Saturday market

Yesterday was a longer day of street preaching. We went to the saturday market with brothers scott and joel and also to the osu football game. Our wives came along with us for part of the day . It was a pretty good day asfar as talking with souls and its possiable we will see some of them again. We are off to Washington in the morning and look forward to doing some street preaching there aswell.

Early christian thought

Happiness of man

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.Matt. 16:24

He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:25

For this cause is a man unable to attain happiness, seeing that they call in the fears of men, preferring rather the enjoyment which is here than the promise which is to come. For they know not how great torment the enjoyment which is here brings, and what delight the promise which is to come brings. And if verily they were doing these things by themselves alone, it had been tolerable: but now they continue teaching evil to innocent souls, not knowing that they shall have their condemnation doubled, both themselves and their hearers. Second Clement (A.D. 100) ch.10

For happiness consists not in lordship over one's neighbors, nor in desiring to have more than weaker men, nor in possessing wealth and using force to inferiors; neither can any one imitate God in these matters; nay, these lie outside His greatness. Letter to Diognetus (A.D. 125-200) ch.10

And the second, that is girded about and looks like a man, is called Self-Control; she is the daughter of Faith. Whosoever then shall follow her, becomes happy in his life, for he shall refrain from all evil deeds, believing that, if he refrain from every evil desire, he shall inherit eternal life. Hermas (A.D. 150) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.16

"What kinds of self-indulgence, Sir," say I, "are harmful?" "Every action," said he, "is self-indulgence to a man, which he does with pleasure; for the ill tempered man, when he gives the reins to his passion..." Hermas (A.D. 150) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.38

We cannot sit down in fellowship with them, as neither can they with us. Things in this matter go by their turns. Now they have gladness and we are troubled. "The world," says Jesus, "shall rejoice; you shall be sorrowful." Let us mourn, then, while the heathen are merry, that in the day of their sorrow we may rejoice; lest, sharing now in their gladness, we share then also in their grief. You are too dainty, Christian, if you wouldst have pleasure in this life as well as in the next; nay, a fool you are, if you think this life's pleasures to be really pleasures. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 90

If you seek to live, being a believing man, as do the Gentiles, the joys of the world remove you from the grace of Christ. With an undisciplined mind you seek what you presume to be easily lawful, both your dear actors and their musical strains; nor do you care that the offspring of such an one should babble follies. While you think that you are enjoying life, you are improvidently erring. The Highest commands, and you shun His righteous precepts. Commodianus (A.D. 200) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 214

When the Lord says that man should eat bread with groaning, here what are you now doing, who desire to live with joy? You seek to rescind the judgment uttered by the highest God when He first formed man; you wish to abandon the curb of the law. If the Almighty God has bidden you live with sweat, you who are living in pleasure will already be a stranger to Him. The Scripture said that the Lord was angry with the Jews. Their sons, refreshed with food, rose up to play…Hope comes with labor, and the palm is given to victory. If you wish to be refreshed, give help and encouragement to the martyr. Wait for the repose to come in the passage of death. Commodianus (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 214

The BEARD

Ok so I thought it time to do a blog about the beard....here is a picture of me and my family beard. Also Here is a number of quotes from some early christians. You can get a free early christian dictionary @ earlychurchtruth.com

But for one who is a man to comb himself and shave himself with a razor, for the sake of fine effect, to arrange his hair at the looking-glass, to shave his cheeks, pluck hairs out of them, and smooth them, how womanly! And, in truth, unless you saw them naked, you would suppose them to be women. "Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.275"
For God wished women to be smooth, and rejoice in their locks alone growing spontaneously, as a horse in his mane; but has adorned man, like the lions, with a beard, and endowed him, as an attribute of manhood, with shaggy breasts, a sign his of strength and rule."Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.275"
This, then, the mark of the man, the beard, by which he is seen to be a man, is older than Eve, and is the token of the superior nature. In this God deemed it right that he should excel, and dispersed hair over man's whole body."Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.276"
It is therefore impious to desecrate the symbol of manhood, hairiness. But the embellishment of smoothing (for I am warned by the Word), if it is to attract men, is the act of an effeminate person, if to attract women, is the act of an adulterer; and both must be driven as far as possible from our society. "Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.276"
"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered," says the Lord; those on the chin, too, are numbered, and those on the whole body. There must be therefore no plucking out, contrary to God's appointment, which has counted them in according to His will… For it is not lawful to pluck out the beard, man's natural and noble ornament. "Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.276-277"
But let the chin have the hair… For an ample beard suffices for men. And if one, too, shave a part of his beard, it must not be made entirely bare, for this is a disgraceful sight. The shaving of the chin to the skin is reprehensible, approaching to plucking out the hair and smoothing. For instance, thus the Psalmist, delighted with the hair of the beard, says, "As the ointment that descends on the beard, the beard of Aaron." Having celebrated the beauty of the beard by a repetition, he made the face to shine with the ointment of the Lord."Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.286"

