Redeeming the Time

“Redeeming the Time”

Are you using your most valuable asset wisely?

Even as you read this article one of your most valuable assets is slipping away. This asset is shared equally by billionaires and paupers alike. And once it is lost, it is impossible to regain.

This priceless commodity is time! Time is a precious asset, especially for those living at the end of the age striving to qualify to rule with Jesus Christ.

To the world, the phrase “redeeming the time” could mean the following: driving 65 mph in a 35 mph zone; skipping breakfast; cosmetic surgery; turning one’s gray hair to brown to recapture a youthful look; or sleeping 14 hours straight to recover from a lost weekend.

But to those in God’s Church, it has an entirely different meaning—with significant consequences. The apostle Paul admonished the first-century Church to “redeem the time.” This same admonition needs to be heeded by Christians living in the final era!

This article will give you keys to properly use your most valuable commodity to help you prepare for God’s kingdom.

The Problem—and the Admonition

How many of us have put off overcoming or facing personal problems, wasted time in frivolous pursuits, neglected our relationship with God, or took lightly our calling as His elect, relegating it to less than top priority?

Many have not sought the kingdom of God as their most important goal! Thousands have lost truth and understanding through the subtlety of men! In the last 10 to 15 years, brethren have missed numerous opportunities to grow! Most have succumbed to a misuse of time.

But this problem does have solutions, and we must begin working on them today.

What does it mean to “redeem the time?” The book of Ephesians contains the admonition: “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). The word “redeeming” in the Greek can mean “to buy up, ransom, or rescue from loss.” We need to rescue from loss the time that remains in our life. We can only redeem today and plan to redeem tomorrow, for yesterday is gone! We alone are responsible for using what God has given to each of us—time—to prepare for our spiritual vocation.

Consider the following causes of time misuse:

1. The Days Are Evil: Paul admonishes us to redeem the time because the days are evil. “Evil” in the Greek means “hurtful evil in effect, calamitous, diseased, derelict and vicious.” These adjectives describe our modern world, as seen in daily news headlines.

We are living in the last days, a time when building holy, righteous character is becoming ever more difficult. Many paths of wrongdoing and wrong thinking can cause us to lose focus on God’s way of life. Evil can consume us!

2. Failing to Number Our Days: Most do not meditate on the temporary state of human existence or that our days are numbered. Human nature leads us to believe we will continue on, with unlimited physical days. This mindset goes on to every new generation.

Psalm 90 provides the following instruction: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (vs. 10, 12).

Older individuals must spend more time and energy just to maintain a physical existence as compared to younger people. As an aging Church, we must relearn this vital principle and zealously use our numbered days and limited energy to do the works of God.

3. Procrastination: One way to make any important job more difficult is to keep putting it off! Human nature loves to procrastinate—to put off overcoming, facing difficult decisions, changing poor study habits, praying for others, putting God’s Work first in life, etc. Many people delay life-changing decisions, settling for anxiety, unfulfilled goals, frustrations and lack of accomplishment. Procrastination causes us to inhibit creativity and postpone potential accomplishments that would lead to spiritual growth. We all face the pull of procrastination that can rob us of the time God has given us to overcome.

4. Darkness: The people of the seventh era are engulfed in darkness. Spiritual blindness has led many into hurtful pursuits and paths (Rev. 3:17). These include materialistic idolatry—the pursuit of physical wealth, status, worldliness and position. In this end-time state of blindness, God’s people have drunkenly stumbled along, tripping over various forms of mind-wasting entertainment, human-based “morality” and selfish, competitive pursuits.

Adrift in an era of spiritual confusion, debate and sarcasm, brethren who have not “anointed their eyes” have lost their sense of urgency. This age is characterized by wandering people unable to settle down, groping in the darkness, without light. Lost are spiritual focus, goals and an attitude of service to brethren. Lost is vision—and in spiritual darkness “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18).

Finding a Solution

But how can one “redeem the time”? Ephesians 5 sheds light on this: “Wherefore he says, AWAKE you that sleeps, and ARISE from the dead, and Christ shall give you LIGHT. See then that you WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools, but as WISE, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (vs. 14-17).

Time Well Spent

Is your time wisely spent? Are you spending too many hours watching television, or browsing the Internet? Are the programs you watch educational or edifying? Do you get more sleep than you need—or not enough sleep, with too much to do and seemingly not enough time to do it?

Your time—and how you use it—is important. Examine your schedule. Learn to budget your time and manage it well.

For example, do you make prayer and Bible study your top priority? Do you give these vital tools of Christian growth the proper amount of attention, setting aside part of your day to develop godly character and grow in “grace and knowledge”?

