Jeremiah 32:27 - Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
~ IT IS WRITTEN ~
Who do I follow?
What is the true gospel of Jesus Christ?
Which religion will get me into heaven?
How do I know which religion is the right?
What I am about to tell you may shake up your world a bit. My intention certainly is "not" to shake your faith, but instead, to increase it! Have you ever asked yourself, why you believe what you believe? Let me try to explain. Have you ever asked yourself, where did I get my knowledge of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit?
I'm sure without hesitation, most of you will quickly reply: "From the Bible of course". However, I would disagree with you. No matter how old you are, no matter how intelligent you are, or how simple minded you are, your knowledge of the bible surely came from someone else's interpretation of it, and it has been adjusted to fit this present period in history in which we live, just as it has with every other generation.
Sure you may read and study the bible, but we have been pre programmed from an early age (probably before we were able to read), to interpret the bible as we've been directed to interpret it. We've been directed by our parents, pastor, television and society.
I'm sure by now someone has labeled me a quack or a heretic for even suggesting such a thing, but you have most likely been programmed to accept a twentieth century version of the Christian religion, not the real message that Christ went through so much pain and effort for you to learn. Before you totally blow me off, let me point out a few things to think about.
Throughout the centuries, there have been many versions of the Christian religion, yet they were all born from the same book, the bible. In the 15th century, and prior, if you wanted to hear the word of God, you would go to the Cathedral, Temple or church, where the scriptures were read (to you) in Latin. There, you would only hear what the priest wanted you to hear and it would be their interpretation. No one had a copy of the bible in their home, and you could not go into your local book store and purchase a copy, because they didn't exist. The scriptures were hand copied on scrolls (by scribes), and the only place to hear the word was in the church.
In 1523, taking advantage of the recent invention of the printing press, William Tyndale began to translate the Scriptures into English. Tyndale's goal was to make the scriptures accessible to everyone, from the poor farmer to the Oxford scholar. Tyndale said: "I defy the Pope and all his laws: and if God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scriptures than thou dost".
To put this in plain everyday English, Tyndale said: "I defy the Pope and all his laws: and if God will spare my life, over the course of time, I will cause even the average farm boy that drives a plow, to know more about scriptures than the Pope does!"
Needless to say, the Church didn't like this very much and eventually had Tyndale executed (What Church? The Christian Church), and every copy of the Tyndale bible destroyed that could be found. Only a few copies survived. GASP!! So, as to the question "What Would Jesus Do?" Apparently the Christian Church thought Jesus would execute anyone who spread or shared his gospel to anyone other than the elite. So, what is my point? My point is, in the 15th century, I'm sure most of the "good Christians" that attended the Christian Church, whole heartedly agreed with the Pope and the actions that he took. (murder and the burning of the bible)
I'm sure the good Christians back then tithed, they didn't drink, didn't smoke, they sat in the front row every Sunday and they "all" had a hand made Jesus bumper sticker hanging from the back of their horse or wagon. Just like you, they believed everything their pastor told them. Why? Because just like us, those people were taught from birth that the Church leaders know more than we do, and we believe they are doing the will of God.
In 1523, those people were programmed from birth to act as "good Christians" as they understood it. It is no different today in the sense that when "I" write something that appears to go against the grain of what people have been taught, I get hate mail and even threats. (true) Trust me, the modern day Church is no different. They still want you to accept "only" their doctrine regardless of what you may read in the bible.
~ CONTROL ~
Imagine for a moment that you have never heard the gospel. Imagine you have never attended Church, or watched Christian television. Imagine that you have never heard the name "Jesus". Now suppose you stumbled across an old dusty bible in an antique shop. I will guarantee you (promise), if you read this book for the first time, with no input from anyone else, you would have a totally different take on it than you do today.
Guess what? That is how God intended you to hear the scriptures. The scriptures were intended for you personally, just as your relationship with God is personal, and the bible was not meant to be interpreted by scholars and deep thinkers, or only to be read by elite persons wearing a big hat, fancy robes and gold jewelry, or today's version of $2000.00 suits, $400.00 haircuts (only the gold jewelry remains the same), it was written for "YOU". I would challenge you (and it won't be easy), to read your bible with an open mind, without being influenced by what you have already been taught, then see what the bible says to "you"..
When you consider the fact that you will be hard pressed to find any two preachers, even within the same denomination who totally agree with their own doctrine, you really should read it yourself and see what God has to say to "you". Some Churches are split almost equally concerning whether women should be allowed to preach behind the pulpit. The point is, if theirs is the only way to heaven, why can't they agree on it? For more information, read my article/webpage: ARE WOMEN SUPPOSED TO KEEP SILENT IN THE CHURCH?