The Donate Button

How do you feel about asking for donations ? To me it just doesnt seem like the way to go about it, but purhaps im to stubborn here. I sure would like to hear other peoples opinions on this topic. But before we start I will be honest with you I just can't see it in the early Christian writings or in the New Testament.

What are you waiting for ?

Yesterday I heard this quiet voice ask me this question.  " what are you waiting for ? " Yes what are we waiting for ? Are we waiting for the Lord to return, or are we waiting for our own lives to be improved by some worldly pursuit ? Are we thinking day by day , or are we getting intangeld by the subtle monster of self ? Take some time today or when you can and look up some verses on waiting , its a good lesson . Ive often thought about how as christians we spend a good deal of our lives waiting . We wait for the fire and the clouds , we wait for the still and quite voice to guide us, we wait upon the Lord as our Shepherd... I would like to sit down at a later time and really think this out, but I was inspired by the question and wanted to get others involved with it. Its almost like two questions, the first... What are you waiting for ? This causes me to think about what I need to do. Then the second. What are you waiting for ? Gives me the push I need to follow through with what needs to be done. May the Lord Bless you today.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.   Psalm 39:7

The same yesterday, today, and forever !

 “ I WILL RAISE THEM UP A PROPHET FROM AMONG THEIR BRETHREN, LIKE UNTO THEE, AND WILL PUT MY WORDS IN HIS MOUTH; AND HE SHALL SPEAK UNTO THEM ALL THAT I SHALL COMMAND HIM. AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT WHOSOEVER WILL NOT HEARKEN UNTO MY WORDS, WHICH HE SHALL SPEAK IN MY NAME I WILL REQUIRE IT OF HIM.” (Deut.18:18,19)

 I strongly believe this verse to be speaking of the Christ specifically. 1. Because he was to be like Moses. 2. Because he was going to be the fire and the voice, (now who was that fire and who was that voice? Yes God…is not Yeshua God manifested in the flesh?) Please read 1 Timothy 3;16  Ex. 20; 18-21. And 3. Because the brothers refer to this scripture in the New Testament speaking about Christ…

    ”And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you… For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3: 20,22-23)

 Now consider these verses…Yeshua said.

“FOR I HAVE NOT SPOKEN OF MYSELF; BUT THE FATHER WHICH SENT ME, HE GAVE ME A COMMANDMENT, WHAT I SHOULD SAY, AND WHAT I SHOULD SPEAK. AND I KNOW THAT HIS COMMANDMENT IS LIFE EVERLASTING: WHATSOEVER I SPEAK THEREFORE, EVEN AS THE FATHER SAID UNTO ME, SO I SPEAK. (John 14:49,50)

“ IF YE KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YE SHALL ABIDE IN MY FATHERS LOVE: EVEN AS I HAVE KEPT MY FATHERS COMMANDMENTS, AND ABIDE IN HIS LOVE.”(John 15:10)

  So we must keep the commandments of Jesus Christ in order to abide in the fathers love. If we don’t we are in serious trouble. If any one is telling you that you don’t have to keep the commandments of Christ they are trying to deceive you whether they realize it or not.

