Don't Set Your Hopes on Marriage.

"But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction."   I Corinthians 7:29-35

This message from Pastor Tim Conway is simply awesome!!!  I pray that you take a minute to watch this video and take the words to heart.

"Those of us with families, those of us with wives, husbands, children...We should live as if we have NONE, because it is all passing away."

Now is not the time to get caught up in what your spouse is doing, what your children are doing, what your family and friends are doing.  Now is the day of salvation and the time to seek the Lord with your whole hearts.

Instead of spending these days trying to fulfill your own desires, seek what God desires.  Place your time, your attention, your efforts on that which is of the Lord. Please do not waste time on things which have no eternal value.  I am not saying not to marry or not to care for your families...neither do I believe that this is what Pastor Conway is saying.  I am speaking of not placing your hopes, your joy, and your fulfillment in things that are temporal.

God has a calling for you and a work for you to do.  Redeem the time now to find out and do what God has for you. Time is short.

Remember Lot's Wife

"Remember Lot's wife." Luke 17:32

This is one of the shortest verses in the Bible, but clearly Jesus felt that it had meaning for those in the end times. What was Jesus telling us here and how does it relate to His second coming?

In Genesis Chapter 18, three Heavenly messengers (whom Abraham collectively calls Lord) speak of the evils occurring in Sodom and Gomorrah. We have discussed previously how the wickedness at that time is reflected in man's nature at the end of time, with men being lovers of their own selves.

While certainly a literal historical event, in a lot of ways the story of Sodom and Gomorrah can also be seen as a symbolic illustration of the salvation experience itself.

In such an illustration, Sodom and Gommorah represents the world. It is described as a place whose sin was so grievous, it required a visitation from the Lord.

The angelic messengers represent the presentation of the Gospel. It gives light to those with eyes to see and points to the way of salvation, away from destruction. Yet, the very same results in blindness for those who are unrepentant (II Corinthians 4:1-4; Hebrews 3:7-8).

"And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door." Genesis 9:11

This blindness is so profound, that those who are unrepentant cannot even find the door, which is Christ Himself (John 10:7-9). Even those who receive the message still have no ability in and of themselves to affect their own salvation.

"And while he [Lot] lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city." Genesis 19:16

Lot recognized the messengers as Godly and had received them unto himself.  Yet, although they repeatedly told them to flee, he still lingered. The angels had to physically take hold of Lot and his family and compel them out of Sodom.

Man is a slave to sin and has no power to separate himself from sin. If God does not intervene and bring man out by His own power, man would be ever lost. Receiving the truth of the Gospel is not an act of man deciding to save himself; it is man acknowledging the one thing that reveals to us the door (Christ) whereby we might be saved. It is then God's mercy alone which brings us through that door unto salvation. In doing so, God sets us outside of the contaminations of the world and sin.

Notice, however, that being saved from Sodom was not the end of their journey.

"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." Genesis 19:17

Once freed from the boundaries of the world/sin, they are then instructed not to stay where they are or even to look behind them, but to run to higher ground (Psalm 61:2; Isaiah 55:8-9; Philippians 3:14). This wasn't just a nice thing to do, but was necessary that they still not be consumed by the coming destruction (Isaiah 52:11; Jeremiah 51:6, 45, 50; Matthew 24:16; II Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 18:4)! They are told to escape for their lives to the mountain, which in Scripture is often a figure for God (Numbers 16:24-33; Psalm 2:6; Psalm 36:6; Psalm 125:2; Isaiah 2:2-3; Revelation 21:10).

Once we are separated from the world by God, we too must then run the race which takes us ever closer to God (Luke 16:16; Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 6:1; II Timothy 4:7). We cannot stand still in the Lord and we must not look back. The result of not heeding this warning is visible in Lot's wife.

"Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:24-26

Now we see the importance of the angels' commands that they run to the mountain.  The cities, the inhabitants of the cities, the plains surrounding the cities, and all that grew upon the ground around the cities were destroyed.  When judgment comes, the only safe place to be found is in Christ.

