When you find brambles, in the midst of the wilderness, that produce fruit good for the eating, you can truly appreciate receiving freely. You did not tend the blackberry bush, nor did you any watering. As a matter of fact, you stumbled upon the bush by happenstance, as it seemed, and plucked the berry hanging freely from the tree. Its red juice dripped down your hand and you did eat and your life was sustained thereby.

So it is, when someone wanders aimlessly through this world, and is divinely drawn to the True Vine, whose caretaker is God. Only, when the fruit of this vine is eaten, we do not afterward hunger; but our lives are sustained forever, even to everlasting life. This vine is Jesus the Christ, the son of God. He hung also on a tree for us, that we might freely receive forgiveness of sins, if we would believe on Him. His blood dripped down for us, that we could drink and be cleansed from our wicked ways and made into new creations, even being grafted into The Vine of Life, as branches, that we might produce fruit in Him.

“I am the true vine”, Jesus said, “and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:1-2)

Matt Simonson  7/31/2006

Don’t Let the Sandeman Get You

Ever heard of the sand man? Sure, he’s the creature who sprinkles sand in children’s eyes to make them sleepy. The Bible warns against sleep, however. "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest... then will your poverty come upon you like an armed robber." If we are sleepy, we are admonished to wake up, for our Lord comes in an hour that we do not think. The lazy man has a lazy man’s religion. For want of a better term, we call it "pop religion." The typical lazy Christian in America loves his pop religion, even though he goes to great lengths to tell you he does not practice religion, but relationship with Christ. His pop religion tells him to talk a lot about love, even though he knows nothing about it personally in his life. His love tells him to avoid any commitment to Christ because that is legalism. He loves his pre-mature rapture theory. He is like a sleepy child being lulled to dreams by the sand man.

Or maybe it’s Sandeman himself making today’s parishioners sleepy. Now, Robert Sandeman has been dead for over 200 years, and unless you believe in disembodied spirits, he couldn’t possibly be sprinkling sand in little children’s eyes, could he? Robert’s religion came down to this: He said that in order to have right faith in Christ, all we have to do is to give intellectual assent to the truth about His death, burial and resurrection. He felt that if we believe in God to the same degree that demons believe in Him, then we had done all we need to do in order to be saved. His followers were so strict about this, they had no toleration for those who insisted that salvation depended on following Christ passionately with the whole man, not just the mind. Today, Sandeman sprinkles sleepiness in the hearts and minds of churchmen by his ministers who preach this very same doctrine of "faith." It is pop religion in a nutshell.

Now, we should know that Mr. Sandeman is not the perpetrator of such stupidity. He learned it from others, who learned it from others, who learned it from the devil himself. The devil is the ultimate sand man. He lulls us to sleep with promises of God’s unfailing love no matter that we hate the gospel. His prophets tell us we are special little children because we made an intellectual assent by inviting Jesus into our heart, or raising our forefinger, or some such acknowledgment of the truth. In contrast to this, Jesus said to his disciples (those who followed Him) to be on guard against such false prophets. Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to take up the banner. The Holy Spirit is sent to convict the world about sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. This is passionate stuff, not meant for the lethargic or drowsy.

What happens to a man who buys into the Sandeman way of faith? He becomes dull and listless. His wooden prayers reach no higher to heaven than the stump of the tree from which they are fashioned. His love is a plastic thing, no more fit for human consumption than Saran Wrap. Generally, he pretty much loses his faith and zeal over the course of time. As a minister, he may preach great sermons, full of comfort and peace for the wicked. He himself is devoid of any real feeling, except for what is left when the conscience has been seared with a hot iron. His affections are on things of this world, and his love gets him fleshly rewards. He is twice dead, plucked up by the roots. Oh sure, he maintains quite a lovely display of the social aspects of the gospel. He washes the saints’ feet, he gives holy hugs and kisses, he gives his possessions for the poor, and many other things that a normal Christian ought to do out of love. However, this is no love, but an outward show in order to assuage a deranged mind, a mind that thought it could rearrange the gospel to fit a trite belief system.

Be on your guard. Read your Bible passionately, have great emotional exercise of heart and soul. Don’t let anyone rob you of your reward by talking you out of pursuing faith and love. If you are in great emotional turmoil as you read this, know that you can come to Jesus Christ this instant. But there is no trite way to do it, no pat answer. You must call upon the Lord, but you must mean it. "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

- Chris Simonson  7/28/2006

Who or What is the Doctor?

Just what or who is the Doctor? We spend more on medical care in this country than on food. We obsess on doctors and their drugs (Those of us who are legal and can afford it. I guess the kids just buy theirs off the street vendors). And yet, when confronted with the ultimate health care question: “How are you going to get around death?” most people say, “Don't be silly, we all have to die and there’s nothing we can do about that!” 

So, they are worried about their warts and wrinkles, but not about the Final Wrap. On judgment day, they will have no excuse. They assented to the law of death. They acknowledged it and served under it. They understood the created things and sought to hide the decay under Revlon and rhetoric. As if food could cure the problem, they say “Don't eat that!” and “Eat this!” 

This leads to the condemnation of a society that has, as their sisters Sodom and Gomorrah had, too much food and leisure time. In the justice of God, they will be questioned about this very thing. “Why didn't you eat the correct food?” they will be asked (in a very judgmental way). 