Do you have the heart of a stranger ?

http://bible.us/1Chr29.15.KJV For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

Encouragement

There are two foundations, but the houses look the same. Be not discouraged if the world rails on you for pointing out their sinking sand.The wheat and the chaff look similar but the fruit on the wheat cause it to bow towards the sun. It is not wrong when we point out these differences, be encouraged even tho the world will despise you for it !

System check

Ok ive been woundering about this blog and the others,how many people see them etc. If you would like to give me some feed back, offer some advice, request something to do a blog about, im very open. Moreso im just wanting to know if this is a blessing to souls or not. Thanks for comments in advance.

Witnessing in the woods

The fellowship among brothers was a blessing, the teacher we met in asheville came along with us and has really been soaking up the kingdom life. Im asking all who see this to pray for daniel. He is a huge blessing and needs the grace that brings salvation to guide him home....

Street preaching

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” For when you used often to come to me with the desire of contradicting rather than with the wish to learn, and preferred impudently to insist on your own views, which you shouted with noisy words, to patiently listening to mine, it seemed to me foolish to contend with you; since it would be an easier and slighter thing to restrain the angry waves of a turbulent sea with shouts, than to check your madness by arguments. Assuredly it would be both a vain and ineffectual labor to offer light to a blind man, discourse to a deaf one, or wisdom to a brute; since neither can a brute apprehend, nor can a blind man admit the light, nor can a deaf man hear. In consideration of this, I have frequently held my tongue, and overcome an impatient man with patience; since I could neither teach an unteachable man, nor check an impious one with religion, nor restrain a frantic man with gentleness. "Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg. 458"

Brothers and sisters fight for the kingdom!

But the Lord replies, "Because what is impossible with men is possible with God." This again is full of great wisdom. For a man by himself working and toiling at freedom from passion achieves nothing. But if he plainly shows himself very desirous and earnest about this, he attains it by the addition of the power of God. For God conspires with willing souls. But if they abandon their eagerness, the spirit which is bestowed by God is also restrained. For to save the unwilling is the part of one exercising compulsion; but to save the willing, that of one showing grace. Nor does the kingdom of heaven belong to sleepers and sluggards, "but the violent take it by force." For this alone is commendable violence, to force God, and take life from God by force. And He, knowing those who persevere firmly, or rather violently, yields and grants. For God delights in being vanquished in such things.

Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) - Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.597

When im weak...then am I strong !

Dying To Self

.... This article has blessed me over and over again . I dont know who wrote it but I do know you should read it just click on the title and it will take you to it... be blessed.

Street preaching

Last night in asheville was the usual scene . Drunkenness poured over a slew of rebellion . One thing that really stands out was a man who came to mock us; his sign read "satan is my lord ". This soul seemed exceedingly troubled in his mind. He shouted something like...."Don't let anybody ever convince you of who you really are". Isn't that the truth about satan? He does not want us to know who we really are. The light makes manifest who we really are . Praise God when the truth shows us where we need help . I've been thinking about how repentance is an opportunity many are refusing . An old saying I heard once goes, "When opportunity knocks, don't knock it"....wise words.
The big purple bus (an obnoxious comedy tour bus which entertains the lost for a fee) pulled up along side us last night. From it blared the song the "Monster Mash". When they noticed the "satan is my lord" sign, the tour guide read it out load with his microphone as he danced to the "Monster Mash". The people cheered the satan sign on with enthusiasm.

Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.

Teyo in God willing documentory 15 years ago

God Willing

(My response to the God Willing Documentary by Evangeline Griego.)

      

     I have recently been considering this very subject so I am counting this opportunity a blessing. The adversary has many ways to deceive people, but in light of God’s word, we are not ignorant of his devices.* Please bear with me for a moment while I attempt to convey my thoughts.

        First, I would like to bring out a few points about the spirit in which this documentary was made.  I would like to look at Ephesians 2:8,9 since they referred to this verse in the film.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 In ‘God willing’, Daniel Garcia’s parents state that the “JRG” (Jim Robert’s Group) is a “salvation by works cult”. They use this verse (as well as countless other professing Christians) to defend their rebellion. But if we look at the big picture honestly, we find that we are in fact obligated to take action.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

     Notice how it says “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”.  When a soul is in disobedience to God and his word this spirit is manifested to be of the devil.* (This is very important to remember because it’s easy to get derailed by our emotions, and this documentary is crafted to pull at your emotions like a tugboat.)    