Scripture does not say why Lot's wife looked back.  It could have been a longing for family, friends, possessions, or anything from that former life which was being left behind.  Per the angels' warning, she was indeed "consumed".

Perhaps this is why Jesus' very next warning to us after this is:

"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." Luke 17:33

We cannot go forward into new life in Christ while looking backwards.  Attempting to do so merely compromises our walk with the Lord (Proverbs 14:14; Hebrews 10:38). We are called by God to be the salt of the earth, but when we nurture within us a longing for the things in the world, we become unusable. Instead of being salt poured out to preserve the way of the Lord in the earth, we become stoic and fortified within ourselves.  The direction of our focus shows us to still be lovers of our own selves and our own lives.

In the last days, when speaking of His imminent return, Jesus tells us to remember Lot's wife. Let us really consider these words and redeem the times.  Set your face like a flint to draw nearer to God and not be entangled in the affairs of this worldly life.

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62

I'm A King's Kid!

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." Matthew 23:12




The movie above (at about 19 minutes in) relays what is depicted in I Kings Chapter 1 when King David is facing death and his successor to the throne is being chosen.  A dispute over the throne arises as Adonijah attempts to take it for himself.  In making this decision, Scriptures reports the following of Adonijah:

"Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king."  I Kings 1:5a

All around the world, people are claiming their right to God's inheritance.  "I am a King's Kid!  I am blessed and not cursed!  I am the head and not the tail!" Yet, like Adonijah, many are merely exalting themselves.  Not having sought the genuine authority and anointing of the Lord, they are moving out in their own power to make of themselves some great one before the people.  As we examine this story, there are interesting reflections we can see about the time in which we now live.

A Servant's Heart

When advising King David of Adonijah's betrayal, Nathan the prophet says:

"And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called." I Kings 1:24-26

Even though Solomon is also the King's son, Nathan appeals to King David based on Solomon being His servant.  He doesn't demand that David act based on Solomon being a son or even based on the promises David had made about Solomon previously.  He reminds David that Solomon has been his servant.

The difference between sons exalting themselves outside of the King's authority and sons submitting to that authority is servanthood. 

"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:7

True sons are servants of God who are exalted as sons by the King Himself, not in their own power.  In response to this news, King David tells Bathsheba:

"And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day." I Kings 1:29-30

Solomon is presented as a servant, but King David exalts him as his son; confirming in him the promises which had been made before.

In a day where many are claiming to be God's sons - representing Him and His authority - it takes God Himself to distinguish between the two.  The reason God must arise and confirm His anointed is because there are interlopers.  There is misrepresentation before the people about exactly who has been sent by Him; and the self-exalted ones are leading God's people astray.

First Comes the False...With Much Fanfare

Notice that the self-exalted one, Adonijah, comes first.  With much fanfare, he is presented before the people.

"Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him." I Kings 1:5

"And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not." I Kings 1:9-10

"For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah" I Kings 1:25

Adonijah commands horses, chariots, a large parade, and a great feast before the people.  Who can doubt that this is any other than the King's chosen?  All of the wealth, all of the splendor...it was surely a dazzling display before the people.

Yet, when King David determines to reveal the ones he has appointed, this is what he does:

"The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon." I Kings 1:33-34

The chosen, the truly anointed ones, come riding on a donkey.  He is not self-exalted, but he comes humbly and lowly, a reflection of Jesus Christ knowing God alone will be the one to exalt him...in His way and in His timing. 

"Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it." Psalm 37:34 

The journey to being revealed as a true son of God may seem unimpressive.  It is not as appealing to the flesh and to the people, it may seem as if you are and have nothing; but such are the real King's kids.

In the world, Adonijahs are preaching about prosperity, taking over worldly kingdoms, laws of attraction to gain position and wealth, angelic prophecies, signs and wonders...all under the guise of bearing the blessings of God.  It is all a lie. 

In the meantime, the true sons of God are being raised by God in an nondescript way.  Externally, it may seem like nothing of any consequence is occurring, but it is the very journey itself which is making and molding the character of the servant in order to lead the people according to the ways of God as His chosen sons.