“Didn't we eat low-fat and high-energy? We eschewed bad food and bad drink for the glory of the temple of God, our decaying bodies. Didn't we try SDA approved vegetarian pig-meat substitute? What didn't we try?” they will say on that day. 

And then they will know what Jesus meant when he said, “Do not labor for the food that is consumed by your bellies and is eliminated into the food cycle via your toilets. If you're going to put all that effort in, why don't you buy of Me that which satisfies? Why don't you eat my flesh and drink my blood?”   

They will answer Him, “But my doctor, upon whom I spent my life's earnings, told me to take Ensure and I'd be O.K.” 

“Depart from me, you hypocrites,” He will say. Who is the real Doctor around here, anyway?

Chris Simonson  7/27/2006

For years I have been an avid listener of Renewing Your Mind, radio Bible teachings by Dr. R.C. Sproul. I have enjoyed his teachings as he simply sticks to the Scriptures. As strange as it sounds, I like his simple "classroom" presentations, with the sounds of the chalk-board in the background; it makes you feel like you are back in Theology 101, having the puzzle pieces of Biblical doctrine come together in your brain. Listeners can access a 30-day archive of his radio addresses, for free, on his website: www.ligonier.org. I would say that Dr. Sproul, Sr. is probably one of the most anointed scholars of our day and is worth double honor as a teacher; I highly recommend that those whom are new in Christ either tune in on the radio or listen on the web.

Yesterday, Tuesday 7/25/2006, I was listening to Renewing your Mind, the program entitled Questions and Answers, Part One, from the "To Whom Much Is Given" series. Dr. Sproul and his son were discussing at length Biblical economics in a compare and contrast fashion against today's American economic environment. A little more than halfway through the session, Dr. Sproul brought up that his ministry, Ligonier Ministries, tries "to keep the prices of our books and tapes as low as we possibly can."

He went on:

"You know, a lot of people ask us 'why don't you give away your books and tapes for free?' Well, it's because we can't afford to do that. They almost have an expectation for us to give it out for free. Don't you realize that somebody has to pay for this stuff? You want someone else to pay for the goods and services so you can enjoy them for nothing. That's not a very Christian attitude."

Now, Dr. Sproul, I would disagree with the premise of your statement, that Christians should not expect Christian Ministries to give away their materials, etc. for free. Now I do not advocate for folks that just want a hand-out. But, I say strongly that we must make a distinction when it comes to Christian ministry, that it is not a business. The role of a Christian minister is service; we should not expect to receive anything in return for our services, knowing we are storing up treasures in the Kingdom, lest we rob ourselves of these eternal rewards.

Throughout the entire new Testament, in the offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, etc. and their administration, they did not sell their sermons or services to the Body of Christ; they did collect and distribute charities, donations given of free will according to one's own conscience before the Lord, but early church ministers did not package their services and sell it for a price.

Perhaps, with the advances in technology we have created the ability to duplicate our services, but that still does not give us the right as members of the Body of Christ, to sell that which has been freely given to us through God's Word and the inspiration of His Spirit. The Scriptures say that as we have been given, we must freely give (Matthew 10:8); further on Jesus instructs his disciples to go out, taking no money or extra tunics, or bags, because the workman is worthy of his meat; those whom minister the Gospel can make a living by teaching the Gospel, but the main point was that those whom teach and preach the Gospel must live by Faith.

So, the crux of the issue remains to be Faith. Do we not have enough faith in Christ that if God has called us to do ministry, He will make provisions for such ministry without us procuring it through worldly business transactions? Is God not able to bring someone to you to give large donations? Does God not own cattle on a thousand hills and is able to pay for our ministries a thousand fold, if it is His will? Why do we not show one grain of faith today by making every bit of ministry that we do FREE, with discernment, to those whom would benefit from it, thus showing the world that we as believers don't have to rely on their system of doing business to stay afloat... that we actually believe, and demonstrate, that God will provide. Often faith-driven provisions are given by anonymous donors, whom get great blessing from knowing that 100% of their donation will be one of the pillars that hold up this God-ordained ministry.

Now, is this exclusive to Ligonier Ministries? Absolutely not, it has become a modern-day phenomena in para-church & church ministries, teaching ministries, etc. whom have decided that it is somehow inspired by God to sell their services and goods, instead of trusting God for provisions.

I have not written this piece as some publicity stunt, as we have no financial gain from this website; we work for a living and then do ministry, as not be charged with making gain of the sheep. I have placed this here because I feel a deep concern for the direction that modern Christian ministries seem to be heading... in following the winds of the world, having set their sails away from Faith.

Steven   7/26/2006

Note: I have mailed and emailed a copy of this blog to Dr. R. C. Sproul c/o Ligonier Ministries; I'll post any responses I receive in their entirety.

The Creativity of Man

Man was created to create. When he is not creating, he is destroying. He who is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys, says the Proverb. So when we are not on the creative side of things, we sense a terrible despondency, a feeling of worthlessness and impending punishment. Man tries to gloss over this with his psychological tools (something he created). But if a man cannot or will not create, he is missing his purpose in life.  All drudgery, boredom, depression, etc. is born from the inability or unwillingness to create. 