Think about it "very" carefully! If most religions cannot agree 100% on their own doctrine, and almost all religions claim that "they" are the only way to heaven, are you really just going to simply take their word for it? With the many religious denominations, even within the Christian religion, what are the chances that your religion is "the" one? My advice to you is to read the scriptures for yourself, so you will at least know who and what you are agreeing with and basing your eternal salvation on.
The truth is never popular or well received, but the truth is what I do. At the very least, consider it sound advice and visit this website often.
~IMAGINE ~
The truth is, Jesus loved his father's house, but detested the religious circus that went on within it. Time after time, verse after verse, scripture after scripture, when Jesus wasn't condemning, reprimanding and confronting the Church leaders directly to their face, he would commonly use them as examples of how corrupt the Church was.
When Jesus entered the temple and saw the money changers and people selling doves for the sacrifice, he overturned their tables, wrapped some chords together (essentially making a whip), and drove them out of the temple. Not exactly the picture of the baby Jesus we've had branded into our minds, surrounded by little lambs, a drummer boy, and everything but kittens, rainbows and unicorns. The truth is (to put this bluntly and in a modern language we can all understand), Jesus was "very angry". What? You don't think God gets angry? Just read your bible!
This is "very" telling when you think about it. When Jesus was humiliated, spit on, beaten, violently whipped, stripped naked, lied about, falsely accused, laughed at, and left dying a slow excruciatingly painful death (on a cross), he didn't get angry. Isn't it interesting that the only thing capable of provoking Jesus to anger (on more than one occasion), was the Church leaders and their religious Theatrics? The same things that go on within the Christian Church today!
Do you honestly think that Jesus would react differently if he were to walk into your Church today and see the tables set up to sell books, baked goods, seminars, or the pastor bartering blessings from the pulpit in exchange for your tithes? Will he react differently when he walks in and hears your pastor twisting scriptures for financial gain? REALLY? Let me give you some examples.
Malachi 3:10 - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
First, tithing is one of the many laws that Jesus set us free from. Also, the phrase "Windows of Heaven" is used only two other times in the bible (Genesis 7:11 and 8:2), and it always refers to "Water or Rain". (NOT MONEY!) Though money was used in those times, people tithed with their "Crops and Livestock". God was telling them to bring 10% of their crops and livestock so there would be "Meat" in the storehouse. God then promised to send rain as a reward, so their harvest would be even more plentiful the next year. This implies that people actually "work"! It does not imply that you give 10% and then sit back and God take care of you by showering you with "Free Stuff". For more detailed information, read my article/webpage "The Truth about Tithing".
One of my personal favorites is when preachers commonly twist the story about the poor widow, who put all she had in the offering box to mean that Jesus was saying that we should "ALL" give like she did. Well, call me a killjoy, but this could not be farther from the truth.
Mark 12:38 - And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Mark 12:39 - And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
Mark 12:40 - Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Mark 12:41 - And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Mark 12:42 - And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mark 12:43 - And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Mark 12:44 - For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
As you can see, as you read the entire verse in context, Jesus is condemning the teachers of the law, not using the widow as an example of how to give. The only way in which Jesus was using the poor widow as an example, was by pointing out that the Church was taking all of her money. Jesus had just finished saying that these people devoured widows houses, then (in the same verse) he used the poor widow as an example. Jesus said that those people will receive "Greater condemnation". I will be bold enough to say: There are many modern day preachers who will receive the same. possibly someone from within your Church.
These are only two examples. I see countless examples where scripture has been taken out of context. The common factor usually coincides with someone trying to separate you from your money. The truth really will make you free!
~ THE TRUTH "WILL" MAKE YOU FREE ~
It is written several times in the bible that Jesus went from town to town, preaching the good news of the kingdom of heaven. Most of us read right through that without stopping to even think about what that means. If someone asked you right now - What exactly is the good news of the kingdom that Jesus was talking about, what would you tell them? Most people don't know and don't care, they just like the way it sounds.
Truly, we have been conditioned from an early age to feel good, no matter what is said from the pulpit, as long as it sounds holy! Preachers can read their wife's grocery list from the pulpit and the congregation will get all emotional, as long as the speaker knows when to raise and lower his holy sounding voice and knows when to pound the podium at the precise moment.
~ IT IS WRITTEN ~
Let me share with you just exactly what the good news of the kingdom of heaven is. Even if you have been brought up in the Church since you were a baby, I'm willing to bet that most of you will be hearing the good news of the kingdom of heaven for the first time, by reading this article. Ask yourself "Why Jesus?" After all, the bible scriptures show that before Jesus walked the earth, people went to heaven when they died, so why is it good news that if we believe in "him" we will be saved?