The End of the Day

"So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them. And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?" I Kings 1:38-41

Solomon is anointed at Gihon, which means "bursting forth", and this is exactly how the true sons of God are made manifest.

Adonijah is allowed to have his celebration.  He is permitted to eat, drink and be merry; reveling in his apparent conquest of the throne and the people.  But then the King's anointed is revealed at the sound of the trumpet.

In one moment, everything changes, taking Adonijah off guard.  As a result, even the people wake-up from the delusion realizing they have been fooled; and they scatter (I Kings 1:49). 

A Dividing Line

The last thing that King David does before he dies is ensure judgment against his enemies (those who sided with Adonijah) and mercy for his followers.  One of the enemies upon whom David pronounces judgment is Joab, who had been captain of David's army.  In describing Joab's transgressions, Scripture says that he:

"...shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet." I Kings 2:5b

Joab means "Jehovah is father".  Like the false religious leaders of Jesus' day, they claim a heritage as sons, but in works show themselves to be His enemy because the love of God is not in them (John 8:41).  Instead of having his loins girt about in truth and his feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, there is blood.  Those fighting for the false reign of Adonijah are promoting falsehoods and preaching a false Gospel.  This is the means whereby they ensnare the people with their pomp and circumstance.

Even when being extended mercy to repent (I Kings 1:52), Adonijah still seeks to gain for his own use the virgin set aside for the use of the King (I Kings 2:13-17).  Just like the King of Sodom, he is willing to part with the riches and wealth, if only he can have the souls of the people (Genesis 14:21).

There is coming a day when God is going to make a change.  He is going to rebuke the Adonijahs and reveal His anointed ones, confirming in them the promises He has made of old so that all will know who He has ordained.

If you have been fooled by the self-exalted ones, come out from among them so that you are not a partaker of the curse coming upon those who have falsely declared "Thus saith the Lord." while keeping the people in bondage.  Seek the Lord now and study to show yourself approved so that you are not deceived by doctrines of men.

If you are an Adonijah, REPENT!  There is still time but it is coming to a quick end as God does a quick work.  Stop seeking to use and abuse God's people to satisfy your own lusts and make of yourselves some great one.  Step down from the pulpits and stop espousing the lies of men as commandments of God. 

Lastly, to those true servants of the Most High who are being revealed through humility, know that God will raise you in due time.  Do not get discouraged when you see the wicked flourishing like a green bay tree.  Grow not weary in well doing, but be strong and of good courage for in a time when we may think not, He will break forth in Glory and majesty through His chosen ones.

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Peter 5:6-7

Do you have a "Controversial Opinion"?

You Have Violated The Guidelines!

I was recently informed by Youtube that my video on pedophilia in the mainstream media had been removed due to a violation of the "community guidelines". Which guideline did I violate? They did not say. However, it was not hard to surmise:

We encourage free speech and defend everyone's right to express unpopular points of view. But we don't permit hate speech (speech which attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation/gender identity).

The day after the video was removed, I received a message from a Youtuber saying in part:

Awww looks like they removed your pedophilia video!! That mighta been cuz I flagged it!! Your head is too far in the logic of this dark satanic world, even the light of your supposed religion is only in your mind. God has no religion, Yeheshua means "Messiah" YHShVH - we are all to become YHVH YAHWEH + Sh Shin Holy Spirit, to become Messiahs of ourselves, nobody will save you.

We must understand that the opposition we encounter in the world for work God is doing through us is not about us at all; it is always about Jesus Christ. Now sometimes we are just so fleshly and carnal that we create our own messes. However, when the Lord is working, it can bring about antagonism on your job, alienation from your family, animosity at your school, etc. His mere presence disrupts any "community" that is not established in Him.

There is a separation from the world which occurs all by itself as we walk in Christ because we bear about the sweet savour of Him. To those who are saved, this is the fragrance of life; to those who are perishing, it is the fragrance of death (II Corinthians 2:15-16). Do not be deceived and thereby offended thinking such conflict is somehow about you.

People often comment that they are surprised my videos have remained hosted by Youtube as long as they have. My response has been that they will be around as long as God wills. When He is through using them, they can go to dust. And such is really the topic of this post.