Of course, men create nasty things in their fallen state. Just creating stuff is not good. Most of the things created by man are evil, or at least stupid. The end of those things is death. But the finest things men have created are a reflection of the glory of God, for which man was created. And there is eternal life waiting at the end of those things. 

Also, remember, creations can consist of anything. They are limited only to the imagination. The most beautiful creations are those that enhance life, which bring goodness into the lives of others. Many may not see these creations, but these are especially dear to God and he calls them silver, gold, precious gems. Are you building out of wood, hay and stubble just so someone can see your creations? All of our works (creations, destructions, or lack thereof) will be judged by fire some day. Will you be ready to give an account to your creator, or will you call for the mountains to fall on you in order to hide from the face of your Judge? 

God loves you, but he created you for His purpose, not for your own silly pleasures. Look up to Him. See Jesus Christ, the creator of all. He will show you God, because he is in God the Father and the Father is in Him. Call out to Jesus today. Start creating good today by trusting in the Lord. Do not lean on your own understanding, but acknowledge Him in all your ways. Start asking him for guidance and he will show you his Son, Jesus Christ. This is repentance and life.

- Chris Simonson  7/25/2006

Our world has become increasingly complicated and America has become entwined with the affairs of the world. From North Korea subtly threatening missile strikes upon the USA, with it's alleged nuclear capabilities, to Iran, nipping at the heels of North Korea in nuclear technology and flaunting it's hatred and desire for destruction of both America and Israel. This along with Syria's exportation of militant murderers and suicide bombers and now this 'war' between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, fueled by the hateful, false religion of Islam, introduced by the murderous and bloodthirsty Mohammed, which continues so to this day. I could go on and on about India and Pakistan's battles over Cashmere, the turmoil in Indonesia, the tensions between China and it's desired land-grab of Taiwan or the 'ethnic cleansing' of Christians in Africa, primarily Sudan, by hellish, Muslim warlords.

Uncle Sam seems to sit in the nucleus of all this, as the great, moral and wise "counselor" trying to mediate, and yet, America all the while is becoming more threatened, hated and despised, as a country than at any other time in it's history, for it's Christian origins and more recent moral hypocrisies.

But, I am sure this does not mean much to you, modern American Christian, as you attend your Sunday Service this weekend, and hurry home to catch the game afterwards, or as you go attend your daughter's graduation from some university (so that she can go get a high-paying job to support her independence), or as you make plans for your annual vacation to family-friendly Las Vegas to cash in on that long-awaited, or as you peruse the new car lot to trade up your vehicle (the old one was beginning to lose that new car smell), or as you and your wife go to your full-time jobs, to support the mortgage on your 5,000 sq. ft. home in the hills, or as you help build the 2 million sq. ft addition to the humble abode you call "church"... but you do not see the large, shameful white elephant standing in the room with you.

You say to yourself:

• "Why should I be concerned with feminism? My third spouse is the most 'loving' one I've have yet."
• "Why should I stand and speak against abortion? My daughter would have had to drop out of college a few times..."
• "Why should I be worried about fornication running rampant? What wrong with a few slip-ups? So, I have a few bastard grandchildren."
• "Why should I be concerned about adultery? God forgives me and maybe my spouse will too. If not I'll just find another one at church."
• "What's wrong with covetousness? Hard work and fortitude got me all my comforts. Who cares about starving African children? They should follow my example."
• "Why should I speak against homosexuality? So what about what they do in their houses. It's not like God strikes anyone down anymore. My pastor has taught us about tolerance and love, especially towards sodomites."

The problem with America is not that it doesn't have the right to defend itself; it does and it should without wavering, and we should always pray for wisdom in our leaders. The problem with America is that this false Christianity, which embraces the abominable thoughts mentioned above, has penetrated deep into the heart of America itself, and America the Great has lost it's greatness and become the laughingstock of the world, known now as the decadent, castrated, effete, feminized and gay Uncle Sam.

America is close to the Brink, like Lot's wife, someone whom God led away from judgment, but she couldn't help look back longingly at the debaucheries of her people, and was turned thus into a pillar of salt. So, are we at the brink of WW3? I don't know. But, I do know that if America does not repent and turn from it's wickedness, God will allow our enemies to rise up against us until we are willing to repent.

- Steven  7/21/2006

As part of our street ministry, we hand out tracts. Cheap tracts. There are many tract publishers out there, but here is one to avoid:

American Tract Society

Why? First of all, they have wishy-washy, friendship-evangelism, dumbed-down, “high-quality,” glossy tracts, all a waste of money.

Secondly, Daniel Southern, President of American Tract Society, takes home and/or spends $510,285 a year, according to the most recent Form 990. That’s 22.98% of this organization's total functional expenses. This and more information on charities etc. can be found on the recommended website Charity Navigator (only to find out where your charity spends its money).

We commonly use two tract publishers, which information can be had by writing us and asking. We use them because their tracts are cheap and gospel-clear (most of them, anyway).

Chris Simonson  7/20/2006

There is hardly anything more disgusting to me than compensatory virtue (CV). What is CV? It is when a person tries to be good in order to compensate for his innate badness. Those who call themselves Christian but have no faith try to compensate by pursuing what they think is virtue. They give money to AIDS foundations. Tights and Mother Earth. Conversely, they hate the gospel of Jesus Christ by coming against those who bother to preach it as He did.