There are other ways to make the most of your time: read a book, take a walk, visit the sick, or simply spend time talking with others. Fellowship is an important aspect of Christian growth.

Get to know other members of the Body of Christ. Take time to listen to the experiences, blessings, trials and triumphs experienced by fellow brethren. Since our future goal is to be born into God’s kingdom and spend eternity ruling together, we should get to know one another now. An effective way to do this is with Church activities.

Take every opportunity to participate in Church-organized activities, or in a local congregation. Get involved! You will find the rewards are well worth it, as you build and strengthen bonds of friendship that will last forever!

If you use your time wisely, you will prevent having to “buy it back” later.

The context of this passage gives us several keys enabling us to “rescue from loss” the time we have remaining.

• “Awake”: Those sleeping must be awakened by an outside source, since they are likened to being dead spiritually.

The word “awake” means “to waken, collect our faculties, rouse from sleep or sitting or lying down, from obscurity, inactivity or ruins.” This is what Christ does when He individually “knocks on the door” of each of His sheep. Notice: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20).

Once awakened, we must actively seek to fulfill our spiritual vocation.

• “Repent and Be Zealous”: Those whom Christ spiritually awakens must recognize and understand their past lethargy and sleepy condition. They must “anoint their eyes”—repent and be zealous from this point forward, until Christ returns. They must realize the need for SUSTAINED URGENCY to propel one forward—to buy back time that should have been spent preparing for the kingdom of God (vs. 19).

• Walk on Illuminated Paths: When we become awakened and zealous, Christ promises to give us light (Eph. 5:14-15). A Christian can make rapid progress following a leader who knows the way: “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

Notice the paths that God says are His: “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait all the day. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies” (Psa. 25:4, 5, 10). Walking down these paths will bring untold blessings as we build righteous character for eternity.

• Mercy: If we receive no mercy for our sins, we remain in bondage, unable to use our time profitably. God’s mercy frees us from past bondage, including the misuse of our time due to blindness and neglect. If we receive no mercy our progress toward God’s kingdom stops!

We must take advantage of this opportunity and also afford mercy to those we will deal with in the future: “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment” (Jms. 2:13). God’s path of mercy requires us to show mercy to others so that we may obtain mercy.

We must continually seek God’s forgiveness for our transgressions so we can move forward on the path of mercy.

• Truth: God’s truth is a path to freedom, enabling us to thrust forward without the hindrances of doubt, deception and indecision: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

In addition, we are sanctified (or set apart) for a special purpose by God’s Word of truth (17:17). Truth energizes us—it is the fuel that propels us forward to more accomplishment and greater understanding.

Mercy and truth work together to give us an advantage in the use of our time. They afford us extra time in an atmosphere of peace, and enable us to have favor with our Creator and our fellow man: “My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them upon the table of your heart: So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man” (Prov. 3:1-4).

Accomplishing our part in God’s Work involves having favor with God and man. Having the favor of men means we have allies who will not impede our progress, but rather assist us in using our time wisely. God’s favor opens doors for us individually, and for the Church collectively, to perform more in less time.

• Godly Wisdom: Colossians 4:5-6 states, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.” As God’s people, we must “buy up” the opportunity to be the right example to the world through our daily speech and conduct.

Ultimately, we are being trained to prepare others for God’s kingdom. Helping others see a glimpse of God’s Way in this age, if only by example, is time well spent. Ask God for the wisdom to be a “people person” in distributing our most valuable product—the truth!

• Doing God’s Will: As this age draws to a close, God’s great purpose for the Church is to fulfill the Great Commission. The more in harmony and in harness we are with that Commission, the more our time will be used productively. Nothing could be more important! Taking the gospel to the world, warning the modern nations of Israel, feeding the flock of God, and warning spiritual Israel of its prophetic future are what our lives are all about.

Jesus Christ said, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Do we have this same desire and focus? If so, our time, effort and energy will bring great blessing, benefit and reward.

Changing Our Habits

One of the greatest problems facing humanity and God’s people is the proper use of time, which we are admonished to “buy up, ransom or to rescue from loss.”

Spiritual darkness, blindness, evil, deceit, perilous times, procrastination and our own sense of invincibility often deceive and ensnare us into wasting time.

We must change our habits! We must redeem the time that remains in our lives and the time remaining in this age. If we use each day wisely and “faint not,” we will be “renewed day by day” (II Cor. 4:16). NOW is the time to establish new habits and right priorities!

Once spiritually awakened, we must repent and be zealous—and remain on fire. We must walk in the illuminated paths of truth and mercy established by Jesus Christ.