The internet has served as a great tool to help publish the Gospel around the world. You can search the world wide web and find info on almost any topic including songs, sermons, articles, books, etc. However, it has also been a disservice in some ways, creating a culture of "pop-preaching".

Preaching the Gospel has become about posting an on-line article or sermon. Fellowship has become sharing a blurb on Facebook or on message boards. I am not saying that such tools have not been useful, but they often create a sanitized, superficial, comfortable, and impersonal type of interaction that misses the essence of soul-winning. I believe that God is stripping these things back so that we will focus on the old pathways: pouring out of ourselves through personal evangelism and discipleship.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:13-15

The "feet" of preachers are beautiful because it illustrates us going out to reach those who are lost. We must be sent, for how else will they hear? Preachers are not people standing behind pulpits in some building. Church fellowship is not the primary source of evangelism because the assembly of the saints is for the edification and exhortation of the saints.

When Philip met the Ethiopian who desired to understand God's word, Philip didn't say, "Let me bring you to the assembly." He preached Jesus to the man right then and there.  Each and every Christian is called to be a witness, to proclaim the Good News, to bear about the testimony of Christ, and to DO the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). Do you know your calling? How is God using you to minister to His people?

Jesus poured out His soul unto death to save those who were lost, and our testimony as Christians must be just that personal. How much are we willing to invest of ourselves (and divest from ourselves) in order to preach this Good News? Let's not let the convenience of technology lull us away from the zeal and on-going personal commitment needed to represent Christ, for what happens when those avenues are no longer available?

Even now Congress is working on approving legislation which would allow the government to shut down private sector access to the internet when deemed necessary. This past Friday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced to its employees that it will start blocking access to certain websites, including those sites with "Controversial opinions".

A world "community" is being formed as the kings of the earth give their power over to the beast (Revelation 17:12-13, 17). If you stand with Christ then you are automatically an outsider to that community. You are the one violating the "community guidelines" by stating that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. You are the ones with the "controversial opinions" claiming that God's word is the standard of truth. You are the ones causing trouble with a message to forsake this world and seek the Kingdom of Heaven.  And you will be the ones targeted for silence.

Some will say, "Let's fight for our right to free speech! This is after all America!".

Instead, I say, "Get prepared spiritually to engage in the fight and be used by Him to reach people around you - right where you are."

Many of us have created a network of virtual friends and acquaintances, and thank God for that fellowship! However, our standing for Christ will often result in us standing alone with Christ. There will not be a host of emoticon smileys, "Like" votes, "hearts" and "Amens" to show support. We may not have an Internet search handy whereby we can quickly check out the Scriptures in order to answer questions.  We will not be able to just turn off the person in need standing before us like we shut down a computer. We will need to be living testimonies with the law of God written in our hearts and His very Spirit within.  Will we be able to stand and represent the Gospel to the lost under such circumstances?  When there is more at stake than some of our computer time, are we willing to disciple others in the faith?  Let's use these things while we can, but be ever ready and available to have our feet be sent as personal witnesses to His glory.

May we each be built up in the inner man to be prepared for the days to come and to win souls with power.

"...he that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30b

The Sacred Name of YHVH?

I have found Chris White to be solid in his exposition of basic Bible truths, and this video series is no different.

The Sacred Name Movement is causing much havoc in the church world while dragging folks into what is often a legalistic and elitist mentality instead of a true understanding of the nature of God. It does not take long in evaluating the "evidence" of such doctrines to see how they are based largely on perversions of Scripture, linguistic history, and basic etymology.

I have addressed this before, but Chris goes into this much more methodically and in-depth.

This video series addresses:

• Is the word Lord a reference to Baal?
• What is THE Name or Shem of God?
• The Tetragrameton
• Is Jesus connected to Zeus?
• Is deus or dios connect to Zeus?
• How did we get the name Jesus?
• What is the true pronunciation of Jesus?
• Are we calling on pagan gods when we call on modern names of God and Jesus?
• Does Krishna = Christ?
• Where did the word Jehovah come from ?
• What does the bible say about saying the original hebrew names?