We see CV taught in the churches. The most disgusting churches are the ones who claim that we are saved by faith alone and then teach CV every Sunday and Wednesday. They teach their children in their Sunday school classes how very important CV is. It makes the parents happy and that makes God happy.

We see churches, like the Episcopalians, for instance, coming up with all sorts of good programs that seem to reek virtue. But inside, they are full of dead men=s bones as they ordain women and homosexuals to rule over them. They are full of guile, treachery, malice, you name it, but on the surface they emanate angelic enamel virtue. Jesus told his disciples not to be infected with the doctrine of the Pharisees, who taught CV. We see that their doctrine is hypocrisy. They teach hypocrisy in all ways, shapes and forms. The core of this hypocrisy is CV. In order to make up for robbing temples and widows, they put on long robes and build nice buildings, smiling all the while practicing their whoredoms.

I am disgusted with them, and so is God (Amos 5:21, etc).

Chris Simonson  7/19/2006

Many have come with methods for obtaining "the abundant life" promised by Christ to those who really believe. Glowing testimonials accompany the salesmen of seventh heaven. An over-stimulated generation seeks after a new experience, and these promoters of Christ as the ultimate satisfaction of this life are completely opposed to the gospel Jesus Christ preached.

We are each of us at a crossroads. This intersection has a way that says, "Come over here where we are happy and full of goods! We have the gospel that gives us riches and pleasure in this life. We are happy, sublime and smug. Come with us and experience joy! Don’t worry about all those self-denial things that are legalistic. Look at our faces! We are happy, happy, happy." Now if we look at the fruit of their happiness, we see despair, sickness, fear – all the things they claim to be freed from. So we see another gospel – a lying spirit.

Another direction at the crossroads goes to a place that leads to a cross. Jesus is there. And those who go that way must bear a cross. He says to them, "I am with you, even to the end of the world." And sure enough, we see Jesus. He is the suffering Savior, not like the slick salesmen who promise freedom but place men into bondage of lasciviousness and covetousness, with which this present world abounds.

If we want the abundant life, we have to lose our lives. This will not seem very blissful to the flesh, or to the complacent hoards around us who seek pleasure in this life. It will seem a contradiction, to have life we must lose our life. But Jesus will be with us, and that will be the abundant life. There is no other.

Chris Simonson  7/18/2006

From 1 Chronicles 16:22 (also Psalm 105:15) we read that David, in the Spirit, says that God did not allow kings to harm Israel as they moved about on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, but said, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Good advice, but seldom heeded.

The anointed of God do not appear that way to the mind of the flesh. The kings of earth did not recognize Israel as the chosen people, especially while they were wandering around in the desert under God's judgment. But they were anyway. And David says therefore, Touch not mine anointed. We are the anointed of God if we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. But, even the church-appointed prophets and prophetesses cannot seem to discern the men of God who are the real prophets. So they end up judging them to be outcasts, hypocrites, and whatever else comes to their minds, so as to destroy them. They do this all with a smile.

We must watch ourselves when we judge someone. We are told to judge (discern) false prophets in Matthew 7:20, but we must think twice before condemning someone we don't agree with (Matthew 7:1). They may be the anointed and not us! We can't be wishy-washy about who's right and who's wrong, however. Jesus said in Matthew 12:33 to make up our minds one way or the other about whether it is the Spirit of God producing the fruit or something evil.

God holds us to account when we incorrectly judge the anointed. If we accidentally stone them to death, what will be our place on Judgment Day? The Jews stoned Steven to death, not knowing his anointing. Paul said he ignorantly persecuted the Church and it was forgiven him (1 Timothy 1:13). But what about us? Are we ignorant?

Are we the anointed? Some religions care not for the anointing, like the Jehovah's Witnesses. They feel that is for a few special people and the rest of them just have to obey the Watchtower. But the Bible says that we have an anointing (1 John 2:27) and that if we do not have the Spirit we are not God's at all (Romans 8:9). If we think we are anointed because we belong to the Holiness Club, or the Pentecostal Club, or Club Rome, then we do not discern the anointing of God. We will persecute the true anointed of God because we have no part with them.

Whether we think we are anointed or not, we had better be careful when we start bad-mouthing the person who is serving Christ through the preaching of the gospel. We must first look at their fruit and judge whether they are false prophets. If they are false, by all means disgrace them and do not bless them. But once we have determined that they are true, do not touch them or do them harm. Just some friendly advice.

Chris Simonson  7/17/2006

So says the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 13:4). In our haste to jump to other attributes of love, we forget that this comes first on the list. We try to fake kindness, gentleness, etc., and we fall into the trap of being hypocrites. We say we are kind, but when our patience runs out, we become monsters and destructive of others’ lives, usually the very ones God appointed us to protect or obey. Such is the religion of the lost.

But we who are not trying to make the outside look good at the expense of the inward cleansing of the Holy Spirit – we need to be patient. There is a scripture that tells us that in our patience we possess our souls (Luke 21:19). There is another that says that we need patience to inherit eternal life, even after we have done the will of God (Hebrews 10:36).

Many have thrown away their faith because they became impatient. These are like dogs returning to their own vomit, says another scripture.