     In times past we were dead in our trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world, and in accordance with the devil. So we were dead …all of us. We lived in disobedience. Disobedience = children of God’s wrath! Personally, when I was dead in my sins, I began to feel very ashamed of my behavior.  In my brokenness I believe God quickened me by the grace that brings salvation. So what did I do? I REPENTED/TURNED from my sins and trespasses. (That’s why it says “in times past” because he was speaking to souls who were repenting from there disobedience. In the present they were being obedient, but in the past they were walking in disobedience.)  “To repent” is a verb. It requires action just like love.

     True Christians no longer desire to rebel against God but start to obey him. Now the biblical definition of grace is…

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Tit 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

     So the grace of God that hath appeared to all men is…

TEACHING THEM! If you went to college could you take credit for the things you were taught? Of course not! You needed the teacher to teach you. But didn’t you have to do your part to learn? Didn’t you have to study to pass your exams?

     So the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. We must study*, learn*, and practice His ways*. In short, if we love him we will obey him.*

         Only a fool could boast that he taught himself something, when in fact he had a teacher. Thank God for him teaching us. There is nothing we could have done here. It is a gift from God that he teaches us by his grace what is right.

        We were dead in our sins, and then God in his great mercy and love quickens us, and teaches us that we must repent/turn from what is wrong and follow him.  Do you agree? If he shows us and we refuse to obey him we are being disobedient and the spirit of disobedience is of the devil.

         Now we are His workmanship.   That’s why we pray… “For Thine is the kingdom, and glory, and power forever and ever. Amen”.* He gets the glory because it’s His power. Do you see why it says we are His workmanship? Again, only a fool would say he made himself. However, we do play a part in all this. Like students we must apply ourselves if we are to learn anything from grace.*

In other words, I could not take credit for the grace of God that has taught me to change my ways. However, I will be judged by God if I don’t listen to him and change!*

Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand…if we don’t repent we are in trouble. Remember “to repent” is a verb. It requires action!

         I hope that wasn’t too much but I think it’s important to discern what spirit this film is coming from. Let me try to connect this all somehow.

         First, the film was made by family members who either don’t believe in God or believe in a false gospel. They make the Christians out to be the bad guys and the “disobedient children” (or ex-members who have forsaken their first love) to be the victims.

         I apologize if I am being harsh.  I hate to sound judgmental but I have been on the receiving end of these false accusations for years. Now I have my chance to say a little something about it even if it is just to a handful of friends. Hopefully this will help some parents see that what they have gone along with is not good.

         Now I could probably go on and on with what I did not like about this film but I will stick to just a few points: 1.) Is the spirit behind this film of God or the devil? 2.) Are the ex-members /parents telling us the truth? 3.) When does your child have the right to choose what they want for themselves? 4) Is it all right to stalk people?

        Look up the definition on stalking and tell me if you don’t think the Parents Group is guilty.  For you who have not seen this documentary I will explain. 

        The parents in this film have detailed maps of the routes brother’s travel, files of states they live/or have lived in, and locations of their mail drop-offs.  They photograph them in: their front yards, city parks, bus stops, city streets, in town, or on the phone, etc.  Many of these people claim to be Christians. 

         In the case of Anna Flowers, I think it’s very subtle and dishonest to say “I have problems with the marriage issue” and the “not talking with the parents issue” because these are the emotional arguments that will get the sympathy you are looking for.   However, it was very obvious that she didn’t agree with modesty and the woman’s place. She was dressed very immodestly in a tight shirt and tight jeans! The bible and grace clearly teach for women to dress modestly and that their hair is given to them for a covering. She claimed or implied she wanted to “listen to God and not just some man”.  But was she telling the truth? She has clearly chosen to go against what God’s word and grace have taught her to be right. My plea to Anna flowers is that she resists the devil and start obeying God’s Word.* Please don’t misjudge my statements. I liked sister Anna/Eliorah and it’s not a blessing to see her (or any of the ex-members for that matter) turn away from the light.