Using wisdom to set a right and proper example will help us to have favor with God and men. This is especially important as we zealously labor to complete this “short” end-time Work (Rom. 9:28; Matt. 24:14). In doing so, we will have redeemed the time God has mercifully allotted to us, His modern-day disciples.

Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night comes when no man can work” (John 9:4). Brethren, ask God to help you use your time wisely and yield to Paul’s admonition—redeem the time.

by Larry J. McElroy

Copyright © 2014 The Restored Church of God. All Rights Reserved.

The Restored Church of God is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

OVERCOMING THE LUST OF THE FLESH

Overcoming the Lust of the Flesh

Losing of Oneself

(Matthew16:24,25) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Denying oneself refers to putting down the old desires, the old life, the old patterns that we established before being converted. In other words, crucify the old “self” within.

We were born as sinners and it took time and practice to develop the sinful life of each individual. Since we have Christ as our Lord we have to discipline, to lay down that old manner of living and put on Christ. Taking up your cross reflects bringing to death the flesh.

Jesus also says: “and follow Me.”  Here comes discipline. This is our daily following of Jesus Christ by saying “no” to self and “yes” to Jesus. Only through the Holy Ghost can we follow the Lord and live a godly life. Nevertheless, we have to make a decision. Discipline means work and it takes practice. As the old saying goes “practice makes perfect.” We must be penetrated with Christ so our thinking, saying, doing, and being is what God wants it to be.

We need to acquire the character of God in order to show forth the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. We need to allow God to shape us into his image. We have to train ourselves in directing our lives around God and not around ourselves.  In other words, we have to lose ourselves.

How do we do this?  We…

Mortify Our Members (Desires)

(Colossians 3:5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

(Galatians 5:19-21) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:…

Mortify means to make dead, put to death, slay. You must put to death the earthly desires that work in you, the works of the flesh. And they are…

Adultery and Fornication (sexual immorality)

Uncleanness (indecency, impurity)

Lasciviousness (shamelessness, insolence)

Inordinate affection (lust)

Evil Concupiscence (evil desires)

Covetousness (greed) – form of idolatry.

Idolatry (the worship of false gods or money or material things)

Witchcraft (sorcery, magical arts)

Hatred (hostility)

Variance (quarreling, contention, strife)

Emulations (jealousy, indignation)

Wrath (fierceness, anger)

Strife (contention, debate, argument)

Seditions (division, dissension)

Heresies (an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary to the truth)

Envyings (envy, jealousy)

Murders (slaughter)

Drunkenness (intoxication)

Revellings (rioting)

Galatians 5:21 goes on to say… they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

(Galatians 5:16-17) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

(Romans 8:5-8) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Cleanse Ourselves

(2 Corinthians 7:1) Having therefore these promise, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

(Galatians 5:24) And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

(Titus 2:11-12) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

(Romans 13:12-14) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day;… But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Put off the Old Man

(Colossians 3:9) Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;

(Ephesians 4:22) That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lust;

(Romans 6:6-7) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Put on the New Man

(Ephesians 4:24) And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(Colossians 3:10) … and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

Renew Your Mind

(Ephesians 4:23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

(Romans 12:2) And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(1 Peter 4:1-2) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Be Holy

(1 Peter 1:13-16) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.

(Romans 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

“Present” is a technical expression from the sacrificial terminology. Under the Old Covenant, the offerer’s gift was presented to God and became His property. Similarly, the gift of our life is set apart for God’s use as He determines. When we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20), we belong to ourselves no longer, we are to glorify God with our bodies.

The Old Covenant sacrifices produced a sweet smell that God declares in Leviticus 1:17; 2:2; and 3:5 to be a fragrant aroma in His nostrils. In the same way, the gift of our life is “acceptable to God.”

Paul says that giving our lives in this way is “reasonable” that is, of sound judgment, moderate, sensible, or as many modern translations say, rational or spiritual. The outward acts of a son of God spring logically from what has changed in the inner man (the new man). His mind is being renewed, and he is thus controlling himself to live according to God’s will rather than in conformity to the insanity of this world.

When We Overcome The Flesh God Gives Victory

(Ephesians 2:1-6 Good New Translation) In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. At that time you followed the world’s evil ways, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God’s anger. But God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

(2 Peter 1:3-8,10-11 ESV) His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen! Amen! Amen!

email: kimlovesjesus@icloud.com

Holy Children of God

Holy Children of God

I Peter 1:13-16  “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

As children of God, we are called to strive for holiness (I Peter 1:15). We are to “hate what is evil” and “cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). We should never imply an acceptance of sin, especially in our own lives. All we do should be consistent with what we believe and who we are in Christ.

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Holy means “sacred, pure, morally blameless”.

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you (Leviticus 20:7-8).

Holy means “sanctified, separated, set apart for use in God’s service”.