Our American culture breeds impatience into our souls. If we do not separate ourselves from the culture, we become hypocrites, trying to appear loving but all the while impatient and greedy after gain. We then become expert at faking kindness, gentleness, etc., so we can obtain things our impatient greedy selves demand. This is not Christ, however Christian it may appear. Many souls are damned to perdition because of greed. They lack contentment because they lack true faith (1 Timothy 6:3-12).

Love is patient. This means it does not seek bigger and better things, but is composed as it waits for the outcome. If we have nothing to look forward to, like the reaping of what we have sown, then of course we have no patience. But if we have sown to the spirit (or Spirit), then we wait with patience for the reward (James 5:7, Hebrews 10:35-36).

This causes us to be patient towards others who are stumbling along, bumping into objects in their search for true faith (1 Thessalonians 5:14). We do not jump their bones when they do stupid things, but we with patience instruct them: perhaps God will reveal their error and they will repent. In this we judge the error, but we do not proceed with the trial and the execution. God does. Our job is to live holy lives and rebuke the darkness around us.

Patience causes us to preach the gospel, maintaining our composure while the unlearned and wicked mock the Word of God.

This usually means the stumbling Christian is not going to applaud us when we present the untarnished Gospel. It probably means the opposite. But once in a while, God will show someone the light and it’s all worth it. 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

Chris Simonson  7/14/2006

In order to correctly judge a matter, we must first analyze the particulars. This is in stark contrast to modern pastoral advice that tells us we shouldn’t judge at all. Jesus had a rebuke for these obfuscators of the truth: You hypocrites! You can analyze the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it that you do not discern this time? Yes, and even within yourselves, why do you not judge what is right? (Ref. Luke 12:54-57).

Jesus wants us to judge within our own self what is correct and proper. If we miss this aspect of Christianity, we fail of the grace of God. Matthew’s gospel has it this way: Can you discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and no sign will be given it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. (Ref. Matt 12:2-4).

According to the above passage, we need to read the signs of the times. If we don’t then we will get sucked up into the delusion that is coming (and now is) upon the face of the earth and the sky. If we judge according to outward appearances, then not only we be disobeying our Lord, but we will be in danger of being totally deceived. If we deny him, he cannot deny himself because he is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life.

The first sign we refuse to read and understand is: "Repent!" Once we start ignoring the signs, the very sign of Jonah becomes faded and unreadable in our hearts. We continue to mouth Christian slogans, but we keep looking for other signs, other miracles, other plans of salvation. We begin to adapt the clear message of belief and repentance to our own liking. Once we start neglecting the signs, we begin to harden our hearts against the truth. The more signs we ignore, the more severe our punishment before the judgment seat of God. (Ref. Luke 12:47-49).

Today’s Christian thinks to himself: "I am not responsible for my actions anymore because I’m saved no matter what." In fact, we see from the preaching of Jesus that the one who knows most about him receives the severest beating; more severe than those who never got a chance to hear the gospel and partake of its blessings. Lest we try to get around what Jesus meant by a beating in this passage, we should look at the verse immediately before (Luke 12:46). Jesus is talking about "hell" in very graphic form.

God isn’t asking us to do something like cast out demons or perform miracles. He is telling us about Jesus his Son, so that we can deny ungodliness and worldly desires, so that we can live sensibly, righteously and godly in this ungodly world (Ref. Titus 2:11-14). We cannot do this unless we can judge what is right.

If we refuse to judge what is right, God will eventually give us over to a reprobate mind. (Romans 1:28). He does this by sending strong delusion so that those who refuse the truth will believe the lie. (2 Thess. 2:11). Is this not the trap spoken of in Luke 21:34? The Christian leaders will apostatize; the wicked taking the rightful place of the righteous in the holy temple of God, which we are (2 Thess. 2:3-4, 1 Tim 4:1, 2 Tim. 4:3-4, Eph. 2:21, 2 Cor. 6:16, 1 Cor. 3:17). If we cannot judge false prophets, then we will certainly be deceived and fall into the ditch with them. (Matt. 7:15, Mark 13:22). Let the elect of God refuse vain babbling of the wicked and those who have no faith.

How is it that you cannot judge what is right?

Chris Simonson  7/13/2006

1. Be content with such things as you have.

2. Thou shalt not covet.

One of the sayings above is a Christian encouragement; the other is a Jewish commandment.

This is not to say that either comes from a separate religion: They both come from the true God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. One is a commandment to stay away from lust; the other is an encouragement to be content. But aren’t they both dealing with the same subject?

Covetousness comes from discontentment. Or the other way around. Both come from base desire and fear. Our natural desire is to want things, thinking that our belongings will bring an abundant life, protecting us from the want (lack) of basic comforts. We may call it by many names, but the Bible classifies it as unbelief. And whatever is not of faith is sin. This may fly in the face of modern-day Sodom with her commercial come-ons, but it is sin nonetheless.

Sadly, the post-Christian church has been swallowed up by advertisements much as Jonah was swallowed by the whale. It’s all about the lure and glamour of bigger and better churches. And as Jonah was dragged down to hell, so this church goes to Davy Jones locker. Sin brings death, because sin is transgression of the law, whether it is Old Testament law or New Testament encouragement. Death comes in the form of lethargy and listlessness in the church.