           As for Tom McDermott, he said that Julie had a good family life. That’s not how his daughter would explain it. She has told me personally what a mess it was.

         I’d like to share how I met Mr. McDermott.  I met him and his wife years ago at a bike swap meet in Seattle, Washington.  They were following me around when I noticed that he took a picture of me.  When I confronted him about it he then lied with an excuse of how his elbow got in the way of the picture.  Really?  Two years ago my wife’s mother had that picture on her computer…………hmmmmmm. 

          Now just try to imagine if when you were 21 you decided to go to law school and your parents didn’t agree with you becoming a lawyer. They followed you around campus and they were even willing to kidnap you from your dorm room. (Maybe it’s a little different, sure………but I’m trying to make this tangible for you.) When do our parents let us live our own lives? When we’re 18? 20? 30? 40!?  I’m sure souls in the fellowship had no problem with their parents bothering them while they were going to college. Perhaps they even encouraged them to join a fraternity or a sorority.  It’s only when we get on the cross and forsake our foolish ways that they get concerned.* One brother told his parents that he liked going into the woods to read his bible. Their response was to send out the state to check his head! You could do all manner of evil and be accepted with disobedient family members because that’s what they do and have no problem with it.*

        And that’s what it really comes down to; the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. If we are children of God we will forsake the works of the flesh.* By doing so and preaching against them we will be hated as he is hated* and persecuted for following him.*

          In closing, I would like to be a little transparent here. I do feel some things in the fellowship need attention. However, let’s not strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.  Real Christians can see through this documentary like a screen.Here is a link you can follow to a trailer of the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DuNDcxI5h0........ 

Road ministry

Well we packed up and headed home. It was a real blessing we gave away 3 real heritics books  by David Bercot. Hopefully they will read them and change their perspective. As you can see we left our campsite super clean, a good rule to follow for anybody thinking of doing the same.  Its nice to be back with my family.

Street preaching in the city

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it”. A man called us losers and brother burton shared this verse. What a blessing.

Uncc

Well we spent two days at uncc . Now we are off to downtown to preach in the noda district.

Camp

We have been blessed on this road journey. ill try to post more of us on campus later. Yesterday we were out witnessing for maybe 8 hours. It has been so profitable we are praying about staying longer then expected. These are some picturs of at our camp site which has been very peaceful.

Road ministry

Today brother bracken gave us a ride out to the highway. We are heading towards the coast of north carolina. We arrived at uncc today and are currently camping near by :) We hope to preach some tomorrow lord willing. Here is our day in pictures.

Brothers

Standing by Jesus

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.( rom 10:9 ).......this is what it is if you are to be saved , it is to confess, (I.e speak the same thing as ) jesus ,and to believe ( fully persuaded ) in your heart ( mind ) that God hath raised him from the dead ! .....are you fully persuaded ,and standing by EVERYTHING yeshua spoke .... And speaking the same ?

What you must endure.

The cross has 3 words written on it    1. Reproof
2. Correction
3. Instruction

2 tim.3:16

This is probably one of the biggest reasons people dislike reading the bible because its filled with... Reproof, correction , and instruction.

The cross

http://bible.us/Matt24.13.KJV But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Thank God its friday !

Last week we went to ashEVILle again and did some street preaching, we hope to go again soon . I heard the city made it against the law to fly a sign ,but so far nobodys told us to leave. However one lady did say " your on private property "....

http://bible.us/Matt5.10.KJV Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Thankful

Hey mr. preacher man

Hey mr.preacher man,
Come down from your grand stand
And walk among the people
And talk among the people                      
Jesus was the King of Kings
Wounderful creator of things
He talked among the people
He walked among the people      

....sleeping under an olive tree
    His children are FREE !

People in the croud
Dont have ears to hear
Yeshuas the living word
Alive and well
They pay their ties
For the preachers lies
And when the preacher dies
He goes where ?

Hey mr.preacher man
Come down from your grand stand
And walk among the people
And talk among the  people

Yeshua was the King of Kings
Wounderful creator of things
He talked among the people
He walked among the people

....sleeping under an olive tree
    His children are FREE !

is in it a shame to see
In the name of liberty
People wont forsake there sins
But you know honestly
Its still slavery
And thats the way
Its always been !