As children of God what about us should be holy?

Our bodies should be holy

(Romans 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Our eyes should be holy

(Matthew 6:22 NKJV) The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

(Psalms 101:3 NKJV) I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;

(Job 31:1) I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.

Our mouth should be holy

(Matthew 12:37) For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

(Ephesians 4:29 KJV) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…

Our lips should be holy

(Hosea 14:2) Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.”

Our tongues should be holy

(Psalms 39:1 KJV) I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle…

(Proverbs 15:4) A wholesome tongue is a tree of life…

Our conversation should be holy

(1 Peter 1:15 KJV) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

(Colossians 4:6) Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Our kiss should be holy

(1 Thessalonians 5:26 KJV) Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

Our hands should be holy

(1 Timothy 2:28) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Our feet should be holy

(Hebrews 12:13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

(Psalms 119:59 NKJV) I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies.

(Psalms 119:105 NKJV) Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Our hearts should be holy

(Deuteronomy 11:18 KJV) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul…

(Romans 5:5) …the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(1 John 3:19 KJV) And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

(Psalms 57:7 KJV) My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.

Our minds should be holy

(Colossians 3:2 NKJV) Set your mind on things above, not on thing on the earth.

(Isaiah 25:3) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

(Hebrews 10:16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

  

Our thoughts should be holy

(Psalms 139:23-24) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Proverbs 12:5 NKJV) The thoughts of the righteous are right…

Our house should be holy

(Psalms 101:2-3 NKJV) I will behave wisely in a perfect way. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;

(Deuteronomy 11:18-20 NKJV) Therefore you shall lay up these words in your heart and in your soul… And you shall write them upon the door posts of your house…

Our dress should be holy

(1 Timothy 2:9) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;… which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

(Deuteronomy 22:5 KJV) The woman shall not wear that which pertains to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment;

Our spirit should be holy

(1 Corinthians 6:20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Our time should be holy

(Ephesians 5:16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Our worship should be holy

(1 Chronicles 16:29) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Our day of rest should be holy

(Exodus 20:8 KJV) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Our faith should be most holy

(Jude 20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to

yourselves but to God; he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

We are holy if we are set apart for His purpose. In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us that, in view of God’s mercy, to offer ourselves as living sacrifices “holy” and pleasing to God, as our spiritual act of worship.

How do we do this? We must stop conforming to the pattern of this world (trying to fit in) but be transformed by the renewing of our mind and allow God’s Spirit to change the way we think.

In view of God’s mercy, we as children of God, need to remember that we are set apart for His service. Being set apart for His service does not mean that we must become a missionary, a preacher, or that we must work in a church building. Holiness is to be expressed in every aspect of our life. All of our life is to be dedicated to God as our spiritual act of worship.

Being a Christian is more than being known for attending church. It is being holy. It is letting our Christian values penetrate our life, every part of it, in every thing we do, every minute of the day.

2 Corinthians 7:1, Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

For information about home Bible studies please email or write anytime.

Kim Howard

kimlovesjesus@icloud.com

www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com

The Most Effective Mark of the Beast

Revelation 13:15-18

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, of the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.

That number is 666.

Who isn’t aware of that number?  Almost anybody you come into contact with knows what the Bible says about this number.  It is the “mark of the beast”.  The Bible says those who receive the mark…  “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and hey have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11.

Is this the most effective mark to causing damnation?

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the Woman, yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? What does the sentence end with? The devil asked Eve a question. What did it cause?  It caused doubt.

What is the most effective mark that was from the very beginning…

The “?” Mark.

The devil, the most cunning beast of the field, has marked God’s answers with a question mark.  That mark has deceived many and cause many to doubt what God said, therefore sending them into eternal damnation.  He caused Eve in the beginning to doubt what God said and is still just as cunning today.  In this day and hour he whispers in every human’s ear;

Can anybody truly understand the Bible?

Surely God will not really send you to hell?

Does God really care what you wear?

Do you really have to go to church?

Jesus died for your sins, is it necessary to be baptized?

Do you really have to be born again?

Many, many more! Causing doubt everyday to millions of people with questions about what God will really do!  It is so important to read the Bible for yourself.  See for yourself what God’s Word has to say about what it takes to please God.  What is says we must do to be saved.  How we should live, dress, and act.  And if we don’t how we will be punished.  The Bible has all the answers.  People today rely too much upon their own opinions and feelings to know what God has to say.  The devil is tricking them!  Is the devil deceiving you?

Remove the mark!  Read the Bible!  

Preached by a great man of God, Pastor Heath Barnhill

If you have trouble reading the Bible please contact me.  I will do my best to help you read and study God’s Word or I will find someone that can.

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.