Today’s careless Christian loves to quote Old Testament promises for earthly gain, but he hates Old Testament warnings to stay away from covetousness. They think that the New Testament somehow dissolves away all those Laws dealing with greed and lust, but actually, Jesus clarifies Himself (being Jehovah God in the flesh) on this very matter. Jesus warned that our hearts will be with our possessions. The more we possess, the more our hearts stray from God. Then we become discontent. The more discontentment we have, the less we love God. We will come to hate God with time, even though we carefully conceal it with outward piety. This is all in Jesus’ warnings to his disciples.

But the Bible tells us to pursue the kingdom of God, and not earthly treasure. The two are not connected by bands of commonality; they are only connected by the carnal mind. Seeking worldly wealth has destroyed many a soul that started down the path of righteousness but turned back to the love of money.

The true child of God is admonished not to partake of Babylon and her covetous and idolatrous practices. Jesus said the Father would take care of us, so we need not join the shopping frenzy. If we do decide to go against the word of God, He will chasten us (that is, if we are his children; if we are not, then he will allow the pleasures and wealth to take us to hell).

But let’s say you don’t believe this, but you have found comfort and peace in your worldly wealth, and that’s your proud testimony of God’s blessings. Know this: You are not fooling God any more than you are fooling me. You are a menace to the gospel of God’s grace and must pollute the word with your hybrid gospel. I have no words for you, except those Jesus had for such: Woe unto you!

But let’s say you’re struggling to make ends meet. This is the very time you are in flux between going the way of the world, or committing to God. If you keep waiting for something from God to satisfy your fleshly lusts before you will serve Him, then know you are on the dangerous path to covetousness. But if you begin to right now thank your heavenly Father for the wealth he has given you in Christ Jesus, you will be on the road to righteousness.

This all comes by faith. Are we going to believe Jesus who said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? Or are we going to say along with the rest of the lukewarm church, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and when we have met that obligation, seek next things of this earth? This is not faith. It is trusting in the flesh. We must not do this. This is why we are admonished to be content with the things we have (assuming you are fed and clothed). We are so rich in Christ. Why would we sell our heritage for a bowl of mush? That new house, that new car, that new wife - what’s our price? We should recoil with horror at such an idea.

You will hear soft sermons on covetousness. You will hear the man say that you are robbing yourself of joy when you trust in the abundance of your possessions. This is true, but there is far more at stake than your feelings about yourself. There are two possibilities if you are not feeling real good about all those belongings you have: One, God himself is chastening you and trying to get you to move on off those riches you are hoarding for yourself, or Two, you are tasting the first things of hell. Either way, the message is this: A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

If our life is at stake, which it is, then what should be our response? Jesus used graphic symbols when he said, Cut off your hand and toss it far away from you, or pluck out your eye. We have a graphic story about the rich man told to sell everything he has and give the proceeds to the poor, and then follow Jesus. Our greed stumbles us. The modern churches have stumbled. They are jaded and many are given over to reprobate minds. Witness the Episcopalians, who ordain homosexuals. This is due directly to the worship of the creation, the love of mammon. Their god is mammon. Their god loves homosexuality. As the tribe of Benjamin was given over, so the modern church has been given over.

And because this is an article on contentment, I’ll leave you with scripture:

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:3-12.

Chris Simonson 7/12/2006

Compensatory: making up a deficiency or a loss, making amends

Sanctimony: outward or artificial saintliness, assumed or pretended holiness; hypocritical devoutness.

The word ‘sanctimony’ is bad enough, but combine it with compensatory and we have double wickedness. By and large, this is the outward church, the one we read the histories about, the ones that get their tax write-offs. They must get some kind of compensation for being hypocrites.

Chris Simonson  7/11/2006

Most people see themselves on a balance. They weigh themselves against the opposite side, giving themselves credits and putting the debits on the other side. If they have met or exceeded the debits, they consider themselves exonerated from guilt, or better than average, or blessed, or good, or free, or acceptable to God, or....

Even the religions or philosophies that say there is no balance, that this is a false dichotomy or primitive religion, always go back to their balancing act when everybody’s back is turned. It is part of human nature, whether primitive or sophisticated. It is God’s universe and there is no breach.

Chris Simonson  7/10/2006

From Matthew 27 we read that the high-ranking religious leaders decided to have Jesus killed once they had him captured. This was no spur-of-the-moment decision. According to John, Jesus had asked the crowds why they wanted to kill him. And then, even as they do to this day, they said, "no one wants to kill you! You must have a demon!" (John 7:19-20, 8:37-48)

Religious leaders and their followers still take counsel together against the Lord and his anointed. Jesus said to his disciples that they would be hated by the world and be killed for his Name. (Matthew 24:9). In order to cloak their murderous intent, the religious worldly get their stories straight and accuse with one voice those who follow Jesus, while smiling and saying, We love you. But when they have opportunity, they strike to kill. Paul told Timothy that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12). The corollary to this is: Those who do not live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer no persecution, but will persecute those who do.