Before Jesus, if you wanted to be saved, you simply followed the rules, then you'd go to heaven. By rules, I of course mean the "Laws of Moses". 613 of them to be exact, but it wasn't exactly simple. The rules were too hard to follow without breaking, and there were too many of them, so God showed us mercy and gave us an easier way to still make it to heaven, the sacrifice! When you broke one of the laws, it was called a sin, and everybody eventually broke the law and sinned. You would then offer a lamb as a sacrifice. Your sins were placed on the lamb and by shedding it's blood, you were washed clean and considered "sinless", until it was time for the next sacrifice.
Back then, only Jews were allowed this privilege. It was an "elite" club. The good news of the kingdom of heaven is that Jesus has put the kingdom of heaven within your reach. First he opened the doors so that everyone, of every race and nationality can enter and second, we don't have to struggle with trying to obey 613 laws that are impossible to obey without sinning. Why? Because God provided the perfect sacrifice, his own son. (the lamb of God)
Our sins were put on this lamb, he was sacrificed, and as a result, we were washed clean in Gods eyes. No other sacrifice will ever be necessary, and neither will following the laws of Moses be required. This is the good news of the kingdom of heaven. God has opened the door of heaven to you, no matter what race or nationality you are. Your sins are forgiven, and you are free from the law.
~ THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ~
For generations, mothers have told their young children: "If you masturbate, you will go blind!" Of course this is not true, but then, neither is it true that "if you smoke cigarettes, you'll go to hell!" or "If you don't tithe, you'll be cursed by God" or "If you even look at a woman with lust in your heart, you'll go to hell for committing adultery". THAT'S IT!! If I'm wrong, I might as well stop writing right now! Let's face it, there are not going to be "any" men in heaven! (Will you ladies miss us?) Then again, does this possibly apply to women too, if they look at a man with lust in their heart?
Some religions even take this to the extreme and tell you that you can not even look at your own wife with lust in your heart. If anyone out there has figured out exactly how to do that. let me know. Of course I'll never be able to put that into practice, I happen to like lusting after my wife, but I "am" curious. The truth is, Jesus was making the point that nothing "you" do can save you or send you to heaven.
Matthew 19:26 - And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
~ SPIRITUALLY BLIND ~
~ WARNING! EXPLICIT MATERIAL ~
The Church (like the government), likes to control people. They always have. Why? Because if they control you, they control your wallet or purse, however, I rarely see them encouraging you to give your money directly to the poor as Jesus directed us to do. Like the government, they feel they are more qualified to distribute your money than you are. It goes without saying, the ones that are in control get to have all the prestige and authority that they believe God has given to them over the rest of us poor slobs.
They get to play the role of Jesus in this great play of life. Instead of pointing the way to the one who gives eternal life, they point the finger at you. They tell you to follow them, then tell you exactly how to live. Do I sound like a "Church Hater?", absolutely not. I love God's house, however, If someone wants to assume the role of Jesus, they need to at least "Get It Right". Jesus did not own "any" material possessions other than the clothes on his back. (and even those were taken from him at the end) Jesus came as a servant. (he even washed his disciples feet) Jesus did not even once condemn or judge us (sinners), but he did condemn the Church leaders on many occasions.
Jesus did not try to control your every move. Jesus came to teach us the right way. When Jesus witnessed us sinning, he did not yell in a thundering voice "STOP THAT!!!", and then call a legion of angels to beat us up, shun us, or kick us out. Jesus assumed that we had at least a little common sense. Jesus corrected us and taught us in a unique way. He said "If you sin or perform a certain action, there will be a certain consequence". (In other words, you have free will, so choose wisely)
EXAMPLE:
Luke 12:13 - Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me."
Luke 12:14 - But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?"
Luke 12:15 - Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
Isn't it amazing that Jesus, being the only one with true authority to judge, chose not to. It's clear by reading this scripture that Jesus considered one, if not both of the brothers were being greedy. However, he did not condemn or judge either one of them, but instead gave them a warning BEWARE! Your life does not consist of your possessions! He didn't tell them what to do, he told them what was the right thing to do, and gave them free will.
Paul had it right in Romans when he wrote:
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As you can see, Paul was not policing these people, but instead telling them the right way and giving them a choice.
OR DESPERATELY IN NEED OF GLASSES
~ ARE WE THERE YET? ~
A great multitude of the modern day Christian Church is spiritually blind (or desperately in need of glasses). The word "Supernatural" means "More" natural, and heaven and the spirit world is "more" real than the world in which we live, but many don't see it. Why is that? Do we refuse to see it or ignore it? Not at all. We don't see it because we've been conditioned not to see it.
We have at one time or another seen documentaries about recently discovered sea life that live so far down below the surface of the ocean that there is no light there. These creatures are blind. The reason they are blind is simply because their eyes are not needed. Just like moles live underground, so they are either blind or have extremely poor eyesight. The reason again is, eyesight simply isn't needed.