Hey mr.preacher man
Come down from your grand stand
Yeshua is the King of Kings
Woubnderful creator of things

....sleeping under an olive tree
    His children are FREE ! 

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” -1 John 3:18 (KJV)

If ye love me keep my commandments

http://bible.us/Rom13.8.KJV Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law........in other words he that keeps yeshuas commandments/fullfilling the law of liberty ,is truly loveing his neighbor as himself . You see love is the fullfilling of the law...when we fullfill the law/ keep the commandments..." If ye love me keep my commandments " then we are truly working no ill to our neighbor , we are walking in the light which grace is teaching us to walk in , saving us from leaning on our own understanding. Listen to grace , humble yourself like a little child and let grace instruct you in the ways of righteousness .

Collage youth really need GOD !

While sharing the gospel at UNCA we took courage that some of the youth listen to the gospel. The children today are sliping away at an alarming rate ! They really need more people willing to share the truth with them. Its amazing how much trash the students are exposed to on campus today,(40 grand a year is a meager amount compared to the living soul). While the parents may be paying a hefty price for there son or daughters education, there children are the ones being influenced in the ways of darkness and paying a much higher price. Praise YESHUA brother burton used to go to this very collage ,but being taught by the spirit of grace and not the world , he now has begun to walk away from the darkness and into the light !

http://bible.us/John3.8.KJV The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Early Church stance toward War and Non Resistance

True Christians Fight Sin, Not War

Perhaps there are two dozen or more questions that accompany this statement, but all of them can be answered in one reply, a simple teaching right from Jesus' own mouth: "Love your enemies".

Historically the Early Church was non-resistant, meaning that they did not participate in warfare through military service, or political office. In fact they took Jesus' teachings to love your enemies so literally they taught that a Christian was commanded to actually turn the other cheek when someone slapped him. Have you ever wondered why the Early Church never retaliated when they were persecuted by the Roman Government? This is why.

Around the year 350 all of this changed when the Roman Emperor Constantine embraced Christianity, and began to influence the Church's decision-making processes. Until the year 350 the Early Church was the persecuted, however when Constantine was "converted" he produced an edict that effectively made the Church the persecutors. Constantine's new law declared that anyone dubbed as a heretic by the church majority was to be killed. So why was this such a turning point in Early Church history? Because it marked a point in the road where the Early Church departed from Jesus' simple teachings in Mathew 5, 6 and 7. The teachings to love your enemies; teachings that the Early Church had formerly upheld even in the fiercest persecutions. However, with the influence of Constantine's new edict to kill heretics, the Church took a sharp turn from loving their enemies as Jesus did, to killing their enemies as Pilate did.

When we continue to look at Early Church history we can see another exit ramp that lead the Early Church away from Jesus' teaching on non-resistance. The driver that took the early church down this new road was a theologian named Augustine of Hippo. Before Augustine was converted to Christianity he was part of the Manichean faith, a religion that taught an extreme form of dualism - the idea that good and evil are equal powers. As a result of this teaching the Manicheans believed that the body and spirit were two separate beings independent of one another. Why mention this? Well, because it affected the way Augustine understood and taught Jesus' teachings.

Augustine wrote: "It could be supposed that God did not authorize warfare because of what the Lord Jesus Christ taught, saying: "I say unto you that you resist not evil. But if anyone strikes you upon the right cheek turn to him the left also". However, the answer here is that what is required is not a bodily action, but an inward disposition".... "The Lord requires patience when He says: "if anyone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also." This may be in the inward disposition, although it is not exhibited in bodily action or in words". (From Augustine ch.75 The Ante-Nicene Fathers)

It was as if Augustine was saying "its perfectly acceptable to kill your enemy, as long as you love him while you are doing it". But how can you love someone and hold a gun to their head? How can you separate your bodily actions from your "inward disposition"?

What Augustine taught was definitely a sharp veering off of the narrow road and a turn going in a completely different direction from what the Church had believed and practiced historically. How do we know this? Because we can read what the early church Christians believed, and how they practiced Jesus' teachings. One of the first Christian writings that historians are aware of is an apology written by a Christian named Justin, it is dated at around 150.