Those who believe in Jesus but refuse to confess him before men are exactly like the rulers of Jesus' day who believed in him but refused to confess him. They were afraid of the church rulers who threatened to kick them out of the congregation of God's chosen. (John 12:42-43). However, that is the price we must pay if we are to gain God's approval. Yes, men may take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed, but as it says in Psalms 2, He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

I suggest we do the same. See how Paul handled his accusers in 1 Corinthians 4:3; 2 Cor. 10:12; 11:12, 13:2; Galatians 2:5. Let us preach the gospel with great rejoicing even though they all mount together and proclaim themselves righteous and loving by suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). The truth will overtake them as the sun overtakes the night. Their counsel will not stand; let us not hear them.

Chris Simonson  7/07/2006

An If-then statement is one that says something like, If you do this, then that will happen. If we read the scripture, then we will find many if-then statements. They usually go something like, If you keep my sayings, then you will be blessed. The condition in this statement is: keep my sayings. The corollary to this statement would be: If you do not keep my sayings, then you will be condemned or something like that.

If people believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, then they would be saved. However, people play games and make up their own stories and sayings, supposing themselves to be superior to God in every way. This is a result of the death that came upon the race of Adam when he ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, becoming as a god. Psalm 82 says, AI have said you are gods, but you will die like men. And whether or not the gods like this, they are certainly going to die no matter to what lengths they go to lengthen their miserable stay on earth.

Modern gospels tell us that God has unconditional love. They tell us that God loves us no matter what. They tell us that the wicked, who will be roasting in hell or some other equally obnoxious end, will still be loved by God even while they spend eternity in agony and despair. These gospels are obnoxious. They pretend to save the lost by promising them eternal life without repentance.

But our Lord preached repentance. This is his first message: Repent! For the kingdom of God is at hand! Did this change after he ascended into the heavens? No. The Dispensationalists think so. But the gospels and the rest of the New Testament seem to think that salvation is conditional on obeying Christ (John 3:36 et. al). Repentance is a good word, if we understand that it means obedience to Christ. By nature, we do not want to obey. If we do not accept this fact, then we are unrepentant and yet in our sins. But if we have come to our senses and found ourselves proud, pretentious and pitiable, and agreed with God we deserve his wrath, not his mercy, then we have experienced repentance. We now come to God with nothing but desire for his mercy. In turn, he grants us salvation. If we come before his throne with humility, then he will give us salvation. If we seek to please him by keeping a list of man=s traditions, then he will cast us into outer darkness.

Let us come under God's conditions and humbly obey him. If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, then we lie and do not practice the truth. If we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, then we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we deny Him, he will deny us. 2 Timothy 2:12.

Very conditional.

Chris Simonson  7/06/2006

The human body and brain are made to experience anxiety, cause anxiety, deal with anxiety. The modern, effete, civilized, pampered, typical American cannot deal with anxiety although he causes plenty of it. All sorts of things cause anxiety. A jet coming at you while you are sitting there looking out the 50^{th story window can cause anxiety. A parachute not opening can cause anxiety. A child who decides he wants to be a criminal can cause anxiety to the parent. Anxiety can come upon a person because he or she is not dealing with sin appropriately. This is not meant to condemn anyone, because that is the devil's job. He will point out that you have a problem, and then give you many methods to deal with it. You, wanting to get rid of anxiety, will try a few of these methods until you find one that makes the anxiety go away or at least become bearable. Then, he spends the rest of your life accusing you before God because you have no faith.}

This causes more anxiety.

The world is full of problems and the anxiety that comes therewith. Attempts at peace do nothing but prolong the pain. World governments strain to find peace by compromise. Churches try anything to create a sense of peace. Individuals spend most of their lives seeking peace, or having failed that, searing their conscience by indulging in conscious sin. Guilt, anxiety, peace, sin. These are the words that define the mess we're in. We can try to redefine the words to mean something else, but this is just another effete attempt to ignore the cause of anxiety, which is the curse that has come upon all men due to Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden.

There are many types of anxiety disorder, and the doctors are quick to label them. I especially like Ageneralized anxiety disorder@. It is so sinister sounding. It makes me want to run out and buy some Valium. Just kidding, but this is serious stuff. It makes doctors and pharmaceutical companies billions of dollars a year. It also leads to condemnation if not taken care of at the heart level.

If we are standing in a narrow street with no sidewalks, and a steamroller ten stories high and exactly the width of the street is coming down that street toward us, and the pavement is shaking, and we see people going under the roller instead of running toward an escape door, and it just keeps getting closer and closer even though we try to run from it (we have to eat and sleep once in a while), but then we are experiencing anxiety. "Fight or flight" the behavioral-ists call it. Those who fight it just go under the roller. Those who flee down the street eventually cannot escape. They get old and weary and just stop breathing. Then the roller of condemnation comes over them.

I'm getting full of anxiety just talking about it. But I know the cure. Flee to Jesus! He took the condemnation. Death, where is thy sting? Grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, the Bible says. Once the sting is gone, death is no more than passing from this life into eternal life. Jesus already had the steamroller go over him. Then he got back up, better than new. He offers a way off the street that leads to death, but we have to listen to him above the roar and rumble of the steamroller.