We are not connected to the spiritual world because we have no reference. Most of us attend Churches from birth, where there is a man behind the pulpit claiming to be our "Spiritual Leader", when in fact, there is nothing spiritual about him. How can you be shown the way, or be blessed by someone who is stealing from Christ? Christ is our only spiritual leader and the title "Spiritual Leader" belongs to him alone! A pastors duty is to point the way to Christ. It was never intended to be a glorious position, but instead, a "servants position". The only context in which a preacher should be considered a "leader", would be to compare him to a traffic cop or a tour guide. (myself included)
Your physical eyesight and your spiritual eyesight are not too different in this way. When your eyes start going bad, you lose detail. You lose the ability to focus on people or things like reading the fine print on your prescription bottle, however, you can still instantly make out shapes and colors. (think about that) Things may look okay as you sit staring at the pulpit because our Spiritual eyesight has gone dim. The colors look right and the shape looks right, but we haven't clearly seen that the kindly old pastor has been holding up an offering plate instead of a cross. Or a snake instead of a bible. In allot of cases the kindly old pastor himself can't see that he is holding up the wrong thing. He's just doing what he's been taught.
Have you ever seen an old movie called "Adventures in Babysitting?" There is one particular very funny scene where a girl is stranded at a bus station in Chicago. She has lost her glasses and her money. She finds a stray cat and takes pity on it. She picks it up and carries it around petting it. One of the custodians comes along and tells her to "put the animal down so they can kill it!!" She is horrified and says: "How could you be so cruel that you would kill this poor kitty?" The custodian replies: "Lady!! That's no kitty, that's a big Sewer Rat!!!"
Without our spiritual glasses, we don't want to let go of the ugly thing that we have been holding on to either. (Religion!) The same thing Jesus condemned time and again. For the sake of this scenario, think of me as the custodian, and religion as the "sewer rat". I "am" telling you to "Put it Down" and seek a personal relationship with the father instead. You may not like hearing this, and I will probably receive hate mail, but the truth is: JESUS WAS "NOT" RELIGIOUS!! Neither did he promote religion. He offered and promoted a personal relationship with him and the father.
We are spiritually blind because the ones claiming to be our leaders, haven't led us anywhere but to themselves and their offering plate. They are in darkness so spiritual eyesight hasn't been needed. We are commanded to be disciples, and then go make disciples.
Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
If your so called spiritual leader is not a disciple, he can't make you one can he? Neither then, can you go and make disciples.
~ John 10:30 - I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE ~
The point of this long article is: You can hold on to the sewer rat if you like. You can follow all laws and rules of Moses, but this does come with a warning!
James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
So, pick out one or two of the 613 laws and make them a condition of your salvation (like tithing as an example), and you will be bound by "all" of the 613 laws! If you break any one of them, you will be held guilty of all of them. I'll warn you, you are taking quite a gamble if you do it this way just so you can say: "I did it myself" (Note: no one except Jesus has ever done it yet), or you can except God's free gift of salvation through his son Jesus Christ. (who fulfilled all of those laws) In other words, the law is gone unless you choose to resurrect it for yourself and try to live it.
Romans 4:15 - for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.
Here's the bad news. If you choose to live by the law, you can no longer sacrifice a lamb to atone for your sins. The only sacrifice God will accept, is the sacrifice of his son, and it's a free gift. Trying to follow the laws may get you a big pat on the head from pastor, but it will "not" please God. By doing so you are simply telling God that you don't need him or his son, you can save yourself. (Good Luck) If you still don't get it, you're spiritually blind because you are not seeking a personal relationship with the one who is spirit. Oh, you may have a whale of a relationship with your pastor and the entire congregation may love you to pieces, but that does little to draw you closer to God.
~ WHERE ARE YOU BEING FED? ~
If you wish to be like Jesus, it's clear who you should follow. You shouldn't need me to tell you that if you have a choice between Mother Theresa or the loud millionaire under the bright lights, it is mother Theresa who will lead you to him.
John 12:26 - If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Without your support, Power of Faith Ministries cannot stay online. I do not and never have asked for your tithes, however, If you appreciate this ministry, support this ministry! If you were fed here, give here! Due to the volume of mail that I receive, it is getting impossible to reply to everyone. I always read prayer requests and pray over them and will continue to do so, however, trying to reply to hundreds of emails from folks who do not even give one dollar to this ministry, takes up enough hours to equal a full time job. (for no pay)
I have had people get snippy writing things like: "I HAVE WRITTEN YOU TWICE AND "YOU" DIDN'T REPLY!!!" Let me make this clear to everyone. As much as I do love to reply when able, I am nobody's spiritual leader. (Christ is) Neither am I anyone's counselor. I am in no way obligated by God or anyone else to reply to every email that I receive. I do so simply out of the goodness of my heart. If someone wants my advice, or even my take on the bible or any other subject, It is a due courtesy to donate at least a dollar. Those who support this ministry always get a reply.
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Dan Douglass - I Have Spoken
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