Justin wrote to the Roman government who persecuted the Christians: "We used to hate and destroy one another, and refused to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ we live together with such people, and pray for our enemies." (Justin's first apology Chapter 11)

Another early church writer named Cyprian wrote: "We are scattered all over the world with the bloody horror of camps (military outposts). The whole world is wet with mutual blood. And murder - which is admitted to be a crime in the case of an individual - is called virtue when it is committed wholesale. Impunity is claimed for the (military's) wicked deeds, not because they are guiltless - but because the cruelty is perpetuated on a grand scale!" - Cyprian (c.250) vol. 5 pp. 277 of the Ante-Nicene Fathers

An early church Christian who lived in the early 300's named Lactantius wrote: "If we all derive our origin from one man, whom God created, we are plainly all of one family. Therefore it must be considered an abomination to hate another human, no matter how guilty he may be. For this reason God has decreed that we should hate no one, but that we should eliminate hatred. So we can comfort our enemies by reminding them of our mutual relationship. For if we have all been given life by the same God then what else are we but brothers? ... Because we are all brothers God teaches us never to do evil to one another but only good - giving aid to those who are oppressed, and experiencing hardship, and giving food to the hungry." - Lactantius (Divine Institutes bk. 6 ch 10.)

Nearly all of the Early church writers who taught non-resistance backed up their beliefs with martyrdom, proving that they were willing to die before they would take another persons life. However for Augustine the story was completely different. Augustine framed what is commonly referred to as the "Just War Doctrine" - a teaching that attempts to justify war if certain criteria are met. Augustine's Just War Doctrine went smack against what Jesus said in Mathew 5: "You have heard that it has been said: an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I tell you do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek turn to him the other also".

Unlike the bold Christians that went before him, Augustine never gave his life for the faith, and his theology doesn't seem to suggest he was willing to either. Perhaps he was unwilling because he saw that Christ's teachings were going to require more than he was willing to give. Perhaps like many others, Augustine didn't want to follow Jesus' teachings and turn the other cheek, so he simply created a theology that got him out of it. Consequently it gave others a cop-out as well.

With Augustine's Just War doctrine, the Early Church had a new road map that would eventually lead it toward events such as the British Crusades, the European Inquisitions, and many other atrocities led by the Spanish Catholic Conquistadors. These events would consequently cause the world to question why the christianity that speaks so much about love and forgiveness won't do the same...

Is all of this history enough to convince you that a Christian ought to love his enemies? Perhaps not, but what are you going to do with what Jesus said: "Love your enemies." And what will you do standing before the Lord when He asks "I loved you when you were my enemy, why didn't you do the same for yours?"

martin luther said what!?!?

Martin Luther: Sin Boldly  please read gal. 5:19 ...now how can mr.luther go against the bible and still be esteemed a man of God ?... little children be not deceived.1 corinthians 6:9.

What if yeshua really meant what he said ?

Of coarse he did, I hope this was your first response. yeshua/jesus said in( matthew 5:10 ) blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
       it's a blessing that he started out the sermon on the mount with this first, because this is exactly what will happen those who truly follow him in word and indeed....

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. http://bible.us/Matt5.21.KJV

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery........please leave a comment if you want. http://bible.us/Matt5.27.KJV

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evi http://bible.us/Matt5.33.KJV

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.... http://bible.us/Matt5.38.KJV

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect........ Did he really mean for us to be perfect ?!?! Father please help us to believe that we can walk on water if you ask us to. http://bible.us/Matt5.43.KJV

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. http://bible.us/Matt6.1.KJV

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
        Are you convicted yet !?!? http://bible.us/Matt6.19.KJV

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

       What a great question yeshua...please help us father to trust and obey. http://bible.us/Matt6.24.KJV

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it....matt 7:24-27 Therefore if you have ears to hear you will then move with fear and do ,may GOD give you strength. http://bible.us/Matt7.24.KJV

Road ministry

3 brothers road there bikes to a larger city south of us to spend the day witnessing.