The Bible says the devil holds people captive by the fear of death (Hebrews 2;15). They are caught in the web of condemnation because they will not admit they are afraid of death, but rather boast how tough they are. Then they indulge in sexual sin or take drugs to sear their conscience or seek any sort of diversion to allay their fear. But the anxiety remains, thankfully, so that they might turn from their evil ways and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, who died for them. There is no other cure for anxiety. Anxiety is not a disorder, but a warning. If you are like me, it takes a lot of anxiety to convince you something is wrong with the world. Praise be to God that he gets us through by prayer! Philippians 4:6-7.

Chris Simonson  7/05/2006

The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on this day, in 1776, by the members of the Second Continental Congress; it was signed by the delegates for the 13 colonies on August 2, 1776.

The members of the Second Continental Congress were considered rebels and traitors by the King of England, and they knew that a reward had been posted for the capture of certain prominent rebel leaders; by signing their names to the Declaration of Independence, it meant that they had pledged their own lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of freedom.

Since it's inception, America has been a great and charitable country; no one can fault America, in it's history, for not assisting where needed, through charities and military aid. We have delivered Europe from oppression, twice, as well as China from the Japanese, stabilized Korea, monitored international waters as well as spending trillions of our own dollars throughout our history in feeding the hungry and bringing comfort to those in need.

Most importantly, America has been a beacon of Christianity; it has preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ the world over. Since the beginning of America, the Bible has been an intrinsic part of the country through our laws and moral standards.

The Church, the Body of Christ, was the key component that established this nation and made it great, acting as a salt and preservative against the wicked and defiled corruptions of man.

Since the industrial revolution hit this country, the evolution of business has become the paramount structure of America, under the flag of capitalism, the model of which does work when it comes to good, business ethics. However, it is like throwing water on an oil fire when it comes to Christianity, mainly because the essential ethics of Christianity are not the bottom line profits nor what the shareholders have to say.

The founding fathers were wise enough to understand this principle with government control, that it never should dictate what the Church was going to do, that there should be some sort of separation of Church and state.

But, over the last hundred years, Christians, here in America, have forgotten the principle of "come out and be separate", and have begun to slowly but surely embrace modern business ethics into the churches, for the sake filthy lucre.

As a result, America has become corrupt and the modern church has been neutralized. There are a few savors of salt left, however: The Church, whom the gates of Hell have not prevailed against through the preaching of the Gospel and the redeeming blood of Christ.

For the decay of degradation will not stop at neutralization; it will not cease until every part and every piece is rotted away with infestation and perversion, until America and it's great depravities and debaucheries will be reduced down to desiring to rape Holy angels. (Genesis 19)

Then, God's wrath and judgment will fall upon the nation which I have been born in and care deeply for, and Christ, my savior and our judge, caring that much more. Therefore repent, America, in sackcloth and ashes before the holy and righteous God, that His exceeding Grace may cover you, before the stench of your wickedness reaches the nostrils of God.

Steven   7/04/2006

When we come up against the devil, we are up against a foe that is extremely intelligent. For some reason, we think we are capable of matching wits with this serpent. We make fun of him, we rail on him, we look for him under our beds, we make movies to scare us about him, we worship him for favors, we philosophize about him, etc., etc... not knowing all the while we are actually playing into his hands. We even cast out demons (we think) using various religious techniques, not knowing that we are ever caught in his grasp.

When we come against him by preaching the everlasting gospel, we have picked a fight with him. We may as well get that through our heads. If we retreat and refuse to come against him, we have lost our faith, or at least we have left the straight and narrow looking for escape through cowardice or comfort.

Most people do not want to pick a fight with the devil. It is much easier to serve him by proving he doesn’t exist; or even if we think he exists, he is a watered-down devil not even fit for scary movies. Most people are therefore under his influence and not capable of fighting him at all. The Bible says these are people whom the god of this world has blinded, lest they see the glorious gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The general-purpose Christianity out there is not fit for philosophy, much less fighting. It is a generalized, fits-all-sizes, jogging outfit. While wearing it, Christians can feel safe from persecution and yet know they are going to win the marathon (even while reclining on the sofa). In a non-specific, Jesus-is-everything mode, their good intentions will in some vague way get them to heaven. Don=t get specific with these virtual joggers, because they really don=t want to get in shape to run the race. However that may be, they must be reminded that our salvation depends on keeping the faith, holding onto eternal life, keeping things in remembrance, not letting go of the hope laid up for us in heaven (1 Timothy 4:16; 6:12,19; Colossians 1:23; 1 Peter 1:13; Jude 1:5, etc.). Extremist Calvinists don=t go for any of this. I don=t know why they even bother to assert their opinions, seeing as it makes no difference in their fatalistic world. The Armenians are all wrong, because they think they can gain and lose their salvation over and over. But we must remember, we are up against a foe who is far more intelligent than all the great Calvinists and Armenians out there combined.

If we think we can win the battle by out-thinking the devil, we are most certainly doomed to failure. But if we get specific with Jesus -- starting by confessing our lack of faith in him, then in patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality -- we will most certainly win (Romans 2:7). That=s a specific promise. If we disbelieve and make up our own world by mumbling ambiguous generalities about love, we also have specific promises of judgment for not knowing God. If we keep looking for signs, for more advice from palm readers and prophetesses, for mom’s approval, for fortune cookies to say the right thing, then we do not know the devil is in the details.

Chris Simonson  7/03/2006